UPCOMING EVENTS>>>

Project SUCCESS is pleased to work with the Minneapolis Public School District to design a four-day event this summer, aimed at helping all 8th graders successfully transition to high school. The activities will take place August 23rd - August 26th and the entire event is at NO COST to students and families, thanks to the Minneapolis Public Schools. Click here for more information.

NEWS>>>

The Boundary Waters Canoe Adventure campers are back! From June 11 through June 18, 2010, Project SUCCESS took 68 students into the BWCA wilderness for a week-long canoe adventure.  The students formed 11 separate groups of six to seven students, each group accompanied by one Project SUCCESS chaperone and one guide from the Wilderness Canoe Base.  Our fantastic community of campers represented Anwatin, Anne Sullivan, Northeast, Emerson SILC and Washington Technology Magnet Middle Schools!  A few alumni of Project SUCCESS middle schools joined us, as well, taking on great leadership roles within the groups. During the week, campers worked on goal setting, teamwork, communication skills and built confidence beyond belief in the most beautiful setting in Minnesota!  They made lasting friendships with people they may not have known at school. Many also developed a profound respect for nature and the environment that we hope will stay with them wherever they go. Click here to read more about our BWCA adventures and see photos from recent trips.

In May 2010, Project SUCCESS collaborated with Mu Performing Arts on The Stories Project — an in-class workshop with English Language Learner (ELL) students at Washington Technology Magnet Middle School in St. Paul. Students learned to use non-verbal creative media, such as dance and art, to communicate their stories of immigration to the United States. The project culminated in a performance for their teachers and peers. The goal of the Stories Project is to help students articulate and tell their personal stories through the performing arts, thus supporting leadership self-esteem, interpersonal skills and English language development; and build a broader understanding of the arts and themselves. Click here to learn more about the project and other special projects coordinated by Project SUCCESS.

In May 2010, Project SUCCESS facilitators worked with all 7th and 8th grade students at Jefferson on a book- and print-making project. The 7th graders created a book to hold their memoirs written as part of the class curriculum, and a print for the cover art. The 8th graders created a yearbook, which included poems written during a Project SUCCESS workshop, reflecting upon their time at Jefferson and the memories they want to take with them, and allowed room for classmates to sign the book. They made prints for the cover, and extra prints to share with classmates. Some Jefferson students also participated in an after-school film project, in which they were able to write, direct, shoot and perform in two short films, exploring the process of storyetelling. The films were screened on May 27 at a Jefferson festival exhibiting all after-shool programs. 

The reviews are in and it's another hit! On June 4 and 5, 2010, over 75 Anwatin Middle School students gave stunning performances, both on stage and behind-the scenes for High School Musical, Project SUCCESS' twelfth annual musical production at Anwatin. Now a strong tradition at Anwatin, other Project SUCCESS productions have included Willy Wonka, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Guys and Dolls, and have shown that putting on a very professional and successful musical/theater performance has contributed to these young people’s skills and self-esteem. Click here for more details..

A huge thank you to Lifetouch, the Minnesota Twins, Target, Travelers, RBC Wealth Management and all our other sponsors for helping Project SUCCESS hit a home run for our 6th annual Fielding Dreams event on Tuesday, May 11 at Target Field! Since 2005, Fielding Dreams has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to support Project SUCCESS’ invaluable work and growth in the community. The event is not just in recognition of us, but in recognition of all of you! We are honored to work with such wonderful students, families, and communities.

Adrienne Diercks, Project SUCCESS Founder and Executive Director, was honored with the Ann Bancroft Foundation Dream Maker Award at the 13th annual Ann Bancroft Awards event in Minneapolis on Thursday, April 29, 2010. The awards honored four individual Minnesotans and one organization who encourage and support the achievements of girls and women. Adrienne received the award in the Achievement and Leadership category, honoring a woman who has achieved her dreams and demonstrated her leadership to others. KARE-11 featured Adrienne and Project SUCCESS in their recent EXTRA. The Southwest Journal, Hill and Lake Press, and Twin Cities Daily Planet also covered the news of her recent award. In honor of this award, the Board of Directors of Project SUCCESS is proud to announce the creation of The Adrienne Diercks Scholarship Fund, which will be used to fund participation fees for any of Project SUCCESS' 10,000 students in need of support to attend college tours, Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) trips and other unique experiences that augment the monthly Project SUCCESS-led workshops and theater experiences which are free and open to all. For more information about the Scholarship or to contribute to the fund, please visit our Make A Gift page. 

On Tuesday, April 27, Gorilla Yogis hosted a beautful yoga event facing the rising sun at the Guthrie Theater, and selected Project SUCCESS as the recipient of a portion of their proceeds. Over 100 yogis lined themselves up mat to mat 7 a.m. to take in a gorgeous view of the Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge during an hour-long vinyasa practice led by Gorilla Yogi founders Jessica Rosenberg and Nan Gane Arundel. Jessica has worked with Project SUCCESS over the last two years in the classroom at Southwest High School with facilitator Jeffry Lusiak, providing a stress-relief yoga workshop for seniors, and at our camp for in-coming Minneapolis ninth graders, "Camp 2013" teaching yoga to help them learn new ways to be active and relieve stress. We are so grateful to Gorilla Yogis for choosing Project SUCCESS at their recent event. Click here to check out more beautiful photos or visit their Facebook page to learn more.

From March 17 through March 25, 2010, Marcy Open Middle School students performed their first Project SUCCESS-produced musical, I Am, a show where the students get to write much of the dialogue and even a few songs! Students worked both in front of and behind the scenes, directly with professional quality sound, sets, lighting and costumes, in addition to acting and singing. To enhance the learning experience, Project SUCCESS brought in professional directors and musicians. This one-on-one contact with local artists and students is a key way in which Project SUCCESS allows live theater to permeate school walls.  Click here, for more information about the musical.

On Friday, January 22, 43 students representing all 5 if the high schools we serve — North, Patrick Henry, South, Southwest and Washburn — joined Project SUCCESS staff on a trip to Northfield to tour the campuses of St. Olaf College and Carleton College.  Students enjoyed brisk, wintery walking tours of each of the campuses, met with admissions staff and ate a fabulous lunch, compliments of Carleton. Students asked insightful and intelligent questions, wowing the admissions staff at both colleges. As with all of our college tours, the campus visits informed some students instantly whether or not that particular campus is right for them. For other students, the campus visits were beneficial to see first hand what college life is like and to motivate them to start their college search. No matter what their goal, all students came away better informed for their post-secondary planning. Click here for more information about our college tours program.

Project SUCCESS is the Charity of The Month by the NHL’s Minnesota Wild! During the month of January 2010, Project SUCCESS is the featured charity on their Web site. On Saturday, January 9, the Wild celebrated, promoted and supported Project SUCCESS during the game - a portion of the ticket proceeds from the home game against the Blackhawks will go to Project SUCCESS. A big thanks to the Wild and those who bought tickets to the game in support of Project SUCCESS.

On December 17 and 18, 2009, Project SUCCESS and Sanford Middle School presented Sanford's first-ever Project SUCCESS-produced musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The performance was a huge success! For eight weeks, over 45 students worked in front of and behind the scenes, working directly with professional quality sound, sets, lighting and costumes, in addition to acting and singing.  Everyone involved worked tirelessly and their efforts paid off. Congratulations and thank you to all the students, staff, parents and community members who helped out and attended the show. Click here for more photos of the performances and rehearsal.

Project SUCCESS is the grateful recipient of a $45,000 challenge grant from the Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi Foundation for Children for our work at Patrick Henry High School. With this match you can double your gift in one of three ways: 1) by increasing this year's gift, 2) by being a first time donor, or 3) by returning as a donor if you have not given in the past 12 months. Help turn dreams into futures. Your support will have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of public school students, and our future. Click here to make a gift.

Thank you to all those individuals to contributed to Project SUCCESS on Give to the Max Day! In just 24 hours, 73 donors gave over $17,000 to Project SUCCESS through GiveMN.org - the new online giving platform for Minnesota non-profit organizations, advocates and donors.  We are so grateful for the generosity that surrounds us. The one-day event was also a great way to kick-off our annual giving campaign - help us keep up the momentum!

On Friday, November 6, 90 students from North, South, Southwest and Washburn high schools joined Project SUCCESS staff on a trip to Madison to tour the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus. Students experienced an information session with an admissions counselor, a fantastic walking tour of the campus and still had time to explore the vibrant State Street culture. Two Project SUCCESS alumni who are current UW Madison students also talked with the group about campus life and what it really means to be a Madison student. Click here for more information about upcoming college tours.

Project SUCCESS has begun rehearsals with over 45 Sanford Middle School students on an ambitious and exciting production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In the second year of our partnership with Sanford, this is our first-ever Project SUCCESS production with the school. Directed by Project SUCCESS' Jeffry Lusiak, students will rehearse for eight weeks, and the show will premiere at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18 at Sanford. Click here for more information on the Sanford musical and other school performances.

Project SUCCESS recently returned from our annual MEA Chicago College Tour! From what we have read on our Facebook wall, the trip was a HUGE success. In mid-October, 88 juniors and seniors from North, South, Southwest and Washburn High Schools took the long bus trip to the Chicago area to tour nine colleges and universities in our biggest Chicago college tour in Project SUCCESS history! Students were able to tour a variety of schools from 2-year to 4-year programs, private schools to public universities, in rural and urban locations. Some Project SUCCESS alumni stopped by between classes to share their experiences of transitioning from high school to college. The trip was very informative and we hope that each student came away with a better understanding of what they are looking for when they make their college decision. The response to this year's tour was so huge that we are planning another Chicago college tour over Spring Break 2010. Click here for more information about upcoming college tours.

On Tuesday, October 6, Travelers hosted an evening of food and friendship celebrating Project SUCCESS’ service to over half of Saint Paul middle school students and their families, and bringing together many of the partners and community members, from theaters to school administrators, who help make this service possible. As a kickoff, Project SUCCESS staff led guests in a shortened version of one of our classroom workshops, where participants wrote their dreams on paper airplanes and launched them into the “future,” which set the tone for the evening. The program featured student, alumni, teacher, parent and other stories about how Project SUCCESS and our partners have made a difference in their lives and the community. The event ended with a beautiful song from the Saint Paul Central High School Choir.

In July 2009, Project SUCCESS took not only students from Anwatin Middle School (who have participated for the last 10 years), but for the first time invited students from Anne Sullivan, Afrocentric, Northeast, Emerson, and Washington Technology Magnet middle schools on an amazing adventure to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness! Over 84 students attended one of two week-long trips. Each group mapped out their trip through the wilderness, set daily goals and committed themselves to new challenges. Students developed a profound respect for nature and the environment that we hope will stay with them wherever they go.

On Thursday, August 20, over 200 teachers, administrators, and staff from each of our schools gathered for an event that we affectionately call "Teacher Night." Filled with great theater, food, and fun, the event kicked-off with a welcome from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and culminated a with a performance of J.B. Priestley's When We Are Married at the Guthrie Theater (a founding partner with Project SUCCESS). Project SUCCESS is so grateful for the help and support of the teachers, administrators and staff at each of our schools and enjoyed celebrating the synergy of our work together as we usher in another great year!

From August 10 through August 13, 2009, Project SUCCESS was pleased to work with the Minneapolis Public School District for the second year to conduct 2013 —  a four-day camp aimed at helping all 8th graders successfully transition to high school. The entire event was at NO COST to students and families, thanks to the Minneapolis Public Schools. It was a great success, with over 550 students participating throughout the week! The camp was featured in the Star Tribune on August 11.