Big Hearts, Bright Futures
MEET SEVEN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO HAVE FOUND INSPIRING WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024
“Something that I have learned is that it never hurts to try … Knowing that there is a possibility that I could be doing something great or achieve something great keeps me motivated and inspires me to keep going, even when it is hard.”
—Himani Mondal, senior at Eastview High School (Big Hearts, Bright Futures, page 18)
Party Punch List, page 24
Photo: Chris Emeott
DARTS
Go backstage at Children’s Theatre Company with Eagan’s Kyia Britts.
from the EDITOR
A few days ago, I was driving with my 12-year-old daughter when she asked me if I believed in magic. She paused for a moment and then said, “Never mind, I know what you’ll say. You think there are things that feel like magic, but you don’t believe in actual magic. I really believe in magic, though.”
I’d love to claim that I still believe in magic, but her assessment was pretty dead on. Because, you know what, someone has to make the magic.
It feels like magic every time I see a hummingbird feeding off the flower pots on my deck. They look like little fairies as they hover and fly, their wings beating at least 50 times each second. Every time I see one, I’m so grateful it exists in this world and that it chose to visit my deck.
But it also chose to visit my deck because I knew I could never maintain a hummingbird feeder, so I researched flowers that attract hummingbirds, and every year, I make sure my patio pots have some Salvia guaranitica (black and blue) and Lobelia erinus. It’s magical, and it’s staged—just like so many things we do as parents.
Whether it’s a daily occurrence, like the magic that sometimes happens when everyone’s peacefully eating dinner together, it came because someone prepared—or at least procured—the food. (If you need to make dinner magic happen tonight, check out our Tastemakers section on page 26 for some recipes from Land of 10,000 Recipes blogger Jenna Gorman.)
Or it’s a special event, like a high school graduation party, someone had to book the venue in August and secure the catering in January. (If you have a graduating senior this year, turn to page 24 to see what else has to happen to make the magic in June.)
And even though I’ve fully transitioned from magic believer to magic maker, I hope that I’ll always be able to see the magic. Whether you make it or believe it, I hope your world is filled with lots of magic—and that you’re still able to see it.
Liz Potasek liz@localmedia.co
On the Cover
Huberty , Photo by Chris Emeott, page 18
See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Cities South @citiessouthmag @CitiesSouthMag
Photo: Chris Emeott
Max
EVERY INJURY. EVERY CONDITION.
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PHYSICAL THERAPY
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VOL. 2 NO. 4 citiessouthmags.com
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Liz Potasek
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Kelly Cochrane, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle and Rachel Schuehle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ashley Christopherson, Angie Lueschen, Katie Tomsche and Carolyn Torntore
DIGITAL INTERN
Zoe Baden
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Melissa Ferlaak, Valleyfair ; Sandi Fleck, Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce ; Stephanie Goldfarb, The Divine Living Space ; Eve Heeralall, City of Apple Valley ; Michelle Sharp, Meet the Minnesota Makers ; and Tina Goodroad, City of Lakeville
SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
Sarah Dovolos
ART DIRECTOR
Allison Nolden
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Jamie Klang
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo
LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Emeott
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Brittni Dye
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Lisa Stone
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Mimi Coz
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson, Abbie Kinn and Kathie Smith
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson
To subscribe to Cities South Magazines , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2024. All rights reserved.
The OB-GYN care you need, when you need it – it really should be that simple. Whether you need pregnancy care and planning, birth control options, or menopause treatment, you’ll find the right OB-GYN within HealthPartners’ connected care system. Plus, you can get convenient virtual care. And it’s all designed to give you an easy, streamlined experience.
HealthPartners is the largest multi-specialty care group in the Twin Cities. Our clinics, hospitals, care teams and virtual services are all connected to make your health care simple.
healthpartners.com/obgyn
OKTOBERFEST-STYLE COCKTAILS
IF BEER isn’t your thing, have no fear. There are plenty of other delicious drinks to choose from when celebrating Oktoberfest (September 21–October 6). Lean into apple cider for all those fabulous fall flavors.
Apple Cider and Bourbon Punch
For the brown sugar and cinnamon syrup:
» 1 cup dark brown sugar
» 2 cinnamon sticks
» 1 cup water
For the punch:
» ½ cup syrup (recipe above)
» 3 cups bourbon
» 4 cups unfiltered apple cider
» ½ cup fresh lemon juice
» ½ cup orange juice
» 4 cups ice
» 2 cups club soda, or to taste
» 1 orange
» nutmeg, to taste
Visit citiessouthmags.com for directions.
Apple Cider Cocktails:
» Cider Shandy: Mix 1 part cider to 3 parts beer.
» Apple Cider Mimosa: Mix
1 part apple cider to 3 parts sparkling wine.
» Bourbon Apple Cider: Pour 2 oz. of bourbon into a Tom Collins glass with ice. Top off with apple cider.
Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys. Sip more at lundsandbyerlys.com
For Young Bookworms
As summer ends, middle grade readers (ages 8–12) will enjoy these books with mystery, time travel and unlikely friends.
A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn Maya, a Korean-American middle schooler, connects with her family’s past through food … and time travel! This book mixes relatable family issues with playful adventure. Maya wonders what happened to her dad and why her mom seems distant now that her grandma is visiting. As Maya connects with her grandma through cooking and trips to the past, she learns more about
her family than she bargained for. Most chapters end with a recipe for the Korean dish featured in that chapter.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling Aven was born without arms, but she would rather tell people she lost them wrestling an alligator or in a trapeze accident. When her family moves away from her friends, she feels lonely. Then she meets Connor, who has Tourette syndrome, and together they stumble upon a mystery at an amusement park that might change
Fall Blooming Bulbs
When you think of plants for the fall, flowering bulbs usually don’t come to mind. These bulbs are not well known, but I feel they are worth it. I bought bulbs in 2020 and was pleasantly surprised with this little gem.
Colchicum autumnale or Autumn crocuses most commonly bloom in fall. The flowers come up without any leaves, which gives them another common name of Naked Ladies. Their flowers range in color from purple to pink and white.
Plant autumn crocus bulbs in the late summer in well-drained soil in dappled shade under trees or even in grass, but be careful, as I have also learned these can be toxic to people and pets. Once established, they do not need any extra care. After the flowers have died back, the succulent-type leaves will appear in spring, and the bulbs will continue flowering for many years.
Angie Lueschen is a plant-loving enthusiast and member of the Lakeville Area Garden Club.
Aven’s whole life. Funny, sweet and even suspenseful, this book will appeal to readers who enjoyed Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Ashley Christopherson is the owner of Niche Books in Lakeville. Read more at nichebooksmn.com.
GIVE
Living on Hope
Raise your glass in hopes of a brighter future for people living with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and FTD (frontotemporal dementia) at the seventh annual Hops for Hope. The fundraiser, which is organized by eight local families whose lives have been affected by ALS, including Julie and Marc Smith of Prior Lake, features wine and beer, food and live music.
According to the ALS Association, there are at least 18 people living with ALS in the communities of Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville and Prior Lake, but the disease has no cure and few treatments. All proceeds from Hops for Hope will be used to develop new treatments and cures for both ALS and FTD. Liz Potasek
Hops for Hope; 1–8 p.m. September 7. Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague; nextchapterwinery.com Hops For Hope - Community Fundraiser for ALS and FTD
Streamline the School Routine
As we head back to school, here are three tips to support your scholars and control clutter:
» Designate Individual Spaces: Assign specific spaces or hooks for each family member to hang their backpack or bag.
» Charging Station: Corral those devices (and keep them charged for class) by creating a charging station for phones and iPads. Designate an area with charging cables and outlets. Consider using a charging dock to keep everything organized.
» Mail and Paperwork Station: Create a designated area for incoming mail, permission slips and other paperwork.
Carolyn Torntore is an interior designer and home stager at The Time 4 Design. Organize more at thetime4design.com.
Age of Enrichment
DARTS celebrates 50 years improving the lives of older adults in Dakota County.
By Kelly Cochrane
AT 83, BOB DENARDO is a retired social worker with a mission: to get involved in the community and make a difference in the lives of others.
“It’s important for me to be actively involved in something, which has meaning to me and is useful to others and is really fulfilling,” says DeNardo, who lives in Eagan and has volunteered with DARTS since 2015.
DARTS was founded in 1974 as Dakota Area Resources and Transportation for Seniors by Dick Graham and later shortened to DARTS to reflect the wide range of services it provides for older adults and their caregivers, including support groups, respite care, education, transportation and home services. “We provide service
around the home to allow you to live successfully and transportation to keep you connected,” says Ann Bailey, president of DARTS.
Peggy Corey has depended on DARTS to help with housework, yard work and odd jobs for the past two years. “We keep things managed and underhand,” Corey says. “DARTS comes in and does what’s left. There are just certain things I cannot do anymore.”
DARTS offers its services for sliding scale fees, based on what each person can afford. If DARTS doesn’t offer access to a resource, it will find a way to connect you.
DARTS also connects older adults with volunteer opportunities within the community, specifically working
with local elementary schools. “We have found that intergenerational relationships are beneficial for both generations,” Bailey says.
Through the Learning Buddies program, senior volunteers spend one to two hours per week in a local elementary school.
DARTS brings older adults into the community through transportation services. “Isolation can be detrimental to a person’s health,” Bailey says, noting the importance of helping older adults safely leave their houses.
When DeNardo began his mission to make a difference in the lives of others, he started working with DARTS as a Metro Mobility driver and became DARTS LOOP driver in 2016, taking
Volunteers help older adults in need with yard maintenance through DARTS.
riders to local stores and offices.
As DeNardo has aged, his roles have changed, but his focus has remained the same. “Since COVID-19, I’ve stopped driving, and now I do everything but drive the bus,” DeNardo says.
Whether people access DARTS as a volunteer or a client, the resulting positive connection improves everyone’s health. “What I love most is the realization that we are filling a huge need in the community,” Bailey says.
DARTS, 1645 Marthaler Lane, West St. Paul; 651.455.1560; dartsconnects.org
DARTS Aging and Caregiving Resources @dartsconnects
ARTS & CULTURE
Setting the Scene
Go backstage at Children’s Theatre Company with Eagan’s Kyia Britts.
By Rachel Schuehle
KYIA BRITTS was always a “sports kid” growing up, but when her brother auditioned for a play at their church, Britts followed suit. Then as a fifth grader, she acquired a role in the musical Honk!— an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling
Those first steps on stage led to a career. Today, the Eagan resident is the associate production manager and company manager at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis,
and she’s looking forward to her first full season with the nation’s largest theater company for young people. “It will be my first full season from start to end, including being involved in the process of choosing shows,” Britts says.
The season features a variety of shows, including the return of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, a production of Disney’s Frozen and the world premiere of Drawing Lessons. “We’re bringing in so many directors,
which will be a unique and interesting experience,” Britts says. “It’s exciting to see the other artistic processes that vary from person to person.”
Britts is responsible for everything from keeping track of production budgets to arranging catering for the cast and crew. She also handles the coordination, booking and scheduling of out-of-town artists, like guest directors, designers and more. “It’s never the same thing each day,” Britts says. “It’s
Photos: Children’s Theatre Company; Kyia Britts
Dr. Seuss's
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
always something different.”
Although she got an early start on stage, Britts has always been interested in the less noticeable aspects of theater production. “I always wanted to help build sets and make props,” Britts says. “I remember sitting for hours after school in the scene shop working on something. I loved the fact that I could be a part of making it all happen.”
Once out of high school, Britts made her way to the University of WisconsinRiver Falls to earn her degree in theater arts and marketing communication. In college, she was able to deep dive even further into production management and develop the skills she’d later need to be a professional in the arts. Out of college, Britts found herself at Children’s Performing Arts and Theater Latte Da before landing at Children’s Theatre Company.
As an audience member, it’s easy to forget all the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring a show to life, including props and scenery, but Britts credits the success of a show not only to the actors, but the crew. “Lighting and production management are the glue that keeps the show together,” Britts says.
Britts resides in Eagan with her fiance. And when not planning her wedding scheduled for October 2025 or playing Dungeons and Dragons, Britts enjoys all the nature Eagan has to offer.
Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.874.0400; childrenstheatre.org
Children’s Theatre Company @childrenstheatrecompany @ChildrensTheatr
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Kyia Britts
PHILANTHROPY
Backpacks for Good
A Prior Lake nonprofit provides weekend meals for kids and families facing hunger at home.
By Jennifer Pitterle
WHEN PRIOR LAKE MOM Keri Thayer recognized a need at her kids’ elementary school, she didn’t hesitate to jump in and fill it. The nonprofit she co-founded, Reaching Our Community’s Kids (ROCK), is celebrating 10 years of providing weekend meals and snacks for students who don’t get enough to eat outside of what school provides during the week. “I had always heard stories about teachers putting snacks in kids’ bags,” Thayer says. “I reached out to a couple of principals and asked if there was a need.”
The answer, of course, was yes. So in 2014, Thayer worked with three other local moms, Jenni Krosnowski, Julie Nelson and Lauren Huntington, to create ROCK. They each contributed a few hundred dollars of their own funds to purchase food at cost from Second Harvest Heartland, the well-known regional food distribution bank, and other wholesaler partners. They packed a weekend’s worth of food—two breakfasts, two lunches, two snacks, plus fruits and veggies— into each cinch bag and delivered them to the social workers’ offices at Grainwood and Five Hawks elementary schools. Students, who’d been
“Kids would come down and grab their bag and hug it. We’re filling their stomachs, but we’re really feeding their souls. They know someone out there cares about them and wants them to succeed and have food.”
Keri Thayer, co-founder of Reaching Our Community’s Kids
CONNECT WITH ROCK
To make a donation to ROCK, visit rockmn. org. On the website, you can also fill out the Contact Us form to be added to Keri Thayer’s email signup list, where she notifies volunteers about upcoming needs and opportunities to help.
identified by the schools, could stop by to pick up a bag for the weekend.
The model was a great success. “That’s still how we do it today,” Thayer says. “Kids would come down and grab their bag and hug it. We’re filling their stomachs, but we’re really feeding their souls. They know someone out there cares about them and wants them to succeed and have food.”
Quickly, ROCK brought on other community partners, from Rotary clubs to the VFW, that could contribute funds to keep the program growing. Originally, the group stored food and supplies in space at a local church; when it outgrew it, a warehouse was rented. “Now, we can purchase food on a huge scale, which saves us a lot of money,” Thayer says.
In addition to weekend food bags, ROCK also helps school social workers fill other needs, like supplies or winter gear, for students. Thayer, who now runs ROCK with the help of five board members and a large group of volunteers, says they typically ask for monetary donations—instead of food or clothing items—when generous neighbors reach out. “It’s typically easier for us to purchase things, so we’re sending the same items each time right to the kids,” she says.
Last year, ROCK started to replicate its success in new locations. “We’ve started a program at Kenwood Trail Middle School in Lakeville,” Thayer says. “Our goal is to reach out and see if there are other schools in Lakeville that would like the program.” She hopes to expand to as many South Metro schools as volunteers can sustain.
Though Thayer’s own kids, Hailee, Connor and Ethan, are now adults and teens, she’s not planning to hand over the ROCK reins any time soon. “It’s kind of my baby,” she says with a laugh. “It’s my passion project.”
CREATE. LAUGH. LEARN.
Written by Liz Potasek — Photos by Chris Emeott
Big Hearts, BRIGHT FUTURES
Meet seven local high school seniors who have found inspiring ways to contribute to the community.
We asked administrators from local high schools to nominate outstanding students who contribute to their school community for our annual Senior Spotlight feature. While we couldn’t feature every student nominated, we picked this group of students to highlight some of the amazing humans who are graduating this year. Congratulations to the entire Class of 2025!
MAX HUBERTY
Age: 17
High School: Eastview High School City: Prior Lake
Activities & Interests: Debate Team, Speech Team; writer and editor for the Lightning Press (school newspaper); National Honor Society; Latin American Literature Club; Card Playing Club; Crochet and Knit Club; and volunteer for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Tribal Administration, working as part of a team to renew the Tribal Nations Plaza at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium
Post-High School Plans: College, pursuing international studies and/or economics
Max Huberty
“Outside of my school life, many of my peers may not know about my passion for Dakota language. I take classes at the University of Minnesota every Monday through Friday to improve my Dakota skills. With this knowledge, I have worked with the SMSC Marketing Team to write and develop my own Dakota childrens book that is soon to be published. Wacipita Mawani (I Walk to Powwow) shares the simple journey of a boy, experiencing the nature around him as he walks to Powwow grounds. This passion to revitalize Dakota is a really important goal for me.
“For context, I am not Dakota myself, but my stepmom and stepsisters are. I live with them on SMSC land in Prior Lake, and this environment is what made me so passionate about the language. Seeing a community fight to actively learn an integral part of their culture and being invited to help that cause is something I am grateful for.
“At school, I am most proud of my success on Eastview’s debate team, particularly my junior and senior year season as a captain on the team. The moment I remember most is receiving the All State award in classic debate at the state tournament. The award is given to eight competitors who have the strongest overall success across the entire season.
“At the state tournament, it was fulfilling to see all of the kids I mentor find their own success. Throughout the season, I act as a peer coach to novice members of our team, teaching them how the activity works. This made seeing many of my younger peers break to elimination rounds, and one team even winning the JV division, feel as satisfying as my own success. Looking ahead, I am super excited to build on my success on Eastview’s debate team and see the team grow with me.” Max
Huberty
ISAIAH CRAIG
Age: 17
High School: Apple Valley High School
City: Lakeville
Activities & Interests: Speech and Debate, Track and Cross Country teams
Post-High School Plans: College
“An achievement in my high school career that I’m most proud of is my speech career. I truly love speech so much because it is a platform for sharing stories that wouldn’t otherwise be told. My first season as a sophomore, I got the opportunity to share truths that I never thought I’d be able to share. I was part of a dramatic duo team that performed an excerpt of Gathering of Waters, a book that covers the story of Emmett Till, and our team came in second place at the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament.
“My junior year, I continued to highlight Black voices and storytelling through my speeches in four different categories. In the duo category, I worked with a partner on a historical fiction piece centered around Pullman porters, Black men who worked on rail cars and gave rise to the civil rights movement. We took third at
the national speech and debate tournament. In the oratory category, my piece focused on forgiveness and how we don’t understand it. In the poetry category, I performed a compilation of poems in celebration of the Black body. In the program oral interpretation category, I picked a compilation of pieces that explored sports and the legacy of slavery. I’m grateful for the things that I’m able to do in speech, and I’m happy with the stories, truths and facts that I get to share with other people in and outside of the speech community.
“My biggest inspirations are my parents, my teammates and past leaders who have used their voices to speak for the unheard. My mom has taught me to persevere and to keep moving forward no matter what life throws at me, and my dad has taught me how to use my voice and to not be afraid to oppose things that are unjust. My parents
Isaiah Craig
continue to teach me more and more every day. My teammates in speech and debate have taught me so much about self-expression, self-confidence and self-love. Through their actions, they’ve taught me how to be a better person and how to enact positive change in the world around me.” Isaiah Craig
HIMANI MONDAL
Age: 17
School: Eastview High School City: Apple Valley
Activities & Interests: Minnesota State Representative to the Board of Directors for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Science Olympiad; Marching Band; National
Honor Society; Tri-M Music Honor Society; Student Council; Flute Ensemble; Math Team; History Day participant (for six years) Post-High School Plans: Attend college and work in education
“Some things that bring me joy are playing my flute, FCCLA and volunteering in my community.
“I find music to be very stress relieving and a great way to escape from reality when I need it. I love to learn new songs and techniques on my flute.
“I spend a lot of time doing stuff for FCCLA, and I enjoy it thoroughly. I have been a member since my freshman year, and I am very involved. In FCCLA, we compete in Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) events. I placed third in Teach and Train-Level 2 at nationals as a freshman and fourth in Instructional Video Design-Level 2 at nationals as a sophomore. I qualified
Miles Zabel
Himani Mondal
for nationals this year, and competed in RED Talks in Education-Level 3 in early July. Whether it’s planning meetings/events, working on my STAR events, attending events, volunteering in my community, helping members with their STAR events or meeting members from other chapters from across the state and country, I love every aspect of it.
“I do a lot of community service for FCCLA, but I also like to volunteer outside of FCCLA. It is very stress-relieving and has a very rewarding feeling. I love the thought of giving back to the community in any way that I can, and I often volunteer with my friends.
“My biggest source of inspiration is the thought of all of the endless possibilities. No matter what I do, if I work hard, there is so much that I can achieve.” Himani Mondal
MILES ZABEL
Age: 17
School: Eagan High School City: Eagan
Activities & Interests: LINK Crew (welcoming incoming freshmen and helping to transition into high school); Spectrums Club (LGBTQ+ discussion club); Spanish Club; Quiz Bowl; Prom Committee; Students Against Destructive Decisions; Interact Club (connecting students with volunteering opportunities); peer tutoring; and Tennis Post-High School Plans: College, studying psychology or chemistry with a minor in Spanish
“One of my biggest inspirations throughout my high school years so far has been my future self. I’d rather get something done now to help out my future self than to wait to do it and let the stress pile up. It gives me motivation to know that I’m setting myself up for a successful career and social life outside of school and when I’m older.
“Academically, one of my biggest goals in elementary and middle school was to always try my best and be determined about learning. So far, I’ve done my best to stick to these values throughout high school and have a strong GPA to prove it, which is an accomplishment that I am very proud of.
“Socially, I’m very happy with myself in terms of my connectedness with
friends and my peers. I have enthusiasm for inclusivity and getting to know people of all different backgrounds and experiences. In a room full of students, you’ll often find me chatting with those around me and introducing myself to people that I haven’t met. I even carry a notepad in my backpack with positive quotes on each page, which I give to my friends during tests and in the hallways to try to lift their spirits about whatever is making them feel down.
“My high school experience has been different than many of my peers due to my gender identity and how I present myself. Though I am grateful for my accepting friends and family, I often find that I have difficulty being recognized by others for who I really am. I try my best to help others understand
my experiences and how I feel on the inside, but being a minority comes with its challenges by being faced with negative public perception and scrutiny for simply existing. I am extremely grateful for those in my life that have attempted to understand me and other people like me, and I hope that I can help others as a model and example that success can be blind to orientation.” Miles Zabel
QUINN WEAVER
Age: 17
School: Lakeville South High School City: Lakeville
Activities & Interests: Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA); National
Quinn Weaver
Honor Society; captain of the Lakeville South Girls’ Swim and Dive Teamcompeting in diving; weight lifting; and Lakeville South Boys’ Diving Team manager
Post-High School Plans: College, studying biochemistry or neuroscience
“As a student, I am most proud of the opportunity to participate in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) courses, which I began taking in my junior year. PSEO has allowed me to continue taking classes, including Calculus 2, Calculus 4 and Psychology at the University of Minnesota. It has also been a great way to prepare myself for college because I get a glimpse at what the workload is like and how I
can improve my study habits. At the same time, I have maintained a steady load at the high school, allowing me to stay involved in my high school classes, clubs, sports and be with my friends.
One of my biggest inspirations all throughout my life has been my older brother, Dylan. He has always taught me to work hard and put myself out there, which has allowed me to participate in so many great opportunities. Even now when he is at school in a different state, I still call him whenever I need help or whenever I need advice.
In the summer of 2023, I went on a medical mission trip to Honduras with Summit Orthopedics through a scholarship opportunity at the high school. While there, I stayed at a 2,000-acre property that contained an orphanage and a free healthcare clinic for locals. Throughout the week, I volunteered on the property by cooking meals, fixing roads, teaching kids basketball and so much more. Most rewarding of all, I was able to help at the clinic and observe the surgical procedures. This greatly piqued my interest in the medical field because I was able to see the huge impact that even the smallest procedures could make on someone’s life.” Quinn Weaver
ANTONIO ALLEN
Age: 17
School: School of Environmental Studies City: Eagan Activities & Interests: Eagan High School Science Olympiad team; Track and biking Post-High School Plans: Attend college to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
“Growing up in the East Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis, I started in Minneapolis Public Schools. Elementary and middle school were never a challenge for me. My mom always talked about how college was a shock to her because she never needed to study in high school. I realized that was the same with me: I had never studied more than a couple minutes for tests.
“With the Minneapolis teacher strikes in 2022, I decided to start at District 196. It was rough, but I maintained good grades throughout 10th grade while learning how to
Antonio Allen
study and overall thrive in a more rigorous environment.
“A high school achievement I am proud of is my 3.95 GPA to date. I have worked hard in high school to maintain it, and I plan to continue having it until the end of my senior year. It has been a struggle, changing through many different academic forms at different high schools and getting through rigorous courses. Coming from a less rigorous school district and barely knowing how to study before 10th grade was a major shift in my learning strategy. I hope the boost in rigor from moving to District 196 will help in college as well.
“My parents have been my biggest inspiration throughout my entire
school career. They are the ones who helped me with tough schoolwork, inspired me to attend college and have been my biggest supporters throughout school. Overall, I could not thank anyone more for sticking with me through my transitions, grades and outlooks.”
Antonio Allen
MADDIE SAZAMA
Age: 17
School: Prior Lake High School
City: Prior Lake
Activities & Interests: Lacrosse; Laker Leaders; Freshman Orientation Link
Crew; Academic Board Scholar; Prior Lake Youth Optimist; Morgan’s Message Mental Health Ambassador; and plunged for Special Olympics in 2022 and 2024
Post-High School Plans: Attend Grand Valley State University in Michigan, continue playing lacrosse and pursue studies in health care
“I play lacrosse at Prior Lake. I’ve built so many lifelong friendships and have learned hard work really does pay off. I also play lacrosse for a club team called Minnesota Elite. Minnesota Elite has allowed me to travel and play lacrosse around the United States.
“I love volunteering my time to introduce lacrosse to young girls. I hope to someday be cheering for these girls when they are in high school, playing for the Lakers.
“During the summer of my sophomore year while traveling with my club lacrosse team, I learned about a nonprofit organization called Morgan’s Message. This is a national organization founded in memory of Morgan Rodgers, who played lacrosse at Duke University when she suffered an injury. She died by suicide in 2019. Her story inspired me to become a Morgan’s Message Student Athlete Ambassador. The purpose of Morgan’s Message is to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
“Two friends and I, with the encouragement and support of the Prior Lake Girls Lacrosse coach, Heather Pierson, started a Morgan’s Message chapter at Prior Lake High School. Bringing this group to Prior Lake is something I am proud of as we strive to raise awareness of mental health here at Prior Lake High School.” Maddie Sazama
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for help, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Maddie Sazama
Party Punch List
ALL THAT POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE DOESN’T HAPPEN BY ITSELF.
Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photo by Chris Emeott
LET’S BE HONEST. Graduation parties have—evolved. For the most part, the celebrations have become larger and more involved than the days when grad parties were primarily made up of the student of honor, the requisite family members, a few neighbors and a handful of teenagers all gathered at the honoree’s home/backyard/garage.
While that is still the case, and those celebrations are just as wonderful, other families are going in another direction with attendee numbers tipping into the hundreds, and the food fare and décor elements ramping up their games, too.
Since the second semester of senior year brims with plenty of deadlines (college and scholarship applications, housing contracts or gap year decisions) and milestones (the last spring break, prom and the ending of spring sports—cue the tears), it can be overwhelming. Add in planning a graduation party and emotional chaos might ensue.
As this year’s seniors start their academic year, their graduation party planning should swing into gear. The first step is getting organized. To help, we put together a month-tomonth plan to break down the to-do list into manageable sections. (This is a loose timeline because all parties are as individual as the honorees, but this can serve as a guide for your perfect party planning.)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August: Hold up! Take this month to relish the last days before the academic year pushes into gear. However, if you and the graduate have your hearts set on a party venue, book it now. (Note: Some places require reservations several months or a year in advance.)
September: For the rest of you, have a discussion with your senior student. Is he/she interested in having a party, and what would that look like in terms of home vs. venue, solo vs. with friends or large vs. a smaller gathering?
October: If this is a combined event, reach out to the other parents/guardians to make sure they are on the same page in terms of budget and planning. Finalize the party date.
Be sure to take into consideration potential district/regional/state appearances for extracurriculars in the spring.
November: If this is a group event, bring the students and families together to discuss tasks. Put people in charge of beverages, food, games, set-up/clean-up duties, venue rental, etc. Set up a timeline through the date of the party. Finalize the décor theme. Research food vendors. If not done already, it’s not a bad idea to get the venue locked in. When talking with venue representatives, ask about table/chair counts and if linens are included. If not, research other vendors for those items.
December: Take the month off to enjoy the holidays. January will be here sooner than you think.
January: Finalize catering or food truck vendors. Be sure to ask about deposits, pricing, set-up/clean-up options, staffing, dining ware availability and cancelation policies. If you haven’t done so already, move on booking this month; food vendors and venues fill up with other spring and summer events.
February: If making photo boards, go through albums (digital or otherwise) to identify photographs you want to feature. Gather award certificates, school memorabilia, trophies, sport uniforms, etc. to include for display tables. If using annual school pictures, organize them now. (If a year is missing, contact the school to see if it has a version from the yearbook archives.)
March: Meet with families to finalize décor. If decorating individual display tables, share with one another ideas, so each student feels equally represented. Using sports equipment can be a fun and easy way to decorate a space. (Place skis a few feet apart, string chord between them and hang photos along the chords. Prop up tennis rackets or hockey or lacrosse sticks. Fill large, clear vases or containers with baseballs/softballs, pucks, tennis balls, etc.) Create a fun backdrop that is Instagram-worthy for photo taking. If the student is attending college, order the school’s banner or a pennant to display.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Here’s a starting point for local catering options.
Baba’s Catering by The Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, medcruisecafe.com
Baldy’s BBQ, baldysbbqmn.com
Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine, bayleafindiancuisine.com
BD Sandwiches, bdsammies.com
Brianno’s Deli Italia, briannos.com
CKC Good Food, ckccatering.com
Divine Swine, divineswinecatering.com
Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, eileenscookies.com
Hy-Vee Catering, hy-vee.com
Lunds & Byerlys, lundsandbyerlys.com
Sweet Clouds Cotton Candy, sweetcloudsmn.com
Visit citiessouthmags.com for more information.
April: Order or create party invitations for family, friends, neighbors and other guests. Drop those in the mail, so it’s one less thing to think about. Make sure students spread the party word via social media or on their high school’s party page. Ask a couple of friends or older teens to serve as party helpers, refilling food trays and beverage coolers, bussing tables and the like.
May or June: A few weeks ahead of the big day, check in with all the vendors to confirm final details and timelines. If doing a group party, have final check in with families. Once the party day arrives, enjoy it. Take time to celebrate your student and yourself Let’s face it, K–12 isn’t a road traveled just by the students!
July: Handwritten thank you notes (not emails or texts) never go out of style, and they offer graduates a great opportunity to practice their cursive.
TASTEMAKERS
Family Recipes
Eagan food blogger Jenna Gorman involves her children in the kitchen—and in giving back.
Written by Jennifer Pitterle Photos by Morgan Chapman Media
EAGAN
FOOD
BLOGGER
Jenna Gorman is the rare person who’s managed to combine several of her passions—food, teaching and family—into a successful career. Gorman’s blog, Land of 10,000 Recipes, pays homage to the traditional Upper Midwest dishes of her childhood, revamped with fresh flavors and packed with nutrition.
“I started my career as a food chemist at General Mills,” Gorman says, “but I wanted more people interaction, so I went back to school and got my master’s degree in education and my teaching license.” She taught high school chemistry for a few years, sharing her love of science with her students, and then became a full-time mom to sons Jack (11) and Will (8), and her husband, Matt, completed his rigorous physician residency. He grew up in Eagan, and the couple has called the community home for nine years.
As it happens for many parents, Gorman started to feel like her sense of self was being subsumed by the work of raising young children. “I lost my sense of my own identity,” she says. “I really wanted to get that
Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Fall Salad Bowl
Jenna Gorman
back.” Matt suggested a food blog, where she could share her love of food and family—and her background in science and chemistry—with readers.
In a serendipitous moment, Gorman looked up the landof10000recipes.com web domain and was surprised to find it was available. “That was a great fit,” she says. “It just started as a fun little passion project.”
She launched the blog in 2019 and has been steadily growing her readership, along with thousands of social media followers. Some of her popular recipes include 30-minute Instant Pot soups, protein bowls with lots of veggie add-ins, homemade staples, like granola and chocolate chip cookies, and kiddo favorites, like pasta and muffins.
Gorman starts each blog post with a quick story about what her family’s been up to, whether it’s a trip to the cabin, a fun adventure or her boys’ sporting events. “I want this also to be something our family can look back on and have a little stamp of history,” Gorman says.
Will is a big foodie and has started offering his own critiques of recipes and suggestions for new
developments. And Jack is the first official employee of Land of 10,000 Recipes. “He has a little notebook, so he can clock in and out,” Gorman says with a laugh. “He’s a big numbers guy, so he helps me calculate nutritional content and conversions.”
The blog also offers Gorman a chance to raise funds for a cause that’s close to her heart. For years now, she’s hosted virtual cooking classes where participants can make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “My little brother, Mikey, died from leukemia when he was 4, and I was 8,” Gorman says. Although Mikey wasn’t treated by St. Jude, “They’ve been directly responsible for improving the childhood leukemia survival rate from around 60 percent when he died to almost 95 percent today,” Gorman says.
As more local organizations found out about Gorman’s fundraisers for St. Jude, they wanted to get involved. In 2023, she hosted her first in-person Cooking for a Cause event at Holman’s Table in St. Paul. The restaurant donated food; Urban Growler donated beer. Soon, Gorman was invited to appear on FOX 9’s Good Day and KSTP’s Twin Cities
Junior Chefs
Jenna Gorman shares her favorite tips for involving your little ones in preparing meals.
Keep your expectations low. Kids make messes and mistakes. Gorman says, “You have to let go of stressing about that.”
Set up for success. For example, Gorman puts out two small bowls during scrambled-egg prep: one for eggs, one for shells, making for easy cleanup. “Break the process down into small steps, so you can make adjustments along the way,” she says.
Involve kids from start to finish. “Real chefs make mistakes, but they also clean up,” Gorman says. “Cleanup is part of being a responsible chef.” She notes that picky eaters are also more likely to try new things when they’ve seen all of the details—and every interesting ingredient—of a recipe.
Live, and she traveled to Memphis for a conference with other creators who partnered with St. Jude.
In April, her second Cooking for a Cause event added sponsors like Tattersall Distilling, which made a custom cocktail. “They’re donating $1 from every cocktail to my fundraiser,” Gorman says. “It’s so neat to have this tiny little idea, and it just keeps growing every year. That’s my proudest thing I’ve done because of my blog.”
Find the recipes for Easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potato Fall Salad Bowl and Crockpot Cuban Sandwiches at citiessouthmags.com.
landof10000recipes.com Land of 10,000 Recipes @land.of.10000.recipes @landof10000recipes
Crockpot Cuban Sandwiches
PEDAL POWER
Tour the town with Lakeville Friends of the Environment.
EXPLORE LAKEVILLE’S expanding trail system and bike lanes with the Lakeville Friends of the Environment this September. The club’s annual Tour of Lakeville Bike Ride is designed to bring the community together to show off new parks and trails while enjoying the beauty of the city.
Riders meet at downtown’s Pioneer Park and choose between a 20-mile route or a 6-mile route. Both routes return to the park, which is just a few blocks away from the Lakeville Art Festival and the Lakeville Farmers Market that are also happening that day. “It’s just such a sense of community on that day,” says Debbie Nelson, one of the founders of the Lakeville Friends of the Environment. “It really is special.”
Nelson, along with Harley and Diane Horsager, founded the environmental group in 2007 as an organization dedicated to connecting people of Lakeville with nature and raising awareness about environmental issues. “We came together and said this was important to us, and we think it’s important for Lakeville,” Nelson says.
The organization hosts a variety of events, including summer cleanups, educational activities and book studies, in addition to the annual bike ride. “It’s a lot of fun,” Nelson says of the bike tour. “You get to meet people; you get to ride with people. It’s just a different experience. It’s just really a community-enriching event.” —Grace Knapp
Ages 6–99. Free. 9 a.m. September 21. Pioneer Park Plaza, 20785 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; 952.985.4600; lakevillemn.gov; lakevillefriends.org
Compiled by Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp
LOCAL EVENTS
Pick-up Truck Opera Volume 3 08/04
Enjoy a laugh at this modern rendition of Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo and Juliet. Bring comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, a blanket and a water bottle—and sit back to enjoy the show. Ages 12 and older. $10. 7 p.m. Caponi Art Park, 1220 Diffley Road, Eagan; 651.454.9412; caponiartpark.org
Dakota County Fair 08/05–08/11
Pick from a wide spectrum of entertainment, including carnival rides, animal demonstrations, food, contests, live music, Dakota City Heritage Village and more. All ages. $10 daily/car. Times vary. Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th St. W., Farmington; dakotacountyfair.org
Prior Lake Days 08/09–08/10
On Friday night, adults can enjoy a wine and beer tasting as well as food from food trucks on Main Street in downtown Prior Lake. On Saturday, the entire family can enjoy face painting, balloons, a meet-andgreet with Cinderella, a robotics demonstration, live music and more. Ages 21 and older on Friday; All ages on Saturday. $25–$30 on Friday; free on Saturday. 6:30–9 p.m. Friday. Noon–9 p.m. Saturday. Main Street in downtown Prior Lake; priorlakechamber.com
Hot Art! Community Iron Pour
08/10
Watch as molten metal is poured into open-faced sand molds created by Igneous Metal Arts and members of the community. All ages. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Caponi Art Park, 1220 Diffley Road, Eagan; igneousmetalarts@gmail.com; igneousmetalarts.org
Taste of Lakeville 08/15
Sample delicious bites from local restaurants, caterers and fine beverage purveyors at this annual event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Lakeville Rotary Club. Proceeds from Taste of Lakeville support scholarships, youth programs, Lakeville Heritage Center and many other projects. Ages 21 and older. $50–$60. 5–9 p.m. Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; tasteoflakeville.org
Farm-to-Table Dinner
08/23
This dinner will consist of a unique, locally sourced menu, including appetizer, entree, dessert and a drink ticket, music and more. Ages 21 and older. $65. 5:30–8 p.m. Holz Farm, 4665 Manor Drive, Eagan; 651.675.5500; webtrac.cityofeagan.com
Since 1986, we have been serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. We offer a rigorous curriculum in a safe environment with no hidden agenda, building leaders with a heart to serve their community.
Christian Heritage Academy 7320 175th St. W., Lakeville 952.953.4155 chacademy.com
AUGUST 16–17
SMSC WACIPI
Wacipi, which means “they dance” in Dakota language, is a traditional Native American gathering. Celebrate life, pride and honor with dances and contests, drum groups and singers. Find traditional beadwork, jewelry and handmade goods made by artists and crafters, as well as authentic meals and treats from food vendors. All ages. Free. SMSC Wacipi Grounds, 3212 Dakotah Parkway; Shakopee; smscwacipi.org
U.S. Open Viewing Party
08/26
Tennis fans can watch the 2024 U.S. Open on a jumbo screen at TCO Stadium. The watch party, organized by the United States Tennis Association Northern, includes music, food, drinks, games, prizes and more. Bring your own blanket to claim a spot on the turf. All ages. Free. 5–11 p.m. TCO Stadium, Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan; 952.529.7438; explorevikingslake.com
Chalkfest
09/15–09/16
View the chalk creations of amateur and professional artists. There will also be interactive art displays, live music, food trucks and more. All ages. Free. Times vary. Main Avenue between County Road 21 and Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake; 952.447.9800; priorlakemn.gov
Introduction to Forest Bathing 09/21
Experience nature in a whole new way by learning about shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.” This event will teach you how to experience nature with your senses. All ages. $25. 10 a.m.–noon. Caponi Art Park, 1220 Diffley Road, Eagan; hello@kristenmastel.com; caponiartpark.org
Lakeville Art Festival
09/21–09/22
Enjoy work from more than 100 artists, including ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, photography and more. Food, live music and a community art project are also a part of the event. All ages. Free. Times vary. Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; 952.985.4640; lakevilleartscenterfriends.org
To have your event considered: email citiessouthmags@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
Inspired Sunset
Mark Dobbelmann captures the rippled reflection of a sunset during an evening bike ride.
Mark Dobbelmann is a longtime photographer who seeks to highlight Minnesota’s beauty through his own unique lens. Dobbelmann, a resident of Eagan, often rides his e-assist bike along the trails near the Minnesota River to visit with passersby and capture perfect moments with his camera. The inspiration for this shot came as Dobbelmann was looking for a fresh perspective at the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge. “The picture needed something more,” Dobbelman says. “Everybody could take this picture of the bridge upright. Then, I went a little bit further and looked down, and there’s ripples and fish jumping and that’s what was gonna give it a different look.” —Grace Knapp
Enter your photos in the Focus on Cities South photo contest by August 31 at citiessouthmags.com, and vote for this year’s Readers’ Choice from September 15–30 on our website.
To view other Focus on Cities South photo contest winners, visit citiessouthmags.com.
Photographer: Mark Dobbelmann
Title: Ripples at Sunset
Equipment: Fujifilm X-24 camera and a 16–55mm lens
Location: Old Cedar Avenue Bridge
Category: Abstract and Readers’ Choice Award: First Place
TOUR HUNDREDS OF HOMES ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES
FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS | 12-6PM
September 6 - 29
life. at your summit.
In those crucial moments following an injury, the immediate attention of a skilled orthopedic professional can make all the difference in getting you back to your goals and ambitions. We are always ready with the right treatments at the right time to get you back to living life at your summit as quickly as possible.
IMMEDIATE CARE AT OUR ORTHOPEDIC URGENT CARE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE METRO
