Swine Flu Scares Minnesotans

The outbreak of H1N1 (Swine Flu or Mexican Flu) is believed to have started in March 2009 and was classified as meeting the criteria for the World Health Organization pandemic Phase 5 status on April 28. Local outbreaks of the virus were first detected in three suburban parts of Mexico, and other small rural areas throughout the country.

Mexico started with only three infected. That number has now spread to a suspected 2500 persons. Mexico responded by trying to treat those who did become contaminated for fear of the virus spreading to outer countries. By April 24 scientists found that the Swine flu (also known as H1N1 flu, or Mexican flu) was clinically identified as a new strain of the influenza virus.

On April 28, the WHO (World Health Organization) scientifically found cases that proved the virus had spread to Spain, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Israel. This spread of the virus is believed to be caused by the infection of several North American countries including U.S and Canada, both of who have major shipping ports throughout the world. With the U.S. believed to have a suspected 654+ cases and one confirmed death, and Canada following with a suspected 22 cases, it’s not sure to be expected whether or not a pandemic is expected.

Swine Flu hits even closer to home, as local news channels disclose that two St. Cloud schools are closed, Rocori Middle School, and St. Boniface Elementary School, and Cold Spring is closed, but there has been no confirmed case in Cold Spring, due to suspected cases of the virus.

Despite the scale of the alert, the WHO stated on April 29, that the majority of people infected with the virus have made a full recovery without need of medical attention or antiviral drugs. And with all of the buzz going on around the world, health experts suggest simply washing your hands often, and keep the hand sanitizer nearby. Go back to the simple rules of sanitizing to say safe. If you feel like you have flu like symptoms, relax, and call your local clinic to set up an appointment with a health professional.

Colm Macnab and Leah Petersen

Buffalo beats St. Micheal

On Monday, April 27 the Bison defeated the Princeton Tigers twice.  Buffalo took an early lead and kept it throughout the rest of the first game. The team shut out the Tigers with and ending score of 7-0. The second game seemed to be a repeat of the first with the Bison taking the lead right away in the first inning. But this time Princeton fought back and earned one run of their own to make the final score 8-1.

A big game for the Bison was scheduled on Tuesday, April 28 against St. Micheal/Albertville. The team had only one loss the entire season proving this was going to be a close game. But right away Buffalo scored 3 runs on St. micheal and held them for a final score of 3-0.

The Bison’s next game is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th at home against Zimmerman. Buffalo is hoping to split with the Thunder after already losing to them early in the season, 2-1.

Prom on Saturday May 2nd at St. Cloud State University

Hearing your name called, walking onto the stage where all eyes in the crowd are on you, lights beaming into your vision, along with the sound of mumbling voices and flashing cameras best describes the setting of grand march.

“I always get nervous at grand march,” said Senior Jade Kalash, “I am just afraid of tripping down the stairs, even though this is my 4th prom I still get nervous at grand march

With all the glam, and glitz that prom contains students enjoy dressing up for an evening out on the town

“I love how you get to look flawless for one night,” said Senior Alexis Leonard. “Getting to see everyone in their dresses, and seeing how different each dress is, and the different styles is really fun to see.”  

Getting the nerves to ask your date to prom can be the biggest hurdle to jump over.

 “I asked her right before spring break,” said Junior Taylor Krolak “My sister had brought her to a soccer game and she accidentally left her coat in the car. When I returned her coat I put a note that asked her to prom in her jacket pocket.”

In high hopes of a fun, eventful night on the town students look forward for a night to remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearing your name called, walking onto the stage where all eyes in the crowd are on you, lights beaming into your vision, along with the sound of mumbling voices and flashing cameras best describes the setting of grand march.

 

“I always get nervous at grand march,” said Senior Jade Kalash, “I am just afraid of tripping down the stairs, even though this is my 4th prom I still get nervous at grand march.”

With all the glam, and glitz that prom contains students enjoy dressing up for an evening out on the town. 

 

“I love how you get to look flawless for one night,” said Senior Alexis Leonard. “Getting to see everyone in their dresses, and seeing how different each dress is, and the different styles is really fun to see.”  

 

 

 

Getting the nerves to ask your date to prom can be the biggest hurdle to jump over.

 

 

Baseball: Bison vs. Knights

April 28th’s game at St. Michael’s home field, compared to our blow out game last week on our own turf, was a huge step up. Last week the Buffalo Bison played a brutal game vs. St. Michael with a total of 8 errors and lost to the Knights 16 to 1.

Lasts night’s game vs. the STMA Knights was the kind of game that made you sit on the edge of your seat the entire time. The Bison made a huge leap and went into extra innings. The tension was high, and the Bison ended up giving away a game winning hit in the last inning, ending the game 15 to 14 which added another victory for the Knights.

The Bison battled throughout the entire game not letting up for one second. Player Brooks Belike said, “I think coming into a game against a team you already lost to by 15, you really have nothing to lose. So we took that mentality into the game and gave them a run for their money and almost pulled it out with a win”.

Diet soda has higher risk of obesity than regular

As most of the student body at BHS has noticed, all of the soda machines in the high school have switched to diet.  I’m assuming it’s just another attempt to make us healthy.  I really don’t see how diet soda is any healthier than regular soda.  If they were really concerned about our health, they would have gotten rid of soda altogether.

All soft drinks are linked to obesity.  The more pop you drink, the higher risk there is for you to be overweight.  That’s no surprise, soft drinks are filled with empty calories and incredible amounts of sugar.  What surprised me, however, was that nearly all the obesity risk from soft drinks comes from diet sodas. 

A new study shows that people who drink diet soft drinks don’t lost weight. In fact, they gain weight. The findings come from eight years of data collected by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.  The study showed that there was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.

I found this very interesting.  I was furious when I stopped at the soda machine after school to grab a Mountain Dew, which I had been craving all day, and found that there was only Diet Mountain Dew.  I walked away disgusted, I’ve always hated diet pop.  I’m not the only one who feels that way.

“I was so mad!  Nobody likes diet pop, and it’s not any better for you than normal pop.  I heard it’s even worse.  My friends and I wanted to protest,” said Sophomore Megan Aase.

I think it would make a lot of students happy if BHS brought back the regular soda.  It’s not good for you, but neither are the Little Debbies or chips they sell at lunch, and it is healthier than diet soda.  If the school is really concerned about the health of the student body, then they would change back to regular soda or just put juice or water in the machines.

Semper Fi Do or Die

Recruiting sub station Buffalo goes to Arden hill training site were they participated in a mini boot camp were poolies and guest got a taste of what it going to be like at boot camp. the men and women of RSS Buffalo went on what for some of them was something that expanded their knowledge of how the marine corps works.

at 1:30 RSS Buffalo made it way down to Arden Hill training  site. when they got there they set up there tent. after that they started to do some rely event to past the time which Buffalo came out on top on every event. after all these events the poolies and guest hit the sack. on Saturday the day started at 0500 ( for all you civilian that 5:00 am ). They start with a CFT or combat fitness test; then hike up to do land navigation, after that they went to learn about the m-16 rifle, then move on to learn about marine corps history, after that they went to mcmap tranining, after that they went to frist aid tranining, after that thewent on to do drill with real DI from cal. and other thing all in a full day. sunday morning they tore down their tent and help to clean up then ate and loaded to bus home. the week was fun all and all and we had a great time doing thing and working as a team  marine corps rules

Les Miserables Musical Hits the Stage

On Thursday April 24, the spring musical Les Miserables hit the stage with a bang. This classic tale of bravery, understanding, and love shocked the audience to tears.

A story of the young former theif, Jean Valjean (Filup Rossin), who tries in vain to change his past and discover who he truly is, Les Miserables is a story for everyone. While following Valjean, the audience meets characters like the evil but confused officer of the law Javert (Hunter Otis), who is trying to catch the elusive Valjean. Cosette (Jenny Olson), the young and beautiful child whose mother, Fantine(Jessica Johnson), left her in Valjean’s care when she died a trajic death. Marius (Brandon Aldrich), a young spirited man who falls deeply in love with the fair Cosette. The Thernardiers (Bobby Person and Mallory Nelson), a crazy couple who own a pub and theive to make a living, followed by their daughter Eponine (Amanda Burgdorf), who secretly loves Marius despite his obvious affection for Cosette. Enjolras (Tom Polzine), the young French Revolutionist Leader who strives to bring freedom to his dear France. Last but not least is the child, Gavroche (Jonathan Miller), who strives to prove his worth in a world of men.

Act One of this musical begins with Valjean condemned to a chain gang as punishment for stealing a loaf of bread. When he is released on parol, only the Bishop of Digne treats him fairly. Valjean steals a plate of precious silver, desperate to start a life anew, but is caught by the police. The bishop lies for Valjean, gives him candlesticks of silver to further his dream of a better life, and saves Valjean from the clutches of slavery.

Eight years later Valjean changed his name and risen up to become mayor and owner of a successful factory. One of his workers, Fantine, has a secret child, and once her past is exposed she is shuned from her fellow workers and cast to the street when Valjean refuses to deal with her fate. Cast out, sick, and afraid for her penniless child’s fate, Fantine is forced to work as a prostitute to pay for her child’s care. When Valjean saves her from the clutches of Javert, who wishes to send her off to slavery, he takes her to a hospital to be treated. Later, Valjean saves a man trapped underneight a runnaway cart, and Javert is reminded of a convict who escaped paroll and who he had been searching for years. Meanwhile, Fantine is dying and beggs Valjean to find her daughter, Cosette and care for her. Unable to refuse the woman whom he has grown to love, Valjean vowes that she will be safe with him. Javert arrives with oficers to arrest him, but Valjean escapes to find Cosette.

Young Cosette has been lodging with the horrible Thenardiers who run an inn since birth. Forcing her to act as a scivvy and a maid, Cosette has lived in the dark, desperate for propper attention and care. Valjean, rescues her from the Thenardiers, and takes her to Paris.

Nine Years later, the city of Paris is in disorder. The poor, in overwhelming numbers are sick, dying, begging for a morsel of food to eat. When the last political officer that still cares and works towards justice for the poor is pronounced dead, Gavroche runs to tell Enjolras who gathers men and women to revolt. Marius, eager to join in the fight, suddenly happens upon the now grown and beautiful Cosette and falls in love at first sight. When Marius asks his friend, Eponine to find Cosette and bring him to his love. In spite of her own feelings, Eponine sadly brings Marius to Cosette’s home. The reunion is short lived between the two lovers when robbers come to loot Valjean’s home. Eponine screams to send them away and runing, but Valjean, scared for his daughters safety and afraid of Javert’s hunt for himself, anounces that they will leave again taking Cosette from Marius’s love.

On the eve of the revolution, the students and Javert see the situation of the revolution from different viewpoints; Cosette and Marius part in despair of ever seeing each other again; Eponine mourns the loss of Marius; and Valjean looks forward to the security of exile. The Thenardiers, meanwhile, dream of the riches to pick up from the dead bodies when this chaos is to come.

The curtains raise for Act Two, and a hastily built baricade creates a striking picture of the war. The students scramble to hold up their baracade and prepare while Marius asks Eponine to deliver a last letter to his dear Cosette. When Valjean recieves Marius’s letter, he is overome with emotion for his dauighter and the boy that loves her. Wanting her to be forever happy, he decides to go and find Marius and keep him safe for her. In trying to return to the baricade, Eponine is shot and killed. Javert, betrays the students giving them false plans and conspiring with the enemy. When Valjean arrives, he is offered the chance to slay his enemy and be free of Javert, but instead, Valjean lets him go. Throughout short boughts of fighting and gunshots, ammunition runs low, and Gavroche, desperate to do his part, sneaks out into enemy territory behind the baricade to gather up stray bullets. In his failed attempt, he is shot and killed. Now the rebels are desperate and in one final battle they are defeated in death.

 Valjean, only wounded, runs to Marius, barely alive, and brings him to the safety of the sewers of Paris. There, Javert finds Valjean and chooses to let him go to save Marius’s life rather than kill him. The decission takes its toll, however, as Javert is so confused by the revalation that Valjean is a good soul that he takes his own life.

Unaware of the identity of his rescure, Marius recovers in Cosette’s care. Valjean confesses the truth of his past to Marius and insists after the young couple are married, that he must go away back to exile for the safety of his beloved daughter and his newfound son-in-law. At his wedding, Marius realizes that it was infact Valjean who saved him when the barricade fell and with Cosette, goes in search of him. Close to his death bed, Valjean tells Cosette and Marius the truth of his past and dies in peace.

Les Miserables is a musical that will be remembered by Buffalo Highschool throughout the ages.

Junior Class Cabinet works hard to create an ‘unforgettable’ prom

Prom is to be an ‘unforgettable’ night, but many students forget the work put into it before the night even begins. As a years worth of planning has come to an end for Junior Class Cabinet, and with prom rapidly approaching, last minute details have to be sorted out in hopes of making prom a night to remember for Buffalo High School students.

 

 Junior Class Cabinet is run by Spanish Teacher Nancy Eiynck and Social Studies Teacher Tracy Hulley, but a majority of the work put into it done by students. Junior Class Cabinet also organizes the volleyball tournament for homecoming week’s fun night, and a staff breakfast run by freshmen. Planning for prom began last year, when the group booked the event center where it will be hosted. This years theme, Unforgettable, was selected after many ideas were presented and voted upon. The decorations were selected accordingly, and the planning has progressed.

On Friday May 1, Junior Class Cabinet will be excused along with the Seniors, to set up the scene for grand march. 

“We usually have prom pretty well planned, but there is always something that comes up,” said Eiynck. “Something unexpected or forgotten tends to happen last minute.”

 Through all the work and time put into prom, Junior Class Cabinet has also enjoyed the experience. They have control over the whole creative process, and experience of prom.

 “The planning is fun until the last couple of weeks, and then it gets stressful,” said Eiynck. “But it’s still fun, and worth it.”

 Junior Class Cabinet designs and puts together prom all with the wants of students in mind from the theme and venue, to decorations.

 “We want students to have a good time, an enjoyable and memorable evening,” said Eiynck.

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Throughout the year there have been a variety of different events held by Buffalo High School’s National Honor Society. Now, as the year comes to an end NHS will be holding their annual induction ceremony on Monday, April, 27 at 7:30 pm. The induction ceremony is put on to help recognize those who have participated in many of the activities throughout the year. To be inducted these students must have met a list of requirements, some of these include; attending every monthly meeting, completing 30 hours of individual service hours and 9 group hours and they must maintain a grade point average of 10.0. Those who have completed all of these will be inducted on Monday night into the National Honor Society, those that did not complete them will not be inducted.

For many, this is a huge honor. They spend the entire year planning and participating in tons of activities. Some of these activities include; raking leaves, helping at the food shelf, holding blood drives and many more. NHS is a great club to be apart of because it teaches the students involved, leadership and how to help out in the community. It also can give many of the participants scholarships and can guarantee them a spot in the college of their choice. Whether, students are inducted or not they are still recognized at the ceremony and can be very proud of their accomplishments.

Drive Safe For Prom

Outside of Buffalo High school this morning I noticed a smashed car on a trailer with signs quoting “Drive Safe for Prom” and “Remember to Buckle Up.” Regarding for those who have died drinking and driving or safe drivers that have killed teens in accidents. The staff had conducted this display in order to make sure teens think twice before getting into a car or driving a car for Prom. This may or may not make an affect on those students that will follow this example. So buckle up!

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