![ECLIPSE. A solar eclipse is a rare event in which the moon is between Earth and the Sun, blocking the view of the sun. In other parts of the United States, the view of the Sun will be totally blocked, constituting whats called a total eclipse. A total eclipse is a completely different event that is another level of coolness. So if they [the students] have that chance, they should absolutely take the chance to see a total eclipse if they ever can. The next one in Minnesota will be the year 2099, Astronomy and Planetary Science teacher Joseph Martin said.](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Drawing-8.sketchpad.png)
![DIAGNOSIS. Emily Weinstock-Collins smiles right before undergoing surgery to diagnose endometriosis. “It was very surprising because I always thought, if I got sick, I would always get better…By the time I got my diagnosis, it was not very surprising because I knew something was wrong. Ive just been waiting a really long time for [answers],” Weinstock-Collins said. Submitted by Emily Weinstock-Collins](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WC-CROPPED-1200x1200.jpg)
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[MORE TO ME] Spencer’s interest in disassembling things turns to automotives
More stories from Tristan Hitchens-Brookins
Drive train. Heater core. Half shaft.
Senior Jonah Spencer has things that other students may not know about him, but his interest in working on cars in his free time stands out. Spencer is not sure when his interest in cars developed.
“I’ve always been interested in taking apart and putting things back together,” Spencer said. “And in middle school I just started getting interested in cars.”
He enjoyed building and deconstructing objects in his life, and a natural attraction to cars developed. He nourished this interest in cars to become an important part of his life. Eventually, that interest led Spencer to save money and take a concrete step towards his first fixer-upper.
I ended up purchasing a salvaged car to work on in my free time. — Jonah Spencer
Transforming an interest into reality is not easy, but Spencer decided to take action and become more invested in his hobby. Spencer turned an interest into a job so that he could learn valuable skills and experience an aspect of the world he does not regularly see.
“I got a job this summer as a mechanic at German Auto Works in St Louis Park,” Spencer said.
His interest in building and taking things apart transformed into a distinct interest in assembling cars, which turned into a job that gave Spencer new experiences. Knowing a camshaft from a spark plug, Spencer can get a car in gear.
Tristan Hitchens-Brookins is one of the members of the Interactive Storytelling Team at RubicOnline. This is his third year on staff. Tristan's philosophy...
![DIAGNOSIS. Emily Weinstock-Collins smiles right before undergoing surgery to diagnose endometriosis. “It was very surprising because I always thought, if I got sick, I would always get better…By the time I got my diagnosis, it was not very surprising because I knew something was wrong. Ive just been waiting a really long time for [answers],” Weinstock-Collins said. Submitted by Emily Weinstock-Collins](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WC-CROPPED-600x600.jpg)
![UM-TEE-UMP. Students engage in a game of Blooket at the University of Minnesota UMTYMP program. Weekly classes consist of an hour of lectures and an hour of small-group work. My favorite part is the workshop because it’s [with] the same group every time, so you really get to know the kids in your group, freshman Zack Berchenko said.](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_9555-e1710250818524-600x400.jpg)
