THE BEAR FACTS
April 17, 2021
 

: Good morning! I’m Meredith Tigges!

: I’m Drew Casey!

: And I’m Ben Trainer! Thanks for joining us for the “Bear Facts”, the weekly radio show from Bishop Garrigan High School.

: Last Saturday Garrigan held our 32nd Gala, and in spite of the pandemic it was a great success. Donations are still coming in, but the preliminary total is $305,000. While that’s down from the record we set in-person before COVID, it’s still one of the highest totals we’ve raised at Gala. Thanks to everyone who contributed to make Gala 2021 a huge success!

: In addition to raising money for the school, there’s also lots of prizes available to participants. Among the biggest winners this year were Mary Koppen, who had the winning car raffle ticket; Dan Preuschl, who won the rec raffle; Sarah Bonstetter, the winner of the dream raffle; Sheri Zeimet, the last chance winner; and David Kirsch, who won a $1,000 tuition voucher. Twenty-one people also won cash prizes in various amounts. Congratulations to all the Gala winners!

: The last chance is coming for buying the BGHS yearbook. All year long Mrs. Christina Rahm and the publications class have been taking pictures and putting together the pages of the 2021 Garrigold yearbook, which will come out early in the fall. Yearbooks need to be ordered by April 30. There are QR codes around the school that can be scanned to order, or you can go to jostensyearbooks.com.

: Last month the Bishop Garrigan quiz bowl team was among hundreds that participated in the spring 3—2—1 contest. The Bears’ score of 263 placed them #1 among all Iowa teams and in the top fourth of schools all over the country. Students competing in the 3—2—1 include Abbi Heying, Aric Laubenthal, Meredith Tigges, Marguerite Fakler, Cander Darling, Gavin Swift, Ben Greteman, Nick Laubenthal, and Nathaniel Darling. Congratulations, quiz bowl!

: There are two special activities coming up next week. The first is Giving Back Day. Next Wednesday we’ll begin the day with mass, and then we’ll spend the morning doing clean-up projects at school. After lunch we’ll join students from Algona High in picking things up around the community. The Chamber of Commerce will provide snacks at the end of the day.

: Next Friday will be another special day. We’ll be celebrating the annual Grandparents Day. Because of COVID, things will be a little bit different this year for Grandparents Day. Masks will be required that day, and it will be a come-and-go event instead of the big lunch we usually have. Grandparents will come in throughout the morning to visit their grandchildren, have pictures taken, and enjoy doughnuts.

: The new Garrigan chapel is fast becoming an important part of the school. This spring we’ve been doing adoration on Fridays in the chapel, and the campus ministry class uses it each day. The elementary kids had Stations of the Cross in the chapel, and last Wednesday all the school faculty got together for mass and a spiritual retreat. The biggest mass held yet in the new chapel will be baccalaureate for the Class of 2021, which will be Wednesday, May 4, at 7pm.

: The chapel and the new gym are the biggest recent additions to our school. The chapel has a modern design on the outside, but it also incorporates the historic windows and altar from St. Benedict Church. The combination makes for a truly beautiful place to celebrate our faith.

: The spring sports teams have already enjoyed a lot of success. Last week the girls track team won the championship in a big meet at Eagle Grove. The girls golf team has won every meet they’ve entered so far, and boys golf has also had a great season. Good luck throughout the rest of the season to all the spring sports.

: Our Senior Spotlight this week shines on Tara Kron and Katie McIntire. Here to tell you about them is Austin Von Bank.

: Tara Kron is probably best known for her accomplishments in softball and volleyball. She also helps out on the tech crew for plays and concerts, and over the years her other activities have included speech and track. Tara will be off to college next year, and we wish her good luck.
You may have seen Katie McIntire at the Algona McDonalds, where she works. In her years at Garrigan, her school activities have included speech and volleyball. She’s looking at a career in cosmetology, and we wish her all the best after high school.

: Thanks, Austin. On our Golden Bear calendar, next week is midterm week for the fourth quarter, meaning there’s just a month left in the school year—and even less than that for the seniors.

: The girls golf team will be at Humboldt Monday night, while the boys golf team will host West Hancock and Belmond—Klemme at Spring Valley. Tuesday there’s boys track at Belmond, and the girls track team runs at Garner.

: We’ll have mass on Wednesday morning. Wednesday is Giving Back Day, so we’ll be doing various clean-up projects all day—both at school and in the community.

: Thursday the Bears will host a coed golf meet, with Forest City and North Union coming to Spring Valley. There’s also boys track that night at North Iowa.

: Next Friday is Grandparents Day. That morning many Garrigan students will participate in the Stinson Prairie Art Show, and then Friday night there’s boys track at Pocahontas.

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