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
MPA’s Virtual Mentoring Program matches Upper School students with students in our Lower School. The Upper School students meet virtually weekly or bi-weekly during the day to help Lower School students in a variety personal and academic situations, including one-on-one academic support, one-on-one enrichment opportunities, story writing, Lower School reading, share and tell, word games, charades, and coloring and painting.
We are having so much fun participating in the annual MPA Book Festival virtually! From 
A note from the MPA Yearbook Staff
Giving a nod to her Upper School history curriculum on voting rights and the importance of voting, Ms. Murr had her Upper School history class vote on the name of her new kitten! They settled on the name Jackie, for Jackie Kennedy. So cute!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Ms. Cooper, Middle & Upper School Counselor, shared that mental health is “the quality of one’s social, psychological and emotional well-being. It directly impacts every aspect of our life, including how we think, feel, behave, and connect with others. Everyone has mental health. When our mental health is good, we have the flexibility to cope with life’s challenges.”
Seniors in the 21st Century Global Issues elective were lucky to hear from Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon about cybersecurity in elections. Secretary Simon discussed issues ranging from potential attacks on election infrastructure to state versus federal control over elections to how to hold elections in the context of a public health crisis. Students were able to ask a range of questions, putting their own learning and research to the test. We appreciate the work of public servants like Secretary Simon.
We’re thrilled to partner with the beloved independent shop Valley Bookseller for our Virtual Book Festival! As “Stillwater’s gathering place for everything book-related,” Valley has been a neighborhood favorite for more than 25 years.
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!