October 2015 issue

October 30, 2015

THE RUBICON

the student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave — St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 43. Issue 2. www.RubicOnline.com • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • Pinterest • YouTube • @TheRubiconSPA

FEATURE P.11

Henna hold s a sacred spot in hear ts and on hands

OPINIONS P .5 Change a p

athy appreciat into ion for Earth’s u nder valu ed amphibia ns

RUBICONLINE.COM

Standardized testing creates stress around th e college process

THE

FEAR ISSUE

ISSUE INDEX 1 - Cover 2-3 - News

4-5 - Opinions 6-7 - Health 8-9 - Cover Story 10-11 - Feature

12-13 - Arts & Entertainment 14-15 - Sports 16 - InDepth

COVER DESIGN Meghan Joyce

ABOUT THE COVER

October 30, 2015

THE RUBICON

the student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave — St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 43. Issue 2. www.RubicOnline.com • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • Pinterest • YouTube • @TheRubiconSPA

FEATURE P.11

Henna holds a sacred spot in hearts and on hands

OPINIONS

Change apath P.5 y appreciatio into n for Earth’s unde rvalued amphibian s

RUBICONLINE.COM

Standardized testing creates stress around the college process

THE

FEAR

ISSUE INDEX

ISSUE

1 - Cover 2-3 - News 4-5 - Opinions 6-7 - Health 8-9 - Cover Story 10-11 - Feature

With fears ranging from standardized testing to frogs, students share what they’re most afraid of in the October issue of The Rubicon.

12-13 - Arts & Entertainment 14-15 - Sports 16 - InDepth

2

Safe Space Task Force meets, sets year’s goals

News

ETHAN LESS Staff Writer

The sophomore and junior benches are gone. The senior lounge door has been removed.

But the greater conversation of how St .Paul Academy and Summit School can become a safer and more welcoming space for everyone is happening right now.

On Oct. 19 during Tutorial in room 223, fifteen students, some selected from elected school

groups and others who applied and were selected by a group of teachers continued this ongoing conversation in the first meeting of “The Safe Space Task Force.”

Upper School Dean of Students Max Delgado, and US School History Teacher Nan Dreher, will help advise the group in future meetings that will be held every two weeks.

Read the rest of the story @RubicOnline.

THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

Presentation aims to silence gender slurs STEPHANIE FRISCH Staff Writer

As orientation continued through the first few weeks of school, the freshman class heard presentation on Oct. 5 from the Gender and Sexuality Acceptance club. This presentation was given to the current sophomore class last spring by students Lauren Datta, JJ Gisselquist, Tess Hick, and Hunter von Tersch Pohrer.

This year GSA President Isabelle Bukovsan also presented. The goals were to educate and bring awarenes by explaining the history and meaning of derogatory terms through personal stories.

Loaded language targets identity, most commonly race, ethnicity, or gender and sexual orientation. It is associated with negative emotions because it’s a group of words containing terms that some define themselves as, and slurs or derogatory terms. Slurs are meant to insult and emotionally harm the people they are said to when used to attack someone. However, slurs are used as a joke without knowing their true definition causing unknown harm. “[The main motive of the GSA presentation] was to bring an

awareness intellectually for people who may have assumptions of what they think certain terms around gender and sexuality mean or of other people’s experiences with that and help them understand that there is a far more diverse student body in terms of gender and sexuality than some assume there to be. And in doing that publicly helps everyone come to a common understanding of how to be better people, support others, and how to think about these things in a deeper way.” 9th grade class advisor Ben Bollinger Danielson said.

“Words are important, it’s one of the primary vehicles we express ourselves in the academic and life situations and because of that, coming to better understandings of what words mean helps our use of the language be more accurate and more reflective of the people we are want to be,” Bollinger Danielson said.

Overall, the message was well received by the 9th grade class.

Freshman Max Moen said, “[The GSA presentation] was well presented and it was definitely necessary because sometimes people say things that may have an un-

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Stephanie Frisch GENDER AND SEXUALITY ACCEPTANCE GROUP members, junior Isabelle Bukovsan, and sophomores Lauren Datta , JJ Gisselquist, Tess Hick, and Hunter von Tersch Pohrer presented to freshman Oct. 5.

The group is “hoping to open up a conversation and educate on LGBTQ+ issues” Hick said, by bringing awareness of slurs and stereotypes. They encouraged discussion with freshman through a presentation covering sexuality, gender, and language. intended impact; the f-slur and the d-slur are so degrading, and that just tears at a person.” Moen also said the presentation didn’t change how he would respond if he heard a word in the hall or if a friend said it but that it reminded him “that it is always important to speak up when stuff like that happens and that it is never okay

to make fun of, to joke, or make comments offending someone for who they are.”

Freshmen Adelia Bergner added that the presentation gave her insight to where the words originated. “I think [the presentation] could have made some who used the words without knowing what they mean open their eyes to the

meaning and where they came from,” Bergner said.

The Gender and Sexuality presentation was started with the freshmen class because it’s the beginning of their high school experience and hopefully the start of a conversation that will impact a lifetime perspective.

Young debaters find their groove in early season tournaments MIMI GELLAR Staff Writer

The debate team is off to a strong start with both junior varsity and varsity debaters bringing home awards. While it’s early into the season, many novice debaters have had the opportunity to start competing in tournaments.

“I find it really exciting to actually debate with other people,” novice debater sophomore Brian Orza said. Recently at his first debate tournament, he received more speaker points than any novice debater competing there.

Orza is new at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, but over the summer he decided to go to a debate preseason camp to become familiar with the program. Orza describes his first tournament as follows: “It was really nerve-racking to see everybody dressed up as mini-lawyers, but, when I started to actually talk to the other students they seemed really friendly. I spoke to practically every single debate competitor. When I did that, a lot of my anxiety went away,” Orza said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ellie Findell DEBATERS compete at their first debate tournament of the year on Oct. 3. Debaters attending the tournament included novice debaters freshman Charlie Gannon and sophomore Brian Orza, Junior Varsity debaters junior Ewan Lang and sophomore Tucker Waltenbaugh and Varsity debater junior Cole Thompson “It was really nerve-racking to see everybody dressed up as mini-lawyers, but when I started to actually talk to the other students they seemed really friendly,” Orza said.

Every quarter of school a new topic is introduced. In the first quarter, the topic was whether we [the federal government] ought to pay reparations towards African Americans.

“You have the moral side where you can’t really refute it.

We’ve caused so many injustices to African Americans, whereas con you just stick to the logistics of how this isn’t financially feasible or who should we pay,” Orza stated.

Besides novice debaters, many junior varsity and varsity debaters won awards for their performance. Junior Shefali Bijwadia is a varsity debater who placed fourth overall in the debate tournament, and her favorite part of debate tournaments are the debate itself and the rounds.

“I’m less good at working and writing it out, but once you get into rounds it’s really fun to enjoy yourself,” Bijwadia said.

Both Orza and Bijwadia debate in the specific style of public forum, which begins with a pro speech and is followed by a con speech.

Next, both pro and con defenders conduct a crossfire. Crossfires are when speakers on opposite sides try to earn points by asking questions and by defending their own sides. Following the first crossfire, there is a rebuttal which proceeds to another crossfire.

After this, there are summaries from both teams led by a grand crossfire which ends with a final summary. A round of debate takes about 45 minutes.

Many new ninth graders attended the second debate tournament for the first time on Oct. 3.

“It was actually really intimidating because everybody’s wearing these fancy clothes and everybody is looking formal.

There’s so many of them[people] and half of the people there have already done it,” freshman Ethan Asis said.

At a given tournament there are roughly 15 schools represented. Asis shares how it was different from what he was expecting.

“It’s pretty complicated. I wasn’t expecting that’s how a debate would be formed. I didn’t really think it would have a format. I thought people were just going to sit down and be like, ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ and then it was just like constant talking in between the two[sides]. I didn’t realize there were different levels,” said Asis.

As the debate season continues, the debaters will continue to develop their skills, and see where they will rank against other students. Upcoming debate tournaments will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 14.

“It’s fun but it’s hard. You have to work at it,”Asis said.

Cum Laude society inductees announced JAKE ADAMS Staff Writer

Submitted by: Linda Brooks SENIOR CUM LAUDE SOCIETY INDUCTEES pose for a group photo.

“I’ve been in classes with all of these people before, and they’re all good and smart students,” senior George Stiffman said.

St. Paul Academy and Summit School hosted its annual Cum Laude Breakfast to honor 10 senior students on Oct. 8. These students exceeded academic expectations and lead their grade in and outside the classroom.

Students were rewarded for their achievements in class, their participation in extracurricular activities, and their contributions to the larger community.

Seniors George Stiffman, Anna Biggs, Elizabeth Bukingolts, Michelle Heilig, Rachel Hotvedt, Netta Kaplan, Vanessa Miller, Jack Romans, Maya Smith, and Claire Walsh gathered to receive their awards and were welcomed into the elite Cum Laude society.

Read the rest of the story @RubicOnline.

News

OCTOBER 2015 • THE RUBICON

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New emergency drill procedures aim to prepare students JASPER GREEN Staff Writer

A new drill policy was put in place and practiced this fall as the Huss Center addition changed Upper School spaces.

“The state requires us to have five fire drills, five lockdown drills, plus a tornado drill,” US Principal Chris Hughes said.

Freshman Jonathan Pomerantz believes the reason St. Paul Academy and Summit School has emergency drills, is “to help us practice in case there’s a real emergency.”

The belief that the purpose of emergency drills is for schools to teach their students what to do in an actual emergency is only part of the reason why schools have them. The main reason is because they are required to. The military, emergency services and state fire departments recognize these drills as ways to test schools, and as a way to be able to tell whether schools can successfully keep

their community members safe if there is an emergency.

There are new Emergency Procedure flipbooks next to the door in every classroom, along with exit route maps for fire drills, and locations to go for lockdown and tornado drills. The reason for the flipchart is so students and faculty will know exactly what to do in an emergency situation.

“The more we practice, the more likely it’s actually going to go right if there is an emergency,” Hughes said.

Drills are supposed to be held at unknown times to mimic a real situation, so participants will learn how to deal with their shock and be able to practice timely response.

On Sept. 28, the first fire drill of the school year gave the SPA students a moment to relax.

“I think they’re a good break from classes,” Pomerantz said.

This was later followed by another on Oct. 20. Some members of the US student body said that

these drills helped them make it through the school day: “I wish we could have a fire drill every day,” sophomore Noah Solomon said.

The incredibly loud alarms make many student and faculty members cover their ears as they make their way outside to Randolph Avenue or the fields. “[The alarms] give me headaches,” Pomerantz said.

Freshman Chloe Morse does not always like fire drills. “It depends on the weather.” Morse said.

“When it’s winter, as long as the fire isn’t there, both the Middle and Upper School will gather inside Drake Arena. This has been cleared with the Fire Marshal,” Hughes said.

Lining up by advisory took too much time, so now administrators and safety personnel sweep the building to make sure everyone is outside of the building.

On the other end of emergency drills there is lockdown drills,

PHOTO CREDIT: Jasper Green UPPER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CHRIS HUGHES poses with the new Emergency Procedure flipbook. “The more we practice, the more likely it’s actually going to go right if there is an emergency,” Hughes said. which we have not encountered yet this year.

Freshman Kenzie Kasprowicz-Giese does not look forward to lockdown drills “I just don’t like crouching down so close to everybody in a corner,” she said.

Kasprowicz-Giese also thinks that lockdown drills aren’t taken very seriously: “The teacher tells everyone to be quiet and people end up giggling... Even though it’s just a drill we should still take it more seriously,” she said.

Debate to defund Planned Parenthood causes controversy ELLIE FINDELL Staff Writer

The Congressional debates and votes this fall over a bill that would defund Planned Parenthood brought a new level of awareness and controversy to the issue of funding sexual health programs.

“It’s insulting that a member of Congress gets to decide what I do or don’t do with my body,” senior Netta Kaplan said.

The bill centered on heavily edited videos created by a group of Anti-Choice Activists conveying Planned Parenthood as illegally harvesting and selling fetal tissue.

“Their end goal has always been to get Congress to stop federal funding for Planned Parenthood, and this was just another way of doing that,” former Vice President of Planned Parenthood Laurie Rubiner said.

The anti-choice activists have recently revealed a public confession that stated that the seven videos were indeed falsified, but the aftermath of them is still a prominent issue on numerous levels.

“Although in this Congress and with this president these activists are not likely to succeed, it could be potentially harmful to Planned Parenthood in the future,” Rubiner said.

There are different versions of the bill, and while the House voted to defund Planned Parenthood, the Senate voted against defunding, supporting President Obama, who had committed to veto the bill if it makes it his desk.

Planned Parenthood is just one example of a woman’s health organization, and the majority of the people that oppose it are Republican and Conservative.

“I DO BELIEVE THAT One in five women are treated at Planned Parenthood SERVICES THAT PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Meghan Joyce and Ellie Findell PLANNED PARENTHOOD PROVIDES...SHOULD BE ONE IN FIVE WOMEN have gone to Planned Parenthood at some during their lives according to Planned Parenthood. While the AVAILABLE, BUT I DON’T point institution has been associated primarily with abortions, it offers many other services. “I would support Planned Parenthood even if THINK ANY GROUP PROVIDING ABORTIONS they did not provide abortions,” senior Liza Bukingolts said. services such as cancer screen- centers already exist in the UnitSHOULD EXIST.“ — JUNIOR RAFFI TOGHRAMADJIAN Defunding of Planned Parenthood has already happened in Texas, resulting in only three clinics within the entire state. “We’ve studied this so we know what will happen… In Texas millions of women lost access to contraception, critical health services and screenings and, as a result, out of wedlock pregnancies went up and women lost access to reproductive services,” Rubiner said.

The services that Planned Parenthood provides are not limited to abortions but also preventive

ings, mammograms and sex education.

“I do believe that services that Planned Parenthood provides such as STD testing or contraception should be available, but I don’t think that any group providing abortions should exist,” junior Raffi Toghramadjian said.

In reality, Planned Parenthood’s publicly shared statistical analysis states that only 3% of the service they provide are abortions, while the other 97% is focused on education and prevention. Toghramadjian and others disagree with those statistics, believing that the numbers are higher. Toghramadjian said.

“Over 13,000 community health

ed States…many of which provide similar services to Planned Parenthood.”

In other words, if Planned Parenthood was defunded, other health care centers might step in and be available to serve these same people in various ways.

Many pro-choice supporters like Kaplan firmly believe women deserve control over their bodies: “You have to address the societal norms of deeply held sexism that women don’t have the right to control their bodies,” she said.

Although men are occasionally treated at Planned Parenthood, It is primarily geared toward young women who can’t afford health care from other providers.

“YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE SOCIETAL NORMS OF DEEPLY HELD SEXISM THAT WOMEN DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR BODIES.“ — SENIOR NETTA KAPLAN “Its hurtful to me as a women to have so many, frankly, anti-woman beliefs imposed on me through the legal system, to know that I don’t have equal rights in a concrete way,” Kaplan said.

Senior Liza Bukingolts agrees: “It’s not just an increase in unsafe abortions; it’s also an increase in STDs, an increase in the number of kids who know nothing about having safe and consensual sex,” Bukingolts said.

These are just a few of the possible repercussions that could result from a future Federal defunding. “I would support Planned Parenthood even if they did not provide abortions,” Bukingolts said.

4

Editorial

THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

MINI EDITORIALS

Clear the lunchtable of food conversations If you could visit any country, where would you go? of earth e surface th y sa s uld you Let’ able. Wo ter or on it b a h in n is u rwa live unde choose to net? pla another

If NASA offered you a seat on the next space shuttle , would you take it?

If you could add one animal part to your body, what would it be and why?

Editorial Cartoon: Marlee Baron ONE PLATE overfills with creative contributions to conversation; the other features a bland assortment of food-based comments. This editorial argues that a variety of lunchtable conversation topics can be more important than overanalyzing whether you’ve eaten a variety of food groups.

THE RUBICON STAFF Editorial

Plates clang together, forks lift food into mouths, and the dining hall fills with the sounds of lunch time. During these hours, food brings students together, allowing them momentary relief from a hectic classroom atmosphere while providing time to catch up with friends. Then, during a lull in conversation, oftentimes someone slips in a casual remark about food, and suddenly the lunchroom feels much less inviting.

These comments about food range from obviously uncomfortable discussions about portion sizes, to seemingly harmless words about the lack of color on a friends plate or a remark about the food’s taste. But, ultimately, these comments add little to the conversation and run the risk of causing harm.

Food can be a delicate topic. It is essential to survival, yet individual nutritional needs are personal, and some food choices are cultural, religious, or ethical.

For others, disordered thinking around food and body image may make meals exceptionally difficult.

One key point to keep in mind during lunch time is that everyone deals with eating anxieties and

many individuals manage disordered eating habits or an eating disorder. Anybody, regardless of their relationship with food, will experience discomfort if someone at the table comments on what they are eating.

Not only are comments about a peer’s food damaging, but statements about one’s own food such as the common “I’m going to need to run a mile after eating this”- have the same negative effect. Even positive comments about food, if spoken in a universally applicable tone, may cause others who dislike the food to question their eating habits.

Necessary food portions and choices are not universally the same, yet such a nuance is often overlooked during judgements.

However, it is never one’s place to openly judge another person’s plate. While the contents of a friend’s plate may contradict one’s own preferences, calling people out in front of their peers during a time allocated for eating is not the time or place to do so. Furthermore, authorities such as their doctor or the school counselor are more equipped and perceptive than an everyday high school student to deal with unhealthy food choices, and concerns should be passed through them rather than directly to a stu-

dent. Also, there are just so many other things everybody could be talking about during lunch besides food.

Some frequently heard remarks about food to avoid while eating include: “How do you eat so much?”, “I’m going to need to work out after I eat this,” “I should get salad, but I’ll get this instead,” “You’re so healthy, eating just salad,” “I have way too much food on my plate,” “You aren’t eating enough/You’re eating a lot,” “I need to eat healthier food,” and “I ate so much I feel sick.”

Instead, ask everyone how their day went, talk about plans for the weekend,make knockknock jokes, think up some random questions, collectively complain about a TV program’s frustratingly long hiatus, play lunch-table-telephone. Or, just embrace the silence. People tend to feel the need to fill the air with noise to avoid what most assume will be uncomfortable silence.

However, sitting outside and enjoying the crisp air before snow takes over, or taking a group break from the constant pressure to speak in class can be just as enjoyable.

Next time the plate is set down, think about what you’re bringing to the table.

What’s news? TVs connect students to current events This just in: St. Paul Academy and Summit School has taken a great leap forward by bringing back an old practice, using communal television to keep students up to date on the world outside the classroom. In the past, news has always been on in the technology support space, but many students didn’t know to step in to check the headlines. This year, televisions in the Huss Center publicly screen Associated Press headlines.

Students now have convenient access weather, business, and history-in-the-making. In the past,

newsfeed has provided a bonding moment and learning opportunity for the school. Many long-standing staff recall the tragedy on 9/11, which was reported to the school by televisions wheeled into the hallways. Because of the new electronic connectivity, SPA students are linked to the top events of the world. Now, students can increase conversation topics and awareness of the world.

In the future, SPA should tune more TVs to current events, providing quiet and continual news for discussion in class and in the lunchroom.

Stricter solutions needed to achieve quiet in library The library should be the quintessential place of quiet, peace, and knowledge. In every venue, it should be the place that you’re able to go to concentrate, meditate, and prepare for class.

Preserving this tradition shows respect to fellow classmates, adults in charge, and the age-old concept of the library. Currently, it seems there is no place in St. Paul Academy and Summit School where a student can find quiet; this creates a constant struggle to find a quiet space for studious students. As the heart of a building filled with classroom discussions and academic chatter, the library should be a place of absolutely silent study and contemplation.

To preserve the library tradition, students and staff should follow a more strict no-speaking policy in the library. Current measures to reduce sheer noise level require constant reminder from librarians, but the volume still settles at a less ear-splitting yet still

distracting level of noise.

Recently, classrooms have been opened to provide students another study spot. But because of the discussion-oriented and rather loud learning environment that surrounds them, students still can’t find quiet in these open classrooms. To solve these problems, the library should be left for silent, single studiers while the classrooms can be reserved for larger, louder groups. Groups who plan on talking should be required to reserve one of the rooms through the librarians or administation.

Constant reminders to the chatty culprits hasn’t been enough to turn down the volume because there is no penalty for talking too loudly. Adults should be empowered to enforce punishments ranging from a redesigned demerit to removal from the library. The first step is for to completely ban conversation in the “quiet” part of the library.

Want to read why Columnist Riley Wheaton thinks humans are destined to colonize Mars?

Find out by following him on Twitter @rileyobservato1 and watch out for more opinions in his biweekly column at Rubiconline.com .

THE RUBICON • St. Paul Academy and Summit School • 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 • rubicon.spa@gmail.com www.RubicOnline.com • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • YouTube • @TheRubiconSPA 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.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITORS OPINIONS EDITOR FEATURE EDITORS COVER STORY EDITOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDITOR INDEPTH EDITOR ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS SPORTS EDITORS ONLINE SPORTS EDITOR COLUMNIST VIDEOGRAPHER ADVISER

Boraan Abdulkarim Meghan Joyce Javier Whitaker-Castañeda Diane Huang Gitanjali Raman Lauren Boettcher, Emily Thissen Sophie Jaro Dianne Caravela, Iya Abdulkarim Mari Knudson Amodhya Samarakoon Noor Qureishy Marlee Baron, Stephanie Li Lucas Johnson, Clare Tipler Breandan Gibbons Riley Wheaton Rafa Buettner-Salido Kathryn Campbell, 2015 MN Journalism Educator of the Year

STAFF WRITERS Jake Adams, Jack Benson, Peter Blanchfield, Ellie Findell, Michael Forsgren, Stephanie Frisch, Mimi Geller, Jasper Green, Claire Hallaway, Jonah Harrison, Ethan Less, Ellie Nowakowski, Isa Saavedra-Weis, Krista Schlinger, Garret Small 2014-2015 PUBLICATION AWARDS JEM All-State Gold (Print and Online), MHSPA Best of Show, (Print and Online), NSPA All American (Print) and First Class (Online), CSPA Gold Medal w/ All Columbian Honors, CSPA Silver Crown Award, Best of SNO Medalist, Pacemaker Finalist

MEMBERSHIPS Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Minnesota High School Press Association, Quill and Scroll Society PUBLICATION INFO The Rubicon is published eight times a school year, We distribute 750 copies of each issue which are available for free.

EDITORIALS Editorials articulate the collective opinion of The Rubicon staff, while mini-editorials, opinions pieces, and columns belong to the author of those works.

BY LINES Authors of full story content are credited in by lines.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Opinions 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.

POLICIES Detailed policies are published in the “About” tab at RubicOnline: www.rubiconline.com

Opinions 5

OCTOBER 2015 • THE RUBICON

NFL fails to turn pink into green for breast cancer funding Lucas Johnson Sports Editor

Among the richer fall colors of October, the nation has recently added a pop of pink. With the vibrant color, Breast Cancer Awareness month recognizes the perseverance of those who have been affected by this widespread disease. The NFL, a two billion dollar industry, has taken it upon themselves to support the fight against breast cancer by having all players and coaching staff wear pink accessories and apparel on the field and airing advertisements to encourage donations.

At first glance, this seems like a perfect system to fund the fight against breast cancer; the NFL is one of the biggest corporations in the country with some of the highest ratings in television. Their outreach should be astronomical!

The money they raise for breast cancer should be astronomical!

Right? Wrong. According to Business Insider, for every one hundred dollars in sales of pink

Fair use image from: Flickr Creative Commons THE NFL spends million of dollars to advertise breast cancer awareness, rather than spending the money to find a solution.

that annual cancer screenings will save lives. However, Karuna Jaggar, head of the Think Before You Pink campaign and a supervisor of the nation’s breast cancer programs, says the message is misinformed. Mammographic screenings are very different from diagnostic screenings; the message that early screenings can help to diagnose potential cancer earlier is dangerously outdated.

Nevertheless, the error continues to be spread by a corporation that has no business giving the public medical advice.

Additionally, the NFL is very vague about how much they will be donating to either the Community Health Advocates Implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity or CHANGE for short. On their publicity website, the NFL claims states that much of the pink apparel worn by players and coaches will be auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the CHANGE program. But how much of the proceeds? All? Some? Close to

none? ACS spokeswoman Tara Peters says that “the money that we receive from NFL has nothing to do with our research program.”

Instead the money benefits the CHANGE program which provides information about breast health for women, informing about early detection and giving free screenings. The unfortunate piece lies in the fact that the NFL misinforms when more up to date information is easily accessible.

The conclusion is this: read before you purchase, support, or buy in on the NFL, or any large corporation’s message. With a message as convoluted and full of holes as the NFL’s, it’s hard to tell if the company is genuinely concerned with promoting breast cancer awareness or if they just want to promote themselves as a good hearted corporation. Taking advantage of a reputable and serious issue such as breast cancer is wrong. With fundraising and service work, honesty should be paramount, not something to consider addressing.

NFL gear, only eleven dollars and twenty five cents go towards cancer research. That means that the NFL is keeping ninety six percent of sales to pay off retailers and manufacturers, ultimately amounting to only a total of three million dollars raised for breast cancer since 2009. Three million dollars may seem like a huge sum of money, but for a multibillion

dollar company, three million is pocket change. If the NFL were truly devoted to enacting change around breast cancer, more money could easily be raised.

Aside from being an attempt to fall in line with a timely and emotional issue, the NFL’s breast cancer broadcasts are not realistic. The company’s “A Crucial Catch” campaign is adamant

While interest in endangered animals has been on a gradual decline (which itself is a problem), the general population exhibits a perplexing lack of interest in the rather alarming decline of amphibian species. According to the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s Red List, 41% of the 6000+ species of amphibians are threatened with extinction. In contrast, only 25% of mammals and 13% of birds face similar risks. Why is it then, that the face of endangered animals is a giant panda, rather than, say, a frog?

Although amphibians are clearly the frontrunners in the race to extinction, the World Wildlife Foundation, which “is committed to saving endangered species”, lists a grand total of zero amphibians in its species directory. The WWF’s species directory is a list of animals whose protection the WWF believes “influences and supports the survival of other species or offers the opportunity to protect whole landscapes or marine areas.” Apparently amphibians don’t fit the bill.

as harmful pesticides washed off from lawns into sewers, quickly affects them.

Fortunately, animals considered to be extinct in the wild such as the Wyoming Toad have begun to make an albeit small comeback with the help of devoted zoologists. Nonetheless, these animals deserve the support of all kinds of self-proclaimed animal conservationists.

Humans may never get over their fear and disgust of slimy or poisonous amphibians, but that is no excuse to ignore their importance to the world’s biodiversity and ecosystems, as amphibians PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Sophie Jaro have the largest number of distinct terrestrial or semi-terrestrial THE FAIRYTALE PRINCESS OF THE FROG PRINCE leans in to kiss the Panamanian golden frog, one of Earth’s many endangered amphib- species. Only through a concerted effort to reduce our part in amian species. In the story, the initially skeptical girl falls for the frog. phibian population declines, such Humans should show a little love to amphibians too. as cutting down water pollution Even though amphibians are systems. In addition to their diand curbing deforestation, and overlooked by the WWF, their rect impact on their ecosystems, an interest in recovering these stake in the world’s ecosystems amphibians serve as an indicator populations, can we hope to thorremains relevant. By controlling species for the welfare of their oughly combat our global enviinsect populations and nutrient environments. Their semipermeronmental crisis. transfer from terrestrial to aquat- able skin makes them sensitive to Read about the importance of ic systems, amphibians are an local water quality, so any chemimportant part of a variety of eco- ical pollution in the water, such reptiles on ubicOnline.com

Change apathy to appreciation for Earth’s undervalued amphibians Diane Huang

Online Editor-in-Chief “Oh no, it’s a disgusting frog!” the princess squeals, staring at the would-be prince at her door.

“Disgusting”, “stupid”, “thick”, “ugly” frog—according to the Brothers Grimm anyway. However, for all the princess’s derisions in The Frog Prince, the frog remains courteous and forgiving (even after she throws him against a wall!) and eventually becomes a “beautiful prince” whom she marries.

Despite the happy outcome and generally favorable depiction of the frog’s character, 40.0% of SPA students find frogs and toads scary or repulsive according to a poll of 61 random St. Paul Academy and Summit School students.

In fact, people tend to prefer animals that they find cute, attractive, or relatable. This could be why the death of Cecil the Lion received more coverage and public interest in one month than the near extinction of the entire Panamanian golden frog species has in the past 8 years.

Printing paper handouts helps keep students in touch with upcoming classwork Emily Thissen News Editor

In a world so dependent on technology, it is important to take a step back and consider little ways to reduce time spent focused on a screen. Much of this time spent on technology is devoted to school work, but some of that screen-time could be avoided if important handouts were printed for students.

Problems arise when teachers leave it up to students to decide whether or not to print class documents like assignment sheets, answer keys, or review packets.

Teachers should print important class documents for all stu-

dents, because receiving a hard copy piece of paper indicates that the document contains important information, that it should be paid attention to and saved until otherwise directed.

On the other hand, if a student prints out an assignment sheet for themselves, it may lead to a higher chance of the loss of such a document due to lack of understanding of the importance.

Not to be confused as laziness, the time it takes for each individual student to print something out, rather than the teacher all at once, is time that could be spent doing other types of classwork, adding more thought time to a harkness discussion, or getting a little more

in-depth consideration of an important topic.

Hypothetically, providing paper print-outs will increase paper use and harm to the environment.

Realistically, it probably will not make a drastic difference on the school’s environmental footprint.

Most students opt to print out documents anyway. Furthermore, printing paper will increase a culture of valuing the content of the paper, meaning less will be wasted. The benefits of teacher-provided printouts will exceed the costs of paper used.

In classes where teachers are mass printing less and less, a quick, respectful conversation with the teacher suggesting that

PHOTO CREDIT: Sophie Jaro PRINTOUTS from a plethora of classes provide students tangible resources to keep track of due dates and course requirements. all assignment sheets or similar documents be printed could do the trick. Even without this conversation, teachers should be encouraged to not think twice before

printing documents for students; it will effectively put importance into a sheet of paper and further the effect of the contents of the document.

Health & Wellness 6 THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

JUNIOR ELENA MACOMBER VISUALLY ILLUSTRATES her feelings of anxiety and her relationship with the disorder.

It symbolizes scary uncertainty “which is why it’s dark and kind of fuzzy. It never seems to end and just escalates which is why there are arrows,” Macomber said.

Long fingers twitch; clasp; shake uncontrollably. A sense of panic escalates, and the room starts to blur. Trembling limbs knock over glasses in their wake, as anxiety threatens to overwhelm the brain, overriding the nervous system. When one’s nervousness prevents them from functioning properly and lasts for long periods of time, an anxiety disorder is to blame.

Anxiety disorders occur as a result of both genetic and environmental factors, according to Richard A. Friedman from The New York Times. Up to twenty percent of

adolescents in the United States have a diagnosable anxiety disorder, while over forty million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, making it the most common psychiatric illness among adults and children, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Many people don’t understand these facts behind anxiety disorders, enabling the word to be associated with average stress rather than often debilitating and difficult feelings of worry.

Environmental and biological elements influence anxiety disorders AMODHYA SAMARAKOON Health & Wellness Editor

The main factors which influence the development of an anxiety disorder include genetics, biochemistry, environment, history, and psychological profile, according to “Generalized Anxiety Disorder” by The New York Times.

Similar to many other mental illnesses such as depression, a family history of the disorder can increase one’s chances, especially if it’s present on both sides. These genetics end up influencing one’s brain chemistry as well, another factor which distinguishes one affected by an anxiety disorder from someone a bit stressed.

Studies have shown that those with this disorder have an imbalance of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, are chemicals which help to transfer signals

across synapses and play a heavy role in experiencing emotions such as pleasure and sadness.

One’s environment also contributes to the development of anxiety and often is the source of triggers for anxiety attacks. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information - of an experiment testing the environment’s impact on anxiety and depression over the lifespan of two twins - found that the test subjects’ environments affected the stability and predictability of their anxiety (and depression.)

While some people rest on the belief that anxiety is simply a common product of the teenage brain’s workings, however the importance of environmental factors in this disorder contradict this idea. “[Anxiety] in teenagers is due entirely to societal practices that infantilize young people and isolate them from responsible adults, trapping them in the frivolous … world of ‘teen culture’ … the problem is our society, not the brain,” wrote Senior Research Psychologist at American Institute for Behavioral Research

and Technology, Robert Epstine, in a letter to the editor published by The New York Times.

Family history and certain genetic factors cannot be altered.

However, the biochemistry and brain structure of those with anxiety is helping to identify possible treatment for the illness.

Understanding environmental factors which exacerbate symptoms of anxiousness can assist in ensuring that those factors are minimized in areas such as the classroom and school community.

Alex Duval discusses anxiety experience in hopes of educating others NOOR QUREISHY InDepth Editor

Sophomore Alex Duval’s relationship with anxiety has been long and harrowing. “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the end of May 2014, but I had suspicions that I had them at least a year or two before that,” they said.

Currently diagnosed with a combination of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and anxiety, Duval has attempted to treat the disorder in many ways since their diagnosis, including seeing therapists and trying different medicaPHOTO CREDIT: Noor Qureishy SOPHOMORE ALEX DUVAL has been managing anxiety for over a year. “I had suspicions that I had [anxiety and depression] at least a year or two before [I was diagnosed],” they said.

tions. “There’s no one way that works for everyone to treat their disorder,” Duval said.

The age group who suffers most is not completely known because teenagers tend to assume symptoms are a part of typical teen angst while the term anxious gets used as a casual descriptor of everyday stress.

These misconceptions about the levels of anxiety that accompany the disorder on a day-to-day basis minimizes the seriousness behind this real (and very treatable) psychiatric illnesses.

ly hard…the world isn’t made for [people with anxiety disorders], but we’re still forced to get by in it,” Duval said.

Still, Duval was surprised how supportive the students and faculty have been about her anxiety.“When I first came to SPA [in ninth grade], I found other people who had anxiety disorders … I started using Tumblr and I saw other people describe it, and I was like ‘that’s exactly how I feel!” they said.

Before they were able to get help, Duval’s symptoms built up

“THE WORLD ISN’T MADE FOR PEOPLE WITH [ANXIETY DISORDERS], BUT WE’RE STILL FORCED TO GET BY IN IT.” — SOPHOMORE ALEX DUVAL “[A big problem with anxiety disorders] is when you’re trying to describe [how you feel], but people say ‘Yeah, I feel that too,’” Duval said.

Comparing the stress one feels as a person without an anxiety disorder to the constant, unyielding worry that comes with having a disorder can trivialize the pain, rather than providing empathy. “[The anxiety] becomes so bad that life in this wonderful neuro—typical world gets real-

and affected their ability to participate in school. “I guess my parents were saying ‘Why can’t you just go to school’ … Ms. Short also helped me explain to them that I wasn’t being lazy,” Duval said.

Eventually, Alex talked to their parents about it and was able to get help: “I don’t think there’s anything bad about asking for help—once I got it, everything was a lot better. I definitely knew I couldn’t handle it by myself.”

But, they struggled with ap-

proaching someone and conveying the severity of their issues. “A lot of people don’t understand ... When they hear anxiety they think the emotion, like scared.,” they said. “[People say] ‘O, you’re fine, get over it,’” Duval said. “[But] it’s an actual disorder that needs to be taken seriously.”

Despite receiving treatment and working on managing her anxiety, it still makes many parts of their life, especially school, immensely difficult. “[Anxiety disorders] make it harder to go up and ask teachers for help and talk in class sometimes.

Doing homework can be hard because I’d rather not turn it in or work less on it so I have an excuse for it being bad instead of [feeling] stupid,” Duval said.

Duval doesn’t see their anxiety disorder as something to hide or to be shameful of — rather than shying away from it, she embraces the topic in hopes of educating someone about mental health issues. “I don’t think there’s much to hide; it’s just my brain,” Duval said.

FACTS ABOUT ANXIETY Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses among children and adults.

40 million adults in America suffer from anxiety disorders, like GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Anxiety disorders develop from the presence of several factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

Women are twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorder than men between the time they reach puberty to the age of 50.

36% of people with a Social Anxiety Disorder experienced symptoms for ten years or more before they sought help, according to a 2007 ADAA survey.

GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population.

Anxiety disorders often co-occur with depression, eating disorders, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and others.

Source: The Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

ANXIETY SUPPORT If you or someone you know is experiencing levels of anxiety that feel unmanageable or overwhelming, help is available. Contact US Counselor Susanna Short, talk to a family member, or schedule time with a doctor to talk through symptoms and options.

Health & Wellness 7 OCTOBER 2015 • THE RUBICON

Elena Macomber refuses to let anxiety define her NOOR QUREISHY InDepth Editor “It’s too real…I can’t think. I can’t breathe.” Junior Elena Macomber was diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety disorder) and social anxiety last year, but she and her parents have seen symptoms of the disorders since she was in sixth grade. GAD is characterized by excessive, continuous anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities, according to the Mayo Clinic.

GAD is what keeps Macomber’s nightmares playing in her head in a constant loop; thoughts of public shootings and car accidents take over her mind when her family comes home half an hour late. Her nightmares will threaten to come to life, and it will all seem “too real,” she said, like something terrible could happen any second.

Social anxiety disorder is distinguished by the immense anxiety and self-consciousness that emerges during everyday social or performance situations, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. So many things can trigger anxiety in those who struggle with a disorder.

Some anxiety producers are unexpected, like loud noises, some anticipated, like worrying that someone will be mad or disappointed in them, and some daily routine, like talking in class.

“I THOUGHT IF I WASN’T NERVOUS I WOULD BE DIFFERENT ... I DIDN’T WANT THINGS TO CHANGE.” — JUNIOR ELENA MACOMBER Class discussions, or having to talk to someone new triggers this kind of anxiety for Macomber.“[My anxiety disorders have] inhibited me a lot in the things I do ... I don’t think a day has gone by that I haven’t felt nervous irrationally and unreasonably,” Macomber said.

Macomber first started feeling like her anxiety was a real problem very recently.

“I realized last year that it wasn’t normal that I couldn’t talk to people I didn’t know. [My anxiety increases] the closer I get to going to college and leaving SPA and my house because I’ve never done that before. Everything’s going to change and I have to grow up and be an adult and that’s scary,” Macomber said.

When at school, Macomber has tried to self-mediate her anxiety. “I’ll get dizzy and feel like I’m going to pass out. I sit there and wait it out, get water and lay down,” she said.

She initially was very opposed to seeking professional help, because she felt like she “didn’t deserve it … I was so used to [being

anxious] that I couldn’t imagine life being a different way.”

Although she initially felt like her anxiety didn’t need additioal attention, Macomber feels like asking for help was the best thing she could have done. “Bottling it up and not telling people made [my anxiety] worse … the best thing you can do is to talk about it. It brings me back to reality

IT’S TOO REAL ... I CAN’T THINK. I CAN’T BREATHE.

— JUNIOR ELENA MACOMBER when I talk about my fears,” she said.

Macomber also suggests avoiding Googling what specific symptoms mean, as individuals with anxiety disorders will have a tendency to think the worst possible thing, which will only increase their anxiety. “If you don’t want to talk to someone, write about it,” Macomber said “it won’t be just your problem, people will help you.”

Although Macomber also knows of many misconceptions about anxiety disorders, she fears that just making people aware of what an anxiety disorder isn’t enough. “People might understand the basics of [an anxiety disorder] but not really the implications,” she said.

Macomber worries about others assuming that she has control over her anxiety. “[People assume] that you are okay with being scared, like it’s a part of how you feel, that you’ve accepted it, that you’re choosing it in a way.

They don’t understand that for me, at least, it’s my first response for a lot of things.”

Telling others about her anxiety disorders was a source of stress for Macomber, especially when she imagined telling those who were close to her.

“I don’t want to tell people because I feel like I’m burdening them. I thought they would treat me differently, think something was wrong with me ... or thought I was less of a person,” she said.

However, the close friends and family that Macomber has already told had a positive, if unexpected reaction in her eyes.

“They acted surprised, they were saying ‘I had no idea.

How can I help?’ I didn’t expect that to happen,” she said.

Macomber also felt like seeking help would change her situation, possibly in a negative way. “I was nervous about not being nervous…I thought if I wasn’t nervous I would be different and I would act different…I didn’t want things to change,” she said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Noor Qureishy JUNIOR ELENA MACOMBER has dealt with GAD (Generalized Aniety disorder) and social anxiety symptoms for a long time, and was diagnosed just last year. “The best thing you can do is to talk about it. It brings me back to reality when I talk about my fears,” she said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Amodhya Samarakoon This illustration is inspired by junior Elena Macomber’s drawing of the word anxiety. “I don’t want to tell people because I feel like I’m burdening them. I thought they would treat me differently, [or] think something was wrong with me,” Macomber said.

Cover

8

THE RUBICON •

Fear takes over: the e

Humans of SPA: What’s your greatest fear?

Meghan Joyce

Chief Visual Editor

Students win battles over their fears with courage Stephanie Li

Arts & Entertainment Editor Fear is found everywhere; lurking behind every corner, ready to latch onto anyone in its sight. Everyone — even one who come off as tough and confident — has fears deep down. There is something in this world that incites tingling sensations and a pounding heart for everyone.

Public speaking

PHOTO CREDIT: Meghan Joyce Freshman Isa Saaverda-Weis: “My greatest fear is losing people that I love, and also my dreams.

My dreams freak me out sometimes, because they really penetrate the things that make me nervous, and when I wake up…

I don’t want to go back to sleep.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Meghan Joyce Freshman Gabby Harmoning: “Being forever alone [is my greatest fear]. It’s a terrible fear, I know. If I was stuck in a room full of butterflies, that wouldn’t work out too well either. I’m extremely afraid of butterflies.”

Read more at ubicOnline.com @TheRubiconSPA

See more Humans of SPA at Rubiconline or on the Rubicon’s Facebook page

Brows furrow as palms begin to sweat and nails tap against the chairs. The idea of walking up on stage in front of hundreds of people terrifies many. Making a mistake in front of an audience or not being able to formulate words seems like the end of the world.

There’s always the dread that leads up to that one moment, causing one to turn as red as a tomato or speak discontinuously.

But, there comes a time when one must face their fears.

Senior Rachel Hotvedt, one of the first of her class to present their senior speeches, had to deal with blushing cheeks and shaky hands. Someone who had tried to avoid giving her senior speech since middle school, Hotvedt has dealt with public speaking problems throughout her childhood.

“The first time I really knew [I had issues with public speaking] is when I had to do my speech in sixth grade which I talked about in my senior speech,” Hotvedt said.

Since elementary school, Hotvedt has faced the speech anxiety that comes with individual presentations in smaller settings.

“It’s really hard because even when I feel completely prepared and I know what I’m talking about, the same symptoms happen like I shake and I start sweating. It’s really bad. So I’m really proud that I was able to get it done for my speech,” Hotvedt said.

Presenting a senior speech is an accomplishment for everyone.

But from the perspective of those who struggle with speaking in front of large audiences, it’s an even greater achievement.

Fears such as public speaking impact students outside of school and on a day-to-day basis as well.

Whether it’s a group sport or an extracurricular activity, fear can pop up unexpectedly and take over the mind because it’s all one can think about.

“It really took a toll on me, just like everything I did at school, I was super negative and ... it really distracted me from doing regular things,” Hotvedt said.

Hotvedt recalls how she felt the day of her senior speech.

“Before my senior speech, I actually had to be calmed down… I actually took medicine [Propranolol]. So it helped my heart rate and all those symptoms

which really helped… [I had to] get in the zone and think ‘I have to do this now otherwise I won’t get it done and I’ll have to do it later,’” Hotvedt said.

Everyday, students face their fears, whether it’s approaching teachers to ask for homework help or presenting a project in front of a class. These instances provide experiences that help build character and reveal true personalities. “[Public speaking is] still something I struggle with. But I think if people who do have this fear, like it’s something you have to deal with, then you just have to figure out what you can do to get through it each time and just have to take each presentation one at a time,” Hotvedt said.

Social situations The doors to the school look like a monster, ready to open its mouth and devour anyone it’s not familiar with.

Sophomore Brian Orza had to face one of his fears when he transferred to St. Paul Academy and Summit School. Orza’s switched schools about five times, traveling from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, to Chicago, and finally deciding to stay at SPA for the remainder of high school. As a result of being placed in so many new environments, Orza felt the transitions taught him how to adapt to new surroundings.

“Some schools were not as accepting as others, obviously this school is very accepting, but it forced me to adapt and make new friends even though I was shy. I think it benefited me, in a way,” Orza said.

In particular, the greatest fear Orza had to deal with was approaching people at these new schools. Surrounded by people who had already made friends and were accustomed with the way things went, joining social groups was difficult.

“I was a shy person, which made it a lot harder for me to make new friends. Adapting did not come easy, but as I gradually started to know the people and they started to know me, that is how I made friends. I just waited it out,” Orza said.

But, SPA has been a welcoming community towards Orza.

As he compares SPA to his other schools, he feels that it’s much more accepting and students here are much more approachable.

“I have made a lot of friends and I know some people from debate,” Orza said.

Before coming to SPA, his fears of going to a new school limited his ability to converse with people. He would feel awkward during group activities and uncomfortable in certain settings where he was unfamiliar with the place.

“You just have to figure out what you can do to get through it each time.”

— Senior Rachel hotvedt “I just think that the experience was overall overwhelming when you know nobody and it is actually really scary. I do not think it impacted my performance on academics, but it definitely affected my social life a little bit,” Orza said.

Although it’s expected of someone to be worried or nervous during the transition from middle school to high school, the situations are different for those that have been placed in multiple unfamiliar schools.

The benefit that comes out of this is that each school presents new problems that when confronted, teach valuable life lessons. These lessons are useful in the future, such as when high school graduates leave to start an unfamiliar chapter in their life.

When she was younger, Garcia’s grandma would tell her a spiritual story that helped calm her down through laughter during the thunderstorm.

“When it was raining, the angels were peeing and when there was thunder, God was yelling at people,” Garcia said.

Another instance when Garcia had to face her fear of thunderstorms was when she was just eight years old and had to babysit her younger cousin.

“Suddenly on the TV they said there was a tornado watch and I was really scared so I didn’t get a chance to babysit her [because] I suddenly had a really bad panic attack,” she said.

Garcia has learned to overcome these fears by finding ways to distract herself with other activities such as watching movies or playing board games.

Ranging from psychological fears of public speaking to physical fears of thunderstorms, everyone is afraid of something.

People can’t decide what they fear, but controlling the mind’s response will decrease fear’s impact on people’s emotional and physical state.

Thunderstorms Memories of hiding under the covers and running for the basement in a frenzy resurface as flashes of lightning illuminate the windows and the sound of wind and thunder penetrate the walls.

As a child, sophomore Eva Garcia developed a fear of thunderstorms and would always hide in her parents’ bedroom away from the intimidating clashes of thunder.

“Rain was fine, I really hated thunderstorms because [I was afraid] it was going to be a tornado or something really bad and we were all going to die,” Garcia said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Stephanie Li Sophomore Eva Garcia reads a book to distract herself, her usual method of distracting herself from her fear of thunderstorms. “Rain was fine, I really hated thunderstorms because [I was afraid] it was going to be a tornado or something really bad and we were all going to die,” Garcia said.

Story

9

• october 2015

enemy lurking within

Facing fears poses ultimate challenge Iya Abdulkarim Feature Editor

_

INFOGRAPHIC: Iya Abdulkarim Information in the infographic was collected from an online poll sent out to 200 St. Paul Academy and Summit School students grades 9-12, of which 24% responded. Each circle illustrates a common phobia along with the percentage of students who fear it.

“There is nothing to be afraid of.” For many people, this phrase couldn’t be further from the truth.

Within the St. Paul Academy and Summit School community, every person has their own list of fears, a list whose contents are dreaded and avoided. Ranging from deep holes to swimming to loneliness, these fears play an important role in the lives of all students whether they decide to ignore, face or conquer them.

Not all fears are the same There are small fears, major fears, and traumatizing experiences.

Regardless, an individual’s desire to overcome it can be powerful or nonexistent—and even in between.

Based on a poll sent out to 200 SPA students, with 24% responding, 25% of students have faced their fears unintentionally. Nevertheless, facing fears unintentionally helps in the overall process of overcoming them.

The same is true for facing fears without a choice, which nearly 19% of students claim to have done. This experience is necessary because eventually everyone will be forced to face their fears in one way or another.

Running from fear is a race with a predetermined winner. Evidently, people should try to turn around and face their fear. Acknowledging fear is the first step, and accepting it as a challenge another.

Over half of SPA students (54%) have faced their fears and are trying to get over them. Having a positive attitude is the best way to conquer fears, because it’s not going to happen in a day and a night. One will be able to take baby steps towards overcoming frightening objects and events , be it oceans or driving.

Failure is feared by 71% of students, and letting fears get in the way of happiness or enjoyment is not success. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for SPA students to rise up and face their fears.

Feature 10 St. Paul celebrates first Indigenous Peoples day THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

Boraan Abdulkarim Editor-in-Chief

October is a month of many associations—apple picking, colorful leaves, and a variety of holidays, from Halloween to Columbus Day. The latter, however, has been a topic of debate for over half a century, since the city of Portland, Oregon first proposed replacing the celebration of Columbus with a celebration of the indigenous people who were and still are negatively affected by the setbacks of the Columbian Exchange. Other grievances against the celebration of Columbus Day include the fact that Christopher Columbus only accidentally “discovered” America, and the fact that celebrating his supposed discovery dismisses the indigenous people who inhabited this land long before Columbus.

Consequently Alaska, Hawaii, and Oregon have discontinued observation of the federal holiday. As of 2014 eight cities, including Minneapolis, replaced or renamed Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples day. This August, St. Paul followed in Minneapolis’ footsteps, declaring the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples Day. A celebration was hosted at the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

This change prompts reflection on the role of Columbus Day in St. Paul Academy and Sum-

mit School students’ past. Senior Michelle Heilig remembers being told the typical hero’s tale of Christopher Columbus in the Lower School.

“I didn’t even know it was wrong,” Heilig said.

Heilig, who has since learned about the inequality of the Columbian Exchange from her Upper School history classes, believes that the establishment of Indigenous Peoples Day is “a step in the right direction.”

Sophomore Flannery Enneking-Norton, who has been learning about the Columbian Exchange in her world history II class, believes that “celebrating what he [Columbus] did isn’t fair.

Also [his actions are] less something to be celebrated than to be learned from.”

Enneking-Norton notes that it’s important to “pay respect to the people that he hurt but also [celebrate] their resilience. I think that’s more appropriate and beneficial.”

Sophomore Michael Hall, who previously lived in Columbus, Ohio, compares the celebration of Columbus Day there to the way it used to be celebrated up until this year in Saint Paul.

“It was a lot bigger of a deal there. All the schools were closed,” he said.

Hall supports the change. “I wouldn’t think of it as a celebration [of indigenous people] . It’s more like a recognition,” he said.

Submitted by: Sushmita Hodges INTERCULTURAL CLUB ADVISOR SUSHMITA HODGES stands with Tom LaBlanc at the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day which took place at the Pangea World Theater. “This is a day that should not just be put on the calendar but should be recognized,” Hodges said.

Such a celebration physically took place at the Pangea World Theater, which Intercultural Club advisor Sushmita Hodges attended. The event included theater performances, poetry, and an exhibition of the senior speech of alumna Isabella LaBlanc ‘15.

“They’ve been denied their history and place in history. I think this is a day that should not just be put on the calendar but should be recognized,” Hodges said. “The continuous pattern of that story that started out as a Columbian Exchange hasn’t really ended, because a lot of the Dakota and Ojibwe people are still fighting for their rights here in Minnesota.”

Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day: a brief history of the switch 1954 Portland, Oregan first proposes replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day

1937 Columbus Day established as a federal holiday

2015 Eight more cities, including St. Paul, replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day

2014 Seattle and Minneapolis are first cities to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day Sources: U.S. Uncut, Minnesota Public Radio

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Boraan Abdulkarim

Campbell wins Journalism Educator of the Year award Lauren Boettcher News Editor

Submitted by: Alex Loveland THE RUBICON AND RUBICONLINE ADVISER KATHRYN CAMPBELL recieves the Journalism Educator of the Year Award. “Journalism is so exciting and it is constantly changing. I feel very fortunate as a teacher that I chose a discipline where I’m never bored,” Campbell

Read more Feature on ubicOnline.com @TheRubiconSPA

The Rubicon and RubicOnline advisor Kathryn Campbell’s voice reached out across a sea of journalism students from across the state assembled at the Minnesota State Journalism Convention. “Publications are all about collaboration, and your fellow journalists are your team, your tribe, your family,” “I know that the hours you put into your publications provide lifelong skills and memories,” Campbell said.

The Journalism Educator of the Year Award is awarded by the Minnesota State Press Association and the Journalism Educator’s Association to recognize a journalism advisor for his or her contributions to the field, and excellence. This year, the honor was given to Kathryn Campbell.

Learn about students’ volunteering experiences from the Community Service Spotlight online.

To receive the JEY Award, the educator must first be nominated. This is followed by the submission of a portfolio containing letters of recommendation. and a teaching statement from the nominee.

“There were letters from journalism colleagues that I’d known for a long time and also people that I’d mentored in journalism,” Campbell said.

“There were letters from colleagues here at [St. Paul Academy and Summit School] who see me in a very different role—as the newspaper adviser on campus, but also see me as an English teacher. And then there were letters of students, past and present,” Campbell said.

Besides advising The Rubicon, Campbell is part of a task force that works to incorporate journalism staffs from across the

state such as the Minnesota State Journalism Convention. “Minnesota is such a big state, and so, you know, when you think about the southern Minnesota schools, and the Duluth area schools and our reservation schools, and the schools up in lake country...unifying those teachers and making them feel connected to a larger network is really a challenge,” Campbell said.

“Journalism is so exciting and it is constantly changing. I feel very fortunate as a teacher that I chose a discipline where I’m never bored,” Campbell said. “It’s a constant roller coaster ride of adventure that I don’t really want to get off anytime soon.”

+ MORE

Feature 11

OCTOBER 2015 • THE RUBICON

Henna holds sacred spots in hearts and on hands SOPHIE JARO

Opinions Editor Is it art? Is it history? Is it celebration? One ancient cosmetic is deemed all three; henna is an ancient art form with a rich history of celebration.

For centuries, both simple street artists and refined professional designers have applied this rusty red paste to the hands and feet of young women hoping to catch the eye of future husbands, deflect the evil eye of sinister spirits, or please the eye of the casual observer with henna’s elegant and intricate patterns.

Henna is a natural, temporary stain used to swirl meaningful designs on the skin. The paste’s pigment comes from the leaves of a plant, Lawsonia Inermis, grown in the arid landscapes of the Middle East, Africa, India, and Pakistan. When powdered and mixed with sugar, water, and lemon juice, the plant becomes a potent natural dye that can be drawn on skin Once the paste has had time to harden, the excess can be removed to reveal a red-brown hue in the painted pattern. Henna designs tend to be lacy, geometric and floral.

Although an individual henna masterpiece lasts only a few weeks, the practice as a whole has

“Henna makes me happy because it is part of my culture and symbolizes joy” — Junior tabeer naqvi lasted thousands of years.

This early cosmetic product has become a historical beauty staple. Some say the henna craze began in the late Bronze Age around the eastern Mediterranean. Others argue that henna’s age and omnipresence across the southern Eurasian continent make it impossible to determine a date or country of origin. Inscriptions map henna’s use inSyria as early as 2100 B.C., the Greek islands from around 1700 B.C., the Egyptian Dynasties from 1500 B.C. and India beginning in 400 B.C. Over the centuries and acrossthe continents, henna has linked the hands and hearts of a variety of religious believers. Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Christians use henna to express religious stories and celebrate faith. Mehndi, the Indian art form of henna application, covers the skin with squiggly lines resembling red lace.

While Indian designs maximize the amount of henna on the hand, Arabic patterns are more open, flowing from a few fingers down the forearm to accentuate the arm’s natural elegance. For tra-

ditional weddings, Yemeni Jews embellish the body with more linear designs, while an increasing Christian movement has used contemporary art forms of henna to express classical biblical stories on the palm of the hand.

For a tradition that originated long ago and far away, henna hits close to home for some students at St. Paul Academy and Summit School.

“[People] should do an authentic design while understanding the purpose it serves” —junior Neeti Kulkarni

“Henna makes me happy because it is a part of my culture and symbolizes joy,” junior Tabeer Naqvi said. “My mom draws all my henna for me. She is really good at designs and she has a steady hand. My mom did all her own henna for her wedding herself.”

Although henna has been used since ancient times to color skin, the FDA only approves of henna as hair dye. The government’s directions for the use of henna may be because there are two types: reddish-brown and black. Reddish-brown is pure henna, but black has additional, often abrasive, unnatural pigments. Black henna has been known to cause acid burns, allergic reactions, and scars on the skin. Like black henna, white henna, which is commonly seen in pictures, is not true henna.

Despite governmental discouragement, henna has been embraced by pop culture. Henna appears to be a tattoo, but in reality is only a short-term stain, making it extremely appealing to flippant fashionistas.

Globalization ushered the craft to the West, where it was quickly adopted and popularized by celebrities such as Madonna, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande.

By 2015, henna has spread to become a symbol of open-mindedness and self-expression across all cultures. In addition to traditional wedding and holiday celebrations, henna is used to decorate baby bellies and help cancer patients overcome hair loss with henna crowns. With its migration to a new area, the pure origins of henna may be overshadowed by thoughtless goals for fun or dress-up.

Naqvi explains her disappointment in people who don’t take henna seriously.

“They talk about cultural appropriation for a lot of other

things, then they just wear henna for fashion. It is like they are completely ignoring my culture… Henna is very special to celebrating my culture and it shouldn’t be treated as just another accessory,” Naqvi said.

Because of the broad cultural background henna belongs to, appropriating the art form could mean offending at least eight distinct cultures. Modern henna etiquette means one must be cautious not of using henna, but copying original artwork that has become classical design to a religion or culture. Duplicating designs could be interpreted as a form of plagiarism or mockery.

“Henna should be approached from people of other cultures cautiously. I think that they definitely should do an authentic design while understanding the purpose it serves,” junior Neeti Kulkarni said.

Respect for henna and its traditions are key, especially during upcoming holidays. Henna will be used in the traditional way from Nov. 11-15, 2015 to celebrate the Indian festival Diwali. On Oct. 31, Halloween may provide an opportunity for either appropriation or appreciation of the art.

What do henna designs signify?

Mendhi, the art of Henna application, has been around in many areas of the world for centuries. Although cultures’ designs can have varying meanings amd traditions, there are some fairly common symbols in henna application. Today, most of the time, the illustrations are not included for their ancient connotations, which are detailed below.

FLOWERS Happiness and joy EYES Form of protection BIRDS Messengers between heaven and earth SAHASARA Traditional divine Hindu symbol SUN, MOON, AND STARS Love between partners PAISLEYS Fertility and luck DRAGONFLIES AND BUTTERFLIES Change and rebirth Junior Tabeer Naqvi’s mother draws henna designs on Naqvi. “My mom did all her own henna for her wedding,” Naqvi said.

Submitted by: Tabeer Naqvi

SNAKES AND LIZARDS Seekers of enlightenment VINES AND LEAVES Devotion and viality, common in marriage celebrations Source: tattoo.about.com

Arts & Entertainment 12 THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

RUBI REVIEW

Kiss Me Quick Fair use image from: iTunes

SYKES splits off from his former boyband The Wanted to sing a new genre.

Hueller turns children’s novel into play jonah harrison

Clare Tipler

Staff Writer

Sports Editor

Nathan Sykes, former member of the United Kingdom boyband The Wanted, started his solo career with the new single Kiss Me Quick released in July. With more soulful and R&B inspired music than his former band’s pop music, 22 year old Sykes wanted to “keep the album as a pop album while bringing in elements like soul and jazz and R&B as well,” he said in a Rolling Stone interview. Unique in its message, Kiss Me Quick is about how Sykes is bad at flirting, one of the lines being “Right here, make this unforgettable, baby come kiss me quick.” This single is upbeat and energetic, making it a fun song to dance or sing along to. The song is perfect to help de-stress during a homework study break. So put the music video on and dance along with Sykes to his new single Kiss Me Quick.

4/5

The Visit

As the first play in the new Huss Center for the Performing Arts, the Middle School preformed Dizzy Fantastic and Her Flying Bicycle on Oct. 23 and Oct. 14. Director of the MS theater program Mary Kay Orman, wanted to go with something new.

“When Andy approached me last year and asked me if I would ever consider doing Dizzy Fantastic for a MS fall play production, I was thrilled! This is a wonderful story about resiliency, empowerment, and unleashing the superhero within. What better way to start out in the new Huss Center than with a new play written by an esteemed colleague and published writer?” Orman said.

Middle School and Upper School English teacher Andy Hueller spent time this past summer turning the book into a script.

Dizzy Fantastic and Her Flying Bicycle had its world premiere right here at St. Paul Academy and Summit School.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jonah Harrison Sixth grader Isabella Tunney (Debbie Fine) pedals to save her family and stop robbers, while seventh grader Maren Ostrem, Debbie’s older self, narrates the adventurous story of Dizzy Fantastic.

“When Debbie learns that she can fly on her bicycle, she feels empowered to become Dizzy Fantastic, super hero!” Orman said.

As an author and newly made playwright, Hueller explained what it was like to turn a book into a play.

“It was really hard, and also really fun. But I had never taken a story I had written for the page and tried to make it visual,” Hueller said.

The book was originally written for Hueller’s wife as a story to read while she traveled for business.

“My wife’s name is Debbie, as is that of the main character in Dizzy Fantastic, and ever since she and I became friends in college, I told her that Dizzy Fantastic would be her superhero name and that I was going to write a superhero story about her at some point,” Hueller said.

Hueller’s wife ended up telling him to actually write the book after he had been telling her about the name for years, thus beginning the writing process.

Sixth grader Isabella Tunney played the young Debbie and seventh grader Maren Ostrem played the older Debbie who is the Narrator of the show.

Dizzy Fantastic was the first full-length play performed in the new space.

“It’s so cool. That space, as everybody says, seems to be particularly remarkable for a school space...I think it just ramps up the enthusiasm for the show,” Hueller said.

Dizzy Fantastic is the story of a fourth grade girl who gets bullied at school. When a trage-

dy strikes, Dizzy’s abilities are tested and she must learn to trust herself.

As part of rehearsal, the cast has been having many discussions about how to prevent bullying. They have talked abwout how to not be a bystander and how to stop the problem.

“I ask students to think about a time when they showed courage.

The answers ranged from ‘I auditioned for the musical’ to ‘I stood up for a friend who was getting teased by a classmate,’” Orman said.

Performances ran Oct. 23 at 7:00 and Oct. 24 at 4:00 in the Huss Center.

John Huss contributes artwork to Drake gallery Isabel saaveDRa-weis Staff Writer

Fair use image from: The Visit official website THE VISIT is a mediocre horror story that is neither too funny nor too scary.

Clare Tipler Sports Editor

From the director of the The Sixth Sense, The Visit is a movie about a pair of siblings who go to stay at their grandparents’ rural home to meet them for the first time. This Comedy-Horror film released on Sept. 11 was funny, scary, interesting, and really weird. The footage was all shot by the main characters’ handheld camera as part of a documentary project and followed the grandparents and the kids as they got to know each other. The grandmother was said to have a medical condition where she got agitated at night, so when the kids went to bed, Nana got strange. She clawed on their door and ran around shrieking, but the scariest part was when she shut her granddaughter in the oven.

If you are into alternative horror movies, this is a great film but for the casual movie watcher, it was neither too funny nor too scary.

3/5

John Huss is known around school for his family’s donations to building the Huss Center for the Performing Arts, but many wouldn’t connect the name of the retired banker to the photographer until they venture into the Harry M. Drake Gallery exhibit People, Places and Critters, which opened Oct. 19.

“[Having my photos in the gallery] will be a culmination of some wonderful memories” — John Huss Huss went to law school, got a masters in law from Indiana University, and then became a very successful banker. But all this time, he kept a camera close to his side, keeping the love for photography he discovered at Camp Minocqua as a hobby. Travelling the world with his wife over the years has presented many great photo opportunities for Huss.

Whether it’s the unique faces of people in Burma, or a beautiful tiger in India, Huss captured all his memories in a couple snapshots.

Q: When did you get into photography?

A: Don’t ask. Probably about 65 years ago, when I was in summer camp in Northern Wisconsin.

That is when I first started developing picture and taking pictures.

So that was back in about 1950…

And ever since then I’ve had photography as a hobby.

Q: What inspired you to take the photos that are in your exhibit?

A: Ruth and I have been very lucky in that we’ve been able to travel a great deal. And sometimes, while we’ve had our health, we’ve travelled to some exotic places. And you like to bring memories back from some of the places, the people, and animals.

There was a time when neither Ruth nor I could travel because our parents were getting up in years. And then once they died… we were able to travel freely.

We suddenly realized at the end of a year and a half that we had travelled to every single continent. Not trying to, it just happened.

Q: The name of your exhibit is “People, Places and Critters,” What inspired that name?

A: The partial alliteration of people and places. And then I thought “well, animals doesn’t

PHOTO CREDIT: Isabel Saavedra-Weis VISITORS walk around the Harry M. Drake Gallery, admiring the photos of John Huss’ travels at the Opening Reception on Oct. 19. “[Having my photos in the gallery] will be a culmination of some wonderful memories,” Huss said. sound very good”. And I like the term critters.

Q: What do you think it’s going to be like seeing your photos in the Harry M. Drake gallery?

A: I think it’ll be a culmination of some wonderful memories.

Q: What reaction do you hope people will have when they see this exhibit?

A: It’s a wonderful world out there.

Q: I know you got into photography when you were younger, like many of us. What advice do you have for photography loving students?

A: Get out and try it. And, I think one of the things that is really nice is the change in the technology. When I started, when we went away on a trip, I figure, if we were gone for two weeks, 14 days, I would figure a minimum of 3 rolls of film a day... The film is expensive too... Now, yes you have the expense of the cameras and the cards and so on, but basically, pixels are free.

Huss’s exhibit People, Places and Critters opened in the Harry M. Drake Gallery Oct. 19 with photos on display until Nov. 24.

Arts & Entertainment 13 OCTOBER 2015 • THE RUBICON

Poetry Out Loud inspires passion for poetry Ellie Nowakowski Staff Writer

Poetry Out Loud, a new club run by Upper School English teacher Philip de Sa e Silva is already preparing for the competitive season ahead of them. de Sa e Silva hopes to educate as many students as he can about reciting poetry and putting meaning behind it. “I hope that the group can build some excitement and enthusiasm about poetry and can share that with the rest of the school community,” de Sa e Silva said.

“I hope that the group can build some excitment and enthusiasm about poetry” — Philip de Sa e Silva Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation competition; competitors recite two poems and the winner is chosen by a judge. Poetry Out Loud begins with a schoolwide competition. Judges will evaluate students based on their physical presence on the stage, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of the understanding of the poem and overall performance. The winner of the school competition goes to the Minnesota state competition, with the semifinals on Mar. 8 and 9, and the final competition on

Mar. 10. Winners go to the national competition on May 2, 3 and 4, in Washington D.C. The goal of the competition and its partners, The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation and The U.S. State Arts Agencies, is to encourage young students to become educated about poetry memorization and recitation. de Sa e Silva ran his second meeting of the poetry club, now with almost 15 members, on Oct. 6 after school. The club members discussed what poems they are considering reciting at their first competition in November.

“Poetry Out Loud is a great way to practice the art of reading out loud, and with poetry particularly you learn something new when you memorize a poem, I think that this is a really different and positive experience,” de Sa e Silva said. He enjoys poetry on his own time and finds recitation to be an important part of understanding poetry on a deeper level.

Students are very excited about the process and learning about poetry through this format.

“Poetry is really cool, because everything you say is in your own power. You know the words on the sheet, but it’s how you convey them, and I think that’s really special,” sophomore Rahul Dev said.

He competed in the Poetry Out Loud competition when he was at The Blake School.

“I don’t know that much about poetry, but I like what I’ve read, so I thought it would be a fun way

Read more The cast of The Laramie A&E on Project has begun rehearsubicOnline.com ing. Read about in on RubicOnline.com @TheRubiconSPA

RUBI REVIEW

Collect App

Fair use image from: Collect Official Website Collect allows users to conveniently access and save photos.

Emily Thissen PHOTO CREDIT: Ellie Nowakowski JUNIOR PHOEBE PANNIER has never recited poetry before, but is excited to try it out. “I thought it would be a fun way to learn more about it and also get a chance to practice reciting,” Pannier said. to learn more about it and also get a chance to practice reciting,” junior Phoebe Pannier said.

The competition awards a $20,000 prize to the national winner and $200 prizes are awarded to each state competition winner.

FAST FACT

The Prizes range from $20,000 for the national award winner to $200 for each state competition winner.

This was not a factor for most of the club members when they considered joining. “The chances of

Jack Benson Staff Writer

The Laramie Project will be the first Upper School play in the new Huss Center, and will give a much different experience than plays performed at the Sarah

winning money are quite low; it’s a goal, but it’s not something that would affect my decision,” Dev said.

The Poetry Out Loud competition allows students to understand the importance and learn the skills of poetry recitation. “If you have a passion for poetry and you like poetry, then this is just something you should do, because it lets you get connected to the words and really learn a lot about poetry and famous poets,” Dev said.

The first competition of the club will be held in November in the Huss Center. Members will be competing to see who will advance to the statewide competition in March.

Converse on the Goodrich Campus. “It’s a unique space that we will get to play around with,” freshman Max Moen said. This will be Moen’s first year in an US production, and he is part of The Laramie Project’s ensemble cast.

News Editor

Keeping pictures sorted in a world where everything is a photo opportunity can be a challenge, but the app Collect offers a unique way to stay organized. Essentially a photo calendar, Collect is an app that allows you to choose one (or more) photo from each day and save it with a little blurb of text as a way to remember that moment.

The app looks like a calendar, with each day showing up with a preview of the photo from that day, which is very cool to see as more and more photos are saved.

It isn’t a form of social media, simply a little tool to keep memories. As more and more photos build up, you can scroll through day by day, reminiscing on times in an easy, interactive fashion.

5/5

Scream Queens

Zombie Escape Room tests survival skills with thrill Meghan Joyce

Chief Visual Editor When buying the tickets, I had to sign away my right to sue should I be bitten, hit with flying objects, fall, or die. The most shocking of those to me wasn’t even death, it was being bitten.

If any of the other things were to occur, it would be a rare accident.

If I was to be bitten, it could only be because someone was hired to bite me. But I suppose that when you’re buying tickets at the Big Thrill Factory’s “Trapped In A Room With A Zombie,” some consumption of flesh is to be expected.

FAST FACT

Only 26% of people get out alive.

Room escape adventures like this one take all the best parts of horror movies and game shows, bring them to life, and put you at the center of the action.

You and your dream team of up to 11 friends or strangers are

Submitted by: Meghan Joyce SENIORS MEGHAN JOYCE AND CALLA SAUNDERS hold up signs although they didn’t escape in time. locked in a room (in this case, with a zombie) and given an hour to escape. To do so, everyone must work together to find clues and solve logic puzzles. If anyone is touched by the zombie, they’re dead, but can still communicate with their teammates.

If your team can’t solve the final puzzle that unlocks the door, you’re all dead. It’s the ultimate

experience in team building and adrenaline rushes.

I didn’t think that I would be afraid, but “Dr. Oxy” is no ordinary zombie; he is fast and has a nasty habit of rapidly charging at people in the room, forcing them into corners where he stares hatefully at them and strains against his chains to reach them. If he can’t reach, he is likely to give

up and angrily slam his chains against the floor, which gave me a jolt every time. He definitely makes it hard to focus on noticing little details in the room and figuring out how they all connect.

Even so, the fear isn’t so much of Dr. Oxy as it is of the clock.

Every five minutes, his chains get one foot longer, and the game gets that much harder.

Even though I wasn’t able to make it out alive in time, it was a thrilling experience that I would recommend to anyone looking for a unique, mentally challenging way to celebrate Halloween that also gives you a chance to test your leadership skills and how you hold up under pressure. Bring at least a few friends to stand a chance at survival.

Only 26% get out alive. So will your picture end up on the survivor wall, or the zombie wall?

5/5

Fair use image from: The Thrill Factory Official Web site

Fair use image from: Fox Official Website “Scream Queens” has viewers on the edge of their seats with its dramatic characters and plots.

Emily Thissen News Editor

Mixing comedy and horror, the new Fox show “Scream Queens” aired Sept. 22. The comedy is mainly fun mockery of the college sorority that the characters are part of. Many over-dramatic situations take place surrounding the star of the show, Chanel (Emma Roberts) which can at some points be too much. These over dramatic situations do, though, help make the horror aspect of the show even more thrilling. When the characters freak out over something, as a viewer it is hard to not react in a similar way. Despite the drama of it all, the plot is quick and exciting, keeping fans of the show on their toes.

4/5

Read more Sports on ubicOnline.com @TheRubiconSPA

14

See more images online from the Girls Varsity Volleyball’s Dig Pink Game

+ MORE

Sports

THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

Beyond black belts and boxing; martial arts today Iya Abdulkarim Feature Editor

Martial arts is a term encompassing the many different forms of self defense including karate, Krav maga and Jiu jitsu to name a few.

St. Paul Academy and Summit School students have participated in various forms of martial arts.

Some forms of sport originated in China, but others including Korean, Japanese and Western martial arts have existed just as long and were changed as they spread.

Junior Jonny Addicks O’Toole, who has been practicing Jiu Jitsu for the past year, said “it came from Japan, but the one that we are doing is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”

Other examples include Hebrew Krav Maga and the Korean practice of Taekwondo.

The different forms are categorized as stand-up, ground fighting, takedown, weapon based or meditative styles. Each of these styles have particular moves, techniques and methods of self-defense along with unique distinguishing elements. In Karate and Taekwondo, artists train at different levels identified by the color of their belt. The training starts with a white belt, repre-

senting a beginning, and moves on to include green, blue, red and black. “I started when I was four, and went until [I was] seven in Taekwondo, [when] I got a black belt,” sophomore Sabrina Rucker, a former martial artist, said Contrary to popular belief, receiving a black belt does not signify the end of martial arts training. There are further levels identified by stripes or marks on the belt, which allow for continual progress and improvement of the form. Other types of martial arts require proper attire and gear for class. “At the time, I just liked the uniforms, and you had to wear this funny gear,” sophomore Sophia Rose, who used to participate in Soo bahk do, said.

Similarly, Addicks O’Toole described Jiu Jitsu as like “wrestling, and you wear the gi—a gi is like a bathrobe.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Clare Tipler JUNIOR JONNY ADDICKS O’TOOLE shows off his Jiu Jitsu moves on junior Justine Miller. “it’s like wresting,” he said.

How different could martial arts forms be? Quite considerably, as made clear by the comparison of a kiai, or an energetic shout commonly associated with

self defense. “That whole idea that you always have to shout when you are doing martial arts [...] there is actually a reason for that. It is supposed to be intimidation,” Rucker said, in regards to taekwondo.

“We don’t actually have the shouts for the [form] that I do, because [...] Jiu Jitsu is more like wrestling,”Addicks O’Toole said.

This style of learning is beneficial to overall health and life lessons; “It is important to be prepared,” Rucker said.

In addition, “It helps you with both conditioning and fitness, but also confidence and meeting new people,” Addicks O’Toole said.

Martial arts not only helps students physically, it helps students progress socially and emotionally.

Lengthy bus trips provide enjoyable experiences for sports teams Marlee Baron

Arts & Entertainment Editor What is there to do on a long bus ride to a game or meet? Some sports teams don’t do anything, but some teams use this time to really bond as a team. Whether it’s singing songs, eating or just talking about their days, The girls swim and dive team, the girls varsity tennis team and the fencing team have really taken advantage of the time they have together on the bus.

The Girls Swim and Dive team has a lot of traditions of things they do together as a team on the bus.

“When we get on the bus all the captains give honorable mentions and swimmer of the meet to swimmers that did really well at the meet. When someone leaves

PHOTO CREDIT: Breandan Gibbons THE GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE TEAM takes a break from an intense meet against Highland Park Senior High, “We always sing [Build me up] Buttercup, I Want it That Way and Like a Prayer and then we sing any other songs,” senior swim team captain Cait Gibbons said. something at the pool one of the captains will grab it and then we make them sing a song in front of the whole team to get it back.

Then once we’ve taken care of all of that we just sing songs on the bus. ” senior swim team captain Cait Gibbons said.

The Girls Varsity Tennis team also does fun stuff on the bus.

“Someone always brings a snack, which is really great. Someone always signs up to bring food and drinks. Then we just sit together, eat food and talk about our day.” sophomore Isabel Brandtjen said.

The fencing team does similar things to the tennis team, “We usually talk about which weapon is better, because we always debate about that. We usually talk about how school was and just fun conversations like that.” sophomore fencing team member JJ Wertkin said.

Although these traditions are fun, they are more than just fun.

“After a meet, even if it was a rough meet, it is still something fun that we all do together. It’s just a fun thing we all do together.

[Build me up] Buttercup, I Want

it That Way and Like a Prayer are songs we all know, so it’s a cool thing we all do together. Gibbons said.

“Even though our whole team doesn’t take the bus when we have those conversations it is really fun and you get to hang out with people you don’t normally hang out with,” Wertkin said.

Non-sports teams also do fun things on the bus. The debate team uses the bus ride to read their speeches out loud to the whole team.

“In debate you have separate teams and on the bus is the only time really the only time everyone is all together in one place,” sophomore Adnan Askari said.

Spartan runners sprint to the finish line in fun-oriented long-distance runs SOPHIE JARO

Opinions Editor Sometimes it is all about finishing. There are students at St. Paul Academy and Summit School who find joy by stepping out of the school zone and across the finish line of one of the wide variety of Twin Cities community races. These Spartans find peace and priceless family time from longer-distance fun runs.

Senior Sena Hanson’s last race was her short distance track and field section race from last year.

She has never run a distance race before, but her training as given her a handle on this new challenge. While transitioning from her old school to SPA, Hanson spent the summer transitioning from short distance sprinting to long distance running. July through August, she stuck to her running regime, then took the

month of September off to step into school. Her training consists two four to five mile runs and one eight to nine mile run every week. Sena usually runs alone, finding solace in the repetition of her strides. “I get to be alone in nature. It is just my alone time,” senior Sena Hanson said, explaining what she loves about this exercise. “[Running] is good for you. I encourage other people to look into both long distance and short distance running. It just really helps your body,” Hanson said.

Another racing Spartan is junior Raegan Small. “I ran the ten mile because I had a lot of family members doing it and it sounded fun!” Small said. Because of her busy gymnastics schedule, Small did not have time to train for the Twin Cities Ten Mile race on Oct. 4. This cross-training seems to have prepared her for the race.

“My favorite part of the ten mile

Submitted by: Raegan Small JUNIOR RAEGAN SMALL poses with her cousin after running a 10 mile race. “My favorite part of the 10 mile was the community supporters,” Small said. was the community of supporters and the feeling of accomplishment when I finished!” She looks forward to training for and running more races in the future.

October is the perfect time to train for running away from zombies. The Monster Dash Half Marathon, 10-mile, and 5K starts in St. Paul at 8:00 AM on Oct. 31

2016. After outrunning the cities monsters, racers can attend other downtown races like the Turkey Trot in St. Paul and the Drumstick Dash in Minneapolis on Nov. 26 2015.

As winter restricts outdoor activities, students can find their stride at the Polar Dash Half Marathon, 10K & 5K in Minneapolis on Jan. 1 2016 or the Hypothermic Half Marathon on Feb. 21 2016.

For those who prefer to run in the sun, a succession of summer races spanning 5k to 26.2 miles begins on Apr. 30 with the Get in Gear Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 2K. Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth marks an iconic Minnesota tradition Jun. 18 2016. The next Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and 10 Mile Event is Oct. 7-9, 2016.

Wolfpack loses in first section game

THE SMB WOLFPACK ended their season on Oct. 20 in a gut wrenching loss against Mahtomedi.

PHOTO CREDIT: Breandan Gibbons

Breandan Gibbons Online Sports Editor

The top seeded SMB Wolfpack came into Tuesday night’s section 3AAAAA semifinal game looking to continue their run towards perfection. Unfortunately, that run towards perfection

and the dream season for SMB came to an end on Oct. 22 with a gut-wrenching 10-7 loss to the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.

Originally published on Oct. 21, 2015 Read about the Wolfpack season on ubicOnline.com

Sports 15

OCTOBER 2015 • THE RUBICON

Athletes overcome sports fears through courage TEAMS EARN

Submitted by: Abby Lanz FRESHMAN ABBY LANZ confronts her fears courageously and decisively as she dives into the water during a meet. “You just tell yourself the pain [of hitting the water hard] is temporary,” Lanz said.

Dianne Caravela Feature Editor

Flipping off a tiny board far above a swimming pool sounds absolutely terrifying to most people. But Freshman Abby Lanz is not most people. Lanz began diving when she was seven. “I saw a class at the YMCA, my mom signed me up for it, I tried it, and I loved it,” Lanz said. She loved it so much that she joined a diving club and has remained involved ever since.

There are five categories of dives: forwards, where the diver faces the water, backs, where the diver faces away from the water, inwards, where the diver faces away from the water, then flips away from the board while they jump, reverses, which face the water and then flip back toward the diving board, and twists, which can be performed starting from any of the other positions.

“I like reverses best, even though most people hate them,” Lanz said. “They’re kind of scary which is why I didn’t do them for awhile, but soon as I got it, I thought ‘this is so much fun!’”

Although Lanz loves learning new dives, it’s not always easy.

“It’s mostly trying new things and getting over that initial fear of “I’m going to hit the water really hard and it’s going to hurt,” Lanz said. “Certain new dives are really scary, like right now I’m working on a reverse one and a half with a half twist which I’m afraid of because I don’t know how to dive in a twister yet. I’m working on it.”

Submitted by: Kent Hanson SENIORS KENT HANSON AND ANGEL SMALLER prepare for a basketball game. “I’m scared of when someone I’m playing defense on does something cool and makes me fall down ... [so] I practice playing defense a lot,” Smaller said.

Although diving is a relatively safe sport, injuries do happen, and a miscalculated dive can end painfully. The most common injuries result from smacking the water and hitting the board, from which the latter can result in minor bruises and scrapes, fractures, and concussions.

“I’ve never gotten a concussion or anything,” Lanz said, “but I have slapped the water pretty hard. Last year I got a bruise from a really bad slap when I was doing a back double flip. I came out early and only did one and three quarters because I didn’t time it right and I pancaked the water.”

For some, a painful experience like that might make them want to stay off the diving board entirely, but Lanz took it in stride. “ I was

hesitant to do those again, but I kind of had to,” she said. “You just tell yourself that pain is temporary. If you screw up you will probably do better later.”

“[The new dives] are kind of scary...but as soon as I got it, I thought ‘This is so much fun’.”

— Freshman Abby Lanz But learning new dives comes with excitement as well. Getting a new dive is one of Lanz’s favorite parts about the sport. The other?

The friends she’s made.“We’re super close because the diving

community isn’t big, so you get to know everybody,” Lanz said.

Surrounded by a tight knit group of divers, Lanz loves all aspects of diving, including the things that terrify spectators.

“Even though it hurts sometimes, it’s more fun than pain,” Lanz said.

Senior Varsity Basketball captain Kent Hanson began playing basketball with his older brother when he was in second grade and hasn’t stopped since. As much as he enjoys the game, things haven’t always gone smoothly for Hanson.“I broke both my wrists freshman year,” Hanson said.

“During a basketball game, I got a steal and I was on a fast break when a kid came out from under me and tried to take a charge but he took my legs out.”

The problem didn’t end with a hospital visit and cast. “I’ve had lasting problems. I still have a partially torn TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex), so that’s been an issue throughout sophomore and junior year,” Hanson said.

Instead of giving up and finding a new sport, Hanson continued playing basketball. “It’s been frustrating because I haven’t been able to do what everyone else has been able to do,” Hanson said, “I’ve had to make up for it in different ways.”

Nerves, on the other hand, are less of a worry for Hanson. He says the new head coach Isaiah Walfred is good at keeping the players calm before games.

“We’re also older so it’s not as scary,” Hanson said.

Injuries aren’t the only aspect that can rattle an athlete. According to senior Varsity Basketball player Angel Smaller, intimidation can have an effect on his nerves during a game. “I’m scared of when someone I’m playing defense on does something cool and makes me fall down … It’s really embarrassing because you just let the other person score.”

Smaller says he overcomes this fear with a combination of dedicating himself to improving and laughing it off with the rest of the team, “I practice playing defense a lot and make fun of the rest of the team to cover my insecurities,” Smaller said.

The lesson to be learned is clear; to overcome fears or improve to erase insecurities, challenge yourself. Go out of your comfort zone, dedicate yourself to obtaining a goal, and do something you’re proud to have done.

Fears are common, but to become an uncommon or great athlete, persevering through those fears is a first and crucial step to greatness.

SECTION RESULTS Football:

The Wolfpack team lost a heartbreaker in the first round of sections to Mahtomedi.

The game, on Oct. 20, ended 10-7 for the Zephyrs.

Girls Soccer:

The girls soccer team won their first two section games 9-0 against Roosevelt and 2-1 against Simley, but their season ended with a 3-0 loss against Holy Angels on Oct. 21.

Boys Soccer:

Boys soccer won their first two rounds of sections against Trinity 8-0 and Humboldt 2-1.

Their steak ended in a 2-1 loss against Holy Angels on Oct. 21.

Cross Country:

Both boys and girls Cross Country had the sections meet on Oct. 29.

Girls Tennis:

The girls Tennis team lost team sections to Breck 1-6 on Oct. 8, but individual sections are ongoing.

Girls Volleyball:

Sections for the girls Volleyball team began Oct. 27.

Girls Swim & Dive: Sections for the Swin & Dive teams begin on Nov. 12.

InDepth 16

THE RUBICON • OCTOBER 2015

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND tHE SCREAM Most voted horror feature films on IMDb The movies are ranked by the number of votes they recieved

by IMDb users.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Noor Qureishy FEAR is an enjoyable experience for students in controlled, safe situations. “The fact that there isn’t a physical threat to you while you watch a movie [allows you] to be scared but still have fun,” junior Justine Miller said.

Amodhya Samarakoon Health and Wellness Editor

Fair use image from: Warner Bros #1: THE SHINING (1980).

Fair use image from: 20th Century-Fox #2, #3: ALIEN, AND ALIENS (1979, 1986).

Fair use image from: Paramount Pictures #4: WORLD WAR Z (2013).

An avid horror fanatic struts out of the movie theaters with blood pumping fast, giving off an air of confidence; a crowd of moviegoers carefully brace themselves for the inevitable scream-worthy scene, their white knuckles accompanied by wide eyes and minds on full alert: fear is addictive.

While some people scare more easily than others, the symptoms of fear are the same across the board: increased heart rate, higher sweat production, and more awareness to one’s surroundings signal that terror is very much present.

“It’s really interesting to see what things scare me and what don’t,” junior Justine Miller said.

“Psychologically based horror movies are my favorite. Pretty much all horror movies scare me, I’m easily scared,” she said.

Psychological thrillers or horror movies use the protagonist’s fears and reactions to instil terror in the audience. This is seen in The Conjuring, Psycho, and House at the End of the Street rather than clearly showing a monster attacking the characters.

Many seek out fear inducing situations for a rush, an increased sense of accomplishment or confidence, and to feel closer to one another, according to a Huffington Post article entitled “This Is Why We Love To Scare Ourselves Silly.”

When people scream or feel their heart lurch in terror, endorphins rush into their bodies, giving them a sort of natural high,

often accompanied by a sense of confidence or bravery.

Even those who don’t ordinarily like being scared can be affected by the high that fear brings.

Although it may seem as though liking to be afraid is more of a personal choice, every individual’s reaction to fear really ends up depending on their brain chemistry.

FAST FACT

dopamine is always released when one is in a scary or thrilling situation According to new research from David Zald, Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, some people lack “breaks” between the release of endorphins and its subsequent re-uptake. This has the effect of increasing an enjoyable sensation of fear.

Psychologically, when we make it through a safe yet scary activity it results in feelings of [competence and success] - it’s a real self esteem boost. There’s nothing quite like defeating a horde of zombies in a haunted house…to make you feel like you can take on the world,” sociologist Dr. Margee Kerr stated in an interview with the Huffington Post.

Also, enduring a hair raising scream inducing experience with friends acts as a bonding experience, meaning that people feel closer to the people they experience fear with.

“We’re taking on these challenges together and in doing so creating stronger bonds, stronger memories, and feelings of closeness. If you watch people coming out of a haunted house you’ll see lots of hugs and high fives,” Kerr said.

However, fear is not always so enjoyable. Sometimes, fear causes unpleasant anxiety and therefore makes one feel stressed.

Upper School History and Psychology elective teacher, Ryan Oto, provides some insight: “in psychology, [this is] what we study as the mind-body connection where fear oftentimes creates anxiety. Anxiety causes stress, and stress can elicit emotional [and physical] responses [which we associate with fear.]”

Walking alone at night and sitting in a theater with friends watching The Visit both result in increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and a sense of fear, but the former situation is also accompanied by anxiety.

“I think there’s something to the [connection] between controlled fear settings and uncontrolled fear,” Oto said. Going to a movie theater with the mindset that one is going to experience fear establishes a situation where all the symptoms of fear are expected, “whereas when you’re walking home and are approached by someone you don’t know, it’s a different type of fear,” Oto said.

Miller agrees: “the fact that there isn’t a physical threat to you while you watch a movie [allows you] to be scared but still have fun.”

To freshman Husaam Qureishy, the genre of horror doesn’t induce true fear at all. “No matter how much I expect, or don’t expect, to be scared, I never will really feel true fear,” he said.

Watching a character on a screen doesn’t endanger the viewer, allowing them to experience terror without the anxiety and stress that often accompanies unpleasant scary situations.

“When I am watching a horror movie, it’s a completely different feeling [from real life fear.]

Knowing that someone else is in danger and not me is much easier to emotionally take in,” Qureishy said.

So whether one fears the monsters in real life, or those imagined on movie screens, it is clear that just as monsters vary in their ability to scare, so do people in their ability to be frightened by them, or even enjoy their presence.

FACTS ABOUT FEAR: The chemicals released while undergoing a fightor-flight response can build flashbulb memories” that are vivid and long-lasting.

Most of society’s “monsters” commonly either defy the laws of nature in some way, don’t make sense, or cause some sort of dissonance.

Oxcytocin, a hormone that’s involved in regulating pleasure/ building social connections is released when we’re happy and afraid. So, having a scary but generally positive experience with a friend builds stronger relationships than a neutral experience would.

Places that market fear, like haunted houses trigger the senses tied to a physical fear reaction, but the brain’s rapid processing quickly determines that it is not a real threat, preventing a mental fear reaction.

Source: “Why Do Some Brains Enjoy Fear?” from The Atlantic.