• Class of 2025 begin senior projects on Apr. 28.
  • Sonia Kharbanda named Free Spirit Scholar. She will represent Minnesota at a Freedom Forum conference in Washington D.C. this summer.
  • Congratulations to Annie Zhang, the MN Journalist of the Year runner-up.
  • The Rubicon is named NSPA Pacemaker finalist. Winners will be announced Apr. 28.
  • Want more photos? Find them in the yearbook galleries on the Ibid Flickr.
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
SCHOOL’S OUT. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to sign an executive order to shut down the Department of Education, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 20, 2025. (PHOTO: SNO REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
Trump attacks Dept. of Education
April 25, 2025
COMMITTED TO COLLEGE. Seniors can opt in to announce their postsecondary plans @spaclassof2025 on Instagram, which is managed by a classmate. (Screen Capture: @spaclassof2025 on Instagram)
Following record application numbers, seniors announce decisions
April 24, 2025
Saurin Patel left and Humza Jameel right, at plan for their senior project.
Senior projects opens up a whole new world of possibilities for students
April 24, 2025
Solid framework, debated results
Solid framework, debated results
April 23, 2025
OPEN MIC. English teacher Anne Boemler introduced the assembly before launching into a poem of her own.
Upper school assembly celebrates poetry month
April 22, 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
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
FREEDOM'S FIST. The op-ed is a living symbol of the freedom of the press—like one finger on the hand of the First Amendment, which itself forms the strong fist of American democracy. What could be more American than that?
Hands off the Op-ed
April 21, 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
CHILDHOOD ON CAMERA. From rigorous film schedules to oversharing, family vlogger channels sometimes take it too far when filming children. This calls for more protections for family and child vlogging content and, overall, better parenting.
Monetizing childhood: issues with family vlogging
April 18, 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
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
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
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
The Nintendo Switch 2: Worth the Wait?
April 11, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump talks to members of the press aboard Air Force One during a flight to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File photo
[POLITICAL PULSE] Trump’s war on the free press poses a threat to democracy
April 8, 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
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
ACQUAINTANCE THROUGH BASEBALL. Sophomore Eddie Sofen and junior Cutler Crook met while playing on the Minneapolis Millers Youth Baseball team. Sofen and Crook are the only two not wearing hats in the top-middle row of the photo. (Photo submitted by Cutler Crook)
From teammates to best friends: Eddie Sofen and Cutler Crook’s bond beyond the field
April 27, 2025
BUG APPRECIATION LaTarte reflects that her experience with the critters has evolved but followed her in her life and art. Beetle flickr Creative Commons: GREGORIUZ
Birds and bugs drive student curiosity
April 24, 2025
EAGER ENGAGEMENT. Senior Mason Hang reminisces on his 3/4B teacher Jill Chang, whom he formed a close bond with during his time at the LS. “She was very nice, and I don’t know, I always felt a familial kind of connection to her. She was very helpful and she would laugh at jokes, and she was not afraid to have fun with us,” Hang said. (Photo: SPA Smugmug)
Students reflect on impactful LS teachers that shaped hearts and minds
April 24, 2025
AT WORK Solomon Beardsley crafts drinks for the Cat Cafes customers.
Student employees share familiarity of Catzen Cafe
April 23, 2025
Information from Healthline
[GOOD QUESTION] When is it sound advice to follow a medical myth?
April 22, 2025
A MUST WATCH. "Warfare" is not an easy watch, and it is not meant to be (Fair use image from A24 official website).
[MOVIE REVIEW] “Warfare” burns patriotism to the ground
April 25, 2025
EXCELLENT EXIHIBIT. The Minnesota Historical Society’s “Girlhood (It’s Complicated)” exhibit highlights women in a variety of fields throughout American history.
Girlhood (It’s Complicated) wonderfully explores women throughout history
April 24, 2025
YOUR TURN. Adams cues Melchert into the next part of the song. The group relied on each other, not a conductor, to keep their performance together.
Jazz band puts on stunning performance in cabaret concert
April 23, 2025
FULL HOUSE. Students watch "Mo" in Film Club.
Film Club celebrates culture, hosts showing of comedy-drama series “Mo”
April 21, 2025
Lumpia, a delicious Filipino classic that can be ordered as an appetizer at George and the Dragon.
[Around Town] George and The Dragon offers amazing fusion food
April 21, 2025
A MUST WATCH. "Warfare" is not an easy watch, and it is not meant to be (Fair use image from A24 official website).
[MOVIE REVIEW] “Warfare” burns patriotism to the ground
April 25, 2025
lifeofpibway.com
[THEATER REVIEW] Faith, fear and ferocity: “Life of Pi” brings a mesmerizing tale of survival and storytelling to Orpheum
April 18, 2025
CONNECTED. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr explores a variety of experiences and time periods while binding all of these perspectives together with a fictional ancient story. This narrative structure allows the award-winning novel to explore themes across generations of struggle and resilience. The end result is a book that is both powerful and intricate (Image from Doerr's website)
[BOOK REVIEW] “Cloud Cuckoo Land” stories and struggles transcend time
April 15, 2025
The single “Good Grief” shows that Jenna Raine is an artist to watch. Its heartfelt lyrics and relatability set the stage for what promises to be an exciting career. (MOXIE Press Kit)
With new EP on the way, Jenna Raine releases empowering single “Good Grief”
April 15, 2025
ROARING 20s. Dominique Kelley’s choreography, particularly the energetic tap number in a party sequence, is a bright spot, as is the set design by Kennedy Center resident designer Paul Tate dePoo III, which is adequately lavish and illustrates life in the lap of luxury with all its glitter and gold. (Fair Use Image: Gatsby Broadway Press, Matthew Murphy)
[THEATER REVIEW] It might be Gatsby, but it’s certainly not great
April 14, 2025
TIMEOUT. The Spartans take a timeout with 19.7 seconds left in the first quarter.
New School, New Connections: Girls Lacrosse Co-Op Grows with Addition of St. Croix Lutheran
April 25, 2025
HOT PURSUIT. Blackhawks players chase after the player with the ball.
Blackhawks lacrosse suffers tough loss against Hermatown/Proctor
April 15, 2025
TIMEOUT. Coach discusses strategy with the players.
Baseball downs Eagle Ridge Academy in season opener
April 12, 2025
UNITY. he volleyball team stands together, hand in hand, embodying the strength and camaraderie of female athletes. Photo taken from SPA SmugMug.
Support female athletes: the continuous fight for recognition
March 31, 2025
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
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
TIMEOUT. The Spartans take a timeout with 19.7 seconds left in the first quarter.
New School, New Connections: Girls Lacrosse Co-Op Grows with Addition of St. Croix Lutheran
April 25, 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
Athletes build strength in the weight room
Athletes build strength in the weight room
April 24, 2025
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
April 21, 2025
HISTORIC SPOTS. Cheapo Records, First Avenue, Sound 80 Studios and The Armory remain some of Minnesota's most historic musical locations (Fair use images from Orfield Labs (bottom left), First Avenue X account (top right), The Armory official website (bottom right)).
Mapping Minnesota music
April 18, 2025
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
April 16, 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
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
[TRENDING] Ep. 5 Influenced or influencer? Students respond
[TRENDING] Ep. 5 Influenced or influencer? Students respond
March 14, 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
Athletes build strength in the weight room
Athletes build strength in the weight room
April 24, 2025
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
Spring showers bring ribbon roses: DIY with Salma Blagui
April 21, 2025
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
Local concert scene bonds communities and relieves stress through music
April 16, 2025
The launch of a new club sport: rugby welcomes players into its first season
The launch of a new club sport: rugby welcomes players into its first season
April 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
April 2025 Issue
April 22, 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
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
Seniors Erin McNamer and Isabel Brandtjen host a bake sale in the cafeteria to commemorate International Women's Day.

Community embodies International Women’s Day spirit

Mimi Geller, Director of RubicOnline • March 8, 2018
The SPA community rallied female spirit on Mar. 8 to celebrate International Women's Day.
[FILTERED] Students and faculty share Olympic favorites

[FILTERED] Students and faculty share Olympic favorites

Mimi Geller, Director of RubicOnline • February 22, 2018
Students and faculty snapped their favorite winter Olympic sport.
"I am feeling hopeful for next year and the years to come," junior Reuben Vizelman said.

Students react to Vikings loss, display mixed emotions

Tristan Hitchens-Brookins, Staff Writer • January 23, 2018
Community members reveal their thoughts, opinions, and feelings about the Minnesota Vikings losing their semifinal playoff game.
Senior Izzy Denny takes the ball from a Blake player.

Girls Basketball has mixed success against Blake

Ellie Findell and Peter Blanchfield • January 13, 2018
Girls Basketball played a hard fought game last night against the Blake School.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. After warm ups, Girls Varsity Basketball uses tradition to feel unified. “When we are on the court right before the game starts, we get in a huddle and we chant,” sophomore Audrey Egly said.

Chants keep Spartan Girls Basketball energized

Jonah Harrison, The Rubicon Editor • December 1, 2017
Music helps Girls Basketball continue their success.
Senior Noah Solomon flies through the air on his broom as he approaches the goal to shoot.

PHOTO GALLERY: Students caught the chance to play in first Quidditch Tournament

Jonah Harrison, Chief Visual Editor • October 4, 2017
Upper School students participated in the first Quidditch tournament on Oct. 4.
Senior Larry Chen gets low and throws the frissbee to a teammate.

First ultimate frisbee tournament kicks off Homecoming

Annie Bottern, RubicOnline Editor • October 1, 2017
Seniors Nikolaus Elsaeser and Ezra Cohen host SPA's first ever Ultimate Frisbee tournament.
A close up of Ninth grader Lilly Ramalingam's graphic shirt.

Street Style: Denim and graphic prints dominate student outfits

Mari Knudson, The Rubicon Editor • April 20, 2017
As temperatures gradually get warmer students break out denim with trendy patches or in styles like slouchy overalls.
The St. Paul Academy and Summit School Girls Varsity Basketball team lost 17-56 against Concordia Academy at Concordia Academy on Mar. 3.

Girls Basketball team hypes up with music, plays for the team

Noah Solomon, Staff Writer • December 8, 2016
Spartan Girls Basketball plays with a lot of heart but doesn't forget to have fun.
Junior Amina Smaller models a bright, geometrically printed sweater. "The sweater's from this online site called Romwe," Smaller said. Romwe is an international fashion retailer based out of China that sells inexpensive, on-trend clothing.

Street Style: Students find unique clothing items from a variety of sources

Mari Knudson, The Rubicon Editor • October 1, 2016
Popular sources of clothing and accessories range from international online retail stores to the closets of family members.
The St. Paul Academy and Summit School Girls Varsity Basketball team lost 17-56 against Concordia Academy at Concordia Academy on Mar. 3.

Girls Varsity Basketball ends season with section game vs. Concordia Academy

Boraan Abdulkarim, Editor in Chief • March 4, 2016

As a wrap-up to the season, the Girls Varsity Basketball team played their final section game against Concordia Academy at Concordia Academy, which they lost with a final score of 17-56. “When...

Load More Stories