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All Local, All The Time
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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...
Skyler Messinger reported to spring training in Arizona this year with the Colorado Rockies minor league organization in his first full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery over a year ago. At the start of spring training, Messinger was listed on the Class A Spokane roster, which is where he finished last season in limited action. But Messinger was also invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League as one of the Rockies' top prospects, and he did not disappoint, earning AFL All-Star...
In a heartbreaking week of baseball, the Niwot High School Cougars suffered two narrow defeats, falling to Skyline High School 11-10 on Thursday, March 27, before losing 5-3 to Riverdale Ridge High School on Saturday, March 29. Thursday's home contest against Skyline was a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lead changes. The Cougars jumped out to an early 3-1 advantage after the first inning, highlighted by Charlie Shaw's triple that drove in Haden Shaw. Henry Noblin added a two-run double...
Niwot High School’s Varsity tennis team played a match against Legacy High School on Thursday, March 27, winning by a score of 5-2. Up and coming freshman Georgia Jaffe played in a doubles match with her partner, Hazel Awsumb, winning points for the team with a victory. “I was a bit nervous going into my first match because I didn’t know what to expect, but I was also excited,” said Jaffe, reflecting on the lead-up to the competition. Despite some early nerves, she and Aswumb fought through a challenging match, with Jaffe focusing on her pos...
The Niwot High School girls golf teams competed in their third tournament of the season this week. Eight athletes represented Niwot at the Granite Peaks League Tournament, with its two teams securing fourth place in the top division, and third place in the lower division. The group headed to Twin Peaks Golf Course on Monday, March 24 for its first Granite Peaks League tournament, hosted by Longmont High School. Coach Ed Weaver reflected on the competition, saying, "We're playing a lot better...
The Cougar girls soccer team had a rough home opener against Erie High School on Thursday, March 27, but bounced back two days later with a dramatic last-second win over Steamboat Springs High School. These results bring Niwot High School to a 1-2-1 season record. Against the Erie Tigers, Niwot struggled to find its rhythm as the Tigers controlled the game from the start. Erie wasted no time getting on the board, scoring just 10 minutes into the match. Despite Niwot's efforts to regroup, the...
The Niwot High School boys volleyball team showcased both its potential as well as growing pains this week, beginning with a commanding victory before facing mixed results in tournament play. The Cougars delivered a decisive 3-0 victory against the Fossil Ridge High School Sabercats on Thursday, March 27. The Cougars dominated from the opening serve, particularly in the first set, finishing with set scores of 25-12, 25-16, 25-20. Junior Diego Kheng led Niwot's offensive charge with 12 kills, while Jasper Helgans orchestrated the attack with 28...
Fred Mosqueda, the Arapaho Language and Culture Program Outreach Specialist Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, returned to Niwot Hall Monday, March 17, and brought his friend, Chester Whiteman of the Cheyenne Tribe who holds a similar role, to address a standing room only crowd of mostly Niwot residents. Mosqueda was the featured speaker in 2024 for the Niwot Historical Society, and was warmly received again. Phillip Yates of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, which...
Each spring season, Niwot High School presents a musical production ranging from "Mamma Mia" to "Shrek The Musical." This year, "Footloose," written by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, will be performed for five nights at Niwot High School, beginning April 3. Based on the 1984 film, "Footloose" follows the story of a new senior at Bomont High School (Ren McCormack) who loves to dance, a local preacher (Reverend Shaw Moore) grasping in the face of loss, and a rebellious young girl (Ariel Moore)...
Keynes Chen, Niwot High School's orchestra and mariachi director, has been named Niwot High School's Teacher of the Year by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. His recognition comes as no surprise to those familiar with the remarkable growth and success of the school's music program under his leadership. Since starting at NHS in January 2019, Chen has built the school's orchestral music programs into something extraordinary. What began as a small program has grown into three...
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 Sanjana Kaushik is involved in a myriad of activities at Niwot High School. For example, she immerses herself in instrumental music, playing flute,...
Niwot High School choirs traveled to Orlando, Florida, on Mar. 13 to compete at Festival Disney, an all Disney-produced music competition among middle and high school students across the United States. A mix of Niwot choir members came together to create the unique choir called the Niwot High School Disney Choir. Members of the Treble Choir, Tenor/Bass Choir, Sedalia, Chamber Singers, and Evenstar joined together to form a new and exciting group to compete alongside one another. The group only...
Niwot High School's Math Club is a student organization that supports students who are interested in, excelling in, or struggling in math. Math Club president Katherine Cui, a NHS senior, explained, "Math Club is where students can come to do their math homework, study for math tests, and get help from their peers and a math teacher. Math Club is also where students can come to experience how math can be made fun – especially since it is so many people's least favorite subject." The club had b...
Drew Stapp is the definition of a two-sport athlete. A senior leader for Niwot High School's baseball team and a top golfer, he has been making his mark on both fields of play. With a career .291 batting average and .344 on-base percentage, Stapp has been a reliable presence at the plate this season, hitting .312 through the first six games. This past weekend, Cougar baseball traveled to Queen Creek, Arizona, for a tournament, where Stapp went a perfect 3-for-3 in the opener on March 20 and...
Niwot Baseball traveled to Queen Creek, Arizona, over spring break, heading south for the first time in several years to the Valley of the Sun for a tournament at Casteel High School March 20-21. The Cougars opened against Forest Grove High School, Oregon, coming away with a 13-6 victory in five innings due to a time limit. Niwot scored in every inning, as the offense came alive. At the same time, the Cougars made four errors in the field, and a few more that did not show up in the box score....
The Niwot High School track and field team braved another windy spring day on Saturday, March 22 at the Broomfield Shootout. The girls team placed second overall, behind only host Broomfield High School, while the Niwot boys tied for 20th with Air Academy High School. Senior Reese Kasper continued to prove she is a top hurdler in the state, winning the 300-meter hurdles in 43.05 and taking third in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.81. Kasper was not the only Cougar bringing home...
Niwot High School lacrosse players traveled to San Marcos and Carlsbad California March 17 and 18 as members of the Mead High School lacrosse team, where they suffered losses against the more experienced San Marcos High School Knights (San Marcos, CA) and the La Costa Canyon High School Mavericks (Carlsbad, CA). The team fought hard, but fell short against the Knights and Mavericks losing by scores of 16-6 and 23-8 respectively. The Mead girls lacrosse team is composed of students from all over...
Almost every month, Niwot High School principal Eric Rauschkolb nominates three outstanding students to the Rotary Club of Niwot to be considered as the club’s “Student of the Month.” These students are heavily dedicated to their academics, extra-curriculars, and outside volunteerism. The Rotary Club then decides who has earned the honor of being named as the club’s “Student of the Month.” This past February, the Rotary Club of Niwot named Eliana Henriques as the “Student of the Month.” Henrique...
The Niwot High School baseball team dominated The Academy at home March 12, posting a 12-2 victory in six innings, then traveled to Lewis-Palmer the next day, where they suffered a hard-fought 10-9 loss, their first of the season. Senior Kaige Kennedy and junior Henry Noblin led the Cougar offense against The Academy, garnering three hits each. Kennedy had a single, double and homerun, while Noblin added two singles and a double. Senior Haden Shaw added two hits, including a triple, Ten Cougars...
Mike Keffeler The Boulder County Commissioners appointed Niwot resident Mike Keffeler to the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee (LID) on March 11. Keffeler will become the Niwot Community Association (NCA) representative on the LID, taking over for Jeff Knight, who resigned due to a family move to Texas. Keffeler, who grew up in Niwot, has resided in the Morton Heights subdivision in Niwot for many years with his wife Kristin and 3 daughters.. He serves on the NCA board of...
Niwot High School senior Shefali Joshi thrives at the crossroads of creativity and innovation. One of her proudest high school achievements is pursuing an IB diploma. She said, "I'm really proud of how I stuck through the IB program even though it was hard at times. I really enjoyed the classes that were offered, even though there was a lot of extra work that goes into them." One such extra project is the Creativity, Art, and Service (CAS) project all IB diploma candidates are required to comple...
After leading Niwot High School's girls soccer team in goals last season, junior forward Heather Humphrey does not plan on slowing down. "I really enjoy the competitive and cutthroat environment of the game, along with the intensity and teamwork," Humphrey said. "Playing striker allows me to be the most creative and aggressive, which drives me to be a better player. Scoring for my team is an unmatched feeling." That drive has fueled her success, something Niwot Head Coach Stephen Dimit has seen...
On Thursday, March 13, the Niwot High School girls tennis team suffered a difficult loss in their second game of the season against perennial powerhouse Kent Denver High School. Despite a determined effort from the entire team, Niwot fell 6-1. However, the players remain optimistic, viewing this match as a learning experience that will help them improve for the rest of the season. Samantha Zacky, a senior and four-year varsity player at Niwot, reflected on the challenges of competitive tennis...
Niwot High School's girls golf team hit the ground swinging this week. With a young team, the Cougars faced their first test of the season, competing in two tournaments and gaining valuable experience as a team. The week started on Monday, March 10, with the MeadMont Scramble at the Twin Peaks Golf Course. Junior Emmy Hostelley, freshman Sonya Homes, and sophomores Wendy Cheruiyot and Adison Murphy got some early-season reps. However, the real test was Saturday's Chilly Chili Invitational at...
The Niwot High School girls soccer team was forced to settle for its first draw of the season on Tuesday, March 11, finishing in a 1-1 tie with host Wheat Ridge High School in a competitive non-conference matchup. The Cougars, looking to rebound after dropping their season opener, moved to 0-1-1 overall with the result. In a tightly contested first half, the Farmers struck first, taking an early lead on their home turf. Niwot responded quickly as junior midfielder Diya Mehta equalized the score...
Niwot High School's boys volleyball team kicked off its season with a dominating 3-0 victory over Pomona High School Tuesday March 11 at home. Players such as Senior, Malachi Nehls, led the Cougars with seven kills over two sets, while senior, Ethan Husk, contributed six kills, across three sets. Senior Jenu Ngialah, and sophomore, Own Raabe, recorded five kills, with Raabe reaching a .571 hitting percentage. Overall, Niwot ended with 35 total kills, and a .183 hitting percentage. The Cougars we...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 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. For Reese Kasper, track and field was never the original plan, but competing in a Division I level sport was. Growing up as a gymnast, she dedicated years to the...
Niwot High School freshman Khai Dang-Lee grew interested in art when their mother showed Dang-Lee her own old sketches. "She is an amazing artist and seeing her beautiful work inspired me to make my own," Dang-Lee said. "It was around fourth grade, the beginning of COVID. I loved art class at Eisenhower Elementary. It was mostly very short fun projects, but it was my favorite class then. At Manhattan Middle School art was more advanced, and we had longer projects. Sixth grade is when I started...
During her freshman and sophomore years, Niwot High School senior Olivia DeRose was a member of the Chamber Singers Choir, and she was a member of the Evenstar Choir her sophomore and senior years. She is a part of the theater program at NHS and she has been in every musical since her freshman year, including "Footloose" this year. According to Laura Walters, the NHS Choir Director, DeRose has been a strong member of Niwot choirs for four years. "She has been in Chamber Singers and Evenstar,...
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 Emma Ortiz's classmates and teachers consistently describe her as a "bright light" within NHS. They say her positivity can be felt from miles away....
On Tuesday, March 4, the Niwot High School Jazz Bands took over the stage for "An Evening of Jazz" at Nissi's in Lafayette to headline for the bands' "Spectacle 2025: An Evening of Big Band Sounds" concert. Under the direction of Wade Hendricks, both the Left Hand Jazz Ensemble and Niwot All-Stars performed a full set of recognizable tunes for the crowd. The Left Hand Jazz Ensemble featured Noah Barrios, Ayden Carter, Ben Enticott, Alaan Foster, Finn Graeden, Athil Henderson, Hikaru Johnson,...
Senior Kaige Kennedy left his mark on Niwot High School baseball's season-opening win over Severance High School on March 6. Along with finishing a home run shy of the cycle, the outfielder/pitcher drove in two runs and sealed the victory on the mound. The game also left its mark on him when he recorded the final out with a diving tag of a Severance baserunner, leaving Kennedy covered in chalk from the third baseline. With Niwot entering this season with increased expectations, Kennedy was...
The Niwot High School girls swim and dive team wrapped up a successful season with a ninth-place finish at the 4A state championships and multiple individual honors. Led by senior Izzy Fay, the team put in hard work all season, improving meet after meet and finishing strong. Fay capped off her high school career in the best way possible, winning the 4A state diving championship and earning CHSAA's 4A Diver of the Year award. "It's a recognition of my dedication and commitment to the sport," Fay...
The defending 4A state champion Erie High School lacrosse team opened its season with a hard-fought 11-9 victory over Boulder High School on Thursday, March 6. The St. Vrain Valley School District team combined team, which pulls athletes from several nearby schools, saw key contributions from Niwot High School players. Senior Tyler Chivukula scored twice, while senior Marcus Vock added a goal and three assists. Sophomore Drake Chivukula finished with a goal and an assist. The Tigers are coming off their first-ever state title after winning the...
The Niwot High School girls soccer team's season is officially underway, though the first game did not go their way. The Cougars opened on the road against Mountain Range High School on Tuesday, March 4, falling 2-1 in a nonconference matchup. Head coach Stephen Dimit believes the team's response in the days following was just as important as the result itself. Sophomore Diya Mehta scored Niwot's lone goal, while goalkeepers Mariah Fletemeyer and Larkyn Young split time in the net. With club...
The Niwot High School varsity baseball team kicked off its 2025 season in style on March 6 with a drama-filled win at Severance High School. Needing one final out to secure victory, Niwot senior pitcher Kaige Kennedy played hero in the seventh inning when he made Severance pay for a baserunning mistake. With Niwot up 8-6, Severance had runners on second and third base when Kennedy threw a wild pitch. The Silver Knight on third scored easily, but his teammate on second stumbled after rounding thi...
The Niwot High School Orchestra traveled to New York City on Feb. 27 to participate in the Orchestra Cup at the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the national school orchestra championship, and came home winners of a third-place trophy. Each year, only fifteen high school orchestras across the country are invited to compete in the Orchestra Cup, the national championship of orchestra competitions. The orchestra students from NHS were members of one of those few ensembles selected in October...
In a big theater production, there are so many moving parts-props, actors, sound-that the theater technicians are never surprised when something unexpected happens. Niwot High School senior Maddie Myers knows, especially after the first show and the last show, the relief of getting through the production without too many surprises. She also remembers many stressful moments in the show where things weren't going quite as planned. That was the case during a November 2024 NHS performance of...
Niwot Wheel Works bike shop is up and running at its new location and under new ownership, next to Fan's Chinese Cuisine, in the southwest corner of Cottonwood Square shopping center. Fernando Tapia, who worked at the original Niwot Wheel Works since its inception eight years ago, took over the ownership reins of the business from his friend and former colleague, Eric Bergeson. Bergeson announced in December that he would move on from the bike shop business and that he would not be renewing the...
Niwot's premier summer concert series, Rock & Rails, will be here before long, and the organizing committee is hard at work. The season starts Thursday, June 5, and runs through Aug. 28, with 13 concerts. Opening acts start at 5 p.m. with the headliners taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday night all summer long. The event, which won the Governor's Award for Best Downtown Event in its 2006 inaugural season, is managed by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business...
Niwot High School girls basketball's first state tournament game in 11 years ended in disappointment on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Aurora Central High School. In a foul-filled affair, the Cougars entered halftime down 22-9 before putting up a valiant fight with their season on the line. Niwot began the third quarter on a 12-0 run to make things interesting but ultimately came up short when the final buzzer sounded, 35-33. While the Cougar program took a massive step forward by reaching the Class 5A...
While Peyton Rhodes would have liked to extend her high school career another game, the senior remains proud of what she and her Niwot High School girls basketball team accomplished this winter. After falling to Aurora Central High School on Feb. 26 in the Cougars' first state tournament game since 2014, Rhodes reflected on her now-complete high school career. Niwot won only nine combined games in Rhodes' first two varsity seasons before breaking through with 10 senior victories. "My first two...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 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. Anne Haley's journey in volleyball began at a young age, influenced by her mother's love for the sport. From the early days of recreational volleyball to becoming a f...
As the Niwot High School girls soccer team gears up for a new season, head coach Stephen Dimit is optimistic about the squad's potential. With strong returning players, a deep talent pool, and a competitive schedule ahead, the Cougars are looking to build on last year's foundation and make an impact in their league. Among the key veterans are senior Greta Stauch, juniors Mariah Fletemeyer, Heather Humphrey, and Brynn Schlarb, and sophomores Mirjam Bos, Ashley Grier, Ava Inguagiato, and Hannah...
As the Niwot High School girls varsity tennis team prepares for a new season, Team Captain Magnolia Valentine is focused on leading with an emphasis on community, support, and growth. With tennis in her life since she was five, Valentine, a senior, brings years of experience and a passion for the game to her role. But as captain, her primary focus is on fostering a strong, supportive team dynamic. "One of the most important aspects of leadership for this team is building a strong community,...
