All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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When the nights begin to cool and feel like fall, the league kicks off for Niwot boys soccer, and competitive games start in earnest. This year, the Cougars' league includes several nearby rivals, including Skyline High School, Silver Creek High School, and Longmont High School. Longmont was the Cougars' first local opponent of the season last Thursday, Oct. 3. Longmont entered the match undefeated, fielding a cohesive, experienced team. They had scored an impressive 29 goals so far this season...
Niwot had to come from behind multiple times against Legacy High School, but ended up with a 3-0 sweep Oct. 3 on "Neon Night" with the cheerleaders and most of the student section decked out in neon green construction vests. The Cougars started strong, pulling away to a 16-11 lead in the first set before Legacy took a time out. After a spectacular save by junior libero Elise Arends, who was all over the floor for Niwot, an unintentional dink shot that left the Niwot girls smiling gave the...
The first round of the Colorado High School Activities Association Boys Tennis Dual Team State Championships began on Oct. 2, with all 16 teams in both 4A and 5A classifications playing their first-round matches. Winning teams advanced to the quarterfinal round, Oct. 9-12. Of the top 16 teams that advanced to the state tournament, Niwot, the eighth seed, played Vail Christian High School, the ninth seed. Each team had to win four of seven lines to advance to the quarterfinals, with Niwot falling 1-6 in a challenging first round. The team’s p...
The Niwot High School cross country teams put in a strong performance at the Pat Patten Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 5, across both the varsity and open divisions. The varsity boys team claimed fourth overall, scoring 109 points. Boulder High School took home the title with 55 points, followed by Rock Canyon High School (66 points) and Mountain Vista High School (76 points). Senior Christopher Wood led the Cougars, finishing 15th with a time of 16:31.30. Fellow senior Brayan Herrera was close...
Niwot's varsity softball team experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and results last week, demonstrating both the challenges and triumphs that come with the sport. The week began with a difficult matchup against Broomfield High School, resulting in a lopsided 15-0 loss. The loss marks the first game of the season that the Cougars were not able to put a run on the board. The Cougars, who average 7.2 runs per game this season, bounced back with a dominant 10-0 mercy rule victory over Silver...
With a record number of participants this season, the Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) NFL flag football season has reached the halfway mark. In an exciting break from regular season play, NYS flag football teams recently faced off against the Gridiron league in a thrilling mid-season tournament. The event showcased the young athletes' skills and competitive spirit before they return to their regular season play. One of the tournament's most memorable matchups came in the Varsity division (3rd and 4th...
The Niwot High School football team faced a challenging night on Thursday, Oct. 3, as they suffered a 50-0 loss to Evergreen High School. The away game marked Niwot’s worst defeat of the season, bringing their record to 0-5. From the start, Evergreen dominated the field with strong offensive and defensive play. Niwot struggled to gain any traction, facing difficulty on both sides of the ball. Despite their best efforts, the Cougars were unable to score, resulting in a lopsided final score that reflected Evergreen’s control over the game. Thi...
Marching bands bring a contagiously high level of energy to football games, parades and other events. Whether the band is in the stands playing pep tunes, or on the field performing the halftime show, the spirit, energy, and musicianship is infectious. However, a seven minute halftime show is the result of countless hours and dedication to perfect that performance. Many of the high schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District consider themselves as "non-competitive" marching bands. However, e...
According to Niwot High School senior Jack Triplett, working in theater always comes with crazy stories. "One especially memorable saga," Triplett revealed, "was during the construction of 'Beauty and the Beast.' A group of techies and I had been tasked with creating the amazing wood-chopping machine that Belle's father drives around stage in the first act." The plan was simple: attach a foam axe to a simple cog on the back of a motorized mobility scooter and make it look old-timey. "But every...
Niwot High School is host to over 60 student-run clubs, and one stand-out is the Black Art Collective. In the words of club president Xuri Walton, "The B.A.C., or Black Art Collective, is a club dedicated to learning about, and acknowledging Black artists' contributions to the art world. Our main goal is to expose the Niwot and Boulder County communities to Black artists' achievements and contributions." This is the Black Art Collective's inaugural year at Niwot High School, and hopefully the st...
Playing in his first full season on the varsity squad, Andrew Fong has become a reliable force on Niwot High School boys tennis' No. 2 doubles line. Last year, Fong was a swing player, splitting time between the Cougars' junior varsity and varsity teams. Now, he's racking up victories alongside partner and fellow senior Gabe Bandera. According to MaxPreps, the two have picked up No. 2 doubles wins against duos from Monarch, Broomfield, and Legacy high schools. "I'm getting more consistent," Fong...
After losing at home in extra innings to Frederick High School, the Niwot varsity softball team headed west to Grand Junction for a four-game, non-league tournament last weekend. In game one on Friday, Sept. 27, the Cougars shut out Grand Junction High School by a score of 5-0, extending their road winning streak to four. Kianna Butler led off with a double to center field, followed by a single from Payton Stokes. An error by the Grand Junction catcher brought in the first run of the game for Ni...
In a thrilling display of teamwork and skill, Niwot High School's No. 4 doubles team, Tyler Chivukula and Ollie Jones, emerged victorious in the Granite Peaks League Tennis Tournament held Sept. 27 at Niwot High School. The pair started strong, defeating Erie High School with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Building on their momentum, the duo faced a tougher challenge against the Monarch High School duo, where they ultimately prevailed 6-4, 7-6, in a closely contested match. In the final showdown, Jones an...
The Niwot High School junior varsity golf team showcased its depth and skill at the Niwot Junior Varsity Event, held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont. The Cougars had four teams competing in a field of 30 teams. Niwot's top team took home the victory with a combined score of 208, beating out Northridge High School, which finished second with a score of 217, and Timnath High School, who came in third with a score of 227. The Cougars' other three teams placed sixth...
The Niwot High School volleyball team had an impressive week, showcasing its strength with victories against the Fairview Knights and the Centaurus Warriors, even as the Cougars faced a setback against the Broomfield Eagles. In their home match against the Knights on Monday, Sept. 23, Niwot won decisively in a 3-0 sweep, with scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-13. The Cougars' offensive strategy was relentless, achieving a team-hitting percentage of .234 with a total of 64 attacks and 25 kills....
The Niwot High School cross country teams delivered an impressive performance at the Desert Twilight XC Festival on Friday, Sept 28, overcoming scorching 90-degree temperatures to capture both the girls and boys Sweepstakes titles. As the only school in the nation with both teams ranked in the top five nationally, the Cougars solidified their status as a powerhouse program with commanding victories on a hot night at the Toka Sticks Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona. In the Girls Sweepstakes race,...
Sherry Johnston Died Sept. 8, 2024 Sherry Johnston, age 81, of Estero, Florida, passed away on September 8, 2024, at her home in Estero. She was an active resident of Niwot for over 30 years, where she raised her four children, Ryan, Adam, Kara, and Janae, all of whom graduated from Niwot High School. In addition to her four children and their spouses she is survived by her husband, Grant, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Graveside burial services were held at Foothills Gardens of...
The Shine Prom is an annual event like no other. Hosted by the Rocky Mountain Christian Church (RMCC) on Sept. 20, the fourth annual prom offered warmth and connection to residents throughout the Niwot area while celebrating individuals with special needs. Guests began by making their way through a red-carpet welcome, where Niwot High School sports teams cheered them on. Cheer volume was specific to each visitor's preference, and students applauded in sign language for hearing impaired...
Niwot's new ice cream shop, Love Ice Cream, held its Grand Opening on Sept. 21. The first 100 lucky customers received a complimentary scoop of ice cream of their choice from the new family-owned venture. The Grand Opening extended out into the parking lot in front of Love Ice Cream, located at 240 Second Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Seven Wealth. Cute flower-bedecked tables outside of the ice cream shop and a festoon of colorful, bubble-like balloons climbing the building like ivy...
Dr. Jessie Slepicka grew up on a chicken and sheep farm in Niwot, Colorado, and his experiences growing up ultimately led to a doctoral degree and a position as a professor in the Sociology and Criminology Department at the University of Montana. His parents, Jerry and Marsha Slepicka, moved to Niwot in 1990, where they built their log home on 79th Street. The Slepicka family was active in Niwot Nifties (the oldest 4-H club in Boulder County), school clubs, athletics, and honor society, where Je...
On Sept. 9, 2013, a severe flood started along Colorado's Front Range, particularly impacting Boulder County. The flood continued through Sept. 15, 2024, causing widespread damage. The flood was triggered by an unusual amount of rainfall, surpassing what is expected in a 500-year flood event. A 500-year flood event means there is a 0.2% chance of such a flood happening in any given year. The 0.2% chance is a statistical term that describes the recurrence interval of floods, not a timeline that i...
Allisson Diaz Arredondo takes an emotional approach to her craft. In describing her interest in art, she said, "It really helps you. For example, when I feel sad, I paint something happy to make me happy. When I feel bored, I also paint." Her favorite artist is Frida Kahlo, and Arredondo herself also likes to paint using acrylics. One of her favorite art projects is a canvas she painted that includes her name and flowers that represent her. Arredondo looks back on middle school and the art class...
This is Part 2 in a two-part series regarding public school enrollment in Boulder Valley. Part 1 focused on the Boulder Valley School District. Part 2 focuses on the St. Vrain Valley School District. In its Sept.18, 2024 issue, the Left Hand Valley Courier covered declining enrollment throughout the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), and how BVSD is helping manage the decline. Nearby, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) seems to be facing less decline than BVSD though, with an estimated 0.41% decrease having occurred in the past ye...
Niwot High School is host to over 60 student-run clubs, and one stand-out is the Film Club. Niwot High School's Film Club creates a short film throughout the school year. To begin, they start with a team effort to come up with a plot and characters, and eventually move on to script writing. From there, pre-production jobs are assigned and executed, including creating prop lists, shot lists, costuming plans, and casting. Once the group finalizes the details, they begin filming in the late fall...
Niwot High School's cross country teams delivered stellar performances at the St. Vrain Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21, hosted by Lyons High School. Both the boys and girls teams showcased their depth and talent, securing top finishes across the board in the 5000 meter run. The boys team was led by junior Rocco Culpepper, who claimed first place with an impressive time of 15:29.17. His victory was closely followed by fellow juniors Hunter Robbie, who finished second at...
The Niwot High School softball team added two more wins to its record last week, with a 7-0 shutout win at home over Monarch High School, and a 10-0 shutout win at Horizon High School, extending their winning streak to eight games. The varsity record now stands at 10-3, with the Cougars moving up to 12th place in the state 4A rankings. Kianna Butler, who is second in the state in strikeouts in Class 4A, has been a dominating force on the mound for the Cougars this season. Butler, who is backed b...
In their final tournament before regionals, the Niwot High School boys golf team delivered an impressive performance at the Longmont Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 17, held at the Twin Peaks Golf Course. Niwot fielded two teams, which finished third and seventh in the overall standings. Resurrection Christian took home the top spot, with Monarch High School coming in second. Leading the Cougars was senior Drew Stapp, who finished third overall with a stellar score of 69, continuing his...
From the moment she joined the Niwot High School gymnastics program as a freshman, Head Coach Marisa Purcell knew there was something special about Maeve Flentie. "You'll find there's always that one freshman that kind of comes in," Purcell said. "She (Flentie) came in and just gets stronger and better every year, and she's a multi-sport athlete for her school." Flentie, a senior who attends Erie High School, dives and runs track for the Tigers, but gymnastics has been her primary passion since...
The Niwot High School unified bowling team was delayed by a slow-moving train on their way to Centennial Lanes in Longmont Sept. 15, but nothing could stop them from their second competition of the year. The lanes were already filled with teams wearing shirts of various colors, spanning all the way to the back wall. As Niwot arrived, the bowlers hurriedly laced up their shoes, searched for the right bowling balls, and started to warm up. Coach Amy Holle was busy organizing the teams for the day and had to run back to the bus to retrieve the...
The Niwot High School football team suffered a tough 41-0 loss against the Wheat Ridge High School Farmers on Thursday, Sept. 19. Offensively, the Cougars struggled throughout the game, totaling only 68 yards with just five first downs. Sophomore quarterback Jaydan Martinez completed four of 16 passes for 32 yards, but threw three interceptions, while junior Wesley Manzanares led the rushing game with 24 yards on 11 carries. Wheat Ridge controlled the game with 306 total yards. They scored early in the first quarter with a six-yard rushing...
Niwot High School’s annual homecoming festivities began Monday, Sept. 9, with the highly anticipated pep rally. For the first time, the class of 2025 won the iconic Spirit Stick by being the loudest during the high pressure competition between grade levels. It was a close call between the seniors and sophomores this year. The first day of homecoming events ended with “The Kickoff,” Niwot High School’s Flag Football Tournament, an evening team event attended by students, staff, friends, and fam...
On Aug. 7 at a special meeting, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) Board of Education unanimously approved placement of a Bond Referendum Question on the Nov. 5, 2024 Ballot in the amount of $739.8 million “to improve safety and security, preserve capital assets, enhance educational space, and address the increase in enrollment” in the district. The district worked hard to ensure that property taxes will not go up if the bond issue passes. How does this happen? The district’s website anticipates the question, and the answer provi...
During lunchtime in Niwot, hungry high school students, residents, business people, and even Courier staff who are looking for a sandwich might head to the local Subway in Cottonwood Square. If they've done so over the last few years, they've likely been served by Emma Osckel, well known for her friendly, fun demeanor when taking orders and assembling sandwiches. Osckel is a regional native who has lived in Northern Colorado since the late 1990s. She came to Longmont when her son started middle...
It would be an understatement to say that Natalie Fitches is an outstanding student. Fitches, a 2024 Niwot High School graduate, has been recognized for several accomplishments during her tenure at NHS. She was recognized as Arts Student of the Week by the Left Hand Valley Courier in September 2023 and she has been named as the Student of the Year by the NHS marching and symphonic band programs. This August, Fitches received recognition for all that she does, not just at NHS, but in her...
The penultimate Dancing Under the Stars swung into action Friday, Sept. 13, in Cottonwood Square. Despite Niwot High School homecoming festivities happening at the same time, the event brought together a large crowd of dancers from all over Boulder County who whirled under the stars and glittering string lights. Dancing Under the Stars organizer Catherine McHale said at the beginning of the evening, "It's going to be a good party tonight since it is the last salsa night of the season. It's...
Although Cormac Easter does not play instruments other than the violin, there are times that he wishes he could. He began learning the instrument about eleven years ago by taking private lessons, but he only began playing mariachi about two years ago. "I will admit, the first few years I played weren't my favorite," Easter said, "as the music I was learning to play was mostly classical, which I did not enjoy." Thankfully, his instructor was able to help him maintain his interest in the violin,...
In her three-plus years at Niwot High School, senior Alena Kasanicky has learned that whether she's running or golfing, achieving success in athletics requires both physical and mental strength. While her primary sports don't share much in common from a physical standpoint, the mental side of each is fairly similar. Kasanicky knows that staying composed under pressure typically leads to strong results in golf, track and cross country. "They're definitely really different sports, but golf and run...
"The Kickoff," Niwot's homecoming flag football tournament, kicked off a week of homecoming festivities on Monday, Sept. 9. Eight teams made up of Niwot High School students, with the majority being juniors and seniors, played one another throughout the evening. Coached by their fellow students, the players arrived earlier in the evening to receive rules and regulations to ensure that the games went as smoothly as possible. With the first game beginning at 7 p.m., the final game didn't start...
Most high school educators do not have a doctorate degree, and yet Niwot High School currently has six staff members who hold doctorate degrees. Eric Rauschkolb, Niwot High School Principal, finds that having six doctorate holders on staff at the school is inspiring to students and other staff members. "It shows their dedication to their craft, their work ethic, and their commitment to life-long learning," he said. Each of these six professionals earned their doctorate in an area of study that...
The Niwot High School boys golf team continued its season with two challenging tournaments during weeks five and six, facing stiff competition from some of the top teams in their league. On Sept. 5, the Cougars competed in the Frederick Classic at the Coyote Creek Golf Course. Despite strong performances from several golfers, Niwot finished fourth overall with a team score of 301. Fairview High School took first place with a score of 284, Monarch High School placed second at 292, and Erie High...
Niwot High School's homecoming football game against the Skyview Campus Wolverines on Friday, Sept. 13 ended in a narrow 14-6 loss for the Cougars, leaving them 0-3 on the season. The game was filled with moments of grit and determination, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on key opportunities as they fought through turnovers and a tough Skyview defense. Before kickoff, the Stapp family was honored by St. Vrain Valley School District Superintendent Don Haddad for their longstanding...
The gym lights dimmed, and "m.A.A.d city" played over the loudspeakers as the Niwot High School girls volleyball team streamed out onto the court to the delight of the huge homecoming crowd Sept. 12. The energy was palpable as warmups started. Niwot was taking on its first league opponent of the season in Erie High School, and the Tigers wanted nothing more than to spoil the Cougars' homecoming in the Cougar gym. The student section was painted yellow and students dressed like "Minions"-a...
Niwot High School’s boys cross country team showed its strength at the RE-1J District Meet on Sept. 4, securing the top nine positions in a performance that set the stage for a promising season. It is a rare occasion where the boys team claimed spots one through nine, making it an historic moment for the team and the course itself, with some of the fastest times ever recorded. Leading the team was Rocco Culpepper, who took first place in the 5000 meter run with a time of 15:36.38, followed by Hunter Robbie, who finished close to Culpepper w...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team beat Prairie View High School 2-0 at home on Wednesday bumping their record to 4-1. The Cougars and their solid defense once again left their opponent scoreless, posting shutouts in the last three games. Seniors Gavin Engtrakul and Jay Scharfe each scored a goal in the second half, bringing their combined season total to four goals. After a scoreless first half, Engtrakul set up Scharfe for the first goal of the game, and junior Quinn Brady set up...
The Niwot High School varsity softball team extended its winning streak with an 11-1 win over Fairview High School on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at home, followed by a 15-3 win at Longmont High School, and a 3-0 win over The Academy High School at home on Saturday. The Cougars scored six runs in the first inning against Fairview, beginning with a solo home run to right field by pitcher Kianna Butler. RBIs from Anna Halverson, Simone Paterno, Saleen Amaya, and Butler added to the lead, resulting in a...
The Niwot branch of the Bank of Estes Park has a new Branch Manager, Kim Reiber, with big plans for the bank's involvement in the community. "I'm super excited to be working in a small town," Reiber said. "I absolutely love working in the community and volunteering and going to lunch at all the little local places. It was my favorite part of working in Olde Town Arvada. I went to lunch at all the local places in town, shopped in all the stores, and had dinner at the restaurants. I just love...
The annual Jared Music Foundation's RISE (Remember in September) Benefit Concert at Whistle Stop Park on Sept. 5 opened under an amazingly clear summer sky that faded into a beautiful pink-orange sunset, highlighting the mountains as the night darkened. Zivanai Masango and Helen Masango opened the concert with several songs from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, including a sing-along they taught to the crowd which roughly translated to "When we're together, everything is okay." Funkiphino, the...
The St. Vrain for the Brain 5k will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. at Niwot High School to benefit the National Brain Tumor Society. The St. Vrain for the Brain 5k encourages participants of all levels, either in person or virtually. Participants can register as a team, or as an individual, or simply donate to support another participant or team. So far, $4,100 has been raised toward the fundraising goal of $5,000 with a week and a half left before the race. The 5k race runs along the b...
Sara Taylor's explanation when people ask her about her work in technical theater is that she is "one of the backstage people, who does sets and lights and that sort of stuff." She is surprised how often she is asked to explain why she chooses to spend more than 200 additional hours at school a year, and although she is involved in theater, why she is not an actor. "The better, and more accurate answer, is that I work different jobs with a crew of people that create a space for actors to act...
