Summer 2025
Giving Back
The Minnetonka Alumni Association is dedicated to supporting the Minnetonka Public School District. Whether it is through time, talent or treasure, these stories show how each of us can make a positive impact on our alma mater.
Make a Tax-deductible Gift
There are many ways to make a direct and lasting impact on Minnetonka Schools. Your tax-deductible donation will support the district and events for our alumni community. Contact the Minnetonka Alumni Association at Alumni@minnetonkaschools.org to discuss how you can support the Minnetonka Public Schools or give using one of the methods below.
As part of the Minnetonka Alumni Association’s commitment to support current students, the Association funds Teacher Grants in partnership with the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation. These grants make innovative ideas from teachers a reality and enhance the ability for students to learn.
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.
Hear all the latest updates from the Minnetonka Alumni Association and how much it raised to support Minnetonka Public Schools this past year.
Find out how a parent committee has helped raise funds and spirits for students and families across the District.
Skippers have a long history of giving back to those in need. This winter, students, staff and community members volunteered with Alight to prepare homes for Minnesota’s Afghan refugees.
Recent MHS graduates returned to help coach Minnetonka High School’s Nordic Ski Team.
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.
Get an inside look at Minnetonka High School’s Capstone Program, a unique off-campus experience for seniors. Eligible seniors can choose to explore a career field, service work or a project of interest by working with a mentor in a unique, real-world learning environment outside the boundaries of traditional school.
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.
Each year, as part of the Minnetonka Alumni Association’s commitment to support fine arts programming, the association funds teacher grants in partnership with the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation. These grants make innovative ideas from teachers a reality and enhance the ability for students to learn.
Gary Sundem graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1963, and in 2015 was recognized as one of the Minnetonka Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award winners. This award prompted Gary, along with his sisters, Gail (Sundem) Noller ‘66 and Gwen (Sundem) Jansen ‘70, to establish the Sundem Family Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a senior who has a minimum GPA of 3.50, lettered in at least two varsity sports and plans to attend a liberal arts college for four years.
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.
VANTAGE mentors make a commitment to encourage and motivate high school students in the areas of career and life exploration and development. Mentors also coach students and teams on their VANTAGE project work.
Hannah Worrell '11 shares her experience as a mentor and senior Whitney Heritage '19 shares hers as a mentee.
