The Hoofprint – March 2019

With changes flying through the doors of Buffalo High School, which have only brought about more normality in the past, questions are quick to follow on their heels. In a new world where change is regular, a school was a haven where constants were constants. Controversy has found a place in our school as we were previously told to bite our tongues; there are classes revolved around social issues, Trump-watchers and Women's march teasers are proudly sported by both teachers and students alike, and mental health is becoming the topic of more conversations.

The newfound attitude in schools had left everyone susceptible to "exposure". Admin can find themselves apart of social media franchises through the infamous "fan pages." Kids who take the new habit of vaping in schools bathrooms are also in the risk of Admin discipline as the schools leaders work to find a solution for this habit. However, not all of this new exposure running through the school is negative. Through renewed partnerships with journalism classes, students now have the opportunity to have their work read by their peers.

Questions are the only constant that comes with change, and with this issue, The Hoofprint staff has worked to discover some of the reasons and consequences that are behind the occurring of the school. With stories ranging from Administration's approach to vaping to an in-depth look at the reasoning behind a beloved teacher retiring (or rather, not retiring), we hope this issue offers you a behind the scenes glance into the new Buffalo High School.

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Mrs. Cary

Activity Growth

Vaping 04

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Staff Writer

At this point everyone knows what vaping is. We have all seen the posters, watched the commercials, and heard the warnings. Yet with all the information we receive about why a person should avoid vaping, people still insist on starting and/or continuing the habit. Even the simple thought of trying a vape can lead to someone using one for a prolonged time. With vaping being such a major problem that has spread nationwide, how exactly does BHS deal with it?

In Minnesota, you must be eighteen years or older to legally buy a vape. Considering the majority of the assaults in BHS don't meet this requirement, the circulation of the product mainly occurs throughout the student body. Vaping is punishable by a ban on school property. The most common way for someone underage to obtain an e-cig is through someone of age that distributes them to students. Be it distribution alone is a gross misdemeanor for person giving a form of tobacco to a minor—one step in the law.

Students often get caught due to a simple mistake.

"Usually we end up getting a tip from a friend, finding them in a car, having it in their locker, or ends up falling out of their bag," Officer Derek Jacobson said.

It is also fairly common knowledge that the bathrooms are one of the main "Hot Spots" where people go to vape during the school day. The bathrooms are also where most of the vape 'buzz' occurs.

Once a person has been caught, the vane is first confiscated. Then, they are brought to Officer Jacobson's office where their parents are notified, the student receives a ticket/citation, and an Officer Jacobson fills out a report to send to the court the student will be tried in. After that, the parents most come to pick up the vape, or if the student is 18 they may take it themselves. The student will end up being charged with a petty misdemeanor which involves a fine of $300 or less, as well as it being placed on the student's permanent record.

The severity of the punishment at school and by the legal system escalates each time the person is caught.
On a day to day basis, significant amounts of nicotine spread throughout the halls.
"On average," Jacobson said, "we end up catching someone vaping once a day."
During a staff meeting in December, Officer Jacobson shared a student speculation that stated that four out of five students at BHS vape. Some teachers took that statistic as fact, although it lacked sufficient evidence to support it.
"We are trying to keep [students] from starting," Officer Jacobson said, "for getting you to stop."
The school pushed the eradication of vaping by hanging up "What is the Real Cost" posters, talking about it with students, and more. Regardless, the school will continue to clear the air and eradicate vaping in the school.
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Photo by Alayna Mills

Photo by Mac Merges

06 HOOFPRINT Activity Growth March 2019

Compared to past years, activities such as Mock Trial and BPA (Business Professionals of America) groups and found the perks of having a large population. Mock Trial was a group of students advised by Mr. Swanson, Ms. Edel, and Ms. Raymond. Mock Trial increased in size this year that they expected into three teams, including Varsity 1, Varsity 2, and Junior Varsity.

New Mock Trial, Sydney Rhodes’ size said, "to get the opportunity to go low and learn at our own speed." Mock trial has many different parts of the trial, and roles to play. "I was an attorney," Rhodes was. "It was intense and fun," Rhodes said. Traditionally, activities were split up into two teams: Junior Varsity and Varsity, but with growing numbers, recruiting members and new members needed to split. Laila Rangi "so joined Mock Trial in her freshman year." Split teams are a nice way to differentiate between returning and brand new talent," Ragai said.

Business Professionals of America was less known around the school, so members decided that this year they would reach out more than in previous years. Returning members participated in two activity fairs and had multiple informational meetings. In the 2017–2018 school year, BPA had eight members. They now have 22 members. Rachel Lawrence "we have recruited this year." It was interesting to hear about it and learn what it was," Lawrence said. She competed in Fundamental desktop publishing, Business Law and Ethics, and Personal Finance management.

"I think I is cool to see how it grew, I cause I heard about how small it was last year" Lawrence said.

Greater participation in these activities came with a greater number of reachable achievements members. Many clubs and activities had untapped potential, and with the greater amount of members new heights can be reached. Challenge yourself to reach out to friends who are in lesser-known activities. You might learn something new and take a new interest.

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Photo by Sydney Rhodes

Photo by Karrie Grostad

March 2019

2019 might be a tough year for the Bison. Both sports and activities will be affected by the move from the Mississippi 8 Conference to the Lakes Conference.

U of M-S R e a d i n g s, Buffalo High School will be a part of the Mississippi 8 Conference. We were in some rare company when schools including Cambridge-Isanti, Big Lake, and Monticello. In the Lake Conference we will be among bigger schools, including Wayzata and Eden Prairie. Buffalo isn’t the only school that will be making the shift, as St. Michael-Albertville will also be moving from Mississippi 8 to the Lakes Conference.

As the years have progressed, the Mississippi 8 conference has started to become a port for Buffalo schools, one of the biggest reasons being distance between schools.

We will need to embrace the underdog mentality,” Mr. Bauman said.

With 2019 being the year that some of our top competitors, Rogers and St. Michael, are also leaving Mississippi 8, it seemed like the perfect time for Buffalo to leave as well.

Buffalo started by looking into the Northwest Suburban Conference, which is where Rogers moved to after leaving the Mississippi 8 Conference. But, the Northwest Suburban Conference was only looking to add one school. The Buffalo explored conferences in the metro, but eventually decided the Lake Conference was the best choice for Buffalo.

There are benefits to being a part of the Lakes Conference. Competing against the bigger schools will hold Buffalo up to higher athletic standards, and give us more publicity as well.

Now we’re heading into the Lake Conference which is probably the most prestigeous conference in the state >of Minnesota. Everybody wants to know what’s going on in the Lake Conference. It’s this kind of thing that got us to move athletics,” Mr. Bauman said.

Being in competition with the larger schools, Buffalo has to be better and it will be harder to go the conference meet at the top of your class. It’s going to be more difficult.

In our current conference, in general, Varsity teams get to compete more than the lower teams. This is something that will change in the Lakes Conference.

“Something that will change is that the lower teams will get more games, because the Lakes Conference has bigger schools with more teams, Ellen Beckles ’21 said.
A lot of the conversation surrounding the conference change is that we will be gaining upper/middle bigger, wealthier schools. This raises a concern for some athletes, but the common consensus is that it will make Buffalo teams stronger overall.
“Buffalo athletes as a whole will have to work much harder to be better, faster, and stronger than them, and it will bring out the best in our teams. I think it will be good for us and it will just strengthen us,” Beckles said. “It’s going to be harder but that’s why we’re going to have to work harder. It’s totally possible if we work harder.”
All across the board, the goals of athletes will need to be re-assessed and refocused. Many people/ coaches throughout the upcoming season will need to shift.
“Our focus when we go against other teams is going to have to be about individual achievement. Next year is going to be about making personal time drops and making strides as an individual swimmer, rather than as a team,” Ellie Kaiser ’21 said.
Many of Buffalo’s sports teams hit their strides this year. The Girls’ Swim and Dive team took conference champion and some multiple girls to state. Kaiser is a varsity swimmer on the team.
“And even though [our success] only lasted one season, it would’ve gotten boring. Now that we’re going against some really tough teams, we’re going to get better though, and that’s not something to complain about. It’ll be harder than any other season, but in the long run it’s going to make us stronger,” Kaiser said.
In the upcoming seasons, there will have to be a shift in the athletics mindset, as well as the coaches’ mindsets.
“We know our goals. Our coaches need to set our goals right, and say maybe we’ll shoot for third in the conference and finish ahead of these two prestigious schools,” said Bauman.
At the end of the day, the Bison might not do as well as we have previously, but if hard work is a priority throughout the upcoming seasons, we will be able to make strides in the new conference.
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Photo by Laila Ragab

Cassandra McNitt
“[Mrs. Cary] brings a lot of passion for what she does, and she cares about each individual student and what their strengths are,” Cassandra McNitt '19 said. “She helps build up her students to become better in both writing and other skills like time management.”

Jack Stonecipher
“She sticks to her values and doesn't pull and passages or give any excep- tions,” Jack Stonecipher '19 said. “She has cut off the notes and if you don't follow them it is your own fault, but she is fair about it.”

Madeline Hill
“Onwardley, she is a little intimidating,” Madeline Hill '19 said, “but once you have had her for a while and gotten past the initial presentation she puts on she is a really sweet and caring woman.”

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Photos by Carter Barton

This September, Mrs. Cary, an English teacher with 29 years of experience, stepped into the building with the idea that this was her last first year. Embracing her motto, “Enjoy it all”, she set out to make the most of every experience this year and make memories she would never forget.
However, plans changed, and she will be retiring for another year. Cary explained why she decided to stay another year.
“What it came down to was a financial decision. It’s a rather complicated, long story. But in a nutshell, it means that the income I would get from retirement would go up significantly if I made it to thirty years of teaching. According to those formulas, at the end of this year I’ll be at 29-3/10 in years which had a financial consideration to walk away from. But also, I’m thinking about what students need and how our math teachers can help and how the kids can be supported.”
“You have to start to think big picture, and think about, ‘Alright, maybe another year is going to be worth it to me’. It’s not like I don’t like what I do, I enjoy the job. The day that I have to retire I want to come up to the finish line and be proud of the people I’ve taught. I just don’t want to keep going for a little bit until I get to the end of it.”
Cary explained how her decision to stay another year has impacted her experience in school.
“I’ve still not very excited to go, I try to get to do the things I like the best. I have to do that. Now it’s the second to last time,” Cary said. “It’s still going through this idea of appreciating what you have. Maybe it’s not always the most important thing to do the curriculum because sometimes that takes away from your enjoyment in the day that you’re in. I thought I always had this philosophy of do your best in everything you do. I want to still be able to do that without having regrets or looking too far forward or backward.”
Cary reflected on the impact that the people of this school had on her.
“I feel quite choked up if I think about this too much. The people who came before me helped me grow up. So many of the people I’ve started with are now retired and they are on the same block. I looked to an era how to be not just a good teacher, but a good person, a good parent, and a good community member. I grew up because of them,” Cary said. “I’ve taught people the important parts of responsibility and to give the perspective on life that I always learned from them. They keep me grounded and humble. You guys know so much more than I ever did at your age. You’re smarter and you’re more connected and it’s inspiring. When you’re an old lady, it’s good to be around young people because they keep you younger. I know a lot of people my age who don’t have contact with teens and younger people and they’re seems a little bit more negative toward life and society. They don’t have that constant reminder of hope for the future because that’s what you guys represent.”
Cary shared a message she would like people to remember.
“My motto is ‘enjoy it all’. Just enjoy it, it goes by really quickly. Your career goes by really quickly, your high school days go by really quickly. Don’t wish anything away,” Cary said.
As much as I’m looking forward to retirement, it’s not because I want to send something, it’s because I feel like I want to begin something else. So it is not like I’m counting down because I want to get rid of it. I think I’m at a point now where it’s time to feel really good about what I’ve done and it’s time to transition into something else. “
It’s time for Mrs. Cary to find her new beginning, however, the exact details of that experience are still unknown.
“I still want to do something with kids, I just have to figure out exactly what that will look like,” Cary said.
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“Your career goes by really quickly, your high school days go by really quickly. Don’t wish anything away.”
-Mrs. Vicki Cary

Staff Editors/Writers

In 2016, Mr. Todd Manninen was approached by the administrative staff with hopes that he would be willing to take on the “Minorities” social studies course. Throughout the past nine years, the class has undergone tweaks and topic changes such as the addition of “minorities” classes into “Social Issues and Diversity.” This new course offers students a place to learn that is still academically rigorous while enabling them to feel listened to and understood. Manninen has always stressed the importance of approaching students with equity, and students in his class often feel more heard and seen.

“This class is unlike anything else I have taken,” said junior Ava Jensen. “I feel like I belong in this space.”

The course helps students develop skills such as critical thinking, civil discourse, and empathy. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences as well as examine systemic issues that impact minority groups. Classroom discussions are intended to be thoughtful and respectful of differing viewpoints. Manninen strives to create an environment where students can share personal perspectives while learning to listen to others.

Students are also exposed to historical contexts and current events that shape societal attitudes. Assignments range from research projects to group presentations, which prompt students to investigate topics deeply and present findings to their peers. Students are asked to consider how policies and societal norms have evolved and how they continue to affect communities today.

The class has evolved over time, and Manninen adjusts the curriculum based on student interest and emerging social issues. He believes that engaging students in conversations about diversity prepares them to be more empathetic and informed citizens. Current students overwhelmingly reported that the course has been transformative and eye-opening.

“I’ve learned to see issues from different angles,” said senior Miguel Torres. “It’s helped me recognize my own biases and challenged me to grow.”

The school community has shown support for the course, though it has occasionally faced criticism from those who believe such topics should not be discussed in schools. Manninen emphasizes that the course is not about pushing a particular ideology but rather about fostering dialogue and critical thinking.

Outside speakers and guest lecturers are sometimes invited to provide additional perspectives. The class also organizes service projects and community outreach to apply classroom learning to real-world contexts. Manninen said he hopes students carry the lessons from the course into their lives beyond high school.

“It would be nice to get them back to have a more well-rounded class,” Manninen said. “The typical profile of the students now has gotten a lot more female, and a lot more academic oriented. I think that Bellmont has quite a group of curious learners that may be more studious, the types of students who will really have a pathway to success.”

Living in a diverse world means being aware of different perspectives and experiences and having the ability to empathize with those who may have had different life paths. The class provides a space for honest reflection and respectful debate. Students leave the course with a deeper understanding of social issues and a stronger sense of civic responsibility.

The Social Issues and Diversity elective continues to be a meaningful and impactful offering at the school, helping to cultivate informed, empathetic students who are prepared to engage with the complexities of the modern world.

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Photo by Aaron Rourke

Staff Writers
Over the course of second quarter, students at BHS have created fan pages dedicated to certain staff members. Gaining popularity on Instagram, the staff found out about these pages and shut them down.
On social media, things can go viral in a matter of minutes, and create new trends. Multiple of these fan pages gained hundreds of followers in days. As a creator of one of the fan pages, Noah Farniok said major fans experience one running gag.
"People are trying to somewhat copy it now because of how many followers we got on the page in a certain amount of time," Farniok said.
The reaction to the fan pages went one of two ways. Depending on the situation, they created a positive or negative response. Teachers can pages went to positive direction. Nick Guida said his perspective on the page is, "The page may be that the student created about me, I didn't think was very harmful," Guida said.
A majority of the fan pages posted positive, light-hearted content. However, without the consent from the staff member it was created about, these pages were inevitably shut down.
"Right away I was worried as to where it could go, because not only was it being primarily referenced as a positive, but some of those things can turn negative sometimes. I have my own problems and if it was very clear that were aware of what was going on," Guida said. "At the end of the day, they were watching what was being posted and were enjoying seeing it through a good, positive lens."
With the creation of the pages, Guida shared his opinion on the content posted online.
"I think the student created the fan page and was trying to have fun. They were trying to do things in light of what we had going on at school. I appreciated their take on some of the stuff," Guida said.
Students creating fan pages had one purpose: to shine a light on the staff members and the good things they've done. From pointing about problems in the school to creating pointing members of staff members, fan pages had a positive impact.
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JACOB NIZBET
Assistant Principal, NICHOLAS GUIDA
NOAH FARNIOK
Principal, MARK MISCHKE

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Trending Funding of Buffalo High School

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