All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 201 - 250 of 2325
It would be an understatement to say that Natalie Fitches is an outstanding student. Fitches, a 2024 Niwot High School graduate, has been recognized for several accomplishments during her tenure at NHS. She was recognized as Arts Student of the Week by the Left Hand Valley Courier in September 2023 and she has been named as the Student of the Year by the NHS marching and symphonic band programs. This August, Fitches received recognition for all that she does, not just at NHS, but in her...
The penultimate Dancing Under the Stars swung into action Friday, Sept. 13, in Cottonwood Square. Despite Niwot High School homecoming festivities happening at the same time, the event brought together a large crowd of dancers from all over Boulder County who whirled under the stars and glittering string lights. Dancing Under the Stars organizer Catherine McHale said at the beginning of the evening, "It's going to be a good party tonight since it is the last salsa night of the season. It's...
Although Cormac Easter does not play instruments other than the violin, there are times that he wishes he could. He began learning the instrument about eleven years ago by taking private lessons, but he only began playing mariachi about two years ago. "I will admit, the first few years I played weren't my favorite," Easter said, "as the music I was learning to play was mostly classical, which I did not enjoy." Thankfully, his instructor was able to help him maintain his interest in the violin,...
In her three-plus years at Niwot High School, senior Alena Kasanicky has learned that whether she's running or golfing, achieving success in athletics requires both physical and mental strength. While her primary sports don't share much in common from a physical standpoint, the mental side of each is fairly similar. Kasanicky knows that staying composed under pressure typically leads to strong results in golf, track and cross country. "They're definitely really different sports, but golf and run...
"The Kickoff," Niwot's homecoming flag football tournament, kicked off a week of homecoming festivities on Monday, Sept. 9. Eight teams made up of Niwot High School students, with the majority being juniors and seniors, played one another throughout the evening. Coached by their fellow students, the players arrived earlier in the evening to receive rules and regulations to ensure that the games went as smoothly as possible. With the first game beginning at 7 p.m., the final game didn't start...
Most high school educators do not have a doctorate degree, and yet Niwot High School currently has six staff members who hold doctorate degrees. Eric Rauschkolb, Niwot High School Principal, finds that having six doctorate holders on staff at the school is inspiring to students and other staff members. "It shows their dedication to their craft, their work ethic, and their commitment to life-long learning," he said. Each of these six professionals earned their doctorate in an area of study that...
The Niwot High School boys golf team continued its season with two challenging tournaments during weeks five and six, facing stiff competition from some of the top teams in their league. On Sept. 5, the Cougars competed in the Frederick Classic at the Coyote Creek Golf Course. Despite strong performances from several golfers, Niwot finished fourth overall with a team score of 301. Fairview High School took first place with a score of 284, Monarch High School placed second at 292, and Erie High...
Niwot High School's homecoming football game against the Skyview Campus Wolverines on Friday, Sept. 13 ended in a narrow 14-6 loss for the Cougars, leaving them 0-3 on the season. The game was filled with moments of grit and determination, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on key opportunities as they fought through turnovers and a tough Skyview defense. Before kickoff, the Stapp family was honored by St. Vrain Valley School District Superintendent Don Haddad for their longstanding...
The gym lights dimmed, and "m.A.A.d city" played over the loudspeakers as the Niwot High School girls volleyball team streamed out onto the court to the delight of the huge homecoming crowd Sept. 12. The energy was palpable as warmups started. Niwot was taking on its first league opponent of the season in Erie High School, and the Tigers wanted nothing more than to spoil the Cougars' homecoming in the Cougar gym. The student section was painted yellow and students dressed like "Minions"-a...
Niwot High School’s boys cross country team showed its strength at the RE-1J District Meet on Sept. 4, securing the top nine positions in a performance that set the stage for a promising season. It is a rare occasion where the boys team claimed spots one through nine, making it an historic moment for the team and the course itself, with some of the fastest times ever recorded. Leading the team was Rocco Culpepper, who took first place in the 5000 meter run with a time of 15:36.38, followed by Hunter Robbie, who finished close to Culpepper w...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team beat Prairie View High School 2-0 at home on Wednesday bumping their record to 4-1. The Cougars and their solid defense once again left their opponent scoreless, posting shutouts in the last three games. Seniors Gavin Engtrakul and Jay Scharfe each scored a goal in the second half, bringing their combined season total to four goals. After a scoreless first half, Engtrakul set up Scharfe for the first goal of the game, and junior Quinn Brady set up...
The Niwot High School varsity softball team extended its winning streak with an 11-1 win over Fairview High School on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at home, followed by a 15-3 win at Longmont High School, and a 3-0 win over The Academy High School at home on Saturday. The Cougars scored six runs in the first inning against Fairview, beginning with a solo home run to right field by pitcher Kianna Butler. RBIs from Anna Halverson, Simone Paterno, Saleen Amaya, and Butler added to the lead, resulting in a...
The Niwot branch of the Bank of Estes Park has a new Branch Manager, Kim Reiber, with big plans for the bank's involvement in the community. "I'm super excited to be working in a small town," Reiber said. "I absolutely love working in the community and volunteering and going to lunch at all the little local places. It was my favorite part of working in Olde Town Arvada. I went to lunch at all the local places in town, shopped in all the stores, and had dinner at the restaurants. I just love...
The annual Jared Music Foundation's RISE (Remember in September) Benefit Concert at Whistle Stop Park on Sept. 5 opened under an amazingly clear summer sky that faded into a beautiful pink-orange sunset, highlighting the mountains as the night darkened. Zivanai Masango and Helen Masango opened the concert with several songs from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, including a sing-along they taught to the crowd which roughly translated to "When we're together, everything is okay." Funkiphino, the...
The St. Vrain for the Brain 5k will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. at Niwot High School to benefit the National Brain Tumor Society. The St. Vrain for the Brain 5k encourages participants of all levels, either in person or virtually. Participants can register as a team, or as an individual, or simply donate to support another participant or team. So far, $4,100 has been raised toward the fundraising goal of $5,000 with a week and a half left before the race. The 5k race runs along the b...
Sara Taylor's explanation when people ask her about her work in technical theater is that she is "one of the backstage people, who does sets and lights and that sort of stuff." She is surprised how often she is asked to explain why she chooses to spend more than 200 additional hours at school a year, and although she is involved in theater, why she is not an actor. "The better, and more accurate answer, is that I work different jobs with a crew of people that create a space for actors to act...
Teresa Ewing's circuitous path to becoming a Niwot High School computer science teacher is unique and inspiring. She initially had a career in engineering, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Colorado. Ewing started working as a software intern at NORAD in Colorado Springs but then took a position with a Finnish company, Vaisala, where she worked in wind-profiling radars, allowing her the exciting opportunity to install radars around the world....
In an ultimately difficult second showing for the Niwot High School varsity football team, do-it-all senior Moises Gonzalez Avina represented one of the Cougars' brightest spots on Friday, Sept. 6. Avina played every snap of the game, including special teams, while staying positive throughout Niwot's 49-7 loss to Centaurus High School. His shining moment came on defense when he recorded an interception early in the second quarter. "I was just watching the O-line (offensive line) - we were going...
Niwot High School gymnasts took on the Poudre School District (PSD) on Sept. 4 and walked away with a win in the all-around competition by 11.75 points. The event, the Cougars' first meet of the season, was held at Niwot High School in the small gym. Competing from 5:30 p.m. until nearly 8 p.m., Cougar athletes rotated through four events. Every team member took part in at least one exercise, all performing the routines they had practiced throughout recent weeks. Niwot earned 173.350 points in...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team earned their second win in a row on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at an away game against Littleton High School, earning a 3-0 shutout. This three-goal margin is a new team best for the Cougars who have played four games so far this season. Seniors Jay Scharfe and Santiago Nahas both scored in the first half of the game, their first goals of the season. Senior Mohi Bauer also scored his first goal of the season in the last few minutes of the game off an assist from...
Funded by St. Vrain Valley School District, a new digital scoreboard has been installed as the next step in the master plan for Niwot High School. The scoreboard was named in memory of Art Stapp, who passed away in 2023 and was a strong sponsor of Niwot High School and its programs. The field has been named the Art Stapp Sports Complex. "We have a world class school in so many ways," said principal Eric Rauschkolb, "and we love that we can bring our facilities up to date to reflect our...
Niwot High School's football team faced a difficult challenge against 4A program Centaurus High School on Friday, Sept. 6, falling 49-7 under the lights of Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. The Centaurus Warriors dominated the game from the first quarter, while Niwot struggled to gain momentum despite key defensive plays and moments of offensive promise. The Cougars were missing some key players due to illness, which made the game even more challenging. The game started with hope for the...
Following a tough 4-1 loss to Holy Family High School at home last week, the Niwot High School Cougar varsity softball team came out strong over the weekend in the Berthoud Invitational tournament, scoring 49 runs and winning three out of four games. The Cougars lost a close game one to the Fort Collins High School Lambkins by a score of 6-3. Junior Payton Johnson and freshman Payton Stokes each drove in one run for the Cougars, with senior Kianna Butler scoring the third and final run on an...
Niwot High School’s boys tennis team battled, but came up short against Fairview High School and Boulder High School last week. The match against Fairview on Sept. 3 saw strong performances from the Cougars’ No. 1 singles player, Sebastian Moy, and No. 2 singles player, Charlie Kirtland, who both secured wins in their lines. However, the team overall lost 2-5. In their match against Boulder High School on Sept. 5, the Cougars faced tight competition, narrowly losing 3-4. The team had wins from Oskar Hansen at No. 3 singles, and the No. 3 dou...
Joe Chrisman's journey from a three-sport athlete at Longmont High School to a successful business owner in Boulder County is a testament to the lasting influence of sports on his life. Growing up in Longmont, Colorado, during the 1980s and 1990s, Chrisman was shaped by a close-knit community that instilled strong values and a passion for athletics. Chrisman spent his early years in northwest Longmont and went to elementary school in Hygiene, an area that reminds him of the small-town feel of...
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, internationally acclaimed author Peter Heller spoke to an audience of more than 50 people at Inkberry Books in Niwot. The temperature reached 91 degrees outside before cloud cover cooled things down, and it turned out to be a perfect summer evening to hear Heller read from his new novel, "Burn." He began the reading with the opening scene from the book, a novel about two lifelong friends who emerge from the woods of rural Maine to a dystopian country wracked by v...
"The ability to play a musical instrument gives people a way to express their feelings at a depth that goes beyond any words," said Arts Student of the Week Evan Green. "Music can fill you with excitement, sadness, anticipation, calmness, or any other emotion, which makes it exhilarating to play and listen to. Additionally, playing an instrument lets you sculpt the music into expressing what you want to express." As a student at Niwot High School, Green says his experience with music has been bo...
Students in the St. Vrain Valley School District are provided with countless opportunities for success and engagement through innovative programing. Being a part of that community is enriching and SVVSD wants you to know why. On Saturday Sept. 7 at 10 a.m., SVVSD will hold its first ever Public Education Parade starting at Roosevelt Park and continuing down Main Street in Longmont. The parade will celebrate the elementary, middle and high school programs and achievements in the district. "This...
Niwot High School's annual homecoming festivities begin Monday, Sept. 9 with a highly anticipated pep rally, where freshmen wear white, sophomores wear black, juniors wear green, and seniors wear the iconic Niwot camo pattern. This year's theme is "Bright Lights, Neon Nights." Niwot's student council team, sponsored by counselor Leah Messinger, has been working hard to plan events, choose spirit week activities and make it a fun, welcoming event for everyone. Spirit week extends through the day...
While playing the most physically demanding position on the diamond, senior Saleen Amaya has grown tremendously throughout her four seasons as Niwot High School softball's starting catcher. Amaya would be the first to admit that she struggled with blocking balls in the dirt and framing pitches early in her career. But with hard work and perhaps some patience on behalf of Niwot's coaching staff, her glovework has become a strength. "I feel like I've definitely developed a lot," Amaya said. "I...
Behind the right arm of ace pitcher Kianna Butler, the Niwot High School varsity softball team is off to an encouraging start in the newly formed Granite Peaks League. The Class 4A Cougars kicked off their league slate on Tuesday, Aug. 27, by hosting Erie High School, which reached the Class 5A state championship game last season. Unfazed, Butler struck out 15 Tigers and didn't walk anyone en route to a 1-0 victory. "I was really focused and took my time," Butler said following her complete-game...
The Niwot High School golf team continued its season at the Eaton High School Invitational on Aug. 29, where the Cougars secured a solid fourth-place finish among a field of twenty-five teams. The tournament at the Eaton Country Club saw Niwot achieving a team score of 226. Windsor High School claimed the top spot with a score of 204, followed by Fossil Ridge High School in second with 217, and Monarch High School rounding out the top three with 222. Niwot's top performer was junior Jackson...
Niwot High School's football team kicked off its season on Saturday, Aug. 31, with a tough matchup against Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ), a 4A team known for its strong competition. The Cougars, playing in Class 3A again this season, showed flashes of promise, but ultimately fell to the Spartans, 33-14. The game started on a positive note, with senior running back Haden Shaw scoring on a six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Junior kicker Caleb Roby added the extra point, putting the...
The Niwot High School boys soccer team opened the home season Saturday, Aug. 31, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Steamboat Springs High School on the Cougar's home turf at Niwot High. Niwot had opened the season with two games on the road, a 2-1 victory over Class 5A Legacy High School, followed by a 1-0 loss at perennial 4A powerhouse Cheyenne Mountain High School on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Against Steamboat Springs, Cougar senior Gavin Engtrakrul scored off an assist from fellow senior Naveen...
Everywhere you go this time of year you see Palisade peaches for sale. They are in season and delicious. The Niwot High School Instrumental Music is selling Palisade peaches through today. Order yours today here. Sometimes you buy a whole flat and wonder what to do with all those peaches. Here are a few ideas. CANNED PEACHES Submitted by Deborah Fowler Adapted from the Niwot Women's International Club Cookbook "My go-to is the regular canned peaches - I serve them on Christmas Day as a lighter...
Three writers for the Left Hand Valley Courier, Deborah Cameron, Vicky Dorvee, and Elise S. Marylander, were recognized at the Colorado Press Association (CPA) awards banquet for their articles from 2023 in the CPA's Better News Contest. Judging is conducted anonymously by journalists from another state, and awards are presented based upon size and type of publication. The Courier is a Class 5 publication as a weekly newspaper in a small community. Cameron, who writes for the Courier as well as...
Prugh Dunfee has been a vital piece of Niwot High School's theater and choral programs throughout her two years at Niwot High School. Now in her junior year, Dunfee has built an impressive theatrical resume and reputation. Dunfee has performed in the NHS productions of "Beauty and the Beast" (2022-2023), "Puffs," and "Shrek the Musical" (both 2023-2024). She has also performed in local theater productions such as "Sound of Music," "White Christmas," and, most recently, "Into the Woods."...
University of Colorado Professor of Linguistics Andrew Cowell spoke to a crowd of over 40 at the Grange Hall in Niwot Aug. 21 as part of the Niwot Historical Society's Now & Then Lecture Series. Cowell has focused his research on Native American languages, and especially the Arapaho language, which he speaks, as well as efforts to preserve it. He described how anthropologists learn about historic travels of indigenous peoples, in part by comparing languages of the Arapaho Cheyenne and other...
Kaige Kennedy, a senior at Niwot High School, recently returned home from the Dominican Republic with a gold medal around his neck, after representing the USA in the Latin America Baseball Classic (LABC). "It was really exciting getting to travel and play with a bunch of guys who know what they're doing and give it their all," Kennedy said. "The fact that we got to win the whole thing was surreal." Reflecting on the atmosphere of the final game, Kennedy noted that the team's mindset remained...
The Niwot High School gymnastics team is kicking off this season with exuberance and optimism for both its new and returning talent. Led by Coach Marisa Purcell, who is entering her ninth year with the team, and Assistant Coach Maddi York, the gymnasts are freshly prepared to compete. After landing in fourth place at last season's 4A state meet by less than half of a point from a position in second, the gymnasts are bringing an ambitious attitude. Senior Maeve Flentie has challenged herself on...
Senior Tyler Chivukula doesn't take his new role as a Niwot High School boys tennis team captain lightly. "I take a lot of pride in it," Chivukula said. "Team captains are always someone that's looked up to. In the past, I've always looked up to the team captains. Being the person that's looked up to now is a really big honor." Along with fellow captains Charlie Kirtland and Rex Wallington, Chivukula is looking to improve the Cougars' chemistry throughout the entire program, junior varsity inclu...
The Niwot High School girls volleyball team is gearing up for an exciting 2024-2025 season under the leadership of Head Coach Tony Engel. Coming off a strong performance last year, when they placed second in their league and secured a spot in the state playoffs, the Cougars are looking to build on that success with a new approach to the game. This season, the team will emphasize defense and ball control, a shift from the aggressive hitting strategy they have employed in the recent past. Last...
With a new-look lineup, the Niwot High School boys tennis team navigated a rather chaotic first week of the season. The Cougars were tested immediately in their opener, going up against two-time defending Class 4A team state title winner Kent Denver School. In a match that began on Monday, Aug. 19, and wrapped up the following day due to rain, junior Oskar Hansen's 6-1, 6-2 performance at No. 3 singles represented Niwot's only winning line. "It was tough starting with Kent because (they're) the...
As school begins again in full swing, so do the various fall sports, notably cross country. The Niwot High School cross country team recently geared up for the season's first invitational at Mountain Vista High School, a large Class 5A school in Highlands Ranch last Saturday, Aug. 24. This event was the first real test of the team's rigorous summer training program, and the athletes were met with a hot, but manageable environment, as temperatures ranged from a high of 90º to a low of 84º t...
The Niwot High School boys golf team faced another challenging week on the course, competing in two league tournaments that tested the golfers' consistency and resilience. On Aug. 20, the Cougars participated in the Centaurus League Tournament at the Indian Peaks Golf Course, where they tied for fourth place with Monarch High School, both teams finishing with a score of 308. Fairview High School claimed first place with a dominant score of 287, followed by Erie High School at 302, and Horizon...
Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) is a non-profit organization providing recreational and competitive sports experiences for children ages four to 18 in the Niwot, Gunbarrel and South Longmont area, and fall brings back the NYS flag football program. The NYS NFL Flag Football League is a premier youth flag football league for boys and girls that includes games against other NFL flag football teams in the Boulder County area. Flag football is a non-contact sport where players wear flags and defenders are...
Coming off a 3-7 season, Niwot High School's football team is aiming for an upward trajectory in a challenging new environment. The Cougars have moved to a new league in 3A, the North 2 League, which includes tough opponents like the Windsor Wizards and the Mead Mavericks. The reclassification sets the stage for fierce competition, but Head Coach Nik Blume remains focused on the bigger picture in his fourth season as the coach. Despite the challenges ahead, Blume's primary focus is on continued...
Last year, Niwot High School had over 60 student-led and created clubs. Niwot students are dedicated to their passions, and many returning clubs will be coming back bigger and better to recruit members at this year's Club Rush event on Sept. 4. During both A and B lunches, club leaders and other members will be outside at the front of the school with interest sheets, candies, and information about their clubs. This year, clubs such as Model United Nations, Best Buddies Club, Dance Club,...
The Niwot community and many of its events are made possible only through the efforts of community volunteers, people who dedicate their personal, unpaid time to make this town fun, eventful, and engaging. One such volunteer is Terry Larsen, treasurer and board member of the Niwot Community Association (NCA), an organization whose board is made up entirely of volunteers. For her volunteer efforts, Larsen is this month's Left Hand Laurel. Larsen has been a Niwot resident since December of 1999....
