The Bear Facts
April 20, 2013
Good morning! I’m Nathaniel Krieps!
I'm Neal Koob!
I'm Mariah McCall!
And I’m Sydney McNertney! Thanks for joining us for the “Bear Facts”, the weekly radio show from Bishop Garrigan High School.
Tonight is prom night, 2013. This year’s theme is “A Night in Vegas”, and the junior class has been working hard all week decorating the gym with glitz and glamor. One of the main decorations is an enormous roulette wheel designed by Connor Langermann. There’s lots of other beautiful touches that transform the ordinary gym into something really elegant.
As always prom will begin with the grand march, where everyone parades in wearing their formal clothes. The public is invited to view the grand march, which will be at 8pm this evening. Admission is just $1, and parents were issued free tickets as part of their students’ admission. The dance will continue until midnight.
After prom the fun continues over at the Rochleau Center at Seton. This year’s after-prom party features even more Vegas celebration, with lots of games. There’s a comedy hypnosis act, Wii dancing, scooter races, arm wrestling, a money machine, a photo booth, pop-a-shot, and a wall of surprises. The fun keeps going all night long, and “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”.
Today six members of the Golden Bear math team are down in Iowa City for the state math tournament. Sophomores Tony Kollasch, Dorothy Kirsch, and Zach Kollasch, and freshmen Kylie Fox, Carolyn Baxter, and Devin Degen all qualified for state by finishing at the top in area tournaments earlier this year. The Bears will compete against the top math students from all over the state. The state meet is not classed, so the biggest competition will be 4-A schools like Iowa City West.
Math competition focuses on problem solving. The group will work together in the team round to solve as many of thirty questions as they can. In the sprint round and target round they solve problems individually. One of the most interesting parts is the relay round, where one player passes their answer on to the next player, who then uses that to get a different answer. If the Bears do well today they’ll move on to the Midwest regional competition in Kansas City next month. Either way, though, we’re proud to say they’re some of the top math-letes in Iowa.
Several other Garrigan students also qualified for state math, but they are unable to participate due to prom. The other qualifiers include Makayla Foertsch, Allison Frideres, Jake Hamilton, Brittany Kirsch, Kaitlyn Fogarty, and Sia (Suttirisirkul) Schnurr. Congratulations to Coach Daryl Kohlhaas and all the state math qualifiers!
Last week Garrigan’s sophomores took the ASSET test. In addition to being one of the tools we use to evaluate the school, the ASSET allows students to take college-credit courses while they’re still in high school. For several years now we’ve offered college-credit math, psychology, and health classes right here at Garrigan through a special arrangement with Iowa Lakes Community College. Some students also take English, history, and science classes at the college. The credit is a bargain thanks to Iowa’s Post-Secondary Option Enrollment Act, and it’s a great way to get a head start on college.
Last Saturday Garrigan hosted the state solo and ensemble music contest, and the Bears had a very good day. Two Garrigan events received Outstanding Performance Awards, the highest award at the contest. The outstanding awards went to a vocal solo by Shawn Vaske and a piano solo by Dustin Miller. Garrigan choir members received 15 division one ratings, 5 division twos, and 1 division three. The band received 9 division ones and 2 division twos. Congratulations to directors Ken and Linda Ferjak and all our musicians.
This week we were shocked and saddened to hear of the horrible bombing in Boston. We were pleased that Ruby Bode and Richard Studer, two Garrigan alumni who running in the event, were safe. Our prayers are with those who were killed and injured, and especially with their families.
Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Hannah Boisjolie. Hannah is a danz squad manager who served as master of ceremonies at the spring show last month. She’s also been a basketball cheerleader, and she’s been in speech activities like group mime. Hannah also keeps busy with band and Christian Leadership in Action. She plans to attend Iowa Central next year, and we wish her all the best in the future.
On our Golden Bear calendar this week, there’s the state math tournament today in Iowa City. The boys golf team is playing this morning in the Algona Invite, and tonight is prom night 2013.
Tomorrow there’s confirmation for students from St. John parish in Bancroft. Monday is Earth Day. Then on Tuesday there’s boys track at Emmetsburg, and the girls track team runs at Forest City.
Next Wednesday is our annual Stewardship Day. Again this year, we’re combining that with the Algona community clean-up. We’ll dismiss at 1:30 Wednesday for a teacher in-service. The CYO golf meets are also on Wednesday, with the boys at Ft. Dodge and the girls at Breda.
Next Thursday the freshmen will head down to Iowa State University to see a stage performance of Romeo and Juliet. That night the boys and girls track teams run at Armstrong and the girls golf team hosts North Iowa.
Next Friday we’ll have our annual Grandparents Day. The grandparents will start their day with mass at Seton, and then they’ll come over to Garrigan for lunch. Friday night the golf teams take on Humboldt.
Finally next Saturday the girls golf team will host the BGHS Tournament. Like all their home meets, the event will be at Spring Valley.
That’s the “Bear Facts” for this week. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to join us again next week for more news from Bishop Garrigan High School.
