Student Experience Archives

May 31, 2020

The following essay is adapted from MPA Class of 2020 member Jordan Akers’ Senior Speech.

The enemy was drawing closer. Footsteps echoed in the distance, and all I could do was sit and wait. I had my plan, but this was sure to be bloody. This battle, this war if you will, was more than violent. The conflict, between who I objectively was and who I so desperately wanted to become, countered all laws of nature. Any free will was a causality in this war, and my boon was the masculine persona. It was the ambition for which I was desperately fighting.

There have, of course, been battles of a similar nature throughout history. Several years ago, my father was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy. His body attacked itself until he lost the ability to walk. He lost his balance, memories, and fine motor skills. Only upon the administration of an intravenous steroid did his condition begin to improve. It was his secret weapon. Even then, any sense of normalcy was far in the future. Repairing the damage took time, money, and endless work. Read More

Reducing The Barriers

May 29, 2020

The following essay is adapted from MPA Class of 2020 member Nasri Maktal’s Senior Speech.

Throughout my life, I have been told repeatedly that I need to work on my confidence. I had this deep feeling of not deserving to be in certain spaces or deserving of others’ time and patience. I believed I wasn’t as impressive or as smart as my classmates. I viewed myself as unworthy of a voice and being heard. It was almost as if I were born with deep-rooted insecurities that held me back from unlocking my full potential. It was this large weight attached to me that followed my every move. I continuously heard that I need to be more confident, but there wasn’t some magical switch that I could flip to make me proud of the person I am.

This feeling came to a head in Middle School. While I had long been cognizant of that fact that I am vastly different from many of my classmates, until then, I wasn’t aware of its true implications. For years, I had refused to acknowledge my differences. By doing so, I continued to ignore who I was, which, in turn, never allowed any form of self-love. Since I didn’t acknowledge my identities that played a large role in my life, how was I supposed to be OK with who I was? These differences were particularly prominent in my socio-economic background, my religion, and my skin color. Read More

Class of 2020: Catherine Moore

May 29, 2020

As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came to MPA in Kindergarden. I loved the community Mounds Park Academy has. I especially like the great education I have gotten along with my classmates.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

I have wanted to go to a smaller school since I could remember. I only looked at smaller liberal art colleges because I knew what kind of school I wanted to continue my education at. I knew that coming from the smaller class sizes and small community at Mounds Park Academy I would want a smaller college. St. Olaf emphasized the small class sizes, along with a similar teacher student relationship that I got at Mounds Park Academy. I also wanted to make academics a priority along with being able to play sports. St. Olaf gives me the chance to thrive academically while playing volleyball.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?

I am excited to meet new people and to experience new personalities.The class of 2020 has become my family over that last 13 years, but I am excited to meet some new people. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and into trying new things. Read More

Class of 2020: William Kim

May 26, 2020

As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came to MPA in 8th grade. Prior to attending MPA, I lived in Manitoba, Canada, and I remember the moment I entered the school and how I fell in love with the school’s vibe, facilities, and wonderful teachers. While no classes were in session as I came in June, I still felt as if MPA was the right place for me.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

I ended up choosing the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Out of all the music schools that I applied to, I felt that Oberlin was the most similar to MPA. I feel that Oberlin is the perfect place for me because of their incredible opportunities to grow as a musician, while also offering strong academic programs within the college.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?

I’m excited to be living in a state that I have never lived in before, and to also experience the wide range of performing opportunities Oberlin offers. Life does not stop here, and I know that I am still maturing as a person. I’m curious to know what my life will be like during and after college!

Confronting Fear Through Writing Lab

May 26, 2020

The following essay is adapted from MPA Class of 2020 member Charlie Galicich’s Senior Speech.

When I was nine days old, I was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, a heart defect that required immediate surgery. Essentially, an important blood vessel in my heart hadn’t opened correctly at birth, so my body wasn’t getting enough oxygen. Even though I remember nothing about that day, I can imagine that I’ve never since been as stressed and fearful as I was in those few hours that must have felt like I was suffocating.

I used to have a different outlook on this heart-iversary of mine. To me, it all seemed to represent the beginning of an unlucky life. I was annoyed that I was the only one in my family with a heart defect. I was irked that my chest throbbed so hard each time I got nervous. I was irritated with my right leg being shorter than my left. It all seemed pretty unfair.

But as I look at my life today, that all just seems like pointless whining. Not everything about my life has been perfectly ideal at all times, or how I would have envisioned it. But it has been because of all of this wrong, because I had this close call, because I am imperfect, that my life is as beautiful as it is today. I’m truly very lucky to have had such a wonderful, uninhibited experience. Every May 1^st, I’m aware that my life could have been quite different. Often, I stress and worry and work hard because I want to make the most of the luck that gave me the life I have today. But I cannot allow fear of things going wrong to get in my way. To do so would be to learn the wrong lessons from 18 years ago. Read More

Class of 2020: Grace Holloway

May 22, 2020

Grace Holloway As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came to MPA right at the end of fifth grade. My cousin was in eighth grade here and had raved about how great MPA is and how my family should look at it. When we toured, we feel in love with the school and I enrolled immediately.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

I chose Cornell College for a couple reasons. I knew I wanted to be in the midwest but not in MN and I wanted to be at a small school. I looked at a lot of schools and Cornell had always been on my list because of the One Course At A Time program but I didn’t really think much about it until I visited. When I visited last spring break, I instantly fell in love with everything. I loved the campus, the food, the dorms, the town that surrounds it and the sense of community. I instantly felt at home. And being able to get a first hand perspective about the One Course At A Time program and see how amazing it is really made it clear to me that Cornell was were I wanted to be. Read More

Class of 2020: Cece Hawley

May 19, 2020

As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came to MPA in PreK.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

I was pretty set on one school that I had gotten into through applying early action. When I saw that I got into Wesleyan University through regular decision, I was really excited. The open curriculum is definitely something that attracted me to the school, but the most important thing to me was that the people there were very welcoming and supportive of me. They never failed to reach out and help with any questions I had about Wes.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?

I am super excited to make more connections and have more experiences. Being at MPA my entire life, I have been able to know people from the young age of five. It will be super cool to go to an entirely new place and meet new people. Read More

Class of 2020: Jordan Akers

May 19, 2020

As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came originally in PreK, but left for seventh and eighth grade. I returned in ninth upon realizing the MPA experience is unique and unparalleled.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

I chose Yale University because I wanted to study at a place with elements of both a small liberal arts college and a large research university. Additionally, the opportunities in my areas of study (environmental studies and music) are stellar compared to many of the other schools to which I applied. Located in New Haven, I was also extremely attracted to Yale’s proximity to New York City (a simple train ride away!). Read More

Class of 2020: Jerusalem Thao

May 15, 2020

As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came to MPA in 10th grade.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

My cousin previously attended St. Olaf, and it really caught my eye. I also liked the fact that it’s a small school where there are smaller class sizes.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?

I am mostly excited for the people and connections I will make in college.

Class of 2020: Katie Goodno

May 14, 2020

As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!

In what grade did you come to MPA?

I came to MPA in fourth grade, which was the same year my sister Abby started in sixth grade, and two years after my sister Sara started at MPA in sixth grade also. When I shadowed in third grade, I didn’t want the day to be over because I loved the school and the people so much, which is why my parents and I made the easy decision to transfer to MPA.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?

I had no intention of going to college in Texas at all, in fact, I told my parents it was just a waste of time to visit Baylor. During spring break in my sophomore year, we were in Waco, so my mom told me I should visit Baylor. As soon as I got the tour of the campus I started envisioning myself there, and I loved it. In my senior year, I had forgotten about Baylor and didn’t really see a future there, until I visited again, and fell in love with it again. The thing that was most appealing to me was all the opportunities there were for me there and all the choices I had for majors and classes. I also am very excited about all the traditions there are and sports games! The thing that attracted me the most about Baylor was how welcoming and kind the community is. I’m very excited to join that community in the fall! Read More