Members from our FBLA Chapter competed at the state contest on March 31st and April 1st and the Mustangs did a very fine job at the event. The first step is to qualify for this event during the district level contests held in January. Those students included Kebeb Zimmerman, Ava Smith, Lawson Stryker, Jaqueline Sandoval, Harmony Conti, Kadence Pierson, Violent Slifer and Dawson Vermetten. The top three placings in each event earns a spot at the national convention in June. Kebeb Zimmerman and Ava Smith paired up to grab top honors at the state level in Broadcast Journalism. Harmony Conti placed 3rd in Help Desk which qualified her for nationals and Kadence Pierson and Violet Slifer placed 3rd in Visual Design which punched their ticket to nationals as well. All of our participants names, events and placings can be found elsewhere in this edition of the Mustang Messenger. Congratulations to all of our members and advisor, Ryan Ehrlich for this outstanding showing!

Mrs. Miller and our art students hosted the TVL Art contest on Thursday, April 3rd. Based on the art projects that were on display in our gym we have some very talented individuals not only at Valley Heights but throughout the TVL! Celina Weyer and Tristan Pierson both earned Best in Show honors for their pieces and the Mustangs finished in third place overall. Congratulations to all!

Prom is just around the corner! The junior class and their sponsors, Mrs. Sammie Parker and Mrs. Liz Miller have already started preparing for this annual event! Orders have been placed, packages have arrived, corsages and tuxedos have been ordered, and we are ready for an evening of fun! The date for the event is April 6th. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Twilight Forest”! Red Carpet is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm and the public is invited to attend that part of the event. It is always great to see our students arrive in their finest and especially what vehicles they arrive in!!

We are quickly getting closer to the final week of classes for our Seniors.

The Class of 2025 have all made plans for life after high school and the breakdown looks like this! Six graduates will be entering the work force. Fourteen will be enter a four-year college with two of those heading out-of-state to college! Five will enter junior college and three will be entering a Vocational Technical school! Graduation is set for 2:00 pm on May 17th!

The weather has not been nice to our fall programs but we have gotten the Junior High track season started with a meet last Monday. We had some nice times and distances at our very first meet as our athletes tried some events for the very first time. Eighth grade student Langston Gray set a new record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15! Our baseball and softball teams won both games of a double header against Blue Valley and our season for our golf team starts on Tuesday, April 8th in a meet at Cedar Hills, Washington, Kansas! If you would like to see our high school track team in action we will be hosting a meet on April 8th with a start time of 11:00 am! Come on out and support the Mustangs!

Have a great week and Let’s go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Mustang Forensics had a late night competing at Wakefield! Here are their results: Saige - 2nd Poetry, 2nd Info, 6th Solo Acting Humorous Macie - 6th Poetry, 4th Solo Acting Humorous

The FBLA chapter attended state today and we had many finalist including: Jaqueline Sandoval- Client Services Harmony Conti- Help Desk Dawson Vermetten- Impromptu Speaking Lawson Stryker- Business Plan Ava Smith and Kebeb Zimmerman- Broadcast Journalism Kadence Pierson and Violet Slifer- Visual Design Tomorrow we will find out how everyone placed.

Ava Smith and Kebeb Zimmerman

National Qualifiers

National Qualifier

National Qualifiers

Langston Gray breaks the Junior High 800M record with a time of 2:15.41. The old record was set in 2019 by Caden Parker with a time of 2:19.10.

Seventh grade girls get first in the 4 x 2 and second in the medley relay at Washington County today!

Half of the eighth grade girls relay team that got second in the 4 x 200 and third in the medley! Elsee Martin and Gwen Conti

Ellarie C placed 1st in the 100M hurdles, Molly U placed 2nd in the 100M hurdles, and Sophia P placed 2nd in triple jump!

Raegan Berger placed first in the shot and discus at Washington County today!

Ben Miller gets first place in the hundred meter hurdles, the 400 m dash, high jump, AND the medley relay!

Brady Anderson got second in the 800 meters and 1st in medley relay.

Ethan Steinfort placed first in discus today!

Dayton placed 2nd in pole vault, Kalen placed 3rd in pole vault, and as a group they placed 1st in the 4 x 200 AND the medley relay!

Valley Heights Journalism

April 1, 2025

ISLAND GROOVE. This past Friday, March 28, the Junior High had their first and last dance of the school year. The dance this year was Hawaiian themed and was decorated with different tropical decorations like leis, palm trees, flip flops, and beach balls. There were also snacks provided like nachos and punch.

Seventh grader Allie Hanke said her favorite part of the dance was getting all dressed up and ready with her friends or when everyone was line dancing. The seventh and eighth graders got to enjoy their Friday evening dancing, snacking, and taking pictures with their friends from seven to ten o'clock when the dance had ended.

Article by Maddy Hanke

Our Artist of the Week is Junior, Kinsley Gillig. Kinsley is a creator who thrives on inspiration, and then transforms ideas into reality with remarkable speed and efficiency. Her ability to capture a concept and then bring it to life is so fun to watch! She is a driven individual with a great eye for detail and determination. She most recently has found a love for throwing pottery on the potter's wheel. Her current project is a chip and dip bowl. She is excited to be going to Highland Art Day in April where she will compete with other students to create the tallest wheel thrown container.

THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE DREAMER. “If you can dream it, you can do it.” A quote from Walt Disney that inspires Harmony Conti to dream big and work towards her goals. Some may say that senior year is the end of the journey, but for Harmony it is just the beginning of a future filled with excitement. Harmony Marie Conti, daughter of Shannon and Riccardo Conti, was born May 11th, 2007. Harmony’s siblings include her brother, Dino, and her two sisters, Guenhwyfar and Aurora Conti. Though Harmony was born in California, at just six months old she moved to small town Waterville. Throughout elementary school and high school, she has lived in both Waterville and Blue Rapids, so Harmony has seen the best of both communities.

Throughout high school, Harmony stated that she loved trying a variety of new clubs, activities, and sports. She has been involved in the All School Play, Scholars Bowl, Forensics, Band, and FCA for four years; KAY and FACS Club for 3 years; NHS, Volleyball, Basketball, Cheer, Dance, and Golf two years; and Journalism, STUCO, and Mustang Mentor for one year. She has also held multiple leadership roles, Harmony has been First Chair Flute for three years, MCAC Artistic Leadership Liaison for two years, FBLA STUCO Representative and Yearbook Photographer for one year. Harmony has experienced a lot in the past four years. Her favorite high school memory is a hilarious moment during her first concert band clinic. Nervous on the way there, the group ate bananas to calm their nerves. With no trash can in sight, they decided to toss the peels out of the window in unison shouting, "BANANAS OUT THE WINDOW!" It's a memory that still brings laughter and joy to her and her friends.

Along with her busy schedule and dedicated work ethic, Harmony finds balance in her life. In her free time she loves getting together with her friends and playing a fun board game, or curling up in a cozy blanket and reading her favorite books. Harmony credits her family for being the biggest influence in her life. Their unwavering support has encouraged her to follow her dreams, and their positive impact has shaped her journey. One of Harmony’s proudest achievements was earning 6th place with her brother in IDA at the State Forensics Competition, outpacing at least 24 teams. "It may not seem like a big award, but it was a significant accomplishment for us," she says.

Harmony has always had big dreams and plans for the future. Her passion for performing arts shines through her plans to attend the University of Central Florida, where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in either theatre or musical theatre. Her ultimate dream is to be on the Broadway stage or pursue an entertainment career in New York City or Orlando, Florida. In 10 years, Harmony envisions herself thriving in theatre and possibly starting a family. Harmony’s favorite songs are "Daydream" by Lily Meola and "All-American Girl" by Carrie Underwood. These songs reflect her personality, filled with hope and ambition. As senior year comes to an end, Harmony reflects a lot on her high school journey. Her advice to underclassmen is simple: get involved. She believes the best part of high school is trying new things, and her willingness to take on opportunities has made her experience truly special. As someone who always lends a helping hand, Harmony wants to be remembered for her selflessness, and there’s no doubt she will be. Her kindness, determination, and vibrant spirit has built a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and influence everyone whose lives she has touched.

Article by Anne Toerber

VH girls looking for a formal dress for an upcoming event such as prom or Jr High dance can try on dresses after school on March 12 and April 10. Bring your bestie to get her vibe on the dresses you like! Some shoes and jewelry also available. First come first served.

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
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Twitter: @usd498