Welcome back Valley Heights!

Before we left for Christmas Break I visited with the student body about the accomplishments we experienced during first semester! And there were many! Without a doubt, our first semester is going to be one we remember for a long time. Our volleyball team State Runner-Up honors and our football team was one of the final four teams in Class 1A. Our cross-country team qualified three runners for the state meet but the accolades didn’t stop there. Our FFA, KAYS, Student Council, FACS Club, Band & Vocal, Scholars’ Bowl and many of our other groups have also been major contributors to our success in 2024! All of this is due to our students and our staff who work hard and make Valley Heights a great place to be! So where do we go from here? Our theme this year is “Be Better Today Than You Were Yesterday” and I have challenged our students, staff and myself to do just that!

For the second consecutive year our winter break was extended by a few days due to the ice and snow! That of course is nice for some but an issue for others. For instance, we have had to reschedule two high school basketball games which has already been done. Mr. Broxterman did a fantastic job of working out the details and getting these games moved on the calendar! Check our school calendar for the new dates for our games with Frankfort and Clifton-Clyde!

The TVL Basketball tournament gets underway on January 18th. Frankfort is our host this year which makes for a very comfortable trip for our Mustangs and our fans! Just a heads up – the shot clock will be used for all tournament games this year which is something we haven’t seen much of so far this season! Remember – TVL Passes are not accepted at the tournament so unless you are on the Pass Gate List please be ready to pay for admission.

Our Scholars’ Bowl team is gearing up for TVL and Regional action which is coming up soon! This group has shown considerable improvement this season and have come on strong at just the right time. This past Thursday the travelled to Washington County where they placed 2nd in their pool and 4th overall in a 12-team tournament! Go Mustangs!!

Short week, so short article!

Have a great week and Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

NOTICE: There will be a Special Board Meeting on Monday, January 13th. The purpose of the meeting will be to address the Board vacancy and interview the candidates who applied. The meeting will take place at the District Office at 6:00 P.M.

Join us for a District Site Council Meeting on Thursday, January 16th at 6:00 pm at the Blue Rapids Grade School. This meeting is open to the public and we invite all to attend. Come have a voice in our district and within the community. We will highlight the recent SVPP Grant and security updates that have been happening in the district.

On Thursday 1/9 Varsity Scholars Bowl traveled to Washington for a 12 team meet. We took 2nd place in our pool then went on to finals finishing in 4th place. We have 1 more regular season meet next Monday at Rock Creek and then TVL and Regionals. It's been a great season and I'm so proud of each of the students who participated this year.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO NOT BE HAPPY. Haily Marie Stoudt was born to Josh and Nikki Stoudt on January 16, 2007. She was raised in Waterville, Kansas with her younger sister Macy.

Haily has been involved in many activities throughout her high school career: Cheer 4 years, Drill Team 4 years, Track 4 years, Volleyball 4 years, FACS 4 years, All School Play 4 years, KAY 4 years, FCA 4 years Journalism 3 years, StuCo 3 years, Mustangs Mentor 3 years, Basketball 3 years, NHS 2 years, Art 2 years, Band 2 years. She has had many leadership roles within these activities including Cheer Co-Captain 1 year, Drill Team Captain 1 year, Drill Team Co-Captain 1 year, and StuCo Vice President 1 year.

Haily’s favorite quote is “Life is too short to not be happy.” Stoudt said,“I love this quote because I've spent too much time not living life to the fullest, I really try to take everything out of each experience.” Two of Haily’s favorite things are, the song “28” by Zach Bryan and Fettuccine Alfredo. Haily’s ideal Friday night is going to cheer on the football boys under the Friday Night Lights. Afterwards, she likes going to the 5th quarter and The Square to spend time with friends.

After high school, Haily plans on attending Kansas State University to study Kinesiology. She hopes to be a physical therapist one day. In 10 years she sees herself married with a family and working in Manhattan.

Some advice Haily wants to give the underclassmen is to take everything with a grain of salt. Stoudt say this because high school is such a small part of your big life, so it’s important to make good memories while you can. As she leaves the Valley Heights community to pursue her dreams, she hopes everyone remembers her as the funniest person they knew.

Article by Isabella Smith

WITH A PURPOSE. Tessa Odena Miller was born March 17, 2007 to Misty and Norman Miller. Tessa grew up on a small farm near Marysville, Kansas with her older sister Alexis. Tessa shares, “My dad has influenced me the most from when I was a little girl to now. Not only have I always been a daddy's girl, but he is so strong and always does something with a purpose.”

Tessa is an extremely hard worker with the background to prove it, while at Valley Heights she has been involved in: Softball one year; NHS and FFA two years; Art, Band, and Mustang Mentor three years; All School Play, KAYS, FACS, Volleyball, Basketball, Cheer, Dance, and Track four years. Along the way, Tessa has held multiple leadership positions such as both Cheer and Dance Co-captian plus being KAYS secretary. Tessa’s work ethic and determination has helped her maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout all of high school which is one of her proudest achievements.

After graduating high school Tessa plans to attend Bellus Academy to attain a license in beauty. She dreams of working for a high-ranked salon and hopes to get a good enough clientele reputation to do famous people's hair. When asked where she sees herself in ten years, Tessa explains, “I see myself working somewhere in Kansas as a beautician doing hair and nails.” When asked how she wants to be remembered by the Valley Heights community Tessa explains, “I want to be known as the small but mighty girl who had lots of energy!”

Some advice she would like to leave the underclassmen with is, “Always do the best you can because if you don't go all out for it the first time you will regret it. Live in the moment because you may only get that opportunity once.”

Article by Mia Vermetten

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