Chaise's Blog

Nowadays, college students seem to have AirPods practically glued to their ears, and it’s not just about listening to music anymore. It’s about tuning out the world. Whether students are rushing between classes, tuning out the noise in crowded study halls, or even attending virtual lectures, these tiny wireless earbuds have become the ultimate symbol of multitasking. With their sleek design and seamless connection to everything from Zoom calls to podcasts to white noise, AirPods offer a mix of convenience, personal space, and a little touch of tech-savvy luxury. It’s almost like a modern-day accessory that says, “I’m focused, I’m busy, and I’m too plugged in to be bothered.”

“Sometimes I sit in class with my AirPods in and leave my hair down over top of them and the professor never knows,” junior Emme Dietrich said. “I did it in high school and feel like I have carried over the habit because sometimes I don’t even have anything on but still feel the need to wear them.”

AirPods have become the unofficial uniform across college campuses. These discrete white little fixtures aren’t just for listening to your favorite songs or podcasts but are there to shield you from the world around you. A way to block out distractions or tune into what you believe fuels the day. In the world today we have never ending screen time and notifications. AirPods have become the modern symbol of both connectivity and escape.

“I notice students will wear their headphones, but still be engaged and fully into the class discussion… so then I ponder why they even have them in if they aren’t listening to anything,” Professor Taylor Clemens shared. “Sometimes I think it is more of a defense mechanism than anything. A way for the student to tell others around them not to speak with them.”

Relating to the outside world while staying connected with yourself can be difficult to navigate. AirPods are great for the multitasking, which most people tend to try and do throughout their days. You can listen to lectures, audiobooks, or music while doing other tasks like driving, exercising, or walking back and forth to classes. The ease of connection to personal devices helps make multitasking possible. AirPods can be controlled through your phone, or through tapping the sides to pause/play or skip to the next song. They also allow you the chance to reply to text messages by speaking back after Siri reads your message through the AirPods. This gives you the opportunity to continue what you were doing, hands free, and still stay connected to your world.

“My favorite feature of AirPods is when they are connected and they read my new notifications out loud to me,” junior Megan Callahan said. “I always have my hands full and not enough time to whip out my phone, but I am still able to have a timely reply to my friends and family. All I have to say is reply, tell my pods the message I want them to send, and boom. Done.”

AirPods have cemented themselves into students’ everyday life. Small enough to fit in your pocket, but big enough to make you feel invincible. They’re trendy and tech savvy, making you one of the cool kids by having them. Whether you’re pretending to study or scrolling through TikTok, AirPods are the silent partner in college student’s academic hustle. The multitaskers magic wand, the “I am too busy for talking right now” signal, and it’s an instant upgrade to any outfit.

“I put my AirPods in when I wear a hat because I think it makes my ears look smaller, and my outfit more on point. I go casual cute when I wear them and they accessorize my whole fit,” Callahan said.

In a world where every moment counts, AirPods have become more than just a gadget- they’re a lifestyle. From the library to the dorms, and everywhere in between, these little earbuds have found their place as the ultimate symbol of efficiency, style, and a touch of social status. So, next time you spot a pair casually hanging from someone’s ears, know that it’s not just about listening to music—it’s about making sure they look like they’ve got it all together, even when they’re running on three hours of sleep and a double shot of espresso. AirPods are the unofficial MVPs of college life, proving that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest impact.

“I had no idea who ‘Monte’ was for the first three years I attended this school, but I knew exactly who Bette was, three days into my freshman year,” Morningside student Jordyn Carr said.

Monte is the mustang mascot at Morningside, who supposedly represents the university. The mascot in everyone’s heart, and who represents the Morningside culture is Bette, the golden retriever. Bette spends her days in the Krone Center at the university, but you might also see her bounding joyfully through campus with the wind in her fur and the sun gleaming from her dark coat. You might see her dressed up in her basketball jersey at the games supporting the athletes. If you know Morningside, you know Bette.

“I stop in the Krone Center everyday just to see Bette. There is a sign on the main door that says, ‘Bette in!’ or ‘Bette out!’, and every time I see she is out, a little spear goes through my heart.”  senior Alexis Spier said.

Bette loves to kick her paws up and lounge on the couch in the Krone center. This is her time to get plenty of snuggles. Any student that walks into her building is her new best friend, and she makes you feel it! Miss Bette loves her attention. Loves it so much that if you stop, she will slide her head or body under your arm to make you keep giving her rubs. Bette plays no favorites. If you give her a scratch, she will love you. She can be a little troublemaker as she always is searching for gold in the trash can. She will steal your heart before you even realize she is eating the tissue you just threw away.

Bette is four years old with lots of life under her tail with unrestrained excitement. She has a beautiful golden coat on her that tends to shed off her after only a few belly scratches, but it’s worth it. She comes up to about the average knee level but loves to jump up and give you a hug if you let her. Bette can be off leash around campus and only wears a beeper collar to get her attention if yelling her name isn’t working.  She loves bounding through the campus trees, trotting past the academic buildings, and even a jump in the campus pond every once in a while. With the constant hustle and bustle of students trying to get to class, Bette brings an infectious energy spread. Alex Waters, faculty at the university is her owner who brings her to share with students every day.

“I originally got Bette as a new friend and potential service dog for myself. Just a perfect companion for me to keep me in line and happier. Her parents were both service dogs and so I knew her temperament would be good for kids and people with disabilities,” Waters said. “She gets me out of the house, and ensures I stay healthy and active.” Bette is not technically a service dog for Waters but has the qualifications to do so if needed.

If you see a tail high in the air, wagging back and forth, and a little speedster one day on campus, that’s Bette. Waters loves to take her for long walks around Morningside, letting her make students days, and letting students come make her day. Professors and students also love to stop into the Krone center on campus, grab Bette, and go take her for her sniff fix.  Morningside has a spacious campus that makes the perfect doggie playground for Bette.

Watching Waters and Bette interact is like watching a loving parent with their new baby.  He treats her like the queen she is, giving her lots of love and treats to show his affection. Loving a dog is like having a little piece of home with you wherever you go- always there to offer comfort, warmth, and a sense of belonging. Waters loves having the opportunity to be with Bette every day. Knowing her past and her parents, Waters always knew he would want Bette to be around as much as possible and knew it she was the perfect dog for it.  

“I feel like a part of me is missing when Bette is unable to come to campus with me,” Waters said. “I find myself calling her name and longing for her when she isn’t around.”

The companionship this Morningside University campus has gotten from Bette is unmatched. The unconditional love she is always radiating is felt through the students and staff on a daily basis. Bette is one of a kind. Sweet, loving, funny, and so very quirky. 

This photo is America to me. The world around us is constantly changing. It looks a lot different than 100 years ago I can say that. Back when our parents were children, people were physically fit for many reasons. Working out and being health conscious at the forefront, but not having the means to get a bunch of extra food. There weren’t as many options for fast food restaurants and that just isn’t how people ate. The value of working out and staying fit varies from person to person, but I think about half our world is determined to stay fit, and the other half have fallen down the hill. The Americn Dream, the notion that anyone can succeed with hard work and determination, and that is exactly what going to the gym and pushing yourself is.

Food oh food wonderful food! Food is now a motivator for some. The core of our survival is food, water, shelter, our basic needs as humans. Food has changed the world around us in many ways. Long ago, people had to scrounge for their food, hunt it down to be able to have a meal that night. That turned into farming and growing crops for eating and trading. From there, food has only grown. There is 207,827 fast food restaurants in the US. These companies continue to want to market their food to you and promote their business. Food is about health and culture and is something that we will always need. What you decide to eat and how much you decide to eat is now up to you.

I think that books represent America because books give you knowledge, and knowledge is power.

They help us learn, grow, and understand the world around us. They teach us new things, introduce us to different cultures, and show us different ways of thinking. Books also let us escape into exciting stories, helping us relax and forget about everyday problems. They improve our language and reading skills and can even make us better at solving problems. Simply put, books make life richer, more interesting, and help us become better people. We wouldn’t have the history and the knowledge about our past to learn from if it wasn’t for books.

Nothing says America more than our flag. The American flag is important because it stands for the freedom, unity, and history of the United States. The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars represent the 50 states. The flag reminds people of the country’s fight for independence and the rights everyone has in America. It’s a symbol of pride and respect, showing what the country believes in and bringing people together as one nation.

The cross and church represent America because of the country’s history with religious freedom. Early settlers came to America to practice their faith without fear, and Christianity has played a big role in shaping American values, like kindness and justice. Even though people in America follow many different religions, the cross is often seen as a symbol of the country’s Christian roots. Churches have also been important places for people to gather and connect. So, the cross and church represent America’s belief in freedom to worship and the Christian values that have influenced the country.

Tall skyscrapers represent America because they show the country’s growth, ambition, and innovation. America is known for its big ideas and striving to reach new heights, both literally and figuratively. Skyscrapers symbolize the country’s ability to build something big and impressive. Maybe in Sioux City there aren’t the tallest buildings, but there are buildings everywhere. America has grown from basic land and farms around to something we could have never predicted.

Movie Review: “Platform” (2019)- 4/5 Stars

The Netflix movie “Platform” (original title: “El Hoyo”) is a Spanish sci-fi thriller directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia that presents a chilling and thought-provoking narrative set in a terrifying dehumanizing prison. The film’s premise revolves around a vertical structure where inmates are placed on different levels, and a platform covered with food descends from the top. Those at the top eat lavishly while those below receive the scraps, leading to a harrowing commentary on class disparity and human nature. You change floors every month, and don’t know what floor you may end up on next. 

The film creates a tight and heavy atmosphere, making you feel the harsh reality of the prison. The way it’s filmed highlights the cold, industrial look of the place, adding to the characters’ sense of desperation. The actors do a great job showing a wide range of feelings, from hope to deep sadness. You feel for the characters and want to find out what they will do next, or if they’ll break.

What makes “Platform” stand out is its deeper meaning. It encourages viewers to think about important issues like greed, helping others, and survival, pushing both characters and the audience to face tough moral questions. Although the pacing can be slow at times, it builds tension well, leading to an ending that leaves you thinking long after the film is over. However, some viewers might find the graphic violence and bleakness overwhelming. The film doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of human nature, which can be unsettling. Yet, it’s this raw portrayal that makes “Platform” a stark mirror reflecting our world.

In summary, “Platform” is a gripping and unsettling exploration of humanity’s extremes, wrapped in a unique narrative structure. It’s a film that challenges viewers to think about their own ethical boundaries and the societal systems in which we live. This movie gets four out of five stars.

Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to play a collegiate sport. I used to tell people I would be the next best Division one player they knew. I can remember all those long days of practices, going from one sport to the next, but loving every second of it. Growing up playing sports gave me a foundation of trust and confidence. I began to grow my abilities on the basketball court but also in my relationships with those around me. I learned how to work in groups and as a team for a bigger purpose than myself. From the thrill of competing in YMCA games, to middle school A/B team basketball, to varsity basketball in high school, my mind never changed. I was going to become a college basketball player.

Looking back on the recruitment process, things were hard. It was difficult promoting myself. I believed I was the best basketball player ever, but coaches at the big schools didn’t see me that way. It took a lot of confidence and resilience to continue to push myself to get recruited and to be seen. I knew that I would not be happy if I didn’t give it everything I had. Many late-night film sessions, meetings, and phone calls. In the end, it paid off when Northwest Missouri State, a Division II in Maryville MO, gave me a shot.

College is the best and worst time of your life. It is your first breath of freedom from your parents, and setting your own rules. Transitioning from being the top dog in high school getting all the attention and accolades to being a nobody trying to find their place in a whole new world was difficult. I made it to my goal of being a college athlete but I didn’t know what was next for me. Things went full swing right away and the feelings of being an imposter kept creeping up on me. I can remember my first week of class and practice and feeling such a sense of dread and fear. I wanted to run home to my mom and never leave the house again. I was struggling to fit in and be myself with my team. It is always a challenge to be liked by everyone, but I was so worried about that, it made me not act true to myself and I found myself lonely at the end of the day.

“College has been a total roller-coaster. My freshman year was hard. I felt a longing for home, and I was only thirty minutes away,” Sam Ehlers said. “It took about six months for me to feel adjusted, and basketball season and the team really helped me with feeling that.”

I thought I could not handle the pressure of being a college athlete anymore, and so I quit. I gave up the one thing that was true in my heart since I was five years old. My mind stood in my way. I was able to keep up at basketball and on the court with the other players, but mentally I was done. The feelings of disappointment took over my whole body. I had failed. I was nothing, and nobody.

“I remember wanting to quit my freshman year of college,” fifth year senior Alexis Spier said. “Everything was new, and it just felt like a lot. I wanted to be able to go out and fit into the college life that way a little too much, so I never truly brought into the team my first year.”

It is hard to feel a part of a group or community when everything in your body is telling you that you don’t belong. Those feelings happen to everyone. After giving up at Northwest Missouri State, I transferred to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. It was finally time to be a normal college student, work, and have the freedom to go out and do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

UNL was a very different experience than before. I had no team to run to when I was lonely. I would wake up, go to one or two classes, then head back to my apartment, where yes, I lived alone. It was tough. I felt like I was wasting my time and talent. I can remember sitting alone and watching the Husker women’s basketball team, and thinking to myself how much I missed the sport. I had never been anything else besides a basketball player, so I lost myself and didn’t know what to do.

It was time for a change. It was time to pull myself out of the funk I had been in for months. Thankfully, I had past connections with coaches who had recruited me throughout high school. I had to shoot my shot. I emailed Jamie Sale, the head coach of the Morningside Women’s basketball team and asked him if he had any room for a transfer. He knew I hadn’t played the game in a few years, but still decided to take a shot on me.

“If we have space on our team for transfers, I always try to give them a chance. Typically, they have experience under their belt or are coming from a JUCO and will be able to hop in maybe even a little better than a freshman,” Head Coach Jamie Sale said.

Finding yourself is challenging as it is but finding yourself while losing who you are at your core makes it that much harder. You must persevere through those times. You have to find that little voice in your head that is telling you to keep going and listen to it. If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect others to. It is okay to feel upset, to feel dread, or to feel like you don’t belong. You just have to keep looking. I am not onto my last year of college at Morningside University, and I couldn’t be happier, and feel more at home.

“I had a great time, and the band said the vibes were different and I felt it,” Maren said.

The weekend was off to a fun start as Maren, her roommate and her boyfriend, and the roommates little sister piled into the parents car and drove from Papillion, NE to downtown Omaha. They ventured out for ‘Mother Mother’, a punk rock band.

The openers Winnetka bowling league started the night off. Packed into the Steelhouse, hundreds sweaty people jammed along awaiting for the main event.

“During the opener, a few rows back a random dude fainted… We heard loud chattering and then security run over but I was too far away to do anything, so I went on with my night,” Maren said.

Mother Mother shoot the house with their punk rock style and up beat vibes. Maren could feel the energy vibrating throughout the building, and the heat rising. Songs not even on the set list were being played and people were going crazy singing along with every word.

Coming to a close, the night settled down when Maren and her friends hopped back into the parents car and headed for the house in Papillion. As soon as they touched down in the driveway Maren grabbed her keys and started the treck back to Sioux City Iowa. The night had to come to an end when Maren had to refocus herself to drive and think about practice upcoming at 6:00 a.m.

“Yeah, practice that early, it was trash,” Maren said.

1. I am sociable- I make people feel happy to talk to me and open to have a conversation
2. I am skinny, and beautiful
3. I have a warm heart for animals and others
4. I am athletic in everything I do
5. I am funny- i enjoy being the funny one in the room

BAD

1. I don’t like my brain when it comes to school
2. I don’t like my budgeting skills

Morningside students know what college life is like right now. Wake up, go to class, eat lunch in the cafeteria, possibly attend a sporting event or practice, go back home, do homework, then repeat. The weekend comes around, people party, then comes Monday to repeat what you just did. 

Everyone knows the college flow right now, but what about in 20 years. Morningside University president Dr. Albert Mosley stated “———–.” 

Think back to colleges and the curriculum 20 years ago, and the changes that have happened from there. Our world is constantly changing, which includes Universities adapting to societal needs, new technologies, and an evolving job market. This evolution continues to bring new opportunities and challenges shaping how education is delivered. 

The rapid growth of technology will continue to transform the future. Something that is already changing our curriculum today is ChatGBT/ Ai. 

*****“Quote from someone about AI”*****

Scooby- Doo fruit snacks. Who knew they were so popular. I received these fruit snacks at 9:30 a.m., and they were gone by 9:50 a.m. I have never had them myself, but they must be delicious.

After receiving the box, I scurried off to my next class. As students came in the door I would ask them, “hey want a Scooby-Doo fruit snack?”, and every single student I asked, glowed with excitement, then said yes. It was like they were getting money with how happy everyone was. People were looking at me a little weird at first, but then after getting their treat, they didn’t seem to be bothered by my question.

Every single person who I gave a fruit snack to said thank you. That did surprise me. I was thinking they would grab it and walk away. They would stop to look me in the eyes and thank me, which resulted in me feeling good. There were a few people who told men that it was their first piece of food all day. So, no wonder they loved it so much. Excitement and gratitude were the highest emotions that were being expressed to me. The second biggest emotion that was being expressed was curiosity. People wondered why I had these fruit snacks and why I wanted to give it to them even though I didn’t know their names or had never spoken with them before.

I left that class feeling happy that I just made some people’s day. Hungry because I gave all the snacks away before taking one myself. In general, everyone was satisfied.

I think stories are important in our lives because it brings a different aspect/ perspective to our everyday chaos. It connects us with others and helps us relate to their story, understanding them more.

A story is a fictional or non-fictional that is told for people’s knowledge or entertainment.

A story can inform us of history and mistakes we may have made in the past. They are engaging and different than our day to day lives. There can be different kinds of stories, informational, entertaining, a feature, an interview, it can be lots of different things. It just depends on the person and how they want to tell it.