Thursday, August 14, 2014

Project Success - August 2014 Newsletter


Project Success -- August 2014 Newsletter


We are turning the corner toward another school year, but we didn’t check out over the summer! We have been continuing to serve students and families while planning, preparing, hiring, training and kicking-off our new year! Check out the latest Project SUCCESS happenings below and then click on any of the headings to read more on our website.


At the end of May, more than 80 Anwatin Middle School student actors and technicians performed the musical Beauty and the Beast  to audiences of hundreds. Congratulations to the cast, crew, professional artists and all who supported this amazing performance! The school musical is one of the key ways in which Project SUCCESS helps students build confidence, gain new experiences, and learn more about themselves and each other through the power of theater.  Click on the title to see photos and read more about the production. 

Our Largest BWCA Adventures Yet!


During the month of June, Project SUCCESS brought 179 students from nine middle schools to spend seven days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) – our largest adventure yet! In the BWCA, students develop confidence, grit and skills, build relationships, and respect for the beauty of the wilderness. For some, this is their first time out of the city. Click on the title to see photos and read more.

Two of the trips were led by Project SUCCESS alumna, Brenna Bailey, who shared some of her thoughts about the experience. Click on the link below to read her story.

Mill City Opera Week: A Facilitator’s “Notes”


“Boring!” “Loud!” “Italian!” These were the typical responses of the middle and high school students who were asked what comes to mind when they think about opera as they kicked-off two days of workshops with the Mill City Summer Opera. Our own C. Ryan Shipley writes about our partnership with MSCO and his observations as the Project SUCCESS facilitator on this project. 

Students Begin Rehearsals for New Show about 9th Grade


Beginning in August, Project SUCCESS is working with 10 talented middle and high school students who were cast to develop a new musical about the transition from middle school to high school and the struggles, growth and successes that go along with it. They will then take the show on the road this school year beginning with all 9th grade students in Saint Paul Public Schools!


Project SUCCESS former facilitator and alumna, Harleigh Gabrielson, reflected on our mission of serving each student in every school as a guest blogger for the YEP Twin Cities website with a piece titled, “How Do We KNOW Which Students Need Our Help?” She writes, “differentiation is invaluable to students, yet so is offering equal exploration and opportunities for students”…”giving kids the space to stretch in ways we may not even imagine opens up our own imagination, and kids’, to what is possible.”

Read the original post by clicking on the link below:


10 Years of Fielding Dreams – Thank You Sponsors!


On Friday, May 16, 2014, Project SUCCESS hosted its 10th annual Fielding Dreams and watched our Minnesota Twins play the Seattle Mariners. A huge thank you to LifetouchTargetBI WorldwideRBC Wealth Management, the Minnesota Twins, and all our other sponsors for helping Project SUCCESS hit another home run for kids! Since 2005, Fielding Dreams has raised more than $500,000 to support Project SUCCESS' invaluable work and growth in the community. 

Welcome New Staff!


This spring and summer, Project SUCCESS was busy recruiting, interviewing, hiring and training seven new members of our professional team. We are excited to welcome Program Manager Chris Snoddy; Facilitators Ben Desbois, James Grigsby, John Vang, Kathleen Kessler, and Lacey Allen; and Administrative Manager Caitlin DeVos. 


With the launch of the new school year comes a new season of college tours available for students attending the seven high schools we serve. Click on the title above to see and download a copy of the schedule. The letter will also be mailed to students’ households at the beginning of the school year. Check it out to see where we’re visiting this school year! 

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