St. Louis Park Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, February 2, 2026
Education and School Experiences
Community Involvement and Impact
Personal Growth and Career Development
Family and Cultural Background
Finance and Business in Public Schools
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Areas of Interest (8)
- The significant influence of 'Miss Magnuson' as a role model for young women entering finance and public school administration.
- The deep connection between family businesses, community support, and educational experiences in St. Louis Park.
- The 'Hometown in the City' campaign's success in retaining students and its strategy for community engagement.
- The role of cultural exchange programs like 'Beliforico' in shaping students' understanding of diversity and global perspectives.
- Alicia Margali's journey from a hesitant student to a confident advocate for finance and inclusion, mirroring her mentor's path.
- The impact of teachers and educators in St. Louis Park, many of whom maintain long-term relationships with former students.
- The 'Portrait of a Learner' initiative and how St. Louis Park can foster student greatness.
- The intersection of personal background (Mexican heritage) and professional aspirations (accounting) in shaping Alicia's worldview.
Notable Quotes (9)
I realized that I can go into a male-dominated field and know my finances and know my numbers and I don't need someone to tell me what to how to do my finances.
St. Louis Park has really just made me who I am.
It upsets me that people didn't want to stay in St. Louis Park public schools because I grew up in St. Park public schools and I feel like I'm doing you know a amazing and not only that I have people at home that I can go see and connect with and I have a great network as well.
I want to tell my younger self to be confident. I think that confidence truly is key in life.
My dad's from Mexico City. Um, and he came to Minnesota in his early 20s. Um, and yeah, they started a family in St. Louis Park and I have my little brother, Andrew, who's currently a senior um, at St. Louis Park High School. Um, so yeah, we we've gone through St. Louis Park. We have a a little Mexican restaurant as well in the community that's just maybe like a two-minute walk away from the high school.
Miss Magnuson as a really strong woman who is in charge of the finances for a public school and I thought that was amazing because I could see myself as a leader in that sense too. and she was my role model in that sense.
I think that his just ability to like connect with students so well was what really stood out to me. And I think that he um kind of was like that a father figure in a sense. It's not father figure, but like he presented himself like kind of like wanting to take care of every student. And I think that that's what really stood out to him. Like he genuinely cared.
It was an opportunity for students um to not only connect with Amdes but they were able to kind of connect culturally with Amdes because they would bring their home dances to us and the co or not the costumes but um the attire that they would wear in these dances and we would learn them and we learned these at a young age which not only led us to you know like learn how to dance but also know really how to connect with another culture.
I've always been committed to um you know just human rights and diversity inclusion. my dad's Mexican, you know, I'm Mexican. I want to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities in life and it really um upsets me when that's not the case.
People (13)
Alicia MargaliFormer human rights committee appointed youth member, accounting majorAlumni of St. Louis Park Schools, currently attending San Diego State University.
4 quotes
Alumni of St. Louis Park Schools, currently attending San Diego State University.
“I realized that I can go into a male-dominated field and know my finances and know my numbers and I don't need someone to tell me what to how to do my finances.”
Motivation for pursuing accounting.
“St. Louis Park has really just made me who I am.”
Reflecting on her upbringing and the impact of the community.
“I always go for the enchiladas. I think that's what we're known for. The enchiladas are amazing. I get with like the salsa mole, which is what I grow. That was what my dad would make me all the time when I was younger.”
Recommending food from her family's restaurant.
“I want to tell my younger self to be confident. I think that confidence truly is key in life.”
Advice to her younger self.
Dr. CooperAssistant Superintendent of St. Louis Park SchoolsHost of the Park Pride podcast.
Host of the Park Pride podcast.
Miss MagnusonHead of finances for St. Louis Park public schoolsInspired Alicia Margali to pursue finance and accounting.
Inspired Alicia Margali to pursue finance and accounting.
Andrew MargaliSenior at St. Louis Park High SchoolAlicia's younger brother.
Alicia's younger brother.
Miss LashleyFormer 8th grade English teacher, now Assistant PrincipalTaught Alicia Margali at St. Louis Park Middle School.
Taught Alicia Margali at St. Louis Park Middle School.
Senor FrancoFavorite teacher at Park Spanish ImmersionDescribed as a caring instructor, especially in math.
Described as a caring instructor, especially in math.
Senora MariaLed the Beliforico dance groupLed the cultural dance program at Park Spanish Immersion.
Led the cultural dance program at Park Spanish Immersion.
Miss HoffmanThird grade teacherOne of Alicia's beloved teachers at PSI.
One of Alicia's beloved teachers at PSI.
Miss Neura HoffmanTeacher at PSIMaintained a relationship with Alicia Margali.
Maintained a relationship with Alicia Margali.
Senora RuffTeacherMentioned as one of Alicia's appreciated teachers.
Mentioned as one of Alicia's appreciated teachers.
Patricia MagnesonPublic school financeMentored Alicia through her college years and encouraged her in accounting.
Mentored Alicia through her college years and encouraged her in accounting.
MshakCo-internWorked with Alicia on the 'Hometown in the City' project.
Worked with Alicia on the 'Hometown in the City' project.
Dr. StevensAdvisorSupported Alicia's involvement in SOAR and the Human Rights Committee.
Supported Alicia's involvement in SOAR and the Human Rights Committee.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (7)
- During the pandemic (online meetings)
- Summer (catching up with teachers)
- Junior year (finance internship, SOAR experience)
- Freshman year (joined finance advisory committee)
- Before coming to San Diego State University (conversation with Miss Magnus)
- Summer before turning 14 (started working at family restaurant)
- During COVID (restaurant community support)