January 16, 2025
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
As I prepare to step away from my role as head of school at Mounds Park Academy at the end of this school year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey this community has taken together. It has been my deepest honor to serve this extraordinary school, to walk alongside students, faculty, and families who inspire me every day with their strength, compassion, and determination.
When the Board of Trustees kindly asked how they might celebrate my tenure, my thoughts turned not to recognition but to the students who represent the heart of MPA’s mission. It is in their stories—of resilience, courage, and triumph over adversity—that I have found my greatest
fulfillment. Warren Buffet once said, “Tell me who your heroes are, and I’ll tell you how you’re going to turn out.” Truly, students are my heroes, and I am incredibly grateful that the board knew me well enough to establish and work with me to initiate the Hudson Fund for Resilient Students.
This endowed fund embodies our shared commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of the challenges they face, has the opportunity to thrive at MPA. Whether overcoming personal, academic, or socio-economic barriers, these students exemplify the values we hold dear: perseverance, dedication, and the belief that education has the power to transform lives.
The Hudson Fund for Resilient Students is more than a financial resource; it is a testament to this community’s unwavering support and belief in its students. This fund will serve as a lifeline for those who need it most through scholarships, emergency aid, mental health support, academic mentoring, and enrichment opportunities. As an endowment, it will provide a steady source of funding for students, year after year. Donations to the endowment are invested to help it grow over time. The school only spends the earnings or interest from the investments, not the original money (the principal), so the endowment can live on forever.
I am particularly passionate about the fund’s mission to support students in moments of crisis—moments when the presence of a compassionate community can make all the difference. At MPA, I have witnessed firsthand how a single act of care from our faculty, staff, and community can unlock potential, restore hope, and ignite a passion for learning.
Resilience is not just a trait—it is a story. My own story has been shaped by adversity. Growing up as a gay Catholic, I didn’t have a role model or a hero, and I faced years of bullying and harassment that left deep scars. In my professional life, a very public outing brought with it new challenges but also the opportunity to find healing and acceptance. It was at MPA that my family and I discovered a community rooted in love, respect, and dignity. This school transformed my life, and I am forever grateful.
In turn, I have dedicated my time at MPA to advocating for students who, like me, have faced hardship yet found the strength to persevere. It is my hope that the Hudson Fund for Resilient Students will carry this legacy forward, providing the resources, encouragement, and opportunities these students need to succeed.
In addition to creating the Hudson Fund, the annual MPA Spring Auction will also be a retirement party of sorts. It will remain an engaging and enjoyable community event complete with an exciting live and silent auction with many interesting items of interest to bid on, with the proceeds benefitting our students, but it will also include a brief retirement program. The Fund A Need this year will be the Hudson Fund for Resilient Students. Information on the “Gala of Gratitude” to be held Friday, April 4 at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel will be coming out Saturday and I very much hope to see you at the event.
I find it quite awkward to fundraise for a fund in my honor, but I believe in MPA and our students. My husband Ross and I made the first gift to the fund and have since been joined by a number of families in making a significant contribution. The time is right to invite you, our cherished MPA family, to join us in this mission. Your support of the Hudson Fund will directly impact students who embody resilience and determination—students who will go on to make the world a better place. For more information or to contribute, please contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5536.
Together, we can ensure that no obstacle stands in the way of an MPA student’s potential. Thank you for being part of this journey with me and making MPA a place where every student can grow, learn, and thrive.
