Upper School

Diligence Is Needed

May 13, 2021

ninth graders testing their mousetrap carsby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

If you’ve been in an airport recently, it certainly appears that the pandemic is waning. Having just returned from a short trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit my 81-year-old mother whose health has been failing, I can attest to that. The lines to get through security are getting long again and planes are beginning to fill up again. It’s almost as if life is back to “normal” but we know that it is not, at least not yet.

There is good news as more and more people are getting vaccinated. Minnesota is near the top of the list of states with the highest percentage vaccinated with 64% of Minnesotans 18 years and older having received at least the first dose of the vaccine. And with the FDA recently authorizing the vaccination of children 12 and older, we may be in the last leg of the pandemic.

With all the positive news, it’s easy to forget that we haven’t crossed the finish line just yet. According to the Star Tribune, pandemic activity remains at high levels in Minnesota, which had the second highest rate of new infections in the latest White House COVID-19 state report released last Tuesday. While it is true that the risk is lessening as more people get vaccinated, given the rise in variants, our on-campus dial stop one mode, and increased cases in recent weeks, diligence is needed now more than ever. Read More

Talking With Children About Anti-Racism With Dr. Jazlynn Paige

May 13, 2021

Lower School Peace GardenDr. Jazlynn Paige is a school psychologist who has her own consulting firm Paige Psychological Consulting, which was founded in 2019. Dr. Paige shared tips for engaging children in difficult conversations about race, racism, and anti-racism with our community during a live parent education session. The thoughts she shared during that session are summarized below for families unable to attend.

Focus On Your Family
Every family is different and everyone has their own perspective with regard to how they view talking about race, racism, and anti-racism. Everyone is coming from a different background. For some families, these are very uncomfortable conversations, and for others they are much easier. But talking about it is important because no matter what age, children are experiencing ideas around race regardless of whether they are being discussed at home or not. Read More

Why MPA Parent Susan Knapp Volunteers

May 13, 2021

Parker and friends at recessby Susan Knapp (parent of Parker in ninth grade)

For the kids. There is something magical in seeing the joy on the kids’ faces, knowing you had a part in generating that. It’s a great way to get a glimpse into your child’s life at school—at least until they’re teens and don’t want you around at school. See what they’re like with their friends, get to know their class a little better, experience their camaraderie, their joy, and gratitude for the extras volunteers provide.

For the sheer joy of being a part of something bigger. One of the best experiences I’ve had volunteering was being involved in the MS Café. Using my talents and time in ways that I don’t normally has been very rewarding. I loved the teamwork, meeting the challenges, the creativity, and the gratitude and wonder on the kids’ faces as they walked into all of our hard work for the very first time. It was a labor of love and totally worth it. Another great experience was manning the snack room in pre-COVID teacher appreciation week. It’s a very fun way of meeting teachers and staff members, surrounded by sugar and snacks and gratitude. What can be better than that?! Read More

MPA Speech Sets Records At NIETOC National Tournament

May 11, 2021

Salmah and Ryan celebratingMounds Park Academy competed at the NIETOC National Tournament this past weekend. The team finished ranked 14th in the nation!

MPA had 11 entries and nine students qualify, both school records. Four entries (five students) broke into outrounds, another school record. Seniors Lily Gasterland-Gustafsson and Garrett Hollihan finished in the Octafinal in Duo, senior Anna Gaudio finished in the Octafinal in Drama, senior Ryan Ghose finished in the Semifinal (11th overall) in Humorous, and senior Salmah Elmasry finished in the Final, placing fourth in Ex Speaking.

Salmah won the final round as the first MPA student to ever win a National Final Round. Because the tournament is cumulative, all of her scores combined placed her fourth overall.

Congratulations to the entire team!

A College Choice Day Unlike Any Other

May 6, 2021

Isak Dai '21by Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I remember sitting in the bleachers in the upper level of Jenison Fieldhouse at Michigan State University to witness the graduation of my father. At five years old, I had no appreciation for the sacrifice he and my mother made for that to happen. I didn’t know that my dad joined the Navy after high school to help support his family and that afterwards, he worked full time to put his younger brother and sister through college. I didn’t know that over the course of seven years he drove 80 miles round trip to attend classes at Michigan State all the while working a full-time job, leaving my mother to care for three small children. I didn’t know any of that, sitting in the bleachers that hot May afternoon in 1969. But I did know how important college was as I spotted my dad cross the stage to receive his diploma.

MPA seniors, together with the entire MPA community, will celebrate College Choice Day this coming Monday, May 10. Sporting their chosen college apparel, seniors will gather in and around the Upper School Commons to create their college pennants and feast on individually pre-packaged cookies and beverages. “This class has my heart,” says director of college counseling, Lisa Pederson. “The pandemic literally shut down campuses last spring break as many were arriving to tour campuses. They rebounded and conducted the rest of their college search almost entirely online, demonstrating an amazing degree of resilience, imagination, determination, optimism, and support of each other.” Read More

Vote For Siri And Evan To Be Top Performers Of The Week!

May 6, 2021

Siri with teammatesLet’s go Panthers! Two MPA athletes are up for winning Top Performer of the Week in their sport–vote for them with the links below. Voting ends Sunday, May 9 at 10 AM!

Click here to cast your vote for sophomore Siri Springer to be the MN Softball Hub Top Performer of the Week! “The sophomore pitcher had an impressive April, allowing just four runs to score through 23 innings during five Panthers wins. Last week, Springer led the Panthers to a 13-1 win at Blake on April 26 and a 12-0 victory against Breck on April 28. At Blake, Springer pitched five innings, striking out eight batters while allowing one run on four hits. At the plate, she went 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs. Against Breck, Springer pitched two hitless innings, recording four strikeouts. She hit a double and a triple and scored a run, leading the Panthers (5-0, 4-0) with four RBIs.”

Evan pitchingClick here to cast your vote for senior Evan Esch to be the MN Baseball Hub Top Performer of the Week! “The senior pitcher struck out 17 batters as the Panthers ended a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory at Blake on April 26. The Panthers (2-7, 2-7) avenged a 13-3 loss to Blake from two weeks earlier as Esch gave up one unearned run on three hits through seven innings on the mound.”

MPA Book Festival Ends May 3!

April 29, 2021

perk students on story walkThe book festival has started and runs through Monday, May 3. Its goal is to encourage the love of reading and to contribute to the MPA Library. Books are available for purchase from two local booksellers, Usborne Books and Valley Bookseller in Stillwater. Our theme this year is Earth Day, which was April 22. We have opportunities to participate in book and Earth-related fun activities, including story times and prize giveaways!

Below are helpful links with book recommendations and direct links to our book vendors to place your orders.

If you have any questions about this year’s Virtual Book Festival, please contact DeeDee at deedeeclendenning@gmail.com or Michelle Mick at michelle_wessely@yahoo.com.

Parents Association Members Share Why They Volunteer

April 29, 2021

MPA parents having coffee outsideWe invite you to join the MPA Parents Association Board! The Parents Association board is looking for volunteers to fill several positions next year. There are varying time commitments, but the experience is consistently rewarding. Over the next few weeks the current PA Board would like to share our reasons for volunteering.

Please reach out to Kim Jakway, Susan Knapp, or any of the current board members with questions or to express interest.

Why I Volunteer
by Yukiko Miyokawa (parent of Eilam, 9th Grade)
I have been volunteering my time as a Treasurer for the Parent Association for the past one and a half years and it has been a very rewarding experience.

Initially, I was nervous to volunteer at MPA since English was not my first language and I came from a different culture.  Moreover, since I was born and raised in Japan, I had no idea what student life was like and how teachers interacted with students and their parents in the U.S. I wondered what I could do as a parent to be involved and help. Read More

Dhruv Muppidi ’21 Named Presidential Scholar Semifinalist

April 28, 2021

photo of DhruvCongratulations to senior Dhruv Muppidi on being named one of 625 Presidential Scholar semifinalists from out of 3.6 million seniors across the country! Since 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program has honored the nation’s most distinguished high school seniors based on academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. Dhruv is one of only 10 semifinalists from Minnesota. He will find out if he is selected as one of 160 Presidential Scholarship recipients in early May!

Meet Dhruv Muppidi ’21

What prompted your application to the Presidential Scholars Program?
After receiving the invitation to apply to the Presidential Scholars Program, I decided to apply mostly on a whim to eliminate any regret I may have had if I didn’t at least test my chances. I never once expected to be a semifinalist, and to be considered alongside some of the most accomplished high school seniors in the country is extremely humbling. It’s a testament to the wonderful work being done at MPA by the teachers and the student body.

What’s your big dream?
If we’re talking long-term (and perhaps a tad idealistically), NBA commissioner is my ultimate dream, combining my love of business management, economics, and sports. However, I’m also passionate about combating educational inequities, and I would love to continue working in the non-profit sector during college and beyond.

Read More

Congratulations MPA Speech Champions!

April 26, 2021

MPA Speech class A ChampsCongratulations to MPA Speech, the Class A State Team Champions! In the 2021 Speech Season, Mounds Park Academy had ten state finalists, two state runner-ups, and four State Champions. They also broke the prior Class A team points record. We are so proud of these students!

Individual results:
Hana Miller: sixth in Humorous
Charlotte Bergh: fifth in Ex Reading
Rohit Iyer: fourth in Ex Speaking
Lucy Schwieger: third in Poetry
Lilly Gasterland-Gustafsson/Garrett Hollihan: second in Duo
Emma Cohen: second in Oratory
Salmah Elmasry: champion in Ex Speaking
Ryan Ghose: champion in Humor
Livia Wooldridge: champion in Poetry
Anna Gaudio: champion in Prose