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It is my great honor to present Siiri Davidson as this month’s recipient of the Nova Classical Spotlight Award. This award was established to recognize individuals who exemplify Nova Classical Academy’s commitment to academic excellence, virtue, and a thriving school community. Through their outstanding dedication, they inspire those around them and contribute meaningfully to our pursuit of learning not for school, but for life.

Over the past several years, Ms. Davidson has been an instrumental leader in strengthening the fabric of our Nova community through her work with the Nova Parent Teacher Organization (NPTO). In response to a call for greater collaboration between the school and NPTO, she stepped forward with vision and determination to reimagine the role our parent organization can play in supporting school culture and connection.

Among her many contributions, Siiri spearheaded the return of the Nova Family Carnival, a cherished tradition that had not reappeared since the pandemic. Through nearly weekly planning meetings, she recruited and organized more than 250 adult and student volunteers, led a comprehensive marketing campaign, launched a t-shirt design contest with over 130 student submissions, and secured business sponsorships that allowed the
event to be free for families. The November 2024 Carnival was a vibrant success — complete with games, raffles, auctions, inflatables, delicious food, and even llamas — and raised more than $20,000 to support NPTO programming.

Her efforts did not end with the Carnival. Siiri has helped coordinate and promote dozens of Great Gatherings events, organized restaurant fundraisers, supported community events like the ice skating party, and worked behind the scenes at nearly every major NPTO initiative. Whether designing flyers, copying and distributing them, recruiting volunteers, or staying to clean up, she approaches each task with humility, consistency, and a desire to serve.

Siiri Davidson exemplifies the virtues we seek to instill in our students and community. Her fortitude in seeing projects through, her prudence in leadership, and her generous spirit reflect the very best of Nova’s mission and virtues.

I am proud to recognize and celebrate Siiri Davidson for her outstanding dedication to Nova Classical Academy. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and we are deeply grateful for her service.

It’s a Great Day to Be a Knight!

Dr. Brett Wedlund
Executive Director

It is my great honor to present Laura Buri as this month’s recipient of the Nova Classical Spotlight Award. This award was established to recognize individuals who exemplify Nova Classical Academy’s commitment to academic excellence, virtue, and a thriving school community. Through their outstanding dedication, they inspire those around them and contribute meaningfully to our pursuit of learning not for school, but for life.

Since joining Nova Classical Academy in 2008, Ms. Buri has been an integral part of our community, shaping young minds as a fifth-grade teacher and serving in multiple leadership roles that extend her impact far beyond the classroom. As a Grade-Level Lead, Literacy Lead, Peer Coach, and Equity Coordinator, Ms. Buri has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to both student and teacher growth. She also serves on both the Governance and Curriculum Committees, playing a key role in shaping school policies and academic programming to ensure they align with Nova’s classical education mission.

In her role as Lower School Literacy Lead, Ms. Buri has worked tirelessly to support both parents and teachers, providing training and guidance on best practices in reading and writing instruction. Her passion for grammar is undeniable, and anyone who has attended one of her sentence diagramming sessions can attest to her belief in the power of a strong grammatical foundation to improve literacy.

As a Peer Coach, Ms. Buri embodies academic excellence and professional growth, guiding colleagues with insight and encouragement. She utilizes the school’s instructional focus for the year to provide meaningful feedback, strengthening teaching practices across Nova Classical Academy. She has long championed job-embedded teacher training, incorporating Teach Like a Champion and Great Habits, Great Readers to ensure that teachers model the very principles we instill in our students.

Beyond her classroom and coaching responsibilities, Ms. Buri’s contributions to the Governance and Curriculum Committees have helped shape the policies and academic programming that uphold our classical education mission. Through the Governance Committee, she has played a vital role in refining school structures that support students, staff, and families. Her curriculum development work ensures that Nova Classical Academy maintains a rigorous and cohesive academic experience.

Perhaps most visible is Ms. Buri’s commitment to virtue and community building through her role as Lower School Equity Coordinator. Partnering with Mr. O’Hara in the Upper School, she leads the Equity Team, working to foster strong school-family relationships and enhance student learning. She has also been instrumental in organizing Nova Classical’s annual Multicultural Night, collaborating with the National Honor Society to celebrate the diverse cultures that make our community special through food, performances, and cultural displays.

Through her dedication, leadership, and passion for classical education, Ms. Buri has left an indelible mark on Nova Classical Academy. Her impact on students, teachers, and the school community is profound, and her commitment to fostering academic excellence, virtue, and a thriving school culture is truly inspiring.

I am honored to recognize and celebrate Laura Buri for her remarkable contributions to Nova Classical Academy. Her work continues to shape the foundation of our school, and we are grateful for the lasting impact she has made.

It’s a Great Day to Be a Knight!

Dr. Brett Wedlund
Executive Director

It is with great pride and admiration that I present Angelina Kabanuk as the inaugural recipient of the Nova Classical Spotlight Award. This award was established to recognize individuals who exemplify Nova Classical Academy’s commitment to academic excellence, virtue, and a thriving school community. Through their outstanding dedication, they inspire those around them and contribute meaningfully to our pursuit of learning not for school, but for life.

Angelina has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and fortitude as the Founder of Nova Classical Academy’s Letters of Love chapter. Through this initiative, she has brought kindness, connection, and a spirit of justice to our community, extending the mission both within and beyond our school’s walls. Her dedication to this cause reflects Nova Classical’s core values and the virtues we strive to instill in our students.

Beyond her contributions to service, Angelina embodies excellence in Academics, Arts, and Activities. As a Minnesota State High School League Triple A Award nominee and subsection winner, she has excelled across multiple domains, showcasing her fortitude and unwavering commitment to growth and achievement. Her leadership as Captain of both the Volleyball team and Mock Trial team, along with her participation in Nova Classical’s choirs, Una Voce and Harmonia, highlights her resilience, collaboration, and pursuit of excellence.

Angelina’s wisdom, strategic decision-making, and dedication to teamwork further distinguish her as a leader among her peers. Her hard work and embodiment of Nova Classical’s virtues serve as an inspiration to those around her, making our school community stronger.

On behalf of Nova Classical Academy, I am honored to recognize and celebrate Angelina’s remarkable achievements. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to her and our deepest gratitude for the positive impact she has made within our community.

It’s a Great Day to Be a Knight!

Dr. Brett Wedlund
Executive Director