August 20, 2007
For Immediate Release:
Tane S. Danger
E-mail: tane@mn150years.orgSnail:
C/o Sesquicentennial Commission
240 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 5510
(651)-296-1870 (office)
(507)-469-1433 (cell)
Young Minnesotans Fuel Minnesota Birthday Celebration
As Minnesota’s historic 150th anniversary of statehood approaches, Sesquicentennial commissioners are looking to the next generation for inspiration and some much-needed perspiration. A special handful of Minnesotans, both current college students and recent graduates, have become the arms and legs of the massive statewide campaign through the Sesquicentennial Fellows program.
This highly motivated, young group is planning events, fundraising, working with state and community leaders and tackling countless other jobs to make the 150th anniversary a success. “It’s an array of talent and a depth of skill,” said Jane Leonard, Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director. “We need this kind of excitement, enthusiasm and energy.”
Each of the fellows has a unique story to tell about how he/she ended up in the program. The following are brief descriptions of some of the fellows.
Eric Anunobi
Born in Nigeria, West Africa, Eric is the son of a senior police officer and a contractor for Shell British Petroleum. Growing up in the oil rich region of Port Harcourt, population 2 million, Eric fell in love with the works of Shakespeare. Inspired by the Merchant of Venice’s Portia, he set out to become a lawyer and represent those in need.
Eric has been a student at the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul since the fall of 2004. He is using his talents to organize community projects throughout the state in conjunction with the Sesquicentennial. “I hope to apply the benefits of my legal training and diversity to work for this great state and make a difference,” Eric explained, “I feel honored to give back to this state a little bit of what it has given to me.”
Claire Plank
A 2007 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, Claire majored in Communication Studies and minored in English. In the fall of 2005, Claire became a founding member of GAC TV, the campus-based, student-run media outlet.
Claire splits her time between work with the Sesquicentennial Commission and trips to visit her family in Buffalo, Wyoming. Claire is focusing her talents in communication and video production to launch a youth-oriented film competition for the Sesquicentennial. “I think it’s a great way to get involved with Minnesota,” Claire said, “I’m hoping I can help energize more people my age to become involved in the celebration.”
Laura Baratto
An Apple Valley native, Laura is the only Sesquicentennial Fellow sill working on her undergraduate degree. In the fall she will return to Gustavus Adolphus College to finish her work as a Communication Studies major and management minor. An enthusiastic member of Gustavus’s Greek community, Laura is a sister in the Theta Xi Gamma sorority.
For the rest of the summer, Laura will be planning, organizing and eventually orchestrating the commission’s presence at the 2007 State Fair. “I’m looking forward to getting other people excited and informed about the Sesquicentennial,” said Laura, “and I think my creative spark will help me achieve that goal.”
Megan Jung
Megan grew up in Billings, Montana, and returned to Minnesota to study at the College of St. Catherine, where she graduated this May with a bachelor of arts in Psychology. A runner, Megan makes time to work out every single day.
Megan became a fellow with the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission at the end of May. Her interest in community and special events planning are turning out to be extremely important as she helps arrange celebrations of Minnesota’s Anniversary both locally and statewide. “I’m hoping to meet lots of new people,” Megan said. “This is a great opportunity for me to share my talents and get some great experience.”
Tane S. Danger
Another 2007 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, Tane’s background is in journalism and improvisational comedy. During his college career Tane led the Gustavus newspaper as Editor-in-Chief and the college’s only improv comedy troupe as its creative director.
Now Tane is using the skills he learned from those two organizations to head communications at the Sesquicentennial Commission. The job will hold a great deal of responsibility but Tane’s looking forward to the challenge. “I want to make sure everyone knows about all the great stuff we’ll be doing between now and the end of next year,” Tane said. “I feel lucky to be a part of this historic campaign.”
Beginning in January 2008, the Sesquicentennial will be a yearlong, statewide celebration and a catalyst, to honor our past and connect all of us as Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.
The Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission, created by the Legislature in 2005, has selected four major theme areas for the 150th observances: Education, Innovation, Arts & Cultures, and Health & Wellness. In addition, we’ll be shining the spotlight on Minnesota’s natural resources and our great outdoors heritage.
The Commission is joined in this effort by the Minnesota Historical Society, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System as key players, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism and other state agencies and private and non-profit partners, in organizing Minnesota’s 150th anniversary.