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All Local, All The Time
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Art and Debbi Stapp of Stapp Interstate Toyota were honored with induction into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame, recognizing the Stapp family's decades-long commitment to excellence and community involvement. The couple was nominated by longtime community leader Leona Stoecker, a testament to the impact the Stapps have made across Boulder County. "It is an incredible honor to be recognized by your peers for your life's work," said Debbi Stapp. "As new families move into our area, we...
Katelin VonFeldt, a junior at Niwot High School, and Kayla Evans, a senior at Erie High School, were invited to present their project at NASA's HUNCH final design showcase in April at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The showcase focused on biomedical research related to human spaceflight. VonFeldt and Evans' project uses virtual reality and sensory-based memory triggers to address the isolation and stress astronauts experience in space. Nationally recognized as one of the top 20 high...
Grace DeRose, a senior at Niwot High School, has been reminiscing about her full theater experience during her time at school. She has been in eight productions at Niwot High, including "Peter and the Starcatcher," "Mamma Mia," "Noises Off" where she appeared as Tim Allgood, "Beauty and the Beast," "Puffs," "Shrek" where she played Gingy, "Murder on the Orient Express" where she played Countess Andrenyi, and, most recently, "Footloose" where she performed as Cowboy Bobby and served as the...
Niwot High School hosted its annual Music Awards Night on Thursday, May 1, recognizing student musicians across band, choir, orchestra, jazz, and mariachi for their achievements throughout the year. The evening began with the presentation of academic letters, awarded by grade level to students who demonstrated consistent excellence and commitment in their music groups. After letters were distributed, directors introduced a series of individual awards, highlighting students’ leadership, musicianship, and growth. “Music Awards Night is one of...
Senior Kate Schmidthuber has made a name for herself on the track, not just for her individual achievements, but also for the way she thrives as part of a team. As a key member of the Niwot High School track and field team, she helped lead the 4x200-meter relay to a 2024 state championship and earned All-State and All-Conference honors along the way. Now, as her senior year winds down, Schmidthuber is focused on finishing strong and reaching new personal records. Schmidthuber first started...
Laura Loomis has been hired as the new head coach of the Niwot High School girls basketball team. Loomis replaces Todd Trobaugh, who served as head coach for the past two years. Trobaugh resigned shortly after the end of the 2024-25 season. Loomis served as JV coach and assistant varsity coach at Niwot High last year. Her daughter, Alaina Loomis, was a freshman on the varsity basketball squad, and saw considerable playing time, averaging 9.3 points per game, second highest on the team. "With my...
The Niwot High School track and field teams swept the Granite Peaks Conference Championships this past weekend, May 2 and 3. Both the boys and girls teams took first place with dominant performances across the board. Longmont and Erie High Schools followed in second and third place, but the Cougars were clearly in a league of their own. Friday, May 2, consisted mostly of preliminary runs, but some events held finals. On the girls side, senior Jade West continued to impress by winning the discus...
Niwot High School senior Samantha Zacky is not only a major player on the Niwot girls tennis team but she is also the founder of the Jewish Together Club which was established during her junior year. The mission of Jewish Together remains rooted in two primary values: creating a safe, welcoming environment for Jewish students and increasing education across the student body. Zacky said she started the club because she "felt there was really a need in the community, seeing as there was not a...
The Niwot High School baseball team showed tremendous grit this past week, rebounding from a tough loss to claim back-to-back victories, ending a 7-game losing streak in the process. The Cougars faced a challenging matchup Tuesday, April 29, at Holy Family High School, falling 9-2 despite some bright moments at the plate. Arlo Richards, Drew Stapp, Charlie Shaw, and Kaige Kennedy each collected one hit for Niwot in the game. Kennedy, Haden Shaw, Matis Castro, and Nico Castro showed patience at t...
The Niwot girls soccer team closed out its 2025 season with a mix of celebration and reflection, capped off by a 3-0 home loss to Mead High School on Thursday, May 1. Although the result was not what the Cougars hoped for on Senior Night, the evening was a meaningful send-off for five dedicated seniors. Just two days earlier, Niwot secured its most decisive victory in weeks with a 3-1 road win over Frederick High School. Sophomore Diya Mehta led the charge with two goals, while freshman Tori...
The Niwot High School girls tennis players showcased their exceptional talent and determination at last week's regional championships, with five of their seven positions claiming regional titles. The impressive showing took place on Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1, with the Cougars overpowering competitors from several area schools. Junior Saha Kolli, competing at No. 1 Singles, delivered a commanding performance against a Standley Lake High School opponent, winning 6-0, 6-1, followed by a win over Centaurus High School’s No. 1, 6...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team is headed to the state tournament after a strong showing at regionals, winning both of their matches on May 3 and extending their dominant streak in the postseason. The Cougars kicked off the past week with a sweep over Riverdale Ridge High School on April 29, winning by a commanding 3-0 match. Niwot claimed each set with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-22, setting the tone with aggressive serving and solid net play. Senior Jenu Ngialah led the charge wi...
Third in a series of articles highlighting Niwot's 150-year history. If you've ever wondered why the streets of Niwot's old town are laid out as they are, consider that what we now know as Niwot was originally just a section house along the railroad tracks that ran from Longmont to Boulder. The railroad was extremely important to early area farmers, who by then were producing crops on land served by water from a series of irrigation ditches, most dug by hand. Before the railroad, the only way...
As the school year comes to a close, many seniors are beginning to reflect on their lives over the past few years as they begin a new journey. For some students, the arts have been a large part of their past. "Art is a very important part of my life and I am a part of a lot of different groups in the school," said Gabby Gravelle, a senior at Niwot High School. "I am a part of the Niwot theater program and the musical has been the highlight of each school year for me since freshman year." Gravell...
Senior Keegan Geldean has made the most of his time at Niwot High School, both on the cross-country trails and on the track. From helping his team win the Nike Cross Nationals to dominating the 1600-meter and 3200-meter this spring, Geldean has proven to be an athlete who thrives on both competition and camaraderie. This past fall, he was part of the Niwot boys cross country team that won the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. "Winning was an...
On April 11, educators, families, and community members gathered at the University of Colorado Boulder for the annual St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation Celebration of Excellence, recognizing exceptional teachers across St. Vrain Valley Schools. Hosted by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, the event honors educators who go above and beyond in supporting students, fostering a love of learning, and making a positive impact within their school communities. Honorees were...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School. The Courier also honors an array of students who pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella. Many faculty members consider Niwot High School senior Cas Clark an exemplary student, especially teacher Sarah Demmel, who recognized their individuality and enthusiasm...
Every year, thousands of students from around the world gather to compete at the FIRST World Championship, the culminating event for the programs under its umbrella. Among these is FIRST Tech Challenge, where teams of middle and high school students design, build, and program robots to take on a new game challenge each season. Through the year, teams advance through local, state, and national competitions to earn a spot in the World Championship, where they compete in division rounds and...
Needing a bounce-back week, the Niwot girls soccer team showed flashes of strong play but could not find the results they sought. On Tuesday, April 22, Niwot traveled to Holy Family High School and battled hard in a tight 2-1 loss. After a scoreless first half, the Cougars broke through in the 43rd minute when sophomore Diya Mehta found the back of the net off a clean assist from sophomore Hannah Wurth. The Tigers answered back quickly, tying the match with 30 minutes left and later scored the...
The Niwot High School varsity baseball team endured a difficult week, dropping consecutive games against Erie High School and Broomfield High School as they head into May and continue through league play. The Cougars fell 8-1 at Erie on Tuesday in a game that started promising before the host Tigers pulled away. Niwot showed early offensive potential when Charlie Shaw worked a walk to lead off the game, followed by Arlo Richards' single to center field. However, the Cougars couldn't capitalize...
The Silver Creek boys swim and dive team is closing out a hard-fought season with a wave of successes as they prepare for the Granite Peaks League Championships and the upcoming state meet. The team moved into the Granite Peaks League this year which meant facing a new lineup of competition and swimming against much larger 4A high schools including Fairview, Monarch, and Legacy. The transition proved challenging, with the Silver Creek team’s win-loss record reflecting the higher level of competition. Head Coach Debbie Stewart sees the silver l...
As the season starts winding toward its homestretch, Niwot track and field is hitting its stride. At the Stutler Bowl on Friday, April 25, Niwot's boys and girls were all over the leaderboard. On the boys side, senior Weston Domich came away with a win in the long jump, hitting a mark of 22 feet, 8.75 inches, while also placing 14th in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.69. On the distance side, the Cougars kept rolling. Junior Rocco Culpepper led a pack of Niwot runners in the 800-meter, fini...
The Niwot High School girls tennis team had a full schedule last week, competing in two important matches in the Colorado team state tournament. On Wednesday, April 23, Niwot faced Thompson Valley High School and earned a 4-3 win to advance. On Friday, April 25, the team played Air Academy High School, falling 5-2 to end their run in the team state tournament. In the first match against Thompson Valley, Niwot made use of home-court advantage. At No. 1 Singles, junior Saha Kolli secured a quick w...
The Erie High School Tigers varsity lacrosse team played Fairview High School at home April 23, but came away with a tough loss with a score of 12-7. The Tigers are a district team with players from several high schools including Niwot High School. It was a competitive game from the beginning, with both teams trading goals before Fairview took over in the third quarter with a 5-goal run. Erie’s leading scorer, Cooper Riley has 18 goals on the season. Erie had several strong individual performances, especially from goalie Luke Foley and m...
The Niwot High School girls golf team competed in two consecutive Granite Peaks League tournaments at The Olde Course at Loveland, and at the Coyote Creek Golf Course. On Wednesday, April 23, Niwot finished sixth at The Olde Course at Loveland with a team score of 364. Sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot led the Cougars with an 84, followed by sophomore Addison Murphy with an 87, freshman Sonya Holmes with a 92, while both junior Emmy Hostelley and senior Ayla Schatz each recorded a 101. Ahead of the tournament, Schatz said she felt confident in her...
The Mead High School varsity girls lacrosse team secured three wins last week, with major contributions from Niwot High School players. Facing tough competition, Mead defeated Palmer Ridge High School 16-11 on Monday, April 21, Conifer High School 18-7 on Thursday, April 24, and Denver South High School 14-10 on Friday, April 25. The Mead High School girls lacrosse team is a district team composed of players from several St. Vrain Valley schools including Niwot High School. Senior midfielder Lucy Connors from Niwot High led the charge throughou...
Community-wide Easter egg hunts were held on Saturday, April 19 at Niwot High School and on Sunday, April 20 at Niwot United Methodist Church. A Friday snowstorm did not deter youngsters from attending the events as the sun came out. The Niwot Community Connection assisted Pat Murphy and the Compass Real Estate team in putting on Bert's Pancake Breakfast at Niwot High before the Easter egg hunt began, while the youth group at the Niwot United Methodist Church served brunch before and during...
Niwot High School junior Ollie O'Brien developed an affinity for the footlights at an early age. When they were only six, O'Brien attended the School of Rock in Boulder, joining in with other musicians to perform rock songs. "There was one time where the School of Rock in Broomfield was hosting a Beatles versus The Rolling Stones concert and they needed a singer," O'Brien said. "They called the School of Rock in Boulder to ask if there was a singer available, and they said, 'We have a...
This week's familiar face is Hannah Valadez, a paralegal at the Niwot law offices of Warren, Carlson, & Moore, LLP. You might know her as the friendly person who greets you whether you are there for legal services, a Left Hand Valley Courier matter, volunteer efforts, or youth sports sign-ups. Valadez first moved to Longmont from Michigan during her junior year of high school and ended up in the new Skyline High School's second graduating class. "I thought my parents were horrible at the time be...
Leah (Saraceni) Messinger's personal and professional journey practically defines the phrase full-circle. Now a counselor at Niwot High School, she graduated from the school herself in 2010 and has long been connected to the Niwot community. Messinger was raised in Boulder County and attended Niwot Elementary School and Sunset Middle School before attending Niwot High School. She reflected, "When I came to high school, it took me a little bit to find my footing socially, but the place that I...
Later this spring, fishing flies will be flying off the racks of the Cottonwood Square location that previously housed the well-loved boutique, Fly Away Home. In welcome news to local anglers, Niwot resident Nick Wilson is opening a brick-and-mortar retail space for Togens Fly Shop, selling a wide range of flies, fly-tying supplies, and other equipment. The fly shop will be the first in Niwot since a fly tying shop in Cottonwood Square owned by Richard and Kay Laatt, known as Rocky Mountain Fly...
Although last Friday's spring snowstorm made driving conditions less than ideal, it didn't deter residents from coming out to Cottonwood Square's Una Vida to hear author, journalist, and academic Christine M. Tracy mark the Niwot debut of her new book, "Just Trust Life." "Just Trust Life" focuses on how the work of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin guided Tracy through a series of difficult life challenges, including infidelity, a house fire, addiction, and a near-death experience. "I paid...
Dr. Don Haddad, the highly respected and impactful superintendent of the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD), is embarking on a well-deserved retirement. He says he will not be completely stepping away, suggesting his invaluable experience and passion for education will continue to enrich the SVVSD as an emeritus superintendent. Emeritus status is an honorary title awarded to individuals, typically faculty or staff, who have retired from a specific position or organization, recognizing...
Lately, Niwot High School has seen an increase in acts of kindness, specifically those towards staff members. Throughout this past semester students have taken initiative in showing staff appreciation by purchasing coffee for teachers, counselors, and other staff members. Whether it be an iced coffee from the popular Longmont spot Ziggi's Coffee, or a hot tea from WiNot Coffee Company, the impact of these students has not gone unnoticed. These small acts can make a staff member's day and...
For Niwot High School senior Ayla Schatz, this golf season has been one to enjoy. "It's more fun this year and a lot less stressful," Schatz said. "It's felt very calm." Schatz has been a part of the girls golf program since her freshman year, but she has been swinging a club for much longer. She started playing when she was about 11 or 12 years old, encouraged by her dad to give it a try. "My dad was the reason I got started," she said. "He really wanted me to play." Over the years, golf...
The St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) held its annual student art show at the Boulder County Fairgrounds from April 15 to April 20 with artwork featured from students attending Niwot Elementary School and Niwot High School. The district-wide student showcase included the mediums of ceramics, digital art/photography, drawing, jewelry making, metalwork, mixed media, painting, and printmaking. On Thursday evening, April 17, many students from the district's 55 schools, along with their art...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School. The Courier also honors an array of students who pursue activities such as community service, robotics, academics, and topics that fall under the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) umbrella. Niwot High School senior Mira Clayborn has excelled in her studies throughout the past four years while simultaneously committing a large portion of her life to her passion,...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has featured each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13, 2024 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled. This is the final profile in the fall series. Eliana Henriques has been around track and field for as long as she can remember. With her dad, Maurice "Coach...
The score lines were not pretty, but Niwot soccer stayed spirited through a challenging two-game week at home. On Tuesday, April 15, the Cougars hosted Fairview High School and were handed a tough 7-0 loss. The Knights struck early, breaking through in the 13th minute and adding two more goals before halftime to take a 3-0 lead. Fairview did not let up in the second half, tacking on goals in the 56th, 59th, 66th, and 75th minutes. Two days later, the Cougars returned to the pitch for their...
Niwot High track and field had a strong showing at the Centaurus Twilight meet on Thursday, April 17. Despite the cancellation of the Dakota Ridge Invitational due to weather on Saturday, April 19, the Cougars made sure they got their racing in. For the boys at Centaurus, it was clear that depth is one of Niwot's biggest strengths. In the 400-meter dash, senior Weston Domich placed third with a time of 50.93, just ahead of junior Townes Bernstein in fourth and sophomore Quinn Sullivan in fifth....
Niwot High School's girls tennis team had a strong showing at the Granite Peaks League Tournament, held at home on April 15 and 16. The Cougars showcased both seasoned talent and rising stars, with deep runs, close battles, and hard-earned wins across all lines of play. Niwot finished an impressive fifth out of 15 teams in the tournament, marking a solid performance across all divisions. Junior Saha Kolli had a strong start in No. 1 singles with a hard-fought victory in the first round against...
The Silver Creek district-wide boys swim and dive team, which includes Niwot High School swimmers, has shown both strength and resilience as the season hits its stride, with swimmers and divers competing in a new conference and continuing to improve in the pool. With several standout performances already under their belt, veteran coach Debbie Stewart’s team has balanced individual growth and team unity while adjusting to the heightened competition. Silver Creek and Longmont are the only boys swim and dive teams in the St. Vrain Valley School D...
The Niwot High School baseball team endured a challenging week, dropping consecutive games to local rivals Monarch High School and Fairview High School. In Tuesday's matchup on April 15, the Cougars fell to Monarch 9-1 in a game that gradually slipped away from the visiting Niwot squad. Monarch broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with a double that brought home the game's first run. The home team maintained control and delivered the decisive blow in the sixth inning, when they exploded...
The Niwot High School girls varsity golf team competed in the Granite Peaks League tournament on Wednesday, April 16, placing seventh overall with a team score of 389. While the day brought early challenges, the Cougars fought through with determination, and several athletes finished their rounds on a high note. Leading the team was sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot, who continued to establish herself as one of Niwot's top competitors with a score of 81. Cheruiyot had a difficult start to the tournament...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team is on a roll this spring, stacking up five wins in the last six matches, including dominant performances against Boulder High School, Arvada West High School, Ponderosa High School, Douglas County High School and Denver East High School. The Cougars currently hold a 13-7 overall record and are 5-1 in league play. On April 15, Niwot won its match against Boulder, winning 25-10, 25-12, 25-12. Junior Ethan Husk led with a .900 hitting percentage, senior...
On Saturday, April 19, Niwot's annual pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt will be held at Niwot High School. The entire community is invited to celebrate the season. Bert's Pancake Breakfast, named in honor of the late Bert Steele of Niwot Market, begins at 7:30 a.m. and serves a hearty breakfast until 10:30 a.m. The price for the breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children five and older. Kids age four and younger are free. Proceeds go to the Niwot Community Connection, Live music and a...
Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, a central community hub in Niwot, has added a powerful new amenity for environmentally conscious shoppers with the installation of Level 3 fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. The charging infrastructure, activated in August 2024, represents a significant investment in sustainable transportation for the Boulder County community. The project was funded through a $100,000 grant from Charge Ahead Colorado, matched by nearly equal investment from Cottonwoo...
Niwot High School senior Benjamin Gunn believes that music is the purest form of communicating a message to someone beyond symbols and knowledge. "For traditional visual arts," Gunn said, "you can show someone a picture and make them feel something through various symbols that they've probably encountered. But I feel music is so inspirational and important that you can convey a message without needing any previous knowledge. It is just raw emotion from the performer communicated through the...
For over three months, Niwot High School’s theater department has been working hard to bring the iconic musical, “Footloose,” to life. The musical was performed April 3, 4, 10, 11 and 14 to a packed NHS auditorium. The “Footloose” story revolves around Ren McCormack, played by Niwot sophomore Camryn Bell. and his mother, played by Alison Kraut, who relocate to the fictional town of Bomont, Utah, from Chicago. Ren is horrified to learn that all things rock music and dance, both which are engra...
"Senior Assassin" is a popular tradition at high schools across the country, and each year, Niwot High School seniors look forward to taking part in the fun. While the rules vary slightly from round to round and from school to school, some elements remain consistent. At the core of the game, each player gets randomly assigned a target, and over the next few weeks, it is their responsibility to "assassinate" that person. Each assassination must be recorded and posted online. Seniors who play buy...
