February 26, 2018
Ms. Ling DeBellis was adopted from Guiping, China in 2001 and has an undiagnosed neuromuscular condition. She’s a life long patient at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. She attends MPA and lives in North Oaks with her family. This year, Ms. DeBellis is a member of the Young Women’s Initiative Cabinet of MN to advocate for a better Minnesota where all women have the opportunity to thrive.
We asked Ling some questions so you could get to know her before hearing her speak at MPA Talks on March 13! Take a look!
Who inspires you to be better and how?
My parents. My friends. My teachers. My community. The world. Their courage in me inspires everything I do. They care about me and teach me and trust me, so it’s my duty to show them how much I appreciate their endless dedication by aspiring to change the world.
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?
On Tuesday, March 6, we are calling on our alumni community to participate in our annual 24 hour giving challenge! As a nonprofit institution, we rely on financial contributions to support the programs and opportunities that our students take part in. When alumni show their support by participating in the Alumni Challenge, they not only affirm their faith in the teachers that supported them, but they show the community the reach and impact that MPA alumni can truly have on the world—from Youth Ambassadors to the United Nation to socially conscious business owners to 
Hannah Sullivan has been teaching science at MPA since 2004. She grew up in New Hampshire and attended high school at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. She went on to study Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. She is passionate about science education, the outdoors, and spending time with her own two young boys.
Come one, come all to the Spring Auction 2018—Under the Big Top! Please join us for our only fundraising event of the year at the JX in Stillwater on Saturday, May 12. This fabulous community building event allows parents, alumni families, faculty, and grandparents to connect, enjoy an evening out, and take home some fantastic auction items, all while supporting the school that brings us together! 
Join us for the fourth annual MPA Talks on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, featuring thoughtful presentations by MPA Lower School parent Dr. Sheneeta W. White, Upper School student Ling DeBellis, and Upper School science faculty member Hannah Sullivan. We are so delighted to feature some of Mounds Park Academy’s most captivating community members and you will learn much more about them in upcoming issues of Panther Post.
Renovating the Black Box Theatre was MPA’s Fund A Need from the last Spring Auction. In less than five minutes, our community raised nearly $100,000 to make necessary improvements. The Fine Arts Department was humbled to be spotlighted and supported by the community in such a profound way.
The Thanksgiving season is a traditional time to recognize and appreciate all that is good in one’s life. At Mounds Park Academy, we are thankful for the continued generosity of our community. This year’s annual five-week Joyful Learning, Joyful Giving Fall Campaign grew like an ocean wave with its peak on Give to the Max Day! Of the nearly $300,000 in gifts throughout the campaign, 43 percent was contributed on that day alone! Incredible! Thank you!
As of noon, MPA families have raised an incredible $41,028. If we reach $75,000, a generous family will give a bonus gift of $25,000 to get us to the goal of $100,000 today! Incredible!As of noon, MPA families have raised an incredible $41,028. If we reach $75,000, a generous family will give a bonus gift of $25,000 to get us to the goal of $100,000 today! Incredible!
Mark your calendars for Give to the Max Day on November 16 and the end of the Fall Campaign on November 17. If we reach our goal of $75,000 that day, a generous MPA family will contribute an additional $25,000, bringing our grand total to $100,00!
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School