THE BEAR FACTS
February 12, 2022

Good morning! I’m Eva Snyder!

 I’m Riley Rosenmeyer!

And I’m Ava Eisenbarth! Thanks for joining us for the “Bear Facts”, the radio show where each week we keep you up to date on everything that’s happening at Bishop Garrigan High School.

This past week the Golden Bear girls basketball team finished up their regular season, and it was really an awesome week. On Monday the Bears breezed past North Iowa to wrap up their second consecutive undefeated season as champions of the Top of Iowa Conference. The Bears began that game without two of their regular starters, but they still got an easy win over the Bison.

On Tuesday the Golden Bear girls, the number 2-ranked team in Class 1-A, went up against Dike—New Hartford, the top-rated team and defending state champions in Class 2-A. It was a tough and very physical game, but the Bears led almost the whole way through, and they ended up winning 50 – 45. In Tuesday’s game Audi Crooks tied the single-game rebounding record, while Molly Joyce racked up assists and also showed off her skill of moving the ball in traffic.

The wins put the girls in a good spot heading into playoffs. They earned a bye in the first round, and they should be hosting the regional quarterfinals next Tuesday and semifinals next Friday. Tickets for those games have to be bought in advance online, on the Varsity Bound website or app.

At the Dike—New Hartford game the Golden Bear danz squad performed their last halftime show of the year. It was their traditional senior farewell show, with solo performances by four-year dance veterans Lillee Deike, Katelyn Cink, Meredith Illg, and Riley Rosenmeyer. Later this month, on Monday, February 28, the dancers will hold their annual winter show.

Last Saturday the Golden Bear speech team competed in the state large-group contest at Spencer. The Bears earned two Division One or “Excellent” ratings and two Division Two or “Good” ratings. The one-act play “Bedtime Stories” and the ensemble acting selection “We Need a Man” earned top honors for Garrigan.

Students earning I’s include seniors Meredith Illg, Riley Rosenmeyer, Ava Eisenbarth, Marguerite Fakler, Mya Kemna, and Meredith Tigges; junior Garrett Heying and sophomores Benjy Trainer and Brendan Plathe; and freshman Isaac DeLange. Congratulations to head coach David Burrow and the speech team!

Rehearsals have started for individual speech. The Bears should have twenty entries at the district contest, which will be held two weeks from today at Newell—Fonda High School. Ava Eisenbarth is entered in both Poetry and Literary Program; Marguerite Fakler is in both Prose and Musical Theatre; Riley Rosenmeyer is in Prose and Reviewing; and Meredith Tigges is in Musical Theatre and Radio News Announcing.

Meredith Illg will be competing in Poetry, and Eva Snyder is entered in Literary Program. Benjy Trainer has speech entries in Acting and Improvisation; and Savannah Warchter is also entered in Acting. Brooke Ludwig is competing in Improvisation and Spontaneous Speaking, Molly Peterson is entered in Reviewing and Storytelling, Isabella Waechter has a Poetry entry, Griffin Geving is competing in Prose, and Thadd Kollasch will compete in Radio News Announcing.

At the state jazz choir contest last Monday, Bishop Garrigan’s Viva Voce received a “Superior” rating from one of the judges and “Good” ratings from the other two evaluators. The Golden Bear jazz choir will be performing again next weekend at the “Shake the Lake” jazz festival in Spirit Lake.

Tonight is a big evening for many Garrigan students. It’s time for the winter formal dance. Some students have been planning their outfits for weeks, and we know they’ll have fun both showing off what they’re wearing and showing off their moves. Many seniors will be starting the evening with dinner at Emeralds, and everyone will enjoy the big dance at school.

Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Matt Denker. Here to tell you about him is Garrett Heying.

Matt Denker was away from school last Wednesday attending a regional FFA conference in Forest City. Matt has been active in the Algona FFA all through school, including participating at the state level. Matt comes from the Lone Rock area, and he loves the farm life. He also enjoys helping his class construct things for Homecoming. He plans to work with livestock in the future, and we wish Matt all the best after high school.

Thanks, Garrett. On our Golden Bear calendar, there’s the big winter formal tonight. Then tomorrow afternoon the Knights of Columbus are holding their free-throw contest.

Monday the Golden Bear boys begin district play as they face GT—RA over in Graettinger. Tickets must be purchased from the Iowa High School Athletic Association website. A link is available at bggoldenbears.org.

We’ll have mass Tuesday morning, and that night the girls begin the regional tournament at home. Again, tickets have to be purchased in advance, this time from the Varsity Bound website or app. You can get there from bggoldenbears.org.

We’ll have a special speaker at school on Wednesday, sponsored by the Divine Mercy parish. Thursday night is the boys district semifinal, and Friday is the girls regional semifinal.

Next Saturday the jazz choir will perform at “Shake the Lake” in Spirit Lake. Also that day there’s quiz bowl at Ankeny Centennial.

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