Minnetonka Alumni Association

Minnetonka Public Schools and the Minnetonka Alumni Association celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding alumni at our annual awards event during homecoming each year.

14th Annual Alumni Awards

Minnetonka Public Schools and the Minnetonka Alumni Association will celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni and former faculty members on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Minnetonka High School. A light brunch will be provided. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP for each guest is required.

Reserve Your Tickets Here

The following alumni will be honored at this event:

Distinguished Alumni Award

Molly Beth (Obsatz) Griffin ‘01 - Molly is a celebrated author of Children’s and Young Adult literature. Her extensive library of work features strong female protagonists, non-traditional families and LGBTQIA+ storylines.

Dr. Allan Sonsteby ‘83 - Allan is the executive director of Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory. Throughout his career, he has sought opportunities to increase the security of our nation through science, technology, mentorship and education.

Distinguished Service Award

Rogene (Hanson) Meriwether ‘76 - Rogene joined Minnetonka High School in 2001. As the school’s nurse, she navigated everything from the sprained ankles and the common cold to the SARS outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic during her 20 years of service.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

Alana Aamodt ‘14 - Alana founded Momentix Toys to provide children with diverse learning experiences through hands-on play. Her unique toys allow them to practice STEM skills by creating chain reaction (aka Rube Goldberg) machines.

Timothy Dawson ‘08 - Tim has helped foster one of the most impactful partnerships for the VANTAGE program through his work at The Bluebird Group. He has recruited guest instructors and mentors, sponsored a project and created internship and scholarship opportunities students.

Skippers Hall of Fame

Leslie (Wilcox) Johnson ‘92 - A multi-sport athlete her freshman year, Leslie quickly discovered her passion for Girls Swimming. By her senior year she had become team captain, was voted Most Improved, came in first at state in multiple categories and broke two school records.

Faculty Hall of Fame

Earl Christ - Earl taught physical education for more than 30 years at Deephaven High School (before the District was formed) and at Minnetonka High School. He was also an outstanding basketball coach, winning the District’s first state championship in 1965.

David Gartner - Dave began coaching the Alpine Ski Team in 2017 when his youngest daughter, Piper, was a senior. He planned to resign after his daughter graduated, but his love of the sport and the energy of the nearly 60 skiers convinced him to stay.

View Past Award Honorees

Submit a Nomination

Up to ten awards may be presented each year. Awards are selected by the Minnetonka Alumni Association Board, with input from District leaders.

Deadline: Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Decisions for the annual awards are made in February each year. Nominations submitted after January 31 will be considered for the following year.

Awards may be presented in the following categories:

Distinguished Alumni Award

This award is Minnetonka’s premier alumni honor, recognizing distinguished professional achievement, distinguished leadership and/or distinguished service toward the greater good. Recipient(s) must have graduated from Minnetonka High School at least 20 years prior to receiving the award.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

2009 - D. Bruce Johnstone '59
2009 - Matthew Slaughter '86
2010 - Dr. Prudence Lam '89
2010 - Jan Malcolm '73
2011 - Lee Blessing '67
2011 - Peter Holthe '78
2012 - Mark Kroll '70
2012 - Tom Staggs '78
2013 - Stephen Pouliot '63
2013 - Mary Story '69
2014 - Deborah (Smith) Mayer '65
2014 - Dr. Steven Miles '68
2015 - Donald Mark '65
2015 - Anna Nelson '91
2015 - Gary Sundem '63
2016 - Robin Phillips '81
2016 - James (Jim) Rice '65
2017 - Lori Palmer '65
2017 - Richard Humleker '67
2019 - Ed Deutschlander '89
2019 - Mike Bussey '65
2019 - Bob Naegele '57
2020 - Jane Brattain '65
2020 - Richard Martin '56
2021 - Dr. Joni (Hlavacek) Schwartz-Chaney '71
2021 - John Stanoch '76
2022 -Dr. Courtney (Heniff) Albinson ‘92
2022 - Bruce Goetz ’63

Distinguished Service Award

This award is open to any Minnetonka alumni and recognizes significant volunteer service benefiting the greater good, philanthropic leadership or service/contribution to the MAA.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

2009 - Tad Shaw (Former Board Member), Bob Miller ’54 and Steve Frazier (Former Teacher)
2009 - Nancy Countryman '59
2011 - Charlie Kanan '69 and Frank Kuzma '79
2012 - Carl Zinn '61
2013 - Bob Williams '39
2015 - Brian Kuhnly '78
2016 - Bonnie Board Niles '67
2017 - Cornell Anderson '66
2019 - Bill Loeber '69
2020 - Tonya Andruskiewicz '92
2021 - Sharon (Haley) Hermel '65 and Carol (Fischer) Parker '65
2022 - James Turner ‘69

Young Alumni Achievement Award

This award honors alumni within fifteen years of graduating from Minnetonka High School for distinguished achievement in any one of the following: post-secondary academic achievement, professional achievement, distinguished leadership or distinguished service toward the greater good.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

Skippers Hall of Fame (Arts, Activities, Athletics)

Providing an opportunity to remember the good times, the Skippers Hall of Fame inducts an individual or team for achievements in arts, activities or athletics. Induction reflects achievements that stand the test of time, by alumni who graduated from MHS more than 10 years ago.

Nomination Form

Past recipients:

Faculty Hall of Fame

Nominated by a former student, the Faculty Hall of Fame will honor a Minnetonka School District teacher or administrator who inspired in students a passion to excel with confidence and hope.

Nomination Form

Past recipients: