The Hoofprint – June 3, 2004

At the end of this year, five of the staff here at BHS will retire.
Four teachers and one librarian will retire after spending over 30 years working in schools, mainly at BHS. These five retires started working at schools between 1969 and 1970.
After all those years working with students, retirement will mean big change. Knowing that, life will no longer consist of much structure and routine may make it all the more difficult to leave. Soon these five adults will encounter more freedom in their lives to do the things that time never allowed them to do before.
For English teacher Karen Swenson, that means total freedom. Prior to 1969, she switched from a nursing college to an education college. She taught at Buffalo throughout her entire teaching career. Her plans after retirement remain unknown.
"I get to do whatever I want," said Swenson. "I want to go visit my grandchil[ren]."
Retiring Teachers
Continued on page 3

As they look back at the last 12 years of education and memories, seniors are preparing to leave Buffalo High School forever.
Excitement is flowing through the senior hallway as the school year winds down.
Most of the students have been planning for graduation for a while some way or another.
"I'll have ordered invitations, and planned the date for my graduation party," said senior Virginia Walker.
"I have paid for the all night grad party."
Graduation is important for seniors; it is a crossroad between being a child and being an adult. Some plan to move on and go to a four year college while others may go on to a tech school, the army or straight to the job field.
Graduation takes a lot of work and creates many emotions.
From deciding where to go to school and considering majors to realizing that life in high school is now over, makes many nervous and anxious.
"I'm excited along with many mixed emotions," said senior Heidi Paumen, "I will miss my friends."
Graduation will be a time of celebration for the past, looking back on previous accomplishments, relationships and fun times, it will also be a time to look forward to the future.
Regardless to who goes where and does what with their future there is one main thing seniors have in mind about their graduation is that they gain their freedom.

Graduation
Continued on page 11

Having your dad leave you to be in Afghanistan not knowing what will happen will be difficult for Jesse Korbel and his family. Dan Korbel left for Afghanistan just this past April and will be gone for one and one half years away from his wife Jackie and four children Trisha, Sarah, Luke, and Jesse. Not to mention the five grandchildren, and new daughter-in-law Lea, who was married to Luke just one month after Dan was sent off.
"I miss him the most when I go in my garage," said Jesse Korbel, 20. "That is where he was a lot and it really hits me how he is never there when I go in there."
It is really hard on the family especially Jackie but it has brought them all together.

Continued from page 1
US soldiers secure the area around a charred Humvee in a main Baghdad shopping street, where three US soldiers were wounded in an attack. Photo: AFP
friend). "They all make sure she keeps busy and is feeling ok."
Dan is able to call home three times a week which really makes it a lot easier to deal with but still he isn't home. Jackie was angry about the whole deal at first and also really scared about what is going on and how he is doing. The couple is really close and is used to being together through everything.
"I am really proud of my dad," said Jesse. "He left really sure of what he was doing and he was just ready to do his job."
Dan left knowing that this day would come soon with everything that is going on and felt prepared.
Jesse was around a lot of crying and hugging the last day he was with his father and some of the last words he remembers him saying were "I loved you and I will see you in eighteen months."

The Hoofprint would like to correct some information contined in a story about Christopher Thornton in the May 19 issue. The original information was taken from an official police report that was inaccurate.

Thornton did not lose control of his vehicle. He swerved to miss a vehicle driven by Joshua Lowe which had cut him off after passing him on the shoulder. Lowe was not Thornton's step-brother, as the original report stated, he was a friend of the family. This new information is contained in a new, corrected police report.

The Hoofprint apologises for this error.

Editorial Staff

Rochelle Clifton
Jonathan Coward
Lauren Johnson
Katie Kruck
Elsbeth Krumholz
Sarah Millerbrend
Megan Morris
Allie Houfer
Angela Salveson
Corrina Swanson
Collin Tierney
Staff Writers
Kyle Anderson
Jerry Armstrong
Ryan Auger
Kyle Bakke
Bianca Bieringer
Adara Bonnell
Ryan Brown
Meghan Bruggeman
Brianna Brush
Dustin Buhr
Serena Buttenhoff
Julia Carlson
Christopher Corfman
Samantha Cote
Jessica Daudt
Kathleen Dehmer
Terri Dongoski
Alex Dooley
Kimberly Dougherty
Ashley Dressen
Benjamin Fouquette
Jordyn Graham
Kaia Hagberg
Cody Holmberg
Nathan Hopkins
Jamie Johnson
Heather Katchel
Terri Kalk
Bob Kanawyer
Lindsey Kennedy
Jake Laqua
Andi Leistico
Ryan Lijequist
Reese Mankenberg
Justin Manz
Anna McCarty
Kelli McCourt
Andrew Malchert
Joshua Miller
Kessie Moench
Michelle Muhonen
Rob Newton
Alex Nord
David O'Connell
Amanda Olson
Pearl Parks
Megan Quinlivan
Joanna Remp
Rachael Robasse
Sefan Robinson
Brooke Sandahl
Matt Sandahl
Susan Schubert
Megan Tackes
Steven Vannelli
Allison Walker
Emily Weis
Buffalo High School
Buffalo, Minnesota

The mission of The Hoofprint is to be authoritative, aggressive, essential, caring, and creative as a leading source of news and information for the students and staff of Buffalo High School.

Senior Max Hering was recently presented with the very prestigious honor of being named a National Merit Scholar at the Academic Awards Night held in the performing arts center. In addition to a nice scholarship that will provide him with two thousand dollars a year toward his education in Grinnell, Iowa he also plans to take a year off to travel to Japan to further his fluency of the Japanese language. This will not be Max's first trip to the land of the rising sun, he also was in the foreign exchange program during his junior year.

Max has always been a very studious person. From the gifted ed program of the intermediate school to the exchange program of high school, but he never takes himself or his school work too-seriously. When presented with the question what does it mean to you to be a named a National Merit Scholar Hering responded with a smirk "Basically all it means is that I take standardized tests gooder than other people" Though he obviously isn't getting a big head over his recent notoriety he does realize that this can mean bigger and better things down the road.

Some one of this academic caliber must have quite the philosophy when it comes to his studies or so you might think but for Herring it's simple: "Freny-meeny-miny-mo hasn't failed me yet."

Monica Kowalke
Brianna Matzke
Ryan Magee
Steve Schroeder
Aaron Stoker
Jake Headley
Nick Costanzi

Tim Matthews picks up a packet and scans his eyes through the top stories for Sunday coded 4004A-4004E, rolls his chair 60 degrees right to type each into a computer and is ready to record. "One two, one two," he gently speaks into the microphone under his lips, and then adjusts the control sounds that lie in front of him on the table. When he is done recording, he turns another 30 degrees to a second computer and prints a copy of the top stories for Sunday9s announcer.

Pre-recording Matthews is Tradio, a radio classified add show. He usually knows by voice the person he is speaking with. Tight relationships with listeners do not happen over night. Each day, he gives listeners a little more insight about himself, hobbies, and other interests. He also meets important figures in Buffalo. "There is a wide range of people from all walks of life, you wouldn9t get a chance to meet unless you interview," he said. "I know the Sheriff and Police Chief, other officials, the State Deputy and Congressmen. I am involved."

After a month of working with the station, Matthews learned the equiptment, which he had is only one of the sports. When writing and reporting local news, co-workers report to it hits, a general idea of thanks to Brown. He practiced pronunciation of local names and correct use of the control board.

Over the last 18 years he has9 spent at KRWC, him on a multi-tude of topics ranging from law enforcement to fundraising and emergency information. News reported by KRWC is similar to that of the Journal Press, only more current with live reports. "We can get news out right when it hits. That9s the main difference between radio and print," said Aaron Schwab. While Matthews as well as other employees of KRWC, found on the radio at 1360AM, never have a mundane day at the office because of live reporting of new and breaking news that cannot be predicted. Being a news director for the station, Matthews knows to some extent the news to be reported.

A well enjoyed segment by few changes. Sign off time used to be when the evening sun set. Now the station is on 24 hours a-day, seven days a week, only the power setting at night is still lower. Travel on the bus to do Roadshows is also a new program KRWC does. Auto pilot is a new system KRWC has that runs from One-Four p.m. during The Ruth Koalack Show.

As Matthews pulls out of the gravel driveway, his eyes rivet from the white oblong station building to the tower standing strong and tall like a soldier, as it feeds power into the building allowing a 35 mile radius signal to pass through Wright County, so listeners can be fresh on the news.

Students were honored by each department and received other awards based on academic merrit.

Photo by Sarah Millerbernd

From volunteering and traveling, to spending time with family, retirement can allow one to do so many things. The five staff from BHS can soon sit back and relax after many

Math Teacher David Johnson, plans to go many places after retiring. He first started teaching in Hinkley, and then came to Buffalo. Even though he will miss many things about teaching, especially the kids, he will enjoy his time in other states and up north.

"I have property I purchased on a lake in Wisconsin and I plan to move over there and I may travel in the winter," said Johnson. "I have always liked fishing and I like to go to Canada. I want to go up to Canada with my two kids, who are not kids anymore- one is 30 years old, and the other is 27."

"I also plan to get some type of work that is not scheduled by a bell. Maybe I'll do some carpentry, build houses, or do electric work."

A couple of the retiring teachers plan to spend more time enjoying their hobbies. The others plan on getting a part-time job, and getting caught up with the things they got behind in.

Math Teacher Karen Rebischke, who first started teaching seventh graders in Hermington, in 1970, plans to spend time fulfilling her goals. "I plan to travel, garden, quilt, organize my pictures, and read," said Rebischke. "I love to read and there are thousands of books in the library that I haven't read."

Although most retirees know what they will do after retirement, a select few do not.

Social Studies Teacher Susan Sodeman didn't really know what she would major in prior to 1969. After student teaching for awhile, she realized how much she liked teaching, so she became a teacher in Buffalo. Now, nearing retirement, she plans to focus on mainly one thing.

"I don't know what I'll do after retirement. I'll probably get bored and do something. I'm moving my mother to Monticello," said Sodeman. "I am going to take care of her needs more. I will focus on that first."

For some people close to retirement, only one thing comes to mind: to spend time with loved ones. Others possess very imaginative minds, and want to do everything possible, everything they always dreamed of doing.

Librarian Marcia Paulson enjoyed remodeling many different libraries throughout her years of working at schools, and always possessed a passion for the library. With retirement right around the corner, a new schedule will allow more time for her to study history.

"There are all kinds of things I can do. I'm really into history. I did the Buffalo History Book. I might update that," said Paulson. "I plan to do a lot of work in genealogy and history."

Pulling up to 5417 Boone Ave, there wasn't much to think. First impressions are everything, but it didn't matter to the members of Echoed Life. They were going to lay down their tracks no matter what. They paid $400 to record their first studio LP at EchoBay Productions recording studio, located in New Hope, Minnesota. The band and their fans have been waiting far too long for this day to come. Everyone headed inside to check in. The first thing the guys noticed was the foos-ball table, which if you've ever been to one of their practice sessions, is a vital part of their music making process.

Around the corner came a lanky, skinny looking guy. He introduced himself as Zack, and said he looked forward to recording the guys. The guys rushed out to Nicky Lacasse's van to start unloading the equipment. Of course each member grabbed his own instrument. Nicky grabbed his guitar, Dan Awe grabbed his bass guitar. Everyone else made a couple trips to unload Kenny Koepsell's drum set, and Anthony Marek had the most important job-- keeping his voice in good shape. After everything was unloaded, the four began. The more of the studio saw, the more excited they got. Starting the process required Kenny to set up his drum kit. Zack offered Kenny another option.

The studio was home to a drum kit which was owned by a guy who played drums on tour with Madonna. Kenny decided to use that drum kit. After a little bit of practicing and warm-up Kenny dived into the recording. Aside from a couple screw-ups, which is what every band has, the drumming was complete. Kenny and Dan were recording the drums and bass at the same time. To show how much they love making music, Anthony sang along, and Nicky played guitar to help get every beat sounding right.

Then it was time to record the guitars. Anthony rapidly tapped his fingers on a keyboard that wasn't even on. Someone asked if he was ready. "I'm sorta ready, I guess I'm excited," said Anthony nervously. But it was Nicky's turn to do his part. He cranks out the guitar riffs for such songs as "Am I the Reason", "Vanity", and "Love and Lust." The atmosphere changed in the room. Everyone was getting into it, playing the classic air-guitar and singing along. "We just think of it as our live shows," said Anthony, "we try and make our live shows as interesting as possible."

After the guitar tracking was complete, everyone went off on their own for a break. Anthony called someone, and Kenny sat in the recording room. When everyone returns, Anthony heads into the vocal booth, flies through the recording with almost no mistakes. Because it was getting so late, everyone seemed to get restless. Kenny fell asleep on the couch, Dan fell asleep on a couch outside of the room. When Anthony came back into the room after his recording, almost everyone was sleeping. Everyone was excited at the fact that the recording was done. Now it was time to spend the last half of the time mixing the tracks. Zack dissected every little part of the eight songs the guys recorded, to make them into good quality tracks. "They got more songs done in 12 hours then most bands get done in a week," stated Zack the producer. The mixing was more time consuming then the actual recording was. After another six hours, their time to complete their studio visit was creeping up on them. It was time to burn the tracks onto an actual CD. The guys were that much closer to a finished product. A couple people made a special request. As an added bonus, the guys threw first song ever written and recorded into the mix. "TPS" or "The Prodigy Song" is one of the guys don't play anymore, so it's a rare track.

Nicky gave Zack a $400 check and they got a CD. Doesn't seem like it's worth it, but to the guys, it meant everything. "I'm amazed at how versatile these guys are," said Zack. "They have a pretty unique sound. I enjoyed the time I spent with them." Before leaving the studio, Nicky asks who's in charge of making the copies for distribution. Silence. (Need a copy? Find Anthony Marek, Nicky Lacasse, Dan Awe, or Kenny Koepsell. $2 a CD)

He sits down with the neatly-carved neck in his hand, examines it carefully with a contemplating look on his face. Obviously the vintage bass guitar needs a lot of work.

"Aside from new hardware and electronics, I hope to add two music man style humbuckers to it," said Sophomore Bob Kanawyer.

On this thirty-something year old bass, the neck is the best asset. However, the neck is without strings, and the string knobs to hold them in place are also missing. That's probably not the biggest problem, though. It's missing tone and volume knobs, nuts, and - probably most importantly - a jack. Soon, though, the unfinished Gibson Ripper shall be finished and ready to produce amplified perfection.

"The time it takes all depends on when I get pickups for my bass," Kanawyer said. "When I get the pickups, the labor will be a couple hours. I have to have a friend's dad make a pick guard. Maybe even rout out the bass if the pickups don't fit. That's where most of the time will be spent."

Bass guitars require a bit of work when being made. They go through different stages along the way.

Here Kevin Smith put the fret board together and glued the body of the bass together. Photo by Kim Dougherty

"The process basically starts from a tree, the way I see it," said Kevin Smith, a worker for the band ToneSmith. "The tree is hacked and sawed into usable lumber."

In the new documentary 'Super Size me', Morgan Spurlock attempts a feat never heard of before. He eats three meals of McDonald's every day for a month and watches his health dwindle and his weight skyrocket.

Not only does he limit himself to what most Americans consider a balanced diet, but his exercise habits too. Basically, he becomes well more than half of Americans to the max. The amount of sugar and fat he eventually put in to his body, and what most of us regularly do, and the fact that major corporations actually sell us this stuff is astonishing.

If 'The Passion of the Christ' guilt tripped you into actually paying attention in church, this film may do the same when it comes to lunch break choices. Spurlock is the Michael Moore of health and premiers in the kind of movie you are happier to walk into than out of.

The movie of 'epic portions' also received epic exposure. Some may say too much of said exposure. The new gimmick film, released by Samuel Goldwyn Films and The Con, has its share of comic relief in the form of Spurlock's dramatic consumption. Drama comes from the risks he puts his health in, and the concerned doctors who didn't see any of the changes coming.

Even with these two, the documentary lacks substance. Pick up any newspaper, read the paraphrasing of the movie in the review, and you know the whole story.

This eye-opening documentary is showing at the Uptown Theatre in Minneapolis which is, ironically, directly across the street from McDonald's.

With Britney Spears, Eminem, and pop punk dominating the radio, underground music fans are searching for a revolution. They are found in small clubs listening to bands such as Avenged Sevenfold or Bright Eyes, or sitting in at the jam sessions of local talent such as Allies in Chaos -or Shades of Control.
Senior Mike Stammer finds a quieter solace in the music of classical jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
"I9d say that modern music played on the radio is only created to sell to the masses, and underground stuff is definitely more in touch with the fundamentals of music," said Stammer. "Guys like Django are technical geniuses, hands down."
On the opposite end, Junior Hannah Nord listens to hardcore punk from artists Avenged Sevenfold or Death by Stereo.
"It9s cool to go to shows that nobody else you know goes to," said Nord. "You meet a lot of new people that usually turn out to be pretty awesome."
She also gets a thrill out of meeting her favorite bands. "It9s a lot easier to hang out with the bands," said Nord. "I got to meet Avenged Sevenfold and their drummer signed his drumstick and gave it to me."
Junior Kurt Sisco gets even more personal and stays around the Wright County area to listen to the local bands.
"I like to listen to Allies, Shades, Toasterhead, and a few others," said Sisco. "It9s sweet because none of it is defined by a specific style of music and they have such close cores of fans, not just a bunch of people going because it9s hyped."
The social aspect also attracts Sisco. "I get to know the bands pretty well and they9re all cool guys. The best part though is that they all love Taco Bell and we always go after their shows," he laughed.
In a world dominated by pop-culture, the youth of today are struggling to find their individuality. Perhaps they have found their place in the world of underground music.

A soft buzzing noise is made by a machine as Smith cuts the lumber into flawless necks and bodies for bass guitars. A clear finished is added, and the electrical work within the bass begins.
"If an instrument looks good, but doesn't play great, you're going to get sick of it after playing just a few times," Smith said.
Smith adds the trust rod into the neck while placing the finger board atop. Then he grabs a body with electrical wires hanging down out of places where the pick-ups should be placed. The freshly painted bass didn't need that much more work done to it - only to be pieced together and glued. Yet, the process takes time.
"It takes me about three to four weeks to make a bass," said Smith. "The paint takes the most time. If you rush, the paint will shrink. It just needs to cure."
As Kevin Smith, a professional at making bass guitars perfects his craft, Bob Kanawyer, a sixteen-year-old sophomore, sits with an unfinished Gibson bass in his hands, creating his music from scratch

In the middle of a town with a population of 269 people that takes less than a minute to drive through resides a legend of our time. An 8.7 ton, 11 foot high legend. Francis A. Johnson created the world's largest ball of twine (1979-1994 Guinness Book of World's Records) in 29 years at his home just outside of Darwin, Minnesota- where it now is on display.

"Without the twine, no one would know about the town," said Freshman David Lehman.

As small of a town that Darwin may be, there's something about the world's largest ball of twine that lures people in. A notebook for signing is stored in a mailbox next to the ball, and includes signatures from people all over the country, and even some from different parts of the world.

"I liked signing the guestbook-leaving my mark on the world of twine," said sophomore Jen VanKrevelen.

Positioned right off of Highway 12, Darwin's twine ball may not be the most traditional family vacation hot spot, but is a convenient roadside attraction. Either for a bathroom break or curiosity's sake, the viewing of the twine ball is regularly on a whim.

"We made an urgent pit-stop during a family vacation," said Junior James Hoffman. "We saw the sign and just knew that we had to check it out."

Lehman has a similar story: "I was just driving around with my friend and his dad when he saw that we were in Darwin and that he had to show us something. That turned out to be a big ball of twine."

The world's largest ball of twine sits inside a gazebo in the small rural town of Darwin. This spectacle has captivated tourists from all corners of the state.

Souvenirs are available at the Twine Ball Antique shop, which is a few feet away from the gazebo that the ball is encased in. This allows the ball to be viewed any time; day or night. Momentoes are also available at the Twine Ball Inn, Morehouse's home, and the Darwin Liquor Store.

Lehman could not resist the temptation of such an unforgettable token from a very forgettable town.

"I got a keychain that says 'I survived the world's largest ball of twine,'" he said.

In a state of giant birds, fish and a man with a blue pet ox, the twine ball may seem a bit out of place. Although, it doesn't epitomize the stereotype-hunting, fishing, pancakes or all three- there is something undeniably Minnesotan about the twine ball.

"It's just so interesting and such a big part of our culture," said Lehman.

In recent years, Darwin's own ball of twine has been beat out of the record books. The now recorded largest ball of twine was made by several people, and is constructed from not real twine, but colored nylon. Francis A. Johnson created his by himself, and not to beat a record, but because he could.

According to Lehman, that makes Minnesota's twine ball the only one that matters.

"If you want real twine," he said, "you go to Darwin."

The lights go out, two candles are lit, and everyone is silent and calm. The first question is asked, "What year was I born?" The two girls look at each other in fear with their fingertips lightly on the magnified reader. Concentrating hard on the question the magnified reader slowly starts to shake and move towards the seven. one gaining speed went to the nine then moved to the eight and finally sat on the
Chills sent down their backs with excitement in the air everyone around them grasping and saying, "ask another, ask another." It calms back down and the second question is asked.
One out of 15 people have tried out an ouija board. Three percent of those said it failed to connect and work out.
"For the Ouija Board to work you have to be able to concentrate hard and trust the person or people you are doing it with," said Junior Ashley Koslosk. "You have to believe that it can and will work."
A Ouiya board usually has letters of the alphabet inscribed on it, along with words such as yes, no, goodbye, maybe, and had numbers zero thru nine.
"One time when I tried using an Ouija board we got so excited to use it that we couldn't settle down and concentrate on it so it didn't work," said Senior Gordy Menth. "We gave up after ten minutes of trying and walked away to go on with our own business and like five minutes later we heal something and looked back and saw the magnified reader moving on its own down thru the 'Goodbye' part."
Some believe that the Ouija offers proof as to life after death. Others, though, believe that the answers to the Ouija come from the unconscious mind of one or all of the sitters.
Different people use the board for different reasons. Some use it specifically to gain knowledge from the beings they seek to. contact, hoping gain various information on such matters as career, relationships, or the afterlife etc.
Often people are amazed at some of the things the board will reveal to them, things that those who are present would have no way of knowing. Others
This Parker Brothers game is also referred to as the mystifying oracle. Before Parker Brothers, the Ouija Novelty Company sold the boards. Photo by Rochelle Clifton
think that the: board is just "a bit of harmless fun", "game." Persons of a nervous disposition can be fright- ened easily when using an ouija board and it is suggested that they should therefore avoid them.
It must also-be pointed out that there is no scientific proof that they actually work, although there have been many claims over the years.

Students who've recently moved to Buffalo from a different town or country, attend E.S.L. Classes, English as a second language.
The class is lead by Martha Tompkins and Shana Bengenzer. Both Tompkins and Bengenzer put together the diversity support group. Their purpose in starting it was to allow the students to recognize themselves as being different and to try and become more comfortable in their own skin. The support group was open to students of different ethnic backgrounds and for those who feel out of place.
There are four different sessions that are taken place during fourth block in the Bison Room. Speakers from Northwest Suburban Integration School District came in to discuss ethnic differences with the students. It was quite an experience. First off we were introduced to the speakers and got to hear a brief overview of their life and their reason for doing what they do. We played the name game to warm up and get to know each other better.
Luis Salguero has attended the support group, and has felt a positive effect from it. He and his family moved to Buffalo from Mexico in the year 2001 because of a transfer through his dad's job. "The support group helps you to find friends who are also different," said Salguero.
Although he enjoys meeting with new people, he finds that the only reason they asked him to attend was because they thought he was feeling sad and depressed just for being a minority.
"I would recommend anyone to join," said Salguero. "It would probably help someone who doesn't feel accepted, belong."
Amanda Sandusky, who was adopted and moved here from Korea at six-months, was also asked to attend under the same circumstances as Luis as well as myself. She unfortunately has not been able to attend any of the sessions due to her schedule. Even though she was unable to attend she still shared with me her feelings regarding the support group.
"Even though I haven't gone to any sessions, I still believe it's a good idea to have in the schools," said Sandusky. "Although, I find it difficult to attend when it's scheduled during class time."
Mayra Mendrza, who's Honduras, moved to Buffalo two years ago. Sometimes her feelings of acceptance fluctuate between feeling completely at ease and comfortable with everyone to feelings of loneliness and confusion. "I think the group is a very good idea," said Mendrza. "The speakers are great."
Others that joined the support group have similar thoughts to one another. One student said, "The support group is a good idea because you meet new people, and you learn more about other cultures." Another student agreed saying the support group was a good idea, but because they didn't know that there were so many minorities in the school.
So even though not all of us have experienced the same thing, we all share the same feelings. The support group is a terrific idea and should be a regular thing in all schools. It helps those individuals who are having troubles to feel accepted in life, and it helps push you to want and succeed in your everyday activities. I would recommend to anyone to join the support group. It's a whole new experience just waiting for you.

Working in their basements or in studios, Buffalo area artists are making their way through life doing what they love and are trying to get recognition for it. Some may do it for just close friends and relatives and some may be doing it to win recognition at national events. Either way they are doing what they want to do and they are happy with it.
An artist might have started in their basement and moved into a studio or just kept to their basement. But the passion and the skill to make art could come from anywhere.
"Art comes from my family," said Meredith Johanson, a Buffalo resident who grew up with art her entire life. "It has been part who I am for years."
Art is a career that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. The famous Maria Martinez from New Mexico lived to be 93, and she still devoted her entire life to making her pottery.
"I'll probably stay with art for the rest of my life," said Rob Hagburg. "I love what I'm doing and can't imagine doing any thing else. The best part is that every vacation I take is a write off because I work from photographs."
Ten years ago, after starting in the basement, and then slowly taking over the living room in his past home in Plymouth, Hagburg placed within the top one hundred at the Oil Painters of America, which is held in Maine. He has been in it for the past three years. He now lives in Buffalo and works from a studio just feet from his home and paints nearly 50 paintings a year.
When art is a career it doesn't have to be just as a free-lance artist, it could be a commercial artist or an educator of art.
"I always knew that the people part was important," said Sheri Tamte, an art teacher at Buffalo High School. "But I can see myself doing it later in life."
"I'm looking into becoming the Graphic arts, but I haven't fully decided on it," said Senior Martha Tompkins. "Even if art isn't in my career, I'll do it anyways."
Even after retiring from a commercial art or teaching career, you aren't retiring from art entirely. The enjoyment of art started at the age of a child where you spent your days finger painting, and lasts forever because even just a making a doodle while talking on the phone is art.
"I'll make art until the day I drop dead," said Johanson.
"My favorite memory was in 11th grade when my fun-night volleyball team all wore spandex shorts," said Randy Bethke.
Friends are what help us make it through the day when the day isn't going our way. Life wouldn't be as easy without them and as life goes on we start to realize who our real friends are and who we wish we could have kept in touch with. When we reflect on these days we become grateful for the friendships and relationships that make high school fun. So as we go our own ways try to keep in touch you may find many more memories ahead. You will never get to spend many hours a day with them again.
"My favorite part of being at school is seeing all the people everyday," said Katie Stanton.

“My favorite memory was in 11th grade when my fun-night volleyball team all wore spandex shorts.” Said Randy Bethke.

Friends are what help us make it through the day when the day isn’t going our way. Life wouldn’t be as easy without them and as life goes on we start to realize who our real friends are and who we wish we could have kept in touch with. When we reflect on these days we become grateful for the friendships and relationships that make high school fun. So as we go our own ways try to keep in touch you may find many more memories ahead. You will never get to spend many hours a day with them again.

“My favorite part of being at school is seeing all the people everyday.” said Katie Stanton.

The blue, swirling toilet water sets a tranquil scene upon the chaotic event. A gelled head of hair is submerged into the toilet bowl. The perpetrator is a senior; the victim is a freshmen. Through the years a tradition has formed in which the freshmen have increasingly become the object of upperclassmen hazing.
Some view the occurrences as coming-of-age events that everyone goes through. Others see a different picture.
"Some upperclassmen go a little far in stereotyping the entire group," said Freshman Jason Hohl. "The sad part is the freshmen don't seem to care."
Reasons for the stereotypical view on freshmen are diverse. But some freshmen can even find faults in their own peers.
"If anything the freshmen are in a better than fair," said Freshman Andrew Burns. "Our class is, for the most part, a terribly immature and annoying group."
Despite a certain level of dissension within the freshmen class, there are those who don't feel the burden of hazing.
"I've never seen freshmen hazing personally," said freshman Kory LaCroix. "For the most part the upperclassmen will not make fun of you."
As in any circumstance of hazing, there are those who rise above the tradition. Many freshmen site friendships with those in other grades. Their attempt to break stereotypical bonds is being noticed.
"Amid the turmoil and annoying comaradery that goes on in the locker bay there are many respectable freshmen amidst the crowd," said Hohl.
In some peoples eyes, immaturity is merely a part of being a freshmen. Freshmen feel upperclassmen have lost touch with their inner child, and recapturing it would raise the school atmosphere.
"Being too mature is bad," said Freshmen David Lehman. "When you are being too serious life isn't fun."
Fun is one thing freshmen do not struggle with. Eighty-three percent of freshmen described their first year of high school as good or great. It would be interesting to see how these numbers could fluctuate as the class of 2007 advances through their years. Will maturity bring happiness, or is the innocence of immaturity the key to true bliss? Either way the freshmen class will grow: physically and, presumably, mentally.
And if this tradition continues within the walls of BHS, they will before long be looking down from the senior hallway and complaining about those immature freshmen.

Walking down the hallways, students pass friends, teachers, principals...and brother and sisters?
The people that you've spent your entire childhood with and live in the same house.
School is supposed to be a place to get away from annoying siblings, but for others it's just another place to see them.
The relationship between siblings can decipher whether or not it is positive or negative. Having a sibling that likes to tattle could be to a disadvantage because rumors and gossip spread like wildfire.
On the other hand a younger sibling could have the luxury by avoiding the cheese wagon and catching a ride to school.
"I had to bring my little brothers to school at first but Nathan recently got his license so now I get to ride in peace and quiet," said Senior T.J. Ortmann. "Other than that I never really see them at school."
Within the junior class there are three sets of twins, and the sets have their lockers near each other within the same group of friends.
It could be because they were raised in the same household and they can't help but to develop somewhat alike personalities and friends.
"It's cool having a twin because we can get along," said Junior Maggie Thompson. "We share the same car so it helps to have the same friends because we end up going the same place on weekends. If we have the same classes we help each other with homework too."
Some find it to their disadvantage that they have siblings here. No matter where they are; home or school, they can't seem to escape the people that they have spent endless hours with.
"I guess it's a bad thing that I have siblings in the same school. They end up hearing all the juicy gossip about you and you end up getting narked on," said Senior Gordy Menth.
Nobody wants to admit it but deep down a sibling is loved despite all the tattelling and blaming which is done. Each others company is maybe not enjoyed to the fullest right now, but later in life a little brother or sister will be appreciated more and you'll look back and laugh at all the silly little fights that happened.

Finally she dozes off to sleep and begins to dream about her boyfriend back home.
The girl in the seat next to her starts to talk loudly and poke her in the side telling her to look out the window. Sleepily looking out, she sees gray, which seem to go on for miles.
After about a 27-hour bus ride and much excitement, the students finally arrive to New York City.
Pulling up at Central Park, the students are given the instructions that they have an hour and a half to look around Central Park, the famous Fifth Avenue, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The students are grateful to get off the bus for longer than 45 minutes. The students did not get much of a chance to stretch out after making stops along the way to eat and to use the bathrooms. Not to mention the uncomfortableness of sleeping on the bus.
"The bus was cool because I got to sit with friends," said senior Liz Sandhoefner, "but it sucked a lot because I didn't get to sleep and people wouldn't shut up."
After lounging around in Central Park, the students load back onto the bus and head for their hotels to check in and get unpacked.
Inside the hotel the lobby seems nice enough, but the rooms are a different story. Some rooms aren't bad, while others are horrible. Problems range from having no warm water in the shower, to seeing cockroaches or even mice in their rooms.
"The hotel was crap to the extreme," said junior Mitch Grittman. "My room was small, broken, and dirty."
Despite the hotel's terrible service, many students and staff agreed that New York was a great place to be. It was an experience in itself where much of America's history had started. At Ellis Island, students could look for ancestors that came to start a new life in America from their homeland. The trip only lasted a few days, but the students saw many things that others may never have the chance to see.
"Being able to experience so much in so little time like Ground Zero, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty was incredible," said Ms. Starr.
After she finally falls asleep and begins dreaming about possibly living in New York someday, the girl next to her again begins to talk loudly and poke her in the side telling her to look out the window. Sleepily looking out, she sees the gently rolling hills of the Minnesota countryside and in the distance she sees the outskirts of her hometown: Buffalo. The girl sighs and smiles to herself after all this excitement she is glad to finally be home again.

"The Rock" currently has a permanent home in the back BHS parking lot so that it can be viewed everyday as students and staff enter and exit the school. Anyone is welcome to paint "the Rock." Photo by Andi Leistico

Paint Pants and
Andi Leistico

"The Rock" currently has a permanent home in the back BHS parking lot so that it can be viewed everyday as students and staff enter and exit the school. Anyone is welcome to paint "the Rock." Photo by Andi Leistico

... (The Rock photo caption and small sidebar text appeared on the page; preserved here verbatim.)

Buffalo has done a good job in supporting its increasing numbers of minorities in it's schools as well as in the community. The minority population has increased over the years, resulting in several ethnic restaurants such as: Rancho Grande, a selection of Chinese places, and a Hispanic grocery store. They've all done well and have received great appreciation and gratitude from fellow citizens.
For those who don't know me, I am Filipino and I was adopted at the age of four months. I grew up in Colorado for the first eight years of my life. My family and I then moved to Minnesota in hope of a better life for my brother and me. But, as far as school went, I felt very out of place, and I isolated myself from everyone thinking they didn't want to be around me because I looked different.
I didn't start having problems until the beginning of my freshman year. That year, I experienced many things that made me feel inferior to the rest of my classmates and a support group would've been a way for me to cope with my feelings better.
I wish that I could have known that there were other people going through the same thing that I was and I wish that I were given the same opportunity then, that I have now.
---
During a AAA presentation, Spanish Teacher Connie Crocker and Nicole McGraw participate in a dancing routine. After watching a demonstration, students were invited to join in the dance. The world cultures class has played in a large part in helping BHS embrace growing diversity. Photo by Jonathan Coward

In ten or 20 years from now, when the class of 2004 is sitting around at their class reunion, most will not remember the little things that happened over those four years at BHS, like homework or classes. Instead they will remember sharing all their laughs and cries. They will reminisce about all the good times they had and they will greet old friends who they may have lost touch with over the years.

"I can't wait to see what some of these people become," said Senior Matt Gibas.

Some may remember the pranks they played like blowing up toilets or painting the rock to fool the other classes during homecoming. While others may remember skipping classes, going to parties or staying up late into the night.

"The time that a bunch of us went out and painted the rock for homecoming, the next day we were all so tired because we had to stay up so late," said Senior Rob Klatt.

Some people will remember the changes they went through. From being immature freshman to being mature (or possibly still immature) seniors. Still many will walk

Spring is approaching us quickly and long with that are festivities such as, graduation, planning for summer vacations, and for a select few there will be wedding bells. Some will approach the altar for their first time, others it could very well be their third or fourth time.

We as Americans have made getting married easy and getting a divorce even easier. Marriage is a sacred thing that was meant to last until eternity, held together by cherished vows, "Till death do us part" that's not the case anymore.

The Census Bureau of 2002 said that fifty percent of marriages will end in divorce. So why spend your parents life savings celebrating an event that won't even make it ten years?

We as a new generation should be viewing this as a problem and for the most of us we should learn from our parents' mistakes and try to change these statistics.

Divorce isn't always bad, but for those who want to put little or no effort into their no longer fiery marriage it offers an easy way to end a life sentence. Then there are couples who have done everything in their power to save their marriage, thought about the aftermath, and don't have children and they can consider a divorce.

On the contrary if you have a family and just want a quick fix, then by all means you are not a candidate for an ending to a family that is sacred to your child. Relationships need constant care and they are a time commitment.

Some of the main reasons marriages fail are poor communication, financial problems and lack of commitment to the marriage according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. It takes two to get married and only one to get a divorce. Sometimes it's necessary. Sometimes marriages just don't work.

The challenge isn't getting married; it's staying together and many couples don't make it past three years of marriage. Frequently when couples come head on to a bump in the road in their relationship they want to end it.

This works if your dating but for those who are married, they need to keep in mind the vows they said; they weren't just words to be spoken, they were words to live by until death. The Census Bureau said that the average marriage lasts 7.2 years. People today see marriage as something they can quit when it gets too rough. Attitude can lead you down the road of destruction or down the golden path to happiness. It just depends on how badly you want your marriage to work.

"The
Truth?
You
Can't Handle The
Truth!" Censorship
is a slap in the face of America. It's everywhere, no matter what you do or where you go there is always someone saying, "You can't do this, you can't say that". Just recently there has been a big controversy about whether or not the media should have shown the pictures of the four charred bodies of Americans hanging from a bridge in Fallujah, Iraq. Though this was a horrible and gruesome thing, if we can't even bare to look at it on the page of a newspaper then why are we sending the youth of America to be subjected to it? You can't filter reality (especially in the news) when you filter it, it's not reality any more.
How are we as Americans supposed to make informed decisions - about the deeds our country is doing if we are not allowed to see and hear the whole truth?
Whatever happened to Parental Responsibility? Is it the job of the news media to make sure that it doesn't send the wrong messages to its more impressionable viewers? Or is it the job of rock stars like Ozzy Osborne or Marilyn Manson to tone down their soul bearing because if they said what they really wanted some stupid kid looking for attention (probably from his parents) might kill himself? No! Wake up parents. If people would take the time to sit down and explain to their children what the real world is like in a way they can understand they might be able to handle some of the more censorable things they may come across in everyday life. Believe it or not parents out there, even if you don't expose your children to certain things they will expose themselves to it. Without parental guidance, kids get screwed up one way or another no matter what they are exposed to. And then those same ignorant parents are the ones screaming for a little warning label to be mandatory on album covers or about how horribly distasteful a couple of blurry pictures on a news page are. It is insulting. It's like someone telling me that I'm not intelligent enough to handle this so we aren't going to allow you to see it. Simply because someone else thought it was offensive (my opinion obviously didn't count). Give me a break. We all just need to come to grips with the fact that the world is not perfect; it can be a very ugly and cruel place. But if you have been denied any exposure to it for most of your life it is a whole hell of a lot harder to handle it when you don't have a choice.

Give me a show respect for the opposite sex by keeping my thoughts and actions pure and by remembering that sex is God's gift to married couples. (Exodus 20:14): Three others and I conducted a survey on sex and high school students as a project for Social Problems. To my surprise, there were high numbers for those who have had sex. A high percentage of those who've had sex were Catholic. I'm not pointing the finger at Catholics by any means, but remind me again, aren't they strict about waiting until you're married? I believe it's immoral and a bit shameful of those who've had sex even though they claim to know it's against their religion.
A close friend of mine was in this certain situation. She had sex with a guy she thought she knew and trusted, and she thought she was ready for it. Unfortunately she felt less than pleasure; she felt completely mortified. She fell into a deep depression because she knew what she had done was wrong. It's something that she will regret for the rest of her life, and there's no taking it back. Her parents were very disappointed but felt sympathy for her. It was unbearable to watch a friend go through that, because there was nothing I could do to help her. The feeling seemed like a surgeon had removed a part of me that never should've been removed in the first place; the pain was horrendous but there was nothing I could've done to fix it. I wish in some way I could've taken away the pain. She definitely made me think twice about having sex at such a young age.
It's stupid to have sex at such a young age because it proves nothing but stupidity and how naive people really are. People who have sex during their high school years, are ignorant and irresponsible. "Caught in the heat of the moment," they think they're ready but they're not. It's better to wait until you're married. To be able to give yourself to someone for the first time is truly a gift from God. It's meant to be special, if it's not then it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't your time and you should've waited.
I think the kids today are setting examples for generations younger than us, that sex is okay and that it's not a big deal to have sex. People talk so loosely about their sex lives that it seems like they're careless about using protection, like they're not afraid of the consequences. It's only increasing the risks of STDs and pregnancy, which will then only increase the percentage of abortion or adoption.
Sex is not to be taken lightly, and I really hope that people will think twice before having sex, and think to themselves, "is this really what I want." My belief of not having sex goes beyond what the bible has to say, but more of what my heart is telling me. It doesn't take much to know that having sex at 17 isn't the right choice to choose, and it's better to practice abstinence.
Knowing someone who has been in this type of situation makes you feel helpless, because there's nothing you can do for them. You learn from other's mistakes, and know what's done is done.

The Bison track and field team won the conference championship after the boys team took first and the girls team had a strong showing at the Conference Meet. Several individuals on the team took home All-Conference honors, as well.
"It was a team effort," said senior captain Lauren Kennedy. "Everyone performed well."
Boys receiving All-Conference are Darby Ursell (100 and 200 meters), Teddy Greenprice (200 meters and long jump), Chad Anderson (400 meters), Brett Farnoik (pole vail) Dan Fadgen (1600 and 3200 meters), Mitch VanBruggen (1600 and 3200 meters), Scott Kero (High Jump), Max. Hanson, Jake Fourre, Brad Willets, and Dustin Weege in the 4x800 relay.
Brittnay Matzke (400 meme Ashley Deisting (800 meters), and Vera LaBute (pole vault) made All-Conference, as well.
The 4x800 boys relay team broke the conference record and sealed the conference title for the team.
"When we won the conference, we got a big trophy," said Hanson. "It was great."

---
Junior Darby Ursell is in the lead of his opponents as he sprints to the finish line of the 100 meter race. The conference was in Wayzata. Photo taken by Melissa Warfield

Five hours later tired golfers finished their 18-hole game.
As they trudged away from newfound friends the players talk about their strokes and conversations they had from the competitors.
Compared to the past golf teams this new group involves younger players.
Having an eighth grader, three freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and one senior on the varsity team.
Though the ages may fool others the team is at a solid fourth in the conference.
"The leadership and hard work of Katie Mahlberg, Ellen Pokorney and Kathleen Dehmer stands out in the team," said coach Darryll Boeckers.
Unlike other sports, golf is more relaxed and players don9t feel as pressured.
With this comfortable atmosphere the players are allowed to converse with their opponents and even become friends.
"It seems like you have more team bonding, we have such a small group so we get really close and you get to interact with other players," said junior Lindsey Kennedy.
Improvements have also been made within the team.
The newer players have been said to be making improvements throughout the whole season and others within their game.
"I really like it when you get an awesome shot after some bad ones," said junior Marissa Evans. "It makes your day."

---
Girls golf ends the long season into the practice field. Photo taken by Casey Arntson
Sophomore Kathleen Dehmer watches her ball after driving it

The Buffalo Boys Baseball season is at a close.
With a 1-11 record within conference.
After starting out slow and with a new team the baseball season didn't end up with a no-winning season.
"Things were interesting," said head coach Mike Beilke.
"We lost a lot of players on defense and offense due to graduation, but we have a lot of upcoming players that should be able to fill those spots," said Beilke.
The varsity boys baseball season had only three returning players with any varsity playing time from last year, seniors Nate Hill, Randy Bethke, and junior Blake Danielson. All three are pitchers. When they aren't pitching the three have other places to fill. Bethke at shortstop, Hill at first, and Danielson at first and in the outfield.
Players filling the other positions include: senior Eric Mills, outfield; juniors Jason Weber, Derek Bauer, and Brett Andrews divide time between second, third and the outfield; juniors Wes Christ, Andrew Bethke and sophomore Tyler Antony split catching time as well.
"We brought up several sophomores as well," said Beilke. "Some we'll need for defense and others for speed on the bases."
The Bison hope to be a contender for the top seed in the North Suburban Conference, which could highly happen since they are seated second behind Totino-Grace in the conference overview placed in the Wright County Journal Press.
"Totino has strong bats, but their pitching isn't as strong as ours," said Beilke.
"Hopefully we'll be able to keep them on their toes."
The Bison played their first conference game on Thursday April 15 against Cambridge-Isanti. The Bison lost 3-8.
Boys baseball ended the season with a 1-11 record of conference.

Coach Barb Janksi encourages team to play hard and have fun.
Photo by Courtney Zinter

Emily Weis and Julia
Carlson
Staff Writers

Through many adapted softball games played, the team here at Buffalo High School has learned to accept the sorrows of losing and the victories of winning but they always have fun. Learning to work together as a team has taught team members cooperation, softball skills, and brought friendship off the field and into their everyday pattern.

"We practice after school in the gym, I play second base", said junior Heather Lukaswicz. "I have a lot of fun playing with my friends Tammy Wayman, Kim Knapp, and Anthony Westphal."

"Even though we only have won two games out of the season so far, it's not really the winning that counts", said head coach Barb Janski. "The kids really enjoy what they're doing."

The team competes against the teams; Osseo, Wayzata, North and South Suburban high schools.

The students used to practice on Mondays but now they only practice on the days they have games, which usually are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The team has done better in the past years, due to the fact that four star players graduated last year; Michael Orbin, Darrin Downs. "When we have away games the ride down is fun." "I play left out field and shortstop", said junior Darrin Downs.

Its not if you win or lose its how you play the game.

Senior Curtis Jencks steps back from the plate and lets the high all go by. Photo taken by Courtney Zinter

Michael Orbin, Boys Golf takes third at Monticello invite

Jordyn Graham
Staff Writer

Buffalo Boys golf team had a great season this year. They scored well in all of their invitationals. Some highlights of the season were9 tying for first place in Shakopee, taking first place in a conference meet here in Buffalo, and taking third place in Monticello CC. Some individual highlights were when sophomore Zach Braun shot a 73 in Shakopee taking third place. And when senior Chris Nelson tied for medalist with a 34. And when Tyler Olson had a score of 35 at the Monti CC. Another good individual event was when junior Paul Olson, a junior varsity player, scored a 46 in the Monti CC.

Some of the star players were sophomore Braun whom head coach Charlie Keifenheim referred to a steady player, Nelson, who has one of the best swings on the team, and junior Quinn Hoffman who is just an all around awesome. golfer according _to Keifenheim. Fortunately for Buffalo they only had one senior on the varsity team so the rest of the team is returning next year for what coach Keifenheim says "will be a really awesome season for Buffalo= We are all geared up for next year9s season. The team is really going to miss Nelson but they are light hearted.

"Tm glad to get rid of him,= said Keifenheim. "He was a great boost to the golf team and he has been with us a long time.= Chris has played on the buffalo golf team since he was in eighth grade. He made Keifenheim9s sixth year coaching very memorable. The other players will miss him as well. It is reassuring that star players Braun and Hoffman will return next year to make the upcoming season as memorable as the last season. We are all waiting in anticipation for Hoffman as a senior to take the lead and pull our team to yet another good season.

Junior Quinn Hoffman lines up a shot as he prepares to putt at Wild Marsh golf course. The team recently took third place in Monticello. Photo by Matt Sandahl

Experienced players is the trademark of almost all winning high school varsity teams. This, along with the daunting challenge of regularly facing some of the states elite, left the Bison boy's tennis team facing an uphill climb this year. The journey ended with a 2-5 loss to favored Minnetonka in the Section 2AA boy's team tournament.

"They (Minnetonka) play in one of the toughest tennis conferences in the state," said Bison head coach Jeff Lindstrom, "And they're an experienced team. It was a valiant effort."

Despite the loss, the team looks to be strong in the coming years. Seven freshmen and an eighth grader saw considerable varsity action this year. There were no seniors in the Bison's starting line-up, but the youthful netters took the year in stride.

"There's a lot of challenge playing older opponents," said freshmen Jack Durand, "There's not as much pressure because we're young, but losing is still tough to take."

The obvious thirst for victory is present throughout the team. Still, one veteran netter observed the definite gap in ages.

"It's challenging because there's some immaturity issues," said junior Andrew Backes.

The mix of youth and enthusiasm added up to some interesting moments during the season.

"This kid from Cambridge kept hitting me with the ball [during the match]," said Durand, "so I wound up and hit him in the chest."

The Bison finished the year 2-5 in the North Suburban Conference and 5-12 overall. This disappointing record is now seeming to serve as inspiration to the team, who eagerly await the future. Durand echoes this sentiment.

"I think," said Durand, "We'll be a real conference competitor in"

When cold winter days turn into sunny spring afternoons many Buffalo High school students direct themselves toward West Pulaski Park for a game of Disc Golf.
The game is similar to golf because it still involves pars and holes that the Frisbee needs to end up in. Some courses have nine holes while others have eighteen. In Frisbee Golf, each hole is a basket about two feet off the ground.
"Frisbee golf is exactly like regular golf, except instead of golf balls you use Frisbees. Oh, and it's more fun too," said junior Mike Hanks.
He went with his friends to an intercity course where his friend plays constantly.
The local course in Buffalo at West Pulaski has nine holes. Its surroundings include a lake; upper and lower level holes, and a playground.
"I've never played. I saw it on Seinfeld and it just sounded silly...I mean frolic? But maybe I'd give it a go...I'd try anything once," said senior Stacie McNelis.
Frisbee golf has even made its way to a college level. Sometimes it's even broadcast on ESPN.
"My cousin started playing as a kid with his dad and he never really stopped," said senior Ken Tracy.
His cousin, Ryan Tracy's scholarship to Purdue College out east was partly paid thanks to his Frisbee Golf skills.
The atmosphere out at West Pulaski isn't very competitive. The students who played all came back after their first time and some made it tradition to play every day the sun was out. The majority of people playing includes parents with children, but mostly teenagers looking for an after school activity. When it's nice out the parking lot is filled with vehicles arriving as early as 2:30, but surprisingly a few cars still remain on rainy days belonging to drenched loyal friends of the sport.
"I play Frisbee Golf every day that it's warm out...I'm kind of addicted," said senior Anthony Marek.
He goes with his buddies after school on his days off from work.
The Frisbee Golf world varies from one-time players trying it out to the loyal fans who play it in stormy weather. In many ways, Frisbee Golf has attracted the attention of a wide variety of teenagers here at Buffalo High School.

In the last inning, of the
last game of the season, the
batter
moves
the
gravel
beneath her cleats as she eyes
the pitcher with confidence.
She grips the bat between two
gloved hands and bends her
knees, ready for the first pitch.
As the season comes to
an end, the varsity softball
team realized their progress
from last years losing streak.
A contributing factor to their
progress included hard working students with great talent,
and dedication.
"We have a
lot of differ-
ent personalities," said head
coach Brian Harapat.
"We
have some very strong com-
petitors, some very hard work-
ers and great raw talent that
still needs to develop."
Although talent remained
a crucial part of the game, oth-
ers said the mental aspect of
the game was just as impor-
tant.
"Softball is really com-
petitive and
its not just all
competitive
physically
but
also mentally. I have to know
every play, I
have to make a
decision and execute it," said
freshman Michaela Quady.
"Its
a
lot, sometimes
I
get
stressed but I have to let it go.
Its more mental than physical,
I have to know where I am
going with every play."
Softball not only entailed
physical and mental competi-
tion but also offered friend-
ship.
Girls joined softball not
only for the game but also to
make new acquaintances and
build stronger relationships.
"I love the game because
I've played it for eight years
and it is just fun to keep on
going with it and improving,"
said junior Stacey Nauman. "
It is fun meeting people and
the
relationships
make
it
worth it."
Through the relationships
the girls developed over the
season, combined with play-
ing the sport they loved, they
created long
lasting memo-
ries.
"I ran into the fence this
year, I will never stop getting
crap from this," said Quady. "I
was
in
the
outfield
and
Harapat was hitting fly balls
to the outfielders and one was
coming my way, and I was
booking it. I wasn't looking
where
I
was
going and
smashed right into the fence.
I just hit the ground.
The team
never drops that."
With grades ranging from
freshman to seniors, the girls
practiced their talents, devel-
oped relationships and created
lasting memories.

The music department at Buffalo High School has built up a formidable reputation over the years. The awards that people the area’s walls are a definite sign that it has become a force to be reckoned with. As the status goes up, so must the brains behind the scenes, so this year the school hired the man that they thought was right for the job.

Earlier this school year Scott Rabehl joined that team at the BHS Music Department, teaching many areas and basically performing as an "all around" instructor.

He studied music at St. Cloud State, but his first desire was not to be a music teacher. Before trying his hand at teaching, he attended the University of Minnesota to pursue a career in business. "It was okay", Rabehl said, "but I was never very passionate about it." Mr. Rabehl lived the business life for four years before deciding to change his life's direction. "Don't get me wrong, it was a great lifestyle — lots of money and travel — almost too much money though", Rabehl said, "We worked hard, and then we went out. It was fun to work with people from all over the country and be the only one from town."

Rabehl describes his own music collection as being very eclectic, "...pretty much anything except rap." Apparently, his busy lifestyle restricts his time to find new tunes. "The truth is I don't listen to as much music as I should. I'm just too busy."

He is currently in graduate school, working on his Master's Degree in education. He also practices the coronet and trumpet for about an hour every night.

After teaching at BHS for a year, he has begun to fit into the niche that is the music program. Michael Walsh and Lee Kjesbo, the anchors of the music department, agree that he is an invaluable asset to the school. "There is definitely very good chemistry there", Kjesbo said, "and we're all just getting through the first year. He is seeing how things work here and what it is we set out to do. We all bring something to the students individually."

Walsh concurred, "He is a very experienced teacher", he said, "He came in not knowing how things were done here, but he knew very well how to teach. He introduces many ideas, and has a very high standard as far as what should happen. There is a definite desire to excel."

Rabehl's major instrument is the trumpet, a skill that was previously not represented at Buffalo High School. Along with that, he has brought forth many new ideas on how to improve the learning experience at the school. Both Walsh and Kjesbo explained that Mr. Rabehl's organizational skills are an excellent addition to the department's usually unorganized atmosphere.

Kjesbo commented that the music department is very excited to have Rabehl working with them. "Out of stacks and stacks of possible teachers he was a very strong candidate for the job", Kjesbo said, "I hope he sticks around because we love to have him here."

Walsh said that he looks forward to working with Rabehl in the future. "This is his year to observe", Walsh said, "but I believe his contributions will only increase in years to come."

Rabehl shares this belief as he is very satisfied with the way the year has gone. "Having previously taught junior high students, I enjoy how peaceful the halls are", said Rabehl, "I no longer have to deal with people hip checking other people into walls."

It seems that all of the teachers in the music department are more than satisfied with Rabehl's presence in the workplace, but ultimately it is the students that decide on who the great teachers are. Junior Amanda Murphy has had Mr. Rabehl all year for Concert Band. "He was kind of hard to get used to at first", she said, "but now I think he's a really good teacher. His sarcasm took me off guard. I never really expected that kind of humor from a teacher."

As well as teaching and playing the trumpet and coronet, Mr. Rabehl is an avid reader. If there is any one book that everyone should read, he knows just the one.

"I would say Les Miserables", he said, "Nobody will ever read it. It's too long, too difficult a read. It's great art though, and it's written very beautifully. The story is powerful, with messages of love, hate, and passion. If you got about six months, you should check it out."

Whether he is teaching the "AMP" students, running around the music department, or philosophically debating about the meanings of life with the AP Music Theory students, Rabehl is making his mark during his first year, and it looks like he is in no hurry to leave.

Staring out through closed eyes, up to a satin lining. The airtight seal pushing down on cold, stiff hands. Thick, stale air choking in hollow lungs. Unable to see the rise and fall of the chest, no movement, frozen in position. Thuds from each clump of dirt splitting as it hits the vault. Silence fills the eardrum, slithering underground creatures making their way around the permanent detour. No breath, no life, just waiting for eternity to pass by.

Each year, about 150 bodies come into the Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel in Monticello. And each time a new one comes in, the process starts.

The family meets with one of the funeral directors, Roger Carlson or Arve Grimsmo. They discuss what the family would like for the services, collect information concerning the obituary, and start to make the arrangements on the type of burial.

The casket is a popular and more traditional route for families. Choosing the casket is probably one of the hardest steps. Coming to terms with the fact that a loved one is gone is also a hard step. The choice is between two mediums, wood or steel. Most steel caskets are equipped with airtight, waterproofed sealing mechanism that is cranked to lock the air in and keep the water out.

"Because of the natural characteristics of wood, wooden caskets do not come with the sealing mechanism," said Carlson.

With both wood and steel to choose from, the price ranges teeter within the $6,000-$16,000. The most expensive casket, not held at the Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel, is priced at $60,000. Complete with velvet interior, airtight sealant, and constructed from bronze, this Cadillac of caskets is only sold two times each year. The sale of two of these Cadillacs exceeds the profits of the total sale for that year.

State law requires that embalming must take place when a deceased person has had a communicable disease, is eligible for public viewing, and if the body is to be buried within 72 hours of death.

"The embalming process coagulates the proteins in the body, so it is not to start rotting until after two to three days. It keeps them stiff, in time for funeral services," said Carlson.

Specific make up is used for funeral purposes.

"Most make up is activated by heat that radiates from the skin, because the body is cold, the make up simply will not work," says Carlson. "Hair dye is the same way. The dye is formulated so that the hair follicle can soak it in. When a person dies the moisture leaves the body. Thus the hair dries out."

When mementoes are placed in the casket with the deceased, they are buried with the person. Funeral Directors advise not to put jewelry in with the deceased. In that the family will pass it down through the years.

After the viewing and funeral services, the deceased is driven out to the cemetery, where a vault is waiting, already in the ground, for their arrival. The casket may be placed in a plain or ornamented vault. The vault will protect the casket from the weight of the topsoil.

Cemetery owner, funeral director, embalmer, and mortician, mortuary owner, are just a few of the jobs sophomore Ted Helland wants to obtain as a career in the future.

"I was going to a neighbor's wake, there was an extremely hot funeral director, and I said to her, 'Because of you I am going into mortuary sciences,'" said Helland.

He has already read all the books and

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Photo by Anna McCarty

By now my friend Corrina Swanson looks ready to kill. She's tried on about the one-hundredth dress in three hours.

It seems we weren't the only ones to encounter this kind of trouble. Another girl in David's Bridal seemed to be having the same problems. She'd grab four or five and bring them all back out and grab some more. She didn't look too happy either as she walked out of the dressing room to show her mom what she tried on. Too many dresses and so little time.

The art of finding the perfect prom dress is difficult for some and easy for others.

"For me the price didn't really matter," said Swanson. "I waited a while to get mine because it was pricey. I was asked so late to go that I wasn't sure what to get."

"I found my dress at Marshall Fields. I knew I wanted it almost right away, but still I tried on a lot of dresses," said junior Leah Brown. "I liked it because I'm easily attracted to shiny things and my dress is very shiny and I just knew I wanted it."

"I brought Rachael with me to help make a decision on my dress, I was asked so late to go that I wasn't sure what to get," said Swanson. "I knew that I wanted something like my last year's dress so I'd already have shoes."

Deciding to get a certain dress or not also had a great deal to do with the price.

As Swanson walks out of the dressing room, this time she has a look of pure disgust, another failure.

"I tried on so many dresses, there didn't seem to be an end," said Swanson. "I kind of wondered what did I get myself into when I decided to go to prom this year. Finding a dress that I would like is never easy."

As we looked around again I watched as Swanson's eyes became huge and almost pop out of her head. There in the middle of the rack we had overlooked so many times hung the perfect dress. Like a shiny new jewel it waited for Swanson to snatch it up and run to the dressing room.

"I finally did find my dress at David's Bridal, it took awhile though. There were so many that I liked in the same color that it was hard to choose from," said Swanson.

Some say that finding the perfect dress is the hard part, from there on out it's all down hill.

As the lights dim, the music starts to play and people lift their voices.
This is Wednesday nights at Buffalo Evangelical Free Church Youth Group. Youth Group is a place where-peers get together and praise God.
"Youth Group is a good thing to be involved i in," Youth Pastor Adam Johnson,
"It's not about the music, games, or how many kids show up, it's about how God makes contact and changes lives."
"I feel like Youth Group is someplace where I can reach home, because I can do what I need to do, people love me for me."
BEFC has a Senior High Youth Program and a Junior High Youth Program.
Senior High Youth Group is on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Junior High Youth Group is on Sunday nights at 6:00 p.m.
Junior High Youth Group is for 6-8 graders and has about 30-40 people. Senior High is for 9-12 graders and serves 40-75 people.
"The Youth Group used to be 6-12 graders, 4 years ago," said Freshman Holly Lohse, "I feel like it's my"
"It has split and taken on its own personalities," said Johnson.
Every Wednesday they have a lecture time where things from the bible are taught. The Youth-Group is now doing a Youth of the Nation series. The topics discussed include Hope, Trust and Love. Past topics include P.A.S.S.LO.N., Personal Growth, Authentic Worship, Superior Work, Seeking Revival, Intercessory Prayer, Outreach, and Nurturing Relationships, question nights and a segment on emotions. Ideas come from outside resources and sometimes Youth Leaders make them up.
As BEFC moves through the Youth of the Nation series, students discover what church is really about.
"I think that Christianity is not about religion or going to church, it's about your relationship with Jesus Christ and the amount of joy, hope, and peace of knowing him and surrendering your life to him," said Junior Nathan Christoperson.
"If your going through rough times, and you need prayer or support, the people of the Youth Group are always there for you," said junior Brooke Sandahl, "It's a big group that supports you all the time."
"Youth Group is where you can talk," said Freshman Calliegh Brown. "And be accepted and praise God."
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Holly Lohse from Buffalo and Heather Freeberg from Monticello dance on stage while singing karroke.
Photo slat by Kessie Moench

"Checkmate," Mr. Wold says casually
"Ahh," Mr. Bakke says, moving his arms in disgust, shaking the table along with board and clock and an old cigar box which holds the pieces they use in battle. This is a sound Mr. Bakke has been making for 24 years.
It is the sound of defeat.
Something that Mr. Bakke experiences often. Wold reflected on how this competition started.
"We kinda started playing when Bak started bragging about being a four time city champ in checkers and once in chess."
But behind the insults and bragging rights that come with the game of chess there is a true friendship.
Mr. Bakke chuckled at the thought.
"The first night when I started here in 1980, I slept in the nurses office because we hadn't moved here yet. The second night I slept at Mr. Wold's apartment when he wasn't married yet. We've been buds ever since."
But when friendships begin there is always a need to find out who's the best. Mr. Bakke remembered an example of this, "The coach and I are very competitive so one day we woke up at 6:00 in the morning to play tennis I won 6 to 4 and I won't let coach forget it."
Other teachers laughed at this friendship that seems to be one power struggle to see who is the best. But Mr. Squadroni feels responsible for fueling the competitive spirit. "First of all I feel responsible for all things. But I am directly responsible for encouraging the Bakke-Wold chess fiasco: I gave them the chess board and the pieces. But mostly I feel responsible for encouraging the ongoing debate that will never end between the two."
Buffalo high students have commented on this ageless battle. Juniors Kurtis Sisco and Emily Sturges had this to say - "I'd favor Mr. W because he's got the whole short thing going for him."
"I would have to choose Mr. Bakke, I am in his fourth hour, and the way he talks about chess, makes me think he can beat anyone."
But according to Mr. Wold, that's all Mr. Bakke does is talk.
"You notice I don't talk, I do the chess whooping."
But from Mr. Bakke's stories there is plenty of verbal bashing on both sides and when the game is won or lost it is not pretty.
"Part of the game is the bantering that we do, only Kief ever got used to it. The coach would always sing bringing in the 'sheep' when he had me beat because I'm Lutheran and when he beat me he would say that's why I love chess."
After 24 years they don't play as much anymore. But no matter how much their kids tell them to get home as fast as they can, first thing first is the game must go on. And though neither of them coach anymore they find a way to compete against each other for the love of the game. Mr. Bakke can't even explain how much he loves the game. "One of my dreams is that we could go to jail so we could play all day."
So as long as they can breathe they will play.
For them there are few things in life finer than the game.
So whatever political argument or mental abuse they give each other there is one thing that keeps them coming back for more- the game. So why chess? Their answers were short and simple.
"It's the game of kings," Bakke says making his move.
"It's the greatest game in the world," Mr. Wold said making his.
And the game goes on.

staken a tour at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Helland will be working full time this summer with Kevin Chilson, at the Peterson Funeral Chapel in Buffalo. He has come across many bodies. Some had died from natural causes, others from car crashes, drug overdoses, and suicide.
"The guy warned me that she was pretty beat up," said Helland, referring to his first dead body. "I walked in, and this body was there. It had this glare on it, the eyes weren't closed, and the mouth wasn't closed yet. I just got this chill... an adrenaline rush, you know... when your heart starts beating really fast and you get this giddy feeling."
The ferocious smell of embalming fluid filled his nasal cavity as he was asked if he would like to take a closer look. The woman's body was clammy looking, her hair was wet, and she had no makeup on. Helland isn't always all smiles and laughter, though. Sometimes a body comes in and it just doesn't feel right to work on it.
"I get this chilling feeling when teenagers come in," said Helland. "I just want to hide in a corner and cry."
He has seen some pretty gruesome things. Watching the embalming process on video was one of the most memorably disgusting events so far.
When embalming a person, a syringe connected with a bag of embalming fluid is jammed into the carotid artery in the neck. Because the heart does not beat a pump is needed to circulate the fluid throughout the body. Fluid must be injected into their heart, liver, and lungs. What seems as a violent act is actually very realistic. The embalmer must feel out an open space between the ribs and estimate where the heart might be. With one quick jab the syringe is inserted into the chest cavity and fluid pumped into the hollow space.
"The video was really graphic; but I think I will see worse things when I'm out on the field. This summer I will be going to the accident sites," said Helland.
"I became fascinated with the field of death," said Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Dr. Janis Amatuzio. "A forensic pathologist really is a business of determining 'what happened' to an individual and has to do with the application of legal principles to the investigation of death. A pathologist needs to have a keen and inquiring mind, the ability to pay meticulous attention to detail."
"There are fewer than 20 board certified forensic pathologists in Minnesota and 600 in the United States," said Amatuzio, "the advice I would give to you as you consider your schooling, study hard and keep your grade point average high so that you have the opportunity to choose whatever field you desire."

Staff Writer

After three years of service, Ms. Emily Bailey, math teacher and head coach for the girls varsity basketball team, will be leaving BHS today. She is engaged to be married and moving with her husband-to-be to Rocky mount North Carolina. Her fiancé will be the assistant football coach for Wesleyan College.

Scott Sorenson will be taking over the head coaching position and Kurt Konsela as the assistant coach for next season. "We're glad that Sorenson is taking the position," says junior Cassie Yates, "he knows us and our positions."

Junior Amanda Sandusky thinks it will be an easy adjustment. "Coach Sorenson has been involved a lot through the past couple of years so it should be a pretty smooth transition" said Bailey.

Bailey will be teaching at Nash Central High School, in Rocky mount. She would like to coach a basketball team at N.C.H.S. but is not quite sure yet, since they already have a head coach.

Through the past couple of years, coach Bailey has put a lot of time into the girl's basketball program. She has held different clinics and camps to help kids of all ages and making different connections with people in Buffalo.

The relationship between Bailey and the players was more then just "coach and players." The players considered her a friend whom they could easily relate to.

Bailey took the team to a tournament in Iowa, where they stayed with her parents. The players got to know a little about her background and hear stories about her growing up.

"Having a female coach, you're closer to her because she's more like a friend. We could tell her personal things, which we might not be able to do with Sorenson." Said Justine Speckle.

The team will also have a fea time not having her as a coach because some of them had her for more than one sport. Bailey was also a volleyball coach.

"Its gonna be hard not ever seeing her anymore. I had her as a volleyball coach and a basketball coach for two to three years. And I've had three different basketball coaches within the last three years. It's been hard learning all the coach's different coaching techniques." Says Yates.

A lot of the same players from last season will be returning for next season, so it shouldn't be very different. All the players get along and work well together.

"I think we're gonna do good next season because Ms. Bailey got us pumped up and we're gonna carry it onto next year," said Speckle.

Editorial Staff

Competing in her second year of finals, Sophomore Emily King placed first in the state and second in the nation, with an improvement from last year when she received second in state. This year King also placed second in the nation at the Concours National De Francais finals.

King competes at level 2E. Levels are decided on how many years of French you have taken and also your background on the language. Since King has taken two years of French in high school she was placed in level 2, next they decide on levels A-E. King was placed at level E because of the amount of French she has taken, and also where she took it. She took both years here at BHS, which is a public school with block schedule. Other levels are classed and graded differently because of the different extents French is taught at other high schools, such as if you went to a private school, where French may be taught more effectively with a smaller class.

"I would have taken it sooner," said King.

After stating that there is also a sub division for kids who start French early on, usually between second and sixth grade. Who are also placed differently in the competition then those at a high school level.

For finals all participants participate in a pre test to figure out where they are at. Then for preparation for finals they attend triple A meetings with their French teaches and listen to CD's that help you prepare what you need to know for the test. They help you gain a better understanding for what you need to know to do well and be successful in finals.

Staff Writer

Every spring students await the arrival of the yearbook. The surprise and excitement is heightened by combining distribution day with student appreciation day. For the entire day, students relax and hang out and reminisce before the school year ends.

But many students don't know the extent of what goes into a yearbook. The drawing, planning, agreeing, and organizing take up most of the year. As students are receiving their yearbook in the spring, the next year's editors have already been working on the next book.

The yearbook staff consists of many parts. There's the adviser, Mr. Ryan McCallum. Next in line are the senior editors. There job is to plan and create the book. Last but not least are the writers. They provide the meat of the book; the stories.

Next year's editor in chief, Marissa Evans, has been putting in a lot of time already.

"I'm excited to play a part in this thing everyone in the school waits for," said Evans. "Next year I want to make it more of a team atmosphere-create an atmosphere of everybody working for a prize."

Every Tuesday morning at 7:15, the 2005 yearbook editors meet to discuss the book. They are already going over themes and designing layouts. Some people though take a while to get into the groove of things which is one reason they start so early.

"We have meetings every Tuesday but only half the staff comes, so we don't get a lot accomplished," said junior Monica Kowalke.

The jump start may give them room to relax now, but in June they will take their ideas to yearbook camp where they will be refined. There they will be able to play around with cover designs and create a mock book.

When the school year starts, order forms are mailed out or filled out in class before most of the book has been created. The only thing known at ordering time is the theme, which is kept a secret from students until distribution time.

"Keeping the theme a secret is more exciting," said junior Lauren Bullock. "It would take away from the excitement of getting the book."

As the year begins, so does the work. For the following three quarters, the foreign language area is filled with writers and editors. The staff is often at work during fourth block, AAA, and after school. Once a deadline they also have a work-night where they stay at school till at least 9:00 pm to put on finishing touches.

"Yearbook involves a lot of work," said junior Courtney Zinter. "Other than slacker moments, we do a lot of work, a lot more than people might expect."

When May rolls around the books arrive and the staff gets to see their finished product. Up until that time, everything is up in the air. No one knows if there will be mistakes and there is no going back.

"It's everything you toiled over and worried about," said senior Anne Elsenpeter.

"When we got the book, it was total relief," said senior Megan Arntson. "I was worried about mistakes and when it came back, it was a million times better."

Next year the staff will continue the work they've already started and hope to make the 2005 yearbook one everyone remembers.

Editorial Staff
The long awaited unveiling of the 2003-2004 Tatanka Yearbook was a complete success. On May 28 the yearbook staff shared their hard work with the school. The book theme had been kept secret for the whole school year. This. year9s theme was Out of the Gray. It stain the book being in full color.
On Friday, students were given a doutle lunch hour to receive their books and begin signing each others yearbooks. During the lunches, student garage bands played outside. At the end of the day the students were released from their fourth block class early to gather amongst their friends in the cafeteria.