The Hoofprint – May 19, 2004

"Fifteen hours yesterday and another fifteen today," sighed a tired actress as the frantic crew ran through a set change at the dress rehearsal two days before the opening of A Flea In Her Ear.
Six-and-a-half hours of school each day plus the hours spent at play practice leaves minimum time for much else.
From March 8 through April 24, these dedicated cast and crew members found only three weekdays that didn't include play practice. Once into April two-a-day practices were added on Saturdays.
The spring play, A Flea in Her Ear, is defined as a farce, which is a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot. It was unlike any recent play BHS has put on.

"I wanted to teach them about a different kind of comedy," said Director Tracy Hagstrom-Dahl. "One of the reasons is because I do too many dramas and the kids needed something funny. I wanted to challenge them."
The actors took on the challenge and the audience seemed to like the result.

"I thought it was really good," said senior JoJo Jacques. "It was definitely one of the best plays I've seen put on by the High School."
The thought and detail put into the play were also acknowledged.

"It was cast very well, everyone seemed to fit their parts," said senior Katie Mahlberg.
Not only was the type of play a challenge but dedication played a big role in the success of the play.

"It's a large commitment," said junior Kendra Tregaskis, "You're there for practice from after school to ten-thirty sometimes, especially during rehearsal week. I couldn't be in any sports, I wanted to be in track, but you have to choose one or the other."
After school in the spring BHS stays busy, some students flock to the locker rooms to change for practice, some stay to manage a sport, others work with the newspaper or yearbook.
For these actors and crew members it was off to the PAC to rehearse lines, work on the set, adjust sound and lights, or assist in any other jobs needed to make the play work.

"It's kind of my sport," said senior Eric Wright. "I've been in every play since I was a freshman, and it's what I like to do."
Play practices not only filled after school time but also weekends and evenings.

"My life pretty much revolved around the show," said junior Jamie West. "It's hard because I have my little sisters at home and I didn't get to see them often."
That kind of commitment is not uncommon in theater or with her previous experience. The time and commitment of the set and crew was a result of their passion for the play and desire for a successful end product.

"I think everybody is really dedicated to every show, to make it the best,"said West. "You put your heart and soul into it."

Headed westbound on county road 36, a green Plymouth failed to negotiate a left curve and skidded into the eastbound lane. As the green Plymouth lost control, it collided with a white Econoline van.
Christopher Thorton, the driver of the green Plymouth, and Joshua Lowe (Chris Thorton's step-brother) were retrieving a motorcycle that Lowe had lent to a friend. Upon returning, Lowe took the lead riding on his motorcycle while Thorton followed behind. Lowe passed a truck in front of them, and Thorton followed his example. As he attempted to pass, he lost control of the car and skidded into oncoming traffic. Thorton, a senior, was pronounced dead on arrival on April 4th, 2004. As the word spread of Thorton' s death, friends and family were lost in the lonely sea of grieving.

"I was at my house watching TV on Saturday morning when my friend Jacob Gapinski called me and told me that Chris had died," said junior Jeremy Bautch. "I was hoping it wasn't the same Chris. I was hoping it was someone else. I was overwhelmed and needed to go for a drive. I went to Chris's house to make sure it was true. I couldn't go into the house though because I knew I would break down, so I just sat in my car. It was too hard."
Although Thorton' s death left the friends and family sad, senior Nathan Tierney learned something from the situation.

"Because of the accident Chris was in, it's taught me to be a careful driver," said Tierney.

• Thornton

Continued on page 8

Christopher Thornton

Every BPA member competes at state

Be

<S
Ai
.@
Ses
rofessionals of America.
BPA) is a student organi-
ization
for
business
and
office occupations.
All eight members of
BPA made
it to the state
meet which was held
in
inneapolis from March
1 to the 13.
At
the
State
Meet
tephanie
Wolf,
Paul
lusa,
Tyler
Dushane,
and
Adam
Anderson
dvanced to nationals.
The students prepared
for meets by getting help
from business teachers
Amy Alinder
and
Jim
Bollum.
"Tt9s really one on one,
helping the
kids," said
Allinder. BPA started at Buffalo
High School in 2000. Last
year, ten students made it
to state and one went to
nationals.
"We have never had
100% of our team make it
to
state, it's really excit-
ing," said Alinder.
The meets are compet-
itive.
The
students
can
sign up for two categories
and then go to regions for
one day. The top five and
top two teams move on.
There
are
four main
categories. The most com-
mon that are chosen are
administrative support and
information technology.
Since
most
of
the
competing
students
are
seniors this year, BPA will
need new members to take
their place next year.
"I have always been
interested in joining BPA
but the opportunity has
never been presented to
me," said Sarah Eckhoff.

MNG fundraiser raises over $400 and collects donations for animals

Every year in Chantel Reed's MNG
(Jobs from Minnesota
Graduates) class, students
are required to earn a credit by either
doing a community service project
or putting together some
sort of
drive to help organizations.
Last April, JMNG helped put
together
the
Humane
Society
drive.
This
drive alone raised
over $400 in cash and $200 worth
of pet products.
The students are going to use
the $400 to go and shop for sup-
plies needed by the humane socie-
ty so that the society will receive
"save puppies."
"The students worked really
hard and we're really excited about
the results," said Reed.
"The students had a lot of time to
prepare and a lot of thought was
put into it."
There are 28 students in JMNG.
The class is year long and gives
them a full credit.
All the students contributed to
the humane society drive.
"I made some signs, and the
drive was really rewarding," said
senior Kyle Quigley.
"I got to"

Bison enter new conference

Starting next school year, Buffalo
High will no longer be part of the North
Suburban Conference.
The new conference, which hasn't been
named, the schools Minnetonka, St. Michael-
Albertville, Rogers, Maple Grove, Plymouth
and Coon Rapids are changing into a conference
and the current school year ends are separa-
te. The goal is to work very involved in consider
athletics/games and give a very small a fully year
quality to the conference then was currently in. In
order to set up and make the conference more others
a great member of Buffalo next year all the schools
by the member and the conference will be adding
such schools' Activities Directors, Principals and
representatives," said Activities Director Tom
Kuhn. "This school will also get Buffalo head
coaches and staff and students like the idea of a
smaller conference with the incentive
to win."
"I say by a school district not people," Eric
Reed said. "This move will be some equal, opportuni-
ties for students everywhere."
All of the districts with changes will see
merges of schools/conferences.
"We hope to see the same athletes and a stronger
league all the way around," said one coach.
"The new conference is an awesome idea," said junior Aaron Wolff. "The athletes of
this season are going to meet other people and be
able to see competition on a different class room to
compete."
A new school year is coming soon, allocation of
a school and a new conference will be biggest thing
to start up a sprinting meet next year. The teams and
rosters will see bigger love to local and non the

Every BPA member competes at state

JMNG fundraiser raises over $400 and collects donations for animals

Bison enter new conference

Staff Writer.
Imagine waking up in the morn-
ing and looking out the window, expecting
to see the blue sky, the bright sun, and the
birds flying around, but instead you see
your neighbors getting eaten by zombies.
That9s how
it
all began. Zombies, gore,
blood curdling terror, a little bit of crude
humor, and sarcasm are used to create
a
remake of George
A Romero9s 1979 horror
classic The Dawn of the Dead.
Running
low
on
ammunition,
food, and sanity, a group of survivors (lead
by actors Sara Polley, Ving Rhames, and
Mekhi Phifer) make haven in a local mall
as they fight for the survival of what is left
of mankind.
:
Every dark corner could hold evil
and death. When there is no room in hell,
the dead will walk the earth.

an through the schoolhouse, not a creature
was stirring: not even a mouse. The tests
were hidden in a cupboard with care
fear that shadow man soon would be there.
Shadow man, a legend born i in the
World 8Language
Resource Area 6
described as a dark, mysterious. figure i in
the shape of a man. Revealing himself only -
when least expected, teachers are caught 4
off
guard
4
f gui
and tell the stories to their s st: a message in Biynek's office. "said conior
Amanda Bartos. <Eiynck came in and
closed the door and later started screaming
because the door opened, but I don't
said
Spanish
teacher
Brian .
:
believe i in ghosts, : so I think the door was-
Harapat.
"He comes by before and after oo shut all the .
dit
jest
d
school and paces back and forth in front of - ae
wey ae
st poppe
my door. When
I notice him he goes away-
4
dents.
"When I Bet dete. ae
here, ae came and checked out my class
room,=
I think he is shy. He is friendly, doesn't
ee oe 4 8Stories: Le
own
Entertainment
Dead cannibals return
Monday, May 17, 2004
on nthe back of ne ao
ar a shadow 8appears. or strange
: ies 8occur some people automatically
blame shadow
man. However,
| some
remain 8unconvinced of his
existence
oe strange occurrences.
"My friend and I were olenns to
ce
<Whether ae man exists
or
not, the stories 8do exist and from several
different s sources. Captivating the minds
Photo courtesy of pee
Sea i net
curi ous."
want to bob ae u think he i iS just
man is but a eet of their imagination, .
: and i imaginations of existing teachers and
dents
alike, the legend of shadow man
remains a aes

Staff Writer
Friends and family alike try to choose a specific
place they
all like to eat at, but with
Subway versus
Quiznos it can be a tough choice.
Subway has been here
longer, but as this new sub sandwich franchise popped up
many people have been torn.
Let9s
start with the older submarine sandwich
restaurant.
It was founded in 1965 by a 17 year old college
freshman named Fred DeLuca and a family friend Dr. Peter
Buck. They both got together on a family celebration; got
to talking and came up with a sandwich chain, but it was not
known
as
Subway,
it
was known
as
Pete9s
Super
Submarine.
Now
the franchise exploded with 21,015
restaurants in 73 countries.
One of those stores is in this
town at 701 Soo Ln. right across from the McDonald's.
<I think people enjoy Subway over Quiznos
is
because of the low-fat sandwiches.= said Subway Manager
Ava Schmidt.
At nine o9clock in the morning the doors are open
to the public to get some healthier fast food.
Before that,
the four employees have to do some preparations.
They
have to make the bread at around five o9clock, heat the meat
up and put out the choices to go on the subs. Finally the cos-
tumers show up at the busiest time, lunchtime, which is
from eleven to one.
Their choices are soups, salads and of
course the traditional sub.
Some sandwiches that had hit
big with the public are the Atkins friendly subs.
But they
don9t stay with the recommendations, thinking that they can
add anything they want.
<I like Subway better because
I am so used to
ordering what I usually get and if I try something I don9t
like my money will be wasted,= said sophomore Lucy
Rinck.
As the new Quiznos opened up in Buffalo people
have been trying the new toasted taste. The first restaurant
opened in 1981 and spread quickly in the U.S. Soon 2,500
restaurants in 15 countries were available and they were the
number one sandwich chain ranked by U.S system wide
sales growth in July 2003.
When the six to seven employees enter the restau-
rant they have to prepare for their hungry costumers. They
cut the meat, cheeses and vegetables, and then they open
the doors at eleven o9clock sharp. Unlike Subway, every-
thing is fresh.
<T think people prefer Quiznos because our top-
pings
are
all
fresh while Subway9s
are
frozen,=
said
Quiznos Manager Sherri Orsucci.
With the new location in the new strip mall by
Wal-Mart, they have had good business because
it is on
Highway 25.
People pour into the restaurant at the lunch
hour sneaking in comments about the sponge monkey9s on
the Quiznos commercials.
Love or hate them, the people
still buy soup, salads, subs and the new flat-bread sand-
wiches.
<J like Quiznos better because it is new and differ-
ent, I also think it is better toasted,= said freshman Ashley
Schiferli.
Whether this will help you decide which one is
better at least you know what is available. With either the
familiar Subway or the new Quiznos you will end up with
a full stomach.
A Subway/Quiznos taste test was conduct-
ed and 13 out of 16 a ae Quiznos.
The secret is the
sauce and seasonings they add to the sandwich adding a
lit-
tle more kick to it. Some of the students preferred the bread
at Subway than that of Quiznos.
<It was really good but messy,= said sophomore
Natasha Bursch. <They added some seasonings too and
that made it all worth it.=
With the grand opening of Quizons Sub in Buffalo, residents
now have another option for for sandwiches. Photo by Ashley
Dressen

Everybody has to breathe. We all have to breathe the same air.
If people knew everything about the air they breathe, things would change in a hurry. Even walking in Minneapolis, you are continuously breathing cancer causing particles. Obviously part of the population does not really care about pollution, since some people smoke.
Big industry like to pollute. They like to pollute so much that they will pay money to do it. Enron did this before it went bankrupt. They can do this under the Clean Act of 1990. If a company does not pollute their share, another business can pay money for it. Companies should not be able to go past their limit just because they have money.
As technology advances, companies are able to purchase more and better ways to control the pollution they create. Should they be forced to implement these innovations? The government could help out with these costs, to better the air of the general public.
The Bush Administration seems to think that our air is just the place to store harmful chemicals. He even backed out of his campaign pledge to seek out mandatory emission restrictions for electric power plants, America’s biggest polluters. George W. Bush appoints people tied to industry to science panels. This kind of information isn’t published in newspapers; it gets pushed under the rug. Should the public be more aware?
Power plants produce a large amount of pollution. Cost is no reason to use coal and petroleum power plants today. We value our air quality over saving a little money. Nuclear may not be the way to go, since nuclear waste takes a very long time to disintegrate, but natural gas is very clean compared to coal. Our government should provide money to help cities be able to afford natural gas power, because coal is much too dangerous to us.
It has been proven that particles from coal plants have killed thousands of people per year, in just the United States.
Cars today have not changed a whole lot since the invention of the fuel injector. The U.S. government should create an incentive to overhaul the entire gas system to hydrogen, or provide money so hybrid cars are actually cheaper than their alternatives. As of yet, the only car companies in the world that have created hybrid cars are aware of the technology.
Air pollution is a side effect of technology that needs to be taken care of. We like our toys, and we like to have fun, but it’s not as fun when our toys eventually kill us. The Seattle skyline is filled with smog from a nearby power plant. Power plants and factories contribute much of urban pollution.
---
The Seattle skyline is filled with smog from a nearby power plant. Power plants and factories contribute much of urban pollution.

was working as one voice calling for
Everybody has to breathe. We all have to breathe the same air.
If people knew everything about the air they breathe, things would change in a hurry. Even walking in Minneapolis, you are continuously breathing cancer causing particles. Obviously part of the population does not really care about pollution, since some people smoke.
Big industry like to pollute. They like to pollute so much that they will pay money to do it. Enron did this before it went bankrupt. They can do this under the Clean Act of 1990. If a company does not pollute their share, another business can pay money for it. Companies should not be able to go past their limit just because they have money.
As American citizens, you have more than likely heard of the Roe v. Wade controversy; The Abortion controversy, teenagers, you think that I'm a bigoted American I pay my taxes and watch Dateline. Well, I'm not sure I think that I'm a bigoted American. You have the right to say what you want. I have the right to write what I want. You have the right to bear arms. I have the right to call you unkind names for wanting to be, but I still have rights as a human being, but even more as an American. You have the right to say what you want. I have the right to write what I want.
What about the right to privacy? Surely I can find asylum in my home, that's not so true anymore. From medical records, financial records, and even the gun right under your pillow at night. It's okay, if they arrest you. Your lawyer can get you out, right? Right? Well, no. The Patriot Act also disregards the attorney-client privileges. If you tell your lawyer a super-special secret, the government can intercept it. You remember the era after September 11th at all, you will recall that we were scared, and we even had much of a conscience because if they had, they would not have introduced such a blatant example of how dangerous it is to be an American, not only abroad, but in your homes as well. Did you know that your phones can now be tapped, your mail read, your email intercepted, and your news you may be a possibility away.
If you remember the era after September 11th at all, you will recall that we were scared, and we even had much of a conscience because if they had, they would not have introduced such a blatant example of how dangerous it is to be an American, not only abroad, but in your homes as well. Did you know that your phones can now be tapped, your mail read, your email intercepted, and your news you may be a possibility away.
There has to be some good news, right? Yes! I'm glad you brought that up. There is good news over Cameron's founding principals in their town. But it's not like this can really make a huge difference, right? Well, not necessarily. These cities include Cambridge, Amherst, and Berkley. For those of you who don't live in countries other than the U.S.
We think that I'm a bigoted American I pay my taxes and watch Dateline. Well, I'm not sure I think that I'm a bigoted American. You have the right to say what you want. I have the right to write what I want. You have the right to bear arms. I have the right to call you unkind names for wanting to be, but I still have rights as a human being, but even more as an American. You have the right to say what you want. I have the right to write what I want.

Staff Writer
The other day, I was in the supermarket when something in the checkout counter. I had about 15-20 minutes that I could get in my day to relax. So I grabbed a magazine, put it back on the shelf, and then I saw it: the latest issue of Teen Now. The cover had a picture of some adolescent stars and the headline read something like "The Work-Proof Life."
I was intrigued. The article promised a series of tips for dealing with older people who treat teens like they are incompetent. I started reading. It was mostly anecdotal and full of generalizations, but one thing struck me: the tone. The piece assumed that the solution to every social problem is to medicate the human being instead of changing the situation to meet human needs. It advocated a quick pharmaceutical fix for behavior that might be better addressed by social change.
I kept thinking about that as I went about my week working at my retail job. I don’t know how many of the students in our school work in retail, but there are probably quite a few. I’d guess four out of five students who chew gum are recommended by their dentists at work are in retail. Gum and retail sales: It’s an axiom.
There are a few things that I have noticed when I’m working at my retail job—in between blowing Bazooka Joe bubbles. I see a significant population of customers or potential customers pin the blame of high prices and poor quality of products on the worker, or just plain abuse the store employees’ manufactured courtesy with their halitosis or bullying attitudes. This happens every time I work—at least five times a shift.
Customers need some kind of etiquette manual to insure they make every employee’s work life an extended tour of middle school. If there were a handbook on how to shop for these customers, I suggest there would be rules like:
1.) When you ask for a price check or when you look at a tag and it’s over-priced, blame the employee instead of the owner of the store or company. Also blame the minimum-wage employee about the poor quality of a product. Just because the product you’ve selected, encased in hermetically-sealed plastic, is a genuine piece of crap, it is obvious the clerk must have made it himself and cut back on quality to take in a grand or two. Remember, you the customer, whenever you complain about price and quality, you throw a little bit of sunshine into the employee’s day.
2.) You must show up five minutes before closing time to start that impossible project that you could have been done earlier or waited for the next day. Employees love the last five minutes of every shift. It’s their favorite time to hunt for what-cha-ma-call-its and to stand around while the store closes. Do not, under any circumstances, expect employees to have anything to do with your last-minute shopping needs. It is your job to inconvenience them as much as possible.
3.) When returning an item, particularly electronics or clothing, be certain to blame the clerk if the product lacks a feature or is not up to quality standards. Do not consider manufacturing practices or corporate decisions—pin it on the person standing at the register. It makes them feel appreciated.
4.) When you ask for help and employees give you directions to another aisle, do not assume the aisle numbers are out of order. You must make them find the item for you. If they must look for it, that’s fine. After all, they’re paid to do everything, including chasing your shopping mess across the store.
5.) If you’re shopping with children, let them run wild. Employees will love to entertain them while you ignore them or talk on your cell phone. Remember, the clerk signs up for this chore when they took the job.
If there were an etiquette manual for these kinds of shoppers, it would probably be very helpful. Sadly, there is no such manual. So for now, we must rely on common decency and the occasional courteous customer who brightens our day.
I wonder sometimes if society expects people to be a certain way, and when they don’t fit that mold, we try to change them chemically. When children or teens show signs of distress, we should look at the context—the family, the school, the work environment—before turning to quick fixes. Maybe the answer is not to change the human to meet the needs of the situation, but to change the situation to meet the human needs.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004

I was watching the news today when an astounding breakthrough news event took place. They had prescribed the ADD pill to another kid, hoping to fix him into a well adjusted, healthy member of the brain.
I wonder if we think of medication as our fix for everything today and again. Having emotion problems, feeling depressed all the time, experiencing uncontrollable sexual feeling, it’s all good. It seems that the answer is not to change the situation to meet the human needs, but instead change the human to meet the needs of the situation.
Now I’m some conspiracy theorist about the 4 for being a good customer. I don’t know how many of the students in our school work a retail job, but there are probably quite a few. I’d guess four out of five students who chew gum are recommended by their dentists at work are in retail. Gum and retail sales: It’s an axiom.
There are a few things that I have noticed when I’m working at my retail job—in between blowing Bazooka Joe bubbles. I see a significant population of customers or potential customers pin the blame of high prices and poor quality of products on the worker, or just plain abuse the store employees’ manufactured courtesy with their halitosis or bullying attitudes. This happens every time I work—at least five times a shift.
Customers need some kind of etiquette manual to insure they make every employee’s work life an extended tour of middle school. If there were a handbook on how to shop for these customers, I suggest there would be rules like:
1.) When you ask for a price check or when you look at a tag and it’s over-priced, blame the employee instead of the owner of the store or company. Also blame the minimum-wage employee about the poor quality of a product. Just because the product you’ve selected encased in hermetically-sealed plastic, is a genuine piece of crap, it is obvious the clerk must have made it himself and cut back on quality to take in a grand or two. Remember, you the customer, whenever you complain about price and quality, you throw a little bit of sunshine into the employee’s day.
2.) You must show up five minutes before closing time to start that impossible project that you could have been done earlier or waited for the next day. Employees love the last five minutes of every shift. It’s their favorite time to hunt for what-cha-ma-call-its and to stand around while the store closes. Do not, under any circumstances, expect employees to have anything to do with your last-minute shopping needs. It is your job to inconvenience them as much as possible.

Some of us have for years been used to the student who gives out of the store and then goes to work somewhere else. Here’s a few things that I have noticed when I work in a retail store between classes.
There are a few things I have noticed: many customers blame the employees for things like price and quality. When you ask for a price check or notice a tag is overpriced, blame the employee, not the owner. Also blame minimum-wage employees for product quality. Remember: when you complain about price and quality, you throw a little bit of sunshine into the employee’s day.
You must also show up five minutes before closing time to start that impossible project that you could have done earlier or waited until the next day. Employees love the last five minutes of every shift. It’s their favorite time to hunt for what-cha-ma-call-its and to stand around while the store closes.
If there were a handbook on how to shop for these customers, I suggest these rules. Customers also are prone to behave as if they are superior to employees. This extends to blaming clerks for corporate decisions and expecting clerks to solve last-minute problems. Remember, clerks are human and deserve decency.

Les
The alarm clock displays 4:50 a.m.
as
andi Grotewold wakes up to it9s ringing. As
he prepares for another day of teaching, she
ets ready for the hour and 15 minute drive
ahead
of her from
St.
Paul
to
Buffalo.
|Grabbing her car keys, she leaves her house
i ready to do the job she loves.
Three months before German teacher
jy Michele Straussburg left on maternity leave,
Dr. Nick Miller searched for a German sub-
stitute.
<The qualities
I looked for in a teacher
was someone that had strong
skills
in the
German language,= said Miller. <I looked for
someone who had good experiences in teach-
Above: Sandi Grotewald speaks to her
class about model verbs.
Below: Grotewald explains to her German
two class about grading her grading system
*
ing and could relate well with students.
It
jtakes a special person to come and take over
jsomeone9s job in the middle of the year. It is
_ | very hard and Mrs. Grotewold does a great job
_ jat that and has a unique ability.=
i students and help them expand their education
in the German language, Grotewold enjoys
her job.
<T started teaching because I like working
|
with people,= said Grotewold. <I like being in
that atmosphere where people are learning and
iwe rub off each other. It9s exciting to teach
With the unique ability to relate well with
to give of herself and become an important
SS
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
New teacher welcomed by German students
something new
to somebody
else and see
them get excited about it.=
While Grotewold continues to do the job
she loves, her interest in the language she
teaches started at an early age.
<I became interested in German when
I
was young,= said Grotewold.
<I had some|
German neighbors when I grew up, and I9ve}
always been
interested
in
other
cultures.
|}
Through church, I was always learning about}
other people and different countries. When If.
got old enough to start learning another lan-
|
guage I chose German because of my German
neighbors and because
I have German her-
itage.=
Pursuing her interest in the German lan-
guage through high school and college the
language became an important part of her life.
.
Sharing part
of herself with her students,
|
Grotewold emphasizes the importance of lan-
E
guage classes.
<It is important to take a language class
because it adds character,= said junior Sarah
Eckhoff. <It gives me background and we also
learn about Germany so it helps us to not be so
self-centered.=
As Grotewold will stay with Buffalo High
School until the end of the year, she continues
bove: Gitaeal checks German Sette Ranie-
work.
Below: Grotewald and students discuss the cultur-
al differences between Germany and the U.S.
role in the learning aspect of student9s lives.

I would not have been able to write this, unless I
shared with you my own personal experience. About three
_years ago
I was diagnosed with Depression and Social
Anxiety, and I was prescribed to an anti-depressant called
Paxil, which was also suppose to help with panic disorder.
After taking the drug for a month, I wasn9t feeling the sig-
nificant change I was hoping for. I was then switched to
Lexapro, where my doses increased.
After taking Lexapro for a month, I began feeling
a change in my moods. It felt like a huge weight was lift-
ed off my shoulder. I started to get my life back together,
interacting with other people, eating more, sleeping better,
the basic activities that I always did. I thought to myself,
©
<Is it possible for me to feel happy with my life?=
Three months after
I started taking Lexapro,
I
started falling into the habit of not taking them.
I didn9t
feel that
I needed them anymore, and knowing that I was
abnormal
set me apart from the
rest of my friends.
Mentally, physically, and emotionally, I began to dwindle.
I would get really bad headaches and my moods began to
change. That9s when I realized I couldn9t go on without
taking my medication, not taking my medication made me
feel worse than I did before.
Both Pail and Lexapro are FDA, U.S. Food and
Drug Administration, approved medications, and two of
several anti-depressants that are taken by millions
of
nation wide.
They
are
selective
serotonin reuptake
inhibitors, SSRIs, in which their purpose is to serve as a
treatment drug for Depression and other mental illnesses.
Although their purpose serves well, it can also bring harm
to its user.
It has been discovered that anti-depressants
have
a dangerous effect on the brain, causing altered
thoughts and images of suicide. The FDA has been con-
templating whether or not these drugs should be available
for kids under 18. The UK as well as <down under= has
put strict restraints on the prescription of anti-depressants.
Researchers believe that the drug regulates aggression and
other hostile behaviors. So when prescribed to young kids,
the act of suicide are tempting.
<T think anti-depressants should be available to
anyone who is in need of them, and if those under 18
aren9t able to take them because of risks of overdose, then
those people should be monitored whiling taking the
drug,= said junior, Dana Fisher.
-
Fisher was diagnosed with Depression during her
summer of 7th grade. She was taken to the doctor where
they prescribed Buspar, but then later they switched her
over to Zoloft, both also FDA approved.
<It took almost
a month to feel
a significant
8change, and its not that it made
me
feel happy, it just pre-
vented me from feeling sad all the time, and wanting to
hurt myself,= said Fisher. <I think it more neutralized my
emotions than anything.=
Although the FDA is trying to outlaw prescrip-
tion drugs for kids to take, Fisher feels it could be the
biggest mistake they make. It9s like taking away some-
one9s life and watching it fade away. It takes away any
opportunity they had of ever feeling happy with them-
selves.
_
<There-are many teens and young adults that suf-
fer from Depression, and not one person ever chose to be
that way,= said Fisher. <Teenage years can be hard and we
need all the help we can get, and anti-depressants are a
good source for help. Although I do think that they are
most effective when combined with the treatment of a
psychiatrist.=
Approximately 4 out of 100 teenagers get
seriously depressed each year.
Major depression and dysthymia affect
twice aS many women as men.
These facts are from www.psychologyin-
fo.com.

With school on oe vey are re ting excited for the new summer season. . However, there is another season that is well underway; that most people don't know about, unless they're either a fan, or someone who actu- ally participates in it.
Motocross.
4 amazing, and somewhat bizarre obstacles that motocross riders have to encounter while riding.
4444
There are jumps that throw their bikes 20 feet in the air, ruts that are multiple feet deep, and sand that will wash their bikes from underneath them.
All of this requires different conditioning just have as much endurance= said Berthiaume.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
TE the way into America
that will wash their bikes from underneath them.
like any other sport.
<Other sports aren't as strong, they don' <Motocross is mostly conditioning, you need <Motocross is= racing = motreroles « on dirt, and using dirt to form obstacles for us to go off . of, such as jumps,9 "said sophomore Nick Abel. Motocross is a growing sport in America, 4 and growing eee 8most other sports due to : 9 ing is the equivalent of boxing. Motocross racers 8iders. must train their bodies to be able to take such > _ blows. 8That training may require weight lifting, to be in shape to take the different blows from the bike= said Abel.
Athletes in Motocross take a lot of blows. To some people, the blows their body take while rid- nning and even just riding the dirt bike.
_ a usually ride five times a week,= said Abel. |
Besides oe hard on the Penge it is hard on sts ¢ even more 8money. 8The a 5,000, then gear c
Todd Greninger catches air as he flies over a jump in his backyard course.

The latest craze to sweep Buffalo High School is disc golf. It is a simple sport based on the rules of golf, but instead of hitting a ball with a club, you throw a Frisbee. Instead of a little hole it is a basket about two feet wide and two and a half feet off the ground. Many factors contribute to its popularity; anyone can play, disc golf can be mastered by anyone at any age or physical ability. Also, unlike regular golf, disc golf is completely free once you buy a disc which will cost right around $14, there is no. tee times or fees to play on any courses.
<It9s fun learning the game...everyone does it so it9s fun hanging out with them,= said sophomore Ryan Liljequist.
Everyone has a moment on the course that sticks out in their mind, whether it is a great shot or a laugh at someone else9s expense.
<My favorite disc golf moment was when Ryan (Liljequist) got hit in the head with a disc from over 40 feet away,= said senior Neil Loberg.
The popularity of disc golf is rising, about 2/3 of the schools population gets out and enjoys the occasional round. As a trend, the seniors play the most and it steadily decreases each grade level.
It is also more common for males or <yes please= as marked on most surveys, to play disc golf but it is still common for females to play.
Our local course is located at West Pulaski Park off of highway 25. It is a short nine hole course and is rather simple when compared to the course in Becker or the one in Plymouth off of Fernbrook Lane.
The most popular seems to be the one on Fernbrook, it is a few holes longer than West Pulaski and also more difficult.
Pulaski is still really popular with BHS students because it is located so close and the simplicity makes the environment very nice to play in.
Senior Lucas Rausch smiles as he makes a basket with his frisbee at West Pulaski Park in Buffalo. The addition of new trees and other landscaping has made the course more challenging. Photo by Terry Kalk

With swords in hand, members of the Minnesota Sword Play duke it out in the Maple Grove High School gym. Sweat drips from under their mesh mask as the wheels turn in their head trying to block every hit and strike the opponent.
Most of Minnesota Sword Play's students are citizens of Maple Grove. However, juniors Andrew Dale and Stuart Johanson from Buffalo are also in the class. Although both have been members for only a year, they enjoy the unique sport. In fact, they are currently working with BHS Activities Director Tom Bauman to organize an Internal fencing group, and strongly encourage others to try the sport.
"We are waiting to hear back from Mr. Bauman," said Johanson.
The instructors of Minnesota Sword Play Gerald Benford and his wife teach a class of approximately 25 in the Maple Grove high school, from all ages. Each class is an hour long and begins with a 15 minute exercise routine, fencing, and a game to end. There are six open classes every Thursday for each season of spring, summer, and fall, and open competitions on the weekend.
Throughout each season, students are taught three basic techniques used in fencing: foil which the torso is target and stab only, epee which the entire body is target and stab only, and saber where the waste and up is target and stab or slash. Even though blades are dull and rubber covers each sword's tip, fencers usually wear safety gear.
A mesh face mask covers a fencer's face and a lame' jacket protects against bruises.
"I don't mind it, you get so caught up in the moment you don't even realize it's on," said Johanson.
Of course most fencers' goal is to build up for the National Fencing Championships, where the winner is rewarded a bronze sword. Benford is an inspiration to all of her students, after being coached by the Soviets she won the National Fencing Championships in Cuba.
Unlike football or basketball, fencing is not a team sport. It has a fast pace and so requires the fencer to think on his feet. Movies such as "Cyrano" and "Peter Pan" are misleading with duels that drag, when in physical chess the goal is always to quickly strike the opponent.
"It requires accuracy and strategy to win, but it has a faster pace than most sports," said Dale.
One fencer is stabbed in the gut, and the duel continues, for the challenge of competition is biting at each other's side and the swords are magnetized to their hands.

Thursday, May 20: Varsity Softball at Monticello Home: 4:15pm
Friday, May 21: Varsity Baseball Home: TBA
Monticello Away: 4:15
Monday, May 24: Varsity Track & Field Sectional
Friday, May 28: Senior Honors Night
Thursday, May 27: Arts Finale Concert 8:00pm BHS Gym
Friday, May 28: Student Appreciation Day Locker Distribution
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day No School
Thursday, June 3: Last day of school
Friday, June 4: Graduation BHS (Gym) 7:00pm

Continued from page 5
This rule would be followed by a few guidelines and advice:
Sub Rule 2a.) If you show up and the store is already locked up, banging on the glass door really hard works every time. Or better yet, try and sneak in via the backdoor.
Sub Rule 2b.) Great closing time projects are the ones that require improvised uses of parts or invented products that no retailer carries but you think they do.
3.) When you're not being helped and need it you can do two things: one, don't make a sound and expect them to help you - in the next second. Or two, make small gestures - a cough usually works well too.
The Customers Guide for Dummies
Run down to your local McDonald's-Wal-Mart-hardware-store-training-salon-Subway and ask for one. It's the handbook that insures every trip to any store is memorable.
Or you could write your own. Quit going to any store and bother some of the employees and keep track of what you do. Add plenty of attitude and show plenty of "plumbers crack" to make yourself more attractive and pleasant so you may enjoy those magic words you'd never hear at home: "How may I help you?"