Happenings (September 30, 2025)
Introducing the Rooted Philanthropic Leadership Institute
Hill-Murray is proud to introduce the Rooted Philanthropic Leadership Institute (RPLI) made possible by a generous gift of $3.75 million from Rooted Philanthropic. RPLI will focus on empowering students and accelerating their potential by expanding access to comprehensive leadership education while being firmly rooted in our Catholic identity and Pioneer spirit. Click HERE for more information!
The Certificate in Benedictine Formation
The Certificate in Benedictine Formation is an offering available to current juniors and seniors. This experience provides students with an opportunity to learn more about Benedictine spirituality and make a deeper connection with St Paul’s Monastery. Students do not have to be Catholic to join, and the time commitment is reasonable. Students go on an overnight retreat at the Monastery on Tuesday, Oct 11-Wednesday, Oct 12 and also attend five WIN sessions between January-April. The WIN sessions are part of the regular school day. Click HERE to see more detailed information. Encourage your junior or senior to participate – the certificate is noted on the student’s transcript and is also presented at the awards ceremony in the spring. Your student can email me at sskinner@hill-murray.org if they are interested. There is limited space, but spots still remain open. Thank you, Sue Skinner, Ed.D., Vice President for Mission.
Parent-Teacher Conferences – November 7
Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for Friday, November 7.
This is an opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and get an update on their progress in each class. You will receive information via email at a later date regarding how to sign up for conferences. We are scheduling conferences both virtually via Google Meet, and in-person. Here is the schedule:
8:00 AM -12:00 PM: All conferences will be virtual through Google Meet
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM: All conferences will be In-person at Hill-Murray
Please note that students do not have school on Monday, November 10.
Adoration – October 3
One of the spiritual practices we celebrate at Hill-Murray is Adoration, which is held in the Hill-Murray Chapel during the school day typically on the first Friday of each month. Adoration is part of the rituals and traditions of the Catholic Church and is open to all members of the Christian faith. Adoration refers to the time when the Blessed Sacrament is placed on the altar and the faithful spend time with Jesus in the Chapel in quiet prayer and reflection. Our next day of Adoration is this Friday, October 3 from 9:15am-12:00pm. Click HERE to sign up for a time. We will start with Mass at 9:15am (finished by 9:45am). Adoration starts immediately following.
Speakers Series – Growing Up With Neurodiversity
Wednesday October 8th, 2025 7:00PM
During this discussion, Brent Johnson, Vice President for The Nicholas Center and Operations, will share his personal journey of growing up as a neurodivergent child, student, and adult. He will be joined by his mother, Carol Johnson, a lifelong educator, and Dr. Julie Robinson to explore the process of identification and diagnosis.
The conversation will also feature Sara Johnson, Hill-Murray’s Director of Literacy, and Molly Schauff, Educational Support Specialist, who will discuss literacy support and the accommodations that helped Brent succeed throughout his middle and high school years.
Brent will conclude by reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of post-secondary education, the impact of neurodivergence in the workplace, and the lasting emotions connected to his early experiences.
Click HERE to sign up for this discussion.
Click HERE to view the full Speaker Series list.
Founders Speaker – October 21
Hill-Murray Theatre Presents – Xanadou
Winter Sports Registration NOW OPEN
Click HERE for Winter Sports Registration!
The Pioneer Way for Parents is an invitation to create a shared culture of support, where we work hand in hand together to help students thrive.
By fostering this culture of partnership, our students experience a strong support system both inside Hill-Murray and beyond. When students feel supported, they are more likely to challenge themselves, take risks, and step outside their comfort zones. This collaboration is a vital part of the Pioneer Institute for Health and Wellness’s mission to nurture growth in mind, body, and spirit.
To begin building this connection, we invite you to our first Coffee and Connection Morning on Wednesday, October 15th, at 8:00 a.m. We’ll gather in the FLEX space in the counseling office at Hill-Murray. This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about how the Pioneer Institute for Health and Wellness supports students throughout our school. We will engage in meaningful conversation about the needs you see as parents/guardians to further student success. Plan to leave with some practical ideas that can help your student be successful. Learn how to best take advantage of what Hill-Murray has to offer parents and students. If you are not able to be part of this first Coffee and Connection but have ideas on ways to support this partnership, please fill out this form: Pioneer Way for Parents Input
We look forward to connecting with you and continuing this important journey—together.
Please reach out to Katie Francis with any questions.
Practice ACT Test
On Wednesday, November 19, the Guidance and Counseling Team will partner with *Flying Colors to provide a Free Practice ACT Test. This optional practice test is open to ALL 11th grade students and available to 10th grade students (as space allows). For more information, please click HERE.
Hill-Murray Seniors Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program
Hill-Murray is proud to announce that 2 seniors in the class of 2026 have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Mary Phelan has been named a Commended Student, along with only 34,000 students nationwide, and is being recognized for her exceptional academic promise. Ryan Comer has been named a Semifinalist and will advance to the next level with the goal of earning the Merit Scholar title. Ryan is one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, and will now compete for fewer than 7,000 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
Over 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2026 will be announced in four nationwide news releases, beginning in April and concluding in July.
For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Program, click HERE.
Pioneer Pathway Students Learn the Practice of the Labyrinth
Homecoming Week was a perfect time to introduce our 6th graders to the labyrinth at St. Paul’s Monastery. Each Pioneer Pathway 6 class had the opportunity to walk the labyrinth last week, learning a little about the purpose and history of labyrinths along the way. Middle School students also have opportunities to walk the labyrinth during some WIN times.
Three guiding words the students heard about walking to the center of a labyrinth were: release, receive, return. We appreciated the pleasant weather and beautiful space for this activity.
“Let Grow” Program Promotes Independence in Youth and Family Discussion
We are excited to introduce a new program opportunity that our sixth graders heard about this past week in their Pioneer Pathway class. They are the first group of Pioneers to be part of an activity known as “Let Grow.”
The Let Grow Experience
The Let Grow Experience is a simple, life-changing homework assignment: “Go home and do something new, on your own. Climb a tree, run an errand, make a meal… ” The real-life activity choices are endless and the impact: immediate.
This will be a monthly activity. September’s theme is “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone.” Students and parents agree on an activity that the child then does independently There is reflection at home and briefly at school each month. The program fits especially well with our pillar of Resilience. It also taps into the other three pillars of Compassion, Inquisitive, Leadership.
We are happy to build this partnership with our students and families to help young people thrive and gain confidence.
If you have questions about the program, please reach out to Amy Kotzmacher, Pioneer Pathway 6 teacher, or Lisa Valentine, Middle School Counselor (Grades 6 and 7).
Class of 2026 Senior All Night Party
Planning for the Senior All-Night Party after Graduation has begun. Your help is needed to plan and fundraise. Together, we can make this an amazingly memorable event for our seniors.
The Senior All Night Party will be right after the graduation ceremony, on Thursday, May 21st, from 10 PM – 5 AM at the Burrow in Oakdale. Parents, consider this your invitation to help coordinate this big event! Susan Larson and Colleen Monahan are serving as co-chairs, and there are several returning committee members, but we need more help! You do not need to be a senior parent to participate. Join the committee now so you’re ready when your student is a senior. Please join us for our first planning meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28th at 6:30 at the Burrow in Oakdale. We will talk about meeting dates, event details, sponsorships, and fundraising. Save the date now for our fall Butter Braid Sale. The sale will run from Oct. 13th – Nov. 7th. We’ll send out more details to senior families. If you cannot make the meeting but are interested in participating, please reach out to the chairs and provide your contact information to ensure you are included in the group emails. Please reach out to the Chairs with any questions at hmseniorparty@gmail.com
Seniors, we want your help and input as well. Follow the Senior All Night Party Instagram and watch for a poll to come to help decide on the theme for your party.
France Trip Spring Break 2027
Bonjour! We are excited to announce an upcoming parent meeting to discuss our next France Trip, planned for Spring Break 2027. The meeting will be held on Saturday, October 11 at 4:00 PM. We’ll share some details about the itinerary, costs, fundraising, and travel expectations. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn how your child can participate in this amazing opportunity. Your presence at the meeting will help ensure that you have the most up-to-date information. The meeting will take place in Room 136, and parents should enter the building through the main entrance. We look forward to seeing you there! Contact Ben Obernolte and Mike Kolb with any questions.
Italy Trip Information
We have some exciting news, we are planning an amazing HM student trip to ITALY, this summer!!
This trip is open to current 9th-12th grade students. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Italian history, art, and theology! This trip starts in Venice, then off to Florence, and we’ll end in Rome! We will be able to see things like the famous Canals and Bridges of Venice, The Duomo and the David in Florence, and the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican with the beautiful Sistine Chapel, while in Rome! We will enjoy Italian food such as authentic pizza and gelato! See a glass blowing demonstration, and explore these beautiful cities!
We encourage you to come contact Ms. Fandrich or Mr. Misenor with any questions! If you are interested in registering, please do so as soon as possible. Instructions on how to register are on the flyer HERE!
Spain Trip Information
The Spanish department is offering a fabulous opportunity for current 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students to visit Spain! Students will have 11 days to put their Spanish to use in real life scenarios while exploring the southern cities of Granada, Sevilla and Córdoba, the capital city of Madrid, and the Catalonian capital of Barcelona! We will leave for this eleven-day adventure mid-June of 2027! Interested? Click HERE for the full itinerary!
Contact Ms. Runyon with any questions at krunyon@hill-murray.org
Blackfeet Immersion Program
Oki-Ni-Soo-Ka-Wa: Blackfeet Immersion Program
WHEN: November 1-8, 2025
WHO: 10 Hill-Murray Students & 2 chaperones (Fandrich and Goulet)
WHAT: Students will travel from MSP airport to Great Falls, Montana, where we will then travel to the Blackfeet Reservation by Car. Once we have arrived, students will spend a week helping at De La Salle Blackfeet, an elementary school owned by the Christian Brothers located on the Blackfeet Reservation. Students will also hear from various cultural speakers, as well as spend time at Glacier National Park. Students will engage in daily prayer, nightly reflections, activities, and more.
Click HERE for additional parent information.
Blessing of the Animals At St. Paul’s Monastery
Bring the whole family—and your pets!—to St. Paul’s Monastery on Saturday, October 4 at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the Sisters’ annual Blessing of the Animals.
Gather outdoors on the Monastery’s beautiful grounds (near the statue of St. Benedict) for a short, family-friendly service. Afterward, clergy from different Christian traditions will offer individual blessings for every pet—whether furry, feathered, or scaled! Each pet will receive a Benedictine medal for their collar and a Monastery bandana.
If your pet has passed away or feels more comfortable at home, bring a photo or stuffed animal in their honor. We also invite families to bring a donation of dog or cat food for Tubman’s Harriet’s Haven for Pets.
This joyful celebration is free and open to all—students, families, and pets alike!
We’re excited to announce that the Pioneer Premier Auction now has its very own Facebook page — the official hub for Hill-Murray’s largest community fundraising event of the year! Each April, current, past, and incoming parents, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and community members come together to celebrate and support our Pioneer community. This page will be your go-to source for event details, auction item previews, and ways to get involved.
Save the date! The 2026 Pioneer Premier Auction will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at Pioneer Premier Auction and on Instagram @hm_auction so you don’t miss a single update — including the exciting 2026 theme announcement coming this October!
www.facebook.com/PioneerPremierAuction
