The Bison Stampede – December 19, 1997

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People often view the job of a teacher as being easy. Teachers receive three months off in the summer, in addition to winter and spring break. They only work from about 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. However, the reality is that teachers spend hours outside of school correcting papers and preparing daily lesson plans. They have to deal with smart-mouthed students and their overprotective parents, not to mention short tempered co-workers and sometimes demanding bosses.

This year, Student Council is recognizing teachers’ hard work by starting a Feature Teacher program. This program acknowledges a different teacher each month, and rewards the teacher for his/her efforts.

“We thought it was time to recognize good teachers,” said junior Jamison Zwieg.

The process for selection is based on student nominations. Forms for nominations were available in the office at the end of November. The forms will be placed out again the months of December and March.

Student Council suggests the nomination of a teacher should be based upon how well they work with students, communication skills and how helpful they are. It’s up to the students how many nominations they would like to turn in. The teachers with the most nominations and that fit the above criteria will be selected. There will be one Feature Teacher every month for the remainder of the school year.

For the month of November, Tracy Hulley was chosen as the Feature Teacher. After teaching American history and world studies at BHS for four years, she was nominated by her 10th and 11th grade classes.

“It’s an honor! I was thrilled,” said Hulley.

Each Feature Teacher will receive a reserved parking spot for the month they’re nominated and two plaques donated by Buffalo National Bank. In addition, the teacher will receive a gift certificate for lunch, a floral arrangement from Country Floral and a display in the case by the front office.

“It’s like an affirmation that what you’re doing does matter,” said Hulley. “Every teacher needs that.”

Hulley will receive her extra bonuses during the month of December. All of the Feature Teachers will enjoy their gifts the month after they are selected.

“I think that 99 percent of the staff’s goal is to have what they’re doing appreciated like this,” said Hulley.

Several hundred paintballs were shot at BHS Sunday night, Nov. 23. The investigation by the principals and local law enforcement has turned up two suspects who are former students of BHS. The estimated amount of damage to the school is over $500. Several Buffalo businesses were also struck with paintballs the same night.

The vandalism at BHS was first noticed on Monday morning Nov. 24. The brick and windows around the entrances on the north and south sides of the school, as well as two school vans were damaged. The paintballs were cleaned up by BHS custodians early Monday morning.

“When we [Miller, Loberg, Swaggert] arrived at school on Monday morning the janitors were already cleaning the paintballs off the school,” said assistant principal Julie Swaggert.

With confessions and good evidence, authorities have found both suspects. At this time formal charges have not been filed.

“If they catch the kids that did this it would be nice to see them clean the school,” said custodian Jana Russell as she was cleaning the wet paintballs off the south side of the school.

When charged, the suspects will most likely face misdemeanor charges. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor crime is 30 days in jail and up to $700 in fines.

This is the first incident of vandalism at the new BHS.

case of tax. Mileage based on the size of the car. Many drivers are finding that the cost of owning a car is becoming a burden. The rising cost of fuel, insurance, and maintenance is making it difficult for many people to afford a car. Some experts suggest that the government should do more to help people with the cost of car ownership. Others argue that the responsibility lies with the individual. Whatever the case, it is clear that car ownership is becoming more expensive.

The holiday season is upon us, and with it 'the blues'. Many too experienced the holiday season, the recent loss of a loved one, or the stress of family and friends around them are situations that may dampen spirits.

Stress is also a cause, ranging from stress about last minute shopping to the stress of being around family and friends. Many people find that the holiday season can be a stressful time, and it can lead to feelings of sadness and anxiety.

If you are feeling the blues this holiday season, remember that you are not alone. Many people experience these feelings, and there are many things you can do to help yourself feel better. Taking time for yourself, spending time with loved ones, and engaging in activities that you enjoy can all help to reduce stress and improve your mood.

• Cars may have more wear and tear than they appear
• Larger cars use more gas
• New and sporty cars have higher insurance rates
• Make sure the car has a clean service history
• Ask to test drive the car. Be sure to drive it for at least 15-20 minutes.
• Be prepared for added expenses
• THINK BEFORE YOU BUY

On Monday, Dec. 23rd, quickly enumerate the class will be performing at a Shakespeare festival. The festival, which will include all classics, comes in an open-air setting, with food (bring some money) and music. Anyone interested to attend the day can stop by after 3:00 - 5:00 PM.

The registration deadline for the ACT testing in February is Jun. 5, 1998. The test will be held on Feb. 7.

The One Act Play North Suburban Conference will be held on January 17 on the Performing Arts Center of HBS. This year's play is 'All That Ends As You Like It', which was written by Michael Greene.

For several days now, women in the women's restroom in the math building have been unable to smoke in there. In a survey of 84 students, most do not smoke in the building. However, 40% of the women reported noticing smoke or seeing ash. Some students say they could not have noticed anything at all, or that they are smoking in there.

"It seems that due to the negative effects of smoking due to various classes in the building, smoking is banned in the act of smoking," said one student.

"You just walk in and they tell you that you can't smoke in the women's restroom," said another student. "It's very annoying."

Some students have problems with their own cigarettes. "Usually when we smoke, we go to the women's restroom so that people that smoke can use the women's restroom," said one student. "It's very inconvenient."

The film, Miracle on 34th Street carries an important message: the spirit of giving and generosity is more important than whether he exists or not; kindness and generosity should be displayed by everyone.

The entire US community needs to work harder to make Santa-like toward each other and organizations who ask for our help.

Granted, of 118 students who surveyed, more than half said they do volunteer work outside of school. More than 90 percent said they had witnessed a significant reduction in harm between two random acts of kindness. However, that kindness and generosity did not always extend to their school. There seems to be discrepancy between kind, giving students and the [unclear] school, which might right here at school.

On a daily basis, walking down the halls, making things or about saying things is all they do. Other students behaving permissively. People each other with kindness. There are organizations running out of the parking lot. There is organization for charity, National Honor Society. It is one. This year it came in the form of Drive, Food. We didn't have a lot. Thousands drove. Those groups are more than a giant to itself. Coming-acting like Santa deserves [unclear].

What a nice bunch of students.

According to one 1995 study, an estimated five percent of children — 1.5 million — experience the death of one or both parents by the time they are 15. Every day someone is going through the loss of a loved one. It may be a parent, relative or friend. Going through this loss is hard, and survivors need help from friends and family to get through the stages of grief.

The hardest part about surviving the loss of a loved one is going back to school. Everyone asks, “What happened?”, “Was that your that died?”, and most common of all, “Are you O.K.?” Grades, the honor roll, you might as well forget all of that. It’s hard enough to get out of bed in the morning, and you’re lucky if you actually make it to school. But you are extremely lucky if you make it through the day without breaking down.

All survivors go through what’s called the “Grief Loop.” It covers the different stages that can be expected from someone that has just lost a loved one. The grieving person begins with experiencing the initial loss. Then they may feel protest, despair, and/or detachment, before the final reorganization. These symptoms may not go in exact order or may be repeated over and over again.

It’s a cold, hard fact. Everyone will lose someone close to them sometime or another, but I don’t think that you can ever just up and forget that person. Time may help, but it’s no cure. Survivors may go through the Grief Loop several times before they reach reorganization or some sense of times passed. If you know someone who has lost a loved one, then give them a little slack, they need it. Don’t shy away from them or ignore them, because right now is when they need you the most. Although they may not want to be around people all the time or talk immediately after it happens, the truth is that they need their family and friends now more than any other time in their life.

A friend of mine was riding the bus, and said that the first and second graders were “swearing up a storm.” When I was that age, we barely swore, and if we did, it was followed by a severe punishment, sometimes even getting your mouth washed out with soap!

Children’s attitudes have changed tremendously in recent years and many have become rude and disrespectful. They are doing more drinking, smoking, swearing, and becoming sexually active at a much younger age than in the past. They are simply growing up too fast!

The number of sexually active adolescents has nearly doubled in the last 15 years. Slightly more than half females, and nearly two-thirds of males have had sex before their 18th birthday. Ten years ago, seeing a young girl pregnant was uncommon, but now almost one million adolescent girls in the US become pregnant each year.

Although overall drug abuse has decreased in the US, it is increasing among younger teens. About 50 percent of American adolescents will try illegal drugs at least once before completing tenth grade.

You may wonder why kids are acting this way, but it’s obvious: “monkey see, monkey do.” They are trying to be like us, their role models; but are we being good role models for them? Apparently not.

Children are also influenced by TV and media, but the stronger influence is other people in their lives.

We need to understand that children look up to us, and want to be like us. When we were younger, most of us tried to imitate our ‘cool’ older siblings who were in high school. It is still like that today. Younger kids still look up to the older kids, and follow the example that is set for them; no matter what that example might be.

When a child is near, we need to think before we speak or act, and be a good example for them. Let’s also take time out of our busy schedules and spend it with our younger brothers and/or sisters. They look up to us, and closely imitate what they see. The next time you do something shameful in front of younger kids, ask yourself is this something I’d like them to do?, because they probably will.

SurfStop Special: If you are headed somewhere besides the land of the frozen buttocks for WinterBreak, here’s two things I bet you need...

How do I get there?

I tried out three route-picking map utilities: Yahoo! Maps, MapsOnUs, and MapQuest. Being partial to the marching band, I decided to compare the results from the sites to the actual route they took to Boston, Massachusetts last summer. (Specifically the Ramada Inn, Norwood, MA.)

Yahoo! Maps (http://maps.yahoo.com/yahoo/): Good for maps, but slow. If you don’t have a specific address, you cannot get directions. There is a 300-mile range limit.

MapsOnUs (http://www.MapsOnUs.com/): Gave a pretty decent route, close to the real thing. Even got me close to the band’s hotel. However, it doesn’t say when you cross state lines or go through large cities.

MapQuest (http://www.mapquest.com/): Got me directly to the Norwood Ramada, but it gave a route which had so many turns I wouldn’t know north from south! It was better at making sure I knew how many miles from junction to junction.

What’s the weather like there?

This time I just tried Minneapolis/St. Paul. These are based on site appearance only.

The Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/): Easy to read and understand. Maps have links on the main five-day forecast page. Chuck full of advertisements.

USA Today Weather (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wfront.htm): Awfully plain. No maps, radar, satellite pictures. Five-day forecast layout similar to everyone else’s.

INTELLIcast (http://www.intellicast.com): Like The Weather Channel’s site with even more ads and less images, but still has links to radar, etc. Has a UV index with the main four-day outlook. The official weather provider for MSNBC.

Some other sites: CNN Weather, Yahoo! Weather, and the locals (Star Tribune, KMSP-9, WCCO-4). Just search for them, but please try the ones above first and find one you like. Big national corporations are more likely to have better equipment and be more accurate in the long run.

Got a problem? Send questions and tips to “QuickFixes, c/o The Bison Stampede” and send to one of the addresses in the box on page four. You can also e-mail Vern directly at [email protected]

(The Bison Stampede would like to remind all students that visiting non-schoolwork related sites during school hours or from home through the District’s dial-in server are against official I.S.D. 877 policy.)

Vern Techner plans on spending the holidays with editor Brian Malerich.

years, the Grinch's heart changed, and now he's a changed man. The wind and snow that once chilled his bones now feel like a warm hug from a friend. The Grinch, who once lived in a cave and hated everything about the holidays, has found a new purpose in life: spreading joy and cheer to the Whos of Who Ville.

"I never thought I'd feel this way," the Grinch said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I used to hate everything about Christmas. The noise, the lights, the singing... it all just drove me crazy. But then, something changed. I saw the way the Whos celebrated, the way they cared for each other, and I realized that I was missing out on something truly special."

Since his change of heart, the Grinch has been a constant presence in Who Ville. He's helped decorate the streets, handed out presents to children, and even joined in the singing during the annual Christmas carol service. The Whos have welcomed him with open arms, and he's become a beloved member of the community.

"He's such a wonderful addition to our town," said Mayor Who. "He brings so much joy and laughter to our lives. We're so grateful to have him with us."

As the holiday season approaches, the Grinch is looking forward to celebrating with his new friends. "I can't wait to see all the decorations and hear all the singing," he said. "It's going to be the best Christmas ever."

Editors note: The children around us remain in awe and wonder during this season.

The excitement dulls the eyes of children as they watch the festivities. Santa Claus visits many homes to see the joy. Children's laughter is heard everywhere. The wrapping paper that was expected to be used was not used, but instead, it was fun to see.

As we look at the traditions, we see how much they vary in the US and abroad. Christmas is a time of joy and wonder for children everywhere. From the lights on the trees to the gifts under the tree, the magic of the season is felt by all.

In many countries, Christmas is celebrated with unique traditions. In some places, children receive gifts from Santa Claus, while in others, they celebrate with family and friends. Some children may even have special foods or activities that are part of their holiday celebrations.

Regardless of how it is celebrated, the spirit of Christmas is one of love, joy, and giving. It is a time to cherish our loved ones and to spread kindness and compassion to others. As we celebrate this holiday season, let us remember to keep the magic of Christmas alive in our hearts and to share its joy with the world.

All over America, people spend December celebrating Christmas. But it is also a time for international students to share their traditions with their host families and friends.

"In my country, Christmas is a very important holiday," said Maria, an exchange student from Spain. "We celebrate with our families, and we eat special foods. It is a time of joy and togetherness."

Maria is one of many exchange students who are experiencing Christmas in the US for the first time. For many, it is a new and exciting experience. They are learning about American traditions and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

"I love the lights and the decorations," said Kenji, an exchange student from Japan. "Everything is so bright and colorful. It is very different from how we celebrate in Japan."

Kenji is just one of many students who are finding joy in the holiday season. For them, Christmas is a time to make new friends, learn about new cultures, and create lasting memories.

As the holiday season continues, exchange students will continue to share their traditions and celebrate Christmas in their own unique ways. Their presence adds a special touch to the festivities and helps to spread the joy of the season.

The crack of the helmets, the smashing of pads, the crowd. These are all things that you will not experience at "BYFI."

Back Yard Football (BYF!) season kicked off. In many ways, it's a soccer-style game, but there are only players on the field who are allowed to use their hands. BYF! was founded last year by John Goulde and Jason Mercer.

BYF! offers a high-energy, fast-paced game that is unlike anything else in the local sports scene. The game is played on a smaller field, which makes for more action and more scoring. The players are also required to wear minimal padding, which adds to the intensity of the game.

"It's a lot of fun," said Dave Maccaro. "The players love it, and the fans love it too. It's a great way to get people involved in sports."

Maccaro is one of the organizers of BYF! and he's worked hard to make the game a success. "We've had a lot of support from the community," he said. "People are really excited about it."

BYF! is expected to grow in popularity in the coming years. "We're looking at expanding the game to other schools in the area," said Maccaro. "We want to make it a regular part of the local sports scene."

BYF! is played on a smaller field, which makes for more action and more scoring. The players are also required to wear minimal padding, which adds to the intensity of the game. The game is played with a smaller ball, which makes it easier to handle. The rules are also slightly different from traditional football, which makes the game more unpredictable and exciting.

"It's a great way to get kids active and involved in sports," said Maccaro. "And it's a lot of fun for everyone involved."

All too familiar to Minnesota sports, the twins and Vikings are for sale.

By Peter Reich

Minnesota is tired. And of course, we are. The winters are long, the snow is deep, and the cold is biting. But even in the midst of the winter, there is still plenty of sports to be had. From hockey to skiing, there is something for everyone.

But even with all the sports available, there is still a sense of loss in the state. The Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings are both facing uncertain futures. The Twins are facing a potential move to another city, and the Vikings are facing a potential move to another state.

"It's a tough time for Minnesota sports," said one fan. "We've lost so much over the years, and it feels like we're losing even more now."

"I just want to see our teams succeed," said another fan. "But it's hard to stay optimistic when everything seems to be falling apart."

Despite the uncertainty, there is still hope. The Minnesota Twins are looking at new ownership, and the Minnesota Vikings are looking at new stadium options. There is also the possibility of new teams coming to the area.

"We're not giving up on our teams," said one fan. "We'll keep supporting them, no matter what happens."

As the winter progresses, the sports scene in Minnesota will continue to evolve. Whether it's through new teams, new ownership, or new stadiums, there is always hope for the future of Minnesota sports.

Looking for a new place to sled? How about a day-long ride on one of the Wright County snowmobile trails? Around the Wright County area there are eight trails groomed to ride on. The trails vary in length ranging from one to 84 miles long and over 225 miles of trails are maintained. Over 180 miles of these trails are usable only because landowners have given permission to cross their private land. The normal width the trails are 12 feet.

“[Trails are better to ride on there is] no stuff to hit and it’s more fun,” said sophmore Jessica Davis

Out of the eight trails in the Wright County area there are three of the longest trails in this part of Minnesota. Trail #1 is 84 miles long and extends from Howard Lake to Maple Lake, East to Washington Lake, to Rockford, South to Fountain Lake and returning to Howard Lake. Trail #2 is 35 miles long extending from Maple Lake, North to Hasty, to Monticello then South, meeting with Trail #1 and back into Maple Lake. Trail #3 is 35 miles long from Maple Lake to Annandale, South to Cokato, then heading East meeting with Trail #1 and back to Maple Lake.

“It’s fun to go more places,” said sophmore Rachel Anderson.

Around Buffalo the easiest trail to pick-up is Trail #5 that cuts across Buffalo Lake and meets with County Road 35 west of Buffalo. Trails are easy to recognize because of the small signs that resemble larger road signs. These signs are always yellow or orange. The yellow signs signal a stop sign ahead, an area where caution should be taken nearby or a no snowmobiling area. The orange ones reassure riders where the trail is and lets them know that they are still on it. Many riders feel it is important to follow the rules of the trail.

“[You should not litter on the trails] because you would wreck the fun that is free to us,” said senior John Goodale.

Every November the stories start to fly about wrestlers and how much weight that they “cut.” This is a word that you will hear often when the school talks about wrestlers. There are many rumors associated with the BHS team. Some of concerns that people have about wrestlers are not having enough body fat, having to spit in a cup to lose weight, and having to lose five to ten pounds in a day.

“I love wrestling! Its my favorite high school sport to watch” said senior Megan Snyder “But I think its pathetic that some of the guys are expected to lose between five and ten pounds in two days! That is so unhealthy! I think it’s so sad, when you’re eating lunch to eat and they can’t,” said Snyder.

In the beginning of each season the coaches talk about nutrition and how to diet safely. There is a big difference between “cutting weight” and dieting. Cutting weight consists of losing a lot of weight rapidly. Dieting is changing eating habits in order to lower body weight in a healthy way.

“If you have to lose weight the coaches tell you soon enough so you have a long time to do it. So you can diet and do it healthy,” Sophomore Dave Macalena

The National Federation High School rules book requires that each wrestler establish a certified minimum weight before the first competition. Each athlete must complete a sheet that consists of a doctor’s recommend minimum weight and the parent’s recommended minimum weight. The higher of the two weights is the certified minimum weight for that wrestler. The wrestler can’t go below that weight.

“Losing weight for wrestling is a personal decision. We lose weight but we don’t over do it. We have to get a doctors to certify how low we can go” senior Nathan Holmberg.

Friends and family members of wrestlers may be concerned about their health and weight loss. The public seems to have much greater concern than wrestlers and coaches about this issue.

“If you diet properly then you won’t have to ‘cut’ weight. A healthy diet will allow you to lose weight and feel better, not worse. Lack of discipline by the wrestlers leads to these impressions that people have of us” said coach Benitz.

The World International Championships have drawn attention from all over the world, including junior Stephanie Marschel who has competed in the Championships for the past three years. While Stephanie Marschel was only twelve years old, she was influenced by her older brother, Timothy, who is an ice dancer and became a figure skating legend at the age of twelve.

Junior Jensie Sandford glides as she races to come out first in practice.

[unclear] could for the team, you become race competitive, each team you get out on the snow for each race. Your techniques improve as a result. BISHS athlete Brian [unclear] is training hard for the upcoming fourth season, and is indeed soaring and winning. Many of the days the team is training are quite difficult. They endure subzero weather in the middle of January and freezing temperatures, and back in the wind, chills in their faces, and their lungs' capability is truly tested. Participants have the chance to compete in the [unclear] championships, and many of the skiers become popular among the team. BISHS team members are excited to compete in the upcoming season, and the girls are keeping busy, working on their skills. It is not an easy task, but the daunting snowfalls, rising water, and unexpected weather make it difficult.

[unclear] chance during the [unclear] techniques that is needed on a practice track. Skate training. This method requires rollerblading on a packed snow surface.

How many hours a week do you practice?
How long have you been skating?
How many races do you practice?
What kind of events have you participated in?
What is National?
What are your future plans in skating?
What was your most exciting moment in skating?

[unclear] could be the back of many competitions. Smith. And loving people from all over.

What are your future plans for this season?
To do all in competitions, and do well in competitions. This year's National is in [unclear].

Are there any other people in BISHS that you know of that skate as well?
Yes, Jacob Green, Rachel Diehl, Elise Connors, and Amy [unclear].

Staff Writer

The New Union is the oldest and largest Christian nightclub in the nation. It is the only full-time Christian nightclub in the U.S and is located in Brooklyn Park.

Students of all ages have enjoyed the club for its music and atmosphere.

“It was a great experience. The music was awesome and there are a lot of cool games too” said sophomore Amber Smith.

The neon lights sends the club into a riveting pulse in sync with the blaring music all around them similar to any other night club. But there are a few points that make the New Union special.

“At first I wasn’t sure if it was a Christian club because of the low lights and bar-like eating area. Along with the pool tables, air hockey and video games. I wasn’t too sure,” said sophomore Joy Burda. “Once I had been there a few times, I realized that Christians can have fun with each other without the language and rudeness of others.”

Many people attend concerts at the New Union. There are an average of 250 people that go on a regular Friday night. Including Thursdays and Saturdays, over 25,000 people attend the New Union each year on the average.

“I think we need more places that people from other churches could meet regularly and we could all worship together,” said sophomore Leanne Rumsey. Many bands have come through the New Union, but only some of the bands go all the way with record deals. Some of the more popular bands that have received record deals are Super Tones and Third Day. PFR (Pray For Rain) also received a record deal through the battle of the bands in 1990. Most bands can be heard on Praise TV on channel 41 at 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. every night of the week.

“It’s the nightclub that has caught the nation’s attention. It has loud music and premier bands. There’s no drinking or dancing, but you can rock the night away, in the name of Jesus,” stated the Star Tribune.

Staff Writer

Are you looking for some fun, exciting and inexpensive activities to cure your winter blues? There are many things to do around the metro area but most are out of a teenager’s budget. But putting in some extra effort finding places to go can really add some dazzle to your spirit. Actually, it pays off considering some are inexpensive and doesn’t cost a cent!

Ready for a nature excursion? County and state parks are open to the daily public ready to ride the winter winds. Romping around the trails in snow shoes offers beautiful nature scenery, whispering through the branches of the frost coated trees. Gliding through their groomed trails on cross country skis can send anyone to new heights with a great cardiovascular workout.

“I went to Lake Mariah with my church. We played games and went on nature walks in the trails. It’s gorgeous out there,” said sophomore Megan Huston.

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is the oldest and largest event of it’s kind. This is an interesting and romantic evening to attend with a special, significant other. The Royal Courtyard is one of the most popular features, showing spectacular carvings of ice. The sculptures grab one by the inner soul through their eyes, and keep them there captivated. The St. Paul Winter Carnival serves as the Midwest’s largest ice sculpture competition. The Grande Day Parade begins on Saturday, January 31st from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. A celebration for all ages brings together families and friends.

“I attended the Grande Day Parade and thought it was an interesting winter activity,” said LD teacher Lori Sandin.

For a quiet, relaxing way to escape, indulge yourself in a book at the local Buffalo library, which is part of the Great River Regional libraries, or try the Hennepin County System. Reading newspapers, magazines or books can send you into an endless sea of people, places and adventures. An added pleasure the free movies, CD’s and tape rentals they offer to anyone with a library card.

“I like to go to the library and read magazines and look at articles in the newspaper,” said sophomore Claudia Rosales.

Even faithfull bowling alleys provide another cheap way to fill an evening to fill an afternoon of vegging on the couch in front of the television. Huikko’s in Buffalo and Joyner’s in Monticello are a couple of nearby places.

Staff Writer

A tatoo or body piercing is a costly decision to permanently affect one for the rest of their life. It may be a fashion statement or simply a way to express one’s state of mind.

Some say piercing is just a fad but it is proven that this is a myth. Piercing has been around for centuries. So is it that much out of the norm to get one? One may say that people make the routine of getting body piercing to rebel against authority or to find one’s self. (In other words, their parents.)

Tattoos and body piercing are rumored to be the cool thing to do. Getting a tattoo may be a way to fit in with the crowd they are associated with. Others may do it to be different from everybody else or make a statement.

“Not many people had their belly buttons pierced at the time, so I wanted to beat them to the chase,” said junior Lisa Salonek.

Suffering from excruciating pain of a tatooing needle pump ink into one’s body or suffering from the massive loss of blood due to a hole pierced into their tongue is questioned wether it’s considered bodily decoration or distortion. A person may say it doesn’t hurt. Not only does the actual procedure cause unbearable pain at the moment, one also runs the risk of infection caused by unsanitary utensils. The healing process can last up to a year for both tattoos and piercing, but this process comes to a screeching halt when infection stands in the way.

“It [getting a body modification] makes you totally different from the next person,” said Buzz Nygaard, a tattoo artist at Mainline Tattoos in Anoka who has been perfecting his unique talent for 28 years, “Once you take this step, you are crossing a line, you can’t turn back. Body modifications are only for certain people; not everybody can handle them.”

The care of these acts takes time and responsibility. One must think upon their future and if it is the right choice to make. Most employers look upon these acts as childish or refer to them as a reflection of who someone may be and exclude them from a possible job. One’s choice today will send a message to their peers, parents, and possibly one day, their children.

Senior Abbey Klaassen and English teacher Tracy Hagstrom-Dahl give their time in decorating the new Christmas tree in the office.

Junior Justin Schroeder participated in the NHS-sponsored November food drive. So far this year, the NHS held a clothing drive in October for needy families.

Students gathered in Tracy Schuster's room for AAAA and discussed creating a student-run radio program on the Buffalo-based radio station KRWC. The station is willing to let students read news on the air.

A road accident was held Nov. 4 by the th grade Class Officers. Approximately 55 students helped in the effort, including freshman Carrie Niemety, Molly Erickson, and Lauren Robinson. After the three-hour project, volunteers were rewarded with pizza.

Many groups in and around BHS volunteer time and effort for the wellbeing of the school and the community. Here are some examples of students and staff who care enough to give themselves for others.