Student Council President has leadership in her future

When the coronavirus pandemic cancelled athletics and in-person learning for Colorado schools, it was a shock to the system for student council president Natalia Storz, who may be the busiest student at Niwot High. But like any successful leader, she had a prudent outlook about losing so many important senior milestones and how the Cougar community can move forward even stronger.

"This is definitely a learning experience and a pivotal time for the Class of 2020," she said. "It has definitely been hard to have the things we've been looking forward to get taken away all at once. We had started to plan Senior Night, Senior Sunset, and the Senior Countdown. But in a way, we've also realized that we shouldn't have to wait for the end of the year to get close and to feel like we should celebrate ourselves. This has shown us how being together and building community should happen all the time, particularly during senior year."

Building community has been one of Storz's main pursuits during her time at Niwot, and she has the resume to prove it. Aside from her service on student council, Storz was active in the Environmental Club, Spanish Club and National Honor Society, and she also served as the student representative to the Niwot High School Education Foundation. Not content with that, she was also a varsity midfielder on the girls soccer team and held a part-time job at Lucky Pie. But as busy as she is now, Storz said she wished she'd gotten an earlier start.

"As soon as I started getting involved in different things, I had such a great time and I met a variety of people that were really amazing. I wish I had gotten involved sooner, because when I did, my high school experience really took off in the best possible way."

Losing the 2020 soccer season was especially hard for Storz, a three-year veteran of the team. She was preparing to make one last run at the Northern League title with her 10 senior teammates, who have been playing together for most of high school.

"We were all looking forward to our senior season, when it would all culminate in something really awesome," she said. "We wished we could go out on a really high note, and hopefully leave a legacy behind that was really positive...and set the example for how seniors can work together."

On the academic side, Storz completed Niwot's demanding IB diploma programme and is now patiently waiting for her scores. She was particularly challenged in Contemporary History class, and singled out its teacher, Beth Lozen, as an influential part of her Niwot experience.

"She's not only a fantastic person and teacher, but she really goes above and beyond to push her students to think critically about the world around them, and not necessarily always from an American perspective, which has been super important and informative for me."

She also developed a close relationship with her counselor, Leah Messinger, a Niwot student council alum herself.

Storz is heading to CU-Boulder next fall to study architectural engineering, though that plan is still subject to change. Not subject to change are her leadership aspirations, which landed her an exclusive slot in the Presidents Leadership Class, a four-year developmental program at CU for students interested in strengthening their executive talents.

"Leadership all the sudden became a really huge part of my life, and something that is really, really important to me. I've learned how to define my own sense of leadership, and it's definitely something I will continue in my life."

Meanwhile, Storz and the rest of the student council are working with the Niwot administration to impose some semblance of normalcy on the upcoming late-July graduation ceremony. She is also enjoying some bonus quality time with her older sisters, who moved back home when their campuses closed in March.

"They've been here through my college decision, they helped me with my senior countdown last Wednesday. So even though it was an unexpected twist of events, it's been really special to have them here."

While Storz admitted that a part of her will always mourn the lost opportunities of 2020, she said she also has a wealth of memories to rely on, and will always treasure her four years as a Cougar.

"I'm so glad that four years ago I chose Niwot. This community has given me so much, and I'm so, so grateful for the experience I've had here. I'm so sad to leave Niwot High School, but at the same time, I know my teachers, my classmates, the administrators, and everyone else in this community has given me what I need to move forward in the most positive way."