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
Emma Siebold

Emma Siebold, Managing Editor

 Emma Siebold (she/her) is the Managing Editor for the 2021-22 Valley Ventana. She loves writing both journalistically and creatively, and is a member of the varsity soccer team, UIL academic team,  Student Council and S.U.R.E Club.

All content by Emma Siebold
Juniors Valerie Mendez and Jordan Jones slump over their Spanish textbooks.

Stop telling juniors that junior year sucks

September 27, 2021
Senior Colton Adkins signed to attend Trinity University to continue his soccer career.

Sign of the times

May 19, 2021
Crouching behind home plate, Ethan Gonzales peers towards the dugout. Gonzales, a sophomore, is committed to play at Texas Tech.

Pitch it or ticket

May 18, 2021
Sophomore Rachel Moore chases down Tatum Umsheid in a practice scrimmage against the freshmen.

Powderpuff collects donations for childhood cancer

May 11, 2021
Tevijon Williams races against Clemens at the district track meet. Williams, who is competing with the 4x400 relay this weekend, holds the school record for the 100m (10.55).

Staying on track

May 7, 2021
Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes) and Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson) hold Captain Americas vibranium shield. Steve Rogers passed the shield to Wilson in the last Avengers film.

Introducing a new era of Marvel

April 9, 2021
Sophomores Mason Mock and Ainsley Miliken decorate stickers to put outside of classrooms. On the stickers, students wrote phrases such as This is a safe space or Your mental health matters.

A united front

March 29, 2021
Senior Helene Farris takes a free kick in the district championship against Steele. Farris committed to play soccer at UTSA last month, and this year is her first at Smithson Valley.

One game at a time

March 26, 2021
Standing in the dugout, baseball locks in before a game on March 6, 2020. One week later, these players – and others across the state – would lose their respective seasons to COVID-19.

Coronaversary

March 13, 2021
Trinity Garrett looks to pass the ball under pressure from Wagner. Garrett averaged 10 points per game this season, and she signed to play basketball at the University of South Alabama in the fall.

Young at heart

March 1, 2021
David Beck signs to Schreiner University in Kerrville.

New recruits

February 3, 2021
Sophomore Matthew Capetillo chips the ball out of the Rangers middle third against McCollum. The boys beat the Cowboys 3-0, taking their fifth and final win of the preseason.

Redemption season

January 25, 2021
Senior Thomas Conner was born without a radius in his forearm, but that has not limited his achievements.

Don’t doubt Thomas

January 11, 2021
Junior Mason McClellan and sophomore Ryder Cunningham showoff the days catch.

It’s a reel sport

December 8, 2020
Sara Scott takes the lead at the Cedar Park Invite, Amalie Mills close behind.

Amazing race

November 11, 2020
Senior Amalie Mills, ecstatic after running a personal best, qualifies for the regional meet with a first place finish at district.

Air Force run

November 5, 2020
Junior running back Travis McCracken evades Wagners defense on Oct. 9. McCracken scored his first varsity touchdown in last nights game against Clemens.

A windy win

October 24, 2020
Quarterback Jalen Nutt releases the ball at home against Wagner, in which the Rangers lost in overtime, 27-24.

A tall challenge

October 23, 2020
Junior varsity players stand holding their medals after a successful finish.

Crossing boundaries

October 7, 2020
Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump faced off in a contentious debate Tuesday night.

Discussing the debate

October 1, 2020
The Ranger Rugby Team won all of their total 11 games. The team is led by coach Josh Bottjer along with captain Jack Barry and vice-captain James Dearduff.

No need for ruck

March 27, 2020
Civilians in Ecuador get tested for COVID-19. The number of cases in South America is growing as they near 1,000 infected.

Corona in Comal

March 18, 2020
https://soundcloud.com/fieldhouserock/episode-2-girls-playoff-three-peat

Fieldhouse Rock, Episode 2: Girls’ Playoff Three-Peat

March 3, 2020
Sophomore Tatianna Herrera takes the ball up the line in a preseason game against Uvalde, in which the Rangers won 10-1.

Keeping their shape

February 28, 2020
For Dual Credit Spanish IV, juniors Colton Amaya and James Mendez set up an ofrenda in the library. The ofrenda served as a school celebration of Dia de los Muertos,

From hopes and dreams to Harvard

February 22, 2020

Fieldhouse Rock, Episode 1: A Star is Thorn

February 11, 2020
Canyon has been pushed to 5A, and San Marcos moved to district 26 with Austin schools. District 27-6A will also welcome two new schools, Wagner and South San Antonio.

Out with the old and in with the new

February 4, 2020
In Kevin Palmers Patient Care Technician class, senior Natalie Bueno practices intravenous injections and blood drawing. Her training helped save a choking child in the restaurant where Bueno works as a waitress.

[Photo] How to save a life

January 30, 2020
Kobe Bryant played for the Los Angeles lakers for his entire 20-year career. He is survived by his wife Vanessa and three daughters.

‘Mamba, out’

January 27, 2020
Senior Tyler Vanfossen heads the ball out of the defensive third. Vanfossen is one of the captains for the 2019-20 season.

Season’s greetings

December 12, 2019
Greg Eggleston totes the rock against New Braunfels. Eggleston will play a major role in the Rangers upset bid.

Sports staff makes playoff predictions

November 15, 2019
Sara Scott paces herself at the state meet in Round Rock. In her 5K race, she ran a personal best.

A fight to the finish

November 13, 2019
Trey Moore fights the Knights as he tries to break through Steeles offensive line. The Knights are also advancing to district playoffs.

Playoffs in sight after Unicorns’ destruction

November 10, 2019
The Rangers burst onto the field as they play East Central, who are also fighting for a playoff spot.

Rangers fight for chance at playoffs

November 8, 2019
Senior Greg Eggleston receives the ball in last weeks game against Steele. The Rangers lost their game against the Knights 35-10.

Win over Rattlers fuels Ranger revival

November 2, 2019
Jalen Nutt charges onto the field before a loss against Steele. Nutt and the Rangers hope to bounce back this week at San Marcos.

Down to the defense

November 1, 2019
Sophomore Aiden Green (center) stands with his teammates during a timeout. Green and JV Blue are 8-0.

Thursday night lights

October 30, 2019
As juniors Caroline Haeze and Sarah Thorpe attend Fields of Faith, they share a laugh.

A night of worship and crickets

October 18, 2019
The FIT time takes place between fifth and sixth period.

The what, why and how of FIT scheduling

October 18, 2019
From the sidelines, sophomore Selena Sifuentes-Shaffer watches her junior varsity teammates during a recent game on the road.

One girl changing football history

October 3, 2019
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