Light of hope: Addressing the foster care system through local adoption day
Caitlin Crome, P.V Editor
November 11, 2019
On any given day, almost half a million American children are in foster care hoping for the day they will see a brighter future and the local Scott County District Court is working to ensure every kid will find a loving home. The month of November is known as National Adoption Month and aims to raise awarene...
Freshman claims first ever win at state dance solos
Grace Halupnik, Lead Editor
November 11, 2019
Dancers from the class of 2023 already exceeded expectations this year, with four freshmen on varsity and a record three representing PV at the annual state dance solo competition. But one freshman surpassed predictions further through hard work and dedication. Josie Kaffenberger returned from the 2020 st...
Students anticipate Thanksgiving traditions as holidays draw nearer
Kate Stewart, Copy Editor
November 11, 2019
Though the US greatly values tradition and sees it as something that “produces a flow of predictability,” recently the rigidness of habitual practices around the holidays has begun to fluctuate. With an abundance of cultures within Pleasant Valley’s walls, each holiday is celebrated differently a...
From JV to state champion: Pleasant Valley’s Max Murphy shows patience can pay off
Sakshi Lawande, Copy Editor
November 11, 2019
After toiling away on junior varsity his first two years of high school and attaining minimal success at last year’s state meet, senior Max Murphy proved that hard work and commitment can result in great success. On Nov. 2 at the Class 4A state cross country meet in Fort Dodge, IA, Murphy ros...
Hats off to Olivia: PV community rallies behind one of its own
Maria Vaaler, Student Life Editor
November 8, 2019
The Pleasant Valley School District is no stranger to coming together to support members of the community facing immense hardships. And the recent cancer diagnosis of high school English teacher Tracy Lux’s 11-month-old daughter, Olivia, is no exception. Olivia Waytenick was diagnosed with an incr...
Dishing out happiness: How a local man created his legacy one slice at a time
Sam Rothbardt, Social Media Manager
November 8, 2019
Few people can boast of their accomplishments in both business and philanthropy, and far fewer can say they changed an entire community with pizza. Joe Whitty founded Happy Joe’s Pizza in Davenport, Iowa in 1972. Whitty discovered his love for baking far before he founded his pizzeria. He cemente...
Suppression on the basis of…sexual orientation
Maddy Licea, Editor in Chief
November 4, 2019
In the not so distant history of the US, women fought endlessly for their equal rights, and the African-American community marched on Washington D.C. with their own similar agenda. And a new minority group is now rising to voice their rights in this country. Those sought after rights are now in the hands of t...
Taking the first steps of change
Sam Rothbardt, Social Media Manager
November 4, 2019
Hate entered the doors of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. One year later, anti-Semitism continues to spread. But the state of Iowa is spreading a different message. The governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, signed a proclamation that made Oct. 27, 2019 “Anti-Semitism Awar...
The prevalence of the internet fifty years after creation
Ava Sorgenfrey, Sports Editor
November 4, 2019
The internet was born 50 years ago and now it is being regularly used by society. Usually when people think about the internet they don’t think about where it originated from. They most likely don’t even think about how often they use it. Whether it is thought about or not, the internet is used ...
Evolution of sports: sidewalk surfing to supersport
Sakshi Lawande, Copy Editor
November 4, 2019
After spending years taking on activities looked upon as “indecent hobbies,” one Pleasant Valley student took his years of practice and passion to create a new value for sports. Outstanding athlete and senior Nick Bruinsma found his love for skateboarding in sixth grade. He would get together...
Seeing the glass half full
Maddy Licea, Editor in Chief
November 4, 2019
No one has the power to choose the cards dealt to them at birth–only what they decide to do with them after. One Pleasant Valley senior recognizes firsthand how the disabilities one is born with do not have to overpower their true abilities. Born without a left ear, and continuing to have hea...
PV’s trap team: shooting for recognition
Eesha Lawande, Copy Editor
November 4, 2019
Pleasant Valley is known for the opportunities it provides its students, allowing them to interact and build relationships. A unique team that many do not know about is Pleasant Valley’s Trap Team. The trap team began its first season in 2014, as a result of local students’ urge to bring their p...
