The Hoofprint – May 12, 2005

Last year Buffalo High School had a lockdown in response to other school shootings in the country. A school lockdown is the method that BHS uses to keep students safe during a school shooting.
The recent shooting at Red Lake High School is motivating some staff at BHS to consider taking precautions.
Not all schools have lockdowns. Some have their own disaster handbook, which tells teachers what to do in a certain situations. Lockdowns are not designed to stop a shooting all together.
"You can never prevent it but you can educate," said Assistant Principal Matt Lubben. Locking down the school is handled precisely. "We just did one with
Lockdown
Continued on page 2

Once a year, choir students participate in a concert that gives diversity to our community through music. At usual choir concerts, the audience hears music that is familiar to them. However, the World Music Concert featured music from all over the world.
"We sang tons of different types of music," said Junior Cheyenne Kirkpatrick. "We sang a piece in Australian, German, an Irish folk song, and also a hymn."
With the diversity of different songs from all around the world, the singers had to practice the songs in their original language. The Australian song was said to have taken a lot of work: it wasn't sung in words but in harmonic overtones which, all sung together, makes a high pitched whistling sound.
"It sounds really cool when you're singing it," said Junior Rebecca Menough. "It's hard to know when you change notes."
After the choirs performed the audience gave the singers a pending ovation. "They clapped, every section, or they were just excited," said Senior Amber Manz. "Because I sang the same songs when I was in choir."
Many of the students who attended the concert thought there were aspects, such as repetition, to be improved on.
"It was good. The choirs should come up with some new songs," said the staff last week and everybody took it very seriously and did a good job.

“You may begin.”
Those words started two events - the PSAT and the mad race for the National Merit Scholarship. All of 1.3 million juniors who took the PSAT were eligible. Recently they were narrowed down to the top 50,000 scores, whose recipients are called Commended National Merit Scholars.
Juniors Laura Sandberg, Jessica Minke, and Maria Squadroni received notice on Friday, April 15 that they were Commended National Merit Scholars. At first the girls didn't realize the scope of their accomplishments.
"I didn't realize that it was that big of a deal," said Sandberg. "I never thought about it much."
Even though it was such a big deal their scores did not surprise them.
"I took it as a sophomore and did fairly well, so I thought I'd do better this time around," said Squadroni.
The three were honored at the state send-off on Monday April 18. In the fall they will be notified if they are semifinalists. If they are, they will compete further to win a National Merit Scholarship.
In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scores, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically able young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. Semifinalists are the highest scoring entrants in each state. Usually to be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and a lists of other requirements.

Students at Buffalo High School participate in a lockdown practice.
Timing is critical in a lockdown.
"We should be able to lock down in one minute or less," said Principal Nick Miller. "It becomes more complex when everybody is not in classes."
By having and planning lockdowns, BHS is safer than it has been before.
"School is the safest place a kid can be," said Lubben. "Students are more in danger outside of school."
Ten people were killed in the Red Lake shooting, including the shooter. This was the second big shooting in Minnesota.
"It causes a lot of concern," said Miller. "I'm not going to ignore that it happened."
"We've never had any instances of any dangerous stuff here," said Miller. Although the school has been relatively safe, future instances are unpredictable.
"Ideally I would like to say we could prevent one, but I don't think anybody could prevent one. That would be unrealistic," said Miller.

Writers Contributing In This Issue
Nick Abel
Ashley Adams
Abby White
Kayla Christoffersen
Ben Coward
Neal Dingmann
Kim Dougherty
Marissa Evans
Maria Freund
Corey Habiger
Sarah Johnson
Jessica Landowski
Tom Maghrak
Kirie Marshall
Jenny McNelis
Katie Mielke
John-Paul Natysin
Rachel Oas
Brett Patnode
Kelly Ross
Erika Solsten
Derek Swart
Allie Thompson
Ashley Ulfers
Jenna Van Lith
Caitlin Werder

Change of Schedule
Schedules will be distributed at the end of the school year instead of the summer
Kayla Christoffersen
Journalism Staff
Student class schedules will be distributed at the end of the school year instead of over the summer.
From adding the Arts Magnet program, to getting class schedules in May, students seem to be getting used to change. Students will know what classes they are taking, their order, and the teachers they will probably have.
"...we can find our classes ahead of time," said Freshmen Whitney Latzig. "it will be helpful."
Assistant Principal Matt Lubben along with Scheduling Assistant Ann Bullert came up with idea of getting schedules to students early.
Lubben and Bullert started building student and teacher schedules in January. They went through all registration, and worked through errors encountered on the way.
"I take course requests and put teachers to classes and students to classes," said Bullert, "I make sure that each teacher has 12 classes and each student has 16 classes. It all takes time."
Teachers benefit by knowing about their classes in advance. By looking over their schedules for the upcoming year, they will be able to see the class sizes and the students they will work with.
"It has always been something I've tried to find out before summer vacation because then I can prepare lesson plans for the upcoming year. The first week will be more productive for teachers because we won't be scattering and trying to get last minute things done," said English Teacher Joel Squadroni.
The schedules will be finished by May 27. Students will see their upcoming school year schedules by May 31.

According to students, bullying, isolation, and loneliness, may lead to threats, violence, or even death. Schools anywhere have the reality of any student bringing a weapon to school. A school shooting is a difficult thing to stop, but there are steps to help prevent one from occurring. The first step would be to create an atmosphere of respect. The second would be to ask the unhappy students to visit a counselor. The third would be to have a plan if a shooting occurs.
"We could prevent this by being aware of what people are saying, like threats," said Freshman Melissa Knott. "And report things if we see them."
"We should keep going on the way we are now," said Sophomore Kiersten Rogness. "We are doing pretty good on not bullying. I haven't been bullied since middle school."
There are people to talk to if someone is planning to bring a weapon to school. Any adult can take immediate action. There is a crisis team available, if a shooting occurs.
"I would go tell a counselor or a principal because they would take action and do something," said Knott. "I don't want anyone to get hurt."
Some reasons why a student would feel like bringing a weapon to school are depression or being bullied. Sometimes the reasons are not known until it is too late.
"Maybe it is probably more family or something at school going on, something personal," said Rogness. "They probably haven't tried to deal with it in a different way."
"I would have to say... maybe they are depressed or feeling 'this is the end'," said Sophomore Sean Brunn.
Principal Nick Miller feels strongly about preventing bullying, and he has a history of dealing with it immediately. There has not been an incident where a student has been caught bringing a weapon into the school.
"You never know, it could happen," said Brunn. "The school is safe, but people are weird."

The school board voted in April to discontinue the practice of Early Dismissal during the 2005-2006 school year. Students will no longer be released early on the second Wednesday of each month, and teachers will have two extra workshop days next year.
As people are finding out that early releases will be no more, it may help to remember why they were started.
"It began about ten to twelve years ago," said Principal Dr. Nick Miller. "The original idea was for it to be a time to do monthly in-services with me as the staff." On early dismissals the teachers had a large group meeting and then met in their departments for a meeting. Instead of the extra hour for meetings, the teachers will be given two extra days.
Since that time the district seems to have outgrown the program.
"Different end times make staff development difficult," said Miller, referring to the differences in the release times from middle and high school, and the elementary schools.
Instead of one hour every month, the district plans set aside a few days a year for staff development and synergy.
"In essence, we stacked time together, asked for a small increase in staff development time on top of that, and will be using that time in lieu of the early dismissal teachers to provide some curriculum training," said Director of Teaching and Learning Pam Miller.
Many District employees felt that there were holes in the system.
"A problem with early dismissal is that it's such a limited amount of time to do anything significant," said Miller. "The discussion was that it was an insignificant amount of time."
"People were questioning the effectiveness and requested that I consider a different schedule," said Superintendent Jim Bauck. "There is always a chance early release days will come back. We will give this calendar year a test run next year."
To some students, the time change is really inconsequential.
"As long as we still get served the French toast sticks," said Junior Ann Lundebrek, "I don't care what they do."

As a fifth grader, I took an oath to stay chemically free in the D.A.R.E. program. In fact, if you grew up in school District 877, you probably did too.

The way I see it, between when you were a fifth grader and where you are in your life now, you've either passed or you've failed. 1) You passed and you kept your oath to yourself, the D.A.R.E. program, to your own personal healthy lifestyle, or 2) you have failed and you broke your oath by experimenting with chemicals, or you use them frequently. Being a teenager myself, it's not surprising to hear that the majority of us have, in fact, failed.

Going through middle school and high school makes it seem natural to want to experiment with the substances that we have been taught are forbidden. We're all trying to fit in or we are trying to find ourselves. The most unfortunate thing that comes from this, though, is when students get hooked on certain chemicals at such an early stage of their life.

Take smoking cigarettes for an example. As a teenager enters early adulthood they may drop some of the "party habits" they picked up in high school. They realize if they want to have a serious life, they have to take things in their life seriously.

However, no matter what age you are, if you get into a habit of smoking cigarettes, it's going to be a very hard thing to drop. (From now on let's call the bad habit of smoking "Earl." After all, you might as well name the habit if it's going to be with you the rest of your life.)

Anyway, now you're going through life and you're changing. Earl is with you all the way. You want to start serious dating, but partner after partner keeps dropping you, because when Earl is around, which is all the time, he leaves this nasty smell that clings to your clothes, breath, car, and apartment. Eventually, you find someone who accepts you and Earl, and down the road the three of you start a family.

Everything is going great for you; you have a great job, a nice house, and friends and family who love you (despite the fact that you're still hanging out with Earl). Just when you think things can't get much better, they start getting worse. Your doctor diagnoses you with cancer, and it looks like you're going to have to leave your perfect life a little sooner than you had planned. Unfortunately, you no longer get to enjoy the things you worked so hard to get, and you don't get to watch your family grow together any longer.

Now, back when you were a teen, and you didn't have any idea your life could actually be as good as it is, would you still take that first cigarette that got you addicted? Would you still want Earl to be such a big part of your life? It's too bad you didn't think ahead, because you can't go back in time and ditch Earl.

Like the Dixie Chicks sang in their 1999 hit, "Goodbye Earl;" "Earl had to die... Goodbye Earl..." Too bad you let him take you — anything else. When police turned hoses on black protesters it was "better than anything else."

This is a fallacy.

States have been so enveloped in their fantasy that they have allowed themselves to be lulled into a sub-par existence. Whenever a person can't afford medicine, because our tired and huddled masses can't afford medicine, this country hear the overdone chorus of "Well, it's better than anywhere else." When police turned hoses on black protesters it was "better than anything else." When the Supreme Court had to decide the election for president it was "better than anything else."

America seems to have an increasingly large ego, causing us to believe that no matter what the situation, we do it better, faster, and probably cleaner. This is a fallacy.

The citizens of the United States have been so enveloped in their fantasy that we are stuck in the Dark Ages and refuse universal health care to our population. It was better than anywhere else. It was better than anything else.

When we would sooner invest Social Security money into an all-to-fallible stock market, we are not doing our jobs as citizens. It was better than anywhere else.

America has an obligation to the world. We are the superpower. With power comes great responsibility, and that includes responsibility to ourselves.

Let's make America better than anywhere else again.

Cell phones are the main creation of teenager's little world. They are everywhere. It's like they are taking over. A digital world that let's you talk to people all over the universe. So compact that it can fit anywhere, in your purse, in your backpack, and even in your hands... during class, while driving, at home.

They won't stop showing up. I look one way, someone's texting. I look the other way, someone's checking his or her voicemail. I look behind me, someone's talking to his or her mommy.

It's like they are attacking. They travel in groups. The "IN" plan, free text messaging, "Can you hear me now?" It's getting worse. They are already taking over BHS.

During class: when it's really quiet you can hear the faint sound of a phone vibrating. "Turn it off!!" you hear from the teacher. The worst case scenario: you're taking a test and all of a sudden "My Boo" by Usher and Alicia Keys starts going off. Kids start to rumble. Cell phones start popping out here and there making sure it's not theirs. Have a little respect people and turn them off during class.

Passing time comes. Out come the silver little gadgets again. Now passing time isn't that bad but AAA is worse. It's kids talking to kids in other classes. Can you say pathetic? Can't you wait 20 minutes to reconnect with your home dogs?

Catastrophe begins when the teen scene gets in their cars. The digital world just pops out like magic again. It's overwhelming how long people can't go without cell phones. They start jibber-jabbing with a kid they just saw five seconds ago. It is jaw dropping when you're on the road and you see how many people are on the phone. The next thing that will happen is when you're driving, the oncoming driver is on the phone, they aren't paying attention, they drive into your lane, and they end up hitting you and you're paralyzed for the rest of your life. So, hang up the phone and pay attention.

The phone bills these days are crazy. It can sometimes range from two to five hundred dollars for a cell phone bill. Talking hours and hours on end, texting during class and whenever they have a chance, kids are going over their limits.

Cell phones in school are the worst. I would not want to risk getting mine taken away just because someone called during class. It's just plain rude. Although you may think putting it on vibrate will keep it quiet, there will always be some little lemming that will hear it and rat you out. So next time please, turn it off for your sake and mine.

People blame violence on video games, but they don't factor in anything else, especially the people that sell games meant for mature people to young kids.

The games have a rating on them just like movies, but it is not enforced.

If a nine year old kid walks into Target with 50 bucks, chances are that he could get a Mature game, with no parents around. Most people don't think about that.

They just blame the video games, because it's easier to do that.

Even though video games are made to look and sound real, they are like movies; they aren't real.

It's not okay for six-year-olds to play Grand Theft Auto, just like it's also not okay for a child to see Braveheart.

I have played extremely violent and bloody games, like Grand Theft Auto and Halo many times, but I am not a violent person at all. I've never been in any fights with anybody, except for my brother, but who hasn't?

A lot of the time people only think about that one kid who killed someone and he also played video games. They never think about the other millions of people who own and play video games.

However, the problem is getting better. Recently, I bought a Rated M game at Target with my dad and they asked for his birth date.

It's the end of the year and seniors have caught the most contagious disease of them all.
Senioritis!
Disease sweeps Buffalo: Senioritis
Victims usually experiance slacker tendinces and a need to leave school
Unfortunately the rest of the school is catching it too. Students all over are cutting out early on homework, which can be a problem if the freshman, sophomores, and juniors have come down with it, because they still have school left. Now is the time to buckle down and "get 'er done." There is less than a month of school. Let's finish strong.

"I don't always do the homework at home or at all, because it's easier not to do it. College has already accepted me, I know where I'm going," said Senior Derek Alparowich.

Some girls prefer backpacks and other decide to go with a purse. Now, I used to be a backpack kind of person, but this year it has changed. I'd hate to say I am growing up, but that may be part of the reason.

Having a car, a job, and a life, older girls need purses. Not only is a purse lighter in weight and more accessible, it's also more sensible. Just think; you have to run late into school, what would you rather have with you? Would you rather carry a backpack on your back, or a small purse on your arm?

Backpacks carry a huge clunky bulk bouncing around. You can carry all necessities in a purse: your keys, wallet, make-up, comb, anything you truly need. It's not too tough to fit papers inside of it. A pencil is easily zipped up inside that largest pocket of the purse.

So, if you're looking to make life easier, get a purse, girls.

Imagine a world where the parents went to school. A world where they sat in straight-row desks, groaned about the prospect of homework, forgot to study for tests, was late for class, and worried over grades. What would it be like if they had to go back now? For one mom and one grandma, the nightmare known as high school became a reality again.

On Monday April 11, 2005 Margaret Otto, 37, and Carol Carlson, 66, participated in an experiment called Parents Day in the Life of a Student. They were to go through the whole day from to classes, to Triple A. This is how their day went.

"Does this look hip to you?" my grandma, Carol E. Carlson, asked as she turned to face me. Now this may seem like an unusual question for a 66-year old lady to be asking, but

Carol's Day

Next up on the list was Gym. That's right, my grandmother was about to go through Physical Education.

"I thought it was cool that she actually participated. I thought she was gonna just sit and watch, but she actually did stuff," said Freshman Andrea Bodin. "She was awesome for being a grandma-she was even better than some of the kids in class."

At this point my grandma had to leave before lunch to return to the "real world"; the headlights look.

Once rooms smell like dead animals, an time keen up a in class, but she ing, but in this instance it seemed perfectly natural as we stood in the BHS parking lot. My grandmother was about to embark on a mission that few adults would dare dream of. She was about to go through a day in my high school.

"I'm sick, cough... cough..." my mom said as we drove to the school. "Okay, have a nice day sweetie, I dropped you off now have fun." She said when we parked. Of course for Margaret Otto turning back now was impossible. Mission: Parents Day as a Student had commenced.

Carol was looking nervous as we walked through the halls. As the warning bell rang, we trudged up the staircase to my first block class, Journalism.

Margaret was going through a similar experience. She and I came into the room right after Carol who had the same deer-in-the-headlights look. Margaret was working as a Human Resources Director for a small company. Still, as she left she walked up to thank Mr. Holland him while touching her toes.

"I was very impressed. When I went to school, teachers were more authoritative, and girls couldn't even wear pants to class. Things are so much more relaxed now and kids are given a lot of respect. I wish I could have spent the whole day so I could have seen more."

Closing Thoughts...

At 6:00 am on a Friday morning, most kids would actually still be sleeping or perhaps getting ready for school. But on this morning a group of kids are actually having a good breakfast to start the day. Sitting in the back part of Perkins taking up the whole table area a row of tables all pushed together, possibly causing a fire hazard, high school students get together for what they call "Breakfast Club." As everyone arrives, the racket level increases as discussions vary from Pinochle, to Magic: The Gathering, to school, and the weekend. With the addition of Pinochle and Magic games being played until food arrives. Everyone quiets down a little when the food is served but they continue having a good time.

Most people would believe that a group of rowdy high school students wouldn't be accepted in public places so early in the morning, but by coming regularly and actually getting along with the wait staff proves that they can. Usually when going to a restaurant you would just call the waitress, well, waitress. But for Waitress Marianne, working every Friday, she is known as "Marianne." She is only known as Marianne due to the fact that is all they put on the nametag.

"I look forward to seeing them all come in on Friday morning," said Marianne. "By now I know what most of the regulars get, if they don't keep changing it up on me. Also we have the same cook in back so when I go and say we need a Chicken Tender Melt he responds with 'Also the group coming.'"

Besides having regular meals, traditions have been made over the years. Breakfast Club originated at Perkins but in the early times they tried multiple restaurants that would be brought up the week before but then they tried McDonald's and realized that Perkins was the place for them. "In the early times they would vote a President of BC for that week and then the following week a vote would be held to see if the would stay President or be impeached," said Senior Jack Lenczewski. "My brother Nick was the longest-lasting one, he lasted two weeks."

Some traditions just started and no one can remember why. Seth Olson playing "Ring Toss" with onion rings and a ketchup bottle was a popular fad that everyone enjoyed for awhile. Along with traditions were memories of events, like Tom Jaszczak eating a whole mammoth muffin in two bites. Brushing teeth with pants down was a memory that turned into a tradition.

"I first invented brushing with your pants down," said Lenczewski. "Barry and I were the first perpetrators. We were just brushing our teeth and I was like 'let's drop 'em.' Barry was like 'yeah' so we just started brushing with them down."

"I think it's great to see kids that are well behaved and mature spending time together early in the morning," said Math Teacher Carlton Urdahl. "Even Marianne tells me she enjoys them. I think mainly by the nature of how they control themselves. Even with alumni willing to come back. Magnificent."

Teachers are known to have meeting before school since they can't fit in their schedules afterwards. They catch a glimpse of the group if they have a meeting on Friday.

"It warms my soul..." said Band Teacher Scott Rabehl.

"...and my stomach," added Band Teacher Lee Kjesbo with a chuckle. "I'm amazed to see kids willing to get out of bed early just to get together and have breakfast. I need time to wake up, you know, a cup of coffee. I don't think I could now. When I was younger I could. Ours are for like meetings. We don't get to just socialize."

When the food disappears from the table and the final people are done harpooning fries and hash browns from other plates, most head to the bathrooms to brush their teeth. Since having so many appearances, the staff knows to just have all the orders on one main tab up at the register for each member to walk up and identify which is theirs to pay for. So the tabs get paid and each person heads back to the table to make sure to leave their tip of more than accustomed amount to show their thanks to Marianne and the rest of Perkins. Then slowly, everyone leaves Perkins, in pods, heading to school to start off the last day of the week on a good note.

September 1, 2004, the new freshmen come anxiously and excited for a new year at a new and bigger school. However, it is not just a new experience for the freshmen, there are also some older faces that returning students don't recognize.

At the end of the 2003/2004 school year, many long-time Buffalo High School teachers retired.

Over the summer Assistant Principal Matt Lubben and Principal Nick Miller found new applicants to fill the spaces of the retired teachers and for new additional classes. This year, 20 new staff members were hired and started their careers at BHS.

"I was really excited to come to Buffalo," said Business Teacher Ericka Jessen. "I was excited to teach and to coach. The environment was really friendly and welcoming."

An opportunity that teachers are offered here is to participate as a coach in extracurricular activities. Teachers that coach often see the different part of their student's personalities outside the classroom. Not only do the teachers get to see the students differently, but also the students get to see what their teachers are like outside the classroom. This time spent outside the classroom often builds special bonds between teacher-student relationships.

"I coach basketball," said Math Teacher Stacy Nordgren. "I think it gives you a chance to get closer with students. It gives you more time to form a closer and better relationship."

Not only do extracurricular activates help bring teacher-student relationships closer, but there is also that special act that students engage in, just to let the teacher know we're thinking of them. Most people refer to this act as a prank. New teachers usually seem to be the target of most pranks, considering they're new and don't quite know what the student body is capable of.

"Someone turned my desks upside down when I was at lunch and someone put Carmex on my door handle," said Math Teacher Grant Popp.

Coming to BHS is a new experience for the new teachers. BHS is different in many ways from other schools. BHS is a fairly new school with a raising student body. In fact, our school population is rising so much that we've had to add on. The new teachers this year were able to come right in the middle of all this. They got to see how the old BHS was and how the new BHS is going to end up.

"It seems like the students are more behaved here. You guys have more freedom like being allowed to have headphones and hats. At other schools we didn't have Snow Daze and such because the students got rowdy," said Math Teacher Joel Peterson.

Math Teacher Joel Peterson is another fresh face at BHS this year. Peterson is also a coach for Boys Tennis.

Coming up: students, like for instance "The Pizza Cowboy" they all wear cowboy hats, it's a country song talking about how Turtle works at Bucks Pizza and when he goes out to deliver pizza and they don't tip him and/or are rude to him. A lot of their songs are fast pasted and it's kind of hard to understand what they're saying. They like playing heavy metal, but they've also got some songs that sound like rap but it's sang in a heavy metal way, they have a country song. They like having a variety of music so more people can situate to their type of music.
After they made their songs, they needed to go somewhere to make a cd.
"It took about one month studio time, then once we had the master copy completed we started to ponder up the cover. Finally we talked to the people at SK Audio, who produced our cd. Thanks to Eight Fold Path Recording in Minnetonka," said Terry.
"The studio was exciting, we weren't sure what to expect at first but the guy was a professional, and treated us like rock stars. It was a good experience," said JJ. They now have CD's out.
You can find their CD's at JJ's house, Terry's house, Turtle's house, Bucks Pizza, and the Music Supply Downtown Buffalo.
Meat Hook is a band who all grew up here in Buffalo hungry for making good music for other people to enjoy. Their CDs are available for $6.00 It's called, Back Down and Stick Up. To find more information on Meat Hook, go to www.mnlocalmusic.com. There's information on them and a couple songs you can click on to listen to.

Journalism Staff

Despite their differences, Desperate Housewives, The O.C., Summerland, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition all have one thing in common: high Nielson ratings among Americans.

Desperate Housewives captures the everyday life of the neighbors living on the mysterious, Wisteria Lane. We watch the young gold-digger, Gabrielle Solis, and the scandalous love triangle she creates between her husband and her gardener; the controlling perfectionist mother, Bree Van De Camp, along with her complicated family; the love-sick divorcée, Susan Mayer, with her present heart throb; and hardcore business woman transformed into overwhelmed mother of two rambunctious twins, Lynette Scavo. It seems the warm, bubbly person is missing in the crowd. An unfortunate accident hit the woman with those characteristics, Mary-Alice Young, when she committed suicide... Or did she? This neighborhood is one with many secrets. After all, everyone has a little dirty laundry.

"I can best relate to Susan Mayer because she always seems to have these quirky things happen to her," said Spanish Teacher Nancy Einck.

The O.C. stands the test of time with its second season remaining among the top TV shows in America. Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer capture the fashionable Orange County lifestyle where money, physical appearance, and social status matter most. Although Summer digs the life, something is missing: the nerdy comic book junky, Seth. Marissa continues to try to be true to herself and experiments with the unexpected. Seth and Ryan hang on to "Love Early, Love Often," says ABC. Eva Longoria plays with school boy (upper-right), and Hubbie (lower-left), while Marcia Cross mends marital wounds (lower-right), and for promotion (upper-left), Nicolette Sheridan bares all to Eagles Wide Receiver Terrel Owens. In ratings, ABC knows how to stay on top, finish up what is sure to be a drama-filled year in Newport Beach, California.

"I can't choose a favorite character because they all work together," said Sophomore Kati Pooler.

The O.C. isn't the only Californian television show producing a successful second season. Summerland, too, gained popularity through its entertaining plot. Ava's life was changed when she adopted her sister's three children after their parents died. Bradin (Jesse McCartney), Nikki (Kay Panabaker), and Derrik (Nick Benson) move from their rural Kansas home and adjust to Southern California life. Ava's devoted friends, Johnny, Jay and Susanna, work together in raising the kids, and, ultimately, to create a new family.

"I just watched and got hooked," said Junior Nick Matson.

"My favorite character is Johnny 'cuz he gets the ladies."

Some shows are about more than dressing the part, making the dough or even getting the ladies. Extreme Home Makeover remodels houses for families that are deserving and in need. Ty Pennington, the host, guides the audience through a fun-filled seven days of reconstruction of home and hearts. It doesn't stop with the seven busy days in creating a family's dream home either; "Extreme Makeover" gives scholarships and other financially-relieving surprises.

"The stories are so touching," said Junior Brittani Matzke. "It's a show that is actually helping out people in tough situations."

From the devious scandals in Desperate Housewives to the unconditional love for others in Extreme Home Makeover it's no surprise the average American watches 1,154 hours of television a year.

As a little kid in orchestra and choir, whenever I was onstage I always had my own ways on how things could be done", said Orchestra Teacher Elizabeth Evenmo in response to why she decided to become an orchestra teacher. "My orchestra director gave me a baton because he said I would need it one day."

The BHS orchestra feels the same way. Some students have been involved with orchestra since they were little kids and still enjoy it for various reasons. "I love to play cello," said Junior Jenna Nordschow, who has been playing since she was four years old at Montrose Elementary. "Playing the music is fun and easy."

Over the years orchestra has been pretty much the same people; they have shared many memories together. Their concert in February seems to be the most favorite the orchestra has had. The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony (GTCYS) came down and played with the high school orchestra students. "It was an awesome concert," said Evenmo, "It was inspiring to the younger middle school students because they were amazed on how well the high school students played." The GTCYS is a symphony that consists of some of the best youth orchestra members from around the Twin Cities.

"It was awesome when they came," said Junior Wyatt Rudenberg, "The orchestra sounded a lot louder, and actually sounded like a full orchestra."

As the orchestra nears the end of another year there is excitement about the next. They have a lot to look forward to with the expansion of the rooms. In the next year they will be adding a new room on the East side of the building where the orchestra can practice. Everyone involved in the orchestra is very excited about the new additions. "I think more kids will want to join", said Nordschow. "We are now being recognized and are forming as an individual group and not just part of the band's shadow."

Since fast food came to Buffalo there was only one place to get a sub: Subway. But the Quiznos arrival brought new competition, creating another option for students at BHS. Not since the 2004 presidential election have students been so divided on an issue.

Subway plays powerhouse, strangling the Sub field in Buffalo, Quiznos, the underdog trying to catch a break. With Subway's rich history some students have never given Quiznos a chance.

"I was born and raised on the Subway," said Junior Emily Keskey. "I have never been to a Quiznos. Subway just has a great vegetarian menu."

Regardless of Subway's status, a lot of BHS students took the chance and have gone to discover what the toasted subs of Quiznos are like. Subway's grasp may be slipping with the ever-growing popularity of Quiznos' toasted subs. "I love Quiznos; it just tastes better," said Junior Brian Mazurowski. "I mean, the Meatball Sub is warm and tastes good, especially with bacon and pickles."

Despite Quiznos' toasted subs, Subway remains in control of the market with their own toasted subs. 70% of 160 BHS students polled prefer to go to Subway. But some students find common ground between subs. "I am loyal to Subway," said Freshman Griffin Trevino. "But I go to Quiznos to get a toasted Sub. But overall, Subway is quicker. And you get the food faster, and that's important to me so I can stuff my face faster."

Music plays an important role in the lives of humanity. It's been proven that listening to music helps develop skills such as problem solving and logic of reasoning, so it strikes as painfully ironic that former BHS drumline instructor, Jaran Connor, be diagnosed with brain cancer. But it never affected his love of music; he kept marching to the drum beat. But at the young age of 24, the drums stopped.

Saturday morning, August 7, 2004, Connor passed away leaving his friends, family, and students heartbroken. "It was the most devastating, sad thing that's ever happened," said Cindy Connor. "It left a hole in my heart that will never be filled."

Considering his love of music, a concert in his honor seemed fitting. Tim Fisher, a former student, took this tribute to the next level, with help of the Buffalo and Sauk Rapids drum lines, Rock For Hope Productions, and Archetype Agencies putting together this benefit concert, aptly titled, Not Forgotten 2005. This all-ages show, held April 9 from 4-9pm at the Salida Depot on the corner of Highway 10, County Road 11, charged five dollars at the door with proceeds going to a music scholarship in Connor's name.

"He taught us everything we knew as a drum line; he inspired everyone," said Fisher. "What did I ever do for him?"

People from all over Wright County gathered that night to celebrate the life of Jaran Connor and to enjoy the concert. The music played was as diverse as the crowd in attendance. The night began with My Silent Scream, a Monticello based screamo band. Soon after was the three piece modern rock band Never The Less, followed by BHS ska band, Toasterhead. Surreal, the next band to play, provided something for metal fans to enjoy, and the night rounded off with the indescribable Allies In Chaos, lead by the extremely energetic Jacob Champlin and his microphone swinging antics (after he smothered it in duct tape).

"I just wanted people to see the beauty in what the kids and families had done for Jaran and why they did it. I wanted them to see that life is not just an experience," said Champlin. "It's a tool, a movement, a foundation, a battlefield. If you live right and grow the best you can, you won't leave without taking and giving what you owed and were owed by the world."

When the music stopped, and the reverb of the last cymbal faded away, the doors of the now silent Salida Depot became vacant. Walking through the crowded parking lot, Wright County divided once more as the attendants of Not Forgotten 05 left. Later they thought of different things, but for that one night they all thought of Jaran Connor, his love for music. "He loved people," said Connor. "And he loved to show people how to drum."

Writer's note: The benefit concert taught me about life and death. Meeting with, and interviewing, the people involved made me feel honored to do this story. I learned death isn't all about mourning, feeling bad for yourself, or the regrets you have revolving the deceased. Death is a celebration of life and the gifts given by that person whose name is now past tense. We have no real reason to fear death: even the smallest of lives make an impact on something. People might forget us when we die, but what we do in our time alive will never fade away.

Not Forgotten 05 memorializes BHS Drumline instructor Jaran Connor

Music plays an important role in the lives of humanity. It's been proven that listening to music helps develop skills such as problem solving and logic of reasoning, so it strikes as painfully ironic that former BHS drumline instructor, Jaran Connor, be diagnosed with brain cancer. But it never affected his love of music; he kept marching to the drum beat. But at the young age of 24, the drums stopped.

Saturday morning, August 7, 2004, Connor passed away leaving his friends, family, and students heartbroken.

When the music stopped, and the reverb of the last cymbal faded away, the doors of the now silent Salida Depot became vacant. Walking through the crowded parking lot, Wright County divided once more as the attendants of Not Forgotten 05 left.

Later they thought of different things, but for that one night they all thought of Jaran Connor, his love for music.

"He loved people," said Connor. "And he loved to show people how to drum."

“It’s not easy,” said Larson. “It buckle myself in.”
Journalism Staff
takes a whole lot of mental focus and
As
he prepares
for
his second
match of the day, he steps out on the
court with more confidence, and an
overwhelming sense
of eag
erness.
With
his racket in hand, and his
teammates watching intently, he tosses
the ball for the perfect serve.
Perfection doesn’t come every time, it
takes practice. Being both mentally
and physically prepared is key.
For a match, the boys have their
own unique ways of preparing.
“Focus, listen to some music, hit
some balls around. Just get every-
thing out of your mind,” said
Sophomore Ron Larson.
Practices aren’t the only way to
prepare yourself for an intense
match. Taking time before is crucial.
“Some are too afraid to try
because they’re afraid of failure.
Others see practice as a way to
improve. It’s not always a matter of
winning or losing, it can be seen as a
chance to have fun.
“I play tennis for the thrill. It’s
not really a winning or losing thing. I
play because I like it,” said
Sophomore Alex Rixe.
For some, tennis is a fun activity
to do with their friends, or to get in
shape for an off-season sport. For
others, it’s a serious activity.
“I play for fun with all my
friends,” said Senior Captain Jordan
Anderson. “But when it comes time
for tournaments, I know I gotta
buckle myself in.”

There are many events in track. Which include discus, long distance runners, hurdles and sprinters. "We don't pick the events we are in," said Person. "We tell them what event we prefer and then they pick what event we actually get put into." Many people think this is only an outside sport that there are no inside tracks. Well think again. "Everyone thinks that this is only an outside sport, but little do they know there are inside tracks, too," said Freshman Callyn Person. "One of my favorite memories in track was being able to run at the indoor meet in Monticello. It was cool to be able to see the difference between an outdoor track and an indoor track. They are quite different." The track team meets everyday after school at various places they have practiced here at the High school, the Middle school track, and the Civic Center, depending on the weather. They practice from 2:40 to 5:00. This team is coached by Scott Palmer with Seniors Trisha Steen, Emily Sturges, and Tessa Rohl as captains for the girls team. The captains for the guys are Seniors Darby Ursell, Dan Fadgen, and Benjamin Rayl. There are many reasons why the team members joined track. "I do shot-put and discus," said Senior Tyler Erickson. "I picked those events because I can't run very well, and those were the only events left, I guess." "I think guys are better then girls in track. Well that isn't exactly the case in track. "The guys and girls are about the same when it comes to who is better then the other," said Palmer. "The guys have won more recently, but the girls have won more then the guys." Track isn't just a running sport there are different events you can be in when you are in track. The thing that is most commonly mistaken when you think about track is people think that it is only running nothing else. The people in track work hard at what they accomplish.

The finale for the North Suburban Conference is the spring sports season. The athletes are anticipating playing new teams that are in the Mississippi 8 next year, such as: Big Lake, Monticello, Cambridge-Isanti, Rogers, Becker, St. Michael-Albertville, and Princeton. The idea for making this switch came from Activities Director Tom Baumen, Principal Dr. Nick Miller, and various coaches and advisors.

"The schools that we'll be competing against are closer to our size," said Track/Football coach Scott Palmer, "the switch will create a friendly rivalry with nearby schools and a good fan base attending games."

A factor that was brought up in the discussion in joining the Mississippi 8 was the cost of transportation in the North Suburban Conference. The locations of the new schools that Buffalo will be playing against in the conference will decrease the cost of transportation, which was important in the decision. With the long distances, many athletes couldn't keep up with both sports and school, with the time restraint of the long drives. Also the fan base wasn't there due to the long drives to competitions. A drive to St. Francis is approximately 37.58 miles and would take around an hour to get there, and a drive to Monticello is about 10 miles and would be a shorter drive at about 20 minutes.

"The students will have more time for themselves and for school," said Miller. "It allows more parents and fans to observe them participating in their sport."

With the changing of competition all sports have to find new teams to compete against, especially the hockey teams. The girl's hockey team will play two games (or two rounds) against each school in the Mississippi 8 as well as in the Lake Conference. On the hand the boys hockey team will play one round in the Mississippi 8 and two rounds in the Lake Conference.

"They are going to continue playing in the Lake Conference," said English Teacher and Girls Hockey Coach Bob Driver, "which is an established conference with very strong and competitive teams."

The switching of the conferences won't be easy to do, but can be a good experience for the athletes with the hope of healthy rivalries being created.

"We spent months looking at the move and weighing every angle, and we decided that the switch to compete with other schools the same size as BHS will benefit the sports program," said Miller, "we don't want to put students in a situation where they have no chance to compete equally."

It's every wrestler's dream to make it to nationals.
"It is one of the biggest wrestling tournaments in the nation," said Senior Tyler Reiss who participated in the event. "It was a real honor to participate and compete against some of the nations top wrestlers."
With around 800 hundred wrestlers the top two seniors from each section ranging from the 100 and 300 pound weight classes all the way up to the heavyweight divisions.
The event this year was held in Ohio.
"It was fun. We didn't get to do too much because I was wrestling most of the time, besides that is what I was there for in the first place. With our own time, we hung out and walked the streets of Cleveland."
However making it to nationals isn't an easy road to travel on; there are many constant bumps along the way.
"I qualified because I placed with the top two of my weight class," said Reiss. To some people that may seem easy.
"I have accomplished a lot; I worked hard to qualify for nationals so I consider it a big deal. I also hope to achieve more of my goals at the collegiate level."
For some they traveled the road with triumph, for others they traveled the road with defeat.
Senior Tyler Reiss competes against one of the top ranked wrestlers in the country. Photo courtesy by Tim Reiss

In 1950 golf was never considered a woman's sport, now woman have there own clubs and school leagues. Most girls join golf because of their parents golf and they got in it from them. Another way is that they were interested in it and wanted to know more about it and become addict-ed to it.

"My cousins lived on a golf course and when I was little we would play in their backyard which was a golf hole. Then when I was in seventh grade my mom golfed with Riti, our coach, and she suggested for me to come out for the team and I have pled ever since," said Senior Lindsey Kennedy. This year is the first year Business teacher Mark Olson has coached the girl's golf.

"Mr. Olson is cool. He helps us out a lot, its nice to have him there," said Kennedy. "We usually practice five times a week when we don't have meets," Freshman KC Kane said.

The Varsity golf team plays nine holes of golf at Wild Marsh every day for practice.

"I practice on my short game a lot but every day is different," said Sophomore Katie Dehmer.

Short game is chipping and putting the swings that count the most in a game.

"I go out and golf with my dad on the weekends, he's into golf too," said Freshman Ellen Pokorney.

At a golf meet, the coaches take six girls to a meet and they take the top four scores. The team with the lowest score wins. At a meet there are usually eight schools and at invite's there are usually around 16 teams.

"I like golf better than any other sport because it's a challenge," said Pokorney.

The girls have started off to a good season 3-0 for conference so far.

Buffalo High School is into spring sports as the end of the year is around the corner and baseball is on the agenda. During spring break some of the players took a trip to Oklahoma to train and get ready for the season. Over that time period they have become a team. In the dictionary team is phrase as: a group of animals or persons action together. But the players have definitions of their own.
"Group of people you can trust," said Sophomore Ben Fouquette.
"Working together to accomplish a goal," said Freshman Alex Zachman.
"Together Everyone Achieves More," said Senior Wes Christ.
Each of these boys got hooked on baseball by a family member. Seems like the sport runs in the family.
"My brother played it and I just got hooked up to the game," said Fouquette.
"My dad and brother played it so I started," said Christ.
Baseball may seem like all fun and games but it takes a lot of work. The players have things that they want to change to make the sport fun. "It's hard keeping attention," said Zachman. "More contact would be more fun."
While Zachman wants to change it some others argue on keeping it the way it is. "I don't think I would change anything," said Fouquette. "It's fine the way it is."
On April 29 they took a trip to the Metrodome to watch the Twins play and then they had a chance to get a feel of the dome and play a game themselves when the Twins were finished.
"I'd be more focused and more freaked out by the crowds," said Fouquette.
Others don't worry about the size of the crowd and keep their head in the game. "I'd play the same. It's the same type of field and I'm playing with the same guys," said Junior Mike Gillespie.
There are high and low points to baseball like in any other sports. The running was on all of the players minds. Losing really badly was a low point to the season. But also Photos by Rachael Robasse

Buffalo Girls Softball starts out fresh. Not only is there a new line up of coaches consisting of varsity head coach Brad Zrust, JV/10 grade team Paul Anderson and ninth grade team Jason Swanson. Head coach Zrust was hired February 26.
This brings a new opportunity for the players to learn new techniques and see what he'll bring the team. With this addition it's a new learning experience for the players.
"It's really nice, everybody gets a brand new start, nothing from last year matters," said Varsity Senior Captain Rachael Robasse. "He's taken a different approach than what we've had. He takes the time to work with us a lot."
Working means practice and practicing everyday at Bentfield, Zrust has a main goal in mind. "To have the girls play hard, have fun and positive results will follow from there," said Zrust.
Accomplishing this goal won't just come on its own. Zrust comes up with good incentives for the team making it a fun experience. "We've gotten five double plays so far, and [nuts] we are..." [unreadable]
Along with learning new coaching methods comes the social aspect. Something a new coach has to endure. With 14 girls on the varsity team, Zrust gets the opportunity to interact with them outside of school.
"He didn't really know a lot of us individually and we didn't know his personality," said Junior Brandi Dufour. "Like what we could joke about with him and when to be serious."
Getting to know and learn from a new coach takes time and patience. The girls also got the opportunity to intermingle and bond as a team as a way of getting to know one another.
"We're having a lot of team unity, and having a lot of fun this year," said Senior Cassie Yates. "As a result our hitting and defense are starting to come together."
So far this season the varsity team's record is 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the NSC and perhaps the intermixing of grade levels is the key to their success. Positive changes by Zrust are helping out.
"A lot of positive changes from the team and by the coach have been made," said Robasse. "We took a lot of younger girls with potential, they are a great asset to the team. Brad as a coach has been great so far."

“Prom wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t everything put together, but the whole package is cool,” said Senior Pat Rich

“Grand March was kinda long, but it was cool to see everyone dressed up,” said Senior Dixon Dehmer

“I liked the dance the most because I got to dance with my date,” said Senior Allie Houfer

“Right outside of Anton’s there was a really good deck to take pictures on,” said Junior Kim Dougherty