Volume 50 Number 5 Brandon Valley High School - Brandon, SD 57005 Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

The One-act presents drama/page 6

Students honor Martin Luther King with service

By Sara NadenicekA&E Editor

Next year’s seniors, like ju-nior Traci Lenz, may earn col-lege credit from Northern State University through the Rising Scholars Program.

“It’s a really good idea,” Lenz said, “because in our freshman year (of college) we won’t be so overwhelmed with classes.”

The program offers juniors and seniors eight courses, taught by teachers with a master’s degree in the subject.

Of the courses instructors Kraig Pressler will teach college algebra; Allen Hogie, Calculus 1; Jeremy Risty, American history semesters one and two; Matt Christensen, English literature and English comp; and Derek Outland, history of civilization semesters one and two.

“I planned to take calc anyway,” Lenz said, “and the teachers here are more apt to help me.”

Most courses are worth at least three college credits at a fee of $40 per credit hour. Meaning, if students take college algebra, they pay $120 instead of $693 on

campus.Lenz plans on taking 16

credits to prepare for her college experience.

“This program is an option for

Rising Scholars Program prepares students for college

students to take something that will help them,” Principal Gregg Talcott said. “Really prepare them for what they want to do next, not just fill their time.”

Photo by Brit Hicks

Junior Traci Lenz registers for her senior classes. She plans to earn college credit through the Rising Scholars Program.

Hoff hits milestone

Photo by Brittany Lunstra

Senior Heidi Hoff accepts a basketball acknowledging her 1000th career-point mark from assistant coach Mark Schlekeway. Hoff achieved it against the Lincoln Patriots, a game which the Lynx won 57-39. Hoff has played varsity basketball for four years, starting three of those seasons. She was also a member of Brandon Valley’s first state championship team last season.

Sixty-two donate blood, save lives

Photo by Libby Hoffman

Senior Krystle Baumann waits for her blood donation to be completed. She has donated five times since she turned 17. Students and staff donated 62 units of blood Jan. 11-12.

By Brittany LunstraPhoto Editor

Two years ago a group of students worked with thousands of people to package nutritious food for malnourished children in third world countries.

Senior Briana Roegiers and others plan to do the same by raising over $2,000 and packing food for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Feb. 18 in Coon Rapids, Minn., from 11:30-1:30 p.m.

“After we are done,” Roegiers said, “we plan on going to the Mall of America and then ice skating downtown.”

Because only 72 of the 112 spots were filled, Roegiers opened it up to students in other school districts. The cost is $40, which includes travel, lunch and skating.

Roegiers said donations are welcome to help defray the cost of packing and there will be informational meetings in Feb.

Saturday, Roegiers and people of all ages will have a chance to jump for the Polar Plunge, a fund raiser for the Special Olympics team. Each person had to raise $100 in order to jump. Usually each team or group would have a

theme for when they jumped.“I personally coached a Special

Olympics softball team,” she said. “I love being able to help raise money for the cause.”

Last year, Roegiers and juniors Allie Koehn and Val Peltier jumped together into the freezing cold water. They had a theme of “old school basketball players,” which they wore short shorts, old jerseys, sweatbands, tall socks and sneakers. They plan on doing it again this year, but of course, with a different theme.

“Last year was a blast,” Peltier said. “I remember going second and pretended to shoot as I was jumping in the water. The second I landed in the water, I couldn’t move.”

Each group will stand on a stage-like board, which is next to the dumpster full of water that has been sitting outside. The announcer will say who will jump and what kind of costume they are wearing and then they will jump one by one.

“All around it was a very memorable morning for a great cause,” Peltier said. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to do it again.”

By Libby HoffmanVoices Editor

Since May 6, 2005, students and staff have donated 1,419 units of blood including the 62 donations Jan. 11-12, potentially saving 186 lives.

“This blood drive held one of the lowest numbers we have ever had,” Instructor Lisa Atkinson said, “It was most likely because there were so many students and staff sick, which restricts them

from donating.”Atkinson hopes to have a better

turn out in April.Senior Krystle Baumann

donated blood Jan. 11. This was her fifth time donating blood since she turned 17.

“Donating blood is such a simple act to commit to,” she said. “It is such an amazing thing to do.”

Junior Paul Jackson also donated blood Jan. 11.

Jackson said he donates blood because it’s an easy way to save a life.

“I was nervous the first time I donated,” he said. “Then after I realized how good of a cause it was, I got past it.”

After students and staff donated, they were advised to drink juice and eat cookies and candy provided by the blood drive to raise their sugar levels.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Students serve others with deeds

The Echo is published monthly by the publications students of the Brandon Valley High School, 301 S. Splitrock, Brandon, S.D. 57005. Telephone number is 582-3211. It is a state and national award-winning publication affiliated with the South Dakota High School Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. News Editors ...................................Cylie Svartoien and Stephanie MeeterVoices Editor ...................................................................... Libby HoffmanA&E Editor ........................................................................ Sara NadenicekSports Editors .........................................Kyle Rokeh and Ian McClanahanUpdate Editor ...................................................................Meghan GorsuchPhoto Editors .............................................Brit Hicks and Brittany Lunstra Ad Manager ................................................................Amber BroekemeierCirculation Manager ............................................................Mason BenderStaff Writers ............................................... .......................Shaun Fendrich, Alison Kirby, Zach VandenHoek and Devin ZahnAdviser ........................................................................Debra RothenbergerBrandon Valley Echo is a public forum. The editorial content of the Echo expresses the views of the newspaper and not necessarily of the administration, faculty or school board of the Brandon Valley School District. Bylined editorial content is the writer’s opinion and not necessarily of the staff, adviser or school administration. Signed letters to the editor are encouraged, but they may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel.

What do you think about

the warm winter

weather?

Valentine’s allows creativity,ways to express one’s love

Echo editors encourage readers to submit letters to the editor, which must be signed. They may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel. They should be addressed to the Echo editors or dropped off in the publications room, 120.

Short winter, late snowfall

Winter Formal dance turn out

Blood drive successful

“I get to be outside more, so I’m enjoying the weather.”

-Senior John Sherman

“I like it because every time I go outside my nose doesn’t get rosy red like it does in the winter.”

-JuniorEmelia Sumner

“I think it’s pretty good because I don’t have to shovel the driveway.”

-SophomoreAndrea Ramirez

“It is nice because I get to spend more time outside and not have to get bundled up.”

-SophomoreHannah Murry

“I like it a lot because it’s not as cold as years past. I’m not a huge fan of the cold weather.”

-FreshmanJeremiah King

“I don’t like it. I’m not able to ride my snowmobile or being able to go snowboarding.”

-FreshmanKristen Paulsen

Thumbs up to the Winter Formal dance turn out. Four

hundred people attended. The DJ, dressed in a chicken suit, kept the students on the

dance floor by interacting with the crowd.

Thumbs up to the short winter. The first lasting

snowfall occurred in January. Temperatures reached up to 60 degrees in the

first few days of the year. The lack of snow made traveling for the holidays safer.

Thumbs up to the blood drive organized by

instructors Lisa Atkinson and Dean Pierson. Sixty-two units were donated

during the two-day event. Each person who donated will help three people in need of blood.

By Amber BroekemeierAd Manager

A box of chocolates, a card or flowers are all thoughtful ways to express love, but too common.

Valentines is a special day to bring out your creative side when doing things for the one you love.

Instead of dinner and a movie, a picnic somewhere allows for more one-on-one time and good conversation. Falls Park and other parks in the area offer good places to go and even a picnic at

a favorite indoor spot is fun too.A hand-made gift also gives

the impression of personal thought and care.

Gestures of love should also be extended beyond loved ones and even beyond Valentine’s Day.

Helping out your parents around the house or spending time with siblings is a good way to show you care. Doing things for family without being asked shows a feeling of appreciation.

Volunteer options even give a

person a chance to express love.Serving at the Banquet or even

donating a few items of food to a local food pantry are acts that count. It may not be physical or emotional love, but it’s a selfless way of helping out those who are not always fortunate enough to have someone there for them.

Giving up personal time shows a will to extend care beyond what’s normally expected.

When you give love, you are sure to receive it.

For Martin Luther King’s National Day of Service, students honor it by doing good deeds for others.

For example, several students plan to jump Saturday at the Polar Plunge, which is a fund raiser for the Special Olympics team. It is a great way to be involved with classmates and others around the community. This year will be the second annual event. Hopefully, students and staff can come together to raise more than $23,000 and to have more than 93 people jump. Each group can have a theme when they jump. Each jumper has to raise $100 before they can jump, but when thinking about it, $100 is not a lot when looking at where it goes. Half of the proceeds will stay with the local Special Olympics team.

About 112 students will take a trip to Coon Rapids, Minn., for a Feed My Starving Children trip that should be every year. FMSC has food stations for groups to package to help children in poorer countries like Haiti. This year senior Briana Roegiers is taking a group that will package as many meals as the time will allow them to. They plan on raising $2,000, which will buy the food for them to package. Each bag cost on average 24 cents and could help save children from dying of malnutrition.

ARK, which now has a group on Facebook, plans to help out at the Banquet Feb. 10 starting at 6 p.m. Senior Nick Tieszen is currently looking for volunteers to help out, and if interested, let him know. He also has talked to Brandon Elementary to start a Big Brother project, which could start the process of having a city-wide Olympics. ARK plans to receive donations to help fund projects around town. Recently, Tieszen paid for the person behind him at Burger King, while senior Ben Nelson drove a co-worker home after work so he didn’t have to wait out in the cold.

Students should be commended for any type of service project they may have done, from Polar Plunge to Feed My Starving Children to

the groups that formed just to help others.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

By Alison KirbyStaff Writer

The Cameron Crowe film We Bought a Zoo, based on the real-life adventure of Benjamin Mee, is a little confusing and slow at first but provides good life lessons.

Because Benjamin (Matt Damon) struggles with raising his two children after his wife dies, he quits his job as a journalist. Benjamin’s 14-year-old son Dylan (Colin Ford) still struggles with the memory of his mother and with becoming a man. His daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) is more collected, but that might be just because she’s much younger than her brother.

While searching for a fresh new start, Benjamin comes across a perfect farmhouse in the country. There’s a problem, though; it comes with a zoo. Despite being warned about

the cost of the upkeep of the zoo, he decides that this is the time to make the most of a real chance at adventure and buys it.

The animals are cute, yet the zoo staff deals with the fact that they might have to move on soon due to the

Mees’ financial problems. We Bought a Zoo is a movie

for anyone who likes funny, touching and emotional films about building love, relationships, family and friendship with new people.

‘We Bought Zoo’ touching

Photo courtesy of Onlinemovieshut.com

In We Bought a Zoo Benjamin reveals the grand opening poster to his son Dylan, who had drawn the tiger for it.

“A day to go out of your way to make that special someone to be as happy as she can be.”

-SeniorMichael Frazer

“Another day that couples can show how much they care for each other.”

-SeniorCaitlin Roder

“I don’t even know what day Valentine’s Day is.”

-SeniorAlvin Thongphanh

“I don’t enjoy Valentine’s Day because it’s too mushy.”

-SeniorCody Hodkinson

“A day dedicated to people’s love and for peace not war.”

-SeniorChris Sutter

“Just another day we live in our lives.”

-SeniorAustin Ladwig

“Valentine’s Day is cheesy but still cute.”

-JuniorVanessa Rise

“If you love someone, you should show them everyday, not just one day of the year.”

-JuniorKylie Mulroy

“A day to be with the people you love.”

-JuniorJaymie Lillestol

“A romantic day for those who have a significant other.”

-JuniorJohn Fisher

“Valentine’s Day is nice if

you are in a relationship.”-Junior

Jordan Carlson“A holiday where couples can

have fun and be themselves.”-Sophomore

Shealynn Schultz“Valentine’s Day makes me

sad because I remember that I don’t have a boyfriend.”

-SophomoreBrittany Jackson

“A fun holiday, pretty over-rated, though.”

-FreshmanTroy Small

“Valentine’s Day is just another day.”

-FreshmanAndrew Breitzman

What do you think about Valentine’s Day?

By Libby HoffmanVoices Editor

With lowered expectations from the upperclassmen, the thought of students who attended Winter Formal was “memorable.”

Senior Tyler Grieve attended the Winter Formal dance and said it took awhile for students to start dancing, but when everyone was able to step outside their comfort zone, it was a blast.

Although students’ thoughts of the dance beforehand were questionable, the 400 students who attended were more than pleased with their night. The number was twice the size of this year’s Homecoming dance.

Dr. Gregg Talcott said he does not judge dances by the number of students who attend, but rather how much the students enjoy themselves.

“I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from students,” he said. “Many have spoken of how they

enjoy the different environment.”Students who chose not to

attend the formal dance still made the night one to remember.

Senior Hannah Calmus and her group decided to go bowling instead of attending the dance.

“I heard the dance was actually fun and I kind of wish I would have gone since it was my last formal,” she said. “The night was still one to remember and I was happy with how it turned out.”

The profit from the formal dance was $1,200 and will be given to the Student Council to decide what the money should be put towards investing.

Because Winter Formal held a positive memory for all who attended, Dr. Talcott hopes the underclassmen will provide continuous positive feedback for the upcoming freshmen and students who did not attend this year.

Students label Winter Formal as ‘memorable’

Photo courtesy of Anna Lueth

At the Winter Formal are Anna Lueth, MeiKayla Wojciechwski, Jacob Ludewig, Emina Musinavic, Paidon Meyer and Jacob Murray. About 400 students attended the dance Jan. 13.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

SDHSAA fumbles in decision

By Kyle RokehSports Editor

South Dakota High School Activities Association’s decision to add a seventh football class creates problems with the format.

The Class 11AAA division, which will begin in 2013, will include Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Lincoln and Washington; Rapid City Stevens and Central; Aberdeen Central, Watertown and Brandon Valley. Sioux Falls O’Gorman will have an option of joining.

Due to the population of the schools the move makes sense, until I heard that O’Gorman could have an option of joining. The disconcerting clause in the agreement gives the truth about the change in class: It’s all about competition.

Over the last six years, six AA championships have been won by the Sioux Falls schools and five with two Sioux Falls school playing against each other. The last two seasons the semi-finals featured all four Sioux Falls schools. The SDHSAA seems less concerned about the population of schools and more concerned about sustaining some sort of fair play.

In 1988, the Lynx hoisted the State 11A championship trophy. The very next season they moved to 11AA and won back-to-back championships in their first two years at the 11AA level. That fact proves there may be teams in 11A right now that could compete in 11AA. What I’m wondering is this: If you’re going to invite O’Gorman to come play up at 11AAA when they are technically ineligible, why on earth wouldn’t the SDHSAA consider bringing in other teams, like Dell Rapids or West Central, who have dominated 11A football in recent years. This is just another example of protecting Sioux Falls schools before worrying about any of the other divisions such as the Eastern South Dakota Conference.

Also take into consideration that seven divisions in a small state like South Dakota is completely unnecessary. There is a quick fix to the problem, make an 11A, 11AA, 11AAA and have two classes of nine-man football. The playing field should be level and there wouldn’t be so many classes to worry about. If Minnesota has fewer football classes than we do, which they do, there is definitely a glitch in our system.

SDHSAA made the best out of a bad situation creating a new class. Even though a change was needed, it did a poor job in taking care of the problem because the divisions are based on their benefit instead of the state’s benefit.

At 9-3, Lady Lynx to face Huron

Photo by Brittany Lunstra

Senior Heidi Hoff drives on a fast break against the Brookings Bobcats. The girls won 46-21. Hoff broke a school record with 45 points against the Roosevelt Rough Riders Jan. 10.

Photo by Ian McClanahan

Senior guard Ben Shultz looks for a teammate against his Pierre defender. The boys look to sweep Huron tomorrow.

Boys hungry for win against Tigers

By Kyle RokehSports Editor

With a 9-3 record, the Lady Lynx will play against the Huron Tigers Saturday.

“They (Huron) are quick and can shoot the three very well,” head coach Mark Stadem said. “We will have to be ready to defend them.”

Senior Heidi Hoff had 16 of her 28 points in the second half to spark a 70-62 win against Rapid City Stevens.

“I thought that was a really important game for us,” Hoff said. “I think that will give us a lot of confidence coming back home. We have to keep charging forward.”

The Lynx were looking for a spark against Rapid City Central to try and end their two-game losing streak, and junior Allison Koehn came to the rescue. Koehn notched four 3-pointers and ended with a team-high 15 points in the 51-30 win. Senior Charissa Etrheim helped the cause by scoring nine points.

“We worked really well as a team out in Rapid and had some much needed bonding time,” senior Briana Roegiers said.

Lady Lynx struggled shooting from the field against top-ranked Mitchell, losing 54-43. Junior Allison Koehn notched 16 points

for the Lynx.“We had a lot of turnovers in

the second quarter,” Stadem said. “They got a lot of transition points off of them.”

On Jan. 14, the girls had another tough competitor in the Aberdeen

Central Eagles. The Eagles won 62-57. Hoff’s 27 points were not enough in the losing effort.

On Jan. 13, the third-ranked Lynx notched their seventh victory by beating the Watertown Arrows 51-42. Roegiers and sophomore

Lexi Hoover combined for 20 points.

“I think we’ve played well together as a team and we’re improving day-to-day in practice, which shows in our games,” Hoover said.

By Ian McClanahanSports Editor

Lynx prepare to sweep the season series against the Huron Tigers Saturday in an Eastern South Dakota Conference match-up.

The first contest ended with a 49-46 victory for the Lynx on the road in Huron.

“Last time we played Huron,” senior Kyle Petersen said, “it was a tight game all the way through. We just need to shut down their two key players.”

Thursday night the boys hosted the No. 1 Mitchell Kernels. Results were unavailable at press time.

Tuesday night the Lynx played the Washington Warriors in a game with 10 ties, and 11 lead changes. The boys lost 49-41.

“We came out and played hard,” Petersen said. “Some of our shots just didn’t go our way late in the game.”

The 4-8 Lynx led the 6-4 Warriors for the majority of the game. Going into the locker room at half the boys were up 19-15.

“It was big to take the lead into the half,” Petersen said. “It gave us some momentum going into the second half.”

To open the second half, the Warriors started on an 8-2 run to give them a 23-21 lead. The Lynx took the lead back with a basket by junior Chase Marso.

Despite the poor 3-point shooting by the Warriors, senior Joey Habtemariam took over and

scored nine of his 15 points in the last minute of the game.

Leading the charge for the Lynx was senior Ben Schultz with 22 points and five rebounds, while Marso and sophomore Jacob Adams had seven points each and snagged down five rebounds as well.

Last weekend the Lynx took a two-day road trip to Rapid City to play Rapid City Central and Rapid City Stevens.

On Friday the boys played Central and lost 57-45.

After trailing by 18 late in the game, the boys turned it on and drained 3-pointers. With two minutes left the team fouled to claw its way back into the game. The Lynx shrunk the deficit to five points with their hot 3-point shooting and poor free throw shooting by the Cobblers. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the large second-half deficit.

Shultz led the way in scoring with 11 points and Adams complemented with nine points and snared down 10 rebounds.

The following day the boys played Stevens and ended their two-game losing streak by winning 64-49.

The Raiders jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, but the Lynx overcame the early deficit and never looked back.

The leading scorer in the state, Shultz, led the way with 29 points while Marso accounted for 12.

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

n Senior Brock Wickett

n Senior Rebecca Dykstra

n Junior Mason Bender

n Senior Briana Grimmius

Photo by Amber Broekemeier

Sophomore Adam Presler works to pin his Harrisburg opponent at the annual Floyd Farrand Invitational at Sioux Falls Lincoln. Presler placed fourth at the 19-team tournament.

Wrestlers face Kernels

Photo by Brittany Lunstra

Junior Mason Bender works to turn his Sisseton opponent during the third round wrestlebacks at the annual Floyd Farrand Holiday Tournament. Bender won the match and placed fifth at the tournament.

Photo by Brittany Lunstra

In a home JV match junior Stephanie Meeter bowls against Vermillion. She was on the JV team that won state.

Ever since he could hold a basketball, Wickett has played the game with passion. “I always wanted to be like ‘The Answer’ when I was a kid,” he said. His love and dedication for the game has put him in a key position on the varsity squad. “We would be in trouble if he wasn’t on our team,” head coach Brent Deckert said. “He never plays with fear. If he was on a different team, I would really dislike him.” Playing away games are Wicket’s favorite part of the game. “Playing away games really makes your team become your family,” he said. “Hopefully we have two trips to Rapid this year to create more memories.”

Being on the starting five of the varsity team is something that all little kids dream about, including Dykstra. “Starting on varsity was something I looked forward to since I was a little girl,” she said. She did that by starting in the first games of the season. “She is a very unselfish, hard-working player,” head coach Mark Stadem said. “Players like Rebecca are the fiber that holds the team together.” Winning state last season was something Dykstra will never forget. “It was so unexpected and surreal,” she said. “I’m glad I got to experience that with a great group of girls.”

Never becoming complacent has become Bender’s mindset for each wrestling match this season. “I think of myself as an underdog in every match so I don’t get overconfident,” he said. Bender’s 19-3 record shows how hard he works. “He puts himself in situations where he will improve,” head coach Kraig Presler said, “and he learns from these situations.” Bender hopes to reach 30 wins on the season and to place at state. “To achieve my goals I must stay healthy and stay focused every day,” he said.

Grimmius has been an avid bowler ever since she can remember, and this season it shows. In the Junior Varsity State Bowling Tournament, she received the All-Tournament Captain. “It came as a surprise to me,” she said. “It meant a lot knowing you have to beat so many others for your spot.” The senior leadership is one of the reasons that raised her to become a captain. “I try to show leadership to the other bowlers by keeping their spirits high during matches,” she said. “I also help others when they ask me questions.” The season was full of accomplishments and pure fun for her and the bowling team. “Winning the All-Tournament Captain meant a lot to me,” Grimmius said. “But I just enjoy being with my teammates and having fun.”

By Mason BenderCirculation Manger

Wrestlers will compete at Mitchell tonight.

“They are pretty solid up and down the lineup,” senior Collin Wible said.

Wible, who has a record of 12-11, started the season at the 182-pound weight class but decided to move up to the 195-weight class.

“I moved up because it is an easier weight class with less athletic kids,” Wible said. “I just try to work hard during practice then hip toss my opponents.”

“Collin is an athlete that really helps his teammates stay relaxed and keep things in perspective,” head coach Kraig Presler said. “He has a chance to end his career with a state medal.”

The team will also compete Saturday in the Brookings Invitational.

“The Brookings tournament will be a nice test before our regional and state tournaments,” Presler said. “it will be a good chance to see what kind of talent the west river schools offer.”

The wrestlers competed against Wabasso Red Rock Central, Pipestone, Worthington and

Luverne at the Luverne invite. Going 3-1 on the day were freshman Wyatt Winter, junior Gabe Langner, junior Mason Bender and sophomore Adam Presler. The team’s only win of the day was against Luverne.

Wrestlers lost in Huron last Friday. Senior Josh Miller, junior Grant Dougherty, Presler and Wible earned wins for the team.

The team lost to Aberdeen Central 38-28. Dougherty, junior Josiah McGee, Presler, freshman Connor Smith, eighth grader

Connor Rowbotham and seventh grader Jackson Pletten all earned wins against the Eagles.

At the Lynx Invite the wrestlers placed third behind Huron and Roosevelt. Placers were senior Austin Eigenberg (170), fourth; senior Braden Heidbrink (138), fifth; senior Michael Frazer (152), fourth; McGee (285), fourth; Bender (145), second; Langner (160), third; junior Tony Tripp (182), fifth; Dougherty (126), third; Presler (113), third; Winter (152), third and Smith (132), third.

Girls bowlers undefeatedBy Stephanie MeeterNews Editor

Girls bowling team remains undefeated after its match at Victory Lanes against Harrisburg Tuesday making them 12-0.

“It’s great to see the hard work the girls put forth is paying off,” girls coach Ashley Rubin said. “I’m very proud of how they perform in both practice and matches. They’re always great sports to the other team, making it even better.”

The girls won 44-6 with senior Haley Rubin leading the Varsity 1 girls. Rubin had a high game of 204 and high series of 564. Sophomore Mariah Clark had a high game of 196 on Varsity 2 and the high series of 519.

Boys lost to Harrisburg 34-16.“We’ve had a lot of good and

bad games,” Coach John Grothe

said. “We just need to stay positive and not get down on ourselves.”

Senior Josh Hillman had the high game of 242, and sophomore Richard Blue V had the high series of 566 on Varsity 1. Freshman Jacob Giebink had the high game on Varsity 2 of 178 and sophomore Mike Hillman had the high series of 483.

Last Friday the boys and girls teams bowled against O’Gorman at Empire Bowl. The girls won 39-11. Sophomore Emily Steinhouse from Varsity 1 had the high game of 224 and high series of 578. Senior Briana Grimmius had the high game on JV of 191.

The boys lost 46-4. Blue V had the high game for the boys at 235 and the high series of 629. Giebink from Varsity 2 had the high game of 203 and high series of 520.

Jan. 14 the JV girls team won state, a title Brandon Valley had yet to take. The girls bowled three qualifying games where Grimmius scored the high average of 528. She was named team captain of the all-tournament team.

“I was surprised that out of all the competition,” Grimmius said, “I came out on top.”

The girls were then placed in double elimination Bakers games and moved on to semi-finals against Sioux Falls Washington. They had the high Bakers game of the day at 209, naming them the Junior Varsity State champions.

“We did great even bowling against some varsity members,” girls coach Ashley Rubin said. “It felt great to win and great to have one of our own named All-Tournament Team Captain.”

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Bio Club members install new aquarium

Did you know...?

Oral interp students compete Saturday

n APartstudentswillgototheArtGalleryinMonday.n ThirdquartermidtermisnextWednesday.n JanuarystudentsofthemontharefreshmanLydiaEichelberg,sophomoreJavierSmith,juniorKennethMattson,seniorsErinSpantonandBreannaTofteland.n Seussical: The MusicalauditionsareFeb.6,7and8.ThecastlistwillbeupFeb.9.n ACTtestwillbeFeb.11.n EarlydismissalforhighschoolandelementaryconferencesisFeb.13andmiddleschoolFeb.14.n NoschoolwillbeonFeb.17forteachercompdayandFeb.20forPresidents’Day.n BVFineArtsBoostersVarietyShowisFeb.24inthePerformingArtsCenter.n FreshmenLydiaEichelbergandMatthewSkadsensangintheSouthDakotaAmericanChoralDirector’sAssociationConcertlastFriday.n TeacheroftheYearnominationformsaredueinthecentralofficeApril13.n SeniorDerekSwansonreceivedanappointmenttoWestPointMilitaryAcademy.Thisisthethirdyearinarowastudentreceivedthishonor.SwansonwasthetopnomineeofSenatorsTimJohnson,JohnThuneandCongresswomanKristiNoem.

By Sara NadenicekA&E Editor

Twenty-sevenmusiciansauditionedJan.14foroneofthemostprestigiousbandsintheSouthDakota,theAll-StateBand.

“Overall, tome, it’s about the journeyto becoming a better player,” said seniorArianaButterfield,whoauditionedforthefourthyear,“notjusttheoutcomeofbeinginAll-State.”

Otherstudentswhoauditionedincluded

seniorsHayleyNaasz,StacyDeibert,J.W.Fruehwirth,MarkBrown,ShannonHomer,Curtis Tschetter, Brendan Gallo; juniorsKylie Beck, Kara Shroll, Tori Westcott,Dustin Johnson, Anthony Pederson;sophomoresJackieBerg,BaileyQuanbeck;freshman Bethany Headrick, PatrickGallo,BrockHanson,PaigeDrenth,KatyTernus,EdenBurch,DylanDecker,EmilyOyos,KatyDybdahl,ChelseySchmeling,KjerstinWilliamsandMattSkadsen.

The performers played parts of apreparedsolo,hadsight-readingandmusicvocabulary tests and played memorizedscales.

TheAll-StateBandConcert isFeb.22-24inBrookings.

The Region II Instrumental Solo andEnsemble Contest is Tuesday in SiouxFalls,andtheJazzBandConcertisFeb.9at7p.m.

Musicians audition for All-State Band

FFAers to host fun night

Photo by Brit Hicks

Instructor Gary Griesse, juniors Matt Murphy, Nicholas Osheim, Alison Kirby and senior John Sherman dig into some pizza at the FFA fruit sellers party.

Photo by Sara Nadenicek

Senior Gerrit Wilford and junior Zach VanEde block at practice. The one act cast will perform at the State One-Act Play Festival next Saturday in Aberdeen.

One-act cast performs drama

Quiz Bowl team captures third

Photo by Brit Hicks

Freshmen Kevin Huizenga and Troy Small collaborate together to figure out a math problem they were asked. Their team placed 24th out of 26.

BioClubmembersseniorNathanLikeandsophomoreTaylorStaabarepreparinganewsalt-wateraquarium.

The125-gallonaquariumwillcontainadviserJustinLovrien’soldfish,somenewfishandpossiblyashark.BioClubmembersbeganfillingtheaquariumlastweek.Theyplantofinishtheaquariumnextweek.

“It’sfunandwedodifferentkindsofprojectsandactivitieseveryweek,”StaabsaidaboutBioClub.

OralinterpstudentswillcompeteinaCFCTournamentinHuronnextSaturday.

ThestudentscompetedattheSpeechFiestainWatertownlastFriday.TheoralinterpteamwasunabletocompeteSaturdayduetotheweather.

AttheBVInviteJan.7,seniorMarissaVivensplacedthirdinhumorous;sophomoreKaraPolasky,secondindramaandinduowithsophomoreBaileyQuanbeck;sophomoreAnnikaHindbjorgen,fifthinoratory;andsophomoreDesireeRohrbach,fourthinhumorous.

FFA members will behosting a bowling funnight Feb. 14 at VictoryLanes in Brandon foranyonewhowouldliketoattend.

Last Thursday the FFAhosted the annual fruitsellers party. During theparty they watched themovieTrue Grit,atepizza,popcornandnachos,gaveoutcashawardsupto$50andplayedgames.

“Overall, the party wasfun,” senior Brit Hickssaid. “A lot of peopleshowed up and theyseemed to be having agoodtime.”

By Brit HicksPhoto Editor

QuizBowlteamsplacedthird,12thand24thMondayattheLynxInvite.

Teamthreeplacedthird.TheyareseniorBryan Jackson, juniors Long Pham andSeanRollag.Teamoneplaced12th.Theyare freshman Danny Eitreim, RobertHaggar,TristinPliskaandBraydonReindl.Teamtwo,freshmenKevinHuizenga,ColeRipperdaandTroySmall,placed24th.

Thenextcompetition,hostedbytheGreatSioux Falls Home SchoolAssociation, isFeb.13.

By Stephanie MeeterNews Editor

One-actplaycastwillpresent“TheDiviners,”adramasetinthe1930s.

The play features a youngboyafraidofwaterbecauseofhismother’stragicdeath.Hebecomesfriends with a preacher who haslosthiswayinpreaching,wantingto work as a mechanic. The twoworktogetherabouttheirproblemsandbecomeclosefriends.

“Over the past few years,BrandonValleyhasproventhatwecan do a great job with comedy,musicals and romantic comedies,”director Melanie Sittig said. “Sonowit is time tostretchourselveswithadrama.”

Those starring in this dramaare seniors Zach Nelson, Gerrit

Wilford, Nora Lueth, MartyMinihan; juniors Zach VanEde, Malle Stephens, HaleyKunkel, Ashlynn Boerhave,Cole Hensley; sophomoresPaige Wright, Kara Polasky;freshmen Matt Skadsen andBrandonWest.

“I couldn’tbemoreproudof the work they have done,”Sittigsaid.“Iamexcitedtoseewheretheywilltaketheshow.”

Thecast’sfirstperformanceis Monday at 7:45 p.m. afterWashington and O’Gormanhigh schools perform startingat 6:15 p.m. Brandon Valley’scastperformsaloneTuesdayat7p.m.ThecastwillcompeteintheOne-ActPlayFestivalnextSaturdayinAberdeen.