All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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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...
Niwot High School senior Marcus Vock has been playing lacrosse since he was 11, when his mother signed him up "just to give it a try." Now, it is a big part of his life. He is a co-captain on Erie High School's St. Vrain Valley district team, along with Braylon Englehart, Luke Foley, and Cooper Riley. Vock was named second team all-conference last season. This year, he is looking to take things a step further. "I want to be nominated as All-Conference," Vock said. "And as a team, I want us to...
The St. Vrain Unframed Art Show is happening now until Sunday, April 20, at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall. The event showcases student artwork from all 55 schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD), including creations from students attending Niwot Elementary School, Sunset Middle School and Niwot High School. The art show is open to the public daily, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event features student art from all grade levels...
Girls Basketball The Niwot High School girls basketball team celebrated their end-of-season awards on March 28 at a banquet held at the Rocky Mountain Christian Church. Freshman Alaina Loomis was named Second Team All-Conference in the Granite Peaks League, and was also selected to play on the Granite Peaks All-Star team. Senior Jiselle Sales also received Second Team All-Conference honors in the Granite Peaks League. The Senior Leader of the Year award was presented to Peyton Rhodes. Players...
The wrestling season came to a close as Niwot High School's Cougars gathered to celebrate their accomplishments at the team's annual postseason awards banquet at the end of March. The night recognized both standout performances and the energy, effort, and leadership that defined the program this year. "It was an overall really good season," Head Coach Michael DeCamillis said. "We had a lot of new people on the team, and all of them went out and competed." The Cougars sent three athletes to...
It was a busy weekend for Niwot High School's track and field team, with athletes split between two meets in two different states. While a handful of runners headed west for one of the biggest meets in the country at Arcadia High School in California, most of the team stayed close to home and dominated the Boulder County Championships at Longmont High School. At the Boulder County Championships, the Cougars proved once again why theirs is one of the top programs around. Both the boys and girls...
The Niwot High School girls varsity golf team faced a packed schedule last week with two back-to-back tournaments. The Cougars held their own on both days, showing improvement and consistency as they continue to push toward their postseason goals. On Monday, April 7, the team played in the Erie Cocoa Classic Invitational at Lake Valley Golf Club, where they posted a team score of 378. Sophomore Wendy Cheruiyot led Niwot with a score of 84, placing 11th overall. Sophomore Addison Murphy and...
The Niwot High School baseball team experienced mixed results this past week, securing a road victory against Horizon High School before dropping consecutive home games to Centaurus High School and Mead High School. During the Tuesday, April 8, game against Horizon, the Cougars showed both strength and strategy to defeat Horizon 4-2 on the road. The Cougars started strong with a double from Kaige Kennedy in the opening inning to drive in Haden Shaw for the game's first run. Horizon quickly respo...
The Niwot High School tennis team recently faced Monarch High School, Boulder High School, and Broomfield High School in a series of competitive matches, achieving mixed results across the board. On April 7, Niwot traveled to Monarch High School for a match against the Coyotes. Niwot emerged victorious with a 5-2 scoreline. In No. 1 singles, senior Ishani Pandry delivered a dominant performance, winning 6-0, 6-0. Senior McKenzie Bergeson followed in No. 2 singles with a 6-0, 6-4 victory. Senior...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team faced six matches in five days from April 8–12, finishing with three wins and three losses. The Cougars showed signs of growth and endurance throughout the demanding week. Niwot started the week with a 3-2 loss to Poudre High School on April 8. While taking the first set 25-22 and the third set 25-21, the Cougars dropped the second, fourth and fifth sets 28-26, 25-9 and 15-9 respectively. Niwot made 51 kills and had a .197 hitting percentage overall, w...
After a tough loss earlier in the week, the Niwot High girls soccer team bounced back in a big victory Thursday night, April 10, delivering a gritty 2-1 win over rival Silver Creek High School and ending the Raptors' eight-year win streak in the matchup. It was a high-intensity contest from the opening whistle, and the Cougars found success in the first half from sophomore Ava Inguagiato, who buried a first-half goal to put Niwot on the board. Silver Creek tried to take the upper hand heading...
Principal Eric Rauschkolb and Athletic Director Joe Brown announced that Elise Cranny, Mabel Miyasaki, and Mike Moat have been selected for induction into the Niwot High School Hall of Fame as the Class of 2025. "These individuals have left an indelible mark on the school and its community through their outstanding achievements, unwavering dedication, and profound impact," Brown said in a press release. The induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 1, at 6 p.m. in the school...
During the Boulder County Commissioners' public comment session on April 3, several Niwot residents addressed the commissioners with significant concerns about the detrimental effects of the current minimum wage ordinance on Niwot's small businesses. Ordinance 2023-4, which took effect on January 1, 2024, established the minimum wage for unincorporated Boulder County at $16.57 per hour this year, $1.76 higher than the neighboring incorporated towns and cities, except Boulder, which is still...
The Denver Broncos Foundation is giving Niwot High School (NHS) football players a major equipment upgrade this year, at no cost to the school or families. As part of a groundbreaking initiative called "All In, All Covered," the Broncos Foundation is donating 15,516 top-of-the-line Riddell Axiom helmets to high school football programs across Colorado over the next four years. As of Tuesday, April 1, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) schools will be participating in this $12 million...
Technical theater has a way of forging bonds between people. When Bri Rivard attended Coal Ridge Middle School, the school did not have a technical theater program, and she had never even heard the term before. Then, her ninth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Myers, recommended technical theater to her. Rivard didn't have many friends at the time, and she thought it would be a great environment for meeting people. Now, Rivard is grateful Myers recommended it to her. "I have met incredible people...
Niwot High School held its annual prom on Saturday, April 5, at Denver's Mile High Station. The event was themed "Midnight in Manhattan," and it combined celebration and elegance in its decor and activities. Hundreds of Niwot students took part, with the majority of upperclassmen in attendance. The celebration kicked off at 8:00 p.m. and ended at 11:00 p.m., and the dance floor was busy throughout the night. Niwot counselor and Student Council advisor Leah Messinger explained that finding...
As the starting goalkeeper and captain for Niwot High School girls varsity soccer, junior Mariah Fletemeyer approaches each game with a focus on precision, consistency, and constant improvement. "My mindset as a captain is just to keep learning," Fletemeyer said. "I know my team and my coaches always have my back, so I just want to always be adapting to help my team be successful." That mindset has already paid off. Last season as a sophomore, Fletemeyer tallied 93 saves and allowed just 19 goal...
Ben Gabrielson loves math. Now a senior at Niwot High School, he says his biggest challenge in high school was running out of math classes to take. After exhausting Niwot's math class offerings early in high school, he began taking classes concurrently at Front Range Community College. Last semester, Gilbert finished the classes offered at Front Range and is currently working with Niwot's math teacher, Megan Schlagel, to teach himself discrete mathematics as an independent study. Gabrielson...
The Niwot High School girls soccer team put together a solid week, picking up two road wins before falling in a close match at home against a top-ranked opponent. The Cougars kicked things off Tuesday, April 1, with a 2-0 victory at Severance High School. Senior Tori Villavicencio scored her first goal of the season, and freshman Sonya Holmes added another goal and an assist. Sophomore Liz Robbins chipped in with an assist as well. In net, sophomore Larkyn Young and junior Mariah Fletemeyer...
Several of Niwot High School's top track and field athletes took to Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, over the weekend to compete in one of the nation's premier high school meets. The Oregon Relays, held Friday and Saturday, April 4-5, brought together elite competition from across the country, and the Cougars delivered strong performances across the board. Sophomore Quinn Sullivan made his name known on the national stage. He placed third in the 1500-meter with a time of 3:55.02, which ranks...
The Niwot High School girls tennis team suffered a challenging 6-1 loss against Fairview High School on Wednesday, April 2, as the Cougars struggled to keep pace with their opponents. In the singles matches, senior Saha Kolli played in the top spot but was unable to overcome her Fairview opponent, losing 6-2, 6-2. Kolli had a few strong moments but struggled to gain consistency, especially against her opponent’s powerful shots. She worked hard throughout the match, maintaining focus even as the scoreline slipped away. Senior Magnolia V...
The similarity between Niwot and Minot's unusual and often-mispronounced names piqued Left Hand Valley Courier reporters' interest in the city which none of them had heard of. What began as curiosity led to a serious interest in approaching Minot for getting-to-know-you discussions. As reporters learned about the city, they began referring to Minot as "Northern North Dakota's best kept secret." Minot's metropolitan area population is almost 20 times that of Niwot and it is the fourth largest...
Behind every trusted face on television lies a story, and for longtime CBS Denver7 anchor Mitch Jelniker, that story begins in the hallways of Niwot High School. Though born in Oklahoma, Jelniker considers himself nearly a Colorado native, having moved to the state when he was just a few months old. His father, an aerospace engineer, moved the family several times during Jelniker's childhood - from Colorado Springs to Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington, before finally settling back in...
Camryn Bell's love of theater stems from the community within it. "Like any other extracurricular," he said, "doing theater is being in a team. It's exhilarating to perform for an audience alongside people who have worked incredibly hard with you for months prior. Putting the work in and getting to share your effort with the world is truly an unmatched feeling." The Niwot High sophomore went into high school with no intention of doing theater. He was more focused on sports, but then he had a...
Senior Samantha Zacky has spent the past four years making her mark on Niwot High School's tennis program. A dedicated doubles player, she has built a strong partnership with her teammate Anne Haley and has cherished every match they have played together. She thrives in the strategy of doubles play and the energy of team competition, but what she values most is the support that comes with it. "I always have so much fun every game, no matter the outcome," Zacky said. "That's what I love most...
The Third Annual Niwot Invitational took place on Saturday, March 29, at the Art Stapp Sports Complex at Niwot High School, bringing together some of the top track and field talent in the state. Before the rain rolled in, the day featured warm sunshine, great competition, and even a few shattered meet records. Though a lightning delay cut the meet short, plenty of standout performances made their mark. For Niwot Head Coach Maurice "Mo" Henriques, hosting this event is the fulfillment of a...
