The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
Ben Kinder's truck shows the consequences impatient driving in the snow. It is better to take your time on the road and get to school safely rather than hurry and worry about your tardy. "Me and my sister were in a rush, and because the roads were so slippery, we crashed. If we had more time we could've drove [sic] slower," said Kinder.
Should Teachers Excuse Tardies Caused by Winter Road Conditions?
New Year's Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions
Drifting in Snow No No
Drifting in Snow No No
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: This shot is from a SVHS PE class from the 1950's. Current PE teacher Patience Jenkins said, "PE has come a very long way since that time, thankfully."
Throwback Thursday Shows Glimpses of SVHS through the Years
Missing School Stress Alleviated by Good Friends
Missing School Stress Alleviated by Good Friends
Activities Director Robert Erickson stands with his award for Wyoming Theater Administrator of the Year. Drama coach and musical director Tami Nielsen nominated Erickson for the honor. "I was honored to receive the award. I hope that all kids and coaches in all programs feel like I am interested in their success and feel supported in their efforts," said Erickson.
Erickson Named Wyoming Theater Administrator of Year
Oboist Allen Goodman(left) and basoonist Tayson Merritt(right) play the song "Christmas Lullaby." The orchestra and choir only rehearsed together twice before the performance but had been separately rehearsing on Sundays for over month. After the concert double-basoonist Gabriel Matthews said, "It was a lot of fun playing Christmas music with the choir and was just an overall good experience."
SVHS Musicians Assist with Community Christmas Concert at Afton’s Ford Theater
PHONE HOME: Wall caddies like this one are becoming a common sight in rooms throughout the school. Many teachers require, or ask, their students to place their phones in them when they walk into class.
Phone Policy Seeing Stricter Enforcement
This beautiful nativity scene appears in the 2024 Afton Parade of Lights. The creator Sam Allred did a wonderful job creating a Holy Night. "I liked how it was one of the only nativity scenes," said Mr. Dane Hepworth.
Parade of Lights Kicks off Holiday Tradition
The cross country team gathers to serve during Braves in Action. The team showed up at Afton Elementary and Etna Elementary to help the kids run in their annual Turkey Trot and cheer them on while running.
Braves In Action Returns
Presley Frome finds some new ocean friends on a Christmas family trip. She and her family went to the Bahamas. She said, "My favorite part of the entire trip was swimming with the dolphins."
Student Christmas Gifts Differ Widely in Price, Variety
Eddie Aikau surfing the waves of Sunset beach in Oahu
Legendary Lifeguard Eddie Aikau Personified Hawaiian Culture
Quinn Simpson climbs up a trail in the Togwoetee mountain range. He and his friends try to go snowmobiling every weekend. "I just enjoy going outside and taking in the fresh air," said Simpson.
Snowmobiling in Full Swing
Jonah Manu's Crimson Hoodie in black
Sophomore Jonah Manu Starts Own Clothing Brand
Artist Emily Call works on a new hall mural. Call put together this mural for her senior project and invested more than 20 hours into the painting. Call said, "Despite these challenges, watching the mural come to life on the wall made every effort worthwhile."
Emily Call Inspired by State Bird, Flower
Semiors Makell Haderlie, Austyn Bagley, Torrie White, Kambree Johnson, and Emily Dana all pose for their senior picture. These girls have been playing together since middle school, are still best friends, and hope to make a state tournament run. "It's been super fun playing, with them this year it's different knowing it's our last year playing together but we always make the best of it" said Dana.
Girls Basketball Heads to Flaming Gorge
Student Athletes Must Balance School, Sports
Student Athletes Must Balance School, Sports
The Lady Braves gather together for a prayer before taking on their competition. Prayer is one of their biggest traditions before starting a tournament. Alexis Angell said "Our team is very supportive of each other, like you'll see at least five girls on the side of the mat from our team cheering and yelling if one of us is wrestling".
Wrestling Teams Score at Another Braves Brawl
Cheerleaders Ryan Astle and Keidon Beasley rock their Star Valley pride in Honolulu Hawaii. They spent there time in Hawaii getting to know and spending time with cheerleaders from all over the country. "The trip looked super fun and they both worked extremely hard to get there," said sophomore cheerleader Jenna Suter.
SVHS Cheerleaders Cheer at Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii
Cooper Burk celebrates after becoming the 157-pound state champion in March of 2024. Burk injured his elbow during his freshman year and took 3rd his sophomore year. "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't word hard," said Burk.
Wrestlers Ready for Upcoming Season
SUFFLIN': An iPod shuffle with headphones, presumably with Christmas music on it. These iPods where originally released in January 11, 2005 and were for sale until July 27, 2017. Everyone loves Christmas music, but Mason Fuller is lukewarm on the genre. "I think Christmas music is just okay."
Christmas Music Covers Bring New Life to Old Favorites
Hip Hop is one of, if not the most, popular genre of music. With all the albums released from popular artists, fans are more than happy for the way Hip-Hop is going. This year has been one of the best years for music and has raised the bar high for next year.
Hip-Hop Albums of 2024 Set High Bar
"Lateralus" is the 4th studio album by the Los Angeles based band "Tool." The band uses recurring mathematical patterns found in nature in to make their music more appealing.
Tool Uses Math to Make Lateralus Sound Good
Anticipation of Annual Music Wrapped Fills Halls
Anticipation of Annual Music Wrapped Fills Halls
"Core" by Stone Temple Pilots An Essential Album to Rock History
“Core” by Stone Temple Pilots An Essential Album to Rock History
Afton's main street is divided by plowed snow. This burm can reach over four feet in height on heavy snow days. Snowy conditions can lead to dangerous and slow commutes to school each day.
SVHS Should Consider Having Snow Days
PODLESS: Owen Lancaster and Rhen England show what they are missing while working in class. School policy restricts the use of phones and earphones from bell to bell. "No AirPods makes me hate school even more now," said Lancaster. "No phones is understandable, and honestly I don't care about it that much, but the no AirPods rule seems kind of stupid," added England.
Students Should Be Allowed to Wear AirPods While Working
The SV burns on Homecoming eve right after the powder puff game. Everyone gathers around this annual tradition to watch it light up and bring good luck to the Homecoming game. “I think extracurriculars boost school spirit because it brings kids together through something that they enjoy!” said Nathen Haderlie.
Extracurriculars Help Boost Braves Spirit
OFF SCHEDULE: The daily schedule at SVHS is full of long classes and a short lunch. "We need a longer lunch to be successful," said Kaelyn Green, Sophomore.
Should Students Get A Longer Lunch?
Sitdown With Staff: Lady Braves Bball Coaches
Sitdown With Staff: Kelly Fullmer
Sitdown With Staff: McKay Young
Song Word Association Game
Song Word Association Game
Ranking Weird Items Found on Shein
Ranking Weird Items Found on Shein
Convo with 1 Teacher, 3 Students
Convo with 1 Teacher, 3 Students
Walking, Talking with Gage
Walking, Talking with Gage
Cowboys, Girls Reveal Rodeo Icks
The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star

About

The Mountain Star has been published at Star Valley High School since 1925. Although much has changed, including the publication’s move to online in 2015, the mission of the publication has remained the same: to chronicle, highlight, and celebrate the goings ons of SVHS and the students who attend here.