March 2025 Issue

the The Rubicon student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 50, Issue 6 - Mar. 11, 2025

New Story.

PETER OSTREM THE RUBICON

Liminality is “a state of being between two stages or places, or on the verge of transitioning to something new,” according to the Oxford Dictionary.

Liminality can often be felt as an emotion during times of change. It can often be seen in individuals, coming of age, transitioning to college, switching grades or schools or even experiencing the presidential transition of power. According do an article published by Counselling Directory and written by John MacKay, this feeling can often be interpreted as some sort of fear.

Being afraid of the unknown is often associated with liminality.

A paper published by Louisiana State University written by professor Christine Lattin identifies the fear of the unknown as “neophobia.” The paper also states that there are a series of neurobiological gene receptors that have been identified that can be used by scientists to produce treatments for neophobia and similar conditions, like anxiety. Beyond the scientific, liminality is often caused by an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity, unfriendliness and concern about the mystery of your future.

Story continued on pg. 8

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NO PLACE LIKE...

Home is not the house itself but the relationships and traditions built there.

Read more in GOOD QUESTION.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

POSITIVITY PRACTICE

Distractions can seep into all aspects of daily life. Yoga offers one way to focus on the good. Read more in SPORTS.

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CREATIVE DISRUPTION Changes in routine, as simple as trying new foods or journals used, can generate creativity. Read more in A&E.

2-3 - News • 4-7 - Opinion • 8-9 - In-Depth • 10 - Good Question

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

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NEWS THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

FROM THE

EDITOR’S DESK Maybe you’ve seen eerie images of an empty hallway, deserted swimming pool, or waiting room online.

They’re called liminal spaces—the theme for our annual special issue.

Liminality is more than a physical space, though. It’s a state of impending transition, one that is especially fitting due to this issue being our penultimate one as a staff. After spending a year growing closer as student journalists and friends, the limit on our time together suddenly feels much more tangible.

Producing copy and designing pages fell in the midst of staff applications, senior project planning, and college decisions.

With so much focus on the future, we can sometimes neglect the present.

That’s where liminal spaces come in. Despite feeling familiar, these places often go unnoticed or neglected because they represent the “in-between.” As graduation nears and we prepare for changes in the publication rooms, I find this theme most fitting. In a way, we all feel torn between focusing on the present and preparing for the future.

I hope everyone can treat this issue as a promise to themselves to appreciate the present moment.

And to my fellow staff members: let’s remember the accomplishments, memories, and times we showed up for one another. Let’s celebrate what we have created together and cherish the time left, even as a sense of inevitable change continues to dictate our lives.

JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

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PHOTOS: Annie Zhang

1 BUS RIDE BONDING. Juniors Lam Le, Allan Wang, Shefali Meagher and Amanda Hsu pose for a photo aboard the bus to Sioux Falls. The four-hour trip, which includes at stop at Kwik Trip, is a chance for the student scientists to spend time together before the competition. 2 PROUD PRIZEWINNERS. Juniors Shefali Meagher and Huxley Westemeier, along with senior Deling Chen, smile with their awards. Meagher won fourth place and Chen and Westemeier took sixth and seventh in the oral presentation category. 3 GAS STATION STOCK UP. Junior Evan Morris reaches for a slushie cup at the annual Kwik Trip stop.

ASR returns to Sioux Falls ANNIE ZHANG EDITOR IN CHIEF On Feb. 22, 11 students from the Advanced Science Research and Advanced Project: CSCI and Engineering classes traveled to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to compete at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

Unlike some states that have their own state JSHS competitions, Minnesota is a part of the North Central region, with participating students hailing from North Dakota and South Dakota in addition to all over the state.

This year, JSHS introduced a new format.

Rather than requiring all students who submitted a paper to give a 10-minute oral presentation, only the top 24 research papers were selected, while the remaining students presented their work through poster sessions.

SPA students chosen to give an oral presentation were juniors Evan Morris, Amanda Hsu, Shefali Meagher, Huxley Westemeier and senior Deling Chen. All other students gave poster presentations.

“It wasn’t similar to the normal structure of the [state] science fair. Instead of standing in front of a poster and waiting for judges, the oral presenters had a set time slot and could watch the other presenters in their group,” Westemeier said.

“I enjoyed this aspect thoroughly. It gave me the opportunity to hear research from my peers, which is usually limited at traditional science fairs.”

Additionally, the prizes differed between the two presentation formats.

Only oral presenters had the chance to advance to the national competition held in Chantilly, VA this year, with first through fifth place qualifying and sixth and seventh place serving as alternates. For poster presentations, among the 48 posters, one $250 scholarship was awarded based on a peer vote.

On the afternoon of Feb. 21, students left SPA by bus and traveled four hours alongside researchers from St. Paul public schools. Continuing a tradition introduced in the 2023-24 school year, the group made two stops

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.

at Kwik Trip, where students showcased their purchases on the student-run Instagram page @spaasr2425.

“I think honestly, the most fun part about it was not even the competition or presenting, but was going on the bus ride with everyone from the ASR class and being Amanda’s roommate,” Meagher said.

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INSTEAD OF STANDING IN FRONT OF A POSTER...

THE ORAL PRESENTERS HAD A SET TIME SLOT.

junior Huxley Westemeier

After arriving at the hotel late in the evening, students were given free time to spend as they chose. Some, like Morris, used the time to rehearse their presentations, while others opted for different ways to unwind.

“I lowkey didn’t do much though. I basically just did some homework

and went to bed early,” junior Charlotte Talbot said.

The following morning, oral presenters delivered their presentations alongside three other students across the competition in groups, with sessions taking place in three rooms across two time slots. Prior to the presentations, attendees participated in a keynote speaker session, student panel and networking event. After lunch, poster presenters stood by their displays for 20 minutes– similar to the format of a traditional science fair.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony.

“Even though in the moment, it was a bit scary to present, I think that after, I was kind of proud of myself because I was under the time limit, and I kind of said everything that I wanted to in the way that I wanted to. And so, I’m pretty happy that I didn’t just get nervous and forget everything,” Meagher said.

Meagher won fourth place and Chen and Westemeier took sixth and seventh place in the oral presentation category.

THE TOP PROJECTS

At the regional JSHS competition, places one through five advance to nationals, with the next two places designated for alternates.

SHEFALI MEAGHER FOURTH

“A Novel Analysis of Cosmetic Methylparaben in Artificial Amniotic Fluid”

DELING CHEN SIXTH

“An Artificial Intelligence Electrocardiogram Model for Prediction of Dementia---the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARC) study”

HUXLEY WESTEMEIER SEVENTH “Generalized Artificial Image Classification with Noise Domain Localization”

Feature 11 - Submitted photo attributed to Johnny Rog but should be Jocelyn Rog Feature 11 - The caption for the submitted photo lists Jocelyn Rog as the main subject but should be fifth grader Jacqueline Rog.

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NEWS THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

SASH-led assembly calls attention to harassment culture ANNIKA KIM THE RUBICON Led by seniors Cerena Karmaliani and Serene Kalugdan, Students Against Sexual Harassment has been collaborating with administration on the school’s sexual harassment policy over the past year. The Feb. 25 assembly covered details on the school’s policy, presented consequences and prompted students to discuss potential scenarios. At the end, Karmaliani pointed the audience toward resources from a conference SASH members attended.

The idea for the group has been in progress since last year, when three students, including Kalugdan and Karmaliani, attended a summit in Washington, D.C. The summit, alongside discussions in the Upper School Council and a previous senior project, helped them realize the benefits of having a club to lead conversation on the subject.

“Going to the summit, going and leading assemblies...feels like a really important process for restoring a community

or making a community stronger,” Karmaliani said.

SASH hoped to attend the summit in Georgetown again this year but went to a local conference at the Sexual Violence Center instead due to budget reasons.

“We want [to attend] one summit with the outside community because sexual assault and harassment isn’t a community-specific problem; it’s a broader problem,” Kalugdan said.

While the content was

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ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES ...WERE GIVEN TO US AT THE SEXUAL VIOLENCE CENTER. SASH co-leader Cerena Karmaliani

aimed toward adults, Kalugdan and Karmaliani found the experience rewarding as it allowed students to interact with those outside their immediate circle.

“All of those hyperlinked resources that are available on those slides [were] given to us [at] the Sexual Violence Center, by people we met… we genuinely made connections with all of these communities and people,” Karmaliani said.

SASH hopes that the club will hold assemblies and attend summits yearly.

As SASH noticed many students approaching the club with questions, Kalugdan and Karmaliani decided to plan the assembly around establishing clarity on SPA’s sexual harassment policy and the school support system.

“We hope that students can continue to go up to the leaders of SASH and confide in them, and also have somebody like the two of us, where they can go up to the Dean or go up to a counselor and have that support system at school,” Karmaliani said.

Looking ahead, SASH plans to extend its impact into the LS and MS, working alongside established wellness curriculums. One goal involves extending support among male-identifying

PHOTO: Annika Kim

CULTIVATING COMPASSION. SASH co-leader Cerena Karmaliani informs the community on sexual harassment statistics before guiding them through hypothetical reporting scenarios. The resources, acquired through a conference at the Sexual Violence Center, are available to all students.

students.

“Something that I’m excited for, but is also really hard, is that this is the beginning of SASH. I’m excited that this is the beginning that everybody’s excited about, but it also is really hard because we’re just doing the small steps in the beginning,” Kaludgan said.

As a new club this year, SASH will continue to work on spreading education and awareness in the future. The group welcomes all students to meet in the debate room during club days.

WHAT IS THE PLAN OF ACTION FOLLOWING A REPORT? The school will investigate every report. Reports may be written or oral and must be directed to an appropriate SPA official. Here is an outline of the process.

1. Evidence and information gathering 2. Communication with students, families, counselors and administrators

3. Continue previous two steps over as needed 4. Consequences-- up to and including expulsion 5. Education 6. Restoration and reparation INFOGRAPHIC: Johanna Pierach INFORMATION: SASH Assembly slides

THE NEXT MOVE. SPA’s process for handling sexual harassment reports was outlined at the Feb. 25 assembly.

Changes to conferences aim to prioritize student input and initiative WYNTER FEINER THE RUBICON Student-led conferences are returning for a second year. These meetings, which can include an advisor and up to three teachers, require students to fill out three forms in preparation for directing the discussion.

According to Sophomore Class Leader Kristen Piehl, this student initiative is beneficial for academic success.

“Last year…I really appreciated [student-led conferences] because it allowed there to be a conversation between the advisor, the student and their parents all together in one room,” Piehl said.

“Students really have an opportunity to reflect on their semester and how

FROM THE WEB

their classes are going, what they’re proud of, what they need to work on, and so it becomes more about what the student needs and wants for themselves,” she said.

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I’M...TRYING TO BE IN A GOOD PLACE [WITH MY SENIOR PROJECT]

BY THE TIME CONFERENCES ROLL AROUND. senior Raven Glaser

Conferences also feature optional meetings with three teachers of the parents’ choice. Each

meeting is 10 minutes long and was established to target specific classes that students may want to address and engage in further conversations.

Students received a blank course chart, goal-setting table and reflection guide for the advisor conferences to help prepare talking points.

Sophomore Eddie Sofen appreciates the emphasis on student responsibility.

“I like how there’s some coordination put on the students. It’s a time for students to plan what they want to talk about with their parents and teachers about their education,” he said.

For seniors, conferences focus more on reflecting on their time at

SPA and preparing for senior projects. During advisor conferences, parents will review a senior project proposal template while students work with their parents to refine any remaining aspects of their senior projects.

Senior Raven Glaser is one senior who is conscious of this checkpoint.

“I’m just trying to be in a good place [with my senior project] by the time conferences roll around,” Glaser said.

Senior Class Leader Aimeric Lajuzan is part of the effort to boost participation for those nearing graduation who may not be as motivated.

“This year, we’re hoping for as many seniors as possible to come with their parents. Tradition-

PHOTO: Wynter Feiner

ACRONYM APPROACH. Ahead of conferences, students have been asked to utilize the Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan, also known as WOOP, strategy to set goals.

ally, during parent-teacher conferences, seniors do not go…We’re trying something new this year, where we’re reflecting and just debriefing with

the parents,” Lajuzan said.

“You can’t force parents to sign up, but we’re hoping more senior parents will come this year than they have in the past.”

Bird flu raises egg prices across Minnesota

Walz proposes budget cuts eliminating private school funding GREYSON SALE

AARUSHI BAHADUR

PRODUCTION MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF RUBICONLINE In a recent budget proposal, Governor Walz proposed eliminating all state funding to private schools.

Avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu has contributed to a shortage of eggs in grocery stores and higher egg prices.

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OPINIONS THE RUBICON - MARCH 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

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

SEEKING A STATEMENT. The SPA administration has not yet addressed President Donald Trump’s series of anti-DEI executive orders, leaving the community uncertain about the school’s stance. A transparent statement from the school would clarify that diversity remains a value of the community and will be protected at SPA.

the staff 100% ofagree

Reaffirm commitment to diversity to uphold values EDITORIAL THE RUBICON STAFF

Silence communicates its own message. No statement is a statement.

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive orders attacking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, many are left wondering about the future of these programs in their daily lives, workplaces and schools. Organizations such as Target, Chipotle and Disney have responded by scaling back their diversity hiring initiatives, while Delta, Costco and others have reaffirmed their DEI policies.

It is imperative that the SPA administration voices its commitment to DEI, both to uphold its vision of an inclusive school community and to show unwavering support in a time of uncertainty.

DEI seeks to promote diversity while minimizing prejudice and ensuring fairness in opportunities. The Civil Rights Movement inspired a racial reckoning and more inclusive policies throughout the nation. Decades later, the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor led to increased corporate investment in DEI; the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic A STATEMENT WOULD Mobility found that between November 2020 and May 2021, more than 1,000 companies and institutions dedicated a total of $134 bilPROVIDE CLARITY, lion toward racial justice.

REASSURANCE AND SPA followed suit by establishing the Defining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force in 2020, led by Director of Intercultural TRANSPARENCY. Life Naomi Taylor. Two years later, a Strategic Action Plan for DEIB was launched, which included six categories ranging from student experience to faculty retention to accountability.

The SPA website states that “the concept of diversity goes much deeper than numbers,” explaining how the school sees the importance of DEIB within all parts of the community. The intentional use of DEIB--the “B” stands for “belonging”--reflects that the goals are intended to cultivate a community where everyone belongs.

In this crucial moment, the school must demonstrate that these actions were not purely performative.

Alongside the implementation of DEI, these programs have faced growing backlash for prioritizing diversity over merit. Trump and his allies have blamed DEI for everything from plane crashes to the Los Angeles wildfires. Just last week, Red Wing schools canceled a Black History Month event featuring Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; in January, the Lakeville school board voted to get rid of posters that include “Black Lives Matter” from the district. With the fallout against DEI on a local and national scale, SPA faces an important decision whether or not to publicly reaffirm its commitment to DEIB. A statement from school leaders would provide clarity, reassurance and transparency that the school remains devoted to its DEIB policies, demonstrating that Scan this QR code to read more student perspectives past initiatives were not just for show. Reaffirming the school’s commitment would on President Donald acknowledge that DEI is a work in progress, including at SPA, but that its values Trump’s executive orders. are worth upholding.

OPINIONS THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

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The time is now for teen political engagement GRACE MEDRANO THE RUBICON Too young to vote, but most certainly old enough to care: that’s the complexity of being a teenager in a time of political strife.

The intricacy of current events and government, as well as the voting eligibility requirements, can make politics feel difficult to break into as a high schooler.

According to a 2023 survey by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 76% of American youth believe they have the power to make change, but less than half feel qualified. Furthermore, only 25% of youth responded that they feel confident about democracy.

Despite this uncertainty and mistrust, there are tangible steps that high school students can take to be involved in the political landscape and take action on issues that matter to them.

So far, there has been little organized resistance to President Donald Trump’s consolidation of power. Unlike in 2017, with the Women’s March after Trump’s inauguration, there have been almost no formal, multistate protests against the new president’s executive orders.

Still, protest is power. It is in the bill of rights that citizens have the right to peaceful assembly and protest. Historically, protests have been of the strongest ways for people to express their beliefs and take a stand against government actions.

Given the amount of issues that affect and concern students, it is important they have the skills necessary to address political changes. While the mass influx of executive orders, new legislation and media in turmoil can feel smothering, there are skills students can develop to make their voices heard. Participation in non-profits, fundraisers and peer advocacy are valuable contributions that do make a difference in the political landscape of the U.S.

FINDING SMALL WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT IS A GREAT WAY TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE THE CHANGE ONE WANTS TO SEE.

TAKE ACTION ON SPECIFIC ISSUES:

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I PERSONALLY DISAGREE WITH THE IDEA OF THE GOLD CARD. junior Ryan Shiroma

IMMIGRATION RIGHTS

- Volunteer with Sincerely Gen 1.5 or the International Institute of MN - Support immigrant-owned businesses like Pizzeria Lola, Carnitas Don Tacho, Afro Deli & Grill, or La Michoacana

ENVIRONMENT

- Bike or walk whenever possible - Organize a community garden - Switch to higher-efficiency bulbs - Learn the recycling codes in your neighborhood - Buy in bulk to minimize waste

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TRUMP ... WON THE POPULAR VOTE AND THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE, SO THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT. senior Rohan Kharbanda

TRUMP’S POLICIES WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

junior Lam Le

POLITICS & DEMOCRACY

- Attend City Council meetings - Work on a politician’s campaign - Email your legislators to prioritize an issue - Serve as an election judge - Volunteer with Rock the Vote

senior Grace Medrano

LGBTQ+ RIGHTS In general, one can use their purchasing power to support both small businesses and ones that align with personal political beliefs and morals. Not supporting businesses that go against the politics one holds can be a good way to show where one stands and can make an impact if more people support ethical businesses.

The political landscape of the U.S. can feel intimidating, despite a thirst for change and a desire to help.

Finding small ways to make an impact is a great way to get involved and make the change one wants to see.

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- Donate to the Trevor Project or GLADD - Continue to use pronouns and inclusive language - Engage with LGBTQ media - Participate in Pride Month events

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I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GIVE A FULLY EDUCATED OPINION, BUT I’M SCARED. ninth-grader Oakley Schonwald

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.

ADVERTISING The Rubicon does not accept advertisements.

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 - MARCH 2025

State Senate’s credibility, integrity at stake EVA BURNS STAFF WRITER What happens when a politician is arrested? Apparently, not much.

Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL) was taken into custody Apr. 22, 2024 after allegedly burglarizing her estranged stepmother’s house to retrieve items belonging to her late father. After her arrest, she released a statement claiming she was only there to check on her stepmother’s health. Although Mitchell continues to assert her innocence, her arrest and burglary charges tarnish her credibility as an elected official, undermining the public’s trust in the government. Citizens elect politicians to represent them by making decisions and influencing the formation of public policy. Judgment of these significant political choices will not be trusted when substandard conduct has occurred before.

During a Senate ethics hearing May 7, 2024, Mitchell pleaded not guilty to the first-degree burglary charge. Most recently, a second charge of possession of burglary or theft tools was filed by prosecutors Feb. 10, claiming she used a crowbar to enter her stepmother’s home. Now, she awaits her trial, scheduled for midJune.

While in the U.S., the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is fundamental, actions and evidence that suggest guilt cannot be ignored. In this case, accountability must start before the court date because the democratic system cannot be preserved if politicians are not role models of lawful behavior.

Since her arrest, members of Mitchell’s own party have called for her resignation, stating in a press release May 30, 2024, “All elected officials should be held accountable.” Other important Minnesota politicians, including Gov. Tim Walz, have also expressed that she should step down.

However, Mitchell has survived two expulsion votes in the Senate, the most recent of which was launched

by Republicans in January. This is because, in the Senate, the DFL holds the majority by only one seat.

Given the current polarization in the Legislature,

HOW OFTEN ARE POLITICIANS INVESTIGATED FOR CRIMES?

2017: Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-New York) sentenced for sending inappropriate messages to a minor

Money pays for what we need. What happens when you don’t have it?

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan presented their 2025 biennial budget for Minnesota, and it proposes significant cuts. That’s bad news for those who rely on this money.

The budget proposal includes some good ideas, including the first sales tax cut in Minnesota history, closing tax loopholes and progress toward a balanced budget, but are some of these cuts worth it? Among those that could suffer blows: Non-public schools (private and charter, for example), as Walz proposes terminating their state funding. While some budget cuts are needed, kids succeeding in school should be the priority.

Although many private schools are independent or run by an organization, and they pay for much of their own necessities, the Walz budget would eliminate

nonpublic school aid for many items. Textbooks, instructional materials, standardized tests, health services, guidance and counseling services are all examples of what the state provides. All of this plus other education cuts the Walz budget proposes would save the government $109 million.

Home schools or private schools get this funding based on a request from their local school district.

For the past 55 years, the state has been funding Minnesota’s non-public schools, and plans for cutting or eliminating the funding aren’t just going to go away.

SPA might not need the state aid, but Minnesota has more than 73,000 students attending traditional private schools and over 29,000 homeschooled students.

Statutes 123B.40–123B.48 ensure that all kids get an equal opportunity for learning. Students attending non-public schools would lose an estimated $1,080 each in support per year—$540 for trans-

2025: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) sentenced for federal bribery and corruption

2023: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) investigated for sex trafficking but not charged; he resigned from Congress in Nov 2024 INFOGRAPHIC: Amanda Hsu and Sonia Kharbanda (photos from Flickr Creative Commons) INFORMATION: CNN, CBS, New York Times

CORRUPTING CREDIBILITY. These four elected officials have been the focus of criminal investigations and were prosecuted to varying extents, highlighting the importance of holding politicians accountable. On the local level, Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell has been charged with first-degree burglary and remains in office. Eva Burns argues that Mitchell must resign to preserve the integrity of her party and the state Legislature.

Mitchell’s presence is vital to the success of DFL bills.

This disturbing trend of politicians caring more about holding onto party power than upholding the law is echoed on the national level. The DFL needs to rise above its short-term self-interest and hold elected officials accountable.

[MITCHELL’S] ARREST AND BURGLARY CHARGES TARNISH HER CREDIBILITY AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. ninth-grader Eva Burns

The statements urging her resignation have been repeatedly ignored. Empty promises are a consistent presence in politics; this inaction is only a tiny part of

Proposed state budget unfairly threatens private school funding CADENCE PIPER STAFF WRITER

2022: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebraska) convicted of concealing information about illegal campaign contributions; conviction was overturned in 2023

portation and $540 for necessary services, for example. This funding decrease would likely cause tuition increases and put private schools out of reach for some families.

The proposed elimination of this funding was unexpected, and many schools did not see it coming. Busing is a primary form of transportation for many students, whether they go to public or private schools.

Families that rely on busing could be left to find a different transportation option. For the first time since 1969, busing aid for private schools is being threatened with termination.

These cuts would harm the community and cause problems for those who attend them. Walz’s proposed budget plan is uncalled for and would hurt the non-public school education system. The next two years are a warmup for the 2027 budget, and non-public schools—including SPA—have to be ready for new plans and changes in Minnesota.

the bigger problem. By not acting decisively, the DFL is losing additional credibility at a time when political transparency is critical to uphold democracy. How can the public be expected to put its faith in government when the government isn’t liable for its actions? That’s easy–they can’t.

In Minnesota, Mitchell’s situation is not unique.

From 2019 to 2023, five other state legislators have been arrested–all charged with driving while intoxicated–and none were removed from office. It is imperative that legislators convicted of crimes be held accountable and removed from office to maintain government integrity. Politicians are supposed to be the standard and the role model, not the example of misconduct.

Mitchell’s case is no exception, making it crucial to the credibility and integrity of the Minnesota Legislature and the DFL party that she resigns immediately.

READ MORE STAFF WRITER OPINIONS AT RUBICONLINE: Pressure to progress: Building a growth mindset amidst competition

by Naomi Zins

Student-led conferences are inefficient and counterproductive

by Zahir Hassan

Transgender athlete ban reassesses equality for cisgender females

by Peony Steele

Touchdown: A political breakdown of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show

by Senetneb Theba

OPINIONS THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

7

Learn the story behind your street’s name OLIVIA FOX STAFF WRITER

ILLUSTRATION: Olivia Fox

STREET SIGNIFICANCE. Streets can be renamed to address historical harm or honor important figures. Learning the story behind a street name in your neighborhood may give you a new appreciation for your community.

Imagine walking down the street to your home.

Maybe you’re walking back from school or a friend’s house. Maybe you stop to talk to a neighbor or to pet a dog passing by. Now, imagine someone walking down your street 100 years ago, just like you are now. Chances are they wouldn’t recognize it, not just because of the updated houses or the newly paved streets. A person from 100 years ago likely wouldn’t recognize their street because it has a new name, completely changing its identity.

Streets can be renamed for a variety of reasons. In some countries, street names are changed after revolutions or changes in political regimes. In the U.S., name changes often occur to amend historical damage or to honor influential, though sometimes controversial, figures. For example, in 1873, Minneapolis streets were renamed to honor past presidents. Much of the local history attached to the old names was lost in the process. This is not an uncommon occurrence.

Throughout Twin Cities history, street names have been changed for better and for worse.

In 1964, the construction of I-94 devastated the thriving Rondo community in St. Paul. Shortly afterward, Rondo Avenue, which ran through the neighborhood, was renamed Concordia Avenue, destroying the community and erasing Rondo’s importance in name.

In 2024, the city changed the name back to Rondo in an effort to repair the damage and restore the legacy of the community. It was an important change that took a step toward correcting historical wrongs.

There have also been many instances of streets being renamed to honor people who have positively impacted the community. A segment of West Pullman Avenue, a street leading to the Mississippi River, was renamed Robinson Avenue to honor Alice Robinson,

who touched the hearts of St. Paul residents with her lifelong dedication to politics and community betterment.

A segment of St. Paul’s Marshall Avenue became Montgomery Avenue to honor Debbie Montgomery, the first female police officer in St. Paul. Throughout her life, Montgomery has fought for both women’s and civil rights. By renaming even just portions of these streets, the stories of Robinson and Montgomery are cemented in local history, at least until the street is renamed once more.

In some instances, street names memorialize controversial people who brought harm to the community, and renaming them is best for the neighborhood and its legacy. Edmund Boulevard in Minneapolis is named after Edmund Walton, the real estate agent who first brought legal racial segregation to Minnesota neighborhoods. Recently, citizens have pushed to rename the street and stop honoring the man who has become a symbol of Minnesota’s often invisible racism. In situations like this, it is important to understand the history behind a street’s name and how it can change how outsiders and residents view its neighborhood.

While we may not always notice street names, they play an essential role in shaping the neighborhoods we live in. Street names might not seem like the most important thing you could look into, but once you do, you may learn the hidden history behind your community.

Now, imagine walking down your street 100 years from now. Do you recognize it?

Scan these QR codes to learn the history behind street names in St. Paul (left) and Minneapolis (right).

Reconsidering health: RFK’s disregard for science outweighs his benefits EVIE GARDNER STAFF WRITER The new opportunity for a healthier America inspires hope and excitement, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr. himself brings confusion and worry. The 71-year-old was recently sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, aiming to refocus government offices on chronic illness rather than infectious disease.

While many of his policies are well-intentioned, it’s outright alarming to have health policies dictated by someone who doesn’t fully believe in vaccines and, more generally, modern medicine.

[KENNEDY’S] FOCUS ON CHRONIC ILLNESS AND DISEASE IS IMPORTANT, BUT HE TAKES DATA OUT OF CONTEXT. sophomore Evie Gardner

There’s no doubt America needs to be healthier. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 20%

of adolescents are prediabetic and 40% are overweight or obese, far worse than the 16% international obesity rate and 8.8% international prediabetic rate.

Kennedy’s new position makes him the head of the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Medicaid. He has approached this change in power aggressively, with mass layoffs at HHS because of alleged conflicts of interest. At the same time, some of his priorities are focused on health rather than economic gain.

The recently launched Make America Healthy Again campaign takes aim at seed oils, over processed food, food dyes, unnecessary additives and those multinational corporations with almost total control over the food industry, commonly known as Big Food.

Kennedy’s approaches are rooted in chronic disease prevention, such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, and conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and autism. He plans to make America rethink nutrition, physical activity,

ILLUSTRATION: Evie Gardner

PERPLEXING POLICY. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ascension to Secretary of Health and Human Services raises concerns about his views on vaccines and modern medicine in general. His intentions to curb chronic illness and make Americans healthier are necessary, but it is not clear these goals will be achieved with the current administration.

overreliance on medication, environmental impacts, and food and drug quality and safety. With promises of transparency and thorough research, those intentions seem relatively pure. After all, why shouldn’t America be healthier?

The worrisome part is that many of Kennedy’s claims aren’t exclusively rooted in science, and there’s no promise that the positive parts of MAHA will happen.

While most of his actions are beneficial, statements like “vaccines cause au-

tism” and “Wi-Fi causes cancer” strip him of his credibility.

The hypocrisy of the MAHA campaign is laughable. Kennedy claims to recognize the threat of environmental factors to health, but this is nothing short of confusing coming from the administration that took the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, World Health Organization, and clean water protections. His focus on chronic illness and disease is important, but he takes data out of context.

Banning medications to treat mental illness and learning disabilities won’t make them disappear.

Changing a child’s diet will not get rid of their ADHD. Mental illness is not exclusively caused by external factors but lies mainly within brain chemistry.

This is not to say the MAHA campaign doesn’t have a good side. Kennedy wants healthier lunch options in schools, for example. “We shouldn’t be subsidizing people to eat poison,” he told Fox News hosts Feb. 13. He

advocates for ingredient transparency and a new focus on non-processed food.

Banning unnecessary additives of fat, starches and sugars is crucial in making America a healthier society. America allows a myriad of chemicals that other countries have already banned. And taking on fast-food is welcome even if Kennedy doesn’t exactly have the approval of President Donald Trump, who has had a very public, long-lasting friendship with Ronald McDonald. Without the support of the president and major food corporations, a transformation of the American food industry would be so difficult to achieve that it might not even be a plausible outcome.

Response from the public regarding Kennedy’s plans is mixed.

Many are opposed to his pharmaceutical policies limiting access to certain drugs, but his food bans are met with approval from Democrats and Republicans alike. America definitely needs a change, but Kennedy is not the right messenger.

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IN DE THE RUBICON

IN MO TRANSITIONAL LIMINALITY continued from pg. 1 A commonly experienced transition stage for students is religious celebrations like bar mitzvahs and confirmations. Sophomore Theo McGuire experienced this when he celebrated his bar mitzvah in eighth grade. “This affected me because I became a different person in my religious community, as well as with my family,” he said.

“

I SWITCHED TO SPA WHEN IT WAS STILL HYBRID LEARNING. AT THAT POINT IN MY LIFE, I WAS FEELING VERY ANXIOUS. junior Zoe Huelster

Junior Zoe Huelster experienced a stage of transition when she switched to SPA in seventh grade.

“I was used to bigger class sizes, and being in the same school since kindergarten,” she said. “I switched to SPA when it was still hybrid learning.

At that point in my life, I was feeling very anxious about having to be

at school with people I had never met before and with little opportunity to be social with my peers.”

Senior Josh Holloway also switched schools, although much earlier, in fourth grade, from Dowling Elementary School in Minneapolis. “I started my social life over and met new friends,” he said.

He also has a large time of change coming up, when he transitions to attending the University of Denver in the fall.

“I’m excited and nervous because I get to grow older and learn to live on my own, but I am going to make mistakes and have troubles at times,” he said.

Times of transition can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience for many, but they can also be seen as opportunities to learn and grow.

Navigatin

TRANSPORTATION CARBON EMISSIONS

CARYS HSIUNG

THE RUBICON

BY THE NUMBERS

75.2%

of global emissions are produced by road vehicles such as cars, buses and trucks.

9.9%

of global emissions are produced by domestic and international aviation.

12%

of global emissions are produced by domestic and international shipping.

1%

of global emissions are produced by rail or train transportation.

1.9%

of global emissions are produced by other miscellaneous transportation.

Scan this QR code to see more statistics from Our World in Data on annual carbon emissions.

INFOGRAPHIC: Amanda Hsu INFORMATION: Statista

CARBON CALAMITY. According to a study by Ian Tiseo on Statista in 2023, a total of 8 billion metric tons of carbon emissions were released into the atmosphere.

Hallways. Tunnels. Corridors. In spaces of transition from one plac portation and the desire to trave Whether you are stranded at a bu coffee shop with a friend or waitin boarding your flight, the sight of the prospect of traveling raises th that travel should be carried out an tainably.

ACCESSIBLE

According to research publishe Statista Jan. 23, the transportatio ed more than 8 billion metric ton to global carbon emissions in 202 the transportation emissions are vehicle emissions. While corporati green technologies for modes of tr are also steps to take individually t vironmentally conscious mind on A 2021 article on a study by ford’s Transport Studies Unit disc ing forms of motorized transport or biking can potentially save up personal transportation emission replacing one car ride with a bike reduce one’s yearly carbon emissio cording to lead researcher Dr. Chri “[Transportation is] definitely a climate change [due to] people tra a lot of carbon in planes and car liam Drake said.

For travelers who are situated i pedestrian-friendly, carpooling an transportation such as city buses, p public transit can serve as green a ing to the United Nations, travele yearly transportation emissions by public transportation and up to on ing.

A noteworthy form of public Drake encountered on a previous high-speed rail: “I went to Switzerl they have a lot more high-speed ra Asia], which is better than travelin Drake said.

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EPTH - MARCH 2025

OVEMENT PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Amanda Hsu

LIVING LIMINALLY. Times of transition bring about new emotions and settings for individuals. Train tracks, hallways and alleys are a few examples of liminal places where people obliviously pass through.

ng sustainable liminal transportation SLOW TRAVEL

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N

n liminal spaces, or ce to another, transel are omnipresent. us stop, walking to a ng at the gate before transportation and he question of how nd how to do it sus-

E AIDS

ed by Ian Tiseo on on sector contributns of carbon dioxide 23. Three-fourths of attributed to road ions are pivoting to ransportation, there to travel with an ena day-to-day basis. y University of Oxcovered that replactation with walking p to a quarter of all ns every year. Even e ride every day can ons by half a ton, acistian Brand. a big contributor to aveling and emitting rs,” sophomore Wil-

in areas that are less nd forms of public passenger trains and alternatives. Accorders can reduce their y up to two tons with ne ton with carpool-

transportation that trip to Europe was land and Austria … ail [in Europe and in ng by plane or car,”

Research conducted by writer Geraldine Denzon for the Ticketing Hub found that Venice, Bali and Barcelona were among the top tourist destinations to have been inflicted with overcrowding in 2024, receiving 6 million to 20 million tourists every year. While the locations’ natural beauty, electrifying culture, history and bucket-list experiences encourage travelers to visit, the exponential growth in the tourism sector has jeopardized those qualities and the well-being of local residents in the process. For certain destinations, a stimulated tourism sector has shifted the attention away from cultural and environmental preservation due to the limited accessibility of government support.

Moreover, destination-hopping in a state of liminality removes the cultural and environmental immersion one can experience while traveling.

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[TRANSPORTATION IS] DEFINITELY A BIG CONTRIBUTOR TO CLIMATE CHANGE [DUE TO] PEOPLE TRAVELING AND EMITTING A LOT OF CARBON IN PLANES AND CARS. sophomore William Drake

To combat these issues, travelers often pursue slow travel, which requires one to lean in and soak up the cultures of a destination. According to a 2024 article

by Natalie Gale for the Good Trade, slow travel refers to the practice of slow living, or the habit of working at a slower, leisurely pace. Embracing the philosophy of slow traveling, staying put in one city allows travelers to connect with local residents, craft an itinerary surrounding the lesser-known hotspots of the area, and appreciate the regional cultures. Slow traveling can be carried out locally and overseas; even exploring places close to home has the opportunity to transform one’s perspectives on the area.

Slow traveling also allows one to experiment with modes of sustainable transportation. Replacing a convenient car ride with walks or bike rides and plane rides with train rides might dedicate a longer period of time to transportation, but those alternatives pro-

mote the habit of taking in the local landscape and enjoying the views while traveling.

“If you have the option to walk, it’s always nicer ... I like to just walk around and [go on] bike rides sometimes too,” junior Charlotte Talbot said.

CARBON OFFSETTING Another form of engaging in sustainable liminality is carbon offsetting, a potential method to reduce the environmental toll taken by gas-dependent vehicles.

According to the Climate Portal from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, there are a multitude of ways to partake in carbon offsetting, but corporations and individuals often invest in certificates, or “tradable rights,” on offset platforms that fund projects to mitigate carbon emissions. The projects typically stick to a process called carbon sequestration, which aims to suck carbon out of the atmosphere and store it in the environment, spanning from reforestation initiatives to agricultural endeavors that store carbon in the process.

Some intend to offset the majority of their carbon emissions, while others seek to “neutralize” individual carbon-emitting activities, which frequently occur in the context of traveling. With the assistance of an offset platform, travelers can calculate the emissions released on a prospective trip on an offset platform and pay the company to reduce the equivalent amount of emissions elsewhere. According to content marketer Tabitha Whiting from Lune on Sept. 4, 2022, prices of “carbon credits” for carbon offsetting can vary from $5 to $500 per ton of carbon removed from the atmosphere. However, the prices rely on the scale of the carbon offsetting project; lower costs are often associated with low running costs, quality and maintenance, indicating that the environmental benefits are minuscule.

As spring break approaches, consider utilizing methods of sustainable liminality, whether that be traversing through downtown St. Paul on the light rail, taking an afternoon off to browse the area’s share of local businesses or funding a carbon offsetting project.

If you approach liminality with sustainability in mind, you can conserve your carbon footprint.

SPA THINKS

What does liminality mean to you?

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[LIMINALITY] REMINDS ME OF THE BACKROOMS ... LARGE SPACES THAT ARE EMPTY [AND] CREEPYLOOKING. senior PJ Bohjanen

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I THINK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN TWO PLACES [LIKE] MY GRANDMA WHO HAS A HOUSE IN BOSTON AND IN FLORIDA. junior Hazel McCarthy

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HUMANS ARE INHERENTLY ...

RESISTANT TO CHANGE BUT IT’S IMPORTANT TO [REALIZE HOW] IT’S OFTEN A GOOD THING. sophomore Soren Zuehlke

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GOOD QUESTION THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

BEYOND A HOUSE Where do students find home?

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HOME IS THE BOUNDARY WATERS ... I’VE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THERE AND IT’S VERY CALMING.

senior Oliver Thompson

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CAMP [FEELS LIKE HOME] BECAUSE I HAVE FUN THERE ... I’M WITH MY FRIENDS.

ninth-grader Iris Bergad

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1 WELCOMING WILDERNESS. For as long as she can remember, Iris Bergad has been making a trip up to the Boundary Waters in the summer, where she spends time with her friends and family. SUBMITTED PHOTO: Iris Bergad. 2.

MENOYGYN MEMORIES. Bergad portages canoes around YMCA Camp Menogyn, making memories in the wilderness.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Iris Bergad 3. CAT CONNECTION. Margaret Bonin feels at home in the presence of cats. SUBMITTED PHOTO: Margaret Bonin.

What signifies home?

LINA ABID THE RUBICON It’s seen in “Finding Dory” when Dory is finally reunited with her parents. It’s Elsa in “Frozen ll” when she finally finds a place she seems to fit and it’s Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” clicking her heels as she delivers the iconic line “There’s no place like home.” The feeling of arriving home is universally portrayed and experienced, whether returning to a familiar place, being with beloved family or friends or discovering a new place that provides a sense of belonging.

According to a Journal published by Environmental Psychology, written by Jeanne Moore, “Placing Home in Context” the factors that determine what “home” means to any one person is largely contextual.

For sophomore Margaret Bonin, the scale of what she considers home changes based on her ge-

ography. “When I’m in Minnesota, or like, near it, home is my house. But then when not in Minnesota, home is Minnesota,” she said.

Bonin also finds she can feel at home in various places, even beyond the borders of Minnesota.

“My grandparents’ house in New York [feels like home],” she said. “It’s cozy … I’ve just been there so much I know everywhere around it. I just know it.”

Sometimes familiarity can be enough to feel at home. Home is a large and situational concept and can mean a plethora of different things.

Despite its complexity, “home” is often used to describe residency in dayto-day language, a place to ultimately return after each day.

Though home is often seen as a fixed place, its comfort and familiarity can emerge in experiences, routines, or fleeting moments that create a sense of belonging.

Likewise, ninth-grader Tarq Johnson initially made this association.

“The first thing I think of … is my house,” he said.

“And then … where my dog and my family usually are … then I think of it as where I can sit down and read a book or do my homework.”

At the most basic level, Johnson says home is where he sleeps. “I do a lot of camping. So like, when I’m out on trail, sometimes home is just the tent, and that’s fine,” he said.

Ninth-grader Iris Bergad also has experience making tents feel like home. She has been a camper at YMCA Camp Menogyn for almost her whole life. “Camp [feels like home] because I have fun there…I’m with my friends.”

That easy feeling of being at home is not necessarily solely evoked by location either. “My dad’s cooking, I guess, makes me feel at home, and since I have a pet cat, just

cats, period,” Bonin said.

The things that make a home and the things that each person hopes for in their ideal home may also differ greatly depending on demographics. This year, Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit dedicated to building and improving homes for those in need, published a story in which they posed the question: “What does home mean to you?”

Many responses represented the necessity for comfort, and the joy of being around loved ones.

Many others praised the mere stability and security that having a home to return to promised.

While the literal definition of home may change depending on who is asked, where you are, or where you are going, the feeling of going home is universal. Whether it be returning or finding it for the first time, it is a sense of belonging, safety and security that cannot be constrained to the idea of one place.

“

WHEN I’M IN MINNESOTA, OR NEAR IT, HOME IS MY HOUSE. BUT THEN WHEN NOT IN MINNESOTA, HOME IS MINNESOTA. sophomore Margaret Bonin

“

THE FIRST THING I THINK OF ...

IS MY HOUSE AND THEN WHERE MY DOG AND MY FAMILY USUALLY ARE.

ninth-grader Tarq Johnson

AWAY FROM HOME: Immigration woven into family histories Scan this QR code to read more about immigration policies and finding home by migration on RubicOnline.

FEATURE THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

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Coming of age: cultures celebrate maturity SONIA KHARBANDA THE RUBICON

AG

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Lucia Gonzalez

FESTIVE FIFTEEN. Junior Lucia Gonzalez poses with her father in her ballgown for her quinceañera celebration. At first, Gonzalez was hesitant to celebrate her coming of age with an quinceañera, however, she later decided to embrace the tradition. “It was, in a way, a tribute to [my family] and accepting my Hispanic side,” she said.

“[Confirmation is when] you’re kind of getting admitted into the Catholic Church … it’s kind of like progressing your faith and becoming more mature,” he said.

Catholic rites of passage such as first communion and confirmation were incorporated into his religion class at Holy Spirit Academy. The process also involved finding external support from a sponsor who students talked to about their faith. Ernst chose his grandpa.

He described his confirmation as a “fun bonding experience,” especially because of the connections he made while interviewing his grandpa.

Bar and bat mitzvahs are another SUBMITTED PHOTO: Daniel Gurvich well-known exam- TEENAGE TRADITION. In Jerusalem, Israel, senior Daniel ple of coming-of-age Gurvich poses for a photo at his bar mitzvah. Delayed by the celebrations, mark- pandemic, he took part in the tradition at age 15 rather than the ing the beginning of typical 13.

Jewish adulthood. mony involves memoriz- of felt something, like, Senior Daniel Gurvich had a unique expe- ing a passage specific to changed … maybe [berience with this tradition, the date from the Torah, cause of] the gravity of one of the sacred Jewish the moment,” he said. as it was held in Israel.

Despite the differenc“I’m a citizen, so [Isra- texts, changing to a differel is] kind of like home,” ent calendar day would es in these traditions, involve learning a new Gonzalez shared the Gurvich said. sentiment, appreciating The pandemic de- portion.

His takeaway from the the ways in which her layed his bar mitzvah, so he had the celebration experience has evolved quinceañera brought her around his 15th birthday over time: “Not necessar- closer to her family and instead of the traditional ily right away, but like, a culture.

13. Since part of the cere- couple days later, I kind

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gown and invites close friends to be a part of her court. The ceremony often includes dances with relatives, godparents, damas (girls on the court) and chambelanes (boys on the court).

Gonzalez explained the familial importance of her quince: “It’s something that every girl in my family has done … I couldn’t have my grandparents there, so I feel like it was, in a way, like a tribute to them [and] accepting my Hispanic side,” she said.

Junior Atari Ernst also experienced family connections during his confirmation, which took place when he was in e i g h t h grade.

A

At first, junior Lucia Gonzalez was hesitant to celebrate her 15th birthday with a quinceañera.

“I didn’t really have a lot of Hispanic friends … I just thought it was a little weird and too cultural,” she said. “I didn’t want to be trying to be

super Mexican, just because I’m half Mexican.”

Despite these concerns, she decided to go through with the tradition, which celebrates becoming a woman in many Latin American cultures.

While the quinceañera varies across countries, the birthday girl typically wears an elaborate ball

Adolescence brings milestones big and small, major and minor JOHANNA PIERACH THE RUBICON

While an empty swimming pool or dimly lit hallway can trigger feelings of discontent, adolescence is the most unsettling state for some. The ages 13-19 can be a tightrope walk as teenagers juggle feeling tethered to the past, making the most of the present, and looking toward what’s next.

Constant preparation, academic and otherwise, for the future is coupled with nostalgia for what has been.

Selfishness is somewhat an expectation, but so is a newfound self-awareness. The milestones that always may have once sounded far away become a reality.

Once upon a time, older students were an intimidating presence to junior Sophie Donahue. “I feel like when I was a freshman, I thought that the juniors were so old … but I don’t feel the way I thought that the juniors were. I don’t feel that old. I thought they were full-grown adults, and I still feel like I’m a kid,” Donahue said.

For junior Helen Frost, moving into the increased responsibility of an 11th grader has resulted in some diminished enthusiasm for the joys of high school.

“I feel like I’m less excited about things,” Frost said.

“In freshman year … going to a dance or hanging out with people, every class felt super exciting.”

With the finish line of graduation approaching in just over a year, Frost is looking forward to senior traditions such as homecoming, overalls, and senior

sunrise. However, although Frost’s departure is still months away, the demands of junior year require her to think about the future constantly. “[Junior year] is definitely a lot more things about college, a lot more thinking about SAT, ACT, meeting with your college counselors. I feel like I’m taking a lot more classes that I would want to be on my transcript,” she said.

However, with the intensity of the school year wrapping up for senior Cassandra Overholt, she finds herself shifting her focus away from the demands of her academic life. While she’s always enjoyed a sense of independence, Overholt is embracing this trait in a way as an adult.

“I can go places that I want to go. I can do what I want to do…sign out when I want to leave,” she said.

“There’s less of an adult influence on my decisions.”

In addition, while moving into the unknown of her future, Overholt has begun to sort out what to leave behind.

She credits her English class with prompting “a lot of looking back on the past” as she moves through different chapters of her life.

“I think it’s important to let go of a lot of who you were as a child … pick up the independence and let go of the dependence,” she said.

Time can move fast and slow at the same time.

Many students have found is that it’s important to remain present and hold on to what makes life meaningful.

PHOTO: John Grimsrud

SENIOR SPARTAN. Senior Cassandra Overholt leads the annual homecoming pep rally dressed as the Spartan. She has valued the independence becoming a senior has given her. “I can go places that I want to go. I can do what I want to do … sign out [of school] when I want to leave,” she said.

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SPORTS THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

The power of yoga: much more than mindfulness GEORGIA ROSS THE RUBICON

The intrusive ping of an email, the loud chatter from a nearby table, the temperature two degrees higher than comfortable, the artificial floral smell of detergent. People and technology make noise, the weather fluctuates and smells persist despite our desires. Distractions can easily be found everywhere.

Kelly Williams is a Core Power Yoga instructor. “Buddhists would say that life is filled with 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows … I think that we tend to plant those sorrows quite more than

the joy sometimes,” she said.

Williams offers yoga in a way to quiet outside distractions and focus on breath.

In its origin, yoga is an indigenous practice for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. Regarded by many as the basis of yoga philosophy, Yoga Sutras are a set of scriptures estimated to be written in 500 B.C. They define eight guiding limbs of yoga: yamas (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (posture), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption).

Most American studios center their practice around the asana, meaning movement,

leading many to think that the essence of yoga is primarily workout, which is not the case.

Yoga has a rich history, rooted in spiritual discipline, which has supported many in navigating life for generations.

Twenty years ago Williams’ sister invited her to her first yoga class. At first, Williams hated it, especially the last pose, Savasana, or corpse pose, a posture of stillness. But, Williams returned again, that time on her own.

And afterward, again and again.

Ten years later, during a difficult transitional period in her life, Williams attended a yoga teacher training. Williams was particularly intrigued by pranayama, breathwork.

“Breath is what we come into this world with

PHOTO: Georgia Ross

STRENGTH, SWEAT AND SATISFACTION. “Sculpt” is a class in which yoga, heat and weights combine. Yoga poses incorporate high-intensity workouts in a 95-degree room to create a hour-long class for all ages.

and what we’ll leave this world with. We always have it … I think it can change energy in our bodies,” she said.

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[THROUGH YOGA] I HAVE FOUND ...

THE ABILITY TO JUST TAKE DEEP BREATHS AND CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO ALL BY MYSELF. sophomore Norah Evens

Sophomore Norah Evens also finds breathwork to be a valuable skill she learned in yoga and now uses it in other facets of her life.

“I have found … the ability to just take deep breaths and continue to do what I want to do all by myself … not having to rely on someone else,” she said.

Similar to Williams, junior Eloise Leatham also was first introduced to yoga by her sister.

Leatham now returns to the studio independently, finding a sense of openness and focus in her practice.

“It’s a very non judgmental space … everyone has different weights but you’re just focusing on yourself,” Leatham said.

Williams supports this idea, stating that she feels unafraid of judgment since everyone is focused on their own goals: “Yoga offers me this feeling of being present and being like an unjudging witness,” Williams said.

A product of the mindfulness practice, Williams, Evens, and Leatham all recognize experiencing positive emotions during and after class, finding calm, renewed energy and a deeper sense of presence in their daily lives.

“In yoga class we talk about … how you should be grateful and how you’re living … I bring that into my everyday life, just thinking ‘Oh, I get to do this.’ I don’t think of everything in a negative manner,” Leatham said.

Beyond poses, yoga offers a space to quiet distractions and find clarity—one breath at a time.

For Williams, Evens and Leatham, the practice extends beyond the mat, shaping how they navigate life with mindfulness and intention.

REVERSE WARRIOR MOUNTAIN

TREE

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Sam Galarneault

INNER PEACE. Junior Eloise Leatham moves through yoga poses as a way to cultivate mindfulness and gratitude. By engaging in these poses, she embraces both strength and stillness, using yoga as a tool to center herself amid daily challenges. Through her practice, she finds balance, focus, and a moment to reconnect with herself, carrying its lessons beyond the mat into her everyday life.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

PLAYFUL PANELS:

Comics reveal student creativity

ALBA MARKOWITZ MULET THE RUBICON For the first unit of Drawing I, art teacher Spencer Legendre-Gillespie had students begin with an intuitive yet effective and familiar art form— comics. Students had four work days in which they wrote a script, planned their panels, sketched a storyboard, traced with a pen, colored and added their signature.

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“Starting with comics allows students to ground themselves and be creative with something as simple as a few pencils… it’s a good starting point for most people,” Legendre-Gillespie said.

Legendre-Gillespie also focuses on taking the stressful seriousness out of illustrations, encouraging students to lean into their “silliness.” This way, students avoid getting stuck on small details and overly complex storylines.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

S R U P T I ON

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Peter Ostrem

ILLUMINATED INTERFERENCE. Sophomore Ivy Evans found that disrupting routines leads to an outcome of increased motivation and creativity.

fuels creativity IVY EVANS THE RUBICON Breaking a routine can seem like an unwanted disruption to daily habits, but it’s actually a contributor to the creativity we exhibit on a daily basis.

A study published April 2016 by a group of researchers from the Oxford Academic Cerebral Cortex journal states that human creativity stems from the part of the brain called the frontopolar cortex. It manifests in different ways for each person. People with more experience in a certain skill set process creativity differently than those who have less experience. But although brain functions may vary, a universal roadblock for humans when it comes to thinking up original ideas is a simple creative rut.

A lack of inspiration can be hard–it often increases procrastination and decreases enjoyment

in everyday activities.

The question of how to get out of a creative dryspell like this is something people have asked over and over for years.

But the solution might be more simple than it seems: that’s where the idea of “creative disruption” comes in.

In February 2023, the International Journal of Evniromental Rsearch and Public Health published a paper named “The Effects of Routinization on Radical and Incremental Creativity: The Mediating Role of Mental Workloads.” The paper states that simply breaking routine improves the human ability to think creatively–whether it’s eating different foods than usual, or something else entirely; finding variety in a repetitive schedule can be beneficial.

To put this to the test, I chose four small habits that I repeated daily and performed them as usual. The following day, I

changed those habits, and compared my creativity levels from one day to the next.

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FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T OPPOSED, IT’S PROVED A HELPFUL WAY TO BREAK OUT OF A CREATIVE RUT. sophomore Ivy Evans

On day one, I ate my usual breakfast: a toasted bagel with Nutella.

During my classes, I took notes in my usual notebook, worn from overuse. After getting home, I took a break from schoolwork to look at my phone and read my book. When it finally came time for homework after dinner, I sat under the covers of my bed to work.

I found that when that time rolled around, I felt a lack of motivation to get started. I often get tired of doing the same thing over and over, so it made sense that I was beginning to get tired of the same routine–and I had been for a few days. I felt less inspired than I usually did, especially when it came to creative subjects like writing and making art.

That’s not to say I wasn’t completely unmotivated, however– I went downstairs to play some music later that evening and even managed to start an assignment I’d been stuck on for the last few days. But the amount of work that I actually did didn’t make me feel very productive, and I hadn’t done much creative thinking all day. I felt stuck, like I had a bad case of writer’s block.

On day two, I had cereal instead of a bagel for breakfast. I was skeptical that cereal would sudden-

ly imbue me with loads of new ideas, but it was something to start with, at least. And I may have been right about the cereal: I’m not sure that it specifically was what got my creative juices flowing, but as I went about the rest of the day and continued to make changes, I found a little more motivation than I had previously.

The second change I made on day two was to use a new notebook. It wasn’t brand new, but something about it felt like a fresh start. I found, as I usually do with those kinds of fresh starts, that my handwriting was neater and my notes were formatted nicely.

When I got home from school, I sat down at my desk to start work on my homework. Being in a space that was cleaner and felt more professional gave me the energy to work more productively, and I was satisfied when I finished each assignment.

It was a nice change from a routine that had started to drag on.

Later in the evening, I again went downstairs to practice my music, which was also somewhat of a break in routine. This time, instead of only playing arpeggios or scales, I decided to teach myself a few songs I liked to listen to for fun in addition.

By the time I went to bed, I felt like I’d had a much more successful day than the previous one. I’d been more productive, more creative, and more motivated altogether.

Some people find joy in routine, and many strongly dislike breaking it. But for those who aren’t opposed, it’s proved a helpful way to break out of a creative rut.

Creativity is beneficial for humans: none of the media we enjoy today would exist without it, and it can lead to a tank productivity.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

PHOTO GALLERY:

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Students showcase their global photography

AMANDA HSU THE RUBICON Photographs freeze time in a moment, capturing the surrounding world within the confines of a 2D frame. As students travel and explore the unique sights of the world, taking photos allows them to relive and share their experiences. The chance to learn about new cultures through visual storytelling is a skill many students have honed in their time abroad.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO: Lucas Laguna

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“I love capturing those moments so that I can remember being with them even when I am back home.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Devi Nelson

“[Taking photos] helps me capture the beauty I saw in that moment and share it with others.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Senetneb Theba

- ninth-grader Lucas Laguna

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SUBMITTED PHOTO: Senetneb Theba

- junior Devi Nelson

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SUBMITTED PHOTO: Oliver Bisanz

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Devi Nelson

1 IDYLLIC ICELAND. Junior Devi Nelson photographed the crystal blue water in the southern Icelandic region of Bláskógabyggð. 2 FAMILY FUN. Ninth-grader Lucas Laguna visited family in his trip to Japan. 3 COVERING CHICAGO. Ninth-grader Senetneb Theba took photos of the Chicago city skyline at dusk. 4 NOTABLE NEW YORK. Washington Square Park was one of the few destinations Theba captured on her trip to New York. 5 FANTASTICAL FAIRYLAND. A place Junior Devi Nelson shot on her trip was one of the many waterfalls in Bláskógabyggð. 6 EXPLORING EUROPE. Junior Oliver Bisanz visited and took snapshots of a town on the Italian coast.

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MIXED MEDIA THE RUBICON - MARCH 2025

Online trends drive fashion cycles ANNIE ZHANG EDITOR IN CHIEF In the early 2000s, pants got tighter. In the ‘90s, consumers drowned in fabric while JNCO jeans rose to popularity. And before that, bell bottoms reigned supreme in the ‘60s and ‘70s. If history tells us anything, it’s that trends will simply loop back on themselves in a decade or two.

The shift from baggy to skinny to baggy again is a part of a larger fashion cycle that has played out for decades. But while silhouettes recycle every 10-15 years, the mechanisms behind trend adoption have drastically changed. Now, trends emerge, spread and die at an accelerated pace, often fueled by social media algorithms and fast fashion.

Trends are shaped by a variety of influences, constantly evolving with advancements in technology.

What was once called a “fad”–a fleeting fashion trend– has now been rebranded as a “microtrend,” a shortlived style movement often driven by viral moments on social media.

The typical evolution of a trend followed a natural trajectory: subcultures like punk or grunge would embrace a particular style, which designers would later incorporate into their work. From there, the runway and fashion magazines would bring the aesthetic to a wider audience, gradually introducing it into the mainstream. Finally, the trend would gain traction through word of mouth, celebrity influence and coverage in fashion media.

“I think that microtrends are much more interesting and open to interpretation and exploration because fewer people have messed with it, and fewer people know about it. It just makes it more special, because it’s harder to find in today’s world,” junior Taryn Karasti said. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s popular just because it’s more special.”

Today, however, technology plays a significant role in shaping trends, with merchandising data, customer analytics and predictive modeling influencing what gets produced and most importantly, sold. For instance, according to Isabelle Bousquette, reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Levi Strauss & Co. utilized these strategies in machine learning to predict the rising of looser-fitter jeans across various demographics, leading to a 15% growth in sales of loose-fit styles. As a result of heavy technology usage, the fashion industry has shifted from being purely an art

form to a space increasingly intertwined with capitalism and consumerism.

While social media is often credited with creating trends, its true power lies in amplification rather than origination. Platforms like Tiktok, Instagram and Pinterest speed up the spread of trends, making them more visible and accessible than ever before. Compared to the traditional multistep process in which trends spread, social media has collapsed that timeline, allowing trends to emerge overnight and reach global audiences instantly.

“Social media can popularize small trends to a big audience,” senior Amir Dahm said.

TikTok, in particular, thrives on hyper-specific aesthetic movements that categorize fashion into content. For example, the trend “Juminocore,” an aesthetic centered around handmade bead keychains and unique trinkets, many of which are inspired by Japan’s kawaii culture, was coined by TikTok user @juminojewels. The style draws heavily from Japanese anime and video game trinkets from gashapon machines in the 2000s, raising the question of whether a single user can truly claim ownership over a trend that stems from broader cultural influences.

These trends often start as individSOCIAL ual expressions of personal style but MEDIA CAN quickly become commercialized and POPULARIZE mass-produced once they gain tracSMALL TRENDS TO tion online. Moreover, the speed at which trends move today encourages A BIG AUDIENCE. continuous consumption, as people feel pressured to keep buying in order to align with a specific aesthetic senior Amir Dahm of clothes deemed trendy online.

Fashion trends will always repeat, but the way trends emerge and spread has drastically changed with the rise of technology. What was once an organic reflection of culture and self-expression is now increasingly shaped by algorithms, blurring the line between artistic movements and commercially engineered trends. Social media creates liminal spaces as trends are amplified to millions of people between the physical and digital world, between mainstream and subcultures and between individuality and a collective identity. And despite the “wear what you want” mentality social media aims to instill, fashion is inherently tied to context and cultural influence.

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Scan this QR code to watch a video on the Rubicon YouTube channel of SPA students sharing their outfits.