Como students learn about the finances behind soccer

NEWS FROM COMO PARK HIGH SCHOOL

By E RIC ERICSON, Social Studies Teacher

• Como students from the Academy of Finance and soccer players from the boys’ and girls’ programs, spent the night of May 14 supporting the Minnesota United FC Loons at the National Sports Center in Blaine. 150 Como students had the experience of seeing a professional soccer match and touring the field after the team’s 2-0 victory over Jacksonville.

Photo right: “Como Park High School Night” at the Minnesota United soccer match on May 14 was a celebration for Como Academy of Finance students and members of the Girls and Boys Soccer programs (see story). (Photo submitted)

Como Academy of Finance director Kris Somerville, along with soccer coaches Jonah Fields and Kyle Johnson are developing a partnership with the club. Before the game, Minnesota United’s Chief Operating Officer visited the school to speak about the business side of the club. The presentation emphasized themes of work ethic and customer service, along with components of marketing and social media strategies. With the new stadium being built in the Midway, opportunities for internships, part-time work, and collaboration on neighborhood service are all exciting possibilities for the Como Park Academy of Finance and soccer programs.

• Como Park Concert Choir students traveled to New York City from May 25-May 30 and performed at Carnegie Hall on Sat., May 28. The choir students sang the music of Mark Hayes, directed by Mr. Hayes and the Rutter Gloria, conducted by Z. Randall Stroope with other singers from around the country accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble. They were fortunate to participate in the world premiere of “The Field,” by Hayes, in this performance.

Photo right: Como Choir students posed at the Statue of Liberty during their tour of New York City. They performed at Carnegie Hall on May 28 (see story). (Photo submitted)

Como Choir Director Carole Whitney, along with Como Assistant Principal and Como parent Patrick Coyne, led the students on a sightseeing tour that netted over 85,000 steps according to pedometers! The group stayed at a hotel in centrally located Times Square, took the subway and walked miles every day on visits to the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero 9-11 Memorial, the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. The experience was exceptional and powerful for the talented participants.

• Como Park Robotics (aka BEASTbot Team 2855) had a strong debut performance in the State Robotics Tournament at Mariucci Arena on Sat., May 21. Against the 30 top teams in the state, Como placed 13th at the end of the competition. They participated in eight matches, with different combinations of alliances, which required all teams to do advance scouting and create strategies with their rotating playing partners. Teams earned points for both match results and their own individual robot’s performance.

Coaches Mike Fischer and Donna Norberg were proud of their team’s showing and were thankful for the community support that included a pep fest at school two days before the state competition. The team is already excited for next year and is poised to build a new robot for the yet to be revealed 2017 challenge. BEASTbot will graduate six seniors, but expect 18 returning members plus new freshmen, and other new inspired upperclassmen to be part of another formidable team.

• The Link Crew is a positive and welcoming force at Como Park High School and aims to connect freshmen to their new school. 90 current sophomores and juniors spent several hours training during the last week of May to become Link Crew Leaders for the 2016-2017 school year. Link Crew will lead a freshmen orientation on Sept. 1 from 8am-noon to welcome new Como students and connect them with mentors before school begins next fall on Tues., Sept. 6.

• The Marine Corps JROTC conducted their annual awards ceremony on the school’s back lawn on May 19. The ceremony recognized cadets who excelled in leadership, community service, academics and military virtue. Cadets received certificates and medals from national patriotic organizations such as the American Legion, Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and several others. Cadets Kaitlyn Thomas, Eddy Vue, and Allen Weyaus received $1000 academic scholarships.

Following the awards ceremony, cadets marched in a change of command parade where leadership was transferred from Cadet Lt. Col. Kaitlyn Thomas (2016) to Cadet Major Eduardo Mendoza Balderas (2017). The event was attended by Colonel Paul Adams USMC Ret., SPPS leadership, and over 100 family members and community representatives. Per tradition, the celebration of a busy year culminated in a feast hosted by the cadets and former Como JROTC cadets.

• Academy of Finance students and the Como Park Student Council volunteered at Feed My Starving Children on May 17.

• Como Park Future Educators hosted “Positivity Week” from May 23-27 to put a spotlight on the importance of good mental health. The week was filled with affirmative messages on lockers, announcements, and posters, a guest speaker from the National Alliance of Mental Illness, a raffle with prizes and fundraising for a non-profit.

• The Como Junior-Senior Prom was held at the Science Museum in downtown St. Paul on May 21. The Science Museum served as a wonderful venue for the dance and the well-dressed Como crowd. A grand march was held at the school at 4pm. Photos and dinners out on the town were especially enjoyed in the beautiful, warm, sunny weather before the dance which commenced at 7pm.