May 2013 Senior Edition

ladue

panorama ladue horton watkins high school • 1201 s. warson road • st. louis, mo 63124 • volume 61 • issue 9 • may 16, 2013

art by AUDREY KOCHER

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NEWS

panorama

LOWDOWN Student Council elects student body, class officers for 2013-14 school year Next year’s student body officers are junior Michael Figenshau, president; junior Hope Williams, vice president; sophomore Christine Hurster, treasurer; sophomore Lindsey Lohr, secretary. Officers for the class of 2014 are Catie Ryan, president; Emily Dove, vice president; Matthew Hooper, treasurer; Allie Marcouiller, secretary. Officers for the class of 2015 are Lacey Christ, president; Malcolm Davis, vice president; William Perry, treasurer; Jack May, secretary. Officers for the class of 2016 are Carly Rosenthal, president; Hayden Hunt, vice president; Rasika Sant, treasurer; Lucy Jonas, secretary. Officers for the class of 2017 will be elected in fall 2013.

National Honor Society members select next year’s officers in annual election Next year’s National Honor Society officers are junior Hannah Harpole, president; junior Madison Barker, vice president; junior Stella Schindler, treasurer; junior Julie Schaaf, secretary; junior Jacob Jacob, chief marshal.

Panorama newspaper, Rambler yearbook appoint 2013-14 editors and managers Panorama print staff: editors-in-chief juniors Chloe An and Emily Biest, news editors freshman Alison Gold and sophomore Alli Loynd, features editors sophomore Sarah Jacob and freshman Sabrina Medler, arts and entertainment editors juniors Karen Figenshau and Charles Garside, opinions editors juniors Annie Cohen and Michael Figenshau, sports editors sophomore Aaron Bry and junior Jason Kaplan, art editors sophomore Audrey Kocher and junior Ashley Turner, photo editors junior Elyse Mack and sophomore Jeanne Wilkinson, and business manager sophomore Andrew Cherrick.

Panorama web staff: editor-in-chief junior Justin Cole, managing editor freshman Rachel Wagner-Muns, webmaster sophomore Warren Biest, arts and entertainment editor sophomore Yoav Kadan, photo/video editor sophomore Sarah Kessel, news and social media editor freshman Apoorva Nori.

Rambler yearbook staff: editor-in-chief sophomore Jeanne Wilkinson, activities editor freshman Kate Bisig, student life editor freshman Emma Cohen, people editor freshman Hannah Demissie, sports editor sophomore Hile Ermias, activities editor freshman Lucy Jonas, advertisements editor sophomore Abbi Moss, business manager junior Joseph Nash, photo editor junior Jessica Puyo, academics editor sophomore YiFan Zhou.

May 16, 2013

Saying goodbye to retiring staff Janine Burmeister fine arts sarahALLEN

- web editor in chief

W

hen theatre teacher Janine Burmeister retires this year, she will leave behind a thriving theatre department and students who have grown thanks to her influence and passion for fine arts.

“Ms. Burmeister has had a huge influence on me over the past four years,” senior Dylan Hafer said.

“Both in and out of the classroom, she’s been so eager to pass on her knowledge and passion. She has helped to shape my life.”

After teaching at Ladue for eight years, Burmeister will miss Ladue as much as her theatre students will miss her guiding influence. During her tenure, Burmeister has directed the fall plays and senior musicals, and has guided student directors in the One-Acts, in addition to teaching acting classes during the school day.

“I hope that some added components I was able to implement will remain significant parts of the theatre program,” Burmeister said. “Two examples are DueProv and a collaboration with Mr. Goble for the Acting for the Camera/Broadcast II course which involves student-generated films.”

After retirement, Burmeister plans to continue her involvement with drama and theatre education.

She will focus her interests on a local theatre.

“I have decided to pursue opportunities in the professional theatre community in which teaching will still be a strong component of my life,” Burmeister said. “I am doing a little writing and I will be returning to the stage in addition to a position in theatre education programming and management with a local theatre company.”

As head of the theatre department, Burmeister has passed on her passion for theatre to her students.

r o i sen

Burmeister even took the extra step of addressing students’ futures with each student in the theatre department, a discussion that played a formative role in senior Leslie Insell’s college decision.

“Everyone in the theatre department has a chat with her at some point during high school about their plans for the future,” Insell said. “At the beginning of our talk, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but she told me that I had great potential to teach and because of her, I am going to study theatre education at Fort Lewis College. She has influenced the lives of many in this department and she will be missed greatly.” •

BUCKBEAK • Like a Hippogriff, the theatre de-

partment has soared under Janine Burmeister’s direction. Burmeister is retiring after eight years of working at Ladue. (photo by Jessica Puyo) art by AUDREY KOCHER

s y a ess We asked seniors to share portions of their college essays. Here are a few of the personalities of the Class of 2013. • art by AUDREY KOCHER

panorama

May 16, 2013

Chris Gates

special school district apoorvaNORI

Nancy Hier

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spanish

jacobJACOB

- news writer

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NEWS

pecial School District teacher Chris Gates is retiring this year in hopes of spending more time with her family. She has worked in the district for more than 19 years.

“I think that she is excited and ready for the next stage in her life,” resource teacher Paige Heman said. “She has a large and wonderful family, so I know they will appreciate having more time with her.

Before teaching, Gates worked in the private sector. Having four children inspired her to teach and she received a degree in special education. She has specialized in co-teaching with math teachers who have special needs students in their classrooms.

“She is one of the hardest-working teachers, and I loved co-teaching with her because she put in as much effort as I did,” math teacher Barb Dwyer said. “She always worked really hard at making sure she knew the material because some of it was new to her as well. That brought students a perspective to her teaching which was very valuable. She didn’t just focus on the Special School District kids, she helped all of the kids in the class, and we will miss that when she leaves.”

Both staff and student opinion reflect Gates’ lasting legacy. She plans to continue as a substitute teacher.

“I love the department, and I am really going to miss the kids,” Gates said. “I have really enjoyed working with these kids and watching them grow throughout their high school experiences, and I think they respond well to my sarcastic and humorous approach to teaching. Even though I am retiring, I will not be leaving this behind forever. I will definitely return to substitute next year because teaching is just a part of my life that I will never quite be able to let go of.” •

HANGING AT HAGRID’S HUT

• (Left) Working with one of her students, Special School District teacher Chris Gates finishes up her last year at Ladue.

(Right) Spanish teacher Nancy Hier and Gates have both worked for the district for more than 19 years. Hier’s teaching style both instructs and nutures students, much like beloved Hogwarts Care of Magical Creatures professor Rubeus Hagrid. (photos by Jessica Puyo and Hope Howard)

S

- news editor

panish teacher Nancy Hier has taught at the high school for 20 years and hopes to have more time for family after she retires this year.

Hier plans to travel more frequently with the decreased workload. She is also considering working part-time and possibly moving houses.

“I have grandchildren in New Jersey, so we’ll try to go visit them more,” Hier said.

“So a little more traveling, more house cleaning, we might sell the house and downsize. I might find some part-time work.”

Hier’s colleagues and students say she strives make the classroom engaging. Students enjoy her unique approach to learning a foreign language.

“Mrs. Hier does a great job engaging students in learning by playing fun games,” senior Andy Spewak said. “The school is losing a great human being whose lessons stick with students throughout life. I consider her irreplaceable.”

Hier’s colleagues praise her kindness, patience and compassion. All three enable her to assist struggling students in her classes.

“Mrs. Hier is a very kind person,” Spanish teacher Jan Magers said. “She has a great deal of patience with students that struggle to learn.”

While teaching Spanish at Ladue, Hier has also given many students life lessons. Many students attest to the importance of Hier’s advice.

“I would not be the man I am today without her,” Spewak said. “My first year in her class I was a complete jerk towards a student that I did not like, and one day Mrs. Hier took me into the hallway to tell me about how terribly I was treating him. She made me realize that I was being a bully, and she inspired me to clean up my act and be respectful. Without her advice, I might not have changed.”

Hier has gone past the call of duty helping students grow not only only academically but socially as well. Likewise, students have had a huge impact on Hier.

“They teach me a lot more I think than I ever teach them,” Hier said. “They are just so aware of the world around them and have interesting opinions. Through my students I think I have been enriched by a much more diverse population than I ever would have if I wasn’t a teacher here.” • art by AUDREY KOCHER

senior essays

S

onRise is a camp where I have spent part of my last four summers as a counselor. The campers are adults with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the ten times I have served as a “companion,” I have almost exclusively been paired with a female camper. However, I learned an important lesson.

Davey, a non-verbal quadriplegic was my assigned as my “friend” for the week. I was in unfamiliar territory. My week of making a difference was going to be significantly hindered. All I could think was: “They are all going to see me fail.”

I learned that we all have disabilities, only some are more visible than others. My disability is an insecurity. I am afraid to let people see me fail. Although the campers’ disabilities are far more visible than mine, the campers seem relatively unaffected.

Each time I talk to Davey, I am reminded of how close I came to walking away from him, thankful that I didn’t, and so appreciative of what he taught me. •

Meredith Behrens

Butler University

We asked seniors to share a portion of their college essays. Here are a few of the personalities of the Class of 2013. •

M

y mother and my sister both work tremendous hours. Due to this, my responsibilities do not end at my own room. I could wash dishes, scrub the kitchen floor, spray down two restrooms and clean my own room in under an hour.

In my household, it is privilege and often a reward to be allowed time to clean your own room. I do not get paid for fulfilling my obligations to my family. Whether it is a clean house or to spending my Saturday nights cleaning my family’s shop, I know my responsibilities. These responsibilities make me who I am.

The lessons that I have learned from doing more, but expecting less, from going the extra mile to make a dollar last have prepared me to face the world realistically.

Together, the lessons that both my mother and sister have given have formed the foundation; upon which I have developed my understanding of the value of a dollar, of delayed gratification, and how one can never place a price on education. •

Brian Phan

University of Missouri - Columbia

art by AUDREY KOCHER

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NEWS

panorama

Martha Maney

Rochelle Koenig spanish

special school district michaelFIGENSHAU

hannahSNIDMAN

- news editor

- news writer

A

fter teaching at Ladue for six years and 33 years overall, Special School District teacher Martha Maney is retiring. Maney specializes in secondary math and English education.

“A highlight for me has been teaching an effective strategy that [has helped] students achieve their goals,” Maney said. “I will miss the relationships [I have] built over time with students and faculty during my time at Ladue.”

Maney’s special strategies have helped students like senior Colin Cernik during their academic careers. Cernik attributes his work ethic to Maney’s lessons.

“Mrs. Maney has really helped me when it comes to academics,” Cernik said. “She taught me certain techniques that just stuck with me and have helped me later in life. She really helped me when I had a hard time focusing on my work and improving myself.”

Maney’s students also appreciate her in-depth instruction, kindness and generosity. They credit her balance between fun and discipline with many of their successes.

“Mrs. Maney has always been there for any subject I needed help in,” junior John Zimmerman said. “She helped me so everything I was learning in class went smoothly and made more sense.”

Maney plans to stay in St. Louis. She has strong ties to the area and people she doesn’t want to leave behind.

“I have many friends and family in the St. Louis area and plan on staying,” Maney said.

“After retiring, I will have much more time to spend with them.” •

MOONY, WORMTAIL, PADFOOT AND PRONGS • (Above) As part

of the collaborative Special School District team, math and English specialist Martha Maney has truly enjoyed working with kids every day. (Right) Spanish teacher Rochelle Koenig also shares fond memories of her 29 years in the Ladue School District. Lucky for their students, neither of these teachers has ever had to utilize the famed Shrieking Shack. (photos by Emma Weller and Sarah Kessel) art by AUDREY KOCHER

senior essays

M

uch like my discovery of R-rated movies, I stumbled across Prop 1 by accident. While on the school website, I found a link to Proposition 1, a proposed tax hike without which $7 million in reductions would have to be made, including the loss of over 20 district staff. With today’s internet, though, it wasn’t long before I found the website for the opposition. It was like reading one of Patton’s pre-battle pep talks, only louder.

“TAKE BACK LADUE SCHOOLS,” their headline screamed, but even scarier was the information they were putting out. They ignored facts at will and told halftruths whenever possible. And they had the audacity to claim that the district was the manipulative one? I emailed the leader of the Vote Yes campaign, and found out what I needed to do. I’d never been involved in politics much, but then, I’d never felt this strongly about an issue. I spoke with students and teachers, I spent a weekend passing out yard signs, and a week before the election, we started canvassing. •

Collin Christner

May 16, 2013

Stanford University

S

panish teacher Rochelle Koenig is retiring after working in the district for 29 years.

Koenig has taught Spanish 1, 2 and 3 at both the high school and middle school.

After retirement, Koenig plans to spend time with and help her mother. Koenig’s colleagues will miss her as a fellow teacher.

“She is a superb teacher,” Spanish teacher Nancy Hier said. “She has a way of explaining complicated grammar that is so clear and so logical, and she supports it with activities that help students practice difficult constructions until they know them really well.”

In addition to admiring her teaching tactics, fellow teachers are impressed with Koenig’s organization skills. They appreciate her knowledge and assistance when a colleague is having a problem.

“She is the most organized person I have ever met in my entire life,” Spanish teacher Jan Magers said. “Every time we change emails and every time we change grading systems, she’s been very helpful.”

Koenig will miss her colleagues and her students. She will also miss the atmosphere.

“I’m going to miss lesson planning,” Koenig said. “I enjoy the challenge of putting together a lesson.”

Koenig has had great experiences throughout her career. She appreciates all the classes that she has taught, and takes pleasure in getting to know the students. Students will also miss Koenig as a teacher after her retirement. Koenig’s students are grateful for her ability to keep class interesting.

“I learned a lot about Spanish in her class,” junior Enze Chen said. “I really appreciate her dedication to teaching.”

Ladue teachers recognize Koenig’s commitment to her students and family. Koenig’s colleagues will miss her personality and presence.

“Mrs. Koenig has one of the best laughs in the school,” science teacher Sweeney LaBarge said. “She also cares a great deal about the success of her students and wants all of them to learn how to work hard and find a greater level of success in Spanish.”•

We asked seniors to share a portion of their college essays. Here are a few of the personalities of the Class of 2013. •

T

he sweet autumn air- that familiar mix of wood and Halloween night- will swirl around the ground and kick up leaves while the balding trees provide enough shade for the duration of my stay. Then, maybe after that I’ll head inside and treat myself to some warm apple cider and allow it to heat my insides like a furnace. The couch would become my next destination. I”ll curl myself against an armrest and think about how great it is to be doing what I am: nothing. Maybe a rerun of “Glee” will be played, maybe not. That will be the beauty of the October day: the uncertainty.

But then again, maybe I’ll plan my nothing. Some might say it’s hard to plan nothing, but it’s just as easy as planning a day of something. I’ll sleep in on a February morning- maybe until 11:00 if I have it in me. Once I wake up, I’ll take extra care in making breakfast for five and setting the table for one (and then promptly eating enough for three). •

Sydney Fontaine

Columbia College

art by AUDREY KOCHER

panorama

May 16, 2013

Jill Svejkosky

alisonGOLD

- news writer

F

amily and Consumer Sciences teacher Jill Svejkosky is retiring at the end of this year following 32 years of teaching at Ladue. During her career, she has taught a variety of subjects, ranging from culinary arts to sewing to cadet teaching.

“I want [my students] to stay interested in school, and I have a lot of students who feel at home in my classes,” Svejkosky said. “I feel like I’ve been of service to people [at Ladue], because one of the goals of FACS is to help improve the quality of life for people.”

NEWS

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family and consumer science

Svejkosky grew up in St. Louis and always knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Following her graduation from Bayless High School, Svejkosky earned her bachelor’s degree in education, with a major in home economics from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

“I am one of those people who wanted to teach since I was a little girl,” Svejkosky said. “[Now] I plan to travel and I have many hobbies, like gardening and crafts. I know I will find volunteer opportunities, too, and I look forward to having time for my family.”

Svejkosky’s love for her job and students hasn’t gone unnoticed. Senior Sarah George has taken four of Svejkosky’s classes since her sophomore year and appreciates Svejkosky’s passion for teaching.

“Her teaching style is very free-flowing, and she’s very individualized, so if someone needs help with something, she makes more time for them to get ready, and if someone has strengths in something, she gets them to go above the rest of the class,” George said.

Svejkosky was named Teacher of the Year in 2012. She not only educates students but takes her teaching to the next level by mentoring new teachers, such as creative cooking and personal finance teacher Juli Koenegstein.

“This is my first year at Ladue, and Mrs. Svejkosky is my mentor, so we have spent time together in and out of the classroom,” Koenegstein said. “Every day is a great experience working with her, and I have learned so much from just observing her teach. The students respect Mrs. Svejkosky and she has an ability to connect with every student and staff member.”

Lovingly dubbed “Ms. Svej” by co-workers and students, Svejkosky is not recognized just by her kind disposition, but also by her joking manner. Famous for her April Fool’s day pranks, Svejkosky is known to make fake chocolates out of cotton balls and stuff closets full of ping pong balls.

“Mrs. Svej is most definitely a positive attribute to this school, and will be dearly missed, especially by the FACS department,” Koenegstein said. “I will miss being able to come to her daily for advice and overall support, but I know she will only be a phone call away!”•

JUST THE FACS • (Left) Admiring a fresh batch of crème brûlée, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Jill Svejkosky praises her students. The wide variety of classes taught

by Svejkosky are comparable to the shops of Diagon Alley.

(Below) Ladue High School ranks number 1 in Missouri in the Newsweek survey. (photos by Sydney Ellis and Elyse Mack)

Ladue scores top rank jacobJACOB

- news editor

L

adue High School recently ranked first in Missouri and 166th in a national survey conducted by Newsweek which ordered high schools based on extensive criteria. As part of its survey, each component was weighted differently: graduation rates with 25 percent, college acceptance rates with 25 percent, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Advanced International Certificate of Education

tests taken per a student with 25 percent, average SAT and ACT scores with 10 percent, average AP, IB or AICE scores with 10 percent and percent of students enrolled in at least one AP, IB or AICE courses with 5 percent.

Ladue earned a 3.47 Newsweek score with a graduation rate of 99 percent, a 92 percent college-bound rate, an average SAT of 1927, average ACT of 26.4 and an average AP score of 4. The survey invited 5,000 schools and about half of them responded. Only public schools were eligible for this survey. Schools were also screened to meet certain criteria.•

art by DIANA JUNG

senior essays

I

’d like to say it was a thrilling task, one of those assignments that would make a good montage sequence in a blockbuster film. But it wasn’t. Although I did dodge a few vicious dogs, I mostly trekked through the town digging “Vote Yes!” signs into well manicured and freshly cut lawns.

For one particular sign on the main road, I meticulously staked out the perfect spot, making sure that neither the mailbox nor shrubbery covered the proud lettering. I felt giddy with excitement. Maybe this would be my big break as a widely respected political campaign activist. I could see the national headline now, “Girl places sign, local Prop passes.” Surprisingly, the New York Times never picked that one up.

Despite my lack of fame, I harbored a deep sense of accomplishment as I drove home that day. Each sign I had planted not only broadcasted the beliefs of the individual households, but seemed to define my own as well. •

Samantha Shanker

Kenyon College

We asked seniors to share a portion of their college essays. Here are a few of the personalities of the Class of 2013. •

W

e would be staying in a centuries-old house in a tiny town on the Riviera for ten days; free to do whatever we pleased. I had never been out of the country before, and I found this new experience enthralling from the first minute. We shopped at markets, drove Italian cars, walked in streams, and watched the sunsets from Mediterranean hills. We visited a three hundred year old mill and learned about the owner’s impressive life in broken English. In my time there, I learned to open my eyes and see things the way others see them.

I have a thirst for language, so I picked up every bit of Italian I could. With our group of eleven it became crucial to shout “Undici!” to indicate the size of our party whenever entering a crowded café or pizzeria. Even more than the local language, though, I learned the universal communicative power of a simple smile. I’m perpetually optimistic, and to feel the joy of another person from only a look is one of the best sensations in the world. •

Dylan Hafer

Tulane University

art by AUDREY KOCHER

emilyBIEST

jasonKAPLAN

sydneyELLIS

sarahKESSEL

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emmaWELLER

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hopeHOWARD

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chloeAN

elyseMACK

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jeanneWILKINSON

magdalenaLIJOWSKA

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SENIOR FAVORITES

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May 16, 2013

2013 HALL OF FAVORITES charlesGARSIDE

mirandaSIWAK

- a&e editor

AC LAB:

1. LC 2. Cafeteria 3. Bowman

MIDNIGHT SNACK: 1. Oreos and Milk 2. Pizza 3. Steak ‘n’ Shake

- a&e editor

SPRING BREAK DESTINATION: 1. Florida 2. Mexico 3. My bed

TV SHOW:

1. The Walking Dead 2. Duck Dynasty 3. Pretty Little Liars

ST. LOUIS HOTSPOT: YOUTUBE VIDEO: 1. The Loop 2. City Museum 3. St. Louis Smoothie

SONG: 1. “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 2. “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line 3. “Freaks and Geeks” by Childish Gambino

1. I’m Da Bes 2. Harlem Shake 3. Girl Hits Wall

MOVIE:

1. Pitch Perfect 2. The Dark Knight Rises 3. The Avengers

art by AUDREY KOCHER

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May 16, 2013

SENIOR MEMORIES

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The Pensieve of a Ladue senior Thirteen years of memories...

“We were learning about Indians and we went to the bottom of the Arch and touched the buffalo dung.” – Emily Isaacs “We played dodgeball one day and I threw one that missed the guy that I was going for but it bounced off the wall and hit my friend. It was funny! – Michael Kelly “When we were learning how to dance in P.E., it was like the end of the world if you were paired with a boy!” – Caroline Stapleton “I enjoyed going to Chicago with the grade and going to all the different locations in the city.”

– Francesca Shannon “I loved playing on the JV Baseball team with Coach Jaranowski and Coach Sims.” – Gabriel Grand “During the last week of school when Mrs. Smallwood surprised our Physics class with Ted Drewes ice cream after our finals.”

– Anthony Jacobsen

art by AUDREY KOCHER

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11 12 charlieGARSIDE

- a&e editor

think part of the reason why I find school so tediously mind-numbing is because the topics we discuss in most of my classes relate to mere terrestrial matters. My consciousness is somewhere past the clouds, floating around in zero gravity in a stable orbit. I remember when I was really little, watching the episode of Wallace and Gromit where they traveled to the moon to eat moon cheese and ski with their robot friend in the craters, and just being unbelievably jealous of those little clay figures. I probably watched that episode fifteen times that summer. Even back then, I had this overwhelming feeling that we as human beings were just farting away our existence on Earth. Its like we’re hermits too afraid of the unknown to leave our cave.

I used to want to be an explorer of the sea, a pirate in my own sense, finding some land mass never previously known to man, and naming it after myself. •

“I remember in second grade doing the introduction segment for the Channel 4 news.” – Devyn Rhodes “In fourth grade we would have no shoes Friday and then play kickball at the end of each day in Mrs. Marth’s class.” – Leah Rothberg “Not once in sixth grade was I ever able to open my own locker. I literally had to ask someone to open it for me every day.” – Jesse McConnell

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senior essays

I

“In kindergarten on St. Patrick’s Day, Mrs. Ogu made a ‘leprechaun scavenger hunt’ and everyone got candy in the end.” – Sarah Kalishman

“I remember when my boat sank in the boat races, with me in it.” - Jeffrey Orr “I’ll never forget the [rally] we had for the teachers. Of all the things we had done in the past, nothing brought the entire school together like that day.”

– Harika Upadhyayula “I loved going to state and watching my wrestling teammates compete!”

– Jarett Crets

mirandaSIWAK

- a&e editor

We asked seniors to share a portion of their college essays. Here are a few of the personalities of the Class of 2013. •

T

he doe stops just short of ten meters from us, sniffing out our existence. Maybe what attracted it was our starchy water, or the smell of grime from 17 days of canoeing. Either way, the animal had resolved to know what we were.

I want to communicate, breach its mind, share our experiences in the wilderness, albeit a lopsided trade. Unfortunately, I feel just as disconnected from nature now, with the deer within whispering distance, as I did when we were separated by a football field.

The doe continues sniffing, snorting, living, as if two teenagers were not gawking at its courage. Then, just as suddenly as its approach, the deer starts hissing. Have we angered it? That question lingers as the animal darts away, turning only to hiss again before bounding further into the woods. •

Matthew Westermeyer Regis University David Abraham

University of Chicago

art by AUDREY KOCHER

Colorado

Fort Lewis College Leslie Insell Regis University Matthew Westermeyer University of Colorado, Boulder Hillary Bloch Joshua Stern University of Denver Emma Crisman Michael Ehrlich Carly Pass Elizabeth Wallis

Florida

Eckerd College Jessica Gartenberg Jacksonville University Alexander Schott University of Miami Jason Blanke Benjamin Brotherton Hannah Bursack Olivia Jaeger Alex Kaplan Sydney Kitsis Jessica McGuire Alina Taniuchi Douglas Wilen Margot Woll

Iowa

Cornell College Brock Ridenour Graceland University Cameron Harder Iowa State University Samuel Glancy St. Ambrose University Christina Shaw

Wisconsin

Lawrence University Rebecca Schachtman University of Wisconsin, La Crosse Grant Sachs University of Wisconsin, Madison Elizabeth Greenberg Ryan Karasick

International

Washington D. C.

AUSTRALIA Griffith University Brandon Harrison CANADA Dalhousie University Abigail Shapiro ISRAEL Derech Ohr Somayach Joseph Amon

American University Nina Bocchini George Washington University Nathan Perlmutter Howard University Hana Alem Jessica Puckett

Pennsylvania

Bucknell University Courtney Jonas Lafayette College Robert Ewald Temple University Taylor Robinson University of Pittsburgh Sushant Koirala Favour Oladipupo

Kansas

Ohio

Case Western Reserve University Diana Jung Denison University Mackenzie Pass Kent State University Lauren Harris Kenyon College Samantha Shanker University of Dayton Joseph Milton

Kansas State University Seth Smith Pittsburgh State University William Huey University of Kansas Courtney Emert Kynnedi Grant Turner Miller Emma Riordan Jeslyn Trau Caro Wolfner

Indiana

Butler University Meredith Behrens Indiana University Eric Bogard Lindsey Chervitz John Crowley Sarah Kalishman Corey Rosenberg Nicholas Trelz Harika Upadhyayula Purdue University Jeffrey Perkins

Texas

Southern Methodist University Anna Nelson Russell Perry Texas A&M Anna Buchanan Texas Christian University Karlyn Burton Miles Goodman Allie Morgan Alexandra Patershuk Elise Pellett Texas State University Kristen Prablek University of Texas, Austin David Shi Jeremy Wright

Georgia

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College John Driscoll Emory University Austin DaGue Morehouse College Devyn Rhodes University of Georgia John Cline Eric Peters

Louisiana

Louisiana State University Francesca Shannon Loyola University John Niemeyer Tulane University Katherine Frank Dylan Hafer Adam Kalina Taylor Muntzing Julia Novack

Washington

University of Puget Sound Jesse McConnell

Other

Claudia Betancour MinSoo Choi Maurine Cunningham Gwendolyn Jones Olexous Norman Joanna Poon Justin Shaw Leib Smason Natalia Staniek Jessica Suvarna Elizabeth Whitfield

Undecided

Leonardo DiCera Baqir Hassan Yi-Hao Lee Kamani Wilson

Unknown

Katherine Amrein Samuel Christy Mariah Cunningham Remani Cunningham Steven Fischel

Lizeth Flores Jaron Jones Philip McBride Jacob Murray Courtney Perry Kraig Townsend

mollyBURROUGHS

- editor in chief

christineWANG

- editor in chief

California

Azusa Pacific University Julia Heins Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles Brooke Hyman Loyola Marymount University Emily Arrick New York Film Academy Jordan Cooper Pitzer College Military Jennifer Lesorogol Marines Pomona College Jacob Helm Julia Smith Joseph Looney San Diego City College Navy John Shields Princess Black San Diego State University Kelsey Dixon Heather Alton Stanford University Collin Christner University of California, Los Angeles Porag Das University of San Francisco Dylan Favazza University of Southern California Sarah Allen

New Jersey Massachusetts

Boston College Maria Vetter Boston University Santiago Beltran-Miranda Margaret Petersen Harvard University Isabella Benduski Massachusetts Institute of Technology Runpeng Liu Victor Wang Northeastern University Nathan Thompson Suffolk University Anton Boubnov Tufts University Emma Grady-Pawl Wellesley College Olivia Gada Wheaton College Dina Clark Williams College Margaret Burroughs

Princeton University Adelbert Francis Seton Hall University Briana Kyles

North Carolina

Davidson College Spencer Grady-Pawl Elon University Devon Cross Miranda Siwak University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Caitlin Malone Wake Forest University Charlie Jonas

Arkansas

University of Arkansas Riley Maccracken Trevor Watts

Minnesota

South Carolina

Clemson University Natalie Grimm Meredith Schehl College of Charleston Andrew Cohen

Minneapolis College of Art and Design Meadow Faulkner University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Annie Chen

Missouri

Mississippi

Virginia

Christopher Newport University Anders Hudson University of Virginia Sydney Petersen

Montana

University of Montana Samuel Childress

Central Methodist University Shawn Whitley Culver-Stockton College Cassandra Lomax Lindenwood University Christian Banks Colin Cernik Rachel Gusov Logan Meeks Kari Ostertag Michael Proskey Maryville University Melissa Moise Yi Ru Missouri State University Christine Burmeister Shelby Callahan Jarett Crets Katherine DeBoer Marlowe Lynn Cole Miller Christina Nguyen Benjamin Rosen Claire Solomon

Missouri University of Science and Technology Henry Chen Cody Grainger Ivan Komarov Peter Kontominas Daniel Krack Kathleen Murphy Northwest Missouri State University Jaylahni Pope Rockhurst University Kelsey Burrus Southeast Missouri State University Carlene Bradley Amos Clay-Downing Nicole McNichols Anna Moore Kenndy San St. Louis College of Pharmacy Anna Bunyatova St. Louis Community College, Forest Park Sean Bolderson Antonio Escobar Barno Hasanova Samuel Liebman St. Louis Community College, Meramec Sarah George Monica Kacar Faith Nichols Kamil Zarzycki St. Louis University Ruth Abraha Edwin Dong

University of Mississippi Alexis Collier Austin Tatum

Illinois

Bradley University Jerome Gregory College of Lake County Ana Tarlas Columbia College South Dakota Sydney Fontaine University of South Dakota Kayla Scott James Duncan DePaul University Gabrielle Hillman Maryland Greenville College Johns Hopkins University Amber Lowery Christopher Beckmann Northwestern University McDaniel College Annie Kopp Aisha Ghodbane Julia Tsuchiya-Mayhew Quincy University Utah Brigham Young University Adehkeem Brown Justin Mitchell Sarah Adams School of the Art Institute of Chicago Hanna Zenger Marisa Drewes University of Chicago Alabama David Abraham Auburn University Maximilian Schindler Lindsey Whitehead University of Alabama Curtis Walls University of Illinois, Chicago Taylor Petersen Steven White Tennessee University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Rhodes College Tianyue Mao Jennifer Park

Hadley Newton Zari Rhodes Julia Steiner Truman State University Manasa Chintakunta Jordan Garner Christopher Goeckner Mallory Taylor University of Central Missouri Marcellis Wade Darrius Wheeler University of Missouri, Columbia Brandon Baldas Daniel Boland Matthew Costanza Samuel Elliott Andrew Feit Stephen Fredericks Alex Guenther Erika Ingels Emily Isaacs Anthony Jacobsen Michael Kelly Van Klohmann Adam Koenig Chase Lambie Alexa Mowbray Natalie Muchnick Davis Norber Addie O’Neill Jeffrey Orr Myles Peters

Brian Phan Devin Posey Meredith Rieser Leah Rothberg Pranav Shastry Ryan Sigmund Peter Smith Andrew Spewak Matthew Stieglitz Andrew Walsh University of Missouri, Kansas City Bezawit Getahun Ella Glaser Meng Sang Lao Samyra Wade University of Missouri, St. Louis Alek Breitweiser Sydni Davis Jordan Ludmerer Anastasia Shamin Kevin Shee Kennedy Washington Washington University in St. Louis Aitan Groener Sarah Hollingsworth Xin Huang James Loomis Eddie Mungai Webster University Kathryn Weiss Evelyn Whitehead

New York

Michigan

Cornerstone University Kelaynew Seyoum University of Michigan Gabriel Grand Kettering University Denis Volobuev

Kentucky

Bellarmine University Julia Kentner Murray State University Morgan Moore

Bard College Hannah Cropf Binghamton University Ellie Morosohk Colgate University Chelsea Mohr Samantha Trovillion Columbia University Justin Mann Mukund Subramanian Taylor Thompson Christine Wang Cornell University Alexandra Bruns-Smith Eastman School of Music Timothy Padgett Fordham University Caroline Stapleton Ithaca College Samantha Weil Yeshiva University, Stern College Rebecca Kaiser

Virgin Islands

University of the Virgin Islands John Inman

Connecticut

Connecticut College Melissa Ferrie Trinity College Thomas Kendrick Annabelle Regalado Yale University Haohang Xu

Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma Hannah Kloppenburg University of Tulsa John Nelson art by AUDREY KOCHER

12

OPINIONS

panorama (photo by Jeanne Wilkinson)

May 16, 2013

Mackenzie’s last mention mackenziePASS

- features writer

W

hat is a community? I’ve wondered this throughout my high school years. I have finally found the answer during my senior year at Ladue. A community is ultimately what you make of it. A community is more than a generic district. A community consists of the people mutually benefitting from one another. I have been lucky to call Ladue my community for eleven years. I am even more fortunate to say that I have genuinely enjoyed every year of my experience here.

The years that stick out in my memory most vividly are my junior and senior years of high school; the years I wrote on the Panorama staff. Being a christineWANG part of this incredible group has shown me the true - editor in chief meaning of teamwork. Panorama flourishes on its y high school story may be different from your story. bond among artists, writers, editors and everyone else Freshman year. My older sister ruled the world in the Wang houseinvolved. Writing for the newspaper has taught me hold. She was the star student, the obedient one and the golden child. many valuable lessons that I will carry with me to Living up to the standards she set was exhausting. My first action as a beamy-eyed Denison University. freshman was to join every club I could get my hands on to “beat” her. In retrospect, Before writing for Panorama, I could never it sounds ridiculous. I guess I was running on the fuel of being a finalist for the Ed imagine myself going up to complete strangers in the Greenwood award in middle school (remember what that was? Exactly). Debate, hallway to ask for an interview. Nor could I envision Science Olympiad, Tennis, Panorama, Young Democrats, HOP, the list goes on and myself staying up until the early hours of the morning on. How many of these clubs did I like or even understand? About three. How many brainstorming story ideas for the next month’s ediclubs did I put on my college application? Three out of 1782943704. That’s a yield tion of the paper. Through thick and thin, Panorama rate of nothing percent. The point here is pretty obvious. Lesson learned. has truly allowed me the experience to uncover my Sophomore year. A little background is needed. In middle school, I was one of creativity through assignments. From interviewing those kids. The ones you guys never saw at the end of the day because they took a members of a school play about the upcoming musischool bus with four other people to the high school to take math classes. Consecal to talking to student council about prom planquently, in my sophomore year, I was taking BC Calculus. Even today, that sounds ning, Panorama has given me the opportunity to gain absurd. I had barely hit puberty but I was taking integrals and studying AP World insight into what Ladue is all about: community. for hours (my handwriting has never been the same since that class but you’re Panorama has also taught me time management. the best, Dr. Hahn!). The stress of that year led to a pimple ridden face and my From working on articles during academic lab to exhausted sophomore self. I sat down with my parents and told them I couldn’t do it staying up late at night gathering the last few quotes anymore. We decided to audit calculus and take a break from math for a year. The full steam ahead Christine train that had been gaining momentum since 6th grade had finally started slowing down. I am not saying that I am now a less determined person. I just began to realize that taking a break from something doesn’t signify weakness and incompetence, but strength.

Junior year. I officially became an adult in December, but the necessity to act like an adult really occurred during junior year. Adulthood means responsibility. It means managing your own schedule, driving yourself around to various commithaohangXU ments and acting mature. Basically, being an adult sucks. Don’t get me wrong, I - news writer definitely did not act like an adult my entire junior year. I did some irresponsible things. I let academics get a hold of my life some weeks, and let my social life take enior year is one heck of an emotional experihold of others. Thankfully, by the end of junior year, I swapped my juggling act ence. The past few months, particularly, have for the stability of adulthood. Suddenly, academics, socializing and sleep were not been a whirlwind of stress, anticipation, and mutually exclusive. I can’t tell you the way I came to this epiphany except through nostalgia.

Between college visits and my attempts to experience. Falling asleep during class and getting a C on a test can be a real wake not fail PE, the various “lasts” of high school quietly up call. approach and pass.

Senior year. Oh, senior year. I could talk about how senioritis is bad (For the Yet, I feel a distinct lack of sadness. Like an record, it’s not. Just don’t get Ds.) or how to remain calm when applying to college and blah blah blah but I’m not because those are all things you already know. But as academic Mersault, I ritualistically note my last orchestra concert, last AP test and last week of class, a “seasoned” senior, I’ve gained perspective that I didn’t get the opportunity to see as an underclassman. Social dynamics exemplify this transformation. Though most and wonder if I’m a terrible person for not wanting of you will deny it, you all have obliged to the “social suicide rule” AKA the act of to commemorate these lasts more elaborately. Then again, lasts are only nominally last, and their influignoring people that you deem as “uncool” to talk to. I mean, just look at the lunch ences will continue long after the last day of school. tables in the cafeteria to see what I’m talking about. No doubt, I’ve participated As I count the days until I can finally call myself in this behavior before, especially in my freshman and sophomore years. I really a graduate, these lasts remind me how much I have hate myself for it because I’ve been on the receiving end of it too and I know how changed over the last four years. As I grew from a awful it can feel. At the beginning of my senior year, I told myself that I would be naïve freshman to an overly cynical senior, every last as friendly as possible and talk to as many people as I could, regardless of status experience, good and bad, has taught me much about (special props to Rebecca Schachtman who serves as a constant reminder of this bureaucracy, relationships and human nature. for me). As a senior, you get an instant cool factor so you can “afford” to do this.

I learned that I won’t be handed everything I need Whether or not I’ve been nicer this year is for everyone else to judge, but I can honon a silver plate. When Ladue stopped offering me estly say that I have talked to some of the most interesting people by ignoring the math classes, I was lucky enough to find a teacher “social suicide rule.” It sounds cliché, but if anything else, it is the most important who guided me in an exciting independent study lesson I have gained from my senior year: social climbers suck. (thanks again, Dr. Pais!). Opportunities exist, as the Let’s face it. My entire high school career has been a hot mess. But hey, colcliché goes, for those who pursue them, and the last leges still accepted me, and I’m still semi-sane. I’m not going to tell you guys not four years have certainly taught me that I can work to make the same mistakes that I made because to be honest, making your own around any situation if I know what I need. mistakes is the best way to learn. Hopefully, this column has provided examples of Ladue has also showed me the full spectrum of perils to come or at least, a case study on the inner workings of a psychotic Ladue teachers, from those who will give up entire weekstudent. Peace out, Ladue. It’s been real. • ends to accompany me to a competition to those who (This column represents the opinion of the writer.) create inane assignments or irrational rules for the

Peace out, Ladue

M

for an article, I learned to be more organized.

Time management has always been a struggle for me throughout high school, and Panorama helps to develop good habits that set up students for success. Though it was hard work sometimes, I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade one second spent working on staff.

Most importantly, Panorama has given me tools for effective communication. I admit, efficient communication was my biggest weakness throughout my story-writing years. However, I have learned to overcome this challenge by conducting in-person interviews, because I now know speaking face-to-face with someone is the best mode of communication. Communication is crucial in all aspects of daily life, and I hope to continue to strengthen my communication skills in college, building upon the foundation Panorama has provided me.

Panorama made me a more active member of Ladue High School. I am blessed to call myself a part of the staff. I feel there is a special respect shown to the entire production staff from the students, teachers and faculty. Distribution day is one of the most rewarding days of the month, when the writers get to see their hard work and bylines put into print. I encourage everyone to take the journalism and desktop publishing courses, not only because they are engaging classes, but because they also help students succeed in their other classes. More importantly, journalism opens so many doors that would otherwise be closed to the public. Panorama’s staff strives to provide Ladue with a greater sense of school awareness and community participation. I would like to thank Panorama for the greatest years of my high school experience, and I wish seniors and everyone else the best in next year’s endeavors. • art by AUDREY KOCHER

The first and last farewell S

sole purpose of exercising their authority. This might be the last time I interact with my teachers as a high school student, but Ladue won’t be the last place where I will learn from and interact with both people who always want the best for me to people who are driven by power and self-gain.

Through every activity and group project, I’ve learned how to work with different people.

Though my last Mock Trial round has passed and in another month, I will never compete in Science Olympiad again, this won’t be the last time I am on a team and must collaborate with people who are different from me. I’ve learned to be sensitive to others’ perspectives, and high school English will not be the last time I try to express my dissatisfaction with a class through an essay assignment.

But enough reminiscence on these lasts; perhaps the real way we should look at life is through the firsts. Without question, these last four years have offered plenty of new experiences that will always be attached to Ladue.

My first time traveling alone, failing a test, soloing with an orchestra and voluntarily speaking in public were all products of high school. Even my last month here held my first Night of Percussion (which was legitimately the coolest thing I have seen while at Ladue).

Firsts will never cease, and lasts are never really last. Graduation is not so much a farewell to the last year of high school, but a welcome to the first year of the real world.

My proverbial pen hovers in the air, poised and ready to finish off the last words of my last Panorama article, and I realize: this will be the first time I get to write my own title. Thanks for the experience, Ladue! •

panorama

May 16, 2013

TEACHER_________________________ PLURAL NOUN ___________________ NOUN___________________________ VERB ENDING IN -ING______________ NUMBER_________________________ ANIMAL_________________________ BODY PART_______________________ ANIMAL_________________________ PLURAL NOUN____________________ LIQUID___________________________ CONTAINER______________________ NUMBER_________________________ ADJECTIVE_______________________ COLOR__________________________ NOUN____ ______________________ VERB____________________________ NOUN___________________________ ADJECTIVE_______________________ NOUN___________________________ VERB____________________________ PLURAL NOUN____________________ ADJECTIVE_______________________ NOUN___________________________ VERB ENDING IN -ING _____________ NOUN __________________________ art by AUDREY KOCHER

__________’s Cure For Senioritis TEACHER

13

(photo courtesy of Margaret Burroughs)

We’ve all been there--late nights, cram ________, PLURAL NOUN

too many tests on not enough sleep. With this ______, you will never have to worry about NOUN

______________again.

VERB ENDING IN -ING

You will need:

- ______ eye(s) of ______ ANIMAL

NUMBER

BODY PART

F

ANIMAL

- Three ________

PLURAL NOUN

- Two cups of _____ LIQUID

Mix ingredients in a ______ __ for ______ minutes, CONTAINER

NUMBER

or until _______. The mixture should be ______ ADJECTIVE

COLOR

and smell like _____. When ready, _____ your magic NOUN

VERB

______ to make the concoction ______. Wait until a NOUN

ADJECTIVE

full ______, then ______ it. Within a few ________, NOUN

VERB

you will feel as _______ as a _______!

ADJECTIVE

PLURAL NOUN

NOUN

This potion is completely safe, with side effects including ____________ and ______ growth.

VERB ENDING IN -ING

poragDAS

- news writer

ong days, stressful nights, awkward interactions with the opposite gender; I’ve specialized in all of those the past four years (especially the awkward interactions).

I’ve forgotten what Warson Road looks like without traffic and I’m fairly sure that I’m in a constant state of sleep-deprivation.

Despite all of this, it’s strange to think that the rigmarole of high school will soon be a distant memory. What’s even stranger is the fact that I’m really going to miss all of it. That feeling of overwhelming exuberance when you hear the bell to dismiss class, the suspiciously squishy yet deliciously delectable cookies sold in the cafeteria, the beautiful chaos of the Commons at 7:30 in the morning…actually, I probably won’t miss that. But still, high school definitely had its moments. I’ve made friends that I’ll never forget and had arguments that I’ll never remember. I’ve gotten advice I should probably have written down and heard gossip I should probably have closed my ears for. But the most important thing high school has taught me about? Myself.

Yes, I know, that sounds sappy and cliché. However, that doesn’t make it any less true. The lessons high school has taught me were difficult to learn and not always particularly fun. Here are a few things that I hope come in handy for you too.

Pay attention whenever your teachers start talking about their personal lives. Teachers actually have some of the most interesting stories I’ve ever heard. Getting them on tangents about their international escapades (Mrs. Gutchewsky) or their marriage proposal (Mr. Goldwasser) can not only divert time from learning about TCQE or supply and demand curves; it can also teach you valuable life lessons.

Don’t try to take on the world by yourself. As a freshman, I was notoriously bad at asking for help. Though it’s one of the most difficult things for a teenager to do, it’s sometimes one of the most necessary. The important thing is finding someone you trust, whether it’s a parent, teacher or friend, and opening up to them a little. I’ve gotten a little better at that over the years and now, I pride myself in not being afraid to tell other people when something’s wrong.

Always bring a jacket. Our school is very cold.

Act like you’re someone’s role model. When I was a scrawny freshman on the soccer team waiting for my dad to pick me up from practice, the captain of the varsity team walked over to where I was sitting and suddenly asked me if I needed a ride. I was shocked. Not only was this guy (who was infinitely cooler than me) willing to talk to me, he even offered me a ride! Now,

How to be wrong and live to tell about it margaretBURROUGHS

- One _______ of _______

NOUN

Lessons learned from Ladue

L

OPINIONS

as a senior and varsity captain myself, I’ve made it my goal to ask every underclassman if they need a ride after practice.

The scary thing is that you never know who may be admiring the way you carry yourself or the way you live your life. Don’t abuse that. If you make decisions that only benefit yourself and hurt others, then you never know what effect that will have on the people around you. Leaving your legacy could be as simple as offering someone else a ride.

Traffic usually clears up by 2:30. Most people try to leave school right when the dismissal bell rings at 2:20. Every time I’ve tried that, I’ve been caught in a mad rush of speeding cars, lumbering buses and confused pedestrians. However, by 2:30 things typically calm down and you may actually be able to make a left turn out of the parking lot.

Don’t do things just so you can put them on your college apps. It’s much wiser to spend time doing things you enjoy and feel passionate about than trying to fill up your résumé. If your only motivation for doing community service is for getting into college, then you may need to sort out your priorities.

Learn from others. Without a doubt, this is the most important thing high school has taught me. The cool thing about Ladue is that it’s filled with some truly incredible people. As far as teachers go, there are some who have honestly changed my life. Mrs. Gutchewsky, Mr. Goldwasser, Mr. Lindhorst, Mr. Sonius…Beyond the curriculum, they’ve all taught me how to carry myself and how to treat others. I also have my friends to thank for this. Some I’ve known for fourteen years, some for five months. Either way, the cool thing about friends is that they somehow know you better than you know yourself. Or maybe that’s the freaky thing about friends. Regardless, I’ve tried surrounding myself with people that I want to be like. Thanks to them, I can actually look back upon these last four years with fondness.

Goggles are always in style. Whenever you’re rushed in the morning and you need a quick accessory, snap on some goggs.

Enjoy it. Yes, I had to save the sappiest lesson for last. There have certainly been some awful moments in my high school career (ex. awkward interactions with the opposite gender).

But, somehow, the good always seems to outweigh the bad.

Whether it was making the JV soccer team my freshman year or successfully asking a girl to prom, I’ve been a very lucky guy. Sometimes, it feels good to just step back and cherish the moment. You could be experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime event every day of your life without even realizing it. And someday, who knows? Maybe you’ll actually look back upon high school and miss it; even despite the awkward interactions with the opposite gender. •

- editor in chief

our years ago, when I was a freshman for the first time, I thought my then-senior brother was trying to ruin my life by making me late to first period every day. I thought I had to do everything—read every page in the biology textbook, participate in every activity that could possibly be crammed into my schedule and take every advanced class offered if I wanted to succeed.

Not one of those things turned out to be true.

I’ve skipped readings for classes. I quit taking viola lessons and horseback riding and I took regular chemistry (thank god), and somehow I still made it to graduation.

The most valuable things I’ve learned at Ladue never appeared on a class calendar. First off, the importance of self-control and patience can never be understated. A little humor goes a long way during Strolling Strings. And most importantly, you can’t succeed in anything, especially cross country, if you’re running scared. Of course you’re going to lose races and be disappointed. That is never a reason to give anything less than your best. These unplanned lessons are the legacies I will carry with me, and that is actually the most important thing I learned in high school.

When I look back on the last four years, the moments that stick out are serendipitous little things that made me happy. I remember my brother Tim leaving a pink stickynote that said “good luck” before my first track meet, and my brother Charlie coming to our first Strolling Strings concert.

I remember Mark Spewak and Emily Warner convincing me to run cross country, which it turns out is both a psychotic obsession AND a sport. And thanks to that insane decision, Mari and Neeti hugged me after Borgia. Coach Hill thanked me for driving people home. In a sport for which I have no talent, no demonstrable ability and a personal 5-K record of 29:48, I learned how to win, lose and be part of a team.

None of it was easy. When I looked at the seniors a year ago, I thought they achieved everything effortlessly. So, to debunk any misconception, there will be times in high school when you will feel exhausted, worn-out, overworked and too sleep-deprived to do the same thing all over again.

Those days are the hard ones, and they, too, shall pass.

Right now, it feels like the entire school is giving a huge sigh of relief. At last, we know what the next few years will bring. We have decided what kind of future we want to pursue. There’s some sense of control—like we finally know what we’re doing and that things will turn out the way we expect them to. I am almost positive they won’t, and that’s a good thing. The experiences we don’t expect are the ones that end up making a difference. Being welcomed on the cross country team undoubtedly changed the course of my last two years of high school. Connecting with a teacher who somehow managed to explain integrals and how to survive as a sarcastic person was a gift.

In conclusion, (which I say because Ms. Gutchewsky assures me that conclusions make it look like we know what we’re doing), learning is just as important as learning what is important. I’m going to be a freshman again next year.

I’m going to be a freshman in about three months in a state where the average temperature in January is somewhere between 16 and 31 degrees. This time I’ll make sure I get to know my classmates just as well as I get to know the course material. I’ll try to be braver because there’s no point in spending life afraid of what could happen. I’m sure I’ll spend the next four years realizing that the real world is entirely different from what I think now. I’m looking forward to it. Without high school, I wouldn’t have realized how special it’s been to connect with my teammates, my coeditors, my viola buddies, my coaches, my teachers and my friends.

I hope four years from now, I’ll be able to say I learned even more in college. • (This column represents the opinion of the writer.)

14

AWARDS

panorama

May 16, 2013

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[staff] EDITORIAL As the Class of 2013 heads to college and beyond, the question of majors looms overhead.

While some have definite answers, many will declare themselves undecided freshman year.

Emphasis on college admissions often misleads students. Many focus on “dream schools” but fail to consider the equally important issue of their career choice.

According to the New York Times, 80 percent of freshmen at Pennsylvania State University have admitted to being uncertain of their majors. This trend has been growing nationally. From 2001 to 2011, 70 percent of bachelor’s degrees offer multiple majors to accommodate students’ indecision.

Students can learn more about themselves and what they truly want by seeking supportive figures. Shadowing and talking to professionals can be instrumental in shaping a student’s perspective. Exploration will allow students to find new ideas for careers that they may have never encountered before. Building contacts in the professional world can be extremely valuable in the future for jobs and internships.

Also the array of options out there can be overwhelming to students who could be pressed for time once enrolled in a college program to choose one. However, if students start earlier they may have more peace of mind to review all their options fully.

Students should not be alarmed if they do not reach a decision before attending college. A career choice is a very important decision and takes time for consideration. It is advantageous to spend enough time making the right career choice versus rushing a decision and switching majors.

senior essays

C

amera strap secured around my neck, I slink off to the side of the crowd and stride ahead of the singers. I pause and turn around before tucking my arms to steady the footage. As I watch the other marchers through both my own eyes and the eye of the camera, the moment transcends me. This is not just about capturing memories for my own sake; it is about education, telling a story, and giving people a personal connection to new experiences. It is about imparting the knowledge and incentive to make a difference.

I will always run ahead of moments to film them. But running ahead of the moment does not mean missing the experience. There will always be the instant where the marchers pass me by, and that short window of time not only enhances my own life, but becomes yet another story to share. •

Samantha Weil

optio The to Br ns. I w en e

Ithaca College

Indecision facilitates greater exploration

When making such a decision students must realize their priorities and analyze how important these are to their happiness.

Considering this, sudents should not be afraid of changing majors. Time spent on an unfitting major is not wasted. Figuring out aspects of careers you dislike is just as important and finding preferable things. Changing majors helps students get closer their perfect fit. It allows for a young adult to know what will not work out for them.

While it isn’t imperative, starting earlier is usually better. It gives time for exploration and mistakes along the way. At some point, everyone will need to decide. Ample consideration time can guarantee the right choice.

Students should never doubt sacrifice their true passions though. Instead they should seek a path that accommodates both.

Also one should never be afraid of what others think. Ignoring the judgements of society is a key step that must be taken. Wasting energy trying to satisfy society is a waste of time. It’s natural for humans to always want more and never be satisfied. A job path should be a personally influenced decision and should never succumb to the pressure of parents, teachers and friends. It’s your life, and ultimately you must be happy.

Career choices can be, in a sense, a guess-and-check game. Many art by INGRID OLSON people are bound to make mistakes along the way. But the key is how they respond, how they get back up from their feet and make progress. This is what can define a person’s success. No matter what traps we fall into, we should never give but rather continue to pursue our dreams. After all, this is a decision that can affect the rest of your life. •

We asked seniors to share a portion of their college essays. Here are a few of the personalities of the Class of 2013. •

T

he precision shown in each letter of my initial signifies the excellence for which I strive in everything I do. While many of my peers tell me to be content with “good,” I cannot settle for anything less than great.

The elegance of the scripted letters I monogram on that which I own thus unveils the etiquette and self-discipline that my parents taught me growing up.

Aside from teaching me to behave as a lady and to treat others with respect, my parents have stressed that I take full advantage of my talents to bless those around me. The best means I have found to bless people is through the excellence of my workmanship, customers leave happy upon receiving superb service. Teachers find encouragement from my refusal to settle for mediocrity. Friends learn the fullness of what the word trust means as a result of my faithfulness. Patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital garner support and love through my volunteerism. •

Jennifer Park

Rhodes College

art by AUDREY KOCHER

panorama

May 16, 2013

AWARDS

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Ladue African-American Student Alliance Scholarships

James A. Wagner/St. Louis Post Dispatch Scholar Athlete Jordan Garner

Frances H. Ginsberg Memorial Vocal Music

TEAMS

Goessl Book Award

Jerome Gregory

Collin Christner, Runpeng Liu, Maximilian Schindler and Haohang Xu

Sarah Adams

William Raisch Dads Club Scholarship

Jeff Lieberman Scholarship

Charles Shepherd Foundation Scholarships

Lois Percival Orchestra Award

Collin Christner

Collin Christner

Sarah Allen

Meredith Behrens, Sydney Fontaine, and Emma Grady-Pawl

Porag Das

Sneider-Kaskowitz Expository Writing Award

Bill Brackman Distinguished Service Band Award

Michael A. Ramming Dads Club Scholarship

Missouri State High School Activities Association

Connie Strobach Outstanding Female Athlete

DECA Scholarship

Justin Mann

Corey Rosenberg

Courtney Jonas

Andrew Cohen and Elise Pellett

Maria Vetter

Sydney Fontaine

Ladue Scholarship Awards

National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists And Finalists

National Merit Commended Students

Dads Club Recognition Award/George Washington Carver Award

Margaret Burroughs, Spencer Grady-Pawl, Dylan Hafer, Daniel Krack and Samantha Weil

David Abraham Christopher Beckmann Jason Blanke Alexandra Bruns-Smith Margaret Burroughs Collin Christner Porag Das Sydni Davis Olivia Gada Jordan Garner Aisha Ghodbane Emma Grady-Pawl Cameron Harder Julia Heins Xin Huang Annie Kopp Runpeng Liu Sydney Petersen Taylor Petersen Yi Ru Rebecca Schachtman Maximilian Schindler Samantha Shanker Pranav Shastry Christina Shaw Julia Smith Andrew Spewak Mukund Subramanian Christine Wang Victor Wang Samantha Weil Haohang Xu Hanna Zenger

James Robertson Memorial Award

Siemens Award for Advanced Placement

Kurt H. Knoedelseder Theatre Scholarship Award

Dr. Robert L. Bannister Award

Eddie Mungai

Runpeng Liu

Leslie Insell

Cameron Harder

Jerome Gregory, Kynnedi Grant, Mariah Cunningham, Maureen Cunningham

Michael Murray Ramming Memorial Scholarship

Hank Kaufman Math Award

George Turmail Band Award

James A. Wagner Alumni Association Scholarship

William Heyde Great American Debater Award

Rebecca Schachtman

Maximilian Schindler

Timothy Padgett

Annie Kopp

Matt Pearlstone Memorial Scholarship

Tony Kardis Senior Science Award

James R. Waechter Band Award

Alex Guenther

Runpeng Liu and Mukund Subramanian

Charles Jeffers Glik Scholarship Kenndy San

Iris Markman Fine Arts Award Corey Rosenberg

Faculty, Scholarship, Leadership and Service Award

Samantha Shanker

Patricia Sanders Scholarship

The DaVinci Award Meadow Faulkner and Julia Heins

Jerome Gregory

Santiago Beltran-Miranda, Kelsey Burrus, Mariah Cunningham, Olivia Gada, Christina Nguyen, Favour Oladipupo, Francesca Pugh Shannon, Yi Ru, Christina Shaw and Shawn Whitley

Dads Club Scholarship

Porag Das

Sarah Allen Alexandra Bruns-Smith Collin Christner Porag Das Sushant Koirala Runpeng Liu Sydney Petersen Taylor Petersen Maximilian Schindler Julia Smith Taylor Thompson Victor Wang Haohang Xu

To the graduating seniors on the publications staff: “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to

make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” ~e.e. cummings

It has truly been a pleasure working with your talent, dedication and compassion. This year we endured a lot of laughs and a few stressful late production nights, but it has never been a drag because of your commitment to our publications. You made this year look breathlessly easy. I can’t be prouder of you as a staff. Thank you on their behalf!

M P

—

Hannah Cropf, Panorama Opinions Editor

Sarah Allen, Panorama Web Editor-in-Chief

Leonardo Di Cera, Panorama & Rambler Business Manager

Margaret Burroughs, Panorama Editor-in-Chief

rs.

Diana Jung, Panorama Art Editor

Christine Wang, Panorama Editor-in-Chief

roehl

—d —

Anna Moore, Rambler Ads & People Editor

A&E Editors Charlie Garside Miranda Siwak

Rebecca Kaiser, Rambler Editor-in-Chief

And a special farewell to the five young women who served as this year’s publications’ editors-in-chief.

You worked so well to solidify this experience to produce a top-notch chronicle of history and memories for your student body.

I will miss your leadership and guidance!

Elise Pellett, Rambler Activities Editor

Miranda Siwak, Panorama Arts & Entertainment Editor

Elizabeth Wallis, Rambler Activities Editor

Panorama is produced nine times per school year by the newspaper class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School • 1201 S. Warson Rd., St. Louis, Missouri 63124 • (314)-993-6447 ext. 5463 • www.laduepanorama. com Panorama strives to inform and entertain students, staff and community members and to uphold professional standards of accuracy and fairness. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of Panorama editors, not necessarily the school or school district. Signed editorials represent the writer’s opinion.

Panorama welcomes and encourages letters to the editors. Signed letters of 300 words or fewer should be brought to Room 216. Panorama reserves the right to edit as long as the intent remains unchanged.

EDITORS IN CHIEF Molly Burroughs Christine Wang

Olivia Jaeger, Rambler Editor-in-Chief

Hanna Zenger

Features Editors Emily Biest Jason Kaplan News Editors Mike Figenshau Jacob Jacob

Opinions Editors Hannah Cropf Karen Figenshau Photo Editors Elyse Mack Jeanne Wilkinson Sports Editors Chloe An Alli Loynd

Art Editors Diana Jung Audrey Kocher

Emma Grady-Pawl Levi Greenberg Jerome Gregory Hayden Hunt Sarah Jacob Business Yoav Kadan Manager Bram Levy Leo Di Cera Sabrina Medler Nick Nash Apoorva Nori Mackenzie Pass Web master Nathan Perlmutter Warren Biest Hannah Schwartz WEB EDITOR IN CHIEF Hannah Snidman Andrew Tsiaklides Sarah Allen Rachel Wagner-Muns Haohang Xu WEB WRITER Justin Cole Photographers Sydney Ellis Writers Peyton Farmer Juliann Bi Hope Howard Leo Di Cera Sarah Kessel Annie Cohen Magda Lijowska Emma Cohen Julia Novack Jeet Das Jessica Puyo Beza Getahun Danielle Thompson Henok Getahun Emma Weller Ali Gold

Artists Hannah Cropf Ting Ding Matthew Hooper Ingrid Olson Ashley Turner Eric Zhu Mary Xiao Juliann Bi Elaine Zhang Jack Proehl Adviser Jillian Proehl

PLEASE RECYCLE April Corrections

• National Honor Society sponsor Candice Spector was incorrectly identified as Janice Spector in Ladue Low Down on page 2.

• Thank you for allowing us to be your news source in the school year 2012-2013. Stay current over the summer by visiting http:// www.laduepanorama.com and watch for our first issue on the first day of school next year!

• Have a great summer!

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panorama

SPORTS

SENIOR Coaches recognize outstanding senior student athletes

Field Hockey: Courtney Emert

“The senior athlete for field hockey is Courtney Emert. She led the team by example as she was in great shape, had excellent stick skills, always worked hard at practice and games, and pushed the team to excel this past season.”

-Coach Barb Dwyer “Isabella is not only one of the best high school rowers in the country, but she’s also a great teammate and person. Isabella’s teammates look to her for leadership on and off the water and she always delivers at a high level.”

-Coach Tim Franck

“Though small in stature, Shawn delivered big plays on both sides of the ball for the football team. He was a team captain who displayed a strong work ethic and an ability to inspire his teammates. He will have a great athletic and academic career [in college].”

-Coach Mike Tarpey

Football: Shawn Whitley Boys’ Soccer: Porag Das

May 16, 2013

Baseball: Alex Kaplan

“Lex Kaplan has been a member of the varsity team since his freshman year. He has received numerous accolades and is a leader on the team. He has been a pleasure to coach and is one of the best players our conference has ever had.”

-Coach Don Goble

art by YU ZE ZHU

Golf: Seth Smith

“Seth has been the best Ladue golfer since the late 70’s [and] early 80’s. He is a driven and dedicated golfer. He works hard and long at the range and it shows. Seth will have a lot of success due to his work ethic and determination.”

-Coach Charles Harrison “Maria has been a four-year varsity soccer player and three-year captain. She has done a great job during her high school soccer career in getting the most out of her ability, working hard in practices and games, and leading by example on and off the field.”

-Coach David Aronberg

“Charlie’s determination and his natural talent were enormous factors in the team’s success.

Charlie led by example in the locker room and on the ice. It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach Charlie; #9 will forever be a big part of Ladue Hockey history.”

-Coach Jon Hodgins

Hockey: Charlie Jonas Softball: Natalie Grimm

(photo courtesy of Tyler Christner)

Girls’ Rowing: Isabella Benduski Boys’ Track and Field: Brandon Harrison

“Jeet’s all-around display of character is hard to find in students and adults. In his two years of varsity soccer, I do not recall a time when Jeet had to be corrected for acting a certain way. Displaying true character 100 percent of the time is how I will remember him.”

-Coach Matthew Prange “Jordan is a half-miler who has been a product of the track team for four years and has done a really good job. She has battled through injuries and health issues and has had a pretty decent season this year.”

Girls’ Soccer: Maria Vetter Volleyball: Christina Shaw

-Coach Keith Harder

“Natalie has always served as an example to the other players of the power of thinking positively and the impact hard work can have on her game. Her high spirits and beaming smile made every day more enjoyable. She will be greatly missed!”

-Coach Jennifer Tuttle “Joe has steadily improved to become one of our top defenders and strongest shooters.

Joe is a team leader and has set the example for other team members on how hard work and dedication will advance you to being a full-time starter.”

-Coach Corey Miller

(photo courtesy of Madison Barker)

(photo courtesy of Madison Barker)

“Brandon has been an elite jumper for us this season. He’s coming off injuries from last season and doing a really good job coming back and has been the most solid performer this season for our team.”

-Coach Keith Harder

Girls’ Track and Field: Jordan Garner

“Christina, as varsity captain and four year student-athlete, has always displayed excellent leadership skills, and has been a great ‘sportswoman’ to peer athletes. She will be missed and never forgotten as a exceptional Ladue volleyball player.”

-Coach Roberta McCaffery

Water Polo: Joesph Milton

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May 16, 2013

“Austin has been a big contributor to our program over the last few years. He is a true leader, very skilled with great potential and led the area this past season in rebounds and blocked shots. He will be missed in our program on both ends of the floor.”

-Coach Chad Anderson

Girls’ Basketball: Elizabeth Greenberg

“Morgan Moore [brought a] superior amount of passion, excellence and dedication to cheerleading. Morgan has continually worked hard, been a great team leader and provided motivation to her squad members. She will be greatly missed next year.”

-Coach Christy Plous

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SPORTS

Boys’ Cross Country: Colin Cernik

(photo courtesy of Madison Barker)

Boys’ Basketball: Austin DaGue Boys’ Lacrosse: Alexander Schott

“Alex has given the team great effort day in and day out from game to game and practice to practice. Every game this year Alex has been charged with defending the other teams’ best offensive threat and is a big part of our clearing and transition game.”

-Coach Pat Callaham

“Chris was a captain because of his ability to lead the team and demonstrate how hard work will pay off. Chris also is an outstanding student and role model for the rest of the team. His hard work led to state qualification times the past couple of seasons.”

-Coach Corey Miller

“Liz Greenberg was our team MVP. She was a team captain and a four year varsity letterman. Liz was one of our best defenders and was our second leading scorer this year. We will miss her leadership as well as her on the court presence next year.”

-Coach Cord Dockery “Annie is a fierce competitor on the field. She is a captain and a great offensive leader. She also achieves excellence in the classroom.

She received an all-American academic award last year for excellence off the field.

She is a vital part of our team.”

-Coach Neil Theriault

Girls’ Lacrosse: Annie Kopp Girls’ Swimming: Rebecca Schachtman

Cheerleading: Morgan Moore Poms: Brooke Hyman

“Brooke Hyman has been on the Laduettes all four years of high school. She became cocaptain her sophomore year then transitioned to captain her senior year. Throughout her time on the team, she has showed dedication, leadership and her love for dance.”

-Coach Alexandra Whaley

“Eric played varsity tennis all four year of his high school career. He is an excellent doubles player who will qualify for state this spring.

He brings enthusiasm, toughness and intelligence to all of our practices and matches.”

“He brought a lot of talent and leadership to the team. He is a guy that truly worked his way to the top. He brings a lot of knowledge to the sport and works hard even when no one is looking, which leaves a great example for the team that he is leading.”

-Coach John Spencer “BJ is an exceptional athlete who was named

by Rowing Magazine as one of the ‘Twenty under Twenty’ athletes in American rowing.

BJ has brought commitment, grace and good humor to the SLRC community. He has raised the bar for rowing in St. Louis.”

-Coach Andrew Black

Boys’ Rowing: Adelbert Francis Girls’ Tennis: Lindsey Whitehead

-Coach Kevin Lackey (photos courtesy of Prestige Portraits)

Boys’ Swimming: Christopher Beckmann

“As a new coach, she was instrumental in helping me start the season. Overall, she excelled in helping organize team activities and she performed at a high level throughout the year, especially at the end of the season when it mattered most.”

-Coach Ted Waterson

Boys’ Tennis: Eric Peters

“Lindsey led Ladue to a team state championship and also earned a state singles title.

She is great example of hard work as she tirelessly works at her game. Furthermore, Lindsey is a fantastic teammate and we will miss having her on the team.”

-Coach Kevin Lackey

Wrestling: Grant Sachs

(photo courtesy of Elise Pellett)

“Grant Sachs was probably one of our best senior leaders we have had in a long time.

Grant did a lot of off-season workouts, and I know that is what got him a fourth medal at state. It’s pretty cool to see that and see the hard work paying off.”

-Coach Kevin Clawson

alliLOYND

ATHLETES

- sports editor

chloeAN

- sports editor

art by DIANA JUNG

(Photos by Sydney Ellis, Hope Howard, Sarah Kessel, Magdalena Lijowska, Elyse Mack, Julia Novack, Jesica Puyo, Danielle Thompson and Emma Weller)

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visit us online at laduepanorama.com interested in advertising with us? email jproehl@ladueschools.net

May 16, 2013

May 16, 2013

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“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

– Albus Dumbledore

Congratulations 2013 graduates! art by HANNAH CROPF

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Dr. Shanna Zhang, LAC, OMD, Ph. D 6744 Clayton Rd, Suite 202 St. Louis, MO 63117

314-600-3144 or 314-644-0056 http://www.TopAcupunctureHerb.com

art by AUDREY KOCHER