Winter 2006-07 Newsletter
The above message appeared at the Metrodome during the Twins/Cardinals game last August. We are indebted to the Minnesota Twins for helping us recognize our volunteers.
Four Shadow to Headline “Birdies for BestPrep” 2007
The 9th annual “Birdies for BestPrep” special event will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2007 from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus. All proceeds will be allocated to BestPrep’s financial literacy education programs, with special emphasis on students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Last year, the “Birdies” event raised a record $80,000!
New this year will be two performances by Four Shadow, an a cappella singing sensation from Minneapolis. In addition to a number of original songs, the group performs tunes by artists like the Beach Boys, Paul Simon and the Dave Matthews Band. Four Shadow is nationally renowned and has performed live on NBC's "Today" show.
Returning once again will be everyone’s favorites: Business-sponsored, professionally designed miniature golf holes (with a fresh, new look this year), raffle, caricature artists, golf simulator, fabulous food catered by D’Amico, and 250 item silent auction.
Birdies for BestPrep Details
We are anticipating 500 people at this year’s event. Attendees represent a terrific cross section from business, education and government. We hope you will join us on January 27th to support BestPrep’s programs and to have a fun-filled evening.
The cost to attend the event is $75 per ticket, which includes entertainment, activities and fabulous food! Tickets can also be purchased in discounted packages of 10 for $600 – a $150 savings! This year we are also offering a special educator discounted rate of $50 per ticket.
Raffle tickets are $20, first prize is a $2,500 shopping spree at Best Buy. Runner up prizes are three gift certificates to The St. Paul Hotel and Grill. Chances of winning are 1 in 175.
Pre-event fun will take place in the skyways prior to the “Birdies”
event. Join us for a chance to make a long putt and win a two-night hotel stay
in an area of your choice. We will be in the 5th Street skyway of St. Paul on
January 10-12 and the IDS Center in Minneapolis on January 17-19.
For more information about “Birdies,” please visit www.bestprep.org
or contact Elizabeth Johnson at ejohnson@bestprep.org
or 763-398-0090 x 225. Also, there are event sponsorships still available. If
you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Elizabeth.
Minnesota CEOs Tee Up for Financial Literacy
at BestPrep’s CEO Masters
On September 18, 2006 fourteen Minnesota CEOs, with accompanying foursomes, participated in BestPrep’s first annual CEO Masters golf tournament. The tournament recognized these CEOs and their companies for their commitment to education and emphasized the importance of business education and financial literacy. Cross Telecom was the presenting sponsor of the tournament and provided invaluable graphic design and committee support.
The following CEOs participated in the tournament:
Top from left to right:
Mark Zesbaugh, Allianz Life
Bill Simpson, Periscope
Bruce Nicholson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Tim McGough, McGough Companies
Bob Coughlin, Cross Telecom
Brad Schreier, Taylor Corporation
Fritz Corrigan, The Mosaic Company
Roger Schelper, Davanni’s Pizza & Hot Hoagies
Chuck Bond, COKeM International
Bottom from left to right:z
Ron Turner, Ceridian Corporation
Tim Nichols, Cooperative Communities
Janice Aune, Onvoy, Inc
Monica Nassif, The Caldrea Company
Not pictured:
Tom McGough Jr., McGough Companies
Mike Roos, KPMG
Dave St. Peter, Minnesota Twins
Despite the rainy weather, the tournament was a huge success! Thank you to all of our participants and volunteers.
BestPrep is already planning for the 2nd annual CEO Masters! The tournament will take place on September 10, 2007 and will once again be held at the Town & Country Club. For more information, please visit www.bestprep.org or contact Elizabeth Johnson at ejohnson@bestprep.org.
Stock Market Game Participation Skyrockets!
BestPrep is proud to announce that The Stock Market Game™ program has
increased the number of student teams participating from last fall by 76%. More
than 5,600 students are participating during the fall session. Watch for the
winning teams in our next newsletter!
The Stock Market Game™ (SMG) offers students the opportunity to invest a virtual $100,000 in the stock market. Students work in teams to learn about the ups and downs of the market through company research, selection and making transactions. For more information, please contact Ryan Tews at 763-398-0090 x 233 or rtews@bestprep.org.
eMentors: 1200% Growth Over Three Years
Charging through its fourth year, eMentors is in high demand across the Twin Cities metro area. Teachers continue to see the value of having their students connect with business professionals. The students and mentors exchange one email message per week based on a series of Guiding Questions. Curriculums are currently available for workplace skills, biological sciences and financial literacy skills. Mentors and students alike are excited by their weekly emails and can’t wait to respond. “eMentors was fun because it was different than listening to a teacher as we do regularly,” said an Andover High School student at her Final Celebration at KPMG. “It was fun to hear what my mentor went through in high school and college.”
The following high schools and companies are currently working together through the eMentors program. BestPrep will continue to match interested schools and companies throughout the 2006-07 school year.
Andover High School – Hoffman Enclosures
Andover High School – KPMG
Arlington High School – MetLife
Columbia Heights High School - Medtronic
Como Park High School – Wells Fargo
Eastview High School – Thomson West
Highland Park High School – US Bank
Humboldt High School – Ecolab
Humboldt High School – St. Paul Travelers
Johnson High School – 3M
Lakeville North High School – Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Robbinsdale Cooper High School – General Mills
Rosemount High School – Lockheed Martin
St. Louis Park High School – Jefferson Wells
Bloomington Kennedy High School – Toro
Opportunities exist for more companies and schools to be involved. For more information, please contact Bonnie Vagasky at bvagasky@bestprep.org or 763-398-0090 x227.
Classroom Plus’ Financial Planning Week a Success!
October 2-8, 2006 was Financial Planning Week. Thank you to all who participated!
The Classroom Plus staff received 68 teacher requests for financial planning
volunteer speakers, more than three times as many as last year. Throughout the
week, more than 130 presentations were given by financial planning volunteers
through BestPrep.
Teachers requested presentations via e-mail or an online form. The Classroom
Plus staff then located a volunteer in the schools’ areas to give presentations.
The Financial Planning Association of Minnesota once again partnered with BestPrep
to secure volunteers. Most volunteers used BestPrep’s “Money Matters”
presentation which was developed last year by a committee of financial planners.
The presentation focuses on compounding interest (saving early), the value of
money and the relationship between education and earnings.
“Money Matters” will be available throughout the year; request it today using our online request form at http://www.bestprep.org/CP/cpschedule.htm. This form can also be used to request other speakers. For more information, please contact Angela Laubmeier at 763-398-0090 x 230 or alaubmeier@bestprep.org.
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