Alumni Archives

January 13, 2020

Meet 2019-20 Alumni Association Board member Annie Stewart ’11!

After attending MPA from grades 6-12, Annie Stewart ’11 went to St. Olaf College for four years and graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in Theater. She worked at a number of theater companies in St. Paul and Minneapolis before finding her way back to MPA as a substitute teacher and PreK teaching assistant. She worked in MPA’s Lower School for a year before deciding to go back to school to pursue her K-6 teaching license and Masters in Elementary Education! Annie says that it was working at MPA that helped solidify her passion for teaching, and she is so thankful for all of the experiences that led her to where she is today.

“MPA was such an important place and community for many years of my academic career,” said Annie. “Now, as I am completing a license and Masters, I use the tools and skills I learned at MPA on a daily basis. Most importantly, I am excited to teach and that love of teaching comes from the teachers and community I had at MPA. I’m especially looking forward to teaching the next generation of students how to think, not just what to think.” Read More

Save The Date For Maker Fest 2020

January 8, 2020

Join us on February 22 from 1-3 PM in the AnnMarieThomas Makerspace and cafeteria, where you can either host your own table or come as a spectator!

You can sign up here to share your Maker talents, either individually or with a group to have your very own display table at MPA Maker Fest. This is the perfect opportunity to “show and tell” something that you have created and share your accomplishments with the community. Maker Fest is free is open to everyone–students, parents, grandparents, alums, faculty, staff, etc. We can’t wait to see your creations!

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Koen at nkoen@moundsparkacademy.org.

Light Up The Night At The MPA Spring Auction

January 8, 2020

The 2020 MPA Spring Auction: Light Up the Night is your chance to support our beloved school while building community with fellow parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends. Enjoy delicious cuisine, a hosted bar, live music, games, and both live and silent auctions.

MPA Spring Auction
Friday, April 17, 2020
A’bulae | 255 6th St E, St Paul, MN 55101

Do you have any items from the holidays collecting dust such as extra gift cards or something that wasn’t quite right for your family? It might be perfect for this year’s silent auction or mystery box prizes. Contact us or drop off your item to the Development office anytime. Click here to view the 2020 Wish List.

Seventh Graders Do Right Through Design For Change

January 8, 2020

“Design For Change” is more than a phrase that our students and faculty have become very familiar with this school year. It is an organization that functions on global and national levels, working with students and educators to “turn empathy into action.” More than one million students are involved in Design For Change and are positively impacting their communities worldwide. This movement has made its way into the minds and hands of MPA students through Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, and Ms. Joyce, technology integrationist, as they work with seventh graders on MPA’s very own Design For Change global challenge.

In November, Ms. Joyce attended the I Can Children’s Global Summit in Rome, which featured students from over 40 countries and their Design For Change initiatives. Their solutions covered global issues including violence, gentrification, medicine, environmental issues, and teens and mental health. After an incredibly powerful experience, Ms. Joyce is helping the MPA seventh graders get their projects ready to submit to the 2020 I Can Global Summit.

“Attending the Summit was definitely a life-changing experience for me,” said Ms. Joyce. “Besides the individual impact of each of the students’ participation in their Design For Change solution, the group impact made possible by the global conference will resonate beyond anything we can imagine.”

The idea behind Design For Change is that there is no single one-and-done solution. The purpose is to spark curiosity, relationships, partnerships, and ongoing work that ripples into the community, and eventually, the world. The MPA students involved are currently focusing their efforts on the United Nations sustainable development global goal of reduced inequalities–specifically, quality education and school funding disparities. Read More

Join Us For MPA Community Caroling

December 18, 2019

Mr. Habermann, Madrigal Singers, alumni, and MPA faculty and staff invite you to campus to enjoy some holiday spirit at MPA! The annual holiday caroling will take place in the North Entrance, hallways, and Family Commons on Friday, December 20, 2019 from 7:15-8 AM!

Bring The Holiday Spirit To MPA

December 10, 2019

Mr. Habermann, Madrigal Singers and MPA Faculty and Staff would like to welcome back all choir alumni to campus to help spread joy this holiday season at MPA.

Caroling will take place in the North Entrance, Halls and Family Commons on Friday, December 20, 2019 from 7:15-8 AM. Please contact alumni@moundsparkacademy.org if you plan to attend.

College Years POA Reunion

December 10, 2019

Parents from the MPA classes of 2016 through 2019 gathered at Dellwood Golf Club on Thursday, November 7 to catch up on all the news of MPA’s college students! The evening was sponsored by the Parents of Alumni and is an annual event designed to help parents stay in touch after graduation. Drinks and appetizers were served and everyone had a wonderful time mingling and reconnecting with old friends!

You’re Invited: Alumni Gatherings

December 10, 2019

December 21, 2019: Alumni Basketball Game
Enjoy getting back on the court with fellow alumni at the Alumni Basketball Game held on December 21, 2019 in the Lansing Center at 1 PM. All MPA alumni are welcomed and encouraged to attend to play or cheer on their former classmates!

December 26, 2019: Alumni Social
This is your chance to return to campus for this year’s winter Alumni Social held on December 26 at 5 PM. The event will include appetizers, beverages and tours of the newly renovated spaces. For questions or to RSVP, please email alumni@moundsparkacademy.org.

January 14, 2020: Alumni Mentorship Program Networking Event
Join in preparing the Class of 2020 for life after MPA in the 2nd Annual Alumni Mentorship Program Networking Event. The event will take place on January 14, 2020 from 8-9:15 AM in the Family Commons. If you are interested in participating or to learn more, please contact Ashley Goetzke, assistant director of development at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org for more information.

Meet Cathryn Camacho ’04

December 9, 2019

Meet 2019-20 Alumni Association Board member Cathryn Camacho ’04!

Following graduation from MPA, Cathryn moved to California to attend Pomona College. She graduated with a B.A. in Economics and worked as an analyst for a litigation consulting firm before switching gears and pursuing a Masters of Interior Architecture from UCLA/Cal Poly Pomona.

“Many of my friends and family joke that I am ‘serial student,’ as I currently pursue my second Masters in a part-time program,” she said. “The joy of learning has never faded. Throughout my collegiate and graduate studies, I sought institutions that mirror MPA’s dedication towards student development.”

In 2015, she returned home to Minnesota to run her family business and enroll in the Carlson School of Management for her Masters of Business Administration. Cathryn now serves as the President of Camacho Contractors and is involved with MPA in a variety of ways. After a tough four years juggling school and work, she is seeking balance, travel, and adventure, as well as growing her engagement with the MPA community and develop new relationships. Read More

MPA Places Highest Ever In State Debate

December 8, 2019

MPA Debate had a very successful weekend at the State Tournament. Forty three students represented the school, and Mounds Park Academy received the second place team sweepstakes award. That’s an award based on the top two performances across each of the three divisions of competition—novice, junior varsity, and varsity. That’s MPA’s highest team finish in the 20 years of the tournament.

The tournament is called the Classic Debate Championships in novice and junior varsity. Three MPA teams advanced to the quarterfinals (top eight) among the 47 teams in the junior varsity division. Meera Dear and Beldaja Jama advanced to the quarterfinal round, as did the team of Charlotte Bergh and Ruby Schweiger. Emma Cohen and Salmah Elmasry won the junior varsity division with a perfect 8-0 record, defeating a team from Eastview in the final round.

The varsity division is called the Minnesota State High School League Classic Debate State Festival, as the MSHSL sponsors the awards for this event. Charlie Galicich and Garrett Hollihan advanced to the semifinals, and Charlie received all-state honors for his outstanding performance over the course of the season. Ryan Ghose and Elli Carlson reached the finals of the tournament, where they were defeated by the state champions from Mankato.

A special thank you to all the alumni who helped the team. Meg Wilkening ’18 is a brilliant coach, and numerous alumni judged for the team over the course of the season.

Go Panthers!