ThE MuStAnG MeSsEnGeR

This is a bittersweet week here at Valley Heights! We will be saying “see you around” to Mrs. Lori Dobrovolny who has accepted a position elsewhere. Lori, was literally, my saving grace the minute I stepped, not just into this office, but also when I started at Valley Heights. Many times, she had the task completed before I even asked her about the issue. I want to thank her for all that she has done for, not only me, but the entire Valley Heights family. We wish her well! With that being said, we want to welcome Mrs. Jacy Steinfort into our office as the newest member of the Mustang Family. Jacy brings school office experience to Valley Heights and will do a great job for us!

Wow! We are racing through the first semester. As I write this week’s article we have 3 class days until Thanksgiving Break and when we return we have a very fast and busy three weeks of classes until the end of first semester and winter break! This my annual message that it is important for each and everyone of our students to pay special attention to their classwork! This is the time of year that we start to have family gatherings, school and church programs, school activities and other events that will pull our students away from the time they give to their school work. Each and every one of us needs to finish the semester in a strong manner by hitting coursework guidelines and due dates!

Parents – please also be reminded that we are having finals in all 9-12 classes starting with the first semester. Students can earn the right to “opt out” if they have a 90% or better in the class, no office referrals and no more than two unexcused absences for the semester. 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.

We would also like to share that on Tuesday, November 25th, we will be replacing some rooftop air conditioning units to the rooms in the north hallway. The parking lot that is close to those rooms will be closed, from Door # 4 (Maintenance Door) to the end of that road. This process should not take long but please be prepared to use an alternate route to get to the front of the school.

Football honors have been announced for the TVL 11- Man Schools and our Mustangs dot the list in several areas. Twin Valley League First Team Honors include Creighton Smith and Lawson Stryker – Offensive Line; Aiden Unruh – Back. Second Team Honors were awarded to Gabe Padilla – Back and Charlie Warders – Offensive Line. On the defensive side of the ball Stryker and Smith were First Team Line and Warders was First Team Linebacker. Second team honors were handed out to Gavin Crowder and Ben Miller – Linebackers. Michael Lowrey was selected as All-TVL Kicker. All-District Honors were awarded to Smith and Stryker – Offensive Line, Unruh – Back, and Lowrey, Kicker. On defense, Stryker and Smith were selected for the Defensive Line and Warders was selected as a Linebacker. Great job guys!

We do not have school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week due to Thanksgiving and since it is a short week we will not have newsletter posted!

With that, on behalf of the staff and students and Valley Heights Jr./Sr. High School we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope that you have some time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends!

Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Valley Heights Journalism

November 20, 2025

MURDER ON THE 518. The Valley Heights All School Play was held on November 14, 15, and 16 at the Waterville Opera House. “Murder On The 518” is a family friendly murder mystery that had the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the show. “Murder On The 518” is a play about a diverse group of passengers who are traveling for work and other various reasons. On this train there is a rockslide in the middle of nowhere so that prevents any cell reception. Through all of this chaos, there’s two mysterious murders on this train trip. So, the other passengers became investigators, trying to solve this murder, where it’s revealed that one of the passengers is the murderer. Sophomore Teagan Spoonts said, “It was really cool to see some of my friends have a different personality on stage, and I thought the arguments between characters was entertaining.”

Director of the All School Play, Miss Jones said, “The biggest adversity we all faced was the talented cast members being so involved in school activities like FFA National Convention and fall sports, that it took students away from some play practices.” Jones also claimed, “My two favorite moments on stage were the way everyone reacted to Isabella Madison’s death. I am proud of how I staged this scene, it reminded me of a renaissance painting. My other favorite moment was when the chefs chased Owen Casey, Abby Wells, and Lauren Maloney out of the train kitchen through the end of the scene where Mike Umbarr says “Go team” to the group of passengers who were trying to solve the murder.”

Looking back on this year’s play, there’s many memories that the cast and crew will never forget, and endless laughs shared in the Opera House during late night rehearsals. When asked what her favorite moment and challenges were, junior cast member, Jaqueline Sandoval, playing the role of Rachel Knox said, “My favorite moment from the play was when Lawson Stryker ripped his pants on stage during Saturday night’s show and we all tried not to laugh during the scene. I faced some challenges playing Rachel Knox but the most difficult was when I had to fake cry.” When asked what her favorite part of being a stage crew member was, junior Kinze Wessel said, “Practicing where each prop was supposed to be for each scene.”

When asked what his favorite part of the show was, senior Gavin Crowder said, “When I watched the play on Friday, opening night, there were a few moments that I thought were funny. At the beginning of the play, I predicted who the murderer was, and I was right!” Senior Carter Germann claimed, “My character, Owen Casey, was a focused and fussy private investigator. I will miss watching the cast and crew come together to perform the show.” Senior cast member Lawson Stryker said, “The most difficult part of performing was trying to not react to ripping my pants on stage,” most audience members probably didn’t even realize this occurred as the cast stayed in character and Lawson was facing the audience. Stryker continued to say, “My favorite part of acting this year was getting to yell and argue with someone without getting in trouble.”

The Valley Heights High School All School Play members can’t thank the families, friends, and community that showed their support. There’s truly no better feeling than performing the show for a full house almost every show!

Article by Kaitlin Hemry

Valley Heights Varsity Scholars Bowl finished 4th place at Onaga in their first meet of the season. Congratulations!

Wednesday morning at 7am and after school at 3:30pm

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

Valley Heights Journalism

November 17, 2025

THROUGH EVERY CHALLENGE, SHE ROSE. Ava Jaylee Smith was born on September 5, 2007 to Kelly and Eddie Smith. She has two older siblings, Elijah and Kayla, that grew up alongside her in Blue Rapids. “Treat people how you want to be treated” is senior Ava’s favorite quote because her dad constantly reminds her of this. She claims this has given her a strong personality, as well as boosting her confidence. Ava considers her dad her biggest supporter because he’s always consistent and pushes her to do her best, whether in sports, academics, or just life in general.

Something Ava is known for is definitely her competitiveness and talent in sports. She was even named the 2A State Player of the Year in Volleyball her junior year! She is only the second person in Valley Heights history to have earned this title. “Volleyball is something that I truly value and put a lot of time and effort into. I work on my skills during the season and the off season. I just love to be on the court; so to know that it had paid off meant everything to me,” says the senior.

Ava plans to continue playing volleyball in college along with majoring in sports broadcasting or journalism. Ava stated, “I eventually want to get paid to play at a high level, and I would like to play for as long as my body will let me.”

Other activities Ava has participated in are Basketball, KAY, FACS for four years; Art Club, Journalism, All School Play for three years; and NHS, StuCo, and Forensics for one year. Some of Ava’s leadership roles include Art Club StuCo Representative and Class Secretary her junior and senior year. A talent that Ava’s always wanted to learn is the ability to make a delicious latte. Ava says, “I am still practicing getting the flavor right so I hope one day I can make any type of coffee.”

Ava’s dream job is to have a stable career as either a reporter or to work somewhere behind the scenes of a news casting channel. Looking ahead, in 10 years, Ava plans to be married, living in a decent-sized home, and pursuing a successful career. When asked how she wants to be remembered at Valley Heights, Ava shared that she wants people to remember her as a good student, but more importantly she wants them to remember the mark she has made on Valley Heights athletics before she plays at the next level.

Article by Chad Bargdill

Our spotlight shines on Mrs. Caley Gallimore, our student support specialist. Caley’s duties at Valley Heights are numerous but her main duties are academic counseling and all that goes with that title and emotional support for our students. Caley, and her husband Jacob reside in Waterville and currently have one daughter - Ensley. The exciting news is that this family of three will soon be a family of five. That’s right - Caley and Jacob are expecting twins in 2026!

Caley is a native of Randolph, Kansas and a graduate of Blue Valley High School. She has earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in both Sociology and in Social Work from Washburn University. She has also earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washburn.

This is Mrs. Gallimore’s third year at Valley Heights and along with her academic duties she is also our KAYS sponsor and guides the Class of 2026! Caley’s favorite thing about working at Valley Heights is working with the students on all aspects of social/emotional support and college and career readiness. She also states that she loves her co-workers!

Caley’s hobbies include shopping with Ensley and working out! She also lists as something very few people know about her is that she is distant relation to Cassandra Peterson! Cassandra is the TV and movie actor known as “Elvira”! How cool is that!!

Mrs. Gallimore - thank you for being an important part of the Mustang 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