The Bison Stampede – February 14, 2001

Opening Shot Page 2
News Page 3
Editorial Pages 4-7
Features Pages 8-9
Sports Pages 10-11
People Pages 12-16

Her name was Jodi. She had the cutest perm I had ever seen. I labored for days on her valentine--a store-bought Snoopy valentine was not good enough for her. Jodi was my first "real" valentine--a girl that I was crazy about, and I wanted to show her through this special day. We were both in fourth grade.

Our whole class went to Saint's Roller Rink in Bloomington for the party. It was magical and it was the late-seventies. When it came time for the Snowball skate she chose me. Luckily, Jodi could skate backwards and I was in heaven. Over the sound system, the Bee Gees sang "How Deep is Your Love?" and my valentine heart melted while my palms pooled with sweat. It was all so perfect.

This is The Stampede's special Valentine's Day gift to you. We tried to explore some of the joys and frustrations of this day, we tried to give you a little history, but more than anything we tried to give you a chance to share how you felt--possibly in that same awkward way that I did towards Jodi.

The job of a Buffalo Police Officer is not easy--contrary to popular belief. They don't sit around and eat donuts or read the newspaper. They are out, driving around, keeping an eye on the community.. They do not target kids, waiting for them to screw up, and then trying to ruin their driving record or their criminal record. They are trying to keep the streets safe for kids. They are also there to help in a time of need.

Officer Mark Melander's day will usually start by driving around and running radar. When things are slow he will park in a problem area (usually in residential areas) and run radar for a longer period of time in hopes of discouraging drivers from speeding. The presence of the squad car is usually enough to cause drivers to slam on their brakes in order to avoid a ticket. When that gets old, he will look for other things that need his attention.

On his way down Central Avenue, Officer Melander witnessed an accident between a state truck and a Dodge Durango. He made sure that the vehicles got over to the side of the road so that they did not cause another accident and then he took an accident report. At the end of his shift, Officer Melander has to go back to the station and finish his accident report and any other reports that he might still have to do.

The job of a police officer is not to "eat donuts, read newspaper, get fat and harass me," as Senior Nick Ordorf often thought. They are actually looking out for you. The number one crime in Wright county is theft and their presence in the school parking lot actually prevents a lot of car break-ins. Officer Mark Melander said, "99 percent of the time we go disrupt a party, someone has called us and complained."

Rohypnol a.k.a. ruffles, roche, rope, the forget pill, and the date rape drug is very popular and easy to get a hold of across the United States. Rohypnol looks like a tiny aspirin and has either a line or two crossed lines on one side and the word "Roche" on the other. Rohypnol is a brand name for flunitrazepam, a potent tranquilizer similar to Valium, but at least 10 times stronger.

Rohypnol is mainly smuggled in across the Mexican border. The pill costs anywhere from $1 to $5 for one pill. It takes about 20 minutes for the effect of the drug to take place and the effects could last as long as eight hours. With two beers and half a pill, which is only two milligrams, it will give you the same feeling as drinking six or seven beers.

People may not think Rohypnol is a big problem, but recently in St. Joseph, Minnesota, six college students and at least two other females have reported drinking drinks spiked with incapacitating drugs and two of these have turned into sexual assault investigations. All the incidents took place off campus in St. Joseph or the immediate area.

Knowing that the drug is out there and so close is a scary thing. The scariest thing is that there is no way of telling you've been slipped the drug until after you have taken it; and by then it's to late. It has no smell or taste.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent being slipped "the date rape drug"
• Never leave anything you are drinking unattended
• Do not accept anything to drink from a stranger

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After talking with Todd Hoffman, head of narcotics, they have only seen Rohypnol once within the last two years. It's kind of difficult to tell the difference between a drunk person and someone under the influence, because as Todd Hoffman said, "it mimics alcohol, you appear intoxicated and feel like a drunk."

If you have any further questions or concerns about Rohypnol you call this number toll free at 1-800-720-1076 for more information.

"Teacher, teacher I have to go potty." This is a phrase teachers hear every day. So what's the big deal? Well, many students are sick of hearing teachers ask if it is an emergency? Or, you need to have a pass. Senior Corey Havercamp says, "Passes are a waste of time. What if I waited too long before I asked to go. I might have an accident."

"It bothers me that I need a pass just to go to the bathroom. The teachers have better things to do then write out passes. Also, when a teacher gives you permission to go without a pass it shows that they trust you," says Senior Pat Menzel.

Students feel that they are treated like little kids when they need permission.

When we get into the real world we are going to have a lot more responsibility. Why not start giving us a little in high school? "I think that certain students give teachers reasons to not trust us," says Junior Matt VanDusen.

I think the worst thing about going to the bathroom is when teachers limit the amount of times you can go per quarter. "It's wrong that I lose points for having to go to the restroom. I'm sorry that I drink too much but I shouldn't be penalized for that," says Corey Havercamp. I don't see how teachers can justify making your grade suffer for having to urinate.

"Sometimes you can't even use the bathrooms during passing time there are to many people waiting," says Menzel.

What it comes down to is we're sick of being treated like little kids who are unable to make good choices. We aren't asking for a smoking lounge, just the small courtesy of going to the bathroom without having to interrupt class.

"When we came to the mud puddle, I held her hand to help her across. I didn't ever want to let it go, and at that point I knew we would be together forever," says social studies teacher Mr. Bakke. Isn't that the cutest thing you have ever heard? Isn't Valentine's Day the best day ever! Well, maybe not the best, but pretty close. Valentine's Day is a special day for couples to spend time together remembering and making new memories.

I personally think Valentine's Day is for everyone. Even if you don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend you should still be able to have a good time on Valentine's Day. But it's always nice to share this day with your special someone.

"It's not about if you don't have someone, it's about if you do. I like it but only if you have a boyfriend," stated freshman Jodie Katnis. "I like Valentine's Day because it's a day where you can spend good quality time with the people you love," stated senior Mike Krause.

Many students at BHS had different reasons why they liked it. "I like it but only if you have someone. People who don't have someone to share it with shouldn't stress out about it," stated junior Laura Betker.

Do you like spending time with the ones you love on this special day? When asked, "Do you like Valentine's Day?"

To some people Valentine's Day is about love and spending time with the people you love, to others its about getting candy and gifts. It doesn't matter what you like about Valentine's Day, all that matters is that you like the great and loving holiday.

Walking through the hall on Valentine's Day is like walking through an overly happy world. People holding hands, being all lovey-dovey. Valentine's Day just doesn't work because not everyone can celebrate it.

Only the people who have someone to celebrate Valentine's Day with can actually celebrate it.

"Valentine's Day sucks because it's a holiday for relationships and it possibly could make other people feel bad," says senior Kimber Robertson.

Holidays should be things that everyone can celebrate, not something that only people who fit the criteria can celebrate.

Flowers, candy, and of course those corny cards. What more could you want? I like getting flowers, candy and corny cards, but I never seem to get anything from anybody "special" on Valentine's Day.

That seems to be the whole point of Valentine's Day: getting things from your "special" someone. People who have someone are showered with love and presents, while others are left in the dust to do nothing but be saddened because no one seems to love them. "For all the people who don't have a Valentine, they get depressed," says senior Rachel Waddell.

Valentine's is the holiday of love and romance. It just hurts so much for a person to have to feel unloved.

Should people show their love for a person on only one day out of the year? Should the whole day revolve around that person and only that Person? Senior Roxie Hietanen's feeling on this subject is just that, "It's an over exaggeration of people's emotions. You shouldn't focus on just one day to show the person you love that you love them. You shouldn't use that one day to find somebody to be with. Find another day to do it."

Whatever your feelings are about Valentine's Day, you should know that love is a serious issue that you shouldn't mess around with. People who are unloved need to feel love from someone. I feel that it is an essential part of life.

This Valentine's Day, don't overdo it. Show that you care for someone but don't smother him or her. Your love for a person should be expressed daily, not just on Valentine's Day.

Every February--across the country--candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. And it's all in the name of St. Valentine. Who is this mysterious saint? And why do we even celebrate this holiday?

The history of Valentines Day, and its patron saint, is drowned in mystery. We all mostly know that the month of February has been a month of romance for a long time. St. Valentines Day, as we now know it today, has a mixture of Roman and Christian tradition involved. Who was Saint Valentine and how did he became part of this holiday? The Catholic Church recognizes three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus; all of them were also martyred.

One of the legends says that Valentine was a priest who lived in third century Rome. The emperor Claudius the second decided that single men were better soldiers than the men with wives and families. So therefore he outlawed marriage for single men. Valentine, thinking the new law was immoral, continued on performing marriages for young people in secret. When Valentine was discovered the emperor ordered that Valentine be put to death.

Another legend concerning Saint Valentine is that he actually sent the "first" valentine message while he was in prison awaiting execution. It is said that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he wrote her a letter that he signed "from your Valentine." That same expression is still used today. Although the legends of Saint Valentine are very foggy, at least his legend is heroic and romantic.

By the Middle Ages Saint Valentine had become one of the most popular saints of England and France.

So this Valentines Day when you're signing "your Valentine" just think of whose name you're really signing.

For this Valentines Day we thought it would be fun to hear stories about teacher's proposals here at BHS.

We learned such gory details as, how they proposed or were proposed to, and what the outcome was.

First we interview the new EBD (Emotionally Behaviorally Disturbed) teacher here at BHS, Iris Erickson. Her boyfriend, and now husband, Mike proposed to her on his birthday. Mike played the Janet Jackson song "Again" as he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

They both started crying as she told him "yes".

When asked how she knew he was the one she said, "He has good values, a good head on his shoulders, and he can always make me laugh!"

Ms. Erickson had the wedding of her dreams. Wearing her mother's wedding dress she walked down the aisle in front of all her friends, and most of her hometown of Ellendale, South Dakota (not as hard as it sounds).

To finish this perfect story Ms. Erickson surprised her husband by singing "I will be here" by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Next we interviewed Mr. Matt Lubben to find out the scoop behind his engagement. He cleverly hid the ring in an ornament, which was then hung on the Christmas tree. On Christmas Day he proposed to his wife, Teri, underneath the tree. She said yes right away while crying, "only a fool would turn that down!"

The two of them meet his sophomore year when she moved to town. The two of them became "good friends".

When asked how he knew she was the right one he replied that it was, "her kindness, patience, and caring for others."

Also that she was the opposite of me on a lot of things—opposites attract!" Apparently they had the wedding of her dreams, it didn't make a difference to him.

On February 3rd, a new league came into existence--the XFL. The XFL is a new professional football league started by Vince McMahon, the founder of the WWF (and we are not talking about the World Wildlife Fund). This new league is co-owned by the WWF and NBC.

The "X" in XFL is seen as a cool letter that has become a sign of an aggressive lifestyle--an appropriate emblem. The founders hope that the "X" will describe the new league: eXciting, eXhilarating, eXplosive, and eXplicit.

The XFL was created as a legitimate professional league. This is not a league where players will be clubbing each other with folding chairs or performing the "Rock Bottom" on the quarterback at the 50-yard line. There will be, though, plenty of scantily clad cheerleaders.

The main difference between the XFL and the NFL is access for the fan. There will be cameras everywhere--in the locker rooms, in the huddle, and in the helmets of selected players. Players, coaches, and even the play calling to the quarterback will be miked and aired.

The XFL is not here to replace the NFL, or even directly compete with the venerable giant. The XFL picks up where the NFL leaves off--at the week after the Super Bowl when The average NFL fan finds himself fat, confused, and lying on his couch thinking, "Where is my football?"

The salary system of the XFL has a base-salary system (with quarterbacks making $55,000 and most other players receiving $45,000). But what makes the salaries of XFLers interesting is that they get paid to win. The winning team of each game shares a $100,000 bonus, while the winners of the league championship will split a cool million.

A final change will be the color commentary. Gone are the stodgy old-boys and their place are the excitable screams of WWF-style commentary--including the supposedly lucid wanderings of our very own governor. With all these ingredients in the stew, this should prove to be an interesting

Most students have a favorite sport they like to play. Some kids have disabilities that prevent them from playing sports on other levels. Buffalo High School has made it possible for students with disabilities to play competitive sports through adapted softball.

The creation of adapted softball took about ten years. Before that there was only Special Olympics. Adapted softball was created so the students could have team competition as a high school varsity sport.

The adapted sports at BHS--like soccer, floor hockey, bowling, and softball--are all varsity-sponsored sports by the Minnesota High School League. Grades eight and above can play adapted softball. Adapted softball, unlike most varsity sports, is co-ed.

The rules of adapted softball are pretty much the same as regulation softball, except for a few differences: all games are played indoors and are played with a wiffle-ball and bat. Tees are allowed for certain hitters. Adapted softball is a spring sport and usually goes from the beginning of March till the end of the school year.

There are two categories that the sports have been broken down into. One of the teams are made up of students with physical disabilities or health problems. The other team is made up of students with mental disabilities. All adapted softball players of BHS's team are made up of only students with mental disabilities.

Most of the teams in Minnesota are in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Others come from a lot of different schools forming one team, coming from schools such as Osseo, Brooklyn Park, and Maple Grove.

Buffalo's team is the only team in the area. "Our school is fortunate enough to have enough students so that we don't have to feed off of other towns for players," said Activities Director Nancy Bergert.

Adapted softball has been part of the varsity sports here at BHS for the past seven years. The coaches, Pam Melenich and Jeff Thompson, have been coaching for the past 5 years. Buffalo has been to state every year since the coaches took over.

"There are quite a few fans for the home games. There is a good support group of teachers, paras, and parents for the kids here," according to Melenich. "It's a great program."

The students that play adapted softball are always looking for a few more fans, so stop on by sometime and come enjoy an exciting softball game.

Holly:
Roses are red,
My chemistry packet is pink,
Sorry you don't like the fact,
That sometimes I stink!
Love- Andy

Matt:
Math is so fun with you!
Talk to you later!
Love- Your Secret Admirer

Checks- Dating for Dummies
1. Cool your hormones, you haven't asked for yet!
2. Make sure you both know you're on a "date"!
3. Let her make the first move. (Checks put her hands down!)
4. A first date does not always guarantee a second!
Just Kidding! Happy Valentine's Day! We Love Ya!
Love- Your Girls

Sean P.:
I love everything about you! From your Comedy impressions to Mr. Cool! Have a special time in Math in Love's name. All my love!
XOXO - C.R.

To Pat Hangel:
You make me deep and confused.
I don't know how to express my feelings in words!
But I like being in class with you together!
I will always love you!
Love- your partner in crime!

To Liz:
Happy Valentine's Day Buddy!
No matter what happens, I will always be there!
I'll love you for always!
- Danny

Kramedogs!
Be Mine!
I love you more than Slipknot!
- Your Secret Admirer

TO: CHRISTOPHER
FROM: JAMIE
I LOVE YOU

Amanda
Best Friends Forever
Heather

Aaron Kath
I miss when we were little and all the fun time that we had. I still love you.
ME

Craig (Craigers)
We all love you so much!!!
-Steff
-Kristine
-Jenny

My Dear Buttercup,
I am always at your service

Ain't Valentine's the best? The cheesy, glossy cards, the tacky sentiments. The whole thing rules.

Nick Bushy
Be mine always,
Love Ashley

Lori,
I had a crush on you in 5th grade, and I still do.
Monkey Boy

To: Luke Flath
From: Malorie

You are my only sunshine! We have shared so much. I love you

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Destin:
I have been so lucky to be your girlfriend.
Love- Amanda

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Christopher Disthen:
I love you babe! You are everything to me! I love you with all my heart, body, and soul! Happy one year anniversary.
Love- Chelsea Underberg

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Colleen:
You are a true friend!
Thanks for everything!
-Anonymous

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Lizzy:
Roses are red, violets are blue,
You are the sweetest girl I know,
And I am glad I'm with you!
-K. J.

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Missy:
I've got a secret!
Love Jake

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Katie Brown:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll ever know dear love much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away from your sweet admirer.

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Todd:
I love you so very much. The way you won dazzled me! The marriage is still on.
- Kelsey

When you're done with your boyfriends, come our way!

You mean the world to me and I love you. Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope your Valentine's Day this year is as special as it was last year with me. Thanks for the wonderful memories. I love you babe!

Happy Valentine's Day! from the girls!

I Love You!

We all love you so much!

I'm so in love with you as much as I love you would put us in love.

You are such a cutie pie! Love ya!

Alison-
Will you
go out with me?
-Dan

To: Christopher
From: Jamie
I Love You

To: Brian
Hope you didn't mind coming along with me on our adventure
I love you

To: Jake From: Missy
I've got a secret
Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day
Christmas Tree!
I Love You
Love- Pooky Bear

Jay Cosley-
Will you marry me?
Love- Your Secret Admirer

Remember to tell your mom that you love her

Tony Lemke
I LOVE you so much
Heather