The Hoofprint – March 29, 2006

Dr. Miller planted his arms behind his head, crossed his left leg over his right, tilted back into his chair, and, without a minute of hesitation, said, "Women have taken over."

The gender achievement gap is not subtle to the principal of our school, and neither is it to the rest of the nation. National newsmagazines, from Newsweek to Business Week, have pointed out that by almost every standard boys across the nation are falling behind in school.

There are certain conditions in which the gender achievement gap is more apparent. "Look at the NHS numbers, look at class rank, look at the gifted program, and look at the average GPA between girls and guys," Miller said. "Girls are out-performing boys significantly."

Class rank and Grade Point Average alone strongly highlights this issue. Of the top 50 students in each grade, 73 percent of the students are girls. Eighty percent of the top 50 students in the junior class alone are girls. This may be enough to concern administrators, but the gender achievement gap does not stop here.

In relation to the percentage of junior and senior girls in the top 50, girls' average GPA is 8.58, which is over a full point higher than the guys' average GPA at 7.34. Girls, in turn, make up the majority of the students in National Honor Society with 80 percent. The executive council for NHS consists of one guy, and six girls. Student Council, another leadership activity, consists of 65 percent girls and 35 percent guys.

Even Future Farmers of America consists of 62 percent females. The majority of the FFA members falling in the hands of girls is a fairly new situation, and it has not gone unnoticed by FFA Adviser Todd Lubben.

"Girls were not even let in FFA until the late 1900s, and in the last ten years there have been a lot more girls than guys," said Lubben. "I don't recruit guys and I don't recruit girls. I try to recruit people that I think would do well - not based on gender."

Not only is this gender trend apparent locally, it is comparable to national statistics as well.

Our nationally-renowned yearbook and the newspaper staff includes staff and writers that consist of a 5-to-7 guy to girl ratio. According to 2003 statistics from Business Week, the national guy to girl ratio of students who are involved in yearbook and newspaper is 5-to-7. At Buffalo High School and nation-wide, boys do not hold many leadership roles in extracurricular activities.

"In the past 30 years, nearly every inch of education progress had gone to girls," Business Week editor Michelle Conlin said in the article "How the Education System Bombs Out for Boys." "Boys are missing from nearly every leadership position, academic honors slot, and student activity post."

Aside from extracurricular activities, girls are not leading in all academic conditions. While girls are outperforming guys in school, guys are still outperforming girls when it comes to tests scores. According to the College Board, the average SAT score for guys is 1049, and girls fall slightly behind at 1006. But because test scores don't compare to the fact that women are jumping at leadership roles; it does not mask the gender achievement gap.

"Before educators can attempt to narrow the gender gap, they will have to understand its causes. This widening achievement gap," Margaret Spellings, U.S. secretary of education, said in the Newsweek article "The Boy Crisis," "has profound implications for the economy, society, families and democracy."

The votes came in and the final decision by the concert band and choir resulted in a trip to Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. "We wanted to do a Nashville and Memphis trip," said Band Director Scott Rabehl. "That got the most votes." The performance situation in Memphis however didn't prove ideal to the directors. To solve that problem, the directors chose not to include Memphis in the itinerary, and the group will instead do a Nashville and Chicago trip.
"We found out that we were the only school planning to perform in Memphis," said Rabehl, "so we looked for an alternative festival to go to in Chicago."
Students who voted for Memphis didn't find Chicago all that appealing.
"I hate Chicago," said Junior Choir Member Rebecca Grupp. "It smells bad. I'd rather just stay longer in one place. We're already in a bus for 32 hours."
"Well, I don't really want to go to Chicago because it doesn't sound exciting, but if we do fun things, it will be okay," said Junior Choir Member Lauren Rohlin.
This change will give the students an opportunity to perform where others can enjoy them. While in Chicago, they will be performing at the Heritage Music Festival. While there, a clinician will evaluate the groups and they will get the opportunity to see other choirs and bands perform.
"Heritage will let us perform on Saturday morning," said Rabehl. "The quality of the banquet and award ceremony for Heritage was superior to the other performance choices."
"The performance will be a new experience for me because I've never sung anywhere outside Minnesota," said Grupp.
"I'm not really looking forward to it [the performance]," said Senior Band Member Nate Ortmann. "It's just another performance to me, but I guess it's a good way to end the year."
Past trips, like those to New York, New Orleans and Canada have offered students and directors a chance to spend quality time with each other. Through their eyes, this trip looks to offer the same experience.
"I'm looking forward to hanging out with students and seeing students hanging out with each other," said Rabehl. "After being on 10, 20 trips, the best benefits are watching students come together in a different way. Traveling with groups makes you open your eyes to a new world."
"I'm looking forward to being with my friends mostly," said Grupp, "and my twin sister Melissa, we go everywhere together."
According to Rabehl, plans will keep changing right up to the trip. In his experience, he's found that a beginning itinerary never lasts through the entire planning process.
"At this point, we're just trying to get the itinerary finalized, but plans are always changing right up to the point when we get on the bus," said Rabehl. "It takes a lot of agreement and negotiation, and when you have someone else to make decisions with, the quality of the decisions are much better."
With changes constantly occurring, students prepare any way they know how.
"I'm just keeping any spare change I have and am putting it in my piggy bank and I'm going to bring it to spend," said Rohlin.
"I'm getting ready, bringing stuff to do," said Grupp. "I've already packed coloring books."
A music trip happens every two years. It gives the music students a chance to perform in a new place and lets them experience different musical cultures. Along with participating in festivals, plans include a tour of the Hancock Tower and traveling on a private cruise at night.
"They remember it for the rest of their lives," said Rabehl. "I remember my high school band trip just like it was yesterday."

On Friday, March 11th, the Red Cross hosted the annual blood drive. The words needle and blood can strike fear into the hearts of some, but for others fear is not a factor. Junior Jason Hohl of the blood drive committee spent most of the day handing out food and talking to nervous students while they gave blood.

"For most students this is their first time giving blood," said Hohl, "Most people say afterwards that the fear is overblown. Some people were even racing to see who can finish first."

"I was scared most about them putting the needle in," said Senior Brandi Dufour, "I have heard stories of them missing the vein and having to use the needle more than once. It turns out the worst part was getting my finger pricked at the beginning for the blood test."

Students ranged from four minutes to 25 minutes to fill up the full pint-bag of blood.

For Senior David Nelson it was not about racing, but simply getting out of the ERS as fast as possible.

"The whole thing took so long that by the time I was actually giving blood, I just wanted to get out", said Nelson.

As more people signed up throughout the day, the wait to give blood became longer causing some students to miss class.

"The waiting took the longest", said Dufour, "I missed out on most of third block and all of fourth."

Giving blood is often the quickest and easiest way to help out because anyone can do it and it doesn't cost money. The Red Cross requires that all people giving blood must be 17 or older. Our school consistently had a good turn out rate so we continue to host the blood drive for Red Cross each year.

"I think it's appealing to students because it's an easy way to help out. Plus they can get out of class and get some free food," said Hohl.

Dressed in white jackets, Red Cross staff collect blood from students. It was required that blood donors be 17 years old and pass a series of questions pertaining to certain diseases that you may be exposed to. They also ran tests on a small sample of blood beforehand to determine if it was safe to take.

Closing of the Activity Center

On Tuesday administration announced that the Activity Center will close after this school year. Students and teachers were informed in a morning meeting and given a chance to give feedback. The center has been a popular place for clubs and activities over the years and many are disappointed that it will be shut down. Administrators cited budget cuts and building maintenance as major reasons for the decision. More details will be announced at the next school board meeting.

ACT sign up deadline

The ACT sign up deadline is April 7th. Juniors who plan to take the ACT this spring must register by that date to avoid late fees. The test will be given at the high school on April 29th. For more information see the counseling office.

Unique spring comedy

The upcoming spring performance will be "The Taming of the Clown," a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. Students have been rehearsing after school and teachers say the show will be a humorous take on contemporary issues. The performance opens Friday night in the auditorium.

The eight members of the Mock Trial team sat in silence as they waited for the verdict. After deliberating for about five minutes, the judges announced the winner. Buffalo pulled off the victory over Meadow Creek Academy, who last year went on to get fourth in the nation. With the victory, the team advanced to the final match of the State Tournament.

"It was what we had all worked up for," said junior Collin Tierney. "In the beginning we were not really sure if we would make it."

Buffalo's Mock Trial had a 16-2 record in region three. The team took second in state, but in order to make it there they had to get into the top 12 of 160 teams. "It was exciting to sit there and be like 'wow we are the second best team in the State of Minnesota,'" said Wilkens.

During their final round against South Minneapolis, the team was questioning their ability to take the State title. "I had a gut feeling that we would lose," said Tierney. "But it was a good match. I think we gave them a run for their money."

Head Coach Laurie Raymond lead the team through their most successful year. With a push from Raymond, the team has made their way to the top.

"When we found out, it was exciting because we were the first name called. Ms. Raymond was in tears. It was nice to see that she was so excited for us and it was nice to see that her hard work paid off," said senior Jessica Wilkens, "she went to state in 1992 but they got 8th place. We never thought we would go to the finals."

At the beginning of their season, the team's goal was to just make it to the state. With no help from the coach during competitions, the team relied on themselves to keep on top of their game. "In mock trial you're not allowed to talk to your coach," said Wilkens. "Everything is very quiet, and the team through their most successful year. With a push from Raymond, the team has made their way to the top. "She really pushes us," said Tierney. "It gets really stressful with her, but at the same time it is good because we would not have gotten this far without her pushing us."

The team is made up of Tierney, Wilkens, Seniors Jeremy Risk and Bryant Torkelson, Juniors Kashia Grosser and Chris Robert, Sophomore Machael Jacobs, and Freshman Jacob Westman.

Ever since February, fellow Buffalo citizens have been deprived of our sole movie theater located downtown. Cinema employees are jobless, and movie watchers can't get their local new "flick fix." Though the theater is gone and out; it is actually up and coming. Due to a growing number of complaints, cinema management decided to close down the theater and undergo some much needed construction.

"People were always complaining about the Buffalo Cinema," said Senior Theater Employee Christa Sims. "About everything, from the uncomfortable seats to the terrible parking lot."

Under construction: thanks to the power of the complaint, the theater is planned to have all these situations fixed, and much more. $2 million is being invested into this project, and it is scheduled to be completed by summer.

"Everyone got laid off when the theater closed," said Senior Theater Employee Conrad Kwatera, "We'll still get hired back though, if we want to be."

While ex-theater employees are left to search for jobs, Buffalo silver screen cinematic fanatics are forced to either sit at home and watch their favorite movie re-runs, or take a road trip to catch a flick elsewhere. In any case, you'll just have to sit tight until the stadium seating filled, arcade bearing Buffalo Cinema reopens; along with a larger lobby, new screen, extended parking lot, new popcorn machines, and a redesigned look for both the inside and out, on the first of June.

Photos by Derek Schenk
Top: The construction of the theater has spilled out into the street. The narrow street slows traffic during busy hours.
Left: Machinery and rubble are cluttered into the alley along the side of the cinema. Additions include stadium seating, an arcade, and a larger lobby area. The 2 million dollar project is scheduled to be completed before the start of this summer.

After their hard work, Business Professionals of America, or BPA, members returned home from the State competition. The eight students that went to State have all worked for months on their BPA projects. The students went to State had to present their projects in front of a panel of judges. Most, if not all, projects in BPA are done by computer.
"I like how the school has many computer programs and classes," said Junior Jeff Hortian. "Some of my friends tell me that the classes at BHS really help with their BPA knowledge."

The members that went to State are Michael Grundman, Michael Halagan, Neila Hickman, Brian Mazurowski, Benjamin Pecarina, Christopher Plusa, Jason Priebe, and Jesse Young, and Karen Baker, who qualified for State but could not attend. These students were at State March 9-11.
"I have gone to State before so it isn't a big surprise," said Junior Chris Plusa. "I didn't make it to state," said Sophomore Mark Jensen. "I guess that means that I will just need to try harder to win next year."

As explained in its name, BPA is an extracurricular activity that involves the use of computers and business. Students can pick from over 20 different activities, some of them being in groups. These activities can range from spreadsheets to web page design. Students that like to work in teams or individually on business related projects enjoy BPA.
"I joined BPA because I was good with spreadsheets," said Plusa. "I taught myself how to work spreadsheets."
"I was the treasurer of BPA in High School and the President in college," said Office Applications teacher, Brenda Diekman.
"I joined BPA last year," said Sophomore Mike Rose. "It was a fun experience and I will definitely join it again in my senior year."

Forty of 60 students that were surveyed said they have heard of BPA. Ten percent of students knew that BPA members were going to state, while 90 percent either knew about it but forgot or never heard about it.
"BPA is something that I like to participate in," said Plusa. "I will definitely join it next year."
"I have never been involved with BPA," said Junior Jonathan Huff. "I am planning to join it next year."

Many BPA members liked BPA and want to join it again next year, but some people had a lot to say about the problems with BPA.
"One of the things I don't like about BPA is that you have to pay to get in," said Jensen. "It would probably get more kids to join if the cost wasn't so high."
"What I don't like about BPA, is that the school provides little to no funding for it," said Diekman.

The PAC is quiet as the students auditioning read over their scripts before they are called on stage to audition the comedy Good & Plenty by Jeffery Hatcher.
"I was a little nervous but then I just relaxed and did it," said Junior Niles Hickman.
"I was fairly nervous, but not nearly as much as before Oliver and Honk," said Sophomore Natalie Svoboda. "I have become more confident with myself and with my abilities and weaknesses and once you have those things identified it makes auditioning more comfortable."

Being in a play requires a large amount of time to be at the rehearsals, and sometimes means members of the play need to give up things that they would do in their spare time in order to be in the play.
"I gave up speech this year for One Act and golf this spring for the play," said Svoboda. "But the friends I've made and the experience I've had have made it worth it."

During the months of practice it takes to be in the play the members of the cast put in time at rehearsals to make their performance memorable.
"My parents always support me in my extracurricular activities regardless of what they are. They just make sure I'm able to participate and they show up to every thing," said Hickman.

Freshman Brandon Aldrich and Sophomore Rachel Smude read assigned parts from the Good & Plenty script. Many students who auditioned were seeing the script for the first time.

"I have become more confident with myself and with my abilities and weaknesses and once you have those things identified it makes auditioning more comfortable," said Hickman.

The different styles of acting make the performances good. Actors need skills in order to become their character and give a convincing performance.
"Being able to perform well in different [styles] makes a good actor," said Freshmen Nicole Groenke. "[A good actor is] someone who is willing to put them self on the line and come outside of their comfort zone to be flexible and get into characters. In Oliver and Amber Waves I saw people really become their characters on and off the stage and I think that really helped in the believability of those productions," said Svoboda.

Students have different definitions of a good actor.
"Being able to truly put yourself aside and interpret the person you're trying to act as, if you can totally zone in on what the character you're acting out would be feeling and portray it to the audience, you're a good actor," said Hickman.

The last few plays have all been dramas. This play is a comedy, and is going to be a change from the ones in the past.
"We needed a comedy," said Director Tracy Hagstrom. "The musical Oliver was dark and serious. It just seemed like time to do a comedy to balance it out."

The performers also needed a change in pace, something that wasn't as serious.
"The plays recently have been sad and downers. It's nice for something funny and lighter," said Freshman Anna Brown.
"I'm excited to see how it all turns out. As long as I've been here, we've never done anything of this format so that will be challenging but fun and interesting at the same time," said Svoboda.

Continuously dealing with students and criticism, the administration still attempts to provide the best learning environment for students. A part of the their job is to make sure that students thrive in each area of school. While administrators decide what new programs to try, and which to must adjust or remove; students question the real need for them. When SSR and RRRRR came into play, roars of negative criticism filled the halls by students and teachers. Many did not realize the importance of the program, and reacted in this manner. But, since the start of the new reading program, the administration found ways in order to promote it positively. Dr. Nick Miller continually talks about books he currently reads, and a Review and React website came readily available to students. As soon as students took an optimistic approach, others followed their footsteps. Besides SSR, programs such as Extended Day are avail- able to students needing cred- its for graduation. Not many schools provide students with help when they fall behind. Administrators provide a safe learning community, with many benefits that students at other schools are not allowed. Seniors receive privileges, because of their hard work. Students get the ability to express themselves freely, without many limits. Students witness the dedication shown to students and are fortunate to have administrators with the willingness to build re- lationships, and continue them after graduation. The administration truly cares about their job and the students the school serves, which makes BHS an amazing community to grow in. Students are extremely fortunate in staff. When problems occur, administrators find ways to solve situations in constructive ways instead of coming to un- necessary conclusions. Better yet, if students bring up issues, administrators listen and find the best solution.

Months of dealing with giant trucks in the parking lot, half of a lunch room, and construction workers looming around every corner are finally over as the completion of the new activity center, announced the end of the latest additions here to BHS.
With so much time and money put into building such a great building, you would think that after it was completed it would be open for use. This, however, is not the case. After Activities Director Tom Bauman's latest announcement, the activities center has been closed after school until further notice.
The activities center was closed because kids were said to be spitting on the floor. While it isn't the greatest idea to spit on the floor of a gym, it isn't that big of a deal. When it comes down to it, how much different is spit than sweat really? Apparently there is a big difference because we don't want students spitting in our new $11 million dollar building.
They solved this problem by closing the Bison Activity Center (BAC). Once we have gone through the trouble of getting a referendum passed, hired a construction company, and put students and staff alike through the displeasure of months of construction, from 2:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon, not letting anyone use the BAC is the easy part.
The school has already spent a large chunk of change constructing such a nice building, why can't we hire someone to come in and supervise it for a few hours a day? Someone like Parking Lot Attendant and Hall Supervisor Aric Bethke could come in and supervise the BAC after school is out.
People should think about how dumb it is to have a building with so much potential, to have it stayed locked up day after day. Plenty of students are just waiting to get in and use it. Why don't we just find somebody that doesn't have anything to do, hire them, and get the BAC open for good. The BAC is there to be used by the students of this school, and it should be.

As an average student with registration coming to an end, I found myself in a major dilemma. BHS does not use a weighted GPA scale. This means that "slacker" classes that don't challenge the mind affect your GPA just as much as "college prep" classes, like College in the schools (CIS) writing and other CIS classes that involve a higher level of English, Math, Science, and AP classes. Knowing that colleges examine GPA and merely glance at the classes, what classes do I take to get the grades that will get me into a college of my choice? Not one that will merely accept me.

"I wish I would have known this in ninth grade," said Senior Mike Muntefering. "I would have taken all slacker classes besides my required ones. I want to challenge myself, instead of taking classes that will give me an 'easy A'."

At Penn High School and Niles High School AP classes carry more weight than other classes. This means that a B in an AP class equals an A in a "slacker" class. AP classes give high school students high school credits upon completion and college credits if they pass a test at the end of the term. A possible disadvantage of this may be that students who struggle, may feel unfairly treated, or it may damper their self-confidence. Nevertheless, a weighted GPA would benefit students who excel at academics and plan to go to college. If they register for college prep classes, they will be rewarded for it by challenging themselves academically.

According to national studies, in the next five to ten years most careers will require a college degree, since it's currently difficult to find a job or career where no degree is required. Individuals who plan to go to college and get a degree should not have a lower GPA than those students who take all "slacker" classes.

Students who take all "easy A" classes to pass high school and have no plans to go to college are road blocks on the pathway to success for those of us average students who possess lofty goals and want to succeed in life.

If schools have weighted grades, the grades and GPAs won't be as stressful and they will actually mean something.

I’m writing this column to give a voice to the unending controversy that is the feud between shower and tub enthusiasts. Maybe shedding some light on this topic could improve your daily bathing experience. Who says daily hygiene can’t be fun?

First, let’s look at the shower. You are supposed to turn on the nozzle, and then the water, instead of pouring straight out of the faucet, is bypassed through a hose up to your shower head. While this water is trickling down, you just stand there for a good five to 15 minutes, with a perfect opportunity to lather up with soap and move your head slightly to be able to apply shampoo and then rinse away with ease. One major downfall of the shower is the inability to be able to sit down, unless you have one of those specially modified shower benches installed, then you’ve got it made.

Now, about the bathtub; for those of you graced with a shower/tub combination, you have no doubt been acquainted more than several times with the sheer Zen which is a well drawn tub of water. There isn’t anything better than lounging in a steaming tub of sudsy water. The consuming warmth loosens every sore joint and muscle in your body, leaving you ready for whatever life throws at your recently cleaned face. There is one drawback to bathing in a tub, however. That is the application of soap and shampoo. You have to extend every appendage above water to achieve ideal soap to skin contact. You also need to lift your head above water to apply and agitate shampoo and/or conditioner, and then dunk your head to rinse. No doubt some might feel this is an unneeded abdominal workout.

Overall, it’s really up to you and what you prefer. If you do have a choice, and are easily influenced, let me give you some advice for future reference. Showers can be executed in at least two minutes along with a minor towel drying period; whereas, a bath would take at least 15 minutes including a slightly more thorough dry duty. So if you’re looking for a quick clean, go with the shower; but if you have time to sit back and relax and fight against filthiness simultaneously, well then the bath tub is for you.

In the main hallways, individuals slide in and out of various groups standing in the middle of the hallway, just passing the time. Anyone who feels the need to visit the bathroom must ask groups of mostly members of the opposite sex to part, so they can reach their destination. Opening a locker is a challenge most avoid, not wanting to deal with pushing four people out of the way just to reach the lock.

Sound familiar? In a student body of 1,700 students and growing, getting to class, the bathroom, the lunchroom, and the locker bays, not to mention one individual locker, becomes more and more time consuming, and difficult, with all the challenges that we face.

Lately it seems that more and more people don’t care about being rude, and are more concerned with walking down the hallways four or five wide, making students on either side look like conga lines, walking in single file.

Students aren’t the only ones guilty of forgetting their manners. Having to walk around teachers, standing in the middle of the hallways, is not only annoying, but dangerous. One day while walking down the stairs, a student obviously in a hurry, tried to avoid a teacher and miss-stepped, falling down three stairs before catching themselves on the railing. Fortunately it was a fairly empty hallway; otherwise a domino effect would have sent more than one unsuspecting student to the floor. Teachers standing in the middle of the hallway, aren’t only usually late to class, but make it even more difficult for students to enter their classroom.

When walking down the hallway with friends, choose to walk two wide, three wide at the most. Also, the stair rule can be a general rule for walking down the hallways that connect the cafeteria and the main locker bays. Walk down the correct side, and people won’t run into the middle walls or the trash cans, even though it’s funny to watch.

If your locker is by a requested location, such as a bathroom, do not stand with a group of people blocking it for those who want to enter. Even if girls just want to look in the mirror, they take it seriously, so move out of the way.

If someone falls down the stairs, it should be because they are clumsy, not because they were pushed by a mob of people. Hopefully, you’ll remember that it’s not just the staff’s hallway, or the Freshmen’s hallway, but everybody’s hallway.

You walk out to your freezing car in the middle of winter, it’s dark, and you fumble with your keys all while juggling a backpack and a huge chemistry book. Your car gives a pathetic whimper as it struggles to turn over and you hope a small area on your windshield defrosts so you can see the road. For Buffalo students, this kind of torture only lasts for a couple of minutes, but Corcoran and Hanover residents often wake up to at least twenty minutes of driving to make it on time to class. Their long commute poses other problems as well. Although many BHS students reside in Buffalo, a growing number of them live in the cities surrounding the school.

Hanover, Montrose, and Corcoran teens also attend BHS, but with a price to pay, a longer commute to and back from school.

"In the winter, if I didn’t know it snowed and I left at the same time I usually do, I would be really late," said Junior Elizabeth Schoenle.

Winter driving is especially frustrating for students who live farther away. It means a longer time to sit in the cold air, car troubles, and icy roads.

"Right as I arrive to school, my defrost finally warms up," said Junior Jason Hohl.

Although cold is a major issue for these students, the amount of time spent on the road is an ordeal all in itself.

"When you live in Corcoran there are no short-cuts. It’s long every single way you drive. But that’s what you get for refusing to ride the bus every day," said Junior Ashley Groenke.

Though riding the bus seems like a good idea for students who live farther away, more and more upper-classmen from surrounding cities are driving to school, despite their aggravation.

"I despise the bus," said Schoenle.

Widespread distaste for riding the bus leaves little room for options for students who live farther away. Another aspect of long commuting is the ever-changing gas prices that stalk car-owners.

"If I didn’t have to spend money on gas to get to school, I wouldn’t have anything to spend it on, because I have no life," said Groenke.

Sometimes just having a job that isn’t near school can have a huge effect on students’ gas tanks because they are stuck in between two towns, usually Maple Grove and Buffalo.

"I go through a full tank in like four days because I work in Maple Grove and go to school in Buffalo," said Schoenle.

Fortunately for some, parents have taken over paying for gas for their teens.

"My parents spend a lot of money on gas for me to go to school here. It’s at least $100 every two weeks," said Junior Kari Anderson.

Anderson lives in St. Cloud which is almost an hour away from BHS. Even though her commute everyday is long, she enjoys living in her hometown.

"I like living in St. Cloud, because it’s really close to shopping, and it’s a lot easier to get a job," said Anderson.

Many other Corcoran and Hanover students feel the same about their communities, despite their empty wallets.

"It makes me laugh. It’s a little irritating when people who live in Buffalo rub it in," said Groenke. "It’s very therapeutic, because my sister doesn’t talk and I don’t turn up the radio, it is relaxing."

All students have positives and negatives about where they live, but they all make it here everyday.

It just takes a little more or less time for each one.

"It’s my choice to go to Buffalo school, I could switch to St. Cloud if I wanted to," said Anderson. "So I can’t be mad about how long it takes me to get to school."

To most high school societies, a party is only a party if alcohol is there and a lot of high school students depend on alcohol to have a "good time." Senior Shane Jensen is not one of those students because he is one who prefers to be alcohol-free.

"I just don’t need that stuff in my life," said Jensen.

"I see how my friends act when they’re drunk and I don’t want that to be me."

Jensen is an aspiring young man who fills an active lifestyle. He plays baseball in the spring and he works at Ralph Lauren in Albertville. He also plans on going to college, which most know can be a place full of peer pressure.

Not everyone drinks, however, Jensen is just one example. A lot of people in high school stand up for what they believe in and that takes courage, especially in high school and for Jensen as a lot of his friends drink.

"I know of only two of all my friends that don’t drink," said Jensen.

Right now, Jensen tries to focus on school work, his job, and a social life. He has no intentions for drinking anytime soon. When asked what his substitution for alcohol was, he simply replied with a smile, "life."

Being part of a group like that can make it harder to resist giving into pressure.

"I know Shane doesn’t drink," said an anonymous Senior of Jensen. "I would never try to pressure him to do something he stands against."

"When my friends go somewhere to drink, I usually just find something else to do instead," said Jensen. "I just have too much in my life."

Jensen’s life has been affected by alcohol in more ways than one. He has seen how a family can be ruined by alcohol. He doesn’t want to end up like that.

“First of all I’m a dork - you know I’m a dork, that’s fine...get over it.”

Assistant Principal, Matt Lubben, spoke eagerly in front of Ms. Tierney’s Sophomore English class while explaining his complete obsession with an 80’s heavy metal band.

Lubben began listening to rock music in the fifth grade and got completely hooked. After learning to play the drums, he tried out for a rock band at age 11 and was hired on the spot.

“Music has really changed my life,” said Lubben. “The way I rebelled when I was young was by listening to tough guy music, dressing cool, getting tattoos and that kind of thing.”

“Guys [in rock bands] looked like girls,” said Lubben, “and I thought it was cool back then.”

Lubben was passionate about rock music and took drumming very seriously.

“I went to every concert I could,” said Lubben. “Me and my buddies went to more than 200 concerts in high school.”

“I went to Alice in Chains, Van Halen, Bullet Boys, Faster Pussycat, and I saw Metallica more than 20 times.”

His main passion was the rock band, Motley Crüe. He would watch a video of the band 10-12 times a day and eventually learned to play the drums solo that was featured in it.

Ever since Lubben came to like this band, he has been collecting Motley Crüe merchandise. He has Motley Crüe cars, tour books, newspaper articles, videos, CDs, guitar picks, drumsticks, and a phone role he plays all the time.

“I had over 50 t-shirts but my mom threw all my shirts away if they had an F-word on them,” said Lubben.

“I also got a Motley Crüe tattoo when I was 18,” said Lubben. “I’m glad I got it, though.”

Lubben hasn’t gotten over his obsession.

“This year I went to two different [Motley Crüe] shows,” said Lubben. “One backstage, and one front-row and I met them all. I was in nirvana, I was so happy.”

There is a special room in Lubben’s house where he keeps his 80’s rock band collection.

“The kids aren’t allowed in there unless supervised by an adult,” said Lubben. “That’s me.”

“My number one is to spend [time] with my wife and family,” said Toso.

Fortunately for Toso, he had the opportunity of seeing his two daughters go through the school, and he said that he really enjoyed that time.

His family life and school life got wrapped up into one.

“It went fast,” said Toso, “but in four years, my first grandchild will be going through here.”

Assistant Principal Rick Toso didn’t always have the role he has today. He was a PE and health instructor, driver’s education teacher, head coach in football, soccer, softball, and boys and girls alpine skiing, ninth grade girls basketball coach, event manager, and even drove bus on an emergency basis.

“Having the opportunity coming to work every day is something I love to do,” said Toso. “It’s a piece of my life I really like.”

“I have a Harley,” said Toso, “and I make an annual trek to Sturgis with a group of Harley friends.”

“For the most part, students understand the role that I play,” said Toso. “If they invite me into their lives by their behavior, I need to participate, and be in it to be part of their safety. That’s probably my stress-reliever.”

Patrolling the lunch room, Assistant Principal Richard Toso finds time to spend with students throughout the day.

“[Years] go by fast,” said Toso, “in four years, my first grandchild will be going through here.”

Assistant Principal Matt Toso didn't always have the role he has today. He was a PE and health instructor, driver's education teacher, head coach in football, soccer, softball, and boys and girls alpine skiing, ninth grade girls basketball coach, event manager, and even drove bus on an emergency basis.

"Having the opportunity coming to work every day is something I love to do," said Toso. "It's a piece of my life I really like."

Fortunately for Toso, he had the opportunity of seeing his two daughters go through the school, and he said that he really enjoyed that time.

"It went fast," said Toso, "but in four years, my first grandchild will be going through here."

Along with being with his family, Toso spends his free time riding his motorcycle, playing golf when weather permits and doing a few things in the garden.

"I have a Harley," said Toso, "and I make an annual trek to Sturgis with Harley friends."

"I really like to garden in the summer," Toso said.

Being the assistant principal is just a piece of his life, even though it's the role he plays at school, it's not the typical day for us.

"[Years] go by fast," said Toso, "in four years, my first grandchild will be going through here."

Activities Director Tom Bauman
Margaret Suerth
Journalism Staff

"We get to see the smiles and growth of students."

Coordinating activities, athletics and academics together, Activities Director Tom Bauman is beautiful a dm / Nn / S t l a tI On S | a / d -ba ck S tyl eC a ae se aE . be ith fora man.

Just a few of the things Activities Director Tom Bauman has to handle. Enforcing the MSHSL rules, hiring officials, transportation, equipment and uniforms are just a few of the things Activities Director Tom Bauman has to handle.

Whether it's support that's being offered or just pure fun, the relationship Bauman has built with the other principals is a very friendly one.

"Even when the school's gonna crumble, and the students wanna strangle us, we're one person to handle. Enforcing the MSHSL rules, hiring the school's gonna and developing coaching staff, setting up schedules, officials, transportation, equipment and uniforms are good."

Bauman has so much to coordinate that stress just comes along with it, the sheer volume of stuff is incredible, said Bauman, "I keep lists that sometimes get up to 200 things I need to do. It would be easy to just lock the door, but I try to keep it open."

"It's the 18 hole challenge, Lubben and Bauman against Miller and Toso," said Bauman. "We will challenge the old fogies every year until they're too old to get around the course."

In the most stressful of times, having a good relationship with the staff and other principals really helps to keep things on track.

When asked what the best benefit of his position was, Bauman's response didn't come down to his relationship with the staff but what he shares with the staff with the relationships they have with the students.

"The best benefit, how do I even put it into words," said Bauman, "you always get to hang on, other jobs don't let you see youth, and we get to see the smiles and growth of the students."

With the benefits, comes great support. Bauman does his best to support every student activity he coordinates.

"I love going [to activities], there isn't one thing I don't enjoy going to," said Bauman, "I can't get to them all, no one can, I go through my guilts, but the staff here understands."

Through the lists and coordinated activities Bauman feels the rewards, as simple as seeing kids laugh, is something you can't get anywhere else.

"It's not the money," said Bauman, "it's watching kids work hard and be successful."

---
Photo by Mariah Laqua
Activities Director Tom Bauman speaks at one of the school's many assemblies. "I have so much to coordinate that stress just comes along with it," said Bauman.

Administrative Assistant Bob Driver
Margaret Suerth
Journalism Staff

Coming from a ninth grade English teacher and making the switch to Administrative Assistant gave Bob Driver a new perspective on the school and the students.

Now he's in charge of staff development, he oversees testing, initiates reading for SSR, and works on the academic side of activities.

Becoming the administrative assistant has put Driver in some interesting situations. Instead of teaching, he's telling teachers what needs to get done and creates initiatives for them. He says that with each situation comes a new experience to gain, to him, this job offers good benefits and they happen to fit well with him.

"This job suits my personality," said Driver, "I'm one who likes challenges of the unknown. Things come at you and you wonder what's going to happen, from student issues to suspensions."

Driver wasn't just the adjustment of overall role in the school; it was the student relationships he built from being a teacher that he missed most.

"[I miss] the day to day contact with the general population of kids," said Driver, "As a teacher you get to know them daily."

With the teacher-student relationship gone, Driver says some of the best benefits of his new position are getting to know more students and more staff on a different level.

"I've been able to get to know more of the staff," said Driver, "before, in my ninth grade area I knew the staff, but now I know them better because I talk with them and bounce ideas off them."

It's interesting coming from the teacher's side at the beginning, said Driver, "I've always gotten to know the students from them being in the unknown side. Here the deference and the most thing for me is the day to day contact with the general population of kids."

Becoming Administrative Assistant gave Driver a new job title, new day-to-day experiences and a whole new team to work with. Driver has seen how nicely the administration team can work together.

"We all have different styles," said Driver, "but we compliment each other."

Driver finds something about his job to enjoy.

The same room in which basketball games are played and students sweat for their P.E. credits had been transformed into a dazzling ballroom. Background music encouraged students in colorful dresses and striking tuxes, to prepare for Grand March. Long before students are renting limos and tuxes or searching for the perfect dress, prom is developing in the minds of the Junior Class Cabinet (JCC).

The duty of planning this high school event is assigned to the JCC, a group of two advisors and six students. They pick out the theme, location, music, decorations at the dance and Grand March, the gift, and the letter of invitation. Knowing the theme and the work that is required to make a quality prom only heightens the anticipation of the JCC.

"It makes me more excited because I know what it's going to be," said Junior Kaia Hagberg. "You respect it more because you know what goes into it."

Having good advisors is appreciated by this years JCC members Hagberg, Amanda Schiller, Brooke Meyer, Ashley Groenke, Derek Magee, and Kashia Grosser. Foreign Language teacher Nancy Einyck and Social Studies teacher Tracy Hulley have been planning prom together for 12 years. Their experience helps make planning prom a fun, stress-free experience for the JCC.

"It hasn't been too bad because Einyck and Hulley are really organized," said Magee.

"Einyck and I will say, 'This is what we've done in the past,' to give them some ideas," said Hulley, "and then they take the ideas and fly with it."

Past themes include "A Night in Paris" and "Come and Dance with me." The theme is highly anticipated and kept a secret until the invitation letter is sent out in March. Selecting a theme is a long process, yet enjoyed by those who are doing the choosing.

"We looked through books and picked one that catches our eye," said Magee.

"This theme kept being talked about," said Hulley. "It is very different."

The end product that is seen and enjoyed by the student body requires commitment on the part of the JCC.

"There are little things that you don't expect," said Grosser. "How much work goes into it... even Grand March, the order the people come in is planned."

The advisors experience helps cover those details, such as the size of the flowers in the Medina Ball Room and the order that the people come in at Grand March.

"They come in to class cabinet knowing that the biggest event is prom," said Hulley. "Everyone contributes to making this a success."

Although it is a lot of responsibility to plan a high school prom, the JCC had fun with it. They chatted comfortably through the meetings, about necessary business and also about who is going with whom. There are many decisions to be made that will affect prom. This year's JCC took a democratic approach and voted on all decisions to narrow things down. The comfortable atmosphere gave them freedom to voice their opinions without fear of being put down.

"I think it's a very focused group because they're ahead of schedule," said Hulley. "They're a very positive group that I'll be able to look back on and smile."

After taking time to plan this annual event, JCC has big expectations for the night.

"I hope the decorations create a good atmosphere," said Hagberg. "Grand March will be pretty exciting."

"Number one priority is that everyone has fun and is safe," said Hulley. "There is nothing like coming back Monday after Prom and hearing people talking about how much they loved it."

Television, magazines, media... It's everywhere; the perfect body image.
Everyone has had thoughts at one point at least about improving their bodies in some way.
In a study of girls ages eight to ten, approximately half the girls and one-third of the boys were unhappy with their size. Research has shown that approximately 40 percent of fourth graders have been on a diet before. TV, magazines, and shopping malls all serve as constant reminders everywhere. No one is perfect, but the people still strive for perfection.
"There are internal and external influences. For external, you have the Barbie Doll-like images everywhere in the media. There's a lot of pressure to look good and be perfect like them," said counselor Mary Leff. "Fashion is a big thing for teens right now and people's self-esteem is just as big of a concern."
Many people develop eating disorders for different reasons.
"I think in ways, it's a lot like a chemical addiction," said Leff. "It usually boils down to self-esteem and the quest for affection."
8,000,000 people or more have an eating disorder in the United States, 90 percent are women. Eating disorders mostly start as teens, but may begin as early as age eight.
"My friends were always the skinny athletic people in our grade, so that really affected my self-esteem," said an anonymous senior girl. "I've been way more obsessive with how I look. It really took over my life."
Eating disorders also affect the people around them that care about them as well.
"My best friend had an eating disorder. Our friendship kind of went downhill for awhile, we were always arguing about it," said an anonymous senior girl. "It was on my mind a lot. It just sucked to know your best friend was doing that to themselves, I was really worried."
The "perfect image" has evolved into a big deal nowadays and people endure an obsession about it, yet obesity developed into a big issue in America. If people maintain a healthy diet and include the right amount of exercise, these health problems may be prevented from happening in the first place.
The pressure to look perfect can be extreme, but the risk of irreversible damage isn't worth it.

He buttons up his tux and anxiously waits to walk on stage. He hears the crowd cheer and all the nerves he felt at his first concert come rushing back. He steps out and smiles and then steps on the podium and takes a keep breathes in and slowly breaths out. He raises his baton and the music starts.
Scott Rabehl is this month's feature teacher. He teaches the freshman band and the varsity band, along with teaching music appreciation (AMP), and co-teaches AP music theory and classical music listening.
From concerts to contests and from pep bands to practices, Rabehl has little time to prepare for class the next day.
"There's not enough time in my day," said Rabehl. "All my time is spent teaching, and that leaves not enough time to get ready to teach."
An average block schedule is usually the kids all get their instruments out and then he does all the announcements, then they spend the rest of the time practicing and making a piece of music come to life. And on some days Rabehl will play "stump the band" (a game created by Rabehl) or do crazy tricks like playing the pencil to show off to the band.
"I like him because his is just cool," said Sophomore Cassie Rohlik. "His teaching style is very different than what I'm use to and that makes us a good band. He makes band so much fun."
The concert ends and he lowers his baton and stares at the band astounded that the band played better than he ever could have imagined. He stares at them, and they stare back, and slowly a smile comes to his face.
"There are so many few and rare moments in rehearsals that you finish a piece and all you can do is stare at the band, can't believing what you just heard. It's an amazing feeling."

Senior Cole Nelson roams the halls during his hour of teacher assistant work for Psychology teacher Chris Max Hanson Journalism Staff "Check mate." Senior Mike Gillespie has won another match of chess while his peers listen to lectures and take tests. The reason being, he is a Teacher's Assistant during fourth block. The life of a T.A. is one that some take more serious than others. Some help teachers, others help themselves. "I hang out, read the newspaper, and play a lot of chess," said Gillespie. Stories like Gillespie's have administrators, teachers, and even students frustrated with T.As. "It's just an excuse for seniors to slack at the end of the year," said senior Brittani Matzke. "Most abuse their privileges and use it as a block to screw around with few responsibilities." While most T.As. only have a few minutes of work to do a day, they are still very helpful for teachers to have. "I only made copies," said senior Shane Jensen, "but the teacher could focus on her lesson plan instead of having to make them." Students help teachers in different ways. Even when teachers don't have jobs for students to do, T.As. are valuable to have for other reasons. "Administrators would rather have students in the classroom furthering their education," said math teacher Stacey Eggers, "but I can't imagine not having my T.As. I've had T.As. during my prep, and if I wouldn't have them, I would be by myself. It is nice to have someone to talk to." While students and staff alike will continue to disagree about the position of Teacher's Assistant, for now the option will remain one that juniors and seniors will have.

Buffalo High School is hosting the Night Out for Music on April 1, starting with Dinner at 6:15 in the cafeteria.
The evening will begin with appetizers and punch, then guests will be served dinner, accompanied by music. After dinner, the guests will move to the Performing Arts Center where Jazz 1 team, BHS Singers, and Treble Singers will perform.
"It's kind of a unique concert," said Choir Director Walsh. "I think the combined BHS Singers and Jazz 1 will make for a good performance. They're all great musicians."
The program is open to everyone. Students and community members are welcome to come. Admission costs will go toward a fundraiser to help students pay for their upcoming trip to Nashville and Chicago. The dinner costs $18 and the performance in the PAC is $5 for adults and $3 for students.
"I think it will be a really nice evening," Walsh said.

"Singing is harder than people think," said Senior Maria Omann, "because you have to be able to sight read and get pitches right."

BHS Singers is a branch of Concert Choir. They consist of the top eight boys and top eight girls of Concert Choir.

"The boys sing tenor and bass" and the girls sing alto and soprano.

All of the BHS singers have to make a commitment in order to better themselves and prepare for concert events. There is only one practice a week, on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:30, and occasionally before school. To be prepared, it is expected that they practice at home. They each have to learn different pieces of music, because even though they all work together, they each have their own parts. They have to support themselves by fundraising and using money from their own pockets when they go on trips.

If a person is not in Concert Choir it is not likely that they're in BHS Singers, because that's where they learn the things they need to know for BHS Singers. Not everyone has the same level of experience though. Some of the singers just started in eighth grade and others have been singing most of their lives.

Some of the singers are so dedicated that they take years of voice lessons while others do what is in the curriculum.

Anyone is allowed to audition for a solo, but the person that best fits the song is chosen. Solos help the students express themselves in different ways.

"I try out for solos because I want to be a leader of the group and stand out," said Junior Matt Eckland.

"BHS singers helped me get over stage fright, it was a big step to be able to do solos," said Omann, who sang at the show.

Currently they are getting prepared for a concert in Nashville, where they will be professionally judged, and also a festival in Chicago where they will sing with other schools. To fundraise, they sell recordings of themselves.

Auditions are in the spring, and juniors are usually invited back. Night Out for Music, their next concert, is on April 1.

"It's more like a dinner and a movie thing, rather than a concert," said Junior Niles Hickmann.

First the singers host the banquet and then they perform their acts at the PAC. Tickets are on sale now from Mike Walsh in the music department or from the students in choir.

What don't people know about Knowledge Bowl? asked Junior Nick Job rhetorically over a long trip to Moorehead.
"That's not the question!" interjected Junior Andrew Burns.
"He just likes being Yoda," said Junior Marc LeVoir.
"I like answering questions with questions," said Job.
"But it's hardly relevant," said Burns.
"No, actually it is. What people should know about Knowledge Bowl is what they don't know about Knowledge Bowl."
"That's not true though."
"No, I'm pretty sure it is."
"No, I'm gonna' quote Red Forman: 'I didn't need to know they had a mucous membrane.' Some things you just don't need to know."

When the "KB'ers" aren't engaging in witty banter, or trying to be quicker to the buzz than other teams, they're finding ways to pass the time over long bus rides and round intermissions. One popular way is to complain about other teams.
"Cambridge," said LeVoir, "because there's the spokesperson who can't say a lot of words, like 'the,' 'is,' and 'Pele.' Like the answer could be 'two,' and he'd defer. I don't understand."

Another way is poker, which the KB'ers play a lot.
"They're addicted," said LeVoir.
"I don't think it's just a sign of Knowledge Bowl," said Burns. "I think it's just modern society in general: everybody likes playing poker, not just people at Knowledge Bowl. And so, Knowledge Bowlers just kind of... jump on the bandwagon and play poker too. It happens all the time."

Some answers are so bad they're laughable. Juniors Andrew Burns, left, and Sam Stone, right, spend a few of their precious fifteen seconds ridiculing Junior spokesperson Derek Magee's guess at the Rogers Invitational. For Buffalo's team one, the meet ended dramatically with Magee and Burns having to leave halfway through the final round. However, despite being without half their team, Stone and Junior Mitch Biermann managed to finish the tournament ahead of their fierce rival, St. John's Prep.

However, Advisor Peggy Pasche has attempted to crack down on the fad.
"We can't play for real money in her room anymore," said Burns. "We're under 18, and it's illegal, and so we can't play for pennies anymore."

For some, Knowledge Bowl is an escape, and the students in it grow closely attached.
"I hate most things in school," said LeVoir, "and Knowledge Bowl is one of the things in school I don't hate."
"It's his out," said Job, "It's his drug."
"Yeah, Knowledge Bowl is my drug of choice," said LeVoir.

"Marc's always angry," said Burns.
"I am always angry," said LeVoir, "That's my, uh, niche in life. And soon I'll get on a talk show, and then I can just scream and everyone will love me."

In a time of female domination of almost all extra-curricular activities, Knowledge Bowl stands as one of the final vestiges of Y-chromosomal domination, as the KB'ers might say.
"Well, the pickings are slim, I must say," said Junior Jason Hohl.
"Honestly, I really don't know why there aren't more girls in Knowledge Bowl," said Junior Ashley Groenke, "because it's awesome, and I think they just don't know that. Maybe because there's no leadership involved in Knowledge Bowl, and, like, guys are afraid of leadership and so that's why girls always end up in Student Council and, like, all that kind of stuff. And so guys are like, 'Hey, let's join Knowledge Bowl because we don't have to actually, like, be that responsible or anything.' And so the girls are just busy taking all the jobs the guys won't do."

"Girls are stupid," said LeVoir, "so the guys are in Knowledge Bowl."
"I think it's probably because girls are less willing to embrace their own nerdiness," said Groenke. "But I could be wrong, because I'm a very bad representation of the female population."

Nerdiness divides the team into two relatively even halves: the outspokenly nerdy, and the closeted nerdy.
"You go to meets, and you hate to make stereotypes about people, but there's people there that look like they know way too much about way too little," said Junior Sam Stone. "Like earlier this year in North Branch we had a round about Star Wars, and it was rather depressing. We were in a room that we had people arguing over plans of the Millennium Falcon as far as where the hyperdrive was located."

Whatever their degree of nerdiness, Regions and, the KB'ers hope, State, loom ahead.
"I think it's going to go terrific," said Groenke, "because, I don't know, I have this strange feeling deep down inside that we're going to do good."
"There's been good success in the past," said Junior Kathleen Dehmer.
"Yeah there has," said Groenke, "so why would this year be any different?"

Knowledge Bowl travels to Sartell Regions on April 3 to compete for one of three top spots headed to State. In the meantime, the KB'ers will probably find some way to pass the time.

With the winter sport season coming to an end, and the spring sport season starting, emotions from the student athletes run high. The athletes had much to say about the memories, highlights, and the bonds created during their seasons.

"The most memorable part of the season to me was the relationship between all of the girls, especially all the jokes we had," said Senior Girls' Basketball player Megan Otten.

"The most memorable part of the season was placing [3rd] in our conference this year," said Sophomore Dance Team Captain Alison Dykhuizen.

"I think meeting new people and bonding was most memorable," said Freshman Dance Team Member Krissy Schumacher.

Some of the athletes discussed what they thought could have been done to make the season more successful.

"To make the season have gone better I think we could have been more prepared for playoffs," Sophomore Hockey Player Robert Aslesen. "We should treat every game like it was playoffs."

When asking Sophomore Brandon Ordorff what could have been improved to make the wrestling season better he said; "Our work ethic in practice and other stuff with the coaches."

Athletes also have already begun to talk, discuss and make predictions about next year's winter season.

"I plan on sticking with cheerleading after this year because you eventually form a family, it's more than a team," said Sophomore Cheerleader Jewel Rivera. "If we had more girls it would have made the season better, because we only had eight this year."

Other winter sports unmentioned in this story are: Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Girls' Hockey, Gymnastics, Boys' Swimming and Boys' Basketball.

Spring sports: Girls' Softball, Track and Field, Boys' and Girls' Golf, and 9th grade Baseball began on March 13, Boys' Baseball began on March 20, and Boys' Tennis started March 27.

On their first day of tryouts the Girls' Softball players execute a drill designed to improve fielding the softball. The girls ran in a circle rolling the ball across their circle forcing the person opposite of them to field the ball and then start the whole process over again.

"This was a newer drill, we hadn't really done it before, it was a lot more work, I wasn't expecting softball to be this much work."
- Senior Kathleen Rosso

Photo by Sara Hauer and Max Rixe

On the first day of practice, members of the track team do exercises across the gym floor in the BAC. Practice was held indoors due to five inches of snow and a temperature of 23 degrees.

It seems like just a second ago, the team was huddled around in anticipation of the big game. Dreams still well alive and chances of making it to the state tournament is just a game away. Words can't define the emotions brimming on every face as the team takes the court.
Minutes leading to quarters pass, and just like that it's over. Disbelief and disappointment is soon to take place, and for some seniors, their last game ever played has ended with a loss.
So the story goes year after year, players and teams heartbroken as their chances of going to the state tournament are shattered. Tears are shed, and dreams suddenly vanish in the midst of passion and competition.
"It was really heartbreaking," said Junior Brett Fouquette. "I pitched our last [baseball] game and got hit around pretty good. It took me a good week to feel good about myself again. But that's how it goes. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and sometimes it rains, what are you going to do."
With teams aspiring to perform their best during the season, they must put in the time during the off season. Karl Olson and the rest of the Buffalo basketball team were determined to create their own destiny by taking their preparation to the limits.
"We worked really hard as a team all summer and fall, lifting weights and doing camps at 6:00 am," said Olson.
"After you lose all you want to do is work harder to play that next game. Then you realize that there isn't a next game."
Although many players are disappointed at the final result, some take it better than others and eventually can even come to joke about it.
"If I could have done anything at sections, it would have been not to have drunk that malt," said Senior Jordan Vandorp. "The malt stain on my pants reminds me of the stain on my heart put there because of the crushing defeat."
For all of the seniors, their chances of going to state are gone. But for the Juniors and underclassmen, their failure to qualify this year could lead to a berth in the state tournament the next season.
"Once you experience the feeling of defeat, it drives you that much harder not to experience it again," said Fouquette.

"That’s the magical thing about sports, there is always next year," said Fouquette.

"Once you experience the feeling of defeat, it drives you that much harder not to experience it again."
- Ben Fouquette

As the rider starts his run you can feel his tension and nervousness as if you were out there yourself. He rides with determination and aggressiveness. He approaches the wake and soars in the air, landing a double up. The crowd cheers and judges are pleased.

The 15th Pro Wakeboard Tour is coming to Lake Island Park in Shoreview, June 10-11.

Josh Sanders of Australia and Daniel Watkins of Orlando, Florida, took first and second place last year. Both will be just some of the familiar faces seen this year’s tour. Sanders, now in his eighth year pro, finished in the world’s top ten for the past four years.

"The best part about watching pros is watching them do crazy things; things that normal people can’t do" said Senior Max Hanson. "It gives you ideas for things to try, that you probably shouldn’t."

In an interview with Wakeboarding Magazine, Sanders said "I’d have to quit this sport if I didn’t win. I don’t like losing!"

The tour’s second stop in the Twin Cities lets local fans and wakeboard enthusiasts learn from the pros.

"St. Paul is the home of diehard water sports fans and enthusiast in the Mid-west, it’s time to expand the reach of the Pro Wakeboard Tour," said Sean Dishman of World Sports & Marketing. "It’s been almost 10 years since the Tour has been to St. Paul. The sport has changed so much, and the riders are doing so much amazing stuff this city should be hyped for our return."

Three divisions make up the tour, including pro men, pro women and wakeskate. Contestants must belong in the top 40 for pro men, top 20 for pro women and top 20 for wakeskate after the first event in Atlanta. Judges look for execution, intensity and composition.

Off water training plays an important role in excelling wakeboarding skills.

"A lot of boarders, including me, use trampolines to practice their tricks," said 2002 BHS graduate Adam Meyer. "Some join diving teams to help control themselves on water, while others snowboard for balance."

"To help with hand placement," said Senior Eric Anderson. "I practice my spins with a rope and a bottle full of sand to make it more challenging."

Whether a beginner looking for advice or an advanced boarder wishing to join the tour some day, the Pro Wakeboard Tour offers a variety of entertainment for students.

The varsity track team will have its first invitational of the season on Saturday, April 1. It will be a simple dual meet away at Monticello High School. This will be the first meet for athletes who have just made varsity level for Buffalo. "People always think that Track is just running and running," said Track and Field Coach Scott Palmer. "There's also long jumping, hurdling, pole vaulting, shot throwing and more." Last year the Buffalo Track team sent thirteen athletes to the state competition. As a result they grabbed fourth place in overall state competition. Because of this feat, Palmer expressed his enthusiasm for this year. "I am very hopeful towards what will happen with this year's team. Since we were able to defeat the Mankato East last year, who were the State Champs, I have a very good feeling about this year." Lately students in the halls can't help but notice the invitations for new athletes to join the team. But Palmer said that this was just more enthusiasm. "It's not that we're anxious about last year's seniors leaving. It's just that, if we could do so well last year, the talents of new volunteers could take us very far!"

Photo-by Sara Hauer In order to prepare their bodies for a hard work out, Track and Field members participated in a group stretch prior to running.

With Spring just around the corner, the Boys' Baseball team went off to play in the sun. This year the team travelled to Cocoa Beach, Florida over spring break for an early start to their season.
The baseball spring break trip helps the team get together prior to the season and allows them to practice outdoors.
"We want to get outside and start tryouts as soon as we can," said Coach Mike Beilke.
Going to Cocoa Beach helped the team stick together and work hard as a team.
"The trip helps to show the coaches your skills," said Sophomore Darrin Olmscheid. "It forces you to put your effort into being the best."
With a cost of $750.00, the players put in many efforts to afford the trip.
"The cost was high at first but we had some good ways to fundraise the money," said Senior Shane Jensen. "We bagged groceries at Cub, held clinics here in Buffalo, and sold bracelets."
The players anticipated getting to warm weather, while their schedule was filled with many activities.
"I look forward to hanging out with everyone and being in warm weather," said Senior Captain Tyler Antony. "And just to be playing baseball again."
"We will have two to four days of morning practices and evening scrimmages," said Beilke.
Along with fun activities the team went through a series of tests and tryouts to determine their position on the team.
"We'll be tryout testing the first couple of days," said Beilke. "I don't ever put a limit or specific deadline on picking teams ... We'll have everyone together for two to three days until we know what we want."
This trip offered the players an experience of a life time and their dedication will pay off towards this year's season.
"I have been invited to go to other places but I'm already committed," said Jensen. "It kind of sucks that it takes up the whole Spring Break and I have to be away my senior year."
With the 2006 season approaching, players must step up and set goals for themselves and for their team and then do their utmost best to achieve them.
"I want us to make it to state for my last year," said Senior Captain Corey Jeske. "I'm pretty confident and really excited for the season ... I feel the team is well prepared and ready for this year."
While the bats are rolling and the dust is in the air, players are sweaty and dirty, working their hardest to fulfill their goals for their upcoming season.
"It's gonna be a good season," said Olmscheid. "We have some young guys coming up and we've got some good defense."
Over the last two years, the team had relied only on their pitching, while this year overall offense and the depth of pitching will be the their main strength and the area they will focus on most.
"We need to score a bunch of runs to win games this year," said Antony.
As captains, Antony and Jeske need to be able to listen well and keep in good communication with each other, their teammates and their coaches.
"They're [Jeske and Antony] great leaders and know how we like to do things," said Jensen.
Baseball is more than just a game to the players; it is a way for them to show their passion and determination for a sport that they love.
The first pitch will be thrown on April 11 versus Princeton at 4:15 pm at Bentfield Mills City Park in Buffalo.

Saturday April 1st
-Softball @ Mankato 10:30 am
-Track @ Monticello 11:00 am
Tuesday April 4th
-Softball @ Annandale 4:15 pm
Thursday April 6th
-Baseball @ Cambridge 4:30 pm
-Softball @ Cambridge 4:30 pm
-Tennis vs. Stillwater 4:30 pm
Monday April 10th
-Tennis @ Elk River 4:00 pm
Tuesday April 11th
-Boys Golf @ Pebble Creek
-Track @ STMA 4:00 pm
-Tennis vs. Mound West. 4:15 pm
-Baseball vs. Big Lake 4:30 pm
-Softball vs. Big Lake 4:30 pm
-Adapted Softball @ Home 5:00 pm
-Adap. Soft. @ Moundsview 6:30 pm
Wednesday April 12th
-Girls Golf @ Monticello 12:30 pm
Thursday April 13th
-Track @ Home 4:00 pm
-Tennis @ Cambridge 4:15 pm
-Baseball vs. Becker 4:30 pm
-Softball vs. Becker 4:30 pm
Saturday April 15th
-Baseball @ Orono 1:00 pm
Tuesday April 18th
-Girls Golf @ Fox Hollow GC
-Tennis @ Becker 4:15 pm
-Track @ Home 4:00 pm
-Baseball @ Monticello 4:30 pm
-Softball @ Monticello 4:30 pm

Golfers wait indoors while snow covers courses
Zach Braun
Journalism Staff
"It's really dumb," said Sophomore Kendra Kane. "You can't even get tan."
The attitudes toward indoor golf practices explain themselves, as the girls don't hold back on giving their feelings.
"The team is able to focus on their swing mostly," said Assistant Girls Golf Coach Mark Olson, "and groove it to perfection mentally."
When practices start forming after school, teammates anticipate the upcoming season and being outdoors, but the limited aspects of indoor practice hinders their excitement.
"Sometimes it's frustrating, you know you can only do so much," said Junior Kate Dehmer. "It's never fun to be locked up indoors when you want to hope for warm weather."
When the cold weather prevents courses from opening, the team tries to search elsewhere for the best place to practice. The team finds themselves putting in the library and a few other open places around the school.
"Last year we hit whiffle balls into the walls of the wrestling room because they don't hurt the walls," said Junior Casey Arntson. "We may do that instead."
Teammates find themselves losing focus and determination to improve while being indoors.
"During indoor golf it is really relaxed, and we talk with each other and have a lot of fun," said Arntson. "Outside golf is more serious, but I think it is a very social sport and we talk during both."
Coaches and players struggle through the beginning of the season as they find ways to overcome the setbacks a Minnesota golf season brings.
Northern Palms of Rogers has been a hot spot to practice before courses are open for the girls' team, but windstorms have caused the range to close.
"We might try a golf dome," said Olson, "and just set backs a Minnesota golf season brings."
"The hardest thing is recreating the actual outdoor experience," said Olson, "and making it useful time."

"It's really dumb," said
Sophomore Kendra Kane.
"You can't even get tan."
The attitudes toward indoor golf practices explain
themselves, as the girls don't hold back on giving
their feelings.
"The team is able to focus on their swing mostly,"
said Assistant Girls Golf Coach Mark Olson, "and
groove it to perfection mentally."
When practices start forming after school, teammates
anticipate the upcoming season and being outdoors,
but the limited aspects of indoor practice hinders their excitement.
"Sometimes it's frustrating, you know you can only do so much," said
Junior Kate Dehmer. "It's never fun to be locked up indoors when you want to hope for warm weather."
When the cold weather prevents courses from opening, the team tries to search elsewhere for the best place to practice.
The team finds themselves putting in the library and a few other open places around the school.
"Last year we hit whiffle balls into the walls of the wrestling room because they don't hurt the walls," said Junior Casey Arntson.
"We may do that instead."
Teammates find themselves losing focus and determination to improve while being indoors.
"During indoor golf it is really relaxed, and we talk with each other and have a lot of fun," said Arntson.
"Outside golf is more serious, but I think it is a very social sport and we talk during both."
Coaches and players struggle through the beginning of the season as they find ways to overcome the setbacks a Minnesota golf season brings.
"The hardest thing is recreating the actual outdoor experience," said Olson, "and making it useful time."

Aggressiveness is seen in many of the spring sports. Track stars with their short socks and shorts, glide across the lined rubber in their uniforms. Girls Lacrosse can be seen with their crosse sticks, t-shirts, long socks and... skirts. The required skirts seem outdated to most of the girls in terms of women's sportswear. If given more leniencies with the rules, these women could exhibit the athleticism and toughness of the game.
"It makes me so mad," said Sophomore Kristen Nelson, "I just think it's ridiculous to run around in skirts."
The skirts will not stop the girls from playing their positions aggressively. Each position has its pro's and con's, but most girls agree that goalie is the most difficult.
"I think goalie would be the hardest. Goalie is the main necessity," said Junior Sallie Parsons, "I'd probably drop one in my skirt if I saw a ball flying towards me."
As the girls become introduced to the positions and the sport, they show excitement about starting the team. It gives them a new spring activity, and introduces them to new opportunities.
Lacrosse is an exciting and fast-paced sport for girls and boys of all ages. Lacrosse is not a school-supported sport. It's a youth program, which means the players are required to pay $175 down plus the cost of the equipment.
Even though it's not school funded, the girls don't seem to be dismayed by it, and still show a willingness to play.
"I wanted to try a new sport, and it sounded fun," said Nelson. "My friends are doing it."
"I am excited," said Freshman Brianna Gladden.
"Everyone that tries out makes the team."
Besides the excitement, there are high hopes for the season.
"My hope is that the girls come out to learn and have fun," said Coach Jacki Gladden. "We want to improve every game and really gel as a team."
"My goal for the whole team is that we do well, obviously," said Sophomore Kelsey Bergman. "As for me, I hope I do good at it, it's the effort that counts."
Learning the fundamentals will help with the team's goals. Skill and physical contact are a part of the fundamentals. Boys lacrosse allows more physical contact, and that affects the equipment needed in both sports. Girls who, with experience, wish it were more physical, like boys lacrosse.
The only physical contact allowed is the cross checking, which is tapping of the stick to dislodge the ball from the opponent. If illegal contact is made, the result will be a yellow card given to the player as a warning of her unsportsmanlike conduct, and will be taken out of the game if continued. Fans agree that the girls should be allowed to play aggressively.
"I think that it's alright for girls to play lacrosse," said Sophomore lacrosse player Matt Rygg. "I think it's kind of stupid without the physical contact."
Many of the girl players wished for more contact, but there would need to be extra equipment in order to play physically.
"I would want to wear more padding," said Gladden, "all you wear is eye goggles and gloves."
Even though the apparel doesn't seem right, the girls say that it's not going to affect the aggressive personality of the team.
The girls want to start out the season with good work ethics. They want to perform well individually and as a team to hopefully create a new outcome.

Three,
Two, One,
GO-GO-GO!
Junior Bryce Miller stomps down on the gas pedal, trying to get a good whole shot, he increased speed. 70-75-80, His speed increases, only seconds later, he crosses the finish line, winning the race. Miller has been racing since he was nine years old. Miller was six years old when he first decided he wanted to start racing. Racing first caught Miller's eye when he first saw his dad race. It was finally Miller's turn to race and make his dad proud.
Miller races a Jr. Dragster in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). He races one eighth of a mile at speeds up to ninety miles an hour.
Between spring and fall, Miller is usually on the road, traveling to go to the races. The tracks he competes at are all around the U.S., so he gets to travel a lot.
"Not only do I get to race," said Miller, "but I get to travel at the same time with my family." While on the road Miller prepares mentally for the upcoming race.
Between burning out and crossing the finish line isn't easy.
"It takes a lot of mental and physical preparation, like eating right. You have to be as light as possible and eat as minimally as you can to get ready for the race," Miller said. "You have to concentrate and be focused on what you are doing."
Miller practices at home as much as possible. He has a light system like the ones at the tracks so he can practice getting his reaction time right on so when the time comes he will be ready.
"If you want to become a really good racer you need to try hard and practice as much as possible, then you need to get some sponsors to help pay for the equipment because it's very expensive and they help out a lot," Miller said. "I hope that someday I can be a really great racer and further my dream as a career, but for now I just need to keep practicing and work my way to the top."
"It takes a lot of mental and physical preparation, like eating right. You have to be as light as possible and eat as minimally as you can to get ready for the race."
- Junior Bryce Miller
Junior Bryce Miller's drag-ster parked with trophies he has won in past races. Miller travels with his family to race around the U.S. during the summer. Miller is hopeful for a career in drag racing. Photo submitted by Bryce Miller

A strangely dressed man approaches you in a comical manner. He shows you two cards, a queen of diamonds and a queen of clubs. He proceeds to mix them, asking you which one you think is the queen of clubs, only to reveal they are both aces.
"He's insane," said Junior Logan Haglund, "He's one of the craziest people I've ever met."
A man of many talents, Nick Sisco is known for various reasons throughout his high school career, mostly for his behavior, juggling abilities, hypnotic skills, and magical talents.
He can usually be seen with clothes he picked up from a thrift store, usually dressed in a suit, and sometimes in an outfit that appears to be an optical illusion. On seeing David Blaine perform some of his famous street magic Sisco has been practicing and performing magic since about four years ago.
After school, Junior Nick Sisco juggles oranges for friends.
Sisco performed in the 2005 and 2006 Tri-M Variety shows.
"It's like a performance enhancer, being in front of people. I think it's cause I get nervous and if I screw up my juggling or magic isn't that great and I want it to be as great as possible," said Sisco. "I was doing magic for a crowd and there was another magician in the crowd who kept blurting out how I was doing it and I felt dumb. I started doing more tricks and tricks he didn't know and then he felt stupid. If there is a heckler in the crowd I single them out and everyone gets a kick out of it cause I'm picking on him and he shuts up cause he's the one on the spot."
On top of that, Sisco also has many physical talents, usually resulting in a laugh.
"He's basically a cartoon character," said Junior Heather Cherry, "He moves like a cartoon character and makes cartoon-like noises."
Juggling is a talent mastered by few. It requires coordination and even more practice.
Sisco got his start in juggling around four years ago, practicing for only a week before becoming a master of the talent. He showed off some of his juggling skills in this year's Tri-M Variety Show, purposely messing up for a laugh.
Sisco got his start with magic about four years ago. He can still remember the first time he performed a trick in public.
"It was nerve-wrecking and I messed up a lot," said Sisco, "but they were still oddly amazed."
Ever since then, Sisco has used magic as a hobby, practicing when he is bored or has nothing better to do. Sisco usually perfects a trick in front of a mirror or small group until he can do it five or six times in a row flawlessly.
Early on, Sisco would swap playing the teacher and student with his father, when they would master a trick and teach the other what it should look like when performed perfectly.
"It's less magic for me," said Sisco, "it's more of an opener. I just like entertaining people. For me, it's no different than telling a funny story at a party."
He can usually be seen with clothes he picked up from a thrift store, usually dressed in a suit, and sometimes in an outfit that appears to be an optical illusion.
Photo by Mariah Laqua