Sports

The VHS Badger Band received State Music Medals from the NSAA for receiving Superior awards from all three of their judges at District Music. District Music was held in Ainsworth, April 19. The Band played a march called Amparito Roca and a lyrical piece titled Londonderry Aire.

The Cody-Kilgore Track Teams qualified two athletes for the 2024 NSAA State Track Meet at D-4 Districts in Bassett on May 8. Qualifying for Cody-Kilgore were: • Aubree Johnson in the High Jump.

The Valentine Badger Track Teams qualified eight athletes for the 2024 NSAA State Track Meet at C-5 Districts in Atkinson on May 9. Qualifying for Valentine were: • Isaac Cronin in the High Jump, 300 Meter Hurdles and 110 Meter Hurdles.

Not only is the road adjacent to Merritt Reservoir going to be resurfaced, it will also be widened. NDOT Darrell Lurz said, “The entire road does get widened to 12’. Some areas will get widened to 14’ and some to 18’. The hills will be cut back to give sight distance, snow load, and drainage. Hope the speed is increased and more passing zones, but unknown at this time.”

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 52 youth attended the Valentine Kids Fishing Clinic at the State Fish Hatchery. Helping with the clinic were Nebraska Game and Parks Valentine staff: Zac, Logan D., Logan G., and Derrek.

Plenty of improvements in Nebraska’s north-central state parks await visitors this year. Projects completed in 2023 or to be finished in 2024 will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects:

Nothing brings out paddlers like warm temperatures and fresh spring air. Those enjoying Nebraska’s water bodies and water trails through May are urged to be cautious as air temperatures are rising, but the water is still cold and can be dangerous.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like Valentine Community Schools to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer.

It was a windy, chilly, Friday, May 3, 2024 when Valentine hosted the Greg Gass Invitational. Coach Blake Beebout said, “I can’t thank everyone who helped out with our track meet enough. We were able to get the meet in, beat the rain, and the kids were able to compete in front of their home crowd. I’m very proud of our student-athletes and our community of helpers for their performance at the Greg Gass Invitational. I’m very excited to watch our athletes compete at Districts, especially with how well we did at our own meet. Both Boys and Girls brought home 1st place team trophies.”

Rebekah Cash of the Valentine Senior Center gathered up FFA students from Mr. Brent Nollette’s class at VHS for this photo. Helping to clear out the Senior Center’s flower beds included: Preston Stoeger, Jessalyn Welch, Kinsey Buechle, JoJo Jordan, Ciana Colvin, Quinton Nelson, and Ethan Cozad.