March 2017 Issue

THE

UBICON

the student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105 www.rubiconline.com Volume 44. Issue 6. March 7, 2017.

Intersectionality is often overlooked in favor of simplification.

Feature, 10

Concussions block season success for athletes.

Sports, 13

JCC evacuates in response to bomb threat on President’s Day. News, 2

Immigration sanctions and their evolving presence increases fear.

In Depth, 8-9 Senior Enzo Vinholi uses virtual reality to aid senior citizens.

A&E, 14

IN THIS ISSUE: 1 COVER • 2-3 NEWS • 4-6 OPINION • 7 AROUND TOWN • 8-9 IN DEPTH • 10-11 FEATURE • 12-13 SPORTS• 14-15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT• 16 PHOTO STORY

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THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

Jewish Community Center bomb threat brings national issue to Highland Park KRISTA SCHLINGER The Rubicon Editor

The Jewish Community Center in St. Paul was one of 10 centers in the U.S. forced to evacuate Feb. 20, President’s Day, due bomb threats. No tangible threat was found in the investigation following the evacuation; however the recent wave of threats targeting JCC’s has created an uneasiness throughout the Jewish community, St. Paul included.

Math teacher Jim McVeety has been a member at the JCC for 30 years and witnessed the investigation at the St. Paul location.

“I got off the bus and I saw that there were all of these police cars there and they said you’ve got to stand back and away because we’ve had a threat and we’ve had to evacuate the building,” McVeety said.

According to The Huffington Post, the total number of JCC bomb threats reported this year

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Krista Schlinger

COMMUNITY CARING. After a bomb threat on the Jewish Community Center, the center got support from surrounding communities. alone totals 67 and growing, with threats reported in 27 states at the time of their article. And, according to People magazine, a St. Louis man was arrested for threats against the Jewish community Feb. 24.

Along with the bomb threats, two Jewish cemeteries have been

desecrated, with hundreds of gravestones toppled.

Many people feel newly elected President Donald Trump taking office has sparked these anti-semitic events because of past campaign comments suggesting white nationalism. The president responded to the accusations by

denouncing antisemitism at the National Museum of African American History.

“The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community and community centers are horrible, and are painful, and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out have and prejudice and evil,” Trump said.

The JCC communities around the country have made many efforts to spread awareness and to support each other however they can. A wall of cards made by a group of Highland Catholic School students cover a wall in the Highland Recreation Center offered sympathy and support for anyone affected.

“They [have] wonderful messages with a wide range of reactions, but [they were] all so sweet and kind, it’s a beautiful thing,” McVeety said.

In St. Paul, the localized efforts to respond to the acts of hate represent a path towards healing.

A nation sees JCCs targeted:

100

reported bomb threats to the Jewish Community Centers

81

schools have been subject to bomb threats

33

states in which a JCC has had a bomb threat

2

Jewish Cemeteries purposely damaged with headstones pushed over

SOURCE: The View

Utah Odyssey Trip takes students into canyon lands for break JENNY SOGIN

The Rubicon Editor Sore shoulders, worn out hips, powdered food, heavy backpacks, new friendships, and great views are all a part of the annual Odyssey trip through the Grand Gulch Primitive Area in Utah.

The 9-day trip consists of group backpacking for 5-7 miles a day, and the infamous solo excursion, where each traveler goes off into the wilderness by themselves for two days.

Many of the students going over Spring Break have various levels of experience, ranging from no prior experience to those who plan a wilderness trip every year.

Senior Jack Indritz is no rookie when it comes to camping in back country.

“I’ve done backpacking, canoing and climbing trips... through the YMCA and some trips through the Boy Scouts,” Indritz said.

Sophomore Eliza Reedy is a bit newer but not afraid to back down from a challenge.

“I went on a 5-day canoeing trip to the Boundary Waters last summer, but nothing like backpacking,” Reedy said.

The guides are new to this trip but have years of experience and a passion for being outside. They are working hard to create an unforgettable experience for the group.

Upper School Technology Coordinator Chris White started backpacking in 8th grade and has never stopped journeying into the wilderness.

ABOUT THE COVER

“My school went on a trip for 5 days… We set ropes up on this big valley over this big river, and we pulled ourselves across it, so that was when I fell in love with camping… [Then] In college, I guided trips for the University of Missouri, and then I worked at [Camp] Menogyn for three years after that,” White said.

“We are learning the skills here so that we are prepared to do the work in the back country.”

— ODYSSEY TRIP LEADER ADRIENNE BAKER SUBMITTED PHOTO Chris White

Upper School English teacher Adrienne Baker, much like White, has led backpacking expeditions in Northern California, Utah, and Southern California.

In preparation for the trip, the guides have assigned meetings a few days a month for the group to learn certain survival skills before they go off into the canyon.

“We look at the maps, [learn] compass [skills], [learn] how to light the stove versus learning to do it [all] in the backcountry,” Baker said. “We’re learning the [skills] here so that we are prepared to do the work in the backcountry.”

An important part of the trip is the solo portion of it, where the students go off into a certain area

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Iya Abdulkarim

WILDERNESS WANDERERS. Seniors Leo Bukovsan, Lea Moore, and Maggie Gallagher participated in the 2016 Odyssey trip as juniors. This year’s participants are prepared for their own new discoveries: “I went on a 5-day canoeing trip to the Boundary Waters last summer, but nothing like backpacking,” sophomore Eliza Reedy said. of the canyon by themselves for 48 hours with little to no contact with anyone. This allows the students to reflect, observe, and get to know themselves. “[The solo is] a time of reflection where you’re not interrupted by others, by school, by parents, by anything. You’re just alone in your thoughts for two days,” White said.

“I just want them to notice… where they are, what they feel, what they think about, what their habit of thinking is, and just no-

tice the Utah landscape,” Baker added about what she hopes the students get out of the solo.

The trip will be very challenging for campers of all levels. With little experience, Reedy is hesitant about many things, but also knows the rest of the group will support her.

“I don’t really know what I’m doing, but everyone else seems like they know what they’re doing, so at the very least, even if I mess up too badly, they’ll be able to help me,” Reedy said.

However, Baker has words of encouragement for when anyone is starting to feel down. “[The trip] is going to be challenging. Your shoulders get sore, your hips wear out, but there’s also joy that comes from the outdoors, like feeling the sun on your face, or resting, or laughter [which] feels a lot more radiant when you’re away from the distractions of the day-to-day.”

ILLUSTRATIONS: Jonah Harrison, Noor Qureishy, Javier Whitaker-Castañeda

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10 MAR. 2017 trips Excitement grows for spring international 14 MAR. 2017

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REPUBLICA DE CUBA JONAH HARRISON

14 MAR. 2017 The Rubicon Editor

For the first time at St. Paul AcadeJOSE MARTI my and Summit School a group of Upper School students will travel to India with history teachers Sushmita Hodges and Ryan Oto. “This 10 day journey will be steeped in history and culture of Ahmedabad, Gujarat the birthplace of the Indian freedom movement and home to its founding father Mohandas Gandhi,” Hodges said.

Oto and Hodges will also be traveling with math teacher Anne Shimkus, along with the 12 students on the trip. The experience aims to teach students about the significance of India as a growing nation, which is also covered during the 9th and 10th grade World History curriculum.

“Students will experience the significance of Ahmedabad at the confluence of the Silk and Spice Routes, the Indo-Islamic

Hodges and D Oto to lead 10 MAR. 2017 India trip to explore history FRANKFURT / MAIN F 051

10 MAR. 2017 FRANKFURT / MAIN F 051

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MARLEE BARON

10 MAR. 2017 period, engage architecture of the medieval FRANCE with the religious diversity as well as walk in the footsteps of Gandhi’s anti-colonial struggle that originated in the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad amongst many other planned learning and fun activities,” Hodges said.

To prepare for the trip, students will read articles about the politics and culture of Ahmedabad—the city where the group will spend the majority of its time. Hodges also will provide a brief “understanding of Indian culture;” plus, the students have the opportunity to do their own research before traveling to India.

Senior John Connely will be blogging during the trip at The India Exploration: RATION INDIA G indiaexploration.wordpress.com I M

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150 REPUBLICA DE CUBA German students to 14 MAR. 2017 split journey between two countries JOSE MARTI

The Rubicon Editor

The trip to Germany was canceled due 10 MAR. 2017 to security threats last year, but it’s on for FRANCE this Spring Break. On Mar. 10 students will depart from Minnesota to Iceland, then on to Germany, where they will stay for 12 days.

Possible trip highlights in Iceland include seeing the northern lights and going to the Blue Lagoon.

Students will leave Iceland on Mar. 13 and travel to Germany. Since this trip is not an exchange, students will travel to many cities in Germany and stay in hotels. They will visit Frankfurt, Munich, Heidelberg and Bacharach.

One of the most anticipated aspects of the trip is seeing places students have learned about in their German classes: “I’m most excited to go to Neuschwanstein Castle because we’ve learned so much about it in class and it’ll be fun to see,” junior Erin McNamer said.

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JONAH HARRISON The Rubicon Editor

After a visit this past summer, a new group of 16 students will travel to Cuba over Spring Break to learn about Cuban culture and explore the country. The trip will be led by Spanish teacher Rolando Castellanos, who grew up in Cuba.

Visiting Cuba in the current time will be very important, because Cuba will be changing and students will now be able to see a transformation taking place.

“If you were to go to Cuba now you would see the changes that are taking place as the Communist government intends to transform itself and open up a little more in light of the renewal of the relations with the United States,” Castellanos said.

After D they land in Cuba, students will travel, in total, another 1000 miles. Over the 10-day trip, students will explore Havana, Vinales, Santa Clara, Camaguey,

10 MAR. 2017

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Castellanos will return 2017 home10 MAR.to Cuba for the third time PARIS

FRANCE

Sancti Spiritus, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and The Bay of Pigs.

What sets this trip apart from other language trips is that it is open to non-Spanish speaking students.

“There are three students who do not take Spanish, and these are students who are interested in seeing the transformation of the regime from the Communist way of life into possibly a more open society,” Castellanos said.

In preparation for the trip, “We will have a series of three meetings where we will explore a little of the history of Cuba,” he said.

The Rubicon editors Jonah Harrison and Javier Whitaker-Castañeda will be blogging during the trip at Vamos a Cuba: vamosacuba.wordpress.com

FRANKFURT / MAIN F 051

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MARLEE BARON

French students will embark on second part of student exchange

The Rubicon Editor

Neuschwanstein Castle is a nineteenth-century castle set on a hill in Germany.

The trip offers a variety of living experience: “I’m nervous, but also excited, to stay in a youth hostel. I can only imagine what they’re like, but it’s such an essential part of our trip that I’ll be getting used to.”

McNamer said.

This trip is a great opportunity to further language skills outside of the classroom.

“I expect to have lots of fun with people I don’t normally talk to and to grow as a German speaker,” McNamer said. “It’s a great opportunity to develop and become immersed in the language, food, and more.”

Throughout the trip The Rubicon editor Mari Knudson will be blogging at SPA I’m Ausland: www.spaimausland.wordpress.com.

There are just a few weeks between the January exchange visit of 25 students from France to SPA and the return exchange of 33 students from SPA to France over Spring Break. Students leave Minnesota on Mar. 10 and travel to Paris, where they will stay for three days.

In Paris they will go to art museums, visit the Eiffel Tower and explore the city.

“When you walk around you feel the pulse of the city and get to experience all these different areas,” sophomore Max Moen said.

From Paris students take a short flight to Toulouse where they will meet their exchange students. They will stay with their

host families for 10 days before returning to Minnesota on Mar. 23.

In Toulouse, students will go to school with their exchange student every day and then go on day excursions from there.

“I’ve heard we get to do a scavenger hunt in Toulouse and I’m really looking forward to that because it’s a competition between groups and that sounds really fun,” Moen said.

During the trip, The Rubicon editors Claire Hallaway and Marlee Baron will be blogging at Un Morceau de France: www.unmorceaudefrance.wordpress.com.

PASSPORT ILLUSTRATIONS: Ellie Nowakowski

CORRECTIONS POLICY

FEBRUARY CORRECTIONS

During the post-critique process, staff members will identify inaccuracies and report on feedback from readers. Corrections will be printed in the next edition of the newspaper in the News section.

AROUND TOWN 10: The photo of Espresso Royale was not taken by Mari Knudson; it is from Espresso Royale’s website. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13: The Series of Unfortunate Events photo was reprinted as a Fair Use image from the official website.

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THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

Self-defense classes must come earlier All students would benefit from training, increased awareness

Youth crime and abuse statistics: IN 2005, TEENS AGES 12 TO 19 EXPERIENCED 1.5 MILLION VIOLENT CRIMES, INCLUDING 176,020 ROBBERIES AND 73,470 SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND RAPES. VICTIMS AGED 12 TO 17 CONSTITUTE 25% OF ALL VIOLENT CRIMES ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMIZATION SURVEY.

Editorial Cartoon: Andrew Johnson

PREPAREDNESS IN ANY SITUATION. High school students practice self defense skills. The students in the background represent victims of violence who did not benefit from self-defense training early on in high school.

EDITORIAL

The Rubicon Editor Seniors will return from Spring Break and participate in the second portion of their retreat.

One component of this is the recently developed self-defense training which has added to the experience. With a focus on transitioning from the familiarity of high school to the intimidating realm of college, the retreat prepares students for situations that they might face in the future with a structured program and guided community reflection.

It’s possible for any student to be susceptible to dangerous, threatening situations that require a countermeasure in order to protect oneself from harm - this is the reasoning behind why self-defense training is beneficial for everyone. By providing only departing seniors with this knowledge, SPA assumes that students only require these skills later in life when in reality, someone could become a victim of violence at any point in their life, regardless of the environment they are brought up in or familiar with.

The school’s message shouldn’t be preparing students for college with this strange parting gift, but instead, should be concerning every student’s awareness and safety in the world. The school should acknowledge that all of the students need the training before senior year. According to the

U.S. Department of Justice, 54 percent of female rape victims are under the age of 18. In 2005, teenagers ages 12 to 19 experienced approximately 1.5 million violent crimes including robberies, sexual assaults, and rapes. These statistics only reinforce the argument that self-defense is a fundamental skill that everyone should have because anything could happen to anyone and it’s best to be prepared when or if something happens.

The school should acknowledge that all students need training before senior year.

To get to the root of the problem, the training should discuss abusive behavior and how to avoid getting into those situations in the first place. By knowing how to stop assaults before they happen, people can decrease the chance of someone being targeted. In addition to self-defense training, the school should also focus on mental health and prevention tactics. It’s mentally beneficial for everyone to learn the techniques necessary to defend oneself as it can help manage

stress levels and calm anxieties that stem from fear of personal safety. In some schools across the country, co-ed high school programs have focused on teaching students how to maintain healthy relationships along with topics on consent and verbal and physical self-defense tactics. Teaching students how to set boundaries and making right decisions when it comes to intimate relationships will reinforce and strengthen values. It’s especially important to consider introducing self-defense training at an earlier age because, as research shows, students’ resiliency drops at a younger age as a result of peer pressure, sexualization, and mental health conditions.

Self-defense classes are split by gender based on how students identify themselves and the classes will continue in this vein. However, teachers and faculty have been aware about the challenges this may present. Not only are the amount and type of training different, but this only reinforces our expectations for each gender, and may even pose a challenge for students that don’t identify with the binary male or female. All students benefit from situational awareness regardless of their sexuality, race, religion, or the neighborhood they come from; self-defense skills should be equally emphasized to cultivate basic self-defense skills and constant awareness.

Self-defense training is a skill that can benefit everyone, it shouldn’t be something that is just reserved for seniors. Self-defense classes should be offered to students as early as ninth grade.

They can be incorporated into the Fitness for Life and Wellness curricula or even provided at the ninth grade retreat. The school could take it a step further and open up self-defense classes to the entire school by providing sessions after school. By switching the timing of when the self-defense classes are introduced, the school reinforces their support for SPA students as SPA students. Because seniors acquire these skills and gain awareness right before they leave for college, it seems like the self-defense classes send the message to students that college won’t be safe like SPA. In addition, the school should make self-defense training more comprehensive as students get older. Having basic self-defense skills could save a life. Street awareness, increased self-confidence, developed reflexes, and overall fitness are just some of the many benefits of self-defense training. Everyone should be given the tools necessary to defend themselves in life-threatening situations. It’s crucial for the school to empower students to follow their intuition and to stand up for themselves and others.

ACCORDING TO A SELF-REPORT STUDY, 51% OF LIFETIME RAPES OCCUR PRIOR TO AGE 18, AND 29% PRIOR TO AGE 12.

THE HOMICIDES OF TEENS MOSTLY INVOLVE MALE VICTIMS AND MALE OFFENDERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE YOUNG ADULTS USING FIREARMS. IN 1996/1997, 54% OF THEFT FROM JUVENILES HAPPENED AT OR ON THE WAY TO AND FROM SCHOOL. FURTHERMORE, ONLY 13% OF SUCH THEFTS ARE REPORTED. THE ASSAULT RATES FOR YOUTH AGED 12 THROUGH 17 IS 2.8 TIMES GREATER THAN FOR ADULTS.

Information is sourced from unh.edu and the Women’s Self-Defense Institute

THE RUBICON

St. Paul Academy and Summit School • 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 • rubicon.spa@gmail.com • www.RubicOnline.com • @TheRubiconSPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR GRAPHICS MANAGER NEWS EDITORS OPINIONS EDITORS FEATURE EDITORS IN DEPTH EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR AROUND TOWN EDITOR PHOTO STORY EDITOR

Javier Whitaker-Castañeda Sophie Jaro Noor Qureishy Mari Knudson Andrew Johnson, Ellie Nowakowski Jasper Green, Krista Schlinger Jack Benson, Claire Hallaway Iya Abdulkarim Jonah Harrison Jenny Sogin Marlee Baron Stephanie Li

DIRECTOR OF RUBICONLINE CREATIVE DESIGN MANAGER PRODUCTION MANAGER STORY/ SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR NEWS EDITORS OPINIONS EDITOR FEATURE EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR SPORTS EDITORS PHOTOJOURNALIST ILLUSTRATOR/VIDEOGRAPHER COLUMNISTS

Diane Huang Amodhya Samarakoon Clare Tipler Lauren Boettcher Ellie Findell, Peter Blanchfield Emily Thissen Isabel Saavedra-Weis Mimi Geller Breandan Gibbons, Michael Forsgren Kelby Wittenberg Web Lehmann Spencer Allen, Ewan Lang, Peter Schavee

STAFF WRITERS Jake Adams, Annie Bottern, Quinn Christensen, Flannery Enneking-Norton, Isabel Gisser, Eli Goldman, Sam Hanson, Tristan Hitchens-Brookins, Austin Leiby, Chloe Morse, Melissa Nie, Noah Raaum, Noah Rice, Sharee Roman , Lucy Sandeen, Kat St. Martin-Norburg, Nitya Thakkar ADVISER Kathryn Campbell

O pinions

What role should caffiene play in students’ lives?

Information compiled from a poll sent out to all 9-12 grade students, 26% responded.

THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

It’s a common practice to stay up late into the night studying for an exam or polishing an essay. A recent student poll showed that 78% of students resort to using caffeinated beverages at least once a week in order to energize themselves. However, caffeine use has its benefits and its costs.

A beneficial tool

MELISSA NIE Staff Writer

Monday mornings can be tough for everyone, and caffeine is a great way to boost one’s energy. At SPA, it is common to see people lounging in the cafeteria enjoying caffeinated beverages, since about 44.9% of students consume coffee or tea at least once a week. This is no surprise, as caffeine is greatly beneficial to one’s mind and health when consumed in reasonable amounts.

Contrary to popular belief, caffeine will not stunt one’s growth. Based on information from KidsHealth, this myth comes from the fact that when a person consumes too much caffeine, it can make them unable to sleep. Growth hormones are released when one is asleep, and so someone who constantly has too much coffee or soda may not grow as quickly as someone who takes it in moderation or not at all.

But caffeine alone will not affect growth.

In its most common form, coffee, caffeine has many benefits other than providing an energy boost. According to Authority Nutrition, studies have shown that coffee improves your metabolism by burning fat, and helps to improve performance in sports. Furthermore, it lowers one’s risks of Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease by up to 60%. In addition, people who drink coffee tend to have livers that are better at protecting the body from diseases than those who don’t.

Caffeine has been shown to improve a user’s memory. According to SFGate, it helps users remember more information

Read from trusted sources

READING RAINBOWS PETER SCHAVEE Columnist

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and it prolongs their attention span. Caffeine does this by blocking a hormone called adenosine, which relaxes one’s body, and allows for an increase in dopamine and glutamine hormones, which make users more alert. A better attention span and memory allows students to retain more material from their classes, which in turn helps with homework and assessments.

Caffeine is highly beneficial when it comes to homework, tests, and papers.

Although caffeine may be classified as a drug, it is still significantly less dangerous than substances like cocaine, heroin or meth, which are all stimulants that speed up the central nervous system. Based on information from Caffeine Informer, the Food and Drug Administration classified it as a drug that was “generally recognized as safe” in 1958. Compared to all the things that students could be using, caffeine is a much safer alternative, and it’s something that has a much lower risk of harming someone’s life.

Students should continue to use caffeine if it helps them with their academic life. Caffeine is highly beneficial when it comes to homework, tests and papers, and when taken in moderation, it can be a key tool for success.

Our reality seems so fleeting, and the recent months and the upcoming election in France demonstrate the changing mentality of the global population to a populist point of view, and how a single news story can change an entire political race. Observing the various new sources and trying to identify a fair, unbiased article becomes more difficult with every fake piece of news produced by various organizations hoping to either get clicks or disrupt the political atmosphere.

Working to discern credible information from the host of alternative facts and click-bait news

A harmful drug SHAREE ROMAN Staff Writer

According Business Insider, billions of people worldwide drink or some form of caffeine. Caffeinated beverages may be a great way to get some quick energy, strengthen the user’s ability to retain information, and be a better drug than other substances such as heroin or meth, students should reduce the amount of caffeine consumption because its side effects outweigh its benefits.

The FDA classifies caffeine as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system. As stated by the Journal of Young Investigators, caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug that is legal and unregulated in almost all parts of the world. Although caffeine is legal, there are still noticeable side effects. Ever had a caffeinated beverage a few hours before bed and have been unable to fall asleep? That is because caffeine disrupts the sleep schedule usually resulting in insomnia and restlessness. Some other side effects include stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and respiration. Larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, agitation, chest pain, and ringing in the ears.

While the National Institute of Drug Abuse does not include caffeine on its commonly abused drug list, people still have some dependency at the level of an addiction to caffeine. Many feel they need it in order to function normally. Recently, caffeine withdrawal was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

stories adds to this shift in public opinion. But, each piece of news either real or fake accompanies a greater impact on its readers.

Marie Le Pen’s recent surge in the French Presidential polls displays how a news story can influence an entire election. After a recent news story claiming that Francois Fillon, former front runner in the election, paid his wife for a fake parliamentary assistant job, he fell in polls and 76% of French Voters are not convinced by his response to the allegations, according to The Guardian. So, what do we believe? Though the United States 2016 election

Based on statistics from Druginfo, in 2010 the amount of money consumers spent of obtaining caffeine increased. Today, an average worker in the U.S. spends approximately 1,100 dollars per a year on coffee. People could use this money for more necessary items.

People still have some dependency at the level of an addiction to caffeine.

Many feel they need it in order to function normally.

Although 60.6% of the upper school students consume a safe amount of caffeine, it still affects their daily lives on how they academically perform, sleep, and interact with others. Weaning off caffeine is not as bad as breaking away from other more addictive substances, but there is still a slow process that occurs from withdrawal. Upper school students have access to caffeine throughout the day, but they should reduce their caffeine intake to ward off dependency and symptoms of overuse including headaches and disrupted sleep.

shows that we cannot count on political polls, the power of one news story greatly influences the political race as a whole.

Further wrapped up in the modern day media frenzy lays President Trump and his comments about various hot topic issues. From the Human Rights Campaign, Trump compared same-sex marriage to disliking extra long putters as he felt that they were ruining the sanctity of the golf game, minimizing the relationships altogether. Trying to determine whether to believe such comments becomes more difficult after seeing all the doubt

surrounding the media. Trump’s dialogue alienates individuals and discredits The United States, continuing to reinforce the difficulty in understanding who to believe when trying to obtain reliable information.

There remains no easy solution to deciphering the massive amount of news piled onto the American people. But, observing the most amount of media from trusted sources allows for better decisions to be made by the American populous.

POLICIES, MEMBERSHIPS, AND AWARDS

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.

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BY LINES credit the individual who

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is published eight times a year. We distribute 750 copies of each issue to the Upper School which are available for free.

are welcomed as Letters to the Editor or Submitted Opinions and may be published in the print or online edition. Letters to the Editor should not exceed 400 words and Submitted Opinions should not exceed 650 words and may be edited for style. All pieces must be submitted with a full name.

conducted interviews, drafted, revised and fact-checked an assigned story. Double bylines are given to joint effort assignments, with reporters listed alphabetically by last name. Stories that include supplemental materials include a credit at the bottom that states “Additional reporting provided by” followed by the name of the reporter.

Although it is always preferable to use names when reporting, there are times when it is necessary to protect those we report on. In the case of a student, the use of grade level as a name designation will be the preferred method of anonymity.

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EDITORIALS articulate the collective opinion of The Rubicon staff, while mini-editorials, opinions pieces, arts reviews, and columns belong to the author of works published in the Opinions section.

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PUBLICATION AWARDS NSPA All-American, Pacemaker (Online) and Finalist (Print) CSPA Gold Medalist (Hybrid), Silver Crown Award (Hybrid), SNO Distinguished Site JEM All State Gold

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THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

Stop spreading behaviors like germs SAM HANSON Staff Writer

Germs spread quickly, hopping from person to person, and school is the perfect breeding ground for such contagions.

But, there is a different type of contagion spreading throughout school, and a vaccine for this is elusive because it involves human behaviors.

Behaviors can be even easier to catch than the common cold.

They become contagious when an action, belief, or emotion is transferred unconsciously from one individual to another. Contagious behaviors impact life at school, where subtle and complex emotions, including happiness and depression, are transferred. Mimicking others’ actions is a way of social bonding and empathy that is hardwired into our brains. Contagious behaviors usually have significant consequences, but often students remain unaware of how others’ emotions and actions influence personal behaviors.

Even though contagious behaviors are unconscious, students should be aware of the potential for positive or negative influence.

During Senior Speeches, many students find themselves standing up because the people in front of them did. The clapping hops from person to person like a virus, growing louder as more people join. In fact, research from the

Journal of the Royal Society Interface shows that the louder the clapping, the more inclined one is to join in. And, when one person ceases clapping, others follow, causing a cascade effect until the applause has run its course. The next time a Senior Speech ends, and it is time to applaud, students should think whether the audience is clapping or standing because of the great speech, or because of social pressure.

“If your friend jumped off a cliff, would you too?”

However, it would be senseless to find a moral dilemma in something so simple as clapping. It is much more important for students to understand that their behaviors are not a self-contained phenomenon, and that social contagion influences students’ behaviors, and their method of thinking. These behaviors may lead to harmful risk-taking, rudeness, and lowself esteem from social media.

Many students have been asked by parents in a sarcastic tone: “If your friend jumped off a cliff, would you too?” Of course not, but what if peer pressure set in? Friends make a person more susceptible to taking part in risky

ILLUSTRATION: Sam Hansen

CONTAGIOUS BEHAVIORS. Behavior can be contagious just like and other viirus and can influence the actions or decisions of others. behaviors than if they were alone.

Potential rewards for risky behavior seem more enticing when with friends, like they joy someone could feel if they sled down an icy hill at midnight. Although most people know how dangerous sledding at night could be, peer pressure could easily change their mind.

Students should understand how the darker sides of contagios behavior are influencing their decision with friends. In order to do this, someone needs to have a strong sense of self to not let

themselves be carried away. In order to develop a strong immune system for social contagion, students should reflect on their mistakes and the mistakes of others.

And, since many contagious behaviors spread through students’ social media, students should take advantage of this virus-effect by spreading kindness and positive emotion.

Contagious behaviors are an unavoidable part of being human, but some control over negative emotions can lead others to have a better and more positive day.

Contagious behaviors are an unavoidable part of being human, but some control over negative emotions can lead others to have a better and more positive day.

Contagious behaviors spread like the common cold, and there is currently no vaccination for it. When students are urged to act certain ways, no one is being forced to take action from that pressure. The decision is ultimately in the hands of the student, and they should be conscious about acting positively or negatively in those situations.

Students must protest for change LUCY SANDEEN Staff Writer

Millions of people have taken to the streets in protest of current events in an attempt to influence policy, inspire social change, and to take an active role in local and national government. A significant demographic of these protesters: students. These marches are an effective and practical way for students to become involved in local and national politics, and to take charge of their own future by inspiring social change.

Saint Paul Academy and Summit School’s motto is, “Shaping the minds and hearts of the people who will change the world.”

While perhaps cliché, students are acting on its premise even before graduation. As minors who are unable to vote, some SPA students have attended protests in a statement of political and social protest. The HerSpace affinity group gathered a group of students to attend the Saint Paul Women’s March, and many others went with friends and family.

Students have marched at protests

ILLUSTRATION: Lucy Sandeen

PROTESTS such as the Women’s Marches can inspire positive change for the future and allow people to express their own opinions. in support of Planned Parenthood, against the Dakota Access Pipeline, and other rallies across the Twin Cities. These protests are a powerful and effective way for minors to express dissent and work as activists, and the voices of our youth are essential in shaping the future of our country.

While surges of protests have erupted across the globe in light of of Donald Trump’s new presidency and his succession of executive orders, the protesting tradition is not a novel one. Protests have always been a powerful vehicle for social change, igniting revolutions and progress in hu-

man rights. According to Swarthmore College, the first ever recorded labor strike by graveyard workers in imperial Egypt in the 12th century B.C. fought against corruption within the administration and withheld rations. More recently, the Women’s Suffrage and the Civil Rights movements have brought about immense social change, ensuring women the right to vote and more equal policies in regards to race.

Protests are an essential characteristic of a functional democracy. The very system of democracy relies on citizen participation and dissent. Besides its crucial role in

government, protest is an active way for minors to take action and express their voice in their future.

It inspires a sense of unity and community throughout the country and asserts that we stand with each other in our fight for change.

Moreover, it creates a powerful image of solidarity and increases visibility for the most pressing subjects in today’s society.

So, get out there and protest.

Search the Protests, Marches, Demonstrations, and Rallies Facebook group posts for frequent updates on protesting opportunities. Become involved in activist groups such as the Wom-

en’s March, Black Lives Matter, or any other organizations that fight for your beliefs. Or take things into your own hands: gather your friends, family, and peers and visit Hollaback’s guidelines on how to organize your own protest.

Dissent is essential, no matter your beliefs, and there is no better way to raise awareness about the issues you deem important than to stand hand in hand with fellow supporters and march for your rights.

Read the other side of the story on RubicOnline.com.

A round T own THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

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Blast to the past with local arcades ELLIE NOWAKOWSKI The Rubicon Editor

Arcades are a lot of fun whether a player is looking for some competition, prizes, or just a break from a great meal. Arcades offer a variety of fun experiences. There are three great arcades within a 30 minute drive of St. Paul Academy and Summit School but one stands out above the rest.

PINZ offers fun arcade games, bowling, Laser tag and other fun activities for guests to enjoy. The arcade itself is very modern, with mostly digital video games.

Punch Bowl Social is a different kind of arcade, with only a few digital video games, and a lot more interactive games for guests to play. Punch Bowl Social is an arcade for more competitive gamers.

PINZ 1

Dulono’s arcade does not shine, but their pizza does. People should visit Dulono’s for a meal, and play a game as a way to enhance the experience. Each arcade offers a unique experience and lots of fun.

History of Arcades

The fun and excitement of arcades began in 1909 when the first game, Skee-ball, was invented by

J.D. Estes. The first machine, requiring a coin to play, was invented in 1931. These games were, at the time, viewed as gambling, as were pinball machines, when they were invented in 1933. Pinball machines were banned in New York City among other places because of this common belief.

In 1972, the first successful video game was released, Pong 1978-1982 was an important time

for arcades, with around 13,000 arcades present in America.

In 2012, Big Buck Hunter HD connected arcades all over the world by allowing players to play for prizes in cash, as well as being able to share scores.

Arcades and their games have come a long way since Skee-ball, and find new ways to captivate and excite players.

Punch Bowl Social 2

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1 MORE THAN JUST ARCADE GAMES. PINZ has a bowling alley, an arcade and a place to play laser tag. 2 FUTURISTIC ARCADE. Players load a Zcard with points and then use that card to play games.

3 TECHY GAMES. Most games at PINZ are digital as opposed to the other arcades.

Pinz is a very modern take on arcades. Guest pay to load a Zcard with whatever about of points they chose and use that card similarly to how one uses a credit card. Instead of a spot to insert a coin or token, each game at PINZ has a place to swipe your Zcard and each swipe will deduct a certain amount of points, depending on the game.

The games at PINK are slightly more expensive than the games at the other arcades, but there are so many fun and different games.

A frustrating aspect of the arcade is the multitude of fun games that are out of order. However, this is not enough to ruin the experience at PINZ.

PINZ offers more than just arcade games. They offer Laser Tag, a fun game to play with friends or family. There is a very unique challenge game at PINZ called “The Vault” that players can conquer as a team or individually. Players move through a maze of lasers touching checkpoints one by one until the vault filled with money is reached.

PINZ also has two bowling alleys and a restaurant.

The experience at PINZ is made even more enjoyable, at the end of your playing time when points can be cashed in for prizes at the counter.

Duolono’s Pizza

Dulono’s pizza gives visitors the old school feel of an arcade, while serving up pizza among other menu items. Though Dulono’s has a great vintage vibe,

1 FOOD AND GAMES. Punch Bowl Social is a restaurant with an arcade. 2 OLDER GAMES. Many of the games at Punch Bowl Social are non-digital interactive games. 3 RETRO GAMES. There are some electronic games but most don’t have screens. 4 OLD VIBE. Everything at the restaurant and arcade has a retro vibe. 5 LOTS AND LOTS OF ACTIVITIES. Punch Bowl Social has many alternatives to arcade games, including some that are free.

The food at Punch Bowl Social is nothing special, but the atmosphere is. A huge floor plan is scattered with games of all kinds and a competitive and fun mood fills the air.

Older arcade games like skeeball and pac man, bowling, ping pong, bag-o, pool, darts, and boc-

ce ball are in different nooks and crannies of this bright restaurant.

Where the restaurant lacks in digital video games, it makes up for with interactive games to play with friends and family.

The best games are the private dart area in the back and the huge tent with foosball in it. The game

to avoid are bocce ball, because it is too long and less exciting on the turf.

The restaurant’s one pitfall is that it closes for people under the age of 21 at 10 p.m. People interested should make sure to get there with enough time to enjoy the games before it closes.

THE RUBICON PHOTOS: Ellie Nowakowski

being that it first opened in 1957, it lacks a variety of video games.

The restaurant is better for a food experience than an arcade experience. People going to Dulono’s

should make an effort to try all of the different versions of pinball, but pass on the rest of the games.

With only eight arcade games, many being different varieties of

pinball, the game area will not keep those looking for a video game experience occupied.

Read more at:

I n -D e

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THE RUBICON •

THE JOURNEY OF THE IMMIGRANT BAN...

w

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Jenny Sogin

DELTA AND CHANGE. Protesters gather outside the Delta terminal of the Minneapolis-St. Paul international airport on Sunday, Jan. 29. “Banning foreigners [from coming] into the U.S. only leads to more ethnic conflict and controversy,” 9th grader Lori Li said.

The ban

in action Muhammad Ali Jr., the son of Muhammad Ali, was detained in the Florida airport A Kurdish family of five was sent back to Iraq from Cairo while en route to Nashville, TN. Fuad Sharef Suleman and Arazoon Ibrahim, respective father and mother of three, and their kids, were all traveling with valid visas.

A student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Niki Mosaffer Rahmati was not able to board her return flight to Boston from Tehran, Iran after visiting during Winter Break.

A resident of South Carolina who has lived in the United States for nearly 7 years was detained at Dubai International Airport on her way back from visiting family in Tehran.

A home in Wisconsin prepared by volunteers of a local church for a Syrian refugees never housed the family of 9 after they were denied travel abilities as a result of the ban.

Lindsay Lohan was asked to remove her headscarf at the London Heathrow Airport upon returning from Turkey.

Sources: USA Today and Time

FRIDAY, JAN. 27 Trump signs the executive order, with the goal of keeping “radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.”

MONDAY, JAN. 30 Trump fires Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who called the ban “unlawful.”

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General announces that it will review the implementation of the ban and how the DHS followed court orders.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3 Following lawsuits from Washington and Minnesota, Seattle federal judge James Robart issues a temporary restraining order halting the immigrant ban nationwide.

SUNDAY, FEB. 5 Ninth Circuit Court rejects the Justice Department’s request for an emergency stay on the restraining order.

Normal immigration laws stay in effect.

THE WHITE HOUSE

RESIST

NO MUSLIM BAN

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

SATURDAY, JAN. 28 Protests start nationwide.

TUESDAY, JAN. 31 New secretary of homeland security, John Kelly, defends immigration order.

PERMA RESIDE NENT NT CAR D

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says green card holders are exempt from the ban completely and don’t need a waiver.

SATURDAY, FEB. 4 The Department of Justice files an appeal to Judge Robart’s restraining order with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

TUESDAY, FEB. The Ninth Circui hears arguments Justice Departme lawyers and atto for the states of W ington and Minn regarding the ba

9

epth

• MARCH 2017

.

where it began and where it stands now NOOR QUREISHY Managing Editor

The journey of an immigrant in America—particularly one who’s a person of color—has not been an easy or uncomplicated one. President Trump’s recent decision to put forth an executive order banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries and cutting down the number of refugees entering the country has been highly contested across the nation, even as the ninth court ruled against reinstating the ban.

Although not many students from St. Paul Academy and Summit School have a direct connection to the seven countries mentioned in the ban, the stance the ban takes in regards to what the place of immigrants and Muslims in this country is has affected many students within the SPA community.

9th grader Lori Li doesn’t have a connection to the seven countries that were banned, but she reacted with confusion and shock when she first learned about Trump’s executive order.

“I was saddened and disappointed when I heard about it because it showed the executive branch’s opinions and views of Muslims,” she said. “Banning foreigners [from coming] into the U.S. only leads to more ethnic conflict and controversy.”

Fear and the sense that hatred is on the rise in America seems to be the common thread among students whose communities are more intimately affected by the ban.

Senior Sarah Murad has noticed an uptake in anxiety in her

DENY

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7 it s from ent orneys Washnesota an.

GRANT

0

family, who is afraid that they will be put in unsafe situations because of the message the Trump administration has sent with this ban regarding Muslims.

“It just made everybody more scared—[my family] just went out of the country and before we left my dad was talking to my mom. He was like ‘okay, you have to delete anything from your phone that might cause any kind of suspicion in case they stop you’ even though we were just going to London,” she said.

Murad describes how relieved she and her family were in another instance, when her dad was let back into the country on his way back from visiting Pakistan, the country her parents immigrated to America from. “[The ban] just increases the fear—we weren’t even going to any of those seven countries but it doesn’t matter [anymore],” she said. “Now, security at airports are so much harsher towards anybody who even looks like they could come from any of those seven countries, so it just makes everybody feel like they’re being watched even more than we already were.”

Junior Ben Konstan was also upset by the ban, but he believes that it might help in the long run by energizing Americans and forcing them to act.

“This seems a bit backwards, but I felt relieved. Obviously the immigrant ban is a horrible thing for a plethora of reasons, but in terms of the larger picture, we need enough to go wrong to motivate people to fight for what is right ... I believe in the end it will create a backlash that will move this country in the right direc-

THURSDAY, FEB. 9 The Ninth Circuit unanimously rules to deny the Justice Department’s request for an emergency stay to reinstate the ban.

TUESDAY, FEB. 28 Trump gives his first formal address to Congress. While the speech does not directly address the ban, Trump reaffirms his intention to construct a wall along the Mexican border.

tion,” he said.

Konstan believes that national security isn’t served by this ban, and that it’s a bad way to combat terrorism. Despite its ineffectiveness, he thinks the country should abide by the ban if it is legalized, until it can be challenged and defeated in court.

“Protecting citizens should go above just about everything else, yet this ban simply doesn’t do that,” he said. “The ACLU can lead the charge with everyone who’d like to join to challenge the legality of the ban, but if it holds up in courts, then it is our duty to follow it.”

“The people of America have to know—when the president isn’t aware ... what is good for this country and what is not.”

—9TH GRADER LORI LI

As Murad graduates and leaves SPA later this year, she worries about entering a college environment at the University of Minnesota that’s much larger and more diverse in their opinions— as opposed to SPA, which is largely comprised of people who oppose the immigrant ban, in her experience.

“I’m anxious to go into an environment where it’s so large—I don’t know anybody or what their views are so it just makes me

more worried…[it’s] not going to be quite so easy to feel safe in my environment,” she said.

Murad’s main concern about the way Trump’s ban has played out is how easy it was for him to pass it in the first place.

“What more worries me is that [Trump’s] totally ruining the whole checks and balances thing ... when he was first elected I was like ‘okay he probably won’t be able to do anything stupid because the rest of Congress and everybody will stop him’ but now I’m not even so sure,” she said.

Sophomore Eva Garcia, who belongs to a community that is primarily composed of immigrants from Mexico, also feels like the ban has made her environment much more emotionally and physically unsafe.

“My whole family is stressed and scared every time Trump comes on the news,” Garcia said.

“We either go straight to watch it and see what he did this time, or turn it off because we just want to have [one] day where we don’t have to deal with that because ... it’s so much fear, it’s really scary.”

The immigrant ban feels like a precursor to harsher immigration policies around deportation to some in Eva’s community, who are in an especially vulnerable position because of the way Trump spoke about Mexican immigrants during his campaign. Trump’s policies around deportation are already incredibly frightening to Garcia, and the immigrant ban just adds to that fear.

“A lot of my family are people who could get deported any second and it’s really scary because I feel like soon something is personally going to happen to

WEDNESDAY, MARCH. 1 Trump delays signing a reworked travel ban following positive reactions to his first address to Congress. Releasing the new ban would have undercut the favorable views garnered following his address. It is left unclear when the revised executive order will be released.

my family and I’m not going to be ready,” she said. “It [could] change my life and I have four more years where it’s going to be like that, where everything could change within a minute.”

For many students like Garcia, it feels like they’re just going through the motions, preparing for the worst and hoping nothing will happen to their families under the Trump administration.

Although it is really easy to feel alone at this time, Garcia believes that providing support for others will be the best way to move forward.

“You have to support people and I don’t think we’re doing that right now ... we’re not creating a place where [immigrants] feel safe,” Garcia said, “[Living in America] is better sometimes from where they were before but it’s not a safe place.”

Murad also sees community support as an integral part of fighting the ban, but she’s seen it play out in a positive way for her community.

“I’ve seen a lot of stories about people in different groups who are supporting Muslims so I guess that’s where the silver lining is,” she said.

However, Murad believes that resistance and even full-out opposition to the ban, should it become legal, is key for those who want to make a positive difference.

“What’s the point of having any values at all if somebody in power can just make some rule and we all have to follow it?” she said. “The people of America have to know—when the president isn’t aware ...what is good for this country and what is not.”

INFOGRAPHIC CREDIT: Mari Knudson Sources: whitehelmets.org wikipedia.org sos.wa.gov Donald trump twitter

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F eature THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

Looking beyond the surface layer

What it means to be Understanding intersectionality invites deeper awareness intersectional JASPER GREEN The Rubicon Editor

INTERSECTIONALITY:

A theory stating that different forms of oppression based on social identities such as race, age or sex, build upon each other and are interconnected.

When marginalization of identities piles up, it sheds light on the complex power of relationships between those who are marginalized and those who are not.

The theme of oppression has become so common in society that many people refer to it as human nature, but this is far from true. The artificial categorization of others, and ultimately, the dehumanization of others, should never be considered a natural phenomenon.

“I’ve had conversations with kids who have been referred to with, ‘Oh, that’s the black one,’ or, ‘That’s the Muslim girl,’ and what’s always true is that these students see themselves much differently than how others view them, and I think that happens a lot, especially in our community,” K-12 Dean of Diversity Karen Dye said.

Beyond categorizing “I don’t know the true extent of the assumptions that are made about me, because most of that happens behind your back. But, I do know that people assume that I’m Asian, and that there are the model minority stereotypes that come along with that,” sophomore Olivia McCauley said.

“Working at it and getting to know people better is the only way things will get better. ” — K-12 DEAN OF DIVERSITY KAREN DYE “I feel some stereotypes are true for me, but many others are not, and I don’t let stereotypes define me. I decide who I am and don’t let how others see myself bother me,” senior Lutalo Jones said.

Oppression has not always existed. According to solidarity-us. org, it started with the onset of a class divided society, as well as slavery, and only continues today because each generation has passed the practice of oppression down to the next.

“It’s hard for people to get to know one another because of what’s happened in our society and how it has passed down, with everything from slavery to what’s happening now with immigration. People are resistant to let others get to know them, so you have to breath through those walls, but working at it and getting to know people better is the only way things will get better,” Dye said.

Many students view the community at St. Paul Academy and

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Jasper Green

SEEING PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE UNDERNEATH. “The tip of an iceberg can be seen easily, just like someone’s outside identities, but people are so much more than what can be seen on the surface.

What’s underneath the surface is so much larger,” K-12 Dean of Diversity Karen Dye said.

Summit school and consider it a bubble compared to the rest of the world as shown by many comments made on the opinion board following Bryn Roberts’ speech, and they see the bubble as only a bad thing. But what some see as a community that does not prepare students for the outside world, others see as a community that is much like a safe haven from bullying and discrimination.

“I don’t want to generalize how people feel, because I have had students who have felt oppressed, and feel they were shut down during class. But, I think in general, people of all different backgrounds feel safe in this community,” Dye said.

“I don’t see my identity as very complicated, others might, but, I feel I am treated very well in this community and I would like to continue being a part of this community that accepts so many different identities,” Jones said.

Embracing overlap However, what SPA does to prevent people from being targeted for their identities does not eradicate oppression from students’ lives, as when students are off campus and they are met with discrimination, and it sticks with them even when they come back on campus.

“A lot of the time when people are outside of school and outside of this community, they are constantly dealing with oppression and profiling. Even if they feel safe when they come to school, they still have the feeling of being oppressed inside of them,” Dye said.

“People at SPA are better at keeping assumptions to themselves, but outside of SPA they’ll actually show it. At the voting ballot in November, some guy

kept repeatedly calling my mom a terrorist, and saying he was going to vote for Trump,” sophomore Imran Umer said.

When students are targeted for something that they cannot control, or are joked about, it becomes a struggle that they have to add to their everyday.

Accepting identities “It’s hard, because a lot of the time, when people are being made fun of at school, it’s because of something that they can’t control. I’ve gotten told that my name is strange, and I’ve just had to get used to people telling me that, and the vulnerable feeling that comes along with being joked about or targeted. But, for the people who get targeted for much larger issues, and when and people are joking about them for that, I can’t even imagine what they feel,” senior Neeti Kulkarni said.

Furthermore, when identities which are discriminated against overlap, these systemic oppressions can pile up together into something that can be much more potent.

“When you have people who identify with multiple groups which are marginalized against, I think there is a double, triple, quadruple whammy effect for discrimination,” Dye said.

This piling up of marginalized identities is referred to as intersectionality, and it sheds light on the complex power relationships between those who are marginalized in society and those who are not.

“I identify as half Filipino, female, and bisexual. With being biracial, people read me depending on which parent I’m with, or by the group of people that I’m with. When I’m with my mom, people assume that I’m Filipino,

because I do look like my mom.

But, when I’m with my dad, people either assume that I’m white, or they think that I’m married to my dad because we have different races, and that’s pretty uncomfortable,” McCauley said.

“Sometimes how you’re born forces you to act differently in order to stop people from assuming things about you because of what your race, or gender, or any other identity,” Umer said.

One can only hope to understand others if they stop making generalizations based on how people identify, because everyone is different.

Strong community “Getting to know someone is the only way that you are going to understand them. If we just base the way we interact with people and what we assume about them from what we see on the outside, it’s clearly not going to work…

The tip of an iceberg can be seen easily, just like someone’s outside identities, but people are so much more than what can be seen on the surface. What’s underneath the surface, and who the individual is, is so much larger,” Dye said.

“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re mixed race to just identify with one of your cultures in order to validate that part of your identity, and that’s been a struggle for me to deal with because I am a mix of multiple cultures, and I should not have to conform to one,” McCauley said.

Every person deserves to be seen as a whole, and their identities should not be seen as traits that have certain meanings. Each individual’s identities are inextricably linked, with their complexities woven into one unique self.

F eature THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

CLUBS POUR IDENTITY AND AWARENESS INTO STICKERS

11

THEY’RE PLASTERED TO WATER BOTTLES, SLAPPED ON LAPTOPS, AND STUCK TO LOCKERS. DESPITE BEING SMALLER AND NOT ALWAYS GLARINGLY VISIBLE, STICKERS CAN BE A BIG PART OF WHO SOMEONE IS. STICKERS ARE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, WHETHER IT’S SPREADING A MESSAGE THEY BELIEVE IN, OR SHOWING OTHERS WHAT THEY’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

A GROWING TREND HAS STUDENT GROUPS DESIGNING STICKERS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND GET STUDENTS WHO AREN’T A PART OF THE CLUB INVOLVED. STEPHANIE LI

The Rubicon Editor

MSA wraps up student support One of the newer student groups, the Muslim Student Alliance has already successfully coordinated a school-wide event two years in a row: Hijab Day. This year, MSA offered alternative ways for students and faculty to show support. One of the highlights being stickers reading “Wrap Your Head Around It.” Based on feedback MSA received after their first year planning Hijab Day, they came up with the idea of stickers for non-female identifying students.

Along with the help of librarian Kate Brooks, junior Iya Abdulkarim was able to create pages of colorful stickers without having to order expensive, not-as-authentic stickers online.

“It was a very collaborative effort and it worked out so beautifully and definitely wanna continue it next year,” Abdulkarim said.

Abdulkarim was inspired by her sticker collection and enthusiasm for puns to create a memorable slogan that everyone.

“We were looking for a slogan or a catchy saying that would be broad enough to be applicable to other members of the community,” she said.

The stickers were well-received and quickly ran out. Many students excitedly grabbed one or multiple and put it on their laptops or stuck it on their shirts. While

many student groups sell stickers to raise money to donate to an organization or cause, MSA just wanted to provide everyone another way to show support for women who decide to wear a scarf.

“Given that [the stickers were] a part of an event, it was really nice to be able to say ‘Yeah they are freebies, they’re for the community, for people to take,’” she said.

Even though the hallway was crowded on Hijab Day with students and faculty helping each other put on headscarves, most people noticed the pretty bowl of stickers sitting on the table overflowing with pins and mirrors.

“Stickers are a common way for people to connect and feel and vibe even if they don’t completely 100% agree. I’ve picked up stickers from organizations just because they look cool. It’s just a nice token and memory that lasts more than [an event]... [Stickers are] a nice memory and hopefully over the years, people can gather them and look back and reflect and acknowledge the difference MSA has made it on the community,” Abdulkarim said.

STICKER DESIGN: Marlee Baron

STICKER DESIGN: Iya Abdulkarim

STICKING TO FREE SUPPORT. “[Stickers are] a nice memory and hopefully over the years, people can gather them and look back and reflect and acknowledge the difference MSA has made it on the community,” junior Iya Abdulkarim said.

SSJ promotes feminism Seniors Barbara Bathke and Kathryn Schmechel, co-presidents of Students for Social Justice, sold stickers and donated the proceeds to the Minnesota Women’s Foundation.

“It has been the focus of our group all year.”

— SENIOR BARBARA BATHKE “We came up with the idea over the summer and it has been the focus of our group all year,” Bathke said.

Originally, they planned on making the stickers last fall, but the project ended up happening around the time of the election and the Women’s March, which made the stickers even more relevant.

“We thought the message “FEMINIST Find Out What It Means To Me” would be really awesome to continue to spread the message about intersectional feminism,” Schmechel said.

The stickers were popular and a great way for SSJ to promote and inspire conversation about the overlap between identities and experiences with oppression and discrimination. “[The stickers] were fun to make and we got positive responses and so we [will] definitely consider making them again,” Bathke said.

SSJ is currently collaborating with Students Against Destructive Decisions to address issues of rape culture and environmental destruction with the Dakota Access Pipeline. This could present many opportunities for making stickers that could raise awareness about the severity of these current events.

STICKER DESIGN: Clare Tipler

INSPIRING CONVERSATION. Students for Social Justice created stickers to spread their message “We thought the message “FEMINIST Find Out What It Means To Me” would be really awesome to continue to spread the message about intersectional feminism,” senior Kathryn Schmechel said.

RAISING AWARENESS. The stickers will be sold during third quarter.

“We’re hoping that people take [the stickers] into deeper consideration and really think about what it means and influences their interest in community work,” junior Ashley Jallen said.

CAS sticks to their community goals Community Action and Service took another step in raising awareness and publicizing the student group this year by making stickers.

Junior Ashley Jallen, one of the four president helped plan the agenda for the club. The group has focused on a theme for each quarter, with this quarter centralized on community inside and outside of SPA. This quarter, they reached out and talked with staff members that students don’t see or hear about that often.

“We interviewed some of the staff members that do play a large role in the community but don’t get that much attention for it because they’re not really out in the public communicating with students a lot. We wanted people to get to know them and know the role that they’re doing so that they can still be appreciated,” Jallen said.

The group decided that stickers were a great way to represent everything they had accomplished and would encapsulate their goals and values.

“This year, we really wanted to get the word out that we’re doing more and trying to be more involved and so one of the ways we want to do that was by making stickers so that people could see we’re putting in an effort this year and really trying to make a difference,” Jallen said.

Junior Marlee Baron designed the sticker and said it’s a great way to publicize the club and provide cool gear for club members and people who aren’t part of the group but still want to show support. The group is planning on selling the stickers during the third quarter.

“We’re hoping that people take [the stickers] into deeper consideration and really think about what it means and influences their interest in community work,” Jallen said.

CAS hopes that the stickers will aid in the transformation of the club and show everyone that they plan to bring about change that will positively impact the community.

HerSpace plans sticker competition Next Wednesday, Mar. 8, HerSpace is organizing an optional sticker making competition in the cafeteria. HerSpace will sell a winning sticker from each grade level at a bake sale in April.

Read more at

12

S ports THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

The Road to State

2 teams and 7 individuals competed at the state level State Competitors Fencing:

TEAM PHOTO REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION: Lifetouch

SABER FOR THE WIN. Both the boys and girls saber teams won the State Team Championship for their event.

The Spartan Fencing team competed in the State Championship on Feb. 25 and 26. The boys team got 4th overall, and 2nd in team foil and saber. The girls team got 2nd in team

Boys Swim and Dive:

THE RUBICON PHOTOS: Stephanie Li

SKATE FAST. St. Paul United made it to the state tournament this year, and after dominating Mahtometi in the quarter finals and Warroad in the semi-finals, SPU lost to Blake in the finals. “I think that being in the [Xcel Energy Center], seeing my friends in the stands, and the Wild locker room is something that cannot ever be forgotten,” senior Lauren Boettcher said.

ANDREW JOHNSON The Rubicon Editor

PHOTO REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION: David Matenaer

SWIMMING FAST. Junior Ned Laird-Raylor streaks acrosss the pool. Laird-Raylor competed in the 100 backstroke at state.

9th grader Noah Rice and junior Ned Laird-Raylor competed in the state tournament on Mar. 3 and 4 at the U of M Aquatic center. Rice competed in the 100 freestyle and Laird-Raylor competed in the 100 backstroke.

Alpine:

Submitted by: Dawn Donovan

CARVE AND GLIDE. Sophomore Bailey Donovan carves through the snow as she glides through a turn on the ski course at the Alpine state meet on Feb. 15.

Sophomore Bailey Donovan, seniors Katie Brunell and John Soranno competed at the Alpine state championship on Feb. 15 at Giants Ridge.

Nordic:

SUBMITTED PHOTO: David Moore

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW. Nordic Ski team sent Junior Val Hart and Sophomore Peter Moore to the state meet.

Sophomore Peter Moore and junior Val Hart competed at the Nordic state championship on Feb. 15 at Giants Ridge.

Moore placed 24th overall and Hart placed 44th overall.

After a disappointing second place finish in last year’s 201516 MSHSL Girls A State hockey tournament, St. Paul United fell short again this year, falling to the number 1 seed and defending state champions, the Blake Bears.

Although they lost in the finals, the girls dominated the rest of the tournament, defeating number 7 seed Mankato East and number 3 seed Warroad by a combined score of 14-2.

However, winning is not everything. The friendships forged through the highs and lows of St. Paul United’s wildly successful season are what truly matters.

Although the pain of falling one game short of greatness is still fresh, sophomore Kenzie Giese had a great time with the rest of her teammates at the tournament.

“This year, since it wasn’t my first year on the team, I had a way closer relationships with the girls.

It was super exciting because we were able to go back [to state] because that was a fun experience before. I was happy to go for it again,” Giese said.

The state tournament experience is one that most who participate will never forget.

“I just really love the hockey.

I think that being in the X [Xcel Energy Center], seeing my friends in the stands, and the Wild locker room is something that cannot ever be forgotten. It’s going to be something I remember for the rest of my life. I am reaching the pinnacle of my career, and I think that is the best,” Boettcher said.

The same could be said for Giese.

“The most fun part is skating on the ice and seeing the fans

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Stephanie Li

BIG WIN. St. Paul United finished in seccond place at the state tournament, making this an unforgettable experience. “I just really love the hockey. I think that being in the X, seeing my friends in the stands, and the Wild locker room is something that cannot ever be forgotten. It’s going to be something I remember for the rest of my life. I am reaching the pinnacle of my career, and I think that is the best,” Boettcher said.

RUBICONLINE PHOTO: Amodhya Samarakoon

FAN SUPPORT. Seniors Shelby Tietel and Kathryn Schmechel cheer on the girls hockey team. Without the fans from St. Paul Academy and Visitation School, United’s stay at the Xcel Energy Center may have ended much earlier than it did. “The most fun part I think is skating on the ice and seeing the fans cheering, it makes you really excited,” 9th grader Kenzie Giese said. cheering, it makes you really excited,” Giese said. Being able to go down by the locker room and see all the [Minnesota] Wild stuff and being at the X is a really big thing.”

SPU has plenty to be proud of, and no doubt will be back to the X for a title in the coming seasons.

S ports THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

Concussions in basketball Sports Update: are more prevalent than Boys Varsity Basketball

students realize

Record: 10-15-0

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Zach White

3 questions for rock climber Zach White

Girls Varsity Basketball

Record: 14-11-0

Boys Varsity Hockey Record: 24-3-0

JACK BENSON

The Rubicon Editor

Boys Hockey advanced to section 4 finals after defeating Totino-Grace 5-3 on March 1.

Junior Zach White used to rock climb just for fun, but one day he received a letter from Vertical Endeavors inviting him to come try out for one of their climbing teams. Now, White climbs very competitively on the elite team at Midwest Climbing Academy, an institution dedicated to improving and supporting serious rock climbers.

Intro to Sports series by RubicOnline The Intro to Sports series follows a first-person experience of a typical sports practice where athletes share what it is like to play on a sport as well as be on the team.

Alpine Skiing

INFOGRAPHIC: Jenny Sogin

COMMON CONCUSSIONS. Concussions in basketball are much more common than one might realize, but unlike other contact sports with high concussion rates, basketball players wear no head protection.

Information from NCAA, the pediatric journal: “Basketball Related Injuries in School-Aged Children and Adolescents from 1997-2007,” and the pediatric journal: “Emergency Department Visits for Concussion in Young Child Athletes.”

EMILY THISSEN RubicOnline Editor

VIdeo credit: Web Lehmann

Girls Varsity Basketball

VIdeo credit: Mimi Geller

Watch our brand-new “Intro to Sports” on the fencing team.

13

Hockey players are equipped with padding. Skiers wear protective helmets. And, while students can still get concussions while wearing all of their gear, there are clear steps taken to prevent the common head injury. But what about in sports like basketball?

The players have no kind of head protection (or any other protections for that matter) against the possibility of a concussion, an injury that could potentially have lasting effects. It may seem like basketball players are less susceptible to concussions, but that is not the case.

All contact sports pose the threat of a concussion, and basketball is not an exception. Studies show that basketball related head injuries have risen by 70% within a 10 year period (19972007). This can be partially attributed to more awareness about concussions, leading people to get checked out sooner.

For freshman Audrey Egly and junior Izzy Denny, both members of the girls basketball team, getting hit in the head with a ball was partially to blame for their concussions.

“I have just had the one I got about two weeks ago from bas-

ketball and at first I just got hit in the face with a ball but then about 10 minutes later I got elbowed in the back of my head,” Denny said.

Egly had a similar situation for her first concussion.

“My first one was during practice and we were playing 4 on 4 and my coach was passing to a girl behind me and I faked a cut and I came back up and the ball hit me straight in the face,” Egly said.

“It was really bad but I thought I was fine and could keep playing and everyone made me sit down and I got ice for my head and took the test and it was a pretty bad concussion.”

For students who are suspected to have a concussion, on site tests are usually given, as well as the take the Impact concussion test. All St. Paul Academy and Summit School athletes who play contact sports are required to have a baseline test on record.

Typically, for minor concussion, the protocol is that students may not return to physical activity until concussion symptoms are no longer present.

“I had to talk to the trainer, Rachel, the next day and she took me through a test like memory and balance and all that,” Denny said.

Even for SPA basketball players who have suffered concussions, there is a belief that basketball concussions tend to be less common. According to Family Practice Notebook basketball is ranked in the same contact level (collision or contact sports) as football, soccer, and hockey.

While the amount of contact varies within the category, the level of contact is there in all of the sports in the category.

“In basketball you’re not actively going to hit someone unless you get hit in the head with a ball but you normally shouldn’t get a concussion,” freshman Ethan Richman said. Richman has gotten one concussion from basketball.

Denny feels similarly about concussions from basketball.

“I haven’t seen as many concussions in basketball as I have heard about for soccer or other sports like that,” she said.

It is important to realize that despite the amount of concussions in sport like basketball, it is crucial to be careful and protect oneself by playing by the rules and avoiding dirty play. And if there is ever a possibility that a student has a concussion, it is important that they talk to a qualified professional to assess the severity.

1

What is one of the hardest parts about competitive rock climbing?

I like to do bouldering more than I do sport climbing. Sport climbing is climbing with ropes and longer routes, whereas bouldering is 5-10 moves on a smaller area. The hardest [part of] climbing for me, is climbing smart. A lot of the time I just try to use brute strength and pure muscle to get through things.

2

What was the worst experience you’ve ever had rock climbing?

There was this one time at Vertical Endeavors where I was climbing near the top. They have this big pit, and I was lead climbing.

I hadn’t attached the last two quickdraws, so if I [had] fallen, I would have swung out into a railing, and probably broken both of my legs.

3

What are your goals for the future?

I am hoping to make it to nationals, I have been super close before. At divisionals, it’s a two day event, and both times I’ve placed at divisionals, I have placed 11th.

You need to be in the top ten to move past the second day. I’m kind of bummed about that, but next year if I train hard enough, I should be able to make it to nationals.

14

A rts & E ntertainment THE RUBICON • march 2017

Virtual

Reality

Vinholi provides senior citizens with an “Eye Opening Experience” using virtual reality Mari Knudson Graphics Manager

Virtual reality technology has given new possibilities to the entertainment world, allowing video game players and movie watchers to further immerse themselves into a fantasy realm. According to senior Enzo Vinholi, however, there’s more to VR technology than simply enhanced entertainment.

“I heard about the concept [of virtual reality] two years ago, and it was really fascinating to me, but I wasn’t sold on it until midway through 2016 when I tried the technology for myself,” Vinholi said. “I realized there’s a lot of potential here for more than just gaming and movies.”

This realization eventually led Vinholi to found a nonprofit called “The Rift: An Eye Opening Experience,” with the goal of providing therapy to senior citizens through virtual reality. The company’s premise was based in part on an experience Vinholi had with his own grandmother a few years ago.

“I was having a conversation with my grandma over the phone.

My family’s from Brazil and she used to live with us, but she had a stroke and had to go back after two years. She lost her sight and a lot of her memory, and she was describing to us our house

and how much she loved it and I thought, ‘What if I could show her right now? What if I could remind her of it?’” Vinholi said.

After this experience, studies published on the benefits of VR technology on patients with post traumatic stress disorder helped Vinholi realize that the technology could be used to help people just like his grandmother.

Vinholi immediately began working on making his ideas a reality, even though he had to wait until he turned 18 to officially found the company and become its CEO. Vinholi is mostly involved with the conceptual side of the VR simulations, hiring out the actual design and creation work to professionals.

“I met with some designers and we did some research and we created and adopted a lot of these virtual reality simulations that are calm, like out in a park, very minimal movement,” Vinholi said.

“It’s not so much actions as it is guiding them [users] through an experience, to avoid nausea and things like that.”

Most of the simulations Vinholi and his designers have created have tended to focus on outdoor settings, partly because many of the target users don’t have regular access to the outdoors.

“I like outdoor places a lot, because it gives a feeling of being somewhere where you are free,” Vinholi said. “We don’t want us-

ers to feel constricted, we want people to feel free and out and about and tranquil.”

Vinholi’s company primarily uses Oculus Rift technology to create these simulations, which, although fairly pricy, provides the quality of experience that they desire.

“I feel such a sense of tranquility and euphoria that I forget the world around me for as long as I’m in there.”

— Senior Enzo Vinholi “The amount of detail that our designers have put into the technology is amazing; every piece of grass is moving with the wind, it’s a really eye opening experience,” Vinholi said.

Vinholi, a self proclaimed “avid gamer,” uses VR technology himself almost on a daily basis, describing its uses as being “like a dream.”

“You’re put somewhere that doesn’t look completely real, but it’s real enough that your brain gets tricked and immersed into it,” Vinholi said. “I feel such a

sense of tranquility and euphoria that I forget the world around me for as long as I’m in there.”

Vinholi plans that the company will launch in 10 elder care facilities across Minnesota and Wisconsin sometime in early May. While most of the funding has come out of Vinholi’s own pocket, the company has plans to start fundraising through the online crowdfunding site Kickstarter sometime mid March.

Vinholi, who will pursue a business and marketing major at the University of St. Thomas next fall, hopes to turn his entrepreneurial pursuits into a career. He has already started four unofficial companies and one official, profitable one. He is also a member of the band Good Luck Finding Iris.

Still, his experience founding The Rift has been distinct from all of his previous entrepreneurial experience.

“The difference between running a business where you see people being happy because you’re giving them a product which they enjoy, versus what I’m doing right now [running a nonprofit] is that I get to share those experiences with people and I feel their joy because I know I’ve helped them with something that, even for just 10 minutes, can be pretty life changing,” Vinholi said.

Virtual Reality Head Sets Google Cardboard

Fair use image from Google store website

For a basic, entry level VR headset at an affordable price, look no further than Google Cardboard. Cardboard is compatible with most Android or iOS phones with screen sizes from 4 to 6 inches. It costs $15 and is available through the Google Play website.

Teppoinn 3D VR Glasses

Fair use image from Amazon website

Those phones that don’t fit the Google headset should check out the Tepoinn set, which fits iOS and Android mobile phones (3.5” - 5.5”), a well as the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Note 3, LG G3, and the Sony Xperia Z3. It’s composed of plastic, has a 360° view, and an adjustable lense for a clearer view. It’s available for $19.99 on Amazon.

Short film “Pearl” breaks virtual reality barriers with Academy Award nomination Kathryn Campbell Director of Publications

Google’s Virtual Reality short film “Pearl” is a gem of an experience. It’s difficult not to love this family of two in an original coming of age tale.

Directed by Pat Osbourne, known for Academy Award winning films including the 2015 Best Animated Feature Big Hero 6 and 2013 winning short, “Paperman,” it comes as no surprise that “Pearl” was a nominee for the Academy Award for short films this year. Yet, because it is VR, something often seen as

a video game pop culture device and not fine art, the film breaks new ground, taking immersive film to depths beyond 3D while making the most of what virtual reality technology can provide.

Regardless, the hatchback takes this small but strong family through every experience, from childhood carpools to teenage rebellion to the friendship that grows between and parent and child when children become adults. In the final minute of “Pearl” viewers may need to hold back tears as Sarah, repairs their old beater car, picks up her aging father from his trailer home, and

chauffeurs him to a concert where she’ll perform the song he sung to her as a child.

“Pearl” shows viewers how conforming to the pervasive social message of middle class nuclear family isn’t what makes a good home: it’s love and connection, regardless of bank account balance or family structure.

With a running time of only 5 ½ minutes, “Pearl” is a film to watch again and again, because with every turn of the screen (or turn of the head, in a VR headset) new details emerge in the animated world.

Fair use image from Google 360 website

VIRTUAL PERFECTION. Pearl is the story of a father and daughter who go from homeless to famous in just five minutes.

A rts & E ntertainment

THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017

15

Costalonga bonds with family over holiday dance parties MARLEE BARON The Rubicon Editor

For 9th grader Allessandra Costalonga, music is a way to connect with people, specifically her family. “I love music, music is a huge thing in my family.

I have not gone on one road trip where I have not listened to my parents music,” Costalonga said.

“My parents have a bunch of CDs that we listen to on every road trip. They never let us play any of our music, we only get to listen to old italian music.” she said.

Costalonga’s family enjoys listening to music and having late night dance parties. “My dad bought a karaoke microphone a little while ago and we spent so

much time singing old songs into it, it was super fun,” Costalonga said. “[My parents] have definitely made my [music] taste a little older. Grease is a go to for my family and we love watching Italian classics,” Costalonga said. “Any holiday with my family will have a karaoke session.”

Her playlist is made up of many different types of songs and is always growing and changing as she learns of songs from her friends and family. “[The playlist is made up of] songs that my friends have shown me, ones I found that I like or some family favorites like “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin.

Al le ss an dra’s Pl ay list

s Mato - Al l Nig ht-Th e Va mp Je nsen tin ar - So lo Da nc e-M a Lipa Du ul, Pa n ea -S - No Lie st - Fade-K anye We -Jo ur ney - Do n’t Stop Be liev in’ ew tth Ma - Wa ste d-T iesto lly Ke .

-R ix) em (R n - Ign itio ls ae ich - Iss ue s-J ulia M P Ferg.

- Wo rk (Rem ix)-A$A Sre mm urd ae - Co me Get He r-R

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Marlee Baron

CARPOOL KARAOKE. Costalonga spends holidays with her family having dance parties and karaoke sessions to their favorite music. “I love music, music is a huge thing in my family,” Costalonga said.

Liberman displays a decade work in art show “Decades” CLAIRE HALLAWAY The Rubicon Editor

In Drake gallery, professional artist and Lower School Visual Art Teacher Joy Liberman presents ten years of her hard work and growth as an artist. The display is named “decade”, featuring many exclusively selected pieces of her work spanning from the last ten years.

“Since it’s the path of ten years of work, there isn’t really one specific theme, there are threads between each of the themes. [It] spans from landscapes to still life and sometimes the boundaries are blurred,” Liberman said. “It’s my journey along my creative path, how I’ve been working and growing and changing over ten years.”

The gallery itself complements her work; each piece is placed with purpose and meaning, and light is a very intentional aspect all around. Liberman recognizes the amount of light specifically in the Drake gallery as a unique feature that is different from other galleries.

“Every space [that I’ve had my work in] is different. This is a really nice space because there is a lot of natural light.I’ve previously been in galleries that have no windows and I like that you can move the walls around,” Lieberman said. “I created a three dimensional model of the gallery and played with the placements of things before I even brought the work here.”

Liberman’s work is mainly centered around an oil paintings, but she also uses various materi-

Split amuses crime and horror fans alike

als in her work such as sculpting material and commonly found objects. She includes digital photography in her process by taking many photos from different angles and various light conditions for the scene she wants to eventually paint. From the photographs, she then chooses one image that she thinks best reflects what she sees and paints that image. It also allows her to see the image in different ways as she takes the photo and helps her keep the lighting conditions constant as she works on an individual piece.

“It’s my journey along my creative path, how I’ve been working and growing and changing over ten years.”

— LOWER SCHOOL VISUAL ARTIST TEACHER JOY LIBERMAN “[Light] is something I’m constantly bringing up… always teaching my students ‘Where’s the light?’, ‘Where’s the contrast?’ Contrast is what draws our eyes. I like contrast and it ties together usually with what I’m doing with my students is what I’m trying to do with myself,” Liberman said.

As an artist, Lieberman describes herself as one who has

THE RUBICON PHOTOS: Claire Hallaway

BIRDIE BOX. One of Lieberman’s favorite works she has created for the gallery show. “My favorite piece in the gallery is usually the one I’ve most recently created. Right now that would be the one with the blue jays. It’s called “Inside Out” because you can open it up to see what’s inside, so the outside is actually inside,” Liberman said. very spread ideas with many different themes, unlike some artists who focus in on one idea for a long time. She creates each of her pieces through a layered process, it is done in different stages with different techniques for each one.

“It’s not just done in one sitting. So, I might one day just put down a lot of colors, and then the next day loosely paint the layer

that seem to be underneath and then the third day I really focus in on one area,” Liberman said.

“My favorite piece in the gallery is usually the one I’ve most recently created. Right now that would be the one with the blue jays. It’s called “Inside Out” because you can open it up to see what’s inside, so the outside is actually inside.”

Her previous show at Drake Gallery was five years ago, called “An Apple A Day” for her work of painting an an apple for 364 days of the year and including one pear. In the “Decade” gallery, there is one painting from her previous gallery and and two leftover apples in the display case to represent her previous show.

CLARE TIPLER

sociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder. He claims he has 23 personalities living inside of him, each taking turns stepping into the light. Depending on which personality is in the spotlight, his clothing changes, his voice changes, ‘his’ name changes (he has male and female personalities), and his actual biology can change. One personality needs insulin shots for their diabetes while

none of the others do. Many in the medical community don’t believe in this disorder, but one psychologist in the film is attempting to push this into acceptance through the example of this man. In reality, 25,000-250,000 people in the US have this disorder. So it could be that someone right next door suffers from multiple personality disorder.

Read the entire review at

RubicOnline Editor

Fair Use Image from Split Movie Instagram

Split was scary, but more like a true crime story than a traditional horror movie.

Take ghosts, goblins, and ghouls out of horror movies and what’s made? Not much. The center of most horror movies is supernatural and non-human in nature. This creates a fear of the monster under the bed. What’s even scarier though, is the monster living next door.

Split is about a man with dis-

16

P hoto S tory THE RUBICON • MARCH 2017 WELCOME TO NEW YORK. Students landed in y New York Cit .

5 1 . b on Fe After settling down at the nts hotel, stude explored the city.

LINCOLN CENTER. On the third day, stude nts went on official to urs of iconic NYC build ings.

Students were able to go inside the Metropolitan Oper a as well as one of th e newer performing halls. Students als o got a partial tour of Th e Juilliard School an d its beautiful campus.

EEPS. AT NEVER SL THE CITY TH f t a glimpse o Students go ed a as they w lk Times Square g in e State Build to the Empir st o night. Alm on their first that students everywhere ithin walking visited was w e hotel. distance of th

ONCE IN A LIFETIME. Students from Summit Singers and Academy Chorale sang at Carnegie Hall. They performed “Frostiana” as well as selections from Beethoven and Handel with the community chorale and a choir from another school.

On the first MUSEUM OF ART. THE METROPOLITAN s museum plored the enormou full day, students ex anent U.S.) and its perm (the largest in the es. two million art piec collection of over

Carnegie p

hotos reprin

THE ROOM. One of the most anticipated events was seeing Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theater on Broadway. The popular Tony Award winning musical is the first of its kind, with its unique use of hip hop and rap music blended into the show. All students had tickets to the show.

ted with per

mission: John

Severson

RADIO CITY. A small group of students got to visit and tour Radio City Music Hall on the final day of the trip.

The group walked on stage and looked down from the balcony. They met an actual Rockette and asked her questions. On the tour, students learned about the theater’s history as well as the mechanics of it.

Students sing at Carnegie in city that never sleeps JONAH HARRISON The Rubicon Editor

Big Apple. The Center of the Universe. The City so Nice they Named it Twice.

Every four years, the SPA choirs are invited to sing at Carnegie Hall - one of the most famous concert halls in the United States.

For Upper School students Feb. 15-19 was their chance.

The choir began rehearsals for the big trip in September and worked through January, polishing the pieces they would perform with the Community Chorale and another choir from a U.S. city.

Finally, it was time to bring

140 singers to New York City.

While in New York, students were able to choose activities between rehearsal times that let them explore the beautiful city.

Activities ranged from shopping in Times Square to touring Radio

City Music Hall. One of the highlights of the trip was seeing LinManuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway.

Each day in the City of Lights filled with art and adventure.