The Mustang Messenger

Mustang Update

Parents – we need your help when we host basketball games here at Valley Heights and I suppose when we visit other facilities. It is important that we do not have children on the court, which includes the out-of-bounds areas, during contests and warm-up time. This can create a dangerous situation, if play is extended outside the out-of-bounds lines, and could injure a young child, a player, an official or all three. We should also add that all children should be sitting with their parents during the contest. The Commons is not a play area for children. We ask that you escort your child to the Commons for concessions or to use the restroom and then take them back into the gym. This is not a new request by any means! We have had signs posted above the gym doors about this issue for quite some time. Also, we would kindly ask that all of our fans and visitors remove your trash from the bleachers as you depart! We have trash cans in the Commons and move them to the floor at the conclusion of the contests for that night.

Parents – please also be reminded that we are having finals in all 9-12 classes at the end of first semester. Students can earn the right to “opt out” if they have a 90% or better in the class, no office referrals, no more than two tardies, and no more than two unexcused absences for the semester. It is also important to know that if a student fails to take a final, and cannot opt out, then they will fail the course. Parents will be notified if their child has an opportunity to “opt out” of a final as we get closer to the end of first semester. Finals are scheduled for December 17th and 18th with any make-up tests taken on the half day of December 19th. It is important that students who must take their finals be here on time. We will not be letting them interrupt a classroom after the tests have started! All testing information has been shared with the students during their seminar time so they are well informed of what is expected. We will also be sharing this information with the entire student body on Monday during a first period assembly. All 7th and 8th grade students will be in classes as scheduled. If you have any questions please call our office! Make sure you check out the criteria for our finals located in this week’s newsletter!

Post season honors keep coming in for members of our football squad. Creighton Smith and Lawson Stryker were named to the Sports in Kansas 1A First Team this week. Creighton was picked for offense and Lawson for defense. Aiden Unruh and Charlie Warders were awarded Honorable Mention awards. Congratulations to these student-athletes!

We still have some basketball to play before we ring in the new year. As I write this article we have home games with Riley County tonight. The junior high teams will wrap up their first semester slate with a road game to Clifton-Clyde on Monday, December 15th. The high school teams will play two home games during the final week of first semester. On Tuesday night we host Nemaha Central and Centralia on Friday night. We also have games scheduled on December 29th with the Winter Showcase. This would be a home game for us! We will also travel to Washington County on December 31st for the second day of the Winter Showcase.

Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Valley Heights High School will be giving 9th-12th grade students final examinations at the end of each semester. Dates and guidelines for 1st semester will be as follows.

1st Semester Finals Schedule: note we will be running block schedule these days

Wednesday, December 17th

Block1: 1st hour- 8:05-9:45am

Block 2: 2nd hour- 9:49-11:19am

Seminar/Lunch 11:23-11:28am; 11:54-12:17pm

Block 3: 3rd hour- 12:21-1:51pm

Block 4: 4th hour- 1:55-3:25pm

Thursday, December 18th

Block 1: Seminar- 8:05-9:45am

Block 2: 5th hour- 9:49-11:19am

Seminar/Lunch 11:23-11:28am; 11:54-12:17pm

Block 3: 6th hour- 12:21-1:51pm

Block 4: 7th hour- 1:55-3:25pm

Friday, December 19th

Make-up ½ day

*Any student absent and did not finish finals the previous 2 days will need to attend. All other HS students, this is an incentive day off!

* Students who have qualified for exemptions may only enter and leave the building before and after school and during Lunch. For example, if a student only has a 2nd block final they must attend 1st block (but not take the final). If then they have no 3rd or 4th block final they may leave during lunch. Arriving at school or leaving at any nondesignated time will result in taking finals on Friday. All students, you must not be late to a final- doing so may result in you attending Friday and completing the final then.

Exemption Guidelines: Students who do not meet ALL of the following guidelines will be required to take finals:

No “behavior” office referrals including detentions in the semester
Less than 3 tardies overall in the semester
No more than 2 days unexcused absences on the semester (7 class periods = 1 day)
90% or above semester grade in the class; however, teachers have the right to require their final to be taken

**** Finals are a requirement for passing classes. Failure to take the final results in failure to pass the course for the semester.

All students are Welcome

Wednesday morning at 7am (by appointment) and after school Wednesday at 3:30pm

Contact Mrs. Stevenson (lstevenson@valleyheights.org) with any questions

Beginning Sunday, December 7, the Blue Rapids Gym will be open for Valley Heights community to shoot, work on their ball handling, or play basketball to hone their skills.

Elementary students grades 3 - 6 will have the gym from 1--2:00, & 7th grade - adult will have gym access from 2:00 - 3:00.

Students in grades 3 - 6 must have a parent/guardian accompany them. Clean Basketball or tennis shoes must be worn when on the court. All participants must abide by school behavior standards or you will be asked to leave and not return.

The following dates will be open gym:

December: 7, 14

January: 4, 11, 18, 25

February: 1, 8, 15, 22

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Valley Heights Journalism

December 8, 2025

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. "You only have one life to live. Make sure it's yours," this quote from Eleanor Brown is Kaitlin's favorite quote because “You can't focus on what others say and think about how you live because then it is no longer your life. You have to follow your heart and desires and do what truly makes you happy and go through whatever it takes to accomplish it.” Kaitlin Ann Hemry was born January 24, 2008 to Melanie and Jason Hemry, she is an only child.

The person who has influenced Kaitlin the most is her grandpa, Larry Hemry, because he has always been present in her life. “He taught me more than I can possibly imagine and made me believe in myself, he is extremely important to me and he will forever be a part of my life.” Her favorite high school memory is hosting 2A Sub-State volleyball her junior year and taking the win with her team. One thing about Kaitlin that most people don't know is that she hates the feeling of paper and cardboard.

Kaitlin has been involved in many activities throughout her high school career including the All School Play, KAYS, FACS, FCA, and Volleyball 4 years; Band, Cheer,and Dance 3 years; Journalism and NHS 2 years; FFA, StuCo, Mustang Tough Mentor, and Basketball 1 year. Kaitlin sees herself in 10 years starting a family and settling down where she ends up teaching. Her ideal Friday night is to have a movie night with her mom or walking her dog Romeo.

After high school, Kaitlin plans to attend Cloud Community College to gain her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Kaitlin will be remembered for her positive attitude and contagious laugh. She is always a person you can count on and is always willing to help.

Article by Jaqueline Sandoval

STYLE

Carter James Germann was born on January 15, 2008 and was then adopted by Jeff and Melody Germann. Carter currently lives in Marysville with his parents and sister, Aubrey. Carter says, “My sister Aubrey has always been there for me even when I’m at my lowest. She has never made me feel judged and always gives me the best advice. Aubrey is the safe space I’ve always needed.” Carter’s favorite cuisine is Chinese food and his ideal Friday night is driving around or going shopping. “Never take advice from someone who is falling apart,” is Carter’s favorite quote because it shows that you need to be careful who you listen to because their advice can represent the headspace they’re in.

Throughout Carter’s high school career he has been involved in Forensics and Band four years; All School Play, Vocal, Track, and Scholars Bowl three years; and Mustang Mentor one year. Some leadership roles Carter has is peer mentoring for a kindergarten class, being first chair in the band’s low brass section, and Drum Major for the high school band. When he isn’t in school, he likes to play piano and guitar for the residents at the Marysville nursing homes. An accomplishment Carter is very proud of is getting first at state in Forensics his junior year.

“Style” by Taylor Swift is one of Carter’s favorite songs. Something most people might not know about him is that he is severely allergic to horses. Carter says, “I love watching sitcoms or mockumentary style shows.” His favorite memory from high school was when a chunk of pineapple managed to get thrown across Hu-Hot on the way home from a scholars bowl meet.

After high school, Carter plans to achieve a bachelor’s degree in business from Bellevue University and then transfer to Kansas State University to obtain a degree in social work. In Carter’s future he would love to get into law school, so that he can eventually become a lawyer to advocate for families trying to adopt a child. He claims, “Being an adopted child has put a soft spot in my heart for children who are in need.”

Carter’s advice for underclassmen would be to not let other people have the power to change who you are. After high school, Carter hopes to be remembered for his kindness and determined work ethic.

Article by Kaitlin Hemry

Vicky Jacobson is the staff member in our spotlight this week. Vicky and her husband, Randy, have a son Darrin and wife Ashley and a daughter - Kelli.. Her and Randy also have three grandchildren - Jace, Sawyer and Ellie. Vicky lived in Blue Rapids growing up and she and her husband now live south of Waterville.

Vicky currently serves as a para-educator here at Valley Heights and is completing her 29th year! She also served as the Junior Class sponsor for one year!

Vicky lists as her favorite thing about working at Valley Heights is making relationships with her students and having all staff willing to make modifications with her students. Her hobbies include spending time with her grandchildren and working in her flower gardens.

Vicky list two things that very few people know about her. First, Vicky earned a cosmetology degree and secondly, she loves to work on her landscaping all summer!

Thank you Vicky for being a valuable member of the Mustang Family!

The Junior Class will have a Walking Taco & Taco Salad concession stand special at the high school basketball game this Friday! All proceeds support the 2026 Prom. Come hungry and GO MUSTANGS!!

Portions of Shakespeare's Macbeth were performed by the Junior and Senior English classes this Thursday in the Commons. Some of the students from other classes came to watch.

Some of our students that attend Highland Community College took time to pose in a Christmas frame.

The art room is exploding with Christmas cheer!

Hot chocolate still life, decorating bags for Santa’s Gift Shop, and window painting!!

The culinary students worked hard making a Raising Cane's replica meal in their classroom. It was delicious! They even came up with the idea to serve it in a To Go box.

The 7th, 8th and 9th Graders enjoyed some 3-on-3 Basketball competition in a tournament during P.E. class.

Every year during December, the kindergarten through sixth grade go to Waterville Grade School and pick out gifts for their parents and their siblings. Before the kids get to pick out the gifts, they are sent home with a paper to fill out and little name tags for each member of their family. On the day of, there are five tables with things for moms, dads, teen boys, teen girls, and infants in the gym. Each year many high schoolers volunteer to help at Santa’s Gift Shop. The high schoolers help the little kids pick out gifts and then take them to go get their gifts wrapped. This year 29 high school students volunteered, allowing for next to no help from other adults for the first time ever.

Emmett Holmes, a 3rd grader, said, "Having the high schoolers here was a big help.” High school freshman, Amber Grubbs, agreed, adding,“The most fun part was watching the kids pick out the gifts for each family member.”

Article by Isabella Smith

Christmas Meal Boxes

Thank you to all who contributed to the Christmas meal boxes! 44 meal boxes will bless families this season! Mr. Nolte's seminar won the Seminar Challenge and the BR Elementary 6th grade leadership fundraiser contributed over $365! 34 homemade pies were donated!