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The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon

The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon

The student news of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

The Rubicon

A conversation with new Director of Debate Vincent Cheng

Lucia Granja, RubicOnline October 25, 2020
A familiar face in the English department, Cheng took over the debate program when Tom Fones retired.
Departing teachers reflect on time at SPA

Departing teachers reflect on time at SPA

Maddy Fisher, RubicOnline May 29, 2020
As the year draws to a close, seven members of the Upper School staff plan their departure.
Head of Debate, Tom Fones, teaches one of his many debate classes this semester.

Debate balance: success & “awesome”

Maddy Fisher, Staff Writer November 4, 2019
SPA's debate team is currently ranked second in state.
Senior Emma Sampson working at CRAVE American Kitchen and Sushi Bar.

Jobs should count towards senior project hours

Emma Sampson, RubicOnline Editor April 24, 2019
Students with jobs struggle to balance senior project requirements.
A photo of the "asbestos hallway" under the cafeteria.

Liminal SPAces: Diving into spooky spots

Melissa Nie, RubicOnline Editor March 14, 2019
Melissa Nie explores spaces that give off strange vibes around the school.
Tom Fones and 9th Grader Maura Hartfeldt share a joke during Beginning Debate class.

Fones, McCauley enthusiastic about novice debaters

Lucy Benson, The Rubicon Editor October 26, 2018
The 2018 Debate season fosters a new group of novice debaters.
The first ever teachers vs. students quiz bowl tournament took place on Apr. 12 in the Huss Center.

An educator’s dream: students defeat teachers at quiz bowl tournament

Mimi Geller, Director of RubicOnline April 12, 2018
The students vs. teachers quiz bowl took place on Apr. 12 on the Huss Center stage.
National Qualifiers pose with their plaques and their coach at the Dec. 9 tournament.

Debate teams dominate National Qualifiers

News in Brief December 11, 2017
Three debate teams qualified for nationals at the Dec. 9 tournament.

Senior Projects give students worldly perspective

Claire Hallaway, Staff Writer April 23, 2017
Senior projects signal the end of an era at SPA for graduating seniors, but also provide them with knowledge of a professional world outside campus before college ensues.
FIVE DEBATERS will compete in the 2016 USA World Schools Debate Invitational. Juniors Sarah Wheaton (far left), Shefali Bijwadia (far right), Kathryn Schmechel (right center), Raffi Toghramadjian (top right), and Moira McCarthy (not pictured) will make up the team. “This has traditionally been something that seniors get to do ... [Debate Teacher Tom] Fones really wanted this to be an experience that made us a more cohesive team for next year,” Wheaton said.

Four debate finalists will participate in World Schools Debate invitational

May 31, 2016
Debaters and alternate will attend the competition in Salt Lake City, Utah in June.
Upper School teachers Philip de Sa e Silva, Jon Peterson, Aaron Shuler, and Pam Starkey all use humor as part of their teaching method. “Humor and songs lighten the mood and allow kids to take more risks than they would otherwise,” Starkey said.

Teachers use humor in classroom to improve experience

Sophie Jaro, Opinions Editor May 3, 2016
By creating an environment that is analytical, memorable, and relatable, the many humorous teachers at St. Paul Academy and Summit School provide their students with a more thorough understanding of content, love of learning, and feeling of belonging.
Debate team competitors pose for a photo after awards.  Pictured are seniors Liza Bukingolts, Navodhya Samarakoon and Maya Smith, sophomore Adnan Askari, and juniors Sarah Wheaton, Shefali Bijwadia and Raffi Toghramadjian.

Debate takes first and second place in section tournament

News in Brief January 11, 2016
This is the 15th consecutive year the debate team has qualified for the state tournament.
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