Fun in the Valley
Winter Homecoming
The High School Student Council will be hosting the Winter Homecoming from February 3rd to the 8th. Visit the Winter Homecoming webpage for more information and event details.
Sports
For sports schedules please visit the Athletics Website: Upcoming Sporting Events
On January 13th the Varsity Competitive Cheer team also traveled to compete in a Big 8 Jamboree at Stockbridge.
The Boys JV team claimed victory over the Reading Rangers at home on January 14th, with a score of 51-40. The Varsity team followed suit, delivering an impressive win with a final score of 69-42. Great job to both teams!
The 7th-grade girls’ basketball team earned their first victory of the season with a commanding 40-11 win over Union City. Raegan Jones scored 10 points, followed by Paige Hansbarger with 9, Bently Little with 7, and Maci Erb with 6. Klaire Keiffer dominated the board and energized her team with a perfectly executed charge. The team’s relentless effort on both ends of the court was instrumental in their impressive performance.
The 8th-grade girls’ basketball team claimed a hard-fought 16-14 victory over Union City in a defensive showdown. The team’s relentless pressure forced numerous turnovers by Union City. Mel Jones led the scoring effort with 7 points, while Brynlee Joseph and Olive Campbell contributed 4 points each. Great teamwork and determination secured the win!
On January 17, the JV and Varsity girls’ basketball teams played challenging games against the Reading Rangers. Both teams showcased determination despite falling short on the scoreboard. In the JV match-up, the final score was 21-33 in favor of the Reading Rangers. Although the scoreboard didn’t reflect a victory, the JV team demonstrated significant teamwork and resilience throughout the game. The varsity team also put up a spirited performance but was ultimately outscored by the Rangers, with a final score of 34-62 in favor of the Rangers. Despite the loss, the varsity players displayed grit and passion, giving their all until the final buzzer.
The Girls Varsity Basketball team secured a decisive victory against the West Michigan Aviation Academy Aviators on January 14th, with a final score of 30-19. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding performance!
On January 15th the Wrestling team defeated the Stockbridge Panthers with a team score of 48-36. They also competed against the Bronson Vikings.
The Boys JV Basketball team faced a tough battle against the Bronson Vikings on January 16th, ultimately falling short with a final score of 51-58. The Boys Varsity Basketball team rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to secure a thrilling 75-72 victory over Bronson on the 16th. Sophomore Teegan McDonald led the Lions with a game-high 36 points, while senior Jakeb McDonald added 19 in a well-rounded team effort. The Lions tightened their defense in the second half, holding Bronson’s star guard to just nine points. Key free throws by Teegan and a strong transition game sealed the win, improving Maple Valley’s record to 4-8 overall and 2-5 in conference play.
On January 18th, the Wrestling team traveled to Quincy to compete in the Shawn Cockrell Memorial Tournament, earning an impressive 6th place finish out of 11 teams with a total score of 89.5. Notable individual performances included Filip Nowak, who secured 1st place in the 144 lb weight class, Jackson Burpee with a 2nd place finish at 190 lbs, Roman Schilz placing 3rd at 113 lbs, Joe Long taking 3rd at 285 lbs, Robert Schilz finishing 4th at 138 lbs, and Skyler Cook earning 4th at 215 lbs. Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and success!
Activites/Clubs
The Maple Valley Pep Band played at the JV/Varsity Boys Basketball games on January 14th after taking a break. The fans and student section were very excited to hear the music and see the school spirit it brought. They are excited to perform for the rest of the season.
Senior Highlights
Aubrie Leo
After High School, Aubrie plans on going to MSU for Criminal Justice. The Teacher who has had the biggest impact on her is Mr. Wilhelm because he has always been a supporter of her and her actions and has helped her through issues and school. She can always rely on him to assist her. After Graduation Aubrie looks forward to attending college and pursuing her career. Some advice she would give to incoming freshmen is to attend the dances & games and engage in activities. The highlight of her senior year is being able to cheer on the sidelines one last time with her friends.
Jeremiah Penny
After High School, Jeremiah would like to study Sports Medicine. The teacher who has had the biggest impact on him is Mr Rosin, he has told him a lot about school and life. One thing he is looking forward to after graduation is being able to sleep in and wake up whenever he wants to. Some advice he would give to incoming freshmen is to start lifting as soon as possible. The highlight of his senior year is scoring a 50+ yard touchdown for the Homecoming Game.
Robert Schilz
After High School, Robert plans on growing his Gutter Cleaning Company and continue to work in construction. The teacher that has had the biggest impact on him was Mrs. Webb by being on his case all the time making sure he turns in his work promptly, showing him her motherly instincts, and allowing him to speak to her with open arms while also showing him support and guidance throughout High School. Some advice he would like to give to the upcoming freshman is to be spontaneous and to not overthink what the future holds for you, the highlight of his senior year will be graduating.
Staff Highlight
Dr. Katherine Bertolini, Maple Valley School’s Superintendent brings a fair amount of experience to the Maple Valley community. She graduated from North Dakota State University with her Ph. D., MSU twice for an MA in School & Community Counseling and Theatre, and has an English Education BA from MSU. With a background in Theater, English Education, and School Counseling, she values her close connections with students, staff, and families. Drawn to Maple Valley’s art program, she loves seeing students excel in academics, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Outside of work, she enjoys nature, gardening, and wildlife. Her advice to students is to embrace every step of life’s journey, push beyond their limits, and get involved to create lifelong memories. For Dr. Bertolini, education is about building meaningful connections, and lasting experiences.
