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The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

Aerielle Johnson runs the 4x800m relay at Muscatine. As a student athlete she balances both the stresses of academics and athletics. She is a pillar of success and a role model to her teammates.
Photo Credit to Katie Haas.

Athletes work to balance mental health amidst demanding/high-commitment high school athletics

Grace Boleyn, PV Only Editor April 25, 2025

With a busy schedule both in and out of school, high school student-athletes have a lot on their plates. While many have shown to succeed both academically and athletically, the toll the balance takes...

Every year millions of people make brackets for March Madness however traditionally fans only make ones for the men’s tournament.

Decreased interest: How the the women’s NCAA March Madness tournament has decreased in the past year

Emily Thoreson, Business Manager April 25, 2025

In 2024, when people talked about the women’s March Madness tournament, the first thing that popped into many minds was a specific player and a team. The University of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark changed...

The baseball world underwent a recent craze due to the Yankees compounded success with the new “torpedo” bats.

Torpedo baseball bat sparks conversation over unfair advantages in sport

Mackenzie Fah, Copy Editor April 25, 2025

The start of the 2025 MLB season was taken by storm on opening weekend with the phenomenon of the new “torpedo bats”. On March 29, the Yankees opened their season with the new bowling-pin-shaped bats. In...

Henry Gannaway, a key contributor for the Pleasant Valley varsity soccer team, scored 4 goals in one game against Central Dewitt.
Photo Credit to the Spartan Shield.

Athlete of the Week: Henry Gannaway

Clark Lechtenberg, Multimedia Manager April 25, 2025

Senior Henry Gannaway has been playing soccer for 11 years and has committed to Notre Dame. Gannaway is one of the captains on Pleasant Valley’s varsity soccer team and practices almost 6 days a week....

Sports betting app Draft Kings is open to the NCAA college basketball betting options page.

Betting Madness: How March Madness fuels America’s gambling surge

Katie Haas, Photo Manager April 16, 2025

In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act which prevented states from sanctioning sports gambling. Since then, sports betting has rapidly grown in popularity...

PV girls' track seniors are happy to be competing on their home track for the first time since 2023.

Senior night success: PV girls track dominates with a rare home advantage

Katie Haas, Photo Manager April 14, 2025

April 3, 2025 was the PV girls track and field home meet; the second home meet for the team in the last four years. Seniors on the team looked forward to getting a senior night and having the opportunity...

Senior Quinn Vice gets ready to pass to her teammate during the varsity girls' basketball senior night game.
Photo Credit: Maureen Dyer (Spartan Shield)

Seniors navigate the challenges of collegiate athletic recruitment with determination

Estelle Treiber, News Editor March 31, 2025

Spartan seniors are making arrangements for life after high school; some having taken on the impressive feat of continuing their athletic careers during their post-secondary education. Unique challenges...

Junior Isabelle Kremer in action in the 5A State Championship game.

OPINION: Iowa bill presents misguided approach to increasing high school athletic participation

Mackenzie Fah, Copy Editor March 31, 2025

Recently, the Iowa House voted and passed a bill that will allow eighth graders in Iowa to participate in all high school varsity athletics. Thirteen other states have already enacted similar bills, and...

Winnipeg Jets (blue) face the Ottawa Senators (white)
Photo Credit: Maia Katragadda

US-Canada hockey game highlights growing political divide

Mau Sanchez Carmona, Sports Section Editor March 5, 2025

With over 10.4 million viewers across the US and Canada, the US-Canada hockey game shattered viewership records this week as the most watched non-olympic hockey game in history. What would have otherwise...

Throwing it back to 2024 Varsity runner, Caitlin Quinn, is pictured competing at Muscatine. The girl’s team dominated in season meets last year before going on to win the state meet.

The start of the 2025 track season brings excitement and ambition

Grace Boleyn, PV Only Editor March 4, 2025

Feb. 24 marked the first girl’s track practice of the year. Coming off of an exceptional 2024 season, 2025 brings new goals and excitement for what can be achieved this time around. To recap, the...

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