The Hoofprint – October 9, 2008

On November 4th the community once again votes to decide the district’s financial future

First day of school jitters run through student drivers as they pull up to a packed parking lot. Knowing when they get into the building they will be addressed with the newly-implemented Parking Permit fee and paperwork, many students found themselves anxious as they stepped out of their cars and into the building.

New parking permit fees have been enforced by the administration this year in order to make up for funds lost in the defeat of last years’ levy referendum.

"This is a decision made by the district to enforce parking permits this year,” said Assistant Principal Brandon Prell. “It is my decision on how to organize them, and the district determines the cost for the permit fee."

As the person in charge of day to day activities and operations, Prell has determined punishments for students who avoid paying for their permits. Students that don't pay the $50 semester fee have to pay a daily permit fee of three dollars. If a student chooses not to pay, the administration may put a boot on their car, which costs $20 to have taken off.

"We have such a nice building and good faculty," said Senior Michelle Besemann. "We need to keep it up and make sacrifi ces for not having the levy pass. Students paying to park is a change we’ve just got to deal with, and at least we have enough parking spaces for everyone to park here."

Forty-five percent of students have their permits paid for by their parents, 35 percent paid their own fee, and 20 percent split the cost, either with their parents or with a carpool of their peers.

Buffalo High School was among the last schools in the area to offer free parking. Students pay $100 per year to park, the same amount as St. Michael and Delano High Schools (however, due to limited space, Delano allows only Juniors and Seniors to park). While nearby Rogers and Maple Grove High Schools each pay $90 per year, Students in Monitcello pay $100 per semester, and Stillwater students pay $220 per year for parking privleges..

Rather than anxiously waiting for Trick-or Treating, Buffalo families could be preparing for Halloween by running a race and munching on candy at the Boo-ffalo fun run. This event has been attracting Wright County families for four years. The Boo-ffalo run was started by community members who wanted something active and fun for their kids to do on Halloween.

Montrose Elementary teacher Tom Brophy, his son Brendan Brophy, and Social Studies teacher Scott Palmer, first came up with the idea of a community race for the community in 2004, when they were looking for fundraisers for the Track and Field team. Coach Palmer suggested a 'Fun Run' to be held in conjunction with the 'Trick or Treat the Merchants' on the Saturday before Halloween.

"My wife runs races and triathlons I'm her cheer squad. We had seen many races and how they were run, so we said we would give it a shot," said Brophy.

With this big undertaking, the group faced many problems for during the first event.

"There are a thousand things to do, it was overwhelming,” said Brophy, "We had help on race day, but we had to pretty much take care of everything prior to the race. It was easier the second and third years because there were more people involved, and we changed some things based on our experiences in prior years. We delegated more, which was the main thing."

The Brophy family has organized the event every year since then, but with Brendan’s graduation last year, Scott and Rhonda Palmer have been assigned the position of organization. The Palmer’s have experienced little stress with the planning because so many community members have stepped up to volunteer and support the Boo-ffalo run.

"Now that Brendan has graduated it's gotten passed back to me. It's a little bit stressful trying to find out the logistics, but the Brophy's have done a good job planning," said Scott Palmer.

The community has done numerous things to help the event. The cooperation of the Police Department, the City of Buffalo, Community Education, Bison Track Athletes and their parents/families, and Buffalo Merchants have all helped. Gym Teacher Jason Karn is in charge of measuring and timing the event, which is held in Sturges Park. He had been a runner in the first two events, and was always excited to see all the people who came.

"I think that what has helped us in the past is how the parents volunteer and our students volunteer,” said Karn. “Without those volunteers we wouldn't have an event- period."

The run is a way for families to have fun with fellow community members and enjoy their Halloween costumes. It is an event the Brophy family hopes will live on.

“It is a beautiful way to spend an October day,” said Brophy. “The setting is great, the event is fun; there are costumes, prizes, and Trick or Treating afterward, and it is for a good cause: Bison Track and Field.”

Emotions are astir as the 2008 election, held November 4th, comes closer every day. Everyone wonders who the next president will be, how people will react to the winning candidate, and what the winning candidate will do to improve country.

The two Presidential candidates are Illinois Democrat Barrack Obama and Arizona Republican John McCain. People have different opinions about what has to be done with the country. Politics is one thing that gets people arguing with one another. People can become desperate to get other people to change their minds about who they think should win.

“I think McCain should win, because he has more experience,” said Freshman Caleb Zumach. “Also, Obama might raise taxes and that sucks.”

Thirty-eight percent of students said they would vote for Obama, 28% would vote for McCain, 17% are undecided, and 17% cannot vote or are choosing not to.

“I don’t think the whole world will be going into the tanker if either candidate wins,” said Spanish Teacher Nancy Eiynck. “But I would want Obama to win because he is young and has fresh ideas.”

Every election year, there are issues that the candidates say they will fix. Nineteen percent of students said the environment should be the most important issue, 16% said education, and 5% felt that abortion was the most important. 13% of students believe that the War in Iraq should be a top priority, while 5% said the economy should be. Thirty-seven percent of students said they felt a combination of two or three issues were of equal importance, whereas 5% said they did not know which issue was the most important.

“I don’t know what they [the candidates] should do about the problems we have,” said Eiynck. “If I did, I would be running for president!”

Why would students choose not to vote for their opposing candidate? Fourty-four percent of students felt that they couldn’t agree with what the other candidates would do as president, 23% of students would only vote within their own party lines, 10% of students didn’t care, 10% of students had other reasons, while 23% of students had a combination of reasons as to why they would not vote for the ‘other’ candidate.

“I’m not voting for Obama,” said Senior Michael Chenoweth. “He doesn’t have enough experience. [Also] McCain has better ideas about what to do with the country.”

The possible vice presidents are Sarah Palin, a Republican from Alaska, and Joe Biden, a Democrat from Delaware. The running mate a candidate chooses can have a big impact on voters decision.

“I think Palin would be good as the vice president,” said Chenoweth. “I agree with a lot of her views about the economy and gas prices and things, along with McCain’s views as well.”

November 4, 2008 is the day when the next president of the United States is chosen and the day that voters choose their future. It is a day people look forward to and a day that people are dreading at the same time.

What once was an event including a pep rally, bonfire, and a football game has come to be known as an essential high-school tradition. The original meaning of homecoming has come a long way these past generations and has been changing ever since.

The purpose of homecoming is for past alumni to come back to the school and root for their home team. It’s a time to recognize great achievements, and to support and encourage each other as well as an opportunity for current students to gather and celebrate at the big game. Originally revolving around football, homecoming now incorporates more sports, including the recognition of sports from every season.

“Homecoming is about honoring everybody on Friday at the pep fest, instead of just the football starting line-up,” said Principal Mark Mischke. “Its not just about football, it highlights all things that are happening at our school; its all about the different events and activities.”

Another tradition of homecoming is the crowning of a king and queen. Loud cheering and chanting filled the PAC with excitement on the night of coronation as the fellow students arrived and awaited the final decision, while the nominees for homecoming sat in front of everyone. The girls held hands, and the boys sat in a blank stare, listening as the former king and queen ran around behind them, ready to crown the new royalty.

“The students elected all seemed outstanding this year,” said Mischke. “ Many Seniors were deserving of it.”

The candidates are selected by the fellow students based on personality, characteristics, and school involvement.

“Its allows for a variety of people from different backgrounds and peer groups to be recognized,” said Assistant Principal Brandon Prell.

There was a little complaining about not enough AAA activities. But with homecoming being a week earlier than past years, it gave student council and class cabinet less time to plan and prepare. The decision was to do only two well planned and thought out pep fests, Fun Night, and of course the dance. “Some people really complained,” said Junior class cabinet member Francie Varner. “But at the end of the day it’s a privilege, and we are doing something as opposed to doing nothing.” Homecoming has been going on for many years, and every year is different as new students try new things. One thing that never changes is the pride and unity of Buffalo.

Working hard, the members in the Student Council prepared for the new changes in the 2008 Homecoming. The decoration throughout the school consisted of posters and other signs in all the locker bays and most hallways.

“At the beginning of August, we decide what the themes and dress-up days are going to be”, said Vice President of Student Council Sally Nadeau. “This year we had less than two weeks to get ready, so we’ve been working very hard. This year we won’t be having a pep rally on class color day and there will be more restrictions on our dress-up days.” Said Nadeau.

The school took a vote and the seniors said they would rather not have Get Up and Go day because Buffalo has that theme every year. This year’s Homecoming was different from the past in other ways as well.

“I miss get up and go day, that was a good one,” said Junior Lindy Jenson. “John Hancock Day was silly.”

Students were looking forward to the usual pep fest on class color day where classes battle each other in several competitions, but the rally was not held this year as it was for many years past. As the word got around, some students felt that particular event shouldn’t be lacking from this year’s Homecoming events.

“Yeah I am mad. It’s part of a tradition and it’s one of the best days of the whole Homecoming week,” said Junior Melissa Manz.

Instead of a pep fest on class color day, there was one during Wednesday AAA. This event consisted of Battle of the Sexes, with a boy and girl from each grade participating. The competitions included an obstacle course, drinking a foul-tasting concoction of the student council, and the switching of outfits of the football player and the cheerleader. A tiebreaker also took place, with a dance-off between the homecoming king and queen, Bruce Manz and Dani Vetrano.

“My favorite part was the football player versus the cheerleader,” said Sophomore Michael Thielen.

Although some students felt that tradition was broken, the general spirit of the school proved to be as pronounced as ever.

Students craned their necks to have a better view out the window, feeling pangs of jealousy towards their peers with window seats. Every eye searched diligently for some familiar scene, attempting to match the landmarks of Paris with mental pictures. Meanwhile, their plane landed, and its door opened to a fresh breeze of European air.

Last summer, six Arts Magnet students, their parents, and their coordinator took the opportunity to visit France, Monaco, and Italy. For most, every day was a leap into the unknown.

“I think the most memorable moment [of the trip],” said Arts Magnet Coordinator Sheri Tamte, “Is always when you fi rst arrive at whatever city you’re in fi rst. We were in Paris. That whole moment; from getting off the airplane to arriving at your hotel, picking up your bags, hearing people speak French, reading French signs, getting onto the bus, and driving through Paris as you get to your hotel and arriving. You feel like you’ve been launched. It just feels kind of make-believe.”

As the students had 10 days to explore three countries, they maximized every minute. Some learned to order sandwiches in French, others dodged cars on what seemed, at fi rst, to be narrow sidewalks. With sketchbooks in hand, many captured the scenery.

“Often we’d see them,” said Chaperon Katherine Jensen, “Just sitting on a bridge, cliff, or a beach, and they’d be drawing a boat out in the harbor. The other kids that we were with from other schools, didn’t do any of that - they just went out and partied. Our kids were just really into the art and architecture. And that to me, was what we went for. They took advantage of that.”

The itinerary was packed with stops at several well-known European landmarks. The seventh day alone, spent in Florence, included visits to duomos (Italian cathedrals), Ghiberti’s Baptistery doors, shops on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and a certain statue by Michelangelo.

“I think one of my favorites,” said Junior Adric Forslund, “Was the statue of David. According to our guide, most of the statues created back then emphasized a lot of the muscular, kind of brutal and violent potential of statues. And in this statue of David, you know David and Goliath, it shows him holding this sling and looking out in the distance in sort of a... peaceful manner almost.”

The travellers were not only impressed by the content of museums, but often by the buildings themselves. Of fi ve people interviewed, four mentioned their admiration of European architecture.

“I was just completely amazed,” said Forslund, “Because, looking at all the different buildings was just remarkable. You know, America has been created in the past several years. And in Europe, they’re re-building buildings from thousands of years ago. They have castles and old towers that they basically transform into modern buildings. It had a sort of used old-fashioned feel to it, but it was modern. And I just thought that was brilliant.”

“When we went to Europe,” said 2008 graduate Kiersten LaPatka, “All the buildings we went to were stone or granite. They were individually carved and hand-crafted. And here, everything is just sort of whipped up on the spot; it wasn’t made to be fancy, it was just made to be livable. Over there, there’s heart and soul put into everything and it’s so magnifi cent. I would love to go back anytime. As myself, growing as an artist, it infl uences me by seeing that putting a bit of yourself into each piece of artwork will enhance the actual outcome... rather than just cranking out pieces of artwork.”

“It’s like,” said Junior Lindy Jensen, “Walking around in a piece of art, all the time.”

A year after our community failed to pass the levy referendum, Buffalo High School finds itself on the brink of a financial meltdown. The previous referendum left students and faculty in a questionable position about what their future may entail. With student fees increasing in a bust economy, the usually friendly atmosphere of Buffalo High School seems to be on the edge.

Throughout the district, many teachers have lost their jobs, causing the average class size to jump dramatically as the number of electives available to students dropped. Those teachers who remain have been forced to adjust to larger class sizes and fewer resources to keep classes running smoothly. Each additional student in already crowded classes brings the quality of education received by every student down, resulting in a more difficult teaching environment.

When teachers have less time to spend with individual students, a struggle can more easily lead to failure. Whether the students notice the challenges brought forth to their teachers or not, they still exist, making the school desperate for the referendum to pass this November.

This year, students and parents have had to deal with increased activity fees, reduced educational opportunities, less attention from teachers, parking fees, fewer elective choices, and crowded classes. They’ve been paying a price for last year’s failed Levy. However, next year, the impact of failure will be even greater. If the Referendum doesn’t pass, activity buses will be cut, so those who are in after school activities will have to find another ride, or cease involvement. Class sizes will be even larger than this year, resulting in less individual help. Students could be facing up to eight periods of class instead of the familiar four. This option uses fewer teachers and offers fewer elective options.

The three-hundred and thirty-three dollars per student asked for by the levy will prevent $1.595 million in budget reductions for the 2009-10 school year. While we won’t return to the financial level of two years ago, if the Referendum passes, the tax increase will restore three teaching positions to help alleviate class issues due to enrollment fluctuations, and fund the increase in rising utility and fuel costs, according to a pamphlet distributed by the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District.

If the levy were to fail, the effects would hit Buffalo High School so hard it would cause a decrease in the quality of life of the students, staff, and most importantly the community.

The last referendum failed by a very narrow margin. Each voter made a significant impact in the day-to-day working of the entire district. With a hotly contested Presidential election and a Senate race that’s grabbing national headlines, Minnesota (and the whole country) is expecting its largest voter turn-out in decades. Many voters may not be informed about the threat to the district. For this reason, students need to encourage their parents, relatives, and each other to become informed about what is at stake this time around and to get out and vote on November 4. The line at the polling places may be long, but the impact of each vote will be great. More than ever, each vote counts for our community.

More information about the Levy is available at www.bhmschools.org.

As we move closer to November, the election is on more and more of Americans minds. Who is more experienced? Who is ready to lead? Where do the candidates stand on certain issues? These are all valid questions, and questions that we should all find the answers to before we pull that lever.

I personally will be voting for John McCain. I think that he is best suited for the office of the presidency, mainly because John McCain always has and always will put his country first.

McCain attended the Naval Academy at Annapolis just like his father and grandfather. He graduated from Annapolis in 1958. McCain then went through two and a half years of training to be a navy pilot.

When he finished his training McCain requested a combat assignment, he was assigned to the USS Forrestal. His Combat duty began in 1967 when the Forrestal was assigned to a bombing campaign in Vietnam. He was almost killed when his ship the Forrestal started on fire, the fire killed 134 sailors and took 24 hours to get under control. With that ship destroyed he volunteered duty on the USS Oriskany.

On October 26, 1967 while flying in his 23rd bombing mission, McCain’s airplane was shot down over Hanoi. He fractured both an arm and a leg and nearly drowned when he parachuted into True Bach Lake. He was pulled ashore by North Vietnamese who captured him and took him to Hanoi’s main prison, the Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton.” McCain was refused medical care even though he was badly wounded; he was instead beaten and interrogated for information. Only when it was discovered that his father was a top admiral, did he receive medical attention. When McCain’s father was named commander of all U.S. forces in Vietnam, his captors offered to let him go for propaganda purposes. McCain refused, saying only if all the captives that had been taken before him were released as well. McCain was finally released in 1973, being held as a prisoner of war for about five and a half years. Two of those years in solitary confinement.

McCain returned to the states and attended the National War College at Fort McNair. He got his flight status reinstated and became a commanding officer of a training squadron located in Florida.

McCain left the navy in 1981 and set his sights on running for congress. McCain won his first term and was easily re-elected in 1984. McCain ran for the senate in 1986 and began a career in the senate that lasts till present.

Over his years in the senate McCain has worked in a bipartisan manner to get things done. He has become known as a maverick for his willingness to fight his own party on things he disagrees with them on. This is another way John McCain has put country before self. He doesn’t make decisions based on what is politically expedient, he makes decisions based on what he thinks is best for the country.

At this time on our nation’s history it is more important than ever to elect the right leaders. McCain understands the situations we face and is willing to fight for what is best for this country. He will not play politics with the issues that are most important, but rather seek to resolve them in a way he thinks best, whether it be politically expedient or not. I believe that if we elect John McCain to be our next President, we can always be confident that he will have our country’s best interests at heart, something I am afraid we can’t say about the other guy.

If it is from his speeches, his supporters, or his image, Barack Obama is the symbol of American patriotism and hope. He delivers an optimistic message of peace and change that entangles the American population in a time of poor national security and a failing economy frantically trying to avoid another depression.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek,” said Obama.

He has sparked excitement in the younger generation, the future politicians, the future leaders. He is committed to the people of America and change in the system of a failing government

“If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost,” stated Obama.

“Americans ... still believe in an America where anything’s possible -- they just don’t think their leaders do.”

Obama is a leader with vigor. He has a desire to create change, not through Washington or lobbyists but the American people. I know he is capable of running the United States. He has the ability to be a great president. He supports the people’s free choice under regulation and will safely and timely remove the troops from Iraq. Obama supports women’s choice on when they would like to raise a family.

People may say that he is inexperienced and hasn’t been a senator long enough. But when a man can capture an audience of thousands and ignite fire in the American people, there must be something different, and we all know we don’t need a repeat of the last eight years. He is the leader we need, and I hope, will get.

508 pairs of brand-new shoes entered the high school, squeaking their way down the freshman hallway. At 7:40 the buzzing of the warning bell echoed through the already empty hall.

“I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to find all of my classes,” said Freshman Hannah Buffie. “Te school is way bigger than I expected, and there are so many people here.”

Laughter and chatter persisted through the loud buzzing of the warning bell in the senior hallway. Moments before the final bell buzzed five minutes later, seniors reluctantly slammed their lockers shut and strolled unhurriedly to class.

“I was scared as a freshman that classes would be way harder than in middle school, or that I wouldn’t be able to find everything. But this year I wasn’t worried about school at all,” said Senior Nicole Groenke. “By now I know the building, the people in it, and the way things work.”

Unlike many seniors, freshman view the school with fresh eyes, looking forward to the options that BHS has to offer.

“I am looking forward to new things in high school, “ said Freshman Maya Bouldan. “Like the school plays, new classes, and trying other activities. In middle school you couldn’t choose any classes, but here there are so many.”

A variety of classes ranging from jewelry, to astronomy, to calculus give students the freedom to try new things, while providing others with the tools they need to pursue life-long goals.

“I’m in French one right now, and every day just makes me want to learn more and more,” said Buffie. “I have wanted to go to Paris my whole life, so it would be cool to speak the language.”

Each day freshmen discover something new about BHS. Whether it is in the form of a school play, an interesting class or a chance to travel, freshman seize the opportunities provided for both this year and the future.

“My Astronomy class is really packed, and a lot of the classes that I wanted to take this year were cut.”

Junior Lauren Johnson

“The lunches are so much more expensive than last year. French also might get cut, and I love French so that would bother me a lot.”

Senior Tysha Nelson

“I want the referendum to pass because I really want the four block schedule to stay.”

Sophomore Connor Williamson

Last November, BHM School District put up a levy that failed. Now, on November 4, they are proposing another levy to the district’s tax payers. If the levy doesn’t pass this year, there will be changes that all of the schools will see starting right away next year, but BHS will have the biggest losses.

Getting Hit Hard

The district is asking the community for $339.00 per student, which is about $1.595 million dollars. That money is in addition to the other levy in the district that is due to be renewed next year. That levy would not increase taxes, it would just keep them what they are currently at. This Novembers’ referendum is the only time that tax payers can decide whether they want a tax increase or not.

“We won’t necessarily hire more teachers [if the levy passes], we just wouldn’t cut any more,” said Vice Chair of the School Board Dave Wilson. “The only way that we would hire more teachers is if the enrollment goes up, but the number of students in a class would remain the same.”

From a former teachers standpoint, Sue Lee, a board member and former elementary teacher, agrees that the number of students in the class gets harder for both the teacher and the students.

“As a teacher, it is harder to teach in a class with more kids,” said Lee. “You can’t get to them all, and discipline becomes a problem as well, since they don’t want to listen for longer periods of time.”

The levy is going to help the district with rising fuel costs for things such as heating and cooling the schools, providing the buses with gasoline, but most of the big effects will happen to BHS, since it is the largest school in the district.

“It would have the greatest affect on BHS,” said Principal Mark Mischke. “This is really going to cause us to think about and change how we do business.”

Although the amount of additional money the district would receive might sound substantial, costs constantly increase and these funds will help cover costs over the next ten years.

“$339 per student would stay for the following 10 years beginning in the ‘09 -’10 school year,” said Wright County District Communications Coordinator Laura Barta. “Money is always going to be a problem with schools since things will continue to rise in price.”

The Affects

There is also the other side of the spectrum: what will be the effects if the levy does not pass? District wide, the school board has confi rmed that there would be 13.5 teaching positions 6.5 Paraprofessionals, and 1.5 administrative positions cut, though the actual number may be more than that. In addition, there would be an even larger increase in class sizes, along with two custodial cuts. There would no longer be an activity bus, and various activities would be cut, with remaining suffering a 25-percent fee increase, though no specifi cs as to which activities this would affect have been released.

“The schools will look at all of the activities, and will eliminate by the participation,” said Barta. “There is no way to say which ones will go, and which ones will stay.”

Another hypothetical change to the school setting would be the reformatting of summer school, which would most likely have to be funded by the students that use it.

“Part of summer school is paid for by tuition from the students and part is paid for by the district, and the students are provided buses,” said Lee. “But if the levy fails, they would have to pay for all of their classes and transportation.

One potential cut that has been long-rumoured but not offi cially confi rmed is the end of the Block schedule a signifi cantly reduced amount of choice in electives.

“It does take less teachers to run a seven class schedule rather than the block schedule, and if things get much worse, the block scheduling will defi nitely be in jeopardy,” said Wilson. “Also, you might not get much of a choice next year when it comes to your electives. You could be told what your classes are and that’s that.”

Parking Fees

Something that students noticed along with the larger class sizes at the beginning of the year was the new fee that affected every student who drives to school.

“The only reason I don’t like that the levy failed is because I have to pay for parking,” said Senior Rachel Johnson. “We went from paying $0, to $50, they should have done a subtle increase or something like that. I will defi nitely vote for us to get more money.”

On the other hand, adults facing new parking permit fees are singing a different tune.

“To be honest, the parking permit cost is pretty low compared to the other schools I’ve been to,” said Mischke.

Even with a comparatively low cost, the new fee brings in a large sum of money to the school, and that is helping with things that the school could have lost due to the failed levy last year. Whether the levy passes of fails, the parking permit fee is not expected to be waived of decreased.

“The parking fees are more than likely going to stay,” said Barta. “That is something I don’t think we will ever get rid of, but if we do, defi nitely not in the next few years.”

Optimistic

With the failure of the last levy, there is a chance that it could fail again, though voter turnout is likely to be larger since it is on the same day as the National Election.

“I do think we will have a large voter turnout. It will be huge,” said Wilson. “I’m very hope full that it passes, and history shows in Buffalo that it usually passes after it fails.”

Even though members of the school board think that it will pass, they have a plan if it fails for the second time in a row.

“If it fails, we will have to try again next year,” said Lee. “Its so hard in education because there is no way you can ever get back what you lost.

The school board has been encouraging students to talk to their parents about the levy, in hopes that parents’ voting decisions will be infl uenced by their children.

“Don’t underestimate the power of the student body, and of the high school students. You are the ones that your parents listen to, and your opinion matters to them,” said Wilson. “Talk to your parents, and keep them informed. You guys can really make a difference in this.

Five teenagers in a car rock out to music while the driver eats, drinks, and uses her phone, as a sixth passenger worries. The screeching of tires, high-pitched screams, and a loud crash. The memory quickly fades away and the sixth passenger is back in the present. The night returns to him. How did he know that would be the last time he would ever see his friends?

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in late winter, most people wouldn’t be seen outside preparing to shoot a 30 second commercial. However, this is what Juniors Neil Gleason, Abby Huff, Tyler Theien, Michael Bonde, Megan Davis and Rebekah Jacobson were doing in the middle of March last year. They spent one hour crammed in a car slowly driving around making their video that would be submitted into the “2008 Speak Up Teens!” TV Commercial Contest. It would later go on to receive 2nd place against 73 other videos entered in the competition. The video is about a teen’s remembrance of his friends’ deaths when their car rolled off the road into a ditch. In the accident, the teen who survived was the only one wearing his seat belt.

“It’s a scenario that I thought would really connect with teenagers, one where someone loses their friends in a car accident,” said Gleason.

All over Minnesota, the use of cell phones, eating and drinking, and simply talking to friends or listening to music while operating a vehicle are all factors for getting involved in an accident.

“It’s very diffi cult now for kids to do only one thing,” said Police Offi cer Glenda Ridley. “Even talking and not paying 100% attention is not good.”

Of 100 students surveyed, 86 put their seat belts on every time they get in a vehicle. “One thing that is different [about BHS Students] is our use of seat belts,” said Ridley. “We seem to excel in this area.”

Despite the use of seat belts in 2007, over 50 teen deaths were recorded in Minnesota. A little over two months ago, Congress decided to do something about this.

In order to minimize the number of injuries or deaths to teen drivers, Minnesota Congress enforced new traffi c laws on August 1, limiting the amount of passengers being carried in a vehicle by a newly licensed teen and changing rules regarding nighttime driving.

For the fi rst six months of obtaining their license, teens are only allowed to have one passenger under the age of 20 with them if they are driving without a parent. Also, during the same time period, they are prohibited from driving from midnight to 5 a.m., unless they are accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older..

“I can’t drive with more than one friend for the fi rst six months,” said Junior Kayla Hemze, “so that gets annoying.”

Of 100 students surveyed, 66 have heard about the laws that have just recently taken effect. The passing of them caused many different reactions from all ages.

“Personally, I think they’re a really good idea,” said Sophomore Kaylene Born. “It’ll teach kids our age that we have to focus on the road around us and not the person sitting next to us.”

Near the end of Gleason’s video, a short, yet powerful message talks about we speaking up when feel uncomfortable while riding in a vehicle, before something worse happens.

The smell from lunch lingers in the hallway along with the sweaty, crowded, atmosphere from everyone walking down to the gym. For the first time this school year, head Principal Mark Mischke spoke in the gym to the school as a whole. Speaking to the entire student body at once in a big noisy gym may seem nerve rack- ing, but Mischke seemed relaxed as he addressed 1800 restless students

From socializing during lunches to walking the halls during passing time, Mischke is making an effort to get to know the student body as well as staff members as best as he can.

“So far, Buffalo is great and I love it here,” said Mischke. “We’ve got a great student body; everyone seems to get along with each other. Also the teaching staff is amazing; they make the students their priorities and make sure they get good quality education. This build- ing is phenomenal for being 11 years old. Not only are the janitors doing their job to keep the building clean, but the students and staff want their learning environment clean as well.”

Background Mischke graduated from Saint Michael-Albertville High School in 1991 and began teaching math right out of college. He taught at Annandale High School, Saint Michael -Albertville High School, and then later at Alexandria High School for a total of seven years. He also spent four years as assistant principal at Stillwater Junior High School, before moving to his most recent position as the assistant principal at Stillwater Area High School for one year.

“It’s a tough decision deciding which is better, Buffalo or Stillwater,” said Mischke. “They are both really great schools and I don’t want to choose just one. Stillwater and Buffalo are very supportive of education and make it a priority to make sure the students get that. The great side about Buffalo, class sizes here are around 450 to 500 students, whereas in Stillwater their class sizes are 750 students or more. Here it’s easier to get to know as many people as possible. I plan on staying here for a long time.”

Students and teachers who have been here for three years or more have had three principals in the past three years. Many of them have certain expectations for Mischke to carry on as the past principals did.

“He is very true to himself,” said Social Studies Teacher Gerry Bakke. “Mark is very easy to talk to and his door is always open. He’s got really high expectations of Buffalo and really believes in us. Mischke sees Buffalo as somewhere where he can settle down and stay for a while, not just a stepping stone.”

“His energy around people makes him unique,” said Assistant Principal Matt Lubben. “He is a people person. He’s very organized and has great attention toward detail. Mark also has a great vision towards kids in this school; he wants what’s best for them and their education.”

Hopes for the Future Others don’t know exactly what to expect of him. Students who haven’t gotten the chance to talk to him or even realize the effort he’s been putting in to this school year don’t know what to think or even what to say.

“I honestly don’t know what to expect,” said Senior Danielle Schmidt. “I’m hoping he doesn’t change too much like during homecoming week such as class color day and the pep fest. Also senior privileges, when we get to leave at 2:00 and during testing for younger grades we get to come in later. From seeing him in the hallways and during lunch he seems like he is very interested in getting to know everyone.”

“I haven’t noticed too much of Mr. Mischke,” said Junior Mel Henson. “I feel bad saying that but I’ve never really thought too much about principals besides the fact that they sit in the office. When Miller and Toso were prin- cipals, I didn’t really notice much of them either. From what I’ve heard though he seems really nice and, now that I think about it, I’m curious to see how this year goes. Even next year, when I’m a senior, I hope too much doesn’t change. He seems really nice though.”

Preparations for the School Year Back in March he found out he got the job and then on May 22 he came to visit during the school day to meet with students and staff members. He also came for graduation and the Excellence Banquet at the end of last school year. July 1 was his official start day and as soon as he could, he began meeting with each department in the building. He also met with a great number of students in the senior class to ask them what they liked about high school, what they wanted to keep the same and what they wanted to change. Mischke is making the best effort possible to make sure this school year is a success. He wants everyone to know that his door is always open.

“I want to serve as an educational leader for the stu- dents and families in the Buffalo Hanover Montrose com- munity,” said Mischke. “I’m passionate about providing the best education possible for students and I’m excited for the new challenges and opportunity here.”

Principal’s Secretary has worked closely with the last three principals.

“I’ve been the principal’s secretary for about 20 years,” said Secretary Linda Thompson. “I love the vari- ety my job provides and the people I work with. Mischke is a blend of both former principals - Nick Miller and Rick Toso. He’s got a high energy like Miller did, and is reflective like Toso was.”

Mischke’s goal for this year is to provide the best educational opportunities and continue with the same traditions Buffalo has but also create new ones. He is willing to make the best effort possible to get to know everyone.

On June 2, 2003 Writer Stephenie Meyer woke up from a dream that was strangely vivid. She dreamt about two people in a meadow. One was an average girl and the other, a sparkling, gorgeous vampire. They talked about how they started to fall in love and the vampire’s strange obsession with the scent of her blood, which gave him the desire to kill her and drink it. She woke up and didn’t want to forget the dream, so she went to her computer and typed it up. So started the Twilight saga.

Thirty-seven percent of students have read Twilight and they frequently find it interesting and enjoy reading it. They enjoy the romance, characters, plot line, or some even like all of them. Twilight is the love story between a danger-prone human named Bella and an immortal vampire named Edward. The book shows how they first met and what happens once they fall in love, including the lethal encounter with James, a rogue vampire.

“I like how two different types of creatures [human and vampire] fall in love when it usually wouldn’t work,” said Freshman Jackson Rozeske.

Bella and Edward’s love story is one that is different than most. Some students who have read Twilight find that it draws them in. Many students have found that the story exciting and romantic.

“It [Twilight] can’t compare to other novels,” said Freshman Marissa Smith. “I like the details and plot line as well as the descriptions.”

While some students bury their noses into Twilight, others don’t know why people like it so much and don’t like the book. They are more into realistic or less outlandish things to read about.

“I just don’t like the plot line of it,” said Freshman Anna Dietrich. “I also didn’t like the way she was more overly descriptive in the book and I didn’t like the fantasy romance, I would rather read something with real life romance. Everyone talks about it and it gets annoying and it actually sounds a bit disturbing.”

Meyer is currently working on her new book Midnight Sun which is Twilight through Edward’s perspective. Though something happened earlier this year that made her think about not writing it.

“I just heard that someone leaked 12 chapters,” said Freshman Allesson Stensing. “She is putting it [Midnight Sun] on the back burner for a bit or even permanently. You can read it [the first 12 chapters] on her website.”

Meyer is upset about the leak and doesn’t know if she will continue the writing process. She knows who posted Midnight Sun because each draft was different. She doesn’t believe any malicious intent was meant on the posting of the Midnight Sun draft though. All of them want it to come out even though the internet leak happened.

A drum set waits quietly on a stage in a small arena in Burnsville. Suddenly, three boys step onto the stage. One takes his seat at the drum set. The other two are holding guitars. Lights flash on and one of the boys walks up to the microphone. He welcomes his viewers and tells them to enjoy the show. Then, he introduces the band as Icicles to Eskimos and a guitar starts out the first song.

Sophomores Max Lundeen, Matt O’Leary, and Sam Bergstrom started Icicles to Eskimos during their eighth grade year. Rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Rush, House of Heroes, and Dream Theater influenced their songs and sound. Icicles to Eskimos blends classic rock and younger, new age rock to create a unique sound of their own. The band writes their music and lyrics based on what they want and how they feel, not to please a crowd. Their songs piece together intricate drum and bass solos alongside O’Leary’s lyrics. A piano, played by Bergstrom, even starts out the beginning of one song.

At first, a former member, Sophomore Matt Blizel, sang and played lead guitar and sang while Lundeen played drums and O’Leary and Bergstrom played guitars, but the band changed soon after starting up.

“It started a long time ago when we had Matt [Blizel] in our band,” said O’Leary. “He got me into bass. Then, when he left, I was urged to sing.”

Icicles to Eskimos manages their own band while also juggling school and sports. Lundeen plays on the soccer team and runs track. All three members participate in church activities, giving them busy schedules. They try to practice at least twice a week and schedule at least one show a month. They often play at the Vault in Buffalo, but they also schedule shows at other arenas located outside of town.

“The best show we ever played was at The Garage in Burnsville,” said Bergstrom. “We had a whole lot of people watching us and a really good set that night. A lot of people complimented us and we gave out a lot of CDs.”

Close friends of Icicles to Eskimos try to watch the shows as often as possible. They spend time with the members before and after the show watching all of the other bands play. The excitement always builds when their friends step up on stage to play.

“It’s cool to be there watching the show,” said close friend Sophomore Ian Robinson. “It’s awesome to look up and be like... whoa, those are my friends playing.”

During shows Icicles to Eskimos always shares the stage with other bands, all of which hope to capture the hearts of the audience. And although each band tries to light up the stage with their own talent, friendly relationships are kept off-stage, especially with Icicles to Eskimos.

“Mostly we’re just friendly and cool and stuff,” said Bergstrom. “We just try to be nice and not too competitive.”

Unlike professional bands, Icicles to Eskimos has to set up their equipment by themselves. Before the show, they have to make sure everything is working and set up perfectly so that the performance will run smoothly. Also, they never step onto the stage without first having their own before concert ritual.

“We always make sure to pray,” said Lundeen. “We pray and that’s about it.”

Icicles to Eskimos started out as a band playing for fun. They still play for fun, but now preform seven of their own songs as well as a few album covers. One day, they hope to get signed for a record deal. In the meantime, the band hopes to keep growing and gaining new fans. However, having fun ranks as the band’s first priority.

Sweaty girls run up and down the soccer fi eld. A foul is called by the whistle of a ref dressed in black and white stripes. A yellow card is given for profanity, and a big sigh is released from the teammates on the bench. This is the beginning of an aggressive battle between the Bison and their opponent.

Ranging from grades nine through 12, the varsity girls soccer team has a wide variety of athletes. The freshmen, being young and inexperienced get the chance to step up and prove themselves, while the seniors take in the fi nal memories, and good times before it’s time to say goodbye.

“We have a young team now,” said Sophomore Courtney Daniels. “We’re going to have a lot of experience in the years to come. Hopefully we’ll have the capability to go further.”

Spending time together at practices, lasting from after school into the night, and the long bus rides to games, the girls have developed a strong relationship on and off the fi eld.

“We love each other,” said Daniels. “Even though we’re all different ages, we act like we’ve known each other forever. It’s my favorite time of the year because I get to be with them.”

Along with practices, being together outside of school is something they’ve done all season. From pastas to sandwiches, and sleepovers around the campfire, the girls spend quality time bonding together. Age does not make a difference in their friendship.

“One time we were at Holly Brummer’s around the campfire and we all put our heads in the center,” said Daniels. “When we woke up, there were puddles of dew on our sleeping bags.”

Being friends out of uniform has a positive effect on how they play together as a team. A lot of the girls have special ways to get themselves pumped up for an upcoming game.

“Calli Durst and I have a secret handshake,” said Senior Captain Anna Lundeen. “We also have a team chant. It’s a war cry.”

Being together so often, it has a great outcome on their skill level, and interactions on the fi eld.

“Since we get along so well,” said Daniels. “It makes us aware of our strengths, and weaknesses on the fi eld so we know how we’ll react while playing.”

The team is trying to maintain a steady record. The girls are currently at fi ve wins, three losses, and three ties. They are hoping to progress further into sections and onto state.

“I don’t think we’ll do the greatest in conference,” said Lundeen. “But sections we’ll win. We have a really good chance of making it to state.”

As the season is slowly coming to an end, the seniors are taking in the last moments they can of their High School soccer career.

“I will miss all the girls,” said Lundeen. “I’ll miss hanging out with the girls everyday and being screamed at by Coach Andy.”

As a developing team, volleyball starts off the season with a whole different outlook. In addition to the new team members, a new head coach joins the team.

Head Coach Lauri Zumach has been the assistant coach of varsity for five years, and a coach of Junior Olympic volleyball for over 15 years. Zumach is well-known to these girls in the past seasons they’ve been playing.

“I like being head coach over assistant,” said Zumach. “Even though it’s time consuming, it’s also very rewarding.”

Despite the fact that volleyball came off to a rough start in the season, Zumach sees potential in her team to be successful. More than half of last year’s team is gone from seniors graduating. This made for major adjustments for some, and bigger challenges for others.

“We are getting better everyday. We have some hard workers. We have a losing record right now, but will end the season on a better note,” said Zumach.

Working hard at practice everyday, the 11 girls get along, and build as a team.

“I’m enjoying this year a little more, because there was more drama and fights last year than this year,” said Senior Danielle Goodfellow. “We basically get along well and know each other more.”

Together, after pre-game, the girls get pumped up before the big hand hits seven o’clock. They round up into the locker room, not only to get dressed, but to prepare themselves physically and mentally.

“Right before a game we crank the tunes in the wrestling room and get all the nerves out. Then as a team we do this pump up cheer and act crazy,” said Goodfellow.

As the team warms up on the court, crowds begin filling the bleachers.

“Matches are really fun when we all get involved and excited. Especially when the fans get rowdy,” said Senior Hanna Rohl.

With every serve tossed in the air, communication becomes key.

“We need to work on talking and staying positive, and we are doing well on serving hard,” said Senior Captain Catherine Mattson.

The girls push each other through their mistakes in order to not bring the team down.

“We are doing well on utilizing our individual talents,” said Rohl. “Everyone knows their part on the team and contributes what they can so we can be the best possible.”

It’s one in the afternoon on a weekday in the middle of August. The J.V. soccer players have just fi nished up a round of sprints and are doubled over panting for breath. They are forced to look to the near fi eld after hearing the loud voices of the Varsity team and see the players sitting in a pick up truck filled with water, their very own port-a-pool. While J.V. continues to run, the varsity cool off after their fi rst scrimmage against Brooklyn Center, while taunting the J.V. the whole time. They made themselves heard even over all the splashing, just like they would continue to do the rest of the season.

Ever since the beginning of August the Varsity team focused on bonding and getting ready for the season. With a full squad of 21 players, the team of eight juniors and 13 seniors is enjoying the experience everyone has been having. “It’s really nice having an older team cause everyone knows what’s going on and how it all works. We don’t have to spend a lot of time on the little stuff,” said Senior Captain Ben Stephens.

The team all enjoys every ones crazy personalities and individuality’s, they have their own way of describing themselves. “We consider our team to be divided in thirds, one third juniors, one third hockey players, and one third what we call actual soccer players,” said Senior Captain Albert Gutknecht.

Whatever this team may consist of it must be working, all players agree its one of the most tight knit group of guys they’ve had who are all focused on their goals. “We’re hoping for an overall winning record, and to be section and conference champs,” said Stephens. “But I think our teams main goal is to make the coach happy, if he’s not happy nobody is happy.”

Coach Jeffrey Lindstrom is now in his 12 year of coaching and he says this is easily the most talkative, energetic group he’s ever had. He is also enjoying having a very deep team with many talented players. The team possesses a lot of talents especially speed. Another crowd favorite is the front hand spring throw in by Senior Forward Luke Marty.

“The plus side of having a very talkative team is the team chemistry comes along a lot faster. Although, it’s always a work in progress,” said Lindstrom. “There are times it is hard to get my teams attention. During team discussions I actually make them raise their hands if they want to contribute. If I don’t do that I end up with 7 or 8 loud guys talking at once. Sometimes their talkative nature is entertaining but other times it is just plain annoying.” During warm, ups you can always see the team bouncing their heads to the beat, this energetic, group always keeps the coach on his toes with their actions and comments.

“We have been and will be the best looking team in the state by far,” said Senior Keenen Stangl.

Although the team is able to joke around and have good humor they still have had their sights set high and been working rigorously.

The team has already accomplished a 5-4-1 record. With Sections also coming up the team is hoping to come out on top. According to the players the biggest achievement so far was the 2-1 win against St. Francis. With the winning goal being scored by Gutknecht.

“His shot was like an arrow from God!” said Stephens.

All teammates agreed his shot from across the fi eld was pretty impressive.

St. Francis has always heavily defeated Buffalo in the past so this team agrees they have come a long way. The teams rivals over the past few years have not changed much. The team was in agreement that Monticello and St. Michael were still their main rivals, excluding one player.

“I just hate everyone. I go out with same intensity to win each game,” said Junior midfi elder Daniel Hanson. The team was able to pull off a 3-1 win against St. Michael but weren’t as fortunate after playing Monticello and losing 0-4.

The team has started each game this season with intensity in the air and loud supporting voices coming from the crowd no matter where they are. The soccer year is closely coming to an end. As the team comes to its fi nal games in sections they hope to end it strong and to fi nish off what has so far been a very rewarding season.

Waiting patiently, 12-year-old Sophomore Joseph DuBois sits in Advanced Placement Calculus with a head full of answers, anxiously awaiting the slight pause in the teacher’s voice, which marks the opportunity to thrust his hand into the air, in hope of seeing the teacher's lips form the sounds of his name.

Being the youngest kid in the class can be an intimidating experience. This is especially the case for DuBois, a new student attending BHS.

Despite his age, DuBois is very conscious of his level of education. Unlike many students, he’s not interested in taking "slacker classes" in order to avoid a heavy workload.

“I made the switch to BHS because I feel I will receive a much better education here.” said DuBois. “It just feels like a learning atmosphere.”

DuBois has a full schedule with classes including Varsity Band, Spanish Two, American History, and Advanced Placement Calculus. Despite the large mass of homework DuBois collects from such classes, he has no trouble keeping up. In fact, he doesn't even view his classes as difficult.

“I can’t say that I have a particularly hard class right now.” said Dubois. “I recently tried out for the school play, and would also like to participate in Knowledge Bowl.”

Dubois has the extraodinary opportunity to learn at this academic level because of his past schooling experience.

“I started kindergarten two years early,” said DuBois, “And I crammed all of third and fourth grade into one year too.”

Attending high school at such an age is not only a unique experience for DuBois, but for his teachers as well. “I’m really looking forward to working with Joe this year.” said Math Teacher Carlton Urdahl. “[He] seems very focused on his studies and has no problem keeping up in class, in fact, he is far beyond the material we have covered so far.”

Unfortunately, possessing all of the knowledge required for a particular subject can be more than just helpful, it can make a class boring as well.

“During class,” said Urdahl, “Joe would raise his hand and ask a question that dealt with material that we had not yet covered, and I would tell him that I could not get into that right now. Again he would raise his hand and ask a similar question, and by the third time I yelled, 'No!'"

“Then Mr. Urdahl had to write a really hard problem on the board,” said Senior Samantha Rymanowski, “just so he could continue teaching the rest of the class.”

Although DuBois may be excelling academically, he has little time for social activities. He spends the majority of his free time concentrating on his studies.

"Most of my friends are from Big Lake." said DuBois. "I haven't been here long enough to make a lot of friends."

Dubois said he is glad he made the transition, and it's a completely different learning experience here. He looks forward to making new friends and an educational high school experience.

1 Dressed in a cheerleader uniform, Senior Zach Mellon races to the fi nish line. Mellon competed in a challenge during Homecoming’s fi rst pep-fest.

2 During the Homecoming Coronation on Monday 22, Senior Bruce Manz fl ashes a grin after becomming Homecoming King 08-09. “ I voted for Bruce,” said Senior Kelly Kiernan, “because he is really nice and down-to-earth; he is like a big Teddy Bear.

3 Cheerleader Junior’s Leah Petersen and Hannah Gulstad lead the crowd in the school song. “ Pep-fests are such a rush,” said Junior Leah Petersen. “ The whole school really got into it.”

4 Dressed in Black, Seniors Cassandra Jensen, Alexis Leonard, and Kasondra North line the parking lot on class color day with the rest of the Senior class.

5 Seniors Alexis Leonard, Megan Novac, and Danielle Krolack watch the the Pep-fest on Purple and White day .