May 24, 2018
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
One of my favorite things to do is to pop into the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace. I am continually amazed and inspired by whatever is taking place. As I look back over the last year, I see even more clearly what an incredible gift the Makerspace is to our students. Full of light and color, it conveys the joy of learning that is a cornerstone of an MPA education. Amid the whimsical playfulness, there is also serious learning happening. Lessons are taught from a variety of disciplines but share fundamental and foundational MPA values, such as hands-on, experiential learning using new and emerging, as well as traditional, technology. Students from across all grade levels and divisions have benefitted from their time in the Makerspace.
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
Become a bigger part of your child’s school! Engage with the MPA community and take an active role in the Parent Association by chairing a committee, or becoming a Grade Rep. Now is the time of year when those positions are being secured and we are seeking some amazing volunteers like YOU! To get involved or learn more, please 
The Spring Auction – Under the Big Top was a great success, building community among current parents, alumni families, grandparents and faculty and staff while raising nearly $200,000 in support of MPA! Thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity. A special thank you to our Spring Auction Chairs, Scott and Jennifer Holloway, our Spring Auction Committee, and all the volunteers who made this event possible! We can’t wait to see you at next year’s event! 
Summer is almost here, and the Office of Admission is excited to be a part of several fun summer events and we are looking for volunteers to help us share MPA. MPA will be at the MSP Mini Maker Faire, Grand Old Day, and the Twin Cities Pride Festival. Plus, the Twin Cities Mom’s Blog Heroes event was just aded to our summer event calendar, and it’s being hosted right here at MPA! 
Congratulations to the MPA robotics team on qualifying for the State Tournament! Catch the team in action at the Minnesota State Robotics Tournament on Saturday, May 19, at Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus! Out of about 215 First Robotics teams in the state, only the top 36 are invited to the tournament, so this is great honor and achievement for the MPA team! It is the second time in the seven-year history of the team that the MPArors will participate at State. Their matches begin at 8:30 AM! The full schedule, traffic information, and livestream information can be found below. We can’t wait to see you there supporting our awesome students!
On May 5, 2018, I graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science. I attended NMU for five years which allowed me to start working toward a master’s degree.
Meet Blair Benham-Pyle ’06, a passionate scientist on her way to solving important scientific questions destined to improve our world. Blair is doing her post-doctoral research in regenerative medicine at the Stowers Institute, a highly innovative center for biomedical research. She’s currently immersed in studying the cute, but highly unusual, planarian flatworm, an organism that exists by breaking apart and cloning itself. Unlike other organisms in the process of regeneration, these worms amazingly do not get tumors or show signs of aging.
As the 2017–18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!