Greetings to the families of Valley Heights Jr./Sr. High School and the

community members who support our efforts!

As we prepare for the upcoming Winter Break and Holiday Season, we

continue to think about and reflect on the many successes and achievements

of our students, staff, and school community during this school year. Our

students make us so proud, and we truly appreciate your continued support

and partnership in everything we do.

We also wanted to provide you with a few reminders about some important

dates:

 Our last day of school is December 20, 2024 with a release time of

12:25 pm.

o Lunch and Breakfast will be served that day for those that sign

up.

 There will be no activities or practices during the dates of December

22, 20204 through December 26, 2025.

 Our office will be open on December 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024

from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

 Students will return for their first day of school after the break on

January 6, 2025.

 Please remember we have a HSBB game at Frankfort on Saturday,

January 4, 2025!

We hope that you and your family have a safe, fun, and restful Winter

Break.

Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Michael D. Savage, Principal

msavage@valleyheights.org

School Phone – 785-363-2508

The juniors wrapped up their unit of the 1920s and the novel Great Gatsby. The students participated in themed activities that included dressing up as famous people from the era, learning dances, an escape room covering the novel, and reading poems that each student composed about the person they researched.

The Art Club Field Trip to The Museum of Art and Light in Manhattan, KS was one we will remember forever.

This magical museum redefines how you engage with art! It was truly an immersive experience.

Super proud of our Valley Heights Varsity Scholars Bowl team. We hosted a home tournament last night 12/9. All members of the team either competed or helped to organize and run the event. As the meet went on 3 teams seemed to be tied for top spots. In the final round Valley Heights took the lead and won 1st place with Frankfort and Pike Valley in 2nd and 3rd place.

Many community members and staff gave of their time and efforts to make tonight a success and I can not thank everyone enough for their time and efforts to support our team. We have one more meet before winter break then will pick back up in January for a few more weeks of competition. We have some amazing Valley Heights Students please congratulate them when you see them in the coming days.

Once again, the VH Band and Vocal students, along with their instructor, Brooklyn Coleman, put on an amazing performance the other evening for the VHHS Christmas Program. They even performed an original piece, written totally by the students and fine-tuned by Miss B. Beautiful Job Everyone.

One of our incredible band students, Lillian Busey, went to a community meeting in Blue Rapids, and spoke to them about our band program. She talked to them about all of the exciting events coming up, and how participation has grown. In response, the Blue Rapids Community Action Team made a significant donation to the music department at Valley Heights.

For several years, Valley Heights has developed its very own "Santa Shop". Grade school-age students, along with their JH/HS age buddies, get together for an afternoon of shopping fun. Younger students get the Joy of doing their very own shopping for their family members and have it wrapped and ready for them to take home and share with their families. It takes a small army of adults and students to accomplish this large endeavor, but as you see, dressed in their very best, we have many who take the time to go help and enjoy this great event.

Sitting in my glass bubble(the high school main office), I watch the lives of our Valley Heights students move through the commons and onto their next classroom destination. I wonder at times, what they are all thinking about….Some thinking about afterschool practice, some the next homework page or deadline they must meet, others just wondering what the next Snapchat or Tiktok craze will be. Whatever their thoughts may be, my thoughts are “what an amazing group of young people we have out here!” Some would not agree with this statement, but we are all entitled to an opinion, and mine is this…It is so easy to see the negatives, so easy to point a finger, so easy to make an excuse….but why is it so hard to see the Good?

Around here, here being the principal’s office, sometimes we just see and hear of the troubles and problems that students and staff may be having. Guess that is just part of the job. Tending to the needs of the students, whether it be bandaids, broken hearts, bad days, or bad decisions, I can’t help but smile and think “Wow” through it all, these children can still put on a smile, make it through their hurdle and still be waiting on the other side of their problem/hurdle, to help the next guy across it as well. We have good kids!!!! Some may show it through sports, some through academics, some just embody it through their presence, their smile, their Good Morning and their wave GoodBye at the end of the day.

So Everyone, I challenge you and me together:

To address the negatives with a positive solution.

To point the finger at someone who needs a gentle reminder of a better moment in time, and help them find it.

To Excuse the World from all it’s excuses,

And take the time to show everyone how wonderful it is to stop long enough to see the Good in every situation.

Valley Heights students and staff-Merry Christmas and I couldn’t be more proud to call everyone here “FAMILY”

KSHSAA announced last week that they are sponsoring a league sportsmanship award for boys’ and girls’ basketball in all 38 leagues in Kansas. This is an inclusive award that recognizes not only the athletes but our coaches, fans, cheerleaders, pep band and student body. The award will be voted on by league members. KSHSAA has always sponsored Sportsmanship Awards for state qualifiers - an award we were proud to earn at last year’s state basketball tournament - but now they want to emphasize good sportsmanship for all schools! Our goal is to be the recipient of these awards on a regular basis.

We hosted our Christmas concert on December 11th and the program was outstanding!! Under the direction of Ms. Brooklyn Coleman our musicians and vocalists put on a fantastic performance! The night started out with a few numbers, including an original song, by your vocal group. This group was accompanied by the junior high and high school students in the guitar program. This was followed by a performance from our junior high band and concluded with our high school band playing three pieces that brought everyone in attendance to their feet! Congratulations go out to Ms. Coleman and our music students for putting everyone into the Christmas spirit!

Our Scholars Bowl program, under the direction of Mrs. Shannon Conti, placed first at the meet we hosted on December 9. Team members who competed or assisted with the event were Harmony Conti, Dino Conti, Kadence Pierson, Dawson Vermetten, Abbi Thorn, Kebeb Zimmerman, Violet Slifer, Krista Porter and Carter Germann. Valley Heights and our Scholars Bowl participants would like to say thank you to the many community members and staff that assisted with the event! Great job Mustangs!

Members of our football team earned additional honors this week! Sports in Kansas recognized Jayden DeWalt (Back), Royce Ekstrum (End) and Logan Gray (Athlete) as First Team All-State in Class 1A! This is a tremendous honor and one that was earned through hard work and effort! Great job gentlemen!

High school basketball is underway with two games already under our belts. The girls have wins over Marysville and Axtell and the boys are still looking for their first win of the season but are playing hard. Before Christmas break we will have road games against Riley County (12/13), Nemaha County (12/17) and Centralia (12/20)!! We also have an away game at Frankfort on January 4, 2025 which is the Saturday before the end of Winter Break.

Have a great week and Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Valley Heights Journalism

November 26, 2024

PUSH YOUR WORK. Benjamin Thomas Arganbright was born July 31, 2006 to Thad and Tabitha Arganbright. Ben grew up in Waterville, Kansas with his sister Payton and his brother Treg. “Push your work, don't let your work push you,” is Ben’s favorite quote because that is something his dad always tells him. Ben’s favorite song artist is Future. His favorite foods are smothered steak and cheesy potatoes.

Ben has been involved in Band, Vocal, Basketball, and Track 1 year; FFA, FCA, and Football 4 years. Some outside activities you could find Ben doing are working, hunting and farming. Ben’s ideal weekend plans are hanging out with his friends, driving around listening to music, or just chilling at each other's houses. Ben also spends his Friday nights playing football. An accomplishment that Ben is most proud of is buying his truck.

Ben’s family has had the biggest impact on his life because they are always pushing him to do his best, whether it is in or out of school. Ben’s family is always making sure he is doing his best no matter what it is. They are always there for him and support him through everything. Ben’s favorite High School memory is when the football team won the Sectional game against Sedgwick Co. his junior year.

Some advice Ben would give to underclassmen is don't get behind because it really matters when you are a senior, and it matters even after you graduate high school and become an adult. When Ben leaves the Valley Heights community he wants to be remembered as someone who is hardworking.

After high school Ben plans on going to a two year college to get a degree in Agronomy and then come back to the farm. In 10 years Ben sees himself selling seed at their family seed business and farming on their family farm. His future dreams and goals are to hopefully one day take over the Pioneer Seed business and the farm.

Article By Tayra L’Ecuyer

Valley Heights Journalism

November 22, 2024

LAUGHING OUT LOUD. “I want people to remember that no matter the distance, Valley Heights is and will always be family to me.” Maddox John O’Toole was born in Blue Rapids, Kansas on April 4th, 2006. He is the son of Dena Reed and Joseph O’Toole, his siblings are Ashton and Jackson O’Toole, and his step brothers are Blake and Skyler Arnold.

Maddox is a huge fan of the band $uicideboy$. His favorite of theirs is “Sing Me a Lullaby, My Sweet Temptation”. He never misses an opportunity to go to one of their concerts to enjoy life and have fun.

Maddox’s dad has impacted him a lot. He has a tough way of teaching with old school discipline and Maddox appreciates it. His step dad, Jay, has also made a big impact on his life. Maddox says, “He has taught me many life skills and has given me the morals I’ll use for the rest of my life.” An accomplishment Maddox is most proud of is that he was able to prove to people that he can be independent.

Maddox’s future plans are to take CNA classes and work for a few years after high school. In 10 years he wants to be employed in a hospital or even be a part of a travel nursing crew. One memory Maddox will always remember is the football managing crew he worked with during his 8th grade and freshman year. “That year was pure joy and happiness. All the laughs and jokes we shared are definitely missed.”

Maddox has been involved in many things through his years at Valley Heights such as; Football 4 years; Band and Basketball 3 years; Vocal 2 years; and Track, KAY, and Robotics 1 year.

Some advice Maddox would like to give underclassmen is to not take high school for granted. “I blinked and now I'm a senior. It really feels like just yesterday I was cleaning out my junior high locker to go home because of Covid-19 seventh grade year.”

Article by Haily Stoudt

For students interested in a college course through Highland for next semester! Classes are open to enroll, get in before the January rush!

Highland Western Center is looking to add a new program to what is offered to our students. They are needing feedback if the interest is there for a Graphic Design program. Please fill out the survey and provide that feedback so we can continue offer more opportunities for our students. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=QC5CxXO8j02EU1CLgmrOkd-mgU3LlbtNtD88jBv40PdUNlE5TjAxSUdPWlhLRVJSMVkxOEhBR0JaRC4u&route=shorturl

Rudd Scholarship is now open! All seniors should be aware of this scholarship.

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