Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Growing up and going to school in a small town is a very different experience from a city school experience. There are pro and cons to both situations, of course. Small schools often foster relationships between students and staff that last a lifetime. Connections are made that often do not exist in big schools. Neighbors work at the school or maybe a friend’s parent is a teacher. There is a sense of community that does not exist in other places.

I have always loved John Mellencamp’s song Small Town because I grew up in small towns (one of them being the one Mellencamp grew up in) and now I am raising my family just outside a small town. Some of the words from the 1985 song are “No, I cannot forget where it is that I come from. I cannot forget the people who love me. Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town, and people let me be just what I want to be.

Over the next few issues of The Mountain-Ear I will be introducing you to the Senior Class of 2020 from Nederland High School. I hope they take John Mellencamp’s words to heart. Because where you are from is part of your identity. It is one of the pieces that creates who you are. 

The Class of 2020 is a close-knit group. Most of them have been in school together for many years in Nederland. As they are about to embark on the next phase of their lives let’s take a quick look at where they have been and where they are going.

Shayna Beckham

Shayna started her time at Nederland schools in preschool. She has fond memories of Ms. Decker’s story time, talent times and a leprechaun shutting the power off. 

In high school Shayna has been involved in choir, soccer, volleyball, choir, 360 Leaders and is on the Honor Roll. She has appreciated the support from teachers at NMSHS. She is especially thankful for the support from Theresa Redmon and Ally Shambo.  

Shayna loves anything and everything about art. When we started to talk about art her face lit up and her smile beamed. Shayna will be going to Front Range Community College for two years and then plans on going a university to pursue Art. What area of art she is not sure because it is all of interest to her. 

When asked what advice she would give to other students she says to not let others put you down and always push yourself. 

Pushing herself is something Shayna has had to do. There have been challenges in her life and she has risen above the difficulties and been successful. Shayna was raised by Reva and Bill Ohlson, her grandparents. They have been her support and mentors. 

Shayna believes in being true to herself and following her talent and passion for art. 

Jamie Lammers

Jamie is another senior at NMSHS who has attended Nederland schools since preschool. When thinking back to his elementary years he remembers the fun of Friday Fun Days and the supportive teachers. 

In high school Jamie has been very active in the theater program and Loquations, a small audition only choir. He has been part of 360 Leaders, Sources of Strength and is in the National Honor Society. 

He has loved the school community and the support he has had for his passions of theater and writing. He has enjoyed the high school environment with the added freedom that it provides and the options of different classes. When asked what advice he has for younger students he says that they need to introduce themselves and find friends that connect with you. And when you need help reach out for support. 

Jamie has been an active volunteer with Wild Bear for years and has written for The Mountain-Ear while in high school.

Jamie has been accepted into several universities with thousands of dollars in scholarships from each of these institutions of higher learning. He has decided to attend CU-Boulder and has been accepted into their Honor’s Program. He is excited about the opportunities that CU will provide. 

Jamie is extremely grateful to his parents for their advice and always supporting him and his passions. He will always look back at his high school years positively as he looks forward to the college years. 

Cooper Nielsen

Cooper is probably one of the most recognizable seniors at NMSHS. He is over six feet tall, has distinctive sideburns, often wears his blue letter jacket and has an easy smile that lights up a room. 

Cooper has attended Nederland schools since first grade. His father also attended Nederland schools. In high school Cooper has been active in basketball, soccer, 360 Leaders, SAC, and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program. He played on the last two years of Nederland’s football team. When the football program ended he didn’t give up on the school or sports. Cooper joined the newly formed soccer team and excelled as a defenseman. This year he was the team captain on the Panther soccer and basketball teams. He also tried something new this year by being part of the theater program. Cooper has taken AP classes and is on the Distinguished Honor Roll. 

Throughout high school Cooper has appreciated the mentorship and guidance by teachers and coaches Chuck Doudna, Scott Geels, Brian Nelson, Rovenna Yakubov and Theresa Redmon. He is especially grateful for the love and kindness from his parents, April and Everett Nielsen. 

He has loved the small classes and the challenging upper level classes he has taken. He loves going to school and has been very pleased with the academics at NMSHS. When asked what advice he would give younger students he says to be confident and friendly.

Cooper will be moving to Greely to attend the University of Northern Colorado in the fall. He will be studying Secondary History Education. He wants to teach high school history classes and maybe even come back to NMSHS someday. He wants to have a positive impact on the world and help kids be the best they can be. 

Liesl Nunemacher

When Liesl Nunemacher receives her diploma in May she will be leaving a school where she has left her mark, or should I say Panther print. Liesl has been very active in choir, Loquations and have been in charge of the concession stand during athletic events since she was a sophomore. 

Liesl has been attending Nederland schools since first grade. She smiles when she remembers Ms. Decker reading the Mercy Watson books to the class and learning about the Civil War. 

In high school she has blossomed in the close community that the school is. She says, “We all live together in the community. We are a community.” She has loved going to a school close to home and the connections made with classmates and teachers. She says that Mr. Real and Ms. Evans have been very supportive of her at NMSHS. 

Liesl has also been involved in the theater program, Sources of Strength and is on the Honor Roll. She encourages younger students to try everything and find out what they really like then pursue that wholeheartedly. She also adds that it is important to get along with everyone. 

Liesl says her parents Jenny and Tyson are the most supportive people in her life. They have helped her through some frustrations and always stood beside her. 

In the fall Liesl will be moving to Richmond, Indiana. She will be attending Earlham College. Liesl is thrilled to be going to this Quaker school to study Music Education. Music, especially K-pop, is her passion. She would like to bring her excitement for music to elementary students someday. 

Look for more biographies on the Panther’s Class of 2020 in future issues of The Mountain-Ear. These young people of our community are about to step into a new phase of life. Let’s celebrate their accomplishments and cheer them on in their next endeavors. 

Schedule your senior interview with Sara by emailing ssandstrom59@gmail.com.

(Originally published in the March 12, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)