All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Ben Gabrielson loves math. Now a senior at Niwot High School, he says his biggest challenge in high school was running out of math classes to take. After exhausting Niwot's math class offerings early in high school, he began taking classes concurrently at Front Range Community College. Last semester, Gilbert finished the classes offered at Front Range and is currently working with Niwot's math teacher, Megan Schlagel, to teach himself discrete mathematics as an independent study. Gabrielson...
Niwot musician Michael DeLalla, a composer who frequently performs on guitar around Niwot, has recently turned to the written word as part of his creative efforts. "Instrumentalists are generally not known for their stage presence in the same way that singers often are, but I tell stories on stage, which is a great way to contextualize instrumental music," said DeLalla. "I try to bring these cosmic messenger moments to people to bring a little bit of insight into the lives of people and rotate o...
In a big theater production, there are so many moving parts-props, actors, sound-that the theater technicians are never surprised when something unexpected happens. Niwot High School senior Maddie Myers knows, especially after the first show and the last show, the relief of getting through the production without too many surprises. She also remembers many stressful moments in the show where things weren't going quite as planned. That was the case during a November 2024 NHS performance of...
This is the second article in a series on the Consortium of Cities addressing child care challenges in Colorado and Boulder County. According to Kaycee Headrick, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, the current child care environment in Boulder County is creating dire circumstances for many working parents, with one-third of highly educated women dropping out of the workforce each year. Seventy-four percent cite the primary reason as a lack of quality and...
January's Left Hand Laurel recipients are Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, who have a long history of giving back to the Niwot community. During the months of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, Tomich and Machen felt that people desperately needed social interactions and to not feel so isolated. As the owners of The Old Oak Coffeehouse, they could not let anyone sit in the shop, or even at The Emporium next door during that time. They had the idea to have free socially distanced...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members a year ago, and have had some new valuable additions this year, and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read. Karen Sherlock Well into her sixties (but yet very young!) Karen Sherlock is still trying to decide who she wants to be when she grows up. After pursuing a degree in English literature, she made a sharp turn...
Being a strong leader means more to Taylor Rodanski than to--- most other seniors. In truth, Rodanski made leadership one of his top priorities before his final season with the Niwot High School boys basketball team began earlier this month. He was inspired by last year's seniors and wanted to pass their wisdom down to his younger teammates. "In my junior year, we had two seniors (Jackson Carano and Brighton Langenegger) who were really big leaders on the court," Rodanski said. "They inspired...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School (NHS). In addition to arts and athletics, the Courier honors an array of students who choose to pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella. Niwot High School senior Mila Barinek has displayed academic excellence throughout her past three-and-a-half years at Niwot....
Democrats maintained their strong presence in Boulder County as voters made decisions on numerous races and ballot measures in the Nov. 5, 2024, election. From federal representation to local water district measures, residents weighed in on a wide array of candidates and issues. Federal and State Representation Democrat Joe Neguse secured another term as the U.S. Representative for the 2nd Congressional District. At the state level, Kathy Gebhardt won the race for State Board of Education...
Joe Chrisman's journey from a three-sport athlete at Longmont High School to a successful business owner in Boulder County is a testament to the lasting influence of sports on his life. Growing up in Longmont, Colorado, during the 1980s and 1990s, Chrisman was shaped by a close-knit community that instilled strong values and a passion for athletics. Chrisman spent his early years in northwest Longmont and went to elementary school in Hygiene, an area that reminds him of the small-town feel of...
Niwot High School graduate and traditional salutatorian Violet Oliver made NHS history in her four years as a Niwot student. Not only did she earn her high school diploma with flying colors, she also received an Associate's Degree in Engineering at the same time. During her senior year, Oliver took all of her classes at Front Range Community College, which will result in a reduction of over a year of school towards getting her bachelor's degree. Apart from Oliver's impressive achievement of...
Mohi Bauer accomplished quite a bit during his junior year at Niwot High School, both in the classroom and on the pitch. Along with taking college-level math classes through Front Range Community College, he received a mid-season promotion to the varsity boys soccer team and ultimately played big minutes for the Cougars. His contributions as an offensive facilitator helped Niwot win seven of its final eight games, including two in the Class 4A state tournament. "That was a cool experience, joini...
Merrick Blondeau has been a member of the Niwot Community for all 18 years of his life. Over the years he has become a familiar attendee and volunteer at events around the town. For his volunteer efforts over the years throughout Niwot, Blondeau is the June 2024 recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel. Blondeau recently graduated from Niwot High School with the class of 2024. From the NHS drumline to choir and musical theater, to various clubs, Blondeau has been involved in...
Not initially expecting the starting role he was given, it took some time for Niwot High School boys soccer midfielder Ben Gabrielson to get comfortable at the varsity level last fall. Gabrielson, then a junior, had received spot varsity minutes the year prior and was competing with other talented upperclassmen who were also searching for playing time. But as the season wore on and his confidence grew, Gabrielson quickly became a reliable presence in the Cougars' midfield. Niwot finished the...
Those who frequent 2nd Avenue's coffee shop, The Old Oak Coffeehouse, as well as those who regularly attend any community events, have probably noticed some friendly and regular faces behind the counter. This week's Familiar Face is one such barista, Noah Smith, who has been a friendly face at The Old Oak since March of 2022. Smith started the job when he was on a walk downtown and saw a "help wanted" sign in the window. He went in, inquired about the position, submitted his resume, interviewed,...
For many years now, the Saint Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) has offered students the opportunity to jumpstart their careers through the Innovation Center and the Career Elevation and Technology Center. Then, in 2016, SVVSD introduced a way for high school students to earn an associate degree along with their high school diploma, providing yet another great opportunity for local high school students. P-TECH, which stands for Pathways in Technology Early College High School, was first introduced in Colorado by the St. Vrain Valley School...
Zachary Scott Swanson April 7, 1984 - February 10, 2024 At 39, our beloved Zack left us far too early. He was born in Niwot, Colorado, and spent his school days at Niwot public schools, graduating in 2002. He received an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology from Front Range Community College in Fort Collins in 2012. He added many automotive technology certificates and achieved Master Mechanic status. Zack had an amazing ability to stay level-headed, even-keeled, and calm throughout life....
When Merrick Blondeau was in elementary school, his sister Ana's friends were percussionists. Blondeau thought they were cool, so in sixth grade he joined the band at Sunset Middle School. Since then, he has simply loved making music and getting lost in music. Blondeau enjoys listening to classical music, "But," he said, "not often enough to be able to pick a favorite." One piece he does appreciate listening to is "The Planets," a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav...
I am an only child born and raised in Colorado. I've been telling stories for as long as I can remember and I always wanted to become a storyteller. I started writing drafts of plays and children's stories at around ten years of age, and teen novels at thirteen, one of which I am still working on eight years later. I went to high school at Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins, a program that lets students attend community college in high school. Through that school, I attended Front Range...
"When I was a freshman at Niwot High School," Sara Hallock said, "it was all online learning because of Covid. We had to learn everything through books and articles. Once we got to in-person learning, I was shown the sound board and almost immediately fell in love with it. As the years went on, I learned more and more about being a sound engineer and how good I was at it." In the intervening years, Hallock has perfected her craft as a sound engineer. Jason Watkins, who selected Hallock as Arts S...
On June 24, hundreds of bikers in colorful gear will fill the streets of Niwot, heading west on Niwot Road before looping down to Second Avenue, with a rest stop at Whistle Stop Park before crossing the Diagonal Highway to continue north on N. 73rd Street. The Bike MS charity is making its annual ride through Colorado. The route for this ride can be up to 100 miles long, winding from the Front Range Community College in Westminster to Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The Niwot...
Thanks to generous contributions from the community, the Niwot High School Education Foundation (NHSEF) sponsored several student field trips during the 2022-2023 school year. The mission statement of the NHSEF is: "In partnership with our community, the NHSEF endeavors to enrich academic experience through learning and teaching grants, to expand opportunities for students to explore next steps in their education and professions, and to award scholarships to NHS students, enabling them to achiev...
Niwot Elementary School third-grader Oskar Leopold and his brother, kindergartener Teddy Leopold, won first prize in the Water Education Colorado's "Water '22 Student Showcase" competition awarded earlier this fall. They competed in the kindergarten through fifth grade category. Their task was to show how water interacts with and affects us all as Coloradoans. Their efforts earned them a $1,000 prize in this 18 and under student contest. They were also recently featured on a social media and...
It's morning – the second Thursday in December – and about 50 Niwotians who are over 55 are drinking coffee, eating snacks, listening to two local musicians play their tunes, socializing and – later, playing trivia, at the Left Hand Grange. We're at the monthly meeting of the Niwot Community Connection. It really seems like a great way to connect as well as to build local community. Besides the monthly meet-ups – often with a guest speaker – at the Grange Hall, the group has organized smaller s...
For someone who has always been interested in theater, Paige Ioerger knew at an early age that acting was not her calling. "I did a little of it when I was young," Ioerger said, "but I've stepped away from that. I have a little bit of stage fright, so I can't really do the onstage thing. But I did a little bit when I was younger." In elementary school she had small roles, singing in the chorus of shows. "I did that for 'The Little Mermaid' when I was in first grade, and then I did the same...
Since the birth of our nation, voting still remains a privilege. The Constitution itself denied voting rights for women and enslaved people. Jim Crow laws suppressed the vote in Black communities, and language barriers were exploited among immigrants. Constitutional amendments were passed to expand the right to vote, and legislation during the civil rights movement removed some barriers to voting. Even today, ballot drop boxes and polling places are located hundreds of miles away from Native American Reservations, and recent legislation in...
Downtown Niwot's National Night Out event on Aug. 2 was a huge success, with many community members enjoying hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks, courtesy of the Boulder County Sheriff's office. The annual community-driven campaign promotes first responders and community partnerships to foster neighborhood camaraderie and, ultimately, make our communities better places to live. Several community honors were awarded at the annual event. The Niwot Group at Compass real estate agency awarded their...
Niwot's Galloping Geese bike team was grateful for the cooler temperatures this past weekend as they completed the BikeMS Colorado. On June 25, they started in the early hours from Broomfield and cycled 68 miles, ending in Fort Collins where they were greeted with live music, cold beer and rest tents. The route brought them, and nearly 1,500 BikeMS riders, hurtling through Niwot between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. with a welcome rest stop at Niwot High School. The following day, they put in another 67...
Jeff Knight, a Niwot resident since 2005, was appointed to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) by the Boulder County Commissioners. Knight was designated by the Niwot Community Association (NCA) as its nominee for the NCA representative position on the nine-member committee, which considers funding requests for sales tax dollars for projects and events which benefit the business district in Niwot. Knight, who resides in the Burgundy Park subdivision, also serves on the...
On Nov. 1, Front Range Community College (FRCC) announced that the college has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to offer a new degree—a two-year Associate of Engineering Science (AES). FRCC is the first community college in the state of Colorado to offer this type of degree. Though FRCC has previously offered an engineering pathway for students wanting to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering, the process of transferring FRCC credits to an accredited four-year program was often complicated since transfer agreements d...
On a chilly Thursday night, the courtyard behind Front Range Community College's (FRCC) classroom building was dark and still. But voices could be heard; behind a massive tree, a white dome hid, and in it, a group of students and community members learned about the stars. "The college needs to be connected to the community," said Anthony Smith, an astronomy professor at FRCC, and host of that night's event. "That's why I'm really happy we're finally actually doing some PR and some outreach. I...
One day in 2012, a group of moms got together for lunch. All of them had gone to college, and all were part of PEO International, which seeks to help women with their higher education goals. With children of their own, many of whom would soon graduate high school, these mothers wondered how they would best be able to help them. Inspired, they began an annual Q&A event that included counselors, parents of students who had graduated, students who were now in college, and there was one aim–how d...
On a cool, cloudless Sunday morning, people flocked to the space between the Museum of Natural History and the Mary Rippon stage on the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) campus. The group was made up of students, educators and community volunteers, all sharing one goal: categorize and learn about apple trees as part of this year's Apple Blitz, sponsored by the Boulder Apple Tree Project (BATP). "I'd say there's no other fruit that's adapted to this country as the apple," said artist and blitz...
Carter Kruse didn't set out to get the top grade point average in Niwot High's International Baccalaureate programme this year, but his penchant for hard work and precocious talent for advanced math made that outcome literally inevitable. Nonetheless, he was humbled by the honor, even though it seemed more a function of statistics than anything else. "I am fortunate to be up there simply just because of some of the classes that I took," he said of being named IB valedictorian for 2021. "I took a...
If a high school student were to look up the average cost of a four-year college in Colorado, they'd likely find a figure around $8,364 per year for tuition and fees, which works out to just more than $33,000 per year. This figure doesn't include mandatory fees, housing or other estimated costs of post-secondary education. This can be daunting for many students, and especially those who would be first-generation higher education applicants, which often includes a higher percentage of students...
There wasn't much drama in Niwot soccer's 6-0 rout of Roosevelt on April 5, but at least one play will always be memorable to Carter Kruse, a longtime varsity defender who suddenly found himself with an unprecedented chance. "There was not much of a lead up to it," the senior said of the play that resulted in his first-ever high school goal. "Orlando [Lopez] was fouled inside the edge of the box...and then Coach Dimit called me forward to take [the penalty kick]. While it was fun to score, I...
Pat Murphy is known for many things in Niwot, including organizing the annual Easter egg hunt and the Great Pumpkin Party, both of which have been curtailed or modified by the pandemic. But one activity the long-time Niwot resident and realtor has maintained through thick and thin – providing cookies and other goodies in care packages to U.S. troops far from home, through the efforts of the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms, or the "cookie momsters" as they have recently come to be known. Murphy s...
Eli Earl Buzas, 70, of Arvada, Colorado, lost his battle with COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. He is remembered by his mother Saveta Buzas, loving wife Christine Brott Buzas, sister Elizabeth "Betty" Buzas, brother George Buzas married to Kim Buzas, daughter Melinda Holt married to Don Holt residing in Arvada, son Matthew Buzas married to Sandra Buzas residing in Evergreen, and Joseph Lonn married to Anthony Lonn residing in Sydney, Australia, and grandchildren Thomas and Natalie...
Eli Earl Buzas, 70, of Arvada, Colorado, lost his battle with COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. He is remembered by his mother Saveta Buzas, loving wife Christine Brott Buzas, sister Elizabeth "Betty" Buzas, brother George Buzas married to Kim Buzas, daughter Melinda Holt married to Don Holt residing in Arvada, son Matthew Buzas married to Sandra Buzas residing in Evergreen, and Joseph Lonn married to Anthony Lonn residing in Sydney, Australia, and grandchildren Thomas and Natalie...
Pints will be brewed and poured in Cottonwood Square again. Last week, co-owners Leslie and Steve Kaczeus closed on the sale of the former Bootstrap Brewing location on 79th Street. New owners Cory and Kelly Buenning plan to open a family brewery in the building. They aim to start serving customers sometime next spring. The location will be known as Fritz Family Beer, and will offer the varied range of beer styles that Buenning produced while head brewer at both Snake River Brewing in Jackson...
Area schools received a boost to help high school students on their path to tech career readiness. The National Science Foundation awarded the Saint Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) and Front Range Community College (FRCC) a $494,175 grant to open a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program in cybersecurity. This will be the SVVSD's, third P-TECH program, with the other programs focused on biomedical sciences at Frederick High School and computer information systems...
With students returning to school on Tuesday, Aug. 18, it is time to meet all of the new teachers who will be entering Niwot High School. From PE to English, Niwot is welcoming staff who are prepared to guide students through online learning. Eric Rasmussen will be teaching pre-IB honors biology, pre-IB chemistry/physics, and IB chemistry SL, with classes spanning across all grades (9-12). Previously, Rasmussen taught chemistry and biology for three years at Silver Creek High School. He also...
Niwot senior Nicholas Valin wasn't always the confident, aspirational young adult he is today. In fact, after going to private school and then being homeschooled for freshman year, his transition to Niwot was somewhat jarring. "I was new as a sophomore, so for the first two days of school, I didn't know anyone and was silent," he said, laughing at the memory. "[But] I made a lot of friends after that." Valin quickly became involved in the high school's forensics team, student council, Model UN...
We asked the departing seniors of the girls track team to reflect on their time at Niwot and share their post-graduation plans. Samrawit Dishon, Distance What are your plans after graduation? I plan to attend the University of New Mexico and major in Psychology. Before it was canceled, what were you looking forward to most about the 2020 season I was looking forward to doing a lot of big things with my teammates. What is your favorite memory or what do you consider a career highlight from your t...
As graduation quickly approaches -136 days to be exact-life after high school seems not just scary, but scarily expensive, as paying for any higher education looms over graduating seniors and their parents. Colleges may offer up some money, but a full-ride is unlikely. For many families, the hunt for scholarships is on. There are thousands of scholarships large and small up for grabs across the country, and narrowing the field can be a trick for many students. Applying for scholarships tailored...
The 2019 Niwot football season will be memorable for a number of reasons and the emergence of Jarrett Noterman as a standout athlete is at or near the top of that list. As a wideout/cornerback/kick returner for the Cougars, the speedy senior had a hand in nearly every one of the team's marquee plays during the season, and was often the only highlight in their double-digit losses against league opponents. Now Noterman is bringing the same spark as a guard in Niwot's varsity basketball lineup,...
Author Jonathan Gottschall once said, "We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night telling itself stories." Storytelling is part of the human psyche, an element which has fascinated Sarah Echsner throughout her life. After graduating from Niwot High School, Echsner took psychology, photography, creative writing and even a documentary class at university. While this may seem like an eclectic selection, these choices led her to develop...
This past year, Front Range Community College expanded its Center for Integrated Manufacturing and added new programs to fill the need for skilled labor in machining, manufacturing, and automation. In addition to this expansion, FRCC also added a bachelor's degree program for nursing and continues to be a leader in training our state's residents in these vital industries. Colorado philanthropists Suzanne and David Hoover pledged a donation of $1 million, to be dispersed over the next five...
Colorado is suffering from a shortage of nurses with four-year BSNs degrees - needing as many as 500 new nurses to fill the void. Looking forward, that figure is expected to balloon by 2024, growing to 4,500. Previously, nurses could have successful, financially feasible careers with a two-year associate’s degree but, as the healthcare and job markets become more competitive, requirements for employees and prodivers are changing. Many healthcare companies now require nurses to have their bachelor’s degree and nurses without may have tro...
An email from Sarah Brown to the Courier read, "In May I started working at Lucky Pie in Niwot and have had the pleasure of working with Dylan, the general manager. We have a constant joke going at work about how he's the mayor of Niwot since he seems to know everyone that lives in the area. He's one of the kindest people I've ever known, let alone worked with. So, if you take suggestions for Familiar Faces, I'd love to see him in there! He really deserves all the recognition as he is a...
