All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Alison Tafel graduated from Longmont High School in 2005 and has since made a name for herself in what Tafel likes to call "the showbiz." Working up the ranks of Hollywood's talented writers, Tafel has been a vital piece within a myriad of popular television shows that most likely appear on the screens of many Colorado residents. Dustin Bell and Jennifer Dalby, both Niwot High School alumni, remain two of her best friends. Both Bell and Dalby have ties to theater, Bell having also performed at...
On Thursday, May 29, the Niwot Business Association’s Minimum Wage Task Force, led by Niwot business owner Nicholas Little, gathered in Niwot Hall for a weekly meeting of Niwot area residents concerned about the minimum wage ordinance's effect on Boulder County’s unincorporated communities. Little’s task force represents over a dozen small business leaders, farmers, and concerned citizens who are organizing a campaign urging Boulder County Commissioners to pause the implementation of a multi-year minimum wage increase ordinance at the end o...
Sitting at his host family's kitchen table in Niwot, clad in a Broncos T-shirt and baseball cap, Rotary Youth Exchange student Simon Rosendahl-Post does not seem far from home. A Niwot High School student, junior varsity soccer player, and baseball enthusiast, his transition from Denmark to Colorado looks natural. Rosendahl-Post, 16, spent the 2024–25 school year at Niwot through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. "I'm from a small town," he said with a smile. "It's R-Y in Denmark, but I think i...
The first thing anyone who knows Arlo Richards will tell you is that he works hard. Whether he was in the outfield, at the plate, or unexpectedly on the mound, the 2025 Niwot High School graduate gave everything he had on and off the diamond. He was known to frequent the field in the offseason, always putting in the work to get better. And in the final week of his high school career, that effort paid off. Richards took the mound and came through in relief during both of the Cougars' last games....
The 2025 Night of Champions ceremony unfolded with pride as students, families, faculty, and community members gathered in Niwot High School's auditorium on Sunday, June 1, to recognize the outstanding academic and athletic achievements of the year. Principal Eric Raushkolb opened the night by describing a remarkable school year including a 99.3% graduation rate and over $29 million in scholarship offers, which was a new school record. In Niwot High's 51-year history, Cougar athletes have...
The Mead High School girls lacrosse team wrapped up its 2025 season with an impressive run to the Class 4A state semifinals, finishing with a 13-5 overall record and a 3-0 mark in league play. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Rachel Class, who was named CHSAA's Class 4A Coach of the Year, the Mavericks showcased resilience and growth throughout the season. In the postseason, Mead secured victories over No. 13 Telluride High School and No. 5 Golden High School before facing top-seede...
On Sunday, June 1, members of the Niwot community gathered in Niwot High School's auditorium for the annual Night of Champions celebration. After the student-focused portion of the evening, NHS principal Eric Rauschkolb transitioned to the second inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Olympian Elise Cranny, former professional baseball player Mike Moat, and longtime school supporter Mabel Miyasaki were each recognized for the profound impact they have had on Niwot High School, the Niwot comm...
Keegan Geldean took his first strides as a runner when most kids were still figuring out how to tie their shoes. But after more than a decade of early morning practices, hot midday track meets, and national title races, the 2025 Niwot High School graduate is about to start a brand new chapter. Geldean is set to compete in cross country and track at Adams State University, a top-tier NCAA Division II program in Alamosa, Colorado. The decision came after a campus visit and a scholarship offer...
Niwot High School's boys volleyball team recently celebrated numerous postseason awards. Released by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) on May 19, the Class 5A All-State awards reflect standout boys volleyball athletes of 2025. Rising senior Charlie Kirtland was named to the All-State Second Team. Kirtland played the libero position, a highly specialized defensive role. "It truly does mean so much to be recognized," he said. "I think that especially as a libero, it takes goi...
Maurice Henriques, the architect behind one of Colorado's most dominant high school track and field programs, has been named CHSAA Coach of the Year, for both the boys and girls track teams, adding another accolade to an already distinguished career spanning nearly two decades. Known affectionately as Coach Mo to his athletes, Henriques has transformed Niwot High School into a statewide track and field powerhouse, consistently producing championship teams and elite competitors who have gone on...
As the girls golf season comes to a close, individual accomplishments and team milestones have marked a strong finish to the year for the Niwot High School girls golf team. While no trophies were brought home, the team demonstrated determination and potential, setting the stage for a strong showing next season. "The highlight was having a young team," Head Coach Ed Weaver said. "I was very proud of how the girls played this season. I saw improvement in both their scores and their confidence thro...
For her many volunteer activities that enhance the Niwot community, Denise Chamberlain is the Left Hand Valley Courier's May Left Hand Laurel. Chamberlain is a professional artist, and the creator of the large "Spirit of Niwot" mural on the west and north sides of the former Excel Electric building, along the railroad tracks near 2nd Avenue and Murray Street, and the "Bug's Eye View" mural on the former feed store property at 291 2nd Avenue. Chamberlain also had a hand as a volunteer, along...
Twenty-one years after graduating from Niwot High School, Emily Harrington has traded Colorado's Front Range for Lake Tahoe's alpine setting, but her connection to the outdoors that began in Boulder has only grown stronger. The 2004 Niwot graduate made international headlines when she became the first woman to free climb El Capitan's Golden Gate route in Yosemite National Park in under 24 hours, cementing her place among the world's elite climbers. But for those who knew her growing up in...
Niwot High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Joe Brown has been elected President of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Board of Directors. His two-year term begins on July 1, 2025, following three years of service as the District 2 representative, a role that covers schools in the Centennial, Frontier, Northern Colorado Athletic Conference, and Longs Peak leagues. Brown has been part of Niwot High's staff since 2019. The presidency, Brown explained, is an...
Gabriel Bandera, a 2025 graduate of Niwot High School, reminisced on his time in the music and arts programs in Niwot before he heads into the music and film industry. "I've been playing piano in Jazz Band for four years at Niwot High and Advanced Jazz Band for the past three years, but I've been playing piano for much longer than that and saxophone for a few years as well," said Bandera. "By my junior year at Niwot I really started to take music, especially jazz and improv more seriously. I...
Niwot High School's Class of 2025 was honored in a heartfelt and celebratory Senior Night on Friday, May 23, marking the culmination of four years filled with academic success, community involvement, and personal growth. Hosted by senior Masters of Ceremony Peyton Rhodes, Mahuiztli (Mo) Martinez, Mila Barinek, Maria Arrece Garcia, and Meleah Perez, the event blended student performances, award presentations, and reflections, highlighting the accomplishments and unique contributions of this...
When Elise Cranny picked up the phone and heard Niwot High School principal Eric Rauschkolb and athletic director Joe Brown on the other end, she did not expect anything out of the ordinary. "I just figured maybe it was something for the cross country team," Cranny said. "I didn't even think it could be this." Rauschkolb and Brown told Cranny she had been selected for the Class of 2025 Niwot High School Hall of Fame. The two-time Olympian, NCAA standout at Stanford, and professional runner was...
Continuing a powerful tradition of community service, the Rotary Club of Niwot awarded three scholarships at Niwot High School's Senior Night on Thursday, May 22. The Rotary Club of Niwot, formed in 2008, supports many community causes, including students at Niwot High School. The recent scholarships were the Outstanding Student Award, the Community Service Award, and the Niwot Rotary Student of the Year Award. Students throughout St. Vrain Valley School District who demonstrate exceptional...
The Niwot High School girls golf team finished ninth at the 4A Girls Golf State Tournament at The Broadlands in Broomfield on Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20, posting a two-day total of 558 points. The Cougars showed their strength in a highly competitive field, with Riverdale Ridge High School taking first place with 500 points, followed by Durango High School in second (513) and Ponderosa High School in third (529). Despite the challenges, the Cougars displayed resilience throughout the...
Baseball was already stitched into Kaige Kennedy's story before he ever picked up a glove or stepped onto a pitcher's mound. The 2025 Niwot High School graduate grew up immersed in the game. His father, Joe Kennedy, pitched seven seasons in the major leagues for several teams, including the Colorado Rockies. Joe Kennedy passed away in 2007 at the age of 28 due to an undiagnosed heart condition, when Kaige was only one year old. Kaige's mom, Jami Kennedy-Bierbrodt, later married Nick Bierbrodt,...
Hannah McDonald, a 2018 Niwot High School graduate and now the Entrepreneurship Program Manager at St. Vrain Valley Schools' Innovation Center, has been named the district's 2025 Educator of the Year. Celebrated for her boundless energy and deep commitment to student success, McDonald was recognized for creating transformative learning experiences that empower students through mentorship and real-world skill-building. "My ultimate why for teaching is helping students envision, build, and...
In the conclusion to another dominant Niwot High School track and field season, both the boys and girls teams walked away with team titles from the State Track and Field Championships held May 15 to May 17 at Jeffco Stadium. The Cougar girls claimed their sixth consecutive state title with 148 points over Windsor (79.5 points), while the boys topped the standings with 98 points over Roosevelt (56 points), marking their third first-place finish since 2019 after a runner-up performance last year....
TJ Ross, a 2010 graduate of Niwot High School, is making his mark on the entertainment industry. Currently based in Los Angeles, Ross has worked on the creative team of shows such as Lucifer and Pulse. Ross did not have a typical starting path into the industry. He said, "I knew I wanted to go to college after high school and had a passion to move out of Colorado to explore what else was out there. I ended up landing at University of California, Santa Barbara, for marine biology, but I quickly...
"Another successful year," said John Barto, event organizer for the Niwot Community Association's (NCA) annual Clean-Up Day. "The weather was perfect, we had a lot of great help from volunteers such as the Scouts of Troop 161 and the Niwot High School Marching Band's drumline," he added. This year's event was held on Saturday May 17 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and was renamed to honor the late Neal Anderson, original organizer of the event and past NCA president. After having organized and advertised...
On Thursday night, May 15, the Class of 2025 at Niwot High School gathered on the football field to enjoy the closing Senior Sunset event, which symbolized the end of their high school education. The students experienced their penultimate group occasion under clear skies with distant mountain views, just before graduation week began. The "Senior Sunset" event functions as an annual companion to "Senior Sunrise," which takes place at the start of each school year. The Niwot sunrise event...
For decades, Mabel Miyasaki was more than a familiar face at Niwot High School. She was its heartbeat. Whether she was working in the cafeteria, braving snowstorms to cheer from the stands, or sharing a laugh with students, Miyasaki left a mark on the school that has stood the test of time. Now, at 100 years old, she is being honored as a 2025 inductee into the Niwot High School Hall of Fame. Miyasaki's connection to Niwot did not begin in a classroom or on the sidelines, but as a mother...
During the morning of May 14, eight teams, each consisting of three to five Niwot High School students, took part in the school's annual outdoor chalk art event called Artside, as in art outside. The outdoor area near the school's main entrance not only held the bustling activity of chalk art but also included ceramics students doing an outdoor raku firing process, led by instructor Kyle Rees. As students worked on their artistic creations, the student tech crew also added to the Artside...
Whether it was triple jump, long jump, or sprinting down the track, Weston Domich did a little bit of everything for Niwot High School this season. The senior helped the Cougars capture their first Class 4A boys state track and field title since 2021, capping off a high school career built on steady improvement and a strong team bond. Domich first got into track and field in eighth grade. At the time, his focus was not on jumping or racing. He only joined REAL Training to get faster for...
Niwot High School held its annual Department Awards ceremony following the final bell on Wednesday, May 14, in the Commons. The ceremony recognized students for their exceptional attitudes, achievements, and character across various subjects. In the physical education department, awards went to Axel Zamora Cano (9th grade), Hadyn Spires (10th), Irisel Valenzuela-Loya (11th), and Charlie Shaw (12th). The world languages department recognized Lia Lindseth (9th), Will Gabrielson (10th), Julia...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School. The Courier also honors an array of students who pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella. All students and teachers at Niwot High School who know Izzy Fay recognize her as a hardworking, dedicated individual. Through her passion for diving, Fay has become a well-kno...
For Thalia Almaraz, basketball was part of her life from the very beginning. She first started playing when she was eight years old, but even before that, her dad said she always had a ball in her hand. He introduced her to the sport and she quickly fell in love with it. A four-year varsity athlete for Niwot High School, Almaraz finished her senior season with 230 points and was named the Cougars' 2025 Varsity MVP. She leaves the program with 416 total career points and a reputation as a...
The Niwot High School baseball team wrapped up the 2025 season on a positive note, securing consecutive victories in their final two games to finish with a 9-14 record. Unfortunately it was not enough as the Cougars ended the season ranked 33rd in Class 4A, one place short of qualifying for state playoffs. On Monday, May 12, the Cougars dominated their Senior Day home finale against Wheat Ridge High School, cruising to an impressive 11-1 victory. Haden Shaw, who was limited to DH duties due to...
After a thrilling finish, the Niwot High School girls golf team secured a well-earned spot at the state tournament following the 4A Region 3 Regional Tournament on Tuesday, May 13, at the Twin Peaks Golf Course. The Cougars, who shot a team score of 254, finished just one stroke ahead of Windsor High School (255). Riverdale Ridge High School claimed the top spot with a score of 237, leaving the Cougars with a strong second-place finish. What made the finish especially exciting was the tie...
Mead High School's girls lacrosse postseason journey concluded in the Class 4A state semifinals with a 16-10 loss to top-seeded Evergreen High School on Wednesday, May 14, at Englewood High School. Senior Lucy Connors, a Niwot High School student, led Mead's offense with seven goals, bringing her postseason total to 23. Juniors Morgan Elson and Emmy Tecu, the latter also from Niwot High, contributed two goals and one goal, respectively. The Mavericks fell behind early as Evergreen opened the...
Amid encouraging reports from February sales tax receipts, the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) recommended approval of funding for two signature events for Niwot – the Niwot Community Association's (NCA) 4th of July celebration and the Rock & Rails Summer Concert Series, co-sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA). 4th of July Celebration Kathy Koehler, a member of the NCA's board of directors, presented the 4th o...
Marik Magginetti, a senior at Niwot High School, represents a side of the art world rarely seen but greatly enjoyed. Magginetti’s dedication to technical theater resulted in his nomination for Art Student of the Week. Magginetti’s art background comes from running things behind the scenes. He said, “I'm on the technical theater crew so my business is all in the technical. I am on the ‘how’ part of creativity, not the ‘what.’ It's still an absolute honor to help these shows succeed because I lov...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) will hold its annual Clean-Up Day event this Saturday, May 17, between 8:00 a.m. and noon at the Niwot High School upper parking lot. The event closes promptly at noon or when the dumpsters are full, whichever comes first. The NCA has requested that the last patron arrive at 11:45 a.m. so that the event can end on time. For over twenty years, the NCA has helped with the collection of yard debris and other large trash/recyclable items that would be otherwise...
Niwot High School senior Braden Saunders has always felt at home in the water. From the time he was five years old, slipping and sliding across his backyard on store-bought splash mats, he knew swimming was something he loved. The early connection blossomed into a full high school career with the Silver Creek boys swim and dive team, a district program made up of athletes from Silver Creek, Niwot, Erie, Dawson, and Frederick High Schools. But it was not until his final season that Saunders...
Mike Moat was not supposed to go to Niwot High School. He spent his younger years in Gunbarrel on the Boulder Valley School District side of the line. His older sister Christine had gone to Boulder High School. After his parents divorced, his father still lived in Gunbarrel, but his mother moved to Niwot. Their son spent alternate weeks with each parent. Although his home in Gunbarrel was targeted for Boulder or Fairview High School, he ended up a Cougar because of a neighborly favor, one that...
Niwot High School's theater department held its annual Theater Banquet on Friday, May 9, celebrating the actors and technical theater crew for their accomplishments this school year, which included producing "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Footloose." Students were treated to a banquet of food while playing rounds of "Family Feud." Many students took to the microphone to touch the hearts of their peers. Nine awards were given to students from their peers, spanning all grade levels and...
Mohi Bauer, a senior at Niwot High School, has a passion for logic-based problem-solving and mentally challenging tasks. Bauer constantly seeks new ways to further these interests apart from his classes, including participation in competitions and starting his own club at Niwot High School. "During my freshman and sophomore years, I participated in Niwot's Chess Club, Math Club, and Up-a-Creek Robotics' FRC team 1619 on the robot software subteam," he said. "During my junior year, I co-founded a...
The environment at Niwot High School transforms during the weeks leading up to May 15, the last day of school for seniors. Underclassmen remain focused on finals while seniors direct their attention toward the end of their high school experience. The Class of 2025 has planned several graduation events, which will reach their peak at Senior Sunset on the final school day May 22. During graduation weeks, seniors follow established traditions that lead up to their big day. The Senior Grad Walk ranks among the most popular events, bringing...
On Wednesday, May 7, Niwot High School celebrated 30 student-athletes at its Spring Signing Day ceremony. Held in the Commons during lunch, the event honored seniors who signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic journeys at the collegiate level. With teammates, coaches, classmates, and loved ones in attendance, the signees celebrated their accomplishments and their future ahead. "This is the largest class of signees in my six years at Niwot," said Athletic...
The Niwot High School baseball team showed resilience and offensive power but ultimately came up short twice, falling to Legacy High School 10-7 on Thursday, May 8, and to Fort Morgan High School 4-1 on Saturday, May 10. In Thursday's game at Legacy, the Cougars' bats were active with an impressive 14 hits, but they couldn't overcome an early deficit. Legacy jumped ahead quickly, putting three runs on the board in the first inning against Niwot starter Braxton Logue. They continued to build...
With swimmers and divers from five different schools joining forces, the Silver Creek boys swim and dive team put together a solid performance at the Class 4A State Championships, finishing sixth overall at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton. Held May 7-10, the state meet saw the district team, which includes athletes from Silver Creek, Niwot, Erie, Dawson, and Frederick, scored 211 points, just two behind Cheyenne Mountain High School. Monarch High School took home the state title with 409.5 points. Silver Creek’s performance w...
With a district-wide roster and plenty of postseason firepower, the Mead High School girls lacrosse team has earned its place among the final four in the Class 4A state tournament. After receiving a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed, the Mavericks opened their playoff run at home with a dominant 20-2 win over No. 13 Telluride High School on Thursday, May 8. In front of the home crowd, Mead made it clear early on that the Mavericks meant business, scoring 10 goals in the first half and another...
Niwot High School junior Saha Kolli delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 Class 4A Girls Tennis Individual State Tournament on Saturday, May 10, reaching the championship match at No. 1 Singles before falling to her Kent Denver High School opponent in a hard-fought final. Kolli, the Cougars' top singles player, dominated her early-round opponents through bracket play. She opened the tournament with a convincing 6-1, 6-0 victory over a Palmer Ridge High School opponent, followed by an...
Niwot High School’s boys volleyball team capped off a memorable season with a trip to the Class 5A State Tournament, where they competed in a round-robin play-in format at Trojan Arena in Fountain. Entering the tournament as the No. 8 seed, the Cougars faced top-seeded Littleton Public Schools. Niwot held its own in two of the three sets, but ultimately dropped the match in straight sets, 25-23, 25-13, 25-13. Littleton Public Schools would go on reach the championship match before falling to Eaglecrest High School, 3-1. The following day, N...
The Niwot High School Cougars had a solid showing at the St. Vrain HOKA Invitational on Friday, May 9, held at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. Senior Reese Kasper led the way for the girls, taking first place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.99 seconds, finishing half a second ahead of the second-place runner. Kasper earned second place in the 400-meter dash, running 54.38 seconds. Kasper’s time in the 400-meter, along with that of the first place finisher Kiana Cumings from Windsor High School (53.89), broke both the meet r...
