by Daniel Garnsey - May 18, 2012

Yesterday (5-17) at 7:45 the Student Council traveled to Odessa, TX for their STUCO trip. Those that went were Adriana Rangel (STUCO President), Nicole Campbell (Vice President), Amelia Santillan (Secretary), Daniel Koch as the sophomore representative and Gabby Tarango as well, and Ignacio Santillan as the Jr. High representative. The students that went on the trip said that it was really fun and exciting, even the museum part.

"I thought it was pretty cool.” said Nicole Campbell. "We got to eat AWESOME donuts from Queens Donuts, we went bowling in Odessa, which my score was the BEST. I won with a score of 108! After that we went to eat at a Golden Corral, which was awesome because, THERE WAS COTTON CANDY!! Overall though it was pretty cool.” Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun.

Educationally, the Student Council got to go to the Commemorative Air Force Museum. "We learned about the Air Force's importance in World War II.” said Daniel Koch. "Then we got to stare at the artistic designs on the planes.”

Hope you guys learned a lot and can share the information that you have obtained from the museum. "The museum was really interesting.” said Amelia Santillan. "We got to learn a little about World War II. That day was really awesome.”

Having fun and learning something interesting is the best way to do it. Nobody wanted to sponsor the student council, so Mr. Cook did it out of the kindness of his heart. Mr. Cook drove the STUCO members to Odessa to have fun for all their hard work.

"The kids decided where to go.” said Mr. Cook. "They looked at El Paso, Midland, Fort Stockton, and Odessa. Where we were going had to have a fun thing to do, and something educational. The kids did great, and Adriana was an excellent president.”

by Kimberly Morton - May 18, 2012

Monday (5-21) at approximately 6 p.m at the Pirate Gymnasium the Avengers will play Ft. Davis in another Summer League game! Wednesday, we played Marfa's summer league team. We lost by 11 but we sure did keep up through the whole thing! I love basketball and plan to play in college, or at least try out, and playing with the guys and having coach Mac as my new coach will absolutely get me ready for that!

The game was a lot faster and aggressive than what I'm used to, but I like it. I think since we kept up with Marfa so closely throughout the whole thing we'll to amazing in district, it's just about who's tougher that game and who's ready.

Playing Ft. Davis Monday is going to be very interesting. Today is our only practice day before that game and unlike the Marfa game, I'm a lot more nervous this time. I know Ft. Davis is really good they only lost one guy and gained a really good one but I know we ca keep up with them, we just have to go hard today in athletics and on Monday bring our 'A' game!

Again the game is Monday, May 21st at 6 o'clock p.m! We hope they come on time and a bunch of fans come to cheer Sparky's team on!

"I'm very excited about Monday's game against the big FD! I hope I don't lose my voice this time!" said coach Aaron.

"I'm excited to play again with my teammates, we get another chance to mesh together as a team. I hope we get a win this game!!” said our team leader, Daniel G.

by Nicole Campbell - May 18, 2012

Today, May 18, 2012, the Van Horn band came to the Valentine school to play for all of the students here! There were quite a few kids from Van Horn, because the auditorium stage was packed.

The band played six songs, Sway by: Michael Buble, Legacy of Heroes, Don't Stop Believin' by: Journey, In The Mood by: Glen Miller, Oye Como Va by: Carlos Santana, and Rock N' Roll Is Here To Stay by: Danny and The Juniors. The performance lasted about thirty minutes.



All of the students seemed very talented with the instruments that they played. Amelia, a former band student from Odessa High School, really enjoyed getting to hear the students play from Van Horn. Amelia has been wanting Valentine to start up a music program for the longest time, and getting to hear the Van Horn Band play was nice.


"I think it was AMAZING that they came to play for us. It made me wish I was up there with them. Overall, great performance!,” says Amelia.

Even the Jr. High really enjoyed hearing the band play. Jessie, a sixth grader, said, "It was so great to see the other students play. It was awesome! I would like to play drums because I actually know how to. So, Mr. Cook this is a short little message, please give us a music band. We promise to make the school shine!”

Afterwards, some of the band students showed their instruments to her class, and showed them how the instruments were played. Mr. Cook also showed the school how the Director knows when to cue the band to play, by showing everyone the Directors score. They were delighted!

A special thanks to Gilda Morales and the Van Horn Band for coming and giving us a great performance. We really appreciate it!

by Jessie Garcia - May 18, 2012

I have been told that Miss Cayenne Webb has saved a $20 bill. Valerie Garcia says she had 20 dollars that was gonna belong to the school. She dropped it and did not notice it until it was too late. Then when all the teachers and Mr. Cook started talking about it, the hero came in to place.

Cayenne Webb came and handed the money to Mrs. Garcia. She said she had found it right were it was lost. Valerie says it was also folded the exact way it was when she had it. That means that Cayenne saved a $20 bill from being stolen. Most kids would have found it and kept it. But our Air Force lady knows how to tell the truth.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH CAYENNE.” -Valerie Garcia

by Cayenne Webb - May 18, 2012

People have been asking about the Summer League basketball schedule, but really, there isn't one! We do know that the next game is Monday (May 21st) against Fort Davis. There are some tentative games, but they're not a for sure deal yet. But, they did play pretty good, but did lose to Marfa by thirteen points!

Kimberly did pretty good for her first game with the boys, she will only get better as the season goes on. We've got a good team, but a couple of the players need attitude adjustments, other than that, they're all good!

"They did well, ran everything they were supposed to, they have a couple of things they need to work on, which are rebounding, getting back on defense, running the defense how it was designed, and a little more mental determination.” Says Coach Morton.

by Kimberly Morton - May 18, 2012

Our staff is spoiled....

Tuesday (5-15) evening at approximately 7 p.m the staff members and their dates when to eat at Cattleman's in Van Horn, TX. Everyone said their food was delicious. The School Board surprised the whole staff with new red windbreakers with the words "Valentine ISD” embroidered on the front left in white. They all looked pretty spiffy Wednesday morning for their staff picture with them all wearing their new jackets!


"I think it's awesome that the staff got new jackets, they're really nice and it looks good on everyone!” said junior Daniel Garnsey. "I think the jackets are really nice and we had a great meal! Thank you Mr. Cook!” said a teacher.

We hope to see them all wearing their jackets soon....maybe for the end of year award ceremony? :)

by Bianca Porras - May 18, 2012

Graduation is just around the corner and the Class of 2012 could not be any happier. The senior class consists of Adriana Rangel, Cayenne Webb, Nicole Campbell, Amelia Santillan and Aaron Morton. They asked me, Coach Porras, to be their class sponsor two months ago. For me, it was a complete honor to be asked. This is a special class and I will miss them terribly. I told them that they deserve a wonderful occasion and I will do my best to give them that. I said that I would be a pain and we would work hard organizing this graduation, but the end product would be totally worth it.

We held our first planning meeting on April 11th. At that meeting we jotted down ideas about what the seniors would like their graduation to be like. We held a second meeting on May 8th. We decided what speeches would be read and who would be reading them.

This past week, we have been busy decorating the auditorium. Each senior has picked out a door in the high school that they are going to decorate with pictures. Adriana Rangel has made a very moving presentation that will be played during the graduation ceremony. Karen Rangel had posters made for the seniors and they have been hung. Flowers have been ordered and balloons have been bought.

We held out first graduation practice on May 14th. Everything is coming along really well. After our first practice we all looked at each other excitedly and thought, "this is going to be great”. I thought the speeches that the seniors wrote were really great. I was particularly impressed with Aaron Morton's.

I told the seniors that this was their moment to shine. They've worked hard for 13 years, Kindergarten through 12th grade, for this moment. They will walk up on that stage and own it. This is a special moment that comes once in their lives and they need to enjoy and savor it. It is for them and their parents.

Graduation will be on May 25th and 7:00pm. I hope everyone will be able to come out and bid adieu to the Class of 2012 and wish them well in all of their future endeavors.

by Aaron Morton - May 18, 2012

Looks like the Valentine Travel Class is going to get some publicity! On Wednesday (May 18) the class was visited by Sherry Butcher, a journalist for Texas Monthly, so the class could be interviewed. Sherry is a graduate from Reed College at Portland Organ and has been writing for newspapers and magazines for many years. 15 to be exact. She has worked for two family newspapers, the Big Bend Sentinel and the Presido International.

She does all of her work out of Marfa, where she lives. After 15 years of writing for newspapers, she decided it was time to do more of her own work, which lead her to the Texas Monthly magazine. And, just recently the magazine decided to add a short 850 word article about the interesting little things that go on in this area that many people don't know about. "So, of course the first thing that popped in my head was the Valentine Travel Class!” said Sterry. She heard about the class from her mother long ago, who has making donations to the class for many years.

All of the class, Maralea and Albert gathered in the auditorium to talk about the trip while Sterry was listening in and making notes. We discussed departure times, where we will be staying, the places we will visit while we're in Costa Rica, the things we personally want to do, how much money we have raised...we basically discussed every aspect of our trip so Sterry could have plenty of material to work with.

After our discussion, Sterry took some video of us and our school. We took her on a tour around the High school to give her a feel of how it is in a tiny school like this. We then gathered around the gazebo for a little Q and A. She wanted to now how we felt about going to school in Valentine, some of our favorite places here, and how close we are with our community. "I'm deeply impressed that the entire Valentine community values their children so much that they'll dedicate two years to send them on a cultural odyssey. That doesn't really happen anywhere else.” added Sterry.

Everyone was really happy with the interviewed and we all think it will be a great article. Sterry said the article should be released sometime around the fall, don't miss it!

by Kimberly Morton - May 18, 2012

I got some new kicks!

Last week Coach Mac had told me that Mr. Cook gave him the 'OK' to get the whole basketball team new dog covers (basketball shoes). I've never gotten two shoes for basketball before, his is pretty cool! "The school allowed us to buy new under armour shoes, we got a good deal on them and I am very happy with them” said Coach Mac.

This morning Coach Mac said they were already in! He ordered the shoes like Thursday or Friday of last week, and they are already here. That was fast! But anyway I came to school and he surprised me with them! I think mine are the only ones that got here, I have not seen the boys'. The shoes are all black with a bit of charcoal gray on the sides. The shoe laces are a little weird but I really like them!! We were hoping and praying that the would fit me when they got here because I had to order in boys sizes and we were not really sure what that was, luckily they fit like a glove!

Now, if you see me I'll be wearing these shoes to break them in. I can't wear them outside but I'll be wearing them in halls and later today in my athletic period. So far they're feeling pretty good. They're a tad wide but they feel really soft and they have a good cushion to them. The bottoms are what are really going to help me. The bottoms of them are really good, they'll help me cut and move faster when I play. I'm excited to play with them not just walk around in them! THANK YOU Mr. Cook, I'm so excited about these. They look good. :)

by Daniel Koch - May 18, 2012

Mrs. Slover has told us a lot about the Valentine area and here is some more good information to know. "One of the things I have heard about is the flood in Valentine in 1918. That was probably the most devastating flood that Valentine has ever seen. After that was the Earthquake of 1931. Though a lot of people don't know, it was a 6.0 magnitude earthquake, the biggest ever in the state of Texas and Valentine was the epicenter.”

"When I finely came around, one of the worst droughts in Texas history happened. From 1951 to 1958, it was the driest I have ever seen it. If you talk to some of the old timers before we got that rain, they might have said this is the worst I've seen it since the 50's. It got so bad, that in about 1952 and 53', the ranchers were burning thorns off of prickly pair cactus so the cattle would have something to eat.”

"In 1954, Hurricane Alice hit Texas and Norther Mexico. It caused one of the biggest floods I have ever seen. We lived in Langtree and the Pecos River passed close to where we lived. My father came and got us one day after work, and he took us down to the river. It was the most water I have ever seen. There was a canyon that the river ran through, and as a little girl I stood in the bottom of it, and it looked like it went to the heavens it was so deep. But when that river was running, that canyon was filled to the brim with water. It was taking houses, cows, horses, and just about anything you could imagine.”

"A little later in about 1957, there was a huge wind and rain storm in Valentine. I remember because it blew out one of the windows in our house. About a day after we were invaded by grasshoppers. Millions and millions of them things came through and ate whatever was left growing. In 1958, me and my family were heading back to Valentine after a day of stocking up, and all of the pastures turned to white. We got to Valentine and we were told that we just missed a big old hail storm. It was the middle of summer when that had happened. ”

"After that in about 1958, I never saw it, but the railroad workers claim that they saw a tornado come down close to where the community center is today. They were getting off work walking home, then all the sudden it hit the ground, and went right back up into the sky without doing any damage.”

"Towards the end of the drought we moved to Alpine. It was still dry for a few months, then all of a sudden it started to rain. It rained almost every day for a pretty good while. I like the rain, but it rained so dang much that I was sick of it after a while.”

"There was not too much happening weather-wise till the 70's. In 1973, I noticed there were real high winds outside, so of coarse I had to go see what it was. I got outside and by Danny Garcia's Fathers house was a tornado. They had an old platform for a well and on it sat a chicken coup. The tornado came by that coup, picked it up, threw chickens everywhere and made a big old mess. I remember seeing chicken feathers spread all over the pastures. Luckily, most all but a few chickens survived getting tossed like rag dolls.”

"In 1975, there was a record heat in Valentine of 113 degrees. It did not seem all that bad to me, since I was raised in the sun, but other people thought it was horrible. Three years later in 1978, a twister came down again by the railroad tracks, went right back up into the sky, and caused no damage and harmed nothing. Again nothing happened for about ten years, till about 1991. There was another earthquake, it did not really affect Valentine but it did a few other places. My daughter who was going to school in Alpine said that at her house it shook bottles, and plates and what not off of shelves.”

"Like most of us remember, there was a tornado in 2007. It did not cause much damage, but there was one. Then in 2011, we had that terrible freeze. That is the coldest and longest its been that cold that I can remember. I had water lines, hoses and all sorts of things break. Other than that, that is about all that has happened in Valentine Weather-wise.”

It is good to have someone like Mrs. Slover who can tell us all these things, because if she wasn't around, there might be a lot of history we would never find out.

by Daniel Garnsey - May 18, 2012

Last night (5-16), Aaron Morton's summer league team, the Avengers, took on the Marfa Summer League Shorthorns. The Avengers lost to the Shorthorns 53-42. The Game was action packed from the start, as it was nearly tied throughout the whole game. The Marfa Shorthorns took control of the game in the 2nd twenty minute quarter, as their team chemistry was a lot better. The Shorthorns had a total of three fouls and took only one of their two thirty second timeouts.

As for the Avengers, the chemistry between some players was good, and others not so good as there were terrible passes and shots being made. The Avengers only had four fouls, and took one of their two thirty minute timeouts as well.

"It was hard.” said Kimberly Morton on getting to play in a boys basketball game. "Everything is so much faster than what I'm used to. It's going to take some work if we want to be good.” Kimberly Morton, the newcomer for the Pirate Basketball Team for the 2012-2013 season, did fairly well considering it was her first time playing against boys. She shot the ball consistently, and made three out of five three pointers and made one out of one layups. Not too shabby.

"It was a lot of fun,” said Daniel Garnsey. "We just weren't playing to the best of our abilities. We were taking bad shots, not rebounding the ball, not catching passes, and throwing the ball at the ground because we were angry. I really think that we did good though. We just need to adjust to the new team now, and our new player.”

Aaron Morton, the Coach for the summer league team, did his best as being coach. "It was fun, but it was hard too. I wanted to be out there playing so bad. But, for the team, they did good. They didn't listen at some times, and that was fairly frustrating. I now know how Coach Mac felt when we didn't listen hahaha.” The Avengers are scheduled to play another game on Monday the 21st, 2012, in the Pirate Gymnasium.

"I thought it was a lot of fun.” said upcoming sophomore Latham Garnsey. "Although a lot of my shots didn't go in, and the ball would bounce off of my hands when I went up to rebound. It was fun getting to play with my teammates. Kim's pretty good too, so it felt nice going under the basket in case she missed a shot and my brother or I had to rebound it, and she rarely missed. Or, unlike some of my teammates, her shots, when she did miss, didn't have a crazy bounce. I'm really looking forward to Monday now. Getting to play against Fort Davis should be pretty fun. Plus, I want to be able to dunk it, and just so you know, I can do it....and you can't.”

All the players seem rather excited for the next game here in Valentine. Coach Morton will continue to practice with his team, and try to improve on the chemistry that is highly needed.

"Without team chemistry, you can't really do anything.” said Aaron Morton. "They need to get used to playing with each other again and their new teammate. They have the talent to be a good team, they just didn't try hard enough. Next game I believe that we'll be ready though. We just need to work harder on our new plays, and actually run them in the game in order to win.”

by Adriana Rangel - May 17, 2012

The student council bowls...

by Rita Weigart - May 17, 2012

The Valentine Parents and Teachers would like to thank everyone for coming out to the annual Ice Cream Social and Field Day last Friday, May 11th. Although the Field Day activities took place in the gymnasium, it was a successful event. Thank you parents/teachers for your donations and support. Proceeds go to the graduating senior scholarship fund. Thank you!

Valentine Parents/Teachers

by Amelia Santillan - May 16, 2012

Good news to all of you music lovers! The Van Horn High School band will be here on Friday, May 18, 2012 to perform a concert for all of us here at Valentine ISD.

When emailing the director about how and why the band is going to play she responded, "The band trip is to share their love of music with schools that do not have band programs in the hope of sparking interest in possibly starting a band program. We are also playing at Balmorhea High School after we leave Valentine and then on to Ft. Stockton to enjoy the rest of the day bowling and taking in a movie. The program is quite varied and tries to encompass as many different genres and styles to expose both the band and audience to different styles of music."

"While the final program is still in the works, it will include such popular tunes as Don't Stop Believing, recently made popular by the television show, Glee, Sway, by Michael Buble, and a tribute to fallen soldiers, Legacy of Heroes."

"We look forward to performing for the Valentine Student Body and hope you will enjoy listening as much as we have enjoyed preparing for the program.”

Not many people in Valentine have had the privilege to be able to be a part of a music program such as band. I believe that what the Van horn band is doing is amazing. Sharing the music with schools that do not have the opportunity to have their own music program.

Sometimes it's things like this that spark interest in a young one's mind. I say this as a personal experience. Since my interest in band began in elementary when one of the high school bands came to perform. In all, I believe it will be a good experience for all us at Valentine ISD.

"I think it's very cool they are taking time out of their day to come play for us small schools that don't have bands. I'm excited to hear them play.” says Senior Aaron Morton.

by Jessie Garcia - May 16, 2012

Next year we will have a new way of telling news. We will be in front of cameras and saying what the teleprompter says. I had to go and read this thing on space to get more familiar. Reading Kim's other article, I saw she did not know if I had fun with them. Well Kim I did - it was great. You are all goof balls but hey teens will be teens.

I encourage more people to join, we are making our own little family. Please join and you could meet the people who keep you up to speed and also be one of us. The warming thing is they welcome you like you have always been there. So we will be happy to give you a warm welcome. I will be happy if I get the chance to be a mentor for any new member we get.

I could show him or her the ropes on being a reporter. Thanks to Mr. Bernards for giving us the chance to do this. I hope he will allow more people in and make me the mentor.

by Kimberly Morton - May 12, 2012

We're advancing in technology...

Yesterday, (5-14) the News team (Kim, Daniel and Daniel) and Mr. Bernards went into the Green Room to practice using the cameras, mics and teleprompter. I got to sit there and say whatever the teleprompter said and get recorded.

I wasn't too happy about it only because I hate getting recorded but it was a good experience for next year when we absolutely have to do our news like that everyday. We had to read a story on space. It was kind of long, but as I read Daniel Garnsey controlled the speed of the teleprompter, which is kind of hard because he has to keep up with how fast I read but it's usually the other way around. Haha.

Daniel Koch was working the two different cameras. When you read you have two teleprompters that you can look at and right above the screens are the two video recorders. If I happen to go from one to the other, Daniel Koch has to immediately change to that camera or it looks like I'm looking away.

Mr. Bernards just let us go for it as he stood back and watched. It really is a team thing and next year I encourage more people to join the news team because we're going to have lots and lots of fun with all this new high tech stuff!

When I was finished being recored recorded, we went and watched it. I hated how I sounded and how slow I read. BUT now I know what to fix next time.

Also, we went and got our junior high member, Jessie "Peanut' Garcia, to come and read the same thing we did just so she can get a bit more familiar with what's to come next year. She did an amazing job, better than myself. I'm glad she's on the team because she looks great in front of a camera and she's not camera shy. Jessie seemed like she had fun with us, I hope so. Next year's news is going to be LEGIT!

by Aaron Morton - May 15, 2012

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Valentine Independent School District will be held on May 16, 2012 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Valentine High School. The main topic that will be discussed will be the budget. Mr. Cook informed me that they will be making budget adjustments and paying off bills.

Then they will discuss and decide on what materials, equipment, and supplies are unnecessary. They do this so they don't waste money on things they don't use, which will help them add things to the budget that is necessary.

The next main topic to be discussed will be resignations. "I don't think there will be any resignations, but at this time of the year, it is something that must be discussed.” said Mr. Cook. Then they will finish off with Mr. Cook's Superintendent's report. This gives him a chance to talk about the good and the bad things he's noticed this year.

by Kimberly Morton - May 15, 2012

It's finally time.

Tomorrow (5-16) between 4:30 and 5 p.m Aaron's Avengers will play the Marfa shorthorns summer league team! I'm so excited, but I'm also super nervous! It feels like I'm in 5th grade again about to play my first basketball game ever! Aaron seems pretty confident that we'll beat Marfa's team.

"I'm not nervous what so ever.” said Coach Aaron.

"Kimberly is in good hands. If she were any place else I would be worried for her physically, Coach Sparky was trained by the best when coach MC Williams came along or else he'd have me to answer to. They know how I feel about her safety. Watch out boys and have fun. I'm very very excited to see them play!!” said my mother Lisa Morton.

The Avengers team consists of Daniel Garnsey, Daniel Koch, Enrique Navarrete, Latham Garnsey, Rye Webb and myself. I'm not sure who is playing on the Marfa team but it has to be the boys basketball team for next year. Should be action packed, you don't wanna miss it! Especially seeing a girl play with all boys!

Also the famous Travel Class will have a concession stand. They will be selling hot dogs, chili dogs, chips, desserts and drinks! Everyone is invited, I actually want the WHOLE town of Valentine to come. It's going to be very entertaining. We all hope to see everyone there. Let's try and pull a WIN guys!!

by Aaron Morton - May 15, 2012

Looks like the teachers are going to dine well! Today (May 15th) at 7:00 pm. the Valentine ISD staff and administration will travel to Van Horn to eat at the Cattle Company. This is a thank you dinner to all the VISD staff for all of their hard work.

The staff members will have a choice between the 10oz. New York Steak, Salmon Steak, or a 12oz. Rib-Eye Steak. All of which come with Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus and Au Jus. The meal also comes with a Baby Greens Salad with Cucumber, Tomatoes, Red Onion and Cotija Cheese Vanilla Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce, Non-Alcoholic beverage and bread.

I asked a few of the teachers if they've dined there before and they all said they had but when it was managed by different people. It has new management and it's basically a different restaurant, so it should be a nice treat for all the teachers.

by Cayenne Webb - May 15, 2012

I guess all of the rain dances that Rye has been doing brought some strong winds and rain to Valentine! Don't get me wrong, we love the rain, but the high winds weren't that great! The winds were so strong that it blew a panel off of Rita's house! That's some crazy stuff right there! The winds were so bad that they let school out a whole two minutes early!!

There was dust a blowin' everywhere! It looked like we were in the Sahara dessert! It was crazy! It was really hard to open car doors. You couldn't smile with out dirt getting into your teeth! Ew! Then you could make mud in your mouth!

But it's quickly greening up around here! The livestock is pretty happy that their food is tasting better! But hopefully next time Rye does a rain dance, we'll just get the rain, and not the high speed winds!

by Jessie Garcia - May 15, 2012

If you remember from last year when I had victims of the ice and victim of the mud. Then you will like this one. This is the 3rd sequel to victim of the whatever. Yesterday, we had a terrible thunder and wind storm. Damage was done to a little bird and to a trailer.

Mrs. Weigart's trailer was ripped to pieces. The side of the house was torn off. It happened at about 4pm according to the information given by our principal. Danny Garcia and Valerie Garcia fixed it enough to buy them some time to get the right tools to fix it up.

Danny Garcia says they will have to take the whole part of that house down and put a new outer wall on it. The trailer got the worst of it because it was facing the north wind. This trailer is a hero in my eyes, because it shielded Mr. Ignacio's house from any damage. Ignacio, I think you owe our principal a big thank you. No other damages were reported but if anything happens we will keep you posted on what is going on in your side of the country.

Now ladies and gentlemen for the next victims. Okay I am giving you a fair warning now if you have high emotions and cry a lot. Please do not read this. I have given you your warning.

Well my dad has his red baby truck parked outside of course, right? And there is this pretty parrot flying in the wind. Singing that song " I believe I can fly,”  Well you better think again birdy because the wind took over in this situation. What happened is this, bird was flying and the wind pushed it to the side. The parrot suffered a horrible death of "bird getting knocked in to a red truck” death. It hit the truck and the impact was so big that it killed the bird. By my education, I can tell the bird was mad at the wind. That is the last victim of the wind. RIP little bird, RIP.

Please continue to keep up with the Valentine ISD website. We will post more information on what is happening. Hopefully we will have a new victim of whatever. If you know a victim of whatever please tell me and I will be happy to tell everyone on this beautiful website.

Be safe and eat healthy and don't text while driving. Or don't talk to strangers.... Well you get the point.

by Adriana Rangel - May 15, 2012

Happy Mothers Day!! On Sunday, May 13, 2012, the Valentine Travel Class had a luncheon for all the mothers. Being the only available date the class of 2012 had their Baccalaureate on the same day as the Mothers Day luncheon.

The Travel Class being almost all the senior class, asked Maralea Miller if they could have their cake at the mother's luncheon. They usually have cake and punch after church, but with the Travel Class having their luncheon they decided to have it all together!!

All five Seniors and their families made it to church at 12:00 p.m. Father Rolando Fonseca blessed the graduates and the mothers. Aaron Morton, Adriana Rangel, and Amelia Santillan read the Sunday readings. Church was great, everyone was asked to say something to the seniors if they wanted to, Maria Elena and Susie Carrasco, said some lovely and encouraging words to the seniors! "It was nice to know that our community is proud of each one of us, even if we didn't grow up here or didn't go to school here every year - they welcomed us and let us know that we will always be a part of Valentine!” says senior Adriana Rangel.

The Baccalaureate mass went very smoothly and after mass everyone went to the High School to eat some delicious beef fajitas that Albert and Maralea Miller made for the Mothers Day luncheon.

The Travel Class did have a raffle going on. Being raffled was a Randy Glover necklace that he donated to the Travel Class The winner of the gorgeous cross necklace with turquoise and red rock was 1st grader Jordan Miller! She was so happy, she always wanted to win one of the Travel Class raffles and she won one of the best ones!! The Mothers Day luncheon and the Baccalaureate went well everyone had a great Sunday!!

by Jessie Garcia - May15, 2012

I found out that my mom does movie watching for homework. How unfair is that people! I mean, I know watching movies is for a reason in her eyes. But in my eyes I see something as an unfair advantage in college.

This is bad because it makes me want to go to college more. And more college equals more learning. Well, I think we should have movie watching for homework. Especially in reading because then we can write our perspective on the movie. That would be off the chain! But sadly, I don't think we would be allowed to do that, because school is about education.

That is a good thing that school is about education. But also, don't you think we need to have fun every once and awhile. We work so hard, it is kind of like us being the dogs and the teachers being the trainers. Don't we get a treat every couple of days or weeks. I know summer is like our bone but I mean after TAKS and after all that sweat that we put in.

The only bad thing about movie homework is that I would not be able to watch another movie again. Because watching movies all night would be kind of tiring. I would not even want to watch the Avengers if I had to watch movies every night. I mean every couple of days is fine but every day? Well that is what I think about movie homework. It has its ups and downs but I hope you will put your mind to consideration.

P.S. I was kidding about not being able to watch Avengers. I would still watch it.

by Cayenne Webb - May 14, 2012

On Friday, May 11, the school had their annual ice cream social! It was held in the gym this year, because it was muddy out on the football field! It was still fun though! The kids had a blast with the races that were held! My personal favorite was the bear crawl! It was pretty entertaining! We have a bunch of competitive kids here at Valentine! That's a good thing though! The ice cream part was delicious, as usual! And we also give a big thanks to all the teachers, and parents who helped out at the ice cream social! THANK YOU! :)

But hopefully next year's ice cream social will be held outdoors! The people who were helping with the races were, Adriana Rangel, Maria Borunda, Nicole Campbell, Cayenne Webb, and Gabriela Tarango. These girls were handing out ribbons for, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, places. Also, a thanks to Coach Bea for organizing all the events! It was a good turn out! :)

by Kimberly Morton - May 14, 2012














And the winner is...... Jordan Miller!!!! 1st grader Jordan Miller won on Sunday, May 13, 2012 for the Valentine Travel Class Raffle for the Randy Glover Necklace!! Congratulations Jordan!!!

by Adriana Rangel - May 14, 2012

The Student Council will be going on a trip to Odessa, Texas on Thursday, May 17, 2012. We know it is short notice, but the Student Council does deserve a trip!! "They have all worked really hard” says President Adriana Rangel.

The previous Student Councils would take a trip to Arlington for the TASC (Texas Association of Student Councils). This years Student Council could not attend the TASC, so instead of the Arlington trip, they will be taking a one day trip full of education and fun to Odessa, Texas.

The Student Council had already talked about taking a trip in the month of April, but with all the STAAR testing and TAKS testing going on in April they didn't have time. The only available day for Mr. Cook and the kids to go on a trip was Thursday, May 17, 2012.

On the agenda for Thursday is taking off from Valentine at 7:45 a.m and picking up the Van Horn kids, Nicole Campbell and Daniel Koch. Then get to Odessa around 11:00 and go bowling at Diamond Lanes till 1:00 p.m and then go eat lunch at Golden Corral.

After eating lunch they will go to Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Museum located between Odessa and Midland, Texas. At the CAF Museum, they will take a tour of the museum and learn new things. This trip for the Student Council will be educational and fun. "It's gonna be FUN!!” says Secretary-Treasurer Amelia Santillan.

The kids that will be gone are President Adriana Rangel, Vice-President Nicole Campbell, Secretary-Treasurer Amelia Santillan, Sophomore Rep. Daniel Koch, Freshman Rep. Gabriela Tarango, Jr. High Reps. Ignacio Santillan and Jaci Garcia, and Sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Cook. We hope the Valentine Student Council has fun on their trip to Odessa, Texas on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Here's a toast to the "old" Marfa still alive in our hearts.

Remember when we went to Marfa, the center of our rural universe, to buy groceries, eat at a restaurant, buy school clothes or watch a movie?

When we made the periodic trip down the two-lane U.S. 90, those of us growing up in the outlying towns thought we were traveling to the big city. (Shine your boots, vato.)

Never mind, Marfa, that you were just a thriving cow town in the '50s and '60s, not much bigger than the other pueblitos around you.

Going to Marfa with our parents (at least those of us who had a full set) meant a daylong expedition that usually started out at Safeway.

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