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
Steven Curto

Steven Curto, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief

This is senior Steven Curto’s third year on the JagWire staff. He is undertaking the position of Mill Valley News editor-in-chief. When he isn’t occupied with the undertakings of running the website, Steven can be found doing various tasks as the president of Club 121, working at Panera on the weekends and doing homework for the numerous AP courses he enrolled himself in this year. When he’s not busy working or being productive, he can be found scrolling through TikTok for hours on end, watching Netflix, listening to acoustic covers and renditions of popular songs, and hanging out with friends. 

All content by Steven Curto
Laughing while conversing about band Thursday, May 6, senior Ella Greenup and freshman Kate Marten get Sonic with one another - an activity they do often together.

[Photo] Students bond through band

May 18, 2021
Steven Curto

Balancing class workload with free time is important

Steven Curto, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
May 14, 2021
Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Emma Schieber holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Posing for a photo, senior members of the girls soccer team hold their bouquet of flowers while smiling with their peers during senior night.

Girls soccer head coach Joe Waldron congratulates senior girls soccer manager Ryleigh Reigle.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer manager Ryleigh Reigle holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Katherine Weigel holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field during girls soccer senior night on Friday, May 7.

[Photo] Girls soccer beats Lawrence High 9-0 on senior night

May 7, 2021
Posing with her parents for a picture, senior girls soccer player Lainey Waldron holds a bouquet of flowers.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Peyton Wagoner holds a bouquet of flowers.

Standing with her parents, senior girls soccer player Molly Ricker holds a bouquet of flowers.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Katie Turner holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Molly Ricker holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Avery Norman holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Isabella Loya holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Mia Colletti holds a bouquet of flowers as she approaches the middle of the field.

Walking with her parents, senior girls soccer player Hannah Beashore smiles as she approaches the middle of the field.

Girls soccer head coach Joe Waldron prepares to greet senior girls after the speaker calls their name.

Kicking the ball, sophomore Gracie Knight passes the ball to a teammate.

Throwing the ball to a teammate, freshman Julia Coacher gets ready to propel the ball forward.

In an effort to defend the ball senior Isabella Loya extends her arm to keep the opponent away from the ball.

Blocking the ball during a free kick, seniors Katherine Weigel and Hannah Beashore defend the goal.

Commencing the ceremony, prom king and queen candidates, seniors Prathik Gadiraju, Jacob Hartman, Thomas Sellen, Cameron Coad, Nicole Crist, Taylor Sitzman, Sophie Lecuru, Ava VanInwegen, and Ellie Reese pose with the prom king and queen, seniors John Fraka and Molly Ricker.

Student body president senior Ellie Boone takes pictures of the prom queen candidates.

After the ceremony, prom queen candidates seniors Taylor Sitzman, Nicole Crist, Molly Ricker, Sophie Lecuru, Ellie Reese and Ava VanInwegen pose together for a group photo.

Posing for a picture together, seniors John Fraka and Molly Ricker celebrate being crowned prom king and queen.

During the prom coronation ceremony on Friday, May 7, seniors John Fraka and Molly Ricker were crowned prom king and queen.

[Photo] Prom king and queen announced at crowning ceremony

May 7, 2021
Standing front and center after being announced prom queen, senior Molly Ricker looks out into the audience.

After being announced prom queen, senior Molly Ricker walks to the front of the stage to be crowned.

After being announced prom king, senior John Fraka is crowned by student body president senior Ellie Boone.

Senior Carysn Turpin signs and poses with his parents and coach McAfee. Turpin will attend Hutchinson Community College for track and field and cross country.

Senior Brodie Scott signs and poses with his parents. Scott will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for wrestling.

Senior Carson Dulitz signs and poses with his parents. Dulitz will attend Colorado School of Mines for wrestling.

Senior Elle Zars signs and poses with her parents. Elle, the third Zars child and a 2021 graduate, currently attends MidAmerica Nazarene University and competes on their track and field.

[Photo] Zars family creates Mill Valley athletic legacy over five years

Kaitlyn Burke and Julia Coacher
March 4, 2022
Senior Cali Rhodes signs and poses with her parents. Rhodes will attend Saginaw Valley State University for swim.

Senior Ava Bredwell signs and poses with her parents. Bredwell will attend University of Nebraska for softball.

Senior Molly Ricker signs and poses with her parents. Ricker will attend University of Central Missouri for soccer.

Senior Avery Norman signs and poses with her parents. Norman will attend Southwestern College for soccer.

Senior Hannah Beashore signs and poses with her parents. Beashore will attend Missouri Southern State University for soccer.

Senior Chris Tennant signs and poses with his parents. Tennant will attend Kansas State University to play football.

Senior Ethan Kremer signs and poses with his parents. Kremer will attend Colorado School of Mines for wrestling.

Setting up the table in-between each signing, junior Logan Pfeister places a pen on the table.

Senior Lucas Pringle signs and poses with his parents. Pringle will attend Neosho County Community College for baseball.

Senior Blake Martin signs and poses with his parents. Martin will attend Johnson County Community College for baseball.

Senior Cooper Marsh signs and poses with his parents. Marsh will attend Johnson County Community College for baseball.

Standing at the podium in the main gym, athletic director Jerald VanRheen announces how the ceremony will proceed.

Members of NHS wrote positive messages to elementary students at Prairie Ridge Elementary and Clear Creek.

Using chalk, senior Meagan Haymaker, as part of NHS, writes the message "you are amazing."

Writing with chalk, NHS member senior Landry Haydock shares a positive message for students.

Glancing at her artwork, NHS member junior Jada Eggleston plans out what she's going to write next to elementary students at Prairie Ridge Elementary School on Monday, May 3.

[Photo] NHS cheers elementary students on with sidewalk chalk art

May 2, 2021
Putting the finishing touches on her artwork for NHS, senior Sydney Knapp uses white chalk.

Creating a sailboat, NHS officer Taylor Moss uses various colored chalk to make her artwork vibrant.

Following online allegations against Youtuber's David Dobrik and James Charles, both responded by releasing 'apology videos' to their respective YouTube channels.

David Dobrik and James Charles can’t just ‘apologize’ for criminal behavior

Steven Curto, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
April 19, 2021
Students across the school perform, compose, and produce music

Students across the school perform, compose, and produce music

Ben Wieland and Steven Curto
April 19, 2021
Holding up an environmental science textbook, science teacher Julie Roberts reflects on how teaching climate change is less stigmatized now than at the start of her career, “...13 years ago there was more skepticism when it came to climate change. We don’t really see that anymore.”

[Photo] The importance of the environment in our curriculum

April 24, 2021
ACT notified the district that they will not score the exam administered on Tuesday, March 2. Juniors will now be required to retake the exam on Tuesday, April 6.

ACT refuses to score district-wide free tests administered in March

Ben Wieland, Steven Curto, and Anna Owsley
March 23, 2021
Hawaiian Bros opened a new location off of Shawnee Mission Parkway, which boosts an assortment of popular Hawaiian food.

[Photo] Review: Hawaiian Bros

Ben Wieland, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
March 22, 2021
After completing the Job Olympics, peers-in-learning students and special education students stand alongside one another to pose for a photo on Tuesday, March 9.

[Photo] Students compete in JCCC Job Olympics

March 11, 2021
Hammering together PVC pipe, Robotics sponsor Gary Hannah helps robotics members senior Alex Owens and De Soto sophomore Julie Steeb make dog beds for non-profit animal shelter Imagine Forever Homes. The robotics team made dog beds on Thursday, March 4 at their weekly after school meeting.

[Photo] Robotics team creates and donates dog beds

March 8, 2021
Helping put the finishing touches on the dog bed, De Soto sophomore Julie Steeb out to end pieces of PVC pipe together.

Using a PVC cutter, robotic team member senior Alex Owens cuts a piece of PVC pipe after measuring the correct length needed for the dog bed.

Sliding the cut PVC piece in the side of the matt, De Soto sophomore Julie Steeb uses both hands to push the pipe through the side of the matt.

Using a marker, senior Alex Owens marks the correct measurement of where she needs to cut for the dog bed's side post on the PVC pipe.

A total of 10 dog beds were created by the robotics team and were donated to Imagine Forever Homes on Saturday, March 6.

Students share how COVID-19 has impacted their identity

Students share how COVID-19 has impacted their identity

Quinn Franken, Steven Curto, and Gabby Delpleash
February 25, 2021
Practicing singing one of his parts in "The Pirates of Penzance," sophomore Carter Harvey is set to play Frederic. The musicals Sullivan cast performed Thursday, Feb. 18.

[Photo] Students take on new identities in theater

Avery Gathright, JagWire editor-in-chief
February 24, 2021
Students, teachers modify study spaces during unique year

Students, teachers modify study spaces during unique year

Ben Wieland and Steven Curto
February 20, 2021
Discussing their answers with one another, seniors Gage Foltz and Alex Conan compare the answers to the psychology activity they were doing in groups.

Talking with one another, seniors Kendall France and Alex Conan discuss their answers in newlygroup tables during AP Psychology Friday, Feb. 19.

Practicing singing one of his parts in "The Pirates of Penzance," sophomore Carter Harvey is set to play Frederic. The musicals Sullivan cast is scheduled to perform on Thursday, Feb. 18.

The Science Olympiad team hosted their first-ever virtual meet. Overall, the team placed sixth in the tournament and took first in 2 events: Write It CAD It and Experimental Design. The team also placed second in the Chemical Lab, Circuit Lab and Forensics events.

Science Olympiad team works with De Soto to host virtual invitational

Steven Curto and Ben Wieland
February 6, 2021
New debate teacher, Cameron Carlson, is heading the program for the 2020-2021 school year. The JagWire sat down with Mr. Carlson and went over his outlook for the school year and program.

Q&A with new debate teacher Cameron Carlson

Steven Curto, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
December 22, 2020
Working at McLain’s during the pandemic, senior Kenzie Harris bags food for a customer that she just prepared along with her coworkers.

Three local restaurant owners discuss the impact of COVID-19

Aiden Burke, Steven Curto, and Tanner Smith
December 18, 2020
Several plants, including tomatoes, grow in the aquaponics garden in either soil or clay pebbles and are fed by artificial light.

The waste of the 40 Bluegill fish held in the container travels through pipes and goes directly to the plants to fertilize them.

Due to COVID-19, restaurants have amplified sanitation. Sharks Bar and Grill employee Emily Smith put together a condiment caddy after the condiments had been disinfected on Monday, Nov. 11.

[Photo] Local restaurants face significant industry changes amid COVID-19 pandemic

Gabby Delpleash and Madelyn Welch
December 16, 2020
To keep customers and employees safe, restaurants across the county have adopted sanitization stations that enabled employees to clean tables more frequently.

Rather than type in their lunch code, students were given lunch cards this year to help limit the spread of COVID. During lunch, freshman Nate Carter’s lunch card is scanned on Monday, Nov. 16.

[Photo] Changes in the cafeteria accommodate COVID-19 safety guidelines

Anna Owsley and Aiden Burke
December 16, 2020
The school board's decision to switch from the hybrid learning model to a fully remote model was met with mixed emotions among students and faculty.

Faculty and students express their concerns about going remote

Steven Curto and Anna Owsley
December 14, 2020
The school board's decision to switch from the hybrid learning model to a fully remote model was met with mixed emotions among students and faculty.

Faculty and students express their concerns about going remote

Steven Curto and Anna Owsley
November 24, 2020
Nicole helps a student pick out a new jacket, so the student does not get the wrong size.

The Catty Shack opens for business with a variety of items for sale, including cookies, drinks and spirit wear.

[Photo] The Catty Shack hosts grand opening

November 23, 2020
Working front desk is Kyle Moylan he is trying to sell cookies to the students at the opening of the Catty Shack.

Stepping into science teacher Jill Lloyd’s chemistry class, principal Dr. Gail Holder discusses the results of an experiment with a student Friday, Oct. 9.

New principal Gail Holder adjusts to her position during COVID-19

Steven Curto and Aiden Burke
October 29, 2020
Before leaving class, senior Ella Greenup wipes down her desk with a paper towel and disinfectant Thursday, Oct 1.

While wearing a mask and practicing social distancing in the classroom, Junior Ben Baumgart works on his in-class french assignment on Thursday, Oct 1.

[Photo] Students make difficult choice between hybrid, remote models

Anna Owsley and Aiden Burke
October 26, 2020
Meet the Homecoming candidates

Meet the Homecoming candidates

Steven Curto and Anna Owsley
October 14, 2020
Editorial: Our staff policies for COVID-19 coverage

Editorial: Our staff policies for COVID-19 coverage

Ben Wieland, Anna Owsley, and Steven Curto
September 24, 2020
School welcomes new teachers

School welcomes new teachers

Steven Curto, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief
September 21, 2020
Students from the district hosted a rally on Friday, July 31 to garnish support for school to be hosted in-person this September.

Students hold rally in support of in-person classes

Ben Wieland and Steven Curto
August 1, 2020
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