The Bison – September 9, 1994

Since Superintendent Miller has been in our school district, a lot of changes have been made. Superintendent Miller is retiring after seventeen years of service in Buffalo School District 877. He has worked for thirty-five years in public school education.

“I don’t have any particular plans for the future. Maybe I'll work in a book store for a few hours a week,” said Miller. His last day is formally set for November 30, 1994. “It might go to North Dakota during harvest season and haul wheat,” said Miller.

The total enrollment in grades K-12 has grown from 3400, to 4500. The Buffalo Primary School has been built, and additions have been made to very school in the district. There are more athletic opportunities for females, and considerably more non-athletic activities. The number of students taking Advanced Math, foreign languages, and Advanced Science classes has increased. There are more students going onto college after graduation. "Students seem to be more responsible,” said Miller.

The School Board is now in the process of hiring a new superintendent. It is a long process. There are approximately fifty applicants for the new Superintendent position.

In addition to Superintendent Miller leaving, Buffalo Senior High School’s former Assistant Principal Tom Hoffman is now the Principal at the Buffalo Intermediate School. The new Assistant Principal at BHS is Julie Swaggert.

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Tom Hoffman, Buffalo Intermediate School Principal
Julie Swaggert, BHS Assistant Principal
Gretchen Beilke, English, and The Bison newspaper advisor
Devin Davidson, Social Studies
Jolene Davidson, Biology and ninth grade science
Mary Duitsman, Learning Disabled
Tracy Hulley, Social Studies
Diane Huncha, Learning Disabled
Greg Hygrell, ninth grade Science
Jennifer Johnson, French
Bart Roepke, Work Experience
Billy Soden, Part time Band director
John Thyren, Physics and Chemistry
Judy Titcomb, Family and Life Science

The BHS marching band, The Herd, completed its seventh competitive season this summer, performing in 10 parades throughout Minnesota. The band consisted of 134 members, including 57 rookies, which is more rookies than in past summers.

“I think the summer went well, but not as well as other summers, because there were so many rookies,” said senior Sarah Ogden. Many rookies felt they were treated unfairly at times. “It seemed like our opinions didn’t matter because we’d never done it before,” said junior Julie Schaar. “A lot of rookies had good ideas, but nobody seemed to listen to them.”

Many members felt the summer got off to a slow start, scoring only 49 (out of a possible 100 points) at their first parade. "We had a difficult start with 57 new students, new music, and new routines,” said director of The Herd, Lee Kjesbo, "but by the fifth parade everyone pulled together, got a positive mental attitude, and our performances just took off."

Favorite awards of the summer included winning the best drum major award in Willmar, and the Mayor’s Choice award in Annandale. With numerous veterans graduating, there were some adjustments made. "I was always used to looking up to someone, and now people are looking up to me," said senior Stacey Collins.

People saw marching band as an opportunity to meet others. "Since alot of the older people graduated, I got to know a lot of the younger members,” said Ogden. Many members said that the highlight of the summer was when the band spent the night at the Detroit Lakes Junior High school. Overall, most people felt that the summer was a positive experience. "It’s amazing how such a large group can become so close so fast," said Schaar.

Music for fall marching band will be from the "big band era." "[We chose this music because] we've never done it before, students generally like it, and we found available music that worked," said Kjesbo. Part time BHS band director Billy Soden, will join Kjesbo in directing the fall marching band. Drum majors for this fall and next summer will be Ogden, Collins and seniors Jason Poirier, and Ben Thompson.

On September 10, the fall marching band will perform at the Metrodome for the University of Minnesota Band Day. “I think marching at the Dome will increase the unity and morale of everyone,” said Poirier. “It’s a once in a lifetime deal.”

Watch for The Herd as they perform their pre-game show at the September 16 football game, and their pre-game and half-time shows at the September 30 Homecoming game.

Editorials: College financial aid questioned; circles teach life lessons | Page 2
Features: Fall preview; sports kick it into high gear | Page 2
Did'ja know...?: Little known facts about BHS | Page 3

The world we live in today revolves around money. I never realized how true this is until I started looking at colleges. There is a vast difference in tuition costs from state to private universities. After all is said and done, you are basically buying your future.

On the surface, the college system is well set up with cheaper colleges which will accept almost anyone, and private universities whose acceptance standards are based on a more specialized scale. If your parents have a good income, you can afford to pay your way wherever you want to go. If you are harder up, there are humerous programs which will pay most, if not all, of a four year degree.

Equal opportunity for everyone - even the poorest person deserves the chance at an education. Fine and dandy. Wonderful. My parents are thinking of kicking me out, selling the house, blowing all the money, and turning up destitute. It’s about the only way I’m going to get any money toward my college education.

I would dearly love to go to St. Thomas in St. Paul. BUT...they want $17,000 a year for room and board, tuition, and books. By the time I would graduate in four years, I would have paid $68,000 to the University. That’s half a nice house - a whole small house. That’s four really nice cars, totally paid for. That’s nine years rent on a nice apartment. That’s ridiculous.

Yeah, okay, there’s scholarships out there that I can apply for. Let’s talk about this. The majority of the scholarships offered by any one college are need based. In other words, they are based on your family's income, number of children in the family, and how much money you have in the bank and other investments. I’m an only child - that’s a few strikes against me right there. My mom doesn’t work outside our home, but my dad does - and extremely hard, may I add. There are many weeks where I don’t even see him because he’s working late, or travelling across the states. He does all this so that we can maintain a level of comfort in our home. We have nice cars, and a lot of other things that make life more fun - but everything was hard won and is cherished.

Because of all his extra effort, our family income is too high for most of the need based scholarships. When you cross a certain line, as far as income, colleges don’t consider you even if you had ten kids in the family. So tell me why my dad should work so hard? Why shouldn’t he quit his job and get a job flipping burgers or driving a bus? Where is the incentive for a family to work hard and do something with their life, if there is no reward - no financial help?

Another thing; my parents saved money out of each paycheck that came into the house for the past 23 years. They put it into a Savings account, stocks, bonds, and CDs hoping that one day when my dad retires, they would have enough money to maintain the level of comfort they now have. This is wrong - don’t ever save money - don’t be responsible, whatever you do. It buys you nothing in the long run - trust me. According to everyone concerned, my parents have enough in the bank to put me through St. Thomas with a single signature on the papers. Bull - yeah, they saved money for me to go to college, but not THAT much! And even if they did, what would they retire on?

One more thing that really irritates me- all this business about minorities. One of my best friends is half Mexican. We’ve been friends since Kindergarten, you know the drill. She can put down on all her applications that she is Hispanic - not only will she get ten times the number of scholarships I will, the colleges will accept her before me because they are required to enroll a certain number of each minority group to prove they aren’t racist.

We were both born here, both have American citizenship by birth, and both our mothers came from another country. Mine from England, hers from Mexico. So why am I not considered to be a minority? I’m half English! Just because my mother is a white caucasian female (with freckles), I’m excluded. My friend has darker skin, and that politically makes her special. Whoopee. Her father makes more money than mine does. Frustrating? You bet.

The “Lion King,” the great Disney movie of the summer, talks about “the circle of life.” In a way, the term very much applies to high school, as well as the food chain.

In the great society in which we live, there seems to be certain positions which are always filled. As in elementary school, the group affectionately termed “the cool kids.” These were the kids who always had the latest styles of clothes, the neatest folders and stuff, while the rest of us wore hand-me-downs and used, left over school supplies from the year before.

As we grew and matured, the positions changed. Now it wasn’t who had what, it was more which grade got to do what. As I look back to my own 9th grade year, I wonder about many things. First, the circle hasn’t closed, but instead made a definite turn. Instead of being the youngest, we are now the “big” kids.

I remember when I was a freshman, I looked up to the seniors. I respected them, and not that I had any reason, I feared them. Truth be told, I would avoid walking anywhere near their lockers, and having to walk through them to the office scared me to death. Despite the fear, those were my favorite seniors. I remember them the most vividly. After they left, the seniors that followed didn’t seem to have that prestige. They were just ordinary people. Is this normal? Do the freshmen this year have the same fear and respect for the seniors as we had for ours?

If you want to go back to the circle analogy you could say what goes around comes around. Still, as I walk down the hall and look up to the freshman, (man are they tall for being little kids) I wonder what they’re thinking: “Get outta my way, Shorty”, or “Oh no she’s looking at me, is she gonna bite my head off”... or “I'd better bow now. She’s a senior?”

Hmmm...I wonder...

Advertising Policy: The Buffalo Senior High School newspaper, The Bison, offers advertising to businesses and organizations on the basis that we can refuse any ad. The Bison makes it a general practice of not accepting ads from mortuaries, liquor stores, bars, etc. The Bison tries to draw the attention of the potential buyer so that they will not only read the advertisement, but act on the offer. The Bison assumes full responsibility for advertisements containing misspelled words or incorrect information and will negotiate with any advertiser in the case of a complaint.

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Billing Policy: The Bison will issue a statement totaling the purchase made, along with an issue of the publication in which the purchased advertising space is found in, by mail. The advertiser has 30 days from the date of the statement to pay. If payment is not received within this allotted time period, a 5% service charge will be added per month to the amount due.

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Letters to the Editor: We want to hear your comments, questions and concerns! If you want to let us know what you think, write us a letter! All letters will be printed in full if deemed appropriate by the Editor-in-Chief. Simply address them 'To the Editor' and drop the off in the Bison room, A-2, or Gretchen Beilke's English Room, D-3. To assure publication of a letter, it must be submitted at least one week prior to the distribution date. Any letter may be shortened or edited if the Editorial Board deems it necessary.

In the years past, Homecoming was busier than it is now at Buffalo High School. The traditions that once defined Homecoming are no longer in use.

During the 70-s and early 80-s, seniors challenged themselves by trying to steal more outhouses than any previous senior class. Sometimes the stolen outhouses were burned in the annual Homecoming bonfire. As this custom of burning outhouses came to an end, the students attempted to continue the tradition, substituting doghouses for outhouses. That idea, however, seemed to die out after a short time.

The Homecoming Parade was a major part of Homecoming in past years. The parade went through downtown Buffalo. Each class made a float to represent themselves in the parade. With the building of the present high school, many long standing traditions changed. For example the Homecoming Parade took place on the football field, rather than downtown. 1972, the first year the new school was in use, a smiley face was hung from the scoreboard to reflect happy fans during the game.

One of BHS’s present Homecoming traditions is to dress-up according to certain themes. There were many creative dress-up days in BHS’s past as well, including Switch-a-roo Day, when students wore clothes typical of the opposite gender. It is an accepted fact that people tend to operate in social groups. This was definitely apparent in the contrast of such activities as Nerd Dress Up Day and Preppie Day. There were other dress themes used in the Homecoming festivities. They included unique motifs such as Hawaiian, Toga, 50-s, Circus and Western Days. On Farmer’s Day, some people got into the spirit so much that they drove their tractors to school.

Competition is a major part of Homecoming Week in the present. The same was true in the past when an airband competition was held during Homecoming festivities, much like present day mod activities. Students enjoyed games of powderpuff football, but football wasn’t the only Homecoming sport. Fun was had by all in the French vs. German soccer game, sponsored by the International’ Club.

Until recently, the black-tie Homecoming dance was held Friday night after the football game. Now the dance is semi-formal and held the Saturday after the football game.

As far back as 1946, students have been able to letter. Modern students can letter in nearly every activity or sport, and even in academics. In the past, letters could be earned through any one of the following activities: athletics, cheerleading, bus patrol, rink managers, stage managers, or movie operators. Before the present high school was built, grades seven through eight attended the present Junior High School. Approximately every one or two months the student body would gather in the auditorium to watch a movie. There were students who ran the movie to whom the title of movie operators was given. This was an activity that students were eligible to letter in.

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D'ja know?
Past organizations of Buffalo Senior High
Art Club -- decorated the school and worked on individual projects
Library Club -- assisted librarians
The Bisonettes -- School Danceline
Rag-a-phone Gang -- attempted to distract and annoy the opposing sports teams
Pep Club -- decorated lockers, painted signs, sold buttons, baked cakes, wore beanies
GAA -- Girls’ Athletic Association earned awards and emblems through a point system
‘B’ Club -- exclusive to those who lettered in three major sports and found transportation to sporting events for students and purchase equipment
SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) -- campaigned against teenage drinking
Bus Patrol -- assisted bus drivers and were furnished with special uniforms
Debate Team -- A competitive team which researched and argued both sides of an issue

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Fascinating facts
Sock Hop -- A traditional dance in which all participants removed their shoes and danced in their socks
Mods -- There were many different mods at various times. They were: A mod, M mod, D mod, E mod, noon mod, and milk mod
KBHS -- A High School Radio Station played music during noon mods
Snow Daze -- a winter version of Homecoming
The Mixing Spoons were awards given by the senior class to juniors who proved to be the most outgoing. The Faculty Mixing Spoon in 1985 was awarded to Gerald Melby.

“Everybody Must Get Stoned” was a song that seemed to find its way into the KBHS schedule. Noon hour seemed to get a little rowdy sometimes when it was played with many of the students joining in on the chorus along with banging on the tables. Later that song was banned.
-- Courtesy 1972 Tatanka Yearbook

On July 31, 1982, four-and-a-half inches of rain fell in one hour. The water flooded the gym and pool area, eventually reaching the mall. The estimated damage amount was $15,000.

Teachers actually have fun! Its true; there's proof. Ignorance Busters, an exclusive group for teachers existed around 1983-'84. It was a way for teachers to get rid of their tensions from the changes in administration. The group was started by Boyd Emmel, biology teacher. The Ghostbuster movie was an influence on the teachers’ idea.

"Something must've clicked in a few of our brains," said Dave Robinson, English teacher. ‘Ignorance’ was purposely spelled incorrectly because the teachers wanted to see if anyone would catch the mistake. “We were there to make sure students really learned," said Robinson, rolling his eyes. Teachers felt a need to let loose and have fun. They had their own t-shirts and newsletter. "Everybody was president; that was the point,” said Robinson. Eventually, the organization disbanded because there was no longer a need for it and it was too much trouble to put everything together.

The Reading/Discussion group, led by Joel Squadroni, English teacher, included a mixture of teachers and students. "Every month the group met to discuss a short novel," said Squadroni. The group was originally just for teachers. Later, students expressed interest in the group and were allowed to join. "There were 12 to 15 students on average in the group, although, it goes as low as 6 and as high as 20,” said Squadroni. It began in 1982 and ran until 1984. It was at this time that students joined and the organization continued until 1993. If any students or teachers are interested in rekindling this group, contact Joel Squadroni in room B-7.

In the 1970's, environmental awareness was becoming a more highly recognized issue. It even effected our small community. "[The] students were environmentally aware and wanted to do something," said science teacher Dave Fiedler. The organization became aware of endangered species. They sent members to public meetings to speak out on environmental issues. "We knew that pesticides were killing eagles and wanted something done," said Fiedler. Not only did they organize lake clean-ups and publicize recycling projects, but they also participated in fun activities such as cross country skiing. Although the organization only lasted three or four years, it made an impact on the community. "That group of students graduated and, due to a lack of student interest, the group disbanded," said Fiedler.

BHS fall sports teams began their seasons with practices on August 15. Coaches and athletes are looking ahead with positive attitudes and high-set goals.

Closing their season last year with their best performance ever, the girls’ Varsity tennis team won the Conference, became one of the top four in the region, and had a shot at the State tournament.

Unlike last year, this year's varsity and JV team has only two veteran players, making a young, inexperienced team.

"We can't begin the year aiming for last year right away - if we did that during the first half of the season, it would sink us,” said coach Charley Keifenheim.

The varsity and JV teams began the season with 28 total members.

Seniors Ami Miller and Missy Koles are the captains. They began competition August 23 against Prior Lake, both JV and varsity winning with scores of 6-1, and 5-2, respectively. August 24 found the team at Elk River, the final scores of JV and varsity were 1-6, and 0-7.

"Three conference teams look really tough; Spring Lake Park, Fridley, and St. Francis, but as long as we keep improving with each match, and maintain our good attitude, the wins will come," said Keifenheim.

Holding their position as section 2AA champs may be more difficult for the varsity football team than many players expect. Like most teams, the football squads are dominated by the junior class, which numbers 32 out of the total 57 team members. With captains, seniors Ryan Breshnahan, Brent Johnson, Paul Minkler, and Justin LeClair, the team is preparing for their first game of the season, against St. Cloud Apollo September 4, and the Homecoming game against Colombia Heights, September 30.

"We've got a shot at the Conference - the harder you work, the luckier you get in the game," said coach Gerard Rohl.

Rohl believes the team's strengths are numerous, including their speed, willingness to work hard, and the leadership from older members of the group.

The boys’ and girls’ cross country teams opened their season with an alumni meet August 27. Coach Jill Hanson said the meet gave this years’ runners experience in preparation for races. The team united and took on good attitudes during a week at Camp Run, a training camp.

"The boys pulled together, changed their attitude, are supporting each other, and there is a sense of determination from the group," said Hanson. Among over-all program changes is the girls' race. This year, the team must adjust from a 3200 meter course to a 4000 meter course.

"I think the change will improve the team because most of our girls are true long distance runners," said Hanson.

Hanson feels the teams possess many strengths, including the drive to improve as a team, the way they work together and push each other and many of the runners are at the same physical level. Right now, the toughest competition in the Conference for the Cross Country team appears to be Mankato West, who has made it to the State tournament for 15 years, and Fairmont, who used to be in class A, but was recently moved to class AA.

New assistant coach, Tim Heisel, will share coaching duties with Gerry Bakke. This year's captains are: Jennifer Gregerson, Katie MacDonald, Erin Buselmier, Joe Graybill, and Brian Antl.

The girls' swim team ended their best ever season placing 11th in the section meet last fall. Unlike the other fall teams, the swimming team is composed mostly of returning girls. The diving team, however, has only 5 veterans out of the total 19. Coach Debra Stevens views the toughest conference competition as Monticello because of their annual good showing.

"I'm excited at everyone's positive attitude, and hope everyone will do well,” said new assistant coach, Sara Bradley.

Coach Reid Galey is excited for the soccer team's upcoming season, led by captains, seniors Kevin Bormes and Travis Pobuda. He says the team was scattered last year, but is displaying sportsmanship and unity now.

"We have a fast, skilled offense, although we need to regroom our defense," said Galey.

The Girls' Volleyball team's first game was on September 8 at home against Prior Lake. Their next home game is on September 12 against Delano.

"The team is going to be really fun to watch this season because they play so hard and move so quick on the court," said Coach Dennis Axel., "we'd like to see a lot of fans this season."

The morning had a chill in the air. The sky was deep blue and the reds and yellows of the fall trees were brilliant -- the perfect fall Saturday morning.

I was an 8th grader in 1965 at Minnetonka Junior High. I was about to watch my first cross country meet. My brother, Brian, a junior at Minnetonka, had switched sports after his sophomore year deciding that at 6'2, 130 pounds he was too light to play football.

The Lindquist (I was a Lindquist in ‘65) family had a tradition of runners, (our father was a half miler in high school), so he decided to be a runner. That race was one of many races I would come to identify with the sport of Cross Country -- the beauty of runners pushing themselves and each other along the course. What a fabulous sport!

This was the mid 60's and girls weren't considered athletes. Society deemed it proper for us to cheer, so when I became a football/hockey cheerleader in 1968, I convinced the squad that we could be Cross Country cheerleaders.

In 1966 I ran in the first Amateur Athletic Union State Cross Country meet for women and in 4 inches of snow I ran a blistering 8:27 mile to win. I also competed in the Bloomington Trackorama the first time they allowed girls to compete in 1970.

With the 70's came the movement of girls’ athletics. The mother of two present CC Runners, Jessica and Alicia Heisel, along with a female tennis player sued the State High School League for not allowing them to play on boys’ teams, the only teams. They won their suit and it opened the doors of girls athletics.

Quickly teams for girls popped up everywhere.

I didn't get the opportunity to coach a Bison CC team until 1987 when Coach Helwig retired. What I inherited from Coach Helwig was a team hit hard with graduation the year before, but new talent. The next year, Coach Bakke joined the fold and we joined the two teams. We struggled for a year and then the boys team emerged to be the boys first CC team region champs and go to State. Two years later the girls were region champs and had a State Champion in Lisa Aro.

Coach Bakke and I are going into our 7th year together. We have recruited Tim Heisel into our coaching ranks. He is a gifted, knowledgeable runner who knows what it is to be a champion.

(Coach Heisel was 3 time state champion in CC skiing in High School)

We are fortunate to have some of the most dedicated, mentally tough athletes that go to Buffalo High School. We, as coaches, try to make games of what our runners have to do. However, some days they have to put themselves on the line and push their bodies. Then they learn how tough they are and how much they can endure. That lasts a lifetime.

Cross Country, like most sports, has lessons that can be used forever. You can also do this sport called running, for a lifetime.

BHS fall sports teams began their seasons with practices on August 15. Coaches and athletes are looking ahead with positive attitudes and high-set goals.

Closing their season last year with their best performance ever, the girls’ Varsity tennis team won the Conference, became one of the top four in the region, and had a shot at the State tournament.

Unlike last year, this year's varsity and JV team has only two veteran players, making a young, inexperienced team.

"We can't begin the year aiming for last year right away - if we did that during the first half of the season, it would sink us,” said coach Charley Keifenheim.

The varsity and JV teams began the season with 28 total members. Seniors Ami Miller and Missy Koles are the captains. They began competition August 23 against Prior Lake, both JV and varsity winning with scores of 6-1, and 5-2, respectively. August 24 found the team at Elk River, the final scores of JV and varsity were 1-6, and 0-7.

"Three conference teams look really tough; Spring Lake Park, Fridley, and St. Francis, but as long as we keep improving with each match, and maintain our good attitude, the wins will come," said Keifenheim.

Holding their position as section 2AA champs may be more difficult for the varsity football team than many players expect. Like most teams, the football squads are dominated by the junior class, which numbers 32 out of the total 57 team members. With captains, seniors Ryan Breshnahan, Brent Johnson, Paul Minkler, and Justin LeClair, the team is preparing for their first game of the season, against St. Cloud Apollo September 4, and the Homecoming game against Colombia Heights, September 30.

"We've got a shot at the Conference - the harder you work, the luckier you get in the game,” said coach Gerard Rohl.

Rohl believes the team's strengths are numerous, including their speed, willingness to work hard, and the leadership from older members of the group.

The boys’ and girls’ cross country teams opened their season with an alumni meet August 27. Coach Jill Hanson said the meet gave this years’ runners experience in preparation for races. The team united and took on good attitudes during a week at Camp Run, a training camp.

"The boys pulled together, changed their attitude, are supporting each other, and there is a sense of determination from the group," said Hanson.

Among overall program changes is the girls' race. This year, the team must adjust from a 3200 meter course to a 4000 meter course.

"I think the change will improve the team because most of our girls are true long distance runners," said Hanson.

Hanson feels the teams possess many strengths, including the drive to improve as a team, the way they work together and push each other and many of the runners are at the same physical level. Right now, the toughest competition in the Conference for the Cross Country team appears to be Mankato West, who has made it to the State tournament for 15 years, and Fairmont, who used to be in class A, but was recently moved to class AA.

New assistant coach, Tim Heisel, will share coaching duties with Gerry Bakke. This year's captains are: Jennifer Gregerson, Katie MacDonald, Erin Buselmier, Joe Graybill, and Brian Antl.

The girls' swim team ended their best ever season placing 11th in the section meet last fall. Unlike the other fall teams, the swimming team is composed mostly of returning girls. The diving team, however, has only 5 veterans out of the total 19. Coach Debra Stevens views the toughest conference competition as Monticello because of their annual good showing.

"I'm excited at everyone's positive attitude, and hope everyone will do well,” said new assistant coach, Sara Bradley.

Coach Reid Galey is excited for the soccer team's upcoming season, led by captains, seniors Kevin Bormes and Travis Pobuda. He says the team was scattered last year, but is displaying sportsmanship and unity now.

"We have a fast, skilled offense, although we need to regroom our defense,” said Galey.

The Girls’ Volleyball team's first game was on September 8 at home against Prior Lake. Their next home game is on September 12 against Delano.

"The team is going to be really fun to watch this season because they play so hard and move so quick on the court," said Coach Dennis Axel, "we'd like to see a lot of fans this season."

The morning had a chill in the air. The sky was deep blue and the reds and yellows of the fall trees were brilliant -- the perfect fall Saturday morning.

I was an 8th grader in 1965 at Minnetonka Junior High. I was about to watch my first cross country meet. My brother, Brian, a junior at Minnetonka, had switched sports after his sophomore year deciding that at 6'2, 130 pounds he was too light to play football.

The Lindquist (I was a Lindquist in 65) family had a tradition of runners, (our father was a half miler in high school), so he decided to be a runner. That race was one of many races I would come to identify with the sport of Cross Country -- the beauty of runners pushing themselves and each other along the course. What a fabulous sport!

This was the mid 60's and girls weren't considered athletes. Society deemed it proper for us to cheer, so when I became a football/hockey cheerleader in 1968, I convinced the squad that we could be Cross Country cheerleaders.

In 1966 I ran in the first Amateur Athletic Union State Cross Country meet for women and in 4 inches of snow I ran a blistering 8:27 mile to win. I also competed in the Bloomington Trackorama the first time they allowed girls to compete in 1970.

With the 70's came the movement of girls’ athletics. The mother of two present CC Runners, Jessica and Alicia Heisel, along with a female tennis player sued the State High School League for not allowing them to play on boys’ teams, the only teams. They won their suit and it opened the doors of girls athletics.

Quickly teams for girls popped up everywhere.

I didn't get the opportunity to coach a Bison CC team until 1987 when Coach Helwig retired. What I inherited from Coach Helwig was a team hit hard with graduation the year before, but new talent. The next year, Coach Bakke joined the fold and we joined the two teams. We struggled for a year and then a boys team emerged to be the boys first CC team region champs and go to State. Two years later the girls were region champs and had a State Champion in Lisa Aro.

Coach Bakke and I are going into our 7th year together. We have recruited Tim Heisel into our coaching ranks. He is a gifted, knowledgeable runner who knows what it is to be a champion.

(Coach Heisel was 3 time state champion in CC skiing in High School)

We are fortunate to have some of the most dedicated, mentally tough athletes that go to Buffalo High School. We, as coaches, try to make games of what our runners have to do. However, some days they have to put themselves on the line and push their bodies. Then they learn how tough they are and how much they can endure. That lasts a lifetime. Cross Country, like most sports, has lessons that can be used forever. You can also do this sport called running, for a lifetime.

The Bison needs photographers, staff writers, graphic artists, and cartoonists. For more information contact Rebecca Ebnet in the Bison room (A-2) or Gretchen Beilke in D-3.