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Why I Coach At MPA From Declan Dahlberg ’18

August 21, 2025

from Declan Dahlberg ’18

Throughout my athletic career at Mounds Park Academy, I had the privilege to be coached by Bev Docherty and Dan Ethier. Any alumni or parents who shared in this privilege will know how outstanding their dedication, expertise, and mentorship was to all their student athletes.

When I had the opportunity to return to MPA as an alum and coach, I remembered how transformative my experience with Coach Docherty and Ethier was for my development as a person and athlete. I wanted to do my best to replicate this experience for the next generation of MPA student-athletes.

MPA has a reputation for giving student-athletes an experience that they remember for the rest of their lives. These experiences go beyond performance and skill. Student-athletes at MPA make lifelong friends, overcome barriers, and learn how to work as a team that is diverse in age, ability, and countless other metrics. Coach Docherty and Coach Ethier were instrumental in carrying out this mission for many years at MPA, and it was my privilege to try to carry on their work during my time at MPA as a coach.

A Welcome From Tim Koerner ’03

August 19, 2025

Greetings, fellow Panthers!

On behalf of the Alumni Association Board, we welcome you to the 2025-2026 academic year and offer our sincere hopes that you have enjoyed your respective summers, dreaming big, doing right, and finding time to unplug and relax.

Whether you are soon returning to campus as an alum who is also a Panther parent, you recently joined us at Target Field for MPA Alumni Night, or you continue to keep in touch with MPA from hundreds or thousands of miles away via personal updates or financial support of the school, we hope to see your face or hear from you in the year to come.

As the school enters its 43rd year under the new head of school, Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, you remain an important part of MPA’s legacy and influence. Our Panther alumni network of roughly 2,500 continues to grow with each graduating class.

This year, the alumni association board is growing as well, with the addition of four new members and an association body that represents Panthers from the graduating classes of 2000-2022! It is a dynamic group that will bring great energy and ideas to MPA throughout the year!

Whether you graduated from MPA in the 1980s or just recently drove away from campus with your diploma as a member of the Class of 2025, we hope you know that MPA will always be a place that you can call home and be treated as a valued member of our community.

As the year moves along, please feel free to engage with MPA as a volunteer, offering your career expertise as a mentor, sharing an update via our social channels, and considering a financial gift to MPA to further the school’s mission and values.

Standing on the shoulders of the exemplary work of past alumni board presidents, James Cordon ’97, Mike Velin ’06, and Amanda Magistad ’12, and the MPA alumni board members of years past, the Panther alumni network has never been in a stronger or more exciting position. We seek to continue the growth of our alumni bonds via your participation in any number of ways and initiatives, à la carte, in the manner that best suits you at your respective point in post-MPA life.

Once upon a time, I spent 13 years at MPA as a “Lifer,” only to spend the next 17 years disconnected from the school. Upon my return as an MPA PreK parent in 2021, I quickly wondered what had taken me so long to revisit this unique and forward-thinking community.

If it has been a while for you, too—hey, I can relate. Consider taking the first step of sharing your story to further bolster and grow our flourishing alumni network. I promise you will feel the MPA warmth when you receive a reply from the development and alumni relations staff, Ashley, Angie, Michelle, or a member of our alumni board.

In a world that often seems to shrink from solving problems and doing right by the day, you are one of 2,500 in this mighty Panther alumni community. By connecting with one another, learning from one another, and collectively supporting the future of MPA for current Panthers, our community will achieve its big dreams while doing right.

Go Panthers,

Tim Koerner ’03

Alumni Association President
MPA Parent, Classes of 2036 and 2039

Back To School Details

July 22, 2025

We are getting ready for the 2025-26 school year, and we hope that you are as excited as we are! Below you will find all of the details about each Back To School event. If you have any questions, please reach out to your division director or the Office of Communications at by clicking here.

EVENTS FOR ALL FAMILIES

Thursday, August 21

Back To School Open House | 3:30-6 PM

Come when you can, stay as you please!

LOWER SCHOOL

Lower School students are invited to bring their school supplies, settle into their homeroom classrooms, and visit their specialist teachers. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with the school environment, meet teachers, and start the year with confidence and excitement.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School students are encouraged to bring their school supplies, organize their lockers, and walk through their class schedules. This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, get oriented with the building, and feel prepared for the year ahead.

UPPER SCHOOL

Upper School students are encouraged to walk through their schedules, meet their teachers, locate their lockers, and get organized for the year ahead. This is a great opportunity to settle in, ask questions, and start the school year with clarity and confidence.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS

To further enhance the safety and security of our campus, we will use the Raptor VisitorSafe kiosk to create your 2025-26 reusable nametag. Please bring an ID to create yours during the Back To School Open House. All parents and guardians accessing the building will need to do this as we transition back this year. Other opportunities will be provided as well.

Please note: Due to feedback from families, school photos will not be taken at the Back To School Open House. School photos will be during the school day on September 4 and retakes will be on October 1, both of which will be non-uniform days in Lower School. Sibling photos will not be available. Slow Road continues to be our vendor.

Tuesday, August 26

Parents Association First Day Of School Coffee | 8-9:30 AM, South Entrance

You’re invited! Please join us for a First Day of School Coffee gathering hosted by the MPA Parents Association. After you drop off your child, stop by for a warm welcome, a hot cup of coffee, and a chance to connect with fellow parents as we kick off a new school year together. Whether you’re a returning family or brand new to the community, we can’t wait to see you there!

EVENTS FOR NEW FAMILIES

New families are considered those with students who are just joining our school PLUS all returning families with a student in grade PreK, K, 5, or 9 this fall.

Monday, August 25

PreK-12 New Parent Orientation | 8-11 AM, Family Commons

8-8:30 AM | Refreshments and connection with Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

8:30-9:30 AM | Division Breakout Sessions (highly recommended for returning families with a student in grade PreK, K, 5, or 9, too) Important information from division leadership and Schoology training. Bring your phone and laptop if Schoology access help is needed.

9:30-11 AM | PreK-12 New Parent Orientation Topics (optional for returning families with a student in grade PreK, K, 5, or 9) This will include topics such as safety/security, Allergy Aware Guidelines, communications, and more.

Monday, August 25

PreK-9 New Student Orientations | Times Vary By Grade

ALL NEW + RETURNING PREK STUDENTS

8-11 AM | Programming will include time in the homeroom classroom getting to know the teachers, learning the classroom routines, and enjoying free play time. Families are welcome to linger together on the playground after 11 AM. Uniforms are not required this day.

ALL NEW GRADES K-4 STUDENTS + RETURNING K STUDENTS

8-11 AM | Programming will include time in the homeroom classroom, getting to know the teachers, learning the classroom routines, as well as visiting specialist teachers and other key campus locations. Uniforms are not required this day.

11-6 PM | Panther Club is available at no cost for grades K-4. Please send a lunch that follows MPA’s peanut and tree nut guidelines: mpa.link/foodallergies. Sign-up is required by August 18 at mpa.link/newstudentfirstday.

ALL NEW GRADES 5-8 STUDENTS + RETURNING FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS

8 AM-3 PM | Programming will include Advisory time, technology onboarding, social activities, Makerspace activities, Library visits, building tours, recess, lunch, and more.

3-6 PM | Panther Den is available at no cost for grades 5-8. Sign up by August 18 at mpa.link/newstudentfirstday.

ALL NEW + RETURNING NINTH-GRADE STUDENTS

8 AM-12 PM | Programming will include community building, technology onboarding, activities, building tours, lunch, and more.

Note: The first day of school for new students in grades 10-12 is Tuesday, August 26. Email admission@moundsparkacademy.org if an additional building walk-through would be helpful.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE >

A Message From Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon!

July 1, 2025

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

Dear MPA community,

I hope this message finds you well, enjoying these long summer days. I love the many ways Minnesotans find joy and energy spending time outdoors, taking in the sun.

It is incredibly exciting to officially arrive at Mounds Park Academy! I would like to extend my gratitude to the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading MPA and their continued support as I begin my new role as the school’s fifth head of school.

Thank you also to the faculty, staff, students, families, and alumni for the warm welcome! I have appreciated connecting with many of you throughout this past year at school events. While I always want summer to last as long as possible, I very much look forward to deepening our connections this school year. Read More

MPA Speech Shines at 2025 Nationals

June 22, 2025

Mounds Park Academy’s speech team delivered an extraordinary performance at the 2025 National Speech and Debate Tournament, showcasing the power of dedication, collaboration, and Panther pride on the national stage.

Leading the way was Kelvyn Boddipalli, who captured the title of National Champion in Storytelling, earning top honors in a highly competitive field. His outstanding achievement reflects not only his incredible talent but also the collective spirit of the entire MPA team. In fact, Kelvyn’s success was both an individual and a team victory. Each night and between rounds, his teammates worked alongside him to refine his piece, offering feedback and helping him adapt his performance for the final round. As Coach Sunderman shared, “There were bits and pieces of each student on that trip in the performance. It was truly a team effort.”

As a sophomore, this achievement is particularly noteworthy and after many years of strong teams, Kelvyn is MPA’s first national champion.

All of the MPA students at nationals distinguished themselves:

Paul Fertig finished tenth in the nation in United States Extemporaneous Speaking.
Amal Sastry advanced to the quarterfinals in International Extemporaneous Speaking.
Ash Klann reached the octafinals in Original Oratory.
Mari Minear made it to the double octafinals in Poetry.
Annika Binstadt did not advance, but she was next out of octafinals, finishing top 65.

Then & Now: MPA Summer Programming

June 16, 2025

from Rudy Ford, director of extended day and summer programs

Pursuing the origin story and history of MPA’s summer program has been a bit like unraveling a mystery. There are distant memories of a small group of students gathering in the morning before dispersing to various locations on campus.

“What year was it that we gathered in the Gallery?”
“There were art classes, basketball and soccer, and a theater class. My small part was rocketry, which got expanded after a few years to include paper gliders.”
“When Panther used the current Family Commons, it was called the Kreisher Gym. There was this massive red curtain in there and Panther had this tiny space behind the red curtain…”

In spite of the fascinating details, MPA’s summer story is a common one. As a matter of need, the “extended day” program was first developed in the mid-90s. Starting out in the original lunchroom, the program has run in various locations—including a pair of Upper School classrooms, the Gallery, and behind the red curtain mentioned above! Its growth was driven by family demand, eventually to include summer programming and adopting the “Panther” brand.

As someone who grew up in his town’s “summer playground,” I have a deep understanding of the importance of these programs. In addition to the care and supervision families need, the opportunity is in providing kids the chance to develop new skills, discover new passions, and receive academic and emotional support. The path to my career in education started at the summer playground program, where I had my first job—teaching swimming lessons. Read More

Alumni Award Presented To Mason Ferlic ’11

June 16, 2025

The MPA Alumni Association is pleased to announce the 2025 MPA Alumni Association Award recipient, Mason Ferlic ’11! This award honors 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. Award recipients are real-world inspirations for both current students and fellow alumni to dream big and do right.

Mason was grateful to have even been among the finalists for the award, leading to more gratitude once he learned he had been selected as the winner for 2025.

“I’m truly honored to have been nominated, let alone selected, for the alumni award,” Mason said. “On receiving the news, I had a moment to pause and reflect on the many fond memories of my time at MPA. It goes without saying that many of my successes since graduating can be attributed to the wonderful teachers, mentors, and coaches who challenged me to think big. Whether it was a science project, history report, or track meet, I feel that my time at MPA was time spent trying to achieve the best version of myself. I credit the environment that MPA has created to allow that mindset to flourish. Thanks again to all those who have supported students like me!”

Mason joins Christa Moseng ’96, Jaye Sinkfield ’12, Pakou Hang ’95, Heather Otto ’97, and Claire Porter ’00 as recent alumni to receive the honor. Congratulations, Mason!

Parents Association News And Events May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Faculty And Staff Appreciation Round Up!

Thank you to all parents and MPA community members who helped with faculty and staff appreciation during the 2024-25 school year. A special thank you to the grade reps who put on creative hats and came up with fun ideas to celebrate the MPA faculty and staff community in new ways this year.

We had desserts with worms to celebrate spring, a soup bar, candle-making, and more hosted by all of the grades in MPA this year. Our appreciation wasn’t just about grade-level events—we hosted conference snacks and dinners, a welcome back to school event in August, and are ending the year with one more workshop snack break next week after school is out.

Thanks to the MPA community for coming together to celebrate our MPA faculty and staff!

Call For Volunteers

Sign up to help with the final faculty and staff appreciation event of the 2024-25 school year. We are looking for a handful of volunteers to help set up snacks in the teaching kitchen after drop-off on Wednesday, June 4. Thank you!

End of Year Parties!

Come together before summer break begins! Gatherings are listed by grade below. Be sure to catch more details in communications directly from your grade reps.

Kindergarten: June 4, after dismissal until 12 PM, MPA Playground
First Grade: May 31, 9-11 AM, Boyd Park (Vivie’s Playground)
Second and Third Grade: June 4, after dismissal until noon, MPA Playground
Fourth Grade: May 29, right after school, The Burrows
Fifth and Sixth Grade: June 4, 12 PM, Lakewood Hills Park (White Bear Lake)
Seventh Grade: June 2, right after school, Richard Walton Park North Picnic Shelter, Oakdale
9th-11th Grade: June 4, 11 AM-1 PM, North Oaks Recreation Center
12th Grade: Senior Overnight

We hope to see your families there! Contact your grade reps and/or PA@moundsparkacademy.org with questions.

I Will Always Be Cheering You On

May 29, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

When I walked through the doors of Mounds Park Academy for the first time as head of school, I was filled with a sense of awe for this extraordinary institution and immense gratitude for the opportunity to lead it. Today, as I write my final head’s message, I find myself feeling those same emotions once again.

MPA is not just a school. It is a place where dreams are nurtured, voices are heard, and people are known, deeply and truly. It is a place where belonging isn’t just a value on a poster, but a daily practice. It is a place where students grow not only in intellect and skill, but in empathy, courage, and character. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to walk alongside you—students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends—as together we lived out the mission to dream big and do right.

Over the past 12 years, we have celebrated many milestones: the construction of new learning spaces like the Martin Lenz Harrison Library and the Family Commons; the launch of transformative programs in competency-based learning, diversity and belonging, and global partnerships; the growth in enrollment, philanthropy, and student support; and perhaps most meaningfully, the everyday moments of discovery, laughter, resilience, and care that happen in classrooms, hallways, and on playgrounds.

Congratulations, Upper School Students!

May 28, 2025

Upper School students at Mounds Park Academy dedicate tremendous time and energy to their work, embodying the values that make our community proud. In recognition of their accomplishments, MPA held the Upper School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 23 in the Nicholson Center. The event celebrated students who earned distinctions in areas such as Academics, National Merit, Scholarships, Yearbook, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Visual Art, Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Forensics, French, Spanish, Drama, Athletics, the Spirit of ’86, Certificates of Distinction, and the Alumni Association. Join us in congratulating these outstanding students! View the full photo gallery from the awards here.

Cum Laude Inductees

Annika Binstadt
Navreen Biring
Paul Fertig
Henry Korbach
Srina Lakkundi
Zainab Lodhi
Marlaina Minear
Zoya Nayak
Amal Sastry
Samaya Thomas

Valedictorian

Annika Binstadt
Paul Fertig

Salutatorian

Samaya Thomas