The Bison – January 11, 1991

Exiting the library may soon be similar to walking through a security passage at an airport or the doors of a retail store. Because of the high incidence of book theft, librarians are proposing a theft-detection system which will alert them to anyone attempting to “borrow” a book without going through the proper procedures.

Because nearly $7000 worth of books were stolen from the library last year, the installation of a theft-detection system has been proposed. The system is similar to those seen at many department stores. If a book is taken outside the library without being properly scanned or coded, an alarm would sound alerting the librarians of the “oversight.” A machine will demagnetize a piece of metal hidden in the book when the book is checked out. When books are returned, the metal is magnetized again.

Punishment for students caught by the new piece of technology has not been determined. Librarian Marcia Paulsen said that one possibility may be the loss of library privileges for two weeks.

The types of books most often stolen or missing involve the subjects of drug education, auto repairs, rock and roll, and crime. Paulsen said that the library often has had to replace the entire drug education collection. Stephen King novels are also frequently stolen.

“It is really sad that I have to keep buying books,” said Paulsen. She added that the money used to replace stolen books also prevents the library from buying newer, more current volumes. Some books may be out of print when the time comes to reorder. In that case, the library will not have that book again until someone reprints or rewrites it.

According to Paulsen, the library is budgeted about $10,000 annually to purchase books. At least half of that amount is usually spent on stolen, lost or damaged books.

The installation of the detection system would cause inconveniences for any teachers with rooms opening to the library. Those teachers would have to keep their doors locked at all times because students would not be allowed access to the library through these doors.

“The theft-detection system would be only one solution to the problem, Another proposal would be to “have students be honest and I won’t have to put it in,” siad Paulson.

The possibility of getting new tennis courts by next fall at BHS is being looked into by the school board.

Principal Nick Miller said, “[The courts] are in really bad condition and they have to be replaced.”

There are two plans for building new courts. The first plan is to completely demolish the current courts and build six new courts at the same site.

The second plan is to build six or seven new courts by the water tower. This plan would include building a small parking lot next to the new courts for tennis parking.

If the second plan is passed, there is a distinct possibility that the current courts would be leveled and the student parking lot expanded.

If either plan is approved by the board, construction will begin this spring after school is out for the year, and will hopefully be finished so the courts can be used in the fall.

The tennis courts are used all year-round. Phy. Ed.classes, the tennis team, and Community Education, are among the users. The new courts would be open to the public, as the courts are now.

The attitude towards the possibility of new courts is very positive. Assistant tennis Coach Pam Gilyard says, “It is definitely a good idea for safety and it will give more playing time.”

The tennis players agree. “They would be wonderful. We need new courts and the Jr. High courts aren’t enough for the Varsity players,” said freshman Kristine Nelson.

In preparation for next year, students will register for classes at the end of January or the beginning of February.

“Registration is important and students should take it seriously, because the classes they choose will help them in the future after graduation,” said Assistant principal Mark Minkler..

Proposals for new courses and changes in the curriculum are not yet finalized, pending the response from students when registering.

District 877 is proposing that all students would have to show minimum competency on the computer in order to graduate. If students fail to meet these requirements, they would be required to take a semester of Keyboarding. If the proposal passes, it would be scheduled to go into effect in 1992.

Industrial Arts will add two new courses: Introduction to Drafting and Visual Technology. Introduction to Drafting would consist of a semester of architectural drawing, group problem solving, mechanical design, and the discussion of major design problems. This introductory course would be a pre-requisite to more advanced drafting courses.

Visual Technology, already approved by the school board, would consist of a semester of media video production, photography, technology graphics, and desk-top publishing.

The Physical Education Department will be offering an elective health course to students in grades 10-12.

Ninth grade students will be asked to evaluate the two-hour block program introduced this year. If a favorable response is received, the program could be expanded.

“I like the two-hour block, it gives us more time to get our work done, but it does get boring sometimes,” said freshman Amanda Bratsch.

A new rule is in effect, penned by the technology committee. The rule states that student assistants are no longer allowed to use the Xerox room.

If sixteen year old student’s are old enough and mature enough to drive a car, and a student assistant, who has had approval from the teacher and the department chair cannot use the Xerox room, what kind of message is being sent to student assistants?

So who ruined the opportunity for everyone else?

Was it the Technology committee?

Did the members to get together and make another rule to control students? Is this rule a sick way to yield their power? To make themselves feel self important? Are they megalomaniacs with delusions of grandeur?

Or is it the student assistants?

Did someone sit on the Xerox machine and photocopy their butt? Did a student assistant break the machine? Or had they been abusing the privilege and copying off National Geographic without paying?

Or is it the teachers? Have the teachers been copying off obscene jokes accompanying pictures too much? Or are the teachers themselves too incompetent to run the machine, and have to have the assistants show them what they did wrong?

Okay, who did it? The Bison wants to know. When the memo came out, no reason for this new rule was on it. Just saying that the Technology committee voted unanimously to not allow teacher assistants to use the Xerox machines anymore. No reason. In this case, they removed the “cause” without identifying or explaining the symptom.

The Bison feels that since student assistants must get permission from the teacher and the department chair, that these juniors and seniors are responsible enough to run a simple copy machine. If over 80% of the students are able to drive a car, and are certified by the state of Minnesota, than most assuredly they are should to be able to use the Xerox room.

The Bison is tired of these rules designed to control students, simply because a minority of people choose to abuse the privilege. That is wrong. Instead of removing the privilege, next time, remove the abusers.

Parking.
Parking on ice.
Parking on an icy parking lot covered with snow.

No laughing matter considering the way students drive, much less the condition of the student parking lot at about eight in the morning and three in the afternoon.

And what about the faculty lot?

You can’t say that the teachers get their way all of the time, because during the snow and ice storms a couple of months ago the teachers lot remained unplowed.

Is it because the teachers want to relate with the students?

While the road in front of the school is plowed, and the visitors lot is plowed, sanded, and salted, the parking lots for faculty and students remain buried.

During winter break, countless numbers of cars took advantage of the district’s laziness and did doughnuts on the icy parking lots. No, not SuperMoms doughnuts, three-sixties, wiping out in the parking lot, etc. At least a travesty of responsibility on the part of the district caused a little joy in some people’s lives.

What does it take to get it plowed? Hm, a lawsuit?

Yes, a lawsuit.

What if an accident occurred in one of the parking lots? Could the school be blamed for not maintaining the lots?

And what about the lives of students and teachers? Someone could fall and get hurt, but what if someone fell in the path of a car, who couldn’t stop? Where does the blame lie?

But busses are provided for student use. Bussing is not always the answer, especially for students who work or are in extra-curricular activities. If someone in the city does not shovel their sidewalk after a storm, and someone falls and hurts themselves, the owner of that lot is to blame, not the city. Shouldn’t the same apply for the school?

Having an ice and snow covered parking lot is no different from having a dangerous piece of equipment in the school.

We deserve safety when we come to school, no matter what the cost. If we can build a new track and tennis courts, the safety of students and teachers should be as important. Maybe even more.

We want our parking lots plowed, salted and sanded.

To the Editor,

We would like to bring it to your attention that no story had been written on the Cross Country team participating in the state Cross Country tournament for the second year in a row.

We read the article explaining how hectic it is on the newspaper staff and we know from our experiences on the yearbook and the Bison staff that it is difficult to meet everyone’s needs and wants.

We hope that an article is in the process of being written or will be, because we think that a team qualifying for the state tournament should be the cause of some interest among the student populace.

Dan Miller
Jason Minnick
Matthew Wickman
Seniors
Cross Country Captains

To the Editor,

I am really disgusted with an attitude of most people who live on Earth.

I am talking about judging people by their looks or actions. I care about other people and I don’t automatically insult them. It makes me so disgusted when person A talks about person B, and person A has no idea what person B is like.

I don’t care what others think of me or who I’m with throughout the day. In my book everyone is someone and my heart is big enough for everyone. So please keep your comments to yourself. (or to your diary.)

Rachael Weller
Freshman

To the Editor,

I would like to tell whomever put the Battle of the Bands signs that maybe they should think before they plaster unrecyclable papers all over the school.

Not only was the color unnecessary, but the excess of signs is ridiculous. Do we really need 6 signs in a row in one spot? Isn’t that a bit tacky?

And how can we claim to be for the environment when we do thoughtless actions as this? Think about it.

Melissa Hostetter
Senior

Has the priest-hood been your soul goal for the past seventeen years of your life? Have you dreamed of the day when you leave friends and family to become a hermit in the mountainous regions of Canada? Or have you waited patiently for the right time to self-amputate that ugly for-finger that just seems to be in the way all of the time?

Okay, for most people, answering “yes” to any one of these questions seems a bit absurd. Almost no one would have even considered answering “yes”...until now.

Today’s society has been faced with yet another conflict. Is it not enough that the crime rate is sky-rocketing, that drug and alcohol abuse is on the rise, that the AIDS epidemic has spread to all walks of life, with no cure in sight? Must we also be confronted by the threat of war and the fear of a draft?

Those questions have answers.

We obliviously do not have enough to worry about, and so the world has found itself yet another “pet project,” the Persian Gulf Crisis.

And that is what is making thousands, millions, of young men consider the future in a new light.

“Hey, what would yah think if I became a priest...” asked one of my brother’s friends in a letter received right before Christmas. Funny, how he was only a moderate Catholic previously, and now, wearing U.S. Marine Corps colors he gives the celibate position a second look.

“Do you really need that trigger-finger anyway?” joke some of my friends during Physics class, but I cannot tell if all of them are just blowing it off.

My gosh, are we resorting to the Shiite Muslim tradition of hacking off our fingers? (Keep in mind they don’t grow back. Little tree stumps on your hands are not that beautifying.)

“Canada is really nice in the summer, especially the fishing. And yahknow, we could rent a little cabin and...” (Okay, I admit it, this was an excerpt of an overheard hallway conversation.)

Canada, tree stumps for fingers, millions of semi-religious priests?

Nothing terrifies a country more than a war, and this time we, the 1991 teenagers of America, may be caught in the cross-fire.

Not that a war is all bad. Nor are the men and women who wear the symbols of America on a uniform, and they are to be highly admired and respected. And sometimes a stand must be taken to protect human lives and international boundaries, but when the cost becomes too great for the value of the protected, it is time to reevaluate the stand.

War forces people to do the unthinkable. But we must at least think about the unthinkable. Give careful consideration to the unthinkable.

We cannot blind ourselves to the problem. Consider your options, weigh them carefully, and consult parents, friends, and others in your life. Please give it a moment, decisions that will literally change your life deserve that, and you owe it to yourself.

Think about it.
Seriously this time.

Normal people ring in the new year with happy thoughts, joyful of the beginning of a new year of joy and happiness. I on the other hand am not normal.

I spent my new year rejoicing the anniversary of my four months of employment at PAMIDA. Don’t laugh it’s true.

I also celebrated the end of retail holiday season. Don’t laugh and I mean it this time.

BHS should make working retail a required course.

No kidding.

You do not know pain and suffering until someone comes to you with a soaking wet shirt they bought last year, with one tiny microscopic hole, and they want a new one.

A better example: It’s Christmas Eve, you can just hear your brothers and sisters opening your presents, and you just had a customer ask if your I.Q. was smaller than your shoe size.

(Basically you’d rather be reading the documents of Herbert Hoover’s --in Latin.)

The tears are welling up in your eye’s just like the water a Hoover Dam. “What’s wrong Heather?” asked my boss. “Working at PAMIDA has ruined my Christmas don’t these people realize that just because I wear this smock doesn’t mean that I am a robot who takes orders from people who can’t spread a little Christmas cheer. I mean, what do these people think, that since I work here I am immune to Christmas? That I don’t have to spend money, that I don’t have to miss my family; I just don’t get it.” I replied in one breath.

He just kind of gave me a weird look like I was going to run to domestics and grab a butcher knife and chase all the customers out of the store like a crazed nut.

No kidding.

Anyway, I survived and I didn’t grab the knife and I didn’t chase anybody. I just got a little confused.

So what’s with this new golf game, Amy and Sue were talking about. Why would anybody want to play golf in Persia. It’s all one big sand trap. At least we don’t wrestle there.

Well, I guess that’s another story.
No kidding.

When does the life sentence in the institution called “adulthood” begin?

My birthday’s coming up, and I will be turning 18, and I’ve been wondering about this for quite some time. I keep thinking I am an adult, but I am not too sure.

When I turned 15, I was able to get my learner’s permit so I could finally learn how to drive. Pretty exciting, but I had been driving since I turned nine. Plus, I could drive better off the road than most people on the road, so I didn’t trip over this milestone to adulthood.

Two days after my 16th birthday, the big day arrived--my driver’s test. I had called the court house about two months in advance, and had scheduled the day to take the test. I was pretty worried about this initiation, because it was almost the middle of January, and I could just imagine a huge snowstorm dumping on us and then I would accidentally run over the instructor and fail my test.

However, the day dawned a little grey, but no clouds in the northwestern sky glowered threateningly. I was quite nervous about the whole thing, so my oh-so-unique friends gave me the old Brady Bunch anecdote--pretend the instructor is in their underwear. I could just imagine some fat old man in a bath robe, then I would fail the test for sure, I’d laugh my way to traffic court.

After my mom drove me down to the courthouse and I sat waiting in the Buick, my instructor came out and sat in the passenger seat. I looked over, and was amazed that it was a woman, and that she wore nothing but a red lace Frederick’s of Hollywood negligee. I shook my head and looked again, but she had quickly changed into a long tan trench coat.

We cruised around the town, and the only thing I did poorly on was parallel parking. But, hey, that’s the reason women get married, isn’t it? Make your husband parallel park and do the taxes is my motto. I passed on the first time with a 75, and now am the terror of the Minnesota State Highway system.

My 17th birthday was pretty boring. I didn’t have a party, and the only thing that happened when I turned 17 was I could now see R-rated movies. No big deal, since I had been sneaking into R movies since I was 14. I snuck into Cocktail when I was 14, and it was not worth it.
Trust me.

Now that I am turning 18, I can do all sorts of things. I can buy cigarettes, but I don’t smoke.

One good thing is I now have the basic human rights of speech, religion, expression, etc, which I didn’t have when I was a minor. Did you know that? We do not have the First Amendment rights until we are 18? Mrs. Sodeman told us that in 10th grade history, and that really opened my eyes. I always thought of telling a teacher off, and then say they couldn’t give me detention because I had freedom of speech. It’s a good thing I didn’t do that.

I am glad I am a female at this time, because all of you soon to be 18-year-old guys out there get to take a trip down to the post office, and it’s not to buy stamps. It’s to fill out those cards to file for the selective service. I have heard a lot of juniors and seniors are being hounded by recruiting officers over the phone, and even offered dinner. Heather, who claims she knows best, made the stupid mistake of sending in a card to the Army just to get a pair of sweat socks. She knows best!?

Back to the draft...I really don’t want to talk about that any longer, because I am saving that story for another time. Trust me, boys and girls, you’ll be blown away by this one.
Trust me.

World-wide people anxiously await it, some with fear, others with hope.

January 15, the day that determines whether or not the United Nations take military action against the invading Iraqi army.

Currently, negotiations are being held in various locations around the world. If the proposed peace settlements fail the January 15 deadline may create world-wide effort to reclaim Kuwaiti land. If an agreement is reached or close to being reached, the waiting game will continue.

One of the main concerns with the deadline is the possibility of a draft.

Many people are concerned about the January 15 deadline. Some argue that it is too short of a time period.

"I don't think it's giving enough time for sanctions to work," said junior Jon Kujawa.

However, others feel that the deadline is too lenient and that the United Nations has given Iraq too much time to plan strategy.

"Iraq's not going to make it. If anything, they're building up their forces," said senior Pat Nelson.

The United States is preparing itself to defend Kuwait, and has been sending troops and military equipment to the bases in Saudi Arabia and surrounding countries.

"I expect we'll probably end up going to war on January 16," said Kujawa.

Just because there is a deadline, that doesn't mean that the United States is going to war on January 16, but it does imply that all allied nations will be uniting to release oil-producing Kuwait from the grasp of Iraq.

"I feel we can't back down from the deadline, or else they won't take us seriously," said senior Bob Hutchinson.

A lot of people contend that their hopes of what will happen in the Persian Gulf and their actual predictions are two very different ideas.

Some are very optimistic about the resolution of the crisis.

"I think they will pull out before the deadline," said senior Dave Raisanen.

One of the main concerns of BHS students, especially juniors and seniors, is the question of whether or not the government will reinstate the draft if more personnel are required.

"I would hope that none of my friends or myself be drafted," said Hutchinson.

Some 18-40 year olds object to a draft, and avoidance is a common outlook.

"I wouldn't fight for my country for the price of oil," said Raisanen.

There are options available to avoid the draft, including the filing for Conscientious Objector status through a religious organization. If approved, community service replaces a draft.

"I'd probably apply for conscientious objector," said Kujawa.

While only men are required to report during a draft, others would lose loved ones.

"First of all, I don't think there's going to be a draft," said junior Teresa Nelson, "If my boyfriend were to go, I'd have to be concerned, because I don't feel the United States is in the Persian Gulf for the right reasons, or doing it's purpose."

Operation Desert Shield is what President Bush calls the U.S. involvement of the Middle East.

Almost one-half million U.S. troops are currently stationed in Saudi Arabia, in an international show-of-force, against Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his invading army.

Although the United States is the largest contributor to Operation Desert Shield, 43 other countries are giving either financial or military assistance.

In addition to The U.S. forces, the other Allied forces have sent 200,000 troops to the Middle East.

Iraq has 680,000 troops ready to fight.

With tanks Iraq has 5,000 and the allied forces only have 2,900 tanks. It's easy to see why Bush wants to make to make this an Air war with 1,450 Aircraft, while Iraq has 8. This all started when Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait, the world was upset. Saudi Arabia asked for assistance incase Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait. The U.S. thought that it was a big threat to the world and oil market. Our troops over there have been training and waiting for things to happen.

Several support projects have been in affect over the holiday seaon. Over Christmas, several United Sates television stations broadcasted football games for the troops, via satellite, and some taped greetings and messages from the troops back to the states. Some even got to talk back and forth with their families.

Other projects included the random "sponsor-ing" of a serviceman at Christmas, and written correspondence back and forth.

The following is a list of addresses of persons in the sevice. Most are currently stationed in Saudi Arabia, participating in Operation Desert Shield. Some are tentatively scheduled for departure and are currently in training.

Letters are the only way to reach some of these individuals.

If you care to write, letters from home would be appreciated.

Several of these addresses were published in the Wright County Journal Press.

If you have a relative or friend in the armed forces and would like his/her address published, please contact Amy J. Oberdeck, Editor-in-Chief of The Bison.

Lcll. Mark W. Lee IV
537-92-7970
Delta DTRY 2nd DN10MAR
FPO New York, N.Y. 09502

Sgt. Gordon P. Asfeld
473-68-9696
47th C.S.H., 44th M.E.D. Bde.
Desert Shield
APO New York, N.Y. 09657

Amm. Ronald W. Dixon
477-96-9056
Deployed-Red Horse
APO New York, N.Y. 09852

Spc. Shawn DeWall
468-90-1108
HHT 1/2 ACR (SQM)
Operation Desert Shield
APO New York, N.Y. 09759

Spc. Jean M. Endres
477-92-4004
HHC 101st Airborne Div. (AA)
Attn: D-Main, G2
Operation Desert Shield
APO New York, N.Y. 09309

Sgt. David A. Kiggins
441-78-0930
101st Pathfinder Det. 2/17 Cav.
101st Airborne Div. (AASLT)
APO New York, N.Y. 09309

Pvt. Patrick Odgen
470-15-7711
C-Batry. 3-321FA
Fort Sill, OK 73503

The following is a copy of a letter received by foreign exchange student Christine Rose from an Army sergeant stationed in Saudi Arabia, in response to her letter typed during keyboarding class.

"We wrote letter, but I didn't know that they would be sent in. I was surprised when I got a letter back," said Rose.

The assignment's idea originated from articles by syndicated columnist Ann Landers.

The business education department took her suggestions of writing to a serviceman, and required keyboarding students to type a letter to an unknown soldier.

"At first [the students] thought it was kind-of hokey, as an assignment, but then some students began getting letters back, and they really started to get into it," said Gerald Melby.

December 15, 1990

Hi Christine,

How are you? I'm doing fine. I was the lucky one that got your letter. Thanks, because mail-call is the highlight of the day. To tell you the truth, it is the only way to find out what is going on in the outside world.

Let me start out by telling you about me. I am 27 years old and a sergeant in the army. I have been in for six and one half years. I was stationed in Germany for three and one half years. I was in Bayreuth, near Nurnberg. How close do you live to there?

I am white, five feet eight inches, 145 lbs. with brown hair and blue eyes. If I had a picture, I would send you one, but it's hard to get one out here for you. It's also hard to write.

I hope you can read this. I sure hope that you can find the time to be my pen pal. I get bored out here. I could be your front-line correspondent. (I hope that's how you spell it.) I like to play sports, too. I like volleyball, soccer, and skiing. Skiing is the best. You've got a lot of good hills in Europe. I'm surprised that you don't ski.

The wind is getting bad, so I will let you go. Please write back and tell me about yourself. My address is on the back.

Mark

The Bison wrestling team is coming off its most successful season ever, finishing third in the state. This year, they are aiming even higher.

“Our goal is to win the state championship,” said coach Gerry Bakke. “We want to be the first state championship from Buffalo.”

“We have a chance to do something special for Buffalo,” said senior Jason Scherber. “We want to be state champions.”

Bakke said that the main difference between last year and this year are the goals that the team has.

“Last year, winning the state was more of a dream, but this year, we know that we can do it,” said Bakke. “But to turn dreams into reality, takes hard work.”

Setting such high goals places a lot of pressure on the team.

Some wrestlers feel they would let others down if they didn’t win the state championship. They also feel that it is more difficult to succeed when the other teams know who you are and how you rank.

“I would rather fail in reaching high goals that succeed in reaching lower goals,” said Bakke.

The team placed third at their first match in Osseo, finishing behind perennial state powers, Simley and Osseo.

“Simley is the best right now,” said Bakke, “But that doesn’t mean that they will be in the end. We can still beat them.”

There are always unpredicted uprisings such as injuries, but the team feels that injuries also help, because others get a chance to step in and show what they can do.

“People have a way of getting what they really expect from themselves,” said Bakke. “You have to believe.”

The Buffalo ski team has many goals for the 1990-91 season.

Of those goals, improvement in skills seems to be the most popular goal to aim for. “I think improvement is the biggest goal. I would like them to improve more in daily practices and from race to race,” replied coach Rick Toso.

Since skiing is an outside sport, compared to inside sports, there are many more problems they face. Weather is a big problem. Skiers are not allowed to be exposed if windshield temperatures are -20 degrees and below, according to guidelines. When it is real cold, the tight boots seem to cut off circulation making it difficult to ski.

They’re all very competitive and have an opportunity to compete. “Enthusiasm is very high,” said coach Toso. “I find the older skiers helping younger skiers. During a meet, skiers are at the bottom to cheer on their teammates, or exactly the opposite, to console them. I think it helps to have as much enthusiasm as they do.”

Besides their regular practices, a new edition has been added to the daily routine. Many call this dry land referring to Physical training. The skiers work out to help strengthen bones and prevent injuries.

“We ski against Conference schools who have a better program than we do,” Toso remarked. “Some skiers (from other schools) have personal coaches that work on a one to one basis and they train all year around.”

Skiing is a very expensive sport. You need $180 for a season pass, which allows them to practice and compete at Buck Hill, a $100 activity fee, and $50 for lift tickets at Welch Village, where the State Tournament takes place.

“I think the high cost restrains people from going out for ski team,” said freshman Erica Lundsten.

The team is optimistic. Angie Toso remarked, “I know everyone can do their best this season and we can be a successful team if we all work together.”

The boys’ basketball team, under the direction of first-year head coach Neil Fletcher, has gotten off to a great start in its first season in the North Suburban Conference, yet they still have problems.

“Our biggest problem is that we just don’t have enough height. Our rebounding is going to be in question,” said Fletcher.

The team has been working on creative maneuvers to overcome this disadvantage. “Coach [Fletcher] has been having us work on a lot of checking and we have to put a forearm right into [the opponents], kind of knock them off balance, and then rebound,” said senior Scott Boris.

Other strengths may also keep the team in competition with taller teams. “Our kids play hard. They play great defense, and we have good outside shooting and we’re going to be able to run-and-gun,” said Fletcher.

The players’ spirits and morale are high. “This is the year we’ve been waiting for. A lot of people are waiting for this season,” said Boris.

“Basketball is enjoyable to me because I find the competition exciting and I like the unity of the team,” said senior Pat Nelson.

Even with a new coach in a new conference, the team is aiming to win the conference title. “We think we’re going to do real well in the North Suburban Conference this year. We have a good blend of juniors and seniors, and we want to win the conference,” said Fletcher.

This optimism seems to be well-placed as the varsity team is undefeated as of January 7.

For most sports you need equipment and gear, which takes money. Plus this year, the school has placed an activity fee on most sports and activities. This fee covers transportation and uniforms/warm-ups.

I could see the new uniforms, fresh warm-up suits, and new equipment. I’ll have to pay almost $100. I’m not in a LOT of activities and none of them are more than $24.

A set fee could be paid when the student decides to be in a sport or activity and that would be it for the rest of the year. That way, the group would still get the money and students wouldn’t be discouraged from being in more than one or two things.

Extra-curricular activities are supposed to be good for students. So if someone wants to be in something, shouldn’t they be able to be in it?

If anyone else out there feels this is a problem, do something about it. Now is the time to change things for next year.

“Behind every great man is a woman.” At BHS there is a saying, “behind every great team there is a hardworking dedicated manager or statistician.”

Maybe they don’t get the standing ovation for the game's winning touch down, or a high five for a goal as the final seconds tick away. Their gratitude comes from knowing that the players and coaches don’t have to wonder if the score books are kept, the water bottles are filled and the floor is swept.

When the bell rings at 2:50 and everyone goes running for the bus or their cars, athletes and managers alike head down to the gym as the athletes suit up. Managers get to work, sweeping the gym, moping the mats and loading the bus. After all those duty’s are done they keep busy keeping time, getting help for the injured and preparing for upcoming events.

Probably the hardest part of the job is the late night bus rides to Irondale, Moundsview and any other part of the state depending on the particular night, trying to get your math done while cheering your team on. And trying to take the losses like the victories, trying not to get caught up in the emotions of sports.

“It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it” but getting to feel like part of the team, without the endless laps scrimmages, and practice.

And at the end of the season when the matches, games, and meets are all finished, they feel sad that it’s over but the accomplishments keep them coming back for more.

The lonely life of the thankless jobs aren’t so lonely and aren’t that thankless if you just go after your mop and sharpen you pen.

---

MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY: Managers gather to compile statistics at a recent Hockey game. (Photo by Rob Kruck)

Winter is upon us once again. What do you do on Saturdays? Either sleeping or watching cartoons.

Yes, winter is a lazy time, but as your semi-strange (okay, okay, mostly strange) sports editor I feel some weird obligation to tell you guys we are a lazy bunch of humans.

I know, some of you actually do get some exercise in winter, if you want to you could stop reading right here. But for those of you who don’t, leave that remote control alone and keep reading. (Not that it’ll do anything.)

I hope you will feel guilty enough to be motivated to exercise.

I really doubt it, but at least I have the consolation of knowing you have burned a few calories opening the paper to this page and reading this column.

For those of you who would like to make a comment on this article, you can come over and visit me. You’ll probably find me in front of the fireplace drinking hot cocoa, eating cookies, and reading a book.

What Minnesota arena spent $23,000 on a machine to clean tobacco juice from the artificial turf?

If your answer was the Buffalo Civic Center, you’re way off. That place doesn’t even have turf. If you answered with the Metrodome, you’re absolutely correct!

Because of man and his inventions, The Dome was erected in Minneapolis in the early eighties. It came equipped with controlled climate, no smoking, all the nachos you could crave, for a small fortune, and Wallie the Beer Man. You even have the luxury of a super-duper-cup-holder to hold your $6-3 ounce glass of Diet Coke, which minimizes your spilling during performances of the wave, 368 times, or until you puke in your neighbors’ lap, which ever comes first.

One advantage is a lighter load, because you don’t have to lug along your propane powered portable heater. You don’t have to worry about an excess of sunshine, snow, sleet, or rain, unless of course, the Dome mullanes.

Even though tickets cost $25 apop, you could easily afford it by mass-producing term papers.

For the female fans, you can always drool over the players’ bottoms that are clearly visible in their skin tight see-through football pants, as they join in huddles. You’re guaranteed your moneys’ worth.

And of course, for you Nitros out there that can’t tolerate the echo of crunching bones and the shrill cry from Mike Ditka begging for the mercy of his pansy Bears, a.k.a. cubs, there are always the dependable Viking Cheerleaders, also defined in the Roget’s College Thesaurus as wenches, hussies, and strumpets that jump around in their cashmere low cut sweaters. They can be located grazing on the sidelines, not much unlike the Iowa State University cheerleaders. Thank goodness for Astro-turf.

Now, down to the nitty-gritty. People who know me really well, realize that during the Vikings season, my mood on Mondays depends on the outcome of the game on Sunday. People could probably have gotten away with calling me “Moody Moonie” then.

With all of the problems that the team has struggled through this season, who can blame them for not doing too well? For starters, on September 23, during the game against the Chicago Bears, first-string quarterback Wade Wilson suffered a thumb injury, causing him to miss almost the entire season.

The week following, Keith Millard (named the #1 Defensive Player of 1989) obtained a serious knee injury, preventing him from playing for the remainder of the season.

Then on October 10, word came that General Manager Mike Lynn would be resigning sometime this year to become the head of the World League of American Football. Soon after signing former Tampa Bay kicker Donald Igwabuike, an accusation of possession, smuggling, and intent to sell Heroin arose. Then, when everyone thought it couldn’t get worse, the mother of Safety Joey Browner died.

Wade Wilson was ready for the second to the last game of the season against the L.A. Raiders, and was again injured with a separated shoulder, out for the remainder of the season, even if it was only one more game.

Although the team has endured many difficult obstacles, they have managed to stick together and make their hopes for the play-offs capable for the ’91 season, even with the Fair Weather Fans still around.

Although they finished at the bottom of their division this year (6-10), hopes for the Super Bowl next year are already developing. Millard will be back and playing, Wilson will be recuperated. There will be a new general manager, and most importantly, they’ll have the easiest schedule in the NFL, totally opposite this years’ schedule. Even at the bottom of the division, there’s one more thing to look foreward to, the Pro Bowl. The Vikings have five players going to the Pro Bowl this year: Carl Lee, Joey Browner, Steve Jordan, Randall McDaniel and Chris Doleman.

A little over a month ago, linebacker (now former) Scott Studwell announced that he would be retiring this year. Studwell played on the Minnesota Vikings for fourteen years, and is their all-time leading tackler. He finished his career with 202 games started, over 1,939 tackles, has the team record for the most 100 or more tackles per season, and leads the Vikes with the most tackles in eight out of the last ten years, including 1989.

Not only did Scott Studwell retire this year, but Hub Meeds, who’s the team mascot since 1970, retired also.

I’m now experiencing my mid-teen crisis and will probably end up in Golden Valley Health Center fighting my addiction to the Vikings.

And now that this was Studwell’s last year, it would have been great to end the season with a Super Bowl victory and a lot of happy-go-lucky fans.

If my dream ever comes true, in the future you will be able to find me coaching the Minnesota Vikings.

Odyssey of the Mind is headed for another season of challenge and perfection, another year of competition and hopes of making it to the top, and another chance to have fun and meet new people.

That is what Odyssey of the Mind is all about, according to advisor Joel Prazak.

“It’s a group of people who enjoy thinking and being creative,” Prazak said.

The common perception of team members as intellectuals is not entirely correct, he added.

“Most of the members are just average students,” he said.

This year’s team is composed of ten members, six of which are returning and four of which are “new” this year.

Freshman Greg Moselle said that he decided to join because “it exercises your mind instead of your body, like other after-school activities.”

The commitment to Odyssey of the Mind requires time as well as creative abilities. The members must attend three sessions of two hours each. During these sessions, the members must work on their projects and prepare themselves for competition.

The first choice a member must make is the choice between taking on a long-term project in one of the two groups or facing the ever-pending uncertainty of the spontaneous category.

“In the spontaneous category, the students go into the competition with little to no idea of what they are going to be asked,” said Prazak, “Five of them are then put in a room with a judge and given a problem. They are given two minutes to think it out, and two to ten minutes to respond, verbally, or they can construct something with their hand.”

The long-term project is sub-divided into two smaller groups: Super-collider and Transitions.

“Super-collider is the group in which students build something. They mainly work with the structure,” said Prazak.

“Transitions, on the other hand, is the team where the students take something that has happened in the past and put it into a series of events, and then act it out in a skit. An example would be the history of flight, where man saw the bird fly and decided to try it, all the way up until the jets of today,” Prazak said.

Trivia buffs and experts gather three times a week to test their knowledge about rocks, dead poets and historical figures, Persian religion and hot cocoa.

The Knowledge Building team practices during mods and after school, to get ready for the five meets planned. During practice, they have two practice meets.

The teams answer oral and written trivia-type questions. In a typical meet, teams begin with a written examination, working with all members of their team. Three oral rounds are then conducted in which only four members compete directly against other teams in timed question answering. Winners are determined by the total number of points earned in both competitions.

In selecting teams, adviser Peggy Pasche considers three aspects. One is commitment - participants are expected to be at all of the practices. Experience is not required, but is definitely an asset to being selected. Third, a multiple choice test is given.

Pasche hopes to have a wide variety of participants. “I want to have guys as well as girls, I want to have freshmen as well as seniors,” said Pasche.

In addition to the love of trivia, members also said they enjoyed the competitive nature of the team.

“I know how it worked last year,” said senior Amy J. Oberdeck, “and the competition is really challenging and thought-provoking. It’s really wit against wit, knowledge against knowledge, and it uses speed as a secondary objective.”

Tournaments will be held through April 10. Some tournaments are held after school and some are held during school. The team will also compete in the North Suburban Conference meet.

As a first-year coach, Pasche hopes to have the teams improve as the year goes on and to have a lot of fun.

One of the team’s strengths is that they have several more members than last year. Pasche said that this team has enough talent to make up for those members lost to graduation. However, the team is always open to new participants and added that if anyone is interested, they should see her because “academic competition is important.”

STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN. Knowledge Building members seriously concentrate on a long trivia question during an afterschool practice. Here, juniors Andy Foster, Deanna Eisler, and Luke Miller, along with freshman Sarah Jatko, prepare to buzz in when the answer is apparent. The team has its first meet this Saturday, January 12, at St. Cloud Apollo High School. (Photo by Rob Kruck)

For the third year in a row, the speech team has a new coach, one with extensive background in the speech system.

Dave Alto, physical education teacher at Buffalo Primary and Intermediate Schools, has been involved with speech since he was in junior high school. He also has had the opportunity to judge speech and debate for the last six years.

“I’d like to stress that there is something for everyone. There are 12 different categories to speak under in competition,” said Alto.

He added that individuals can be involved in another activity or sport while participating in speech. Alto, in fact, encourages that members become involved in other activities.

Because of the introduction of a new coach, members expect changes from previous years.

“I expect more practices and new requirements. It’ll be the same types of meets and probably a bigger team,” said junior Carmen Blair.

Alto hopes to increase practice time and the number of tournaments in which the team will compete.

“Speech gives students the opportunity to get in front of their peers with confidence. I’d like to build a speech tradition at Buffalo.”

Former speech coach Ed Saxton is confident that he did the right thing in handing over the reigns of the speech team.

“Buffalo has the potential to become a good team,” Saxton said. “There is a lot of talent with the one-act plays and drama. A new coach will have time to recruit the people.”

Alto’s hopes and the predictions for success may be realistic according to freshman Kristine Fix.

“I’ve talked to a lot of freshmen who want to join, but don’t know where to go,” said Fix.