Graham Wyatt accepted to Harvard University

Senior Graham Wyatt has known since sophomore year of high school that he wanted to go to Harvard. Over 1800 students go to Buffalo High School, and only 1,677 students in the whole country get accepted by Harvard University. He knew the odds were against him.

“I went downstairs to the basement [to check my email], because I didn’t want my family to see me get rejected from six schools at the same time,” said Wyatt. “I got recruited to go to Harvard, though. The Harvard Mock Trial team wrote a letter on my behalf asking for me to be admitted to the school. I went downstairs and sat on the couch to open my emails from the Ivy League schools. I was rejected from Columbia first, but then accepted into Dartmouth. I started to cry a little because I knew everything would be OK. Then I heard my phone vibrate and realized that the Harvard decision was just sent. I read the email a few times before I realized that I had been accepted. My dad wasn’t home yet, and I didn’t want to let anyone else know before my family, so I sat downstairs shaking for a half-hour. The other decisions didn’t matter at that point, and I knew that I was going to go to Harvard. My dad started to cry when I told him and my mom had a small freak-out. We ended up calling family for three hours after that.”

Wyatt enrolled online with his father later that night. He applied to 11 schools and five accepted him. Harvard had 30,500 applicants this year, and 2,110 were accepted, “which is 6.9%” added Wyatt.

“I just had such an awesome experience out there at their mock trial programs. The Harvard name was attached with it, and that was a bummer because I knew it’d be more difficult to get in. I wanted to be part of that atmosphere, though, so I dedicated the next three years to getting accepted.”

Wyatt devoted an average eight hours a night on homework last year and has also been involved with Mock Trial, Newspaper, Student Council, and Boys Nation, a week-long program over the summer in Washington, D.C. However, now that he’s been accepted, he isn’t about to slack off.

“I called Travis Nordgaard, a freshman at Carleton College, after I got accepted and he gave me the best advice. He got rejected from all the Ivy League schools he applied to last year, and told me that I need to realize my acceptance is an opportunity–not an accomplishment. He said there are thousands of incredibly smart people who get rejected each year, and ordered me to use this rare opportunity to give back to my community and honor the chance I’ve received. Great kid.”

Wyatt will be going to school to become a lawyer and hopes to eventually become a politician. He plans on going to school for four years and wants to join the Peace Corps.

“I want to get some work experience with whatever is available, at a campaign or some law firm that will have me,” said Wyatt.

Until school starts Wyatt stated that he will be doing a lot of reading.

“I have picked eight books to read this summer, mostly classics. I’d better get them read before I go off to college so I can keep up with conversations,” said Wyatt.

Some other activities Wyatt will be doing this summer are working with a political campaign as an internship, and also be involved with a different campaign as a staff member.

Student teacher gains insight for future career

For over two months, St. Cloud State University student Lauren Rhealt has attended French class as usual: taking notes, asking questions and talking to classmates. But unlike most students, she is not in class to learn a language. She has been observing French teacher Jason Swanson and his classes because she would like to one day teach French, too.

Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Rheault is majoring in French at St. Cloud State University has visited France three times. Yet she hasn’t always enjoyed studying it.

“I didn’t like French in high school at all,” said Rheault. “I didn’t learn from the way my teacher taught and I ended up really frustrated and wanted to quit. My mom said I could go on the France trip, and if I still didn’t like French after getting back, I could quit it. But when I got there, I literally woke up one morning and was like, ‘It all makes sense!’ It clicked. I love being able to speak a different language and being able to express myself and speak to others in a different language. Being surrounded by something I’ve never been familiar with before opens my eyes and it helps me. I wasn’t able to experience a lot of culture in Fargo, and that experience helped me realize how different it is around the world. Even holding silverware is different. No one way of doing things is right or wrong, but I like to compare.”

She has compared different experiences she’s had as a student as she’s studied to become a teacher. She feels it is also important to be a friend and mentor to students.

“Some of my best teachers have given me different ways of looking at content. Especially by instead of looking at [an idea] the textbook way, opening it up and applying it to me, showing how it’d affect my life – showing an idea to me as a person, not just a body in the classroom. It’s important for teachers to let their students know they are there for them when they can’t talk to their family and friends. I know I’ve talked to some of my teachers about personal things because my family and friends already knew about them and were a little biased. It was nice to know my teachers were there to support me and I’d like to be there for my students, too.”

Rheault will attend her graduation ceremony on May 8 and finish classes on June 4. She has no definite plans for her future career yet but she has a few ideas.

“For next year, I’m trying to get a job in France being a nanny – it’s called an ‘au pair’ – and I’m checking my e-mail every second I can. Next year my plan is to leave the country. I know one day I really want to have a family and kids and now is my opportunity to go out and learn and experience things. I also want to learn Spanish. I’m talking elementary Spanish I this summer and after I have some experience in a French-speaking part of the world I want to go to a Spanish-speaking part of the world and get my [teaching license] in Spanish, too. I’d like to be a French and Spanish teacher. But that would be a long way off.”

Rheault may finish student teaching in mid-April, but she doesn’t believe her learning experiences will end then.

“I consider myself a lifelong learner.”

The Hoofprint Video: People to meet – Jesse Ernster

Video by Matt Blizel

Images from the Boys’ Basketball Section Finals game

Last night, the Boys’ Basketball team fell to St. Cloud Tech, 52-45 in the Section Final game. St. Cloud tech advances to the State Tournament.

Photos by Nick Weeks.

To see the entire set, go here.

After having a daughter, girls basketball coach plans to return next year

Basketball has been a passion of Math teacher Stacy Eggers for over a decade. For the first time, she has taken a season off of coaching girls basketball to have her daughter, Brianna Theresa.

“I totally miss coaching,” said Eggers, “It’s really hard, like, I knew I was going to kind of miss it because I really love coaching. This is my first season off since I was 10. I’ve been playing or coaching basketball for literally my whole life. I played when I was a kid and then I played through high school and college. And then, as soon as I got a job here I started coaching. So my winter is in the gym. That’s how it’s always been. And I love the girls. It’s really hard to not be coaching. Brianna was born the first day of basketball practice – there was no way I could coach this year just because it wouldn’t have worked. But I’ll be back next year.”

Until then, Eggers remains involved with the team. She’s made packets with inspirational quotes to give to the team before some of the home games, and has attended every home game and two at St. Michael high school, now with her daughter alongside her. Although Brianna may have been introduced to basketball before the age most children are introduced to solid food, Eggers is unsure of whether or not her daughter will one day play, too.

“Everybody says she will. My husband and I met playing college basketball, so both of us are pretty big basketball fans, and play a lot. We’re both tall, so everybody says, ‘She’s going to be tall and play basketball.’ I mean, if she decides to, she will. But it’s not like I’m going to make her. If she likes it, she’ll play; if she doesn’t, she won’t. But, she’ll try it, and we’ll see what happens.”

For now, Eggers remains busy with teaching and motherhood, if not coaching.

“It’s a new ‘normal,’ but it’s good.”

By Kristin Jeske, Nicole Banke, and Caroline Persons

Getting into the Hall of Fame!

Many people walk through the hallways of Buffalo High School and never receive an award. Others receive more awards than what we can count on our hands and toes. Out of those awards there is one award that quite possibly may be the most prestigous at Buffalo High School. That is the hall of fame award.

Most students may not even know what the “Hall of Fame Award” is. All they see is the 48 pictures hanging in the main entrance of the school. What they don’t know about those students is that they are some of the best students that BHS has ever seen.

“The hall of fame members at BHS are students who represent the school in a positive way,” Said counselor Mark Jones, “Whether it be through academics, athletics, clubs, or organizations.”

All of the staff are first given a list of seniors in the spring. They nominate seniors that they feel should be in the hall of fame and represent the school well. After the initial voting the top ten girls and guys are then put on a ballot and the staff votes for a winner from each gender. Those winners then get their picture put up in the front of BHS.

“Every hall of fame member that is chosen usually has left a lasting impression on the school.” Said Jones.

The Hall of Fame award is a very honorable award to receive. It is one that not just anyone can get. It is an award that has to be earned.

History of the Cap and Gown

It is the standard attire for the graduating student: the cap and gown. The origin of graduations are thought to be in churches in the 12th century, when Universities in Europe first began to appear. The reason robes and gowns were the choice of apparel was to keep warm in church, where heating wasn’t common or practical. In 1321, the gown was established as the standard form of dress for graduation because excessive apparel was thought as improper.

The cap origionally wasn’t a cap at all. It was a hood, warn by Druid Preists to show superiority and higher intellect. It was assumed that preists had a better understanding of science, probably because of their religous significance. The tassle that is attached to the hat simply shows academic acheivment that the graduating student has accomplished.

The history of graduation is too long for any single story, but hopefully this gives you some insight on what significance our cap and gowns have in today’s graduation ceremonies.

-Mike Pyka

Sources:

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=24258
http://www.academicapparel.com/caps/cap-gown-history.html

Farmers Lot

Its has been a tradition for years at Buffalo, all farmers or basically anyone that owns a tracker, or a four wheeler anything that’s not a car but able to drive to school. they take up at least one third of the parking lot. This year they seem to be the high tech and a whole lot bigger then the ones the last year. 

“I love it, I’m a hick. Its a Tradition I don’t think any other school does it. Actually there is no other school that does. I love it.” said Senior Kaehler Reitz.

The big tires, rusty colors and general look of the tracker calls for it to be the last day of the school year. Its like a symbol of hard work, for students at Buffalo High. Its as big of a deal as the rock for seniors on class color day, it has a meaning for most people here in Buffalo.  

Its almost like a sport, the farmers are able to show off their “rides” like a baseball pitcher showing off his curve ball. Or a hockey player and his slap shot. For them this is like their day, for them its bigger then any sport. Today, June 4 2009 the parking lot becomes the farmers lot.

Buffalo Mock Trial places seventh in State

On Tuesday morning March 10 the Buffalo Mock Trial team left the High School to compete in the State tournament, held in Duluth, MN. Participating team members included Senior Jacob Westman, Senior Micheal Chenowith, Junior Lindy Jensen, Junior Graham Wyatt, Junior Kenzie Haight, Junior Dan Comstock, Sophomore Colm Macnab, Sophomore Micheal Porttin, Sophomore Kassi Williams, Freshman Beth Macnab, and Freshman Zach Marrandino. Coach Mrs. Raymond and Coach Mr. Ronken instrumentally helped guide the team to State.

Buffalo Mock Trial left the High School at 7:45 on March 10, arriving at Duluth around 11:30. They had until 4:00 to get settled and ready for their first trial against Visitation High School.

“You could feel the tension, when we got there we were treated to a lunch and I didn’t really want to eat anything for fear of it coming back up during the trial, said Chenowith. I’m glad I didn’t too, my nerves were crazy during the actual trial, I was pretty nervous, but I’m glad how it all turned out.”

Buffalo began their trial at 4:00 against Visitation, a High School for girls only.

“You know, the trial was amazing, we had new theories and new ideas come at us that had never been heard before and we did excellent, we stayed on our feet and we fought strong, says Westman. I couldn’t have been happier with our performance.”

Buffalo dropped the first ballot by a total of four points and was paired with Canby High School for the next round. Buffalo came out victorious with a 20 point lead over Canby. During both trials Graham Wyatt suffered a severe illness that caused his voice to become hoarse and his face pale.

“He did exceptionally well for being so sick, his performance was amazing, he delivered his closing and examinations perfectly, says Raymond.”

Buffalo competed against Lakeville North in the round before determining who advanced to the final competition, Buffalo’s opening was delivered by Westman, followed by witnesses Chenowith, Macnab, and Jensen, closing arguments were delivered by Wyatt.

“The performances this year at State were the best they had ever been. I was so proud of our performance in each round, I can’t wait for next year, says Raymond.”

Buffalo lost to Lakeville North by one point. Receiving a ballot with Buffalo winning by three and another ballot with Buffalo losing by four.

“It’s a point. But that’s all that matters is that one point, I would have rather lost by 20 points than by one, because that way we wouldn’t have to think about all of the “what ifs,” says Wyatt. Overall though, I’m so happy with what we did this year and how much we achieved, I’m excited for next year now.”

Buffalo Mock Trial had a of 20-0 record in the normal season and including regionals, altogether if you add the Bison’s Mock Trial record for the last three years they are 59-1.

“I have high hopes for next year, says Raymond. With us only losing two seniors this year and 10/12 spots still closed up for returning members who only leave the two remaining seats for new members, I wouldn’t be surprised at some interesting results next year.”

Buffalo Mock Trial heads to state.

On February 27, the Buffalo Mock trial team left the High school to board a bus and drive to a courthouse in Cambridge. It’s round five of regionals, the last and the final round determining who advances to State.

Upon arrival, Buffalo was greeted by the judges and St. Cloud Christian’s Mock Trial team. Buffalo was going as prosecution with St. Cloud Christian as defense.

“It’s tough being the Prosecution, seeing as how the defense has a slight advantage over us considering how the case is favored towards the defense,” says Junior Graham Wyatt.

Buffalo started with Senior Jacob Westmann delivering the opening statement, followed by witnesses Junior Lindy Jensen, Colm Macnab, and Micheal Chenowith. Closing arguments from Buffalo were delivered by Wyatt. Buffalo’s head coach who led the team is Social Studies teacher Mrs. Raymond assisted by Social Studies teacher Mr. Ronken.

“It was a complete toss-up, we put on an amazing performance but we just didn’t know. We were waiting for around ten minutes for the judges to come out and tell us our scores, and then they started to tell us about our performance, says Chenowith. After around 20 minutes they told us to come up and get our scores, they weren’t even going to announce it to us. All I can remember is Raymond coming up and giving us the thumbs up. I can remember how happy I felt, I wanted to get up and shout or something. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.”

Buffalo ended up with a point diffrential of 8 over St. Cloud Christian, advancing Buffalo to the State level. Buffalo will be competing in Duluth, MN on the days of March 10-11. This is the third out of four years Buffalo has advanced to state.

“It was awesome, the whole thing, I remember looking back at my dad and mom, both were really happy, I wanted to cry because of how happy I felt. I don’t think I’ll forget this, we’ve all worked so hard to get here and I feel like it’s really paid off, says Wyatt. On our way home we got some good news that our buddies from Monticello advanced to State as well, it was just a great day. We finished it off by going to House of Lo and drinking green tea. This is what Mock Trial is all about, working hard and feeling your work pay off. I couldn’t ask for a better team.”

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