All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Gargoyles are hard-working students, incredible team players, great friends, and an integral piece of the Niwot community over the summer at 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. Meredith Champion has been volunteering as a Gargoyle for four years. She is currently an incoming sophomore at Niwot High School and is an active member of the Niwot community. Champion is a...
Ken Benson has been a teacher at Niwot High School for the past 21 of his 22 year teaching career. While he's not done yet, he has had an incredible journey, making a lasting impact not only with students, but on the school as a whole. Benson has primarily taught social studies at Niwot, with classes including world studies, economics, German, and the history of rock. This past October, Benson received an opportunity of a lifetime and will be traveling to South Korea for two years to further...
Five Niwot High School Cougars received Longs Peak Conference postseason baseball awards, which were announced by NHS Head Coach, Ken Rosales. Leading the way were juniors Haden Shaw, Charlie Shaw, and Kaige Kennedy, who were named first team All-Conference. Haden Shaw caught most of the varsity games this season, but also took a turn on the mound when needed. He led the Cougars with a .507 batting average and had a team-high 27 RBIs. He received Honorable Mention All-State honors as well....
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team had an impressive showing in the Northern Conference postseason awards, with five players and their coach receiving accolades for their standout performances this season. Leading the way were sophomores Charlie Kirtland and Diego Kheng, who were named to First Team All-Conference. Both players also earned an All-State Honorable Mention for Class 5A. Kirtland led the team with 209 digs and 397 receptions. He was second in assists with 38 and third in...
The Niwot High School girls golf team had a remarkable season, finishing third in the Longs Peak League under the guidance of Coach Ed Weaver. Wendy Cheruiyot had an outstanding season, finishing second individually in the league and earning accolades on the All-State Second Team for Class 4A, as well as the Long's Peak All-Conference Team. As a freshman, Cheruiyot's performance was exceptional, demonstrating skill and composure on the course. In the state tournament, Cheruiyot was the Cougar's...
As Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Brown closed out Niwot High School's inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony, the echoes of applause reverberated through the auditorium, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. The five inductees – Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Art and Debbi Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren– accepted the honor with grace, each telling stories the audience will not soon forget. On June 2, students, teachers, family, and friends gathered to recognize excellence. Dir...
In 2008, the St. Vrain Valley School District's (SVVSD) overall graduation rate was approximately 75%, with the Hispanic graduation rate at approximately 55%. Over 16 years, the district has seen significant progress. As of 2024, the overall district graduation rate has risen to an impressive 93.3%, and the Hispanic student graduation rate has also seen a substantial increase, now at 87.7%. According to Don Haddad, Superintendent of SVVSD, these improvements were achieved despite the district's...
"Track has always been something I enjoyed," said rising Niwot High School senior Eliana Henriques. "I hope to participate on a college team after I graduate from high school next summer. It has been a challenging past few years, but I feel like I'm finally making a comeback." Henriques' sophomore year track season was cut short due to injury when she hit a hurdle while running in March 2023. She tore her ACL and later had surgery in April 2023, followed by a lengthy nine months of physical...
From June 12 to June 15, 10 local Niwot High School students will compete in various track and field events at the Nike Outdoor Nationals Tournament held at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus. They are attending the tournament as part of REAL Training, a local club team consisting of students from Centaurus High School, Legacy High School, Montrose High School, Niwot High School, and Riverdale Ridge High School. The 10 Niwot students will join seven students from the other high...
As the school year comes to a close, so do some of the articles about in school activities such as clubs. Throughout this year the Left Hand Valley Courier has covered Model United Nations, Best Buddies Club, Drama Club, NASA Club, A Capella Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Asian Student Association, Dance Club, Students for Rare Diseases, Political Action Club, Gender Studies Club, Coding Club, Earth Club, and finally Helping Hands Club. From community service to singing, each unique...
The Night of Champions ceremony unfolded with an air of anticipation and excitement as students, teachers, parents, and community members gathered to recognize the exceptional achievements of Niwot High School individuals and teams throughout the school year. From academic brilliance to athletic prowess, the event summarized the student body's spirit of dedication and perseverance. Eric Rauschkolb, Niwot High School's Principal, opened the June 2 formalities, setting the stage for an evening fil...
NCA Clean-Up Day is sponsored by the Niwot Community Association and is one of Niwot's biggest events every year. One of the NCA's board members has always spearheaded the event since its conception over twenty years ago. One NCA board member has been involved with the program for over 10 years, and has served as the lead program manager for the past four years. For his volunteer efforts in managing and coordinating Niwot's Clean-Up Day, this month's Left Hand Laurel is awarded to John Barto. Ba...
Niwot High School announced its inaugural Hall of Fame class, "honoring a group of five remarkable individuals who have woven themselves into the very fabric of our school and community: Tiny Koehler, Sue Prahl, Debbi and Art Stapp, Terri Ward, and Biff Warren," in a press release. The Night of Champions Celebration will be held in the Niwot High School auditorium on Sunday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. to not only celebrate the school's inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, but also the achievements of...
Saturday May 25 marked the official completion of high school for the Niwot High School class of 2024. Niwot's commencement was held at the high school on the football field where 338 graduates received their diplomas and recognition from faculty alongside friends, family, and peers. Commencement opened with the singing of the National Anthem performed by graduates Jasper Allison, Merrick Blondeau, Jackson Carano, and Fred Zorgdrager. Everyone was then welcomed by Principal Eric Raushkolb as he...
Homegrown talent is harder to come by for Niwot High School athletics these days. NHS pulls from over fifty middle schools for its student body and open enrollment at all St. Vrain Valley high schools allows students to choose where they study and compete during their high school years. But one of the most exciting young athletes at NHS is a Niwot area native, who just completed her sophomore year, and is already a girls lacrosse state champion. Payton Johnson, a rising junior at Niwot High...
This year's Class 4A state tournament served as another reminder of how much potential lies within the Niwot High School girls golf program. With three competing golfers, including lone senior Mina O'Dell, the Cougars placed seventh in the team standings with a two-round combined score of 555. Head coach Ed Weaver's trio shot a 280 in the first round on Monday, May 20, before cutting off five strokes the next day at the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Last year, O'Dell,...
The Niwot Community Association's annual Clean-Up Day event, held May 18, was its most successful to date. There were 203 vehicles that attended (including those who made multiple trips). In the days leading up to the event, there were 13 membership dues paid (new and/or renewed) with an additional 24 on the day of the event. The NCA currently tracks 34 new members who have signed up this year with many who still have not renewed their membership. New elements and accepted items that were incorp...
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... Full story
Dave and Maggie Lee of Niwot are kind and gracious. They know what they value and stand for, and they have focused on their values as much as possible during their long marriage. Prioritizing their family, pursuing meaningful work, nurturing longtime friendships and serving others through their church are consistent themes in their lives. Dave is from Pueblo, Colorado, Maggie from Salem and Portland, Oregon. The two met in high school after Dave's family moved to the Northwest. Dave graduated...
Niwot High School seniors' last day of school, May 15, was marked with camaraderie, in sharp contrast to the COVID-induced isolation of their freshman year. The Senior Car Parade, organized with assistance from the NHS Booster Club, began in 2020 when seniors were unable to enjoy the traditional end-of-year experiences and celebrations such as prom, awards nights, concerts, and group graduations due to the pandemic. The car parade allowed the community to recognize and celebrate Niwot's seniors...
Only a few weeks removed from her third and final season within the Niwot High School girls soccer program, Menbere Sullivan is already experiencing some nostalgia looking back on her senior campaign. "It was definitely the best high school season I've had," Sullivan said. "Our team was super close all year. Even if it was a super young team, I think the upperclassmen really stepped up. Our team had the same goal and purpose for the whole year, which I think really helped throughout our season....
Oliver Fowler of Scout Troop 161 in Niwot, acquired the final rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony on Sunday, May 19. He is the 107th Eagle Scout from Troop 161 since 1973. Fowler has undergone the trials of earning 21 merit badges (14 of which are required for Eagle Scout) plus an additional five earning him a bronze Eagle Palm. "Many people think that once you earn your Eagle Scout, you've reached the end," said Advancement Chair Michelle Law, "but this is not true. You can earn achievements...
Niwot High School's Spring Pops Choral Concert held on May 14, featured the Tenor and Bass Choir, the Treble Choir, the Chamber Singers, Evenstar, the student a cappella group, the Unaccompanied Minors, and combinations of choirs. The Tenor and Bass Choir performed "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars, "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, and the English sea shanty song, "Drunken Sailor." The Treble Choir performed "Build Me Up Buttercup" by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay and made popular by The Foundations,...
The Niwot High School girls tennis team had an eventful week competing in the Class 4A state championships. In the individual competition held May 9-11 at Pueblo City Park, four students took home third-place trophies. Sophomore Saha Kolli placed third in No. 1 singles by defeating Megan Fields from Pueblo County, 6-0 and 6-0, in the first round and Joanna Carter from Severance in the quarterfinals, 6-1 and 6-2, before losing to Lila Moldenhauer from Kent Denver, 6-1 and 6-1, in the semifinal round. She then defeated Haylee Hussmann from Air...
Coach Debbie Stewart's Silver Creek swimmers and divers took home the Class 4A state title May 11, scoring 329 points, 62 points ahead of second-place Windsor High School at 267. "The class of 2024 had an amazing run," Stewart said, "finishing first in 2021, second in 2022, second in 2023 and first in 2024." The combined team from Silver Creek and Niwot high schools started strong with a victory in the 200 Medley Relay, with senior Stephen Codevilla leading off, followed by junior Chayakorn...
Niwot High School's girls golf team qualified three golfers for the Class 4A state tournament in Colorado Springs, giving the Cougars a chance to place as a team. The regional tournament was held at Twin Peaks Golf Course in Longmont, with 67 girls competing for the 21 state qualifying scores. Junior Alena Kasanicky led the Cougar squad with a fifth-place finish, followed by freshman Wendy Cheruiyot (16) and senior Mina O'Dell (21). "Mina got into a playoff," Coach Ed Weaver said. With a 3-way...
The Colorado State Track and Field Championships resulted in big wins for Niwot High School at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. The 3-day event, which concluded May 18, gave the Cougars a chance to compete against the best in Class 4A in the state. And the runners and throwers from Niwot did not disappoint, turning in exceptional performances to dominate the meet, with a fifth consecutive state team championship by the Cougar girls, and a second-place tie by the Cougar boys. No other school came...
Although disappointed by the season-ending first-round playoff loss, the Niwot High School varsity baseball team left Colorado’s Western Slope with heads held high. The Cougars, who fought their way into regionals by winning seven straight games to close the regular season, pushed host Palisade High School to its limits in the Class 4A Region 4 tournament opener on Saturday, May 18. Niwot tallied 13 hits and scored runs in five different frames but was ultimately undone by walks, errors, and a difficult sixth inning in the 17-10 loss. Palisade,...
The Niwot High School girls soccer team has played their last game of the year, falling to Lutheran High School in the first round of this year's playoffs. Niwot came into the series with an impressive 8-4-3 record that landed the team the 21st spot out of 32 teams. The Cougars came in against a very strong 12th-ranked Lutheran team that has been on a warpath since the playoffs started, taking down everyone in their way en route to their state championship match. In the second round, Lutheran...
The Boulder Heritage Roundtable held its 32nd annual Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month awards ceremony at the Chautauqua Community House on May 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. There, Niwot's Kathy Koehler was presented with the Square Nail Award which recognizes individuals who have made significant and impactful movements toward historic and/or archaeological preservation/education in Boulder County. Koehler has been involved with the Niwot Historical Society (NHS) for over a decade and has...
Ok. It is graduation time of year again. Niwot High School, CU Boulder, various preschools and elementary schools are all celebrating the launch of a flock of graduates who have completed the requisite tasks to "level up." Let's talk about that for a moment. "Graduate" means to complete. Commencement means to begin or start anew. So, a graduation commencement ceremony marks both an ending and a beginning You "graduate" to the next level while at the same time "commence" something new. While you...
Sales tax revenues for 2024 in Niwot continue to decline, based on data through February, with revenues down by 11% over the same period in 2023. Several funding requests were approved by the LID Advisory Committee (LID). Rock & Rails The 18th year of Rock & Rails, Niwot’s summer concert series, begins on Thursday, May 30, this year. The event takes place in Whistle Stop Park every Thursday night in June, July (except July 4th) and August, with 13 concerts total. Biff Warren, one of the three co-managers of the event, presented the funding r...
Hitting a baseball, already one of the most difficult tasks in all of sports, became significantly more challenging for Sergio Pimentel when he suffered an orbital fracture last summer. Pimentel's injury occurred when a baseball struck him in the face, tearing a muscle in his right eye that now keeps his pupil permanently dilated. Along with struggling to see in bright environments, Pimentel's right eye now interprets straight lines as curved. Little came easy for Pimentel early in his senior...
The Niwot Community Association held its monthly meeting on Wednesday May 8 at the Left Hand Grange No. 9 to discuss upcoming events, area reports, and provide a recap of what has happened in the past month. Coordinator John Barto reported that preparations are underway for the upcoming NCA Niwot Clean-Up Day, and should lead to a smooth running event on Saturday, May 18. Cooperation with affiliates from Boulder County, Western Disposal, Wildfire Partners, and Community Cycles has proven...
The fourth annual Senior Car Parade for the graduating seniors of Niwot High School will gear up on Wednesday, May 15. Seniors will have a chance to decorate their vehicles or floats after school, if they didn't get a head start already, and then make their way down Niwot Road, through 2nd Avenue, north on Murray Street, east along Neva Road to 83rd Street, and then east up Niwot Road to end back at the high school. This event was started in 2020 during Covid-19 as a way to socially distance...
Whether you're a senior about to graduate or a close friend of a senior, the spring semester is always a bittersweet time of year. Niwot High School's spring concerts are an example of one of the "lasts" in which seniors participate during their final days of high school, and one such bittersweet experience. The Niwot High School bands, orchestras, and mariachi held their final concerts this past week on May 7 and 8 at the NHS auditorium. Both jazz bands, the percussion ensemble, and both sympho...
Earlier this month, Niwot High School baseball head coach Ken Rosales admitted that his team would need a perfect final two weeks of the regular season to potentially qualify for state regionals. Well, six wins later, the Cougars have done everything in their power to make things interesting. Requiring a top-32 spot to make regionals, Niwot stood No. 31 in the Class 4A Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Selection and Seeding Index as of Sunday, May 12. That is not a final...
Fraternal twins Hunter and Chase Maasen have very different ideas about playing music. For Hunter, music is like a car. "It seems basic to most people," he said. "You move the stick shift and it drives. Nothing else to it. But to the engineers, it's a complex machine of moving parts having to do everything exactly right at the exact right time to create a movement forward. Music to me is like a car, complex, filled with melodies and harmonies, bass, emotions, soul, complexity, and people miss...
Niwot High School is no stranger to excellence. Niwot is "Home of the Champions" in many areas including sports, academia, and of course, music. Students from all grade levels who are involved in band, choir, mariachi, and/or orchestra were recognized for their achievements in the world of performing arts on Wednesday, May 1. The evening began by recognizing students, by grade, who had received varsity letters (just like in sports) and other achievements. Students who have earned enough points,...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball program, fresh off its second varsity season, will soon likely have its first player advancing to the college level. After receiving an offer he couldn't refuse, senior Sage Xiong plans on taking his talents to Lakeland University, a Division III college in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Xiong led Niwot in assists (617) this past season as the Cougars' primary setter. "I got a pretty good scholarship to go play there," said Xiong, an Erie High School student who...
During the final class of the day on Friday, May 3, Niwot High School offered its first-ever Unified Theater production, "Descendants: The Musical." Unified Theater was first introduced to Niwot High School this year through its semester-long class, which brings together students with and without special needs through theater. Friends and families of the performers were invited to attend along with the students of Niwot High School. The performance was a showcase of Niwot High School's...
Fueled by cold bats and inconsistent gloves, the Niwot High School varsity baseball team entered the final day of April riding an eight-game losing streak. However, while their frustrations grew with every narrow defeat, the Cougars never lost faith that their struggles would cease. At Mountain View High School on Tuesday, April 30, the Cougars' trust in themselves was finally rewarded in a 10-8 win over the Mountain Lions. Junior left fielder Jagger Kilpatrick cranked his first high school...
The Niwot Cougars will head to Lutheran High School in Parker for the first round of the state Class 4A girls soccer playoffs on Wednesday, May 8. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the 12th-seeded Lutheran Lions hosting Niwot, which finished the season at 8-3-4, giving the Cougars the 22nd seed. Lutheran closed out its 9-4 regular season with a 1-0 loss to Mullen, which is seeded 15th. "I'm excited to see them," Cougar Coach Stephen Dimit said. "They were a finalist last year and finished...
The Class 4A Region 5 tournament, held at Niwot April 30, saw the Cougars send five lines to the state tennis tournament at Pueblo City Park, with play beginning Thursday, May 9. Erie High School had the best result, sending six lines to the tournament. At No. 1 singles, Niwot's Saha Kolli finished second to Erie's Nanoha Nakamura. Niwot's Tracy Yu won the No. 2 singles final over Stella Rulon of Longmont, 6-4, 6-3. Yu is doing double duty this spring as a member of Niwot's girls soccer team as...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball season has come to an end as Niwot split games during their round-robin play-in tournament. Niwot was placed in the eighth group with 17th-ranked Legend High School and 8th-ranked Cherokee Trail High School. The Cougars came in as the 9th-ranked team out of 24. The Cougars played their first matchup against Legend, making quick work to take the match 3-1, giving the Cougars a fighting chance for one of the eight playoff seats up for grabs in the state tournament. Disaster struck for Niwot when they took on...
David Joseph Nagle, age 40, died unexpectedly on April 15, 2024. David attended Niwot High School and the University of Northern Colorado. He was a sergeant at the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office at the time of his death, where he had worked for 15 years. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Call for Backup, (https://callforbackup.org/pages/donate).... Full story
Thomas Lee Rickman, age 77, died April 18, 2024. Thomas was born in Niwot and lived in Longmont for the majority of his life. He was a three-sport athlete at Longmont High School. Memorial donations can be made to the Happy Smackah Foundation, a local foundation providing support for the St. Vrain community (https://www.happysmackah.com/general-donations/).... Full story
Nick Mastronardi, owner of Niwot's 1914 House, announced that the restaurant will be closing at the end of July. In a prepared statement, Mastronardi wrote, "The 1914 House Farewell Tour has begun." He continued, "The economics of the business have reached a point where it is unfortunately unsustainable. Expenses have collectively escalated to levels that exceed our ability to increase prices." Mastronardi cited property taxes, utility costs, labor costs and food costs as contributing factors....
