The Bison – May 29, 1987

Four Buffalo teenagers were involved in a car crash, which, for one, Jerad Naser, turned out to be fatal. BHS administrators handled the situation in a unique way by distributing memos to teachers which were read by the teachers to all first hour classes.

"We feel it's important that basic facts are told to students and faculty to dispel rumors," said Assistant Principal Mark Minkler. "We felt it would be better handled individually than over the P.A. system ... that is, 30 students to one teacher."

"If you don't disclose basic information, rumors run rampant," Minkler continued. The memo was specifically designed to prevent rumors. It was designed to be concise and disclose the facts. read, "The accident occurred at approximately 2:00 am on Wright County Road 34, in the vicinity of Green Mountain Lake ... Four boys were in the car. They were: Tom Ferrell, Chris Brenny, Jason Hanson, and Jerad Naser. Jason Hanson was taken to North Memorial Hospital where he was listed in "stable" condition on Sunday morning. Chris Brenny and Tom Ferrell were treated and released from the Buffalo Hospital. There was a fire at the scene and Jerad was unable to escape from the car. Indications are that he was killed instantly before the fire occurred. Jerad was in the back seat. Tom and Chris were apparently thrown clear of the vehicle. Facts about Jason are not known at this time."

Because of a mix-up at a Monticello salvage yard, a SADD plan to discourage drinking and driving backfired. SADD placed a smashed car in front of BHS for a Prom demonstration, only to have it removed minutes later. SADD came up with the idea for a totaled car after being shown a newspaper clipping that their advisor, Activities Director Nancy Bergert had of a similar stunt. Originally the car was to come from Little Falls. However, Ruff's Auto Salvage in Monticello received the car from Maple Lake before the Little Falls car and sent it to BHS.

"I was standing by the phone and somebody yelled down the hallway, 'Oh, it's the car that was in that accident a few weeks ago in Maple Lake!' and I just kind of stood there and I walked out and I saw the car. I went in and started yelling at Mr. Minkler asking 'Why is this here?' I didn't see the point of it being there," said Senior Kari Lange after seeing the car.

"It wasn't just the car being out there that upset her, but realizing it was a car she recognized. I used to go with a kid from Maple Lake — we went together for about seven and a half months. He died in that car. He died in that accident," Lange continued.

"It was scary, I couldn't imagine someone being in it," stated Senior Dana Mason about the car. Soon afterwards the car was towed. Having the car towed could have ruined the effect of the stunt but, according to SADD President, Senior Chris Houston it did not.

"I think that if it was kept there as long as originally planned it wouldn't have had as great an effect as it did. Because it was there and gone in the same day, it made it more of a mystery," said Houston. Lange however disagrees, "Sure they talked about it for maybe half the day, but when people go to prom nobody remembered it. They didn't stop and think 'I'm not going to drink and drive, I'm not going to do drugs and drive.' Nobody really stopped and thought about it."

Although one plan failed, another was thrown into action. "After the car was towed, we had a meeting the next day to decide whether or not to locate another car," said Houston, "or go with a different plan. Then (Sophomore) Lori Bruzek showed us an idea she came up with during second hour. It was a little tuxedo jacket with a message about drinking and driving on it. We decided to go with that and sent them to Johnson's, who put them in the tuxedo pockets."

Many students who have taken Ause's two hour block would like to see the class be counted for both a social and an English credit, because of all the writing involved in the course. "I think it could be counted as both a social and an English credit," stated Junior Amanda Zaeska, who took the course first semester. "You learn about history and geography and at the same time you learn writing skills."

Most kids stated that over half of Ause's two hour block consists of writing. Senior Lezlee Ruppert said, "Most of the time I spent writing, researching, and typing it into the computer, then going over it with Mr. Ause." In a normal unit, seven out of eighteen days are work days. "Kids might spend anywhere from three to five days writing," said Ause.

With all the writing involved in the class, it seems only fair to the hard working students to give them credit for all the time spent just on writing papers. Exchange Student Heike Kemmerich said, "It is an excellent class and a lot of work; it should count for two credits." Next year the University of Minnesota will require a portfolio of over 25 pages of writing from high school before they will accept a student. In Ause's two hour block, a student would completely finish the portfolio in the class. Also, Ause has noticed an improvement in his students' writing during the course. "I see a greater understanding that writing involves careful word choice and organization, and I see a conscientiousness of that."

The current grading system is outdated, inaccurate, and cheating students of earned grade point average, stated English teacher David Robinson. Student Council is proposing a new four point system, replacing the present twelve point system. Student Council Secretary Senior Jonz Norine has presented two four point system options to the faculty.

One option gives an A+, A, and A- all four points in value. Likewise, all B's would be worth three points. C's and D's would be Sie lent to two and one point respectively. Another plan includes more office work to put the system into the computer. This plan has no A+s, gives an A four points and an A- 3.666 points. The remainder of the grades are broken down into these point values: B+ 3.333, B 3, B- 2.666, C+ 2.333, C 2, C 1.666, D+ 1.333, D 1, D- .666 and F 0. Although Norine favors the first option, he plans to support whichever plan the faculty passes and work for implementation in the 1987 school year.

The idea of a four point system at BHS started in Buffalo in 1986 and found a disappointment waiting for him. "All the schools in the South have a four point system. When I moved here to a 12 point system, it screwed up my grade point average and I got angry."

In January, Norine and Student Council members Nathan Blair, Nell Aldrich, and Tiffany Persian started work on the four point grading system. They called other Suburban West schools to educate themselves on other systems and compare them. Then they started creating a system for BHS. Norine first presented the proposal to the Faculty Senate. The senate's response was positive. The faculty realized the benefits the change will bring.

"It will put everyone in BHS on an equal level with other students," Norine said. Most colleges ask for an applicant's grade point average on a four point system. Those grades converted down to a four point system are slightly lower due to the conversion itself. Some problems with the change in the grading system include losing the A+ grade, and receiving no point value change for a straight grade or a minus grade. Norine feels that "if the students understand it, they will realize the change will benefit them."

Construction on the bond issue is scheduled to begin in the fall of 1987. This construction creates a problem in terms of parking for both faculty and students for the 1987-88 school year. As the situation now stands, the faculty parking lot will be used to park the machinery and vehicles for the construction crew. With this obstruction, the faculty and employees of the school district are going to park in the student lot. They will take 125 of the 180 parking spaces in the lot. Of the 55 spaces left, 50 are delegated to the on-the-job students. This leaves only 5 spaces for other students who drive to school. Principal Nick Miller and Assistant Principal Mark Minkler plan to meet with Buffalo Police Department to come up with a solution which will provide more parking spaces. Some possibilities may include parking along the Lake Pulaski road and using the lawn at the east end of the school by the water tower.

Have you ever been absent and felt like no one noticed? The Student Care Committee (SCC), headed by BHS English Teacher Karen Swenson, is out to change that. SCC was conceived when a student who usually came to Swenson's room for mods was gone for several days. She felt bad that he hadn't been missed sooner, and sent him a card and gift. She then realized it was not just her responsibility to miss students, but their classmates. Hence, the creation of SCC.

The main goal is to make students aware of when classmates are absent. They also hope, in the future, to be able to send more than just a card or balloon. All this costs money, however. To raise money, SCC put large barrels in the mall for students to throw away aluminum cans. The cans will be recycled and the money will go into the SCC fund. SCC will be continued into next year. Parents, teachers, and classmates are encouraged to contact Swenson if they know of someone who is absent more than five days.

--- Pop cans and donations to the Student Care Committee by BHS students and faculty helped plant a tree in memory of senior Jared Naser (born August 14, 1969 died May 4)

BHS was granted an opportunity to become informed on the issue of South Africa from a person who grew up there. Marks Chabedi, a Bemidji State University student, told a group of about 15 students of his experiences in South Africa. Chabedi was born in Soweto, a town famous for uprisings in 1976. Chabedi has been very active in his attempts to help blacks gain more rights - and has been arrested several times for his beliefs. In 1984, Chabedi joined the Congress of the South African Students (CSAS), which sought freedom for all South Africans. The CSAS was outlawed in 1985 and all members were in danger of being arrested. A year earlier, he had been arrested and held in jail without knowing the charge. Fortunately, he was able to escape to freedom. In 1986, Chabedi joined the Soweto Youth Congress. The night before he was to leave for Minnesota, there was a raid in the area where he lived. He was able to escape without being captured, but four of his friends were caught and thrown in jail, where they are still being detained. Chabedi believes the recent elections in South Africa have made the situation more unstable. The new government is less conservative and thus is more likely to give blacks more rights. The government will not negotiate with the blacks to solve the problem of apartheid. Chabedi sees violence as inevitable. After he finishes college, Chabedi plans to join the African National Congress (ANC) and help fight for his country's freedom from white control.

Because of a late start, the 1987-88 school calendar brings with it four less vacation days. Winter vacation will be three days shorter and Spring break will last two days rather than three. The next school year will begin on September 2, six days later than this year, and end on June 3.

--- During Spring Fling, sophomore Tena Fritz and freshman Hans Lund served sundae toppings to teacher Gerard Rohl

Everybody wants to drive to school. It's convenient, a definite chance to exhibit a car, and generally fashionable. And just about everybody who can drive to school does, which has become a problem every spring.

Expect this problem to grow dramatically in the fall of 1987. The construction taking place on the east and west ends of BHS will create several different conflicts concerning the west parking lot.

First, the west end of BHS will be extended seventy-five feet into the west (teachers') parking lot. The materials and construction equipment needed to build this extension will also be stored on the lot. And of course, the workers' cars and on-site Office trailer will occupy the remaining space.

This presents a problem for the teachers and on-the-job students who drive 4 175 of them. The only alternative is the student lot, leaving five lot spaces for the rest of the student body. The twenty spaces in the lot are out, since visitors meeting with the administrators need a close place to park.

And then there's County Road 114, which now holds the overflow parking. 200 driving students cannot be expected to continue parking along one side of a residential street. If this were to happen, then given current student parking procedures, nearly one mile of shoulder will be used. If students begin parking side-by-side along 114, a conservative estimate of at least 1600 feet will be taken up which also means parking on the grass.

The school has been eyeing the property just north of the campus with expansion in mind. However, even if the district buys that lot, it will most likely not be used to accommodate overflow parking.

All of this means one thing: the majority of this year's juniors, sophomores and freshmen should plan on riding the bus or walking to school next fall, whether they have a car or not. Yes, there are several lots within a good walking distance of BHS. But most of these lots are privately owned and used by customers of local businesses.

At present, the BHS administration has a tentative solution to this problem: students will not be given parking privileges unless they have a reasonable need.

The Bison suggests that the administration assess the driving needs of the student body. A system identifying students with the greatest need to drive to school should be developed, those students being on-the-job students and members of athletic teams and academic organizations who stay at school after the activity buses leave.

First, on-the-job students should be allowed parking privileges and be given a sticker indicating their status as on-the-job students (such as the present "yellow permit"). Second, those students involved in activities such as golf, where practice commonly finishes long after the activity buses have left, should receive a second-priority sticker letting them park in the remaining spaces of the student lot and along the shoulder of 114. Finally, students who have an excused absence during school for a doctor's appointment or another schedule conflict should get a temporary sticker according to their absence. These temporary stickers would be given to the student the day before the excused absence. This solution would also make leaving school without a pass more difficult, since offending students would not have a form of transportation to rely on.

The Bison reminds students that the construction on BHS will be finished during the summer of 1988. Students will face at most one school year of limited parking. The BHS administration will undoubtedly be working on this problem through summer. For now, however, the student body must realize that they will not be driving next year.

April 2, 1987 The fools in Congress had not yet figured out their day had passed. They over-rode the presidential veto stopping the enactment of an "88 billion highway funding bill, but that's not what this column's about. It's about the bill that allows states to raise the speed limit on rural freeways to 65 miles per hour that was added to the funding bill.

Those who support the 65 m.p.h. bill say it should be enacted in Minnesota because few people obey the 55 m.p.h. law. The fact is highway accidents have decreased substantially since the 55 m.p.h. law was first enacted, not to mention the decrease in gas consumption which is a reason for today's cheap gasoline.

65 m.p.h. backers say if the speed limit remains 55 most people will drive about 65 anyway so raise the limit to 65 and everything will be happy ever after, right? Wrong. Raising the limit to 65 is a carte blanche to drive at even more obnoxiously high speeds than people do now. Only hours after the Senate had overridden Reagan's veto, New Mexico's governor Garrey Carruthers instated 65 m.p.h. by executive order, several states are expected to follow suit. Governor Perich says he will not raise the limit but will leave that decision to the legislature.

Perhaps a reason more important than those stated above when considering the speed limit is the shockingly poor automotive product built by Detroit's big three auto makers, it seems you can't buy an American car without something falling apart on it. In Germany speed limits are much higher on poorer quality roads because German cars are built to take punishment that U.S. cars are not.

You won't be able to buy foreign cars if a democratic congress gets its way. The enemies of free enterprise are pushing so called "protectionist" laws to raise the prices of these cars so high as to put them out of reach for American consumers.

Raising the driving age to 18 would decrease driving accidents by huge proportions because of the increase in maturity that usually accompanies the age change from 16 to 18.

Student Council is once again showing initiative in its leadership this year. Their latest influence has been in the area of the grading system.

Secretary Jonz Norine along with other Student Council members have introduced two four point systems to the faculty. Carefully researched and developed, both plans seem feasible. One of the plans would run on a straight 4,3,2,1 point value for A's, B's, C's and D's. The other plan attaches 4 points only to an A, while an A- is worth 3.666. The point values systematically decrease by .333, resulting in zero points for an F.

Although the first plan seems simpler and is more standard, The Bison favors the second plan for BHS. First, the second plan offers more accurate values for each grade, instead of attaching the same value to three separate grades. This assures fairness. A student who earns a B+ will receive more points than a student who earns a B. We feel that the B+ student deserves more points because they obviously exceeded the work required for a B. Without these distinctions, students may become lazy and not work for the higher grade. If one receives two points for both a C+ and a C., this would probably cause students to be satisfied with the C-.

Secondly, this plan insures teachers that each grade they give will have some value. The other plan offers plus and minus grades, but no separate point values. This means that giving plus or minus grades only tell the student what end of the scale they are on. It does not punish them, it only reprimands them.

The Bison supports Student Council's efforts to make BHS more competitive. But, we also feel that faculty and students should not suffer in the name of change and progress.

Volunteers, coaches, and fans cheered as the two athletes walked up to the chalked starting line. The tension and excitement mounted as the starter, Superintendent Richard Miller, held the gun overhead and shouted, "Runners to your mark, get set... BANG!", the gun exploded and signaled the beginning of the one mile exhibition race. The runners shot off the line and rounded the bend as if to escape the horrifying destination of the revolver. After 800 meters their pace slowed slightly but they stayed close until passing the volunteer timers. Then one athlete took a ten yard lead. The expression on his face revealed the desire he had to win. It read, "I know I can take this guy." As the athletes came into the final stretch the "huggers," clad in white volunteer t-shirts with hearts printed on the front and "Sponsored by Amoco" written on the back, ran out to embrace and congratulate both runners, both runners because there were no losers in that race or any other event that took place at the ceremony which included appearances by Reverend John Folkerds, Buffalo

They miss their friends, family, the parties and the mountains.

BHS hosted five foreign exchange students this year: Brasilian Marcello Sanglard, Germans Heike Kemmerich and Corina Riedl, Finn Pia Makela and Swede Jan Nygren. Even though they miss their homeland, they are enjoying their stay here.

"I liked participating in sports and the unity of the teams," Kemmerich said. "I liked ice fishing and hunting. We don't have hunting in Germany," Riedl added. "I liked the openness. You can talk about anything," Nygren commented. Makela said, "I liked meeting so many people. I liked skiing and the television shows," Sanglard added.

Other than the activities they have been in, they have developed a fondness for American food. Chocolate chip cookies, Dairy Queen and popcorn were among their favorites.

Throughout their stay here, their views of America have changed. "I found it more normal. I thought it would be more like California or New York," Makela said. "My views about America came mainly from television ads, so they have changed," Riedl commented. "The way people think and act are different than what I thought," Sanglard said. Kemmerich added, "Here people are so concerned about how they look. The attitude toward school is different. Students are not as serious about school."

Kemmerich, Makela, Nygren and Riedl will be leaving at different times during the summer. However, Sanglard, who arrived in January, will be here until next January. They all said they will miss their friends and their host families. Each had specific things they would like to bring back with them.

"I would bring Blizzards from Dairy Queen," Makela stated. Nygren said, "I would bring chocolate chip cookies, a microwave and my band and choir experiences." "Yeah, a microwave, my family experiences and mods," Sanglard added. "I would bring a popcorn popper back. We have to buy popcorn already popped," Riedl said.

All were happy to have had the opportunity to become an exchange student, and expressed wishes to come back some day.

Boys' and Girls' State: two separate camps in which students learn government skills. These students learn to organize and operate their own government.

Boys' State is sponsored by The American Legion Department of Minnesota. The camp will be held at St. John's University, June 14-20, 1987. There will be 450 boys attending the camp. Girls' State is sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota and will be held at Bethel College from June 7-13, 1987. There will be 445 girls attending the camp.

"We should combine the two camps and call it State," said Denise Wahlin. Junior Bonnie Kowalke was selected to represent the American Legion Auxiliary Unit of Buffalo and Junior Dave Gervasio was selected to represent the American Legion Post of Buffalo at Girls' and Boys' State. Junior Nathan Blair is the runner up for Boys' State. There is no runner up for the Girls' State.

Kowalke was one out of six candidates to be selected. The girls must be juniors and in the top one-third of their class. They also had to show leadership, courage, honesty, cooperation, physical fitness, good character, and scholarship. The girls were interviewed in a group and were required to write something about themselves. Gervasio was one of six candidates who was selected for Boys' State. The boys also must be a junior and in the upper one-third of their class. The Legion looked for leadership, mental alertness, physical cleanliness, courage, good character, honesty and thriftiness, and the capability to get along with others. The candidates were interviewed individually and had to write a composition on some aspect of their personality.

Both the boys and girls must bring a medical examination card to camp. The boys are responsible for a fee of $125.00 and their own transportation to and from Boys' State. The girls' fee is $115.00, which includes transportation costs.

"I feel that this is an excellent program," said Denise Wahlin, "but the criteria needs to be updated."

BHS is on the move. We are establishing a strong reputation in Minnesota, Principal Nick Miller said concerning awards and honors that BHS students and faculty have been winning this year.

Miller himself had only recently been given the Leadership Award by the Central Minnesota Secondary School's principals. Each year a few of one hundred principals in this association are chosen to receive this prestigious award. Miller was one of the four chosen for this school year.

"It was a humbling experience. People have to want to be lead before you can lead them," Miller commented. The selection process for this award begins with a nomination, Miller said. "I don't know who nominated me. I've never gotten around to finding out."

The nominees are narrowed down by a selection committee until an appropriate number of Leadership Award winners is reached.

BHS students Jill Meister, Sara Naaktgeboren, Ana Karypis and Nathan Blair were four of thirty two high school students chosen to represent the State of Minnesota in the Soviet Union this summer.

Concerning the awards and honors that BHS has been winning during the school year Activities Director Nancy Bergert commented, "I don't think BHS students and faculty have been winning more awards and honors than in previous years but I know that The Bison and the Tatanka have been winning more awards than they have in past years."

The Tatanka, The Bison, and Pegasus were recently granted authority to establish and perpetuate a chapter of Quill and Scroll, and international honorary society for high school journalists.

The Tatanka was also recently named an All-State Yearbook by the National Scholastic Press Association and one of its writers, Senior Robert Stashenko, was named an All State Journalist by that same organization.

One of The Bison's Photography Editors, Junior Dave Gervasio, was also named an All State Journalist, but by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA).

Junior Steve Bengtson and Seniors Troy Florell, Jeff Melby, and Bison MVP Darin Hahn were awarded All Conference titles in hockey.

The Minnesota Governor's Scholar Program chose Juniors Bart Casperson and Bonni Kowalke to represent Buffalo.

Sophomores Darlene Gamer and Kara Kjellberg presented the winning billboard design for use by the Wright County M.A.D.D. chapter. The billboard will feature the phrase, "If you hit the bottle, don't hit the throttle."

At the second annual Academic Excellence Awards presentation, held on May 11, 29 seniors were given the Presidential Academic Fitness Award and 79 awards were handed out to high ranking BHS students in the areas of Agriculture, Art, Business, Computer Science, English, Foreign Language, Industrial Arts, Lifestudies, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Special Education.

BHS Hall of Fame inductees for this school year are Seniors Matt Dixon and Michelle Dietering.

At the Suburban West Conference band festival at Waconia the BHS Concert Band won four Division I ratings.

Twenty-nine BHS students were chosen to receive the Presidential Academic Fitness Award and seventy-nine Academic Excellence awards were handed out by the National Scholastic Press Association.

The bad news is that around six BHS seniors will not join their class at graduation ceremonies this year.

Juniors Bart Casperson and Bonni Kowalke have been chosen to participate in the Governor's Scholar Program next year. The program is a statewide leadership education corps allowing students with demonstrated or potential academic and leadership qualities to develop projects they can learn from as well as benefit the community with. 108 Minnesota students were chosen for the project in their junior year.

During the summer, they can attend a leadership institute where they learn effective leadership techniques and begin their projects, which are to be completed in the first semester of their senior year. The projects are based on participant's own interests and adapted to benefit the community. Casperson and Kowalke's projects will be completed individually, but with the guidance of Social Studies teacher, John Ause and English teacher David Robinson.

Kowalke is an active member of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and comes from a farming family, providing her with a good background in the production side of agriculture. She plans to study the business side for her project, compiling information on the use of academic skills such as English and Mathematics in effective farming.

Casperson's project focuses on the involvement of students in community volunteer work. He hopes to organize students into a community service group as well as develop a college information and health fair.

Activities Director Nancy Bergert said, "One of the best ways to develop self-esteem in young people is to have them give a part of themselves to others through volunteering." This is the third year of the program and the first year BHS has participated. Principal Nick Miller hopes to implement the ideas and re-

The Buffalo Lions Club honored BHS students who participated in the third annual Drug Awareness Poster Contest sponsored by the Lions District 5m7. Drug Awareness Chairman Howard Holland presented the winning prizes for the Buffalo Lions Club with the objective of involving young people in drug awareness locally.

Detective Sergeant Rick Doerr of the Wright County Sheriff's Dept., Lions and teachers Len Hellwig and Jerry Melby, and art teacher Clare Post judged the posters for the message, the presentation, and artistic skill.

The contest, open to students in the entire school district, received wide support up to the Junior and Senior High level where only the sophomore class entered. They worked in groups to win all three prizes. Sophomores Renee Ingersol, Joel Moffet, Jon Lieseth, and Tonia Donnell accepted the first prize and $25.

For second place and $15, Mary Jo Nelson, Tim Gerenson, Kim Struthers, and Steve Nowak won. Third place and $10 went to Dinah culum in the future.

Senior Tracey Anderson is paying for hitting and breaking BHS Mathematics teacher Carleton Urdahl's nose on December 12, 1986.

"He was gone right now," stated Principal Nick Miller, "He knew what he did was wrong." Miller continued, "They have nothing against each other; Tracey just blew up and took it out on Urdahl."

"This case was very important or charges wouldn't have been pressed," said Wright County Attorney William S. MacPhail. Charges were brought on by the Police Department. Tracey pleaded and was found guilty of Assault in the 3rd Degree.

"I like the kid. He's nice," commented Miller in Anderson's defense Kathy Enders, and Brent Mat.

Being that Hahn skated in Buffalo, a lesser known town than say Burnsville, he did not recieve as much recognition as did athletes who played for big name schools. Therefore he would like to skate Juniors to get that exposure.

"It's not that I couldn't have gone to college this year. I've been contacted by a lot of Division III colleges and they've said I could come down and start right away. But I want a shot at Division I," Hahn stated.

Hahn was also scouted by the Rochester Mustangs and the Madison Capitals (both are Junior League teams), but was the draft choice of the Vulcans. The draft is much like that of the NHL draft in that the team will own his rights until he is cut from their team. Having been drafted does not however, insure him a spot on the teams roster; he still has to try out in order to make the team.

Hahn is accustomed to playing for teams other than the Bison. Last year he skated in two summer leagues, four schools, and was 1 out of 105 skaters chosen to attend the AHAUS elite camp in Marquette Michigan. Last year he averaged three games a week.

"It really helps to have had parents that carted me around until I got my license. They've also been real drive factors. There have been times when I just wanted to say well this is bull and just quit, but they've kept me going."
Hahn's first experience on skates was a memorable one.

"I'll never forget it. We went to Minnetonka and if anyone's ever been to Minnetonka's open skating, there. And my dad throws me out there. I could barely that beginner skaters should be out in the middle practicing. They forgot to tell me though, that that's also where the figure skaters are. So there I am, I'm like a cone out there and the figure skaters are doing all of their twirls and flips. I almost wiped two of them out. Finally I stopped, got my balance, went to push and both my skates went right out from under me. I cracked my skull on the ice and blacked out. I didn't skate for some time after that."

"I thought if he gets up and still keeps skating, he's probably a real good candidate for hockey," said his mother Cheryl Hahn who along with his father, Roger Hahn, never missed a game throughout the youth programs (Mites, Squirts, Peewees, would be roughly seven years. Roger Hahn also videotapes some of the games.

"Though hockey seems to take most of Hahn's time, hockey is not his entire life, right now," he said. "It's true hockey does affect my life. I want to be good in hockey and I know it takes a lot of dedication, but I do have a social life. It might be demented, but it's a social life."

Some of his other hobbies include reading, golf, writing, and baseball. He played in the Junior Golf League in Florida at the age of five and still plays occasionally with friends.

With the list of sporting events and activities Hahn is involved in, one might wonder how his parents have time for all of his games (last year there were approximately three a week). But his games are not all they have to make time for. They have a younger son, Kevin, who will be a freshman next year. Kevin is also involved in sports. He played hockey until Bantams and is interested in karate.

"Darin is a hard act to follow because he is really gifted in sports. But Kevin has found his niche, and he's really good in karate," said Cheryl Hahn. "We try to balance our time with them as much as we can."

Time is not the only thing hockey consumes. Money plays a big role in hockey. "We put out a lot of money on good equipment. Seventy-five dollars for a pair of elbow pads might sound exorbitant but it's a lot cheaper to put an elbow pad on than to replace an elbow," stated Mrs. Hahn.

Time. Money. Talent. All are important. But determination is the key in any sport or activity. After college Hahn would like to play professional hockey. The odds are against him but his mother said, "I think he'll make it, because he's so determined. A lot of kids out there have the talent but they have to be determined and be willing to sacrifice a lot. And I think Darin has those qualities."

Mayor Gerard Melgard, and Governor Rudy Perpich, who made the meet official by announcing, "Let the games begin," at which time 250 athletes swarmed to their various events. It was hot, exhausting, and somewhat confusing, but at the same time it proved rewarding to athletes, coaches, volunteers, and the Special Olympics Meet Coordinator, Lori Steentra. Events included at the meet were the frisbee toss for accuracy, the softball throw, wheelchair races, 400 meter relay, shot put, and many others. Activities other than sports were held in the mall and surrounding rooms. Among those activities were movies, bingo, and cupcake decorating. The day ended around 4:30 pm. Athletes and coaches trudged back to the vans and buses. Volunteers helped with cleaning up. Staff and coordinators, looking worn out and much older, wandered aimlessly around the field searching for something to do. The meet was exciting and rewarding to all who participated.

With a sense of starting over, the BHS track team has many new and different additions from the previous year. One of the new additions is Science teacher managing have been made, the team still striving for perfection and

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1987 Region Qualifiers
Boys
# of events
Tony Bixby 4
Mat Dixon 4
Tony Eastman 4
Andy Johnson 4
Jon Norine 4
Tom Stricklin 4
Mike Tadych 4
Rick Toms 4

Girls
Jodi Benning 4
Julie Marquette 4
Jodi Decker 4
Leanne Dorff 4
Kelly Gamache 4
Chris Houston 4
Cherie Johnson 4
Heike Kemmerich 4
Dana Mason 4
Amy Rhodes 4
Kris Rodenquist 4
Sherie Ruter 4
Jodi Scherber 4

Total: number of qualifiers 21

After viewing several N.Y. Mets games I've come to realize there are several aspects of the game that go unrecognized by the casual observer. I've recounted my findings in this tale of terror.

First, a true baseball fan should always plan to arrive at least an hour before the first pitch to hound the athletes for autographs and to allow plenty of time to retrieve money, binoculars, or tickets left at home.

Once the spectator arrives at the arena, he must drive around the parking lot for a minimum of 15 minutes trying to locate a suitable parking place within a five mile radius of an entrance. After settling for a space only a 60 minute hike from the door, the patron starts his journey to the stadium. Suddenly realizing he has forgotten his tickets in the car, he runs back, trips over an empty pop bottle and tumbles to the pavement. Now after retrieving the tickets, the individual walks quickly to the closest entrance, carefully avoiding the pop bottle he previously encountered. Finally he climbs into his seat he found on the other side of the building. he makes himself comfortable while admiring the terrific view. Feeling thirsty, he decides to venture out to the concession stand to wait in a 100-foot line behind two screaming four-year-olds who are tired and want to go home, and an eight-year-old complaining to his mother because he couldn't get the Dwight Gooden jersey that was only $85.

After receiving his warm Coke and cold hot dog, he returns to his seat and finds that the Mets are leading by a score of 4-0. The loyal fan then trudges back to his section, stopping in a puddle of spilled Sprite and buttered popcorn, only to find a 350 lb. man, who looks like a middle-linebacker for the Chicago Bears, sitting in his seat. Deciding that living was more important that good seats, he gathers his things and moves to another chair. Now settling in his new seat, this loyal fan watches the Mets get creamed 18-4. He must now push and shove his way back out to the parking lot to begin his long and painful search for his car. After finding his car and waiting 40 minutes to get to anything that resembles a road, he arrives home the next morning and orders season tickets: (This also applies to professional hockey, football, and soccer games.)

As the school year draws to an end and the weather gets nicer, absences become more and more prevalent according to numerous BHS teachers. The absentee rate tends to go up as the temperature rises, thus creating a new purpose for the thermometer. Absences per class range from as few as 2 to as many as 7 during this period before school lets out for the Summer.

These absences add more work for the teacher because "the gradebook is never caught up," said one BHS teacher.

"The school trips or vacations don't bother me as much as counselor's appointments, Eagle meetings, or music lessons during the class period," stated Social Studies teacher Cynthia Khalil.

Besides just keeping up the gradebook, absences create other work for teachers. "The worst problem is keeping up with the make up work because many students don't take the responsibility upon themselves," stated French teacher Alison Grorud. The teachers often have to find alternative assignments for a student who may have missed a discussion or guest speaker. This many times reduces the amount of material which can be covered because the teacher has to review old material to catch up those who were absent.

The common factor between the teachers interviewed was that they all agreed that something should be done with the existing policy on absenteeism. One possible solution to the problem is to instate a plan used by Sauk Rapids High School, the former school of Assistant Principal Gayla Holmgren. Their policy is a "limited days" attendance policy which states, "With parent approval, each student will be allowed eight absences per semester in each class. Exceeding eight absences per semester will result in a loss of credit for the classes." It continues, "In emergency or prolonged, serious illness and hospitalization situations the school will arrange a hospital or homebound tutor. These absences will not count toward the eight limited days. Doctor verification of the illness will be required." Through this policy, the teachers gave from 20 to 60 percent of the quarter grade to participation points depending on the class. There were many benefits to this policy such as: rewarding the students for being in class, improved grades, and a reduced number of failures. But as Holmgren stated, "No policy is perfect."

At this point the administration has no plans to change the existing attendance policy, but concluded Holmgren, "We (the administrators of BHS) are not opposed to changes because changes are needed."

As Summer Vacation nears, so does graduation. This year's graduating class of about 270 seniors will take place on June 5 at 8:00 p.m. The ceremony will be similar to last year's including a performance by the Concert Band and Choir, recognition of foreign exchange students and honor graduates, awarding of approximately 30 scholarships, student speakers, and 20 to 25 teachers wearing gowns and participating in the ceremony.

Participation of the teachers "makes the ceremony a lot more meaningful," said Principal Nick Miller. The practice of teachers donning caps and gowns was started last year and will eventually become tradition at BHS. It shows support and commitment to the students and "demonstrates to the community the caliber of students graduating," commented Assistant Principal Mark Minkler.

Graduation "makes a statement of how much students value their own education," and is, "a part of the passage of growing up," concluded Miller.

It's June 5, Commencement is finished, and the Seniors of BHS are now BHS graduates. This year, as in the past five years, there is an All-Night Party thrown by the parents and volunteers for Seniors and is being coordinated by co-chairpersons Dick and Patty Grover and Roger and Cheryl Hahn. The cost for this party is $25 per student.

The party will include music by Entourage, fun, games, prizes, food and a t-shirt which contains the signature of each person in the Senior Class. Patty Grover stated, "The Graduation Party was started to give the kids a safe place to go on Graduation night." The concept of an All-Night Party was put into action in 1982 after the death of two seniors on Graduation night. The party is scheduled from 10 pm to 5 am. This year, 200 of the 287 seniors are attending the party. "We will take people at the last minute," added teachers.

The prizes this year range from $5 and $10 for games and swimming relays to drawing for a typewriter, refrigerator and a color TV. These prizes were donated by local businesses. The grand prize this year is $1000. The events scheduled for this year's party will be run by parents and volunteers. "We could use any help people are willing to give," urged Patty Grover.

As you dig your feet into the warm sand, two blonde tan women wearing bright red and pink bikinis filled to the brim stroll into your field of view. Warm summer zephyrs caress your hair and body and the indigo heavens above beckon your drifting soul like an old familiar friend. You sit back and think: life is good, very good. The image above could only happen at one place: the beach. The proper term for it is power lounging. Power lounging is simple and easy given the right tools and proper planning.

The first and most important decision concerning power lounging is the place to lounge. The proper place, of course, is a lake or an Ocean with a beach. Different quality levels of beaches do exist in the world. Therefore, one must find the best possible beach in their general area. For example, Beebee Lake is a popular lake in the Buffalo area; but the beach is small, the water quality is poor, and everyone there is from Buffalo. Because of these factors, it's not the ideal place to lounge, but it'll do in a pinch. On the other end of the spectrum is Lake Independence, technically known as Morris T. Baker Park. This is truly a Lounger's beach. The park offers three beaches and the water won't give a person diseases if they wish to swim. Lastly, many people go there for most importantly, a vast horde of women. Which brings to mind the joys of power lounging. One of them is watching people, women in particular. But another joy, just as rewarding, is simply lying in the sun, having nothing planned and nothing to be responsible for. For instance, in the summer of '86 a friend and I spent six hours at Lake Independence just basking in the sun, eating food, jammin' tunes and enjoying the scenery. That was one of the most carefree days of the summer for me. That was one fine day at the beach.

However, if we hadn't planned thoroughly it could have been a disaster. In order to truly power lounge, one must bring the right "tools." The barest staples needed to power lounge include a radio to play tunes, thus we get the word power, and a chair or towel, which is where the word lounge is derived. In addition, certain accessories must be brought with for one's own comfort and safety. Some accessories include: sunglasses and suntan lotion, to protect one from harmful rays; food and drink, to prevent starvation and dehydration; and lastly, a good friend. A cautionary word of advice on the friend. If a guy brings a girl to lounge with he shouldn't have wandering eyes. Girls don't seem to appreciate it. This also works the other way around. This is only a partial list but if a person brings the "tools" necessary to power lounge and plans properly as shown here the only thing one need worry about is rain.

One of the 1987 Bison baseball highlights was playing in the Metrodome. Although lost to Mound 12-10, each athlete on the roster had the opportunity to experience playing in professional surroundings. The memorable play of the game was when junior Tim Berning hit an inside the park home run. In his performance at the Metrodome, senior Ron Weinand pitched three innings and retired four Mound batters on strike outs.

Not only are the Bison trying to beat their opponents. But are fiercely competing against each other for the ten spots on Varsity throughout the season.

"It's a dogfight for Varsity number three doubles," said Junior Todd Nelson, who is vying for one of those positions. Part of the reason it is so competitive is because of underclassmen like Freshman Adam Cohen and Sophomore Jeff Wagner. Although Cohen is a Freshman, "he is a leader on the court and inspires other players to work harder," said Senior Bryce Johnson. The top four starters are Cohen, Senior Josh Cohen, Juniors Mark Radzwell and Dave Gervasio. These and other players have set goals for the 1987 Bison team. The first is to beat the always tough Mound and Orono teams. "They have access to the indoor courts and therefore can practice all winter," said Gervasio. The team's second goal is to finish .500-or better and 3rd in the conference "which is realistic goal," said Gervasio.

Only determination, support, and spirit keep the girls' Varsity Softball team going. Many members have displayed talent in their positions; Junior Centerfielder Krissy Poirer, Junior Infielder Kelli Sleypen, and Junior Infielder Sheila Knop have "super arms and are a real help to the team," said Junior Third Baseman Nicky Birr. Spirit is shown through the cheers and a dance that the team invented and uses after successful fielding. It starts with a yell "Yes!", then three big steps and a mid-air clicking of the heels. Intensity is written across the faces of every girl as they take their positions. "When I pitch I concentrate so hard that pitching is all that is in my head," stated Junior Pitcher Janis Jondahl. Support for each other is another facet the athletes are proud of, "We're strong as a whole and if we all work together as we have been we can end the season well," stated Birr. But their season almost ended because of an incident that occurred Saturday, May 2nd. The players had an away tournament the same day as Prom most of the juniors and seniors missed the tournament. When the players came to school on Monday they found out they were being kicked off the team. They then scheduled a meeting with Principal Nick Miller, Activities Director Nancy Bergert, and Head Coach of the team, Julie Andrejewski. The girls argued they there were no rules to cover this situation. So the players, Bergert, and Andrejewski established rules to eliminate future problems, and the athletes were reinstated.

Westport, CT (WW)
Amidst, cheering fans, bright sunshine and plenty of controversy, Paul Simon returned to Africa last month, bringing with him the music he first discovered there and then popularized in his Grammy-award-winning album, Graceland. Playing to a roaring, swaying, dancing crowd of 20,000 blacks and whites at Rufaro stadium in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, Simon could have been singing to any rock concert audience. But here Simon's work and success are more than just an album, and the concert more than just an afternoon of music.

Simon's concert tour has been swept along with his album into the political vortex of South Africa's racial controversy. Harare became yet another of its symbols: South Africa was where Simon had first explored the African beat, but Simon made his African stage appearance in neighboring Zimbabwe, whose own racial war ended only seven years ago. He won't play in South Africa because Simon is already at the center of a knotty debate over whether he violated a cultural boycott against South Africa by recording Graceland there.

Simon is not the first white American musician to work in Africa with black performers. Peter Gabriel's hit album So resulted from musical travels in Africa. Mick Fleetwood of "Fleetwood Mac" and Stewart Copeland of the "Police" both recorded albums in Africa using local musicians. And vice versa, Africans such as the famed South African trumpet player Hugh Masakela has played with Simon, the "Byrds," and many other American stars.

Yet the scope of Simon's success has provided a visibility for African music and musicians like nothing before it. Some of the artists who played with Simon on Graceland, like Yassou N'Dour of Senegal, have signed contracts with American record companies. Others will earn exposure and money from their appearances on Simon's tour (Masakela, Makemba and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (the a cappella singers heard in Homeless and Diamonds on the soles of Her Shoes. Simon reportedly will produce their first album on the Warner Bros. label).

Some black artists have charged that Simon will reap the lion's share of money and fame from Graceland and that in the end, the album's success will not make much of a difference to the future of local musicians. Others are less cynical. Said one South African music promoter to a reporter from The Christian Science Monitor, "It can only do good."

As for Simon, he wants it to be known that he does his work as an artist, not a politician. Yet he acknowledges that nothing can be wholly divorced from politics. "As an artist, I approach this whole project from the cultural point of view, and the cultural point of view has definite political implications." "It would have been most gratifying to have the concert in South Africa...and to be able to perform for people where the music came from."

And the seventeen-year-old columnist sat down and played the Beatles (as she always does) and began her very last column.

"Thank you, teachers, thank you," she wrote, as the Beatles sang wonderfully (as they always do) in the background. The seventeen-year-old columnist was indeed thankful to her teachers, who she thought were funny and smart and tolerant.

It was appropriate in this solemn time that "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" should be drifting from the tape player she had received for Christmas a year ago, when she was a joyous sixteen-year-old columnist and didn't have to worry about the day when she would be a seventeen-year-old columnist racking her brain for something to say for her very last column.

What would Jorge Luis Borges say? Borges was greatly admired (along with several teachers at BHS) by the seventeen-year-old columnist, who liked to read performers.

Funny how songs bring back memories. Funny how I will think about these funny teachers for years and years and they will become flustered after six months trying to conjure up a face to go along with the two words "Tina Sadowski." It happens.

Fact: I liked writing for the paper. It was good to do; to be able to write my stories and essays and poems and ponder and think and think and think. I will now use "first person" point of view.

Anything I wanted 4 that was good. Everyone should have that chance. It's better than dumb reports. If I become a teacher I will: a.) not make kids do two thousand worksheets, and b.) not assign dumb reports. I'm angry at times for making this year go so quickly. There are too many things left to do 4 too many loose ends. And now I have to stand back and let someone else take over this little space on the last page of this newspaper. "Aaaaaaaaaack," I find myself moaning. I don't want to! I don't want to have to go back to worrying about linking verbs and topic sentences and thesis statements and well-formed ideas! I feel much more human writing exactly this way. Exactly this way. Exactly this way.

Well, look. There's not much space left. I just have to do this (for Lisa) 4 The suggestion an issue or two back to reduce boredom was this: Read a cook book and look for Christ figures. I guess you had to be there.

The 1987 issue of BHS's literary magazine, Pegasus, will be published by the second half of May. The editors are: Seniors Chris Spoors and Robert Stashenko, Juniors Amy Weivoda and Jenny Whittaker, Sophomore Colleen Smith, and Freshman Jennifer Wenzel.

"This year we would like to see more music," said Spoors. More music would give Pegasus a bigger variety. Other categories included in the magazine are poetry, short stories, essays, drama, art, and photography.

One difference this year is that there will be $10 prizes given to selected pieces in each category. Prizes have never been given away in past years. Spoors added that prizes "give students an incentive," to submit their original works for selection. Approximately one half of the entries submitted are published.

"It's really difficult," said English Teacher Joel Squadroni, "to choose which of the entries will be published." All of the entries are "graded" on the "amount of poetic technique used, and the amount of poetic experience the (students) can convey," added Squadroni.

The theme for Pegasus will be chosen from one of the poems to be published. "This year we're trying to expand the concept and give it some kind of theme at the same time," stated Squadroni.

Cheryl Meyer, photographer and writer for the Wright County Journal Press, was on the golf course May 6, taking pictures of BHS golfers. This was all part of the Journal Press' coverage of BHS sports and other activities.

Every week several pages in the Wright County Journal Press are allotted to everything from the school board meetings, to student activities. Almost all the Journal Press' coverage of school activities revolves around BHS. According to Meyer, this is due to the fact that the Journal Press is based in Buffalo. "We are the Wright County Journal Press, so we have to give some coverage to Wright County schools." Continued Meyer, "I think Buffalo is lucky to get the coverage they do."

Coaches of the BHS teams often phone the Journal Press with information such as dates and times of team meets, games, practices, and other activities. During her experiences with the Journal Press, Meyer has had the opportunity to witness many memorable events. After some consideration, she chose a story she considered most memorable. "It probably was this year when Buffalo lost in hockey ... and the goal was disputed. When I called St. Louis Park to try to find out what happened, I really didn't get much response on that end. Everybody here said there was no way it went in."

The families of BHS students make up a large portion of the readership of the Journal Press, and appreciate its coverage of high school events. With the continued cooperation between the staff of the Wright County Journal Press, and the BHS administration and coaches, we can expect good coverage of our school.