Cougar pride on display for homecoming

Niwot community pride was on display during last weekend's homecoming events.

Friday afternoon's bright sun and cool temperatures set the stage for the parade, which returned following a pandemic-induced break.

Junior Olivia Lacert was watching with friends from just outside 1914 House. "I'm excited to go to a homecoming game and to have the dance this year," she said. "I love dances. Last year we didn't have a lot of school events, so this is pretty cool. The football game is later and I'm singing the national anthem there with the choir."

One of Lancert's friends, baseball player and junior Jaedyn Adler said he was excited for a returning show of school pride "after not having school and not being together, hanging out with friends. There's definitely going to be a lot more pride in our school."

Adler continued, "Honestly, freshman year we took things for granted. Since coming back from a pandemic it's time to come together, show unity, and show cougar pride."

From a vantage point across from the town sign on 2nd Avenue, the first sight of the parade was a group from the school's cross country team leading a fire truck and the Boulder County Sheriff's escort past retailers and restaurants. Typically known to be first in a procession, this time the vehicles held back.

"It's just the team's regular after school practice," a Niwot student said, half-seriously.

Onlookers cheered the sports teams and coaches, club groups, student council, and homecoming court that highlighted the parade in a series of classic cars.

The community also welcomed back Niwot High School alum and Olympian Elise Cranny. After a visit to view the high school following renovations two years ago, it was her first large-scale community event since competing in Tokyo. She was part of the parade, driven by her parents Bob and Sandy Cranny, while sitting alongside her high school best friend Tyne Curran.

"It's very full circle to be back," Cranny said. "To be able to see a lot of the faces that I felt the support of all the way in Tokyo is just very special. You graduate from Niwot but you're forever a part of the community and the team."

Cranny's homecoming day included a visit and tour of the high school where she was able to see renovations that had happened since she graduated in 2014. She also met with students with an aim toward inspiring them to be their best in their sports and in their classes.

Cranny said she joked with the cross country coaches that they had to get their runners a float next year. Then she answered a question about whether she had a float in homecoming parades when she was a student. "I don't remember," she said after a pause."I don't think we did. Gotta run when you can."

The parade ended at the high school's parking lot where football players prepared to board a bus to take them to that night's game at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. Restless and slightly rowdy, they posed for a photo before boarding a bus that would take them to the homecoming game against Riverdale Ridge, which they won by a score of 34-20.

Cougar senior, running back, and linebacker Osman Ochoa appreciated those who cheered them on. "It was awesome to feel the support of the community. Because of Covid, last year we didn't get to have this many people coming out for us."

In a quiet moment after the parade finished, Niwot High School principal Eric Rauschkolb said, "Today really showcased the different groups in the school. It was neat for us to be able to pay everyone back for all the support we receive by doing a parade, throwing candy, and helping the little kids celebrate.

"This year, there were more groups that participated. More students, more teachers. The turnout from the community was bigger than everything we've seen before."

He added that events during the week, including a series of dress up days, had a lot of participation. "On Monday we had the first pep assembly that we've had in two school years. It was outside and it was tremendous. So much fun. Hundreds of kids showed up for the barbeque on Tuesday as well. It's been the best week."

Jaedyn Adler's mom, Jessica, watched the parade from just down the street from her son. She'd grown up in Niwot and, as a Niwot High School graduate, the day brought back memories for her of past parades in the '80s and '90s.

"We're just here to show support to the high school," she said as closure to her conversation. Then she turned to cheer on the first segments of the parade that were just turning the corner and coming into view.