Alumni Archives

December 19, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As I was greeting parents last Thursday before our Middle School band, orchestra, and vocal concert, Middle School science teacher Courtney Nagle excitedly invited me to see the lights her students had strung in the science garden. It was magical. As darkness descends earlier and earlier and the weather turns increasingly dreary and colder, light, in all its beauty and forms, is both a comfort and a promise.

As we embark on our two-week winter break, we are reminded of the power and symbolism of light during this season. Across many traditions—Christian, Jewish, Kwanzaa, Hindu, Wiccan, and Muslim—light serves as a unifying symbol of hope, renewal, and joy. Whether through the glowing candles of Advent, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, the luminous diyas of Diwali, or the guiding light of understanding and reflection in other spiritual practices, light brings warmth and connection to our shared humanity.

At Mounds Park Academy, light takes on a unique meaning. It reflects our mission as educators and our commitment to lighting a fire within each student. This metaphor captures the very heart of education—not as the passive transfer of information, but as a force that ignites curiosity, inspires passion, and nurtures a love of learning that endures for a lifetime. Read More

Head of School Transition

December 12, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Many well-meaning people have asked me if I am looking forward to retirement or what it’s like to celebrate the last Founders’ Day. In all honesty, I don’t think about retiring all that much or my remaining days as MPA’s head of school. Many years ago, early in my career at another school, I worked with a long-serving teacher who had a clock that worked backwards, telling him how many days, hours, and minutes he had until he could walk out the door. I remember feeling sad for him and I made a promise to myself, then and there, that I would never put myself in that position. I feel as engaged today as I did when I walked into the school for the first time 12 years ago.

It is natural to feel some uncertainty and anxiety during a change in leadership, but I want to assure you that the process of welcoming our next head of school is unfolding with great care and intention. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon over the past six months. MPA is fortunate that Dr. Brogdon is close by this year, serving as interim head of school at Groves Academy. We’ve been meeting regularly since the summer, building trust and thoughtfully planning this transition.

I’ve shared many times with colleagues that the more time I spend with Dr. Brogdon, the more I like her, personally and professionally. We share a common set of beliefs and values about education and leadership. I’ve come to appreciate her deep respect for MPA’s mission, her thoughtful approach to leadership, and the wealth of experience she brings to MPA. Her commitment to listening, learning, and working collaboratively with our students, parents, faculty, and staff ensures a bright future for MPA. Without a doubt, I believe that Dr. Brogdon is the right person to lead MPA in its next chapter, and I am committed to ensuring her success.

While Dr. Brogdon continues her work as interim head of school at Groves Academy this year, we are balancing her current responsibilities with opportunities to integrate her into our community. Over the coming months, you will see more of her at MPA events, concerts, and meetings, as she begins to deepen her connections with students, employees, and families. In fact, if you attended the Middle School concert tonight, perhaps you had an opportunity to say hello and extend a warm welcome to her.

I approach each day at MPA as a gift. I am excited each day as I drive to school, and I feel a profound sense of purpose and gratitude as I drive home, no matter how long my day has been. To work with amazing colleagues who care deeply about their students and their vocation inspires and energizes me regardless of how tired I may be. I enjoy getting to know our parents, grandparents, and volunteers who give me strength and resolve through a shared belief in the value of the transformative power of education to change lives and the world. And finally, to encounter joyful, curious, caring students and know I am playing, even a very small way, a role in their growth and development brings joy even on the coldest, cloudiest Minnesota day.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your commitment to this extraordinary school. I have no doubt that the best days of MPA lie ahead.

Outstanding Debate Performances

December 8, 2024

Congratulations to the MPA debate team on a fantastic performance at the Classic State Debate Festival. Fifty-two students represented the school and debated about the benefits and drawbacks of NATO’s commitment to membership for Ukraine. Their countless hours of research, thinking, and practice contributed to numerous successes across the three divisions of competition—novice, junior varsity, and varsity and to a second-place finish in the team sweepstakes competition.

The tournament is called the Classic Debate Championships in novice and junior varsity. In the novice division, the team of Harper Short and Spencer Hamilton advanced to the quarterfinal round. In the junior varsity division, the teams of Truman Wilgocki and Soren Winikoff and Oslo Norcross and Hannabella Li advanced to the octafinal round, while the teams of Kelvyn Boddipalli and Sidd Sastry, Myah Hoeschen and Nicole Kim, and Yusuf Ali and Rosie Bergh advanced to quarterfinals. The team of Josh Murr and Lucy Mayer won the entire division with a commanding performance in the final round.

Integrating STEM & A Liberal Arts Curriculum

December 5, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

It was wonderful to see so many families at the annual Founders’ Day Pancake Breakfast! The joyfulness and communal spirit are living testimony to the founding vision of Mounds Park Academy (MPA). Decades ago, Bob Kreischer and Sandy Kreischer Smith, alongside founding board members, established MPA with the belief that education could be both joyful and academically challenging and they purposely grounded the school’s pedagogy in a progressive, whole-child, liberal arts curriculum.

Next week, MPA will join thousands of schools worldwide in celebrating the Hour of Code, a movement introducing millions of students to computer science through one-hour coding activities. Rather than limiting our students to just one hour, MPA will host a week-long celebration of coding and STEM-related activities, demonstrating our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. The following are just a few of the activities planned for next week:

Lower School students will engage in programming activities during Tech and Library time throughout the week, including time with Upper School computer science class students and Upper School Makerspace class students.
Middle School students will be experimenting with fun STEM and coding-related technology such as the Spero Bolt, Makey Makey, Scratch Labs, and Micro:Bit during B-day advisory classes.
In Upper School, ninth-grade students will learn coding by using Sphero Robotics during seminar time. They will also have access to the arcade games created by computer science students.

At MPA, STEM encompasses science, technology, engineering, math, computer science, coding, robotics, engineering and design, digital literacy, and the Makerspace. Our approach is comprehensive and empowers students across grade levels to explore, create, and apply knowledge in practical, meaningful ways. By integrating STEM into our liberal arts curriculum, we ensure that students are equipped with technical expertise, critical thinking skills, and ethical reasoning, preparing them for both the challenges of today and the unknown opportunities of tomorrow.

STEM within a liberal arts framework aligns perfectly with MPA’s mission of fostering a whole-child education. Technology has become an integral part of modern life, influencing communication, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and the arts. Understanding STEM principles allows students to navigate and shape this dynamic world. At the same time, MPA’s liberal arts curriculum broadens students’ perspectives, cultivating critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness. Together, these disciplines prepare students to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

One of the most compelling reasons for incorporating STEM into a liberal arts curriculum is its ability to enhance problem-solving skills. At its core, STEM at MPA is about addressing challenges through logic, creativity, and innovation. Students learn to break complex problems into manageable parts, design algorithms, and test solutions. These problem-solving skills transcend the classroom, equipping students to apply them to real-world scenarios across disciplines.

STEM at MPA also complements the goals of a liberal arts education by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning. Coding, for example, challenges students to think analytically and refine their approaches. Simultaneously, STEM at MPA is deeply creative, enabling students to design digital art, create games, or build apps that bring their ideas to life. Importantly, a liberal arts framework encourages students to consider the ethical implications of their work. Topics such as data privacy, artificial intelligence, and digital equity are interwoven into the curriculum, ensuring students not only excel technically but also think deeply about the societal impact of their innovations.

STEM at MPA also empowers students as innovators. By learning to code, design, and build—and spending time in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace—students transform from passive consumers of technology into active creators. This empowerment fosters entrepreneurship, enabling students to launch their own projects, businesses, or social initiatives. Whether designing a user-friendly app, developing a new product, or solving a real-world problem, students learn to take their ideas from concept to reality. This process cultivates resilience, creativity, and a sense of agency—qualities essential for success in any field.

STEM at MPA is not treated as an isolated discipline but as an integral part of the broader liberal arts curriculum. For instance, eighth-grade students participate in the Future Cities Competition, where they design and build a model of a sustainable city. This project involves engineering principles, research, essay writing, and presenting their work to judges, exemplifying the interdisciplinary connections STEM fosters. Such projects demonstrate the relevance of STEM across areas of study and deepen students’ appreciation for its role in addressing complex challenges.

The benefits of STEM at MPA extend far beyond technical proficiency. By engaging in STEM, students develop essential skills in collaboration and communication. Many projects require teamwork, teaching students how to work effectively with others and leverage diverse perspectives. STEM also emphasizes the importance of explaining technical concepts clearly, ensuring students can communicate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. These skills are invaluable in a world where collaboration and communication are key to success.

Finally, STEM at MPA fosters digital literacy, a critical skill in the 21st century. Students learn how technology works and gain insights into its societal implications. They navigate the digital world responsibly, protect themselves from cyber threats, and critically evaluate the role of technology in their lives. This digital literacy not only prepares students for college and careers but also empowers them to be informed, engaged citizens.

Integrating STEM into Mounds Park Academy’s liberal arts curriculum is about more than preparing students for jobs in a technology-driven world—it’s about preparing them for life. By combining technical expertise with creativity, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning, MPA ensures students are equipped to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society. As technology continues to evolve, MPA graduates are prepared to be thoughtful, compassionate, and visionary leaders.

Calling Alumni And Parents Of Alumni Musicians!

November 18, 2024

from James Lekatz, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director

For those of you who were involved in the arts at MPA, the fall was full of excitement. As you grabbed our instruments, opened your scripts, or massaged your clay, you knew magic was in store. This week, the Nicholson Center will be filled with music as band, orchestra, and choir start their concert season. In November, the Middle School play, “Little Women” will open. Walk around the school, and you will see the walls covered in kindergarten to 12th-grade artwork. MPA vibrates with art! We are so lucky to have the arts as one of the main tenants of the school. MPA believes in the transformative power of the arts and arts education, a counter and radical mentality to the world we live in. We are looking forward to seeing alumni in the audience for these vital moments of joy.

As the arts are always pushing us forward, I am looking toward the spring. This is my second year at MPA, and I have seen the show posters around the garden level. What high school produces “Candid,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Marat/Sade”? How were these productions able to take place? How big were those orchestras? I have met a handful of MPA alumni, and some of your favorite memories of MPA include the musical. I have heard wonderful stories of community, transformation, and sometimes regret for not starting sooner in the department.

This year’s musical is The Wizard of Oz, and here is where you come in. While you will not be in a costume on stage, we are looking to grow our orchestra pit. If you are a musician who plays an instrument, would you like to join us? Would you consider sitting side by side with current MPA students, filling out the sound of that iconic score, and sharing your joy of the arts with us?

Please contact Hannah Lawson, orchestra director, hlawson@moundsparkacademy.org or James Lekatz, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director, at jlekatz@moundsparkacademy.org to learn more.

A Message From Alumni Board Member Kevin McQuade ’07

November 18, 2024

As I see my two-year-old daughter Rory bounce to music (usually to Taylor Swift or Pitbull, to be honest…) in our living room, I’m transported back to MPA’s band room, where Ms. Goucher and Ms. Wantock challenged us to stretch beyond our comfort zones with both the technical music selection and the style of play. Those years of playing taught me more than just musical notes—they instilled a deep appreciation for the joy of creative expression and the rewards of patient practice. Now, as a parent, I find myself drawing on these lessons, encouraging my daughter to explore, create, and persist even when things don’t come easily. It’s because of generous giving during the fall campaign (as well as donations year-round) that students from around the school are able to try, tinker, and hone their skills with a number of musical instruments not available at many schools around the country.

Beyond the arts, my time with educators like Ms. Murr and Mr. Vergin shaped my approach to raising a compassionate human being. Their dedication to fostering empathy and understanding across socioeconomic differences continues to influence how my wife and I guide my daughter. Whether we’re sharing toys at the playground or meeting new neighbors, I hear echoes of their teachings about compassion, kindness, and inclusivity. It is to that end that my wife and I specifically contributed to continue the momentum of the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning. As someone who struggled to learn via traditional experiences, particularly in later Middle School and early high school, this mission resonates and, I believe, will enhance the educational journey of many of MPA’s best and brightest.

MPA’s nurturing environment showed me that education extends far beyond textbooks and test scores. As a consultant supporting the federal government (and coach at a gym on the side), the ability to learn about, excite, and build relationships with people from around the world keeps me motivated and open-minded to a variety of perspectives and opinions. I believe the ability to listen, understand, and engage with viewpoints other than your own is critical in today’s society, regardless of your focus area(s).

Today, I’m grateful for the foundation laid during my years at Mounds Park Academy. The school’s commitment to developing well-rounded, thoughtful individuals shapes not only my life and parenting philosophy but also my hopes for my daughter’s future—that she too will grow up to be curious, kind, and eager to make a positive difference in the world. I hope you and your families feel equally as appreciative of MPA’s philosophy and help support continued and impactful initiatives across the school. Please join me in igniting dreams, one gift at a time!

Igniting Dreams

November 14, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

When I was in middle school, I had a paper route. One advantage to having a paper route was that I had a lot of time to think, and I often dreamed of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had it down to two options, and as I tossed a paper on each home’s front porch, I alternated between the two: “President, or Pope, President, or Pope…” Like pulling the petals off a daisy, I hoped my future would become clearer with each paper. While my dream was not ultimately realized, I was fortunate to have a number of teachers who encouraged me along the way, igniting other dreams for the future.

As we move through this vibrant season of learning, growth, and discovery, I am asking for your partnership in something truly meaningful: our annual fall giving campaign, taking place from November 17 to November 23. This year, our theme, “Igniting Dreams, One Gift at a Time,” captures our vision and commitment to fostering the potential within each MPA student.

Our theme this year also captures the powerful impact of each individual contribution. Every donation, no matter the size, plays a role in fueling students’ aspirations and helping them achieve their dreams. Each gift acts as a spark, collectively building a foundation of support that enables students to explore their passions, grow academically, and develop into compassionate, engaged individuals.

A Message From Kethan Dahlberg ’14

October 22, 2024

School is back in session, students are back in classrooms, and it’s the perfect season to reflect as a community on how the time we spent on campus led us to where we are today. As MPA alum, we have experienced firsthand the power of a faculty, staff, and community dedicated to helping students discover and develop their passions and dreams.

It is in this spirit that you are invited to join us for the 2024 MPA Fall Campaign: Igniting Dreams, One Gift at a Time. With your support, we can ensure faculty and staff have the tools and resources they need to ensure students keep dreaming.

As I’m starting out my new career in law, I am constantly reminded of the impact MPA had on my dream to one day join the legal profession. There are the social studies and history classes—from the Parade of States to Ms. Conway’s famous lectures on Civil Rights and the Cold War—that sparked my interest in American government, politics, and foreign affairs. There are the speeches and projects—from Chaucer recitations to mock oral arguments at the Minnesota Supreme Court—that helped me hone my research and public speaking skills and develop a curiosity for constitutional interpretation. And there are the early mornings and late nights—from chamber choir rehearsals to meets running past midnight out on the track—that taught me the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and the benefit of having caring peers who are just as focused on pursuing their dreams as they are in supporting you achieving yours. At work, while helping clients achieve their goals and navigate novel legal challenges, I find myself drawing upon my experience as a panther and am always grateful to MPA for its role in igniting my dream from an early age. Read More

A Message From Tim Koerner ’03

September 17, 2024

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back,”—Wendy Wunder, ‘The Probability of Miracles’

I remember leaving the MPA campus on June 4, practically locking up the building ourselves after a festive kindergarten graduation party at the playground. My graduate and I drove straight to Valleyfair for the day, and our family carried on exploring and engaging with new experiences all over the map across a fulfilling (and exhausting) three months away from MPA.

Then, suddenly, it was time to return.

We now find ourselves back on campus, reconnecting with treasured MPA friends and faculty, forging new connections to those who will become equally as important to us in the months and years ahead, with Wendy Wunder’s astute observation ringing true.

Beth Larson ’08, 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee

September 13, 2024

Launched in 2023 as a way to celebrate MPA’s rich athletic tradition, MPA is proud to announce the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees: the 2006 State Golf Team; Beth Larson ’08, alum athlete; Daniel Ethier, teacher and coach; and Mike Scinto, teacher and coach. Please take a moment to read about Beth Larson ’08!

What was your greatest accomplishment in during your time as an athlete at MPA?
Winning the state doubles championship twice with my partner, Amber Washington, and winning the team state championship.

How did your time at MPA shape your future?

Being a student-athlete while simultaneously being deeply involved in music helped me develop a well-rounded set of interests that I continue to pursue today.

In what ways did the school support you during your time at MPA?
I learned so much about myself and the role that I wanted to play in the world. MPA helped me understand that I want to devote my life to giving back and improving a world that has privileged me with many gifts.

Who at MPA had the greatest influence on you?
It is hard to choose just one. Ms. Wantock for always supporting me, and helping me and teaching me valuable life lessons through music; Ms. Conway for pushing me to make a difference and enact lasting positive change on those around me; and Mlle Ruud for introducing me to Senegal and the wonders of the Francophone world.

What is something about you or your time at MPA that few people know?

After an 8-year hiatus from softball, I started back up as a member of a Canadian softball team in Dakar, Senegal, which participated in the annual West African Invitational Softball Tournament. I now play on several championship recreational slowpitch teams in Baltimore, MD, and on numerous USTA tennis teams that have competed nationally.