The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
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
FREE SPIRIT. Rising Editor in Chief Sonia Kharbanda (center) works with incoming editors in the publications room.
Sonia Kharbanda named Free Spirit Scholar, will travel to D.C. for journalism conference
May 14, 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
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 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
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
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
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
PERFECT HOLE IN ONE. Sophomore Stella Hunter enjoyed this trip in many ways from being surrounded by Indigenous culture to enjoying the beautiful weather of Albuquerque at Arroyo del Oak Golf Course. When describing what experiencing a powwow is like Hunter commented: “It's probably like any other, theater event. You have your spectators, and then you have like the main act, which is the dancing. Just be respectful, don't judge, because this is something that's very important to us. If you ever want to go to a powwow, you totally should. It doesn't matter if you're Native or not.” (Photo submitted by Stella Hunter)
Hunter travels to North America’s largest powwow
May 13, 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
DIFFERENT COLORS. In Kim's short film, she explores the pressure to only show aspects of ones personality that will "fit in". She breaks down this mindset in "A Different Frame of Mind". (Submitted by Annika Kim)
A Different Frame of Mind: Kim’s short film stuns
May 19, 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
STUDY IN BLUE. The transitioning artwork behind Dacus is a strengthening supplement to the music. At one point, six individual portraits, each depicting a different member of the band, project brightly in the dim background.
Dacus takes the audience from darkness to light
May 12, 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
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
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
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
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
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
Athletes build strength in the weight room
Athletes build strength in the weight room
April 24, 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
QUIET STUDY. It might sound appealing to study with music, podcasts, and videos in the background, but it’s not good for focus. Instead, it’s better to work in a quiet, calm environment. “Humans are inherently horrible multitaskers, so trying to do more than one thing at once will drag down productivity,” Ostrem writes.

Keep your focus on staying focused

Peter Ostrem, The Rubicon • November 28, 2023
Eliminate distractions and focus on one thing at a time during the semester's final weeks.
Feeling down? Try music.

Feeling down? Try music.

Taryn Karasti, Staff Writer • March 13, 2023
Based on numerous science experiments, music could be one simple solution to lowering stress and increasing concentration.
DISCONNECT. Google Classroom notifications fill up Gmail inboxes in the blink of an eye, and create a lot of unwanted stress. No one wants to hear their devices constantly buzzing with the sounds of new assignments and grade updates. So why not just turn them off?

How can we set boundaries between school and personal life? Here are eight tips.

Eliana Mann, RubicOnline • September 25, 2021
As school is ramping back up again, it's hard not to let it take over our personal lives.
Edvard Munch, the Norwegian painter, contracted the Spanish Flu in 1919, used this experience as creative inspiration for a painting titled Self-Portrait with the Spanish Flu.

Pandemics and creativity: a blessing or curse?

Sam Hanson, RubicOnline • April 21, 2020
The history of pandemics offers examples of artists that channeled enhanced creativity in the midst of crisis.
Self care is more about hard work paying off than luxurious relaxation.

Responsible self care includes productivity

Lizzie Kristal, The Rubicon • January 23, 2020
Sometimes the best form of self-care is to sit down and get stuff done.
9th grader Alex Moore looks reading notes for French class.

Science proves that typing notes is killing your grade

Elizabeth Trevathan, RubicOnline Editor • May 10, 2019

Classes often begin with students opening their laptop, but typing notes aren’t as beneficial as the students think they are. In fact, typing notes makes preparing for tests much tougher than it should...

The upper library, where study halls used to be held, is left deserted as ninth graders find other places to study.

Ninth graders successfully petition for study hall release

Mason Brooks, Staff Writer • May 9, 2019
Ninth graders Sophie Cullen and Olivia Szaj petititioned for free study halls, and the class is grateful.
Moment, Lumosity, Bedtime, and Evernote are all perfect apps for staying organized and prepared for the rest of the school year.

4 apps that will help you thrive this school year

Liv Larsen, Interactive Storytelling Team • September 17, 2018
Boost your productivity with apps to regulate phone use and improve mental health and sleep schedule.
Caffeine helps students feel more productive and energized which allows them to achieve more, not only in school but also in life.

Two Sides, One Issue: Caffeine helps students achieve success

Melissa Nie, Staff Writer • March 8, 2017
Caffeine is beneficial to its users when taken in moderate amounts.
Music has been found to improve productivity and state of mind.

Not magic, just music

Jared Grossman, Staff Writer • November 1, 2014
Whether it’s rocking to Radiohead or jamming to Jay-Z, music undoubtedly has its effect on everyone. But what is that effect?
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