Author Archives: Peaches Avre

The Power of Mentorship: A BestPrep Connection That Led to a Career

A high school writing assignment can sometimes spark a connection that lasts far beyond graduation. For former BestPrep student and current Senior FP&A Analyst at Donaldson Company, Abby Mandt, that connection became a mentorship that helped shape her career. As a senior at Shakopee High School, Abby participated in BestPrep’s eMentors program and was matched […]


Preparing Students for Success One Connection at a Time

Some of the most impactful experiences for students happen beyond the standard curriculum. Elizabeth Ormsby, Career Readiness Teacher at Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, has made those experiences a key part of her students’ success. Through BestPrep’s eMentors program and Classroom Plus mock interviews, her students gain firsthand experience connecting with professionals, exploring […]


From Student to Staff: Peaches Avre’s Full Circle Moment

Peaches Avre’s journey with BestPrep began in 2014 as a student from Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights. In her AVID class, she was introduced to eMentors, BestPrep’s online mentorship program. She was paired with someone from UnitedHealth Group who gave her career advice and helped her see what was possible beyond the classroom. […]


Dean Breuer’s Path to Success with BestPrep

A single summer can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, especially for Dean Breuer, the CTE Business and Marketing Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and a BestPrep board liaison. When Dean was a junior in high school, he took a chance on Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) after his business teacher encouraged […]


Analise’s New Experiences at Minnesota Business Venture

BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) program is a week-long summer camp that helps high school students explore careers, build leadership skills, and gain real world business experience through hands-on learning.   Analise is a first-time camper at MBV who was recognized by her Resident Business Leader (RBL) for her dedication and focus. As an introverted high school student from Wisconsin, she felt nervous […]


Esther Gfrerer: Empowering the Next Generation

BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) program is a week-long summer camp that helps high school students explore careers, build leadership skills, and gain real world business experience through hands-on learning.   MBV relies on the help of more than 150 volunteers between both sessions. One of those volunteers, Esther Gfrerer, has volunteered with MBV for the past two years as a business plan […]


Skills For The Future: Aarav’s Journey From Camper to CEO

BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) program is a week-long summer camp that helps high school students explore careers, build leadership skills, and gain real world business experience through hands-on learning.  MBV has impacted many students across the 45 years it has been in session, including Aarav, a student from Eden Prairie High School. Just last year, […]


Andy Hennig: A Life Changed by BestPrep

It’s no exaggeration that BestPrep alters the course of peoples’ lives in more ways than one – especially for long-time supporter, Andy Hennig.  Andy is a BestPrep board member and Communications Manager at the 3M Innovation Center who first got involved through BestPrep’s summer camp, Minnesota Business Venture (MBV). In the summer of 2000, he spent one week overnight at St. John’s University volunteering as a Resident Business Leader (RBL), a working professional who provides guidance and real-world advice to a group of high school students.  By the end of the week he knew he would be back, exclaiming, “I just fell in […]