Students across Mounds View schools honored for winter activities, academic competitions and community service
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Summary
At the April 8 meeting the board heard student presentations and recognized winter sports, performing arts, DECA, Science Olympiad, speech and debate teams and other student groups for regional, state and national achievements.
The Mounds View Public School District honored student performers and competitive teams at its April 8 meeting, spotlighting winter athletics, performing arts and academic clubs from district high schools and middle schools.
Athletic and Activities Director Chris Fink introduced student speakers from boys swimming, marching band and winter guard, speech and debate, Nordic skiing, and other activities. Henry Barton and Lucas McGann, captains of the boys swim and dive team, described the program’s progress: a turnaround from not placing at state four years ago to a 10–1 season, second in the conference and 10th at state, with six records broken and multiple relay achievements.
Students from marching band and winter guard described national and regional travel and competition, including a trip to Indianapolis and participation in WGI events. Speech and debate students said the programs are growing, sending a record number of students to national tournaments and building varsity teams after only a few years of program development.
Sophie and Zelle, captains of the Nordic skiing team, said participation nearly doubled this season, with comingled middle-school newcomers and sustained success of sending skiers to state. Science Olympiad captains from Mounds View described a third-place finish at state, over 60 team members, 15 competitors at state, repeated national appearances and a historical record of placing first at state 15 of the last 20 years for the district program.
DECA students reported 35 chapter members competed at state with seven advancing to international competition in Orlando, operation of two gold-certified student-run stores (Mustang Marketplace and Mustang Spirit Shop), and a week-of-giving that raised more than $5,000 for the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf.
Several student captains and seniors shared post‑graduation plans when asked by the board, including military service, college sports commitments and study plans in areas such as equine science, kinesiology and engineering. Jim Galvin, activities director at Mounds View High School, praised student performances this year, noting solo and ensemble achievements, county and state representation, and national appearances in multiple activities. Board members congratulated students and thanked staff and activities directors for their work.
No board votes were required for the recognitions; the board and superintendent acknowledged the students and invited them to remain after the meeting if they wished.
