• HOCO 24 dress up (Friday): show Spartan Pride with BLUE and GOLD.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Thursday): get cozy because it's sweater weather.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Wednesday): it's "rhyme without reason" so mix it up with your twin from another mother.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Tuesday): grades wear green (9), yellow (10), red (11), blue (12) for class color day.
  • HOCO 24 dress up (Monday): wear your stars and stripes for USA day.
  • German Exchange students arrive Sept. 29.
  • 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
SPARTAN SPIRIT. Spartan mascot Cassandra Overholt high fives students after defeating the BSM Crusader in a pre-game skit.
[HOCO Day 5] Pepfest pumps up fans before traditional storming of Lang Field
September 30, 2024
CHARGE. The Spartan leads the way as everybody sprints down the hill towards Lang FIeld, where the soccer game is about to begin.
[HOCO Day 5] Spirited Spartans storm field ahead of homecoming game
September 28, 2024
READY TO THROW. Team Dodgy Business and Ballsagna sprint from the midline to behind the throw line to begin the match.
[HOCO Day 3] “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball”
September 25, 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
STRETCH OUT. Freshman Winston Arvidson reaches out to hit a forehand after his opponent, freshman Liam Burns, angles a shot to the corner of the table. Participants competed in the ping pong tournament on Monday and finalists face off during the Pep Fest on Friday.
[HOCO Day 1] Students demonstrate competitiveness in annual ping pong tournament
September 24, 2024
Turned 16? Get on LinkedIn
Turned 16? Get on LinkedIn
September 30, 2024
STAR POWER. Celebrities’ and influencers’ political stances can overshadow politicians. Their statements have power to influence an audience, so they must recognize the danger in spreading information.
Celebrity politics have power
September 29, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
[THE SIFT] Is AI capable of reasoning? OpenAI thinks so.
September 27, 2024
HELPFUL HABITS. Take the beginning of the school year as an opportunity to establish consistent routines, such as going to bed at the same time every night.
Start the school year off right with healthy habits
September 26, 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
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.
[THE SIFT] 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
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
[THE SIFT] Apple’s Glowtime event didn’t shine
September 13, 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
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 professor's disjunction
An adjunct to an adjunct professor’s disjunction
February 18, 2023
CLASS OF 2015. Alexis Irish, second from the right, graduated in 2015. She poses with her friends in a white dress, a graduation tradition, holding her diploma.
Digging up spartan history
September 30, 2024
PLAYTIME. Lower school students play on the playground after school. When the weather is nice, students in the Adventure Kids after school program spend most of their time outside. "After school, they have to be outside until 4 p.m.," junior Laura Kimmel said.
Every day at work is an Adventure (Kids) for these students
September 28, 2024
CLUB FAIR. Senior Bora Mandic (left) and sophomore January Cook (right) promote Brikshare at the club fair. “We're trying to build a team here at SPA… Because, at the moment, it's just me and Bora," Cook said.
Brikshare: Helping kids one brick at a time
September 24, 2024
AROUND THE WORLD. Junior Salma recently moved from Zurich to St. Paul, just in time for the beginning of the school year. She found much of American culture interesting but also misses aspects of her life in Europe. "My daily life in Switzerland was quite different due to the change in school system," Blagui said.
Switzerland to St. Paul: Blagui navigates continental differences
September 19, 2024
PIZZA PREPARATION. Junior Bokii Mullataa is a pizza professional after working at Domino's this summer.
Summer fun, summer productivity: students gain job experience
September 16, 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
VARIETY. Juniors Luwam Mebrahtu and Lilly Spurgeon and seniors Lucy Thomas and Olympia Wolff (left to right) display their varying outfits for the day. Mebrahtu went for a simple SPA sweatshirt, Spurgeon chose a flashy yellow skirt, while Thomas and Wolff wore their overalls.
[HOCO] Dress up day-by-day
September 27, 2024
Our Town cast announced
Our Town cast announced
September 20, 2024
COFFEE, PIE AND BISCUITS. Hot Hands provides a variety of different drinks, pie and biscuit dishes ranging from cinnamon rolls to maple fried chicken.
[AROUND TOWN] Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit delivers delicious pastries and biscuit meals
September 16, 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
DAUGHTERS. Directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae created a beautiful film centered around the Date Your Daughter program. (Fair Use Image: MSPIFF Website)
[OFF-SCREEN WITH OSTREM] Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Film Festival highlights new filmmakers
April 22, 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
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
READY TO SWING. Senior Sydney Zimmerman prepares for a serve against Washburn doubles opponents.
[HOCO Day 1] Tennis celebrates Senior Night
September 24, 2024
CAMRADERIE. Both girls' and boys' cross-country teams sit in a circle while listening to the coaches.
Cross country pushes boundaries and builds community at Metro Invitational
September 17, 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
READY TO SWING. Senior Sydney Zimmerman prepares for a serve against Washburn doubles opponents.
[HOCO Day 1] Tennis celebrates Senior Night
September 24, 2024
SERVE. Larson prepares to serve the ball against her opponent from Hill-Murray.
Nellie Larson balances mind and body in pursuit of tennis success
September 11, 2024
CHEER. Benched players and Spartan audience members roar in celebration of a goal.
Boys Soccer rallies to win season opener agaisnt rival Scots
September 3, 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
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
[QUIZ] What are the most common names of SPA students?
[QUIZ] What are the most common names of SPA students?
September 8, 2024
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
[TRENDING] Intro with Lucy Thomas
September 4, 2024
EXCITING EXCHANGE. Read about the daily experiences, from attending school at Colegio Malvar to excursions in Spain.
[BLOG] Adventuras y Aviones
June 24, 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
IT'S A PROCESS. Liza Thomas said, "My work is called 'Night in the Wildwood.' It's eight photos that I took on a film camera and then got developed outside of school because we don't have the chemistry in our photo lab to develop color film."
Thomas and Dalton take the “Backroads” through Advanced Art
May 29, 2024
BOOKS UNITE. Book Club members come together in the math classroom to celebrate the class of 2024 before senior projects. Junior Grace Medrano said, "We [Medrano and Raven Glaser] took over last month [as the new leaders], so we’ll be running it next year." (Submitted photo by Grace Medrano)
[PODCAST] Book Club plans for next year
May 22, 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
SPARTAN SPIRIT. Spartan mascot Cassandra Overholt high fives students after defeating the BSM Crusader in a pre-game skit.

[HOCO Day 5] Pepfest pumps up fans before traditional storming of Lang Field

Amanda Hsu, Sonia Kharbanda, Lani Ngonethong, John Grimsrud, and Greyson Sale • September 30, 2024
The entire Upper School gathered in the gym on Friday for the annual Pepfest celebration.
The house cup's entertainment exists throughout the event's course rather than the result. Students can support their teammates even while knowing they are going to lose.

The House Cup builds a stronger sense of community

Ivy Raya • February 12, 2023

 The House Cup started in 2021, the year COVID-19 hit our community. Saint Paul Academy was online, with grades competing to gain the most points before the year ended. Fast forward to 2023,...

In this standalone podcast episode, Rubiconline reporter Alexandra Cardwell goes behind the scenes of an Upper School Council meeting to uncover how the council manages subcommittees, handles proposals, and plans events.

Behind the scenes with the Upper School Council

Alexandra Cardwell, RubicOnline • December 6, 2022
Find out what goes on behind the scenes at a USC meeting from budgets to t-shirt canons to event planning.
MEANINGFUL MUSIC. Ninth-grader Ellie Putaski has found comfort in music since she first learned to play at six years old. “I’d say music is probably the main way I express myself,” she said.

Putaski finds joy in creative outlets

Eliana Mann, RubicOnline • April 13, 2022
Ninth-grader Ellie Putaski shares her love for music and the meaningful role it plays in her life.
Grade level virtual Quiz Bowl tournament first round leaves sophomores to battle seniors in final round.

Virtual Quiz Bowl

Tommy Verhey • April 30, 2021
Sophomores and Seniors win first round of the Quiz Bowl tournament, second round will likely determine USC's house cup winner.
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