Interview with alum Sten Taracks
How long were you at Groves Academy and what were a few key things you learned?
I attended from 4th through 8th grade (2004-2008).
What did you do after Groves?
I transferred to Minneapolis Southwest, a large public high school. Although it was a daunting transition at first, I quickly learned Groves prepared me well to flourish! I went on to attend Normandale Community College in Bloomington, then became an accounting major at Minnesota State University in Moorhead. Now I am a Certified Public Accountant with Senness Ltd. in Bloomington.
How did your time at Groves prepare you for your next steps?
I learned how to communicate confidently and effectively with teachers and peers alike, allowing for academic and social growth. I started to actually enjoy socializing, and became genuinely interested and fascinated with lesson content.
What are some of your favorite memories of Groves?
I fondly remember the feeling of accomplishment when presenting my middle school Experts Projects, one on aquariums and one on Asian cuisine. Being an outdoor activity enthusiast, I also greatly enjoyed our biking and skiing excursions.
Why do you think Groves is an important asset to the Twin Cities community?
All educators in the region are fortunate to have Groves nearby. Its ability to help students overcome learning challenges and prosper in their future endeavors benefits not just the students and their families, but also other institutions who struggle to serve all learning styles simultaneously. Having a school devoted to overcoming certain challenges means new learning skills are introduced to the broader population of students.
What would you tell a student new to Groves about the school?
No matter what academic or social challenges you may have faced at previous schools, Groves is the place where you will discover and share strengths you may not even know you have!
Anything else you would like to share with the Groves community?
I cannot even begin to sufficiently express my thanks to Groves for helping me get to where I am today, not to mention the same being done for all its students on a continuous basis!
This interview originally appeared in the 2020 Summer edition of “Connections.”
Are you a Groves Alum? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know how you’re doing!
Please contact Ashley Gotreau at 952.915.4258 or [email protected].
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