The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

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NO JOKE. Dean Phillips explained his unexpected and controversial bid for president: “I think President Biden has done a spectacular job. But it’s not about the past. This is an election about the future.”
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips challenges Biden in primary election
November 16, 2023
ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. The Student Handbook describes four steps of disciplinary action that students may face for community misconduct such as defacing property or leaving messes in school spaces.
Admin calls out rise in community misconduct
November 14, 2023
WHERE DOES THIS GO. After using a tissue to clean up some spilt water, sophomore Carys Hsiung wonders which bin to to throw it in before dropping it into the one that says landfill.
USC takes first steps in recently passed sustainability proposal
November 13, 2023
GOOD MATCH. Isaak Senaratna and Griffin Roy shaking hands before the big competition.
Senaratna triumphs in annual Graph Matching competition
November 7, 2023
LIGHT LESSON. Photography and video arts teacher Kate Clark preps the darkroom for an upcoming class. I have students in the darkroom working with film, she said. Its been interesting, because Ive never had to manage a darkroom before. Im feeling pretty comfortable about mixing chemistry myself. Clark noted how supportive the environment has been whole also giving her autonomy with her classes.
Classroom time shapes pedagogy
November 1, 2023
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
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
LETS GO SPARTANS. Students gather to cheer on the SPA boys hockey team as they face off against Highland Park in the first round of the section tournament. The Spartans went on to win the game 5-2.
Co-op sports provide connectivity, relationships between fans
February 26, 2023
SNOWY SLOPES. Burns has been passionate about alpine skiing from a young age. The sport is very challenging, with steep terrain, sharp turns, injuries, and countless hours of practice. But nevertheless, Burns continues to foster a deep love for the slopes.
Burns dominates on the slopes
February 23, 2023
ICE TIME. Greta Magnuson in goal boasts six wins, and a 0.894 save percentage this season.
Pregame Coverage: Metro-South Phoenix hopes to keep season alive
February 7, 2023
Spartans fail to beat Breck in second match-up, lose in overtime
Spartans fail to beat Breck in second match-up, lose in overtime
January 25, 2023
Metro-South falls to Apple Valley in anticipated rematch
Metro-South falls to Apple Valley in anticipated rematch
January 23, 2023
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
UNEQUAL VISIBILTY. The captains wall is the center of the fight for visibilty. Club captains are currently not recognized on the captains wall. Athletic Director Taylor Tvedt said, “We just want to make sure the leadership that’s up there is all going through the same process.”
MSHSL sports prioritized over clubs
May 31, 2023
ASSEFA ASSISTS, CHEN SCORES. Got my guy Aaron Lindeman throwing it to me, and Ben Chen in the end zone. I know they are two guys I could trust whenever they have the disk, so its great to get some momentum, senior Simon Assefa said.
Spartan ultimate confronts the Edina hornets
May 26, 2023
BE READY. Ezra Cunningham prepares to throw a pitch to Minnehaha at the beginning of the game. He was the Spartan pitcher for a large amount of the game.
Baseball takes a rough loss at CHS Field
May 24, 2023
LOOK OUT. A Mound Westonka player struggles to stay on his feet with the Blackhawks defense applying pressure.
[PHOTO STORY] Boys lacrosse topples Mound Westonka in decisive win
May 14, 2023
THE TIME IS NOW. SPA must create a climate policy that dramatically reduces emissions to meet the urgency of this moment and be an example to students, families, and peer institutions.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] SPA must make climate action a priority
November 13, 2023
LIFE IMITATES ART is a monthly arts opinion column written by The Rubicon opinions editor Eliza Farley. (Illustration created using Adobe Express)
[COLUMN] In the music industry, it seems, it’s the year of the female
November 3, 2023
AGE MATTERS. While legalization in Minnesota does not extend to minors, the national data indicates that some minors use cannabis.
Cannabis addiction must be understood now that it is legalized in Minnesota
November 1, 2023
NO GIRLS INVOLVED. The relative lack of female-identifying students in STEM extracurriculars can make them feel like boys’ clubs. It’s not that girls aren’t interested in these activities; instead, they might not be included to the same degree when they want to participate, or they might be afraid to be the only one.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Girls in STEM deserve our support
October 31, 2023
Embracing eco-friendly Halloween
Embracing eco-friendly Halloween
October 30, 2023
THE TIME IS NOW. SPA must create a climate policy that dramatically reduces emissions to meet the urgency of this moment and be an example to students, families, and peer institutions.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] SPA must make climate action a priority
November 13, 2023
NO GIRLS INVOLVED. The relative lack of female-identifying students in STEM extracurriculars can make them feel like boys’ clubs. It’s not that girls aren’t interested in these activities; instead, they might not be included to the same degree when they want to participate, or they might be afraid to be the only one.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Girls in STEM deserve our support
October 31, 2023
ASSESSING ACHIEVEMENT. The survey sent to all students, families, and faculty should inspire individuals to define excellence for themselves while respecting how others strive to be excellent.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] What is excellence?
October 13, 2023
FACE TO FACE. Affinity groups are not only a good way to meet people that share the same identity, but also a good way to discover how different those people can be. Additionally, by engaging in a space where it’s not necessary to explain the nuances of identity, it’s possible to make connections based on a deep mutual understanding.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Affinity groups create safe spaces for inclusion and empowerment
September 28, 2023
As the Spanish exchange program resumes for the first time since pre-covid, the SPA community should welcome visiting students with intention and warmth.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Welcome Colegio Malvar students with open hearts and minds
September 14, 2023
LIFE IMITATES ART is a monthly arts opinion column written by The Rubicon opinions editor Eliza Farley. (Illustration created using Adobe Express)
[COLUMN] 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
[PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING] The benefits of thinking about death
[PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING] The benefits of thinking about death
April 28, 2023
[PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING] What is self-awareness?
[PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING] What is self-awareness?
January 31, 2023
[PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING] What is beauty?
[PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING] What is beauty?
December 5, 2022
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
These artists actions are not mistakes that deserve forgiveness
These artist’s actions are not mistakes that deserve forgiveness
December 8, 2022
DEI Plan needs to account for neurodivergent learning
DEI Plan needs to account for neurodivergent learning
May 12, 2022
Feel racial discomfort rather than pushing it away
Feel racial discomfort rather than pushing it away
March 5, 2021
AMPLIFYING VOICES. Listen Up Youth Radio is committed to bringing radio to the Twin Cites by the hands of the local youth. Freshman January Cook works as a production editor there, helping to train people and make decisions for the radio and website. (Submitted Photo: January Cook)
Cook invites students to work for Listen Up Youth Radio
November 16, 2023
ROSCOE. James Englands German Shepherd smiles for the camera. Roscoe was named after the childhood dog of Englands mother. [His name] makes Roscoe seem more like his own individual and not just like everybody else,” England said. (Submitted Photo: James England)
[WHAT’S IN A NAME?] Students discuss pet names and their importance
November 14, 2023
COMMUNITY SERVICE. Thanksgiving break presents a great opportunity to get involved in the community by volunteering and making thoughtful donations. However, community service is much needed all year long.
Give thanks by giving back
November 11, 2023
HARD AT WORK. Juniors Rohan Kharbanda and Humza Jameel work together to build a concrete mixer during an Advanced Science Research class. (Submitted Photo: Rohan Kharbanda)
Kharbanda puts the planet first in ASR
November 10, 2023
BFFS. Friends juniors Serene Kalugdan and Deling Cheng stroll in the lily courtyard.
The power of friendship
November 8, 2023
TALK WITH THE ROCK. Trevor Noah interviewed The Rock in the first episode of his new podcast. Noah hopes to have meaningful conversations about important topics in society. “We’ll probably fix every single issue humankind has ever faced so you definitely want to join us for every episode,” Noah said in the intro.
[PODCAST REVIEW] He’s back: What Now? with Trevor Noah premieres in fantastic style
November 15, 2023
Crumbl Cookies, a great spot to try some unique types of cookies.
[FOOD REVIEW] Crumbl Cookies offer more than enough to share
November 10, 2023
WOW-WORTHY. Killers of the Flower Moon is the best movie of 2023 so far. The primary actors delivered moving performances, and the soundtrack and cinematography brought the film to the next level. (Image from Apple TV+ Press Kit)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Killers of the Flower Moon: An ugly story told beautifully
November 9, 2023
KNOW THAT TUNE. Music helps us retrieve old memories and create new ones. Memory is not the only brain function affected by sound, many other mental processes are affected by hearing or playing music.
Music? It’s all in the brain
November 8, 2023
AUTHENTIC APPEAL. Minimally produced music can feel more natural than overproduced mainstream tracks. This production style is commonly referred to as low-fidelity.
[ARTS OPINION] Dig into low-fidelity music
November 6, 2023
TALK WITH THE ROCK. Trevor Noah interviewed The Rock in the first episode of his new podcast. Noah hopes to have meaningful conversations about important topics in society. “We’ll probably fix every single issue humankind has ever faced so you definitely want to join us for every episode,” Noah said in the intro.
[PODCAST REVIEW] He’s back: What Now? with Trevor Noah premieres in fantastic style
November 15, 2023
Crumbl Cookies, a great spot to try some unique types of cookies.
[FOOD REVIEW] Crumbl Cookies offer more than enough to share
November 10, 2023
WOW-WORTHY. Killers of the Flower Moon is the best movie of 2023 so far. The primary actors delivered moving performances, and the soundtrack and cinematography brought the film to the next level. (Image from Apple TV+ Press Kit)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Killers of the Flower Moon: An ugly story told beautifully
November 9, 2023
THE CREATOR. This new sci-fi film echoes clear inspiration from past works like Avatar and the Star Wars franchise. The strongest part of The Creator is the incredible production design and the use of eye-catching CGI.
[MOVIE REVIEW] The Creator: A brutal and brilliant modern masterpiece
October 10, 2023
UNEQUALED DISAPPOINTMENT. Despite its solid box office performance, The Equalizer 3 did not offer much in terms of cinematic quality, and felt as though it was cheaply made. The acting and line delivery were often poor, and the plot was boring and unengaging, leaving much to be desired. (Fair Use Image: Screen capture from Equalizer 3 Official Trailer)
[MOVIE REVIEW] The Equalizer 3: A disappointing end to a great franchise
September 20, 2023
The science of gratitude
The science of gratitude
November 13, 2023
READING ABOUT PRIDE. There has been a display of LGBT centered book and authors the SPA library.
A breakdown of LGBTQ+ History Month
November 4, 2023
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 2 Violet Benson navigates life with an autistic sister
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 2 Violet Benson navigates life with an autistic sister
October 25, 2023
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Mile-run with cross country captain Ford Reedy
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Mile-run with cross country captain Ford Reedy
October 17, 2023
Fall fashion trends emerge in the school community
Fall fashion trends emerge in the school community
October 9, 2023
The science of gratitude
The science of gratitude
November 13, 2023
READING ABOUT PRIDE. There has been a display of LGBT centered book and authors the SPA library.
A breakdown of LGBTQ+ History Month
November 4, 2023
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 2 Violet Benson navigates life with an autistic sister
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 2 Violet Benson navigates life with an autistic sister
October 25, 2023
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 1 Atari Ernst is tearing up the dance floor
[COFFEE WITH CLARA] Ep. 1 Atari Ernst is tearing up the dance floor
September 27, 2023
[IN PLAIN SIGHT] Ep.2 The Vending Machines
[IN PLAIN SIGHT] Ep.2 The Vending Machines
June 8, 2023
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Mile-run with cross country captain Ford Reedy
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Mile-run with cross country captain Ford Reedy
October 17, 2023
Fall fashion trends emerge in the school community
Fall fashion trends emerge in the school community
October 9, 2023
[SPARTANS MICD UP] Fall scrimmage with girls tennis
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Fall scrimmage with girls tennis
September 20, 2023
73 Questions Vogue style Spartan edition: departing faculty Nan Dreher
73 Questions Vogue style Spartan edition: departing faculty Nan Dreher
June 1, 2023
Freedom of speech, press, religion, and...pee? Welcome to URINETOWN
Freedom of speech, press, religion, and…pee? Welcome to URINETOWN
May 24, 2023
[QUIZ] Homecoming through the years
[QUIZ] Homecoming through the years
October 4, 2023
[QUIZ] Which Urinetown character are you?
[QUIZ] Which Urinetown character are you?
May 23, 2023
LOOK HERE. Creative Design Manager Rita Li knows that the best camera is the one you have with you. Here, she takes a photo after the Latinos Unidos Cinco de Mayo celebration May 5.
[TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE] What do you know about photography?
May 15, 2023
[QUIZ] Let it snow? Maybe tomorrow.
[QUIZ] Let it snow? Maybe tomorrow.
November 28, 2022
SHINING STAR. Swift released the video to Bejeweled Oct. 24 and it has garnered nearly 9 million views. Swift will perform in Minneapolis Aug. 23-24, 2023.
Swift Announces the Eras Tour, new dates in Minneapolis
November 15, 2022
October 2023 Issue
October 24, 2023
CLIMATE EMERGENCIES. As the years go by, the Earth is affected by climate change, and the natural disasters that have been rising in recent years is proof. From daily weather to extreme climate phenomena, the people inhabiting this planet have had considerable impact on Earth. (Illustration by Annika Kim, Infographic by Johanna Pierach, Orion Kim)
It’s all about the ENVIRONMENT: Natural disaster on the rise
October 15, 2023
September 2023 Issue
September 26, 2023
May 2023 Issue
May 30, 2023
April 2023 Issue
April 25, 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
WHERE DOES THIS GO. After using a tissue to clean up some spilt water, sophomore Carys Hsiung wonders which bin to to throw it in before dropping it into the one that says landfill.

USC takes first steps in recently passed sustainability proposal

Lani Ngonethong, RubicOnline • November 13, 2023
The sustainability proposal includes 12 sections aiming to change the schools environmantal impact and defines how SPA can be more sustainable.
THE TIME IS NOW. SPA must create a climate policy that dramatically reduces emissions to meet the urgency of this moment and be an example to students, families, and peer institutions.

[STAFF EDITORIAL] SPA must make climate action a priority

RubicOnline Staff • November 13, 2023
Institutional climate action becomes more necessary every day, yet SPA makes no commitment to curb school carbon emissions on its website.

Sustainability “Under the Stars”

Annie Bai, The Rubicon • May 30, 2023
Junior Reilly Ringness spent weekends thrifting for parts of his outfit.
THE REAL COST. While it may be fun to participate in the latest fashion trends, the current trend cycle, fueled by social media and fast fashion, promotes over-consumption, a practice thats both environmentally and economically harmful.

Staying on trend isn’t worth the economic and environmental damage

Alison Mitchell, Podcast Editor • October 4, 2022
The current trend cycle is unsustainable and economically unfair, don't buy in.
Eighth-grader Georgia Ross created a list of a few popular brands that use sweatshops in hopes of inspiring others to consume ethically and research before they purchase clothing.

Ross educates others on ethical consumption

Eliana Mann, RubicOnline • May 25, 2021
Eighth-grader Georgia Ross discusses the importance of ethical consumption and fighting the exploitation of workers in a recent project.
Kathryn Youngblood, a research engineer that worked on the app development, explains how citizen participation works within the app.

[SUSTAINABILITY & ETHICS] Reviewing the Marine Debris Tracker app

Elizabeth Trevathan, Director of RubicOnline • May 15, 2021
Citizen science is research conducted by the public. Now, you can aid the fight against plastic pollution by researching it yourself. The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, also known as the Mayors of the Mississippi River, partnered with the United Nations Environment Program, the National Geographic Society, and the University of Georgia to create an accessible way for the general public to battle plastic pollution by gathering data along the Mississippi River.
By buying large amounts of fast fashion in “hauls,” consumers are adding to the massive amount of clothes that are abandoned as soon as their short 6 month long trend is over.

[A&E OPINION] The problem with “hauls:” the ethics of overconsumption

Lucia Granja, RubicOnline • April 29, 2021
Thrifting as a concept is undoubtedly more environmentally friendly than buying trendy fast fashion products. But thrifting hauls defeat this purpose. Buying a lot of clothes outweighs the fact that you are reusing the clothes, in addition to taking affordable resources from people who need them, making thrifting hauls just as unethical as fast fashion.
At SPA, the decision to spend $3 or $4 more dollars on a sustainable t-shirt is one that is much easier to make than in other communities. One must be respectful of other people’s decisions to buy or not buy sustainably made clothes, because paying more should not be an immediate expectation we have of others.

Not everyone can shop sustainably

Alexandra Cardwell, RubicOnline • December 6, 2020
Sustainable shopping isn't the only way to lessen your carbon footprint.
What is the Zero Waste Movement? What is the Low Impact Movement?

[SUSTAINABILITY & ETHICS] Start small, go big: education v.s. limitation

Elizabeth Trevathan, Director of RubicOnline • October 22, 2020
Every city, organization, business, and person who has implemented a Zero Waste plan or lifestyle has a slightly different definition of the term.
Not enough people had ran for USC the year before, so Hartfeldt decided to run this year. “I thought that I would be a good person to represent the student body because Im fairly outgoing and assertive... I like to take control and make sure everything is running smoothly” she said.

New USC representative Hartfeldt on environmentalism, sustainability, and leadership

Julia Baron, The Rubicon • December 4, 2019
The mid-fall elections gave the sophomore class a new student body representative: Maura Hartfeldt.
SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOURCING. One of the main advantages of using ocean farms is the ability to source food sustainably. The kelp and shellfish grow naturally with the ocean and do not require any harmful additives to thrive.

Sustainable seafood: ocean farms offer greener food production

Jack Benson, The Rubicon Editor • December 23, 2017
Ocean farms grow food--like kelp, mussels and other types of seafood--below the sea, minimizing the environmental impacts.
USCs initiative to remove disposable cups and host a reusable mug sale came with pros and cons.

2 SIDES: Did the mug / water bottle sales improve sustainability?

Flannery Enneking Norton and Lucy Sandeen • September 26, 2017
Upper School Council sold water bottles and coffee mugs to raise funds and reduce waste.
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