News from Como Park High School

By ERIC ERICKSON

• The BrandLab (www.thebrandlab.org) has awarded six marketing internships to Como Park Academy of Finance students. The recipients are Archie Gjerdrum, Larissa Evans, Titilope Yusuf, Tou Meng Yang, Angela Aryiku and Innocent Murwanashyaka. The paid summer internships will allow students to work alongside marketing and advertising industry professionals at various agencies and corporations throughout the Twin Cities. The Como students will be among 60 other interns who were selected from high schools across the metro area.

The BrandLab’s mission is to change the face and voice of the marketing industry by introducing, guiding and preparing students for careers in marketing and advertising. The interns were chosen through a rigorous application process. The BrandLab has been a community partner at Como for several years through Gail Rosenow’s Marketing classes, and recently launched two new initiatives this spring in Jamie Crandall’s Academy of Finance classes.

• A team of four Como Park seniors including Emma Hartmann, Katie Erickson, Lina Abajebel and Ellie Thorsgaard advanced to the State Championship of the Personal Finance Decathlon. More than 400 students competed online to qualify for the state competition, and the 12 qualifying teams from high schools across the state are set to compete at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis this month. If Como’s team wins at the state level, they will move on to the National Finals on May 22 in Kansas City, MO.

The Personal Finance Decathlon is an opportunity for students to test their knowledge in ten areas of personal finance such as economics, financial planning, investment banking and financial institutions. Students will prepare a case study analysis of a fictional family’s financial situation, present to a panel of judges, and then compete in a quiz bowl round.

• Como’s “Dare 2 Be Real” student group of 40 students, supported by three staff members, traveled to Memphis, TN during spring break. “Dare 2 Be Real” focuses on combating systemic racism to promote equitable access to education. On this “pay it forward” tour, the Como student group partnered with a national non-profit organization, Students Today/Leaders Forever, to visit several colleges, complete a variety of service projects, and ultimately visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

• Five advanced French students spent their spring break in France under the guidance of Como French Instructor Patricia Teefy. The travels began in Paris and eventually headed to Chartres, about one hour southwest by high-spread train, for visits to a couple famous castles. From there the students met up with their respective home-stay families for a full immersion experience and cross-cultural exchange.

• Advanced Spanish students from Senora Kirsten Peterson’s classes took their developed, interactive lesson planning out into the community to connect with elementary students and inspire language learning. The Como students conducted classes for young learners at St. Anthony Park and Chelsea Heights, incorporating numbers lessons, colors and storybook vocabulary.

Photo Right: Advanced Spanish students are pictured in front of St. Anthony Park Elementary School after leading second-grade students in fun, engaging introductory Spanish lessons. (Photo submitted)

• Como Park Robotics (aka BEASTBot Team 2855) was set to participate in the 10,000 Lakes Regional Competition at the U of M’s Williams Arena over spring break. Results had not yet been released when the Monitor went to press, but the team was proud, ready, and excited for the season’s culminating competition. Robotics coach Donna Norberg reported that Robotics team membership was at an all-time high this season with over 40 participants and that the “build season” had been rewarding, invigorating work.

• The school day on Apr. 1 concluded with the annual student-faculty basketball game. 1,000 fans watched the traditional festival of fun as players from the senior class play a friendly game with the staff that included a half-time dance routine from the Como staff cheerleaders. The Como tradition of this game always produces laughs and memories.

• Como fans also had a wonderful time supporting the Lady Cougars basketball team in the State Tournament. Fan buses and cars rolled over to Mariucci Arena on the U of M campus on Mar. 16 to cheer for the girls in their state quarterfinal game against Becker. While the girls lost a close game 62-57, their journey to state was special and provided an uplifting experience for the school amid challenging events that grabbed local news headlines.

Photo left: The Como Park Girls’ Basketball team won the Section 4AAA Championship, defeating De La Salle 76-71 on Mar. 10 to advance to the State Tournament. (Photo submitted)

The Lady Cougars advanced to State by winning the Section 4AAA Tournament. They defeated Hill-Murray in the semi-finals, and beat DeLaSalle in the final to claim the Section 4AAA Championship. That was a crowning achievement for the program, and for senior Andrayah Adams, who finished her decorated high school career by achieving the team goal she always dreamed of—playing in State. Adams will study and play at St. John’s University in New York next year on a full scholarship.