All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Jonah Fahlin has always had an artistic side, which he started exploring through digital art. Since coming to Niwot High, however, the sophomore has taken a more hands-on approach to expressing himself, and opened up new worlds of creativity. "As of recently, I've gotten more into things in the real world, like pencils, canvas, and paper," he said. "I really like to draw on paper. No matter what class I'm in, I'm always doodling. I just really enjoy it." During the fall semester, Fahlin took...
A group of school children sits or stands at the front of the class, one apart from the rest. One, or perhaps a few adults sit at a table facing the children with a crowd of parents and students behind them. It's the spelling bee. Since at least 2018, Sunset Middle School has hosted the event with varying levels of participation, this year, there was a record number of 18 participants and according to co-hosters Tanya Gaurmer (language) and Katie Silverberg (special education), it was "a huge...
The Colorado League of Charter Schools has named two Flagstaff Academy Charter School teachers as finalists for the 2022 Charter School "Educator of the Year" award. Flagstaff Academy elementary school science resource teacher Stacy Wolff, and sixth-grade language arts teacher Leha Moskoff are two of eight finalists. Wolff is in her 11th year at Flagstaff Academy Charter School as the kindergarten through fifth grade science resource teacher. Wolff teaches an inquiry-based, hands-on science lab...
Just days after her grand finale at the Class 4A state swim and dive championships, Niwot standout Mary Codevilla found herself in the spotlight once again. On Feb. 16, the seven-time individual champion was a featured speaker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed Aquatics Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools, a facility she called "absolutely amazing." "I know all of the swimmers in the district are extremely thankful to be able to swim in this pool, especially with the limited...
Flagstaff Academy Charter School Librarian Denise von Minden is the only charter school librarian in the state of Colorado to earn a Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (HESTL) designation. HESTL is a program of the Colorado State Library within the Colorado Department of Education and funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This designation is granted to recognize outstanding school library programs and librarians. Flagstaff Academy librarian earns 'Highly...
As both a featured performer and student dance director for Niwot High's upcoming production of "Mamma Mia", senior Aliyah Backus doesn't have a lot of leisure time these days. But the talented dancer is gaining a new appreciation for her craft, and picking up valuable skills along the way. "I'm learning more and more with every single rehearsal that we have," Backus said of her new role on the stage. "It's difficult, especially with the fact that I'm in a lot of the numbers that I'm teaching...
On Nov. 1, Front Range Community College (FRCC) announced that the college has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to offer a new degree—a two-year Associate of Engineering Science (AES). FRCC is the first community college in the state of Colorado to offer this type of degree. Though FRCC has previously offered an engineering pathway for students wanting to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering, the process of transferring FRCC credits to an accredited four-year program was often complicated since transfer agreements d...
The holiday spirit was in overdrive at the inaugural Festival of Lights, a dazzling open-air celebration held at Flagstaff Academy (2040 Miller Drive, Longmont) on Dec. 9. The event featured 20 original light displays created by staff, students, and families using their cars and a variety of decorating styles, ranging from simple and understated, to seasonal mayhem. For Flagstaff Executive Principal Katie Gustafson, the cheerful event was a positive way for the school's community to reconnect af...
Evelyn Mason is a naturally gifted musician who has been playing piano and violin since a very young age. Now a junior at Niwot High, she is the longtime concertmaster for the school’s symphony orchestra, and is a “good role model for her peers”, according to director Keynes Chen. “She has consistently performed at an exemplary level,” he wrote in an email. “Her leadership contribution to our orchestra program is well noted by everyone, and she has earned the respect and love from her peers through her passion, high spirit, friendlines...
Her winning word may have been 'mystified', but fifth grader Sylvia Madry was anything but as she outlasted 11 other contestants to take first place in the 13th annual Niwot Elementary spelling bee, held Dec. 1. The repeat champion correctly spelled a total of 14 words, including 'technique', 'drudgery', and 'permanence', but it was the first round word she found most memorable afterwards. "My favorite word was 'mink', because the definition was hilarious," she said. For the win, Madry received...
On a chilly Thursday night, the courtyard behind Front Range Community College's (FRCC) classroom building was dark and still. But voices could be heard; behind a massive tree, a white dome hid, and in it, a group of students and community members learned about the stars. "The college needs to be connected to the community," said Anthony Smith, an astronomy professor at FRCC, and host of that night's event. "That's why I'm really happy we're finally actually doing some PR and some outreach. I...
Senior Tessa Whittaker hasn't been a Niwot High student for long, but she's making up for lost time in the school's vocal music department, according to choir director Laura Walters. Though a recent transfer, the talented singer has quickly become "an amazing leader" that other students look to for guidance. "Tessa is always upbeat and brings such a positive energy to her choirs," Roberts wrote in an email interview. "In one of the choirs, she took the initiative to create a group chat so...
One day in 2012, a group of moms got together for lunch. All of them had gone to college, and all were part of PEO International, which seeks to help women with their higher education goals. With children of their own, many of whom would soon graduate high school, these mothers wondered how they would best be able to help them. Inspired, they began an annual Q&A event that included counselors, parents of students who had graduated, students who were now in college, and there was one aim–how d...
Niwot sophomore Julian Wu took up photography as a middle schooler and has been seeing the world a little differently ever since. "Photography is a really great medium of art," he said. "You just need a camera and great positioning." Living in Niwot has given Wu an appreciation for the changing textures of a rural landscape. "Especially in different seasons. I like to go to the same spot and take photos a few times each year." Most of Wu's photos are shot on either his cell phone or a "dinky...
November has been a busy month for Niwot High athletics, but the playing field isn't the only place where the Cougars have been winning trophies. On Nov. 5, a team of six seniors and two juniors from Mr. Benson's AP Economics class took on 32 other Colorado high schools in the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge, held at the University of Denver. For 60 minutes, the aspiring wolves of Wall Street bought and sold stock in simulated transactions, trying to grow an initial $500,000...
November is turning out to be eventful for Niwot junior Lucas Haratsaris, a talented saxophonist in the school's advanced jazz band. On Nov. 13, he submitted an audition for the Colorado All-State Jazz Band, which band director Wade Hendricks described as "incredibly challenging to get into." He followed that up on Nov. 15 with a day of rehearsing and performing with the Combined League Honor Jazz Band, a group composed of the upper quadrant of Colorado band students. To top it off, after...
Live theater returned to the Niwot High stage on Nov. 5 with "Peter and the Starcatcher," and at least one of the cast members was thrilled to be back in front of a live audience. Junior Hosannah Adams starred as Black Stache, the play's comedic foil, and hearing crowd reaction in real time again is definitely something she missed. "It was the best, best feeling of my year so far," she said. "I can't compare anything to that feeling.... The whole cast just took a deep breath and was in awe when...
Live theater returns to the Niwot High stage starting on Nov. 5 with the premiere of "Peter and the Starcatcher," a semi-musical reimagining of the Peter Pan story that explores his life before Neverland. Bringing the title character to life is senior Ethan Rauschkolb, a veteran of the NHS stage who said he is thrilled to be back in front of a live audience. "Opening is November 5th, and we're super excited about it," he said of the upcoming production, the first non-virtual one in more than 18...
Growing up, Mina O'Dell loved to copy the colorful cartoon characters she watched on T.V., and, over the years, that turned into a passion for painting and drawing. Now as a sophomore at Niwot, she is exploring a new medium that is challenging her perspectives. "I really like sculpting because it's so much different from drawing and painting," she said. "Because with a drawing, you can only see one point of view of the art that you're making. Whereas with sculpting, you can really put detail...
What do the technology industry and education field have in common? According to Natalie Abshier, both require active listening and negotiation. She believes that her experience as both a business owner and manager will make her a unique candidate for the SVVSD Board of Education. She is currently running for the District F area, which includes Mead and much of Longmont. "I'm a long-time resident in the SVVSD community, and have seen this area grow," said Abshier. "I understand the importance...
Education is in Sarah Hurianek's blood–a number of family members were and are educators, and she has worked in early childhood education for over 20 years. In addition to her on-the job experience, she has been an active member of the Mead community and even graduated from Skyline High School in the St. Vrain Valley School District herself. Her husband Noah Hurianek, also a teacher, grew up in Niwot where both of his parents, Dennis and Nancy Hurianek, were long-time teachers. "Serving as a b...
As a self-proclaimed "serial volunteer and community member," SVVSD Board of Education member Karen Ragland has been involved in the local educational community since 2007. She started in parent groups and other organization committees before being elected to the Board in 2017. Much of her professional background is in mental health counseling, healthcare consulting and project management. Between her professional experience and having a masters in Community Counseling, she brings a diverse set...
Dung Nam Pham is a gifted violinist in Niwot High's orchestra who pours his emotions into his performances. But for the school's orchestra director, Yin-Feng Keynes Chen, the senior's natural talent is just one of the attributes that make him a great musician. "He has been a very dedicated musician in our orchestra program ever since his freshman year," Chen wrote in an email. "Not only is he one of the hardest workers among his peers, his strong passion for high-level music making is quite...
Vocalist Rianna Rickford loves to perform, whether it's in Niwot's prestigious Evenstar choir, or in a theater department musical, such as Cinderella or Little Shop of Horrors. For choir director Laura Roberts, Rickford's dedication to her craft is nothing short of inspiring. "She is probably one of the most improved singers in the choir program," Walters wrote of the senior, who is currently a member of the school's Evenstar choir, and is deeply involved in the fall musical. "She has the...
Niwot community pride was on display during last weekend's homecoming events. Friday afternoon's bright sun and cool temperatures set the stage for the parade, which returned following a pandemic-induced break. Junior Olivia Lacert was watching with friends from just outside 1914 House. "I'm excited to go to a homecoming game and to have the dance this year," she said. "I love dances. Last year we didn't have a lot of school events, so this is pretty cool. The football game is later and I'm...
Niwot High ditched the traditional homecoming king and queen arrangement several years ago, in favor of a more inclusive approach. Now three members of each class represent their grade on the homecoming court, and no one has to get dressed up. For 2021, the students selected were juniors Molly Stokes, Itzel Cordova-Aguirre, and Tharind Bopearachchigedon; freshmen Naveen Bopearachchigedon, Jesus Rosas Fuentes, and Maddie Pearson; sophomores Ben Rauschkolb, Samantha Sessa, and Fred Zorgdrager;...
Thanks to the pandemic and restrictions on school activities, Sreya Karumanchi's year as a junior drum major for the Niwot Marching Band was a bit of a let-down. But dealing with the challenges from the 2020 season also taught her some valuable lessons in leadership that have helped her senior year get off to a great start. "It made me understand the importance of flexibility and long-term growth," the longtime clarinet player said. "I knew that this year would be difficult, just because of the...
Early on the morning of Sept. 12, cyclists flocked to the University of Colorado, Boulder to participate in the Buffalo Bicycle Classic (BBC). In years past, the BBC saw approximately 1,200 riders; in light of COVID, there was a virtual race and a decrease in numbers for the in-person 2020 event. However, this year, co-organizer Jenny Anderson was proud to announce that there were 1,100 riders participating in nine different routes. So, whether participants were seasoned cyclists or so-called...
It's been a week since students, teachers, and staff started the new school year. After the pandemic created an unconventional, some would say difficult, year of learning, returning to full-time, in-person classes throughout the district is something that many parents are grateful for. At the same time, the community is not having the same kind of back-to-school experience as in years past. Students are required to re-acclimate to a more conventional social and learning environment after the...
With the beginning of each school year comes the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to celebrate making new ones. In that spirit, Niwot United Methodist Church (7405 Lookout Rd., Gunbarrel) is hosting a Back-to-School Extravaganza on Sunday, Aug. 29, from 12-3 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to come enjoy an afternoon of free food, carnival games, crafts, and, most of all, fun, Pastor Emily Kintzel said. "We wanted to do something, especially in light of the last year and a...
Tuesday, Aug. 17, marked the first day of school not only for incoming freshman students, but for nine new teachers at Niwot High School. From new science teachers to a new counselor, the NHS faculty and staff will look a little different this year, and they all seem very excited. "Teaching and inspiring others is something that I have always loved and am looking forward to continuing to do so here," said Nathan Gravelding, who will be joining the science department. A Colorado native, Graveldin...
The school community was hopeful that when they returned to school this fall masks would not be required in SVVSD schools. As it turns out, that won't be the case. Following guidance from Boulder County Public Health through Public Health Order 2021-07, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) is requiring masking for all students, faculty and staff in grades PK-12 while indoors. The school district did not provide a direct response to the Courier's questions about the decision. Instead,...
This August marks the 36th annual Sunrise Stampede organized by the St.Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. Founded in 1986, the race was first organized by the Longmont Sunrise Lions Club and sponsored by Mountain Bell as a way to support students. The Education Foundation partnered with the Stampede for the first time in 2016, updating the race route to one that starts and ends at Silver Creek High School. As for the 2021 race, students, families and the planning committee alike seem to...
Boulder Valley's Impact on Education has been around for nearly 40 years, and the Crayons to Calculators program is one of their longest running programs. Since the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) and the St.Vrain Valley School District ( SVVSD) are so close, the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation entered into a partnership and now the program is a joint effort. This is notable because, on average, families spend $75 on school supplies, according to the website. Their goal this...
It's not an "extreme" makeover, but Niwot High is having a little work done before the 2021-22 school year begins. Last month, construction began on the final phase of the school's 2016 bond construction project, which will bring an updated look to the exterior and help newcomers find their way around. "People that come here that aren't familiar with our setup, a lot of times they'll ring the doorbell at the front and ask, 'Is this the gymnasium or where's the baseball field?', or there are gran...
After a school year filled with upended routines, unprecedented challenges, and, above all, uncertainty, 270 students from Niwot High came together on May 29 to mark the end of their high school journeys. For IB programme valedictorian Carter Kruse, graduation was also a chance to reflect on the positives that emerged during the pandemic year, and the importance of connectivity beyond Webex and Zoom. "Without question, our senior year was a memorable one," the future Dartmouth student said...
The following is text of Niwot High Student Council President Benjamin Goff's commencement address: In the years of 2002 or 2003, what would eventually be the Class of 2021 came into the world. We came into radically different circumstances from one another. It led us all here. The last 18 or so years have led to the end of the beginning of the journey which we will spend the rest of our lives on. I'm sure many questions will be asked, some without answers, but perhaps the most crucial will be,...
Carter Kruse didn't set out to get the top grade point average in Niwot High's International Baccalaureate programme this year, but his penchant for hard work and precocious talent for advanced math made that outcome literally inevitable. Nonetheless, he was humbled by the honor, even though it seemed more a function of statistics than anything else. "I am fortunate to be up there simply just because of some of the classes that I took," he said of being named IB valedictorian for 2021. "I took a...
Not many high school students relish the idea of delivering an important speech in front of a large crowd of strangers, but Victoria Isuani isn't like many high school students. When the Niwot senior learned she would have an extra responsibility at the 2021 graduation ceremony, she quickly went to work crafting a message that was "inspirational, but still lighthearted." "The day that my principal told me that I was going to be valedictorian, right away, I started coming up with ideas and I was...
When Niwot High School principal Eric Rauschkolb told senior Isobel Tuck she was salutatorian, it was a surprise. "I didn't expect it at all," she said. "It was a really big shock, but I was really excited." Tuck has had a fruitful high school career. She laughed saying her freshman year that she was intense about her grades, adding that she wished she had chilled out a little. "Relax...trust the process," she advises current and future students. "One of the things that made me successful was...
Recent graduate Zoe Craven is the Arts Student of the Week. Writes her teacher Laura Collier: Zoe Craven is a very talented Visual Arts student. Her work is skillfully executed and well thought out. It has been a pleasure to watch her and her work mature. I think maybe she has taken nearly every art class we have here at NHS! It is definitely time for her to stretch those wings and fly! I will miss her, but I can't wait to see where she goes next....
Eighth grade graduation is already a celebratory occasion, but for the 93 members of Flagstaff Academy's class of 2021, the May 26 ceremony was also one last chance to celebrate together, after being kept apart for so much of the past year. For co-valedictorian Olivia DeRose, it was also a chance to reflect on some of the unexpected lessons she learned in and out of the classroom. "This year has taught us many things," the future Niwot Cougar said in a speech to her classmates. "Some of these...
Technical-minded Siddartha Bushan never gave much thought to his grades during his four years as a student in Niwot's competitive International Baccalaureate program, so he was mostly surprised but also a little relieved when he learned that he was named the 2021 IB salutatorian. The Courier caught up with him shortly before graduation to hear his thoughts on his four years at Niwot High and what the next four-years has in-store. LHVC: Did you know your class ranking before the announcement?...
By his own admission, Niwot class of 2021 salutatorian James Magee doesn't have the best sense of time management, but he managed to overcome that shortcoming in high school with a good mindset toward his work, his classes, and his school experience in general. The Courier caught up with him on graduation eve to talk about his time as a Cougar and what the next four years have in store as he heads to the University of British Columbia to study math or computer science. LHVC: Obviously, you've...
Anna Enssle is a freshman at Niwot High, but has taken on some challenges that are normally confronted by older students. In an email, Niwot choir Director Laura Walters said that Enssle is an "amazing leader," and has made choir "an incredible place this year." "Anna Enssle is a freshman in Sedalia, one of our auditioned choirs...She is very confident learning and singing her music, has an amazingly positive attitude, and goes above and beyond wherever we need her in class. She has a lovely...
Dark clouds cleared just in time for last Friday's car parade honoring 2021 Niwot High School Graduates. Starting at 7 p.m. a fire truck escorted the lead car with principal Eric Rauschkolb and more than thirty other decorated vehicles that made their way down Niwot Road and 2nd Avenue. The parade was organized by volunteers who wanted to honor the students rather than by the school or the school's booster club. It kicked off at the Niwot High School parking lot, and an hour before start time, g...
If a high school student were to look up the average cost of a four-year college in Colorado, they'd likely find a figure around $8,364 per year for tuition and fees, which works out to just more than $33,000 per year. This figure doesn't include mandatory fees, housing or other estimated costs of post-secondary education. This can be daunting for many students, and especially those who would be first-generation higher education applicants, which often includes a higher percentage of students...
Cathy Carter is passionate about math. She also has a passion for empowering both students and teachers, especially when it comes to understanding it. "Everyone thinks about math slightly differently," she explained. "Part of my goal is to help students realize their ideas are amazing." Math is often seen as something practical; with right and wrong answers; with right and wrong paths to get to those answers. Because of this mentality, students are often discouraged and feel insecure about...
Flagstaff Academy's Elementary and Middle School Visual Arts program is an important component of the K-8th grade public charter school's Core Knowledge Curriculum and one that also provides much joy and inspiration. Now the larger community can enjoy the beautiful artwork Flagstaff Academy students, known as Dragons, have created during this unprecedented school year. In a year when school was online, in-person, and hybrid, one might think art-making might not be a priority and would slow down,...
Alex Williams joined the Niwot High theater tech crew as a freshman, hoping to learn more about stage lighting and design. Four years later, not only has "Goose" become a lighting "wizard," according to faculty stage manager Jason Watkins, but also an indispensable member of the crew who won't be easy to replace. "I have known Goose for three years, and it has been extremely wonderful to see him progress in that time," Watkins said in an email. "He is my right hand man this year. Being an...
