The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

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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
SUSTAINING SPA. After implementing Meatless Wednesday, the Upper School Council (USC) moves towards planning Earth Week. USC members raise their hands to volunteer to run various stations and activities throughout the week.
USC launches Meatless Wednesdays to reduce carbon emissions
April 9, 2024
FLOWERS FROM THE HEART. Senior Ingrid Johnson adds a decorative outline dotted with flowers to her letter.
CAS hosts Service Night to bring community together for a cause
April 8, 2024
ECLIPSE. A solar eclipse is a rare event in which the moon is between Earth and the Sun, blocking the view of the sun. In other parts of the United States, the view of the Sun will be totally blocked, constituting whats called a total eclipse. A total eclipse is a completely different event that is another level of coolness. So if they [the students] have that chance, they should absolutely take the chance to see a total eclipse if they ever can. The next one in Minnesota will be the year 2099, Astronomy and Planetary Science teacher Joseph Martin said.
Solar eclipse on the horizon: what you need to know
April 7, 2024
YOUNG VOTERS. Although Minnesota does not allow 17-year-old voters in its primary elections, several other states in the Midwest and across the country do.
Some states welcome 17-year-old voters in their primaries
April 2, 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
TAKE THE LEAP and try new things in all personal endeavors
To break habits, dare to fail at something new
April 11, 2024
SIMPLE SUSTAINABILITY. Resist greenwashing and opt for life choices that make the most minimal impact on the environment, such as using a reusable water bottle or using public transportation.
Want to go green? Think smaller.
April 9, 2024
TRUTH AND TRUST. Self-love leads to healthier relationships with others. Loving oneself means setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and engaging in actions that contribute to personal growth and well-being, Martin writes.
Love for self sustains love for others
March 15, 2024
START CLEANING using different important aspects of relationships to properly evaluate connections.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Spring clean your relationships
March 14, 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
I CARE. Disscussions between peers is a vital aspect of speakers coming to SPA.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Contribute meaningfully to assemblies and discussions
February 2, 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
SLEEPYTIME. Senior Bridget Keel runs the @spartans_caught_sleeping account on Instagram, posting pictures of students napping or laying down around the SPA campus. As she runs the account, she is careful to abide by SPAs rules on photographing and posting students images online, and requires explicit consent from the students in the photos before posting. (Screenshot from Instagram)
Student-ran Instagram accounts ties SPA community together through creative posts
April 12, 2024
WHOS THAT? Many are familiar with spaces on campus like Redleaf Commons or the Schilling Center, but few know the stories of the people they are named after. These people are alumni, entrepreneurs and change-makers of all kinds.
[WHAT’S IN A NAME] Lasting legacies: the people behind SPA’s named spaces
April 10, 2024
WALKING ROUTES. Walking for an hour daily can boost step counts by 6,000. Sophomore Annalise Atkinson does not track her steps, but estimates she gets around 8,000 per day. “I wish I got more steps every day…I’d like to go for more walks,” she said. (Fair use image: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Walk the walk: phone apps make it easy to track steps
April 9, 2024
LETS GROW. The Gardening Club has been flying under the radar since its founding last year, but the leaders hope to make the club more active with new initiatives like a campus garden.
Gardening Club hopes for growth this spring
April 3, 2024
HER RIGHTS, HER MIGHT. March celebrates Womens History Month by highlighting the important women in the world and what theyve done over the years. Canva Graphic by Rita Li
Women’s History Month: inspiration transcends time
March 23, 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
LOCAL BOOKSTORE. Red Balloon is a great place to find some new books to read and support the neighborhood.
[AROUND TOWN] Red Balloon Bookshop serves the community with literature
March 17, 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
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
Sandra is the suspect of her husbands murder, and their son Daniel is the only witness. The catch is: Daniel is blind.
[COUNTDOWN TO THE OSCARS] Anatomy of a Fall masters anatomy of a film
March 7, 2024
LUNGE. Lower school students practice lunging.
Fencing fosters new generation of athletes at lower school
April 12, 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
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
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
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
STRIDE. The track and field team practices their different stride styles. Many athletes run different distances, but starting early and practicing a diverse set of running styles sets the athletes up for success in any event. “If you start your good habits early you are less likely to be injured due to poor form,” captain Bridget Keel said.
Track and field captains’ practices bring team together
March 9, 2024
ONE IN THE CHAMBER. Captain Max Shaffer reloads his shotgun during a weekly practice. A normal round of trapshooting uses 25 shells.
Trap shooting captain Max Shaffer rises under pressure
June 2, 2023
DIY: Vision Board
DIY: Vision Board
March 13, 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
Connection with family and culture through food: Lunar New Year
Connection with family and culture through food: Lunar New Year
March 5, 2024
[HYPE REEL] Spartans host fencing invitational (Q and A)
[HYPE REEL] Spartans host fencing invitational (Q and A)
March 5, 2024
IN THE AIR. For sophomore James Welsh, flying is centered on family. What sparked my interest is my dad used to fly all the time for work. And my brother was really into tracking his flight to knowing all about the aircraft and stuff like that. And he just kind of rubbed off on me, I guess. (Submitted Photo James Welsh)
Advice From James Welsh on learning to fly (Q&A)
March 4, 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
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 4 Isaac Broderius talks growing up and nostalgia
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 4 Isaac Broderius talks growing up and nostalgia
February 16, 2024
Top five multimedia stories of 2023
Top five multimedia stories of 2023
January 18, 2024
[PODCAST] Exploring our digital footprint
[PODCAST] Exploring our digital footprint
December 16, 2023
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
Swap & sustain: HerSpace dress exchange promotes connection
Swap & sustain: HerSpace dress exchange promotes connection
February 9, 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

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The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

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Seniors Jordan Hughes, Afsar Sandozi, Thomas Toghramadjian, and Shaan Bijwadia, along with their coaches, Heather Fairbanks and Tom Fones hold up their second place trophy. “We had an amazing time. It was funny to see as we exceeded everyone else’s expectations as well as our own,” Sandozi said.

Four SPA debaters win second place in international debate tournament

Emily Thissen, News Editor • May 8, 2015
Four SPA debaters win second place in international debate tournament.
Eight students from the debate team compete, four of whom wrote arguments for the rounds that have brought them to Elite 8 competition for International Public Policy Forum. The students pictured are seniors Thomas Toghramadjian, Shaan Bijwadia, Afsar Sandozi, and Jordan Hughes, junior George Stiffman, and sophomores Shefali Bijwadia, Sarah Wheaton, and Raffi Toghramadjian. The four seniors will compete in New York on May 2 . US Debate coach Tom Fones said, “[I am most proud of] their ability to work together to produce written materials that are so coherent which have gotten them to this point. I mean the blending of their research, their writing, and the four of them working as a group has been exceptional.”

Four debaters to argue for top spot in Elite 8

Emily Thissen, News Editor • May 4, 2015
Four senior debaters make it to Elite 8 to compete in New York on May 2.
Charlie Hebdo attacks reveal divide within Islam

Charlie Hebdo attacks reveal divide within Islam

Shaan Bijwadia, Co-President of the Student Political Union • January 22, 2015
Student Political Union co-president, Shaan Bijwadia, writes about the importance of understanding the complicated global divide between radical and moderate Muslims in order to productively discuss the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
Senior Mansuda Arora began the discussion with a brief on the conflict in Ferguson, Missouri.

Intercultural Club, Common Ground, and Student Political Union facilitate a discussion on Ferguson

Diane Huang, Online Chief Visual Editor • October 11, 2014
Around the country, protests, media coverage, and social media spoke loudly about the riots and police brutality in Ferguson, Missouri. Despite this, the SPA community has been rather silent. In response to this, the Intercultural Club and Student Political Union facilitated a discussion on Ferguson on Oct. 8.
Academic Worldquest team members freshman Raffi Toghramadjian and juniors Thomas Toghramadjian, Shaan Bijwadia, and Jack Labovitz are congratulated for their performance at Minnesota’s Academic Worldquest competition. “I looked at Shaan and both of us totally thought we did awful, and then they announced that we won,” Labovitz said.

Academic WorldQuest team wins competition

Netta Kaplan, Copy Editor • March 19, 2014

Do you know the ramifications of the asymmetric nature of cyberattacks? What about the first president to pledge the goal of energy independence? Or the number of free trade agreements Mexico has? While...

And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to…

Patrick Commers, Staff Writer • February 28, 2014

Film critics rejoice, be ready to give your best insight on as many movies as you can. That’s right everyone, it is awards season. One of the biggest events of the awards season is The Academy Awards...

The current policy states that cell phones must be completely turned off during school hours. “I collect about three to five phones a day,” Cummins said.

Upper School Council finalizes cell phone policy

Katrina Hilton, Sports Editor • February 19, 2014

This semester, the Upper School Council aimed to address the issue of the non-uniformly enforced cell phone policy. The old cell phone policy stated that “cell phones must be turned completely off—not...

Student Political Union (SPU) members (from left) freshman Raffi Toghramadjian, freshman Ellis Tomlinson, freshman Liam McVea, sophomore George Stiffman, senior Connor Allen, sophomore Will Donaldson, freshman Andrew Michael, junior Zeeshawn Abid, senior Nick Cohen, junior Haris Hussain, Upper School debate teacher Aaron Shuler, senior Bryant Carlson, senior Carter Rients, senior Lowell Naas, junior Shaan Bijwadia, and junior Jordan Hughes regularly discuss controversial and politically divisive topics like the State of the Union address. “This [speech] is the first major thing Obama has done, where he’s departed from his platform of change,” Bijwadia said.

Student Political Union discusses State of the Union address

John Wilhelm, News Editor • February 4, 2014

President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress on Jan. 28—a speech intended to inform the representatives of matters that the President believes are important, or demand...

Students stand for applause at the end of the Pops Concert on Dec. 7, 2013. “In general, I am very happy with all of my students this year. Everyone is working hard and is doing their very best,” Upper School Orchestra Director Englehardt said.

Pops concert comes together just in time

Thomas Toghramadjian, Opinion Editor • December 12, 2013

The week leading into this year’s Pops Concert was marked by a distinct sense of crisis. Time limitations caused by the new class schedule, along with an ambitious array of pieces, left the musicians...

Students show interest in computer science class

Shefali Bijwadia, Staff Writer • September 30, 2013

St. Paul Academy and Summit School offers several clubs, classes, and now the school is considering a Spring offering of a student-run AP Computer Science class. Henry Swanson (‘13), taught the same...

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