Throughout the years, Minnetonka High School has undergone change. Much has been added to the school and been replaced, but much has also been forgotten by time. What are these losses? Is there a chance they can ever be recovered in the future? Why were these features of MHS changed in the first place?
Perhaps one of the most famous examples of change within the school is the trees that used to reside within the commons. They inexplicably remain popular among the student body despite their disappearance seven years ago. The trees were put away from the public eye due to their declining health, with Principal Erickson saying, “they just didn’t make it.” Even if the trees are no longer with us, they can still be spotted in older Beyond 140s and photographs, ensuring their story lives on. The spirit of the Commons Trees additionally continues with two smaller trees near the south entrance, placed due to a movement by a student organization to bring some greenery back into the school. While it’s unlikely that trees will ever reappear in the exact location they used to reside, they thankfully still remain present in their successors and in the hearts of many.
Another prominent case of an MHS oddity from yesteryear is the Lighthouse, a shuttered store next to the Dock in the lunchroom. The Lighthouse formerly offered self-serve options during lunch, including sandwiches, premade items, and salads. Salads, especially, have undergone a disappearance at MHS, as there used to be an entire salad bar as a lunch alternative.
The Lighthouse makes sparse appearances in the present MHS, but its duties have been stripped down to serving the occasional Nautical Bowl or previewing potential lunch meals. According to Mr. Erickson, the Lighthouse was shut down due to staffing issues caused by COVID. He states that one of the biggest impacts COVID had on the school was in food service but hopes for the Lighthouse to return in the future, adding that plans have been discussed to re-open it as a serving area. If the Lighthouse were to make a reappearance, its additional dining options would be a sure-fire hit with many.
One of the most forgotten elements of MHS that the school used to have is the Pier, a student-launched lounge formerly located in the back of the modern-day lunchroom. The Pier had comfortable furniture, a TV, and even a pool table for students to use after hours. According to Mr. Erickson, it’s one of his favorite MHS places that has been lost over time. Unfortunately, the Pier is unlikely to ever return. Even without an exceedingly awesome lobby, it seems the lunchroom is in good hands—renovations are planned to take place in the summer of 2027 to expand into the patio.
Despite the many MHS items that have been lost, there is still much to be gained. The building and its community continues to expand. The school’s future is bright.
