ThE MuStAnG MeSsEnGeR

Our high school volleyball regionals have been finalized! We are the #5 seed and will travel to Hillsboro on Monday, October 20th, and will play Republic County at 4:00 pm. There are 4 teams in our pool – Valley Heights, Hillsboro (#4), Republic County (#12) and Remington (#13). This is a pool play bracket so we will square off against all three opponents. Our fans can watch the action on HUDL Fan! Since this a KSHSAA sponsored event no passes will be accepted. Only those listed on the pass gate will be allowed to enter at no cost. Best of Luck Mustangs!

This is not the only event we have on the calendar on the 20th. In fact, we are very busy that night. Besides the 2A Regional we will be participating the BVL Volleyball Tournament hosted by Blue Valley. That bracket should be finalized by Friday of this week with Thursday night’s games still to be played. All we know at this time is that games start at 4:00 pm in the North Gym and 5:00 pm in the South gym. Once again – no passes will be honored at this tournament. The JV Football team will be in action at Republic County on Monday night with the game starting at 6:00 pm. And finally, our monthly BOE meeting will take place at 6:00 pm on that night! A big shout out to Tony Yungeberg for putting together the transportation schedule for all of these events!! Let’s go Mustangs!!

Our district was notified this week that we were recognized by the Kansas State Department of Education for the following awards in the Kansas Star Recognition Program. USD 498 earned the Copper Distinction for Social-Emotional Growth, Kindergarten Readiness and Civic Engagement. We were also honored with the Silver Award in the category of Academically Prepared for Postsecondary! Congratulations to all!

Our FFA Chapter, FFA Officer Team and Advisor Ms. Carrie Husband put together a mock accident/drunk driver assembly for our 7-12 students and staff. The assembly was well done and certainly thought provoking! We would like to thank the Waterville Fire Department and EMT’s as well as the Waterville and Blue Rapids Police for helping us with this event!

We had a very strong turnout for our Student Success Meetings on October 8th! This year the students were able to share a lot of information with their parents during each session. Career interests, grades, Fastbridge and state assessment scores were all on the agenda. We did use a different format this year with only one day of sessions! Thanks to all who attended. If you would still like to see a particular staff member please contact the school and we can set up a visit!

Time sure flies! This week marks the end of the First Nine Weeks! We will dismiss at 12:30 pm on Friday and we will serve breakfast and lunch that day! Grade cards will be sent out next week so be looking for those in your mail!

Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Reminder the HS is having an assembly that involves a mock accident now. Emergency vehicles are at the HS for the mock accident. This is a planned activity with FFA members and 7-12 students and staff.

~Mike Savage

We wrapped up the JH XC season today at the challenging BVL course at University Park. Ember placed 13th with a 20:20. Sam placed 8th with a 14:12! Both these runners came a long way this season and I can't wait till next year!

The Mustangs had a great day at TVL XC! Including an individual league CHAMPION!

Emma Warders 22:22 (1st)

Lindsay Gray 23:30 (8th)

Riley Skalla 26:16 (18th)

Klara McInryre 27:03 (20th)

Kebeb Zimmerman 17:46 (3rd)

Langston Gray 18:52 (7th)

Henry Bachura 21:32 (27th)

Julia Heinen, Miss Teen Kansas, spoke to the 3rd - 6th graders delivering a great message on anti-bullying. October is anti-bullying month and was perfect timing hearing from her. Thanks Julia!

Monday afternoons, starting at 3:30pm

Tuesday mornings, starting at 7:00am

Wednesday morning at 7am and after school at 3:30pm

Valley Heights Journalism

October 13, 2025

Violet Elaine Slifer was born on August 6, 2007 to Kimberly Davis and Cole Slifer. She has one older brother, Drake, and is a fraternal twin to Lili, though Violet proudly claims the title of being the older twin.

Violet looks up to her mom as her greatest inspiration, describing her as “my biggest supporter” and someone who sets an example through her hard work and dedication to family. That same determination shines through Violet’s own life, as she prioritizes her academics while also making time to spend with friends or enjoy a good book.

Some of Violet’s favorite memories from high school include cheering, attending 5th Quarter, and hanging out at the square on Friday nights. One memory she’ll never forget is traveling with Lili and Ella to TVL volleyball in Onaga her freshman year when they took a wrong turn and had to turn around on the highway.

After graduation, Violet plans to attend a two-year college to earn her dental assistant license, with the ultimate goal of becoming a dental hygienist. In the future, she hopes to build a successful career, start a family, and live a happy life near the Valley Heights area.

A fun fact about Violet is that her favorite color is lavender! When asked what advice she would give to younger students, Violet shared these words of wisdom, “You can always change who you want to be, never take anything for granted.”

Article by Mia Vermetten

One of our newest members to the Valley Heights staff is Mrs. Malari Schroller. Mrs. Schroller is in charge of our instrumental and vocal music classes. With her duties here and at Blue Rapids Elementary, Mrs. Schroller teaches students in grades 5-12!

Mrs. Schroller and her husband, Liam, live in Blue Rapids, KS and they are going to a family of three sometime in November or December. Congratulations!

This is Mrs. Schroller’s first year at Valley Heights but she also taught several years at Centralia before becoming a member of the Mustang Family.

Mrs. Schroller is a native of Washington, Kansas. After graduation from high school, Mrs. Schroller earned her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Secondary Education from Fort Hays State University.

Her favorite thing about working at Valley Heights is the support she receives from our staff, students and communities. Something that very people know about Mrs. Schroller is that her first musical instrument was given to her at age 5! That instrument was a violin! Mrs. Schroller also shares that the family has two dogs - Nutmeg and Peaches!!

Mrs. Schroller - welcome to Valley Heights and the Mustang Family!

Blue Rapids, KS 66411

785-363-2508

Principal-Mike Savage

Athletic Director-Jordan Broxterman

1. Come to the HS office between 8am and 4pm

2. Email msavage@valleyheights.org

3. Call the office (785)363-2508

Email: vhhs@valleyheights.org
Website: valleyheights.org
Phone: (785)363-2508
Facebook: facebook.com/vhusd498
Twitter: @usd498