• 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
MINI PROJECTS: Evan Morris and Inga Wing experimenting with slime.
Big win at ISEF sends ASR students to nationals
April 29, 2025
Walz increases in-person expectations for state workers from remote to 50%
Walz increases in-person expectations for state workers from remote to 50%
April 28, 2025
[The 5] U of M rally, zombie buildings, Joe Tay bounty and more
[The 5] U of M rally, zombie buildings, Joe Tay bounty and more
April 27, 2025
A view of the U.S. Department of Education building in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 1, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
Trump attacks Dept. of Education
April 25, 2025
COMMITTED TO COLLEGE. Seniors can opt in to announce their postsecondary plans @spaclassof2025 on Instagram, which is managed by a classmate. (Screen Capture: @spaclassof2025 on Instagram)
Following record application numbers, seniors announce decisions
April 24, 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
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Knowing your body, rights and health leads to a more secure and healthy future. (Illustration by Audrey Jansen using Canva elements)
Why knowledge is crucial to personal health
April 29, 2025
BLAME IT ON DEI. Falsely linking diversity with incompetence, Trump’s rhetoric reveals an agenda rooted in division. (Illustration by Lani Ngonethong with elements from Canva).
Scapegoats and stereotypes: the danger of dismissing diversity
April 28, 2025
DISCUSSING DISCOMFORT. The use of trigger warnings in daily life and media can spur mixed reactions. Some view the warnings as preventing conversations about controversial subjects, while others see them as necessary to promote safety and allow people to choose the content with which they engage.
[2 SIDES, 1 ISSUE] Trigger warnings: stifling or necessary?
April 27, 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
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
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
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
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
BUNNY PICS. The spirit of Easter in full display as a child poses with the Easter bunny.
Egg-speriencing Easter in different households
April 29, 2025
READ-ALOUD. Librarian Cat Mullen's talent would encourage listeners to share her passion. "I feel like my greatest skill is reading. So maybe I would read a dramatic rendition of something...like the book I'm reading now, the new Hunger Games book. I'd make a BookTok and read a very dramatic part but leave it on a cliffhanger so then people would come [to the library]."
[SPA THINKS] What’s your talent?
April 28, 2025
SNAZZY SHOES. College Counseling Administrative Assistant Carey Otto's passion for sneaker-collecting began when rising star Michael Jordan dropped the Air Jordan 1s in 1985. (Photo submitted by Carey Otto)
Otto shares lifelong love for sneakers of all shapes and colors
April 28, 2025
ACQUAINTANCE THROUGH BASEBALL. Sophomore Eddie Sofen and junior Cutler Crook met while playing on the Minneapolis Millers Youth Baseball team. Sofen and Crook are the only two not wearing hats in the top-middle row of the photo. (Photo submitted by Cutler Crook)
From teammates to best friends: Eddie Sofen and Cutler Crook’s bond beyond the field
April 27, 2025
BUG APPRECIATION LaTarte reflects that her experience with the critters has evolved but followed her in her life and art. Beetle flickr Creative Commons: GREGORIUZ
Birds and bugs drive student curiosity
April 24, 2025
Living in Minnesota, the age-old debate of Caribou vs. Starbucks remains alive. So, I decided to compare two identical orders from the two coffee shops and determine which is better.
Spilling the tea: Starbucks’ and Caribou’s chai and matcha lattes go head to head
April 30, 2025
LOCAL LOCATIONS. 36 Hours in the Twin Cities visits several destinations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the Walker Art Center, a contemporary art center alongside a sculpture garden and restaurant.
[AROUND TOWN] 36 Hours in the Twin Cities
April 28, 2025
NEW BUSINESS. Recently opened at the end of 2024, Big Island Poke lies at 74 Snelling Avenue, just minutes from SPA's Randolph campus.
[FOOD REVIEW] Big Island Poke offers a casual eating experience while maintaining quality
April 27, 2025
DAUNTLESS DIRECTOR. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film “Rear Window” is regarded by many as the best film from the greatest director of all time (Fair use image from Paramount Pictures).
[MOVIE REVIEW] Film club submitted reviews cover one classic, one new release
April 26, 2025
A MUST WATCH. "Warfare" is not an easy watch, and it is not meant to be (Fair use image from A24 official website).
[MOVIE REVIEW] “Warfare” burns patriotism to the ground
April 25, 2025
NEW BUSINESS. Recently opened at the end of 2024, Big Island Poke lies at 74 Snelling Avenue, just minutes from SPA's Randolph campus.
[FOOD REVIEW] Big Island Poke offers a casual eating experience while maintaining quality
April 27, 2025
DAUNTLESS DIRECTOR. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film “Rear Window” is regarded by many as the best film from the greatest director of all time (Fair use image from Paramount Pictures).
[MOVIE REVIEW] Film club submitted reviews cover one classic, one new release
April 26, 2025
A MUST WATCH. "Warfare" is not an easy watch, and it is not meant to be (Fair use image from A24 official website).
[MOVIE REVIEW] “Warfare” burns patriotism to the ground
April 25, 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
DANGEROUS WATERS. The sailors must learn to navigate all types of obstacles, including difficult weather conditions like harsh wind or waves. This sailing duo stands up, balancing their boat to avoid tipping over.
Finding community on the water: Spartans learn to sail at MPLS Sailing Center
May 3, 2025
STRONG START. Runners from multiple schools kick off their mile run, looking to set personal records and crush the competition.
Expansion and improvement: The track and field community is on track to keep getting better
May 2, 2025
LOCKING IN. The team huddles up before their game at Target Field
A new era is on the horizon for Spartans Baseball
May 1, 2025
TIMEOUT. The Spartans take a timeout with 19.7 seconds left in the first quarter.
New connections: lacrosse co-op grows with addition of St. Croix Lutheran
April 25, 2025
HOT PURSUIT. Blackhawks players chase after the player with the ball.
Blackhawks lacrosse suffers tough loss against Hermatown/Proctor
April 15, 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
DANGEROUS WATERS. The sailors must learn to navigate all types of obstacles, including difficult weather conditions like harsh wind or waves. This sailing duo stands up, balancing their boat to avoid tipping over.
Finding community on the water: Spartans learn to sail at MPLS Sailing Center
May 3, 2025
STRONG START. Runners from multiple schools kick off their mile run, looking to set personal records and crush the competition.
Expansion and improvement: The track and field community is on track to keep getting better
May 2, 2025
LOCKING IN. The team huddles up before their game at Target Field
A new era is on the horizon for Spartans Baseball
May 1, 2025
TIMEOUT. The Spartans take a timeout with 19.7 seconds left in the first quarter.
New connections: lacrosse co-op grows with addition of St. Croix Lutheran
April 25, 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
Charlie Zakaib covers all bases at Target Field
Charlie Zakaib covers all bases at Target Field
April 29, 2025
Spring sports have sprung
Spring sports have sprung
April 28, 2025
Athletes build strength in the weight room
Athletes build strength in the weight room
April 24, 2025
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
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
Charlie Zakaib covers all bases at Target Field
Charlie Zakaib covers all bases at Target Field
April 29, 2025
Athletes build strength in the weight room
Athletes build strength in the weight room
April 24, 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
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
SPARTAN SPIRIT. Spartan mascot Cassandra Overholt high fives students after defeating the BSM Crusader in a pre-game skit.

[HOCO Day 5] Pepfest pumps up fans before weekend games

Greyson Sale, Amanda Hsu, Lani Ngonethong, John Grimsrud, and Sonia Kharbanda • September 30, 2024
The entire Upper School gathered in the gym on Friday for the annual Pepfest celebration.
SPREAD LOVE. Senior Arden Lillemoe and the Class of 2024 cheered on their teammates during the relay race.

Pep Fest ignites the Spartan spirit

Rita Li and Lani Ngonethong • October 7, 2023
Whole US gathered in one place, but this time it wasn't in the auditorium or on Lang field. Friday Pep Fest took place in the gym, marking the official start of the homecoming weekend.
HERE I COME. Junior Aidan Willams strikes the incoming ball to his opponents.

Ping pong tournament sets up a legendary battle

Thomas Chen, RubicOnline • October 3, 2023
Two time defending champions Maik Nguyen and Baasit Mahmood attempt to become ping pong legends in a battle against passionate ping pong club members Rita Li and Aidan Williams.
Concentration is key. Freshman Bennett Sauer focuses on the ball as he swings and hits it back to Freshman Allan Wang.

Mastering the Paddle: SPA Ping Pong Tournament

Zadie Martin, RubicOnline • May 11, 2023
PADDLE BATTLE. On May 8, the table tennis players gather in lower schilling to battle for a ten-dollar Caribou gift card. Ultimately, the winner was freshman Johnny Rog.
During Thursday x-period club leaders Anna and Leni Nowakowski finish their poster for the club fair.

New, continuing clubs to host fair on Monday

Ivy Raya, RubicOnline • September 9, 2022
Two clubs and groups meetings this week put student leaders front and center in Student Organization Fair planning.
Sophomore Rita Li prepares to serve the ball, on a makeshift table.

Ping Pong, new club sport offers a fun time for all experience levels

Zekiah Juliusson, RubicOnline • April 16, 2022
Ping Pong club offers students a chance to learn and improve their skills, while having fun.
Sophomores Maik Nguyen and Baasit Mahmood play a heated match against seniors Zekiah Juliusson and Levi Smetana.

Pep Fest unites students with school spirit

Claire Kim, The Rubicon • October 1, 2021
Various activities between grades and teams invited participation and cheering from all students.
Two senior teams warm up before their match begins.

Homecoming ping pong competition draws crowds

Lulu Priede and Henry Burkhardt • September 27, 2021
Students filled the small gym this morning during X-period to bear witness to the infamous SPA homecoming ping pong tournament.
Two senior teams warm up before their match begins.

Homecoming off to a lively start

, The Rubicon • September 27, 2021
Homecoming got off to a lively start today with class color day and the much-anticipated ping pong tournament.
"My friend and I were planning on doing something similar to this for Halloween, but since duo day came up we decided to do it sooner instead," 9th grader Gracie Hedberg said.

The school sees double in Tuesday’s homecoming events

Tana Ososki and Lucia Granja • September 25, 2019
Tuesday was dedicated to twinning with a friend or friends. Pairs wore matching outfits to compete in the ping pong tournament, or just because they could.
Senior Ryan Moore and senior Shane Litman dress as ping pong players for twin day.

[MORE TO ME] Ping pong sharpens Moore’s skills

Tristan Hitchens-Brookins, RubicOnline Editor • February 17, 2019
Senior Ryan Moore talks about how ping pong affects his life in a different way than the other sports he plays.
[QUIZ] Which homecoming activities are for you?

[QUIZ] Which homecoming activities are for you?

Isabel Gisser, Production Manager • September 23, 2018
Fill your homecoming week with fun activities tailored to your interests.
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