March 2023 Issue

USC HOSTS ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE TODAY

The USA is experiencing a blood shortage. In Jan. 2020, Red Cross declared its first-ever national blood crisis, desperate for donations.

The Upper School Council collaborates with a representative from American Red Cross who reaches out annually. USC then finds eligible donors to contribute to the drive. Senior Clea Gaitas-Sur said, “We run a sign-up booth about two weeks before the blood drive, and day of, USC members find alternates, monitor recovery, and run the sign-in and sign-out.”

Sophomore Cerena Karmaliani said, “What tends to happen is we get like double or triple the amount of people that we need, but a lot of people back out last minute, so on the day of we get the exact amount that we would need.”

According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States requires blood every two seconds. That is an estimated 29,000 units of blood needed every day.

Donors will be providing one pint of blood out of the 10 to 11 pints contained in the human body. The process takes around 10 minutes, though donors are encouraged to remain in the area for 15 minutes after to ensure no complications ensue.

“It’s a really cool opportunity. If you’re eligible, please try and donate. If you can help in any little way, it helps a big issue,” Karmaliani said.

The blood drive will be hosted on Mar. 7 in Driscoll.

Rise of ChatGPT sparks conversation about educational values

ORION KIM CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR

Open AI released ChatGPT Nov. 30, 2022 an artificial intelligence chatbot that immediately took the world by storm. Within weeks, the world embraced this new technology: students used it to write essays, singers asked it to generate song lyrics, and home cooks used it to make new recipes.

If this magical chatbot can pull the answers to virtually any question out of thin air, what’s the danger? Academic Dean Tom Anderson believes that AI technology, while it can be helpful in some ways, poses a threat to students.

“If a student feels like they can find a shortcut that is less traceable, they might take that path,” he said. The danger is that taking shortcuts might damage a student’s ability to learn important life skills.

“[A student’s] capacity to gather, arrange, synthesize, and analyze information is going to be important in any field that [they] are in,” Anderson said.

continued on pg. 2

NOT ENOUGH MOVEMENT

Extended periods of sitting come with many health concerns, here is why you should take more movement breaks throughout the day.

COFFEE CHAT EXPANDS LGBTQ+ CONNECTION

Community. Connection. Support. One thing they all have in common is that they are essential in any circumstance, but especially when it comes to underrepresented identities one example being the LGBTQ community.

“There’s a team of us who are really looking to expand and kind of grow the connectedness of the queer families here at SPA,” Middle School Learning Specialist Jay Rainville-Squire said.

This team consists of Intercultural Life Program Specialist Alexis Irish and Director of Intercultural Life Dr. Naomi Taylor, among others. A recent coffee chat was held for families of students who identify as LGBTQ. Discussion at the event centered around clubs and affinity groups offered at SPA: clubs Action for Gender Equality/ Gender and Sexuality Alliance; affinity group Rainbow Connections and special interest group Lovelace Society.

CHATGPT TALKS SEASONAL DEPRESSION

After asking ChatGPT to “write an essay about seasonal depression,” this is some of what it was able to generate:

Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. It is a mental health condition that can cause symptoms such as low mood, lack of energy, fatigue, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns. While the exact cause of seasonal depression is not known, experts believe it is related to a lack of sunlight exposure and a disruption of the body’s internal clock.

One of the main causes of seasonal depression is the reduction in the amount of sunlight during the fall and winter months. Sunlight is important for the production of vitamin D, which plays a role in regulating mood and energy levels. When there is less sunlight, the body produces less vitamin D, which can lead to symptoms of depression. Additionally, the decrease in sunlight can disrupt the body’s internal clock, leading to changes in sleep patterns and mood.

Seasonal depression is more common in areas that are far from the equator, where there are greater differences in the amount of daylight between the seasons. Women are also more likely to experience seasonal depression than men, and it is more common in younger adults....”

The second time, the response was written differently.

STUDENT WEIGHT ROOM

While many student athletes take advantage of the weight room, it isn’t highly advertised for individual use.

In addition to affinity groups, “We talked about what curriculum is discussed in middle school specifically when it comes to LGBTQIA+ issues,” Rainville-Squire said.

At the end, there was time for parents to ask questions.

The coffee chat was prompted by climate survey data from the Strategic Action Plan for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging sent last year. The survey focused on five parts, one being student experience.

Director of Intercultural Life Naomi Taylor examined the data and set goals:“When you break down student experience based on the data that we received from that survey, one population is our LGBTQIA+ students [...] they had marked their experience being slightly lower than their counterparts, students that are not LGBTQ. So we wanted to be able to be responsive, to be able to bring families together in terms of support.

To Rainville-Squire, the journey of identity is an on-

continued on pg. 2

STRESS LEVELS RISE

Over the past few years, teenagers have been at increased risk of high stress levels for numerous reasons.

SECOND GLANCE. While this photo might look like a student staring at a computer, look closer and recognize that it is slightly distorted. The image was generated by OpenAI’s DALL-E 2 based on the prompt: “Create a realistic photo of a student using ChatGPT.”

GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON

DONATE NOW. USC runs a sign up table in the English commons Feb. 20.

RUBICON PHOTO: Grace Medrano

JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

ChatGPT PHOTO: Created by Orion Kim

Science Alliance competitors prep for state Olympiad tournament

ORION KIM CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR

Junior Baasit Mahmood has a passion for science, and Science Alliance gives him a chance to compete with other scientists.

“I enjoy trying out events with different people that I don’t really know yet,” he said.

In a club where students only have 45 minutes to work on their events, competitors need to be efficient with their time.

Mahmood sets specific tasks for every class period in order to work towards larger goals. “I hope to achieve top three in experimental design because I think our group has the potential to do great. With the right prep work, everyone’s events can have strong finishes and final rankings.”

Currently, the team is preparing for the Science Olympiad state tournament Mar. 4.

Mahmood is compet-

RISE OF CHATGPT continued from pg. 1

ing in three events, but he’s most excited about experimental design because of his prior experience with similar tasks.

“Experimental design forces you to indulge in different areas of science as the topic is completely random. I think [class] prepares us well for this event with all the labs that we do, even if it’s unrelated to the topic that’s chosen for the event,” he said.

Science Alliance club members get to choose events at the start of the year that pertain to different STEM-related topics. Some participants are required to build, engineer, or code their project ahead of their events, while others have to study for written tests. Members of the club normally compete in pairs and work together on their projects and exams.

Captain Yash Kshirsagar has been a member of the club since ninth grade. Like most, he joined because of an

IT WAS ACTUALLY AMAZING WHAT ChatGPT COULD DO. IT CAME UP WITH FAKE NAMES, FAKE DATES, FAKE SOURCES, [CITED] APA... YOU’D THINK IT WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO WRITE PRIMITIVELY.

senior Dylan-Tan Stephenson

In the long term, if students sacrifice opportunities to practice those skills they’ll eventually fall behind.

So what exactly is ChatGPT? Ask the program, and this is the response:

“ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI that has been trained on a vast corpus of text data to understand natural language and generate responses to a wide range of questions and prompts. You can think of it as a virtual assistant that can provide information, answer questions, or have conversations on a variety of topics.”

Although ChatGPT might seem flawless, it is far from completely polished. The previous paragraph seems clunky and robotic, which makes it distinguish-

COFFEE CHAT

continued from pg. 1

-going process that may find families in different stages of understanding and support.

“I think what’s difficult when it comes to issues of identity [is] we’re all at different places of our journey of awareness and self-actualization. And so there were parents who came to this meeting who

interest in science. “[It] has been one of my biggest academic passions in high school and I love to compete.”

Kshirsagar will compete in three events: Environmental Chemistry, Green Generation, and Bridges.

“I chose the events that I’m doing because they align with my strengths and because there is a balance between build and written components,” he said.

Freshman Shefali Meagher is new this year, and has developed mean-

able from human writing. According to Anderson, AI technology still has a lot of room for improvement.

“I don’t think that the current ChatGPT is particularly strong. It has a very formulaic approach. I’ve already seen examples that kids have turned in that were clearly created by something like it,” he said.

Although there are limitations, Chatbots aren’t going to stop progressing. Many other search engines have already followed suit, including Microsoft’s Bing and Google’s Bard. According to the Harvard Business Review, chatbots will only continue to develop “AI has the potential to take over certain roles traditionally held by humans. As [it] continues to improve, more and more current jobs will be threatened by automation.”

Even though ChatGPT might seem like the next matrix, it isn’t exactly detrimental. According to the review, “The question isn’t whether AI will be good enough to take on more cognitive tasks, but rather how we’ll adapt.”

Senior Dylan Tan Stephenson and his neuroscience project group adapted strategically. Instead of using the technology to cheat, they decided to make a point.

The group completed the majority of their project without the help of AI technology. However, when the time came to assign a homework project for the class, they used ChatGPT to demonstrate its power. “It was actually amazing what ChatGPT could do. It came up with fake names, fake dates, fake sources, [cited] APA, which was amazing because you’d think it would only be able to write primitively,” Stephenson said.

After the presentation, they revealed that the

Meagher. “[Junior Rita Li] and I meet up on Mondays and Thursdays because we’re partners for two of the events: Cell Biology and Anatomy and Physiology… I guess we got a lot closer after spending so much time on our projects together.”

Besides her events with Li, Meagher will compete in Disease Detectives with freshman Zain Kizilbash.

to

ingful connections with the group. “The main fields that I’m interested in are STEM, so when I saw that Science Alliance was a club, it was definitely the number one thing that I wanted to try out.”

Working across grades has been a highlight for

Kshirsagar has high ambitions for himself and the team: “At state, I not only want to place well, but I also want to make sure that we represent our school well [...] and that everyone has a good experience. [As a captain], I try to make sure that no one is confused during preparation and to help with any questions that students may have.”

Division C state competition takes place at Bethel University. Admission is free and open to the public.

project was AI-generated, and the class was shocked by what the technology was able to create. “People thought it was cool, but I don’t think they thought about what AI can do if people want to use it for malicious things,” he said.

Junior Violet Benson also found ways interesting ways to use the technology. “It can be useful to use [ChatGPT] to get basic background information and an overview of the topic,” she said. Additionally, there’s an abundance of creative ways to make use of the technology. “I know someone who used it to try and generate a new cooking recipe. You can also generate art ideas or just play around with it,” she continued.

Despite the potential benefits of ChatGPT, its proficiency makes it dangerous. For many students, it’s difficult not to use chatbots as the easy way out of an assignment. According to a survey from study.com, 89% of students have used it to complete a homework assignment.

According to the study: “While ChatGPT can be useful for generating things like writing prompts or assisting in outlines for students, the students themselves may be more likely to believe that something so helpful will end up as a crutch rather than a tool of learning.”

Anderson is adamant that students consider the long-term consequences when they’re thinking about cheating on an assignment. “We’re entering a period of history where our ability to think carefully and critically, precisely, and originally may be more important than it ever has been,” he said.

are years into their journey and have supported their kids since they were in elementary school and feel really comfortable… and then there are people who are just for the first time grappling with the issue of identity. So I think families were coming there for very different reasons.”

No matter the stage in the journey, Hannah Brass insists support

from family members is crucial. She is the group leader for the GSA/AGE club in the upper school.

“Students need to see that their families are supportive of their identities. Other parents who aren’t accepting also need to see that being queer isn’t bad or unusual, so they should support their kids,” Brass said. They believe that events such as these, which seek to

bridge the gap between school and home life, help students who want to be out at school to become “more visible and active around campus,” which in turn helps foster acceptance.

The idea of bridging the gap was an important objective for this event, particularly for Taylor, who believes that effort is required from all areas of a student’s life to help

them feel safe expressing their identity in all environments.

“It really is a school, student, parent, community effort,”she said. “Isolation… prevents a strong partnership. It prevents the knowledge and wisdom of the whole group to be able to support as needed. So I think parents as partners is crucial because then students don’t feel like they have

to toggle between one identity or space at home and at school.”

LASER FOCUS. Juniors Rishi Bhargava and Baasit Mahmood work together

finish their project efficiently. “With the right prep work, everyone’s events can have strong finishes and final rankings,” Mahmood said.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Kate Lockwood

OUR MISSION

We strive to capture the spirit of the community through its stories while inspiring deeper conversations. Above all, we stand for integrity in our pursuit to inform and engage our readers.

THE RUBICON

St. Paul Academy and Summit School

1712 Randolph Ave • St. Paul, MN 55105

rubicon.spa@gmail.com

www.rubiconline.com

@TheRubiconSPA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR

NEWS EDITOR

OPINIONS EDITOR

GOOD QUESTION EDITOR IN DEPTH EDITOR

FEATURE EDITORS

SPORTS EDITORS

A&E EDITORS

DIRECTOR OF ONLINE

PRODUCTION MANAGER

CREATIVE DESIGN WEBMASTER

NEWS EDITORS

OPINIONS EDITORS

FEATURE EDITORS

A&E EDITORS

SPORTS EDITOR

PODCAST EDITOR

PHOTOJOURNALIST

STAFF WRITERS

Maddy Fisher

Catherine Hooley

Orion Kim

Hazel Waltenbaugh

Claire Kim

Johanna Pierach

Annie Bai

Annie Zhang

Eliza Farley

Clara Ann Bagnoli

Georgia Ross

McKinley Garner

Grace Medrano

Tommy Verhey

Ali Browne

Ivy Raya

Eliana Mann

Davan Rosen

Alexandra Cardwell

Mariam Malik

Rita Li

Siri Pattison

Clara McKoy

Zadie Martin

Nelson Wodarz

Ivy Raya

Alison Mitchell

Marius Morse

Juan Miguel Adams

Thomas Chen

Thomas Ferguson

Carys Hsiung

Amanda Hsu

Taryn Karasti

Sonia Kharbanda

Thomas Kovarik

Andrew Lipinsky

Frances Matthews

Nora McKoy

Shefali Meagher

Lani Ngonethong

Greyson Sale

Nora Seifert

Zimo Xie

ADVISER

Kathryn Campbell, CJE

PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANT

Colton Werner

MEMBERSHIPS

Columbia Scholastic Press Association

National Scholastic Press Association

MN High School Press Association

Quill and Scroll Honor Society

PUBLICATION AWARDS

NSPA All-American, Pacemaker

CSPA Gold Medalist

CSPA Crown Award Winner

SNO Distinguished Site

JEM All State Gold

Promote healthy habits by incorporating movement in class

the staff agree 100%

EDITORIAL THE RUBICON STAFF

In MS French classes, five minutes of nearly every period are set aside for dancing. Students follow along with a disco tutorial from a program called 5-a-day and then transition back to work.

While the disco focus may be unique to the French program, movement breaks as part of learning are not. But when students enter ninth grade, these pauses become much less common.

As education becomes increasingly digital, most classes are spent sitting down, alternating between staring at a laptop and a SmartBoard. While there’s plenty of discourse surrounding the negative impacts of computer screens, there’s not enough about all the time students spend in chairs. According to an article in Yale Medicine, spending too much time in a chair has been linked to a host of health concerns, including diabetes, poor heart health, weight gain, depression, dementia, and multiple cancers. Researchers also found an association between extended sitting and early death from any cause.

Luckily, these consequences have a relatively simple solution. Between 60 and 75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity, or anything that raises heart rate and causes sweat, can offset the impacts of too much sitting.

That said, unless you’re a member of a sports team or club that practices or plays daily, it can be hard to set aside enough time to exercise. Students and teachers alike can struggle to balance workload with healthy habits. Sometimes, with the lack of light in the winter and the exhaustion of the day, a workout feels like an impossible task.

Eric Holder, a Yale Medicine physiatrist, recommends breaks every 30 minutes instead, suggesting a quick walk or stretch.

Walking can be especially beneficial; a Stanford University study found that walking distinctly improves the ability to generate creative ideas, an effect that lasts even after sitting back down. The same study showed no significant difference between activity performed outside versus inside; a couple of laps around the halls is just as beneficial as a walk around the block.

Incorporating breaks into the classroom schedule is a simple way to promote physical activity and healthy habits. Though it may seem like downtime would interrupt the flow of class, a five-minute unstructured break provides an opportunity for students to step away from their work, reset, and come back refreshed and ready to learn. Alternatively, it’s easy to include a little structured movement by having students complete an activity in the hallway or holding small group discussions on a walk.

As the weather gets warmer, having some classroom activities outside is also an option; a change of location is another way to add a little movement during the school day.

As a student, it’s important to take advantage of opportunities to re-energize. When a teacher calls for a five-minute break, don’t spend it slumped in a chair. Stand up and move a little—it may come as a surprise how much it will improve your day.

of

OUTSIDE THE BOX. Engaging in classroom activities that aren’t static doesn’t automatically mean students will be distracted or unproductive. Using the opportunity to expand learning content outside the classroom has many benefits that can improve engagement, focus, and health.

EDITORIAL CARTOON: Annika Kim

... IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO RE-ENERGIZE.

Should you apply for a scholarship?

MERIT-BASED

- Given based on academic or athletic achievement, or other notable traits

- Criteria for merit-based scholarships differs between colleges

OTHER TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

- Identity-based: targeted towards specific demographics

- Government: local, state, and federal level

- Activity-based: involvement in extracurriculars or groups

- Employer-sponsored: given for employees’ education

Scholarships provide, on a base level, financial aid to students who require it to attend college. It’s a system to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial status, can go to a good college. So what does that mean for SPA students?

SPA is a private college-prep school, with tuition (at its full price) being $34,960. This allows for smaller classes, averaging 13 students per class compared to the average of 27 students per class in public schools. Similarly, SPA has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, compared to public schools’ 16:1 ratio. This allows SPA to focus on each individual student and produces more college-ready students who, at first glance, are entirely upper or upper-middle class. However, what that first glance does not show is the 25% of students attending SPA on some form of financial aid.

1. IDENTIFY

The first step to a scholarship is identifying one that is relevant and attainable. Searching for scholarships can be made easier by using online resources, talking with counselors, getting involved with organizations, or contacting federal agencies depending on the type of scholarship.

NEED-BASED

- Eligibility depends on family and student’s income, assets, and other factors

- Need-based scholarships can be from federal or nonfederal aid

SOURCE: Investopedia

Scholarships are a way for many students to pursue their academic goals, whether it be through pushing students in lower socioeconomic statuses into higher education levels, or providing more opportunities to those who perform well in school. But not every form of scholarship might be the right fit for any individual.

This means that 1 in 4 students at SPA cannot afford this school easily, or without a second thought. Families make sacrifices and trade-offs to afford to send their children to this school. These students, most likely, cannot afford to attend the top colleges in the country without scholarships. Scholarships are rewards for achievements in athletics and academics to assist students in attending the college that they want to attend, not because it’s the only college they can attend.

There is a mindset within SPA that everyone can afford to be there, and therefore everyone can afford to go to whatever college they want. That is inaccurate. When a quarter of the school’s population cannot easily afford to attend this school, they similarly cannot afford to attend the schools that can cost the same as SPA tuition, with Ivy League colleges, like Yale, going up to costs of $63,000 a year.

But even if a student is not in need of financial assistance, that is not the only purpose that scholarships serve. There is an entire collection of merit-based scholarships that reward achievements throughout high school. Most athletic scholarships are provided so that the student can focus entirely on the sport, and not on any costs of the school itself. If a student is focused on working to afford college, they cannot commit to the rigorous college athletics programs. Scholarships allow them to.

There is no reason that just because SPA is an upper-class community, students cannot apply for or accept scholarships. It isn’t taking away an opportunity from someone else, because there are students at this school that need it.

SPA students have just as much right to utilize scholarships as anyone else. Whether for financial aid purposes or to pursue an athletic dream, SPA students deserve to use the opportunities they’re offered to make the most of their college education.

Reaching out to colleges or other scholarship sponsors to show interest can help with finding opportunities. By directly asking about scholarships, financial aid offices can explain their offerings in greater detail.

2. CONTACT

Merit-based scholarships are intended to provide financial aid to students who demonstrate academic excellence or exceptional abilities in certain areas. However, a huge disparity that many don’t acknowledge is merit-based scholarships are often based on standardized test scores. According to a study conducted by the US Department of Education in 2000, there is a significant correlation between standardized test scores and socioeconomic status. To add on, a study by Meyinsse and Tashakkori in 1994 determined that socioeconomic status was the best predictor of performance on standardized tests. If merit is based on socioeconomic status, merit-based scholarships suddenly become the new way of giving money back to families with higher socioeconomic statuses. This is often the case as people in higher socioeconomic statuses have better access to tutoring and to information about how to apply for scholarships, and what scholarships look for in students. This can improve their test scores and GPAs, giving them an advantage in the selection process. In practice it can be seen that people in higher socioeconomic statuses receive more in financial aid than people in lower socioeconomic statuses when discussing merit-based scholarships.

3. APPLY

The current senior speech guidelines are fair in most situations

The application process typically includes teacher recommendations, a cover letter, transcripts, and the scholarship application essay. Because new scholarships are constantly added, students can still apply for them after high school.

If a student does not absolutely need the money that a merit based scholarship could provide, then they should reserve their seat for someone who might benefit from the scholarship more, especially when considering that the average scholarship is only worth $7,400 in comparison to the average expense of $35,000 each year for private universities. If students did this, it would help to level the advantages that students in higher socioeconomic statuses already have. Some may also make the argument that scholarships help all people get into colleges; however, people with higher socioeconomic statuses already have access to things that make their applications stronger: for example, people in higher socioeconomic statuses may have more free time for extracurriculars that don’t cost money as they often don’t need jobs to help support their families economically.

While currently 18% of scholarships are merit-based, only 16% are need-based. Fighting for a greater amount of need-based scholarships in institutions is crucial, and when possible it is important for people in higher socioeconomic classes to consider not applying to merit-based scholarships to allow students in lower socioeconomic classes to receive the aid that these scholarships can give.

Schools should embrace the use of ChatGPT

This green issue is black and white

GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON

MCKINLEY GARNER THE RUBICON

THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

LEARNING CURVE. Distributing education funding in an equitable manner is crucial to improving resources for teachers and school environments for students, especially those in less wealthy districts.

Inequitable education funding is leaving our generation in the dark

In my 14 years of existence, I spent ten years of it as a student in public schools. Like millions of other students in the US, I spend the most time at school, if not at home. When I look back, there were things that I noticed which disappointed me. Sitting on a chair with a broken backrest and seeing my Earth Science teacher at his table that was balancing on that one leg some kid broke, the asphalt track surrounded by dead grass, and fights broke out almost every day.

Near the end of my final year there in 2022, my school experienced a budget cut. It laid off many teachers, my favorite ones included. The student-teacher ratio rose from 13:1 to 17:1. Teachers were worried about classroom sizes rising from an average of 32 students to 40 students.

Underfunding education means taking away good teachers, leaving students with fewer resources which decreases the quality of education. The school starts to deteriorate, making classroom environments uncomfortable and hard to learn in. I witnessed how this strips students of their only affordable and available source of activity. Yet, adults wonder why students act up in school. We need to be supported, and those that are supposed to, are put in situations that make it hard for them

to be effective teachers.

Now that I am a student at SPA, I see clearly how different my other schools were. Having this comparison, a lack of sufficient funding for schools is a significant contributor to the quality of education in public schools.

At the state level, Minnesota does well at funding public schools. Most of our revenue comes from taxes, licenses, fees, and federal grants. For the fiscal year of 2022-23, Minnesota has around $113,700 million, and $24,500 goes toward K-12 education, the second biggest spending area to Heath and Human Services. The 2021 State Legislature set the amount spent on one student for the 2022-23 school year at $6,863. In total, Minnesota spends about $14,000 per student, which is good, considering the average in America is around $12,000 per student.

Yet it’s not enough, far from enough. If it was enough, why is there still broken furniture in the Snaps my friends send me? Why are they telling me about the “daily fight” like it’s celebrity gossip?

Look at the national level, where the U.S.’s FY 2023 has $2.1 trillion to spend. The government plans to put only 2.5% of it towards education for the first quarter, which includes training, employment, and social services. Education is the 8th largest spending area, and the top spending is

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 (i.e. Sophomore Student) 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, with reporters listed alphabetically by last name. Stories that include supplemental materials include a credit at the bottom that states

18.3% towards National Defence. The Pew Research Center conducted a study that showed that 57% of Americans think improving education should be a number one priority, not 8th like it is now. Without overlooking other needs such as health care and national defense, does this mean education is not foundational to our country when it should be?

Since local taxes mostly fund schools, districts with high poverty rates get less funding per student. The more wealth one neighborhood has, the more money that area has to fund its school. It also doesn’t help that just over 50% of students who attend public schools in America are from low-income households, most of whom are students of color. I fall into these categories, and so do most kids at that school.

So, we have funding that is distributed equally from the government, but it has to be distributed equitably. Areas that have many minority people and more poverty need more funding. When my previous school received more money, they built a new turf field and a nice track to replace the asphalt one. That same year, the track coach told me the team had doubled in numbers. This shows that with more funding, schools can create better facilities and attract students to join more activities, leading to a healthier school environment.

“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.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Opinions are welcomed as Letters to the Editor or Submitted Opinions and may be published in the print or

THE RUBICON - MARCH 2023

PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING

CATHERINE HOOLEY PICKS APART IDEAS, PROFOUND AND INANE

What is self-awareness?

CATHERINE HOOLEY MANAGING EDITOR

“I think, therefore I am.” In 1637, René Descartes used this statement as a tool to prove that something in this world was real and certain, and could not be doubted. He could not doubt his thoughts, because he was the one who was doubting, meaning he was thinking. This simple phrase opened up the argument of how being aware of one’s own consciousness is part of the human condition.

Self-awareness is how one experiences their own being. How someone perceives their values, personality, goals, and any way they classify themselves can be labeled as self awareness. As explained by Scientific American, the difference between self-awareness and consciousness is that, “Consciousness is awareness of one’s body and one’s environment; self-awareness is recognition of that consciousness— not only understanding that one exists, but further understanding that one is aware of one’s existence.”

When it comes to understanding the workings of self awareness, little is known. Does self-awareness require a more complex brain? Is it perhaps a condition that only humans can endure? Science doesn’t know. Although it has been proven that most animals are conscious, researchers are not certain whether or not animals are self aware. Originally scientists believed there were parts of the brain which allowed for self awareness, but ongoing research shows that there may be larger and more complex neural pathways which make the origins of it hard to define. Whether animals are self-aware or not is a question that will continue to be studied, but why self-awareness is important is something that every human should study and reflect on individually. Self-awareness is the reason humans can reflect on themselves, which is an essential step for people to learn and grow. If a mistake is made, humans can be aware of that, but can also take the step to reflect on how to prevent it from happening again. Humans can feel emotions, but can also take an extra step to decipher what is making them feel sad or happy, and apply that information to their lives.

Self-awareness and self-reflection allow people to have grace for themselves and others. Not only are they able to understand themselves on a deeper level, self-reflection can allow them to understand others. Because humans share this level of awareness, it allows them to build connections and empathize with others on a deeper level. While every person self-reflects subconsciously, it is important to take time to intentionally reflect in order for active growth to flourish. When humans take time to focus on themselves, it allows them to make connections between things they may not have previously noticed, and allow them to endure the human condition to a further extent.

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.

LANI NGONETHONG STAFF WRITER

ILLUSTRATION: Lani Ngonethong

EVERYONE

GRADE 9: EVAN MORRIS

Passion over preference

Axolotls are cold-water amphibians native to the chilly Lake Xochimilco in Mexico. Less than a thousand are remaining in the wild due to pollution and warming water tempera-

tures. The animal is close to extinction, but in captivity, their numbers are thriving, due to the care of domestic owners like freshman Evan Morris.

He started with a leopard gecko when he was younger and a family dog but wanted to transition to a more hands-on pet where he could develop his knowledge of the animal along with his passion for plants and exotic animals.

Axolotls’ rise began from Minecraft as the cute, pink, frog-like creatures. But the animal in person is far from what is represented on screen, “[It causes] bad expectations, In Minecraft they live in like the oceans and walk underground. Not good.” Morris said. Evan’s parents were also worried about him being inexperienced since he was only in middle school at the time and had only taken care of plants, “Even though I paid for it all, I would still have to convince [my parents] to let me do this,” he said.

Most of the persuasion to his parents came in the form of research. During his research, Morris found a Discord server of experienced keepers and vets. It was on this server he found “Strolph’s Reptiles” , the breeder he was adopted from.

On their website, Morris found the axolotl for him, a hybrid of a copper axolotl and a black melanoid axolotl: “I chose him because he kind of looked like Toothless [from the movie, How to Train Your Dragon]” he said. In August of 2021, he finally got his axolotl

important thing research was tank sizes to let his fu ture friend com fortably roam around, “20 gallon [tank] is the bare minimum, but 40 [gallons] was the way I went [...] it is pretty overkill,” Morris said.

Once he got his new pet, Morris struggled with coming up with a name for him since he wanted something unique. While brainstorming, his parents reminded him of the name Tennen, which was the name of Morris’ imaginary friend from childhood: “I don’t remember why I named the imaginary friend that [...] but I thought it was kind of cool anime and didn’t sound like any human name,” he said.

Morris has also continued to learn responsibility through caring for Tennen. Water changes every week, feeding him constantly, and cleaning the filters to his tank taught him the importance of time management and organization.

ASTONISHED AXOLOTL. Tennen the axolotl peers out from his tank with a joyful smile.

He learned about the right water temperatures for his future axolotl so they wouldn’t get stressed feeding patterns, and light sensitivities. Another

Not everyone can have a high-maintenance pet; they’re expensive and take hours of time and work. It takes a special person to explore their passion to the fullest extent. Morris’ relationship with Tennen reflects his dedication, responsibility, and most significantly his love for all things axolotls, “I can talk about [axolotls] for hours” Morris said.

GRADE 11: MAIK NGUYEN

Forging friendships and bonds through music

Billions of people around the world share their love for music whether it’s Pop, Rap, R & B, K-pop, Latin, or Classical, music connects people.

Junior Maik Nguyen experienced this after he started exploring different genres of music. As someone who never really listened to mainstream music as a child, he wasn’t able to have that topic of common interest with his friends. “I used to only listen to OSTs like Harry Potter and the Legend of Zelda, it wasn’t the type of music that you talk to people about,” Nguyen said. He would always be left out from conversations because he wasn’t up to date with the newest album releases and was never invited to go out to concerts

because all of his friends knew he wouldn’t enjoy it.

Seeing all of his friends and family bond over music, naturally, he started paying attention to the music they liked and discovered his own music tastes in the process. Nguyen was first introduced to K-pop in 2015 when his sister, Gina Nguyen, showed him a performance of Big Bang which was a popular boy group at the time. “My sister thought it was cringe to like K-pop because she did, so she didn’t really care if I didn’t like it. So, she didn’t push it on me,” Nguyen said. Being 11 years apart in ages, he and his sister didn’t have many things to talk about, but music helped change that. “When she figured out that I started listening to K-pop, she would be asking my everyday about who I like, what I have listened to so far, and even made a playlist for me with songs that she thought I might enjoy,” Nguyen said.

Similarly to his sister, Nguyen found that he got closer to his friends as a result of being able to talk about and enjoy the same music. When Nguyen joined the orchestra playing the viola, he started to listen to classical music. He would always look forward to hearing classical music play on the Minnesota Public Radio on the way home in car rides and was able to share his love for the genre with other friends also involved in the orchestra, “I remember last year [Henry] Choi and I were talking about what songs we should suggest for the spring concert and we showed each other the composers that we liked.”

They even recommended some songs to Ms. Engelhardt, the orchestra teacher, “Last year I recommend-

ed Clair de Lune and Waltz No. 2 and we played the last two in the concert.” he said.

Nguyen also connected to junior Orion Kim through music. “Orion is really dedicated to playing the piano so we were able to connect through talking about music. My family was Orion’s buddy family when he was new to SPA and we weren’t as close then as we are now,” he said.

As Nguyen started to branch out getting into a variety of music genres, he felt a change in his personal relationships. He was able to find a hobby he shared with his sister and songs to talk about with his friends. “When I showed interest in their favorite artists or songs, I started to get to know them better.”

CLARA ANN BAGNOLI THE RUBICON

SUBMITTED PHOTOS: Evan Morris

ANNIE BAI THE RUBICON

K-POP CRAZE. Junior Maik Nguyen enjoys a snapshot of idol Haruto from Treasure’s music video, Hello.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Maik Nguyen

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Annie Zhang

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Annie Zhang EXOTIC PET. Freshman Evan Morris explains his love for his pet axolotl, Tennen.

MUSIC FANATIC. Junior Maik Nguyen’s favorite K-pop group is called Stray Kids. This photo shows the group’s light sticks, which fans hold up during concerts.

GRADE 10: DYLAN BUMP

Staying grounded throughout world travel

the company of his friends and playing for the local soccer team. In his early elementary school years, he loved to watch his brother, a striker and winger, play during soccer games. It made him begin to admire the sport and later on push him to join a team. As he capped his 2nd grade year however, his father, a Professor of Conservation Biology, accepted a sabbatical. But, it wasn’t at the nearby University of Michigan, it was right outside of Zurich Switzerland. When Bump found out, he was interested,“I’m going there for a year, but then I’m coming back to all of my friends.”

where [he] was,” that was the most difficult part of moving to Minnesota. Though the students were kind, the teacher was harsh and mean at his first school, Expo Elementary. Halfway through the year, Bump transferred to the German Immersion School where he finally found a sense of belonging and linguistic connection back to his previous Swiss home.

his tumultuous years of travel, Bump’s brother is a constant. “My brother is a big influence on my life,”

Upon his arrival, promptly immersed in Swiss culture, Bump was enrolled into a German-speaking school, often traveling around the neighboring European countries, he quickly picked up the language. But after a 9 month eye-opening experiences of exploring the city, local museums, and playing soccer with his new friends, Bump had to return to the U.S. But… not necessarily home.

After he’d moved on to SPA starting fresh, yet again, he saw the opportunity to join a team and leapt back into his soccer passion. The soccer team has led Bump to friendships and support, “it’s nice to have like a cohort of people during the soccer season, [...] people who you can talk to,” he said. Bump hopes that going forward, the sport will continue to offer friendships and help connect with others wherever he goes no matter the place, no matter the people, no matter the home.

GEORGIA ROSS

THE RUBICON Change is an inevitable natural process of life. Some people are intrigued by the idea of a new environment, a new group of people, or even a new home. But others are comfortable in their bubble, weary to step out and experience something new. For sophomore Dylan Bump, traveling and moving homes as he grew up put pressure on this obstacle. As a result, “I’m able to adapt to change and new things in my environment,” Bump said.

Growing up in Northern Michigan, Bump enjoyed

At age 11, offering a quick goodbye to his Michigan friends, the family of four moved to St. Paul where his dad accepted a new position at the University of Minnesota. Luckily, throughout all the travel Bump had his brother to fall back on, “My brother is a big influence on my life,” he said. Though four years older, he’s been a role model to Bump since he can remember: “If he puts his mind to something, he’ll do it. He’s funny, dedicated, and passionate,” Bump said.

It wasn’t the cold or the potholes, but restarting in a new town “not knowing anyone, and not knowing

JOYFUL JETSETTER. Although Bump’s frequent moves have meant he’s had to leave friends behind, he keeps a positive attitude. “I’m able to adapt to change,” Bump said.

GRADE 12: AARON LINDEMAN

Finding fulfillment in creative expression

HAZEL WALTENBAUGH

THE RUBICON

Art is a way of expressing emotions—it depicts thoughts through an aesthetic experience, and can explain how an artist is thinking and feeling. Senior Aaron Lindeman is working on a project that aims to capture the variety of emotions of his life using light, color, and motion.

In Lindeman’s most recent project, he has been experimenting with long exposure light photography that creates artistic, drawing-style photographs. This project inspired him to take photos of his everyday life and then pulling colors out of those images to create a paint card diptychs.

“I hope that people see the emotion described in the paint cards and are able to associate that with the photos, or even be able to feel those emotions”. Lindeman said.

Lindeman has taken a few photo art classes at SPA, including video arts where he made a few stop motion videos.

“They aren’t very intense classes, but I’ve always enjoyed taking them because they are a really good creative output for me,” Lindeman said.

Aside from art, Lindeman puts a lot of time in basketball. Starting at age five, he has always enjoyed being a part of the team sport.

“I just use it as a way to have fun with my friends, it gives me some self encouragement. Just watching myself and my friends improve, it’s definitely a sport that teaches you to be confident,” Lindeman said.

Lindeman also loves to read, something that he was inspired to do from his mom’s love of reading. Ann Patchett, a well known American author, is an author

his mom loves, which is how he found his most recent book: Belcanto.

“It’s about an opera singer, and a bunch of rich people that are being held captive. It’s a birthday party for this big corporate guy who really likes this opera singer. It’s a story of humanity and overcoming trials and tribulations.”

“Like what I said in my [senior] speech, when I’m 70, I don’t want to be regretting the things I didn’t do, and so those three things are helping me fulfill that,” Lindeman said.

Everyone has a story, but not all of them get the opportunity to be told. To help tell more varied stories, this spread features four people who hadn’t yet been interviewed for The Rubicon this year. We hope that by bringing these experiences to the page, readers will see their own lives reflected in them and feel empowered to share their own stories.

read more of everyone’s stories at RUBICON

BROTHERLY LOVE. Bump stands with his older brother in front of a European fountain. Despite

Bump said.

PHOTO FIEND. Lindeman has a passion for long exposure photography, which is just one of his many activities.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Eliza Farley

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Eliza Farley

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Dylan Bump

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Aaron Lindeman

LOVELY LIGHTS. Lindeman’s art piece called “Something” is one of his long-exposure light photographs. “I hope that people see the emotion described,” Lindeman said.

Annie Zhang and Eliza Farley, Feature

Martial artists face pressure with clarity

worldwide, with many of the largest tournaments held in the United States.

Joint locks, pins, and sweeps: while martial arts may seem like dangerous sports on the surface level, the sports have a greater focus on self-control

IT’S REALLY

sophomore Elliot Cooper

and discipline. For many athletes, martial arts are a way for them to build not only physical skills but also to strengthen their minds.

Sophomore Elliot Cooper began judo because his older brother needed a sparring partner during the early pandemic. Judo is a Japanese martial art developed with self-defense and respect for one’s opponents in mind. Founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882,

DOMINATING THE MAT

the sport concentrates on throwing and grap pling moves combined with existing elements of jiu-jitsu, which went into decline during the Meiji Restoration period in Ja pan.

Judo has given Coo per the ability to relax in high-pressure situations.

“It’s really hard because mentally you’re like, …

a step back and ... take this slow even though I feel stressed out.”

The hidden wellness hub

The weight room is just one of the many facilities that SPA has to offer that is not taken advantage of as much as it could be. With health and well-being something everyone could incorporate more of into their life, the SPA weight room still remains unused for a variety of reasons.

Junior Theo Bonin and freshman Evy Sachs believe that the weight room is not adequately advertised to the student body. They agree that more people would use the room if it had better machines and if it was more widely known how to use it.

Sachs is a member of the alpine team and uses it frequently during the season, “[the weight room]is helpful for teams, but isn’t really advertised for individuals” Sachs said. The Alpine team used the room once

a week which was helpful for her sport as strength is a large component and helps improve performance on the slopes.

. “The trainer guided us through strength building and stretching to help

chines, and some of the machines don’t work.”

Using the weight room is easier than it may seem. All a student has to do to use the weight room is inform the trainer, Anne Hutchins or Randy Comfort that they are going to be in the weight room.

“I am usually at school from right when it ends to around 5:30 to 6:00 pretty much every day of the week,” Hutchins said. Informing an adult is necessary as when you are in the gym you need someone to be aware of it in case something goes wrong. After that, the gym is completely open for everyone to use.

difficult cardio without burning out quickly.

“It’s been really helpful

SUITING UP

Sophomore Oliver Thompson, who signed up at a local jiu-jitsu gym after watching a class, described an average practice as consisting of drills, technique work, and live sparring rounds. For competitions, he explained that athletes warm up before matches, which are usually back-to-back., “.... you win by scoring points or by submitting your opponent who normally taps out to avoid injury. So they tend to be a lot more intense than the sports I do at SPA as there is a bit more risk.”

for stuff like taking tests where I feel stressed and other situations where normally I rush through stuff,” he said.

Similar to judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is another martial art based on self-defense. The sport was founded by brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie in the early 1900s, and since then has expanded

For both Cooper and Thompson, martial arts has also been a way for them to develop relationships with others. Because of the emphasis on discipline and building character, interacting with other participants in a competitive environment is a major factor in martial arts. “One thing that …has stuck with me is the importance of learning from others and having respect for everyone, including your opponents,” Thompson said.

us stay strong and loose,” she said.

Bonin is a member of the Ultimate team, but does not use it during the athletic season, “I go to the YMCA often, but don’t really use the SPA gym.” Bonin said. “The [SPA[ gym is not clean, there aren’t as many ma-

Another common deterrent from using the weight room is being unfamiliar with what workouts to do. “Google is a really good resource for finding out what to do,” Hutchins said, “going with a friend is a great way to make sure you are using proper form.”

Cox’s three favorite workouts

SQUATS - 3 sets of 12 repetitions

LATERAL RAISES - 3 sets of 8 repetitions

BENCH PRESS - 3 sets of 10 repetitions

HARD BECAUSE MENTALLY YOU’RE LIKE, ‘I’VE GOT TO BE GOOD AT THIS, I’VE GOT TO GO FAST.

MCKINLEY GARNER THE RUBICON

CLAIRE KIM THE RUBICON

SET AND LIFT. Sophomore Finn Cox completes a warm up set of bench presses during his free period. Hutchins said, “Going with a friend is a great way to make sure you are using proper form.”

RUBICON PHOTO: Clara Ann Bagnoli

Gi is the common uniform for Judo. They are typically white and made from canvas.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Elliot Cooper

THE WEIGHT ROOM IS HELPFUL FOR TEAMS, BUT ISN’T REALLY ADVERTISED FOR INDIVIDUALS.

freshman Evy Sachs

“

Cooper finishes a competitor with a heavy blow during a Judo practice.

Boys hockey benefits from volunteering in “Saint Sma ”

Volunteering for the team individually is one thing and is often done for credit, group volunteering is not a common occurrence at SPA, and when it does happen, it brings a plethora of benefits along. For one team specifically, volunteering has been an ongoing tradition for a variety of reasons.

Volunteering BY THE NUMBERS

$1182

AMOUNT OF MONEY RAISED THROUGH TIPS FROM VOLUNTEERING

30

NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE EVENT

4

HOURS WORKED BY EACH PLAYER DURING THE VOLUNTEERING EVENT

INFOGRAPHIC: Clara Ann Bagnoli INFORMATION: George Peltier

COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE. The values of the hockey program are displayed above their cubbies in the locker room. Through their volunteering work, the team attempted to bring these commitments out of the locker room and into the community. “My favorite part of volunteering was helping out my community with my teammates and friends,” Halloway said.

Student coaches teach kids, kids teach them

CATHERINE HOOLEY MANAGING EDITOR

Everyone needs to learn. Whether it be sports, academics, art, or something else, a mentor is someone that can help anyone improve their skills. Not only is coaching beneficial for those receiving the help, but it is beneficial for those who teach. Coaching can improve a person’s ability to collaborate, problem solve, understand others, develop their skills further, and engage with the sport on a deeper level.

Senior Shobin Ansite teaches taekwondo at Fusion Martial Arts. Ansite teaches kids ages four through six. When asked by his coach if he would like to teach younger kids taekwondo, Ansite said yes and jumped right in. Ansite has learned

more about interacting with kids as well as his own sport from his experiences. “I’ve learned more basic things because I had to teach them. So I’ve learned… you kind of have to go

me now. They know you. You know them. So you know the things that they like, things that they do, and how they act,” he said. But with progress, there are still challenges. “If somebody doesn’t understand something, you have to try and explain it in a different way. Or sometimes they don’t want to do something, but you kind of have to make them do it,”

During the season, Spartans Boys’ Hockey took on volunteering at their local Lunds and Byerly’s and helped customers carry groceries to their cars.

Besides Lunds and Byerly’s being located in a convenient spot, this particular store was a landmark

for many of the players on the team, “We decided on Lunds & Byerly’s because it is a local grocery store that much of the team has been around throughout our lives,” sophomore Josh Holloway said.

Throughout the team’s time volunteering, Lunds and Byerly’s allowed them to keep any tips they may have received from customers, with all the money going to fund the program, “[...] the money that we raised went to the booster fund to pay for many things including pre-game meals, team snacks, faculty appreciation night, and senior night,” sophomore Liam Huddleston said.

Of course, donations were not required from customers but with the number of familiar faces and connections to hockey that the people of St. Paul had, it was no surprise the team managed to raise $1,182.

Additionally, members received the chance to talk with a number of people from the community, “A lot of people in the St. Paul area usually have a tie to hockey, whether that be anoth-

er high school, or for the local club team, so [we were] always able to strike up conversations with those people pretty easily,” junior Henri Peltier said. “[...] I really liked [...] being able to meet people that I would otherwise never meet or talk to, and be able to share a short bond over whatever matter is on our and their minds, and it’s a very insightful experience overall.”

Although the general consensus of the team about the experience was quite positive, volunteering came with its moments. According to senior Alex Armada, “[...] a customer screamed at me for not having his grocery bags, even though I was not supposed to be helping him,” he said. “The manager had to explain to him his confusion.”

Even Armada, who was posed to face the upset elderly man, still believes the team was able to bond over an experience, “Because our whole team participated in the volunteering, we grew closer by all facing similar difficulties. We all did it for the team.”

back to basics…You have to just know how to talk to them and solve problems,” Ansite said.

From his time coaching, Ansite has learned how to build relationships with the kids he coaches. “They all know

Junior Natalie Vogenthaler coaches kids 10 and under at Laura Jeffrey Academy for St. Paul Parks and Rec. “I started coaching for volunteer hours sophomore year, and then I really enjoyed it, so I kept going, and it’s really fun to see the progress they make.”

“I’ve learned a lot about how kids’ minds work and how they adapt to the different envi-

ronments they’re in,” Vogenthaler said. “I’ve also learned the different leadership roles that different players have and how each person has a different impact on the team they’re on.”

As for challenges, Vo -

genthaler sometimes finds it difficult to control the kids she coaches. “It’s really difficult when the kids won’t listen, and you have to find ways around that… One time we were playing another team, and a girl on the other

team threw a tantrum across the court, and we had to learn how to handle that situation.”

read about student coach Elena Sjaastad at the: RUBICONonline

ANNIE ZHANG

THE RUBICON

WE DECIDED ON LUNDS & BYERLY’S BECAUSE IT IS A LOCAL GROCERY STORE THAT MUCH OF THE TEAM HAS BEEN AROUND [...].

sophomore Josh Holloway

TUMBLE TIME. Elena Sjaastad teaches youth gymnastics through High School. “My coach reached out and asked if I want to help coach little kids,” she said.

SUBMITTED

PHOTO: Elena Sjaastad

YOU HAVE TO JUST KNOW HOW TO TALK TO THEM AND SOLVE PROBLEMS.

senior Shobin Ansite

“

US students work in tech roles to support Matilda cast

Picture this: it’s Mar. 3, the opening night of the Middle School Musical, Matilda. The crowd shuffles into the Huss theater. As they settle into their plush seats, the lights dim and a single spotlight illuminates the velvety red curtain. It’s 7 p.m. Show time.

A single note plays, long and slow, indicating the start of the show. Or perhaps it strikes quickly, sending a sudden jolt into the audience. Regardless, while most cast their eyes on the stage, the show could not go on without those working behind the scenes.

THEATER REVIEW

Senior Clea Gaïtus Sur has been there since the beginning. She has played piano at choreography rehearsals and ran vocal rehearsals with groups of kids. In performances, she plays the keyboard in the pit orchestra, something she began doing last year.

Although Gaïtus Sur was never involved in middle school theater, she has acted in upper school productions.

“I really like both [acting and helping with production],” Gaïtus Sur said.

“At this point in high school, I am sort of phasing out of acting and getting more involved with helping out with productions in other ways. But acting was definitely my

first passion.”

Helping with production for Matilda has helped grow Gaïtus Sur’s skill set as a musician and a mentor, both roles she has undertaken.

“I have gotten a lot bet-

ter at sight reading and learning to choose which parts of a conductor’s score to play and what to leave out,” she said.

As for working with kids?

According to Gaïtus Sur, it’s “...all about trust and having fun. If you are having fun and put trust in the kids, they will learn the music really quickly.”

Junior Luca Endorf is also working in the production as a pit musician playing drums. Though Endorf usually plays in the Jazz Band, he played in the pit for the choir at last year’s spring concert. This experience lead to his eventual joining of the pit orchestra for Matilda

“When Mr. Kraack reached out again about playing for the musical I figured that it would be something fun to try,” he said.

The pit didn’t need much rehearsal to find their rhythm together.

“It’s a pretty small group so the rehearsal was very laid back,” Endorf said.

Most of the music was learned independently: each player was given music and lead vocals to practice along with, according to Endorf.

Though he had never played in the pit for a theater production, he recommends the experience to anyone who is interested.

“It’s a bit of a commitment but Mr. Kraack and the rest of the group are great. I think anyone who’d want to join will have fun, and we could probably use some more people,” he said.

Bassist Becca Richman shares the same sentiment.

“Playing the pit is really fun, because it’s one week of responsibility, and you get to be a part of something really cool,” she said. “And I think the coolest people are in the pit, so it’s just fun to hang out.”

Matilda performed on the Huss Stage Mar. 3-5.

Locomotion captures audience with beautiful story of moving on

Jacqueline Woodson’s Award-winning book Locomotion goes from page to stage at the Children’s Theater Company this month.

Woodson herself adapted the book to script so the play includes every important plot point and mimics the endearing story arch.

The play centers around an 11-year-old in foster care, Lonnie Collins Motion (Lo-Co-Motion) played by Junie Edwards. The performance uses flashbacks to illustrate the events in Lonnie’s childhood which led him to the home of his foster mother Ms. Edna (Charla Marie Bailey).

At school, Lonnie’s teacher Ms. Marcus (Charla Marie Bailey) teaches the students about poetry and Lonnie learns to use spoken word poetry and song to reflect on his memories of joy, learning, and pain.

The main change from the

book to the show was combining all the stories of Lonnie’s classmates into one character, Enrique (Ellis Dossavi).

The voice of Junie Edwards, the actor who plays Lonnie, wowed the audience; his first solo just minutes into the play set the tone of talent for the next 75 minutes.

Set in Brooklyn, New York, the charming set design of the play acts as a character in itself. The floor and walls are lined to look like a composition notebook. A large sheet of notebook paper adjacent to the stage doubled as a projector screen for additional background in scenes. Transitions to Lonnie’s classroom included his poems written in a child’s handwriting on lined paper. During nighttime scenes, the theater is illuminated with hand-drawn stars colored in with crayons.

The limited cast of five made for an intimate relationship between the characters. Ms. Edna’s slow transition from grumpy woman to maternal figure as

well as Lonnie slowly becoming more comfortable with his foster mom was a heartwarming display of love beyond bloodlines and a testament to the compassion and diligence of a caring foster parent.

Lonnie’s friendship with Enrique is relatable as their playful banter deepens into moments of vulnerability when hardships enter the young boys’ lives.

Despite the sometimes heavy content, the play is not lacking in personality, song and humor. From Lili’s sassy one-liners, to Ms. Marcus’s fourth-wall-breaking eye rolls, to Enrique’s mix of slam poetry and beatbox, the show is non-stop connection. The audience is left with a feeling of gratitude for all the ways they are blessed, and -- if they didn’t have it already -- hopefully leave with a new interest in poetry.

RATING: 4/5

JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

CLARA ANN BAGNOLI THE RUBICON

FAIR USE PHOTO: Minnesota Children’s Theatre Company READING BETWEEN THE LINES. Locomotion centers around Lonnie Collins Motion and his process of writing through grief. A large sheet of notebook paper adjacent to the stage doubled as a projector screen for additional background in scenes.

RUBICON PHOTOS: Johanna Pierach

PLAYING THE PIT. High school students performing as pit musicians spend time rehearsing for the show with music director Tim Kraack.

SATURDAY TECH. Middle schoolers rehearse a number for their production of Matilda during Saturday tech rehearsal on Feb. 25.

I THINK THE COOLEST PEOPLE ARE IN THE PIT, SO IT’S JUST FUN TO HANG OUT.

Senior Becca

Black owned restaurants bring Southern flavor up the Mississippi

Comfort food is on the menu at Taste of Rondo

Taste of Rondo Bar & Grill is a community-based restaurant serving soul food dishes in St. Paul. The story of the Rondo neighborhood is filled with obstacles and hardships dating back to the 1900s,but their hardships are what preserved the vibrant and dynamic culture creating the restaurant as it is today. There is never a dull moment at Taste of Rondo; they hold scheduled live music performances featuring local artists and the lively conversations

held there really make it feel like a community.

The customer favorite Cajun Catfish is served battered or blackened and is always the fresh catch of the day. Their side menu features cornbread with spiced honey making it a sweet addition to any meal. Each dish incorporates old family recipes making the whole experience feel comforting and familiar, like visiting a friend’s house for dinner.

Nashville Coop serves up the heat

Nashville Coop serves authentic Nashville-style hot chicken strips and sandwiches. Brothers Arif and Kamal Mohammed started their business as a food truck and opened their first brick and mortar location in St Paul in 2020. Since then, they have opened two more locations in Rochester and Stadium Village.

They have a range of customizable spice levels (Minnesota Nice/no heat - Mini-Coop/mild - Coop/ medium - Growlin’/hot - Cluckin’ Hot/24 hour pain). An order of chicken comes with three strips and a side of choice (fries, mac and cheese, or Texas toast) for $13. The strips

are crispy with a thin layer of breading and the inside meat is tender and juicy. Sandwiches are two strips of chicken in between a soft buttered bun for $14.

Their prices are more expensive than the average fried chicken meal but portions are close to double the size. Each order comes with pickles, coleslaw, and house sauce on the side. Although it won’t blow you away, each meal is well executed with classic flavor combinations.

Southern meets foodie at Handsome Hog

Handsome Hog is a contemporary Southern restaurant owned by Iron Chef winner and Top Chef contestant Justin Sutherland. Although he originally trained in French cuisine, Sutherland returned to his Southern roots when opening his first restaurant, the Handsome Hog.

It features a pork-centric menu with classic ingredients from the South. He uses his professional experience to transform traditional dishes like sliders, hush puppies, and poutine into elevated cuisine. Southern hush puppies are made of cornmeal-based batter in

the shape of balls that are deep-fried and are served as a side dish accompanying seafood.

All menu items are on the pricier side; an appetizer with three hush puppies was $9 and the sausage gravy poutine was $11.

The walls are covered in pig-themed images and fresh flowers are placed on each table. Considering the interior decorations and menu items, you are paying more for the experience rather than a simple meal.

Liberman inspires wonder in final gallery show as faculty

The first art piece in Joy Liberman’s “i WONDER” exhibit in the Harry M. Drake Gallery is a painting of a tree, branches mostly bare, facing straight out into the Davern lobby. It’s an incredible 72 inches tall and 36 inches wide, and although its colors are muted, its presence fills the gallery and sets the tone for the rest of Liberman’s exhibition.

“This body of work chronicles my wonderings about fractals in nature,” Liberman wrote in her artist’s statement. “[It] ex-

plores the many manifestations of branching, expansion, and connection, ranging from microscopic subjects to realms more massive than our brains can fully fathom.”

Indeed, the artwork transcends the typical human frame of view. One piece, titled “Family Tree,” chronicles the branching of Liberman’s family in a literal tree form. Another, titled “Universe,” mimics the interconnectedness of neurons, with bright orange hotspots and muted, intertwining tendrils. Liberman expertly depicts her incorporeal subjects in a visually interesting way.

Food is universal—something that everyone, regardless of culture, origin, or location, has in common. It crosses all borders and brings communities together through their shared love for food.

ANNIE BAI

THE RUBICON

RUBICON

PHOTO: Annie Bai

SOUTHERN SIDES. The Handsome Hog’s adaptation of Hush puppies include three deep fried balls of batter with crab stuffing and creole remoulade. See the menu at handsomehog.com or dine in at 173 Western Ave N, St Paul.

SAMMICH AND WINGS. Two of the main dishes that Nashville Coops offers at their three locations: Sammich - jumbo tenders, butter bun, and a side of fries. Wings - traditional wings, coop sauce, and pickles.

RUBICON PHOTO: Annie Bai

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: McKinley Garner SOUL FOOD. The Taste of Rondo is a resturant started in 2020 by Charles and Kasara Carter. See their menu at tasteofrondo.com or stop by the restaurant for dine in or take out at 976 Concordia Ave, St Paul.

ELIZA FARLEY THE RUBICON

BRANCHING OUT. This painting by Joy Liberman explore the idea of branching out into realms, and the interconectivity of what we learn.

Watch a Q&A with Joy Lieberman at the show opening Feb. 10. The exhibit runs through the end of March.

Or read more about the gallery show at:

PAINTING BY: Joy Liberman Reprinted with permission

What’s STRESSING you out?

BALANCING ACT. Balancing a number of activities and responsibilities is a task that many students face daily. During the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures were an additional stressor, as they impacted 9 out of 10 students. Sophomore Deling Chen said, “Often [stress] comes from a high-stakes event or activity, or accumulates over time from different outliets.

ANNIE ZHANG

THE RUBICON

According to the American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America 2020” survey, “Teens who are already under stress due to the normal pressures of high school have felt even more stress in recent years, thanks to the pandemic.” And with increased levels of stress within the last years from Covid-19, healthcare, mass shootings, etc, increased stress has the potential to cause mental health problems in the long run.

Stress is a broad term with varying meanings to different people. “Stress is an emotion that causes physical or mental strain on a person. It fuels someone’s personal insecurities,” sophomore Deling Chen said. “Often it comes from a high-stakes event or activity, or accumulates over time from different outlets.”

STRESS

BY THE NUMBERS

To senior Brody Rindelaub, stress is the result of a hormone imbalance, “[...] because you’re worked up about something.”

For students especially, common causes of stress can include exams, drama with friends and problems at home.“[…] finals were a big thing, because [they were] a lot of work,” sophomore Talia Cairns said.

According to the 2017 APA Stress survey, common causes of stress for high school students include school in general (with 83% of the students surveyed), the pressure of getting into good colleges (according to 69% of students surveyed), and family financial concerns (in accordance with 65% of students surveyed).

The causes of stress may differ from person to person, but in the end, stress causes a variety of negative emotions such as increased irritability or

anger, insomnia, and loss of concentration.

“I start to feel annoyed and discouraged because the feeling of stress or

benefits only apply to short, moderate levels of stress.

venting you from doing work,” Cairns said.

sophomore Deling Chen

angst takes away my ability to focus at a certain moment,” Chen said.

However, according to Daniela Kaufer, associate professor at UC Berkeley, if maintained at controllable levels, “[...] stress can improve alertness and performance and boost memory.” But these

SPA Q&A

If not managed properly, excessive stress can lead to numerous behavioral, physical, and mental problems. As reported by the Mayo Clinic, common effects of stress can include headaches, muscle tension or pain and fatigue on one’s body. Following the physical tolls of stress are anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation to one’s mood or mental state, over or undereating, anger outbursts, and social withdrawal.

To avoid facing the consequences of being too stressed out, one can prevent this by watching for signs that they have reached their breaking point. But what are the signs?

“When the stuff that’s causing you stress, you can’t do it anymore, because you’re stressed about it. So it’s like pre-

However, before one reaches their breaking point of stress, it is possible to avoid hitting that point in the earlier stages. Simple actions have great preventative effects and does not take up too much space or time.

“I like going on walks. When I feel stressed, I often drop everything and go on a walk. I like to listen to music or a podcast. Then I come back and write down everything I need to do,” Chen said.

Reducing stress does not always have to be done alone either. For Rindelaub, being with others is his way of taking some stress off his back:

“Usually when I’m stressed I would do something that makes me not stressed. So something like a simple task, like watching a show or hanging out with friends,” he said.

Stress comes in all

WHAT ARE YOUR PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF STRESS?

forms and fluctuates from person to person. Longterm stress does not add to nor benefit one’s life in any way and instead, increases chances of longterm physical, mental and behavioral problems. To avoid these issues, it is important to manage and keep stress at a controlled and regulated level. Pamela Reynolds, Senior Content Writer for Harvard Division of Continuing Education, listed a variety of techniques to help high school students manage their stress, including “Keeping a journal, getting plenty of exercise, [...] reaching out to friends or family members who can help you cope in a positive way,” Reynolds said. Even with various solutions to limit stress, living a healthy, stressfree life isn’t possible and stress is bound to show up one way or another.

31%

75% of U.S. students attribute finals and midterms as their top source of stress.

36.5% of American high schoolers describe themselves as “often feeling stressed” by their schoolwork.

of American college students report stress as the top factor negatively impacting their academic performace over the past six months.

SOURCE: The American Institute of Stress

SOMETIMES MY EYE STARTS TWITCHING, AND I GET A HEADACHE.

Adele Gjerde, sophomore

MY CHEST HURTS AND THEN I GET ITCHY LEGS.

Evan Holmes, senior

ILLUSTRATION: Maddy Fisher

...THE FEELING OF STRESS TAKES AWAY MY ABILITY TO FOCUS AT A CERTAIN MOMENT.