Alumni Archives

February 13, 2026

Kaija Kunze-Hoeg ’22 is a senior at Wellesley College and is majoring in international relations and economics while competing on the college’s volleyball team.

She has embraced the challenge of collegiate athletics, earning all-region and All-American honors. She credits her athletic experience at MPA with helping prepare her to compete at the next level.

MPA also laid the foundation for success in Wellesley’s rigorous academic environment. Most importantly, she says, the school taught her how to build meaningful relationships with professors and peers.

She is now planning her path to graduate school, applying to law schools, and considering a year of beach volleyball. She looks forward to what comes next.

A Message From Lizzy Ehren ’14 On Why She Joined The Alumni Board

February 13, 2026

Moving away from Minnesota, I miss a lot—everything from the cross-country ski trails to Caribou Coffee mochas. Yet, one of the largest drawbacks of leaving your home state is losing touch with the communities and places that shaped you. The moment that I entered MPA as an 11-year-old, the change was palpable.

For the first time, I felt fully noticed and embraced by all my teachers. My peers were kinder and more curious. I was encouraged and, subsequently, motivated to join in.

My years at Mounds Park Academy not only prepared me thoroughly for my undergraduate degree, but my time there taught me skills that I still use every day working in higher education: strategic question asking, precise writing, creativity, and more.

Despite the tremendous impact MPA had on my life, I did not feel connected to the school for many years. While living in Ohio, I knew only one other MPA alumnus in the area, and my visits home to Minnesota were always busy, shuffling from family events to meet-ups with friends. I did not have time to visit MPA’s campus anymore. I started working in alumni relations in 2023, and in this position, I managed a few alumni volunteer boards at Ohio State. I saw firsthand how excited everyone was to connect with fellow alumni, how they received updates on initiatives at the school, and how they could give back in small ways.

Seeing these groups inspired me to reconnect and to join the Alumni Association Board. This board has been a perfect way to learn more about MPA’s future plans and to assist where we can as alumni. While this board is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who wants a flexible position to give back to the school, I particularly encourage those who are not in the Twin Cities to consider joining.

There will be an application later this year, but if you have any questions or want to learn more about the Alumni Association Board, don’t hesitate to reach out to Angie Gerstner at agerstner@moundsparkacademy.org.

Lizzy Ehren ’14

Alumni Association Board Member

Join Us For The 2026 Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose!

January 30, 2026

Join us for the 2026 MPA Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose, on Friday, April 17, at the Lowlands in St. Paul! We look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate the mission we share and the people who make Mounds Park Academy such a special place. This joyful evening will bring together families, alumni, staffulty and friends to raise critical support for our school, all while enjoying great company, food, and a little fun along the way.

Sponsorships are now available. This is the perfect time to consider a Business or Family Sponsorship. Sponsorships include:

admission to the event for two or more
reserved priority seating
access to our Sponsorship Pre-Party
recognition across event materials
interactive auction opportunities, depending on the level
early access to our silent auction
and the chance to underwrite tickets so our incredible staffulty can attend at no cost.

Family Sponsorships can be purchased here, and Business Sponsorships can be bought here.

We are committed to making this community-building event accessible to all. If ticket pricing presents a barrier to attending, please contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org to discuss reduced pricing options based on need.

An Update From Ella Fruchterman ’22

January 20, 2026

Ella Fruchterman ’22 is a senior at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a co-major in digital and social media business applications.

Throughout her college career, she has continued to compete as an elite international equestrian athlete in dressage. This summer, she represented the United States in the Young Rider (U21) and U25 divisions at the North American Youth Championships. She was part of the Region 4 Young Rider team that won gold and also earned a bronze medal in the U25 freestyle.

Last month, Fruchterman appeared on the cover of the Fall 2025 edition of the Dover Saddlery catalog.

The rigor of Mounds Park Academy’s courses, along with leadership opportunities such as serving as co-editor in chief of the yearbook, prepared her to excel in presentations, papers, and exams while balancing a demanding training program.

A Message from Ryan Ghose ’21

January 20, 2026

Happy New Year! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed however you spent the holidays this year and had time to rest and recharge from a busy 2025.

Reflecting on my brief trip home to Minnesota, I realized that the few moments I had away from my family were spent reconnecting with MPA. Whether playing cards with school friends or catching up with teachers, coaches, and mentors, it amazes me how subconsciously I gravitate back to the people who inspired me at MPA. I can tell those people impacted my life tremendously just by virtue of how much I wanted to return and see what they were up to.

Over the past few months, the Class of 2026 has connected with alumni mentors to learn about life after MPA and the opportunities ahead. Spanning three classes of seminars, seniors have been immersed in the wonderful world of LinkedIn while learning from alumni about different career paths and educational opportunities. Culminating in an in-person meet and greet, students got to hear from professionals spanning game design, the arts, and finance to research and higher education, and many more. To the 75 mentors who served this year, thank you! I remember being a student and being absolutely in awe of my alumni mentors, opening my eyes to the potential we had after graduating with an MPA education. To those who might be interested in being a mentor next year, you can reach out to alumni@moundsparkacademy.org! Read More

Save The Date For The 2026 Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose!

January 9, 2026

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 17, 2026! MPA’s largest and most spirited fundraising event of the year is back, and this time we’re bringing the party to Lowlands in St. Paul!

This year’s theme, Rooted in Purpose, is a celebration of everything that grounds us—our values, our community, and our unwavering commitment to empowering students to dream big and do right.

Enjoy an unforgettable evening with:

Delicious food and hosted bar
Live and silent auctions packed with can’t-miss experience
A lively crowd of parents, alumni, and friends who care deeply about MPA
And plenty of surprises along the way!

Many sponsorship packages with special perks are available! Visit moundsparkacademy.org/springauction to purchase your family or business sponsorship package!

For questions or to donate an auction item, contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement, at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5536.

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.