Gentry also promotes Monique Aanenson to head coach of defending state champion girls’ hockey team
VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN (July 31, 2023) – Gentry Academy, an accredited school for students in grades 5-12, announced today, it has hired Morgan Underwood as the school’s new Athletic Director and Monique Aanenson as girls’ hockey coach.
“We could not be happier to welcome Morgan and Monique to the Gentry Academy family,” said Megan Stone, Gentry’s Director of Leadership and Culture. “Both are strong leaders excited to continue the wonderful things we are doing here. I believe Morgan and Monique will bring our athletic department and our whole learning community to the next level.”
Underwood holds a master’s degree from St. Cloud State University and comes to Gentry Academy from Providence Academy where she was an assistant athletic director. At St. Cloud State she played softball. Morgan and her husband are the proud parents of a 16-month-old daughter named Millie.
“This was an opportunity I could not pass up,” said Underwood. “I have seen from afar the positive impact this school is having on its’ students. I cannot wait to be a part of helping build a culture where student athletes can achieve their goals both academically and athletically.”
Aanenson is no stranger to Gentry Academy. She served as assistant coach last season and was a crucial part of the state championship team this past winter season. She played women’s’ hockey for four seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth before entering coaching. When not on the ice she is a physical therapist in Maplewood.“I am very excited to lead this team as it defends a state title,” said Aanenson. “Last year was such a fulfilling experience and I look forward to building off that to create a long-term path of success for this program.”
When hiring leaders within a successful athletic program it is important to find the right person, said Jennifer Kurth, Gentry’s Director of Education.
“We are building tomorrow’s leaders here at Gentry,” said Kurth. “So, it’s critical that we are well positioned to get our student-athletes to the next level of competition because the caliber of our administrators and coaches. I believe Morgan and “Coach Mo” will do a wonderful job of being stewards of our mission.”
About Gentry Academy
Gentry Academy is an accredited school for students in grades 5-12 located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Students are presented with a dynamic learning environment that integrates the core curriculum and required electives with a flexible W.I. N. (What I Need) time schedule and hallmark leadership and life skills program. Students garner real-world skills through focus on academics, arts, physical education, and internships as part of our W.I.N. time learning model. Students are afforded 90 minutes daily to direct their learning, tailoring their school day to fit their individual goals for skill acquisition and enrichment. For more information www.gentryacademy.org