The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
SCHOOL COMMUNITY. Students from K to 12 come together for the all school assembly on April 22. (Photo reprinted with permission from SPA Smugmug)
Students off to summer break, regular reporting to return in August
June 9, 2025
DESERVED DIPLOMA: US principal Minnie Lee announces Henry Giles ('24) just before he receives his diploma from Head of School Luis Ottley. USC presidents organize diplomas, with 24-25 co-presidents Annie Zhang pictured.
With levity and love, class of ’25 will graduate June 8
June 2, 2025
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
Jill Romans accepts Head of School position at Pine Cobble School
Jill Romans accepts Head of School position at Pine Cobble School
May 19, 2025
DEBATABLE DOLLARS. While these top Minnesota nonprofits operate to serve the public good, the high salaries or their CEOs call into question whether donations to the organization are funding the mission or the executive. (Infographic made by Amanda Hsu and Sonia Kharbanda)
High nonprofit CEO salaries damage integrity
May 28, 2025
(Wikimedia Commons)
Restorative conversations: helpful or ineffective?
May 27, 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.
The myth in the median: what data disaggregation can reveal about Asian Americans
May 26, 2025
HUNTING HONORS. Success plays a central role in learning. However, stepping away from the “success above all else” mindset can create new opportunities for development.
Embrace failure and reject achievement culture to grow
May 24, 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
HUNTING HONORS. Success plays a central role in learning. However, stepping away from the “success above all else” mindset can create new opportunities for development.
Embrace failure and reject achievement culture to grow
May 24, 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
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
[GOOD QUESTION] How do you start great conversations?
[GOOD QUESTION] How do you start great conversations?
May 31, 2025
Sanneh Foundation founder, Toney Sanneh
AmeriCorps cuts hit close to home at Sanneh Foundation
May 30, 2025
Food dyes: a rainbow of health risks
Food dyes: a rainbow of health risks
May 29, 2025
EXTRA ENJOYMENT. Summer camps, such as the French program at Concordia Language Villages that sophomore Asha Peckosh took part in last year, offer social connections and engagement during the break. “I made some really good friends, I’m still super close with all of them,” Peckosh said. (Reprinted with permission: Concordia College)
Summer programs bring curiosity, connection
May 28, 2025
NEW HOMES. Over a million Southeast Asian refugees were resettled in the U.S., starting in 1975. After 50 years, the communities have grown. New generations look back in order to move forward.
Looking back and moving forward: celebrating 50 years of Southeast Asians in America
May 27, 2025
GOLDEN HOUR. Henry is pictured in Canada fishing in the sunrise.
Hook. Line. Sinker. Let’s talk fishing 101
June 2, 2025
Blind Havoc: a clothing brand made to spread positivity
Blind Havoc: a clothing brand made to spread positivity
May 30, 2025
COLD BUT DELICIOUS. As summer nears, it is time to relieve stress with a frozen treat. But where to go? Here are some St. Paul favorites.
St. Paul scoops: ice cream picks to sweeten the summer
May 30, 2025
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Robert Pattison stars in twin roles in "Mickey 17", a choice that has polarized viewers.
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] ‘Mickey 17’ splits audiences with blunt politics and bold direction
May 29, 2025
GRAND GUITAR. Junior Josh Melchert plays the guitar as part of the Juan-Miguel Quartet’s performance at the cabaret concert April 16.
Melchert speaks fluent guitar
May 28, 2025
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Robert Pattison stars in twin roles in "Mickey 17", a choice that has polarized viewers.
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] ‘Mickey 17’ splits audiences with blunt politics and bold direction
May 29, 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
SENIOR JACOB COLTON LAUNCHES INTO A SERVE DURING DOUBLES PLAY. Colton, partnering with Ben Macedo , brought focus and finesse to the court as they captured the Section 4A doubles title.
Spartans sweep Section 4A: titles for Arvidson, Wang/Seneratna, Colton/Macedo, Schumacher
May 27, 2025
OFF-SEASON, ON POINT. Athletes at SPA train in the off-season by participating in camps around MN. (Illustration by Naomi Zins using Canva Elements)
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
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
SENIOR JACOB COLTON LAUNCHES INTO A SERVE DURING DOUBLES PLAY. Colton, partnering with Ben Macedo , brought focus and finesse to the court as they captured the Section 4A doubles title.
Spartans sweep Section 4A: titles for Arvidson, Wang/Seneratna, Colton/Macedo, Schumacher
May 27, 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
OBLIVIOUS OPHELIA. Sophomore Ella Barlow acts out Act Four, Scene Five of Hamlet with her groupmates.
Freshmen and sophomores reimagine ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Hamlet’
May 26, 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
OBLIVIOUS OPHELIA. Sophomore Ella Barlow acts out Act Four, Scene Five of Hamlet with her groupmates.
Freshmen and sophomores reimagine ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Hamlet’
May 26, 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
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
May 2025 Issue
May 28, 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
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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