The Hoofprint – April 8, 2005

On March 10, the National Honor Society sponsored a blood drive. One hundred sixty students signed up to give blood, but only 120 were needed. The extra volunteers were put on a back-up list, or told that they did not need to give blood on the day of the drive.
"I was relieved I didn't get to because I was scared of how it was going to feel," said Senior Megan Pfeffer, "But I kind of wanted to so I could feel good about myself."
Some students did not meet the requirements. To donate, one must be [unreadable]

Senior Brian Downer survives giving blood. One hundred thirty students and staff gave blood during this year's Blood Drive.

Senior Ashley Brown prepares to give blood during the Blood Drive. National Honor Society hosts the Blood Drive annually in the Spring. Photo by Maria Camargo

Students join together to give bears to needy children

Ashley Adams and
Kayla Christoffersen
Journalism Staff

For years, organizations across Minnesota have been collecting bears to give to children who are in difficult situations. Each year, SSU does a fundraiser that helps needy children. This year, for the first time, SSU joined together with Minnesota State Bar and Minnesota Paralegal Associations to bring needy children teddy bears to love.

The fundraiser, "Bears on Patrol", was held March 7 through March 17. Students and staff were allowed to bring in teddy bears that were 15 inches or smaller. SSU preferred not to have anyone bring in beanie babies. They also accepted cash or checks, which would be used to buy more teddy bears.

"Since this is the first year doing this fundraiser at BHS, our goal was to raise 100 bears," said Social Studies teacher Tracy Hulley.

At the end of the fundraiser, SSU raised a total of 50 bears.

"I don't think the students cared as much because they didn't know much about the fundraiser," said Sophomore Laura Helmbrecht.

A group of SSU students joined together to make a Bear on

Bears
Continued on page 2

Reflection on Red Lake Shooting

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On March 10, the National Honor Society sponsored a blood drive. One hundred sixty students signed up to give blood, but only 120 were needed. The extra volunteers were put on a back-up list, or told that they did not need to give blood on the day of the drive.
"I was relieved I didn't get to because I was scared of how it was going to feel," said Senior Megan Pfeffer, "But I kind of wanted to so I could feel good about myself."
Some students did not meet the requirements. To donate, one must be

Construction workers construct the wall to the new Activities Center. Harsh conditions did not keep the construction workers away, they worked rain or shine. Currently, construction is progressing on schedule. Photo by Katie Robinson

Students do not rule out the possibility of a school shooting happening here because they are becoming more common.
"I think that it's a possibility that it could happen at Buffalo, you should never assume that it couldn't, no one should. It's naive to think that your school is perfect and nothing like that will ever happen," said Zinter.
Even though there is a possibility of a school shooting students feel safe at school.
"I feel safe because I've lived in harsher environments than Buffalo, it doesn't compare to Red Lake," said Junior Kim Dougherty. "Buffalo is not a scary place."

Do you like to take pictures? Would you like to show off your work in The Hoofprint
Well now you can! The Hoofprint wants to display your work.
The pictures can be of any activity or event at or for the school, or anything that you feel shows off the school.
Drop the pictures off in the "letters to the editor" envelope outside room A-210 or email them to [email protected] by April 28.
The three best pictures will be displayed in color in the next issue of The Hoofprint.

The United States has been at odds with Iran in the past, most notably over the Iran hostage crisis and during the September 1996 hearing regarding whether or not the sale of arms to Iran during the Iran-Contra situation violated the Arms Export Control Act. It seems that, as always, there is at least one more step in the Middle East peace process.

There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about whether or not Iran has nuclear weapons. Some students are still skeptical of what they're being told to accept.

"There's been propaganda saying they have [nuclear weapons]," said Junior Amy Goemer, "but I don't know if I should believe it." Others are more willing to take the news at face value. "I believe that Iran has nuclear weapons," said Senior Kurt Sisco. Iran claims that all their nuclear pursuits are limited to providing reliable energy to their country, but the United States and some European Allies argue differently. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between. "The media makes it look like Iran is looking for weapons," said Senior Zach Clifton, "but I don't know again."

With the Iraq war still dividing the country, and no end in sight, many people feel that the recent tension between the United States and Iran to be similar to the pre-Iraq war build-up. "The Bush Administration probably wants to invade," said Clifton, "there are two major factors here; it would be easy to sell it to Congress, because of the Republican majority, but Bush needs to settle Iraq to free up some troops."

With all the tension over who has nuclear weapons, or chemical or biological weapons, many people are asking themselves if anyone should have weapons of mass destruction. "It's okay to have them, but a monopoly on nuclear weapons is unnecessary," said Sisco, "some are necessary." "I'd rather see the United States pursue peaceful means of uniting the world than having more weapons," said Clifton, "but it is nice to know that you're able to destroy the known world."

To many, nations aren't responsible enough to police themselves. Some people feel that the world would be better without nuclear weapons. "I wish humanity had the good that they can all come to the conclusion to end the arms race," said Clifton. Or to some, there is a very simple solution. "No one should have them," Goemer.

Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed for the third and final time, March 18. She was pronounced dead March 31. Her husband and family were in a court battle over Schiavo's life.

Schiavo has been in a "persistent vegetative state" for 15 years after a heart failure thought to be caused by an eating disorder. "If I was in her place, I wouldn't want to stay alive and live as a vegetable," said Sophomore Jamie Scott.

The Schindlers fight to keep Schindler-Schiavo alive, said Senior Emily Sturges.

The Court ruled in favor to Schiavo as legal guardian. Schiavo won the case due to a testimony presented by his brother. Scott Schiavo said that after his grandmother was on life support at the end of her life, Schindler-Schiavo told him, "If I ever go like that, just let me go. Don't leave me there."

"I think they couldn't determine what she felt, since her parents were willing to take care of her, it should have been that easy," said Freshman Jonathon Stanely.

"I would only want to be on life support for less than a year. I wouldn't want them to give up on me right away," said Junior Malinda Wolfson.

"It's sad there has to be conflict between her parents and husband," Emily Sturges said.

Michael Schiavo and his family feel that his wife would have wanted to "die with the dignity that she has left." "It's not a family issue anymore," Schindler-Schiavo's younger brother, Bobby Schindler said, adding that it had been years since the Schindlers considered Schiavo anything but a legal opponent. "All we've ever asked is that he give Terri back to us."

"That would suck to live like that forever," said Junior Malinda Wolfson.

"It's not a family issue anymore," Schindler, who has become a spokesman for Terri Schiavo, added.

Governor Tim Pawlenty has recently endorsed President Bush's second-term education plan. So what does this mean for Buffalo High School? More tests. This plan would extend the normal No Child Left Behind to include requirements for testing in High Schools. This has made some teachers concerned about the plan.

"Test doesn't necessarily measure what kinds of things we want our kids to learn," said English Teacher Denise Wahlin-Fiskum. "I think we already have enough testing."

President George W. Bush started the No Child Left Behind Program in his first term of office. It is supposed to increase the accountability for States, school districts, and schools and make greater choices for parents and students who are attending low-performing schools. This original mandate had confused some kids on the effectiveness of it.

"Basically it sets an unrealistic standard, for schools to meet," said Senior Andrew Dale. "It blames teachers for not meeting the standards, then it takes away funding."

In Buffalo High School, No Child Left Behind has changed the focus to test scores because it is an accountability measure, and it has directly tied funding to test scores. Because of this there has been more focus on the MCA tests. Pawlenty and the Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren believe national schools need to be held more accountable.

"It would be a good idea to extend it to the high schools," said Pawlenty when asked by Star Tribune reporters. "It's consistent with the direction in which we're heading."

These tests for high schools can start as soon as the 2007-2008 academic school year. The test would include writing for ninth grade, reading in tenth grade, and math in 11th. This delayed start to the testing is making little impact upon upper-classman.

"I don't care, I'm out in a couple of weeks," said Senior Ross Stirratt. "I have already taken all of the tests the government wanted me to."

Being in a foster home isn't all that bad. For some people, it is tough, because they want to go home and be with their family that they were taken from. But, for people like me, being in a foster home is good because I know that nothing bad is going to happen to me.
In my case, it is hard; my mom's friend discriminated against me and told me I was nothing. Well, after three years of him saying that over and over again I started believing him. I kept telling myself that I was stupid and that I was a liar and that nobody cared about me. In November of 2002, my cousin committed suicide and I went through a hard time. My mom put me into counseling thinking it would help me out. A year and four months later, the counselor informed the county of all the bad stuff that was happening to me. Two days later I was put into foster care.
I've found out a lot of stuff from my foster mom, such as some of the foster parents take their spring break in Arizona. In March 2004, Swenning was put into foster care. Photo submitted by LaTricia Swenning
They don't care about the foster kids and they do everything military style. But other foster homes, like the one I'm in, do foster care because they care for the kids. They don't even care about the money.
There are different kinds of foster care. The foster home I'm living in is a therapeutic foster home. There is a limit to how many foster children my foster parents can care for. The emergency foster home I was at could have held up to 14 kids, but the one I'm at now can hold three.
Foster parents don't get paid very much and they have to drive the foster kid to the doctor, dentists, or maybe school, if the kids didn't get up on time. But at least it helped me out to be in a foster home and I wasn't in a lot of danger like I use to be.

What's wrong with this world that we live in? When the norm is to be licensed to drive a mere four days after your 16th birthday; what's wrong with this world; when somebody who can barely keep up with their school work can legally drive a car?
Why is this normal in America? In other countries it's rare for even an adult to own and operate an automobile, so why in this country, despite the number of teenage related car crashes, do parents persist on their children to be licensed and driving?
Call it what you want. Maybe I am jealous that I'm not one of the millions of teenagers who crash their cars every year. Our children are too proud. "I can drive, I can drive!" they say. Not even thinking about the consequences that may follow their actions. Worst of all is the man who licenses our youth. Mr. Driving Instructor; A man so full of himself and of his job that he will dock you points for going too slow in a neighborhood, never mind what your behind the wheel instructor said about never being too hesitant. You're playing a completely different ball game now.
It's one on one and there's a whole new set of rules.
It's even worse when the people that are supposed to teach you at home do nothing but contradict each other; or even better, tell you that if you go 100 on a certain hill that you can catch some major air.
What has this world come to indeed? Make sure you signal at least 100 feet before your turn they say ...but not there or that guy will cut you off. Always stop at the stop sign... but just this once because the traffic is so bad, it's ok. Never speed to get through a light... oh man you could have made it if you would've gone faster. The best thing is when they break a rule and tell you that, once you get better, you can do stuff like that, but, until then, you better not try it. What a great example to follow huh?
I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm now a senior and all of my 16-year-old friends are leaving me in the dust in their cars, and I'm just sitting here with my second learner's permit because I can't park.

Grades; what are grades really based on anyway? Grades affect your college and, of course, your GPA, but who decided on these curves or what is extraordinary work and what isn't? Isn't it kind of old hearing your parents say, "I want you to do your best"? What they are really trying to say is, "get all A's or else". They bribe us, threaten us, or try anything else they can think of to make us keep our grades up.

Your report card comes in the mail and your parents' faces change from happy to thoroughly annoyed. You have worked hard all quarter, but didn't take that extra step, like some high school students, and ended up with straight C's. The next thing you know, your parents are yelling at you, telling you that you're grounded and they're taking away your car until you bring your grades up.

This is wrong. Do parents realize that a C grade is average? Teachers should only give out A's if the student is taking the extra step and going for the "wow". Why should kids be punished for just being average?

During high school, the teachers should wean us off the ways that we are use to from elementary and middle school to get us ready for the intensiveness of college. Instead, they still continue to baby us. So, the next thing you know, we get to college and we go from a straight-A student to a straight-C student, and we wonder why. We freak out and yell at our professors, because the over-achiever we were used to be in high school was really a lie.

Then, at a very stressful time in our lives, we find out that our whole high school career is fake. We weren't graded the correct way, so our grades were far beyond wrong. The reason we thought high school was "too easy to be true" was because it was. High school is just setting kids up to fail in later life.

The end of the year is approaching and seniors are getting ready to graduate. Many seniors will have a Graduation party and many will venture off to college. Parents are saving their money and getting their Graduates ready to set off in the real world. Most seniors will be going to the all night grad party to win prizes, have fun, play games, and spend one last night together as a class.

"I think the grad party will be fun because you get to hang out with all your friends and also people that you wouldn't usually hang out with," said Senior Gina Gotvaslee. "This is going to be the last time that we are all together in one room until our 10 year reunion. We have to make the best of it."

Seniors have so many memories to look back on and remember, throughout there 13 years in school there are so many things that happened whether it was sad, happy or fun they will always have the memories.

"In middle when Jeremy Welter and Mike Hanks were kicking each other really hard in the shins just for the heck of it," said Senior James Hoffman, "It was funny, like something out of a movie."

"In elementary school it was so fun to dress up for Halloween and trick or treat from class to class," said Senior Amber Manz.

"I remember when I fell down the stairs when I was a freshman," said Senior Sara Orbin. "My overalls came undone and almost fell down, everyone laughed at me."

College and working are one of the biggest priorities to seniors right now. Many already have their summer jobs set up and many have already been accepted into the college of their choice. However, many students have not realized how close it is until graduation until now and have not applied for college.

"I plan on working all [correctly], and balance school I-" [unreadable]

Students at Buffalo Hi: last times this year at March 29. During tha Senior Privileges start summer and then "Minnesota School of in the fall," said Senic Bieringer. "They offe gram that I am going and it's not to far fron live."

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Skating has become the new craze among Buffalo High School students. Even though it may leave the skater battered and bruised, they still keep coming back for more. The biggest problem faced is the fact that they can only skateboard at each other's houses or at skate parks because it is against the law to skate on city street.

"Skating has taken me over. It's all I ever want to do," said Junior Chase Mastel. Although most skaters have gotten into some kind of accidents, like broken arms, collar bones, legs, ankles, toes, stitches, and beat up shins, they still love skating and plan on doing it for a long time.

"I plan on skating the rest of my life as long as my body will take it," said Mastel.

"The hardest thing to learn was to trust myself to try things," said Junior Clay Hathaway, who has now been skating for four years. "Skating has kept me out of trouble, but it has also gotten me into trouble," said Senior Matt Strasser, who is now in his ninth year of skating.

People said that the hardest things to learn first were how to ollie, kick flip, catching it correctly, and balance. Most said that they preferred Element and Birdhouse boards.

"I have about a four foot stack of broken boards that I've gone through," said Mastel.

The boards that people recommend were Element and Birdhouse. "A board is just what you prefer - because they're really all the same," said Hathaway.

People also said that it's getting hard to find places to skate anymore without getting kicked out of places or getting in trouble.

"It's hard trying to find places to skate because you can't skate in town anymore," said Sophomore Alex Henrichs. "I like to skate at my friend's house and Third Lair," said Henrichs. "My favorite thing about boarding is the satisfaction of landing a new trick or getting sponsored," said Mastel.

What do you get when you mix a trumpet, a saxophone, and a four piece band? Not Sublime, they're the new and improved Toasterhead. With members including but not limited to Nick (Barry) Costanzi, Paul Smude, Jared Wolhowe, Pat Rich, Reese Makenberg, and Ryan Gaskill. This ska band's originals such as "Splines" and "Broadzilla" give audiences a peppy upbeat feeling which could only end with a smile.

"I believe that Toasterhead is the second coming of Christ," said Senior Ryan Gaskill. "Without us, the music industry will crumble and will rely solely on the wretched clabber of the Backstreet Boys." In the music industry, one of the most important part of music is talent and originality. Toasterhead is said to have both, but when raw music and performance gets over-done by ninjas or a loud screech of a trumpet it can be, in a short word, unique.

"They are very talented musicians, but I would never go to a show for the music," said Sophomore Alex Nord. Talented yes, but very unorganized. As the Chinese empire fell along with the Nazi regime, so will the band Toasterhead. The difference is they don't have an idea when this will happen.

"We'll be a band forever," said Gaskill.

High hopes for a band that covered a video game song at this year's variety show. But playing at school events will not be the only concerts that Toasterhead will have.

"Our biggest show will someday hopefully be some video gaming festival or maybe a comic-book convention," said Senior Jared Wolhowe.

As comic book reading, Magic: The Gathering playing, and hippopotamus poker players, they all have there own special power.

"Costanzi is Mr. Glass, Mackenberg Incredible Hulk, Smude is Link, Rich is Megaman, I would be Super-God, and Wolhowe would be Th Stretch," said Gaskill.

This band is vet unique and could be on th verge of a musical prodig or just burnt toast.

---
The members of Toasterhead which include Ryan, Nick, Paul, Jared, Reese, and Pat. 9 h squeezed into a shower for one of many group photos. Submitted Photo

The students cheered and laughed excitedly as Ryan Tantilla, better known as "Turtle," joined the 1999 homecoming candidates on stage, despite the fact that school policies would not permit him to wear the crown. A short suspension and six years later, Turtle is making a second appearance at BHS.

Tantilla, a 1999 graduate, is back in the building doing his pre-student teaching observation hours in the English department. He completes his time here today.

"High school students are our future," said Tantilla. "And I would like to help them develop who they are as a person."

In his high school days, many people labeled Tantilla as a "rebel" or a "trouble-maker."

"Turtle was a really interesting guy," said Principal Nick Miller. "He did his own thing and had his own character."

Authority figures weren't the only people who labeled Tantilla this way.

"I was a good student," said Tantilla. "But I questioned authority."

Although he had his troubles with the rules, Tantilla had a great relationship with many of his teachers.

"Turtle was a joy to have in class," said Social Studies Teacher Gerald Bakke. "You never knew what he would come up with."

The way Tantilla challenged the system in his younger years may not be hurting his career, but helping it.

"He didn't always like the rules," Miller said. "Many teachers went to school and always followed the rules, but that doesn't necessarily make us good teachers."

Despite his less-than-perfect school record, Tantilla might just be what the school is looking for in a teacher.

"I'd like to have a guy like him around," said Miller. "We need more people in education who can see flaws."

Students get up, go to school, do work, go to practice and then go home. For many, this is the routine. But not for everyone. Some students say that this time of year makes them depressed, tired, and unmotivated.

Senior T.J. said he feels more lethargic this time of year and sometimes has to force himself to complete homework.

"It seems like there is no energy," he said. "I just don't feel like doing anything."

School counselors say there are several reasons students may feel this way during the winter months, including shorter days and less sunlight. Counselors recommend seeking light, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule.

If symptoms are severe or persist, students should consider talking with a counselor or medical professional about treatment options.

It was early morning on March third, my journey into the world of sour cream began. Dipping a free and reduced breakfast sandwich into the $1.29 tub of cultured sour cream, purchased at Holiday the day before, Freshman Ben Coward watched in anticipation as I devoured the taste sensation.
"It was like a thrill ride. Like nothing I've ever seen before," said Coward. "It took me through hills with flower filled mountains and unicorns soaring high above my head as far as the eye can see."
With the calorie to tablespoon ratio at a rough 30:1, sour cream is not an everyday food, so spreading it on a chocolate doughnut like paste is bizarre. The only problem with it being so bizarre is that it didn't bother me. In fact, I was enjoying it. I brought my sour cream everywhere, dipping different foods into it like apples into caramel.
"It was disgusting, but at the same time enticing," said Sophomore Nick Sisco. "Like, I wanted to try it even though it was disgusting."
Nothing grossed me out. Everything I tried with sour cream was better with sour cream. I ate an entire box of thin mint Girl Scout cookies, and it was delicious. I had three Little Debbie's and dipped them like chips into what used to be only a Tex-Mex sauce.
One lesson I learned however is that sour cream and onion dip is not a good substitute. I forgot my sour cream at home when I went to work, so I went to the Cenex gas station to buy some more. When I arrived, I discovered that all they had was chip-dip. I figured there's sour cream in it, I'll be fine.
I also grabbed a box of Dots on the way out, completely forgetting about my experiment. I got back to work, opened the box, and screamed when I remembered my fate.
"It's dumb that you keep eating it," said Junior Alex Dooley. "Why don't you just try it, then eat it regularly?"
My experiment was almost over, and as gross as it looked to others, I wanted to keep going. By day five, I couldn't even taste it anymore. The sour cream was just there. I was eating it straight, and it didn't faze me.
"That's amazing!" said Sophomore Aaron Anderson. "Unique...other words comes to mind too."
I was feeling pretty good about myself. There was something about eating a Three Musketeer bar with sour cream on it that just made life worth living. That was until I realized that I'd gained ten pounds in the five days that the experiment went for. Before I started my study on sour cream, I had never weighed more than 175. I weighed myself before I started, and I was at an even 170. It was nothing out of the ordinary; I weighed the same the time before that, and the time before that as well. When I weighed myself the day after the experiment I was 180.
I immediately freaked out, started complaining about how fat I was. I didn't even want to think about food. I thought this was just going to be a joke, and everything would be the same in the end. I was wrong. For the first time in my life, I gained weight.

"Eighteen Foods that Fight Cellulite", "Your Top 15 Sex Questions Answered", "152 Expert Tips from the Best Makeup Artist" Flip open any teen magazine today and a person will undoubtedly find these articles glaring at them. Public image and advertising are the yin and the yang of American society that sets the standards of beauty around the world. The effect this has on teenagers and their self-esteem, however, isn't always a positive thing.

Students at Buffalo High School tended to think that advertising and the pressure society puts on teenagers concerning physical beauty is unrealistic.

"I think there's too much emphasis on models and being thin, which can be bad for people who are still developing," said Senior Anna Harlan. "Movies and magazines and reality TV shows put such a focus on "pretty people." There needs to be less stress on the perfect body."

Students were either unsure or had different opinions as to how this "perfect image" came about.

"It has to do with our government and our American standards," said Freshman Ingrid Leask. "There are so many mixed opinions in this country, which makes kids want to rebel even more. Everything needs to evened out, and the only way that's gonna happen is through the people."

Going back even as far as the ancient Greeks who had a "passion for perfection," public image has been a topic of discussion for many years in our society, and continues to this day.

"It's a proven fact that everyone follows what the media says," said Leask. "It tells us what to wear, what we watch, and what music we listen to. The media is pretty much in control of our lives."

Page 8
A&E
Friday, April 8, 2005
It works on chips, why not everything else?
One BHS senior experiments with an all sour cream diet
John-Paul Natysin
Journalism Staff
It was early morning on March third. With Interview Dinosaur in sight, my journey into the world of sour cream began. Dipping a free and reduced breakfast sandwich into the $1.29 tub of cultured sour cream, purchased at Holiday the day before, Freshman Ben Coward watched in anticipation as I devoured the taste sensation.
"It was like a thrill ride. Like nothing I've ever seen before," said Coward. "It took me through hills with flower filled mountains and unicorns soaring high above my head as far as the eye can see."
With the calorie to tablespoon ratio at a rough 30:1, sour cream is not an everyday food, so spreading it on a chocolate doughnut like paste is bizarre. The only problem with it being so bizarre is that it didn't bother me. In fact, I was enjoying it. I brought my sour cream everywhere, dipping different foods into it like apples into caramel.
"It was disgusting, but at the same time enticing," said Sophomore Nick Sisco. "Like, I wanted to try it even though it was disgusting."
Nothing grossed me out. Everything I tried with sour cream was better with sour cream. I ate an entire box of thin mint Girl Scout cookies, and it was delicious. I had three Little Debbie's and dipped them like chips into what used to be only a Tex-Mex sauce.
One lesson I learned however is that sour cream and onion dip is not a good substitute. I forgot my sour cream at home when I went to work, so I went to the Cenex gas station to buy some more. When I arrived, I discovered that all they had was chip-dip. I figured there's sour cream in it, I'll be fine. I also grabbed a box of Dots on the way out, completely forgetting about my experiment. I got back to work, opened the box, and screamed when I remembered my fate.
"It's dumb that you keep eating it," said Junior Alex Dooley. "Why don't you just try it, then eat it regularly?"
My experiment was almost over, and as gross as it looked to others, I wanted to keep going. By day five, I couldn't even taste it anymore. The sour cream was just there. I was eating it straight, and it didn't faze me.
"That's amazing!" said Sophomore Aaron Anderson. "Unique... other words comes to mind too."
I was feeling pretty good about myself. There was something about eating a Three Musketeer bar with sour cream on it that just made life worth living. That was until I realized that I'd gained ten pounds in the five days that the experiment went for.
Before I started my study on sour cream, I had never weighed more than 175. I weighed myself before I started, and I was at an even 170. It was nothing out of the ordinary; I weighed the same the time before that, and the time before that as well. When I weighed myself the day after the experiment I was 180. I immediately freaked out started complaining about how fat I was. I didn't even want to think about food.
I thought this was just going to be a joke, and everything would be the same in the end. I was wrong. For the first time in my life, I gained weight.

Interview Dinosaur, writer John-Paul Natysin's tool to put interview subjects at ease, takes a dunk in a tub of cultured sour cream, standing triumphantly on top. John-Paul ate nothing without sour cream on it for a week, gaining ten pounds in the process and drawing varying reactions from observers. Photo by Mandy Scott.

Students speak their minds on society's "perfect body"
As the media, armed with television and magazines, adopts the "perfect" body image of skinniness for women (left) and muscles for men (right), the student body (center) copes with the added stress of maintaining such perfection in addition to the natural pressure of high school. Center photo by Melisa Miller. Outside photos used with permission.

Abby White and Dakota Carlson
Journalism Staff and Copy Editor
"Eighteen Foods that Fight Cellulite", "Your Top 15 Sex Questions Answered", "152 Expert Tips from the Best Makeup Artist" Flip open any teen magazine today and a person will undoubtedly find these articles glaring at them. Public image and advertising are the yin and yang of American society that sets the standards of beauty around the world. The effect this has on teenagers and their self-esteem, however, isn't always a positive thing.
Students at Buffalo High School tended to think that advertising and the pressure society puts on teenagers concerning physical beauty is unrealistic.
"I think there's too much emphasis on models and being thin, which can be bad for people who are still developing," said Senior Anna Harlan. "Movies and magazines and reality TV shows put such a focus on 'pretty people.' There needs to be less stress on the perfect body."
Students were either unsure or had different opinions as to how this "perfect image" came about.
"It has to do with our government and our American standards," said Freshman Ingrid Leask. "There are so many mixed opinions in this country, which makes kids want to rebel even more. Everything needs to evened out, and the only way that's gonna happen is through the people."
Going back even as far as the ancient Greeks who had a "passion for perfection," public image has been a topic of discussion for many years in our society, and continues to this day.
"It's a proven fact that everyone follows what the media says," said Leask. "It tells us what to wear, what we watch, and what music we listen to. The media is pretty much in control of our lives."

Copy Editor

They're everywhere: TV ads, computer pop-ups, store windows, and now on the arms of students. iPods are the new and much heard of electronic music device that has entered many a music lover's mind.

But, are they all what they're thought to be?

"Apple is a reliable company," said Sophomore Sam Gorton. "And iPod is pretty much a hand held computer. It's not really an mp3 player."

With its size of 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.57 and weight of 5.6 ounces, an iPod can hold 5,000 songs and has a battery life of up to 12 hours. An iPod mini has, although smaller with its 3.6 ounces and capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 songs, a battery life of up to 18 hours and comes in the possible colors of teal, pink, green, and silver.

"They're easier to use and look cooler," said Junior Dustin Tower. "They have a lot more features. You can put 1,000 songs on them whereas CDs only have like 20 songs on them."

While the price for an iPod is around $299, 72 percent of students said that they would like one or are going to buy one.

Obtaining the music is done by buying the songs with the program iTunes which is provided in the iPod package. The price is 99 cents per song.

That is, unless one drinks a lot of Pepsi.

"I'll drink more for the songs," said Junior Dustin Tower. In association with the iPod, Pepsi products feature a chance to win free iTunes. One out of three bottles have a winning cap with a code for a free song on them.

"Look for caps at games," said Freshman Kew Swart. Be Willetts, owner of an [unreadable] provided in the iPod package.

If Pepsi isn't good enough, as 58 percent of students said that free iTunes wouldn't influence their possibility of drinking more, or a dollar for a song is too much, no need to worry. The other option is to burn CDs onto the computer and into the iTunes program.

"I'd just burn all my CDs onto the iPod," said Freshman Sara Halderson. "I wouldn't drink Pepsi for the iTunes. I don't like Pepsi."

As the iPods impressed many, some still didn't seem pleased by its features.

"iPods are a waste of money," said Freshman Ben Coward, "unless you have like 300 CDs. Dell [MP3 players] are cheaper and they hold way more songs than iPods."

A Dell Digital Jukebox mp3 player has 20 to 30 Gigabytes (around 9,900 songs) and the price ranges from 225 to 283 dollars. While a Dell does hold more songs for the price than an iPod, people are still buying the Apple MP3.

"It has cool add-ons and games," said Willetts. "It's smaller than a CD player and you don't have to carry CDs or memory cards anymore. I listen to it everyday -- in between classes -- and even in gym. It's cool."

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The new iPod minis attract attention with their flashy colors and reduced size, further thinning its already emaciated big brother, the iPod. According to our polls, 72 percent of students said they would like or are going to buy one. But the size reduction decreases the song capacity from 5,000 to 1,500.

If Pepsi isn't good enough, as 58 percent of students said that free iTunes wouldn't influence their possibility of drinking more, or a dollar for a song is too much, no need to worry.

The other option is to burn CDs onto the computer and into the iTunes program. If a person has already bought the songs, they can be transferred to the iPod via iTunes.

As of the iPod improved many, some still didn't please many students.

(Photograph captions and small layout fragments preserved verbatim where present in source.)

Journalism Staff

Grab your check books and come dance: it's prom time in Buffalo. Have no fear because price comparisons and answers to questions are here.

"I imagine prom this year as expensive," said Junior Nathan Ortmann.

After a long winter full of snow pants and long underwear it's difficult to find someone with golden brown skin. If tanning is a big part of your pre-prom planning, then here's the 411: Tan on First offers a package where you can tan until prom for $55.55; Tan Tastic, 200 minutes for $39.95, and 320 for $52.00; and Maine Attraction Tanning in St. Michael offers 30 days for $37.05 for students.

Nails looking a little ragged? If you need a new set of French Tips for prom, J Nails will give you that and a pedicure for $52.50, and a full set for $55.00.

Picking a restaurant isn't easy but can be crucial to setting a good mood for prom.

"I recommend Olive Garden," said Junior Brittani Matzke, "because I love their breadsticks and salads and pasta and stuff, yummy stuff."

If you are worried about a classy way to get to prom, there are many options in the limousine department. A Dream Ride Limousine offers an eight person limo for $85 per hour with a five hour minimum with a 20% gratuity fee. A personalized limousine service costs $80 an hour, with a four hour minimum, a 20% gratuity fee, and a 4% fuel charge. Elite Limousine offers a $60 an hour fee, with an eight hour minimum, and a 20% gratuity fee.

BHS students have also offered some helpful advice for newcomers.

"Don't fall on the stairs," said Junior Maria Freund, "they're sneaky."

"Have a good time," said Senior J. Tyler Reiss, "don't be afraid to dance. Don't be afraid to wiggle your bodies."

As Junior Corey Jeske walks to the pitchers mound, all of the players on the Bison Baseball team get in their positions. Jeske winds up for the pitch and lets out a fast ball. The umpire calls a strike out.

The team is excited to start their season off. They headed to Oklahoma where 25 players had their first practice. Their original practices are held at Bent Mill fields every day after school from 2:45-5:00pm.

"It rocked," said Senior Co-Captain Derek Bauer, "We did team bonding and just had lots of fun."

Bauer and Brett Andrews are the senior captains for this year. Bauer has been playing baseball since he was three years old and Andrews has been playing since he was six years old.

"They are both good leaders," said Head Coach Mike Beilke, "they are a good choice for the team."

Beilke is the head coach, Chris Gmach is the Assistant Varsity coach, Gerard Rohl is the tenth grade coach, and Troy Holland is the ninth grade coach.

"I like all the coaches," said Junior Mike Gillespie, "They all know what they are doing, which is always a good thing."

Jeske said the downs to baseball would have to be the nut cup, tight pants, and getting sweaty and really thirsty, but other than that he loves it. Out of all the sports there are in Buffalo, Baseball remains the favorite for Andrews.

"Baseball is my favorite sport because Track isn't fun," said Andrews, "Tennis is a wussy sport, and I'm not interested in golf."

Spring is here and every year the track team picks six seniors who will be captains. Three of the captains are girls and three are guys. This year the track team voted Ben Rayl, Trisha Steen, Tessa Rohl, Darby Ursell, Emily Sturges and Dan Fadgen.

"We practice in the gym, outside, at the middle school track, go to the pool some times, too," said Rohl.

Being a captain doesn't mean they get special treatment; they are treated the same as if they are regular track members. But they do get treated a little different from the freshmen who are new to the team. This year has started recently, so it could be different.

"The coaches do a good job at that," Ursell said.

Beilke is the head coach, Chris Gmach is the Assistant Varsity coach, Ed Cox is the Junior Varsity coach, Gerard Jeske is the tenth grade coach, and Troy Holland is the ninth grade coach.

"I like all the coaches," Junior Mike Gillespie, "They all know what they are doing, which is always a good thing."

The track team trains through all of their practices and, before a meet, the training tapers off a little. The team works on conditioning, tactics, and strategy before a meet. Some have rituals that help them prepare for their meet.

"On the bus before a meet I put my hood up and listen to music," said one athlete. "It helps to relax and go over my race."

Each captain has their own reasons why they joined track. Steen joined because her sister was in it and then she liked it so she stuck with it. Rayl joined because it was something to do in the spring. There are many reasons why people join track, even if they're doing it because their friends are in it.

"I played softball in 9th grade and it was too low paced, and I thought track would get me in shape and help me in basketball," said Rohl.

Buffalo's track started March 14 and usually goes until June 10 or 11, if they make it to State. There will be 12 away meets and 5 home meets; most meets are co-ed, except for one girls only meet and one guys only meet.

Track team practices Monday through Friday from 2:40 to 4:45, unless there is a meet.

"Being a captain is fun knowing that kids look up to you," said Ursell.

Junior Darby Ursell (right) races to the finish line. Ursell became one of the six track captains this year. Photo by Justine Houfer

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Junior Brittani Matzke takes the lead in the final leg of her relay. Track started with practice on March 14. Photo by Justine Houfer

Senior Darby Ursell (right) races to the finish line. Ursell became one of the six track captains this year. Photo by Justine Houfer

They dive off of the starting block, kick kick kick. They finally come up for a breath. Fast! I hear screaming and cheering in the crowds. Yes, I am at the girls and guys swim meets!

This is the first year of the boys swim team. The team is coached by Ryan Rehnstrand, with Senior captains Alex Trogstad and Devin Danielson.

"Coach wanted a guy's swim team," said Senior Melissa Warfield. "They tried a few times before this year, but not many people wanted to join. We had a great turn out this year though. It was more then we had seen. Now we have a guys swim team for at least three to four years."

Along with all the meets, the swimmers have long two to three hour practices everyday after school in the pool at Buffalo Community Middle School.

"My favorite part of swim meets is when it's over," said Sophomore Lindsey Marty. "The hardest part of swimming is the sets."

Rehnstrand said he wanted a guy's swim team.

There are different reasons why people join swimming. Some had experience and some just did it out of curiosity to see what it would be like.

"I joined the swim team because I wanted to get in shape," said one swimmer. "You work on conditioning; the swim team is a great way to get in shape. I do not regret my decision of joining at all. It was a good time."

Some team members feel that Rehnstrand needed to push the team harder.

"I don't believe Coach pushed us as hard as he should have," said Freshman Jacob Stoker. "I think he was being especially nice so we wouldn't get scared away."

Some of the guys want to be pushed harder. Some of the swimmers said it is always great to be able to show off what they have accomplished.

"One of my best memories in swimming is when the girls did well at sections," said Warfield. "Then everyone knows what they worked hard for paid off."

Although everyone joined for various reasons, there are memories and fun experiences that come with being on a team.

"One thing the girls do together after one of the meets, other than swim, is, towards the end, we have a sleep over at one of the captain's houses," said Freshman Chelsey Trogstad. "We also have a spaghetti dinner before sections."

Alle Thompson
When she first steps out onto the plate, the adrenaline sets in. She locks eyes with the pitcher and hopes for the best swing possible. The team is counting on her. She takes a look back and sees the excited, familiar faces of the team players and the not so familiar face of the new coach Brad Zrust.
"Harapat's not going to be coaching this year because of new job reasons," said Senior Amanda Sandusky, "and Johnson, the co-coach with Harapat, just had a baby, so we ended up getting a whole new coaching staff."
A new coaching staff isn't the only change going on in softball. With just a few seniors, it will be an adjustment to see freshman coming to practice each day. Ninth graders helped make the team a larger number then before.
"There are just so many freshmen coming up from the middle school. It will be fun," said Senior Amanda Scott "because I like to see what the future teams will be like once I'm gone." The senior girls on the team are looking forward to all the games and of course winning a few here and there. But, like the song says, you can't always get what you want.
"Losing...I hate losing," said Scott "but if we play a great game, and end up losing, then it's not so bad. But if we go out onto the field and are sloppy, and we don't play all that great, then it's the worst."
But then there are the times when they play a great game. Now that calls for a celebration.
"We sometimes go to Dairy Queen, but only if we play real good. Or we like to dance, or do these softball cheers we have," said Senior Jusine Speckel.
When practice started March 14, nobody knew what kind of season the girls were planning on playing. The girls are hoping to improve every time they set foot onto the field, but they will just have to ride it out for a few practices, until they really get things going. When they gear up for the first time to play their games, they'll get the chance to see each others skills and where they expect to go as a team this 04-05 season.
Photos by Mandy Scott