Valley Middle School team wins second at Minnesota Future City competition

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board meeting on March 10, 2025, celebrated remarkable achievements from students and staff, highlighting the district's commitment to excellence in education and extracurricular activities.

The spotlight shone brightly on the Valley Middle School STEM team, Project Kaleva, which secured second place in the 2025 Minnesota Future City competition. Coach Sarah Trudeau praised the eighth graders for their innovative design of a floating city, emphasizing their teamwork and dedication. "This team worked incredibly hard to accomplish their goals," she noted, showcasing the students' ability to tackle real-world challenges through project-based learning.

The meeting also recognized the Eastview High School Lightning Dance Team, which triumphed as state champions in both high kick and jazz categories. Assistant Coach Catherine Delich expressed pride in the team's accomplishments, including maintaining an impressive average GPA of 3.653. "More than the medals, this year's team learned lessons of discipline and poise under pressure," she said, underscoring the holistic development of the student-athletes.

Additionally, the board honored two district students, Sarah Labarrere from Rosemount High School and Ankit Mukhopadhyay from Eagan High School, as recipients of the prestigious Excel Award. This award recognizes high school juniors for their leadership, community service, and academic excellence. Principal Pete Roback highlighted Sarah's impressive 3.98 GPA and extensive involvement in various clubs and sports, while Jason Elias praised Ankit's exemplary character and leadership skills.

The meeting concluded with a special recognition for Mia Battistone, a teacher at Eastview High School, who was named the National Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Principal Bruce Miller commended her innovative teaching methods and dedication to student success, noting her significant impact on the community and future educators.

As the district continues to celebrate these achievements, the school board remains committed to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and personally, paving the way for future successes.