Summer 2025
Feature Stories
Each year the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine features engaging feature stories about our Alumni and the Minnetonka Public Schools community.
Daniel Campbell, editor-in-chief of the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine , shares insights into creating this year’s edition and highlights the many exciting new changes happening around the District.
Hear all the latest updates from the Minnetonka Alumni Association and how much it raised to support Minnetonka Public Schools this past year.
Minnetonka High School alumna Frankie Torres ‘18 was heartbroken when she had to back out of the opportunity to sing at this summer’s Minnetonka Schools All-Class All-Friends Reunion with her band, Midnight Rambler. She couldn’t share the news at the time, but the reason why was an exciting opportunity to expand her singing and performance skills—as well as to build many new friendships—as a contestant in Season 26 of NBC’s singing competition show, The Voice .
Megan Hill, a fourth grade teacher at Groveland Elementary, has been named one of 31 semifinalists for the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Hill has taught in the Minnetonka School District for 16 years, and she is also an Excelsior Elementary, Minnetonka Middle School West and Minnetonka High School alumna.
Minnetonka was one of the first school districts in Minnesota to offer Chinese as a world language as far back as 1989. Now, our school district offers a full K-12 Chinese immersion program for any student who wants to participate. Now, postgraduates continue to use the skills they learned through the program in remarkable and diverse ways, showcasing the long-term benefits and success of the Immersion program.
Take a look back at July 2002, the year that the Minnetonka Alumni Association celebrated the first All-School All-Class reunion.
Daniel Campbell, editor-in-chief of the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine , shares insights into creating this year’s edition and highlights the many exciting new changes happening around the District.
The VANTAGE/MOMENTUM Building, which opened this spring, provides new space and an array of cutting-edge educational opportunities for Minnetonka High School students. Among the many classrooms is the Foundation Forum—a space funded by the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation and set to revolutionize experiential learning and community engagement within the District.
Join the Minnetonka Alumni Association on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 4-10 p.m. in Downtown Excelsior for a day filled with fun, friendship and fantastic food at the All-Class All-Friends Reunion!
Hear all the latest updates from the Minnetonka Alumni Association and how much it raised to support Minnetonka Public Schools this past year.
Across subject areas and grade levels, experiential learning opportunities create spaces where lessons meet real life.
It’s been five years since Minnetonka’s first class of Spanish Immersion students graduated. Let’s find out what they are up to now.
Judge Cynthia McCollum ’76, a former Minnetonka athlete and Big Ten All-American swimmer at the University of Minnesota, now works hard to ensure fair treatment for all defendants as a judge in Dakota County.
Bruce Miller ‘70 is a distinguished wildlife painter who has made lasting contributions in the fight for conservation.
Daniel Campbell, editor-in-chief of the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine, shares insights into creating this year’s edition and highlights the many exciting new changes happening around the District.
This spring, Minnetonka Schools launched Ahoy, Minnetonka!, the District’s new podcast. Listeners can tune in to learn about the many amazing programs, resources and people that make Minnetonka Schools such a unique place.
Hear all the latest updates from the Minnetonka Alumni Association and how much it raised to support Minnetonka Public Schools this past year.
In 2002, a group of dedicated alumni came together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Minnetonka School District by holding the first-ever all-school and all-class reunion.
Meet Minnetonka's new superintendent, Dr. David Law, who has already demonstrated exceptional leadership and a passion for excellence.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the first graduating class of Minnetonka High School. The class of 1953 will be recognized at the 14th annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Minnetonka High School.
Ron Kamps, a dedicated, decades-long Minnetonka volunteer, passed away this spring. It’s difficult to describe the magnitude of the impact Kamps has had in Minnetonka because he has been involved in so many key aspects of the community.
Scott Artley ’05 is a disabled queer artist and activist. He has made it his mission to support artists in Minnesota who have struggled to get support for their work.
Minnetonka Meets Les Misérables: Christine Heesun Hwang '17 Stars in National Tour of Iconic Musical
Christine Heesun Hwang ‘17 shines as Éponine in the new national tour of Les Misérables. She credits her high school experience for inspiring the passion she has today.
Daniel Campbell, editor-in-chief of the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine, shares insights into creating this year’s edition and highlights the many exciting new changes happening around the District.
The School Board and staff of Minnetonka Public Schools warmly welcomes new superintendent, David Law.
Hear all the latest updates from the Minnetonka Alumni Association and how much it raised to support Minnetonka Public Schools this past year.
Minnetonka Public Schools’ new transition program, S.A.I.L., helps young adults with special needs achieve their life goals by providing specialized instruction, training and support.
After 21 years of service, Superintendent Dr. Dennis Peterson retired this summer. His visionary leadership has transformed the District for the better, impacting generations of Skippers.
Celebrated children’s author Molly Beth Griffin ‘01 talks about what inspired her to become a writer, the importance of celebrating diverse voices and what’s next in her literary career.
Alia Tarraf ‘97 has spent the last 10 years in the entertainment industry. The discovery of her late friend’s heartbreaking cancer diary inspired Tarraf to use film to honor her friend and to tell an intimate story of friendship and grief.
Daniel Campbell, editor-in-chief of the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine, shares insights into creating this year’s edition and the joy of seeing the District begin to return to normal.
The Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation had to convert its biggest in-person event into an online-only one. The result? A record-breaking fundraiser!
Hear all the latest updates from the Minnetonka Alumni Association and how much it raised to support Minnetonka Public Schools this past year.
Jan Malcolm ‘73, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses her memories of Minnetonka High School, the COVID pandemic and what she thinks we can look forward to this summer and beyond.
Carl Zinn ‘61 celebrates his 60th high school reunion this fall. He has seen his sisters, children and now grandchildren learn and grow as part of Minnetonka Public Schools. Hear how the school district has shaped the Zinn family and how they, in turn, have given back to the Minnetonka Schools community.
When the pandemic forced Alexa Bussmann ‘16 to change her service plans, she turned a setback into an opportunity.
Greetings Skippers! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Volume 11 of the Minnetonka Alumni Magazine as much as I did bringing it all together.
Earlier this year, Dr. Dennis Peterson was recognized by fellow superintendents for 50 years of service as a superintendent. We asked him to reflect on this amazing achievement, his life of service and vision for the future.
It has been an exciting year for the Minnetonka Alumni Association. Despite recent challenges with COVID-19, the association has made several big advancements since last summer. From welcoming new board members, to setting new fundraising goals and celebrating another year of amazing giving, this year has opened up many new opportunities for this group of dedicated alumni.
Since 1986, the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation has been supporting the District to empower students’ pursuit of excellence. Countless unique and innovative opportunities have been created through the Teacher Grants program, which has raised $1,144,000 since its inception in 1999, and the Endowment Fund, which has supported major initiatives such as the Writing Center and The Hub.
As a kid, Minnetonka alumna Lisa (McFarlin) Wandrei ‘81 would often wake up to the sound of her mother, Jean, leaving for work. Each evening, her mom would tell her about how the day had gone. Some days were cold, and some were hot. Some were filled with laughter, others with tears. Sometimes her shoulder ached after a long day. Yet, each morning, Jean, along with six of her closest friends and fellow Minnetonka mothers, would put on their biggest smiles and head to work without any regrets. Jean’s passion for being a bus driver for Minnetonka Schools was clear for anyone to see.
Joel Newman and Scott Storlie, two teachers at Minnetonka Middle School East, biked through several Minnetonka neighborhoods to greet their 8th grade Spanish Immersion students when school buildings closed in March. It was just one of many creative ways that teachers and students found to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What a year for the Minnetonka Alumni Association! Since the last Minnetonka Alumni Magazine went out, we celebrated our 5th Annual All-School All-Class Reunion; dedicated a new KIA Memorial at Minnetonka High School; supported three Fine Arts teacher grants and have chosen 10 amazing alumni to honor at our Alumni Awards Brunch this fall.
Andrew Gilbertson knew he had big shoes to fill when he took over for Dave Parker, who served as principal of Groveland Elementary for the past 15 years. He also knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
At 105 years old, Don Carruth has seen a lot. He was there for the Great Depression, both World Wars, the moon landing and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He also saw the creation of the Minnetonka School District and helped shape the future of our school culture.
In fall 2007, Minnetonka Public Schools launched its Language Immersion program at all six elementary schools. On June 6, students who entered the program as first-graders graduated from Minnetonka High School. “Twelve years ago our parents decided to take a leap of faith,” says Abri Click ‘19. “And look at all we have accomplished in being pioneers. Language is just the foundation. The program has allowed us to grow in so many other aspects; it has become part of our identity.”
Curtis Geldert has walked the halls of Minnetonka High School for as long as he can remember. In 1986, he was Curtis, the quiet kid who sat in the back of the class and whispered sarcastic comments to those around him. Today, he’s the same guy, but at the front of the class as Mr. Geldert, the physics teacher. I just call him Dad.
