Author Archives: Peaches Avre

Alexess’ Transformational Week at Minnesota Business Venture

Publish on July 1, 2026 Categories -

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.   One student who was greatly impacted during the first session of MBV was Alexess, an incoming sophomore from Visitation School in Mendota Heights.  When Alexess first arrived at camp, she was extremely nervous because […]

From Learning to Leading: RBLs Share Their MBV Experience

Publish on June 25, 2026 Categories -

[Pictured from left to right: Tim Mercil, Caleb Potratz, and Lizzy Nyoike.]  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.  This year is unlike most. Not only is MBV celebrating its 45th anniversary, but we have three former students as Resident […]

Heder Jang: Building Confidence at Minnesota Business Venture

Publish on June 24, 2026 Categories -

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.  In the program’s 45-year history, MBV has made an impact on thousands of students, including one of this year’s returning student leaders, Heder Jang! She is a recent […]

Celebrating the Best of BestPrep

Publish on May 26, 2026 Categories -

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 […]

BestPrep Student Recognized Nationally

Publish on May 26, 2026 Categories -

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 Gives Students the Upper Hand with BestPrep

Publish on May 26, 2026 Categories -

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 Continued Impact on Minnesota Students

Publish on May 26, 2026 Categories -

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 Commitment to Student Success

Publish on April 28, 2026 Categories -

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 […]