Student of the Month Ponderosa 2020-2021

Congratulations to the Students of the Month from Ponderosa High School for the 2020-2021 school year!

Riley Gordon, Ponderosa Student of the Month for May

Congratulations to Riley Gordon, the Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Riley joined us on Zoom along with her parents Jarret and Eileen Gordon and English teacher Dana Swanson.

Riley has served the Ponderosa community in a variety of roles, including as reporter for the Technology Student Association, on Link Crew, and as parliamentarian for National Honor Society. Riley is the founder of the Outdoor Classroom Task Force, a project to create an outdoor learning space at Ponderosa. Ms. Swanson commented in particular on Riley’s multi-year involvement with PeaceJam, which she currently serves as the co-president. (PeaceJam is an international organization whose mission statement is "to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody.") Riley has also served the larger community by volunteering at food drives and food shelters, by mentoring elementary students in reading during the summers, and by writing to seniors in retirement homes who were isolated during the COVID pandemic.

Riley plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study biomedical engineering with a minor in Spanish, with the goal of eventually becoming a surgeon. Congratulations on all your achievements, Riley, and we wish you all the best!

Nicole Fritz, Ponderosa Student of the Month for April

Congratulations to Nicole Fritz, the April Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Nicole joined us for our April 15 meeting, accompanied by her mom Allison and by her Spanish teacher Danelle Stanton. Ms. Stanton credited Nicole with being dedicated, thoughtful, kind, positive and encouraging.

Nicole has served the Ponderosa community on student government and on Link Crew, as well as being involved with FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). Nicole lettered in cross country three years and served as team captain. She also plays basketball and volleyball, and plays saxophone in band.

Nicole plans to attend Colorado School of Mines to study engineering. Best wishes in this new adventure, Nicole!

Jack Baumbach, March Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School

Congratulations to Jack Baumbach, the March Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Jack joined us by Zoom with his father Jack and Assistant Principal Natalie Muñoz-Garcia.

Jack has served the Ponderosa community in a wide variety of roles, from DECA and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) to Student Council and National Honor Society. He has been active with Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention outreach, all four years of high school, serving as co-president for two years. He has also served on the Activities Cabinet for Ponderosa and as a student representative to a Douglas County School District committee. Jack has played both football and basketball all four years of high school. With all this, Jack maintains a strong GPA.

Jack plans to attend Colorado State University to major in Civil Engineering. We wish you every success, Jack!

Allie Yarochowicz, Student of the Month for February – Ponderosa High School

We were happy to welcome Allie Yarochowicz, the Student of the Month for February for Ponderosa High School, to our meeting on February 11. Allie was accompanied by her parents, Skylar and Rob, and teacher Dawn Hildenbrand.

Allie currently serves as the president of both FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and TSA (Technology Students Association) at Ponderosa. She was the FBLA 3D Animation State Champion last year, and went to state for Digital Video Production in the 10th grade. She took second place in the TSA State Robotics Competition last year. Allie has achieved academic letters throughout her high school career and has also achieved a letter in community service. In addition to her academic achievements, Allie played soccer for Ponderosa for two years.

Allie is planning to study engineering/animation. Her dream job would be to work as a Disney Imagineer. Congratulations, Allie – we wish you the best!

Yabsira Nigussie, Student of the Month for January – Ponderosa High School

Congratulations to Yabsira Nigussie, the Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! She joined us for our January 14 Zoom meeting, accompanied by her mother and her teacher Jill Nabena, who commended Yabsira for her “inclusive personality and character.”

Yabsira has served the Ponderosa community in a variety of roles. She is on the Student Council Executive Board and the NHS Executive Board. She also served as the President of the Women’s Select choir and in PAC, Link Crew and DECA. Yabsira played tennis for Ponderosa for two years. She has also served the larger community on Diversity conferences and as a library volunteer working with children.

Yabsira plans to attend an out-of-state college to study nursing. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, Yabsira!

Student of the Month for December – Ponderosa High School

Congratulations to Carter Motichka, the December Student of the Month for Ponderosa High School! Carter was able to attend our December 10 Zoom meeting; also joining us were parents Kelly and Mark Motichka and Ponderosa coaches Max Schuman (basketball) and Jaron Cohen (football).

Carter is a triple threat, with strong academic skills, athletic skills, and a record of service to the Ponderosa community. He has played varsity basketball and football (serving as team captain) and is First Team Academic All-State. In addition, he has lettered academically all years of high school and is currently ranked 6^th in a class of 346.

Carter currently serves as student body treasurer at Ponderosa. He has also served as a Link Crew leader and on the Student Advisory Group. He has worked with youth in various Hawks Football and Ponderosa sports camps in both football and basketball.

Carter hopes to major in biology on his way to becoming a neurosurgeon. We wish you the best, Carter!