Viking Voice: Do you think Marquette Jr. High should close?

No... [there's already] too many here already in high school, we dont need more in the middle school as well. - Skylar Mills, freshmen


I think that the school closing down was coming anyway. You can either save the money now or later, but Marquette will be closing soon, whether we like it or not. - Carrie Albers, sophomore


I don't care either way, but you can't please everyone. - Emma Anderson, sophomore 


Close it, send them to death camps. Nothing good comes out of that town. - Mikael Midkiff, senior 


No? - Halie Sparks, freshmen 


No. - Ethan Loder, freshmen 


No! I think it should have stayed open. I am a better student because of MJH, we had great teachers and the learning atmosphere was great! I used to be an average D student in California and I went to being an A student because the teachers were so caring and so understanding. In California I never had the chance to talk to the teacher person to person because my classroom average was 50 kids per classroom. - Ceci Gonzales, junior 


I think it's a good idea. - Krystin Vidrine, junior 


Yes it should be closed down so the school can be better and have more learning stuff. Many students say they don't learn because they don't have as much, well this is a chance to gain for our school and have more students do better on their work and tests. - Larissa Walker, sophomore 


Well, everybody is going to say that it shouldn't, but honestly if it is going to help our school sufficiently and makes it to where we don't have to cut things like music, or sports i think it should. - Caitlyn Barnes, freshmen 


Keep the school! - Cody Hopkins, freshman


No it shouldn't, because we put a lot in to our school and we may not have as many people as Lindsborg but our school has a much as right as Lindsborg's schools should be. Our school is loved by many and if it closes Marquette every one will move and it will be desserted.  - Mary Linder, freshmen 


No, it should not because it would not help the USD 400 budget at all as far as I'm concerned. They would have to buy more books in the classes of LMS because they barely have enough books for all the current students. Some of the books are so old that they would be better off buying new books, which would cost a lot. They would have to buy more desks for more kids because some classes are so large that the kids take up almost every desk as it is. - Jared Wilson, sophomore 


No, it should be kept open! That school really means a lot to the people of Marquette! - Daisy Quested, sophomore 


Yes. It won't kill them to drive 15 miles. - Hailey Martin, junior 


I think that if Marquette raises the funds to support themselves (which they are doing), who's to say they should not stay open?  If the junior high closes, the elementary school will go extinct and eventually the town will go with it.  Marquette thrives on the youth in town and it would be sad to see Lindsborg's sister town turn into a ghost town because the junior high was no more. Also, when the junior high closes, the businesses in town will suffer and will have to close because they won't have enough business to stay open.  A large amount of people will lose their jobs and then the decision of closing down the junior high will have created more of a problem then intended. - Laura Klaassen, senior 


It should definitely not be closed down!!! If it closes down, the town will go down with it. - Jessica Rider, senior 

I think they should keep it open. Yes it might be a small town but its one of the main things keeping our town alive and if the school goes who knows what else might be next. We might not have the money to fund it but its also nice for the families in Marquette because then they don't have to drive to Lindsborg to watch concerts or sports and its closer to home. - Brian Patrick, senior 

Inside Opinion: April edition

- What happened to the dress code? That's my question.


- Seth Nelson+Trevor Menke=Jim Halpert


- Some times I wonder "Why is that Frisbee getting bigger?" and then it hits me.


- Did you know that if you say Colter! Colter! Colter! really fast it starts to sound like a gurgle.


- Quit complaining about Marquette closing.


- Is it necessary for couples to kiss goodbye to go to separate hallways? 


- Is NObama going to win re-election in 2012? Or is Donald "The Billionaire" Trump going to clobber him and become the next president? And if Trump does win, who here thinks he'd be a decent president? Anyone?


- The Marquette school shouldn't be closed down!

Seniors continue to change the world

Seniors Marina Patrick and Staci Foster sit at their table in the commons
handing out and selling treats.

Smoky Valley seniors are just touching the tip of their “Change the World” projects. Some are walking for the benefit of others while other seniors, such Marina Patrick and Staci Foster, are baking for a cause.

Patrick and Foster chose Invisible Children, which is a relief effort for child soldiers fighting in Uganda.

“We picked the Invisible Children because we believe that their story is not well known,” Patrick said. “Many people picked issues such as breast cancer, but the Invisible Childrens' story has not been told and we were hoping to spread their story.”

The two seniors raised $108.80 between the two lunch periods on March 9^th by selling several baked goods, puppy chow, and dirt ‘n worms.

“I wish that we could have provided more dirt n' worms. We knew that it would be popular, but if we would’ve known we would have made that much [money] we definitely would have prepared better,” Patrick said. “It was just the lack of knowing how much we needed on our part.”

However, their efforts were definitely a success. The pair baked for 12 hours in order to prepare for the sale.

“We would most definitely do it again,” Patrick said. “We would do it again because we believe that spending a few hours of our time baking goods and selling them makes it worth it to possibly help save thousands of lives over in Uganda.”

A group from the Invisible Children organization will be visiting Smoky Valley to spread their story on March 16^th in the auditorium at 2:30.

- Carleigh Albers, Viking Mirror Editor

SVHS "dies" for drunk driving awareness

Senior Cody Bowers, junior Desiree Harrison, sophomore Jessica VanRanken, teacher Ryan Biegert, freshman Jenell Hulse, sophomore Dylan Pruitt, and senior Kari Bingham.

Imagine walking through the hallways between classes and seeing your best friend wearing a black victim shirt. Your best friend has now been victimized by a drunk driving accident.
Six students and one teacher floated the SVHS hallways on Thursday, March 10, as victims of "drunk driving accidents." The FCCLA group raised awareness for distracted driving during the last three days of the school week, focusing on wearing seat belts, texting and driving, and driving under the influence.
Using the statistic "every 50 minutes someone dies from a drunk driving accident," FCCLA reminded students how tragic drunk driving can be. Almost every hour, a student was chosen at random to sport the black shirts with a victim number on it. The students wore the shirts the rest of the day to show students how many people are affected by driving under the influence. On Wednesday, posters with facts and statistics were hung on the school walls. On Friday, FCCLA shared a short documentary by AT&T called "The Last Text." Seminar classes watched and discussed the video.

    - Megan Roberts, Senior blog editor

VIKING VOICE: Bathroom vandalism

This month's Viking Voice: What do you think of the bathroom vandalism? 

"I think that it is stupid that girls have to sign out when its the boys bathroom getting vandalized." - Lacey Bowles, junior.

"My opinion would be that the girls shouldn't be punished for what the boys do to their bathrooms. The girls shouldn't get their bathrooms passes taken away for what the boys did. That's not fair to us." - Sarah Sharp, freshmen.

"I think it is stupid that the girls are being punished for the vandalism too. If we were actually vandalizing our bathroom then it would be acceptable." - Ashley Foley, sophomore.

"My opinion is that whoever is doing should be shot. Just say'in." - Abigail Householter, freshmen.

"The girls shouldn't be punished for the boys immaturity. Not being able to go in the locker rooms during school is stupid, especially when it's the boys bathroom and locker room thats being vandalized." Hailey Martin, junior.

"I think whoever is vandalizing the boy's bathroom should stop. It's stupid and juvenile. If they're trying to prove that they're a "big boy" by vandalizing stuff and showing that they're bad, they're going the opposite direction. Everybody thinks they're stupid and nobody is impressed." - Abbey Bengston, sophomore.

"I think it is stupid! What is the thrill of vandalizing something for no apparent reason? It just makes a hassle for everyone, especially the janitors. Personally, I hate being treated like we are in elementary school....we are in high school now and I think that people should be mature enough to behave themselves. It's a shame that one or two people are ruining the privileges for everyone! Just grow up already!" - Lori Dauer, senior.

"It's dumb to make stupid decisions that are inconvenient for everyone. Learn the first time and don't be idiots." - Monica Olson, senior.

"Stop vandalizing stuff and freaking get a life!" - Mattie Loder, senior.

"It's terrible. I hate it. A few people screw it up for everybody else, and they may find other places to vandalize, and then the situation gets worse for everyone else. " - Neal Nickel, senior.

"I think that the people who are doing this should just knock it off. What the point in destroying a bathroom? In no way is it funny and it doesn't make them look cool. Honestly I think they just need to grow up!" - Liz Trowbridge, sophomore. 

"My opinion is pointless and plus why do the girls lockeroom also have to be locked up? We didn't do anything. It's very aggravating." - Taylor Tiani, freshmen.

"This is ridiculous.  We have such nice facilities here at SVHS and for people to go about and ruin all this, it's so stupid.  Grow up.  If they are doing it for fun...no one is laughing." - Maddie Klotzbach, sophomore.

"Why?! It is stupid and immature. We all know that schools are facing budget cuts, so why are there people here who are damaging school property that will have to be paid for by the school?!" - Dani Devore, junior. 

"Stupid! High school students shouldn't act like preschoolers, grow up and stop being immature!" - Brittney O'Steen, junior. 

"I think that the people who did it should be kicked out of school and shot in the head 100 times by a BB gun. I will do the honors." - Josiah Roberts, junior. 

STAR student

High school students across the country tremble as they step up in front of the class to give a speech to their classmates they have known for years. So why would anyone decide to give a speech on front of people they don’t know on their own free will? Junior Arianna Johnson is doing just that. 

On February 2, Johnson will be taking part in the FCCLA District STAR events alongside many other students from surrounding schools.  A STAR event – Students Taking Action with Recognition – “is a competitive event in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation,” according to FCCLA Inc. Johnson answered a few questions about her presentation.

Megan Roberts: What is a STAR event?

Arianna Johnson: A star event is something you participate in and you give a presentation about certain topics that you can choose from.

MR: What made you decide to participate in STAR events this year?

AJ: It sounded like something fun to do. Our FCCLA never gets recognized for anything.

MR: What is your presentation about?

AJ: Eating disorders.

MR: Are you nervous about giving this talk?

AJ: Yes, I’m not a big fan of public speaking.

MR: What do you hope to get out of this experience?

AJ: Learn something about what so many teens my age go through with disorders.

MR: If you get the highest mark, what happens next?

AJ: No idea. [You can go on to state and nationals.]

MR: How long did it take you to write up and practice your speech?

AJ: Two weeks.

Several of the FCCLA members from Smoky Valley will go along with Johnson to the district meeting to help time and judge the speeches and also vote for the incoming District G officers for next year. 

 - Megan Roberts, Senior Blog Editor

Pep Band: pointless?

What is the point of Pep Band?

Usually the Smoky Valley Viking Band plays for athletic games, such as football and basketball. These games require those who are enrolled in band to attend those sporting events and play their instruments for the duration of the game. Some people enjoy doing this while others do not.

For football games they play ‘til the 3^rd quarter then start back up again for the 4^th. For basketball they split the band into two sections (black and orange) and begin for the women’s games and get the 3^rd quarter off for both men’s and women’s basketball games. This requires even less dedication for the band members, seeing as they can get the night off if they don’t have to play.

Now a proposal has been set for the band to play in a manner such as this:

. Play for warm-up and intro of women’s basketball game.

. Band members leave and do their own thing ‘til two minutes is left on the clock in the 4^th quarter.

. Play in-between games, Star-Spangled Banner, and intro of boy’s basketball game.

. Band members are then dismissed from the entire game and free to do whatever they want.

To some band members this sounds like an excellent idea. They get to hang out with their friends in the student section and they don’t have to play their instruments. To some, like myself, this sounds like a waste of my time.

I don’t see the point of having to get my instrument ready to play for a measly seven to nine songs compared to playing over 20 songs during the two games. If pep band is going to be cut into little pieces, you might as well take away the whole thing instead of watering it down this much.

It forces us to stick around for the women’s game (which hardly anyone attends due to a lack of school spirit and support for women’s sports) and then have us stay for the beginning of a men’s game. It’s pathetic.

Not to mention it makes for a lack of entertain for the audience that crowds into the gym. Parents and friends sit in the stands to listen to mainly silent timeouts. Believe it or not, but people actually enjoy listen to the band play.

I understand the band isn’t suppose to be like a pep club, but we’ve been aware that the band plays during games since middle school. Call me weird, but I probably wouldn’t go to the basketball games if it weren’t for pep band.

You don’t like it? Don’t enroll in the class. 

- Carleigh Albers, Senior Viking Mirror Co-Editor

Win wrestled away by Russell

            The Smoky Valley Scholars’ Bowl team wrapped up their season with a fourth place finish at the Regional meet on Thursday in Russell.

The team started off well, going 6-0 in pool play. However the team didn’t equally dominate the finals round with 3-2 record. The three teams Smoky Valley lost to will advance to state next Saturday.

photo from Emma Anderson

“We peaked a couple rounds early, but I’m still pleased with our performance. We were still as good as any team there,” Coach Hildebrand said. 

The team that competed at the regional meet was made up of seniors Kristina Neilander and Rachel Loder, juniors Dani DeVore, Emma Flynn, and sophomores Emma Anderson and Jared Wilson.

Though the season is now over, it was a success as the team finished second at League and fourth at Regionals.

After the meet, the team enjoyed singing to “Let it Be” and inhaling large amounts of pizza at Cici’s.

Rachel Loder, senior yearbook editor