The Easterner: Volume 101, Issue 26

asterner The Easterner

The_Easterner

@EasternerOnline

Eastern Washington University’s Independent Student Newspaper

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

www.EasternerOnline.com

EWU blossoms at Bloomsday

Volume 101, Issue 26

Walk with Pride

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Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

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Bringin’ the Payne

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The Easterner Archives

2 | The Easterner Editor in Chief

Brandon Cline 509.359.6737 easterner.editor@ewu.edu

Managing Editor

Logan Stanley easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu

Volume 101, Issue | May 2018 Volume 101, Issue 2626 | May 9, 9, 2018 3 News | 6 Entertainment | 7 Police Beat | 8 A&E | 12 Sports

Easterner Asks:

Chief Copy Editor

Amanda Haworth easternercopy@gmail.com

News Editor

Josh Fletcher easterner.news@gmail.com

Sports Editor

Michael Brock easterner.sports@gmail.com

Andrew Mcintosh, Freshman

Arts & Entertainment and Features Editor Dayana Morales easterner.aef@gmail.com

Multimedia Editor

Audrey Seda easterner.social@gmail.com

Art Director

Andrew Watson easterner.photo@gmail.com

Social Media Director

Richard Clark IV easterner.online@gmail.com

Copy Editor

Jeremy Burnham

Reporters

Sam Jackson Katherine Senechal Kaitlyn Engen Taylor Newquist

Graphic Designer

Alisyn Waite, Freshman

“Honestly, pretty well. I was getting updates like nonstop from them so I knew what was going on and it seemed like they had it handled it pretty well.”

“I didn’t get anything about it. I heard about it from Snapchat groups, friends were asking if we were okay and it didn’t feel completed, cause there wasn’t ever a response.”

Colerainy Days

Daniel Powers, Freshman

Victoria Denison, Freshman

How well do you think EWU/EWU PD handled the lockdown following reports of a gunman on campus Thursday, May 3?

“I think they were doing a good job with it, cause they sent out the alert pretty quickly and then after that people were like ‘oh hey, let’s stay away from there.’”

“The live updates were pretty good. I think we got stuff in like 5-10 minutes of when it was happening. It could have been more centralized of where to go to get it... [but] Nate Hiblar, Junior I thought the updates were timely.”

“They probably could have handled it better, considering we didn’t get contacted about it, like through text or anything. We had no idea what was going on and we were on campus and didn’t know about it.”

“They locked everything down and shut the buses down, which is really smart, advised everyone to stay in and the text update really helped, at least you knew what was going on and didn’t hear from a friend.”

Nelson Hergert, Running Start

Student Photo Corner

Junior Erik Rotness took this photo over Spring Break while in Ireland.

“While traveling through Northern Ireland for spring break, I snuck my way into Mussenden Temple with a friend who has lived in Northern Ireland her whole life. There are three people in the photo. Can you see them?”

Gail Powers

Photographers Mckenzie Ford Bailey Monteith

Faculty Adviser Carleigh Hill chill26@ewu.edu

Our Mission The mission of The Easterner is to inform the students, faculty, staff and nearby residents of Eastern Washington University of the governance, activities and views of the campus while providing a learning environment for students interested in journalism and related fields. Our main goal is to publish high-quality news content to the community of Eastern Washington University.

Circulation The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at http://www.easterneronline. com. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as Riverpoint and various Spokane businesses. If you would like the Easterner to be distributed at your business call the Advertising Department at 509-359-7010.

Corrections The Easterner never knowingly publishes inaccuracies. If any error is found, The Easterner is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of the source of the error.

The Easterener does not remove any editorial content from easterneronline.com.

However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.

Submission Guidelines

To submit photos to The Easterner, attach the largest filesize in an email to the Art Director at easterner.photo@ gmail.com, accompanied by your first and last name, photo name and no more than 50 words describing your photograph.

The picture does not have to correlate with any content being printed the week of.

All submissions must be received

by Monday night the week you would like it to be published. Photos must be appropriate and not include obscenities.

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May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

News

Eagles win Bloomsday Corporate Cup for 22nd consecutive year Nearly 42,000 ‘Bloomies’ ran in the 2018 Bloomsday 12k, including EWU students and faculty Kelsey Magnuson Contributor In its 42nd year, Bloomsday continues to be a tradition that draws participants from all over the world to run the 12 kilometer course.

The 41,699 “Bloomies” who signed up this year experienced clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s on Sunday.

“It was fun with all the people, the cheering and the bands along the way,” first-time participant Janell Sagawa, 28, of Pullman said.

EWU alumna Sarah Reiter, 24, also ran the course for the first time this year, competing in the elite field.

“I just thought it was so cool to see how many people come out; all the people who run it and all the people who volunteer and all the bands come together as a community,” said Reiter.

“I’ll definitely be running it in the future.”

After graduating in 2017, Reiter says it’s key to find a good balance, as she works full time and tries to train daily. She plans to run a qualifier marathon in December

2018 in hopes of competing in the Boston Marathon in the next couple years.

“It’s good to set goals for yourself,” Reiter said.

Among those setting goals are the EWU teams who compete for the Corporate Cup each year.

Since the Corporate Cup began in 1982, EWU has won 27 cups.

IT supervisor Carl Combs of the winning team, EWU Red, started participating in the Corporate Cup in 1997, the first year of EWU’s current 22-year winning streak. The teams consist of five members, and the top three Kelsey Magnuson for The Easterner Runnners participate in the 42nd annual Bloomsday race. The 7.46 mile run had over 40,000 runners sign up.

“It gives pride and recognition to have such a winning tradition.”

Cup women’s division this year.

For the last two years, EWU has initially tied with a team from Runner’s Soul, a running shop in downtown Spokane.

“The top three members of both teams got a perfect score, so they had to go to the fourth team member to determine a winner. This year we won by 26 points, so it was a really close victory,” said Combs. “It’s a friendly competition but we’re proud of our accomplishment.” •

Carl Combs EWU IT Supervisor

Kelsey Magnuson for The Easterner Runners cross the finish line on the Monroe Street Bridge. After finishing runners walk across the bridge to Riverfront Park to get their Bloomsday finisher shirt.

scores are taken into account when determining a winner.

“Over the last number of years I’ve been able to be a scoring member of the team and not just tagging along. You have the goal that at the end of all the hard work and dedicated training maybe there will be a payoff,” said Combs. “It gives pride and recognition to have such a winning tradition.”

EWU President Mary Cullinan got a perfect score for the second year in a row, helping secure a second place slot in the Corporate

4 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 | May 9, 2018

News EWU seeks to expand relationship with Japanese university Dylan Harris Contributor Two faculty members from EWU’s College of Business and Public Administration are making an impact on students both at home and abroad. Dr. Atsushi Inoue and Dave Gorton have created what they hope to be an ongoing relationship with students and faculty from Mie University, which is located in Tsu, Japan.

Inoue and Gorton traveled to Mie University last December to conduct a seminar for a group of 14 graduate and undergraduate students.

The seminar, titled “From Idea to Pitch,� was constructed to give Mie students the opportunity to learn skills and techniques to better pitch their ideas for startup companies. The seminar was presented in both Japanese and English. “The idea was originated between two professors, myself and my counterpart at Mie University,� Inoue said.

Inoue asked Gorton for help arranging the agreement with Mie University. Inoue and Gorton have a relationship going back years and both have experience working and traveling internationally.

The relationship is between EWU’s College of Business and Public Administration and the Mie University Graduate School of Regional Innovation Studies. Per the agreement made between the two schools, the purpose of the relationship is “to facilitate faculty, staff and student exchanges, foster joint research and educational activities and create joint lectures and symposia.� The agreement went into effect in October 2017. “We are always looking for opportunities for more connections,� said Gorton. “Ultimately I’d like to take some Eastern students [to Mie University], and that’s no promise at this point, just a longterm goal.�

Inoue is a professor of analytics and management information systems and Gorton is a senior lecturer of MBA courses and the director of community outreach for EWU’s entrepreneurship program.

Because Mie University doesn’t have a business school, Inoue and Gorton shared their business expertise with students who want to learn how to pitch ideas for

Photo contributed by Dave Gorton Atsushi Inoue and Dave Gorton with their class at Mie University. The students are participating in th Eagle’s Nest Business Pitch Competition and placed first in the second qualifying round. new products, technology or businesses to potential investors.

In addition to the seminar, the Mie University students participated in a pitch contest for a chance to win an all-expensespaid trip to EWU to compete in the Eagle’s Nest Business Pitch Competition qualifying round. The winning team from Mie University pitched an idea for earbuds that produce light therapy in a person’s ears that is designed to help with depression, sleep deprivation and jet lag.

They went on to place first in the qualifying round, and will return to EWU for the final competition on May 10.

Inoue and Gorton both expressed a desire to continue growing this relationship.

They are in the process of planning more events and ways to connect the two schools and continue exchanging information, research and ideas. Gorton says Inoue and he will go back to teach the same seminar in August. “We want this relationship to continue growing and most importantly become sustainable,� Inoue said.

The agreement between the two schools has been funded by a grant obtained by Mie University. This funding included all the travel costs for Inoue and Gorton. •

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May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

News

‘Shark Tank’ style investors come to campus for next big thing Dylan Harris Contributor Some of EWU’s brightest aspiring entrepreneurs will be gathering in the Showalter Auditorium on May 10 to compete in the final round of the Eagle’s Nest Business Pitch Competition. The event, put on by the EWU Center for Entrepreneurship, allows students with great business ideas the opportunity to present to business professionals and compete for a first place prize of $2,500.

This is the second annual Eagle’s Nest Business Pitch Competition. The contest is designed to promote entrepreneurial endeavors and innovation, and to give students the opportunity to gain feedback on their ideas. This yearly event is open to EWU students from any degree program.

“Our belief is that entrepreneurial ideas don’t just come from the business school, they come from students of all schools,” said Dr. Bruce Teague, director of the entrepreneurship program. “This pitch competition being outside of the curriculum, what we call a co-curricular activity, is all about giving access to

every student on this campus to start developing an idea and talk to real-world professionals and get feedback.”

There were two qualifying rounds earlier in the school year to determine the eight teams in the final round.

Approximately 20 teams competed in the second qualifying round for the last four spots in the finals. The panel of judges consisted of 25 business professionals, ranging from EWU professors to successful entrepreneurs.

Placing first in the second qualifying round was a team of students from Mie University, located in Japan. The team won a business pitch contest in Japan, earning each of them an all-expensespaid trip to Spokane to compete in this second qualifying round of the Eagle’s Nest Pitch Contest.

“Ultimately we want to exchange students, faculty, ideas for research and build a relationship,” said Dave Gorton, director of community outreach for the entrepreneurship program. Gorton traveled to Mie University to teach entrepreneurial skills to students and to help build the relationship between the two schools.

The second place finisher was EWU’s Jennifer Beal, who pitched “Shore Fisherman Pro,” a device that pulls the line of a fishing rod out much farther than a person could cast it, allowing those fishing from the shoreline to reach better fishing spots that would normally require a boat. Beal and her husband created the prototype with the intention of providing fishermen an affordable alternative to buying a boat and to give shore fishermen a better chance at catching more fish.

Placing third was Harley Bean, also an EWU student, who pitched an idea for a transit app that helps simplify the process of accessing public transportation, while also making it more user-friendly than other current applications.

The fourth and final contestant to make it to the final round was another EWU student, Hayden Leslie, who pitched “Xtra Hand,” a convenient desktop extension and organizer that helps create more space particularly for students in classrooms with tiny desks attached to the chairs.

One contestant, Steven Inc, presented an idea to revolutionize the current television

remotes, improving upon their batteries, voice commands and overall usability.

“It started out as an assignment for my MIS class and as time went on I realized people actually think this is a good idea,” Inc said.

Any EWU student with a good idea for a product or business is encouraged to enter next year’s competition. For more information, contact Dr. Bruce Teague or any other faculty member from the EWU Center for Entrepreneurship.

The final round will begin at 6 p.m. in the Showalter Auditorium on May 10.

The event is free to attend and all are welcome to join and witness the “Shark Tank” style showdown between the eight qualifying teams. •

Panel attempts to rid the stigma of mental health Tania Núñez Contributor Students and faculty came together to discuss mental health at a panel held in the JFK Library May 3. The panel sought to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and to create an open forum in which students could ask the panelists questions regarding mental health.

“I think [mental health] is something that we are increasingly aware of, not just in higher education, but as a nation,” said Dr. Heidi Schnebly, Associate Dean of Students, who also served as the moderator for the panel. “One of the reasons for that panel is to take away the stigma.”

The panel of five professors and counselors from the EWU community discussed topics that included risk factors, postpartum depression, anxiety,

resources on campus and more.

Senior Kelsey White, who attended the panel, stated the importance of advocating for mental health awareness.

“I think we need to start making it less scary for people to open up about emotions and struggles with mental health,” White said.

According to a study conducted by the Spokane Regional Health District in 2015, 11 percent of people suffered from poor mental health. Stacey Chay, a social work professor and panelist for the event, emphasized the normality of struggling with mental health.

“Depression is the number one cause of disability in ages 15 to 44 in our country,” Chay said. “So it’s incredibly impactful for a really large number of people and we aren’t talking about it.”

Counseling and Psychological Services

(CAPS) is only one of many resources available to students at EWU. Schnebly also noted Student Affairs, Residential Life Coordinators and CAs, Health and Wellness, Coaches, the Dean of Students, Student Support and Advocacy and Rockwood as places where students can find help. For those who are unsure of what they’re going through, Chay suggests reaching out to someone supportive.

“Talk to somebody that will be receptive and continue to talk until you find somebody who is receptive,” Chay said.

EWU has also introduced TAO as an online self-help resource for students to navigate any questions or concerns regarding their mental health.

“That’s the importance about mental health, it doesn’t have to be a forever thing,” said Schnebly. “There are resources to help and there are people who are here to support [those] who are struggling.”

If anyone is struggling with mental health, Counseling and Psychological Services is located in Monroe Hall 225.

Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. CAPS can also be reached at (509) 838-4428. •

6 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 | May 9, 2018

Entertainment

TV Review: LA to Vegas

Loose Change & Filler Text

Emily Bonsant Contributor This new workplace comedy features Jackpot Airlines’ finest f light crew and their misadventures interacting with ridiculous passengers on f lights between LA and Vegas. The pilot begins with Ronnie [Kim Matula] sprinting through security as she changes into her f light attendant uniform. Ronnie is debatably the main character, since most of the season she is about her going through a career crisis. The pretty f light attendant thinks she should be further along in her career by working at a legitimate airline, one that has seat belts to code.

Bernard [Nathan Lee Graham] is the other f light attendant. He falls into many of the male f light attendant stereotypes, but he steals the show.

He is not Ronnie’s sidekick, she is his.

Bernard is the brains on the plane, and he has more attitude than the anyone else. A running joke of the show is guessing how old he is. Bernard is ageless yet makes old Hollywood

references left and right. Captain Dave [Dylan McDermott] is a little delusional, or drunk. He thinks he is in an 80s action film and he romanticizes the sky like sailors romanticize the sea.

In the pilot episode he tells Ronnie to not “cockpit block” him. Captain Dave thinks he is a lady killer, but Alan, the dorky Co-Pilot, somehow gets all the women.

LA to Vegas is The Office at 37,000 feet. There are the usual weekend frequent f lyers as well. There is a stripper, a college professor with an English accent and a gambler who makes bets in the terminal.

The overarching question is “how can this show have enough material for a second season?” The trick is that the characters leave the airport every few episodes, such as when Bernard puts on his elaborate birthday party or when Captain Dave reveals he lives in a commune in the LAX parking lot. LA to Vegas has not yet been renewed, nor has it been cancelled.

Rated TV-14.

Andrew Watson for The Easterner

EDITORS’ PICKS TV Show: “Superstore”

Courtesy of NBCUniversal

Superstore is a humorous workplace comedy created by Justin Spitzer set at fictional box store Cloud 9. Superstore stars America Ferrera as floor supervisor Amy Dubanowski, a hard working, recently divorced mom who tries to survive her job without losing her mind. Her co-workers don’t make this an easy task. Ferrera is joined by a hilarious supporting cast, including Mark McKinney as Glenn Sturgis, Cloud 9’s naïve, annoyingly positive general manager. Superstore recently concluded its third season on NBC and all three seasons are currently streaming on Hulu.

(Jeremy Burnham)

Movie: “Avengers: Infinity War” Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their biggest rival, Thanos, in a 2 hour 40 minute film.

Thanos is on a mission to collect all six infinity stones to inflict his twisted will on reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this exact moment. The fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain. The ending is definitely shocking and packed with uncertainty.

(Dayana Morales) Courtesy of Walt Disney

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May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

Police Beat

Illustration by Gail Powers for The Easterner

Josh Fletcher News Editor

DUI May 1 An EWU police officer spotted a car barreling past the Maverick gas station in Cheney going nearly 60 mph into a turn.

Police caught up with the car on Betz Road and watched them cross the yellow line multiple times while driving. When she was pulled over and police asked her why she was going so fast, she said she had to go to the bathroom. Police charged her with a DUI after she failed a sobriety test.

DUI May 3 Just after 2 a.m. an officer was following a car that was swaying across the road.

Police also watched the car hit a curb while turning on to Washington Street.

When police pulled the female over and approached the car they could smell alcohol and conducted a field sobriety test. She ultimately failed the test and had a BAC of .191. She will go to Cheney Municipal Court next for a hearing.

Person with a Weapon May 3

Drug Offense May 4

Before 3 p.m. dispatch received a 911 call about a man supposedly with a gun near campus on Elm and C Street. EWU PD was on the scene in one minute but was not able to locate the suspect.

They are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

An EWU police officer was called to the library Friday night after somebody turned in a laptop and forgot something inside. The library employee found a small bag of marijuana in the laptop bag. EWU PD was able to track down who turned it in and found that they were over the age of 21 and legally were able to possess. There is no further investigation.

8 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 | May 9, 2018

A&E

EWU shows its lavender at LGBTQ+ graduation ceremony Kaitlyn Engen Reporter Tears f lowed and hearts were touched as students modeled their colors across the stage at EWU’s ninth annual Lavender Graduation ceremony on May 4.

“I’m graduating really happy,” Ryan Simonis, an undergraduate senior speaker at the event, said.

EWU is one university out of a handful in the country that holds a Lavender Graduation.

The ceremony is specifically dedicated to LGBTQ+ students and allies to honor their achievements throughout their educational careers.

Lavender Graduation, now expanding to many high schools and universities across the nation, holds a lot of history and meaning according to the Human Rights Campaign.

The first Lavender Graduation

was organized in 1995 at the University of Michigan by a woman who was prevented from attending a college graduation based on her sexuality.

In the LGBTQ+ community, the color lavender is a “mixture” of black and pink—the colors worn by gay and lesbian concentration camp prisoners in WWII. Today, the color lavender’s initial meaning is exchanged as a symbol of pride and togetherness for the LGBTQ+ community, and EWU was not afraid to show this off last Friday.

The “20 Gay Teen” (a play on words for “2018”) EWU ceremony celebrated 27 LGBTQ+ students from various high schools, community colleges and universities in the region: Rogers High School, Colville High School, Spokane Community College, Whitworth Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner Nick Franco, the Pride Center manager, hosts the Lavender Graduation. EWU has been holding the ceremony since 2010.

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner Monica Serpas-Chase shows off her graduation certificate at EWU’s Lavender Graduation with her friend Dulce V. Gutierrez Vasquez.

University and of course, EWU. Spectators cheered with enthusiasm for every graduate adorned with lavender stoles and rainbow tassels to not only recognize their academic accomplishments, but to commemorate their search for identity and the hardships they might have faced as LBGTQ+ individuals in society.

“It’s finally the end and I get to spend it with the people that really mean a lot to me,” senior graduate student Carissa Voelker, also a speaker at the event, said.

Lavender Graduation is just one way that EWU has continued its ongoing efforts for LGBTQ+ student representation and support on campus. “[Before college,] No one in my family knew what to do, what to expect. I really had no

support in learning what to do and how to navigate the stress of it,” said Voelker, who is a firstgeneration college graduate.

“Eastern from the very first day I was here provided me with a space where I felt I would be supported.”

The Pride Center in particular has provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ students since 2010.

Being relocated from Showalter to the PUB next year, the Center is a meaningful place of remembrance for graduates ref lecting on their experiences at EWU. “I’m excited to see what happens with the Pride Center in terms of the new PUB, because when I first got here, we had been fighting all that first year I was here to get that first space,” Simonis said.

Post-Lavender Graduation,

EWU looks forward to continuing its momentum in uplifting its current LGBTQ+ student population, giving them a reason to smile upon receiving their diploma as they look back at their college experience at EWU. According to Nick Franco, the Pride Center manager who hosted Lavender Graduation, EWU will also eventually be the first university to host an LGBTQ+ housing dorm. •

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May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

A&E

Next year’s cheer squad finalized Tania Núñez Contributor A new school year means a new cheer team for EWU. Next year’s team includes 10 returning members and eight new members with 11 female cheerleaders and seven male cheerleaders.

“It’s exciting. I’m kind of nervous, but I think it’s going to be a really good season,” said incoming freshman Destiny Lehman. “Everyone has been super welcoming.”

According to the EWU Cheerleading Club website, the goal of the cheer team is “to promote support and spirit for the Football, Volleyball and Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams and to represent EWU at Athletic and Associated Student Sponsored Events.” The Photo courtesy of EWU Cheer Club cheer team also participates in EWU cheerleader Kenzie Briggs performs a stunt. The cheer squad for next season was recently finalized, fundraisers throughout the Cheney with 10 returning members and eight new members. and Spokane areas.

Freshman Celia Lawrence, who is joining in the fall as a new member, talked about how joining the team is an opportunity to meet more people.

“I think the most excited I am for next year is that now that I know everyone, I feel more involved in the community,” Lawrence said.

Junior Joshua Cruz, a returning member entering his third year with the team, emphasized how new members revitalize the team.

“I’m hopeful. [There will be] new skills, new people, new personalities on the team,” said Cruz. “New people bring new insights.” •

EWU and The Mason Jar team up for Foster Care Month Cheney community finding ways to show support to local foster parents Kaitlyn Engen Reporter “It’s now or never. Are we going to do this or not?” Loretta Gaul said to her husband Michael before becoming foster parents.

Three years later, Gaul said her life has changed for the better.

The Mason Jar coffee shop in Cheney is looking to honor stories like Gaul’s through its promotion of National Foster Care Month in May. “National Foster Care Month is a way to recognize how many kids or families are involved with foster kids,” FosteringWA Peer Mentor Meaghan Flowers said in a phone interview.

“The Mason Jar has been a great support for us.”

Flowers and Mason Jar owner Douglas Labar collaborated through their connections in the Cheney foster

care community. Labar wanted to find ways that The Mason Jar could show its support to foster parents living in Cheney.

All month, foster parents who show ID can enjoy free drinks at The Mason Jar. “It’s one of those systems that needs all the support it can,” said Labar in a phone interview. “I think it’s really important to thank those people and also get awareness.”

FosteringWA, an EWU mentoring program for foster parents, takes pride in the environment it provides to its support-seekers—and not just by free coffee.

Gaul, who knew Flowers in the initial stages of becoming a foster parent, has benefitted from Cheney’s efforts to uplift its foster system. Currently, she is the mother to her four older biological children, her two adopted male toddlers,

and her 14-month-old foster daughter.

While not always the case for some, Gaul maintains a fulfilled attitude toward her experience as a foster parent.

“If I look at it in the lens of falling in love with a stranger’s child, it definitely is exactly what we expected,” Gaul said.

“It doesn’t take much to become attached to a kiddo who needs to be rescued and comes from a really destructive life.”

FosteringWA, along with The Mason Jar, is making efforts to expand the fostering community in Cheney—this can mean involvement from not just the foster parents themselves.

Labar wants to encourage Cheney residents to take part in the community, even if they cannot be foster parents directly. Fundraising, donating and being a “relief” person are some ways to contribute, according to Labar.

“A lot of people don’t even know there

are so many different avenues for foster care,” Labar said.

As support for Cheney foster parents grows, people like Gaul continue to be impacted.

“It has changed my world completely upside down in a better way,” said Gaul.

“The capacity that my heart has opened has changed the most.” •

10 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 | May 9, 2018

A&E

Meditation garden aims to preserve and teach Sam Jackson Reporter Mary Ward Lupinacci, a Children’s Studies lecturer at EWU, came across the Reid Lab School Meditation Garden on campus and instantly knew that she would take advantage of the garden to enhance the learning of her students.

The garden was erected in 2010 as a tribute to the Reid Laboratory School that closed in 2009. It is located outside Martin Hall directly next to the one-room schoolhouse on campus. As the garden is intended to preserve the memory of the lab school, it gives space for students and faculty to reflect, study and even meditate, which is how Lupinacci is using it for the Mindfulness & Alternative Practices for Working with Children class.

“Knowing that I was going to teach that class on campus and knowing that there’s statues of kids there […] I just knew that I was going to absolutely love bringing students to the garden to practice our mediation and our mindfulness,” Lupinacci said.

This is Lupinacci’s first year teaching at EWU and during this spring quarter the class plans to use the garden every Wednesday at 10 a.m. If students outside of the class would like to join their weekly mediation session, Lupinacci would be open to that idea.

“It would be great for our students to practice what they’re learning and be able to lead a little bit of mindfulness with other students,” Lupinacci said.

College can be a stressful time for students, and according to Lupinacci, there’s a lot of research showing that practicing mediation allows people to develop healthy habits. Lupinacci said that by encouraging students to practice relaxation and check in with their emotions, it will create a more healthy campus environment.

“I think meditation is a tool that anyone can use and it’s something you can practice your whole life,” said Lupinacci.

“I think if we can encourage students to adopt a practice like this one, that really has all the healthy benefits [...] then we’re setting them up for a lifetime of success.”

The class is a newly required course this year for Children’s Studies majors. It is designed to use mindfulness as a practice for teaching empathy and emotional regulation to children. The class will be offered again next fall quarter on campus, online during winter quarter and on campus the following spring quarter. The class is open to anyone, even outside of the Children’s Studies program. •

Dayana Morales for The Easterner A statue of Candy and Ben in EWU’s Robert Reid Campus Lab School Meditation Garden. This garden was dedicated Sept. 22, 2010 to remember over 100 years of service to children and prospective teachers.

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Options: Private suites with private bathrooms in shared apartments Studios and one bedrooms available Individual leases for 10 months to two years.

Come and see what everyone is talking about... "the nicest place for EWU students to live!" www.premierstudentliving.com

Photo courtesy of Mary Ward Lupinacci Lecturer Mary Ward Lupinacci teaches her Children’s Studies 325 class April 25 in the EWU Meditation Garden.

◆

(509) 235-1928

The Easterner | 11

May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

Events

Eagle Entertainment Movie Night

Photo courtesy of IMDb

What is it: Movie night and panel discussion on the movie “Get Out.” When: Wednesday, May 9 Time: 5 - 8 p.m.

Where: Pending room reservation Cost: Free.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Eagle’s Nest Business Pitch Competition Finals

What is it: The top four teams in the qualifiers held earlier this school year will compete to win their share of $5,000.

When: Thursday, May 10 Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Where: Showalter Hall Cost: Free.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

EWU Jewish Club Brainstorming Session

IEEE and WIE Spring 2018 Meet and Greet

What is it: A meeting for students, staff and faculty who would be interested in working towards starting up a Jewish Club on campus.

When: Wednesday, May 16 Time: 3 - 4 p.m.

Where: Pending room reservation.

Cost: Free.

What is it: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Women in Engineering Clubs will host a spring meet and greet event to share this year’s accomplishments and next year’s goals.

When: Wednesday, May 16 Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Where: Pending room reservation.

Cost: Free.

Photo courtesy of The Slants

The Slants What is it: The first all-Asian dance rock band will be performing on campus.

When: Thursday, May 17 Time: noon - 1 p.m.

Where: Campus Mall Cost: Free.

12 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 | May 9, 2018

Sports

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner Junior Parker Bowden participates in the 110-meter hurdles at the Pelluer Invitational on April 14. Bowden enters the Big Sky Conference Outdoor Championships ranked tied for third in the event.

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner Freshman Alexis Rolan competes in the 4x100-meter at the Pelluer Invitational on April 14. Rolan is ranked first in the conference for 100 meter dash.

Eagles set sights on Big Sky medals Taylor Newquist Reporter

The EWU track and field team travels to Moscow, Idaho this week to compete in The Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Idaho.

The meet is held from April 8-11, with the first two days dedicated to the decathlon and heptathlon.

Other events will start preliminary rounds on Thursday, and hold their finals on Friday.

Men

The men’s team aims to improve on its 12th place team finish and 14 total points from the outdoor championships a year ago. During the indoor championships on Feb. 24, the team finished seventh in total points and had top three finishes from juniors Parker Bowden (second in 60-meter hurdles) and Larry Still (first in pole vault).

“It’s a killer meet,” men’s head coach Stan Kerr said. “It’s so competitive, but I would like to see if our guys can push top three. They’re a confident group and that’s something you really can’t teach. They’re

confident, but not rude and can be a little cocky sometimes. Thats a nice edge to walk on and know you can do something special down there.”

Women

The women’s team finished the 2017 outdoor championships in eighth place, and finished fourth in the indoor championships this year. Women’s head coach Marcia Mecklenburg said at the time that she thought the fourth through tenth ranked teams were evenly matched and that the difference was in the Eagles pole

vaulters, who she dubbed the team’s ‘bread and butter’ and sprinting crew who she called the ‘meat and potatoes.’

“This will be the closest we have ever had a Big Sky Conference Championship other than when we host,” said Mecklenburg. “I think it will work to our advantage not to have to travel a long distance to the meet.

We have some quality athletes in most of the event areas, but our real strength will be in the short sprints and pole vault. We are at taper time with training and we are relatively healthy, so I think we are ready. It is go time.” •

The Easterner | 13

May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

Sports

Top-ranked athletes Disc golf course

coming to Cheney

Senior Erin Clark

• Ranked No. 2 in pole vault • 2017 outdoor pole vault champ

Senior Rebecca Tarbert

• Ranked No. 2 in 100 meters • 2018 indoor 60-meter champ

Freshman Alexis Rolan

• Ranked No. 1 in 100 meters • Indoor Freshman of the Year

“The Big Sky is one where “I am very excited,” Tarbert going in the rankings don’t really said. “I’m hoping to PR in both of matter,” Clark said. “You have to my events and just go out with a go in with everything you got. I bang for my last meet ever.” expect to do well, obviously I want to be on top of that podium, but I could see a PR from a lot of girls on the team.”

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Rolan said. “I definitely want to get all of my times faster.

I mean of course I want to win the 100 [meter dash], and the 200 [meter dash] I’m going in fourth I think, but coming back in second or first would be good for me.”

Senior Jeremy VanAssche

Junior Parker Bowden

• Ranked No. 2 in 100-meters • 2016 outdoor 100-meter champ

Junior Jonah Mathews

• Ranked No. 5 in 100-meters • Part of 4x100 relay (No. 4 rank)

“I’m feeling pretty good,” “I think we’re sleepers for VanAssche said. “As far as how sure,” Matthews said. “Honestly good I do, I could go run well and I think we’re going to walk away PR. I mean as long as I run my best with a dub.” and have a good race I’ll be happy with wherever I end up at, but winning it too would be nice.”

• Tied No. 3 in 110-meter hurdles • 2018 Pelluer 110-meter champ “I feel ready,” Bowden said.

“It’s been a long season, but I think everyone’s getting tuned up this week, I’m just ready to perform.

I’m hoping to try and come back with a Big Sky title, try to get a PR and maybe a school record, we’ll see, I feel good.”

Dylan Harris for The Easterner Hagelin Park, located on the 700 block of Cedar Street in Cheney. The park will be the home of a new disc golf course in late spring or early summer.

Dylan Harris Contributor Cheney Parks and Recreation will soon be bringing a nine-hole disc golf course to the city of Cheney. The course will be located at Hagelin Park, within walking distance of the EWU campus.

“The plan is to have it up by late spring [or] early summer,” Kim Best, recreation manager of Cheney Parks and Recreation said. “But that all depends on how long it takes to find the right design and put it all together.”

For those who haven’t played disc golf, the game is very similar to traditional golf, but instead of hitting a golf ball into a hole, players throw a disc toward a metal basket.

The objective is to hit each target in as few attempts as possible.

There are currently no disc golf courses in the Cheney area; the closest ones are in Spokane.

Hagelin Park is located on the 700 block of Cedar Street.

The course will be open to the public and Best said she hopes it will be used by Cheney residents

and EWU students, including the EWU disc golf club and P.E. classes.

“Disc golf is becoming more and more popular and we liked the idea of having it close to the schools,” said Best.

Disc golf doesn’t garner the attention that mainstream sports like football or baseball do, but it has been growing in popularity in recent years. Last year, the Professional Disc Golf Association reported its largest annual increase in members in the roughly 40 years of the organization’s existence.

Not everyone plays disc golf at a professional level. It offers a fun excuse for friends and families to gather outside and enjoy the warm weather.

“I didn’t know they were putting one up in Cheney,” Eli Holecek, an EWU student said. “I’ll have to get a group of friends together to check it out this summer.”

The Cheney Parks and Recreation department received a grant for park improvements and the disc golf course is a key part of their plans. •

14 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 May | May9,9,2018 2018

Sports

Richard Clark IV for The Easterner Junior wide receiver Jayson Williams evades a Weber State defender on Nov. 4. The Eagles are trying to improve on a 2017 season in which they went 7–4 but missed out on the FCS Playoffs.

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner Junior running back Antoine Custer Jr. returns a kick against Portland State on Nov. 18. Custer had 776 rushing yards in 2017.

Gubrud, offense primed for production Michael Brock Sports Editor After being snubbed from the FCS playoffs in November, the EWU football team has a new motto for the upcoming season: Leave No Doubt.

In 2017, the Eagles went 7–4 overall (6–2 in Big Sky Conference) and had the sixth-ranked FCS offense in terms of overall yards per game.

Still, when the 24-team postseason bracket was announced, EWU was left off.

“Looking back to last year how we didn’t make playoffs — we just don’t want to leave it up to [the committee],” junior running back Antoine Custer Jr. said during media availability on April 11. “We want to just take control of that and get there on our own.”

Favorably for the Eagles, they have 17 returning starters, including nine on the offensive side, to get the job done.

Quarterback

Senior quarterback Gage Gubrud, who is entering his third season under

center, is the most notable returner on offense for the Eagles.

After setting the FCS record for passing yards and scoring 53 total touchdowns in 2016, Gubrud had what some might consider a “down” season in 2017. After being named a co-MVP in the Big Sky Conference in 2016, Gubrud made the second-team last season. He registered over 50 less total yards per game and 0.6 less touchdowns per contest.

But without prolific wide receivers Cooper Kupp, Kendrick Bourne and Shaq Hill last year, the Eagles put more of an emphasis on the run game and took the ball out of Gubrud’s hands often.

Gubrud still led the FCS in total offense per game and was fourth in passing yards in 2017 despite a slight drop in efficiency.

The next step for the senior quarterback is to continue honing his timing and making quicker reads.

“Gage’s decision making has gotten better,” offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder told The Easterner in a phone interview. “There were times last year

when he needed to either tuck the ball or throw it away and he got into some forced throw situations. He tried to work on that this spring and he has made progress.”

Sophomore Eric Barriere will back up Gubrud.

Offensive Line

On the offensive line, four of the five positions are back, with left tackle being the only open spot not returning.

The returning starters include: senior center Spencer Blackburn, junior left guard Tristen Taylor, senior right guard Jack Hunter and junior right tackle Chris Schlichting.

Running Backs

Junior running back Antoine Custer Jr. is back for his second season as the starter. In 2017, Custer had 1,052 allpurpose yards (776 rushing) and 12 touchdowns en route to second-team All-Big Sky honors.

Senior running back Sam McPherson, who is coming off an injury, registered

729 total yards (477 rushing) a season ago. Both Custer and McPherson are capable pass-catching backs, which helps keep the defense on its heels.

“We’re pass first, but we’re not pass only,” Best told The Easterner. “If we have a hot hand in the running back position or the run game is going as planned or better than planned then we’ll lean on that throughout the course of a game.”

To Best’s point, the EWU offense was much more balanced in 2017 compared to the prior year in terms handing the ball off. In 2016, only five non-Gubrud Eagles rushed for over 50 yards in a single game.

Last season, it happened 13 times.

“We have such a dynamic running back group,” said Reed. “There’s never a wrong time to really give that ball to one of those backs and the ball doesn’t have to be forced down the field.”

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Even with Nic Sblendorio graduated, the Eagles have a strong core of receivers.

Senior wide receiver Nsimba

May 9, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 26

Sports Webster (59 receptions, 693 yards, five touchdowns in 2017) is expected to be Gubrud’s top target, while fellow senior Zach Eagle (24 receptions, 286 yards) should play a major role as well.

Other returners include junior Jayson Williams and senior Terence Grady, who is returning from an injury.

“It’s such a different flavor than what it was in 2016,” said Reeder. “We’re a different offense, we’re a different group of personnel. We’re going to have the ability to be extremely multiple and Gage needs to be a point guard and just distribute the ball to the correct place at the right time.”

As for tight ends, junior Jayce Gilder is slated to be the starter, with sophomore Talolo Limu-Jones backing him up.

“We’re ahead of where we were 12 months ago,” said Reeder. “We’re not

Sports

where we need to be yet. There’s still some growing to do and that’s what the summer’s for.”

Reeder said that “a lot of the guys” will be on campus working out and throwing together until practice starts up again in August, and that the next couple months is the time when chemistry is built.

“I’m happy to see their willingness to learn and their willingness to work especially with such an older group of guys,” said Reeder. “They’re eager and they’re hungry to really see what they can do this year.” •

Counseling & Psychological Services

How Do I Feel?

Get mobile friendly help!

You can learn stress management, mindfulness skills, problem-solving, relationship skills and strategies to avoid dwelling on your concerns and to develop more helpful thinking patterns.

How to sign up

1. Visit selfhelp.taoconnect.org 2. Sign up using your EWU email 3. Follow directions & begin using TAO self-help

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner Senior quarterback Gage Gubrud throws a pass during EWU’s Red-White game on April 28.

Gubrud is entering his third season under center for the Eagles.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) 225 Martin Hall | 509.359.2366

16 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 26 | May 9, 2018

No Payne, no gain

Sports

Alumna Ashli Payne continues hoops career overseas Taylor Newquist Reporter Former EWU basketball player Ashli Payne is headed back to Australia to play out her third professional contract, this time with the Willetton Tigers in the Australia-State Basketball League.

Payne graduated in 2017 after two seasons with the Eagles before signing her first contract with the Gold Coast Rollers in the Queensland Basketball League, a semiprofessional league in Australia.

She played nine games for the Rollers, averaging 16.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Payne then signed with GDESSA in Portugal for a full 24-game season where she averaged 15.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. GDESSA finished third in the Liga Feminina with a 17-5 record, and Payne made the all-star team.

“I liked Portugal a lot,” Payne told The Easterner in an email interview. “The people were very friendly and the country is beautiful. It’s simple living at its finest and I’m grateful that I got to experience their culture first hand.”

Shortly after GDESSA was eliminated from the playoff quarterfinals on March 31, Payne joined the Willetton Tigers.

“Playing in the Gold Coast last summer is probably how Willetton knew about me,” said Payne. “I was able to just come in and continue playing right away.

It all kind of worked out smoothly and I’m really grateful that I have the opportunity to play this much basketball so early in my career.”

Payne’s season with the Tigers started on April 25. She has played three games for a record of 2-1, is the team’s starting small-forward and is averaging 11.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. On the season, the Tigers are currently No. 5 out of 12 teams with a record of 5-2.

“Playing SBL in Australia is really just the most laid-back thing ever,” said Payne. “I have all the time in the world to work on my game, or go to the gym and lift considering we only train twice a week and play games on the weekends. I’m also going to start training some of the junior girls individually on top of that so it’s awesome, being able to develop my game in different ways while making money doing it.”

Payne said that after experiencing the high demand of a college athlete, having days where her only obligation is practice has been a breath of fresh air.

“Sometimes it feels like I don’t deserve this lifestyle,” said Payne. “But then I remind myself how hard I’ve worked my whole life to get here.”

Payne played two seasons with EWU, scoring 742 points and grabbing 489 rebounds.

Prior to EWU, she graduated from Olympic High School in Bremerton and played two years at Umpqua Community College.

“It’s very awesome to see her continue her career,” EWU women’s head basketball coach Wendy Schuller told The Easterner. “You don’t have players who you see who really,

Photo courtesy of Ashli Payne Alumna Ashli Payne prepares for the layup. Payne is currently in her second professional basketball stint in Australia, after spending the winter playing in Portugal. really love the game all the time, and Ashli is one of those few kids who we could not keep out of the gym. It’s deserved, and it’s exciting to see her get the chance to keep playing. And I know she’ll keep playing for a long time, no matter how her body feels.”

Payne hopes to continue her professional career as long as she can. She wants to continue building her knowledge of the game to be able to coach or train in her hometown of Bremerton. Ideally, Payne would like to help people from her hometown use basketball to obtain a college education.

“I’m playing basketball until the wheels fall off,” said Payne. “I feel like I’ve gotten so much wiser in just the past year and I just want to spread my knowledge to those that will listen. Even though I can’t really imagine my life without basketball, I do know for sure that it’s bigger than basketball. I want to inspire people to follow their dreams.” • Photo courtesy of The Easterner Archives