CWU Observer - Winter 2021, Issue 4

February 2 - February 9, 2021

Vol. 118 NO. 4

Brooks Library reopens with some changes Levi Shields Staff Reporter

Brooks Library has reopened with some changes and new services for students to get used to. The changes were made to the library to comply with COVID-19 guidelines, including lowering the capacity of the building to 25%, having less chairs in the building, repurposing group study rooms into individual study rooms and closing at 9 p.m. rather than midnight.

Many of the services that the library once offered in-person have been moved to online, such as one-on-one appointments with librarians and special events such as author talks.

“I think we’ve managed to replicate just about everything virtually … Basical-

ly, if it can be virtual, we make it virtual,” Dean of Libraries Rebecca Lubas said.

According to Lubas, the Athletic Tutoring and Academic Tutoring services that are housed in the library are still offering some in-person services, but are mostly online.

The time spent fully online has allowed the library to be able to accommodate off-campus students better than they could before. Brooks Library has implemented a feature that allows students to order materials from the library online and have it mailed to them. This provides services to those who are fully online, those who are working online until it is safe to return to Ellensburg campus and those who are working from CWU’s many centers around the state.

Other precautions being taken include a plexi-glass shield in front of the service desk, less people working in the library at once and workers doing occasional walkthroughs of the building, ensuring that they are under 25% capacity and that everyone is wearing their masks.

Another new precaution involving library materials is the quarantining and cleaning of returned books, laptops and other equipment. Associate Dean Sydney

Thompson said there have been multiple scientific studies on how long the coronavirus remains on surfaces, inspiring this new precaution.

Another change is the closing of the music room on the fourth floor. While music is still available to check out, it is stored in a study room and by appointment only.

Lubas said this is because the music room had too many small, tight spaces.

Archives and Special Collections are by appointment only as well.

A few new resources are now available to students as well. One of these is RapidILL, an inter-library loan service that CWU was not a part of before. It provides students with electronic copies of articles and book chapters that CWU does not own in the library. Materials could be provided as quickly as a matter of minutes, but the average is about 12 hours, Thompson said.

Other new resources include an online video service called Academic Video Online (AVOn), which provides more than 67,000 educational titles, Digital Theater Plus, which provides resources related to British theatre productions and Music Online: Classical Scores Library, which is a digital collection of classical music.

These resources can be found under databases on the library’s website.

Students who have any questions about the library and its services can find options on the library’s website, including a 24/7 live chat option.

Photo by Casey Rothgeb/The Observer

In This Issue News

1-4

Scene

5-7

Opinion

8-9

Sports Engagement

10-11 12

Page 2 Biden extends student loan pause

Page 6-7 Ellensburg’s street art

Commencement to be virtual Mitchell Roland & RachelAnn Degnan Editor-in-Chief & Senior Reporter

On Jan. 21, students and families received confirmation that the 2021 commencement held at the end of spring quarter would be online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the CWU Provost Michelle DenBeste, the decision to make the annual celebration a virtual event was based on the virus’s continued spread.

“We have been waiting a bit longer than we usually would with the hope that maybe we could do an in-person commencement,” DenBeste said. “But with the slow vaccine roll out and the rising numbers of cases, we realized that it wasn’t likely to be possible.”

At CWU, commencement is not just a celebration for students but the staff as well.

“It’s a ceremony that we all share in.

If you work in academia, it’s the things that [tie] us together every single year,” DenBeste said. “We get to reconnect with our students. We get to see their families, [and] we get to share with them in their celebrations. So it’s really disappointing.”

Students have gone to social media and other outlets to express their opinions on the virtual commencement, with most sharing dissatisfaction.

Jaime Gilbert was planning on walking with her two children for her Master’s in information technology management (ITM).

“I walked for my first masters, and I told previous students of mine who were on the fence on whether to walk at graduation [that] there is nothing that feels more fulfilling than when you stand in front of your family, friends and peers and get that moment to celebrate all of that hard work,” Jaime Gilbert said. “[After I got my] two bachelor’s degrees, I remember holding up both of my diplomas just looking at my kids in the crowd, yelling ‘I did it’ It was just exuberating.”

Gilbert’s oldest child, Meghan Gilbert, a grad student in the ITM department, believes that commencement is a celebration of achievement.

“Commencement is a celebration of the hard work that you put in to receive your degree,” Meghan Gilbert said.

“We’ve all been working hard throughout this pandemic. So commencement this year would have meant something more special because it’s not only a celebration but a coming together, which would be unique throughout this whole past year.”

See Commencement, Page 4 Page 11 Seeking nature in Kittitas

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February 2, 2021

NEWS

New Health Sciences building nears completion Max Hughes Staff Reporter CWU’s new Health Sciences building is scheduled to be completed in November. The project began in 2019 with the demolition of Hertz hall, and classes are projected to begin in the new building in January 2022, according to Doug Ryder, project manager for the health sciences building.

“We’re projecting for construction to be substantially complete in November of this year, but there will still be quite a bit of work as far as outfitting the building with furnishings and equipment technology and the move-in the contents of the occupants,” Ryder said.

The new building will include more opportunities for experiential learning. For example, the back half of an ambulance in the building will allow students to practice in a real-life adjacent setting, according to Ryder.

“CWU also owns an actual ambulance, that we may end up having a concrete pad that we can park that and allow students to use,” Ryder said.

There will also be simulation rooms that will enable students to practice in real-life environments, something that is not available to current CWU students according to Vincent

Nethery, former chair of the department of nutrition, exercise and health sciences.

“For example there’s a small room set up that’s a simulation of a bedroom. There’s another small room that’s a simulation of a kitchen, and another one that’s a simulation of a living room area, and in this sense … the EMTs and paramedics … get the opportunity to be able to negotiate the specific real life scenarios that would exist,” Nethery said.

Ryder said the building will be an eco-friendly building, using former Hertz concrete and crushing it to make new structural fill and having weatherproofing and insulation that will allow for better energy conservation.

“We also have plans to have 8,000 square feet of solar panels which will produce quite a bit of solar energy ... I would say probably 9% to 10% of the building electricity will be renewable,” Ryder said.

The new building will meet the needs of the growing Health Sciences department at CWU. Nethery said that the department now services 800 students, making it one of the largest three departments at CWU. “Shortly after the beginning of the department, it became blatantly obvious that the facility needs on the campus fell far short of the require-

Photo courtesy of Max Hughes

The interior of the new Health Sciences building as shown during the virtual tour.

ments of the different programs that were in the department,” Nethery said.

“So, it became very important from a conceptual perspective and a practical perspective to have a centralized area where the faculty and students can interact among themselves.”

Right now, the Health Sciences Department uses about six different buildings on campus which include Purser Hall, Nicholson

pavilion, Psychology, Black Hall, Michelson Hall and some laboratory spaces in Farrell Hall.

“The north portion consists of instructional and laboratory spaces, and on the south portion of the second and third floor are the offices for faculty and staff,” Ryder said. “On the ground floor of the South portion of the building has a large 120 seat lecture Hall and then to each side of that are two smaller 45 seat lecture halls.”

Biden extends student loan pause for Americans struggling with debt Madalyn Banouvong Staff Reporter

In his first week in office, President Joe Biden has sought to make a sharp turn around and has signed an executive order to pause the payment of student loans until September 2021.

On Jan. 21, the White House released an official statement on their website, stating “at the request of President Biden, the Acting Secretary of Education will extend the pause on federal student loan payments and collections and keep the interest rate at 0%. Too many Americans are struggling to pay for basic necessities and to provide for their families. They should not be forced to choose between paying their student loans and putting food on the table.”

Most average Americans have been faced with economic hardships in the past year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 31.3 million people reported in July that they had been unable to work at some point in the last four weeks because their employer closed or lost business due to the pandemic.

With students who owe loans accruing interest they will have to pay back, it becomes a battle of what is most important, and loans become another difficult financial issue Americans face. Rising unemployment means students who lost jobs are more likely to be struggling to support themselves.

Jarod Majeika is a postgraduate living in an uncertain world. Majeika found online fame at a young age and continues to keep an online presence.

He was a popular creator on the app Vine and had over 270,000 followers before the app shut down. After the demise of Vine, Majeika decided to stay a more low-profile social media personality and now shares comedic content on Twitter to his audience of more than 27,900.

Deciding to focus on his degree, Majeika found his best fit at the University of California. He accepted student loans from FAFSA to further help him in his education. Majeika finds himself like many other Americans being overwhelmed by having to bear debt at this time.

He tweeted on Jan. 25, “my student debt still hasn’t been cancelled…? @POTUS.”

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Editorial Policy: The Observer is a public forum for student expression,

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relief each year for up to five years if they continued to keep that vocation.

Right now the pandemic increases the economic hardship of borrowers, who currently owe over $1.5 trillion in total in federal student loans. College students who were claimed as dependents were not eligible for the one stimulus check of $1,200 or the $500 addition to their parent’s checks since they were over 17. Even if an independent college student was to receive their $1,200 check, the average monthly student loan payment is about $393, according to EducationData.org.

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President Joe Biden

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Right now his loans are in forbearance, which means they are paused but interest still accrues as if he was paying regularly.

“I’m not actually paying them, not until September at least,” Majeika said.

He said he hopes that the new administration grants complete student loan forgiveness. It’s unsettling to him that young people are put into debt right as they enter into adulthood and are encouraged to do so to further their education. Other peers of Majeika have had similar concerns.

According to NBC News, Bidens plans that “[p]eople making more than $25,000 would direct pay 5 percent of their discretionary income toward their loan, which is half of the current 10 percent cap.

Those who make $25,000 or less would not be expected to pay back the government and would not accrue interest.”

The plan would also forgive the outstanding student debt of those who’ve been paying them for at least 20 years. Those who have jobs in teaching and non-profits would receive $10,000 of student debt

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February 2, 2021

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NEWS

CWU clubs affected by COVID-19 Milenne Quinonez Staff Reporter Due to COVID-19, many activities at CWU have been canceled or forced to meet via Zoom. Although the changes happened suddenly there are clubs that have persevered through the shift to virtual meetings and continue to meet there now.

Mykenna Stougard, President of the Rodeo Club, is in charge of organizing practices, running meetings, looking over and approving budgets and communicating with the college association.

“Rodeo is an outlet; I mean it’s like going to the gym for other people. It’s an outlet to get away from life or stress or you know whatever, amidst it all it’s something that can be really calming. It’s really unfortunate that we have had to sacrifice that because of this pandemic,” Stougard said.

Before COVID-19, the club was meeting twice a week and having monthly team meetings to go over goals and budgets. The club would participate in four or five rodeos throughout the season.

“We have not been allowed to compete at all. CWU will not allow us to travel. We are the only school in the league, in the state that is not allowing for rodeo members to compete,” Stougard said.

According to Stougard, every other university is allowing members to compete.

The club has been pushing the university to allow them to compete, but they have been met with a lot of resistance. Stougard said rodeo is an individual sport, and everybody is on horses which means members are not within six feet of one another.

CWU rodeo club has about 25 members, not including students that have graduated.

Graphic by Ilse Orta Mederos

“It’s hard because there is a lot of frustration. There is a certain academic requirement that you have to meet, there’s a lot of time put into this. There’s a lot of time and sweat and hard work, and then to have it all ripped away and disregarded is just really brutal,” Stougard said. “I know that it has definitely had an effect on some of our team’s mental health, it is the one place in a lot of our lives that we find joy, the light of life and just what we live for.”

Andie Waterson, a member of the Rodeo club, said when she first started at CWU, she didn’t know a single person and being an out of state student made it even more difficult. She said participating in practices and rodeos allowed her to immediately feel included and made the transition into college a lot smoother.

“I miss supporting and being supported by other members of the club and competing for the school,” Waterson said.

President Erynn Brown of Her Campus said that it was interesting, as a club that meets regularly in person, to pitch story ideas when switching to Zoom.

“When you’re pitching meetings, we kind of just shout out ideas when they come to us, and it was interesting to see how we could do that with not having everyone talking over each other and interrupting each other,” Brown said.

As a solution, the club decided to instead pitch story ideas over chat.

Erynn Brown has been on the board of Her Campus since fall of 2018, and a member since winter of 2018. She transferred to CWU from the University of Washington.

Brown said she really wanted to find a group of girls that were like-minded that she would get along with, and ended up finding Her Campus through the explore page of Instagram.

With over 20 members in Her Campus there were some changes that needed to be

made to follow new health and safety protocols. Every quarter, for example, Her Campus likes to do a photoshoot for members.

“I decided to get a backdrop and just do headshots in my apartment,” Brown said.

“We had girls coming one by one with masks on, we sanitized before and after they came into my apartment and it was just me one on one with them.”

Brown said it was a fun way to get to know each person, since as the president, she wants to be able to interact with each one of them.

Brown said at the start of the pandemic, the club was barely able to meet. With different leadership at the time, they had to quickly figure out a way to continue.

Not meeting often led to girls dropping the club, and Her Campus ended last year with around six members, according to Brown.

During fall quarter of 2020, the club decided to do heavy recruitment.

“We saw a decent amount of membership gain throughout that time which was really interesting because you know people aren’t on campus and the people who are on campus don’t get to meet anywhere, so it was like do people still want to do this?” Brown said. “I think because we have such an opportunity for girls to write and publish articles on a professional website, we were still able to get members because of that.”

During Her Campus recruitment they have an application process and students are given three prompts and are expected to choose two of those prompts to write a 200-word essay. The board then looks over them and the president and vice president meet with students they choose and continue from there.

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4

NEWS

February 2, 2021

Public universities wave SAT/ACT requirement Star Diavolikis Senior News Reporter Applicants in fall 2021 will not need to provide SAT or ACT test scores to apply to CWU, according to a decision made by the Washington State Council of Presidents after assessing how the pandemic has affected students going from high school to a university. A tweet posted by the Council of Presidents on Jan. 19 shared the announcement.

“All of Washington’s public four-year college and universities are integrating flexibility into admissions processes to ease, to the extent possible, the disruption of COVID-19 for fall 2021 applicants,” the announcement stated.

The efforts of flexibility include SAT and ACT test scores not being required for fall 2021 freshman applicants, and not submitting a score will not be a disadvantage. Admissions offices need to be flexible if applicants do not have the required high school course credits and need to use multiple measures to review the entirety of the student’s application.

According to the announcement, institutions included in this announcement are CWU, EWU, Evergreen, UW, WSU and WWU. “We are here collectively, and as individual colleges and universities, to help current and future students achieve their goals, navigate this crisis, and take advantage of Washington’s investment in a four-year college or university education,” the announcement stated.

Vice President of Enrollment Josh Hibbard said the decision to remove test scores was made by the Faculty Senate back in spring 2020, when the pandemic first started to affect educational processes, including being able to test.

“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Faculty Senate passed legislation to temporarily remove the SAT/ACT test requirement for undergraduate CWU admission since many SAT/ACT exams were being canceled,” a letter sent from the ASCWU addressed to the Office of the Provost from June 12, 2020 said.

Commencement from Page 1 Dylan Gilbert, an ITM major and a double minor in communication and apparel textile and merchandise, expressed how excited he was to walk in his first commencement.

“Commencement is a milestone. It’s like a huge breakthrough, a moment that you made it,” Dylan Gilbert said. “All the time and effort that has taken place over the past years [has] ended, but also [commencement] is a mark of a new beginning.”

At the end of spring quarter 2021, all three Gilberts will be attending commencement as graduating students. Unfortunately, the news that commencement would be virtual this year temporarily dashed their celebration dreams.

“I was disappointed, of course, because we were really looking forward to it. But then [I] followed that up with recognizing that there is so much else going on in the world than my personal life,” Meghan Gilbert said. “[I] recognized why the decision was made and I felt okay

Photo by Casey Rothgeb/The Observer

ASCWU President Mickael Candelaria said this change will be an overall positive change for future applicants.

“I 110% believe we will, one, admit more incoming students and two, increase access to higher education through that,” Candelaria said. “I’m really excited to see the positive results.”

Hibbard believes removing the testing requirement for 2021 applicants can possibly increase the enrollment numbers for the upcoming year.

“Removing the test score barrier will certainly support students applying to [CWU], especially those who were unable to take the test due to the pandemic,” Hibbard said.

With the decision to waive the test scores for 2020 and 2021, there is the question of if SAT and ACT scores can be removed from the application process altogether.

According to the CWU admissions webpage, before this decision was made, if an applicant had a GPA of 3.0 or higher a test score was not required. An SAT or

about it because they are making the right decision overall.”

Her brother, Dylan Gilbert, didn’t necessarily agree that commencement needed to be virtual.

“I felt a sense of emptiness because the build-up and what you have been working towards for so long is now just a zoom meeting. The endgame is kind of anti-climatic,” Dylan Gilbert said. “Logically, I am not even sure if it is the right decision because there [are] ways that it could [have] been done while keeping safe with [COVID-19] guidelines. TV productions have been figuring out how to produce these shows [live] and if Hollywood can do it, [CWU] can.”

However, Dylan Gilbert is refusing to let the virtual commencement take away the celebration of his achievement.

“On the flip side, [a] celebration is a celebration and I am glad the milestone is achieved and able to be celebrated in some form,” Dylan Gilbert said.

Jaime Gilbert agreed with both of her kids and said she wondered if CWU could have followed the example of a local high school and their social distanced ceremony they held last year.

ACT score was needed for students who did not meet College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR) for the review process.

On April 11, 2020, Hibbard sent a memo to Faculty Senate Chairman Walter Szeliga recommending SAT and ACT scores be removed from the admissions process.

“The purpose of this memo is to recommend that Central Washington University removes SAT/ACT testing from the standard admissions review process,” the memo stated. “Much has been written to support the removal of standardized tests in the admissions review process.”

In the memo, Hibbard provided a link to a paper written by Oregon State University’s Vice Provost Jon Boeckenstedt. This paper provided four main points discussing why removing standardized tests in the admissions review process was beneficial.

Points discussed include standardized tests cannot predict freshman grades, equity issues are present, time spent preparing for

the test can take away from ongoing education and these tests have a racist history.

Candelaria supports the decision to remove these test scores from the usual admissions process.

“A lot of the time, people forget testing, especially standardized testing, is a barrier for some students,” Candelaria said. “Especially students who come from historically marginalized communities …

Some people either can’t afford to take, retake, or get those test results in, so they just completely decide not to attend college because that can be a barrier. So, I’m hopeful that removing this barrier will increase our enrollment in future years.”

Hibbard supports the decision to remove these test scores from the admissions process as well.

“Standardized tests aren’t helpful in predicting expression in grades,” Hibbard said. “There’s quite a bit of concern around equity and we know that people, typically with the most social, economic and political capital, are the ones that benefit from tests the most and continue to ensure that those tests remain important.”

Graphic by Ilse Orta Mederos

“It’s disappointing that in over a year and a half, [the administration] could not come up with another way,” Jaime Gilbert said. “Especially since they have students on campus and they didn’t offer another solution.”

The Gilberts still plan to dress in their gowns and celebrate their achievements together as a family.

“I am not going to complain whether I get to walk. We are going to re-define what that looks like,” Jaime Gilbert said. “We’re going to get our gowns, we’re going to do pictures together, and we’re going to celebrate. You don’t have to let the milestone go by just because a ceremony wasn’t held. We can make our own ceremony.”

February 2, 2021

The Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary Nidia Torres Staff Reporter

SCENE

5

Band students safely return to McIntyre Hall Libby Williams Staff Reporter

After two quarters of campus-wide online learning, performance based music classes are transitioning back to an in-person format. This shift comes with many safety regulations to ensure performers stay healthy, and these classes can provide a “first look” for the rest of the school at what pandemic safe learning looks like.

Junior Cameron Olsen is a student employee in the music building, and also plays percussion in symphonic winds. His job mostly consists of making programs and posters, as well as helping students who call the office with questions. It also meant he was one of the first to hear about the shift back to in-person classes this quarter, which was something he had been looking forward to.

“Being in-person is more of a religious experience. It’s better to be in band, versus just learning about band,” Olsen said.

While he said he understands why classes needed to be online to ensure safety, he also said it meant sacrificing a lot of the social aspect that comes with performing.

In order for classes to be allowed to run, many precautions have to be taken by faculty and staff, especially for band classes where most instruments are played by mouth. Bell covers are placed on all wind instruments, players sit at least 6 feet away from each other and spit is emptied onto precut absorbent pads.

Olsen said he recognizes that there’s still a level of risk that comes with performing in a group setting, but he’s still happy to be back.

“I would rather be able to play with a little risk, than not at all with no risk,” Olsen said.

Sophomore Gabe Bradley is a saxophone player in a symphonic band. He, as well as anyone who plays a wind instrument, has to wear a special mask when he plays with a hole cut out for his mouthpiece. He said it messes with his intonation a bit, but anything beats band in a Zoom class.

“I’m a musician, so I’m going to do whatever it takes to pay,” Bradley said. “I’m willing to make sacrifices to play good music with people.”

Bradley said that even though it’s only been two quarters of online learning, he still notices a level of disconnect between his classmates.

The Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary is a local non-profit organization that rescues pigs from abusive, neglectful or life-threatening situations. The sanctuary acts as a place of refuge for these pigs, providing proper nutrition and care to every pig they rescue. The sanctuary also rehomes pigs with caring new owners.

According to Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary’s Facebook page, the sanctuary’s motto is “Every pig deserves a home, but not every home deserves a pig.”

The Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary is run full-time by Mandee Maehem. Her love of animals, especially pigs, is what jump started this organization in 2017.

“I think they’re amazing, I love them.

They’re very interesting and challengPhoto by Casey Rothgeb/The Observer ing,” Maehem said.

According to Maehem, Pigture PerMusic classes hope to be a role-model for what safe learning can look like across the university. fect Rescue and Sanctuary aims to rescue pigs from violent situations and if possi“Musicians tend to be social creatures. It’s Moreno said he is applying the same ble, eventually rehome them. how we make good music,” Bradley said. “That positive outlook to the restrictions being “At this time, I don’t have the resourclevel of collaboration isn’t as automatic as it used enforced this quarter. He said many stues to do that because I want to do home to be, so breaking down that barrier is going to dents had to buy instrument specific PPE, be really, really nice.” much of which is just specially shaped bags. checks … I don’t want to just say ‘Here.

Sophomore Bronson Moreno is a trum“The tuba ones are ridiculous, you could fit a Here is your pig,’” Maehem said. pet player in symphonic winds. He’s also excitperson in them,” Moreno said. “And the bassoon So far, Maehem has rehomed about ed to be back, but said that “given the circumone is the funniest because it’s literally a body bag seven pigs. According to Maehem, other stances,” there were positive aspects to online that you stick your hands in.” pigs have not been so fortunate because learning last quarter.

He said he especially enMoreno happens to be in the same class as of the abusive situations they were prejoyed getting to hear from composers of the Olsen but said the group has been split into three viously in. pieces he and his classmates play, who would “sub-groups” to ensure safety. Moreno said he’s Recently, Maehem’s organization has often make guest appearances. hopeful the groups will be merged again in the welcomed volunteers to help with main“Nothing will ever replace live performance, future, but for the time being is happy to be back. taining the farm animals. and being in-person playing this music,” More“It was familiar but also wildly unfamiliar, “It costs around $1,000 a month to no said.

“But as long as you look at it through a because it’ s really different in the way that we keep these things and help out with bed positive lens, like ‘ o kay, here’ s where we’ r e at, rehearse, with everybody’ s bell covers and all and bedding,” Maehem said. “It doesn’t and these are the circumstances that we’ r e in …’ the distance, it’ s [a] really different experience,” include any vet bills so it’s expensive, and they’ v e provided us with the opportunity to meet Moreno said.

“But at the same time, it’s an inso that’s where I’m reaching out to the with these composers, which we might not have credibly familiar thing, and so it was pretty easy community to get help because I really had the opportunity to do before.” to get back into the swing of it.” want to keep this open.”

Ellensburg resident Sarah Norton is one person who has donated and volunteered at the Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary. Norton attended Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary’s recent volunteer work party and orientation where everyone was welcome to attend and lend a helping hand.

Norton said she understands the challenges that come with raising pigs.

“It’s a lot. I’ve had potbelly pigs before,” Norton said.

Norton said she enjoyed lending out a hand and plans to continue helping as much as she can.

Volunteer Theresa Plue also attended Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary’s recent event.

“That was definitely a special time. It was like going to a farm zoo,” Plue said.

Maehem regularly posts on her Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary Facebook homepage about possible ways the community can reach out to help. For Photo by Casey Rothgeb/The Observer more information, reach Pigture Perfect Rescue and Sanctuary on Facebook.

Some students returned to in-person classes winter quarter with strict restrictions designed to protect their safety after spending fall quarter online.

Designed by Meghan Salsbury

Written by David Snyder They’re painted in the alleyways, on the rooftops and atop the sides of age-old brick buildings. Ellensburg’s collection of public murals started as far back as the 1880s and continues to grow today.

According to Kittitas County Historical Museum Director Saide Thayer, a lot of Ellensburg’s history with murals is rooted in advertising. Hand-painted signage that serves as decoration today was once intended to point folks to the nearest clothing store or horse carriage seller.

Another wave of murals that have stuck around through the years is those reflecting rodeo culture. Thayer said that following the formal establishment of the Ellensburg Rodeo in 1923,

the community adopted the rodeo theme as a hallmark.

“A lot of the [murals Ellensburg] wants to preserve are those echoes of the past,” Thayer said. “To preserve them today reflects back on a historic culture and decoration we don’t see today.”

According to Thayer, some of these murals have been restored over time, while others have faded to ghostly versions of what they once were, such as the mural for Stetson Hats on the side of the Kleinberg Building.

In 2016, the city established new guidelines for mural creation and preservation in the historic downtown district. Thayer said the guide-

lines made downtown building owners responsible for maintaining the murals, but some are opting not to, allowing them to wear away.

Ellensburg Arts Commission member Monica Miller said she doesn’t believe the city is trying to maintain a specific aesthetic with its public art. According to Miller, part of the Arts Commission’s job is to reflect the diversity of the community, especially when it comes to new murals.

“I’ve always found that the community is open to the voices of the people that are living here,” Miller said.

“And I would hope that over time, the collection [of murals] that the city is building would reflect that.”

Photos courtesy of Justin Gibbens

When it comes to culturally significant Ellensburg muralists, Thayer said it’s hard to point out names because of how far some of the images date back, but the first name that came to her mind was Lynne McCowin.

Since the mid-1980s, McCowin has been responsible for the restoration and replication of many murals that make up downtown Ellensburg today, such as the trio of classic ads painted on the Horseshoe Tavern.

Although, according to McCowin, her work in local art goes well beyond that.

“I think that my work has played a large part in bringing downtown Ellensburg color and life,” McCowin said. “[But] my range is not limited to just fixing up old signs.”

McCowin said that, among other things, she has made thousands of paintings and illustrations, she’s produced around a half-dozen films for television and now she’s even working on a series of clothing based on New Guinean tribes. “[My legacy] remains to be seen,” McCowin said. “I would like to leave an appreciation of the different eras

that we have been going through and are headed toward … my work is an ongoing process, and I have future pieces arranged.”

Possibly her most visible work in Ellensburg so far is the Phoenix mural she painted on the Davidson Building downtown.

Intended to pay homage to Ellensburg’s rebirth from the Great Fire of 1889, McCowin’s Phoenix replaced a different Phoenix mural that was painted in the 1970s by Erik Maakestad.

According to McCowin, the original had a Victorian-era look. For the look of her Phoenix, she said she used a retro lithographic print style.

McCowin said that rather than complimenting the common rodeo-styled theme associated with Ellensburg, the Phoenix was made to compliment the theme of the Phoenix Block (the Davidson Building).

Since first painting the mural in 2005, McCowin has made a few additions to the piece, most notably in 2014 to honor the 125th anniversary of the fire.

Two years ago, Jason Clifton applied for a grant from the arts commission to paint a mural at the Ellensburg Skate Park. After a long process of acquiring permits and writing-up a proposal, Clifton was granted the ability to go forward with his mural in early January.

Clifton said his initial idea for the project was to pay homage to professional skaters from Washington state. But now, with the project set to start soon, Clifton said he’s open to other ideas.

“I made a Facebook post about the content of it … I felt like the people that inhibit the skate park should have a say in what their environment has on it,” he said.

In 1988, at eight-years-old, Clifton moved from southern California to Ellensburg and brought with him an affinity for street art. According to Clifton, his style of art is heavily inspired by skate culture.

“Skateboarding and graffiti go hand-in-hand,” Clifton said. “I grew up really poor … the culture

[of street art] is really based in poverty and poor people and disenfranchised people that still want to be seen and heard.”

Clifton has made murals all over town. From the walls of local businesses to the walls of his own home. A lot of his work depicts people in a stylized form, such as his tribute to Seattle sports and pop culture icons at Club 301.

Clifton defines himself as a portrait artist that mixes street art techniques with fine art realism.

He said his goal is to bridge the gap in Ellensburg between gallery art and graffiti. According to Clifton, he’s curating the first regional street art show at Gallery One Visual Arts Center this summer.

“I think if people are a little more receptive to [street art] because they know that I’m not tagging on their fences at night … it can be cool,” Clifton said. “If I have one mission, it’s to change that narrative.”

“a different character based on what individuals were trying to reflect through art, history, and culture.”

Lynne McCowin, local muralist

According to Thayer, some of the murals that have come after McCowin’s Phoenix have “a different character based on what individuals were trying to reflect through art, history, and culture.”

In the past couple of years, the city has approved some local artists’ requests to paint more murals around town that depart from rodeos and ads.

One of those artists was Justin Gibbens, who works primarily on contemporary wildlife art.

In 2017, Ellensburg City Council allowed Gibbens and his friend Will Bow to stamp their brand of color and graphic design to the walls of the Stan Bassett Youth Center.

The mural stretches around the perimeter of the building, depicting a vibrant assortment of nature-based images intrinsic to the Northwest: woodlands, rivers and wildlife along with a few urban legends like the sasquatch.

The youth center kids helped Gibbens and Bow come up with ideas for the images.

Gibbens said his work on the mural made him realize that a lot can be added to a building with a fresh coat of paint.

“If you have an uninteresting wall, [and] throw some images on it, it comes alive,” Gibbens said. “It can really activate a building or space and make it so much more fun to experience.”

Last Summer, Gibbens and Bow painted another mural. This time in downtown Ellensburg on the roof of the recently opened Hotel Windrow.

The mural stretches across a portion of the hotel’s roof, incorporating a plethora of color and disproportionate shapes. According to Gibbens, the mural is supposed to be an abstract aerial view of cropland.

The design also incorporates the logos of the murals stakeholders.

Gibbens said he thinks having more contemporary imagery around town would reflect the diverse attitudes in the community. “[When] you come into a new town, and you see a mural, you see art on a wall. That’s an advertisement.” Gibbens said. “It’s saying, ‘this is who we are, this is our personality, this is our character.”

One of Gibbens’ favorite local art pieces is the Marlon Brando mural painted on the back of the Roslyn theater. Unlike that piece, which has been maintained for almost 30 years, Gibbens said he doesn’t expect his murals to have a long-lasting legacy.

He doesn’t envision his murals lasting more than 20 years, with them being on exterior surfaces that are exposed to the elements.

“The Marlon Brando [mural is] such an iconic image, I think there’s a commitment on behalf of the [Roslyn] community to want the image to be there and to be maintained,” Gibbens said. “I don’t know if I’ve heard anyone talk in those terms about the things I’ve done yet, but hey, I suppose it could be done.”

Photos courtesy of Justin Gibbens

8

If showing spirit is so important, why not make it more affordable?

Hollis Zepp Columnist When I first found out that I get a discount on campus when using my meal plan, I thought that it applied to everything on campus I could possibly purchase. What I later found out was that not only was the discount different at different locations, but it didn’t apply at all at the Wildcat Shop.

The way the discounts work are as follows: students get 65% off any dining locations and 25% off at cafes and markets.

These numbers were found on the CWU website. This helps make students feeding themselves more affordable, especially since for most freshmen this is their first time living on their own. Students also have the option to add Wildcat Bucks to your account, which still gives students a discount but at a lesser value.

The only way students can use their connection cards in the Wildcat Shop is at the beginning of the quarter, when students have the option to student charge items to their account. When items get student charged, which means that charge is added on to the amount that you pay for your tuition. This is helpful for some students, but it doesn’t change the fact there is no discount.

If the discount applied to the Wildcat Shop, there would be more sales. I personally would go into the Wildcat Shop much more often if I knew that items would be less expensive than they are. The reason that the clothes are so expensive is because of the brands, such as Nike and Under Armour.

For example, last quarter I paid $70 for a pair of Under Armour Wildcat sweatpants, and I haven’t been back in there since. If the 25% discount had been applied, that would have been down to

February 2, 2021

OPINION

Skyward Sword is actually a good game Star Diavolikis Columnist

Photo by Casey Rothgeb/The Observer

$52.50, which while still being expensive, is much more reasonable.

On the Wildcat Shop website, there is the option to browse clothes by brand; one brand included is Columbia. A black waterproof Columbia jacket is $99.95, whereas a CWU windbreaker is priced at $64.95. You always hear about how important school spirit is, but how can we be expected to have school spirit when everything is so expensive?

Now you may be thinking that I am only looking at the items that are usually overpriced, but this isn’t the case.

A pair of womens Nike running shorts are $38.95, and the Nike tank tops are all in the $30 range. These items are more commonly needed, and I know that I personally would buy more school spirit apparel if I got a discount, which would make the decision easier for me.

On the Nike website, womens running shorts are $30, which is cheaper than the Wildcat Shop. Why should students pay $9 more just for their school logo, when they are already paying tuition, fees, housing and for food? Nike tank tops on their website are $20, which is cheaper than the Wildcat Shop as well.

As for the Columbia apparel, the waterproof rain coat that is the closest match to what is in the Wildcat Shop is $90. The windbreakers are a base price of $60, and then if you want a heavier duty coat the prices increase from there, and all of this is on the Columbia website.

No matter the brand, the Wildcat Shop raises the prices on the apparel that they are selling. What students are paying extra for is the Wildcat logo. But if the prices were discounted for connection cards, then there would be more students repping Wildcat pride, and showing their love for CWU.

Photo by Casey Rothgeb/The Observer

Legend of Zelda fans will know that Skyward Sword is one of the most unpopular games in the series. However, it is genuinely a good game considering the new features and characters it included.

With Skyward Sword, the new feature of Wii MotionPlus was introduced to the series, and was what made a lot of players dislike the game. Even though the technology was not quite ready to rely on motion controls for many important parts of the game, the motion controls were what made the game great.

Manual movements guided the sword, which was necessary for many enemies.

These movements may have been to move the sword in a circular motion to make an eyeball dizzy, having to tilt the sword left or right to turn a dial and having to trace a shape with the sword’s point. The game became more immersive while using these controls, as the player had literal control over the sword compared to just pushing a button to have Link swing his sword.

Another feature that was very disliked was the introduction to a stamina wheel.

Many users disliked the concept of only being able to run in short bursts, especially with how fast the stamina depleted. A stamina wheel was a great concept, but may have been executed a little poorly. If the stamina wheel did not run out as fast, the feature would not have been as irritating as players said it was.

Characters in Skyward Sword were amazing additions to the Legend of Zelda universe. Ghirahim, for example, was a great recurring boss. Though he may have been too eccentric for many, his charisma and sass was a great change of pace from the usual bosses included in the series.

Many bosses in the Zelda series are usually serious, uptight and rarely ever engage in a regular conversation like Ghirahim had throughout the game.

An amazing event that was included was the silent realm trials. These trials were intense and somewhat terrifying.

The silent realm provided a thrilling segment in the game, where the player had to sneak past the Guardians and Watchers to collect sacred tears.

Controls and other features aside, the story itself was a great addition to the series. Skyward Sword tells the beginning, the whole series’ start. It tells how Ganon will always return to Link in attempts to defeat him, and in turn there will always be more generations of Link and Zelda having to work together to fight back. There will always be a reincarnation of somebody who aids Link in his journey. In Skyward sword it was Fi, but in other games it may be Navi or other companions.

This game’s storyline paired with the art style created an atmosphere that was immaculate. The story was similar to a gentle beginning, and the soft color palette completed the atmosphere.

Though the controls were a bit frustrating for some players, Skyward Sword was overall a good game and provided great additions to the Legend of Zelda universe.

February 2, 2021

9

OPINION

The Great British Baking Show revived my palette Jackson Sorensen Columnist Over the course of my adult life, I’ve had to learn and step up my game when it comes to certain skills.

Cooking is one of those skills.

Over the summer, I was browsing Netflix for something to watch, because of the COVID-19 lockdown and all, and I stumbled across “The Great British Cooking Show” or “The Great British Bake Off.” I instantly thought “oh this should be good!”

It piqued my interest because not only does cooking and baking run in my family, but I’ve always wanted to visit the UK. I figured that this would be just another baking show where the contestants get certain ingredients and make something spectacular, but I was wrong. Twelve of Britain’s best amateur bakers compete for the title of “Best Baker.” Each week one person is voted off and one is voted “Star Baker.”

As the season, or collections on Netflix, goes along, you begin to learn a little bit about each contestant and their lives little by little and it’s sad when my favorite baker gets sent home. What was so fascinating was how the bakers were able to come up with such elegant presentations of their bakes with equally as elegant flavors.

My favorite collection was the first one because the bakers were all so funny and the bakes that they created were just stunning. I personal-

Graphic by Ilse Orta Mederos

ly loved Nancy the best because she was just so funny and an overall just creative baker. She made it to the final with her two other baker friends, who also deserved to be there.

Considering that this first collection was so good, it really set my expectations high and every collection after delivered, but not as much as that incredible first collection. I think I watched the entire first collection in about three days.

Since I’ve been watching the show, I’ve really updated my palette. Who would’ve thought to combine chocolate and orange together? I certainly didn’t and

man does it really brighten up the chocolate flavor.

From my interpretation, the bakers spend two days in “The Tent,” as they refer to it in the show, and they are told what they will be baking over the weekend. The bakers then make a signature bake, decided by the judges off-air to the bakers, and they will come into The Tent with the ingredients to make that bake.

The next challenge is a blind technical bake where the bakers are given a very basic recipe for a classic dish that one of the hosts, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, are known for and will attempt to

recreate it. After the judging, the bakers head home and come back the next morning.

The next day is dedicated to one bake, the showstopper. The bakers are to use a certain type of bake and turn it into something extravagant, something you would put as a centerpiece for a gathering.

The possibilities ranged from a marriage proposal scene recreation that was made entirely of gingerbread to a lion made entirely out of bread. If you thought that was hard enough on its own, the bakers also have to make the bakes from scratch and then assemble them by hand.

Where this show influenced me was in my own baking and cooking confidence. I have made german chocolate cake and buttercream icing from scratch since watching this fantastic show. I wanted to take on a food responsibility at Christmas time so I decided that I wanted to do desserts.

I made mini cheesecakes and cake batter fudge from scratch, all for Christmas. To top the cheesecakes, I made a chocolate orange sauce and a white chocolate raspberry sauce.

My family absolutely loved them and told me that I should have made a double batch so that they could have more.

I was already fairly decent in the kitchen because I had to be an adult, but now if the recipe isn’t looking quite right or doesn’t taste quite right, I have a more keen eye on how to solve that problem.

“Drivers License” causes a three song pile up Katlyn White Columnist With the release of “Drivers License,” a song by Olivia Rodrigo, the new wave of celebrity drama has piqued my interest. It has been over almost a month since its release date, Jan. 8, and I am still reading everything I see about the song.

I don’t try to get invested in celebrity drama but I was interested to see what was up and what happened to them after I had watched High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (HSMTMTS) which they were co-stars on. And that began my deep dive.

“Drivers License’’ is a song about Rodrigo’s experience with a boy who told her he would love her forever but now she is alone and celebrating getting her drivers license without him. Rodrigo has not confirmed this is about Joshua Bassett, her co-star on HSMTMTS, who was rumored to be her boyfriend during the shooting of the show in 2019. It was then rumored that Basset and Sabrina Carpenter began dating in 2020 after they were spotted on outings and participating in BLM protests.

In Rodrigo’s song, she sings about a “blonde girl, Who always made me doubt, She’s so much older than me, She’s everything I’m insecure about.” This is a seemingly direct reference to Carpenter who is blonde and 21. This is the only mention of Carpenter in the song.

The rest of the song is about her relationship being over with Basset and how she wishes that he was here to celebrate her getting her license like they had talked about. It was mentioned in many sources, during my searching, that Basset was there the first time Rodrigo had ever driven a car. This makes the song almost undoubtedly about Basset.

The song is relatable as a teenage girl.

I feel like it is a relatable human experience to make plans with someone or look forward to something happening with someone and then to have those plans not work out and lose that person. It is also relatable to see cars that look like a certain person’s car and thinking about that person. I still listen to it at least once a day even though it’s been a few weeks since the song came out. I love the song.

But a weird culture began around the song. People became obsessed with the drama. Like weirdly obsessed, including me for no reason. People began taking sides and began to say that Bassett was in the wrong. In my opinion he wasn’t in the wrong. It was illegal for him to date Olivia, due to him being over the age of 18 and her being a minor, so why would he? Carpenter and him seem like a really nice couple.

Basset then released his own song.

According to his Instagram story a few days before the release of “Lie Lie Lie,” he wrote the song “after [he] has found

out a friend has been lying about [him].”

The song was catchy, and I think the song could have been applied to anyone. A few people, including me, are still suspicious of the intent behind the song and if it was about Rodrigo or not but after that release the drama seemed to fizzle out.

I thought I was over it and thought that no one would care anymore, because in reality, why does anyone care about the drama between these two? In quarantine from the COVID-19 pandemic, I guess people are taking all the entertainment they can get.

Then, a whole new can of worms opened when Sabrina Carpenter released a song called “Skin” on Jan. 22.

The song speaks about a girl who could have been her friend, but she does not think that they could ever be friends now after she sang a song about her. Carpenter sings “Maybe we could have been friends … There’s no gravity in the words we write … Maybe blonde was the only rhyme.” The last line is referring to Rodrigo’s lyrics “And you’re probably with that blonde girl.”

Carpenter then sings, “You can try, To get under my, under my, under my skin, Whilе he’s on mine.”

My reaction to hearing this song was to wince.

To me this seems just a tad gross. For the record, Rodrigo is 17. Carpenter is 21 and bragging about having a relationship

and having intercourse with Basset. The song is directed at a minor about explicit activities. The song just does not meet the mark.

Who writes a song bragging about having someone that a minor can’t have?

I thought it was really immature of Carpenter to write this song. Like this seems just a tad bit illegal if I say so myself.

Carpenter missed the mark with this song. First off, Rodrigo never insulted Carpenter in “Drivers License.” If anything Rodrigo basically called Carpenter beautiful and said she wished she could be her. Rodrigo compliments Carpenter saying that she wishes she could compare.

Secondly, if Rodrigo wasn’t a minor, then the song would not have been so weird. But, a jab at a minor for not being with someone she can’t legally be makes the song a bust. I had no problem with Carpenter before the song, but now I just think she’s a little weird.

Thirdly, it’s just not a good song. It sounds like every single song that is on the radio these days.

Carpenter shouldn’t have even tried to come back at Rodrigo with the song.

How did she expect to beat out the song that has record breaking streams and is on the Billboard 100? It was just so weird for everyone to be involved in the drama in the first place. Maybe now that the little trilogy of songs has been completed we can all move on.

10

February 2, 2021

SPORTS

Tomlinson Stadium: a home for all Gabriel Strasbaugh Staff Reporter Tomlinson Stadium’s profound impact on CWU and its students transcends nearly seven decades. Named in 1940 after star running back Jack Tomlinson, the name Tomlinson stuck and has hosted to many events from Wildcat football games to high school all star track meets all the way to graduation for thousands. The story of Jack Tomlinson and his impact still reigns true to the bonds that keep CWU and alumni returning home to the campus every season.

For many years, the Mandela effect shrouded the history behind the name. Originally, Ellensburg residents and CWU students thought the name to honor Tomlinson after losing his life during World War II. This story was believed until 2009 when the athletic department discovered an old issue of the Campus Crier, the original CWU newspaper.

Dated Jan. 9, 1941, a photo of Tomlinson made front page news as the article read “Following an illness of two weeks, Jack Tomlinson, 22-year-old captain of the 1940 CWCE football team, died Thursday evening, Dec 19, of the immediate cause of pneumonia.”

Deputy Director of Athletics Gary Hyatt said Tomlinson’s impact on the school and community did not go unnoticed when battling pneumonia.

“He ended up having a number of blood transfusions and even talked about the football team coming up and giving blood to do them” Hyatt said.

“Community members and teammates, their effort to save and donate blood, I mean you know medicine back then.

They were trying to clean his blood. It was obvious people were really scared.

Despite the increase in student enrollment today, Hyatt said he believes the of support would be no different than it was in 1940.

“It was very intimate back in the late 30s early 40s enrollment is probably what? A thousand students” Hyatt said. “The support would be just the same today.”

CWU Athletics Director Dennis Francois said he is very thankful for not having first-hand experience similar situation.

“Overall, I think this is a trying time for everybody with the amount of deaths we’ve seen in our country and the world, but athletics, we’ve been extremely fortunate during my eight years now, this being my eighth year, we have not had a single student

Photo courtesy of CWU Athletics

Tomlinson Stadium is electrifying on Saturday’s especially with the band and fans.

athlete, current student athlete die here,” Francois said. “It has a profound impact on those players and the team.”

Francois believes the bond shared by 1940 is one shared with all Wildcats. “The gameday atmosphere we’ve gotten to create here over the last X amount of years, and I have alumni that comeback some who played more than 15 years ago, and they are like wow this is unlike anything we’ve ever played,” Francois said. “Having

a great experience, sometimes I say jokingly sometimes we don’t know if we’re winning or losing because it’s an electrical component.”

Despite a lack of a season, the energy and spirit of Tomlinson is forever engraved in a plaque in the stadium.

Fans look at the memorial and remember the history and connection each person shares when they walk into a place many like Francois and Hyatt call home.

With Nationals in sight, track and field athletes look to get better during COVID-19 restrictions leaving the library after studying for her class finals to meet up with some of her teammates at the field.

2020’s COVID-19 cancellations “It was so somber because all of us forced track and field athletes to take had just seen what we worked so hard extra time off, but they are now gear- for go away,” Smallbeck said. ing up for Junior disa hopetance runner ful 2021 Molly Mattson s p r i n g said she was outdoor shocked when season she found out that will the season Another goal would be just help them was canceled. coming back stronger. I would attain big Mattson’s fagoals. ther is a high love to go to nationals before At the school track I graduate. Also, representing end of inand field coach, the university to the best of door season so she has in March been around my ability. I just want to do 2020, the the track her everything I can to make them track and whole life. field team “It took a proud and represent them the were incouple days to best I can. formed that realize what the spring had actual-Molly Mattson, outdoor ly happened. junior distance runner season was It was a little going to disappointing,” be canceled.

Mattson said.

Junior “It made us thrower all realize you Meagan Smallbeck placed second in the can’t take anything for granted and evconference last season and hit the national ery day you get to race and compete and provisional mark. represent your school you have really got “I was riding a high at the end of to take it as it comes and be thankful for indoor and then we were all getting each day because you never know when it geared up and ready for this meet on will all be done.”

March 13-14 and then we got word we Next season, Mattson’s goals include weren’t going to be able to have fans,” uniting the team and building a stronger Smallbeck said. sense of family.

During finals week, the team got “Another goal would be just comword that the GNAC had cancelled ing back stronger. I would love to go to spring season. Smallbeck ended up nationals before I graduate. Also, repreDakaline White Staff Reporter

Photo courtesy of CWU Athletics Megan Smallbeck earned All-Region honors in the weight throw based on her performances in 2019.

senting the university to the best of my ability.” Mattson said. “I just want to do everything I can to make them proud and represent them the best I can.”

Smallbeck, who specializes in the hammer throw, said she is in her final years in track. Her sophomore year of high school, Smallbeck and her dad got her into a private hammer throw coaching club and started practicing with them. She spent her weeks practicing shotput and discus with her high school team and her weekends practicing with her hammer team.

Building off of freshman and sophomore year at CWU, Smallbeck said her goal is nationals for this year.

Ending the season last year Smallbeck threw 161 feet in the hammer throw event.

Smallbeck looks to reach a new personal record with the national mark being 170 feet.

“That should be easy for me. My coach and I were talking today, and he was hoping for 180 (feet). I think with hard work we can make it,” Smallbeck said.

With meet dates still up in the air, Smallbeck and Mattson said they are taking advantage of the time off due to COVID-19 to get better every day using nationals as motivation to work hard.

February 2, 2021

11

SPORTS

Hiking culture in Kittitas County

Deacon Tuttle Staff Reporter

Wilke referred to herself as a casual hiker who focuses on the views rather than the exertions of When people yearn to connect the trek. She said she highly recomwith their surroundings a common mends hiking the trails near Umtaresponse tends to be through hiknum in Ellensburg. ing. Kittitas County offers several C W U sights and alumnus exercise Garen Edopportugar said nities for h i k i n g those seekgives the ing such opportunian outlet. ty to conPeople in nect with Ellensburg others. If he shared their could enviperspectives sion a peron hiking fect hike, as a pastime it would and how to be a comnavigate the bination of landscapes. incredible C W U sights and student athpushing lete Macy himself to -David Stringfellow, Wilke said his physical Ellensburg resident hiking is a limits. great way As an to get exeravid trekcise and she ker, Edgar’s even prefers greatest it to working out in the gym. piece of advice regarding equipment is to “Hiking is enjoyable. Getting invest in a solid pair of boots because, “… fresh air and seeing the views. It’s your feet will be thanking you.” all about the appreciation of naIf someone is easing into hiking, Edture,” Wilke said. gar advised bringing friends to feel com-

It’s relaxing physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and you just remove distractions.

petent, to feel encouraged, to chat and to ultimately enjoy the summit together.

According to Edgar, the best areas to travel are near Cle Elum and Roslyn. He said this is because of the lakes, fire lookouts and distance.

Ellensburg resident David Stringfellow finds joy and refreshment in hiking. “ I t ’ s relaxing physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and you just remove distractions,” Stringfellow said.

B e i n g purposeful in your trips is the key to hiking in his eyes.

He said compiling a group together and venturing out via trail to a lake while slowly taking in nature is the way to go. Addi-

tionally, Stringfellow stressed the importance of both digital and physical maps in case of emergencies.

As far as destinations are concerned, Stringfellow said the Cascades are his ideal locations for traversing nature.

Being a southern California native, Stringfellow’s favorite hiking conditions are not compatible with the winter.

However, the season continues to maintain a sense of stillness and beauty.

Graphic by Rebekah Blum

Staying fit: what’s new in the ‘Burg Ondrea Machin Staff Reporter Whether you like to be competitive or just enjoy physical activity, the Recreation Center is offering three different self-guided fitness challenges this winter.

During the month of February, students can participate in the Indoor Ironman, the Hydrate Challenge and the Wildcat Fit Challenge. Each of these challenges gives students the opportunity to engage in physical activity and compete against other students.

Sports Lead Madison Fritts said all the challenges have different levels of fitness, and they all have the same overall goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The Indoor Ironman is like a triathlon but is a month long instead of one day. It includes running, swimming and biking equivalent, as well as some alternatives if people don’t want to swim, such as vertical climbing, extra walking and rowing.

Participants can either do this at

home, sign up for a 45 minute time slot at the Recreation Center Gym or use the aquatic center to achieve their distance in each category.

This challenge has a fee of $10 until Jan. 31. After that date, the fee goes up to $15 until Feb 7.

The Hydrate Challenge al lows students to monitor and set goals for how much water they want to drink each day with weekly check-ins. At the end of the six-week challenge, they earn a certificate for completing the challenge.

Fritts said the Hydrate Challenge aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, hydration and mindfulness.

In the Wildcat Fit Challenge, students can participate individually or in groups of

three. There are three differ- together and include others,” ent categories: fitness enthusi- Dalzell said. asts, workout wonders and don’t For people who don’t want to be sweat it, according to Fritts. outside in the cold or don’t want Fritts said each category of fit- to go to the gym, the Wildcat Fit ness can have different amounts of Challenge offers the ability to do physical activity in order to reach workouts in the comfort of their a specified own home. goal.

“At home, InYo u T u b e t r a m u videos, we ral Sports are planning M a n a g on pluger Spenging Group cer Dalzell X classes said all the they can live challenges stream from are selfhome. It is tracked, really trying and particto promote ipants put well-being their activand health,” ities in an Fritts said. excel sheet T h o s e and send in who don’t weekly upwant to -Spencer Dalzell, dates to the s i g n intramural sports manager Recreation up for C e n t e r . the chalThe Recrel e n g e s , ation Centhe Recter then r e a t i o n puts the data on its master sheet.

Center has a Discord called For all challenges, the goal C W U R e c a n d i t a l l o w s s t u d e n t s is to promote health and well- t o h a n g o u t a n d c o n n e c t w i t h ness during the winter months o t h e r s t u d e n t s . and keep a healthy mind. Also, Students can register for each of the challenges have sepa- a l l t h e c h a l l e n g e s t h r o u g h rate goals along with promoting a t h e o n l i n e p o r t a l o n r e c healthy lifestyle. reation.cwu.edu.

Students “Our two biggest goals always s h o u l d c l i c k o n p r o g r a m s come back to promoting healthy a n d s c r o l l u n t i l t h e y f i n d lifestyles and bringing people s p e c i a l e v e n t s .

Our two biggest goals always come back to promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing people together and include others

Graphic by Rebekah Blum

12

Snowman Soulmates

February 2, 2021

ENGAGEMENT

can you match the snowmen to their zodiac sign? (key at bottom)

9.

10.

12.

11.

7.

8.

6.

1.

5.

2.

3.

4.

Weekly Calendar Feb. 3

Feb. 4

Feb. 5

Feb. 6

12:45-1:25 p.m.

Free Masks for Students - SURC Table 4

3-5 p.m.

Intramurals Paddle Sports Drop In - SURC Gym 153A

3-4 p.m.

Digital Marketing Careers & Resume Tips with Dr. Mukherjee*

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Short Works Festival*

4-6 p.m.

Find Your People: LGBTQ Students*

7-9 p.m. Geek Out, Game Out - SURC Rooms 135, 140, 137A and 137B

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Short Works Festival*

Feb. 7

Feb. 8

Feb. 9

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

2-3 p.m. ASCWU Public Meeting*

3-4 p.m. Talking Gender Series*

4-5 p.m. Internships 101*

6-7 p.m. ASCWU Open Forum: Campaign Tips & Tricks*

Superbowl Sunday National Fettuccine Alfredo Day

7-9 p.m. Monday Movie Madness: Black Panther - SURC Theatre Rm 210

Feb. 10

7-9 p.m. Innocence Project Speaker: Huwe Burton - SURC Theatre Rm 210

12:45-1:25 p.m. Free Masks for Students - SURC Table 4 3-5 p.m. Find Your People: Undocumented/DACA Status Students* 7-9 p.m. Trivia Wednesday* *Virtual Location for Online Events

CWU Observer

@CWUObserver

cwuobserver@gmail.com

cwuobserver.com

KEY: 1.Gemini 2.Sagittarius 3.Leo 4.Aquarius 5.Scorpio 6.Taurus 7.Libra 8.Aries 9.Virgo 10.Pisces 11.Cancer 12.Capricorn

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