![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)
![[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 5 Sydney Zimmerman recalls freshman year at boarding school](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/coffee-with-clara-cover-art-1200x686.png)
![[HYPE REEL] Spartans host fencing invitational (Q and A)](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/thumvnaillln-1200x800.jpg)
![[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Swim with Trojans captain Rishi Bhargava](https://www.rubiconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/rishi.png)
Debate takes first and second place in section tournament
Submitted Photo used with permission from Tom Fones
Debate team competitors pose for a photo after awards. Pictured are seniors Liza Bukingolts, Navodhya Samarakoon and Maya Smith, sophomore Adnan Askari, and juniors Sarah Wheaton, Shefali Bijwadia and Raffi Toghramadjian.
Public forum debaters “had a phenomenal section tournament,” according to Director of Debate Tom Fones, at this weekend’s section competition. Juniors Shefali Bijwadia, Raffi Toghramadjian, and Sarah Wheaton, along with sophomore Adnan Askari finished with a combined record of 12-0 to take 1st and 2nd place in the section.
Senior Maya Smith qualified for state in Lincoln Douglas debate and senior Nadia Goldman qualified for the state tournament in policy debate, giving SPA at least one contestant in each of the three divisions at the MSHSL tournament.
The state debate tournament will take place Jan. 15-16 at the University of Minnesota. It is the oldest state tournament in Minnesota, dating back to 1902. Most recently, SPA won the tournament in 2013 and 2015 in public forum debate.
![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-600x360.png)
