KBRX News
Ashley Braun and Mary Kersenbrock
03-14-01

Good afternoon! This is Ashley Braun and Mary Kersenbrock with this week’s segment of St. Mary’s High School News.

Well, with only nine weeks, or 1,612 hours left of high school, the seniors are becoming anxious. Their days are filled with stress and anxiety, but they always manage to find a way to smile. On Monday March 12, Senior open campus began. Senior students are allowed to leave school if they have a study hall and during the lunch half hour.

Here is a list of things that the seniors have going on this month: March 15 -- their O’Neill Shopper pictures and information are due. March 17 -- they are working at the Mulligan Stew feed. Speaking of the Mulligan Stew, the seniors will be serving the traditional Irish meal at the Parish Hall on Saturday from 11 until 3 . . . or until they run out of chow. Then on March 24 through March 26, the seniors will be having the time of their lives in Chicago on their class trip.

Today, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) went to Lincoln to visit the Lincoln Journal Star and the Capital Building.

There will be a Powerlifting meet at St. Edwards on Saturday March 17th. Participants from St. Mary’s will be Jessie Dougherty, Joe Pongratz, Chris Bahrij and Aaron Troester.

Jessie Dougherty is a senior and had competed in powerlifting for two years. Dougherty took first place in the 123 lbs. weight class at the Yutan Powerlifting Open held February 24, 2001. She bench pressed 105 lbs., squatted 180 lbs., and deadlifted 250 lbs. Dougherty also placed first in the Big Bench Challenge.

Joe Pongratz is a junior and has also competed in powerlifting for two years. At the Lynch Open earlier this year Pongratz competed in the 198 lbs. weight class and placed first. He benched pressed 290 lbs., squatted 300 lbs., and deadlifted 355 lbs. Pongratz also competed in the Big Bench Challenge and placed first.

Chris Bahrij and Aaron Troester are also juniors and have never competed in powerlifting before. The St. Edward meet will be Bahrij’s and Troester’s first meet.

The senior spotlighted this week is Jason Winter. Jason is 19-years old and has attended St. Mary’s for 8 years. He is the son of Randy and Mary Beth Winter of O’Neill. Jason is involved in the Heart Drug Free Youth Group and retreats. His favorite activity is spending time with his family. After graduation Jason plans on attending Northeast Community College and majoring in carpentry.

Four SMH students qualified for the State speech competition on Monday, March fifth at the 2001 District D-1 Speech Contest. District Champions and State qualifiers were Katie Cameron in Poetry, Britt Chohon in Informative Speaking and Britt Chohon and Mary Crumly in Duet Acting. This Friday, March 16, the three competitors along with Coach Harley and devoted fan Ashley Braun will travel to the 2001 State Speech Contest held at the University of Kearney campus. The team would like to invite everyone to journey to Kearney to support the contestants. Good luck, girls! Capture the gold!

Also this Friday we will celebrate an all-school Mass. The fourth graders and sophomores are planning the liturgy. After Mass the Student Council will host a reception in the Parish Hall for the students.

Third quarter grades will be sent home with the students on Friday.

Next Wednesday, March 21, several students will participate in National History Day -- Nebraska at Wayne State College. Entries include research papers, exhibits and performances.

This week’s broadcast edition of St. Mary’s news has been brought to you by Pinnacle Bank and Torpin’s Rodeo Market.

This has been Ashley Braun and Mary Kersenbrock. Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Tune in next week when spring arrives for more Cardinal news on KBRX.