The Bison Stampede – May 30, 1997

BHS English teacher, Dave Robinson, was chosen to participate in the NEH Summer Institute in Native American Literature. He is one of 25 teachers from around the U.S. attending this five week program starting in July to learn more about the Native American culture and how it affects the culture's literature. Held at the Oklahoma City University, this annual event focuses on making teachers more knowledgeable and in helping them plan a more ethnically diverse curriculum.

"I'm excited about going and looking forward to participating in discussions and being introduced to tribal customs, but I'm also worried about being away from my family for so long," said Robinson.

In order to be considered, Robinson sent in an application with an essay and recommendations from Principal Nick Miller. Apparently, the institute enjoyed his essay and admired his writing skills. They asked him to join them and come along as a visiting scholar. They were looking for teachers who were interested in Native American literature and who had several years of teaching experience; Robinson was perfect for the job.

Robinson will study the culture and literature of Native Americans in context including trips to reservations, participating in rituals and dances, visiting museums and, what he considers best of all, meeting the authors. He looks forward to this most because he wants to "hear new voices in literature not yet known about," and to gain a new perspective. These writers transform tribal stories into modern literary forms," said Robinson.

Once he returns to Buffalo, he plans to share what he learned with the English department, hoping that they too can integrate Native American literature into their classrooms. This will be the first time he has participated in anything like this and he plans to participate in a similar event, held in St. Paul, about the Holocaust joined by social studies teacher Gerard Rohl, also this summer.

Robinson believes this is important. "School is about teaching perspective. Kids is a subject kids can think, but you have to have something to think about to really develop the mind." The Native American perspective is a subject kids can think about.

---
About to try a new experience, Dave Robinson will return to teach classes about Native American Culture. Native American education is something Robinson believes to be important.

The class of '97 has experienced more changes than any other graduating class at BHS. Probably the biggest change for the class is yet to come as Graduation day grows closer by the minute.

This year's commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the gym.

"I'm looking forward to all the free time that I will have after I graduate," said senior Henry Von Bank.

Most seniors are very excited about graduation however some have some mixed feelings about leaving BHS.

"I think graduation will be sad," said senior Kirsten Thompson. "It will be hard to leave all of my friends."

Each senior will be allowed eight tickets to give to family members, friends, or relatives who they would like to attend the ceremony. There will be overflow seating provided in the auditorium as in years past where overflow was in the small gym. This is a major change from years past where students were allowed only a small amount of tickets for family and friends.

"We have a larger space and a smaller graduating class," said Principal Nick Miller. "That will fluctuate every year with the size of the class."

Seniors were invited to try out to give a speech on graduation night. Any senior regardless of GPA or class rank were allowed to try out. Seniors chosen were Dusty Pierce, Meghan Bidne and Kirsten Thompson.

"My speech is going to talk about memories within our class," said Thompson. "The hardest part about giving the speech will be speaking in front of 2500 people without crying."

Instead of going out after graduation and sending everyone all of their separate ways, BHS offers seniors a themed party that they can go to and spend the night with their class. This years theme is "Rockin' Through the Decades." There will be many cash prizes as well as fun games and activities.

"It's the last time that you will ever be with your class as a whole," said senior Amber Comee. "You can enjoy everything without having something to do or somewhere to go."

Congratulations class of '97

Editorials
School discipline heightened as summer draws near.
draws near. page 2

Features
Summer fun heats up as vacation draws near. pages 6-7

Sports
Despite late start, spring sports advance. pages 10-11

"The moral of the following story is threefold; you are lucky to be who you are, you are responsible to make something of yourself and your character is up to you." Thus began Garrison Keillor's keynote address at the Tenth Annual Students of Excellence Banquet and Recognition Ceremony.

Keillor told of a young man, a high school senior, who borrowed his parents' Winnebago motorhome for an ice fishing overnighter with his friends, unbeknownst to his parents. The banquet, hosted by Central MN Service Cooperative, honored 159 high school seniors from forty-two high schools in the Central MN region. Over 650 students, parents/guardians, teachers and administrators and invited guests gathered at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud on April 30 for the Tenth Annual Students of Excellence Banquet and Recognition Ceremony.

Guests were welcomed by Dr. Rob Cavanna, director for the Central MN Service Cooperative, and Kay Worner of the Sartell School District, who served as presiding superintendent at the banquet. Irma McIntosh Coleman, Assistant Commissioner from the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning, and Dick Hardy, Chairperson from the Central MN Service Cooperative board of directors, presented each student with a certificate from Gov. Carlson and a plaque. Each student also received a copy of Lake Wobegon Days which Keillor signed that evening.

Keillor's message to the seniors was one of challenge. He continued to tell his true story of the ice fishing excursion gone awry. When the young man awoke to car horns blowing, he realized his Winnebago was parked on an ice island and people on shore were trying to alert him of the danger. Recognizing that shore wasn't too far away, he thought if he gunned it he probably could make it to land; and that's just what he did. The motorhome and young men made it to shore. The kids were OK; the Winnebago was not. A little too much fun and too little common sense had come into play.

The young man, against his parents' wishes, decided to forego college and work to replace the motorhome. After two years of working two jobs and eating at the truck stop where he was a cook, the money was raised, his debt was repaid.

Keillor spoke of one's responsibility to make something of yourself and become a person of character. "There will be many Winnebago-like events that will come along in your lifetime. How you proceed, how you handle the obligation and outcome will become your personal code of honor, your ethics -- become a person of character," Keillor concluded.

The Students of Excellence Banquet and Recognition Ceremony is sponsored by the Central MN Service Cooperative and coordinated by Sandra Cordie, Program Development Specialist.

---
Pictured here are BHS students who recieved the award. (L. to R.) Garrison Keillor, Aaron Schmeling, Jennifer Rylance, Corin Nelson, Brittany Meyer and director of the Centeral MN Service Cooperative Dr. Rob Cavanna.

BHS Student Council is sponsoring a Student Appreciation Day today. There will be a barbeque lunch; yearbook signing and ice cream treats will be available in the cafeteria from 1:45-2:45 p.m.

On July 7, 1997 over 1700 people will be biking 470 miles from the Twin Cities to Chicago. The event? The Twin Cities to Chicago AIDS Ride 2.

The bike trip will last six days from July 7 to July 12. The bikers will be camping at night and riding all day. They will be riding to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS-related services of seven Minneapolis and St. Paul organizations. There was no need for experience in biking to sign up.

"We heard about the ride when the first one was going on and we decided this was the year that we wanted to do it," said 1985 BHS alumn Franci Kmiecik. "I didn't even own a bike before we started training.

Many bikers have different reasons for participating in the ride. Riders could be doing it in memory of someone who has died of AIDS, for a family member who has AIDS or as just a good time for a great cause.

"We wanted to do this ride because it's big and AIDS is also big. We wanted to do something that challenged us as much as AIDS challenges the people effected," said Kmiecik. "We are doing the ride in memory of John Ause. Our first training ride, The Ironman here in Buffalo, started and ended at BHS on John Ause Memorial Drive. He was an amazing teacher and was very special to us."

Every rider is committed to raising $2500 and many have set their goals thousands of dollars higher.

"I have set my goal for $3000 and my husband Mike has set his for $5000," said Kmiecik. "The high school can be involved by just knowing about it. They are missing a great teacher because of a horrible disease."

Would you like more information? Would you like to make a financial contribution?

If you are interested in helping BHS alumn Franci Kmiecik or Mike Kmiecik reach thier financial goal or if you would like more information on this or other AIDS rides going on in the United States please don't hesitate to contact the following numbers.

Mike and Franci Kmiecik: (612) 295-5392
Mike: [email protected]
Franci: [email protected]

Pediatric neurology, astrophysics, herpetology, enthrocytapheresis. They're more than hard to pronounce words; they're actually careers in which students have participated through a mentorship program.

The Mentor Connection, offered through District 287, has allowed Buffalo students to pursue and work with a professional in their field of interest for the past 12 years.

BHS seniors Jason Geoffrion, Sam Habeck and Peter Jacobson are currently enrolled in the program. Ten BHS students have applied for next year's program; of the more than 120 applicants, only 47 were accepted. Out of the ten students from Buffalo, eight were chosen. The students chosen from BHS were juniors Jeremy Lostetter, Kiara Esterbrooks, Megan Mullin, Kirsten Bergquist, Laura Roberts, Abbey Klaassen and sophomores Brian Kalis and Andrea Horntvedt.

"We look for students who want to be challenged, students who are academically thirsty, operate independently and those who have exhausted all the possibilities at their high school," said Constance Cameron, Mentor Connection Coordinator.

"The program and interview seemed much more relaxed than I thought it would be. The coordinators, Mrs. Dorothy Welch and Mrs. Constance Cameron, gave me the feeling that they would go to leaps and bounds to make it a good experience," said junior Kiara Esterbrooks.

Mentorships require weekly meetings, a year-long project, a meeting with the mentor at least two hours a week, a minimum of eight hours spent on the mentorship weekly, journaling and weekly assignments. That means time out of school and time out of students' spare time.

Is missing class and social time worth it? Participants and BHS staff agree that the experience is beneficial, but they also see some major loopholes.

"I didn't realize what work and time commitment it would take to write a piece of music. After writing for a long period of time I am completely drained; it takes all my energy to compose," said senior Pete Jacobson.

"I've seen a lot of absence and in my class, which is a performing class, it's hard to duplicate and make-up the days missed," said band director Lee Kjesbo.

The goal of Mentor Connection is to offer advanced learning opportunities that are rigorous academically and allow students to make contributions to the profession or field of study through a significant experience. Those involved feel this goal is being attained. Students are given independence and opportunities that they may not get in high school.

"I've seen participants being challenged and I see them maturing. They are taking what they're learning and giving it back to others; they're being pushed out of their comfort zones," said gifted education teacher Tracy Schuster.

"I hope to have a better understanding of theater by getting a different perspective of it. By doing a mentorship in theater direction I will have a chance to see through the eyes of a director rather than always through the actress," said Esterbrooks.

Not all reactions have been so positive. While for some it may be beneficial, others see it leading to problems. Questions have been raised about the amount of monitoring and restrictions in the program.

"Because the program has so much freedom, if it is abused, it can become a runaway situation. The core, which is the high school, now becomes auxiliary. From being gone so much, the student will begin to feel less engaged to the high school," said guidance counselor Mary Lynn Leff.

"We monitor the students through their weekly letters about their mentor activities for the previous week; the content, level of challenge and level of expertise. We don't discourage students if they want to put in more than 8 hours a week, but it is their responsibility to work out class schedule with their school and the amount of class they will miss," said Cameron.

The Mentor Connection does allow students to develop their interests and see what it's like in the "real world." Many participants use the program to determine if their interest is something they would like to pursue as a career.

"I chose music composition because it is something I love and something I would like to pursue. Composing allows me to express myself in a very unique way without words or movement. The emotions that go with music and music composition are one of the most powerful and wonderful things in human nature," said Jacobson.

---
The final product of Peter Jacobson's mentorship was a fully composed fanfare named Fanfare of Thanksgiving.

Gov. Arne Carlson and the House of Representatives were unable to compromise on many issues. These issues led to special sessions which began Tuesday.

Among the issues requiring a special session are public school funding and the stadium debate. An education bill passed by the House-Senate Committee was approved but did not include $150 million in tax credits, which was the governor's top priority. Carlson vetoed the bill.

A host of bills have been introduced to finance a new Twins stadium. None of them generated enough support to pass. A special session in late summer or early fall is expected to be called, to prevent the Twins from following in the footsteps of many organizations in pro sports.

"The Legislature must build the Twins a new stadium, just to keep them in town," said sophomore Aaron Bethke.

An issue which was not passed and will not be discussed in a special session is minimum wage. Minimum wage bills have been debated throughout the term. The House wanted to raise the minimum wage but Carlson wanted to increase the salaries of elected officials and top department heads.

"The governor was unable to compromise on a bill to raise the minimum wage, yet he did push for a bill to raise the salaries of elected officials? This doesn't seem right," said freshman Brent Ness.

Although most of the media's attention has been placed on what the Legislature did not accomplish, they did reach agreement on many important issues, including the toughest tobacco law in Minnesota history, as well as bills which affect anyone who has a driver's license.

On the final day of the 1997 Legislative session a bill requiring mandatory checks on illegal tobacco sales to minors was passed. For the first time merchants will face fines for a violation. This bill also includes a strong detractor for under-aged smokers. Any minor who purchases tobacco will have their driver's license revoked.

"The new tobacco laws are of little importance. How can law enforcement enforce these new laws? They can't even enforce the laws which exist now," said sophomore Matt Banser.

A speed limit bill which would raise speed limits on rural interstates to 70 mph up from 65 mph and raise urban interstates and divided highways to 65 mph up from 55 mph, is expected to be signed by the governor. Rep. David Bishop told the Star Tribune, "The governor is going to have to do it. People are expecting it."

It seems to happen every year. Toward the end of the school year, discipline becomes mere black and white. Mr. Miller makes near daily announcements reminding us that it is spring and that all the rules still apply here at school. The closer we get to the last day of school, the more rules are enforced.

The administrators feel that school does not end until the last day of school. They just want to remind students that we have had eight great months and we should have nine great months. They do not feel like they are cracking down on us about the rules, but that they are reinforcing rules already firmly in place.

While we normally acknowledge and commend the school's discipline procedures, every year in the last few weeks of school, a change kicks in. What is normally a relaxed, friendly environment becomes tense and uptight. Teachers and administrators question students in halls during class time more often. "Where are you going?" "Where is your pass?" Since seniors have gotten their AAA privileges, administrators have started to ask for passes more often during AAA as well. Why now? Why not all year?

We believe the change in mood becomes particularly noticeable during the final week of school when a seemingly "zero tolerance" policy kicks in. If a student swore at a teacher a few months ago, he/she may have been written up with a possible short suspension. The same offense during the final week may result in a suspension for the rest of the year. It's like being in junior high again and having a teacher look over your shoulder all the time.

As the administration said, it's been a great eight months. It is our view that the last week could also be relaxed and friendly if the administration will enforce the rules we have been accustomed to following for the last eight months with the same consequences. We're not saying to make the school like a prison, but there should not be two different sets of rules for two different times of the year.

---
Buffalo Senior High
PASS
Name
Date
Destination
Absents
Tardy
Excused
Unexcused
Excused
Unexcused
Signed

A few weeks ago we attended the Hanover Elementary School Festival of Nations. In visiting the school that we had attended for seven years, we walked around remembering the past. We grew up in that school. We had never realized how much it meant to us or how many memories we had from there. Everywhere we walked brought back a different memory; silly games on the playground, class assemblies, favorite teachers, even getting our names on the board for talking. Although it had been a few years since either of us had seen the school, the memories that we have came back as strong as ever.

Because Hanover is not as big as Buffalo, it doesn't get as much recognition, even at things such as Coronation. But to us, the memories of our days at Hanover Elementary are some of the happiest times in our lives. The innocent days, where we were still amused by things such as afternoon recess and New Kids on the Block.

Upon entering Junior High we were scared out of our wits. At orientation there were so many people that we didn't know, so many rooms, so many hallways that looked alike, and the lockers were so small. We were excited to finally be in junior high, but longed for the comfort of our elementary "home."

Soon we began to feel comfortable in the junior high. We started meeting new people from Buffalo and Montrose, and getting involved in school activities. New memories of scary teachers, crowded stairways, and school dances were formed. A lot of changes happened really fast, and before we knew it, was the last day of eighth grade, and it was time to make the next move to the high school.

Our first day at Buffalo High School was an exciting one. We were finally high school students! We got more freedom, a bigger school, and new classes. We weren't the "Hanover people" or the "Buffalo people" or the "Montrose people" anymore. We were the class of 1997.

The move to the high school was like none other. Not only did we get to be in a new environment, we got to interact with other grades on a daily basis. Many of our classes included people from every grade, as did many of the activities. Our activities have basically been the existence of our high school careers. Late night work sessions for newspaper, marching band trips, plays, knowledge bowl, each have brought new friendships and new experiences into our lives. Each year here has been memorable in its own way. From the Diversity symposium as freshmen and getting our licences as sophomores, to the bomb threat and Mr. Wilcox leaving as juniors, and moving to the new school as seniors.

Leaving the old school was one of the saddest things we've done. We were used to it there. We practically lived there; it truly felt like our second home. We were involved in so many activities that we were at school more than we were at our real home.

Being members of district 877 for the last 13 years has helped us to become the people we are today. We are sure to look back on our years at Buffalo and Hanover as being some of the happiest times in our lives.

So, as we get ready to pursue our lives in the real world, we say goodbye to our lives as BHS students with a feeling of sadness and joy. We will be proud to say we were once members of Buffalo High School. Goodbye and good luck!

By the look of things, another successful year has come and gone at BHS. Yet, how does one measure success? Measuring something of that nature isn't as simple as evaluating statistics or numbers. It is much more abstract than that.

Perhaps if another question is answered, then we can solve the question of how successful the year was. Why do we go to school? It doesn't appear that we will need to know what year General Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans in order to get a job once school is finished. No one is going to ask us what the present-perfect form of a sentence is, yet we are fed this information day in and day out in the classrooms. What purpose does it serve?

Apparently, according to a guy with a lot of time on his hands, Lawrence Kohlberg, there are six stages to human moral development. In other words, there are six steps a person can take in order to think and do whatever they believe is right. The question of why we go to school can be answered with those six stages. Do we go to school because: A) we will be punished by our parents/guardians/probation officers, etc. if we don't? B) we receive a reward, such as a diploma, to get a higher paying job? C) our friends are there? D) society expects that we do? E) it is for the common good of society that a bunch of rascals aren't running around with nothing to do, or is it F) we go because we are helping ourselves, <learning how to learn.> I think that most people believe that the answer should be F, but most likely not all people selected F for their choice.

What does <learning how to learn> mean, anyway? Well, basically, at school a person does reports and essays and quizzes in order to build up their abilities to do that kind of stuff in the future. It is not what is in the factual material of the reports that is important, it is learning how to access and study more important material that helps humankind, hopefully done in a career of some sort. An example of that would be researching a problem with a word processing program and making it more efficient. Assignments in school usually don't cover information necessary for survival, but doing them develops the skills needed for future researching.

So, was this year successful? If you, the reader, are scanning this column, and can honestly say that you learned how to do something in school which you would not have learned elsewhere, then this year truly has been a successful one. But if not, then you better think a little harder or else get your noggin checked, because everyone in this school this year learned how to do something. Trivial as they may seem, the little skills we learned here at school add up to something extremely helpful in the future to everyone.

As I watch my high school career come to a close, I've noticed many of my fellow classmates making a mad dash to send out applications to various institutions of higher learning, worrying whether their ACT score will be high enough. I sit back with a sigh of relief because the next three years of my life were decided in September.

Rather than worrying about what college to go to or how to pay for it, I decided to enlist in the United States Army. Seeing how stress-free my life has been the last few months made me wonder why only a handful of my peers have chosen this alternative.

I chose to enlist in the Army because of the many benefits this experience can provide for me. Instead of having the burden of repaying loans or trying to find different ways to pay for college, I thought I would let the government pay for my education. While attending college classes during my service, the Army will pay for 75 percent of my tuition at the school of my choice, and upon completion of my service I'll be receiving $25,000 for my schooling.

While in the army, I'll also be receiving a competitive salary, which due to the military's no/low cost way of living, can almost entirely be saved. Meals, housing and clothing are all provided by the U.S. Government.

But an even larger benefit than the money will be the strong work ethic I will develop and an increased ability to work with others. Both of these traits will help me after the Army, during college and for the rest of my life.

If any of the benefits of military service interest you, feel free to contact your local military recruiting station. The recruiters available are friendly and will be eager to help you with any questions you might have. I know this for a fact because I have witnessed the entire process first hand, from the first phone call, to in-home visits, to signing the final document for enlistment. It is their job to help you.

Recently, the importance of being politically correct has skyrocketed. People are no longer rich, they are economically stable; no longer German, but German-American, no longer short, but vertically challenged. If terms are not stated correctly, people take offense to it. But why do some things offend people more than others, and why can't this offense be limited?

The BHS student handbook states: In order to maintain the dignity of the educational setting, students are not permitted to wear clothes and/or accessories that include logos, words or pictures that are vulgar, profane, advocate prejudice, drug or alcohol use, are considered offensive or an expression of sexual harassment, or are sexually provocative.

Most students have seen others walking around with their shirts inside-out or have known students who have been told to change by a member of the administration. These shirts are usually Co-ed Naked sports shirts, Big Johnson T-shirts or other shirts advertising alcohol or drug use. Wearing these shirts is against the rules according to the handbook, but this also states that shirts which advocate prejudice are also against the rules. <Prejudice> is listed earlier in the list of handbook no-nos than clothing that is <sexually offensive>, which makes it seem a little more important, but it is often the most overlooked offense at BHS.

Recently, a shirt was worn portraying the Confederate flag with the slogan <The south will rise again.> This is in obvious support of the south side of the Civil War. Over 359,528 people were killed by the South alone, a war started because the South wanted to keep slavery. The idea of a shirt promoting slavery and representing that many deaths is more offensive to most students than a Co-ed Naked sports shirt.

Why are students allowed to wear that kind of filth and get away with it? What about upholding the dignity of BHS as it states in the handbook? This situation is allowed because the administration won't stand up and say <no.>

It is easier for them to make a student wearing a non-graphic Budweiser shirt change than it is to have a student with a swastika on their T-shirt do the same. There shouldn't be any difference; it is under the same category in the handbook.

The administration's job is to help make the students feel safe at their school and find and fix that problem. If students continue to wear offensive shirts, keep making them change their shirt until they learn. We, the students and the administration, should not be on opposite sides. We all attend this school, we all are offended by pretty much the same things.

Well, it's the end. A what a year it was! We went into a new school, a new block schedule and many new classes. We moved to a new school, tested out a new schedule and figured out how to make it work while still <teaching school>. We felt that the 7 seniors felt that the 7 of us were a lot of change. This year mold: a lot of change. Since we moved to a new school, we have all been hearing about it for a couple years since the bond issue first passed. I had the opportunity to watch it from the ground up turn into the new school that we can understand. If they don't cut us out, I'd just like to thank them for that.

Thank you also to my editors, my good ones and my bad ones, at BHS, my good ones and my bad ones. I've enjoyed my classes and my teachers. A lot of you, even if you don't know it, have affected me. I'll carry all of that into my future and I hope to one day be successful because of it. Thanks again to all of you who have wrote me with your comments and I hope that I haven't totally bored you to death.

The block schedule meant a lot to us. We went from a six period day to a four period day.

I've been a columnist for the news paper now for two years and I've had a lot of fun writing. I've talked about issues all the way from computers to abortion to the seasons changing. I've gotten notes from people on how much they liked (or hated) what they had just read. I've been called egotistical, self-centered and a great writer—imagine that. Thank you to all of you who have wrote me with your comments and I hope that I haven't totally bored you to death.

I'll always remember my days here. I've enjoyed my classes and my teachers. A lot of you, even if you don't know it, have affected me. I'll carry all of that into my future and I hope to one day be successful because of it. Thanks again to all of you who have wrote me with your comments and I hope that I haven't totally bored you to death.

This summer, many students will be enjoying freedom from homework and early morning hours. Having a license helps many make the most of their vacation. There are 200 students enrolled in this summer's District 877 driver's education courses. Many students enroll during the summer because they have more time available to them.

"You should try to take the class when the time is right for you. Don't take it in the summer if you will be busy then," said sophomore Tabitha Spike.

Some students will go to great lengths to get their license.

"I had to ride my bike into Buffalo for every class. It was 10 miles each way," said sophomore Mark Eckerman.

While some students are taking driver's education classes, others will work on finishing their hours of behind-the-wheel.

"Most students take summer behind-the-wheel because they can fit it into their schedules better," said behind-the-wheel teacher Boyd Emmel.

Students wishing to finish off that last hour would have a good opportunity to do so in the summer months. Because there are more instructors then, students will have a much better chance of getting an appointment.

Parents may worry that their students will not do as well taking classes in the summer. They could be concerned that children will have trouble concentrating on doing school-type work during the summer.

"I think that students are just as motivated in any season because they are all eager to get their licenses," said Emmel.

As much as everyone tries to block it from their minds, students signing up for summer behind-the-wheel should keep Minnesota winters in mind.

"It's good for you to have practice with driving in winter situations, because Minnesota is snowy most of the year," said Spike.

On the other hand, with the new law that students must have their permit for six months, experience at winter driving is almost guaranteed.

In the meantime, students will develop confidence and freedom behind the wheel by practicing driving this summer.

Gazing out the window, daydreaming of strolling along the beaches of Florida and soaking up the sun from the 85-degree weather of Hawaii, is a popular pastime for students stuck in the last days of school. However, most students could only dream of taking these vacations with a budget of around $50 a week. But that doesn’t mean that teens can’t take a break.

Students who are limited to a budget because of the expenses of being a teen-ager still manage to take low-cost vacations.

“My family and I took a trip to Jamaica. We were really fortunate because my grandmother lives there and we didn’t have to pay the expenses of staying in a hotel or eating out. We went snorkeling, parasailing and went to the YS Falls while we were there,” said junior April Underberg.

Due to the hectic schedules of school, sports and work, students find it difficult to put time aside for fun.

“Last summer I spent a weekend at a friend’s cabin in Brainerd. We slept in tents, went swimming in the middle of the night, made campfires and just enjoyed spending time with friends,” said senior Colleen Schmidt.

For some students, a vacation doesn’t mean traveling far distances, but a time to get away from the stress of life and relax.

“Every day when my classes get boring, I find myself drifting away from the classroom and into my dreams. I dream of many places: Florida, home and of my childhood memories,” said junior Heidi Balk.

“Last summer I went to my friends’ cabin, we just hung out and relaxed. It was nice because we all chipped in for gas and food, which gave us a cheap but great vacation,” said sophomore Sarah Thompson.

The winter has been long and full of surprises, but now that summer is almost here, save, scrounge up some extra cash and plan a low-cost vacation. It’s time to pick up your feet, get away and relax.

Mission trips through churches and schools may consist of eight-hour work days hard labor and pain. However, that’s not stopping a group of youth and adults from St Francis Xavier Church in Buffalo from planning such trips.

The Church has been going on the trips for many years. This summer, over 20 youth and adults will be attending one of two trips: either to Chicago, Illinois or Mission, South Dakota. While there, they will help to repair houses, paint walls or maybe just try to listen to the people they’re helping.

The people who do the volunteer work have their own reasons for participating.

“[I’m going because] I like to help people and for service hours [for confirmation]. I also like to do construction work and repair things.”

Planning for the upcoming trips has consisted of retreats, the Thirty-Hour Famine for World Hunger and monthly meetings.

“The goal of all the activities is team building,” said science teacher Dan Schneider, who is active in planning the trips. “We want them to know what to expect out there. They need to understand that the people they help are a lot different from them.”

The need for people to plan trips like those to Chicago and Mission is very strong. Groups like the one from St. Francis Xavier and other organizations are making a big difference in the lives of people around the world. Maybe someday, because of these types of people, poverty around the world will end.

Scrambling to find some fun in the summer sun is often easy, but the appeal of the same daily routine fades as the long days go on.

Counseling at a camp may be the answer. It can be a challenging, but rewarding experience for those who like to take on the tasks of looking after 10-13 kids for a week at a time.

"I have benefited from working with many different kids while counseling at Lake Beauty Bible Camp. The biggest thing this experience has taught me is patience. You have a lot of them under your care, and you have to keep your cool with a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders for a week," said camp counselor John Eastvold, from Duluth, MN.

When counseling at a camp, one must be able to meet and take care of the needs of 5-15 year olds. Counselors focus on keeping the kids under control, making sure they are in bed on time, attending daily activities, meeting their health needs and being their friend.

"There are many day-to-day responsibilities a counselor has, but I think the most important of all is to be there for your campers. They need to know that you are willing to listen. A lot of kids don't have anyone that will listen and take them seriously when they talk. That is a big part of being a counselor. It lets the kids know they are important to you, and you care about them," said Camp Lebanon counselor Heidi Balk, BHS junior.

Besides the responsibilities of being a counselor, one gets to let loose and have fun being with their kids -- and get involved with the activities as well.

"We have lots of games -- an obstacle course, a gym and a ropes course. We also have a lake (who doesn't?). The kids' favorite game seems to be Capture the Flag. The large group outdoor games always seem to go over best. My job is simply to get involved -- and have fun with the kids," said Lake Beauty Bible Camp counselor Pat Richter, from River Falls, WI.

At some camps, counselors get paid, but at others counseling is volunteer work. If one is looking for a high-paying job, counseling would probably not meet those kinds of financial needs. But for some, the memories and time spent with the kids matter the most.

"It didn't matter to me that I wasn't getting paid because, although it was hard work, it was so much fun. I had a blast doing it and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything," said Balk.

Besides the several Bible camps, many other camps offer counselors a fun summer job -- or a great atmosphere to experience as a camper. Day camps, like those offered by Girl Scouts, music camps, sport camps and even horse camps, give students and counselors the opportunity to enjoy themselves, while still being able to sleep in their own beds at night.

Of 20 people surveyed, five said they had attended a Bible camp, eight said they went to various sports camps each summer and seven listed other camps. Junior Jackie MacMillan attended an Olympic training camp in Lake Placid, NY, for hockey.

"I loved it -- it was such a great atmosphere. To think that I was training where the 1980 Olympics were held and staying in the same facilities as Bonnie Blair and some of the other gold medalists was an experience in itself," said MacMillan.

Maybe being a counselor is for you, or maybe you would just like to go to a camp to spend a week or two of your summer in a fun environment that relates to your own interests.

For more information on camps and counseling, you can call these numbers:
1-800-675-3515 for 200 summer arts programs, camps and classes;
1-800-428-2267 for 2,000 day and resident camps, and for help on choosing a camp;
(612) 673-4000 for more information from the Star Tribune on camps and counseling.

While there, they will help to repair houses, paint walls or maybe just try to listen to the people they're helping.

The people who do the volunteer work have their own reasons for participating.

"I'm going because I like to help people and for service hours [for confirmation]. I also like to do construction work and repair things," said a student.

Planning for the upcoming trips has consisted of retreats, the Thirty-Hour Famine for World Hunger and monthly meetings.

"The goal of all the activities is team building," said science teacher Dan Schneider, who is active in planning the trips. "We want them to know what to expect out there. They need to understand that the people they help are a lot different from them."

The need for people to plan trips like those to Chicago and Mission is very strong. Groups like the one from St. Francis Xavier and other organizations are making a big difference in the lives of people around the world. Maybe someday, because of these types of people, poverty around the world will end.

Radio programmers call their music "roots rock" or "American music." I am referring to the five-man band, The Wallflowers, whose recent album, Bringing Down the Horse, went gold.

The band was formed by Jakob Dylan, the son of rock legend Bob Dylan. He was writing songs by the time he turned eighteen, a process he found irresistible. After high school, he gathered the Wallflowers, who frequently jammed in Los Angeles' famed Canter's Deli.

Included in the band are keyboardist Rami Jaffee, guitarist Michael Ward, bassist Greg Richling and drummer Mario Calire.

The Wallflowers quickly gained a following drawn by the group's rough-edged music which lead to a record deal with Interscope. Their first album, released in 1992, sold only 25,000 copies, but was praised by rock critics. Musician Magazine wrote that the self-titled album was an "impressive debut."

Things went downhill from there. While his dad's famous name might have helped Dylan break into the business, once he got there, it actually made it harder for him. When the debut album didn't sell, they left their record company.

Their luck changed last year, however, when a demo of 6th Avenue Heartache began circulating the labels, leading to a new record deal and their recent album Bringing Down the Horse.

Reflecting on his career, Dylan refers to a lesson he learned while playing Little League as a child. "Little League is a lot like life," he says. "A kid hits home runs, and all the parents cheer him on. But when he strikes out, the parents say, 'He blew it.' The same thing happens as an adult. Everyone rallies when you're up and leaves you when you're down."

TINA TURNER
Date: June 1
Place: Northrop Auditorium, U of M, Minneapolis

No Doubt
Date: July 1
Place: TBA

Winstock Country Music Festival
Date: June 6-7
Place: Winsted, MN

We Fest
Date: June 13-15
Place: Target Center, Minneapolis
Guest starring: Weezer

We Fest
Date: August 1-3
Place: Detroit Lakes, MN
Price: $30.00
Lineup: Doobie Brothers, Alabama, LeAnn Rimes, Wynona, John Michael Montgomery, Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw

Minnesota State Fair
Date: August 21 - September 1
Place: MN State Fairgrounds, St. Paul
Lineup: Vince Gill, Johnny Lang, Kevin Sharp

U2
Date: October 29
Place: Metrodome, Minneapolis

Country Jam
Date: July 17-20
Place: Eau Claire, WI
Price: one day: $45 four days: $90
Lineup: Black Hawk, Little Texas

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Traveling Exhibition
Price: $37.50-$52.50
Lineup: Vince Gill, John Michael Montgomery, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson

Source: Performance Magazine Tour Search
Compiled by Jamie Jensen, Staff Writer

BREAKDOWN 4 Rated R
Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan play a young couple taking a cross-country road trip, who have engine troubles on a road in the middle of a seemingly endless desert. They are forced to wait for help, and it finally arrives in the form of a semi-driver, played by Jay T. Walsh. When Walsh stops to help them, they are more than happy to take up his offer to bring Quinlan to the next town to call a tow-truck. Russell stays behind, and continues to work on the car. After getting the car started, he decides to drive to the town to find his wife. When he reaches the town, he begins to ask locals about his wife, but they all claim they have not seen her. His worry turns to panic as his mind begins to form ideas about her being abducted, or worse. Critics have dubbed this film a "classic thriller," with Russell playing the "heroic every-man."

COMMANDMENTS 4 Rated R
This self-described "sad comedy" mixes tragedy with humor, in an attempt to keep its audience on their toes. Aidan Quinn plays a person who is cursed with an unfortunate string of bad luck. His wife dies, his house is destroyed by a tornado and he is hit by lightning. He decides that God has been testing him, so he sets out to break the 10 commandments, in numerical order. His brother-in-law, played by Anthony Elipaglia tries consistently throughout the film to convince Quinn that he is doing the wrong thing, despite being hypocritical with his own sins. Although writer/director Daniel Tapletts gave an honorable effort in the production of this film, it has been thoroughly criticized. It has been called confusing and sloppy.

ANACONDA 4 Rated PG-13
Full of many snakes and many attempts to gross-out the audience, this film succeeds only part of the time. If the audience is easily shocked and expecting a less-than-intriguing plot and non-stop snake footage, the film is still a no-brainer. The computer animation anaconda isn't as convincing as it needs to be to have the honor of the title character and to hold the starring role. Some scenes containing many smaller snakes are not only more entertaining, but more frightening than the main snake. The film's biggest bonus is its unpredictability. John Voight plays a man with evil intentions who takes advantage of a group of boating photographers who are after photographs of a mysterious band of natives in the area. Voight ends up steering them where he wants to go, by way of carefully planned "accidents." The filmmakers seem overly concerned with the commercial aspect of the snake and have forgotten about the delivery. Whole-heartedly praised and openly criticized, this film has gotten both extremes from critics.

High Heads in a Duffel Bag 4 Rated R
Joe Pesci plays a Mafia courier who is supposed to deliver the severed heads of a Godfather's eight competitors. The convenient method of storage is in the title 4 a duffel bag. The bag must be flown with Pesci from New Jersey to California, where they will be used as piace to the Godfather that his competitor's have been killed. The all too predictable plot-setter is a mix-up of bags at the airport. Pesci picks up an identical duffel bag, that belongs to a vacationing college student, played by Andy Como. Unfortunate Andy grabs the bag containing the severed heads. The rest of the movie is spent in a chase, Pesci trying to find the heads, as Como tries just as hard to get rid of them. Critics have not only been disappointed by this movie, but downright disgusted. Too many liberties were taken with this mildly crass medium.

Jungle 2 Jungle 4 Rated PG
Tim Allen plays a workaholic whose wife left him 13 years ago to work in the rainforest. One day, his wife calls him unexpectedly to inform him that she was pregnant when she left him, and he now has a 13-year-old son. She invites Allen to come to the rainforest to meet his son, whom she has raised as a member of the rainforest natives. She wants Allen to bring their son back to New York with him, to allow him to experience his "jungle." The classic fish-out-of-water story ensues, causing adult viewers to lose interest, while still attempting to give young children their first version of this theme. Critics have encouraged parents to bring their children to see this film, but advised to also bring 90 minutes of patience.

McHALE'S NAVY 4 Rated PG
This comedy, based on the 1960s sitcom is basically a goofy update on the series. The story takes place in present-day, and McHale, played by Tom Arnold, is retired, while the rest of his silly crew is still around. David Allen Greer plays Parker, and Dean Stockwell plays Captain Billingham while Tim Curry plays a terrorist in an "intentionally hammy performance." McHale and his crew are required to once again storm into action when they learn of Curry's plans to set up a missile launching sight on a south seas island. All of the classic bumbling characters create the mishaps and adventures they experience while on their mission. While a couple of memorable scenes and jokes pick up the movie a bit, the rest is overdone.

DISCLAIMER: This is the review of the book: The Lost World by Michael Crichton, not the movie The Lost World: Jurassic Park. It is suggested that you do not compare this article with the movie unless you are looking for differences in the characters and plot.

The dinos are back, the excitement is back, and some of the characters are back. In 1995, Michael Crichton released The Lost World, a semi-sequel to his famous Jurassic Park, calming the screaming masses. Okay, maybe not screaming, but eager fans wanted to know what happened after the incident at Isla Nublar, Costa Rica, the site of the park. Well, it's not at Isla Nublar, but at Isla Soma, the home of InGen's (International Genetics, the company behind JP) Site B, a secret dinosaur egg production plant. This island was founder John Hammond's "dirty little secret," where the glitz and spotlessness of the park's laboratory was absorbed by conveyor belts and unknown diseases.

To cure the newborn dinosaurs of DX, a strange disease caused by protein fragments called prions, the plant's managers let some of the juveniles loose on the island. After Jurassic Park was shut down, InGen filed bankruptcy and deserted Site B, leaving the dinosaurs behind. InGen thought that its troubles were over, but "aberrant forms" of lizards started appearing on the Costa Rican coastline. The authorities didn't know where they were coming from, since the park had been destroyed with nuclear fission bombs. This caught the attention of Richard Levine, a paleontologist from the U.S. Levine was friends with Ian Malcom, the chaos mathematician who first-hand observed the incident. With help from a couple acquaintances and two kids (not the same kids; they had grown up), Malcom rescued Levine from a short trip to Isla Sorna, only to stay and help research the dinosaurs' behavior patterns.

The outing went horribly wrong when Lewis Dodgson showed up. One of the heads at Biosyn, InGen's rival biological company, Dodgson was eager to get the JP technology. He had earlier bribed computer-programmer Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park, with less-than-desirable results. (For those who didn't see JP, Nedry was killed by a poison-spitting dinosaur, known as a "spitter.")

With all the factors combined, you get a rip-roaring, man-eating adventure to thrill all dino and Crichton lovers. Crichton didn't mean for The Lost World to be a sequel to Jurassic Park, but rather just another novel that happened to continue the JP plot.

The book The Lost World has been in bookstores since 1995, and will be available for from the BHS Library next fall. The movie The Lost World: Jurassic Park is in theaters now, but might not be exactly the same. You'll have to look for differences yourself.

Michael Crichton's The Lost World
- The Stampede
Cover price: $25.95
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf, New York
©1995 by Michael Crichton

---
After being bitten by Jurassic Park's new species, Ian Malcom noticed that it wasn't as friendly as it first appeared.

THE BISON STAMPEDE RATINGS:
Breakdown: ***
Commandants: **
Anaconda: ***
Eight Heads in a Duffel Bag: ***
Jungle 2 Jungle: **
McHale's Navy: **

*** Excellent
** Good
* Fair
Poor

Play hard, have fun, and never give up. These words of encouragement from head coach Charley Kiefenheim helped motivate the Bison boys tennis team to another great season. Last season, the team won section 2AA and advanced to the State Tournament for the first time in school history. The team once again exceeded expectations in 1997. They found themselves poised to do well at the section tournament with an opportunity to advance to the state tournament for the second year in a row.

"This is probably the second best overall year ever for Bison tennis," said Keifenheim. "But, it follows on the heels of our best season ever, therefore, it doesn't seem quite as good as it would otherwise."

The team had a very good year. They finished the regular season with a 7-2 conference record and went 12-6 overall. They ended up at third place in a very tough conference.

This year's team has 28 players, seven of which are returning letter winners from last year. Their off season efforts to step up their play to make up for losing seniors to graduation have been extremely beneficial to the team. They have more than made up for the loss.

"The seniors were really a class group of gentlemen. I enjoyed working with them," said Keifenheim, "I'm really sad to see them go."

Underclassmen also have done more than was expected of them. Their efforts have played a big role in getting the team where they are now.

"Charlie Ahrens who plays at number one singles and Adam Gartner who has played at number two and number one doubles are our most improved athletes" said Keifenheim.

This season, the best matches have been against Spring Lake Park. Their victory on April 22 was the first time the Bison have ever defeated the Panthers. Some of their toughest opponents have been Chaska, Fridley, Lichfield and Totino Grace.

"It was especially nice to finish with four straight shutouts late in the season, but our 5-2 win over Chaska was great because they had won our previous match 5-2 over us," said Keifenheim.

However, tennis isn't all about winning. The opportunities just to have fun while playing a physically demanding sport provides a valuable life experience. Just play hard, have fun and never give up.

"Tennis is the greatest sport that I know how to play," said junior Chris Lindahl.

You won't find their names on the activity results screen in the announcements. There won't be any fan buses or cheerleaders at their competitions. They aren't dressed in the Bison purple and white apparel, but they are extremely dedicated athletes who are fulfilling their ambitions in sports outside of school. Whether they go to community gyms, private studios or homemade facilities, athletes find alternatives to school sports in order to stay physically fit. These athletes have the same goals -- sectional and national competitions -- they just have far less "home-field advantage."

DANCE
After a two-week technique course over the summer, Natalie Mobley, instructor at the On Stage School of Dance, selects the nine dancers who will be part of the dance team Stars. This team focuses on tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical dance. They practice year-round for two hours a week with an additional 4-5 hour practice one Saturday out of the month.

"Missing one rehearsal brings the entire group down, and if you miss too many you aren't allowed to participate in the next competition," said junior Leah Barry, Star dancer. During the spring, the Stars compete against various Minnesota studios. Dancers pay $10-$20 entrance fees for each dance in which they compete. Judges base the scores on the team's presentation and technique. In May, the Stars will participate in Showbiz, a competition where the top scoring group advances to Nationals.

KARATE
With a double black-stripe belt around his waist, freshman Nathan Schuft is ranked second in his region in weapons, fourth in forms and third in sparring. He participates in many local tournaments and has received the National Karate Competitor Award for the past two years. For three-and-a-half years Schuft has trained at National Karate in Long Lake. He has improved his flexibility, focus and discipline. Schuft trains four to six days a week, but during many of those practices he is the instructor. He works with all age groups and teaches them self-defense, basic kicks and sparring.

"Instructing is my favorite part of Karate. Through it, I have gained the respect of my instructor and students," said Schuft.

JUNIOR OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL
J.O. Volleyball is a traveling team that plays in the off season, from December to May. Anyone interested can try out. Players are placed on teams according to position, skill and the ability to adjust in game situations. Games are held in neutral locations to prevent a "home team advantage." Junior Olympics gives volleyball players the opportunity for more playing time, with new players and coaches. J.O. also directs college attention toward their players.

"North Dakota State University contacted me when they saw me play at a tournament in Marshall," said junior Betsy Bremmer.

ROCK-CLIMBING
After much training, sophomore Jesse Henley advanced to the rock-climbing Junior Nationals in Denver during January. With 100 competitors, climbers' nerves were on end.

"In Isolation [where all the competitors start out] you don't know how anyone is doing. All you can hear is the crowd cheering and you get really nervous. I would focus my attention on warming up to keep myself from worrying," said Henley. In the first round, competitors receive points based on how high they climb in a given amount of time. The top 20 advanced to the semi-finals, and the top 10 there went to the final round. Henley placed 10th overall. Rock-climbing is becoming more popular as a recreational sport for a number of BHS students.

At scout camp when senior Ben Christ was 11, he first tried rock-climbing. He's been to a few competitions and mostly climbs outdoors at North Shore, Taylor's Falls and Ely's Peak in preparation for future goals.

"Brian Hogan, my climbing partner, and I are planning on opening a climbing gym in 2-3 years, while working toward Nationals," said Christ.

All athletic activities require dedication, time and talent. Because of the popularity of the many "non-varsity" sports outside of the school, it is important for those athletes to receive the recognition they deserve.

Both boys and girls track teams finished off a great year by participating in the True Team State Meet in class AAA on Friday, May 16.

The season started for the Bison on March 3rd. The 150 team members participated in demanding workouts every night after school from 3 to 5 p.m. The practice schedule was down to a science.

"We meet as a team in the gym for awards and/or announcements. We then break up into different area groups to stretch and warm up before our workout. Each group will have a different workout depending upon the event the individual is training for," said head coach Scott Palmer.

This year has gone extremely well for girls and boys track, and it looks as if their hard work has paid off. The team excelled at distance and jumping, but was weak in sprinting. The two teams had similar results in almost every meet this year. They consistently placed near the top at meets and finished in third place in the North Suburban Conference. The teams both made it to True Team State by taking first place in the region. Only the top team from each region advances. Both teams finished ninth out of nine at the meet, but that didn't dampen their spirits.

"It was kind of a disappointment, but we had some kids hurt, and couldn't put everybody where we wanted to, because they just had gone the day before," said distance coach Pam Ramstad. "But we have to look at the positives. We made it to state in region AAA, with the biggest schools in the state."

The team also had great success on an individual basis. Five school records have been broken this year. Seniors Jed Bergstrom, Mike Betker and Alicia Heisel, juniors Betsy Bremmer and Dana Knutson and freshmen Beth Jackson and Tara Schroeder all excelled in their solo efforts. The Bison have a good shot at sending quite a few individuals to the State Meet.

"Breaking the triple jump school record was something I had tried to do for a long time. I broke the record my coach, Cole Mattson, had set four years ago," said Bremmer.

The team has high hopes for next season. Underclassmen have come a long way since the beginning of the season.

"I have improved some. I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I'm not the best either," said sophomore Jessica Hopkins.

Motivation needs to stay high in the off-season. Individuals need to continue to work and become better athletes even though they don't have meets to look forward to.

"The people that motivate me are my parents and my coaches. If my parents weren't motivating me, then I would get nowhere and my coaches just help me improve and instruct me on new techniques to use," said sophomore Laura Haag.

---
Freshman Tabi Novak gets some help while stretching as the track season winds down. Both boys and girls teams ended their seasons by taking ninth place overall at the True Team State Meet.

Remember the spins and twirls around the ice when you were younger? Saying to your parents, "I want to be just like her. I want to be Dorothy Hamill when I grow up." Some students are making this dream a reality by dedicating long, hard hours of their lives to the sport of figure skating.

Most of them started their career right here in the district, taking classes offered through community education. All have since moved on to more advanced classes and competition.

Moving on to those more advanced classes means more time, more difficulty and more bumps and bruises. Practices vary according to ability. Some practice twice a week, others every day. These practices can be at 7 in the evening or 5 in the morning. Weekend practices (which are every weekend) can go for eight hours at a time.

Despite the sacrifices of their time, skaters still say the results are worth the effort.

"We put in early hours and late nights since hockey usually has number one priority over anything else," said senior Jackie Underberg. "It still love to figure skate, no matter how stressful it gets from so many practices," said freshman Elyse Cossais.

Figure skating is a very expensive sport for numerous reasons. Rink rental usually runs $7-$8 per hour. A private instructor can cost close to $50 dollars an hour. Competitions all have an entry fee and each event has its own fee and a separate cost for them. Miscellaneous costs include gas mileage, hotel stays and equipment. Some skates can cost up to $500 per pair. Skaters sometimes need to rely on creative ways of raising money because they have no time to work in addition to skating. Others alleviate the costs by finding people to sponsor them.

"One thing I do to help pay for my skating is help my mom make skating outfits and then we sell them for a profit," said junior Janelle Green.

Sophomore Stephanie Marschel has taken great strides to meet and exceed her goals. She started skating at age three. Five of six days each week she gets up at 3 am. to make her 4 a.m. practice and then heads to school. However, juggling this hectic routine has paid, two gold, two silver and two bronze metals over the last three years at international competitions.

"This sport has been a lifetime dream of mine and I hope to accomplish everything I have wished for from it," said Marschel.

Even if no million-dollar contracts or lucrative endorsement deals are in these athletes' futures, they view the experience as worthwhile.

"It's a lot harder than it looks. To become a competitive skater it takes time and dedication because there are a lot of times where you're stuck in a rut and you can't seem to accomplish anything. But you have to keep going because you know that eventually you'll nail that double-jump that you have been getting hurt and bruised over for weeks and then it all pays off," said Green.

Come Sail Away, the theme for this year's prom was obvious. The original riverboat idea, everyone in their formal wear, and teachers directing confused students where to stand in line made this year another great party.

The year 1997 will be remembered by some as the year we moved, with all it's difficulties, but it is something our graduating class will remember. The Bison Stampede says goodbye to the class of 1997.

[Left] Kyleen Gregerson and her date walk down the Grand March isle with the spotlight on them. Another popular date choice would be to ask someone from another school to join you. Many people showed up with different kinds of people for dates--some people went with friends, some went with a mutual date, some went as friends, and some went with the same girlfriend/boyfriend that they have been going out with for years. And the sterotypical idea that you had to dance with only your date was thrown out as the classes of 1997 and 1998 and their dates reminised with friends about ''The time when"... or ''Remember when you did that!''

Seniors also realize this may be the last time they will ever be able to dance with their crush!

---

The floor was small, but that didn't stop Nichole Zwieg and Katie Nadeau from dancing the night away!

Senior Nancy Wryck is ready to hit the dance floor.

Peter Jacobson and Kiara Esterbrooks pose as a great couple at Grand March. They went like many prom-goers.

Mrs. Swaggert keeps the prom troops in line while they wait their turn to give the announcers their cards identifying them.

Photographers make their dates or children say this one night a year.