October 2023 Issue

The Rubicon student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 49, Issue 2 - Oct. 24, 2023

Working towards a curriculum that

reflects us

IN DEPTH

8-9

su st celfe r

REPRESENTATION REINVENTED. As canon classics like The Great Gatsby are traded for novels like Antelope Woman, each department reflects of the evolving definition of what it means to teach in a multiracial community. Students respond to how they see themselves and learn about others through the curriculum.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: McKinley Garner COVER DESIGN: Georgia Ross

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STRIVE FOR INCLUSIVITY Where are the female identifying students in influential STEM spaces? Promote gender inclusive spaces where all have the potential to succeed. Read more in the EDITORIAL.

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POSTSEASON PONDERING Captains from the fall teams reflect on the importance of physical conditioning and mental agility as seasons wrap up and playoffs ramp up. Read more in SPORTS.

IN THIS ISSUE:

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HOME THE HOUSELESS With limited Minnesota aid, non-profits, private donors, and volunteers are an essential part of the solution. Read more in SERVICE JOURNALISM.

2-4 - News • 5-7 - Opinion • 8-9 - In Depth • 10 - 11 Feature

• 12-13 - Sports • 14-15 - A&E • 16 - Service Journalism

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NEWS THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

ONE MONTH IN: NEW FACULTY

Classroom time shapes pedagogy ALDEGUNDO BRENNEMAN

New faces are everywhere this Fall, and among them STAFF WRITER are six new teachers: Kate Clark, Tam Chau Duong, Meghan Joyce, Nicole Koenig, Laura Pejsa, and Josie Zuniga are the new faculty.

JOSIE ZUNIGA Moving from the greater Chicago area to Minneapolis, Zuniga is the 9th and 11th-grade counselor.

She has been interested in helping people overcome problems since high school, where she would help her friends with their problems. After an interlude in her counseling career in which she worked in California’s film industry, Zuniga came back to her passion for education and psychology.

“My goal is to help break the stigma around mental health,” Zuniga said, “I think that in the past 10 years ... we’ve made a lot of progress towards breaking that stigma and it’s more openly talked about, but still the counselor coming in is something that I feel like is intimidating for a lot of students, or they feel like they’re going to be judged for coming in here, when, in all actuality, I just want to have a conversation - I just want to get to know my students.”

LAURA PEJSA After working in Minneapolis Public Schools, Pejsa works as a Learning Specialist. Pejsa said she has wanted to be a teacher since childhood.

“I look back through boxes of stuff and I have something from when I was in kindergarten, where it asked, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’

And you know, I drew a crayon [version of] myself and I wrote ‘a teacher’,” she said. “I was a teacher for a while back in my twenties.”

Pejsa became an English teacher right after college, then moved on to a consulting career, where she stayed for twenty years. When she came back to teaching, it was as a school counselor.

NICOLE KOENIG Moving from Bloomington’s John F. Kennedy High School, Koenig teaches Honors Precalculus and Calculus 1 and 2.

Being a teacher felt natural for Koenig; in fact, it runs in her family: “My mom is a teacher. A professor.

So it seems like a very natural path for me.”

The spaces on campus were a draw for her. “I love the building,” Koenig said. “[It’s a] nice thing to walk into this very beautiful, kind of artistic building... that is really unique from many of the schools that I had looked at, and the people were really welcoming the

THE RUBICON PHOTO: McKinley Garner

LIGHT LESSON. Photography and video arts teacher Kate Clark preps the darkroom for an upcoming class. “I have students in the darkroom working with film,” she said. “It’s been interesting, because I’ve never had to manage a darkroom before. I’m feeling pretty comfortable about mixing chemistry myself.” Clark noted how supportive the environment has been while also giving her autonomy with her classes.

environment was really comfortable. And yeah, it’s just a great space.

Koenig hopes to continue to develop relationships with students and teachers while also developing a deeper understanding of the profession.

MEGHAN JOYCE Returning to SPA again this year after being a long term sub last spring, Joyce is an SPA alum. She teaches English 9 and two electives: Literature of Migration and Topics in Literary Analysis: Visual Narrative.

While in college, Joyce taught environmental science and French at the elementary school level in California.

Joyce said, “I really enjoy the classes that I teach.

I find the work to be deeply rewarding. That’s why I keep doing it. I pour all of myself into this job and into getting to know the students and providing the best education I can for them.”

TAM CHAU DUONG Duong teaches World History 1 to four ninth-grade classes, her first full-time teaching job. Her interest

CORRECTIONS POLICY Corrections are printed at the bottom of News p. 2. Corrections will be published in the month following the error and, if the story is also published online, will update following the online corrections policy.

in teaching arose in her junior year of college, 2021, when she taught law to rising eighth graders through the Generation Teach, a three month program in Boston that she co-taught.

“The experience really solidified my interest in education,” she said, “and in joining a teacher prep program for grad school.”

“There’s not a day that goes by since I started at SPA that I haven’t learned something. If it’s not from the teaching team I work with, then it’s from colleagues from other departments,” Duong said, “But most important are the students. I learn from my students every day.”

Duong likes to embroider and bullet journal in her free time.

KATE CLARK Coming from Michigan, Clark teaches Photography I and II and Video Arts I, along with the advanced seminar. Clark’s interest in teaching developed over time, and she taught at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at the same time as she went to grad school.

“I want my students to gain a better understanding of sort of the basic requirements when you think of photo and video,” Clark said, “but I’d also like them to gain a deeper kind of understanding of the process itself: historical context but then also making sure that they have a better awareness of artists that are currently practicing in the field.”

COVER 1 - Colegio Malvar was spelled incorrectly in the teaser. FEATURE 10 - Youth in Government Club was spelled incorrectly. SPORTS 12 - Elizabeth O’Brien was spelled incorrectly. SPORTS 13 - Jill Lipset was spelled incorrectly. A&E 15 - Beatrix Rhone was spelled incorrectly.

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NEWS THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

NEWS

IN BRIEF Questions of cannabis regulation arise after DuPree resigns; OLA investigates Minnesota’s director of the Office of Cannabis Management, Erin DuPree, resigned from her position Sept. 21, just one day after her appointment by Governor Tim Walz after allegations surfaced that her cannabis store, Loonacy, sold illegal products. Reports suggest that Loonacy products containing higher THC concentrations than legally allowed, as well as ingredients restricted by state law. DuPree denied any knowledge of selling non-compliant products but decided to step down to avoid being a distraction. Walz appointment Charlene Briner as interim director Sept. 26, and as part of that appointment issued a statement that said, “We have a responsibility to assure Minnesotans that this emerging market will be safe, lawful, and well-regulated.” The Office of the Legislative Auditor announced they opened an investigation Oct. 3 and are currently investigating DuPree’s appointment.

Republican infighting leads to continued delay in House Speaker choice House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) won the Republican nomination for Speaker of the House after the second vote of the conference this week. Jordan defeated Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) in the vote.

Earlier this week, Jordan lost to Majority Leader Steve Scalise who withdrew from the race after he realized he would not receive the 217 votes needed to become Speaker. The leadership vacuum in the House has been ongoing since Oct. 5, when Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted. The absence of a Speaker has hindered the passing of legislation, such as the aid to Israel and a Nov. 17 government funding deadline.

read about the IsraelPalestine conflict at the:

RUBICON online

Indigenous presenters advocate for food security, green power ORION KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

As students filed into Huss last Monday, a familiar land acknowledgment echoed through the auditorium. This statement has become customary at the annual Indigenous People’s Day assembly, hosted by Intercultural Club on Indigenous People’s Day Oct. 9.

After a brief introduction from seniors Annie Bai and Madelyn Moser, three Indigenous-identifying students took to the podium. Freshman Bella Moet, a Puerto Rican Indigenous person, introduced the staff to a style of drumming and dancing called bomba, then asked the community to form one large circle around the auditorium and on stage. After brief instruction on a few dance moves, music started, and the circle clapped along to Moet’s solo, instead of joining in.

Students returned to their seats, applauding.

Then freshman Stella Hunter and junior Julia Taylor introduced the two speakers of the assembly. IC chose the speakers because of their achievements in multiple fields.

“We wanted to choose people who were successful, but also well connected within the indigenous community,” Bai said.

Initially, each speaker spoke for 10 minutes, then engaged in a panel discussion led by Hunter

PHOTO: Kathryn Campbell

INDIGENOUS INSPIRATION. Freshman Stella Hunter and junior Julia Taylor ask speakers Reverend Robert Two Bulls and Robert Blake questions collected before the assembly.

The two spoke about people who influenced them and the action they’ve taken to build infrastructures that solve local issues, especially pertaining to Indigenous communities.

“

WE WANTED TO CHOOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE SUCCESSFUL, BUT ALSO WELL CONNECTED. senior Annie Bai

and Taylor.

The first person to share their story was Reverend Robert Two Bulls, an episcopal priest once based in Los Angeles who also worked in housing in Washington D.C. Two Bulls now runs the First Nations Kitchen, a volunteer-based organization that provides organic, local foods to Indigenous communities.

He spoke about many different periods throughout his life when he experimented with different occupations. He had multiple sources of inspiration, including his dad who was also a priest.

At one point, Two Bulls was close to becoming a history teacher, until he took the call in LA. As a priest, Two Bulls talked about the challenges of reconciling with the missionary past of the church, while also representing his own culture.

The second speaker was Robert Blake, a tribal citizen of Red Lake Nation, and founder and CEO of Solar Bear as well as the Native Son Community Power Development. Born and raised in St. Paul, Blake talked about his origins that led him to become an envi-

ronmentalist. After his brother’s death, who was a police officer, he considered going into law enforcement. Ultimately he decided to go into clean energy because he wanted to create a better future for next generations.

Blake helped his nieces and nephews to get through college, but he wanted to ensure a brighter future for all children. One of his biggest accomplishments was helping pass legislation that ensured sovereignty over energy developments on Red Lake’s land. Blake encourages students to be more proactive about their own energy consumption. “If I can make it happen in a tribal country, then I can bring it to you,” he said.

United Auto Workers strike continues with Biden’s support ALLAN WANG STAFF WRITER

On Sept. 14, over 34,000 Union of Auto Workers members from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis began a strike in metro Detroit that could last into November.

US history teacher Jon Peterson, who supports the strike, said, “A lot of these workers took a real haircut to keep those companies afloat.” He believes a pay increase will help these workers get back on their feet.

In 2019, the UAW organized a nationwide strike lasting 40 days against General Motors, with all 48,000 workers participating. Although

it’s not the first of its kind, the ongoing strike is unique, as not every worker is on the picket line as in a traditional strike. Instead, the UAW has targeted specific sites across all three companies to “achieve minimum loss of work and maximum pain on companies,” as the Detroit Free Press reported.

The UAW’s website outlined their primary objectives for the strike as improving wages, increasing retirement pay and benefits, expanding paid time off, and abolishing the tiered system that ranks works. Strike employees receive $500 per week in strike aid, funded

by UAW member dues.

Over the course of the

@POTUS on Instagram

BUILDING THE FUTURE. President Joe Biden’s official accounts include a Sept. 26 post from the picket line in Detroit: “I want hardworking men and women like the ones I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with today building the economy of the future.”

last four years, the UAW has requested several pay upgrades. The most recent proposal was a 36% increase, down from the initial ask of 46%. However, Ford and General Motors are only willing

to raise their offer by 20%, whereas Stellantis has agreed to a 17.5% increase. Despite the decreased proposal, the Big Three are still unwilling to settle.

The strike has received

more national attention due to emerging presidential campaigns for the 2024 election. On Sept.

26, President Joe Biden joined UAW on picket lines in support of the workers’ requests, affirming his stance through a megaphone talk. “You deserve the significant raise you all deserve,” he said.

Biden made his appearance one day before former president Donald Trump was scheduled to visit the picket line.

Trump later said, “I stand with the Union of Auto Workers and those who want to make America great again and I always will.”

Sophomore Carsten Bauer supports the movement to get people

the pay they deserve but thought Biden’s attendance was a promotion of his own presidential campaign. “I think that was definitely a factor but I think it was mainly to support the people so they would support him.”

According to Peterson, Biden’s decision to visit the picket lines was wise, unlike Trump’s plan to visit several non-unionized construction plants.

“Michigan is a very, very important voting block.

In 2016, Democrats lost Michigan for the first time since 1988, as Trump defeated Clinton in Michigan, so Biden wanted to keep Michigan strong.”

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NEWS THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

All-school assembly creates traditions LINA ABID

STAFF WRITER

IBID PHOTOS: Violet Pitcher

SPARTAN PRIDE. During the school-wide assembly, students gathered on Historic Lang Field to celebrate homecoming week. Seniors formed an arc around the younger students, who were organized by grade level. The assembly featured speakers from all three school divisions and a performance of the song “Stand Up,” led by LS Principal Beth Nelson and music teacher Meg Tietz.“We all pulled together to make it work,” US Principal Minnie Lee said.

Scan this QR code to view more photos from the all-school assembly on Ibid Flickr.

Not a seat was left open on SPA’s bleachers on the morning of Oct. 3, as all students and faculty gathered for the first all-school assembly in 30 years. Upper School students were vibrantly adorned in their class colors—freshmen in green, sophomores in yellow, juniors in red, and seniors in blue—while the Lower School students donned the traditional red, white, or blue uniform. The air was electric as more and more students ran onto Lang field and surveyed the growing crowd.

Introduced by Dr. Ottley, the idea for this homecoming event emerged at the beginning of the school year. The assembly was held in hopes of uniting the community across two campuses.

“And we were like, this is a fantastic idea,” Upper School Principal Minnie Lee said. “We all pulled together to make it work.”

Leadership from the upper, middle, and low-

er schools came together to execute the vision: to gather all students, grades K-12, in one space.

The assembly began with an introduction from Dr. Ottley, followed by a short speech from USC co-presidents Audrey Senaratna and Henry Choi.

Next, Lower School Principal Beth Nelson led an all-school rendition of the SPA-favorite, “Stand Up,” which was written by Nelson in 2016.

As part of the assembly, another new tradition was introduced.

Seniors bestowed the kindergarten students with blue and gold beaded necklaces in what Lee referred to as “the ceremony of beading,” to welcome the brand-new Spartans.

“I think a lot of us felt like it was a great way to open up homecoming.

Again, to help us feel like we are all one community,” Lee said.

Freshman and new student to SPA, Leif Rush, agreed; Rush said the allschool assembly will be

something that he looks forward to in the next years. “I think it helped me understand the dynamics of SPA,” he said.

“

IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO OPEN UP HOMECOMING [AND] TO HELP US FEEL LIKE WE ARE ALL ONE COMMUNITY. US Principal Minnie Lee

Students gleefully exited the assembly, with Lower School students exiting through a human tunnel of the senior class.

SPA may revisit the beading ceremony this spring, this time having the kindergarteners bestow the class of 2023 with their beads. In any case, this tradition, along with the assembly as a whole, will continue in some form in the future.

Fall play cast rehearses Sense and Sensibility IVY EVANS

STAFF WRITER

Director of SPA’s theater program Eric Severson was ultimately responsible for the decision to perform Sense and Sensibility for the school play this fall.

The cast, performing playwright Kate Hamill’s adaptation of the classic tale by Jane Austen, rehearses after school starting mid-September to prepare for their performances Nov. 17-18.

Severson’s goal in choosing plays is to think about a four-year cycle, switching the genre every year in that rotation so students can experience a variety of styles of theater. Last year’s play, The Trojan Women, was a Greek tragedy and more intense than a lot of other genres.

“I wanted to try to find something that was a bit more humorous, a bit more upbeat. There were several that I was leaning towards, and this one just spoke to me,” Severson said.

Sense and Sensibility centers around two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, who respectively represent sense and sensitivity (or, in other words, factbased logic and sensitivity). After their father dies, the two move to a cottage in Devonshire, where they face a number of romantic dilemmas.

The script was adapted by Kate Hamill. Adaptations of Jane Austen’s work are typically written by men, so Severson wanted a different perspective for this year’s play.

“She, as a young female-identifying performer, wanted to write work that was written by women and classical work that was offering great female identifying roles for women on stage,” Severson said.

Hamill’s adaptation incorporates social commentary in interesting ways, showing the two sisters dealing with social pressures and posing the question of whether it is better to follow the rules society has set for women or break them.

Senior Savannah Switzer, who plays Elinor Dashwood, said, “[Elinor] is trapped in a world that is based on a patriarchal society in which she is regarded as

useless until she is happily married and settled.”

Severson called the connection between the setting of 1790’s England and Hamill’s commentary on modern society beautiful. The adaptation mainly showcases the issues women have to face, but also, Severson said, “any individual that chooses not to follow those strict rules.”

Everyone who auditions gets offered a role in the play, but there are still some roles that are bigger or smaller than others. Seniors and juniors often get the bigger roles.

Rehearsals have begun with the basics. “So far it’s mostly been blocking,” freshman Eva Johnson said.

“Just writing down in our scripts when our cues are and where we are supposed to be.”

“

IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER ... THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ... COME TOGETHER TO PUT ON THE SHOW. freshman Eva Johnson

People will be called up to practice the scenes they are onstage for while others sit and watch until it’s their turn. Johnson plays a servant and Mrs. Ferrars, the mother of Elinor’s love interest, Edward. These are smaller roles, so she does homework or watches the other actors when she’s not blocking a scene.

The cast has also been working with Jillian Constable, a dialect coach, to develop their British accents.

“We’re going to have her working with smaller groups so they can really fine tune and hone in on the lines that they’re speaking,” Severson said. “It’s really quite fun.”

Aside from preparing for the performance, rehearsals provide an opportunity for people who might not otherwise know each other to connect.

RUBICONLINE PHOTO: Thomas Kovarik

PLAY PRACTICE. The cast of Sense and Sensibility rehearses a scene after school. Director of SPA’s theater program Eric Severson chose the fall play based on the new perspective Kate Hamill’s adaptation brings to Jane Austen’s classic tale. “This [production] just spoke to me,” Severson said.

Johnson said, “I think it brings people together, because of course there are the actors, but there are also all the people who do tech and play the music. There are a lot of people who have come together to put on the show.”

After being in the one-acts, spring musical, and working on crew for the fall play last year, sophomore Cosette Switzer agrees: “I’ve met a lot of great people through theater, with similar interests.”

Sense and Sensibility will take place Nov. 17-18 at 7 p.m., on the Huss stage. Performances are free and open to the public.

Scan this QR code to read more about the cast of Sense and Sensibility on RubicOnline.

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EDITORIAL THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023 OUR MISSION We strive to capture the spirit of the community through its stories while inspiring deeper conversations.

Above all, we stand for integrity in our pursuit to inform and engage our readers.

THE RUBICON St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave • St. Paul, MN 55105 rubicon.spa@gmail.com www.rubiconline.com @TheRubiconSPA

23-24 STAFF THE RUBICON CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Claire Kim CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR NEWS EDITORS OPINIONS EDITOR IN DEPTH EDITOR FEATURE EDITORS SPORTS EDITORS A&E EDITORS COPY EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR

Orion Kim Georgia Ross Grace Medrano Sonia Kharbanda Eliza Farley Johanna Pierach Annie Zhang Amanda Hsu Clara Ann Bagnoli Juan Miguel Adams McKinley Garner Peter Ostrem Olympia Wolff Annika Kim

RUBICONLINE DIRECTOR OF RUBICONLINE PRODUCTION MANAGER CREATIVE DESIGN MANAGER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER NEWS EDITORS OPINIONS EDITORS FEATURE EDITORS A&E EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR SPECIAL PROJECTS COPY EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST

Clara McKoy Eliana Mann Rita Li Mariam Malik Lani Ngonethong Greyson Sale Siri Pattison Lucy Thomas Zadie Martin Zimo Xie Andrew Lipinsky Nora McKoy Thomas Chen Davan Rosen Aarushi Bahadur Thomas Kovarik

STAFF WRITERS Lina Abid, Jack Bettenburg, Eric Bjorgvinsson, Aldegundo Brenneman, Ivy Evans, Millie Farrington, Wynter Feiner, Nora Grande, Peter Lipinsky, Connor McSweeney, Allan Wang

ADVISER

Kathryn Campbell, CJE PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANT

Meghan Joyce

MEMBERSHIPS

Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association MN High School Press Association Quill and Scroll Honor Society

PUBLICATION AWARDS

2023 NSPA All-American, 2023 Pacemaker Finalist 2023 CSPA Silver Crown Award Winner 2023 SNO Distinguished Site 2023 JEM All State Gold

EDITORIAL CARTOON: Eliza Farley

NO GIRLS INVOLVED. The relative lack of female-identifying students in STEM extracurriculars can make them feel like boys’ clubs. It’s not that girls aren’t interested in these activities; instead, they might not be included to the same degree when they want to participate, or they might be afraid to be the only one.

the staff 100% ofagree

Girls in STEM deserve our support EDITORIAL THE RUBICON STAFF

High school girls in STEM face a strange paradox. According to the Student Research Foundation, 28% of young women in their senior year of high school aspire to a career in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines (STEM), compared to 65% of young men. Yet Forbes has reported that once young women graduate from college, they make up almost half of STEM majors. Gender gaps in math and science seem to be much starker in high schools than in higher education, and our high school is no exception.

Our community must act to bridge this gender gap. From the speaking imbalance in science classes to the lack of female representation in groups like the Student Technology Committee (STC), the gender disparity in STEM activities at SPA is a visible and real issue. But by building off the frameworks we already have in place, it’s entirely possible to empower our female scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

STEM education and the responsibility for inclusivity starts in classrooms. For example, some ninth-grade physics classrooms use a speaking tracker, which monitors and tracks group discussions in classrooms, allowing teachers to quantify the contributions of different genders. Physics teacher Scot Hovan uses an iPad app called “Equity Maps” to gather data from group discussions and has noticed that male-identifying students tended to dominate the conversations in some of his classes. To address this issue, he shared the Equity Maps statistics with the OUR COMMUNITY class and discussed the importance of access to the conversation. After these conversations, results showed that classes MUST ACT TO BRIDGE made considerable strides in their discussions in terms of THIS GENDER GAP [IN equity.

Beyond the classroom, gender disparity also has permeSTEM CLASSES AND ated the school’s STEM leadership positions. STC is a group of dedicated and knowledgeable students committed to enACTIVITIES]. hancing our community’s use of technology, but it’s hard to overlook the fact that the STC lacks a female member.

This imbalance should raise a concern. An all-male STC may struggle to address the unique technological needs and concerns of the entire student body. Embracing gender diversity — perhaps by explicitly encouraging female-identifying students to run for the committee — could lead to innovative and inclusive solutions, thus ensuring that STC even more effectively serves the community.

The gender imbalance in STEM spaces at SPA is a microcosm of a broader global issue, further highlighting why we must rise beyond mere awareness of gender disparities in STEM to become a catalyst for change. It’s possible to hold workshops and seminars promoting girls in STEM, but scientific problems require scientific solutions, such as the use of a speaking tracker providing measurable and actionable data. Our community should look to other creative solutions to tackle the gender disparity in STEM. Meanwhile, as students, it’s important to progress towards gender equity in STEM by extending invitations to our friends, classmates, and community members to participate in extracurriculars, join classes, and pursue interests. Additionally, important individual acts like promoting gender-neutral language in the classroom and supporting our peers in academic spaces create a more inclusive environment.

Let’s celebrate students taking action, like the ones creating affinity spaces such as the Lovelace Society: a club for non-binary and female-identifying students that explores the intersection of technology, creativity, and the arts.

Let’s not just talk about girls in STEM. Let’s all do something.

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OPINIONS THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

Political polarization harms everyone AMERICAN POLITICAL POLARIZATION: A WORSENING PROBLEM

SONIA KHARBANDA THE RUBICON

When the government narrowly avoided shutting down on Oct. 1, news updates read more like reality TV plots. The wide ideological gap between Republicans and Democrats was on full display, while citizens could only watch as millions of livelihoods hung in the balance. Watching the whole situation unfold, one might wonder if political compromise is a thing of the past. Political polarization is an imminent problem for Americans; the sharp divisions in Congress prevent legislators from enacting change, increasing sentiments of hopelessness and irreparable differences.

At the individual level, Americans are more divided than ever before, with more people on the extremes of political parties than in the middle. The Pew Research Center found in a 2014 report on American political polarization that ideological divisions increased from 1994 to 2014, as 92% of Republicans are more conservative than the median Democrat, and 94% of Democrats are more liberal than the median Republican. The Pew Research Center has also tracked partisan overlap in surveys of thousands of adults on ten political measures, and in a 2017 report, they found that “the average partisan gap has increased from 15 percentage points to 36 points” since 1994. Americans are identifying themselves with more extreme views in their party, and as a result, there is less ideological overlap between groups.

Perhaps even more concerning than the lack of ideological similarities is the outright hostility between parties. The 2014 report noted that 27% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans view the opposite party as a “threat to the nation’s well-being,” and the percentage of people holding sharply unfavorable attitudes doubled over the 20-year period. These tensions are exacerbated by divisive media and politicians. Former president Donald Trump once called Democratic legislators who didn’t clap for his 2018 State of the Union “un-American” and “treasonous;” in the week before an anticipated government shutdown in Sept.

2023, the White House released a statement referring to the crisis as an “Extreme Republican Shutdown.”

Many politicians use dramatic accusations of the opposite party to rally their base, which only increases the animosity between parties.

INFOGRAPHIC: Sonia Kharbanda

MIND THE GAP. Political polarization, where the views of both political parties get steadily farther from each other, isn’t just a problem for politicians. Nationwide, Americans on both sides of the aisle are more separate than ever before.

Growing political polarization appears to inflame the extremists and silence a middle ground. In the 2014 Pew Research Center report, 58% of consistently liberal people and 78% of consistently conservative people in the study reported always voting, while only 39% of the “mixed” category always voted. When people feel like their voices don’t matter, they negate the most basic American freedom of voting. In turn, divisive legislators continue to wreak havoc on Congress’ ability to pass bills. In a 2015 review in the Annual Review of Political Science, one scholar concluded that as Congress becomes more polarized, “bargaining is more difficult and compromise is more frequently out of reach.” Individual ideological polarization and partisan polarization go hand-in-hand, and an inability to compromise is why a government shutdown almost began earlier this month.

In terms of solutions, many advocate for increasing conversations between members of different political groups. But conversations aren’t enough, and it’s unfair to ask marginalized people to seek out conver-

sations with those who actively spread hateful ideas about them.

Still, it is unmistakable that Americans are becoming more divided, including our legislators, and if members of Congress can’t agree, everyone will be affected by stalled legislation and government shutdowns. A good first step is reading across news sources, especially on polarizing issues. Ad Fontes Media created a bias chart to rank popular media platforms based on bias and reliability. It is important to read outside of one’s political preference to understand other perspectives and prevent the spread of biased narratives.

To take it a step further, consider writing to Minnesota’s senators and representatives and encourage them to compromise on the bills of most importance.

Above all, urge those who can to vote. Government dysfunction will continue as members of Congress ignore their constituents and refuse to compromise for their own personal gain. Nothing will change until the needs of Americans are prioritized over clinging to one’s party.

Mask up again to keep the community healthy ANNIKA KIM ILLUSTRATOR

People have been dropping like flies these past few weeks. Disease spread is rising with the cold season, where people are more likely to get sick, something that’s been increasingly evident.

Wearing a mask in class is a simple and effective way to combat this problem.

While masks are generally associated with COVID-19 and the pandemic, it is a key part of stopping the spread of any infectious disease. The winter season has never been a better time to consider covering up.

Masking is proven to slow and prevent disease spread. According to stud-

ies analyzed by the Translational Psychiatry Journal on mask use, wearing a mask, especially for over two weeks, was proven to protect individuals and greatly reduce the spread of disease. The studies also showed that 71% of the respondents believed that wearing a mask would be effective at preventing disease spread, while 54% wore them to prevent infections.

Even though masking had previously become mandatory throughout the pandemic, protecting yourself with a mask has been a practice to protect and slow the spread of disease that is proven to work and is encouraged by health professionals. The CDC recommends

in their guidance for mask use in influenza control that those affected with seasonal influenza viruses should wear a mask outside of isolation as well as other health procedures to protect others from the sickness. Other countries have already normalized mask wearing, where an unwell person will wear a mask to protect themselves and others, such as in Asia where the outbreak of SARS in the early 2000s and air pollution over the decades have made masks a regular presence in public.

In addition to wearing masks, it’s important to follow other methods of staying healthy during the winter months, such as washing hands and covering

coughs. Wearing a mask is merely one of many simple ways to help keep the school safe that anyone can do. Only by working together can disease spread be combated this season. read about the value of mental health days at the:

RUBICON online

PUBLICATIONS POLICIES PUBLICATION INFO The Rubicon

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

ADVERTISING The Rubicon does not accept advertisements.

ANONYMOUS SOURCES Although

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

BY LINES credit the individual who

conducted interviews, drafted, revised and fact-checked an assigned story.

Shared bylines are given to joint effort assignments. Stories that include supplemental materials include a credit at the bottom that states “Additional reporting by” followed by the name of the reporter.

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

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Opinions are welcomed as Letters to the Editor or Submitted Opinions and may be published in the print or edition. Letters to the Editor should not exceed 400 words and Submitted Opinions should not exceed 650 words.

Both may be edited for length and style. All pieces must be submitted and will be published with a full name.

UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS

During the post-critique process, staff members identify inaccuracies and report feedback from readers. The staff publishes corrections when an error is

discovered during critique or reported to a staff member. Corrections should be directed to the Editor in Chief or appropriate section editor.

IN PRINT: Corrections are printed at

the bottom of News p. 2. Corrections will be printed in the month following the error and, if the story is also published online, will be corrected following the online corrections policy.

PHOTO CREDITS Photos taken by

staff members are labeled with their respective staff. Images sourced from outside of the publications staff are

credited information pertaining to their origination.

NAME AND PRONOUN USE

The Rubicon uses the name and pronouns reported by the individual source. Each interview and survey begins with a request to say and spell the person’s name and to share the pronouns they would like to see published in the story, and the reporter is transparent about where the story will be published. If a mistake is made in the course of reporting, a correction will be posted per the corrections policy.

OPINIONS THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

7

Reading for pleasure does more than just entertain

THE RUBICON PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Claire Kim

CURIOUS MINDS. Senior Humza Murad checks out the Hispanic Heritage Month library display. These topical displays highlight books that are both fun to read and informative.

CLAIRE KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

Walking through the school library, it’s easier to find someone reading a textbook than a novel.

Many people who used to consume book after book in elementary or middle school find themselves with less time to pick up pleasure reading as they get older. However, reading even for a little bit each day provides concrete benefits and allows readers to take full advantage of resources

such as the school library.

Take time to read for fun by utilizing the library to the fullest extent and setting up routines, because the positive effects on learning and stress levels are only made easier by the access students have to these tools.

Students don’t have to look far to access recreational reading. While book clubs, local libraries, and online reading communities are great ways to connect with others and discover new books, the school library

offers plenty of resources for interested readers.

For example, the library curates displays for different heritage months, such as its most recent Hispanic Heritage Month display featuring books written by Hispanic authors. Learning about a culture is just one way to show solidarity and support; what better way to do that than by reading? Learning also isn’t limited to historical non-fiction. These library displays include many novels and other genres,

making the process more fun and possibly more effective.

These topical displays are organized by none other than the librarians, who aren’t just knowledgeable about finding sources for research papers. They are always available to give recommendations or to discuss a recent book find. Students are lucky to have easy access to a wide array of content as well as professionals who want to help them enjoy reading, and engaging with the library is the first step to taking full advantage of it.

The library is just one way to start a good habit of reading for fun in general. It may seem obvious, but reading for pleasure is an effective way to relax and manage stress. In a world where the average student’s daily reading consists of textbook chapters and word problems, reading a fun genre or

about a personal interest can be a welcome relief.

A report by Quick Reads in partnership with the University of Liverpool showed that non-readers are 28% more likely to report feelings of depression than regular readers.

Additionally, many readers reported that reading helps them deal with personal worries and anxiety.

IT MAY SEEM OBVIOUS, BUT READING FOR PLEASURE IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO RELAX AND MANAGE STRESS. senior Claire Kim

Research from the National Library of New Zealand has shown that reading for pleasure im-

proves effective learning and reading achievement, which includes factors like writing ability and vocabulary. Reading for pleasure can not only lead to increased academic performance, but it is also associated with increased empathy and social skills, positive relationships with friends and family, and improved health and wellbeing.

Combined with convenient library access and people who can discuss anything book-related, reading for fun is a small habit that creates larger benefits. There’s nothing to lose from taking advantage of the resources available, even if it’s at a slow pace. Establishing a routine like reading before bed or keeping a book log can make reading for pleasure even easier and more fun. So ask for a recommendation, pick up a book, and start reading.

FEELING INSPIRED? TRY ONE OF THESE ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY by David Sedaris A laugh-out-loud compilation of humorous essays by the author of “The Santaland Diaries.”

FAIR USE: Hachette Book Group

NEVER LET ME GO

INCITING JOY

A mysterious dystopian novel about three elite English boarding school graduates and their shared childhood.

A collection of essays that explores how love ties people together, especially when it endures through hardship.

FAIR USE: Penguin Random House

FAIR USE: Hachette Book Group

by Kazuo Ishiguro

by Ross Gay

Alt-right pipeline spews hateful ideas that do harm online and IRL JOHANNA PIERACH

been proven to have negative psychological effects, particularly among women. These harmful messages and stereotypes have no place among them or their male peers.

Free speech is absolutely essential to a functioning society, but the legal ramifications mean that hate speech is technically protected by law. However, that does not in any way justify intolerable language, nor should it encourage its messaging onto young impressionable people. The ideas generated and spread online by the alt-right pipeline can have dangerous ramifications in the minds of their audience, who are often young men undergoing crucial brain development.

THE RUBICON

Wanting to belong is quite possibly the most human thing there is. And the real world can be tough.

The internet has all but intensified the feeling of vastness that simply comes with existing, but in the sea of unknown, one can find something to cling onto.

A person to follow. A trend to participate in. An idea to adopt.

And that’s where it gets iffy. To what degree is any of this acceptable? And when does it become dangerous?

Let’s start with the simple facts: according to a 2019 American Time Use Survey, people report spending twice as much time socializing online versus in person. On social media, one can truly speak their mind, air out all of their grievances and controversial ideas they would never dream of uttering in real life. Opening an app destroys social barriers, and all bets are off.

That’s where the alt-right pipeline comes in. The alt-right pipeline refers to the increased exposure of radical right-wing ideas, driven by the algorithm on popular social media apps such as YouTube or X, formerly known as Twitter. Often, these right-wing ideas are characterized by extreme sexism, opposition to political correctness, and attacks on feminism. Because the internet fosters interconnectedness, allowing its users to communicate at any time, those most vulnerable to these ideas can be quickly pulled down a rabbit hole.

The alt-right pipeline is defined by figures such as Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer and self-proclaimed

ILLUSTRATION: Annika Kim

BAD INFLUENCERS. The alt-right pipeline is especially attractive to young men who don’t feel like they belong.

Alt-right and misogynistic influencers often reach their intended audience through mainstream social media.

“misogynist” who has described women as “intrinsically lazy” and unable to be independent. These ideas may be shocking. But Tate has eight million followers on X alone, and he is just one of many users who promotes these ideas. People are listening.

Social norms placing men at the top of the hierarchy are not only solidified through this online messaging, but amplified. According to Amnesty International, a woman is harassed on X every 30 seconds.

Further disparities exist for BIPOC women, as they are 3 times more likely to be mentioned in an offensive or problematic post on the platform. Social media has

THOSE MOST VULNERABLE TO THESE [ALT-RIGHT] IDEAS CAN BE QUICKLY PULLED DOWN A RABBIT HOLE. junior Johanna Pierach

Messaging of sexism, body shaming, bigotry and general intolerance should not be touched with a 10foot pole. And it goes both ways. It is imperative that everybody, regardless of who they are or how they identify, demonstrates and promotes respectful behavior online.

8

IN DE THE RUBICON -

Where are we s

Curriculum decisions seek t THE STUDENTS SURVEYED: 80

80

70

70

The reality of representation: students sound off 60 50 40

ORION KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

ANNIE ZHANG THE RUBICON

Over the past few years, the school’s curriculum has been ever-changing in accordance with societal outlook, including both curriculum and coursework. In terms of the material within classes, the English department has worked to incorporate more Indigenous authors, and history courses have emphasized Indigenous peoples’ history. Debunking a Eurocentric outlook is just one way in which the school has made efforts to represent different parts of the student body.

Additionally, long standing readings such as The Great Gatsby have been removed from the curriculum altogether. Even with these endeavors, the limited amount of lesson plans and books used per semester pose an issue in representation, leaving 15.2% of the student body feeling underrepresented to some degree within the curriculum.

However, some students of underrepresented groups agree that the school has done good work to represent many identities.

Freshman Langston Thompson has only spent a couple of weeks on campus, but so far he hasn’t felt particularly unseen.

“I feel like there’s good resources at the school for people who don’t feel represented fully and I think that’s great,” he said.

As an underclassman, Thompson has less control over the classes he takes. Both his English and history classes are core curriculum requirements. However, he agrees that these classes are necessary, and it’s still possible to be represented even without the agen-

cy of class selection.

For other students such as freshman Naomi Glozman, whose Jewish background plays a large part of their identity, the feeling of being unseen in the curriculum has highlighted an already-prevalent ignorance towards being Jewish within the community.

“I haven’t seen any Jewish representation in our curriculum throughout my time here at SPA,” they said. “I have definitely seen a lack of education at our school surrounding the Jewish community.”

“

I FEEL LIKE [LIMITATIONS, EXPECTATIONS AND STEREOTYPES DON’T] NECESSARILY REPRESENT ME. sophomore Elizabeth Tuttle

For sophomore Elizabeth Tuttle, whose gender and race play a large part in her identity, the way in which her World History II class teaches women’s roles throughout history leaves her with difficulties to find agency within the curriculum.

“There are limitations, expectations, and stereotypes talked about a lot in the formation of modern society. I feel like that doesn’t necessarily represent me because… I can’t cook for my life, or sew.

I don’t know how to do ‘traditional’ female roles,” Tuttle said.

From these opinions from the student body, the curriculum undergoes a number of changes every school year in order to include everyone.

Although on the surface, this appears to be just a small step in creating a

more diverse curriculum, 30 students have mixed feelings.

20 Thompson hasn’t noticed any sense10of performative activism during his first couple of 0 months on campus. Everything from his teachers to his fellow classes has felt genuine. “I haven’t felt that there were any moments that were purely for show,” he said.

Additionally, Glozman views these changes as a way to educate students on all backgrounds and identities. “I definitely support frequent curriculum changes, as it allows for growth in understanding as a community of both students and teachers,” they said.

Senior Halle Cowgill shares a similar view. She believes that change is essential, and educators can’t stay fixated on the past. “I think [curriculum changes] are absolutely beneficial as a school that strives to be changing the hearts and minds of readers,” she said.

Some students hold strong opinions on the school’s handling of curriculum changes.

Welsh Strongly Disagree believes that the school isn’t just avoiding performative activism, it’s actively trying to combat it. “I feel that SPA pushes acting for what you believe in, and gives you the resources to do so,” he said. The school hosts events like speaker day and pushes an active approach in the classroom, which Welsh appreciates.

Although, even with the annual transitions to a more diverse curriculum, Glozman believes that the efforts towards a more in-depth education haven’t constituted what the main goal of revisions is: “...I don’t think that addressing social attitudes 0 5 10 towards Jews is beneficial to the environment at our school,” they said.

Middle Eastern/3.3% Middle Eastern/3.3%

48.4% 48.4%

Native American/3.3% Native American/3.3%

60

He/Him/His He/Him/His

Asian/23.3%

50

Asian/23.3%

40

48.4% 48.4% She/Her/Hers She/Her/Hers

Latino/13.3%

Latino/13.3%

30

Black/6.7%

20

Black/6.7%

3% 3% Rather Not Say Rather Not Say

White/76.7%

10

White/76.7%

0

I THIN REQU IDENT

THE UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED FOR MY IDENTITY TO BE REFLECTED:

English

Strongly Disagree/3.2% Strongly Disagree/3.2% Strongly Agree/6.5%

Fine Arts

Strongly Agree/6.5% Agree/6.5%

History

Agree/6.5% Disagree/29% Disagree/29% Neutral/54.8%

Math

Neutral/54.8%

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

5 Strongly 10 Agree15

20

Strongly Disagree

00

5

5

10

10 15

20 15

0

5

25 20

3025

25

30

Neutral

10

15

0

0

15

Science Strongly

Agree

Neutral

0

Agree

Neutral

Agree

Neutral

0

5

10

15

20

20

25

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

15

20

5

10

5

10

0

25

20

20

5 25

25

9

EPTH OCTOBER 2023

seen? Unseen?

to reflect evolving diversity Unitarianism/3.8% Unitarianism/3.8%

For administration, curriculum changes mean examining the institution

Hindu/3.8%Hindu/3.8%

Christian/7.6% Christian/7.6%

Catholic/11.5% Catholic/11.5%

ELIZA FARLEY

Atheist/15.4% Atheist/15.4% THE RUBICON

New classes appear Agnostic/15.4% Agnostic/15.4%

in the course overview, yet the process of how N/A/42.3% N/A/42.3% these changes came to be and administration’s goals for future scope and sequence may not be straightforward to non-faculty members.

The process of making major curriculum changes or adding classes has several steps so that there are plenty of opportuWorld Languages nities, from proposing descriptions in department meetings through Human Electives Academic Committee

NK THESE COURSES ARE UIRED TO REPRESENT MULTIPLE TITIES AND PERSPECTIVES:

Science Electives

Not at all Sometimes

y Agree

5

THE RUBICON PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS: McKinley Garner

Always

Strongly Agree

15

20

10

25

15

20

INFOGRAPHIC: Peter Ostrem

25

GRAPHIC SOURCE: The Rubicon survey: “Representation: where do you feel seen in your courses?” Based on 31 responses from the upper school student body.

parts… the actual content and the examples, the readings and the resources that [we’re] using, and culturally relevant pedagogy. Teachers were able to reflect on both what they teach and how they teach.”

Taylor emphasized that the process isn’t over.

By the end of the year, “We’re hoping to…see how it’s going,” Taylor said.

These check-ins will be informal with the aim to assess how departments have moved forward on their diversity goals.

chairs and administrators called the K-12 Academic Council.

3. The Council reviews the proposal; if approved, it goes to the Head of School. If the proposal is not accepted at any point in the process, it returns to the department for with a request for revision or a rejection.

Teaching teams collaborate to make subtle changes over time THE RUBICON

30

means considering the school’s mission statement, current pedagogy, and diversity, in both what is taught and how.

Director of Intercultural Life Naomi Taylor explained that the school “mapped” its curricula for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging two years ago. Since then, the findings have helped inform subsequent changes.

Taylor said that teachers mapped where identities show up and other aspects of DEIB. “We actually assess[ed] two

THE ROAD TO CURRICULUM CHANGES: 1. A member (or members) of an academic department draft a proposal. The department reviews it.

2. Once the department agrees that the proposal is solid, they bring it to a committee of department

JOHANNA PIERACH OLYMPIA WOLFF GRACE MEDRANO

25

approval, for input from multiple stakeholders.

US Academic Dean Tom Anderson said these changes aren’t made quickly. “You’re not creating [a major curriculum change] in August and teaching it in September,” he said. “When we introduce a class, we’re hoping this is what might happen two, three years down the road.”

Curriculum changes are future-focused, and it’s imperative for changes to highlight the values and goals of the institution going forward. That

Individual teachers can’t add classes on a whim; however, when they work within a department to propose changes, big things happen. In approved courses, teachers switch up content they teach and how they teach it within their teaching teams, provided that the changes don’t completely overhaul the course. Some curriculum edits attempt to make a course easier to understand, while others try to add underrepresented perspectives.

History and Social Studies Department Chair Ben Bollinger Danielson emphasized how careful teachers are to adhere to goals when proposing changes.

90%

of students believe that history is the department responsible for providing curriculum that reflects multiple identities and perspectives.

“It’s not just a ‘we’ll see if it works;’ no, you want to make sure you’re doing things thoughtfully,” he said.

In some cases, curriculum changes are motivated by the desire to increase representation in the classroom. In English 10, an attempt to incorporate more indigenous voices in the classroom inspired a text change from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby to Louise Erdrich’s Antelope Woman last year.

English teacher Jessica Gokhberg has been satisfied with the change.

“The books covered the same learning objectives, so we felt comfortable switching one for the other,” they said.

Gokhberg believes the school handles changes to the curriculum well, thanks to the presence of teaching teams’ ability to establish changes based on their expertise.

Teachers also exercise control over the curriculum by showcasing the diversity of the field. In Genetics, for example, science teachers significantly cut the section of the class that focused on history, because it didn’t reflect the reality of the field today.

Director of Computer Science and Engineering Kate Lockwood explained how important it can be to showcase different identities: “I think the biggest thing is the focus on trying to make

sure that every student feels like they are a scientists, and they can be a scientist.”

She explained that although not every student may want to pursue science, it’s important to make a conscious effort to promote inclusion and diversity.

Teachers increase representation to help instill confidence in those who feel traditionally unseen, giving them the belief that they can achieve their hopes.

With their rich experiences and skills, teachers are equipped to make necessary changes to the curriculum to improve its quality and ensure students feel welcome and included.

“I think the process does allow for change and flexibility,” Bollinger Danielson said.

10

FEATURE THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

Westemeier finds joy on stage

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Huxley Westemeier

AUGUST RUSH. At 11 years old, Huxley Westmeier performed in a 2019 production of August Rush based on the movie. The show premiered at Paramount Theater in Chicago. Westmeier described the experience as “...really cool because I was playing live in a cast filled with these amazingly talented, multi-instrumentalist actors and composers.”

SONIA KHARBANDA THE RUBICON

Many have had that childhood dream of performing on Broadway, but few can say that they actually achieved it. Sophomore Huxley Westemeier is one of the few.

Westemeier has aspired to take the stage since childhood, but not always as an actor: “When I was little, I was hoping to be a classical pianist … I was always just playing music around the house,” he said.

His early love for music prompted his mom to encourage him to try a musical. He auditioned and got his first-ever role—an Oompa-Loompa in Morris Park Player’s production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at seven years old.

He described the feeling of being on stage for the first time: “I was just enamored by the sheer scale of the theater … I just felt right at home.” Acting is a place where he finds comfort and joy, and he especially loves making a connection with the audience.

His ease on stage only grew as he continued participating in community theater, but his life and luck

transformed after attending a workshop with a casting director from New York. “A couple of weeks after that, I got a call from them, saying ‘Would you like to audition for School of Rock musical on Broadway?’” he said.

“

I WAS JUST ENAMORED BY THE SHEER SCALE OF THE THEATER … I JUST FELT RIGHT AT HOME. sophomore Huxley Westemeier

Westemeier played the role of Billy for the School of Rock tour beginning in February 2017. He described the experience as “chaotic in the best possible way,” and a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” as it was his first venture into a professional production, and he got to learn from talented actors while traveling the country.

In total, he performed in 17 cities, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

In recent times, Westemeier has explored voice acting, including voice acting in the Japanese dubbing of an anime film called Lonely Castle in the Mirror in the spring of 2023. He sees acting as a part of his future, but not his only focus. As he transitions from homeschooling to his first year at SPA, he is excited by the opportunity to explore new interests—computer science, programming, and singing in an opera program.

He cites acting as invaluable exposure for life skills: “Theater was kind of my social life … [acting] taught me how to present myself,” he said.

From little dreams of classical piano to visions of performing in Newsies, Westemeier’s love for music and performing has stayed constant. A stroke of luck launched him from community theater to Broadway, but even for those who don’t dream of taking the big stage, he encourages anyone who’s interested to try acting: “I did not know how to sing or act back when I did Willy Wonka in 2015, and I’ve learned so much since then, and it’s just been a really fun journey for me,” he said.

Tallulah Dogwill gallops towards success CLARA ANN BAGNOLI THE RUBICON

Freshman Tallulah Dogwill is taking the reins figuratively and literally when it comes to her sport of horseback riding. Whether it be equestrian eventing or barrel riding, the categories of horseback riding each have their own difficulties and similarities, from communicating with a horse to the pressure from judging and general stress of being an athlete. Each section of horseback riding is considered its own unique sport. Dogwill has been competing in Horse Showing for four years and riding Hero for nine months.

Hero is a six-foot-tall Warmblood horse and gets fed a mixture of hay and feed every day. When he learns a new trick or is well-behaved, he gets his favorite treat, peppermints. Like all horses, Hero is a stoic yet skittish animal. “He’s very snug-

gly and kind of a scaredycat,” Dogwill said. Apart from his shy personality Hero is just as invested in a competition as Dogwill.

“He definitely likes what he does,” she said.

“

ANIMALS CAN’T TALK, SO YOU REALLY HAVE TO WORK ON BEING PATIENT.

freshman Tallulah Dogwill

Hero and Dogwill compete in the Hunter discipline of Show Jumping, which consists of a rider and a horse jumping over eight fences in an arena. The sport originated from the use of horses as a tool for fox hunting, hence its name.

The event is judged out of 100 on accuracy, grace

and elegance by a panel of spectators. Show Hunters are required to jump smoothly over the fences and be consistent in the flow of speed and manner. “You can’t leave from too far away from a jump … [or] too close from the jump” she said.

As much as riding is an individual sport, Dogwill experiences a community within the barn that she travels and practices with, Dandelion Barn. During practices, she trains with her twin sister, Sofia, who rides their family horse, Shanghai. Sofia competes in Jumpers, so the siblings shy away from stepping on each other’s toes at competitions.

However, the two started riding and showing at the same time so competing with each other can be hard to avoid. “We do get a little competitive when we’re practicing,” she said.

On top of at practices, the sometimes competitive atmosphere

from other riders during showing as well can be a negative. Dogwill’s more proximate showing group offers a positive experience. “[The culture] is definitely a little judgy but when you get closer to Minnesota, most people know each other… which is fun,” Dogwill said.

Most shows are far away, as the sport requires

a large arena and stable.

Dogwill frequents Mason City, Iowa for their Midstates Fall Fest. “...a lot of people in the midwest go down to Florida and Kentucky for a month in the winter,” she said.

However, Dogwill prefers to stick close to home, as she also competes in the fall on the girls junior varsity soccer team and runs track and field during the spring. “[Balancing three sports] is kind of demanding

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Tallulah Dogwill

SHOW JUMPING. Freshman Tallulah Dogwill participates in the Hunter discipline, one of 18 disciplines of Show Jumping that US Equestrian recognizes.

but it has brought me a different perspective,” Dogwill said. “I really appreciate learning how to work as a team [on soccer].”

Dogwill also has learned a lot from riding and her horses that she can bring to her life: skills more riding-focused like how to get back up after falling out of the saddle, as well as the virtue of communication and patience. “Animals can’t talk, so you really have to work on being patient” she said. “The more I’ve been riding [Hero], the more we understand each other.”

FEATURE THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

11

Students work with family GEORGIA ROSS

CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Georgia Ross

BREWING BONDS. Junior Sam Peterson works at his family’s business yellowbird coffee bar. Employed since he was 13 years old, he has formed a deep bond with the regulars.

Scan this QR code to read more about the student work experience at RubicOnline.

It started small, more as a collection of little chores than a complete role. His duties consisted of restocking supplies, opening, and closing-up shop. But gradually as he turned from tween to teen, he assumed the role of an official barista. He quickly learned to work the counter and memorized each drinks recipe.

Working alongside his father and sister since age 13, junior Sam Peterson feels that “...it’s not just some random boss that doesn’t care about you; it’s your family. That makes it pretty fun,” Peterson said.

Senior Elijah Peres also finds himself working behind the counter at his mother’s business, Rebe’s. Having an open

space at her school, Language Sprout Learning Center, she pondered the different ways the students, parents, and community could benefit from her service.

Aside from offering Chinese, Spanish, French, and German classes, “... she thought to herself, I could open a little cafe here,” Peres said.

Peres had worked in the restaurant industry and at a movie theater as past teen jobs. Immediately after his first few shifts at Rebe’s, Peres described the job as much more “convenient” in comparison to those before. Especially during the school year, as his academic responsibilities ramp up, he can have “the schedule tailored to [him],” Peres said.

In addition “there’s a

lot of stress when starting the job to really show that you’re like the best worker ever,” Peres said.

Working with his family, he feels, removes that extra pressure.

“

...IT’S NOT JUST SOME RANDOM BOSS THAT DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOU; IT’S YOUR FAMILY.

junior Sam Peterson

Peterson experiences less flexibility than Peres.

When someone does not show up for their shift “we’ll try to find some-

one to cover them,” he said, but if that doesn’t work, “we just have to end up going.”

Similarly for Peres, “If my mom knows I have a day off, she’s gonna try and make me work it which is kind of annoying,” he said.

Peterson feels that the relationships built with the customers of his family business are more personal. He remembers the regular customers’ coffee orders and finds connections with them. “...

We live in the neighborhood where we run and we genuinely care about people,” he said.

When customers walk into a local family-run business, Peres said “it just feels like you’re supporting it more directly.

You feel a lot more connection to it,” he said.

Switzer adapts classic Peter Pan story in new novel GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON

Imagine a universe that follows the tales of a lost sister and her journey to save her home over the course of three books. This saga, titled Never Forget Neverland, is written by senior Savannah Switzer and is on track to be published over the course of the next year.

Switzer began writing the first of three books, Never Forget Neverland when COVID-19 hit, as just a freshman. She found herself missing her primary expression of art, live theater, and found herself experimenting with a new form of expression.

“I’ve always loved storytelling, and I couldn’t do that with theater, so I had this extra creative energy I needed to get out,” Switzer said.

Switzer explained that she didn’t have a plan when writing her story. There was no outline, or end in sight, just a story that slowly unfolded before her eyes as she wrote. Similarly, she said that the book, didn’t even have a genre in mind; she simply sat down and wrote.

“I can see full 3D pictures in my mind,” Switzer said. “I just see what I’m supposed to write. I didn’t know how it was supposed to end, I didn’t know anything that would happen, I just owed it to the story to finish it.”

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Grace Medrano

DILIGENT WORK. Since her freshman year, senior Savannah Switzer has been working on a series of 3 books total, the first in which will be published this year.

The book follows Peter Pan’s twin sister, 13-yearold Penelope, who has to navigate accusations of betrayal, unexplained memory loss, as well as uncontrollable newfound powers. Her missing memories also

seem to play a key role in the fact that Captain Hook is closing in on Neverland, and her home is in danger of crumbling.

The process of getting to publication has been a long one, as Switzer, who ended up deciding on self-publication, tried to navigate the world of publishing and corporations as a minor. Self-publishing involves having complete control of the process, and not having to make any changes to suit what the publisher wants to see from a piece.

“Traditional publishing is very different; you go around and propose your manuscript and they decide if they like it or not, but I was very young and didn’t want to be taken advantage of, so I decided on self-publishing,” Switzer said.

Switzer also talked about how she feels vindicated by her publishing of a novel, because ‘“I was told from a young age that I couldn’t read, and wouldn’t succeed at things. And so this is a very big deal for me because I can do what I love,” she said.

Switzer has written three books, and her first is being published this year. Never Forget Neverland will soon be available to the public, as Switzer finally completes the process she began in her freshman year.

Eco-Anxiety: mental impact of climate change on youth MCKINLEY GARNER THE RUBICON

Approximately 45% of youth in the US report feelings of anxiety about environmental issues having a negative effect on their daily life. As pressure builds up in our world from rising temperatures, pressure builds up in the minds of youth, negatively affecting their daily life.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, eco-anxiety can be defined as the extreme worry about current and future harm to the environment caused by human activity and climate change.

Sophomore Ella Bond said that she feels this way

“when I see the impact of what I use in everyday life and how it impacts the world around me.

“

[IT’S IMPORTANT] TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE DOING WHAT CAN [ABOUT ECO-ANXIETY]...

junior Mia Collins

Bond feels a sense of despair regarding climate change issues and their impact on the future. She

said, “I usually talk to a friend and discuss it, but sadly that doesn’t help the polar bears. This also causes me to think about what the world will be like in 20 years.”

This demarks the chain of thoughts that eventually leads to the belief that there is no hope to solve the issue of climate change.

According to the University of Bath in the UK, 75% of 10,000 respondents to a survey in countries across the globe said “the future is frightening,” when asked about climate change. This emphasizes that the issue is not just a one-off with only a few teens experi-

encing this; it is a frightening storm of eco-anxiety that is consuming the youth.

While some worry, others like sophomore Evy Sachs admit, “I haven’t really thought about it.” In the end, she claimed that to feel better about eco-anxiety, we need to “make a change,” the mindset that many youth have.

Junior Mia Collins feels the stress occasionally. “I feel [eco-anxiety] only when it’s brought up,” she said. Collins said to help cope with eco-anxiety, it is important to “know that you’re doing what you can to help out.”

BY THE NUMBERS What percentage of people by generation have taken action against climate change?

32%

of Gen Z has made an effort to fight climate change including in attending rallies or volunteering

Millenials take second place in participation to fight climate change, 4% less than Gen Z.

21%

28%

of Boomers have strived to combat climate change.

This shows an upwards trend of youth involvement.

INFORMATION: PEW Research Foundation

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SPORTS THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

Rolling out of their comfort zone Roller derby offers a unique way to be athletic CLAIRE KIM

On the skating track, freshmen Margaret Bonin and Elizabeth Mena-Larsen become “Margin of Terror” and “Bizquik.” Playing for the Minnesota Frostbites, both Bonin and Mena-Larsen usually take on the role of blockers.

Skater names are just one element of roller derby that make it an “alternative sport,” as described by Folklife Magazine, along with its signature looks and acceptance of diverse players, such as a transgender 10-year-old in Ontario who was blocked from participating in school sports.

Roller derby is a full-contact team sport where four defense skaters, called blockers, try to prevent one offense skater, called a jammer, from passing them. There are three levels of contact: no contact, minimal contact, and full contact.

At a standard practice, skaters split up into different levels after warm ups, stretching,

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Karissa Baker

SUIT UP. Margaret Bonin, or “Margin of Terror,” dressed in her Frostbite gear at an informational booth at the MN Roller Girls on Oct. 14. Bonin said, “I’ve learned to try new things and step out of my comfort zone.”

and skating fast laps.

From there, practice focuses on one aspect of the sport: “Sometimes it could be contact, sometimes it could just be skating fundamentals,” Bonin said.

Bonin and Mena-Larsen discovered roller derby through the graphic novel Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson. Although Mena-Larsen read the book years before playing the sport, promotions for it in the Xcel Energy Center got her into skating two years ago. A year later, Bonin joined Mena-Larsen in the Junior Roller Derby Association league as part of the Minnesota Roller Derby.

“

I FEEL LIKE I REALLY CONNECT WITH A LOT OF THE PEOPLE AND WE ALL HAVE SIMILAR INTERESTS. freshman Elizabeth Mena-Larsen

While Mena-Larsen feels the sport is becoming popular, junior teams are rare. “For all our games, we have to go somewhere at least four hours or more away … we don’t have a lot of leagues nearby,” she said.

Roller derby is a fairly modern sport, with roots in the 1900s and a revival in 2003 by a group of women in Texas. According to Frogmouth, there are currently almost 2000 roller derby leagues across 53 countries.

One reason for its expansion is that roller derby is run by the players, who devote time to keeping the leagues afloat, rather than large organizations.

The sport is also novel because men and women have always played by the same rules. In fact, roller derby is most often associated with its women’s teams, because seeing women playing a contact sport in the

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Elizabeth Mena-Larsen

RUFF ROLLER. Elizabeth Mena-Larsen, or “Bizquik,” poses with a dog from Second Hand Hounds. In roller derby it is important to be both bark and bite. Mena-Larsen said, “I also really like the roughness of the sport.”

1900s was a rare sight.

Mena-Larsen, who plays at the third contact level, described the physicality as one of her favorite parts of the sport along with the community.

“I feel like I really connect with a lot of the people and we all have similar interests, but I also really like the roughness of the sport because it’s full contact,” Mena-Larsen said.

Known as one of the most inclusive communities for players of different ethnicities, sexualities, and body types, many roller derby players take inspiration from punk and drag scenes to create flashy outfits or makeup looks. These decorations have lasted as a tradition for both smaller and larger-scale bouts, showing the influence alternative communities have had on the sport’s culture.

Roller derby has taught Bonin to embrace the unknown. “I feel like from the sport … more from anything else, I’ve learned to try new things and kind of step out of my comfort zone, because that’s a lot of what the sport is like,” she said. “Everything’s a little bit scary at first and … you gotta keep trying and then eventually you’ll get used to it.”

Both Bonin and Mena-Larsen described finding a tight-knit, active community through a sport that many people don’t know about. Their team has an upcoming scrimmage and a larger bout in January.

Fall Ultimate co-op created with Washburn PETER OSTREM THE RUBICON

Ultimate Frisbee has joined Washburn HS for co-op fall play. Ultimate Frisbee has been a long-standing spring club sport on campus, but this year they wanted an opportunity for more games.

Originally, the players planned to join with Great River but that fell through because of a miscommunication between the Great River coaches.

Captains then posted through a Facebook group in search of teams that need more players and Washburn responded.

The fall team has games every Saturday either at Lake Nokomis Park or West Minnehaha Rec Center, and practices together 2-3 times a week.

Veteran players from the spring team Theo Bonin, Henry Hilton, Theo Zimmerman, McKinley Garner, and Declan Monahan are the Spartans playing in the co-op.

For the ultimate team in the spring, there are a number of players who are just starting with the sport; consequently there is a wide range of skill.

“I’d say everyone on this [fall] team has a lot of experience,” Zimmer-

man said. “It allows everyone to … try out a lot of new strategies.”

“

I’D SAY EVERYONE ON THE TEAM HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. senior Theo Zimmerman

As of Oct. 12 the team has played against Hopkins, Minneapolis South, Great River, and White Bear Lake. They are undefeated with close games against Hopkins and White Bear Lake

and celebrated blowout wins against Minneapolis South and Great River.

“We’ve been super welcomed and … playing really well together,” Monahan said.

“Everyone on the team is super nice,” Bonin said.

The SPA and Washburn styles of play have come together to create winning strategies, and friendships.

“It feels like we’re all one team, which is what you want,” Zimmerman said.

The partnership both on the scoreboard and in personal player relationships has been an ultimate success.

The team’s next game will be Oct. 28 against Apple Valley at Lake Nakomis Park Field B.

Scan this QR code to watch a video about Ultimate’s fall Sunday captains practice.

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Peter Ostrem

CALCULATED CATCH. Veteran player Declan Monahan catches an incoming frisbee. “We’ve been super welcomed and ... playing really well together,” Monahan said.

SPORTS PHOTOS OF THE MONTH QUICK REACTION. Lorenzo Good slides to the other side of the boat after partner Finn Cairns capsizes.

This is called dry capsizing.

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Clara Ann Bagnoli

KEEP GOING. SPARKS Swim and Dive cheers on teammates during the 500 yard freestyle at their dual meet Sept 28. against Central.

IBID PHOTO: Helen Frost

SPORTS

Deion Sanders changes the game for college football OLYMPIA WOLFF THE RUBICON

Last year, the University of Colorado Boulder introduced their new head football coach, Deion Sanders, otherwise known as “Coach Prime.”

As the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, Sanders brought a winning swagger to a program that only won one game last year. His braggadocious style prompts many to reflect on what makes a good coach.

For junior Maddie Pierce, inclusivity, supporting, and valuing players are key to success when she’s on the court.

“I’ve felt very valued as a part of the team.” “It’s okay to be focused on winning as long as you’re supportive of your players. I think that’s really important,” Pierce said.

Sanders compared his

players transferring to the program to high-quality Louis Vuitton bags.

Among the highly regarded football players following Sanders to Colorado are his two sons, Shedeur and Shilo. Shedeur plays quarterback, and Shilo plays safety on the defensive side of the ball as the starting safety.

This September, Sanders took over the college football conversation when his Colorado team defeated last year’s national champion runner-up, Texas Tech, 45-42.

Junior Ezra Straub, a college football fan, believes that the new coaches and players that came with Sanders primed the program. “He’s able to recruit like they haven’t been able to before,” Straub said.

Sanders’ wins and uplifting energy lured in many new fans, help-

THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

13

ing to sell out Colorado games. “I think he’s very good because he gets much more publicity for college football, he knows what he’s doing,” Straub said.

Sanders’ star power

“

IT’S OKAY TO BE FOCUSED ON WINNING AS LONG AS YOU’RE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR PLAYERS.

junior Maddie Pierce

and popularity provided some extra motivation for opposing players and coaches. Dan Lanning, the head coach for the Oregon Ducks comment-

ILLUSTRATION: Annika Kim

PRIME TIME. Deion Sanders more famously known for his unique nickname “Coach Prime” after his prime coaching and primed players. Junior Ezra Straub said, “He knows what he’s doing.”

ed on Sanders and Colorado in a pregame huddle, “They’re playing for clicks. We’re playing to win,” Lanning said.

“I don’t know if they’re going to have a good season. They got killed by the Ducks, but they’re a lot better than

they were,” sophomore Fletcher Coblentz said, a Colorado fan and SMB Wolfpack football player.

Oregon went on to hand Sanders his first loss of the season, 42 - 6.

As of Oct 23. the Buffaloes are 4-3 When athletics teams

struggle on the court or on the field, coaches play a role in improving team morale, much like Sanders. SPA does recruit some lowercase “prime” coaches. “Our coaches get us hype just like Deion Sanders,” Coblentz said.

How to prepare during the offseason? Athletes weigh in.

Nora Shaughnessy

“

I usually go to Fred Wells and play with my friends or my family or just do a lesson… My mom used to be a coach, so she sometimes coaches me.

Izzy Valdez

“

I do some long runs by myself around my house and then I just do a good amount of core and some sprints.

Reprinted with Permission: Maija Norwood

Reprinted with Permission: Maija Norwood

Rowan McLean

“

I think during the offseason, getting good sleep, having a good diet, always recovering very well… you know, just staying healthy, keeping your body healthy, and then also just kicking around [a ball with] with friends on the field.

Sam Murphy

“

I usually go to the gym and do more of an explosive lift instead of like bodybuilding. Things that will specifically apply to football.

Reprinted with Permission: Scott Streble

Reprinted with Permission: Maija Norwood

Violet Benson Lucia Gonzalez

“

We do Power House and also I do like private training with private coaches and my club team, which really helps. At Power House … we do strength stuff to help our knees so we don’t tear any ACLs and stuff like that.

Reprinted with Permission: Maija Norwood

“

During the summer … [we enjoy] running our favorite routes to do long runs and having team bonding … so we can be more united as a team.

Reprinted with Permission: Maija Norwood

read about fall sports playoffs at the:

RUBICON online

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

MY HIGHLY CAFFEINATED DAY:

Pierach recommends a cuppa at local spots JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

I visited Five Watt Coffee on E Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis as the first stop on my coffee-tasting mission. The brick building gave the cafe an industrial feel, but the pumpkin cutouts and bat streamers created a cozy ambiance. I ordered a hot “Pumpkin Spice Lawsuit” from their “Seasonal and Store Specials” menu.

The coffee, which contained “real pumpkin,” nailed the quintessential pumpkin spice flavor.

My main quibble was

with the price, which was almost $7.30 for a 10 oz cup. The drink was delicious and delivered on its enticing menu description, but looking at it from a monetary perspective put a bad taste in my mouth.

Ginko Coffee: My next stop was Ginkgo Coffeehouse on Snelling Avenue. The menu included soups, salads, sandwiches, and fall specials. I ordered the “Caramel Cinnamon Apple Cider” for $5.75, though the total was only $3.54 as the barista served me standard apple

cider. For a 10 oz cup, it was significantly cheaper than Five Watt. It wasn’t exceptional cider, but it was still delicious. The atmosphere was cozy, with plenty of seating. Overall, Ginkgo Coffeehouse is worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Spyhouse Coffee: My last stop was Spyhouse Coffee on Snelling Ave. The cafe had a seasonal menu with three unconventional items. I ordered “Sage Against the Machine,” a caramel latte with housemade sage-infused pecan syrup, gar-

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Johanna Pierach

CUP O’ JOE. Five Watt Coffee provides a cozy atmosphere and delicous hot drinks. “The brick building gave the cafe an industrial feel, but the pumpkin cutouts and bat streamers created a cozy ambiance,” Pierach said.

nished with a sage sprig.

To go with the latte, I tried one of their famous strawberry mochi donuts, which I highly recommend. The bill was about $10.50, and the latte was worth the splurge. The drink is larger than 10 oz

if you order iced, so you get more bang for your buck. The sage garnish gave the latte a pleasant, minty undertone that became more prevalent with each sip. The caramel taste wasn’t overpowering, and the flavors

were well-balanced in avoiding a sickly sweetness. Spyhouse Coffee’s seasonal menu is creative, with unconventional autumn flavors. I encourage you to try it, as you may be pleasantly surprised.

Students get crafty with Halloween costume fun ANNIE ZHANG THE RUBICON

ILLUSTRATION: Annika Kim

GET SPOOKY. Junior Scarlett Gibson plans to create a unicorn costume for Halloween.

As fake cobwebs line the corners of front porches and sweets fill up candy bowls, the celebration of Halloween commences. Trick-ortreating and dressing up in a costume is central to the holiday’s festivities, inviting full creativity for a night to anyone willing to participate.

For some students, these traditions open up the world of making their own costumes.

“I always make my own Halloween costume, and I have since I was little. I think that it makes Halloween a little bit more fun, so that you can be creative, plus it’s usually cheaper that way,” sophomore Zoe Huelster said.

Costume-making begins with the process of brainstorming and choosing the final design before any technical work can begin. With a plethora of options, these

steps can prove more difficult than making the costume.

Senior Arden Lillimoe remains undecided on his costume, cycling between both solo and group ideas. “I wanna do a group costume possible; maybe something like the Scooby [Doo] gang or perhaps the Regular Show characters,” he said.

“

I THINK THAT THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF MAKING [A COSTUME] IS REALLY FUN.

sophomore Zoe Huelster

As for the costume construction process, a wide range of techniques are available for the varying levels of regalia. Junior Scarlett Gibson is planning to make a unicorn costume with ju-

nior Ava Schulender, and the two intend craft a costume with household items.

“We’re using cardboard and paper mache [for the body], and yarn for the tail,” Gibson said.

And for someone experienced like Huelster, she also plans to use what she already has, but supplement with other materials from a thrift store. “I’m going to take my old Nerf gun and turn it into one of the weird tools they use in [Men in Black],” she said. “[In going] to the thrift store, you can find cheap clothing for your costume.”

Finally, to finish the Halloween look, accessories and fine details are added to bring the look all together.

In Gibson and Schulender’s design, they plan to make a statement in the dark.

“We’re going to use glow-inthe-dark-paint in hopes of it looking cool at night,” she said.

Besides the final product, the process itself sparks joy among participants in both being in full control of how the costume looks, as well as spending time with friends. “I think that the actual process of making it is really fun, especially if it’s a group costume, plus it can make your costume a little bit more special if you want to add your own twist to it,” Huelster said.

In the spirit of creativity, a day of traditional spookiness is, for many, an opportunity to unleash creativity and express themselves in whatever their heart desires for a night, creating fun memories with friends.

Scan this QR code to find a last-minute DIY.

All bark and no bite: Drake’s “For All The Dogs” album MCKINLEY GARNER THE RUBICON

With Drake’s new album For All The Dogs, he keeps his signature flows, not adding anything new to the table as far as rhythms and tempo, and people are getting sick of it. Retired rapper Joe Budden said on his podcast, “I miss the Drake that was rapping for the rappers.” Budden claims that Drake focuses too much on writing songs for kids, and that that distracts him from making quality music.

For All The Dogs was an album that had the goal of trying to replicate

older Drake albums. It is a little slower pace than some of his more recent releases, mimicking that of his old style. However, it stands out with its collaborations, making it uniquely similar.

While the album as a whole has many moments that are deeply fascinating and intriguing –melodically, rhythmically, and as far as production quality– he ruins the flow of the album with oddball statements and wacky production shifts that catch listeners completely off guard.

An example of this is in the song “8am in Char-

lotte” While Drake talks about his gratitude for all that he has become, he randomly throws in the lyric “So many cheques owed / I feel Czechoslovakian,” something that feels culturally insensitive and entirely unessesary.

A calming break from the jumble of this album is found with the song “Tried Our Best.” This song is easily the best song on the album, due to the fact that Drake breaks away from his standard slam poetry-esque speech into beautifully melodic singing.

Not only is this song au-

ditorily appealing, it has a rich meaning behind it about the complexities of romantic relationships.

Another intriguing aspect of this album is the wide array of collaborations with other pop artists. On the song “Calling For You,” 21 Savage is featured, but Drake takes away from 21 Savage’s unique style, making the song just like any other song on the album.

However, in “Gently” Bad Bunny has a feature, and is able to shine through in unmatched ways. This song is worth listening to, introducing classic Spanish beats into Drake’s

style in a beautiful merger.

While there is rich meaning that can be derived from this album, there isn’t anything setting it apart from all the other Drake albums, or rap albums this year in general. Drake continues to use his slowpaced talking voice without many tempo switch ups in most of the songs. While keeping his uniquely simple production style, he doesn’t offer much to listeners that they haven’t already heard. In addition, Drake continues to play into the classic misogynis-

tic wordage of rap these days, perpetuating hurtful philosophies. All of these factors place this album in the lower middle of the pack as far as rap albums this year.

FAIR USE IMAGE; OVO Sound

RUFF ALBUM. Drake’s latest album premiered to disappointment from the general public.

15 Jazz Band gears up for winter Pops Concert ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

AMANDA HSU THE RUBICON

The Jazz Band will perform numerous upbeat songs in the upcoming winter Pops Concert alongside the orchestra and choir.

“

THE SONGS WE PLAY ARE VERY UPBEAT, SO IT’S GOING TO BE FUN. sophomore Devi Nelson

Band students practice individually with sections on certain tutorial days to prepare for the concert. When they come together for full band rehearsals, their hard work truly shines through.

Senior Bridget Keel has played the trumpet since fifth grade and has been in the Upper School

Jazz Ensemble for all four years of her high school career.

Her primary motivation to join the band was the requirement to either join the choir or learn an instrument at school.

“I wasn’t about to be caught singing,” Keel said.

Her father also played the trumpet, which made picking it up the obvious choice.

Keel added, “[He] pushed me in via nepotism.”

As one of the few seniors in the band, Keel advises other underclassmen to continue refining their skills. “Practice seems mundane and useless, but do it because otherwise the band sucks,” Keel said. Her favorite part of the class is performing with a large group of people who enjoy making music.

Sophomore Devi Nelson played the baritone in fourth grade and

switched to the trombone when she joined the Middle School Jazz Band during eighth grade. She thinks the SPA band experience has been fun and enjoys showcasing her talents in concerts throughout the year.

“The songs we are playing are very upbeat, so it’s gonna be fun,” Nelson said.

The band still needs to solidify their top songs.

They are currently practicing a variety of hits, including “Bang a Gong (Get it On)” by T. Rex, “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Africa” by Toto, “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars, “Children of Sanchez” by Chuck Mangione and “Putting on the Ritz” by Taco. Student favorites include “Africa” and “Children of Sanchez.” “I’m a Mangione stan,” Keel said.

Band students can suggest songs they would like to perform, but Ran-

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Amanda Hsu

LET LOOSE. Sophomore Louis Fratzke works hard to excel at the bass trombone. The trombone secion meets individually during Friday tutorial to rehearse.

dy Reid, the middle and upper school Jazz Band director, usually makes the final decisions. Keel explained, “You can send [songs] to Mr. Reid, and if there’s a nice score, it sounds good, and it’s doable difficulty level-wise, then he’ll consider it for the band to play.” After

practicing them, students will vote on the final songs from that preliminary group.

Around every five years, song choices can be repeated and performed again, like “Putting on the Ritz,” but students often wish they had more choice in the

song decisions. The main consensus is that there is a want for more popular and mainstream songs. “I wish we could play some better songs, but that’s okay, you can’t have everything,” Keel said.

The Jazz Ensemble will perform in the Pops Concert on Dec. 8 and 9.

JUAN MIGUEL ADAMS

fosters passion. “The music does not work without the violas or violins or any other section; it’s like multiple parts to a whole,” Tran said.

Last year, there was a performance of Beetho-

of the different choirs is something special.”

The abstract nature of sheet music provides a structured framework; its nuanced interpretations and subtle phrasings allow each musician to add their own style.

“I love seeing how each piece develops over time and which ideas the students come up with to make the music their own,” orchestra director Almut Engelhardt said.

In the end, the orchestra has created something beautiful as their individual parts finally come together, and the orchestra plays together beautifully to finish the song. “It’s when the music starts to speak really clearly through everyone, and we create something together that we could not have achieved on our own individually,” Engelhardt said.

Orchestra finds harmony through shared musical passion THE RUBICON

THE RUBICON PHOTOS: Juan Miguel Adams

STRUM THE STRINGS. Academy and Honors Sinfonia rehearse “Ode to Joy” together in preparation for their upcoming concert. “Being able to play with all of the different choirs is something special,” leader of the keyboard section Isak Bildsten said.

This December, the orchestras will premiere their semester’s cumulation of hard work alongside band and choir at the Pops Concert.

Sophomore and violinist Minh Tran said, “Orchestra means like a community to me because everyone there is there participating in creating music.”

Orchestra is a community where individuals can come together to create something bigger than the harmonies of its parts. The shared experiences of preparing for a performance, from rehearsal to the final blow create lasting memories.

Each section works as hard as possible to play its part to the best of its ability, and with each section knowing they have the same importance, it

“

ORCHESTRA: ...EVERYONE IS THERE PARTICIPATING IN CREATING MUSIC.

sophmore Minh Tran

ven’s “Ode to Joy” where all the ensembles seamlessly merged into a harmonious whole. Senior and keyboard section leader Isak Bildsten said, “I loved when every ensemble combined to perform “Ode to Joy” and being able to play with all

COMMUNITY ARTS CALENDAR:

ILLUSTRATION: Annika Kim

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SERVICE JOURNALISM THE RUBICON - OCTOBER 2023

Be part of the solution to home insecurity LEARN: Minnesota homelessness policies in flux ORION KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

Through harsh winters and hot summers, more than 8,000 Minnesotans could be sleeping without shelter on any single night. Minnesota sits 20th nationally in terms of the rate of homelessness per 10,000 people, and that ranking shouldn’t be overlooked.

Homelessness is more than a housing

issue, but a matter of life or death in a state with such extreme weather. According to a study by the Minnesota Department of Health, homeless people have three times the mortality rate compared to the average Minnesotan.

Homelessness is not just a local crisis, but a national and international one as well. According to a Stanford University study, America ranks 7th in homeless-

ness worldwide. Habitat for Humanity estimates that 1.6 billion people, more than 20% of the world’s population, lack adequate housing. Causes for homelessness vary from country to country but poverty is a key factor, even in the wealthiest countries like the U.S. One of the ways other countries are addressing homelessness is through “Housing First” policies in Scandinavian countries, including Finland and Denmark. Homeless people are given an apartment to live in without any pre-conditions. Finland has had great success in combating homelessness, reducing the number of homeless people by 75% from 1989 to 2020.

“

YOU HAVE CITIES ...

WHACK-A-MOLEING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS DOWN AND NOT COMING UP WITH AN ACTUAL SOLUTION. senior Carys Hardy

INFOGRAPHIC: McKinley Garner

In response to Minnesota’s homelessness crisis, various branches of the state government have created plans to provide aid. One of those programs is the Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund (LTHSSF). Created in 2005 by the Minnesota legislature, the fund helps long-term homeless people with housing. In 2022 alone, the fund served over 3,158 people.

Additionally, the Minnesota DepartINFOGRAPHIC: McKinley Garner

ment of Human Services is in the process of applying to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve Minnesota’s housing and Medicaid plans, as of the 2017 legislature. Other programs such as General Assistance provide around $200 per month to help with housing, .

Despite the systems in place responding to the homelessness crisis, there are deeper problems at its root. Ward 8 Council President Andrea Jenkins is running on a platform of housing equality. She supports a multi-pronged approach to dealing with the affordable housing crisis that includes a rent control cap of 3%, rent subsidies for single mothers of color, and an aggressive effort to build more housing units. Jenkins points to the fentanyl epidemic, mental health issues, and inadequate pay levels from corporations as some of the root causes of homelessness.

Minnesota organizations tackle homelessness crisis CLARA ANN BAGNOLI THE RUBICON

Minnesota’s housing crisis is an ongoing complex issue with many stakes in the matter. Where the government’s aid ends, local and national non profits, private donors and citizens pick up the slack. Within the Twin Cities metro area, nonprofits are each taking a different approach to tackle the systemic issue of housing accessibility.

MINNESOTA COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS First is the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization using public policy to better the lives of Minnesotans and targeting housing and economic instability within the state through advocacy and lobbying. This year they advocated for 200 million dollars for Shelter Capital to support the 86 shelter projects seeking state funds to complete projects. The Health and Human Services Committee responded with a 100 million dollar investment into Shelter Capital, as well as 37.53 million dollars to

eight other shelters. Their current goals are to expand and preserve shelter spaces, strengthen the Emergency Services Program, invest in the Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program and Landlord Risk Mitigation Program, cap 30% income modification for the Housing Support Program, and add funds towards building affordable housing. The coalition is a partnership with lawmakers and citizens, translating the needs of civilians into concrete solutions.

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

For a more hands-on approach, the Neighborhood House provides services for the unhoused, specifically refugees and immigrants, through family coaching and education programming, food banks and family centers. They began as a program at the Mount Zion Temple in 1897 to support Jewish refugees fleeing Russia and grew from there. They use a multi-faceted approach to support families wholly. Their housing stability program specifically fights to prevent evictions by providing emergency financial assistance and working with community partners to allocate resources. Since the beginning, Neighborhood House has

been striving to make sure everyone who lives in St. Paul has a place to call home.

AVIVO VILLAGE

The Avivo Village is the first ever indoor community of tiny houses created to give unhoused individuals access to independent living accommodations. Being unhoused often comes with not only a removal of basic needs such as shelter and food but also self autonomy as well. The village gives people the resources of a homeless shelter but with the dignity of homeownership. The village currently houses 100 units and has served 412 individuals as of Sept 15. A dwelling itself contains a house structure with four bedrooms with closet space and furniture provided. In the common areas there are single stall bathrooms and showers.

Within the building there are also community spaces for meals, down time, and group activities. Unique to Avivo is their harm reduction strategy of not requiring residents to be sober and instead providing them with case managers. Their goal is for the village to be temporary housing and for the tiny house to be the stability needed to launch people into success.

ACT: SCAN TO READ MORE. Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless aims to improve public policy regarding housing stability.

SCAN TO READ MORE. Neighborhood House assists with the unhoused with basic needs and opportunities like education.

SCAN TO READ MORE. Avivo Village creates autonomous living communities for unhoused, aiming to create a foundation for their future success.