School Talk
How could schools be safer?
Schools are safe. How
Ina recent survey, more than 90% of District residents said they believe the District provides a safe and secure learning environment for students. Yet a comprehensive technology evaluation in 2024 revealed challenges that prevent Mounds View Public Schools from providing the safest and most equitable learning environment possible.
Additional security cameras are needed to provide comprehensive coverage throughout the District, and visitor management systems are dated. Unauthorized users attempt to access the District’s technology systems more than 60,000 times in a typical month, while the District’s aging network is becoming more challenging to support.
In the classroom, more learning resources are becoming digital, while student learning devices like Chromebooks and iPads are in need of replacement. Instructional technologies like interactive displays vary in both function, age and reliability for student learning in all classrooms.
An intentional investment Technology needs continue to increase in the areas of school safety, cybersecurity and classroom learning. However, state funding does not address these growing requirements. Implementing the recommended technology improvements requires an intentional investment.
That’s why for the first time ever the School Board has proposed a capital projects levy on the ballot this fall (see page 6). If successful, the levy would provide $10 million annually for 10 years. According to Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, this would represent a monthly tax increase of about $18 for owners of a median-valued home in the district.
School Talk is published by Mounds View Public Schools, Independent School District 621.
On the cover:
This illustration depicts how an upgraded public address system could include digital display signage in classrooms — conveying consistent and timely information during an incident or emergency.
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Editors
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Superintendent
Chris Lennox
2024 School Board
Shauna Bock
Alissa Daire-Nelson
Heidi Danielson
Jim DeMay
Diane Glasheen
Yolanda Magee
Jonathan Weinhagen
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could they be safer?
“It’s about basic safety.”
— Shauna Bock, School Board member
“I know some of our parents and visitors assume our camera systems can view everything, and that’s not true,” says School Board member Shauna Bock. “A large part of this request is about improving security camera coverage and replacing outdated visitor systems with modern protection our schools urgently need. It’s not about bells and whistles it’s about basic safety.”
With additional, dedicated revenue, Mounds View Public Schools can improve school safety, protect student
data privacy against cyber attacks and advance student achievement all without pulling funding away from maintaining current class sizes and academic programming. Without this dedicated revenue source, there will be continued pressure on the general operating budget competing for dollars required for other classroom and school needs. This will eventually lead to outdated security systems, older devices and limited technology support.
Learn more this fall
This fall, the community will be invited to attend presentations to learn more about the capital projects levy, and residents will receive mailed information as well. In the meantime, visit mvpschools.org/saferschools.
What could this effort provide? Things like...
School safety
• Increase security camera coverage in critical areas.
• Strengthen the visitor management process for entering schools.
• Upgrade the public address and emergency response system to include digital display signage in classrooms.
• Adopt next-generation, hack-resistant door-entry fob controllers and readers.
Cybersecurity
• Remain current with the expanding industry standards a widely recognized and respected set of guidelines for building a strong cybersecurity program.
Classroom learning
• Consistently install and replace interactive whiteboards in all classrooms.
• Replace and upgrade student and staff devices.
• Install learning stations along with advanced coding and STEM labs.
Public perceptions
How do residents and parents feel about Mounds View Public Schools?
Last spring, a national survey research firm spoke to hundreds of randomly selected residents and parents about issues facing the District and the job performance of its staff. Here’s what they said.
Quality
93%
Value
Trust
The suburban norm is 80%
93% rate the quality of education as “excellent” or “good.”
* 43% responded “excellent,” putting the District in the top 10% in the metro.
89% believe the community receives a good value from its investment in our schools.
85% trust the School Board and administration to do what is best for children.
* In spring 2023, the residents’ trust rating was 79%.
What do you like most about our schools?
1. Great teachers
2. Quality education
3. Variety of programs
About the survey
Telephone interviews conducted by Morris Leatherman Company, survey research firm.
• January 16 – 29: 625 random sample of parents (+/– 4%)
• March 26 – April 9: 500 random sample of residents (+/– 4.5%)
15% higher than the suburban norm.
Approval
Serving all students?
79%
* 96% of residents believe the District is meeting the learning needs of all or most of the students.
School Board
79% rate the School Board’s job performance as “excellent” or “good.”
* The suburban norm is 60%.
78% Administration
78% rate the administration’s job performance as “excellent” or “good.”
* The suburban norm is 56%.
Awareness of avoiding budget cuts?
* Nearly 60% of residents were not aware that the District has strategically avoided making budget cuts in recent years, unlike most Minnesota districts.
Adequately funded?
* More than half of parents do not believe the District is adequately funded.
Funding priorities beyond core academics?
90%
Teachers
90% rate the teachers’ job performance as “excellent” or “good.”
* The suburban norm is 79%.
* Nearly three out of four of parents believe Career and Technical Education should be considered a very important funding priority beyond core academic programs (English, math, social studies and science).
SCHOOL BOARD
Operational Plan
Each year, the School Board approves a series of goals and related activities on which the Superintendent and Cabinet will focus their work. This is known as the District Operational Plan (DOP). Priority goals for 2025-26 include:
• Create a master plan detailing the outdoor classroom spaces and environmental learning opportunities for students across the District.
• Address ongoing school district technology, safety and security needs through a successful capital projects levy campaign.
• Complete an updated Enrollment and Facility study.
Purchase of building
The District has been working to purchase the Northeast Youth and Family Services building (pictured below) at 3490 Lexington Avenue North in Shoreview, where Mounds View Public Schools is currently leasing space to house its BRIDGES and REACH Academy programs. This spring, the School Board approved a resolution authorizing the sale of certificates to acquire real estate and property by lease-purchase agreement. On June 9, the sale was finalized, giving ownership of the building to the District. Occupancy details have not been finalized.
Budget approved
In June, the Board approved the 202526 District budget. Complete details can be found on the Budgets and Finance page at mvpschools.org. The adopted budget will maintain stable class sizes and current programming, and it will allow the District to continue its commitment to the Pre K–14 plan for all students.
Capital projects levy proposal
At the June 17 School Board meeting, the Board approved a ballot question that asks voters to consider a funding request to provide enhancements in school safety measures, cybersecurity efforts, classroom learning opportunities and technology infrastructure. This is the first time the District has requested a capital projects levy. If successful, the levy would provide a dedicated funding source
of $10 million in additional revenue annually for 10 years. The increase would represent a monthly tax increase of $18 for owners of a median-valued home in the District. If unsuccessful, there will be continued pressure on the general operating budget competing for dollars required for other classroom and school needs. More information will be provided to all community members this fall in advance of Election Day, November 4.
School Board election notice
This November, voters will elect three residents to serve four-year terms on the School Board. The School Board is made up of seven citizens elected at large by voters in the District every two years to serve four-year overlapping terms. At the end of a four-year term, members may run for reelection to successive terms. Voting takes place at general elections in November, and terms begin the first Monday in January thereafter. The period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of School Board member begins on July 29 and closes at 5 p.m. on August 12. Affidavits of candidacy may be obtained from and filed in the Ramsey County Elections Office, 90 West Plato Blvd., Suite 160, St. Paul, MN 55164. The election will be November 4, 2025.
2025 School Board: Jonathan Weinhagen, Diane Glasheen, Alissa Daire Nelson, Heidi Danielson, Shauna Bock, Yolanda Magee and Jim DeMay.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation works in collaboration with Mounds View Schools District leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance opportunities for students throughout the Mounds View District.
For more information on the Foundation visit mvsef.org .
Alumna Ellisha Dunnigan keynotes
Partnering for Education and receives first-ever
Distinguished Alumni Award
Honor is given annually by the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation
Ellisha Dunnigan, a 2011 graduate of Irondale High School, recently experienced a full-circle moment. Currently a dean of students at Edgewood Middle School, she was the keynote speaker at the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation’s annual Partnering for Education Breakfast on Thursday, April 10.
After speaking about her journey from student to District leader to a crowd of more than 100 parents, educators and community members, Dunnigan was given the firstever Distinguished Alumni Award from the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation. This award recognizes Mounds View Public Schools alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities and the world through innovation, excellence and character.
“Ellisha’s story of resilience is so impactful, and we are grateful that she is a leader in our school district –giving back to the community where she grew up,” said Amanda Duffy, Executive Director of the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation (MVSEF). “She is incredibly deserving as the inaugural winner of our Distinguished Alumni Award.”
Besides Duffy and Dunnigan, other event speakers included Mounds View Public Schools Superintendent Chris Lennox, director of Community Education Karl Brown and Mounds View High School principal Rob Reetz. The event is an opportunity to learn more about the unique partnership between Mounds View Public Schools and its foundation.
Sponsors: American Student Transportation, Grand Tours, Land O’ Lakes, The Diffley Team, Daley Electric, Kraus Anderson, Voss Real Estate, Northeast Bank, The Northern Team – RBC Wealth Management, Kohli Real Estate Group, Country Financial – The Bale Group, F&M Bank and the Mounds View Education Association.
You can support current and future students by donating at mvsef.org/donate. Interested in sponsoring the Foundation? Contact mvsef@mvpschools.org.
Left to right: Superintendent Chris Lennox, Mounds View High School principal Rob Reetz, keynote speaker Ellisha Dunnigan ’11, executive director of the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation Amanda Duffy and MVSEF Board president Amanda DePhillips.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Spring Performances
Mounds View Theater presents ‘Mean Girls’
Mounds View High School Theater produced “Mean Girls, The Musical,” to sold-out audiences this spring. The show featured more than 100 performers and backstage crew. The Spotlight Education program awarded the production an Outstanding Award for Overall Performance and Honorable Mention for Technical Production, earning the cast the opportunity to perform at the State Theater showcase in June.
Irondale Drama presents ‘Puffs’
In April, Irondale Drama performed “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.” The play is a fast-paced and heartfelt comedy that parodies the “Harry Potter” series. Puffs is a funny and touching story about friendship, identity and embracing who you are, even if you’re not the chosen one.
Podcasting from Bel Air
Bel Air Elementary School fifth-graders were able to experience a hands-on lesson during their arguments and opinions unit in English class this spring. Bel Air hosted podcast producers Anna Weggel and Beant Miller, who work as producers of the kids debate-style podcast “Smash Boom Best” and science podcast “Brains On.” They worked with fifth-graders to create a shortened version of the podcast.
Culture Night at Valentine Hills
Valentine Hills Elementary School hosted Culture Night this spring to highlight the diversity of cultures represented in the community. Families enjoyed a Tai Chi class and explored 19 culture tables, offering opportunities to learn, engage and connect with traditions from around the world. Additionally, three-time Minnesota Book Award winner Kao Kalia Yang visited for a reading and book signing of her book, “The Rock in My Throat.”
Girls flag football debuts at Mounds View
Mounds View High School was one of 51 high schools in the state to start a girls flag football team this year, thanks to a $6,000 grant from the Minnesota Vikings. More than 25 girls registered for the team, which had its inaugural season this spring. Flag football athletes Lynia Warner (sophomore) and Delany O’Toole (junior) had the chance to meet Vikings players at a Minnesota Flag Football event in March.
Visiting artist
Valentine Hills Elementary School art students worked to create a welcome mosaic for the school lobby. Visiting educator Lisa Arnold from COMPAS spent three weeks with art students to teach them about mosaic art and how to complete a mosaic project.
From left to right: Vikings player Harrison Phillips, flag football coach Mike Odom, Lynia Warner, Delany O’Toole, flag football coach Zach Champion and Vikings player C.J. Ham.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Pottery partners
Irondale High School pottery students partnered with two second-grade classes at Sunnyside Elementary School for a cooperative pottery project. The second-graders drew and colored an original monster from their imaginations. Using clay, Irondale pottery students created, painted and delivered the monsters to Sunnyside students this spring during “Monster Day.”
Adaptive youth baseball league
This spring, the Irondale Youth Baseball League started an adaptive baseball team for students with physical, sensory and other exceptional needs. The league serves nearly 30 children, most of whom are District students aged pre-K through fifth-grade. Each player is paired with an athlete from Irondale Youth Baseball to guide them through the games.
Women in Law Club
Irondale High School juniors Kena Abdissa and Sela Samson started the Women in Law club to allow their peers to learn about law careers.
Kena hopes that by starting this club, more young women will develop an interest in law careers. “When I was an underclassman, there weren’t any clubs or outlets I could turn to specifically in the school for law. Making this club, I wanted to be that outlet for the upcoming underclassmen,” she said. Scan the QR code to watch the full KARE 11 story.
District Art Show
More than 300 pieces of student art from across the District were on display at Irondale High School in early May. Families and staff were invited to view the student art at the event’s opening night May 6.
Henry Ramsey practices playing catch with Irondale Youth Baseball player Owen Deer.
Irondale High School senior Meeleigh Small stands beside her piece of artwork in the District Art Show, titled "Self-Made Biracial Belonging."
Irondale High School senior Vienna Parlin worked with Sunnyside Elementary School second-grader Luis Franco Camarena to bring his monster creation to life with clay.
Irondale High School juniors Kena Abdissa and Sela Samson started the Women in Law club to help their peers learn about law careers.
Polar Plunge
In April, Irondale High School hosted a Polar Plunge in partnership with Edgewood Middle School. Dozens of students and staff participated in the event, which raised more than $3,300 for Special Olympics Minnesota and the schools’ Unified Clubs.
Seventh annual Pow Wow
Mounds View Public Schools hosted its seventh annual Student Honoring Pow Wow this spring. Nate Schmit, an American Indian District alumnus, was on hand to take photos of the event. View the full album of photos at mvps.me/PowWow. Photo courtesy of Nate Schmit.
Latin Club performs at Bethel
Members from Mounds View High School’s Latin Club performed a dance at the Bethel University Block Party, the third annual event that showcases talent from the community and allows students an opportunity to gather and celebrate. The students were also able to experience a tour of the university and connect with leaders from Bethel’s Latinx student organization.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra residency
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra visited Chippewa Middle School this spring to perform for and work with the student orchestras in small groups. This was the first time that the Chamber Orchestra has visited a school to work with young students.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Kitchen tour
A Snail Lake Kindergarten Center class got a behind-the-scenes look at the school’s kitchen. District Nutrition Services staff gave students an in-depth tour and showed them how food is prepared, stored, cleaned and served. Students also learned how food scraps are sent to local farmers for animal feed.
Staff Appreciation Week
Thank you to the families, students and staff who made Staff Appreciation Week in May a success! In addition to recognition efforts at our schools, more than 2,500 personalized Thank You e-cards were sent to staff members across the District. Pictured are a few examples of the kind messages staff received.
ALUMNI UPDATE
Mounds View High School alumnus
Josiah Wiest (2020) and current Irondale High School English teacher served as the featured graduate-level speaker at Hamline University’s commencement in May. Wiest graduated with his masters of arts in teaching. Photo courtesy of Wiest’s LinkedIn profile.
Ms. Walseth’s kindergarten class visited the Snail Lake Kindergarten Center kitchen for a tour with Nutrition Services staff members Sharon Ziniel and Gina Diekman.
Highview Middle School Student Council members created a snack cart for teachers during Staff Appreciation Week.
National DECA Conference
Six members from the Mounds View High School DECA team traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April. The annual event brings more than 25,000 high school students, teachers, advisors, business professionals and alumni together for competition, learning and networking. The students participated in competitive events that simulate real-world business challenges across entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and marketing. These experiences prepare students for success in college and careers by building essential 21st-century skills.
Maisie Adams, junior
Diego Barrientos, sophomore
Jayna Kavathekar, junior
Sejal Patnayak, sophomore
Maryam Shahkhan, junior Thanishka Shetty, senior
Travel to Spain
Seven Irondale High School DECA team members attended the conference as well, with all competitors scoring a total score of 80% or better on their competitive events that demonstrate college and career readiness.
Over spring break, 94 Irondale High School orchestra students and chaperones traveled to Granada, Seville and Madrid, Spain to perform and to learn about the country. Students performed three concerts for enthusiastic audiences, including a performance with a local children’s choir.
Memorial performances
The Irondale High School band performed at the City of New Brighton’s Memorial Day parade in May. The Irondale choir performed at the Suburban Ramsey County’s law enforcement Memorial Ceremony, which honors former law enforcement officials who have passed away.
Irondale High School DECA members Jisung Choi (junior), Beekkam Burka (junior), Asmaa Hamimoune (junior), Areli Carrillo Renteria (sophomore), Britney Ortiz Trinidad (senior), Hayden Anderson (junior) and Jalali Hora (junior)
WITH HONORS
Orchestras perform at state honors concert
This spring, Highview and Chippewa middle schools’ eighth-grade orchestras performed at the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teacher’s Association’s (MNSOTA) Middle Level Regional Festival. Judges selected both orchestras to perform in the state honors concert along with nine other orchestras from around the state. The Highview orchestra received a Superior with Distinction rating, the highest possible, from judges at the festival.
Best Communities for Music Education
For the 13th consecutive year, Mounds View Public Schools has won the Best Communities for Music Education Award, presented by the NAMM Foundation. Mounds View was one of only nine Minnesota school districts to receive the designation for 2025. This year, more than 3,000 students in grades 4-12 chose to participate in band, choir and orchestra.
Piano champion
Mounds View High School freshman Ella Wan won first place at the 2025 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) junior piano competition during their convention in Minneapolis. After winning at the regional level in 2023 and 2024, she advanced to become a finalist in 2024 and first prize winner in 2025.
Principal of the Year
Mounds View High School Principal Rob Reetz has been named a Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals (MASSP). For purposes of this award, MASSP divides Minnesota into eight regions, with each division selecting one representative for this annual recognition. Rob represents the Capitol Division, which includes 93 schools in the East Metro. In December, a statewide selection board will review all eight finalists and choose one to represent Minnesota at the national level.
Highest ACT score
Three students received a composite score of 36 during recent ACT administrations, the highest score that can be achieved on the exam. About one-quarter of 1% of all testtakers earn the top score.
Aspirations in Computing award
Two high school students were honored during the 13th annual Aspirations in Computing award ceremony. The award honors students at the high school level who identify as women, genderqueer or non-binary for their computingrelated achievements and interests.
Irondale: Afomia Mesfin, junior, National Honorable Mention and State Winner
Mounds View: Thanishka Shetty, senior, State Winner and Vivi Lauer, freshman, State Rising Star
National speech champion
Irondale High School junior Boyana Nikolova was one of 35 students from across the country to compete at the prestigious nationwide Tournament of Champions in Extemporaneous Speaking. Boyana received second place in Extemporaneous Speaking and first place in Impromptu Speaking.
Afomia Mesfin Thanishka Shetty Vivi Lauer
Katherine Anderson James ChowdhuryDinsmoor
Matthew Grape
Tate McDonald Nadyne Sattar
Anna Spitael
Mounds View High School
Rosa Menning
Owen Peterson Afomia Mesfin
Joseph Young
Boyana Nikolova
Irondale High School
WITH HONORS
Graduation
rate surpasses state once again
Minnesota Department of Education data for the class of 2024 reveals that the District’s four-year graduation rate (91.1%) continues to outpace the state average (84.2%) by more than seven percentage points. Mounds View Public Schools falls within the top 10 graduation rates of similarly-sized schools in Minnesota.
Minnesota Bilingual Seals
Fourteen District students tested for the Minnesota Bilingual Seals Program, and all received either a Gold seal, Platinum seal or a World Language Proficiency Certificate. Minnesota Bilingual Seals (MN SEALS) are an official academic recognition under Minnesota law and are offered at no cost to students.
The Seal recognizes a student’s linguistic and intercultural competence, can enhance college applications and job prospects and can potentially earn students free college credit. This is one of three District assessments geared toward awarding college credits for bilingual or multilingual students, with the other options being Advanced Placement (AP) and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
Quiz Bowl
After placing first at the Minnesota State Finals, Edgewood Middle School’s Quiz Bowl team competed at Nationals in Chicago. The A team placed 33rd out of 160 teams.
Teacher of the Year
Edgewood Middle School social studies teacher Zoe Kourajian was named a finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. She was selected as one of 12 finalists from an initial group of 142 candidates. The program named its winner, Linda Wallenberg of Eden Prairie, during a banquet in St. Paul in May.
Back, L-R: Coach Anne-Britt Mulberry, Sophia Hammond, Annaliese Boldt, Noah Johnson, Zain Nordstrom, Louis Krussow and coach Zoe Kourajian. Front, L-R: Coach Dan Perucco, Eli Braun, Hank O’Hara, Sylas Holisky and Ruth Schuh.
Edgewood Middle School social studies teacher
Zoe Kourajian was honored as a finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award at the award banquet in May. She is pictured here with Education Minnesota president Denise Specht and Minnesota commissioner of education Willie Jett.
SkillsUSA State Conference
Three Mounds View High School SkillsUSA team members earned 10 medals at the state-level conference in April. In addition to the medals below, the team also received a silver medal in the Quiz Bowl event.
Isabella Shi (junior):
Gold, Customer Service
Gold, Extemporaneous
Speaking
Bronze, Job Interview
Emily Luo (senior):
Gold, Job Interview
Gold, Prepared Speech
Silver, Customer Service
Silver, Facilithon
Bronze, Extemporaneous
Speaking
Ashleigh Pennington (senior):
Bronze, Facilithon
Artistic Merit Award
Two Advanced Placement Art students were awarded the Artistic Merit Award at the Northwestern High School Art Exhibition in February. The exhibit featured student artwork from more than a dozen area schools.
AJ Tong, Irondale High School
Gloria Liu, Mounds View High School
National History Day
Students from Edgewood and Highview middle schools won awards at the statewide National History Day competition in April.
• Edgewood eighth-grader Holly Forst won the Educational History Award for her project, Camp Jened: Fostering a Collective Responsibility to Fight for Disability Rights.
• Edgewood eighth-grader Abha Routh won the Minnesota Experience Documentary prize for her project, Revolutionizing Heartbeats: How One Device Saved Millions.
• Highview eighth-graders Amelia Aguado and Kara Spitael won second place for the Best Documentary category and qualified for the national competition with their project, The Stonewall Uprising.
Irondale High School 202526 All-State musicians
Bottom row: Landon Blank, Colin Andert
Row 2: Julia Bertelson, Brennan Cogswell, Elayna Woodward, Violet Votruba
Row 3: Hannah Kao, Marlena Dufault, Jace Gryniewski, Laura Braun
Row 4: Jacob Schmidt, Rosa Menning, Maggie Anderson, James Jang
Row 5: Andrew Davenport, Yan Manchik, Isaiah Hoilien, Joseph Young, Griffin Decoux
Irondale High School senior AJ Tong accepts the Artistic Merit Award at the Northwestern High School Art Exhibition.
SPORTS UPDATE IRONDALE
AAA Award
The Triple ‘A’ Award, presented by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), honors high school seniors who excel in academics, athletics and the arts.
Athena Awards
The Athena Award honors outstanding female high school senior student athletes. This year’s recipient, Lulu Semakula (pictured above), participated in diving, gymnastics and track and field. She also participated in orchestra, the Black Student Union and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as completed volunteer work with Feed My Starving Children and Young Life. She plans to continue diving and study aerospace engineering at the United States Air Force Academy.
State Track & Field
Boys: Anthony Kappenman – 100m Dash and 200m Dash
Sam Soto – 110m High Hurdles
Chris Farombi – 110m High Hurdles
Zach McKay – 110m High Hurdles
Fawzan Boukari – Long Jump and Triple Jump
Girls: Azelle Besemann – 100m Hurdles and 300m Hurdles
Lulu Semakula – Pole Vault, second place overall in the Pole Vault and tied a school record of 12 feet.
Activities Director of the Year
Irondale activities director Chris Fink was named the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association (MNIAAA) Region 5AA Activities Director of the year. After 9 years in the role, he will transition into a new District role as dean of Community Engagement and Career/ College Pathways this summer. This new position will focus on building community partnerships across all schools and supporting all high school students as they explore career pathway opportunities for life after high school. A search for a new activities director at Irondale is underway.
Boys Swimming
The boys swim team placed tenth overall at the state tournament in March. Lucas Megahan (junior) placed sixth in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
Henry Botten (senior) placed ninth in the 100m backstroke with a time of 51.53 and broke his previous record of 51.88.
The 400m freestyle relay team (Isaac Botten, Henry Botten, Sam Reichert, Lucas Megahan) took seventh place with a time of 3:10.91, breaking their previous record of 3.14.77.
Lulu Semakula
Henry Botten
Henry Botten, Gannon Willmert, Lucas Megahan, Kai Nelson, Isaac Botten, Sam Reichert and Dylan Zabrowski
Baseball
Four baseball players were named All-Conference for the Suburban East Conference (SEC).
Wrestling
Senior wrestler Brandon Mouayeng Lee took third place in the state tournament this spring in the 127-pound weight class.
Boys Tennis
Seniors Erik Olson and Michael Sipahimalani earned second place in doubles at the Section tournament, earning them a spot at the state tournament.
College commitments
Mabel Badejo, track and field, Hamline University
Henry Botten, swimming, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Nadia Buck, hockey, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Noah Burkhart, lacrosse, University of Lynchburg
Karina Chattopadhyay, swimming, St. Catherine’s University
Jake Dedominces, basketball, Hamline University
Brady Donnelly, baseball, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Chloe Frank, softball, University of Minnesota Morris
Cody Glasheen, baseball, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Michael Koller-Lehman, baseball, Bethel University
Callie Lane, hockey, Aurora University
Brandon Mouayeng Lee, wrestling, Northern State University
Luke O’Rourke, baseball, University of Northwestern
Elias Notsch, lacrosse, Cornell College
Finnegan Rodefeld, cross country/track and field, Gustavus Adolphus College
Richard Russell, basketball, Mesabi Range Community College
Lulu Semakula, diving, United States Air Force Academy
Audrey Smith, softball, Northeast Community College
Gannon Willmert, swimming, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Coach of the year
At the 2025 All-State banquet, boys and girls swimming coach Scott Koke was named the Boys Coach of the Year for Class AA. This honor comes as he led the team through its most successful season yet, with six school records broken and a 10-1 dual meet record.
Jordan Coke, Cody Glasheen, Brady Donnelly and Michael Koehler Lehman
SPORTS UPDATE MOUNDS VIEW
AAA Award
The Triple ‘A’ Award, presented by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), honors high school seniors who excel in academics, athletics and the arts.
Athena Award
The Athena Award honors outstanding female high school senior student athletes. This year’s recipient, Kate Roeber, participated in basketball, cross country and track and field. She also participated in National Honor Society, Mustang Mentors and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as volunteer work with Feed My Starving Children. She plans to study exercise science and play basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
In memoriam
Ziggy Kauls, who coached the Mounds View boys basketball for 45 seasons from 1967 to 2012, passed away in April at the age of 84. Kauls coached the Mustangs to 12 appearances in the state tournament, winning two state titles: the Class 2A championship in 1972 and the 4A championship in 1999. He coached the Mustangs to 739 career victories, fifth-most in boys state high school history. His career record was 739-357.
Baseball
The Mounds View High School baseball team has been named conference champions for the first time in 10 years.
Mounds View Ultimate
The Mounds View Ultimate (MVU) boys varsity team won its 12th consecutive Conference title, securing a place in the state championship. Senior captains Isaac Tsai, Kyle Dolbow and Vincent Meyer were selected for the All Conference team. Isaac was also chosen for the All-State team.
Girls golf
Junior Sarah Dove competed in the state tournament in June.
Boys volleyball
In its inaugural season, the boys volleyball team was named the Suburban East Conference champion.
Veronica Warren Owen Kalmes
Seniors on the Mounds View baseball team.
College commitments
This spring, 32 student athletes committed to continue their athletic and academic journeys at the collegiate level. See the spring 2025 issue of School Talk for additional college commitment honors.
Peter Adie, baseball, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Samantha Baker, track and field, Barry University
Isaac Beseman, baseball, Concordia University St Paul
Sam Crane, track and field, Marquette University
Jack Dahl, football, UW River Falls
Tre Doran, track and field, Concordia University, St. Paul
Annika Dox, tennis, Cornell College
Maya Francisco, cross country/track and field, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Paige Friedman, hockey, St. Olaf College
Yousef Khosravi, track and field, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Logan Johnson, football, St. John’s University
Cody Loegering, basketball, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Colton Loween, wrestling, Augsburg University
Caleb Lundgren, football, Bethel University
Athletes of the Year
Boys basketball
The Mounds View boys basketball team was named the Section 5AAAA academic champion for the fifth year in a row. The Mustangs also excelled on the court by finishing with a record of 20-8.
Ryan Maylone, baseball, Gustavus Adolphus College
Emma Nordeen, volleyball, St. Catherine University
Mitchell Olson, football, Bemidji State University
Spencer Olson, cross country/track and field, Carleton College
Alethia Olson-Skog, track and field, Bethel University
Tyler Ostrom, diving, Northeastern University
Berklee Reelfs, soccer, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Abigail Robbins, track and field, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eva Rodriguez, cheerleading, Grand Canyon University
Kate Roeber, basketball, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Lily Ryan, basketball, College of Saint Benedict
Jacob Sampson, football, Winona State University
Luke Schmitzer, swimming, Carleton College
Brett Swenson, wrestling, University of Minnesota
Ethan Swenson, wrestling , Augsburg University
Katja Wallin, track and field, Gustavus Adolphus College
Veronica Warren, soccer, College of Saint Benedict
Jonah Willford, football, University of Northwestern
Nora Schmidt
Joseph Muhlstein
Casey Poppler
Maya Francisco
CLASS OF 2025
Mounds View Public Schools has a goal of preparing all students for opportunities of their choice after high school. The Equity Promise aims to disrupt systemic patterns associated with race, socioeconomic status, gender and disabilities to provide equal opportunities for success for every Mounds View Public Schools student.
This spring, seniors from Irondale High School, Mounds View High School and the Area Learning Center received Equity Promise scholarships acknowledging their achievements during high school and supporting their educational goals after graduation. Funded in part by the
Mounds View Education Foundation (MVSEF), this unique award recognizes a broad range of students who have demonstrated success in their high school journey through a variety of ways.
Mounds View Public Schools and MVSEF would like to thank the donors whose contributions reinforce the Equity Promise and give deserving students a chance to pursue postsecondary education. Because of their generosity, $192,178 was awarded to 167 students this year.
Memorial and honorarium scholarships are an excellent way to honor and remember those interested in supporting students in their future endeavors. If you would like to set up a scholarship, please contact the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation at mvsef@mvpschools.org
Equity Promise Scholarship recipients
Anderson Family
Memorial Scholarship
Emani McClain
Aili Vasel
Bailiff Memorial Scholarship
Moyinoluwa Adewunmi
Abdirahim Farah
Sabrin Khalif
Callie Lane
Malachi Mauthe
Oliver Abarca Palma
Beisswenger
Memorial Scholarship
Jordan Koke
Chalkboard Capers Scholarship
Khalid Abdi
Rachel Davis
Brady Donnelly
Lucas Fixell
Cody Glasheen
Ta’Niya Ivery
Daniel Nuñez Santillan
Graden Springborn
Ayaka Theisen
David C. Nelson
Memorial Scholarship
Francollin Hurst
Dr. L. “Love of Music” Scholarship
Nathan Finley
Ellie Isaacson Kahut “Best of Us” Memorial Scholarship
Archer Norman
Florence Freitager
Memorial Scholarship
Kyler Johnston
Fridley American Legion
Auxiliary Unit 303 Scholarship
Franklin Doncavage
Alejandro Ortiz
Fridley American Legion Post 303 Scholarship
Fawzan Boukari
Heaven Jackson
Golden K Kiwanis Scholarship
David Mullo Cruz
Hoverman Family Scholarship
Keira Burgess
Klara Mink
Irondale Girls Volleyball Booster Club Scholarship
Maria Myers
Kyndra Magoris Peterson
Irondale High School Class of 1979 Scholarship
Wyatt Tamble
Jakob Ernst
Memorial Scholarship
Elsa Ziegler
Jonathan Hogan
Memorial Scholarship
Ebba Biru
Zac Zenos Cresencio
Jayden Doescher
Abdirahim Farah
Elias Notsch
Bianca Purdy
Andrew Sandkuhler
Iselena Vang
Joseph Wicks
Memorial Scholarship
Colin Yang
Karen Carlson
Memorial Scholarship
Anna Bentley
Kerry Olson
Memorial Scholarship
Fenet Abiy
Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship
Hayley Boykin
Michael Koller-Lehman
Jada Nyumah
Marie Greenwald
Memorial Scholarship
Eliza Harris
Oscar Rasmussen
Mounds View Lions
Vo Tech Scholarship
Annika Collins
Mounds View Lions Scholarship
Linh Cu
Raymond Fieberg
Sabrin Khalif
Auvrielle Meier
Jack Meyer
Joseph O’Donnell
Sheridan Petersen
Thomas Ta
Mounds View Schools
Education Foundation Scholarship
Andrea Perez
MVCT Fine Arts Scholarship
Makenah Roemer
New Brighton Eagles Aerie #3718 Scholarship
Eli Lau
Paige Nguyen
New Brighton Eagles Auxiliary Scholarship
Michael Sipahimalani
New Brighton Lions Club Scholarship
Yareni Ambriz-Tiscareno
Yangchen Lhamo
Grace Mensah
Emerson Nusz
Christine Nyangwara
Luke O’Rourke
Gabriel Schnarr
Meeleigh Small
Enzo Yang
New Brighton/Mounds View
Rotary Scholarship
Rachel Brandner
Shardlow Family Trade School Scholarship
Emmanuel Clarke
Malachi Mauthe
Steven Tekautz
Memorial Scholarship
Anthony Jenson
Maya Nguon
Tallman Math/Science Scholarship
Mabel Badejo
Samiya Farah
Thomas Kraft Keimel
Memorial Scholarship
Arley Olarte Lopez
Thomas Narigon Family
Memorial Scholarship
Sam Johnson
Senior department awards
Art
June Reese
Business Education
Britney Ortiz-Trinidad
Family and Consumer Science
Eliza Harris
Language Arts
Liam Neurauter
Mathematics
Kardin Nguyen
Multilingual
Karen Llapa Zhagui
Music – Band
Carter Thistle
Music – Choir
Breana Hamann
Music – Orchestra
Ronorey Kin Buyuccan
Physical Education and Health
Emmanuel Clarke Science
Daniel Nunez
Social Studies
Emerson Nusz
Spirit of Learning
Simon Olmedo-Gonzalez
Technology Education
Freddy Bankston
World Language - ASL
Grace Gardner
World Language - Chinese
Anna Bentley
World Language - French
no seniors
World Language - Spanish
Michael Koller-Lehman
Virtual ceremony
In addition to in-person ceremonies, all commencements were also live-streamed for viewing at home. Watch the ceremonies at ninenorth.org/schools/mounds-view.
View more photos at mvpschools.org/ irondalegraduation
Deborah Adewunmi accepts her diploma and hugs Irondale High School principal Vichai Saefong.
Nadia Buck, Jordan Koke and Callie Lane.
Student Council president Julia Dobbins addresses the Class of 2025 at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis on June 2, 2025.
Oliver Abarca Palma
CLASS OF 2025 Equity Promise Scholarship recipients
Arden Hills Resident Scholarship
Connor Bortnem
Henry Collins
Anders Schmidt
Ashbach Family Fund
Northern Suburban Community Foundation
Aditya Prabhu
Bailiff Memorial Scholarship
Zidan Elias
Ansis Ostman
Emily Ren
Yongqin Tong
Gorlhia Vang
Beisswenger Scholarship Fund
Brexton Murphy
Bruce and Marjorie Perry Memorial
Caleb Lundgren
Carey Crimmins Memorial Scholarship
Colton Loween
Chalkboard Capers
Sayudh Chowdhury
Annika Dox
Sophia Elton
Aryn Gill
Balraj Gill
Ishaan Goyat
Julia Gronert
Konomu Gustafson
Greta Seyfarth
Class of 1986
Gavin Strong
Ed Werner Memorial Scholarship
Alyson Stradinger
Florence Freitager Memorial
Antonin Kostal
Frank Wang Football Scholarship
Kaden Dahal
Hudson Voght
Fridley American Legion
Auxiliary Saad Ali
Golden K Kiwanis Scholarship
Zhenghao Shao
Gretchen E. Kvikstad Scholarship
Joseph Cole
Hannah Hoiland Memorial Fund
Daria Kianian
Hoverman Family Scholarship
Donovan Gibson
John Risdall Memorial Scholarship
Alison Hanford
Joseph Kunze Memorial
Luke Schmitzer
Josh Lavalle Memorial Fund
Jamison Barrows
Neil Koepcke
Ansis Ostman
Kopp Family Foundation
Ailsa Huff
Vincent Meyer
Isaac Tsai
Gorlhia Vang
Marilyn Miller – Otto Scholarship
Shaun Canas
Marit Swenson Memorial Scholarship
Olivia Landberg
Mark G. Bagan Scholarship
Charles Eggert
Lily Ryan
Michael Holmgren Education Scholarship
Joohee Kim
Mounds View Schools
Education Foundation
Jonin Morgan
MVCT Fine Arts Scholarship
Cali Sidler
MVHS Volleyball
Booster Club
Madeline Hakes
Haley Johansen
Annika Leafblad
Birgitte Otto
Addison Persuitti
New Brighton Eagles Aerie
Katerina Kostal
New Brighton Eagles
Auxiliary
Madeline Messner
New Brighton Lions
Badriya Abdulahi
Mumtaz Adam
Elijah Burton
Yasmin Ibrahim
Shreeya Pavani Lakshmi
Alaina Pundsack
Andrew Roloff
Ian Schultz
Zachary Sroka
Catherine Stevens
Amaris Tu
Joash Youso
P.E.O. Chapter DO
Emily Ren
Riggs DeMay Family
Alexander Kriauciunas
Thanishka Shetty
Susan C Carlson Memorial Scholarship
Eloisa Marsella
The Gulli Family Scholarship
Cole Straka
Thomas Narigon Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Baker-Trinity
Vadnais Heights Area
Community Foundation Scholarship
Kiera Schimke
Vadnais Heights Lions
Whitney O’Connell
Reid Austin, Graham Tebbe, Brita DePhillips, Tony Liang and Griffin Boldt celebrate outside of Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis on June 4, 2025.
Jacob Sampson accepts his diploma.
Activities department awards
3x4 recipients participate in three sports each year of their four high school years.
Benjamin Arnold
Joseph Cole
Madeline Herold
Birkeland Swenson
Green & White award
Green and white medals are presented to a select group of students who exemplify the Mounds View High School mission of building an inclusive community of responsible, respectful and resourceful citizens who value learning. These students not only maintain high academic standards, but they have also made valuable contributions to the Mounds View High School community through volunteering and/or participation in co-curricular activities.
Nicholas Best
Jennifer Chang
Makenzee Coy
Rachel Durand
Ian Fallgatter
Natavia Griffin
Shanni Jha
Brayden Kopf
Kate Loween
Mounds View senior awards
Art
Ruth Carrigan
Band
Tom Chi
Spanish
Joseph Cole
French
Asher Compton
Business & Marketing
Makenzee Coy
Trade & Industry
Brita DePhillips
Social Studies
Eleanor Dostal Dauer
Family & Consumer
Science
Janiya Essie
Phy. Ed. & Health
Donovan Gibson
Chinese
Aubrey Henke
Science
Antonin Kostal
English
Esmé Mulberry
Orchestra
Spencer Olson
Math
Katherine Schaberg
Choir
Cali Sidler
American Sign Language
Whitney O’Connell
Fine Arts
Cali Sidler
View more photos at mvpschools.org/ moundsviewgraduation
Jayda McAdams
Julia Nacusi
Cajetano Omweri
Hafsa Salad
Justin Suarez
Owen Thao
Madison Thyren
Areion White
Commencement speakers and senior class officers Zidan Elias, Gabriella Peterson and Shreeya Pavani.
Virtual ceremony
In addition to in-person ceremonies, all commencements were also livestreamed for viewing at home. Watch the ceremonies at ninenorth.org/schools/mounds-view.
Daria Kianian accepts her diploma.
CLASS OF 2025 Area Learning Center
The Area Learning Center commencement ceremony recognized 87 graduating students on May 30 at Bethel University’s Great Hall.
Equity Promise scholarship recipients
Bailiff Memorial Scholarship
Annabelle Ward
Dale Carlson
Memorial Scholarship
Lahna Smith
Marjorie and Ray Cox
Memorial Scholarship
Ayden Dinh
Quentin Graves Jr
New Brighton Lions
Tae’shawn Cumber-Ficken
Callum Dickinson
David Lobaton
Hibaq Mohamed-Saed
Ramlo Odawa
Alana Sherman
Ray and Marjorie Cox
Memorial Scholarship
Annabelle Ward
Tae’shawn Cumber-Ficken recieved an Equity Promise Scholarship from the New Brighton Lions.
The Area Learning Center class of 2025 commencement took place on May 30 at Bethel University's Great Hall.
Ionah Day addresses her classmates.
Crystal Evgen
Noah Russ
Adult Education
Adult Education students who earned their GED and Adult Diploma in the last year were invited to participate in the graduation ceremony hosted by Mounds View Adult Education on June 5. The event was held at the Mounds View Community Center and recognized seven high school diploma students, 75 GED students and 70 Career Pathway students. Pathway students included paraeducator, certified nursing assistant, commercial driver's license (CDL) and information technology students.
Virtual ceremony
The ceremony was also live streamed for those viewing from home. Watch the ceremony at ninenorth.org/schools/mounds-view/
View more photos at mvpschools.org/ALCgraduation
Ruby Greer accepts her diploma.
Christopher Senteno accepts his diploma.
Natalie Engel
State Champions!
Robotics
Team 2052 KnightKrawler, Irondale High School’s robotics team, took first place at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state championship in May. The team partnered with students from Pequot Lakes and Becker to defeat teams from Rochester, New London-Spicer and Sauk Centre in a tiebreaker match. This is the team’s fourth state title, winning in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Mounds View
Independent School District 621
4570 Victoria St. N
Shoreview, MN 55126
Track and field
Mounds View High School had two state champions — senior Casey Poppler in the 1600m run and sophomore Allison Richter in the 300m hurdles — and a total of 11 medals in nine events in the state
Class 3A track meet. The boys team took second place overall. Photos courtesy of the Shoreview Press.
Tennis
Mounds View High School sophomore Soren Swenson won the Class 2A boys tennis singles title at the MSHSL state tournament in June. He won with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Aaron Beduhn from Wayzata.
The boys tennis team earned third place overall in the state tournament. The team was also named the Class 4AA champion after securing its 30th section title in team history.
Team 2052 KnightKrawler won its fourth state title at the MSHSL championship in May.
Photo courtesy of Leila Navidi, Star Tribune.
Casey Poppler
Allison Richter