Niwot senior Ridley Avila on completing CAS

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program was created in 1968 as part of an effort of "creating a better world through education." Nearly 30 years later in 2001, Niwot High School was authorized to become an IB school and offer students the opportunity to participate in this academically rigorous program.

But IB isn't just about difficult classes and stressful tests. To complete the program, the students must complete an extended essay, a course called "theory of knowledge" and a CAS project. "CAS" stands for creativity, activity, service, and is sometimes called the "heart of the diploma program.

While the requirements have changed over the years--from being more focused on community service hours with reflection to a collection of various projects--CAS has given the students the opportunity to serve their community, find their passions and refine skills such as problem-solving and self-reflectivity.

"Since our students engage in such a variety of experiences, writing reflections lets them determine which experiences they enjoy the most and have discovered passions," explained CAS coordinator and NHS librarian Julie Tyrell. "For many of our students, CAS experiences have influenced their college majors and career choices."

The idea of passion was something senior Ridley Avila really emphasized. Originally, he and a friend had a plan for a food and hygiene drive, but between COVID and some logistical hurdles, he had to scramble and come up with a new idea for his extended project. He ultimately spent somewhere between 60 to 70 hours creating a website, filming videos, doing research and more.

"If I didn't enjoy it, I would have died of boredom," he said. "It feels liberating and saddening... Even after the website was complete, and I began the fundraiser, keeping up to date [with it] consumed my time."

Avila and a friend who helped him with the videos and video articles focused on the Calwood Fires, inspired by the wildfires that swept through the West from September through November. He said he hoped to "raise awareness to the wildfires' devastation on the environment and people," and said, "I also want to inspire you into helping people and trees during wildfires."

For Avila, one of the most satisfying moments was looking through the site the night before it launched last November. This final "walkthrough" of the site was significant because it was the tangible result of all his work--from his original project to this one, bringing all of the research and resources together. He said that the whole process was enjoyable because of his love of history, but this research process wasn't without any hiccups.

"At the time I was making the website, the fire had just finished and so most of the information I could find was limited to news updates, rather than articles or another timeline... I enjoyed the process, but it was hard."

In addition to his project being a tool to educate the public on wildfires and replanting after them, he also set up a fundraiser that closed at the end of January. According to the fundraiser's webpage, the goal was to raise $200, and he exceeded it by raising $265. However, on another page of Avila's site, he includes links to help other individuals and communities who were affected by the fires last year.

For current students who are starting to think about their CAS projects, Avila recommends having a project they care about--or two, just in case "one of them ends up being a bust"--and to start early. As for students who are interested in IB, he said, "CAS, EE, IB, all of them require a lot of grit and determination to pass and excel in. Don't get too discouraged if you're not doing well right now, just remember that you have to get back up."

To check out Ridley's website, click here to visit.