Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Nederland Middle Senior High School students have been busy participating in several activities this fall. Students have their regular studies along with a variety of activities to choose from. Some students are involved in the music and theater programs. Some are in student council and robotics. There are those who play sports and some who are impatiently waiting for the ski season to start.

In a small school like in Nederland many students are involved in multiple activities throughout the school year. Students, coaches and advisors need our support and encouragement. They work hard if the season is long or short, inside or outside. They are learning team building and individual skills that will serve them well into their futures. 

We tend to hear about high school sports and sometimes forget about what is happening at the middle school level. This fall, middle school intramural and interscholastic sports have been in full swing. Intramural sports (IM) is an introduction to athletics with an emphasis on participation and enjoyment. The programs last about three weeks and concludes with a culminating activity with other BVSD intramural teams. The middle school interscholastic athletic program (IS) is a transition between middle level intramurals and the more competitive high school programs. This program offers an emphasis on participation and enjoyment with increased attention to coaching and skill development. 

In the fall, IS cross country runners competed with other BVSD middle schools at several cross county meets. Middle school students also participated in IM girls volleyball and flag football. 

The culminating IM activities were held in Nederland. Different schools play each other at the same time and then rotate to play another school for a set period of time. 

The IM flag football team was very organized and played exceptionally well. Coach Brian Schultz led this team in a way that showed that the kids loved the game and loved working with each other. 

Middle school girls on the IM volleyball team were coached by Stephanie McCollum. At the culminating event it was clear how much these girls enjoyed playing volleyball. They supported each other with great enthusiasm and energy. 

It was fantastic to see these middle schoolers working hard, participating in a sport that they might have never tried before and being so positive and encouraging to each other. 

Later in the school year there is girls basketball, boys soccer, girls soccer, wrestling and track. Take a look at the Nederland Middle Senior High School website (neh.bvsd.org) to learn more about all the activities at the school. 

(Originally published in the October 10, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)