Every year senior’s publicly declare their post high school plans by wearing gear such as college merchandise or military uniforms. Students wear a variety of hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts to show their newfound school spirit.

We interviewed senior Alayna West and asked her a few questions about decision day.

What are your post high school plans?

“I am going to Minnesota State Moorhead, I am planning on studying Fine Arts with a focus on animation.”

Did you participate in commitment day?

“I did not, I skipped school for senior skip.”

Did you represent your future college by wearing any gear/merchandise?

“I didn’t but my Mom who teaches here, wore my Minnesota State Moorhead T Shirt”

Did any of your friends participate in commitment day?

“I came in for the student council meeting, and a lot of the seniors who were here wore their shirts and sweatshirts. I also saw a ton of seniors wearing shirts when they were leaving the school.”

What do you believe is the purpose of commitment day?

“I think the schools goal for decision day is to encourage underclassmen to start looking at colleges, as well as connect seniors with other people who are going to their college.”

Overall, this year’s commitment day was a success, and many of the seniors that attended participated. If you are interested in seeing where seniors plan on going post graduation. Temporary signs are posted around the hallways showing some of the amazing schools and opportunities students are entering into this coming year.      ]]> https://www.hoofprint.net/i-want-to-do-whatever-i-can-to-help-students-share-perspectives-following-the-bhs-walkout/2021/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=i-want-to-do-whatever-i-can-to-help-students-share-perspectives-following-the-bhs-walkout Thu, 29 Apr 2021 18:04:15 +0000 https://www.hoofprint.net/?p=25686 On Monday, April 19th, students walked out of school in solidarity against racial inequality and police brutality. The organization Minnesota Teen Activism planned the event, with several students leading the way, giving speeches and personal testimonies. 

One student spoke out against what they see as bias in our school and local community, “All of the injustice that I’ve seen over the entirety of my life, from my family even, it’s frankly disgusting and I want to do whatever I can to help the people around me.” Another student expressed their perspective, “Saying that a person’s life matters shouldn’t be a political statement, it’s ridiculous that it has to be a hashtag.” Some speakers were more vulgar in their speech, one student saying “I’m tired of this police system that kills people. All cops are b******* and f*** the police.”

One of the primary speakers was BHS sophomore El-Sara Duopu. When asked how it felt to see her peers there in support of the movement, Duopu said, “It was really moving because even though not even half the school was there, at least some people had the courage to decide to go.” As for those who didn’t choose to attend the walkout, Duopu said “It depends on your reason but if you didn’t go just because your friends didn’t go or just because you’re close-minded, you should re-evaluate your values and what you actually think being a good citizen of the United States. A lot of people who didn’t go see themselves as patriots, but fighting for your fellow citizens rights shouldn’t be something that is made fun of or ignored.” 

Although Duopu found the support of the movement in our community inspiring, she believes we still have a long way to go. Duopu encouraged her fellow students to stand up against bias. “Basically just not having any tolerance for it.” Duopu said “The more lenient you are with people the more they think it’s okay. If someone is ashamed of behaving that way, they’re not gonna do it. When you cast it aside – that goes for staff and students too – being silent is the equivalent of partaking in whatever someone’s doing that is negative.”

Some students within the school hold contrasting opinions but respect the cause of the protest. Sophomore Malaki Cabanting made a widely viewed snapchat post with a photograph of the walkout entitled “What bull s***” When later asked to elaborate on his feelings towards the protest he stated “I am not saying it was pointless, but I feel like it [police brutality] doesn’t really affect us in Buffalo, so I don’t think it [the walkout] was necessary here”. Elaborating on his controversial post, Cabanting said “I wanted to state my opinion. I thought that people would agree with me, and sometimes people are too afraid to say stuff that they believe in.”

There has been further talk of other potential walkouts for various causes but plans have not been finalized.

Jason Swanson is a member of the Language Department, and teaches French levels 1-5 here at BHS. He has been the primary chaperone for the last 7 trips, and has had a first hand experience of most students’ very first interactions abroad. Over the years, he has developed a general consensus of what students experience and enjoy on the trip.

What are some activities that students do on the France Trip?

“There are two parts to the trip, the first part we do an experience with a family. We stay in a town of about 30,000 people and we get to experience what a school day in France would look like. We also do our own tours, we go to the ocean, we get to shop, and we get to explore caves. The second part of the trip would be 3 days in Paris. We go and see the obvious sites, and we also go to museums.”

Do students generally have a favorite activity?

“During the family stay, we go to these massive sand dunes right around the beach. That tends to be a highlight for a lot of kids. We also do a boat tour of the whole city, and I think a lot of students enjoy it.”

The French trip seems to have something for everyone. Whether it is visiting iconic buildings like the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre, and several notable museums and cathedrals such as Notre Dame. The trip to France is commonly met with high praise from students and chaperones. However, there are certain rules and requirements for students interested in the trip.

Is the France trip available for all students?

“No, you need to be a junior or senior in at least level 3 or above.”

Are French students allowed to bring non-French student friends along?

“No, you do need to be a part of the French program to go.”

What parts of the trip does the school pay for? The students?

“It is fully student funded. The France trip is organized through a non-profit organization in Minnesota. They organize the flights and the trains and hotels and all that stiff. “They do the legwork.”

If you are interested in joining the French trip, which is tentatively scheduled for 2022, the first step is course registration. Students must be an upperclassmen with at least 3+ levels of French experience. The French trip is a great experience, but is best summarized in Mr. Swanson’s own words.

If you had to summarize the French trip to a non-French student, how would you?

“I would say that it gives the student an 11 day opportunity to really thoroughly understand what I am trying to bring to class. It gives a very real world experience to the material. You increase your skills, your speaking ability, and it allows you to practice in a comfortable setting.”

Photo Credit: “Paris” by barnyz is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A long-time crucial part of the baseball season has been fundraising. The Bison began their salt fundraising last week and have placed an emphasis on safe delivery. All proceeds go directly back into the baseball program and help to fund purchasing of new equipment as well as maintaining the fields.

The fundraiser takes place as two separate competitions within the team. Players will be divided into teams with the main goal to sell the most salt. Teams that sell 150 bags combined will win a Bison Baseball t-shirt. Teams that sell 125 bags will win a $10 Dairy Queen gift card for each team member. Teams that sell 100 bags will win a $5 Dairy Queen gift card.

The fundraiser promotes healthy team competition, as well as community support. The fundraiser ends on April 23, 2021, and salt is expected to be delivered by May 22, 2021.

In a sporting season that usually packs the gyms with Bison fans, BHS students have yet to get a full glimpse as to what playing a high-intensity sport with air blocking masks is like. The only people to gain the full perspective are the players.

Ethan Nuss is a Shooting Guard for the Buffalo Bison 10th Grade team. He has gotten to experience high-intensity exercise with masks and can give a first-hand perspective of this unique season. 

Q: In what ways do you believe your season has been impacted by social distancing guidelines?

A: “We haven’t been able to practice or scrimmage with other Buffalo teams and our benches during games are spread out”

Q: Do you believe that masks have given you an advantage or disadvantage against tougher teams?

A: “I think disadvantage to both teams because it makes it harder to breathe during games”

Q: Have practices been different this season?

A: “Yes, because we have to wear masks and can’t scrimmage other teams in the gym we have to stay separate.”

Lack of basic sports necessities such as practices and scrimmages would have taken a toll on any sports team. But like all of us during these challenging times, the Bison have repeatedly adapted.

The 10th grade Bison end their regular season at home versus Benilde tonight.