March 3, 2020
by Mike Velin ’06, MPA Alumni Association Chairperson
A 6 AM email from me may have seemed a little early, but it’s never too early to begin an important day of giving in support of MPA students, faculty, and staff. Today, I hope you’ll join me and other alumni and Parents of Alumni from our generous community to ensure MPA students and teachers today have the resources they need. Your gift will support:
- Scholarships and Financial Assistance: Did you know MPA provides over $2 million each year to families who dream of an MPA education, but can’t afford the price tag? Your gift can make sure every promising student can benefit from a top-notch education, regardless of their ability to pay.
- Programmatic Enhancements: An MPA education is the magic that happens inside the classroom, and in the clubs, sports, teams, and enrichment activities before, during, and after the school day. Make sure that students don’t miss out on what makes MPA truly great: the arts, athletics, music, student groups, and enhanced learning through innovative classroom experiences and the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace.
While the MPArors robotics team knew their robot was a work in progress when they headed north, the challenges multiplied in four practice matches. The bumpers had to be redone, which usually takes weeks. The shooter didn’t shoot in one match. The buttons on the controller didn’t respond in one match. The robot didn’t drive straight in one match. A collision shattered the acrylic “indexer,” which moves the fuel cells (squishy balls) into the shooter. Some motors ran in different directions in different matches.
Invite your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on Wednesday, April 22!
Invite a friend to join us for Lunch at MPA on Wednesday, March 4 from 11:30 AM-1 PM! This admission event during a regular school day allows prospective families to meet school leaders, parents, and students over a casual meal and tour the campus to see our students and teachers in action.
The 11th grade Quiz Bowl team competed in the League Playoffs at Burnsville High School and placed fifth overall! The players were Isak Dai, Ryan Ghose, Hana Miller, Ellen Vergin, and Tanner Gasteazoro. Isak Dai placed third individually in their division. Separately, ninth grader Anthony Troullier placed fourth individually in their division. Nice work, Panthers!
See you this Saturday, February 22 from 1-3 PM for Maker Fest 2020! Join us in the AnnMarieThomas Makerspace and Family Commons to view and participate with our community’s talented and passionate makers. Maker Fest is free is open to everyone–students, parents, grandparents, alums, faculty, staff, etc.
We are proud to be a part of this year’s Independent School Diversity Career Fair on Saturday, March 7, from 9 AM-12 PM at Breck School in Golden Valley. Faculty, staff, and school administrators who identify as people of color/indigenous are welcome to learn more about employment opportunities at a number of independent schools in the Twin Cities. Participating schools include: Blake, Breck, DeLaSalle, Friends School of Minnesota, Groves Academy, Minnehaha Academy, Mounds Park Academy, Shattuck-St. Marys, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, and Waldorf City of Lakes. 
Congratulations to All-State Choir members Ryan Ghose, Jordan Akers, Solie Svennevig-Brosi, and Caleb Rhodes! Ryan sang in the SATB Mixed Choir under the direction of Jo Ann Miller while Solie sang in the Soprano Alto Choir with Therees Hibbard. Jordan and Caleb were in the Tenor Bass Choir with Michael Culloton conducting. Today marked the culmination of an All-State process that started with auditions last spring, a summer camp, and a final performance at Orchestra Hall. Ryan, Jordan, Solie, and Caleb are members of the MPA Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers.
Congratulations to freshman Jack Peterson and sophomore Elissa Frankel on their performances with the 9-10 State Honor Choir! Jack sang in the SATB Choir under the direction Aimee Beckmann-Collier while Elissa sang in the SSA Choir with Brandon Dean conducting. After a day full of rehearsals, they performed at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis. Jack sings in the MPA Varsity Choir while Elissa is a member of Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers.
MPA’s Board of Trustees collaborates with the Head of School to guide the school’s strategic direction, to protect its mission, to support the school’s development efforts and to safeguard the school’s financial stability.