The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
Proud prize winners, juniors Shefali Meagher and Huxley Westemeier, along with senior Deling Chen, smile with their awards. Meagher won fourth, Westemeier and Chen won sixth and seventh in the oral presentation category.
ASR returns to Sioux Falls
March 14, 2025
ACRONYM APPROACH. Ahead of conferences, students have been asked to utilize the Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan, also known as WOOP, strategy to set goals.
Changes to conferences aim to prioritize student input and initiative
March 13, 2025
(Flickr Creative Commons Image: Jan Hammershaug)
Understaffed nursing homes in Minnesota feel the pain of federal policy
March 13, 2025
CULTIVATING COMPASSION. SASH co-leader Cerena Karmaliani informs the community on sexual harassment statistics before guiding them through hypothetical reporting scenarios. The resources, acquired through a conference at the Sexual Violence Center, are available to all students.
SASH-led assembly calls attention to harassment culture
March 12, 2025
DESIGN. HerSpace members use their computers to create stickers.
Celebrating International Women’s day with HerSpace
March 11, 2025
LEARN FROM IT. A certain amount of adversity is needed to learn new things, so instead of giving up or deciding there's a limit to what you can learn, see it as the challenge that fosters growth. (Illustration: Naomi Zins via Canva)
Pressure to progress: build a growth mindset
March 14, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The latest computer: powered by brains?
March 13, 2025
LAMAR SPEAKS TO THE PEOPLE. Full of political and social allusions, Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX performance was one big statement about America.
Political touchdown: Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show
March 12, 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
MEANINGLESS MEETINGS. Student-led conferences only help students set goals for their academic lives and nothing further. (Illustration: Zahir Hassan via Canva)
Student-led conferences are inefficient and counterproductive
March 7, 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
TIME FOR COMMUNITY. Community building happens in clubs. Yet, clubs have met only once in two months. Clubs have been tossed aside due to constant schedule changes when clubs should be prioritized more.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Prioritizing clubs will build community
February 28, 2025
PERSONAL POLITICS. Current events are on the minds of many in the community, making it important that students have space to share their thoughts. Implementing these conversations into class time would provide a natural and comfortable outlet for discussion.
Current events discussions belong in the classroom
February 15, 2025
UNTOLD STORIES. Realities of the LA fires are buried under misinformation and celebrity stories. Let's shift more attention to those heavily impacted.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Substance over sensation: point the camera where it matters
January 27, 2025
INCOME IGNORANCE. Socioeconomic status is overlooked in conversations about diversity. Avoiding these discussions can lead to assumptions about opportunities and access that are unhelpful at best, and damaging at times.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Ignored identity: socioeconomic diversity is worth a conversation
January 22, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The latest computer: powered by brains?
March 13, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The World’s Latest Cybersecurity Supervillain: The United Kingdom?
February 28, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Recap: The last two weeks of tech
February 21, 2025
“The Sift” is a weekly opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Grammarly: The bane of my existence
February 6, 2025
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
DeepSeek R1: The real ChatGPT competitor
January 30, 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
Community time worth more than passing time
Community time worth more than passing time
October 5, 2023
SENIOR SPARTAN. Senior Cassandra Overholt leads the annual homecoming pep rally dressed as the Spartan. She has valued the independence becoming a senior has given her.
Adolescence brings milestones big and small, major and minor
March 11, 2025
SHAKING HANDS, Dr. Hodges receives doctorate after her long studies. (Photo submitted by Sushmita Hodges)
[DISCUSSING THE DISSERTATION] Sushmita Hodges’s path to a doctorate in history
March 7, 2025
STATE PRIDE. Minnesota may be bitterly cold, but the state is shaped by the warmth of its people.
More than lakes: what it means to be Minnesotan
March 4, 2025
WINTER BLUES. Decreased sunlight affects seratonin and vitamin D levels, leading to increased feeling of fatigue and anxiety.
From snowy to sunny and vice versa: Minnesota’s winter affects mental health
March 4, 2025
THE MURAL ROOM. The third floor history room , dubbed the "mural room" is decorated with paintings of scientific figures and their moments of discoveries. One of the figures is Isaac Newton.
The mural room: where science, history and art meet
March 3, 2025
LLUMINATED INTERFERENCE. Sophomore Ivy Evans found that disrupting routines leads to an outcome of increased motivation and creativity.
Break a pattern: disruption fuels creativity
March 14, 2025
FAMILY FUN. Ninth-grader Lucas Laguna visited family in his trip to Japan: "I love capturing those moments so that I can remember being with them even when I am back home," Laguna said (Submitted photo: Lucas Laguna).
Students showcase their global photography
March 12, 2025
CARDBOARD CRAZE. A variety of cardboard arcade games with two material requirements: to use low-tech materials and materials that can be broken down to create zero waste.
[DRAKE GALLERY] Middle School Winter Art Showcase brings the “Creativity” out of students
March 11, 2025
A stand out destination in Maple Grove.
[AROUND TOWN] Sota serves up a truly unique experience
March 9, 2025
PERFECT ACTING. Koji Yakusho excels in the starring role as Detective Takabe, a titular character crucial for developing the film's themes. (Fair use image from Flim at Lincoln Center, flimlinc.org)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Why I think “Cure” is a cinematic masterpiece
March 5, 2025
MAGICAL MOVEMENT. "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" follows four young lovers in Athens who are flung into a neverending love triangle, or perhaps a love trapezoid would be more fitting, by two disjointed but well-meaning fairies. (Fair Use: Dan Norman, Guthrie Theater)
[THEATER REVIEW] Guthrie’s take on “A Midsummer Nights Dream” warms a winter heart
February 27, 2025
JUST DROPPED. The Lumineers release 11 songs on their album "Automatic". The album featured varying themes and tempos, with two songs being purely instrumental. (Source: @thelumineers on Instagram)
Automatically enthralled: The Lumineers drop fifth studio album
February 15, 2025
The opening shot of an upside-down Statue of Liberty is a metaphor for the film's anti-patriotic themes. (Fair Use: A24 Films)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] “The Brutalist”: a brutally honest American commentary
February 7, 2025
CAUGHT IN THE MIDST. While voting for whether or not to keep playing the deadly games, player 456, Seong Gi-hun, finds himself standing in the midst of his fellow players fighting and arguing for their own decisions. Everyone is trying to convince each other of their own opinions, but Seong, who knows the lethal nature of the game, is lost in his mind thinking of ways to stop the chaos. (Screen capture from “The Red Light Green Light Game Returns | Squid Game: Season 2 | Netflix” by Still Watching Netflix on YouTube.)
[TV REVIEW] New season, new commentary: “Squid Game” continues to impress
January 17, 2025
NEW CINEMA. A wave of movies this fall-winter season hopes to compensate for the disappointing cinema earlier this year. (Press release images from various studios, credited later in each individual chapter)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] The good and not-so-good of recent cinema
December 17, 2024
INNER PEACE. Junior Eloise Leatham moves through yoga poses as a way to cultivate mindfulness and gratitude. By engaging in these poses, she embraces both strength and stillness, using yoga as a tool to center herself amid daily challenges. Through her practice, she finds balance, focus, and a moment to reconnect with herself, carrying its lessons beyond the mat into her everyday life.
The power of yoga: much more than mindfulness
March 13, 2025
MSHSL AND TITLE IX. Following President Trump’s Feb. 5 executive order, the MSHSL released a statement allowing trans athletes to participate in sports that match their gender identity. (Fair use image from MSHSL)
Student-athletes speak out against federal investigation into MSHSL
March 10, 2025
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
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
TOGETHER. The girls lacrosse team meets in the middle of practice to discuss drills.
Girls lacrosse hosts pre-season practices to foster team culture
February 10, 2025
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
Changing of the seasons: spring sports preview
Changing of the seasons: spring sports preview
March 14, 2025
[MIC'D UP] Miles Vogenthaler brings the action in section playoffs against Nova
[MIC’D UP] Miles Vogenthaler brings the action in section playoffs against Nova
March 11, 2025
LUNCH TIME PONDERS. In her senior speech, senior Belle Weng spoke about asking random questions to her friends to get to know them better at lunch. Listen in to hear more about the random questions she's asked in the past. (Made from Canva elements Comic Script Bubble Illustration Sketchify and Red Question Marks Icons 8)
Breaking the ice through random questions with Belle Weng
March 10, 2025
[WHAT'S IN A NAME?] Do you know?
[WHAT’S IN A NAME?] Do you know?
March 8, 2025
Students' advice to their younger selves
Students’ advice to their younger selves
March 6, 2025
LUNCH TIME PONDERS. In her senior speech, senior Belle Weng spoke about asking random questions to her friends to get to know them better at lunch. Listen in to hear more about the random questions she's asked in the past. (Made from Canva elements Comic Script Bubble Illustration Sketchify and Red Question Marks Icons 8)
Breaking the ice through random questions with Belle Weng
March 10, 2025
one of my ideas was to make it My Little Pony themed [because] in beats we have four groups and they all produce work different weeks, so we split them into groups. And last year it was Minion-themed, so in my presentation, I wanted to have a little fun thing, so I was just like, ‘Oh, we should do a My Little Pony theme.’ And then, you know, we turned it into the theme of the year. And now we have four groups. We have team Twilight Sparkle. We have team Princess Cadence– is she a princess? Guys, I need to know my My Little Pony better. And then we have team Princess Celestia and team Princess Luna.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Pony groups. Monthly deadlines. Beat magic with Thomas Chen
February 27, 2025
[TRENDING] Ep. 4 Temperatures are trending up
[TRENDING] Ep. 4 Temperatures are trending up
February 12, 2025
LEADER. Annie Zhang focuses her leadership on mentoring and developing the next generation of Rubicon journalists. As Zhang wraps up her final months with the print staff, she hopes to leave a lasting impact.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] Editor-in-chief Annie Zhang explains the EIC experience
February 6, 2025
Want to learn more about video games? Tune in to The Game On Podcast.
[GAME ON] Ep. 4 The rise of Brawl Stars
January 24, 2025
[MIC'D UP] Miles Vogenthaler brings the action in section playoffs against Nova
[MIC’D UP] Miles Vogenthaler brings the action in section playoffs against Nova
March 11, 2025
Students' advice to their younger selves
Students’ advice to their younger selves
March 6, 2025
Join the 25-26 Rubicon family
Join the 25-26 Rubicon family
February 26, 2025
Prequels and the modern villain backstory
Prequels and the modern villain backstory
February 24, 2025
[MIC'D UP] Shoot some hoops with Clare Ryan Bradley
[MIC’D UP] Shoot some hoops with Clare Ryan Bradley
February 14, 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
October 2024 Issue
October 29, 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
WHO'S 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

Greyson Sale, RubicOnline • April 10, 2024
Who is Ruth Huss? What about Carl B. Drake?
Molly Greenman talks about the power of persistence

Molly Greenman talks about the power of persistence

Ivy Raya, RubicOnline • April 12, 2023
The 2023 Distinguished Alumni used humor and connection to talk about the importance of understanding privilege and using power for change.
WATER WISDOM. Alumni John Shepard talked with alumni in Driscoll on May 17 about the Mississippi River: "We are all part of the Mississippi; it's what we drink; our body is 60% water,” Shepard said.

Alumni discuss Mississippi River and the history

Zadie Martin, RubicOnline • May 24, 2022
Alumni John Shepard spoke about the Mississippi River May 17 as part of the Alumni/ae Speaker Series.
Alexis Irish, SPA's current Intercultural Life Program Specialist, as seen in her 2015 high school yearbook.

When the student becomes the teacher

Siri Pattison, RubicOnline • March 3, 2022
While most students hope to free themselves of the high school experience, many SPA graduates have chosen to return and take on a new role.
The row of paintings by Ruth Schilling Hardwood '69 Depict Simple Paintings and Drawings showing the beauty in life.

Alumni/ae show explores how graduates create art

Elizabeth Trevathan, RubicOnline • September 23, 2019
The annual show features alumni/ae artwork from graduates spanning 1964-2014.
SPA lifer and alumna Melissa Schumi Jones ('97) educated students about her career working for the US State Department and how she relies on much of her SPA knowledge on the job. "I am able to connect with people because of what I was taught here,” she said.

For Jones, SPA education secured success working globally

Koji Gutzmann, RubicOnline Editor • October 31, 2018
SPA Alumna Melissa Schumi Jones presented to students on Oct. 30 about her experience working in the U.S. Department of State.
By Peter Zelle ‘83. “My art is an exercise of my intuition and my passion for color and form. I bring together shapes, patterns, textures, and colors in order to orchestrate a dynamic and harmonious whole... I want my work to create a sense of excitement -- a flash of recognition and the wonder of discovery."

Alumni/ae exhibit features creativity through art

Nitya Thakkar, Aureus EIC • September 21, 2018
The alumni/ae art gallery runs from Sept. 7 - Oct. 19 in Harry M. Drake gallery.
Keynote speaker Erik Olson talks to the Upper School about the environment and forming his identity.

3 Questions for Erik Olson

Ellie Findell, RubicOnline Editor • April 26, 2017
Erik Olson talks Russian, Industrial Broilers and opportunity
Dowdle and Smith talk to their former art teacher Joy Liberman at the opening show.

Alumni/ae art show exhibits progress and reflection

Isabel Saavedra-Weis, RubicOnline Editor • September 10, 2016
The annual Alumni/ae art exhibition will run from Sep. 9 to Oct. 7.
Rebecca Jarvis, ABC News's Chief Business and Economic Correspondent, was a former Editor-in-Chief of The Rubicon.

Alumni/ae speakers to discuss careers in news media

Krista Schlinger, Staff Writer • October 21, 2015
Presentations will be given at school by Catherine McKenzie '88 and Rebecca Jarvis '99 on Oct. 22. Additional speakers
Wark describes the lively figures lining the interior of her ceramic artwork.

Wark contributes cheerful ceramics to Alum Art Show

Sophie Jaro, Opinons Editor • September 20, 2015
Alumni/ae Artist Exhbition is on display in the Harry M. Drake Gallery from Sept. 11 - Oct. 9.
Left: Louise Parker poses for a photo in her junior year. Right: many years later, Louise has established a successful modeling career.

Q&A: Alumna Louise Parker ’08 shares her experiences as a high fashion model

Boraan Abdulkarim, Chief Visual Editor • March 9, 2015
Former The Rubicon staff photographer and SPA alumna Louise Parker shares her story about becoming a model and how it is now.
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