Ladue Panorama, December 2015, Volume 63, Issue 5

Ladue

Panorama

Ladue Horton Watkins High School • 1201 S. Warson Road • St. Louis, MO 63124 • Volume 63 • Issue 5 • December 5, 2014 (Photo by Warren Biest)

20 14 features (pg.7)

in-depth (pg.8)

a&e (pg.11)

YEAR IN REVIEW

opinions (pg.12)

PVRIS REVIEW

ASSISTED SUICIDE

sports (pg.14)

FALL SPORTS WRAPUP

photo (pg.16)

DIY HOLIDAY GIFTS

Chicago Tribune/MCT St. Louis Post-Dispatch/MCT

Los Angeles Times/MCT

Zuma Press/MCT

Murray Close/MCT

WINTER BREAK QUIZ

Abaca Press/MCT

Los Angeles Times/MCT

Abaca Press/MCT

Marvel/MCT

Abaca Press/MCT

FERGUSON VERDICT

Los Angeles Times/MCT

news (pg.2)

Bay Area News Group/MCT

Zuma Press/MCT

Check out pgs. 8-9 for a look at this years’ most memorable moments

J. Patric Schneider/MCT

Los Angeles Times/MCT

Abaca Press/MCT

2 news

Panorama

In the

School mary xiao w ART EDITOR

The Ladue Alumni Sports Committee hosted the first-ever Ladue Alumni Football Classic Nov. 29.

Former football coach Jerry Maher served as honorary coach.

Ladue Middle School students participated in testing ten toys designed by biomedical engineering students from St. Louis University Nov. 24. The toys will be delivered to schools in Haiti.

The first ever Turkey Bowl was hosted at the Fifth Grade Center Nov. 22. Students collected 500 canned goods to donate to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.

The varsity football team competed Nov. 21 in the state semi-finals against Battle High School. The football team finished with a 12-2 season.

Community responds to Ferguson protests sasha rice NEWS EDITOR

I

n an effort to prepare for potentially violent responses from the community in light of a St. Louis County grand jury’s decision to not indict officer Darren Wilson, Ladue and other local shool districts closed Nov. 25.

After a 100-day hearing regarding whether Wilson should have faced charges in the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., the jury announced that it found no true bill in the Michael Brown case Nov. 24. The decision spurred some protestors to throw rocks and other objects at police officers, as well as set fire to and loot many stores and cars, according to a USA Today article Nov. 25.

“I want to do what [the police] did to me,” Barry Perkins, a protestor who threw rocks at officers said in a USA Today article Dec. 1. “I want to physically fight the police for all the stuff they have done to me.”

Demonstrators also temporarily shut down two malls in St. Louis on Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, according to a CBS article Nov. 28.

The protests prompted authorities to close the Galleria for an hour Friday afternoon.

Nixon also announced the Superintendent Donna Jahnke “If justice is not done, we can’t creation of the Ferguson Commisadded that the district has strong shop in peace,” Bishop Derrick sion. It aims to stop the violence working relationships with the poRobinson said in the same CBS and help bring the community lice chiefs, their officers and their article. “We can’t live in peace, together again. The members of office personnel. These officials so today we’re out here to disrupt the commission were named and have extensive knowledge of the Black Friday.” sworn in by Nixon Nov. 18. district’s operations and proceAs of Dec. 1, more than a “You don’t have to see eye-todures, and have access to all of the dozen buildings had been burned eye to walk arm-and-arm,” Ferschool buildings. around Ferguson and the surguson Commission co-chair Rich “Some staff members and rounding area, according to the McClure said in a KSDK article students feel strongly about the same USA Today article. President Nov. 18. “We’ve had too much of decision, and our responsibility Obama condemned the violence ‘you and them’ and not enough of is to make sure all our students that occurred Nov. 24 in a White ‘we and us’ and ‘together.’” and staff feel emotionally safe in House press release.

The Ladue School District our buildings,” Jahnke said. “The “Burning buildings, torching also took precautionary steps to district [and] the building level cars, destroying property and putensure the safety of its students. It counselors have all developed plans ting people at risk– that’s destrucfor providing support for both tive and there’s There is a great deal to learn about civil staff and students to the extent no excuse,” it is needed.”

Obama said in a rights, civil disobedience and the roles Residents of Ferguson are CNN article Nov. of the government, law enforcement also taking action. According 26. “Those are and the media in the events that began to ABC News, Metro Shooting criminal acts, and Supplies, a local gun store, has people should in Ferguson. seen a 300 percent increase in be prosecuted if - superintendent Donna Jahnke gun sales since late October. they engage in But regardless of the verdict, criminal acts.”

Jahnke believes the situation in Missouri ofcancelled extracurricular activities ficials took extensive measures to Ferguson creates an opportunity Nov. 24 after learning the verdict for students to understand tolerprepare for the verdict. Gov. Jay would be announced that night. ance. According to her, district Nixon issued an executive order “We [worked] internally, as well staff hopes to use these events as declaring a state of emergency as with law enforcement and our Nov. 17 and activated the Misappropriate teachable moments. transportation providers, to foresee souri National Guard, according “There is a great deal to learn the possible challenges it might to NPR. about civil rights, civil disobedi“Violence will not be tolerated,” provide and anticipate how we ence and the roles of the governwould respond,” Assistant Superin- ment, law enforcement and the Nixon said in the same article. tendent and district safety coordi“The residents and businesses of media in the events that began in nator Jason Buckner said. this region will be protected.”

Ferguson,” Jahnke said. v

Nov. 4 election results in new reforms hannah snidman NEWS WRITER

V

Missouri Constitutional Amendment 6 also failed to pass. It had proposed the option of allowing citizens to vote up to six business days before the election.

“Some states are questioning whether or not a person has to have a photo ID and [Amendment 6] was a further measure of that,” Hahn said. “Now, you have to be present and it’s almost making it a hardship for people who might be a little less mobile or can’t get to the polling place with some flexibility.”

Meanwhile, Missouri Constitutional Amendment 10 passed. The amendment prohibits the governor from taking away money dedicated to paying off public debt. It also prevents him from spending revenue that the state legislature has not yet approved.

“I think that it passed because people want Missouri to stay out of debt, and Amendment 10 is a good place to start,” Achilefu said.

The results of the Nov. 4 election also determined the distribution of seats in the U.S. Congress. Republicans emerged with control of 53 U.S. Senate seats. Elections for Louisiana’s senator, which were originally too close to call, will occur in December.

However, in general, Lavey believes that no matter the outcome, it is important for students to get involved in their government.

"You wait your whole life to get to that day where you are able to vote," Lavey said. "So for me to actively choose to not participate in my community just wouldn’t be right." v w art

T TIS AR

Many students believe that teachers are not the only factors that determine how a student performs on a test. Senior Chisara Achilefu, who also voted in the election, does not think that the test results would be an accurate representation of the teacher’s ability to instruct students.

“Despite the hard work and dedication of many teachers and their students, other factors are involved with standardized test results,” Achilefu said. “I think it’s good that teachers won’t be punished for things they can’t control.”

ew e st

oters considered state constitutional amendments, county positions and congressional representatives Nov. 4.

Democrat Steve Stenger, Republican Tom Schweich and Democrat Jake Zimmerman were elected to the positions of St. Louis County Executive, Missouri State Auditor and St. Louis County Assessor, respectively.

Additionally, Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 passed. Now, in prosecutions of sexual crimes involving a victim who is a minor, courts will allow relevant evidence of a defendant’s past criminal acts to be considered. This information can help support the victim’s testimony and show that the defendant is more likely to commit the crime again.

Senior Jack Lavey, who voted for the first time in this election, backed the amendment.

“I know that it goes against the idea of ‘in this court case, you only focus on this court case,’ but I believe that in this particular situation, there should be an exception because it’s such a terrible thing,” Lavey said.

On the other hand, Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3 was not passed. It proposed that teachers must sign contracts with public school districts for three years or fewer. Amendment 3 also suggested evaluating teachers based on

how well students perform on standardized tests. Teachers would be fired, promoted and paid based on these results.

“I think the defeat of Amendment 3 was a good thing,” social studies teacher Eric Hahn said. “I used to think that tenure wasn’t that important of a thing; but, if there are clashes between school districts and faculty members, then I think teachers need an added layer of protection.”

el ste

Seniors Jane Nelson and Lillian Donahue and junior Reis Rosenbloom represented Ladue View at the National High School Journalism Convention in Washington D.C. Nov. 6-9. Ladue View was awarded the highest honors the program has ever received, including being named a National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker finalist.

Donahue was awarded “Broadcast Story of the Year” for her story “iPads for All.” Nelson received a “Superior Video Editing” award.

December 5, 2014

Panorama

December 5, 2014

news

Terminally ill patient exercises ‘right to die’

Brittany Maynard advocates for physician-assisted suicide katie bry NEWS WRITER

T

he recent decision of 29 year old Brittany Maynard to end her life with medical assistance has spurred controversy within the death with dignity campaign, a movement lobbying for the legalization of physicianassisted suicide.

Maynard shared her story in a CNN article Nov. 2. She was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in January. After undergoing two surgeries to slow the growth of her tumor, she discovered in April that the tumor had come back. Thereafter, her doctors told her she had six months to live.

Upon learning this information, Maynard began weighing her options: receive brain radiation treatment that would leave her with second-degree scalp burns and alter her quality of life or suffer in hospice care for the remainder of treatment. Unsatisfied with these two options, Maynard continued to search for new options, stopping only when she discovered physician-assisted suicide. “[Assisted suicide] would enable me to use the medical practice

of aid in dying,” Maynard said.

“I could request and receive a prescription from a physician for medication that I could self-ingest to end my dying process if it [became] unbearable.”

Maynard advocated for other people in the U.S. to have the “right to die” by sharing her story and volunteering with the Compassion and Choices Organization.

Currently Oregon, Washington and Vermont are the only states that have Death with Dignity Acts.

“The reasons why most states have not [enacted] this legislation are complex,” attorney and Ladue parent Dan Nelson said. “[One] of the motivating factors [is] a general religious prohibition on suicide, which is shared by a variety of faiths. Because suicide is generally considered illegal in all states, the decision to allow medicallyassisted suicide has been made on a state-by-state basis.”

Doctors have the choice of whether or not to participate in physician-assisted suicide because some believe that it violates the Hippocratic Oath. Co-president of MCAT club Smruthi Chintakunta understands why doctors may choose to avoid it.

“Some physicians are against medically-assisted suicide because,

In the

Nation

mary xiao w ART EDITOR

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby was accused by 10 women of committing sexual offenses throughout his career. Due to the controversy he resigned from his board position at Temple University Dec. 1. mary xiao w ART EDITOR

even if the patient has a terminal disease, they want their patient to remain hopeful and live life to the best until they die [naturally],” Chintakunta said.

There are general guidelines for qualifying for physician-assisted suicide in the few states that do allow it. A prospective patient must be a resident of a state that permits it, diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than six months to live and capable of making the decision on his own. Nelson added that waiting periods are built into the process in order to ensure that the decision is firm.

“These are people who are usually at a very desperate place and [legislators] are trying very hard to make sure that people who do consider this are really choosing it for the right reasons,” Kaupp said. “What those right reasons would be is up to that person.”

For Maynard, this initially meant uprooting her family and moving to Oregon– one of the three states that has the Death with Dignity Act in place.

Luckily, Maynard’s family members had the flexibility and resources to move to Oregon and help her establish residency in the state; however the majority of U.S. families seeking the treatment do not have this luxury.

“I met the criteria for death with dignity in Oregon, but establishing residency in the state to make use of the law required a monumental number of changes,”

(Photo illustration by Sydney Ellis) Maynard said. “I had to find new physicians, establish residency in Oregon, search for a new home, obtain a new driver’s license [and] change my voter registration.”

Maynard said she did not want to make her family watch her suffer through treatment, and so she believed medically-assisted suicide was the best option for them as well. Her family and loved ones surrounded her at the time of her death Nov. 8. Before passing away, she explained how she wanted her final moments to look.

“When my suffering becomes too great, I can say to all those I love, ‘I love you; come be by my side, and come say goodbye as I pass into whatever’s next,’” Maynard said. “I will die upstairs in my bedroom with my husband, mother, stepfather and best friend by my side and pass peacefully. I can’t imagine trying to rob anyone else of that choice.”

Megan Hopkins, a professional counselor from Annie’s Hope, a non-profit grief support organization, said that families of a terminally ill patient begin grieving the death before it occurs. She said that grief caused by a loved one’s death can be affected by many different factors.

“A factor to consider is that because the Death with Dignity Act is pretty controversial right now, there could be more stigma attached with this type of death,” Hopkins said. “And what we know is that deaths that are stigmatized by our society can complicate the grieving process for family members.”

Due to Maynard’s age and the aggressiveness of her cancer, she captured extensive media coverage.

The people who have made her decision previously have not gathered the same amount of attention.

“Many are mindful of the potential side effects or unintended consequences of suicide,” Nelson said. “This includes danger to the safety of others and support for family members left behind. These important issues need to be balanced against an individual’s right to decide their own fate.” v

3

A 13-year-old boy, reported missing by his mother 4 years ago, was found Nov. 30 in the home of his father and step-mother. The couple used a fake wall to hide the boy until a neighbor reported seeing suspicious behavior.

The St. Louis County Police force requested an apology from the St. Louis Rams and the NFL after 5 players imitated the “hands up, don’t shoot” pose on the field before a game Nov. 30.

Police in Cleveland fatally shot 12-yearold Tamir Rice who was carying an airsoft gun Nov. 22.

He had removed the orange plastic from the tip, leading officers to believe the firearm was real.

The University of Virginia suspended all of its fraternities after multiple vicitims reported sexual assault at Greek life parties and events.

4 news

Panorama

In the

World

mary xiao w ART EDITOR

Officials in Venice, Italy announced Nov. 24 that citizens could be fined more than $600 for using a wheeled lugage bag on the city’s cobblestone streets due to the excessive damage the bag can cause to the street’s stones.

Two British teachers were accused of bullying a student. The allegations included tying the student’s shoes together.

Hundreds of people were killed in northern Nigeria after Islamic radicals disguised as traders began shooting civilians and setting off explosions.

The Bern Art Museum in Switzerland controversially accepted more than 500 pieces of art that were collected by Adolf Hitler and other Nazis during World War II. The works included pieces

by Max Liebermann and Henri Matisse.

Chinese police arrested gang members who sold 14 girls from Myanmar as wives in rural China. Bride trafficking has increased in rural China due to the country’s higher male population, which makes it harder for Chinese men to find wives.

December 5, 2014

Crisis in Ukraine: Ukrainian elections criticized as tensions with Russia escalate isabella fu NEWS WRITER

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astern Ukraine held elections to appoint members of parliament and prime ministers in the separatist-controlled provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk Nov. 2. However, Western nations criticized the government for these fraudulent elections.

The recent tensions between separatists and pro-Russians began when parliament speaker Oleksander Turchynov replaced Ukraine’s Moscow-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovych, Feb. 22 as interim president. Yanukovych left office due to pressure from proseparatists, according to BBC. In response, pro-Russian demonstrations began, and violence ensued as rebels and militants seized Ukrainian government buildings, including major airports, in Donetsk and Luhansk. Russian president Vladimir Putin stated in a press release in April that his controversial decisions in regards to annexing parts of Ukraine were made due to his belief that NATO

had been expanding its territory and control in Eastern Europe.

Other areas have also experienced political changes. Crimea, a peninsula in southeast Ukraine, held a referendum Mar. 18 and incorporated itself into Russia.

A few weeks later, the rebel-controlled region of Donetsk separated from Ukraine as well, declaring itself as the Donetsk People’s Republic and electing its own leaders.

One month later, Ukraine held an election in which Petro Poroshenko won the presidency.

These events have not only affected lives in Russia and Ukraine, but also many people in the U.S. Sophomore Larisa Koyen’s family is from southwest Ukraine, but some of her close relatives currently reside in Moscow, Russia.

“In the past, Russians and Ukrainians were called brothers, and it’s very difficult to believe that they are now enemies,” Koyen said.

Koyen’s situation is not uncommon. According to the political magazine The New Republic, contrasting views on Russia-Ukraine politics tear many families apart.

THROUGH THE DARK w A Russian soldier treads through the inside of Donetsk Airport. The airport, along with other locations such as the Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, have been ravaged by fights between government troops and rebels since May 2014. (Photo by Sergei L. Loiko/MCT) “When my mom speaks on the phone with her cousins from Moscow, [they say that they] support Putin and his actions, but we think that his actions are wrong,” Koyen said. “We hear about a lot of family conflicts [where] one [side] lives in Russia and the other lives in Ukraine.”

Russia’s annexation of Crimea sparked major controversy, as Ukraine and supporting Western nations deemed the action illegal. The area is geographically connected to southern Ukraine, but for a long time it belonged to Russia. It became a part of Ukraine in 1954, but around 60 percent of the population still identifies as ethnic Russians, according to NBC. This cultural similarity drove the annexation of Crimea.

“The annexation by Russia was illegal for several reasons,” director of the Russian and East European Studies Program at Saint Louis University Daniel Schlafly Jr. said. “[Firstly], the referendum which preceded it was conducted with heavy, although unacknowledged, Russian military pressure. [Also], earlier agreements

signed by Russia guaranteed Ukrainian territorial integrity. [Finally], Ukraine was not a party to this taking of its territory.”

Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels attempted to resolve their differences through a truce deal signed in Minsk, Belarus Sep. 5 to end five months of fighting. This initiated a “12-point plan” that included a reconstruction of eastern Ukraine, withdrawal of Russian troops, decentralization of Ukrainian power and safety guarantees for negotiation participants. According to a CNN article Nov. 11, NATO General Phillip M. Breedlove believes that the agreement seemed to be working up until recently.

“The ceasefire is in name only at this point,” Breedlove said in the article. “The violence continues to increase day-by-day.”

According to Schlafly, Putin is trying to assert Russia as a great power, echoing tsarist times while standing up to the West. Furthermore, Schlafly states that Ukraine’s government corruption remains a major problem in this situation.

“While Russia talks about negotiation, the only thing I think it will accept is a weak Ukraine with no real ties to the West and great autonomy for the eastern regions,” Schlafly said. “The only long-term solution is for Ukraine to reform its government and economy in order to rule effectively.”

According to Fox News, Putin made a speech Nov. 16 stating that he believes peace in Ukraine is possible but that neither side is holding up its end of the peace deal struck in September. Even so, citizens remain hopeful for future solutions to this drawn-out conflict.

“I want there to be peace because currently the tensions make it unsafe for me to visit Ukraine,” Koyen said. “I was born there and all the violence disables me from going back, and that upsets me.” v

Panorama

December 5, 2014

features

Touchdowns for turkey day

5

Alumni and Fifth Grade Center start holiday traditions “I think that service and charity is a habit,” Goldwasser said. “Hopefully those who participate[d] will continue to give to others. I am looking forward to the day that the current fifth graders organize this event when they are in high school.”

Hurster enjoyed pioneering this new way to give back to the community. She hopes the Turkey Bowl will help foster the sense of community within the district.

“This is the first annual event, so we are really hoping it is continued in the future,” Hurster said.

“We are hoping this is a great event [that] helps the community as a whole.”

in tournament of football played by alumni. A couple of months hannah frankel ago, we held a draft to select the FEATURES WRITER teams.”

The alumni participating were or many, football is a from many different graduating Thanksgiving staple. In classes. Additionally, some former honor of this, for the first staff members came back, includtime ever alumni and Fifth Grade ing former head football coach Center students joined in on the Jerry Maher, who acted as an holiday tradition with two special honorary coach. football games.

“Only alumni can play in the Organized by student council, games,” Webb said. “However, the Turkey Bowl was hosted at the we encouraged everyone from the FGC Nov. 22. STUCO sponsor community to come out and supJim Goldwasser was in charge of port the cause. We will do this anthe event along with senior Chrisnually and the games and the event tine Hurster. will only get bigger in the future.

“The Turkey Bowl [was] an It’s exciting to be a part of.” event at the [FGC],” Goldwasser In other efforts to prepare said. “We organize[d] for the game, the alumni flag football games for I think that service and charity is a Facebook page was frequently the fifth graders, and habit. Hopefully those who particupdated with information reinstead of a registration ipate[d] will continue to give to garding the tournament to enfee, we ask[ed] that parcourage more of the alumni to ticipants bring canned others. participate in some capacity. goods and toiletry - social studies teacher Jim Goldwasser Because of that, many alumni items.” then played active roles in These items were Like the Turkey Bowl, the planning, running and organizing donated to the Harvey Kornblum alumni football game, held at West the football game.

Jewish Food Pantry. Participants Campus Nov. 29, hoped to start “Alumni like Nisha Coleman also received t-shirts designed by new holiday traditions. This game and David Hawthorne [did] a STUCO before the event. In addibegan at noon but was preceded wonderful job with securing spots tion to making the shirts, STUCO for us to appear on many differwas responsible for setting up other by a Fallen Rams Ceremony. This ceremony commemorated alumni ent local news stations to promote aspects of the event. who have passed away. the game,” Webb said. “We were “We had meetings with [Julie] Middle school teacher and featured on stations like Fox 2 Helm, the fifth grade principal,” alumnus Vincent Webb particiand KSDK. There were also flyers Hurster said. “We secured fields pated in the games. He also served about the game posted around the at [West Campus.] Anyone and as a team captain. high school.” everyone [was] allowed to particiTo prepare for the football Prior to the game, Webb was pate– kids who want[ed] to play most excited to compete with football and kids who just want[ed] game, captains held individual practices for their teams. Webb’s his close friends and alumni. He to watch.” team, “Team Blackout,” trained enjoyed being able to get together The purpose of the game was hard in the hopes of securing a with them. Overall, he hopes to not only to feed the hungry, but solid victory. continue the games in the future in to also establish a bond between “It has really been fun to order to continue to unite alumni. the Fifth Grade Center and the prepare for this game,” Webb said.

“The goal is to establish and high school. Organizations such “The competitiveness started to build,” Webb said. “With the supas National Honor Society and port of the alumni, I think that we Hunger Outreach Project were also show. I couldn’t wait until game time. [The game] was a round-robare on the way to doing that.” v involved in organizing the event.

F

Double Take senior Brina Balcer

“I Love You, Beth Cooper” actress Hayden Panettiere

study hall teacher Matt Kupiszewski

DOWN, SET, HIKE w Getting ready to hike the football, a fifth

grader participates in the first Turkey Bowl. Student council played a large role in organizing the event. Instead of charging a participation fee, students brought canned goods or toiletry items. (Photo by Jessica Matson)

@humansofladue Everyone in this school has a story to tell. Follow us on Instagram to see more.

“Freshman year everyone was all over the place.”

“Sophomore year everyone was trying to fit in.”

“This year you kind of don’t care as much and you know where you stand with your friendships and with yourself. [I] know this is what I have to do. And it gets more serious, like you start realizing, ‘I’m going to college in two years.’ And you don’t let the little things bother you.”

We scoured the halls in search of Ladue’s best look-alikes... here’s what we found.

“The Host” actor Max Irons

senior Andrew Cherrick

“Bill Nye the Science Guy” actor Bill Nye

(Student photos by Ali Gold, Sydney Ellis and Julia Biest; celebrity photos celebritworld.com, healthyceleb.com.jpg and psbehrend.psu.edu)

6 features

Panorama

Not the typical Polls of the People English teacher What are you doing for winter break?

Read more about how to spend winter break at home on pg. 7

Julie Blank rocks out on stage rachel steiner FEATURES WRITER

Going on vacation

Visiting with family

21%

21%

I don’t know yet

Staying home

21%

37%

How many school-sponsored sports do you participate in throughout the year?

.5

Read more about this season’s fall sports on pgs. 14-15

.4

45% 35%

.3

.2

17%

.1

.0

December 5, 2014

3% None

One

Two

Three

When do you do most of your holiday gift shopping?

Read more about affordable gifts on the back cover

61% 21%

go within the days leading up to the holidays

go on Black Friday or another day during Thanksgiving break

9% 9%

go in the beginning of November or end of October

give gifts after the holidays or not at all (Statistics based on 147 sampled)

B

right stage lights shine down on a person with spiky hair, tattoos and piercings rocking out on a guitar.

Although English teacher Julie Blank does not fit the typical description of a rock star, she does play in a band.

Julie Blank sings in The Steamroller Band with her husband Greg Blank and friends Rich Kasznel and Chris Letrello. The band used to exclusively cover blues music but now plays a wide variety of genres.

“We play mostly classic rock– Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, John Cougar Mellencamp and the B52’s– with a few more contemporary artists thrown in– Sarah Bareilles and the Corrs,” Julie Blank said. “We also have a few country tunes– ‘Here for the Party’ by Gretchen Wilson and ‘Settlin’ by Sugarland– and a few jazzy and bluesy numbers by folks like The Blues Brothers and Rickie Lee Jones.”

In most of their covers, all of the band members sing, however Julie Blank and drummer Chris Letrello usually sing lead. Although Julie Blank is perfectly comfortable with performing, she was not always so confident.

“I used to get painfully nervous before and during a gig, but I finally relaxed, and now it’s really fun to interact with the audience,” Julie Blank said. “[I] make eye contact, smile and find someone who’s really in the groove– who’s keeping the beat [or] dancing– and acknowledge them by pointing at them or giving them a quick shout-out during a song.”

However, sometimes being in a band isn’t as luxurious as it sounds. According to Kasznel, guitarist for the band, moving and breaking down the equipment takes tremendous effort and time.

“Musicians have a saying: ‘[we] play for free, but [we] get paid to load gear,’” Kasznel said.

Nonetheless, he enjoys playing in the band, mostly because of the rush he feels when playing live. This, he said, is the payoff for all the hard work.

“Playing live is the ultimate thrill,” Kasznel said. “It’s where all the work of learning your part, practicing with the band and finally hearing the end results come together.”

BLANK SPACE w Singing lead, in The Steam Roller

Band, English teacher Julie Blank performs at Kirkwood Station Plaza. Blank will perform at The Great Grizzly Bear in Soulard Dec. 13. “[Performing] often lifts me up out of the fatigue and stress of everyday life,” Julie Blank said. (Photo courtesy of Julie Blank)

Performing in a band can be stressful and hectic but also fulfilling and fun. According to Julie Blank, performing helps her unwind.

“It’s a wonderful stress outlet,” Julie Blank said. “There are plenty of nights when I feel tired before leaving home for a gig, but then we get there and start singing and playing, and I feel this awesome injection of energy from the crowd, the music and the synergy of making the music with my bandmates.”

According to bassist Greg Blank, performing after a long day of work can be challenging. However, like his other bandmates, the prospect of sharing his talent invigorates him to power through.

“I like playing music anytime, but when it comes to performing, it’s all about the audience,” Greg Blank said.

“When [we] have an audience that is listening, enjoying and maybe even dancing to [our] music, it really energizes [us].

It’s very gratifying to have people appreciate the music that [we] have spent countless hours practicing and perfecting.”

Greg and Julie Blank met when she joined a band he had been playing in called The Unexpected. Because of their shared hobby and passion for music, they get to spend more time with each other.

“In our situation, it’s something that my husband and I can do together, so it’s a bonding experience as well,” Julie Blank said. “It’s like a date night for us.” v

Panorama

December 5, 2014

features

Do you want to build a snowman?

Here are some additional ways to spend a winter vacation in town

ali gold

FEATURES EDITOR

julia biest

FEATURES EDITOR

all art by audrey wang w ARTIST

Start

They’re pretty great

How do you feel about the great outdoors?

Not particularly

Are you up for an adventure?

Sled at Art Hill

Conspire by the fire

Baby it’s cold outside

7

Lounging in my pajamas

Spending more time with my brrrfect significant other

What is the best part of winter?

Of course

Well, does Santa Clause like cookies?

Do you like intense sports?

Adventure is my middle name

Go on a winter hike at Castlewood

Ski or snowboard at Hidden Valley Does walking count?

It is the season of giving

Is he/she worth melting for?

Catching up on Pinterest

Do you like shopping?

What kind of craft?

Not exactly

Go on a carriage ride through the lights at Tilles Park

Volunteer at a food pantry My mom does my shopping

Tasty

Pasty

Make a gingerbread house

I can shop ‘til I drop

Have you gotten gifts for friends and family yet?

Treat yourself to a day of shopping

Hit up the mall for some gifts Spend the day scrapbooking with family

Yes

Umm...

8 in-depth

Panorama

2at a0glance 14

December 5, 2014

hayden hunt IN-DEPTH EDITOR

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he year 2014 was full of tragic disasters and inspirational triumphs. The conflict between Israel and Palestine continued to cause tension in the Middle East. Meanwhile, protests surged both within the U.S. and throughout the world, occurring in places such as Gainsville, Fla. and Hong Kong, China. While St. Louis, Mo. celebrated the 250th anniversary of its founding, Germans reflected on the fall of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago.

Sports dominated the world stage for several months, as the Winter Olympics in Sochi captured the attention of people across the globe. The success of the U.S. Men’s National team in the Brazil-hosted

FIFA World Cup lead to widespread patriotism and excitement. The NFL garnered some unwanted attention after the domestic abuse scandals of Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson.

The landscape of Washington, D.C. changed as a result of the midterm elections Nov. 4. Washington, D.C. and Oregon both legalized recreational marijuana. Additionally, 19 states in the U.S. legalized same-sex marriage.

Missouri experienced some spotlight as well, as a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., killed an unarmed black teenager, leading to protests and riots throughout St. Louis, Mo. The past twelve months have brought many surprises and adventures, so as the year draws to a close, take time to remember and reflect upon some of the noteworthy moments of 2014. v

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1 The 2014 Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia Feb.

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7-23. The U.S. finished with 28 medals, earning 9 gold, 7 silver and 12 bronze medals. During the opening ceremony, one of the rings in the Olympic logo failed to open. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune/MCT) 2 U.S. midterm elections took place Nov. 4. The results of the elections gave the Republican Party the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. (Photo courtesy of Abaca Press/MCT ) 3 Tensions erupted in Ukraine between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian nationalists. The fight between Ukraine and Russia over the Crimean Peninsula resulted in the annexation of the area by the Russian government. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times/MCT) 4 Former Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice received considerable media attention and criticism after TMZ released a video of him punching his then-fiancée in an elevator. Following this, Minnesota Vikings player Adrian Peterson was suspended without pay for the season because of another domestic violence case in which he hit his 4-year-old son. (Photo courtesy of Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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5 Sixty-five percent of voters in Washington D.C. approved the legalization of marijuana Nov. 4. Oregon also authorized the use of the drug, while the people Floridians decided against it. (Photo courtesy of Abaca Press/MCT) 6 The boys football team had a successful season. Senior captains Jack Fox, Jack May, Malcolm Davis, Nate Howard and Paul Flynn helped lead the team to one of the best seasons in the history of Ladue football. With a 12-2 record, the boys finished as sectional champions. (Photo by Meghan Proskey) 7 The U.S. Men’s National Team, led by captain Clint Dempsey, advanced out of its group in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but later lost to Belgium. Germany went on to beat Argentina 1-0 in the championship game. (Photo courtesy of Xinhua via Zuma Press/MCT)

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Panorama

December 5, 2014

in-depth

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1 St. Louis, Mo. became the focal point of national controversy when Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. While peaceful protests broke out across the city and nation, rioting and looting also occurred within the Ferguson area before and after the grand jury decision. The jury decided Nov. 24 that there was no probable cause to indict Wilson. The controversial event lead to an international conversation about racial profiling and police brutality. (Photo courtesy of St. Louis Post Dispatch/MCT) 2 In Hong Kong, China, protesters gathered in the city to call for democracy in the nation. Tens of thousands of people showed up at the movement’s peak, leading to some clashes between protesters and police. After two months of protests, however, many people in Hong Kong requested that the protests end. Even the founders of the Occupy Central movement advised the people of Hong Kong to end the campaign due to diminishing support. (Photo courtesy of McClatchy/MCT) 3 The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continued as the Israeli army entered the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks by Hamas, a Palestinian military organization.

This invasion began the Gaza War which lasted 50 days until a cease-fire was arranged Aug. 26. Tensions continue to spark violence however, and many experts on the subject believe that since this is a religious-based conflict, there is no foreseeable end to the hostility. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times/MCT) 4 Nineteen U.S. states legalized same-sex marriage. In all, thirty-five states allow gay marriage. Twenty-four states overturned the ban through court decisions, eight states used state legislatures and three states legalized the practice through popular vote. A St. Louis, Mo. judge overturned the ban and the city started issuing gay marriage licenses, but the Missouri state government still prohibits marriage between two people of the same sex in other parts of the state. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte Observer/MCT) 5 2014 marked the 25-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. People gathered all around Berlin Nov. 9 listening to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony as illuminated balloons lining the course of the wall were released into the sky. (Photo courtesy of Xinhua/Zuma Press/MCT) 6 Apple unveiled the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Sept. 9 and released the phones for sale Sept. 19. Thousands of people lined up all across the globe, waiting for hours to buy one.

The new phone also coordinated with the release of iOS 8, a new operating system for Apple products. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune/MCT) 7 The Islamic State, which originated as a splinter organization from al-Qaida, beheaded several people, including Americans Peter Kassig, James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

The group’s desire is to create an Islamic state throughout the Sunni areas of the Middle East. The U.S. carried out several airstrikes against key IS strongholds within the area.

The Senate approved President Obama’s plan to train Syrian citizens to fight IS forces Sept. 18. (Photo courtesy of Brandenton Herald/MCT)

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10 arts and entertainment

Panorama

December 5, 2014

What’s Happening Around Town?

Things to do around St. Louis in the month of December

Wild Lights St. Louis Zoo Nov. 28- Jan. 3

Alt-J The Pageant Dec. 19

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker The Peabody Dec. 2

“Annie” Fox Theatre Dec. 2-7

all art by audrey kocher w ART EDITOR ting ding w ARTIST

The “Wild” Side

Slow story, inspiring message janey sheth A&E EDITOR

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he film adaptation of “Wild” follows the life of Cheryl Strayed, a woman whose mother’s death inspires her to take a solo 1,100 mile hike. Strayed hopes that hiking the Pacific Crest Trail will help her move on from her troubled past.

Reese Witherspoon, who plays Strayed, delivers a strong performance and also adds playfulness to the movie. For example, this is evident when she uses explicit language as she narrates her trek.

Since I didn’t read the book, I can’t compare the autobiography to the movie. However, I can say the storyline was a little slow.

Throughout the hike, various sounds and encounters trigger memories of Cheryl’s past. I understand that Strayed faced many problems after her mother’s death, such as a heroin addiction and a promiscuous sex life, however it would have been nice for the movie to cut back on the flashbacks. If the recollections were minimized then the slow emotional crescendo of the film would have been curbed.

The hints of wittiness and some gruesome images made the film more interesting. I was humored by the many unnecessary items Strayed decided to take in her large pack. The pack that she carried with her was nicknamed the “monster pack” because of this. On the less humorous side, the filmmakers made the audience cringe by including a scene where Strayed rips off her toenails that were falling off her feet due to the many miles she walked.

At the end of the movie, Strayed stands on a bridge, symbolizing her cross over into a new life; however, I was hoping her realization would be more related to nature. The cliché plot was further fostered by this uneventful conclusion. I was surprised by the film’s anticlimactic ending, considering how drawn-out her journey was.

I do applaud the fact that this was based on a true story and Strayed somewhat spontaneously decided to undertake this incredible challenge. Strayed’s physical bravery and perseverance are commendable aspects of the story both in the movie and in reality. If not for the slow storyline and extensive use of flashbacks, I would have enjoyed this movie more. v

aaron greenberg A&E EDITOR

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new alternative rock band named PVRIS released its debut album, “White Noise,” Nov. 4. Formed in Lowell, Mass. in 2012, the band combines a progressive, pop vibe with a sharp rock edge. Their sound contrasts typical melodies and synthesizers by employing piercing percussion and raw vocals.

The band name is pronounced “Paris.” The members of PVRIS include singer and guitarist Lyndsey Gunnulfsen, guitarist Alex Babinski and bassist Brian MacDonald.

In June 2014, the band signed with Rise Records. Rise Records is an alternative record label that commonly signs metal artists. Therefore, PVRIS, Rise’s first female-fronted band, was an unusual selection for the label.

The album perfectly presents the band as a strong entrant into the industry. The album opens with “Smoke.” With a beat that relies heavily on bass drum complemented by quiet programming in the background, the song epitomizes PVRIS’ sound.

The album’s lead single, “St. Patrick,” is a radio-ready song with an infectious hook and a strong pop vibe. The song features some of Gunnulfsen’s best vocals and its repetitive nature makes it perfect for mainstream success.

She spends much of the track at the top of her range, effectively establishing a stressed and energized timbre without making it sound painful or dangerous.

“My House” is the album’s next single. It starts off with a calm, slow verse before exploding into a rock chorus. In place of a bridge, PVRIS uses an aggressive drum break. The song incorporates double-bass hits, emphasized by an absence of other instruments, leaving Gunnulfsen’s vocals alone with the percussion.

The album slows down with “Holy” and “White Noise.” “Holy” is an altogether forgettable track. It is musically unexciting and could

have been on any alternative rock record.

“White Noise,” the album’s title track, however, is more interesting. Despite its slow tempo, the track doesn’t lose energy. Instead of PVRIS’ typical rock-chorus sound, this track has a more electronic-dance-music-influenced chorus.

The next track, “Fire,” marks a return to the upbeat style of “St. Patrick” and “My House.”

Aggressive from the start, “Fire” is named appropriately. It begins with Gunnulfsen’s fierce vocals and light percussion by session drummer Chris Kamrada. It then builds to a climactic chorus filled with passion. “Fire” is followed by “Eyelids,” which starts with harmonizing guitar and bass parts, and eventually keyboard and percussion join in. The chorus and instrumentation make it trance-like, packing huge energy.

Directly following “Eyelids” comes “Mirrors.” This one isn’t my favorite because it’s rhythmically bland and boring, and it lacks the rock edge of other songs on the album.

PVRIS redeems itself with “Ghosts,” however.

This track appears simple at first, but listeners soon realize that this track is special. It keeps a simple three-chord formula throughout and is melodically memorable. I hesitate to compare this band to Paramore, as it seems every femalefronted rock band with any punk influences is, but this track honestly sounds like it could have been on Paramore’s “Brand New Eyes” album.

The final track is “Let Them In.” An excellent closer, this song has more edge than any other song. It starts in a similar way as other songs on the album, but when the first chorus starts, Gunnulfsen’s vocals reach their peak.

“Let Them In” demonstrates her true vocal abilities and is clearly her best performance on the record. “Let Them In” does the job, wrapping up the album perfectly.

Overall, “White Noise” is a great record.

Beginning to end, it bridges the border between rock and pop in an artful yet fierce 10 tracks.

Rise Records has outdone itself with this band and I can’t wait to see PVRIS go on to accomplish great things. v

December 5, 2014

Panorama

arts and entertainment

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Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

Colleen’s Cookies misses the mark Insomnia Cookies fails to impress appearance should have tipped me off; it looked fairly dry and cracked on the outside. janey sheth On the bright side, at least the macaroons, A&E EDITOR pies and cakes looked appetizing. olleen’s Cookies, a small bakery The other cookie I tasted was a White and café located on Forsyth, offers Chocolate Cranberry Cookie. Although this cookie wasn’t great, it was slightly better an inviting and warm ambiance.

However, when it comes to cookies, it does than the Toffee Hazelnut Cookie in regards to the texture. The not deliver, which was White Chocolate surprising considering the bakery specialCranberry Cookie itself was not as izes in the treat. The cookies, displayed in crisp as the toffee jars in the window, are one; however I still struggled to break fairly sized and are well-priced considerthis cookie in half.

The problem with ing they are homebaked. Unfortunately, this cookie was it I was disappointed was overly sweet. I expected the cranberby the texture, flavor ries to be tart, but and chewiness of the (Photo by Janey Sheth) they were almost as cookies. The Toffee sugary as the white Hazelnut Cookie was fairly tough and lacked the distinct toffee chocolate. Additionally, the usual leathery flavor I expected it to have. texture of dried cranberries was absent in these cranberries, making me question if Imagine trying to take a bite out of a they were real. diamond; that’s what I experienced when Even though the cookies were not the trying to eat this treat. I would have enjoyed it more if the cookie was crispy on the edges tastiest, the café menu offered some delecand soft in the middle. However, the middle table items including salads and refreshing was grainy and hard, making it a chore to drinks, but if you are looking for a good finish the rest of this cookie. The cookie’s cookie place, I would look elsewhere. v

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There was absolutely nothing wrong with the cookies, but there was nothing specaaron greenberg tacular about them either. The flavor was A&E EDITOR average; the texture was average; everything nsomnia Cookies takes a different apwas just average. If I had come home and proach to the sweets industry. Located seen them on the kitchen counter and not on Euclid Avenue, this cookie restaurant known from whence they came, they would delivers cookies to a select area. Despite ofhave been perfect, but I expect more from a business whose primary fering a wide variety merchandise is cookies. of cookies and various other items, The atmosphere, like the cookies and the Insomnia lacked any unique, surprismenu, was– you guessed ing qualities. it– average. Mediocrity seems to be a theme at The menu starts with a cookie catInsomnia Cookies. It’s a small building with no egory that houses all of the expected exciting or remarkable varieties, includdecor. There’s a standard counter to place orders ing sugar, oatmeal and a typical tall table by raisin and snicker(Photo by Jeanne Wilkinson) the window to eat at. doodle. But as the Insomnia Cookeyes sweep across it, they see a category labeled “deluxe cookies can be described only as unremarkable. ies” that contains specialties such as Triple The menu is ordinary because it has every conventional type of cookie, but unfortuChocolate Chunk and Chocolate Peanut nately doesn’t have any stand-out items. The Butter Cup. Underneath the deluxe cookies, cookies themselves are mediocre in every there are two small categories: cookie cakes and brownies. There are no variants within single way, and the restaurant’s design is these categories so it may be assumed that simply common. Insomnia Cookies does the these two items are only generic versions of job for a quick sweet fix, but doesn’t produce their respective labels. anything new or earth-shattering. v

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12 opinions

Panorama

December 5, 2014

December for underclassmen

Kocher’s Corner

ting ding w ARTIST

audrey kocher w ART EDITOR

keona kalu

ONN MM O TIO EC TH LICA APP

Tupac lives

OPINIONS EDITOR

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upac is alive and well, pharmaceutical companies are keeping us sick to ensure their profits and Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moon landing was an elaborate hoax.

Many people buy into these and other conspiracy theories. In fact, one-third to one-half of all Americans believe that the government had some hand in the 9/11 attacks. Though some claims may just seem like paranoid nonsense, they characterize the people who indulge in them.

Many people think that most outlandish conspiracy theories come from the heads of paranoid schizophrenics. But in actuality, many rational, mentally healthy people place their trust in these conspiracies as well.

Tim Melley, author of “Empire of Conspiracy,” posits strong individualistic values coupled with a lack of control over one’s life are common characteristics of a conspiracy theory believer. People with individualistic values are intensely invested in exerting autonomy and controlling their own lives without interference from larger bodies like the government.

Additionally, a person with an external locus of control attributes most events in his life to factors apart from himself such as luck or fate. When faced with hardships, this type of person may feel powerless, which when combined with the desire for self-rule results in “intense anxiety about an apparent loss of autonomy” that manifests in conspiracy theories.

Jean M. Twenge, psychology professor at San Diego State University, found that people are beginning to hold increasingly stronger external loci of control due to an increased exposure to uncontrollable events and tragedies. Take disasters like Hurricane Sandy and Marysville High School shooting for example. These events were largely unpredictable and unpreventable.

Individualistic values are also rising. The U.S. is one of the most individualist countries in the world, according to the Hofstede Centre Culture Comparison. Considering this, it’s no surprise that conspiracy theories are more common in the U.S. People often dismiss conspiracy theories as harmless, but they actually have detrimental effects. For example, conspiracies diminish people’s confidence in the democratic system. Tales of government cover-ups and big businesses’ ulterior motives make people feel as if their voices don’t count or won’t be heard. Citizens believe that the agency that exists to help them is actually hurting them.

No one can stop new conspiracy theories from emerging. However, people can limit the damage they do by changing their world views so that they are less likely to believe them. People need to have more internal loci of control. They need to attribute good and bad events to their own efforts and choices. Not only will people feel more powerful, they will also lessen the likelihood of indulging in conspiracy theories thereby also lessening the harmful effects. v (This column reflects the opinion of the writer)

December for seniors

Panorama Editorial Board

Assisted suicide should be guaranteed to everyone

Besides that, the most modern Hippocratic Oath requires doctors Late brain cancer patient Brittany Maynard recently employed Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, committing physician-assisted to have “the utmost respect for human life from its beginning.” To a patient considering assisted suicide, utmost respect may mean endsuicide. In making her decision public, she brought the long-debated conflict back into the spotlight. Despite people’s apprehensions, asing a painful or dismal existence.

Consider Tony Nicklinson, a man who had locked-in syndrome sisted suicide should be legalized in cases of irreversible disease and until his death in 2012. He was paralyzed from the neck down and terminal illness. unable to speak, but he maintained cognitive function and comProviding care for the dying is a costly ordeal, and in cases of municated with his eyes. According to The Telegraph, Nicklinson the terminally ill, expensive medical technology just extends the lives described his condition as miserable, demeaning and intolerable. of the patients. CBS News reported that in 2008, Medicare He was “condemned to an existence he [did] not wish to live paid $50 billion in hospital bills for patients in in a state of suffering and indignity that no one should be their last two months of life. Government money spent prolonging the lives of people that have forced to endure.” no desire to live could be better spent in other Terminally ill patients like Nicklinson are confined to lives of pain. Why is it acceptable to shoot a dying horse areas or at least on patients who have a chance or euthanize a cancerous dog but not to permit a sufferof recovering from their diseases. ing person to consciously choose death instead of life? It is Other than financial costs, many people may endure incredible pain and suffering– both impossible to consider oneself humane and simultaneously physical and mental. And though the physical ignore the plight of terminally ill patients.

No person should be forced by law to endure pain can be relieved with drugs and medicines, the ailments and failings of their bodies. If we are psychological suffering is not so easily treated. kira svoboda w ARTIST afforded the right to live, and to choose how to live, Psychological health is an important factor to so then should every person have the right to die under consider. According to American Mental Health Foundation, a considerable number of terminally ill patients are circumstances of his choosing. going through “prolonged, intensive psychological...pain.”

Banning assisted suicide tells the terminally ill that they should live life for its own sake without considering what quality of life they Death is a frightening thing for very many people, but for othmight have in the future. In a country that prides itself on autonoers, life seems equally scary. People whose bodies betray them with my, assisted suicide should be legalized. Citizens deserve the right to crippling diseases and unendurable pain are sentenced to lives full of despair. Assisted suicide is an option these patients can consider to decide if sanctity or quality of life is most important to them. v (Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board) end their suffering.

Panorama strives to entertain students, staff and community members and to uphold professional standards of accuracy and fairness. The publication aims to engage the student body by eliciting dialogue among readers.

Panorama is produced 10 times per school year by the journalism class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School. 1201 S. Warson Rd., St. Louis, Missouri 63124 (314)-993-6447 ext. 5463 www.laduetoday.com

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sarah Jacob Sabrina Medler

FEATURES EDITORS Ali Gold Julia Biest

OPINIONS EDITORS Benjamin Collinger Keona Kalu

A&E EDITORS Janey Sheth Aaron Greenberg

NEWS EDITORS Ethan Shuchart Sasha Rice

PHOTO EDITORS Sydney Ellis Jeanne Wilkinson

SPORTS EDITORS Aaron Bry Sam Shevitz

IN-DEPTH Hayden Hunt

PHOTOGRAPHERS Sophia Garland Jackie Gordon Ula Lijowska Jocelyn Kaza Sammy Leary Meghan Proskey Jenna Shanker Julia Tackes Sarah Waldman

WRITERS Katie Bry Hannah Frankel Isabella Fu Haley Horowitz Hannah Snidman Michael Peterson Rachel Steiner Teddy Turner

BUSINESS MANAGER Lizzy Puyo

ART EDITORS Audrey Kocher Mary Xiao

PLEASE RECYCLE Panorama welcomes and encourages letters to the editors. Ideally, Panorama accurately represents the issues most important to readers and should serve as a public forum for all students, staff and community members. Therefore, letters voicing readers’ opinions strengthen the paper. Please bring signed letters to Room 216 or email them to panorama@ladueschools.net. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions as long as the original intent remains unaltered. v

WEB MASTER Warren Biest ADVISER Jillian Miesen

ARTISTS Juliann Bi Ting Ding Kira Svoboda Steele Stewart

December 5, 2014

Panorama

Does society overvalue sports?

NO

Sports catalyze positive social change and community involvement hayden hunt IN-DEPTH EDITOR

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ports are a fundamental element of American society.

Not only do they promote social change, but they also strengthen communities. People take pride in sports and the communities they build. From the NBA and the NFL to Pop Warner and Little League, sports are ingrained in American culture.

Teams and athletes can inspire and lead social change.

In 1947, African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson made his debut, starting for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson was the first African-American man to play in MLB. With integrity and courage, he set an example for all players and civil rights activists who followed.

Similarly, University of Missouri-Columbia football player Michael Sam revealed his homosexuality in 2014.

When Sam accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2014 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award, he told the story of how he convinced a girl on the verge of suicide to come out to her family. Sam acted as a pioneer in an important cultural debate.

Granted, not all athletes are beacons of social change.

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was suspended from the NFL for domestic abuse. Although the suspension was recently overturned, Rice’s situation catalyzed a national dialogue about domestic violence.

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Athletes are held to a higher standard, and on balance, they use the platform wisely. For example, five St. Louis Rams players raised their hands in sign of support for the Ferguson community before a Dec. 1 game. Although it incited controversy, they acted to demonstrate solidarity.

Professional sports teams and various private organizations have positive impacts on local communities. For example, Street Soccer USA helps homeless youth and adults gain confidence and life skills through sports. With locations in 16 different urban areas, Street Soccer USA promotes community and creates a positive structure for impoverished youth. Other major sports franchises around the country are also involved in local community outreach.

Sporting events inspire national and school pride. The Olympic games unify Americans through a variety of events.

At Ladue, the achievements of the football team have fortified a communal bond.

Strong sports cultures also improve academics. A study conducted by the University of Arkansas found that as a school’s sports winning percentages and student participation in athletics increased, dropout rates decreased and test scores increased. The correlation between athletic and academic success supports the fact that sports are advantageous to academic environments.

At all levels, sports create opportunities for societal advancement. The games, communities and leaders are a fundamental part of American society, and unify communities in distress. v

wenxin chen w ARTIST

They decrease focus on academics and divert school resources janey sheth A&E EDITOR

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sabrina medler EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ollowing several of the most successful sports seasons in Ladue history, it is time to reflect on the impact of sports on broader society. While it is true that sports provide a fun form for exercise and can promote social change, the value of sports in our country is far too great.

The unbalanced importance we place on athletics above academics is causing Americans to fall behind in educational rankings across the globe. “When I surveyed about 200 former exchange students last year, in cooperation with an international organization called AFS, 9 out of 10 foreign students who had lived in the U.S. said kids here cared more about sports than their peers back home did,” journalist Ann Ripley wrote in The Atlantic Oct. 2013. Furthermore, Ripley writes that in South Korea, where 15-year-olds rank fourth in the world on a standardized math test, children only play sports occasionally for recreation with old equipment. In contrast, in the U.S., where students rank 31st on the same test, lavish football stadiums and flashy uniforms abound.

In addition, some schools turn a blind eye to academic failures, valuing athletic ability over education. According to an article from The New York Times in December 2011, athletes’ average SAT scores are at least 200 points lower than the non-athlete. In addition to this, the graduation rate in the NCAA for football players is 16 percent below average and the graduation rate for men’s basketball is 25 percent below average. Players should not only use college as a platform to professional sports, but take full advantage of the education.

A recent example of disparity between the education standards of athletes and non-athletes is the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill academic fraud incident in which players took fake classes, and advisers funneled athletes into the program to keep them eligible. Mary Willingham, a former learning specialist who caught a football player plagiarizing, said that 60 percent of UNC’s football and basketball players read below an eighth grade level and 8 to 10 percent read at or below a third grade level. Universities must point students toward challenging classes that complete an education. Perhaps if these students dedicated more time to studying and less to practicing, they would be in a similar academic standing as other achieving students.

Additionally, the outlandish expenses of sports could be spent more prudently. According to a 2010 Associated Press report, athletics spending from 2005 to 2008 increased at more than twice the rate of academic spending at nearly all of the 103 Football subdivision schools. Ripley continues, “Football at [Premont Independent School District] costs about $1,300 a player. Math, by contrast costs just $618 a student. For the price of one football season, the district could have hired a full-time elementary school music teacher for an entire year.” Money for athletics could be cut slightly to improve academics, and fund clubs and new technologies.

Although sports are one of the most Corrections from Nov. 7 fundamental aspects of American culture, overpg. 14 Junior Mark Rogers’ name emphasis of them can was misspelled. be detrimental to our pg. 15 Natalie Behrens’ PR was for educational system. v a three mile race not a 5K.

opinions

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Collinger’s

Contemplations audrey kocher w ART EDITOR

Clothed cognition benjamin collinger OPINIONS EDITOR

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movement toward business casual dress is sweeping the country. From the late Steve Jobs’ characteristic turtleneck to Mark Zuckerberg’s casual hoodie, startups and established businesses around the world encourage a more unique style and culture. Fittingly, students and professionals constantly search for new ways to improve productivity and cultivate a cohesive work space. This evolution toward informality poses an interesting question: how does one dress for success? Although some dismiss certain trends as unprofessional, allowing individuals to wear clothes they associate with success and positivity contribute to an improved business environment.

Northwestern University professor Adam Galinsky studies a phenomenon called “enclothed cognition.” In a study last year, Galinsky assigned 58 undergraduate students to wear either a lab coat or normal clothes.

Trials were then performed to test each subject’s mental activity and focus. Galinsky discovered that when people wore a coat they believed belonged to a doctor, they became significantly more focused and careful while completing cognitive tasks. On the other hand, those who wore a physically identical coat but were told it belonged to a painter did not perform nearly as well as those who were told the coat belonged to a doctor. In his conclusion, Galinsky found that clothes invade the body and brain, putting the wearer into a different psychological state.

In technical terms, each subject’s sense of occupational traits were augmented. When one wears something that makes them feel focused, the effects may seem subtle. Nevertheless, the outfit is important.

Confident dress can impact one’s facial expressions, body language or tone. Our clothes communicate a side of our identity, relatability and self-esteem. Simply stated, first impressions and one’s disposition are determined by appearance. Thus, the AP Government class’ emphasis on professional dress should be welcomed as not only an aesthetic benefit to Ladue’s halls, but also a scientifically-proven method to improve performance.

I have found my formal dress for speech and debate tournaments to be invigorating. Expression is undoubtedly an essential part of the activity, and my pinstripe suit allows me to project credibility while ensuring that the audience focuses on my words. Dressing like professionals and policy makers not only enhances the experience, but also boosts my confidence.

To apply these ideas practically, dress in a way that not only makes you feel comfortable, but confident as well. The minute differences in body language and innate confidence will pay off. Your ability to express yourself in the classroom, feel confident in college admissions interviews or simply increase productivity is directly tied to how your clothes make you feel.

If we were completely rational beings, we wouldn’t put any more value on certain pieces of fabric rather than others. Nevertheless, ideas and preconceptions about clothing and its associations can greatly impact one’s psyche. It is unimportant what you wear; it only matters how the clothing makes you feel. v (This column reflects the opinion of the writer)

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Sports wrap-up:

Take a look at how this year’s fall sports teams performed

Softball michael peterson SPORTS WRITER

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he softball season ended in October. Although the team did not have the strongest of seasons, it hopes to learn from this year and come out next fall with a team prepared to win more games.

This year, the girls welcomed several new additions to its team, including a new a coach.

“Our season was great,” senior Bailey Lynn said. “We had some great new members join. We had great sportsmanship and teamwork.”

One of the biggest highlights of the season was the team’s first win.

This big victory was even sweeter for the team because it was against its rival, Clayton.

The girls qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row. But their season was ended prematurely with a first-round loss to Parkway North.

This spring, the team will graduate five valuable seniors. However, the team hopes to improve and better its record next year.

“We’re hoping a bunch more girls try out, and we’re looking forward to an expanding program with summer camp and a winning record,” junior Jessie Rich said.

The team strives to instill strong fundamentals into the younger players. This will ensure the team will have successful seasons in the years to come. v

aaron bry SPORTS EDITOR

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oth the boys and girls cross-country teams have run their last races of the season. Although neither qualified for state as a team, each had strong seasons highlighted by individual times.

Senior captains George Garner and Brian Jiang led the boys team to a third-place finish in districts.

Their success was in part due to the their relentless hard work both before and during the season. The team began to train in the summer in order to increase stamina.

“We asked ourselves one question,” senior Tyler Christner said.

‘Why not us?’ That’s what kept our runners motivated each and everyday at practice.”

sarah jacob EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PINCH HIT w Transferring her weight from her back foot to her front, senior Brooke Biernbaum attempts to make contact. This is Biernbaum’s fourth year on the varsity team. (Photo courtesy of Mark Biernbaum)

hayden hunt IN-DEPTH EDITOR

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December 5, 2014

Boys and girls cross-country

Volleyball

Boys soccer he boys soccer team finished its season with a 20-5-1 record. Some noteworthy accomplishments included a district championship against Clayton and a second consecutive sectional win against Westminster.

In addition, senior captain Michael Wielansky broke the singleseason record for most goals, knocking in 20 goals this year.

Wielansky, along with the other senior captains Austin Burton and Justin Espinosa, helped lead the team to one of the winningest seasons in the program’s history.

Along with the seniors, several juniors and underclassmen contributed to the team’s great year.

“The young players were influential because they knew their role and embraced it,” Espinosa said.

“Every young player contributed to the team as much as any of the veteran players.”

Coach Dave Aronberg appreciated the leaders of the team. They helped him guide the team, taking some of the pressure off of him in his first year as head coach.

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he volleyball team made history this season, playing in the semi-finals in the district tournament for the first time in ten years.

“We went into the game thinking we had nothing to lose,” senior Iris Yang said. “It felt really good because...we’ve never done something like that..”

Since many knew it could possibly be their last game as a team, they played exceptionally hard.

Although they did not make it out of districts, simply qualifying for it was an honor. “[Our coach] told us we were one of the best teams she’s had in a long time, so we tried to live up to that, and I think we did,” senior Elena Hammam said.

The team witnessed this workhard mentality pay off. The entire boys varsity team raced in the sectional meet.

In addition to its success as a team, many runners found individual success this season as well.

Garner qualified and raced in the state meet for the third time in his high school career.

The girls team also worked hard in preparation for the season. Shaving seconds off their times drove many girls to train hard.

“A main goal for the team [was] for everyone to improve as the season progressed,” junior Natalie Behrens said.

Due to this strong effort, three runners qualified for the sectional race. Unfortunately, none of the runners advanced to the state meet.

This will remain a goal for the team next season.

Since they played in a new conference and district this season, the opponents they faced were stronger. However, despite their underdog status, the squad placed second in the Ritenour tournament. They were also able to win competitive game against MICDS and Parkway Central.

Six seniors were on this season’s lineup. These experienced players acted as role models and lead the team in practices.

“I had six very talented and dedicated seniors on the varsity team,” coach Roberta McCaffery said. “All six have been a huge part of our program for the past four years.”

The coaches will look to underclassmen, such as freshman Aris McCurdy, to lead the team next season. In order to ease the transition, the seniors tried to impress as much of their knowledge upon the next generation.

Just as the seniors have left their mark on the team, the sport has impacted them, too.

Although the girls and boys teams practiced separately, one thing was evident in both: hard work. Both teams hope this tradition of determination continues to produce strong teams and strong runners. v

RUN WILD w Kicking into the finish, senior Tyler Christner aims to break his PR. (Photo by Jeanne Wilkinson)

HOPS w Jumping in the air, senior Peyton Farmer attempts to force the ball over the net for a point. (Photo by Sarah Waldman) “It still hasn’t hit me yet, but it’s just sad because that was our last season,” Hamman said. “It’s just been awesome for these past four years being part of the Ladue volleyball team.” v

Girls tennis aaron bry SPORTS EDITOR

THE CAPTAIN w

Keeping keen focus on the ball, senior Justin Espinosa fends off a defender.

Espinosa was a team captain this year.

(Photo by Sammy Leary) “The seniors and captains did a great job of leading the team,” Aronberg said. “It’s one thing to talk about doing the right thing, but to practice hard and play the correct way shows true leadership. I’m hoping that our juniors and sophomores took notes and can continue our tradition of excellence in the future.” v

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he girls tennis team has wrapped up its season after finishing admirably, making it to the third round of districts. The team displayed a strong season, with many younger players contributing, and a new head coach.

“We had a very young team and a new coach this year so it was really fun to get to know new people,” junior Kate Bisig said.

Bisig, who played on the varsity team her freshmen and sophomore years, helped lead the young team to wins against tough teams such as University City and Parkway Central. In her third

year on varsity, she took over the top seed and played many other school’s top players.

One of the team’s greatest accomplishments was how close the girls became throughout the season. Inclusion was a big goal for the upperclassmen on the team.

Another leader on the team was senior Katherine Burkemper.

Burkemper was exceptionally proud of how the team performed and supported each other throughout the season.

“One of our greatest team goals was to bond and really become a supportive team,” Burkemper said.

“We accomplished this by building each other up at every chance.

We were always rooting on one another.” v

EYE ON THE BALL w

Maintaining keen focus, junior Kate Bisig prepares to hit a forehand. This was Bisig’s third year on the varsity team. This year, she played at the top seed. Bisig hopes to use the experience she gained this year to strengthen her season next year. (Photo by Julia Tackes)

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December 5, 2014

Football sam shevitz SPORTS EDITOR

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fter one of the most exciting seasons in Ladue football history, the teams’s success has finally come to an end.

The Rams made it to the Class 5A state semifinals and concluded their run after a tough loss to Battle, who went on to win state.

This year, the Rams moved up a class, from 4A to 5A, and had a memorable performance in the state tournament. The sectional champions had a rather young team and outperformed others’ initial expectations.

“I think we have to look at this season as a success,” senior John Fox said. “In our first year of Class 5 football, I feel like we played extremely hard and gained an identity in the process.”

With a record of 12-2, the team had one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.

With four comeback victories, the players never gave up when they were down. Their perserverance was arguably their strongest trait.

“My favorite game to play in was Webster,” senior Malcolm Davis said. “We were down 28-6 at halftime, and we went into the locker room, and I knew that we were going to win because no one had their head down. We just knew that we had to go out there and play some football, and when everyone stormed the field, reality set in; we achieved our goal of winning sectionals.”

Next year the football team will have a larger senior class. Due to this years’ extraordinary winning streak, the players will have a better idea of what it takes to win.

“I don’t think the future has ever looked brighter for Ladue football,” Fox said, “Evan Mack is

a very smart and gifted quarterback and I expect him to take our team to the next level next year.”

The football team gave its spectators and fans an exciting performance at every game, and deserves recognition. From December 2013 to November 2014, the Rams worked hard to better their game.

“Never leave a Ladue football game early because you never know what you are going to miss,” Davis said. v

READY... BREAK w After

the huddle, the Rams’ offensive line prepares for its next play against Jennings. (Photo by Meghan Proskey)

Boys swimming sam shevitz SPORTS EDITOR

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he boys swim team finished its season in November. The team had a record of 10-7, with eight people swimming in the state meet.

“State, for me, was as exciting as I expected. I dropped a solid three seconds in my 200 [individual medley] and placed fourth in preliminaries,” senior Chris Reichert said. “I expected to place higher, but all the other swimmers swam much faster than I expected. My time in the 100 backstroke was a lot slower than I expected but I did finish fourth at prelims. I choked at finals and had a rough race, moving down to eighth.”

The teams’ top performance was at the Lindbergh Invite where

the boys placed fifth. At the Cape Girardeau Invite, the boys placed sixth, also exceeding expectations.

“As for the team, I think given the injury to Tim Carr, our relays did very well and competed hard,” Riechert said. “I would’ve liked to make finals in one of them, but our team is very young, and I’m sure in the near future we will have some high-placing relays. [Sophomore] Iyayi Ogbevoen performed very well as well as the ‘otters’, [freshmen] Reid Rogers and Alex Benduski.”

With a winning record, the boys can be proud of their accomplishments and should use them as motivation next season. There is much offseason training and work that will be put in to improve the teams results for the future.

“Next season, I look to improve on my form and determination

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Field hockey michael petersen SPORTS WRITER

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he girls field hockey season concluded after a loss to Edwardsville in the state quarterfinals. This year, the girls had a successful season, finishing 16-6.

One of the highlights of this season was winning the public school tournament. The team also had some exciting upsets against Edwardsville, Burroughs, Nerinx and Ursuline. Due to the team’s impressive regular season performance, it finished top four in the state, earning the girls a bye in the first round of playoffs.

“Being seeded in the top four was a big deal considering last year we were around the ninth seed,” junior Lucy Jonas said.

In the next round the team faced Ursuline. Throughout the enitrety of the game both teams fought hard. The Rams ended up with the victory, winning 1-0 in overtime. The team’s season, however, was cut short after a 3-1 loss against Edwardsville in the Elite Eight.

“We had a hard-fought game,” senior Riley Kniptash said. “I was really happy with how hard

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the team worked this year and everything we achieved.”

Although Kniptash’s high school field hockey career is over, she has earned the opportunity to take her skills to the next level.

Kniptash committed to the University of Iowa and will continue playing at the collegiate level.

“Having the opportunity to play at a school like Iowa next year because of the progress I made at Ladue is incredible,” Kniptash said. “I am very excited and grateful.” v

BLASTING SHOT w

Following through a powerful shot, Senior Riley Kniptash leads the team to victory against Clayton.

(Photo by Meghan Proskey)

JUMP RIGHT IN w

Piercing the water, senior Salim Douaihy begins a team relay. (Photo

by Sophia Garland) while swimming,” Ogbevoen said.

“I had my goals set as high as they could be, and I was as close to them as I could be. I walked away very pleased.” v

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Drop your plans and hitch a ride to go cheer on your Rams at these must-see match ups:

• Dec. 9 - Girls Basketball vs. McCluer North • Dec. 12 - Ice Hockey vs. Clayton @ Affton Ice Arena • Dec. 13 - Boys Basketball vs. Parkway Central (Photo by Meghan Proskey)

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Crafternoon delight

December 5, 2014

A DIY holiday gift guide for everyone

sydney ellis PHOTO EDITOR

jeanne wilkinson PHOTO EDITOR

For dad Candy Card

What you need: • poster board • a marker • tape/glue • a selection of your dad’s favorite candies • a creative mind Candy cards make a quick and easy present that your dad will love. Simply come up with a message that includes the names of candies, write it out on a posterboard and attach the candies with tape or glue. Use inside jokes and some of your dad’s favorite candies to make it more personal. v

For a friend

For mom

Hot Chocolate in a Jar

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

What you need: • a mason jar • hot chocolate powder • mini marshmallows • a candy cane • ribbon

What you need: • a mason jar • sugar • baby oil • peppermint extract • red food coloring • ribbon

Hot chocolate is a great, tasty gift that all your friends will love. Fill half of a mason jar with cocoa powder and top it off with marshmallows. Tie a festive ribbon around it, and insert a candy cane for decoration. This quick, easy and inexpensive gift makes a perfect present for a friend, neighbor, teacher or co-worker. Afterall, who doesn't love hot chocolate? v

This peppermint sugar scrub is a great way to treat mom to a spa-like experience. Combine two parts baby oil by one part sugar and then mix in a drop of peppermint extract. Separate the scrub into two parts and add red food coloring to one. Layer both colors in a mason jar to give a candy cane appearance. Finally, garnish the jar with a ribbon. v

For your boyfriend

For your girlfriend

Ticket Stub Frame

Mani-Pedi Gift Set

What you need: • a plain picture frame • Mod Podge or similar glue • a paint brush • a picture of the two of you • ticket stubs from dates

What you need: • nail polish • other nail supplies (polish remover, file, etc.)

• a cellophane gift bag • ribbon

Creating a ticket stub frame is a great way to reminisce with your significant other. Start with a framed picture of the two of you. Collect ticket stubs of places you have gone together, and glue them around the border. Brush on a layer of Mod Podge over the tickets to seal them in and create a lasting shine. v

This mani-pedi gift set is easy to put together and a simple delight. Place the nail polish, file and other accessories neatly in a cellophane bag and tie a holiday-colored ribbon to complete the gift. This simple DIY gift is sure to make your girlfriend feel pampered during the holiday season. v