NEDERLAND - Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) celebrated homecoming during the week of September 23 - 28, 2024. This most exciting week of the school year was celebrated each day as students and staff dressed up and honored the Panther spirit.
Thursday the activities intensified with a Powder Puff Game. It was the freshmen/seniors vs. sophomores/juniors, and the game ended in a 28-28 tie. Eva Wrobel kicked a tie-breaking field goal for the sophomore/junior team.
On Friday, the Nederland High School Cross Country team traveled to Estes Park for the Longs Peak XC Invitational. With two meets down, Coach Gavin Coombs says that the runners are off to a great start and have established some “some really big personal records already.”
He added, “The team put in a lot of work over the summer and it is really showing! Our captains, senior Lukey Mahorski-Bodley and junior Abby Hess, are doing a great job leading the team and making sure we are continuing in the right direction.”
Sophomore Amika Begin and junior Ben Weber are off to great starts this season and leading the team. Coombs said, “We have our league meet on October 5, and we are ready for a really strong performance.”
While the cross country team was running in Estes Park, the middle schoolers at NMSHS were playing Capture the Chicken, and the high schoolers were celebrating with the annual homecoming pep rally.
This is a pep rally filled with activities, where both students and staff participate. There is always the highly anticipated pie eating contest. There’s “which class can yell the loudest”; there’s “spike ball”; and there are other games that are fun to watch and be a part of. The joyful roar of school spirit rattled the beams and could be heard outside the gymnasium as the classes cheered each other on.
The JV and varsity volleyball teams played Twin Peaks Charter Academy on Friday night for their homecoming game. The teams are coached by Nicole Zotti and Nancy Bodnar.
The undefeated JV team took to the court first. They remain undefeated after their match with Twin Peaks.
And if that game wasn’t exciting enough, then came the varsity game! Two well-matched teams faced each other across the net. The first game went to Twin Peaks. The Panthers clawed their way back to win the second game.
With six seniors on the team this season, the Panthers have a depth of experience on the court. Before the game, Coach Zotti said of the seniors, “Their experience and leadership are what will propel this team forward this season.”
On that night both teams showed grit and determination. Every point was hard fought with Zotti telling her team during the game when they were down by a few points, “Keep swinging, one point at a time!”
The Panthers have been working hard during the off season, and, according to Zotti, their “skill level improved vastly.” They had good control of the net and their serving was solid.
“We have a strong mental game, which is something we have been really working hard on over the past few years. One of our biggest challenges is believing in ourselves.”
The Panthers’ volleyball team has every reason to believe in themselves and their team. They came back from behind to win game 4 and then they won game 5. They won the match by a score of 3-2. It was an exciting evening of volleyball.
The team’s overall record is now 4-6.
On Saturday, September 28, the NMSHS Homecoming parade was the center of attention. Each high school class decorated a float with the theme of “Mario Kart.” The students tossed out candy as they proceeded, and waved to all the spectators.
The Nederland Fire Protection District led the way with one of their trucks. Because of our gorgeous Fall colors and the annual “invasion” of leaf peepers, the parade weaved its way through a very busy town of Nederland. The parade ended at NMSHS, where the Panther Parents/PTA hosted their annual barbeque before the homecoming soccer game.
Nederland High School’s boys’ soccer team has 26 players and for the first time, both a JV and a varsity team. This is thanks to the consistent and enthusiastic coaching of Luis Gonzalez, the support of parents and the schools, and Peak to Peak Soccer, who teaches the youngest Panthers to play soccer.
Coach Gonzalez and his team played the Twin Peaks Charter Timberwolves for the Homecoming soccer game. Before the game, Gonzalez said, “These kids believe in what they do. It is great to work with them every day because they are a great group.”
The team has had to deal with some injuries early in the season. Gonzalez sees the team improving with every game and has the goal of reaching the playoffs.
With nine seniors on the team there is immense experience on the field. Starting goalkeeper senior Eli Weiner has been tending the net for four years. Freshman goalkeeper Tad Collins comes in later in the games to complete a solid goaltending team for the Panthers.
Senior Cedar Shupe made an early goal for the Panthers. Later in the game seniors Jayden Abookire and Jesse Siegel Gane added a point each to the score. All were assisted by their teammates on this well-balanced team.
When the whistle blew to mark the end of the game, the Nederland Panthers had won 3 - 0.
During half time the Homecoming Court was announced. Freshmen Court, Penny Bodnar and Naima Bullings; Sophomore Court, Amika Begin and River Lemaster; Junior Court, Sierra Tomlinson and Abby Hess. Senior Royalty included Eli Weiner (king) and Payton Kutscher (queen).
After all the sporting events were finished, it was time for the Homecoming Dance. Students and parents gathered at Chipeta Park for a photo opportunity with the beautiful Fall foliage. Everyone was in high spirits as they moved on to the community center for the last, most memorable of the 2024 Nederland Homecoming events.
Homecoming is always one of the most exciting weeks of the school year. There is a change of pace as the school celebrates who they are. All the hard work and dedication of students, athletes, coaches, and staff could be seen. Congratulations on an excellent 2024 Homecoming, Nederland Panthers!
