The Annual Luncheon was held on Thursday, May 21, where BestPrep recognized the most outstanding students, teachers, and volunteers from the 2025-2026 school year. Meet our top four award winners – Kyra Shah, Angie Zappa, Eric Forstrom, and Carly Baker! Don Friborg Student of the Year – Kyra Shah Kyra first got involved with BestPrep as […]
The SIFMA Foundation, in partnership with BestPrep, hosts an annual national essay competition that is open to any student who participates in The Stock Market Game™. This fall, Rishi, a student from Wayzata High School, was recognized for placing 7th nationally for his excellent essay about his experience learning to invest. Rishi had this to say about his experience: “…being in the Stock Market […]
Angie Zappa, teacher at Irondale High School, has spent more than a decade shaping not only what students learn, but how they see their own potential. Since 2011, Angie has integrated BestPrep programs into her teaching, including Financial Matters, Classroom Plus, and eMentors. Every chance Angie gets, she strives to incorporate BestPrep programming into her classroom, demonstrating her deep commitment to their success and […]
Wells Fargo’s partnership with BestPrep is built through consistency, leadership, and a shared belief in expanding opportunities for Minnesota students. The relationship began in 1977 when the company, then Northwestern National Bank, made its first donation and Jim Buckles joined the original board. That early commitment set the foundation for decades of involvement, strengthened through leaders like Carolyn Roby, […]
Xcel Energy’s long-standing partnership with BestPrep continues to shape meaningful learning experiences for Minnesota students. For more than three decades, the company has steadily provided volunteers and funding in support of BestPrep’s programs Xcel Energy employees have continuously volunteered as mentors, most recently in BestPrep’s Cloud Coach program at Washington Technology Magnet School, guiding the school’s entire ninth-grade student body through goal‑setting and career exploration. Volunteers have also stepped into […]
Real-world learning starts with meaningful connections, and Carol Sayre, an English teacher in the TriDistrict CAPS Healthcare pathway, brings that to life through BestPrep programs like eMentors and Classroom Plus’s mock interviews. By linking students with professionals, she helps them build confidence, develop skills, and explore future possibilities. eMentors gives students direct access to healthcare professionals, filling gaps classroom lessons are unable […]
For Phaedre Sanders, volunteering with BestPrep has never been about one moment – it’s been about consistency, commitment, and saying yes to opportunities that make a difference. Phaedre, a Senior Tax Accountant at Ameriprise Financial, first connected with BestPrep in 2013 through her workplace. Her journey began with the eMentors program, where she has volunteered ever since. As her involvement deepened, she stepped into the role of […]
This winter, Rylee Wahlberg, a senior at Anoka High School, participated in BestPrep’s eMentors program with her DECA Internship class. Through eMentors, Rylee was matched up with a volunteer mentor from RBC Wealth Management. They exchanged weekly messages discussing school, career experience, interviewing, and much more. Rylee and her classmates also visited RBC to meet […]
