Chaise's Blog

“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.