The Hoofprint - Issue 3 - Spring 2025

The Girls Lacrosse team this year is in a league of its own. With a 8-3 record, they are ranked 12th in the state...

On Saturday, May 3rd, students at Buffalo High School gathered at the Minneapolis Marriott. For most, it was...

News Editors Laurinda Adabla, Kumail Akram, Dania Algebory, Kelcie Bode, Sophia Chapman, Miliya Chenvert, Gavin Collins, Ben Diethelm, Haily Drewes, Gavin Dupont, April Galle, Addilyn Gerads, Rosary Gilbertson, Doint Herman, Madeline Krinke, Charlotte Lambert, Emily Larson, Jacob Macheel, Charliese Sorsoleil, Ashlynn Steffes, Bridgette Sturgeon, Henry Umhoefer, and Evelyn Winger

Editors-in-Chief Dalinda Gravely and Sydney Hoffman

Copy Editor Ella Kragerud and Ava Peterson

Games Editors Daniel Jungwirth

Photography Editors Ven Estrada and Rainer McCallum

Activities Editors Ellie Lange and Hailey Hathaway-Oxley

Social Media Editors Kate Miriovsky and Rylee Tetrault

Social Media Staff Audyn Molesky and Gavin Anfinson

Opinions Editor Miliya Chenvert and Elly Kohls

Culture Editors Basil Lefebvre

Website Editor Jayde Hallman and Karsyn Zumbusch

Spotlight Editors Herdcast Staff Aiklie Gray, Vivian Grambart, and Wyatt Droen

Sports Editors Emmerson Breyer and Ella Goodsen

Writers and Photographers Adler Neu and Rose Lamberts Hailey Hathaway-Oxley

Welcome to the final print edition of the 24-25 school year! For the first time since 2018, the Hoofprint has produced three print editions in a school year all thanks to the hard work and dedication of every staff member. We have accomplished so much this year, and our publication is slowly returning to its former glory. Every person who helped create this edition, and every person reading it, is helping us reach our goal of becoming a bigger part of our school and community. Next year, we are excited to pass the baton to Adler Neu and Audyn Molesky as they take their place as next year’s Editors-in-Chief. In the meantime, please enjoy the contents of the last print edition as our whole staff is looking forward to sharing it with you.

Imagine walking across the gradua­ tion stage on Bison Field West, never having stepped foot in Buffalo High School. A nightmare for some, but a dream for many others that will become reality starting in the 2025-2026 school year with the launch of Bison Online: a comprehensive online program that will allow students to be on a spectrum of online learning, from one or two classes to an entire Buffalo High School diploma completed virtually. After returning to school from the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning became a fading memory for many students, but it still shifted the landscape of education for the foreseeable future. The idea of an online curriculum partnering with traditional in-person instruction continued to peer into the minds of BHS students and administrators alike. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, BHS will house its own online education program, ‘Bison Online.’ “Bison Online will be part-time and full-time online learning through Buffalo High School, taught by our teachers, [and featuring] courses that align to our [in-person] courses for the most part,” Assistant Principal Ed Cox said. “Right now we’re servicing between part-time and full-time, upwards of 120 kids, and so it made more sense to bring [online learning] internal.” The online curriculum will be based on courses created by Edmentum, a third- party entity. So, despite having Buffalo High School teachers lead the classes, the curriculum will be designed outside the realm of Buffalo High School’s in-person curriculum, at least at first. Cox emphasized that Bison Online’s role will be to give students more opportunities for learning and growth outside of the traditional classroom. Bison Online will be made available to all grades with a limited but similar course catalog to the in-person curriculum at Buffalo High School.

Cops called, people paying for “kills”, friendships shaken, rumors about stolen money, lies, revivals, bounties, and an array of much more to this year’s Nerf War has sparked drama, schoolwide gossip, and even legal issues. Some students had anxiety about going to go to events or work, not participating in certain extracurricular activities, and even carrying Nerf guns everywhere they go. A variety of unintended issues and controversy added to something meant to be fun.

In mid-April, the annual Nerf War was announced. Although it stays unaffiliated with the school, it’s a popular tradition among BHS juniors and seniors. This year’s commissioners, Kallen Prell ‘25 and Cooper Murphy ‘25, decided to break traditions and make changes to the usual rules and playing guidelines of the Nerf War.

The upperclassmen ready to participate were excited for the announcement, but when students discovered that sophomores were allowed to join for double the entry fee, frustrations and disappointment started to spread. The first time BHS saw sophomores in the Nerf War was not received well. Though it doubled the prize pot, students, including some sophomores, did not agree with the decision.

“Sophomores should not be allowed in the Nerf War,” Kendal Giddings ‘27 said. “It kind of takes away the special-ness of the Nerf War for upperclassmen.”

Adding to the issues of mixing sophomores with upperclassmen, Prell and Murphy operated a revival system charging $40 for the first revival and $80 for a second revival. This allowed teams to put one of their “killed” players back into the game. Speculations and rumors that the money paid from those revivals went straight into the pockets of the commissioners after speculation emerged that $1,500 of the prize pot went to the boys running the Nerf War. That amount has since been reduced significantly, but Prell and Murphy have pointed out that running the Nerf War has come at a great personal investment and effort.

“We’re taking time out of our senior year to run this thing,” Prell said, “if we never stepped up, who’s to say we’d even have a Nerf War?”

Drama continued to spread throughout social media and the school surrounding where the money was going and how much the commissioners were getting of the money being put into the game. Posts made on Instagram from the Nerf account showed the frustrations coming from students regarding money, being out of the game, and arguments between the boys and students involved in the Nerf War.

“I think we fairly compensated ourselves, and I hope people can see that,” Prell said.

Though there has been backlash and issues with the 2024-2025 season of the Nerf War, there’s also excitement, record engagement, and fun as the game approaches its conclusion.

“It feels like something I’ve been dreaming about for a while is finally coming true and I am so happy about that, it has been a goal,” Rose Lamberts ‘26 said. “Especially with last year, and that being my comeback year, so now everything is finally coming together.”

Lamberts is one of four Track and Field athletes who have broken a school record this year. The other athletes include Hannah Braun ‘25 in the 800-meter run, Ryan Babatz ‘25 in shot put, and Courtney Kotish ‘27 in pole vaulting. Through hard work, determination, mental battles, and numerous practices, these athletes have not only broken personal records but also long-standing school records. In just a matter of seconds, their event will be completed, and they will have cemented their name in the record books of Buffalo High School. However, this performance is more than just a time, distance, or height, it is the culmination of all of their training done beforehand.

Track and Field is a unique sport in the way that it is a team sport, but also relies on individual performances. Because of this, many athletes eventually face challenges throughout their careers. Lamberts is no stranger to this adversity. After tearing her ACL as a freshman, she was forced to relearn how to walk. She didn’t let that stop her from continuing to pursue her dreams. Now, she’s broken the school record in the 300-meter hurdles and tied the record in the 100-meter dash.

“[I had to] relearn simple motions that most people wouldn’t have to,” Lamberts said. “It’s cool to know that I’ve done so much to come back. I’m proud of myself for that and to see all the work that I’ve put into therapy come to fruition in races [is amazing].”

Breaking these school records is a full-circle moment for Lamberts. Back in the fall, she competed in cross country. She was a top competitor, an impressive accomplishment for a sprinter who is new to distance running.

Like Lamberts, Track and Field coach Scott Palmer explained these athletes’ success is not only owed to their talent, but also strong mental fortitude.

“They are individuals who are very determined, work extremely hard, and are coachable,” Palmer said. “They’re blessed with these physical abilities, but it’s the willingness to work hard and be coached. These athletes show up every day with the mindset of getting better.”

Babatz has recently broken the school record in the field event shot put. The previous record was also his doing.

Braun, a record holder in the 4x400 meter, 4x800 meter, and now open 800 meter, is proud of her accomplishment that she has worked countless hours to achieve.

“It feels good to finally have my own school record,” Braun said. “I also have records in the 4x400m and the 4x800m, but for the open 800-meter, it’s my own thing and my own effort. It feels nice to finally have that because I’ve been gunning for it since my freshman year, and I finally have broken my own personal record, which has led to this school record.”

The Bison have certainly had a good season so far, but with the Lake Conference, sections, and state approaching, the possibilities of new records are endless. The Buffalo High School Track and Field team is living proof that when someone sets their mind to something, it is able to be achieved.

Buffalo’s Girls Lacrosse team is in a league of its own this year. With a regular season record of 9-3, they’re ranked 10th in the state as of May 19 according to Lake State Lacrosse on Instagram. The success of this team isn’t some miracle, either. Its players have put in the effort and shown the grit needed to make the goals that they’ve set come true. Hard work in the off-season is one of the reasons the team has competed at an astronomically high level so far this season.

“Everyone did so much in the off-season, which contributed to a way better season,” Avery Corbin ‘26 said.

But hard work isn’t the only factor that has created this flourishing environment for every player. The bonds that have been created beyond the turf have further cemented the success seen during competition.

“We all have such good friendships,” Aubrey Barton ‘26 said. “That bond shows on the field when we’re playing.”

Throughout the season a common mindset greatly contributed to the continuous success of the team. A heavy emphasis was placed on the values of growth, respect, authenticity, self-discipline, and passion by coaches and players alike. These values also referred to by the acronym ‘G.R.A.S.P’ have helped to fuel a mounting fire for this wildcard team.

The growing number of underclassmen on the team is something that players are looking forward to. Their diligence is a valuable asset since they are talented enough and have put the work in to be on varsity and can only skyrocket in their knowledge and skill from this point over the next four years. It’s safe to say that the team is in good hands with this group of industrious girls.

Expectations will remain high for the girls lacrosse team, which aspires to make it to state for the first time in program history. However, their aspirations aren’t limited to state. The team still has many milestones to look forward to and reach by the end of the season.

Buffalo FFA had a successful showing at the 96th Minnesota state convention. Highlights of the two day competition included the Horse Judging team of Alana Watercott ‘28, Claire Aronson ‘25, Caroline Bobick ‘25, and Kate Steffens ‘25 taking third place, Avery Larson ‘25 taking fifth place individually in Agriculture sales, and Audrey Aronson ‘28 taking 5th place in Creed speaking at the LDE (Leadership Development Events) state convention held back in December. The highlight of the state convention would have to go to Buffalo FFA’s Market Plan team of Brendan Park ‘27, Isaac Erhard ‘27, and Coltonn Peterson ‘27, which took first place, securing a spot at the National FFA convention held in Indianapolis in October. This is the second year in a row that Buffalo FFA has sent a market plan team to the national convention.

Even with the successes at the state convention, Buffalo FFA sent 38 members to this year’s state convention, 5 fewer than last year. A new rule from the National FFA organization caused a decline in enrollment in FFA chapters across the state. The newly instated rule required that everyone who wants to participate in FFA must be enrolled in an agriculture class to be eligible to compete in any competition. While this had previously been a recommendation, it is now a requirement. Attendance at the 2025 state convention was reported to be 5,700 members, advisors, and guests, which is 548 fewer members than last year’s attendance of 6,248 at the 2024 state convention.

“It’s super frustrating, just because I’m not able to fit an ag class into my schedule shouldn’t mean I can’t do an extracurricular I enjoy,” An anonymous BHS student said. “It’s like requiring that kids have to be in a gym class to participate in a sport.”

On a more positive note, Buffalo FFA finished the year with their annual chapter banquet on April 7th in the PAC. Part of this event was announcing the new FFA officers for the 2025-26 school year. Miles Holtz ‘26 is the new President of Buffalo FFA with Kayla Heinz ‘26 serving as vice president, secretary Brendan Park, historian Kaci Strehler, treasurer Brady Heinz ‘27, reporter Elsee Rausch ‘27, Peterson as sentinel, and Erhard as alumni relations.

“[Being President] is a big title, but it doesn’t make me any better than any other FFA member. It’s an honor to just be on the officer team,” Holtz said. “A goal of mine would just be to bring good energy and provide a place or events where people can just have fun and build relationships.”

After an amazing ‘25-’26 season for FFA, next year is looking promising.

The Tatanka yearbook is the longtime award-winning yearbook at BHS, and the 2024-25 book is out this month. Students can pick up their book in the morning, before school or during lunch on May 30. The release of the yearbook is always exciting, but people always forget about the work and efforts behind the scenes that make our yearbooks possible.

“I think there’s a perception that yearbook is kind of an easy thing to do, but it’s a lot of work.” Kumail Akram ‘25, one of the Editors-in-Chief, commented while speaking about behind-the-scenes work.

Students on the yearbook staff work diligently throughout te whole school year and the summer prior to plan and create the book. The 250+ page yearbook is full of photos, stories, and records from the school year that highlight the best parts of BHS. The staff writers and editors put lots of time, effort and care into themes, spreads, design elements and more to make the award-winning book.

The staff attends yearbook events and field trips during the school year and over the summer. Preparation for the design of the yearbook is the biggest part of the making of the book, and the yearbook editors spend a lot of extra time brainstorming ideas to make each year’s unique Tatanka yearbook. During the year, staff members collect information and conduct interviews with all types of BHS students and staff to get accounts and views on school events and news and plan their spreads and pages to cater to all BHS students’ memories of high school.

“I’m so pumped for the student body to see this year’s yearbook as it took nearly the entire school year to construct,” Ella Kragerud ‘25 said. “It’s very exciting to see students walking around and looking at the work that each of us on the staff contributed to making.”

Bison Field Festival (BFF) is an annual event held for student appreciation, where students are recognized for their hard work throughout the year. This is planned by our student council and hours of work are poured into it. They are very excited to hold this event for you this year due to this event being canceled two of the the past three years.

“Student council has to be divided into multiple committees to tackle the wide variety of planning the goes into BFF,¨ Braxton Techendorf ‘27 said. ¨ I’m responsible for planning the different tournaments and activities that we participate in. Everyone should come to BFF because its a great place to meet new people and have fun with everyone¨.

Bison Field Festival is going to be held on May 30 at 6:30pm on Bison Field West under the lights.

At The Beach, In Every Life, released April 25, 2025, is the debut studio album of Gigi Perez, an American singer-songwriter best known for her hit single “Sailor Song”. Perez’s versatility and power as a singer render her capable of intimate and, at turns, anguished moments. Her album is a moody, tender dive into the emotional wreckage of love, identity, and self-reckoning. With haunting melodies and lyrics, the album drifts between alternative rock, dream pop, and indie folk with the grace of a tide coming in. These standout tracks prove Perez is one to watch.

“Sailor Song” 4/5 Oh, won’t you kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor? / And when you get a taste, can you tell me, what’s my flavor? The album’s leading single, and an opener that feels like drifting out to sea, both sonically and emotionally. Perez’s vocals, the melodic guitar and subtle unrest set the tone for the album’s themes of longing and internal chaos. (Docked a point for being overplayed on the radio.)

“Fable” 5/5 Love was the law and religion was taught, I’m not bought / Feel when we argue our skin starts to rot This track is a tribute to Gigi’s sister, Celene, who passed away in 2020. Perez discusses themes of religious doubt, love, and eventually reaches uncertain conclusions. Perez utilizes her strong lyricism skills to illustrate her thoughts on the idea of life.

“At The Beach, In Every Life” 5/5 There I saw you standing / Must’ve been a holy light The title track is a soft exhale: melancholic, reflective, and deeply intrapersonal. It feels like closure, or maybe just surrender. A perfect ending. Perez says of the track, “I wrote it from a place in my life where I had a major disappointment. Although I was devastated by this thing, it was also like the thing felt so small in comparison to the richness and the value of life, so At The Beach is like a foreshadowing for the entire project for me, and ‌really special that it existed, and I had no idea what was ahead.“ Overall, 5/5 hooves!

BHS students who pursue post-secondary enrollment options (PSEO) are quietly penalized. Despite working equally hard as their peers, these students are excluded from awards, honors, and recognition. Instead of these students being celebrated for their ambition, they are being kicked to the curb.

This issue doesn’t just concern awards or recognition, though. It’s about fairness, motivation, and the message our school sends to driven students. Being driven is a constant topic of conversation at BHS, so why exclude students for pursuing post-secondary options?

Students must take at least 6 classes with the school during trimesters 1 and 2 to be eligible for any academic awards. This is impossible to accomplish for a full-time post secondary student, and extremely hard for part-time students.

“I think it’s dumb how Buffalo specifically doesn’t award students who work hard to achieve good grades while taking college classes,” Rose Lamberts ‘26 said. “Because I took five of my ten classes during tri one and two as PSEO, I don’t qualify [for any academic awards]. I’m just kind of upset that Buffalo doesn’t even acknowledge or honor their full-time and part-time PSEO students who are working their butts off.”

Many students feel pushed away and unrecognized, but not everyone feels the same. One student notes that the other elements of the PSEO experience outweigh any potential recognition.

“Getting free college is more beneficial to me than getting a paper recognizing what I’m doing.” Nicole Wittke ‘27 said. “I’m doing post- secondary next year to help my future over staying at the high school because doing this option is going to give me a push academically that I want and a push for my future.”

I believe it’s time for our school to rethink the ways we support our post-secondary students. If we value ambitious, hard-working, and driven students, we must ensure our policies encourage all students. Recognizing these students is not about giving them advantages, it’s about giving them credit they have rightfully earned.

Collections are much more than just an assortment of items gathering dust on a shelf. Whether it’s stamps, coins, or even TV show memorabilia, collecting can be a deeply meaningful and enriching hobby. But why do people collect? Why does it matter, and where is the line between collection and overconsumption?

Abby, known as @ riverdalecollector on Instagram, has been collecting and preserving Riverdale and Archie Comics memorabilia for 6 years, including various screen-used props and wardrobe, and has also met the cast and been an active voice in the fandom since. Their collection is a prime example of a truly heartfelt passion project.

“Ever since I started watching Riverdale, it’s had a very, very special place in my heart,” they said. “The heart of my collection, the reason why I do it is really to preserve the history of this show,” Abby said.

But where is the line between collection and overconsumption? Overconsumption is defined as excessive consumption of goods and services, leading to waste and harm to the environment. It is the line that cannot be crossed. Collecting involves a passion for preserving objects based on a specific interest, but it can also contribute to overconsumption if the focus becomes acquiring as much as possible, regardless of need, or if the purchase is devoid of the love at the center of collecting. The line between overconsumption and collection is blurry and precarious.

Collecting, as a practice of love and appreciation, is the antithesis of over- consumption, because it champions holding on to and cherishing objects instead of simply throwing them away and buying the next new thing. It takes love, pride, and willpower - things that hundred-dollar SHEIN hauls or buying a fifth new Stanley Cup lack. Collections should involve a personal connection beyond just the acquisition of things. Every item should be tied to a memory or an interest. Collecting isn’t just buying stuff to buy stuff in the way that overconsumption is – collecting is preservation and collecting is passion. The border between the two relies on intent and purpose.

According to Abby, Riverdale cast member Cole Sprouse, “once said to me that collecting is the purest form of passion. And I think that is absolutely true. Going all out was the best thing that I’ve ever done. So if you love something, go all in. If you love it and it drives you and it makes you happy, who cares what anyone else has to say about it?”

Class of 2025, this is the moment you’ve all worked for, what you’ve all dreamed of; it almost doesn’t seem real that the time has come. The day that you’ll walk across the stage on Bison Field West, the same place where your high school journey began, is quickly approaching. Graduation is more than just leaving high school: you are leaving the days of your youth behind so you can enter the world of adulthood. So many have dreamed of the day when they never have to come back to school again, but is this feeling permanent?

Some seniors still feel this way. They’re raring to leave the parking lot after graduation and see what the future holds. “I would say that I’m excited but nervous, you know?” Claire Boelter ‘25 said. “It’s a big change, but it makes me excited for the future. But I think all change warrants a little anxiety. I think I’m most looking forward to going to college with my friend Emmerson and all the coffee shop study dates!”

However, for others, it no longer seems to be a happy moment - rather, it has become a cause for sadness and reflection. After all, everything they have ever known for the past four years has been at this school with these people, and now they’re facing the end of it.

“I am very sad about graduation,” Cianna Roder ‘25 said. “Although it’s very bittersweet, it’s also marking the end of some of the best four years of my life. It is marking the end of all the football games, student sections, every choir concert, and every night at home with my family. Even though I am starting a new beginning, which I’m excited about, I am not quite sure that I’m ready to leave these last four years of my life behind.”

Not everyone feels strongly one way or another about graduation. Many students see both the positives and negatives of this big change.

“I am excited to graduate and begin a new chapter,” Natalie Flynn ‘25 said, “but I’m also sad about not seeing my friends every day and the community and teachers I’ve grown accustomed to.” As most acknowledge, college means many new opportunities and experiences, but at the cost of leaving what you know behind.

“I think I’m least looking forward to leaving home,” Boelter said. “I’m gonna miss my family and being away from them. And being far away from my best friend.” In a flash, seniors are going from all being in one building to being states away from each other. Not only will they be going in different directions physically, but they’ll also be branching out to explore their interests.

Boelter is going to Winona State to study psychology or history with a pre-law track. Roder is going to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Flynn is going to Concordia Saint Paul to play soccer.

The class of 2025 is a group of fun, talented, driven students who will be missed by all of the students and staff they’re leaving behind, but it’s finally their time to spread their wings and explore the world.

BHS seniors have seen gambling go from an occasional hobby or a rite-of-passage trip to a casino to a way of life in and outside the classroom. From persuasive speeches on the benefits of gambling, discussions and social media posts about victories and defeats experienced at the casino, and even gambling while in class through mobile apps, gambling has become a part of many students’ daily life.

The increased popularity of gambling has impacted young adults all around the US. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that between 60% and 80% of high school students have gambled for money in the past year and that 4% to 6% of high schoolers are considered addicted to gambling. Despite the increased accessibility of online gambling, some seniors prefer the real deal of the flashing lights and ambient noise of the casino.

“It’s like an arcade, it’s a bunch of games I can play and enjoy with some of my friends with the benefit that I could win some money,” Wesley Wistrom ‘25 said. “I haven’t made any money right now, I’m currently one thousand dollars in the hole. My highest winning night [at the casino] was around $137.”

For some seniors, gambling has gone from the casino to the classroom thanks to sports betting apps and games that involve risking real money.

“I just saw my friends playing them,” said Carter Mollenhoff ‘25, “so I downloaded all the apps and then I was making some money and it was a lot of fun playing with them. Gambling during school hours, it’s changed my life for the better. I’ve won. I’ve won a bunch of money, sports betting, playing Triumph, playing all these gambling apps, and it’s just a lot of fun to play with my friends.”

Triumph is just one of a growing list of games that permit users to risk money without leaving home. The apps encourage users to invite friends to get bonuses. The social element is causing it to spread rapidly, especially among boys.

“Back in sophomore year, we found out about this app called Prize Picks around the Super Bowl,” one senior said, “and me and my buddy... hopped on and we placed a six leg on the Super Bowl, and we won big. $200 dollars. I sports bet for about a year, and now I’m hopping on the other gambling apps. In school, the first gambling I did was sports betting, and then that was the hook to the addiction. And now senior year, with all these gambling apps coming out, it’s almost every day now I’m placing a blackjack bet.”

The unpredictability of gambling is the reason that keeps people of all ages coming back for more. The rush of dopamine anyone receives from a night at the casino or a near miss, pulls people back. This feeling doesn’t happen by accident. The art of gambling is tailored to maximize the amount of dopamine a person produces, even when they’re in the hole.

“I need to get my GPA up. I need to take more CIS classes. I need to apply to more colleges. What’s the acceptance rate for this one? I need to apply for more scholarships. I need to get nominated for Hall of Fame. I need to get a department award. Who else is going to the Academic Excellence Awards Program? I wonder what college they’re going to. What’s their GPA? What did they get on the ACT? The SAT? Am I smarter than them? Are they smarter than me?”

These are the thoughts that fill many students’ minds. Students who constantly feel the pressure to be great, to measure up to those around them, and those who came before.

“I went to St. Francis,” Karsyn Zumbusch ‘25 said. “Although it has never been said, I feel like there’s this precedent to be super successful, to be great.”

Throughout her years at Buffalo High School, Zumbusch has felt the pressure to challenge herself while maintaining a strong academic reputation.

“All of my friends are super smart, and I feel like I’m not as smart as they are,” Zumbusch said. “I mean, I don’t think I’m stupid, but compared to them, it sometimes feels like that.”

Zumbusch shared that her past, where she came from, plays a big role in the expectations she places on herself to do better. To be better.

In a graduating class full of bright futures and bold personalities, one name keeps coming up as the school year winds down: Wesley Wistrom ‘25

Wistrom is a standout student-athlete for the Cross Country and Track & Field teams, and an actor in the theater department. He’s also tackled the toughest mathematics and science classes that BHS offers.

As the school prepares to say goodbye to the Class of 2025, Wistrom’s quiet leadership has left a lasting impression. According to Activites Director Nick Guida, if you ask any senior or any kid in the school– there’s not one bad thing that anybody could say about Wesley.

However, Wistrom said that he wasn’t always known for his humility.

“In middle school, ‘humble’ would have been the last thing anybody said about me,” Wistrom said.

He attributes his personal growth and from ‘being humbled’ by upperclassmen when he was an underclassman, and to spreading his horizons and trying new things, such as theater.

“I was like the hotshot freshman,” Wistrom said. “I got on Varsity [for distance running]. There were always those guys that humbled you. So, even if it wasn’t fully driven, it was straight up: you’re not fast. You got carried. And some people would say ‘this is really harsh’, but for me, it was honestly a nice slap in the face. You can’t get too high on yourself.”

Wistrom tried theater on a whim last year, auditioning and being cast in the spring show, Treasure Island, alongside his teammate Olivia Benson ‘24. The decision was spontaneous, sparked by a mutual “if you do it, I’ll do it” pact. What started as an experiment quickly grew into a meaningful activity, and Wistrom found himself captivated by the unique energy of the stage and the people within the theater department.

This year, he returned to the theater with the same enthusiasm, taking on the role of Mr. Anagnos in The Miracle Worker. However, juggling theater with his long-standing dedication to track proved to be no small task. Spring brought a major scheduling conflict: a high-stakes qualifier track meet fell on the same day as the Friday night performance. It was a choice that pitted two of Wesley’s passions against each other.

Rather than choosing one over the other, Wistrom chose to persevere through both. Recognizing the magnitude of the track meet, and with the support of Director Debb Bestland, the decision was made to have Jacob Bull ’25, the student technical director, step in to play Anagnos for that performance. It was a true team effort, and one that highlighted not only the flexibility and support within the theater program but also Wesley’s dedication to both communities, and the sacrifices that must be made juggling two passions at once.

Wistrom quickly found an unexpected home in the theater department, stating that trying theater helped him develop even further as an individual by pushing him out of his comfort zone. This attitude has led to Wistrom committing to Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina, to continue his athletic and academic career next year.

“When you’re with the same people, it’s hard to change. It’s hard to grow. But when you’re forced into new uncomfortable positions you have to adapt.”

On Saturday, May 3, students at Buffalo High School gathered at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest for their 2025 Prom. For most, it was a night filled with dancing, photos, friends, and lifelong memories.

“Prom was a hoot,” Claire Boelter ‘25 said. “I got ready with my boyfriend, which was great. There was a lot going on there. It was all crowded and stuff, but it was still fun to go.”

For many students, this year was their very first exposure to prom, one which created high expectations.

“For my first prom,” Maddy Krinke ‘27 said. “I think it’s a very good base to only get better. I am a little bit worried that prom next year won’t be as good as this year’s prom. Overall, I’ll give prom a 9.75 out of 10. It was a really good day. The dance was a lot of fun, and the food was really good. But, it was really hot, and my dress got tripped on a lot.”

Not every student had the same enjoyable experience. Although prom can create great memories, not everyone’s guaranteed a perfect time.

“I think my first prom should have been when I was a junior,” Adellita Nelson ‘27 said. “It would have been a lot more fun, and I would have had a better experience with all my friends. To be honest, it was a six out of ten. The dance was fun. It was a little overwhelming because everyone started popping out of the air.”

The location of prom changes each year. This year, some students felt it could have been better, especially in terms of space.

“Last year, I felt like there was more space,” Boelter said. “Maybe there were more people this year, but last year there was more room to move around and sit down. This year, there was only one room to sit down and every spot was taken, or someone had thrown all their stuff on a chair so you couldn’t sit there. For me and my boyfriend, who don’t do a lot of dancing and jumping around, we were struggling to find somewhere to sit.”

With music being a crucial part of the dance, there are many different opinions circling whether it was good or not.

“The music was bad,” Nelson said. “They were songs that I’ve never heard before, and no one was singing along.”

“He was a little old,” Krinke said. “But there were songs that I actually knew. I actually enjoyed the music.”

“I thought the music was okay,” Boelter said. “Everyone was whining about it because the man was old, but he was having the time of his life. The tunes were good, but I guess I wasn’t up there jumping around. Everyone who was up there seemed to be having a great time.”

Despite some areas for improvement, Buffalo’s 2025 Prom was a night to remember. Whether it was their first or last prom, students got to dress up, dance, and have fun with their friends. For many, prom will be a highlight of their years in high school.