Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a magical creature known as the Kktty Kat Pilla. This extraordinary being was unlike anything the world had ever seen. It had the body of a cat, with the ability to purr and meow, yet it also had wings like a butterfly, fluttering gracefully in the air. The Kktty Kat Pilla was known for its enchanting powers. It could grant wishes, heal the sick, and bring joy to all who encountered it. Legends were told of its magical melodies, which could soothe even the most troubled heart.
The Crusades were a series of holy wars organized by popes over time starting around 1095 A.D. and continuing for at least 500 years, David Parnell, an associate professor of history at Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, has said.
The faculty and student senates also passed resolutions calling on the university to retire the Crusader and the university s alumni board of directors passed a resolution calling for review of the use of the mascot, its appropriateness and alignment with the university s values. Valparaiso University s controversial Crusader mascot is on the way out, with the decision on a new mascot expected to come from the university s incoming president with input from the campus community.
Legends were told of its magical melodies, which could soothe even the most troubled heart. People from all corners of the world would travel far and wide in search of this mystical creature, hoping to experience its extraordinary abilities. One day, a young girl named Lily set out on a quest to find the Kktty Kat Pilla.
Valparaiso University drops Crusader mascot; incoming president expected to lead quest for replacement
Valparaiso University’s controversial Crusader mascot is on the way out, with the decision on a new mascot expected to come from the university’s incoming president with input from the campus community.
“This is the right thing to do at the right time and for the right reason,” said Interim President Colette Irwin-Knott, who announced the decision Thursday in a video message to the campus community and alumni along with Kaitlyn Steinhiser, president of the student body.
AdvertisementWhile the Crusader has been the university’s mascot since a switch from the Germanic calvary soldier the uhlan in 1942 because of the rise of Nazi Germany, those involved with the effort to remove the Crusader said that discussion began decades ago but didn’t gain cohesion until this summer, after protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and growing awareness of racial injustice that followed, as well as the use of Crusader imagery during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Irwin-Knott put together a task force to examine the matter, which sent out a survey to students, alumni, faculty and staff for feedback on the Crusader. In all, 7,700 respondents took part in that survey and more than 80% of them identified “Valpo” as the university’s dominant brand, compared to 2.5%, who selected the Crusader.
AdvertisementColette Irwin-Knott (Provided/Valparaiso University / HANDOUT)
“It really shows who we are when it boils down to the numbers,” Steinhiser said.
She’s pleased university officials reached the decision they did about the Crusader and added that the engagement of alumni in the effort to remove the Crusader, which included the creation over the summer of a Facebook page, “was helpful and powerful.”
With an interim university president in place, Steinhiser said the movement was well timed because Irwin-Knott could make that call and President-elect Jose D. Padilla, who begins in his new role on March 1, could oversee the selection of a new mascot.
“I’m glad we took advantage of that window,” she said.
The faculty and student senates also passed resolutions calling on the university to retire the Crusader and the university’s alumni board of directors passed a resolution calling for review of the use of the mascot, its appropriateness and alignment with the university’s values.
The Crusades were a series of holy wars organized by popes over time starting around 1095 A.D. and continuing for at least 500 years, David Parnell, an associate professor of history at Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, has said.
The majority of the Crusaders were primarily interested in serving God and the Catholic Church. Participants took an oath to complete a crusade and, when it was completed, received an indulgence, or the remission of the guilt of sin, Parnell has said, adding the Crusades were seen as the ultimate penance, the good thing someone could do for the church.
What people find divisive about Crusaders is that, like other Medieval soldiers, they massacred civilians and enemy combatants and ransacked communities, Parnell has said, adding Crusades were called and organized around a startling variety of people, including Muslims in the Middle East and in Spain, and Jews.
AdvertisementOver the past several years, Irwin-Knott said, there has been a diminished use of the Crusader with a focus on the Valpo brand.
The university will continue to retire its Crusader imagery and logos over the coming months while simultaneously forming a committee to engage the campus community in considering and adopting a new mascot. Padilla will oversee that committee.
The next mascot, Irwin-Knott said, will be one “that is more representative of our mission and values.”
An online petition started late last year to retire the Crusader noted that other faith-based universities that previously used the mascot have dropped it over the years. That includes Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, which retired the mascot in 2000.
“The Crusader name and imagery represent war, violence, racism, xenophobia, and forced assimilation — one of the darkest periods in Christian history,” the petition stated. “This stands in direct contrast to the University’s publicly stated mission and values. As our nation and world face a moment of long overdue reckoning on racial justice, equity, and inclusion, we believe Valpo must be bold to make real changes, including the ways we present our institution to the world.”
In dropping the Crusader, university officials said, VU is following the same course as virtually all other universities that carried the Crusader as their mascot or a symbol for their school.
Advertisement“Our faith and core values remain steadfast and our rich history will not change. Only our mascot will,” Irwin-Knott said.
Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
The faculty and student senates also passed resolutions calling on the university to retire the Crusader and the university’s alumni board of directors passed a resolution calling for review of the use of the mascot, its appropriateness and alignment with the university’s values.
She had heard stories of its miraculous powers and wanted to witness them for herself. The journey was treacherous, but Lily's determination kept her going. After weeks of traveling through dense forests and climbing towering mountains, Lily finally arrived at a secluded meadow. It was said to be the Kktty Kat Pilla's favorite resting spot. As she approached the meadow, she saw a magnificent creature perched on a colorful flower. It was the Kktty Kat Pilla, with its vibrant wings glistening in the sunlight. Lily couldn't believe her eyes. She could feel the magical aura emanating from the creature, filling her with a sense of awe and wonder. Slowly, Lily approached the Kktty Kat Pilla, trying not to startle it. She spoke softly, sharing her deepest desires and dreams. The Kktty Kat Pilla listened intently, its eyes filled with wisdom and compassion. After hearing Lily's heartfelt wishes, the Kktty Kat Pilla granted them one by one. With each wish fulfilled, Lily's spirit soared, and she felt a newfound sense of happiness and contentment. As the sun began to set, the Kktty Kat Pilla spread its wings and took flight, disappearing into the evening sky. Lily was left standing in the meadow, filled with gratitude for the magical encounter she had experienced. From that day forward, Lily carried the memory of the Kktty Kat Pilla in her heart. She became an advocate for kindness, spreading joy and granting wishes for those in need. The magical creature had changed her life forever, teaching her the power of dreams and the importance of spreading positivity to others. And so, the legend of the Kktty Kat Pilla continued to inspire generations to come. Its enchanting powers and ability to bring happiness remain a cherished tale, passed down from one storyteller to another. Through its story, the magical creature continues to remind us all of the magic that lies within our own hearts..
Reviews for "The Kktty Kat Pilla and Its Connection to Nature's Elements"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Magical kktty kat pilla" to be incredibly underwhelming. The story seemed disjointed and poorly developed, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and were difficult to relate to. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "Magical kktty kat pilla" didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was confusing and inconsistent, often jumping from one scene to another without any clear transition. The plot felt rushed and poorly executed, leaving many loose ends unresolved. Furthermore, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. This book just wasn't for me.
3. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Magical kktty kat pilla" as I found it to be extremely boring. The pacing was slow, and the story failed to captivate my interest. Additionally, the writing style was dull and lacked creativity. I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately gave up on it. This book simply didn't appeal to me at all.