March 6, 2018
by Jeremy Drucker ’97
When I started at Mounds Park Academy in sixth grade I lacked academic confidence. Not only did I struggle with subjects I didn’t have an aptitude for, but I was also oblivious to the things I did well. MPA helped me realize not only how to master those things I had difficulty with, but also how to embrace and bring to bloom those areas where I did have a knack.
Whether it was reciting the first 18 lines of Chaucer’s Canterbury tales in Old English for Richard Meacock’s sophomore English class, or doing improv in Mrs. Poehling and Mrs. Bradley’s drama classes, or researching and writing history papers for Mrs. Conway, or having Mrs. Docherty yelling encouragement to finish strong down the final stretch of a two mile race in the rain at the conference track meet, MPA prepared me for and put me in challenging positions where I needed to push myself past where I thought I could go, but with the support I needed until I learned how to do it myself.
These experiences gave me an exceptional educational foundation that has served me well ever since, be it in college, graduate school or my professional life. It is an incredible advantage for which I am grateful to this day, and hope that every person should be as fortunate as I was.
Every Panther can make a gift of any amount during today’s Alumni Challenge! moundsparkacademy.org/donate
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.
Sponsors for the 2018 Spring Auction receive special recognition on the website and printed materials and are invited to the exclusive pre-party, where they will have special access to the silent auction, great gatherings, and games. Sponsors also support Mounds Park Academy’s faculty and staff by allowing us to provide them with complimentary tickets to the event.
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.
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.
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!