Summer learning experiences and sports prep

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Compiled by ERIC ERICKSON, Social Studies Teacher

• Academy of Finance (AOF) students at Como have been busy with internships, employment, and educational opportunities. Four AOF students recently completed a week-long experience at the Carlson School of Management on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Tu Lor Eh Paw, Mario Sanchez-Lopez, Pa Houa Lee and Lizbeth Antunez Miranda were all participants in the Gopher Business program. The Carlson School invites 50 high-achieving students from across the state to campus each summer to engage in a business challenge. Students are immersed in case study competitions and simulations for corporate and non-profit sites. Mentors and teachers included Carlson School faculty and Twin Cities business leaders.

Another program that included Como AOF students was the Minnesota Council on Economic Education (MCEE) Personal Finance Summer Institute. Lauren Thompson, PaYing Vang, and Way Htoo participated in the week-long institute which was also held on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The students explored future careers, college finances, savings plans, debt and credit issues through discussions and simulations with instructors and guest speakers from the financial industry.

• Como’s Robotics Team has been active through the summer with participation at community events. Officially recognized as BEASTBot Team 2855 by the State High School League, Como’s team demonstrated their competitive robot from the 2017 season at the Slice of Shore­view Festival. They also displayed Sparky, the team’s “funbot.” The event was a valuable opportunity to network with potential partners and supporters while helping keep technology and science fresh in people’s minds.

Photo right: Como students made adjustments to their robot at a community festival. The team stays active through summer with demonstrations. (Photo provided)

BEASTBot was also scheduled to present at the 3M campus on Aug. 4 for the annual “Robots on the Plaza” celebration. The final summer activity for the team will be demonstrating their robots at the State Fair over Labor Day weekend. Como’s successful robotics program involves 25-30 students each academic year and is led by Como teachers Donna Norberg and Michael Fisher.

• Every summer, cadets in Como’s Marine Corps JROTC embark upon a journey that helps build leadership, patriotism, service, and camaraderie. While last year’s trip was to Washington D.C. and the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia, the 2017 adventure allowed the cadets to experience a week in the wilderness of South Dakota.

Photo right: Como cadets in the Marine Corps JROTC, pictured in front of Mount Rushmore, had an empowering experience in South Dakota. (Photo provided)

38 cadets participated in activities that including camping, drilling, survival training, environmental stewardship, hiking and study visits to historical sites. Students analyzed leadership and the presidency at Mount Rushmore, Native American history at the Crazy Horse Memorial, geology and physiography in the Black Hills, and wildlife at the Reptile Gardens.

Sophomore cadet Ong Vang wrote a letter of gratitude to the trip sponsors, which included Ecolab. In it, she emphasized the value of the exploration and the personal growth it provided to all of the cadets. “Thank you for this wonderful experience you made happen for us teenagers, some of us who may have never been out of state or seen the stars shine so bright at night,” Vang said.

• Como Park’s football team had a successful fundraiser bagging groceries at Cub Foods which will allow for the purchase of new varsity uniforms. This will be the first uniform upgrade for the Cougars in a decade. The players are excited that they’ll be able to represent their school in some new black and gold.

Another development for the Como football program was being chosen as a top 20 school for the Let’s Play High School Equipment Makeover Challenge. Como’s selection was based on a competitive application that included videos explaining the need and plan for improved equipment.

Now that Como has advanced into the final national round of 20, the Cougars’ video will be entered into a public online vote that starts on Sept. 8. The public voting will determine the top 10 schools, who will each receive $1,000 for athletic equipment, and then continue in the competition with the ultimate prize for first place being $100,000 for the athletic department of the winning school. Details and links for the online vote will be on Como’s website and in next month’s Monitor.

• The Minnesota State High School League’s “fall” sports season begins on Mon., Aug. 14. For Como Park athletics, that means students will be practicing with their coaches and competing in games for three weeks before classes begin on Sept. 5.

Fall sports at Como include football, soccer and cross country running for the boys. Girls’ programs include volleyball, soccer, swimming, tennis and cross country running. Over 250 Como students participate on fall sports teams.

For a full schedule of Como games and contests, visit saintpaul.sports.org, or spps.org, “About” and click on the Athletics tab.

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