June 5, 2019
As the 2018–19 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2019!
In what grade did you come to MPA?
I came to Mounds Park Academy in ninth grade after years of attending Saint Paul Public Schools because of the welcoming environment and great academics of MPA. One of my sisters came to the school the same year I did when she was in eighth grade and the other came a few months later as a kindergartener. My parents originally were going to wait to bring my youngest sister to MPA until Middle School, but decided to bring her earlier when we saw the positive affect on myself and my middle sister.
How did you come to choose the college that you did?
I will be attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, this fall. I wanted to attend a small liberal arts college that was close to home. I also was looking for a great nursing program for me to pursue a career in healthcare. St. Olaf allows me to follow the career path I want, while being in the setting and environment that is a good match for me.
What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?
I am excited about starting the nursing program at St. Olaf. I was directly admitted to the program and I am looking forward to starting healthcare related classes and eventually doing clinicals. St. Olaf has clinical relationships throughout the Twin Cities, at Mayo Clinic, and in rural areas, and I’m so excited to experience all of them.
What did you appreciate most about the college counseling process at MPA?
My favorite part about the college counseling process at MPA is that I could sign up to meet with Ms. Pederson to talk about my essays, college decisions, etc. easily and whenever I needed help. Senior year, I met with her about a hundred times to go over the essays I was writing and she always was there to help. I also really appreciated that MPA encouraged us to think and prepare for college starting freshman year. The College Counseling Office has been very helpful throughout my years at MPA. Read More
Ann Frances Gregg, MPA’s Upper School theatre teacher and director, is currently directing “Two Gentlemen of Verona” for Shakespeare & Company in White Bear Lake. S&C, founded by MPA parent of alum George Wade, is an outdoor theatre company, which produces three shows ‘in rep’ each summer. It is the oldest outdoor Shakespeare company in Minnesota. This summer marks the company’s 44th season!
As the 2018–19 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2019!
A very special surprise happened on campus last week that began at the Spring Auction 2019-Once Upon A Time! Mike Velin ’06 bid and won the opportunity to name a sewing machine in the Makerspace, and he named it after his mom, Jane Harper. “We wanted to show our appreciation for everything you’ve done, and dedicate a sewing machine in your honor,” Mike said to his mother, after she unwrapped the sewing machine.
Congratulations to MPA’s Sailing Team for placing third in the 2019 State Co-Ed Championships and to senior Toby Sullivan and eighth grader Henry S. for placing first in the Boys State Championships! Both regattas were held last weekend at the Minneapolis Sailing Center under challenging conditions.
MPA Track and Field traveled to Howard Lake-Waverly-Winstead High School for the Section 4A True Team Meet, and ran, jumped and threw to excellent performances. In a typical meet, only the top eight individuals and top six relays score, but in a True Team meet, every competitor scores. There are 14 teams in Section 4A, and with each team able to put up to two athletes in an event, many individual events included 28 athletes.
In a great tune up meet before the Section 4A Championships, MPA Track and Field traveled to the St. Croix Lutheran Invitational in West St. Paul. Notable performances on the girls side include senior Sofia Walker placing second in the 400m in a personal best of 1:02.59. Her time is fourth all time in MPA history! Senior Gabby Law came in sixth in the 400m, running a personal best of 1:07.49. In the 800m, sophomore Katie Dahiya placed second with a personal best time of 2:43.47. In the 1600m, junior Izzy George ran a personal best of 6:56.61, breaking seven minutes for the first time thanks to a dramatic kick over the last 100m! In the 100m hurdles, eighth grader Emily B. ran a personal best of 18.91 to place fourth, earning the tenth spot on the MPA top ten in that event.
The Panthers traveled to Providence Academy on a warm Thursday afternoon for the IMAC championships. Noteworthy performances on the girls side include eighth grader Zoe M. placing fourth in the 100m dash in 13.39 and adding a fifth place finish in the 200m in 28.02. Eighth grader Greta M. (Gentry Academy) finished fifth in the 200m in 28.10 and fourth in the 400m in a personal best 1:02.28. In the 800m, senior Sofia Walker ran a near personal best 2:26.18 to place second and sophomore Izzy Quam ran a season best 2:33.63 to finish sixth. Eighth grader Emily B. ran two personal bests in the hurdles races, placing sixth in 19.13 in the 100m hurdles and recording another personal best of 55.12 in the 300 hurdles. In the field events, Zoe M. placed fifth in the long jump with a personal best jump of 15.8.75, now third all time in MPA history. 15.8.75 gets Zoe on the state honor roll in the long jump! Junior Catherine Moore placed fourth in the discus throw with a near personal best of 80.9.
Thank you to those of you who voted for your new Parents Association Executive Board. The following slate was approved and will begin leading the Parents Association and serving the MPA community on July 1, 2019: Kim Jakway, president; Seema Anwar and Barry Madore, co-presidents-elect; Meredith Forgosh, secretary; Yuki Miyokawa, treasurer; Russ Purdy, Upper School division lead; Susan Knapp, Middle School division lead; Sally Richie and Andrea Dodson, Lower School co-division leads.