Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that we were welcoming the staff and students back to another great year at Valley Heights, and what a year it was!! Our athletic teams made deep runs into the post-season and our activities had successful years as well. As I write this last article for the 2024-2025 school year I can count nine plaques and trophies that were earned in KSHSAA activities!

To cap off our school year we had students earn honors at the state track meet and the state FFA Convention this past week. Tessa Miller earned the bronze medal in the javelin and Klara McIntyre made it to the medal platform with a 7th place finish in the 300-meter hurdles. At the state FFA Convention Dustin Denton and Hudson Nemechek both earned their state FFA degrees! Dustin was also named a Kansas Star Farmer and was elected as the state FFA Vice-President for 2025-2026! Congratulations to all of you!

We were able to send of the Class of 2025 in style during our May graduation ceremonies. The gym was full as we celebrated this milestone with our students. Keynote speakers included a welcome by the President of the Class of 2025, Logan Gray and the annual charge to the seniors by their sponsor, Mrs. Jen Pacha. Valedictorian Dustin Denton and Salutatorian Khloe Gunn gave a great speech to their fellow classmates and both our band and vocal groups performed. The highlight of the ceremony was the Senior Video that contained some heartfelt words of thanks for the graduates but also a hype reel of their accomplishments and a blooper reel for a dash of humor. We want to wish all of the graduates the best of luck in the coming years so go out there and do great things!

But, as I am fond of saying the school never really sleeps during summer break! We already have students back in the weight room preparing themselves for the upcoming sports season! Driver’s Education will be gearing up for the driving portion of their class and Mrs. Susan Steinfort is just starting up a four-day LEAPES program for the students in her classroom. LEAPES is a program that promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees and careers to 7th - 12th-grade students throughout the state. On top of that the calendar is full of summer camps for cheer, the FBLA National Convention in June and summer workout sessions for our fall and winter programs!

It is also true that the building and grounds get a makeover during the months of summer vacation and we have some huge projects underway out here! The sod has been removed from the football field and the field itself has been crowned for future use. The rubber track surface has been removed and the asphalt base layer has been inspected and repaired in spots and, as I type this, a crew is here to replace the surface with a fresh coat of rubber. Of course, the maintenance crew is taking care of the annual tasks of cleaning out the rooms and making things clean for the start of the new school year!

We will welcome two new staff members in the fall. Emma Toerber will be teaching 7th and 8th grade ELA and Malari Schroller will be taking over the instrumental and vocal programs. We would like to mention that we said goodbye to two very valuable staff members this past week. Mrs. Jenny Yungeberg spent 32 years in education with the last 20 years here at Valley Heights. She has been handling the 11th and 12th grade ELA duties as well as a variety of coaching duties. Mrs. Yungeberg is headed off into retirement but we will get to see her often in the role of a sub here at Valley Heights. Ms. Brooklyn Coleman took over our music program two years ago and did a fantastic job with both band and vocal! Ms. Coleman is taking a new direction in the coming months and we want to wish her well in her new path. We want to thank both of these professionals for making Valley Heights a great place for young people.

With that I will put the finishing touches on both the article and the 2024-2025 school year here at Valley Heights. Thank you goes out to our parents and our communities for all of the support you provide to your children and to our school! Now, let’s go do it all over again in 2025-2026!

Enjoy your summer!!

Mr. Savage

These are some pictures from the LEAPES Summer Camp sponsored by a grant from KSU Rural Center for Education. Campers are learning coding, programming, models and simulation building, as well as robotics and AI in this 2 week experience. Six campers are in attendance. In the pictures below, the campers are coding in a program called Scratch.

The Valley Heights Golf team is headed to state after a 3rd place finish at regionals!

Jayden DeWalt also finished 5th as an individual.

The team will travel to Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson following Memorial Day Weekend.

E Parker, R Ekstrum, and L Gray warm up

The DeWalt Boys

The Lady Mustangs fell short in the championship game. In our second year of our program, we are the Regional Runner-Ups! Congratulations on a great season.

Congratulations to Cayden Dummermuth on receiving 2nd Team All League honors in baseball!

Tessa Miller hits a BIG PR and placed 3rd in the state throwing 128'9"!!!

Klara McIntyre earned 7th Place in 2A State 300m hurdles!

Congratulations to Dustin Denton on being inducted to the 2025-2026 FFA State Officer team as Vice President!

Congratulations to Dustin Denton Valley Heights FFA on being named 2025 Kansas Star Farmer!

We would like to extend a congratulations to two incredible members of the Valley Heights family—Jenny Yungeberg and Jan Hogan—on their well-earned retirement!

Jenny and Jan have dedicated countless years to the students, staff, and families of our district, leaving behind a legacy of care, commitment, and excellence. Their contributions have made a lasting impact, and their presence will be deeply missed in our buildings!

Thank you both for your years of service, your passion for education, and the difference you’ve made in so many lives. We wish you all the best in this next chapter—may your retirement be filled with joy, relaxation, and all the things you love most!

Once a Mustang, always a Mustang!

Valley Heights would like to thank Marysville Rotary for donating two Life Vac Kits to our school! Making the presentation is Ms. Paula Landoll.

LOOKING FORWARD. Tayra Chyann L’Ecuyer was born April 27, 2007 to TC L’Ecuyer and Alisha Martin. Tayra grew up in Waterville, KS with her brothers; Trenton, Tavin, and Tomas L’Ecuyer.

When asking Tayra who has had the biggest impact on her life she said “My mom and dad both have the biggest impact on my life. My mom has because she is always there for me and she is someone I can talk to about anything and she will always be there to listen.”

Through the tough times she looks up to her dad “ I admire the work he does, and he is always pushing me to do better in everything I do. My dad is always there for me too whenever I need anything. They are both my best friends that will always be there for me and support me in anything and everything I do.”

Tayra has been involved in FFA and KAYS four years; Basketball three years; Journalism two years; and Mustang Mentor one year. Her ideal weekend plans are either hanging out with friends or hanging out with her brother Trent.

Some of Tayra’s favorite songs are by Treaty Oak Revival, Koe Wetzel, Ty Meyers, and Morgan Wallen. Something you may not know about Tayra is that she used to raise chickens and ducks in her backyard.

When asked how she feels about leaving high school behind she shares “I will be a little sad because I have to go into the real world and do adult things. I can't be a kid anymore doing whatever I want. I will be taking on greater responsibilities.”

After high school, Tayra plans to attend the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture to become a Vet Tech.

Article by Jaqueline Sandoval

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF LIFE. Garek Dewane Riesen, son of Gary and Cindy Riesen, was born on January 5, 2007. Throughout high school Garek has been involved in the All School Play one year, Football two years, FFA and Basketball three years, and KAYs four years.

Garek's favorite high school memory is going on the Creighton basketball camp with some of his teammates. Something Garek has really enjoyed throughout high school is playing basketball. Garek says basketball is his favorite sport and he has enjoyed playing it with his teammates.

Garek’s ideal Friday and Saturday night would be hanging out with his friends and just doing whatever plans they have. Something Garek also enjoys is vehicles especially cars, he has three cars and enjoys working on them.The person who has made the biggest impact on Garek’s life has been his dad because he always pushes him to be the best person he can be.

Garek’s favorite quote is “In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take because you only live once and need to make the most out of life.” After high school Garek plans to attend Kansas State University and major in athletic training. In ten years, Garek sees himself with a stable job working. When Garek leaves this community he wants to be remembered as kind, outgoing, and respectful.

Article by Maddy Hanke

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