The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

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JOINED BY JEANS. Juniors Ada LaTarte, Sophia Bietz, Ava Schluender, Cassandra Overholt, and Scarlett Gibson (left to right) wear matching jeans to celebrate Denim Day.
Denim Day: joining hands through jeans
April 26, 2024
GO FAR. Head of School Luis Ottley speaks to the entire school. If you want to go fast, go alone, but travel together if you want to go far, Ottley said during his speech.
K-12 student body comes together for second all-school assembly
April 25, 2024
DRAW A HEART. The Pink Heart Project, created by sophomores Beatrix Rhone and Elzie Bieganek, hopes to build visible solidarity and support for survivors of sexual assault.
[Q&A] Pink Hearts founders seek support for survivors
April 24, 2024
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
TYPE 1. Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring, setting it apart from the more common type 2.
Don’t overgeneralize when talking about health conditions
April 25, 2024
DEBATED DOLLAR. Individual buying power can help enact corporate and political change. Make consumer decisions based on personal values. Its up to the consumer whether their money goes towards the sustainable or unsustainable, McKoy writes.
Reclaim power as a consumer, hold companies accountable
April 24, 2024
IMBALANCE. In SPAs class discussions, the excessive participation of some individuals makes it harder for others to contribute. Often, when strong voices dont leave room for others in discussions, some students give up trying to participate and zone out.
Make space for everyone in classroom discussions
April 23, 2024
SAYING GOODBYE. The senior-decorated stairway wall in Lower Schilling displays a college rejection board, a hand drawn image of the common area and a countdown of the days left of school, among other things. With one week left, leaving well means focusing on gratitude and joy.
How to leave well
April 22, 2024
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces
Smartphones as useful tools, not addictive menaces
April 16, 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
Ringness seeking new experiences and exploration through cross-country road trip
Ringness seeking new experiences and exploration through cross-country road trip
April 26, 2024
UNIQUELY DIFFERENT. The Grewe twins have been growing up together for eighteen years. And in these eighteen years, they were at most separated for one month. On the left features senior Lucas Grewe, and right is senior Ian Grewe.
Growing up Grewe: seniors Lucas and Ian Grewe talk about the twin life
April 25, 2024
TASTE TEST. Junior Talia Cairns is working on a food-related topic with her classmates, junior Deling Chen and senior Annika Lillegard. (Submitted Photo: Karissa Baker)
ASR and ATP come together for final projects
April 24, 2024
MONEY MONEY MONEY. Senior Theo Bonin wishes for a more transparent and understanding discussion of financial diversity at SPA. Despite nearly one-third of the student body receiving financial assistance to attend SPA, Bonin feels that the school culture makes false assumptions about family wealth.
Bonin breaks down barriers to financial conversations at SPA
April 23, 2024
POP PRODUCTION. Gunther works on a track during her free time at school. The back of her laptop is decorated with stickers of artists she admires, such as Charli XCX and Shygirl.
Gunther goes for pop precision
April 22, 2024
THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN. Then eight year old Taryn Karasti spends her brunch with drag queens and amazing food at Lush. Karasti poses for a photo with drag queen Kamari Williams. (Submitted Photo: Taryn Karasti)
An uplifting art form: drag performances foster positivity in the queer community
April 26, 2024
CONGRATS GRAD. Grad parties require lots of planning, but they are a fun and lively way to recognize the accomplishments of high school graduates.
Glitter, gifts and guestbooks: A guide to grad parties
April 24, 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
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
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
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
BEHIND THE PLATE. Schwab-Mahoney snatches the ball mid-air.
Mind over matter: Boys baseball braves mental game despite tough loss to Kenyon-Wanamingo
April 25, 2024
ATHENA. Mezas teammates commend her leadership and passion on the field and ice. She is so hardworking and encouraging and you can tell she loves whatever sport shes playing and all of her teammates,” sophomore Lucia Gonzalez said.
Aurelia Meza named 2024 Athena
April 24, 2024
Volleyball was initially created as a game geared towards men due to societal attitudes about gender and athletics. It was called “mintonette” and was designed to offer a game less strenuous than basketball.
Volleyball? It’s for everyone
April 23, 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
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
BEHIND THE PLATE. Schwab-Mahoney snatches the ball mid-air.
Mind over matter: Boys baseball braves mental game despite tough loss to Kenyon-Wanamingo
April 25, 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
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Triple Jump with junior Julia Taylor
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Triple Jump with junior Julia Taylor
April 25, 2024
CARBON FOOTPRINTS. In order to protect the Earth, people need to always think about their carbon emission and how they can limit their footprints.
[QUIZ] Celebrate Earth Week by testing your knowledge on carbon emissions
April 24, 2024
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 6 Raven Glaser enjoys sports that decenter competition
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 6 Raven Glaser enjoys sports that decenter competition
April 23, 2024
In this podcast, host Greyson Sale discusses sophomores Hazel McCarthy, Annalise Atkinson, and Evan Morris about their thought on the potential TikTok ban.
Student Reacts: The Potential TikTok Ban
April 22, 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. 6 Raven Glaser enjoys sports that decenter competition
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 6 Raven Glaser enjoys sports that decenter competition
April 23, 2024
In this podcast, host Greyson Sale discusses sophomores Hazel McCarthy, Annalise Atkinson, and Evan Morris about their thought on the potential TikTok ban.
Student Reacts: The Potential TikTok Ban
April 22, 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
[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
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
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
Co-presidents of USC Numi Katz and Emilia Topp-Johnson led a female-identifying speechwriting workshop on May 14 in the Lecture Room for girls interested in running for an officer position. Hopefully we are setting the precedent that we should have a lot of girls running for elected positions,” Katz said.

Girls speech workshop promotes gender balance for future officer positions

Mimi Geller, Director of RubicOnline • May 15, 2018
USC Co-presidents Numi Katz and Emilia Topp-Johnson hosted a female-identifying speechwriting workshop to encourage female representation in elected officer positions.
Junior Adnan Askari was the first presenter of the night. His research revealed important results for how farmers can extend their growing seasons.

Advanced Science Research ignites passion and invites curiosity

Flannery Enneking-Norton, RubicOnline Editor • May 29, 2017
The Advanced Science Research spring class presented their experiments on May 24.
Just before Earth Day, USC hosts Speaker Day

Just before Earth Day, USC hosts Speaker Day

Jasper Green, The Rubicon Editor • April 26, 2017
On April 21, USC organized an event with speakers from across Minnesota to talk about the environment.
Junior Emilia Topp-Johnson introduces fungal endophytes into corn plants. She has been doing this work on the University of Minnesota for 5 years. “This year, I intend to conduct a more long term series of projects around the theme of terraformation, the end goal of which would be to further the understanding of what it would take to cultivate plants on Mars,” Topp-Johnson said.

Topp-Johnson researches whether fungi can make corn stronger

Noah Solomon, Staff Writer • December 12, 2016
For Emilia Topp-Johnson, corn kernels may be the ticket to the interstellar travel.
Freshman Riley Tietel takes aim at a clay pigeon during trap practice. It’s just a great feeling,” Tietel said.

Small numbers allow teams to form close relationships

Jasper Green, The Rubicon Editor • November 4, 2016
Fencer Emilia Topp-Johnson, swimmer Matt Suzuki, and Riley Tietel of the Trap Team reflect on the dynamics of their small teams.
Senior Mary Grant selected her outfit she wore to her Senior Speech with care. I wore converse today because I wanted to feel comfortable while giving my speech, Grant said. Since my speech was about my family I wore things that reminded me of them. My brother gave me the necklace Im wearing. It was a part of this thing he saw on TV where you get to harvest the pearl from the oyster yourself.

Street Style: Unexpected pops of color punctuate the sea of fall fashion neutrals

Mari Knudson, The Rubicon Editor • October 21, 2016
While most students don on neutral colors to match the grey fall weather, pops of bright colors can still be seen in the mix.
Senior Lukas Kelsey-Friedemann and junior Tommy Dicke face their opponents during the tournament.

P.L.A.Y. student group hosts dodge ball tournament amidst long week

Iya Abdulkarim, Feature Editor • November 22, 2015
P.L.A.Y. student club held a dodge ball tournament for students (and teachers!) Nov 12.
The First Aid Vectors compete in the World Saavy competition Apr. 25. “We assigned everyone a different role to play (e.g. doctor working to develop a treatment for ebola, a nonprofit worker, etc.) and everyone wrote a corresponding part of the script,” junior Milo Wittenberg said. The team took first place.

First Aid Vectors take first at World Savvy competition

Lauren Boettcher, News Editor • May 16, 2015
The SPA World Savvy team took first place with their presentation on AIDS and Ebola in the competition, which focused on "Population and Progress"
K-Pop Music Videos are generally very bright and bubbly. “Most K-Pop videos are...very poppy and visual—that’s what caught my eye,” Vega said.

Korean Pop music brings bubbly back internationally

Eva Perez-Greene, Editor-In-Chief • March 17, 2015
Since the rise of YouTube in the past few years, the entertainment industry has bought, literally and figuratively, into the notion of music videos as art. Gone are the days of relegating music videos to teenage MTV, and nowhere is this more evident than in South Korea, the Korean Pop industry’s epicenter. K-Pop, a modern form of South Korean pop music known for its unique audiovisual bent and dance-pop, electronic, and rock roots knows no limits.
Freshman Emilia Topp-Johnson stands beside her project at the MASTERS. “Research is something I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said.

Emilia Topp-Johnson reaches Broadcom MASTERS semi-finals

Noor Qureishy, Student Life Editor • October 1, 2014

When students think of scientific research, images of upperclassmen hunched over complex lab reports and petri dishes of bacteria usually come to mind. However, freshman Emilia Topp-Johnson has been...

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