• Class of 2025 begin senior projects on Apr. 28.
  • Sonia Kharbanda named Free Spirit Scholar. She will represent Minnesota at a Freedom Forum conference in Washington D.C. this summer.
  • Congratulations to Annie Zhang, the MN Journalist of the Year runner-up.
  • The Rubicon is named NSPA Pacemaker finalist. Winners will be announced Apr. 28.
  • 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
OPEN MIC. English teacher Anne Boemler introduced the assembly before launching into a poem of her own.
Upper school assembly celebrates poetry month
April 22, 2025
[The 5] Brooklyn park residents, Coles county airport crash, Easter ceasefire and more
[The 5] Brooklyn park residents, Coles county airport crash, Easter ceasefire and more
April 20, 2025
VOLUNTEER. Fashion Club members Jack Bettenburg and Rowan Moore fold clothes during their free period.
Fashion Club gives back through hosting a clothing swap
April 15, 2025
[The 5] Minneapolis taxpayers, Vote counting machines, Elections in Ecuador and more
[The 5] Minneapolis taxpayers, Vote counting machines, Elections in Ecuador and more
April 13, 2025
ICE ON CAMPUS. Multiple ICE arrests at universities follow Trump Administrations crackdowns on pro-Palestinian international students and academics.
ICE crackdowns sparks uncertainty for college hopefuls
April 12, 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
FREEDOM'S FIST. The op-ed is a living symbol of the freedom of the press—like one finger on the hand of the First Amendment, which itself forms the strong fist of American democracy. What could be more American than that?
Hands off the Op-ed
April 21, 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
CHILDHOOD ON CAMERA. From rigorous film schedules to oversharing, family vlogger channels sometimes take it too far when filming children. This calls for more protections for family and child vlogging content and, overall, better parenting.
Monetizing childhood: issues with family vlogging
April 18, 2025
Proposed state budget unfairly threatens private school funding
Proposed state budget unfairly threatens private school funding
April 17, 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
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.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Prioritizing clubs will build community
February 28, 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
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The Nintendo Switch 2: Worth the Wait?
April 11, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump talks to members of the press aboard Air Force One during a flight to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File photo
[POLITICAL PULSE] Trump’s war on the free press poses a threat to democracy
April 8, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The latest computer: powered by brains?
March 13, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The World’s Latest Cybersecurity Supervillain: The United Kingdom?
February 28, 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
Community time worth more than passing time
Community time worth more than passing time
October 5, 2023
AT WORK Solomon Beardsley crafts drinks for the Cat Cafes customers.
Student employees share familiarity of Catzen Cafe
April 22, 2025
Adams (front right) sits with his Troop 9419 after a weekend of service projects and environmental cleanups at Tomahawk, a Boy Scout-run campsite. (Submitted photo by Hugh Adams)
Eagle scout Hugh Adams puts the community in community service
April 16, 2025
Senior Josh Holloway demonstrates his "water roomba" that is able to chop up algae in bodies of water.
Josh Holloway’s water roomba turns the tide on algal blooms
April 16, 2025
UNITED. Black Student Alliance members chat and eat snacks in the East Conference Room in the library. Junior Boki Mullataa, “I joined BSU to participate in an environment [where] I was welcomed in and […] where a lot of people share some of the same experiences.”
Black and Brown Student Union brings the fundamentals of community: games and treats
April 13, 2025
BRINGING IT BACK. The economics elective was previously taught by Nan Dreher, but dissolved once she left SPA.
Economics: the returning history elective
April 8, 2025
FULL HOUSE. Students watch "Mo" in Film Club.
Film Club celebrates culture, hosts showing of comedy-drama series “Mo”
April 21, 2025
Lumpia, a delicious Filipino classic that can be ordered as an appetizer at George and the Dragon.
[Around Town] George and The Dragon offers amazing fusion food
April 21, 2025
PLAYING IN HARMONY. Freshman Caleb Colton plays percussion in an improvised concert organized by Equity Arc Symphony and military band veterans. (Screencapture from 60 Minutes' full concert coverage).
From silence to song: Caleb Colton performs despite executive order
April 19, 2025
lifeofpibway.com
[THEATER REVIEW] Faith, fear and ferocity: “Life of Pi” brings a mesmerizing tale of survival and storytelling to Orpheum
April 18, 2025
WIDE RANGES. Student's and faculty's favorite songs covered various diverse genres including rap, rock and country.
What’s one song you love, and one song you hate?
April 17, 2025
lifeofpibway.com
[THEATER REVIEW] Faith, fear and ferocity: “Life of Pi” brings a mesmerizing tale of survival and storytelling to Orpheum
April 18, 2025
CONNECTED. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr explores a variety of experiences and time periods while binding all of these perspectives together with a fictional ancient story. This narrative structure allows the award-winning novel to explore themes across generations of struggle and resilience. The end result is a book that is both powerful and intricate (Image from Doerr's website)
[BOOK REVIEW] “Cloud Cuckoo Land” stories and struggles transcend time
April 15, 2025
The single “Good Grief” shows that Jenna Raine is an artist to watch. Its heartfelt lyrics and relatability set the stage for what promises to be an exciting career. (MOXIE Press Kit)
With new EP on the way, Jenna Raine releases empowering single “Good Grief”
April 15, 2025
ROARING 20s. Dominique Kelley’s choreography, particularly the energetic tap number in a party sequence, is a bright spot, as is the set design by Kennedy Center resident designer Paul Tate dePoo III, which is adequately lavish and illustrates life in the lap of luxury with all its glitter and gold. (Fair Use Image: Gatsby Broadway Press, Matthew Murphy)
[THEATER REVIEW] It might be Gatsby, but it’s certainly not great
April 14, 2025
MINNESOTA DELIGHT. Los Ocampo is a chain restaurant unique to Minnesota that serves a variety of Mexican dishes. (Image from losocampos.com).
[FOOD REVIEW] Los Ocampo leaves room for improvement
April 13, 2025
HOT PURSUIT. Blackhawks players chase after the player with the ball.
Blackhawks lacrosse suffers tough loss against Hermatown/Proctor
April 15, 2025
TIMEOUT. Coach discusses strategy with the players.
Baseball downs Eagle Ridge Academy in season opener
April 12, 2025
UNITY. he volleyball team stands together, hand in hand, embodying the strength and camaraderie of female athletes. Photo taken from SPA SmugMug.
Support female athletes: the continuous fight for recognition
March 31, 2025
INNER PEACE. Junior Eloise Leatham moves through yoga poses as a way to cultivate mindfulness and gratitude. By engaging in these poses, she embraces both strength and stillness, using yoga as a tool to center herself amid daily challenges. Through her practice, she finds balance, focus, and a moment to reconnect with herself, carrying its lessons beyond the mat into her everyday life.
The power of yoga: much more than mindfulness
March 13, 2025
MSHSL AND TITLE IX. Following President Trump’s Feb. 5 executive order, the MSHSL released a statement allowing trans athletes to participate in sports that match their gender identity. (Fair use image from MSHSL)
Student-athletes speak out against federal investigation into MSHSL
March 10, 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
TOGETHER. The girls lacrosse team meets in the middle of practice to discuss drills.
Girls lacrosse hosts pre-season practices to foster team culture
February 10, 2025
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
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
April 21, 2025
HISTORIC SPOTS. Cheapo Records, First Avenue, Sound 80 Studios and The Armory remain some of Minnesota's most historic musical locations (Fair use images from Orfield Labs (bottom left), First Avenue X account (top right), The Armory official website (bottom right)).
Mapping Minnesota music
April 18, 2025
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
April 16, 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
The launch of a new club sport: rugby welcomes players into its first season
The launch of a new club sport: rugby welcomes players into its first season
April 14, 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
LUNCH TIME PONDERS. In her senior speech, senior Belle Weng spoke about asking random questions to her friends to get to know them better at lunch. Listen in to hear more about the random questions she's asked in the past. (Made from Canva elements Comic Script Bubble Illustration Sketchify and Red Question Marks Icons 8)
Breaking the ice through random questions with Belle Weng
March 10, 2025
one of my ideas was to make it My Little Pony themed [because] in beats we have four groups and they all produce work different weeks, so we split them into groups. And last year it was Minion-themed, so in my presentation, I wanted to have a little fun thing, so I was just like, ‘Oh, we should do a My Little Pony theme.’ And then, you know, we turned it into the theme of the year. And now we have four groups. We have team Twilight Sparkle. We have team Princess Cadence– is she a princess? Guys, I need to know my My Little Pony better. And then we have team Princess Celestia and team Princess Luna.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Pony groups. Monthly deadlines. Beat magic with Thomas Chen
February 27, 2025
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
April 21, 2025
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
April 16, 2025
The launch of a new club sport: rugby welcomes players into its first season
The launch of a new club sport: rugby welcomes players into its first season
April 14, 2025
[MIC'D UP] Miles Vogenthaler brings the action in section playoffs against Nova
[MIC’D UP] Miles Vogenthaler brings the action in section playoffs against Nova
March 11, 2025
Students' advice to their younger selves
Students’ advice to their younger selves
March 6, 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
JUST DROPPED. The Lumineers release 11 songs on their album "Automatic". The album featured varying themes and tempos, with two songs being purely instrumental. (Source: @thelumineers on Instagram)

Automatically enthralled: The Lumineers drop fifth studio album

Nora McKoy, RubicOnline • February 15, 2025
Read a song-by-song breakdown of The Lumineers new album that dropped Valentines Day.
Listeners swim through the tumultuous waves of adulthood with Tyler on his eighth studio album. Fair use image by Colombia Records.

[ALBUM REVIEW] Top tracks from Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia”

Mariam Malik, Social Media Manager • November 22, 2024
Masked Tyler, The Creator unmasks his deepest fears in Chromakopia.
UP FRONT. The "Black on Both Sides" album cover features a portrait of Bey looking into the camera. The direct nature of the cover is reflected in the album's powerful lyrics (photographed by Alvaro Gonzalez-Campo, released by Rawkus Records in 1999).

“Black on Both Sides” remains the pinnacle of hip-hop

Yassin Mokbel, RubicOnline • October 24, 2024
Even after its 25th anniversary nine days ago, the album is still a timeless and influential masterpiece.
WELCOME BACK. English alt-rock group, bôa, releases their first album in twenty years. The album, titled "Whiplash," features incredible instrumentals and highlights Jasmine Rodgers' unique vocals (Screenshot from "Bôa - Whiplash (Official Music Video)" by Bôa on YouTube).

[ALBUM REVIEW] Two decades later, bôa’s still got it on Whiplash

Elizabeth Tuttle, RubicOnline • October 21, 2024
The British alt-rock group's return album successfully melded both old and new
Featuring reggaeton, pop and R&B influences, the tracks on “ORQUÍDEAS” are primarily in Spanish, making it Uchis’s second album comprised of songs in her first language. (Screen capture from Te Mata Official Video by Kali Uchis on YouTube)

[ALBUM REVIEW] Kali Uchis blends genres beautifully in “ORQUÍDEAS”

Clara McKoy, Director of RubicOnline • January 19, 2024
This is the Colombian American artist's fourth album.
ON AND OFF TIK TOK. Ice Spice's new album has grown popularity through viral Tik Tok videos using snippets of her songs. She has over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify and incorperates R&B and rap into her music.

Spice moves from TikTok to the mainstream with her new album Like…?

Ivy Raya, RubicOnline • February 8, 2023
Ice Spice's songs incorperate a buttery smooth R&B feel with rap lyrics; enjoyable both on and off TikTok.
While each track Though each track on Five Easy Hot Dogs is alone repetitive, the album’s sound isn't droning or boring; DeMarco never settles into one place for too long before picking up and hitting the road again.

[ALBUM REVIEW] Mac DeMarco chooses the rhythm of the road with Five Easy Hot Dogs

Siri Pattison, RubicOnline • January 30, 2023
Released on Jan. 20, Mac DeMarco’s sixth studio album is the record of a vagabond.
SHOWSTOPPER. Finneas O'Connell performs his music at the Austin City Limits music festival. While his younger sister Billie Eilish has stepped into the spotlight in the music industry, O'Connell has made a name for himself as well.

[ALBUM REVIEW] O’Connell’s hit debut album Optimist highlights his identity as a solo artist

Clara McKoy, RubicOnline • October 21, 2021
Finneas O'Connell dropped his new album on Oct. 15, which offers a delightful blend of emotional ballads and more upbeat tracks.
Ctrl is an album with personal, relatable lyrics, created by an artist with star power talent.

[ALBUM REVIEW] SZA’s new song sparks interest in past music

Hobbs Lillygreen, Staff Writer • December 16, 2020
The new release of "Hit Diffrent," by SZA and Ty Dolla $ign bring up SZA's past album ctrl.
Yung Gravy possess to promote his album, Gasanova, on his official Instagram account, @yunggravy

[ALBUM REVIEW] Yung Gravy brings the heat with new album Gasanova

Zekiah Juliusson and Liv Larsen • October 19, 2020

Minnesota born rapper, Yung Gravy’s new album is full of energy, exciting features and retro songs and beats. Although the full album was released on Oct. 2, Yung Gravy previewed two songs, “yup!”...

The 1975 released their fourth album, Notes On A Conditional Form, on May 22nd.

[TRACK BREAKDOWN] The 1975 push boundaries, finding a mixture of hits and misses

Liv Larsen, RubicOnline • May 22, 2020
Notes On A Conditional Form is an impressive amalgamation of different genres and styles for the 1975.
[THROWBACK REVIEW] Travis Scott combines styles to produce Rodeo

[THROWBACK REVIEW] Travis Scott combines styles to produce Rodeo

Thomas Reinhart, Staff Writer • February 20, 2020
Travis Scott's Rodeo, which is filled with great, unique songs as well as wonderful features provided by credible artists, is the best Rap album of 2015.
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