March 2013 Newsletter

Check out BestPrep’s March 2013 Newsletter!

Angie’s Kettle Corn Coming to BestPrep Annual Luncheon

The 2013 Annual Luncheon will feature another Minnesota success story, Angie’s Kettle Corn. Dan and Angie Bastian began popping corn in their Mankato backyard 10 years ago, and their business has become the nation’s second best selling kettle corn with $20 million in annual revenue. Dan and Angie will deliver the keynote address at BestPrep’s Annual Luncheon May 22, 2013 at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Park. (Read More)

Celebrate National Financial Literacy Month

April is National Financial Literacy Month! BestPrep’s Financial Matters staff is working to recognize National Financial Literacy Month through its efforts to create more financially capable students. Request a free Financial Matters speaker today for National Financial Literacy Month. (Read More)

Allstate and BestPrep Partner to Increase Safe Driving Awareness

More than 350,000 teens are injured in car crashes across the nation each year. The time between prom and Labor Day is the deadliest for teens on the road. The Allstate Foundation, Allstate insurance agents and BestPrep have partnered to offer an interactive presentation focusing on the economic impact of safe driving decisions. This is always a popular program in the spring. Sign up today! (Read More)

Registration Open for Minnesota Business Venture 2013

BestPrep now has applications available for its summer program, Minnesota Business Venture (MBV). At MBV, students will have fun working in “companies” led by business professionals who help facilitate and mentor the students. Students gain teamwork, leadership, career and communication skills, and have the opportunity to meet and work with students from all over the state! Cost to attend is kept low thanks to generous sponsors. Students attend one of two sessions: July 14-19, 2013 at St. Cloud State University or July 28-August 2, 2013 at St. John’s University. (Read More)

Educators-Let BestPrep Help With Educational Technology

Educational technology and the students who use it don’t stand still and BestPrep wants you to be part of the learning curve. Spend time with us this summer advancing your technology skills. From July 29-August 1, in partnership with the University of St. Thomas, BestPrep will assist teachers as they integrate technology into their lessons and unit plans. Applications are now being accepted for this highly-rated, low-cost workshop. Teachers from all grade levels and all discipline areas are encouraged to apply! (Read More)

Bill Bradley to Highlight BestPrep Educational Forum

Senator Bill Bradley has been confirmed for the BestPrep Educational Forum on Wednesday evening, October 16th at the Minneapolis Hilton. BestPrep’s Educational Forum will center on his latest book, We Can All Do Better, which provides a path out of the political stalemate in Washington. Bill Bradley is well known for his hard work, intelligence, candor and vision and has had an illustrious career as a politician, basketball star and author. Sponsorships and tables of 10 are being sold, and we anticipate a crowd of 800 -1,000 people. (Read More)

BestPrep Essay Competition

BestPrep is pleased to announce that the prompt for this year’s Essay Competition is available! Sponsored by Thomson Reuters, BestPrep’s Essay Competition is offered in conjunction with October’s Educational Forum, and is based on Senator Bill Bradley’s book, We Can All Do Better. The Competition is open to all Minnesota students in grades 9-11 during the 2012-2013 school year. The top 20 Minnesota high school students and their teachers are invited to a private reception with Mr. Bradley at the October 16th Educational Forum, and winning students will receive other valuable prizes. Deadline for essay submission is Friday, April 19. (Read More)

3M Recognized with National Mentoring Award

3M recently received the “Excellence in Mentoring in America Award” from Mentoring Works at its annual January conference in Washington D.C. 3M was the first corporate recipient of the Award. According to Anne Seaquist, supervisor of 3M Community Affairs Program, “BestPrep played a major role in our receiving the award. The eMentors program has impacted thousands of students and our partnership with BestPrep has been exemplary.” (Read More)

Stillwater High School Captures First Place in The Stock Market Game

On Friday, February 8, the winners of The Stock Market Game Fall Session were honored at an awards ceremony at Wells Fargo in downtown Minneapolis. A team of students from Debbie Drommerhausen’s Stillwater Area High School class won first place honors. A late spring session of SMG will run from March 18-May 24, and there are still free teams available thanks to a generous grant from Wells Fargo Advisors and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, or SIFMA. Register today! (Read More)

Birdies for BestPrep Was a Resounding Success

More than 485 people enjoyed the delicious food and fun activities at “Birdies” this year. The event finished with more than $72,000 net gain. This represents a 15% increase over last year! All proceeds raised from “Birdies for BestPrep” will be used for our business, career and financial literacy programs, with a focus on economically disadvantaged youth. A special thank you to all who supported the event. Next year’s “Birdies for BestPrep” is set for Saturday, January 25, 2014, and will once again be held at the International Market Square. (Read More)