• HOCO 24 dress up (Friday): show Spartan Pride with BLUE and GOLD.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Thursday): get cozy because it's sweater weather.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Wednesday): it's "rhyme without reason" so mix it up with your twin from another mother.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Tuesday): grades wear green (9), yellow (10), red (11), blue (12) for class color day.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Monday): wear your stars and stripes for USA day.
  • German Exchange students arrive Sept. 29.
  • Want more photos? Find them in the yearbook galleries on the Ibid Flickr.
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
LOGGED. A sophomore is shown logging their hours into the sophomore community service form. Sophomores are supposed to log hours into a google form, citing what work they did and the amount of hours done.
Re-introduction of community service program brings opportunities to give back
September 30, 2024
SPARTAN SPIRIT. Spartan mascot Cassandra Overholt high fives students after defeating the BSM Crusader in a pre-game skit.
[HOCO Day 5] Pepfest pumps up fans before weekend games
September 30, 2024
CHARGE. The Spartan leads the way as everybody sprints down the hill towards Lang FIeld, where the soccer game is about to begin.
[HOCO Day 5] Spirited Spartans storm field ahead of homecoming game
September 28, 2024
AFTERNOON FUN. Young students enjoy the variety of activities the carnival has to offer, from the inflatable attractions to the spartan colored thunder sticks.
[HOCO Day 5] Together again: K-12 comes together for Homecoming Carnival
September 27, 2024
READY TO THROW. Team Dodgy Business and Ballsagna sprint from the midline to behind the throw line to begin the match.
[HOCO Day 3] Teams spice it up in Dodgeball tournament
September 25, 2024
PROJECT 2025. The project, mainly created by the Heritage Foundation, will have many limiting effects on public school curriculums and student expression.
[POLITICAL PULSE] Project 2025: a startling initiative for the nation and school system
October 2, 2024
INTERNET INVALIDATION. Jokes and generalizations about mental illness are common on social media. These comments can make light of the seriousness of mental health, making people who are struggling feel misunderstood.
Social media discredits mental health crisis
October 2, 2024
Turned 16? Get on LinkedIn
Turned 16? Get on LinkedIn
September 30, 2024
STAR POWER. Celebrities’ and influencers’ political stances can overshadow politicians. Their statements have power to influence an audience, so they must recognize the danger in spreading information.
Celebrity politics have power
September 29, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
[THE SIFT] Is AI capable of reasoning? OpenAI thinks so.
September 27, 2024
COMMUNITY VALUES. Administrators, teachers and students should put in the work to reflect the new five school values: community, purpose, kindness, excellence and belonging.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Let the new values shape your heart and mind
September 25, 2024
INSPIRE ACTION. Land Acknowledgments serve to spread awareness about the Indigenous communities that inhabited this land and remind listeners of Indigenous peoples’ ongoing presence. Students have a responsibility to take these Land Acknowledgments seriously and advocate for further restorative actions.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Land Acknowledgments are more than just empty words
September 24, 2024
VALUES REIMAGINED. The school’s six core values are: achievement, accountability, community, resilience, inventiveness, and passion. These can remain important guiding principles for current students and alumni/ae of the school; they take on new meaning but are still applicable for graduates’ next journeys.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Packing up the school’s greatest gifts doesn’t require a backpack
May 28, 2024
PROTESTING FOR GENERATIONS. Protests are disrupting and attention catching. That is why it is a powerful tool for change that can be used by everyone, including students.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Bring back student led protests
May 23, 2024
DIVERSE DIRECTIONS. Students are given a wide range of opportunities to engage in diversity-related programming at school. Now, to combat complaints that diversity training isn’t engaging enough, it’s time to apply what they’ve learned.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] To make diversity training meaningful, engage when it’s hard
April 30, 2024
PROJECT 2025. The project, mainly created by the Heritage Foundation, will have many limiting effects on public school curriculums and student expression.
[POLITICAL PULSE] Project 2025: a startling initiative for the nation and school system
October 2, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
[THE SIFT] Is AI capable of reasoning? OpenAI thinks so.
September 27, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
E-cars don’t solve the greenhouse gas issue and may contribute to tech waste
September 20, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
[THE SIFT] Apple’s Glowtime event didn’t shine
September 13, 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
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 professor's disjunction
An adjunct to an adjunct professor’s disjunction
February 18, 2023
DRIVING DRONES. Johnson leads an activity at her volunteer job, flying drones with children. “Volunteer for the things you care about; I care about my community and helping,” Johnson said.
Volunteering brings passion to students’ lives
October 1, 2024
CLASS OF 2015. Alexis Irish, second from the right, graduated in 2015. She poses with her friends in a white dress, a graduation tradition, holding her diploma.
Digging up spartan history
September 30, 2024
PLAYTIME. Lower school students play on the playground after school. When the weather is nice, students in the Adventure Kids after school program spend most of their time outside. "After school, they have to be outside until 4 p.m.," junior Laura Kimmel said.
Every day at work is an Adventure (Kids) for these students
September 28, 2024
CLUB FAIR. Senior Bora Mandic (left) and sophomore January Cook (right) promote Brikshare at the club fair. “We're trying to build a team here at SPA… Because, at the moment, it's just me and Bora," Cook said.
Brikshare: Helping kids one brick at a time
September 24, 2024
AROUND THE WORLD. Junior Salma recently moved from Zurich to St. Paul, just in time for the beginning of the school year. She found much of American culture interesting but also misses aspects of her life in Europe. "My daily life in Switzerland was quite different due to the change in school system," Blagui said.
Switzerland to St. Paul: Blagui navigates continental differences
September 19, 2024
CLICK. Junior Thomas Ferguson lines up the perfect picture with his digital camera. While he prefers the digital camera over his phone camera, he still recognizes it's drawbacks: "It's kind of difficult to work with because the battery dies in 10 minutes," Ferguson said.
A new age of Digi-Cams
October 2, 2024
LOCKING IN. Junior Fletcher Coblentz listens to music throughout the day to get him in the right attitude for his role as a defensive lineman for SMB Wolfpack. "I listen to music with the intention of making sure I'm sufficiently aggressive," he said.
Music helps athletes get in the right headspace
October 1, 2024
THERAPY. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) and Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) sit in Maguire's office in one of the various therapy scenes in the film. (Screen capture from Miramax)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Good Will Hunting tells an intimate story of growth and connection
September 30, 2024
BEHIND BARS. Classic, well-known banned books line shelves facing the library windows.
Banned books display spotlights censorship
September 29, 2024
VARIETY. Juniors Luwam Mebrahtu and Lilly Spurgeon and seniors Lucy Thomas and Olympia Wolff (left to right) display their varying outfits for the day. Mebrahtu went for a simple SPA sweatshirt, Spurgeon chose a flashy yellow skirt, while Thomas and Wolff wore their overalls.
[HOCO] Dress up day-by-day
September 27, 2024
THERAPY. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) and Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) sit in Maguire's office in one of the various therapy scenes in the film. (Screen capture from Miramax)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Good Will Hunting tells an intimate story of growth and connection
September 30, 2024
COLORFUL COVER. The book's cover art features popping bright colors, mimicking the novels child-like creativity.
[BOOK REVIEW] Van Pelts fantastical “Remarkably Bright Creatures” teaches important lessons
September 14, 2024
ORIGIN STORY. One day, after a traumatic incident on the job Cassie discovers she can sense what is about to happen in the future. (Screenshot from Madame Web Official trailer)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Madame Web spins a mediocre tale
May 24, 2024
ACTRESS. Zendaya is outstanding in her leading role, embodying the films messages and themes in one character.
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Challengers’ excellent acting and cinematography provides intense viewer experience
May 9, 2024
DAUGHTERS. Directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae created a beautiful film centered around the Date Your Daughter program. (Fair Use Image: MSPIFF Website)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Film Festival highlights new filmmakers
April 22, 2024
CELEBRATION. Forward Maggie Sampsell-Jones and Center Midfielder Lucia Gonzalez celebrate after Sampsell-Jones scored a goal.
[HOCO Day 6] Spartan soccer owns Saturday
October 2, 2024
PRECISION. Sophomore Avital Coleman dives gracefully into the pool. She hits the water with a splash after completing the skill.
Sparks Swim and Dive dominates against HumWow co-op
October 1, 2024
SUBTITUTIONS. The Wolfpack's bench walks up to the line and gets ready to enter the game.
[HOCO Day 5] Intense homecoming football game ends in Wolfpack defeat
September 30, 2024
SPRINT. Senior Taylor Barkwell is on the heels of the second place runner.
[HOCO Day 4] Cross country dominates the Farmington Cowbell Run
September 28, 2024
SWARMED. Senior Masumi Kouakou gets possession of the ball while surrounded by opponents.
[HOCO Day 5] BVS defeat Crusaders in dominant homecoming win
September 28, 2024
CELEBRATION. Forward Maggie Sampsell-Jones and Center Midfielder Lucia Gonzalez celebrate after Sampsell-Jones scored a goal.
[HOCO Day 6] Spartan soccer owns Saturday
October 2, 2024
SPRINT. Senior Taylor Barkwell is on the heels of the second place runner.
[HOCO Day 4] Cross country dominates the Farmington Cowbell Run
September 28, 2024
GET HYPE. The volleyball team celebrates after gaining a point against Providence.
[HOCO Day 3] Volleyball loses three close sets to Providence
September 26, 2024
WIN. The Girls Varsity Soccer team joins each other in a huddle a couple minutes before the game begins.
[HOCO Day 2] GVS defeats Minnehaha Redhawks 6-0
September 26, 2024
READY TO SWING. Senior Sydney Zimmerman prepares for a serve against Washburn doubles opponents.
[HOCO Day 1] Tennis celebrates Senior Night
September 24, 2024
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 Men's 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. "I'm proud of this relay," he said.
Bhargava and Overgaard compete at state following a record-breaking performance at sections
March 3, 2024
GAME TIME. The game's first faceoff, with sophomore Dia Chaney, after gaining possession for the Spartans.
Girls lacrosse falls 17-4 to Breck, aims to turn season around
May 20, 2024
Freshman Adem Rivers, practicing his short game at University of Minnesota Driving Range.
Golf Captain Peltier brings leadership, pride to growing team
May 14, 2024
IN PURSUIT. A Roseville player chases after a Blackhawks player trying to get the ball.
JV Blackhawks Lacrosse loses close game to Roseville
May 13, 2024
THE PRESSURE IS ON. Mckinley Garner guards Kieran Monahan, forcing one direction as he counts down the seconds Monahan has left to throw.
Spartan Ultimate glides through season with exceptional spirit
May 7, 2024
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Elizabeth Tuttle practices for her next meet by leaping over the hurdles. Last year, Elizabeth qualified for state after she finished in second place in the 100m and the 300m hurdles.
There is no “I” in Track
May 6, 2024
INVOLVED CITIZEN. Junior William Hanna poses with with their "Vote Betty!" sign. Hanna spent this summer volunteering for the Congresswoman Betty McCollum's campaign.
[PODCAST] Students get involved this election season and share their opinions
September 30, 2024
BEHIND THE SCENES. Sonia Kharbanda interviewed five new teachers: Librarian assistant, Tina Tsui; math teacher, Jack Kinseth; english teacher, Meghan Joyce; councelor, Jake Turnbloom; and math teacher Rane Bice.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Sonia Kharbanda’s “Two truths and one lie,” teachers edition
September 18, 2024
[QUIZ] What are the most common names of SPA students?
[QUIZ] What are the most common names of SPA students?
September 8, 2024
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
September 4, 2024
EXCITING EXCHANGE. Read about the daily experiences, from attending school at Colegio Malvar to excursions in Spain.
[BLOG] Adventuras y Aviones
June 24, 2024
BEHIND THE SCENES. Sonia Kharbanda interviewed five new teachers: Librarian assistant, Tina Tsui; math teacher, Jack Kinseth; english teacher, Meghan Joyce; councelor, Jake Turnbloom; and math teacher Rane Bice.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Sonia Kharbanda’s “Two truths and one lie,” teachers edition
September 18, 2024
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
September 4, 2024
BEHIND THE STORY. Writers Lani Ngonethong, Tamari Christopher and Elizabeth Tuttle put together a three-part story tracking student elections.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Election continuous coverage
May 31, 2024
IT'S A PROCESS. Liza Thomas said, "My work is called 'Night in the Wildwood.' It's eight photos that I took on a film camera and then got developed outside of school because we don't have the chemistry in our photo lab to develop color film."
Thomas and Dalton take the “Backroads” through Advanced Art
May 29, 2024
BOOKS UNITE. Book Club members come together in the math classroom to celebrate the class of 2024 before senior projects. Junior Grace Medrano said, "We [Medrano and Raven Glaser] took over last month [as the new leaders], so we’ll be running it next year." (Submitted photo by Grace Medrano)
[PODCAST] Book Club plans for next year
May 22, 2024
Senior superlatives for the Class of 2024
Senior superlatives for the Class of 2024
June 9, 2024
[HOW TO] Got time? Make slime.
[HOW TO] Got time? Make slime.
May 30, 2024
Out on the road: life as a student driver
Out on the road: life as a student driver
May 24, 2024
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Triple Jump with junior Julia Taylor
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Triple Jump with junior Julia Taylor
April 25, 2024
DIY: Vision Board
DIY: Vision Board
March 13, 2024
September 2024 Issue
September 24, 2024
May 2024 Issue
May 28, 2024
April 2024 Issue
April 30, 2024
March 2024 Issue
March 5, 2024
February 2024 Issue
February 9, 2024
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

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

The Rubicon
Davan Rosen

Davan Rosen, Special Projects Editor

Hi, my name is Davan Rosen (she/her). I am the Special Projects editor for RubicOnline, and this is my third year on staff. Outside of journalism, I enjoy history class, fashion/shopping, hanging out with friends, reading, and hanging out with my dog. I also love to travel. In fact, I lived in Switzerland for about five years when I was younger. You can reach me at [email protected].

All content by Davan Rosen
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces

Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
April 16, 2024

Advice From James Welsh on learning to fly (Q&A)

Thomas Kovarik and Davan Rosen
March 4, 2024
SPEAK OUT. Student journalists and their supporters across the U.S. spend this day "raising awareness of the challenges they face, celebrating their contributions to their schools and communities, and taking actions to protect and restore their First Amendment freedoms." (image and text reprinted with permission from studentpressfreedom.org)

Reflecting on Student Press Freedom Day

RubicOnline Staff
February 22, 2024
Untitled design

Untitled design (2)

SUN IS SHINING. The sun was shining through the windows in the gallery, producing a beautiful natural light onto the artwork. All of the different colors sparkled with the sun.

New art faculty present collaborative show

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
January 15, 2023
FOCUS. Choir director, Tim Kraack is locked in as he directs Summit Singers.

POPs Concert returns to its stunning normal

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
December 8, 2022
SNOWY TREAT. The crowd of students grab sticks and marshmallows and circle around the two gas-powered fire pits set up in Lily Courtyard Nov. 14. “It went very well, better than any of us ever thought," Outdoors Club president Charlotte Goings added. "We might plan another event soon. Probably something similar."

[Photo] Science Alliance and Outdoors Club host s’more fun on wintry day

Nelson Wodarz, RubicOnline
November 16, 2022

Swift Announces the Eras Tour, new dates in Minneapolis

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
November 15, 2022
An

It runs in the family: Huelster shares her top art tips

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
October 30, 2022
DECADES LATER. Piehl sits next to her working desk in the biology room recalling her high school days.

“Advice to my high school self…” Fashion then and now

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
October 11, 2022
LET'S ALL DO THE SPARTAN BEAT. Senior Spartan Tommy Verhey leads the students and faculty in chanting The Spartan Beat, an SPA tradition.

Fifth day of Homecoming brings tough competitions and lots of laughter

Eliana Mann and Davan Rosen
September 24, 2022
WOW-WORTHY. The senior class watches in excitement to see the teachers make their debut in the 2022 Dodgeball Tournament.

HEATED COMPETITION. One captain from each fall sport represents their team in the next challenge. In a version of musical chairs, participants must retrieve certain items from members of the audience and race back to get a seat in time. The trick? No speaking allowed. This year, Girls Volleyball took home the victory.

TO THE END. Seniors George Peltier and Nathan Cohen cross the finish line first to win the grade-level challenge.

HULA HOOP. Charlotte Goings, one of the competitors chosen for the junior class, hula-hoops as fast as she can to reach the free-throw line of the basketball court.

LOTS OF LAUGHS. Student Activities Committee members Kate Hanf and Clare Kimmel demonstrate the wheelbarrow race, a part of the grade-level challenge.

WHAT A WIN. Seniors Riley Erben and Solvej Eversoll race towards the crowd in celebration of a Graduation victory. The team boasted an athletic lineup that made their win over the teachers look easy.

GRAND ENTRANCE. Upper School Principal Ken Jaffe waves to the crowd with a smoke machine running behind him. The teachers pulled out all the stops to make their introductions intense and exciting.

FIERY FACULTY. Next, Graduation had to take on the all-faculty dodgeball team for the final round of competition. Team members included college counselor Evan Hancock, computer science teacher Colton Werner and history teacher Andrea Sachs.

FABULOUS FRESHMEN. As the newest members of the Upper School, the 9th-grade class was excited to experience their first-ever Pep Fest.

SENIOR SPIRIT. A group of seniors waits in anticipation for the start of the Pep Fest. Decked out in blue and gold, the senior class was one of the best-dressed grades for Homecoming this year.

YAY FOR YELLOW. "This is my only yellow thing that I would wear to school, and it's nice that it says Minnesota... there's some spirit involved," sophomore Hadley Dobish said. "I wish I had a different color, but I think class color day is cool," she added.

GRINNING IN GREEN. "This was the most green thing I had in my closet," freshman Frances Matthews said. "It's nice to see everyone wearing the same color."

[Photo] Grade 9: GREEN

September 19, 2022
ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET. Junior Tysen Hayes said, "My dad coaches at Hamline and they wear red."

ATHLETIC SPIRIT. "I have soccer practice later today, so I wanted to wear something that I can transition between the life of student-athlete," said senior Finn Sullivan.

[Photo] Grade 12: BLUE

September 19, 2022
PRETTY IN PINK. IT Support Technician Khang Pao Lee said, "Wear pink? Okay!"

Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their body

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
May 26, 2022
LEADING LACROSSE. MS Athletic Director Taylor Tvedt is the head coach of Spartan Lacrosse, the girls co-op team.

Teammates become coaches for Spartan Lacrosse

Davan Rosen, RubicOnline
May 13, 2022
The St. Paul Academy varsity players in the mid conference 18 tournament at River oaks.

Boys golf season is kicking off

Davan Rosen, Staff Writer
May 3, 2022
[TECH REVIEW] Airpods Max: your new favorite headphones

[TECH REVIEW] Airpods Max: your new favorite headphones

Davan Rosen, Staff Writer
April 4, 2022
Being the country with the highest rate of gun violence isn't a win.

40,620 lives each year. The gun violence has to stop.

Davan Rosen, Staff Writer
March 7, 2022
Being the country with the highest rate of gun violence isn't a win.

[Photo] Spring break in space? It depends.

Alison Mitchell, Staff Writer
March 17, 2022

[WINS AND LOSSES] How hockey impacts players

Davan Rosen, Staff Writer
February 26, 2022
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