Panorama December Issue by Ladue Publications

Editor’s Note

Once upon a time, teenagers found themselves lost in the pages of books. Now, onceloved pages have been cast aside in favor of their newer, shinier, replacement — the internet. However, does the rapid nature of modern media drive us from the patience required for reading, or can it serve as a bridge back to literature? To answer this question, in this issue’s in-depth we examine the relationships between reading, social media and attention span.

Elsewhere, we explore the athletic pursuits of an aerialist student and the musical prowess of a student producer. Turn to news for a spotlight on our a capella group as they prepare for their annual winter concert.

With winter in full swing, dive into one staffer’s guide to all things hot chocolate, the return of Ladue Hockey’s star goalie and the talented students hitting the rink in “Nutcracker on Ice.”

We wish you the best of luck on finals, and hope that you enjoy our last issue of 2024. Happy holidays from us to you!

Katie Myckatyn

CREDITS: Editors’ photo by Vincent Hsiao. Front cover design by Kelly Zhang. Back cover design by Fiona Van Allen.

Scan to view Ladue Publications’ Editorial Policy

Panorama Staf

EXECUTIVE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Arti Jain

MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lathan Levy

DESIGN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Emily Liu

COPY EDITORS IN CHIEF

Katie Myckatyn

Will Kodner

ART EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kelly Zhang

PHOTO EDITOR IN CHIEF

Vincent Hsiao

NEWS EDITORS

Marie Demkovitch

Cindy Liu

FEATURES EDITORS

Grace Huewe

Ira Rodrigues

IN-DEPTH EDITORS

Alzhraa Mahmoud

Celina Zhou

OPINIONS EDITORS

Ella Bender

Grace Kweon

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

EDITORS

Sara Rohatgi

Aaron Lin

HEALTH & SPORTS EDITORS

Mason Eastman

Ryan Snyder

STAFF MANAGER

Nyla Weathersby

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

LIAISON

Ishaan Pandey

COLUMNIST

Frank Chen

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Michael Zegel

Jay Heintz

NEWS STAFF

Jane Schefel

Medha Chode

FEATURES STAFF

Katie Jansen

IN-DEPTH STAFF

Kaichen Chou

Josie Stout Max Karsh

OPINIONS STAFF

Nina Ye

Tiya Kaul

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT STAFF

Fiona Van Allen

HEALTH & SPORTS STAFF

Adela Gingrich

Meg Myckatyn

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Isak Taylor

Lilly Jacks

Olu Falako

Emma Bangert

Melody Abady

WEB EDITORS IN CHIEF

Josh Devine

Madeline Awad

WEB STAFF

Vicky Derdoy

Annabelle Reagan

Isaac Zelinske

Loukya Gillella

Emily Pan

Nora Brunnquell

ID EDITORS IN CHIEF

Sylvia Hanes

Maya Mathew

Ella Braig

Amelie Lock

Madeline Fong

Nathan King

ID STAFF ADVISERS

Sarah Kirksey

Abigail Eisenberg

Arti Jain Will Kodner Katie Myckatyn Emily Liu Lathan Levy

News to Know

Local Events School Board Update

St. Charles Christmas Traditions

The annual Christmas Traditions event in St. Charles will occur Nov. 29 to Dec. 24. This year will mark the 50th season anniversary. The festival has a variety of shops, storytelling and musical ensembles to celebrate the holiday season. The festival opens 6-8:30 p.m. on Fridays, 128:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. No tickets are required for this event.

Winterfest

Winterfest, a yearly celebration of the winter season, returns for its ninth year Nov. 23 to Dec. 31 in the Kiener Plaza by the Gateway Arch. This event goes from 4-8 p.m. on Fridays and 12-8 p.m. on Saturdays. The event consists of an ice rink (visitors can skate for free if they bring their own skates), heated igloos, s’more kits and holiday themed karaoke Dec. 6 and Dec. 31.

Wild Lights

The Saint Louis Zoo hosts “Wild Lights” Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 26-29. Visitors can walk through the vibrant zoo with themed displays and holiday treats. Tickets for zoo members sell for $12 and non-member tickets sell for $15 on the website.

School Board initiates “Student World Cafe” in November

By Cindy Liu

News Editor

An open session meeting held Nov. 13 introduced a new program for students to voice their opinions on school-related matters in board meetings called the “Student World Cafe.” Students shared their ideas on the “No Place for Hate” initiative and course offerings.

Pharaoh Williams (10) was one of the students who spoke at the Student World Cafe. He offered ideas for new classes and ways for more student engagement in school spirit.

“I talked about classes that I want to see,” Williams said. “[I want] more classes on Black history. Black Studies is kind of watered down. I also talked about having assemblies for school spirit. Our school spirit is really centered around sports. People don’t have another way of connecting to school without sports, so we’d like to see more things outside of school.”

The plan for board meetings is meant to be of service to the district, therefore the board is always seeking the most relevant and beneficial topics for the Ladue community and is doing so publicly.

“The goal of the board meetings is to conduct the business of the school district in a public manner,” Board of Education president Marissa Rosen said. “We’re responsible for the finances of the district,

curriculum and instruction decisions and human resources decisions.”

In November, two meetings were held Nov. 13 and 25; one for a work session and another to discuss specific district issues. Board meetings begin with discussing private matters in closed sessions, then follow with an open session that anyone in the Ladue community can attend to learn about upcoming plans for the district.

“Every month that we have two meetings, one of our meetings is a work session, which is an opportunity for the board to learn about a specific topic,” Rosen said. “We have those [meetings] for finance, curriculum and instruction, for facilities and a variety of topics.”

In the second meeting, the board discussed the board president election, how to file for candidacy and went over finances and voted on increasing the annual Ladue Early Childhood Center tuition by 5%.

“[We talked] about the Ladue Early Childhood Center tuition,” Rosen said. “[We also talked] about the audit of our school district and learned about the auditors report this November.”

For more information regarding the board meetings, Rosen advises students to find their website.

“[The website is] where you can find the meeting schedules, how to make public comments, district goals, policies, legislative updates and more,” Rosen said.

Standard School Board Agenda

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Photo courtesy of Kari R. Frey/ Saint Louis Zoo

“The Prom” Auditions

Students present musical talent in singing, acting and dancing

By Cindy Liu

Auditions for the spring musical, “The Prom,” took place Nov. 1820. The auditions were separated into three categories: singing, acting and dancing, where students auditioned in small groups. Singing auditions took place in the choir room Nov. 18, and acting and dancing were held in the Black Box Theater Nov. 19-20.

ABOVE: Students dance to “It’s Time to Dance.” They learned the routine before auditioning. “I usually do backstage stuf, and it’s my senior year so I decided to do [acting] for the last time,” Reva Shetty (12) said.

LEFT: Brockden Miller (10) showcases his dancing. He was in the last group to audition. “I have friends in this musical and they’re super nice,” Miller said. “It’s a fun experience to be in a production.” (Photos by Isak Taylor)

Grace Pinex (11) auditioned for several roles, and said she was excited presenting her dancing skills to the directors. She performed in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” the previous spring musical and enjoyed learning about the character she portrayed.

“The most interesting [part] is doing the research on the character, because typically the character that you play is different from the person that you are,” Pinex said. “It’s cool getting to learn how to be a new person and present it to everyone.” P

Class Activities

Class projects in November

ABOVE: Brooklyn Simily (10) feeds a mixture of tomatoes and mushrooms to worms in a compost bin. The LEADS Sustainable Investigations class collects, freezes and grinds leftover scraps from the cafeteria to then feed to the worms in a process called verma composting. LEADS and social studies teacher Matt Horn and his students have started the project this year.

“It’s a way to divert food waste from a landfll, it’s a very small thing, but it’s a way to do something,” Horn said. “It’s a part of our sustainability eforts with food waste in LEADS.” (Photo by Marie Demkovitch)

ABOVE: The Construction Innovations class taught by practical arts teacher Bill Edwards is fnishing the interior of their tiny home. At the end of the school year, the home will be outside of the garage for visitors. Students developed their teamwork skills, providing a similar experience of a construction site.

“[Construction Innovations] provides you with life skills and teaches you how to think on your own,” Edwards said. “[I know because] I once had that job. If you take this class, whether you want to be a doctor, a lawyer, a builder or social worker, it will help you in anything you do.” (Photo by Cindy Liu)

News Editor

RIGHT: Norah Murphy (11) and Kayla Wallace (12) practice for their 2024 spring concert. They will perform in Viva Voce’s annual winter concert Dec. 14.

“The group will sing our old songs and then we’ll also sing our competition set,” Murphy said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

FAR TOP RIGHT: Viva Voce stands on the stairs at Union Station. This is Kate Sheley’s (12) frst year as president.

“[Being president] entails making sure the girls are being kind to each other [and] being productive,” Sheley said. (Photo by Kayla Wallace)

FAR BOTTOM RIGHT: Viva Voce sits in a circle at one of their 2024 practices. Their winter concert will be their frst show of the season. “I always went to [Viva Voce] concerts and was behind the scenes and I just fell in love with it,” Sheley said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

‘A Special Moment in Time’

Viva Voce to perform annual winter concert in the Black Box Theater

By Jane Schefel

Staf

Viva Voce, the all-female a cappella group, will perform in the Black Box Theater Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. for their annual winter concert.

“Our performance is going to be a mesh of all of our music that we sing, which is a bunch of pop songs,” Viva Voce president Kate Sheley (12) said.

This year, alongside their past songs, Viva Voce will debut three new songs that they are singing at nationals. These songs were picked by Viva Voce executives over summer break.

“We’re singing ‘Not Strong Enough’ by Boygenius, ‘My Mind’ by YEBBA and ‘Rocket Man’ by Elton John,” Sheley said.

The winter concert is Viva Voce’s first of around five performances this season. They will prepare for the Varsity Vocals Inter-

national Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) which is later in the season.

“We have two school concerts, and we always get hired to play at usually two to three gigs every year,” Viva Voce music director Norah Murphy (11) said. “Then we have [the national] competition in February.”

Viva Voce has a tight schedule to prepare for their shows. The group has been practicing their songs for the show since beginning of summer break.

“We practice every Thursday morning [at] 6:30 a.m. and then we [practice] twice a month Sunday,” Sheley said. “And sometimes we do Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m.”

The members of Viva Voce don’t only prepare at their practices; they also work independently to learn their songs and choreography for the show.

“We have practice tracks, so I will listen to those if I’m cleaning

Why should people see the perfomance?

my room so I can get them into my system,” Sheley said. “I’ll read over the music, mark everything.”

Viva Voce’s time and dedication creates an exciting atmosphere that brings happiness to many people. The members invite everyone to come and see their many concerts.

“It’s not like any other concert you’ll see at Ladue,” Murphy said. “It’s [going to] be a really fun concert. It’s [going to] be songs that most people will know.”

Throughout their performances, Viva Voce members express their dedication and love for singing and performing.

“The idea of people making music solely with their voices is already so enticing, but Viva Voce as a whole, when we make music altogether, it’s a special moment in time,” Sheley said. “I think it’s really fun and exciting for other people to experience it, and we love sharing that moment.”

“Come see our winter concert because we sing a lot of songs that you already know and [it’s] a very fun environment.”

Violet Coughlin (10)

Lily Crabtree (10)

“I recommend coming because a cappella music sounds so beautiful when we sing and all the chords come together.”

Stuti Dasgupta (12)

“We have some diferent artists this year like Boygenius, Elton John and YEBBA, so if you like their music come to the show.”

Dancing on Ice

20th annual “Nutcracker on Ice” performance to be held at Webster Groves Ice Arena

By Medha Chode

Webster Groves Ice

Arena’s 20th annual “Nutcracker on Ice” show takes place Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 with daily shows at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets began selling Nov. 18 for $20 and are sold at the door for $25 until they sell out.

Gia Grillo (12), who has skated for 13 years, will play the Mouse Queen in the production.

“For the principal roles, the auditions were last month, so I’ve been working on my audition program [since] the summer,” Grillo said. “I did that last month, and [now practices have] started.”

There are multiple students from Ladue High School participating, with a few of them playing leading roles in the performance.

“It’s such a cool show,” Hadley Alvater (12) said. “[The ballet] is pretty cool to see, but it’s not as cool as seeing people your age doing all these cool things.”

Alvater, who will play the Dragon this year, has been skating for 10 years. She skates for Saint Louis Synergy, a synchronized skating team at the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club, which is running the “Nutcracker on Ice.”

“[Saint Louis Synergy has] been on Team USA [for the International Skating Union] before,” Alvater said. “We’ve gone to Nationals probably every year ever since we started. We have teams from little itty-bitties, who still need a helmet, to 70-year-olds.”

The “Nutcracker on Ice” is not only a fundraiser for the club, but also part of a canned food drive for Operation Food Search. They collected 2,346 pounds of food last year.

“It’s a huge collaborative effort of about 10 different coaches and all of the parents in the show help volunteer for it,” show director Charity Hendrickson said. “[It’s] a pretty big collaboration of peo-

CAST

Three main characters in “The Nutcracker”

Clara

The heroine who is gifted a doll that comes to life.

Nutcracker

The doll that is gifted to Clara and takes her on an adventure.

Sugar Plum Fairy

The guardian of the Land of Sweets.

Want More?

the

and almost

What’s Your Favorite Part of “The Nutcracker?”

“The music; it doesn’t make me fall asleep.”

“When

ple to help coordinate and put all the pieces together and everything.”

Hendrickson has directed the “Nutcracker on Ice” show for all 20 years.

“You get to see the full story of The Nutcracker, but in a shorter version, very kid friendly, people can make noise and cheer and get really into the story,” Hendrickson said. “It’s just a little bit more casual and fun than the traditional ballet feels for people.”

Seven years ago, when help was needed putting on the production, Brooke Lacey, a volunteer, stepped up and has been the co-producer ever since.

“I just think it’s a fun filled community event that kind of shows the story of ‘The Nutcracker’ in a different perspective than the ballet,” Lacey said. “It’s just a neat family atmosphere, I feel like it’s brought a lot of people into the skating community.” P

“Probably the

“I like ‘The

Staf

Emery Mao (9)

the Rat King dies.”

Preston Jewell (11)

hot chocolate scene.”

Caroline Schefel (10)

Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy.’”

Franco Van Well (9)

Gia Grillo (12) practices for her upcoming role in “Nutcracker on Ice.” She has been in the show for the past 12 years. “I enjoy

because

set feels nostalgic

magical around the holiday season,” Grillo said. (Photo by Emma Bangert)

Scan here for the Nutcracker on Ice website

Ramen Rundown

Copy & Paste!

Examining traditional and instant ramen and students’ opinons on each

Illustration by Emily Liu

This is Headline

Regional Styles

Diferent styles of ramen, their common toppings and popularity

The subhead gives an overview of the article and is probably in subject verb format

Toppings Key:

This is Headline

The subhead gives an overview of the article and is probably in subject verb format

Calorie Count

Approximate number of calories in types of ramen by the bowl

This is Headline

Illustration by Person Name

Photo by Person Name

*Photo and Illustration credits should be placed next to the art/photo

Enjoyed by of Students

The subhead gives an overview of the article and is probably in subject verb

Fermented Bamboo Shoots

34% Enjoyed by of students

Rolled, marinated pork

poruptaspero omnihil il et velestempos alit aut eturibus, simus. aut laborep eritas. Lorem ipsum aut

Litati resti od min nam ute et autem ressimi, sit est, te del eriam haribus debitem eum aut quia aliqui ius quas dicil magnat

42% Enjoyed by students

Made from wheat four, water, salt and kansui, alkaline water

*An essential ingredient

mus sum as mincit, core velisti

Headline

Noto Serif Display Black

Size: 27

Line Spacing: 27

Tracking: 0

Byline

Noto Serif Display Black Size: 10

Line Spacing: 12

Tracking: 0

ABOVE: Jane Doe (12) stirs a pot of soup in the kitchen of her restaurant. She is currently not working due to COVID-19. “I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen and do what I love,” Doe said. (Photo courtesy of Jane Doe)

Chili Oil

Vegetable oil infused with chili fakes

Line 1:

the

50% Enjoyed by of students

Drop Cap Noto Serif Display Size: 8.5 pt

Line spacing: 12 pt

Drop Cap: 3 lines

Tracking: 50

Indent: 0

Justified all lines

By Person Name

Scallions

Thinly sliced green onions

38% Enjoyed by of students

66% Enjoyed by of students of

Soft-boiled Eggs

Marinated eggs with a jammy center

Seaweed

Dried porphyra seaweed sheets

45% Enjoyed by of students

Here’s a quote. This quote can be removed from the direct context of the story.” Person Name Their Title

Rolled fshcake 17% Enjoyed by of students Build a Bowl

CURIOUS?

Scan here for more on what the QR code leads to

Traditional ingredients in a bowl of ramen and students’ enjoyment of them

Narutomaki

Cup-noodle Anatomy

The development and production of Nissin Food’s famous instant ramen brand, Cup Noodles

Pull-back Lid

Inspired by the lid of a container of macadamia nuts

Original Flavoring

hicken was the frst up oodle fa or to e in ented in 1971 and is the most popular

C = 78

“Middle Suspension”

M = 98

Y = 34

The gap at the bottom of the cup prevents the noodles from breaking when prepared by allowing hot water to circulate

Paper Cups

In early 2024, the styrofoam cups were replaced with paper cups to be more environmentallyconcious, making them microwave-safe for the frst time

Sources: Cup-Noodles Museum, Immieats, Japancentre, Nissin Foods, Ramen Museum NYC, University of Chicago

Panorama surveyed 123 students Nov. 14

WARNING: Hot Liquid

1/3 of all childhood burn injuries are caused by instant noodles

Instant Ramen Market

K = 29 C = 0 M = 91 Y = 6 K = 0

The top three countries for proportion of cup-type instant noodles are Mexico, Costa Rica and Chile

How do You Noodle?

Student preferences when cooking and consuming instant noodles

The history and evolution of ramen and instant noodles

C =13 M = 10

1868

Ramen spreads from China to Japan at the end of the Meiji Period.

Y = 94

K = 0

The term “ramen” is derived from the Chinese “la-mian.”

1910 he frst ramen restaurant is opened in Japan. The restaurant was called Rairaike, located in Asakura, Tokyo.

At-home Hacks

Sean Marbarger (11) shares his instant ramen recipe

Ingredients:

Ramen Noodles

White Miso Paste

Fresh Garlic

Vegetable Broth

Tahini

Scallions

Ginger Chili Paste

Shiitake Mushrooms

Instructions:

Saute chopped scallions and minced garlic in a pot with heated oil.

2. Add diced shiitake mushrooms and saute until golden brown.

3. Add tahini and miso paste. Mix together before adding vegetable broth, soy sauce and chili paste if desired.

Bring the soup to a light boil and add rame noodles and toppings.

1947 Miso ramen is invented and regional variations of ramen begin to appear.

As a test for the concept of miso diluted with soup, miso ramen was invented.

1958 Instant noodles are invented by Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods.

Today, Nissin Foods is the top producer of instant noodles.

* Main colors should be primarily present throughout the magazine. The other colors are used to create visual emphasis but should be used with purpose.

2005

Instant ramen becomes the frst noodle in space Nissin Foods vacuumpacked instant noodles for liftof on the space shuttle Discovery.

* Colored backgrounds should be used sparingly and must be tinted very light (see example page) unless you are using the dark blue. Unless it is a spread, no two pages next to each other may both have a tinted background.

Inclusive Excellence

Ladue High School hosts annual Volleyball Special Olympics Nov. 13

By Isak Taylor

Photographer

TOP: Trevor Warwick (12) guides his buddy holding the torch. The annual Special Olympics tradition began with an athlete taking the torch from the pedestal and walking to the next athlete with their buddy. The torch walk involved four athletes in total. Once the fnal athlete placed the torch on the pedestal, the event began. “I really enjoyed it,” Warwick said. “I think it was good for my buddy too. I like giving an impact to kids who normally don’t get the experience. I just love interacting with the kids.” (Photo by Lathan Levy)

MIDDLE: Tamera Currie (10) celebrates with her buddy Alyssa Kuhstoss (11). After advancing through tournament bracket, Currie and Kuhstoss won frst place. When the fnal point was scored, they high-fved each other. “By working with people who have diferent approaches, we can gain a better understanding of their preferences, how they operate and discover ways to support them more efectively,” Currie said. “I was able to meet a new friend.”

BOTTOM LEFT: At the opening ceremony, Assistant Superintendent Derrick Wallace explains the importance of Special Olympics to over 130 athletes and buddies. Wallace has spoken at the event for the past 13 years. “It just speaks to inclusion,” Wallace said. “It speaks to students in this building supporting students from across the county. I just love the fact that we are able to host with pride this inclusionary opportunity for kids. It absolutely warms my heart and I literally manage my schedule around this event so I stop whatever I’m doing to make sure that I’m here.”

BOTTOM RIGHT: Noah Temple (12) encourages his buddy to participate in the volleyball game. The Special Olympics Volleyball tournament has been hosted by Ladue for the past 35 years. “I really love volunteering and I love to help my community,” Temple said. “I think it was great to see us come together.” (Photos by Isak Taylor)

LEFT: English teacher Cheryl Ogolin stands in front of her kickboxing class as she leads a workout. Ogolin has been kickboxing for over 12 years. “[The class] is about me, the instructor, looking out and seeing what my participants are doing,” Ogolin said. “I give them real, live feedback, but also coach them through the [workout].” (Photo by

Kick, Punch, Teach

English teacher Cheryl Ogolin combines ftness and education as a kickboxing instructor

By Katie Jansen

Staf

From writing the hook of an essay to throwing a right hook, English teacher Cheryl Ogolin spends her days in the classroom and her evenings in the gym.

Ogolin has been teaching at Ladue for two years and has been a certified kickboxing instructor for nine years. Currently, she teaches kickboxing and weight lifting classes three times a week; each class hosts 40-50 people.

“It’s such a community feel, everyone is there for the same reason and no one is being judged,” Ogolin said. “We’re just taking care of our bodies, taking care of our minds and finding connections with other people that we may never cross paths with in another situation. It’s such a rewarding experience that I get to lead [participants] through.”

Ogolin’s classes take place at Club Fitness in Maplewood via the Les Mills program, which encourages people to enjoy fitness

and staying active. Her classes focus on supporting and encouraging her students to do their best. She used these lessons to help students in both of her classrooms.

“I have learned more about being a good classroom teacher from teaching at the gym than I have learned about being a good fitness instructor from being a classroom teacher,” Ogolin said. “[Kickboxing] really made me recognize that some of the things that I was expecting from my students at school shouldn’t have been the expectations that I had for them because everyone learns differently.”

Fellow English teacher Julianne Crockett has worked with Ogolin for over a year. She attended one of Ogolin’s weightlifting classes in April. In this class, they completed a series of repeated workout sets to target the upper, lower and full body.

“Ms. Ogolin is a teacher through and through,” Crockett said. “Whether she is facilitating learning in the classroom or in the gym, her energy, compassion and

“Everyone truly is welcome. My classes are really diverse, full of lovely, really hard working, appreciative people. I just love [kickboxing] so much.”

Cheryl Ogolin English teacher

zest for life creates an engaging atmosphere wherever she goes.”

Anthony Zhao (11) took Ogolin’s Advanced Literary Analysis class during second semester last year, which he described as joyful and relaxed.

“Ms. Ogolin never discouraged meaningful discussion from her students,” Zhao said. “Even regarding the most outlandish references and questions, she would be truly interested in what we tried to say and participate in our joy with us. She never put down, only nurtured.”

Ogolin’s kickboxing and weight lifting classes have transformed both her and her students. By creating an environment where they both can thrive, she has become a better teacher.

“There’s such a spiritual experience doing this,” Ogolin said. “I know that sounds crazy, but when I’m up on stage and I’m watching [my kickboxing students] work so hard, we’re all there for a shared mission to make ourselves feel better and to have fun. It’s a total party experience.” P

Lathan Levy)

Beats by Baltzell

Silas Baltzell follows his dream of creating and playing music

By Grace Huewe

Features Editor

The sweet strum of a guitar, the resonant pound of drums and the melodic breath through the brass of a euphonium — this instrumental blend might seem like a task for an orchestra, but for Silas Baltzell (10), it’s a one-man show.

Baltzell, a musician and producer, discovered his talent after joining the school band. Now, he devotes much of his free time to mastering various instrumental techniques.

“I first started playing the euphonium and tuba in fifth grade and I kind of fell in love with it,” Baltzell said. “I picked up the guitar and drums in 2022 because I wanted to learn how to play all my favorite songs.”

Baltzell began producing music at 15. With skills in strings, percussion and aerophones, he is able to achieve a diverse soundscape.

“I feel like it’s more productive to make my own music than someone else’s,” Baltzell said. “You can get creative because you can pull things from different artists to make your own blend of sound.”

Besides well-known artists, Baltzell also seeks inspiration from his dad, a musical producer himself.

“I’ve grown up hearing my dad make music,” Baltzell said. “The fact that he is able to help me with it makes me feel so much more confident in my abilities.”

Even with assistance from his dad, the process of producing music is not without its challenges.

“Having to deal with things like writer’s block is never easy,” Baltzell said. “It’s pretty similar to writing an essay [because] you have to follow a structure; like intro, verse [and] chorus.”

The dedication that Baltzell has does not go unnoticed. Band teacher Aaron Lehde appreciates his enthusiasm from an instructor standpoint.

“The thing that stands out about Silas is his

drive.

There’s always a need to be self-motivated to achieve the goals that you lay out for yourself.”

Aaron

Lehde Band teacher

This pursuit of music is more than just a hobby; it has forged an unbreakable bond between Baltzell and his dad.

“We go to concerts, listen to music in the car [and] share our favorite artists” Baltzell said. “It brings us together without needing anything super crazy.”

William Napier (10), a friend of Baltzell’s, has witnessed Baltzell’s talent and love for music.

“He spends most of his day in school and outside of school either listening to or creating music,” Napier said. “He is the most talented artist I’ve ever met.”

This connection to music goes beyond just playing. For Baltzell, it’s a form of personal expression.

“I view instruments as an extension of myself,” Baltzell said. “I find music that helps me feel identified and validated for what I’m going through.”

Despite the ever-changing landscape of music, Baltzell sees it as a part of his life for the long run and a deciding factor in the roadmap of his future.

“I’d like to be in a band or be a solo artist or producer,” Baltzell said. “I want my music to speak on who I am, and I want to share that with the world.”

Silas Baltzell (10) plays the tuba, jazz guitar, electric guitar and drums in the band room. In addition, Baltzell has also been producing his own music for a year. Being immersed in music doubles as a form of therapy for Baltzell. “If I’m ever not having a good week, I can always listen to music [and] know that I’m not alone with whatever I’m going through,” Baltzell said. “Finding music that helps you feel identifed and validated for what you’re going through really helps.” (Photos by Olu Falako)

Flips and Splits

Aerialist Caroline Erekson fnds confdence in her pursuit of silks

By Josie Stout

Staf

Trust is the essential ingredient in aerial performances while flipping, dropping and dancing in the air. Trust in the silks, trust in her skills and trust in her coach make up Caroline Erekson’s (10) mantra as she swings scarily high through the air with nothing but methodically wrapped fabric around her body to keep her tethered.

During a birthday party in 2018, Caroline was invited to learn a basic skill on a silk apparatus. That one move sparked her interest in the sport.

“A family friend wanted to try out doing lessons at a different gym and invited me and my sister to join,” Caroline said. “I’ve been doing it ever since then.”

As Caroline grew older, her strength, stamina and technical prowess grew as well. She learned to make quick decisions and place her faith in the skills and knowledge she gained.

“When you’re in the air, what you think about is mostly making sure you set yourself up the right way and pray that you don’t fall and not get caught by the fabric,” Caroline said.

But no skill comes without trial and error. Flips and drops are neither mentally nor physically easy. Caroline learned how to fall, fail and try again. Through silks, she has learned how to persevere through hard skills.

“She’s definitely had a growth mentality with it,” Lisa Erekson, Caroline’s mother, said. “She’s eager to learn new things.”

Silks, like many sports, is taxing on the body and has forced Caroline to grapple with injuries putting a pin in her training.

“Over the years of doing silks, I have acquired many injuries that have made stopping practice for a while necessary in order to heal properly,” Caroline said.

Despite the challenges, her improved technique has allowed her strengths to shine through and given her the ability to perform more complicated aerial skills.

“I’ve gotten to a place where I not only trust myself enough but I also trust my coach enough to the point where I’m not scared to drop from the 25-foot ceilings,” Caroline said.

Despite years of doing silks, Caroline never lost her love for it.

Caroline Erekson (10) demonstrates a common aerial pose on the stage. Erekson will return to regular practice when her season begins in about a month. “What I am most proud of is throughout my years how much I’ve been able to grow in my skill,” Erekson said.

“Every year, I am able to improve more than the last [one].” (Photo by Lathan

Warm-Up

Includes active stretching and aerobic exercises to get the heart rate up.

“One of the things she brings [to practice] is a playful attitude,” Krista Hines, Caroline’s silks instructor, said. “She’s not scared to be in a funny position by any means.”

For Caroline, doing silks is not about winning. It’s about staying fit, enjoying the sport and improving her abilities.

Conditioning

Improves grip strength, an important skill for aerialists when airborne.

“When it comes to silks, I don’t have any super high aspirations other than improvement. Silks is more of a fun, active sport that I enjoy doing.”

Caroline Erekson (10)

The main part of practice; focuses on learning a new skill in the air.

Beyond the physical benefits and artistry of silks, Caroline has found the most enjoyment in the lasting friendships she forged.

“Through silks, I’ve been able to make many close friends who support me through my harder times in silks,” Caroline said. P

Levy)

The role of reading and media consumption changes with a rapidly progressing world

In-Depth Editor

By Celina Zhou Staf

By Max Karsh

April 9, 2022, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) published a position statement titled “Media Education in English Language Arts.” The statement detailed efforts to center skills and students in a new media environment, offering potential outlines to media literacy curriculums for teachers. One sentence was enough to spark a media uproar — “The time has come to decenter book reading and essay writing as the pinnacles of English language arts education.”

This, in hindsight, was not just a spark but an indicator of the times. In the years that followed, professors began reporting that students struggled to adapt to long form texts. Video essays on the loss of attention span overtook Youtube. “BookTok” literature came to dominate bookstores and library shelves. As social media rapidly accelerates the flow of information and education works to adapt, the role of reading has become a marker of how media has changed.

Screens and Stories

In a growing age of globalization, commercialization and the rapid progress of technology, the internet has an outsized impact.

“The world is moving faster and faster,” English teacher Jon Frank said. “We have a hard time keeping up with all the new things that are coming at us. Our stamina for critical thinking is changing the more we’re hit with flashes of information. That’s what I think

is changing people’s patience, persistence and stamina with a book or any other sustained task.”

It’s not just how people interact with information that’s changing — it’s the flow of information.

“With social media, the average person is consuming more words now than ever before,” science teacher Justin Ragland said.

“But it’s all snapshots, almost cheaper things. There’s a fundamental change in our ability to synthesize thoughts and retain key things out of a long form text instead of something that’ll fit into an Instagram reel or a Tiktok. Even if the quantity is higher, I think we’re losing a bit of quality.”

While much of the discourse towards this decline of attention span and fast-paced information intake focuses on young people, the impact of social media stretches further than that.

“It’s not that social media means that kids aren’t reading. [It] means that social media users aren’t reading as much because of how it affects our brain chemistry.”

Cheryl Ogolin English teacher

The rapid flow of information also means that the information retained is often shallow.

Librarian Jennifer Tuttle shares tips on how to get back into reading

Refer to other media

Refect on your favorite movies, TV shows or video games. Use current interests to fnd books.

Hartigan said. “You can see that power [being] used for good. It’s brought up some authors to the public conscious that might not have been brought up before. But I think also it goes along with a lot of the groupthink, and the jumping to conclusions, and the bullying mentality, folks deciding that we are done with this book or this author, sometimes without even having read it.”

An Evolving Classroom

As social media spikes its pop ularity among teenagers, associ ated effects on attention are forg ing their way into the classroom. In fact, according to a study pub lished by a group at the University of California, the average atten tion span has shrunk to nearly a third of what it was in 2000. These faults in attention are working their way into the classroom, where they interrupt students’ re lationships with books.

“During the pre and postCOVID transition, there was a huge shift in students’ desire and ability to sit down and read,” Rag land said. “It became a lot more difficult to get the average student to engage and not drift off. Even in the time I’ve been teaching, reading stamina has gone down.”

Goldfish Brain

An overview of attention spans, literacy rates and attitudes

Goldfish Memory

But it’s not just students’ struggle with prolonged reading that makes teachers concerned: their decreasing ability to pick out information is another, more nu anced issue for discussion.

“I come in and I’m like, ‘Okay, I assigned this chapter for you guys last night. How many of you

Forget the fear

The average attention span has decreased from seconds in the past two decades. to

12 8.5

teenagers has risen nearly introduction of smartphones. from 2010 to 2023

Go to a library

3. 2. Don’t have close friends or family that read? Ask a librarian

Panorama surveyed 123 students Nov. 14 Illustration by Alzhraa Mahmoud

actually read it?’” Ogolin said. “And it’s maybe half the kids, but whether or not they actually retain that information is a whole different beast.”

A potential solution, as outlined by the NCTE, is pulling out excerpts from books or shorter literary works in place of books, thereby decreasing the amount of reading students must do during a literacy exercise in the classroom in order to learn.

“I think it can alleviate some of that heavy pressure that students feel to complete a whole book, if, in fact, all I want them to do is learn how to summarize,” Ogolin said. “They could read a chapter and still learn the skill. [So] the idea that students are reporting that they don’t read whole books is actually less of a negative indicator than someone might think.”

Some students appreciate this technique, as it allows them to conserve their focus for developing literacy skills as opposed to burning energy while digesting a book or long form text.

“In terms of class, I think that short stories are an easier way to learn about a topic or get an overarching idea about something,” Calfee said. “It’s not so much of an overwhelming thing to undergo, because it’s not a thick book with a bunch of pages.”

These alternative forms of media are working their way into English curriculums. For example, teachers have used online news, podcasts and other forms of new media for assignments and feedback on essays.

“I think that in the world our students are already in, and will be entering, they need to be literate

Books are better shared — talking about them boosts understanding and can help you fnd new favorites. 4.

ENGLISH LITE

53.8% of students claim to not use SparkNotes or Clifsnotes for English classes. Among those that do use Spark Notes and Clifsnotes, use these websites to make up for not reading a section. 31.3%

Panorama surveyed 123 students Nov. 14

in a variety of different media,” Frank said.

While they’re increasingly replacing books in the classroom, contrary to some fears, these forms of media may not mark the ultimate roadblock. In fact, they could aid in promoting books in the fast-paced future.

“When people see a short video, documentary, infographic, political cartoon or listen to a podcast that’s connected to a book we’re reading in class, I think that that’s powerful,” Frank said. “It helps us sell the continuing value of books in our society, [and show] that these ideas are fresh and contemporary and can still ask us important questions today, and in the future.”

However, this shift to shorter media forms doesn’t come without caution in the classroom.

Annotating as you read can help you to be an active participant in the story and can make focusing easier. 5. Talk to readers Read with a pencil

Teachers acknowledge that books have the power to play important roles in students’ development.

“The metaphor we use with books is, some books are windows and some are mirrors,” Hartigan said. “Some allow us to better understand ourselves, and some open new avenues, new worlds.”

Looking Forward

While much of the discourse surrounding modern literature and the role of reading in a technology-dominated world is pessimistic, many believe the arc of literature hasn’t been, and will not necessarily be, one of degradation or loss of quality.

“Ideas are going to change, and they should, because we’re living in a different world. It’s a totally different world that is being written about now. It’s not a diminishing of quality — it’s an adaptation of what the world is experiencing.”

Cheryl Ogolin English teacher

Literature as an art form also offers a degree of connection unique to itself.

“Books are a more intimate form of communication than oth-

er forms of media,” Frank said. “It’s really a one-to-one conversation. It’s the voice in the book, and it’s the reader, and it’s the author doing whatever they can to communicate effectively with that one person.”

In addition, the breadth of variety in art is also described as vitally important to offer people different forms of media consumption and enjoyment.

“As someone who loves the idea of finishing a book, I don’t care if it’s 100 pages or 1,000 pages, I love a good story,” Ogolin said. “I don’t think that that art form is going to be lost on people who still love those things. There’s always going to be people on the planet who love movies over short stories, novels over plays. We need all of those things, because you will always find people who will be engaged by different modes of expression and creativity and storytelling.”

Even as the role of books in media and the classroom changes, those who read describe their love for literature as enduring and not easily swayed by new technology.

“There’s studies that show Kindles and e-readers becoming more obsolete because people are desperate to come back into a reading space,” Ogolin said. “We’re recognizing that screen time is not good for our eyes, our brains, our hearts and our souls. Reading is always going to be an activity that humans engage in, and I hope there will always be people like me that want to have books in our hands.”

Audiobooks ofer a great way to focus and ft reading into your day, even for just 20 minutes a day. 6. Use audiobooks

Which

Novel

Has Shaped You the Most?

Illustration by Alzhraa Mahmoud

Panorama Perspective

Illustration by Kelly Zhang

Students should be mindful of the efects excessive phone use has on their health and mental well-being

26 OUT OF 26 LADUE PUBLICATIONS EDITORS AGREE

School is hard. Bed-rotting is fun. There’s nothing better than spending free time glued to the bed, overloading one’s dopamine receptors with frequent cuts, addicting music and brilliant scenery. Why study when one can mindlessly scroll on TikTok, YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels and watch the hours go by with humanity’s best friend, the phone? Phones are the modern Thneed: a clock, safety device, navigator, question-answerer, boredom-solver and social connector. It’s hard to imagine life without them. But as students spend more and more hours sucked into the digital candy that phones offer, they disregard the harm that comes with overuse.

On the bus to school, in hallways and in pouches, phones are everywhere, a now inescapable and integral part of life. From early years, students beg their parents for phones in fear of missing out or being ostracized for being without one. According to Gallup News, teenagers spend an average of almost five hours on their phones a day, falling into the phone’s addicting delights. These include checking notifications, playing games and curbing boredom, providing a temporary relief from the real world. The most addicting one of them all, social media, supplied the world with entertainment and the modern Enlightenment, revolutionizing the spread of ideas just as the printing press did. Not only did social media expand worldviews and change minds globally, but

it also brought like-minded people together by facilitating the creation of common interest groups, such as fandoms or flashy trends.

But in the randomness of a dopamine-inducing infinite scroll, students can access more than just inspiring and relatable content — they can access the extreme and harmful side too, a two-faced perpetrator of loneliness, stress or underlying mental health issues. According to the National Library of Medicine, social media also promotes obesity, insomnia and sedentary lifestyles, as well as inundating a user with food ads, many of which for nutritionally low, sugary and calorie-dense treats. Phone usage also negatively impacts our ability to recall, retain and learn information. Dare try to take a break from your phone — and face symptoms like moodiness, irritability or anxiety. If that wasn’t bad enough, excessive usage can additionally lower users’ empathy, life satisfaction and self-esteem.

It’s clear that excessive phone usage causes negative effects on the body and mind. To put it simply, falling into the addictiveness of the phone is not worth the hours the average teen invests into it. The U.S. surgeon general even advised to put warning labels on social media platforms. Phones and their gimmicks are built to be as addicting as possible, making it harder to quit — but that isn’t the only option. Students can actively work towards reducing their phone time by finding productive alternatives to spend their time, restricting phone use and staying present in the moment.

Editorial Note: Each editorial, Panorama selects an issue that the staf thinks is important to address and expresses a view that belongs to the majority of the staf. Panorama welcomes the opinions of its readers and encourages letters to the editors. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions for length as long as original intent remains unaltered.

SOMETHING TO ADD?

Scan here for more on letters to the editor, guest essays, submitting corrections and the full editorial policy

Cinema Craze

SBy Tiya Kaul

Staf

tep out of the wearisome world of books and plunge into the fascinating realm of movies. Here, one will never be bored with a bunch of words crammed on a piece of paper. Instead, they will be entertained with a spectacular visual display crafted by talented directors, actors and producers.

Look at the variety of outstanding films. From “Titanic” to “It,” movies use stunning visuals to express a multitude of ideas. If you enjoy romance, cinematographers will never fail to display

heartfelt emotion that will make you shed a tear. If you prefer horror or suspense, videography and special effects will keep you on the edge of your seat as you hear creaking footsteps in a dark room. Books, on the other hand, contain words which fail to induce any emotion. As one opens a book, they will instantly feel a wave of lethargy and sleepiness, something that will never happen with a good movie. Let’s face it: if you are an avid reader, the only reason you read is to tell others that you are a reader.

Movies bring joy to people of all ages and provide a special way to spend time with family and friends. If I know one thing for sure, it’s that there’s no way books can beat that.

Stage or Page?

Panorama debates whether movies or books are superior

FBy Nina Ye

Staf

or thousands of years, books have provided a means to record and pass down information, experience and stories. They have nurtured societal development, allowing future generations to continue building on vast libraries of knowledge. Simply put, without books, mankind would never have progressed to the present state. Cameras, televisions and modern technology wouldn’t exist without books. Movies, too, wouldn’t exist.

Book Talk P

Although movies can be highly influential, it comes at a high cost. In a capitalist country where money makes the world go round, productions are constructed with the goal of appealing to the most viewers, who bring the money. Targeted scenes are prioritized over the accuracy of portrayal, which leads to misconceptions, false information and stifles creativity. In effect, movies are like mothers spoon-feeding their viewers. The only thing the viewer needs to do is to open their mouth, and what they’re waiting for will overload their senses and destroy their imagination. Information within movies is whatever the director chews up, digests, then regurgitates for the viewer to swallow without needing to do any work.

Illustration by Nina Ye

Take a Seat

Students should think twice before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance

The last time I stood for the Pledge of Allegiance was in sixth grade. One day, I sat. Everyone stared. My peers were dumbfounded. No one had told them that free will was an option. West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette clarified the First Amendment right of students to opt out of saying the Pledge of Allegiance in 1943.

Standing for the Pledge of Allegiance was what students had always done. Everyone wrote their name in the corner of their worksheets, put their supplies back where they came from and stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. It was routine. It still is. But it shouldn’t be. People need to pause and think about the words they instinctively say every morning.

The first line of the Pledge of Allegiance that jumps out at me is “one nation, under God.” In a

By Ella Bender

Opinions Editor

public high school, almost every student chants that we are “under God” every single day. What happened to the separation of church and state? By law, public schools must be secular, yet 46 states require the Pledge to be read aloud every morning, claiming the U.S. to be “under God.” According to the Cooperative Election Study conducted by Harvard University, 48% of people from Generation Z have no religious affiliation. Despite this, most high schoolers recite the Pledge of Allegiance, including “under God,” every day without a second thought.

Then, the Pledge of Allegiance declares the U.S. to be “indivisible.” The country seems pretty divided to me. People are becoming more firm in their viewpoints, unwilling to listen to evidence that supports a different perspective. According to the Pew Research

Student opinions of the Pledge

FLAG FIGURES

Center, 43% of Republicans and 38% of Democrats have a strongly negative view of the opposite party. The U.S. may not be physically divided, but it is politically.

Tracking the challenges of and changes to the Pledge of Allegiance 1892

Source: National Constitution Center

More to Know

20% of students think that the U.S. is indivisible, while 22% believe that the U.S. provides liberty and justice for all.

Finally, the Pledge of Allegiance claims that the U.S. provides “liberty and justice for all.” In reality, it provides liberty and justice for most rich, cisgender, heterosexual, white men. What about the Black people who are killed at the hands of police officers? What about the pregnant people who are denied an abortion when their life is on the line?

What about the transgender people who are banned from receiving life-saving, gender-affirming care? No country can truly provide liberty and justice for all, but the U.S. is barely trying. It would be naive to believe that I could convince the U.S. to change the language of the Pledge of Allegiance or stop states from requiring its recitation in schools. What I can express is that students must think critically about the words they say every morning and decide whether or not they agree with the messages of the Pledge of Allegiance and want to continue with this compulsory symbol of patriotism.

58% of students never stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and 59% never recite the Pledge of Allegiance. P

Panorama surveyed 123 students Nov. 14

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette: Public schools cannot require students to recite the Pledge.

Everyone has the right to opt out. Whether they don’t believe in God, view the U.S. as divisible, think the country could do more to provide liberty and justice for all or simply couldn’t be bothered to stand, it is their right to sit.

Francis Bellamy writes the original Pledge of Allegiance for students to recite on Columbus Day. 1940 1943 1954 2004

Minersville School District v. Gobitis: Public schools can force students to say the Pledge.

Former President Dwight Eisenhower signs a bill to add the words “under God” to the Pledge.

Three Supreme Court justices write that requiring teachers to lead the Pledge is constitutional.

Tank’s Take

Contempt for the MAGA movement is dangerously counterproductive

The Columnist

By Frank Chen

On Election Day, I volunteered as a student judge at a local polling place. Over the course of 15 hours, I helped nine other volunteers move furniture, set up machines and process nearly 1,000 voters. I learned a lot that day, both about United States politics and the American people, but the most valuable thing I took away was the importance of being humble.

One of my co-workers was an electrician, a MAGA Republican. Short for “Make America Great Again,” MAGA Republicans are characterized by an extreme loyalty to President-elect Donald Trump and a distrust for mainstream political institutions. A disillusioned veteran, he served a tour of duty in Iraq and three in Afghanistan. During one of our breaks, we chatted about our daily lives. The conversation quickly shifted to politics, and what he said was eye-opening.

He told me about how “global banking” had colonized the world; about the “three-letter agencies” (the CIA, FBI, etc.) and how they monitor and suppress the American people and about how the “deep state,” secretive parts of the government that interfere behind the scenes, had thrown him into Iraq and are now running this country into the ground.

Liberals are trained to see people like him as “conspiracy the-

orists,” “misinformed” or even “weird.” These labels are great for shutting down arguments, but they almost never change minds. What’s more, they’re quickly becoming powerless.

Trust in the mainstream media has plummeted to an all-time low. In an October poll by Gallup, only 31% of Americans said they trusted the media “a great deal.” And as the popularity of the neoliberal establishment wanes, faith in the media will only keep shrinking with it.

Especially as the U.S. deindustrialized after the Cold War and the costs of living have skyrocketed, many working Americans feel betrayed by the new status quo. And why shouldn’t they? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reports that American students are falling behind those of other developed countries in international tests. The Kaiser Foundation found that over 100 million Americans are in debt from healthcare costs. But even as our education system falls behind and our healthcare system falls apart, successive presidencies have prioritized unleashing bestial carnage across Africa and the Middle East. Taxpayer dollars that could have gone to building new infrastructure or creating jobs for our homeless population have instead been squandered to “defend democracy” in other continents, which is usually just code for “we’re gonna steal your money to bomb foreigners for natural resources.”

To be clear, this mess obviously wasn’t caused by Democrats alone, and many resisted every step of the way. But in an age defined by anger and distrust, the figureheads will take the blame. Populism is here to stay, and MAGA isn’t going anywhere. Lashing out, however satisfying, isn’t going to change that. P

Illustration by Nina Ye

In the Spotlight

What Piece are You Most Proud Of?

“[I’m most proud of] one of my self portraits, because it was one of my frst times painting in general and it turned out better than I expected.”

Natalie Brunworth (11)

“Probably this piece because there are so many pieces involved and so many elements and I think it’s really cool.”

Ashley Gray (12)

“I’m just really proud of it because it took me the longest and it was a cool idea to tie video editing with physically editing newspapers.”

Stephen Song (12)

Upcoming arts & entertainment events in Ladue and St. Louis

looks diferent. It can be any media.”

A Splash of Creativity

AP Studio Art students to display their work in the Spiritas Gallery Dec. 15

By Aaron Lin

Arts & Entertainment Editor

The room buzzes with quiet activity.

At one table, a student paints bold, vibrant streaks of acrylic paint on a canvas. Nearby, another student carefully molds clay into a detailed, lifelike sculpture. On the other side of the room, a pencil faintly scratches against the crisp paper as a realistic drawing is brought to life. This is AP Studio Art. Taught by Fine Arts teacher Daniel Raedeke, students in the class create their own portfolio built around a core idea called the “sustained investigation.”

“You’re investigating one part of your identity, and then creating art that is centered around that sustained investigation,” Aalaa Mahmoud (11) said.

Once they’re satisfied with their sustained investigation, the students start creating their artworks. Most students make five to 15 pieces of art per semester, depending on their size and scale.

“You display the work that you have worked on for the last two weeks and explain the process of making [it], and then Mr. Raedeke and everyone around you

gives you critiques,” Mahmoud said. “They say what you can work on, what is a better idea for the next piece and what are you going to do moving forward.”

Near the end of the semester each student will choose one piece to be displayed. Raedeke will then design the gallery using a miniature model. Once the design is finalized, Raedeke installs the exhibition, which will be available to see Dec. 15.

“I’ve had my art displayed in the gallery only once, and this time it’ll be much bigger,” Mahmoud said. “It gives me anxiety, but it’s also a good way to get [my art] out there — get my ideas, my sustained investigation [and] me out there in the school community.”

The AP Studio Art class has allowed the students to express themselves through their art, and further provide them with many new, valuable experiences.

“I think I’ve definitely become bolder and not scared to make things ugly,” Mahmoud said. “I’ve been more comfortable with creating things that don’t look exactly perfect, and I think that’s really good to grow as an artist, to let go of your inhibitions.”

LEFT: AP Studio Art students Maria “Adam” Karakas (12), Ashley Gray (12), Alice Lin (12) and Aalaa Mahmoud (11) work on their artwork Nov. 18. Students can choose from a variety of mediums, ranging from paintings to sculptures to installations. “That’s the nice thing about that class.” Fine Arts teacher Daniel Raedeke said. “Everybody’s work

(Photo by Lilly Jacks)

The St. Louis Arts Scene

Experience holiday magic with the Muppets, the Grinch and the Nutcracker in St. Louis

The Muppet Christmas Carol with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Check it Out

Engage in the arts this winter at Ladue

Where: The Stifel Theatre

When: Dec. 14 from 7-9 p.m. and Dec. 15 from 2-4 p.m.

What: Experience “The Muppet Christmas Carol” with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performing the score live as the flm plays on the big screen. Directed by Damon Gupton with members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, this family-friendly concert is enjoyable for all.

Price: Tickets are $47-$128

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Movie Night

Where: The Hub STL in Chesterfeld

When: Dec. 19 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

What: The Chesterfeld District is hosting a movie night featuring “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Arrive early and have fun with some Grinchthemed activities and photos with Santa from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Then, settle in for the movie at 6:30 p.m.

What to bring: Bring family and friends, along with comfy blankets and foldable lawn chairs to sit on. Outside food is not allowed into the venue but a snacks can be bought at Hi-Pointe Drive-In, 4 Hands and Napoli Bros.

Price: Free

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Fabulous Fox Theatre

Where: The Fabulous Fox Theatre

ohat gi

Winter Reading Challenge

The library’s Winter Reading Challenge is in full swing, and it’s the perfect way to cozy up with some great books. If you read three books, you’ll earn a free breakfast in March. Read four or more, and your name will be entered into the suprise rewards drawings. There’s still time to join if you haven’t already. Just stop by the library to pick up your Scrabble board to help you keep track of your genres and categories. Don’t forget to turn it in at the end of the challenge to claim your rewards. Whether you’re a fan of mystery, romance, horror or fantasy, there’s a space for everyone.

When: Dec. 22 from 2-4 p.m. and 6:308:30 p.m.

What: Celebrate the holiday season with Magical Christmas Ballet, featuring an international all-star cast. Enjoy a blend of world-class ballet, whimsical puppets, lavish costumes and stunning acrobatics set to composer Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky’s score. As an additional keepsake from this event, there are photos with a ballerina and an ofcial wooden nutcracker available for purchase before, after or during the show.

Price: Tickets are $35-$184

Songs of the Season

Last year, the symphonic band planned on spreading holiday cheer door-to-door with instrumental Christmas caroling. This year, that vision has come to life. Come Dec. 12, they’re bringing festive vibes in the morning with lively performanoes of holiday classics like “The Chipmunk Song” from the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms, “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” by Frank Sinatra and “All I Want For Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey.

IllustrationsbySaraR

Cocoa Cold Weather

Fiona Van Allen reviews signature hot chocolates from cafes near Ladue

1. Starbucks

While waiting for my order at Starbucks, I was bombarded by tasteless covers of classic Christmas songs blaring above me. Not only was I disgusted by the song selection, but by the mediocrity of the hot chocolate I ordered. For its higher price, this drink tasted artifcial and lack-luster. I almost felt as though I could taste the cardboard of the cup. With the complexity of modern Starbucks recipes and the variety of holiday drinks on the menu, surely a hot chocolate shouldn’t be too difcult.

2. Kaldi’s Cofee

This cafe had a charming atmosphere with varied seating options, tastefully decorated walls and quiet ambiance of work and chatter. While the environment of Kaldi’s Cofee felt high quality, its hot chocolate did not live up to this standard. For the steep price of nearly $5, the whipped cream tasted exactly like a store bought brand and the hot chocolate tasted of artifcial syrup. As an awful cook, I could confdently recreate this hot chocolate for a fraction of the price.

3. Revocup

Revocup ofered a calm environment with friendly customer service, a warm atmosphere and quiet ambiance. This hot chocolate had an enticing aroma and was a lovely balance of sweet and rich. I would recommend this spot for a quick, comforting hot chocolate. Considering its lower price, this drink was perfectly satisfying in taste and quality.

What is Your Goto Hot Chocolate?

“Williams Sonoma has a great hot chocolate brand. It’s dense, good quality chocolate.”

Rebecca Rubin-Schlansky, Instructional Coach

“I like Ghirardelli’s hot chocolate. It’s really good, favorful and also a rich dark chocolate.”

Nadithe (12)

Akhil

4. Winslow’s Table

Winslow’s Table has the feel of a high-end cafe. Unfortunately, it also has the prices of one. My hot chocolate was presented with lovely latte art on top, and to my delight, its taste matched its presentation. The drink was decadent and velvety, complemented by the sweet foam on top. it tasted of real melted chocolate rather than powder, ofering a higher quality favor. To put it simply, this drink fulflled every dream I’ve ever had about hot chocolate. When I picture a perfect hot chocolate, I picture this one. For just under $5, the experience and drink was perfectly reasonable and very enjoyable.

5. Dunkin’

Lit with cold, harsh lighting and conditioned with equally freezing temperatures, Dunkin’ did not ofer an appealing environment. In theory, compared to the shop’s lifeless interior, my hot chocolate should have been warm and comforting. Instead, I immediately burned my tongue on the scalding drink. Not only was it thin and watery, but the hot chocolate was also incredibly underwhelming in favor. The chocolate favor I did taste was artifcial and bland. I quite literally saw remains of chocolate powder foating on top, swirling in shame at their weak performance.

6. Deer Creek Cofee

Ofering a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Deer Creek Cofee was the coziest of the cafe options. With its large windows, all that was missing from my experience was some winter weather and holiday music. With a rich, nostalgic chocolate favor, this hot chocolate reminded me of winter afternoons after sledding.

“Nestle hot chocolate is always my go-to.“

“[My favorite brand is] Costco’s hot chocolate BevBombs.”

“[I like the] traditional Swiss Miss. It’s so simple to make and whenever it’s cold outside, it’s really convenient.”

(11)

Mina Farrow Prater

Jonathan Robbins, Fine Arts teacher

Sophie Culleton (12)

Health & Sports in Review

Winter sports updates and health advice for the season

Coach Q&A

Basketball head coaches give insight on their seasons

CHAD ANDERSON

Boys basketball

Q: What’s your outlook on how this season will play out?

A: I think we’ll have a competitive season. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t a winning season. A lot of things have to fall into place, so I never get too excited, because you never know what can happen. But I think it will be a good, successful season.

Q: What do you hope to get out of this season?

A: The biggest thing for me is that the kids develop on and of the court. Learn how to play together, play unselfsh, play hard and be as competitive as possible.

Swim in Motion

Starting Strong

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun with all my friends. It’ll be a great opportunity to get better but also do it with people I enjoy.”

Avery Warwick (10)

MIRANDA BURROUGHS

Q: What’s your outlook on how this season will play out?

A: I’m looking for us to compete, and I’m hoping that’ll translate to the wins column, but also that no matter what kind of hiccups come, we’ll handle it as a team

Q: What do you hope to get out of this season?

A: The thing I’d love to get out of this season is more of the intangible thing. We’ve really turned a corner with this group of kids and how they’re willing to buy into our environment, energy and attitude.

Girls swim and dive starts of their season

The girls swim and dive team launched their season in midNovember. Though the team is smaller than they were in the previous season, they are still excited for the ongoing season. The team had their opening meet Dec. 3 where they faced Lindbergh High School, Mehlville High School and Oakville High School. Also, they are hosting the Ladue Invitational meet early in their season Dec. 7.

Basketball in Motion

The boys and girls basketball teams began their seasons at the beginning of November. Following a 23-3 record in 2023, the boys basketball team hopes to come back with the same energy and success as last season. As for the girls, they hope to bounce back from their loss in the second round of the district championship to John Burroughs School last year with a successful season.

Members of the girls swim team share how they feel looking forward to the season

“I’m really excited for the swim season. I’m not exactly sure what to expect, but I’m really hoping that we can make it to state.”

Claire Zhang (10)

“This season being my last year, I’m just excited to meet new people and also enjoy the last year with my teammates.”

Erika Ackerman (12)

ABOVE: Nevinka Amarakone (11) practices a relay start before the frst time trials Nov. 18. Amarakone is one of three captains on the team. “I feel proud to be a swim captain this year,” Amarakone said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Sip Into Health

As fu season steadily approaches with dropping temperatures, maintaining health is crucial. When home sick, it’s well known that it is important to get rest and take the proper medication. However, this isn’t the only antidote for sickness. Tea is an aromatic beverage that has been around for centuries, and over time has assimilated into various parts of the world to produce an endless list of herbal blends. Besides freshening our minds with its cafeinated boost after an all nighter, tea has many other uses — like its health benefts. While some types of tea may have more health impacts than others, drinking most types of tea regularly during the winter can produce surprising benefts to health and wellbeing.

Sleep and Relaxation

Herbal teas are most known to improve sleep and relaxation as mentioned by Penn Medicine. Since herbal teas don’t contain cafeine, their primary purpose is their calming efects. Ranging from chamomile and rooibos, to peppermint and hibiscus, these teas assist in relieving pain and tension, reducing migraines and stomach aches and enchancing sleep quality.

Tea Around the World

Diferent types of tea and their benefcial aspects

Sweet Tea (United States) Contains important minerals

Mint Tea (Morocco)

Aids in stress reduction and relaxation

Winter Sickness

Whether the fu, fever or a common cold, tea is a great antidote to heal any winter illness. Healthline states that teas, including lemon tea, elderberry tea and green tea, can have signifcant side efects on these sicknesses. Their antioxidants are well known to fght infections and aid a sore throat. By adding honey, a cough surpressant, the health impact will double.

How drinking tea can help to stay healthy during the winter

by Adela Gingrich TALLYING TEA

Long-term Health

Those who drink tea regularly are provided with extra benefts to their long-term health. As stated by the National Library of Medicine, some teas, such as green tea, white tea and oolong tea are proven to reduce the risk of some cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and arthritis. This is due to their antioxidants, polyphenols and other health-boosting components.

Rooibus (South Africa)

Cafeine free and boosts heart health

An 8 fuid ounce cup of tea contains 0-40 mg of cafeine.

2-3 cups

1,500 of tea consumption daily enables reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. varieties of tea, the most popular being black tea. Globally, there are over

Source: Harvard School of Public Health

Matcha (Japan)

Antioxidants help to prevent cell damage and lower disease risks

Oolong (China)

Improves brain activity and sleep quality

Chai (India)

Alleviates pain and aids in digestion

Illustration

Training Styles

A glance at the diferent ways to physically train and exercise

Weightlifting 1.

Lifting weights is a way to enhance your quality of life in various ways and improve individual strength, endurance and mental health. Weightlifting uses resistance with weights to build muscle by slightly tearing muscle fbers, then allowing them to heal and grow. Carter Hanley (12) highlights the mindset needed to progress with weightlifting. “Discipline is key, but patience and persistence are just as important because you’re not going to see results overnight—it takes weeks, months, even years,” Hanley said. “You have to put in the time and efort to see progress.”

Alexandra Tsygankov (12) runs on the track Nov. 18. She has run cross country for the last four years, since her freshman year. “It’s going to be the friendships and the person you grow [into] that’s gonna matter more than anything,” Tsygankov said.

(Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Calisthenics is a way to work out utilizing body weight to build oneself. It’s a versatile way to train and can lead to better coordination and stability, while also helping to build dense muscle. Calisthenics has a progressive system where one can gradually increase the difculty of the exercise, which comes from mastering the basic movements. Seph Zhu (10) enjoys the training style due to the challenge it provides. “If you’re doing pull ups and you get really good at pull ups, you can start progressing to one arm pull ups or muscle ups,” Zhu said. “There’s a ton of diferent variations of one exercise.”

Carter Hanley (12) bicep curls a resistance bar at Lifetime Fitness Nov. 19. He started lifting at the beginning of high school and has continued since. “I know I can keep going and keep on progressing,” Hanley said. “I love seeing the results of the work. it’s really satisfying and pays of.” (Photo by Lathan

2. Running

Running is a simple, yet efective way to improve your physical and mental state. Running builds endurance, strengthens muscles and improves cardiovascular health. Beyond the physical advantages, many run as a source of comfort and community. Alexandra Tsygankov (12) uses running to connect with others and feel better. “At frst my mindset was, ‘Oh, I want to do well and see how far I can go athletically,’” Tsygankov said. “But, after a little bit, I realized I just want to have fun. For me, it’s more like an outlet, like a second home, where I can be the best version of myself and have fun.”

Seph Zhu (10) performs a pull up in the weight room Nov. 20. His favorite exercise to perform is the pull-up. “It is defnitely pullups, because I’m good at them, and I think they are pretty fun,” Zhu said. “Also there are a lot of progressions that you could do with pull-ups.”

(Photo by Olu Falako)

RIGHT:

LEFT:

Levy)

“I didn’t want

From living in New York to Wisconsin, hockey has moved Nelson Vickar (12) all around the United States. Beginning his hockey journey at age 6, Nelson stuck to the twists and turns of this path for 12 years. That was until he began to question whether this path was actually the one he wanted to follow.

Given that his dad played professionally, hockey always seemed like a logical path for Nelson. However, Nelson also experimented with other sports and hobbies as a kid.

“My parents wanted to make sure hockey was what I wanted to do and not just what my dad wanted me to do,” Nelson said. “He didn’t want me thinking that I had to play just because he did.”

However, Nelson gravitated to hockey as his skills improved. As the years went on, he began to realize where it could take him.

“I was 13 or 14 when I realized that it was a potential path for my life, not just a game,” Nelson said.

Nelson’s path became more clear during his season playing with the U16 St. Louis AAA Blues. Despite being younger than al-

most all other players, Nelson saved a stellar 93.7% of shots, putting him on the radar of scouts.

“I was one of the best goalies in the league at a younger age, and that’s when I got drafted to the [United States Hockey League (USHL)],” Nelson said.

Nelson was selected by the Madison Capitols with the 310th pick of the USHL draft, making him one of only seven goalies picked. Given that over 80% of USHL players go on to play Division I hockey, it seemed likely to Nelson’s friend and teammate Miles Acree (12) that Nelson would follow this path.

“I thought he was for sure going to play college hockey, and maybe even go to the NHL,” Acree said. “But over time, it’s become clear that’s not what he wants.”

After spring break of his junior year, Nelson left his home and moved to Madison, Wisconsin. to play for the Capitols. Over time, this changed Nelson’s relationship with hockey.

“I started to put this pressure on myself,” Nelson said. “I would get super nervous before games. I even started to dread playing.”

Back on Home Ice

Hockey takes Nelson Vickar on an unconventional path

By Ryan Snyder

Health & Sports Editor

“With Ladue Hockey, I’m glad that hockey is fnally fun again. It’s gone back to being a game instead of a job.”

After returning to St. Louis this summer, hockey led Nelson away from home again to Long Island, New York. While playing for the Junior Islanders in the National Collegiate Development Conference, Nelson began to ponder his future.

“I had to be mature and think about if this was really the path I wanted to follow,” Nelson said.

Deciding that hockey was no longer his path, Nelson departed from Long Island, New York. Nelson’s dad Aaron Vickar sees great maturity in Nelson’s decision.

“It’s hard to make that decision when you’ve been doing it for 12 out of 18 years,” Aaron said. “Deciding that this isn’t the path he wanted was a mature decision that a lot of adults would struggle to make.”

Nelson Vickar (12) P

While Nelson decided against the path to play in college, he isn’t completely finished with hockey. Without any commitments to major hockey leagues, Nelson is able to again play for Ladue hockey, which he hasn’t played for since his freshman year.

“With Ladue hockey, I’m glad that hockey is finally fun again,” Nelson said. “It’s gone back to being a game instead of a job.”

Nelson Vickar (12) defends the goal for Ladue Hockey against Westminster High School Nov. 13. Nelson moved back to St. Louis from Long Island, New York in October and can now play Ladue Hockey.

to spend

senior year away from friends and family, especially if hockey wasn’t the right path for me.” Nelson said. (Photo by Melody Abady)

Returning to the Mats

The wrestling team kicks of their winter season with a growing roster

By Mason Eastman

Heath and Sports Editor

By Meg Myckatyn

Staf

Stacked wrestling mats are unrolled in preparation for the season ahead. Excited bodies file into the secluded upstairs gym. The overwhelming rush of chatter is occasionally broken by the squeak of sneakers and the tweet of the coaches’ deafening whistle.

Nethmi Amarakone (11) joined the girls wrestling team her sophomore year after previously playing water polo. After a group hangout with her water polo team, she discovered an unknown knack for wrestling, that started her career.

“We decided to do this ‘wrestle-off’ competition,” Amarakone said. “I ended up beating everyone on my team. So, I [thought], ‘Maybe I should try wrestling just for fun.’”

In Action

Women’s wrestling at the high school and professional level is relatively new, which comes with its advantages and drawbacks. While the new sport lacks representation and history compared to its male counterpart, it does present lots of room for exploration and development.

“There are not a lot of [female] role models because women’s wrestling is a new sport,” Amarakone said. “There’s not as many people to look up to compared to [men’s wrestling]. It is kind of just new territory. There’s not as many opportunities compared to guys. Last year we had five girls and all of us were in our own weight class.”

Nationally, there were only a reported 64,257 female high school wrestlers last season compared to the 300,874 male wrestlers in the sport, making team assignments difficult.

“Let’s say another person was in the same weight class, they

Logan Elick performs his favorite wrestling move

“This is my favorite move because it works well with my wrestling style,” Logan Elick (12) said. “[It took] lots of trial and error, and it is not a very commonly used move.”

“At the end of wrestling season, my body is in the best shape it’s ever been in and I am just so strong.”

Nethmi Amarakone (11)

would have [to] wrestle it out and whoever would lose would be junior varisty,” Amarakone said. “If you were considered JV as a female wrestler, you would basically not get any matches, or you would have to switch a weight class.”

On the other hand, boys wrestling captain Cooper Mortensen (12) has wrestled since seventh grade. As captain, one of his goals was to expand the program to both boys and girls. His efforts were successful, and now nearly 40 people are on the team. Getting members to join is one challenge, however getting them to stay is a completely different beast. Many find wrestling very difficult and mentally taxing.

Sources: National Library of Medicine. Statista

“We’re not going to blame them for not sticking through it,” Mortensen said. “But, if you are going to stay, then there is a kind of expectation on you to power through and to be exceptional.”

Like most sports, it is essential to practice and maintain health

Fireman’s Carry

Photos by Lathan Levy

outside of weekly practices and matches. Amarakone has perfected her workout routine to stay on top of her health and expand her wrestling abilities.

“On Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays I’ll go to the gym,” Amarakone said. “At the end of every day I will review wrestling moves right before I go to sleep. Then during practices, which are from Monday to Friday, we will do conditioning and then some drilling.”

Wrestling can get competitive, so it is pertinent for the culture of the team to take precedence over the matches themselves. Shared values such as these can help strengthen a team’s performance as well.

“We’re very uplifting and positive,” Mortensen said. “We all love the sport, and it’s the sport first and competition second.”

Despite the intensity that typically circulates at meets, a supportive energy is still shared between teammates. In the highstakes environment of these events, constant support from teammates is a vital aspect of the athletes’ success.

Luke Flotron (10) runs laps to warm up for practice. The team began practice a few weeks ago in preparation for the season ahead.

“[Wrestling] teaches you life lessons you could not get elsewhere,” Flotron said.

(Photo by Olu Falako)

“We cheer [each other] on, we yell at the guy to do moves, even though we probably shouldn’t,” Mortensen said. “Sometimes coaches yell at us for that, but we all get excited.”

Madeline Summers (11) has had her own unique experience on the wrestling team. In search of a somewhat unique sport, Summers decided to join the wrestling team her freshman year. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to achieve her goals.

“I hope to go to state,” Summers said. “That’s one of my big goals this year. [To prepare], I did a few camps over the summer, and then I plan on doing some camps throughout the season.”

Long matches, constant body aches and tiring practices are all prominent aspects of the wrestling sport. Yet it is precisely those daily struggles that make the sport worthwhile. If Summers could tell her freshman self one thing, she says it would be to keep working hard.

“Don’t give up on [wrestling],” Summers said. “It’s hard at first, but it is the hardest things that are the most rewarding.”

What to Wear

Overview of a high school wrestling uniform

Ear Guards

Ear guards protect wrestlers’ ears from cartilage injuries during matches, tournaments and daily practice.

Shoes

Wrestling shoes are lightweight, fat shoes that wrestlers wear to provide support and protection.

Singlet

Athletes wear one-piece singlets during matches because they provide mobility, safety and consistency for the athletes participating.

Player’s Take

Marisa Schreiner gives her opinion on the wrestling uniforms

“We are getting new uniforms this year, so I am not sure about [what they will be like],” Marisa Schreiner (11) said. “We had to wear the men’s uniforms the previous year and they don’t ft the best. The new ones are supposed to be much better, with [the logo in] cursive writing.”

LEFT:

Panorama December Issue

Editor’s Note

Panorama Staf

Sponsors

Issue

Gold

Silver

Friendly

News to Know

Local Events School Board Update

St. Charles Christmas Traditions

Winterfest

Wild Lights

Standard School Board Agenda

CURIOUS?

“The Prom” Auditions

Students present musical talent in singing, acting and dancing

Class Activities

‘A Special Moment in Time’

Dancing on Ice

CAST

Want More?

Ramen Rundown

Copy & Paste!

This is Headline

Regional Styles

This is Headline

Calorie Count

This is Headline

Cup-noodle Anatomy

How do You Noodle?

Student preferences when cooking and consuming instant noodles

At-home Hacks

Inclusive Excellence

Kick, Punch, Teach

Beats by Baltzell

Silas Baltzell follows his dream of creating and playing music

Flips and Splits

Aerialist Caroline Erekson fnds confdence in her pursuit of silks

Screens and Stories

Refer to other media

An Evolving Classroom

Goldfish Brain

Goldfish Memory

Forget the fear

Go to a library

ENGLISH LITE

Looking Forward

Which

Novel

Has Shaped You the Most?

Panorama Perspective

SOMETHING TO ADD?

Cinema Craze

Stage or Page?

Take a Seat

FLAG FIGURES

More to Know

Tank’s Take

Contempt for the MAGA movement is dangerously counterproductive

In the Spotlight

What Piece are You Most Proud Of?

A Splash of Creativity

The St. Louis Arts Scene

The Muppet Christmas Carol with The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Check it Out

Winter Reading Challenge

Songs of the Season

Cocoa Cold Weather

1. Starbucks

2. Kaldi’s Cofee

3. Revocup

4. Winslow’s Table

5. Dunkin’

6. Deer Creek Cofee

Health & Sports in Review

Winter sports updates and health advice for the season

Coach Q&A

CHAD ANDERSON

Swim in Motion