USD 498 Board of Education Spotlight:
Theresa Minihan has served on the Valley Heights school board for 6 years. She and her husband, Michael, live in Blue Rapids were she serves as the Vice President of Operations at First Commerce Bank. They have two children, Meghan Wemhoener and her husband, Ben, live in Independence, MO; and their son Daniel, and his wife Kaitlynn, live in Blue Rapids. Theresa and Mike enjoy the time they get to spend with their family enjoying outdoor activities like camping and boating.
When asked why she chooses to serve on the board, Theresa stated, "Our children received quality educations through the Valley Heights system and serving on the board allows me to give back to the community". She feels most rewarded in her role on the board through seeing students succeed and transition to adulthood with skills that will serve them positively in the future.
Theresa, please know how much we appreciate you and your continued service to the students and staff of USD 498. We applaud your leadership in our community!
Due to the impending winter storm, there will be NO SCHOOL for Valley Heights, USD 498, tomorrow, Monday, January 25th.
The HS boys basketball game vs Axtell in Onaga tonight as been moved back to a 6:00 start time. Game will be livestreamed by Onaga on the NFHSnetwork.
USD 498 Board of Education Spotlight:
Mrs. Melva Sanner has served our district as a Board of Education member for 7 years. She and her husband, David, reside in Blue Rapids and have three children; Jaqi Woodyard of Blue Rapids, Rebecca (Becca) Lanik, Wahoo, NE, and Sarah Bailey, a traveling nurse. Melva recently retired as the Administrative Director of Country Place Senior Living's Assisted Living facility. When time allows she enjoys all outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, boating, recreational vehicles and horses. Reading is something else she truly enjoys.
"To help provide a good learning experience for our students to be successful in life" is her personal motivation for her service on her board. She also believes that being a positive influence for our district is the most rewarding part of that role.
Melva, we appreciate all you do to serve the students and staff of USD 498. Thank you for being a positive world changer by choosing to give back to our community and district!
USD 498 COVID-19 Update
USD 498 Board of Education Spotlight:
Mr. John Walsh is currently in his 8th year as a member of the Valley Heights Board of Education. John lives in Blue Rapids and works as a miner at Georgia Pacific. He has four children, Gabriel, Mason and Madeline Walsh, and Justine (Walsh) deBoer.
When asked why he chooses to serve on the USD 498 school board, John said he does so "to help serve the community and school". Seeing the district grow is the most rewarding part of his job. He enjoys spending quality time with his family and good friends whenever he can.
John, we truly appreciate that you choose to give your time and effort to serve the students and staff of our district. We appreciate you and your devotion to Valley Heights!
Because of the TVL tournament game that we lost for tonight ,the Valley Heights boys team will now be playing Axtell on Friday at 4:30. We will still have our game that was is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30. Both games will be played at Onaga High School.
USD 498 COVID-19 Update:
The HS boys basketball game at Onaga vs Linn that was scheduled for tonight has been cancelled due to COVID protocols.
Mr. Smith’s ECONOMICS class helped serve over 200 area families with Harvester’s and the Waterville Methodist Church today!
USD 498 Board of Education Spotlight:
Mike Vermetten is in his 8th year of serving Valley Heights Schools as a member of the BOE. He and his wife, Stacy, live in Waterville and have four daughters; Shelby, who lives in Joplin, MO, Samantha is a student at KSU, and Madison and Mia attend VHHS. Mike also serves our community as the Undersheriff of the Marshall County Sheriff's Office. He enjoys camping, hiking and biking with his family.
When asked why he chooses to serve on the board he said, "because kids' futures matter!". Mike believes that seeing the district continuing to improve in the process of education with the youth of our community is the most rewarding part of his role on the board.
Mike, we appreciate your service to the students and staff of USD 498. You are an outstanding asset to our school and our community! Thank you!
How to watch the TVL tourney games this week. Girls in Frankfort and boys n Onaga. Both schools will use the NFHSnetwork for games in their main gym and their schools Facebook for games in their secondary gym.
The JH basketball games that were scheduled for tonight at Hanover have been canceled.
USD 498 Board of Education Spotlight:
Sharon Osborne in her 7th year as a Valley Heights Board of Education member and currently serves as the Vice President. She spent her career as an elementary teacher in our district, and lives in Blue Rapids with her husband, Dennis. They have two children; Jennifer Osborne Pishny lives at Lake Elbo, just east of Manhattan. Their son, Justin, lives in Omak, Washington. She enjoys reading and traveling in her spare time.
Sharon said she serves on the board because, "as a retired teacher, I am able to provide insight from an educator's perspective". She states that the most rewarding part of her role on the board is helping fellow board members as they strive to make decisions that are best for our students.
Sharon, we are so grateful to you for the many things you do for our district! Thank you for your service to USD 498!
USD 498 COVID-19 Update: Loving these LOW numbers!
Important Announcement: Due to water main issues there will be NO SCHOOL tomorrow, Thursday, January 14th for students in grades 7-12 at Valley Heights Jr./Sr. High School. Your basketball coaches will be contacting you regarding practice times.
Winter King and Queen of Courts Candidates this year are: Sophie Brungardt, Shyanne Carder, Makenzie Joseph, and Kayla Nemechek for queen. King candidates are Cesar Aguirre, Evan Haines, Josh Whelan, and Cade Zidek. Crowning will take place at 9:00 p.m. Saturday night during the dance, due to the game being postponed Thursday night. Parents of candidates are invited to come for the crowning. Congratulations to all candidates.
USD 498 Board of Education Spotlight:
David Vermetten currently serves as the president of the Valley Heights BOE and is in his 8th year as a board member. David and his family live in rural Waterville where he owns and operates his structural engineering business, VMT Engineering P.A. His wife, Suzie, is a kindergarten teacher for USD 498, and their son, Dawson is in the 6th grade at Blue Rapids Grade School. When he does have free time, he likes to spend as much time as he can with his family.
David summed up his boardsmanship as follows:
"I would not be the person I am today if not for the educational experience and care I received at Valley Heights. I serve as a thank you for what I received." He said the most rewarding part of his role on the board is watching students grow, succeed and ultimately graduate.
Thank you, David, for your consistent and dedicated service to USD 498 and our students! We appreciate you!
