The Bison – February 11, 1994

Most students are involved in schoolwork. Many students take time out of their activities.

Some students have different approaches to schoolwork. Some students choose to cut back on activities so they can have more time to work. Others choose not to participate in school activities at all.

Some students are capable and industrious, and the type work does. Most students feel they are doing the best they can.

Many students find that they have a lot of work to do. They spend many hours on schoolwork. Some students find that they have to work hard to get good grades. Others find that they can get by with less work.

Some students find that they have a lot of work to do, and they feel overwhelmed. They may feel like they can't keep up with the work. This can lead to stress and anxiety.

Some students find that they have a lot of work to do, and they feel motivated. They enjoy the challenge of schoolwork. This can lead to success and achievement.

Regardless of how students approach schoolwork, it is important that they find ways to manage their time and avoid becoming overwhelmed. Taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and asking for help when needed can all help students succeed in school.

Everyday the Buffalo High School students are working hard. They are working on their studies, their extracurricular activities, and their social lives. This can be a lot to handle, and it can lead to stress and anxiety. Some students may even experience what is known as the "winter blues," a feeling of sadness or lack of motivation that can occur during the winter months.

"The message of the play is that people have things like clothes and shelter, but sometimes can forget about the importance of mental health," said [unclear].

Each year the one act play is performed on campus. This year, the play is about the importance of mental health. The play features a cast of students who are performing in the play. The play is a way for students to raise awareness about mental health and to show their support for those who are struggling.

"Blues" was written by [unclear].

"Blues was written to help people understand that mental health is important," said [unclear].

"I hope to get access to more resources that are important to my work," said [unclear].

"The play is a way for us to show that we care about mental health," said [unclear].

"We are proud of the work we have done on this play," said [unclear].

"It has been a great experience," said [unclear].

"The play is a way for us to show our support for those who are struggling with mental health," said [unclear].

"We hope that this play will help to raise awareness about mental health and to encourage people to seek help if they need it," said [unclear].

As students register for classes for the next year, many have looked at options that go "beyond the Blackboard." Such alternatives are independent studies, mentorships, On-the-Job, and post secondary options.

Independent studies are studies studied outside of the classroom environment.

"In an independent study, a student can learn about a subject that may be more suitable to their interests and abilities than those offered by the regular curriculum," said gifted education adviser, Gayle Zimmerman.

Most students take independent studies because the subject they want to study is not offered, or is only offered an hour that they cannot take it in.

"I like independent studies because you have total control over your own education and a freedom to cover what you want," said sophomore Henry Adams.

Since students are responsible for their own education, many have expressed what makes the independent study work, and what makes it fail.

"Independent studies are good if they're well structured and the student is interested in learning about the topic. If not, it's a waste of time. It's time better spent in a class," said senior Lea Ramthun.

Many feel that the experience of an independent study not only benefits them in the information they learn, but in the skills and experience they gain.

"I'm going to be doing something more like college, not having a class every day -- a lot of it's individual work," said Ramthun, who will be alternating every day fourth hour between Calculus and Ceramics. She then has fifth hour free to work on the assignments she missed in the other class.

Students interested in independent studies should go to the counseling office.

Another option students have is mentorship. Students in a mentorship spend two hours a day in a professional workplace in a field of their interest to learn about the skills needed.

"Mentorships are for students who are definitely searching for knowledge that they are specifically interested in. It isn't job-related," said Zimmerman.

Senior Sarah Jatko is involved in Mentor Connection, which is based on District 287. Many factors led Jatko to be in the mentorship program.

"I had completed all the courses here that were science related and wanted something challenging to do at the end of my senior year. I didn't want to go post-secondary and thought it would be a good experience to work in an actual situation," said Jatko.

Every Monday Jatko goes to Plymouth to meet with the large group and listen to speakers. The rest of the week she goes to the NSP nuclear power plant in Monticello.

"Currently I'm working with the Midas System, which deals with meteorology and radiation dose assessments," said Jatko.

To get into mentorship, students should see Zimmerman in A-1.

Another option for students is On-the-Job, which is available through the Technical Center.

Students involved in On-the-Job leave school at 1:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and go to their place of employment. On Tuesday and Thursday they go to class during that time and fill out worksheets about their job and work. They also do projects to help them understand their jobs better.

"I took the class because I thought it would be an easy way to get hours because I needed the money," said senior Brooke Thibodeau, "But now I find I'm learning more about my job with the projects."

There are many advantages and disadvantages to going On-the-Job.

"I like earning the money and getting out of the parking lot before the after school rush," said Thibodeau, "But I don't get to take as many classes or talk to my friends in the hall."

In all, students involved in educational endeavors outside the classroom find that the responsibility is the most important skill for students. They found they are responsible to do the work for themselves.

The students of Buffalo Senior High School are being excused one minute early from half of their classes.

On odd days (the 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) of each month the odd numbered classes (A-1, B-3, C-5, etc.) are dismissed one minute before the bell rings. The same procedure is used on even days, but the even numbered classes are excused early.

"The new system is easier to remember than every other week," said sophomore Katie Jordan.

This procedure was adopted because of the overcrowding of the halls during passing time. Many students were late to class because the halls moved to slowly.

"I can be early for my next class instead of late," said freshman Mindy Reynolds.

Many students like leaving their classes a minute early.

"The halls tend not to be as crowded," said sophomore Andrew Miller.

Although some students can be early to class, some students are still late even if they have the extra minute.

"Dismissing the students one minute early helps the crowding in the halls at the beginning of the passing time," said assistant principal Tom Hoffman.

The students have a different opinion.

"It's nice to have a moment to stagger the crowd," said junior Erin Buselmeier.

There is still a sense that the longer passing time is helping.

"The students are overcrowded and any time people are crushed and crammed together it creates tensions (like the Los Angeles freeway shootings during rush hour,)" said English teacher Karen Swenson.

Some students like getting out early so they can get in the front of the lunch line.

"It gives me a chance to be able to eat without gulping down my food," said sophomore Melissa Wenzel.

To every situation there are benefits, but there is also a down side.

"Dismissing early takes away students' excuses somewhat," said Biology teacher Dan Schneider.

The overall feeling is that it helps, but isn't enough.

"More has to be done to alleviate our overcrowding problems, but the perception that we are trying to do something to help students get through the hallways and to class is important," said Schneider.

The Buffalo chapter of FutureFarmers of America has had a busy year so far.

FFA is a national organization for students enrolled in Agriculture Education services. It provides students with opportunities in leadership, competition, recognition and recreation. They work on community service projects and compete at local, state and national competitions.

This year, FFA has done many community service projects and competed in local competitions.

They helped plan and put on the Buffalo Community Rodeo, they helped at the World's Toughest Rodeo by giving pony rides to children, and they participated in the Science Fair Competition.

One of their fund-raisers for their chosen charities are donut sales. Every Tuesday and Friday morning, students can buy donuts for fifty cents in the hall by the Agriculture Science rooms.

The money goes to pay for contest trips, materials for projects, Wildlife Acres, educational services, and legislative initiative.

Another project the group is involved with is Hides for Habitat. Their goal is to collect $6500 for the American Deer Hunters' Association.

The group collects deer hides at a drop-off spot. They recycle the hides once the hunters are done with the meat. After they go through a long process of preparing the hides, they sell them to the tannery where they are made into gloves.

The group has participated in many activities and competitions.

In competition, sophomore Jill Krones finished fourth in the state rodeo competition and will be going to the national competition in Wyoming.

They also have a member on the district executive boards. In BHS' FFA district, junior Stacy Dubbeldee is Vice President.

Students on the school executive council are: President junior Scott Haderson, Vice President junior Taylor Brummer, Secretary junior Erica Holmberg, Treasurer junior Trista Bysie, and Reporter junior Kiva Busic.

Getting into the savings habit is very easy. Managing money is not hard, but it requires patience and discipline. The time value of money is a very important concept. The more time you take to build your savings, the more interest you will earn. Interest is the money you earn on your savings. It is calculated based on the amount of money you have in your account. The more money you have, the more interest you will earn. There are many different types of savings accounts. Some accounts offer a high interest rate, while others offer more flexibility. You should choose an account that meets your needs. One way to start saving is to set aside a small amount of money each week. Even a small amount can grow over time. You can also set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account. This is a great way to make sure you are saving money every month. Once you have started saving, try to increase the amount you save each month. You can also look for ways to reduce your spending. This will help you save more money. Remember, saving money is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and discipline, but the rewards are worth it.

A number of students have a job, but they don't enjoy working. "It's hard to find a job that is fun," said one student. "Most jobs are just boring and don't pay well." Another student said, "I wish I could have a job that I actually enjoy doing, and that also pays well."

Some students have found ways to make money while still having fun. For example, one student works at a local amusement park. "It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun," she said. "I get to interact with people all day, and I get to work in a fun environment."

Another student works as a tutor. "I love helping people learn new things," he said. "It's very rewarding to see someone finally understand something they've been struggling with."

There are many other ways to make money while still having fun. You could volunteer at a local charity, start a small business, or even teach a class. The key is to find something that you are passionate about and that you enjoy doing.

The BHS Jazz Band went to Beverly State University last weekend to the Jazz Band Festival. They performed the best they have so far this year, according to director Leo Kjobco. "The band has worked very hard this year, and it really showed in their performance," Kjobco said. "They played some great music, and they were very professional."

The band played a variety of styles, including swing, bebop, and Latin jazz. They also performed some original compositions. "We wanted to show our versatility and our ability to play different styles of music," said one band member. "It was a great experience for all of us."

The band's performance was well-received by the audience and the judges. They received high marks for their musicianship and their stage presence. "The band was excellent," said one judge. "They played with great energy and skill."

The BHS Jazz Band is a talented group of musicians who are dedicated to their craft. They continue to work hard and improve their skills, and they are a source of pride for the BHS community.

The BHS speech team will begin competing tomorrow at their first meet at Shakopee High School. The team includes Alito and Miller, Quaid, Juniors Sarah Adams and Tammy Schmidt, who will be tested by a vote from the team.

The team performed their speeches on Monday night where members performed their speeches. At the most assembly, the team was ready to compete. The team members have been working hard to prepare for their speeches, and they are excited to show what they can do.

Saying Minnesota's schools must be "a safe harbor for our children," State Representative Mark Olson, IR-Big Lake, said the message is clear from the Safe School Task Force hearings that the legislature needs to take action for safe schools. Olson is a member of that force.

"Although the report focuses on potentially dangerous students, it is by no means an indictment of the overwhelming majority of our students and their parents," he said. "In fact, much of the testimony received recognized that only a small percentage of our students are chronic troublemakers. However, their assaultive actions and disruptive behaviors make it difficult for other students to obtain the quality education they are working hard to receive. The few are literally robbing the many of their opportunities to achieve their full academic and personal potential."

The report, "Counseling, Communication and Consequences," contains 23 specific initiatives, including: permitting the sharing of information between law enforcement agencies and school authorities; classifying replica firearms as dangerous weapons; giving open enrollment districts the right to refuse out-of-district students who have a record of violent behavior; and providing civil immunity and the right to recover attorney's fees for teachers who use reasonable force to prevent violent behavior.

"We need to secure our schools as a safe harbor for our kids, just as our homes and streets should be," Olson said.

Last November the Safe Schools Task Force held a hearing at the Monticello High School. It was the second of seven hearings held across Minnesota by the task force to get input from parents, students, and educators on solutions.

[Editors' Note: This is a copy of U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger's Floor Statement introducing the "Children's Television Violence Protection Act of 1993."]

I rise today to introduce the Children's Television Violence Protection Act of 1993.

In 1950, 15 percent of American homes had television sets. In 1990, that number reached 93 percent. The ratio of murders to population doubled during that period -- from 5.3 per 100,000 people to 10.2 per 100,000 people. Currently, the U.S. homicide rate is rising six times faster than the population.

I am not saying that television is the sole cause of this increase in violence. Many other factors have also contributed to the general coarsening of America's moral sense. But these numbers are undeniable -- and they are compelling.

A full 25 percent of prime time shows in the 1992 fall season contained "very violent" material, according to the National Coalition on Television Violence. The TV homicide rate rose 27 percent from the year before.

According to research done by the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School of Communication, there were 32 acts of violence per hour, with six per hour during prime time, in 1992.

The parents' groups have told me that this most recent rating period -- May sweeps -- is stacking up to be the most violent in history.

The problem of TV violence is not confined to live action television shows, or to prime time. 1992 also set a record for violence in children's shows. The national Coalition on Television Violence estimates that "by the age of 18, the average American young person has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television, including 40,000 murders."

With the average American glued to the television for an average of 27 hours each week, the American Psychological Association now estimates that a typical child will watch 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing elementary school.

My bill would provide parents -- or others who supervise children -- with the important information they need in order to make decisions about which shows children can watch. If cable and the networks are not going to take responsibility for reducing the violence they continue to show on television, I think it is only fair that they be required to warn parents and other concerned adults that this is violence coming into their living rooms.

My bill won't require that a video and audio "warning label" appear before and possibly during certain television shows -- warning parents and others that the program may contain violence or unsafe gun practices which might adversely affect the mental health of a child.

In my view, this is a moderate approach that is consistent with the First Amendment. It does not mandate that no violence can be shown on TV. Further, it does not limit the showing of violence to certain hours, as we do with broadcast indecency.

It will not require warning labels appear on shows that air after 11 pm and before 6 am -- when children are less likely to be in the viewing audience. It gives the FCC the authority to exempt certain programs, such as news, documentaries, sporting events, and educational programming.

Further, today with the First Amendment guidelines, the bill makes no content distinctions based, for example, on whether the violence is "gratuitous" or merely incidental. The bill merely requires warning labels to appear whenever violence is present on cable or broadcast programs.

Your friendly BHS student council is charging full speed ahead into the new semester with our heads up and our eyes open.

Our two hour meeting in mid-November was a time for us to seriously consider what we wanted to accomplish as a group. We made up a list of goals, some of which include working with the food service to set up an a la carte line for lunch, putting on appreciation days for both students and the teachers, and exploring an avenue for students to contact us, the student council, about whatever concerns you may have regarding our school.

We set up committees for the goals we felt needed the most attention, and we signed up for the ones that each of us, as individuals, felt we would like to help initiate. For now, these are the projects most of us are keeping busy with, while at the same time looking forward to the Eastern Minnesota Association of Student Councils (EMASC) Convention on Wednesday, February 23. Hopefully the entire student council from BHS will attend the event. For most of us, this will be the first EMASC Convention we will attend outside our own school, since Buffalo has hosted it for the past two years.

In addition to all this, our school board representative, Angie Toso, is working on setting up a meeting with students from the other buildings in our district to hear their concerns and get their input.

Our school Activities Director, Nancy Bergert, has set up a task force of students, teachers, and community members to come up with a code of conduct for students involved in extra-curricular activities. She asked the student council for input, so we set up a committee and wrote up a rough draft of the code of conduct.

HARD work at Buff's Giveaways. As many of us strive to keep our cars clean you may run into one or two students striving to keep their cars. Pictured is Lina Marvin.

DISHWASHING: Jeremy Peter at Mill Creek on Buffalo Lake, أحد of people choose this as a starting point in a career in the food industry.

"True love is a figment of imagination, is whatever you want it to be," said junior Dawn Eckelbery.

"True love is just the feeling you get when you know you can't live without other person," said senior Tess Sumption.

"I think true love is when you are the person you are in love with can tell each other everything and don't need to hide anything," said junior Devonne Hermosillo.

"[true love] is when you are in love with a person and want to spend the rest of your life with them, and share everything," said junior Jessica Klatt.

The Blason distributed a survey asking BHS students what their biggest gripes about Valentine's Day were. The following are just a few of the colorful responses.

* The disgusting little heart that have messages such as "I love you" and "Be mine" imprinted on their super tiny faces.
* One simple fact: red and pink clash.
* Naked angel children.
* Hearts, shorts, and more hearts.
* Having to bite into every single one of the candies in the box to find a single one of them is edible.
* When people dot their "I" with cute little hearts.
* People get down right sappy.
* Big allergic to flowers.
* When the Valentine that you get is from your parents.
* The fact that we don't use actual hearts.
* Getting a 5 lb. box of chocolate from the one person in the world who you least want to from.

The first kiss is an elusive and somewhat awkward, moment that most people consider their most important, personal memory from when they were young.

Throughout history, the first kiss has been a moment, and to moment now it is planned well in it is quite perfect.

"I had my first kiss on that tree, my boyfriend was there, he was handing me a flower, and we were standing in front of the tree, and he kissed me on the lips. I felt like I was on top of the world," said [unclear].

"I had my first kiss on that tree, my boyfriend was there, he was handing me a flower, and we were standing in front of the tree, and he kissed me on the lips. I felt like I was on top of the world," said Jack Harris.

Sometimes it turns out as pleasant as it can be.

Tony took his boyfriend different ways than the others. I thought it was something to be able, and half my home was [unclear].

"My first kiss in th grade, probably in movie theater, but it was pretty awkward because we were both so close," said [unclear].

Stopped in the alley that night, he kissed me. "It was short," said [unclear].

To them, the first kiss was not such a big deal in their teenage life. It was just something that crept up, and made life a little more interesting.

To others, their first kiss was a turning point in the relationship, and the moment is sacred, once so many years later.

"My first kiss was on my selfie - cousin of my boyfriend at Coachella College. We were in 75 Dalton Pickup, and the radio was playing 'Love Me Tender' by Elvis Presley. It was energetically loud," said Stanley Teacher Neil, [unclear].

Sometimes the circumstances are not the same for everyone, because the place and time were memorable.

"Linda, my wifey, and I went out on a date to a cmap, and we walked, danced, and then he kissed my right hand, and that was it," said Stanley Teacher [unclear].

High school sweethearts are not the only ones, because other people are TEE.

"We went on our other 7th grade - but we got together as a dance when we were juniors. She drove me home, and that was it," said Science Teacher Dan Schulster.

In today's society, the race to get ahead in life is tending to push us all backwards.

Day after day, people pass in and out of life, racing after something.

With the constant push to be, the constant reminders to be the best, to be the top, many people lose the sight of what it means to love and live.

The Bison thinks that stepping back and taking a look at what is important to us can help us regain our sense of purpose.

Taking time to slow down, to simply be, is not a waste of time. You know that with your help, somebody's life is just a little bit easier.

By constantly refusing to help others, society is just pushing itself backwards and destroying the many years, people, and great lives it took for us to get so far in today's world.

The Bison thinks that today's mindset is causing many to lose sight of what is important. It is important to be kind, to be caring, to be helpful, to be a good person.

What ever happened to the lessons we were taught as children? The lessons of respect and loving one another, even if don't agree with each other?

Because of this, the "race" becomes even worse with people entering the job market, not knowing what to expect and searching for any job they can find.

Like the other person?

The Bison thinks that if we could all step back in time and apply what we learned as children to our daily lives, maybe the world would be a much more loving place.

It would be a world where people aren't ashamed to adhere to their feelings on any subject. It would be a world where they don't get so caught up in the race.

It would be a place where common courtesy is the standard rule and human pride and dignity are valued above all else.

Maybe by stepping back, we can find love in our hearts. We can then see the people who make us, cheer us up and make us smile. We can dance with laughter through the dark pain. By taking a second look we can find the true love in our hearts: each other.

School spirits. We thought that means a lot to many, little to some.

School activities ranging from wrestling to many of all the organizations that have fought for many years in many different ways to make a difference.

With these new-found qualities and strengths, the person can strive for larger goals in life, raising self-esteem and brightening a life forever.

Yet, when mankind is asked to become more than they are, often, spirit for the school can diminish rapidly. Daily activities can increase or decrease, never with a definite upward path for the things a person wants.

Not all activities and teams make it to the state tournaments. Yet, they do put in many hours, consisting of hard work and determination.

But they don't need student support.

Daily, teams and activities are striving to be the best to represent Buffalo Senior High School, but they do not receive the support they need.

At each game, meet, and competition, we can see them all try to support them in all they do.

Taking the time to give the teams performance support can make a difference.

The Buffalo High football team, they made goals for themselves and for the team and they surpassed those goals to be the best. Many of the games they attended gained to feel the triumph of the victory.

Just because students do not belong to a team, it doesn't mean they can't share in the team's success. Support of the team can take much time and effort, but함으로써 (but) they will help in their role when they reach the top.

Remember when you were young, and vibrant, and full of energy? The early days of your political life? Yeah, I think you can remember that. But now, as you get older, you find that the world is not what it seems. You find that the people you thought were your friends are actually your enemies. You find that the things you thought were true are actually lies. And you find that the world is a much darker place than you ever imagined.

It's only because this entire country was bound up in it—if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're not paying attention. We've been lied to for years. We've been told that the President is a good man, that he's working for our interests, that he's a man of integrity. But we know that's not true. He's a man of lies, a man of deceit, a man who is willing to do anything to stay in power. And he's not alone. There are many others in our government who are just as corrupt and just as dishonest as he is. They're all part of a system that is designed to keep us down and to keep them in power. And they're all working together to make sure that we never find out the truth.

We've been told that the economy is doing well, that the jobs are coming back, that the country is on the right track. But we know that's not true. The economy is in shambles, the jobs are disappearing, and the country is heading for disaster. And we've been told that our leaders are working for us, that they're listening to our concerns, that they're trying to make things better. But we know that's not true. They're not listening to us, they're not working for us, and they're not trying to make things better. They're only working for themselves and for their own interests.

It's time for us to wake up and see the truth. It's time for us to stand up and fight for what is right. It's time for us to demand accountability from our leaders and to demand that they tell us the truth. We cannot allow them to continue to lie to us and to deceive us. We cannot allow them to continue to rule us through fear and intimidation. We must stand up and demand change. We must demand a world that is based on truth, on integrity, and on justice. We must demand a world where we can live in peace and prosperity, without the fear of being lied to and deceived by our leaders.

The big earthquake in Los Angeles has left many people feeling uncertain about the future. But for the students and teachers at [unclear] High School, the uncertainty is even greater. The school has been closed due to damage from the earthquake, and it's unclear when it will reopen. But that's not the only thing that's causing concern. The school officials have also made a surprising decision that has left many people feeling angry and disappointed.

The decision is to cancel all extracurricular activities for the remainder of the school year. This includes sports, clubs, music, drama, and everything else that makes school life so much more than just academics. The school officials have said that the decision was made because of the damage to the school buildings and the need to focus on repairs. But many students and parents feel that this is an unfair and unnecessary measure. They argue that extracurricular activities are an essential part of a well-rounded education and that they should not be taken away from students, especially during such a difficult time.

"It's not fair," said one student, who asked to remain anonymous. "We've worked so hard for our clubs and our teams, and now they're just gone. It's like they're telling us that our interests and our passions don't matter. They're telling us that we should only focus on our studies, even when our lives are being turned upside down."

One parent, who also asked to remain anonymous, expressed similar frustration. "I'm disappointed in the school's decision," she said. "Extracurricular activities are so important for our children. They provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, to make friends, and to develop a sense of community. By taking these away, the school is doing a disservice to its students."

Despite the outcry, the school officials seem to be standing by their decision. They have said that they will continue to evaluate the situation and that they will make further decisions as more information becomes available. But for the students and parents of [unclear] High School, the decision is a bitter pill to swallow, and they are left wondering what the future holds for their children and their school.

The Bison Hockey team begun the season impressively with a 8-3 record. The team is in a four-way tie for first place. With the post-season approaching, and a tough section, the team feels they’ll be quite competitive. “We have the ability to play with anyone in our section,” says Coach Carl Davis. “If we play strong defense anything can happen.” The players also feel they will be tough contenders in post-season play. “We’re in a tough section, but I think we can do really well,” said senior Brad Kucera. The team is progressing at a steady rate, but they are still lacking in some areas. “We’re not working together well as a team,” said senior Jesse Russell. The majority of the team members seem to agree. “We need to work better as a team, not just individually,” said Kucera. Coach Davis had a somewhat different approach to their lack of substantial growth. “A weakness is the lack of total numbers of players in the program.” The team also deserves credit for their improvements throughout the season. “We’ve improved on knowledge of the game by implementing offensive and defensive tactics,” said Coach Davis. At the beginning of the season the team sets goals, individually and as a team. They all agree on one -- to win the North Suburban Conference. “Our first goal is to win our conference,” said Coach Davis. “Then advance to the semi-finals of our section playoffs and on to the finals.” “We need to get home ice advantage for sections,” said Kucera. The hockey team begins section play on February 22.

Self-Defense. In our gradually disintegrating social climate, people are now resorting to it. Many people don’t feel safe walking down the street without some sort of defence. But for thirty-six people from Buffalo, the Buffalo Karate Association is providing them the knowledge to protect themselves. “We teach self-defense, pressure points and joint locks,” said David Poirier, head instructor of the Buffalo Karate Association. There are over 70 different styles of karate being utilized in the world today. “Ryu-Kyu Kempo is the style that’s taught in Buffalo,” said freshman Angie Poirier. Some students joined because friends are involved, or because they felt it would be beneficial to them, physically. “I heard that it was challenging both in mind and body,” said junior Travis Pobuda. Other students feel that the benefits of karate are mental. “Karate is very educational and physically challenging. I would stress that it can be done on your own and at your own pace,” said Pobuda, “But most of all, it’s fun.” In karate, there seem to be more positive aspects then negative. “You learn self confidence, discipline, awareness, respect and attitude in karate,” said David Poirier.

Every winter the sound of snowmobiles zooming across lakes and streams, through ditches, and along the state trails becomes familiar to all the people in Minnesota. Sounds like these make people eager to partake in what is considered to be one Minnesota’s best winter recreational activities. “Snowmobiles can go fast and go all over,” says sophomore Chris Willette. Snowmobiling lets people get into the outdoors and help relive the daily pressures of life and work, and to go places that they normally wouldn't see on their daily drive. A new snowmobile can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $9,200. Used snowmobiles are also available and can cost anywhere from $300 and up. From the little Bravo, sold by Yamaha, to the Thundercat sold by Arctic Cat there is no excuse for not finding a snowmobile to suit every person’s needs. There are many dangers to snowmobiling, such as driving too fast in the dark, or in unknown territory and crossing lakes and streams. Last winter, twenty-three people died in snowmobile related accidents according to DNR figures, yet their are almost 900,000 registered snowmobiles in the state. About eighty percent of all snowmobile accidents are alcohol related. “It’s fun and exciting to do, it really gets the adrenaline flowing!” said freshman Bryce Ranthum. Regardless of the dangers, snowmobiling is a safe sport and enjoyable sport, if the person driving has control and knows what they’re doing. “It’s not dangerous if you keep your cool,” said Ranthum.

It was in 1991. Listening to my grandfather talk about how much he loved the game, I realized that I, too, had a dream to be a coach. My dad graduated from high school in 1935 in the middle of the Depression. He never won a championship, but he always said all he had was a dream to be a coach.

As far back as I can remember, my dad always preached that the only joy in life was to play the game. He was a minister, and he taught us that life was a mission. He taught us that we should always strive to be our best, no matter what the circumstances. He taught us that hard work and dedication are the keys to success. He taught us that we should never give up, even when things get tough.

I remember one time when my dad was coaching a little league baseball team. They were losing by a lot of runs, and the kids were starting to get discouraged. My dad gathered them all together and said, 'Listen, kids. It doesn't matter if we win or lose. What matters is that we play our best and have fun. If we do that, then we've already won.'

And he was right. The kids started playing better, and they even started to have fun. They didn't win the game, but they left the field with their heads held high. That's a lesson I've never forgotten.

Now, I am a coach myself. I coach high school basketball, and I love it. I love the thrill of the game, the camaraderie of the team, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my players. I want to teach them the same lessons my dad taught me: to work hard, to never give up, and to always remember that the most important thing is to have fun and play the game with heart.

The last ten years might sound like a long time, but they have gone by in the blink of an eye. I have seen so much change in the world, and in the game of basketball. I have seen new players come and go, new coaches come and go, and new ways of playing the game. But one thing has remained constant: the love of the game.

I remember the first time I ever coached a game. I was so nervous that my hands were shaking. But as soon as the whistle blew, all my nerves disappeared. I was in my element. I loved the sound of the ball bouncing on the court, the squeak of the sneakers, and the roar of the crowd. I loved the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.

Since then, I have coached many different teams, at many different levels. I have won championships, and I have lost championships. I have seen players succeed, and I have seen players fail. But through it all, my love for the game has never wavered. It is a part of who I am. It is my passion, my joy, and my life.

I coach for more than the trophies and the moments. I coach for the kids. I coach to see them grow, to see them learn, and to see them succeed. I coach to give them something to believe in, something to strive for. I coach to show them that anything is possible if they work hard and never give up.

I remember one player, a young boy named Sam. Sam was a quiet kid, and he didn't have much confidence. But he had a lot of heart. He worked harder than anyone else on the team, and he never gave up, even when things were tough. By the end of the season, Sam had transformed into a leader on the court. He wasn't just a good player; he was a great teammate. Seeing Sam's growth was more rewarding than any trophy I have ever won.

That's why I coach. It's not about the wins and losses. It's about the impact you can make on the lives of young people. It's about helping them find their passion, their purpose, and their potential. And there is no greater reward than that.

Sports Editor

As the snow softly fell on the gradually disappearing grass, a sport that is becoming the past once again.

This sport takes time, patience, and strength. Cross country is an increasingly popular sport, and it is becoming more and more important to the young people who play it.

Students who have not had the chance, or resources, to experience cross country athletics in their high school, often find themselves looking for ways to stay active. Cross country is a great way to do that.

'It increases your cardiovascular system and it is a great way to see the scenery,' says freshman Jessica Allen.

'For most people, it is key in keeping them in shape,' says freshman Sarah Bush.

'Cross country is one of the most popular sports, because cross country can be an enjoyable way to relieve stress, and get a great workout,' says freshman Jill Bennett.

'It is a great way to clear your mind,' says freshman [unclear].

Grumpy Old Men is the sleeper comedy hit of the season. I have to say that when I saw the trailers, or commercials, for the movie, I had no desire to see a movie about old men fighting over a woman.

I also had no desire to see another Walter Matthau movie, but I was impressed by his performance and not repulsed. Jack Lemmon has always been fun to see, so there was no problem there and I've never really seen any movies with Ann-Margaret so I have nothing to compare her performance to.

The surprise performance of the movie was Burgess Meredith, playing John's (Lemmon) father. Compared to the movies I've seen him in I was shocked. He's always played serious roles, so you can imagine my surprise when every time he was on screen he was hilarious.

One of the funniest things about the movie was when it was over. It's been a long time since I've seen a movie put their out-takes, or bloopers, at the end of a movie and I think that more movies should do this. The least it would do is make people stay to see the end credits so that the people that don't get recognized get the recognition they deserve.

These bloopers were tremendously funny and you could see the chemistry and close relationships between the cast members.

Grumpy Old Men grasped the essence of Minnesota living. They depicted how much and often it snows here, what people do in their spare time, and how much of a sense of humor Minnesotans have about living here. The ice fishing scenes were filmed on Lake Rebecca.

Overall I give this movie two thumbs up. Grumpy Old Men had a simple plot, not too confusing. The movie was about life, relationships, and learning to love your neighbor.

The title, Iron Will basically sums up the movie as a whole. It's about a boy's struggle to become a man and beat the odds against nature.

The name Iron Will was given to a boy, Will Stoneman, who wants to compete in a 500 mile sled dog race from Canada to St. Paul. Will proved to everybody that he could survive the elements of nature and man. So because of that, he was given the name Iron Will by the reporter who was following his success in the race and had been supporting him from the beginning, when no one else thought he could do it.

Maybe this movie was subconsciously getting at that fact that we ourselves shouldn't give up when all seems to be lost.

That's just what Will did, he didn't give up and was not discouraged by all the negative remarks made to him.

The great thing about Iron Will was it was portrayed quite realistically. During the race Will got extremely chapped lips and his face was frostbitten.

The one thing that I didn't think was very realistic was the men in the race didn't seem to be very cold and the temperatures went well below zero quite often enough.

Living in Minnesota, where Iron Will was filmed you understand where the racers are coming from when they talk about frostbite and things freezing. Those were just some of the reasons I liked this movie. I could connect with living here.

Mackinzie Astin, who played Will Stoneman, was surprisingly good. He hasn't been in the entertainment spotlight since he was on Facts Of Life how many years ago.

I didn't think he had that acting ability in him, but I was pleased with the final product of his acting.

I thought that overall the movie was filmed fairly well in all the areas in the film process. I feel this is not a movie to be seen more than once in the theater and maybe even on home on video.

There are so many things that a film can be nominated for. Besides the big name, most publicized categories, like Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, Screenplay (adapted and original), Supporting Actor and Actress, there are many other areas in which a movie can be nominated.

There is Best Art Direction, Visual Effects, Makeup, Costume Design, Cinematography, Film Editing, Sound, Original Song, Original Score and Sound Effects Editing.

The Oscars also give recognition to foreign films, documentaries, and shorts in categories such as Best Foreign Language Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Animated Short, and Live Action Short. Now that that is out of the way I can get to the nitty gritty of the article.

In the last few years the motion picture industry has produced movies with no Oscar potential whatsoever, so the Academy hasn't had much to choose from. When that happens they're stuck nominating movies that aren't very good. As an example, last year, one of the worst years in Academy history, they nominated Unforgiven and Scent Of A Woman for Best Picture. Those were not, in my opinion, Oscar films and yet Unforgiven won won Best Picture and Scent Of A Woman took home the Oscar for Best Actor (only because they felt sorry for Pacino, who has not yet won the coveted award).

In contrast the films this year have been exceptionally high in quality and quantity. So watch for good nominations an exciting Academy Awards night this year.

101.3 KDWB-FM is pleased to announce the first annual AIDS Dance-A-Thon to benefit the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP). A five-hour fund raising dance extravaganza, it happens on Sunday, February 20 at Glam Slam in Minneapolis.

KDWB's AIDS Dance-A-Thon Minnesota is not a dance competition, but a five-hour dance party benefiting the programs and services of MAP.

It will be broken down into five 45 minute music sets and 15 minute breaks. KDWB on-air personalities will host the afternoon of nonstop fun, music and dance.

The all-age event at Glam Slam, a downtown Minneapolis nightclub, is Sunday February 20 with pre-registration beginning at 1:00pm and the five hours of dancing commencing at 2:00pm.

All dancers must turn in a minimum of $50 in pledge money to participate. The public is welcome to watch the fun for a $5 donation at the door. All proceeds benefit MAP.

Dancers and volunteers are currently being solicited to participate. All dancers must be preregistered and may do so by calling the AIDS Dance-A-Thon Infoline at 612/870-4770. Glam Slam is located at 110 N. 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis.

KDWB's AIDS Dance-A-Thon Minnesota is sponsored in part by Star Tribune's Fonahome and Nordstrom.