December 2023 Issue

RUBICON

the

student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 49, Issue 4 Dec. 19, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE:

3 SPECIAL ISSUE 4

WAVES

CONTAMINATION CRISIS Students in Environmental Science and USC address the effects of climate change in Minnesota. Read more in NEWS.

FORCE OF FEMINISM

From the school merger to female affinity groups, second-wave feminism fundamentally shapes the SPA community. Read more in OPINIONS.

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MUSICAL MEMORIES Avid listeners of old music share their methods of discovery: sampled songs, diverse performances, and family classics. Read more in A&E.

1 - COVER • 2-3 - NEWS • 4-5 - OPINIONS •

6 - IN DEPTH• 7 - FEATURE • 8-9 - SPORTS •

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10-11 - A&E • 12 - MUSIC

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NEWS THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

Exam schedule sparks student complaints FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Three years ago for the December publication, the Rubicon staff created an innovative special issue centralized around the theme of space.

During the pandemic, space seemed like an appropriate topic to address, as students spaced out during distance learning and maintained physical space in person. However, this issue went beyond the pandemic to play with the homonymic quality of space. The In-Depth section focused on astrology, and the A&E section offered space-themed movie reviews.

For our last issue of 2023, we voted on a special issue theme focusing on waves.

Although we had many other contenders, we ultimately decided on this theme for its many different interpretations, both literal and figurative.

Waves of change in particular stood out, as we’ve witnessed evolving trends in governing bodies, sports, pop culture, and more. Going into finals and winter break, we hope you take some time to observe the various forms of waves in your life; they might influence your daily experiences in unexpected ways.

CLAIRE KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

ORION KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

INFOGRAPHIC: Claire Kim

SCHEDULE MANIA. The new exam schedule requires students to be present for all exam periods, a change from the open campus policy of previous years. While seniors can still leave campus and juniors can receive the same privileges with parent approval, the change caused student objections.

Senior Kate Jacobs said, “I know I’m gonna have a lot less free time because I have to travel back and forth to school more often.”

CLAIRE KIM

co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

The new final exam schedule has caused a wave of student complaints regarding new requirements and a lack of communication about changes.

While the previous schedule only required students to be present for sit-in exams, the new schedule encourages teachers to plan activities during the scheduled exam periods, even for classes that typically assign essays or projects as finals. The new schedule also includes a 30-minute advisory meeting each morning, as well as an additional 60-minute period and 90-minute period for tutorial each day. To give teachers time to grade assignments, most teachers will only be available for one of the tutorial periods.

“

IF THE ADMIN IS GOING TO CHANGE THE SCHEDULE THAT DRAMATICALLY, THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE STUDENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TERM.

sophomore Rowan Moore

English teacher Akie Kutsunai feels that navigating the schedule will be difficult for upperclassmen, but helpful for freshmen who have never experienced finals.

“I feel like it is good to have a clear schedule [where] everyone is expected to be on campus every day and everyone knows what they’re doing,” she said.

As a teacher, Kutsunai is planning to approach the finals system differently based on the type of English class.

“I do give my upperclassmen in my elective more freedom in terms of … multiple options of what their final exam is going to look like,” she said.

In addition to varying types of assignments, each grade has a different policy for their off-campus permissions. While seniors can utilize senior privileges to leave campus, and juniors can receive parent approval

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.

to leave campus when they have no scheduled meetings or classes, freshmen and sophomores are required to stay on campus for the entire school day.

Sophomore Rowan Moore explained that they enjoyed spending time with their friends during exam week last year, but the schedule changes remove that ability for underclassmen.

“The whole enjoyment that came from finals week that alleviated the stress of the finals was being able to go where you want with the people that you want to hang out with,” he said.

Additionally, many students with a longer commute to school expressed frustration with transport-related inconveniences.

Although parents can excuse students from non-exam activities, students are generally expected to attend advisory each morning. This commitment creates additional commutes for students who may not have exams but are required to be present for advisory. Senior Kate Jacobs, whose drive to school each day is 25-35 minutes long, plans to manage her workload with her commute in mind.

“I know I’m gonna have a lot less free time because I have to travel back and forth to school more often,” Jacobs said. “So I’m going to be trying to … get ahead on my work more.”

On top of increased stress and unnecessary commitments, Moore also considered the lack of communication from administration at the beginning of the semester to be a problem.

“I think if the admin is going to change the schedule that dramatically, they need to communicate that to the students at the beginning of the term and tell them why, and they didn’t do either of those things,” Moore said.

Additionally, according to Dean of Students Stacy Tepp, extra activities will be offered during tutorial and some exam times. These opportunities include ice skating, de-stressing in the wellness room, arts and crafts, free worktime in the Design Lab, open gym, and hot cocoa and s’mores.

The schedule is currently available to view on Veracross. Exams will happen from Dec. 19-22.

SPA THINKS

Students offer perspectives on the new exam schedule

“

“As someone who’s really forgetful, I think it’s helpful to be in the same place [so] other people can tell me where to go.” senior Lucy Shaffer

“

I don’t feel like we should have to come in for all exams unless they’re sit down exams.” junior Ben Macedo

1. CyBears was spelled incorrectly. 2. Cristobal was spelled incorrectly. 3. Wolfpack record was incorrect, actual record was 0-9. 4. SPARKS was spelled incorrectly. 5. Putaski was spelled incorrectly.

3 Class, elected group take action to preserve clean water NEWS

THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

AMANDA HSU THE RUBICON

One of the most pressing climate change problems facing Minnesota is water contamination.

Student-led initiatives, including Upper School Council’s sustainability proposal and service work in Environmental Science, actively combat the climate crisis.

Senior class representative Leo Benson commented on the goal of USC’s proposal: “We want to focus on education… mak[ing] sure that the student body knows ways that they can be sustainable.”

Environmental Science class learned about the impact of water contamination in Minnesota.

Students sampled water from specific lakes and rivers assigned as a part of a two-week project.

Senior Clare Kimmel said, “We tested the water [for] products like nitrates, phosphates, pH, and dissolved oxygen [to determine] the health of that water.”

Data collected by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reveals

the result of increasingly severe climate change trends impacting the quality and drinkability of water. In Minnesota, 305 bodies of water were added to the Impaired Waters list in 2022 per the federal Clean Water Act, adding to the 2,904 total water bodies considered contaminated in the state.

The list is compiled by MPCA and updated every two years.

Meanwhile, USC plans to invite a sustainability-focused speaker for Community Day on Jan. 26 and involve the House Cup to get students more engaged and involved with sustainability.

“I’d say this year is a lot more education-based and then maybe in the next few years, we move to bigger, more lasting changes,” Benson said.

Students in Environmental Science also stenciled drains, which involved spray painting storm drains near campus to inform passersby that any trash or chemicals left on the ground will eventually wash into rivers and lakes.

Runoff from urban

landscapes carries harmful chemicals, waste, and organic material that do not always break down in water.

“

THIS YEAR IS A LOT MORE EDUCATIONBASED AND THEN MAYBE IN A FEW YEARS, WE MOVE TO ...

MORE LASTING CHANGES.

senior Leo Benson

Rising rates of water pollution impact people differently, depending on accessibility and the resources at their disposal.

For example, groundwater makes up 75% of available drinking water in the state according to MPCA. Contaminating this vital resource with waste and pollutants can devastate the lives of those rely on clean water to survive.

So far, USC’s sustainability committee members have met with administration to discuss

their ideas.

“We’re going to try to put up posters around the school, just kind of do things that don’t require a lot of funding,” Benson said.

Aside from tackling the larger issues of the climate crisis, individuals can also make an impact by changing their daily habits, such as picking up trash on the ground, using sustainable transportation, and sorting recycling, compost and trash.

“So even something as simple as unplugging… your computer [after charging] is a great way [to be sustainable],” Benson said.

While the focus of sustainability at school is urban environments, rural agricultural activity is the main contributor to water pollution in Minnesota.

Drained water from farmlands contains excess phosphorus and nitrates, disturbing aquatic ecosystems and contaminating water sources. Rerouting rivers and streams for agricultural and construction purposes has significantly affected the amount of debris found

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Nadia Degnan

TESTING THE WATERS. Environmental Science students tested lake and river water for contaminants. “We tested the water for... nitrates, phosphates, pH, and dissolved oxygen,” senior Clare Kimmel said.

in lakes and rivers.

Ditching, channeling, and diverting water loosens up dirt and causes further habitat erosion.

To solve the contamination problem, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources is converting farm irrigation systems to be more ef-

fective: using a sprinkler design or drip irrigation.

These methods use less water, reducing runoff and energy used.

Students can learn more about SPA’s sustainability plans with USC’s sustainability proposal, linked on the monthly newsletter.

“Pink wave” of female candidates sweep local elections CLARA ANN BAGNOLI THE RUBICON

Nov. 7 marked the historic election of the first all-female city council for St. Paul, with six of the seven elected representatives women of color. Incumbent members Rebecca Noecker, Mitra Jalali, and Nelsie Yang won re-election, while Saura Jost won by concession in Ward 3 and Hwa Jeong Kim won in the Ward 5 race.

Senior Audrey Leatham, who lives in Ward 1 in St. Paul, voted for Jost this election cycle.

“I ended up thinking that she was the best fit, especially with her focus on climate change, [and she is] a young woman of color,” Leatham said.

She added, “I think it is obviously important to have a diverse mix [on the city council] but I truly think that having

FROM THE WEB

an all-female perspective will open up a lot of opportunities.”

This election occurred within the broader context of a “pink wave,” the term for female politicians gaining power and seats in government throughout the country.

“

IT’S IMPORTANT FOR THE ...

GOVERNMENT TO BE REFLECTIVE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES. senior John Reinhart

For state representative María Isa Pérez-Vega, from District 65B in St. Paul, women of color are the future.

“Equity is seeking justice through leadership

of women of color, recognizing the history of how long it takes for women of color to be in leadership,” Pérez-Vega said.

“You need women to be able to speak on behalf of all of our communities.”

As of the last congressional election in 2020, women make up more than a quarter (28%) of all members of the 118th Congress according to the Pew Research Center — the highest percentage in U.S. history.

With the 2024 national election coming up, one woman in particular is stirring up the race.

Within the executive branch, presidential candidate and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley received an endorsement from the influential Americans for Prosperity Action group this month.

The group is founded by billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Clara Ann Bagnoli

COUNCIL IN ACTION. The St. Paul City Council meets on Dec. 13. The council made history in November by electing all female representatives for the first time. “I truly think that having an all-female perspective will open up a lot of opportunities,” senior Audrey Leatham said.

David Koch. As stated in their memo, “AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era.”

This endorsement signifies a changing GOP, as female candidates often fall behind in campaign donations compared to their male counterparts—despite Trump

Student Diversity Leadership Conference offers tools and time to bring ideas to schools.

still leading in the polls ahead of the primary.

Senior John Reinhart is a student in Government and Citizenship, a class where students discuss the necessity of fair representation.

“It’s important for the people who are in our government to be reflective of the people in the United States,” he said.

The potential selection of Haley represents

a different future for the Republican party as a more diverse platform, as Haley is the first Indian-American and first Asian-American female governor in the U.S. Time will tell what happens in the election cycle for Haley; for now, the new St. Paul City Council will take office in January 2024.

Summit on Sexual Assault attendees learn how to encourage consent and reduce assault.

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EDITORIAL THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 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 BACK COVER A&E EDITORS 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

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

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Meghan Joyce

MEMBERSHIPS

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PUBLICATION AWARDS

2023 NSPA All-American, 2023 Pacemaker Finalist 2023 CSPA Silver Crown Award Winner 2023 SNO Distinguished Site 2022 JEM All State Gold

EDITORIAL CARTOON: Annika Kim

SLINGING WORDS. Every day, students find themselves in academic and non-academic settings where there’s pressure to share strong opinions, even if they feel uninformed on the subject. Dare to resist that pressure and listen first.

the staff 100% ofagree

Facts over opinions: take time to learn before speaking out EDITORIAL THE RUBICON STAFF

competencies and seek information from others more involved with the topic if the conversation goes into subjects they know little about. When messing up in Harkness discussion. Hallway conversation. Lab a discussion, which everyone does at one point or antheory. At every turn, there are opportunities to learn, other, be open to feedback and apply it in the future.

When engaging in difficult conversations, they but how often is the ability to collect information and reserve an opinion the practice? Too often, the pres- must remember that opinions are rooted in core besure to have and express an opinion overpowers the liefs, sometimes not synonymous with truth. Allowing value of curiosity. This opinion-before-facts mentality others to question what their belief implies can only causes stress and harm, leading to a loss of meaning- lead to two things: either they come out of the converful learning experiences inside and outside the class- sation feeling better able to defend it, or they notice its weak spots and adapt what they previously underroom.

Sometimes, opinions come from believing a per- stood. Whichever way it goes, they should hold on to son knows more about a topic than they actually peers’ perspectives and consider it the next time they do. Whether admitted or not, most people have an speak on the topic with a new audience.

These types of conversations inaccurate perspective regardcan get heated quickly. Withing how informed they are. out intentional care, they can The Dunning-Kruger effect ADDRESSING OUR turn into jabs at one’s idenis a cognitive bias in which a tity. When students converse person’s lack of knowledge on OWN BIASES CAN BE A on a topic close to home, they a subject causes them to overCHALLENGING FEAT. should keep humanity at the estimate their competence. forefront and value the truth When a performer of the efabove opinion. They should fect acts as if they excel in a particular topic, their listeners feel that what comes look at opinions as a snapshot of where one’s mind is easily to the performer comes easily to everyone, lead- at the given moment, as they can change and might ing to less self-confidence in their abilities. In the long even be nonexistent in some areas. Practicing restraint term, listeners are prone to experiencing “imposter can also derail the buildup of unnecessary tension. syndrome,” persistently feeling self-doubt and unde- Push to ask one more question before making a point. serving of their accomplishments. On the other hand, Many people are so often concerned with winning performers of the Dunning-Kruger effect are more that they forget what the goal of the conversation reluctant to learn from intellectuals who are skilled is: finding bridges with others. Individuals must feel on the topic. Their reluctance makes them likely to trusted and respected to participate in a meaningful promote misinformation to others. The phenomenon discussion. Foster this relationship by acknowledging occurs everywhere, and naming it when it occurs in their good points and recognizing areas that lack inour community is crucial in defending our learning formed knowledge.

Whether having an informal conversation with a environment.

Minimizing the impact of the Dunning-Kruger ef- friend or participating in a graded discussion, rememfect starts with critically examining what the loudest, ber that words have an impact. Curiosity is good, and first-to-speak contributors are saying. Yet addressing it requires uncertainty. While valuable knowledge our own biases can be a challenging feat to overcome. comes from academic settings, informal learning is People form their opinions based on what they know. often the place to put humanity first. Be okay with It’s difficult to silence personal beliefs and listen to not always having an answer, and recognize that there what others say. Still, it’s essential to enter the con- could be many. Extend grace when a messy or uninversations with curiosity in learning environments. formed opinion is shared. Value those who take the That includes leaving defensive tendencies at the time to share a counter-opinion or more facts. Redoor. Rather than looking at a conversation as a win member that we are at school, so when stepping into or a loss, think about it as gaining insight from a re- this space, be willing to learn. spected person. People should acknowledge their in-

OPINIONS THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

5

Values of second-wave feminism visible today OLYMPIA WOLFF COPY EDITOR

The feminist movement has been categorized into four waves, with the second wave gaining prominence in the 1960s and 1970s. It marked a radical shift in focus, demanding legal equality and challenging ingrained cultural and societal roles. One pivotal era, the second wave of feminism, reshaped societal norms and institutions—including St. Paul Academy. Second-wave feminism inspired the merger between the Summit School and St. Paul Academy, proving itself as the most influential wave in SPA’s history.

Second-wave feminism further integrated women into society. From demanding equal pay, legalizing abortions, and expanding women’s studies programs, second-wave feminism urged the celebration of female identity. Some of its visible influences extend to curriculums within SPA, such as offering classes that explore gender studies, influencing how SPA students perceive feminism.

Around this time, there were nationwide movements advocating for co-education. In 1969, St. Paul Academy, an all-boys school, joined the already co-educational Summit School. For over five decades, these sibling schools operated separately. The Summit School was known for its progressive values of integrating women into society as powerful leaders of communities, whereas St. Paul Academy focused on a military education. Before merging with SPA, the Summit School would have current events classes and encourage extracurricular participation in theater, sports, and clubs. It is evident that today’s SPA community today aligns most with the Summit School’s values of supporting the growth of young minds into

well-rounded people ready for the future.

Second-wave feminism focused on bringing women to the forefront, demanding equality of the sexes.

Yet, second-wave feminism did not celebrate intersectionality of the female identity. Some challenges emerged during the merger, including limited faculty members transitioning from Summit School and the persistence of gender-specific uniform policies. As the schools merged, very few faculty members from Summit School made the switch. In addition, girls still had to wear uniforms, while boys were not required to wear uniforms. These changes didn’t carry over Summit School’s philosophies of equality in education.

Despite these historical challenges, SPA today stands as a testament to the enduring impact of second-wave feminism. Equality of the sexes is the norm.

Female-identifying students have strong female role models in the community and in affinity spaces. SPA embraces student-led initiatives and organizations that advocate for gender equality and promote feminism. Affinity groups like Herspace and the Lovelace Society provide spaces for discourse, service, and empowerment. On campus, Herspace is an affinity group for female-identifying students that focuses on service work for women’s shelters and offers a safe place for conversations regarding female identity. In addition to this affinity group, the Lovelace Society is a group for female and nonbinary students interested in exploring the intersection of art and computer science, emphasizing female empowerment.

While some old traditions from the Summit School remain, such as the school’s all-female choir, Summit Singers, SPA’s commitment to gender equality stands out as a school that constantly embraces fem-

INFOGRAPHIC: Claire Kim INFORMATION: History.com

DISTINCT DIRECTION. Each wave of feminism worked to achieve certain goals and address different issues, from specific voting rights to broad systems of sexism.

inist ideals. As a community, we should appreciate those who rode that second wave of feminism, and ourselves look to the horizon for other waves of progress that we may catch.

Melting away: the ecological downfalls of road deicing ALDEGUNDO BRENNEMAN STAFF WRITER

Salt. We consume it, we make common household substances with it, and we use it to deice roads and sidewalks. Deicers used in the U.S. include acetates, chlorides, and, rarely, DIY versions sometimes involving pickle juice or cheese brine, according to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual. These materials all have something in common aside from their deicing properties: they are extremely harmful pollutants.

Salt Smart Collaborative states that sodium chloride, the most common type of deicer, works by dissolving into the water and breaking into separate sodium and chloride ions, disrupting the bonds between water molecules, which causes the water to remain in liquid form. 5,000 tons of salt were used for roads in a year in the 1940s, but that number has grown exponentially, according to a Penn State Extension article. Today, about 20 million tons of salt are spread in the U.S. annually.

Remember how sodium chloride breaks into separate ions in the deicing process? Well, chloride by itself is devastating to aquatic ecosystems. Soil doesn’t retain chloride ions because of their negative charge, so chloride ions make their way to bodies of water or aquifers, where there is no natural way of removing them. At a certain concentration, which some of Minnesota’s bodies of water exceed, chlorides deplete oxygen and affect wildlife growth and reproduction, making the water uninhabitable to lots of fish and aquatic life. Unfortunately, 30% of road salt applied in the Twin Cities Metro Area makes its way to the Mississippi River according to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, while the rest collects in lakes, wetlands, and groundwater.

Road salt also increases water salinity, or saltiness, which reduces the fitness and survival of aquatic species. A 2014 Geological Survey found that 84% of northern U.S. streams had rising salinity levels. All deicers, even pickle juice, have negative environmental impacts, and some also cause infrastructure damage.

Chloride salts and many other deicers have corrosive effects on steel or galva-

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: McKinley Garner

FROSTY FALLOUT. With the first winter season snows, icy sidewalks are imminent. However, their typical remedy creates a challenge between safety and our environment.

nized steel, causing drinking water infrastructure damage across the country. Plus, salt degrades concrete, causing cracks and crumbling over time.

It is important to note that deicing plays a critical role in keeping people safe in the winter, reducing vehicle accident costs by 88% according to a study done by Marquette University. Since the 1960s, Minnesota has restricted salt usage, and the current statute, section 160.215, implements salt regulators in plow vehicles and brine for a lower concentration of salt, reducing chemical deicing. Citizens dealing with winter weather can limit salt pollution by shoveling, using a snowblower, or using sand for traction instead of chemical deicers (sand still pollutes waterways, though not as badly as salts). If using salt on the sidewalk is necessary, consider distributing it sparingly and collecting and reusing the salt left behind when the snow clears. Everyone can do their part to keep as much salt as possible out of our wetlands, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

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.

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IN DEPTH

THE RUBICON - D

WAVES OF EMOTION

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Eliza Farley

WINTER BLUES. Sophomore Nijah Johnson experiences periods of sadness throughout the winter season. Although this can be a symptom of seasonal depression, it is advised to get medically diagnosed before making assumptions. “Winter is dark, and so it tends to change the whole mood up,” Johnson said.

Seasonal depression isolates ELIZA FARLEY THE RUBICON

As winter comes into full force, many people are feeling the emotional effects. Lethargy, anxiety, and apathy are just a few of the symptoms someone might experience during the dark winter days. However, once abundant daylight returns in the spring, their distress almost seems to melt away with the snow.

Although it might be easy to brush these uncomfortable feelings aside as simply “winter blues,” they can be indicative of a real mental health concern: seasonal affective disorder.

The disorder, also known as SAD or seasonal depression, affects 5% of Americans, according to Mental Health America.

SAD resembles regular depression, but usually only occurs during the fall and winter months, with symptoms subsiding during sunnier times. That often ends up meaning SAD affects people for about 40 percent of the year, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Sophomore Nijah Johnson notices the shifts in her

own and other people’s emotions throughout the seasons and agrees that the small amount of winter daylight seems to bring along a wave of negativity.

“Winter is dark, and so it tends to change the whole mood up,” Johnson said.

Freshman Iris Luther-Suhr also notices a decreased mood in the air around wintertime but doesn’t believe it can be completely attributed to the lack of sunlight.

“

SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS SITTING NEXT TO A WINDOW WHILE YOU’RE DOING WORK...CAN ALSO MAKE AN IMPACT. US Counselor Josie Zuniga

“I do notice people’s moods changing,” she said.

“But it might not just be because it’s getting darker.

It might be [because] winter [happens] once you’re deep into the school year … it gets stressful,” she said.

Even though SAD may not be constant throughout the year, it’s still a serious problem for those who experience it. However, there’s often a temptation to suffer through the winter without external support because people count on their symptoms eventually going away.

US Counselor Josie Zuniga sees this phenomenon often. “I’ve had students literally say ‘I just wait until summertime, and then I feel better,’ and it doesn’t have to be like that,” she said.

Zuniga emphasized that trying to deal with SAD or low mood by waiting it out doesn’t help in the long run. She explained that taking preemptive measures, such as talking with a counselor before the fall sets in, can help people build a good foundation of mental health skills to fall back upon when SAD returns. Having that foundation helps to make each subsequent cycle of depression easier to deal with.

Though it might seem like spending the winter in the tropics is the only complete cure for SAD, there are ways to alleviate symptoms while staying in the Midwest.

Talk therapy and antidepressants are two common treatments, just as with regular depression. One option specific to SAD is light therapy. Usually, it requires sitting in front of a strong therapeutic light for about 20 minutes a day, typically first thing in the morning.

If that sounds a little over-the-top, Zuniga also recommends trying to get more regular sunlight. When the weather allows, sunny walks can be an effective mood-booster.

“Even when you are stuck indoors, something as simple as sitting next to a window while you’re doing work, while you’re on your phone, watching TV … that can also make an impact,” Zuniga said.

SEASONAL DEPRESSION BY STATE All 50 states were given a score using data gathered from google searches for terms relating to seasonal depression and climate factors such as percentage of sunlight during winter and average temperature during winter.

HI

Hawaii is the least susceptible to seasonal depression at the top of the list with a score of 40.68 out of 50.

MN

Minnesota is much more vulnerable to seasonal depression and is third to last on the list with a score of 21.68 out of 50.

AK

FEATURE

DECEMBER 2023

K

7

Students show off traditional attire GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON

Fashion is defined by Merriam-Webster as “the prevailing style of dress in a particular time.”

Modern-day Western fashion revolves primarily around a two-part shirt and pants look, with those pieces of clothing having limitless opportunities when it comes to patterns and fabrics.

However, fashion outside of the modern Western world still carries significance and importance to those connected to other regions and the culture and history of those places.

Cultural clothing such as Japan’s kimono or India’s saree, whilst not commonly worn in day-to-day life due to not entirely fitting the current fashion norms and standards, still helps

many feel connected to their heritage, regardless of how many generations separate them from the country their family originates from.

“

CULTURAL CLOTHING IS A WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR CULTURE AND CONNECT WITH YOUR ROOTS.

freshman Bella Moet

For some, like sophomore Lam Le, who wears traditional Vietnamese clothing on holidays, it is a way to feel like a part of a group and connect to his heritage. Le grew up wearing traditional clothing for celebration, and

it’s something he’s always been connected to.

“I think [traditional clothing] reminds you more of the country you came from,” Le said. “My parents thought it was important, and so to celebrate holidays, we’ll wear traditional clothing.”

For others, like freshman Bella Moet, the introduction to traditional clothing came from cultural dance lessons. In her case, she was inspired

by Bomba, a traditional Puerto Rican dance.

To maintain the traditionality of the dance, Moet wears a traditional falda, a skirt that comes in a variety of bright colors in a design that allows for the fabric to showcase the movement of the dance.

“Cultural clothing is a way to express your culture and connect with your roots. Every time

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Bella Moet

CULTURAL HARMONY. Freshman Bella Moet shows off traditional indigenous Puerto Rican attire. Moet has previously taught a traditional way of dance performed with the skirt from her outfit, called a falda.

I put on my falda I feel like I really connect with my troupe and family.

There is a feeling of comfort within myself when I wear my falda,” Moet said.

Whilst cultural appro-

priation, defined as the inappropriate or unacknowledged adoption of an element of one culture or identity by members of another identity (in this case, clothing), is a line that should not be

crossed, cultures from all countries have traditional fashions to explore that may be worth giving a try.

Tour guides stay professional on the job MCKINLEY GARNER THE RUBICON

After a bustling open house and various other tours happening around the school, many students are left unaware of what goes on behind the scenes. What is the process behind being and choosing tour guides?

Last year, senior Sam Murphy received an email from the SPA admissions office informing him that he was selected as a tour guide. Murphy was unsure why they specifically chose him. “ Maybe they pick people that they think would be okay,” Murphy said.

He jumped at the opportunity to be a beacon of guidance to students who have shown interest in visiting the campus.

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Heather Ploen said “We have certain blocks within our day that are open for tours … we look at juniors’ and seniors’ schedules and we see who’s available,” Ploen said, “We also have students who come in and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to do this,’” emphasizing how a big part of the picking process revolves around enthusiasm for SPA. Beyond the personality aspects, the admissions office also looks for tour guides who match the subject interests of prospective students.

Junior Julia Taylor, who is also a tour guide, found the training process simple.

“I just talked with the admissions people and it was pretty easy,” she said.

This was corroborated

by Murphy during his description of the training

process: it’s just a quick info session or discussion.

Taylor said that the most important ability of tour guides is “being able to talk with people and being able to meet them where they’re at.”

“

BEING ABLE TO TALK WITH PEOPLE AND BEING ABLE TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY’RE AT [IS IMPORTANT]. junior Julia Taylor

While touring requires a wide variety of skills, the hardest to master is the route taken.

“You gotta have a flow … you can’t just go back

and forth,” Murphy said.

Murphy concluded by mentioning how “it’s fun to get to know people and tell them about SPA because I like SPA,” showing how tour guiding brings a sense of community to SPA from the first time people see it.

Overall, the admissions office looks for people who they think can keep up a good conversation, share interests with prospective students, and accurately capture the experience at SPA. Conversational skills and being friendly are also key qualities to have.

Murphy concluded by mentioning how “it’s fun to get to know people and tell them about SPA because I like SPA,” showing how tour guiding brings a sense of community to SPA from the first time people see it.

Overall, Admissions looks for people who they think can keep up a good conversation, share interests with prospective students, and accurately capture the experience at SPA.

THE RUBICON PHOTO: McKinley Garner

GRACIOUS GREETINGS. Senior Sam Murphy waves at junior Julia Taylor from across the hallway. Part of their job as a tour guide requires them to put on a professional front, welcoming all prospective families into the building to show them around.

Alaska is the most prone to seasonal depression and is last on the list with a score of 19.58 out of 50.

INFORMATION: CertaPet

8

SPORTS THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

ILLUSTRATION: Annika Kim

NEW ERA. The former Minnesota Whitecaps are set to join the Professional Women’s Hockey League in 2024. After historically playing at the TRIA rink, they have moved for the 2023-2024 season to the XCEL Energy Center. Freshman Adem Rivers said, “I watch a lot of NHL and I think it’s great for women to also be able to be watched at a professional level.”

PWHL Minnesota skates towards gender equity “ PETER OSTREM THE RUBICON

Professional women in sports are moving towards the spotlight as of late. According to a recent report by Wasserman, coverage of women’s sports has tripled since 2019, and women’s hockey is joining the trend.

The new creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is replacing the Premier Hockey Federation as the main league for professional women’s hockey.

Six teams around the United States are participating in the inaugural

season of the PWHL: Toronto, Minnesota, Boston, Montreal, New York, and PWHL Ottawa. The first-ever women’s hockey league, the American Women’s College Hockey Alliance (AWCHA), was founded in 1997 but had a short lifetime and ended a year later in 1998.

The Minnesota White Caps have been one of the assortment of professional women’s hockey teams in the past 26 years. The Whitecaps were created in the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) in 2004 and won three championships in the WWHL from 2008-2011.

The Whitecaps home ice was at TRIA’s arena. The team was then independent until 2019 when they joined the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) where they won the Isobel Cup. The NWHL disbanded in 2021 and they were independent until they joined the PWHL. They will play as the PWHL’s Minnesota team at the XCEL energy center in 2024 along with their male peers, the Minnesota Wild.

Metro South Phoenix goalkeeper Millie Farrington is happy to see her identity represented in professional sports.

RIDING THE TREND WAVE? WINTER ATHLETES GIVE THEIR FAVORITES

ELLA BOND: PHOENIX HOCKEY The “Oreo Mask” (black helmet and white cage) THE RUBICON PHOTO: Clara Ann Bagnoli

RACHEL GUO: NORDIC SKIING Glitter and headbands SUBMITTED PHOTO: Bridget Keel

I LOVE BEING ABLE TO WATCH WOMEN PLAY HOCKEY PROFESSIONALLY.

sophomore Millie Farrington

“I think it’s great that there can be an official league for women to play hockey in,” Farrington said. “I love being able to watch women play

hockey professionally, so whenever there is an opportunity for that, it’s a good thing.”

Hockey player Adem Rivers also thinks it’s a good thing for a professional women’s hockey league to exist.

“I watch a lot of NHL and I think it’s great for women to also be able to be watched at a professional level,” Rivers said.

Math teacher Emily Weinstock-Collins has been involved in hockey for a long time.

She played field hockey in high school and college, and has been

playing in the Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota for 7 years, since she moved to Minnesota.

“I’ve never watched much women’s hockey, but I enjoy it when I do,” she said. “I think in general, female athletes need to get paid more.”

There has long been some sort of professional women’s hockey league, but they have never been very long-standing or one with high viewership. The PWHL hopes to change that in the future, but only time will tell on their success.

Quotes compiled by: Juan Miguel Adams and Clara Ann Bagnoli

BENNET SAUER: SPARTAN HOCKEY The “Fishbowl Mask” (clear plastic mask) THE RUBICON PHOTO: Juan Miguel Adams

HALLE COWGILL: FENCING Stretching circles THE RUBICON PHOTO: Claire Kim

9

SPORTS THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

Technology wave transforms athlete experiences ANNIE ZHANG THE RUBICON

As a new wave of technology begins to hit markets and become more accessible to consumers, the current sports industry enters a new era. Developments including wearable technologies such as watches, tracers, and film have risen in popularity for their user-friendly usage as well as convenience in order to help athletes improve.

For sophomore Ben Lee, new waves of technology have allowed him to improve his form in the water as a swimmer: “[Film] allows us to see how our stroke looks and compare it to professionals and have a visual to make corrections that couldn’t be made otherwise,” he said.

Similarly, in sophomore Evy Sachs’ alpine ski practices, timing software is used in order to track times for improvement. The technology works by setting up poles to serve as starting and ending points while skiing through them with a tracker attached to the body.

“We [use] timing systems during our practices where you have a chip on your boot. There’s … markers at the top and bottom of the course so you can see if your time improved,” Sachs said.

“It’s just easier that way to time our races and actually see improvement.”

On the ice, the era of new technology’s impact in comparison to other sports isn’t as noticeable.

Mostly, health trackers are making an appearance in the hockey scene.

To senior Henri Peltier, the use of technology varies between a professional league and a high school league: “Currently, there isn’t a lot of technology being used for our level of hockey,” he said.

Within the little technology being used during play time, most of it centers around the stick that players use.

Factors such as the material, bend of the stick, and length, can contribute to a player’s improvement in enhancing speed and control.

“

FILM ALLOWS US TO SEE HOW OUR STROKES LOOK AND COMPARE IT TO PROFESSIONALS. sophomore Ben Lee

As the wave of technology continues to improve, a plethora of possible opportunities arise, especially with the potential use of AI. Using the software’s vast knowledge, technology has the ability to possibly expand.

“I haven’t seen much of AI used in sports as of right now, but I think to create more ways of attacking situations and finding solutions to solving in-game problems, it could definitely be useful,” Peltier said.

However, others such as Lee show more concern rather than optimism toward the possibility of seeing AI in the

future, emphasizing that the human element of sports is just as valuable.

“I think AI can be implemented into sports like the umpire in baseball and other sports with offsides rules,” he said. “However, I do think that refs in some sports should stay human, as penalties in football and basketball are more difficult to judge and require a human aspect.”

As the world of sports and technology collide, athletes will inevitably be given the opportunity to experiment with wearable technology and AI. Whether or not athletes choose to indulge in these new luxuries is uncertain but either way, technology has made its way into the sports industry.

SKIING SLOPES. Sophomore Evy Sachs skis through poles while tracking her time. The main benefit of using times in alpine skiing is “It’s just easier ... to time our races and actually see improvement,” she said.

SWIMMING SOLUTIONS. Sophomore Ben Lee watches a video of himself swimming to analyze his stroke. Lee said reviewing film allows swimmers to make important technique corrections.

TECH TRENDS. Sports watches and kinesiology tape are popular options for athletes looking to supplement their performance. Developing technology can help athletes with injuries, times, workouts, and more.

HOCKEY HELP. Senior Henri Peltier deftly navigates the ice with his hockey stick. Although he said, “There isn’t a lot of technology ... used for our level of hockey,” equipment can still influence gameplay.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Clara Ann Bagnoli

NAOMI KEMPKE: GIRLS BASKETBALL

NATHAN ROCK: BOYS BASKETBALL

ISLA COLLINS: ALPINE SKIING

CONNOR OVERGAARD: TROJANS SWIM & DIVE

Shooting practice

Rolled up shorts

Pattern-based race suits

Flippers

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Naomi Kempke

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Clara Ann Bagnoli

THE RUBICON PHOTO: McKinley Garner

THE RUBICON PHOTO: Clara Ann Bagnoli

10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

Music enthusiasts share oldie favorites SONIA KHARBANDA THE RUBICON

In the age of dominating streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, a person’s music taste is no longer private.

There’s a lot to tell about a person from their music, and there’s usually a story behind it.

Sophomore Yassin Mokbel uses music as a distraction and a way to de-stress.

“I can just focus on it and forget about other things, especially when it’s so calming,” he said.

Mokbel uncovered old music in a unique way.

He always enjoyed listening to hip-hop, which inspired him to check out the original sampled music. This led him to discover 60s R&B and soul music, specifically Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder—his favorite two artists from the genres.

“I’d find a song that I’d like and I’d like the sample and then listen to the original song and then listen to the whole album,” he said.

Meanwhile, junior Saurin Patel found his connection to old music through family.

“I usually just listened to what [my dad] listened to. And so when I started discovering music for myself, I started by basing it off of what I had already listened to,” he said.

“

I USUALLY JUST LISTENED TO WHAT [MY DAD] LISTENED TO.

junior Saurin Patel PHOTO ILLUSTRATION : Georgia Ross

As a musician himself, Patel says that “most of what [he does] is based around music,” though the music he performs is generally more diverse than his listening taste.

He enjoys listening to different genres of rock and sometimes indie, and within these genres, his taste has evolved over time.

LISTEN UP. Sophomore Yassin Mokbel listens to Stevie Wonder’s album “Songs in the Key of Life” while sophomore Lily Currie listens to The White Stripes’ “Get Behind Me Satan” album.

“Now it’s more 90s-2000s leaning; it used to be more 60s - 70s and then … as I grew up, I kind of moved to more modern,” he said.

Like Patel, sophomore Lily Currie was introduced to old music by her dad, specifically songs from the 70s and 80s, and

bands like the White Stripes and musician John Prine.

“I’ve been listening to [my dad’s] music since I was a baby… He would always make breakfast and listen to polka. And I remember dancing with him in my cabin,” she said.

For her, music provides an opportunity to bond with people.

Whether a distraction from monotonous tasks, comfort in hard times, or a cross-generational connection, nostalgic music brings young and old listeners together with familiar songs.

Scan this QR code to listen to Saurin Patel’s playlist full of oldies.

Under the waves: the Twin Cities’ finest seafood JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

On a snowy Saturday night, The Anchor Fish & Chips was warmly abuzz. The soft chatter and rich aroma felt like stepping into a fish and chips restaurant in the heart of London. The two dishes, the signature fish and chips along with the shepherd’s pie, came relatively quickly. Both dishes were $16, and wellworth the icy commute.

The wild Alaskan cod fillet was flaky and delicious with minimal grease. The fish was fried with the perfect fish-tobatter ratio, giving it the satisfying crunch of a dish well-done.

The chips were perfectly hand-cut, and topped with a sprinkling of salt.

The dish tasted like authentic fish and chips, as

WHAT WE ORDERED: ANCHOR FISH & CHIPS 302 13th Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 COST: $$

THE RUBICON PHOTOS: Johanna Pierach

ANCHORS DOWN. On Dec. 9, The Anchor Fish & Chips was buzzing with customers ordering cod and fresh chips, the signature dish at the restaurant. The restaurant serves hearty comfort foods, featuring seafood and meat dishes.

opposed to just a fillet with fries. Additionally, for only an extra 50 cents, the tartar sauce proved to

be a worthy investment.

Although not the main menu item at The Anchor, the shepherd’s

pie was an unexpectedly delicious and rewarding purchase. Another dish originating from the

SHEPHERD’S PIE. The shepherd’s pie is an Anchor classic; with mashed potatoes, beef, and vegetables, it is a perfect complement to a main dish.

United Kingdom, shepherd’s pie is a meat and vegetable dish topped with mashed potatoes. As

the dish is traditionally baked, it arrived hot on the table at The Anchor.

It was my first time trying shepherd’s pie, and it did not disappoint at all. The mashed potatoes were a wonderful fluffy consistency, and richly complemented the hot vegetables and beef. Usually I avoid peas, but the peas and carrots in the dish were delicious, and I loved every bite. The different components in the dish were in even ratios, so there wasn’t one single overpowering element.

The ultimate comfort foods, both the fish and chips and shepherd’s pie were the perfect platters to enjoy on a chilly night. The Anchor Fish & Chips is my number one recommendation for its namesake dish.

FISH & CHIPS The namesake dish, fish & chips is made with wild Alaskan cod and served with freshly hand-cut fries.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The depths of cinema:

THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

11

Must-watch water-themed films JUAN MIGUEL ADAMS THE RUBICON

Throughout the history of film, there have been many movies centered in or around water. In the vast cinematic universe, these movies stand out as some of the best water-themed films.

“Jaws,” 1975, directed by Steven Spielberg, captures the story of three characters: police chief Martin Brody, played by Roy Schieder, Marine Biologist Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss, and a professional shark hunter Quint, played by Robert Shaw. The story revolves around a small town in New York called Amnity whose citizens suffer attacks from a great white shark.

Spielberg utilizes John Williams’ iconic score to build tension and create popping jumpscares. The film uses animatronic and underwater shots to bring the shark to life, which set a new standard for film at the time. The aggressive nature and ominous vibe the animatronic

Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water, 2017, is a romantic fantasy film.

The movie earned 13 nominations at the 90th Academy Awards and went on to win four of them, including Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Director, and Best Picture.

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War in the 1960s, the film follows the mute janitor Elisa, played by Sally Hawkins, as she forms a relationship with an amphibious creature, played

by Doug Jones, held captive in a government facility. The performances are exceptional as Hawkins and Jones cre-

ate a romantic narrative beneath their prosthetics.

The film highlights loneliness with amazing visuals and elements of traditional fairy tale. The film reflects upon societal norms in the unusual love of two people. The enchanting narrative and memorable characters leave a lasting impression.

“The Shape of Water” is available on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

RATING: 5/5

gives the shark could compete in today’s film industry.

Beyond the action, “Jaws” also looks into the fear of the unknown and what is beneath the ocean. The performances were all great, with Schieder taking on the role of the only rational character, countered with Dreyfuss’s commitment to scientific curiosity, and Shaw’s dark and grizzled determination; the trio works perfectly together.

“Jaws” is available on Netflix, Amazon, and Peacock.

RATING: 4/5

ILLUSTRATION: Annika Kim

“My Octopus Teacher,” 2020, is a nature documentary. Directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, the film follows filmmaker Craig Foster as he forms a bond with a wild octopus in the water of the South African kelp forest.

The film combines underwater cinematography and narration from Foster. The octopus becomes a central character where the audience develops an empathetic connection. Through the relationship between Foster and the octopus, connections are shown between humans and the natural world.

Foster’s dedication to understanding the world of octopuses and narrating

in a way to keep the audience engaged in all stages sets the movie apart. As the story evolves, not only does Foster’s connection develop to the octopuses, but also the audience.

The movie also portrays the tension and raw idea of nature. Combined with the empathetic feelings towards the characters, viewers find themselves on the edge of their seat waiting to see what happens next.

“My Octopus Teacher” is available only on Netflix.

RATING: 4.5/5

UB

12

MUSIC THE RUBICON - DECEMBER 2023

THE SOUND OF SCIENCE

Waves determine musical sounds we love (or skip) ORION KIM

Aside from how sound originates, many other elements of music can be explained by science. However, understanding the complexity of music isn’t necessary for people to appreciate the joy of playing or listening.

From small vibrations to emotional expression, music has the incrediJunior June Dalton recently developed her connection with music by ble power to move countless people worldwide. experimenting with a new instrument.

While the emotional quality of music is difficult to explain, the actual “I find myself often looking forward to practicing the bass because sound creation made by an instrument or voice is relatively simple. When when it finally starts sounding nice, it’s a really satisfying moment,” she an object vibrates, such as a string on a violin, or the column of air inside a said. trumpet, air molecules collide to create sound waves. The character of the Aside from playing, Dalton has always enjoyed listening to music. Rewave determines the sound it will create. cently, she’s been listening to mostly Midwest On a rudimentary level, the height or ampliemo and indie rock. What she truly appreci[MUSIC] IS KIND OF A CREATIVE tude of the sound wave determines the volume, ates about these genres isn’t the music itself, OUTLET ... AND IT’S GREAT TO and the length results in different frequencies. but other equally meaningful qualities.

For example, a long and high wave will create a “I really love that the lyrics either have a HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOU loud, low-pitched sound. super creative meaning or mean literally nothCAN GET IN THE ZONE. Regardless of the pitch and volume of the ing at all, but also the fact that the people who sound, different instruments can create difshare this music taste are genuinely so fun to ferent types of noises; a cello and a trombone be around,” Dalton said. sophomore Josh Melchert playing the same note and volume in the same Senior Awaale Osman has a similar experiregister will still create a different sound. This ence with music. Although he plays trombone can be explained by the timbre of the instrument, which is a combination in the US Jazz Band, he has always enjoyed listening to music more than of complex frequencies that create the color and tone attributed to distinct playing. sounds.

“Listening to music is almost therapeutic,” he said. “Connecting to the Sophomore Josh Melchert was born into a family of musicians, which artist helps me put my emotions into words.” solidified music as part of his identity. He picked up the guitar from a Osman also appreciates the aspect of music that fosters connections. young age.

Before every home game during the boys varsity soccer season, Osman “It’s kind of a creative outlet, you know, and it’s great to have a place and the rest of the team would gather in the locker room to listen to “The where you can get in a zone,” he said.

Prayer” by Kid Cudi. When the end of the song approached, the players Recently, Melchert has been playing more bass and drums rather than would scream and bang on the lockers before the game. guitar. Similar to the variety of timbres, other qualities are unique in these “The song inspired me to bond with the team and focus on the game. It instruments. wasn’t my favorite song, but the experience...was special,” he said.

“I like the bass because it’s a combination of melodic lines and rhythm, Although vibrations and sine waves produce the sound itself, students but I like guitar because there’s it’s very versatile and I can play chords, find comfort in the connective power of music, which has helped them melodies, and harmonies,” he said. strengthen relationships and express themselves. co-EDITOR IN CHIEF

“

KEY Conventional sound wave - Amplitude: the height between the middle line and the top of the wave, associated with volume - Frequency: the length of one full length cycle, which determines the pitch

Sound wave of an oboe Sound wave of a clarinet - Timbre: a complex combination of frequencies that determines the specific color and tone quality, unique to each instrument

ILLUSTRATION: Orion Kim INFORMATION: ScienceDirect.com