The Hoofprint - Issue 2 - Winter 2025

After students return from spring break, BHS will go into a phase of major construction and remodels schoolwide...

As the year goes on, more and more seniors are turning 18 and officially entering adulthood. This unlocks many...

Thanks for checking out the second print edition of the 24-25 school year! We continue to be extremley grateful for each and every one of our hard-working staff members, as they make The Hoofprint possible. Our progress this year is something we take pride in, and we are so excited for the future of this publication. After this edition, look for our spring print edition coming soon! In the mean time, visit Hoofprint.net to keep up with the latest stories and play our two original games: The 5 and The Herdle! Be sure to listen to the lastest Herdcast episode on Spotify which is linked on the home page of our site. We appreciate you taking the time to appreciate our creation by picking up this copy! Enjoy!

Just weeks after students registered for the upcoming 2025- 26 school year, news of staff cuts at BHS hit the building. Across the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose district, multiple schools are being required to make cuts. The high school will face the greatest number of staff cuts, having to reduce by 6.7 staff members. At the elementary level, cuts are being made due to federal ESSER funding coming to a close. ESSER funding (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) was provided to assist public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the High School, rather than a lack of funding, staff cuts are being made due to a decline in enrollment.

At the February 24 school board meeting, members discussed student enrollment in the district as it continues to dwindle. Enrollment at BHS alone has dropped 121 students from previous years. If this trend continues, the decline in enrollment has the potential to affect funding, which could result in a $375,000 loss and the discontinuation of programs.

Even with the large graduating class of 2025 having over 500 students, a much smaller incoming freshman class is also decreasing the number of staff needed at BHS.

“Staffing at BHS is mainly determined by enrollment; enrollment has gone down over the past few years and is continuing to go down due to a variety of factors,” BHS Principal Mark Mishcke said.

With 17.5 licensed FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent) needing to be cut district-wide, BHS faces the largest number of cuts in one building with 6.7 needing to be made. The decision as to who will ultimately be cut comes down to registration and the demand for classes in the upcoming school year. This year’s registration is as important as ever.

This drop in student numbers isn’t limited to the BHM district but all of Minnesota and the United States as a whole. Enrollment in public schools has steadily decreased since 2019. The number of kids being homeschooled since the COVID-19 pandemic has doubled from what it was before the lockdown.

After students return from spring break, BHS will go into a phase of major construction and remodels schoolwide. The major project is the construction of a more secure entrance. “The front entrance will no longer be the front entrance. You’ll come into an [entryway] before you go into the building,” Assistant Principal Edward Cox said. “That’ll move some offices. So in the front entrance, there’ll be some offices added in there, and some conference rooms, and then a larger vestibule for the secure entrance. The school resource officer will also be in a more visible location. I believe he’s taking over Mr. Mischke’s office.” The entry construction is designed to ensure added security to the building, but the process will inevitably disrupt the flow of traffic. However, Cox maintained that this change will be minimal and not too hard to manage for students.“We’ll communicate this [construction] to the masses sometime between now and spring break. Buses will get dropped off in the back. The front entrances won’t be available… there’ll be adjusted procedures for bussing and adjusted procedures for parent drop off,” Cox said. …It’ll make the north end of the building pretty busy in the morning and evening.” According to Cox, in addition to the affected traffic flow, the noise of the work may be the biggest disruption. “There’s going to be some disruption. You have Phoenix [Learning Center], which is right above that space, and classrooms like Mr. Kilgore’s. Those rooms are right adjacent to that [construction],” Cox said. “We’ve talked to [construction workers] about trying to do some of the louder, more disruptive things in the evening.” The entrance system isn’t the only area of the school that is being overhauled. “The things that kids won’t see as much is we’re getting new heating and cooling facilities that are going to make the building a lot more efficient, so we will save money over time. If anybody has been here and worked out in the summer, they know that the weight room and the gyms can be really, really hot,” Cox said. “Depending on the humidity, we might even get condensation on the floor. [The new facilities] will offer cooling throughout the building. At face value, it’s going to be more expensive, but the way that we’re heating and cooling is going to be more efficient.” The Performing Arts Center (PAC) will also be receiving a facelift, which will include things like new seating along with updated sound and lighting systems. “The PAC is such a community resource. So not only does [the remodel] benefit our students, but the community orchestra, community theater, and outside entities that use that space will also benefit from it.” The goal of these projects is to increase the safety, efficiency, and usability across multiple aspects of the building with minimal disruption to the student body and community.

Every athlete has their own unique pregame traditions, and Gabe Roehl ‘27 is no different. Surpassing 100 all-time wins to winning tournaments he hadn’t in his previous seasons, the statebound wrestler had great aspirations going into this year’s season and delivered on them well. Roehl’s pre-match traditions are simple and effective. After getting his clothes ready the night before and making sure his snacks are in his bag for after his matches, Roehl knows he is all set for each match he competes in. When Roehl knew he was going to state, he was ecstatic. Going into the match to decide who went to state, however, he was nervous: he would be facing the same opponent he had lost to the year prior. This time, he relied on his training, earning him the win that solidified his position at this year’s state tournament. “In eighth grade, I lost to a Moorhead kid to go to state, so I didn’t get to go, and last year I lost in the finals to a Moorhead kid. This year, I was able to beat one of the Moorhead kids. Which was pretty exciting, so I was happy about it,” Roehl said. “My technique is on a whole other level [from previous seasons], and my wrestling smarts are way better than before. It’s grown exponentially.” Roehl’s additions to his skill and technique are not the only things that have changed this season. The team’s dynamic has shifted as well. In previous seasons, Rohl noticed a cliquey environment, but this year, the team feels much more like a family. The team has set a tradition of going to Rancho Grande after meets, and wrestlers have also become closer with one another outside of the sport. “Everyone’s like family, and out of all the sports I’ve played, wrestling is the only one actually like that,” Roehl said. “This year, when we were facing Rogers, the youth wrestled, then the middle school wrestled, and then the high school wrestled, and the youth and middle school did well, and [for] the high school we won. That was our first dual meet we won, and everybody wanted to win so badly. Everyone was cheering each other on, and it came down to a heavyweight. Once Ryan [Bababtz ‘25] pinned the guy, everyone was up on the mats, screaming. Everyone wants to see you succeed out there. That was probably my favorite moment of the year.” With an unfortunate injury just weeks before the state competition, Roehl sprained his LCL, a ligament in the knee. This injury caused him to miss a week of matches, slightly setting him back on his desire to beat the school’s records for all-time wins. Despite this setback, Roehl is still determined to surpass this goal. “I sprained my LCL, and that was really painful, but I had to overcome it and wrestle through it,” Roehl said. “I was out for a week and missed probably, five matches that I could have won, which was disappointing because I am trying to get the school record for wins, and that was a little step back, but I still think I have a good shot.” At the state tournament, which took place February 27-March 1, 2025, Roehl unfortunately took a loss and ended his season in the consolation bracket, whereas Ryan Babatz ‘25 achieved 2nd place in the heavyweight bracket.

As the spring season approaches, athletes are preparing for their many upcoming activities. Whether transitioning from fall and winter sports or getting back into activities after an off-season, this is a busy time for many BHS student-athletes. Girls Lacrosse holds frequent captains’ practices during the off-season on Mondays and Wednesdays. The girls are encouraged to keep up with lifting throughout the off-season as well. “We do some stick work, shooting, 2v3 drills, and some games,” Calista Weiche ‘27 said. Athletes are driven by their uplifting team environment and put in the work to be better for those around them. “This season, I’m looking forward to growing with my teammates. This is my last time getting to play with these seniors, and I want to make it the best for them,” lacrosse player Aubrie Guida ‘27 said. Softball also holds captains’ practices during the off-season where the team not only focuses on their softball skills, but also cross-training to create well-rounded athletes. “We have been trying to get into the weight room at least two days a week in the off-season,” Kaitlyn Violett ‘25 said. The softball team will also be experiencing new leadership under new head coach Kennedy Youngren. “I’m looking forward to our new coach because of the new perspective she will bring,” Violett said. Many seniors have been competing for BHS since their freshman year and are going into their fourth and final season. “I’m really looking forward to just getting to experience this one last time,” Track distance runner Wesley Wistrom ‘25 said. “You only get four years of it, and then it’s gone. And so being able to just get that last moment of it is going to be a great experience.” For Wistrom, this season brings challenges stemming from recovering from injuries. “This [off]season has been a lot harder than normal. I’m still kind of getting through some injuries I’ve had through my cross country season that have lingered on to now, and so kind of just that challenge of battling through the injuries,” Wistrom said. “I’m not able to run as much if I want to stay healthy for this season.” Golfers often keep up with their sport through the summer, but because of the need for a course, many months are spent without holding a club. “Although I try to train and work on my skills when I can. Not being able to play throughout the winter is definitely a setback in my performance during the spring and summer seasons,” Ava Moline ‘27 said. Unlike players of other sports, who are able to train indoors to prepare for their season, golfers must wait for the weather to work. If the snow hasn’t melted, the golf team is unable to begin their practices outside. “[Before we can practice outside] it’s just really boring, like talking about rules,” Niklas Manninen ‘25 said. Other athletes begin the off-season intending to potentially move up in the ranks or outdo their past performance. Tennis player William Schmidt ‘27 has upped his training this off- season in hopes of improving for the upcoming season and challenging the competition of the Lake Conference. “I’m just training a lot more than last year because I’ve just enjoyed it a lot,” Schmidt said. “I think that it could help me move up in the lineup a little bit.”

“Diva” by Beyonce played as the Buffalo Mock Trial Team boarded the bus after a trial that saw them advance to state. The team, which boasts a long history of success and state appearances, advanced to state after missing last year. Members of this year’s team are excited to represent Buffalo after an intense season, and close final trial.

“The last trial [that determined who would advance to state] was called round five and it was intense,” Hope Bjornson ‘25 said. “The anticipation [of who won] was killing me, and it was a close trial and could have easily gone either way.”

Mock Trial can also prove to be challenging as only half of the team—the defense or the prosecution—gets to compete each round.

“I wanted to put the best scores up I could because I didn’t want to let down the rest of the team,” Bjornson said. “Especially the ones on the other side that couldn’t help us win.”

Besides trials being intense, especially with this year’s case being a murder trial, team members must put in a large amount of effort to try and interpret the law. However, they are eager to embrace the challenge and find it to be very rewarding.

“[In mock trial] you’re learning law, something so detailed and that has a lot of grey area, it’s like once you think you know it all, you really don’t,” Bjornson said. “Mock trial is like a full extra class we choose to take on because it’s fun but honestly super challenging to understand.”

Throughout the season, the team has grown their knowledge and exceeded their expectations of how they thought they’d perform.

“I think going into the season, we were all kind of nervous, just because it was such a new team,” Cici Roder ‘25 said. “Not a lot of us had worked together before, and the majority of us had never even been on the top varsity team before, and things were a little bit rocky at times. We weren’t expecting to go to state, but our confidence grew throughout the season as we got more comfortable with each other.”

Mock Trial participated in the state competition on March 6-7. After eagerly awaiting their results, the team found out they took 12th place out of 16. The defense team won their final round, ending the season undefeated.

Buffalo High School students had the opportunity to help save lives through the various blood drives held by the National Honor Society throughout the school year.

The last drive, held on March 14th, consisted of many student donors. The first drive of the school year on December 13th, was also a great success being there were 60 donors, 37 of whom were donating blood for the first time.

“I was a little nervous coming into it, but all the nurses and the staff from NHS were helping people and were really sweet,” first-time donor Adler Neu ‘26 said. “I will definitely donate blood again. It made me feel like I was doing something really important.”

With all of the new donors, the December blood drive was very close to reaching its goal of blood units.

“Our goal was around 65 units of blood, and getting 61 is very good,” head of NHS Blood Drive committee Jacob Bull ‘25 said.

In order to spread the word about upcoming blood drives, National Honor Society members have to prepare in various ways. Advertisements in multiple forms can be seen around the school prior to drives.

“We hang posters around the school,” Bull said. “We go to the junior and senior advisories and try to get them to sign up. We also are set up in the junior and senior locker bays on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-4 times before the drive happens. We also post on social media when it happens and try to advertise that way.”

Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a competitive academic club at BHS where students can explore interests that could be useful in future business careers. BPA is career-focused and has a diverse range of opportunities and projects to explore, with competitions for areas including graphic design, coding, administrative support, parliamentary procedures, and more.

Buffalo’s BPA chapter headed to the State competition on March 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, with twelve qualifying students. Projects ranged from presentations and speeches to interviews and office applications. Some of the competitors advanced with individual projects, and some with group or partnership projects. The season has gone incredibly well, with many participants advancing through higher levels, including nationals-bound Kylie Kelm ‘26 and Luke Gramstad ‘26 who will compete in Orlando, Florida this spring. Kelm placed first at state in the Integrated Office Apps category. Gramstand placed 3rd overall in Admin Support Research.

President Avery Lowe 26’ is impressed with how well the 2025 season has gone.

“[This season is] really impressive, and [I’m] proud to see everyone so secure,” Lowe said.

BPA is relatively new to BHS, only having been around for a couple years before it stopped and then started up again last year. The group has grown a lot since last year, going from only a handful of students to now thirteen members. Lowe hopes that more people will join because it’s so individualized and is a good experience for anyone interested in future business careers.

Brielle Sebey ‘27, has dreamed of studying radiology for the past three years, almost certain it was her future career. Recently, though, that dream has shifted. “Because of AI taking over many parts of radiology, I’ve been looking at other options, scared that if I did go into radiology, eventually a robot would take over my job,” Sebey said. She’s not alone. As BHS, students plan their futures and apply to colleges, many are forced to reckon with an inevitable question - will a robot really take over my job? Goldman Sachs reported that as many as 300 million jobs could be replaced by Artificial Intelligence in the near future. The growing threat of replacement by technology is looming over BHS students’ futures, particularly those in creative fields. As Hoofprint staff members, we have a huge love for writing, but that love has been complicated by Large Language Models. Writing will always be a part of our lives, either in a future career or just as a hobby. We believe that writing demands a human touch that no robot can adequately replicate. AI has already had a massive impact on the workforce, and it looks as though AI will completely overhaul elements of our dream careers. As robots increasingly displace human voices, we have to wonder: How could a robot contribute the same emotion, presentation, and art we work so hard to express? Will journalism ever be the same? At BHS, many students share these fears. “In the past few years, I’ve been thinking about following in my mom’s footsteps and majoring in journalism,” Maddy Krinke ‘27 said. But the field is changing. “Because of AI generators, computers can write an article in seconds with small mistakes and can be easily changed with the click of one button,” Krinke said. Her dream of emulating her mom has been splintered. With the rise of AI in the workforce, students who previously wanted to pursue family careers are forced to reevaluate their futures. Some students, particularly those going into tech fields, are excited by the rise of AI. Jayde Hallman ‘25 will pursue an aerospace engineering and computer science double major, and said AI will be very helpful to her future career. AI “generates the easy parts,” making it “less tedious for the programmers,” Hallman said. AI will complement her career, rather than replace her. For students dreaming of careers outside of technology, though, AI will be ruinous.

Released on February 14th, 2025, Automatic is the fifth studio album by American indie folk band The Lumineers.

In a press release, band member Wesley Schultz revealed that the album was recorded “in less than a month”, and centered around “the absurdities of the modern world, like the increasingly blurry line between what’s real and what’s not, and the variety of ways we numb ourselves while trying to combat both boredom and overstimulation.”

Automatic delves into modernity, personal growth, and the passage of time. This 11-track collection showcases The Lumineers’ evolution, blending their signature folk sound with a newfound intimacy that draws listeners in. Here are its 5 most memorable moments.

A**hole 1/5 First we ever met / You thought I was an a**hole / Probably correct “A**hole” is a candid exploration of first impressions and personal flaws. Its lovely melody and rich piano are undermined by its truly unforgivable lyricism.

Automatic 5/5 Oh, my lover, is it ever gonna be enough? The titular song of the album is utterly gut- wrenching. “Automatic” is the finest iteration yet of the band’s original sound and true intentions. An undeniable stand-out, “Automatic” is a pared-down, refined power ballad.

You’re All I Got 5/5 Let the light come down on me / Let the light come down on me / You’re all I got / You’re all that I got Similar to “Automatic”, this ballad encapsulates the signature Lumineers sound. “You’re All I Got” comfortably wends its way through themes of dependence and resilience, making for a poetic, stand-out track that listeners can connect deeply with.

Keys on the Table 5/5 Scared you had a bad heart / And you’re sleeping in the carpark / Everybody knows you’re all I got Faith and surrender are key themes in this vivid confessional. Its reprise of “You’re All That I Got” embodies The Lumineers’ signature storytelling throughout the album and their discography as a whole.

Sunflowers 4/5 The better of the album’s instrumental interludes, “Sunflowers” is hauntingly poignant. This track relies on piano and strings to evoke deep emotion, showcasing the band’s ability to convey narrative without words. “Sunflowers” reimagines “Patience”, the closing piece of the group’s 2016 album Cleopatra. This musical fusion epitomizes the album’s dual motif of growth and rootedness.

Automatic is kept afloat by its sincerity. The album is at its strongest when it remains authentic to the band’s roots. The album’s low points are those that diverge from The Lumineers’ formula and attempt to forge new creative pathways. Its narrative roadmap is especially clever in its callbacks to previous pieces and motifs within the album and overall discography. The final verdict: when The Lumineers stay in their lane, they produce vivid, heartfelt pieces that even the most indifferent of listeners resonate with. 4/5 hooves!

Turing 18 is a pivotal moment in your life, but why? As the year goes on, more and more seniors are turning 18 and officially entering adulthood. This unlocks many new opportunities that they weren’t legally allowed to do before. Not only this, but it also comes with many new responsibilities making a significant difference in one’s life. Turning 18 is a new stage of life. Many students leave home and go to college. If they choose to go to a new state, it’s almost like restarting their lives. They step into an entirely new environment with strangers they’ve never seen before, leaving everything they know behind. Some students may feel unprepared for this change. “It seems like everyone has to know what they wanna do with their life once they’re 18, and I’m not sure if I’ll be ready,” Timisha Smith ‘25 said. “Everyone around me knows exactly what they’re doing, and I feel pressured ‘cause I have no idea what I wanna do.” As one starts to be independent, they are now held to the same standard of responsibility as any other adult. Some may find this new type of freedom and responsibility overwhelming. “If I do anything wrong now, I’m technically fully developed in my brain,” Hope Bjornson ‘25 said. “All my actions have consequences. Even more, now that I’m 18, technically I am worth as much as an adult.” Many may realize that their opinions now carry a bigger weight in matters such as the ability to vote. “Getting to vote was a big thing, and being a part of the adult discussions. Having that perspective change,” Bjornson said. “Going into college knowing I have a voice is just different. During high school, I felt like everybody was telling me what to think, everybody thought the adults knew better, but now, I am one. So what am I supposed to think?” Turning 18 is not just another day or even another birthday, but a significant milestone in one’s life when new adults can begin to explore their own choices and beliefs. Staff Writer

Gabby Hegg ‘25 had been counting down the days to her 18th, as she “needed” a belly button piercing. 18-year-olds don’t need parental consent for piercings, meaning new adults have access to any piercings. “I knew my mom wouldn’t allow me to get [a bellybutton piercing], but I thought they were super cute and I wanted one really bad,” Hegg said. For Hegg, her 18th birthday meant something she’d always wanted was now possible. Even though her mom didn’t approve of the piercing, it was Hegg’s decision now as an adult. “The piercing place had to scan my ID to make sure I was 18. I was mad that they didn’t wish me a happy birthday since they could see the date,” Hegg said. Even though it was her decision, Hegg still needed the right anatomy for the piercing. “The woman had to feel around my belly button to make sure my belly button was the right shape and everything,” Hegg said. Luckily, she had the perfect belly button for her dream piercing. The next obstacle was aftercare. “They told me I couldn’t go swimming, wear jeans, take a bath, or go in the lake for 9-12 months. I wore jeans and went swimming later that night,” Hegg said. While 18-year-olds are technically adults, they still have a teen-like tendency to rebel.

Turning 18 unlocks a world of new experiences, one of the most tempting being a trip to the casino. For many seniors, hitting the slots or testing their luck at the blackjack table has become a monthly ritual. “The first time I went to the casino was on my birthday last summer. I went with my family,” Ben Krinke ‘25 said. “I walked in with 80 dollars and walked out with 300 dollars.” That kind of luck doesn’t always stick around, though. “I’ve lost probably about 100 bucks,” Ivan Wachter ‘25 admitted. Despite the occasional losses, the thrill of winning keeps them coming back. “I like winning,” Wachter said. “The most I’ve won is about 75 bucks.” For some, Mystic Lake has become the go-to spot. “I like Mystic even though it takes my money every time,” Krinke said. The games are what make it exciting. “I like playing slots. I like playing blackjack. I’ve never played poker at the casino,” Krinke said. Wachter recalled a particularly lucky moment, “I got back-to-back bonuses on a game, it was lit.” Krinke admits the habit has grown, “I’ve gone to the casino too many times since I’ve turned 18.” But for these seniors, the fun, and the possibility of winning, makes it all worth it.

Self-expression comes in many forms, but one of the most popular, most permanent, and deeply personal, is getting a tattoo. For Charley Roberts ‘25, tattoos have always been something he saw in his future. “I was always set on getting tattoos,” Roberts said. “I figured I could give them meaning and have something to remember things and people by.” Roberts has gotten three tattoos since turning 18. “I got one of them a week after my 18th birthday,” Roberts said. Each dedicated to those closest to him, “I have one for my mom, one for my dad, and one for my brother.” However, his tattoos are far more than just ink on his skin. “They all mean something to me,” Roberts said, “My favorite one is the one that I got for my mom, it’s thee most meaningful. It’s a lily of the valley with a breast cancer ribbon wrapped around it.” This specific tattoo isn’t just for show. It reminds Roberts of the fight his mother went through. The reason for his immediate decision on getting tattoos was much deeper than one would think. Roberts has gotten tattoos to remember the past and to celeberate others for their accomplishments. It’s another way to tell someone else’s story and represent through ink that’s stained for life.

Every day in Rabehl’s band class, students can expect the same friendly face, positive smile and, of course, daily joke, would-you-rather question, or weekly “Stump the Band” trivia that is sure to make the class erupt with laughter. A sign of his commitment to improving himself and his class for his students, Rabehl’s introductions to class are friendly, fun and welcoming.

On Tuesday, February 12, however, a typical friendly introduction to class was replaced with the announcement of Rabehl’s retirement. Band students received this with a mix of emotions. Earlier in the year, Rabehl announced that he will be stepping down from his spot as director of the HERD Marching Band, leading some closely involved with the program to guess that his retirement might follow. Despite this, the announcement was still a huge surprise, especially considering it was announced the day after the winter band concert. The announcement was made to every class, Repertory, Varsity, and finally, Concert.

As he prepares to take over the HERD Marching Band, Brian Veith, Buffalo Community Middle School band director and former marching director, has been reflecting on the previous seasons the HERD has had. He looks forward to returning to the marching arts, this time with the HERD.

“I have always loved the Marching Arts and was blessed to experience 20 years of parades and competitions in my previous job,” Brian Veith said. “I am very excited to be able to hit the streets again this summer with the HERD Marching Band! I have big shoes to fill as the HERD Director. Mr. Rabehl will be missed. His legacy has affected the lives of thousands of BHS students and made a big impact on our community.”

Scott Rabehl has been a band director for 32 years. Prior to becoming a director, he directed marching band in 1980 and many years following. Aware of his big shoes to fill, Veith is looking forward to seeing the progress and growth the HERD will make moving forward.

When asked about what the upcoming marching season will look like, Veith shared that the music they are playing is to honor the past and future of the HERD, including honoring Rabehl and previous directors.

“This year’s show will be music from Gillingham’s With Heart and Voice, a fantastic concert band tune adapted for the streets. The message is ‘The Heart of Buffalo’ — from voices of past and future. I am confident this year’s HERD will work hard to carry on the traditions, culture, pride, and distinction that Mr. Rabehl, Mr. Kjesbo (former HERD director), and previous directors have brought to the HERD, BHS, and the community of Buffalo.”

The HERD will be in great hands with Veith, but walking away from something you care about deeply is difficult. Rabehl walked away from music earlier in his life, but this time it is much different.

At the beginning of his young career, Rabehl left music to pursue a career in engineering. He then became a businessman for General Mills. He quit making music during this transition in his life taking place during his mid twenties. “My thought was I will make my first million, then [I would] move onto directing,” Rabehl joked. Rabehl was re-inspired to become a band director after a fairy-tale-like coincidence. He was shopping at a mall and heard a band playing music, only to find that the band contained all of the previous directors he had ever had in his life. After this surreal experience, he joined the community band and fell in love with music again. Hearing the stories of these musicians and their life as a band director, Rabehl came to an understanding that he was on the wrong path with his life. He went back to school and became a band director, following in the footsteps of his mentors. Rabehl’s job working at BHS has been a dream come true. He knew that retirement was in his very near future at the beginning of the school year. Whenever students asked Rabehl when he would be retiring, his typical response was usually, “Well, I know that my last graduating class is in the building.” He was concerned about how his students would react to the news, bracing for strong emotions. “I did not like keeping it a secret and felt that I was fibbing,” Rabehl said. “I wanted the concert to be about these young musicians and not about me. I needed to tell my classes before the music teaching convention which was to take place the following day so I could let other directors know that there would be a job opening at Buffalo.” Students reacted similarly to what was expected by Rabehl. “I was shocked. I knew it was coming, but was thinking it would be in my junior year, not this soon,” said Repertory Band member Zac Damico. “At first I felt mad, but after he explained his reasons as to why he was retiring I felt that his retirement is for the best and I am accepting of it.” Rabehl works 12 months each school year and sacrifices life out of school for the students he cares about so deeply. He is ecstatic to have the opportunity to punch out of work this year, and he looks forward to spending time with his wife, who retired five years ago. “Exploring the world with my wife, who is my best friend, is something that I really look forward to in my retirement,” Rabehl said. “We have just finished visiting all sixty-something MN state parks and are excited to start hiking national ones. I would also enjoy finding another form of art and new hobbies to play around with. Volunteering is another passion that I have. Being able to sit one-on-one with a student in a class I am not in charge of is important to me and makes me feel fulfilled to establish those connections. I also want to start Tai Chi because I used to have my black belt in Tae Kwon Do and stopped at 59.” What can we expect next? It is still unknown who will fill Rabehl’s place as the Buffalo High School band director. There are a lot of considerations to make when a new band director is to be hired. What is known now is that the HERD marching band is starting a new chapter, with middle school band director Brian Veith as their lead director. Rabehl’s job as a director taught him that he is never done learning. He liked the instant feedback he would receive from either big or small changes. “Pursuing effective change is an important thing to understand, always knowing that there is a better, smarter and different way to do the thing, keeping me engaged,” Rabhel said, explaining his teaching philosophy. “I did appreciate being able to end a class knowing that I had just made a positive impact on these kids’ lives.” Scott Rabehl’s dedication and devotion to not only create an exquisite band community, but build valuable and meaningful relationships with his students has truly been a gift that the Buffalo music program will treasure forever. “Pursuing effective change is an important thing to understand, always knowing that there is a better, smarter and different way to do the thing.” - Scott Rabehl Rabehl gives new drill instructions to Jayde Hallman ‘25. Photo by Emmerson Breyer Rabehl explains a new concept to the Concert Band. Photo by Miliya Chenvert Rabehl gives the Concert band the next question on the weekley “Stump-the-band” trivia. Photo by Miliya Chenvert

“the slotted scooper”

Comfort: 15/20 Support: 3/10 Bonus: +3 Overall Score: 9/10

“the bird’s nest”

Comfort: 15/20 Support: 3/10 Bonus: -1 Overall Score: 5/10

“nice to seat you”

Comfort: 16/20 Support: 7/10 Bonus: -2 Overall Score: 6/10

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