October 10, 2018
Laurel Schwartz ’11 is currently a multimedia producer and social advocacy student at Columbia University. “Or, [I’m] a social scientist with a track record for getting things done,” she says.
After graduating from Mounds Park Academy, Laurel attended Scripps College, where she studied American studies and media studies. She has spent the last several years work at advertising agencies and PR firms creating media both for fortune 500 brands and for social advocacy causes. Additionally, her self-produced documentary about chronic illness appeared in several film festivals last spring.
We asked Laurel several questions so that you could get to know her better prior to MPA Talks!
What do you believe will be the greatest challenge our current students will face in their lifetimes and how do you see MPA equipping them to face that challenge?
When I graduated from high school, I knew two things: first, that I was passionate about history and social change, and, second, that creativity made me tick. What I didn’t know was that one day, there would be a job that would allow me to use my creativity to make a difference in the world. MPA is so remarkable because it is an institution that truly allows each student to find what uniquely gets them fired up in the morning and helps students imagine opportunities, solutions, and even jobs that don’t exist yet. MPA equips students to follow their curiosity for the world. Read More
Congratulations to MPA cross country for a terrific State meet!
On Sunday, November 4, at 2 PM, prospective students and their families are invited to Mounds Park Academy’s campus for its fall Admission event, the MPA All School Preview! This will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know the people and the spaces that inspire students to dream big and do right. It will be similar to an Open House in that there will be time to explore, however a formal program will also help participants get to know MPA.
The Parents Association is trying something new, and you’re warmly invited to join! The PA will be hosting several neighborhood coffee events, where you can come and meet MPA parents who live in your neighborhood. Parents of all grades are welcome! On Saturday, November 3, your coffee hosts will be at the following locations:
Invite a friend to visit and get to know MPA! On Sunday, November 4 at 2 PM, prospective students and their families are invited to campus for its fall Admission event, the MPA Preview! This wonderful opportunity will be similar to an Open House in that there will be time to explore, however a formal program will also help participants get to know MPA.
Thank you to all our athletes, parents and families, volunteers, alumni, faculty and staff, and students who made Homecoming such a success! We had a great turnout at the Fun Runs and our Lower School National Anthem singers made several of us tear up at their performances. The food trucks served good smells along with their yummy food and our athletic teams had strong, competitive showings. The community laughed, shared stories, decorated faces, grabbed fun swag, threw beanbags and frisbees, and jumped in the bouncies. The air was crisp and the sounds of fun and laughter carried from the soccer field to Lansing Center.
by Renee Wright, Lower School Director
It’s Homecoming! Fall has arrived, campus-wide Homecoming decorations are underway, and the Panther even made a guest appearance at the South Entrance this morning.
There is still time to join us in thanking the MPA faculty and staff during All School Conferences! During week of October 1, please consider participating in the long-standing MPA tradition of parents and families showing gratitude toward our wonderful staff and faculty. By donating beverages or gift cards, volunteering in the PA Room during the week, and helping staff and plan the evening meals on October 2 and October 4, you are saying “thank you!” in a significant way! 
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School