The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
IN IT TO WIN IT. (From left to right) Senior Deling Chen, juniors Maren Overgaard, Huxley Westemeier and Evan Morris pose in front of a Regeneron ISEF poster.
ISEF finalists bring back more than just awards
May 23, 2025
CANCELLED. The 2025 NAIS PoCC/SDLC Conference will not take place this December.
NAIS cancels conferences that centered students of color
May 20, 2025
[NEWS IN BRIEF] Jill Romans accepts Head of School position at Pine Cobble School
[NEWS IN BRIEF] Jill Romans accepts Head of School position at Pine Cobble School
May 19, 2025
CONTRIBUTING TO THE AMERICAN TAPESTRY. APAICS holds a convention every year during May, AANHPI Heritage Month. This year, the conference name is Woven Together: Strength in Community.
APAICS empowers AANHPI civic engagement
May 17, 2025
TALENTED TRIO. Juniors Roman Farley and Johann DeVriese entertain the crowd with a short podcast while junior Ethan He draws up a caricature of Farley.
Talent show brings in oohs and aahs
May 16, 2025
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Seriously, what benefit does generative AI art offer humanity?
May 23, 2025
LET IT GROW. Social media can be used healthily, like creative platforms like Substack and Pinterest. These platforms encourage community and connection.
Let it go or let it grow?: The complexity of healthy social media
May 21, 2025
START EARLY. Learning about money (and putting it in the right places) early is a game-changer for financial success.
SPA doesn’t teach financial literacy, but your future won’t wait for a lesson plan
May 20, 2025
Pollution seeks into the ecosystem, staining the clear lakes and drinkable waters.
Protect the boundary waters from drilling
May 19, 2025
NEVER ENOUGH. Grades create a toxic cycle that detract from the whole purpose of education: learning. (Image made on Canva using Realistic Flying Pages by klyaksun, and Sleeping Student while Studying by Headeartands)
Pervasive toxicity: today’s grading system undermines learning
May 15, 2025
ACTIVISM. The University of South Carolina’s Mental Illness Needs Discussion club (USC MIND) ignited the “#SpeakYourMIND” Ice Bucket Challenge.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] More than a trend: make change offline
May 13, 2025
PASSIONATE PROTESTING. A child participates in the “Hands Off” protest at the State Capitol Apr. 5. Protests allow one to move from talking about an issue to acting on it; protesting can also combat isolation and hopelessness.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Take action: attend a protest, leave empowered
April 22, 2025
EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT. Whether you are a citizen or not, these recent ICE arrests of international university students show that this is an attack on citizens' rights as well.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] ICE entering universities affects everyone
April 12, 2025
MAKE A CHANGE. There is so much to be thankful for and so many people to thank, so let’s replace complaining with thankfulness.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Drop the attitude for gratitude
March 18, 2025
SEEKING A STATEMENT. The SPA administration has not yet addressed President Donald Trump’s series of anti-DEI executive orders, leaving the community uncertain about the school’s stance. A transparent statement from the school would clarify that diversity remains a value of the community and will be protected at SPA.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Reaffirm commitment to diversity to uphold values
March 9, 2025
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Seriously, what benefit does generative AI art offer humanity?
May 23, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Dire Wolves, Dodos, and Woolly Mammoths Oh My!
May 9, 2025
Chronically Online is a monthly column to help readers develop media literacy skills. (Image created in Adobe Express)
When satire becomes misinformation, it’s not funny
May 1, 2025
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
It’s time: Let’s talk about social media.
April 24, 2025
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Earth Day, 2025: What are tech companies doing for the environment?
April 19, 2025
Equality and equity in sports for trans athletes
Equality and equity in sports for trans athletes
May 11, 2025
New phone policy ignores student perspectives
New phone policy ignores student perspectives
October 3, 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
TRANSATLANTIC FRIENDSHIP. Sophomore Elliot Pierach and his exchange partner from Heisenberg Gymnasium, Samuel Becker, pose at an event at the U of M in the fall. (Photo submitted by Elliot Pierach)
The German exchange: part two
May 23, 2025
Junior Privileges: How off-campus privileges create a sense of freedom
Junior Privileges: How off-campus privileges create a sense of freedom
May 22, 2025
PRESS CONFERENCE. U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. discusses the findings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey, during a press conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Disproving RFK’s rhetoric: Perry explains their lived experiences with autism
May 21, 2025
TACO 'BOUT DELICIOUS. El Coronel serving up food for locals in Stillwater last summer. (Photo submitted by Emilio Candia)
Taco ’bout this: Inside Taher chef Emilio Candia’s food truck
May 19, 2025
THE USUALS. Aldegundo Brenneman, Anneli Wilson, Gavin Luethold, and Emma Tan enjoy nice warm cups of coffee. This group is part of 6-7 people who consistenly participate in the clubs.
Coffee and Conversations fosters discussion and camaraderie
May 14, 2025
BODY SWAP. When a woman at a Chinese restaurant gives Anna and Tess a magical fortune cookie, they wake up and realize Anna is now in her mom’s body, while Tess is stuck as a teenager. (Screen capture: Freaky Friday (2003) trailer)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Freakier Friday is coming: get ready with Freaky Friday now
May 23, 2025
TEA TIME. Hoping to incorporate elements of both functionality and design, as well as to study how those two themes interact, Evy Sachs’s “Teapot Sets” were crafted with deliberate attention to detail in each one. Sachs experimented with size, shape, color and style through different glazes, sculpting techniques and lid sizes. Sophomore Eva Johnson, after viewing the gallery, was impressed: “Teapots are kind of known as one of the hardest things to make in ceramics, so I think that the construction is really impressive as well as the attention to detail,” Johnson said.
[DRAKE GALLERY] “Junior Tycoon: Build and Art Gallery” closes out the year
May 22, 2025
Health 101: Netflix offers a variety of shows focused on physical and mental well-being
Health 101: Netflix offers a variety of shows focused on physical and mental well-being
May 21, 2025
THE KING JAMES VERSION. Jim Gruidl and the King James Version group played at 12:15 at Art-A-Whirl.
Minneapolis in color: Art-A-Whirl turns 30 with a roar of radical creativity
May 20, 2025
STAR PERFORMANCE. Wilson's role as one of the play's main characters was a standout of the show.
[THEATER REVIEW] Captivating performances and a Grecian tale make Hadestown unforgettable
May 20, 2025
BODY SWAP. When a woman at a Chinese restaurant gives Anna and Tess a magical fortune cookie, they wake up and realize Anna is now in her mom’s body, while Tess is stuck as a teenager. (Screen capture: Freaky Friday (2003) trailer)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Freakier Friday is coming: get ready with Freaky Friday now
May 23, 2025
Health 101: Netflix offers a variety of shows focused on physical and mental well-being
Health 101: Netflix offers a variety of shows focused on physical and mental well-being
May 21, 2025
STAR PERFORMANCE. Wilson's role as one of the play's main characters was a standout of the show.
[THEATER REVIEW] Captivating performances and a Grecian tale make Hadestown unforgettable
May 20, 2025
STARRING IN "SINNERS." Michael B. Jordan stars in dual roles in his fifth project with writer-director Ryan Coogler. (Fair use image from Warner Bros. Press Release).
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Sinners revives original genre filmmaking in a barren movie landscape
May 15, 2025
QUICK AND EASY: Due Focacceria is quick casual cafe that is only a minute walk from school.
Must-go’s: the best walkable bites from school
May 14, 2025
Game Prep: Students who do training camps in the off-season
Game Prep: Students who do training camps in the off-season
May 23, 2025
ALMOST THERE. Sophomore Langston Thompson drives his arm as he aims for the finish line. He finished first in his 200 meter heat.
Cold weather, hot performances: track and field shines at conference championships
May 19, 2025
ROW, ROW, ROW. Junior Carsten Bauer rows in the doubles race at last year's USA U-17 Nationals in Sarasota, Florida. (Submitted Photo: Carsten Bauer)
Row to the occasion: Bauer finds community, accomplishment in competitive rowing
May 12, 2025
FIRE FENCING. Junior Howard Huelster talks to his teammates before he competes. Photo from SPA SmugMug.
Howard Huelster inspires the next generation of fencers by volunteering
May 11, 2025
Coach Pope and junior Josh Melchert discuss how excited they are for the new season
Hole in one: boys golf use competition with some fun as they head into first matches
May 9, 2025
WINGS OUT. Gjerde flies through the water, completing the first 25 yards out of 100 in her event.
Adele Gjerde shines at state for her final high school swim meet
November 17, 2024
ITS OFFICIAL. Sawyer Bollinger Danielson signs her National Letter of Intent to play Division One soccer at the University of Minnesota.
Signing Day: Sawyer Bollinger Danielson commits to the University of Minnesota
November 15, 2024
STATE BOUND. Avi Coleman dives into the water and secures her place on and the state competition.
Sparks athletes swim to state in the 6AA section meet
November 10, 2024
KEEP ON GOING. Spark Swimmers compete to beat their competitors.
Sparks swim and dive dominates at final regular season meet
November 7, 2024
SYNC. All of the swimmers dive in sync into the water.
Sparks boast PR bonanza at conference
November 4, 2024
TIP-IN. Sophomore Miles Vogenthaler tips the ball while jumping up.
Boys basketball emerges victorious over Nova in evenly-matched section quarterfinal
March 9, 2025
CONGRATS. Senior Inga Wing and Junior Maren Overgaard are congratulated after they finish their race. (Photo submitted by Maren Overgaard)
Champions. Overgaard and Wing win Nordic relay at state meet
March 4, 2025
GLIDE. Townley tucks to gain speed on a downhill portion of the course. Photo submitted by Helen Townley.
Dartmouth commit Helen Townley reflects on a childhood shaped by Nordic skiing
March 3, 2025
DANGLES. Freshman Max George takes the puck down the ice around a Johnson player.
Spartan hockey and St. Paul Johnson Governors collaborate to support leukemia patient
February 19, 2025
WALK. Spectators walking through the park trying to find the perfect spot to watch the racers.
Nordic slides from sections to state
February 13, 2025
ALMOST THERE. Sophomore Langston Thompson drives his arm as he aims for the finish line. He finished first in his 200 meter heat.
Cold weather, hot performances: track and field shines at conference championships
May 19, 2025
Coach Pope and junior Josh Melchert discuss how excited they are for the new season
Hole in one: boys golf use competition with some fun as they head into first matches
May 9, 2025
JUMP FOR IT! Captain Jesse Wussler launches into the air, battling gravity for a high-flying disc midair. “Winning the Rookie of the Year Award, freshman year, that's pretty cool,” he said, reflecting on his favorite ultimate frisbee memory.
Catch this: how Spartan Ultimate Frisbee keeps redefining school sports
May 8, 2025
READY, STEADY, SWING: Captain Helen Frost went up to bat and swung far. Although she ended up being tagged at first base, she continued to make multiple other impressive swings and defensive plays for the Redhawks.
Redhawks softball co-op stays energetic through a tough season
May 7, 2025
HIGH-FIVES. Captain Ben Macedo and freshmen Luca Kempcke hype each other up after a well-won point. Against Orono, all of the doubles players won, whereas all the singles lost, resulting in a 3-4 loss. “It was the same last year too,” said sophomore Gavin Leuthold.
Boys tennis season underway with eyes on continued success
May 6, 2025
Behind the scenes: the road to Hadestown
Behind the scenes: the road to Hadestown
May 23, 2025
Huxley Westemeier wrangles AI, wins $10,250 in cash and a full trip to Taiwan at ISEF
Huxley Westemeier wrangles AI, wins $10,250 in cash and a full trip to Taiwan at ISEF
May 22, 2025
Sophie Ferrer talks about the different math classes.
[SPARTAN TAKES] Episode #2: Discussing Math with Sophie Ferrer
May 21, 2025
Soren Johnson shares his hot take.
[SPARTAN TAKES] Episode #1: Talking Chicken with Soren
May 17, 2025
WAY DOWN. The cast is journeying underground this weekend. Submitted image: poster by Anneli Wilson
[QUIZ] Which Hadestown character are you?
May 16, 2025
MAKE IT COUNT. Spending money when out with friends is not a requirement, though it can seem like the easiest option. However, there are a variety of ways. One can participate in meaningful activities with friends without taking out the wallet. (Made with Canva elements: Movie Clapperboard Vector by pixabay, Walking by Icons8, Skateboard Icon by ahmadwil, Volleyball by grmarc)
Without the wallet: Spending time with friends does not always require money
May 12, 2025
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Leading with laughter and late nights: Managing Editor Juan Miguel Adams explains how to maintain positive staff culture
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Leading with laughter and late nights: Managing Editor Juan Miguel Adams explains how to maintain positive staff culture
May 8, 2025
PRECIOUS MEMORIES. Junior Leah Passe reflects on her earliest childhood memories. "I think I remember feeling excited to start actually learning in school and not just in preschool anymore. And I don't think it has a very like, necessarily positive or negative connotation to it. I think I just remember it happening, and I remember being excited," said Passe. (Photos submitted by Leah Passe, graphic made by Thomas Chen)
How childhood memories shape who we are
April 15, 2025
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Social Media Manager Mariam Malik stops those Spartans
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Social Media Manager Mariam Malik stops those Spartans
April 13, 2025
[TRENDING] Ep. 5 Influenced or influencer? Students respond
[TRENDING] Ep. 5 Influenced or influencer? Students respond
March 14, 2025
Behind the scenes: the road to Hadestown
Behind the scenes: the road to Hadestown
May 23, 2025
Huxley Westemeier wrangles AI, wins $10,250 in cash and a full trip to Taiwan at ISEF
Huxley Westemeier wrangles AI, wins $10,250 in cash and a full trip to Taiwan at ISEF
May 22, 2025
Soren Johnson shares his hot take.
[SPARTAN TAKES] Episode #1: Talking Chicken with Soren
May 17, 2025
Shifting spaces: how common areas, and the changing of them, affect our community
Shifting spaces: how common areas, and the changing of them, affect our community
May 11, 2025
Charlie Zakaib covers all bases at Target Field
Charlie Zakaib covers all bases at Target Field
April 29, 2025
April 2025 Issue
April 22, 2025
March 2025 Issue
March 11, 2025
February 2025 Issue
February 11, 2025
January 2025 Issue
January 16, 2025
November 2024 Issue
November 21, 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
Lani Ngonethong

Lani Ngonethong, Opinions Editor

Lani Ngonethong (she/her) loves to collect postcards and local art from everywhere she travels. Among her favorites are a postcard with an illustration of the Thai landscape and another with a design of a water ox from Laos.

Ngonethong works as the Opinions Editor on Rubiconline and can be reached at rubiconstaff@spa.edu.

All content by Lani Ngonethong

Behind the scenes: the road to Hadestown

Audrey Jansen, Lani Ngonethong, Aarushi Bahadur, and Audrey Peltier
May 23, 2025
DIVERSITY WITHIN THE NAME. "Asian American" encompasses 19.4 million people and hundreds of ethnicities. Data disaggregation shines a spotlight in these ethnicities, ensuring that Asian American is not a monolith.

Health 101: Netflix offers a variety of shows focused on physical and mental well-being

Health 101: Netflix offers a variety of shows focused on physical and mental well-being

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
May 21, 2025
CONTRIBUTING TO THE AMERICAN TAPESTRY. APAICS holds a convention every year during May, AANHPI Heritage Month. This year, the conference name is Woven Together: Strength in Community.

APAICS empowers AANHPI civic engagement

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
May 17, 2025
CANDY STRIKE. Junior Otto Rudolf hits off a leg of the pinata in one swing.

Cinco de Mayo celebration offers comunidad

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
May 6, 2025

ICE crackdowns sparks uncertainty for college hopefuls

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
April 12, 2025

The SAVE Act may complicate voting for citizens, too

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
March 15, 2025

The mural room: where science, history and art meet

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
March 3, 2025
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[Photo] The stories of the murals

March 2, 2025
TIME FOR COMMUNITY. Community building happens in clubs. Yet, clubs have met only once in two months. Clubs have been tossed aside due to constant schedule changes when clubs should be prioritized more.

[Photo] [STAFF EDITORIAL] Prioritizing clubs will build community

RubicOnline Staff
February 28, 2025
DUAL ATHLETE. In his first year of high school sports, ninth-grader Max George earned spots on the varsity hockey and soccer teams. (Photos: SPA SmugMug)

First-year phenom: Max George excels on varsity soccer and hockey teams

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
February 25, 2025
I SAY THIS WITH LOVE. While it may seem harsh, tough love disciplines with kindness and understanding.

[Photo] Embrace tough love for a brighter future

Yassin Mokbel, RubicOnline
February 25, 2025
HHS SECRETARY. After a full Senate vote on Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Senate voted 52-48 mostly along party lines. (Press release image from mahanow.org)

RFK Jr. confirmed to be Health and Human Services Secretary

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
February 16, 2025
THINKING AND FEELING. Intelligence quotient (EQ) tries to measure a person's cognitive ability, such as learning languages and problem solving. Emotional quotient tries to measure aspects of emotional management, such as social skills and relationship management.

[Photo] [2 SIDES 1 ISSUE] Rethinking the intelligence and emotional quotient

Allan Wang and Peter Lipinsky
February 11, 2025
SHINE BRIGHT. Seniors Theo Su and Caden Burns measure twine and wrapped sticks to create ornaments for STAR HOUSE.

So much to offer: Service Day focuses on access and action

RubicOnline Staff
February 3, 2025
SUN IS SHINING. For Cards for Hospitalized Kids, senior Julia Taylor draws a happy sun with shades on the cover of her card.

HIPPO TALK ON THE BIG SCREEN. Junior Amanda Hsu draws hippo faces on the smart board while the rest of the Peterson advisees prepare to film.

PACKING PERIOD KITS. Juniors Ella Judeh and Violet Pitcher organize period kits put together by other classmates. The boxes of twenty period kits will go to the Period Kits MN organization.

CLEAN AND COLORFUL. At the end of the table for packing hygiene kits, students draw on cards cute illustrations and write words of encouragement. The cards add a touch of color to the kits.

STAR POWER. Advisories across many classes in Schilling made star ornaments using twine, glue and needles for the STAR House organzization.

STELLAR WORK. In the design lab, junior Sona Jain repeatedly wraps twine around itself to form a star.

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BIZZARE IDEAS. Advisor Jon Peterson listens in on his advisory discussing what to do for a social media promotion video for the STAR House project.

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REHERSAL. Juniors Ryan Kari and Roman Farley rehearse their lines for "Hippo Talk."

LETTERS OF JOY. Seniors Serene Kalugdan, Julia Taylor and Elise Pickens work on Cards for Hospitalized Kids.

USC members prepare for Service Day by unpacking all the donations they received. Recycling and trash cans overflowed with empty cardboard boxes and plastic bags in the lower library. USC co-vice President Carys Hsiung spent an hour and a half with other members sorting through the donations. “I’m looking forward to see how many kits we pack and how we transform the 14,000 plus period products,” Hsiung said.

[Photo] Day of Service today; details inside

News in Brief
January 31, 2025
A CLOSER LOOK AT 2024. Students share what they found to be the most important issues to them in 2024.

[Photo] Students speak: what was a defining issue of your 2024?

Tallulah Dogwill and Raven Glaser
January 28, 2025
Deling Chen named 2025 Regeneron STS Scholar

Deling Chen named 2025 Regeneron STS Scholar

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
January 21, 2025
top 5 - 1

DON'T STOP ME NOW. The three ensembles finish the concert off strong with "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen.

With colors and music, the POPs Concert lives up to its name

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
December 8, 2024
Untitled design (14)

[Photo] Don’t hide from unconscious bias—recognize it

Lina Abid, The Rubicon
December 9, 2024
ICE CREAM SODA. After a misunderstanding between Emily Webb and George Gibbs, George takes her out for some ice cream soda.

[PLAY REVIEW] Finding life, love and grief in Our Town

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
November 25, 2024
BALL TOSS. People at the Hmong New Year celebration at RiverCentre in downtown Saint Paul play pov pob, a game that involves tossing a ball back and forth. Traditionally, it is a game of courtship.

[Photo] Combining new and old: Ngonethong celebrates Noj Peb Caug – Hmong New Year

November 24, 2024
EN-GARDE. Junior Rowan Moore competes in fencing match and strikes their opponent.

Fencing 101: putting on whites with Rowan Moore

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
November 19, 2024
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[Photo] Fencing 101: putting on “whites” with Rowan Moore

November 17, 2024
TREASURE TROVE. Ocean exploration has benefited humanity from medicine to predicting severe weather. (Canva: vilp58, Kileen Nicole Art and CreativeValuation

[Photo] From climate change to cures, ocean exploration deserves more investment

Peter Lipinsky, RubicOnline
November 14, 2024
CLASSIC. Silence fills the room as students are captivated by the the classic 1960 horror mystery film, Psycho.

Frights and flicks: film club hosts Halloween movie night

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
October 30, 2024
Life expectancy around the world

Life expectancy around the world

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline
October 29, 2024
END CREDITS. The film club and those that attended came together and posed

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