The people who bring you the news

The Left Hand Valley Courier has been fortunate to have devoted staff members who bring you the news every week. We profiled many of our staff members a year ago, and have had some new valuable additions this year and thought you might want to know who is reporting what you like to read.

Amy Calderon

My name is Amy Calderon, and I’m a student at Niwot High School. Born and raised in Colorado, I carry within me Mexican roots that have deeply influenced my identity and values. Growing up with this cultural background, I am grateful to be bilingual in Spanish and English, which allows me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Since I was young, sports have played a significant role in my life. I spent ten years as a gymnast and also played tennis at the same time. While I have retired from gymnastics, I remain dedicated to tennis, which has become my primary sport. Playing sports not only keeps me active, but also builds my character and strength, teaching me discipline, perseverance, and the value of teamwork.

At school, English is one of my favorite classes as it allows me to express myself and share my ideas creatively. I enjoy writing, especially when I can reflect on personal experiences or explore new perspectives.

Choir is another passion of mine where singing gives me a chance to connect with others and bring emotions to life through music. I love expressing myself through different outlets whether it is through sports, writing or music. I am very excited and look forward to gaining new experiences and writing for the Left Hand Valley Courier.

Melissa Johnson

I began writing for the Left Hand Valley Courier this past August. I am a Colorado native, born and raised in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. I grew up in a large family and am the youngest of six children - all girls. Growing up with five older sisters helped me shape my personality and love for sports, the outdoors and writing.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Digital Marketing from Colorado State University-Global Campus. However, writing has always been a passion of mine. My love for writing is fueled by my love of reading, which I spend several hours doing every day.

I am married and have two children, ages 17 and 10. My daughter is a senior in high school and my son is in the fifth grade, soon to be in middle school. Both are avid athletes which keeps me busy throughout the year with the various sports they play. Our family also consists of two rescue dogs, Buddie and Penelope and our lifelong cat, Lily.

When I am not coaching my kids or cheering them on from the sidelines, I enjoy staying active. I play competitive softball and travel around the country playing tournaments. I also enjoy taking the dogs for a walk or challenging myself with a hike, such as the Manitou Incline, which was a bucket list item I recently completed. I am also no stranger to the iconic local 10k race, the Bolder Boulder, which I have been participating in for over 20 years.

I hope readers enjoy my stories, and I look forward to writing many more with the Courier.