Fall 2021

CWU’S STUDENT-RUN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

PULSE JARIPEO:

A PIECE OF MY CULTURE SEASONAL RECIPES

POLYNESIAN TATTOOS

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX, BABY! FALL 2021

1

OUR TOWN FASHION

OUR TOWN 1 0 Beer and Cider 1 4 Home is Where the Heart is PASSPORT 2 0 Travel Then and Now 2 6 Paella Party 2 8 Conscientious Travel

Photo by Theresa Daigle

2

FALL 2021

what’s INSIDE SPOTLIGHT 3 2 Jaripeo: A Piece of My Culture 3 8 Beyond Skin Deep 4 4 Eating Disorders: More Common Than You’d Think SPORTS 5 0 Jack Wendling: From Wildcat to Eagle 5 4 Alternative Exercise

FOOD + DRINK 5 8 Lip Smackin’ Smoothies 6 0 Overnight Oats 6 2 Bagels are Everything AFTER DARK 6 6 Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby!

7 0 Franchise Fatigue 74 Drag: From Taboo to a Household Word 7 8 Bar and Weed Calendar

O N T H E C OV E R Lead vocalist of Banda Móvil, the leading band performing at the Jaripeo attended by PULSE writers Yajaira Perez and Lexi Wicks.

Photo by Lexi Wicks Design by Katie Jo Stewart

38

62

74

FALL 2021

3

OUR TOWN

FALL 2021 LEADERSHIP STAFF TRAVEL

4

FALL 2021

EDITION

PULSE STAFF Editorial

Design

Multimedia

co-editors-in-chief Lexi Wicks Kassandra Eller

art director Katie Jo Stewart

social media & web manager Kate Caviezel

associate editor Bailey Tomlinson assistant editor Noah Wright copy editor Theresa Daigle writers Chase Beyer Liz Canton Spencer Clifton Emma CrowE Paije Maas Yajaira Perez Joseph Stanger Emma Ward

designers Emma Stark Sarah Stewart freelance designers Lori Ferguson Chloe Hopkins Exis Villavicencio Hinako Yutakata

Advising faculty adviser Jennifer Green 509-963-3216 jennifer.green@cwu.edu

Photography director of photography Kassandra Eller photographers Theresa Daigle Katie Jo Stewart Lexi Wicks

PULSE magazine is a student-run lifestyle magazine, both in print and online at www.cwupulsemagazine.com. PULSE produces one issue an academic quarter. Student editors make policy and content decisions for the magazine, which serves as a public forum for student expression. PULSE serves the Central Washington University community with informative, engaging and interactive content covering campus and community life, trends and issues, and providing practical magazine and multimedia training.

FALL 2021

5

behind t h e SCENES Our staff spent hours upon hours filling the magazine with fun, entertaining articles and along the way we even had some of our own fun. Take a behindthe-scenes look into the shenanigans the PULSE staff got into this quarter.

In this photo, Yajaira Perez, senior public relations major and PULSE writer, is hard at work editing her story to meet the final deadline.

6

FALL 2021

Showing off his tattoos for the story “Beyond Skin Deep” is senior safety and health management major, Jonah Auva’a. To see the final shots and check out the story turn to page 38.

Art Director, Katie Jo Stewart, can be seen designing the staff page for the magazine.

Co-Editor-in-Chief and Director of Photography, Kassandra Eller, posing for a quick picture after setting up the lighting studio for a photoshoot.

Yajaira Perez and Co-Editor-in-Chief Lexi Wicks showing off their tickets to a Jaripeo in Wenatchee, WA. To learn more about Jaripeos turn to page 32 to read “Jaripeo: A Piece of My Culture.”

The PULSE staff, including Social Media Manager Kate Caviezel, Art Director Katie Jo Stewart, Co-Editors-in-Chief Lexi Wicks and Kassandra Eller, and Assistant Editor Noah Wright, are pictured after finishing a leadership meeting.

FALL 2021

7

NOTes FROM Although at times I may not want to admit it, I have always looked up to my older sister, Bailee. Throughout my high school career I got to watch her go through the ups and downs of college life at CWU, but PULSE Magazine never failed to bring a smile to her face. Her passion and love for journalism had a safe place to call home in the newsroom and I could not have been more proud to see her work her way up to Editor-in-Chief.

I find it hard to believe that nearly three years later I am now in the exact position she was in. The stories Bailee told me about late night editing sessions and leadership meetings are now experiences I have on a daily basis. PULSE meant so much to me before I even stepped foot on campus and I am incredibly grateful to have this opportunity as Co-Editor-in-Chief this Fall.

I am honored to work alongside Kass, who has been a mentor for me from the very start, and our wonderful staff and leadership team that truly make this magazine possible. They have worked so hard this fall to create a well-reported and high-quality magazine. Something special I think this issue provides is a sense of travel and culture.

I, myself, got to experience my first Jaripeo last month and it was an event I will never forget. Our talented writer, Yajaira Perez, brought me along to share her Mexican culture and I could not be more thankful. Her story on all things Jaripeo is something I will cherish alongside the memory of the event. To read more about Jaripeos turn to page 32.

All the travel bugs will find comfort in our Passport section that aims to inform readers of the changes and realities of the travel industry amongst the pandemic. From travel regulations to Spanish cuisine, there is something for everyone within our Passport section. If you’d like to read about travel, start by turning to page 20.

This fall issue showcases the talent that fills the halls of CWU. Not only the talent within the newsroom, but in other departments as well. From artists and musicians, to all-star athletes, we celebrate our student body. If you are interested in reading more about student artists flip to page 16.

As my first quarter as Co-EIC comes to a close, I could not be more appreciative of our staff and pleased with this issue of PULSE. I am eager to continue with the magazine throughout this year, and share more incredible stories with our readers.

8

FALL 2021

THE EDITORS It is hard to believe that my time as Co-Editor-in-Chief is coming to an end and that I am writing my final Ed Note. This position has been so fulfilling and I have had many opportunities to learn and grow with our ever-changing staff. Thankfully, my journey with PULSE is not over yet and I will be back next quarter as Director of Photography, the position that truly holds my heart.

I am thankful to each and every person who continues to support me through this journey, as I know it comes with its challenges. Lexi and Katie Jo, each moment with you has been utterly rewarding and I am so lucky to have you not only as staff members but as friends.

I can’t wait for another quarter filled with late nights and laughter!

Blake and Cayli, you guys have spent countless hours helping me photograph stories, allowing me to drag you from adventure to adventure without complaint. I never would have been able to get this far without your support. Thank you! Last but not least, to my family, I owe all of this to you. Without you, I wouldn’t be here today. Each and every one of you has shown me what true strength is and taught me to keep on pushing even when times get tough. I love you all so much and I am eternally grateful for everything you do to help me live my dreams.

This quarter has been difficult as it is the first time that many of us are fully back on campus. For some it can be hard to adjust to being away from home and being responsible for ourselves. If you are struggling with feeling homesick, take a look at page 14 to read some tips and tricks to feel better.

Nowadays, tattoos are common, and it seems like everyone has at least one. I even have a few myself!

Tattoos can be a fun way to express what you like; however, tattoos can also be a way to represent your culture and who you are. Turn to page 38 to learn more about the significance of tattoos in the Polynesian culture.

We all know how hard it is to try and cram breakfast in before rushing to a 9 a.m. class. Read about how to make overnight oats on page 60 and you will never have to skip breakfast again!

PULSE Magazine has been a home away from home for the past two years. Within these pages I find comfort and warmth and hope for the future. Even as I graduate next quarter and move on to new paths, I will always have the fond memories of my PULSE family to look back on.

As my last Ed Note draws to a close, I hope that you, dear readers, enjoy this magazine as much as we do. So, without further ado, grab a mug of hot apple cider, cozy into your comfiest sweater and read on my friends.

FALL 2021

9

OUR TOWN

Story by Paije Maas | Photos by Emma Ward | Designs by Emma Stark

10

FALL 2021

T

he bar doors make a small squeal of joy as you and your friends enter. The music is hoppin’ and the people are boppin’. The wall is lined with eight taps and a chalkboard lists over 13 specialty beers and ciders but how are you to choose?

A night out with friends is supposed to be a time away from your stress. It is a time to laugh, a time to dance and even a time to unwind. There comes a moment when you are faced with the only obligation of the night, “what can I get started for you?” These words can reflect how your entire evening will pan out. Will you pick a beer or cider that tastes amazing right off the bat? Or will you choose one that makes your face look like an elderly british woman from historic dramas, pinched and dissatisfied.

FALL 2021

11

OUR TOWN

If you are still curious about what your flavor would be, take this short quiz and discover your signature taste as well as what kind of beer or cider that would match. pick a fruit peach

orange

country club or backyard?

sour or salty?

backyard

club

every morning you… drink a cup of cold brew

make a fruit smoothie

12

black

salty

where do you prefer to drink?

home alone

out with friends

in a bar or club

how do you like your coffee? sugar overload

sour

with my dog

where do you spend your fridays? out with friends

at home with a good book

guava dawn

fubarb

Correspondant

wild ale American

cider-other fruit

stout foreign-export

- from pretty fair beer

- from pretty fair beer

- from pretty fair beer

Pink guava sour ale fermented with Brett, Sacc & Lactobacillus

5.1 % ABV Trailbreaker Cider Liberty Lake, WA Fuji & Rhubarb Cider

FALL 2021

6.4 % ABV Wander Brewing Rich and Roasty British Malts

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH BEER OR CIDER IS BEST FOR YOU? “I would go in with an open mind. You are going to notice that your palate will change over time,” Tyler Witthuhn, the founder of Pretty Fair Beer in Ellensburg, says. “I started loving blonde ales and now I am into whatever funky flavors I can find.”

He recommends finding three or four beers or ciders that are completely different from each other. This could be an all-American lager, a dark beer that has more “roasted coffee flavors,” and then of course, Pretty Fair Beer’s most popular New England IPA which gives off “floral juicy flavors.”

Matt Armstrong, the owner of Dark Moon Craft Beer, suggests that ciders are always a great option to start with because they are not filled with the bitterness of beer and still have the juicy flavors. As far as beer is concerned, he suggests some of the fruity or more classic beers.

You want to make sure you are dabbling into a wide range of flavors so you can answer the questions, “Do you like bitterness?” and “Do you like sweetness?”

BITTER VS. SWEET Rikki Wells, quality control specialist at Iron Horse Brewery, recommends the flight option. She recommends thinking about what kinds of flavors you enjoy in your food dishes.

Perhaps a summer salad with cranberries and walnuts with a balsamic dressing.

These are tastes that many people’s palates have experienced, so to give off some of the same flavors you could choose a cranberry cider or a Belgian whit.

If you are more into the backyard barbeque smoky flavors, a stout would go perfectly with your food because their similar roast flavors will complement each other.

When it comes to finding the perfect flavor for you, it could be beneficial to know the ingredients and the process each beer and cider goes through. This may help you make judgments just by looking at the type of beer.

WHAT’S IN THE DRINKS? According to Witthuhn, beer has four main ingredients: grain, water, hops and yeast. The grain used is malted, meaning it has started to germinate after sitting in water and having the sugars extracted. After the sugars are extracted it is then boiled to stabilize them.

Witthuhn says that from this point, “we add hops which will add the bittering agents or flavors.” After flavoring, it is time to begin a process called fermentation.

Witthuhn explains fermentation is when the yeast creates CO2 and alcohol. Since each beer is different, during the fermentation process more hops can be added to create juicier flavors and aromas. The beer-making process is a gratifying yet technical job.

When creating beer, breweries use about seven gallons of water per gallon of beer. With respect to the amount of fluid

used, this is a huge number. Witthuhn says that he and many others would love to see a shift into a more environmentally friendly way of crafting beer, but that will take time.

“There are certain companies like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company that has it down to 1.5 gallons of water to every gallon of beer infused and that is a big deal,” Withuhn says.

When it comes to making beer, you have choices on what flavors and ingredients you add to it, but with cider, “you get what you get.”

“With cider, they will get the apples, they will be cleaned and pressed and the liquid from that is just the liquid. You can’t change what the gravity of it is,” Wells says. The flavor in cider is all from the different apples used.

Even though apples are the sole ingredient in cider, you can add various other ingredients such as pineapple, mango or even peach.

FALL SPREAD Similar to fashion trends, beer and cider trends tend to change seasonally.

What is popular and available in the summer may change come fall and winter.

Owner of Dark Moon Craft, Matt Armstrong suggests that if you were to try out a flight that is in season, anything pumpkin or Oktoberfest (which is usually a heavier lager) is a perfect start. These beers are going to be “a reddish amber color and not too dark but not too light”.

Wells suggests that since it is the peak of the harvest season, a fresh hop IPA would be a great addition to the fall spread. A cranberry cider would be perfect for around the holidays. You could match it with your Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing.

Fermentation (noun) fer·​men·​ta·​tion the chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms, typically involving effervescence and the giving off of heat.

FALL 2021

13

OUR TOWN

Story by Spencer Clifton Illustration by Chloe Hopkins Design by Chloe Hopkins & Katie Jo Stewart

Home is where 14

FALL 2021

For some, it may be missing their loved ones back home that causes their stomach to twist into knots. For others, it may be the sense of a familiar home that causes that lump to form in the back of their throat.

Whatever it is, if you can relate to any of these feelings, you may be experiencing homesickness.

Director of Counseling at CWU, Cindy Bruns explains that among college students, homesickness is most often experienced by first-generation students, transfer students and international students.

“Figuring out how to create a home at Central I think is really one of the big first-year tasks for students. So, we see a lot of students in their first year for homesickness and navigating that transition,” she says.

Campbell Robb, freshman international student from New Zealand and sports management major, was entering his first year in college away from home when he began to feel homesick. Robb describes the feeling of homesickness as “a sense of loneliness or discomfort.”

Bruns says, “students who experience homesickness may feel sad, lethargic [or] unmotivated, anxious, unsettled, nostalgic, irritable or overwhelmed.”

Making a home at CWU and combating these complicated feelings may feel like an uphill battle on top of getting adjusted to college life.

Feeling homesick is something that Marissa Howat, director of the Wellness Center, says needs to be normalized.

“I think it is really important to just normalize it and say, ‘Everyone experiences homesickness to some degree.’”

Even so, navigating these complicated emotions can be no easy task. Bruns suggests, “students who are homesick may withdraw from others, [and] have trouble getting motivated to go to class, do homework or participate in activities.”

As a result of these emotions, students may find themselves returning home a lot. While Bruns mentions that this provides temporary relief, students returning home will be missing out on the opportunities to help them “feel connected” and create “shared experiences.”

Homesickness may seem like a rut that is hard to escape.

Luckily for Robb, he says his feelings of homesickness “didn’t last long.” He explains that by hanging out with friends, doing things he was interested in and surrounding himself with reminders from home, he was able to find relief. “[Surrounding] yourself with things from home or that remind you of home, but also doing things that you like or are interested in and have fun with your friends,” Robb says.

What are some of the best ways to combat homesickness?

Bruns suggests making CWU feel more like home, whatever that means to you.

4 WAYS TO HELP CENTRAL FEEL MORE LIKE HOME: 1. DECORATE YOUR ROOM LIKE YOUR ROOM BACK HOME 2. COOK A FAVORITE FAMILY RECIPE 3. JOIN A CLUB OR ACTIVITY 4. INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO A NEIGHBOR OR CLASSMATE Howat and Bruns explain that there are multiple services in place through the Wellness Center, Wildcat 365 and Counseling Services that students can access if they are struggling with homesickness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with homesickness or mental health, seek help through various campus services.

the heart is FALL 2021

15

OUR TOWN

UNDERGROUND Story by Lexi Wicks & Bailey Tomlinson Design by Katie Jo Stewart Photo contributions by Ashley Larson, William Case, Brendan Dolleman and 88.1 The Burg

ASHLEY LARSON Ashley Larson, senior studio art major, has struggled with mental health all of her life. It wasn’t until she was 20 years old that she was diagnosed and had names to put to her feelings: anxiety and depression.

Throughout those 20 years, Larson began showing how she felt through paintings. She describes painting as a coping mechanism and escape for her growing up.

“I always say it is hard to put [how you are feeling] into words,” Larson says. “I feel like trying to communicate that visually is the easiest way.”

Although for most of her life painting was more of a hobby, at the age of 17 Larson truly began to take it more seriously.

During her time in community college, she had several supportive professors and friends. Their encouragement helped make her decision to continue her education at CWU. During her time at CWU, Larson has not only gained new

16

FALL 2021

skills for her paintings but has also taken a liking to photography and sculpture as well. But no matter the form of art, Larson stays true to her central theme, mental health.

CWU helps significantly by giving students “the time and the resources to be able to go make art,” Larson says. “Having a space to be able to [make art] and having professors that are supportive helps a lot.”

Currently, Larson is finishing up some works that will be featured in her upcoming Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) show. Her show will take place on Nov. 15-19 in Randall Hall, Gallery 231.

Her BFA show will feature her paintings, sculptures and photography with the overarching theme of mental health.

“I have been thinking about how people tend to cover up things, even if they are struggling,” Larson says. She hopes to convey this concept within her works this November.

Although she has enjoyed her time here, Larson will be graduating this fall and is parting ways with CWU as she looks to pursue graduate school.

She is unsure of where she will continue her education but is striving to eventually become a college professor in an arts department, making her escape also her career.

ARTISTS OF CWU As you walk the halls of CWU you pass unfamiliar faces without a second thought. People with separate lives, struggles, hobbies and talents surround you on a daily basis and oftentimes we never get the chance to get to know these individuals.

CWU has talented individuals around every corner, and maybe it is time to get to know a few of your peers.

MATT WIEMALS Matt Wiemals fell in love with music as a child, starting in middle school band and working his way up to the stage as the songwriter and the DJ SP3RROW. Currently a senior events management major, Wiemals sees big things in his future, including live performances, opportunities for growth and the release of his sophomore album.

“I was in musical theatre, I wanted to be a singer, [but] I realized very quickly that I couldn’t sing,” Wiemals says. “And then I joined into the band in middle school, joined drumline, and I just realized my love for music, listening to all these artists ... I always wanted to know how to do it.”

Over time, he found himself drawn to electronic dance music (EDM). He began following DJ’s, finding artists who inspired him along the way. Today, those inspirations are bands like The Chainsmokers, and DJs like Illenium and SLANDER. “I’ve studied every single Chainsmokers live set that I can

get my hands on in-depth, trying to figure out how it sounds, what their mixing pattern is,” Weimals says. “Also Illenium, studying how he writes his vocals, studying how he makes his songs.”

When making his own music, Weimals has a “melodic” sound that he strives for, though he’s always looking for ways to keep it fresh.

“I love making sounds. I love it. I have tried to make so many random sounds during [the pandemic], like a watermelon mixed with a transformer. I’m not even joking,” he says. “I’ve tried so many random things because I love the sound design part of it, and being able to make this really interesting, complex but also simple sound.”

Tied with sound design for the aspect of his creative process that he loves most is songwriting, specifically writing lyrics. He says that being able to use songwriting as a form of self expression, and others being able to relate to his music through his lyrics, is “the best feeling in the world.”

One of the things Wiemals is most excited about in the near future is the release of his sophomore album. His first album, “Discovery,” was released in May 2020 and focused on “themes of self-discovery.” His second album, he says, expands on that with a more melodic sound and more personal themes.

Wiemals’ music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.

FALL 2021

17

OUR TOWN

WILLIAM CASE From a young age, William Case always found himself building things.

“Instead of playing sports and playing video games, I found interest in actually making things,” Case says.

Now, a senior studio art major at CWU, he is known for building guitars and for his photography. By combining these two passions, he finds a way to make his own unique artistic expressions.

Case was introduced to photography after his grandfather gifted him his first camera. However, it wasn’t until after he took a few photography classes at Chehalis Community College, and then more classes at CWU, before he really began to take it seriously.

One of the many things Case would build growing up were miniature scenes. He combines this pastime with his photography to create something that stands apart from other works.

While taking photos, Case can quite literally manipu18

FALL 2021

late the miniature scene and camera to exactly the way he wants.

His photos are truly his vision and creation.

However, photography is not the only craft Case has taken a liking to. After taking a wood design class with CWU Professor Josh Humphrey, Case was inspired to build his own guitar.

“After I graduated high school, I saved up enough money to buy a cheap guitar and that is kind of where it all started,” Case says. “That cheap guitar, it just didn’t sound good and I wanted a better one. I never had the money to get one but taking these classes I kind of learned from [Humphrey] how to build them.”

Case finished his first guitar last spring and it ended up being a quarter of the cost it would have been to purchase a brand new one.

This guitar may not have a price tag, but to Case it is sentimental and means more to him than a purchased one ever could.

“In my opinion, it sounds so much better than the expensive ones,” Case says.

Since finishing his first guitar, Case has begun to build two more. Although he is unsure of what he may be doing after graduation, he can see himself starting a small business building guitars.

Currently, he is perfecting the craft of printing on wood.

This will allow him to customize the guitars with unique designs, making them truly one of a kind.

Case hopes to have the two guitars finished by his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) show that will be held sometime during winter quarter.

FALL 2021

19

PASSPORT

Travel into Story by Noah Wright | Photos by Kassandra Eller | Design by Emma Stark

As Miley Cyrus sings in “Party in the U.S.A.,” “I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan.” Or at least that’s how the song goes, right?

At the beginning of the year, the travel industry saw some major developments and nine months later, there continues to be changes.

So before going off to book those vacation flights to the land of fame excess, there are some important things to know about traveling in our current climate.

The travel and hospitality industry has many different outlets that feed into it. So far, the two main industries that are seeing the most change and trouble are airlines and hotels.

Airlines “In March and April of 2020, there was a 95% percent drop in booking; most of the travel currently has been leisure travel: family flights and tourism,” says Louis Smilanich, managing director of ramp services for United Airlines at Newark International Airport.

2020 was a rough year for everyone, but airlines especially felt the strain of COVID-19 because nobody was flying. Even today, airlines are still struggling to bring in their main sources of revenue.

“Business travel has only had a marginal return, late to mid-2022 and early 2023 is when business travel is expected to return to the levels it was in 2019,” Smilanich says. “Domestic travel has rebounded really well because, for the most part, there aren’t very many restrictions.”

According to Smilanich, some states, like California and New York, implemented contact tracing, but for the most part there wasn’t much. As a result, leisure travel around the United States is doing very well and many of the places that were tourism hotspots are seeing increased visitation again.

The same cannot be said about leisure travel out of the country.

“Internationally there are a lot of requirements placed on airlines and every country is extremely different,” Smilanich says.

If a person were to try and travel internationally, there are many different hoops that they would have to jump through in order to safely travel to their destination according to Smilanich.

20

FALL 2021

Many, if not all, countries have some sort of testing protocol and Smilanich explains that this could be difficult for travelers that plan to go through many different countries.

“When traveling through different countries you not only have to know what the specific requirements are for each country you are visiting, but in some circumstances time can be an issue, because you might need a negative test at the time of boarding and it can’t be more than 72 hours old by the time you land at your destination,” Smilanich says.

The hoops and restrictions aside, leisure travel is growing right now. However, Smilanich explains that leisure travel alone is not enough to support the airline industry.

“It really changes the revenue models for companies and puts a strain on the profit margin,” Smilanich says.

Airlines are broken into segments, Smilanich explains. There are full-service airlines, like Delta, American and United. There are also low-cost airlines, like Southwest. And then there are ultra-low-cost airlines, such as Spirit, Allegiance and Frontier. Currently, everyone is going after those low-cost flights that make up leisure travel.

“Instead of having your corporate travel that brings in a good amount of revenue, airlines are attracting and going after the flights that they wouldn’t normally go after,” Smilanich says. “Everyone is targeting those customers that only really care about price and not necessarily service level.”

2022 “Just because business travel is down, doesn’t mean that there aren’t people who want to take care of you.”

FALL 2021

21

PASSPORT

According to Smilanich, airlines, United specifically, have really pushed to put out a flight schedule that is similar to 2019.

Since business travel is not making a return as fast as hoped, the only way for them to fly their desired schedule is by going after the low-cost customers.

“With everyone going after the same flights, you see some of those ultra-low-cost companies really getting squeezed by the network size of the bigger companies,” Smilanich says. “For example, you look at Allegiance, who is going to stop flying out of Cleveland because they can’t compete with the bigger companies for customers.”

Smilanich says that we may see some consolidation like we did in 2010 to 2012 when airlines were struggling to make money. But this is just speculation.

“Face masks are required.”

Smilanich says, “anyone on federal property, which airports are, is required to have a mask no matter if you are vaccinated or not.”

With the mask mandate being extended, Smilanich explains that many people are fighting compliance, leading to tension between flyers and airlines.

However, since the rules and procedures are federally mandated, there is no way to change the safety guidelines.

“For our airline, we have a standard and protocol that our customer service agents and flight crew follow,” Smilanich says. “After a couple reminders, the crew and agents will ask the passenger to leave the flight. While in flight, we will call ahead to have law enforcement on the ground so that when the passenger arrives they can be apprehended.”

Smilanich explains that any flyer who is asked to leave or is apprehended for mask violations, is placed on a no-fly list for lack of compliance. Airlines are currently working to make the list universal so that a person removed from one airline will be removed from all airlines until COVID-19 regulations end.

The regulations are not only reserved for passengers though.

“If you look at the airlines, half of them came out with a mandate that all employees have to be vaccinated,” Smilanich says. “Airlines want to not only protect their own employees, but also want to project that their airline and their operation are healthy and safe to travel through.”

Smilanich explains that United specifically has increased the efficiency of their air filtration systems. He says that masks may go away, but the higher level of disinfecting will continue to stick around.

22

FALL 2021

Hotels The other hospitality outlet that has seen some major changes since COVID-19 began is the hotel industry.

“As of Oct. 13, in terms of occupancy, we are looking at 59.2% but this time last year we were 37.9%,” Professor and Department Head of Hospitality and Tourism at Highline College Justin Taillon says, citing a statistic by Smith Travel Research.

Taillon goes on to explain that the daily rate, which is the rate per room, has gone up to $143.65. It was $94.12 this time last year.

According to Taillon, REVPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) is important because if you have 100 rooms but you only sell one and you sold that room at $100 then your REVPAR is $1.

“Our REVPAR, which is the most important number, is how much you made per room, is $85.05. Last year it was $35.69, we are seeing a 138% increase,” Taillon says.

Although Taillon says that may sound pretty good, he explains that there are two kinds of hotels, the luxury and the convention market.

Taillon explains that convention hotels, which usually have 1,000 - 2,000 rooms in the Seattle area, differ from luxury hotels, which usually cost 2 - 3 times more to build. For a luxury hotel, it may cost $350,000 per room to build, whereas conventional hotels may be $100,000 per room.

“Looking at convention hotels, they are hurting pretty badly. Their REVPAR is $85.81, up from $22.42, but their occupancy is only 46%,” Taillon says. “The hotel is losing money at 46%.”

According to Taillon, luxury hotels are seeing similar if not worse results.

“In the luxury market, we are sitting at a 49% occupancy rate and a price of $144 per room. A luxury hotel at a REVPAR of $144 is losing money,” Taillon explains.

“The Four Seasons experience, and many other luxury hotel services, won’t be what they used to be.”

If leisure travel is going up, how then is the hotel industry showing such negative results? Well, the simplest way to answer that is the same as why airlines are still struggling.

With the lack of business travel comes the lack of revenue for all aspects of hospitality.

“Businesses are budgeting right now for the finalization of the 2022 budget and what we are seeing is that businesses are not adding in

FALL 2021

23

PASSPORT

travel,” Taillon says. “Statistically, business travel needs to happen. There will still be business travelers, but it will be slow and much less.”

With such a limited number of corporations sending salespeople and other workers out on trips, the revenue both airlines and hotels receive from partnerships and more expensive purchases has decreased.

“Vacationers don’t stay at luxury hotels, they stay at economy hotels by the airport,” Taillon says. “[Hotels] can fight for conferences to come to the area; you can try to get business travel back. But other than that, there isn’t much to do.”

Taillon explains that many of the luxury hotels can’t drop their prices like airlines do because if they were to drop their prices then the whole experience would change. The hotels would also have to limit staff and other resources if they were to decrease cost.

“The other option that many hotels are focusing on is government assistance,” Taillon says. “The federal government has done a good job keeping the market afloat. [Economic Injury Disaster Loan] EIDL is a $2 million disaster relief loan that you don’t have to pay anything on for two years. Besides

the money, this is helpful to hotels because the interest is only slightly over 2%.”

Hotels do not have the same luxuries that airlines do, an airline can drop their prices and book a higher flight schedule to offset the decreased prices. Hotels can’t risk dropping prices to compete with other companies because there is not enough occupancy to justify the dropping.

Their only option is to wait and hope that things work out.

What does this mean for the future?

The future of traveling is a bit uncertain, but both Taillon and Smilanich are hopeful that the industry will be okay.

“We saw over summer that when airlines grew their schedule for 2021 travel, people were ready to get out and were buying tickets at rates similar and even higher than 2019,” Smilanich says.

The hospitality industry is very flexible, according to Taillon, and when something changes, every other component adapts as a result.

“We need people to travel. Vacations are back and it’s getting much safer,” Taillon says. “Just because business travel is down, doesn’t mean that there aren’t people who want to take care of you.”

With hotel and airline prices down right now, why not go party somewhere in the USA?

With hotel and airline prices down right now, why not go party somewhere in the USA?

FALL 2021

25

PASSPORT

Paella Party Story & Photos by Theresa Daigle Design by Exis Villavicencio When you are hosting a large group of friends for a night of food and fun, choose something that is beyond the normal choices of pizza, wings and sub sandwiches. The traditional Spanish rice dish of paella will impress your foodie friends and even the pickiest of eaters.

Paella, pronounced “pie-eh-ya,” is a traditional rice dish that originated in Valencia, Spain. According to The Paella Company, the dish was created by a group of farmers who got together in the field during lunch and took what they had on hand (vegetables and snails), added rice and beans and cooked it together to create what is now known as paella. Most times it was eaten directly from the pan. As the popularity for paella grew, different types of the dish were created using rabbit, chicken and seafood.

Today you can find over 200 different types of paella being offered around Spain, each specific to the region in which it was adapted.

Both the pan that paella is cooked in as well as the dish itself are known as paella. Most Spaniards would agree that the paella pan is a necessity when cooking this traditional dish. You can find paella pans in many home-good

26

FALL 2021

stores and online for a pretty good price. Alternatively, you can use a large deep-frying pan as well.

Next you will need to consider the type of spices you will use. The addition of both saffron and paprika will deepen the flavor profile of your paella. You will also need to choose the base flavor of your dish based on the protein you are using. For example, if you want to make a vegetarian version, your base flavor may be better suited toward tomato. If you are making a chicken and rabbit paella, you would most likely be using chicken stock. The ingredients dictate the flavor profile, and you can be creative in what you add in terms of rice, vegetables and beans.

The beauty of paella is there are no exact rules.

Have fun, choose foods that you love and be creative.

As they say in Spain, “¡buen provecho!”

Classic

Valencian Paella Contributions by Tesco Real Food

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

large pinch saffron strands 1 cube vegetable or chicken stock 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling ½ pound chorizo, roughly chopped 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (or a mix), chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped 2 tsp paprika 1 cup Spanish paella rice 4 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped ½ cup frozen peas 1 cup cooked prawns with shells on (thawed if frozen) and rinsed small handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped, to serve chopped lemon wedges, to serve

4. Pour another 1 tbsp of oil into the pan, tip in the chopped onion, garlic and stir-fry for 4 - 5 mins, until softened and just starting to color. Stir in the pepper and paprika with the remaining tablespoon of oil and stir-fry for a further 1 - 2 mins. The pan should have lots of crispy, brown bits on the bottom, which will all add flavor.

5.

With the heat still quite high, quickly stir in the rice so it is well-coated in the oil, then pour in the saffron-infused stock plus 2 cups boiling water, scraping up the sticky brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

6.

Return the browned chicken pieces to the pan, then add the chopped tomatoes. Cover the pan and cook on a medium heat for 10 mins, stirring once or twice.

Scatter the peas, prawns and fried chorizo over the top, cover again and leave to cook a further 5 10 mins, or until the rice is just cooked and most of the liquid in the pan has been absorbed.

7.

Remove the pan from the heat, put the lid on and leave to rest for 5 mins. Stir a few times to mix the ingredients, season to taste and scatter over the chopped parsley.

Serve with lemon wedges and an extra drizzle of oil, if you like.

Directions 1.

Stir the saffron strands into the stock and set aside to infuse while you prepare the rest of the paella.

2.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a paella pan or a large deep-frying pan with a lid. Tip in the chorizo and fry for about 3 mins until it is crisp and the oil has been released. Remove the chorizo and drain on kitchen paper, leaving the oil in the pan.

3.

Stir the chicken into the pan and fry over a high heat for 7 - 8 mins, or until the meat is golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and set aside.

FALL 2021

27

PASSPORT

Conscientious Travel Story & Photos by Emma Ward | Design by Sarah Stewart

There’s a tight squeeze in your gut as you cinch the threaded belt securely across your lap, the door closes and you feel the cabin pressurize with a slight chill. Through the small porthole window, you watch the workers in orange vests wave their guiding wands signaling to the captain it’s time to leave. The plane detaches from the gate and you can hear the intercom click on, “Welcome aboard.”

“Home for the holidays” has certainly had a different ring to it these past couple of years, especially when that means spending six hours in a tin can with recirculating air that may or may not carry COVID-19. For two third-year students at CWU, that was precisely the worry.

28

FALL 2021

STAYING SAFE David Wacker and Kimberly Barnet usually fly home for the holidays and so far during the pandemic they have flown six times. Home for these two is a six hour flight all the way to the big island of Hawai’i.

Barnet, a junior in the elementary education major program, described what it was like travelling during the pandemic.

“The scariest was the first time we came back here, all of 2020, that was the scariest flight. I wore a face shield the whole time,” Barnet says.

The pair never got COVID-19 during their travels.

“After doing it a few times we sort of got, I guess, used to it,” Wacker says, a junior in the integrated energy management major program.

With that in mind, there is more to traveling conscientiously than being safe and healthy; while those are two very important aspects, what happens when you get off the plane also matters.

REGULATIONS As the Program Support Supervisor for the Aviation Department, Lisa Broweleit says, “in the pilot world what I’ve noticed is it’s almost like this unwritten knowledge that you’re just kind to the F.B.O. [Fixed Base Operator] and the line crew that help you out and what not.”

David Wacker and Kimberly Barnet

Although passengers are unlikely to have interactions with the F.B.O. directly, it is still important to be mindful of the regulations put in place, as these rules may differ depending on where you land.

Take Hawai’i for example. Upon landing there are thermal cameras that will scan you looking for temperature spikes, and the national guard is present.

“That was a bit freaky the first time,” Wacker explains. “It was like, ‘Oh wow, this is real.’”

According to Wacker, Hawai’i is very strict. It used to be that you would have to show a little QR code to prove you had gotten tested before your flight.

“If you didn’t do that you’d have to quarantine no matter what, even if you’re vaccinated,” Wacker says. Now though, you can just upload your vaccination card and be good to go.

“When we landed the first time coming home from school, when [the pandemic] first started, they tunnel you through, you have to talk to these state workers,” Barnet says.

“They get all your information, you have to sign something and then you have to go straight home.”

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The Environment Reporter for KUOW, John Ryan says, “Given the technology today, taking a flight is inevitably going to have a very high climate impact compared to almost any other activity you can do.”

Three things that play a significant role in the amount of impact your travel has:

FALL 2021

29

PASSPORT

First, there is the number of times you fly. Ryan says that the best thing you can do to help the environment when you travel is not to take a flight, and if you have to take the trip, it’s often better to drive.

Something additional to consider is the distance you travel. A shorter flight will inevitably burn fewer fossil fuels than a trip to the other side of the world.

Finally is the altitude of your flight. If you have a trip that burns a set amount of fossil fuels, the impact from these emissions will be much higher at 31,000 feet than if they are released on the ground.

Is it really better for the environment to drive as opposed to flying?

“It depends on a lot of factors,” he explains. “Like what kind of vehicle you’re riding in, are you taking a private jet? If you’re talking about your average American car and your average economy flight, in most situations it’s going to be better to drive because of the greater impact of exhaust when it’s released high in the sky.”

When talking about fossil fuels we are referring to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as well as other things. Ryan confirms that the CO2 emissions are carefully tracked so the environmental impact is more definitive; however, there are factors that are potentially worse than CO2.

“Scientists have said that they think what they call the non-CO2 impacts of jet exhaust is maybe two times or up to five times bigger than the CO2 itself,” Ryan says. “And those impacts include the water vapor that’s put out along with other particles or particulates in the exhaust.”

Ryan explains that this phenomenon forms contrails of white linear clouds you see in the sky behind many airplanes and those can trap a lot of heat. While the science of how heat is trapped is known, the effects on the climate are still uncertain, he says.

30

FALL 2021

CWU’S AVIATION PROGRAM “Safety is our number one priority,” Broweleit says.

She confirmed all 20 planes are well maintained. The program even has their own maintenance team and five mechanics on staff.

On the subject of COVID-19, Broweleit says things slowed down in the beginning but now the operations include approximately 50 to 60 flight related, ground or otherwise, activities per day.

“The biggest difference is instead of going out with just yourself and your flight instructor, you’re also going to go out with some cleaning wipes so you can clean the aircraft and the door handles when you come back,” Broweleit says.

Considering the environment, there’s a greater impact from planes emitting pollutants at a higher altitude and the longer the flights last the more fuel that is burned, Broweleit explains.

The CWU aviation program allows students to fly as low as 1,500 feet above Ellensburg.

This is significantly lower than the average commercial flight that, according to the Time Magazine website, cruises between 31,000 and 38,000 feet in the air.

Additionally, CWU flights frequently operate in nearby practice areas. According to Broweleit these are referred to as “local flights.”

“Our county is kind of broken into these different practice areas, so that’s what we usually use,” she explains. “Another very common flight is Ellensburg to Yakima and I think another one is to Moses Lake.”

With all of this in mind, if you are looking to get away using alternative travel methods try taking a ferry to the San Juan Islands, hopping on a train down the Washington coastline or going on a road trip with friends.

ALTERNATIVE TRIP IDEAS: • 68 minute drive from Ellensburg to Leavenworth • 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge • 3 hours and 23 minute drive from Ellensburg to Silverwood, Idaho • 3 hour hike to experience Manastash Ridge • 2-3 hour float down the Yakima River if you are feeling like going tubing

“Given the technology today, taking a flight is inevitably going to have a very high climate impact compared to almost any other activity you can do.”

SPOTLIGHT

JARIPEO:

32

FALL 2021

A PIECE OF MY CULTURE

Toros. Caballos bailadores. Grupos. Bandas. This is what makes a jaripeo unique from a rodeo. Gorgeous women walk confidently with their bell sleeve blouses and flashy jewelry, while the eye-catching men wear classic button-down shirts with botínes de vaquero.

Listos para la desmadre, the echoes of gritos and cheers are heard while nuestra gente dance the night away. The clothes. The music. The history. A jaripeo is not just an event, it’s a part of a culture.

From bull riding and caballos bailadores to music and dancing, nuestra gente creates the lively environment at a jaripeo*

Story by Yajaira Perez Photos by Lexi Wicks Design by Sarah Stewart

Three words to describe Yajaira Perez: outgoing, adventurous and cheerful. Having many connections at home to the Mexican culture, I proudly identify myself as Latina and Mexican. I was born in Tacoma and grew up in Puyallup, speaking Spanish with my family. I am currently a fourth-year student at Central Washington University majoring in public relations. My culture strongly influences who I am as a person. Jaripeos have enhanced my love for Mexican music, dancing and making unforgettable memories with friends.

*turn the page for a translation of words

FALL 2021

33

SPOTLIGHT

I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE AT MY FIRST JARIPEO, AND I KNEW THEN IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE MY LAST.

Jaripeos are strongly connected to Mexican culture and are originally found in the central and southern regions of Mexico. In Mexico, jaripeos are traditionally held in the countryside in pueblos and at ranchos. They are community events where the whole pueblo is invited and gathers for the food, live music, bull riding and dancing horses.

I didn’t grow up with jaripeos because I was never exposed to that part of my culture. Both my parents are from Guadalajara, Jalisco—de la ciudad. It is rare for jaripeos to take place in big cities. I was introduced to this environment when a jaripeo was hosted at the Ellensburg fairgrounds this past May. I had the time of my life at my first jaripeo, and I knew then it was not going to be my last.

Though jaripeos and rodeos may seem similar, they have some key differences. The traditional American rodeo includes bull riding, lasso, roping and is seen by the public as more of a show. Jaripeos consist of bull riding, caballos bailadores and live music, and they are seen as more of an event. Tickets for jaripeos range from $35 to $90 depending on the bandas and grupos on the lineup for the night.

In Washington state, jaripeos are typically hosted

34

FALL 2021

at city fairgrounds and ranchos: Chelan, Yakima, Monroe, Quincy, Moses Lake, Tri Cities, Enumclaw and Outlook. More common in eastern Washington, they normally start at around 2 p.m. and end no later than 11 p.m. and run from May to October. They take place in Oregon, California, Nevada, Texas, Arizona and other states with high populations of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

Jaripeo Durante el Día —Jaripeo During the Day

As I gently stroke my eyeshadow brush on my face and curl my long hair, it takes me two hours to get ready. I always wear my botas with red flowers, flared jeans, a cinturón and a cute blouse or a solid top. A set of gold hoops, my gold chain and my ring are essential items to my outfit. Some girls wear tejanas, or sombrero vaqueros, which is a cowboy or western hat that men usually wear.

I always go to jaripeos with my two friends, Jennifer Rios Blas and Litzy Cruz. On the day of the event, we usually get ready together and carpool. It is these moments I cherish the most—great friends with great vibes.

Words Translated in My Story: baile — dance botínes — a style of ankle cowboy boots caballos bailadores — dancing horses cinturón — belt Corridos — dance originated in Northern Mexico Cumbia — dance originated in Colombia de la ciudad — from the city esquites — corn in a cup with mayonnaise, cheese, and chile gritos — a vocal expression of joy or excitement Huapango/Zapateado — dance originated in northeastern Mexico Horchata — cold sweet drink made with rice milk and cinnamon Jamaica — cold hibiscus drink Listos para la desmadre — ready to have a blast Monto de Toros — bull riding Norteñas — dance originated in Northern Mexico nuestra gente — our people pueblos — towns ranchos — ranch or farm vaqueras — cowgirls vaqueros — cowboys

Arriving at the venue, field parking and dust flying in the air mixes with the smell of food.

Freshly cut fries, tacos, esquites, raspados and a variety of finger foods are consistently sold on the menu, along with a variety of drinks: water, soda, horchata and jamaica. There cannot be a jaripeo without alcohol, but you do have to show you're 21 and purchase a drink in a restricted area.

With the endless options of food, my appetite tends to crave a raspado de coco. This is a shaved ice with syrups and sweeteners that commonly incorporates fruits.

With my treat in hand, I listen to a grupo playing lively music throughout the venue as the caballos bailadores step to the beat of the music.

These dancing horses often perform at the beginning of jaripeos. The elegant horses are trained to dance by stepping, galloping and kicking in place.

Around 4 p.m. the announcement is made that the toros are ready. Everyone begins to crowd around the fences, where the bull riding takes place. Usually four to six bull riders compete for a cash prize for the winner. The anticipation grows as the first bull rider of the night gets ready. Fastpaced music picks up, and the tension can be felt in the air. This part of the jaripeo, the monta de toros, is what awes me the most.

I feel a sense of thrill and adrenaline throughout my veins. The bull rider hovers over the toros as the grupo speeds up the music, hyping up the crowd. Clenching my hands, I hold my breath as I wait. Suddenly, the door swings open. The toro is bucking. Dust blows into the air. Loud cheers lift up. The bull rider is holding on tightly, moving with the bucking toro. Screams mix with the music.

A roar of cheers goes up to celebrate the bull rider’s performance. In seconds, it's over.

SCAN HERE TO CHECK OUT A VIDEO ON THE JARIPEO! FALL 2021

35

SPOTLIGHT

Bailando Durante la Noche —Dancing Through the Night

All this shared tension amongst the crowd is released once the jaripeo transitions from the bull riding to the baile. The lineup of the bandas is why most people go to jaripeos.

Bandas start playing live music at around 6 p.m. and people gather around the stage. Where the monta de toros once took place is usually where the stage and dancing happen. Bandas usually play a mix of slow and fast-paced music. With typically two to three bandas in the lineup, the baile lasts until 11 p.m.

The bands perform with percussion, trumpets, guitars, saxophones and other brass and wind instruments.

Bandas are usually made up of groups of 10 to 20 musicians while grupos include five to 10 musicians playing traditional regional Mexican music.

“Music in general is something I treasure dearly, but specifically Mexican regional music," my

friend Jennifer Rios Blas says. "When I can see, hear, and dance to the type of music that I have grown up listening to, it is such a special way to express myself and my culture. I see it as a huge celebration of our culture as well and being able to enjoy that with friends and family.”

The environment at a jaripeo is very welcoming. Everyone is encouraged to dance to the beat of the music, no matter your experience level. At jaripeos, vaqueros are expected to ask the vaqueras to dance with them. This is only because it is typical for men to lead the women when dancing together.

The baile is my favorite part of a jaripeo.

Amongst my friends, we always dance with each other to slow-paced and fast-paced dances. All the dances are usually two-steps that may need a partner, but they can also be danced with a group.

Norteñas, cumbia, zapateado, huapango and corridos are all danced to banda music.

Huapangos and zapateados are my favorite types of dancing. Both originate from northeastern Mexico. Huapangos is a simple two-step to three-step dance that involves hopping and hip

movements. Zapateado has more freedom and is simply three-step stomping rapidly to the rhythm of the music.

When dancing huapangos, men usually hug the waist of the woman while holding her right hand and women tend to grab the back of their partner’s neck.

With bent knees, the vaquero leads the vaquera in moving forwards, backwards and side to side, incorporating turns and hip dips. It can be danced both sensually and fast, depending on the beat of the music.

Una Conexión a mi Cultura

I enjoy both slow and fast-paced dancing, but I have more fun with fast paced dancing because a partner is typically not required. With my friends during zapateados, huapangos and cumbia, for example, we dance in a circle together while sharing spins. Occasionally, with other friend groups that we meet at a jaripeo, we form a large circle and dance in the middle, encouraging others to join us.

“There’s just something about dancing around many people with similar cultures to yours that makes the experience that much better,” my friend Litzy Cruz says.

Going to jaripeos with my friends and getting excited during the monta de toros, enjoying the live music, admiring the caballos bailadores and dancing to traditional Mexican music is the closest thing to my home country, 2,500 miles away.

At the end of the night, my friends and I share laughs as we reminisce over our time together. I know I had a great night when I leave a jaripeo with my feet

I keep going to jaripeos because I always feel more connected to my culture each time I go. Being a first-generation citizen living in a predominantly white area all my life, I always felt muted and out of place—like a lost puzzle piece. I have always loved to dance, yet had no outlet to express my love for dancing, until now. I love listening to Spanish music, yet had no friends to relate with, until now. I never felt welcomed or encouraged to highlight my culture in my environment, until now.

aching and my botas covered in dust.

—A Connection to my Culture

A jaripeo is not just about the bull riding, the dancing horses, the musicians playing live music or the dancing. It is about mi gente y mi cultura, my people and my culture.

Un jaripeo es parte de mi cultura. Una cultura que estoy orgullosa de representar y compartir contigo.

A jaripeo is part of my culture. A culture that I am proud to represent and share with you.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS TO JARIPEOS • •

WWW.MIBOLETAZO.COM WWW.TICKETON.COM

FALL 2021

37

Story by Spencer Clifton Photos by Kassandra Eller Design by Katie Jo Stewart

beyond skin deep

SPOTLIGHT

A sea of artwork lines the walls of the room and a strong odor of disinfectant and alcohol lingers in the air. A harmonic “buzzing” hits your ear drums, and you can feel your excitement building. You are in a tattoo studio.

For many, the experience of getting a tattoo may mark a significant, exciting time in life. Individuals seek this artform for many different reasons, whether it is embodying freedom of expression or honoring significant life events and artwork. While tattoos have taken on their own culture and capture an array of different aesthetics, for some this practice is rooted in family, culture and tradition.

“It’s all about us sharing that love that keeps you going in life,” says Kamu Kamu, tattoo artist and owner of Kamu Ink, located in Fife, WA. Kamu has focused his craft on designing and tattooing Polynesian tribal tattoos as his way to spread and honor his culture in the Washington area, for over the last 10 years. While these tattoos are quite popular in modern times, this tribal tradition goes back generations.

Tattooing in Polynesia is a practice that dates back 2000 years ago, according to “Skin Stories,” a series of articles published by Public Broadcast System (PBS). This tradition is something that Nina Lemanu, Clinical Physiology senior and representative for Poly Central, explains is “sacred” to her community.

“Tattoos [are] something that is very important in our culture,” Lemanu says. “[Traditionally] you would undergo a ritual almost. It is not something necessarily religious, but it is very sacred to our culture.”

Traditional Polynesian tattoos are quite different from the common modernization that you see today, according to Lemanu and Kamu. Kamu explains that there are two kinds of these traditional tattoos: the Samoa-HaÏti, which is given to men, and the Manu, which is given to women.

“It’s from the waist down to their knees,” says Kamu. “It covers the whole butt [and] thighs … that tribal that they get, it represents what they do for their families and their service,” says Kamu. “It is called the Tatau.”

He adds that Polynesians must go back to their island, and receive blessings from all living members of the family before they can go through the process of getting the Samoa-HaÏti or Malu. “You [are] becoming a new person after you get that done,” he says.

“You are starting all over again, but you are becoming that main person that everyone in your family looks up to.”

SPOTLIGHT

“

these unique, evolving works of art have left a permanent mark on more than people’s skin Photos and Illustrations contributed by Kamu Kamu & Orlando Pescador Jr.

FALL 2021

41

SPOTLIGHT These tattoos were often a rite of passage or coming of age ritual, according to Lemanu. They were traditionally given by tapping a whale bone or a boar tusk into the skin to apply the ink. This is a very painful process that can take up to weeks.

“It played an important part in your ascendance to a leadership role in your community,” says Lemanu.

Some traditions never die. While only practiced on the various Polynesian Islands, this traditional method is still done today, according to Kamu and Lemanu.

Kamu says because these tattoos are so sacred to Polynesian culture, he does not tattoo these pieces on anyone. Despite not designing these tattoos, Kamu still likes to “step out of the box” to create Polynesian designs that he “can share with the whole world.”

As traditional Polynesian tattoos have

changed into a modern take on tribal designs, the meaning and stories behind the ink remain similar to their origin.

Traditionally, the tattoo artist would listen to the story of the individual and base the design off the individuals’ life, explains Lemanu. “You tell that story to the artist and they give the symbols to [bring it to] life how they think that should be, as you are telling your story,” she says.

Kamu adds, “All of the details in the tattoo mean something.

It tells a story. So whatever the person is going through in life … [the artist] kind of builds the tribal that flows with it.”

This is not always practiced in modern tattooing, but Kamu likes to keep part of this tradition alive in his own way. “I take the time to sit down with my clients and listen to what they are going through,” he says.

One of his clients, Makani Mafua, Computer Science graduate student and American Samoan, has been adding onto his Polynesian tribal sleeve tattoo since he was 16.

Mafua says that he got his first tribal design with a hibiscus flower to honor some of the women in his family. “It was basically an ode to my mother and then also my grandmother on my dad’s side who was essentially like the head of the family at the time,” he says.

As Mafua adds to his sleeve, he continues to build his story into his skin, by adding a hook on the inside of his arm to represent becoming a man. “It was sort of my right of passage when I was leaving my parents’ care … and I was becoming the provider for myself,” says Mafua.

Jonah Auva’a, American Samoan and Safety and Health Management senior, mentions that each island in Polynesia has varying symbols and designs that mean different things. It is common in modern tribal tattoos to blend these together.

“When you say the word Polynesian we are not just talking about Samoa,” says Kamu.

“We are talking about Hawai’i, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji [and more]. So what I do is I pull out every little tribal [symbol] from every different island, and I know all the meanings from all the tribal designs and I put [them] together for that person.”

Mafua adds, “It varies from island to island … A lot of what you will see nowadays, especially if you are getting your tattoos on the mainland like I did, a lot of Polynesian artists are going to mix together a lot of the cultures because the designs make more sense, or they look more cohesive.”

Orlando Pescador Jr., former resident of Kauai, Hawai’i and Polynesian artist, designed his own tattoo by combining design elements and symbols from all of the different islands to tell his story of facing obstacles and of growing up. “I have this silhouette of man; an island motif of [a] man and it represents coming of age to be [a] man,” he says. “Everything represents strength that I have to face obstacles, and knowing I have this stability through the change.”

Lemanu adds that these symbols are unique looking and they help the tattoo “represent the community, power, status, respect, and honor.” She mentions many of these symbols take after nature, and resemble animals, trees and water.

“There is a lizard, which doesn’t look like a lizard,” she says. “You may think ‘oh, a lizard looks like this,’ [but] when we are tattooing it, it can be a little bit different. But it’s a guardian of evil, of conflict, of famine. You may see a lot of fish. That again is for abundance and prosperity.”

Pescador Jr. embraces nature symbols on his sleeve, incorporating a gecko, a bird, waves, flower petals and turtle shells into the overall design. “You see this [tattoo] that looks like a gecko, it represents luck. See that bird? That represents the freedom I have … The turtle shells I have right here represents [a] long life.”

The meanings of various symbols and patterns vary across the different Polynesian cultures, according to Lemanu.

“One of my favorites is the waves or the flowy motion,” she says. “It can represent the loss of life, but also the gain of life. It can also mean danger. There are a lot of [double] meanings behind [them]. It is just what your symbols as a whole represent and what your story tells.

While the symbols play a huge role in deciphering these intricate tattoos, the placement of the art also holds a significant role in the meaning behind the ink.

Auva’a mentions that when he went to get his tattoo, the artist explained to him that the right arm is for men, and the left arm is for women. “When I first went in, I intentionally wanted it on my left, but the artist was like ‘nah, the left side is for women,’ which that was the first time I heard that,” he says.

Auva’a got his first tattoo on his right arm to honor his father’s side of the family incorporating his last name at the bottom. After learning that the left side was for woman, he dedicated his left arm to his mom. He adds that besides honoring his family, he wanted a way to honor his culture since he never learned the language.

“There [are] a lot of people nowadays that grow up away from the islands, so they lose touch with the language,” says Auva’a. “I didn’t know the language, [which] is why I wanted to get tattoos to represent my culture.”

Pescador Jr. claims he got his sleeve on his left side to

cover up his feminine side. “Back then it shows weakness,” he says. “That is why I covered it up.”

The various meanings behind placement, symbols and designs have evolved from traditional tribal tattoos, yet continue to hold significant value to people. These tattoos have now spread across continents, allowing other cultures to catch a glimpse at these modernized tribal pieces.

“I got people coming from Dubai that I have tattooed. I have people coming from Singapore [and] a lot of Canadians,” Kamu says. “I have tattooed people from far places. And it is incredible [they] go off to that side of the world and show off the work …”

Kamu likes to make sure that people know the meaning behind what they are getting, and to make sure they are getting something for good reason. He explains that many of his clients coming in want to represent their time in the military. “There is military folks that come in that want to represent themselves as warriors,” he says.

Pescador Jr. mentions that part of the evolution of these tattoos includes peoples’ attitudes towards getting them. “You see a lot more people that get it just to get it cause it looks cool,” he says. “It has become more of a trendy thing than a cultural thing or personal story.”

“I think one of the things that I struggle with over the last few years is that it feels like there are some people that think it is a fad and just a cool design to put on their body,” Mafua adds.

“That’s not what it is. I have seen tattoos around and I’m like ‘I get it and I think it’s cool,’ I just don’t think it means the same thing to you that it means to me.”

Mafua explains that he is flattered that people of other cultures appreciate the artwork and culture enough to permanently mark it on their body. “While it is cool to observe it, and see it, and understand it and think it’s beautiful, it kind of does belong to the people who grew up that way,” he says. “There are parts of it that I think are missing for a lot of people.”

Pescador Jr. says that if you are going to get a tribal tattoo then you should “know what it means [because] it represents your story or personal struggle … that you have in life.”

Kamu adds he has no problem tattooing people of other cultures “as long as they respect it and they know what it means and it flows with their life.”

These unique, evolving works of art have left a permanent mark on more than people’s skin. “It’s all about us sharing that love that keeps you going in life,” says Kamu. “It is beautiful.

That’s why I love what I do.”

“It is definitely a mark of pride to be worn by our culture,” says Lemanu. “It goes beyond skin deep.”

FALL 2021

43

SPOTLIGHT

When you are a child, you never consider that one day you might struggle with an eating disorder. However, eating disorders are common amongst college students and you or someone you know, may currently be dealing with this issue.

Story by Emma CrowE Design & Illustrations by Sarah Stewart

e a t i n g disorders: more common than you’d think

I

n a 2017 Healthy Minds Survey administered by the CWU Wellness Center, 10% of CWU students who participated had a positive SCOFF result.

That means 1/10 CWU students who participated in the survey were identified as possibly having an eating disorder. SCOFF is a baseline questionnaire that detects aspects of eating disorders through five questions, which make up the acronym:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Do you make yourself SICK because you feel uncomfortably full?

Do you worry that you have lost CONTROL over how much you eat?

Have you recently lost more than ONE stone (14 lbs.) in a 3 month period?

Do you believe yourself to be FAT when others say you are too thin?

Would you say that FOOD dominates your life?

If you or someone you know answered yes to two or more of the questions you may want additional screening for an eating disorder.

There are various types of eating disorders, identifying behaviors, and support and treatment options.

44

FALL 2021

“It can exist in any body weight, shape, or size.”

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

According to Leah Dambacher and Marissa Miles, registered dieticians and graduate students at CWU, the common types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. There are other types of eating disorders, but they are less common. People can also have aspects of disordered eating without necessarily having a diagnosable eating disorder.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Anorexia nervosa, more often referred to just as anorexia, is a common eating disorder. Registered Dietician and owner of Peace & Nutrition Shena Jaramillo describes it as a, “severe reduction in intake that can result in rapid weight loss.” According to Dambacher, anorexia can also consist of excessive exercise to “compensate” for food consumption.

Marissa Howat, director of health promotion and wellness at CWU, says there’s a lot of stigma and assumptions surrounding eating disorders and who has an eating disorder. Anorexia specifically is commonly associated with an image of a thin white woman.

“It’s not just thin white women,” Howat says. “It’s a range, and it doesn’t

usually discriminate, just the way all types of mental illnesses don’t discriminate.”

Howat is not the only professional affirming that anyone, no matter assumptions or stigma, can have an eating disorder.

“It can exist in any body weight, shape or size,” Jaramillo says. The preconceived notions concerning what eating disorders look like can discourage people with eating disorders to seek help.

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia nervosa, more commonly referred to just as bulimia, is an eating disorder with binge and purge components. Bulimia begins with food restriction and can look similar to anorexia. However, the difference

between bulimia and anorexia is that people with bulimia will reach a point where they consume a large amount of food in one sitting. According to Miles, this binge is then followed by some type of purge to rid the body of the food that was just consumed.

BINGE EATING DISORDER

Binge eating disorder is all about someone’s rituals surrounding food and how they feel about food. Someone with binge eating disorder will frequently consume a large amount of food in one sitting.

“The predominant characteristic of binge eating is not necessarily the quantity of food but how you feel emotionally after you consume the food,” Jaramillo says. “So if there’s a lot of guilt and shame, and then potentially restriction after, then that’s going to be classified more as binge eating.”

“You’re…

Paije Maas, senior professional and creative writing major and PULSE writer, has struggled with eating disorders since she was 13.

as Maas developed anorexia. Her anorexia developed into bulimia, then binge eating disorder after two years before developing back to anorexia.

Her story begins as many others do. Maas was a competitive gymnast who already restricted her food intake to increase her performance. The restriction became extreme

“I could really feel myself afraid of eating too much,” Maas says, despite her increased physical activity. That fear is what spurred her eating disorder on.

FALL 2021

45

SPOTLIGHT

“Their entire day revolves around [food].”

THE Effects

Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, according to Howat, who says that they’re associated with the highest rates of suicide, and also self-injury.

This can lead to an inability to concentrate and disoriented thoughts. When the mental symptoms reach that point, it may be time to seek in-patient care.

The effects of eating disorders rely heavily on the type of eating disorder and the person with it.

Physical

Mental

When someone has an eating disorder, most of their thoughts are around food. Their entire day revolves around it. According to Dambacher, it can cause people to cancel plans with their friends, not show up to events due to worries over food and stay home more often. The anxiety surrounding food continues to grow with the eating disorder. Eating disorders can have a serious impact on a person’s social life.

The mental symptoms of the eating disorder can also depend on the patient’s level of nourishment.

“When someone has something like anorexia nervosa or potentially bulimia nervosa, their brain is actually starving,” Jaramillo says.

Physical effects will vary depending on the type of eating disorder more than the mental effects will.

People with an eating disorder may experience: • Stress fractures • Weight fluctuations • An electrolyte imbalance • Low blood pressure • A disrupted menstrual cycle • Malnourishment • Throat soreness • Throat damage • Damage to the mouth, stomach and/or rectum • And other symptoms The physical effects could be any combination of the above.

“…Not… Maas says she certainly felt the physical and mental effects of her eating disorder. She stopped having her menstrual cycle for over a year. She also developed severe body aches, hair loss and began to bruise easily. One accidental smack against a coffee table could leave a nasty bruise.

Another side effect of her eating disorder was black outs.

Maas says she would black out “in class, walking around, doing anything.” She wouldn’t become aware that she’d blacked out until she finally came to. Anything could have happened to her during that time.

46

FALL 2021

The mental effects were a different problem. Maas began to feel like everyone was out to judge her, and the anxiety caused her to stop going out. That anxiety would lead to panic attacks if she was out for too long.

Her eating disorder also caused a change in mood.

“I felt almost angry at everything all the time because I was really hungry, you know, but then I was constantly fighting it,” Maas says.

Recovery Is Possible

There are treatment options available, as well as ways to support friends and family with eating disorders.

Treatment Options

The first step of treatment is to be diagnosed. Professionals will look at the type of language and rituals their patient has involving food. There are several different habits that can indicate disordered eating.

Treatment for eating disorders typically involves a team of professionals to treat both the mind and body. There is in-patient and out-patient care. The severity of the eating disorder and the health of the patient determines what type of treatment they may receive. If a patient’s health is stable, they may qualify for out-patient treatment. In-patient care is typically reserved for people who need medical care such as a feeding tube, or patients whose mental health is not stable enough to follow a nutrition or meal plan.

Once a person has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, a registered dietician can begin to work with them on a nutrition plan.

Jaramillo, who works with patients with eating disorders, says her patients get adequate nutrition while not slipping back into patterns of their disordered eating by developing meal plans that don’t use calories or energy measurements.

Alongside nutritional treatment, people with eating disorders should also consult a doctor and a mental health provider. Jaramillo usually works with a mental health provider and a doctor when treating her patients. Eating disorders are mental illnesses, according to Howat. Treating the physical aspects is important, but they are symptoms of a larger problem.

FALL 2021

47

SPOTLIGHT

Support

It is crucial to have a support system in place for the lengthy process of eating disorder treatment.

That support system can consist of friends, family members, counselors and others. It is important for people with eating disorders to surround themselves with people who are positive and validate their struggle with their disorder. A negative person can disrupt the recovery process.

Jaramillo works with her patients’ support systems as part of the treatment process. It is a great way for caregivers and family members to learn more about eating disorders and how to help their loved ones.

One aspect of treatment that Jaramillo focuses on is identifying a patient’s “eating disorder voice.”

“The person has their own thoughts, desires, emotions [and] goals, which are often hijacked by what we call the eating disorder voice,” Jaramillo says. “A lot of people will internalize that and take it in as part of their own character or even a personal flaw. So we will actually distinguish that as a separate voice.”

Some patients will name their eating disorder voice to make it easier to separate the disordered thoughts from their own.

How to help a friend or loved one • • • •

Learn more about eating disorders.

Do not comment on the appearance of their body.

Use constructive language.

Remind them that you are there to support them.

If you are concerned they are in danger then it may be time to contact their family or a professional.

48

FALL 2021

CRISIS TEXT LINE Text “NEDA” to 741741. The line is open 24/7 and supports those going through a mental health crisis, including eating disorders.

“…Alone.”

Maas is now 22 years old and well into her recovery.

She began receiving treatment after her friends went to their school counselor and asked for help.

They learned how to approach someone with an eating disorder in a way that didn’t feel like a personal attack, and Maas was able to face her diagnosis head on. Her friends, along with her mother, are her support system. They are the people she can lean on when she needs a helping hand.

Maas still struggles with aspects of her eating disorder, but she doesn’t let it affect her anymore.

When she struggles, Maas uses healthy coping mechanisms such as writing down the reasons behind her stress. She also likes to lean on humor. The idea is to not give the eating disorder thoughts any power.

Resources for CWU students include the Wellness Center, Student Health Services and Student Counseling Services. There are more resources in the Ellensburg area.

FALL 2021

49

JACK WENDLING

SPORTS

FROM WILDCAT TO EAGLE Story by Chase Beyer | Design by Katie Jo Stewart For Jack Wendling, playing rugby has been more than just a dream, it has been his life.

Wendling describes what it takes to play rugby not only as a CWU student-athlete, but also as a USA representative at the same time.

Ever since his childhood, it has been his dream to play for the USA. In September 2021, Wendling’s dream became a reality when he was selected to play for the USA National Rugby Sevens Team.

Alex Cleary, a childhood friend and current teammate of Wendling, wasn’t surprised about Wendling earning his spot on the USA National Rugby Sevens Team.

“My first reaction is awesome, great, I’m happy for him, but what’s next? Because this isn’t it for Jack, at all,” Cleary says. “If anyone is surprised by this, they obviously haven’t been watching Jack Wendling.”

50

FALL 2021

PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM WAS A DREAM COME TRUE

CHILDHOOD Wendling knew from a young age that he loved everything about rugby.

“I’ve been playing rugby since I was six years old, it was the first sport I played. My dad got me into it when I was really little and we’d actually have to travel up to Canada. Being from Bellingham was good, because it’s like an hour drive to Canada,” he says. “They have youth leagues there and so of course when you’re six, you don’t know what you’re doing and you just run around with a ball. I’ve been playing literally my whole life.”

Wendling’s favorite part of playing rugby in his early childhood was the long drives before practices. He’d play on Gameboys with friends like Cleary in the back seat for hours during the ride to practices in Canada, and at times to practices in Seattle for a select team.

“Jack’s always been like a brother to me,” Cleary says. “I have known him since I was 12, when we spent so many of those carpool rides together.

nerve-wracking, but as soon as I got on the field everything went away and we were just playing rugby, like it’s not a big deal,” Wendling says.

However, something that is a big deal to Wendling is the atmosphere and team chemistry. He says he loves that older guys on the team want to help the younger guys.

MOMENTS IN THE JERSEY Wendling says he felt the pressure of playing at the national level before his first game even started. He walked in to 15,000 fans yelling in BC Place.

“I was literally shaking, just playing in front of that many people,” Wendling says.

Even though the pressure was on, Wendling had everything under control, telling himself to make the best of the moment. It is safe to say that he did make the best of it, scoring in his first game against Chile.

“The first game was definitely very intimidating and

FALL 2021

51

SPORTS

the best person and student ... A lot of guys will say the same thing, high school, maybe they got 3.5’s or maybe a 3.0. Then they come here and you do want to be the best, not only in the classroom but on the field as well.”

The CWU rugby atmosphere is special to Wendling, as it focuses not only on being the best athlete he can be, but also pushing the players to be the best students as well. However, his favorite part of playing for CWU is getting to take part in the traditions.

“The team will get together at least twice a year,” Wendling says. “We will hang out for a couple hours and just have fun, connect with the guys.”

Wendling’s favorite tradition is the feed after the games.

“After every game, you always have a feed with both teams. You get to bond with the other team, which is really cool,” he says. “You know, we just collided heads and [were] borderline trying to fight these dudes in the game and then five minutes later, after the final whistle blows, it’s a ‘Good game,’ and then you just eat. It’s a lot of fun.”

STUDENT, ATHLETE AND FRIEND

“They want to pass on that knowledge. They know they are not there forever and so they like to sit down and watch films with me, or we will be at dinner and we’ll just start saying life stories. It’s really cool,” Wendling says. “On the field they try to help you out and make you a better player, but off the field they’re just dudes who want to meet the new teammate.”

CWU RUGBY The CWU rugby team’s atmosphere is much different from the national team, on and off the field, he says.

“Everyone needs to be on the same page because everyone can get the ball, everyone needs to tackle,” Wendling says.

“So it’s like everyone needs to do these things and it’s a lot less individualized and more like everyone needs to be together.

You can’t not be close with your teammates.”

CWU’s recent success is a part of their culture on the field as well, according to Wendling. He says CWU has always been a decent program, but only recently have they been named top three in the country.

Before the pandemic, the CWU rugby team had gone undefeated, along with beating teams for the first time, like Brigham Young University. Wendling plans to bring back that same energy this year.

“We want to win that national championship. That’s what the goal is, to win a national championship and only on top of that, we want 4.0’s,” he says. “I never got a 4.0 in high school or any of that, but when I came here, it just pushes you to be

52

FALL 2021

Being a collegiate student athlete has good aspects as well as challenging ones. One of the biggest challenges, Wendling says, is managing time.

“A lot of it is just you have to be really good with your

time. You have a few hours every day blocked out because you’re playing, so you know when it’s homework time, you can’t miss it,” he says.

While focusing on both school and sports may seem challenging to some, Wendling says finding the balance between them is rewarding.

“When you’re at class, you completely forget about rugby and it’s kind of nice because you have a break, you’re focused on your studies and at practice you completely forget about school, so all that stress is gone,” he says. “It’s a really good balance.”

It all comes full circle back to the atmosphere at CWU that really makes rugby special to Wendling.

“Our coach is really good, he keeps everyone on their

stuff. If you’re not on your stuff, he’ll call you out on it,” he says.

“If you’re on your stuff, he will praise you for it. He does a really good job just keeping people accountable. He came in and started that culture.”

CWU Men’s rugby has a culture that is not only upheld by the coaches, the players have their own standards as well.

“Jack’s not afraid to hold me accountable. I’m not afraid to hold him accountable and Jack’s always looking out for me and I’m always looking up to him,” Cleary says.

Whether he’s playing for CWU or for the USA National Team, on the field or celebrating with his team, Wendling’s love for rugby gives him the drive to keep pursuing new heights.

“Playing for the national team was a dream come true. I scored in my first game and that was surreal,” he says.

FALL 2021

53

SPORTS

ALTE R N A T I V E EXER C I S E Story by Liz Canton | Photos by Katie Jo Stewart, Kassandra Eller & Lexi Wicks | Design by Sarah Stewart

54

FALL 2021

The “freshman fifteen.” Heard of it? I’m sure you have.

Although most people would argue that it is unacceptable to comment on the bodies and health of others, this statement is repeated countless times every year.

When students come to college, they often struggle finding ways to stay active.

The typical atmosphere at the gym – loud noises, confusing machines and sweaty strangers – is enough to deter almost anyone from actually wanting to work out.

Luckily, finding your perfect way to work out can extend beyond the gym doors.

Yoga

A low impact but high reward exercise for anyone to enjoy is the practice of yoga. Kaikea Schlenker, a yoga instructor at the SURC, says that when she was first introduced to yoga, it changed her life.

“I just loved how I felt afterwards, I didn’t really get that in any other form of exercise,” Schlenker says.

Each class creates a safe space for you to be comfortable to get in touch with yourself and to be able to focus on your own body and breath. The ability to connect your mind and body and learn things about yourself is a unique experience that is to be gained from yoga.

Yoga benefits the body in many different ways, and you can tailor your practice to meet your own needs or goals. Whether your goal is building muscle, increasing flexibility or preventing injury, yoga can help you achieve those things.

“Exercise is not all about being a gym rat or a bodybuilder.”

It can also help with struggles within your body, and can act as a natural medicine of sorts, with different poses that can help work through things like digestive issues. By getting in touch with your body and your mind, yoga can teach you how to take care of yourself.

But the benefits of yoga do not stop at the body. Schlenker says that her favorite part of yoga is not the physical benefits, but the mental health ones.

Yoga was the only thing that provided her with the ability to escape from the physical world, and bring complete stress relief, “bliss.” Yoga is her way to escape reality and really focus on being at peace, forgetting about any external stresses or struggles she is dealing with.

The most important thing Schlenker says is that yoga “just has to be for everyone.”

Get outdoors and do some hiking or join an intramural team, like frisbee, to keep your lifestyle active.

If yoga is not really your style, however, there are so many other options for staying active in college.

We live in a valley in Ellensburg, so finding hills to climb shouldn’t be a hard feat. Trails like Umtanum Creek and Manastash Ridge are excellent hikes to do on a nice day in the Burg.

Hiking

The Pacific Northwest has an abundance of hiking trails and stunning scenery. With all of this beauty in our own backyards, we have the ability to explore the sights around us and get exercise at the same time.

Hiking is an enjoyable way to breathe in the fresh air, see some beautiful sights of nature, explore the area you live and of course, get in those steps.

FALL 2021

55

SPORTS

Kickboxing Alicia Boyd, a student at Pierce College, shared her experience trying a new way to workout.

Intramural Frisbee Playing intramural frisbee is a great way to stay active and have fun while doing it. With practices and pick-ups a few days a week, you will without a doubt get in your cardio.

Captains Tyler Bunnell and Collin Ueltschi, say they get in around five miles a practice when you accumulate all the running for scrimmages.

Although you are getting your miles in during frisbee, Bunnell says that he is “thinking less about how tired I’m getting” because he is working towards a goal and playing a sport rather than just running by himself.

Using sports and competition as a way of exercise can almost make you forget you are exercising altogether.

You are just having fun instead.

Friendly and fun competition is a component that is missing from most exercise routines but finding what works best for you can be easy if you are willing to try new things.

56

FALL 2021

Who doesn’t want to punch and kick to let off a little steam sometimes?

Boyd gets to do it a few times a week thanks to her kickboxing class. Even if you are someone who loves working out, it can get a little boring if you are doing the same thing every day.

Boyd found not only her new favorite way to work out but also her new favorite hobby in her kickboxing class.

It is her strength builder, confidence booster and stress reliever all wrapped into one.

Kickboxing is hard to get bored of, too. After doing it for four months now, Boyd says she has only scratched the surface of things she is learning from her class. She also says “I am going to be in it as long as I can,” because she is having so much fun in these classes.

A somewhat hidden benefit of these classes that Boyd points out is the ability to defend yourself. Boyd shares her perspective that as a woman, having the skill and ability to be strong and defend yourself is an important thing to have.

Taking these kickboxing classes not only introduced Boyd to a new hobby, but also opened the door to more possibilities of exercise.

Classes or forms of exercise like taekwondo or CrossFit didn’t seem of interest to her before, but after realizing how much her body can do and how her muscles can feel, she is excited to try new things.

Exercise is not all about being a gym rat or a bodybuilder. It is about finding things that make you and your body feel good. Every person is unique, and therefore can find their own personal form of exercise that works best for them.

“Who doesn’t want to punch and kick to let off a little steam sometimes?”

FALL 2021

57

FOOD & DRINK

LIP SMACKIN’ SMOOTHIES Story & Photos by Lexi Wicks | Design by Sarah Stewart Smoothies are an easy five-minute meal that anyone can customize to their liking. A few minutes of research about your ingredients can lead you to information about potential health benefits and creative blends that are sure to satisfy your thirst. There is no limit to the flavor possibilities, whether you prefer tart

or sweet, there is surely a combination out there for everyone.

Here are some of our go-to smoothie recipes. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to make your smoothie unique to your taste. Like something a little more sweet? Add more honey. Prefer something more tart? Add more citrus.

FRESH N’ FRUITY SMOOTHIE

• • • •

58

Frozen berries Half a banana Milk of choice Honey

FALL 2021

EAT YOUR GREENS SMOOTHIE

• • • • •

Baby spinach Frozen mangos Frozen peaches Bananas Milk of choice

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE SMOOTHIE

• • • • •

Pineapple Juice Frozen mango Frozen pineapple Banana Orange

Recipe Inspiration: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/555209460322447321/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/555209460322447325/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/555209460322447350/

FALL 2021

59

FOOD & DRINK

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OVERNIGHT OATS: Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

1/2 cup Rolled Oats 2-3 tsp Peanut Butter 1 tsp Cocoa Powder 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 2 tsp Pure Maple Syrup or Honey 1/2 cup Milk of Choice Dash of Sea Salt 1 tsp Chia Seeds (optional)

Instructions: 1.

2.

Combine all ingredients in a small jar or bowl that can be sealed. Stir well and then cover.

Refrigerate overnight. Serve with a sprinkle of chocolate chips, extra peanut butter drizzle or sliced bananas.

Recipe inspired by lemonandzest.com

OATS OVERNIGHT

CINNAMON ROLL OVERNIGHT OATS: Ingredients: • • • • • •

1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats 1/2 cup Almond Milk 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt 1 tbsp Brown Sugar 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Instructions: 1.

2.

Stir ingredients together in a jar until smooth, cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, add a splash of almond milk to thin the consistency, if needed.

Recipe inspired by haylskitchen.com

60

FALL 2021

BLUEBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS: Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

2 1/4 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats 1 cup Fresh Blueberries (can use frozen) 1/4 cup Chia Seeds 1/2 cup Chopped Dates or 1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon 1/2 tsp Salt 2 1/2 cups Dairy-Free Milk 2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder (optional)

Instructions: 1.

2.

3.

In a large bowl, combine the ingredients and stir with a spoon to incorporate.

Cover mixture with plastic wrap or divide mixture into 4-5 separate containers. Cover, then place in the refrigerator overnight for at least 12 hours.

Oats can be eaten the next morning or saved up to a week for meal prep.

Recipe inspired by whatmollymade.com

Story by Katie Jo Stewart | Illustration & Design by Katie Jo Stewart “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is a phrase we often hear growing up. But putting together a filling and satisfying meal early in the morning while juggling other tasks, may be challenging to many.

Overnight oats are a perfect solution to getting your day started in a relaxing and healthy manner. They chill in the refrigerator overnight and are ready to grab-and-go the next morning with little effort.

These overnight oat recipes are sure to appease your hunger and delight your taste buds.

VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE OVERNIGHT OATS: Ingredients: • • • • •

1 1/4 cups Almond Milk, unsweetened 3/4 cup Canned Pumpkin Puree 4 tbsp Real Maple Syrup 1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice 1 3/4 cups Old Fashioned Oats

Instructions: 1.

2.

Place almond milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice in a 32-ounce mason jar or several smaller containers. Seal and shake well to combine. Add oats and stir to evenly combine.

Seal and refrigerate overnight or until oats are softened. Enjoy within 3 or 4 days, may be heated before serving if desired.

Recipe inspired by platingpixels.com

FALL 2021

61

FOOD & DRINK

Bagels are Everything Story & Photos by Kassandra Eller | Design by Katie Jo Stewart & Lori Ferguson When you picture breakfast foods, bagels are usually at the top of the list. However, this bread is not just a nourishment to sit by your coffee.

Bagels are becoming popular as a meal at any time of the day, or if you need a midday snack. From sweet to savory each pairing will enhance the flavor of your bagel and lead your tastebuds to a new discovery. Try out some of these topping ideas to spice up your palate and get out of your bagel rut!

Savory pairings: •

Choose a plain bagel and top with thickcut turkey meat, a few slices of honey crisp apple and melted colby jack cheese.

To finish it off, add sprouts.

Recipe inspired by greatist.com

•

Spread BBQ sauce over an everything bagel, add pineapple chunks, feta cheese and shredded mozzarella to the top.

Place in the oven to broil for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and enjoy!

Recipe inspired by toasterovenlove.com

Sweet pairings: •

Start with a cinnamon raison bagel and spread with your choice of nut butter. Top with sliced strawberries and blackberries, and add some chia seeds for texture.

Recipe inspired by toasterovenlove.com

•

Cover a plain bagel with ricotta cheese. Add walnuts and drizzle honey on top.

Recipe inspired by weelicious.com

62

FALL 2021

FOOD & DRINK

FALL 2021

65

AFTER DARK

Story by Yajaira Perez & Bailey Tomlinson Photos by Kassandra Eller | Design by Katie Jo Stewart

“Spank me, slap me, choke me, bite me,” as Doja Cat says. Many of us may have secret desires involving sex. In an environment of freedom and discovery, sex can be pleasurable, desirable, tense, adventurous and safe. Normalizing conversations with our partners about desires, needs, wants and outcomes can potentially lead to more pleasure and safer experiences. So can being honest with ourselves about our own wants and needs.

Sex should not be uncomfortable. Sex is pleasurable. Sex is funny. Sex is adventurous.

LET’S BE REAL

BEFORE SEX

The only exposure most of us have to sex is through sex education in grade school and high school, which tends to focus on sexually transmitted infections, practicing safe sex with condoms and maybe the topic of consent.

You might also learn about sex from the internet and television. But shows and films may stereotype or exaggerate sex. A 2016 study published in the journal Sexualization, Media, & Society found that 86% of films connect sexual activity with substance use and 91% of characters in films use enhancement products during sexual scenes, such as sex toys, sexual lubricant, costumes and food consumption during intercourse.

Pornography found online also tends to involve sexual activity and sex videos that are highly fantasized. Many gravitate to porn as their first exposure to sex, which can be harmful and deceiving, according to Marissa Howat, CWU Wellness Center director. “Pornography is not a real depiction of sex,” she says. “The more you use pornography, the less sexual gratification you get in your actual relationships.”

According to the experts, in order to have a more pleasurable, memorable and desirable experience during sex, you must communicate before, during and after sex.

Assuming for your partner, instead of talking to each other, can lead to an unpleasurable sexual experience. A lack of communication with your partner can pose underlying risks that can be avoided.

“You are risking the other person experiencing harm and that, to me, is the greatest risk in a sexual encounter that does not involve communication,” says Wellness Center Health Promotion Coordinator for Violence Prevention and Response, Katie Parks.

You cannot assume comfort. You cannot assume safety.

You cannot assume sex. Communication before, during and after sex may seem embarrassing or even unnecessary, yet these same conversations prevent sexual assault and nonconsensual sex. Being on the same page is the most important outcome that needs to be met within these conversations, especially if you want to act out a fetish or have multiple partners.

Knowing yourself, your own feelings and your needs can also be key. PULSE spoke with two students (who both requested anonymity due to the intimate nature of the conversations) about their wildest and most unusual sexual experiences to see how communication with partners and honesty with oneself is important in any sexual scenario.

People want to have sex for different reasons. For example, one person may want to have sex to distract themselves from finals while their partner may want to have sex to feel a sense of closeness.

Having a conversation with your partner on your desires and reasonings for having sex can eliminate confusion and assumptions, and welcome an overall better experience for both of you.

Sometimes communication can be with yourself, and understanding your own needs and desires.

“I definitely tried to really normalize sex to myself,” says one student. “I put such a high importance on it before I came to college, and I didn’t feel that I had as much control over sex as I wanted before I came to college. My experiences were not good, and then I came to college and I was like, ‘I’m taking control of this, I want to have a positive outlook on this.’”

This student says that when they came to college, they adopted the attitude of ‘Sex is sex, that’s it.’ “If I was horny, I had sex. I was sitting there like, ‘Someone else at this college is going to want to have sex. So, if I want to have sex, I’m going to have sex,” the student says.

After following this mantra for the duration of their college experience, the student says they have had some wild experiences, including a four-way with three cowboys they met at the Ellensburg Rodeo. Lately, though, their mindset has begun to change.

“I think there was a big realization afterwards how little it meant,” the student says. “After I did that I was like, ‘That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done’… The only way that I could beat that is actually having sex with someone I cared about. Like, actually having an emotional connection and having sex with the same person is the only thing I could actually do to beat that. And I recognized that almost immediately afterwards.”

DURING SEX Do not be shy. Sex is not just about the other person, it is also about you. Communicating during sex is needed to establish safety, both physically and emotionally.

Communicating to your partner, both verbally and nonverbally, during sex about what feels good, what hurts, what you like and what you dislike can eliminate confusion and discomfort. Keep in mind that consent is needed verbally to continue or try something new during sex.

Clear communication is especially important when try-

FALL 2021

67

AFTER DARK ing new things, or when practicing certain kinks or fetishes that require more frequent and open communication, says a student who has been doing bondage for around six years.

They discovered they had a fetish for Bondage and Discipline, Sadism and Masochism (BDSM) while looking at porn videos online, and then did research to learn how to safely act out their fantasies with a partner.

“I went and learned BDSM etiquette, safety stuff. I didn’t just buy rope and chains and say to my girlfriend, ‘Alright, here you go, you’re tied up now,’” the student says. “I did a fair bit of research. I was also with a pretty serious partner at the time, and I cared about my partner and didn’t want them to get hurt or, in an extreme scenario, die.”

The student says that there are two aspects to what turns them on regarding bondage: the aesthetic appeal of a bound body and the inherent power dynamic in binding your partner.

Another aspect of bondage that appeals to them is the intimacy of the time immediately before a bondage session, when they and their partner have to spend time setting it all up. For somebody to be bound during a session, they must willingly sit there while the person binding them ties all the knots.

For students who may be interested in exploring a bondage fetish, or similar fetishes, this student recommends doing thorough research before involving a partner.

They recommend seeking articles on the subject, forums dedicated to kink know-how and video tutorials that are not pornographic in nature. “You can get videos of people that are teaching you to do the knots and if you go to like any tutorial, whether it’s an article or a webpage that has step-bystep or a video, all of them are going to talk about the safety precautions,” the student says.

These safety precautions include things like keeping safety scissors within easy reach to immediately release a bound partner, keeping an amount of slack in the tied rope to ensure circulation isn’t being cut off anywhere and recognizing certain points in the body that aren’t as safe for binding.

“And then also, talk with your partner about what they’re comfortable with,” the student says. “Safe words are important. Be ready to stop immediately and get your partner out of whatever situation. And from the other perspective, I’d say, be willing to communicate everything. Even if you’re gagged, work out some way to communicate.”

The student says that it is critical to keep in mind that while the person who is not bound has the power in that situation, the person who is bound should have full control of the situation.

AFTER SEX After your experience, it is beneficial to talk with your partner. What aroused you the most? What made you feel uncomfortable? Did you enjoy the experience?

These general questions, and the continuing conversation, will open a door of vulnerability and a sense of safety with your partner. Topics about future desires, fetishes and the topic of incorporating sex toys will make your experience more pleasurable for the future.

“The better the communication you have, the more

68

FALL 2021

potential there is for gratification and pleasure,” Howat says.

These conversations, though they may be awkward at first, are necessary to build safety both emotionally and physically.

The student who had the experience in a four-way learned something personal from that experience, a realization they only came to after the fact.

“After that, I was just like, yeah, partying doesn’t really appeal. It was such a high, but I was sitting there afterwards like, ‘I don’t think I need any more after that. I have my crazy college story, and now I think I’m ready to just mature,’” the student says. “I don’t know why something that dramatic had to happen for me to be ready to calm down, to settle down, but it really made me feel that I was sexually as mature as I had mentally matured.”

Help and support is available for all CWU students.

P.A.T.H. (Prevention, Advocacy, Training, Healing) is a confidential program that is directly connected to the Wellness Center to provide support services to anyone who has experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking or harassment.

ASPEN (Abuse Support & Prevention Education Now) Services for intimate partner violence and sexual assault victims 220 W 4th Ave., Ellensburg (509)925-9384 Ellensburg Community Health Clinic Free medical clinic 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month from 9-12 p.m.

611 S. Chestnut Suite A, Ellensburg (509) 929- 7266 Planned Parenthood 312 N Pine, Ellensburg (509) 925-7113 www.plannedparenthood.org

AFTER DARK

“Star Wars,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter,” James Bond and Marvel.

These names are associated with some of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, each of them amassing well over $5 billion in revenues. You’ve seen the films in theaters, you’ve rewatched them at home and maybe you’ve even bought physical copies of your favorites.

But, have you gotten tired of seeing the same characters, settings and storylines? Or are you thirsty for more?

Franchise fatigue is a term that describes the frustration some audiences feel with the increasing number of sequels, reboots, remakes and cinematic universes. But does this fatigue really make a difference when the films making the biggest bucks in Hollywood are almost always connected to a franchise?

Money is the Driver “Studios are driven by a desire to make money,” Senior Film Lecturer Michael Caldwell says. “If they think that audiences will pay money to see content, they will evaluate how much money they think they can make from a certain film. Based on how much money they think they can make they will determine how much it is worth to spend making that film so that at the end of the day they have a profit.”

Caldwell is known for working on the production of films like “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” and “Hard

70

FALL 2021

Candy.” The former is the first sequel in a popular franchise, while the latter is an independent film based on an original screenplay.

“The goal in making ‘Austin Powers’ was to make money,” Caldwell says. “The goal in making ‘Hard Candy’ was, fingers crossed, to make money, but it was an independent film, incredibly risky, first-time director. It turned out to be a success because the movie is just really damn good, but it was a huge risk.”

“I think I was 13 or 14, I saw the very first ‘Star Wars’ in the theater and I thought it was the greatest thing ever.”

While both films would be considered a success, “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” made over $206 million on a budget of $33 million, and “Hard Candy” made only $8.2 million on a budget of $950,000.

“Independent film chronically seems to be on life support,” Caldwell says. “It seemed to be on life support ever since I started in this business. It’s just an incredibly fragile, risky business.”

Familiarity is the Key Familiarity plays an important role when trying to sell a product, whether it be a t-shirt, a bag of chips or a blockbuster release. Terri Wilson, associate professor of management and marketing, says familiarity makes selling a product less expensive to do.

“Anytime that something is familiar it’s way easier,” Wilson says. “It requires less customer education. Marketing is expensive, so the less customer education you have to give on any product, the less money you have to spend on marketing.”

Wilson says the marketing of a familiar brand is called a cognitive shortcut. Major Hollywood studios use this strategy often, hence why, in the last 20 years, moviegoers have seen three completely different iterations of Spider-Man. “When I say Spider-Man, if you know the Spider-Man comics, that’s a cognitive shortcut,” Wilson says. “You can see the outfit, you know what it stands for, you know what the concept is.”

While familiarity makes a film more easily recognizable to audiences, the over-usage of a particular brand or franchise leads to what Wilson calls brand dilution. When a brand is returned to over and over and undergoes changes in order to adapt to the market, it changes the meaning of that brand.

“I think I was 13 or 14, I saw the very first ‘Star Wars’ in the theater and I thought it was the greatest thing ever,” Wilson says. “But now, it’s been 30 or 40 years they’ve been using that franchise and it ages, and some things age better than others. [A brand] is nice because people know what it

means, but you’re also now getting all the baggage as the brand gets diluted over time.”

In recent years, Hollywood realized that the cognitive shortcut strategy doesn’t just work for domestic audiences, but for international audiences too.

“You look at this past weekend, the biggest box office went to a sequel to [‘Venom’],” Caldwell says. “It’s a franchise that is part of Marvel Comics’ world. So, I think the answer is no, especially when you look at films as an international business. A concept like [‘Venom’] kind of to a large degree transcends language and individual cultures because it’s just a fantasy comic book movie.”

Is Film Still an Art? With the dominant players in the industry so focused on making money by rehashing characters and stories, is there still artistry in blockbuster releases? Caldwell says that there is, but it’s mostly reserved for directors who have a substantial amount of clout, like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan.

“One of the reasons those filmmakers have the freedom to do so is their past films have been financially successful,” says Caldwell. “This is an industry that is driven by money. I’m talking about Hollywood, not independent film. Independent film is its own separate thing, but Hollywood is driven by money.”

Caldwell stressed the bifurcation of the film industry: on one side is big studios prioritizing tentpole blockbusters, on the other is independent film making art and original stories.

Tomato-meter-approved Independent Entertainment Journalist Rendy Jones says that franchises aren’t going anywhere, but that it doesn’t necessarily mean cinema is stale.

“Franchises are just kind of here to stay, unfortunately,” Jones says. “Fortunately, and unfortunately. It just always depends on how a film is executed at the end of the day despite the capitalistic form of what cinema is now, what blockbuster cinema is today.”

The idea of art and marketability working hand in hand may seem contradictory, but Wilson says the two do go together.

FALL 2021

71

AFTER DARK

“Franchises are just kind of here to stay, unfortunately.”

“There’s plenty of room for art in marketing,” Wilson says. “And usually, the best marketing has good art. We’ve all seen examples of bad marketing, it happens all the time. But the best marketing usually has, at its core, really good art. I think the artificial walls that we create between these things doesn’t end up helping in the long run.”

Is Franchise Fatigue a Farce?

If films that are connected to preestablished franchises have the ability to be both artistically exciting and financially successful, does that mean franchise fatigue is a real thing? Senior Film Major Thomas Hinkle says it depends on who you ask.

Avengers: Endgame $2,847,246,203

1

Star wars: episode vii The force awakens $2,069,521,700

Avengers: ininity war $2,048,359,754

jurassic world $1,670,516,444

2 3 4

the lion king (2019) $1,667,635,327

5

highest grossingFRANCHISE original HIGHEST GROSSING FILMS OF ALL screenplays of TIME all time 72

FALL 2021

“I mean, I feel like the Marvel franchise is over-fatigued. I feel like they kind of hit their high mark with ‘Endgame’, and now they’re in this awkward gray area where they don’t know what they want the franchise to be anymore,” Hinkle says. “So, me personally, I’m tired of that specific franchise. But there’s a whole flock of people around the world that are still tuning in to any Marvel teaser trailer, main trailer, any leaked information ... But, I don’t see the Marvel universe going away. I don’t think people are going to be tired of that, just because either they’re nostalgic or they love that material, they love getting lost in that universe. And that really depends on the person and why they watch a movie.”

Jones shared a similar perspective, saying, “it always depends on the mode of a franchise and how that film, whether it be a reboot, adaptation of whatever or a comical adaptation, it depends on how it’s executed. Like the MCU, they’re just stuck with different phases. After ‘Endgame’ they were like, ‘I don’t think we have a game plan anymore. We’re just doing whatever we can to see what we can make audiences go apeshit over.’”

Caldwell says that the fatigue isn’t real, and that the sentiment might stem from poor entries in franchises rather than from the franchises themselves.

“If those franchises include a dud, I’m thinking of the Han Solo movie in Star Wars, I forget the name of it ... Solo? OK, that was a dud,” Caldwell says. “People didn’t watch it because it didn’t meet their expectations, but did it kill the franchise?

Hell no.”

HIGHEST GROSSING ORIGINAL highest grossing SCREENPLAYS TIME franchise filmsOFofALLall time

Until audiences vote with their dollar for something other than franchises, sequels, spinoffs, reboots and remakes will continue to be made, regardless of their artistic merit.

S OU R C E S : http s : //w w w. t he - numb e rs. com / mov ies/ f ranchis es http s : //w w w. b oxof f ic e moj o.com / rele as e/ rl 334 3 0 2 5 6 6 5 / http s : //w w w. t he - numb e rs. com / mov ie/ Hard-C andy #t ab=summar y http s : //w w w. t he - numb e rs. com / mov ies/ f ranchis es http s : //w w w. b oxof f ic e moj o.com / char t/ top_life t i me _g ross/?are a=XW W )

2 1

titanic $2,201,647,264

“We’re just doing WHATEVER we can to see what we can make audiences go apeshit over.” avatar $2,847,246,203

3 4 frozen $1,281,508,100

the lion king (1994) $1,063,611,805

5 jurrasic park $1,033,928,303

AFTER DARK

FROM TABOO TO A HOUSEHOLD WORD Story by Paije Maas | Photos by Kassandra Eller Design by Katie Jo Stewart Wide mirrors line the walls of the dressing room. Only the highest quality lighting is acceptable to help the acrylic tipped nails create what has yet to be seen. Powder dusts the air as specks of glitter are pressed to cheekbones. One last spritz and shine - hold onto your hats, honey, because it’s showtime!

Drag shows have been captivating audiences of all genders, races and sexual orientations for years. The confidence and the energy each King and Queen brings to the stage leaves us with a piece of it ourselves.

HISTORY OF DRAG THe Shakespearean Years When most people hear the word “drag,” or “drag show,” their mind goes directly towards “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Now, while this is an amazing representation of present-day drag, the idea of drag has been around since the dawn of humanity. All Shakespearean roles were played by men, even the female roles.

During the Elizabethan era, women were not allowed in the theatre world.

Underground Drag Ball Scene - the 1920s New York City is known as the birthplace of drag, especially when it came to the underground ball scene during the Harlem Renaissance. “Striking a Pose: A History of House Balls,” an article by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, explains that these drag ball scenes during the Harlem Renaissance were considered “taboo and illegal.” These balls were a chance for the LGBTQ community, and even the straight community, to come together in celebration within a no-judgment zone.

DRAG QUEEN: AQUASHA DELUSTY Aquasha DeLusty, originally from Ellensburg, Washington now resides in Idaho and is a fierce queen with both “sass and ass.”

She has been doing drag for over 18 years, before it became part of mainstream media and before it was 100% accepted.

“It was underground and the audience was there 74

FALL 2021

AFTER DARK because they were told about it,” DeLusty says.

She mentions that when she first created her “drag look” it felt like survival, walking out of the club and on the streets.

Before “RuPaul’s Drag Race” was brought to the screens, the attention that the queens, kings and non-binary performers received was anything but positive.

She states that coming from a small town, she felt that the submissiveness and the “effeminate way I held myself was not that of a Godly man.”

Once she moved to Oregon and found a local queer club with a drag show, she felt the warmth from the other drag queens heal her heart.

“To say rhinestones and high heels saved my life, is an understatement,” DeLusty says. “Drag has and will forever be at the forefront of promoting love and acceptance and the betterment of society.”

DRAG QUEEN: FAYE Faye has been participating in drag since 2017. She drew inspiration from attending various drag shows, and her first show was actually a small, college dorm show for her friends. Now five years later, she is traveling and participating in numerous shows of her own in Idaho.

Her name is uniquely crafted from an old slur used against men in the 50s. In French it means fairy. “I essentially named myself Faye to take back the beauty of what the true word means and to wear it as a badge of honor for everyone that is affected,” she says.

Faye is a fan of hyper-femininity, androgyny and fashion.

•

Hyper-femininity is often characterized as the girly girl, the exaggeration of feminine qualities leaving behind very little masculine qualities.

•

Androgyny is a combination of masculine and feminine characteristics into an ambiguous form.

She can often be seen rocking a bold liner and a pop of color on her lids while sporting a beautifully stitched blazer with red gloves.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAG Drag is the “welcome wagon to the LGBTQIA community,” DeLusty says. The main theme is acceptance and love and the queens, kings and all performers make it their goal to spread nothing but positivity.

“Drag is so important to me because it allowed me to show and express the true creativity that I hold within myself.

It allows me to explore the world that I don’t think I would’ve necessarily seen if I didn’t do this,” Faye says.

76

FALL 2021

Drag now being as mainstream as it is, is allowing for those who felt like they could not share their authentic selves with the world to blossom.

The question now becomes, are we heading into a more accepting world?

ACCEPTANCE: HAS IT CHANGED? “We will, unfortunately, have extreme opposition as those individuals root themselves in fear. I do feel acceptance and celebrating drag is happening more and more,” DeLusty says.

She says that she has gone from working underground in 21+ venues to now participating in story time with children.

DeLusty feels that the more individuals someone has to look up to, the less alone they will feel.

Faye also feels that the acceptance for drag culture is improving, but as with everything in life, there is always room for more.

“People nowadays are only seeing drag queens when there are so many other types of drag performers. There are drag kings, non-binary performers and the list continues,” she says. “I also want to see more appreciation and more shows with queens and kings and performers of color, non-binary and trans performers.”

DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR In 2015, Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions created Drag Queen Story Hour. It began simply as numerous drag queens reading stories to young children in libraries but now it has expanded greatly.

Their mission is as follows, Drag Queen Story Hour celebrates reading through the glamorous art of drag. Our chapter network creates diverse, accessible and culturally inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities.”

The benefit of Drag Queen Story Hour

is that it invites children to ask questions and learn about the differences in people, but in a respectable way.

While many may assume that too many differences in one room will confuse or be too much for the child, it has actually opened the children’s eyes to the many kinds of people that we are surrounded by. It also shows them how to respect one another and embrace their own differences.

So, while the world may seem dim and dark at times, if you ever need a sprinkle of light and hope, think about attending a drag show.

Leave all of your worries, responsibilities and heartache at the door and immerse yourself in all things drag.

Outside Sources: https://cfda.com/news/striking-a-pose-a-history-of-house-balls https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/about/ Photo contributions by Nicole Moeckli & Faye

AFTER DARK

Contributions by Noah Wright | Photos by Kassandra Eller

Monday TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

The Porch: after 3 p.m.

The Palace

The Porch: after 3 p.m.

The Palace

•

•

98 cent Tacos

•

All wine glasses $5

•

98 cent Tacos

•

$3 Corona/Pacifico

$3 Corona/Pacifico

$5 Loaded Coronas

Club 301: 8 p.m. – Midnight

•

•

•

$5 Loaded Coronas

•

The Porch: after 3 p.m.

•

$4 per pint of any beer on tap

$5 Mojitos

•

The Porch: after 3 p.m.

•

$2 Tacos

•

$2 Coronas

•

$3 Tequila Shots

$6 Coors Light Pitchers

Wing Central •

$2.50 Coronas

•

$5 Loaded Coronas

Red Horse •

$2.50 Tacos

Red Horse

•

$2 Coronas/Modelos

•

$2.50 Tacos

Wing Central

•

$2 Coronas/Modelos

•

$1 off all Beer 101 beers

Club 301: 8 p.m. – Midnight

The Pearl •

•

$2 off Tequila shots

•

$2 off Coronas/Modelos

DAILY SPECIALS

$6 well doubles after 9 p.m. everyday

Gard Vintners •

Everyday – 10% off for students and professors

Horseshoe Sports Bar Everyday 8 p.m. to close – $1.50 16oz aluminum can beers

•

•

Everyday 8 p.m. to close – 2 for $1 Jell-O shots

•

•

$5 wells all day

Red Horse

•

FALL 2021

The Pearl

•

Palace

78

HAPPY HOUR

Drink special that changes daily depending on bartender’s choice

Everyday 3 – 6 p.m.

The Porch

•

M – F, 3 – 6 p.m.

Everyday 12 – 2 p.m. | 4 – 6 p.m.

& Alex Groom | Design by Hinako Yutakata & Sarah Stewart

Monday

TUESDAY

The Green Shelf

The Green Shelf

•

$5 – $10 off edible packs

•

•

$1 – $2 off single edibles and discounted RSO

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY The Green Shelf

Student discount – 10% off • all students and faculty •

Fire House

$5 – $20 off all concentrates and vapes

•

20% off all drinks and tinctures

$10 gram of oil

•

10% off for students

Fire House

•

10% off Phat Panda products

•

10% off all wax

•

$14 (3.5g) flower

•

$11 (1g) concentrates

FRIDAY

The Green Shelf

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

The Green Shelf

The Green Shelf

Cannabis Central

•

•

•

Staff favorites from top shelf at a mid-level price

Fire House •

$2 full gram joints

Cannabis Central •

10% off all cartridges

Students, Seniors (60+) and Veterans – 20% off 2 – 5 p.m.

Students, Seniors (60+) and Veterans – 20% off 2 – 5 p.m.

DAILY SPECIALS

HAPPY HOUR

•

Mornings – Sativa, open 10 a.m. – 15% off

•

•

Nighttime – Indica, until 9 p.m. – 15% off

•

Students, Seniors (60+) and Veterans – 20% off 2 – 5 p.m.

Cannabis Central

Cannabis Central

2 – 5 p.m. (Discounts may vary)

FALL 2021

79

OUR TOWN

cwupulsemagazine.com

80

FALL 2021