The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
PROTEST. Advocates for abortion rights protest in nearby Reno, Nevada in 2021. The response to the reinstated Arizona ban from pro-choice politicians has been strong, and there have been multiple attempts in the last few days to repeal the ban, primarily led by the minority democratic party of the Arizona House. However, these attempts have been unsuccessful. (Public Domain Image)
Arizona Supreme Court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
April 18, 2024
IN CELEBRATION. Intricate henna designs are on the hands of Amir Dahm’s family. “Henna (Mehndi) is done commonly for big events like weddings or Eid,” Dahm said. (Submitted Photo: Amir Dahm)
Muslim students share the meaning of Eid al-Fitr
April 10, 2024
SUSTAINING SPA. After implementing Meatless Wednesday, the Upper School Council (USC) moves towards planning Earth Week. USC members raise their hands to volunteer to run various stations and activities throughout the week.
USC launches Meatless Wednesdays to reduce carbon emissions
April 9, 2024
FLOWERS FROM THE HEART. Senior Ingrid Johnson adds a decorative outline dotted with flowers to her letter.
CAS hosts Service Night to bring community together for a cause
April 8, 2024
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.
Solar eclipse on the horizon: what you need to know
April 7, 2024
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces
April 16, 2024
BREAK FREE from your devices and cut your screen time down to better engage with your surroundings.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Put down the phone
April 16, 2024
TAKE THE LEAP and try new things in all personal endeavors
To break habits, dare to fail at something new
April 11, 2024
SIMPLE SUSTAINABILITY. Resist greenwashing and opt for life choices that make the most minimal impact on the environment, such as using a reusable water bottle or using public transportation.
Want to go green? Think smaller.
April 9, 2024
TRUTH AND TRUST. Self-love leads to healthier relationships with others. Loving oneself means setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and engaging in actions that contribute to personal growth and well-being, Martin writes.
Love for self sustains love for others
March 15, 2024
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces
April 16, 2024
BREAK FREE from your devices and cut your screen time down to better engage with your surroundings.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Put down the phone
April 16, 2024
START CLEANING using different important aspects of relationships to properly evaluate connections.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Spring clean your relationships
March 14, 2024
MISSING IN ACTION. Nowadays, disengaging from social obligations is easier than ever before. Societal norms in the post-pandemic era have shifted, and for many, socialization is no longer an easy, casual routine. Reengagement, both in and outside of school, is crucial to rebuilding a sense of community.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Made plans? Be there.
March 13, 2024
EXPLORE BLACK HISTORY MONTH and discover different paths to take for community engagement.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Black History Month: go beyond history
February 27, 2024
FIVE FREEDOMS. The First Amendment of the Constitution lays out five essential freedoms for American citizens. Over the summer, co-Editor in Chief Orion Kim dove deep into the nuances of the Amendment.
[FREE SPIRIT] U.S. should employ harsher online restrictions regarding free speech
March 12, 2024
FIVE FREEDOMS. The First Amendment of the Constitution lays out five essential freedoms for American citizens. Over the summer, co-Editor in Chief Orion Kim dove deep into the nuances of the Amendment.
[FREE SPIRIT] Claudine Gay’s controversy pits free speech against morality
February 12, 2024
POWER WITH PARAMETERS. Students should exercise their right to assemble while understanding the boundaries of what is protected by the Constitution.
[FREE SPIRIT] Diving deep into the right to assemble
December 1, 2023
LIFE IMITATES ART is a monthly arts opinion column written by The Rubicon opinions editor Eliza Farley. (Illustration created using Adobe Express)
[LIFE/ART] In the music industry, it seems, it’s the year of the female
November 3, 2023
FIVE FREEDOMS. The First Amendment of the Constitution lays out five essential freedoms for American citizens. Over the summer, co-Editor in Chief Orion Kim dove deep into the nuances of the Amendment. “Reporters might be able to cover content freely, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t respect the people they’re covering,” Kim wrote.
[FREE SPIRIT] First Amendment freedoms let citizens determine morality of their expression
October 6, 2023
There are healthier ways to find value in life than thinking about death
There are healthier ways to find value in life than thinking about death
December 5, 2023
No longer a bystander
No longer a bystander
November 29, 2023
Bring more awareness to seasonal depression
Bring more awareness to seasonal depression
November 4, 2023
Community time worth more than passing time
Community time worth more than passing time
October 5, 2023
An adjunct to an adjunct professors disjunction
An adjunct to an adjunct professor’s disjunction
February 18, 2023
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
Weinstock-Collins’s journey through chronic illness: from symptoms to diagnosis
April 18, 2024
SLEEPYTIME. Senior Bridget Keel runs the @spartans_caught_sleeping account on Instagram, posting pictures of students napping or laying down around the SPA campus. As she runs the account, she is careful to abide by SPAs rules on photographing and posting students images online, and requires explicit consent from the students in the photos before posting. (Screenshot from Instagram)
Student-ran Instagram accounts ties SPA community together through creative posts
April 12, 2024
WHOS THAT? Many are familiar with spaces on campus like Redleaf Commons or the Schilling Center, but few know the stories of the people they are named after. These people are alumni, entrepreneurs and change-makers of all kinds.
[WHAT’S IN A NAME] Lasting legacies: the people behind SPA’s named spaces
April 10, 2024
WALKING ROUTES. Walking for an hour daily can boost step counts by 6,000. Sophomore Annalise Atkinson does not track her steps, but estimates she gets around 8,000 per day. “I wish I got more steps every day…I’d like to go for more walks,” she said. (Fair use image: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Walk the walk: phone apps make it easy to track steps
April 9, 2024
LETS GROW. The Gardening Club has been flying under the radar since its founding last year, but the leaders hope to make the club more active with new initiatives like a campus garden.
Gardening Club hopes for growth this spring
April 3, 2024
COWBOY CARTER. With the release of her latest album on March 29, Beyoncé has demonstrated that she can produce music across genres and proved that Black artists belong in country music just as much as white artists. (Fair use image: @beyonce on Instagram)
Beyoncé shows that Black artists can be cowboys, too
April 11, 2024
PLAYING WITH TEXTURE. Hejny demonstrates the rough texture on her 18-foot-tall commissioned painting from the salt added to the paint.
Local artist Annie Irene Hejny finds inspiration in nature
April 3, 2024
LOCAL BOOKSTORE. Red Balloon is a great place to find some new books to read and support the neighborhood.
[AROUND TOWN] Red Balloon Bookshop serves the community with literature
March 17, 2024
STOIC AND MYSTERIOUS. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) pushes his hat over his face in an intense monochromatic scene.
[COUNTDOWN TO OSCARS] Oppenheimer features impeccable cinematography, world-class direction, award-worthy acting
March 10, 2024
SPEAKING WITH THEIR EYES. Greta Lee (Nora Moon) and Teo Yoo (Hae Sung) do a spectcular job of conveying their emotions from their body language and expressions. (Screenshot from offical Past Lives trailer)
[COUNTDOWN TO OSCARS] Past Lives explores unrequited love in its simple, yet profound plot
March 9, 2024
STOIC AND MYSTERIOUS. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) pushes his hat over his face in an intense monochromatic scene.
[COUNTDOWN TO OSCARS] Oppenheimer features impeccable cinematography, world-class direction, award-worthy acting
March 10, 2024
SPEAKING WITH THEIR EYES. Greta Lee (Nora Moon) and Teo Yoo (Hae Sung) do a spectcular job of conveying their emotions from their body language and expressions. (Screenshot from offical Past Lives trailer)
[COUNTDOWN TO OSCARS] Past Lives explores unrequited love in its simple, yet profound plot
March 9, 2024
REALISTIC VILLAINY. The Zone of Interest follows the Höss families day-to-day lives living in a house directly bordering the Auschwitz concentration camp. (Screenshot from The Zone of Interest official trailer)
[COUNTDOWN TO OSCARS] The Zone of Interest shocks with uniquely nuanced approach to the war film
March 8, 2024
HOLIDAY SURPRISE. “I dont think Ive ever had a real family Christmas like this before,” says Angus Tully, a flawed but promising student at Barton Preparatory School in Massachusetts. Ironically, Angus says this as a Holdover—a student with nowhere to go for winter break. In the scene, Angus is celebrating Christmas with a flawed family—Mary, the Barton cafeteria manager, and Paul Hunham, the history teacher with a checkered past. (Screen capture Holdovers Official Trailer, Focus Films)
[COUNTDOWN TO THE OSCARS] The Holdovers brings unlikely trio together for the holidays
March 8, 2024
Sandra is the suspect of her husbands murder, and their son Daniel is the only witness. The catch is: Daniel is blind.
[COUNTDOWN TO THE OSCARS] Anatomy of a Fall masters anatomy of a film
March 7, 2024
BACKHAND. Senior Baasit Mahmood hits a backhand stroke against the Mahtomedi Zephyrs towards the beginning of the game. The second match went on for more than two hours, with the Spartans losing 3-4.
Boys tennis kicks off season fiercely with three matches in one day
April 17, 2024
LUNGE. Lower school students practice lunging.
Fencing fosters new generation of athletes at lower school
April 12, 2024
SUPERSONIC. Tamari Christopher pitches during a softball game last year. She was a 8th grader.
Softball and girls lacrosse join new co-ops
April 11, 2024
LOCKED IN. Senior Theo Zimmerman, a more experienced player, springs up off the grass with the frisbee in hand after taking a fall.
First Ultimate game unites new and returning players
April 10, 2024
YOUNG LEADER. Freshman Peony Steele is the only Spartan captain from her grade, stepping up as a leader due to the lack of upperclassmen on the girls golf team. (Submitted Photo: Peony Steele)
Steele leads through passion and purpose
April 9, 2024
FIGHT. Feeling the burn, sophomore Maren Overgaard pushes through, making her way to the finish.
State finals wrap up girls cross country season
November 16, 2023
WALL OF STEEL. Junior Madelyn Moser and sophomore Nora McKoy jump up to block a hit.
Dig Pink game raises $8,400 for the Side-Out Foundation
November 16, 2023
APPRECIATION. Senior Amalia Laguna opens gift bags with her fellow senior Spark swimmers.
Amalia Laguna finds her place on the Sparks
November 10, 2023
HEADS UP. Freshman Murphy Miltner spikes the ball and gains the Spartans a point after adjusting to her new offensive position on the team.
Volleyball crushes the Math and Science Dragons
November 4, 2023
CELEBRATION. The entire team storms down the field celebrating Ethan Peltiers winning goal.
Boys soccer advances to state finals in an electrifying match against Holy Family
November 3, 2023
GOOD JOB. Captain Mikkel Rawdon goes in for a hug after freshman John Grimsrud makes his first basket of the game. “It felt good for this one to go in with everyone cheering” Grimsrud said.
Spartans win section semi final, compete in finals tonight
March 15, 2024
EN GARDE. Senior Maik Nguyen gets into position to fence his first round in Junior Mens Épée in the large gym as his friends watches from the sidelines.
SPA hosts fencing state tournament
March 10, 2024
SHARP SHOOTER. Captain Mikkel Rawdon prepares to pass during a game at the Target Center. Rawdon has tallied a high number of points during his two years playing for varsity.
The “trifecta” is completed: Mikkel Rawdon reaches 1,000 points
March 6, 2024
How do winter athletes stay healthy?
How do winter athletes stay healthy?
March 5, 2024
RELAY. Senior Connor Overgaard begins the first leg of the 200 medley relay with backstroke. Im proud of this relay, he said.
Bhargava and Overgaard compete at state following a record-breaking performance at sections
March 3, 2024
BACKHAND. Senior Baasit Mahmood hits a backhand stroke against the Mahtomedi Zephyrs towards the beginning of the game. The second match went on for more than two hours, with the Spartans losing 3-4.
Boys tennis kicks off season fiercely with three matches in one day
April 17, 2024
SUPERSONIC. Tamari Christopher pitches during a softball game last year. She was a 8th grader.
Softball and girls lacrosse join new co-ops
April 11, 2024
LOCKED IN. Senior Theo Zimmerman, a more experienced player, springs up off the grass with the frisbee in hand after taking a fall.
First Ultimate game unites new and returning players
April 10, 2024
YOUNG LEADER. Freshman Peony Steele is the only Spartan captain from her grade, stepping up as a leader due to the lack of upperclassmen on the girls golf team. (Submitted Photo: Peony Steele)
Steele leads through passion and purpose
April 9, 2024
STRIDE. The track and field team practices their different stride styles. Many athletes run different distances, but starting early and practicing a diverse set of running styles sets the athletes up for success in any event. “If you start your good habits early you are less likely to be injured due to poor form,” captain Bridget Keel said.
Track and field captains’ practices bring team together
March 9, 2024
In this podcast, Nora McKoy talks with Opinion Editor Siri Pattison to discuss the story behind creating Now, thats a Wrapped A&E story.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORIES]: Now, that’s a Wrapped” with Siri Pattison
April 18, 2024
DIY: Vision Board
DIY: Vision Board
March 13, 2024
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 5 Sydney Zimmerman recalls freshman year at boarding school
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 5 Sydney Zimmerman recalls freshman year at boarding school
March 11, 2024
Connection with family and culture through food: Lunar New Year
Connection with family and culture through food: Lunar New Year
March 5, 2024
[HYPE REEL] Spartans host fencing invitational (Q and A)
[HYPE REEL] Spartans host fencing invitational (Q and A)
March 5, 2024
In this podcast, Nora McKoy talks with Opinion Editor Siri Pattison to discuss the story behind creating Now, thats a Wrapped A&E story.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORIES]: Now, that’s a Wrapped” with Siri Pattison
April 18, 2024
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 5 Sydney Zimmerman recalls freshman year at boarding school
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 5 Sydney Zimmerman recalls freshman year at boarding school
March 11, 2024
SING YOUR HEART OUT. Seifert and Kannankutty are part of two seperate choirs under the organization. Both seniors have found joy singing alongside individuals who share the same passion for choral music as them. Its just really beautiful to see so many people dedicated to something that they love, Kannankutty said. (Image via @angelicachoirs on Instagram)
Seifert and Kannankutty find community in Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs
March 2, 2024
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 4 Isaac Broderius talks growing up and nostalgia
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 4 Isaac Broderius talks growing up and nostalgia
February 16, 2024
Top five multimedia stories of 2023
Top five multimedia stories of 2023
January 18, 2024
DIY: Vision Board
DIY: Vision Board
March 13, 2024
Connection with family and culture through food: Lunar New Year
Connection with family and culture through food: Lunar New Year
March 5, 2024
Join the 24-25 Rubicon or RubicOnline staff
Join the 24-25 Rubicon or RubicOnline staff
February 28, 2024
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Swim with Trojans captain Rishi Bhargava
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Swim with Trojans captain Rishi Bhargava
February 15, 2024
Swap & sustain: HerSpace dress exchange promotes connection
Swap & sustain: HerSpace dress exchange promotes connection
February 9, 2024
March 2024 Issue
March 5, 2024
February 2024 Issue
February 9, 2024
December 2023 Issue
December 19, 2023
November 23 Issue
November 28, 2023
October 2023 Issue
October 24, 2023
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
EMPTY STANDS. Recently athletic evens have been noticeably empty. Upper School Athletic Director Randy Comfort is working to fix this issue. Comfort said, “We spent a very long time building and launching a website and mobile app.”

Showing up to sporting events boosts community connection

Peter Ostrem, The Rubicon • March 13, 2024
Some games see packed crowds while others have empty bleachers. So, how has the athletics department been promoting student turnout at every game?
REMEMBERING MS. JENN. Jennifer Farnham, known as Ms. Jenn, inspired generations of students with her dedication to education and inclusivity. She joined the SPA community in 1998 and taught for over 25 years. “Her voracious passion for not only the subject but teaching imprinted on me,” a former student of Ms. Jenn’s math class said.

[REMEMBERING JENNIFER FARNHAM] Beloved educator leaves legacy of belonging and compassion

The Rubicon Staff • March 11, 2024
Students and faculty reflect on the immense positive impact of lower school teacher Jennifer Farnham.
BETTER TOGETHER. Ronnie Dixon and Deling Chen smile as they march in support of sexual consent. After an assembly about sexual assault and consent, all students and faculty participated in a short march around the upper school.

Councils plan “day on” for community

RubicOnline Staff • January 28, 2024
The upper school spent the day exploring a number of issues, from race and culture to gender and the environment.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD FRIEND? Friendships are complex and everyone brings different qualities to a relationship. Despite common misconceptions, friendships of different levels can be very fulfilling.

Can we “settle” in friendships?

Ali Browne, RubicOnline • April 30, 2023
The idea that friendships must meet certain qualifications to be meaningful or that having friends of different levels of connection and depth is “settling” is harmful.
Minneapolis Bouldering Project

Why climbing is great for mental health

Greyson Sale, Staff Writer • March 1, 2023
Indoor rock climbing is as popular as ever, and is great for your mental health!
Lower School art teachers final exhibit inspires us to examine the interconnectedness of our world

Lower School art teacher’s final exhibit inspires us to examine the interconnectedness of our world

Alison Mitchell, RubicOnline • February 15, 2023
Lower School art teacher Ms. Joy explores connection, wondering, and branching in final SPA art show.
The house cups entertainment exists throughout the events course rather than the result. Students can support their teammates even while knowing they are going to lose.

The House Cup builds a stronger sense of community

Ivy Raya • February 12, 2023

 The House Cup started in 2021, the year COVID-19 hit our community. Saint Paul Academy was online, with grades competing to gain the most points before the year ended. Fast forward to 2023,...

LISTEN AND QUESTION. Guest speakers at SPA usually tell their stories for most of the allotted time before answering questions in a Q&A style. These presentations shed light on important issues while leaving room for students to digest, respond, and better understand specific aspects of any given topic.

Community engagement brings positivity and connectivity to SPA

Tommy Verhey, Director of RubicOnline • February 10, 2023
Guest speakers, bake sales, and other school-wide events bring the SPA community together.
TEAM SPIRIT. Tennis players Audrey Senaratna and Anna Nowakowski show team spirit by dressing up in tropical button-down on the day of their match.

Beach day and bonding: how sports teams stay connected

Johanna Pierach, The Rubicon • October 12, 2022
From sleepovers to dinners, the girls tennis team stays connected through bonding experiences off the court.
In episode 2 of SPA SHORTLIST, Staff Writer William Moran talks with Tuco Dixon about his top TV show recommendations. Dixon provides detailed insight into the reasons for his top picks, discussing everything from the quality of writing and production to comedic value.

[SPA SHORTLIST] Ep. 2: TV recommendations

Will Moran, Staff Writer • February 24, 2022
Will Moran talks with Tuco Dixon about Community, Family Guy and Archer.
Junior Cooper Bollinger-Danielson said that he was wearing a sweatshirt his parents got him for Christmas last year, which he enjoys wearing regularly, as it expresses his interests, as well as his favorite color. He said, “It’s the Arsenal soccer team, and I really like soccer… it was really thoughtful of them to get me this nice, very comfy sweatshirt.”

Go-round inspired dress up day brought cozy to campus

Team Story, Staff Writers • November 19, 2021
An e-mail on Thursday to the faculty read "Remember: Tomorrow is Cozy Sweatshirt Day." and it was.
After almost two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, SPA students are finally back in school on a normal schedule.

Building a strong community needs to be a student priority

Henry Burkhardt, RubicOnline • September 19, 2021
After almost two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, SPA students are finally back in school on a normal schedule.
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