They Came, They Saw, They Spoke: Speech Season Recap

The 2018-19 is true, speechies can be some

This year’s Bigfork Speech, Debate & Drama team pose at the B/C Divisionals meet in Malta.
The season ended in late January after many memories and accomplishments.
BY MADIGAN KINSLOW
Divisionals took place in Malta,
Speech, Debate, &
Drama season has
come to a close
the event original oratory, and
there was definitely some trials.
Some hard judges really took a
toll on my self-confidence for a
little while until I learned to have Debate, Anton Young, “Speech
a tough skin. Over time, I learned and Debate gets better every year,
the ropes and I was able to do
really well at state.”
  Other members of the team
include sophomore Kate Reese
and juniors Maya Hartig,
Josephine Howlett, Anton
Young, Scout Jessop, Ben Keller,
and Elyse Pendlay. The Senior
veterans are Cole Hider, Anya
Young, Benjamin Johnson, Jared
Erlewine, Kristin Hutz, and
Madigan Kinslow.
coming fourth at State. The   According to Erlewine, “while
of the goofiest people you will
ever meet. From calculating how
many cough drops it would take
to overdose, to sleuthing around
a Super One for a pair of stolen
airpods… in pajamas.
  Although the Speech season has
ended for now, it will come back
swinging next year. According to
junior and State Finalist in Policy
and with your help next season
should be the best yet.”
  For some of these people, this is
not only the end of a season, but
the end of a significant period of
their lives.
  “Speech and Debate is
something that I do not think I
could have gotten through high
school without. Hopping on a bus
with Appleby every Saturday for
the past four years is something
that I will never forget and will

T
he 2018-19 Speech, Debate
& Drama season was truly a
season to remember. The team
competed at seven invitational
meets this year, including
Corvallis, the Polson Palooza,
Columbia Falls, and their very
own home meet at Bigfork.
and State took place at Three-
Forks. After 13 seniors graduated
and left the team last year,
competition was geared more
towards individual success than
the team placing well overall.
  That being said, Bigfork still
took home it’s tenth divisional
championship, and thereafter
small, veteran team welcomed
some very promising freshman,
including Molly Kurkowski,
Brette Guenzler, and the
“Freshman That Could,”
Elizabeth Hyde. According
to Hyde, “speech for me as a
freshman was a little rough, it
was quite the learning curb. I did
being in impromptu, you have to always be thankful for,” says
be pretty good at faking your way senior Ben Johnson.
through stuff, that was my kind
  Speech is the family you never
of thing. I am still not very good
expected; it is walking into the
at it, but hey, I did it, and had fun first meeting wondering ‘what
with it.” the heck is this’ to walking out
  The public perception of
of the same meeting, four years
speech is that of an academic and later, and thinking ‘how will I ever
prestigious activity; and while that forget this?’

O n January 18th of the 2018-

2019 Bigfork basketball
season, senior guard Anders
This recent achievement of
Epperly can be added to the
Tudor also accomplished his one
hundredth career win along with
collection of great memories that Epperly breaking the record for
Athletes of the Month: February 2019
BY JOSEPHINE HOWLETT
Epperly broke the record for the Bigfork Vikings basketball career assists. To sum it up, it was
career assists in all classes for team has made, but Epperly a memorable night for Bigfork
Montana high school boys stated that his favorite memory of fans and students, but most of all,
basketball. Epperly broke the them all is winning the 2018 Class to be a Viking.
record early Epperly has had
in the second
quarter while
Anders Epperly Breaks a very successful
basketball career
the Vikings
were playing All Class Assist Record at Bigfork as he
has started all
the Mission BY TREY CHRISTIAENS four years on
Bulldogs with varsity for the
the final score Vikings, as well
of 72-49, and at as being named Cheering on her Viking Sophomore Archie Brevik in
least six more All-State in basketball teams during the the midst of a battle during
games left in basketball twice 2018 Western-B Divisional the Bigfork home wrestling
the season. (and is shooting tournament is senior Zoe tournament. With only two
The previous for a third), and Reichner. Over the past four years of high school under his
record holder has won a class years, Reichner has dedicated belt, Brevik is already rearing
was Randy B Montana State countless hours to perfecting up to be a serious competitor.
Robinson with Championship. stunts and cheers for her (Photo credits to Matt
691 assists He has a career Bigfork athletes. (Photo credits Porrovecchio).
from Kremlin- record of 84-11 to Ahna Fox).
Gildford High
School (1991-
1994) which is
with a winning
percentage of
88.4%. “I would E asily one of the most
well-recognized Bigfork
D espite not speaking loud
in the midst of a crowd,
sophomore Archie Brevik is
now North Star like to thank my cheerleaders is senior Zoe getting ready to take home
High School. teammates and Reichner, who, for the last four trophies as one of Bigfork High’s
“I was not Senior Anders Epperly prepares to shoot a free throw in a coaches for always years, has pumped up the BHS next best wrestler.
really thinking game against the Eureka Lions. Epperly recently broke the making basketball student section with her many An athlete of many sports,
about the all class Montana assists record this January. (Photo credits to fun and enjoyable, impressive flips and tumbles. Brevik has played football for five
record going Ahna Fox). and my family for “[Reichner] is a showman years, track for one, and finally,
into the game, always supporting during performances,” said wrestling for 11 years. While being
I was just focused on winning B State Championship. Although me,” Epperly stated. cheer coach, Emily Feller. “She a three-sport high schooler may
the game, and doing everything winning a state title is undeniably After many successful seasons, has wonderfully mastered her seem intimidating for some,
I could to help the team win,” monumental, the night of January the Vikings look to soon cap tumbling skills to wow our crowd Brevik believed “sports make me
says Epperly. “It took me till after 18th will not be forgotten. off another one, finishing the time and time again.” stronger and they give me a goal
the game to realize how big of an After the home game against 2018-2019 season strong while Regardless of the immense to work towards.”
accomplishment it was, but my the Bulldogs, it was announced searching for a successful praise from her coaches, Reichner As one of this sophomore’s
teammates have had a huge part that two accomplishments had divisional tournament to put them was surprised to be nominated to wrestling coaches, Shawn Hall
of that record because without been made. Bigfork Vikings back in the state tournament for be Athlete of the Month, as “it was has been able to watch Brevik’s
them, there is no record.” boys basketball head coach Sam another chance at a title. exciting for me, and I am happy growth for the past few years.
that my achievements are being “[Brevik] is the type of athlete
noticed.” that a coach would like to clone,”
Full of talent, Reichner has admitted Hall. “His work ethic is
participated at the highest level of superb, and he always gives his
cheerleading at BHS for all four best effort whether in practice or
years of high school, as well as in competition.”
basketball and track for two years. Brevik’s companionship with his
However, the timeline for teammates is one of his favorite
Reichner’s cheer career was parts about being on a team, as
somewhat of a surprise. he enjoys the opportunity to meet
“Cheer was something I was not and “get to know different kinds
interested in,” she remembered. of people.”
“But the day of the [middle “I truly value the friendships
school] tryouts, I decided to go I make on my team,” Brevik
through with it, and I am so glad enthused.
that I joined .I did not know I Coaches are easily some of
would love this sport as much as I the most important people in
do now.” an athlete’s life, and this is no
Since the beginning of her exception for this young aspiring
participation, Reichner credits her sophomore.
coaches for much of what she has “All of my coaches have helped
accomplished, as she has learned support my sports and life by
to incorporate “teamwork, time pushing me to do the best that I
management, and confidence,” on can,” admitted Brevik.
her team. “[Brevik] is goal oriented,” said
Unfortunately, this 2018-2019 Hall, “he told me at the beginning
cheer season will be the last for of the wrestling season that he
Reichner’s competition years at wanted to be a state qualifier.
Bigfork, but this senior still hopes Guess what? He made it.”
for the future of the program. “Archie is willing to step up
With a heavy heart, Feller to the next big challenge and
remarked that “[Reichner] will is fearless in accepting the
be one of our athletes that will opportunity,” gushed Hall. “He
be difficult to replace, but I can physically and emotionally
guarantee you will see her work demonstrates what a good athlete,
continue in our program as the wrestler, and person strives to
underclassmen continue on her attain. You say role model, I say
legacy.” Archie Brevik.”