The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

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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
Nikolas Liepins

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent/Contributor

Nikolas Liepins is the Political Correspondent and a writer/(photo)journalist for The Rubicon, RubicOnline, and Ibid Yearbook. This is his second year with St. Paul Academy and Summit School's publications. Over the past few months at home, Liepins has been spending a lot of time in the kitchen (whether it be making new things like pasta or Julia Child's french bread or some classics like french macarons) and behind the lens. While he's keeping up with his self-assigned daily photo challenge (take at least one photo of which he's proud each day), he finds time to get outside and go wherever the latest news leads him.

One of his favorites in his list of quotes to live by is: "I'm past patiently waiting, I'm passionately smashing every expectation, every action's an act of creation" from Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton.

Liepins can be reached at [email protected].

All content by Nikolas Liepins
ULTIMATE FRISBEES. A spartan ultimate player holds a stack of frisbees.

[Photo] Spartan ultimate frisbee team sees decrease in number of players

Siri Pattison, RubicOnline
April 4, 2022
Moore shifts into a lunge to get ready for a backhand volley.

[PHOTO GALLERY] Spartan tennis plays in 4A tournament

Nikolas Liepins, The Rubicon
June 2, 2021
Ninth-grader John Christakos slides onto home base as dust flies around him. Christakos has stepped up for the team, even as a new player, having played in nine games so far this season.

[PHOTO GALLERY] Spartan baseball defeats Minnehaha

Nikolas Liepins, The Rubicon
June 2, 2021
[ST. PAUL, MN] — May 13, 2021: SPA Boys Ultimate play Edina JV on Lang Field at SPA.

[Photo]

[ST. PAUL, MN] — May 13, 2021: SPA Boys Ultimate play Edina JV on Lang Field at SPA.

[Photo]

[ST. PAUL, MN] — May 13, 2021: SPA Boys Ultimate play Edina JV on Lang Field at SPA.

[Photo]

[ST. PAUL, MN] — May 13, 2021: SPA Boys Ultimate play Edina JV on Lang Field at SPA.

[Photo]

[ST. PAUL, MN] — May 13, 2021: SPA Boys Ultimate play Edina JV on Lang Field at SPA.

[Photo]

A portrait of George Floyd held up in front of Government Center in Minneapolis, MN.

[Photo] Chauvin Trial: What you need to know

Henry Burkhardt, RubicOnline
April 18, 2021
The U.S. Capitol news coverage on January 6 reflected with the Minnesota State Capitol.

Trump acquitted again

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
February 18, 2021
The sun sets on the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument, which reflect in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. Photo by Nikolas Liepins.

Trump impeached again

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
January 13, 2021
Here are the staff opinions on the Capitol riots.

[Photo] [STAFF EDITORIAL] Capitol insurrection amplifies white supremacy; every day forward is a day for change

RubicOnline Staff
January 13, 2021
The Apotheosis of Washington in the dome of the U.S. Capitols rotunda.

“INCITEMENT OF INSURRECTION”: House Democrats introduce article of impeachment; House Republican blocks Unanimous Consent on 25th Amendment resolution

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
January 12, 2021
Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a Cops for Trump event at the MSP Airport in Minnesota on Sep 24, 2020.

House Democrats to introduce legislation calling on Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment; Trump’s second impeachment queued for this week

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
January 11, 2021
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN5) speaks at her re-election campaign kickoff event on Jan 23, 2020.

Omar, others unveil Articles of Impeachment; many call to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
January 7, 2021
On October 2, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (joined by Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education Heather Muller and Minnesota Department of Health Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann) met with high school journalists from around Minnesota for a press conference known as the Governor’s Student Press Summit at the Minnesota Department of Revenue in St. Paul, MN. Photo by Nikolas Liepins.

[Photo] Top five sports stories of 2020

RubicOnline Staff
January 11, 2021
Biden supporters (left) watching a drive-in rally in St. Paul, MN, from afar on October 30, 2020. Trump supporters (right) at a rally in Minneapolis, MN, on October 10, 2019.

Election Week 2020: A Timeline

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
November 19, 2020
Just a day before Election Day, students in Shulows Government and Citizenship history elective forecast the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

Government and Citizenship class forecasts 2020 elections outcomes

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
November 2, 2020
Just four days ahead of Election Day, 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden holds a drive-in rally at the Minnesota State Fair grounds.

Biden holds drive-in rally in St. Paul four days before election

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
November 1, 2020

[Transcript]: Governor’s Student Press Summit 2020

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
October 15, 2020
Vice President Mike Pence and multiple panelists discuss the ways in which President Trump will back law enforcement if reelected.

[Photo] Vice President Pence visits Minneapolis to highlight importance of law enforcement

Annika Rock, RubicOnline
September 29, 2020
Left: Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a March 1, 2020, rally in Norfolk, Virginia at Booker T. Washington High School. Photo by Carter Marks. Right: President Donald Trump addresses a crowd at an October 10 Keep America Great rally at Target Center in Downtown Minneapolis, MN. Photo by Nikolas Liepins.

Biden, Trump visit Minnesota

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
September 19, 2020
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[Photo] Nikolas Liepins

May 14, 2020
For just the sixth time in its 161 year history, the Minnesota State Fair has been cancelled.

MN State Fair cancelled amid coronavirus pandemic: “It’s the only decision.”

Nikolas Liepins, Contributor
May 22, 2020
Tommy Stoplestad lines up for a snap during an SMB Wolfpack Football game

[Photo] Bishop, Stoplestad win Lions Athlete of the Year award

John Becker, The Rubicon
May 22, 2020
A protestor holds a pro-Trump flag as vehicles surround the Minnesota State Capitol in protest of Gov. Tim Walzs efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. May 2, 2020.

Protesters of stay-at-home order surround Capitol in Operation Gridlock

Nikolas Liepins, Political Correspondent
May 11, 2020
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