Mrs. Lana Stevenson was awarded a $500 grant from the Kansas Association of American Educators (KANAAE). She will be using the grant to purchase a set of classroom books to support her curriculum. Pictured with Mrs. Stevenson is Gary Sigle, KANAAE Rep., and Supt. Sean Spoonts. Congratulations!!

I love my community! I love that the art teacher helps me host floral workshops. I love that Titan comes to help my students build trailers. I love that I can go visit the market for a 2nd hour horticulture field trip. I love that my kids parents come to workshops. I love the volunteers to help with putting together a greenhouse and contest practices among many other things.

I love the feeling of COMMUNITY!! Thank you so much everyone at Valley Heights, admin, teachers, staff, Waterville and Blue Rapids who has ever helped and supported me in my young ag-teacher career.

You have made me a better teacher and a better person and you have made me feel welcome in this community~Carrie Husband Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Gabe Padilla, Junior, maxed out this week setting new records in all three lifts and the total weight for his class. 450 in squat 325 in bench and 265 in the clean for a total of 1040lbs!

Every year the Physical Science class creates Pinewood Derby cars as a conclusion to their Physics unit on the concept of kinematics (the study of motion). The class borrows the track and laser timer from the Berean Church in Marysville and determines the top racers in their class using the track. The project is a great application of the concepts of velocity, acceleration, potential and kinetic energy as well as momentum. After the race, they perform calculations on the performance of their cars. Besides being fast and functional, the cars are judged by the student body on their design. Engineering and design all in one project create learning combined with fun and competition!

This week Scholars Bowl traveled to Clifton-Clyde for a JV meet. It was our final meeting before Break and our last time to wear our fun Christmas gear. This group of students is so fun to work with. When we come back from break we have just a few meets before we have our league and regional tournaments. Please let these students know they are doing great things when you see them out and about.

On behalf of the staff and students at Valley Heights Jr./Sr. High School we would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

We will see all of you in 2025 and we are looking forward to a fantastic 2nd Semester!!

Have a great break and Go Mustangs!

Valley Heights Journalism

November 4, 2024

YOU GOT THIS. “Pardoning the bad is injuring the good.” - Benjamin Franklin. Morgan Elyce Vinduska is a senior at Valley Heights High School. Morgan is daughter to Carrie and Vance Vinduska, and is the oldest of her two siblings Macie and Reece Vinduska. She grew up in Waterville, Ks then later moved to Bremen, Ks. She loves herself some good Chinese food; it is her favorite. One thing Morgan loves is music. When asked what her favorite song is, it was hard for her to narrow it down so she gave four of her daily tunes: "Getting Older" by Billie Eilish, "Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars, "20 Something" by SZA, and "Sweet Life" by Frank Ocean. Morgan loves a cozy night in. Her ideal Friday night is coming home from school or the football game, lighting a candle, turning on a dim light and watching “Orange is the New Black” (seven episodes back to back) to be more specific.

After high school Morgan wants to attend some sort of Cosmetology school, then eventually have a salon of her own. If successful she wants to have a full service salon including: coloring, cuts, extensions, men cuts, and special occasion styles as well. In ten years she hopes to be working towards her long term goal of owning her own salon, she plans to have a good start on it by then. Along with her career goal she has a personal goal to find happiness in the small things going on in her life. A cool fact about Morgan is that recently she bought a car by herself and her name is Agatha. Another interesting thing you might not know about Morgan is that she hates tomatoes! If a tomato has been near the food she is about to digest it will be thrown out because of the tomato contaminating it. In May when Morgan and her classmates say their goodbyes one thing she hopes people will remember about her is how real of a person she is and her kindness.

In Morgan's four years attending Valley Heights she has been involved in the KAYS four years, FACS four years, Band three years, StuCo one year, Forensics one year, All School Play one year, Vocal one year, and Volleyball manager one year. Her favorite high school memory was at the first home football game of the season her freshman year, with Mr. Worcester playing in the marching band. “It was just such an amazing feeling walking with the drums onto the field with the whole crowd watching.” With this being her last year in high school some advice Morgan would give to the underclassmen is, “You're going to struggle but just keep going because you will make it out. Enjoy high school, have fun, be silly, and laugh really loud with your friends. You’re always growing no matter how old or mature you are. Grow into an amazing person with an amazing soul. Life isn’t always great, but you have to learn to love it all. You got this.”

Article by Ava Smith

Valley Heights Journalism

December 17, 2024

THE HOMETOWN BUILDER. “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” by Wayne Gretzky is senior Logan Gray’s favorite quote and it happens to reflect him perfectly. Logan Gray has always had dreams to take every opportunity in front of him and do it with full commitment. Logan Gray was born to Brian and Jill Gray September 7, 2006. He has grown up in Waterville, Kansas his entire life with his two younger siblings, Lindsay and Langston. Family has always been a big part of who Logan is. To Logan, family includes the hometown that he has served his entire life.

This year, Logan is a peer mentor in the Waterville Grade School P.E. class during the school day. He helps kids compete in a fun but positive way. This reflects exactly how Logan carries himself throughout different leadership roles. Most people are familiar with Logan either on the field, court, or track. Logan Gray has thrived in every sport he has been involved in, and has lettered in every sport since freshman year. He is seen as a leader upon his teammates and always sets the standard for underclassmen. Logan has been the football captain for two years, and basketball captain for three. This type of leadership not only happens during athletics, but also in the classroom. Logan has been elected class president for three years. One of Logan’s proudest accomplishments is maintaining a 4.0 GPA all of high school. He always strives to do his best on every challenge, project, or assignment he is faced with. Having this attribute to strive for the best will guide Logan to his dreams for the future.

When asked where he sees himself in 10 years he said, “I hope I have graduated from college with a degree that makes me very successful. I also hope to build my very own house.” There is no doubt that Logan will lay a great foundation of strength and ambition wherever he plans to build his plans. Logan Gray has been involved in the All School Play, KAY, STUCO, FCA, Mustang Mentor, Track, Basketball, and Football for four years. He has been in FFA for three years, and Vocal, Facs, and NHS for two years.

Outside of school and sports you can find Logan driving around with his friends, going with whatever plans come up, and listening to his favorite artist 21 Savage. Logan Gray has found many outdoor hobbies, including shooting sports, hunting, and fishing. Logan never fails to include his friends in these things, and they end up making good memories.

The last piece of advice that Logan Gray hopes younger children will take away from him is, “Work hard all the time even when no one is watching and always go the extra mile. Get uncomfortable and get out of your comfort zone to try new things. If an opportunity arises, take it.” After high school Logan plans on attending Kansas State University. He is looking forward to the rest of senior year and cannot wait to make more memories with the people around him.

Article by Anne Toerber

Find Us

Valley Heights USD #4982274 6th RoadBlue Rapids, KS 66411785.363.2398

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

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