The student news site of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas

Valley Ventana
The student news site of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas

Valley Ventana
The student news site of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas

Valley Ventana
Daniel Lackey

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-chief

Hello, everyone! I’m senior Daniel Lackey, a second-year editor-in-chief, and even though this year is drastically different from what we have seen before, we’re trying to make the most out of it. I can’t believe senior year is here already, so as a last-year contributor to this publication, I would love to finish this year with a bang.

All content by Daniel Lackey

Slideshow: Snowcation Struggles

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
May 10, 2021
Illuminated decorations around the ballroom reflected the enchanted forest theme.

Prom 2021

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-chief
April 27, 2021
On one of his wrists, two bracelets are rooted in his faith and the memory of a friend who died too young. “What I have gone through has made me stronger and able to grow as a person and shape the way I am,” Tschoepe said.

Braced in faith, memory

Daniel Lackey and Dylan Smith
March 25, 2021
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Even though her car was left on the side of 281 for several days, senior Kylie Morris made the most out of snowvid by staying over at her friend's house for a week.

The beauty and fun of Snowvid

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
March 2, 2021
Pieper High School is expected to have nearly 1,000 students roaming the hallways in August.

Pieper High School updates

Rebekah Mann and Daniel Lackey
February 13, 2021
Here are some book options to encourage less screen time and more page time.

[Photo] Web editor's 2021 must reads

January 25, 2021
This form of currency has been around for a long while, but it still remains crucial.

[Photo] To penny or not to penny

Tyson Sawyers-Williams, Guest Staff Writer
February 6, 2021
Adapting to COVID-19 has been strange so far, but it's a relief knowing that it's temporary.

COVID caught me

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
January 20, 2021
"The Christmas House", released Nov. 22, sets a precedent as the first Hallmark movie to feature a same-sex couple.

Hallmark releases breakthrough LGBTQ+ holiday movie (with major shortcomings)

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
December 19, 2020

Daniel’s POV

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
November 20, 2020
For Fall Fest, anyone's encouraged to join. "In the past, a little over 200 people came, so I'm hoping for the same or more [this time]," coordinator Aubrie Herring said.

‘Tis the season for Fall Fest

Daniel Lackey, Editor-In-Chief
October 27, 2020
Comal ISD

COVID can’t stop college

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
September 24, 2020
This is...Lucy Capt (Part I)

This is…Lucy Capt (Part I)

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
June 3, 2020
This is...Lucy Capt (Part II)

This is…Lucy Capt (Part II)

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
June 3, 2020
Freshman Iris Bradbury photographs the front of the school for a Journalism I assignment on April 5.

Adapting to reality

Daniel Lackey, Chloe Presley, and Rebekah Mann
April 18, 2020
Per Gov. Greg Abbott, the school will remain closed the rest of this academic school year.

Governor closes school for remainder of academic year

Daniel Lackey, Chloe Presley, and Rebekah Mann
April 17, 2020
Calling the TCP hotline is the first step towards acquiring a TI-Nspire calculator.

Calculating a solution

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
April 16, 2020
A glitch in mass produced COVID-19 testing kits has limited the supply of available tests. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/05/texas-coronavirus-response-what-state-officials-can-do/

School cancellation extended

Rebekah Mann, Daniel Lackey, and Tatum Tomallo
March 17, 2020
Students will be taking the SAT tomorrow, March 3

The downsides of the SAT

Daniel Lackey and Chloe Presley
March 3, 2020
In the middle of a day's worth of gathering shoes, Redin lounges atop a heap of donated shoes.

Heart and sole

Daniel Lackey and Margaret Edmonson
February 29, 2020
The midwinter concert begins at 6p.m. and will end at 8:45p.m.

[Photo] Midwinter concert starts off concert season

Jake Perez, Staff Writer
February 11, 2020
Months of practice following region auditions will finally be put to the test.

Third time’s a charm

Daniel Lackey, Editor-In-Chief
February 10, 2020
The film, released on Christmas day, is still showing in multiple theaters in the area.

“Little Women” marches in triumph

Daniel Lackey, Editor In-Chief
January 28, 2020
The survey available for the community to take closed Jan. 15

2020-2021 academic calendar in the works

Daniel Lackey, Editor In-Chief
January 22, 2020
Before the start of school, seniors Carsyn Chambers (left) and Audrey Pauletti (right) share a moment of friendship in the band hall.

Academic alacrity

Daniel Lackey, Editor In-Chief
January 17, 2020
Months of practice following region auditions will finally be put to the test.

First time’s a charm

Chloe Presley and Daniel Lackey
December 9, 2019
Ag. teacher Canaan Dreibrodt is the center of accumulative funds to help pay for treatment to prevent his cancer from coming back.

Community starts fundraiser for staff member with cancer

Rebekah Mann, Chloe Presley-Gundaker, and Daniel Lackey
November 22, 2019
Gobbling for Good will be a new take on the traditional Turkey Feather campaign, but the causes remains the same.

‘Tis the season for giving

Rebekah Mann, Tatum Tomallo, and Daniel Lackey
November 12, 2019

Negative review

Daniel Lackey, Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2019
Junior percussionist Nicole Gomez gets her gun up high at the end of her audition.

Conducting the way to autumn

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
May 1, 2019
Sophomore flutist Liana DeLuna poses for the camera post-auditions.

2019-2020 drum major Gabi Wilson salutes to the crowd.

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Sophomore french hornist Kaleigh Kirkpatrick readies herself for her showing while sophomore clarinetists Iris Bradbury and Jonathan Nunez view.

Junior oboist Rachael Waltman leads the group with the alma mater.

Sophomore percussionist Hadley Thomas concludes her audition with Ranger pride.

2019-2020 drum major Lindsay Pattison focuses on her execution as seniors Cade Gibson and Nathaniel Pfahning watch.

2019-2020 drum major Maya McBrayer beams at the audience during her audition.

Tuba players Kenyon Clark, Darius Young, Kyra Schobel, and Josh Davidson blare out the fight song.

Sophomore tuba players Dalton Wambles and Cole Lienneweber play along with the conductor.

Junior trumpeter Caroline Kuhn introduces herself to the onlookers.

Sophomore percussionists Anne Marie Williams and Caitlyn Hermesch prepare for the show.

Junior percussionists William Yancosek and Mark Olaez swing their arms in time with the alma mater.

Junior David Garstecki launches his audition with the drum major salute.

Sophomore french hornist stands firm for her audition as sophomore clarinetist Iris Bradbury, sophomore flutist Maya McBrayer, and junior Caroline Kuhn observes.

The french horns, trumpets, and trombones play through the fight song.

Sophomore trumpeter Devin Nolan progresses through his audition.

Sophomore clarinetist Kate Fey undertakes her turn at the podium.

2019-2020 drum major Rileigh Mccullough makes her way through her audition.

Juniors Caroline Kuhn and Rileigh Mccullough decompress prior to auditions while sophomore Maya McBrayer smiles on.

Other than the ones released in theaters, the movies on this list are available to stream on services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu.

Top 10 horror movies

Emilee Johnson and Skylar Butts
April 15, 2019
Choosing which pizza to chomp on made easier.

The power of pizza

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
April 12, 2019
From August to May, variations galore comprise the 2019-2020 academic calendar.

District releases 2019-2020 academic calendar

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
April 5, 2019
Staff writers Skylar Butts and Emilee Johnson rank the top ten live action sitcoms. Friends was included in their list.

Top 10 Sitcoms

Skylar Butts and Emilee Johnson
March 4, 2019
At the end of the ceremony, 24 statuettes were awarded to the best in film: actors, directors, soundtracks, the behind-the-screen departments, etc.

“And the Oscar goes to…”

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
February 26, 2019
Senior defender Jasmine Odom throws the ball in as head coach Jason Adkins watches during their final game of the Ranger Classic on Jan. 5.

Living, breathing, sleeping soccer

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
February 15, 2019
Science teacher Keven Harshbarger was awarded the Teacher of the Year award for 2019. He teaches AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C.

An honor better than joules

Skylar Butts, Staff Writer
February 13, 2019
The SVHS Media Team commemorates Student Press Freedom Day, a day dedicated for student journalists across the country to ignite the progression of the New Voices Legislation.

Photo of the Day: Jan. 30

Emilee Johnson and Daniel Lackey
January 30, 2019
The Academy Awards nominees were announced Jan. 22.

Oscar picks and pans

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
January 29, 2019
Students often walk the hallways hand in hand as a public display of affection. More intense displays such as kissing face criticism. “Hugging is okay, but making out is just weird,” sophomore Aubri Bain said.

PDA embraces controversy

Daniel Lackey, Emilee Johnson, Chloe Presley, and Skylar Butts
January 24, 2019
From food to safety: the clear-bag policy welcomes multiple options for obtaining one, including a simple Ziploc bag.

District issues mandatory clear-bag policy

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
January 17, 2019
After perfecting their baking skills, chefs in Margaret Marucci's culinary class enter their holiday cookies for contest based on taste, appearance and texture. Junior Leah Cozzie's chocolate cookies with crushed peppermints took first place.

Christmas sweets

Daniel Lackey, Leslie Juarez, and Chloe Presley-Gundaker
December 19, 2018
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964) ranked fourth among students.

Top 10 Christmas movies

Skylar Butts and Emilee Johnson
December 19, 2018
Students across the nation combat censorship with New Voices legislation.

Speak freely

Skylar Butts, Staff Writer
December 3, 2018
The theatre department presents West Side Story. Performance dates are Dec. 6-8 at 7p.m. in the auditorium.

Classic tale with a twist

Skylar Butts, Staff Writer
November 30, 2018
Nov. 15 is the day where smokers can take the first step to quitting, the Great American Smokeout is a time of support for all of those addicted to nicotine.

Teacher puffs away old habit

Taralynn Gates, Daniel Lackey, Skylar Butts, Chloe Presley, and Emilee Johnson
November 15, 2018
Before the 2017 Veterans Day ceremony at Ranger Stadium, the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps presents the colors for the national anthem.

Patriotism reflected through color

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
November 6, 2018
A plastered poster serves as a reminder for what to do for Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week arrives

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
October 22, 2018
The blood trucks wait to open their doors to donors amid a sunny day.

[Photo] Blood drive reaches conclusion

October 12, 2018
Sophomore Sierra Hugos struggles with deciding which extra credit assignment she should turn in for chemistry while sophomore Samuel Lackey attempts to help her out.

Photo of the Day for Oct. 11, 2018

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
October 11, 2018
Juniors Lauren Gonzalez, Esther Hicks, and Will Yancosek prepare for their next song at See you at the Pole.

See You at the Pole: Observation

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
October 2, 2018
Banned Books week is Sept. 23 to Sept. 29.

Banned Books Week celebrated

Skylar Butts, Staff Writer
September 27, 2018
JROTC marches in New Braunfels on Comal County Fair Day last year.

Parading towards a day off

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
September 26, 2018
New thriller movie tells the story of missing girl through technology.

‘Searching’ for a movie this weekend?

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
September 20, 2018
Madame Leighanne Hinsch’s sixth period French class celebrates after HInsch gave those who participated in spirit week five point extra credit on a quiz. She had the students dress up in colors from the flag of France.

Photo of the Day

Skylar Butts, Staff Writer
September 12, 2018
Rangers mark the 17th anniversary of a national tragedy.

Photo of the Day: 9/11

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer.
September 11, 2018
Bus riders enter the Rotunda on the first day of school, Aug. 28.

Counting from the start

Daniel Lackey, Staff Writer
September 4, 2018
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The student news site of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas
Daniel Lackey