Local Education & Activities Foundation - LEAF 742

A belated HAPPY GRADUATION to Tech, Apollo and McKinley seniors. We're of you🎓

New blog alert!

"As Principal of Apollo High School, I see every day how much our students gain when a community believes in them. LEAF is a powerful example of our community stepping up to invest in students and their futures. The impact is real, and it reaches students from every background and every school in our district." - Justin Skaalerud, LEAF Board member

Read more here: https://leaf742.org/what-we-do/adopt-a-classroom/

What does it take to change a life with a small loan? St. Cloud Area School District 742 Apollo High School students explored that question in May during a microfinance unit in partnership with St. Cloud Financial Credit Union and LEAF 742.

After learning about entrepreneurship, poverty, and the power of microloans, students analyzed real loan requests on Kiva, a global nonprofit that connects lenders with aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. Students then pitched their recommendations Shark Tank-style to a panel of "sharks" from LEAF and SCFCU, making the case for which entrepreneur should receive a microloan and why.

The project challenged students to think critically about business, risk, and social impact while building real-world financial literacy skills.

A huge thank you to St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for partnering with Apollo students and helping bring learning to life through authentic, hands-on experiences!

A safe space can make all the difference!

Thanks to the generosity of an Adopt-a-Classroom donor, St. Cloud Area School District 742 students at Katherine Johnson Education Center now have a dedicated Teen Room designed to support comfort, connection, and emotional well-being. The space includes cozy seating, calming tools, a weighted blanket, and other features that help create a welcoming environment for students.

Many KJEC students navigate significant challenges, and having a safe, positive place to relax and recharge can be incredibly meaningful. This long-held vision has become a reality because of community members who choose to invest in students.

As the KJEC team shared with their donor, "Once again, thank you for touching our students' hearts." ❤️

Thank you to our Adopt-a-Classroom donors for helping create spaces where students feel supported, valued, and cared for.

Learn more about our Adopt a Classroom program here: https://leaf742.org/what-we-do/adopt-a-classroom/

Tomorrow we celebrate Juneteenth!

Are you familiar with the history of this holiday? If not, check out this explanation from the the MN Humanities Center: https://www.mnhum.org/juneteenth/

New blog alert!

This year, we are featuring blogs from our Board members and volunteers sharing why they give their time and talents in service to St. Cloud Area School District 742 students. Today’s blog is from Elise Weiner, LEAF Board Treasurer.

"Extracurricular activities—so vital to a child’s development—are often no longer fully funded by school budgets. Fees for participation, equipment, and travel can create barriers for families who want the best for their children but struggle to cover these additional costs. This is where organizations like LEAF make a profound difference."

Read more here: https://leaf742.org/blog/from-then-to-now-how-school-experiences-shape-a-lifetime/

We called this lovely couple yesterday to wish them a happy 80th wedding anniversary! That's right, 80 YEARS!

Kermit and Betty Ann Eastman are LEAF donors and have a Legacy Fund with us. Supporting St. Cloud Area School District 742 is something they have done for decades. As the St. Cloud Live article said:

"(Kermit) served as director of Elementary Education, Assistant Superintendent and eventually Superintendent of St. Cloud Public Schools from 1969-83."

This story is part of the beauty of our community - a legacy of decades of service and continued care for students.

When we asked Kermit what the secret was to a long, wonderful marriage, he said: "Oh, I guess marrying a younger woman! She is only 99, you know!" :)

You can read more about the life of Kermit and Betty Ann here: https://www.stcloudlive.com/news/local/st-cloud-couple-celebrates-80-thats-right-80-years-of-marriage

Photo cred: St. Cloud Live

Our final award winner is Diane Moeller, former LEAF Board chair and a leader/champion for public schools in the St. Cloud area for decades. A graduate of Apollo High School, she is our St. Cloud Area School District 742 Distinguished Alumni award recipient for 2026. Diane's leadership at LEAF and across our community is unmatched - she has been a mentor and guiding light for many new and veteran teachers and education professionals. She truly values students and shows deep care for them. Thank you, Diane, for your leadership and service to our community!

Pictured: Diane and Charlie Eisenreich (LEAF Board President)

Our 2026 LEAF Lifetime Service Award winner was Sara Martini! The ways that Sara has affected students and their literacy in St. Cloud Area School District 742 and our broader community are vast - from being the LEAF Board Secretary to being the original PAKRAT Read and Roll mobile library summer bus coordinator for years. Sara has been a librarian at both Westwood Elementary and SCSU. Our community owes her our deep gratitude for the care and attention she pays to every student, from preschool to college. Thank you, Sara!

Pictured: Natalie Copeland (LEAF Executive Director) and Sara

Our other 2026 LEAF Instructional Excellence award went to Dianne Villalobos, Spanish teacher at Tech High School! As one parent of St. Cloud Area School District 742 students said to Dianne:

"ISD 742 teachers are phenomenal! You’ve given (them) your heart as you have prepared them for many future opportunities!"

Thank you, Dianne, for the many lives you have affected in our community and beyond.

Pictured: Dianne and Molly Kensy (Tech Principal)