Traci Shimel

I couldn't be happier with the choices I've made in life as well as the roads taken and skipped! I taught pre-school for many years and then moved into elementary school and have taught in Adams County for 17 years- it was a dream job for me. I adore my grandchildren and spend lots of time with them and also enjoy gardening, reading, birdwatching, needlework, and traveling (while most of the world is on my bucket list, I've been to Costa Rica and Kenya!). I think of myself as bilingual but am constantly learning more in both English and Spanish. I'm now enjoying retirement between Colorado (with friends and family) and Texas (with Robin & her family).

While so often adolescence is thought of as filled with angst and anxiety, I feel like my years at both Niwot and Skyline were nothing but a marvelous time to learn and grow. I have great memories of classes, classmates, teachers, debate team, etc. I do remember Val Kohlman telling the volleyball team before Saturday morning games, "Bed by ten!" and the choral response, "Bed by ten, home by eleven!" I also loved speech meets (and being sent to the front of the line at McDonalds so the plain hamburger didn't hold everyone up). There was also a special 18th birthday gift from Coach Payne! At this moment, nothing else stands out - but I this kind of reminiscing is what reunions are for, right?