Minnetonka students honored for science, music, arts; student leaders describe growth of cultural fair and new student forum

The Minnetonka School Board opened its May 8 meeting with a recognition program and a school report from Minnetonka High School that showcased student achievements across science research, music, visual arts and student leadership.

The district recognized 46 Minnetonka High School students and seven middle school students who qualified for the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair this year; four high school students qualified as finalists and six as alternates for the 2025 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the highest number of ISEF qualifiers in Minnetonka history. Teachers Kevin Burns and Caitlin McWherter and lab manager June Hahn were noted for supporting the student researchers.

Students described their projects directly to the board. Sixth-grader Am DeRue said the state fair “was a really good opportunity to learn and grow,” while seventh-graders described experiments on plant responses to magnetic fields and household stain treatments. A Minnetonka Middle School East student described an Arduino-based prototype that predicts milk spoilage by measuring released gases.

The board also recognized student success in music, naming middle school and high school qualifiers for the Minnesota Band Directors Association honor ensembles and All-State honors across band, jazz, choir and orchestra. Minnetonka music staff including Sarah Finn Sommerfeld and Kevin Klyndel were credited for preparing students; senior Brady Wolf described All-State as a “meaningful and impactful experience.”

Four Minnetonka high school students formed the team that qualified for the state Economics Challenge; one student finished sixth in the state. Five Minnetonka students received Minnesota Aspirations in Computing awards for accomplishments in computing and technology.

Middle school visual artists were selected for display at the Minnetonka Schools District Service Center; art teachers from Minnetonka Middle School East and West read the students’ names as images were shown.

The district celebrated three teachers and one school nurse who achieved National Board Certification this year. Teacher Sean Curran described the certification process as “rigorous” and said district support was important to completing the work.

Principal Jeff Erickson and assistant principal Emily Rosengren presented two student-led programs as examples of district goals in action: the Cultural Fair and a new Student School Board Forum. Student leaders said the Cultural Fair grew from fewer than 50 participants to more than 120 and drew an estimated 4,000 students at one event, with booths representing many countries and cultures. Student leaders Atharv (Athar) Sukhani, Marley Jack and Owen Beckers said the fair increased peers’ willingness to embrace their identities and created new leadership opportunities.

Students who participated in the March student forum told the board the format—an expert presentation followed by table discussion with a board member present—helped create candid, informed conversation. Anders McNeil, Natalia Urico and Saloni Sibedbottom said the forum made students feel seen and heard and recommended that future forums be student-led and include students from a wider range of academic programs.

Erickson cited academic-program metrics and scheduling changes tied to district goals: the district’s second year of “anchor time” and reinstituted peer tutoring were credited with reducing the rate of students not earning credit to its lowest level since 2010–11. Erickson also reported enrollment growth in experiential programs: a projected 20% increase in Vantage enrollment and a 23% increase in the aviation strand for the coming year.

The school report closed with graduation reminders and an acknowledgement of staff who supported the programs.

The presentation was informational; no board action was required on the recognitions or the school report.