Student Accomplishments

 

Excelling in academics and activities

PSD students exceed in numerous ways in the classroom academically and in extracurricular activities that involve art, music, theater, athletics, and other competitions including science, history, debate, writing and more! 

2024-25 Accomplishments and Recognitions

Outstanding Community Action

• Carol “Cat” Golden, Lesher Middle School student, was honored for outstanding community action by Poudre Fire Authority. The 11-year-old used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire that had started in a neighbor's apartment. See the 9News story here.>>
• Timnath Middle-High School student Drake Jenkins was honored by the Denver Health Paramedic Division for his herioc action of quicly assisting in a situation involving an elderly woman who was dragged under her moving car. He brought the car to a stop and assisted her until help arrived. 

 

Athletics and Activities

• The Webber Middle School girls cross country team won the state middle school girls championship.
• The Kinard Middle School boys cross country team won the state middle school boys championship. 
• The Timnath Middle-High School Girls Cross Country team won the 4A Colorado Cross Country State Championship title!
• The Fossil Ridge High School Marching Band won their third consecutive 5A championship title at the Colorado Bandmasters Association state championships. 
• The Fossil Ridge High School Marching Band competed in the Bands of America New Mexico Regional Championships in Las Cruces, New Mexico, earlier this fall. The FRHS Marching Band won their division (AAA) and were the Overall Regional Champions, and overall winner for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, and Outstanding General Effect. 

 

Class of 2024

Graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment and milestone. Congratulations to all PSD graduates! The Class of 2024 has excelled academically and earned notable scholarships and  endorsed diplomas.

• Advanced Placement or Academic Merit endorsed-diplomas - 402 students who fulfilled requirements for an AP-endorsed diploma or received a 3.6 or higher cumulative GPA for academic merit.
• International Baccalaureate graduates - 70 graduates are candidates for an IB diploma through Poudre High School's program
• Seal of Biliteracy diplomas - 370 graduates who are highly proficient in another language and earned the credential of having a Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma

• Other endorsed diplomas - 81 graduates have fulfilled the requirements in a specific area of focus to receive an endorsement on their diploma. Areas may include:
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
  • Biosciences Career Academy
  • Gifted and Talented Academy

• Numerous scholarship awards from local organizations like the Rotary and Elks Clubs, Poudre Education Association, PSD Association of Classified Employees and Community Foundation scholarships. Thank you for supporting PSD graduates! 

 

U.S. Academy Appointments and ROTC Scholarships

• Leo Cole, Fort Collins High School, U.S. Naval Academy
• Eli Williams, Fossil Ridge High School, U.S. Air Force Academy
• Orian Hunter, Fossil Ridge High School, U.S. Naval Academy
• Easton Miller, Fossil Rdge High School, U.S. Air Force Academy
• Keira Leistikow, Fossil Ridge High School, ROTC scholarship recipient
• Jack Rickart, Polaris Expeditionary Learning School, Navy
• Josephine DeMaret, Rocky Mountain High School, Army ROTC scholarship, Oregon State University
• Daniel McBride, Rocky Mountain High School, Air Force ROTC scholarship, Montana State University

Daniels Fund Scholarship

Daniels scholars are seniors who have demonstrated strong character and a determination to succeed in life. Scholars receive funding to attend the college or university of their choice. The scholarship is supplemental to other financial resources available to the student, covering remaining expenses after other financial resources have been applied.

• Asher Black, Liberty Common High School

National Hispanic Scholar

The College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program recognizes about 5,000 of the 250,000 Hispanic/Latino juniors who take college board tests. The recognition is an exceptional academic honor.

• Citlalic Sanchez Snow, Poudre High School
• Natalia Mellizo Kroll, Poudre High School

National African American Recognition Award

• Kinsey Myrick, Poudre High School

National Merit Scholar Program

National Merit Scholars score in the top 1% academically. Three National Merit Scholarships are awarded: a one-time $2,500 award, a corporate-sponsored achievement scholarship or a college-sponsored merit scholarship. National Merit Scholars earn this elite designation through a two-year testing and application process. 

This list includes National Merit Scholar Finalists, Scholars and Commended Students: National Merit Scholars are selected from the finalists group. It is updated as high schools notify us of students selected.

• Quinn Blumenthal, Poudre High School
• Dylan Pallickara, Poudre High School
• Owen Johnson, Poudre High School
• Ruth Karan, Poudre High School
• Kinsey Myrick, Poudre High School

 

Other Notable Scholarships, Recognitions

Information is submitted by schools. If you have questions, please reach out to your school. 

2023-24 Accomplishments

• Preston Middle School Science Olympiad Team State Champions (April 2024)

• Lesher Middle School Advanced Chamber Orchestra and Fort Collins High School Symphony Orchestra  performed by invitation at the 2024 National Music Festival for All in Indianapolis. (March 2024)

• Colorado Music Educator Association performing ensembles (January 2024)
  • Boltz Jazz Band 
  • Kinard Symphonic Band 
  • FRHS Wind Symphony 
  • PHS Impalaphonics Choir 
  • FRHS Tenth Bass  
  • RMHS Syrens  

• Nikhil Ganta, Traut Elementary School student, District Oral Spelling Bee Champion (February 2024)

• Fossil Ridge High School Marching Band, Colorado Class 5A State Champions (sixth time in school history - fall 2024)  

Athletics

• Wrestling 5A State Wrestling Champions: Billy Greenwood (Class 5A 144) and Banks Norby (Class 5A157), (both Poudre High School)

• Swimming:
  • 200 Free (3A): Cody Monajjem (sophomore, Wellington) - 1:52.69
  • 100 Free (5A): Ella Gaca Thiele (sophomore, Fossil Ridge) - 50.02
  • 50 Free (5A): Ella Gaca Thiele (sophomore, Fossil Ridge) - 22.98
• Diving 5A: Sydney Ovesen (junior, Fossil Ridge) - 506.45

• Boys Nordic Ski Individual 5-Kilometer: Cade Shortridge (Poudre High School)15 minutes 36 seconds