Eagle Ridge Academy graduated the first class of seniors in June 2008. The foundation Eagle Ridge alumni built during their time at the Academy with the values of truth, beauty, and goodness will continue to serve them well.

The Eagle Ridge Academy Alumni Association was established in 2022 as a way to build community and connect Eagle Ridge Academy alumni with our community and each other. We also provide ways for alumni to give back to the Academy through our volunteer program, annual events, and giving opportunities.

All Eagle Ridge Academy graduates, non-graduates who attended Eagle Ridge Academy School of Rhetoric for at least one year, and all present and former members of the faculty, administration, and the School Board are included in the Eagle Ridge Academy Alumni Association.

The Link Alumni Newsletter

The Link is a quarterly alumni newsletter meant to help Eagle Ridge Academy alumni get and stay connected with fellow alumni and the Eagle Ridge Academy community. Our goal is to facilitate ways to connect, share wisdom and experience with past and current students, and provide opportunities to connect professionally and socially through events and volunteerism. To ensure you receive your copy, please update your contact information using the form below.

Current Issue

The May 2023 issue is now available! This quarter’s Spotlight on Alumni focuses on Maddy (Bradley) Hellevik (’12), who collaborated on a children’s book with former Eagle Ridge Academy art teacher Jon Kamrath, and recently visited the Eagle Ridge Academy library to share the book and visit with students.  Check out this issue to view upcoming alumni events, find out about Muthu Meenakshisundaram’s (’22) exciting new opportunity, read an interview with Sophrona Lavasseur (’12), read a Classical Corner article written by Eagle Ridge Academy Board member David Croson , see Alumni Class Notes, and more.

Previous Issues

School alumni, alumni families, and friends of ERA are encouraged to provide us with their updated personal contact information. Please complete this form and we will update our records. Updating your contact information will allow us to share information with you. Questions? Contact us at abrady@eagleridgeacademy.org.

Opportunities to Make an Impact

Share Your Experience

ERA Academic & College Counselor Mrs. Kaiser has weekly opportunities available for guest speakers (in-person or remote) to share career and education experience with students as they prepare for graduation. Contact Linda Kaiser to learn more.

Click here to check out other volunteer opportunities at Eagle Ridge Academy.

Who Do You Know?

As we build our alumni association, we are still trying to reach your fellow graduates. Can you help? Please forward The Link newsletter and ask your former classmates to participate in the Alumni Survey.

Help Alumni Connect

If you or someone you know is interested in bringing the alumni of Eagle Ridge Academy together, we have low-commitment ways to get involved on the steering committee. Contact Kelly Schiffman or Allison Brady to learn more.

Pass It Down

Are you sports-minded or have a talent you’d like to share with others? We are looking for coaches for 3rd and 4th grade Boys Basketball, as well as a JV or Varsity Assistant for Boys Basketball (starts in March).

If you are interested in starting a club that we don’t currently have, we’d love your ideas. Click here for a full list of our clubs and activities. If interested, contact Kris Babler, Activities Director.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Alumni BBQAlumni BBQ

RSVP for the Alumni BBQ on Saturday, June 17, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Reconnect with your former classmates and teachers at the ERA campus for a fun afternoon barbeque! More details to follow.

Gryphon Classic Golf TournamentGryphon Classic Golf Tournament

Register for the Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament on Monday, June 19, 1:00 p.m. Eagle Ridge Academy will host the 10th charity golf tournament at Edinburgh Golf Course. Alumni who register using code ALUMNI23 will receive $15 OFF PER GOLFER.

Class Notes

Jacob Larson received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Minnesota, completed a 9-month dietetic internship at the VA Hospital in Chicago, and is currently an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian at the VA Hospital in Orlando, FL.

Jacob Larson, Class of 2015

Hayden Bunn studied law in the Netherlands for his bachelor’s degree before moving to the United Kingdom in 2021 to complete his master’s in diplomacy and international governance. Since completing his master’s program, he has continued to live in London and currently works for the Liberal Democrats, a political party in the UK.

Hayden Bunn, Class of 2018

Marisa Wojciechowski is a paralegal on the bond counsel team at a top public finance law firm, Kennedy and Graven, Chartered. She is proud to have been a part of assisting cities in bettering their communities.

Marisa Wojciechowski, Class of 2012

Sophrona LaVasseur recently moved to Arizona to grow her wedding planning company, Joyful Day Weddings. She currently sits as one of the founding board members of the Mainstreet Foundation with The Hopkins Raspberry Festival.

Sophrona LaVasseur, Class of 2012

Gretchen Holland is currently attending the Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. During her first semester, she joined a student-led venture capital firm on campus and won first place with a team in a business plan competition against other universities. She has recently secured an entrepreneurial internship with Nelnet.

Gretchen Holland, Class of 2022

Jessa (Veldhuizen) Dieter is married to her husband, Baylor, and has a one year old named Kruz. Also, see Spotlight.

Jessa (Veldhuizen) Dieter, Class of 2008

Sophia Pechaty recently graduated cum laude from Wellesley College and is seeking a job in Environmental Justice. She interned and later served as a volunteer organizer at the MN chapter of the Sierra Club, organizing against the Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline in northern MN.

Sophia Pechaty, Class of 2018

Kali Gerber is following in her mother, Molly Gerber’s (ERA staff, 2008-2017), footsteps and is a School Nurse. She graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and subsequently moved to Brooklyn, NY to practice. While working in an independent school, Kali is also pursuing certification as a Sex Educator and Counselor.

Kali Gerber, Class of 2012

John Schwirtz served for six and a half years on the Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors, and as Board Chair for the two of those years, until 2021. Married in 2022, he and his wife Hannah currently live in North Minneapolis in the Victory neighborhood. John works in sales and product management at Banner Engineering, an industrial automation company based in Plymouth.

John Schwirtz, Class of 2010

Sam Lebow graduated summa cum laude from Marymount California University in 2019, gaining academic excellence awards in Philosophy/Religious Studies and in Liberal Arts during his time there and was part of several honors societies such as Psi Chi and Delta Epsilon Sigma. Sam most recently worked in television as a production assistant and researcher in writers’ rooms for Paramount and NBCUniversal/Amazon.

Sam Lebow, Class of 2015

Harshita Kalidindi is a first-year law student at University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, with an expected graduation date in May 2025.

Harshita Kalidindi, Class of 2017

SheaAnna Kulus is currently attending Cedarville University, with a major in Elementary Education and a Bible minor. When she’s not busy studying the scribbles of two year-olds or preparing math lessons, she spends her time serving at her local church, talking with friends, sewing, running a couple small businesses out of her dorm room, and writing books.

SheaAnna Kulus, Class of 2021

Emma Darula graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a BA in Art History and has been accepted into Johns Hopkins University master’s program in Museum Studies.

Emma Darula, Class of 2019

Jacob Larson received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Minnesota, completed a 9-month dietetic internship at the VA Hospital in Chicago, and is currently an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian at the VA Hospital in Orlando, FL.

Jacob Larson, Class of 2015

Kaite (Aldana) Pfiffner and Mike Pfiffner (both ‘08 graduates) have a daughter (7), and recently adopted a son (5). Kaite is a middle and high school Latin teacher. Mike is a Sonographer.

Kaite (Aldana) Pfiffner and Mike Pfiffner, Class of 2008

Lucy Bixby started her own freelance copy-editing business.

Lucy Bixby, Class of 2013

Ashlyn Cory recently graduated with honors, magna cum laude and a Senior Merit Award in the school of Arts and Sciences from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls with a double major in Marketing Communications and Communication Studies with a minor in Spanish.

Ashlyn Cory, Class of 2018

Grace (Conner) Spears graduated from the University of Minnesota. She does administrative work for a local HVAC and maintenance company. She lives with her husband and two kids – Graham (6) and Simon (1) in Minneapolis in the Victory Memorial Parkway neighborhood. Graham is currently a first grader at Eagle Ridge Academy.

Grace (Conner) Spears, Class of 2008

Muthu Meenakshisundaram will be interning with Congressman Dean Phillips in his Minnetonka office Summer 2023.

Muthu Meenakshisundaram, Class of 2022

Lauren (Osgood) Moede went to ministry school in Detroit after graduation, where she met her husband David. They have three children: Mae (6), Greta (4), and Graeme (6 months). They currently live outside of Detroit, where Lauren is a lead at Target and David is a stay-at-home dad after leaving his role as a chef during the pandemic.

Lauren (Osgood) Moede, Class of 2008

Eric Melendez recently graduated (May 2022) with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Missouri State University. He now works as a travel physical therapist in Montana and looks forward to traveling the country while working

Eric Melendez, Class of 2015

Jay (Samantha) Erickson is a History and Ancient Greek double major with an English minor at Gustavus Adolphus College. They work in the Theatre department helping to make costumes for the plays and dance concerts.

Jay (Samantha) Erickson, Class of 2021

Sam Twetan graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Marketing and International Business and briefly worked in sports radio. He is now married, living in the Twin Cities area, and working as the Digital Marketing Manager for an audiometric medical device company.

Sam Twetan, Class of 2011

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