Ladue Panorama January 2014 Volume 62, Issue 6

panorama Ladue Horton Watkins High School • 1201 S. Warson Road • St. Louis, MO 63124 • Volume 62 • Issue 6 • January 6, 2014

(Photo by Elyse Mack)

A&E best of Netflix [pg. 9]

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(Photo by Sammy Leary)

early graduation [pg. 5]

PHOTO

guess who [pg. 10]

(Photo by Emily Biest)

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FEATURES

OPINIONS

common core [pg. 11]

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NEWS gay marriage [pg. 2]

SPORTS

winter workouts [pg. 14]

(Photo by Elyse Mack)

Show us what you can ‘due

(Photo by Chloe An)

Students show off hidden talents and abilities: contorting, coding and cubing editor-in-chief

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editor-in-chief

ick your elbow. Go ahead, we double-dog dare you to try.

Bet you ten bucks you can’t.

But that deal doesn’t extend to senior Hannah Harpole, one of the talented few who can lick her own elbow.

Harpole first learned she could lick her elbow back in middle school,

when someone prompted her, along with others, to try. Since then, the subject has come up rather frequently over the years.

“When it’s a get to know you game, and it’s like ‘tell us something about you that nobody knows,’ that’s usually the first thing that I turn to,” Harpole said. “Or when it’s the beginning of the school year and teachers ask if anybody has a special talent, that’s what I would tend to bring up.”

The talent has actually proved useful. One year while trick or treating, instead of telling a joke, Harpole showed her ability to lick her elbow.

“I don’t usually tell people that I can lick my elbow, but if they find out, they always ask to see it done,” Harpole said. “Of course I can’t say no, so I always do, and then they try to do it themselves.”

However, Harpole isn’t the only student with a hidden talent. We

searched our peers for those with the most interesting, exciting passions most people wouldn’t know about.

We discovered teenagers who run their own Minecraft servers, kids who can solve Rubik’s cubes in less than 30 seconds and those who can contort their bodies in ways we never thought possible. Although their talents have remained relatively hidden, these students are ready for the big reveal. « (Continued on page 16)

To share your hidden talent, please scan the QR code or visit www.laduetoday.com/hidden-talent

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NEWS

LOWDOWN Freshman to compete in national piano competition Freshman Sasha Rice won the Missouri state-level Music Teachers National Association Junior Piano competition held at Washington University in St. Louis.

She now advances to the eight-state MTNA Division level competition which will be held Jan. 10-12 at Drake University in Iowa.

Speech and debate Sophomores Renee Colby, Simi Falako and Rasika Sant, junior Tushar Raj and senior Chloe An competed at the George Armstrong Heart of Illinois Speech Invitational hosted by Bradley University Dec. 6 and 7. Sant was a semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking and An was a semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking and a finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking, and received one out of two qualifying bids to the Tournamnet of Champions at Northwestern University.

(Read more on page 4)

Laduettes awarded two first places at Lindbergh Freshmen Shirley Gelman and Grace Moore, sophomores Sabrina Medler and Molly Smith, juniors Phoebe Carlson, Jordan Kaplan and Alyson Yawitz and seniors Shir Barzilay, Haley Bussard, Audrey Carr, Sydney Dielmann, Vivian Phung and Rachel Taryle received first place in both the hip hop and poms divisions at the 2013 Yvonne Cole International Dance Competition Dec. 7. The team also won a Judge’s Award for Outstanding Showmanship in hip hop.

Chess team victory Chess team members freshman Zach Millsap and seniors Justin Cole, Jialin Ding, Kisan Thakkar and Toby Zhu won against DeSmet Jesuit High School Dec. 11, making their record 2-0.

January 6, 2013

GSA takes steps towards equality In the wake of increased legalization of gay marriage, GSA aims to promote acceptance at the middle school level news editor

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news editor

his year has marked considerable victories for gay rights, with Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey, Hawaii and Illinois all legalizing gay marriage. On the local level, Gay-Straight Alliance hopes to educate students about LGBT issues and is extending this effort to the middle school.

“GSA tries to make Ladue a safe space for all students and to educate our peers about LGBT issues,” senior Meg Jordan said. “We work on visibility campaigns like Ally Week, where we ask students to sign a banner to show their support for their fellow students.”

GSA considers the addition of these six states a huge victory. The members hope 2014 will mark another historic year for gay rights.

“I am very excited to see that we have added six states in 2013 to the legal marriage list. I am also very proud that Missouri has allowed same sex couples that are married in other states to use the same tax filing as opposite sex couples,” Jordan said. “It’s been a great year for LGBT rights.”

However, members of GSA admit that there is still much progress to be made. Missouri has yet to legalize gay marriage, and only 15 states have legalized it so far.

Doing their part in the fight for gay rights and “I feel even though the new gay marriage rights equality, GSA spoke at the middle school’s Diversiare a huge step forward, in most of the country, ty Day Dec. 16. Disame sex couples still versity Day is held cannot get married,” annually in order to senior Alex Davis celebrate differences said. “This is a probsuch as race, gender, lem that hopefully and class within the will be solved within school community. the next five to 10 “[The presenyears.” tation was for] Bullying is also ‘Diversity Day’ at still a common the middle school,” problem faced by science teacher members of the LGBT Ted Waterson said. community. Members “The students are hope to change this, introducing our partially by trying to club to about 100 change the school’s eighth graders. The non-discrimination students are quickly policy to state that it introducing a few will not discriminate LGBT issues and against both gender topics. Then, the and sex. eighth graders [had] “I became a part time to ask the high of the GSA after the school students realization that the questions about the bullying I received in club.” middle school came art by TING DING The speakers from my perceived hoped to spread their message and explain their sexuality,” Davis said. purpose at the middle school level.

“We [talked] to eighth graders about what it means to be LGBT and how they can be allies,” Jordan said. “Since the middle school is considering adding a GSA to their club list, we hope that our being there [helped] students understand what kind of work we do and break down misconceptions.”

One major goal for the presentation was to expose middle school students to different types of people, so as to decrease the bullying that often occurs due to lack of knowledge. To accomplish this goal, GSA speakers spoke about the difference between gender and sex, as well as different types of genders and sexes that may have been previously unknown to some of the middle school students.

“Being perceived as gay was a common reason students were bullied,” Waterson said. “I believe GSA is changing the culture by giving gay students confidence to be themselves. Bullying gay people is no longer accepted in our society. This is a direct result of the efforts of GSA clubs in schools across the country.”

The GSA not only hopes to educate students, but also to inspire them to take action for equality. To accomplish this goal, the GSA members hoped to gain support for the founding of a GSA club at the middle school.

“We’ll specifically be talking to the eighth grade about the queer community, especially emphasizing lesser known topics,” senior Katy Chang said.

“We’ll also be talking about the work we do at the high school and resources students can use to find more information.”

Overall, members of GSA hope to make the environment of acceptance they have within GSA replicated in the school. Sophomore Katheryne Lampkin’s favorite part of GSA the atmosphere of acceptance and respect.

“I like how open everybody is, it’s an environment where you can feel comfortable with stuff [and] where you can be yourself,” Lampkin said. «

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January 6, 2013

Ukraine in pain Kiev anti-government protestors demand to stay a part of the European Union news writer

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t may seem like the Cold War antics of the late 20th century have been shed, but another proxy battle between East and West continues to play out in Eastern Europe. Many citizens of Ukraine are currently anxious as the association agreement between the European Union and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych remains unsigned.

Recently, Yanukovych has shifted favor towards Russia, whose interests are at odds with the EU. “It’s kind of like a new system of the Cold War coming back,” junior Benjamin Collinger said.

“Russia had its art by ERIC ZHU own Eastern Bloc.

Ukraine is going to become a part of that Eastern Bloc once again and basically another part of regressive Russia. [Ukraine is] trying to figure out what’s going to be most beneficial for them, and they’re finding that their

interests are more in line with Russia and [Yanukovych doesn’t] necessarily want to associate with the European Union.”

This may be true for the president and his supporters, but not for many Ukrainians who are in favor of joining the EU and are on the verge of another Orange Revolution, which was a series of protests in Ukraine in

2004 regarding the corruption of the presidential election. With Yushchenko’s inauguration, the revolution ended with a “Day of Freedom.”

Allegations of corruption, voter intimidation and electoral fraud were

filed, and a re-run of the election was initiated after a massive civilian protest. Despite the massive protests for reform, Ukraine’s dire conditions remained well past the Orange Revolution. As statistics stand, Ukraine ranks considerably high in terms of Europe’s poorest countries, and some see Ukraine joining the EU as an opportunity for economic prosperity.

“I think it’s completely fine if they join the EU. I just think homophobia and other factors in Russia are too stringent,” junior Dasha Malkova said. “Joining the EU means capitalism and a ticket out of poverty for many people.”

However, for some of the firstgeneration immigrants in the United States, the crisis remains an “over there” predicament. For the most part, they are unfazed by the conflict and have relatively neutral opinions.

“It hasn’t affected my family much since we don’t follow up on Russia’s news that often,” Malkova said. “I’m just not a big fan of Russia. In our house, my dad usually watches Russian movies instead of news.”

German’s family also remains unaffected by the political drama on the other side of the world. Other than heritage, there isn’t a direct tie between her family and the current relations of the two Slavic nations.

“I have some Ukrainian ancestry,” German said. “I feel that it’s unfor-

NEWS tunate [that Ukraine is leaning more towards Russia], but my family no longer lives in that area so it hasn’t affected us.”

The EU faces another problem with Ukraine and Russia’s secret relationship: one that is not purely political. Russia is the largest producer of oil and largest exporter of natural gas, and also has one of the largest petroleum industries in the world.

In addition, the EU heavily relies on Russia for oil and natural gas, with 63 percent of all EU-Russia trades consisting of oil trades.

“It’s going to be much harder for the EU to have a competitive market because Russia is going to end up being the biggest petroleum producer in the world, according to statistical projections,” Collinger said.

Most of the problems between the EU and Russia derive from ambiguous policies and lack of a cogent goal

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towards improving them, but more time will have to be given to the process before there are results. Angela Merkel, German chancellor and de facto leader of the European Union, leaves the association treaty open for signing to Ukraine, though it has made a turn for Moscow.

Prominent diplomats who support Ukraine joining the EU include Merkel, British-Ukraine Ambassador Simon Smith and EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle. They bemoan Ukraine’s decision to align with Russia, collectively describing it as unwise.

“It’s basically just power politics,” Collinger said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that Ukraine really matters in anything. [The EU and Russia want to be] able to put their influence over a piece of land. It’s not as much a fight for resources as it is a symbol of being able to pull people in.” «

WHAT IN THE WORLD? Bangkok, Thailand

St. Louis, Missouri Legendary administrative assistant Eugene Gaffney retired after the end of the semester.

Uraguay Uraguay becomes the first country to legalize marijuana.

Protests continue, calling for new elections over the corruption of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and current prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Illinois Illinois law legalizing gay marriage will take into effect June 1, 2014. Read more about gay marriage on pages 2 and 13.

Johannesburg, South Africa Former South African president Nelson Mandela dies at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa Dec. 5. art by AUDREY KOCHER

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NEWS

January 6, 2013

They dance for the kids Students bring new organization to Ladue

STANDING FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T • Practicing their dance, members of the Morale Committee prepare for their performance at the event. Many members of the Morale Committee have personal reasons for being so involved in the event. “My brother was treated in one of their hospitals,” junior Mary Kate Fox said. “That was a big thing for me.” (Photo

by Sarah Kessel) features writer

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his year, several students have worked to bring, Dance Marathon, a national organization that raises money for kids in Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, to Ladue for the first time.

Participants in the dance marathons are sponsored to stay on their feet, dancing, anywhere from four to 40 hours.

Ladue is holding its first marathon Jan 11 and proceeds will benefit local CMNH hospitals, Sisters of St. Mary Cardinal Glen-

non Children’s Medical Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Seniors Sophie Lustman and Emily Biest started the club this year and have put a lot of effort into the event.

“Essentially, Emily and I oversee everything,” Lustman said.

“We teach our executive board how to effectively carry out their tasks to ensure a smooth running event. It is my job, along with Emily, to square away every detail.”

Lustman is preparing for the event in a multitude of ways. She and Biest create agendas and timelines to make sure everything that needs to be completed, including choreographing a dance and fundraising, is completed according to their schedule. Timeconsuming preparation aside, Lustman still loves everything she does for the organization.

“Aside from all logistical tasks, my favorite job is to further educate our board on what it means to serve Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” Lustman said. “My favorite part of being on the executive [board] is getting to spend my time with students that genuinely share a love for this cause. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such charitable and driven students.

At first, Emily and I doubted if we could make this event a success, but with the help of such amazing executives, reaching our goals comes in the near future.”

Another important part of Dance Marathon is the Morale Committee. Led by senior Duncan Cannon and junior Sarah Kessel, the Morale Committee creates a dance that they will teach the participants of Dance Marathon during the event.

“We help make the morale dance with our 15 other morale captains,” Cannon said. “Also, we help plan and run the event with the rest of the executive board. My favorite part of being on Morale Committee is the dancing. Every meeting we learn more parts to our morale dance and practice the whole dance.”

Another executive committee that helps to make the Dance Marathon possible is Crew. Seniors Cody Kniptash and Chris

Boudoures lead this dedicated group of students. Students on Crew work to help to set up the day before the event and help tear down the day after.

“Our job is the set up, break down and overall management the day of the event,” Kniptash said. “We are the muscle of the event.”

The Crew committee is made of 15 volunteers. They meet to prepare and discuss the basics of the event. With Crew’s help, participants can expect a jam-packed day which will start with opening ceremonies and introductions of the Miracle Children.

“These children are essentially ambassadors for all the kids in Miracle Hospitals,” Lustman said. “From there, we will kick off our four hours of dancing, and students will have to come and join us to learn more. Between dancing, meeting miracle children and special appearances from some of our favorite teachers, participants will walk away with an experience well worth while.”

Students who wish to be involved in the event are often part of an executive committee, including Logistics, Dancer Relations, Fundraising and Social Media committees. However, many students have chosen to participate in the event without involvement in the planning, including sophomore Molly Smith, who is fundraising and participating in the event with her dance team.

“I am excited to see the kids and help out,” Smith said. “I’m also excited to see the dance that the Moral Committee put together. I think that it is just going to be fun for the kids.”

Lustman is also looking forward to seeing the event come together. She hopes this year’s success will inspire students to continue Dance Marathon at Ladue long after she graduates.

“I’m truly hoping that Ladue Dance Marathon will be the beginning of a tradition that carries on long after Emily and I graduate,” Lustman said. “Benefiting these hospitals has been an inspiring and life changing experience for [me], and I hope this extends to younger classes of Ladue to come.” «

Debate team takes Bradley Attends tournament for the first time news writer

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or the first time ever, the Talking Rams attended the George Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational speech tournament in Peoria, Ill. Ladue sent five students as representatives to compete in Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Informative Speaking, Poetry Reading and Original Oratory Dec. 6 and 7.

Sophomore Rasika Sant was a semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking while senior Chloe An was a semifinalist in Impromptu Speaking and placed fourth in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Since Bradley University only has a speech team, and not a debate team, the tournament only included speech events, instead of both speech and debate competitions. Ladue alumnus Jerome Gregory is a member of Bradley University’s speech team, and he got the Talking Rams interested in the competition. Gregory also placed third in Impromptu Speaking at National Forensics League ationals this summer.

“ [The Bradley University tournament] wasn’t one that had been on our radar before, but with Jerome there, we got the information and were able to make it happen,”social studies teacher Molly Beck said. “What’s nice about the Bradley tournament is that they have events that we don’t usually get to do in St. Louis.”

For St. Louis tournaments, Beck usually asks the students to sign up for a debate event and two speech events. But for the Bradley University competition, she required them to participate in four events.

“The expectation here is that they’re constantly working on becoming better all-around speakers,” Beck said. “If we’re committing the time and resources to go to a big national tournament like this, they should really be pushing themselves and getting everything they can out of this experience.”

Since the tournament was more competitive and Ladue brought such a small team, the preparation for Bradley University was different than for other competitions. This means that speech and debate members had to work even harder than usual for this tournament.

“We [got] feedback from teachers and friends,” junior Tushar Raj said.

“The teacher spen[t] a lot of time just focusing on you individually.”

The competitors worked outside of school, too, to prepare for the competition. Since it was a national tournament, the students had a tougher time placing in their events.

“It’s pretty impressive to go to university tournaments because there tends to be a bigger crowd there, so there’s more people to compete against,” sophomore Renee Colby said. “Also, because it’s just a speech tournament, you get better feedback for your speech events from people who know more about it.”

Only members of the varsity team were allowed to attend the tournament. This was due to the fact that Beck felt that the novices were not yet ready for such a large competition.

“Any varsity student who was willing to compete in four events was able to go,” Beck said. “I don’t take our novice members out of town first semester. They’re still getting used to the St. Louis tournaments.”

Each student participating in the tournament sets his or her own individual and unique goals. These objec-

WORKING OVERTIME • The week after the tournament, speech

and debate team member and participant in the George Armstrong Heart of Illinois Invitational speech tournament Renee Colby works hard during practice.

“Because it’s just a speech tournament, you get better feedback for your speech events from people who know more about it,” Colby said. (Photo by Magda Lijowska)

tives vary from student to student but for many include placing in an event, breaking to semifinals or just generally working on their technique.

“It’s really more about looking at what each individual student is hop-

ing to achieve,” Beck said. “Seeing new competition, trying new events, getting feedback from judges outside of St. Louis, is going to allow them to become better overall [at speech and debate].” «

January 6, 2013

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FEATURES

baking club earns Icing on the cake: New donations for charity

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Saying goodbye to...

Eugene Gaffney (Photo by Magda Lijowska)

The founders of Cooking for a Cause want to make the club accessible to all students. They also hope to let other students features writer have a voice in the club. For example, non-members can make suggestions about what treat they would like them to make. ugar, spice and everything nice. Ladue’s newest club, “We’re planning on having a clipboard where people can Cooking for a Cause was started by junior Hope Howard suggest things they’d like to see us cook or bake in the future,” and sophomores Kate Bisig and Emma Cohen. The club Howard said. bakes treats and sells them to raise money for Arc St. Louis, a It is evident that Cooking for a Cause will not only help Arc non profit organization that helps people with develSt. Louis, but members, too. The students will get to enjoy all the opmental and intellectual disabilities. tasty treats this club bakes and make a difference.

“We all sit near each other in Ac Lab, and we “Our goal is to get more students involved with givstarted talking about how we’d all love to take part ing back to the community and learn to be accepting of in creating a club and nothing like Cooking everyone and make a difference no matter how small,” for a Cause really existed,” Howard said. “We Bisig said. wanted to develop a club that people could One of the founders’ goals is to give back to take part in year-round and on campus.” the community. Another is to enhance members’ The club comes together every other appreciation for people in need. Family and Tuesday in the cooking room to bake Consumer Science Teacher Florence Davidson goods and sells them the following Ac wanted to support the cause for this reason.

Lab. All the food that the club makes is “I decided to support Cooking for a Cause peanut-free so that everyone can enjoy because I feel students need an opportunity the tasty treats. to learn how to cook food they are passionate “In our meetings, we will first have about sharing with others,” Davidson said. “This discussions and then bake our treats, such club also offers the chance for students to see as brownies and cookies,” Cohen said. how food can impact others.”

This club offers a fun way to come Cooking for a Cause officially launched this together and share a common interest while semester. They will be selling their goods for the also working towards a good cause. The group is rest of the semester on blue Wednesdays. art by MARY XIAO not looking for culinary masters; instead, it is more “We are really excited to get started,” Bisig said. “The interested in giving back. first [treat] that we are planning on making are brownies.”

“We’d love as many hands on deck as possible,” Howard said.

Cooking for a Cause is all about having fun, relaxing and “The club is a great way to get involved and earn some commumaking an impact on peoples’ lives. nity service hours. Since the club takes place every other week, “It is a rewarding experience to give back to the community it’s an easy way to be involved because it’s not as much of a and do it in such a fun way, by baking delicious treats which dedication as a weekly club would be.” reflect our passion for this organization,” Cohen said. «

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Q: How long did you work at Ladue?

A: Not quite 27 [years] but close.

Q: Why did you choose Ladue?

A: I just found the place, and I stayed. It was great to be around a bunch of young people. I’ve gotten a big kick out of it, and it’s been very interesting.

Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen here?

A: Well, when you’ve been here as long as I have, you see a lot. [But once] during the winter time I happened to be walking around the lot, snow on the ground, and someone was lying under a vehicle smoking. It was really funny.

Q: What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?

A: When I retired [from McDonnell Douglas] I bought a new truck, and my wife and I got into it and we just drove. I love to drive. We drove up into Canada and all the way down to New Mexico.

A n ex t ra po wd e r y Po wde r P uf f features editor

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hile the boys cheered on the sidelines trying to do herkies, the senior and junior girls battled it out on the field in a friendly game of flagfootball. Freaky Friday much? Not really.

The annual game, hosted by Hunger Outreach Project, is one of the school’s biggest club-sponsored events. This year, the game was postponed until December due to weather, but it turned out that the rescheduled date was the first snow fall of the year.

Despite cold weather, the girls played and the seniors won the game 28-0. Although only senior and junior girls play, others could participate by donating canned foods or contributing monetary donations. These proceeds usually go to the Jewish Food Pantry.

“It’s a fun way to give back to the community,” senior Neeti Shenoy said. “Plus, the friendly rivalry that forms between the junior and senior girls is fun to duke out on the field.” «

(Photo by Sammy Leary)

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FEATURES

January 6, 2013

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Yin and Yang There’s no such

Math club seeks new members

cover everything from practical problems addressing real-world situations to seemingly esoeing an athlete requires determination and practice. teric proofs that make Wrestling requires strength, running requires endurance geometry class seem and dance requires coordination. But few people realize normal.” the skill required to be a mathlete. While athletes rely on physical This year’s team ability, mathletes depend on their mental capacity and concentrashares many simition to win competitions. larities with past year’s The math team aims to succeed in competitions and to proteams. It is composed of mote increased math involvement in the school. The club asks for some of the brightest stustudents to participate in competitions after school and requires dents in the nation, like Schindler and junior Yang Liu. Because no prerequisites. of this, the team has a good shot at success again this year.

“We really want to increase participation on the math team “The club members are very similar to [those of] years’ past,” and boost membership this year,” senior Stella Schindler said.

Pais said. “We have a very strong core who are our leaders and “Too many students in the school are afraid of doing math, claimparticipate in all our activities and coming it is ‘too hard’ or ‘not their petitions, and we have other students who thing.’ We want to dispel these fears — anyone can do math.”

Too many students in the school occasionally participate, and still a few other new-comers.”

The future of the math team are afraid of doing math, Liu, who won second place in the Nadepends on student recruitment claiming it is ‘too hard’ or ‘not tional Mathcounts competition in eighth in order to replace the graduatgrade and most recently qualified for the ing senior class. For this reason, their thing.’ We want to dispel Math Olympiad Program that takes only recruitment has become a top these fears.

50 students during the summer, can attest priority for the team.

- senior Stella Schindler to the advantages of being ahead in math.

“We need to recruit as many Such advancement has allowed him to discover more. new students as possible in order to find new members and lead“Being advanced generally has the benefit of helping you not ers for the future,” math teacher John Pais said. “The primary ‘sleep through classes’ or ‘beat a dead horse,’” Liu said. “It keeps goal... is to involve as many students as possible at all levels of you engaged in class, and by skipping the easier classes, you can expertise, so that they can having fun doing math and computing delve into deeper subjects earlier on.” with like-minded students.”

Both Liu and Schindler attribute much of their success to selfThe team aims to perform well in the online “Math Madness” motivation. But they also recognize the importance of outside contest, the Missouri Math League and the Mandelbrot event. support to provide them the opportunities to succeed.

Competitions can cover a variety of topics in math. Even if a stu“Nobody on the math team is that much smarter or more natudent does not have good chance of winning, they are guaranteed rally talented than the rest of the student body at math — we just to learn something new while practicing their math skills. work hard,” Schindler said. “If whatever you’re working towards “Our competitions encompass a foreign realm of math, far is meaningful to you, then it’s all worth it.” « different from that seen in the classroom,” Schindler said. “We news writer

B art by AUDREY KOCHER

Not so new features editor

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eople from all over the nation fill Times Square awaiting the dropping of the bright, shiny ball. On Dec. 31, the air is not just a mixture of gases; it is laced with excitement, adventure and promise. Eyes turn to the giant screen as the sound of a thousand voices counting down resounds through the city. The sky then fills with an explosion of fireworks and the new year officially commences.

However, in the aftermath of this glamorous celebration comes a visit from our consciences. In these moments, we are susceptible to sentimentality and acknowledge the things that we could have done differently. And thus, the New Year’s resolution is born.

For some reason, our culture stresses the importance of New Year’s resolutions. Society emphasizes change because it seems to think that the new year equals a new start.

Despite the appeal of this philosophy, it is completely untrue. Although we can now look forward to creatively morphing a three into a four when we write the year incorrectly, we ourselves will probably not transform into better individuals.

Sure, most have tried to maintain their resolutions, and props to them for having attempted to change, but it just doesn’t work. For example, in 2010, I resolved to make my bed every day in the hopes of it becoming a life-long habit.

Well, it’s been four years, and I can bet that at this very moment my pillows are strewn across the floor, the sheets are crumpled up at the end of my bed and the covers are twisted into a pile.

We form these propositions in our minds and may even execute them, but then as we get caught up in the whirlwind of life, they fade to just another unaccomplished goal.

In reality, resolutions are fleeting; to confirm this fact, just ask yourself how many you’ve actually managed to keep (congratulations if you can answer more than zero). So why then do resolutions receive so much hype and recognition?

Because of the holiday spirit.

If we actually want to become healthier individuals, we need to abandon the idea that the new year is the only time for change and reflect more during the year when we are away from the holiday happiness haze and are actually living our lives. We push bettering ourselves off to one part of the year when we have free time to devote to our resolutions, forgetting that change is gradual and requires constant surveillance.

Resolutions should not be some sought-after idea. They must arise in current conditions because only if the problem is timely will we devote energy into fixing it.

The ephemeral, shallow quality of a New Year’s resolution needs to be shed. People should make goals throughout the year and realistically assess what they can do in the long run because otherwise, the resolution becomes some far-fetched dream. Reflection needs to occur in the moment, not months later. This year, try to fix bad habits when they occur. That way, next year you won’t fall into the trap of a New Year’s resolution, since you’ll already be chipping away at a more realistic problem. « (This column reflects the opinion of the writer.)

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#DoubleTake

Panorama scoured the school for students who resemble famous entertainers... Here are the results:

Know someone who should be in the double take? Scan the QR code or visit laduetoday.com/ double-take to submit your suggestions! sophomore Ben Cobin

Anton Yelchin from “Star Trek”

Lorde, singer of “Royals” Kendall Jenner, reality senior Sophie Aroesty TV star (Celebrity photos courtesy of onlocationvacations.com, stylebistro.com, odt.co.nz; student photos by Sarah Kessel and Jeanne Wilkinson)

junior Natalie Jacobsen

panorama

January 6, 2013

FEATURES

The tassle was worth the hassle features writer

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s the final bell rang before winter break, students rushed from their classrooms filled with glee, excited to celebrate the holidays and have a break from school. However, they knew they would be returning to those hallways come January. A few students, though, walked out of school knowing their days as high school students had come to an end.

Seniors Nadia Duncan and Austin Jennings were two of these students deciding to graduate early after completing their credit requirements.

Although each had a different reason for wanting to graduate early, they both had to stay determined in order to fulfill their credits.

These students feel that they have already gotten everything out of the high school experience and are now looking forward to attending college earlier than their peers. Jennings chose this route not only because he wants to have a chance to adjust to college life, but because he wants to follow in the footsteps of his two older brothers, who also graduated a semester early.

“[My parents] kept on top of me think if students are willing to put the time into it, they can graduate early.” so that I could graduate early because Such a big feat cannot be accomthey knew I wanted to,” Jennings said. “But they let me make the deciplished alone. These students needed not only the support of their friends sion on my own.”

While Jennings and Duncan are and family, but also of the teachers and administrators at the school. graduating a semester early, some Evans is especially grateful to her students graduate an entire year before the rest of their class. Junior college counselor, Scott Cornwell, and guidance counselor, Joyce Davis, Emily Evans is one of those students interested in taking the next step in for their advice on how to go about this process. Resource teacher, Maryher adult life.

“I chose to graduate early because I knew I It was a lot of work, but it wasn’t was ready for colextremely difficult. I think if lege,” Evans said. students are willing to put the “I really want to move on and focus time into it, they can graduate on my real passion, early. creative writing.”

- junior Emily Evans The decision is tough, and it takes quite a bit of Beth Dutch, also acted as an influential factor in her decision. additional work to obtain all of the required credits to graduate early.

One person that is very involved with every student that graduates Both Duncan and Jennings had to take two English classes during their early is Principal Brad Griffith. A final semester. Evans had to take even student interested in ending his high more extra classes, since she is going school career before his peers has to to miss an entire year of school. In or- meet with Griffith regularly.

“I know Mr. Griffith is really der to graduation, she took six online courses over the summer. busy,” Duncan said. “But he still “It was a lot of work, but it wasn’t makes the time to meet with me and extremely difficult,” Evans said. “I make sure I have everything in order.”

“

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Select students graduate early

Principal input is vital to ensure that students have a plan after graduating. Griffith can also give essential advice to the students.

“When anybody is graduating early, you want to hear what their plans and objectives are,” Griffith said. “I like to hear those reasons and offer any guidance or support that I can.”

One thing that cannot be overlooked is the fact that these students will miss a lot of school-sponsored activities that come with senior year.

They will miss senior prom, graduating with their class and more.

“I am sad about missing prom and a lot of other events,” Duncan said, “However, I think the trade-off is definitely worth it.”

Hopefully each student will gain what they want out of this decision.

Jennings plans to take a few classes at Meramec Community College before transferring to Missouri University of Science and Technology in the fall.

Duncan plans on heading to University of Missouri-Columbia for the spring semester and will transfer to Evergreen State College the following semester. Evans, who will finish out the school year and graduate in the spring with the senior class, will begin college next year at Eckerd

OUT THE DOOR • Senior Austin Jennings leaves the world of the high school behind. He is one of three students who is graduating before the rest of his peers. (Photo by Sydney Ellis) College. Whatever their path, each graduate is excited to head out into the real world and experience college as soon as possible.

“Graduating early was the best decision I ever made,” Evans said. “I feel even more accomplished than I would have, had I graduated in four years. I think this is a real feat, and I’m really proud of myself.” «

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panorama

A&E

January 6, 2013

St. Louis Manifesto Many native St. Louisans tire of the city’s perceived monotony. With this section, we aim to shed light off the beaten path and to help people discover St. Louis anew. Countless field trips and family outings to the Arch or Forest Park dilute the splendor of these actually impressive attractions. After a lifetime of the same old things, we long for the excitement of newness. St. Louis Manifesto aims to showcase the city’s hidden gems. « a&e editor

This month: The loop (Photos by Karen Figenshau)

Piccione

6197 Delmar Blvd.

subterranean books

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pen until 11p.m., Piccione caters to many eager customers daily. Despite long business hours, the pastries offered are always fresh. The skilled pastry chefs bake small batches with strictly fresh ingredients from scratch. The Piccione family has been in St. Louis for nearly 100 years. Carrying on the legacy of baking, Piccione maintains Italian tradition in a metropolitan setting. The spacious bakery offers a bright, modern environment to enjoy old-time treats like cannolis and bumboloni. In June and December, Piccione gives back through Pastries With a Purpose mission. For each of these months, ten percent of all pastry sales benefit six local charities. «

Macrosun

6273 Delmar blvd.

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nriching the already diverse environment of the Delmar Loop, MacroSun provides spiritual and cultural exploration in the Midwest. Stepping into the small of burning incense, one is immersed in the cultures of the Himalayas and South Asia. The store was founded by Gil Williams after he returned from volunteer work in Tibet, Nepal and India. In his travels, Williams made friends with the artisans, craftspeople and families. Inspired by these newfound friendships, Williams returned to St. Louis with a vision to bridge the Eastern and Western hemispheres through the medium of art. MacroSun’s main purpose centers on fair trade. Essentially, it works directly with artisans to ensure fair prices. All of the merchandise in the store, from sandals, to traditional skirts, to jewelry, to Buddhist and Hindu statues and art are handmade. The knowledgeable staff enthusiastically explains the merchandise to the inexperienced customer. «

6275 delmar blvd.

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his quaint book shop offers a wide variety of works often unavailable at larger book stores. The store pays homage to the St. Louis native William S. Burroughs and his friends of the beat era. Though the selection of books is small relative to that of other stores, it is diverse and well-organized. Aside from books, one can find T-shirts with graphics of iconic novels and authors or a small art gallery in the back of the store. The staff creates hand-written recommendations on featured books, which are a perfect way to find a new read. With e-Readers changing the dynamic of reading, the independent, personal nature of Subterranean offers a break from today’s technology-heavy society. «

panorama

January 6, 2013

A&E

9

The struggle of finding a good movie on Netflix Plenty of fantastic shows flood instant streaming, but where are all the movies? a&e editor

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hree weeks of my life; that would be my guess for how much time I’ve spent being entertained by Netflix.

Countless series, including acclaimed dramas like “Mad Men,” “Walking Dead,” “Breaking Bad,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “Skins” are great, and the hilarious “New Girl” is hard to stop once started. However, what isn’t as easy to find is a good movie.

Netflix has an abundance of trashy movies, and I’m going to sift through the garbage and find what is worth watching.

The best horror films walk the fine line between unsettling and disturbing, while keeping it classy (in a relative manner). A prime example of this is Roman Polanski’s “Rosemary’s Baby,” the 1968 release starring Mia Farrow as Rosemary, a new wife that has just moved into a lavish New York apartment with her husband. The less said before seeing the movie the better, but it is currently streaming on Netflix instant. “Cabin in the Woods” is a brilliant 2012 release that looks like another dumb horror movie on the surface, but is actually one of the most clever movies of the decade so far. It’s a great parody of typical scary movies, while being creepy in its own right. Another film that delivers a spooky ride is the David Fincher thriller “Zodiac,” based off the true events that took place in San Francisco in the ‘70s.

Tarantino fans gather round and take it in. Netflix instant streaming has Quentin Tarantino’s three ‘70s flicks: his debut “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Jackie Brown.” “Pulp Fiction” is commonly thought of as a landmark of film narrative and one of the best movies of all time. All of these great films

are lined with intensity, with each scene having a unique feeling of unpredictability and drama soaked in violence. Tarantino skipped the baby steps into the film industry and kicked the ‘90s into a new kind of crime drama.

There are a lot of light comedy and fluffy movies on Netflix. However, most of them are not watchable, unless you like C-list, lowbudgeted comedies that try way too hard. For a funny movie you might not have seen, “Safety Not Guaranteed” is a down-to-earth comedy about a few journalists investigating a man’s claim of time-travel. Otherwise, classics you’ve seen 15 times are easier to find, like “The Breakfast Club” or “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” I’m not going to complain; if there are any movies I’ve already seen that I’d happily watch again, they’re them.

Categories are necessary to sift through the hidden treasures that Netflix holds, but these are my personal favorites. The 2011 thriller “Drive,” directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, is a stylistic piece of drama and action, with a hauntingly silent Ryan Gosling starring as driver, who works as a part-time stunt man. Carey Mulligan plays the neighbor who tangles our protagonist up in a web of crime. Driver proves to be a bit more psychotic than I thought by the end of the movie.

Quietly advertised in the “watch again” row of Netflix is “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” a sci-fi romance starring the usually quirky Jim Carrey and an indecisive Kate Winslet.

In this heart wrenching film by Michael Gondry, a couple goes through the procedure to erase each other from their memories after a rough breakup. But Joel, played by Carrey, realizes half-

REWIND • Guy Pearce plays Leonard in “Memento,”

Christopher Nolan’s 2000 movie. Leonard suffers from an accident where he lost his ability to form new memories, but is on path of vengeance to kill the man that murdered his wife. (Photo courtesy of www.otnemem.com) way through the morbid process that this isn’t what he wants, and attempts to end it within his mind. What ensues is easily one of the most original and brain/heart-melting movies I’ve ever seen.

Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t have Christopher Nolan’s epic “Dark Knight” trilogy, but it does have his first masterpiece, “Memento.” Nolan takes his brother’s short story about a crime-solving man with no short-term memory and turns it into a detailed, mind-piercing tale of Leonard’s (Guy Pearce) revenge on a mystery man that murdered his wife. On top of the film’s interesting story line, the movie’s scenes play out backwards.

“Memento” isn’t one of those movies you can multitask during.

I can’t list every good movie on Netflix, but hopefully I’ve shed light on something new. Honorable mentions include “Requiem for a Dream” and “Battle Royale.” «

The epitome of local Momos satisfies even the Greek food lies in U. City tamest of Greek food fans at the bar and high and low tables.

Everyone who works there is young, a&e writer so that prevented it from giving me the old world feel of it all, and the t is a death wish to say that customers were very diverse, which someone cooked anything better is always a plus. The European-style than your grandmother, but in the case of Momos Ouzaria Taverna on the corner of Delmar and North and South Road, there were several items they genuinely made better than my dear old Yiayia (which is Greek for grandmother).

Besides the belly dancers that perform six days a week at 7:30 p.m. (yes, there really are belly dancers there), the first two things you notice when you walk in are that it is much bigger than it appears – it’s almost on clown car level – and the very Mediterranean design of the restaurant.

The walls are a brushed pink, the ceiling a stunning royal blue and the bar a bright teal. And there service was absolutely ideal: my waitare more seating arrangements than ress mainly just let me be and only in your house: you could sit next to a came around when it was necessary fireplace, on couches and loveseats, to take plates and order more food,

I

which allowed me to unknowingly stay there for nearly two hours.

I started off with saganaki ($9), which is Greek cheese that is flambéed at the table, and pita bread. The best part of it is when you cut off a piece and roll a triangle of pita bread around it and you get all that pure melted cheese with the pita – you can make a meal just out of that.

Next up were the baconwrapped olives ($8). If you need to watch your sodium intake, stay far away from these because they are 80 percent salt by weight. Stuffed with goat cheese and served four on each skewer, the three distinct flavors worked together nicely.

Their entrées were, first of all, less spectacular than the smaller dishes, or mezes, so next time I go I’ll probably just stick with the mezes. After all the pita, olives and cheeses were gone, I tried the gyro and kabobs. The gyros are all open-faced with your choice

of six different proteins, from steak to traditional lamb to grouper and shrimp. I chose the steak one ($12), which is served with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, olives, cucumbers and pepperoncini and topped with feta and, of course, Tzatziki.

Since the gyro didn’t immediately fit in the pita, it comes in a mountain that I decided to work down enough to where I could roll it up. It was more complex than a traditional gyro, which was a nice change, and the steak was grilled just right. It can get messy though, so ask for a few more napkins before digging in.

The second entrée I ordered was the lamb kabobs skewered with bell peppers and onions with a red wine reduction sauce and lemon oregano potatoes ($11). The red wine reduction was the undoubted star here. It mixed perfectly with the beautifully grilled vegetables. The dish comes with way more potatoes than I could finish, which is nice of them, but probably unnecessary, and they were very Greek-style and reminded me fondly of Greek dinners at home.

The dessert menu is small, but of a high quality. Amongst baklava, two kinds of bread pudding, ice cream and chocolate phyllo, I chose the ginger crème brûlée. Plated elegantly with powdered sugar and fruit, it was another success. It has a sort of seasonal flavor to it, which made it perfect for a chilly winter evening.

Momos truly has Greek food down. I have no major complaints about anything I ate, only compliments, and the service was terrific. It would fit in admirably in Greektown up in Chicago. With the tons of menu items, I don’t believe that you could ever be done with it either. Go and enjoy some quality time with your friends or significant other over great food and entertainment at Momos. «

WRAPPED IN MEAT •

The bacon-wrapped olives were a little on the salty side, but were a minor setback in an otherwise very successful trip to Momos, the modestly priced Greek restaurant located in University City. (Photo

by Elyse Mack)

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PHOTO

Whoa, baby!

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s vehemently as may students may deny it, teachers are people too. Like us, their mothers keep hoards of baby pictures, from the embarrassing and silly to the adorable and sweet. Though the photos may fade, the memories they captured will not. This is the magic in a picture; it freezes a moment in time and allows it to be revisited again and again. Whether it reminds us of freezing mittens after sledding on Art Hill or the time Uncle Ned dropped the entire turkey at Thanksgiving, a picture sparks new perspective on a past event. Photography allows us to capture our thoughts in a single press of a button.

These photos, worn, loved and faded are the childhood memories of our beloved Ladue teachers. Can you determine which picture belongs to which teacher? Scan the QR code at the bottom right-hand side of this page with your smart phone or visit laduetoday.com to reveal the answers!

panorama

January 6, 2013

panorama

January 6, 2013

OPINIONS

11

CUTTING TO THE COMMON CORE

Do the Common Core State Standards benefit the education system?

Yes. The uniform benchmarks help states with typically poor performance. opinions writer

I

n 2010, the Missouri State Board of Education voted to adopt the Common Core State Standards.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a federal program that defines what students are expected to have learned at each grade level.

While many Missouri school districts have been slowly transitioning over the past years, the new standards are set to be fully implemented across the state during the 2014-2015 school year, according to corestandards.org.

As compared to Missouri’s previous course-level expectations, the new Common Core Standards are far more rigorous, raising the bar for students.

The implementation of such federal educational standards is imperative in ensuring the future success of students. They benefit the education system by ensuring that all states are held to the same standards, eliminat-

ing variations in states’ individual standards and placing emphasis on important skills.

The main purpose of the Common Core State Standards is to provide students with the tools and resources for success post-secondary education. It comes as no surprise that America is falling behind academically as compared to its neighboring countries. Results from a test administered by the Program for International Student Assessment in 2012 show that American students’ skills are mediocre, especially in math and science.

Most experts agree that something needs to be done in order to improve America’s academic standing. The increased rigor and focus outlined by the Common Core State Standards should leave students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle real-world problems, and thus, better prepare them to compete on a global platform. The standards would boost American competitiveness.

No. The standards have little input from teachers, they may be too difficult, and they encourage ‘textbook worship’ instead of genuine learning. opinions writer

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chools in the United States have changed their ways to keep up with highly progressive nations, but so far, there have been few positive results. In an attempt to boost the United States’ academic competitiveness, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers sponsored the Common Core State Standards Initiative. In June 2010, Missouri adopted the Common Core State Standards, which detail what students in public schools should know in English and math at the end of each grade from kindergarten through 12th grade. According to kansascity.com, “the standards set common learning targets in math and English language arts, then leave the curriculum and lesson plans to the discretion and creativity of schools and teachers.” The standards may sound like a great idea, but they entail several disadvantages which may cause lasting problems in the education system.

Few people actually understand the standards. One math benchmark for thirdgrade students is to “understand a fraction as a number on the number line and represent fractions on a number line diagram.”

Seventh-graders should be able to “conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.”

Currently, each state can set its own unique academic standards and assessments. The variability in the quality of education that each

of socioeconomic status, ethnicity or location. Such standards would level the playing field for all students and ensure a basic competency level.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative’s mission statement is to

“provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected art by ELAINE ZHANG to learn, so teachers student receives as and parents a result of this practice leaves many know what they need to do to help states without equal opportunities. them.” By implementing a concise set Having Common Core Standards of educational standards, it creates a implemented throughout the country well-controlled and organized system would provide each student with the that can effectively and efficiently same quality of education, regardless deliver the necessary content. Unlike

The Common Core State Standards website, corestandards. org, states all Missouri public school districts will have implemented the standards for the 2014-2015 school year. 45 states and several U.S. territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the American Samoa Islands, have adopted the standards.

On paper, the system seems logical and engaging, but in reality, the Common Core curriculum presents a number of issues. Critics point to the faster pace of learning as a major problem. Some material that has

art by AUDREY KOCHER

historically been taught in the second grade will now be taught in the first grade. Some kids may be able to adjust to this change by having been better educated in pre-kindergarten years, but others will struggle to keep up with the new standards. This accelerated

much of today’s curriculum, which is a mile wide and an inch deep, the curriculum outlined by the standards focuses specifically on the development of specific skills and knowledge.

According to commoncore.org, 45 states, including Missouri, as well as the District of Columbia and four territories, have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Instead of operating as sole units, the implementation of the standards allows states to effectively and efficiently collaborate for the advancement of education.

Collaboration is a key aspect of the educational process, and the standards allow teachers to gather knowledge from their peers. Rather than relying on state resources, a new pool of resources becomes available to both the students and teachers.

Such a system puts the entire educational community on the same page, streamlining and simplifying the educational process.

Implementation of the Common Core State Standards is not easy or quick. Teachers have to make adjustments to their teaching methods, new materials have to be developed and many students are forced to learn at a quicker pace. Despite these challenges, the standards benefit the education system and are long overdue. «

learning is ultimately supposed to match the education levels of other countries. Pushing young kids too hard at a young age can cause them to fall behind and change their attitudes about school altogether. Setting high goals is not necessarily a bad thing, but pushing kids to meet all of the standards may be too challenging, even for strong students. Students could easily begin to feel discouraged or overwhelmed with the initiative’s more demanding benchmarks.

Critics of the standards have noticed that with the standards, high school students read less literature and instead focus more on textbooks and homework. This is a huge problem. Many classes have the horribly dull routine of “textbook worship” in which one must learn everything in a boring textbook. Instead, the standards should focus outside of textbooks on subjects like classical literature, because the knowledge one can gain by reading classics is indispensable. The standards encourage students to be able to perform certain skills and tasks instead of encouraging them to learn independently.

The effect on teachers may be the largest problem with the whole system. Teachers must now adopt the standards into their lessons, forcing them to throw out their past methods. Not only are students not used to learning in this manner, but teachers are not accustomed to the new standards.

According to rethinkingschools. org, “of the 135 members on the official Common Core review panels . . . few were classroom teachers or current administrators.”

It’s absurd that few teachers were involved in the review process because they have teaching experience and are essentially responsible for helping students meet the standards.

The Common Core State Standards sound great, but their lack of teacher input and excessive rigor on students damage the education system. «

12

OPINIONS

Annie-way...

art by AUDREY KOCHER

Older and wiser opinions editor

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er eyes were wide as she said it.

“And the funny thing was, he ended up being a murderer!”

And thus ended another one of my Mimi’s stories.

Mimi is my grandmother, my mom’s mom. She has four children and 13 grandchildren. She owns her own business where she works full-time. She makes the best matzo ball soup in the world. And she has a penchant for spouting absurd nonsequiters, usually following some uproariously entertaining story. In fact, I keep a running list of some of her best lines on my phone. Here are just a few examples, all the more hilarious without context: “I went through a phase when I got perms.”

“Office Max and Office Depot are merging because together they feel they can fight Staples.”

“I don’t like men coming with me when I shop.”

Mimi is one of my absolute favorite people in the universe, someone who has been a positive influence on me for my entire life. I value her wisdom and wit so much. Like many women her age, Mimi refuses to divulge exactly how old she is. I’d just venture to guess it’s somewhere between 60 and 100 (though she would look very good for a 100-year-old).

The bottom line is, though she may not care to admit it, Mimi is one of the oldest people I know. As a result of this, she is also one of the most interesting, special people that I know.

As a person obsessed with both history and pop culture (as well as the history of pop culture), talking to Mimi is like talking to living history. She can offer her own memories of the Kennedy assassination and even tell me what she had for dinner that fateful day (leftover beef stew). Mimi will intrigue me for hours with tales of how my grandfather was rock n’ roll icon Chuck Berry’s sole furniture supplier in the ‘50s and ‘60s. She’ll tell stories of driving out with my grandfather to the musician’s compound in rural Missouri for a consultation aof passing signs pierced with bullet holes from racists who were upset that the black Chuck Berry was living in the area.

To think that my beloved Mimi had brushes with celebrities like this never fails to make me smile.

Basically, what I’m getting at is that we as teenagers need to always value the older people in our lives. After all, they’ve been around longer than us, and with age comes wisdom.

One of my favorite comedians is Louis C.K. He once said, “If an old person and a young person get into an argument, the old person automatically wins. Even if they are wrong, their wrongness is rooted in more experience.” There is truth in this statement. These older people have been around the block more than us. They know what they’re talking about. It’s no secret that teenagers tend to believe that we are all-knowing.

But in the grand scheme of things, we still have an awful lot to learn.

Just as younger people hold the keys to the future, older people hold the keys to the past. They’ve lived the stories that we only hear about. They are an invaluable asset to our society, both on a large and small scale.

So next time you have dinner with your grandparents, or any older people for that matter, don’t hesitate to really talk to them. Chances are, they’ll have interesting stories just like Mimi’s. Life is amazing, and so are the people who live it. « (This column reflects the opinion of the writer.)

panorama

January 6, 2013

Staff EDITORIAL

Students must modify their behavior at school events We at Ladue hold ourselves to pretty high standards. We discrepancy between the way we act inside and outside of school reject accusations of our supposed “drug problem,” we stand by creates an unbalanced environment. This insanely inappropriate Newsweek’s decision to rank us No. 1 in the state and we conbehavior reflects on every single one of us. tinue to do everything we can to prove them right. For We love to act innocent in front of the administration, but as example, we do not represent this community with soon as they disappear from our presence at a “holier than thou” attitude, rather we recog2:25 p.m. on a Friday, our morals disapnize our faults (cheating culture) pear with them. For those of you who and work to improve them are thinking, “but I don’t act that (by writing about them here rowdy,” well, think again. Unfortuin the Panorama). That’s nately, you attend a school district what sets us apart from that, for the majority, currently views neighboring districts who weekends as total freedom from the rules. refuse to change; when Let us back up really quick; we are not we know we messed up, implying that kids are running up and down we do everything in our Warson lighting things on fire and shooting power to come out even their veins with heroin. What we really stronger. It’s been said mean is, Ladue is a “bubble” and that Ladue tends to running your sailor mouth while brush things under representing this fine institution is the rug, but this totally wrong. For that behavior could not be any further Newsweek might as well repeal our from the truth.

No. 1 status. The double standard art by STEELE STEWART With that being said, it’s time that must go, so let’s all make a pact we discuss another issue among us: fan together. We know we’re part of the problem, now etiquette. Look, we all know that chanting “f--it’s time to be part of the solution. [insert school name here],” applauding injury and taunting opSporting events can be extremely fun without the unnecessary posing fans is wrong, so why do we continue to act this way? We violence and vulgarity, so next time just shout “what time is it!” can no longer be hypocrites, jeering slurs during sporting events because we can assure you, your classmates will follow suit – it’s on a Friday night but then modeling our Lilly Pulitzer dresses Ladue nature. « (Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of Panorama staff.) and perfect smiles back at school on Monday. Having such a

Staff EDITORIAL Unforeseen costs create problems, are often unnecessary Ladue currently has a $75 activity fee for any student who participates in a Missouri State High School Activities Association sport or activity, which includes Speech and Debate, Quizbowl and MSHSAA-sponsored instrumental and vocal events.

The fee covers all activities a student participates in, and each family is capped at $150 if they have multiple students participating in activities.

Relatively speaking, the fee is reasonable and necessary to offset the cost of these activities, and any student in financial need can have the fee easily waived. But it is not the blanket MSHSAA fee that causes issues. It’s the copious amounts of quarter zips, field trips and hidden costs that leave some behind.

Shelling out $15 for a single T-shirt doesn’t typically rekindle memories of the Great Depression, but when new apparel is required for every club, every sport and every competition, prices add up. Not getting a T-shirt for a given sport or club is hardly detrimental to one’s performance, but no one wants to be the only member out of uniform. Not buying excessive amounts of activity memorabilia doesn’t make

art by ASHLEY TURNER

someone less of a member, but we convince ourselves of its importance and continue writing the check.

One of the main culprits of eliciting guilt at lack of monetary participation is the bear that is the Advanced Placement exam.

AP exams are administered by the College Board, which proudly labels itself as a nonprofit organization, but in actuality makes over half of its revenue on AP exams alone. At $89 per exam, students can easily spend into the upper hundreds in the hopes of writing off the greater costs of the courses they could potentially be exempt from in college as a result of their scores.

However, an increasing number of schools have begun to drop AP exam credit altogether, including the Ivy League institution Dartmouth College, which will not accept any AP scores for college credit starting with the Class of 2018.

Dartmouth decided to change its policy after becoming increasingly suspicious as to what a 5 on an AP exam truly meant.

Dartmouth’s psychology department decided to give incoming students who had scored a 5 on the AP Psychology exam the final exam for its Psych 1 class. More than 90 percent of the students failed the Psych 1 exam. So why is it necessary to spend hundreds of dollars for an outcome that often never comes to fruition?

Rather than blindly buying quarter zips and letting them collect dust in the bottom of our closets, we need to start asking ourselves, our peers and our coaches some questions. Are these $98 Lululemon leggings really necessary for improving dance technique? Will this $500 Journalism trip really make me a shooin for the New York Times? Would I really be in this club if it weren’t for the cool sweatshirts? Unless we can honestly answer these questions with a definitive yes, a line needs to emerge between what is necessary for participation and what is purely an indulgence eating our bank accounts. « (Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of Panorama staff.)

panorama

January 6, 2013

OPINIONS

13

Out with taboo, in with the new The Fig Picture LGBT progress aided by TV, film and progressive politicians opinions writer

O

ur culture has come a long way in the past 100 years.

We’ve extended more rights to women, African Americans and other groups whose rights were often ignored or blatantly infringed upon. Despite this progress for certain groups, the LGBT community has experienced a much slower rate of acceptance, a rate that increased dramatically in the 2000s and continues to speed toward equality. The future is bright, but still far away. Thankfully, positive media influence and celebrity role models at the forefront of the acceptance movement have expedited progress.

For most of the 20th century, homosexuality was not only a taboo discussion topic, but a condemned lifestyle that was either kept hidden or treated as a major psychological defect. Until 1973, homosexuality was listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s handbook of mental disorders.

Twenty years later, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” effectively lifted the military’s barring of gay and lesbian personnel from service, but simultaneously promoted the age-old policy of requiring that gay military personnel keep their sexual orientations secret. The Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, further trampled on rights by asserting that no state was required to recognize samesex marriage, even if another state did.

It looked like the nation was heading backwards, but LGBT supporters expressed themselves in everyday life and the media. Celebrities came out, and homosexuality was addressed in popular TV shows.

In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage. Since then, more than 15 states have joined it through legislation and civilian voting.

Although many states still ban same-sex marriage and even other forms of union, current trends suggest that they too will eventually extend marriage rights and move toward equality.

Right now, it seems almost impossible that conservative states like Texas or South Carolina would ever release their ban on same-sex unions, let alone legalize same-sex marriage and socially accept its legitimacy. Firmly conservative states will be the last ones to enact these laws, but all it will take is a new breed 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 Panorama strives to inform and 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 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 edit submissions as long as the original intent remains unaltered. «

of politicians to refresh and redefine the Republican party and promote younger, more forward-thinking ideas.

The generation currently holding office comes from those times of taboo and concealment of identity. These baby boomers and some older members of Generation X hold the same view that they were raised with because that view was the norm for most of their lives. As soon as the next generation of Republican politicians emerges, along with more forward-thinking new voters, more progressive social policies will appear in traditionally Republican-dominated areas.

Millenials (people born between 1980 and the early 2000s) grew up in times of coming out and celebrating the LGBT community with pride. Much of this is due to media and its large influence on culture. Popular movies like “Brokeback Mountain” and “Milk” began to explore themes of sexuality in the early 2000s. The large audiences of both of these movies helped to establish the normalcy that homosexuality is beginning to experience in American society.

Even the addition of gay characters in shows like “Glee” and “Pretty Little Liars” create new social norms reflective of changing times.

In addition, popular celebrities have contributed to the changing times by coming out to the public. Broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper and British Olympic diver Tom Daley have most recently garnered attention and, more importantly, support, after revealing their homosexuality to viewers and fans. When political and cultural figures come out, it only fuels more exposure and declassification of sexuality as a topic of conversation and a lifestyle. Ideally, the movement would accelerate without stimulus from celebrities, art b y AS HL but they have helped nonetheless EY TUR NER by humanizing and personifying the LGBT movement worldwide.

Although the LGBT community experienced persecution and denial of rights until very recently, media exposure and new political faces and voters will complete the trend of forward-moving political action and eventually allow same-sex marriage to be recognized as legitimate and socially accepted. «

December issue correction: • on pg. 5, as it states in the article, PulteGroup purchased the former Ladue Early Childhood Center property for residential development.

SPORTS EDITORS Aaron Bry Jason Kaplan

(Photo by Jillian Proehl)

ART EDITORS Audrey Kocher Ashley Turner

BUSINESS MANAGERS Andrew Cherrick Nick Nash

WEB MASTER Warren Biest

WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Justin Cole

PLEASE RECYCLE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Chloe An Emily Biest A&E Editors Karen Figenshau Charlie Garside

Features Editors Sarah Jacob Sabrina Medler News Editors Ali Gold Alli Loynd

Opinions Editors Annie Cohen Mike Figenshau PHOTO EDITORS Elyse Mack Jeanne Wilkinson

WEB EDITORS Yoav Kadan Rachel Wagner-Muns Sarah Kessel WRITERS Juliann Bi Will Deutch Salim Douaihy Hannah Frankel Levi Greenberg Hayden Hunt

Jacob Jacob Bram Levy Michael Petersen Hannah Schwartz Janey Sheth Hannah Snidman Andrew Tsiaklides WEB WRITER Henok Getahun

PHOTOGRAPHERS Sydney Ellis Sammy Leary Magda Lijowska Jessica Puyo Jenna Shanker Danielle Thompson Emma Weller ARTISTS Juliann Bi Ting Ding Matthew Hooper Mary Xiao Elaine Zhang Eric Zhu ADVISER Jillian Proehl

art by AUDREY KOCHER

Legalizing the world’s oldest profession opinions editor

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ecently, movements to legalize marijuana and samesex marriage have gained traction in the United States. Conversely, the world’s oldest, and perhaps most controversial, profession has failed to achieve normalcy and legalization. The problem with prostitution in the status quo is simple: although prostitution is inevitable, the industry is precluded from governmental regulation and legal protection. This lack of oversight causes the industry’s problems.

I know it sounds crazy, but in essence, prostitution is simply a service-based profession, and it should be legalized and regulated just like other service-based professions.

It’s ironic that consenting adults can have all the sex they want and receive compensation for it – in the pornographic industry. Why is that treated differently from prostitution? Is receiving money in exchange for sex only permissible if it is being filmed, edited, produced and distributed? The government regulates a ton of morally controversial activities, like gambling, alcohol, tobacco and stripping. Prostitution should be treated the same.

I do not support the practice of prostitution, but I do support its legalization. Most opponents of legalization argue that prostitution condones the humiliation of women. As New York Director of Equality Now Lauren Hersh states, “Society dehumanizes people in prostitution, treating them as secondclass citizens at best. Stigma prevents prostituted people from accessing adequate health care and places them at higher risk of violence by abusers who often act with impunity.”

The main problem with Hersh’s argument is that people in prostitution are treated as second-class citizens because their profession is illegal. When prostitutes are considered criminals under the law, the rest of the public perceives them as criminals. If prostitution were legalized and regulated, prostitutes would have more legal protection, which would humanize them instead of dehumanize them. Regulation would not only allow, but require prostitutes to receive frequent checkups and testing for sexually transmitted infections. In addition, prostitutes would be encouraged to contact law enforcement if they are abused. Currently, prostitutes rarely contact the police because even if they are victimized, they too are treated as criminals. Their criminal status adds insult to injury.

Many opponents of prostitution argue that prostitutes are victims of johns and pimps, but sex work can be a victimless act if women are allowed to sell their bodies of their own volition. Cornell law Professor Sherry Colb contends, “Prostitution should not be a crime. Prostitutes are not committing an inherently harmful act. While the spread of disease and other detriments are possible in the practice of prostitution, criminalization is a sure way of exacerbating rather than addressing such effects.” Legalization and regulation of prostitution would substantially reduce, if not eliminate, the heinous abuse of underage prostitutes and desperately impoverished women who are trafficked into the U.S. to become involved in underground prostitution rings.

Prostitution isn’t going away anytime soon. The government can maintain its criminal status and continue to allow a unscrupulous industry run amok, or it can regulate the industry and extend to prostitutes the legal protections they desperately need. « (This column reflects the opinion of the writer.)

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panorama

SPORTS

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January 6, 2013

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Health and fitness 5-Minute Workout One minute of high knees

Run in place while bringing your knees high up so that your thighs are at least parallel to the ground.

30 seconds of squats

Stand with your feet shoulder length apart. Bend your knees and let your body sink toward the floor as if you were sitting in a chair. Once your thighs are parallel to the ground, stand up straight. Make sure to keep your back straight throughout the exercise.

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2

30 seconds of plank

Start in a push-up position and use your elbows and toes to hold your body up. Keep your legs and back as straight as possible.

One minute of side plank

Lie on your side using your elbow to hold you up. Keep your legs straight and raise your other arm in the air.

Do 30 seconds on each side.

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30 seconds of mountain climbers

Start in a push-up position, and then move your feet up slightly. Then alternate bringing your feet towards your hands and then back to the original position.

30 Seconds of toe touches

Start by lying flat on your back. Raise your legs up so they are perpindicular to the ground. Use your abdominal muscles to touch your toes.

with Coach Vincent Webb

sports editor

(Pictures of each exercise are numbered accordingly and modeled by Coach Webb.)

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(Photos by Jason Kaplan and Aaron Bry)

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t is now officially winter. That’s right – it is time to wear puffy jackets and put on a few pounds because no one is going to be wearing swimsuits anyway.

Wrong. Quite wrong, actually. Winter is the perfect time to get into impeccable shape. With that being said, there are some obstacles that winter brings. No one is expecting you to run five miles on the track in snow boots or to sprint up the stairs of the capital building, fists raised, in a Rocky-esque manner.

There are plenty of ways to stay active in the winter that will not force you to freeze as if you were in a class in the 280s hallway. One popular option is to join an indoor gym such as the Jewish Community Center or the Center of Clayton. However such an endeavor can be expensive.

Another option for students is to work out at the high school after school, as the weight room and gym are open every day.

But, who really wants to stay at school later than 2:25 p.m., or before then for that matter.

“The winter time is when people normally put on weight, because it is cold outside and people aren’t motivated,” coach Vincent Webb said. “You can combat this by working out at home and making the extra effort to stay motivated.”

Excuses can be made for not working out consistently, especially if you have to commute to a gym or coordinate rides home from school. But there are ways to stay in shape that do not require treadmills or weights. There are simple and easy-tolearn exercises that can be performed properly from the comfort of your own home, at any time. That’s right, all you need is a floor, and you can have toned muscles and a six-pack or a thin bikini body in time for spring break.

To reach optimal health, it is not only imperative to work out but also to eat healthy. Health is important for everyone and by spending just a couple minutes a day, yours can be improved. «

A healthy diet is essential to a healthy lifestyle Healthy options for breakfast:

Oatmeal, serving size .5 cup, 150 calories Banana, serving size 1 banana, 105 calories Whole grain cereal, serving size 1 cup, 170 calories

Healthy options for lunch:

Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread, serving size one, 370 calories.

Low-fat yogurt, serving size 1 cup, 200 calories Apple, serving size 1, 80 calories

Healthy options for dinner:

Brown rice, serving size 1 cup, 180 calories Grilled chicken breast, serving size, one breast 360 calories Broccoli, serving size .5 cup, 30 calories

art by AUDREY KOCHER

(Calorie counts from fooducate.com)

panorama

January 6, 2013

SPORTS

Vetta soccer

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Senior Sit-down Each month, Panorama sits down with a senior athlete. January’s athlete is Connor Spirtas from the boys basketball team.

Kids participate in indoor soccer league for fun sports writer

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his winter there have been a large number of students participating in recreational soccer leagues around the general Ladue area.

Indoor soccer is played differently from the traditional outdoor soccer game, with several different rules.

Some differences are that there are only six players on the field for one team, with no out-of-bounds except the upper netting. Instead, there are tall walls surrounding the entire field off which players are allowed to play the ball.

Several students from Ladue have put together teams in the sophomore and junior classes. Some of these teams include God’s Children and Los Diablos from the junior class and Indoor Milan, made up of sophomores.

The leagues in which they partake are part of Vetta Sports, a large indoor program with facilities around the St. Louis area since 1988.

“The league is about playing soccer for fun,” junior Austin Burton

LOS DIABLOS • Winding his leg back to kick, junior Michael Weilansky prepares a shot during a Vetta soccer

match. His team, Los Diablos, is currently 2-1 and enjoys weekly soccer matches versus local teams. They scored a huge win over another Ladue team and their main rivals, God’s Children, solidifying their reign over local recreational league sports. (Photo by Sarah Kessel) said. “We try to take it seriously but really it’s just for recreation.”

All three of these teams are composed of soccer players and non-soccer players alike. Included are students from the football, hockey and lacrosse teams.

“I had never played soccer before this,” sophomore Jeremy Levinson said. “You do not need to be good in order to play. It’s just a great way to have fun late on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Timing is a big issue among all the different teams. The downside to the league is the majority of the games are later than 11 p.m. Some don’t start until as late as midnight, requiring the

players to be out late, a true test of their commitment.

“The only thing I don’t like about the league is how late that the games are,” Burton said.

Some teams in the league choose to take the games more seriously than others. However, at the same time, some are just in it for the fun.

“I think our team cares more about having fun than winning,” Levinson said.

Besides having fun, for soccer players like Burton, who was a key defender for the varsity squad this fall prior to his season-ending injury, it gives him the opportunity to play different positions that he wouldn’t

normally have the chance to play. In Burton’s case, a normal defender gets to move up to the top as striker and have the chance to score some goals while playing at Vetta.

“I like that I get to play different positions that I don’t typically play,” Burton said. “Right now, I’m playing goalie because of my limited ability to move due to my recent hip injury [from] last season.”

Burton’s team, Los Diablos, currently have a 2-1 record with a big win over their main rivals, fellow Ladue team God’s Children.

These teams give all students the opportunity to play on a team sport. If interested, find a team to join. «

Drop your plans and hitch a ride to go cheer on your Rams at these must-see matchups:

• Jan. 11 - Boys Hockey vs. Summit @ Brentwood • Jan. 14 - Girls Basketball vs. MICDS @ Ladue • Jan. 22 - Boys Wrestling Tri-Meet @ Ladue • Jan. 27 - Boys Basketball @ John Burroughs Visit http://laduetoday.com/calendar-test/ for more upcoming events.

(Photo by Elyse Mack)

(Photos by Magda Lijowska)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Jason Kaplan: What are your expectations for the season?

CS: We plan on getting back to our conference championship and winning that for the third straight year, and we are looking forward to head back and play Chaminade in the district championship.

JK: How is the team working together this year?

CS: We are working really well.

There are a ton of young kids coming up in the program, but we still have a solid foundation from last year of returning starters. We are looking to keep pushing forward. We had a big win over McCluer-North and we are just trying to keep executing as a team together.

JK: What is your favorite part about basketball?

CS: My favorite part is hanging out with the guys and the friendships that will be there forever, especially with Cornell and Maddock because I’ve played with them for four years.

JK: How has the coaching staff shaped you as an athlete?

CS: They’ve helped improve my shooting a ton. I’ve always had lots of energy, but my shooting has really improved. «

16

panorama

COVER

January 6, 2014

Jackson Hummels

(Photos by Emily Biest)

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editor-in-chief

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W

(Photo by Chloe An)

(Photo by Chloe An)

Thomas Poon

(Photo by Jeanne Wilkinson)

(Photo courtesy of Jacob Smyth)

Jacob Smyth

hat can you do in six seconds? Tie your shoes?

Make a Vine? What about solve a Rubik’s cube?

Seventeen-year-old Mats Valk currently holds the world record of the fastest time to solve a Rubik’s cube – 5.55 seconds. Yet senior Luke Song, with the official best time of 9.72 seconds, isn’t too far behind.

“When I rode the bus in sixth grade, there was this really cool eighth grader who would always be sitting there solving his Rubik’s cube,” Song said. “I thought he was so cool, like unbelievably cool. He inspired me to try to be as cool as him, so I went out and bought a cube.”

Though he picked up the Rubik’s cube as a recreational hobby, Song got so fast that he attended the New Albany 2013 competition in New Albany, Ohio June 15. According to the World Cube Association, Song placed fifth in the Rubik’s cube division and 10th in the 2x2 cube division.

“I figured I’d might as well see how well I could do in a real tournament setting,” Song said. “Also, it’s cool to see your name and official time on the World Cube Association website.”

Along with the 2x2, Song has also solved a 4x4, a 5x5 and a Megaminx, a cube with 12 faces. For first-time cubers, he lends a few pieces of advice.

“When you solve the cube, you can’t just go through the motions of solving it because then you’ll never be fast,” Song said. “In order to be competitive and do well, you have to be one with the cube. When you do that, you merge the consciousness in a way that you don’t have to pause and look around to see what’s next; you know what’s next because you anticipate it because you are one entity.”

One student who has taken Song’s advice to heart is junior Thomas Poon. Poon picked up the Rubik’s cube in 2012 to pass the time with his cousins one summer in China.

“I just think Luke is crazy, but he is who I look up to and hope to beat one day when it comes to cubing,” Poon said. “I actually got my first speed cube from him.”

With a personal best of 22.41 seconds, Poon can often be seen with a cube twirling in his hands in downtime during class or in the halls. He hopes to attend a cubing competition, like Song, in the near future.

“I think that I’ll be cubing until my fingers don’t work anymore, because it just never gets boring for me,” Poon said.

Though Song does not plan to continue cubing competitively, he values the lessons he learned. If anything, he’ll remember one thing from his time cubing.

“Life is like a scrambled Rubik’s cube – you never know what you’re gonna get,” Song said. «

Among his friends, Hummels has become famous for his ability.

Even though he has tried on multiple occasions to teach someone else this trick, Hummels has never been successful in that regard.

“The first time [I saw Jackson do it], I was shocked,” freshman Joel Rosen said. “I chickened out when I tried to do it myself... I watch him and I just get sadder [that I can’t do it myself].”

Hummels’ ability always draws a crowd. However, he remains modest about this suprising skill.

“When people see me do it, they ask ‘How do you do that?’”

Hummels said. “But I only do it when people ask me to.” «

editor-in-chief

Luke Song

Luke Song & Thomas Poon

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2

Jack Proehl

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magine jumping rope, without a rope. Is it an impossible feat? Not for freshman Jackson Hummels, who uses his own body to accomplish this impressive trick.

To complete this act, Hummels grabs his left foot with his right hand.

He then proceeds to jump through the loop he has created, all without breaking contact with his foot or stumbling.

This sounds impressive, but seeing it in person is even better. However, the photo tutorial to the left provides a clear sense of Hummels’ talent.

“I figured out that I could do it last year in percussion class,” Hummels said. “I had a friend who tried to do it and failed, and I wanted to show him up.”

editor-in-chief

ith its creative and combative aspects, Minecraft attracts millions of players. However, junior Jack Proehl, who runs a popular server, and senior Jacob Smyth, who operates a Minecraft-related Youtube channel, have made the game more than a just casual pastime.

Proehl’s passion for Minecraft has evolved from a hobby into a part-time occupation. And according to minecraftservers.org, his server Daegonner is ranked 12th in the world.

“We run a dedicated server, so it’s kind of like what the school’s internet is running off of,” Proehl said. “People can play for free, but if they want an advantage [like] kits with armor, they pay for that with actual money. And that’s basically how the revenue works.”

Daegonner is a lucrative pastime for Proehl, as the server earns more than $25,000 each month. Proehl, owner Dwight Kim and programmer Craig Egeton run the server.

“I overlook staff, do programming projects for the servers, manage crash reports if [the server] crashes and anything with creativity,” Proehl said.

However, a server like Proehl’s is not the only way to become involved in Minecraft on a deeper level. Junior David Chou, who also has a long history playing Minecraft, explains another side to this aspect of the game.

“Sometimes servers can have whitelists,” Chou said.

“Whitelists means that only certain players that the server admin approves can come on... if the admin deems them worthy to come in, they are allowed a spot on the server.”

Smyth runs a whitelist server called Horizon Craft which has admitted only 11 members. They come from locations around the world such as Serbia or Australia. However, Horizon Craft has very unique membership requirements.

“The requirements are that you have to have a Youtube channel and record videos, and that’s because we use each other’s channels to build on each other,” Smyth said. “Making connections is the best way to get more viewers.”

Smyth’s Youtube channel, smyttiej, is his biggest contribution to the world of Minecraft. Since the channel’s inception, Smyth has posted over 100 videos. His most-watched video has more than 228,000 views.

Both Smyth and Proehl agree that Minecraft is a fulfilling pastime. It has become an integral part of their lives.

“When I was 13-years-old, I would spend hours watching people play video games and talk about their strategy,” Smyth said. “It’s always much more fun when you have people to play with that have the same interest as you.” «

Jack Proehl & Jacob Smyth