How Does Niwot Work - Part 14

Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., is a non-profit parent organization that supports all activities at Niwot High School, from cross-country to chess club, from marching band to musicals.

Although booster clubs were historically organized to support high school athletic teams, Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., has been active in supporting all student extracurricular activities. You will often see parents and students from an unrelated activity selling concessions at a football or basketball game as part of a fundraising effort as well as to show school support for all activities. Other sources of revenue include a banner program offering businesses an opportunity to advertise in the gym or on a ballfield, and sale of school spirit items such as hats, shirts and bumper stickers.

The funds generated by the NHS booster club are allocated to all activities for a wide range of expenses. Funds furnished by the St. Vrain Valley School District are woefully inadequate to actually pay for all of the costs of running a high school sport or activity, whether it be uniforms, sheet music, baseballs, or camps.

Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., is somewhat of a reorganization of an earlier booster club, Niwot Boosters, Inc., that was administratively dissolved by action of the Colorado Secretary of state in 2003 after being incorporated by Bruce Warren in 1983, with Wynn Gill, Guy Martin, Sam Echelberger, Terri DeSousa and Gilberta Gara serving as the initial officers and directors. Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., was incorporated as a new and independent organization with a slightly different name to distinguish between the old and the new in 2003.

In addition to supplying funds for various sports and activities, Niwot High School Boosters has partnered with the Niwot High School Education Foundation, Inc., to improve the exercise and weight room at the high school, and to create an inviting outdoor space for students to gather.

Current officers are Donna Blondeau (president), Daniel Kuhlman (vice-president), Jennifer Bergen (secretary) and Deborah Rothstein (treasurer). Joining them on the board of directors are Mim Bovaird (grants coordinator), Jen Trotter (volunteer coordinator), Sarah Roberts (hospitality), Patricia Lady (school store manager) and Heather Lacey (concessions). The board has an open position for a marketing and social media position.

According to the organization's website, "We distribute grants to Niwot's many sports teams and the 40+ student clubs on campus, provide meals for teachers during parent/teacher conference nights and Teacher Appreciation Week, sponsor a safe after-prom for our students each year, promote parent socials, co-host a Trivia Night with the NHS Education Foundation, support school-wide projects through the Legacy Campaign, serve Exam Jam snacks during finals week, and sponsor the Senior Breakfast."

Funds for these projects come from parent and community donations of both time and funding, spirit wear sales, concessions, and banner sales. Membership is available for $50 (green level), $100 (gold level) and $250 (lifetime supporter).

The website states, "Although we fulfill a lot of different functions for our school community, our focus is on supporting student extracurriculars. We know that students are happier and more successful at school when they are able to participate in a variety of activities that interest them."

The board meets on the second Tuesday of each month during the school year, and will start up again in late summer. Many volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, visit http://www.nhsboosters.net.