Wins and Panther pride for Homecoming week 2026
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Panther sophomore Owen Kreutzian moves the ball down field.
Vice Principal/Athletic Director Sean DePaula leads the NMSHS student body in cheers to get them pumped up for the Homecoming volleyball match, parade, and soccer game.
Nederland soccer coach Luis Gonzalez and Estes Park soccer coach Trent Abbott chat after the game.
Brothers Dylan Ralph (sophomore) and Julian Ralph (junior) embrace in congratulations after Julian's goal.
The Nederland Panther defensive line holds tight against the Estes Park Bobcats. Panthers (left to right): Max Wrobel (freshman), Casey Hambourger (junior), Legend Teller (sophomore), Isaac Levy (junior), and goalie Cole Slater (junior).
Senior Eva Wrobel leads the Panther crowd in cheers during the Homecoming soccer game against the Estes Park Bobcats.
Nederland Panthers Homecoming Court (left to right); Queen senior River Lemaster, King senior Finn Fitzer, Court junior Casey Hambourger, junior Naima Bullings, sophomore Legend Teller, sophomore Meko Eich, freshman Kale Mahorski, freshman Drea Basdeo.
Panther junior Isaac Levy stops the ball before passing to a teammate.
Completely surrounded by Estes Park defense, Nederland junior Julian Ralph kicks the ball, hits the ground, and the goal goes in.
Senior Evelyn Leary won the Homecoming hula hoop contest.
The freshmen rocked the class cheer.
The Homecoming pie-eating contest always get the loudest cheers.
Panther pom-poms add a colorful and festive touch to the pep rally.
Teachers Mr. Roberts and Ms. Mernin won the pie-eating contest.
Middle schoolers enjoy the Homecoming pep rally.
The Human Hungry Hungry Hippos game between the classes is always fun to see.
Students play Tug O' War during the Homecoming pep rally. The seniors and freshmen defeated the juniors and sophomores.
Senior River Lemaster delivers another spike for the Panthers during the Homecoming game.
Coach Nicole Zotti encourages her team during the third set.
The Nederland Varsity Girls' Volleyball Team is set and ready to receive a serve during the Homecoming match against Poudre Community Academy.
Panther senior Mars Gervais takes her turn serving during the match against Poudre Community Academy.
Senior Maxine Lammers Van Toorenburg goes in for senior Mars Gervais during the Homecoming volleyball match.
The freshman class get ready to present their Yellowstone National Park-themed float.
A student from the junior class dressed to fit the part for the class float theme, Denali National Park in Alaska.
Sophomores Leila Tarleton and Lily Troy stand in front of the Everglades-themed float boat.
Junior Kyle King poses in front of the Class of 2028 Denali National Park themed float.
Construction of the sophomores' Everglades National Park boat float.
The Nederland senior class in mid-construction of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park float.
The junior class Homecoming float included this Denali National Park sign.
NEDERLAND — Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) was filled with exceptional school spirit from September 28 to October 3 while the school community celebrated Homecoming.
The week was filled with a different theme each day for costumes and decorations. Each high school class decorated a hallway according to the specific theme. A powder-puff flag football game, a pep rally, volleyball match, parade in Nederland, and soccer game were also part of the festivities.
The pep rally included the long-standing pie eating contest. The teachers won again this year, with Mr. Roberts and Ms. Mernin taking home the victory. There were contests between the classes, such as Tug o’ War, hula hoop, Human Hungry Hungry Hippos, and Spikeball.
Vice Principal/Athletic Director Sean DePaula brought the loudest cheers when he led the student body in chants to support the athletic teams preparing for their games and bringing a sense of pride and unity to the Nederland Panther community.
The girls' varsity volleyball contest was against Poudre Community Academy out of Fort Collins, a Foothills League match up. They played Friday evening October 2.
“We are looking forward to playing Poudre," Coach Nicole Zotti said before the game started. "This has been the most successful first half of the season we’ve ever had. So proud of all the hard work these girls have put in…it is paying off.”
The Panthers took control early on in each game. Zotti encouraged her team to keep communicating with each other on the court.
Nederland won the match in three sets 25 - 10, 25 - 8, 25 - 9.
Their accurate and consistent serving proved again to be a huge asset for them. Of the 75 points scored by the Panthers, 20 of the points were scored by freshman Shayna Siegal Gane on her serves in the three sets.
“We do not have a weak server on the team,” Zotti said.
Zotti believes the team’s greatest strength is their grit. This team is resilient, has mental strength, and keeps improving.
Saturday morning arrived, and the traditional Homecoming parade made its way from TEENS, Inc. through Nederland and to NMSHS. Each high school class created a float designed with a specific theme based on National Parks. The freshman class had Yellowstone National Park and the sophomores had Everglades National Park. The juniors' theme was Denali National Park and the seniors had Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
The floats were creative and a great way to celebrate the 110th year of the National Park Service. The United States Congress created the National Parks Service on August 25, 1916.
After the parade, Panther Parents (PTA) hosted their annual Homecoming Barbecue at NMSHS. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, and beverages were on the menu. The grill was kept hot as the soccer game got going.
The Nederland boys’ soccer team played their Homecoming match up against the Estes Park Bobcats.
“The team worked really hard this week," Nederland soccer coach Luis Gonzalez said. "We talked this week about how important it is to focus and play hard in every practice and in every game and the players understood. We are ready to play against Estes Park, and I know the team will do very well.”
Coach Gonzalez was right. The Panthers defeated the Bobcats 8 - 1.
In the first minutes of the game, senior Simon Schlosser scored against the Bobcats. Alex Perez scored for the Bobcats. Schlosser scored two goals for the Panthers. Junior Julian Ralph scored three goals for Nederland. Sophomore Dylan Ralph scored two goals, and freshman Liam West scored one goal for the Panthers.
Coach Gonzalez is always proud of his players' positive attitudes, strong effort, passion for the game, and willingness to learn.
NMSHS Homecoming 2026 was a week of school spirit, classmates working together playing games and decorating, sports events, a dance, and a parade to demonstrate school pride to the community.
Go Panthers!
