Irondale News

Congratulations to junior Boyana Nikolova, who was one of 35 students from around the country who competed at the prestigious Tournament of Champions in Extemporaneous Speaking at Northwestern University in Illinois on May 2-4.

Boyana received 2nd place in Extemporaneous Speaking and 1st place in Impromptu Speaking. Irondale also placed 3rd as a team overall - despite Boyana being the only Irondale student at the tournament.

At this past weekend's Minnesota All-State Swimming and Diving Banquet, Coach Scott Koke was named the 2024-25 Boys Coach of the Year Class AA. Being named the Coach of the Year for Class AA is a huge honor and a testament to his dedication, leadership, and positive impact he's had on his athletes and the program.

This well-deserved honor comes after leading the team through its most successful season yet:

• A 10-1 dual meet record

• A 10th place finish at the State Championship

• 6 school records broken

We are incredibly proud of Coach Koke and grateful for the passion, leadership, and dedication he brings to our program every day. Here's to continued success in and out of the pool! Congratulations Scott!

Irondale faced two more Suburban East Conference foes this past week traveling to #2 ranked Stillwater on Tuesday and facing Woodbury at home last night while celebrating Teacher Appreciation Night. Eight teachers were honored at halftime with apples and a big thank you. They were nominated by players who described how their teacher made an impact on their lives. Irondale would need some inspiration on this night as Woodbury, who had won two straight against the Knights, drew first blood taking a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. Less than a minute later, however, Kingston Vang (11) got his first of two on the night and the Knights tied it. Irondale took a 2-1 lead on Eli Dojan’s (11) goal with 4:20 left in the first quarter and the Knights never looked back. Irondale would stay one step ahead of the Royals the rest of the game led by senior Freddy Bankston’s 4 goals and 2 assists. Woodbury got as close as 8-6 after three quarters and had momentum on their side until Yan Manchik (11) slid one in near the crease just a minute into the fourth quarter to give the Knights some breathing room and stop the Royals surge. Senior goalie Elias Notsch turned in another solid performance with double digit saves behind a defense that was again at the top of its game and the Knights dropped the Royals 10-8. The win gets the team back to .500 in the conference at 4-4 (6-4 overall) with just one SEC game remaining against 0-8 Forest Lake.

Tuesday night’s game in Stillwater was not as close. The Knights came into the game hoping for monumental upset, and for about a quarter and a half they held their own in a 4-1 game, but a late first half goal by Stillwater senior Grant Giese, his second of four, took the air out of the balloon and the Ponies were off to the races after that. Irondale couldn’t contain Stillwater’s run game and their quick motion offense that has garnered them an undefeated record in eleven games and the top spot in the Suburban East. Stillwater showed why the are the second ranked team in the state en route to a 14-4 win.

Alumni Update: Former Irondale lacrosse standout Conner Kvaal ('22) will lead his Maryville University Saints into the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament on Saturday. After upsetting Anderson University on Wednesday 16-10, Maryville will face top ranked Limestone University in South Carolina at noon on Saturday. Kvaal has 8 goals and 4 assists on the year including one Wednesday against Anderson.

Up Next:

Tuesday May 13th @ Forest Lake 7:00p.m. & 5:30p.m.

Saturday May 17th @ Duluth 1:00p.m. & 11:30a.m.

The online yearbook store is now closed. Remaining, unsold yearbooks will be sold on a first-come basis before school during the last week of the school in the front commons. All books will be $80, cash or check. Yearbooks already purchased online can be picked up at that time

Class of 2025 yard signs are now available for purchase for $30 in the Irondale Front Office. Limited Supply Available. Cash or check payable to Irondale Senior Party.

Breakfast Club: June 9 - July 31 (Mondays, Tuesday, and Thursday), 7-8:30 am

Grades 7th-12th

*These advanced workouts will give players the opportunity to hone their offensive and defensive fundamentals in a competitive team environment.

*Location Irondale High School

*Led by Head Coach Swann

*Cost $150

*Sign up here.

Irondale Summer Strength & Speed Training: June 10-July 31 (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday) from 9:30-10:30am

*Most players will go directly from Breakfast Club to SST at 9:00am.

*Great program to build your offseason strength, speed, and endurance.

*Location Irondale High School

• HS Girls: 9:30-10:30am, Mon-Thurs, $250

For more info & to Sign up here.

Shooting Camp: June 9 - July 31 (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday) 7-8:30pm

Grades 7th-12th

*We understand players play other sports, have jobs or other obligations in the evening. The preferred camp is Breakfast Club, but this is a great addition if you'd like more gym time in the off-season.

*Location Irondale High School

*Cost =TBD

Mark your calendars for the Marching Knights fundraiser. Purchase a pizza or two and help support the band!

Thanks to community donors and the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation, the District is awarding 167 Equity Promise scholarships to ALC, Irondale and Mounds View High School students this spring totaling more than $192,000.

Staff Appreciation week is almost over! Send a customized e-card to a staff member at mvpschools.org/thankyou.

Join us as we provide the Class of 2025 with a night to remember! Volunteer at the All Knight Party on Monday, June 2, after graduation. We need a LOT of parents to help us make this a fun and safe evening for the Seniors.

Parents of Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen – come get a sneak peak of the party by volunteering for a shift and pay it forward to the parents of graduating Seniors. Parents of Seniors – come and join in the fun with the Class of 2025! Sign up through the Irondale All Knight Party SignUpGenius web page.

We are also looking for new prize donations for the Raffle. Contact akp.volunteers@gmail.com with donations and questions.

The Irondale Marching Knights will be hosting the 1st Annual Garage Sale on Saturday, May 17, from 8am-5pm at Edgewood Middle School. If you have any unwanted, still in good condition items that you want out of your house, drop them off at Edgewood Friday night. See the flyer below for items that are not accepted.

The Summer EBT program has a new name: SUN Bucks. If your student receives Educational Benefits, you qualify for SUN Bucks! Qualifying families get a grocery benefit for each student this summer. Learn more about the SUN Bucks program here.

All Seniors are invited to attend the Irondale Senior All Knight Party 2025, scheduled to be at Bowlero right after graduation on Monday, June 2. Celebrate your accomplishments! Sign up for an amazing once in-a-lifetime opportunity to be with friends, have some fun, and make lifelong memories. There will be games including casino, bingo, laser tag, arcade games, bowling, etc., as well as raffles for awesome prizes.

Check out the website for more details and use this registration form to register. Forms can be returned to the front office. Questions? IDHSAKP2025@gmail.com

College Admissions Representative visits have begun. These visits will take place in-person in the Career and College Center. Check Naviance to sign-up. If you have any questions, see Mr Rock (fritz.rock@mvpschools.org) in the Career & College Center.

Check out what is happening at Irondale and around the community. Here you will find additional information that might not be included in the daily announcements.