Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. This week for our look at Nederland’s Class of 2020 I interviewed two amazing young women. I am impressed with their accomplishments, poise and clear vision for who they are. I am confident that they will make this world a better place, because they already are. 

As we recognize all the seniors I hope we all celebrate where they have come from, our community. F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Don’t forget who you are and where you come from.” Our roots keep us grounded and alive. These two women who you are about to read about are grounded and I believe will have amazing futures.

Ellie Brewer

Ellie Brewer is a life-long Panther. She started school in Nederland in Kindergarten. She has great memories of building leprechaun houses and dreamhouses. Ellie remembers at recess playing soccer and “groundies” a game the kids invented. 

There was no question in her mind if she would attend Nederland schools through graduation or not. Ellie thrives in the close community. She loves the welcoming learning environment and the superb music and theater program. She is passionate about singing and is very talented. Ellie has always been in the Spring Musicals and this year she has the lead female role. 

Ellie fills her plate up with activities and commitments. She plays volleyball, has been on Student Council and is currently on the Executive Student Council. She is a 360 Leader, a High Trails counselor and is a lifeguard in Boulder. She is in National Honor Society, has been in Loquations every year in high school, is in the CU Honor Choir and has been in the fall plays. 

So, you may think you know the type of person Ellie is…then she tells you that she plays hockey. She plays serious hockey. From September to April Ellie is on the ice in the center or wing positions. She plays for Team Colorado AAA Tier I team. She is so good in fact that she is going to be playing hockey at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Hockey is serious business and serious fun in the frozen land of northern Minnesota. I asked Ellie why she likes hockey so much and she said that she loves the teamwork and the strategy of hockey. And she smiles when she says that it is unique to be playing women’s hockey and she just really loves the sport. 

Ellie has been awarded $27,000 in scholarships from Concordia, Moorhead. She has not completely decided on a major yet, but she does know she wants to be involved in the theater program. 

With only a couple more months of high school remaining I asked Ellie to think about what she has appreciated about Nederland High School. She has loved knowing everyone, being in a close-knit class and having positive relationships with the teachers. She is grateful to Mr. Real, Mr. Geels, Ms. Strong, Ms. Yakubov and especially Ms. Evans. Ellie has worked closely with Ms. Evans in the Loquations choir and in theater productions for four years. She has also loved the AP classes that she has taken. 

Ellie tells me that her parents, Alan and Tracy Brewer, have been great mentors. She says, “They have taught me how to process my emotions, treat people with respect, as well as, encouraging me to push myself and follow my dreams.” 

Ellie hopes that other students at NMSHS will get to know their teachers and understand that they are there to help. Students should advocate for what they need and always show that they are trying. 

Xoli-Kahn Vickers-Hatwan

Xoli has been attending Nederland schools all her life. From Ms. Johanna in Kindergarten all the way through her senior year at Nederland Middle Senior High School. Xoli laughs as she remembers the annual circus that Ms. Mary Joyce had in physical education class and playing “groundies” on the playground with her classmates. 

In high school Xoli dedicated herself to playing volleyball for four years and has been the stage manager for theater productions all four years. It takes a huge commitment to be a stage manager and to do the job well. Xoli says that she loves the organizing, the planning and putting ideas into reality. 

High school has been memorable for Xoli because of her friends and teachers. She has loved the small classes at NMSHS and the caring community that the staff and teachers create.  She advises other students to enjoy it while you can because it goes by faster than you think. 

Xoli has loved the advanced classes of psychology, biology and anatomy. Being excited about these classes may give you a hint about the career path Xoli is choosing. Xoli is going to nursing school. She will be attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ, this fall. She has been awarded $5,000 in scholarships and will be attending NAU while paying instate tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange. Her goal is to be a nurse practitioner and with her gentle and capable demeanor I believe she will reach that goal. 

Xoli is passionate about caring for and helping others. She believes that support and love from others is something that everyone deserves and needs in their lives. 

Support is something Xoli has gotten from the village of people around her. She says that she has had a huge group of people mentoring her along the way. She is grateful to her mom, Heather, who has raised her as a single mom. She is filled with gratitude to teachers Mr. Real, Ms. Yakubov and Ms. Petrovic for their support. Xoli had a large list of people who have helped her along the way through her childhood and teen years. It is clear that Xoli cares for a lot of people and they care about her. 

You may recognize Xoli since she has worked at restaurants around town as a server. She has been doing this for years. She has worked at Ned’s, The Branding Iron and will continue to be a server through the summer until she begins her new journey in life in Arizona. 

More biographies will be coming from Nederland High School’s Class of 2020 in future issues of The Mountain-Ear. No matter how long they have been in our community let’s celebrate them and show the graduates that we care about each one of them.

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

(Originally published in the March 19, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)