February 2025 Issue

the The Rubicon student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 50, Issue 5 - Feb. 11, 2025

MIND TRICKS IN DEPTH CONSEQUENTIAL CONSPIRACY. Psychological

8-9 LINA ABID

THE RUBICON

Whether questioning the visionary qualities of “The Simpsons” writers or the true story of a presidential assassination, conspiracy theories have existed and continue to be ever-present in society. The Oxford English Dictionary cites the 1900s as the earliest known usage of the term “conspiracy theory,” though there are plenty of examples that predate this, even if they weren’t called that by name. Even an event as far back as the late 17th century Salem Witch Trials may be considered a conspiracy theory for the fact that a large number of people believed that there was a great, malicious power behind a specific struggle. Fast forward to cur-

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SPOTLIGHT MOMENT What is the purpose of a senior speech?

From the history to today’s guidelines, the answer may surprise you. Read more in GOOD QUESTION.

rent society and conspiracy theories can still be found everywhere.

Sophomore Alex Haupt has not been untouched by their persistence in the media.

“The first thing that came to my mind when I started to think about it was how Marjorie Taylor Green would say that Jewish people had space lasers and they were, like, controlling the weather. And ... that is absolutely incorrect, and horrible,” he said, referencing one of many racial conspiracy theories rooted in racist stereotypes.

Another example is distrust in the moon landing, disbelief in global warming and the belief that air-

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TRANSFORMATIVE TRIPS Whether returning to familiar places or exploring new destinations, traveling is an opportunity to learn from other cultures and people. Read more in FEATURE.

IN THIS ISSUE:

phenomenons, like the Mandela effect, attempt to answer why conspiracy theories exist.

Students reflect on their own beliefs and where those theories originate from.

planes leave behind “chemtrails” to potentially affect the weather or even the minds of civilians. The similarity is that these conspiracy theories consistently cast the government as the higher force responsible.

One theory ninth-grader Mae LaChance has commonly heard is that birds are planted by the government as spies, another example that implies a conspiratorial government. “I don’t believe it,” she said.

“I think birds are just birds because birds have been around longer than the government.”

Story continued on pg. 8

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PROMISING PASTRIES

Macarons, croissants, cakes and specialty pastries: reviews with prices to guide you through the close-to-school bakery scene.

Read more in A&E.

2-3 - News • 4-6 - Opinions • 7 - Good Question • 8-9 - In Depth

• 10-11 - Feature • 12-13 - Sports • 14-15 - A&E • 16- Mixed Media

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NEWS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, EXPLAINED EO 14151 “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Prefernecing” Calls for federal agenices to terminate all DEI programming

Trump takes aim at DEI policies Congress passes the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits race, color, religion, sex and national origin discrimination.

56%

of employed adults believe DEI is important in the workplace.

16%

of employed adults believe DEI is a detriment to the workplace.

28%

of employed adults take a neutral stance on DEI.

52%

of employed adults say they have recieved training or meetings about DEI in the workplace.

INFORMATION: Pew Research Center, Congressional Research Service, The National Law Review

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) DEI is a framework that promotes fairness and respect for all people. It’s a set of policies and programs that aim to create environments where everyone can participate fully.

INFORMATION: American Psychological Association

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 creates a bipartisan agreement called the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to eliminate unlawful labor discrimination.

The emergence of the Chief Diversity Officer role begins.

DEI initiatives begin recognizing the needs of various identity groups, implementing diversity professionals within organizations.

2020

2000s-10s

Black Lives Matter movement gains greater recognition in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Many companies make an effort to reassess their DEI policies and racial dynamics in the workplace.

“Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”

BY THE NUMBERS

1980s-90s

Diversity and civil rights initiatives throughout history

EO 14173

Imposes new limits on DEI in federal contracting and increases scrutiny on the private sector by directing federal agencies to investigate potential rights violations

1965

1964

Workplaces implement diversity training programs. Inclusion increasingly becomes the standard for successful marketing and workforces.

2023

2025

The U.S. Supreme Court rules against race-based affirmative action in higher education, claiming it to violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Colleges are prohibited from considering race in admissions, sparking backlash.

Trump signs executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.”

He claims the diversity training programs are “illegal and immoral discrimination,” and calls for the removal of all DEI federal government positions.

INFOGRAPHIC: Johanna Pierach and Peony Steele INFORMATION: Forbes, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Senior Executive, NACE, Greenville News, Chief

EVOLUTION OF EQUITY. DEI initiatives began to be implemented in workplaces in the 1980s-90s. Decades later, while companies continue to reassess policies and racial dynamics, Trump has signed a series of executive orders attacking these efforts.

EVIE GARDNER STAFF WRITER As President Donald Trump begins his second term, a storm of incoming executive orders has raised concerns and confusion around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in school Recently, Trump signed a series of executive orders dismantling all DEI programs at the federal level. Their stance is part of a conservative backlash against racebased affirmative action, originating from the SCOTUS case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v.

President and Fellows of Harvard College. The case outlawed the use of affirmative action in college admissions in violation of the 14th Amendment.

DEI began with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, implemented by former President John. F Kennedy, outlawing employment discrimination and segregation based on race, religion, sex, color and nationality to grant more job opportunities to racial minorities.

In the past couple of years, DEI implementation in the workplace

became more normalized following George Floyd’s murder and the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement.

LinkedIn reported that hiring for chief diversity and inclusion officers saw a 168.9% increase between 2019 and 2022.

“

ACTUAL RACISM [IS] GOING TO BECOME MORE NORMALIZED.

sophomore Aneesa Herzi

In his Jan. 20 executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Referencing,” Trump designated DEI as “forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs” and ordered the removal of all DEI positions in the federal government.

One day later, he issued another executive order revoking policies to increase diversity in federal employment, revoking

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.

several previous executive orders, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Order of 1965 signed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson.

As of Jan. 27, all DEI initiatives were removed from the White House website. Companies like Amazon, Walmart and McDonald’s also publicly reduced DEI efforts days before the inauguration.

Candi Castleberry Singleton, Vice President of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Amazon, regarded their DEI program as outdated and pledged to foster a “truly more inclusive culture” and work on an outcome-based solution. On the other hand, brands like Costco and e.l.f. have publicly announced their commitment to DEI efforts.

Students are concerned about the implications of the removal of DEI. Sophomore Aneesa Herzi is nervous about its implication of normalizing racism and other microaggressions in everyday life.

“There’s going to be less training on how to stop microaggressions, or like actual racism, and it’s

going to become more normalized,” she said.

Since DEI’s recent implementation, many argue it has helped unit various races. However, DEI in applications for jobs or schools means considering race. Its value of race makes it difficult to prioritize a meritocracy---a selection based on ability.

Its long-standing controversy was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2023.

DEI’s persistence in jobs and private schools leads people to believe that DEI divides people by race more than it creates a cohesive environment. DEI has faced large amounts of criticism, being called “fundamentally anti-American” by the Claremont Institute president Ryan Williams.

Junior Echo Dayton believes that the abolition of DEI on a federal level will cause increased inequality and make inclusion policy optional.

“People are going to choose not to do it, and then that still continues to perpetuate a cycle where people don’t all have the same opportunities,” Dayton said.

In spring 2022, SPA launched its Strategic Action Plan for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging based on the results of a climate survey administered to the community and a series of listening sessions. Initiatives include eliminating microaggressions, supporting BIPOC faculty and staff and curriculum modifications.

The community has met these efforts with positive feedback. Ninth-grader Kieran Ahearne-Kroll believes that DEI at school can provide space for conversations where people feel represented.

“There’s just a lot of spaces for people to express themselves however they want,” Ahearne-Kroll said.

Trump’s power regarding the elimination of DEI expires after the federal level, but companies may follow his lead and reduce efforts. The US administration did not respond to a request for comment on how, if at all, they will alter school DEI initiatives. For some, future uncertainty only leaves room for hope that equity will persist.

News 2 - Tracy Nielsen name spelled wrong. Opinions 6 - Quote labeled from Olivia Andres should have been attributed to Sunde Auberjonois. Feature 11 - Kharbanda spelled wrong in photo caption.

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NEWS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

SERVICE DAY RECAP Advisories engage in service projects, explore culture fair

On Jan. 30, the community gathered for a day of community service planned by Upper School Council. The morning kicked off with guest speaker Tracy Nielsen, Executive Director of HandsOn Twin Cities, and a student panel. Afterward came service rotations, including hygiene and menstrual product kits. The day concluded with the fan-favorite culture fair in the small gym and cafeteria.

PHOTO: @losangelesfiredepartment on Instagram

FIRST ON SITE. LAFD firefighters respond to a burning building. In January, various fires ripped across southern California, particularly Los Angeles.

Wildfires bring destruction to Los Angeles area GEORGIA ROSS CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR 312 wildfires. 46,563 emergency exits. 16,255 structures destroyed.

57,509 acres burned. 28 fatalities.

A climate sequence known as “whiplash,” which involves heavy rainfall and vegetation growth between 2022 and 2023, followed by a year of dry conditions producing abundant kindling in 2024, created a breeding ground for the Los Angeles (LA) fires that first erupted Jan. 7.

The Palisades Fire was the first to be reported, followed by the Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Hughes Fire and others in the surrounding area. In LA, tens of thousands of displaced residents will soon return to an estimated $350,000 of damaged public infrastructure and $30 billion of insurance support.

LA leaders such as Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have faced scrutiny for decisions they made in office that could have potentially jeopardized the city’s safety. In particular, Bass’ approval of a $23 million budget cut for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 2024 has been

met with criticism. Last November, the city allocated additional money for the LAFD to meet anticipated pay raises, allowing funding to surpass the previous year’s budget by $53 million.

Still, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley implied that funding was insufficient to meet the department’s staffing or resource demands.

Senior Annie Painter, who has family living in the Bay Area, believes that the fires were not met with an adequate response.

“I think that [the fires] definitely could have been handled in a very different way … there have been so many fires in LA for so many years … it’s kind of like a wakeup call for people in California to change their lives a little bit,” she said.

Similarly, senior Thomas Kovarik has relatives living in Santa Rosa.

Although the recent fires did not impact them, they have felt the effects in the years past.

About five years ago, his relatives received an alert on their phones warning them of encroaching fire. They quickly packed their belongings and left their house at 2 a.m., heading for the Bay Area. Later, a

neighbor messaged them a photo of their home, which had been completely burnt down.

“

I USED TO LIKE CALIFORNIA AS A PLACE LIVE...

NOW I CAN’T SEE MYSELF MOVING THERE.

PHOTO: Zimo Xie

POIGNANT PANELIST. Senior Cerena Karmaliani reflects on her experience volunteering in at a school in Mombasa, Kenya with the Global Encounters program. For Karmaliani, the experience helped shape her idea of what it means to give back.

senior Thomas Kovarik

“They were pretty sad… they lost a cat because they just couldn’t find it and they had to go,” Kovarik said.

Though his family has rebuilt their house on a new California property, the fires have altered Kovarik’s impression of the state.

“I used to like California as a place to live … now, I just can’t see myself moving there anymore,” he said.

Although recent rainfall across the LA area has given residents and firefighters temporary relief, toxic ash runoff and mudslides continue to worry many. One climate disaster after another, LA experiences another destructive chapter.

PHOTO: Lani Ngonethong

PHOTO: Lani Ngonethong

STAR SUPPORTERS. Using glue and twine, students helped create gifts of appreciation for donors to STAR House, a crisis nursery that aids women and children.

CARD CREATIVITY. Seniors Serene Kalugdan and Elise Pickens add details to their cards for hospitalized children. Through this activity, students sent encouraging messages to those going through tough times.

FROM THE WEB So much to offer: Service Day focuses on access and action RUBICONLINE STAFF Revisit the USC-planned day of community commitment.

PHOTO: Thomas Chen

Science Olympiad dominates at regional competition

HELP YOURSELF. Senior Deling Chen hands a treat to a visitor at her China and Taiwan culture fair booth. Many students use food to share their background and traditions during the event. Chen’s booth had rice crackers, melon candy and chocolate coins in red envelopes for Lunar New Year.

MARIAM MALIK RUBICONLINE

Science Olympiad takes fourth in the Feb. 1 regional tournament at Mounds View High School.

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OPINIONS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

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

24-25 STAFF THE RUBICON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR CHIEF VISUAL EDITOR NEWS EDITOR GOOD QUESTION EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR IN DEPTH EDITOR FEATURE EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR A&E EDITOR MIXED MEDIA EDITOR COPY EDITOR CARTOON EDITOR

Annie Zhang Juan Miguel Adams Georgia Ross Johanna Pierach Wynter Feiner Sonia Kharbanda Amanda Hsu Grace Medrano Lina Abid Sam Galarneault Peter Ostrem Annika Kim Ivy Evans Alba Markowitz Mulet

RUBICONLINE DIRECTOR OF RUBICONLINE PRODUCTION MANAGER MLP BEATS MANAGER NEWS EDITORS

OPINIONS EDITOR COLUMNIST FEATURE EDITORS A&E EDITORS SPORTS EDITORS

CREATIVE DESIGN MANAGER RUBICON TV PHOTO EDITOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER SOCIAL MEDIA ASST.

Aarushi Bahadur Greyson Sale Thomas Chen Allan Wang Peter Lipinsky Audrey Jansen Lani Ngonethong Huxley Westemeier Lucy Thomas Nabeeha Qadri Andrew Lipinsky Yassin Mokbel Elizabeth Tuttle Tamari Christopher (S1) Ike Obi-Walker (S2) Zimo Xie Nora McKoy Murphy Miltner Mariam Malik Audrey Peltier

CONTRIBUTORS Fletcher Coblentz, Jack Gordon, Nils Lajuzan, Alyda Overgaard, Clare Ryan Bradley

STAFF WRITERS Eva Burns, Henry Cammack, Olivia Fox, Evie Gardner, Zahir Hassan, Miles Huebner, Yasmin Khan, Izzy Middlebrook, Cadence Piper, Peony Steele, Senetneb Theba, Naomi Zins

ADVISER

Kathryn Campbell, CJE

PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANT

Scott Gillespie

MEMBERSHIPS

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

CURRENT PUBLICATION AWARDS

2024 NSPA All-American 2023 Pacemaker Finalist (print), 2024 Winner (online) 2024 CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown Award Winner 2024 SNO Distinguished Site 2024 JEM All State Gold

EDITORIAL CARTOON: Annika Kim

PERSONAL POLITICS. Current events are on the minds of many in the community, making it important that students have space to share their thoughts. Implementing these conversations into class time would provide a natural and comfortable outlet for discussion.

84%

of the staff agree

Current events discussions belong in the classroom EDITORIAL THE RUBICON STAFF

Politics has always been a sensitive topic in school, where disagreements and conflict are often avoided. Especially with president Donald Trump’s return to office, many polarizing and personally impactful issues are on students’ minds. Thus, it is critical that the school provides spaces for political discussion, setting ground rules to enable a respectful conversation while allowing for discomfort and differences of opinion.

The right time and place for these conversations is crucial. While current events discussions have increasingly been implemented into advisory, many students resent this change and feel that advisory should be a place for fun and relaxation. On the other hand, weaving current events discussions into class time would help facilitate natural conversation in a comfortable, educational, and safe environment.

Without creating a space to share these opinions, bottled-up thoughts can be expressed through other outlets, such as inappropriate jokes or comments.

Humanities classes often task students with making connections between the course material and current events, drawing parallels between the past and present. Birthright citizenship is taught in WEAVING CURRENT U.S. History and has been challenged by the Trump administration.

German language classes spent Jan. 27 examining how Germany EVENTS DISCUSSIONS marks Holocaust Remembrance Day. English 9 students learned INTO CLASS TIME about the Tulsa race massacre of 1920 and how that neighborhood is still racially segregated today.

WOULD HELP Since these ongoing issues relate to the content covered in academic courses, bringing up current events in class does not seem FACILITATE NATURAL out of place. Additionally, students are not forced to participate; the CONVERSATION. conversations are simply open invitations to share something that might be on their minds. Some teachers also provide optional and informal opportunities for students to stay informed, such as by attaching articles about current events related to the course on Google Classroom.

Allotted time at the beginning of classes could serve as a time to discuss politics alongside current events. Obviously, these conversations can happen anywhere and do not need to be restricted to one specific space; however, intentionally making room for political conversations in class allows for more deliberate consideration.

Teachers have an essential role in these conversations in acting as impartial facilitators. Unrestricted discourse requires teachers to remain unbiased, regardless of political leanings or personal feelings. Ultimately, students are in charge of leading the discussions, but to ensure a safe environment, ground rules should be set and enforced with a teacher’s help. These conversations are meant to be a space for learning and free of personal attacks.

In such a polarized political climate, it is vital that students have safe and genuine places to share their thoughts. Class is the perfect place to facilitate such discussions, not shying away from uncomfortable conversations while keeping respectful boundaries and guidelines in place. Partaking in these discussions with classmates will actively combat polarization and establish new understandings between divides in the political sphere.

OPINIONS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

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Students reflect on gender equity in sports GIRLS SPORTS FACE A CULTURE OF DISRESPECT CLARE RYAN BRADLEY CONTRIBUTOR For the most part, SPA has improved in treating girls and boys sports more equally. But, despite this progress, if you ask most female athletes about the athletic culture, they will tell you that our sports still reflect a gender divide, one that many feel quite often.

I play varsity soccer, basketball and track. I see the gender inequality in a simple lack of respect for girls teams. When our basketball practice is scheduled after the middle school boys, it takes them at least 10 minutes to leave the gym; even after we repeatedly ask them to leave, they continue messing around, cutting into our practice time. Although this is a small act, it sends the message that our time and presence aren’t taken seriously. Every time this happens, I wonder, “Would these middle schoolers treat the boys team with such disrespect?” and I know they wouldn’t.

Another example at basketball is when the boys and girls practices have overlapped, the girls team had to move to the small gym. To be fair, we have a much smaller program, but would it not be more fair for the boys to move their practice 20 minutes later so we can continue our practice in the larger gym?

Forcing the girls team to move sends the message that our team doesn’t matter, which affects how younger players view themselves and contributes to the perception that we are less than the boys team.

Furthermore, in soccer, while both teams are incredibly successful, students consistently choose to watch the boys team. They make excuses: when we play before the boys, they’re busy, and when we play after them, it’s too late. But, regardless of when the boys game is, people go. The boys team also receives more acknowledgment for their success. For instance, when both teams took home a section championship, only the boys received recognition on social media.

In decision making, discrepancies are still present between boys and girls teams. When SPA frequently struggles to keep coaches for the girls teams but maintains many of the same

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

BY THE NUMBERS

For many students, academics take priority during the school year. However, there are around 325 students, and 77% of the student body takes part in at least one of the many sports provided throughout the year. These sports take up hours of after-school time and loads of hard work, which, for most, culminates in various competitions between other schools. Differences between girls and boys sports are not drastic, and most of the rules are very similar to professional sports. So why are the teams sometimes recognized differently?

One reason could be success. For example, boys tennis and girls nordic skiing receive a lot more attention than their counterparts, partially because both teams have a successful record of going to state competitions.

However, both boys and girls soccer have done exceptionally well in their recent state championships, but the boys team drew more spectators and celebration throughout the season.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROVING ATTENDANCE NILS LAJUZAN AND JACK GORDON CONTRIBUTORS

1 million

more high school athletic opportunities are available to boys than girls each year.

60%

of girls participated in a high school sport during the 2018-2019 school year.

75%

of boys participated in a high school sport during the 2018-2019 school year.

INFOGRAPHIC: Sonia Kharbanda INFORMATION: Women’s Sports Foundation PHOTO: SPA SmugMug

FIGHTING FOR FAIRNESS. Girls varsity basketball captain Clare Ryan Bradley describes the small acts of disrespect she has experienced as a female athlete.

INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE ALYDA OVERGAARD CONTRIBUTOR

coaches for the boys year after year, it makes female athletes wonder how the decisions involving them are being made differently.

To be clear, this is not an attack on the athletics administration. So much progress has been made over the years, and the athletic directors are working hard to improve the inequity. But the issue isn’t just policies; it’s the culture and respect. If SPA truly wants to fix the gender divide, we need to change how we view girls sports.

Regardless of the reason, and while every sport produces different results, it is important that all sports are celebrated equally. If you can take the time out of your day to go to a friend’s sporting event, consider cheering on the other athletes who might not get as much support.

It is also important to remember that every achievement, whether a state championship or an all-conference placing, is worth celebrating. There is a difference between simply noticing and legitimately recognizing and celebrating teams. The choice to celebrate or not is ultimately up to you.

PHOTO: SPA SmugMug

ATTEND AND APPRECIATE. Cross country runner Alyda Overgaard urges students to show up for their classmates and celebrate all athletic achievements to make the recognition of girls and boys sports more equal.

Boys and girls sports receive, in general, the same attention and resources. However, this is not uniform across all teams. We believe gendered sports are given the same amount of resources--the same amount of balls, jerseys of equal quality and practice time. However, the girls’ games in these sports receive less spectators, giving those players less respect. SPA has addressed this by making Dig Pink a yearly tradition, which arguably brings more fans than any other non-playoff sports events.

THE STUDENT BODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM THE REST OF THE WAY. ninth-grader Nils Lajuzan

In the case of coed sports such as track, alpine skiing and fencing, the resources are shared equally among all the athletes regardless of gender. Competitions are divided into gender categories; however, there is no difference in the resources and attention. The attendance is similar between the categories; most of the spectators are fellow teammates and family members since the majority of the coed sports offered are individual sports.

We believe SPA is doing a good job of equally dividing resources and attention. While not perfect, athletics are certainly headed in the right direction. The student body is responsible for taking the athletic program the rest of the way; the faculty can only do so much to generate attention for our sports. It is up to us to support our peers. Whether that is showing up to athletic events, wishing peers good luck before a game, celebrating their wins and offering support after losses, it’s in our hands to invest in our athletics programs and atmosphere.

PUBLICATIONS POLICIES PUBLICATION INFO The Rubicon is published eight times a year. We distribute 450 copies of each issue on the Randolph Campus which are available for free.

assignments. Stories that include supplemental materials include a credit at the bottom that states “Additional reporting by” followed by the name of the reporter.

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EDITORIALS articulate the collective opinion of the staff, while minieditorials, opinions pieces, arts reviews, and columns belong to the author.

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. Use of grade level or first name only are the most commonly used methods 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

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

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

UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS During the post-critique process, staff members identify inaccuracies and discuss reader feedback. 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 are labeled with the photographer name, whether on staff or freelance. Images sourced outside the staff are credited with

guidance from the National Press Photographers Association guides.

NAME AND PRONOUN USE The Rubicon uses the name and pronouns shared by individual sources during interview. 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, a correction will be posted per the corrections policy.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The Rubicon news and Ibid yearbook avoid conflicts of interest while also honoring the fact that our reporters are involved in the school and local community

beyond their work on staff. Staff members avoid writing about students, teachers, student clubs, affinity groups, and organizations that they are closely involved with. The reporter is always responsible for disclosing conflicts of interest, but if a conflict of interest comes to light after publication, it does not warrant removal of the story.

If it is in the best interest of a source to be interviewed by a close friend in the case of a sensitive topic, the interviewer will not write the story— they will solely conduct the interview.

Unavoidable conflicts of interest are specifically mentioned at the top of a story. Photographing or videography of news events is never a conflict of interest.

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OPINIONS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

State legislators choose polarization over productivity JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

Voters count on their local legislators to work on the kitchen table issues. They expect the promises outlined in campaigns: pragmatism, level-headedness, and collaboration. But an absence of these qualities in the Minnesota legislature, echoing a disturbing national trend of extreme partisanship, has been anything but productive.

According to the New York Times, a 67-67 split in the House had originally resulted in a power-sharing agreement with co-speakers and committee cochairs. But after a judge ruled that Rep. Curtis Johnson (D-40B) did not meet the residency requirement to serve his district, Republicans gained a temporary majority. Although the House is expected to return to a tie following a special election, Republicans have made an illegitimate power grab by attempting to elect a speaker and go about business as usual despite the absence of a quorum. Additionally, a Republican majority has suggested a refusal to seat Rep. Brad Tabke, a Democrat who officially won reelection despite the loss of 20 absentee ballots cast in his favor.

In response, Democrats have boycotted showing up at the Capitol. After a historic legislative session thanks to a blue trifecta, the Republicans’ attempt to seize a false majority and reverse all recent progress

is aggravating. Last year was disappointing for Democrats, showing an increasing rightward national shift.

It’s understandable, albeit frustrating, that legislators want to preserve the hard work done last year at the state level. But in terms of the larger picture, a stalemate is the last thing the party needs. A few weeks into office, president Donald Trump is already flexing his executive power in unprecedented and extreme ways.

Now more than ever, constituents are depending on their state legislators. Political polarization cannot hinder progress in our own backyard.

It’s time for legislators to deliver on their promise to Minnesotans. When partisanship prevents progress, everyone loses. Rep. Tabke’s win was ruled legitimate, and Republicans have the responsibility to seat him.

Though the special election has been postponed with no set date, Rep. Curtis’ seat will likely remain blue. Legislators must work across the aisle and share power as they initially agreed upon, because the absence of a trifecta cannot embolden Republicans to take more than their fair share. Statewide stability is especially crucial given Trump’s recent efforts to freeze federal funding with the intent of increasing fossil fuel production and attacking protections for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and LGBTQ+ people. Due to the boycott, House lawmakers couldn’t immediately assess how these changes would impact

INFOGRAPHIC: Sonia Kharbanda INFORMATION: Pew Research Center

CONCERNED CONSTITUENTS. Data from two 2023 surveys indicates that faith in each branch of government has decreased; Americans are tired of the polarization.

Minnesota. This state cannot afford any more lost time under the new administration. Though it continues to spread across the country, the division in Washington has no place in Minnesota.

Beware of using social media as a news source

ILLUSTRATION: Fletcher Coblentz

MEDIA MADNESS. Although social media has taken on a role as a primary source of all information, most do not take its news seriously.

JUAN MIGUEL ADAMS THE RUBICON For many parents, newspapers were once the go-to source for breaking news. Today, teenagers can simply scroll through social media to see big

headlines unfold. Once seen as a tool for connection, social media has taken on a role as a source for everything.

According to a 2022 survey by the World Press Institute, 51% of teenag-

ers aged 14-18 get their news primarily from social media platforms, as opposed to traditional news broadcasts or websites. However, using social media as a primary news source often faces

skepticism. If someone referenced an Instagram post as a reliable source during class, they’d likely be met with laughter, since social media platforms have a reputation for entertainment over credibility.

Despite these critiques, teenagers are drawn to social media for its immediacy and personalization. Unlike traditional news, social media offers news tailored to the user’s interests. A 2023 Pew Research Center study shows that while the audiences of traditional news media like newspapers and local TV stations are declining, platforms like podcasts and digital news sources are growing in popularity. The convenience of seeing the most pressing issues without having to seek out the information makes social media an accessible and efficient platform.

However, the features that make social media appealing also contribute to its shortcomings as a reliable news source.

Algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy, often displaying more misleading content to ensure users continue scrolling. In a 2023 USC study observing fake news in social media, 15% of habitual news sharers were responsible for the 3040% of fake news spread online. Misinformation can spread rapidly on social media, unchecked by fact-checking processes that news outlets use.

Initiatives such as Meta removing their third-party fact-checking program further exacerbate the issue.

Additionally, social media platforms rarely provide the depth or context needed to fully understand issues, as short-form content leaves

users with surface-level information. In contrast, news organizations adhere to journalistic standards, including verifying sources, attempting to present balanced perspectives, and providing context. These values ensure that their audiences receive accurate coverage—something social media, with its emphasis on speed and entertainment, does not offer.

While news outlets aren’t flawless in presenting only factual information, it’s essential to recognize that all media sources, whether Instagram, TikTok, or traditional news broadcasts, can contain misinformation. Social media platforms may offer easy access to trending headlines, but verifying the information with other trustworthy news sources is important before sharing it.

From the Opinions editors: why we disagree with Meta’s decision SONIA KHARBANDA AND LANI NGONETHONG OPINIONS EDITORS “It’s not right that things can be said on TV or the floor of Congress, but not on our platforms.”

This was one of the many reasons given in a Jan. 7 article from Meta’s chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan for the company’s decision to end third-party fact-checking and switch to a system of Community Notes.

Kaplan and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believe the current system of fact-checking has contributed to increased censorship and content removed by mistake, fueled by the biases of fact-checkers.

They claim this new approach will fulfill the platform’s goal of free expression and allow political discourse to thrive without restrictions.

As Opinions Editors, we believe unfiltered, ill-informed content poses a risk to social media users. We stand for free expression, but we disagree with elevating opinions that are not supported by the truth.

Kaplan writes that Community Notes, which is also used by X, will “empower their community to decide when posts are potentially misleading and need more context, and people across a diverse range of perspectives decide what sort of context is helpful for other users to see.” Moving to Community Notes will promote more user-to-user interaction, a basic feature on social media platforms. However, ending third-party fact-checking is empowering people to have conversations lacking accuracy and credibility.

This decision comes at a time of decreasing trust in traditional news and a general lack of faith in the truth. An October 2024 survey by the Pew Research

Center found that while local news outlets are the most trusted sources of information for respondents across all age groups, 18 to 29-year-olds reported similar levels of faith in national news organizations and social media. With fewer restrictions on content on Instagram and Facebook, teenagers are at a particular risk of consuming misinformation.

Our job as Opinion Editors is to edit and publish the opinions of our staff. Our hope, like Meta’s, is that opinions will spark conversations within the community. Fact-checked truth makes an opinion credible and worth publishing.

We often encourage our readers to be conscious of what they see online, but with this new policy in place, awareness is not enough. Fact check what you repost and share--and choose to promote content based in truth.

GOOD QUESTION THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

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What is the purpose of a senior speech?

IVY EVANS THE RUBICON A rite of passage. An opportunity to give voice to inner narratives. A way to share core values and beliefs

with the greater community. A senior speech can be any of these, all three or something else entirely. Its meaning for individual students differs depending on their intent for their speech.

Senior speeches are a long-running tradition at many independent schools, including SPA, Blake and Breck. They are meant to be a way for graduating seniors to express their opinions in a supportive community, as well as to improve public speaking skills, help nurture new ideas and more. Seniors receive a guide to writing their speech at the beginning of the year, and in that guide it states a simple but meaningful purpose: “Your senior speech is a way to amplify [your] voice, share your vision and benefit the community.”

However, ninth-grader Mae LaChance sees senior speeches as a guide for younger students. “It shows freshmen and underclassmen … who the seniors are, and it makes you a little bit less scared for yours,” LaChance said. “They all seem very confident, and they … know what they’re doing.”

Senior Thomas Kovarik, on the other hand, believes the speeches are meant for seniors. He believes it’s a way for the oldest students to let their thoughts be heard by the rest of the school. “Senior speeches are opportunities for seniors to discuss whatever they want and have the entire upper school hear it,” he said.

Kovarik’s speech was focused on his ADHD, which he hoped would help educate the rest of the community. “This speech was mainly intended for people who

also struggle with ADHD, as well as to raise broader awareness about the issue,” Kovarik said.

Administration shared the handbook for senior speech guidelines, outlining the details and requirements in order to create a great speech.

The process of writing a speech isn’t so simple: students begin drafting four weeks out from their speech.

Then, they are encouraged to meet with a group of other students giving speeches on the same day, called a “Cohort,” and Senior Speech Advisors to help with the drafting process. Final drafts are due two weeks from the date of the speech. One week out, students rehearse.

Senior Raven Glaser, who gave their speech in October, believes the purpose of a speech varies for every person. “[It’s a] way to reflect on something … [or] for other people, they like to use it as a call for action, and, you know, inform the SPA community of something [or] inspire them to … make change,” they said.

The speech Glaser gave was written about their hair. “I think for me, my hair was kind of an important part of my identity and the way I sort of perceived myself, so I knew I wanted to write something about that,” Glaser said.

In the end, the purpose of a senior speech is a graduation requirement, and its meaning is derived from what the student makes of it. It is structured and supported by faculty, and friends and family celebrate them, meaning that the speeches hold importance for everyone involved.

It may be that a speech has a meaningful message or an inspiring call to action, a way to reminisce on the past or appreciate those the writer cares about or it may be just another box to check. But overall, it’s up to the student to decide who, or what their speech is for.

PHOTOS: Sofia Rivera

SAGACIOUS SPEECH. Maik Nguyen (‘24) gave his speech during the 2023-2024 school year, telling stories of his sisters and their effect and influence on his life, interests, and hobbies. “Why do you do the things that you do? Is it because it’s what you’re supposed to do? That’s totally fine. I found my passion through my siblings.

But, if it’s not fun, I encourage you to try something new,” Nguyen said in his speech.

SENIOR SPEECHES: HISTORY Senior speeches were initially called BLUE AND GOLD SPEECHES. There was not a space on campus large enough to hold the student body, so the community was split in half; some went to blue speeches and others went to gold.

Before Huss Center for Performing Arts was constructed, speeches were held in BRIGGS GYMNASIUM, where over 100 chairs were set up on the basketball court by the Facilities staff for seniors and guests to sit in every week. The rest of the student body sat in the stands.

Students listened to speeches in classrooms during 2020 when COVID-19 began. When learning transitioned to an online system as the pandemic worsened, speeches were given VIRTUALLY.

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1. ILLUMINATING INTRO. Senior speakers are typically introduced by closest friends and family. Introductions often reference the speaker with quotes, anecdotes and inside jokes, sharing a part of the speaker.

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2. HEARTFELT HUG. After introductions, senior speakers often coordinate a handshake or greeting with those introducing. Other times, speakers simply embrace one another with a hug to conclude the intro.

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...CONSPIRACY THEORIES continued from pg. 1 The anti-vaxxers who arose across the nation in response to the COVID-19 vaccine are another popular theory group. According to Mary Van Beusekom’s 2023 report on a survey done by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, the percentage of 1,500 surveyed adults who believed the administered COVID vaccines were unsafe rose from 9% in 2021 to 16% in 2023.

While this may not be due to conspiracy theorists alone, their influence still affected public opinion.

“

PEOPLE THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS OUT TO GET THEM ... THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OUT TO GET YOU. sophomore Alex Haupt

According to a 2022 article titled “What Are Conspiracy Theories?” from the Annual Review of Psychology by Karen M. Douglas, conspiracy theories have been the most prevalent in society in times of instability, often following significant political and social upheaval or tragedy, such as the 2020 COVID pandemic. If the movement has “anti” in the title, much like anti-vaxxers, there are likely conspiracy theories attached.

This pattern behind the rise of conspiracy theories has not gone unrecognized. In a 2017 article “The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories,” also written by Douglas in Current Directions in Psychological Science, the psychological explanation for the popularity of conspiracy theories is essentially and can be boiled down to three categories of motives: epistemic, existential and social.

Epistemic motives for believing in conspiracy theories relate to the desire to understand one’s environment and provide explanations for unfamiliar things. Existential motives account for having a sense of control over one’s surroundings.

Finally, social is the desire for contentment and

IN DE belonging within one’s social group, which conspiracy theories fulfill by providing a common “other” to attribute negative outcomes to, protecting the positive image of one’s own group.

“Some people need an outlet to put their fears into,” Haupt said.

“If you’re somebody who got a vaccine, and then … something horrible happens to you … people could be like, it’s the vaccine [as] something to blame.”

In a 2024 Psychology Today article “The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories,” Ilene Strauss Cohen, Ph.D., cites two main cognitive biases that fuel conspiracy theorists. First, the “proportionality bias,” or when the cause of an event does not seem proportionally significant to the outcome, so more complex reasoning is assigned and believed to be the true cause. Cohen presents former President John F. Kennedy’s assassination as a prime example of this bias, stating that the reason many people believe that there is a conspiracy behind it is because it is more difficult to believe that a monumental incident such as his death had a more tangible explanation.

The second bias is the “confirmation bias,” seen frequently outside the world of conspiracy theories. This term refers to the idea that people reliably seek out information that supports the beliefs they already have.

In other words, once an individual becomes interested in a conspiracy theory, they are likely to find the information that solidifies their belief and are unlikely to pursue opposing data or perspectives.

LaChance observes the spread and popularity of these theories. “It’s like gossip,” she said. “When one person makes something up, it spreads to other people, so then other people start believing it because we’re all kind of stupid, [we] believe whatever we hear.”

Whatever the reason may be, and whether or not they truly began with George Washington and the Illuminati, conspiracy theories have riddled the world for centuries.

According to their history, conspiracy theories will continue to thrive as anxious times regarding the world’s political, environmental and social climate continue.

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THE RUBICON -

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The psychology behind common mental phenomena PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Georgia Ross

WILD WONDERINGS. Junior Evan Morris sees conspiracy theories and psychological phenomena appearing in many forms of media and pop culture. For example, Morris knows of the New World Order and frozen Walt Disney head theories from videos on YouTube. However he is heavily skeptical of the accuracy and truthfulness of them. “To be clear, I don’t back any of them, but I think they are interesting.” Morris said.

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EPTH FEBRUARY 2025

Psychological effects may impact philosophies SAM GALARNEAULT THE RUBICON

In “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” (1980) Darth Vader’s famous quote is “Luke, I am your father.” Or is it? In actuality, the quote is “No, I am your father,” differing from what many fans remember.

Or think of the popular board game, “Monopoly.” Picture Mr. Monopoly in your head. Many might perfectly remember him wearing a monocle, but in truth, he never has. These are prime examples of something called the “Mandela effect,” which is a psychological phenomenon that explains how recollective memories might not always be true.

A different kind of psychological effect, the “Butterfly effect,” refers to the theory that one small change can lead to a much larger change that affects a future outcome. A common example people often point to is how a slight shift in the wind over the ocean can eventually lead to a major hurricane or weather event.

These are just a few common examples of recognizable psychological effects people today have experienced and recognize.

PSYCHOLOGY Psychology is the research behind how the human mind functions, explaining the mental and emotional factors that affect behavior and perception. While scientists don’t know everything about how psychological phenomena occur, there have been an immeasurable amount of psychological effects documented that impact a person’s thoughts and feelings, derived from how they react to experiences and situations around them.

According to a 2017 study on the existence of psychological phenomena by Seppo E. Iso-Ahola in the Frontiers of Psychology journal, everyone experiences a psychological effect at some point in their lives, possibly even as often as on a daily basis. Memory plays a large role in instigating these effects, as it is not the most reliable source of information. People don’t inherently lie or depict an event falsely; they

subconsciously believe that the memories inside their heads are the truth.

MANDELA EFFECT The term “Mandela effect” was coined in 2009 by Fiona Broome, a paranormal researcher, who was convinced that the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, had died in prison in the 1980s. However, at the time, Mandela was not dead and would not die until 2013.

Broome was not alone with this misconception, as many of her peers were also confused when they found out they all shared the same opinion.

Thus, this phenomenon was named the Mandela effect.

This phenomenon can be hard to explain, especially when a large mass of people seem to experience a similar feeling to confabulation, or when false information is unintentionally implanted into one’s mind.

Senior Stella Gunther was a fan of both “The Berenstain Bears” show and books. Her recollection of the title of this popular book series and 1985 children’s television show was incorrect. She pronounced that name “The Berenstein Bears,” instead of “The Berenstain Bears.”

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT CAN POSTPONE FATE OR IT CAN ACCELERATE WHAT ... YOU ARE DESTINED TO DO. junior Jane Duback

Gunther also recalls another Mandela effect she has experienced, citing that she is certain the technology company, Apple, had an emoji that resembled a robber.

Gunther is able to describe what this emoji looked like and other of her peers have agreed of the existence of a robber emoji on their phones.

The truth is, this emoji never existed.

“People aren’t paying close attention when their assumptions become reality to them ... they get shocked when

it’s the other way around,” Gunther said.

BUTTERFLY EFFECT The phrase “Butterfly effect” originated from Edward Lorenz, a meteorologist in the 1960s, when he decided that tiny changes or actions can lead to massive repercussions. In an MIT Technology Review, writer Peter Dizikes explains: “Lorenz suggested that the flap of a butterfly’s wings might ultimately cause a tornado. And the Butterfly effect, also known as ‘sensitive dependence on initial conditions,’ has a profound corollary: forecasting the future can be nearly impossible.”

Junior Jane Duback is very familiar with the Butterfly effect and has her own insight on this psychological occurrence.

“If you wake up in the morning and you’re one minute late, and there’s a car accident, you could have just died,” she said.

Duback relates the Butterfly effect to fate.

She believes that the universe has a plan and a schedule for everyone.

“I believe it’s all in a circle – like if you miss one window, another window will come up with the same opportunity,” she said.

Because of this, she enjoys looking back on her day and being grateful for what fate has brought her. Duback is able to use this phenomenon in her perception as an opportunity to make the best out of whatever and whoever she is meant to be.

“The Butterfly effect can postpone fate in a way, or it can accelerate and accentuate what you are destined to do and the path you are going to go on,” Duback said.

While the effects can sometimes be haunting and disorienting, there are some ways to deal with these psychological occurrences. Counselor Jake Turnbloom gives recommendations on how to handle when put in similar situations.

“Something I repeat [is] whatever you’re hearing over and over again is in your feelings and thoughts. They’re not always facts,” he said.

Psychological effects may seem daunting, but figuring out how to cope with them helps not get lost down a rabbit hole.

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MOTIVES LEADING TO CONSPIRACY THEORIES

EXISTENTIAL Existential motives describe the want to have a sense of control over one’s surroundings. People attempt to feel safe and in control in a chaotic environment by creating conspiracy theories. By blaming these outside factors, individuals feel more safe and focused on their own perceived controlables.

EPISTEMIC Epistemic motives relate to the desire to understand one’s environment, leading to people developing conspiracy theories to explain unfamiliar things or subjects they don’t understand. Curiosity and validation are common drivers of this type of motivation.

SOCIAL Social motivation is the desire for contentment and belonging within a social group. Conspiracy theories fulfill this desire by providing a common outsider or scapegoat to attribute negative outcomes to.

INFOGRAPHIC: Amanda Hsu INFORMATION: SageChoice

CALCULATED CONSPIRACY. According to an article from Current Directions in Psychological Science by Karen M. Douglas, existential, epistemic and social motivators are the three main driving factors of conspiracy theories.

Within these motivators, maintaining comfortable relationships with community and environment is emphasized.

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FEATURE THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

Travel invites students to expand worldview

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Ali Manzoor

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Yasmin Khan

FLIGHTS WITH FAMILY. Sophomore Yasmin Khan poses with her mother, sister and brother at Mohenjo Daro in Singh, Pakistan during the family’s visit over winter break.

CALIFORNIA CLIFFS. The landscape of Yosemite National Park attracts tourists from around the world, including junior Ali Manzoor.

JUAN MIGUEL ADAMS

nation she once thought unreachable due to the pandemic.

MANAGING EDITOR

For many students, the world beyond the classroom can seem distant during school — until they step onto a car, bus, train or plane, venturing to new neighborhoods or cities. Traveling to different areas can mean a lot for students. It’s an escape, whether that means experiencing a new culture or reconnecting with family. For juniors like Ali Manzoor and sophomores like Yasmin Khan, travel has opened the door to unforgettable adventures and connections to family members across the globe.

Manzoor’s summer was marked by the opportunity to hike through Yosemite National Park.

“I think Yosemite was the most beautiful place I have ever been,” he said.

The park’s towering cliffs and wide valleys create depth that makes every hiker feel small.

“We were looking at something like the highest place in North America, and it made me feel so small,” Manzoor said.

A story he takes with him is when he and his parents got lost hiking.

“The service was not the best, and I remember getting lost with my parents hiking through a trail,” Manzoor said.

They were able to reconnect on the trail, but it provided him with a story to tell.

Beyond the U.S., Manzoor visits Pakistan annually to see family. There,

he enjoys the strong street food scene.

“In Pakistan, some street food will get you sick, but some are really good. My favorite street food is probably chicken.

The way they prepare the chicken with different spices is delicious,” he said.

His trip also included lively games of cricket that transformed into unexpected chases.

“We were playing in a neighborhood park when all of a sudden, a group of stray dogs started chasing us,” Manzoor said.

The unexpected encounter turned their game into a wild sprint.

Similarly, Khan’s travels are marked by her family’s global presence, with her relatives spread

from Europe to Africa.

Her journeys are often family-oriented and influenced by her family’s appreciation for cultural history.

“I think my grandmother sparked [the love for travel] in my mom because she has a big map in her house with pinpoints of all the places she’s been, and I guess she kind of opened her eyes to the world,” Khan said.

Her family’s sprawl worldwide began with her grandparents living in Pakistan when her mom and aunt moved to the U.S., but her other aunt stayed back in Pakistan, and her cousins have gone to the UK, creating a web of family all over.

Khan’s travels soon took her to China, a desti-

“

I THINK MY GRANDMOTHER SPARKED [THE LOVE FOR TRAVEL] IN MY MOM ... SHE KIND OF OPENED HER EYES TO THE WORLD. sophomore Yasmin Khan

“Once [the pandemic] was over, it was so nice to go … it was unique because it was really mod-

ern and everything was so advanced,” Khan said.

Her visit to Portugal also revealed a culture different from her home in Minnesota, particularly the vibrant nightlife. “[Portugal] was almost deserted walking around in the afternoon, but at night everyone is out … it’s like the world come alive at night,” Khan said.

Manzoor and Khan continue to dream of new destinations. Manzoor is drawn to Cancún for its people and beach es, while Japan remains on Khan’s travel bucket list. Both will continue to travel, whether as an escape, experiencing a new culture, or connecting with family.

Video games provide teenagers more than time waste CONSOLE CONNECTIONS

41% 47% 72%

of teens report playing video games daily. of teens who play video games say that it has improved their friendships. of teens report playing video games as a way to spend time with others.

INFOGRAPHIC: Lina Abid INFORMATION: Pew Research Center

GIFTS IN GAMING. Many teenagers view video games as an opportunity to spend quality time with others, whether making new connections or strengthening old bonds.

JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

It’s a lethal combination: teenagers, a gaming console and disapproving parents. Since the first one was created in 1958, video games have carried a reputation as a time-suck that yields little reward. However, this stereotype does not align with reality for some teens who enjoy the activity. Junior Salma Blagui was introduced to their favorite game, “Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!,” by a friend.

“I [make] friends due to common interests in [a game we are playing] ... depending on the video games, you have the ability to self express. Some let

you build a world,” Blagui said.

In games with customizable features, junior Ella England believes there is an opportunity for further exploration.

“I don’t play much ‘Roblox’, but I think it’s a good example of a game that allows people to express themselves because you can change your character so much,” England said.

She believes gaming deserves the reputation of a legitimate hobby instead of a meaningless one and enjoys playing “Overwatch,” “Ark,” and “Steins;Gate.” The latter, in particular, helped to view video games as a medium for storytelling.

“’[Steins;Gate]’ is a great example of this, it’s the best sci-fi story I’ve ever read [or watched] and no book or movie has beaten it for me,” she said.

Apart from the more positive experiences, assumptions follow those who game. While junior Hugh Adams finds a few of them accurate, he avoids realizing them in real life.

“One thing that I’ve heard is that some gamers are shut-ins. One I especially enjoy is that gamers smell ... some of these ideas are definitely true, but my friends don’t follow these misconceptions because I wouldn’t want to associate with

people like that,” Adams said.

England, who has likewise heard various negative stereotypes about the gaming community, focuses on joy rather than negativity.

“I just don’t see the difference between playing a video game and watching a movie or doing another hobby like knitting or something. All that matters … is that you’re having fun,” she said.

Despite any negative generalizations circulating the media like those Adams attests to, England and Blagui see purpose in the fun of gaming, whether it lies in self expression, creating new bonds or otherwise.

FEATURE THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

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PHOTO: Sofia Rivera

PHOTO: Hadley Dobish

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PHOTO: SPA SmugMug

1 DOOMED DANCE. Sophomore Anneli Wilson plays the Cynic in 2023-2024 the One-Act DoomGirl, where their character fought with character Optomist over the morality of the titular character. 2 DETERMINED DIRECTING. Quenby Wilson (‘22) directs their One-Act WASPs, an absudist comedy mocking the upper class white protestant families in suburban U.S. 3 NARRATIVE NOTIONS. Senior Coda Wilson plays the Narrator in 2024 Fall Play Our Town, in which he tells the story of two families lives, observing as both a bystander and partaker within the story.

Wilsons share love of the performing arts, music, and creation ANNIKA KIM

THE RUBICON

While many student siblings may share extracurriculars, few range as far as the musical talents of senior Coda Wilson and sophomore Anneli Wilson, whose activities range from performing, singing and playing their instruments alongside their musician family members.

“My first interaction with music, that I can remember, was listening to the ‘Jackson 5: The Ultimate Collection’ on our family’s CD player in the living room,” Coda Wilson said.

Music has continued to be present in his life since then; in addition to listening to music, he currently takes piano and voice lessons, and participates in a musical theater workshop outside of the musical curriculum SPA offers.

The family of the Wilson siblings has always had a musical background. Their grandfather was a mu-

sician, and their parents were music majors who met in college.

“My dad was one of the first few members of the vocal group, Cantus, and my mom is a violin and ukulele teacher,” Coda Wilson said.

From a young age, the siblings were encouraged to interact with music, singing as a family at church and playing piano, an instrument Coda Wilson continues to play, whereas Anneli Wilson has moved to the cello.

The family also collaborates musically using both their voices and their instruments. Anneli Wilson recounts their family covering “Over The Rainbow” during the pandemic, in which the family recorded themselves playing their instruments and singing. Additionally, a cover of “ Hold You Dear” was produced for their mother last year.

“My mom heard it, and she just started to think about how it related to our family. And she could hear all of us singing it,” Anneli Wilson said.

The way in which the Wilsons interact has always been positive.

“There isn’t a whole lot of pressure in my family to like, be exceptional at music. Learning how to play music, and … it being in my life for so long has filled my life,” Anneli Wilson said. “Most of my extracurriculars are connected to music in some way, and it’s just like a large part of my life.”

Anneli Wilson is a part of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony, a string trio, and musical theater.

Coda Wilson shares a similar sentiment, believing that the most important part of performing is one’s enjoyment of the music. “If you’re performing something and enjoy it, the performance will benefit greatly from your enjoyment, and it’ll be fun for you,” he said.

As rehearsals for the US spring musical approach, Coda and Anneli Wilson continue to pursue their musical activities through preparing for “Hadestown.”

Rog family takes care of animals big and small, traditional and non-traditional WYNTER FEINER THE RUBICON

From small animals like chickens to bigger animals like horses, the Rog family has everything.

Ninth-grader Jocelyn Rog and her brother, junior Johnny Rog, have lived their whole lives around animals, now caring for two dogs, three barn cats, two horses and twelve chickens.

Johnny Rog finds himself particularly connected to his dogs: “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always been around dogs. I’ve always just loved them. They are great companions, man’s best friend,” he said.

For junior Johnny Rog, his time with animals is more than a moment.

“I guess [the animals] teach me to be playful when I’m around my dog. I gotta be energetic to match them and the cats too because they are always playing, so you gotta kind of match that energy,” Johnny Rog said.

Similarly, Jocelyn Rog learns everyday skills from her animals.

“Everyone has their own responsibilities because there’s a lot of animals to take care of,” Jocelyn Rog said. “[The animals] have to be fed; everyone has to make sure [the animals] have everything. And so

FROM THE WEB

keeping track of time and always reserving time to do that is important.”

Jocelyn Rog has ridden horses her whole life. “I started really young, and I did pony camps at this place called Woodlock Stables. I’ve just been going there every summer and once in a while during the school year,” she said.

After countless summers of riding horses, Jocelyn Rog adopted her own, an Appaloosa named Loki, after making an agreement with her parents. “After we got them, we started doing summer camps with them,” she said.

Eventually, these visits became unnecessary.

“They’re normally just at the stables, but we brought them to our house about when I was in sixth grade, and we ride them around [our] property and on paths,” she said.

As time goes on, the Rog family continue to expand. “We got the cats recently, like a year ago, but the dogs we’ve had for a long time,” Johnny Rog said.

The Rog family takes joy in their shared passion and love of animals. It’s something that has been a part of their lives for a long time, and is something that they will continue to enjoy and cherish.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Johnny Rog

FAMILY ANIMALS. Jocelyn Rog washes off a pet chicken, one of the many animals the family cares for. “Everyone has their own responsibilities because there’s a lot of animals to take care of,” she said.

[Q&A] Getting to know Elected/Selected Members

Deling Chen named 2025 Regeneron STS Scholar

AUDREY JANSEN

LANI NGONETHONG

THE RUBICON

RUBICONLINE

The Regeneron Science Talent Search announced the 300 scholars of 2025 on Jan. 8. Senior Deling Chen found herself on the list.

Avi Coleman (top left), Fiona Lambert (top right), Evan Morris (bottom left), Tallulah Dogwill (bottom right) and Luwam Mebrahtu (not pictured) all joined various elected selected groups to create change in the school environment.

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SPORTS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

Trojans grit finishes in an underdog win COACHING DUO: STACY AND SAL

PHOTO: Audrey Peltier

DREAM TEAM. Head coach Stacy Overgaard and assistant coach Eric Salverda rejoin forces back on the pool

deck to create a dynamic team.

SAM GALARNEAULT THE RUBICON

MS science teacher Stacy Overgaard rejoined the Trojans swim and dive team as head coach midway through that 2023-2024 winter season. The transition from assistant coach to head coach was unexpected and sudden, but Overgaard stood up to the task. Overgaard was not new to the pool deck by any means. She started in the water at age five and has been around many pool decks ever since. She swam club for many years, including swimming all four years of high school and college. Now, she returns to the Trojans after she used to be their head coach almost 17 years ago.

MS social studies teacher Eric Salverda also rejoined the Trojans swim and dive as one of the assistant coaches for the 2024-2025 season. Overgaard brought Salverda back to join the team to strengthen the team as a whole. Though Salverda has less swimming experience, he is still able to bring his coaching background with him. His connection to swimming ties back to when he was also a coach on the Trojans team alongside Overgaard many years ago.

Overgaard and Salverda both bring their teaching background, which helps with their coaching styles that work hand in hand with each other. Both coaches are dedicated to helping coach both the student-athlete and the individual.

The Rubicon editor Sam Galarneault is a member of the Trojans swim and dive team.

PHOTO: Audrey Peltier

RAPID RELAY. Sophomore Adi Narayan dives in right after sophomore Alex Haupt finishes his leg in the varsity 200-yard medley relay.

PHOTO: Audrey Peltier

STRONG SWIM. Junior Ben Lee swims his fastest 100-yard breaststroke of the season, winning his race and his team six varsity points.

PHOTO: Audrey Peltier

TIGHT TIMING. Each race can come down to the wire where swimmers have to fight for first place by winning by a hundredth of a second.

PHOTO: Via Campbell

Q&A SWIM COACHES REUNITE AFTER 20 YEARS Q: WHAT VALUE AS A COACH IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? A: SALVERDA: It’s about building camaraderie and the sense of belonging with something bigger than yourself.

A: OVERGAARD: I inspire each person on the deck to be the best that they can be knowing that they are a valued member of the team no matter what.

Q: WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD COACH? A: SALVERDA: Making myself available for building relationships beyond the actual sport. Seeing and valuing each individual as a person, not only a swimmer. I think teaching and coaching go so well together.

The team is greater than the sum of its parts.

A: OVERGAARD: I’m super organized and I’m passionate about what I believe we can do.

BUTTERFLY BREATH. Sophomore Adi Narayan competes in the 200-yard individual medley relay where he swam all four stokes in one race in 50-yard intervals.

AUDREY PELTIER RUBICONLINE

On Jan. 29, the Trojans swim and dive team fought long and hard against their rivals, Central Senior High School at Humboldt High School. The final score was 96-90, with each event coming down to a tenth of a second.

The Trojans have a co-op with Highland Park, so this meet was a huge rivalry against two big St. Paul City Conference schools. The co-op maintains a well-balanced representation of student-athletes from each school. The last time the Trojans beat Central was in 2020.

The pool had low, dark, lighting, making it a long night. The energy was high, and Trojan swimmers were excited to compete against their rivals who were expected to win by 10 points. Prior to the meet, the Trojans had planned ahead smartly and had trained JV swimmers to become divers in order to make up more points on the varsity scoreboard.

Swimmer Ben Lee from SPA delivered an outstanding performance, winning first place in the 100-yard butterfly with an impressive time of 59:00 seconds.

Coaches and other swimmers cheered as Lee glided across the water. Just a fraction of a second behind him, a Central swimmer pushed the pace, finishing at 59:06 seconds, making for a thrilling finish.

From the first dive into the water by JV 200-yard medley relay swimmers to the last event of the night, the 400-yard freestyle relay, the two teams battled fiercely, and their points were almost perfectly even throughout the night. Many races were extremely close, such as the 400-yard freestyle relay, which featured two SPA swimmers, Mati Halloran and Finn Cox. The Trojans had finished with a time of 3:37:08 and Central finished just milliseconds behind them in 3:37:32. Similarly, many times had been just milliseconds within each other, building up anticipation for the final champion of the night.

The overall score was 96-90, the Trojans victorious, and they secured the title of St. Paul Conference Champions for the first time since 2020. The meet was full of excitement and camaraderie, leaving everyone eager for the next meet.

The Trojans have their next meet at St. Catherine University Feb. 12 at 6:00 p.m. This meet will also double as the team’s conference championship.

Scan this QR code to view the full photo gallery on RubicOnline.

SPORTS THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

13

Student-athletes depend on consistent coaches SONIA KHARBANDA THE RUBICON

PHOTO: SPA SmugMug

TURBO TAKEOFF. Nordic skier Elisabeth Hilton starts her race in a powerful pursuit.

Etiquette in action is a integral part of sports CARYS HSIUNG CONTRIBUTOR

Picture a home game. The remaining seconds of the game tick down, players scrambling to score the match point. Woefully, the emanating ring of the buzzer is met with the opposing team’s victory. Maybe the defeated team and its supporters are met with silence. Sympathetic comments might be given to the players from the defeated team intermittently, cheers of congratulations swarming the opposing team in the background. Or, the audience might just be shifting awkwardly in their seats.

Whether the scene is seconds after match point was scored by a team, practice or brief interactions made with other schools, the notion of sports etiquette is constantly met with ambiguity. As there is no uniform etiquette across different sports, the variability of sports etiquette also adds another layer of complexity.

For the Nordic team, good sportsmanship is reflected through warming up with each other, greeting competitor schools, and cheering teammates on during races. Despite the solo nature of the sport, team members still cheer for each other and other skiers on during a race following their individual start times.

“It is always appreciated to cheer; you just can’t shout negative things like, ‘she’s behind you, she’s catching up, you’re too slow,’ but normal cheering is great,” ninth-grader Sophie Kannapiran said.

Comparably, fencing primarily focuses on individual competition through its three fencing sword, yet it is a sport where a lot of students can join in later grades and pick it up pretty quickly. Instances of good sportsmanship in fencing include demonstrating correct fencing techniques to others and supporting newcomers and returning fencers alike.

“We’re all in this together,” captain Belle Weng said.

“

[TO] MAINTAIN A HEALTHY, LESS PRESSURE-FILLED ENVIRONMENT, WE WANT TO RESPECT OTHER SCHOOLS AND OUR TEAMMATES.

senior Belle Weng

During day-long meets, teammates tend to filter in and out until their individual event takes place.

Fencing in bouts against a single opponent is an instance in which proper sports etiquette is especially crucial; being respectful toward the referee’s calls and saluting both the referee and opponent before and after the bout by raising the blade upwards and tapping the opponent’s blade when bringing it downwards are examples of proper fencing etiquette that all fencers typically uphold. “[To] maintain a healthy, less pressure-filled environment, we want to respect other schools and our teammates,” Weng said.

Ultimately, sportsmanship comes down to not only the game, but building respect and connection even after the final outcome.

When girls soccer player Lucy Lowman thinks she’s not playing well during a game, she looks to her coach for guidance on ways to improve or stop overthinking. Unfortunately, the team’s coach of three years has left the school, leaving plans for the next season uncertain.

“With a new coach, it’s really hard to be honest about [those struggles],” Lowman said.

The next girls soccer coach will be the fourth head coach in the past six years. But this program is not alone in facing a revolving door of coaching staff.

During varsity swimmer Ben Lee’s two years on the Trojans swim and dive team, he has had two different coaches. In the past four years of the Trojans there have been three coaches who have joined and left.

He describes former assistant coach Stacy Overgaard’s move to head coach as “refreshing,” after the previous head

coach left abruptly in the middle of last season.

“She’s probably the reason why I’m still swimming with the team,” Lee said.

He believes maintaining a relationship with a coach provides consistency that is vital for athletes, both physically and mentally. “[They’re] like a stable pillar in your sport that you can rely on and talk to when you’re struggling, or even when you’re succeeding,” he said.

“

WITH A NEW COACH, IT’S REALLY HARD TO BE HONEST ABOUT [THOSE STRUGGLES]. ninth-grader Lucy Lowman

Meanwhile, coach Max Lundgren is a constant figure at SPA. He has served as a Nordic coach for seven years, as well as a soccer and ten-

nis coach for the past five.

He echoes Lee’s vision of his responsibility as a coach to help his athletes through hardship.

“If they have someone that’s been consistently in support of them that entire time, that’s seen them when they’re at their best and seen them when they’re struggling,” Lundgren said, “I think it helps them have a broader perspective on any struggles they have, and get through them and have a positive view of sport as a whole.”

One simple yet powerful moment illustrates his understanding of his role as a coach. Working with a senior who was just learning to ski, he remembers watching them learn how to glide on the skis, and “the amount of joy that he had was so incredible that it made me feel that joy kind of vicariously through him,” he said.

The boys varsity soccer team is one example of the impact of consistent coaching on a team’s success. BVS player Lucas Granja appreciates the

individual relationships his coach, Max Lipset, has cultivated and notes this difference from his club team, where he has a different coach every year. “[Max] wants to win more … he cares more about our skills, and so he wants to think about what we need to improve, like in the offseason too,” Granja said.

“Having him be our coach for so long has helped him get to know us, and think of strategies that work best for the individual playing styles.”

As the initial shock of losing her coach has passed, looking to the future, Lowman hopes the next GVS coach will take the time to get to know the team and avoid making any drastic changes.

“I just hope that they support us inside and out,” she said.

While consistent coaching is just one of many factors that affect players’ performances, a close relationship with a coach can make-or-break an athlete’s experience.

From idea to reality: Girls rugby team set in motion PETER OSTREM THE RUBICON

Students have long hoped for more sports options than provided.

Boys volleyball has been mentioned along with field hockey, and more recently, girls and boys rugby. Physics teacher Joseph Martin has been leading the rugby charge, but the possibility has been narrowed down to a girls team due to a lack of interest in a boys rugby team. Martin has been a lifelong fan of rugby and has long had the idea to bring the sport to SPA. The idea has recently caught steam, even leading to an informational meeting Jan. 30. Biology teacher Rachel Yost-Dubrow has also volunteered to be a part of the team as an assistant coach if it materializes.

FROM THE WEB

Junior Raina Heid- a connection to the sport to recruit a larger group kamp is one of the po- than Martin does. “I’ve of girls. With help from tential rugby players and agreed to be an assistant Martin, the girls who are expressed interest in the coach, but I have no ex- interested in participatidea. “Me and my friend perience whatsoever with ing in the rugby team are thought it would be fun, rugby,” she said. able to practice and learn and I just hope it exists For the team to be more on Sundays at Matthis spring,” she said. able to play other local tocks Park. Martin can be Martin is very enthu- teams, they need seven reached at joemartin@ siastic about the idea, but players. For the team spa.edu for more details is cautious about being to be an official school of the girls rugby team. too confident in the team sport, the team will need coming to fruition.

“I’d say it’s still a long shot at this point,” he said.

“I’ve liked to just put the ideas of rugby into the world, and from there, it just sparked with some students showing they’re actually interested,” he said. “The hope is that we have a team this spring, but we will just have to see how much interest there actually is.”

PHOTO: Sam Galarneault Yost-Dubrow is also exSTEADY START. Sophomore Yasmin Khan throws a rugby cited about the potential ball to ninth-grader Eva Burns at the first girls rugby practeam but has much less of tice Feb. 1.

Athletics advisory administers action AARUSHI BAHADUR

DIRECTOR OF RUBICONLINE

SPA’s recruitment process seeks out committed individuals GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON

14

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

Best bakeries around SPA:

La Boulangerie Marguerite

The Rubicon editors Amanda Hsu, Sonia Kharbanda, Wynter Feiner and Editor in Chief Annie Zhang took a trip around the neighborhood surrounding SPA, reviewing the best bakeries around. They tried specialties, crossaints, cakes, cookies and tarts. The shown average is based off of the staff’s purchases.

ALMOND CROSSAINT La Boulangerie Marguerite presents a delightful selection of sweet and savory pastries, with the almond croissant being a standout. Topped with real almonds and a sweet sugar coating, the croissant features a subtle almond flavor that elevates its simplicity. Light and airy, the almond croissant serves as a perfect, convenient on-the-go snack at an excellent price. 4/5 stars.

PHOTOS: Amanda Hsu and Annie Zhang

La Boulangerie Marguerite 1729 Randolph Ave., St Paul 6 a.m.-12 p.m.

Average - $6.04/person

BUTTER CROSSAINT

OUR CHOICE: TORTE

La Boulangerie Marguerite perfects the quintessential original croissant, exemplified by the pastry’s flaky, crunchy exterior that breaks away into a soft, fluffy interior. Flavor-wise, nothing notable stands out, but that is to be expected plain croissant.

Customers craving a simple croissant that’s a tier up from grocery-bought pastries will find exactly what they are looking for at La Boulangerie Marguerite. 4/5 stars.

La Boulangerie Marguerite offers a tasty gluten-free option; the chocolate flourless torte comes as a thin slice with a dollop of creme, small white and dark chocolate shavings sprinkled on top, and a brush of edible glitter to elevate and top the piece off. The torte itself is made of Belgium dark chocolate, and though the slice is thin, it’s rich and heavy, turning out to be a perfect portion.

MACARONS

RATING: 5/5

This tiny and adorable bakery sells an assortment of brightly-colored French macarons– although the choices offer a strange combination of flavors, from apple pie to peanut butter and jelly. The more traditional options, like raspberry lemon and pistachio, fulfilled expectations.

Mango passionfruit stood out for its tart reprieve from the sweetness of the raspberry lemon and pistachio.

While clearly not the specialty of La Boulangerie Marguerite, these macarons get the job done. 3/5 stars.

Rose Street Patisserie BEE HENRY

Rose Street Patisserie adds some flair to the common croissant by forming the dough into a bowl-like shape, filling it with custard and topping it with thinly sliced almonds. The crunchy, hard shell-like rim of the pastry bowl contrasts with the softer center, and the sprinkle of nuts on top adds a nice kick that breaks up the sweetness. The pastry resembles cheese danishes. Despite the confusing name, Bee Henry is a wonderful addition to a coffee or lunch break. 4.5/5 stars.

CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE Rose Street Patisserie presents a large chunk of Cinnamon Coffee Cake. The cake incorporates small pieces of pecans evenly dispersed throughout the confection. The loaf is delicate and light, with plenty of cinnamon streusel on top. However, despite the name, the coffee flavor is lacking. The slice is sizable and offers excellent value for just five dollars. 3/5 stars.

CHOCOLATE ECLAIR Rose Street Patisserie’s chocolate eclair, small enough to finish in just a few bites, ensures every crunch is memorable. Topped with a dark chocolate glaze, its bitterness creates a striking contrast against the sweetness of the light chocolate filling. Small chocolate shavings top the surface and add a subtle crunch that complements the soft texture of the eclair’s pastry shell. 5/5 stars.

Rose Street Patisserie 171 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Average - $5.75/person

OUR CHOICE: COOKIE The thunder cookie lived up to its name with an explosive chocolate flavor. The small pieces of chocolate scattered within the cookie enhance its rich taste, and the thin topping of salt balanced the intensity, preventing it from becoming overpowering. Among Rose Street Patisserie’s array of beautiful desserts, the thunder cookie is an underrated choice.

Its small size, low price and perfectly soft texture will leave chocolate lovers wanting more.

RATING: 5/5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

Marc Heu Patisserie Paris Marc Heu Patisserie Paris 156 Dale St. N., St. Paul 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Average - $8.91/person

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CHOCOLATE CROISSANT

OUR CHOICE: KING’S CAKE Among the four bakeries visited, the King’s Cake stood out as the most visually elegant.

While not as flashy as other desserts by Marc Heu such as the Frasier, it sets itself apart with a light almond filling that strikes a perfect balance of sweetness. The King’s Cake itself boasts a combination between a croissant and a traditional cake. The croissant-like exterior is crisp and airy, balancing with the smooth almond cream to create a refined dessert that is both satisfying while not overpowering on the palate.

RATING: 5/5

A perfect shell of dough on top makes Marc Heu Patisserie Paris’ chocolate croissant look more like an art piece than food. Unfortunately, it also tastes more like an art piece, relieving heavily on the minimal amounts of chocolate for taste. The crispy outside has a nice crunch, but reveals a pastry that is mostly unsalted dough. Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris’ chocolate croissant is a good option for customers who enjoy looking at their food more than eating it. 2/5 stars.

PASSIONFRUIT RASPBERRY TART Like the bakery itself, the passionfruit raspberry tart is presented elegantly, topped with three raspberries and a tiny leaf. The pastry base encloses a raspberry filling layered underneath a passion fruit custard. The flavors were distinct yet complemented one another but unfortunately, the crust was surprisingly stiff. For this dessert’s comparatively high price, it was disappointing that it was so difficult to eat. 4/5 stars.

FRASIER Marc Heu Patisserie Paris’ frasier perfectly balances pistachio and strawberry flavor. The cake is enclosed in a clear plastic cylinder cake collar with strawberries lining the edge, filled with a light pistachio cream, and topped with dollops of heavy pistachio frosting and a tiny ripe strawberry. At the bottom lies a sliver of vanilla pistachio cake, absorbing the strawberry extract. Though flavorful, the cake is mostly cream, and the price isn’t worth the size. 4/5 stars.

Bellecour Bakery VANILLA MACARON

Bellecour Bakery’s macarons will catch any customer’s eye with their unique giant size. Bigger than any of the other pastries on this list, this macaron is more sandwich than cookie. This bakery offers a variety of flavors, but vanilla was the obvious choice, as it was the only macaron adorned with sprinkles. The sweetness was overwhelming but overall, it was delicious. If you’re looking for a filling and possibly diabetes-inducing dessert, this macaron is perfect. 4/5 stars.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE Bellecour Bakery’s take on the classic chocolate chip cookie elevates America’s beloved comfort dessert with a sweet, rich flavor profile. The slightly melted chocolate chips pair well with the cookie’s subtle saltiness, creating a contrast of sweet and salty. The cookie features a crunchy outer edge and a soft, chewy center. While well-executed, it remains a traditional chocolate chip cookie that pales in comparison to other items on the Bellecour menu. 4/5 stars.

ALMOND CROISSANT Sliced in half, sandwiched around chocolate and sliced almonds and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, Bellecour’s almond chocolate croissant is a well-put-together bakery item. The croissant itself is artfully crafted, but it’s hard to tell when doused in nuts and chocolate. The filling detracts attention from the better part of the pastry, overall giving the croissant a too-rich taste. 3/5 stars.

Bellecour Bakery 877 Grand Ave., St. Paul 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Average - $7.28/person

OUR CHOICE: CRÊPE CAKE Even after a stuffing meal, there’s room for Bellecour Bakery’s light and airy vanilla crêpe cake.

This cake features 18 layers of crêpe filled with a soft vanilla Chantilly cream. The purchase comes with a tiny syrup container to drizzle over the confection. The dessert is then topped with radiantly ripe raspberries dusted in powdered sugar to elevate the fresh taste. Though expensive ($10.71), Bellecour Bakery’s light and flavorful vanilla crêpe cake is worth the investment.

RATING: 5/5

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MIXED MEDIA THE RUBICON - FEBRUARY 2025

Short-form content makes it debut, long-form makes a comeback 53%

of Gen Z watch long form videos on social media.

PETER OSTREM THE RUBICON

Recent years have seen an incremental increase in shortform content; minutes per day platforms like is the average TikTok, Instaamount of time an gram and YouU.S. adult spends on TikTok. Tube have been at the forefront of this movebillion active users ment. The averflooded TikTok as of age length of a May 2024.

TikTok video is 42.7 seconds, the average length of an Instagram reel is 8 seconds, and the average length of a YouTube short is somewhere between 15 and 60 seconds. In contrast to this, video essays and longer introspective videos on platforms like YouTube have also become increasingly popular.

Junior Laura Kimmel regularly consumes INFOGRAPHIC: Juan Miguel Adams short-form content as opINFORMATION: Wyzowl, Backlinko posed to long-form conVIDEO VENTURES. Ninth-grader Miles Coates Cush feels tent. “I have a really short the effects of the time sink of social media. “I find the day attention span, but also goes by way too quickly... you lose a lot of time for doing it really keeps you investother things,” he said. ed,” she said.

53.8

1.04

Kimmel also believes that TikTok doesn’t have a negative impact on her well-being, despite popular opinion.

“I think it doesn’t necessarily impact it [mental health,] I would say it’s good because it keeps me doing a lot of stuff,” she said.

“

I HAVE A REALLY SHORT ATTENTION SPAN, BUT ALSO IT REALLY KEEPS YOU INVESTED.

junior Laura Kimmel

The short-form content industry has been incredibly profitable over the past decade. In 2023, TikTok brought in $16.1 billion and Instagram Reels reported revenue is around $10 billion.

This tremendous amount of revenue is caused by

short-form content a being a factor, in the decreasing attention span of American youth.

According to a May 2021 study by Columbia University, TikTok usage has been linked to an increase in depression and anxiety among middle and high schoolers.

Ninth-grader Henry Kansas agrees with the negative side effects of shortform content, different from Kimmel.

“Last March, I got rid of all short-form content.

I used to be severely addicted to YouTube shorts,” he said.

Kansas believes that it has a negative effect on his well-being, “I would just sit upside down in my bed for hours and watch reels, and when I’m done I have a headache, so not good,” he said.

Now, Kansas regularly consumes long-form content and doesn’t see this having a negative effect on his mental health.

“I just binged a TV show, and I don’t really think there were any bad

effects from it or anything,” he said.

Fellow ninth-grader Miles Coates Cush disagrees with Kansas’s view.

“For long-form content … I can’t sit down for two hours and watch,” he said.

He sees it as having a negative effect on his well-being. “I find the day goes by way too quickly … you lose a lot of time for doing other things,” Coates-Cush said.

Despite the increase in short-form revenue, longform content has continued to be profitable. TV shows and films turn out billions of dollars of revenue annually, showing that there is room for both of them in the entertainment industry.

Short-form content has dominated the entertainment industry over the past decade, but there still is room for longform content to be profitable. Many students end up regularly consuming both, which amounts to varying opinions about the side effects.

Video essay: prequels and the modern villain backstory GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON Villains are a key facet of the media viewers consume. But how has the ways villains are portrayed changed for the better and for the worse?

Have you ever come away from a movie thinking that villain was justified? Have you ever read a book and sympathized with the bad guy?

If there’s one thing people seem to love, it’s a villain. And to be fair, who doesn’t love a compelling character who you definitely don’t want to root for, but also love to hate? Beloved characters like Darth Vader, Loki, and the Joker can be incredibly fun to watch and fascinating to examine.

After all, what is a story, without conflict?

And nothing quite beats the thrill of consuming a piece of fiction and being utterly captivated by the villain.

Because, in a way, isn’t it comforting?

To look around at all the terrible people and things happening, and see a villain that is simply pure evil, and feel slightly comforted, because at least that isn’t reality.

But lately there’s been a disappointing shift in the media depicting villains, and how society seems to receive those villains.

Many villains have been given a tragic origin story or some dramatic moment in their past that makes everything they did more explainable.

For example, take Cruella de Vil, whose name can be broken down into ‘cruel devil.’ In the 1961 film “101 Dalmatians,” Cruella is downright awful. True, there are some strange messages in the outdated piece of media-like being older and unmarried is bad, and being a business motivated woman

is bad. Cruella does drop an iconic feminist quotes in the live action version, where she says, “more good women have been lost to marriage than to war, famine, disease and disaster.” But looking past the outdated context of Cruella’s villany, simply look at her actions and intent.

Actions: dognap 101 puppies. Intent? Turn them into a coat.

Most of society has turned a nose up at killing animals for the intent of wearing them. It’s needlessly cruel. Cruella is needlessly cruel, as is obvious from her name.

Then in 2021, Emma Stone gave a marvelous performance in the movie “Cruella.” It received overall good reviews, with 78% on rotten tomatoes, and a 7.3/10 on iMDB. The puppy murderer now had a tragic backstory with a mean boss, mother-killing Dalmatian, and mental illness. You heard it here first, folks. Having a mental illness and a mean boss means A) you will kill puppies, and B) it’s okay to kill puppies.

A villain doesn’t have to be a good person. A villain doesn’t need redeeming features or qualities. Sometimes a character is flat-out rotten. Because the trope of giving every villain a redeeming feature leads into tropes of “every villain having redeeming features,” even when it’s not true to the story.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Peter Ostrem FAIR USE: Walt Disney Studios

RETRO REWRITE. In comparison to the character of Cruella de Vil from the 1961 film “101 Dalmatians,” the 2021 adaptation “Cruella” offers a motivation for the titular character’s goals through a sympathetic backstory.

Scan this QR code to watch the full video essay compare different villains and prequel films on The Rubicon YouTube channel.