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Parents Association News And Events April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

The Parents Association is all about supporting families in building community throughout the school year. Thank you for all the ways you showed up this year! Join in to keep growing connections through the spring.

Division Quarterly Coffees

Tuesday, April 22: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Tuesday, April 29: Lower School Quarterly Coffee, 8:15-9:30 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library

National Teacher (Faculty & Staff) Appreciation Week: May 5-9

Sign up to write a thank you note! We will collect notes by April 29 and hand them out during the National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Sign up to help assemble and deliver goodie bags to faculty and staff on May 5.

Help celebrate the MPA adult community that cares for and supports our children through the school year.

The Vibrant Season Of Spring

April 10, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we step into the vibrant season of spring, I find myself drawn to the quiet beauty and symbolism this time of year brings. The longer days, the budding trees, the chirping of birds, the honking of geese, and the first signs of green pushing through the soil remind us of the steady, hopeful rhythm of renewal. For those of us in education—and perhaps especially in the Upper Midwest where winter holds on tightly—spring is more than just a season. It is a metaphor for the growth, energy, and transformation that we see unfolding daily within our school community.

At MPA, spring invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate how far we’ve come this year. We see this in the confidence of a kindergartner who now walks into school independently, in the curiosity of a fourth grader asking big questions, and in the thoughtful determination of a senior finalizing their post-secondary decision. These moments—large and small—mark the progress of a school year that, like spring itself, began in stillness and has blossomed into joyful, dynamic growth.

Spring also gives us the gift of perspective. Just as trees begin to leaf out again after a long winter, our students begin to show us the fruits of their learning. They take risks, solve problems, express ideas, and test out who they are becoming. These moments of discovery and stretch are not always linear—they often arrive with a mix of messiness and magic—but they are the very heart of a transformational education. And they mirror what we as adults know to be true: real growth takes time, intention, and courage. Read More

A Special Thank You From Dr. Hudson!

April 10, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

“From the depths of my heart, thank you for the extraordinary outpouring of love and support at Friday’s Gala. It was a beautiful and unforgettable evening—one that I will cherish always.

I am especially grateful to everyone who contributed to the Hudson Fund for Resilient Students. Your generosity will have a lasting impact, helping MPA students navigate unexpected challenges and continue to thrive in every way.

As I move through these final months as head of school, I look forward to connecting with many of you. Though my chapter in this role is coming to a close, please know that MPA will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2025 MPA Spring Auction: Gala of Gratitude an extraordinary success. Because of our community’s deep generosity, we raised more than $870,000 in support of MPA, including an incredible $164,565 for the MPA Fund and over $707,000 for this year’s Fund A Need, The Hudson Fund for Resilient Students. Click here to help further support the Hudson Fund!

MPA Speech Team Wins Section Title

April 10, 2025

Our MPA speech team is state-bound! Congratulations to the Section 4A champs and reigning state champions. The team title was powered by a complete effort that saw 20 students earn a berth to the state meet:

Warner Reid and Hazel Reid: First place, Duo
Paul Fertig: First place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Mari Minear: First place, Great Speeches
Kelvyn Boddipalli: First place, Humorous Interpretation
Oslo Norcross: First place, Informative Speaking
Ash Klann: First place, Original Oratory
Alyona Vietrova: First place, Poetry
Lucy Mayer: First place, Prose
Amila Avdic: Second place, Discussion
Guy Schwieger and Nico Bergh: Second place, Duo
Amal Sastry: Second place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Rowan Mulrooney: Second place, Great Speeches
Zainab Lodhi: Second place, Informative
Nabila Artan: Second place, Oratory
LuaClaire Robert: Second place, Poetry
Andrea Pugh: Second place, Prose
Sidd Sastry: Third place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Mina Kim: Third place, Great Speeches

Congratulations are also in order for coach Tanner Sunderman, who was awarded Central MN NSDA Coach of the Year! Tanner has been forwarded to the national level for consideration.

The MPA speech team is now preparing for another title defense in what would be their third consecutive state championship. The Panthers will get that chance on Friday, April 25, when they head to Shakopee High School for the Class A state tournament. Good luck, Panthers! We can’t wait to see how you’ll do.

Join Us For Family Allyship For LGBTQ+ School Community Members

April 9, 2025

Mark your calendars for an interactive workshop on Wednesday, May 14, from 6-8 PM in the Family Commons that will provide MPA parents and staff with the tools and language they need to be supportive allies to transgender and nonbinary community members at MPA! This event is being hosted by MPA’s Rainbow Club and Gender Inclusive Schools. Please RSVP here!

Together, we will practice responses to challenging questions on LGBTQ+ topics and explore ways to communicate affirmation and celebration of LGBTQ+ community members visibly. Basic definitions for LGBTQ+ terms will be provided along with age-appropriate resources to facilitate positive and accurate discussions with your family about gender identity and sexual orientation at home. Read More

Welcome Back To MPA, Michelle Korbel ’10!

April 7, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Michelle Korbel! Ms. Korbel will hold the position of director of human resources, and we are excited to introduce her to the community.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked most recently for ArchKey Parsons Electric.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have my BA degree in Psychology from the College of Saint Benedict. After college, I spent a year volunteering with Americorps, helping individuals with barriers to employment find work. I’ve been doing HR for ten years now in banking, healthcare, and construction. Very excited to bring my HR experience to MPA.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA is a special community that I feel so lucky to have been a part of growing up. I graduated in 2010 and went to school at MPA from kindergarten to 12th grade. I built amazing relationships with friends, faculty, and staff during my years as a student. When I heard about the opening, I jumped on it. I’m really looking forward to re-establishing old relationships, building new ones, and working together to enrich the employment experience at MPA.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
My goal is to enrich and enhance the employment experience at MPA by providing meaningful and valuable resources to, collaborating with, and supporting MPA employees. This will, in turn, help and empower employees to focus on their students, knowing they have an advocate in HR ready to listen and support them.
Read More

MPA’s 2025 Athena Award Winner

April 3, 2025

Congratulations to Delaney Cunnington ’25, MPA’s 2025 Athena Award Winner!

This program honors outstanding female high school senior student-athletes based on excellence in individual athletics or participation and accomplishments in team sports. Delaney was a member of soccer, gymnastics, and track and field during her time as a Panther.

During her time competing for MPA, she has racked up numerous accolades, including a state title on the uneven bars in 2024, among others.

Congratulations again, Delaney! The selection for the award was warranted, and we can’t wait to see what you do this track season.

MPA Gentoo Robotics Team Secures $2,000 Grant, Seeks New Members

April 3, 2025

Exciting news from the Gentoo Robotics Team! We’re thrilled to announce that our Middle School FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team has received a $2,000 Sponsorship Grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. This generous funding will help support team registration, event fees, and the purchase of new parts to enhance our robot’s capabilities, but we also rely on donations from our community to get new parts and join more events.

Founded in 2023 as a way to expand STEM opportunities for Middle School students and build a feeder team for our more experienced high school FRC team, Gentoo has already participated in three competitions over the past two years. These events have provided invaluable learning experiences, allowing team members to make continuous improvements to their robot after each competition.

The Gentoo team is organized into specialized sub-teams: Code, Build, Strategy, and Operations. Students start by learning essential build skills, like using power tools, prototyping, and constructing basic structures, before moving into specialized roles. This structure gives students the chance to develop specific skills while contributing to the team’s overall success. Our high school FRC team members provide mentorship, creating a supportive community where Middle Schoolers can explore engineering challenges they wouldn’t otherwise experience. Read More

Parents Association News And Events April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

The MPA Parents Association invites you to Cultural Celebration Day on Wednesday, April 9 from 3:15-5:30 PM in the Family Commons! Engage with community members who will be sharing their cultural heritage. Enjoy sweet and savory rice dishes from around the world, an international tea bar, and experience beautiful music and dance performances!

Go home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist, try your hand at global crafts, learn how to make masala chai (spiced tea from India), and chat with community members who will have booths set up to share their culture and/or offer samples of their cuisine.

Feel the spirit and joy of African culture with Fatawu Sayibu at our West African Drum and Dance Workshop! All are welcome to learn basic djembe drumming techniques as well as simple movements rooted in African daily life and experience. Learn the steps to Bhangra, a traditional Punjabi folk dance that has become a global and cultural phenomenon.

Food and drink tickets ($1 each) will be sold at the event. Zabiha, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available.

Interested in volunteering on the day of the event? Sign up here!

Check out the calendar for other MPA PA activities in April, including Division Quarterly Coffees!

A Leadership Transition Update

April 3, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I want to take a moment to share an update on the leadership transition and the exciting road ahead for Mounds Park Academy. As many of you know, this will be my final year serving as head of school at MPA. It is a bittersweet season—filled with reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for what’s to come. Serving this community has been the greatest privilege of my professional life, and I remain deeply invested in ensuring a smooth, thoughtful, and mission-aligned transition.

Over the past several months, I have been working closely with Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, who was appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve as the next head of school, effective July 1, 2025. Having the opportunity to partner with her during this full year of transition has been a true gift. It is rare in independent schools to have this kind of intentional, overlapping leadership—and we are using it fully to MPA’s advantage.

It was good to see so many of you at the Coffee & Conversation events with Dr. Brogdon and me. For those of you who were able to attend, I hope that you saw the synergy and warmth between the two of us. You may have also viewed a video of the two of us discussing leadership and the transition. If you haven’t, please click here. Know that an additional two videos will be released very soon. My hope is to alleviate whatever anxiety the community might feel about the transition. Read More