Spring 2017 | Issue Two

1

pulse graduates

congrats c/0 2017! we'll miss you!

table

of

contents

our town 1 0 / K E E P I T F R ES H , K E E P I T LO CA L 1 2 / A D AY I N T H E L I F E O F A N R O T C C A D E T

lifehacks 17 / YOUNG, MARRIED AND BROKE

passport 2 0 / T H E U N F I LT E R E D C A N N O N B E A C H

spotlight 26 / PRIDE 32 / WOMEN SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS 3 8 / I N J U R E D & A LO N E

sports 47 / THE CAMPBELL KID

food & drink 5 0 / P O LY N E S I A N S T Y L E B B Q 52 / SUMMER DRINKS!

after dark 56 / SEVEN DANGERS OF 13 REASONS WHY 5 8 / T H E A R T O F A D A P TAT I O N S 62 / PULSE8 ft. SHAED

On the Cover: Oregon coastline F r o n t c o v e r p h o t o b y J a c k L a m b e r t // D e s i g n e d b y V a n e s s a C r u z

pulse staff N I C O L E T R E J O -VA L L I / e d i t o r- i n - c h i e f VA N E S S A C R U Z / c r e a t i v e d i r e c t o r

editorial MANDI RINGGENBERG / associate editor SIMONE CORBETT / features editor BAILEE WICKS / assistant editor LEXI PHILLIPS / assistant editor

design & photography JACK LAMBERT / director of photography MADDIE BUSH / graphic designer XANDER FU / photographer ELIZABETH MASON / graphic designer TAY LO R M O R R E L L / g r a p h i c d e s i g n e r MANNY RIVERA / graphic designer ELIZABETH WEDDLE / photographer R YA N W E I E R / g r a p h i c d e s i g n e r & p h o t o g r a p h e r

contributors Z E N A A C H O LO N U , C H R I ST I N A B L A C K , RY L E Y B R U U N , GLENDAL CORREA, AMANDA ESQUIVEL, ASHLEY HARRIS, JONELLE LAUER, HANSON LEE, YOO YOUNG LEE, JULIA MORENO, LINDSEY POWERS, KYLER ROBERTS, ERIC ROSANE, MEGAN SCHRENK, RUNE TORGERSEN, M A C K E N Z I E T R O T T E R , J O C E LY N W A I T E

faculty adviser JENNIFER GREEN (509) 963.1066 / jgreen@cwu.edu

business manager TA R A LO N G (509) 963.1026 / taral@cwu.edu Pulse Magazine is a student-run lifestyle magazine, both in print and online at www.cwupulse.com. 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.

reading your pulse Congratulations to all the LatinX 2017 graduates! We heard this was the largest number of LatinX graduates in CWU history. Recently, Jocelyn Waite and I wrote a story on LatinX students on campus who are facing immigration issues. Additionally, the story highlighted the importance of MEChA for the LatinX community on campus. — Julia Moreno You can read the original article in Spring 2017 Issue One on cwupulse.com

In Winter 2017 Issue One, I wrote “Veterans and the Brotherhood of War,” which helped me develop an understanding for what Sebastian Junger, author of the book “Tribe,” would soon say on his May 10 visit to Central’s campus.

As I sat there in the crowd, I couldn’t help but think about all the people whose path I crossed when writing my own story. Everyone emphasized the importance of brotherhood, unity, and the transition back to civilian life where PTSD can start to play a role.

Junger said the feeling of brotherhood doesn’t depend on liking one another, but it’s recognizing the need of survival for the group. He related this to an experience he once had while at a bar in Europe—he saw two men moments away from punching each other to cheering and laughter. In that moment he recognized the need of brotherhood and reverted it back to Restrepo, which he defines as a hard place, but a place with a tremendous amount of love.

Junger explained to the crowd how the theory of PTSD may not be the definition we’ve all grown to know. He said the problem with PTSD can actually be the process of coming back home, rather than the actual trauma experienced. He related this theory to a study he found on the depression and suicide rates within women in richer versus poorer areas.

The results showed those in richer areas had a higher depression and violence rate, compared to those in poorer areas because the need for each other is greater than anything else.

Junger said if we all feel needed then we’re okay, because those who don’t feel needed can feel useless, which cause depression rates to rise. And to me, that part really stuck out—everyone wans to feel needed, it’s just who we are and part of our DNA because without the sense of importance we lose sight of what we’re meant to do. — Nicole Trejo-Valli You can read the original article in Winter 2017 Issue Two on cwupulse.com

To the person who wrote on the Winter 2017 Issue One covers: I am unsure of the intentions of your actions. I am aware that Muslims follow Sharia law as well as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and I respect that; if there was something stated in this story that upset you, or that you believe went against your statement, I apologize. However, if you would like to elaborate your point further so that we can better understand the issue, feel free to contact us at cwupulsemagazine@gmail.com. — Lexi Phillips You can read the original article in Winter 2017 Issue One on cwupulse.com

editoR’s note I’m days away from graduating, saying my farewells to everyone, getting the car ready to drive back home, and holding my last issue of Pulse—how is any of this real? I have a feeling it’s going to hit me all at once and I’ll be stuck in the fetal position crying, because I was lucky enough to experience so many memorable moments with people I’ve grown to care for.

However, at the end of the day it’s now time for me to pass the torch to someone else. But before I leave I want to thank all of those in Pulse whom I’ve worked closely with.

So, let’s begin: Jen: I remember my first day in Pulse when I introduced myself to you and you said how you liked an idea of mine that I pitched (“Flyin’ Solo”). It wasn’t a big moment, but a moment where I felt at ease because magazine writing was so foreign to me. But, I would’ve never imagined to be where I am now and I can confidently say it was all because of you. It was your mentoring and guidance which led me to become the person I am in such a short amount of time. You have been the best professor and adviser I could have asked for, and I am so grateful for everything you’ve done to help me learn and become better. Also, thank you for trusting me with your baby (Pulse), I hope I made you proud.

Mandi & Simone: I seriously can’t thank you both enough for all the support and trust you’ve given me. We came into this as complete strangers who had to work together, and now we’re leaving with a friendship that I’ll forever cherish. I’m going to miss all of our rants, laughs, late-night editing sessions and everything else we’ve experienced together. I can’t wait to see what you both accomplish after college and just know I’ll be forever rooting you two on.

Bailee, Jack, Lexi, & Vanessa: Individually you are all extremely talented and bring your own unique traits to the table, but when you’re together magic happens.

I’m sad my time is up and I can’t be there to see you all grow even more, but I know you’ll continue to do just fine without me. I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in life and if you ever need me I’m always a phone call away.

Ok, now give me a moment as I get my act together and wipe away the tears to continue with what’s in this issue. We have “Pride” on page 26, “Women Spoken Word Artisits” on page 32, and “Lost & Injured” on page 38, all of which feature strong and badass individuals. But right before you dive into the spotlight section our Pulse staff takes you on another 36-hour trip around Cannon Beach, the unfiltered side.

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

behind the scenes

8

9

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Keep itFresh Keep itLocal Story by Jonelle Lauer // Photo & Design by Ryan Weier

10

OUR TOWN

Every Saturday morning from the beginning of May to the end of October, local farmers and merchants gather downtown for the annual farmer's market.

As you walk through the streets, you're greeted with vendors selling a variety of goods: handmade trinkets, goat’s milk skincare products, candles, jewelry, wind chimes and pet accessories. But it's not just the goods you're greeted with; live music plays in the background, kids are smiling and getting their face painted, and the food is hitting just the spot.

And for some families, the market is a tradition. One family in particular has been running the Anderson Family Farm booth at the market for the past seven years—Mary-Beth Anderson and her family work on their goat farm to produce a homemade line of goat’s milk skincare products, ranging from lotions to clay masks.

Whether they're looking for locally-grown produce, perusing the hand-crafted goods or just spending time with family and friends, the farmer's market is the place to be for many.

11

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

A Day in the Life of an ROTC Cadet Written by a Central AFROTC cadet Story by Christine Black // Photos by Elizabeth Weddle // Design by Elizabeth Mason

12

IN UNIFORM You've all seen them, the people walking around campus who look like the average college student. But the similarities end there. Once in a while, those 'average-looking' students are seen in their other typical clothes: various camouflage utility or blue & black formal uniforms. Traditional college students don't typically plan to sign away their life plans of up to ten years, effective nearly immediate after graduation. But the function of ROTC, or Reserved Officer’s Training Corps, is to better prepare students who want to serve in the armed forces post-college.

CWU offers the ROTC program through two military branches: Army and Air Force.

But wait—hold up. What was that part about signing away years? Seems rather drastic, right?

Not quite. Here’s how being in the ROTC at a university works: The ROTC curriculum is created by the Air

Education Training Command for Air Force and cadre for Army, construct the curriculum at each unit, but are organized under geographic regions of command called Brigades. The CWU Army Battalion is under the 8th Brigade. Both curriculums include military science or aerospace classes, leadership training, physical fitness sessions and issued uniforms and equipment.

Cadets also have to meet physical fitness standards and attend a 'summer camp' for a few weeks to experience a deployment simulation and high-pressure environment. Sounds like a lot all at once, we know. But cadets have two years to decide whether or not to take it on; the first two years are completely voluntary if not on scholarship.

MISCONCEPTIONS: SCHOLARSHIPS “You joined ROTC to get school paid for, right?”

No.

OUR TOWN

A big stereotype towards cadets is skepticism on the ease of full-ride scholarships. What some may not know is that joining the program is completely voluntary, and scholarship recipients are a small percentage of any cadet corps.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill compensates for tuition and some living expenses (post-service in the armed forces). Veterans who have served a minimum of 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001 and received an honorable discharge, qualify. For the full benefit, veterans must have served at least three years post-September 10, 2001. However, many months served translates to a different percentage of eligibility one can receive.

So benefits of the GI Bill come after active duty.

ROTC is classified as reserve, so cadets cannot log active duty service.  Scholarships are available for graduated high school students headed to college and who want to complete ROTC. But criteria must be met, such as

completing their required physical fitness, SATs/ ACTs, recommendations from figures like coaches and teachers, and is also based upon how well the interview with a unit commander goes and much more. It is highly competitive—so no, not everyone in ROTC is getting their school covered. In fact, even those who do have a scholarship only get partial tuition/additional school expenses paid for.

Out of the 1,700-plus colleges and universities that offer one or more branches’ ROTC program, approximately just over 4,000 cadets receive a four-year scholarship, according to todaysmilitary.com and rotcscholarship.net. Those 4,000 can be freshmen to senior. Chances of receiving one based on merit once in the program, however, are very slim—taking into consideration that the minimum number of cadets at each university program is 100 members like CWU, and the bigger ones are over 1,000 members such as those at Virginia Tech.

13

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Those who do receive a scholarship are committed sooner on paper. What that means is they are 'contracted' and essentially in an enlisted status until they graduate with a degree. Successful completion of first the degree then the program requirements are the prerequisite to commissioning.

ROTC PROGRAM The program comes in a variety of options in terms of years completed. Depending on your academic credits accumulated and your own choice, you can sign up for the four or three-year program. As for these people in said program walking around campus: how different is their life during college compared to traditional students?

Matt Yuste, 22, will graduate this June with a degree in law and justice. As a senior in the Army ROTC, he’s known as an MS4, or a cadet in the fourth year of military science classes required of the program. Along with his degree, he will also earn a minor in military science. Respectively, all Air Force cadet undergraduates earn a minor in aerospace studies. For Yuste, he had a distinct reason for joining.

“When I was 16, I wanted to join the marines,” says Yuste, “then my parents made me go to college, so I found ROTC and I was like...Yeah. I’m going to try this instead.”

It’s common for high school graduates to come to college thinking enlistment is the only route to a military career. In fact, although ROTC is the biggest venue in terms of producing officers for the military, Officer Training and Officer Candidate School are more popularly known.

Yuste has been in the AROTC program for the full four years. So between earning a minor and logging in the required training, Pulse wanted to know how many hours a week that took.

“Depends. Winter quarter I’m doing almost nothing,” says Yuste, “This quarter, since we have FTX, land nav…I’m probably in Mr. Bannister’s office three to five hours a week outside of it— probably like three to four.”

Kevin Bannister is the civilian supply technician in the AROTC program who works alongside cadets and cadre (the upper-grade officers and enlisted members in charge of training the cadets).

Both Army and Air Force have cadre, and just like any department on campus there is an authority structure built like a pyramid. For the ROTC, it focuses to simulate how the real Army and Air Force work to acclimated cadets to the structure.

14

For perspective, by the time cadets reach MS4 or AS400 year, they are taking three credits worth of classes, three hours of physical fitness, and three hours of what is called leadership laboratory. That totals nine hours minimum devoted to just ROTC activities. Add the “three to four" that cadets like Yuste spend, and the average amount of time per week is 12-13 hours, nearly the equivalent of a part time job on campus.

AIR FORCE ROTC Lianne Nguyen, 23, who's also graduating this June, with a degree in law and justice and in sociology.

"I joined ROTC because of the opportunities they offer and like, the benefits that you get for going through the program," says Nguyen, "I didn't want to go enlisted, I wanted to go to college and ROTC. "I met a few of my best friends through the program," says Nguyen, "and it's just ROTC is involved with a lot of the community so that like helps me become more involved in the community."

EAs are the slots reserved for the required summer training, as the location can only host so many cadets for the three to four weeks of the course. This is probably the most stressful point in an ROTC cadet's career because the competition is nationwide. Also, not receiving an EA means immediate removal from the program itself. So up until then, cadets will study aerospace and leadership concepts, work out frequently and more to just be considered.

Nguyen spends more than 20 hours a week preparing and studying outside of the mandatory ROTC activities. That includes 50 minutes every day of working out aside from the AFROTC physical training sessions three days a week.

Around the time a cadet becomes a senior, they've grown used to making ROTC their number one priority because that prepares them for their post-college job expectancies.

For those who are just halfway through the program, the perspective is a little different.

HALFWAY THERE Joshua Meyers, 18, AFROTC and majoring in public relations, is still in the following/trainee status of the program and won't be in a major leadership position until next year. However, being in the National Guard, he's used to devoting a lot of time towards military-based training.

OUR TOWN

"It's a lot more than other classes," says Meyers, "so I'd say probably about ten to fifteen hours a week."

Meyer's reason for joining ROTC is to be a police officer after college. "But I realized that it's hard for someone to immediately go into just being a police officer," he says, "so I wanted some combat experience or just leadership experience. And it's a good way to get college paid for if you work hard enough."

Being in the Guard and attending periodic training throughout the year, Meyers is eligible for the GI Bill that helps towards the cost of tuition.

But compared to the Guard, Meyers expressed multiple reasons for liking ROTC. "There's a couple things. I like the individuality that you get; I get to stand out as my own person. I put into it as much as I take out of it. My favorite [thing] has to be that it's not given to you.

Friendships aren't given to you, respect isn't given to you, you can't just—on some things I feel like you just show up and respect is given just because you show up. But [with ROTC] if you show up and you don't have the right stuff, and you don't have, you know, the right attitude, you don't get respect.

I feel like I put in a lot to it and get a lot of respect out of it, and so that's more rewarding for me."

really important."

To her, entry into the Air Force as an officer seemed like the perfect career. And as a perfect complement, her favorite thing about ROTC is the people.

"The kind of family mentality that we have here is like something that I've never really experienced before," says Lackaff, "It's nice because everyone's here basically for the same reason, you know, to fight for the same things and everyone's willing to support each other in that kind of goal."

At the end of the day, that's all that seemed to matter for the cadets. Upperclassmen can't learn to be leaders without teaching the underclassmen.

Freshmen and sophomores have to learn what military basics are all about. And all the cadets would get nowhere without the guidance and command of the cadre. ROTC in two words: team effort.

SUMMER TRAINING Just like Air Force, there is a required summer training for Army cadets that is approximately the same amount of time but it takes place after junior year. Once both branches' cadets return from their respective summer training, they sign a contract and are legally bound to finish the program and commission.

Hannah Lackaff, 19, sophomore in the AFROTC program, is preparing for 'that very next step'. Majoring in environmental science with a specialization in geography, her academic load is already substantial.

"I knew about ROTC from some friends who were in the Air Force and stuff and they were pilots—yeah, we have a friend who flies C-130s, or he did, he's retired now," says Lackaff, "So he kind of told me about this program and it's a pretty sweet deal. You get some cool—cool benefits if I make it that far, I get to learn how to fly for free and stuff. I've always [had] this kind of patriotic love...like, even in elementary school I've kind of always liked the idea of serving the country and fighting for the values that are 15

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Congratulations Graduates of 2017!

Thank you for your business over the years and the best of luck in your future endeavors!

Keep in touch!

Make sure to sign up for discounts, deals & other Wildcat shop specials: wildcatshop.net/email.htm 16

OUR TOWN

Story by Simone Corbett Photos by Elizabeth Weddle Design by Elizabeth Mason

When you know, you just know. So why wait?

That’s what tons of early 20-somethings are saying nowadays. It seems like almost every week someone’s announcing their new engagement on Facebook. It could just be that we’re at the age where people are finally ready to settle down, or maybe getting married young is just becoming a part of the norm. Even if it means you’ll be broke.

“Money has been our biggest challenge,” says CWU senior Mikiah Littlefield. Littlefield married

broke

her husband, Ryan when they were 21. “That’s the only thing we ever really argue about.”

And for the average couple getting married in their early twenties, they share that same reality.

Sarah Hahn, now 25, married her spouse when she was just 19. Being a newlywed and living hundreds of miles away from home in San Diego presented a slew of challenges. She recalls a lack of money being one of the early stresses of their marriage.

17

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

“Very early on I would say financially, it was a little bit difficult,” Hahn says. “You have to realize especially when you’re that young, you might not have money for a long, long, long time.”

Suddenly sharing your bank account with another person may take some adjusting. “There are months when we’re scraping by… I now have to think, ‘what would my wife think?’” says CWU senior Matt Lyon, 22 on budgeting. Lyon, who married his wife, Kait when they were both 21, says it’s been a struggle to find a fair allocation of their money.

But just because it’s a struggle, doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. “You’re gonna struggle at this age anyway. Why not struggle with your best friend?”

Littlefield says. “Everybody our age is broke, everybody our age is confused about what’s happening next, so why would you go through that alone when you can do it with someone you love?” Littlefield says.

The reality for most young married couples, is that financially, you’re probably going to have to “learn to be uncomfortable for a while,” Hahn says.

“It’s okay to not be comfortable so that in another season you can be.”

Perhaps money is the reason why millennials have proven to be the generation preferring to wait to get married. Although our Facebooks pages might say otherwise, research by Bentley University indicates the median age for women to get married today is 27 and 29 for men. This is quite the jump from averages in the 60’s, which were 20 for women and 23 for men.

In fact, due to the economic recession in years past, marriage rates are looking to be on the decline for the millennial generation, according to research by the Urban Institute. Lack of economic stability has appeared to make marriage less attainable or even desirable for the majority. Data from Pew Research’s marriage trend report shows that 25 percent of today’s young adults may never be married by the time they reach their 40s to mid-50s. Although this still means that about 70 percent of millennials will get married, that number is way below the marriage rate for the baby boomer generation, which was at 91 percent in 1990, according to the Urban Institute.

So why does it matter if people decide they just don’t want to get married?

Well, it has an impact on our economy.

Boston Globe columnist, Tom Keane, writes 18

that millennials may regret waiting too long to get married. Keane says the legal benefits of marriage provides a “shield against poverty.” In regard to raising a family, “children thrive when raised in a stable household,” he writes.

So there is plenty reason to get married while you’re young. However, whether you decide to marry or remain single, there is no “proper timeline” to do life.

“Your life starts while you’re in college,” says CWU senior, Jillian Bentley. Bentley married her husband Cody when he was 20 and she was 21.

“Don’t let money hold you back, you’ll make it somehow.”

For the Littlefields, marrying at such a young age runs in the family.

“We almost felt like it was expected… we’d been dating for seven to eight years at that point— that’s kind of in our minds what’s supposed to happen next,” Littlefield says.

Hahn shares a similar family background.

“We’re both from Utah and everyone gets married when they’re 18 there,” she says, explaining her family was not surprised at all by her desire to get married so young. Although her husband, Jojo was 11 years older than her, their friends and family were supportive of her decision to tie the knot since they had grown up together. “I told everyone when I was 12 that I was gonna marry Jojo, I thought he was the best person that I had ever met in my entire life.”

But even when you find your prince or princess, life doesn’t remain a fairytale forever.

“I didn’t finish school. There was an element of feeling like I didn’t really succeed at anything…

Not being around our family, our support system was very low and it didn’t feel like there was a safe place for us to go together,” Hahn says of the major challenges she encountered in her early years of marriage.

Getting married naturally gives you an entirely new perspective on life. For many newlyweds, this new mindset made maintaining old friendships more difficult than anticipated.

“My friends have definitely changed,” Bentley says.

Littlefield says that while her and her husband have always shared the same friend group, they’ve noticed they simply no longer have the same desire to do the things they used to enjoy, like staying out late with their single friends.

OUR TOWN

“Our interests changed a little bit,” Littlefield says. “It’s been a lot different and we were not expecting that.”

For Kayla Esparza, whom married at 20 and moved from Washington to California soon after, she also expressed going through an adjustment process with friends as a newlywed. “I think some of my friends had to kind of cope with the idea of me getting married only because they were nowhere near ready for that next stage of their life like I was.”

Hahn, who’s now a stay-at-home mother of two, thought having a child would close that gap of loneliness she felt early in her marriage. She quickly learned otherwise.

“It was already a super difficult transition from friends to married life just because I couldn’t be the same. So then having a baby was like [I was] even more far removed from peers because they didn’t understand,” Hahn says.

The reality is, nothing can really prepare you for the various trials married life presents.

“We thought we did everything right leading up to it and then still when it comes down to it, we weren’t necessarily prepared for it [marriage],” Littlefield says. “It’s like a whole different set of responsibilities… everything is multiplied by two.”

“My whole notion of marriage has shifted greatly from being this selfish, endeavor to a selfless one,” Lyon says. He advises other young people moving towards marriage to “Really focus on growing personally because it’s gonna take a lot of selflessness to make a successful marriage.

It doesn’t come by osmosis, you know, it’s in the trenches, getting your hands dirty and laying yourself down for the other person. Focus on cultivating compassion and empathy, which are crucial for a solid marriage, because at the end of the day, love is not an emotion, it’s an action.”

The Hahn’s advice: “Don’t rush it-- I think there’s such a beauty that can be found in the waiting. There’s a lot of lessons that can be learned that are really important; find contentment in the current lesson you’re supposed to be learning.”

Esparza says marrying so young and losing friends after a major move have taught her that nothing is more important than her relationships with the Lord, her family and her husband.

“I’ve learned that life is short, and money means nothing in the end,” Esparza says. “My life goal isn’t to be rich, it’s to be rich in memories and relationships.

19

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

-The Unfiltered-

Cannon Beach Story by Eric Rosane & Rune Torgerson // Photos by Jack Lambert // Design by Ryan Weier

Looking through a lens of inexperience, Cannon Beach, a tourist hot-spot along the Northern Oregonian Coast, is a vast, oceanic landscape. If there’s one word that might come to a first-time visitor’s mind when characterizing the beach, it could be expansive or endless.

Looking at the coast for the first time, it’s hard to step out of daydreaming and recognize the beach’s vastness. Cannon Beach and its predecessors, despite their outward appearances, are very small communities that play a big role in showing newcomers to the region the true Oregon experience.

Outside of early childhood glimpses of the area, much of our group had little to no experience with the scene that surrounded the Oregon Coast. Besides Google-searching the area, Cannon Beach looked like another glorified Pacific Northwestern region. With curious minds, “PULSE” decided that it was only proper to experience the sights, food and Pacific air of the Cannon Beach area firsthand.

20

PASSPORT

21

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

FRIDAY 2:00 P.M.-GETTING OUT OF ELLENSBURG After a lengthy game of Tetris with the cars, we headed into our five hour journey. Taking Interstate 82 onto Hwy 97, and then 97 to I-84 turned out to be the most promising route. Passing through Hood River, The Dalles, Goldendale and Portland all made for some beautiful scenery and a seemingly shorter ride. The part that gives most people a headache will probably be Hwy 26 from Portland to Cannon Beach, mainly because it’s filled with winding roads that can rock passengers to sleep.

Driving through the Clatsop State Forest on Hwy 26, we could see the sea through the hills and trees and were almost there. Arriving at Cannon Beach, we could feel the moist air, taste the salt and hear the waves. The sight of the sea doesn’t become apparent until you arrive in the valley.

7:00 P.M. -ARRIVAL As evening approached, we thought it would be best to check into our resort. The Waves, a fantastic hotel/beach-resort hybrid was our place of rest for the evening. After checking into our room, and taking a quick inventory of our things, we decided to explore the area. Less than 500 feet away from our front door was the beach. The Waves brought us a ‘homey’ feeling unparralled to our actual homes 300 miles away.

After walking on the beach for almost an hour, we decided it was time to taste some local cuisine.

22

Once we were done admiring Haystack rock, we mosied through the town.

9:00 P.M. -A PELICAN'S FEAST By this time, we were fairly hungry and in dire need of a place to eat. Most of the downtown is filled with locally-run restaurants and close early, so that made our dining options slim.

When asked about the public being so involved in the tourism economic, Executive Assistant at the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce Jim Paino said, “It’s really hard not to. Unless they’re retired community members, they’re involved somehow.”

“There’s usually [always] a business looking to move into Cannon Beach and the art galleries really take up a good portion, we have 16 different galleries in town,” Paino said, in regards to the frequent development of the area.

“There isn’t another town like this on the coast where you’ve got this quaint town feel. That’s all by design. This town hasn’t changed all that much since the seventies,” said Steven Sinkler, owner of the Wine Shack and Provisions 124. Steven has been a local business owner in Cannon Beach for over 5 years and spoke about Cannon Beach’s comprehensive plan that helped promote local businesses throughout the region.

Right off of Hemlock street, we came upon the Pelican Brewing company. A great brewery/ restaurant combination that serves many local beer samples as well as well-cooked seafood and burgers. The Kim Cheese Burger, the Spicy Burger,

PASSPORT

and fish and chips were among the many delicious entrees that were suggested to us, so we decided to dive right in. Rune also had a taste of their clam chowder; an admirable interpretation worthy of any connoisseur.

After our dinner, we retreated into the confines of our seaside abode to finish up homework and plan out the next day’s endevours.

Saturday 8:00 A.M.-CAFFEINE AND OTHER NECESSITIES After stirring awake from our nook, we decided that it was time to get some home-roasted coffee from Cannon Beach’s best coffee shops.

Sleepy Monk Coffee and Insomnia Coffee were the first locations on our list to give us our daily caffeine fix. Both were very quaint interpretations of a Cannon Beach coffee house, decorated with wood décor, homemade souvenirs and excellent pastries worthy for the taking. The coffee was excellent, in both cases, and each gave their own vibrant mood to their aroma-filled coffee houses.

Sleepy Monk Coffee is also coastally renowned and offered in many diners and establishments throughout Oregon. At Insomnia Coffee, Jack had a cappuccino, Rune had the Mexican Mocha and Eric had a chai latte.

10:00 A.M.-A Lazy Brunch After coffee and packing our belongings we decided to slide through to Lazy Susan's, an establishment that was recommended through

our receptionist as a frequent local spot. Arriving at the quant cafe, we wondered if we even got the address right. As we walked in we discovered that the tiny house had been remodeled, both upstairs and down, for the basics of a well-lit diner and restaurant. After a short 20 minute wait, we were finally sitting at our seats on the second floor, overlooking the crowd below on the first floor and the bustling streets of Cannon Beach. The Ham and Cheese omelet, Big Shrimp Melt and the special were all unique and flavor-filled meals that are sure to give you the right start to your day of exploring.

12:00 P.M. -GETTING OUT THERE Ecola State Park and wandering on the Crescent bay are both essential to the Cannon Beach experience. Located a 10-minute drive north of Beach, these spots are the perfect getaway from the hustle of the small tourist town. Ecola State Park offers a beautiful lookout over the Pacific Ocean, with views that encompass not only portions of Cannon Beach, but also a small lighthouse that resides a mile out on Tillamook Rock.

Feeling adventurous, we decided to take a short hike through the muddy and horsetail-filled forest down to the beach of Crescent bay. Arriving at a prime time where we were able to observe a low tide, we took a look at the large boulders and rocks that reside and live on the sands and shores of the bay. While exploring these rocks, we realized that they were home to many different sea creatures, like blue mussels, that give them life. Coming

23

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

into contact with them, you can hear the hustle and bustle of a world untouched by humans. The waterfalls that loom near the cliffs also provided a quaint ambience to the sound of the rising sea.

Our campsite was just south of Cannon Beach, in a new region. We started south on the Oregon Coast Highway, and let the rolling hills and beachside views take us to our next paradise.

4:30 P.M. -STAKING OUR CLAIM Our campsite at Nehalem State park was about ten minutes south of Cannon Beach. Those ten minutes just happen to contain some of the most glorious views we’ve ever seen of the Oregon coast, which is saying a lot considering it's proximity.

One place in particular, the Nehkahnie Mountain Wayfinding Point, is worth a short stop on any trip down the west coast. Our trip to the campsite brought us through the small town of Manzanita, where we picked up some groceries for cooking on the campfire we were sure we would be having.

7:10 P.M. -BLACKBIRDS AND BONE MARROW For our last dinner on the road, we picked a local fine dining establishment, the Blackbird in downtown Manzanita. Most entrees on the menu were about $30, but you get what you pay for. We put in our names and waited about an hour for our table. Bacon-wraps, goat cheese stuffed almonds and bone marrow with pickled onions and mustard were our starters, and although it was small it tasted excellent. For our main course, Jack, Pulse photographer, had the special that night, a home cooked Gnocchi with lamb bacon and a pesto-like sauce. Rune, Pulse writer, determined to eat as much seafood as possible, he had locally-caught rock fish, and Eric, Pulse writer, being the carnivore he is, set his sights on a flat iron steak. The portions were small, but delicious. The Blackbird also has an extensive bar and wine menu. This place is recommended if you have extra money to spend, and would like to take a break from camping to enjoy the finer things in life.

9:00 P.M. -WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE The fun thing about camping on the coast is how the air is ridiculously humid. We learned this after attempting, for a good hour, to light a campfire using firewood we had left out while eating dinner. Our neighbors at the campsite gave us some extra kindling, which finally ended up working, but eventually, what should in any other 24

PASSPORT

setting have been a roaring fire had dwindled to fading embers. However, we did manage to cook one or two s’mores on it, so it wasn’t entirely wasted.

12:00 A.M. -STARRY SKIES Low light pollution and a lack of clouds gave us an excellent opportunity to go stargazing on the beach. We left some wood by the remaining embers to, hopefully, dry out a bit for the following morning. Looking at the stars next to the biggest ocean in the world gives a person a bit of perspective, and for us it was no different. After a while we returned to our tents to find the wood we left from earlier, which finally turned into the blazing campfire we were trying for since the beginning.

Sunday 10:00 a.m. -Bunkhouse Breakfast After packing up our tents and hitting the road, we found our breakfast at the Bunkhouse Inn and Restaurant just a bit further south on Hwy 101. This place serves very reasonably priced, no nonsense breakfast with friendly service and a good setting. Great for a bite to eat while on the road. And bottomless locally roasted coffee from Sleepy Monk Coffee was a great addition too.

11:30 A.M. -TAILWIND (INTERVIEW W/BIKE SALESMAN) Back in Cannon Beach, we made a beeline for what we’d heard was the best way to travel the beach. Family Fun Cycles rents out a variety of ways to pedal around the beach for people of all ages and sizes, going so far as to customize their reclining bikes to allow taller people (Jack and Rune) to use them without having to fold up. Their

rate is $18 for 90 minutes, which is a lot more time than it sounds like. We were tuckered out after an hour, and returned our reclining beach bikes satisfied with our purchase. We also got a chance to speak with an employee there, David Berkmann, who’s been working at the store since 1994. He says in recent years “[I’ve] seen a lot more foreigners, whereas twenty years ago, it’s very seldom you would encounter groups of people from other countries.” As far as the biking business goes he says he likes “riding a bike on the beach when there’s nobody out there. It’s a spiritual experience, because you can just sit there, and you’ve got the moon, the sun, the waves, and it’s just very uplifting.” We wholeheartedly agree.

1:20 P.M. -ECOLA FISH MARKET One last batch of seafood before the trip home.

Freshly caught, Ecola Seafood Market’s fish and chips are widely talked about in town as the best bang for your buck in Cannon Beach. It’s clear to see why; the store sells raw fish in addition to running a lunch counter, which means the fish used in their food is always fresh. We had the salmon, and all agreed how fresh truly is best. The seafood is market priced, so these days, on average, a basket of good fish and chips will run you about $15.

4:00 P.M. -CHASING WATERFALLS On our way back up the Columbia river, we stopped by Multnomah Falls, a widely known and loved scenic stop. Being the second tallest year-round waterfall in the U.S, it draws a lot of visitors. It’s just one of many beautiful spots to stop and stare along that route, but in our opinion, it’s also one of the best. Multnomah falls offer short hikes in addition to an overpriced snack bar and a small museum.

25

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

26

SPOTLIGHT

PRIDE MORE THAN JUST A CELEBRATION, NOW IS A TIME FOR REFLECTION Story by Mandi Ringgenberg & Jocelyn Waite with contributions from Ryley Bruun Photos by Xander Fu & Jack Lambert Design by Taylor Morrell

When same-sex marriage became legal nationwide two years ago, a large weight was lifted off of the LGBT community. But others in the BTQIA+ group say they feel their human rights are still being recognized.

Within the community, gay and lesbian issues seem to take precedence, they say, while other, lesser known sexualities like asexuality and pansexuality often get overlooked.

Gender identity, despite a growing prevalence in the media and even legislative discussions (such as bathroom bills), are often misrepresented and misunderstood. A primary focus or wish for some LGBTQIA+ students is for society to look beyond the binaries that have been established and to educate people on a broadened definition of what it means to be human.

27

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

THE ISSUE OF IDENTITY

Sexuality and gender is best understood by most as a spectrum, where anyone can fall on it; or not. ‘Queer’ is now a reclaimed word that helps those who idenitfy within the communities of a gender and sexual orientations and is considered an umbrella term encompassing different spectrumfs of self-expession, gender and sexual orientation.

“For me, my expression is very fluid,” explains Romario Solano Arenas (he/him/his), a graduate student in mental health counseling.

“So sometimes I like to be more effeminate. I like to play with my gender expression and other times I don’t.”

He continues, “By me only identifying with one or the other [genders], it restricts me to that,” he adds. “It’s also me giving in to this like, system that if you carry the name then you have to play the part. And, that’s not something I want to do personally. I don’t want to play a part.

I want to be able to do as I please.”

Others would agree with Arenas that “playing the part” shouldn’t be a concrete statement when it comes to any aspect your identity. Hailey Maltbie (they/them/theirs), junior communications major and radio programmer for EQuAL at Central Washington University, explains that for them, and those they talk to, “you never have to make up your mind about your sexuality.”

By age 16, Maltbie came to the realization that “the way society decided how I should live 28

is not the way I wanted to live,” and explains that, in their opinion over time your identity is subject to change as you grow and learn more about yourself. How you identify at a particular point in time does not dictate how you may identify permanently, nor does it invalidate how you identify in that particular moment.

But Maltbie knows from the people they’ve met or from the general population, that many people “don’t know where they stand” in terms of their identity.

But one of the biggest life lessons for them, they say, was realizing identity can and does change. “How you identify at that point in time, is how you identify. Because if we spend our entire lives trying to fit the thing that we said before, then we’re never going to actually get to be ourselves.”

Kevan Gardner (they/them/theirs), a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Theatre Studies with an emphasis in feminist and queer studies, identifies as “genderqueer.” In the ideal world, notes Gardner, they would love see more gender-neutral pronouns. And much like Maltbie, Gardner doesn’t feel constrained by the binary to label their gender with a singular specification.

“I don’t see myself in a gender-binary,” Gardner says. “I’ll be in a place where there’s a lot of trans folk, and people will assume I’m a trans man, and I kind of like that too, because that’s not a neat box. I like that people are picking up that somehow I’m not like ‘a man.’ I can play with masculinity, I can play with femininity.”

Gardner previously worked with several

SPOTLIGHT

non-profit organzitions, including Planned Parenthood in Spokane, the Spokane AIDS Network, and the Seattle Pride Foundation, where they were the regional manager for roughly 12 years. Throughout their extensive career, Gardner worked with many different individuals and says they noticed a need for gender equality.

Over the past several decades, Gardner says they have noticed a progression in race and gender issues and a heightened awareness about them. “The ideas has always been there, we’re just more aware of it now,” says Gardner.

INCLUSIVITY AT CENTRAL

Before same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states, Central strived to be as inclusive as possible, and today the Campus Pride Index organization ranks it in the top 50 schools in the nation and it has a five-star rating for LGBTQ-friendly campuses, according to the Central website.

In a 2014 interview, President James Gaudino stated: “We want all people to be free to be who they are and to express their opinions and their culture… It makes us a more welcoming campus, and it also makes us stronger and a more interesting place to live and learn.”

Clara Cranney (she/her/hers), freshman music performance major, and a transgender woman, says Central’s welcoming atmosphere is what drew her to the campus when she first visited two years earlier as a junior in high school. Cranney comes from a town that’s much less progressive and accepting than Central, so

picking a university that supports diversity and brings LGBTQ advocates like Laverne Cox to campus to speak attracted her.

Cranney says that Cox, “Orange is the New Black” actress and trans rights activist, is her personal role model in the media. She admires how Cox continues to use her media platform to advocate for the trans community. When Cranney first visited Central in 2014, then a junior in high school, she initially came only to hear Cox speak at the university, but after noticing the welcoming and inclusive environment at Central, she quickly learned that it was the university she wanted to attend.

Ryan Zetty, (he/him/his), a freshman undecided major, comes from a similar background as Cranney and found Central and EQuAL great places to feel included. “I feel like our institution - the admin and all - make a point to make the campus a comfortable and inclusive campus.

President Gaudino even visited an EQuAL meeting I attended, which made me feel even more comfortable. However, that doesn’t necessarily reflect on the social politics of students here (and maybe even teachers), but that’s a different topic.”

Ashley Reynolds (she/her/hers), began her presidency for Central’s EQuAL in fall 2016.

Her goals at the start of the academic year were to grow the organization and improve attendance and awareness on-campus. As a junior recreation and tourism major with an event management specialization, she is currently working on one of the biggest events at Central: Pride Week.

29

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

But when it comes to talking about LGBTQ+ topics, she says it’s important for her to maintain inclusivity and teach students “how to socialize within the queer community.” Events like Queer coffee chats, ‘Q&A with a Gay’ or various game nights help achieve this. For those wanting to learn more about the Queer community, Reynolds says, EQuAL is always a welcoming organization to stop by at their office in the Student Union or at their weekly meetings.

“I went to [EQuAL] fall quarter because I did GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) fairly actively at my high school and I wanted to continue that,” Zetty says. “It was comforting to have a safe space like this, seeing as I was already nervous about coming to a small town as a gay man. I was nervous because of the socially conservative stereotypes that surround small towns, even though I knew the campus was diverse from what I saw at my orientations.”

It’s important to recognize that in queer spaces, some people are part of multiple minority groups. Arenas notes this in what he calls a ‘double minority identity.’

“We’re queer and we’re also people of color; there are these stereotypes that are already perpetuated in both. We’re not just dealing with whatever white, hetero-normative America is putting on us, but it’s also with whatever our ethnic identity--our minority ethnic identity is presenting.”

Justin Guzman (he/him/his), senior psychology major, created the group Queer Trans People of Color (QTPOC) at Central in order to create a safe space for other students like him that often felt a need to choose a certain part of their identity to embrace within other ESC organizations on campus. QTPOC celebrates the lives of Queer and Trans People of Color and focuses on creating an outlet for them to go to and be themselves.

Dani Curiel (he/him/his) does not want the QTPOC group to compete with EQuAL, but rather work alongside them and gain the same recognition at a university level. “I would love for this club to be just as accepted as EQuAL is accepted, you know, and not see it as something separate of EQuAL, but a club for queer and trans people of color.”

“I don’t want it to be a sub-club. I want it to be a club,” Curiel adds. “This is how you build bonds; this is how you build trust and relationships… It’s just those connections that I want to see in the future, and I think we’re doing that.”

30

TERMS *ASEXUAL

“The lack of a sexual attraction or desire for other people.”

*BISEXUAL

“A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.”

*CISGENDER

“A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.”

*GENDER-FLUID

“According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a person who does not identify with a single fixed gender; of or relating to a person having or expressing a fluid or unfixed gender identity.”

*GENDERQUEER

“Genderqueer people typically reject notions of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and often, though not always, sexual orientation. People who identify as “genderqueer” may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female or as falling completely outside these categories.”

*QUEER

“A term people often use to express fluid identities and orientations. Often used interchangeably with “LGBTQ.”

Terminology from the Human Rights Campaign website

SPOTLIGHT

just narratives that I’ve heard of other LatinX (MIS)REPRESENTATIONS students and ChicanX students, they’re feIN MEDIA tishized from white queers in terms of their Universities can provide substantial supmasculinity. And so as brown people, we’re export for LGBTQ+ communities, but for some, pected to be more masculine, and that’s sort of it’s still an on-going process to be ‘out’ even in the attraction that goes through… And it usutheir respected commually runs off of racial unnities. For some students dertones, like, ‘Oh, you’re like Guzman, they have to Mexican. You must be take their own initiative really… macho.’” to create a safe space for The intersection of themselves and their comidentities for queer peomunity. But for others who ple of color is not always are not a part of the queer understood by those who community or simply want are not a part of their to know more, researching community. To have the online and pushing the media portray QTPOC media to be more inclusive in a positive light that is can help start more conreflective of the QTPOC versations and raise awareexperience is important.

-HAILEY MALTBIE ness about self-expression and identity.

PRIDE In the media, those who don’t identify as It’s that one time of the year when everyone straight or cisgender feel underrepresented. from all walks of life can celebrate who they are.

Film and TV often portray hetero-normative Filled with parades, drag shows, festivals and and cis-normative as common themes. This more, all across the globe, Pride is widely celelack of representation in media can been seen brated. And at Central, it’s an experience some with asexual (‘Ace’) individuals in particular. haven’t gotten to experience elsewhere.

According to Maltbie, who identifies as Promises of a good time and accepting asexual, seeing characters or TV personalities atmosphere and it doesn’t matter if everyone such as Valencia on “Sirens” or Tim Gunn on who attends identifies as queer. “It’s that one “Project Runway”, who also identify as Ace was time out of the year that we can all get together important to them. “Representation in media and make a statement about who you are as a matters for a few reasons,” says Maltbie. “The community,” says Cranney. first being that if you spend your entire life not Similarly, Maltbie says she is grateful to be knowing how you identify and not thinking able to express herself in a college setting and that you belong anywhere, and you see somePride provides that. “It’s really exciting to be body on TV who has the same feelings and at a school where you are even allowed to do thoughts as you do, I cannot emphasize the im[Pride].” pact of realizing that you are not alone, partic“Pride week is that time of year where we ularly with bisexually, asexuality, pansexuality.” get to celebrate who we are in a way that is fun Maltbie says it’s crucial to have represenfor all of us involved,” says Reynolds. “It really tation in the media because not every one in shows what it means to take pride in somesociety may identify with the heteronormative. thing important to us.”

“Those are things that don’t get talked about on media near as much as they should, so it’s really easy to feel like no one understands you. And even to find a fictional character that has the Check out same thoughts and feelings as you do is calming. To know there are other people out there PULSE TV that feel the same way you do, you just haven’t for met them yet.”

Pride Week The stereotypes run deep. Guzman notes: footage “Speaking not from personal experience, but

“THE WAY SOCIETY DECIDED HOW I SHOULD LIVE IS NOT THE WAY I WANTED TO LIVE.”

31

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

women

SPOKEN WORD

artists

32

SPOTLIGHT

TAYLOR BOTEILHO Taylor Boteilho doesn’t identify as a poet, but you wouldn’t know by hearing her on stage in front of a crowd.

Story by Julia Moreno Designed by Vanessa Cruz Photos by Jack Lambert

What is spoken word?

For those who performed at a recent Women’s Poetry Slam at Central Washington University, spoken word is an outlet to express how they feel about personal issues and challenges. For others, it’s an opportunity to celebrate friends and other women.

For the audience, it’s a time to listen, learn, maybe laugh or maybe cry.

For some, the event is the first time they have ever shared their thoughts and feelings. In other cases, the participants are natural and comfortable; they seem at home on the stage. But regardless, each woman finds an encouraging environment where they are welcomed with open arms to share their piece; to speak their words.

So, who are these women who brave an empty stage in front of a room full of near-strangers to share their deepest, most intimate thoughts?

…Even if it reads “Taylor is a slut” I’m in holy unity with my spirituality, sexuality, and intellect it is a balance which only I can scale and Osiris couldn’t even match…

Boteilho, a senior interdisciplinary study: organizational leadership and globalization major at CWU, says she realizes the value and power of spoken word when women are able to tell their stories. …Even if the subtext boils down to misogyny.

Fear of confrontation, and confusion at who I am Even if these lines were meant to de legitimize characterizing me as undesirable woman Me me unworthy woman…

Since Boteilho works at the Center for Diversity and Social Justice as a program coordinator, she wanted to use her job to create an annual Women’s Poetry Slam to give all women a place to speak their minds freely and without judgment.

Boteilho says she started out doing spoken word through a required work exercise through the CDSJ office and really didn’t care much for it. But then it morphed from a dislike into a love and later became a way for her to gain closure on things that had been rolling around in her head for a while.

For example, the piece she performed for this year’s slam delved into a letter she had received at work from an unknown author.

“I had been doing a lot of work that year about feminism and respecting women outside their sexuality,” she says. “I have no idea who wrote it, but some people didn’t like that. It came from a hate letter that I got and I had never closed the chapter on that, I had no idea how to respond.” …Even if these words caused me to doubt myself. I don’t have to feel weak for being soft and getting hurt Even if it took me a year of searching realize there is no need for a conclusion on who I am…

33

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

RUBY NAMBO Ruby Nambo, a sophomore secondary English major, has a quiet demeanor when you first meet her.

She’s quick to smile and has a knack for remembering dates. …One sunny afternoon, I was in a circle full of young women, with similar interests.

Normally, when I am around women, in general, I usually have a great time, along with being friendly.

But, as I chill in the soft green grass, I decided to close my eyes and ask myself, “How often do these ladies get a ‘thank you’ for their existence?”…

Nambo started doing spoken word when she came to CWU last year and her first performance was an Open Mic Night in the Student Union and Recreation Center Pit. She then did the Showtime at Central event last year and got booed off the stage. She says that she thought maybe spoken word wasn’t for her after that experience.

After taking a break from spoken word, Nambo received an email from Taylor Boteilho about being part of the first annual Women’s Poetry Slam last spring. Nambo asked herself if maybe this was a second chance for her. …From the moment that mi mama gave life to me to the mujer mentors that keep me going to achieve my dreams, I have never heard someone say, “Thank you for your existence.”…

Nambo says she felt welcomed when she was with the women participating in the Women’s Poetry Slam last year and got a lot of praise for the poem she performed. Spoken word has formed a lot of good relationships and given her many opportunities.

Nambo continued her theme of speaking about women this year and decided to write a thank-you letter to all the women she’s met in her life.

“My freshman year, I used to be really shy,” she says. “Now so many people know me, I will probably run into at least one person and they will say ‘hi’ to me. Maybe these poetry slams have paid off as a social aspect.” …To the women that are beautiful and confident, thank you.

To the women leaders, you are powerful and thank you…

34

SELENA HERNANDEZ Selena Hernandez floats across the stage in a long black dress, her short brown hair framing her face. One arm raises the microphone to her lips, the other holds up her phone, and she starts reading.

I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, but I’ve seen the World’s natural wonder in her smile.

Gap tooth filling my void, laugh lines running as deep as the Canyon’s history on either side of her cheeks All too late, I wonder if I had fallen through the cracks, My back on cherry-stained dirt, her iris on shifting skies…

Hernandez, junior creative and professional writing major, performed two pieces at the Women’s Poetry Slam: one called “Canyon” and the other, “To My Abusive Lover,” which is the first one she performed for a slam. She says she mostly focuses on more personal topics like relationships, sexuality, immigration and her childhood. …carried away the mystery of how she was made, and I do not care how she was made because she is here…

“My favorite thing about performing spoken word is feeling the audience’s presence when I am speaking on a lonely subject,” she says. “After a performance, people come up to thank me for sharing or tell me about how they related to the piece which makes me glad that I didn’t back out. It’s a nice reminder that we aren’t alone in our emotions and experiences.”

Hernandez says the influence and weight of a poet’s words is what inspired her to start doing spoken word. …Bodies collide, I hold her like a prayer and I’m thanking God Her marbled statue disintegrates between my thumbs and through my fingers Over my shoulder, the river asks for release…

“I’m inspired by being a role model to someone like a little foster girl who most of the time is told ‘no’ but could see me, an ex-foster kid, now doing my thing and in turn inspiring her to prevail,” she says.

SPOTLIGHT

ASHLEY REYNOLDS Ashley Reynolds walks up on the stage, grasping a piece of paper, the light illuminating her slender frame.

Her curls fall around her face and she tosses her head back before starting to read. …My name is Ashley Reynolds and I’m a Rec and Tour Major So I have some quick tips on your next Safari Expedition on the feminine position…

Reynolds says this is her first time doing spoken word and she wanted to perform this year after seeing the first Women’s Poetry Slam last year.

“Spoken word just has this tangible power,” she says. “It pushes the listeners in a way that makes them really feel the words out in the air.” …It’s important to know how to fix your own car, and even more important To learn to get angry when people don’t let you fix your car Cuz they are afraid that if you drive, you are going to crash Into success and that’s only for them…

She says she wrote down different ideas and tied them together. For the poem she performed, it focused on the skills and abilities of women and tied it in with her major of recreation, tourism and events by taking audience members on a hypothetical excursion of what women face in the world. …Now once you get there be safe of wild animals Cuz predators and cat-calls could attack at any time So make sure that you have a team of women at your back And hold your head high cuz confidence scares off dogs…

“I’m really inspired by those around me that are doing amazing things. I see my peers building things that I never would have dreamed of doing,” Reynolds says.

JAZANNA-MARIE ASHANTE RIDDLESPRIGGER Before Jazanna-Marie Ashante Riddlesprigger performed her piece, Taylor Boteilho described her as “young but wise.” And that’s the truth. …On the days.

That you’re feelin’ pain.

Please take a breath and breathe my brother.

Please take a breath and breathe my brother.

Stay with us.

Don’t go far away from us…

Riddlesprigger is a 16-year-old spoken word artist from the Portland area. She says Boteilho and her sister, Ana, approached her at another spoken word event and Taylor asked Riddlesprigger to perform at the Women’s Poetry Slam.

She says she’s always been a fan of writing, but started doing spoken word in seventh grade.

She says she mostly writes about things she’s experienced. “Most of my writing is about the Black community. I write about my people’s history and the culture from which black people came. And about our beautiful struggle,” Riddlesprigger says. … The revolution will be televised. Told truthfully or not you have seen unarmed black men and young boys die. By the hands of the people you say to put our trust in. And when evidence is shown that they continuously do us wrong…

She says her inspiration comes from her community and the ability to talk about issues that normally aren’t addressed. …The verdict is you going home free of all charges.

While I am held in a confined box my mom had to put me in. Buried six feet deep. Mama I can’t see.

Mama I can’t believe. Mama it’s to dark in here for me. Mama I can’t breathe…

She says that her age does have an effect on how people perceive her spoken word because she addresses controversial topics—people are surprised to hear her talk about “heavy topics.” She’s often heard that she has an “old soul.”

“I love doing spoken word because it’s a way to express to others how you feel, and hopefully connect with others,” Riddlesprigger says. “It’s also a way to get a message across that you believe is very important, and should be recognized.”

35

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Riddlesprigger plans to continue doing spoken word when she attends college, but for now “my high school auditorium will work.” And she’ll continue performing at other spoken word events outside of school. …You lose one of your children, my god.

When will the world change?

How many more names?

This hashtag list Getting longer, every single day.

Hashtag them, hashtag say their names. Hashtag I hope the world realizes black lives matter before another one ends. Hashtag me…

LIZZIE BENSON For Lizzie Benson, a senior psychology major, expressing themselves is easier through their feet rather than through words.

“For me, tap dancing is my form of language.

I can speak more clearly what I am saying with my sound than with words,” they say. “I have never been a great writer from a poetry standpoint, but sounds and rhythms are how I can tell my story.”

Benson has been tap dancing since they were five years old and has continued to do it throughout their life. They say they really fell in love with dancing after watching Mary Poppins. Boteilho, who was the coordinator of the event, asked Benson to perform because she wanted to have a collaborative performance with various art forms.

They danced to a song called “Little Game” by Benny, which highlights how difficult the gender binary is for people who don’t identify as either and not going outside the norm of gender stereotypes.

“I love tap dancing because it has given me a space to freely express myself. I love my dance teacher who showed me everything I could ever need to succeed as a dancer and a person,” they say.

“The tap community is loving and wants people to constantly be perfecting their craft. I honestly love everything about my art.”

Check out PULSE TV for the Wo m e n ’ s Poetry Slam 36

FEDDIE YOUNG Feddie Young likes to try new things.

For instance, she decided to try out a beauty pageant and she had always wanted to go to the Disney College Program, so she did both. Her next new thing she wanted to try is spoken word, so she set out to participate in this year’s Women Poetry Slam. ...I can’t do anything I can’t attend a college university because I’m not smart enough, I don’t have any money and no one in my family has ever gone I could never attain my childhood dream of being a beauty pageant queen because I’m not a size zero, I don’t walk in heels very often, and I’d probably get booed off stage for showing too much back fat and wearing an Afro…

Young, a junior sociology major, says she does public speaking at pageants and thought spoken word could be a creative way to express herself and her beliefs.

She says that she drew inspiration for her piece from people who are afraid to try new things, specifically individuals she knows from home. She says she’s often heard people tell her that trying new things might lead to failure, but for Young that’s the reason she pushes herself to try new things because of that chance of success.

She says she felt like there’s not a lot of room to explore and be creative in college, and spoken word is a way she felt she could express herself creatively. She also says she likes to be inspired by other creative people around her. …Didn’t I get accepted into all the universities I applied to senior year of high school?

Didn’t I win state queen at the Regal Majesty beauty pageant? Reigned for all of 2016, Got an award for best smile and numerous compliments for elegance and strong stage presence?...

“I just really wanted to encourage people that no matter your circumstances or resources that you have. There’s still a chance that you can achieve your goals if you set big dreams” she says. “I mean, I think it’s better to set big dreams because even if you don’t achieve those big dreams you’re still going to be somewhere else then you would have been if you didn’t try in the first place.” …Looking back at the progress I’ve made over the past couple years I’ve learned on important thing...

Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, including yourself…

SPOTLIGHT

AUTUMN ANTE MERIDIAN Autumn Ante Meridian has a shock of bright pink-red hair that stands out against the dark sweater they wear over a black dress. Meridian clears their throat, starts reading, stopping only to add in explanation about a certain section of the poem to the group of women who sit around them during one of the meetings prior to the Women’s Poetry Slam event. …Not a man, not a little boy anymore.

Yet, Not a girl, not a woman, not in your eyes Not enough of one, not enough of the other Not he, not she…

Meridian, a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major, says throughout high school they enjoyed listening to comedic acts that talked about “being real” instead of a fake version of oneself.

They say that poetry and writing has always been a passion and since attending college, they started doing more spoken word. …Not feeling safe in my own clothes Not in my own body My identity is immediately related to negation…

“Poetry can be whatever you want it to be and it’s so beautiful,” they say. “I just have a keen fascination with poetry.” …I get told I don’t want to be a woman because all it is, is pain…

For Meridian, the power of spoken word and voice are what most draws them to it, especially as a Trans* individual. “I’ve been told for most of my transition that I’m not a woman,” they say. “For that to be a part of my experience, it was really damaging.” …Someone told me not to desecrate the temple of my body is supposed to be but if it’s a temple then why is it every time I go to pray those prayers go unanswered…

MIRACLEJOY ‘MJ’ CURTIS If you had to describe MJ Curtis in five words, it would be “she lights up the room.”

Curtis, junior public relations major, says she loves to perform spoken word because she gets to be as loud as she wants and there are no rules.

“Words are so powerful and you can use them whichever way you like,” she says. …Dear media, show me something real. You know like gapped teeth, stretch marks, flat breast and fat sex.

Stop showing me slim waist, straight hair and light skin as the way to be considered “bad & boujee.”

Now don’t get me wrong, if those things make up who you are then let it be so.

But let me tell you why I glow…

Curtis says she’s always loved to write, but spoken word took it to “a whole new level” because it’s a creative outlet for her to speak about issues that are personal to her like “being a black woman, a motherless child and a first-generation student.”

She’s been performing for the last three years. …No not PHAT for pretty hot and tempting but FAT for fabulous and tasty.

Believe it or not, being called fat is not an insult & let me say, if one fetishizes over fat bodies doesn’t make you body positive. And being overweight doesn’t make you unhealthy…

“My inspiration is my struggle,” she says. “The personal experiences in life as a woman of color, a motherless child and coming from a low-income family motivate me to share with others how real the struggle is and how I’ve overcome and may even still struggle with helps me to aspire to inspire.” …When Whitney Houston sang that famous line “I’m every woman” she wasn’t talking about we’re all the same, what she meant was we should all embrace our own kind of beautiful and love our bodies. So today, I stand on her behalf and all those phenomenal women before me to let you all know; if you want to work out, do it because it feels good.

If you want a cheeseburger with extra cheese; eat it with no shame. Because at the end of the day; we are every woman…

And that’s spoken word.

37

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

injured & alone Story by Megan Schrenk // Photos Contributed // Design by Ryan Weier

38

SPOTLIGHT

BlooD- Her hand was soaked in it as Tanner Dean carefully peeled Paige Hardy’s hand away from her face. “Her lip, from the inside of her nose all the way through, was in two separate pieces,” Dean says. “As she was breathing through her mouth, the pieces were wobbling around. It was the craziest thing.”

Hiking trips and backpacking adventures should be full of glorious scenery; the smell of fresh pine and the gentle sounds of nature enveloping you. Adventures should not include crashing boulders, shattered jaws and bubbling blood.

The mountains are beautifully deceiving—easily lulling anyone, especially new hikers, into a false sense of security and safety.

However, the unexpected happens and if you’re not prepared for it, you could be facing a life-or-death situation within fractions of a second. Two hikers, Tanner Dean, 34, fitness director at the Yakima Athletic Club (YAC), and Paige Hardy, 32, fitness director of personal training at YAC Fit, learned this the hard way last summer during a backpacking trip through Deception Pass in northwest Wash., when their plans were crushed by a boulder barreling into Hardy’s face.

39

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

THE TRICK

40

Traversing through the dry, dusty trails of Deception Pass Loop, Dean and Hardy scrambled up and down the rugged terrain accumulating over 5,000 feet of elevation. Despite the sweat and grime quickly collecting, the tranquility of the quiet forest lifted their spirits. It felt like they were the only two around for miles, and, in the middle of the week, that was almost true.

Stopping every few miles, the couple would rest to enjoy the views that Cathedral Rock, Squaw Lake and the Cascades provided. Only a couple of other souls were wandering the trails.

“We passed three kids that were ten or twelve years old. After them were some more kids followed by some adults,” Dean says. “We figured it was a troop of some sort.”

Dean and Hardy exchanged quick hellos with the troop before setting off again on a brisk pace.

After getting a late start to the day, they wanted to push through the last half a dozen miles before the sun began to set.

The highest point of the day was long gone as the pair carefully picked their way down a ravine right underneath the towering Mount Daniel.

During the scorching summer heat, glacial snow melts, created cascading waterfalls carved their way through the area Dean and Hardy cross.

“It was absolutely beautiful,” says Hardy, commenting on the ravine they had descended into. “The water was crystal clear and you could see all the rocks at the bottom. Above us the cliffs rose forty or fifty feet, you could hardly see beyond them.”

At the bottom of the ravine, Dean and Hardy came to a river they would have to cross to make it to the trail that would lead them towards Robin and Tuck Lakes. Wading through a river did not seem all that appealing right then, so the pair decide to take a break making use of the rocks as make-shift seats.

“I remember us sitting down and taking some pictures, just enjoying the scenery,” Hardy recounts. “Tanner decided it was time to leave after about five minutes, he was already turning away from me. As I start to stand up, though, something flashed in the corner of my eye.”

“There was a weird half scream and then, clap, it was interrupted,” said Tanner. “It was almost like when you hit a dog and you get that little yelp.” A clatter of rocks caught Tanner’s attention, off to the side.

Pain exploded throughout Hardy’s entire face. “My mouth pooled with blood, I remember the copper taste rolling down my throat,” Hardy

SPOTLIGHT

says. Her hands had flown up to her face, gingerly holding her mouth. Both hands were coated in blood within seconds. “I don’t realize what had hit my face, all I could feel were multiple holes where my teeth used to be,” she remembered.

Tanner’s attention had immediately gone to the sides of the ravine. He searched for an animal or another hiker that could have caused rocks to fall on them. There was nothing.

“Tanner rushed over to me, asking if I was okay,” says Hardy. “Everything was still really fuzzy and blurry, I could hardly register what had happened. I wasn’t scared, but I’m sure I was going into shock from the pain and confusion.”

Hardy remembers Dean setting her down gently against some rocks, telling her over and over again to not mess with her face, to just relax.

“She was pretty calm right then,” Dean recalls. “But, I didn’t want her to pull out her phone and see what her face looked like because that might throw her more into a panic then she already was.”

THE REALITY Realization started to dawn on Dean as he began clearly assessing the situation. They were miles deep into the mountains, no way of making contact to the outside world, no other hikers nearby, and Hardy was in absolutely no condition to move.

“I left to chase after the boy scout troop,” Dean admits, knowing they might be their only hope.

Switchbacks, slashed into the mountain, side zig-zagged up and up as Dean sprinted the rapidly accumulating elevation. “I start yelling ‘help’ as loud as I could in hopes that someone would stop and listen,” Dean says. “I was worried about leaving Paige back there all alone, bleeding.

We needed help fast.”

Less than a mile away, Hardy warily pressed against her mouth and cheeks. She winced at the sharp, bursting pain. “I kept telling myself to just stay awake, Tanner will be back here any moment,” Hardy says. “Time seems to move so much slower when you’re alone, and the mindnumbing pain only made everything that much more disorienting.”

Right, left, right, left again, Dean kept sprinting up the mountain side, desperate for anyone to answer his calls for help.

Eventually, he rounded a corner and came across the three adults who were with the boy scout troop. Relief had washed over him.

“I explain what happened and let them know that I was going to run ahead while they followed behind because I knew I would be faster,” Dean says. “I took off back down hill, hoping and praying that she wasn’t going to be passed out when I got back from blood loss.”

THE FALLOUT Hardy was still hanging on by the time Dean had come sprinting back down into the ravine, his momentum sent small showers of rocks cascading down the cliff side. Blood was splattered around the rocks surrounding her, but for the moment, she was safe.

Not long after Dean had arrived by Hardy’s side, two of the three scout masters appeared over the ravine’s ledge. One of them announced he was a former EMT who promptly began preforming first aid to the bleeding woman. He first attempted to bandage the split in her lip together, but the amount of blood and dirt provided fruitless effort.

Out of options, the men tore up some of Dean’s long underwear for Hardy to apply pressure with on her face.

“The numb was gone and all I could feel was this profound throbbing pain throughout my entire head,” Hardy recalls. “The thought of

41

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

42

putting any more pressure on it was agonizing, but the man insisted that applying pressure was the only way to stop the bleeding.”

She had been bleeding for over an hour by now.

One of the scout leaders told Dean that they had bought a GPS signal device just for this trip, and that they could use it to get a message out if they felt it was necessary. Dean did not hesitate to accept the offer.

“The guys kept asking if I was sure if we wanted a helicopter ride out,” says Dean, commenting that he thought it was ludicrous to think there was any other way out of that situation. “There is no way Paige would be able to walk another six miles back over 5-6,000 feet of elevation gain and loss.”

Time tediously ticked by. It would take ten or more minutes to send out a message successfully and then another ten or more minutes for a reply.

The messages began around 5:30 p.m. It was not until 6:30 p.m. when the team got a confirmation that a rescue helicopter was on its way, but that would take at least another 45 minutes to reach their location.

The sun was starting to go down. “We are in this area where there is this glacier water spraying on us and the back wind is pretty chilly,” Dean says. “I put bundled Paige up, wrapped a sleeping bag around her and then another one around us.

And we just waited.”

“Every once in a while, I would think I heard a helicopter,” Dean remembers. “But each time was a let down.”

Time was moving too slow, but at least the blood was starting to clot.

Just after 8 p.m. the helicopters showed up.

There were two at first; a small one and a large one, but the larger one could not get anywhere near the ravine.

“The whole time I had been thinking that we would be going together,” Dean said solemnly.

“But I was informed that there was no room for me in the helicopter. Paige isn’t from here. I promised her that I would be at the hospital in four hours.”

THE LESSON Dean and Hardy were exceptionally lucky during their trip. Despite the blood loss and blunt force trauma, Hardy managed to escape with her life.

During her stay at the hospital, she would come to learn that she had lost six teeth, split her lip open all the way to her nasal cavity and completely severed her jaw. The only thing holding it in place were some loose ligaments, skin and her hands.

She would need to undergo several reconstructive surgeries to get her jaw even functioning again.

If it had not been for that boy scout troop, this tale could have ended very, very differently.

“One or two in your group should have some extensive First Aid training, beyond basic First Aid,” says Rob Behm, Master Photographer, Eagle Scout and trained adult BSA leader who was one of the adults in the scout troop that rescued Dean and Hardy.

Knowing the basics of first aid, and having the proper equipment, would have been one of the very first things that Dean could have done to save Hardy from severe blood loss.

Applying pressure and cleaning the wound would have made clotting much easier and faster to occur.

Behm advises always having a first-aid kit and to make sure it has steri-strips, not butterfly bandages, for closing wounds.

The pair should have never ventured into the wilderness without any way to contact the outside world. “I know when I go out hiking to not do stupid stuff,” Dean says. “I’m not going to go jumping from one rock to the next, I am going to pay attention to where I am walking.

But there are times where you just can’t predict when something will happen.”

“Even when you are going to a remote area like the Cascades for just a short trip, you must remember it is a rugged area and there is no communication via cell phones,” Behm says.

“The GPS communication device we had with us was what enabled us to call a helicopter Search and Rescue team for her rescue.” Behm prefers GPS-based devices, like Garmin’s inReach or over satellite phones because even in the deep valley of the Cascades, these devices can have a difficult time getting a signal.

For this coming hiking season, Dean said he invested in a GPS phone. “I did not plan on going on another hike without one,” he comments. “I never want to be in a situation like the one from last summer.”

Falling boulders happen. No one can ever expect when a life or death situation might come crashing down upon them. Nonetheless, be proactive. Take a page from Dean and Hardy’s traumatic experience and go into this coming hiking season prepared. Take some classes, purchase a first-aid kit and do a little online researching before venturing into the wilderness this summer.

Exploring the mountains should be a highlight of any hiker or backpacker’s summer. From the awe-inspiring mountain top views to the dazzling crystal lakes, the Pacific Northwest is full of hidden treasures.

Concealed within those peaks and forests can lie great dangers though, so do not be lulled into a false sense of safety.

This is nature’s greatest deception, but if prepared, you could save a life.

SPOTLIGHT

Top four Safety Items 1. First-Aid Kit

2. Backcountry GPS Device

3. Water

4. Hiking Polls or Staff

43

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Treating Trauma Story by Bailee Wicks // Design by Ryan Weier

According to the Association for Safe International Road travel, 37,000 people die each year from car accidents and another 2.5 million are injured or disabled in the United States alone. I was one of the 2.5 million.

44

SPOTLIGHT

The Initial Hit

I am in the passing lane and a gold truck with a canopy decides to switch lanes without looking. He starts getting over and I am trying to swerve out of the way so he won’t hit me, he keeps getting over.

My car hits gravel… that is what I remember.

“That loss of memory or blackout period is due partly to the Trauma Transference Syndrome (TTS),” says Neurologist David Schmidt. TTS is “when the limbic system can simultaneously activate the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, causing a state of freezing called 'tonic immobility', this is the same state that an animal caught as prey goes into, think of a rabbit freezing in the headlights. It is a natural survival instinct and the most basic of responses,” states TTS.com.

I see my hat that I was wearing is now inside out on the ground 25 feet from my car. I am shocked.

A man who introduced himself to me as an exparamedic said he saw me roll my car 3-4 times; 3-4 times my car flipped and I didn’t remember. Then I start to freak out even more. My head went through my sunroof at some point (not sure if it was already broken or not) to hit the ground and rip my ball cap off my head.

The author’s car after her crash.

Diagnosing Trauma

“All trauma is treated differently because people handle situations differently. It usually starts with a lot of tests, x-rays, and cat-scans,” Dr. Schmidt adds.

After some tests, I found out that I have a severe concussion. I am told that I will be mentally and emotionally unstable for a while, but I truly didn’t realize the extent of my injuries until days later when my emotions hit a peak of frustration.

Recovery Time

The recovery time varies based off of the severity of any injury or situation that a person goes through.

Six months down the road, I am still attending chiropractic and massage therapy in addition to follow-up appointments with my neurologist.

How to help someone going through trauma

Offer support, but don't baby the person: It is important to remember that the injured individual knows that they feel different, but in my case, I wanted to be treated the same way; I was in hope of reverting back to normal.

Know that their emotions are uncontrollable: I would be feeling fine, but hear a siren or an ambulance outside my apartment and burst into tears. I wasn't sad, I was just triggered. It was out of my control and I couldn't stand feeling that way.

Remind the person that it is okay to be emotional and know that this will go away with time.

Don't constantly ask to hear the story of what happened: You would think that after telling the story a dozen times that a person would be numb to it, but they're not. My memory was hazy for a while and I could vividly remember specific details about the accident that would put me back into the moment of the car accident.

It is important to note that you have to be aware of others asking the same questions and letting them know it is not okay. As a person who was not completely healed, I recounted the story probably over 35 times within the first week because people asked nicely. No one is usually rude about it, which makes it tougher to turn down. Let the injured know they don't have an obligation to tell the story.

45

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

46

SPORTS

Story by Kyler Roberts Photos by Jack Lambert Design by Elizabeth Mason

When she arrived at Central, she was an immediate contributor for the Wildcats softball team.

Playing right off the bat as a freshman, she finished the season second on the team with a batting average of .351; which was also good for 11th in the whole conference.

Her solid rookie season numbers earned her All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Honorable Mention honors. She followed her impressive frosh season by becoming a first-team allGNAC in her sophomore year; then was named Third Team Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) All-American her junior year. Yet, seeing her succeed after every season

for the past three years; other schools in the GNAC weren’t ready for the type of season first baseman Kailyn “KC” Campbell was about to have.

BEFORE CENTRAL Campbell graduated from Cedarcrest High School in Duvall, Wash. in 2013. As a three-sport athlete (softball, basketball, volleyball), she not only had the decision of where she was going to play, but also what to play. She was a first-team all-conference performer in all three sports, but Campbell knew what her true passion was all along. She has been playing fastpitch since she was 9 years old, and started tee-ball at the mere age of 5.

47

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

“It was just the one I had the most fun with. I also wanted to play basketball here [at CWU], but my heart was in softball and I wanted to continue that,” Campbell says.

Two of Campbell’s teammates (Taylor Ferleman and Sammy Morris) from her select team had verbally committed to play softball at CWU; so when CWU came along with their offer, the decision became pretty easy. Having played with them for the past five-to-seven years, there was sure to be familiarity in a foreign locker room.

FROM SHY FRESHMAN TO LEADER You could bet your bottom dollar that the CWU softball program is extremely grateful that she chose to be a Wildcat. Campbell is an important player for the team season after season. She listened to everything her upperclassman would teach her; and as they would graduate each year, Campbell would be pushed closer and closer to a leadership role for herself.

“I was just trying to continue what they [the seniors] laid down the foundation for,” Campbell says.

The team’s graduate assistant, Alexa Olague, who also played with Campbell for three years prior to this season, has seen her growth as a person and a player first-hand.

“Seeing her grow from a freshman to a senior has been the craziest thing. She’s just changed so

much. She’s a leader,” Olague says. “It’s all due to her hard work. She works every single day on her hitting and everything. She’s just incredible, an incredible player.”

Campbell and Olague were key contributors on the 2016 team that made it all the way to super regionals, and came within a few games of playing in World Series. With Campbell batting second and Olague batting third, Olague could feel a little bit of pressure in following one of the best hitters in the GNAC. “Always batting behind her it was like, ugh, I either have to hit a home run or I have to do something really cool because she always hits so well, and she’s always on base,” Olague says.

Head Coach Mike Larabee took over the team prior to the start of the 2016 season in which the team had their deep post-season run, and he has countless things to say about what Campbell did for the team. Having previously coached at the University of Arkansas, Larabee had high praise for Campbell’s game.

“Right from the get go, I knew she was special; coming from the best softball conference in the country… She would’ve thrived in the SEC,” Larabee says.

Larabee could see what drove Campbell, because he saw the same kind of drive in his players from his Team USA days.

“She was never satisfied. If she had a bad round of BP, she wouldn’t leave until she left the cage feeling pretty good. I think that’s the biggest part, she was one of our best players; if not the best player in our program, but she was never satisfied,” Larabee says. “That’s what great players do.”

A SPECIAL BOND Campbell continues to follow in her former senior mentor’s footsteps by helping and teaching all of her younger teammates the ropes of college fastpitch. She has been a great role model for the whole team, but one particular teammate that Campbell has taken under her wing is sophomore catcher Kayla Ellis.

“She’s a really hard worker and always gives her full effort, so I look up to her. She encourages and motivates me to work as hard as she does. I hope that one day I can be like… half the softball player that she is because she’s really good.”

The two initially met during Ellis’ freshman year when they found out that they were not only teammates, but both were also majoring in primates. The friendship truly blossomed this past winter during finals week. It was Friday, and there

48

SPORTS

was optional hitting for the softball team. Both Campbell and Ellis attended the session, and ended up being unable to go back to the West side afterwards due to it snowing so much over the pass.

“We kind of just hung out the entire day and I think that’s what really brought us together and ever since then we’ve been a lot closer,” Ellis claims.

Attending an optional hitting session instead of going directly home after finals shows how much dedication Campbell has for the game, and the fact that Ellis went too showed Kailyn that she was serious about getting better as well.

We’ve just really clicked and been really good friends. I’ve been helping her out ever since, if she needs it… I’ll be there for her,” Campbell says.

Campbell’s effect on Ellis will stick with her for the rest of her career, and it’s likely that the feeling is mutual for the rest of the team.

“She’s always such a great leader for the team.

She encourages everyone to do their best and keeps everyone in a positive thought process,” Ellis says. “That’s what I’ll remember most; her pushing us to be better.”

A REMARKABLE SEASON Coming off of a season in which the team went the furthest that it has ever gone in the postseason; there was some pressure on Central to have some repeat success. Well, if there was any pressure, it doesn’t look like Campbell or the rest of the team felt it. They finished the season atop the GNAC with a record of 34-15, even rattling off 15 straight wins at one point. Unfortunately, the team had a slight skid towards the end of the season. After losing two close, hard fought games against Western Oregon, Central’s season ended much sooner than they would’ve liked.

“We had a great year the whole entire year; we just had a little slip up at the end… but I still enjoyed just having fun and playing the game I love with some of my best friends,” Campbell says.

The end result doesn’t take away the fantastic season that Campbell had, though. Her whopping .497 batting average ranked her fourth, her 26 doubles ranked her second, and her .873 slugging percentage was good for sixth; in all of NCAA Division II. She was top dog in the GNAC when it came to hits (86), runs (57), and RBIs (56). Kailyn was also tied for the conference lead with 13 home runs.

“Complete… all facets of the game. Just a total, complete performance. The one thing that she did add to her arsenal this year was her base stealing. I think she ended up 16-for-17,” Coach

Larabee says of her senior season. “She became a five-tool player.”

These numbers have earned Campbell numerous awards, including first-team All-GNAC, GNAC Player of the Year, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s (NFCA) All-West region first team. She also became just the second CWU player and second GNAC player to be chosen as the D2CCA West Region Player of the Year.

This list could be even larger after this story is published, as she’s also on the national ballot for player of the year and All-American voting.

So, what exactly is it like receiving all of these awards?

“It’s really crazy… a pretty humbling experience. I wouldn’t say that it’s the goal at the beginning of the year… I mean you want to be the best… but I just try to play my game and if I get those awards, I get them; and if I don’t, I don’t,” Campbell says.

However, what Campbell does know, is that all of her achievements couldn’t have been accomplished without the support from those around her.

“I see them all as team awards too. I wouldn’t get any of them if it weren’t for my coaches and teammates,” Campbell says. “Credit to them for pushing me every day and getting on base in front of me. It takes a team effort for an individual award.”

THE END OF A HISTORIC CAREER Campbell was CWU softball’s quiet leader, their humble beast. The only thing that Coach Larabee wishes he could change is the amount of time that he got with her.

“I just wish I would’ve had her for two more years. But, I’ve been blessed to have her for two years and we’ve had a remarkable couple of years.

Tradition never graduates,” Larabee says. “She was a big part of turning this program around.”

Next on Campbell’s agenda is meeting with recruiters of professional fastpitch teams from overseas, with the hope of catching onto a team over there. Many can vouch that she has the talent to do so. She also plans on returning back here to Central to be a graduate assistant for the softball team; which no doubt would have them ecstatic.

Although her final season didn’t pan out the way she might’ve wanted, at least she can rest easy knowing she has had a profound impact on her coaches and teammates. CWU softball will surely miss, and undoubtedly never forget their beast on first base; their “Sassy Buns”; their “Campbell Kid.” 49

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Polynesian Style BBQ

Story by Glendal Correa // Design by Manny Rivera // Photos by Elizabeth Weddle

In the Polynesian culture, food is one of the most important parts of building a community. Like many cultures, meals are at the center of get-togethers, parties and all kind of celebrations. With the sun creeping out and summer right around the corner, it’s only right to share some great island food tips to simulate a day on the beach.

The most important component of an island style BBQ is the marinade. For better taste it’s important to soak your meat for a day or two for a sweet savory flavor. Here are the recipes that Poly Central uses:

MARINADE Ingredients: 1 pack short ribs 1 pack chicken thighs 6 cups of soy sauce 1 cup of water 4 cups of brown sugar (or until sauce is sweetened) 2 cups of pineapple juice (dole okay) 4 table spoons minced ginger 4 table spoons minced garlic One chopped onion 4 table spoons green onion

50

Directions: After placing these ingredients into a large bowl, continue to mix until sugar is dissolved. If it isn’t sweet enough, add more sugar and sweeten to your liking. If it is too sweet, add soy sauce.

When the sugar dissolves, place your short ribs, chicken, hotdogs or meat of your liking into the marinade and place it into the refrigerator over night. The next day your meat should be ready to be tossed on the grill and flipped repeatedly for about 45 min. until it is cooked thoroughly.

The next step is a complimentary side dish.

Typically in Hawaiian style lunch plate’s mac salad and rice is used to accompany their meat. Here’s what you will need:

Last but not least we have the most basic but most important piece of this meal. The rice.

MAC SALAD

Ingredients: 1 cup of long grain rice 2 cups of water 1 teaspoon of salt 1 teaspoon butter (optional)

Ingredients: 3 cups large elbow macaroni ¼ cup grated carrots 1 cup best foods mayonnaise ¼ cup of milk 1 table spoon of salt & pepper Directions: Cook macaroni till tender. Add grated carrots, mayonnaise, and milk till well coated. Salt & Pepper to taste. Use more mayonnaise if needed.

Chill in refrigerator. When ready to serve, add more mayonnaise to keep salad from drying out.

RICE

Directions: In a saucepan with a good fitting lid bring water, salt and butter if desired to a boil. Add rice and stir. Cover and reduce heat to medium low. You will know that your temperature is correct if a little steam is visible leaking from the lid. A lot of steam means your heat is too high. Cook for 20 minutes. DO NOT LIFT LID! The steam that is trapped inside the pan is what allows the rice to cook properly. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Serve! The last step is to make sure you’re not eating alone.

The Polynesian culture is all about sharing a meal TOGETHER!

51

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

l uive ush Esq ddie B a d an y Ma b Am by tions y r Sto illustra n& esig

D

52

FOOD & DRINK

Prep time: 10 min Total time: 10 min Serves: 4 INGREDIENTS • 6 oz. Vodka (get rid of this for a yummy fruity lemonade) • 1 cup mango lemonade • 1 cup pink lemonade blended with ½ cup of strawberries • 1 cup regular lemonade • 1 cup ice

Prep time: 10 min Total time: 10 min Serves: 1 INGREDIENTS • 1 oz. vodka • ½ oz. ginger liqueur • 3 oz peach puree or nectar • 1 oz chilled ginger beer • crushed ice • peach slices, for garnish (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine 1 oz. of vodka, ½ oz. of ginger liqueur and 3 oz. of peach puree and stir.

2. Add crushed ice and stir again.

3. Top with 1 oz. of ginger beer and stir with a bar or wooden spoon between your hands.

4. Garnish with peach slices.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Fill blender with 1/3 of vodka and mango lemonade and ice. Blend and set aside.

2. Repeat two more times, with strawberry/pink lemonade then regular lemonade.

3. Chill each mixture, and keep each layer chilled until ready to pour in glass.

4. Pour into serving glass in layers starting with mango mix, then strawberry/pink lemonade mix and lastly regular lemonade. *Source: Natalie from delish.com

*Source: foodandwine.com

53

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

Prep time: 5 min Total time: 5 min Serves: 2 INGREDIENTS • 1 Cup Fresh Blueberries (set aside a few for garnish if desired) • 4 Ounces Rum (substitute with Sprite or Simple Syrup for a nonwwalcoholic drink) • 10 Fresh Mint Leaves • 2 Teaspoons White Sugar • Juice of 2 Limes • 6 Ounces Club Soda • Ice Cubes INSTRUCTIONS 1. Blend 1 cup of blueberries in blender until smooth. Set aside.

2. Use a wooden spoon to blend in 10 mint leaves and 2 tsp. of sugar.

3. Stir in 4 oz. of rum, lime juice and blueberry mixture.

4. Pour over club soda and ice. Gently stir.

5. Garnish with extra blueberries, lime and mint if desired.

6. Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 min Total time: 10 min Serves: 4-6 INGREDIENTS • 1 750-mL bottle rosé, chilled • 2 cups chopped strawberries • ¼ cup vodka • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice • Ice INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a blender, combine about half the bottle of rosé, 1 cup of strawberries, 1/8 cup of vodka, and 1/8 cup of lemon juice.

2. Add about 2 cups of ice and blend until slushy. If the mixture is too watery, add more ice and blend again.

3. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

*Source: Krystle from bakingbeauty.net

4. Serve immediately and garnish with fresh strawberries. *Source: Lauren from delish.com

54

Follow us on:

By the students for the students.

55

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

seven dangers of 13 REASONS WHY Story by Mackenzie Trotter // Design by Taylor Morrell

One of the world’s most recent TV obsessions is the Netflix original series “13 Reasons Why” – a narrative drama of a young girl, Hannah Baker, explaining the events that lead to her suicide through a box of cassette tapes.

The fictional story takes you on a roller coaster of high school horrors, specifically naming the 13 people whom she blames for her death.

The screen adaptation of Jay Asher’s novel has captivated its audience, quickly becoming a binge watching must. Princess Agduyeng, a communication studies major at Central Washington University, describes the show as a “different approach to suicide awareness,” which she likes. Agduyeng says she felt herself connecting with the personalities in the show throughout the series and enjoyed the different perspectives of each character.

However, the show carries some dangerous flaws:

1

T H E P LOT I S B A S I C A L LY A R E V E N G E FA N TA S Y

Michaela Eastham, a high school substance-abuse and mental health counselor, says “The show felt more like a complex blame game scavenger hunt, rather than a show wanting to speak out about mental health and suicide awareness or prevention.”

Eastham has seen the negative effects that the show is having on youth. She admits that it’s “obscene” the amount of students she’s spoken with about the show. “These kids watch this show and they don’t see the heart-wrenching story of a girl who was bullied and felt like suicide was the only way to end her pain. They see a story of a, and I’m using exact words from one of my clients here, ‘a savage way to get revenge on jerks at school,’” adds Eastham.

56

2

T H E A N S W E R S A R E N OT T H AT S I M P L E

One of the most frustrating things about “13 Reasons Why” is that it insinuates that there are answers and specific reasons for suicide, yet this is far from true. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “there is no single cause for suicide.”

Yet the show’s entire premise is that the fault can be placed on specific people and that her death could have been prevented entirely. There isn’t always a note or a story left behind. Families and friends rarely get that type of closure.

3

T H E S TO RY I S TO O M U C H TO P R O C E S S I N A SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME

Binge watching has become a pastime for many people, due to the fact that we can stream whatever show we want online without interruption. The story, in the form of a book, is much easier to process since it takes longer to finish, but the show is what’s gained the most popularity.

In an article for NBC News, Phyllis Alongi, clinical director of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, says “Netflix isn't going to pull it and kids are watching it, and they're binge watching it without anyone helping them process it." It’s difficult, especially for young viewers, to understand the difference between a plot device and reality, she explains. The show is a lot to take in and without guidance, it can be damaging to certain viewers.

AFTER DARK

4

THERE ARE UNNECESS A R I LY E X P L I C I T S C E N E S

The show, though intentionally dramatic and suspenseful, crosses the line between hard to watch and completely insensitive. Mental health professionals feel that “13 Reasons Why” is doing more harm than good with their extremely graphic scenes of rape and suicide. Eastham also describes an instance when one of her clients suffered a PTSD flashback during one of the explicit rape scenes. The client was a victim of rape and suffered a panic attack from watching the show.

She was unaware of the fact that there was going to be a rape scene because there was no warning on the episode at the time.

Netflix added additional advisories before certain episodes, but not until over a month after the show premiered, which was too little too late for some viewers. The material is supposed to be hard to watch, but they took it too far. People aren’t meant to witness these tragic events, yet that’s exactly what’s happening. Anyone who’s been affected by rape or suicide, especially, will have a hard time watching the scenes.

7

THE LACK OF RESOURCES IS TROUBLING

In one of the final episodes the main character, Hannah, tries to seek help, but after showing clear signs of distress and admitting that she wants life to stop, the counselor doesn’t even attempt to help her. He never reports the instance even though she admits that she had been raped. He lets her go and fails to do his job.

This is so extremely dangerous. Mental health professionals fear that this will turn young adults away from seeking help when they need it. “I want teens to know that a properly trained counselor does not respond to a report of rape the way Hannah’s counselor did,” says Eastham.

The show created a website called 13reasonswhy.info that serves as a “resource” for individuals in crisis. However, it’s a one page, very quickly thrown together list of other resources and at the bottom lies a huge link to watch the show on Netflix – how convenient. The site even says at the bottom, “This website does not provide a complete list of organizations or health professionals who can offer help for those considering self-injury, suicide or who are otherwise in need.”

5

THEY MISSED THE MARK O N M E N TA L I L L N E S S

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 90 percent of individuals who commit suicide have a mental illness. However, this is never discussed in the series, not once. For a show that tries to explain the causes of suicide to not even consider one of the most important influences is both irresponsible and harmful.

6

T H E Y C O U L D B E TA K I N G I T TO O FA R

The show has recently been renewed for a second season. With this looms fear and uncertainty but also a glimmer of hope. Though the show could potentially cause further damage, dragging on the previously discussed flaws, there is the opportunity for Netflix to redeem themselves. Hopefully they will do just that.

57

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

THE ART OF A D A P TA T I O N S

58

AFTER DARK

Story by Lexi Phillips Design by Taylor Morrell

Lately, the film industry has been rife with remakes and adaptations, drawing both excitement and criticism from the masses. On a smaller scale, however, is the recent popularity of movies, novels, and even comic books being adapted into television shows. Many of these shows find success, while others fall flat. Pulse handpicked some of today’s TV series to see how they differ from their original content.

“ T h e H a n d m a i d’ s Ta l e ” – H u l u

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood and published in 1984, tells the story of women living in a society with a declining birthrate who are forced to bear children for rich men with infertile wives.

Of course, we live in a much different time than the era Atwood wrote her novel in; the TV series, which premiered in 2017, reflects that. The show features a much more diverse cast, with more non-white and gay characters. Not only that, but June (Elisabeth Moss), the protagonist, takes part in women’s marches—much like today’s women. There are smaller changes, as well: Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski), the wife of one of the men seeking a handmaid, is younger than her literary counterpart; and June, who spends the novel being known as ‘Offred,’ reveals her real name in the show.

“Scream” – MTV

“Scream” is adapted from a horror film franchise of the same name, the first of which premiered in 1996. Each movie has a new cast of characters and a different story, better allowing for a smooth transition to television.

While the films are primarily based in horror and gore, the TV series (which premiered in 2015) is far more character-driven, focusing on the lives and stories of a group of high school friends in the small town of Lakewood. The story focuses on Emma (Willa Fitzgerald) who finds herself and her friends being terrorized by a masked serial killer claiming a connection to the same serial killer who terrorized her mother. This bears a striking resemblance to the films—along with the mysterious calls Emma and her friends receive from the killer. However, the show incorporates the tools familiar to today’s world: texting, social media, viral videos, and even gifs. Not only this, but the show introduced a new version of the traditional Scream mask, making it spookier and incorporating its origins into the killer’s story.

The show’s third season, which will reportedly premiere this year, is getting a total makeover: a new showrunner, cast and location. It is unclear why this is occurring, but it has been reported that the show is seeking a more diverse cast—a big step forward from its previous mostly-white cast. However, the show was nominated for a Teen Choice Award as Choice Summer TV Show in its first season.

59

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

“Teen Wolf” - MTV

“Teen Wolf,” a 1985 comedy film starring Michael J. Fox, told the story of high school basketball star Scott Howard, who runs into trouble when he finds himself turning into a werewolf. Scott soon finds out that this phenomenon is hereditary after his father reveals to him that he, too, is a werewolf.

The wolfy antics come to a head when Scott turns into a wolf during a basketball game, helping the team win their first game in three years. Scott becomes famous for this, and his school is overcome with ‘Wolf Fever’. Yeah, remember those good old high school years?

The television series, which premiered in 2011 and stars Tyler Posey as Scott McCall, is vastly different from its inspiration. For starters, the series is a drama with elements of comedy, action, and horror, giving it a much more serious tone while still maintaining its humor. Not only that, but one point of conflict stems from Scott and his friends trying to keep his wolf abilities (werewolfiness, if you will) a secret. Amazingly, he’s been successful for almost all six seasons the show has been on air. Another big issue this group of teens faces is the danger of the supernatural pervading their town, a force which is seemingly nonexistent in the ‘80s film. This is where Scott is a high school hero, where the film’s Scott just wanted to play basketball and get the girl.

Teen Wolf has won three Saturn Awards as Best Youth-Oriented Series on Television and is nominated for a fourth as Best Horror Television Series, as well as three Teen Choice wins for Choice Summer Show.

60

“Riverdale”– The CW

“Riverdale,” interestingly enough, is based on the Archie comics, which started in 1941 and are still being published today. Archie centers around the lives of high school friends Betty, Veronica, Jughead and, of course, Archie. The comics are comedic and follow the relationships between each of the characters, but mainly focus on Archie.

“Riverdale,” premiered in 2017 and is named after the town the kids live in, is a much darker murder-mystery centered around the death of a boy named Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines). This same storyline appeared briefly in the “Archie” comics, though this conflict wasn’t nearly as dire as it is in the series. The show focuses on each of the characters as well as Jason’s twin sister Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) and the Josie and the Pussycats frontrunner Josie (Ashleigh Murray), rather than just Archie (K.J. Apa). The series also focuses on the friendship between Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendez), where the comics painted a stronger rivalry between the two, mainly stemming from a love triangle between the two girls and Archie.

The new addaptation of the comics has already accumulated notoriety, recently having been nominated for a Saturn Award as Best Action-Thriller Television Series this year.

MAGAZINE FOR THE LATEST & GREATEST STORIES

CHECK OUT

CWU PULSE.COM

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Discover Central's Creative Community

Manastash Journal of writing and art

M

61

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

pulse8 PRESENTS

SHAED Story by Mandi Ringgenberg Designed by Vanessa Cruz Photos provided by Nettwerk Music Group 62

AFTER DARK

The sweet, spiraling synth-pop with equally innocent, yet powerful vocals make up the holistic sounds of the trio, SHAED. In a recent interview, the band noted their inspiration for their name was their aspiration to always make “colorful music.” And as their music reflects different shades of ‘colors’ or sounds, so does the addicting sounds of each different track on their EP, “Just Wanna See,” released early 2017. These high school friends soon took their music on the road, touring their first U.S. tour with breakout artists Bishop Briggs and Manatee Commune. PULSE got to see them live in Seattle and met up with them for an interview. Check out what SHAED has to say about their colorful music, playing, playing at the Victoria’s Secret Coachella party and secret obsession of Bruce Willis. Members include: Vocals: Chelsea Lee, keys/multi-Instruments, additional vocals: Max and Spencer Ernst

1. The band is composed of you and the Ernst twins; how did you all meet and when did it ‘click’ that you all wanted to make music together?

Chelsea: When I met Max and Spencer I was a

very nerdy high schooler and I almost fainted because I thought they were the coolest humans ever. We instantly became best friends and started spending a lot of time together. I couldn’t drive at the time so they ended up carting me around in their huge Crown Victoria.

We were always writing and singing together for fun, but we didn’t truly come together until March of last year when we started SHAED. 2. Your song writing process is very collaborative; what’s the creative process for creating the sounds and writing?

Max: Sometimes we set up a microphone in the

middle of the room, turn off all the lights, and kinda dance / strut around it - taking turns singing vocal melodies until something sticks. That’s how we wrote “Name On It.” 3. How did signing with your record label, Photo Finish Records, come about? A huge deal, considering their knock-out roster of Misterwives, Marian Hill and The Mowglis, to name a few on there.

Spencer: Matt Galle, who heads the label, heard

one of our songs on SoundCloud and reached out.

He invited us up there to meet the whole team and we fell in love with them. It’s a small label with a small roster so there’s a lot of focus on each artist.

4. All your music has so much color and energy, particularly “Running Through the Fields”.

What was the inspiration and focus behind that song?

C: Max and Spencer sent me an instrumental to

that song when I was at the beach. I was siting in the jacuzzi when the lyrics “I was running through the fields” came to me.

5. Quirky things we should know about SHAED members?

C: I’m in love with Bruce Willis and Dr. Pimple

Popper [Dr. Sandra Lee] & the twins read each other’s minds.

6. You just got done performing at Coachella—how was that experience?!

C: We actually didn’t perform at Coachella this

year, but we played a really crazy Victoria’s Secret Coachella party. We are playing our first big festivals this summer - Firefly, Electric Forest, and Mamby on the Beach.

7. What goes through your head when you perform , at a festival or in an indoor venue?

C: The nerves are always flowing before the show,

but once we get on stage we just look at each other and get into the vibe of the room. It’s really important for us to have fun together and to see the audience grooving with us.

8. Looking ahead, what are some things fans can expect from SHAED, or things you all are excited for?

S: We've been writing a ton of music and can't wait

to share with our fans.

63

SPRING 2017 | ISSUE TWO

64