April 2, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Nate Bander, alumnus, coach, and Upper School admission coordinator. 

What impact do you see the completion of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA having on your family?
My family has been part of MPA since 1996 and we’re passionate about MPA’s continued success. Completing Together, We Dream will continue to ensure that MPA students for generations to come have access to the same incredible facilities that our family has had.

Why do you believe it is important to give to both Together, We Dream and the annual fund (MPA Fund), as you would in other years?
Both Together, We Dream and the MPA Fund are incredibly important. For me, as someone who fully supports MPA in any way I can, it’s critical to contribute to both this year. Obviously, Together, We Dream is a historic moment for MPA and will change our campus forever, but the MPA Fund still provides funds for financial assistance and day-to-day operations of the school that students, faculty, and MPA families can’t succeed without. For me, it’s a little bit more of an investment supporting both Together We Dream and the MPA Fund this year, but it’s all worth it because of how much MPA has impacted my family and me.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream even though you have graduated?
An MPA education is a lifelong gift. Though we’re coming up on the 10 year anniversary of my graduation from MPA, I chose to give so that my future children will have a viable, strong MPA campus and community. Just like previous generations supported me, it’s now my duty to support those who will come next.

How do you see the four priorities (library, commons, cafeteria, and kitchen, endowment, and outdoor track) of Together, We Dream impacting the student experience?
The cornerstone of an MPA education is community. With the completion of the four priorities in Together, We Dream, MPA students will experience an increasingly close knit community with matching facilities and resources to facilitate a joyful student experience and a vibrant school culture.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
My dream is for MPA to be a strong, well supported institution that succeeds in the classroom and in athletics while educating the next generation of dreamers and doers in the best facilities possible. I dream of MPA hosting the Conference Championship Track Meet. I dream of MPA inspiring its students to create through cooking. I dream of MPA maintaining a beautiful new library that’s both cozy and practical. Together, We Dream works toward all of those dreams.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MPA experience?
I’d like to challenge the class of 2009 to have the highest participation of any alumni class. We were the beneficiaries of the brand new Lansing Sports Center, we saw the Nicholson Center open up, as fifth graders, we were there for the ribbon cutting of the new expansion and the purchase of the District 622 building. We have been lucky to benefit from previous generosity at MPA and now it’s our turn to give back through Together, We Dream.

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.  

April 2, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Kevin Hart, parent of alumni.

What impact do you see the completion of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA having on your family?
I see it fulfilling a promise to donors to finish what was started. Capital campaigns don’t always follow a punctual time line, but in this case, exploring and exhausting all options is critical for current and future MPA students & families!

Why do you believe it is important to give to both Together, We Dream AND the annual fund (MPA Fund), as you would in other years?
As a parent, all we can do is provide the best education and opportunities for our children. MPA fit this criteria with small class sizes, professional, caring teachers and staff in an optimal setting, which are costs above tuition that are associated with the educational environment we, as parents, want and that MPA delivers.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream even though your children have graduated?
I want to see Together, We Dream campaign completed so current and future MPA students and families can be beneficiaries.

How do you see the four priorities (library, cafeteria and kitchen, endowment, and outdoor track) of Together, We Dream impacting the student experience?
The cafeteria and library should be most favorably impacted by students given their current situations. Endowment is the “hidden gem” within any organization or entity that helps insure a future buffer in challenging times. Specific to MPA, it’s the bridge between tuition and the real cost of an MPA education all parents should want!

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
My hopes are current and future MPA families can experience the reality my kids experienced as the MPA campus was transformed and the learning environment enhanced with the completion of an earlier campaign. At the end of the day, we want to look back and say I did all I could for my kids’ education in preparation for college and beyond.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MPA experience?
Enjoy the MPA experience in real time! When it ends, the relationships may endure, but the experience itself can only be recaptured in memories!

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.

April 1, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Karla and Peter Myers, parents of alumni.

Why do you believe it is important to give to both Together, We Dream AND the annual MPA Fund, as you would in other years?
We want MPA to continue offering the excellent educational opportunities and engaging learning environment that helped our kids become such well-informed and well-rounded young adults.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream even though your children have graduated?
We have all benefited from the bold families who invested in MPA 20+ years ago, making it possible for our kids to attend an outstanding school. We want to pay it forward so that future families will have the same opportunities.

How do you see the four priorities (library, commons, cafeteria and kitchen, endowment, and outdoor track) of Together, We Dream impacting the student experience?
We want MPA to remain competitive with other schools. Even though MPA has outstanding faculty and programs, it’s important that the facilities provide an environment that is conducive to today’s learning styles. The current library, kitchen, and cafeteria are woefully out of date and do not support the way kids learn, study, and interact today.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
We’d like to see increased enrollment that will provide additional financial resources and ensure a large enough student body to support multiple sports teams, music and theater programs, all of which require a certain critical mass to be effective. We’re particularly eager to enroll more high-potential students from diverse racial and financial backgrounds; this will require more scholarship funding to be available.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MPA experience?
We’re grateful for the education and character development that MPA provided our family for the past 22 years.

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.  

March 28, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Sally Doherty and Karen Weiss, MPA parents. Sally is a member of the Board of Trustees. 

What impact do you see the completion of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA having on your family?
We see the library and cafeteria enhancements as having a long lasting impact on MPA’s present and future students & staff by bringing our diverse school community together as they pursue their intellectual ambition, and also build friendships that can last a lifetime.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream and the MPA Fund?
Giving to this capital campaign, particularly the cafeteria and library projects, was a perfect avenue for us to help support the creation of new spaces that will further strengthen MPA’s mission and it’s imprint on our children and their friends, and future MPA students, as well.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
Our dream is for MPA to grow its student body, and to have a very long life, as a top independent private school that truly shapes students’ minds to think globally, stand for justice, and shake the world.

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.