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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Jacqueline Hixssen

Jacqueline Hixssen, Copy Desk Lead, Opinion Editor

The Anchorage, Alaska local, Jacqueline Hixssen is in her last year at CWU, she will obtain a BA in Public Relations and minors in Journalism and Sports Business. This is her third quarter on staff at The Observer, spending the majority of her time within the sports section. Jacqueline strives to provide newsworthy, truthful and intriguing content to the readers of The Observer.

Copy Desk Lead, Opinion Editor – Winter 2023

Sports Editor – Fall 2022

Staff Reporter – Spring 2022

All content by Jacqueline Hixssen
Jacqueline's cat, Rooster (left), Madison's cat, Cow (right). Photos courtesy of Jacqueline Hixssen and Madison VanRavenhorst

National ‘answer your cat’s question’ day

To honor national ‘answer your cat’s questions’ day, we took it upon ourselves to answer, in our opinion, cat’s most common questions. Our cats, Rooster and Cow, are very vocal felines. Both of...

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Photo courtesy of Pixels.com

The Dolphins killed Tua Tagovailoa’s career

Jacqueline Hixssen, Columnist
January 11, 2023

Anyone watching America’s sport this season can admit the abnormal amount of serious injuries.   The Miami Dolphins put Tua Tagovailoa’s life and career on the line after clearing him to return...

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Josh Boast gliding over the hurdle for Ellensburg during 110m high hurdles. Photo courtesy of Josh Boast

Ellensburg High School students sign to continue athletic career at CWU

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
November 22, 2022

Two Ellensburg High School (EHS) students signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI) on Nov. 10 to continue their education and athletic careers in Ellensburg at CWU: Rylee Leishman and Joshua Boast Leishman,...

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Daeon Hudson going in for the tackle. Photo by Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Photos

Daeon Hudson reflects on football career at CWU

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
November 16, 2022

Redshirt senior Daeon Hudson, along with the 11 other redshirt seniors and two true seniors, embarked on their last football game as Wildcats on Nov. 12 at the annual senior day game.  “It's going...

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Ellie Frost breaking through two Boise players. Photo by Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Photos

Women’s Rugby shutout Boise State at home

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
November 10, 2022

Malia Ili, Lilly Thomas, Kerena Tinoisamoa and Jessica Postle led CWU to a 107-0 shutout against Boise State University on Oct. 29 on home turf. Ili put up four tries, Thomas followed with three and...

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Kuzma finishes through the contact. Photo by: Jacqueline Hixssen

Wizards fall to Pacers at home

Isaac Hinson and Jacqueline Hixssen
November 2, 2022

The Washington Wizards (sixth in the Eastern Conference) of the NBA lost at home 127-117 to the Indianapolis Pacers (12th in the Eastern Conference) Friday, Oct. 28. The Pacers took control over the...

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Sports Scores

Sports Scores

Jacqueline Hixssen and Isaac Hinson
October 26, 2022

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Cheer team leading to football team onto the field Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Photos

Cheer team looking to expand

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
October 26, 2022

The cheer team secured new members last May, while still utilizing their returning squad members, according to junior cheer captain, Asael Aburto.  The cheer team was previously covered by The Observer,...

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Sports Scores

Sports Scores

Jacqueline Hixssen and Isaac Hinson
October 19, 2022

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Fans in Tomlinson Stadium Photo by Jacob Thompson  Thompson Sports Photos

CWU brings home the victory at Homecoming

Jacqueline Hixssen and Isaac Hinson
October 19, 2022

As the sun set and the stadium lights burned, the CWU football team rushed onto Tomlinson Stadium to play Midwestern State University (MSU) in their annual Homecoming game last Saturday, Oct. 15.  CWU...

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Sports Scores Courtesy of Jacqueline Hixssen

Sports Scored

Jacqueline Hixssen and Isaac Hinson
October 12, 2022

Oct. 6 Women’s Rugby @ Penn State Win 63-12   Oct. 6 Volleyball vs. University of Alaska Anchorage Loss 0-3   Oct. 6 Soccer @ Seattle Pacific Loss 1-3   Oct....

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Tia (left) and Mario (right) Andaya during their club volleyball days. Photo courtesy of the Andaya Family

The Andayas dominate CWU volleyball for nearly three decades

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
October 12, 2022

Mario Andaya has embarked on his 27th season coaching volleyball here at CWU.  For the last season and a half, he has been accompanied by a new CWU player, one that calls him dad.  Tia Andaya,...

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CWU football player running. Photo courtesy of CWU Flickr

Sports Shorts

Isaac Hinson and Jacqueline Hixssen
October 5, 2022

XC at Whitman College Invitational  Oct. 1 Men’s team: 4th  Women’s team: 5th    Women’s Rugby at Victoria  Oct. 1 Loss 12 - 27    Women’s Soccer at Saint...

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Jaxyn Farmen (right) fights opponent to the ball. Photo by Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Photos

Soccer leaves for string of away games

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
October 5, 2022

The women’s soccer team hit the road Thursday, Sep. 29, for four straight away games.  Opponents and dates include: Western Oregon University (WOU) on Sept. 29, Saint Martin’s University (SMU)...

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Tre’Jon Henderson (middle) looking for a hole to drive for a touchdown. Picture By Jacob Thompson _ Thompson Sports Photos

Transfer running back helps secure win in home opener

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
September 28, 2022

Tre’Jon Henderson, a redshirt sophomore, made his mark on Tomlinson Stadium while playing Western New Mexico state during CWU’s home opener.  Henderson said, “I felt loose, I felt confident and...

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A crowd swarms around a local band, filling their box with much deserved cash.

Buskers take on the ‘Burg with colorful shows

Jacqueline Hixssen, Sports Editor
September 28, 2022

Children laughed and ran around the streets, the Saturday farmer’s market in full swing while unique talents filled downtown Ellensburg during the Buskers in the ‘Burg festival on Sept. 24th.  The...

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Courtesy of Laura Dahlby Nicolai

Who is SAAC and what do they do?

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
June 1, 2022

Throughout each division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) are prevalent.  Unlike division one and three schools within the NCAA, division...

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Jacob Thompson clearing the pole that made him GNAC Champion | Courtesy of Caleb Dunlop

Jacob Thompson: CWU’s Pole Vault Champion and athletic photographer

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
May 25, 2022

Jacob Thompson, CWU’s sports information student assistant, told a story of he and his friends having a competition to see who could climb the highest up a gate outside his high school in Oahu, Hawaii...

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Courtesy of Pexels

How Tom Brady became the greatest of all time

Jacqueline Hixssen, Columnist
May 25, 2022

Tom Brady was released from the New England Patriots in March of 2020; Brady had played for the Patriots for 20 seasons. He built himself a legacy that not only Patriots fans knew of. ‘Brady’ became...

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A relay block start by Makenna Hansen.

Los deportistas reflexionan sobre sus experiencias universitarias únicas

Jacqueline Hixssen, Reportero del personal
May 18, 2022

La "experiencia universitaria" parece diferente para todos los estudiantes. Los estudiantes-atletas tienen horarios deportivos y escolares ocupados que hacen que su experiencia universitaria se vea diferente...

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A relay block start by Makenna Hansen.

Athletes reflect on their unique college experiences

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
May 18, 2022

The ‘college experience’ looks different for all students. Student-athletes have busy sport and school schedules that make their college experience look different from non-athletes.  Makenna Hansen,...

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Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
May 18, 2022

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Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
May 11, 2022

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Courtesy of Caleb Dunlop

CWU softball falls short in GNAC tournament

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
May 11, 2022

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) softball tournament started last Thursday, May 5.  After many changes to the schedule due to weather, the tournament officially took place at Gary and...

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Sunset over Point Mackenzie, Alaska from the cockpit of a Piper PA-30

Everyone should learn how to fly a plane

Jacqueline Hixssen, Columnist
May 11, 2022

Everyone should learn how to fly a plane. The outside knowledge it provides will live with you throughout your lifetime. Nothing gives more self-satisfaction than landing a plane by yourself for the...

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CWU Cheer team lined up on the football sidelines.

Cheer team rebrands to become co-ed

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
May 4, 2022

New head coach Brooke Wales rebrands the cheer team to make room for new members.   According to freshman flyer Sabreena Kemp, the team will be co-ed this season.  “People will be surprised...

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Grace Godfrey warming up her throwing arm. Jacob Thompson

The many paths of CWU Recruitment

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
April 27, 2022

Whether it be the academics, the sports program or the quaint college town, CWU provides a commodity that is the selling point for student-athletes, many from all over the world. Over 500 student-athletes...

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Marijuana in CWU athletics

Marijuana in CWU athletics

Isaac Hinson and Jacqueline Hixssen
April 20, 2022

Marijuana has long been banned for collegiate athletes. Marijuana is a legal drug in Washington, but the punishments a student-athlete would face makes the drug virtually untouchable for athletes.  Logistics...

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Senior left-handed pitcher Brayde Harai sending a ball to the strike zone.

CWU baseball plans for second half success

Jacqueline Hixssen, Staff Reporter
April 13, 2022

The CWU baseball team has had a slow start to the season, with a current record of 5-11 in conference play and an 11-22 record overall placing them third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). After...

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