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Dear Breck Alumni,
It is hard to believe it is already late October! The leaves are falling, the Lower School Halloween Parade is tomorrow, and we are off to an incredible start for the 2026-2027 school year.
Our students have just kicked off the second quarter; several Mustang sports teams have qualified for state tournaments; the Girls Tennis Team won the State Championship; the theater program is gearing up for Mean Girls; and our Lower School outdoor classrooms are making the most of these sunny autumn days. On the alumni front, it has been wonderful connecting with so many of you at six summer/fall reunions, celebrating with Breck legacy families, and gathering for Homecoming 2026.
We were also excited to welcome back Ryann Randle '22 as our fall Alumni Relations Intern, whose hard work played an integral role in bringing this newsletter to life.
Over the next two months, the Alumni Office and Alumni Council will reach out for Breck Give Day 2026 on November 19, connect with the classes of 2011, 2016, and 2021 at reunions, and gear up for our Alumni Holiday Party alongside our Alumni Basketball and Hockey games against Blake. You can also RSVP for the NYC Alumni & Friends Regional Event on February 1 at Hunter Parkhill's '17 Art Gallery Bortolami!
We also have school news, letters from Breck sophomores to the alumni community, and alumni spotlight interviews with Paul Larson '86, Michael Tankenoff '02, Melissa Miller '04, and Hannah Lussier '05 that you won't want to miss. They are great reads!
As Always, Go Mustangs!
Brian Sobas
Director of Alumni Engagement
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Breck Give Day 2026: Be a part of the 275-alumni gift challenge between now and November 30. Support your alma mater and score a pair of alumni socks.
November 19th is the day when Breck alumni and community members take a moment to support the place they love. Your generosity directly supports our students, faculty, staff, and fellow alumni by providing essential opportunities that aren't possible with tuition alone. The impact of your gift is incredible, and we are so grateful for all of the alumni who invest in Breck. We have had 80 alumni support the school already this fiscal year. We are looking for 195 more gifts to reach our goal pace of 275 alumni gifts by November 30.
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Get the newly designed 2026–2027 alumni socks. See the chart below for details:
- 2022 to 2026 — a gift of $5 or more
- 2011 to 2021 — a gift of $10 or more
- 2010 or before — a gift of $25 or more
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Hannah Lussier ’05: Rooted in Community, Healing Through Culture
Hannah Lussier is dedicated to giving back and serving her community. We sat down with her to discuss her journey from Breck student to director of the Mino Bimaadiziwin Wellness Clinic and what it means to be a "good relative" in today's world.
Read her interview here.
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Built on the Court, Leading in Business: An Interview with Melissa Miller ’04
Melissa Miller has made leadership and athletic excellence her defining playbook. After playing Division I basketball at Northwestern University, she translated her competitive background into a successful 15-year career with Nike, where she currently serves as Account Director of North American Sales. Read her interview here.
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A Recipe for Impact: An Interview with Michael Tankenoff ’02
When Michael Tankenoff ’02 first discovered his love of cooking and community at Breck, food was simply a way to bring people together. We sat down with Michael to discuss his non-linear career path, the hidden realities of food insecurity today, and how his Breck roots continue to guide his mission. Read his interview here.
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From Golden Valley to Bangkok: Paul Myhren Larson ’86 on Manufacturing, Education, and Life in Asia
From studying in China during the historic events of 1989 to spending over three decades living and working in Thailand, Paul Myhren Larson ’86 has built a life centered on curiosity, global connection, and continuous learning. After a 25-year career in international sporting goods manufacturing, he pivoted to education and sustainable agriculture, establishing an English coaching studio in Bangkok and a farm in the Phetchaburi River Valley.
Read his interview here.
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Reunion Recaps
We had an amazing time celebrating milestone reunions with the classes of 1976 (50th), 1981 (45th), 1986 (40th), 1996 (30th), 2001 (25th), and 2006 (20th)! Thank you to everyone who attended and to all of our reunion planners. It is great to see Mustangs reunited!
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Alumni Basketball Games vs. Blake
Monday, December 21 from 6-8:15 p.m. @ Blake
Boys and Girls Basketball Alumni, we have games schedule against Blake's teams at Blake. Sign up so we have two teams to take on the Bears.
6-7 p.m. (alumnae game)
7-8:15 p.m. (alumni game)
8:30 p.m. - Bear Cave - first drink is on the alumni office!
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Alumni Hockey Games vs. Blake Alumni on Saturday, December 19, from 12-2:15 @ Anderson Ice Arena
Boys and Girls Hockey Alumni, there are trophies on the line as we take on the Blake Bears alumni teams in the 4th annual Breck vs. Blake alumni games. Food will be available for players. Fans of all ages welcome!
12-1 p.m. - Alumni Game
1:30 p.m. - Alumnae Open Skate with Families
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Alumni Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 22 from 7-9 p.m. @ Surly Brewing
Join us for a Breck Alumni Holiday tradition. We can be your only stop or your first stop as you celebrate the holidays with fellow Mustangs. There will be great food, drinks, prizes, and holiday cheer at this year's Holiday Party. Get your crew assembled and we will see you there!
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Sea Change | Michal Sagar Exhibition from October 29-December 5
Alumni and friends of the Breck Art Department: Come experience Sea Change, an exhibition of new works by former department chair Michal Sagar. The gallery is free and open to the public Thursday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., and by appointment. Explore her work and learn more about the exhibition here.
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Vladimir Tsiper '25 Violin Recital, December 13
Join the Minnesota JCC for an extraordinary musical journey featuring works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Joseph Achron, and John Williams, performed by Breck alumnus Vladimir Tsiper '25. The recital takes place on Sunday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m., with a brief reception following to celebrate Vladimir and his music. Register and learn more here.
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Learn Documentary Film Making from Kevin Schreck '07
Alum Katia Dragotis' '07 company Hey Jo Plus! is running a class featuring alum Kevin Schreck, an award winning documentary filmmaker. If you want to support two great alums in one go and are interested in filmmaking, check out the class here:
https://plus.heyjoe.io/creators/kevin-schreck
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Reunion Planners Needed
For classes ending in '2 and '7, we will be reaching out to past planners in early January. In the meantime, if you are interested in helping plan your reunion, please reach out to brian.sobas@breckschool.org.
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State Championship Banner Raising - Girls Hockey Home Opener on November 14
Join the Girls Hockey Team for their State Championship banner raising! Come celebrate the program’s 5th state title on Saturday, November 14th at 12:45 p.m. at the Anderson Ice Arena as the team takes on Prior Lake.
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Fall Sports State Championship Runs
The Breck Girls Tennis Team has won the Class A Team State Championship; the Boys Soccer and Girls Soccer teams are in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the State Tournament, respectively; and the Cross Country and Girls Swim & Dive teams are finishing up their season with qualifying spots on the line.
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Letters to Alumni from the Sophomore Class
Ever wonder what it is like at Breck now? Our sophomores wrote to the alumni community and shared their favorite things about the school, along with details about classes they are taking. Read more here.
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Breck Theater Presents Mean Girls
Join the Upper School Theater Program for Mean Girls. See an iconic early-2000s cult classic, brought to life by Breck's Performing Arts Department. Admission is free, but space is limited.
Nov 14 - 7 p.m., Nov 15 - 2 p.m., Nov 20 - 7 p.m., Nov 21 - 7 p.m.
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Blue & Gold Bash
Breck's Blue & Gold Bash is on Saturday, March 13. This year, the theme is Disco, highlighting the Breck Visual Arts Department.
We would love alumni attendance and involvement if you are interested. Ways to get involved:
Sponsorship: The Bash is the only place you can advertise at Breck. Consider becoming a sponsor today.
Auction: You can also donate an auction item, which is a great way to share your name and business with the Breck community.
We're looking for unique, limited-access items and experiences to feature, including vacation home rentals, restaurant experiences, sporting and concert tickets, and other unique offerings from you!
Donate an auction item here.
Reach out to the Event Manager and alum Halle Huff ’13 (halle.huff@breckschool.org) with any questions about the Bash.
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