<![CDATA[MOORHEAD LEGACY EDUCATION FOUNDATION - News]]>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 02:42:40 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[MLEF Announces 2025 Spud Impact Grant Awards]]>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/mlef-announces-2025-spud-impact-grant-awardsMLEF awarded Spud Impact Grants this November. In all, $10,250 has been awarded toward basic needs, classroom projects or activities within the district.

​Congratulations to the following awardees and their project or activity:
  • District 152 : basic school supplies funding
  • Brian Cole, Horizon Middle School : "Orchestra bows" *This project was funded by the Christoffers Family Spud Impact Grant 
  • Sherri Dryburgh, HMS-West : "Digital Microscopes to Increase Student Engagement"
  • Tammi Fortney, School Psychologist, Moorhead High : "Inclusive Spuddy"
  • Rebecca Green, Technical Director : "Theater Dress Forms"
  • Courtney Grout, S.G. Reinertsen Elem : "Kindergarten Sensory Bin/Hands on Manipulatives"
  • Caitlyn Harvey, HMS-West : "Books for Diverse Literature Circles"
  • Katie Kohorst, S.G. Reinertsen Elem : "Flexible Seating for 4th Grade Classroom" *This project was funded by the Irene Olson Spud Impact Grant
  • Sarah Martin, Learning Resource Strategist, Probstfield Elementary : Gifted/Talented "Think like an engineer" ​
  • Kevi Muhammed, Moorhead High School : "Indigenous ELA Curriculum Project"
  • Alison Sluke, Ellen Hopkins Elementary : "Sensory Regulation Items for Hopkins"  *This project was funded by the Irene Olson Spud Impact Grant
  • Hayley Steffes, Robert Asp Elementary : "Classroom Library"
  • Erika Thiel, Dorothy Dodds Elementary : "Nurturing Hearts Take 2"
  • Andrew Tichy, Moorhead High School : "ELA Classroom Libraries at MHS" *This project was funded by the Moorhead Rotary's Dr. Lynne Kovash Spud Impact Grant
]]><![CDATA[Dorothy Dodds Elementary Staff Give In Memory of Moorhead Student]]>Sun, 21 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/dorothy-dodds-elementary-staff-give-in-memory-of-moorhead-student
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Moorhead’s Dorothy Dodds Elementary staff have taken up a collection in memory of student, Adam Amin. Adam attended Dorothy Dodds Elementary as a Kindergartner and is remembered as being kind and having a smile that could light up a room. Adam was tragically killed in a bike accident in the summer of 2025 near S.G. Reinertsen Elementary where he was to attend as a fourth grader.

Dorothy Dodds Elementary wishes to honor Adam Amin by sharing his legacy of kindness with other Spuds through the work of the Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation. The funds raised by staff will go toward MLEF’s Spud Impact program and Food For Thought to help Adam’s fellow Spuds.

If you would like to give a gift in memory of Adam Amin, you can mail a check to MLEF (P.O. Box 1006, Moorhead MN 56560), or use our secure donor link at https://moorheadlegacyeducationfoundation.ddock.gives. In the memo/comment line, state that your gift is in memory of Adam Amin.
]]><![CDATA[End-of-School Year e-Newsletter]]>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/end-of-school-year-bi-annual-newsletterMLEF's bi-annual newsletters are published each end-of-year and end-of-school year. MLEF's 2024-25 impact report for Moorhead Schools is outlined in our latest e-Newsletter, here. To sign up for our emails, simply subscribe to the button at the end of the published email.
​GO SPUDS!
]]><![CDATA[Announcing 2025's Spud Scholars]]>Mon, 02 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/announcing-2025s-spud-scholarsSpud Scholarships are awarded each Spring. Moorhead's students were honored at the MHS Award Ceremony on April 30th. Thank you to MAPS staff and counselors that help coordinate the award process and special evening, and thank you to our special guests that helped hand out their named scholarships. MLEF awarded $123,000 in scholarships to 112 graduating seniors and 4 alumni pursuing higher education. This is possible thanks to our scholarship donors, endowments and our annual Phonathon. A full list of 2025's Spud Scholars and their awards are listed below. Congratulations to Moorhead's 2025 Spud Scholars!
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]]><![CDATA[In the News - MHS Awards Night and MLEF]]>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/in-the-news-mhs-awards-night-and-mlefRead the InForum article by Kjersti Maday, here.
]]><![CDATA[A Milestone Goal, Reached!]]>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/a-milestone-goal-reachedSince 1991, the Moorhead Area Education Foundation had a goal of creating and sustaining a scholarship endowment total of $1.52 million. In the timespan of 1991 through 2024, the program Spud Scholars has awarded over $2 Million in scholarships to 2,000 Moorhead High graduates. Only the interest from the endowment funds is awarded each year, ensuring the perpetuity of the funds.​ Many scholarships are awarded directly by our now, merged, foundation -- the goal has remained. Other scholarships are sponsored by individuals, families, businesses and organizations in the community. The endowment goal was reached in 2024.  Our annual Spud Scholars Phonathon is run by current students of Moorhead Area Public Schools and occurs each February/March. Answer to thisthe call!]]><![CDATA[End-of-Year e-Newsletter and Board Match Campaign]]>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/end-of-year-e-newsletter-and-board-match-campaignHappy New Year from the MLEF Board of Directors, District Representatives and Staff! Our bi-annual newsletter can be found here: ​https://ddock.co/7HCCN2SK24
Our year was a success due to our donors and sponsors. As you read about our impact within the school district, know that those efforts were made possible by YOU. If you served on our boards, MAEF or MSLF, we want to hear from you. Our staff has done an incredible job of researching old newsletters and articles, and we'd love to hear about your time of service by filling out this form link.

To date, we've raised $6000 with the help of a board match! Click on the photo below to contribute to our end of year campaign. Thank you!
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]]><![CDATA[Announcing 2024's Spud Impact Grant Awards]]>Sat, 30 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/announcing-2024s-spud-impact-grant-awardsMLEF awarded Spud Impact Grants this fall over the district's Professional Development break in November. In all, $10,235 was awarded to 20 projects or activities within the district.

​Congratulations to the following awardees and their project or activity:
  • Jon Ammerman, MHS : World History bridge with Risk
  • Alison Bendickson, EIS : Toy Pantry for Early Learners
  • Cara Cody-Braun, HMS-West : Lucha De Libros
  • Brian Cole, HMS-East : Spuddy Grams Project
  • Daniel Dooher, HMS-West : Books to Support RIDE Program - *This project was funded by Rotary’s “Dr. Lynne Kovash Spud Impact Grant”
  • Katie Frisco, Ellen Hopkins/PEER : Books for an Inclusive School Community with Professional Development - +This project was funded by the “Irene Olson Spud Impact Grant”
  • Nicole Groves, OT with Robert Asp Elem : Visual, Fine motor and Core Body Strength Enrichment
  • Alyssa Halvorson, S.G. Reinertsen Elem : STEM Materials - *This project was funded by Rotary’s “Dr. Lynne Kovash Spud Impact Grant”
  • Alita Hanson, HMS-East : Low-Prep Inclusive Art
  • Jane Holtz, EIS : Literacy for Toddlers and Preschoolers - *This project was funded by Rotary’s “Dr. Lynne Kovash Spud Impact Grant”
  • Joni Hubrig, Counselor with MHS : Grief Box/Comfort Kits
  • Hannah Mogard, EIS : Classroom Library
  • Chad Olson, MHS : Civic Leadership
  • Melissa Pickar, MHS : Peer to Peer and DCD Communication Tools
  • Lisa Schmidt, MHS : Peer to Peer and DCD Communication Tools
  • Jeff Schneider, MHS Career Academy : Career Academy Welding Facility Tables
  • Lori Schroeder, Robert Asp Elem : STEM Building Toys - *This project was funded by Rotary’s “Dr. Lynne Kovash Spud Impact Grant”
  • Jessica Siders, Social Worker with ALC : Extended Day Refuel
  • Lauren Siebels, Counselor with HMS-West : Refresh and Relate Project
  • Erika Thiel, Dorothy Dodds Elem : Nurturing Hearts Project
]]><![CDATA[MLEF Launches Planned Giving & Endowment Campaign]]>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/mlef-launches-planned-giving-endowment-campaignThe Extra newspaper recently highlighted MLEF's new planned giving and endowment campaign. Nancy Edmonds Hanson writes, "When Moorhead students and teachers need a helping hand, the Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation is there for them. Whether it’s an educator needing support for an innovative STEM project or youngsters whose families have come up short on providing essential supplies, the organization directed by faithful local supporters of education stands ready to lend a helping hand.
But there’s a limit to what even year-round fund-raising can achieve, says executive director, Janelle Leiseth. That’s why Legacy is looking to the public for long-term gifts – gifts that will become their donors’ legacies as well.
“We’re seeking both planned gifts and outright donations to build a secure foundation for the future,” Janelle says. “That has already been built for Spuds Scholars, which has been awarding scholarships to graduating seniors since 1990. Now we need to build the same reserves for Spud Impact grants.”"
You can read more here: https://www.thefmextra.com/legacy-foundation-is-hoping-for-a-boost/
]]><![CDATA[Announcing 2024's MHS Spud Scholars]]>Thu, 13 Jun 2024 23:40:13 GMThttps://www.moorheadlegacy.org/news/announcing-2024s-mhs-spud-scholarsSpud Scholarships are awarded each Spring. Moorhead's students were honored at the MHS Award Ceremony on April 24th. Thank you to MAPS staff and counselors that help coordinate the award process and special evening, and thank you to our special guests that helped hand out their named scholarships. MLEF awarded $95,000 in scholarships to 84 graduating seniors and 4 alumni pursuing higher education. This is possible thanks to our scholarship donors, endowments and our annual Phonathon. A full list of 2024's Spud Scholars and their awards are listed below. Congratulations to Moorhead's 2024 Spud Scholars!
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