A Heartfelt Week: MHS students Create Fun, Donate to a Good Cause

Wall-to-wall students, staff, teachers and parents packed the at Friday morning and they were all there for one thing: The Mr. Minnetonka Man Pageant.

“Ohmygosh I am so excited,” said one upperclassman galloping into the auditorium.

With 650 of their closest junior and senior peers, family members and teachers watching, nine senior boys competed in this Miss America-style pageant. Complete with a talent portion, question and answer session and fashion category, three teacher judges and the audience helped crown this year’s Mr. Minnetonka.

“It lets their personality show,” said , MHS math teacher and Student Government Advisor.

Friday’s fun was the culmination of Heartweek, a fundraising week hosted by the Student Government designated each February to raise funds for those associated with MHS in need of financial help.   

“It’s been wonderful the way the community, staff and kids have come together,” said Ellis. “The leadership the kids have modeled has been amazing. It is one of the most exciting events.”

This is the fifteenth year the school has put on the fundraising benefit. Ellis says it began after one of the women working in the cafeteria needed a little financial assistance. From there, an entire week’s worth of fun and giving was born and has grown every year to help even more people.

On average, the school raises about $26,000. Ellis estimates this year the school will have raised $30,000 that will be put directly back into the MHS community through Minnetonka Family Friends, a non-profit group that offers compensation to students and families.  

“The money can go towards anything from ACT test application fees, heating bills. The money stays very local,” said Ellis.

Throughout the week MHS students made a donation to the fund to participate in any of the fun ‘heart inspired’ activities such as singing telegrams, crushed cans, matchmakers and even cupid reciting poems. Fund raising class competitions as well as broomball, basketball , ultimate Frisbee and dodge ball tournaments throughout the week.

Friday, junior and seniors could purchase a ticket to the Mr. Minnetonka Man Pageant while underclassmen had the opportunity to listen to four school bands, or, watch a movie.

“It’s camaraderie, feeling a part of something and it’s one of those fun memories they’ll always have,” said Ellis, an MHS alumnae herself.

Ellis says the school benefit dinner held Thursday night in the cafeteria for anyone associated with the school is always a huge hit and one of the biggest moneymakers for the week.

The sweetheart dance which took place Saturday night at the school officially ended this very heartfelt week.

“It is an example of everyone doing a little bit gives a lot,” said Ellis.

And, it gives a little bit more school spirit, says juniors Stephanie Fiore and Kari Stauss..

“It’s more about getting more comfortable in your classroom and getting to know people,” said Fiore.

“Yeah,” said Stauss, “it’s a fun week. [It] shows school spirit and gives a community feeling.”

A community feeling knowing that everyone can offer a helping hand to their very own.