Featured Student: Firsthand Account by Kennedy Hutchens, BestPrep Development Intern and Alum

Publish on April 16, 2024 Categories -

My name is Kennedy Hutchens and I am BestPrep’s Development Intern and featured student for this month! I was a part of the AVID program at Robbinsdale Cooper High School and participated in the eMentors program as a sophomore. My classroom was partnered with Cargill. We were each paired with a volunteer mentor who worked at Cargill and received support from them on writing resumes and career planning. We then got to visit Cargill to meet our mentors, receive a tour of their headquarters, and share a meal. I remember having a great time with my classmates getting to explore Cargill’s fantastic campus. This was a great learning experience on workplace skills and environments, as well as what it’s like working for Cargill!  

I am now senior in the social work program at St. Catherine University. When looking for an internship for my fieldwork requirement for senior year, I recognized BestPrep as one of the internship partnerships with St Kate’s and decided to apply since I experienced their work and impact as a sophomore.  

This past school year with BestPrep was a great experience! A lot of my courses in the social work program have focused on micro level social work, which is working one on one with clients. I got to see a different side of what social work can look like by being able to intern for a macro-level nonprofit who works with larger communities in schools and companies around Minnesota. During my time, I’ve had the opportunity to compile and edit our newsletters, learn how to make website edits, and attend various program events.

I also assisted my supervisor, Brook Sunderman, with the Educational Forum. It was cool to see that event come to life as such a beautiful and fun evening. Additionally, since teachers are invited to the Educational Forum, I got to reconnect with a handful of teachers I had not seen in four years since the pandemic abruptly ended my senior year of high school. Seeing those teachers again was super meaningful and one of my favorite moments. Overall, I got to see firsthand how the partnerships, funding, and volunteers we receive from our sponsors impact our students and create meaningful learning experiences and opportunities for them.  

With my time at BestPrep coming to an end this April, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome organization, as well as be able to come full circle with my experiences with them in high school. I am looking forward to graduating next month and feel confident beginning my new path with the new skills and experiences I have gained through the internship! 

Featured Student: Jackson Thao

Publish on March 19, 2024 Categories -

Jackson Thao, a sophomore at Golda Meir High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, embarked on a transformative journey with BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture program. His narrative mirrors the profound impact of educational initiatives on young minds, resonating deeply with BestPrep’s mission of fostering student success through business and financial literacy programs. 

Reflecting on his experience, Jackson shares, “The first day of camp stands out as a turning point. Meeting my company members for the first time allowed us to connect and build relationships that would shape our entire camp experience.” His words echo the importance of forming meaningful connections, a cornerstone of BestPrep’s approach to student development. 

Participation in the summer business camp expanded Jackson’s skill set, nurturing teamwork, public speaking, and interpersonal connections. “Minnesota Business Venture provided invaluable insights into the multifaceted world of business,” he explains. “It not only broadened my understanding of various industries but also clarified my career aspirations.” 

 

Jackson extends advice to his peers, encouraging them to seize the opportunities offered by BestPrep. “Leverage the connections provided and actively engage with the program,” he advises. “By immersing yourself fully, you not only enhance your personal growth but also contribute to the collective development of the community.” 

Looking ahead, Jackson aspires to attend an Ivy League university, propelled by the enriching experiences gained through BestPrep’s programs. These initiatives serve as catalysts for his long-term educational and career goals, aligning seamlessly with BestPrep’s commitment to empowering students for success in the world. 

In closing, Jackson extends his gratitude to BestPrep’s supporters, expressing, “To the donors, patrons, volunteers, and educators who have supported BestPrep and made my journey possible, I want to extend a warm thank you for everything that you have done for me and every other student who has participated in these programs created by BestPrep. You make a big difference in furthering the development of the younger generations and gearing them towards success.” 

Building Brighter Futures: Cloud Coach Success

Publish on March 19, 2024 Categories -

The 2023-2024 school year marked a significant milestone for us. We’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates and highlights from the Cloud Coach program. From cultivating new partnerships to facilitating empowering experiences, our journey has been truly remarkable!

This fall marked the successful launch of the Cloud Coach program at Humboldt High School. Guided by dedicated volunteers from Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group, students embarked on a journey of growth and exploration. The support extended beyond the classroom, with the MN Timberwolves generously donating 500 tickets to reward students with 2 free tickets for their full participation. Additionally, every student who completed four messages received a free ticket, enabling many from Southwest, Humboldt, and Central High School to enjoy an unforgettable game day experience.

Throughout the winter season, the Cloud Coach program continued to flourish, with five schools from Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools actively participating. Thanks to the commitment of volunteers from 11 companies across the Twin Cities, over 1,300 students are connecting with mentors to nurture their aspirations, cultivate perseverance, and take actionable steps toward building a brighter future.

A cornerstone of the Cloud Coach program is the Cloud Summit event, where mentees and mentors meet to deepen their relationships and engage in meaningful conversations and activities. Recent events have been truly inspiring, with Freshman Foundations students from Central High School spending time at 3M meeting their mentors, interacting with employee career panels, and immersing themselves in the impressive headquarters. Students from Highland Park High School had the incredible opportunity to tour Ecolab as part of a scavenger hunt, meet their mentor, and hear from an employee career panel. Ecolab also generously gave every student a water bottle!

Cloud Summits will continue for the next couple of weeks, and we are so excited to see what more is in store for our Minneapolis and St. Paul students.

Thank you to all our mentors, partners, and supporters for your unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through Cloud Coach. Together, we’re building a brighter future, one student at a time.

Are you interested in becoming a part of the Cloud Coach program? Visit our Cloud Coach Volunteers page to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of students in our community.

Students Win Big at the BestPrep Educational Forum

Publish on February 19, 2024 Categories -

Twenty Minnesota students earned prizes for their recent submissions to the Student Spotlight Competition held in conjunction with the BestPrep Educational Forum.

Participants in the competition created projects inspired by a prompt from national non-profit leader and author, John Hope Bryant’s keynote address at the Forum, Financial Dignity for All. The prompt students were given is as follows:

Making your dreams come true is easy to say but hard to accomplish. In Bryant’s book, Up from Nothing, he writes about the five pillars needed for success: education, financial literacy, self-esteem and confidence, family structure and role models. Through the use of essay, poetry, art, sculpture, or video, please explain how these pillars will be key to your personal success. Why are they key?

 

224 projects were submitted from around the state and judged to determine the top 20 entries. Students who placed in the top 20, along with their teachers and families were invited to attend the Educational Forum. Each top 20 student was awarded a gift card, with students in the top five being awarded larger prizes including a MacBook Air, AirPods and gift cards. Our first place winner, Akshika Kandeepan, was the recipient of the Kristie Award and a $2,500 scholarship provided by the Kristie Greve family. View the complete list of winners here. 

Featured Student: Alanna Pundsack

Publish on February 19, 2024 Categories -

Alanna Pundsack participated in Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) back in 2012, and we have had the pleasure of reconnecting with her to see what she has been up to!   

She attended MBV in ninth grade, which was her first time ever visiting a college campus. She was motivated to participate because she wanted to learn about business in a hands-on way from real life professionals and to gain experience living on a college campus.  

The team building activities and business presentations were very educational for her. She even became long distance pen pals with a student she befriended after camp ended. Alanna attributes MBV to helping shape her career aspirations and interest in business, finances, and accounting. MBV was the first place she learned about financial statements and that “assets plus liabilities equal stockholders equity” (the classic accounting formula)! She realized at MBV that she did want to study accounting in college, which is what she went on to do and pursued in her career.  

She has achieved a a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota, and a master’s degree in accounting with data analytics from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and currently working for KPMG, who is also one of our funding partners!

It is great to see that Alanna learned so much about financial literacy and her passions. When asked if she had a message for the donors, volunteers, and educators that have made MBV possible, she said “As a student who participated in MBV, I can say firsthand how much BestPrep’s programs greatly impact the lives of students all across Minnesota. Just like I did, students can genuinely envision a future where business is for them because there is a supportive community of business professionals, educators, and donors who want to see them succeed.

BestPrep provides hundreds of students each year the opportunity to learn new technical and interpersonal skills that they take with them long after the programs are complete. As someone who supports this mission, you are keeping the great work that BestPrep does accessible for all students.”   

On that note, thank you to all who have made MBV and BestPrep’s programs possible! 

BestPrep 2024 Educational Forum Resounding Success

Publish on February 19, 2024 Categories -

800 people gathered together on February 8 at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the BestPrep Educational Forum, featuring nationally renowned non-profit leader and best-selling author, John Hope Bryant. Bryant gave a powerful keynote presentation on financial inclusion that left guests inspired and energized.

John Hope Bryant then joined Kelley Elliott, Vice President​ of Total Rewards at Delta Air Lines, and Greg Cunningham, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer​ at U.S. Bank,​ for a lively business panel discussion regarding financial inclusion and economic empowerment.

This was followed by a second panel featuring local high school students, Kyra Shah ​from Edina High School​ and Matthew Eviston ​from Stillwater Area High School, to provide a student perspective on financial literacy.

BestPrep’s statewide Student Spotlight Competition was once again sponsored by Thomson Reuters. Students submitted essays, music, art and more in response to the prompt: Explain how John Hope Bryant’s 5 pillars of success will be key to your personal success.

The top 20 winners, their teachers, and their families were invited to join the Student Spotlight reception prior to the program where the contest submissions were displayed and the top 5 winners were recognized. Our first place winner, Akshika Kandeepan, was the reciepient of the Kristie Award and a $2,500 scholarship provided by the Kristie Greve family.

View the complete list of winners here.

The creativity of students in the community inspired guests of the event and the variety of submissions entered in the competition was truly impressive. BestPrep looks forward to what students will bring to the next Student Spotlight Competition.

Thank you for making this year’s Educational Forum a success and for participating in BestPrep’s mission to ensure students are work-ready and career-bound. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Featured Student: Jonathan Ly

Publish on January 17, 2024 Categories -

We caught up with Jonathan Ly, 6th grader in Mr. Steve Kraft’s class at Eagle Ridge Middle School, and one of our winning students from the Fall Session of SMG to get a student perspective on playing The Stock Market Game!

What was your favorite part about playing The Stock Market Game (SMG)? 

  • I enjoy learning about the stock market, and I get happy when all my stocks are going up.  It is exciting to win money and get higher in the rank.

How did you decide which stocks and investments you wanted to buy?

  • I thought about what l like to buy when I go shopping…I like to shop for things on Amazon like buying gifts for my family, so then I decided to buy stock in them.

How do you think playing the Stock Market Game (SMG) will help you in the future? 

  • I think it will help me in the future because it will help me make some money. It’s still a lot of work but not too much. In the future I might be a stock broker because It is so fun!

What’s one thing you learned from playing SMG? 

  • To take a lot of risk. When I first started, a lot of our stocks were doing bad and I was losing a lot of money. But then, I started taking risks and I started making a lot of money. I also I learned to work together with my team [and] discuss what stocks to buy.

Why do you think other students should play SMG? 

  • So they can learn how to take risks and learn to work with other people…sometimes people argue a lot so we had to vote on stocks. I am grateful for what I have learned.

November Featured Partner: Allianz – 30 Years of Dedication

Publish on November 14, 2023 Categories -

BestPrep’s partnership with Allianz for the past 30 years has been a cornerstone in our ability to provide engaging financial literacy and business learning programs to high school students in Minnesota. Over the years, Allianz has provided BestPrep with program volunteers, funding, and board leadership. Some of the programs Allianz has volunteered for are The Allianz Life Challenge – which is a special Spring session of The Stock Market Game, Classroom Plus, Cloud Coach, Financial Matters, and Minnesota Business Venture, contributing approximately 200 volunteers and 3,000 volunteer hours per year!

This October, Marc Olson, VP Policy & Producer Administration for Allianz Life of North America, was elected as BestPrep’s new Board Chair and will lead the Board of Directors from now through 2025. He has previously served as Board Treasurer and Board Vice Chair throughout his 25 years of involvement with BestPrep.

Olson is just one of many committed volunteers at Allianz. He began supporting BestPrep in 1997 through a classroom presentation and jumped in head first to become a Resident Business Leader at Minnesota Business Venture. Along the way his volunteerism has included BestPrep’s eMentors, Cloud Coach, Stock Market Game, Mock Interviews and Educational Forum Essay Judge. He has provided his expertise on the Finance & Audit Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Stakeholder Sustainability Committee and Executive Committee.

We are grateful to Allianz for supporting the career development and finical literacy of Minnesota students. We can’t wait for our next chapter with Allianz.