ThE MuStAnG MeSsEnGeR

Our fall sports season ended this past week in an exciting way! Our Lady Mustangs are the 2025 2A-State Volleyball Runner-Up! The Lady Mustangs came out of pool play as the #1 seed and squared off against Hillsboro in a rematch of the Regional Finals! After defeating the Trojans, the Mustangs turned their attention towards the Ellinwood Eagles. The Eagles, a team that had won every match throughout the season, were too much for the Mustangs and we ended the season as the state runner-up! Our football team travelled to Hays, KS for a contest against TMP-Marion. The Mustangs played hard but came up short to end their season at 4-5. Our cross-country state qualifiers travelled to the Wamego Country Club on Saturday and raced against the best runners the state of Kansas offers. The course was tough and fast and the weather conditions were perfect. All of our runners ran strong races with several setting personal records during the meet! We would like to congratulate our fall coaches and athletes on their seasons and say thanks to our fans for supporting them along the way!

After the completion of the state volleyball tournament we were informed that Mia Vermetten and Ava Smith were named to the KVCA 2A State All-Tournament team. Congratulations!

Mark your calendars for one of fall’s biggest events – our All-School Play! The curtains will go up on November 13, 14 and 15 on this year’s production – Murder on the 518. The shows on Friday and Saturday night will start at 7:00 pm and the Sunday matinee will start at 2:00 pm. As usual, the show will be performed in the Waterville Opera House. Murder on the 518 is a family friendly murder mystery which should prove to be very interesting! The cast and crew and our director, Ms. Alli Jones and assistant director, Ms. Emma Tryon have been putting in the hours to make this one of our best productions yet!

Some members of our FFA Chapter and our advisor, Ms. Carrie Husband, were able to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana this past week to take part in the FFA National Convention. Our chapter takes this opportunity every other year and spaces are limited so it is a treat for those who qualify to participate. The group toured several sites on their way to the convention and then participated in workshops and listened to speakers during the week. The students are always excited when they return from this lifetime experience. Accompanying our students on the trip was Ms. Ella Pachta who will be student teaching with us during second semester!

Our KAYS organization hosted our annual Veteran’s Day program on Friday, November 7th. The morning started with a greet and meet with our students and visitors with pastries, coffee and juice being served. The students and guests gathered in the gym where they were treated to a presentation from Mr. Jerry Zayas and musical numbers from our band and vocal groups! Our veterans were honored as they introduced themselves and the branch of the military they served in while serving our nation. Thank you, veteran’s, for answering the call to duty!

Parents – We do not have classes on Monday, November 10th, for Professional Development!

Go Mustangs!!

Mr. Savage

Valley Heights was well represented at the State XC meet this year!!

Kebeb Zimmerman- 17:28 (22)

Langston Gray- 18:02 (33)

Tyler Holmes- 18:11 (34)

Emma Warders- 23:18 (76)

Lindsay Gray- 23:51 (86)

Also a HUGE shout out to all the VH community that came out today!!

Jr High students finished their Peace Posters for the Lions Club Annual Peace Poster Contest.

Our winners this year are Ashley Pralle, 1st place and $100 prize; Isaac Evans, 2nd place and $50 prize; Isabelle Bigham, 3rd place and $25 prize.

Congratulations to all of our participants.

Congratulations to the Valley Heights Lady Mustangs on an incredible season and earning the title of 2025 2A State Runner-Up!

A huge shoutout to the athletes and coaches for their dedication, passion, and countless hours of effort that led to this outstanding accomplishment.

KVCA 2A State Volleyball All-Tournament Team

Arabian Nights “A Whole New World!”

Jr Class presented to the seniors with colorful cheesecake, punch, and a slide show.

8th Grade Intro to Ag learned about milk processing for their Dairy Cattle Unit and made Ice Cream in a bag!

FACS club held our Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday. These donations help get us scholarship money for our seniors. Thank you everyone that donated!!

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

MORE THAN A SMILE. Lili Ann Slifer was born August 6, 2007 to Kim Davis and Cole Slifer. She has two siblings, an older brother, Drake, and her twin sister, Violet. Lili has been involved in Art Club 4 years, All School Play and Golf 3 years, Vocal and FACS 2 years, and Volleyball 1 year.

Some of Lili’s favorite things are the song “Ms. Whitman” by Bhad Bhabie, anything by $uicideboy$, and Mexican or BBQ food. One memory she will never forget is leaving on Halloween night to go down to Dodge City, getting there at 3:30a.m., then getting up in the morning to watch the girls play at State Volleyball. Lili’s ideal Friday is hanging out with her friends and meeting new people. One thing that most people may not know about her is that she is a twin, a good swimmer, and a talented kayaker. Lili is most proud of being able to buy things on her own, like her car.

After high school, she is going to get certified to become a veterinary assistant through Colby Community College. In 10 years, Lili sees herself with a stable job and living in a big house with her English bulldog, Murphy. Slifer wants to be remembered as someone who was always smiling. Some advice she would give to the under classmen is to always be nice.

Article by Isabella Smith

Our staff spotlight shines on Mrs. Susan Steinfort this week! Susan is married to Kenneth Steinfort and they celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary this past year! Her children include Abigail & husband Trey, Audra, Leah and Ethan. They also get to spoil their grandson, Levi!

Mrs. Steinfort, who is in her 8th year at Valley Heights, teaches the physical sciences which includes Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physical Science. Along with her teaching duties she also serves as our Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach.

Susan is a proud graduate of Valley Heights with the Class of 1996! She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State and her MS from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Susan lists as her favorite thing about working at Valley Heights as “I love teaching science and showing students things that seemingly defy reason…always that element of surprise. I also love the interaction and fellowship with staff and students.” Susan’s hobbies are sports, growing flowers, and baking.

Some interesting facts about Susan is that she loves Christian rap/hiphop, 70;s soft rock and 80’s country music.

Thank you, Mrs. Steinfort for everything you do for us at Valley Heights!

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