Minnetonka Public Schools launched its Language Immersion program in 2007, embarking on a journey to provide students with a bilingual education. The program saw its first cohort of Spanish Immersion students graduate in 2019. Now, five years later, these graduates continue to use their language skills in remarkable and diverse ways, showcasing the long-term benefits and success of the Immersion program.

Are you a Chinese or Spanish Language Immersion graduate? We’d love to hear what you’ve been up to! Please reach out to us at communications@minnetonkaschools.org so we can share your accomplishments.

Abri Click ‘19
“Being the first class of Spanish Immersion, we only had each other. We traveled to other countries together and overcame the various challenges that came with being the first. Because of the Immersion program, I have made best friends for life! I attended the University of Wisconsin—Madison and graduated in May 2023 with my BS in Spanish and a minor in leadership on a pre-physician assistant (PA) path. I am currently working as an emergency department technician in Waconia. My career path is to be a PA, with hopes of starting next summer. In my current occupation as an emergency department technician, I am one of two people in the entire department who speaks Spanish fluently, so they rely on me heavily. I have been a part of a situation where a patient came in, and the ambulance team had no idea what was wrong because they did not speak his language. His injuries, if left untreated, could have been fatal. Knowing that I played a role in saving his life because of my language skills was an amazing feeling. At that moment, I knew that my 16 years of education were worth it.”

Kate Hoelscher ‘19
“My favorite memory from Minnetonka was the Spanish Immersion trip to Chile. Staying with a host family in Concepción and exploring Santiago with my friends is something I will never forget. Since graduating from Minnetonka, I earned a BA in Spanish with a minor in creative writing from the College of the Holy Cross. I am currently in law school, where I hope to use my Spanish skills to pursue a career in international law.After graduating college, I spent the summer in Santander, Spain, working as an au pair—essentially a live-in nanny. It was a fantastic experience, and being bilingual made it even better. I was able to communicate easily with my host family and continue improving my Spanish. I hope to use my language skills in my future career in international law, allowing me to communicate effectively and work across different cultures. Being bilingual has opened many doors for me, both educationally and professionally. I am grateful to have a valuable skill that allows me to pursue a variety of experiences and opportunities.”

Jenna Keyho ‘19
“Being bilingual has been an invaluable skill in my life, and I am extremely grateful to have done Immersion. My favorite memory from Spanish Immersion program was being a ‘backpack tutor’ for underprivileged students, typically of Hispanic origin. We helped improve their communication skills in both languages. I graduated college from the University of Massachusetts—Amherst with a BS in kinesiology and BA in Spanish. I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain my third year of college. I attended classes during the mornings, then would explore the neighboring cities and immerse myself in Spanish culture in the afternoons. Last fall, I started a doctor of pharmacy program at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. I aspire to use my Spanish as a pharmacist, preferably with an underserved population. I have used Spanish at every job I have worked at over the past five years and know it helps my Spanish-speaking patients feel comfortable and heard. I cannot count the number of times employers and interviewers have noted my bilingualism and mentioned I will likely need to use it in my position.”

Lexi Wagner ‘19
“The Spanish Immersion program was a fundamental part of my Minnetonka experience! My favorite memory was a trip to Chile in my sophomore year. I made friendships with students in Chile that have lasted to this day. I attended Stanford University and studied abroad in Madrid, which was one of the highlights of my college experience. My language skills allowed me to immerse myself into a new culture and city, forming relationships and connections with locals. I graduated this spring with a BA in both economics and Spanish. This summer, I am starting a full-time position as a wealth management analyst at Bank of America Private Bank in San Francisco. I hope to incorporate my Spanish into my future career by focusing on clients and organizations that are largely Spanish speaking in the U.S. The most valuable benefit for me has been having the opportunity to learn about—and be immersed in—new cultures. I have found every aspect of Latin America and Spain to be fascinating, and learning about their histories and cultures has become a passion.”