Upperclassmen comprise ‘link crew’ welcoming freshmen

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News from Como Park High School compiled by ERIC ERICKSON, Social Studies Teacher

• Como Park High School’s “Link Crew” is composed of 90 juniors and seniors that volunteer to be positive leaders and mentors for freshmen. The Link Crew welcomed and hosted Como’s incoming class of 2020 on Sept. 1 for an orientation session. The Link Crew Leaders prepared for the event with two intensive days of training that focused on community and fellowship, leading up to the implementation of inclusive activities that provided the new students with a sense of belonging. The faculty advisors for Como’s Link Crew are Maria Cocchiarella and Alisson Hartzell.

• Como’s Academy of Finance (AOF) is pleased to be connected with several companies this year to provide group mentoring to AOF students. Group mentors are committed to working in the classroom once a month, assisting with a variety of student projects. Every AOF Business class has a semester project. Freshmen will conduct a financial literacy fair, sophomores present a product for consumption in a foreign country, juniors execute an accounting simulation, and seniors work on a business communications project.

AOF mentoring partners that will host student presentations of projects at their company or institution include Xcel Energy, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and the St. Paul City Government. Additional new partners include The Travelers and Grant Thornton LLP.

• Urban Boatbuilders hosted the launch of their canoes and kayaks at Lake Como on Aug. 18. Como Park student Anthony Williams emceed the event as one of the fifteen summer apprentices in the program and was joined by fellow Como Park students Zaj Lee, Shyanna Carpenter and DeShawn Sparkman. Students shared the impact of their experience designing and constructing the boats, describing personal growth in patience, confidence, and teamwork.

Urban Boatbuilders is a local non-profit organization that empowers youth to develop skills they need to succeed in school, work and life through the building and use of wooden boats. The launch at Lake Como was a huge success for the students, and was followed by a week-long culminating voyage into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with their mentors and boats!

• WE Day is an inspirational and star-studded festival scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Xcel Energy Center. 27 Como Park student leaders will be privileged to attend. Como’s participants were selected based on service and volunteerism in school and community events, meshing with the WE mission to bring youth together and provide tools to positively impact the world.

• The Como Park volleyball team will begin defense of their St. Paul City title with a conference match against Harding on Sept. 13 at 7pm in the Como Gymnasium. The community is invited to attend and support the Cougars!

Como High soccer• Mayor Chris Coleman will visit the Como Soccer Field on Fri., Sept. 16 to present the “Mayor’s Cup” to the winners of the Humboldt vs. Como soccer games.

Photo right: High school athletic teams began fall practices on Aug. 15. The Como Park Girls’ Soccer team opened their season with a convincing 4-0 victory over Mounds Park Academy on Aug. 27.

The girls’ game begins at 3:15pm. The boys’ game begins at 5pm. At the conclusion of the boys’ game, the Mayor will present a “Mayor’s Cup” traveling trophy to the winner of each game. The community is invited to support the teams and celebrate the success of soccer in St. Paul with Mayor Coleman.

The Cougars will also host a Community Day for the boys’ and girls’ double-header versus Washington on Tues., Sept. 20. The boys play at 3:15pm followed by the girls at 5pm. The teams are hosting the “Soccer Stars” youth players and inviting all youth families and community supporters to cheer on the Cougars! The Como Soccer Field is located east of the school building past the tennis courts.

• Como Park’s all school open house and parent night will be held at the school from 5-7pm on Thur., Sept. 27. All families and students from grades 9-12 are invited to visit with teachers and staff members, tour classrooms, and explore programs, clubs, and activities that Como students can access. Light refreshments will be provided.

• Homecoming Spirit Week is scheduled for Oct. 3-7 with dress-up days, the coronation of the royal court, and a pep fest to recognize Cougar athletic teams. Sat., Oct. 8 will be full of activity beginning with the Homecoming Parade at 11am. The route proceeds on Grotto, Wheelock and Victoria concluding back at school with a picnic. The Homecoming Football Game is scheduled for 2pm at Central’s Griffin Stadium and the Homecoming Dance will be Saturday night.

• Save the date! On Thur., Nov. 10 and Fri., Nov. 11, the Como Theatre and Music Department will present the annual fall musical in the Como Auditorium.

The show is entitled “Yearbook Reflections,” an upbeat musical about the willpower, compassion, and humor found in every high school.

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