All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Students at Niwot High School were suddenly summoned to the main gym at 9:13 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, but no one, save for school administrators and a few invited guests, knew what the occasion was. Pep band members received a cryptic message from Band Director Wade Hendricks the day before – "Emergency Pep Band during Cougar CORE!...[G]et your instrument quickly and head [to] the gym as soon as humanly possible." Drumline Instructor Scott Barto followed with a message the next morning at 9...
This is the second article in a series on the Consortium of Cities addressing child care challenges in Colorado and Boulder County. According to Kaycee Headrick, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, the current child care environment in Boulder County is creating dire circumstances for many working parents, with one-third of highly educated women dropping out of the workforce each year. Seventy-four percent cite the primary reason as a lack of quality and...
The Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) opened 2025 by approving several funding requests, including one for new street banners celebrating Niwot's first 150 years. LID members Scott Firle, Eric Bergeson, Mary Coonce, Carla Hunter, Heidi Storz, Cornelia Sawle, and Keith Waters were present, along with Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin. Jim Ditzel also attended the LID meeting. Ditzel, who is running unopposed for the position of president of the Niwot Business Association, was the only...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its first monthly meeting of 2025 on Jan. 8. With 2024 officially at an end, board members took the opportunity to reflect on their objectives, finances, and accomplishments from the past year as they look ahead to 2025. The NCA 2024 objectives included continuation of events, creating a new informational pamphlet, monitoring trails and open space, working with Wildfire Partners for wildfire mitigation, and creating a social media presence. It was reported that all objectives had been met. Treasurer Te...
The Niwot Community Connection (NCC) hosted its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9, featuring a talk by 2014 Niwot High School graduate and two-time Olympian Elise Cranny. The event provided an inside look into the life and career of the accomplished runner, who recently moved back to Colorado. Cranny, a Stanford University graduate with a degree in human biology, shared her journey as a professional athlete with a crowd at Niwot Hall. She currently is part of the Nike team, and spent...
A team of high schoolers are working to elevate inclusion across the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD). They are the members of the Accessibility Project Team of the SVVSD Innovation Center (IC). The IC houses 24 project teams, each offering learners career preparation, local involvement, and compensation. The Accessibility Team was launched in autumn of 2023. Longmont High School senior Anya Wieder started the group after observing that opportunity was often limited for her peers with di...
Madison Ackerman is the type of player head coach Todd Trobaugh wants in his Niwot High School girls basketball program. While the senior only averages about two points per game, she plays energetic defense, lifts her teammates, and is coachable. Those three attributes and others have made Ackerman a valuable member of the Cougar team. "She's not going to go out and be a great shooter, not going to be a great ball-handler, but she goes out and does the things you ask her to do on the court,"...
After winning seven of its first eight nonconference games to begin the season, the Niwot High School girls basketball team was greeted by stiffer competition when the Cougars opened their Granite Peaks League slate on Jan. 7. Niwot hosted Horizon High School and struggled on both ends of the court early, falling behind in the first quarter 25-3. The Cougars outscored the Hawks in the second half, 26-20, but ultimately dropped their league opener, 56-34. Freshman Alaina Loomis led the Cougars...
The Niwot High School boys basketball team faced a challenging week, suffering two tough losses to the Horizon High School Hawks and the Longmont High School Trojans. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Cougars hosted the Hawks but fell 74-37. Horizon established dominance early, outscoring Niwot 11-9 in the first quarter before widening the gap to 27-17 by halftime. Horizon pulled away in the second half, adding 47 points to Niwot's 20. Senior Rohit Das led the Cougars with six points, while senior...
The Niwot High School Cougars' unified basketball team tipped off the season with an exhilarating 52-50 victory over the Longmont High School Trojans on Friday, Jan. 10. With the crowd buzzing and cheerleaders on hand to keep the energy high, the game was a showcase of inclusivity, teamwork, and the unbridled joy of competition. Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Joe Brown donned a referee's whistle to oversee the action for the afternoon. From the opening tip, it was clear that this...
The Niwot High School wrestling team traveled to Frederick High School on Saturday, Jan. 11, for the 2025 Golden Eagle Invitational, with results highlighting veteran experience and promising young talent across all weight classes. Junior Ryder Evans set the tone for the Cougars in the 144-pound weight class. Evans continued his impressive season by securing second place and contributing 20 valuable team points. Evans entered the tournament with a strong 13-4 record, and received a first-round...
Lisa Ann Weaver Lisa Ann Weaver, age 56, died Dec. 30, 2024, at her home. She attended Burlington Elementary School, Longmont Junior High School and Niwot High School, graduating in 1986. No services are planned at this time. Donations on her behalf can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Longmont Humane Society. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.howemortuary.com....
January's Left Hand Laurel recipients are Michael Tomich and Patty Machen, who have a long history of giving back to the Niwot community. During the months of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, Tomich and Machen felt that people desperately needed social interactions and to not feel so isolated. As the owners of The Old Oak Coffeehouse, they could not let anyone sit in the shop, or even at The Emporium next door during that time. They had the idea to have free socially distanced...
Last year was Niwot Hall's first as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Many donations were made throughout the year, and end of the year fundraising efforts resulted in additional tax deductible donations of just over $8,000 thanks to participation in the Colorado Gives Foundation, two Rebecca Folsom concerts, and the sale of Carolyn Bradley paintings displayed in the Hall. Niwot Hall is operated solely by unpaid volunteers and several new volunteers have just been welcomed to the organization....
Niwot High School graduate Aamuro Kanda, Class of 2019, debuted his first feature film, "Mr. Yanagi's Aliens," at the Boedecker Theater in Boulder on Jan. 7. Kanda co-directed and co-starred in the movie with his roommate, Aspen native Alex Buysse. At NHS, Kanda took filmmaking classes and was a member of the Boulder International Film Festival's Youth Advisory Council before attending The University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where he met Buysse. Kanda said, "During...
At the age of eight, Mai Vu, Program Manager for the St. Vrain Valley Schools Innovation Center's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program, landed in Washington, D.C., from Vietnam. She recalled the stark contrast of arriving there in February, dressed in flip-flops and a dress, her first taste of the United States. Her father chose D.C. as it seemed like a safe haven from the looming threat of communism in Vietnam. Her educational journey included graduating from the University of Maryland and...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is set to begin its winter basketball season this week, with games scheduled to start on Saturday, Jan. 11. The program continues to demonstrate strong community engagement despite some new capacity limitations. "NYS basketball is thriving!" said Jessica Walker, NYS Basketball Commissioner and Executive Director. NYS recently hosted a successful winter mini-camp on Dec. 23, where 182 young athletes in grades 1-8 participated in sessions led by Niwot High School coaches...
More than 200 wrestlers competing across 14 weight classes from 20 schools across Colorado converged on Niwot High School Saturday, Jan. 4 for the Niwot Invitational wrestling tournament. The tournament, which has become a significant mid-season test for Colorado prep wrestlers, featured weight classes ranging from 106 to 285 pounds. Niwot fielded competitors in ten of the fourteen weight classes, showing the program's growing depth under new Head Coach Michael DeCamillis. The host Cougars made...
It was quite a year for the Niwot High School boys cross country team. Winning a state title in Class 5A, Niwot's first experience in the highest state classification, with a dominant team effort began the run of honors for Coach Kelly Christensen's runners. That was followed by a second-place team finish at the Nike Cross Regionals in Arizona, which also qualified the team to run at the Nike Cross Nationals. The Cougars surprised quite a few people at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland,...
From his work inside the classroom to both of his demanding extracurriculars, few high school students are as well-rounded as Lucas Menza. A junior at Twin Peaks Classical Academy in Longmont, Menza wrestles for Niwot High School and plays violin in the Longmont Youth Symphony. The multi-talented Menza values his two after-school passions highly, but wrestling earned his undivided attention on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Niwot Invitational. Menza wrestled in the 175-pound division and won his...
Hunter Bennett, a freshman at Niwot High School, successfully earned his Muay Thai black belt on Nov. 16. He completed ten other belt levels throughout his course of study before testing for the black belt. Muay Thai is a type of martial arts originating in Thailand that involves striking an opponent with one of eight isolated limbs and works to improve the focus of the mind, body, and soul. Earning a black belt in Muay Thai is no small task. Bennett explained, "You have to complete three differ...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members a year ago, and have had some new valuable additions this year, and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read. Madison Shaw Hi, I'm Madison Shaw! I was born and raised in Colorado, graduated from Dawson School, and am now a student at CU Boulder. Sko Buffs! Growing up, I was an avid reader and imagined a career in journ...
Niwot High School junior Sam Popma has always been interested in art, but what has inspired him has changed over time. Currently, Popma enjoys working with metals and making music. "I think it's living in Colorado--the mountains are so beautiful," he said. "I incorporate designs into my work a lot. So having inspiration like that is helpful." Art has been a part of Popma's life from an early age. He remembers visiting the Crackpots ceramics studio in Longmont with his parents when he was young,...
Luke Demmel may not always produce the flashiest offensive numbers, but his willingness to play defense and rebound has the Niwot High School varsity boys basketball team trending upward with conference play on deck. Through Niwot's first eight games, the senior Demmel led the Cougars in blocks (five) and ranked second in total rebounds (41). Those efforts haven't gone unnoticed by Head Coach Walker Bounds. "He comes in with his size, and his shot-blocking ability can help us alter shots around...
David Bote, son of longtime Niwot High School baseball coach Bob Bote, signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers Dec. 14, with an invitation to major league spring training camp. Other than the Dodgers' starting infield, the only other utility infielder on the major league roster is 35-year old Miguel Rojas. Bote, who grew up in Longmont and played for Niwot Youth Sports teams, signed with the Chicago Cubs out of Neosho County Community College in Kansas in 2012 as an 18th...
The Niwot High School wrestling program is preparing to host the annual Invitational meet on Saturday, Jan. 4, the first under new head coach Michael DeCamillis. For years, the meet was organized by longtime NHS coach Gary Daum, and then later by his successor, Bobby Matthews, who stepped down after last season to concentrate on softball and baseball coaching. DeCamillis wrestled and played football at Broomfield High School before continuing his football career as a center at Chadron State...
Local artist and Niwot resident Bill Enyart has lived an incredibly full life, many years of which were spent in Colorado. In 2018, Enyart moved to Niwot and has since become a friend to all in the area. With his personable demeanor, he and his family had no trouble finding their way into the Niwot community. Throughout his life, Enyart found himself constantly connected to art. As a young child he inherited an art box from his grandmother, in high school he sketched images from National...
After watching Niwot High School's first-ever Unified Theater production, "Descendants: The Musical" last year, Sophie Hayes was inspired to help and become a part of something she felt was so special. The Unified Theater program brings together students with and without special needs through theater, and Hayes wanted to get involved. "Everybody showed passion in their roles," Hayes said, "and I was so impressed with how the Unified kids showed up and did their parts, that I wanted to be...
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. Lucy Connors From her first lacrosse game as a third-grader to committing to play for Bucknell University, Lucy Connors' journey has been marked by hard work,...
Looking to maximize one of his players' untapped potential, Niwot High School girls basketball head coach Todd Trobaugh has been pushing Hadie Adams to become a more willing shooter. The senior possesses the ability to thrive in the paint, and the Cougars need more offensive weapons. "We want her to score, we want her to shoot," Trobaugh said. "When she gets the ball in the paint, we want her taking it up. She has tremendous skills. She can be a double-digit scorer. When we get into the meat of...
Coming into the Dec. 19 game against Prairie View High School, the Niwot High School girls varsity basketball team had won three games in a row. With a record of 5-1, they were off to their best start in years. Led by an excellent class of seniors and receiving contributions across the lineup, the Cougars were firing on all cylinders. On their home floor, they weren't about to let this one slip away. From the first whistle, after Prairie View won the tip, two Niwot defenders immediately trapped...
The Niwot High School cheerleading team finished fourth in the Co-Ed 4A Division at the 2024 Spirit State Championship Finals at the Denver Coliseum on Dec. 13, marking the squad's best result in recent years. Competing against the top teams in the state, the Cougars delivered clean routines with no deductions, which is an impressive accomplishment in a competition where even small errors often lead to point penalties. The team began the season by placing second at both the League competition...
The Niwot High School varsity boys basketball team closed its pre-holiday break schedule with a commanding win at Greeley West High School on Dec. 20. Senior guards Rohit Das and Archer Buckbee shined in the Friday evening affair, combining for 30 points in the Cougars' 58-48 victory. Das scored a team-high 18 points while Buckbee buried three 3-pointers. "Rohit's a very, very talented player," said Niwot Head Coach Walker Bounds. "He stepped up big for us today. He had some great takes at the...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members a year ago, and have had some new valuable additions this year, and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read. Joan Schaefer I began writing for the Left Hand Valley Courier in early 2024. Last December, Managing Editor Biff Warren spoke at a Niwot Community Connection meeting to recruit "no experience necessary"...
Arts Student of the Week Parker Jean Tatic clearly recalls being inspired by the actress Florence Pugh the day she saw Pugh perform Amy in Greta Gerwig's version of "Little Women." "I thought it was really interesting," Tatic said, "how she was portraying Amy. Because in the original movie and the book Amy is a little girl, and even in the musical. But in her version, Pugh played both young Amy and adult Amy. And for some strange reason it stood out to me how she was portraying a younger child,...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its final board meeting of 2024 on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The board reviewed not only updates since the previous meeting in November, but also reflected on their objectives from the past year and welcomed special guest speakers from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). Molly McDonald, program manager of the BCSO Co-Responder Team, along with team members Ashley Partin and Sarah Windholz, spoke to the NCA Board about the services the Team provides....
The "Pride of Niwot" Cougar Marching Band and Silver Creek High School Marching Band once again marched and performed together in the Longmont Lights Parade on Dec. 14 as the re-formed "Ni-Creek-Wot" combined marching band. Band members refer to this particular parade as their "crossover episode" as students from both schools make new friends, see old friends, and dress up in outrageous holiday lights with ugly sweaters. Together they performed "Feliz Navidad" down Main Street in Longmont....
The third annual Niwot High School Art Show began Dec. 6, with winners announced on Dec. 11, and an awards ceremony on Dec. 12. The NHS Art Show was sponsored by the Niwot High School Music, Performance, and Art division of the Niwot Boosters Club. The Art Show coincided with the winter concert series, featuring the NHS bands, choirs, orchestras, and the Mariachi Ensemble. This year, a separate Art Gala event on Dec. 9 was dedicated specifically to showcasing the NHS and feeder schools'...
Being a strong leader means more to Taylor Rodanski than to--- most other seniors. In truth, Rodanski made leadership one of his top priorities before his final season with the Niwot High School boys basketball team began earlier this month. He was inspired by last year's seniors and wanted to pass their wisdom down to his younger teammates. "In my junior year, we had two seniors (Jackson Carano and Brighton Langenegger) who were really big leaders on the court," Rodanski said. "They inspired...
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 Kenji McCracken, soccer has always been more than just a sport. It is a passion that has shaped his life, forged lifelong connections, and now opened the door to...
The Niwot High School girls varsity basketball team endured a bruising defeat in their Centaurus Tournament opener, as the Standley Lake High School Gators dominated the court with a commanding 66-21 victory Wednesday, Dec. 11. The lopsided matchup left the Cougars searching for answers against a relentless Gators squad. The game began with high energy as the Cougars worked to establish momentum and make early plays. They focused on building an offensive rhythm while maintaining defensive pressure. However, the Gators quickly responded with...
Lawrence R. Murphy April 24, 1943 - Nov. 19, 2024 Lawrence "Larry" Murphy, 81, of Niwot, Colorado passed away peacefully on November 19, 2024. He was born to William (Bill) and Jospehine Murphy on April 24, 1943 in Gary, Indiana. Larry grew up in Coal City, Illinois and in high school received his Ham Radio License with call letters, N0BA. Larry would string antennas all over his parent's yard and this passion led him to the University of Illinois where he obtained a masters degree in Electrical...
The "Future of Local Journalism" series concludes with a reflection on the unique role the Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier) plays in supporting and enhancing our community. This final article recaps earlier insights and includes my personal perspectives as a Courier reporter on why the Niwot-Gunbarrel area is a more vibrant, friendly, and informed community due to the Courier than it otherwise would be. This article also encourages us all to help strengthen the Courier's financial footing and...
Janet Gates' wide range of volunteer efforts benefiting the Niwot, Gunbarrel, and surrounding communities have earned her the December Left Hand Laurel. Gates grew up in Gunbarrel, graduated from Niwot High School in 1984, moved out of state, then returned 13 years ago as a single mother with two small children. Immediately in need of a path to support herself and her family, her father suggested that she might start by cleaning people's homes. That led her to start her current business,...
The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members a year ago, and have had some new valuable additions this year and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read. Amy Calderon My name is Amy Calderon, and I’m a student at Niwot High School. Born and raised in Colorado, I carry within me Mexican roots that have deeply influenced my identity and values. Growing up with t...
When Tula Baker accepted the role as understudy for Princess Natalia Dragomiroff in Niwot High School's November 2024 production, "Murder on the Orient Express," she knew it would require her to perform with a Russian accent. An important character from the book by Agatha Christie, Dragomiroff is an elderly Russian aristocrat who fled to Europe from Russia with her husband. Baker's teacher, Amanda Foust, was impressed by the way Baker embraced the role. "Within weeks of being cast," Foust said,...
St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) superintendent Don Haddad and several staff members met with approximately 15 Niwot residents, primarily from the Morton Heights subdivision, to present the district's plans for completing a stadium for use by football, soccer, track and other activities at Niwot High School (NHS). The district added lights to the existing football field a few years ago, and also installed artificial turf to replace the sod field, with the goal of creating a full stadium...
A group of 50 Niwot High School students will be attending ThesCon from Dec. 12 to 14. ThesCon is a convention hosted by the Colorado State Thespians, held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Niwot students have attended the event for multiple years, but as each year goes by it becomes increasingly more popular. ThesCon is a weekend of workshops, judged performance opportunities, and the chance for students from various schools to connect with one another over their shared love for all...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is known for its coverage of athletes and arts students at Niwot High School (NHS). The Courier also honors an array of students who choose to 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 Maria Arrece Garcia has been an integral part of the Niwot community throughout the past three-and-a-half years she has spent as an...
The Niwot Cougars football team wrapped up its 2024 season with recognition for several standout players and optimism for the future. Despite a winless season, individual efforts shined through. Juniors Wyatt Volf and Eli Quesada led the way with selections to the North 3A All-Conference team. Volf earned his spot as a defensive back thanks to his ability to make plays where it mattered most. Playing at linebacker, Quesada was a steady force for the Cougars' defense, making key tackles...
