THE BEAR FACTS
September 24, 2022

Good morning! I’m Violet Bode!

I’m Ella Schaaf!

And I’m Avery Lichter! You’re listening to the “Bear Facts”, where we’ve been celebrating Homecoming week here at Bishop Garrigan High School.

Homecoming is always a fun time for the Golden Bears. The theme this past week was “Go for the Gold”, and the week days when we dressed up as Olympians, celebrities, miners, and leprechauns. Last Monday we crowned our Homecoming king and queen. From a court that included Drew Fogarty, Caleb Bormann, and Drew Casey, the 2022 Homecoming king was Cal Birkey. On the girls’ side, the candidates included Eva Snyder, Audi Crooks, and Molly Joyce, and the queen for 2022 was Maggie Vaske. Congratulations, Cal and Maggie!

A big part of Homecoming every year is the battle of the classes. Last Tuesday everyone competed in a wide range of fun games. The freshmen ended up winning pie eating, girls Gatorade chug, and the girls home run derby. The sophomores won kickball and hot dog eating. Sophomores and juniors won the two sessions of trivia, and juniors and seniors won separate sessions of volleyball and tied in bean bag toss.

The juniors won egg relays, boys Gatorage chug, and kan jam. The seniors won ultimate frisbee, egg partner relays, boys home run derby, and both boys and girls tug-of-war. That meant that when everything was added up, the overall winners on game day in the class competition were the seniors.

Last Tuesday the Golden Bear cross-country team competed in one of the largest contests in the area down in Humboldt. Nearly twenty schools from all different classes were there. In spire of being one of the smallest schools competing, Garrigan had two runners among the top 20. Gavin Swift finished in seventh place in the boys race, with a time of 19 minutes, 8 seconds. On the girls side Abbie Capesius was 17th overall, in a time of 23 minutes, 56 seconds. The cross-country team will run next Monday in the Algona High meet at River Road. Go, cross-country!

This was also a big week for the Golden Bear volleyball team. After a busy day at CYO last Sunday, the girls beat North Iowa on Tuesday in three straight. They’re in action today as well, as they host their home tournament. The tournament begins at 9:00 this morning and continues throughout the day.

Homecoming is always a big time for the Golden Bear cheerleaders. In addition to making sure everyone’s school spirit is high, Homecoming is also when they host hosts their annual cheer clinic for elementary girls. This year’s Golden Bear spirit squad includes Emma Bacha, Avery Berte, Ava Hough, Ella Schaaf, Savannah Waechter, Zoey Von Bank, and Ellie Rosenmeyer; as well as Ava Kemna, Isabella Waechter, Ellie Vipond, Reece Kemna, Addison Kuper, Ava Roethler, and Ava Snider. Go, cheerleaders!

Bishop Garrigan’s Solid Gold Marching Band has been working hard getting their show ready for competition. This year’s show is called “Rockin’ with Attitude”, and it includes classic rock hits like “Go Your Own Way”, “Proud Mary”, and “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”. Three different drum majors are leading the band this year: Audi Crooks, Joey Doerning, and Savannah Waechter. Garrigan’s band will be part of both the parade and field competitions at Algona Band Day next Saturday, and they’ll compete in the state marching contest October 8 at Ft. Dodge.

Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on our Homecoming king, Cal Birkey. Here to tell you about him is Abbie Capesius.

Cal Birkey is a year-round athlete. He’s probably best known as a running back on the Golden Bear football team, and he’s been a football captain for two straight years. He has also been to state in track, he’s a guard on the basketball team, and last summer he hit his first home run in baseball. Cal will be off to college next year, where he’d like to continue his athletic success. Congratulations to Cal Birkey, our 2022 Homecoming king!

Thanks, Abbie. On our Golden Bear calendar this week, the Golden Bear volleyball team is hosting their home tournament today. Tomorrow the sophomores will have a confirmation retreat.

Monday morning Garrigan and Seton students will enjoy a special concert from contemporary Christian singer Steve Angrisano. That afternoon the cross-country team runs in the Algona High meet at River Road.

Also on Monday the varsity volleyball team play at West Bend—Mallard, and the JV football team will host Northwood—Kensett. We’ll have mass on Tuesday, and that night the volleyball team hosts Forest City.

Next Friday the seniors will have a meeting to discuss graduation details. That night the football team will travel to Ft. Dodge to play St. Edmond. The next Saturday is Algona Band Day, with the parade at 1pm and the field competition at 5:00.

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