The Bear Facts
September 23, 2023

Good morning! I’m Violet Bode!

I’m Abbie Capesius!
 

And I’m Brendan Plathe! Welcome once again to the “Bear Facts”, the radio show where each week we keep you up to date on all the news at Bishop Garrigan High School.

Garrigan’s Walk and Pray fundraiser is almost over. This activity replaces both the calendar drive and the frozen food sale we’ve had in the past. The little kids began Walk and Pray last year, and this year we’re joining them at the high school. Basically we’re asking for small donations to the school. You can give any amount, and you’re welcome to ask for a prayer intention as well.

As a special incentive there’s a raffle together with Walk and Pray. People who donate at least $50 are entered into the raffle, where they can win up to $500. Walk and Pray continues through the end of the month, and we encourage you to find your favorite Golden Bear and make a contribution today.

For those who still want to display a Garrigan calendar, Mr. Burrow’s web page class is creating monthly .pdfs with activity pictures and the calendar of events. You can print those out and display them just like you did in the past. The October calendar is already available, and you can find it at bggoldenbears.org.

The Golden Bear football team switched to the eight-man division three years ago, and they’ve been in a rebuilding cycle since then. It looks like the Bears are back this year, though. After a close loss in their first game of the season, the Bears came from behind to beat West Bend—Mallard. They’ve had big wins since then, and—fingers crossed—it’s looking like they should be able to finish out the regular season with wins and head to the playoffs for the first time in eight-man.

Last week when the Bears faced Northwood—Kensett Homecoming king Justin Bauer had two long runs for touchdowns, one of them a “pick six” on defense. Tate Foertsch has been strong at quarterback, and he’s distributed ball to players like Caden Roethler, Owen Murphy, Ethan Marso, Benjy Trainer, and Sam Plathe. Drew Lappe has been a consistent kicker, and linemen Logan Nemmers, Carter Schwab, Keaton Helleseth, and Brody Ludwig have made some awesome blocks. The JV and JJV Bears have also had a great season. It’s great to see the Bears back to their winning tradition in football.
 

One of the things Garrigan is most known for is fine arts achievements, and we’re getting ready for several fine arts events now. The Solid Gold Marching Band has been working hard preparing this year’s field show, which features the songs of Grease. They’ll be performing at Algona Band Day next weekend and then competing at the state marching band contest in early October.

Meanwhile eight choir students are preparing for all-state music auditions. Ben Trainer, Nathaniel Darling, Lauren Swift, Izzy Waechter, Amaury Thomas, Tate Foertsch, Cora Daerduff, and Shiloh Trainer have all-state as their goal. Auditions are at the end of October, and the All-State Music Festival will be in November.



Another big fine arts event is the fall musical, Singing in the Rain. Seniors in the cast include Ava Hough, Alaina Casey, Violet Bode, Benjy Trainer, Sam Plathe, Lauren Swift, Brendan Plathe, Elena Salinas, Madelyn Bronk, and Nathaniel Darling. There are plenty of younger singers and actors backing them up. The show will be Friday and Saturday, November 3rd and 4th. Be sure to mark your calendar to see Singing in the Rain.

Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Avery Lichter. Here to tell you about her is Benjy Trainer.

Avery Lichter’s biggest activity is golf. She won back-to-back team championships at state golf as a freshman and sophomore, and as a junior she finished third in the state individually. Avery is also active in band, quiz bowl, DECA, and the honor society. Away from school you might see her working at Spring Valley Golf Course. Next year she plans to attend Iowa State, where she’ll be majoring in landscape design. Good luck, Avery!

Thanks, Benjy! On our Golden Bear calendar this morning we’re hosting the Bishop Garrigan volleyball tournament. Schools from all over the area will be in action. Then tomorrow there’s a special mass for 9th graders at St. Michael’s in Whittemore.

Monday there’s a volleyball triangular with North Union and West Bend—Mallard. The cross-country team runs in the Algona meet at River Road that night, and there’s JV football at Northwood—Kensett.

Tuesday is the final turn-in day for Walk and Pray. We’ll have mass Tuesday morning, and that night the volleyball team plays at Forest City.

Thursday there’s a swim meet, with Algona taking on Spencer. Also on Thursday the JJV football players have a game at West Bend.

Friday a bunch of Garrigan students will be up in the Twin Cities for a field trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. That night the football team will host Siouxland Christian. Finally next Saturday will be Algona Band Day.
 

 That’s the “Bear Facts” for September. Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to join us again next week for more news from Bishop Garrigan High School.