All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 1876 - 1925 of 2533
Niwot's Mary Codevilla was named the Athlete of the Meet at the Coaches Invite, held at the VMAC on Dec. 21. The sophomore All-American took first in the 100 meter breaststroke, with a time of 1 minute 3.16 seconds, and first in the 200 freestyle (01:50.78). "It was a great way to kick off her high school season," Niwot head swim coach Sarah Stamp said of her performance. "Mary won her two individual events in a very stacked field of swimmers. She also broke the school records in both of these...
Davita Bird has always been interested in how things work, so at the suggestion of her mother, an engineer at Seagate, she started exploring the world of computer programming as a curious seventh grader at Flagstaff Academy. Now in her senior year at Niwot High, that curiosity has blossomed into a passion that has her expanding the frontiers of technology. "Computers were always the maximum 'how is this doing anything?' for me," she said. "Without the programming, it's just a hunk of metal. We...
Nothing came of last week's bomb threat at Niwot High School, except the arrest of a student believed to be responsible. Nothing, but rattled nerves and the question, when will this fear of school-based violence end? In the last 15 months, the Saint Vrain Valley School District held 24 meetings to solicit community input on our local education system. Understandably, one of the most pressing subjects was school safety. "This is a touchy subject, it's scary," said Paula Peairs, vice-president of...
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...
Every year starting in August, school districts across the state start analyzing enrollment numbers and other demographic data from their students. They track things such as building activity, socioeconomic trends, and more. This wealth of data then allows the planning department create projections in the spring. These projections, which largely focus around how many students are anticipated to be in various school feeder systems, will affect decisions such as open enrollment quotas. Paula...
Coming off a Northern Conference championship and a 4A runner-up finish last season, the Niwot girl's swim team looks to continue its success with a fresh lineup of swimmers. Head coach Sarah Stamp leads a young 2019 squad that has already shown promise. "We're in a unique spot because we graduated 16 seniors last year," said Stamp, who is in her eleventh season at the helm. "I think our seniors this year are finding their voice after having such a powerful and present senior class (last year)....
After a busy fall coordinating the Niwot Veterans Banner project and taking part in the Great Pumpkin Party and Enchanted Evening, Niwot Community Association board members turned their attention to helping spread holiday cheer in Niwot. At the Dec. 4 board meeting, NCA board members agreed to add to their decorations at the corner of Niwot Road and the Diagonal Highway. The area currently has some lighted wreaths and a holiday snowman courtesy of the NCA and the property owner, and board...
Julea and Maedee Trank-Greene are twins and seniors at Niwot High School. They also have had a lifelong interest in helping the homeless. "It makes me very sad to see people living on the street," said Julea. Which is why, for their IB CAS project, the Trank-Greenes are collecting food and winter gear for the homeless through HOPE for Longmont. CAS stands for Creativity, Action, and Service, and it is one of the requirements to graduate from the International Baccalaureate program. Juniors and...
Students of Niwot High School are adding their own two cents to the fight against Polio. Polio (poliomyelitis) is a contagious disease that invades the brain and spinal cord, causing severe paralysis that can lead to health complications and even death. While public awareness, support, and prevention have been successful in the U.S., there are still places in the world where this disease is left untreated. Niwot's Interact Club members have made it their goal to eradicate this disease, emulating...
Edison was chided "It really is berserk, You had so many failures, Before you made it work." Edison responded: "Failures I had none. From my wrong assumptions, I learned to get it done." - By Ian Hayes, based on words from Thomas Edison From his hilltop home, 88 year old Ian Hayes has a front row seat to a long stretch of the Front Range. Hayes and his wife Jackie moved to their home on the edge of Niwot two years ago, along with Monte the dog and Carlo the cat. Yes, that's Monte Carlo when you...
Their first names rhyme, so it is easy to see them as a matched set and their last name is emblematic of the brightening effect they have on the community. It's Jill and Bill Whitener - the vivacious, capable, and caring duo who have become very familiar faces in Niwot. We posed a few questions to find out what makes this generous couple tick and here is what we've learned. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC): Tell us a bit about your backgrounds. Jill & Bill (J&B): Jill grew up in Aspen. Her...
Niwot High School Key Club members assisted the Niwot Business Association with the preparation for Niwot's annual Enchanted Evening on Friday, Nov. 29, and members are also assisting with the Holiday Parade the following weekend. Key Club president Adam Rose will be the emcee at Niwot's annual Holiday Parade, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, beginning at 11 a.m. Rose said that the club has reached out to the NHS Boys and Girls Volleyball Club, NHS cheerleaders, NHS Environmental Club and...
On Nov. 21, third graders at Niwot Elementary School received personal dictionaries donated by the Rotary Club of Niwot. Rotary members Eli Buzas, Kevin Parrot, and Dennis Daly, retired principal of Niwot High School, visited each of the three classes and distributed the dictionaries to each student. "It was a breath of fresh air and sort of invigorating to me," said Daly (pictured) after the visit. "I just wish everyone could experience the positive environment that Principal Nancy Pitz...
Clayton Wittrock isn't sure that the Niwot boys basketball team is ready to contend for a Northern League title, but the first-year head coach does have an undeniably sunny outlook for the upcoming 2019-20 season. With a talented core of seniors, plus some future stars, the former Grand Junction assistant said the new-look Cougars are just a few tweaks away from a run in the Class 4A playoffs. "I think the team is going to look much different than last year. We are a motion-based offense. My...
Climate Reality campaign organizer and Niwot High School graduate (2013) Natalie Negrelli, presented 24 Hours of Climate Reality, Truth in Action, a world-wide event discussing climate change and solutions. About 35 people were in attendance at the Left Hand Grange, including a contingent of Niwot High School's Environmental Club. Climate Reality is a global nonprofit organization focused on climate change advocacy and education which was founded by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President...
The Niwot girls basketball team hasn't been to the Class 4A postseason tournament since 2013, but longtime head coach Terri Ward thinks 2019-20 will be the season the team's playoff drought ends. With an influx of talented newcomers, plus a host of hard-working returners, the recent CHSAA Hall of Fame inductee said she expects the Cougars to be in the mix for the Northern League title for the first time in years. "I am very optimistic about our chances this season....I like the group, I like the...
It was another crowded National Letter of Intent signing ceremony at Niwot, as seven athletes made official commitments to collegiate programs on Nov. 13. Lexi Crow, Black Hills State University Lexi Crow's collegiate soccer ambitions may be taking her away from Colorado, but the picturesque campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. will be like home away from home, according to the Cougar midfielder. "There's going to be mountains there, and open spaces, and it's green, so it's...
Since mid-October, 2nd Avenue between Niwot Road and Murray Street has been lined with 35 banners recognizing veterans with a Niwot connection. On Sunday, Nov. 10, the community came together in observance of Veterans Day and to formally acknowledge the successful inauguration of the Veterans Day Banner Project. Three members of Boy Scout Troop 161 kicked off the ceremony with a presentation of the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free...
From Friday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 17, Niwot High School will be performing the production "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon." The book "Grimm's Fairy Tales" was originally published in 1812 by Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, and it was a compilation of 86 stories, although the brothers would continue to add stories until the book contained 210. Over the years, these stories have morphed as a result of modern influences such as the Disney films. In Grimm's original story of "The Little Mermaid,"...
The Niwot Rotary Club is combining its love of serving the community with the community’s love of gathering over food. Inspired by the Fort Collins Rotary Club’s app focused on highlighting local breweries, Niwot’s club decided to create a similar app, but has extended it to include local restaurants as well. As such, they have partnered with16 local establishments to create a coupon app that will both highlight local business while allowing the club to put service above self. The app, which is estimated to offer at least a $75 value, is access...
Niwot gymnast Mia Curry started preparing months in advance for the 2019 Class 4A state all-around competition, but she wasn't prepared for the flood of emotions after hearing that all of her hard work had paid off. "I'm just...super happy," the stunned sophomore said moments after the announcement of her first-place finish in the individual all-around at this year's gymnastics championships, held at Thornton High School on Nov. 8. "I'm just so happy and proud of my entire team, and myself, and...
It may have lacked the life-and-death drama of Captain Ahab's pursuit of Moby Dick across the ocean, but Mia Curry's quest to add a Tsukahara vault to her routine and qualify for the state all-around competition may have been as single-minded. Luckily, the affable 10th-grader also escaped Ahab's watery fate, and instead earned a trip to the top of the Class 4A gymnastics podium. "Last year, I only did three events at state, and I wanted to come out here doing all-around, but I didn't want to do...
To the editor: There is no climate emergency! Those are not my words, but rather the words of 500 of the world's most knowledgeable and experienced scientists and professionals in climate related field. This information was sent to the United Nations Secretary General and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on September 23rd, 2019 urging them to reconsider their stance on climate change. Their letter remarks that "the general-circulation models of climate on which international policy is at...
This article continues a monthly series about the artworks and artists chosen for Community Corner at Sculpture Park at the corner of 79th Street and Niwot Road. This month's feature is "Spirit of the River" by artist Scott Campbell Reuman. The full title of this large metal structure is "Spirit of the River Does Not Live Long in an Irrigation Pipe." The piece was donated to the town of Niwot by the artist's family. "Creativity is the source that sustains and connects all humanity. Without it,...
A surefooted performance on the balance beam lifted the youthful Niwot gymnastics team to first place at the Class 4A Region 3 championships, and now the Cougars are heading into the upcoming state meet with a renewed sense of "positivity," according to head coach Marisa Purcell. "We've done a lot more individual varsity practices this year, to help them build confidence in each other and learn to lean on one another, and for them to come together and have expectations in each other," the...
Joelle McDonald wasn't expecting a life-changing experience when she joined the Niwot girls cross country team as a freshman, but after helping the Cougars win their second straight team title at the Class 4A state championships on Oct. 26, the senior paid homage to the transformative power of running. "It started as 'running is what I do for fun'," she said, recalling her four seasons with the program. "Then it became 'running is what I do,' and now it's 'running is what I am,' because it's...
To the editor: Perhaps the recent Letter submissions regarding climate change might benefit from Googling three sources: ) "17,200 Scientists Dispute Global Warming" 2) "31,000 Scientists say no convincing evidence" - OSS Foundation. And Nolte: "Climate Experts are 0-41 with their doomsday predictions." This should clarify that there is no consensus on man-made climate effect. And even if there were consensus, consensus is not verifiable science. R. Eggers, Niwot To the editor: I was dismayed and disappointed to see a prominent and well...
The U.S. Small Business Administration states that within the first five years, 95% of small businesses will fail. Such failures aren't necessarily due to a lack of product; instead, many of those "failures" occur at the beginning stages of execution. This irony is not lost on two Niwot High alumni, Evan Clark or Sandeep Kaushik, since their own business is also navigating these dangerous developmental stages. The hope is that with their knowledge and experience, they will be able to help...
It's 6 p.m. on a Friday night in late October, and the unseasonably warm afternoon is quickly giving way to an autumnal chill as the sun slips behind Longs Peak to the west. At Everly Montgomery Field in Longmont, Niwot High Game Manager Sue Prahl grips her handheld radio as she scans the grounds, looking for the game's officials, or "black and whites," as she calls them, due to their striped uniforms. There's still an hour to go before kickoff in the upcoming football game between Niwot and...
Denver Broncos team nutritionist Bryan Snyder, RD is giving a presentation on athlete diet and fitness in the large gym at Niwot High School (8989 Niwot Rd) on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. A former basketball player at CU-Colorado Springs, Snyder has been the Broncos full-time Director of Nutrition for more than a decade. He is a registered dietitian with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), as well as a member of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA). His...
There wasn't much mystery about the team winner of the Class 4A Region 3 girls cross country race, after Niwot's top five runners crossed the finish line at Denver's City Park a good 30 seconds ahead of any other competitors. That resulted in a rare perfect score of 15 for the Cougars, which head coach Kelly Christensen feels is a good way to close out the 2019 regular season. "A perfect score is a perfect score, no matter where you get it or who you get it against or whatever the conditions,"...
Dealing with a quirky teammate is an unwelcome annoyance for most high school athletes, but Niwot sophomore Bella Steiner isn't like most high school athletes. For the talented equestrian, managing her temperamental partner isn't just an enormous challenge, it's also enormously gratifying. "It's so technical, and a lot of people don't know that," Steiner said of her unconventional high school sport. "Everything affects the horse, and creating a bond with your horse is the most important part of...
Keynes Chen stands in his small office in the band and orchestra room practicing his violin. His concentration and dedication to his craft are clear to see by the way he holds his violin gently. His voice is soft as he shares his past: an upbringing shaped by violinist parents, beginning to learn the same instrument himself before the age of five, later studying at the University of Colorado Boulder, and eventually starting his own music school before transitioning to teaching orchestra at Niwot...
Ellen Gostling is a force to be contended with. Gostling, a 2015 Niwot High School graduate, currently holds all of the state records in the junior 84kg weight class in equipped powerlifting, and since graduating college in May, she continues to make a name for herself in the sport. Starting out as a figure skater in high school and then a member of the cross country and swim teams during her senior year, Gostling understands how much hard work goes into being an athlete. So when friends...
Dear Editor: Never before, in my 30 years of living in Niwot, have I ever been disappointed or ashamed of Niwot High School; their curriculum, administrative and/or athletic staff, or educators. But, the LHVC'S article posted in the volume 23, issue 39 put all of that on hold. (NHS Students Strike for Climate Change Awareness) A young mind is easily manipulated and molded. Is programming going on at NHS? Today's educators should be teaching young minds to be skeptical, to question authority and the popular paradigm; to research the facts and...
It's so crowded that you can only shuffle through the doors on either side of the Niwot High School auditorium. People are milling about below, trying to find their seats, catching up with friends, proudly bragging about their students and how hard they work. After a little time, the chatter falls to a hush, the lights dim, and the Fall Musical Extravaganza begins. The Fall Extravaganza has taken place annually for over five years, but in the last two, it has evolved. While various ensembles...
The Niwot softball team is headed back to the playoffs after a thrilling 2019 season that saw dramatic wins and heartbreaking losses, often in the same week. It also featured plenty of Niwot offense, as the team averaged more than 10 runs per game and recorded the highest batting average (.386) in the Northern League. Driving that offense for the Cougars was lead-off hitter Nikki Sims, who took her production to a new level during the regular season, with career-highs in average (.521), on base...
Public speaking comes naturally to Cougars football announcer Joe Bartko, who seemed destined for a life behind the microphone even from a young age. Now he is using those talents to give back to the communities that meant so much to him as a student at Niwot High School. “I have a hobby that I get paid for,” the former Cougar percussionist said before a recent home game at Everly Montgomery field. Bartko is also the public address announcer for the Colorado State University marching band. “I...
Sporting a collection of tunes from the popular movie The Greatest Showman, the Niwot High School band was a force to be reckoned with at SVVSD band night. The band provided a wall of sound as a result of its abundance of members and energetic performance. SVVSD band night is an event where marching bands from across the district gather to perform in front of judges. This year, the high schools attending included Lyons, Skyline, Erie, Roosevelt, Greeley Central, Frederick, Silver Creek, Niwot,...
With the first snowfall predicted for Oct. 10, Boulder County restaurants are closing up patios for the turn season. That doesn't mean that our local watering holes and coffee shops are hibernating this fall or winter but instead, embracing the change. Beloved dishes, cocktail menus and draught lists are shifting to feature autumn's tasty bounty of fresh vegetables. Restaurants around south Longmont, Gunbarrel, and Niwot have just begun to feature favorite fall flavors. Here are some more of...
To the Editor: Thank you for highlighting the passion and dedication of local Niwot High School students in your recent article “Niwot High students strike for climate change awareness” (9/26/2019). It is gratifying and inspiring to see young people taking action in the face of climate change. The Global Climate Strike on September 20th was a massive manifestation of public understanding of the urgency of the current climate crisis, and our desire for solutions. The fact of human-caused climate change is undeniable. Multiple peer-reviewed stu...
It's been a whirlwind fall for second-year drum major Cole Toothaker and the Cougar marching band, but a scary moment over the summer almost had the talented musician and natural leader watching it all from the sidelines. "I was on a rafting trip in Idaho, and I did a backflip on the beach-I have a gymnastics background and do flips a lot," he recalled. "But I landed on an incline, and put my hands down to break my fall, and ended up breaking both of my wrists, which was a little inconvenient."...
Just one day after leading a large contingent to the Global Climate Strike in Denver on Sept. 20, local environmental coalition The Lookout Alliance co-hosted the Colorado Climate Crisis Teach-In, an event aimed at empowering individuals of all ages to work for climate solutions. Heading up their panel on youth activism was Niwot junior Maya Beauvineau, who is working both in her school and in her community to bring "youth voices" to the fight against what she calls "the greatest threat that we...
Scoring goals isn't Andy Worrell's specialty, but the Cougars' defender knows a good opportunity when he sees it. Luckily for the Cougars, the 6'-6" senior was uniquely positioned to take advantage of one against Littleton on Sept. 24. "Carter [Kruse] played me a great ball across and I knew they couldn't rise up as high as me, so I just went up and tried to make a play," Worrell said of the heads-up play that broke a 0-0 tie in the second half. "It came off my shoulder more than my head, but...
Senior Calista Law may not have had the most hits or RBIs in Niwot’s thrilling 19-17 win over the Northridge Grizzlies on Sept. 18, but for head coach Bobby Matthews, the fourth-year varsity infielder was the day’s most impressive performer by far. “The poor kid was so sick,” he said. “She was throwing up between innings, and she was on base all the time, so she would run from home to first base, and then have to go to the trash can. But she was great for us.” The ailing Law reached base three...
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...
The controversial topic of climate change resides at the forefront of Front Range residents' hearts and minds. Living next to the picturesque Rockies, amidst protected open space, and near pristine lakes and reservoirs, we are acutely aware of climate change ramifications. In years with milder winters and less snowfall, farmers, ranchers, firefighters, forest service, hunters, and many others feel the impact in different ways that can affect livelihoods, incomes, and futures. Some argue that...
On Sept. 22, the highly anticipated Niwot Trot road race returns once again to the tranquil streets of Niwot.This year marks the 14th annual 5K fundraiser, hosted by Niwot Elementary School PTAC. Runners, joggers, walkers, and even trotters are invited to enjoy this race at their own pace. A fun and flat 3.1 mile course winds through town, giving participants the chance to see Niwot in its turn season. This year, the Niwot Trot will benefit from financial support and in-kind donations from 20...
Niwot generated more than 300 yards of offense against Greeley Central in week two, but football games are often won or lost over much shorter distances. Unfortunately, the Cougars had to contemplate that painful lesson on a long bus ride home after falling 17-14 to the Wildcats thanks to some untimely miscues. “Football is an interesting game in the sense that the little inches that you need are all over the field,” Niwot head coach Jeremy Lanter said after the narrow loss. “There were times wh...
Niwot running back Liam Flanagan made a splash in the Cougars’ season opener against George Washington, rushing for a career-best 210 yards and three touchdowns. And that game was no fluke. In 2018, he rushed for more than 100 yards three times, and was indisputably Niwot’s offensive leader. While Flanagan is quick to give credit for his productivity to the offensive line and his coaches, it turns out that he also has some specialized training in his background that has paid off in une...
