March 6, 2025

Hello Steve, Please enjoy our Saints News!

HEAD OF SCHOOL MUSING

PLuS. What does it stand for? Purpose, Leadership, Service. These are three fundamental words in our school’s mission. On Monday and Tuesday, our student body participated in PLuS Days serving local non-profits and churches. Freshmen and sophomores each gave one of the days working on campus.

The non-profits and churches included: Community Market, Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, Salvation Army, SOS Outreach, Trinity Church, Vail Church, Vail Library, Walking Mountains, and Youth Power 365.

I spent Monday with the freshmen class at Mountain Valley Horse Rescue where we shoveled manure, cleaned out stalls, cleaned water storage tanks and moved hay. The freshmen’s work ethic was impressive. When we debriefed that day, what was also impressive was how some freshmen connected the dots with this non-profit’s mission and their new ability to advocate for it. That would not have been possible had they not spent the day working there.

I want to give a special shout out to Daniel Hartmann, VCHS PLuS Coordinator, for all his hard work pulling off such a big initiative. Hats off to our student body, faculty/staff, and volunteers for all their leadership and service.

Steve O'Neil

Head of School

BRAVOS

MR. HART WORKING TO SAVE OUR HEARTS

Ryan Hart, VCHS Director of Sports Medicine, and Ashley Cowan, another Colorado Athletic Trainers’ Association Secondary School Committee member, participated in an American Heart Association lobbying act on Tuesday, 3.4.25 at our state capitol. They met with senators and representatives to advocate for passing a bill moving through the senate this week involving AED access in schools and athletic events across the state.

SPORTS

Basketball

Congratulations to the VCHS Boys Basketball Team who earned a spot in the 2A State Basketball Tournement. They will be at Bishop Machebeuf in Denver on Friday and Saturday for a chance to play into the Final 8

Friday | 3.7.25 | 5:30 pm vs. Bishop Machebeuf High

If Saints advance they will play:

Saturday | 3.8.25 | 2:00 pm

Off Campus | Skiing

Congratulations to Eliza Pyke '27 Finishing an Amazing Season Super Strong!

Eliza was the top BMHS finisher for the Classic race at the Nordic State Championships in Steamboat on Thursday, 2.27.25 placing 13th out of 51 in females

Eliza placed 19th out of 51 at the State Skate race on Friday, 2.28.25

After 6 grueling races at Ski Cooper/Tennessee Pass: 1 Nordic Classic, 2 GS, 2 Slalom, 1 Nordic Skate, Eliza placed 9th in the SkiMeister race on Wednesday, 3.4.25

Way to go Eliza!

PARENT ASSOCIATION NEWS

Dear Parents,

It is with mixed emotions that we come to you with the news that Heidi and Sherri will both be moving out of the valley at the end of this school year. We have both loved serving as your PA Co-Chairs this year and we are grateful for your support and for the friendships that have developed through this awesome opportunity.

We are looking for two parents to step in and take over this role for next year. The PA plays an important role in coordinating parent-led efforts that directly support our students and teachers. We coordinate volunteers and funding for things like Paint Your Parking Spots, Concessions, Parent Mixers, Teacher Appreciation Week, Teacher Christmas Gifts, Student and Teacher Grants, the Fellowship Dinner and even Food for Finals!

If you are passionate about making a difference and have some spare time you can dedicate to our school community, we would love to hear from you! Heidi and I are able to support and guide you as much as you need. Please reach out to us at vchsparentassociation@vchsweb.org if you can take on or help with this important role!

Best,

Sherri & Heidi

Sign your club or group up for Boys Volleyball Concessions today! Earn money and serve your school community!

Questions? Want to get involved?

Please email vchsparentassociation@vchsweb.org

VCHS CARNIVAL

STUDENT LIFE

PLuS Days saw the deployment for two full school days of all students and staff to 10 local non-profits across Eagle County, which gave students the opportunity to be face-to-face, learn from local leaders in our community, and allowed them to deepen their purpose and grow their leadership skills by serving in a wide variety of roles.

Our students learned of the range of needs in their own backyards and by serving together, grew in their connections with each other and the place they have the blessing to live.

The goal of PLuS is to build a culture of selfless and gracious service because Christ came to serve, not to be served, and whatever we do for those in our community with the least, we do for Christ.

Thank you Parent Association for sponsoring our PLuS Days Lunches provided by Rustic Farm to Fork

Sleep is essential for overall health, but with balancing long hours of work, school and extracurricular responsibilities, students sleep 2 hours less than necessary, which can contribute to various health issues such as increased stress and worsened mental health. This month, in recognition of World Sleep Day on March 14th, the Future Health Professionals Club will be launching a few initiatives:

Advocating for an extra late-start day in March
Selling $5 Sleep Goody Bags for students, parents and faculty (at a reduced rate) the week prior to spring break to encourage relaxation and good sleep habits going into break
Sending out a sleep tracker: Students who agree to track their sleep for the week of March 8-14 and/or the week of break are eligible to join raffles and/or get FREE goody bags (check email for more details)

Thank You To Chelsea and Rustic Farm to Fork for Providing Our Annual

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast!

Inside The Classroom...

Ms. Wiebe's Biology Class

Biology students conducted a forensic investigation of a mock crime scene, analyzing blood, hair, fabric, fingerprint and handwriting samples. Students then used these to develop a claim, backed up by evidence and reasoning.