The Mustang Messenger

Our Mustangs continue to set records in the area of track and field! Eighth grader Chance McIntyre set a new Mustang record in the 200-meter hurdles with a time of 29.18 at the Marysville meet this past week. Eighth grader Molly Umscheid tied the girls high jump record with a leap of 4’10” at the Frankfort meet. To get in on the action, our 8th grade medley relay team set a new school record with a time of 2:04:27. Relay team members were Allie Hanke, Sophia Parker, Addyson Claeys and Ellarie Claycamp. Congratulations to all of you and keep up the hard work!

Senior Ashton Crook is to be congratulated for winning both the “Best in Show” and People’s Choice awards at the Kansas State GFWC Art show this week. This is the first time that both awards have been won by the same student! If you would like to see Ashton’s work and some of the other art pieces that were produced this year, plan on joining us for the Spring Fling on May 6th!

The next big event for our Mustangs is Commencement Exercises on May 16th at 2:00 pm. Twenty-seven students will be walking across the stage during the ceremonies. This group has made many memories over the past four years and now they will start focusing in on their future plans. Sixteen members of the Class of 2026 will be entering a four-year college to pursue a degree. These colleges include institutions in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Six members will be attending a junior college located in Kansas and Nebraska. One student will be entering a Vocational-Technical school and four will be entering the work force.

As I mentioned earlier, Spring Fling will be hosted on May 6th. This is the evening we set aside to celebrate the Class of 2026 and our Fine Arts programs. The seniors will have their tables and portfolios on display, art pieces will be on display in the Commons and our band and vocal group will perform in the gym! Make plans now to join us for an evening that celebrates the hard work of our students!

The Valley Heights Booster Club hosted our Winter & Spring Sports Awards night on April 19th. There was a nice crowd on hand to watch our student-athletes receive their awards for the sports of boys’ and girls’ basketball, golf, softball, baseball and track and field. We would like to thank our Booster Club, not only for hosting this event, but for everything they do for our staff and students during the year! The list of things they have accomplished is very lengthy and we could not do many of things we do without their support! Thank you, Booster Club!

Our FFA Program hosted their annual banquet and officer installation on Wednesday, April 22nd! Our guest speaker was the current FFA State Vice-President and Valley Heights Alumni, Mr. Dustin Denton! Student awards were presented by Ms. Husband and the current officer team during the evening. The culminating event was the installation of the 2026-2027-chapter officers. They are: Klara McIntyre – President, Kynadee Bishop – Vice-President, Secretary – Callie Schmidt, Treasurer – Leah Steinfort, Reporter – Jacob Vathauer, Sentinel – Avery Bishop, Stuco. Rep. – Riley Skalla and Historian – Lydia Wessel. Congratulations!

We also need to recognize our Student Council President and Vice-President for the 2026-2027 school term. Avery Stevenson will serve as our President and DIno Conti will be the Vice-President. Congratulations to the both of you!

Let’s go Mustangs!!

Mr. Savage

We are a month into spring sports, and track has competed in two meets so far. Sophomore Klara McIntyre broke the 100m record at Nemaha Central with a time of 12.38s. She says, “My goal this season was to break the record, but I didn’t realize I’d do it this soon! I hope to keep getting faster and end my season placing at State in the open 100m and both hurdle events.”

Softball has played 12 games with a 2-10 record. Junior Paige Miller has her eyes set on achieving her 300th career strikeout this season. She says, “I’m excited to continue improving and growing together as a team, while also learning everyone's strengths and weaknesses since we have a younger group this year."

Baseball has played ten games with a 3-7 record. Against Blue Valley, senior Brady DeWalt got the team's first home run of the season. He shared, “As soon as the ball hit the bat, I knew I was going to cook. For the rest of the season I think we should succeed and make it further than we have the past few years. I feel like this group meshes very well together and I’m having fun with it being my last season.”

Golf has been to two JV meets and two varsity meets. Sophomore Henry Bachura has improved and gained confidence on the course since last season. His favorite part of the season so far is practice. Bachura says, “I like getting better and hanging out with my friends outside of school.”

There is still a month left of school and we are excited to see how our Mustangs will improve through the rest of their seasons!

Article by Teagan Spoonts

The results are finally in and it's official! The 8th grade girls medley team of Hanke, Parker, Claeys and Claycamp set a new Valley Heights record by running a 2:04.27 at the Frankfort track meet last night. The old record was set by this year's seniors 4 years ago. Hemry, Porter, Parker and Vermetten ran a 2:05.38 in 2022!

Congratulations to Molly Umscheid who tied the Valley Heights school record in the high jump at Frankfort today with a jump of 4 foot 10 inches. She will be a co-record holder with DeAndra Woodyard who jumped that height in 2013!

The NHS 3-on-3 tournament last Sunday was a success! Thank you to every team, volunteer, and spectator that came out to support them.

Senior Ashton Crook made history this week!

His portrait “Joaquin Phoenix,” won Best of Show AND People’s Choice Award at the Kansas State GFWC Art Show! This is the first time both awards have been given to 1 student!

The Waterville Shakespeare Club sponsors this show and displays 60 pieces of our work. Of those 60, 15 are sent to the state competition. This year we brought home 1 Best of Show, 4 Blues(1st), 4 Reds(2nd), 4 Greens(3rd), and 3 Honorable Mention. Congratulations to all!!

The last two weeks have been packed full of art competitions for us! Tonight, we wrapped up with the GFWC Art Show at the Waterville Library, and it was such a great way to celebrate all the hard work these students have put in.

Last Thursday was a day full of art! Highland Art Day showcased over 1,000 pieces, with only 250 receiving ribbons. We’re proud to have brought home 6 ribbons and 2 medals!

Students enjoyed a full day of creative activities including drawing, sculpting, sidewalk chalk, and more. It was also special to see one of our VH alumni, Saige Wilcox, continuing her art education in college.

We were inspired by the incredible work from other high school artists and loved spending the day creating art in the beautiful spring weather.

Congratulations to Highland Art Day medal winners Creighton Smith & Chad Bargdill!

Students did a wonderful job performing at Forensics Night last Friday!

Below is a picture recognizing first year competitors Guen Conti, Klara McIntyre, and Bryce Wittgartner.

7th and 8th Grade English did a research project on how to save the earth and make it a better place! The 8th-grade connect class also picked up trash around the school!

Yearbooks are on sale for $50!

Talk to Miss Jones (ajones@valleyheights.org) or a member

of the Journalism staff to purchase yours today.

Gavin Montgomery Crowder was born February 6, 2008 and is the son of Monica Crowder. He has lived in Blue Rapids his whole life with his older sister, Meila, and younger brother, Kaiden. Crowder’s mom has been the most influential person in his life because she supports him and is always kind. His favorite quote is “Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” This quote speaks to Crowder because he loves the movie Forrest Gump and it relates to his life because you really never know what can happen.

During high school Crowder has been involved in FFA, KAYS, track, and vocal one year; Art Club and baseball three years; and football four years. Outside of sports and school, Crowder enjoys fishing, swimming, and bowling. His favorite high school memory was going to Dodge City his sophomore year and cheering the girls on at state volleyball. Crowder reminisced, saying, “A big group of guys stayed in an Airbnb and had a lot of fun.”

Gavin's Senior Mentor and football coach, Mr. Cox says, “Gavin showed growth and improvements in certain aspects this season. His effort and mentality in a game also improved from last season when he or the team faced adversity.”

After high school, Crowder would like to attend Washburn University to pursue a degree in sports management. In 10 years Crowder sees himself married and starting a family in a big city.

Leaving Valley Heights Crowder would like to be remembered as a nice guy. Crowder’s advice to underclassmen is to take your grades seriously because they do matter.

Article by Paige Miller

Friday, August 21, 2026 5pm- 7pm will be the Annual Mustang Spirit Night at VHS. An indoor/outdoor event for the whole family! The Pep rally will begin at 7pm in the gym and it will be a great time to present the new Gymnasium Updates to our VH family and the Community!

Check out Ms. Jayne's latest newsletter at https://app.smore.com/n/nxuj6

Ms. Jayne's schedule each day will begin at the VH Jr/Sr High to meet student needs there before the bell rings. The rest of the week will primarily be:

• Monday at Blue Rapids
• Tuesday at Waterville (third Tuesday is Harvesters)
• Wednesday at VH and out and about in our community
• Thursday AM in Waterville/PM in Blue Rapids
• Friday at VH

Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.

The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.

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. E-mail Mr. Savage 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