Newsletters 2014-15 Focus newsletter, [1] fall | Page 2

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE

PAGE 2

AHS graduate Allie Kanyetzny
giving back one birthday at a time
Some people were born to
give back. At least that’s what
recent Anoka High School
(AHS) graduate Allie
Kanyetzny thinks. And she
would probably know — it’s
kind of her thing.
As a 10-year-old, she
founded her charitable organization, “Allie’s Wish.” Its mission is simple: give back to
those in need. As a high
school student, Kanyetzny
founded the AHS Dress Drive,
which, with non-profit
Operation Glass Slipper, provides prom dresses to high
school girls who can’t afford
one.

Allie Kanyetzny founded “Allie’s Wish,”
a charitable organization with a simple
mission: give back to those in need.

“When you say it all like
that …” Kanyetzny said with a
modest smile. “I mean — I
just have this willingness and
motivation to help others. I
really think my place on this
earth is to help people.”

It’s also developed into a passion. So much so, Kanyetzny says
it’s what she wants to do for a living. The soon-to-be college freshman is heading to the College of St. Benedict to study nursing
and peace studies after graduating from AHS in June. Nursing
because it can allow her to travel the world setting up free clinics
for those in need. Peace studies because it will give her the education to make Allie’s Wish a full-blown non-profit.
“Over the years, I’ve received messages from people all over
the world who have seen the work Allie’s Wish has done,”
Kanyetzny said. “It’s inspiring, the things they say. So I want to
travel the world making a difference.”

‘Inspiring student’
banner collection
Inspired by Time magazine’s Person of the
Year, the Anoka-Hennepin School District has
begun identifying students who have accomplished something outstanding. One senior
from each high school was selected for the
district’s inaugural Inspiring Students banner
collection.
Each high school and the district’s central
office buildings will display the banners
throughout the 2014-15 school year. A new
student will be selected from each high school
each year.
Representing the 2013-14 school year are:
Andover High School
Simeon Toronto, elected governor of Boy’s
State and president of Boy’s Nation.
Anoka High School
Allie Kanyetzny, won a national Spirit of
Community Award.
Blaine High School
Matthew Dereck, earned a perfect ACT score.
Champlin Park High School
Annalise Lamberty, earned finalist honors in
Harvard University’s film festival.
Crossroads High School
Gardson Sigugu, immigrated from poverty
in Kenya to graduate from high school in
America.

That mix of ambition and philanthropy recently led to some
pretty serious recognition. Kanyetzny has been named a 2014
distinguished finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards. Only 234 students from around the nation earned such
recognition. It also lead to her selection as Anoka High School’s
representative in the Inspiring Students banner collection (see
right).

Coon Rapids High School
Dakota Forness, despite cerebral palsy, he
brought classmates to tears when he walked
for the first time at last years homecoming
pepfest.

“When I was told I was a finalist — I’m still shocked. I’m so honored,” she said. “I mean, thousands apply. I didn’t really think I
would be recognized — I thought it would be fun to apply.”

The banners are provided courtesy of
Lifetouch school photography company.
See them on the district’s website at
www.anoka.k12.mn.us/inspiringstudents.

continued on page 6

Indian Education student named
‘Gates Millennium Scholar’
Anoka High School’s
(AHS) Brandon Krone is
modest about his athletic
and academic success.

advisor, the scholarship will pay for Krone’s college tuition and
living expenses in full for as long as he wants to go to college.

“I’m not the greatest in
school,” he said. “I think
I’m smart, but have to
work really hard. I challenge myself with my
courses.”

To apply for the program, Krone wrote a series of nine
essays, while Elhardt and Krone’s wrestling coach, Todd
Springer, wrote another seven and three essays, respectively,
to nominate him. Elhardt said the GMS Program received
more than 50,000 applications this year.

Krone, who was part of
the district’s Indian
Anoka High School’s Brandon Krone Education college
preparatory program,
was one of 1,000 students across
before graduating this
the country to be named a Gates
Millennium Scholar this year.
past June, was named a
2014 Gates Millennium
Scholar (GMS). The GMS Program is funded by the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation and selects 1,000 students of multicultural backgrounds each year to receive a “good-throughgraduation” scholarship to use at the college or university of
their choice.
According to Mary Beth Elhardt, Krone’s Indian Education

“[The GMS program] wants students to go to college and
focus only on their studies,” she said.

Krone, who is of Anishinaabe, or Ojibwe, descent, is part of
the Leech Lake, Minn. tribe on his father’s side. In addition to
being on the “A” honor roll multiple times and being involved
in honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes, Krone was
continued on page 5

“ I think I’m smart, but
I have to challenge
myself. ”
- Brandon Krone, AHS graduate

Superintendent’s Corner
cont. from page 1

students of color. I believe our staff
has the same passion I do for giving
every student a fantastic future.
During my years here as a student,
community education staff member,
teacher, coach and administrator,
and also through my experience
outside the district, I learned that
Anoka-Hennepin is a special place.
We have the wide range of opportunities that come with being a large
school district, yet the home town
feel that comes from having many
teachers and other staff who were
educated in our schools come back
here to work. It’s my goal to maintain
our traditions and continue the
positive momentum we have.
I am thankful to be starting at a
time when our legislature has
acknowledged the importance of
education and made it a priority. The
fact that the legislature approved
additional funding for schools speaks
of their commitment to education
in Minnesota. The legislature also
focused on supporting some key
priorities, such as providing more
support for early learning and
funding free all-day-every-day
kindergarten for every kindergarten
age child. Research conducted at
the University of Minnesota shows
that early learning leads to greater
achievement during school and
continued success after graduation.
Legislators also approved funding
to provide breakfast to every kindergarten child and to pick up the cost
of school lunch for families who qualify for reduced cost meals. We know
that students learn better when they
aren’t hungry.
One of my priorities will be building on the work Anoka-Hennepin has
done to make sure every student has
a chance to realize dreams beyond
high school, whether it’s going to a
two- or four-year college or a technical college to learn a trade. We need
to help students find pathways that
will give them options for sustainable
careers.
Our schools have done a great job
of encouraging students to take post
secondary level courses while still in
high school. During the last school
year, nearly half of our high school
students took courses in our schools
that allowed them to earn college or
technical school credits. Th is saved
their families approximately $13
million in future tuition costs. This is
critically important at a time when
post-secondary costs keep rising and
graduates find themselves burdened
with thousands of dollars of debt.
We have learned that when students
experience post-secondary work in
high school, they are more likely to
continue their education and succeed in their career.
I am looking forward to getting
out into the schools, to meeting
our students and their families
and others throughout the district.
Investing time and resources into
our children is an investment in our
community and our future.
Thank you for your continued
support of Anoka-Hennepin students
and schools. Together we can give
every student a fantastic future. ■