ThE MuStAnG MeSsEnGeR

The Lady Mustangs travelled to Marysville for tournament action to start the 2025 season. The team found themselves in a very tough pool playing against schools much larger in size. The ladies dropped games to Concordia, Riley County and Nemaha Central but picked up a big win against Marysville. The Lady Mustangs got their TVL season off to a hot start with games against the Washington County Tigers. The Mustangs won the “C” contest, JV Contests and the Varsity matches in two games each! We also picked up two more TVL victories on Thursday night with wins over Onaga and D. West. The junior high programs saw their first action of the season at Onaga on Thursday night. The football team lost 40-8 to a very quick Buffalo squad and the volleyball team secured their first victory of the season with wins at both the varsity and junior varsity levels. The cross-country team travelled to Concordia on Thursday for their first meet and our runners did very well on a very tough and hilly course. In the junior high races, Sam Staples finished 4th in the boy’s division and Ember Taylor finished 12th in the girl’s division. In the high school races Lindsay Gray was 15th in the girl’s race. Kebeb Zimmerman led the boy’s squad with a 2nd place finish in a time of 18:13. Kebeb was pushed by Langston Gray (5th) and Henry Bachura (40th). Great job everyone!

As always, our focus out here is, and should be, academics! Parents, do you know that we offer assistance for our students with a homework room that meets four times each week? Mrs. Stevenson is in charge of the room and students can stop in anytime for help with assignments in any subject area. The homework room is available on Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 3:30 am to 4:30 pm. Encourage your student to stop in and get some additional help when needed.

Our yearbook staff is out selling ads today and we would like to thank all of you who purchased an ad for the 2025-2026 yearbook! If, by chance, we missed you please feel free to call the office and we will get someone to call or visit you about this opportunity!

Heads Up Parents!! We have our first Professional Development Day scheduled for September 15th so we will not have classes on that day.

Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Our horticulture class is getting ready to practice plant propagation, and we are looking for donations of plants we can take cuttings from!

If you have any of the following or others that we could also propagate and would be willing to share a piece or a few with us, we would greatly appreciate it:

Coleus, Pothos/Ivy, Baby Tears, African Violet, Geraniums, Philodendron, Begonia, Jade Plant, Chinese Money Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Spotted Dumbcane, Aloe Vera, Basil, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sedum, Echeveria, Kalanchoe, Cactus, Hens and Chicks, or any other Succulents, Etc.

Thank you for helping support our students’ hands-on learning!

Valley Heights Junior High volleyball teams took a clean sweep against Onaga tonight! A Team 25-9 & 25-21 B Team 25-14, 24-26 &. 15-7 C Team 25-19 & 25-20

Senior Parents: It's time to order cap and gown along with any other goodies you would like in preparation for Graduation in May. Jostens was here on Wednesday and gave all the information to your senior. The website to order is jostens.com and orders are due 9/10/25.

Kansas Apply Free Days are approaching. This year they will be October 6, 7, and 8th. This is a chance for students to apply to schools in Kansas with $0 application fee. Attached is the link to see which schools offer no application fee all year long, along where how to apply to schools.

Pictured above are Jim and Kim with their wonderful sidekick, Gucci.

Our staff spotlight this week is on the dynamic duo of Jim and Kim Oatney. This tandem has put in a number of years at Valley Heights in several different capacities. Jim served as the Maintenance Director for Valley Heights from 1988 to 1996 and has been a bus driver for over 15 years. Kim was our music instructor at both the high school and elementary schools from 1982-2020 and currently serves as our Librarian at VHHS!

Kim is a native of Concordia, Kansas and earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Kansas State University. Jim moved to Waterville when he was in the 5th grade and is a proud alumni of Valley Heights High School with the Class of 1975.

Kim lists her favorite part about working at VHHS is the staff and our students…and the wonderful administration! (Thanks Kim!) Jim’s favorite part about VHHS are the kids and sporting events! You can always find Jim at our away contests because he drives our bus and takes care of the athletes and coaches.

Kim’s hobbies are playing the piano, reading, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. And, she is really trying to cook and bake more. Jim is her guinea pig for new recipes! Jim’s hobbies include shooting, hunting and cooking. They also like to travel!

Kim states, “I work at trying to be a better person every day! A goal that we should all follow! Her favorite quote is: “Much more often than you expected - other lives you have affected.”

Thank you Jim and Kim for being integral parts of the Valley Heights family.

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