Meet Nicky Kroge of Boulder, CO. Her two boys Jamey (Baritone) and Caley (Contra) first made the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012. Jamey aged out at the conclusion of the 2015 season. Caley has one more year of eligibility.
A little background on Nicky. Her husband is the founder and artistic director of Ars Nova Singers, a local semi-pro choir. Throughout its 30-year existence, Nicky volunteered in a variety of ways, including ticket sales, catering events, and whatever else needed to be done. She’s also been an active volunteer with the Fairview HS marching band: mainly taking care of uniforms throughout the boys’ time in high school, and again now that her youngest, Chloe, has joined the ranks. Nicky works full time as a special ed and literacy teacher in Boulder, which entails lots of committee work along with the “regular” demands of a teaching job. And, she’s also in the church choir. During her younger years she “was a choir and theater kid.” Her boys brought her into “the strange world of band.”
Where might you have seen Nicky volunteering? If you attended any of our Denver area camps between November and April last year, you likely had the pleasure of meeting Nicky. Nicky provided the planning, organization, and execution of the feeding frenzies during that time. If you and/or your son and/or your daughter got fed during a Denver camp – you can thank her. Did you get a special vegan/vegetarian option? You can thank her. Did you get a lactose free option? You can thank her. Were you put to work chopping tomatoes or washing dishes? You can thank her. 🙂 (We thank you too though!)
During May “all days” you may have seen Nicky helping Chef Doug in the food trailer, or perhaps you met her while altering dozens of uniforms prior to tour. At the 2015 Drums Along the Rockies, the 30 some event staff, and 35 member color guard squad for the opening ceremonies, and 174 Percussion Clinic participants enjoyed a meal organized and planned by Nicky.
Nicky’s advice to anyone not sure if they could/should volunteer is “Just do it! She also adds “BK volunteers are the best! They come from many directions, many walks of life, and all are interesting and fun. Of course, the pool of volunteers also revolves as many of their kids step in and out of the organization. So there’s always room for you to dive in and help in some way. Keith makes it super easy to sign up via Sign-up Genius, and your help is always appreciated.”
What does volunteering mean to Nicky? “It’s so true that BK is “powered by volunteers.” In order for my kids to be involved in this activity, I know it’s important that any time I can spare a few hours, I should pitch in. It’s also great fun getting to know the other volunteers, the members and staff. And it’s wonderful to watch how the whole show unfolds from behind the scenes, from those first auditions to the final act in Indy.”
To close this article off let’s just say it – if you haven’t picked up on it yet – Nicky is extremely active and caring and probably one of the most flexible, unassuming, and laid back people you will ever meet. A true gift to us!
On Behalf of Ascend Performing Arts and the Blue Knights – Thank you Nicky!
Keith Huffman
∴ Come meet Nicky and others like her. We would love for you to volunteer with us and, if you want one, we can help you find your niche with us. Visit our Volunteer web page at https://ascendperformingarts.org/support/volunteer/ and send us an email to connect. Make our youth your extended family!
∴ Do you have a nomination for a future Spotlight article? Please email them in.