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
Rebekah Mann

Rebekah Mann, Editor-in-Chief

 Rebekah Mann (she/her) is entering her third year on the newspaper staff. For her senior year, she will be serving as editor in chief and is excited to see the paper and staff grow. In her free time, she enjoys watching poorly produced 90s movies along with reading. She is involved in academic UIL, S.U.R.E. club, and is NHS historian for the SVHS chapter. Rebekah is looking forward to another great year on the Valley Ventana staff.

All content by Rebekah Mann
Kayle Bachhofer serves as the senior Spirit Master for the 2021-2022 school year, organizing several events for the senior class.

Senior Spirit

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
May 13, 2022
Andrew Garfield will star as detective Jeb Pyre in the new true crime drama on FX on Hulu.

Under the Banner of Heaven

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
April 28, 2022
"I'm looking for an outdoor job like hands on with livestock or even kids," sophomore Kori Calcagno said. "I spend all of my money right when I get it so if I can learn how to manage my money with an actual job but still have a little bit to spend that would be good."

Gallery: Job and Internship Fair

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
April 14, 2022

For permanent daylight saving

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
April 8, 2022
Netflix's reality television show released its second season last month.

Love is blurry

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
March 7, 2022
Student journalists in Texas can be unfairly censored by school administrators.

Unmute student journalists

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
March 2, 2022
While reading 10 books this month, one amazing murder mystery series was discovered by this reader.

Review: January book recap

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
January 28, 2022
Abigail Martin now focuses on competitive speaking for Future Farmers of America.

More than raising goats

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
January 24, 2022
Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Jaster spoke to students, faculty and Veterans at the annual school-wide assembly.

Honoring American heroes

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
November 15, 2021
Senior varsity soccer player Katie Svitchan plays in a game last semester.

Back to the drawing board

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
November 4, 2021
The 2021 bond election for Comal Independent School District will take place on Nov. 2.

Q and A with Michael Wahl

Rebekah Mann, Editor In Chief
November 1, 2021
Gift cards can be dropped off in classrooms A102, C106 and D102.

Gift card drive for family in need

Rebekah Mann, Managing Editor
May 19, 2021
Comal County Sheriff's deputies released photos of the three girls this morning.

3 missing SVMS students found

Tim Tschoepe and Rebekah Mann
April 21, 2021
AP English III teacher Verna Mann presents the class assignment via projector for face-to-face students and shares her laptop screen on Google Meets for remote students.

Remote learning paused for 2021-22

Rebekah Mann, Managing Editor
April 16, 2021
Although the district lifted the mask mandate, teachers and students are still urged to wear facial coverings to prevent spreading COVID-19 and/or quarantining.

Behind the mask

Rebekah Mann, Managing Editor
March 29, 2021
Many students are continuing to wear masks on campus, despite the district lifting the mandate.

Bring back the mask

Rebekah Mann, Managing Editor
March 11, 2021
Clara Connor and her twin brother Thomas used their snow days to enjoy the unusual weather.

Snow darn cold

Grace Bush and Rebekah Mann
March 3, 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
Managing Editor Rebekah Mann discusses gender mistreatment she has witnessed and experienced. Graphic made through https://www.canva.com/.

Basic human decency

Rebekah Mann, Managing Editor
January 28, 2021
The FBI is requesting information regarding individuals sparking violence at the Capitol storm via released photographs. Tips can me made on the FBI website. https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/capitol-violence

Attack on democracy

Rebekah Mann, Managing Editor
January 8, 2021
Drew, Jack, and Elle Suermann enjoy a family outing at a bowling alley.

Without saying a word

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
December 17, 2020
Third period classes will be encouraged to sign the pledge to make Smithson Valley no place for hate.

Stopping intolerance on campus

Rebekah Mann, Staff Writer
November 12, 2020
Former students Kayleigh Klinksiek and Rebekah Mann placed flowers next to Stacie Younts' bench in honor of their teacher's death. The flower vases were made by Klinksiek's dad.

Remembering Stacie Younts

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
November 5, 2020
Halfway through their second period U.S. government class, seniors Zach Santana and Hadley Thomas research for their projects.

[Photo] Conversations in the classroom

Tatum Tomallo, Social Media Manager
November 3, 2020
The World Trade center features a 9/11 memorial. The retaining wall and "Survivor Steps" can be seen here. https://www.wtc.com/media/photos/911-memorial-and-museum

9/11 Remembrance needs to be in schools

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
September 11, 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
“Band banquet was cancelled which was really disappointing, and now we don’t know how we’re going to do auditions and interview for leadership next year. Other than that, I feel like I have it pretty easy, because I’m only a sophomore.” -Sophomore Isabel Englehart.

“Unfortunately, I and so many of my senior friends are missing out on a lot. I’m missing out on my senior prom, my last (theatre) UIL show, our chance to finally make it to state, saying goodbye to teachers, and more.” -Senior Hannah Marfin

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
10 books to read in quarantine

10 books to read in quarantine

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
March 26, 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
The Coronavirus was named an official pandemic on March 11. https://www.unomaha.edu/news/coronavirus/index.php

Coronavirus cancels school

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
March 13, 2020
The projected student growth for Comal Independent School District is expected to increase more than 6,000 students in five years. https://www.comalisd.org/apps/news/article/1150457

Proposition A of the 2020 bond

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
March 6, 2020
The Netflix reality show is hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey.

Is love truly blind?

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
March 6, 2020
Spring Branch Middle School experienced a drastic decrease in student enrollment after the opening of Pieper Ranch Middle School.

Comal’s new School of Choice?

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
February 27, 2020
Elementary school #20 and the new event center will be constructed on land across from Danville Middle School. https://www.comalisd.org/apps/news/article/1167708

Board approves $397.7 million bond for voting

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
February 22, 2020
Students are required by school policy to wear IDs around their neck on campus.

Pointless back talk

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
February 13, 2020
Kate Myles singed to play volleyball ay Mary Hardin Hardin

Ashley Acuna signing to play volleyball at Blinn

Tanyse Moehrig signing to play volleyball and basketball at TLU

In Kevin Palmer's 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.

How to save a life

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
January 30, 2020
Senior Gracen Farmer is hard at work behind the scenes of "Middletown".

Light work

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
January 24, 2020
Christmas Hallmark movies are shown daily on the Hallmark channel for their "Count Down to Christmas."

Holly jolly movies

Rebekah Mann and Tatum Tomallo
December 17, 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
Social studies teacher Stacie Younts died at her home.

A celebration of life for Stacie Younts

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
November 15, 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
The Angel Tree is featured in the front office.

Social studies teacher Stacie Younts died at her home.

Memorial established for social studies teacher

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
November 8, 2019
The counselors introduce a new mindfulness room.

The Valley Unplugged

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
November 8, 2019
Social studies teacher Stacie Younts died at her home.

In loving memory of Mrs. Younts

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
November 7, 2019
New Voices of Texas spreads awareness on their Facebook page.

New Voices of Texas

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
October 25, 2019
This BStory Instagram post drew criticism and backlash from people who called for the company to take down the post and ditch plans to make the streetwear with the names of school shootings.

Streetwear line offensive

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
October 11, 2019
Senior Maddie Aguilar prepares for her second debate of the season at Douglas McArthur High School.

No argument here

Rebekah Mann, News Editor
October 2, 2019
Happy fall, y’all!

[Photo] Photo of the Day Sept. 22, 2018

September 22, 2018
Students in Heather Sanders's floral design class show off the mums they created in class.

Texas mania of mums

Rebekah Mann, Staff Writer
September 14, 2018
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The student news site of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas
Rebekah Mann