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The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

Arnold sits in his office in the science office. This year, he taught Anatomy. Next year, he plans to aid whoever teaches the course.

Jim Arnold Departs After 54 Years of Teaching

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 29, 2026

This interview was conducted on May 28. The Q&A has been edited for clarity.  Thank you for sitting down with me. How many years has it been?  It's 20 here– 54 in total. I've taught for 33...

Dane is especially worried about the dryness this year. Pictured above is a combine and the collecting machine.

Hardships Trouble Midwestern Farmers

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 28, 2026

Simon Wagoner is a fourth-generation farmer in Shelton, Nebraska, a town of 1,045. There was a time in January when he wondered, “What in the heck am I doing farming because there's no way to make any...

Coach Biwan (center) led the team to an unprecedented state run. The semifinal took place at Williams Arena. During this timeout on March 25, the Bears led Pequot Lake 25-22.

Coach Dismissal Confuses

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 4, 2026

After 10 years leading the basketball program, including a 2026 State semifinal run, Blake's leadership did not renew Head Coach Tyler Biwan’s contract. As explained by a schoolwide April 21 email...

Kyan Norberg '27 delivers monologue during a spooky moment in the play.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow Leaps Onto Stage

Chloe Kern, Staff Writer March 13, 2026

On Friday, March 6, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” premiered. The play ran through the weekend with three showings.  In the play, the superstitions and stories alive within the quiet town of Sleepy...

After several years of uninterrupted publishing, Alvin Liu '25 published Flash in 2025 on his own.

Flash Flickers Into Fruition

Anya Vallapureddy, Staff Writer March 13, 2026

The Flash literary magazine was reignited this year by Izzie Miller ‘27, Lula Alter ‘27, and Madhav Kumar ‘27. Last year, there wasn’t enough time to publish a full collection, but Alvin Lui’s...

Narcan and AED machines are located throughout the school, including next to the Bennet Gallery, the Gym, 
Cafeteria, and Security Office.

Curious Bear Wonders: Narcan?

Lilly Tarakji, Student Life Editor January 31, 2026

For many students walking through the school’s hallways, the contents of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cabinet fade into the background. Inside those cases is Narcan, a medication designed...

Olivia Duplessis ‘27, Steinberg, and Ella Duplessis ‘26, club co-chairs, pose for a picture at the gala.

Girl Up Gala Unites

Lilah Johnson, Co-Editor-in-Chief January 31, 2026

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Girl Up partnered with Benilde-St. Margarets, Edina, Academy of Holy Angels, and De La Salle for the second annual Girl Up Gala. Co-chair Marjorie Steinberg ‘27 explained that...

Public memorial in remembrance of Renée Good located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. People from all over the state and country have come to pay their respects to Good.

ICE vs. Schools

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief January 29, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “Operation Metro Surge” mobilized 3,000 DHS agents in Minnesota, leading to protests, arrests, and two fatal shootings. These events instilled fear in...

Students grades 9-12 at the Blake Upper School participate in a walkout throughout the Sculpture Garden to protest ICE's presence in Minneapolis on Jan. 20. The senior leaders for the walkout gave speeches in the Sculpture Garden at the start, and many students created and designed their own signs for the walkout.

Students Take Action

Izzie Miller, Managing Editor January 29, 2026

Following the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good committed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, hundreds of students walked out in protest on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Led by Charlotte Hackett...

Substitute Coordinator Joins School

Substitute Coordinator Joins School

Charlie Graff, News Editor January 29, 2026

New substitute coordinator Emily Anderson said "the students at Blake are the kindest, most intellectually curious, and fun, engaged students that I've had the pleasure of working with." She replaced Zach...

Karmel Malls serves as a cultural center for Somalis. The area directly surround the mall was subject to a raid and confrontation between citizens and ICE agents. The mall is adorned with signs forbidding the entrance of ICE officers.

ICE Raids Affect Somali Families, MN

Ben Aviles, Co-Editor-in-Chief December 19, 2025

An allegedly fraudulent organization, “Feeding Our Future,” stole millions during the pandemic under the guise of feeding children. The fraud case involves members of the Somali community. Donald Trump...

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