All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Arts Student of the Week Mark Rokhlenko, Niwot High School Band's drum major, played the tenor trombone since the fourth grade, thanks to Sean Kemp, the music teacher at Flagstaff Academy but was uncertain if he wanted to continue in high school. He took a band class in his freshman year at NHS to earn his Fine Arts credit and intended to quit band after finishing that class. Freshman band camp completely changed his mind. "The people were incredibly welcoming, supportive, fun to be around, and...
Ryder Keeton's passion for running goes far deeper than his pursuit of state championships. While he remains focused on bringing big-time hardware back to Niwot High School, the junior cross country standout procures motivation through his love for the sport. Even something as simple as discovering a new running trail can gratify Keeton. "In training, I mostly enjoy exploring the environments where I can run and the trails I can run," Keeton said. "It's a really fun thing for me to explore." Con...
Niwot High School 2024 graduate and valedictorian Mia Prok was a highly accomplished high school student and athlete, resulting in her acceptance to Wake Forest University specifically to run track and cross country. Not only is it difficult to get into WFU for athletics, it is also a school that values academic strength and enthusiasm. Prok has it all. Prok has not decided on a career path after college but is intrigued by pursuing pre-med since both of her parents are physicians. For now, Prok...
The Niwot High School boys varsity soccer team is gearing up for a new season marked by significant changes. With a slew of key players graduating and a more challenging schedule, the Cougars face a formidable test under the leadership of ninth-year Head Coach Stephen Dimit. "Last season was a ton of fun," Dimit said. "Really the last two seasons have kind of felt like one season together, because there were a lot of the same guys playing together for those last two years." While the team...
As the golf season swings back into action, the Niwot High School boys golf team has already made a strong impression. The Cougars kicked off their season on Aug. 8 with a resounding victory at their first tournament, the Holy Family League Event, held at the Eagle Trace Golf Club in Broomfield. The tournament, which featured both varsity and junior varsity divisions, drew teams from across the league and beyond. In a field of 14 schools, Niwot emerged victorious, showcasing the team's talent...
In many respects, this upcoming season will mark a new era for the Niwot High School softball program. Longtime head coach Bobby Matthews is still at the helm, but the Cougars' schedule will look slightly different this fall as Niwot joined the newly-formed Granite Peaks League. Other high schools in the conference include Broomfield, Erie, Fairview, Frederick, Holy Family, Horizon, Legacy, Longmont, Mead, Monarch, Skyline, and Silver Creek. The Cougars had been in the Longs Peak League, which...
Niwot High School graduate Elise Cranny finished 11th in the women's 5,000 meters in Paris, France at the 2024 Olympics on Aug. 5. Cranny, 28, ran with the leading pack for most of the race, generally in sixth or seventh place behind the lead runners. With a lap to go, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet broke away from the pack, with Cheget taking the lead in the final strides to win the gold medal with a time of 14:28.56. Kipyegon appeared to finish second, but was initially...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, Aug. 8, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. Starting the night off right, Gunbarrel resident and country music artist Dean Himes will play a set of original songs with relatable and beautiful lyrics written by Himes. As a 2022 inductee into The Colorado County Music Hall of Fame, Himes regularly wows his crowds, whether they be fans or first-time listeners. Headlining this week will be My...
Former Niwot resident Matthew Thomas Pullam, age 58, died July 29, 2024, in Westminster, Colorado. Matt attended Niwot Elementary School, Longmont Junior High School (now Sunset Middle School) and Niwot High School. A memorial mass for Matthew will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 6739 S. Boulder Road, Boulder, Colorado 80303....
On Thursday, Aug. 1, Rock & Rails continued its summer concert series with two standout performances that delighted the crowd. The evening began with Strangebyrds, a folk/rock and Americana duo of Cari Minor and Ray Smith. With six award-winning releases under their belt, they kicked off the hot evening with a captivating mix of music. Their set consisted of covers and originals from all seven of their albums, including their self-proclaimed theme song "Strangebyrds," which sounds vaguely...
Anna Prok won't lack for summer tales to share with her classmates next week when Niwot High School opens its doors for the new academic year. Along with training for her upcoming cross country season, Prok competed at the Nike Outdoors Nationals in June before joining Niwot teammate and close friend Addison Ritzenhein at the 2024 ESPY Awards on July 11. Prok, a rising junior, said it was a special experience to attend the ESPYs with Ritzenhein, who was being honored for winning the 2023-24 Gato...
A series of wildfires tore through the foothills of the Front Range last week, threatening homes, forcing evacuations, and necessitating a rapid, coordinated response by the state's emergency response network. Starting on Monday, residents of Niwot could see columns of smoke and ash billowing from the mountains. Those columns increased in number day by day until the western horizon was a panorama of infernos, choking the sky with smoke. A long stretch of hot, dry conditions turned the...
Tyler Eggers, 31, who led law enforcement officers on a car chase through Longmont which ended in a collision at Niwot High School on Feb. 14, 2024, entered a plea of guilty to vehicular eluding and violation of a protection order - criminal on Aug. 1. All other charges were dismissed including third-degree assault. The car chase began on Kimbark Street in Longmont and ended in a two-car collision on Niwot Road near Niwot High School, with Eggers' vehicle rolling into the fence surrounding the...
As the new school year approaches, the Niwot High School boys golf team is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting season. Head Coach Ed Weaver, now entering his 19th golf season with the boys and girls teams combined, is enthusiastic about the team's potential this year. "We're going to have a good team and we're going to be competitive," Weaver said. "I'm very excited about this season." Weaver is looking at senior Drew Stapp and junior Jackson Sessa to be his standout players for the...
Niwot High School graduate and IB Valedictorian Reema Baishya was a highly accomplished high school student. This fall, Baishya will be attending CU Boulder on a Boettcher Scholarship to study Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering. Boettcher Scholarships are awarded to only fifty Colorado students annually. Baishya's academic efforts proved to be worth the strenuous coursework. Not only is she passionate about reaching her academic goals, but she is also passionate about her chosen goals....
Niwot High School graduate and distance runner Elise Cranny will compete this week in Paris, France, at her second Olympic Games. She will run in the women's 5,000-meter event as she did in Japan in 2021. This time she will be cheered on by family and friends who missed out on the last Olympics due to COVID restrictions. Round 1 of the event is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 2, at 10:10 a.m. MT. The final, where runners compete for medals, is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5, at 1:10 p.m. MT. Both...
Rock & Rails summer concerts continue on Thursday, Aug. 1, with the opening act starting at 5 p.m. and the headliner lighting up the stage at 6:30 p.m. This week Strangebyrds will be starting off the night right with folk/rock and Americana style music. With six award-winning releases, they're sure to wow the crowd. Band members Cari Minor and Ray Smith have worked together since 2011 with their first release, the self-titled "Strangebyrds." They have since produced and released six more excelle...
Saturday mornings are the best time to visit the Niwot Market, whether it be to stock up on ingredients for dinner or to grab breakfast with loved ones. You will not be alone, because Valentina Godat runs a pop-up stand for her limeade business, Yum Yum Limeade, at the Niwot Market every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until she sells out. Godat and her mother, Larissa Godat, can be seen around town with a bright green sign and a pop-up table on Saturdays at the Niwot Market and at...
On a hazy Thursday evening, Ain't No Mountain High Enough with Dzirae Gold took the stage at Whistle Stop Park for an unforgettable Rock & Rails performance. The July 25 night kicked off with Wendy Woo, an inductee into Westword Magazine's Hall of Fame and a five-time "Singer/Songwriter of the Year" Westword Magazine award winner. Highlights from her set included heartfelt renditions of "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls, "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics, and "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty...
After transferring out of Boulder High School's softball program following her freshman season, Madison Dodge remains grateful to have found a welcoming home at Niwot High School. Dodge, an outfielder, attends the Dawson School but because the private Lafayette prep institution doesn't have a softball program, she initially opted to play at Boulder. Unfortunately, things didn't work out with the Panthers, so she decided to join Niwot's program ahead of her sophomore year. Looking back, the...
As the start of the 2024-2025 school year approaches, Niwot High School band students get a head start preparing for an exciting new season through their annual band camp. Band camp is where new members are welcomed and the fundamentals of marching are honed, marking a big step towards the upcoming season's performances. The week-long camp, starting Monday, July 29, runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day at Niwot High School. Students practice their halftime show music and pep music for...
Kaige Kennedy, a standout pitcher on Niwot High School's varsity baseball team, is set to represent the USA in the upcoming Latin America Baseball Classic (LABC) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The tournament, which features top baseball talent from across the Americas, will be a significant milestone in Kennedy's flourishing career. Kennedy, who has played for the RoughRiders Baseball Club and the Rockies Scout Team, which is in partnership with the Colorado Rockies, was recommended to...
We are sad to share that Dallas Plese passed away at home on May 14, 2024. A rare Colorado native, Dallas was born July 17, 1941, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Theodore and Christine Plese. Christine died shortly after childbirth and Theodore died two years later during training for WWII. Dallas was then adopted by an aunt and uncle in Pueblo where he grew up with two sisters, numerous cousins, and lifelong friends. Dallas attended Pueblo Catholic High School (PCH) where he was the definitive Big Man...
Strong headwinds are blowing against the success of small businesses in unincorporated Boulder County, including Niwot. In the last year, small businesses have incurred losses due to a power shutdown and significant increases in sanitation fees, property taxes, food costs, and insurance. Small businesses now face the impact of the recent Boulder County minimum wage increase, with Niwot, Hygiene, and other businesses in unincorporated Boulder County required to pay a minimum wage of $15.69 per ho...
Kaiya Brown has been a member of the Niwot community for several years, during which she has become a familiar face and volunteer at events around Niwot. For her volunteer efforts throughout Niwot, Brown is the July 2024 recipient of the Left Hand Valley Courier's Left Hand Laurel. Brown has been volunteering as a Gargoyle at the local summer concert series Rock & Rails for three years, helping keep the event "zero-waste." As a middle schooler, Brown joined her school's "ECO Club." She would...
Nick Bierbrodt's journey through professional baseball is nothing short of extraordinary. As the first-ever draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1996, he quickly established himself as a promising young talent. Yet his story is not just about his accomplishments on the mound, but also about his resilience, adaptability, and eventual transition to a life as a firefighter and a mentor to young athletes. Bierbrodt, now a Niwot resident, recalled being drafted right out of high school fondly....
There are so many familiar faces around Niwot, especially for weekly regulars who attend Rock & Rails. Some faces are most familiar when they belong to those who have spent a majority of their life in Niwot and are continuously involved in the community. Colleen Beebe is one such familiar face. Beebe moved to Colorado in 1975 after her father, who annually visited this beautiful state to ski, fulfilled a dream of living here. Unfortunately, he passed away only 16 months after the family moved...
Rising senior Gabe Bandera has dedicated his final high school summer to improving all aspects of his tennis game, both mental and physical. During his first varsity season last year, the Niwot standout reached the state tournament at No. 4 doubles but was admittedly overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed. Instead of shying away, he turned that experience into motivation and has been impressing head coach Aimee Hites throughout summer workouts. "I've been getting better," Bandera said. "I've...
Through the years, the Courier has documented a range of unexpected animal encounters in our area. Roaming wild turkeys, pet goats being walked, and the ongoing presence of lynx, coyotes, snakes, prairie dogs and foxes have intrigued and delighted residents. In recent weeks, however, bears appear to be getting more habituated to our community. Visits (and suspected visits) by bears is a popular topic of conversation in the area. Front door cameras record bear activity regularly in the Niwot area...
Joie Kennedy, a sophomore at Niwot High School, has made a name for herself in the world of pageantry. Recently, she was a semi-finalist in the 2024 Miss Colorado Teen USA competition and was named Most Photogenic. Kennedy's journey in pageantry began relatively recently. "I've only done two pageants so far," she shared. Her inspiration came from watching Madison Marsh win Miss Colorado. "It was really fun to see her win and then go on to win Miss America," she said. Competing in Miss Colorado...
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...
National Night Out is a nationwide community-building event held on the first Tuesday of August in communities across the country to promote awareness and cooperation between police and first responders, on one hand, with local residents. “[The event] enhances the relationship between (the community) and law enforcement…,” according to their website. The social setting of National Night Out is meant to create camaraderie in an informal setting to make communities safer. This year the event will be held on Aug. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Murra...
Mountain View Fire Rescue reported on Instagram that just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, Boulder County Dispatch received a call reporting a potential grass fire near Niwot High School. When Battalion 2260 arrived on the scene, they found a grass fire on the east side of Cougar Trail, next to the Boulder and Left Hand Ditch, between the football field and tennis courts. The flames were in an area approximately 100 feet by 8 feet and about 5 feet high. The Cougar Trail is frequented by...
Evan Pan never considered himself an 'artsy person,' but his experience in Niwot High School's fine arts program has given him an opportunity to express himself in new ways. "It was actually the first art class I took at Niwot, and I fell in love with the process of making art," Pan said. "And I still have my first assignments from freshman year. It was a self-portrait, and it is probably one of the most atrocious things you've ever seen." Growing up, Pan spent much of his time swimming and in...
The Niwot High School track and field teams have once again proven their dominance, with the girls team winning the state title for the fifth consecutive year and the boys team finishing as state runner-up. Their outstanding performance through the season has been recognized with numerous awards, showcasing the incredible talent of both teams under Coach Maurice Henriques, who was named CHSAA's 4A Girls Track Coach of the Year. Leading the girls team, sophomore Addison Ritzenhein had a stellar...
Mathematics is the foundation of many subjects and is crucial to understand. Math teachers help students gain critical thinking skills and help them understand and engage with the world. Erin Smith is a dedicated math teacher at Niwot High School, entering her third year at NHS and her fifth year of teaching overall. Smith began her teaching career in a middle school in eastern Longmont, but after two years, she felt the call to high school education. Smith speaks highly of Niwot High School's m...
Dear Courier and Niwotians: What a great 4th of July holiday our little town just put on! Like all the volunteer-run events that happen here, the pancake breakfast (Bert Steele's) and the parade with so many enthusiastic participants was a sight to behold! An estimated 1,000 plus people were served, and I'd guess double that amount were watching and marching in the parade. I heard several people comment on how special this event was, and how nice of the town to arrange such fun. Strangers that...
Niwot's annual Fourth of July celebration was packed with fun activities from start to finish, thanks to the continued efforts of the Niwot Community Association (NCA) which sponsors the event, with financial support from the Niwot Local Improvement District. Starting the morning off at 7:30 a.m. was the "Bert Steele Pancake Breakfast" served in front of the Niwot Market. Net proceeds from this year's ticket sales went towards purchasing another grill for the breakfast to help cover the increasi...
The Long Run, Colorado's Eagles tribute band, has made its share of memories playing summer Thursday nights at Whistle Stop Park. Last year, the band's performance took place just a day after Randy Meisner, a founding member of The Eagles, passed away. Rock & Rails is the only concert on their schedule where the group plays from a gazebo. One of the things the band appreciates most about performing in Niwot is the enthusiastic crowds, ready to sing along and move, that come out to see them....
Amy Scanes-Wolfe, Niwot resident and the founder and director of High Plains Permaculture, is passionate about connecting people to their food systems. Even as a child, Scanes-Wolfe was set on becoming a farmer and has opened her community-based farm, the Niwot Homestead, which aims to feed people a local and well-rounded diet, ultimately connecting them back to the source of their food. Born in South Africa, Scanes-Wolfe moved to Longmont when she was four and later graduated from Niwot High...
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...
Niwot High School students thrive with the help of teachers who are dedicated to teaching and ensuring their students succeed. One of these teachers is Angela Roberts who has been teaching several English classes at Niwot High School for the last 16 years. She was inspired by her English 10 teacher who left a lasting impression on her students. Her teacher's classroom was more than just a place for academic learning, it was a sanctuary where students felt comfortable and valued. Under her...
Niwot High School graduate Elise Cranny, who now runs professionally for Nike, is preparing for her second appearance at the Olympics, to be held in Paris from July 26 through Aug. 11. Cranny finished second to Elle St. Pierre in the 5,000 meters by two one-hundredths (0.02) of a second in a photo finish at the Olympic trials to secure a spot in Paris on the U.S. Olympic team. Last week, Cranny also ran the 1500 meters at the Olympic trials, finishing sixth with a time of 3:57.87 a sub-4-minute...
Flags are in place, the parade lineup is set, bands are rehearsing, the road crew is organizing, volunteers are lined up, and the grand marshals are ready. The Niwot Community Associations's (NCA) signature event, the annual July 4th celebration in Niwot, is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Hundreds are expected to turn out for a pancake breakfast, now named in honor of the late Niwot Market proprietor Bert Steele, in Cottonwood Square. But before it all starts, NCA volunteers and...
Soon after the conclusion of Niwot High School girls basketball's 2023-24 season, the Denver office of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) received a claim accusing the program of violating Title IX regulations. Enacted in 1972, Title IX prohibits any educational institution that receives federal funding from discriminating on the basis of sex. The law covers all programs and activities, but it has commonly been associated with ensuring equal treatment of male and...
Ben Rauschkolb has had an opportunity to contribute to Niwot High School (NHS) as an art student in a very special way. In his sophomore year, Rauschkolb had been taking photos of the school's athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities for use in the Left Hand Valley Courier, as well as NHS's student run newspaper, The Green and Black, and the social media platforms of the individuals he photographs. "As far back as I can remember," Rauschkolb said, "I have been the one playing on the...
Gargoyles are hard-working students, incredible team players, great friends, and an integral piece of the Niwot community over the summer at events such as Lobsterfest and Rock & Rails. They assist in keeping events at Whistle Stop Park zero-waste. The Courier is spotlighting some of these friendly, essential volunteers. Sam Popma has volunteered with the Gargoyles for three years. Popma is an incoming junior at Niwot High School and is an active member of the Niwot community. Popma is known to...
Kaleb Noterman likes to keep things simple when playing football: see the ball, catch the ball, and score. Unconcerned by that which he can't control, the wide receiver/defensive back is turning heads this summer ahead of his second year at Niwot High School. The single-minded rising sophomore played junior varsity football last season but amid a summer of rapid growth, varsity head coach Nik Blume is anticipating substantial production from Noterman moving forward. "Kaleb's route running has...
Western Wellness Chiropractic, owned by Barry Mathieu, a chiropractor with 10 years of experience, recently opened in the space at 198 2nd Avenue in Niwot above Chill Cryotherapy and Recovery. Mathieu seeks to educate people and help with spinal health, posture, neurological dysfunctions, and mobility. The practice also provides spinal decompression work, which takes pressure off of the nerves that run along the spine. One of the reasons that Mathieu became a chiropractor was his own...
Niwot High School and its students would not flourish without the teachers that devote themselves to their students. Among these teachers, Megan Schlagel, a math teacher and math department chair, nourishes students' love for math from her classroom at NHS. A graduate of Longmont High School, Schlagel has been teaching for the past 15 years. For the past 12 years she has worked at Niwot High School, where she has spent eight years as the chair of the mathematics department. She teaches Algebra...
