The Bear Facts
OCTOBER 12, 2013
Good morning! I’m David Klein!
I’m Dillon Walker!
And I’m Nick Bronk! Thanks for joining us for the “Bear Facts”, your weekly radio update from Bishop Garrigan High School.
Last Saturday the Bishop Garrigan Solid Gold Marching Band made a great showing at Algona Band Day. The band took first place in their division in both the parade and field competitions. In the parade they got especially good scores on their marching ability, while their musical execution drew the best marks in Class 1-A in the field show. Congratulations to the band on their two big trophies from band day.
Today is another big day for the band. They’re down in Ft. Dodge this morning for the state marching band festival. Garrigan’s band performs at 9:30am. This year’s competition show is called “More Cowbell”, and it features Jake Hamilton as drum major. Songs the band will play inc lude “Gimme Some Lovin’”, “Low Rider”, Don’t Fear the Reaper”, and “Rock ‘n’ Roll All Night”.
This year’s band has thirty members. Returning seniors include Levi Bernhard, Sean Hart, Corey Weydert, Brittany Kirsch, Jake Hamilton, and Nick Bronk. The core of the band is the juniors: Betty Straub, Gaby Steil, Hannah Bernhard, Mark Fakler, Andrew Miller, and Christian Matthews; as well as Zach Kollasch, Morgan Frideres, Dorothy Kirsch, Tony Kollasch, Caroline Hamilton, Taylor Frideres, and Kirk Kenyon.
There are five sophomores out for band. They include Johanna Vaske, Jedd Magill, Kylie Fox, LeAnn Eischen, and Mariah Bronk. Rounding out the band are the freshmen: Patrick Marlow, Josh Hamilton, Sam Harrington, Andrew Meister, Ryan Kenyon, and Courtney Kirsch. Good luck at state to directors Ken Ferjak and Katherine Simpson, and the band!
Last week our cheerleaders organized the Coaches vs. Cancer pink-out for all our fall activities. We had pink-outs at the home volleyball and football games last week, the cross-country team wore pink socks when they ran at the Algona meet, and our quiz bowl team even dressed in pink for their tournament down in Ankeny.
In addition to the pink-out events, students donated money that will go toward Relay for Life. The sophomore class had the top donations, taking in $206.55. The seniors brought in $176, the juniors donated $147, and the freshman contributed $118. Thanks to everyone who made the pink-outs to fight cancer a big success.AAAAA: 2013 is the Golden Bear volleyball team’s last year in the North Central Conference. Bishop Garrigan is by far the smallest school in a conference made up of mostly 2-A and 3-A schools. While we’ve won a number of conference championships in sports like baseball, basketball, and golf, the Bears have always struggled to hold their own against bigger schools in volleyball.
With that in mind, it’s not really a surprise that after a great start this year the Bears’ racked up some tough conference losses in volleyball. They’re looking forward to playoffs, where they’ll be back to facing schools their own size. The Bears open regional play by hosting North Iowa on Tuesday, October 22. They’ll also host the second round, where they hope to take on C WL, and the regional semi-final. The regional championship will be at Mason City Newman on Wednesday, November 6.
Garrigan senior Emma Plathe has been a big part of the Algona swim team all through high school. While she competes as a Bulldog, we’re proud to have her at Garrigan. Emma’s specialties have been the freestyle and medley relays, where she’s racked up a number of first and second place finishes this fall. The team has a double dual this weekend against Spencer and Storm Lake. Good luck to Emma and all the swimmers.
Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Levi Bernhard. Levi is a quiz bowl captain who is one of the most successful players the team has had. He’s also active in band, speech, and drama, and you’ve likely heard him announcing hear on the “Bear Facts”. Away from school Levi enjoys beekeeping. He’ll be off to college next year, and we wish Levi all the best in the future.
On our Golden Bear calendar this week, there’s state marching band today in Fort Dodge. Tomorrow is the Bishop’s Dinner for Education, where Seton Principal Kathee Froehlich will receive the Good Shepherd Award.
Also tomorrow Garrigan’s Christian Leadership in Action group will participate in the annual CROP Walk to fight world hunger. The CROP Walk starts at 2pm at First Lutheran Church.
Monday there’s JV football, with the 9th and 10th graders hosting North Union. Tuesday the volleyball team travels to Webster City and there’s the conference cross-country meet in Eagle Grove.
On some earlier calendars Wednesday was listed as a no school day. We will have school next Wednesday, but it will be a short day. We’ll have mass in the morning, and we’ll dismiss early for teacher inservice.
Also on Wednesday the student council will do their semi-annual Adopt-a-Highway project in Sexton. Many juniors will be busy that morning as well, as they take the PSAT—National Merit test.
Thursday is Senior Night for the volleyball team, and they’ll be hosting Eagle Grove. The football team has their Senior Night on Friday, when they take on Belmond—Klemme.
That’s the “Bear Facts” for another week. Thanks for joining us, and be sure to tune in again next week for more news from Bishop Garrigan High School.
