Our Mustang is back and in his rightful place! He looks great and is now reinforced so our hope is that he stays a fixture at our school for years to come! Thank you to Ryan Bishop for finding us someone who could make the repairs and getting the Mustang down and in for improvements. That credit goes to White Way Collision in Frankfort, KS. Thank you to the City of Waterville and Matt Umscheid for assisting us with getting the Mustang down and back up again. And finally, thanks to all of you for your patience as we waited on the repairs to our mascot!! So, as you drive by the high school make sure to take a look to the north and see our Mustang once again greeting our guests!

Our next step is to get some plants added to the base of the Mustang to add a little color to the exterior of our building! We hope to have this all completed by graduation.

We will be starting a large project out here towards the end of May! The track will be getting a new surface and the football field will be reshaped while we have the track uncovered. This project will start on May 19th with the dirt work getting started. Our track athletes that qualify for the 2A State Track Meet will be practicing on the Marysville track. On June 2nd the surface on the track will be removed and any repairs to the base will be made and then resurfacing will begin. On June 16th the sod will be replaced on the field and watering will start. The track will be repainted about mid-July. There can be no traffic on the football field until the very first home game! Obviously, the field and track will be off-limits not only for summer weight workouts but for public traffic as well. Thanks for your cooperation!

Our junior class, and their sponsors Mrs. Sammie Parker and Mrs. Liz Miller, did an outstanding job of hosting our 2025 Junior-Senior Prom! The red-carpet event was well attended as the students and their guests arrived to prom. The meal was the next item on the agenda for the night and we need to give a word of thanks to our servers – the 6th grade leadership team and Mrs. Ronda Joseph for doing an excellent job! We then moved on to the dance and the kids had fun on the floor with their friends. I have always been amazed at how much our Valley Heights kids like to dance!! The last part of the evening was the After-Prom party and our students reported that this was a fun event to end their evening! While visit with our prom goers on Monday it was very evident that everyone had a great time at the event!

We hosted our annual athletic banquet and auction this past Wednesday night and had a large crowd their to celebrate our achievements this year!! All of our head coaches spoke about their year, introduced their team members, and announced letter winners and post-season honors. There was a variety of Mustang sports items up for auction and they all brought a very nice price. All proceeds from the auction are donated to our scholarship fund! We would like to thank the Valley Heights Booster Club for playing a vital role with this event!

Graduation is just sixteen days away as I write this week’s article! The seniors are quickly wrapping up their last few assignments, have completed their Senior Interviews and are now preparing for their Senior Displays. These will be on display this Wednesday night, May 7th, during the Spring Fling event. Senior displays will be available for viewing starting at 5:45 pm. The seniors themselves will be available from that time until 6:45 pm at which time they can prepare for the Spring Music program which starts at 7:00 pm. Along with the Senior Displays and music program we will also have student artwork on display in the Commons during the evening!! We would like to invite all of you to come out on the 7th to visit with the Class of 2025 and enjoy an evening with the fine arts!

Have a great week and Let’s go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

It was School Principals’ Day on Thursday this week and we have the best out here at the Jr./ Sr. High! We celebrate Mr. Savage!!!! Thank you for everything you do for this school, the staff, and our students. We are thankful and very honored to have your leadership. We appreciate all our principals in our district! If you see Mr. Savage or any of the other Principals of this school district, please give them a shout out of your appreciation .

Langston Gray breaks yet another school record today at the Valley Heights Invitational! This one was set in 1978 by Jeff Warders in the 440 yard dash with a time of 56.9. Langston ran the 400m in 55.97 to break the 47 year old record!

It was a tough battle, but the Lady Mustangs fell to Doniphan West in game one. 20-21. Game 2 was postponed due to the weather. Congratulations to Leah Steinfort for hitting her first career, homerun! This was a 2-run homerun over the fence!

Thank you SO MUCH to the members of the Valley Heights Community Foundation and Mr. Darin Blackburn for your generous support. The new art tables have made a wonderful difference, providing a creative and inspiring space for our artists. We’re deeply grateful for your contribution

Sign up now for Valley Heights Community Ed. & Waterville Dance Summer classes!

Pre-Ballet for pre-school & kinderprep: https://forms.gle/Bg18rCT5AzooVCXR6

Jazz/Hip Hop for Kindergarten through 12th: https://forms.gle/iq1K7AykSYghf9zk6

Senior Parents and families: Senior Display Night will precede Spring Fling on May 7th. Senior displays will be available for viewing at 5:45pm and remain up until 6:45pm. Spring Fling(music and art) will start at 7pm. Please come out and enjoy the evening with us.

“If you ain’t first, you’re last,” from the 2006 movie “Talladega Nights” is senior Tristan Pierson’s favorite quote because it encourages him to do his best. Tristan Earl Pierson was born on February 6, 2007 to Kevin and Lisa Pierson. He grew up in Blue Rapids and has shared many memorable moments with his sister, Kadence and brother, Hayden. Tristan considers his parents, Kevin and Lisa, to be his biggest influences in making him the man he is today. They have always pushed him to be the best and try his hardest.

During Tristan’s time in high school, he was involved in many activities, however football is definitely his favorite. Tristan loved the experience of being on the team as well as the many memories he's made with his teammates. His proudest accomplishment was him starting in football this year and his team making it to the football Sub-State Championship his senior year, for the first time in Valley Heights history!

Other activities Tristan has participated in are FFA 3 years; Art Club and Football 2 years; Vocal and Basketball 1 year. Tristan’s favorite memory in school was when he went on a field trip to the Salina Jail and the inmates yelled at them. When Tristan was asked how his teammates and peers have helped him throughout high school, he responded, “They've pushed me to get my work done in school and keep my grades up, as well as making sure I’m eligible. They’re truly my support system, and have gotten me through high school.” Tristan’s favorite thing to do outside of school is listen to his favorite song, “Power Trip” by J. Cole and hangout with his friends.

Tristan’s advice for underclassmen is, “If school is getting too hard or stressful, continue to show up and push through it because it’s better to graduate than drop out.” When asked how he would like to be remembered at Valley Heights, Tristan responded, “as the guy who made people laugh and made school fun.” In ten years Tristan plans to live in his own home and have a good paying job. After graduating Tristan plans to start working.

Article by Chad Bargdill

Valley Heights Future Business Leaders of America is putting on a trivia night to raise money for 7 of our students to compete at the FBLA national competition in Anaheim, California. Put your team together and join us for a fun filled night of trivia! Please submit your team and number of players to Mr. Ehrlich at rehrlich@valleyheights.org Entries due by Thursday May 8th. Pay in advance or at the door.

VHHS cheerleaders will be hosting our annual Mother/Son night on May 4th at 5:30 PM. Any boys K-6th may be signed up to enjoy an evening of fun with their mom/aunt/grandma, etc! Forms and payments are due by April 30th.

1 in 36 kids in the US are diagnosed with Autism. The spectrum is wide. If you have concerns about your child, talk to your child's doctor and their teacher. Early detection is a key to success! #autismawareness

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