Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2025 is this Saturday, May 17th, starting at 2:00 pm. The seniors have been busy this week, not only at school with end of year classroom activities, but also with helping prepare for their receptions. The seniors rehearsed for graduation on Tuesday of this week and then on Wednesday ate one last meal together as a class and then travelled to both of our elementary schools for the traditional hallway walk in caps and gowns! A few of them even found time to camp at this administrator’s yard one morning, followed by donuts and juice drinks, in our kitchen! I am pretty sure I was the only person on the whole block that was not in on this activity!

The graduation program will feature both instrumental and vocal numbers under the direction of Ms. Brooklyn Coleman. The welcome will be delivered by class president, Logan Gray and the Senior Charge will be delivered by the senior class sponsor, Mrs. Jen Pacha. Our Valedictorian, Mr. Dustin Denton, and our Salutatorian, Khloe Gunn, will co-deliver their address to the Class of 2025. Senior Sylvia Kabriel, with assistance from fellow classmates Maddox O’Toole and Anne Toerber have prepared a video highlighting class members and activities from this past year! The final act will be the presentation of diplomas to our graduates. Please plan on joining us for this end-of-year celebration!

This past Wednesday night we hosted our Senior Award Night for the class of 2025. Scholarships and other academic honors were announced, National Honor Society cords were presented as well as curriculum completer cords and academic medals. The amount of scholarships that were presented totaled a phenomenal $56,000 dollars!! We would like to thank all of our scholarship sponsors for supporting our graduates in such a great way!!

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!

We will not be issuing a Mustang Messenger next week because we have a shorter week and we are wrapping up the school year. However, we will be putting together a wrap-up version in the coming weeks so we can highlight our spring sports programs and any upcoming things scheduled for the 2025-2026 school year!

Enjoy your summer!!

Have a great week and Let’s go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

A friendly game of basketball between the Colts and the Mustangs took place. It was a tight game, but the Colts came out on top scoring 22 - 13! Rumor has it the ref might have been for the Colts! Way to go Colts!

Congratulations Krista Porter for earning 5th high individual in the state of Kansas in Horse Evaluation!!

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

If you can't make it to the 2025 Graduation Ceremony at 2PM tomorrow, make sure you tune in to the Valley Heights Video Productions live stream of Graduation! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI8IlUUK8Yo

Valley Heights Journalism

May 14, 2025

DON’T WAIT. Faye Elaine Jones was born March 30, 2007 to Clint and Dani Jones. She lives in Waterville, Kansas and is the younger sister of Allison and Cora Jones.

Throughout high school, Faye has been involved in KAY and FACS four years; Band three years; Art, All School Play, and Mustang Tough/Mentor two years; Journalism, Vocal, Senior Class Secretary, and Vice President of KAY 1 year. Her favorite high school memory was during her freshman year when she fell off of a treadmill in front of the whole PE class and got a really bad road burn. Outside of school, you can find Faye working at the Blue Rapids Nursing Home, Colts Round Up, and Camp Exploration. Her ideal Friday or Saturday night is hanging out with her boyfriend, Camren or working at the Nursing Home.

After high school Faye plans on going to Southeast Community College in Beatrice to earn a degree in Nursing. One of her proudest accomplishments is becoming a CNA. “I had to work hard for it but it's something I really enjoy.” Her future dream is to have a family, a pet cat, and work as labor and delivery nurse.

The people that have had the biggest impact on her life are her Mom and sisters. Faye has been able to follow in their footsteps and see how life works. Dani, Allison, and Cora are also her biggest supporters and always want what's best for her.

One thing people don’t know about Faye is she is the only right handed person in her family. Her favorite song is “Picture” by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. Some favorite foods of Faye's are french fries and chocolate chips.

Faye hopes to be remembered as someone who was kind, hardworking, and funny.

Article by Isabella Smith

A NEW CHAPTER.

Valley Heights Journalism

May 12, 2025

A NEW CHAPTER. Kinsley Rane Claycamp was born June 3, 2007 to Tim and Kelly Claycamp. She is sister to Kadin, Trayton, and Ellarie Claycamp. Kinsley’s biggest inspiration through high school has been her mom. “She is so strong, and even though been through a lot, she is still the greatest mother I could ever ask for. She has always been there for me in everything I’m involved with and I know she will love me no matter what.” She plans to attend Washburn University and become a respiratory therapist. This dream has followed Kinsley since she was younger.

Kinsley is known for her kindness and her contagious laugh. She is someone who you can rely on through tough times and she is always willing to help. After graduating, she plans to keep in touch with her closest friends; Aubrey, Khloe, and Morgan.

When asked how she feels about leaving high school behind she said “I’m not really excited or scared about it. It’s just a chapter ending and I’m excited to continue my life. I will miss seeing all of my classmates, even the ones I don’t talk to.”

Ellarie will miss Kinsley dearly after graduation. Ellarie says “My favorite memory of my older sister is when we sit in my bed and debrief about each other's days and laugh nonstop. She is the sunshine of my life and the house will be very quiet without her.”

Kinsley stayed very involved throughout high school. She participated in Journalism, FFA, Forensics, Vocal, Mustang Tough Mentor, Basketball for 1 year; Art club for 2 years; the All School Play, KAYS, and FACS for 4 years. Some advice she would give to the underclassmen is to not procrastinate your work and that school will go by faster than you expect so make the most of it. Kinsley hopes to be remembered as someone who was kind and always willing to help.

Article By Jaqueline Sandoval

NOTHING FOR GRANTED

Valley Heights Journalism

May 16, 2025

NOTHING FOR GRANTED. “Don’t take anything for granted because time will go by fast,” is a quote by Jayden DeWalt.

Jayden Lee DeWalt was born on August 31, 2006 and was raised in Waterville, Kansas. His parents are Aron and Tiffany DeWalt, and he has three brothers, Keaton, Brady, and Camden. Jayden has been involved with a lot over the past four years. He's been active in FFA, Football, and Golf for four years; National Honors Society, FCA, Mustang Tough, Basketball, and Track for three years; KAY for two years; and Student Council for one year.

Jayden says that his dad and his oldest brother have had the biggest impact on his life. He says, “They are both great role models that push me to do better, and they have also supported me and I'm really grateful for that.”

Jayden's favorite quote is, “Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.” Now, if there was a quote that truly described Jayden, this one would do it. He is a very hardworking student and athlete. Earlier in the year, he was recognized for his outstanding work on the football field. He will be remembered at Valley Heights as an amazing teammate.

Jayden's ideal Friday night is playing in a home football game, under the big lights with everyone cheering the Mustangs onto another win! He says, “My favorite memory at Valley Heights was being able to have the opportunity to be a part of the second family, and I could never forget the amazing coaches who guided me in the right direction.” Jayden's future plans are to attend Hutchinson Community College and major in Fire Science to become a firefighter. When he leaves the community, he wants to be remembered as someone who always worked hard and has done better than people thought he could. His attitude shows this, he says, “ I have always believed that there is room for improvement and I can get better.”

Article by Haily Stoudt

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