Special Events Archives

March 15, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

I am fortunate to live in a beautiful neighborhood in south Minneapolis near Minnehaha Creek and Lake Harriet. One of the things I like most about the area is the tall, towering trees that form an umbrella over the streets. They protect our house from the summer sun and fall is absolutely spectacular. I find myself expressing words of gratitude for those families who, more than 40 years ago, planted the trees that we value and enjoy today.

Like many neighborhoods in the Twin Cities, we’ve had a terrible problem with the Emerald Ash Boer. Many of our trees have had to be removed and it has been very sad to see these majestic trees cut down. Our neighborhood, however, has banded together and are once again populating the boulevard from new trees. They are small and scrawny and do not provide any protection or beauty. Yet, as we care for the small sapling in front of our house, I imagine what it will be like in 20 or 30 years as young children yet to be born enjoy the shade.

Auction Items Needed and Appreciated!

March 8, 2018

Items ranging from themed baskets and event tickets to extravagant weekend holidays are needed and very much appreciated. Your contributions are what make this event possible! All items may be dropped off in the Development Office. auction wish list >

Another Way to Support Mounds Park Academy

March 8, 2018

What are Planned Gifts?

Planned gifts, sometimes called “deferred gifts,” are charitable gift commitments made today, but from which MPA does not benefit until a future date. Planned gifts may be made from a donor’s estate at death or may be established now with the transfer of assets that will create a gift that provides an income stream to the donor with the remainder passing to MPA at the donor’s death. Gifts from estates can preserve lifetime flexibility (allow you to retain use of the assets and make changes during life), reduce your taxable estate, and help you to achieve a charitable purpose perhaps not possible during your lifetime. Life-income planned gifts, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, may also produce immediate income tax benefits.

Why choose to make a Planned Gift?

Planned gifts can be an attractive way for donors to make a lasting impact by allowing them to make a larger, more substantial gift than they would otherwise be able to make during their lifetimes. Also, some donors are concerned about what happens to their annual support of MPA after they’re gone. A planned gift can be the answer. The nature of your future gift depends upon several factors: your age, total assets, estate and income tax situation, family inheritance concerns, timing, current income needs, and last but not least, your philanthropic goals: what do you want your legacy gift to accomplish at MPA? Read More

This Is Why I Give. How About You?

March 6, 2018

by Vance Ryan ’08

Mounds Park Academy was integral to making me who I am today. Even in kindergarten, we were asked to give presentations to our classmates on countries in South America. That presentation was just the beginning of the approach MPA takes towards preparing students for the world not only after grade school, but also after college. While I have yet to give a presentation on Suriname in my career, I still use the public speaking and critical thinking skills I learned at MPA as a part of that mentality every day in my career.

Every Panther can make a gift of any amount during today’s Alumni Challenge! moundsparkacademy.org/donate

This Is Why I Give. How About You?

March 6, 2018

by Nate Bander ’09

I give back because MPA gave me a lifelong community. I remember returning to campus for the first time after I graduated, at the Alumni Basketball Tournament when I was freshman in college, and realizing right then and there as I walked into and was greeted by friends, and former teammates and coaches, that MPA was worth supporting with whatever I had to contribute.

Every Panther can make a gift of any amount during today’s Alumni Challenge! moundsparkacademy.org/donate

This Is Why I Give. How About You?

March 6, 2018

by Annie Stewart ’11

Donating during the Alumni Challenge is my way of saying thank you. I may not be able to give a large donation, but I know that every dollar that I give goes to supporting great teachers, amazing facilities, and a school that continues to help me grow.

When classmates have asked me why I give, I tell them that I remember back to my Middle School drama class when Mrs. Bradley gave me my first part in a class play. I never would have guessed that my experiences in her class would lead me to pursue a degree in theater in college. I give because I want to ensure that the next generation of MPA students are able to have their own transformational experiences, and be mentored by exceptional faculty and staff.

Every Panther can make a gift of any amount during today’s Alumni Challenge! moundsparkacademy.org/donate

Today’s The Day!

March 6, 2018

Today, Tuesday, March 6, we are calling on our alumni community to participate in our annual 24 hour giving challenge! As a nonprofit institution, we rely on financial contributions to support the programs and opportunities that our students take part in.

When alumni show their support by participating in the Alumni Challenge, they not only affirm their faith in the teachers that supported them, but they show the community the reach and impact that MPA alumni can truly have on the world—from Youth Ambassadors to the United Nation to socially conscious business owners to MPA Panthers running through Times Square!

We are beyond excited to see how you challenge each other and the collective impact you will have on this day!

To make a gift, visit moundsparkacademy.org/donate!

This Is Why I Give. How About You?

March 6, 2018

by Jeremy Drucker ’97

When I started at Mounds Park Academy in sixth grade I lacked academic confidence. Not only did I struggle with subjects I didn’t have an aptitude for, but I was also oblivious to the things I did well. MPA helped me realize not only how to master those things I had difficulty with, but also how to embrace and bring to bloom those areas where I did have a knack.

Whether it was reciting the first 18 lines of Chaucer’s Canterbury tales in Old English for Richard Meacock’s sophomore English class, or doing improv in Mrs. Poehling and Mrs. Bradley’s drama classes, or researching and writing history papers for Mrs. Conway, or having Mrs. Docherty yelling encouragement to finish strong down the final stretch of a two mile race in the rain at the conference track meet, MPA prepared me for and put me in challenging positions where I needed to push myself past where I thought I could go, but with the support I needed until I learned how to do it myself.

These experiences gave me an exceptional educational foundation that has served me well ever since, be it in college, graduate school or my professional life. It is an incredible advantage for which I am grateful to this day, and hope that every person should be as fortunate as I was.

Every Panther can make a gift of any amount during today’s Alumni Challenge! moundsparkacademy.org/donate

Tuesday’s The Day!

March 4, 2018

On Tuesday, March 6, we are calling on our alumni community to participate in our annual 24 hour giving challenge! As a nonprofit institution, we rely on financial contributions to support the programs and opportunities that our students take part in.

We are beyond excited to see how you challenge each other and the collective impact you will have on this day!

To make a gift on that day, click here.

Become A Sponsor For The Spring Auction!

March 1, 2018

Sponsors for the 2018 Spring Auction receive special recognition on the website and printed materials and are invited to the exclusive pre-party, where they will have special access to the silent auction, great gatherings, and games. Sponsors also support Mounds Park Academy’s faculty and staff by allowing us to provide them with complimentary tickets to the event.

There are many different sponsorship levels, including Community Sponsor, Host Sponsor, and Family And Friends Sponsor. Community Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, the company name and/or family name on auction program, on-site recognition, website recognition, and help cover the cost of two teacher tickets.

Host Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, on-site recognition, website recognition, and help cover the cost of two teacher tickets.

Family And Friends Sponsors receive two receives two complimentary tickets to the gala, two complimentary tickets to the Private Sponsor Pre-party, on-site recognition, and website recognition.

Thank you for your support! You can find more information about sponsorship and the Auction at moundsparkacademy.org/springauction.