January 2018

PANORAMA LADUE HORTON WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL // 1201 S. WARSON RD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63124 // VOLUME 66, ISSUE 5 // 1.25.2018

2 Panorama Staff

TABLE OF CONTENTS Opinions: Every student should join “Panorama,” and this is why Opinions: Staff Editorial: Good mental health not optional for school achievement Features: The numbers don’t lie for junior Moses Schindler In-Depth: Shining the spotlight on random students of Ladue

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Arts and Entertainment: Shake Shack brings NYC taste to an STL base

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News: Net neutrality vote has teens worried about the future of the web

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News: Career Expo gives students insight into the professional world

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Sports: Meet Ladue alumnus and superfan Bobby Elzemeyer

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Photo: Learn more about the lives of Ladue faculty and staff

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Editors-in-Chief Lily Hauptman Sophia Li Glen Morgenstern Ladue Lead Editor-in-Chief Max Baker

Photo Editors Rose Hauser Rhiannon Rhoads Zach Weller Art Editors Aleesha Shi Audrey Wang

Opinions Editor Alex Fu

Photographers Burke Howe

Features/A&E Editors Katie Shaw Bradford Siwak In-Depth Editors Hannah Suffian Anya Tullman News Editors Connie Chen Adam Rush

Sports Editor Jackson Bry

Writers Hieran Anderberhan Cassie Beisheim Ope Falako Felix Hu Anik Jain Malavika Kumaran Albert Liu Ryan Miller Nikol Nokolova Ande Siegel Hope Shimony Cindy Wang

Artists Anna Cui Louisia Yang Jackie Zeng Adviser Sarah Semmel

Panorama welcomes and encourages letters to the editors.

Please bring signed letters to Room 216. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions as long as original intent remains unaltered. Cover design by Lily Hauptman and Hannah Suffian.

Read more online at laduelead.com. Follow @ laduepublications on Instagram and @laduepanorama on Twitter.

Scan the QR code to go to our website and see exclusive articles and photographs

Our Policy Panorama is a monthly newspaper that strives to inform and entertain students, staff and community members and to uphold professional standards of accuracy and fairness. The publication hopes to engage the student body by eliciting dialogue among our readers. It aims to reflect the diversity of the population it serves and observe the journalistic principle of doing no harm. All anonymous surveys are completely anonymous.

Panorama is produced nine times per school year by the journalism class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School at 1201 S. Warson Rd., St. Louis, Missouri 63124. The publication lab is located in Room 216, (314)-993-6447 ext. 5844.

opinions

PANORAMA

Join journalism:

Panorama will change your life

lighted one staff member every month. By asking every staff member I interviewed for even one fun fact, I gained lily HAUPTMAN insight into that person’s life and felt more connected to editor-in-chief the school community. ne of the best decisions I’ve made in high school 2. Find your family: I’ve always advocated finding was to join the journalism program. When I friends in different grades, and Panorama has allowed signed up for Journalism I, I didn’t realize the me to do just that. I traveled with a group of journalism adventure on which I was about to embark. I think you friends in addition to our adviser, Sarah Semmel, and scishould join too. Here’s why. ence teacher Molly Mannix to Dallas, Texas fall 2017 for 1. Learn about the world around you: The first edia journalism convention. We explored the city, attended tion of my first year as an editor, we decided to discuss writing and design workshops and became a closer, more the state of our community one year after the Ferguson cohesive group, which would have never formed without shooting verdict. While I had followed the trial and our connection to journalism. We can all bond over our understood the magnitude of disapshared passion for journalism, “The pointment of people in Ferguson Office,” and our friendly rivalry with By asking every and around the world, I had never the Rambler yearbook, and as such, staff member I intermet affected Ferguson citizens until staying at school until an ungodly viewed for even one I interviewed them with my cofun fact, I gained insight into that hour is no longer a chore but an event editor for Panorama. Out of the doz- person’s life and felt more conto which I look forward. ens of stories I’ve written over the 3. Discover valuable skills: This nected to the school community. past four years, this one stands out idea is possibly the most obvious asto me as the moment I understood pect of joining the staff of Panorama, the potential impact of journalism. While this seems like but also incredibly accurate. Without the newspaper, I an obvious example of exploring news locally, I also diswould have never learned about the importance of news cover new aspects and meet new members of my school literacy, the ins and outs of InDesign, writing journalistienvironment almost daily by interviewing classmates and cally and concisely and how to navigate an interview. teachers, many of whom I would not know today without And these are only a few of many, many lifelong lessons the somewhat awkward “Hi, I’m on the staff of the PanI’ve uncovered throughout my time on staff. orama and …” emails. Last year, for example, I created a So stop thinking about joining the journalism program recurring element called “Staff Spotlight” which highand do it. v

3 Letter from the Editors

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Behind every student’s face is a unique story In the journalistic quest for the novel and unusual, it’s easy to get used to the outliers. Yuck, another global crisis, another record-breaking Indy 500 race, another Taylor Swift album. Scrolling through a news feed often fails to impress.

What never ceases to amaze, though, are the varied and impressive lives our peers lead.

Convinced that every student has a compelling story, Panorama set out to throw the lives of random Ladue students in the limelight. But how to go about this? After much discussion, simplicity prevailed. No dart-throwing, no roulette wheel — instead, a simple random number generator picked the students.

By chance or not, the generator chose some very interesting personalities. Read more about these exceptional people on pages 8-9.

Bites of the Month: The last month’s greatest gab “[The fans] are trying to climb into the press box to hug us all! No one can find Stefon Diggs!”

–Radio announcer Paul Allen after the Minnesota Vikings’ game-winning 61yard touchdown pass Jan. 14 “It is the people’s right to criticize the government, and it is our job to take it.”

–Retiring Republican Ariz. Senator Jeff Flake during a speech on the Senate floor Jan. 17 Quotes courtesy of KFAN-FM 100.3 and the Washington Post aleesha shi w ART EDITOR

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PANORAMA

opinions

Staff Editorial

What really matters?

michelle zhou w ARTIST

Mental health is integral to student success

max BAKER

I

web editor-in-chief

t is no secret that Ladue students shy away from controversial topics—but it is not their fault. Last fall, multiple incidents occurred that led to walkouts and protests at the high school. Yet, no organized dialogue was held among students in the classroom.

On Jan. 13, I attended my sister’s Courageous Conversation through Cultural Leadership, a year-long social justice program that consists of primarily African-American and Jewish high schoolers from the St. Louis area. In a Courageous Conversation, each student picks a topic and leads a group of about 15 people in deep discussion. My sister led an in-depth discussion about stereotypes and microaggressions.

As an alumnus of the program, I did not expect to have some sudden realization about our world.

However, as our dialogue progressed to the National Anthem, one woman spoke about how we only sing parts of the national anthem and that its other verses contain lyrics that are viewed by many as racist. This, I thought, is the information that needs to be taught in our schools. This type of conversation should not be unique to Cultural Leadership. Our school prides itself on its diversity and deep, thought-provoking classroom conversations, but the current conversations aren’t the ones we should be focusing on.

Why have I never learned about the history of my national anthem? Why do we avoid discussions about how some students don’t stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance? Maybe teachers could help students understand the truths and myths of net neutrality or how deferred action for childhood arrivals works.

I am not saying that the current curriculum should be completely revised or that we need to spend hours on these topics daily, but I do believe that teachers could implement small and large group discussions on these issues, leading to improved listening and debating skills.

It is important for us to be taught how to disagree with each other. High school students hang out with friends who typically share their same views. This often causes us to not understand opposing viewpoints. Maybe the reason that adults struggle to agree to disagree is because they were never trained in school to have these tough conversations without attacking one another. We cannot keep pretending that these uncomfortable issues are unimportant. We as students need to have these types of discussions and hope that some meaningful changes can be set into motion. v

louisia yangw ARTIST

M

ental health. The term is used all the time, but many people do not understand the full meaning. According to the World Health Organization, mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Sometimes people fail to maintain it, which leads to negative consequences. For students, challenging classes and tedious homework can take a toll on their mental health.

For example, Stanford’s Challenge Success survey gives students a worry-and-stress scale. Sixty-seven percent of the students said they are often or always stressed about school. When asked about the causes of their stress, the top 10 answers were school-related. Dr. Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford University, shared her perspective on mental health in an interview.

“One of the questions we ask the students in our survey is ‘How do you define success?’” Pope said. “From my experience of asking parents the same question, the response I get is ‘happiness, health, giving back to society’ — all the things you would expect a parent to say. The first response we get from the kids is ‘money, grades, test scores.’”

Unsurprisingly, the pressure to achieve these goals puts a lot of stress on students, which causes them to not pay much attention to their mental health. High levels

of stress can cause distress and make children vulnerable to many physical, cognitive and emotional problems.

Studies have found that too much stress increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Research has shown that student stress levels now are equivalent to the stress levels of insane asylum patients in the 1950s. These extreme stress levels stem from society implanting a misguided notion of success, where many students see life as a day-to-day test of survival. Not only does this misconstrued mindset make students feel less motivated to perform well in school, but it also makes it more challenging to build relationships and to feel confident.

Schools should have more programs that increase awareness about mental health and teach students effective ways to deal with pressure. Programs could include tips on how to manage life or explore the life of someone who does not have good mental health. Although some people opt to keep their worries to themselves, school counselors can serve as a great resource to help deal with personal issues.

Talking to a willing listener is the first step to finding a solution. Instead of another AP, take a study hall or elective. Students should look for more suitable ways to utilize their time, like getting more sleep for tomorrow or eating a healthy meal or snack. Without staying both mentally and physically healthy, students will most likely struggle for success. v

Student stances

What is your main source for stress or anxiety and why?

“Probably just lack of time. I don’t know, especially because of Ram Days. And colleges and stuff, getting essays in and whatnot on time, and scholarships. Just a lot of work.”

- Senior Adam Fields

“Handling all the different things I do, because, like everything I choose to do, I’m really devoted in, so I have to, like choose how to split my time....

Debate, and also TedEd club.”

- Junior Olivia Liu

“School, because I feel a need to do well, and live up to my family’s expectations every day....

Math, that’s for sure because I’m not that great or anything, but my family is.”

- Freshman Grace Hu

opinions

PANORAMA

5

Should sports count as credit? Panorama polls

No reason as to why sports shouldn’t count

L

ande SIEGEL writer

et’s be honest: physical education is, for the most part, walking class. Nobody exercises with vigor and passion unless a middle-schooler is trying to out-macho your fellow classmates. At least, this is what I think when I reflect on my experience with P.E. Actually, there were classmates who tried in my P.E. class because they played a sport, and that is so ironic to me. There are students who already dedicate hours to rigorous practice after school in a sport that they’re passionate about, yet they have to sacrifice two semesters of high school to a class that barely benefits them.

Interestingly, Missouri doesn’t consider sports a credit for high school. The state Senate previously passed legislation that had schools award one P.E. credit to students who played three years of a sport, but as of May 2010, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee removed that section from the legislation.

On that committee’s website, they highlight four goals physical education should ultimately strive for: to improve health knowledge, attitudes and skills to improve health behaviors, to improve educational outcomes and to improve social outcomes. By these standards, it’s surprising that sports are not considered as significant as physical education to garner a full, proper credit.

In analysis of the committee’s first standard—to improve health knowledge, attitudes and skills—sports bring more to the table than physical education. While P.E. serves as exercise for their students, sports serve as a potential career. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), nearly 8 million students in the United States currently participate in high school athletics, and more than 480,000 compete as NCAA athletes. For the students that pursue sports outside of high school, they develop the long-term knowledge and skills that have equal value as P.E. So by the first standard, sports are just as beneficial as P.E. class.

When looking at the committee’s last three standards, sports delivers just as much as P.E. does, but sports are unique in that there are many benefits to participating in a sport that P.E. classes can’t provide. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control reported a positive correlation between students who participated in high levels of physical activity and improved academic performance and achievement, decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes, improved weight control and less psychological dysfunction. Furthermore, according to Dr. Nicholas Holt, a professor at the University of Alberta, sports equip students with improved self-esteem, emotional regulation, problem-solving, goal attainment and social skills. If sports can deliver what P.E. class aims to do, there’s no reason students don’t deserve a graduation credit for playing a sport.

So since sports fulfill all of Missouri’s standards for adequate P.E., and our education system counts other extracurriculars as graduation credit, then I see no reason as to why sports shouldn’t count as credit. v

of the people

What types of panels did you attend at Career Expo?

Business (12.78%)

FACS (3.79%)

Journalism(4.73%)

STEM (4.36%)

I didn’t attend (74.34%)

“I enjoyed it. I learned a lot about the business world, and what specifically each of these people do.”

- Freshman, Andrew Johnson

How would you rate St. Louis’ Shake Shack?

Peers may not realize P.E.’s unique experience

F

cassie BEISHEIM writer

or almost any teen, the pressure to plan how to get into college skyrockets the moment they’re in high school. From extracurriculars to AP classes, students’ schedules need to be almost always jam-packed.

With a list of required credits, many students struggle to do all of the classes they want, however this list is certainly necessary for equal opportunity in school. The truth of the matter is that every student who does extracurriculars — athletics or academics­— doesn’t deserve a freebie in anything. For now, the debate rages on as to whether playing a sport should count as a physical education credit, but the answer is no.

Before any athletes get on me about how I “don’t know the grind,” hear me out. Understandably, many student athletes would jump at the chance to not have to take another lame P.E. class after middle school. However, these peers may not realize P.E.’s unique experience.

Prior to entering high school, P.E. pretty much consists of three things: stretching, running, and mediocre versions of dodgeball. Once teens reach sophomore year, they are given a plethora of P.E. class options. From classes with rock climbing field trips to more relaxing lifetime sports and to intensive weight training, Ladue is extremely fortunate to have so many programs.

Students need to begin to realize

how lucky they are and take advantage of the many P.E. programs they can choose from. The classes provided within the high school are ones that can provide an experience that no sport can. Sports focus in on one single activity while P.E. teaches students more than that. It is essential that students use this diverse group of classes to learn more than just the sport they play after school.

Even without a diverse physical education program, allowing sports as a credit causes a lack of equal opportunity for students. It’s understandable that many athletes stay for hours each day and put their heart and soul into their sport. However, for students who focus more on academics, having to get a P.E. credit is a hassle as well. As a complete debate geek, I can confess that having to place a lifetime sports credit into my senior year schedule was definitely not my first choice. I’d love to have extra time to take advantage of the other classes our school has to offer, or take four years of Spanish, but like the rest of the student body, I must fit one full credit of P.E. into my four years of high school. Even if sports were to replace a P.E. class, people like me who engage in other after-school activities wouldn’t have similar benefits. It is unfair to allow students who do a sport after school to skip out on P.E., while a student who spends just as much time and effort on academics or after school clubs could not.

While the idea of missing out on the stench of a high school locker room during the school day may be appealing, counting sports as credit will promote inequality and lessen the value of Ladue’s diverse P.E. programs because they offer opportunities students may otherwise not choose or experience. v

Average Rating: 3 1 (0.65%) 2 (1.29%)

4 (2.58%))

3 (1.94%

5 (3.23%))

I have not been there (47.10%)

I want to go (43.23%)

“I would give Shake Shack a 4 out of 5. Great shakes, but great shakes come at the expense of other things.”

- Junior, Peter Jakiela

Have you ever seen Bobby at a sports game?

Yes (31.3%)

No (6.8%)

I don’t know him (61.90)

“Bobby’s been at pretty much every event...I can think of.”

- Senior, Kaylen Lang Survey results based on 179 voluntary student entries

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An art walk in the Park:

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features

PANORAMA

malavika KUMARAN writer

ot everyone can create something extraordinary in a matter of minutes, but senior Emily Park can sketch a comic in the time it takes to sharpen a pencil. Planning to major in animation and illustration, Park has known from a young age that a career in art was her dream.

“I decided that I wanted to pursue art as a full-time career since I started second grade,” Park said. “In libraries I saw comic books and other artbooks on the Internet. I was thinking, ‘I wish I can be as cool as them,’ and it just kind of happened.”

Although Park began by drawing stick figures and smiley faces like most 5-year-olds, she quickly evolved her style to a more realistic one. After learning new techniques from art teachers and practicing drawing comics at home, Park began mastering her craft.

“My grade school art teacher taught the basic anatomy to drawing my own face,” Park said. “I drew a lot of realism by drawing things I saw, along with copying characters from books and cartoons with [a] pencil.”

After taking a small break from her art for a few years, Park changed her style once more, gradually moving away from realism and traditional art styles to digital and stylized forms.

“I created a ton of characters during this time and kept practicing drawing them and changing small things,” Park said. “I transitioned from traditional sketches to digital art two years ago, which drastically changed my art style. The time it took for me to do the basic sketch went from an hour to 10 to 20 minutes.”

Senior Stephanie Farn, who has known Park since middle school, has always leaned towards digital art.

A look back in 'Due Time

Emily Park channels her passion into her dream of becoming an artist

Farn describes Park’s evolution from a traditional to a digital art style as she became more serious about pursuing animation.

“When we first met in sixth or seventh grade, Emily was already awesome at what she did,” Farn said. “It was in high school when Emily started doing more digital stuff. I've always done digital, but she leans more towards traditional; she likes working with watercolor. She was like, ‘I'll probably have to understand digital [for pursuing animation].’”

For the webcomic that she is currently working on, Park spends a lot of time creating each panel, lining and coloring, which requires an immense amount of focus, patience and attention to detail.

“When she goes over and lines everything, she makes some crazy detailed stuff,” Farn said. “I don't know how she has the patience for it. When she does quick sketches, she can make something extremely fast with lines and everything. She actually starts by drawing the eyes, which is kind of unique. Most of our other friends and I start by drawing the hands.”

Park has also taken several art classes throughout her high school career. Art teacher Daniel Raedeke has taught many of the classes Park has taken, such as Computer Animation, Painting 1, Painting 2 and AP Studio Art. “Emily excels at drawing, painting, animation and illustration,” Raedeke said. “Her drawings are inspired by anime, illustration and design, and she combines a lot of patterns, subtle gradation and shading. She tends to make work that is whimsical and fantastical with characters and figures interspersed with designs and natural patterns.”

Raedeke believes that Park’s unique style will bring her much success in the future. As Park continues pursuing art, he is eager to see what she creates as she goes further in her career.

“Emily is also a very talented animator,” Raedeke

This issue: marijuana laws Recreational use legalized in California Jan. 1, 2018.

We explored old editions of Panorama in search of today’s relevant topics.

Check out what we found.

"In Missouri, possession of 15 grams [of marijuana] is a misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. However, a few years from now, smoking marijuana could feasibly no longer be treated as a criminal offence."

April 8, 1977

A WORK OF ART //

Senior Emily Park (above) works in the painting room on her computer as she creates digital art (left). Park has been interested in art from a very young age, and wants to continuing pursing it into the future. "[One of my long-term goals for my artistic aspirations is] to be able to create a series of my own." (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)

said. “Emily has gotten feedback and portfolio reviews from several representatives from art schools. Emily wants to pursue art in college and I believe that she will be a great addition to any program. [I] look forward to seeing the work that she creates after she graduates.”

Determined to achieve her dreams, Park dedicates a lot of time to her passion. Outside of school, she spends hours honing her craft.

“I can complete 15 [pieces] in a month when I’m loaded with ideas, and other times [I complete zero to three pieces],” Park said. “For doodles and sketches, I draw everyday. I would say that I spend five or more hours a day drawing during the weekdays and seven or more hours on most weekends.”

In the end, Park’s main career goal is for her illustrations to be distinct and unique enough to be recognizable as her own.

“I want to be an artist where people can look at my art and say that it’s my art,” Park said. v

Double takes Google Arts and Culture edition: Painting lookalikes found in Ladue's halls

Sophomore

Jan Adam Kruseman's

Chemistry teacher

Claes C. Moeyaert's

Lili Sheley

"A young Girl Reposing"

Timothy Schussler

"Mooy-Aal and her suitors"

Sophomore

Mirabelle Mockler

Natalia Rak's

"Ophelia"

(Photos courtesy of Google Arts and Culture)

PANORAMA

features

7

The numbers all add up for Ladue junior

Student participates in international math competition from the U.K. He started the qualifying process as early as the albert LIU beginning of the school year. writer “[I took] the first qualifying round around September during ho wants to be a mathematician? Junior Math Club, and when I passed Moses Schindler does, that, [I took] a second round around October,” Schindler said. as he recently qualified for and “By doing well enough on that, participated in the 2018 national televised competition of the same I was able to qualify for the national competition.” name, sponsored by the AmeriWith the enormous amount can Mathematical Society. of competition and challenging The competition was developed in 2001 by Mike Breen and questions, Schindler also acknowledges that it was partially Bill Butterworth as a program luck that he qualified for the of the AMS Public Awareness championship. The difficulty Office. They designed it to give of the questions also posed a math talents a chance to shine in challenge not only to him, but to an entertaining and challenging format. Schindler is fascinated by other competitors.

“The last question [to qualify mathematics and its paradoxes. for the championship], which “The super counterinwas ‘Estimate the 25000th tuitive results that you get from prime,’ was used as a tiebreaker,” paradoxes] are pretty great,” Schindler said. “My guess was Schindler said. “Take, for example, the Birthday Paradox, which pretty far off, but, well, the other states in our region are Iowa, says that you have a better than South even chance of It’s great to receive Dakota, two people in a some recognition from North room sharing a someone in as high of a Dakota, birthday if there position as Senator Blunt ... I’m really Minneare at least 23 appreciative that he took the time sota, Kanpeople in the to wish me good luck ...” sas, and room.”

Nebraska, Compelled so ...” by his obvious love for mathAfter qualifying, Schindler ematics, Schindler qualified for gained much recognition around one of the 12 spots among other the state and from his peers. talented mathematicians in the Even Missouri Senator Roy world— with 10 spots in the Blunt reached out to Moses via U.S., one from Canada and one

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Twitter, wishing him luck at the national championship.

“It’s great to receive some recognition from someone in as high of a position as Senator Blunt,” Schindler said. “I am really appreciative that he took the time to wish me good luck, and I’m really appreciative of everyone else who has also taken the time to wish me luck and support me.”

Unfortunately, Schindler wasn’t able to take away the title Jan. 17. Despite this, his motivation to continue doing what he loves has not waned.

“He has a great personality that made the audience laugh even though he didn’t do great this time,” senior and friend Justin Chen said. “I’m sure that he’ll come back even stronger next year.”

As a mathematician, Schindler continues to participate in almost all the math contests available to him. Schindler stresses his appreciation for math teacher and Math Club sponsor John Pais. He also appreciates math teacher and Mu Alpha Theta sponsor Laura Kaufman for supporting these math competitions.

“The sponsor for the two qualifying tests I took was Dr. Pais, who’s pretty great, and is always willing to proctor contests and host Math Club, even when it involves being exposed to pesky students like me,”

Schindler said. “Also, Ms. Kaufman is great because [she sponsors us with] Mu Alpha Theta points.”

Just as Schindler appreciates his teachers, his teachers reciprocate his love for math.

Pais acknowledges Schindler’s presence as an integral part of Math Club and a role model for other students.

“Moses thrives on the joy and challenge of creative problem-solving in a competition setting, which motivates and excites all Math Club students,” Pais said. “When he was chosen as one of IT’S RADICAL // Moses Schindler the 12 students in the works through a math problem on a set country to participate of white boards. Schindler started math in the final round of the relatively early, but he only began concen‘Who Wants to Be a trating heavily on math in around seventh Mathematician’ compe- grade. “I really looked forward to going tition, I was very happy to San DIego to be in some nice, warm for him and impressed weather,” Schindler said. “If someone pays me to do math, I’ll do it.” by his success at this high level.” no one actually cares how good As a student, Moses [at math] you are,” Schindler continues to share his love for said. “I’d recommend coming math with people all across to Math Club because it’s fun, the school. He avidly recruits and [because] you will get betand competes for Math Club, ter at math just by showing up. amongst other academic compeWe make the best party you’ve titions. ever been to look like a colonial “Pretty much everyone is at a church service.” v different level in Math Club, and

Senior-I-Missed: Classes seniors wish they took “I wish that I took A.P. Psychology. I’ve always been fascinated with how our brains function and processes things... It seemed like everyone who took that class really enjoyed it and said that it had an influence when picking a major in college... It would have been intriguing to learn about something so personal and so complex in a classroom setting.”

Grace Crockett

Abhay Cashikar “I wish I had taken a ceramics class. I have fond memories of pottery from when I was young. I thought it’d be interesting to learn how to make stuff like that correctly.

Unfortunately, due to the renovations, ceramics wasn’t offered my junior year, which was the only year I could [have] seen myself taking it.”

“I really wish I took more [Family and Consumer Sciences] classes like cooking ... I think people should learn how to cook because it’s something you need outside of school. I think that’s the case for a lot of things you can learn in FACS classes.

I did take child development, and I’m taking fashion, which I really like.

Knowing how to take care of kids [is a skill] most people are going to use in the future.”

Chena Molina

Annie Liu I would’ve loved to take A.P. U.S. History because I’ve had a very STEM-focused schedule, and I wish I had the chance to take a history class that everyone loves and finds rewarding. I also know I would learn a lot of new material in what people would say is one of the best classes Ladue offers.

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From the age of 10, I had the ambition to be a professional golfer. The sport was my singular passion for years. I had some moderate success as a junior player by winning a few small tournaments, [but] I never reached the heights of my college level golfer brother. Once I got to high school, I always felt like I had the ability to improve, perform and ultimately play at a collegiate level. It hasn’t quite worked out that way, perhaps for the best. While I would very much like to be [the best] golfer that I can be, I feel that this failure has helped me grow and in the end benefited me more than success in the sport would have. This being said, I look forward to the opportunity to have my best high school season in my senior year and demonstrate the skills that all of those hours on the range have developed.

There is this outside organization called the Variety Children’s Charity, and I got into their acting program last year. It’s really important to me because it opened up new opportunities for me to meet new friends. Our main production was the “Wizard of Oz.” Basically, what I learned was to not be shy because I am a really shy person. It gave me an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. ior

Jun

om

ph So ore

When I was in fifth grade, my grandma was diagnosed with cancer. My mom took me to New York to visit her. My cousin was there too, because she lives in New York, and we’re right about the same age.

My grandma had this great idea that we would interview her and ask her whatever we wanted — something we were always wondering. We went into the other room to brainstorm questions. It didn’t seem like the most fun thing in the entire world [at the time], but we did it and had a lot of fun. She passed away, but when I go back and watch the video, I realize how much that actually meant to her and to us. I didn’t really think anything of it-nor did my cousin when we were 10-but now that I am 14, that’s one of the most amazing videos I have.

I play Ladue soccer. An important moment for me while playing on varsity was our Kirkwood game. At Kirkwood, we played the first half, and we let in a goal near the end of the half. After halftime, we came back out ready to play and put two goals away to beat Kirkwood. I played that entire game at center back with [senior] Alex Cobin. Alex is a great role model and player, and he barely fouled all season long.

He dreaded choosing people to go get water. It would usually fall on me as the sophomore, but he wanted to make it fair, so some of the juniors would get the water. That is a great way to show character, and it put in my head that you do not have to be mean and rude to get people to do what you want. I always look up to Alex’s leadership, and hopefully the Ladue soccer team will win a state victory sometime.

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Two years ago, I went on the search for my first horse. I was determined to take on the task of finding and caring for it. The first time I saw my horse, she was standing with her pasture mate flicking her ears back and forth. Red was a crazy red-headed mare. She would spook and move wildly, nothing like the calm horses I had ridden in the past. We clicked instantly. Although she wasn’t a Grand Prix type of horse, I opted to get a horse that I could grow with. She was different in a way I couldn’t explain. Even though she occasionally runs away from me and rolls in the dirt, she will [always] have a place in my heart.

She has taught me so much, and I can’t wait to keep learning with her.

I did a student exchange to Germany this summer, which was exciting. Toward the end of the trip, we were introduced to some students from Russia. One girl that I hung out with that evening was named Mary, and she was lovely. We got to see a live show with a guy who was basically German Justin Bieber. I was able to use a skill that I learned to reach someone from a different place and culture.

I had been really afraid to go to Germany, but I went, and taking that risk was so rewarding. We take for granted buying bus tickets, ordering food and introducing yourself in your own [language].

Sop

When I was younger, I struggled with math and reading. My mom and babushka, which means grandma in Russian, would help with my classes. The challenge wasn’t just learning from them, but also translating at the same time, since they are Russian. For most of elementary school, I struggled to understand the task and translate what I needed to do. Throughout this period, I became very competitive in school and in swimming. Many tiring nights I would listen to Babushka, focusing on both the task and lesson. After my babushka passed away, I continued to earn both high grades and merits from everything I am involved in. In addition, I began volunteering through my local library and by tutoring younger students. My grandmother motivated me from a young age to persevere, and I applied this to other aspects of my life.

Jun

9

1, 293 students. , 293 1stories.

hannah SUFFIAN in-depth editor

anya TULLMAN in-depth editor

We randomly selected students from each grade and profiled them to gain insight into their lives. While not everyone’s story is so well-known, each student at Ladue has an important and valuable story to share.

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PANORAMA

A&E

Shaken, not Shacked: Is Shake Shack worth the hype? katie SHAW a&e editor

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kay, I’ll admit it: I’m not the best at keeping up with the times, and even worse with the latest restaurants.

So, when Shake Shack opened its first location in Missouri, unsurprisingly, I had not heard of it.

And guess what? Just like any normal person, the first thing I did when I approached its neon green signs was enter the first door I saw. This also happened to be the “exit” door.

For all you prospective customers, Shake Shack is located across from Whole Foods in the Central West End, but the door across from Whole Foods is the exit. The entrance is actually around the corner.

Armed only with knowledge from their website, I bravely stepped through the glass door.

Then, I promptly found myself smashed back against said door.

The restaurant was packed with people, even though it was only 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday. I found

myself standing in line for 25 minutes before finally making it to the counter.

The cashiers were friendly and answered my questions about the menu good-naturedly.

Shake Shack sells a variety of burgers, hot dogs, fries, and desserts. Eventually, I decided on ordering a ShackBurger ($5.29), fries ($2.79) and a salted caramel shake ($5.19), which was the most popular shake that day.

The cashier who helped me chuckled at my appalled face but reassured me it tasted fine and that it wasn’t the most ordered shake for nothing. She ended up spelling my name wrong, but that’s life.

After I sat down to wait for my food, I took a closer look at my surroundings. They really stuck to their signature four color theme: black, green, gray and brown. Even their exit signs above the doors were neon green, instead of the normal red.

The layout of the restaurant was smart too, so that the never ending line wouldn’t wind in between tables where people were already dining. Five TVs hung on the wall, adding another layer of sound on top of the endlessly chattering customers.

My observational trance was suddenly broken as a girl tripped over her shoelace while walking past my table. Some of her drink sloshed out of her cup and onto the floor. Within five minutes of the accident, a yellow caution cone was set up by the spill. Five minutes after that, a waiter came by with a mop to clean the drink off the floor. That just earned Shake Shack another point in their favor.

After a while, my food was finally ready. The burger was somewhat tilted, with the bun on one side and the meat hanging out the other. It had cheese, tomatoes, a tiny piece of lettuce and their signature Shack Sauce.

The sauce was orangey-white in color, and it was slightly salty.

It reminded me of the texture of mayonnaise, and while it tasted fine on the burger, it didn’t seem overly unique or delicious.

Thankfully, none of the french fries were burnt. These fries were crinkle-cut, and wider thatn most fries. Their skins were slightly oily and pretty crispy, but after biting into them, I found the fries to be mushy on the inside.

I was happily surprised by the salted caramel shake. Granted, I didn’t have any expectations

for it, but I would definitely get it again. It was a creamy offwhite with tan caramel streaks that slowly melted with the ice cream. I could actually taste the salt cubes as I drank it, but they were overwhelmed by the sugary qualities of the vanilla and caramel. Without a doubt, I would recommend this for someone with a sweet tooth. Overall, the meal tasted good, but it wasn’t really different than other American food I’ve eaten before. Good quality but nothing special.

When I exited the restaurant, I saw that the line had gotten even longer. Now, at least 10 people were waiting outside in the biting cold. My dad interrupted my gawking a few seconds later to inform me that his car was going to be towed away if I didn’t hurry up. As I sprinted down the street, jacket open and left hand about to freeze off from the combined effects of the night and the shake, I gave Shake Shack another thought.

Sure, while the food wasn’t very original — it tasted like any

The Greatest Showman A moderately great show ope FALAKO writer

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lashy costumes, roaring lions, and musical montages all make an appearance in The Greatest Showman, a musical about the life of Phineas Taylor Barnum, the founder of the Barnum and Bailey circus.

The movie was directed by Michael Gracey and featured Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Zac Efron and Rebecca Ferguson. It was released Dec. 20th, 2017 and grossed $205.6 million opening weekend.

The story takes place in the mid-1800s and opens with Barnum, who works for Benjamin Hallett, Charity Hallett’s father. Phineas and Charity build a relationship, and years later, Barnum marries her. They live a mediocre life until one day, Barnum loses his job as a desk clerk.

In order to keep a roof over his family’s head, he takes a loan from the bank and creates a museum, titled Barnum’s American Museum, to show off the “oddities” of the world. The exhibit soon turns into a circus made of “unique persons” and he quickly gains attention.

For his first time in the director’s chair, Gracey didn’t do a bad job. Within the movie’s 97 minutes, I laughed, cried, and had a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest. The choreography was elaborate and beautifully conveyed the mood of the music. The movie was cinematically astounding, but it lacked quality content. The movie was dotted with petty conflicts, and Gracey gave an inaccurate portrayal of Barnum. The movie praises him as a caring entrepreneur who aimed to bring joy to a dull New York, when he exploited people who didn’t fit into society’s standards and used them for his own personal gain.

Though the movie is hailed as one that celebrates diversity, it really only focused on three of the circus members and features one person of color. v

other burger place — everything tasted pretty good. I could see myself going to the restaurant with a group of friends in the future. But would I go to visit again for a Saturday night dinner anytime soon? Probably not.

Shake Shack can be found at 60 North Euclid Rd., St. Louis, MO 63108, in the Central West End. Their restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Their phone number is 314-627-5518. No reservations are necessary. v

PANORAMA

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Mock Trial competes with new case on civil copyright Ladue defeats Lutheran South High School at first competition “This case is different from anything I’ve seen before in all my years,” Mock Trial coach Robert Snidman said. nikol NIKOLOVA The nature of the copyright case made the competition writer more challenging for students who had little experience with music. With that in mind, students felt they had to he Ladue Mock Trial team defeated Lutheran work harder than usual in order beat Lutheran South at South High School by a unanimous vote, Jan. 18 this month’s competition. at the St. Louis County Courthouse in the first “I think the fact that the case is a copyright case is round of this year’s preliminary competition. interesting in itself,” sophomore Lili Sheley said. “Copyanna The two teams argued a civil case in front right law is very complicated, [and] it is really cui ARTIS T of a judge and two jurors who then voted on cool to see the different aspects of how it the winning team. Each team was expected to works.” prepare for both sides of the case. At their first Students were given the choice of either competition, Ladue took the role of defense selecting the role of a lawyer or a witness while Lutheran South High School assumed to the case. Valeriote, who was the opening the role of the plaintiffs. defense attorney for her team, had the task of “It is possible that we will move on to the making an opening statement and questioning regional competition and even the state competia defense witness. tion,” junior Kate Valeriote said. “Last year, we “[Playing a witness] is similar to theater, [except] competed in the first round of state, which was an witnesses don’t know what questions you’ll be asked,” amazing experience.”

Snidman said. “You have to stay in character, but you Each year, the assigned cases alternate bedon’t memorize lines.” tween criminal and civil. Criminal cases occur Sheley, who has been a member of Mock Trial for two when the law has been broken, while civil cases years, opted to be a witness. Her task was to immerse are when there is a dispute between two parties. herself into the role of mother to the victim and ensure This year, teams were assigned to argue a civil that her answers were in line with her witness testimony. copyright case where a music label is suing a “My team is arguing that the songs are substantially band for stealing parts of their song. similar,” Sheley said. “We enter the sheet music for [the

T

w

OBJECTION // Junior Sam Hiken questions a witness

from Lutheran South High School in the first round of the competition in the St. Louis County Circuit Courthouse, Jan. 18. Junior Kate Valeriote participated in the competition as a defense attorney. “The competition definitely kept me on the edge of my seat at times,” Valeriote said.

(Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)

original song] in order to try to prove that the songs were written similarly.”

According to Valeriote, a large amount of evidence was deemed unusable during her case, something she described as unusual. However, she feels proud of her team’s accomplishment and hopes that the team will qualify for the next round of competitions.

“I love competing,” Valeriote said. “It makes all the hard work you have put in during the season worth it.” v

PANORAMA

12

news

Net neutrality debate resurfaces amid repeal

Students and faculty discuss potential effects of internet deregulation

Fast facts

on net neutrality burke howe w DESIGNER

76% of Americans support net neutrality as a law

3/5 of the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality 21 states have sued the FCC in an effort to stop the repeal Do Ladue students think net neutrality should be repealed?

16.20% 22.20%

Yes

61.60%

No

I don’t know enough about it Survey results based on 192 voluntary student responses

“There is not enough concrete information for [students] to start adam RUSH worrying and panicking,” Stirrat said. news editor “But we can’t promise anything not n 2015, the Federal Commu- knowing what the pricing will be ... nications Commission wrote If prices become outrageous, there into law requirements for in- could be a moment where the district ternet regulation that became has to promise less connectively.”

Due to net neutrality’s current known as net neutrality. prominence, Ladue clubs Young The intent of the law was to ensure Democrats and Young Republicans have devoted meetings to discussing that the internet would remain an open and free platform, meaning that deregulation and its potential consequences. While Young Democrats internet providers such as AT&T or members were unified in believing Comcast could not raise prices or slow speeds for users in order to hurt that a repeal should not take place, Young Republican members were smaller websites. The FCC repealed split on the issue. net neutrality Dec. 14, but debate “A lot of people took the posicontinues about whether it was the tion that net neutrality is regulating right course of action. a monopoly industry, and that’s why Instructional Technology Coorit needs regulation,” junior and club dinator Adam Stirrat believes that a rollback of the law can only maintain president Tripp Lochmoeller said. “[I the status quo or have harmful effects feel] a deregulation will create more competition. [Some see this] as a for the school.. However, there have keystone of where politics is at today, been no administrative meetings on the subject, as the school determined but I don’t believe a repeal will be as detrimental as a lot of people do.” that there is not enough conclusive At meetings, Young Democrats information about internet providers’ members came to the consensus that plans to be concerned.

I

rescinding net neutrality regulations can only be harmful for the internet and those who require it on a daily basis. Senior and Young Democrats president Emma Ross feels as though there will be inevitable consequences for the internet and the Ladue School District as a whole.

“There is no benefit to not having net neutrality,” Ross said. “It allows companies to pick and choose what their customers have access to. If [the school’s] internet carrier one day decided to restrict access to certain educational sites, then where are we going to be? It’s a possibility that [the school] could be affected.”

Despite their political ideologies, both Lochmoeller and Ross see net neutrality as a complex topic on which discussion should continue to center. While they both consider the subject partisan, neither thinks that a conversation on the issue will hurt.

“More discussion is always helpful because people can change their minds,” Lochmoeller said. “We are all mature and can handle other people’s opinions. Debate is healthy, and it’s good to discuss our differences. v

What is your opinion on the government repeal of net neutrality?

In the Classrooms

“In my opinion, the internet is a business, and because America runs on a free market, [businesses] can do whatever they want. In other words, net neutrality regulates things that shouldn’t be regulated.”

- Sophomore Frankie Goebel

“I think it’s awful that net neutrality is [being repealed]. The internet is a necessity for almost everyone in the world.

It should be free for everyone and not messed with by private companies.”

- Junior Noah Melson

Tech Theater I In Tech Theater, senior Aidan Morley draws a floor plan as if he is putting on a play of “The Outsiders” Jan. 18. In this class, the students learn how to draw and make a 3D model out of paper of a floor plan and how to make a lighting design. In addition, they help with building sets for theater production. (Photo

by Rhiannon Rhoads)

“My opinion is that [net neutrality] definitely should not be repealed. It will make everything online cost way more, and if they raise prices for Google, I won’t be able to afford to do my schoolwork.”

- Sophomore Olivia Dehaven

“I am glad that Republicans have repealed net neutrality. Since the free market would indirectly limit companies from placing unreasonable prices on customers, it was an unnecessary government policy.”

- Freshman Matthew Levy

Symphonic Band In Band, sophomore Mindy LaMore (left) and freshman Melody Zhang (right) play the flute. “My favorite part of band is the people,” LaMore said. “There are many different personalities in a band, and it is fun to interact and play with each [person].” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)

PANORAMA

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13

Ladue’s Practical Arts Department creates first career expo Professionals converse directly with students about their careers

“I really enjoyed getting to watch both the students and the hieran ANDEBERHAN professionals interact,” engineernews writer ing teacher Hannah Behr said.

The expo was separated into tudnets interested in practi- three group sessions, and stucal arts careers attended the dents talked with three different Practical Arts Career Expo people. Professionals included during first hour Jan. 12. The expo a financial advisor, website allowed students to talk to profesdesigner, environmental engineer sionals from different fields about and photographer. Some students their careers and gave students a wanted to learn more about how better understanding of their jobs. the professionals got to their curThe Practical Arts Career Expo rent job position. was the first event of its kind at La“I signed up for a lot of the due. With the wide representation of engineering groups because I careers, one of the expo’s goal was want to be an engineer,” Rattler to help broaden students’ choices of said. “I liked hearing what they potential careers. [said] about their jobs and the “I decided to attend the expo path they took to get that job.” because I heard it was going to be Gopi Sandhu, an environa nice way for us to learn about the mental engineer, described his different career choices,” sophomore day-to-day activities to students Madison Rattler said. and explained that what he In addition to the students, some does changes based on different teachers went to the event in order circumstances. He gave students to meet the professionals and see an insight into what engineers the panel. Most students felt that the do every day and the interactions atmosphere was relaxed, and they they have with others. casually chatted with the visiting “I work with clients that professionals and asked questions. have contamination and I col-

S

lect samples and look at trends,” Sandhu said. “My job [became] more managing as I gained more experience.”

The expo allowed students to get advice from professionals about the necessary skills for a job, college and more. Sandhu advised upperclassmen on what classes to take to help them with the career they choose to pursue.

“A degree in engineering will prepare you for many other careers,” Sandhu said. “Anything in the science field will prepare you for environmental engineering.”

Gairy Hairlson, a video director for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, also came out to talk to students about his field. As a photographer, he is trained to adapt to new and different environments.

“Reading and writing are really important for any potential career students choose to pursue,” Hairlson said.

Mack Caldwell, the Order Revenue Manager at Purina, handles the logistics for chewy.com.

Caldwell advised his group of students to identify their strengths

and work on their weaknesses.

He challenged the students to map out their daily activities in order to improve their time managemnet skills for the future.

“Once you learn to time manage, you will be okay,” Caldwell said.

The expo coordinators hope that students will benefit from this experience by hearing

firsthand what it takes to be successful from those who have achieved it themselves. The Practical Arts department intends to keep providing students with opportunities that will allow for career exploration.

“We hope to continue this event, as well as develop other opportunities for students,” Behr said. v

PRACTICAL ADVICE // Junior Nick Waltke listens to Mack

Caldwell during the Practical Arts Career Expo Jan. 12. There were three group sessions, and students could talk to one person for 15 minutes before the next session. “I thought that the Expo was a great chance to expand my knowledge on different fields of business as well as different tactics to help me pick a major for college in my upcoming senior year,” Waltke said. (Photo by Zach Weller)

A closer look at three of the careers from the Practical Arts Career Expo St. Louis Post Dispatch Video Director

Marketing Consultant

Social Media Strategist

(Photos by Zach Weller)

In the Clubs

Tyler Kirk (right) specializes in website design, marketing for social media and development for financial advisors for SKY marketing. He spoke to students about how he got hired and was able to stand out in the field of marketing.

Gary Hairlson has been the video director for the St. Louis Post Dispatch since 2006. He runs all video on the Post Dispatch website.

Hairlson brought in photography equipment for students to see.

Katie Dieckhaus is an architect who designs buildings and interior spaces. She talked about her process, which includes preliminary drawings and initial blueprints until final construction of the building.

Dance Marathon

RISE This Martin Luther King Day, members of RISE helped out their communities through volunteering. “To celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., RISE participated in service projects,” club president Dee Nichols said.

“We went to places like the homeless shelter to clean up the buildings.” (Photo courtesy of Dee Nichols)

Dance Marathon is involved with projects such as fundraising, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Miracle Network. “We had an extremely successful profit-share fundraiser [recently],” senior Brooke Waller said. “Morale also [performed] at the pep rally last Friday and is [still] having weekly meetings.” (Photo courtesy of Brooke Waller)

sports

PANORAMA

14

Meet Ladue high school’s most valuable fan

Ladue alumnus Bobby Elzemeyer still attends Rams games

B

jackson BRY sports editor

obby Elzemeyer graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in 1976. Fast forward 42 years, and he’s still going to games.

Throughout the years since his graduation, Elzemeyer has shown his commitment to Ladue by constantly attending games and practices. Big crowd or small, rain or shine, near or far, win or lose, Elzemeyer will be there.

“I love going to the games, especially a game like [the Clayton game].” Elzemeyer said. “You guys treat the Clayton game like it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that’s why I love coming to these games so much.”

Elzemeyer’s love and support has gotten through to the players on the teams. They use his dedication as a form of motivation because they all want him to see them succeed. Players view Elzemeyer as much more than just an average fan and often seek him out in the stands because they know he’ll be there.

“It’s really cool to see such an avid fan that we can always count on to be at our games, no matter how far it may be from Ladue,” sophomore and varsity soccer player Carlos Puyo said. “When we went to Farmington, which is [an hour away] and saw him all the way out

there, it reminded us of the love we should have for the game and gave us some motivation.”

Because of his constant attendance, the players and fans have noticed Elzemeyer, and some have even become friends with him. It’s the close bond with the people in the community that keeps him coming back.

“As far as games go, there’s almost never a game where I will not see [Elzemeyer],” senior and basketball manager Sam Korn said. “It’s just an expected thing, and he’ll want to talk sports with you. He’s the biggest Ladue fan I have ever met. He goes to practices, he goes to games, and very rarely you will not see him at a game, no matter where it is or who it’s against. I think it’s because he loves the players and people who go to Ladue.”

Elzemeyer works as a delivery driver and constantly takes time off just to go to practices and games. The love and support he gets from the Ladue community astonishes him, and he can’t get enough of it.

“I mainly come to games because of you guys,” Elzemeyer said. “I just love these kids so much. Seeing them at the games, talking to them and meeting them. It means so much to me that they continue to want to talk to me.

It means that I’m wanted. I just love to be wanted by an entire community, and I want to be with them all the time. The fact that [Panorama] even wants to do a story on me is amazing.” v

Jackson’s hot takes The PITTSBURGH STEELERS’ big three of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell will break up following a devastating loss to the Jaguars in the divisional round of the playoffs. Le’Veon Bell will not be offered the money he wants from the Steelers and will sign with the Browns, 49ers or Ravens instead.

After finishing fourth in the halfpipe at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, snow boarder SHAUN WHITE will use his disappointing finish to fuel him to a gold medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. White is a 15-time X Games gold medalist and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, which is unparalleled in competitive snowboarding.

(Photos courtesy of Wikimedia)

HAPPY PLACE // Bobby Elzemeyer smiles wide while attending a boys basketball practice Jan. 22. “I think it’s important to go to practices and games because the practices are where you really get to know all the players,” Elzemeyer said. “We always have a lot of fun at the practices, and I love it.” (Photo by Zach Weller)

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sports

15

PANORAMA

ALL WE DO IS Senior Sit Down

PIN

Each month, Panorama sits down with a senior athlete. This month’s featured athlete is swimmer Riley Deutsch.

Jackson Bry: What is your favorite memory while swimming for Ladue?

Riley Deutsch: My favorite memory is probably each year at state. It’s been different every year with a different group of people and coaches, but it’s always a lot of fun.

JB: Do you have anything you do before meets to hype yourself up?

RD: Not specifically, but I like to keep myself busy, specifically talking and staying with my teammates and friends.

TAP OUT // Sophomore Callen Morley spins his opponent around to receive two points for a takedown at a meet against Principia Jan. 17. Morley’s record is 23-7 and is on the path to becoming a dominant varsity wrestler. “The team has gotten better since last year,” senior Jacob Orsay said. “We have better technique, and we have some very good coaches.” (Photo

by Rhiannon Rhoads)

anik JAIN writer

D

espite nearly half the team being composed of freshmen, the Ladue wrestling team has not faltered in the new season. The veterans on the team have taken on the task of training the youngsters. The upperclassmen have continued their success from past years even with this additional task.

With a new season underway, the varsity wrestling team is looking to be the best team in its conference. Veteran and novice wrestlers are making sure that this team pushes itself to put its own unique mark on Ladue’s storied legacy in wrestling.

“As upperclassman veterans, it is our job to take [the freshmen] under our wing in order to teach them what we have learned over the past two to three years on the team,” junior Patrick Kovalak said.

By serving as role models to the younger players, upperclassmen like Kovalak are making a conscious effort to improve the overall team performance as well as the rapport between the seasoned team members and newcomers.

Senior captain Jacob Orsay believes this year’s team has what it takes to go the distance.

“The team’s goal for this year is to win conference,” Orsay said. “Not only will we be able to win conference, but we might be able to send the most players we ever have to the state championship.”

The team’s push for success has strengthened team morale as it makes its way into the thick of the wrestling season. To further develop their newfound confidence, players have been working extra hard to ensure that the team performs better overall at local and regional competitions.

“We have definitely been pushing it in the weight room,” Kovalak said. “Some of us have been going to programs outside of the practices to get in better shape as well as improve our overall technique. We have all been doing a lot of offseason training as well.”

The veterans’ extra training and drive to do well has no doubt influenced some of the younger players.

Because of the spirit and energy that the upperclassmen bring to the team, newcomers like freshman Gabe DiAntonio feel the need to push themselves even harder.

“I feel like the most important thing is going out there and giving 110 percent every time,” DiAntonio said.

Wrestling requires many technically difficult moves that often take a lot of time to learn. Upperclassmen like Orsay try to ensure that new wrestlers understand the way the meets work, how to succeed, as well as the proper mindset that they should have when going into a match.

“Wrestling is a team sport in the sense that a school can win a meet, but it is also very much a individual sport in the sense that players can win state alone,” Orsay said. “When you get on the mat, you are not depending on anyone else because you are in control of yourself in the match.” v

JB: Do you have any present or former teammates you’ve looked up to?

RD: I looked up to Julia Tackes and Sophia Garland. They’ve both graduated in the past two years, but they both were very dedicated in the pool and liked to have fun while swimming.

JB: What was your favorite part about swimming for Ladue?

RD: My favorite part is definitely the team. It’s always a great group of girls, and we always become really good friends and make a lot of memories.

Mid-season boys basketball stats:

(All statistics as of Jan. 22)

Record: 12-5

Jaylen Boyd #1

Josh Horwitz #15

Trent Stiebler #22

Team Stats

12.2 points per game

10.0 points per game

16.6 points per game

54.6 points per game

2.9 rebounds per game

10.3 rebounds per game

6.6 rebounds per game

32.1 rebounds per game

50.6 field goal percentage

62.7 field goal percentage

45.1 field goal percentage

47.9 field goal percentage

photo

PANORAMA

The Secret Life of a High School Teacher Teachers and staff share their interesting backstories prior to Ladue

16 rose HAUSER photo editor

rhiannon RHOADS photo editor

zach WELLER photo editor

DANCER IN DISGUISE // (Right)

Displaying her jewelry from a costume, English teacher Shruti Upadhyay fondly remembers her days on the stage. At 18 years old, Upadhyay went to India to attend the College of Fine Arts. She studied the dance Bharatnatyam, going on to tour the world dancing.

“Officially, I stopped performing when I was eight months pregnant with my son,” Upadhyay said.

“Since then, I’ve done spot appearances.” (Photo by Zach Weller)

A TRUE PATRIOT // (Below) Saluting, Supervisory Assistant Ron Nebitt wears his

Vietnam Veteran cap with pride. Before his job at Ladue High School, which Nebitt loves because he gets to work with the students, he fought in the Vietnam War. Straight out of high school, Nebitt joined the U.S. Army to work as a helicopter door gunner.

He fought in Vietnam for one year before returning home. “I spent my 19th birthday in Vietnam,” Nebitt said. “It was scary [there].” (Photo by Zach Weller)

VETERAN VETERINARIAN //

(Right) Standing in his classroom, science teacher Alan Weltig smiles with his pet lizard, OG Meerkat.

Weltig graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, working as a vet for 13 years. After being diagnosed with leukemia in 2004, Weltig began to pursue full-time teaching.

“There’s a totally different approach to how you educate a client to how you teach a student,” Weltig said, “This one excites me more.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)

FAMILY BY CHANCE, COWORKERS BY CHOICE // (Above) Embracing, the

mother and daughter duo Nurse Mary Ellen Simmons and Associate Principal Elizabeth Grana share their workspace. Simmons has worked as a nurse for 42 years and moved 14 times due to her husband’s military position, naming Ladue as her favorite place of all. “This is the first time I’ve been a school nurse, and it’s been a challenge, but in a good way,” Simmons said. “I’ve really enjoyed it.” (Photo by Rose Hauser)

IT’S SHOWTIME // (Above) Comparing pictures of herself on stage, cafeteria

worker and Ladue Alumna Karen Long Sierra flashes a big smile. Sierra has been a part of Muny productions, Chicago Stages productions, Broadway productions and many other shows in her days as a performer. “I first fell in love with theater in my days at Ladue High School,” Sierra said. “I’m so grateful that my passion took me to performances all over the world.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)