Mounds Park Academy

June 10, 2019

Congratulations to all of the Panthers who participated in the State Track & Field Meet, held June 7-8. These seven athletes all earned All-State Honors and were medalists by placing in the top nine in Minnesota, Class A:

Isak Nightingale, Cullen Moore, Henry Snider, Matthew Bourne – Ninth in Boys 4 x 800m Relay, 8:20.17
Henry Snider – Seventh in the 3200m Run, 9:53.34
Sofia Walker – Fifth in the 800m Run, 2:18.40 with a new school record!
Yahya Madar – First in the High Jump, 6’ 10 with a new school record and tied the MN Class A State Record! Only 18 high school students have jumped this high in the United States this year.

Others qualifying for the State Meet, competing, but not placing in the top nine include:

Katie Dahiya, Gabby Law, Margo N., Izzy Quam – 17th in the 4 x 800m Relay
Tae’Vion Wilkins, Ian Olson, Nathan Harvanko, Flynn Opatz – 14th in the 4 x 200m Relay

They all had remarkable seasons! Go Panthers!

Photos by MN Prep Photo/www.mnprepphoto.com and Nate Bander ’09.

Panthers Win State Tennis Championship

June 5, 2019

The Mounds Park Academy Panthers defeated the St. Paul Academy Spartans 4-3 in the Class A State Tennis Tournament at the Reed-Sweatt Indoor tennis facility in Minneapolis Wednesday. MPA secured wins in first singles, second singles, first doubles, and the deciding win came in a three hour and 30+ minute marathon match in fourth singles. Vlad Vutov (Nova Classical Academy) secured a Panther victory with a 6-4 third set win. This was MPA’s second State Boys Tennis Championship—the last time was in 2006. Congratulations, Panthers!

Read more in the Pioneer Press >

See the bracket >

Another Compelling Chapter Comes To A Close

June 5, 2019

On Tuesday afternoon, I had the privilege of attending the presentations of three seniors who will graduate having earned a Graduate Certificate of Distinction in the Fine Arts. If you are not familiar with the Graduate Certificate of Distinction (GCD), it is designed for students ready and willing to pursue their passions through additional and focused coursework, research, and volunteerism. The GCD allows students to dive deeper into one area of their choosing: STEM, Global Studies, or the Fine Arts. The depth of inquiry that students experience through achieving a Certificate typically simulates what they will find in college, requiring hundreds of hours beyond the classroom.

I was struck by the growth each student experienced during their time at MPA as they pursued their passion for art. In the words of art teacher Lisa Buck, “Each showed (just) snippets of their artworks in their high school years that spoke to an inner calling, a sense of self-worth and self-image that has now framed who they will become.” The sense of self, discovered and honed, during their time at MPA is perhaps the greatest outcome I could hope for as head of school. To witness, and perhaps be a party, to that transformation is at the heart of an educator. Read More

Three Alumni Credit MPA For Helping Them Follow Their Dreams

June 5, 2019

Matt Berning ’18 first stumbled across Camp Voyageur when looking for ways to spend his upcoming summer vacation. He knew he wanted to be outside—preferably in the Boundary Waters—and spending it at Camp Voyageur seemed like the perfect option. After he applied for and received the position as a camp counselor there, he texted his friends and fellow MPA alumni Paul Thompson-Nelson ’18, and Jackson Peacock ’18, out of excitement. A few weeks later, unbeknownst to Matt, both Jackson and Paul applied for and received the positions as well.

As camp counselors at Camp Voyageur, the trio will host portage trips across the Boundary Waters and hike around Lake Superior with their campers. “We will take campers in pairs of two and be gone for extended periods of time,” explains Matt. “The essence of Camp Voyageur involves creating an atmosphere that embraces the wonders of the outdoors … We have not worked here too long, but have already fallen in love with it. This is where MPA comes into play. We can all agree MPA has made a large impact on our mindsets on life and allowed us to follow our dreams.” Read More

2019 MPA Alumni Association Award Recipient

June 5, 2019

Congratulations to Claire Porter ’00! The MPA Alumni Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the MPA Alumni Association Award. This award is intended to honor alumni of outstanding talent pursuing their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations, while embracing the spirit of MPA’s commitment to community and social outreach.

Since graduating from MPA, Claire Porter ’00 has pursued academic excellence and has made a big impact on her field and the world. Claire received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Anthropology from Harvard University in 2005 and has earned two Master’s degrees, both from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Since that time, she has authored numerous publications to advance research in the fields of Geographic Information Science and Software Engineering.

Porter currently serves as a Remote Sensing Scientist at the Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota, a group that provides geospatial data, derived products, and expertise to polar researchers. She leads the product development team in building automated workflows for production of orthorectified imagery, imagery mosaics, and elevation models from stereoscopic imagery. She serves as a mentor and informal advisor to undergraduate and graduate students and carries on the MPA tradition of supporting others and making an impact on the world. Read More

Class of 2019: Izzie Portoghese, Saint Paul

June 5, 2019

As the 2018–19 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2019!

In what grade did you come to MPA?
I came to Mounds Park Academy in ninth grade after years of attending Saint Paul Public Schools because of the welcoming environment and great academics of MPA. One of my sisters came to the school the same year I did when she was in eighth grade and the other came a few months later as a kindergartener. My parents originally were going to wait to bring my youngest sister to MPA until Middle School, but decided to bring her earlier when we saw the positive affect on myself and my middle sister.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?
I will be attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, this fall. I wanted to attend a small liberal arts college that was close to home. I also was looking for a great nursing program for me to pursue a career in healthcare. St. Olaf allows me to follow the career path I want, while being in the setting and environment that is a good match for me.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?
I am excited about starting the nursing program at St. Olaf. I was directly admitted to the program and I am looking forward to starting healthcare related classes and eventually doing clinicals. St. Olaf has clinical relationships throughout the Twin Cities, at Mayo Clinic, and in rural areas, and I’m so excited to experience all of them.

What did you appreciate most about the college counseling process at MPA?
My favorite part about the college counseling process at MPA is that I could sign up to meet with Ms. Pederson to talk about my essays, college decisions, etc. easily and whenever I needed help. Senior year, I met with her about a hundred times to go over the essays I was writing and she always was there to help. I also really appreciated that MPA encouraged us to think and prepare for college starting freshman year. The College Counseling Office has been very helpful throughout my years at MPA. Read More

See Shakespeare & Company This Summer

June 4, 2019

Ann Frances Gregg, MPA’s Upper School theatre teacher and director, is currently directing “Two Gentlemen of Verona” for Shakespeare & Company in White Bear Lake. S&C, founded by MPA parent of alum George Wade, is an outdoor theatre company, which produces three shows ‘in rep’ each summer. It is the oldest outdoor Shakespeare company in Minnesota. This summer marks the company’s 44th season!

You are invited to bring lawn chairs, picnics, blankets, whatever suits you, and come and enjoy a show on a beautiful summer evening (or not-so-beautiful—shows go on rain or shine). Shakespeare & Company performs on a permanent outdoor stage at Century College in White Bear Lake. Tickets can be bought at the door with cash or check. A show calendar, show information, and directions can all be found here.

Class of 2019: Lindsey Baldwin, Saint Paul

June 3, 2019

As the 2018–19 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2019!

In what grade did you come to MPA?
I came to MPA in ninth grade after moving to St. Paul from Marquette, Michigan.

How did you come to choose the college that you did?
I was first encouraged to visit Wellesley College because it is a women’s college and because of its reputation for academic excellence and social justice. When I visited, I fell in love with the positive, supportive environment and the dedication to feminism among Wellesley students. I ultimately chose Wellesley because it is a perfect fit for me, and I know that the college and my peers there will help me grow as a student and as a person.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?
First and foremost, I am excited to study at a women’s college. While it is not representative of the “real world,” the prospect of engaging in learning unencumbered by gender roles and societal expectations is invigorating. I am very passionate about women’s and other social issues, and because Wellesley is committed to exploring and alleviating those burdens, I know that it will be a perfect place for me to grow. Read More

Panthers Headed To State!

June 1, 2019

Mounds Park Academy is so proud of all its student-athletes headed to state!

This weekend, MPA made school history with the most Track & Field State Qualifiers ever!

Henry Snider – 3200m run
Sofia Walker – 800m Run
Yahya Madar – High Jump (Section Meet Record of 6′ 8)
Girls 4 x 800m Relay (Gabby Law, Izzy Quam, Margo Nightingale, Sofia Walker)
Boys 4 x 200m Relay (Tae’Vion Wilkins, Ian Olson, Nathan Harvanko, Flynn Opatz)
Boys 4 x 800m Relay (Isak Nightingale, Cullen Moore, Matthew Bourn, Henry Snider)

The State Track & Field Meet will be June 7 and 8 at Hamline University.

State Tennis starts Tuesday, June 4 at Reed Sweatt Tennis Club. MPA takes on Hibbing High School at 12 PM.

In MPA Golf, Maya Merchant advances to State June 11 and 12 at Pebble Creek.

Go Panthers!

A Special Dedication On Campus

May 30, 2019

A very special surprise happened on campus last week that began at the Spring Auction 2019-Once Upon A Time! Mike Velin ’06 bid and won the opportunity to name a sewing machine in the Makerspace, and he named it after his mom, Jane Harper. “We wanted to show our appreciation for everything you’ve done, and dedicate a sewing machine in your honor,” Mike said to his mother, after she unwrapped the sewing machine.

Jane is a frequent member of Fiber Friends, and has used her expertise to teach countless MPA students. She has also been instrumental in helping the eighth grade boys learn how to sew. To show their appreciation, those boys joined in on the moment by singing her a tribute song. Click here to watch a true MPA moment.