Mounds Park Academy

Young Alums Say Hello: Aniket Naravane ’14

August 7, 2018

Dear MPA,

I recently graduated from Georgetown University with a dual-degree in finance and international business and political economy. While a student there, I served as a tour guide, micro finance loan of officer, and was on the board of directors for the largest student-led business in the country. I completed an internship as an investment banking analyst last summer and I am now working as a financial consultant in New York City, focusing on anti-money laundering. MPA has certainly laid the foundation for the success I’ve enjoyed thus far, due in large part to both the rigorous academics and the variety of extra- curricular activities offered.

Hope to be back soon and go Panthers!
Aniket Naravane

Young Alums Say Hello: Isaac Esch ’17

August 7, 2018

Hey, MPA!

In May I finished my freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I am majoring in international business and finance. This summer, I’ve been fortunate enough to be an English tutor at an Italian summer camp. Throughout this experience, I’ve also taken a couple of awesome trips. One weekend I visited Lithuania and Latvia to hear the Dalai Lama speak. Another weekend I traveled to Spain to participate in the Running of the Bulls. As I encounter different cultures, I keep in mind all that I learned at MPA. I try to stay open- minded and learn as much as I can from others.

Go Panthers!

Isaac Esch

Young Alums Say Hello: Haley Finch ’14

August 7, 2018

Dear MPA,

Say hellooo to your 2018 Texas Christian University graduate, where I studied strategic communication  and Spanish. I’m currently in New York City, where I’m interning at Fallon ad agency as a copywriter. I’m working on Lime-a-Rita, Huawei, and many other accounts. Every day, I do something new. Whether it’s writing scripts for TV spots or thinking of big ideas for new clients, there is always something to be done. Interestingly enough, in high school I hated writing. If it wasn’t for Ms. Sommer’s dedication to me, I never would’ve pursued copywriting. I’m grateful  for MPA pushing me and opening doors to my future.

xoxo,

Haley Finch

Meet Kate Thrane ’16

July 31, 2018

What are you currently doing, professionally and/or personally? I am spending this summer in Washington D.C. working as an intern in Minnesota Congressman Erik Paulsen’s office. I’m learning so much about government and democracy. My responsibilities include answering constituent phone calls, running errands, attending hearings, writing memos, and giving tours of the Capitol. Through my internship, I’ve been able to attend events at the FBI, “The Washington Post,” and the White House. One of my favorite parts is seeing people who are on the news (or in the news) in person!

Helping People Reach Their Dreams

July 31, 2018

Ross Kigner ’08 Is Helping People Reach Their Dreams

After graduating from MPA in 2008, I continued my academic and athletic careers at the University of Minneosta-Morris, graduating in 2012. Following graduation, I resumed my direct support professional work for New Directions, Inc., while preparing for my first year coaching football at Roseville Area High School. New Directions, Inc. is a family-run organization that provides support for adults with disabilities. Our purpose is to assist and support individuals in forming and achieving a life of their own choosing; that they may have personal well-being, satisfying personal relationships, participation in community life and engagement in preferred pursuits in their home and community. I gradually increased my responsibilities at New Directions including expense management, team management, and property management. Time has flown by, but I love my work because of the reward that comes with helping people reach their dreams.

The major hurdles we face at New Directions include staffing and providing the same support with decreased funding from the government. In my leadership role, I don’t have as many hands-on opportunities with the people we support as I once did, as my focus has shifted to big-picture topics centered around upholding the standard of support our organization has provided since 1981.

Heidi Kunz Mahtomedi Invitational

June 28, 2018

After being rescheduled from April to May due to snow, the Heidi Kunz Mahtomedi Invitational brought with it all the cold, rain and wind of early April, yet MPA athletes overcame the poor weather with strong performances across the board.

On the girls side, the 4x800m team of senior Sarah Ley, sophomore Skylar Cernohous, ninth grader Katie Dahiya, and seventh grader Margo N. placed third. Sophomore Nasri Maktal made her season debut in the 100m hurdles, running a personal best of 21.51. In the 100m, senior Quinn Campbell ran a personal best 14.26 to place fifth. The girls 4x200m team of junior Ellie Quam, sophomores Catherine Moore, and Aaliyah Kellogg, and ninth grader Izzy Quam placed fourth with a time of 1:53.84, just off the MPA top 10 list.

Section 4A True Team Meet

June 28, 2018

The Panthers traveled to Howard Lake-Waverly-Winstead High School on May 8 for the Section 4A True Team Meet.

In a typical meet, only the top eight individuals and top six relays score, but in a True Team meet, every participant scores. There are 16 teams in Section 4A, and with each team able to put up to two athletes in an event, many individual events had 32 athletes. This is a very competitive meet and MPA athletes stepped up with great performances.

St. Croix Lutheran Invitational

June 28, 2018

On Wednesday, May 23, the Panthers traveled to West St. Paul for the St. Croix Lutheran Invitational. With most MPA athletes performing in the choir concert, MPA focused on the first events and only entered those not in choir in later events.

On the girls side, our relays made a statement. MPA girls placed first in the 4x800m with a time of 10:43.5. The team of Junior Gabby Law, ninth graders Izzy Quam and Katie Dahiya, and seventh grader Margo N. ran almost a minute faster than any other team. The 4x200m team of senior Maya Sayers, junior Ellie Quam, sophomore Catherine Moore, and ninth grader Izzy Quam, placed second with a time of 1:51.9, good for a spot on the MSHSL honor roll and fifth best all-time at MPA. The 4x100m team of seniors Maya Sayers and Quinn Campbell and sophomores Aaliyah Kellogg and Catherine Moore finished third with a time of 54.0.

IMAC Championships

June 28, 2018

MPA Track and Field traveled to Providence Academy for the IMAC Championships on Thursday, May 17.

The girls placed sixth with 27 points, just 3 points behind fifth place. The girls’ top finish came from junior Ellie Quam, who was the conference champion in the 100m hurdles, winning in a time of 17.52, just off her personal best. In the 800m, ninth grader Izzy Quam finished fifth, scoring for the Panthers with a personal best of 2:33.21 and just missing the MPA top 10 list. In the 1600m, seventh grader Margo N. scored for the Panthers with her sixth place finish. She ran 5:56.06, just off her personal best.

IMAC Relays

June 28, 2018

MPA opened the 2018 outdoor season later than usual due to surprise April snows, but finally got underway with our first meet on May 3 at the IMAC relays, a relay-only meet.

Highlights from the girls team included the 4x1600m team of senior Sarah Ley, ninth graders Izzy Quam and Katie Dahiya, and seventh grader Margo N. placing third with a total time of 26:29.41. Margo N. finished in fifth place in the 1600m individually with a personal best time of 5:53.35! In the 800m sprint medley, the team of seniors Maya Sayers and Quinn Campbell, junior Catherine Moore, and ninth grader Izzy Quam placed second. Their time of 1:59.42 is the third fastest in MPA history!