January/February 2015 Issue

January/February 2015. Volume 42. Issue 5.

The Rubicon the student newspaper of S t . P a u l A c a d e m y & S u m m i t S c h o o l - 1 7 1 2 R a n d o l p h Av e n u e - S t . P a u l , M N 5 5 1 0 5 w w w. r u b i c o n l i n e . c o m

Esoterica at SPA: Students talk Tarot, fortunes, horoscopes, and more.

flu shots re-evaluated: why we should still get them opinions p.5

space, the final frontier: what to look up for in 2015 back cover

review: ice castles grace eden prairie for first time Arts & Entertainment p.12

COVER DESIGN: Boraan Abdulkarim

Learn more about esoterica at SPA: Students talk Tarot, Fortunes, and Horoscopes.

Cover Story P. 8-9.

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Student dance offers a night to remember

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Students danced the evening away at a “Night to Remember,” St. Paul Academy and Summit School’s Valentine’s Dance. The theme comes from the popular movie High School Musical. However, Student Activity Committee member, sophomore Mary Grant said the party wouldn’t have a High School Musical theme -- and it didn’t. “It has to do somewhat with the color scheme.” Grant said. Junior Karsten Runquist DJ’ed the event, adding more of a personal touch to the dance. The dance was held on Feb. 7 from 8-11 p.m. at the Germanic American Institute on Summit Ave. in St. Paul. Tickets cost $25 per person.

The Rubicon

Meghan Joyce Arts & Entertainment Editor

Opinions Editor

The grade-level Peer Helpers are meant to be peer counselors.

In order to equip them and build bonds between Peer Helpers’ members and therefore enhance their ability to help the school community, they went on retreat Jan. 24-25 at Camp Ihduhapi.

“We basically go and sit in this lodge and spend a lot of time learning about each other on a deeper level,” sophomore Peer Helper Lea Moore said. Moore states that it serves to enhance the connections between each grade through those bonds.

The group learned about Courageous Conversations, which, “...sets up a format where people have individual conversations around differences,” Upper School Counselor Susanna Short said. Short advises the group and facilitates the retreat.

These differences include race, religion, gender and sexuality: “I think learning and experiencing having hard conversations about

@RubicOnline

Cold Weather Policy changes no school protocol

PHOTO CREDIT: Diane Huang

Sophomore Meley Akpa and Freshman Duke Nguyen walk into PHOTO CREDIT: Meghan Joyce

school in December on one of the coldest days of the year. “The walk into school, even though it’s

Seniors Evva pArsons and Mansuda Arora lead the St. Paul Academy and Summit School community in a discussion about racial equality with several panelists answering student questions on Jan. 13. “There were different opinions and it was something we could interact with,” senior Em Prozinski said.

racial equality.

“I liked [the assembly]. Hearing from a lot of voices, it feels like comparatively it was a lot better, just because we were getting diversity instead of a single speaker talking at us. There were different opinions and it was something that we could interact with,” senior Em Prozinski said.

Sophomore Wyatt Bliss agreed that it was a unique experience to hear from so many people. “The diverse perspectives [at the assembly] were all very motivating,” he said.

Junior Elena Youngdale said that she saw the need for the assembly and the later discussions, but that there was room for improvement. “Honestly [the as-

sembly] was a little bit repetitive of other things we’ve heard before. I do think it was necessary, but it felt a little bit distant,” she said.

Youngdale said that the root of the problem with the discussions was how “we were asked questions. We were all locked in a Harkness room and someone came along with a sheet of paper [with questions]. It just seemed a little bit robotic,” Youngdale said.

While Bliss said that he found the assembly to be productive, he also felt that the discussions didn’t work very well. “The discussions would have been better if they were smaller. There were too many people,” he said.

Prozinski agreed that the dis-

cussions weren’t very effective.

“There were definitely people who didn’t say anything, whether they were afraid to voice their opinions or something else,” she said. “We spent half of [Honors] Music Seminar talking about it, talking about a lot of different issues around race or the way media portrays race. I almost feel like in classes, people are more comfortable sharing what they thought.”

It’s been half a century since King gave his I Have A Dream speech, and while his dream may not be fully realized yet, this assembly and these discussions aimed to educate in order to make progress towards racial equality.

Peer Helpers’ retreat facilitates positive connections Amodhya Samarakoon

Netflix blocked at school, internet running smoothly

January/February 2015

MLK day assembly educates community Martin Luther King Jr. led a revolutionary nonviolent movement in the 1960s, wanting nothing more than to “let freedom ring.”

In memory of King’s tremendous strides in fighting racial inequality and to encourage further progress, St. Paul Academy and Summit School students gathered before a panel to discuss racial issues on Jan. 12 in an assembly organized by Common Ground and Intercultural Club.

In order to continue and encourage further thought, the conversation from the assembly was then carried into the classrooms for follow up discussion Jan. 13.

The panelists were criminal defense attorney Paul Applebaum, hip hop artist and victim of police brutality Chris Lollie, public policy advocate Lonna Stevens Hunter, executive director of CAIRMN Jaylani Hussein, SPA alum and intern with Bowdoin’s Dean of Multicultural Affairs Ashley Johnson [‘13], and Sarah Herder Education Director at The Advocates for Human Rights.

The assembly was a question and answer session, and students had the opportunity to learn from a range of different experiences with race, answering questions about everything from the underreporting and jurisdiction issues concerning rape of Native Americans to police brutality to what allies can do to help work towards

Read more...

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issues that people are passionate about is always helpful,” Short said. “So you’re learning how to talk from your own experience, how to listen really intently to another person.”

These methods of discussing difficult topics can then be used

by Peer Helpers to easily handle conversations about these issues.

Freshman Peer Helper Maya Shrestha believes the retreat will end up benefiting the school community by enhancing the group’s ability to discuss topics within their circle as well as the rest of the school.

“For this retreat we learned about courageous conversations which is something that I think will be very helpful for being able to have discussions with the St. Paul Academy and Summit School community about problems that we are facing in our world and in our school,” Shrestha said.

Along with Courageous Conversations, there are some consistent traditions over the retreat

PHOTO CREDIT: Claudia Rosario

Peer Helpers gather to take a group photo in the fourth floor Wellness room. Their retreat was meant to strengthen bonds between the Peer Helpers to then strengthen bonds within grades. “[We] spend a lot of time learning about each other on a deeper level,” sophomore Lea Moore said.

such as discussing sexual assault and dating violence, as well as how to conduct a conversation with a student who has experienced violence while also maintaining a boundary as to when an adult is needed in the situation.

Moore states that, by bonding with Peer Helpers from other grades and discussing grade-spe-

cific issues, the Peer Helpers can learn from each other.

“If one group or person is struggling, you can get many other opinions, different opinions especially, with difficult topics... feeling comfortable with other people and hearing other people’s opinions is really valuable,” Moore said.

short, is still really cold,” Akpa said.

Paul Watkins Science & Technology Editor

It may have been colder in the Twin Cities than on Mars on Jan. 7 with wind chills of 35 below zero during the day, but St. Paul Academy and Summit School remained open in accordance with a new cold weather policy adopted this year. Under the change, if on the morning of the day of school the National Weather Service issues both a wind chill warning and reports wind chills to be 40 below, SPA will consider a closure or a delay.

However, the rules regarding massive snowfall or blizzards are not so well-defined: closure due to those factors will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Regardless of the circumstances, SPA “will make every attempt to communicate the final decision to delay or close the evening before, and will issue a decision no later than 5:45 am on the day in question,” according to the new policy.

Compared to cold weather policies at other schools, SPA’s is largely on par. Minneapolis public schools, which were closed on Jan. 7, mandate a 35 below zero threshold for canceling school.

St. Paul public schools are very similar to SPA in that their threshold for closing is minus 40.

In all cases of SPA’s closure, students and families can be informed via most forms of media, including social media, email, text, voice mail, and broadcast on major news channels.

SPA’s new policy also includes understandings of tribulations caused by cold weather: “In an extreme weather situation, our foremost concern is the safety of our students, parents, and staff while traveling to school. Late arrivals during extreme weather events are anticipated and understood, and parents should use their best judgment about travel to school during an extreme weather event.”

University of Minnesota case brings measles home

A fever, dry coughing and rashes are all symptoms of the measles, and the recent outbreak of this virus in the United States has grown to 84 cases, more than in a typical year. Measles have now spread to 14 states.

A criticism for people who have not been gotten their shots has emerged, and the outbreak has caused a push for people to get a measles vaccination.

“We can probably blame the measles outbreak on people who choose not to vaccinate their children.

There is a very effective [one] for measles, but if

enough children are not vaccinated, it will be spread among the population...So vaccinate,” senior Jonathan Trevathan said.

The University of Minnesota website has confirmed a measles case on the Twin Cities’ campuses; in the official statement on their website, they write that the students and faculty are all vaccinated “due to enrollment requirements...However, because measles is highly infectious among those who have not been vaccinated, the University is sharing this information as a precaution.”

January/February 2015

senior Mattie Daub PHOTO CREDIT: Mari Knudson

Upper School History Teacher Nan Dreher teaches her senior spring elective, Women of History in the World on Jan. 29. “There are a lot of voices that don’t get heard in history...[this course] is a start,” senior Mattie Daub said.

New class designed to give women a place in history Mary Wollstonecraft. Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Susan B. Anthony. Coco Chanel. Malala Yousafzai. These women are only a few of the revolutionaries that have worked to transform mindset in order to receive equal rights. Yet many of their stories remain unknown to students at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. A spring senior elective titled History of Women in the World hopes to change all of that.

“We had several history teachers retire last year, so we evaluated our choices and I thought a women’s history class would fill the gap in our curriculum,” Upper School history teacher Nan Dreher said.

Obtaining intellectual satisfaction by gaining more specific knowledge about the role of women in society is the main reason junior Nadia Goldman decided to take this elective. “I know a lot [about women’s history]. I follow a lot of feminist struggles

now, but I didn’t really know how they started so I was interested in that...I think it [this course] will provide background knowledge,” she said.

This class explores both how society shapes gender roles, and how gender roles have shaped societies in several regions of the world during a variety of time periods. Students will cover themes like religion, culture, education, law, and sexuality in relation to women historically.

Since this elective is still fairly new, the students in Dreher’s class have a lot of freedom regarding the material they’re going to cover. “[Dr. Dreher] is giving us a lot of input regarding the class [curriculum],” senior Mattie Daub said. “Everyone I’ve talked to is excited...even if you’re not naturally drawn to it [women’s history], it could still be appealing intellectually.”

Although it may seem as though the History of Women in the World class is geared more to-

wards female than male students, Dreher said that it’s meant for “[anyone who has] a strong interest in historical topics, but also in current events and in finding ways to achieve gender equality.”

Senior Ian Sussna hopes that it won’t be the last class that tries to expand the perspectives shared: “[There should be] not just more courses [like the History of Women in the World], but more topics like this incorporated into the regular history classes,” he said.

Goldman believes it benefits the students who take it, since “there’s time for important discussions [about women]...it’s interesting to hear lots of people I don’t usually hear from speak up,” she said.

In most history classes, Sussna doesn’t see the proper attention he believes should be there regarding women. “Normally history classes touch on it [women’s history] in a really minor way...on the few highlights, ignoring how much of a struggle there still is today and how much room there is for improvement,” he said.

Daub hopes that this course will cover intersectionality between issues like racism and sexism, topics that usually aren’t discussed exclusively in any other course. “There are a lot of voices that don’t get heard in history…[this course is] a start,” she said. “A lot of influential women who’ve done a lot of things get muted in history. People play down their accomplishments. [This course] gives women who’ve accomplished great things recognition.”

Meatless menus planned to serve healthier students, world Marlee Baron Staff Writer Gita Raman Social Media Editor

Producing one pound of beef uses as much fuel as driving a car thirty two miles. This statistic was considered as St. Paul Academy and Summit School decided to offer one meat free day of lunch each week.

Starting Jan. 5, Meatless Monday is on the menu. Chef Simon Barrow and the Taher team plan a day filled with vegetables, pastas, and non-animal protein.

“I love Meatless Monday. It gives me and other people who can’t have meat [for religious or personal reasons] a chance to have a full lunch, freshman Mira Zelle said.

“It’s great for vegetarians, like me,” junior George Stiffman added. “There are more hot food options.”

Zelle agrees: “Usually, the veggie option is very small and we don’t often get enough to eat.

On Meatless Monday, non veggie people can still eat a full meal.”

updates every Monday: www.cdc.gov.

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The Rubicon

[This course] gives women who’ve accomplished great things recognition.

Noor Qureishy Student Life Editor

Follow Measles Updates at the Centers for Disease Control website, which

Meatless Mondays is a global movement that works to help the environment and better people’s health. According to their website, it takes approximately 1,850 gallons of water to make 1 lb. of beef and 518 gallons to make 1 lb. of chicken; conversely, only about 39 gallons of water are used to make 1 lb. of vegetables.

Freshman Tom Patterson is not a fan of the day: “I do not like Meatless Monday because I love meat,” he said.

Junior Cullen McCabe suggests a compromise: “I think there should be sandwich meat out on Meatless Mondays at least.”

The decision to eat or not eat meat feels personal. “I think that the idea behind Meatless Monday is good, but I respect dietary choices of others and I hope that they respect dietary choices of mine. My dietary choice is to eat meat quite often,” freshman Jack Herrmann said.

Meat does still contain necessary protein, which is why every Monday there has been an additional source of protein available like cheese or beans.

PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Tipler

Students stand in line

for lunch on Meatless Monday outside the Dining Hall. “I think

it is a good idea for the environment; it’s a step in the right direction,” sophomore Maya Edstrom said.

Of Meatless Monday, freshman Maya Shrestha said, “It’s a great way to give vegetarians more options for meals. People who like meat are probably fine without it once a week.”

In truth, Meatless Monday may be doing those meat lovers a favor since, as the site reports, going meatless will help curb obesity, reduce cancer risk, lessen the risk for heart disease and

stroke, fight diabetes and maintain longer life.

Senior Olivia Black said, “Having been a vegetarian for six years and participated in environmental science, I think it is important that as a community we help out in the global initiatives of lowering our environmental impact through reducing consumption of meat.”

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Preparations underway for Speaker Day Emily Thissen Sports Editor

Tradition, a core value in the community, is being put back on track after a year hiatus as the Upper School Council plans the annual Speaker Day. “It seems like a pretty basic premise: we ask people to come and talk, but what’s special about Speaker Day is that you get to spend the whole day immersed in that,” USC advisor Jim McVeety said.

The idea with this year’s Speaker Day is to go deeper, so the theme is more open ended: Immigrant experience and cultural diversity.

“We settled on it because ...we wanted there to be some sort of guiding message; we wanted it to have some sort of specific intent that might have been missing in other speaker days,” McVeety said.

The hope is that this theme will spark conversation on the day itself, but also once the day is finished.

Since students will be listening to various speakers, the chance to share new ideas will be especially prevalent. The list that USC is working with is still broad at around 45 potential speakers.

One aspect of planning Speaker Day that will make it more tailored for the community is that students are ultimately the deciding factor in who they hear.

Once the list of speakers is finalized, short biographies of each person will be written and then students will be given the chance to rank who they would choose to hear 1-5. Based on those choices, as many students as possible get their highest preference possible.

USC has been working on narrowing down a list of around 45 potential speakers. As a keynote speaker, Congressman Keith Ellison is a possibility, who is the only Muslim in the United States Legislature. Other potential speakers are Wilhelmina Wright of the Minnesota Supreme Court, the mother of sophomore Kathryn Schmechel, and Simona Houja, who is an SPA alum.

“It allows students, in a way, to share a piece of themselves because a lot of these people have backgrounds that align with them.

We’ve invited people from the Somali community, the Hmong community, you know, all those local minorities that have such a rich and vivid presence in the Twin Cities,” McVeety said.

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Op i n ion s

The Rubicon

The Rubicon

S taff

2014-15 Editor-in-Chief Eva Perez-Greene Chief Visual Editor Boraan Abdulkarim Managing Editor Netta Kaplan Online Editor-in-Chief Diane Huang Social Media Editor Gita Raman News Editor Clare Tipler Opinions Editor Amodhya Samarakoon Sports Editor Emily Thissen Cover Story Editor Javier Whitaker-Castañeda Feature Editor Nina Zietlow Student Life Editor Noor Qureishy Arts & Entertainment Editor Meghan Joyce In Depth Editor Mari Knudson Science & Technology Editor Paul Watkins Columns Editor Thomas Toghramadjian Arts Critic Patrick Commers Staff Writer Marlee Baron Contributors Breandan Gibbons Adviser Kathryn Campbell

the rubicon The student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Avenue Awards JEM All-State Gold (Print and Online) MHSPA Best in Show (Print and Online NSPA First Place w/marks of distinction CSPA Gold Medal CSPA Crown Award Finalist MEMBERSHIPS National Scholastic Press Association Columbia Scholastic Press Association Minnesota High School Press Association

January/February 2015

STAFF EDITORIAL

Higher volunteering expectations needed to build student buy-in Volunteering should not be seen as a chore, something done on the side that has no real impact...[it] has the potential to become something SPA is proud of.

“Shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world.”

Spelled out in bold, platinum letters, this mission statement is installed in the heart of the Upper School, right above Head of School Bryn Roberts’ office. It catches the eye of every student that passes through, or sits in the Summit Center, broadcasting an ideal that is supported but not acted upon. Students welcome such declarations of change, but do they live by all these words?

Community service is not a priority at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, despite its relevance to our mission statement.

Recently, the attitude around volunteerism has gotten worse, as this year’s sophomore class hit a record low in completion of their twelve required service hours per student. As of now, the general attitude around volunteering seems to be that it is not worth the time or effort.

While student groups like Community Action and Service do a good job of engaging students in service, the rest of the school is falling behind. Community service should not just be the responsibility of a select few who organize bake sales or the occasional field trip. Flexible requirements and lack of concrete structure regarding service at SPA has led to a culture of indifference towards volunteering.

Under the present structure, SPA students complete a total of twenty-four required service hours in the four years of Upper School. By contrast, Mounds Park Academy students complete 60 hours, minimum over the four years. Breck requires 20 hours of community service per year, with another 72 hours as part of the May project in junior or senior years. Blake has a paid administrator, a PK-12 Director of Service Learning, dedicated to helping students find service opportunities, local and global, to engage in a culture of volunteering and connect to their community. Our independent school peers provide strong models we can learn from.

The SPA service learning model can and should change. Instead of having a bi-annual Service Day, SPA could have one every semester. Twenty hours of community service could be required for each student, grades 9-12, per year. An SPA Director of Service Learning position could help students find opportunities in causes

eDITORIAL cARTOON: Diane Huang

Students are constantly wrapped up in trying to find intellecual, philosophical, and policy-based solutions to major problems in classes; as a result, they fail to recognize the change they could make with hands on volunteering in the larger communnity

that they are passionate about. At events like Awards Assemblies, SPA could provide recognition for students who volunteer, proving that enthusiasm and success in academics and athletics is no more important than reaching out into the larger community.

At SPA, students are constantly wrapped up in trying to find intellectual, philosophical, and policy-based solutions to major problems in classes; as a result, they fail to recognize the change they could make with hands-on volunteering in the larger community.

Volunteering should not be seen as a chore, something done on the side that has no real impact on the world or the people that live in it. Service learning has the potential to become something SPA is proud of.

Discussing solutions for problems is important, but when this intellectual endeavor gets in the way of acting locally, students need to question whether or not their time and abilities are being properly used.

It is time to live the mission and invest in community service.

Mini-Editorials Oscars are voted for by More meatless options Sports team culture white men, resulting in should be supported by should shift to include a huge lack of diversity the school and students players and peers The 2015 Academy Award (Oscar) nominations for best actor consist mainly of white men.

There is no representation for people of color in that category.

Jump over to the nominations for best actress and you will see more of the same. Supporting actor?

Same. Supporting actress? Same.

According to a 2012 article

by Washington Post titled “These charts prove Hollywood still has a huge racial gap,” 94% of actors who vote for the Academy Awards are white. The gender gap is also an issue, as 77% of the actors voting are men.

Needless to say, these racial and gender gaps are evidence of issues in the film industry regarding individual actors. This is even further supported in years when African Americans are nominated or win, it is usually for roles as slaves or maids.

While students cannot necessarily vote for the Oscars, they can still keep in mind that Oscar winners and nominees are not the only strong actors. There are plenty of Oscar-worthy actors of color. So, see them too.

Vegetarians are the minority, so of course the more carnivorous students would feel angry about the new “Meatless Monday” concept or any other mention of meatless lunch options which have been integrated into school lunch life. However, no matter how justified complainst may seem, students should respect other student’s restrictred diets, whether they are due to religious or other personal reasons.

The point of meatless Monday’s is to benefit the environmental, which has sparked a new arguement about meatless options in general but, students must realize that there aren’t any other days with a vegetarian main course. Often salads are sprinkled with bacon, which can eliminate that option from students who depend on eating vegetables during lunch.

While the school does need to provide more options such as vegetarian carbs and protein, students also need to be more aware and less angry about small changes which could benefit many of their peers.

Participating in sports shapes a person and a team. However, this culture around sports can end up being negative because of the stereotypes and associations people tend to make about teams.

For example, when there is a negative social vibe surrounding a sport, like with the football team, fewer people play, which keeps potential athletes from joining.

Another consequence of labeling sports teams is that students identify groups like the “hockey-boys” or “soccer-girls.” This labels a group of people who are more than the sport they play, but also uneccesarily isolates them.

People end up viewing these students as part of an impenetrable, unapproachable group rather than potential friends and fellow peers. Shaming, stereotyping or labeling sports teams needs to stop. The people who choose to play do so because they love it and everyone should be allowed to join whatever team they want without feeling judged because of a win/loss record or team reputation and put in a box by the whole community.

Editorial Policy The Rubicon editorials are representative of the opinions of the Staff Editorial Board, which is made up of all students in journalism/Editorial Leadership. All other opinion pieces are the opinions of the authors themselves.

Letters Policy

Longer opinions are welcomed as Letters to the Editor and may be published in the print or online edition.

Letters to the Editor should not exceed 400 words and may be edited for style. Cases of fraud and impersonation are prohibited and will be reported to the Dean of Students and the Discipline Committee. Letters can be mailed to us or sent to rubicon.spa@gmail.com.

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.

Op i n ion s

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January/February 2015

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Playing “like a girl”: female athlete stereotypes cannot be tolerated

Photo Illustration: Amodhya Samarakoon

Young girls will begin to associate doing anything “like a girl” with weakness rather than strength, just as teenage girls do now. This issue is not over until girls can proudly stand up and say “I hit, run, throw, fight, kick, play and win like a girl,” because there is nothing wrong with that.

read more about our winter girls teams in SPORTS Amodhya Samarakoon Opinions Editor

For a long time boys sports have been widely regarded as the more exciting and popular sport due to the stereotype that boys are stronger and faster. Biologically males have a faster metabolism, store less fat, and can gain muscle more easily. However, the stereotype that all men are stronger causes people to glance over the female athletes who go above and beyond in their sport.

According to an article by The Huffington Post, it is not until kids hit puberty that there is a noticeable difference in performance between boys and girls.

Additionally, female athletes are able to maintain that level of fitness and athleticism well after that age.

There are multiple examples of women outperforming men at the highest levels of their sport. From Katie Brownell pitching the first perfect baseball game by a girl at age 11, striking out all 18 batters, to Billie Jean King destroying former No. 1 tennis player Bobby

Riggs on the courts in the “Battle of the Sexes.” Strong female athletes not only exist, they thrive.

However, the lack of support seen for female athletes at St. Paul Academy and Summit School causes young women to be less confident in their abilities just because of a comparison to men’s sports. This constant downplaying of women’s sports causes women to feel like they are inferior to men, which furthers assumptions about women through internalized oppression.

Female athletes put themselves down, saying phrases such as “You hit like a girl!” as an insult when in reality, that should be a compliment.

In an Always feminine product campaign called “Like a girl,” young girls and then teenage girls were brought in to demonstrate what “Like a girl” meant to them.

The younger girls were asked to run, hit and throw like a girl. In response, they began running as if they were track stars, hitting an imaginary ball like pro-baseball players, and throwing as if they were queens of silent ball.

Then, the set of older, adolescent girls, were asked to demonstrate the same thing. They ran as

Being a female athlete involves pushing oneself, but fighting stereotypes is an unnecessary. obstacle. if wearing heels, with their arms flailing about, squealing while hitting and throwing weakly.

Hitting, throwing, and running like a girl means being frail and flimsy, even to girls themselves.

The younger girls who believe they are strong will most likely end up changing their minds about what being a girl means.

As they grow up, they will begin to associate doing anything “like a girl,” especially a sport, with weakness. This is not acceptable It does not even matter if a guy is better than a girl at a sport.

Serena Williams may not be able to win against Rafael Nadal at tennis, but no one can deny that she is a phenomenal female ath-

lete. The comparisons need to end and stereotyping cannot be tolerated. It does nothing but undermine the achievements and hard work of so many female athletes who have worked just as hard as any man and who should be considered amazing without the need for a comparison.

At SPA, many students can claim to be past sexist ideas, but the phrase “like a girl” and “take it like a man” can still be heard, and low turn out for women’s sports simply adds onto this. Students must recognize the unique challenges, and adversities that women athletes face every time they step on a court, or field, or rink.

Female athletes’ already have to work against their bodies which are not evolutionarily as well built for sports as men. So, they do not need their peers, grade, school, or anyone else putting them down, even if it is unintentional.

Being a female athlete involves pushing oneself, but stereotypes are unnecessary obstacles. This issue is not over until girls can proudly stand up and say “I hit, run, throw, fight, kick, play and win like a girl.”

Claims about the flu vaccine shouldn’t cloud good judgment: just get one read more about vaccines in NEWS and FEATURE Netta Kaplan Managing Editor

Runny nose, headache, fever, fatigue. When October rolls around, the telltale symptoms of influenza start appearing all over the country.

Fortunately, one can often avoid the miserableness of being sick with the flu just by getting one simple shot. And yet, so many Americans choose to forgo flu shots each year. For most, their reasons for avoiding the shot range from laziness to misguided fear or doubt about the effectiveness of the vaccine.

In reality, getting a flu shot is definitely worth it.

Aside from a few radicals with no legitimate scientific evidence, almost everyone agrees social responsibility mandates vaccination. Not only does getting vaccinated prevent the person from getting sick, it helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons by keeping the disease from spreading in a phenomenon called community or herd immunity.

Yet, while people may support being vaccinated against diseases like polio, mumps, and HPV, the seasonal flu vaccine seems to rank lower in importance. Although influenza may not be as deadly as other diseases, it’s still important to be vaccinated against it.

Understandably, many people abstain from being vaccinated because they hate needles. Fortu-

ILLUSTRATION: Amodhya Samarakoon

Many people choose to forgo flu shots each year, and their reasons range from laziness to misguided fear or doubt of the vaccine when, in reality, getting a flu vaccine is definitely worth it. So people need to take responsibility of their own health, and take social responsibility. Get a flu shot.

nately, flu shots come in several forms, only some of which are not delivered via the standard method: trivalent vaccines protect against three strains (two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus) and quadrivalent vaccines protect against four strains (two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses).

Vaccinations themselves can come in the standard shot, intra-dermal shot, high-dose shot, or nasal spray. Intra-dermal shots are injected into the skin rather than the muscle, so they only require a much smaller needle and a much lower dose of the antigen.

As the name would suggest, the nasal spray vaccination involves no needles.

There’s no need to worry about the vaccine making one

sick either. All vaccine shots contain either inactivated or recombinant viruses, so they cannot give someone the flu. The nasal spray contains weakened viruses that cannot infect someone, although they can technically transmit the flu, through it happens only very rarely.

Given no prior conditions, like an allergy to chicken eggs or a history of severe reactions to the flu vaccination, the vaccine is safe and recommended for everyone, ages 6 months and older.

According to Flu.gov, possible mild side effects may include soreness at the injection site, headaches, fainting, fever, and nausea, but these generally subside after one to two days. On the whole, flu vaccinations bring very little risk, and the benefits far out-

weigh the possibilities of danger.

If someone wants to avoid being ill, it makes far more sense to get the shot and evade the flu than worry over getting sick from the vaccine.

Another common anti-flu vaccination argument is that the flu vaccine does not really work.

Certainly, it can be difficult to predict which flu strains will be common in any given year. While flu vaccines are not 100% effective, vaccinated people almost always have much milder flu infections.

Obvious, experts cannot know with absolute certainty which strains will be the most common, but the seasonal vaccines are based on surveillance and trends from over 100 countries around the world.

The Center for Disease Control’s Influenza Division collaborates with the World Health Organization and tests thousands of viruses each year. Their decisions are not random; they are based off of expert research and years of experience.

The Food and Drug Administration makes the final decision of which vaccines the US will license. Doubt of the effectiveness of the vaccine should not keep anyone from being vaccinated.

Decisions about whether or not to be vaccinated do not just affect the person making the decision. Certainly, personal health components should be and are a major factor, but one must take the consequences of not being vaccinated into account. Each year, over 200,000 people are hospitalized for reasons relating to the flu.

Plenty of those hospitable visits could have been avoided through being vaccinated, saving thousands of dollars, as vaccinated people either do not get the illness or get a much less severe version. Additionally, not getting vaccinated puts others who cannot get vaccinated in danger by provided more opportunities for the disease to spread. Compromising herd immunity puts immunocompromised people in serious danger.

So, this season, instead of battling through what may be a long sickness, students need to take responsibility of their health and take social responsibility. Get a flu shot.

6 Fe at ur e Max Delgado finds joy in playwriting THE RUBICON

January/February 2015

Dean of Students writes as part of Playwright Center fellowship Boraan Abdulkarim Chief Visual Editor

He sits typing away at his desk and hosting meetings with students or faculty members in his office almost every day without fail. Outside of St. Paul Academy and Summit School, however Upper School Dean of Students Max Delgado has some of his own classes to attend and some of his own homework to do, and they come from the Playwrights’ Center, where he studies playwriting.

“I have never written a play before; it’s completely new to me. I’ve always enjoyed theater from afar, you know, but I saw it advertised, and I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll try this,’ ” Delgado said.

He submitted a letter of recommendation, a writing sample, an introduction letter, and a resume. The Playwrights’ Center got back to Delgado last April and he started classes in July. He has completed one semester’s worth of a course called “Playwriting Fundamentals”, attended various free seminars and is currently starting a new semester of a course named The Three Acts of Writing the First Draft. Delgado also attends workshops at the Playwrights’ Center when they are offered.“Mentorship is the entry point for people who are just interested in exploring and learning more about it [playwriting]. That’s what I was awarded, and what it offers is: I can take any classes that I want to for free, and it also gives me a

mentor that I can work with. It’s been a blast,” Delgado said.

For Delgado, the courses are his hobby, and this flexible and introductory course is perfect for him. “[The mentorship program] is meant mostly for people who are interested in learning more about [playwriting]. Mostly, it’s just been an opportunity to learn about a craft that I was unfamiliar with before,” he said. “ Everybody’s got a hobby. If all you do is school, if all you do is work, it can be really easy to get outside of yourself. So this is what I allow myself as hobby, something to develop outside of my professional responsibilities.”

Delgado isn’t the only SPA faculty member with a connection to the Playwrights’ Center. As chance would have it, Upper school English teacher Matthew Hoven has connections to the Playwrights’ Center, too. His wife, Hannah Joyce-Hoven, is the Membership Manager.

It wasn’t until this year that we realized we have this connection.

Mr. Hoven and I actually went to go see a play together earlier this year. One of my teachers is a really good friend of his,” Delgado said.

Delgado has been able to make the classes fit into his own schedule. “I get to take an online class, I get to go to their shows for free, I get to just learn a lot about the craft of playwriting.

It’s been sort of a crash course,” he said. Every day he wakes up around 4:30 and does some

It recharges [my] battery. It gives [me] a nice balance, an ability to feel that there are things that I’m pursuing that are really important to me.

Dean of Students Max Delgado

writing before going about his day. Delgado is committed to and enjoys what he does- his passion for what he’s learning about surpasses the temptation to get as much sleep as possible.

“I always write before I come to work because that’s when I’m the sharpest. And I usually can get in about 45 minutes a day, which is great,” he said.

Some might be skeptical about the concept of turning a hobby into a task, but Delgado sees it as taking the extra step of achievement: “Sometimes with hobbies people tend to think if you structure it, it’s not fun anymore, but I think that part of it is that if you want to get to know something deeply, that you have to set aside time for it, or else that time will come and go. I just needed to structure it, so in many ways I’ve applied what it takes to work a professional job towards a hobby, and that’s been something really helpful for me to stay on

track,” he said. “It’ doesn’t drain me. If anything, by the time I come in [to work] in the morning, I’m more focused.”

While Delgado hasn’t yet gotten to the stage of writing a full play, he actively utilizes a broad source of inspiration to guide the exercises he has done thus far : the world around him. “There are a lot of activities that will often lead to ideas and inspiration. I think that the big thing is kind of that you go through the world and try to observe as much as possible and try to see and ask questions [such as] ‘why would someone do this’ or when you see someone, ‘where are they headed?’ and try to pull a story out of that, thread that through,” Delgado said.

“It’s really just about stories and human interaction, and the more you observe those things in the world. I think if you just go into the world with an open mindset of trying to ask a lot, eventually ideas come to you and you

develop stories around those.”

In the future, Delgado’s assignments will go from writing exercises to drafts of plays. “At some point, they’ll want me to write something full length that there will be a reading for. And that’s where I’m at right now,” Delgado said. Where this hobby will take him in the future, he’s not sure. “Its been fun. I used to teach English, so I imagine that if I ever teach English again, those skills will apply in that area as well. I enjoy reading scripts and offering feedback. Mostly, it’s just been an opportunity to learn about a craft that I was unfamiliar with before.”

For now, however, Dean Delgado’s endeavor has been intrinsically fulfilling, regardless of the path it will take in the future: “It recharges[my] battery, It gives [me] a nice balance, an ability to feel that there are things that I’m purusing that are really important to me.”

Flu season brings controversy over vaccine effectivity We’ve been taking flu shots for years and it hasn’t done anything bad … I don’t really ever get sick and it’s probably because I get my flu shot. s o p h o m o re D a v i d S a n t o s

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Amodhya Samarakoon

SOPHOMORE SARA BOHJANEN browses flue remedies at Wallgreens. Cough drops, decongestents, and nasal sprays are all popular products come flu season. “ I don’t really ever get sick and it’s probably because I [get] my flu shot,” Sophomore David Santos said.

Amodhya Samarakoon Opinions Editor

From the time leaves start to fall to the time candy cane scented candles are lit, many students choose to get their flu vaccines. This is because the flu season occurs in the fall and winter, peaking around January.

However, recently, there’s been talk of the flu vaccine being ineffective as a defense against

this seasonal virus, leading some who regularly get the shot to opt out this winter.

Junior Madeeha Rizvi said, “With the flu vaccine, there should be more research about if the shots aren’t beneficial because, right now, [there is lots of] speculation. there need to be more tests done.”

Flu vaccines, whether in the form of nasal spray or an injection, can contain antigens of

the flu virus in order to activate the body’s immune response towards a specific strain of the flu. And, recently, people have reported getting sick from the flu vaccine due to the weakened, live virus being introduced into the body.

“I’d take the risk, especially in Minnesota because it is cold all the time,” sophomore David Santos said.

While cold weather doesn’t magically infect people with the flu virus, the cold can lower the body’s ability to fight off the pathogen.

However, the main association with the flu and cold weather is

mainly due to the fact that when its flu season, it’s also winter in Minnesota.

“We’ve been taking flu shots for years and it hasn’t done anything bad...I don’t really ever get sick and it’s probably because I [get] my flu shot,” Santos said.

This seems very true: not many students have experienced or seen evidence of these flu shots being ineffective, and therefore, choose to get vaccinated despite the concern of the cons of getting vaccinated.

The lack of research and reliable information on this topic definitely affects the choices of students when it comes to

vaccinations: When the phrase “flu shots ineffective” or “flu shot makes you sick” or anything similar is Google News searched, the articles which pop up don’t talk about the dangers of the flu shot, but rather infectivity due to viral mutations.

The flu is a virus with RNA rather than DNA as its genetic material, which means that when the flu replicates there isn’t a proofreading system and this is a frequent cause of mutations.

The flu is one of the most rapidly mutating viruses, constantly requiring scientists to begin revising vaccines for each season.

Predicting these changes can be very difficult, leading to ineffective vaccines by the time flu season has rolled around.

However, while the flu vaccine might not be developed enough to protect against certain strains, doctors still recommend getting vaccinated to keep from getting infected by more common or less severe strains.

Flu shots are available sameday without an appointment, and are covered by most insurance plans. Walk in shots are available at Walgreens and Target stores.

Fe at ur e 7

January/February 2015

THE RUBICON

PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Thissen

Fitness for life students familiarize themselves with the equiptment on the first day of class. “I’m excited to learn the CPR stuff. I saw the other classes do it and it looked like something that would be really fun,” freshman Robin Bartlett said.

New Fitness For Life class teaches life skills Emily Thissen Sports Editor

The stereotypical high school gym class consists of students picking teams for dodgeball, a dreaded moment for many. At St. Paul Academy and Summit School, there is a different take on gym class, “Fitness For Life”, a required course for all freshmen.

In the past, the class lasted for one quarter, but for the 20142015 school year, that class lasts a semester-long, and has an updated curriculum which is beneficial because students have more opportunity to get active while learning more about important topics.

Fitness for Life taught

by Upper School Physical

Education teacher Kaitlyn Frenchick combines aspects of health and fitness into one class.

Some highlights of the new curriculum are first aid, CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, and Automatic External Defibrillator Certification through the American Red Cross, a greater variety of sports, and in-depth learning about decision making, suicide, and depression, among others.

“I really like the Red Cross certification because it is fun to teach, and it’s good to prepare the students for emergency situations,” Frenchick said.

“I saw the other classes do it and it looked like something that would be really fun to do,” freshman Robin Bartlett said.

Some days, a class may be more focused on learning about health, while other days may consist of playing games in the gym or working out.

“The nice thing about a semester long class is that we are able to go more in depth, and it allows students to feel more comfortable in their environment prior to discussing harder topics,” Frenchick said.

“I thought the hockey was fun because it’s something I usually don’t get to do,” freshman Web Lehmann said.

This new scheduling also allows for full days of health, and full days of gym time, while in the past, classes were split half and half in order to get through all of the material.

“My favorite part is the minitournaments we do because it’s a fun way to get in shape and be competitive, but in a fun way,” freshman Isabel Brandtjen said.

This unique take on gym class gives SPA freshmen important health knowledge and puts it into action through workouts and extending discussion about the hard topics for longer periods of time.

“There will just be more time for students to be physically active and find sports they love,” Frenchick said.

My favorite part is the minitournaments we do because it’s a fun way to get in shape. f re s h m a n I s a b e l Brandtjen

Graham balances many acts at Circus Juventas Gita Raman Social Media Editor

Some people play soccer, others play hockey, but freshman Marlo Graham plays a role in a much more unique act. Graham participates in Circus Juventas, a performing arts youth circus.

Graham spends about 18 hours at Circus Juventas each week, with 15 classes each week.

Graham has been participating in circus for over nine years now.

She has learned many tricks and acts; her favorite include: high wire, bike, and triple trapeze.

“I’m in the second highest level for [high wire],” she said.

Now that Graham has been doing high wire for so long, “It just feels natural to me. I don’t even notice that I’m not on the ground anymore.”

Bike may sound simple, but it requires a lot of coordination and balance: “Bike is scary to learn at first. It’s my favorite act to perform in because it gets both

you and the audience excited and keeps you in suspense,” she said.

Trapeze is a short horizontal bar hung by ropes or metal straps from a support. Trapeze can be done solo or with multiple people. Graham works the trapeze with three other people, hence the name triple trapeze. “Triple trapeze takes a lot of strength. You are holding another person above the ground by just your arms while doing elaborate tricks. You really need to trust your teammates and depend on each other,” Graham said.

“I like that circus makes me unique. Not a lot of people do circus and its always fun to explain to people what circus actually is and to watch their face when they say, ‘What do you mean you’re in a circus?’” Graham said.

Circus Juventas, originally called Circus of the Star, began in 1994 as an after-school program limited to just 30 students. Demand quickly grew, and in 1996 plans were made to construct a

It does hurt, but it is all worth it because it is what I love. f re s h m a n M a r l o Graham

building to house the program as the program had grown to 120 students. The Big Top, located on Montreal Avenue was completed in 2001.

There are two shows at Circus Juventas each year: spring celebration for the beginning to intermediate students, and the summer show for the advanced students.

While all or almost all classes perform in the spring show, not

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Marlo Graham Freshman Marlo Graham ( pictured top center) rides the bike as part of a circus performance. “Bike is scary to learn at first. You need to learn to work together and balance. It’s my favorite act to perform in because it gets both you and the audience excited,” Graham said.

every performer is selected for the summer show. “Everyone’s goal is to get into the summer show,” Graham said.

This summer, Graham will play a character named “Holla” in Circus Juventas’ adaptation of Arabian Nights, 1001 Nights. The summer shows are often based around well-known stories, retold through circus acts including globes, aerial silks, and high wire.

The 2014 summer show, Nev-

erland, was themed on Peter Pan. Oz, the 2013 show, was based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The May shows, by contrast, don’t have overarching themes. Each act has its own themed costumes, makeup, and tricks.

“It does come with pain though. There is actually a trick where I have to dislocate my shoulders. It does hurt, but it is all worth it because it is what I love and my passion,” Graham said.

8

C o v er THE RUBICON

Supernatural or merely superstition? M Tarot brings out hidden truths

Eva Perez-Greene Editor-in-Chief

First, a paradox: to unknowingly know something. Tarot theory suggests it’s possible.

Times infinity. According to Tarot theorists, esoteric truths lie beyond the deck in the depths of the human subconscious.

The primitive universality and symbolism of Tarot cards can expedite the process of tapping in.

These pretty playing cards have been known to draw out hidden truths, irrespective of time and place. Because ultimately, they were made for the one endless game everyone knows the rules to yet no one knows how to play: the game of life.

Tarot’s origins are unclear.

When exactly the first deck of these 78 pictographic cards, now referred to as the “Tarot,” began to circulate is a mystery.

Some scholars believe the first deck originated in Western Europe, sometime in the 15th century.

Others have set the date way back, citing Kabbalistic precursors. The origins of the word “Tarot” itself are virtually untraceable too.

This much is known: each deck has 20 numbered cards and the famous Fool card which, collectively, make up the Major Arcana, as well as 56 suit cards which make up the Minor Arcana. The four suits-Swords, Wands, Pentacles, and Cups- represent the four elements-Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, respectively.

There meanings, however, are less discrete.

Generally, the images of the Major Arcana provide wisdom at life’s major turning points.

For example, the Lovers card is ultimately about choices that force the inner world to mingle with the outer world. This card is for those who’ve established their own values and now must decide how to live them out. The Hierophant, another famous Major Arcana card, represents the

desire to conform, to become engulfed by the structure and order of institutions. The Hierophant is church, school, government--all those formal means to, in theory, spiritually fulfilling ends. Finally, there’s the Fool, Tarot’s most well-known card. The Fool represents blissfully naive beginnings. It’s the spirit of potential, adventure, and risk-taking.

People everywhere use Tarot cards in myriad ways. Some play games with the cards while others use them for divination or decorative art. Senior Olivia Fitch, whose mother is a Tarot reader, grew up around the cards, asking them where she had left things and watching her mother perform the occasional reading for a friend.

“It’s [Tarot] supposed to like ‘tell your fortune’ but that’s not really how I use it,” Fitch said.

“Like one time my aunt lost a purse and my mom said it was underneath something like a chair (the Tarot card she had drawn depicted a figure perched on a throne) and it ended up under her car seat.”

So while the cards cannot magically depict where, say, something is hidden, they do seem to have the power to prod one’s subconscious into recalling where an object was, spatially, relative to the body, emotions, and thoughts at the time it was lost.

“You can really ask the cards any question though,” Fitch added. “And then it depends on how you set them up. There are questions you can ask where you only pick one card-first you ask someone to split the deck- and whatever that card is will answer the question.

You can also create a 3 by 3 grid-- the top

row showing what’s happened in the past, the middle row what’s happening in the present, and the bottom row what will happen in the future. That way can answer one question too. Or, maybe you don’t have a question and you just read the cards,” Fitch said.

“You should really always ask a question though,” she added.

Fitch doesn’t make many of her own interpretations, but she does enjoy reading others’ interpretations in the Tarot literature lying around her home.

“I’m still pretty young so I don’t like to mess with the cards. My mom doesn’t do readings for anyone who’s under eighteen. She [my mom] has read for me-- not past, present, future,because she wouldn’t do that. If I lost something, yes,” she said.

“Obviously, though, if you go into [a reading] with happy thoughts and the right mindset and you’re not looking to abuse the cards to do evil, I don’t think you can [do evil]!” Fitch added.

Because after all, Tarot is really all about the player, not the game. And the more one studies and experiences the cards, the less paradoxical “ignorant knowledge” seems.

“The cards have a lot of power...If you’re really feeling a lot of energy around them, feeling like they have a lot of power, then I wouldn’t mess with them,” Fitch said.

Or, perhaps, she meant mess with one’s own mind.

SOPHOMORE ELLIS TOMLINSON’S FORTUNE COOKIE

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PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Tipler

Fortune: “Someone special is looking out for you.”

Response: “It’d be pretty cool if [fortune cookies] w

but I don’t think they do,” junior Jack Romans said

Fortune: “B Response:

of ‘Our Be might as w conceited,

PHOTO CREDIT: Eva Perez-Greene

Fortune: “You are going to pass a difficult test.”

Response: “This is so funny, I took a hard test today.

This is perfect,” sophomore Neeti Kulkarni said.

S tory JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Mysticism seeks to unravel the future

9

Signs from above: Astrology and the Zodiac Netta Kaplan Managing Editor

PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Tipler to develop his critical edge. “If I can get a fortune, I might as well go and seek my

tune: “You will make a fortune with your

nd.”

esponse: “I get a fortune and try to make it hap-

. I don’t believe that it will come true, I make it me true,” freshman Ezra Cohen said.

”

worked d.

PHOTO CREDIT: Eva Perez-Greene

Be yourself. No one is more qualified.”

“It reminded me of my senior poll superlative est Friend’. There's only one me in the world, I well fill that spot... I hope that doesn't sound too ,” senior Afsar Sandozi said.

.

PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Tipler

For some, they’re a serious way to predict and define your future and yourself. For others, they’re a just fun gimmick to play around with. No matter what you believe about them, horoscopes and star signs have captivated, entertained, and helped people make decisions for millennia.

Although the most familiar form of astrology may be the daily horoscopes found in newspapers and other publications, the term can apply to a vast array of practices, from electional astrology which tries to establish the best time to begin an endeavor to horary astrology which tries to answer questions by looking into the positions of celestial bodies at the time of asking and the motive of the asker. Natal astrology, which is based on the effects of the position of celestial bodies at someone’s time of birth on their personality or future, is the most familiar, with horoscopes and charts deriving from it.

Western astrology, among many other astrological traditions, divides the ecliptic (the path the sun seems travel in the sky through constellations) into twelve houses depending on time and location. Each house corresponds with a sign so that the first house has a proclivity for the first sign, Aries. Each house also has a title and basis of interpretation.

For instance, the 11th house (with sign Aquarius) is often titled the House of Friendships and relates to friends, groups, and aspirations.

Putting too much stock in star signs can sometimes lead to funny misunderstandings, as in the case of freshman Adnan Askari. “You know what’s really funny? My mom always thought I was a Taurus, so she was like “Oh, typical,” whenever I do something.

I looked it up … and it turns out I’m Gemini or something!” Askari said.

Signs have corresponding symbols, elements, and qualities. Elements can be masculine (fire and air) or feminine (earth and water) and relate to introversion, extroversion, and methods of problem-solving. The qualities are cardinal, fixed, and mutable and relate to how people engage with the world. Each quality grouping has four signs, one of each element.

Most of the horoscopes seen in popular culture are based on sun signs, or the position of the sun at the time of birth. These are taken with varying degrees of seriousness.

“I think daily horoscopes can be fun as a weird little thing that you do to predict how your day is going to be, but I don’t think daily horoscopes mean anything,” senior Olivia Fitch said.

Zodiac signs go much more in depth than the average person may be aware of. For instance, most people know what animal sign they are based on the year they were born in the Chinese zodiac.

This cycle of animals--rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig--repeats every 12 years, and the order is based off a story about the animals having race.

“I’m a dragon,” freshman Ben Konstan said. Although he knows what animal year he was born in, he doesn’t put any stock in it defining his life. “When you’re born has nothing to do with who you are,” he added.

Fast Fact

These symbols represent the twelve Zodiacsigns in Roman Astrology.

Zodiac animals don’t just correspond to years. Animal signs can also be based in month, day, and hour, called inner animals, true animals, and secret animals respectively. These animals don’t necessarily have to match up; someone could be a different animal for each. The animal sign assigned by year just represents how people appear outwardly or how they present themselves.

“In the grand realm of astrology, your sun sign, moon sign, rising sign--all the signs on your chart- relate to where the planets were when you were born. There’s all kinds of planetary alignment that goes into this interpretation,” Fitch said. “So if you’re just reading about your sun sign, the major one, like Pisces, for example, if you’re just reading what’s happening that one day with for one planet, it doesn’t mean much.”

10 S t uden t L i fe THE RUBICON

Heal mind, body, and spirit by making natural remedies Gita Raman Social Media Editor

In an age where many new and different types of treatments are available, some students at St. Paul Academy and Summit School often choose to create and use their own natural products and remedies to improve digestion, skin health, and sore throats.

Saul-Hughes uses a mixture of virgin coconut oil, yogurt, steelcut oatmeal, and honey for one of her face masks. “The powdered oat exfoliates in a really nice way and it lends moisture. So you just leave it on for 15 minutes and then you wash it off. Then your face is as soft as a baby’s tuchas,” Saul-Hughes said.

Soft Skin

Sophomore Leah Hughes makes her own natural skin and hair products. Before making the products, Hughes did a lot of research and experimentation to find the natural ingredients that suit her. Hughes started making her own natural products at the age of thirteen when she realized that most products from commercial stores caused her to break out. “I prefer to know what is going on my skin,” Hughes said.

Hughes created her own recipes after doing some research online and in recipe books.

She makes bubble baths, facial washes, body scrubs, hair lighteners, masks, and bath fizzies. “Honey is a good moisturizer, lemon exfoliates, crushed aspirin fades redness, mint leaves refresh, strawberries can whiten teeth, and honey can lighten hair,” Hughes said. Some of Hughes’ products are for sale. “Things with fruit do not last, unless you refrigerate them,” Hughes said. Hughes puts her creations in closed containers in the fridge. However, she makes them to be used right away. “If I were to have a bath, then I would make something,” Hughes said.

Hughes uses sugar, coconut oil and essential oils to make her scrubs. She recommends using the homemade scrub before using moisturizer. The moisturizer is composed of baby lotion, solidified coconut oil, and vitamin E cream. To add scent to her products, Hughes likes to use water lily and hibiscus essential oils. Essential oils are natural oils typically obtained by distillation, with the characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted. Hughes purchases her essential oils at Whole Foods.

Junior Isabelle Saul-Hughes has also been a fan of home remedies since she was very young. “I’m obsessed with them,” she said. Like Hughes, Saul-Hughes prefers to know what is going on her skin. “I use home remedies because they’re cheaper, and I know what I’m putting on my body, and because making them makes me feel like an alchemist,” she said.

Making them [home remedies] makes me feel like an alchemist. junior Isabelle SaulHughes

Digestion Remedies

Saul-Hughes has found, through experimentation, that ginger, peppermint, and probiotic foods are helpful remedies for digestion problems. “Eating a lot of probiotic foods helps with digestion,” Saul Hughes said.

She recommends probiotic foods such as kimchi, kombucha, kefir, and yogurt. Kimchi, kombucha, and kefir all contain fermented substances. Kimchi is a Korean dish made of fermented vegetables with a variety of seasonings, while Kombucha is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast, and Kefir is a fermented milk drink. Probiotic foods

contain “good” bacteria which keep a healthy balance in your gut. “Good” gut-dwelling bacteria keep pathogens in check and aid digestion according to The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide.

Zit Solutions

Tea tree oil is effective for decreasing blemishes and treating mild to moderate acne according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Tea tree oil is gentle enough for everyday use and gets clear skin at a moderate rate.

“You can put tea tree oil on zits and that gets rid of them,” SaulHughes said.

Beautiful Hair

Beautiful, strong, and healthy hair can be achieved in a number of ways. Instead of buying hair products to achieve the perfect shine, Saul-Hughes recommends using coconut and olive oil. “For a more cost effective moisturizer put coconut oil or olive oil in your hair, leave it in overnight, and wash it out in the morning,” Saul-Hughes said.

“I make hair masks for deep conditioning,” Hughes said.

Hughes’ hair masks are made out of honey, avocado and coconut milk. “It smoothes and repairs split ends. It works for my hair,” Hughes said.

Avocados are high in vitamins B and E which help to strengthen and protect hair according to Livestrong.com. Avocados also promote hair growth and repair

January/February 2015

Go natural with these product recipes from Isabelle Saul-Hughes and Leah Hughes

damaged hair. Honey is sometimes used to lighten hair and retain moisture, and is a great tool to repair hair as well as promote hair growth.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils from plants for healing has been around for almost 6,000 years. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, essential oils relieve pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of relaxation. Aromatherapy helps the mind reach a pleasurable emotional balance.“If you put peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball and smell it when you have a headache, it gets rid of it [the headache] in an amazing and beautiful way,” Saul-Hughes said.

Saul-Hughes frequently uses lavender essential oil to palliate her mood. “Lavender essential oil is very calming and very relaxing,” Saul-Hughes said. Other essential oils that have shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression include rose, orange, bergamot, lemon, and sandalwood.

Isabelle saul-hughes said the mask recipe below makes skin soft because “the powdered oat exfoliates in a really nice way and it lends moisture.”

Face Mask

Ingredients: - Virgin coconut oil - Yogurt - Steel cut oatmeal - Honey Combine ingredients above proportionately. Apply to face for 15 minutes, and then wash off. If effects (softer skin) are not seen, repeat the process above.

Healing Wounds

Sophomore Lutalo Jones uses Aloe vera to heal minor cuts from paper and his cats’ claws.

Aloe vera is a species of plant with tender, fleshy leaves. These leaves have jelly-like insides.

“It’s a plant so there are no negative repercussions to the earth and it grows back. I think it’s pretty cool to be healed by a plant,” Jones said.

Jones takes a piece of the plant’s leaf and applies the jelly-like insides on his skin. Aloe vera, according to the Mayo Clinic, can reduce inflammation, and Aloe vera gel is often used to ease sunburns.

Sore Throats

Senior Julia Lagos uses oregano oil to cure sore throats. “My mom tries to get me to [drink it],” Lagos said.

Oregano oil has really strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. “You can put a couple drops in some water, gargle or drink it, and the sore throat tends to go away,” Lagos said. She added, “it tastes really gross though.. [but] it does work.”

Home remedies provide an easy, healthy, and cost-friendly option for many students who desire to know what goes on their skin, and into their bodies.

Submitted photo: Leah Hughes

LEAH hughes said she “prefers knowing what is going on my skin,” which is why she started doing research online and in recipe books to make her own care products.

Foaming Bath Bombs

Ingredients: - 2 Cups Baking Soda - 1 Cup Citric Acid - 4 teaspoons massage oil (or 2 teaspoons essential oil and 2 teaspoons olive oil) - spray bottle with water This amount only makes 5 bath bombs. I purchased 2 small bottles of citric acid (1/2 cup) from a local health food store for $2.50 each. To make more, I recommend buying the citric acid online in bulk. Mix the ingredients together and dump into a plastic mold (60 mm, 2 part plastic ball).

Two sides of a plastic Easter egg should also work.

Find recipes for soap, lip balm, deodorant, and more @ The Rubicon on Pinterest

In Dep t h The Rubicon

January/february 2015

11

Headline Illustration: Meghan Joyce

A sex-positive approach goes a long way towards combating rape culture students hold up signs displaying the message “Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby” which is from a song by Salt ‘N’ Pepper titled “Let’s Talk About Sex”. The message in part embodies the idea of teaching a sex-positive curriculum as one way to combat rape culture. “A more sex positive approach [would help], not seeing sex as a taboo thing,” junior Sabrina Brown said. “It’s very natural, and if we saw it like that, slut shaming wouldn’t be as big of a deal, it wouldn’t happen as much.”

Meghan Joyce Arts & Entertainment Editor

Were you leading them on?

What were you wearing?

Did you have anything to drink?

Are you sure you aren’t exaggerating?

Those questions and others like them are often asked in trials, blaming the victim and trivializing rape in the process. It’s easy to pretend that sexual assault and sexual harassment happen elsewhere, to others. But it can happen anywhere, to anyone. A burgeoning rape culture in which sex is trivialized and bodies are used without permission from or regard for the whole individual, is part of the problem.

The issue has come up among St. Paul Academy and Summit School students time and again this year: on the student Opinion Board, through the Students for Social Justice college rape policy letter writing campaign, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly as rape relates to race, in classrooms, and in hallways. Sexual health is a concern, and it should be, considering 44% of rape and sexual assault victims are under age 18, according to RAINN: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the country.

According to the United States Department of Justice, high school to college-aged women are four times more likely to be raped than any other female age group is. Sexual assault is the most common violent crime on college campuses today, and yet the USDJ has found that less than 5% of victims report the crime.

The primary impetus for such dramatic underreporting is a fear of being blamed or shamed for their traumatic experience. Sexual assault investigations conducted by universities are geared, in theory, toward determining the guilt of the perpetrator, but often focus more on the victim’s role in the incident. It’s much easier to target the victim, who has already made herself or himself vulnerable by reporting something so intimate, than the perpetrator.

“There are still students who don’t understand how damaging sexual harassment, objectification, and sexting can be to another person and to a community. There are people who very much downplay the seriousness of the issue,” Upper School Counselor Susanna Short said.

Often, people who are uncomfortable with talking about sexual harassment try to avoid confrontation with the subject and lighten the mood by making jokes, according to junior Sabrina Brown.

“When people make jokes, they don’t realize what they’re doing when they’re saying it… it’s very common,” she said.

According to a study conducted by USA Today, a rape occurs on college campuses every 21 hours. “It’s something that students are going to confront when they go to college, for sure,” Short said. “Senior year [during retreat] we do self defense training for both men and women, and the men’s portion... also explores issues around [sexual] entitlement and consent.”

Part of rape culture is a general misunderstanding that consent can be implied, that not saying no

[Consent] means an enthusiastic yes that hasn’t been coerced or influenced by drugs or alcohol.

U p p e r S c h o o l Co u n s e l o r S u s a n n a S h o r t

is the same as saying yes. Short uses her Wellness class to address the distorted definitions of consent which students may have.

“In Wellness, we talk about what consent means, sexual decision making, the importance of communication… [consent] means an enthusiastic yes that hasn’t been coerced or influenced by drugs or alcohol,” Short said.

Despite this education, rape culture is still a problem at SPA. “I often see it [rape culture] in the hallways and areas of the grade levels, I think there are a lot more people standing up against the people that are making the [rape] jokes,” sophomore Lutalo Jones said.

SPA has a fully comprehensive sex education program within the limited time frame of half a semester.

Sophomore Cara Pomerantz used to go to a public school which had much higher requirements, taking sex education classes all year for three years starting in sixth grade.

“At my old school, it was very upfront. Here, it’s more about expression…[every sex education program] should have both,” Pomerantz said.

Comprehensive sex education programs have been shown to be more successful sex education programs. A study by the Guttmacher Institute found that abstinence-only education actually leads to a decrease in contraceptive use and an increase in both teen pregnancies and STIs, as a federal report suggests that abstinence-only education doesn’t impact rates of sexual abstinence but only lessens awareness. Abstinence-only education exists to promote rape culture.

To combat rape culture, the concept of sex positivity has become popularized. According to

Short, sex positivity is about acceptance and respect - respect for the choice to be sexually active, respect for the choice to abstain, respect for all sexualities and genders, and respect for privacy.

Where rape culture says that being sexually active degrades a person’s moral character, sex positivity says that sex is a positive thing so long as it is healthy and consensual and safe. Where rape culture victim blames, sex positivity provides victims with the support they need to move forward. Where rape culture advocates for abstinence-only education, sex positivity advocates for comprehensive sex education.

“A more sex positive approach [would help], not seeing sex as a taboo thing,” Brown said. “It’s very natural, and if we saw it like that, slut shaming wouldn’t be as big of a deal, it wouldn’t happen as much.”

Jones said that he agrees embracing a sex positive approach to sex education would help. “I believe some people are accepting but we still have some people that could be seen as threats [to SPA’s accepting environment]... we should have more open conversations in classes and grade levels,” he said.

However, Jones also said that he recognizes it would be uncomfortable at first to make things more sex positive. “I think because it’s become a social norm for it to be an awkward thing, people might be in environments that make them feel that way,” he said.

In the long run, all of the discomfort and adjustment could be worthwhile in that they have the

potential to make SPA a safer place for all of its students. “If we get more educated, it won’t seem like as weird of a thing to talk about, there won’t be as many jokes and rudeness,” Brown said.

The fact that jokes about rape are being made here at all is evidence that rape culture has permeated the SPA bubble, and while the sex education program exists to combat that, there is always room to be more accepting Even if it is easier to dis tance oneself from the problem, the reality is that most students will face it in some way, at some point.

Want to read more...

InDepth

See Rubiconline for an interactive explanation of sex positivity.

@RubicOnline

Photo Illustrations: Meghan Joyce Information from signs: rccms.org and slc.edu

while some terms concerning sex positivity may be confusing, students hold up signs describing terms such as “sex positivity” and “slut shaming”. “If we get more educated, it won’t seem like as weird of a thing to talk about, there won’t be as many jokes and rudeness,” junior Sabrina Brown said.

12 A rt s & En t erta i n m en t

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

THE RUBICON

Winter Carnival sculptures celebrate Minnesotan spirit Mari Knudson In Depth Editor

In the midst of historic downtown St. Paul lies Rice Park, with views of edifices such as the Landmark Center, Ordway Theater, and St. Paul Hotel. It makes sense that a park surrounded by such essential St. Paul sights would also be the sight for many of the events that the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival has to offer.

During the carnival, the park is decorated with impressive ice sculptures, accompanied by food trucks, live music, and even an ice bar. At night the sculptures are lit, filling the park with sparkling, glimmering lights.

“I went at night a year or so ago, when the lights were lit. It give the whole park a really pretty glow, and the lights in the trees were cool,” sophomore Genevieve Zanaska said.

Ice carving contests took place from Jan. 22-25, with both individuals and teams compet-

ing to see who could carve the best sculpture. Contestants were judged on how original/creative, technically advanced, detailed, three dimensional, and completed their sculptures were, as well as how well they took advantage of the ice medium.

The Winter Carnival, founded in 1886, is the oldest winter carnival in the United States. It began in response to several Eastern newspaper correspondents who, upon visiting Minnesota, proclaimed it to be similar to Siberia and generally unfit for human habitation. Citizens created the Winter Carnival to celebrate Minnesota in all of its winter glory.

“When my family and I first moved to Minnesota we went to Rice Park during the Winter Carnival because we thought it would give us a good idea of what Minnesota is like,” Zanaska said. While the winters in recent years have been unusually harsh,

Minnesotans have carried on the tradition of seeing the beauty in what others might call uninhabitable conditions.

Turnout for spectators of the ice sculptures was high, especially on the day of the parades, Jan. 24. Although the sculpture melted fast due to the warm temperatures, those who were able to see them were not disappointed.

The winner of the multi-block competition was “ Snow Steam,” “Sunflower” won the single artisan competition, and first place in the single professional competition went to “Girl Playing.”

The sculptures were arranged in a line, with spectators gathering in a line to walk by and view the sculptures. There was a small ice palace containing information about the history of the event, a bonfire, and ice thrones from which spectators could pose for pictures.

Food vendors gathered around the park, serving fried food and

PHOTO CREDIT: Mari Knudson

an ice sculpting competition at Rice Park as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival drew huge crowds. “When my family and I first moved to Minnesota we went to Rice Park during the Winter Carnival because we thought it would give us a good idea of what Minnesota is like,” sophomore Genevieve Zanaska said.

hot chocolate, and there was even an alcoholic bar made of ice for adults.

While the general attractions at Rice Park may not change much from year to year, the event continues to draw in those look-

ing to enjoy winter’s appeal in Minnesota and revel in the traditions of the Winter Carnival.

Ice Castles light up dreary winter for audience of all ages Gita Raman Social Media Editor

Huge buildings that are carved solely out of ice. Add some colored light and then a gorgeous, brightly colored ice structure is created. This is an experience that no one wants to miss.

It all started when Brent Christensen moved his family from California to Utah. To give his kids some fun during the winter season, he built an ice structure for them. Due to the masses of people visiting his neighborhood to see the ice structure, the police said that he would not be able make it his yard anymore. Christensen asked

people in the area if they would let him build one on their property.

Traversing on an icy surface, trying not to fall, while exploring a whole new perspective of ice and nature is fun for everyone.

At Ice Castles, you can squeeze, slide, and crawl to make your way through.

“They looked kind of like massive piles of fancy whipped cream, but in ice form,” Upper School English teacher Emily Anderson said.

Ice Castles has special events that occur during the day and during the night. On Saturday and Sunday, during the day, visitors have the opportunity to meet the Enchanted Frozen Sisters. On Friday night and Saturday night, there is a high energy fire show.

Since the ice castle is made completely out of

ice, it is important to watch your step while walking on the path.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the castle. Pets, aside from service pets, are not allowed.

Before entering, you must sign a waiver. Warm clothing is advised and boots should be worn while roaming in the castle.

The Ice Castles’ Minnesota location is at 17970 East Miller Parkway, Eden Prairie. It will be open from Jan. 9 to Mar. 7, and entry costs $12.95. The Ice Castles in Minnesota is one of only four nationwide and draws huge crowds, so buying tickets ahead of time will save time spent waiting in line.

Q&A

Ryan Nelson, owner of Ice Castles, answers questions about the operation

How do you make an ice castle? What is the process?

We make thousands of icicles each night. Then we gather them up and fuse them to the ground on the first day, and to the ice after the first day. We then run water on the icicles and as the water freezes the icicles get larger and larger until they are huge!

How do you grow the icicles?

We invented some ice racks that make about 400 on each rack. We have 30 racks in Eden Prairie that we grow ice on.

How did the idea of a small backyard castle evolve into a huge castle with 4 locations?

Brent had so many people drive by his house that he the police said he couldn’t do it in his yard anymore. So he asked everyone that he could if they

would let him build one on their property. One resort in Midway Utah said yes, and that’s how it started!

What makes the Ice Castles so appealing to the public?

​ The lights in the ice and that it is so different from anything you can see anywhere on earth. ​

Do you have a favorite spot to visit in the Ice Castle? Why?

​ The tunnels are awesome. I like them because people get so excited to go in them. ​

Why is there an Ice Castles location in Minnesota?

Because Minnesota is cold!

And we love Minnesota and Minnesotans. We really do.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gita Raman

THE ICE CASTLES are made solely out of ice, and about 500,000 icicles are harvested for it each year, and are lit up different colors every night. “They looked kind of like massive piles of fancy whipped cream, but in ice form,” Upper School English teacher Emily Anderson said.

A rt s & En t erta i n m en t 13

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

the rubicon

PHOTO CREDIT: Mari Knudson

ICE CROSS DOWNHILL is a relatively new extreme sport which was created by the energy drink company Red Bull in 2001. It combines ice hockey, motorcross, and roller derby as four skaters are sent down in icy slope rife with obstacles.

Lombard

has attended Crashed Ice in past years and once even participated in the opening ceremonies. “[Crashed Ice is] pretty crazy, but it’s still a pretty cool event,” sophomore Weston Lombard said.

Red Bull Crashed Ice championship gives competitors wings Mari Knudson

In Depth Editor

Breathtaking heights, whizzing speeds, and breakneck competition— these words capture the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship. As a part of the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival, Crashed Ice kicked off the Ice Cross Downhill World Championships on Jan. 23.

“It was really exciting,” sophomore Shelby Tietel said. “I live really close, so I like to go every year.”

Ice cross downhill is a relatively new extreme sport which was created by the energy drink company Red Bull in 2001. It combines ice hockey, motorcross, and roller derby as four skaters are sent down an icy slope rife with obstacles, each striving to be the first to cross the finish line.

Skaters shot out of the mouth of the Saint Paul Cathedral and, around 50 seconds later, landed

Aliens vs.

Cheerleaders performs for competition, entertainment Eva Perez-Greene Editor-in-Chief

Read a review and contest results on RubicOnline.

1,410 feet below in downtown St. Paul. Speeds top out at 45 mph, and the competitors have to navigate jumps and sharp turns, in pursuit of an adrenaline rush.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman reportedly ended up with a few bruises after he tested out the course. “[Crashed Ice is] pretty crazy, but it’s still a really cool event,” sophomore Weston Lombard said. Lombard has attended Crashed Ice in past years and once even participated in the opening ceremonies.

“In the ceremonies they have flags for the countries of the contestants, and I carried the flag for the Czech Republic,” Lombard said.

According to the official Crashed Ice website, the ice cross downhill season consists of eight races, four Red Bull Crashed Ice races and four Rider’s Cup races.

Competitors win points depending on how well they perform at each race, and the skater with the

PHOTO CREDIT: Eva Perez-Greene

CAST MEMBERS READ the one act competition script with US Theater Director Eric Severson.

Directions in the St. Paul Academy and Summit School competition one-act script read: “(cut to…

Projection: ALIENS Projection: VERSUS Projection: CHEERLEADERS….”

Famous for dramatic and daring choices in Minnesota State High School League competition, US Theatre Director Eric

most points after all of the races wins the championship.

Tietel said, “I watched the team races, where six skaters go at once instead of four, which I think is really fun.”

Beginning with 200 athletes this year, the competition was whittled down to 64 men and 16 women just before the start of the Jan. 24 finals. Each final race consisted of four skaters, with each competing to be the first to cross the finish line.

After five rounds, Kyle Croxall of Canada took first place in the men’s competition, followed

by Dean Moriarity of Canada, Dan Witty of the U.S., and Cameron Naasz of the U.S. After three rounds, the eventual winner of the women’s competition was Salla Kyhala of Finland, followed by Canadians Jacqueline Legere, Tamara Kajah, and Gwynne Attenborough.

This year marked the first time St. Paul had ever hosted a full women’s competition.

A record breaking crowd of 140,000 on Jan. 24 filled the cathedral yard, celebrating the extreme sport with Red Bull and shouts. The lights illuminating the track could be seen throughout St. Paul, basking the cathedral in a blueish glow.

Before the finals started, fireworks were launched and the national anthem was performed.

The races themselves proved exciting, with spectators close to the track able to feel the spray

of ice as the competitors came whizzing down. To get a good view of the track, spectators need to arrive early or prepare to push their way to the front of the massive crowd.

Highlights from the event included a sibling rivalry between Dean and Dylan Moriarity, a thrilling comeback in the quaterfinals by Naasz from third place late in the race, and the snowmobiles racing down the course between rounds.

Severson’s choice of Aliens vs.

Cheerleaders is a campy and bold departure.

The one-act cast performed Jan. 30 in MSHSL competition and on Jan. 31 as part of the evening of One Acts with three student directed shows at Sarah Converse Auditorium.

Aliens vs. Cheerleaders is a short action comedy by Gina Nguyen in which a fictional squad of savvy, buff, bossy cheerleaders defends the community from alien abduction, with the help of hipster Molly [junior Maggie Vlietstra] and her nerdy, Harry Potter-esque friend Lewis [junior Drew Faucet].

“Molly has a lot of spunk. I’m excited to say some of her lines,” Vlietstra said. “It’s easy to exaggerate characters, though, and Molly is really normal. So it’s

like ‘hmm, how would a normal teenager, how would I, actually react in this situation.’”

One of the more surprising aspects of Aliens vs. Cheerleaders is that its butt-kicking squad defies traditional stereotypes, a unique twist on the popular cheerleading and Mean Girls paradigms.

There’s Tina [senior Maddie Flom-Staab], the squad’s queenbee annnddd the captain of Saint Valley High’s championship debate team, president of the Young Political Leaders of America club, and Homecoming Queen.

There’s Missy [junior Taylor Rients], a star varsity athlete who crushes cans on her head and is always “in the mood for some danger.” She’s all brawn.

Gabby [junior Anna Biggs] reads Stephen Hawking’s A

Brief History of Time for leisure and does perfect hitch-kicks and round-offs. She’s all brains, “a cool nerd,” Biggs said.

Finally, there’s Lucy (senior Eva Perez-Greene). She’s missing so many brain cells, but her motor skills make up for it, enabling her to kick alien butt with the rest.

In addition to weekly rehearsals at the Lower School, the cheer squad and their alien opponents received fighting instruction at the Minneapolis Uppercut Boxing Gym because, as Vlietstra said, “making the fight scenes believable is the biggest challenge.”

Aliens vs. Cheerleaders features Charlie’s Angels style combat scenes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer camp, and Bring it On inspired cheer. It’s pure comedy.

SOPHOMORE SHELBY TIETEL lives close to the Crashed Ice course and goes every year.

“I watched the team races, where six skaters go at once instead of four, which I think is really fun,” Tietel said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mari Knudson

United Varsity Girls Hockey Team laces up for lymphoma SUBMITTED PHOTO: Olivia Campbell

14

Sp ort s

The United Girls’ Hockey Team held a bake sale Jan. 26-27 during lunch periods to raise money for lymphoma research. Their home game on Jan. 27 against Blake honored lymphoma patients and research efforts. Both the Spartans and the Bears wore green ribbons in their hair to show their commitment and support for the cause. Parents manned a table at the entry where fans left donations and filled out honor cards. The effort earned over $500 for lymphoma research. To learn more about lymphoma research and how to be involved, go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society online: http://www.lls.org/

THE RUBICON

SIGNING DAY 2015 Congratulations to seniors Molly Fiedler and Isaac Forsgren, who signed to play soccer at the college level on Signing Day Feb. 4.

Fiedler will play at the University of Minnesota and Forgren will play at Loyola.

January/February 2015

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Riley Bowman

SOPHOMORE RILEY BOWMAN handles the puck during a Hockey Day Minnesota game against the Rochester Lourdes Eagles. The Spartans won the game 3-2. “It was awesome to be part of the hockey tradition,” Bowman said.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Peter Sawkins SUBMITTED PHOTO: Matt Dahlseide SUBMITTED PHOTO: Peter Sawkins

JUNIOR BRIDGET HOFFMAN

FRESHMAN OLIVIA WILLIAMS-RIDGE passes the puck

SOPHOMORE MATT DAHLSEIDE

during St. Paul United’s game against

skates down the ice, looking to score during the

Minnehaha United. “Getting to play outside

Spartans Jan. 17 Hockey Day Minnesota game

took the game to another level. It was great,”

handles the puck during a game on Hockey Day

against Rochester Lourdes. “Playing the game

Minnesota against Minnehaha United. The team

I love in such a cool environment was great,”

won 6-0. “I had a lot of fun experiencing [Hockey

Dahlseide said.

Day Minnesota] with my team,” Hoffmann said.

Hockey Day Minnesota brings fun, nostalgia Spartan, United hockey teams skate to wins on outdoor rinks Mari Knudson In Depth Editor

Part of the quintessential Minnesota hockey experience is outdoor hockey: be it on pond, backyard rink, or public skating rink, those who grow up with hockey know the feeling of playing an unstructured game in chilly temps under a blue sky.

While older generations of hockey players will look back with nostalgia on the days when all hockey games were played outdoors, most games are now played in indoor facilities.

However, on the ninth annual Minnesota Hockey Day Jan. 17, many adult and youth hockey teams played outdoor games across the state.

Both the Spartan Boys’ Hockey and the St. Paul Academy/Visitation United Girls’ Hockey team participated in this event.

The boys defeated the Rochester Lourdes Eagles, 3-1, at St. Paul’s Holman Field, giving them a season record of 15-2-0.

For the first time in the history of the event, it was located directly on a fully operational airfield, and proceeds from the event went to the organizations Serving Our Troops and St. Paul Youth Hockey to help veterans and hockey players in the state.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience,” sophomore forward Jack Sullivan said. “The atmosphere is a lot cooler than an indoor rink and the fans were great.

It was a great night; the weather was almost perfect for a hockey game,” he said.

The United Girls’ team took on section rival, Minnehaha United at Phalen Recreational Center, defeating them 6-0. United currently has a 12-4-1 record.

“I love playing outdoors. The game was a lot of fun,” sophomore forward Ella Hommeyer said. “Playing outdoors reminds me of learning to skate outdoors when I was little, which is a good memory.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Tipler

THE ST. PAUL ACADEMY BOYS VARSITY HOCKEY TEAM poses for a group photo after their outdoor game Jan. 17 at St. Paul’s Holman Field on the ninth annual Hockey Day Minnesota. The game was played on a fully operational airfield, and proceeds from the games that day went to Serving Our Troops and St. Paul Youth Hockey in the state. The Spartans defeated the Rochester Lourdes Eagles 3-1. “It was a once in a lifetime experience,” sophomore Jack Sullivan said.

FAST FACTS ABOUT HOCKEY DAY MN 2015:

the annual event was hosted by Support Our Troops, Fox Sports, and the Minnesota Wild.

Thousands attended the games on outdoor rinks across the Twin Cities, and over 40 million viewers watched the broadcasted games.

Information retained from Hockey Day Minnesota

Girls Nordic win IMAC Conference Championship

Girls Nordic Ski celebrate their win at Elm Creek Park on Jan. 27.

Back row - Tessah Green, Neeti Kulkarni, Emilia Hoppe, Barbara Bathke, Val Hart, Dina Moradian.

Front row - Greta Sirek, Lexi Hilton, Ellen McCarthy, Hallie Sogin.

The Spartan Girls Nordic Ski team won the IMAC Conference, in the meet on Jan. 27. The team competed against Breck, Blake, Minnehaha Academy, Mounds Park Academy, and Heritage/Providence Academy. Both boys and girls teams competed at Elm Creek Park in Maple Grove in the day-long championship. Nordic Head Coach Mickey Scott wrote, “With such young teams racing so well, the future looks really great for SPA NORDIC! The team was excited to begin this year’s season on snow and has worked hard to find snow to continue their training.” The Section race took place on Feb. 3. See results on

RubicOnline.

Submitted photo: Peter Sawkins

Sp ort s THE RUBICON

January/February 2015

15

Football Task force works toward solution Diane Huang Online Editor in Chief

From one to five, “How important is football TO YOU to have at SPA?” Students, alumni, and parents answered this and many other questions about the football team at St. Paul Academy and Summit School on a survey sent by the Football Task Force.

With a current team so small that its last game this season was forfeited due to an insufficient number of uninjured players, the SPA football program is faced with the question of how to keep players in the game.

The Football Task Force was formed to address the urgent lack of participation in the football program by Head of School Bryn Roberts in the fall of 2014, and is headed by Director of Athletics, Peter Sawkins.

“The objective is to figure out what makes sense for football at SPA,” Sawkins said. “It’s everything from ‘do we continue to have it? or not have it?’ and if we do, what is the right mix and where can we work in the right balance to have a successful program?”

Perhaps the football team’s decline and eventual insufficiency was evident in the assembly announcements in which players would call upon their classmates to join the football team, insisting that it was not too late to help out a team that was just hanging on by a thread. Students would murmur, expressing pity or indif-

SPORTS

The objective is to figure out what makes sense for football at SPA. D i re c t o r o f At h l e t i c s Pe t e r S a w k i n s

Photo Illustration: Diane Huang

THe 2014-2015 spARTAN FOOTBALL team poses for a team picture (team members that do not attend SPA are grayed out). “You have people who don’t want to play because they think it’s not as fun because you’re not having as much success on the field and then the numbers [of players] dwindle and it becomes sort of a negative spiral,” Director of Athletics Peter Sawkins said.

ference, and in the end, no one joined the team.

But, when “[the team] ended last year by forfeiting because we ran out of players, it was clear we couldn’t continue [with] business as usual,” Sawkins said.

“We had decided even before we elected to forfeit the playoff game...that maybe we needed to put together a task force...to consider how to proceed with football at SPA,” Head of School Bryn Roberts said.

In some cases, the lack of boys playing football could easily be attributed to a prominent soccer culture at SPA. “[Football]w just competes so much with soccer,”

junior Christine Lam said, referring to boys that also played club soccer.

Sophomore Emre Kihtir agrees: “Football wasn’t really a huge [attraction] to me—I played soccer already.”

Still, the football team is extremely integrated into SPA traditions including Homecoming and (Beat) Blake Day.“We’ve been playing football for about 114 years at school, so its deeply rooted in our past. Any sport you play that long has a significant role in the culture and understanding of athletics at school,” Roberts said.

This year, the Varsity Football Team’s record was 0-8, arguably

a deterrent for prospective football players. “You have people who don’t want to play because they think it’s not as fun because you’re not having as much success on the field and then the numbers [of players] dwindle and it becomes sort of a negative spiral,” Sawkins said.

“People are discouraged. [The football team’s] history of losing doesn’t look so appealing,” freshman Arib Rahman said.

Sophomore Muniel Rizvi noted that, “if SPA doesn’t already have a better football team, then why would [someone who likes football] want to join the team?”

Rahman also cited fear of inju-

ry and lack of knowledge as other forms of dissuasion. “Having people from the team telling others what it’s actually like [might help increase participation]. I don’t know a lot of what they do,” he said.

The Football Task Force has looked into moving the football program to another school, similar to the cooperative teams in Girls’ Lacrosse and Girls’ Hockey. “We have a list of schools that may be opportune…[but] when we’re asking to join another program, the decision falls out of our control,” Sawkins said.

While the future of the football program is unclear, the chances of losing it entirely are very low.

“First and foremost, as the head of the Task Force, I’m thinking about what [we can do] to support the program, keep the program going, and give our football-playing athletes an option to play,” Sawkins said.

@RubicOnline

Spartan Boys’ Basketball shoots for a return to state breandan gibbons Contributor

The Boys’ Basketball team won 52-50 on Jan. 16 against Hiawatha Valley conference powerhouse Rochester Lourdes.

The Spartans got out to a fast start once again, gaining a quick 5-0 lead, Junior Dalante Peyton putting all of those points up on the board. The Eagles then turned up the three point shooting and took a 29-27 lead into the break.

After halftime the Spartans came out firing and put up 20 points in the first 10 minutes of the half. They had a 49-42 lead with seven minutes to play in the game.

The Spartans offense was dormant the rest of the game only putting up three points and missing several key free throws that could have put the game out of

reach for the Eagles. However, the Spartans’ defense picked up and never were able to shut down the Rochester shooters with an aggressive man to man, pressure, trap defense.

With about 2 minutes to go in the game, SPA held a two point when the Rochester coach made the gutsy decision to hold onto the ball for the last shot. This culminated with Peyton making a steal with a second left to play in the game.

After the game Peyton said, “They were passing the ball around and we weren’t giving them any room to shoot. So, they just threw the ball away in the end.”

Junior Kent Hanson lead the team in scoring again with 18 points. He is second on the team in scoring and has scored at least 20 points in 4 of his last 5 games.

Hanson attributed this to

“finding the open man,” and he has been the one who has been open, especially when defenses over commit to covering Peyton.

After each basket scored by the Spartans, if one looks towards the bench they will find senior Louie Bogolub standing up, lifting his left knee, raising his fist, and making a triumphant hop.

Bogolub said, “At the end of the bench games can get really dry, and in a close game like this we don’t play and our only job is to support the team. So me, [senior] Ben Petee, and my partner in crime, Chuckles [junior Charlie Hooley], came up with the celebration and it’s purpose is to liven the team up a bit.”

The game brought the Spartans’ record above .500 for the first time since November.

“This is huge. It is really just a big boost for our confidence,” Hanson said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Breandan Gibbons

junior dalante peyton shoots the ball on a Jan. 16 varisty game against Rochester Lourdes. The team won 52-50. “They were passing the ball around and we weren’t giving them any room to shoot. So, they just threw the ball away in the end,” Peyton said.

Want to read more...

Gibbons’ piece is part of a series called “The Road to State” online. He publishes regular game recaps for our state-competing teams from last year: boys basketball and girls hockey.

16 S c i enc e & T e c h nolo g y THE RUBICON

[IN 2015] EXPLORING SPACE: WHAT TO LOOK UP FOR

Clare Tipler News Editor

T

he new year may expose new pop superstars, but those aren’t the only stars being watched. This year marks one of the busiest in space with events ranging from lunar eclipses to the planting of seeds on the moon, and not only space enthusiasts are excited.

Mission to Mars

The cosmos have always been a mystery, but scientists have slowly begun to unravel the secrets that are hidden in space.

One such mystery is the condition of other planets, especially the so-called red planet, Mars.

“The Curiosity rover is still wandering around [on Mars], so it will spend the year exploring the base of Mount Sharp,” Upper School Physics teacher Steve Heilig said. This exploration has an even more interesting purpose though: trying to determine geologically what happened on Mars. Mount Sharp is made up of “layer after layer of wind deposited sediment, so they [scientists] can sort of look at a chronological history of Mars, at least part of the history of Mars, by looking at those layers,” Heilig said.

New Horizons in sight

Some say that a mission called New Horizons will also be exploring a planet, but officially, it is not. This is because the mission will fly past the dwarf planet Pluto in July.

The mission’s goal is to learn more about Pluto by going close to, but not going into its orbit.

“We have never sent anything to Pluto before, so the best images we have are from the Hubble telescope that show a fuzzy ball with some patches of light or dark,” Heilig said.

Lunar Agriculture

“NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] is going to take some seeds to the moon and have a little container, have a little habitat, and see if they survive,” Heilig said regarding another project in 2015.

This may seem like a simple experiment, but since the Moon doesn’t rotate relative to the Earth, night and day are each 14 days long. “Depending on what they’ve got to let in light, you have to be careful for ultraviolet and x-rays and things like that,” Heilig said.

The new Gemini

Additionally, NASA plans to carry out a more personal mission in March involving how time spent in space can affect the human body. They plan to do this experiment by using twins to record differences in one that will spend a year on the International Space Station (ISS) compared to one staying on Earth.

Because the test subjects are humans, Heilig notes that this is the “closest experiment you can ethically get.”

Student space interest

With events happening all throughout the universe, St. Paul Academy and Summit School students were bound to get involved in studying space, a few capitalizing on this jam-

packed year by taking Heilig’s Space Science class.

“We try to have a Star Party once a week which is we just go out at night with some telescopes and study different things in the sky,” senior Mike Destache said about how the class gets involved.

“There is quite a lot of talking about recent events and breakthroughs that pertain to space,” Destache said about Heilig’s class.

“The thing that fascinates me about space is the physics behind it and learning about things that just don’t really make sense and that are different which is pretty much everything in space,” he said. Even if not everything makes sense, the information and knowledge gained from the class is invaluable. “The class is not like any other class at the school,” Destache said.

The student body looks up

Even SPA students that cannot take the class can get involved with space this year by observing several events right here in Minnesota. “We have two lunar eclipses this year, one in April, one in September,” Heilig said. “[An event to view the eclipses] is what I hope and plan to do,” he said.

Because there are so many missions, projects, and events going on in 2015, it’s easy for the curious student to get active in studying space science. “It’s cool to look up and know that there’s stuff up there, whether it be our technology or far away planets, or anything” freshman Olivia Williams-Ridge said.

Background: the Pillars of Creation, a dense cloud of gas and dust in the process of forming into stars. Image in public domain courtesy of NASA.

January/February 2015