Richard Fortunato

“Big Richard Fortunato” has been a student in Nederland since preschool. He says his fondest memory is playing lunch football with all the boys in elementary school. He played basketball and soccer in the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades.

Richard is known for being athletic. He started as guard on the Panther’s basketball team and has a great threepoint shot. His passion for the sport of basketball is palpable on the court.

Richard says he loved hanging out with everyone and bonding with his best friends, which, along with the basketball season, he will miss the most about high school.

His motivation for staying in school is the desire to have a good job in the future. Richard’s favorite class was physical education. The teacher he recognizes for making his time in high school awesome is Ms. Rovenna Yakubov.

He would like to recognize Gavin, Kiryu, Max, and Nico as other students who helped him get through high school. Richard's passions include sports and making money. While in high school, he worked at Crosscut Pizza, Backcountry Pizza, and the Boulder Creek Lodge.

After graduating high school, Richard plans to earn his criminal justice degree. He advises future Nederland students to “have fun in high school while it lasts.”

When asked if he had anything to share, he responded, “Free Rio, free Tay K, and free Melly.”

Big Richard, congratulations on your 2024 graduation, and good luck in your future endeavors!

Tyler Gilmour

Tyler Gilmour is another lifelong Nederland Middle-Senior High School student graduating in 2024. He joined the Nederland school system in kindergarten. He says his fondest memories of elementary school was being in Mr. Bryan’s class with all his friends on Fridays, “joking around and having fun.”

Tyler played soccer for the Nederland Panthers in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades as a right defender. What he has loved about high school is seeing his friends and “getting to learn from great teachers.”

When asked what he will miss about high school, he responds, “My friends, sports, and my teachers,” which, along with the “great community,” has kept him motivated in school.

Tyler’s favorite class was Spanish. His favorite teachers were Mr. Sanders and Señor Gonzalez. He confesses that they made high school “amazing!”

“I am passionate about welding, it is one of my favorite things to do. I love spending time outdoors, fishing, horseback riding, and roping,” shares Tyler. He also loves the sights and sounds at Denver’s Country Bar and Dance Hall, the Grizzly Rose.

While in high school, Tyler worked at a couple local businesses. In the past, he worked for TEENS, Inc. Currently, he works as a lifeguard for Gilpin County Parks and Recreations.

Tyler continues to work toward earning scholarships and will be attending Wyotech in Wyoming to further his education in welding.

Tyler offers this advice to new NMSHS students: “Get all of your hard classes done first and focus on the credits you need to graduate and get as many of those done as you can that way your junior and senior year can be easy like mine was.”

¡Felicitaciones por tu graduación, Tyler!

Hayden Hardt-Zeman

Hayden Hardt-Zeman has been attending Nederland schools since kindergarten. His fondest memories throughout his years in school include the book fair, the carnival, attending art class, participating in sports, and singing in the Loquations.

During high school, Hayden played on the soccer team, and assisted with the girl’s soccer team. He has also worked at Tres Gringos and as an intern for The Mountain-Ear in 2024, though he has been helping out at the paper for many years.

Hayden is passionate about music, woodworking, and art. He likes frogs, Frank’s RedHot, and milk, and shares, “There will be no explanation to these.”

The community and not having a reason to leave are things that kept Hayden attending school. What he has loved most about high school include “the connections he built, freedom, sports, and free periods.”

Hayden’s favorite teachers were Evans and Modre. Another student who made life better at school for Hayden was Polina Savich. His favorite classes were woodworking and backpacking. Other favorite classes were pottery and singing in Loquations.

Hayden received a scholarship from The Mountain-Ear but has yet to decide on his plans after graduation. He will miss his friends most of all. He wishes all new students “Good luck.”

Congratulations, Hayden, on your graduation!

Abby Koziel

Abby Koziel has been attending Nederland schools since kindergarten. Her fondest memory is playing whole school dodgeball after end-of-day assemblies. She was active in Sources of Strength in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades.

What she has loved most about high school is seeing the community built by the students, teachers, administrators, and other school employees. When asked what has helped her stay focused on school, she admits the teachers played an important role in her motivation.

Her favorite high school classes were math. Abby confesses it’s a challenge to choose a favorite teacher or staff member, stating, “I’ve loved just about every person in this school.”

Abby says the same goes for choosing another student who has helped make high school better, but she mentions, “Asher Hughes is just one of many people that has done so much to help push me out of my shell in high school.”

She is most passionate about community building. Abby has worked at the Indian Peaks Ace Hardware store for two and a half years and plans to continue working after graduation. She will miss the people she has gotten used to seeing in the last 13 years.

For future Nederland students, Abby offers this advice: “Get to know the teachers. Some of them will impact your life in a major positive way you could have never expected.”

Abby, congratulations on your graduation and good luck on your future endeavors!

Opal Kinnikin

Opal Kinnikin is a longtime Nederland school student. One of her fondest memories is performing in Beowulf with Ms. Beavineau because it inspired a life-long love for theater.

Opal participated in theater and choir all throughout high school. She was a volleyball player in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades and a track and field team member in the tenth grade.

Aside from being very involved in Nederland Middle-Senior High School’s theater tech department, she has also worked at the Indian Peaks Ace Hardware and currently works at Busey Brews. Opal is passionate about theater and fashion.

She has made many friends throughout her time in school and says those friends have kept her attending school and focusing on academics. Her favorite classes were choir, theater, and nail tech at Boulder Tech.

Opal’s favorite teachers have been Ms. Evans, Ms. Yakubov, and Ms.Timkin. She says other students who have made life better at school include Abby Koziel, Asher Hughes, Blue Garcia-Paine, and Aiden Cleveland.

What Opal has loved most about high school is the theater community. She will miss “working the spotlight in the musicals and seeing friends regularly.”

After high school, Opal plans to attend Technical College to study Cosmetology. Her advice for future Nederland students is “Always be yourself, no matter what other people want you to be.”

Congratulations on your graduation, Opal!

Trinity LeBlanc

Trinity LeBlanc has been a Nederland Panther since kindergarten. She loves being outside, skiing, hiking, or biking, exclaiming, “So Ned isn’t the worst place to grow up.”

Her fondest memories include Ski Day every year when she could ski with classmates and teachers. Additionally, she looked forward to performing the “Thriller” dance every Halloween and the fifth-grade dream houses.

Trinity worked at New Explorers Preschool as a teacher’s assistant and at Crosscut Pizza while attending high school. She is passionate about her time volunteering at Eldora as a Ski Patroller, enjoying learning how to take care of injuries with limited supplies.

Trinity participated in alpine skiing and soccer every year in high school. Her other activities included cross country in the ninth, tenth, and twelfth grades, and theater in the tenth and twelfth grades.

She became a member of the National Honor Society in the eleventh grade and participated in mentorship in the eleventh and twelfth grades. She was a student council member in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades.

When asked what she loved about high school, Trinity responded, “All of the amazing teachers, being a High Trails counselor, field trips like the two-day backpacking trip, being in the homecoming parade, and being a part of the winning team in Powderpuff Football each year.”

Trinity says the access to the outdoors and the attention from a small school have made it easy to stay in school and pursue an academic career. Her favorite classes were anatomy, physiology, and backpacking.

Mr. Real taught Trinity new and interesting information and always encouraged Trinity, making him one of her favorite teachers. “He helped me believe in myself and is the main reason I want to pursue nursing.”

A student who made high school life better for Trinity is Kyleigh McLaughlin. “She has been one of my close friends since preschool and always makes me laugh and seeing her makes my day better,” shares Trinity.

Trinity has received the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship to the University of Utah, which she plans to attend to earn a nursing degree. She will also receive a wilderness EMT certification this summer.

Trinity will miss the tight-knit community of Nederland and offers this words of advice for future students, “Do everything you can when you are in high school like hang out with your friends, go on school trips, participate in pep rallies and spirit days because it is all super fun. Also, don’t hold your breath in science class.”

Congratulations on graduating high school, Trinity!

Kyleigh McLaughlin

Kyleigh McLaughlin is a lifelong resident of Nederland, attending school in town her whole life. Her favorite elementary memory is going to play on the field to play kickball and tag games. “I loved spending time outside with all my friends!”

During her four years in high school, Kyleigh played soccer. In the eleventh and twelfth grades, she was a member of the National Honor Society and was involved in StuCo in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades.

She worked at Junior Rangers for Boulder County and the Backdoor Theater. Her professional experiences also include working with a family friend to repair student housing in Boulder and owning a business.

Kyleigh is passionate about helping others, including people, dogs, and the environment. “I’ve always been interested in helping others to accomplish their desires, or even giving a kind hand when someone is in need,” says Kyleigh.

“I’ve had amazing friends and mentors at Nederland who have guided me and helped me to pursue what I wanted. They have helped me gain confidence and not let me stop even when I wanted,” confesses Kyleigh.

Her favorite class was tenth-grade anatomy with Mr. Real, learning about the body while dissecting a cat. “Naturally, my group and I named our cat and had a blast,” Kyleigh says. Anatomy motivated her to pursue a career in medicine.

One of her favorite people is Ms. Rovenna Yakubov. Kyleigh says Ms. Yakubov made high school more enjoyable. “She is motivating, funny, and always pushes me. She has always believed in me and made me feel heard.”

Kyleigh continues, “Although I love her for all of those reasons, the main contribution that Ms. Yakubov has made in my life is understanding. She always listens and gives her honest input, yet does so in a way that makes everyone feel understood.”

“My forever thanks and love goes to Ms. Yakubov for her incredible nature and ability to understand and support everyone around her, for always uplifting others, and for working hard to give us the best environment to foster growth.”

Kyleigh appreciates all her friends who have gone above and beyond throughout high school. Sharing, “Every one of them has been amazing. Trinity LeBlanc has brought an uplifting light to my time in high school. She never fails to make me laugh, and always makes sure others feel included.”

Lauren Dirr is another friend Kyleigh wants to acknowledge. She says Lauren has never failed to be there, always putting everyone else’s needs before her own, and continues to show each person love and kindness.

Kyleigh has been accepted into a President’s Leadership Class program at CU and offered a $1,000 scholarship. She has also been awarded a CU Esteemed Scholars award of $4,000 per academic year and a yearly $1,000 Regent scholarship.

Kyleigh plans to attend the University of Colorado for integrative physiology, with a minor in leadership studies.

Kyleigh has loved participating in activities and sports with friends, sharing, “I’ve had a wonderful experience growing up with those I love and seeing the path each decides to take.” She will miss being close to friends. Expressing, “It will be different not seeing any of them regularly anymore.”

Kyleigh advises new students to, “Take advantage of having a small school. Play every sport you can, because it’s more than likely that you will be on varsity even if you’ve never played before. Enjoy the close relationships with teachers, allowing individual attention and forming meaningful connections useful for further down the road.”

Thank you, Kyleigh, and congratulations!

Polina Savich

Polina Savich started attending Nederland schools in the eighth grade. She became a member of the National Honors Society and was a Mentor to NES fourth graders in the eleventh grade. She continued to be a part of the Mentorship program as a senior.

Polina worked at the Train Cars in Nederland for about six months starting in the summer and into winter break during her senior year.

Learning in a small school environment and connecting with people, even outside her class, is what Polina says she has loved the most about attending Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS). She will also miss her teachers. .

She shares, “The people I’ve made friends with, the wonderful teachers that make you want to keep learning, and the wonderful community,” are what have motivated her throughout her high school career.

She confesses loving all the science classes with Mr. Real and Mr. Wade. She also loved taking language arts classes with Ms. Yakubov and participating in choir, sharing that it was one of her favorite classes.

Polina’s favorite teachers include Mr. Real, Ms. Yakubov, and Ms. Strong. She credits her close friends Hayden Hardt-Zeman, Oskar Nunemacher, and Teaghan Hartman for making life better in school. She was passionate about swimming and soccer and plans to continue sports in college.

Polina received an academic award from Washington State University, which she plans to attend after graduation.

She leaves future Nederland students with this advice, “Always try to do the most. Be in the play, play all the sports that interest you, take all the fun classes, because you won’t be able to do that once you graduate, and believe it or not it comes faster than you think it will.”

Congratulations on your graduation, Polina!

Amaya Rose Sanovia

Amaya Rose Sanovia, also Waunsila Win, meaning compassionate woman, has attended Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) since the beginning of her senior year. She worked at TEENS, Inc. for a while.

“My high school experience was cut quite short with Covid, and moving states. But in this year that I’ve gotten to have, I have been able to make some lovely memories.” Amaya was homeschooled during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years due to the pandemic.

Her favorite subjects include geography, world history, health, art, writing, and French. She has enjoyed going to the local coffee shops with friends during lunch. She states, “Our hearts were happy, but not our wallets.”

Amaya says hanging out with her new friends at coffee shops has helped improve her independence and social skills. She’s made connections with peers and staff alike. She liked going to homecoming and prom.

“I love people. I’m happiest when I can be social with others and build memories. I’m still trying to find myself, or at least create something new. I love learning. I love routine and living a calm life.”

Amaya continues, “I love being around kids and volunteering or helping my community. In general, I guess I would say I’m passionate about kindness, compassion, empathy, and love.”

She will miss the structure the school provides, knowing that once she graduates the structure will change. She shares, “I almost feel like I’m getting left behind, while at the same time going on to greater things.”

In this new chapter of her life, Amaya will be responsible for building a new routine where she will find ways to “find happiness, community, and purpose.” She’s aware this new chapter will take bravery and devotion, and while she’s a little nervous and scared, she’s also “excited to live.”

Her favorite things about NMSHS include its proximity to home, allowing her to “try on at least 12 different outfits (laughing).” In addition, she found the school to be very welcoming and safe.

She feels lucky to have had great teachers. Amaya describes Mrs. Newberg as funny, lively, and a kind teacher, sharing, “She talked to me like a human, and never babied me. My maturity was acknowledged and appreciated by her.”

“Mrs. Newberg showed extensive dedication to her students through her detailed and effective grading system, teaching, and assignment layout.” Amaya found Mrs. Newberg’s devotion to her teaching and love for her students’ education and well-being something she could always rely on.

Blue Garcia-Paine was one of Amaya’s friends, making high school easier and more fun. Amaya says Blue “is a radiant and loving person, who made me, and I’m sure many others feel welcomed and safe.”

“It meant so much to know Abby and Jolie. It meant so much to me to have these two as such kind and loyal people in my life. With the scare of moving to a new state, these two impacted my happiness during senior year.”

After high school, Amaya plans to take a gap year to work on building healthy and productive life skills to better her transition to adulthood. “I want to learn how to live and enjoy new and exciting parts of my life, and this world.”

During the fall, she plans to apply to colleges to major in physiology to pursue her passion for helping and caring for people. Amaya advises future NMSHS students: “It’s a small school, so be kind to the staff and your peers, because you’ll see them at least four times a day, haha.”

She would like to thank all her friends and family for making high school great! Without their support, it would have been a lot more challenging. Congratulations, Amaya!

Kiryu Sugishita

Kiryu Sugishita, a big Boston Red Sox fan, has attended Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) since his freshman year. He played basketball all four years in high school and was accepted into the Honor Society in the eleventh grade.

He was a student at Nederland Elementary School and is now graduating with the 2024 senior class.

Kiryu has received scholarships from the Boulder Rotary Club and the Colorado County Clerks Association and plans on attending CU Boulder, majoring in sociology for the pre-law program and pursuing a higher education in law school.

Kiryu’s favorite part about school was making friends and playing basketball, which he will miss the most. His favorite classes include architecture and social studies. Kiryu’s favorite teachers were Mr. Geels, and basketball coaches John Leventhal and Stephen LeFaiver.

Another student who made high school better for Kiryu was Ricky Fortunato. Kiryu advises new students to “Make close friends and stay close to them.”

Congratulations, Kiryu! Best of luck in all your future endeavors.