The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon
Midterm exams begin, while teachers plan for student illness
Midterm exams begin, while teachers plan for student illness
December 16, 2024
STUDYING STUDENTS. In Red Leaf Commons Sophomore Erik Bjorgvinsson works on his final English essay.
How are students and teachers preparing for midterms week?
December 13, 2024
THE DESIGNER. Kalugdan holds the first printout of the poster she designed for the conference.
Admin, students organize 2025 SDLC conference
December 11, 2024
[The 5] Whooping cough, Topgun flight school, Syrian Assad and more
[The 5] Whooping cough, Topgun flight school, Syrian Assad and more
December 8, 2024
A JAR OF HISTORY. Seniors Ethan Peltier and Eva Lutgen examine a jar of crushed pipestone, central to Minnesota Indigenous culture and history, brought in by guest speaker Lonna Stevens-Hunter.
Native American Studies centers student initiative
December 4, 2024
NEVER ENOUGH. There is enough negativity surrounding body image on social media and societal expectations. Instead, Expressing positive thoughts on your own and the person’s appearance can enforce satisfaction in one’s looks.
Comments can shape body image, so think before speaking
December 15, 2024
GOTCHA. Rage bait content spreads hate and profits off of angry reactions. Understand rage bait so one can recognize and avoid it.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Don’t let rage bait poison your mindset
December 14, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
ChatGPT search: the dangers of AI hallucinations
December 13, 2024
NOT JUST FOR POPULARITY POINTS. Teenagers should explore relationships, but also understand what it comes with what a healthy one looks like.
Pucker up for popularity
December 12, 2024
IN MY EYES. Everyone has biases that are potentially harmful. It's important to be understanding when confronting them. (Lani Ngonethong using Canva: Davids47 and BooBoo Studio)
Don’t hide from unconscious bias—recognize it
December 9, 2024
GOTCHA. Rage bait content spreads hate and profits off of angry reactions. Understand rage bait so one can recognize and avoid it.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Don’t let rage bait poison your mindset
December 14, 2024
INPUT IGNORED. The implementation of the new phone-free policy, despite overwhelmingly negative feedback from students, has contributed to a loss of trust in the administration. In order to repair this relationship, the administration must show that they value student voices and use the data collected in surveys when considering policies.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Phone policy reveals disregard of student input, lack of trust in admin
November 30, 2024
ANALYSIS WITH AN AGENDA. In the midst of No-phone-vember and following an assembly where students were presented slideshows of data, many feel the graphs misrepresented the student survey responses.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Clear as mud: a call for data transparency
November 16, 2024
LOOK AROUND. Attending cultural events means living the value of community and is an opportunity to learn about your peers.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Create time to show up for cultural events
October 31, 2024
ACCOMMODATIONS, NOT ADVANTAGES. Neurodivergence is often misunderstood in the learning environment. Students may contribute intentionally or unintentionally to this culture by stigmatizing students who use extended time or other arrangements.
[STAFF EDITORIAL] Misunderstood, stigmatized: more neurodivergence awareness needed
October 29, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
ChatGPT search: the dangers of AI hallucinations
December 13, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
News from Down Under: Australia’s social media ban
December 5, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Elon Musk wants your health data. Seriously.
November 22, 2024
The Sift is a weekly The Rubicon opinions column focused on the impacts and implications of new technologies.
Oasis: AI generated Minecraft?
November 15, 2024
ANXIETY. Many feel anxious about the election because the outcome could impact their lives significantly. However, it is important to remember you can take steps to care for your well-being.
[POLITICAL PULSE] Be mindful of mental health this election season
November 1, 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
BACK ON THE SELF. At Hosmer library in Hennepin County, Campbell volunteers weekly and keeps the books in circulation, keeping them ready for people to check out. (Submitted by Via Campbell).
From patron to volunteer: Via Campbell gives back to her neighborhood library
December 16, 2024
LENIN SMILES. During a trip to Prague in 2018 for a post-Cold War gender and sexuality conference, Gokhberg stopped to take a picture at the memorial museum of Cold War statues. Submitted by Gokhberg.
[DISCUSSING THE DISSERTATION] Gokhberg’s journey to Doctor Zhivago
December 13, 2024
UP NORTH. Ninth-grader Henry Cammack makes fishing a lifestyle. “It’s a tradition of ours every year to go to Canada and bet money on who can catch the biggest Northern and Walleye,” he said.
Henry Cammack casts a line in search of a great fish tale
December 13, 2024
SENIOR SZN. Senior Scarlett Gibson films a video with Sophia Bietz, Ada LaTarte and Dia Chaney during homecoming week. (Screen capture submitted by Scarlett Gibson)
Scarlett Gibson captures senior year on video
December 12, 2024
GENERATIONAL GIFTS. ”I have very clear memories of being pushed around on one of those little Barbie tricycles,” ninth-grader Olivia Fox said. She received the bike from her grandparents.
Family is the guide for Olivia Fox’s future
December 6, 2024
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
FRIENDSHIP: Star player of the Chuska warriors gets in a mental funk when a reporter asked him about his dead family members. Best friend Jimmy Holiday steps in and helps his friend. (Photo taken by Lewis Clark, released by Netflix)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Rez Ball inspirationally melds basketball and Native American representation
December 12, 2024
GRAVY FEST. Yung Gravy sold out The Armory, which has a maximum capacity of of 8,400, for his first Gravy Fest
[CONCERT REVIEW] Yung Gravy’s hometown tour stop disappoints and disgusts
December 10, 2024
Since 2016, the Swedish music streaming platform Spotify has created a personalized recap of users’ listening habits. It calculates each user’s top songs, artists and listening minutes, presenting the results in a distinct and uniquely recognizable format.
It’s time to unwrap Wrapped
December 9, 2024
(TABLETOP) GAME ON. The club plays Dungeons and Dragons most Tuesday after school. “Their characters are going on an adventure,” club leader Jack Hickman said, “and I'm kind of running it for them.”
Tabletop role play club takes on Dungeons and Dragons
December 9, 2024
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
FRIENDSHIP: Star player of the Chuska warriors gets in a mental funk when a reporter asked him about his dead family members. Best friend Jimmy Holiday steps in and helps his friend. (Photo taken by Lewis Clark, released by Netflix)
[MOVIE REVIEW] Rez Ball inspirationally melds basketball and Native American representation
December 12, 2024
GRAVY FEST. Yung Gravy sold out The Armory, which has a maximum capacity of of 8,400, for his first Gravy Fest
[CONCERT REVIEW] Yung Gravy’s hometown tour stop disappoints and disgusts
December 10, 2024
MUSICAL HISTORY. The 2025 GRAMMYs will be the 67th ceremony, with the first having been held on May 4, 1959. The first Album of the Year award was given to Henry Mancini for his soundtrack to the TV series "Peter Gunn."
Ranking the 2025 GRAMMY album of the year nominees
December 6, 2024
ICE CREAM SODA. After a misunderstanding between Emily Webb and George Gibbs, George takes her out for some ice cream soda.
[PLAY REVIEW] Finding life, love and grief in Our Town
November 25, 2024
GOING UP. Senior Nathan Rock rises up for a layup being followed by a Scots defender.
Boys basketball falls to Highland Park despite standout individual performances
December 15, 2024
FOCUS. Ninth grader Magarsaa Mullatta swiftly dribbles the ball between his legs while focusing on what his next move will be. (photo submitted by Magarsaa Mullatta)
More than a sport: how basketball has shaped the Mullataa family
December 12, 2024
SPARTANS CELEBRATE. Spartan fans up against the glass to cheer on the team as they just got a goal.
Boys’ hockey beats Simley in home opener
December 8, 2024
TWO WORLDS. Erik Bjorgvinsson has been balancing club soccer and high school soccer since his freshman year. Before he joined the Spartans, he had already been playing with the St. Paul Blackhawks for seven years. (LEFT Audrey Peltier, RIGHT submitted by Erik Bjorgvinsson)
High school or club soccer? Bjorgvinsson finds passion in both
December 7, 2024
LIMITS. Clare Roney Pushes herself to reach her goals during her OrangeTheory workout session ( Photo Submitted by Clare Roney)
Ms. Roney pushes herself in Orange Theory through friendly competition
December 4, 2024
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
GOING UP. Senior Nathan Rock rises up for a layup being followed by a Scots defender.
Boys basketball falls to Highland Park despite standout individual performances
December 15, 2024
SPARTANS CELEBRATE. Spartan fans up against the glass to cheer on the team as they just got a goal.
Boys’ hockey beats Simley in home opener
December 8, 2024
EN-GARDE. Junior Rowan Moore competes in fencing match and strikes their opponent.
Fencing 101: putting on whites with Rowan Moore
November 19, 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
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
SPAtify explores a different genre of music in each episode.
[SPAtify] Ep. 1 Classical music with Winston Arvidson
December 18, 2024
[RUNNING ON EMPTY] Ep. 1 The importance of good sleep
[RUNNING ON EMPTY] Ep. 1 The importance of good sleep
December 17, 2024
Yasmin Khan room tour
Yasmin Khan room tour
December 14, 2024
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] How does CVE Georgia Ross design The Rubicon?
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] How does CVE Georgia Ross design The Rubicon?
December 8, 2024
[MIC'D UP] Adele Gjerde glides through the season
[MIC’D UP] Adele Gjerde glides through the season
November 19, 2024
SPAtify explores a different genre of music in each episode.
[SPAtify] Ep. 1 Classical music with Winston Arvidson
December 18, 2024
[RUNNING ON EMPTY] Ep. 1 The importance of good sleep
[RUNNING ON EMPTY] Ep. 1 The importance of good sleep
December 17, 2024
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] How does CVE Georgia Ross design The Rubicon?
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] How does CVE Georgia Ross design The Rubicon?
December 8, 2024
[TRENDING] Ep. 2 Students reflect on Trump's victory
[TRENDING] Ep. 2 Students reflect on Trump’s victory
November 6, 2024
BEHIND THE MOVIES. The Rubicon A&E editor, Peter Ostrem, has been writing monthly movie reviews for his beat since last September. Now, he's leveling up his trademark "Off-screen With Ostrem," expanding from one review per month to two. This year, he’ll dive into both a nostalgic classic and a fresh release each month.
[STORY BEHIND THE STORY] The Off-screen experience of “Off-Screen With Ostrem”
October 22, 2024
Yasmin Khan room tour
Yasmin Khan room tour
December 14, 2024
[MIC'D UP] Adele Gjerde glides through the season
[MIC’D UP] Adele Gjerde glides through the season
November 19, 2024
Girls basketball channels unity and positivity at captains practice
Girls basketball channels unity and positivity at captains practice
November 11, 2024
Lucy Lowman shares her journey on the girls varsity soccer team
Lucy Lowman shares her journey on the girls varsity soccer team
November 2, 2024
Junior Zahra Wiedmann and senior Veronica Dixon share their knowledge and opinions on the Electoral College.
What do students know about the Electoral College?
November 1, 2024
November 2024 Issue
November 21, 2024
October 2024 Issue
October 29, 2024
September 2024 Issue
September 24, 2024
May 2024 Issue
May 28, 2024
April 2024 Issue
April 30, 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
NAMECOACH IN ACTION. US Technology Coordinator Angie Kritta displays the Namecoach software that teachers began using this January. This software was tested out a few years ago by seniors. “Namecoach is a huge step in making the community more inclusive,” Kritta said.

Namecoach launch promotes correct name pronunciation

Johanna Pierach, The Rubicon • February 22, 2024
Set to roll out this spring, learn about the software Namecoach, which provides students and teachers with audio recordings of everybody's correct name pronunciation.
TRY IT ON. New metaverse and virtual reality technologies allow shoppers to try on intangible outfits online before buying them.

E-commerce and virtual try-ons create new fashion trends

Rita Li, RubicOnline • May 6, 2023
Shoppers can try on clothes virtually before committing to purchasing them.
Even though OpenAI and chatbots influence students heavily and have become a central talking point across news outlets and social media, students should not have input in forming SPA’s AI policy.

AI academic policy: leave it to administrators

Tommy Verhey, RubicOnline • April 21, 2023

ChatGPT has dominated computer servers across the world since late November. The artificial intelligence software created by Open AI has over 100 million users, receiving more than 1 billion site visits...

SECOND GLANCE. While this photo might look like a student staring at a computer, look closer and recognize that it is slightly distorted. The image was generated by OpenAI’s DALL-E 2 based on the prompt: “Create a realistic photo of a student using ChatGPT.” (Chat GPT photo)

Rise of ChatGPT sparks conversation about educational values

Orion Kim, The Rubicon • March 8, 2023
“[A student’s] capacity to gather, arrange, synthesize, and analyze information is going to be important in any field that [they] are in,” Academic Dean Tom Anderson said.
ADAPT & INTEGRATE. Students can use ChatGPT to create outlines and gather compelling topics and points.

Schools should embrace the use of ChatGPT

Thomas Chen, Staff Writer • March 5, 2023
ChatGPT can write you an essay in seconds. Students should learn how to use it.
TWIN CITIES CENTRAL. Ax-Man Surplus has three locations—St. Paul, Fridley and St. Louis Park—and provides the Twin Cities area with a hub for buying and selling a wide range of surplus, including electronic, mechanical and art products.

[AROUND TOWN] Ax-Man Surplus is the one-stop-shop for every gadget, tool and supply imaginable

Clara McKoy, RubicOnline • February 23, 2023
At its three Twin Cities locations, Ax-Man buys and sells art, technology and electronic surplus.
[THROUGH THEIR EYES] Ep. 5 ChatGPT and the rise of AI

[THROUGH THEIR EYES] Ep. 5 ChatGPT and the rise of AI

Alison Mitchell, RubicOnline • February 13, 2023
With ChatGPT, AI is easier to access than ever. But is accessible AI something we should celebrate or fear?
TECH-FOCUSED. The Trojan Women crew works behind the scenes to ensure to a smooth production.

The Trojan Women tech crew shines light on the backstage experience

Rita Li, RubicOnline • November 30, 2022
How does the tech crew handle lighting and sound cues throughout Trojan Women?
COMPUTER CULTURE. A student from 2012 types on his computer in the library. Back then, instead of the Lenovo ThinkPads in use today, students used the Toshiba Portege.

Shifting technology in education shapes learning experience

Grace Medrano, The Rubicon • October 27, 2022
Technology has become a fundamental part of education. Classroom technology uses has a long history at SPA.
Reedy uses the internet to further his understanding of various topics.

[2 SIDES 1 ISSUE] Is the internet disadvantageous for education?

Orion Kim, The Rubicon • May 15, 2022
With their growing popularity, smartphones can be used for educational purposes, but are they effective?
[TRIPPY THEORIES] Ep. 1: Birds are government surveillance

[TRIPPY THEORIES] Ep. 1: Birds are government surveillance

Georgia Ross, Staff Writer • February 8, 2022
On Trippy Theories we’ll talk with Andy Allen and Divya Bhargava about the true purpose of the pigeon.
While CRISPR does sound like a safe and well-rounded idea, as there have been over 30 years since it was first introduced, many details and specifics are left uncontrolled.

Step aside CRISPR, the world isn’t ready for you yet

Tommy Verhey, RubicOnline • October 12, 2021
CRISPR, a gene-editing technology, is a relatively new science created in 2012 that has taken the world by storm. Its ability to be injected into a human, edit and remove unwanted genes, and leave the body without a trace could be a crucial part of life in the coming years.
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