The Hoofprint – April 30, 2009

“The fi rst thing the teachers look at to choose the students are their GPAs,” said Assistant Principal Matt Lubben. “The students aren’t chosen on just that, though.”

After selecting students based on their GPA, the teachers look at 13 different characteristics to help them decide the top 10 seniors who deserve the award. On May 11, two outstanding seniors will be honored with the Hall of Fame award, and will also have their picture hanging on the wall below the library.

These two students will be following those from the past, starting with Tim Ueucker and Wendy Wermager in 1986, and right after David Pallesen and Dana VanBruggen from 2008. There are 46 others who receive this award and are already up on the wall, waiting for the students to come in the future.

The Seatbelt Challenge week ran April 20th through April 24th and was sponsored by the Seatbelt Committee. The week included speeches and lectures given by administrators and outside guests and the hosting of the First Annual Seatbelt Challenge.

“I thought the week went really great,” said Sophomore and Seatbelt Committee Member Lexie Prom. “It was the fi rst time we did an event like the Seatbelt Challenge, and I thought that for the fi rst time, it all went pretty successful. We know now what we can do for next year’s Seatbelt Challenge Week.”

It is estimated that 17 teenagers die each day in a car crash in the United States. Signs posted with this fact, along with many others, hung upon the halls leading through the building. Shirts hung above the atrium asking, “R U Buckled?” Students overall found the week to be a sobering message.

“The week really put things into perspective,” said Junior Mike Zook. “It reminded me to always wear my seatbelt, because I don’t want to be one of those who dies or is seriously injured.”

The Red River Basin that separates both the snowy, ice-capped states of North Dakota and Minnesota has been known to crest occasionally, causing billions of dollars in damage since the last crest in 1997. The record for the highest cresting is 54 feet, also in 1997. This spring, the 175,000 plus residents of Cass County who have unfortunately been affected by the river previously, will once again experience the catastrophic damages the river brings to the table once again.

Caused by a collaboration of spring thaw, ice jams, depth and slope, the river brings new concerns to the residents of the Fargo/Moorhead area each yeah.

“The way in which this river affects these people’s lives is really eye opening,” said 2008 Buffalo High School Graduate Josh Franke, who also is a student at North Dakota State University. “My lacrosse team all went to help sandbag and I saw a lot of things I would never have expected to see in my life by helping out.”

In the month of March 2008, the recorded rainfall nearly doubled the record for the 1882 record reaching 4.62 inches. The National Weather Service outlook indicated a 75% chance that the river reaches 41 feet and a 25% probability of exceeding 42.8 feet during the second crest, which is predicted to reach its peak by the later half of April.

“The collaborative effort of local, state and federal governments to protect Fargo has paid off, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Chief Hydrologist of the North Central River Forecast Center Scott Dummer. It’s critical that we plan for the second crest now.”

As the rest of the world looks at this National Disaster from an outsider’s perspective, by reading and watching through the media, the people of Minnesota and North Dakota unfortunately have to experience the results fi rst hand.

Many precautions are being taken in order to keep the damage cause by the disastrous fl ooding to a minimum. Students who have been temporarily excused from school in surrounding areas along with residents and other volunteers are spending a large amount of their time fi lling and laying sandbags in order to create a “barrier,” between the river and their communities. No one can possibly predict the exact damage that will be caused by this spring’s fl ooding, but measures are being taken in order to reduce as much negative results as possible.

Facebook, Myspace and Twitter–although seemingly harmless sources for students to socially network, Buffalo High School freshmen learned the dangers of online predators. While the Sophomores and Juniors remained in the classroom completing MCA testing on Wednesday, April 15, freshmen gathered in the Performing Arts Center to listen to Kari Berzins. Berzins is a speaker with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), who explained the dangers of giving out information on the Internet.

Berzins showed students, through the mind of a predator, how easy it was to fi nd someone’s location through Myspace. Using an example of a Chaska girl, Berzins showed how little time it took to fi nd her with the following information: a photograph from Myspace taken in front of her house that also gave the house number, the network which gave her grade and school, her status updates which talked about track practice, her ‘about me’ which gave away too much about herself, and then an easy google search for the actual practice schedule which is often a link on the school website.

Not only is the technique of patching information together used by predators, but also to catch them. Berzins explained the incident of an Atlanta cop who was caught with child pornography. The police then went in search of where exactly the pictures came from. By looking at the confi scated pictures, the police narrowed it down by the following: a Super America commercial displayed on the TV in the background (narrowed down to states that had a Super America), a Menard’s bag in the corner (narrowed down to even less states with Menard’s), a bag sitting on a table from a storage place (narrowed down to only Minnesota), and then a folded Girl Scout vest with the last two digits of a troop number that was sitting next to the bed. By using these artifacts, the cops were able to narrow it down to a single neighborhood, where they then went door to door until they found the familiar rooms that were displayed in the confi scated photos.

While Facebook, Myspace and Twitter provide great ways to stay connected with friends and family, it also provides predators with the opportunity to track someone down. When it comes down to it, high privacy settings can help but won’t protect from information, such as phone numbers, addresses or job details that is placed on the Internet by the user. Remember to think before clicking ‘accept’.

On Wednesday, May 6, Buffalo High School will host the Minnesota State Supreme Court and hear arguements concerning the appeal of suspect Meng Vang’s conviction of premeditated double homocide, and four attempted murders case. The court will discuss several issues regarding the appeal:

Issue 1: Was there suffi cient evidence to prove the two murders and four attempted murders were premeditated? Issue 2: Was expert gang testimony admitted properly? Issue 3: Did the trial court err by refusing to admit testimoney about the federal sentencing system? Issue 4: Did consecutive sentencing unfairly exaggerate the defendant’s criminality?

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arugments in Rochester, MN in 1995, the school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s efforts to improve public udnerstanding of the judiciary’s work. The Buffalo High School visit marks the 29th in-school oral argument for the court.

Walking into class the fi rst day of fourth quarter, we were not surprised to see NO CELL PHONES EVER written on the whiteboard or posted on the classroom door. With every classroom having a poster similar to this, the threat has lost its intimidat- ing demeanor. In fact, it would have been more surprising if students didn’t have their phones out within the fi rst ten minutes.

Over the years, our school has embraced the benefits of technology. With online homework, message boards, infi nite campus, and Moodle, students and teachers are able to communicate effi ciently and be updated constantly. Although, using technology has also put a divide between students and teachers.

No different than notes, PSPs, or iPods, there is an appropriate time to use cell phones and computers but also a necessary time to put it away. The problem is we are the technology generation; therefore it is practically our nature to use it when it’s in our reach. Teachers have worked hard to prevent students from using their electronics in class, but with nearly every student owning a cell phone—some so advanced that they could pass as mini computers—it’s an impossible ambition to eliminate all technology in the classroom.

Instead of disregarding technology completely, students and teachers need to work on harnessing it appropriately in both teaching and learning in order to benefit from what it has to offer—especially since technology is not going to stop advancing anytime soon. Accessing internet from cell phones in class obviously isn’t apart of everyday curriculum, but it doesn’t prevent students from doing it. Embracing this ability, how- ever, would give students a chance to learn the way they have come to know best. And teachers would have a chance to better understand how learning has evolved, therefore allowing them to cater to the generations to come.

At the same time, students urgently need to learn to discipline their own use of powerful, yet distracting technologies. If this doesn’t happen, a frustrated staff and ad- ministration may implement its own restrictions and regulations that could harm both learning and teacher use of technology and make school much less enriching.

The chorus of the National Anthem plays as I’m standing at a hockey game. My heart swells with pride as I know that one of the players on the ice will soon be departing from his family, friends and former life to protect this great country. As the colors of the fl ag hang on the wall, I silently sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to myself. I am so proud of him for what he is doing and I don’t think he even has a clue.

A few days later, we are sitting in his truck discussing the very subject of him leaving for San Diego on July 13 to begin basic training for the United States Marines Corp. Our lives are going in two different directions, as are our hearts. We have to give up what we love so it won’t be as hard later. He tells me that he needs my support as a friend now and when he leaves, more than he needs my support as a girlfriend.

Every Tuesday I stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance with my hand over my heart and speaking every word with pride. As I look around my fi rst block class, it is disappointing to see some of the students not standing and speaking the very words our country was founded upon. Standing for the National Anthem and saying the Pledge of Allegiance is out of pure respect for what these young men and women are doing.

In my opinion, choosing to enlist in the military, especially the Marines, is the bravest and boldest thing any one person could do for this county. Soldiers who give all of their time, and in some unfortunate cases their lives, are not appreciated enough. The dangers are evident with machine gun fi re, car bombs, and onslaught from the Taliban and other rogue enemies, yet still they are there for us. They commit fi ve years of their lives to protecting the people of America; something that should earn respect and honor from everyone. It makes me sick in the soul to think that the students of the same age as some the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan don’t stand and give a few moments of their time to thank the ones fi ghting for their country.

I now know that every time I hear the National Anthem or “I’m Proud to Be an American,” I will think of at least one of the 146,000 soldiers who are currently putting their lives on the line to protect me. It saddens me now, as it will in the future to realize that the same person I care deeply about will not receive the recognition he deserves. I will be standing there, head held high, speaking every word of those songs with pride and love, so that he, and every soldier, will know that I’m saying it for all of the people who won’t.

Last spring, right here in Buffalo, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas staged a protest at the funeral of an American hero who was held hostage and killed in Iraq. What could they have been protesting? What could have been so important to warrant disturbing a funeral? I can’t come up with anything, but apparently they can. This so called “church” has conducted 39,849 protests all around the country and even overseas. The WBC hates homosexuality and those who condone it with a vengeance, or as they put it “the fag lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth”. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and there is no violence involved, so this is okay, right?

Wrong! Sometimes words can hurt more blows, and these vile hatemongers know exactly what words to use to spread their doctrine of hate. They stand outside the funerals of not only soldiers, but also people who have died in accidents or from illness, proclaiming that their death was Gods judgment upon America for it’s tolerance of homosexuality. They even bring with them brightly colored signs with such slogans as, “THANK GOD FOR AIDS” and “GOD HATES AMERICA”.

This is an extraordinary abuse of the First Amendment and is shameful to us Americans. As important as freedom of speech is there should be a place for the freedom to mourn our loved ones in peace. Unfortunately we can’t stop them from making peaceful protest, and I have to reluctantly agree that it would be a bad idea to start making exceptions to “Free Speech”. What alternatives does this leave us? Well, there’s always violence, but that’s illegal too, and rightly so, not to mention that they get much of their money by suing the government on the First Amendment and won’t hesitate to sue an attacker. Violence is out of the question, as in the long-run it would only help them. Counter-protest is what we have left, but doing that normally makes it seem like we recognize them as a legitimate group of protesters instead of hatemongers.

Counter-protesting is still the way to go, but something more has to be done than chanting and holding signs. These people are ridiculous and should be treated as such. So how do we reward them for their hateful efforts? We laugh. If you ever run across these people, point, laugh, take a picture, turn around and drop your pants, make a funny face or quickly buy a tee-shirt that says “I’m with crazy” and stand next to them. Our nation is a nation of equality to all people, and the Westboro Baptist “Church” is a disgrace to our country.

If somehow you got a positive opinion of the WBC from reading this article then feel free to visit their website www.godhatesfags.com, where you’ll be greeted by the phrase “Welcome, depraved sons and daughters of Adam” and a lovely picture of someone standing on the American flag. If this is what you chose then you will be the subject of mean jokes and funny songs for years to come.

Teens in our nation today are increasingly becoming more obese. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 15 percent of children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years—about 9 million young people—are considered overweight. Since the diet of a typical teenager has become an apparent issue, schools could help bring awareness about this subject to students and staff alike.

With fast food so convenient to teens and seemingly endless options of snacks in general, it’s not a wonder why teen diet is becoming more and more unhealthy. For those who have a busy schedule, it’s much easier and quicker to grab fast food, than too go home and make a healthy meal.

“The average teenage diet consists of too much fast food,” said Sophomore Courtney Bjorklund, “and not enough fruits and vegetables.”

A new USDA study found that only six percent of teenagers eat the recommended five servings of vegetables per day, and 24 percent eat enough fruit, which are also five servings.

Of 100 students surveyed, 68 percent of teens would prefer to eat something of high salt or sugar content for a snack, such as chocolate, ice cream, and French fries, to name just a few.

“I love ice cream,” said Bjorklund. “It’s my favorite food. I crave pretty much any kinds of sweets.”

The pressure teens are constantly feeling to fit in may contribute to the obsession people have over weight. A person who is dealing with this kind of pressure could either start eating too much, or to the contrary, they could stop eating all together. A study by the New Haven Teacher’s Institute shows that one out of every 250 adolescent girls will develop anorexia. Ten percent who develop this disorder will die because of it. Of 100 students in BHS, 46 percent said they knew someone with an eating disorder.

“People want to look like the celebrities they see in magazines and on TV,” said Sophomore Lexie Prom. “They make it look like it’s such a big deal to be skinny. I’m content with my body weight and try not to let them infl uence me, but I think in a way, they infl uence everybody just because they are famous.”

The typical meal missed from a teen diet is breakfast, which is ironically the most important meal. It gives you the energy you need, and keeps your metabolism up. Of the students who reported that they do not eat all three meals a day, 88 percent said that they do not eat breakfast. Some people do not have time to eat in the morning, whereas others simply do not have an appetite then.

“I never eat breakfast,” said Sophomore Vinnie Menth. “I sleep in as late as I possibly can, so I don’t have the time to.”

Teen diet is increasingly becoming more and more of a concern. They are constantly surrounded by things and people that infl uence their idea of what “ideal” body weight is for teens, whether it is right or not.

“Our world focuses so much on looks,” said Bjorklund, “it’s hard to ignore.”

In 1988, the same year the War on Drugs began and Super Mario 3 released in Japan, a small number of commercial computers linked together for the first time by the National Science Foundation; the modern Internet was born.

The small network soon branched out to other agencies and businesses around the country and by the time the oldest of the 2009 Senior class were born in 1990 the first search engine, Archie from McGill University was up and running. However, integration into the educational system wouldn’t begin for another few years.

“In either second or third grade we had our first internet research project,” said Senior Zach Mellon. “I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but now when I look at my younger brother browse the internet it’s crazy how much he knows at the same age.”

By the time seniors entered First Grade in the fall of 1996 the corporate era of the Internet had already began. Larry Page, research student from Stanford University created Google to investigate the mathematical properties of the Internet. While unaware at the time Page might have ushered in a new age of education, an era where hours of searching a library or book store was no longer necessary.

“Students have changed their emphasis,” said English Teacher and Administrator Vicki Cary. “It used to be the majority of time was spent trying to find sources; now there’s so much information you have to sift through all the different sources and find what works best.

With information now only a click away research and other academic endeavors changed forever and while school districts across the world jumped at the opportunity to upgrade their respective computer hardware. However, this new age in education also changed one critical aspect: the students.

“I don’t use the library for books anymore,” said Mellon. “The internet is so much more practical to use. There’s no need to waste time looking for the information when you can find it so easily on a search engine.”

Curriculum across the district has changed substantially since the rise of the Internet and search engines like Google but often students find classroom activities outdated and mundane.

“PowerPoints get old,” said Senior Paige Freund. “It seems some teachers think they’re utilizing technology when all they do is repeat the same old presentations day after day. There’s technology out there now, like the SmartBoards, that supplements education very well.”

The digital generation expects information fast and easy, and while certain projects may be out of date with current technology others have suffered from too much of it.

“Plagiarism has gone up, but I don’t think it’s because kids are trying to cheat,” said Cary. “There’s a misconception that it’s ok to just take things [off the web]. It’s just been engrained into kids, it’s just a habit now.”

Currently 159 teachers manage a classroom website. Websites offer a simple, yet effective use of technology to reach students. While the majority of school-run websites offer supplement material for their respective classes some members of the faculty attempt to bring a more hands-on approach to their online classrooms, a task easier said than done.

“It’s hard to keep up,” said English Teacher Ryan McCallum, who operates his own interactive classroom at www.bhs.cc. “Something that was cool and trendy yesterday could easily be out of date tomorrow.”

But just keeping up isn’t the only problem; some argue there exists a fundamental issue with teaching in the age of information.

“Teachers are no longer the gatekeepers of knowledge,” said McCallum. “If a student wants to know something they’re only a click away. Today, you’re as smart as you are curious. Teachers are now challenged to make students curious about what they’re learning, not just lend them facts and expect students to give them back at test time.”

One question remains on the mind of almost all educators: how will future advances in technology change education?

“I don’t think it’s possible to project where we’ll be technologically [five or ten years from now],” said Spanish Teacher and Technology Committee member Daryl Boeckers. “What we need to change is our attitude. Too many teachers are afraid of the change technology brings, and fear is only counter-productive. ”

You don't care

Families don't spend enough time together

You need on-line validation

You're bored

You lack therapeutic skills

You're lazy

You can't handle real life. You don't have a job

You're distractible

You have no social skills because you're online

You're smarter than you are wise

A large mess of creased and crinkled papers poured out of National Honor Society Advisor Brigitta Rettmann’s turn-in basket the week of April 6. With the deadline for turning in hours looming, numerous students jotted down their fi nal volunteer hours in the hopes of being inducted into the National Honor Society.

To be inducted, all members needed to complete a total of 39 volunteer hours (30 individual and 9 group) throughout the year. Other requirements include being a junior or senior, maintaining a 10.0 GPA and attending all group meetings.

“All the requirements are reasonable” said Senior Nakitta Essery. “If you look at the opportunities they offer versus the amount of hours you need, everyone should be able to do it.”

On average, 80 percent of students invited to join NHS are inducted. However, with one day before deadline, only 29 percent of Junior and 14 percent of Senior members had the required number of volunteer hours completed. With these numbers, questions arise: Does this sort of last minute participation occur every year? Is NHS induction less importance to this year’s crop of NHS hopefuls?

“Students procrastinate and leave their hours until the last minute every year.” said Rettmann. “I tell them all year long ‘don’t procrastinate, get your hours completed ahead of time!’

The deadline left many of NHS hopefuls rushing to get their last few volunteer hours completed. Many students were left scrambling, looking for an opportunity to donate their time.

“I needed 10 hours the week before they were due, so I volunteered all Friday and Saturday at the VFW in Maple Lake.” Said Junior Melony Henson. “The thought that this was my last opportunity to get ‘er done made the week before very stressful.”

Reasons for the last-minute volunteering can be attributed to preoccupation with the students’ studies or extracurricular activities, and in some cases, unfamiliarity with the volunteer opportunities offered and how to get involved.

“Sometimes people have really busy schedules because of other activities, and it can be diffi cult to sign up for volunteer hour opportunities throughout the year.” said Junior Erik Starr.

Whatever the reasons for the delayed turn-ins, the amount of work involved in NHS is not easy - as demonstrated by the 20 percent of students who were unable to complete all of the requirements - and “should not negatively refl ect on their character”, says Rettmann.

“Young adults have gotten a reputation for being lazy: ‘all they do is listen to music and watch TV’, but that is defi nitely not the case, and I see evidence of this all the time with their dedicated participation in service projects.” said Rettmann.

Those who have been inducted agree that the benefits of being a member of the National Honor Society – not to mention the rewards of volunteering to better the community and oneself – outweigh the many hours of hard work and dedication.

One week after the deadline, 74 percent of Juniors and 68 percent of Seniors had completed all requirements and would be congratulated for their efforts later that month at the induction ceremony.

NHS is a prestigious society that has been at Buffalo High School for decades, and, although students’ may lack the enthusiasm for being inducted during some of the year, its importance later sinks in and the lost time is made up.

Prom is to be an ‘unforgettable’ night, but many students forget the work put into it before the night even begins. As a years’ worth of planning has come to an end for Junior Class Cabinet, and with prom rapidly approaching, last minute details have to be sorted out in hopes of making prom a night to re-member for Buffalo High School students.

Junior Class Cabinet is run by Spanish Teacher Nancy Eiynck and Social Studies teacher Tracy Hulley but a majority of the work put into it done by students. Junior Class Cabinet also organizes the volleyball tournament for homecoming week’s fun night, and a staff appreciation breakfast. Planning for prom began last year, when the group booked the event center where it will be hosted. This years’ theme, “Unforgettable”, was selected after many ideas were presented and voted upon. The decora-tions were selected accordingly, and the planning has progressed. Today, Junior Class Cabinet was excused along with the Seniors, to set up the scene for grand march.

“We usually have prom pretty well planned, but there is always something that comes up,” said Ei-ynck. “Something unexpected or forgotten tends to happen last minute.”

Through all the work and time put into prom, Junior Class Cabinet has also enjoyed the experience. They have control over the whole creative process, and experience of prom.

“The planning is fun until the last couple of weeks, and then it gets stressful,” said Eiynck. “But it’s still fun, and worth it.”

Junior Class Cabinet designs and puts together prom all with the wants of students in mind from the theme and venue, to decorations.

“We want students to have a good time, an en-joyable and memorable evening,” said Eiynck.

Senior Courtney Whelan on Horse Judging: “I stumbled once during reasons, but otherwise judging was really easy, way easier than last year. There was a defi nite fi rst and last, it was just the middle part I had trouble with.”

Sophomore Alli Mustonen: “I was a delegate. I just sat there and voted on motions for new CDE’s and who should be nomi-nated for state degrees. State was just an all day meeting.”

Junior Jordan Pahl: “It [the State competition on Dairy Foods] didn’t seem like a big deal, it just seemed like school. Compet-ing only took an hour and a half, but I’m not sure how well we did.”

Advisor Todd Lubben: “They did very well. Our seven teams were well-prepared. At the end of the day, it’s about studying and preparing. I’m excited, I think they did very well.”

High school activities may start out with tailgating, pep talks in the locker room or reviewing a case file. Knowledge Bowl, on the other hand, pre-game’s with donuts, juice and occasionally, Apples to Apples.

“It’s a really laid back atmosphere; people usually don’t get too competitive. At one of our fi rsts meets, fi ve guys dressed up as Goths and painted their nails black, and after they dressed up for all of them. They went as pirates once, and another time they wore Keifenheim’s lab coats,” said Senior Elizabeth Logas.

Buffalo High School has 27 students that participate in Knowledge Bowl; fi ve of whom are going to state: Gina Filo, Neil Gleason, Johnathan Hank, Logas and Jensen Maiden. The team practices on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the math resource area with Coach Peggy Pasche. This is Pasche’s 19th year as a coach and has gone to state seven of the last nine years.

“These students are very bright. They have fun doing it, and often have to be creative too,” said Pasche. They’re preparation doesn’t consist of much before a meet, but they often review grammar and geography. “The questions are so random it’s hard to prepare. It’s mostly about buzzing in fi rst, and then answering. Sometimes we would buzz in fi rst and, get lucky by coming up with a completely random answer that was right,” said Logas.

The fi rst Knowledge Bowl was held in 1976; today Minnesota – alone has 800 teams that participate. Buffalo, placed Eighth at the State Meet on April 22 and 23 in Brainerd, Minnesota.

The 29th annual High School Art Competition and Exhibition kicked off at Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud on April 8. High school students around the state entered their artwork, from detailed acrylic or watercolor paintings to sculpture or ceramic pieces. This year 15 schools and over 170 entries were submitted to the show, a record high since the show started in 1980. Of the entries, nine were from Buffalo High School. Junior Abigail Huff received second place for her drawing, Generations.

Generations is a picture of Huff’s grandfather and father. The twist to her drawing is that it is completely assembled by text, meaning that instead of pencil strokes this drawing is pieced together from written words.

“To be able to create a realistic image completely out of text is extremely diffi cult to do,” said Kirissa Grams, a drawing major at St. Cloud State Universityone of the judges at the competition. “This drawing has so much emotion. When you draw a photograph, it is diffi cult to apply the same life a photograph holds. This drawing has life in it.”

The art show is not only a competition, but a gallery in itself. Art Teachers Jon Holtz and Ciann Jackson loaded up three vehicles of former and current art students to visit the gallery on award night.

“It’s good for our students to see what other schools are making and witness the level of how their students are making it,” said Holtz.

After looking around in the galleries, the students clapped for their classmate when her name was called as a winner at the award ceremony. Though Huff was unable to attend the ceremony and receive her award, she was well represented by the art students of Buffalo.

The artwork entered into the gallery at the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud will continue to be on display until tomorrow. Free of charge, come visit the gallery to look at the award winning Generations and admire the other various art pieces created by high school students.

After falling short of last years State Title by only .4 seconds, and just missing qualifying for nationals by .022, the Buffalo Bison 4x4 track team is more focused and determined this season then ever.

This off-season the team has worked harder and shown more dedication then in recent years. Their disappointing memories from coming so close to being State champions has been lingering in the back of their minds and has helped them to strive and reach their goals over the course of the summer. With losing a key part of the relay team with the graduation of Brandon Ordorff, the Bison are having a lot of competition within returning runners Zach Mellon, Taylor Vick, Kaleb Stevens and skilled Sophomore Tim Ernster taking Ordorff’s spot on the team.

“We always have intense heats in practice,” said Vick “We are always trying to run the fastest laps and beat each others’ times.”

“I have put in a lot of time and effort through other sports,” said Stevens. “Competitive gym classes have pushed me and made me stronger which helped me to be ready.”

The Bison are going have to compete against top teams like last year’s State Champs, Woodbury, who have Ernist Dorsett, the nephew of the Dallas Cowboys former Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett (1977-1987), and Mankato West, who have all but one returning runner from last years 4x4 team.

But with the presence of 2008 State Track and Field Athlete of the Year Mellon and other experienced runners, the Bison will be prepared and ready to take on the best in the state.

“It’s going to take hard work and dedication,” said Coach Scott Palmer. “We are going to have everyone stay healthy to have a shot at winning it this year.”

“With one year of experience in the State tournament, we are ready to take on anyone because of our success last year,” said Stevens.

On a chilly Sunday morning on the seventh of June, hundreds of people will meet in Sturgis Park for one common goal: To compete in a race that will push them to their limits mentally and physically. Participants will have to swim a quarter of a mile in Buffalo, bike 13 miles around Buffalo, and a three mile run around the Buffalo Lake.

“Every year the intensity of the race goes up as the prize money goes up,” said Buffalo triathlon Director Brett Oden. “This year it looks like we are going to cap at 1,500 racers again.”

The Buffalo triathlon has grown rapidly over the six year span it has been around. The fi rst year it was a small event now it is huge and brings a community together. The triathlon brings in 1,500 racers and 300 volunteers.

“The Buffalo triathlon is truly the best triathlon,” said Art teacher and triathlete John Gunderson.

Training is the best preparation to do for the Buffalo Triathlon. It can prevent injury from happening, and will also help participants get a better time.

“You want to slowly increase your distance for training,” said Jason Karn. “This will help prevent injury and make you more effective during the race.”

Triathletes have to deal with a lot of physical pain throughout the race. Many racers experience cramps, pulls, and dehydration.

“The biggest thing to train for is the swim,” said Gunderson. “A normal swimmer will take it easy the fi rst couple of laps, but the triathlon is a full-out sprint, and it doesn’t help that the water is cold and you’re nervous as you get out of the water you have this confused look. You’re not really sure what’s going on.”

“As I approach the water I have no thoughts just cold,” said Junior Mike Zook. “As your swimming you’ll have some really fast swimmers that swim over you.”

After the swim, the triathletes have to deal with a 13 mile bike ride. Most injuries occur on the 13 mile bike ride.

“The bike course was very long and very hilly,” said Zook. “It was the toughest part of the triathlon”

“Most of the injuries are scrapes from biking accidents,” said Athletic Trainer Chris Krug. “For how many people there are, there aren’t a lot of people that get injured. It’s amazing.”

Then to top it off, there is a three mile run around the beautiful Buffalo Lake.

“The running part was easier than I expected,” said Zook. “ I thought about walking, but I heard those volunteers cheering me on. I kept going even though I couldn’t feel my feet. They helped me a lot.”

The triathlon also pushes you mentally to keep going to push your body to the limits and to keep going.

“I get ready to run the race by listening to music,” said Junior Jake Letsinger. “Just being there is exciting for me.

If a triathlete cannot complete the race on their own, there are two and three person teams that the triathlon offers.

“I would advise new racers to talk to the older, more veteran racers,” said Oden. “Talk to them about what they do to prepare, and run the race.”

This year the price of admission for anyone under 16 will be 25 dollars. Ages 17 and up will cost 65 dollars. Teams of two people will cost 110 dollars, and teams of three people will be 165 dollars. Sign ups will not be accepted after May 31. The registration fee includes refreshments after the race, an event T-shirt, and a post-race barbecue.

With fourth quarter under way and spring sports in full stride it’s time to look back at the success that Buffalo sports have had this year. Five conference titles, three fi rst time state trips, and two heart break section fi nals losses by St. Cloud Tech.

The Girls’ Soccer team took a big step forward this year with their record of 12-7-3 to becoming the fi rst girls’ soccer team to ever go to state. October 23, Eden Prairie ended their dream season by beating them 1-0 in the fi rst round of state.

“State was a big surprise but we knew we had potential to get there,” said Senior Rachel Olson “When we were Sophomores all the Seniors said we could make it to state so after that it was a goal of ours to go. During the fi rst half of Eden Prairie game we were pumped but we knew we couldn’t get ahead of ourselves. We held our own when we were supposed to get creamed.”

With a 1-0 lost in the fi rst round of sections the Boys’ Soccer season ended. Yet they became the fi rst boys’ team to win conference.

“Everyone played as a team, we worked together really well,” said Junior Dan Hanson “Our greatest strength was we were fast. Our forwards were really quick on their feet, and defense worked well together to move the ball across the fi eld, Over all the team was well put together and smooth.”

With a record of 6-1 the football team won conference with an exciting victory win over Becker 31-6 on the homecoming football game September 26. With the victory over Becker gave the Bison the conference title for the first time since 1994. They eventually lost to St. Cloud Tech 39-21 for the section championship game on November 1.

“It was a tough loss to swallow,” said Junior Mike Zook “It was so hard to see the fi nal seconds tick off the clock because of what all we accomplished this year.”

On March 18 the Girls’ Basketball team lost to Centennial Cougars ending their incredible season. They were ranked 7th in sections but made history beating Elk River in section fi nals to advance to state tournament.

Coming into this year having won back to back conference titles. Boys’ Basketball team had goals to win conference for a third time in a row, and go back to state. They accomplished their goal by going undefeated in conference and a near loss 57-51 to Robbinsdale Cooper who were ranked 4th in state at the time gave the Bison a lot of confi dence. The season ended abruptly by the hands of St. Cloud Tech On March 19. The Bison had the game in hand during fi rst half. At half time the score was 36-23 Bison, yet Nate Wolters turned red hot with 32 points and helping lead Tech back into the game. With 10 seconds left Bison had the lead 60-58 and the ball in Techs hands the game resting on this next possession. St Cloud inbounds the ball to Nate then he passed it to Nick Jordon which nailed a three pointer with 2.5 seconds on the clock that ended the Bison’s dream of a section championship and sent the fans home disappointed.

“We can’t beat Tech in anything!” said Junior Jake Letsinger “It was so frustrating seeing them win, I really hate Tech”

The swimming program and the wrestling program also sent players to state. In Boys’ Swimming Senior Nathan Engfer swam the 100 Butterfly and fi nished 12th overall, and Freshman J.D. O’Donnell participated in the 500 freestyle and fi nished 24th overall. Engfer and O’Donnell became the fi rst swimmers to go to state from Buffalo. The Wrestling team sent four to state. Mike Simeon became the fi rst 8th grader to qualify for state but lost in the fi rst round. The team’s three captains all made it past the fi rst round, Senior David Baker lost his second match. Senior Zach Smith and Junior Timmy Ruter also lost their second match which ended their season.

The Boys’ Hockey team won the conference again this year but once again lost to the Roseau Rams in section semifi nals. There were a lot of expectations for the team, a lot of people thought they had what it takes to make it to state. The team is going to need the underclass men to step up next year if they want to defend their Mississippi 8 conference title. The senior class leaving next year will be greatly missed when the team hits the ice next year.

“I can’t wait till next year already,” said Zook “When you lose so close to the championship, it makes you very motivated for next year.”

I recently went on a mission trip to Jamaica where we visited the local orphanage, Westhaven Children's home. The other missionaries and I were prepped on the behavior of the kids that some where able to communicate better than others and that some could hardly move anything but their heads.

After viewing some of the options when we first arrived (bathing, feeding or construction), I decided that I would visit with the kids in the wheelchairs, the ones not able to move by themselves.

That's where I met one girl named Kerry Ann who couldn't move her legs at all and could barely move her arms but loved to be wheeled up and down the grass strip that lay between the cottages. When nobody was with her, she lay with her head down, staring out into the world that she was unable to explore by herself. I spent most of my three days at the orphanage with Kerry Ann and saw life through her eyes.

She couldn't dance or race other people but together we managed to do these. I would wheel her around in circles to the beat of whatever music we passed by and together we sang along. She loved to sing, especially to the Christian music they played at every cottage and loved to sing for other people.

But how could Kerry Ann race while she was in a bulky, heavy wheelchair? Others would race each other on the grass strip but being in a wheelchair, she was unable to participate. After we had been watching, I walked Kerry Ann to the starting line and together we ran. She had no idea that we were going to start running and neither had I, but there we were, sailing past the other racers and taking first place in the race. She screamed in delight and I laughed along with her.

But the day came where we had to get on our buses and not come back. I wasn't sure if I was ever going back on this trip, and hearing Kerry Ann ask if I was coming back and not being able to answer nearly broke my heart. Our church was the last mission group coming until January so no one else would wheelchair race with Kerry Ann until January, maybe not even until I came back. I walked Kerry Ann down the strip one last time with tears in my eyes, not sure what I would do when we arrived at the waiting bus. What should I say? What if I cry? What if she doesn't care?

I put the breaks on Kerry Ann's wheelchair and walked in front of her and took her hand. It was sticky from the freshly cut sugar cane that she was eating but something in the way I looked must have seemed different to her because she put down her sugar cane and said, "We're best friends, right?"

Tears ran down my face but I buried my face into her shoulder as I hugged her so she wouldn't see me crying. "Yes," I whispered, "We're the very bestest friends." I kissed her on her cheek, squeezed her hand one last time, then boarded the bus.

I couldn't allow myself to look back until we were finally pulling out of Westhaven and when I turned, there was Kerry Ann, waving her sugar cane in the air, waving goodbye. I waved back silently, with the tears still coming, waving goodbye to the best friend I ever had.

Fresh out of high school and signed to a D1 college is a feat that most people don’t achieve, however for Senior and three-sport captain Brooks Beilke, its a reality.

“Going to Michigan should be awesome, and it should be a great opportunity to meet new people and try new things,” said Beilke.

Even though excitement arises from fans, teammates, friends and family he will be greatly missed.

“I think it’s tight he’s playing D1 baseball because it means he’s really good at it, and Brooks is ready to go play for them.” said Erik Olson “ its a long way away and I won’t be able to see his games though.”

During Beilke’s three year reign on the varsity basketball team, he brought some great qualities to the team.

“What I’ll always remember about Brooks is how smart he was as a player,” said coach Nick Guida “Always in the right spot, so coachable, you only had to tell him to do something one time and it was always constant.”

Beilke’s diverse athletic ability lead him to two conference championships, resulting with the basketball team ending with a 23-6 season and football at a 8-2 record as captain and starting quarterback.

“We exceeded the expectations no one had for us,” said Beilke. “No one thought we would go as far as we did in football. It was a great feeling knowing that we proved everyone wrong.”

As Beilke’s year winds down new expectations come to please his new headcoach Randy Ford of Western Michigan.

“My expectations are for him to attend Western Michigan, to be a good student and be a blending player,” said Ford. “As a freshman you would like all of them willing to do whatever is asked of them. I am sure Brooks will do at least that.”

“The entire cast was perfect for Les Misérables because they played their parts so well. They were pretty much their part, they put their life into the life of their character.” -Junior Jessica Herdklotz

“This was my first lead role ever so I was really unsure about what I was doing. All the kids in the play are really supportive. Because of them I learned to sing and act.” -Senior Jenny Olson

“It has always been a kind of dream for me to do this. And it seems surreal that we were even able to do it. It seems like I’ve been dreaming the past two months.” -Senior Hunter Otis