Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Nederland’s Class of 2020 walked across the stage, received their diploma and turned their tassels on Saturday, July 25, 2020. The commencement ceremony was held outside on the soccer field at Nederland Middle Senior High School (NMSHS). 

Members of the Boulder Valley School District leadership who joined the NMSHS staff and parents to celebrate the students were: Dr. Rob Anderson, Superintendent; Dr. Sam Messier, Assistant Superintendent Northwest District; Randy Barber, Chief Communications Officer; Kathy Gebhardt, BVSD Board Vice President. 

Dr. Anderson has been to countless graduation ceremonies in his career and several just this year. Nederland’s was the final graduation this year in BVSD and his excitement for the 23 graduates from our little mountain town was palpable. He said, “Today’s graduation was a wonderful way to celebrate Nederland’s Class of 2020. While these students have gone through so much this year with the pandemic, it was great to see each senior get the opportunity to shine, surrounded by the absolute beauty of this area.”

Randy Barber said, “While graduation certainly looked a bit different this year, with masks and social distancing, I think the event was even more poignant for the graduates. They were able to come back together one last time - after months apart - to celebrate this important achievement. That was special and you could feel it.”

It takes teamwork and collaboration from the school and the district to create a special graduation ceremony for the students and their families. This year brought more organizational and safety challenges than other years. Barber added, “We have an amazing team at Boulder Valley School District, and it was remarkable to watch all of our employees come together to make 14 ceremonies over six days an absolute success.”

NMSHS Principal Rick Elertson welcomed the graduates and their two guests to the summer ceremony. Two months delayed because of Covid-19, all were grateful that the ceremony was able to take place. It was not the normal graduation ceremony with a huge crowd and with handshakes and hugs. Still it was genuine and meaningful. 

Mr. Elertson thanked the school staff who made the morning a success. Then he took some time to give a heartfelt thank you to the parents and seniors for trusting Nederland schools and staying to complete their high school education. 

Because of Covid restrictions three musical numbers were prerecorded for the ceremony. The Loquations sang The Star-Spangled Banner, senior Marguerite Bradley sang Don’t Rain on My Parade and senior Estelle Brewer sang Breakaway.

Each year a special award, Senior Who Makes a Difference, is given to a senior who shows exemplary attitude and commitment to the school. This student inspires those around them with their hard work and kindness. This year the honor was given to Estelle Brewer. 

The Commencement Address was given by senior Hadley Zotti. She spoke to her classmates on their friendships and accomplishments. Hadley spoke to the parents and school staff for helping them get to this place in their lives. With a few tears, this future teacher spoke with clarity and love. 

It was then time for the seniors to receive their diplomas. Senior class sponsor Liz Evans read the name of each senior. Since no awards banquet could be held, NMSHS counselor Aly Shambo read each student’s high school activities, accomplishments, future plans and scholarships received as the senior walked to the stage. 

There were smiles, cheers and clapping as each graduate took their diploma from a table. Mr. Elertson expressed his regret for not being able to actually give the diploma and shake hands with each of his seniors. He gave words of encouragement and congratulations from a few steps away. Graduation during Covid just has to look a little differently. 

The Nederland Class of 2020 was then asked to stand and shift their tassel to show that they have successfully completely high school. Cheers from parents filled the air as the graduates threw their hats up and celebrated the moment. A moment that was 13 years in the making. 

They will now take that big step and test their wings in the world. Class of 2020 you have not had the easiest last semester of high school. You have endured. Your school and community are proud of you!

Academic Awards for Seniors

Summa Cum Laude 4.5 cumulative GPA or above: Estelle Brewer, Hakan Chunton, Helen Cross

Magna Cum Laude 4.2 - 4.49 cumulative GPA: Marguerite Bradley, James Lammers, Lily Lindstrom, Cody Martin, and Ainsley Norman

Cum Laude 3.9 - 4.19 cumulative GPA: Brandon Schreiner

Academic Excellence 

Letter (Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for one school year): Shayna Beckham

Bar (cumulative GPA of 3.5 of higher for two school years): Christopher Francis

Star (cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for three school years): Caedon Hartman, Cooper Nielsen, Xoli Vickers-Hatwan, Hadley Zotti

Pin (Lamp of Knowledge) (cumulative GPA of 3.5 each year for four years): Marguerite Bradley, Estelle Brewer, Hakan Chunton, Helen Cross, James Lammers, Lily Lindstrom, Ainsley Norman, Brandon Schreiner, Alexandra Sorokach

Honor Roll for Senior Year 

Honor Roll (3.2 - 3.9 for 1st or 2nd semester): Shayna Beckham, Christopher Francis, Ranjan Malla, Liesl Nunemacher, Brandon Schreiner, Alexandra Sorokach, Xoli Vickers-Hatwan, Cora Worthington

Distinguished Honor Roll (4.0 or above for 1st or 2nd semester): Shayna Beckham, Marguerite Bradley, Estelle Brewer, Hakan Chunton, Helen Cross, Christopher Francis, Caedon Hartman, James Lammers, Lily Lindstrom, Cody Martin, Cooper Nielsen, Ainsley Norman, Brandon Schreiner, Alexandra Sorokach, Hadley Zotti)

Awards by Department for Seniors

Most Upcoming Graduate (in art) aka MUG Award: Shayna Beckham, Marguerite Bradley

Golden Baton Music Leadership Award: Estelle Brewer

Outstanding Senior in Mathematics: Hakan Chunton

Outstanding Senior in CS/Engineering: Cooper Nielsen

Outstanding Senior in Social Studies: Xoli Vickers-Hatwan

Outstanding Senior in Language Arts: Estelle Brewer

Exemplary Passion and Performance in the Field of Science: Estelle Brewer

Special Award, Senior that Makes a Difference: Estelle Brewer

Post Graduation Plans

Ash Beattie: Gap Semester

Shayna Beckham: Front Range CC

Marguerite Bradley: University of Northern Colorado

Estelle Brewer: Concordia College

Hakan Chunton: Gap Year then Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Helen Cross: Carleton College

Christopher Francis: Western College University

Nialla Gormley: Workforce

Caedon Hartman: Transitions

James Lammers: University of Colorado of Boulder

Lily LindstroM: Red Rocks Community College

Ranjan Malla: Front Range CC

Cody Martin: Rensselear Polytechnical Institute

Cooper Nielsen: University of Northern Colorado

Ainsley Norman: Reed College

Liesl Nunemacher: Earlham College

Brandon Schreiner: Colorado Mesa University

Thomas Shankey: Workforce

Alexandra Sorokach: Colorado Mesa University

Oliver Vernon: Gap Year 

Xoli Vickers-Hatwan: Colorado Mountain College

Cora Worthington: Front Range CC

Hadley Zotti: University of Northern Colorado

Scholarships Earned 

Marguerite Bradley 

University of Arizona gifted $72,000 

Nebraska Wesleyan $79,000

Oakland University combination of distinguished scholar award and nonresident award $67,460

St. Mary’s University $29,000 a year for 4 years $116,000

University of New Mexico $67,200

Oklahoma State University $58,380

UNC trustee academic scholarship $24,000

Talent scholarship for $15,000

Daniels Fund Scholarship for $84,656

Estelle Brewer 

Concordia College Presidential Scholarship $104,000

Cobber Edge $4,000

Concordia College Music Performance $8,000

Hakan Chunton 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) $315,400 

Helen Cross 

Teens, INC $1000        

Coe College Impact Award + Trustee Scholarship $122,000

St Olaf Buntrock Scholarship $100,000

Delta Scholar $2,500

BoCo $500 Bruce Tashiro Boulder County Track&Field

Carleton College $211,880

James Lammers 

CU Boulder Esteemed Scholars Scholarship $10,000 

CU Boulder Regent Scholarship $1,000 for freshman year        

University of Oregon Summit Scholarship $40,000         

University of Iowa National Scholars Award $31,600

Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholarship for the University of Montana $60,000

Oregon State University Provost Scholarship $36,000

Barbara Lawlor Memorial Scholarship $1,000        

Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association Scholarship $1,500

Cody Martin 

Rensselaer $191,200

Randy Sachter Memorial Scholarship $1,000        

Alan Green Memorial Scholarship $2,000

Cooper Nielsen 

Lions Club $1,000

University of Northern Colorado Bear Scholarship $10,000

Ainsley Norman 

Randy Sachter Memorial Scholarship $1,000        

CSU Merit $8,000        

Lewis and Clark $108,000

Reed College $182,320

Liesl Nunemacher 

Earlham College Faculty Scholarship, $64,000

Earlham College Music Scholarship $4,000

Brandon Schreiner 

Lions Club $2,500 

Sports 

Most Valuable Athlete: Cooper Nielsen

Most Valuable Athlete: Helen Cross

Scholar Athlete: Hakan Chunton

Scholar Athlete: Helen Cross

Most Improved Athlete: Lily Lindstrom

Most Improved Athlete: Hakan Chunton

Proud Panther “whoever participated in three or more sports all four years” 

Alex Sorokach

Proud Panther “whoever participated in three or more sports all four years” 

Helen Cross

(Originally published in the July 30, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)