Weekly Newsletter 5/22/26

News from the Nest

Being Jewish at my school in Denver has always felt like being part of a small but meaningful community within a much larger one. Even though students come from many different backgrounds and religions, there is a sense of inclusion and curiosity is palpable, making it not only easy, but inviting to share traditions and experiences openly. 

One of the biggest parts of that for me has been participating in the Jewish Student Alliance, or JSA. It creates a space where Jewish students can connect with each other while also inviting others to learn more about Jewish culture and traditions from a wide array of perspectives. At meetings, we share funny and interesting stories about one another, learn new traditions, and celebrate holidays in ways that make everyone feel welcome, regardless of their background. In a diverse city like Denver, having that kind of supportive environment at school is something I appreciate deeply.

Some of my favorite memories from JSA are actually the simple ones. Every so often, we would gather after school in a classroom, tired from the first half of the day, and someone would walk in carrying stacks of pizza boxes. Everyone would immediately get excited, pulling chairs into a circle and talking about everything from school stress to upcoming holidays. Those moments were never just about the food; they were about feeling connected and comfortable with people who understood each other. 

I remember one meeting around Hanukkah where we shared stories about family traditions while eating pizza and laughing over badly played dreidel games. It was such a small moment, but it perfectly captured what being Jewish at my school feels like: welcoming, supportive, and full of community.

Nathan Kabat, Class of 2026
Fordham University


Key Dates & Events


Senior Spotlights

Celebrating Our Top 10 Scholars

Reaching the very top of a high school class isn’t just about natural talent—it is the result of four years of relentless grit, late nights, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. These ten students didn’t just survive high school; they set the academic pace for the entire Nighthawk community.

As they prepare to step off our campus, they aren’t just moving on to the next chapter—they are heading out to solve complex problems, lead communities, and leave a massive dent in the world.

Each student in our top ten is an IB Diploma Candidate.  They’ll find out in July if they’ve earned the IB Diploma.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our top two honors leaders and the brilliant peers who round out this year’s elite Top 10.

Valedictorian – Nathaniel Blackburn

With the highest academic ranking in the Class of 2026, he is heading to Brigham Young University.

Salutatorian – Brynn Williams

Earning the second highest academic ranking in the Class of 2026, Brynn will be attending the University of Virginia.

Rounding Out the Top Ten

Earning a spot in the Top 10 requires a level of discipline that deserves our highest praise. These eight outstanding seniors have leaned into our most rigorous coursework and are headed toward incredible futures: 

L to R:  Kevin O’Toole, Kate Wichern, Elian Oliva, Tate Williams, Kalani Junta, Sofia Lewis, Margaret Martin, and Kyra Lyons

Why are they still IB Diploma Candidates?
Because the International Baccalaureate program operates on a global scale, final exam papers and intensive research projects are currently being evaluated by international examiners. Official diploma results are released in July, making these high-achieving students “candidates” until the final global tallies are complete. We are incredibly proud of the immense dedication and rigor they have shown to reach this final milestone!  


Class of 2026 Nighthawk Honors

LtoR:  Kendal Smith, Camila Rojas Gonzales, Elian Olivas, Salma Hanine, Phoebe Dominguez, Daniela Castellon, Amber Calendar, Ian Ang, Matthew Bell and Seydou Drame

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our recipients! These exceptional seniors were nominated by Northfield staff for their outstanding contributions to our school community during their time with us.

While each of these students embodies different qualities of our IB learning profile, they all share one common thread: they have left a lasting mark both in and out of the classroom, truly leaving our campus better than they found it.

Go Nighthawks! Thank you, seniors, for your leadership, dedication, and the incredible legacy you leave behind.


Northfield High School Foundation: 2026 Scholarship Winners!

L to R:  Arleen Fernandez-Fuentes, Jaia Daniels, Camila Rojas Gonzalez, Danna Lopez.  
Not pictured:  Karsten Huber

The Northfield High School Foundation is thrilled to announce this year’s senior scholarship recipients! To support our graduates in pursuing their dreams, the Foundation has awarded five $3,000 scholarships to members of the Class of 2026 to help fund their next steps in higher education or vocational certification.

Selected by our committee for their incredible resilience and outstanding contributions to Northfield through service, athletics, and clubs, please join us in celebrating our 2026 winners:

We are immensely proud of these Nighthawks and honored to invest in their futures. A huge thank you to our wonderful community, families, and donors whose ongoing generosity makes these scholarships possible year after year!


Setting Up Success: Celebrating Our Ten Fidelity Scholars

L to R:   Jayda Westmoreland, Cashis Parsons, Wongeal Zelalem, Nasir Brady, Raul Palacios-Palacios, Victoria Olivas, Danna Lopez-Munoz, Arleen Fernandez-Fuentes, Liliana Estrada, Jalonna-Marie Grimsley

This life-changing opportunity is awarded to students who demonstrate great resilience, academic commitment, and leadership. 

Funded by Fidelity Investments, the scholarship is designed to help historically underserved students achieve their dreams of a college education. It provides robust, multi-year financial aid that helps cover the “gap” in tuition and room and board, combined with invaluable mentorship, access to a supportive community, and robust financial education.

Where they’re headed:

Nasir Brady
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Victoria Olivas
Colorado State University
Liliana Estrada
Colorado State University 
Raul Palacios-Palacios
University of Colorado – Denver
Arleen Fernandez-Fuentes
University of Colorado – Boulder
Cashis Parsons
University of Colorado – Denver
Jalonna-Marie Grimsley
University of Colorado – Denver
Jayda Westmoreland
University of Colorado – Denver
Danna Lopez-Munoz
University of Colorado – Boulder
Wongeal Zelalem
University of Colorado – Boulder

Please join us in congratulating our ten scholars on this tremendous achievement—we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!


Recognizing Our Department Award Recipients

We are thrilled to honor this year’s Department Award Winners! These exceptional seniors are being recognized for their outstanding performance and contributions to the various academic and elective departments across our campus.

While our staff selected these students for a variety of unique reasons, they all share an undeniable dedication, drive, and passion for their respective subjects. They represent the very best of academic curiosity and hard work here at Northfield.

Please join us in celebrating the following:

Advisory: Camila Rojas GonzalezMLL (Multilingual Learners): Alejandra (Grecia) Navas-Abrego
BusinessConnect: Benjamin Su & Jonas WhiteMusical Arts: Phoebe Dominguez
Counseling: Arleth Rivera-LopezPE / Dance: Jannia O. Lewis & Na’Kara N. (Nikki) Washington (Co-Award Winners)
English: Zoey Holmquist-KuhnSocial Studies: Jack Dobulis
Exceptional Student Growth Award: Dillan ZunigaTechConnect-Computer Science:  Carson Gurley
JROTC: Logan McKeeTechConnect-Engineering: Carson Gurley
Math: Kaila PetersonTheater / Stagecraft: Nathaniel Bicha & Lucy Lavonas
MedConnect: Hayden ZepsVisual Arts: Lauren Rich
Mental Health: Karsten HuberWorld Languages: Zoey Holmquist-Kuhn

Facts/Figures

🤝 Impact & Legacy

🎓 Academic Excellence

🎨 Athletics & The Arts

🎖️ Service & Country

3 Military Enlistments: 3 seniors have committed to answering the call of duty by enlisting in the United States Army.

1 Service Academy Appointment: We are incredibly proud to announce that one senior has accepted an appointment to the prestigious U.S. Coast Guard Academy.


Where Our Nighthawks are Going:

The Class of 2026 is stretching their wings and heading off to their next big adventures. From coast to coast (and even across the pond), our Nighthawks are ready to make some serious waves.

Whether they are staying close to home, tackling a new trade, or moving across the globe, here is a quick look at where the flock is landing:

No matter where they are landing, we couldn’t be prouder. Safe travels, Nighthawks—go soar! 


Graduation Information

Get all the details on the Class of 2026 webpage.



Hawk Happenings

Finals Schedule

Finals Week – Grades 9-11
5/25 (Mon.)5/26 (Tues.)5/27 (Wed.)5/28 (Thurs.)5/29 (Fri.)
8:25 – 9:25NOPeriod 2Period 7Student Support; by invite only & GraduationStudent Support; by invite only
9:35 – 10:35SCHOOLPeriod 4Period 8
10:45 – 11:45Memorial DayPeriod 6Extra time /Student Support
11:45 – 12:15Grab and go Lunch
1:00 – 4:00Extra Time/ Student Support

2026-2027 Academic Calendar

Download a copy of the 2026-2027 Northfield Academic Calendar


Reminder from Nurse Kate:  Medication Pick-Up by May 27

If your student has medication or medical supplies in the health office, please contact Nurse Kate Marshall immediately to coordinate a pick-up time.


Northfield Summer School 2026: Quick Guide

Welcome to Summer School at Northfield High School! We are excited to help you prioritize your academics and maximize your two weeks with us. To ensure a successful session, please review our core expectations and details below.

📅 Dates & Hours

🎯 Who & What

💰 Cost & Reimbursement

⏰ Strict Attendance Policy

Because this is an intensive 8-day program, attendance is mandatory:

🎒 Behavior & Academic Honesty

➡️ Next Step: Contact your counselor immediately to get registered and map out your required summer courses!


Lost/Broken/Stolen Chromebook 

Accidents happen! If your student’s Chromebook is lost or damaged, here is how fees are processed:

Questions? Please contact nhscommunications@dpsk12.net or the main office.



Athletics

Plan on playing Fall Sports next school year? Visit the athletics tab on our website for coaches’ contact info for offseason/summer workouts and practices. 

Now is the time to get your physicals. Please make sure that you schedule your appointments to get new physicals and complete the necessary forms to participate in tryouts in the fall. CHSAA Sports Medicine Page has the most updated information.

Fall sports registration will open at the end of July on the Arbiter website



Community Notice

FREE Summer Tennis with the SERVES Program! 

Looking for a fun, active, and completely free summer activity for your kids? The Denver Tennis Park is bringing its SERVES program back this summer, and it is open to youth of all backgrounds and abilities.

The program combines quality tennis instruction from professional coaches with positive youth development, focusing on Success, Education, Respect, Values, Excellence & Self-Confidence.

🗓️ Program Highlights

How to Sign Up

Participation is 100% free, but registration is required and spots fill up fast.

view the full schedule, session dates, and to reserve your spot: 

Questions? To learn more about the program, please contact Kelly Winn at kwinn@denvertennispark.org.


City and County of Denver: Youth & Family Resource Fair

The City and County of Denver invites youth, families, and clients to a Youth & Family Resource Fair this June. This event brings essential services and local partners directly to you in one convenient location.

📅 Event Details

🛠️ Resources Available Onsite

👤 Contact Information

For more details or questions, feel free to reach out to the event coordinators:

Hosted By: The Mayor’s Office of Social Equity and Innovation, 2nd Judicial District Juvenile Probation, Denver Collaborative Partnership, Denver Juvenile Pre-Trial, and Denver DA Diversion.