Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. A couple of years ago, I started attending some of the sporting events at Nederland Middle/Senior High School. Every time I walked by the concession stand I noticed the same young woman seemingly in charge of it. 

This year when volleyball games started, there she was again. She was even at the outdoor concession stand during soccer games. Who is this high school student spending the time and taking the responsibility to do this for every high school home game? I also noticed that she had become an unofficial ambassador for the school. Guests would ask her questions as she was often the first person they would see when they came to a volleyball, basketball or soccer game. 

My curiosity was too much and I had to figure out who this amazing young woman was. Her name is Liesl Nunemacher. She is a senior in high school and has pretty much single-handedly run the concession stand for two years. Although a bit hesitant, Liesl agreed to an interview. I quickly became even more impressed with her.

Liesl, along with her parents and brother, moved to the Nederland area when she was starting elementary school. When I asked her to recall being a student at Nederland Elementary, she said that she loved art class and outdoor education. She also said that there were two teachers who she really looked up to. They were physical education teacher Mary Joyce and general education teacher Sue Hubert. Some of those elementary years were difficult for Liesl and Ms. Mary and Ms. Sue, who are both now retired, unknowingly helped her get through some of those tough days. 

Liesl said that she struggled academically at times, not knowing why some tasks were so difficult. While in middle school she took a series of tests. She found out some of her strengths and was also diagnosed with ADHD. 

Things didn’t change instantly. Liesl said, “I had to learn to self-advocate.” This was a challenge for someone who tended to stay quietly in the background. When I asked her what advice she would give to others in this situation, she said that although it can be scary one needs to learn to self-advocate and admit you need help. 

It surprised me when Liesl said that she has struggled with self-confidence. I would not have guessed it after seeing her comfortably talk with people and knowing she had just performed in a fall play at NMSHS. 

In middle school, Liesl joined the choir and it has become her passion. Music has at times become an escape as well as a comfort for her. She has been selected to be in the elite high school choir, The Loquations, for two years now. When Liesl talks about music, and even doing some songwriting, her face lights up and her smile beams. This is something that clearly feeds her soul. 

While in her sophomore year at NMSHS she volunteered at the concession stand. It was run by parents and Liesl said she was scared to ask if she could help that first time. She overcame her fear and volunteered as much as she could. When she was a junior, she stayed after school for the first home volleyball game, assuming she would be able to help out. No parent showed up to open the concession stand. Liesl took matters into her own hands. She went to the school office and asked if she could open the concession stand herself. The answer was a resounding, “Yes!” 

That evening she stepped out from the background. Since then, the concession stand has not been parent run, but Liesl Nunemacher run. 

Every home volleyball, basketball and soccer game Liesl is there to provide food and drinks. On the days when there is a home soccer game and volleyball game, she opens the concession stand outside for as long as she can and then runs inside to open that concession stand. Most of the time she does this on her own. There are times when she does have some help, which she is grateful for. 

Liesl says that running the concession stand has helped her overcome her fear of talking to the public. It has given her more confidence. She feels it is her place and she has really enjoyed getting to know the school staff and the regulars who come to sporting events. 

NMSHS’s assistant principal and athletic director, Chuck Doudna says, “Liesl has been a tremendous asset to our school and has taken ownership of the concession stand for home sporting events. Liesl is an amazing young lady who is driven, dependable and trustworthy. Her efforts are not focused on running the concession stand but making our school a better place for everyone to experience. Liesl will be greatly missed as she will graduate this year, but she has laid a strong foundation for others here at NMSHS to follow in years to come.”

Liesl will be graduating from high school in May. When asked what she will miss the most about high school she said that she will miss the close bonds with classmates and teachers. She has felt so comfortable at Nederland High School and has flourished. She is excited and nervous about the next chapter in life, college. She is planning to study music education. 

Before she walks across that stage in May, she will continue to open the concession stand for every home game. She is also very excited to go on a trip to New York City with the Loquations and the high school orchestra. This is a music competition, but they will have time for some sightseeing and taking in a show on Broadway. 

While working on this story, I had to ask two important people in Liesl’s life a few questions. I tracked down Ms. Sue Hubert and she said this about Liesl, “I have known Liesl since she was an elementary student at NES but I truly got to know her during chats on our neighborhood road. Over the past twelve years, I have watched her grow from a child walking with her parents to a senior driving her own car. I have enjoyed hearing about school, her friends, singing in The Loquations, and most recently she excitedly shared about completing her college applications and her plans to become a music teacher. I have always thought of Liesl as a very kind, mature, intelligent person and a caring older sister with a fun sense of humor. I will miss our chats when she leaves but I will look forward to hearing about college life and later about her successes as a music teacher!”

Liesl’s mom, Jenny Nunemacher, says about her daughter, “I am so proud of Liesl for all of the ways that she gives back to the NMSHS community that are not flashy or exciting, and yet they make her feel involved and valued. She really owned this job (at the concession stand), and as a parent that is so exciting to see.”

Jenny is a mom who has seen her daughter struggle at times and has given her the supportive roots to grow and wings to fly. 

Thank you Liesl for supporting your school in such a unique way. Thank you for being that young woman in the concession stand game after game. You kindly answered my questions when I did not know where the restroom was or where the Nederland fans sit. Your dedication is impressive and your smile contagious. I know everyone who knows you hopes your last semester in high school is a lot of fun and we really hope you come back to visit because we will not forget you, and we will want to know where your wings have taken you. 

(Originally published in the December 5, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)