🐾 Good afternoon, Watervliet High School!
Today is Monday April 13th
My name is Grace Ripley, and I am your Monday Morning announcement reader.
💡 Good Thing for Today
🎂 Birthdays
There are no birthdays today.
🍴 Lunch Menu
Sloppy Joes
Grape Tomatoes
Broccoli & Cauliflower Bites
Pasta Salad w/fresh Vegetables
Apples
Congratulations to Giovanni Ayala, who has been named the 2026 Mr. Blossomtime Mr. Nice Guy. We are proud of your achievement, Gio!
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Reminder to all students:
Only athletes or students with PE Class should be entering the Gym and Locker Rooms before school / During the day only students on their way to class should be entering.
Friday evening marked the opening of the prestigious Kalamazoo Institute of Arts High School Area Show. Nearly 300 works were submitted from across southwest Michigan, with just 97 selected—six from WHS students.
In addition to being accepted, two students received special recognition. Jaylee Havenaar earned a scholarship to Olivet College for her vibrant still life, and Sienna Harris received the Director’s Award for her painting of her cat.
Congratulations to all six students—we are incredibly proud of your hard work and accomplishments!
🏆 Sports Update
Softball:
Watervliet opened play with an 8–7 win over Cheboygan in a back-and-forth battle. Emma Kirksey earned the win, with Mackenzie Brimele securing the save.
Ava Trapp led the offense with two singles, a double, and an RBI. Kaylee Bartee added a single and two RBIs, while Alexis Eberhard chipped in a single and RBI. Madison Eberhard, Kendal Kiefer, Leila Liberto-Taylor, and Rae Prestidge each contributed hits, with Liberto-Taylor and Prestidge also driving in runs.
The Panthers’ balanced offense made the difference as they advanced to face Jackson Northwest in the finals.
Baseball:
Varsity beats Berrien Springs 7-1 in the morning opener. Caleb Jewell was lights out on the mound in a 1-Hit effort striking out 9 with relief from Ethan Westfall. Panther Hitters: 2 Singles each for Jewell and Cayden Ryan
Varsity baseball earned a dramatic 5–4 walk-off win over Negaunee. Cayden Ryan and Nate Harasewicz combined for the victory on the mound, striking out eight.
Trailing 4–2 in the 7th, the Panthers loaded the bases and completed the comeback one run at a time.
At the plate, Caleb Jewell and Brayden Harasewicz led with three singles each, Ryan added a double, and Nate Harasewicz, Cael Morris, and Tyler Jarvis each had a hit.
Watervliet moves to 3–3 and opens conference play next week against Fennville and Allegan.
Track:
Lady Panthers Take 2nd at Bridgman Invitational
Watervliet earned second place with strong individual efforts. Payton Yeske (1600) and Daniella Romero (3200) each took first, while Yeske also placed 2nd in high jump. Miranda Lowell was runner-up in both hurdles, and Braelyn Campbell took 2nd in long jump and helped the 4x200 relay (with Adelyn Campbell, Daijahnae Hatcher, and Lowell) to another 2nd-place finish.
Mya Hood, Bella Clark, Brianna Zwar, Makenzie Driver, and Marissa Lowell also contributed points.
Panther Girls Shine at Hartford Freshman/Sophomore Meet
Competing in their second meet in under 24 hours, the Panthers still delivered strong performances. Braelyn Campbell (long jump) and Miranda Lowell (100 & 300 hurdles) each earned first-place finishes. Campbell also took 2nd in the 400, while Lowell added a 4th in pole vault.
Daniella Romero placed 2nd in the 3200, and Payton Yeske took 3rd in the 1600 and high jump. The 4x800 relay (Yeske, Lechuga, Zuniga, Romero) finished 2nd, and the 4x400 relay (Zuniga, Driver, Lowell, Campbell) placed 3rd.
Soccer:
Panthers Battle Tough at Constantine
Despite missing key players, Varsity competed hard in a physical, back-and-forth non-conference game at Constantine, showing resilience and creativity but came up short falling to Constantine 0-1 The Panthers now head to Hackett on Monday.
🎓 Senior Reminder – Testing Day
There is no school for seniors next Thursday, April 16th due to state testing.
Tech center attendance is optional
Transportation is available if needed
Also for seniors please complete your decision day slide. Check your email for more information.
All 9-11th graders will take the PSAT or SAT next Thursday. You must come to school with a fully charged device. 9th and 10th graders will return to class when testing is done and 11th graders will be excused to go home for the day. A reminder that for juniors this is your one free college entrance exam.
🐾 Panther Pride Winners
Congratulations to: None today
Please stop by the main office before 3rd hour for your prize!
Prom Guest Dance passes are now available in the main office. The deadline to submit this is April 24th. No freshmen can attend prom. Sophomores can only attend as a guest of a junior or a senior. WAY students can only attend as a guest of a junior or senior.
📅 Upcoming Events
April 13 – Board Meeting (6 PM)
April 14 – Jazz Band Festival
April 19 – Donkey Basketball (7 PM)
🇺🇸 Pledge of Allegiance
Please stand. The privilege of this day was made possible by those who have fought and continue to fight for the freedoms that we enjoy. Let us honor and respect their efforts by standing, placing our hands on our hearts and reciting the pledge of allegiance. If you are wearing a hat, please remove it. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
🎉 That’s all for today—
🐾 Make it a great day or not, Panthers—the choice is yours!