The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News
The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News
The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News
Natalie Merley

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor

This is senior Natalie Merley’s second year on the JagWire staff and she will be undertaking the position of assistant editor as well as co-copy editor. At Mill Valley, Natalie is involved with HOSA, NHS, English NHS, Spanish NHS, JagPRIDE, Blue Crew and Chemistry NHS. Outside of school Natalie can be found spending time with friends and family, shopping, or binging Netflix’s true crime documentaries. She is very excited to be returning to the newspaper staff this year.

All content by Natalie Merley
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Don’t change yourself, improve yourself

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor
May 30, 2023
From music to current events, things have changed a lot from when the senior class was born to when they graduated.

[Photo] Comparing trends from 2004-2005 and 2022-2023

Luci Guess, JagWire reporter/photographer
May 25, 2023
The rest of the team watches anxiously while those on the field make their next play.

Baseball takes the win the against Shawnee Mission North

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor
April 8, 2023
Senior Matt Weis dives toward second base.

Junior Lucas Longhofer bunts the ball after a harsh pitch.

Freshman Beau Peterson tosses a new bat to junior Reid Livingston before he prepares to bat.

After hitting a home run, junior Reid Livingston gets congratulated by his teammates.

Senior Matt Weis catches the ball, gaining a first out for the other team.

Senior Parker Volski makes a big stride after pitching the ball on the pitchers mound.

After batting, junior Davion Harris runs to first base Thursday, April 6.

Senior Anna Stottlemyre engages in conversation with senior Adisyn Hopkins while out at dinner with her friends. "I like going out to dinner with my friends because I enjoy spending time with them" Stottlemyre said Wednesday, March 8.

[Photo] Three ways to get out of the house this Spring break

March 10, 2023
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[Photo] Friends share a passion for collecting vinyl records

Baylen Monson and Leah Dresvyannikov
February 15, 2023
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[Photo] Student shares his story of learning to provide for himself

February 13, 2023
Sophomore Kenzie Johnson completes the check in process for the Red Cross blood drive with sophomores Brynn Shideler and Brooklyn Markovich Saturday Jan. 28.

Sophomore Kenzie Johnson brings new ideas to the Student Council roundtable

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor
January 30, 2023
Sophomore Evan Wendler warms up before the 50-yard freestyle.

Junior Max Roh sets up his dive for the final round.

Diving into the pool, junior Max Roh grabs his legs to flip.

After diving, a few of the swim members discuss with swim coach Sarah Evans before the final heats of the meet.

Sophomore Sawyer Clark performs the backstroke during the 50-yard freestyle

[Photo] Boys swim places first at Olathe North Triangular meet

January 14, 2023
On the starting block, freshman Harrison Guest and sophomore Justice Bussell prepare to start the upcoming 100-yard freestyle Wednesday, Jan. 11.

In lane four, sophomore Justice Bussell races to the finish line in the 100-yard freestyle

Senior Nen Matlock dunks the ball leaving Gardener 15 points behind.

Boys basketball tops Gardner Edgerton 61-40

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor
December 13, 2022
Following a foul from Gardner Edgerton, junior Bryant Wiltse shoots a free throw.

Warming up before the game, junior Bryant Wiltse dribbles the ball across the court Friday, Dec. 9.

Lifting up one of their dancers, the Silver Stars perform their competition piece at half time.

Starting another first half drive, senior Ryan Cummings attempts to steal the ball from Gardner Edgerton.

Warming up before the game, senior Marko Skavo shoots a free throw.

Senior Brooks Jahnke tosses the ball back to the referee after a play.

Diving underneath a Gardner Edgerton player, senior Nen Matlock steals the ball.

Senior Jameson Fisher gets subbed in during the first half.

Junior Madeline Epperson and senior Sidney Claeys face the crowd to cheer for Jaguars during a timeout.

Senior Ryan Cummings, sophomore Carter Kaifes and senior Brooks Jahnke stand in line with their teammates for the regular playing of the Star Spangled Banner.

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[Photo] A behind-the-scenes look at the Silver Stars dance team

Abby Riggs, JagWire reporter/photographer
December 12, 2022
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Junior Davion Harris avoids a tackle to successfully complete a touchdown.

Head coach Joel Applebee gathers the team for a final huddle after their state win.

Junior Mason Kemp assists in a tackle against Maize.

The team awaits the results of the coin toss at the start of the game.

Senior Hayden Jay hands the ball to junior Tristan Baker.

Juniors Mason Kemp and Davion Harris celebrate after a Harris caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Hayden Jay.

The team stands for the flag before the game starts.

Senior Hudson Ivy celebrates during the last few seconds of the game.

After tasting the frozen pecan pie, FACS teachers Lauren Stringer and Margaret Dieckhoff discuss their thoughts Friday, Nov. 19

After tasting the final round of pumpkin pie, FACS teachers Lauren Stringer and Margaret Dieckhoff share their opinions on their least favorite pie

FACS teacher Margaret Dieckhoff digs into the first testing of the pecan pie

FACS teacher Lauren Stringer tastes the pecan pie for the first time

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[Photo] Mill Valley moves up to 6A athletic classification

Abby Riggs, JagWire reporter/photographer
November 10, 2022
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[Photo] District passes new late start schedule

November 8, 2022
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Before the game, the football team lines the sidelines for the playing of the National Anthem Friday, Oct. 28.

Talking into his headset, defensive coordinator coach Drew Hudgins communicates with the team on their next play.

Running into the endzone, junior Evan Seifert completes a touchdown.

Running past a J.C. Harmon defensive player, freshman Blake Jay runs for a touchdown.

[Photo] Football wins first playoff game against J.C. Harmon

October 31, 2022
Gathered at center field after the game, head coach Joel Applebee addresses the football team for their post-game huddle.

Offered all day, the specialty House Breakfast Sandwich is served on a croissant with either bacon or sausage, paired with a fried egg, fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and spicy mayonnaise.

Featuring a chalkboard that holds information and occasionally seasonal items, the opening to Prayer Box Cafe shows shows the times the cafe is open.

Served on wheat bread with fresh mashed avocado topped with a a slice of tomato, crumbles of feta cheese, and everything but the bagel seasoning, the avocado toast is offered all day.

Emily Kate's gluten-free donut is offered for purchase along with other gluten free items including cookies and pastries depending on the season.

Featuring various local artists from different backgrounds, the art wall at Prayer Box Cafe includes short description of who each artist is and why they began art.

As the area where customers can place their orders, the opening counter of Prayer Box Cafe shows the menu as well as various pastries and treats.

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[Photo] The best hang out spots for students in the KC area

Anna Zwahlen, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
September 29, 2022
Freshman Sarah Allerheiligan stands and smiles next to her new horse, Luke, outside of where she practices Sunday, Sept 11.

[Photo] Freshman Sarah Allerheiligen competes as an elite horseback rider

September 30, 2022
Junior Ryan Deverill and coach Reece Petty talk about the previous play.

Senior Hayes Miller completes a touchdown.

Senior quarterback Hayden Jay throws the ball to a fellow teammate.

[Photo] Football takes down Gardner-Edgerton 35-14

September 25, 2022
Mill Valley players successfully keep Gardner-Edgerton away from their endzone on Sept. 23.

Both teams get prepared for their next play.

Senior Holden Zigmant attempts to stop Gardner-Edgerton's players from reaching the end zone.

Senior quarterback Hayden Jay gets ready to pass the ball to the other offensive players.

Senior Tate Nekola completes a touchdown.

Offensive lineman senior Jack Melvin completes a tackle on Gardener Edgerton's player.

After the game, both teams line up to congratulate each other on a good game.

Coach Drew Hudgins gathers the team to touch base on the next order of plays.

Offensive players participate in the infamous 'Land Shark' chant.

Junior Tristan Baker and his family pose for a picture to commemorate them on Sept. 23

Seniors Holden Zigmant and Broc Worcester intercept a touchdown pass thrown by Gardner-Edgerton.

Coach Joshua Barnes congratulates senior Holden Zigmant on a great game.

Defensive Lineman senior Grant Rutkowski eyes the Gardner-Edgerton quarterback.

Quarterback senior Hayden Jay dodges a Gardner-Edgerton lineman in an effort to make a first down.

Ball in hand, defensive back senior Mark Bauer runs past the mound of players to gain yardage on the play.

Offensive lineman Ty Marsh gets in the snapping position alongside the rest of offensive, waiting for the play to start.

After scoring a touchdown, kicker junior Kenten Laughman successfully kicks a field goal.

Starting the play, Gardner-Edgerton makes an attempt to complete a touchdown.

Seniors Mikey Bergeron and Holden Zigmant complete a tackle.

Junior Truman Griffith locks arms with a Gardner-Edgerton lineman.

Holding a psychology textbook, social studies and psychology teacher Reece Petty is eager to get back into teaching, Wednesday, August 31. “I am looking forward to getting back into teaching social studies and getting in the flow of teaching psychology again” Petty said. “Adding civics on to that, it’ll be a lot of fun.”

New psychology and social studies teacher looks forward to teaching and coaching

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor
September 7, 2022
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[Photo] A timeline of the class of 2022’s time at Mill Valley

Baylen Monson, JagWire copy editor
May 20, 2022
Junior Finn Campbell jumps towards the finish line during hurdles.

Track competes at Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazer Invitational

Natalie Merley, JagWire copy editor
May 1, 2022
After completing a high jump round, senior Kendrick Jones receives congratulations from the rest of his team.

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