The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
A typical school in Italy. The Italian school system is much more academically heavy and stressful than American schools.
Italian Schools Quite Different from American Counterparts
Exchange Students from Italy, Spain Share Thoughts
Exchange Students from Italy, Spain Share Thoughts
Seniors Share Feelings on Upcoming Graduation
Seniors Share Feelings on Upcoming Graduation
This is my school back in Italy.
First impression from an Italian exchange student
Students Name Dream Vacation
Students Name Dream Vacation
Orchestra, band, and choir members gather together after a fun night. They practiced for hours with a professional conductor at state music. "Out of the 450ish kids who performed, 46 of them were from Star Valley," said sophomore Hanne Opitz.
Music Unites Wyoming Students at Choir, Band, Orchestra All-State
The Speech and Debate team poses for a photo at the end of the ISU awards ceremony. Five students received awards for their accomplishments at the tournament. Junior Marie Bateman said, "Getting third helps motivate me to work even harder to hopefully get higher in future tournaments."
Speech and Debate Kicks of Varsity Season at ISU Tournament
Soloists Emilio Torres (pictured above on the far right) plays the baritone saxophone in jazz band. His band recently performed in their annual winter concert. He said, “I love jazz band for the simple reason that it lets you make your own sound, especially in the improv solos. It’s a good way to vent, especially with slower melodies.”
Band Takes Stage for Winter Concert
The first Maverik ever was built in Afton, Wyoming in 1928.
Maverik Closing for Remodel
the pop-up, viewed by millions, explains how U.S. TikTok servers have been shut down. The ban was going to be enforced on Sundaythe 19th by the government, so the TikTok CEO made the executive decision to shut the app down for American himself on Saturday the 18th.
14 Hour TikTok Ban Causes Stir
Students learn how to rebuild and replace engines on school-owned practice vehicles like this red Chevy. The school has several such cars for students to work on.
Day in Auto Shop
South Korean exchange student Ahrin Kim and Italian exchange Anna Formisano join Sammy Moffat and Koral Arnold at a basketball game. This was their first time in the students section, but not their last. They said, "We go to all of the basketball games."
Foreign Exchange Students Join SVHS
Italian pizza not like American Pizza!
Real Italian Food vs American Italian Food
A snowshoer peaks over their shoes down to the town of Afton. Activities like this help residents enjoy winter.
Winter activities Help Residents Love Cold
A look inside of PC Industries in Afton. Ryann Kallgren has worked there for multiple years. She said, “I work in the Reman Department, so I deal with the remanufactured and built parts to be sold later. I love working here because I am able to enjoy hands-on work, and I learn about how engines are assembled. It's also cool knowing that I could be handling an engine part that could end up in Australia a week or two later.”
Student Share Secrets of Job Success
The cheerleaders take one last picture all together as a state team after hearing their final scores at the state competition. They are assembled on the floor that they just performed their routines on for the last time. "I was just trying to soak it all in because it was my last time competing ever and my last time doing those routines with my team, even if they didn't go as planned," said senior Lucy Strasburg.
State Spirit Bittersweet Experience
Dylan Shumway puts up a shot against Kelly Walsh as elementary student and bench guest looks on from the far right of the photo. The kid also got to join the team on the bench as well the locker rooms pre-game and at half time. He also snagged Braves Merch like a  Star Valley Braves t- shirt and a mini basket ball signed by each player.
Braves Basketball Starts New Fan Tradition
Junior Will Linford dabs up junior Dylan Shumway after a free throw against Evanston. Star Valley looked to get their revenge on Evanston for their prior lost to them in the pre season. Junior Will Linford said, " All week at practice we went over Evanston's style of playing, so we knew their tendencies. We just played ball and we came out with a win."
Brave Basketball off to 5-0 Start in Conference Play
Seniors Ty Johnson and Harrison Littel enjoy shredding some fresh powder. After hours of practice they can enjoy going in the terrain park. "Its fun to see how far I've been able to come and how much progress I have made over the years," said Johnson.
Learning Curve for Snowboarding Steep But Worth It
Taking a break before they run the 100m, Paxton Beebe and Teagan Barclay have a chance to soak in the track experience. Both of these two had the opportunity to go to state and represent the school last season. Fellow senior Kelby Stephens is also soaking in the indoor experience. "I'm not much in to running, but I like to throw, and so I decided to do shotput," said Stephens.
Indoor Track Already Aiming for State Title
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are set to face off on February 9th. This year will be the 54th super bowl. "This Super Bowl is going to suck. I would rather watch Squid Games in a language I can't understand on repeat," said sophomore Carson Clapp.
Chiefs Attempt at 3rd Consecutive Super Bowl Win Not Appreciated by All
Students Make Tier List of Rappers
Students Make Tier List of Rappers
The album cover for "Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles. "Watermelon Sugar" was a very popular song over the summer that some was eventually overplayed. Avrey Rosalez said, "Watermelon Sugar was very repetitive and annoying."
Classic or Overplayed?
Stray Kids' "HOP" Album Gives Listeners Fun Variety of Sounds
Stray Kids’ “HOP” Album Gives Listeners Fun Variety of Sounds
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
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
State Spirit Ends in Satisfaction, Frustration, Disappointment
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
The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
The student news site of Star Valley High School

Mountain Star
All content by Dallas Erickson and Maya Hyde

State Spirit Ends in Satisfaction, Frustration, Disappointment

Dallas Erickson and Maya Hyde, videographers
January 29, 2025
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