The Bison Stampede – November 2000

Opening Shot Page 2
News Page 3
Editorials Pages 4-9
Features Pages 10-15
Sports Pages 16-19
People Pages 21-28

At one point in my life I lived in a religious community. I won't waste your time here talking about the details, but what's important is that my job in the community was as the bread baker. Each morning, around five, I would awake and go down to the kitchen. I was responsible for making around 50 loaves for the community. When I first started, I made some real duds--they literally had the consistency of bricks. But as I became more practiced, the bread became better. So it is with The Stampede. When our first issue came out, I had people coming up to me pointing out all the errors. Granted there were some big ones (our Apologies to JANELLE Sternberg, and sadly the President does not write for our paper (the author of that fine piece was actually Brittney Christy). What I kept telling people was that this was a student newspaper. We, as a staff, are learning what it means to create a fine piece of work that is eagerly anticipated and consumed. Sure, there will be some duds. But as the weeks roll by, I am sure you will see work that is crafted with mastery and desires to be savored. Enjoy.

Crank, Chalk, Speed, Ice, Crystal, Quartz, and glass are various types of street name for methamphetamines. They're dangerous, toxic and on the rise in Wright County. Three years ago there were about two meth lab busts. Two years ago there were about six. Last year, sixteen labs were discovered.

Why here and now?

"The reason there are so many here is because Wright County is still a rural area. There are a lot of stores where ingredients are sold and there are less police for the amount of area," says Richard Hermes, a local lawyer.

In an article in the Monticello Times, local experts say meth is becoming more and more prevalent. In Wright County, the reason behind the issue is accessibility of ingredients. Meth doesn't need certain climates or an agricultural pattern. Everything needed to make meth can be found locally. The scary part is that meth can be made anywhere.

The steps taken by the police have slowed the making of meth labs greatly. They have stores lock up their cold medication and also have stores that limit the amount you can buy per visit. They also use people that have been caught with small amounts of meth on them. The police promise them a lesser penalty if they give them information about the dealer.

When the police think they know where a drug house is located, they watch for people coming and going at late hours of the night. Many times the police also look for known drug users to follow. They are most commonly found in rented houses, storage areas, garages, and so on.

Many dangers come into play when producing meth. When you mix chemicals, waste products are produced. The fumes can kill you if they come into contact with your body. When manufacturers finish making meth, they won't be nice enough to take the waste to a chemically safe dump zone. The clean up process is very dangerous and expensive, costing about $6,300 to clean up.

Meth production shows no signs of decreasing or slowing down.

Has it ever crossed your mind that one day you could be standing out in the cold school parking lot with a car that won't start? Last spring, the safe schools team started charging students ten dollars for parking violations. This money went to purchase a booster pack with red and black jumper cables that hooks up to your car and start it right up. No more worries for the upcoming winter days. And best of all, it's free of charge. Thanks guys.

This fall, The Josephson Institute of Ethics conducted a poll of high school students. Their findings made a national stir. The Stampede took the same questions, and asked them of 200 BHS students--50 from each class. The results showed that in terms of ethical standards, BHS students polled far higher than the national average.

BHS students are more than four times as likely to cheat on a test than the national average, and are ten percent more likely to lie to their teachers.

The only category where BHS students polled less than the national average was in showing up to class drunk--way to go Bison!

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Ethics at BHS
Lied to Parents: Nationwide 92, BHS 98
Lied to Teachers: Nationwide 79, BHS 88
Lied to get a job: Nationwide 28, BHS 31
Cheated on a test: Nationwide 14, BHS 68
Shown up to class drunk: Nationwide 17, BHS 9
Hit someone out of anger: Nationwide 68, BHS 74

Even though fake I.D.'s are illegal, there is usually no punishment if you are caught with one. Generally, when someone uses a fake I.D. there is a larger crime that they are committing and they will most likely get charged with that crime and the fake I.D. will get confiscated with no other consequences for possessing it. There seems to be more people using them to purchase alcohol as opposed to cigarettes because the age limit for alcohol is higher than cigarettes. Also, it is generally more males using fake I.D.'s than females.

How can a fake I.D. be identified? There is a distinct design difference with over 21 and under 21 year old I.D.'s/driver license. Two holographic designs on the front of the card include the word "Minnesota" and snowflakes. This prevents photocopying and fraudulent reproduction. "Under 21" versions feature the digital image of cardholder on the left front and the cardholders 21st birth date underneath the 2D bar code. "Over 21" versions feature the digital image on the right. The drivers license number and the date of birth appear 5 times each on the license. All must match for validation.

There are also consequences to businesses that sell to people with fake I.D.'s. Some of them are: fines, jail time or loss of license to sell. Business licenses are usually granted annually. However, they can be revoked at any time. A licensed retailer or municipal liquor store may seize a form of I.D. if the retailer or municipal liquor store has reasonable grounds to believe that the form of identification has altered or falsified or is being used to violate the law.

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A retailer or municipal liquor store that seizes a form of I.D. must deliver it to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours of seizing it, according to school resource officer, Glenda Ridley.

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When asking BHS staff, none of them would admit that they ever had a fake I.D. When talking to Mr. West he had stated "If I were to have a fake I.D. while living with my parents, I would not be sitting down today, 20 years later."

During a recent interview, business teacher, Mrs. Michelle Ward talked about the benefits of teacher tenure. She commented "I wouldn't mind if tenure took a couple more years to receive." After notifying her that she could be dismissed from her job for any apparent reason, and not be told why, she became nervous and immediately asked for copy of the laws regarding tenure in Minnesota.

For the people who don't know what tenure is it's a way of making sure that a teacher suits the job. In the first three years of your teaching career, you are to be monitored nine times to evaluate your ability and skills as a teacher. During the first three years of teaching you are on a probationary period, and you can be discharged at any time, or for any cause.

"Tenure is brought up too much, I don't worry about it. If I do something wrong, fire me, but be able to back it up," said English teacher, Emily Firman. The upsetting thing about this is the school is not required to give the terminated teacher any explanation on why they were dismissed from their career--at least until they receive tenure.

Some students feel that tenure is ineffective because some teachers can't relate to the students in today's era.

After obtaining tenure, if an educator fails to complete their job description there is little the administration can do, to relieve them. The school does check up on tenured teachers once every three years. However, if there is an administrator in the room the students always pay attention and participate in the activities of the class.

English teacher Bob Driver says, "As a teacher I come to class everyday prepared to teach my students."

"I don't understand the importance of tenure. If you do your job well, it shouldn't matter," comments Ms. Firman.

The cushion of tenure does not promote the highest quality of instruction--and helps preserve incompetence and the status quo.

Cities of the first class have a teacher tenure law. Districts like Buffalo have Teacher Continuing Contract provisions in the law. Although both have received their share of negative publicity, neither seems to be understood by the general public or the media.

Teacher Continuing Contract Law provides for a probationary period of three years in which a teacher can be terminated without cause. They have no due process rights. The teacher does not even need to be given a reason for their termination. If a probationary teacher feels they have been treated unfairly, they have no redress; they cannot take their concerns to court. The School District has the final and only say. This is called at will firing. In the public sector probationary periods usually last six months and a terminated employee may take their concerns to court.

When a teacher has successfully completed three years of teaching and have been offered a fourth contract, that teacher receives Teacher Continuing Contract right. This right establishes minimal due process procedures. The teacher needs to be given a reason for his/her termination and can ask for a hearing in front of the School Board (the same group that fired them). That really isn't much. The teacher in question cannot go to court; they cannot sue for undue termination. In this day and age of a seemingly litigious society, not to be able to come forward with a lawsuit if treated unfairly seems questionable at best. In the private sector a terminated employee may sue the company that fired them. At will firing is almost non-existent in the private sector.

A reason documented well enough to stand up to the scrutiny of a school board hearing is all that is asked of a school board to terminate a teacher. It came about to protect academic rights in the classroom. To protect current teachers from being displaced by friends of school board members and administrators. It's really not that great of a deal. Many Union officials would rather have the right to go to court.

Rushing to find the fastest path to your first hour class before the bell rings, you find yourself a roadblock. Teenagers kneeling; with their heads down and their hands folded in their laps, praying to God around the Bison in our front foyer.

Glances of confusion derision, and smiles scurry past. When these students bring religion into an educational learning environment, made up of their peers, they must face the consequences of the attention they are giving themselves (good or bad).

Ask yourself, is this the place to be praying? Do you think that if there were a bunch of our peers around the Bison praising the devil, would the school be fine with that? Of course not. Those praying around the Bison before school are obviously there to draw attention and make a statement; or they would be praying privately in a classroom.

Our country was founded on freedom of religion. By making yourself obvious, you are undermining what our country stands for. There is separation of church and state for this very reason, and by bringing prayer into the school this right is endangered.

Yes, I am a Christian and believe that you have the right to pray at school. But I will not contribute to this dilemma myself; because as much as I wish it were a pure thought we all know it isn't. The very need of this article shows that the prayer circle has achieved what it set out to do--garner attention. You can call me hypocritical, but I want to strive for the practice of separation of church and state; a solemn principal our country was founded upon. The mission of a public school is to provide an education, not a forum of religious protest.

If you want to learn about religion, go to church. For heaven's sake there is a time and place for everything; and this is neither the time nor the place.

People ask... why pray out in the open for the whole world to see? Is it for show? Do they do it for attention? My answer to all of these questions would be no.

People may argue that there is no way for me to know exactly why people are there, and I will say that they are right. I can only tell you why I do. I personally am out there, around the Bison, in the mornings to gain strength for my day. Maybe we are taking a stand in our school, but that in itself does not mean we are trying to get attention. We are simply expressing our right to assembly and the freedom of religion--rights expressly protected by the Constitution of the United States.

With this said, people may say well why not go off in some classroom to pray? If we were to do that, then no one would be able to join us. Plus, we feel no shame in what we believe.

People may think that it was just decided one day that a huge group of people would just come out in the morning to pray; but the truth is that it was started by one person not afraid to take a stand.

I have heard the argument about the separation of church and state; and frankly, this has already been accomplished. That is why teachers are barely allowed to discuss religion in school. In our classes, teachers skirt around the issues and questions of religion.

Our country was founded as a refuge of religion, and upon the principal of the freedom of religion. Therefore, we have every right to pray anywhere we please; whether it be in a secluded classroom or in a big circle in the middle of the school.

It seems everywhere you go you hear about teens doing drugs. More frequently than in the past you see stories on the news about crimes committed by teens under the influence of drugs. People are now hearing about deaths caused by drugs and are starting to wake up. In 1962, 4 million Americans had tried illegal drugs. The number has now drastically risen to 87.7 million.

Walking home from school a student walks by teens the same age getting high. The same student goes to a party later where the people in the kitchen are passing out pills. The student looks to the television and sees a teenager her own age getting pushed into a police car after shooting someone while purchasing drugs. These stories are happening in towns across the country and are occurring much more often. When 1500 parents were asked in a survey what the greatest problem facing teens today was, 56% said drugs and drug abuse. This problem is evident in the new statistics that say drug use in teens has risen 50% since its historic low year in 1992.

Youth marijuana use has been associated with a wide range of dangerous behavior. Nearly one million teens aged 16-18 reported driving in the past year at least once within two hours of using an illegal drug (most often marijuana). Studies have also shown that people who use drugs are more likely to have mental disorders, physical health problems, and family problems. For youth ages 12-17, those who smoked marijuana within the past year were twice as likely to cut class, steal, attack people, and destroy property than those who did not smoke marijuana.

Looking at drugs in school, there was a wide gap between the opinions of students, teachers, and principals in perceived drug use in their schools. More than half of teen-agers and forty-one percent of teachers said the drug problem at their school is getting worse, but just fifteen percent of principals saw it as an increasing problem.

Eighteen percent of principals, compared with seventy-eight percent of teen students, said their schools were not drug free. The annual survey of 1000 students, 824 teachers, and 822 principles done by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found for the fourth year, teens believed drugs were their most pressing problem.

In all, thirty-nine percent of seventeen-year-olds said they drank alcohol, twenty-three percent said they smoked in the past thirty days, and forty-one percent said they have smoked marijuana. The survey also found that teenagers who used one substance such as alcohol were more likely to use another such as marijuana, and marijuana users were more likely to drink.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) find three possible explanations why drug use has increased.

Remember back to 5th grade. You were probably excited to see some friends again. You had a lot of the same classes: Math, Science, Physical Education, Music ... etc. Except for one day a week for about four months, you had a class called DARE.

DARE is an acronym that stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It's a program that's been around since 1983, when it was started by the Los Angeles Police Department. It has grown from a single city's idea to a program that is taught in over fifty nations. Its main goal is to teach kids about the harmful effects of misusing drugs and alcohol. However, it also teaches about other things, like how to deal with stress, avoid violence, and handle peer pressure.

Recently there has been some argument over whether or not it's effective. Studies have shown that nationally, the drug abuse rate has not decreased, but it's very hard to find out the effects of a single program. It involves more than just the program itself, however. "It takes a lot of components," says Glenda Ridley, our school resource officer. She teaches DARE to 5th graders at Tatanka Elementary on Tuesdays.

"It's a combination. However, if you measure its effects in popularity, than there is no doubt that it's successful. The majority of kids who take DARE love it."

One of the problems of DARE might be that it usually only lasts through elementary school. There are mixed reactions about DARE in the high school. Some saw it as a worthwhile experience, while others thought it was a complete waste of time. Some even thought that the DARE program should be expanded to BHS. Officer Ridley thinks that there should be a program similar to DARE in junior and senior highs.

One of the bigger concerns is whether or not it's worth the money. DARE costs about $ 7000 per school, and about twenty-five dollars per student. It's financed through donations from companies. Sometimes it's money donations, but usually it's the products that the company makes. Any expenses not covered by donations are paid through the schools.

Before DARE starts, students are required to sign an oath stating that during the course of the program, they will remain drug free. There are seventeen chapters in the DARE workbook, approximately one for every week. In addition to filling out the workbook, sometimes DARE students get to watch a video or play a game.

To graduate, the students need to fill out the workbook, write an essay, and stay drug free for the entire length of the program. At graduation, which is usually held on the weekend, students get a DARE T-shirt and a party with fellow graduates.

Overall, most people feel good about DARE, and think it should continue. Dropping DARE because some people use drugs would be like dropping Driver's Ed because some people get in car crashes.

"If they want it bad enough, they're going to find a way to get it." says Glenda Ridley, resource officer at BHS, as she sits back in her chair during an interview. The topic of interest: Why do underage people smoke and how do they obtain their cigarettes?

According to Officer Ridley, underage people smoke to look older and to fit in. John Young, from the Wright County Health Department, thinks that the biggest reason that teenagers smoke is because of the efforts made by the tobacco industry to get them to smoke. "Companies create tobacco products specifically focused for young people. They are manipulated by their schemes." quotes Mr. Young.

Amanda Herrick, a junior, thinks differently: "I think it's a personal choice. It's your choice to do it."

What are the consequences of getting caught smoking and/ or with possession of tobacco at BHS? All smoking violations are referred to Officer Ridley. A citation is written and then the County Attorney gets involved. The County Attorney basically chooses the route that the student will go in. The amount of trouble the unlucky student gets in depends on whether or not it's his or her first offense. Probation officers and the courts determine punishments. Consequences may include fines, community service, and probation.

So why do students smoke if they have been preached to time and time again about the damage of smoking to your health and all the bad things that can happen?

Junior Kelly Sage comments, "It's a phase most teenagers go through."

Officer Ridley's opinion of the matter: "I don't see the appeal to it. I find it hard to see why they get interested in it."

Senior Mike Johnson comments, "Personally I think teenagers do it to be cool."

Are teenagers really doing this just to fit in or are they being influenced by the tobacco industry? The makers of Marlboro are commenting: "What we are trying to do is associate Marlboro with activities favored by young people." A Kool cigarettes memo states: "It is a well known fact that teenagers like sweet products. Honey might be considered."

These quotes were taken from Public Service Announcements or PSA's as Officer Ridley calls them. When asked if she thinks that PSA's are helping to lower the numbers of underage smokers, Officer Ridley said, "Sometimes messages are heard by people that don't need to hear it, but it enforces what they believe in. If they play them long enough maybe they will have effect."

So the next time you decide to light up or before you even take up the habit, think of the consequences to your health and what will happen if you get caught with tobacco at school. As Officer Ridley says about smoking, "You have to choose which one you

All teens are exposed to drugs everyday in some way or another either through movies, music, or everyday life.

Seeing a beautiful movie star smoking a cigarette or an "oh so admired" college student walk out of a liquor store, seems to hold some intriguing glamour. When teens are exposed to these things, it's not teens from the consequences until they become a personal prison.

A little fewer than 15 million Americans were current users of illicit drugs in 1999. Almost half were of the adult population. Aren't adults supposed to be role models to teenagers?

Musicians and movie stars are often thought to be the ones who do drugs. They are also the most common idols among teens. How do teens "just say no" when the adults they look up to and the stars they idolize can't even do it themselves?

Sometimes teens want to say yes, why is it getting harder to say no? Aren't the programs that so much money is put into helping?

Programs like DARE are relied so heavily on to keep kids clean. In theory, DARE is a great program, but in reality it just doesn't work.

"Statistics say that DARE is not a very effective program, and 'just say no' doesn't always help in real life," says Principal Nick Miller.

"DARE didn't help me at all, I was too young, in fact the only thing I remember was the introduction to drugs," replied Freshman Stephanie Richards.

"DARE never taught us to make our own choices about doing drugs, instead they made the choice for us and then pushed it on us expecting us to respond in a submissive manner," said Freshman Kenneth Nelson.

It is a well known fact that teens usually rebel against any choices made for them. Everyone knows all about drugs and what they are, our society is constantly struggling to stop drug use. But how is BHS doing with that struggle?

Almost everyone says that BHS is no better and no worse than any other school. But are kids in our school doing drugs? Yes. Is it a major problem?

Not necessarily.

The vast majority of teens said drugs are easy to get a hold of. But a lot of people also said that they were often surprised by who is doing drugs at BHS.

The variety of people being introduced and trying drugs is growing. But drug use is not usually something that people just sit around and talk about.

How would things be different if it were? If the age-old cliche 'just say no' isn't helping teens these days, then what will help? Teens have voices and are just dying to use them.

But fear of being punished for talking about using drugs is something that all too often keeps mouths shut when it comes to taboo subjects such as these.

What is our adult population doing to effectively stop drug use in our schools and in society in general? Is there a way? Some teens say no, but others say yes, you just have to find the right way.

"The most effective way to get teens to turn away from drugs," says Physical education teacher, Ryan Bauer, "is show then the repercussions of drug use, for example, when you are high you are more likely to do things that you will regret. Drugs are very expensive, drugs cause violence, and drugs make people emotionally unstable."

Many teens agree, and say that seeing the dangers of drugs really turned them off to drug use. Where is this effective method being used? "I hold concern for what children do and it frightens me to think that drugs are going around schools," says Shawna Fadden. Concern is the first step, but it won't always stop drug use. Maybe more parents need to go the extra mile to reach their teens. Sometimes teens get talks that just talk around the real subject and it doesn't help them.

Teens are exposed to drugs not only at school but all the time. Every time they turn on the radio, television, or flip through a magazine they are faced with a subconscious decision about whether they will do drugs or not. And then parents are not there to help reinforce the negative side of drugs, it's harder to think of consequences. To help teens make the right choices; they need to have the right words lingering in their mind when they are faced with the drug issue.

Sophomore Sarah Marshal said "If everyone just talked about it, then it wouldn't be such a big deal and drug use wouldn't be as bad."

Could our school help with this lack of communication problem when it come to drug use? For now our school doesn't have a major problem. But where does it stop? Will it become a future problem, if teens have nothing to turn to but drugs when they are stressed out or have a major problem with their mind? If they can't talk to parents and they think teachers will punish them, whom can they talk to?

"I don't actually see pot as a drug anymore because so many people are doing it and screwing up their lives." Thank you for the comment junior Kari Kuniniann. Do you want to talk about that?

As the final winning point was made for the Bison football team, the crowd jumped to their feet with smiles and cheers. I grabbed one of our Bison/Cheerleading flags and started my way towards the crowd, at that time the school song was being shouted from the happy fans "B-U-F-F-A-L-O Yeahhhhhh Buffalo!". Seeing how the crowd was so happy made us feel good to. This is what a winning game is like in Shawna Hettinger's eyes.

What makes a cheerleader a cheerleader? Is it the hair? The short skirts? The over enthusiastic gestures? Or maybe, it is just that the word alone "cheerleader" is enough for everyone to make their own judgmental opinion. However you want to look at it, cheerleading has been jumbled around for ten decades as popular, non-popular, sport or no sport since the first recorded yell was performed an American campus in 1880.

"Ray, Ray, Tiger Tiger Sis, Sis, Boom, Boom Aaaaaaaahhhhhh Princeton, Princeton, Princeton!"

Done in a pizzazz style, this was first heard and seen during a college football game.

Besides the fact that cheerleading is full of different opinions, why has cheerleading become "unpopular" nowadays?

"Less people are interested in it because there are more opportunities for girls in sports," says senior cheerleader Maria Leonard.

It is true that there are more opportunities for girls, but why is there this sudden decline for cheerleaders in the upper classmen area?

"Well, as you get older, there are more things you need to work to pay for like cars, college and other stuff that will support you later on in life. So therefore this will cause you to make a decision. Do I have time for cheerleading? Is being a cheerleader the right path for me?" said senior cheerleader Katie Bechtold. Cars, college, jobs are maybe some of the things teens do have to give up in order to have the benefit of being in a sport, but for cheerleaders are some of these things too much to give up, when about little to only half of the students here at BHS don't even acknowledge this as being a sport.

A survey was polled in a class of 30 people who most come to say that cheerleading is not a sport, but all cheerleaders are athletes. What do you think?

"Yes cheerleading is a sport because, cheerleaders take what they're doing seriously and put a lot of physical actions into their routine. It can be very athletic," said junior Jill Weeks.

"No, because they aren't the ones doing the competing if they would go to a cheerleading competition, yes, then for that it would be a sport. But the fans don't come just for the cheerleaders. They come for the sport (Hockey, Football etc)," said senior Joki Scherber.

Whatever way you want to look at it, cheerleading has dropped down a few levels from where it us to be "back in the day."

Although from reviewing the survey, many people still agree with the fact that cheerleaders are still stuck up. Even to this day, 2000! As children we learn from parents, teachers, news, TV, radio, etc...that cheerleading is a stuck up sport. Have or haven't we changed in are opinions yet?

"Some people think we are stuck up, and that we only get along with each other but that is not it at all! I don't understand why we get looked down upon. We are just like everyone else in this school," said senior cheerleader captain Theresa Salkowski.

Whether you agree or disagree with cheerleading as being a stuck up sport, there is one thing for sure that everyone agrees upon. It's that a cheerleader's main goal is to incorporate crowd participation and enthusiasm.

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Brief history of cheerleading

1880 First recorded yell performed at Princeton University football game.
1884 Thomas Peebles, brought this yell to the University of Minnesota.
1920's Drums and noisemakers were added for variety of their performances.
1940's Major change in style and execution.
1948 The San Francisco 49ers added a majorette "baton twirling dance" squad to their entourage.
1960's The invention of Pompons! The NCA initiated this trend using colorful paper.
1972 "Broadway-style" jazz dancing was introduced.
1976 Super Bowl X. A TV camera caught one Dallas Cowboy cheerleader winking.
Late 1970's The beginning of high school and collegiate cheerleading competitions.
Late 1980's Cheerleading is recognized as a true sport! Safety guidelines and standards are initiated for all teams to follow.
1990's Male cheerleaders are making a comeback. Cheerleading popularity is increasing worldwide.

Cuts are never pretty. Some require stitches, while others get infected. In the case of high school sports, cuts of a different kind create pain, anxiety, and joy for players.

The names ring out during the final cut of the Wright County Blades- the varsity girl's hockey team. For some girls this brings disappointment, while for others joy and excitement. Tryout week, which is always piggybacked by the looming presence of cuts, is always exciting and nerve-wracking.

Experienced Sophomore player Tara Wanbaugh says, "The first time I tried out my heart was racing and my adrenaline was flowing." Unlike Wanbaugh, Junior Kari Kuhlman remembers, "I was nervous, but I knew I would make it."

The tryouts are in two sessions--with the returning players trying out first, followed by new players. The first cut was executed on Wednesday of tryout week-with the remaining players returning for a second tryout. The final cut occurred on that Friday and the team was set for the season.

With most sports, the cuts are made within a big group or a list is simply posted, but Coach Bob Driver does cuts individually. According to Freshman Adara Bonell, "I think the way they do cuts is very appropriate. They talk to you individually so there is less embarrassment."

So the cuts are done for this year. All those cut for girl's hockey this year have a place on a youth team. So maybe this year they weren't that painful. But next year it will start all over again; the fear, the disappointment, and the joy.

"Get out of here, no more jumping!"

Skateboarders hear this all the time. For years skateboarders have been harassed by people for what they love doing best, skating.

In the past skaters were known as druggies, burnouts and criminals. Why do businesses think a group of kids automatically means trouble? "I was with a group of friends when a police car pulled up and asked us to leave the parking lot because the stores did not like us there," said senior Randall Markeson, a regular skater of Buffalo. As a result of the stereotypes, rules have come about that prohibit skateboarding in many cities.

Skaters have become criminals for doing what they love. Skateboarders should have confidence to skate without having to stop, getting asked to leave or be arrested. Skateboarders need places to skate to progress and get better. To accommodate that, certain cities in Minnesota have built skate parks, but it all depends on the skater population. The only downside of the skate parks is the cost, which is on an average of ten dollars per visit.

On the other side of the wheeled spectrum, the rollerbladers have no worries of being harassed by the police and businesses. "Rollerbladers can go anywhere they want, but skaters can't," said senior Chad Quigley. Rollerblading has the reputation of a fun sport for exercise. To most skateboarders they beg to differ. "Skating is very strenuous and a physical sport," says Markeson.

A skateboard consists of a piece of wood that is called a "deck," hangers that are also known as "trucks", bearings, and wheels. There are many different kinds of sizes long, short, and wide. Skaters have a wide variety of brands to pick from.

The art of skateboarding is not so easy as it looks. "Skating involves your body, determination and soul," says Markeson. The sport revolves around the "ollie." The "ollie" could turn into a "kick-flip", to a "180", or a "big-spin." It is not a sport any one could conquer in overnight. Most skaters say that a real skater has lots of determination. If you're a skater you're going to fall and sometimes fall hard.

The major part of skateboarding is time and speed. "If your goin' fast and you land crooked, you and your board are goin' flyin' to the ground," said Cullen Eggers, a skater from Plymouth.

The whole plan is to never give up. If you are looking for a fun and never ending sport you should experience skateboarding.

ACROSS
1. Play it again __
2. Politically correct term for a "Buffalo"
3. All you can eat Chinese food
4. SA
5. New golf course
6. Where hockey teams play in Buffalo
7. Bullseye of Buffalo
8. Diner next to Conoco
9. Toms opposable finger
10. Where to get groceries 24/7
11. Always something fresh and new
12. We love to make you smile
13. Where to see movies in Buffalo
14. Room with the coldest drinking fountain in BHS
15. See 12 down
16. Hot eats, cool treats

DOWN
1. Freshest lake in Buffalo
2. Old golf course
3. Winter sport
4. Strike, Spare, turkey
5. Rolling black prices
6. Neighborhood Bar and Grill
7. Only movie rental place in Buffalo
8. What comes from 4 leaf clovers and rabbits feet
9. Purple Pride!
10. The way a sandwich should be
11. Opponent of Cub Foods
12. See 15 across
13. We do chicken right
14. Kerger Bing
15. What to do with a b-ball
16. A color
17. Truth or __

See page 11 for Answers

Panel 1:
Dog 1: Have you seen the new implants?
Dog 2: Yes, what do they do?

Panel 2:
Dog 1: They're just made of brains.
Dog 2: Great! How can I find these better than...

Panel 3:
Dog 1: They also help leg biting dogs too.
Dog 2: Using that!

Panel 4:
Dog 1: They are even given doggy treats.
Dog 2: Huh?

If you went to the fall play, you saw the actors beautifully portraying The Diary of Anne Frank. While you were looking at the acting, did you think about the people who worked behind the scenes to make it look as good as it did?

You should, because many different groups of people help put it together. Like the set crew, publicity, tech, the stage manager, the actors, the art director, assistant director, and regular director.

Some of them started as early as the beginning of the school year. The publicity was led by English teacher Ms. Emily Firman. She was also the assistant director. As the assistant director, she did a part of everything—helped paint, directed when needed, built the set, and organized publicity. For publicity Ms. Firman made posters, painted signs, and found ways to get the word out about the play. There were seven other people in publicity who put up the signs/posters and help paint. Lately they have met everyday, mostly after school.

The art director was John Pavlik, a sophomore, who was also a Nazi soldier in the play. He painted the picture that is the background on all the posters, tickets, and signs. He was also in publicity, and helped with costumes.

The set crew was made up of nine students and one adult, Mr. Tim Kiernan. Kiernan has been helping build sets for the high school since 1991. The set crew's main job is to build the set, put it together, and paint it. The crew worked Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for three hours each day. They started the first week in October. Only Sophomore Michelle Willette, has participated in building sets before. The rest of the people either heard about it from a friend, or saw it on the monitor, and thought it would be enjoyable. Jayson Truong, a freshmen, said, "It is fun and I will definitely do it again."

The tech crew was in charge of the lights, and sound effects that you saw during the show. They have people for the lightboard, soundboard, and spotlight. The students that were in tech range from freshmen to seniors. Junior Jeff Gyllen, said, "I have been acting in different plays, and wanted to work on this one, not act in it." The tech crew was made up of five people. Once the set was put up tech met everyday after school, during the acting practices.

Kevin Henrickson was the stage manager, and also involved in tech and set. As a senior, this was his first time being stage manager. He says his job was, "to help smooth out the play."

The actors are all the average person sees. They met five times a week after school to practice. It took a lot of time and dedication to make it look as good as it did. Mike Smith, a sophomore, said his favorite thing about the play was that, "its real."

The director, Mrs. Mari Pokornowski teaches stage acting and was at every practice to direct the actors, and help them prepare for their performance. This was Mrs. Pokornowski first time directing a BHS play.

Aries- (March 21-April 20)
This is a good week to slow down and take it easy. You have been going non-stop and its taking toll on your health. Singles may be singles may be surprised find that someone they thought was indifferent is very interested in you.

Taurus- (April 21-May 20)
Don't listen to pessimistic people that are around you on Monday. Keep your up-beat mood. The answers to a nagging problem will occur to you at an odd moment around Tuesday and Wednesday. Make sure to write it down when it comes to you.

Gemini- (May 21-June 20)
On Tuesday a special friend or relative will give you more meaning to your life. A past kindness to them has not been forgotten. On Wednesday, expect a major change in your lifestyle to come completely out of the blue.

Cancer- (June 21-July 22)
You will finally get the guts to ask out that crush this month, but remember, don't play any games. Keep your spirit boosted this Holiday season for struggles with parent(s) and possible false friends.

Leo- (July 23- Aug. 22)
It's your time for love. Problems with family or with romances will begin to repair. If you are romantically unattached expect to meet a mystery person of your dreams.

Virgo- (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
Whoa Nelly, you need to settle down, you are being swarmed by the opposite sex, don't get egotistical, the fame won't last very long. The academic scores are flying this month, keep it up, so you can impress the babes with brains, not jealousy.

Where would you rather be, sitting with your sweetheart in a romantic candlelight dinner on a moonlight beach in the Caribbean or enjoying a Happy Meal at McDonalds?

So where can you go for an enjoyable date and not have to empty your wallet in the meantime? A survey was handed out at BHS and the results are in-the movies, mini golf, and the one you all know, Perkins Family Restaurant.

Even if dates are cheap, what would still make it a good date? That's what Junior Melodie Pallanch was asked. "A gentleman ... " she stated, "Someone who doesn't swear."

Sometimes the difference between a cheap date and an expensive date is blurred by marriage. "The reason I don't spend money on dates is because I don't have to, I'm married. Plus dates are too expensive- you should invest that money for the long term," laughed Mr. Devin Davidson, a Social Studies teacher here at BHS.

On the other hand, science teacher Mr. Greg Hygrell when asked about the costs of dating stated, "I don't mind paying for the whole date ... but in certain situations it would be nice if they offered to pay."

Mike Krause, a senior stated, "Laughing and just having fun [makes a good date.]" Senior Lacy Reger says that to her a bad date is "when the girls have to pay."

From the information here you can see that there's many different thoughts on the line between cheap and inexpensive, and what makes a good date and a bad date. Whether you choose the candlelight dinner or the Happy Meal at McDonalds, just make sure the date is an enjoyable experience for the both of you.