Benjamin Nichols has been a student in Nederland for his entire life. From attending multiple pre-K schools throughout the town to elementary and middle school, and now finally graduating as a senior from Nederland High School, has been a staple student in Nederland for all of his life.

Throughout his school career, Ben has participated in an extensive collection of extra-curricular activities. Ben wrote that such activities were what he enjoyed most about high school, and “some of my fondest memories were made while doing them.” Through these pursuits, Ben was able to foster strong friendships and lifelong skills. Ben has also worked as a barista at The Train Cars for the past year and a half.

Throughout high school, Ben excelled in various sports such as cross country, soccer, and Nordic skiing. Further still, Ben was an active member of Nederland’s theater programs and band, from the moment he was a sixth grader through his final senior year. Ben was in theater tech for most years, but deservingly landed a lead role for Grease: The Musical in his junior year. He acted again in Guys and Dolls in 2022.

Some of Ben’s fondest memories of Nederland were created in activities offered by the school. Ben remembers becoming close friends with his classmates in elementary school, all of whom he is still very close to. He considers Nederland to be extremely special due to its small size. Going to the same schools with his same friends for several years in a row has allowed him to create close relationships that he will remember for the rest of his life.

Ben has also always been drawn to the musical arts and theory. He began playing piano off-and-on when he was four years old, and has stuck with it since. He has progressed to learn guitar, saxophone for the school band, and even violin this past year. Ben’s excellence in music drew him to University of Colorado Denver at the school of arts and media, where he will be majoring in recording arts with a minor in music business.

Even though he is heading off toward an exciting future, Ben stated that he will certainly miss the connections he’s made with the other students at Nederland, as well as his teachers. Ben wrote that his teachers Ms. Kelly Strong and Mrs. Elizabeth Evans, who taught history and band, “have just been the most supportive teachers I could have ever wished for”.

Ben encourages the underclassmen at Nederland High School to take advantage of the virtues of the tight- knit community that is Nederland. His passion for music has and will continue to carry him far.

Congratulations on graduating and heading off to UC-Denver, Ben!