Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. My hope for all the graduates in the Class of 2020 is that they find their passions, which may change as the years go on, they make the world a better place and that they thrive. While interviewing this 2020 graduate I had no doubt in my mind that she will thrive and already is. 

Marguerite Bradley

When I met Marguerite via Google Hangouts I was immediately impressed with her confidence, poise and friendly nature. She is driven by her passion for musical theatre and social justice. She wants to make the world a better place for everyone and spread that message on the stage.

Marguerite began her school career at Little Bear Preschool in Ms. Lisa’s class. She attended Nederland Elementary School from kindergarten through fifth grade. She loved going on field trips and being a part of the outdoor education programs. She fondly remembers teachers Ms. Sue and Ms. Sorrel. And has never forgotten how fulfilled and proud she felt as a fifth grader as her class walked out of the school for the last time and the rest of the school cheered them on. 

As a young girl, Marguerite went to the Boulder Dinner Theatre and saw the musical Cats. She says that was the moment she knew she wanted to be on stage singing, dancing and acting. She has been doing just that. Marguerite has been a part of the theatre program at Nederland Middle Senior High School (NMSHS) for years. She has also spent a lot of time in Boulder acting in other theatre and performing arts programs and taking voice and dance lessons. She is passionate about musical theater. 

While at Nederland High School Marguerite has been Class President, Executive Student Council Leader, 360 Leader and Sources of Strength Leader. She sings in the choir, Loquations and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has loved volunteering for the annual Harvest Feast at NMSHS as well as volunteering in the community at the Mountain Forum for Peace Sale every year. Marguerite is also employed at the Nederland Community Library. 

Marguerite says that no high school is perfect, but NMSHS has been perfect for her. She says that there is a special connection between the teachers and students in Nederland. She always enjoyed Mr. Real’s science classes and will miss the stuffed raccoon in his room. She has loved taking art classes with Ms. Redmon, music and theatre with Ms. Evans and the rigor of AP classes with Ms. Yakabov. 

The friendships made at school and in the theatre program are what Marguerite will miss the most from her time at NMSHS. It is especially sad considering the expectations of the senior year and what is now happening. 

I ask all the seniors who their mentors are and Marguerite, like all the seniors, did not hesitate to mention her parents. Her mothers, Theresa Bradley and Megan Blohm, are her favorite people in the world she says. Marguerite’s voice was so genuine and warm as she spoke about her moms and how kind, strong, caring and resilient they are. She looks up to them and they are her biggest support system. 

You may be wondering where Marguerite will be taking her theatre talent in the fall. It was not an easy decision. Marguerite was accepted into 15 universities. After all the campus visits and auditions and not feeling quite ready for a giant city like Los Angeles she has decided to stay in Colorado and will attend the University of Northern Colorado’s School of Performing and Visual Arts program. She will be majoring in musical theatre. Staying in Colorado means her parents and grandparents will still be able to see her performances, which is important to all of them. 

Marguerite has received thousands of dollars in scholarships. She has been awarded scholarships from UNC-Greeley as well as the prestigious Daniel’s Fund scholarship. This scholarship is highly sought after and is given to students who are highly motivated and according to the Daniel’s Fund website show honesty, compassion and are self-reliant. This scholarship will cover all the costs that the institutional scholarships are not already covering. This scholarship is for young Americans who show a need for financial assistance and who the Daniel’s Fund believes will use their education to make the world a more positive place. 

Marguerite hopes to one day be on television, in film, on Broadway or even all three. Through the performing arts she wants to act, write and produce. She wants to show through this medium how we can be a more empathetic society. She wants to raise the voices of people who do not have a voice and who are silenced by our society. 

I, for one, will be looking for Marguerite’s name in a few years as she hones in on her skills and readies herself for a life of educating others on being honest about our biases and that we do not have to fear someone that appears to be different than we are. We have more in common than differences and we need to accept and love people no matter the differences. 

(Originally published in the April 16, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)