the
RUBICON
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
the student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 49, Issue 7
rubiconline.com
@therubiconspa
Eight senior athletes are celebrated for commitment to college sports Bond’s dad said her high school career “went by so quickly. I’m excited to see [her] play in the next phase.”
Lucie Bond
SIGNING DAY. Griffin Ziemer and his parents sit while his coach from Minneapolis Rowing Club talks about his talent as an athlete. She said that Ziemer’s “attitude, presence, and drive helped raise the level of our team.” On Apr. 11, eight seniors from the class of 2022 were celebrated by coaches, family and friends as at an event held in Driscoll Commons.
Mary Hill talked about how Larson’s searched for a school that would challenge him academically and athletically.
Maggie Fields
Leo Larson
Dallas Baptist University - Soccer
Lake Forest College - Tennis
University of Washington - Hockey
IBID PHOTO: Freya Brokken
Fields’ mom said “it’s nice that she’s been able to play on a school team since 6th grade.”
Strafelda’s tenacity led him to a varsity baseball audition when he was in middle school. “I though I was being punked” his coach said.
Boden Strafelda
Gustavus Adolphus College - Baseball
Straub’s dad said that “She works hard on the field... and she’s a good kid.”
SMB Wolfpack coach said that Thomas’s stats excel in nearly every area of play and are second to only Jaylen Suggs for the team.
Judah Thomas
Naomi Straub
University of Rochester - Football
Carleton College - Soccer
Her coach, who is like a big sister to Trevathan, said “Coaching you for 3-4 years, I feel like I’ve known you for 10.”
Welsh’s club coach said “She’s an amazing teammate, captain and leader.”
Ziemer’s coach described him as someone who was always “asking ‘what’s next?’”
Griffin Ziemer
Katherine Welsh
Elizabeth Trevathan
Oregon State University - Rowing
Smith College - Diving
Macalester College - Tennis
Seniors plan capstone project for May CLAIRE KIM
THE RUBICON
One of the capstones of senior year is getting involved with the larger community in May during senior project, a way for students to learn about the world by building connections to a chosen community. “This is this incredible opportunity where [seniors] can spend a month doing anything they want, right?,” Senior Project Coordinator Amy Stading said. “Our main and biggest role is facilitating the process of helping them figure out what they want to do.” The planning process for projects starts at the beginning of the year. In the fall, students participate in design and thinking activities to collaboratively brainstorm ideas for their projects. Often, senior projects take on some form of a creative or academic capstone, an internship, or a career exploration. The goal of coming up with ideas together is for students to start identifying areas of interest, which get solidified later in the year. Senior Nan Besse is working with classmate Griffin Moore to learn about different aspects of theater production.
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I’M HOPING TO LEARN MORE FRENCH, BUT I ALSO THINK WHAT THE ORGANIZATION DOES IS REALLY
SENIOR PROJECT FOCUS
PROJECT TIMELINE Oct: Overview of senior projects Dec: Brainstorming and design thinking Apr 6: Proposal due Apr 11-15: Committee reviews proposals Apr 25: Projects assigned
COOL. senior Marie Schumacher
Apr 29: Last day of classes for seniors
“This is super important to me because I’m interested in learning more about theater from a local perspective,” Besse said. “I want to also learn more about theater and its accessibility to the general public. I believe theater should be for everyone and I’m interested in learning more about how companies are planning to expand and develop in those areas.” On top of collaborating with their peers and professionals who host them, seniors regularly communicate with coordinators Stading and Steve Heilig. While students consider their interests and goals for the project, they also find a primary project in the local community. Besse and Moore
NATURE VS NURTURE Environments influence behaviors more than genes. Be mindful about the communities you choose. Read more in Editorial.
May 2-20: Senior projects May 13: Senior breakfast INFOGRAPHIC: Claire Kim
SENIOR PROJECT MONTH. Seniors have the option to pick any project that interests them. They can be internships with companies, volunteering opportunities helping out businesses, shadowing occupational roles to learn more about a specific field, or even working independently on personal interests.
plan to work behind the scenes at theaters including The Minnesota Opera, Ten Thousand Things Theater, and The MixedBlood Theater Company. Opting for language immersion, senior Marie Schumacher will interning with the Alliance Française, an organization that hosts events for the French-speaking community and promotes the language through classes.
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“I’ve taken French for a long time, and I’m excited to have an opportunity to actually use it. I’m hoping to learn more French, but I also just think what the organization does is really cool,” she said. Some seniors choose to take the month to leave the Twin Cities and connect with other roots in different cities and time zones.
Senior Pan Na will travel to Thailand to work with Suwannimit Foundation, an organization that supports internally displaced people through legal assistance, youth empowerment, and more. His interest in working internationally stems from his personal connections to being Karen. “I chose this because I will get to visit the hos-
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TALKING ABOUT DEATH Death is inevitable, yet so many people avoid talking about it. Where does the fear come from? How do we process it? Read more in In Depth
IN THIS ISSUE:
May 20: Awards assembly May 24 - 26: Project reviews
pital where I was born and help people that I see myself in because they are also Karen,” Na said. “I hope that I can learn more about the struggles that people face, but more importantly what is and can be done to support them.” Senior Projects begin May 2 and conclude the week of May 23.
CUBAN FOOD Rolando Castellanos shares recipes, restraurant recommendations and memories of Cuba and its food culture. Read more in Food.
1-2 - News • 3-4 - Opinion • 5 - Good Question • 6-7 - In Depth
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8 - A&E
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9 - Music
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10 - Sports
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11 - Food • 12 - Feature
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NEWS THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
Gas prices skyrocket in response to the war in Ukraine CATHERINE HOOLEY THE RUBICON
Last month the average national price for gas was $4.22 per gallon, a price that not everyone can afford. The event that contributed to this almost $1 uptick from January 2022? The invasion of Ukraine. About 34% of Europe’s crude oil supply is exported from Russia. “There is a finite amount of oil produced in the world, so if one of the top producers is in a war, that affects supply,” US history teacher Jon Peterson said. “Oil is a fungible commodity, which means that oil produced in one place is similar to the oil produced in another nation. Thus, it is traded all over the world interchangeably.” Sanctions imposed by the UK, EU, and the US, who disagree with Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, cut Russia off from much of the global economy. Other crude oil suppliers such as Saudi Arabia, the US, and Iraq, in turn, have a higher demand to meet. This high demand and low supply results in raised prices. There are four main expenses that contribute to the cost of gas: the cost of crude oil, refining costs and profits, distribution and marketing, and federal, state, and local taxes. The biggest expense is crude oil, which accounts for about 52% of the cost of gasoline. One organiza-
tion that has a large role in deciding these prices is the OPEC (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). This organization changes based on the amount of oil available based on the law of supply and demand.
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THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF OIL PRODUCED IN THE WORLD, SO IF ONE OF THE TOP PRODUCERS IS IN A WAR, THAT AFFECTS SUPPLY Jon Peterson
Refining costs and profits contribute to about 19% of gas prices. These prices depend on the companies used to do the refining and also vary because of the various gasoline formulations used to reduce air pollution in different parts of the country. Federal, state, and local taxes are about 16% of the total price paid for gas. These varying taxes are controlled by the government. Taxes are used for road infrastructure projects. The last expense is distribution and marketing, which is responsible for 13% of gas prices. Some gasoline retailers
are operated by refiners, but others are independent businesses. The prices can shift depending on market conditions. “I have noticed the increase and it makes me more mindful of driving. I don’t just go places or drive around for fun or no reason anymore because I don’t want to pay that much for gas,” junior Lucy Murray said. Prices in Minnesota, as opposed to other states in the US, aren’t at the peak of the increase. “When I visited California, the gas prices were up to about $6.00, which seems pretty inaccessible,” said sophomore Griffin Schwab-Mahoney. As of April, the gas prices seem to be stabilizing. “President Biden has tapped the strategic oil reserve to increase supply domestically. The administration also continues quiet diplomacy with the oil-producing Persian Gulf nations to try to persuade them to increase production,” Peterson said. The strategic oil reserves are a large stock of crude oil kept by the US in the event of a supply chain issue. Although prices are starting to decrease slightly, it may take some time for the prices to return back to normal. Since this is a supply-based issue, the prices will depend largely on the actions Russia decides to take in Ukraine and how consumers respond.
IT’S A SMALL WORLD. Drivers around the world feel the pinch of rising gas prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
RUBICON PHOTO: Hazel Waltenbaugh INCREASING PRICES. At local stations in the Twin Cities regular unleaded hovers right around $4 per gallon. “I have noticed the increase and it makes me more mindful of driving,” Lucy Murray said. “
March Mammal Madness brackets spur natural competition RITA LI
RUBICONLINE
Three years. That’s what it has taken for March Mammal Madness (MMM) to become a spring tradition. Different from past years, however, individual competitions have evolved into advisory contests. Originally inspired by The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) College Basketball tournament, Arizona State University Professor Katie Hinde invented March Mammal Madness for animal combats in 2013. Replacing the basketball players, the MMM bracket is filled with organisms from different habitats. Each year, scientists worldwide put together a new list of animals to fight. MMM is a competition that spans
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THERE WAS DEFINITELY POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE FROM ADVISORY... WE WANT[ED] THE TITLE OF WINNING. junior Julia Colbert
further than mammals alone. This tournament invited participants to learn about each animal’s endurance in battling others, encouraging imaginations for organisms living in different habitats. Students and staff from each advisory group submitted their predictions for the survivor of each battle. Each correct hypothesis based on the individual advisory’s submission will earn them points as the rounds proceed. The final price
of the winning advisory is awarded a paid trip to Caribou. With nearly 150 participants, the title of “winning” and the award changed SPA into a fierce yet passionate environment. Sophomore Connor Overgaard said, “I think it is a super fun thing that we got to actually do as like a class activity in terms of class activities. We haven’t done very many this past year.” MMM has helped students connect within their advisories and built
a more supportive atmosphere. In addition to that, junior Clea Gaïtas Sur said, “I think it’s very funny and very entertaining to see people’s different theories each year. I think that friendly competition is always healthy for SPA. And I think that it really does. It creates more of a community, especially once the results start being announced. People are excited to learn them.” Not only are the ones winning checking the results of MMM, but everyone else in the community also seemed to be involved. Junior Julia Colbert said “It is kind of time-consuming, which you wouldn’t expect. But it’s fun to research the animals. We kind of worked on it for one day, and then if you finished, then
you’re done. But if you didn’t, you could do it on your own time, which is what I’m doing.” While some advisories decided to complete the competition in small groups to increase the chance of winning, other advisories researched these animals an entire class. Colbert also added, “[t]here was definitely positive peer pressure from the advisory. And I think we’re pretty competitive. We want the title of winning.” The final prize — a gift card to Caribou — bonds advisories and drives them to pursue the same goal. While other schools assign organism research as formal assessments, MMM at SPA is only meant for interesting, relaxed, and optional activities for people to get
involved. Biology teacher Cathleen Drilling said, “I think we already have a lot of serious things that happen at SPA, and students do things rather intensely. We just really wanted to make sure it stayed light and fun and a little bit silly. It just gets people talking about nature.” The healthy competitiveness and team bonding within the community has set this year’s MMM off to another great success with numerous advisories participating. The results of every round in the tournament will be released throughout the month of March, with the final championship announced Apr. 6. Watch rodent recap videos and see the 2022 winner on a Wheaties cereal box
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EDITORIAL THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022 OUR MISSION We strive to capture the spirit of the community through its stories while inspiring deeper conversations. Above all, we stand for integrity in our pursuit to inform and engage our readers.
THE RUBICON St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave • St. Paul, MN 55105 rubicon.spa@gmail.com www.rubiconline.com @TheRubiconSPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR
Salah Abdulkarim Leo Sampsell-Jones
NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR GOOD QUESTION EDITOR FOOD EDITOR IN DEPTH EDITOR FEATURE EDITOR
Hazel Waltenbaugh Maddy Fisher Annie Bai Clara Garner Hobbs Lillygreen Milkii Tigro, S1 Eliza Farley, S2 Orion Kim Catherine Hooley Claire Kim
SPORTS EDITOR A&E EDITOR MUSIC EDITOR
VISUAL AND INTERACTIVES BEATS MANAGER
Elle Chen Elizabeth Trevathan Henry Burkhardt Tommy Verhey
NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR FEATURE EDITOR A&E EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR
Zadie Martin Zekiah Juliusson Ali Browne Eliana Mann Alexandra Cardwell
CO- DIRECTORS OF ONLINE
MULTIMEDIA RUBICON TV
PODCAST EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR
Siri Pattison Ivy Raya Clara McKoy Rita Li Kevin Chen
STAFF WRITERS
Aarushi Bahadur, PJ Bohjanen, Sawyer Bollinger Danielson, Marius Elias Morse, August Gaspard, Charlotte Goings, Carys Hardy, Annika Kim, Mariam Malik, Alison Mitchell, Will Moran, Johanna Pierach, Davan Rosen, Georgia Ross, Lucy Thomas, Nelson Wodarz, Annie Zhang
ADVISER
Kathryn Campbell, CJE PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANT
Colton Werner
MEMBERSHIPS
Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association MN High School Press Association Quill and Scroll Honor Society
PUBLICATION AWARDS
NSPA All-American, Pacemaker CSPA Gold Medalist CSPA Crown Award Winner SNO Distinguished Site JEM All State Gold
EDITORIAL CARTOON: Annika Kim BUILDING BLOCKS. Community and reflection can have a big impact on behavior and development. Reflect on how people can influence others’ conduct, and be deliberate about the contruction of personality. the staff 100% ofagree
Take control over your development EDITORIAL THE RUBICON STAFF
“Nature v.s. nurture,” or the impact of genetics as opposed to environment, has long been a topic of contention. In the 1970s and 80s, studies demonstrated that the possession of certain traits led to comparatively higher rates of success; perhaps most famously, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted the marshmallow test, research that showed that children who resisted immediate gratification performed better later in life. Somewhat logically, this research and other similar studies rely on the flawed concept of “good” and “bad” qualities—and, more importantly, that these traits determine a person’s success. The marshmallow test is wrong. Decades of increasingly detailed research demonstrate that nature and nurture are inescapably intertwined. Despite this, people naturally tend to assume the power of nature over nurture. It’s even embedded in the way we talk about someone’s qualities; he is smart or they are confident. This idea of character is outdated—it denies the power of adaptability and removes personal agency from the equation. The idea of “the self” as a fixed state doesn’t account for humanity’s susceptibility to change and ignores potential for self-improvement. One behavior doesn’t deterBE INTENTIONAL mine success. Genetics have power, but one’s environment is equally important, a conclusion that implies a measure of influence over one’s ABOUT CHOOSING A own development. COMMUNITY. Of course, the extent to which the development of personality can be controlled is limited—the genetic aspect of nature is definitely not within human control, and neither are the aspects of nurture that are products of chance. Despite this, self-awareness and reflection can provide ways to take some measure of control over development. Genes might determine some aspects of behavior, but one’s environment can alternatively circumvent or inspire such tendencies. Be intentional about choosing a community. The genetic composition and development of one’s social group can have an incredible influence on one’s own behavior, so work to be aware of how that can come into play. It’s important to recognize the impact of other people, but it’s also important to be aware of one’s own impact on others. Social groups can determine behavior, so be deliberate about contributing. Reflection on personal conduct can be essential to maintaining a healthy, open environment. The pathways and patterns of the brain are not fixed. Take on a role in the development of character—one person is never dominantly one thing, and one’s environment can often overrule genetics. Be aware of the construction and shaping of a community, because its impact is often unrealized.
SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENT Both genetics and environment have an impact on one’s personality and path in life. For example, certain sets of genes can make one more prone to irritable behavior, thus eliciting different interactions with others than someone without those tendencies. This could make schooling or relationships harder, simply because certain predetermined behavioral ten-
dencies can dictate different experiences and thus different types of development. In this way, genes can influence one’s environment. However, the genetic composition and development of one’s social group can have an equally important impact. One study showed that classmates and friends influenced how long someone stayed in school, regardless of their
own genes. A different study showed that those genetically predisposed to smoke are less likely to smoke as their educational attainment increases, indicating that the pressures of a social environment can essentially cancel out hereditary tendencies. Information from the Population Reference Bureau
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OPINIONS THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
A hard pill to swallow: disagreement is essential for growth HAZEL WALTENBAUGH THE RUBICON
The desire to avoid conflict is common, and there are many reasons why it can feel so uncomfortable. Many people feel pressure to be liked by those around them and therefore don’t want to seem disruptive or disrespectful. Others fear not being completely understood or the uncertainty of how their peers may react—it can feel difficult to share a conflicting opinion especially if there is worry that the majority may disagree. While disagreeing with someone can be extremely uncomfortable, finding the confidence to disagree in a respectful manner is an extremely important skill to have. First and foremost, sharing personal opinions is a crucial step in confident communication and giving others the opportunity to learn about the people and the world around them. Without being able to communicate opinions and ideas, the potential for the devel-
opment and expansion of one’s knowledge is greatly hindered. One of the most beneficial skills to possess is being able to question others and the world around us. Curiosity and inquisition facilitate the capacity to learn, which in return facilitates growth. While questioning the world builds knowledge, disagreement adds another layer. Learning to question and truly understand why two people may disagree (or have different viewpoints) can lead to examining new stories. The things an individual believes can say a lot about how and where they were born, the life that they live, as well as just provide an alternative viewpoint to another person’s perception of the world. Having a diverse perception of the world allows an individual to better understand the world as a whole, which facilitates how one may shape the world. Disagreement is essential and can be a really great learning opportunity, especially if done respectfully. Respect
is not only important for maintaining healthy relationships, but it is one way to encourage others to keep an open mind and to increase engagement in the conversation. Being open to disagreement and potential conflict is incredibly useful. Sharing opinions and accepting that there might be discomfort in disagreement is the first step. The next step is being mindful of the environment that can be created from disagreement, and what that means for those involved in the conversation. Being inviting and respectful of disagreement helps others feel comfortable sharing their opinions as well. Respectfully listening with an intention to understand where someone else is coming from no matter their demographic is a very difficult skill to have. No matter age, political background, skin color, authority, relationship, or anything else that is a part of identity, having the capacity to learn about those around us is an essential skill to have, especially in changing the
ILLUSTRATION: Maddy Fisher
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS. Build the confidence and skills required to productively disagree with someone. Arguments, though sometimes intimidating, can bring new perspectives. world and making an impact. So, don’t be afraid to share an opinion. Listen with an intention to understand (not necessarily agree) with others. Be willing to think about the world from someone else’s shoes. And most importantly, learn to disagree in a respectful manner.
Students should work to reclaim joyful learning and studying ORION KIM
THE RUBICON
At the Goodrich campus, kindergartners line up outside of the classroom, clutching their lunchboxes, excited for a new day of learning. Meanwhile, at the Randolph campus, the majority of high school students saunter over to their advisory and sulkily take a seat. So what is the reason behind older students dreading to go to school and learn? According to a survey performed by the Yale Child Study Center, 75% of students reported negative feelings in relation to school. While at school, students expressed negative emotions during 60% of the day. The overwhelming amount of negativity towards a place where students spend a large chunk of their adolescence is no small issue. Although the vigorous school curriculum might seem
completely in the hands of teachers, there is a lot a student can do to make learning more fun. There are four to six weeks until the end of school, which is the perfect amount of time to set a goal, practice, and make it a habit. According to 3P Learning, here are some concrete ways to reclaim joyful schooling. Students that enjoy the learning process see it as important to shaping their worldview. As a result, many of them connect learning to their hobbies. This includes making art out of their notes, writing songs to help them memorize, or building acrostics. If a student finishes work early and there’s a lull from assigned work, they should fill it with something energizing. Students can talk to a friend about the topic that is being learned. If writing is more of a student’s interest, performing a quick write or taking fun notes
can help save time that might be spent trying to remember material later. Joyful students also look forward to group work and they know their strengths when they collaborate. They know how to read the nonverbal energy of a group and aren’t afraid to get serious or make people laugh. Along the same lines of group interactions, students that are eager to learn also have a competitive edge. It’s not about winning or losing, but about leading the class and having the opportunity to build fun memories and bond with classmates. Perhaps the most important aspect of enjoying learning is to be curious. This is what separates the will to learn among younger versus older students. In order for a student to fully submerge themselves in learning, they must ask questions not only at the beginning or end of class, but when some-
ILLUSTRATION: Salah Abdulkarim
MAKE IT FUN. Using different study methods (like listening to music, making flashcards, or online sites like Kahoot) can keep students engaged while studying. thing stumps them along the way. That curiosity extends beyond if a student gets the ‘right answer,’ and can go as far as learning even more than the curriculum teaches. Since an average student spends seven plus hours of their day at school, and even more time doing homework,
there is no reason not to attempt one of these techniques. Pick just one specific way to engage more and stick to it. For some people learning might come easier, and for others it might come much harder, but try to enjoy the journey.
PUBLICATIONS POLICIES PUBLICATION INFO The
Rubicon is published eight times a year. We distribute 450 free copies of each issue to the upper school.
ADVERTISING The Rubicon
does not accept advertisements.
ANONYMOUS SOURCES
Although it is always preferable to use names when reporting, there are times when it is necessary to protect those we report on. In the case of a student, the use of grade level as a name designation (i.e. Sophomore Student) will be the preferred method of anonymity.
BY LINES credit the individual
who conducted interviews, drafted, revised and factchecked an assigned story. Shared bylines are given to joint effort assignments, with reporters listed alphabetically by last name. Stories that include supplemental materials include a credit at the bottom that states “Additional reporting by” followed by the reporter name.
EDITORIALS articulate the
collective opinion of The Rubicon staff, while minieditorials, opinions pieces, arts reviews, and columns belong to the author.
NAME & PRONOUN USE
In our student publications, it is a priority for us to be fair to the lived experience of our sources and our community. While we may clarify use through school records like Veracross, we use the name and pronouns reported to us in interviews and on surveys by the individual we are reporting on. To that end, each interview begins with a request to say and spell the person’s name and to share the pronouns they would like to see published in the story, and the reporter is transparent about where the story will be published. We do this because we understand that there are
people who exist in different spaces using different names and pronouns: people may choose one set of names and pronouns with friends, or in class, or at home, and choose to use different names and pronouns when being reported on in a public forum. We honor and respect an individual’s right to choose the places where they are out and where they prioritize safety, relationship or privacy by using other names and pronoun choices. If a mistake is made in the course of reporting, a correction will be posted with a print or online story per the corrections policy. The yearbook may include
multiple names and pronouns based on when an individual’s name and pronoun information was shared with staff; yearbooks cannot be edited for names and pronouns after signature printing. No changes will be made to archive stories in any publication.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Opinions are welcomed as Letters to the Editor or Submitted Opinions and may be published in the print or edition. Letters to the Editor should not exceed 400 words and Submitted Opinions should not exceed 650 words. Both may be edited for length
and style. All pieces must be submitted and will be published with a full name.
UPDATES & CORRECTIONS
During the post-critique process, staff members identify inaccuracies and report feedback from readers. The staff publishes corrections when an error is discovered during critique or reported to a staff member. Corrections should be directed to the Editor in Chief or appropriate section editor.
Enneagram type traits
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3.
4.
5.
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7.
Spontaneous, versatile, acquisitive, and scattered Self confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational Receptive, reassuring, complacent, and resigned
8. 9.
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THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
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8 1 2 7 3 6 5 4
Principled, purposeful, self controlled, and perfectionistic Generous, demonstrative, peoplepleasing, and posessive Adaptable, CHALLENGER excelling, driven, and image-concious Expressive, dramatic, selfabsorbed, and temperamental senior Sevy Hayes Perceptive, ENTHUSIAST innovative, secretive, and isolated Engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious
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GOOD QUESTION
freshman Hadley Dobish
PEACEMAKER
Andrea Moerer
REFORMER
senior Katherine Bragg
HELPER
sophomore Carys Hardy
junior Nolan Wagner
LOYALIST
ACHIEVER
senior Alexnder Moore
INVESTIGATOR
sophomore Lucas Grewe
INDIVIDUALIST
How accurate are Enneagram personality types? “ CLAIRE KIM
THE RUBICON
From the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to the four temperaments, human personalities can be defined by countless variations of typology tests. Among them, the Enneagram test has become popular for its simple numbering system and its coverage of many aspects that make up a person’s character. But is it truly accurate? According to Statistical Solutions and Bustle, The Enneagram Institute’s test is around 72% accurate. Its relatively high accuracy rates allow many psychiatrists to view it professionally as a valid personality test. However, its accuracy can also depend on how the test-taker interprets the
criteria as well as the results. As with any other personality test, it also receives criticism for generalizing or confining people to certain types. Originating from the 1960s when Bolivian philosopher Óscar Ichazo spread his teachings in South America, the typology system consists of interconnected human personality types. Ranging from one to nine, each person has a dominant type as well as a secondary “wing.” The different Enneagram types also include basic fears, desires, and motivations that are unique to each number. Junior Valerie Wick agreed that her majority type seven results described her well, but also felt that personality tests should be built off of and not blindly followed. “I
IT’S EASY TO MOLD YOURSELF TO TRY TO BETTER FIT AN
ANSWER AFTER GETTING YOUR
RESULTS SO THAT YOU CAN FEEL VALIDATED OR RECOGNIZED. junior Valerie Wick think they can help you interrogate your perception of yourself and the perceptions that others have of you, but I recognize that it’s easy to mold yourself to try to better fit an answer after getting your results so that you can feel validated or recognized,” Wick said. Regardless, many people find that the enneagram system describes them accurately and in a beneficial way. Sophomore Henry Choi, who got type three results
with a secondary type two, felt they were accurate to his behaviors. “I think that the type description is pretty accurate. Generally, whenever I am doing something, whether that be homework or extracurricular, I try to excel in that given field by setting both long-term and short-term goals depending on the situation,” he said. “In general, personality tests are usually pretty accurate for me, but I don’t know if they are really
useful as I know relatively what kind of person I am.” Freshman Aarushi Bahadur, who was familiar with other typology systems but not Enneagram, felt that her type nine test results were accurate to a certain extent. “I am somewhat self-effacing and I do try to avoid conflict, but, importantly, I also feel like I fall into a lot of other categories,” she said. “I…think that there is a lot more to my personality than just being a peacemaker and that some aspects of my personality do not fall under the broad category.” According to Psychology Today, one major issue with typology tests like the Enneagram and MBTI systems is the forced choice format,
where test-takers have to choose one option or the other without expressing how they feel about both. This means results are often skewed by pieces of information that only come at the cost of missing others. So is the Enneagram test really reliable? While statistics show that it can be considered accurate, the results are so variable for different people that it depends on the individual. Its interpretation also depends on how much the individual “believes” in the reliability of personality tests, so there is no clear answer. However, many enjoy typology as they are able to learn more about themselves or others, making it a popular choice even for entertainment value.
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IN DE
THE RUBICON
RUNNING OUT OF TIME : PRO
What happens to the body and soul when death occurs CLARA GARNER THE RUBICON
A
t some point in life sooner or later all of us will die. Unless new technology comes around that prolongs our life, humans will all eventually pass on. Although it might be hard to think about, death is a subject that will come up again and again, and is something humans face over and over again. People have been fascinated with death for a millennia and have tried to understand what, if anything, comes after death whether it be through religion, science or philosophies. According to research conducted by Frontiers titled “Enhanced Interplay of Neuronal Coherence and Coupling in the Dying Human Brain,” researchers found activity in the brain for nearly 7 minutes after death found activity in the memory retrieval section of the brain. The findings may signify that right after we die not only do our brains continue to function for a short period of time, but they might also be recalling key memories in a dreamlike state. Many people choose to think and imagine what might be beyond death, and others, like se-
nior Ben Hanson, choose not to think much about it at all. “I don’t care about it (death), because if you care about it, then you’re not able to live, because then you have to think about it,” Hanson said. Others like Junior Becca Richman create their own philosophies about what might come after death. “I think after we die we’re reincarnated,” “Our spirit moves on and becomes something else, like a plant,” Richman said. Senior James Montague takes more of a middle ground opinion by sharing “I’m curious about what happens obviously, but I’m not so curious I want to accelerate that process.” While these perspectives are different, they are reflective of the greater trends of people choosing to both focus on and hypothesize death rather than not thinking about death all together. Nearly every religion has a separate hypothesis for why death
happens and what happens after it, otherwise known as afterlife, but in many ways there are similar beliefs about what happens after death throughout many major religions. Religious beliefs can give people comfort in both accepting their own eventual fate of death as well as the death of people around them. It is easier to accept that someone is no longer present in the world but rather existing in the afterlife than to accept that someone is forever gone. In addition to having different beliefs of what happens after death each religion has its own practices as far as funerals and what is done with the body. For example, in Islam the body must be buried facing the city of Mecca (direction depends on location) and cannot be cremated whereas in Hinduism it is preferable that the body is cremated and
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I THINK AFTER WE DIE WE’RE REINCARNATED... OUR SPIRIT MOVES ON AND BECOMES SOMETHING ELSE LIKE A PLANET OR SOMETHING junior Becca Richman
that the body faces South. In the past there was no way to see beyond death, but now there’s hypotheses more accurate than ever before. Whether religious belief or science leaning, ideas about afterlife will always be a part of society and highly debated.
Turned to stone: cremation diamonds preserve meaningful stories HOBBS LILLYGREEN THE RUBICON
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ll life is made out of carbon—so are diamonds. Through modern technology, cremated loved ones’ ashes can be transformed into a diamond by subjecting the carbon-rich ashes to the same constraints as natural diamonds faced inside the earth as they formed. Whether the thought of a diamond produced from a passed relative or loved one is fascinating or having a tangible symbol of someone who’s no longer with the world, this new way of memorializing a story forever serves as an alternative to traditional funeral practices.
The first step in creating the stone is to purify the ashes to get the needed elements. The carbon found in the human body somewhat burns off during cremation, but the strongest carbon bonds stick around even after the high heat. Other elements with strong bonds stick around too: boron and phosphates. Carbon can be extracted from the mix of substances by creating an environment with no oxygen and high heat, which burns off the polluting elements. The carbon in the form of graphite is extracted and added to a growth cell that houses even more carbon and a diamond “seed.” A diamond seed is a tiny diamond that is
DIAMONDS JUST THE FACTS
200 grams the amount of ash needed to make a cremation diamond. One can also be made from 10 grams of hair, according to the Cremation Institute.
lab-grown. Then, using a device called a high pressure high temperature (HPHT) machine, the carbon is compressed and subjected to conditions diamonds need to be produced. Inside the earth, internal pressure and temperature is high and hot, which is the conditions diamonds need to be formed.
The process isn’t completed in just one day— the purified carbon in the cell is subjected to the conditions for 7 to 10 days to create the perfect stone. Finally, when the diamond is finished growing, it can be cut and polished to a costumers desire. The diamond can be set into a ring or attached to a necklace producing a beautiful accessory with a story. With increasing awareness around environmental issues and a common trend of people straying from the norm, traditional burials and cremations aren’t the only options to honor a loved one—new forms of processing grief may become more prominent with time.
FAIR USE: Eterneva SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND. A loved ones ashes taken from the process of cremation can be reduced to pure carbon and grown into a glistening diamond. HPHT Machines simulate the natural conditions diamonds need to form allowing the stone to grow. Additional elements may be added to create colors like the yellow diamond pictured below.
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EPTH
N - APRIL 2022
OCESSING DEATH
FUNERAL RITUALS Whether mourning the passing of a loved one with a celebration or peaceful sendoff, rituals around death and ideas of afterlife vary throughout religions and cultures around the world.
Sky Burials
Tibetan Buddhists take part in an organic way of returning the dead to nature completely. This ancient death ritual leaves a passed person in an outdoor setting, typically on a hilltop, where birds of prey will consume it.
Burial Beads
With South Korea’s limited space for burial, families are creative about ways to honor their loved ones. A common practice is to press the cremated remains into colorful beads. The beads are then made into a display with a bottle or urn.
Jazz Funeral
PHOTO: Dennis Jarvis, FlikrCC BURNING GOODBYES. In the area around the holy Ganges river in India, passed loved ones are placed on funeral pyres then ignited. Pyres, usually constructed of combustible material, help to process grief through one last goodbye.
Thanatophobia: the fear of death ANNIE BAI
THE RUBICON
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eath is the inevitable, permanent, irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. The fear of danger or regret from not fully achieving your goals, is the tip of the iceberg for why so many humans are afraid of death and feel the need to understand it. Are there certain groups or factors that cause people to fear death more? According to the terror management theory, indivduals with high self-esteem are better equipped to handle fears around the topic of death, but people with low self-esteem are more likely to be intimidated by topics of death. People that have a strong fear of death tend
to avoid the topic, but they can end up increasing their fear by refusing to talk about it death. Subject matter that is uncomfortable to talk abut tends to be avoided, but the refusal to mention subjects like death amplifies it in the mind. It seems counterintuitive but those that are of old age and closer to death have significantly less fear than younger generations. Sophomore Reilly Ringness said, “I think that when you get closer to the end of your life It’s scary,” but I think when you’re younger, it’s scary because you see other people die and you have so much more to do in your life that you don’t want to miss out on.” There are opposing views on the effect of religion that make it hard
PHOTO: Toni Neubauer FULL CIRCLE. Drigung Monastery is famous for its sky burials. Located in Tibet, the lack of wood for cremation and frozen ground caused new rituals to form. A body is placed on a hill and left for the vultures, thus, returning to mother earth.
to determine whether religion does affect the fear of death or not. According to Psychology Today westerners who fear death most are moderately religious. Both non-believers and very religious people feared death much less. But some studies also show that people with stronger religious beliefs regardless of culture or religion, have a stronger fear of death. “I think some religions can affect this fear, some religions might think death is a blessing which makes it exciting and some might think its eternal suffering which is automatically gonna make you afraid,” Dalton said.
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WHEN YOU’RE YOUNGER, IT’S REALLY SCARY (DEATH) BECAUSE YOU SEE OTHER PEOPLE DIE AND YOU HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO DO IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON. sophomore Reilly Ringness
A blend of African and European culture brought the jazz funeral tradition to New Orleans, Louisiana, and other parts nearby. When the funeral procession happens, musicians walk and play instruments—often sad songs at the beginning. After the burial, a post-funeral party happens with lively music in celebration of the person’s life.
Pyre Cremation
On the Ganges River banks, Indian families wrap their loved one in bright, colorful fabric and perform religious rituals, then the body is carried on a bamboo stretcher to the cremation site.
Dancing with the Dead
This death ritual in Madagascar happens five to seven years after the initial burial. The loved one’s exhumation allows the family to strip the burial clothing and place them in fresh clothes. A placement ceremony takes place to seal the crypt for another five to seven years soon after. This practice is known as the “turning of the bones” or “dancing with the dead.”
Hanging Coffins
In the northern area of the Philippines, a common death ritual is to carve a beautiful coffin, then place this coffin on the side of a cliff instead of burial. Before the loved one is placed in the casket, family members participate in certain ceremonies, such as seating the person in a “death chair” and covering them with a blanket.
Handful of Earth
Family members watch as the casket is lowered into the ground. Then funeral attendees approach the casket one at a time to drop handfuls of soil onto the casket. This practice is common in many cultures, symbolizing the return of the person to the earth. SOURCE: Farewelling.com
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons CLIFF COFFINS. Coffins housing passed loved ones hang on the mountain side of the rural Philippines. A common ritual, elaborate coffins are carved then the body is placed inside following mourning practices.
PHOTO: Guilhem Vellut, FlikrCC DANCING FOR DEATH. The Bon or Obon Festival established in Japan, commemorates deceased ancestors and lasts for three days. Games, dancing and often fireworks occur welcoming spirits of the dead.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
REVIEW
A film for everyone: CODA SALAH ABDULKARIM EDITOR IN CHIEF
CODA, the 2022 Academy Award Best Picture winner, is a moving film about Ruby Rossi, the only non-deaf member of a family, hence the title that stands for “Children of deaf adults.” This movie will likely appeal to most viewers as it is a patchwork of several different genres that make it the wild, dramatic, musical and comedic roller coaster of a movie that it is. The movie is based on the 2014 “La Famille Bélier” (The Aries Family), a French film that was not released to United States viewers. Ruby, a senior in high school who loves to sing, works for her parent’s fishing business and translates sign language for her family. Due to her family’s financial situation, Ruby was not planning to attend college after high school. When her choir teacher lets her know his alma mater offers music scholarships, Ruby begins to prepare
FAIR USE: @appletv on Instagram
SIGN. Ruby Rossi, the only non-deaf member of her family, connects with them through sign language.
for an audition for the scholarship. Playing such a crucial role in her family’s life and business, the thought of leaving home creates a number of issues for her and her family. The story continues to unfold with many intense scenes as the characters continue to argue about whether they think Ruby should leave or not. While the movie can be predictable at times, the plot remains engaging. The element of pre-
dictability is present to the point in which a viewer will likely have a good idea of what is going to happen next, but there is still some doubt. The tension and suspense of the scenes extenuate that element of doubt and keep the viewer interested. The acting at moments seems all too real because it is. Frank Rossi, Jackie Rossi and Leo Rossi, Ruby’s father, mother and brother, respectively, are all portrayed by deaf actors. Many shows and
BEST PICTURE NOMINEES Belfast FAIR USE: Focus Features
movies that feature disabled characters do not actually cast characters with that disability. A recent study by the Ruderman Family Foundation found that 95% of disabled characters were played by fully non-disabled actors in the top 10 TV shows between 2015 and 2016. It is fantastic to see those characters be represented by someone who understands what it is like to live with that disability. Overall, CODA is well-deserving of the 2022 Best Picture Academy Award. The storyline was emotionally striking and the composition and acting really brought this movie to life.
Don’t Look Up FAIR USE: Netflix
Drive My Car
FAIR USE: C&I Entertainment
Dune
FAIR USE: Warner Bros
King Richard
FAIR USE: Warner Bros
Licorice Pizza
FAIR USE: MGM
Nightmare Alley
FAIR USE: Searchlight Pictures
RATING: 4/5
The Power of the
Streaming on: Apple TV+
Dog
Movie length: 1h 51m
FAIR USE: Netflix
West Side Story
FAIR USE: Disney
ARTS OPINION
Feeling like best friends with a celebrity isn’t harmful CLARA MCKOY RUBICONLINE
Forming intimate emotional connections with a favorite movie or TV show character isn’t as weird as it sounds. And it’s healthy. Parasocial relationships are one-sided psychological encounters between an individual and a persona who they are illusioned to believe they truly know. The formation of parasocial relationships is increasingly possible due to the access and prevalence of social media in many individuals’ lives. The term, originating in 1956 by researchers Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl, surfaced as TV usage across the country rose exponentially as a part of Americans’ lives. It refers to non reciprocated and one sided relationships between an individual and someone they do not know on a personal level. They often occur with public figures such as celebrities, influencers, and actors due to their abundant time in the spotlight
and the illusion that fans actually know them. But, parasocial relationships can also form between an individual and someone who does not exist in the real world: movie, TV, or book characters can fill the same placeholder as real people do in parasocial relationships.
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HEALTHY ADMIRATION ULTIMATELY ALLOWS THEM TO BENEFIT FROM INSPIRATION OF THE IDENTITY THEY ADMIRE. sophomore Clara Mckoy
Professor of psychology at Empire State College, Gayle Stever, Ph.D., argued that parasocial relationships are far more normal than they are often portrayed as. He explained that most people do form them, and—although they can never replace real relationships—
RUBICONLINE PHOTO: Clara Mckoy
RANGE. From left to right: singer Harry Styles, Youtuber Emma Chamberlain, rapper Drake, CHECK NAME, actress Zendaya and basketball player Lebron James showcase a wide variety of celebrities that people can connect to through various means.
they don’t usually reach any level of harm. A 2017 study found that adolescents’ engagement with public figures is especially intense. They tend to face the most significant impacts of parasocial relationships, in part due to their stage of social development. Not only can these parasocial relationships mimic similar foundational steps of normal friendship, but they can also positively influence aspects of an individual’s identity. Adolescents often migrate towards personas that they perceive as mentor
figures, or look up to in some way. This healthy admiration ultimately allows them to benefit from inspiration of the identity they admire. Another study even found that individuals with low self-esteem can benefit from parasocial relationships due to the protection against rejection. Because the nature of parasocial relationships is non reciprocal, the initiator of the connection doesn’t face any sort of the rejection that is possible in real-life relationships. While some argue that
the harmful possibilities of parasocial relationships should be more closely examined, cases of destructive obsession taking over are the exception, not the rule. Beyond obsessiveness, another concern is that consumers can develop entitlement to celebrity’s lives; believing their favorite public figures owe them attention, personal details, or content. While parasocial relationships can certainly diverge into these circumstances in extreme cases, the large majority do not. Consciously accepting that a public
figure or character is not a friend, but allowing space to think otherwise, is perfectly normal and healthy. Parasocial relationships should never be weighed more highly than real-life ones, but that does not disregard the fact that they can be extremely valuable. At the end of the day, they are completely natural attachments to make to someone, especially considering the role of online public figures amid the current digital age.
MUSIC THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022 HOBBS LILLYGREEN
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Flashing lights, screaming crowds, hands held high— whether age exclusive or not, this venue or that, concerts are a widely different way to enjoy music at a personal level. With gatherings of large groups becoming frequent, concerts have risen in popularity as of recently. Almost every weekend lines of people crowd the streets of downtown St. Paul near the Excel Center and in Minneapolis, The Armory. Why are all your friends seemingly disappearing each weekend for hours on end for whatever famous artist tours next? With the sudden pandemic of the past two years, concerts were canceled, some without refund and some planning to reschedule. The ‘burst’ of shows can somewhat be attributed to the rescheduling of concerts, most promising shows as soon as possible. Eagerness isn’t something to be overlooked either, as many want to see their favorite artists and the disappointing news of a canceled concert can cause the i m m e d i at e purchase of tickets the second they become available. Junior Cayenne Ramirez speaks on the appeal of going to live concerts after seeing Harry Styles in person. “In the fall, I went to see Harry Styles, which was really fun. It was a really big event so I was super far away and I could hardly see him but also it was still just really cool because he’s such a huge artist,” she said. The personal aspect to live shows further contributes to the appeal of live shows. Small artists who perform at small venues often have tickets that are priced way less compared to hundreds of dollars spent on famous musicians. When one of Ramirez’s favorite artists came to town, she immediately purchased a ticket. “Last weekend I went and saw Claire Rosinkranz; she’s a really small artist so she was super close and the audience was really small so it was really personal and was really fun. I just felt so up close,” Ramirez said. “Having the artist be there feet away from you or even hundreds of feet away from you is such a cool experience and getting to really put a physical being or even a face to a song Just like emphasizes having that more personal aspect,” Ramirez said. Small and personal concerts or large and packed ones are just two examples of what a concert can be, but they’re not the only forms. Concerts do not necessarily have to be major productions with fog machines and rainbow lights, senior Ellie Murphy views concerts almost every night. Murphy’s father plays bluegrass instruments nightly meaning no matter where Ellie is, she hears the live concert. “Sometimes I’ll be in bed doing homework, and I’m like, What’s that beautiful sound? And it’s him [Murphy’s dad] playing bluegrass instrumentals at 11 p.m. on the banjo,” Murphy said. Even at home, Murphy is able to experience music with other people constantly. “Sometimes, honestly, like my entire household is just like an ongoing concert … and honestly it made me realize that life is worth living and there’s a lot of beauty and culture for me to hear and experience,” she said. Concerts are centered around the connections they build, whether it’s with the artist or the other people watching. Being able to experience music in person is an opportunity that many consider to be highlights of their lives so the next concert may be worth it, whether it’s at a popular venue or in the comforts of home. THE RUBICON
FAIR USE PHOTO: @clairerosinkranz on Instagram
FULL VOLUME. Indie pop singer-songwriter Claire Rosinkranz performs at The Roxy Theater in California. Junior Cayenne Ramirez, who attended Rosinkranz’s concert at The 7th St Entry in Minneapolis, said, “The audience was really small so it was really personal and was really fun.”
Concert culture draws audiences in live
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WHY DO STUDENTS ENJOY CONCERTS?
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It feels like more of an experience, like you’re having a connection with the artist. Last fall I went to Phoebe Bridgers and that was so much fun. -sophomore Poppy Ploen
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I’m going [to see Conan Gray] with my sister, my friend, and her friend. I’m most excited about the music. -freshman Sam Peterson
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Honestly, [Metallica] is probably my favorite band of all time so I just want to see them live. -sophomore Rowan Hofmann
The psychology of concert-going ANNIE BAI
THE RUBICON
Whether it’s to see a famous artist perform on stage, to relieve stress, or to just have a good time, going to concerts benefits psychological health. Music and emotion are strongly connected, the excitement people feel at concerts is an incomparable experience. Live music has been proven to improve one’s mental state as it adds increased physical engagement and brain activation. According to WKMS, fields of psychology are being explored that focus on the benefits of music, especially live music, for psychological well-being. Further studies on how music affects emotional regulation show that live music can be directly linked to a person’s wellbeing, as stated by Salon, “By highlighting the interpersonal benefits of seeking out live music, the research-
ers hope that this can spur the development of new interventions to help treat anxiety and depression.” Live music not only improves mental health, but also has physical benefits. According to US News, “Attending a musical performance decreases the release of cortisol and other stress hormones. Cortisol levels of 117 study participants dropped significantly after attending a concert.” The physical result of attending a concert is a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate which equates to a decrease in stress. The stimulation from concerts and live performances provide completely different experiences than just listening to music at home. WKMS states that, “All music can be beneficial; there’s plenty of evidence there. But something about live [music] is special.
It adds... increased engagement, stronger emotional expression, and associated stronger brain activation in those same regions.” When attending live performances, people often seek more than just music; it’s the invigorating experience that they want. FAIR USE PHOTO: @firstavenue on Instagram
SING OUT. English musician Maisie Peters tours at First Avenue in Minneapolis. The venue, along with its branches, are great places to see artists perform, whether they are local or not.
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SPORTS THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
TRY TO KEEP UP. Because the subjects are moving really quickly, make sure the camera’s shutter can keep up.
LOCKED IN. Telephoto lenses tend to allow for shorter depths of field and, therefore, more blur behind subjects.
SHOOTING ON ICE. Shooting indoors gets tricky for sports because it’s hard to have enough light and a fast enough shutter speed. PHOTOS: Hazel Waltenbaugh
HOW TO TAKE STRONG SPORTS PHOTOS HAZEL WALTENBAUGH THE RUBICON
Taking quality sports photos can be a lot of trial and error depending on the location, lighting, weather, equipment, and subjects. There is a big difference between simply pointing a camera and shooting versus taking the time to experiment and become familiar with the equipment. One of the most essential things in any type of photography is taking the time to understand the equipment. Having access to quality equipment is not the only way to produce quality images, but for sports photography, in particular, having access to a telephoto lens will be extremely useful. These lenses tend to be more expensive but help capture more unique im-
ages, such as close-ups or extreme close-ups, that are impossible for pointand-shoot cameras or iPhones. For most photography in manual, setting the camera’s ISO is usually the first step. ISO is the camera’s sensitivity to light. For that reason, it is crucial to think about the lighting available. For sports photography, however, it might be important to set shutter speed first by using the F-Stop. Because the subjects are moving really quickly, make sure the camera’s shutter can keep up. Aim for somewhere between 1/800 - 1/1000 of a second so that the subjects don’t turn out blurry. The next step is to set the ISO based on lighting. For outdoor photography, daylight and even gold-
en hour should be plenty of light for the majority of cameras and lenses. Shooting indoors gets tricky for sports because it’s hard to have enough light and a fast enough shutter speed. The faster the shutter speed is, the higher the ISO will need to be to make up for light. Lastly, set up the aperture. While performing this last step, keep in mind that all three of these settings work together. Aperture determines the depth of field or how much blur is in the picture, which will also depend on the lens that is used. Telephoto lenses, for example, tend to allow for shorter depths of field and, therefore, more blur behind subjects. Another thing unique to sports photography
is dedication. It takes experimentation with not only the camera equipment and settings but also things like where to shoot from and what the best angles may be based on the players or sport that is being shot. Learning a little about the sport itself can be useful for this. However, as anything does, it will become easier with more practice. The more games that a photographer goes to, the more photos they will be able to take. This betters their chance of capturing the really important moments of the game. On top of spending time at games and events, dedicating time later to sort through hundreds of images to find the best shots will be time-consuming as well.
HOW TO TAKE SPORTS PHOTOS WITH WALTENBAUGH For sports photography, it is important to set shutter speed first by using the F-Stop. For outdoor photography, daylight and even golden hour should be plenty of light for the majority of cameras and lenses. Aperture determines the depth of field or how much blur is in the picture. [Sports photography] takes experimentation with not only the camera equipment and settings but also things like where to shoot from and what the best angles may be.
FOOD THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
está volao
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Talking Cuban food & culture with Rolando Castellanos CATHERINE HOOLEY THE RUBICON
Cuba, a country with a complex history and many different cultural influences, is - by no surprise - a place with a wide array of cultural practices. These influences present themselves in a variety of ways, one of which is the traditional cuisine. “Cuban food has a lot of flavors, but it’s not as spicy,” US Spanish teacher Rolando Castellanos said. He was born and raised in Cuba and immigrated to the US in 1978. CUBA’S HISTORY Historically Cuba has been under the power of Spanish and American powers while also holds its own cultural amalgamation, which is a combination of Caribbean, African, and Indigenous Taino traditions. The migration of Chinese workers to Cuba also integrated Chinese culture into the Cuban lifestyle. F urthering Cuba’s complexity within its cuisine was the Cold War and Cuba’s communist history, which largely cut off major food supplies and forced a dietary change upon the population. This major change brought more carbs into the Cuban diet, as well as a distancing from meat as it became much less accessible. KEY FOOD SOURCES Cuba’s soil is also naturally ideal for an agricultural economy which was largely denominated by the sugarcane industry as well rice, fruits, potatoes, tomatoes and corn and
avocados. The dominant livestock in Cuba are pigs, chicken and cattle. “Roasting an entire pig with a stick through the middle is very popular. It can also be cooked in a machine called a Caja China,” Castellanos said. “The pig is spiced with lime juice, lots of garlic, cumin, pepper.” Today, beef is virtually nonexistent after the government made the slaughter of cattle illegal without state permission in 1963. “One dish that is very representative of Cuban food is called picadillo,” Castallanos said. Picadillo consists of ground beef, tomato sauce or fresh tomatoes, garlic, peppers, onions, olives and sometimes raisins or a fried egg. The dish is typically served with sweet plantains, white rice and black beans. Fishing is another popular industry in Cuba, making seafood prominent. TASTE OF HOME For Castellanos, ropa vieja with white rice, black beans and sweet fried plantains is his favorite meal. “It uses the same base as picadillo, but it is made with shredded beef. It can be eaten with many of the same things, including yuca,” he explained. Ropa vieja translates to “old clothes” and originates from an urban legend. “We also eat chicharrón, which is the fried skin of a pig or chunks of pork meat made to be crunchy,” he said. “We eat a lot of fruit— lots of plantains, either in
soup or as chips which they call chicharitas. Chicharitas are very thin green plantains deep fried with garlic salt,” Castellanos said.
HOW TO MAKE: Ropa Vieja
SWEET ENDINGS Staying consistent with the high amount of fruit in the Cuban diet, many Cuban desserts are based around fruit. “There are lots of marmalades and preserves with mango and guava and papayas and more. We also drink a lot of smoothies,” he said. Flan de Naranja, or flan with oranges, is a typical dessert as well as chocolate cake and flan cooked together. Today, staples of the Cuban diet are presented in many different styles. Tostones, for example, are flattened and fried green plantains, a traditional Cuban snack with African inspirations. The Cuban sandwich is a popular item for lunch; it includes Cuban bread, pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard. Castellanos’s recommends Guavas Cuban Cafe, located near Lake Nokomis: “I highly recommend the tamales. They’re the best I have found in the Twin Cities in the 40 some years I have lived here,” he said. In the Twin Cities, some other popular and top-rated restaurants include El Cubano, located in West St. Paul and Victor’s 1959 Cafe, located in Southwest Minneapolis.
Flickr CC: @TaGa_Luto
Ingredients: 1 pound of flank steak (a whole tray) 1 large onion 3 garlic cloves 1 can (6 oz.) tomato puree or crushed tomatoes - can use 3 graded tomatoes 2 or 3 tablespoons of mild to medium “picante sauce” - Pace Picante Sause 1 teaspoon of ground pepper 1 teaspoon of ground cumin 2 bay leaves ¼ cup of vegetable oil 3 table spoons of White Cooking wine 1 bell (red) pepper 1 bell (green) pepper Instructions: Cut the flak stake in 1 inch squares. Boil the meat until tender (about an hour). Put some garlic cloves in the water and add some salt for seasoning. In a pressure cooker it will take about 15 minutes. Using a fork shred the meat. Slice the onions and the peppers length wise. Using a sauce pan or a pot, sautee the onion, peppers and garlic. Add the meat. Steer constantly for about 5 minutes at medium high. Add the tomato and the picante sauces. Cook the meat for about five minutes. Add the cooking wine. At this point, add some of the water from in which you boiled the meat. You could also use beef broth. At the end add some minced cilantro before serving. Serve with white rice, black beans and maduros (fried sweet plantains). RECIPE SUBMITTED BY: Rolando Castellanos
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT
GUAVAS CUBAN CAFE
PHOTOS FROM: @guavascubancafe on Instagram ORDER HERE. Items on the menu include the Cubano, tres leche, paella, eggs with plaintain, and the Roja Vieja.
@guavascubancafe 612-824-0951 5607 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55417
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FEATURE THE RUBICON - APRIL 2022
Holidays mean family and food
YOU
a monthly 3-5 question feature submitted by you
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ENGAGED ENTHUSIAST. Milo Zelle is passionate about a myriad of things, including (but not limited to) the book Manufacturing Consent, the word “melancholy,” and filling out The Rubicon surveys.
MEET MILO ZELLE Q: What is one book everyone should read? I wish everyone would read Manufacturing Consent, it’s a must for understanding the ways that modern information media is shaped and delivered.
Q: What’s your comfort food? My ultimate comfort food is Chicken Curry from Everest on Grand, a local Nepalese restaurant.
Q: If you could pick any language to know instantly, which one would you pick? I would learn Kurmanji, the northern Kurdish dialect, because it’s near impossible to find tools to learn it otherwise and it would facilitate my interest in following the conflict in Syria.
Eid al-Fitr: a time to spend in community ORION KIM
THE RUBICON
Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration and festivity to commemorate the breaking of the fast after Ramadan, which started Apr. 1. This year Eid alFitr will begin May 1 and end May 2. For sophomore Humza Murad, religion is an important part of his identity and Eid is a very special holiday. The day starts off by performing a morning prayer at the Masjid. “Everyone’s there, normally over 200 people, and it takes about 30 minutes,” he said. At the mosque that he attends, he normally has a dish called Halwa Puri after the prayer. “The dish basically has three parts to it. There is a bread called Puri that is deep-fried in oil until it is super crispy. Then there is the Chana Masala, which is a garbanzo bean dip for the bread. The last part of the dish is called Halwa, which is a sweet dessert that is sort of orange or pale in color. The dish is eaten by dipping the bread in the chana or halwa using your hands,” Murad said. Since Eid is a celebration of the end of Ramadan, feasting in small communities is a large part of the festivities. “After the prayer, everyone goes their separate ways and we go to people’s houses. There are around 1015 people in the community hosting their Da’wahs, which are essentially Eid parties where we eat a lot of food and catch up with them. In one day we might go to 3-4 houses,” he said. The act of sharing and feasting is a very important part of the celebration for Murad. “I guess one of my favorite parts about [Eid] would be all the different kinds of food we get to eat. I visit a lot of houses, and they all have unique foods. It’s always a lot of fun,” he said. One of the dishes he enjoys is called Pakora. “It’s basically a battered dish that has potatoes and onions in it. You then season and deep fry it.” For Murad, being able to see his
Melancholy, because of its origins in the medical theory of the four humors.
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community is probably the most valuable aspect of the holiday. “In one day we might go to four different houses, each for an hour. Over the year, at least for me, I don’t really see my community that often, but on Eid, I see everyone and talk to everyone,” he said. Murad is a co-founder of the newly returned Muslim Student Alliance at school. “[Sophomores] Baasit Mahmood, Wafa Naqvi, and I wanted to revive this group because [when the high school group stopped] there were a lot of Muslims in the middle school.
We wanted there to be a place—somewhere to go—when they transition to high school.” The group hosted a bake sale on Mar. 17 to spread awareness about the holiday and raise funds for a worthy organization. Murad worked alongside his peers to share some of the foods that might be eaten on Eid, including Samosas and Pakoras. All $564 in proceeds went to Zacah, a local organization that is dedicated to the redistribution of wealth. This includes Zakat, a mandatory charitable tax for all Muslims.
Easter: self-discovery (and eggs?) CLARA GARNER
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SUBMITTED PHOTO: Humza Murad FAMILY BREAKS FAST. Sophomore Humza Murad poses for a family photo on Eid al-Fitr. Because the holiday’s date is based off the lunar calendar, it falls about 11 days earlier each year.
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“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the importance of the period leading up to Easter called Lent... it’s a time of self discovery with you and your religion,” Worrall said. Much of how the secular celebration of Easter came to be what it is today is unknown: what is, after the all, the connection between bunnies, eggs and “albis” the Latin word for Easter week that means “dawn”? Regardless, senior Ellie Sandeen enjoys the modern Easter traditions such as egg hunts with her family and friends. “Celebrating Easter doesn’t really mean anything to me beyond our family traditions,” Sandeen said. Freshman Thomas Kovarik also does not celebrate Easter religiously but shares that nevertheless, “it’s a good time with family.” Although religion is an important part of his celebration, Worrall also takes part in the non-religious traditions, too, such as Easter egg hunts and exchanging presents and chocolate. Bunnies and eggs, after all, have become ubiquitous with spring.
AS I’VE GOTTEN OLDER, I’VE REALIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO EASTER.
Like Eid and Passover, Easter, and the Lenten season preceding it, is a movable feast. The date is set on the Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox. This year, that was Apr. 17. For religious people, Easter celebrates the crucifixion and senior resurrection of Jesus as it was RJ Worrall described in the book of Acts in the Bible. For the nonreligious, it may mean decorating eggs, waking up to a basket of goodies, a brunch reservation, a ham dinner with family, or just another Sunday. Senior RJ Worrall, who identifies as Orthodox Christian, celebrates Easter religiously. Each year, his family takes part in Lent and breaks the fast at a midnight Easter feast at his church with his family. Lent is a period of 40 days that involves a combination of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent also requires someone celebrating to give up something that is important to them for the 40 days; some examples could be eating chocolate or watching TV.
Passover celebrates Jews freedom from slavery Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It began Apr. 15. Senior Lily Ellis said, “We always do a Seder with family and friends with lots of good food. My family like to experiment with making different things with Matzah to keep kosher for Passover.” Keeping Kosher means eating unleavened foods. Passover commences a 49-day period called the Omer. It culminates in the holiday of Shavuot, the anniversary of the receiving of the Torah at Sinai.