Alumni Archives

Then & Now: Connections To The Past And Present

December 15, 2025

From George Mills ’04

It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it to December 2025—and that winter has arrived overnight in all its cold, snowy glory. The first snowfall has always felt magical to me, and it recently brought back a memory from my eighth-grade year.

I remember being dropped off by my dad along a sidewalk that no longer exists, walking through the atrium with the blue glass—back when it was still an entrance—and being greeted by the sound of a girls’ quintet singing. It was such an uplifting way to start the day.

That small moment made me reflect on how much MPA has changed… and how much has stayed wonderfully the same. After spending several years away and now returning as both an alum and a parent, I find myself noticing the pieces of MPA that still feel familiar. For example, there’s a vase Ms. Petersen uses that I immediately recognized from Ms. Buck’s ceramics studio—now occasionally brightening the Lower School hallway.

So much life happens in these hallways, even in the small in-between moments we don’t always think about. Just the other day, I was waiting outside the band room for my kindergartner to finish a piano lesson when Marisue Gleason walked by. We ended up chatting right there in the “T” at the end of the main hallway—you know the one. It was not only fun to reminisce about being her Spanish II student back in 2001, but also to reconnect in a spot that has hardly changed at all.

MPA is full of these quiet threads that weave our past with our present—little tributes and familiar touches mixed in with all the ways the school continues to grow. If you haven’t been back in a while, I hope you’ll stop by for a visit. Take a self-guided tour or walk with one of our wonderful colleagues in admissions or development, and see what memories stir for you.

A Message from Sarah Ley ’18

December 15, 2025

The calendar year is drawing to a close and the holiday season is kicking into full swing! It feels like the perfect moment to reflect on an eventful year and look forward to everything 2026 will bring.

The diverse strengths of MPA students shone brightly throughout 2025. The debate team’s strong showing at the Classic State Debate Festival, the qualification of several athletes for fall state tournaments, including the boys soccer team, and the selection of multiple musicians for honor band and honor choir showcased the excellence of MPA students in and out of the classroom.

Strong alumni engagement and participation were also highlights for 2025. The Alumni Association Board is incredibly grateful for the myriad ways alums have given back.

A Give To The Max Day Message From Dr. Brogdon

November 20, 2025

What an incredible week it has been! On behalf of MPA, I am grateful for the overwhelming participation and generosity of our community. From the Twin Cities to around the world, so many current and past families, alumni, and community members have demonstrated their commitment to MPA by participating in this year’s annual giving campaign. MPA’s strength and ability to dream big and do right come from the unwavering support provided to our students, faculty, staff, and program. Thank you!

Today’s Lip Sync Battle brought our student, parent, and staffulty community together through music, laughter, and joy. What a beautiful way to celebrate MPA, together! Congratulations to all our participants on a job well done! Like every day, today is a great day to be a Mounds Park Academy Panther!

The day is not over! So far, we have raised $270,967, but we are still asking for your help for the final push to $400,000. We have already unlocked $40,000 in matching funds. Let’s keep the progress going! Join me in shaping tomorrow at MPA!

Make A Gift

Learn More About The Fall Campaign

You’re Shaping Tomorrow At MPA!

November 15, 2025

At MPA, we’re not just imagining the future—we’re building it every day in our classrooms, studios, labs, and on the playing fields.

And none of it happens without you.

This short video offers a glimpse into the wonder, creativity, curiosity, and growth happening across campus—made possible through your generosity.

As we approach Give to the Max Day, we invite you to see what your support unlocks for our students. Every gift, no matter the size, fuels our shared mission and inspires greatness.

Giving Challenges

Get ready for some exciting giving challenges and exclusive incentives! See what your gift can unlock…

A $250 boost will be added to every gift from alums in the classes of 2010-2025, up to $20,000 total!
The grade with the highest participation wins a chance to pie their division director!
Leadership Circle members will receive a limited edition MPA-branded umbrella.
If a division has 60% participation, watch for a special surprise celebration for them.
Grandparent donors will be gifted a custom tote bag featuring student artwork.
Special unlocking challenges when we hit milestones, and much more fun to come!

When you give, you shape tomorrow. You bring learning to life. You open doors. Let’s show our students—and each other—what’s possible when a community comes together for the school it loves.

Make A Gift

Learn More About The Fall Campaign

You can make your gift or pledge today at moundsparkacademy.org/support or by contacting Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement, at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org.

Join Us In Shaping Tomorrow For MPA

November 15, 2025

from Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement

At MPA, we’re not just preparing students for the future—we’re empowering them to shape it. That belief comes to life every day across campus, and it’s one of the many reasons MPA is so special.

Growing up, I didn’t have an MPA. What shaped me instead were the people who saw something in me, pushed me to think bigger, and believed I could make a difference. That’s why I feel such a deep connection to MPA’s mission—because here, that belief in every child is lived out daily.

You make that possible.

Teachers stay after class to check in. Coaches build character along with skill. Classrooms feel like communities where students are known and belong. Those moments happen because of your support. Read More

Shaping A Future Where Curiosity, Compassion, And Courage Thrive

November 13, 2025

from Tiffany Scott Knox, chair, board of trustees

When I think about Mounds Park Academy, I’m reminded that what makes this place so special isn’t just what happens today—it’s how every moment, every act of kindness, and every gift shapes what’s possible for tomorrow.

This year’s Fall Campaign theme, “MPA, Where Every Gift Shapes Tomorrow,” captures that beautifully. Each contribution—large or small—fuels the dreams of our students and supports the incredible work of our faculty and staff. Together, we’re shaping a future where curiosity, compassion, and courage thrive.

As a parent and board chair, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the MPA community for nearly a decade. Since Alex and Ava started in kindergarten, it’s been incredible to watch how this community encourages them to take risks, lead with heart, and think deeply. That same spark shines in every student across campus. Read More

An Update From Former Teacher Karen Franke

November 10, 2025

Being a teacher has many rewards. None is as great as bumping into one of your students years later and feeling humbled that they recognized you, even though 25 years have passed.

This is what happened to my husband, Tim Franke, this past summer, when he was on the same flight as one of our former students from Mounds Park Academy (MPA).

My name is Karen Franke, and Tim and I had the pleasure of teaching at MPA from 1993 to 1999. It was a unique experience for us as we not only could work in the same school but also within the same grade level, sharing the same students (I taught fifth-grade social studies and language arts, and Tim taught fifth and seventh-grade science). Although this part of our life was a long time ago, we had very fond memories of our time at MPA. So much so that we have reconnected with many of our students on social media over the years. And what we have discovered about those fun, intelligent, well-read, and inquisitive students did not surprise us in the least. Their bright futures were evident to us way back then, given the dedication of the MPA community to ensure that every student reached their full potential. We both smile, thinking, “We knew them when!”

Then & Now: Speech And Debate

November 10, 2025

From Ryan Ghose ’21

Since its founding, MPA has taught students to think critically and communicate effectively—and it seems to be working! Nowhere is this excellence more evident than in MPA’s enduring speech and debate programs, where ambitious students join dedicated coaches every day of the week for practices and competitions. I got the chance to catch up with speech coaches Kari Kunze and Tanner Sunderman, and debate coach Katie Murr, to chart how the activities have evolved over the years and what their hopes are for the future of the programs.

Speech

Some quick facts about the speech team:

Team Size

2000: 7 students
2003-2008: 100 students (peak)
2025: 40 students, but most students compete in two categories (“double entering”).

Format

Most categories have stayed the same since the 90s, with the exception of:

Duo Interpretation: Introduced in 1996, two people perform an interpretive piece of any genre.
Program Oral Interpretation: The newest category, students can compile multiple pieces of writing from different mediums to tell a connected story.
Extemporaneous Speaking and Discussion: The advent of Wi-Fi has given way to online databases and the option to search the web for evidence mid-tournament.

Coaches

Many alumni have come back as assistant coaches, but the biggest shift has been a new head coach, Tanner Sunderman, who took over in 2015!

MPA continues to push boundaries in speech, competing in more national tournaments and earning its first national speech and debate association title in 2025. Additionally, Tanner Sunderman shared with me that students last year successfully presented in front of the MSHSL to change the format of Great Speeches to allow for analysis of any type of communication. Check out a tournament next year to see the impacts of MPA students’ advocacy! Read More

A Message from Isaac Marshall ’11

November 10, 2025

When I started at Mounds Park Academy in eighth grade, I was uncertain about how I’d fit into a community that had already been together for years. Rather than making me feel like an outsider, the small class sizes and welcoming peers helped me settle in and find my place. I quickly came to know everyone, and everyone knew me.

MPA gave me more than just a sense of belonging. From analyzing diverse perspectives to tackling problems across disciplines, MPA’s curriculum taught me to approach challenges creatively and think critically. Ms. Conway’s constitutional law class ignited my interest in conducting legal research and structuring arguments years before I knew I wanted to attend law school.

Even today, I’m continuing to discover the value of the foundation MPA helped me build. Read More

Where Every Gift Shapes Tomorrow

November 6, 2025

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

When interviewing for the head of school role at MPA, I remember meeting with various members of the community who shared with me their “MPA moment.” Some were tied to a specific experience, while others were connected to a feeling or overarching theme. Now, as a member of the community, it’s a beautiful feeling to be able to share my own MPA moment, or moments, as it seems I experience a new and memorable one each day!

One of my favorites thus far has been hearing from our seniors their own MPA moments. Much like when I interviewed, they share the significance of experiences such as an overnight school trip, a class or club that ignited a new interest, or the friendships made from playing in the band, on a team, or being part of the musical. What I love most is that their memories span from Lower School through senior year.

These MPA moments, and those to come, would not be possible without the incredible support of our community. From November 16-22, we will honor MPA’s mission by coming together to support the 2025 Fall Campaign: MPA, Where Every Gift Shapes Tomorrow.

Your gift toward the fall campaign makes it possible for each member of our community—current and future—to experience their own MPA moment. From curricular and extracurricular experiences to supporting our incredible faculty, staff, and facilities, your generosity ensures the continuity of our impressive program, as well as the school’s ability to turn new dreams into reality. Read More