Student of the Week: Mercer Stauch

If being a well-rounded student means engaging with a wide range of opportunities for learning and success at school, then the term applies to Niwot senior Mercer Stauch, whose list of high school accomplishments isn't just long, but also varied. Whether in the classroom, on the track, or, most recently, on the stage for Niwot, Stauch almost never says no to a challenge, or fails to reach a goal.

Being well-rounded doesn't mean you can't have passions, and for Stauch, music and performing have long been an important part of his life. He said he started singing Disney songs "before I could talk," and piano lessons followed soon thereafter. His first stage role came at age five, and by eight, he was performing in up to two productions per year. By the time he got to Niwot High, Stauch was a seasoned performer who was eager to stretch his limits.

"I think I really fell in love with singing when I was in seventh grade," he said. "Because my school had an acapella group, and that was a next-level challenge in terms of music theory and vocal technique. So that definitely put me on the path to continue in high school."

It didn't take long for NHS choir director Laura Roberts to notice the talented tenor in her midst. Stauch quickly became a "huge part" of her choir program who was always willing to challenge himself during auditions. Not only has he been part of Niwot's top choral ensembles, Evenstar and Chamber, but he is also a four-year member of the St. Vrain All-District Choir, and, as a senior, was selected for the prestigious CU Honor Reading Choir and the Colorado All-State Choir. His contributions to her department go beyond his "amazing" voice, she said.

"Mercer is an incredible young musician," Roberts wrote in an email interview. "He accompanied one of our choirs on piano during a recent concert. He is also a leader in his choirs. Students really look up to him, and respect him, and know they can depend on him."

Stauch also is actively involved with Niwot's theater department and has appeared in all the school's musicals since his freshman year. On March 6, he capped off his Niwot career as Sam in the spring musical "Mamma Mia", a role that "challenged my acting type," he said.

"In my opinion, there are two types of roles for men in musical theater. One of them is, you're the younger character, and you're perhaps the love interest. Or there's the mentor or the father figure. And this is the first time I've actually ever played a father figure in any musical. And that's by virtue of me being a senior and being the oldest person in the cast. But it's something I've really enjoyed."

Stauch was also the student musical director for "Mamma Mia", which involved "basically, making sure people keep their music memorized." Even so, he went on to call "Mamma Mia", his "far and away favorite," of any production he's ever worked on.

While singing and acting keep the senior very busy, Stauch also finds time to compete for Niwot's track and cross country teams, but admitted he's not as competitive when it comes to sports. Nevertheless, the fall and spring athletic seasons fit very comfortably around the spring musical season, so he takes advantage of the opportunity to keep in shape.

Stauch makes ample time to help causes and organizations that are important to him. As president of Niwot's National Honor Society, he is currently planning a major fundraiser for Marshall Fire victims. He has been an active member of the school's environmental club, and led efforts to secure grants for and build an outdoor classroom. Stauch was also instrumental in helping the school secure a Green Star certification from the local Youth Sustainability Board, which he views as one of his most significant accomplishments to date.

But wait, there's more, as the old commercials used to say. As a junior, Stauch founded Niwot's student newspaper, The Green & Black, and served as editor for a year. Now he's a regular contributor to the foreign affairs beat, which has been eventful in recent weeks. In the classroom, Stauch is an accomplished Spanish and mathematics student in the school's IB diploma programme.

As for Stauch's post-NHS plans, he said: "I have a lot to consider."

He admitted to being torn between studying music or studying linguistics and international relations, and hasn't taken either off the table entirely. Currently, he is eagerly waiting for responses from at least four schools, including his top choice St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, which has "one of the best choirs in the world." Also on his list are American University, Occidental College, and Brown.

"It's because I'm looking for a smaller school," he said of his off-beat choices. "I've loved the small community of IB, so I'm looking to replicate that in college.