April 28, 2016
“Fiddler on the Roof” opens and closes with an individual 
balancing precariously on the roof while playing the violin. In the play, it symbolizes the dynamic struggle between tradition and change. During this Spring Show, however, I found added meaning knowing that junior Declan Dahlberg played the part of the fiddler. Declan is an accomplished musician, an athlete who has competed in several state tournaments (in Cross Country and Nordic Skiing), and an outstanding student. He is the embodiment of the core belief at MPA that educating the whole child means offering young people the opportunities to excel in the arts, athletics, and academics.
Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in reading, math, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills, as well as motivation and confidence. The arts also build 21st century competencies such as collaboration and communication. Athletics are equally important in building essential skills necessary such as teamwork, character, physical, and mental strength. Like the arts, research has positively linked athletic participation with academic success.
Balancing the arts, athletics, and academics is not easy. However, the school is committed to ensuring that our students have the advantage of a wide variety of activities to maximize their potential. This is, in part, because of MPA’s flexibility and careful focus on scheduling. Teachers, coaches and directors work together to make it possible for students to discover, follow, and develop their interests and passions. Instead of forcing students to choose between the arts and athletics, practices and performances are intentionally scheduled in such a way to facilitate participation so that students can be involved in multiple sports and activities.
Oftentimes, especially in larger schools, options exist, but opportunities are limited. For instance, there are only five starting positions in basketball regardless of whether the Upper School has 1,500 students or 200. Likewise, there is only one lead in the play and one first chair in the orchestra. As junior Ben George put it, “It’s really amazing how many different opportunities there are here. In the public school you can excel at one, maybe two things—and our friends there are doing that well—but our experiences are so much more varied.”
The overall school environment also contributes in large part to building a well-rounded individual. In many schools, there is peer pressure to conform to certain stereotypes and move in a defined peer group. In my previous experience, it is highly unusual for an athlete to sing in the choir or compete in Quiz Bowl. At MPA, it is equally acceptable to do as well on a test, as it is to score goals on the soccer field. Andrew George, Ben’s twin brother, explained the culture of MPA best when he said, “Ultimately, it is all possible because this is a very individual-centered place where it is cool to be involved and follow your passions.”
I recently attended a concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis to hear our Madrigal Singers perform. They were one of only six choirs from across Minnesota selected to participate in the Minnesota Choral Arts Finale. As I looked at the Madrigal Singers, I was struck by how well rounded (and amazing) they all are. Several recently competed and won first place medals at the State High School Speech Tournament. Most earned recognition and success in soccer, cross-country, and Nordic skiing. One was on the MPA Robotics Team that placed sixth out of 60 teams in the regional First Robotics competition. As the Robotics team travels to St. Louis, Missouri, to compete nationally, they do so as scholars, artists, and athletes.
Mounds Park Academy offers students the opportunities and possibilities needed to dream big dreams, yet the freedom to choose their own path. Whether they play the violin or not, they are all fiddlers on the roof.
