The Bison – May 1, 1992

Time and effort have been put into the organization of the upcoming Heroes Conference on moral courage, a three-day, all-school event at BHS on May 4-6 1992.

During these three days, instead of having regular classes, students are split up randomly into approximately 55 groups of 20 students each.

The intent of this project is to be a lesson for students in finding some of the true heroes in life.

"Rather than having one unrelated class after another, such as one hour of math and another hour of English, we wanted to try using a thematic method where one particular theme is carried out. In this case, the theme of heroes who have shown moral courage," said principal Nick Miller.

This opinion is shared by many students as well as the faculty.

"It's good to get out of the regular classes," said freshman Ben Thompson.

This conference, which centers around heroes and moral courage, is for learning about heroes and to look in depth at different topics.

"[I think it will] get people to look at their beliefs and to act on those beliefs. This would help develop moral courage and hopefully encourage students to use that moral courage," said sophomore Zara Akin.

Ted Sizer, an author, wrote a book in which he compared schools to shopping malls. Just going from class to class like going from shop to shop - window shopping, instead of actually going into the store to look.

"This will be a great opportunity, since we are one of the few schools to ever do such a thing. But to really make it to work, we need a lot of student participation," said counselor Gloria Rose.

The idea for the Conference started when a former BHS foreign exchange student, Gad Johannes Shuster Gross, was killed by the Iraqis while he was covering the Kurdish rebellion for Newsweek magazine.

It is the feeling of many people who had come in contact with him about ten years ago when he was a student here, that he made a major impact on BHS.

"He was an incredibly sensitive, perceptive, caring, giving, brilliant student," said English teacher, Karen Swenson.

There are a number of speakers scheduled to participate in the symposium. Among them is Gross' mother, who will be flown out by Newsweek magazine.

Other speakers include Minnesota Businessman Irwin Jacob, Patty Wetterling, Irene Opdyke, the 1991 winner of the National Courage to Care Award, and a rescuer during the holocaust; and Dave Moore, a Hmong Scout troop leader, and folk-singer Sally Rogers, who will be performing music workshops and concerts.

Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature. This is School District 8779's official definition of sexual harassment in the Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence policy which was adopted in January of 1990.

Over half of the High school girls in Minnesota say that they have been sexually harassed at one time or another in or out of school. This is the reason that Minnesota is going to invest $1,000,000 to teach grades Kindergarten through twelve about sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment may take many forms, and each person's views may differ.

"[To me], sexual harassment is any type of sexual behavior that I feel is offensive," said freshman Julie Kujawa. This definition of sexual harassment is very popular among BHS students.

"Sexual harassment is when someone gives you any verbal or physical contact that bothers you," said senior Chris Lohn.

District 8779's policy on sexual harassment is that after a report has been filed, an interview will be conducted with both the victim and the accused. After that it will be decided what the punishment will be if any. The punishment can range anywhere from detention to suspension to expulsion depending on the severity of the offense.

"[Sexual harassment] is a form of disrespect and a problem that only now is being faced honestly and responsibly," said Principal Nick Miller.

So far this school year there have been 26 reported cases that have gone to Susan Hagstrom, the Human Rights Officer.

"There were 11 from the Senior High, 4 from the Junior High, 7 from the Elementary schools, and four from the staff members," said Hagstrom.

8779's official policy reads:

"Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to: verbal harassment or abuse; subtle pressure for sexual activity; inappropriate patting or pinching; intentional brushing against a student's or employee's body; demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual's employment or educational status; any sexually motivated unwelcome touching; or sexual violence which is a physical act of aggression that includes a sexual act or sexual purpose."

Before 1973, abortions were only allowed if the mother's health was in danger or in cases of tubal pregnancy. Then on January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court Ruling on Roe vs Wade defined abortion as a general, constitutional, and fundamental right.

Since then, the number of legal abortions has increased rapidly. An abortion is performed every twenty seconds - roughly 4400 per day. Starts at conception and grows. Where there's growth there is life," said freshman Amy Bokusky.

"I think it's wrong - you're taking away a life. Some people say that life starts at birth, but I think it's wrong because you're killing a human life," said sophomore Molly Mullin.

"I agree with abortion - I think it's wrong, but if people will start having more abortions or not Roe vs Wade will be overturned," said freshman Amy Bokusky.

The Informed Consent Bill which is going through the House of Representatives now will give the following rights to women if it is passed: counseling on medical risks and methods of abortion surgery, to be shown medically accurate photographs showing the current stage of gestation, to be given a 24 hour waiting period after counseling, and to examine completely all options, including a state written counseling session, get the consent from the parents if the patient is under 18, and have written proof that the patient has notified their husband if they are married before having the abortion.

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There are many problems that need to be dealt with in this school, but the biggest problem is you, the student body. It seems to us that the vast majority of students in this school don't care about anything more important than gaining material possessions and having fun.

Sure, every now and then, a controversial issue comes into the public eye. Then, everyone has their opinions and they vehemently argue their point with anyone that differs with them. Then, in a week or two, a new issue is brought up and the old one is forgotten before it was ever even remedied.

Why is everyone so apathetic? People our age are dying, being oppressed, and living in such poor conditions, that we couldn't even begin to imagine them. No, they may not be abundance in our community, but they should concern us. Think about the world as a whole, not just what directly affects you.

There are so many groups, like S.A.D.D, Y.A.R.C., and NHS, in this school that are here to help and benefit us. They work hard to plan activities for us, but unless all of our friends are taking part, we just let them slide by. There are messages to be heard and they should not have to be gimmicky in order for us to pay attention, we should want to learn. Our school is full of followers. Get your own mind and quit letting others think for you. Even if you're an indifferent slob and always have been, you can change and now would be a good time to start. Be aware of the problems in the world and know that the world is not going to change for you. You have to make the changes happen.

You all know it happens, but you think that it won't ever happen to you. Many of you have some demented idea that you are invincible and cannot die. Well, you can die and you will.

It is pathetic to think that someone in this school will have to die before we wake up and realize that drinking and driving kills. Not only does it endanger you, it puts everyone on the street in jeopardy.

Dear Abby printed this selection by Joseph D. Vrable some time ago.

"It isn't the car that begins to whine when forced to stop for an old stop sign -- It's the driver.
It isn't the car that takes a drink, then quickly loses its power to think -- it's the driver.
It isn't the car that fails to heed the dangers of reckless, discourteous speed -- it's the driver.
It isn't the car that steps on the gas and causes an accident trying to pass -- it's the driver.
A car may be bent and twisted awry, but it isn't the car that will have to die -- it's the driver."

If you've already done driven while intoxicated and nothing happened, you are just plain lucky. As a sober driver, do want to have your life dependent on someone else's dumb luck? Even if you don't drink and drive, others do. You have to drive defensively.

Prom is supposed to be fun, but if you're not especially careful while driving, you probably won't live to have fun again.

It's Zero Hour time! Zero Hour may be coming to BHS soon. The administration of BHS is considering a new option, Zero Hour classes.

Zero Hour is an optional Class offered before the school day starts. The purpose is to offer students more classes to take that they might not get a chance to. There are drawbacks to the program. You have to get up early and teachers have to be willing to get up early to teach the classes. But with a really good alarm clock and a little less late night partying, those are easily manageable.

The Bison is in favor of Zero Hour. Students who want to take their math, science, and the required English and social Studies, don't have the time for classes such as an art class, a business class, or a class at the vocational school. It gives students extra time to learn what they want to. The extra class, the extra time, the extra learning... it should be worth getting up an hour early!

DEAR EDITOR, After reading the March 20th issue of The Bison newspaper, I would like to address the Letter to the Editor, Clothing Standard Complaint. This letter is not meant to be for or against what the writer was saying, but it's to express my feelings and exercise my freedom of speech.

Throughout your life you will have many opportunities to make choices and stand up for what you believe and say what you want. BUT along with these freedoms we need to use GOOD JUDGEMENT. Of course, how society sees you is not an attitude intended just for you! It was apparent when your parents were in school and I'm sure it will continue as long as there are teenagers. It's hard to convince adults that the clothes you wear aren't interpreting what you stand for or believe in. We wonder why you would spend your money on an article of clothing with a picture on it or a message written on it if it didn't interest you. I've been told that someone might buy a T-shirt because they like the music of a particular band, but not like how the band portrays itself.

Years ago, if you had long hair you were no-good. If you wore mini skirts or hot pants you had a bad reputation. That's where you make the choice, and if it's something you feel strongly about, be ready to take the criticism that comes with it!

When you get into the work force and you're turned away because of your looks, maybe you need to compromise if you want the job bad enough.

I am a parent of three teenagers and I'm a former teenager myself! As a teen in the sixties and seventies, I can say we put our rights to the test, but we still had more restrictions than teenagers today. We fought for the right to grow our hair longer than to our ears, to wear what we wanted, and even to have our own vending machines in school. Imagine having a dress code, hemlines to the knee, and girls not being allowed to wear slacks, shorts or jeans!

When my own family was young, I told myself I would be more open-minded than my parents were. Now they're teens and I have a hard time swallowing some of the ideas they throw my way. I still say no, when it doesn't feel right, that's my right as a parent, but hope they use good judgment when they're given the chance. We do remind them, they are responsible for their actions.

You say you'd heard it all before? I guess we all have at one time or another. Sometimes it's hard to be understanding when so many changes take place so quickly. It's not easy being a teenager, but then it's not easy being a grown-up, either!

P.S. Just a praise for The Bison newspaper staff. I enjoy reading the paper and think you do a great job, even for teenagers!

"WMCJ" is a poor excuse for me to pay money to watch people play basketball. Sure, we get to see what the players are saying and get more action than professional players, but are we willing to pay to see this movie rather than waiting for it to come on cable? I know that I would rather wait for the cable release.

Chump (Harrelson) enjoys hustling, that is, until he gets hustled, not by just anybody, but by his partner in crime (Snipes). That's when he learns the rules of the street, don't trust anybody. But not only does he need to learn those rules, he needs to learn the rules of the heart. And, like typical movies, he doesn't learn them until we see the credits rolling on the screen.

After losing his girlfriend so many times, you would think he'd get the picture. But, he is just like every other American, if you get the chance to double your money, you do it. No matter what the price is, you do it because you believe in yourself. And he did, losing his girlfriend and money in the process.

I enjoy going to the movies, but I don't want to sit and watch people insult other people's mothers for two hours. If I want to see that, I can go to my friend's house and watch it for free.

"The Cutting Edge" started at the Winter Olympics of 1988 in Calgary the two main characters Doug Dorsey (D.B. Sweeney) and Kate Moseley (Moira Kelly) accidentally bumped into each other. This truly foreshadows the movie, because they hate each other immediately.

In Doug's hockey game, he was rammed into the side of the rink by a member of the opposing team, losing 18° of his peripheral vision, ending his hockey career. When he returned home he found the last possible hockey team had rejected him.

Since Kate had gone through 11 different partners, because of her attitude, her coach, in a desperate attempt, hires Doug to be her partner. In the end they qualified to go to the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.

This movie was entertaining, for many reasons. I enjoy watching figure skating, so I may be biased. I found the plot to be predictable, and classic in the way they hated each other, but ended up falling in love. The camera work made the ice routines more dramatic, but they wasted too much time with shots of people's feet and butts.

Although 75% of the movie contained something pertaining to sex, the other 25% is what kept me in the Theatre. When such elements as swearing, violence, and sex are in movies, they are usually used in moderation. But "Basic Instinct" has no idea what being moderate is, especially since the portrayal of gay characters as possible murderers offended gay rights activists.

I don't understand why this one group is making an issue over this movie. No matter who the characters were or what they did, it probably would have offended another group of people.

I especially liked the plot of the movie. It was a very good murder mystery, and it still remains a mystery. Three possible killers, yet they never really solve it. It kept me interested in finding out whodunit? I still don't know...

Dr. Timms (Pierce Brosnan) is a secret worker for the government in Virtual Reality Technology (VRT). The scientists have been able to increase the intelligence of a monkey, but the monkey escapes out of rage.

Friendless and mentally handicapped, Jobe, "The Lawnmower Man" (Jeff Fahey) was adopted by the priest of a country church. Jobe mows lawns for a living, which is how Dr. Timms notices his disability. Timms starts intelligence acceleration treatments on Jobe.

Once the doctor finishes the highest possible treatment on his home computer, he asks VRT for permission to use their lab. They agree since they have been looking for a human subject. From this point in the movie, the government tampers with the treatments, and Jobe becomes a superintelligent being filled with anger at all the "lesser" humans.

The detail that the computer animators used in this movie must have taken a long time, but it looked great and was worth it. Everything looked real, like you were in a different world. The excellent story line developed as the movie went along, involving the viewer in anticipating what will happen next. I don't want to give away the ending, but it's a cliffhanger, with a chance for a sequel.

This has to be the worst movie in the entire industry, and yet it is #1 for Easter weekend. Why is this movie in the top spot? Because people like me go to see the movie and tell everyone how bad it was, and then these people go to see just how bad it is.

Don't! Save your money, and go to another movie. I should have known how bad the movie was going to be when the ticket seller told the people behind me that it was a waste of money.

The beginning was probably the best part, it wasn't stupid and ridiculous. After about thirty minutes, the movie [unclear] stupid. It got so bad that I would have walked out if I wasn't having fun watching everybody throw popcorn at the screen.

The Bison Asks: Has divorce affected you?

The Bison conducted a survey of the BHS student body on Friday, April 17. There were 494 responses received.

Are your parents divorced/separated?
No 76%
Yes 24%

Under the agreements of divorce do your parents share custody or do you live with only one parent?
36% Single Parent
22% Weekend Visits
22% Joint Custody
20% Other

How do you feel about separation/divorce?
"I think it was for the best since my parents didn't get along."
"Divorce is a too easily used option. People seem to think that they can always get out of a tough situation. Whatever happened to working things out. Nothing good comes easy."
"I care for both, but it's hard spending equal amounts of time with them on holidays."

If your parents were to get back together, would you be in favor of it?
Yes 13%
No 82%
Depends 5%

How old were you when your parents were divorced?
under 1: 5%
1-3: 19%
4-6: 16%
7-9: 25%
10-12: 11%
13-15: 15%
16-18: 8%

If you yourself were married, would you consider divorce as an option?
(divorced parents)
Yes 43%
No 25%
Depends 32%

(undivorced parents)
Yes 44%
No 19%
Depends 37%

From 1950 to 1990, the number of divorces has nearly tripled and so has the number of children involved. The United States leads the world in the number of divorces and this may be due, in part, to the fact that many American families consist of two working parents. Family income is directly affected by divorce and it fluctuates long after marital separation. The graphs were taken from, Youth Indicators 1991.

It happens once every 27 seconds in the United States. Affecting more than one million school aged children, a divorce is granted, splitting up couples and families.

According to a 1982 study, by the New York Teachers College, divorce is now among the top four leading fears of teenage children.

"A parental divorce is a traumatic experience for a child regardless of age," said Patty Rizzo, author of Helping Children Adjust to Divorce. Children may react differently to this trauma. Younger children may revert back to "baby talk," while slightly older children are likely to develop headaches or stomachaches that are a result of their internal feelings, not physical problems.

When teens are faced with the divorce of their parents, they can feel let down or deprived of what they see as a normal family during a time when most adolescents are trying very hard to fit in with the rest of the crowd. In most cases, it is especially hard for teens because adolescence is a time when they need a stable family to lean on while they are growing up and changing at a pace that may be alarming. But in some cases it is be easier since teens are often granted more freedoms and getting out of the house is more convenient.

"Adolescents have other outlets. They have some other avenues to get away from family stresses," said Dietz.

Some teens feel as if there has been a role reversal in the home. They find that now they wait-up for Mom or Dad to come home from a late date, or make supper because Mom/Dad had to work.

When parents begin dating, it can be difficult for a child to adjust to seeing another man or woman in the place of their natural parent. This can cause tension between a child and his or her parent(s). To try and avoid this tension, one should try to understand that parents are people too and they need love and affection just like anyone else.

"[Teens] understand dating among themselves, but not their parents," said Dietz.

Defiance is one way that some children deal with the trauma of their parents' divorce. Not coming home at night and not living by rules are two examples of this.

"Everybody does it different. [The child may feel] every different emotion you can possibly think of: anger, sadness, withdrawing, everything. It all depends upon the child," said BHS counselor Mary Lynn Leff.

Children show their emotions through different methods.

"I used to cry a lot. Now, I'm glad they're apart," said sophomore Shannon Bukowski.

In adjusting to a new family life, many children withdraw from their family and everyone else. In some cases, this is because they feel that they are the only person who has had to go through this situation.

"It's a long process. Divorce is not a thing a friend can overcome fast or easy," said BHS counselor Gloria Rose.

A child may be feeling guilty that somehow he or she is responsible for their parents' divorce or that his or her relationship with the other parent is not as good as it should be. This is natural.

"Don't try and fix. Help them to find solutions on their own," said Leff.

During and after a divorce, the parent should give the child a chance to talk. If the parent fails to do this, a close friend may try to talk about the situation. It is suggested that one be there for him/her even if at times it seems as if he/she doesn't want or need help. When he/she is ready to open up, they will and they may need someone to listen more than ever.

"They were separated more than once, and I knew it was going to happen sometime," said freshman Nathan Nueman.

Explaining what is going on, why it is happening, and assuring children that they are in no way responsible can help to ease the pain of a divorce.

"My dad went to work one morning, and my mom came to my room and woke my brother and I, and we started packing. Then we left. My dad came home and we were gone. We took everything we needed and left," said Bukowski.

The pain of divorce is not exclusive to the children. Even though a divorce is what the adults wanted or needed, they also feel the loss. In a survey given by the University of Washington's School of Medicine, taken by 5000 adults, the emotional stress of a divorce ranked second only to the devastation of a spouse's death. Marital separation ranked third on the stress scale.

"Try to make the best of a terrible and painful, stressful situation," said Leff.

Another way of easing the suffering of a divorce is by having parents that are honest and not insulting about one another. Often a child's resentment and hatred for one parent maybe caused by the other's point of veiw. This happens most often when the divorce is long and especially difficult.

"When you attack the other parent, you attack the child that is part of the parent," said Rizzo.

---
Divorce rate per 1,000 existing marriages, 1986
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Sweden
France
West Germany
Japan
Italy

Monthly Family Income After Marital Separation
Before separation: $ 2,435
After separation: $ 1,746
4 months later: $ 1,543
8 months later: $ 1,548
12 months later: $ 1,739
16 months later: $ 1,711

The track team has started another successful season with 123 members and two new coaches. There is an average of 35 students from each grade on the team this year, including two foreign exchange students.

Besides having to get used to the usual everyday workouts, team members have two new track coaches to familiarize themselves with.

Coach Lisa Swan-Anderson is starting her first year with the Bison track and field program. This is her fourth year coaching track. She was a student assistant for the women's track team at St. Cloud State University.

Coach Todd Sauer is also starting his first year as a BHS track coach. Sauer coached in Bemidji and Cambridge, and he will be working with the 1600 and 3200 meter runners.

"Sauer gives us a good workout. He found out our weak points and he's working on them," said sophomore Lisa Aro.

In addition to the new coaches, both teams are picking up their levels of performance in other areas.

Coach Ed Saxton feels that both teams have a good chance at going to state if they can keep up their level of competition and stay healthy. There are two state competitions for track and field. The True Teams and the Individual State Competition provide a double bonus for the team.

In the True Team Competition, the whole team, either boys or girls or both, participates if they qualify. They compete for the team and for themselves.

"The sprints, 4 x 100, and the 4 x 200 relays have a good chance of going to state," said freshman Jason Poirier.

The Individual State Tournament is where individuals go and compete for themselves.

"If we stay healthy and injury-free, I think we can have a chance to hopefully send nine [members] to state," said Coach Saxton.

Buffalo has hosted two track meets this year. The first was on April 23 against Prior Lake. The second was scheduled for April 28 against Mound, Mayer Lutheran, and Elk River. On May 5, Buffalo will be hosting Hutchinson, Orono, and Shakopee, starting at 4 p.m.

The Bison boys' tennis team took to the new BHS tennis courts with force as they began another season. The tennis team is looking forward to a successful season.

While singles play is coming together, coach Charlie Keifenheim set up partners for doubles.

"I think we have a really good chance [to win the North Suburban title]," said senior Ryan Reid.

Teamwork is one area that team members said needed the most improvement, but generally, it was getting better.

"We're really trying to work together," said senior Nick Rice. "We've got the strongest team we've ever had."

While the team concentrates on playing, it's the new tennis courts at BHS that are receiving the most attention. The team is pleased to be playing at the high school. They will be hosting the region tournament.

"It's great. You don't have to drive over to the Junior High, and everybody can get on because there are eight courts instead of four," said Reid.

Other members agreed, saying that with the Junior High tennis program, the Junior High courts were always full.

"We needed [the new courts]," said Rice. "It's a real plus."

The morale of the team is high. While tennis is a very competitive sport, the feelings of the players are the most important.

"There is more emphasis on having fun," said senior Brett Nyholm.

BASEBALL - The varsity games against St. Francis on Monday, April 20, and Mounds View on Wednesday, April 22, were postponed due to rain. The Bison defeated Spring Lake Park, 5-0, on Thursday, April 23. The team finished fifth at the Mankato East Tournament on April 24-25.

SOFTBALL - The game against Irondale on Tuesday, April 21 was postponed until Thursday, April 23, due to rain. The Bison defeated the Knights, 9-2. The team beat Mounds View, 4-1, also on April 23. The team beat Dassel-Cokato, 5-3, and Orono, 10-7, to win the D.-C. Tournament on April 25.

BOYS' TENNIS - The team was defeated by Spring Lake Park, 6-1, on April 23, and by Mounds View, 7-0, on April 24. The team placed second at New London-Spicer on Saturday, April 25.

TRACK AND FIELD - The boys beat Prior Lake on April 23, 73-71, but the girls lost, 70-58. At Monticello on Saturday, April 25, the girls finished second with 106 points and the boys were sixth with 45 points.

BOYS' GOLF - The match at Columbia Golf Course was postponed due to rain on Monday, April 20. The team placed second at the Majestic Oaks on Thursday, April 23 with a score of 213, and first at the Litchfield-Willmar Tourney on Saturday, April 25 with a score of 651.

GIRLS' GOLF - The team placed second while hosting the conference meet on Thursday, April 23, with a score of 206. Senior Nikki Paripovich medaled with a score of 44. The team defeated Mound, 215-259, on Friday, April 24.

After taking third place in the North Suburban Conference last year, the Bison boys' golf team is looking forward to taking the NSC title.

The team consists of nine seniors, all who have played in at least one match last year. This experience is expected to be the driving force for the team as the season progresses.

"Our experience will carry us," said senior Chad Bormes.

Consistency is a factor in determining how the season will turn out. According to Bormes, the team can't have a "letdown match" if they want to stay competitive.

"We cannot give up if we play a bad round," said senior Chris Varner. "We have to be confident in each other [to do our best]."

Another area of concern is the weather. After several years of fairly dry weather, several meets last year were delayed due to rain. As proved in late winter this year, the weather can change quickly and drastically. According to some members, the weather can cause problems with course conditions.

"The weather makes a big difference," said Varner.

However, other team members are optimistic that they won't be affected by the weather. They always plan for changing weather conditions.

"The weather is the same every year. You just have to live with it," said senior Andy Gorill.

As the team takes to the course, their high spirits give them hopes of victory in the North Suburban Conference. Team members are hoping that this morale will carry over into their performance.

"We want to pick [our playing level] up," said Bormes. "We're all geared up to play."

As the spring weather begins to warm up, so does the Bison softball team.

Twenty-one members, 14 of which were letter winners and seven were starters, are returning this year. The team started practicing on March 2 with high hopes for the season.

"I want us to always work and play as hard as we can," said coach Dave Alto.

To help achieve these goals, the softball team has been stressing fundamentals, such as batting and fielding. The team has been working out in the weight room, running, and increasing the number of practices.

"This is probably the hardest working team we've had," said senior Robbyn Olson. "The girls' teams are working just as hard as the boys' teams now."

Team members are also focusing on teamwork. According to some players, pulling together a lot of individuals and making them work together as a team is necessary in order to have a respectable season.

"The girls are working very hard," said Alto.

The first varsity softball game was April 2 at Totino Grace, which the Bison won 17 to 6 in 6 innings.

"We work really hard. Our coach says that we will be the hardest working team out there," said Olson.

With high hopes, practice, and hard work, Coach Alto hopes that the Bison softball team will have a chance to win conference this year.

"I just ask them to do the best they can," said Alto.

There are many schools that are producing mindless robots, and it's great that our school realizes that learning is much more than simply throwing-up facts,' said junior Laurie Miller.

Numerous studies have shown that participating in an activity or lesson, a student is apt to retain more information. This is the goal of the conference, a plan which District 877 has been working on for over a year.

'It will teach us some of the things that you don't find in normal textbooks. We will also have an opportunity to meet average people who have lived through incredible experiences,' said freshman Joy Johnson.

The fact that this is an important event in the community, as well as the presence of these well-known volunteers, could bring great state and national coverage to BHS.

According to Miller, there is a publicity committee which has sent out press releases to ABC and NBC News, WCCO radio, and journalists from the Star Tribune, Time and Newsweek. This event promises to be a great learning experience for all involved.

'I hope it gives them a chance to reflect on moral courage and themselves,' said social studies teacher John Ause.

'If we could get everyone to do one nice thing for another just because it feels good, it would have a tremendous impact. I think the number one ingredient in a school or community is a caring, friendly attitude between everyone,' said Miller.

A typical day of the conference will include a speaker, writing in journals, lunch, discussion, and other assorted activities.

'I think that it will be a good change of pace instead of having classes and a good learning experience,' said freshman Sira Anderson.

Students and faculty agree that the Heroes Conference will be a learning experience for all participants.

'My guts tell me that this is very innovative, creative, and special,' said Miller.

'I think it's wrong, but if they make it illegal then people will start having more back alley abortions and that's dangerous,' said freshman Molly Mullin.

A few weeks ago in Buffalo, NY, a group of abortion rights activists verbally and physically abused a pastor at a rally in front of an abortion clinic and prevented people from entering it.

'I wouldn't have one, [an abortion], but it is a woman's right to have one if she wants,' said freshman Julie Kujawa.

'I feel that it's the right of the women to make that choice,' said junior Karl Jaeger.

According to the Star Tribune, it is assumed that the Supreme Court Judges are ready to overturn the 1973 decision. If this happens, a woman's choice on abortion will no longer be protected by the Supreme Court, it would then be the states decision. Therefore, that would mean 50 different rulings from 50 different states.

The Minnesota Association of Student Councils, which has sanctioned this election, awarded this award for their achievement to the BHS Student Council. The council received this award for the Spring Convention. The Student Council as a freshman representative and team elected in December, was elected in a leadership position, and was elected as a freshman representative and class officer for the 1992-1993 school year.

Held Wednesday, May 27, Student Council representatives and class officers will be elected. Those elected will have the opportunity to lead discussions that affect students. The representatives will also have an opportunity to learn about student meetings, planning committees, and parliamentary procedure. The Student Council decanates also has the opportunity to explain the importance of a student council to a school board using his experience as an example.