The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
VEEP. Debate topics ranged from statements Vance and Walz have made in previous public appearances, to top issues impacting the ballot. Most of the discussion, however, focused on the presidential candidates. (Screen capture from full debate video at CBS.com)
Voting or not, students tune in for VP debate
October 12, 2024
MOUTH-WATERING MEAL. Sophomore Avi Coleman has dinner with her family. A round challah can be seen on the left-hand side, and the round challah signifies that the year is coming full circle.
Rosh Hashanah: a time for reflection, new beginnings
October 8, 2024
LAB FUN. German Exchange students work in the design lab after school on Oct. 2. They were invited to make a souvenir using the 3D printers, wood cutters, and various other tools in the makerspace.
One week into the German Exchange, connections build
October 5, 2024
STUDY AND SOCIALIZATION. Students relax in the newly designated common spaces during their free time.
Grade level common spaces switch up status quo
October 3, 2024
SERVICE TIME. A sophomore is shown logging their hours into the sophomore community service form. Sophomores are supposed to log hours into a Google form, citing what work they did and the number of hours completed.
Sophomore service hours reintroduced; students give back
September 30, 2024
BALANCE IS KEY. In avoiding desensitization, it can be helpful to take some time to reset and stay away from the news. (Made with Canva using images from gurt.space, Iconjam, Kawin Phonkarn, and sparklestroke)
Avoiding desensitization is key to being a good global citizen
October 14, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
AI’s latest target: Cinema?
October 11, 2024
LET'S BE KIND. Names are a sacred part of personal identity and deserve our respect. (Made with Canva)
[WHAT’S IN A NAME?] Everything– Let’s respect them
October 10, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
AI’s gone nuclear
October 4, 2024
New phone policy ignores student perspectives
New phone policy ignores student perspectives
October 3, 2024
COMMUNITY VALUES. Administrators, teachers and students should put in the work to reflect the new five school values: community, purpose, kindness, excellence and belonging.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Let the new values shape your heart and mind
September 25, 2024
INSPIRE ACTION. Land Acknowledgments serve to spread awareness about the Indigenous communities that inhabited this land and remind listeners of Indigenous peoples’ ongoing presence. Students have a responsibility to take these Land Acknowledgments seriously and advocate for further restorative actions.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Land Acknowledgments are more than just empty words
September 24, 2024
VALUES REIMAGINED. The school’s six core values are: achievement, accountability, community, resilience, inventiveness, and passion. These can remain important guiding principles for current students and alumni/ae of the school; they take on new meaning but are still applicable for graduates’ next journeys.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Packing up the school’s greatest gifts doesn’t require a backpack
May 28, 2024
PROTESTING FOR GENERATIONS. Protests are disrupting and attention catching. That is why it is a powerful tool for change that can be used by everyone, including students.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Bring back student led protests
May 23, 2024
DIVERSE DIRECTIONS. Students are given a wide range of opportunities to engage in diversity-related programming at school. Now, to combat complaints that diversity training isn’t engaging enough, it’s time to apply what they’ve learned.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] To make diversity training meaningful, engage when it’s hard
April 30, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
AI’s latest target: Cinema?
October 11, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
AI’s gone nuclear
October 4, 2024
PROJECT 2025. The project, mainly created by the Heritage Foundation, will have many limiting effects on public school curriculums and student expression.
[POLITICAL PULSE] Project 2025: a startling initiative for the nation and school system
October 2, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Is AI capable of reasoning? OpenAI thinks so.
September 27, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
E-cars don’t solve the greenhouse gas issue and may contribute to tech waste
September 20, 2024
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
SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. Everybody has dealt with changes in friendship, whether it be losing a close friend or making many new ones.
Why do friendships change?
October 15, 2024
WILLKOMMEN. Seventeen students from the Heisenberg Gymnasium in Hamburg spent two weeks with host families in the Twin Cities from Sept. 30-Oct. 11. They will host SPA German students in June. (Submitted photo Rachel Ruddick)
Meet the exchange students
October 10, 2024
CAMPAIGNING IN STYLE. Hanna poses for photo in gear with other interns. Hanna said “It can seem scary to get involved in politics, but you can make a big difference.”
Hanna dives into the world of local politics with McCollum
October 5, 2024
CLUB FAIR CHAT TIME. Senior Ava Schulender and Senior Cassandra Overholt discuss club sign-ups. “It can get easy to get wrapped up in the whole idea of ‘I need to focus on school and get good grades’. That’s all important but you can forget to enjoy the not-school part of school.” Schonwald said.
As the year begins, students take a risk and join in
October 4, 2024
LIFE LONG GINGER. Sophomore William O'Brien shares his input on seeing mockery stereotypes on social media.
Fiery hair, fierce stories: the redhead experience
October 3, 2024
CRAZY IN LOVE. Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga) is a new addition and romantic partner to the story of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.
[MOVIE REVIEW] The Joker’s jokes breed boredom in the sequel rather than chaos.
October 12, 2024
CLICK. Junior Thomas Ferguson lines up the perfect picture with his digital camera. While he prefers the digital camera over his phone camera, he still recognizes it's drawbacks: "It's kind of difficult to work with because the battery dies in 10 minutes," Ferguson said.
A new age of Digi-Cams
October 2, 2024
LOCKING IN. Junior Fletcher Coblentz listens to music throughout the day to get him in the right attitude for his role as a defensive lineman for SMB Wolfpack. "I listen to music with the intention of making sure I'm sufficiently aggressive," he said.
Music helps athletes get in the right headspace
October 1, 2024
THERAPY. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) and Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) sit in Maguire's office in one of the various therapy scenes in the film. (Screen capture from Miramax)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Good Will Hunting tells an intimate story of growth and connection
September 30, 2024
BEHIND BARS. Classic, well-known banned books line shelves facing the library windows.
Banned books display spotlights censorship
September 29, 2024
CRAZY IN LOVE. Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga) is a new addition and romantic partner to the story of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.
[MOVIE REVIEW] The Joker’s jokes breed boredom in the sequel rather than chaos.
October 12, 2024
THERAPY. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) and Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) sit in Maguire's office in one of the various therapy scenes in the film. (Screen capture from Miramax)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Good Will Hunting tells an intimate story of growth and connection
September 30, 2024
COLORFUL COVER. The book's cover art features popping bright colors, mimicking the novels child-like creativity.
[BOOK REVIEW] Van Pelts fantastical “Remarkably Bright Creatures” teaches important lessons
September 14, 2024
ORIGIN STORY. One day, after a traumatic incident on the job Cassie discovers she can sense what is about to happen in the future. (Screenshot from Madame Web Official trailer)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Madame Web spins a mediocre tale
May 24, 2024
ACTRESS. Zendaya is outstanding in her leading role, embodying the films messages and themes in one character.
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Challengers’ excellent acting and cinematography provides intense viewer experience
May 9, 2024
COMMUNICATION IS KEY. "Mine!", "balls up", "up", were all heard on the court. With so many players running around the court at once, the team has perfected communicating in noisy environments.
On Thursday, we celebrate Dig Pink
October 14, 2024
Keep on going! Spark Swimmers compete to beat the others.
Sparks dominate (again) at dual meet versus HumWow
October 14, 2024
READY TO GO. Seconds before the girls race begins, the team gets in position to race.
Focus and unity fuel cross country team’s strong showing at IMAC Championships
October 12, 2024
CELEBRATION. Forward Maggie Sampsell-Jones and Center Midfielder Lucia Gonzalez celebrate after Sampsell-Jones scored a goal.
[HOCO Day 6] Spartan soccer owns Saturday in 6-2 win
October 1, 2024
SUBTITUTIONS. The Wolfpack's bench walks up to the line and gets ready to enter the game.
[HOCO Day 5] Intense homecoming football game ends in Wolfpack defeat
September 30, 2024
READY TO GO. Seconds before the girls race begins, the team gets in position to race.
Focus and unity fuel cross country team’s strong showing at IMAC Championships
October 12, 2024
CELEBRATION. Forward Maggie Sampsell-Jones and Center Midfielder Lucia Gonzalez celebrate after Sampsell-Jones scored a goal.
[HOCO Day 6] Spartan soccer owns Saturday in 6-2 win
October 1, 2024
SPRINT. Senior Taylor Barkwell is on the heels of the second place runner.
[HOCO Day 4] Cross country dominates the Farmington Cowbell Run
September 27, 2024
GET HYPE. The volleyball team celebrates after gaining a point against Providence.
[HOCO Day 3] Volleyball loses three close sets to Providence
September 26, 2024
WIN. The Girls Varsity Soccer team joins each other in a huddle a couple minutes before the game begins.
[HOCO Day 2] GVS defeats Minnehaha Redhawks 6-0
September 26, 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
EN GARDE. Senior Maik Nguyen gets into position to fence his first round in Junior Men's 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. "I'm proud of this relay," he said.
Bhargava and Overgaard compete at state following a record-breaking performance at sections
March 3, 2024
GAME TIME. The game's first faceoff, with sophomore Dia Chaney, after gaining possession for the Spartans.
Girls lacrosse falls 17-4 to Breck, aims to turn season around
May 20, 2024
Freshman Adem Rivers, practicing his short game at University of Minnesota Driving Range.
Golf Captain Peltier brings leadership, pride to growing team
May 14, 2024
IN PURSUIT. A Roseville player chases after a Blackhawks player trying to get the ball.
JV Blackhawks Lacrosse loses close game to Roseville
May 13, 2024
THE PRESSURE IS ON. Mckinley Garner guards Kieran Monahan, forcing one direction as he counts down the seconds Monahan has left to throw.
Spartan Ultimate glides through season with exceptional spirit
May 7, 2024
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Elizabeth Tuttle practices for her next meet by leaping over the hurdles. Last year, Elizabeth qualified for state after she finished in second place in the 100m and the 300m hurdles.
There is no “I” in Track
May 6, 2024
SECURITY SEAMUS. Security Account Manager Seamus Glewwe works on his laptop in the Huss security office. This is his sixth year on the job. He believes the community doesn't know how much time security spends protecting people's cars. "We're noticing people parked in a no parking zone and [that] they're going to get towed. We're noticing that on a snow emergency day, they parked on the wrong side of the road, and we're sending emails and letting people know," Glewwe said.
[PODCAST] Behind the desks: Glewwe gives a behind-the-scenes look into the security team
October 11, 2024
[TRENDING] Ep. 1 Fantasy football with Jacob Colton
[TRENDING] Ep. 1 Fantasy football with Jacob Colton
October 10, 2024
VARIETY. From players dashing down a soccer field to swimmers gliding through the pool, athletes practice all sorts of sports during the fall. (Compiled images from RubicOnline.)
[QUIZ] How much do you know about fall sports?
October 9, 2024
INVOLVED CITIZEN. Junior William Hanna poses with with their "Vote Betty!" sign. Hanna spent this summer volunteering for the Congresswoman Betty McCollum's campaign.
[PODCAST] Students get involved this election season and share their opinions
September 30, 2024
BEHIND THE SCENES. Sonia Kharbanda interviewed five new teachers: Librarian assistant, Tina Tsui; math teacher, Jack Kinseth; english teacher, Meghan Joyce; councelor, Jake Turnbloom; and math teacher Rane Bice.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Sonia Kharbanda’s “Two truths and one lie,” teachers edition
September 18, 2024
SECURITY SEAMUS. Security Account Manager Seamus Glewwe works on his laptop in the Huss security office. This is his sixth year on the job. He believes the community doesn't know how much time security spends protecting people's cars. "We're noticing people parked in a no parking zone and [that] they're going to get towed. We're noticing that on a snow emergency day, they parked on the wrong side of the road, and we're sending emails and letting people know," Glewwe said.
[PODCAST] Behind the desks: Glewwe gives a behind-the-scenes look into the security team
October 11, 2024
[TRENDING] Ep. 1 Fantasy football with Jacob Colton
[TRENDING] Ep. 1 Fantasy football with Jacob Colton
October 10, 2024
BEHIND THE SCENES. Sonia Kharbanda interviewed five new teachers: Librarian assistant, Tina Tsui; math teacher, Jack Kinseth; english teacher, Meghan Joyce; councelor, Jake Turnbloom; and math teacher Rane Bice.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Sonia Kharbanda’s “Two truths and one lie,” teachers edition
September 18, 2024
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
September 4, 2024
BEHIND THE STORY. Writers Lani Ngonethong, Tamari Christopher and Elizabeth Tuttle put together a three-part story tracking student elections.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Election continuous coverage
May 31, 2024
Senior superlatives for the Class of 2024
Senior superlatives for the Class of 2024
June 9, 2024
[HOW TO] Got time? Make slime.
[HOW TO] Got time? Make slime.
May 30, 2024
Out on the road: life as a student driver
Out on the road: life as a student driver
May 24, 2024
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Triple Jump with junior Julia Taylor
[SPARTANS MIC’D UP] Triple Jump with junior Julia Taylor
April 25, 2024
DIY: Vision Board
DIY: Vision Board
March 13, 2024
September 2024 Issue
September 24, 2024
May 2024 Issue
May 28, 2024
April 2024 Issue
April 30, 2024
March 2024 Issue
March 5, 2024
February 2024 Issue
February 9, 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
NEWS
VEEP. Debate topics ranged from statements Vance and Walz have made in previous public appearances, to top issues impacting the ballot. Most of the discussion, however, focused on the presidential candidates. (Screen capture from full debate video at CBS.com)
Voting or not, students tune in for VP debate
Lucy Thomas, RubicOnline • October 12, 2024
The Vice Presidential Debate was a calm contrast to the chaos of the recent Presidential Debates.
MOUTH-WATERING MEAL. Sophomore Avi Coleman has dinner with her family. A round challah can be seen on the left-hand side, and the round challah signifies that the year is coming full circle.
Rosh Hashanah: a time for reflection, new beginnings
October 8, 2024
LAB FUN. German Exchange students work in the design lab after school on Oct. 2. They were invited to make a souvenir using the 3D printers, wood cutters, and various other tools in the makerspace.
One week into the German Exchange, connections build
October 5, 2024
STUDY AND SOCIALIZATION. Students relax in the newly designated common spaces during their free time.
Grade level common spaces switch up status quo
October 3, 2024
SERVICE TIME. A sophomore is shown logging their hours into the sophomore community service form. Sophomores are supposed to log hours into a Google form, citing what work they did and the number of hours completed.
Sophomore service hours reintroduced; students give back
September 30, 2024
View All
OPINION
BALANCE IS KEY. In avoiding desensitization, it can be helpful to take some time to reset and stay away from the news. (Made with Canva using images from gurt.space, Iconjam, Kawin Phonkarn, and sparklestroke)
Avoiding desensitization is key to being a good global citizen
Greyson Sale, Production Manager • October 14, 2024
There is a lot of violence in the world right now. Feelings of discomfort and sympathy are normal and are what push people to create change.
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
AI’s latest target: Cinema?
October 11, 2024
LET'S BE KIND. Names are a sacred part of personal identity and deserve our respect. (Made with Canva)
[WHAT’S IN A NAME?] Everything– Let’s respect them
October 10, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
AI’s gone nuclear
October 4, 2024
New phone policy ignores student perspectives
New phone policy ignores student perspectives
October 3, 2024
View All
FEATURE
SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. Everybody has dealt with changes in friendship, whether it be losing a close friend or making many new ones.
Why do friendships change?
Audrey Jansen, RubicOnline • October 15, 2024
Changing friendships is a part of growing up and many people can relate to the factors that cause distance between friends.
CAMPAIGNING IN STYLE. Hanna poses for photo in gear with other interns. Hanna said “It can seem scary to get involved in politics, but you can make a big difference.”
Hanna dives into the world of local politics with McCollum
October 5, 2024
CLUB FAIR CHAT TIME. Senior Ava Schulender and Senior Cassandra Overholt discuss club sign-ups. “It can get easy to get wrapped up in the whole idea of ‘I need to focus on school and get good grades’. That’s all important but you can forget to enjoy the not-school part of school.” Schonwald said.
As the year begins, students take a risk and join in
October 4, 2024
LIFE LONG GINGER. Sophomore William O'Brien shares his input on seeing mockery stereotypes on social media.
Fiery hair, fierce stories: the redhead experience
October 3, 2024
DRIVING DRONES. Johnson leads an activity at her volunteer job, flying drones with children. “Volunteer for the things you care about; I care about my community and helping,” Johnson said.
Volunteering brings passion to students’ lives
October 1, 2024
View All
A&E
CRAZY IN LOVE. Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga) is a new addition and romantic partner to the story of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker.
[MOVIE REVIEW] The Joker's jokes breed boredom in the sequel rather than chaos.
Peter Lipinsky, RubicOnline • October 12, 2024
Despite trying something new, Todd Phillips lacks in comparison to the first Joker movie.
CLICK. Junior Thomas Ferguson lines up the perfect picture with his digital camera. While he prefers the digital camera over his phone camera, he still recognizes it's drawbacks: "It's kind of difficult to work with because the battery dies in 10 minutes," Ferguson said.
A new age of Digi-Cams
October 2, 2024
LOCKING IN. Junior Fletcher Coblentz listens to music throughout the day to get him in the right attitude for his role as a defensive lineman for SMB Wolfpack. "I listen to music with the intention of making sure I'm sufficiently aggressive," he said.
Music helps athletes get in the right headspace
October 1, 2024
THERAPY. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) and Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) sit in Maguire's office in one of the various therapy scenes in the film. (Screen capture from Miramax)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Good Will Hunting tells an intimate story of growth and connection
September 30, 2024
BEHIND BARS. Classic, well-known banned books line shelves facing the library windows.
Banned books display spotlights censorship
September 29, 2024
View All
SPORTS
COMMUNICATION IS KEY. "Mine!", "balls up", "up", were all heard on the court. With so many players running around the court at once, the team has perfected communicating in noisy environments.
On Thursday, we celebrate Dig Pink
Mariam Malik, Social Media Manager • October 14, 2024
Nail biting rallies, swoon-worthy raffle prizes, and plenty of donations to the SideOut Foundation made for successful annual Dig Pink game.
Keep on going! Spark Swimmers compete to beat the others.
Sparks dominate (again) at dual meet versus HumWow
October 14, 2024
CELEBRATION. Forward Maggie Sampsell-Jones and Center Midfielder Lucia Gonzalez celebrate after Sampsell-Jones scored a goal.
[HOCO Day 6] Spartan soccer owns Saturday in 6-2 win
October 1, 2024
SUBTITUTIONS. The Wolfpack's bench walks up to the line and gets ready to enter the game.
[HOCO Day 5] Intense homecoming football game ends in Wolfpack defeat
September 30, 2024
SWARMED. Senior Masumi Kouakou gets possession of the ball while surrounded by opponents.
[HOCO Day 5] BVS defeat Crusaders in dominant homecoming win
September 28, 2024
View All
TOP STORIES
GET HYPE. The volleyball team celebrates after gaining a point against Providence.
[HOCO Day 3] Volleyball loses three close sets to Providence
September 26, 2024
MEET THE SPARTAN. The class of 2027 welcomes the lower school to the assembly.
[HOCO Day 2] K-12 assembly encourages all to stand up and celebrate
September 25, 2024
EXPLORE SOMETHING WILD. Seniors Ada LaTarte and Ava Schluender talk to Cassandra Overholt about their Art in Nature Club. “It’s a relaxing space for people to express their creativity and share their appreciation for the great outdoors,” says Schluender about her club.
[PHOTO STORY] Student groups fair draws a crowd
September 9, 2024
THE RUBICON
24 Iris: Art + Lit
MULTIMEDIA
MEET THE STAFF
Zimo Xie
Zimo Xie
Chief Visual Editor

Zimo Xie (she/her). Looking for a new adventure, Xie went on a 30 day canoe trip this summer on the Gammon and Bloodvein Rivers. This is her third trip but it was her first time canoeing on whitewaters....

@therubiconspa on Instagram
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