PANORAMA
91 1 LADUE HORTON WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL // 1201 S. WARSON RD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63124 // VOLUME 66, ISSUE 7 // 3.13.2018
2 Panorama Staff
TABLE OF CONTENTS Opinions: Chocolate milk is far cooler than you think Opinions: Staff Editorial: Limit gun ownership to prevent shootings
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Features: Foreign exchange students remark on life in the U.S.
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In-Depth: Learn about St. Louis’ first response specialists
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Editors-in-Chief Lily Hauptman Sophia Li Glen Morgenstern Ladue Lead Editor-in-Chief Max Baker
Sports Editor Jackson Bry Photo Editors Rose Hauser Rhiannon Rhoads Zach Weller Art Editors Aleesha Shi Audrey Wang
Opinions Editor Alex Fu Features/A&E Editors Katie Shaw Bradford Siwak
Designers Burke Howe
In-Depth Editors Hannah Suffian Anya Tullman
Artists Louisia Yang Michelle Zhou Adviser Sarah Kirksey
News Editors Connie Chen Adam Rush
Arts and Entertainment: “Black Panther” leaps into movie theaters and dinner discussions
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News: Ladue students advocate community healing by staging a walkout
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Panorama welcomes and encourages letters to the editors. Please bring signed letters to West Balcony 3. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions as long as original intent remains unaltered. Cover design by Lily Hauptman. Photos by Zach Weller.
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Read more online at laduelead.com. Follow @laduepublications on Instagram and @laduepanorama on Twitter.
News: Meet some of this year’s spunky Mr. Ladue contestants Sports: Get to know the women behind the health of all Ladue athletes
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Photo: The best St. Louis food locales that nobody knows about
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Writers Hieran Andeberhan Cassie Beisheim Hugh Chan Daniel Chayet Sydney Crump Ope Falako Felix Hu Anik Jain Jacob Korn Malavika Kumaran Davina Lettau Anna Liner Albert Liu Sunny Lu Ryan Melnick Will Minifie Nikol Nikolva Aman Rahman Autumn Ryan Hope Shimony Ande Siegel Cindy Wang
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 West Balcony 3, (314)-993-6447 ext. 5844.
PANORAMA
opinions
Voice from an empty throne
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glen MORGENSTERN editor-in-chief
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he lunch table quakes as I slam down my sevenounce carton of chocolate milk. I tear it open, lean back, take a long swig and return to upright g ya n position with a deeply intoned, “That’s smooth.” ia uis Sure, all my friends thought I looked stupid, but I did this to make two points: I really like chocolate milk, and nobody thinks you’re cool when you drink alcohol. This might not make sense initially, but nothing I say does. You’ll have to hear me out. First, let me establish my coolness credibility — or lack of one. My track record when it comes to coolness is flaky at best. I have yet to listen to a full Kendrick Lamar song. I have an Instagram account I’ve never posted on, a Facebook account I haven’t posted on in two years and my preferred method of communication is fax. I also lie about liking Raising Cane’s because of peer pressure. (Their chicken fingers are too greasy. You know it’s true.) Last month, I thought I had achieved a coolness breakthrough. I heard that I had been elected King of the Winter Dance, but the dance — and my coronation — were canceled because of the threat of freezing rain. Despite the outcome, I would like to thank all my supporters. The checks are in the mail. My reign over before it began, I spent the evening reading a mystery novel and listening to my parents compare white noise machines.
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Still, with the informal power of a might-have-been Winter Dance King, I believe I have at least limited authority to label certain behaviors as “cool” and “totally worthless, bro.” Thus, I reiterate: drinking doesn’t make you look cool. I’m not talking about the adverse health effects of alcohol. That’s just not my style, and it’s not what I care about. I’m talking about the potentially artist devastating social effects of drinking. Many people drink to reduce inhibition and appear more interesting than their sober selves. I feel for you, uninteresting people. It’s difficult and tiring to build and maintain charisma — but it’s the only way. If you’re not interesting sober, you’re not likely to be interesting drunk. Instead, you look just as ridiculous as someone downing a shot of chocolate milk. To people looking for a bit more personality: try out some funky catchphrases or develop the ability to raise one eyebrow. If all else fails, adopt a cute dog. Some proponents of teen alcohol use might point out that other countries, like Germany, allow teens to consume alcohol at a younger age. Trust me, it’s not as cool as it sounds. At a Munich Biergarten, I once saw a drunk teen stumble behind a tree and vomit copiously — and enthusiastically — only five feet away from an elderly woman nibbling on schnitzel. While I still envied the schnitzel lady, it wasn’t because of her proximity to the Bavarian puke fest. If you’re looking to up your street cred, you’re probably better off drinking chocolate milk. Who knows — you might just end up as the king of a dance that never happened. v
3 Letter to the Editor I watched breaking news of the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida Feb. 14. It was Valentine’s Day; it was supposed to be a day of love and appreciation. Instead, hatred and destruction came about. I heard screams from panicking kids inside the school and saw people running for their lives away from an active shooter. Are schools not supposed to be a safe haven? I go to school every day with the same expectations, but I realize now that this daily event can become a tragedy within moments. I realize that this could have been me; this could have been my school or anybody I know. The lives of our loved ones are too precious to sit back and let shooting after shooting occur with inadequate progress in prevention. Our love, thoughts and prayers, though powerful, have proven incapable of preventing the loss of 17 people once again. I’m tired of hearing about the need of guns for protection. I wonder who wants an AR-15 military style rifle to show up at school for “protection.” The real protection is stopping the source. Read your gun laws. If you can vote, vote. If not, do everything possible to make others feel how you feel. Our safety is at stake. If this had been you or anybody you know, would you do more than “keep them in your thoughts?” As I prepare to enter college, I’m flooded with new Facebook friend requests, and I even have a solid “squad group chat.” The day of the shooting, one of my close friends from Parkland frantically asked us to share her status update, asking for information regarding her sister, Jaime Guttenberg. Her phone was tracked to the school, hours after the shooting. At 7:45 p.m., I was informed that Jaime had been shot and killed at school that day. This is me. This is my real life. This is somebody I know. Seventeen people died in a school shooting. It’s time for more than thoughts and prayers. Fly high, Jaime Guttenberg. — Senior Sophie Sachs
Bites of the Month: The last month’s greatest gab “Hence we have these massive deficit numbers in our country. We’re going to straighten it out. We’re going to do it in a loving way.” –President Donald Trump in a White House press conference March 6. “This is the relationship the world’s been waiting for.” –Actress Reese Witherspoon to Olympian Adam Rippon March 7 during a Late Night with Stephen Colbert episode. Quotes courtesy of CNN aleesha shi w ART EDITOR
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PANORAMA
opinions
Staff Editorial
Impressing a prodigy
Thirty-five mass shootings — something needs to change
alex FU
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opinions editor
et’s face it: you probably can’t. Many times, average Joes making their way up the corporate ladder or pursuing an officer position in a high school club are confronted with these insurmountable beings that invalidate everyone else’s comparatively trivial achievements. Simply standing next to a prodigy can cripple unwary individuals with massive doses of inferiority and anxiety, so even if someone did have a trick or two that could garner a smirk from these future overlords, he may be too mentally distraught to make an attempt. However, if you are brave enough to think of impressing a prodigy, the following quick-and-easy tips will serve you well. Uno, dress smart. Act smart. Nothing surprises a prodigy in their Ivy League sweaters and sweatpants more than a well-coiffed person who seems to know his quantum mechanics. The dress part may be a breeze, but some may find the acting part a little more difficult. How many people actually understand quantum mechanics? Whatever the case, acting smart, even if you do not think you can, basically consists of not talking. The more someone talks, the more likely one of those remarks deserves a major facepalm. Zwei, chime in only when you know what to say. If you do not know what you are talking about, have a book or laptop out. It gives people the impression that you’re actively learning and using time productively. Wait for the golden opportunity to arise when the prodigy sitting nearby crinkles his brow in a rare moment of confusion. Lean over and say, “Oh, I can help with that.” Little does this demigod know, as he high-key judges this lower being in a new light, that you spent thirty minutes last night copying down the work for the problem from a cheat website. Made it into the genius cabal? This final step should be a breeze. Trois: learn and appreciate their hobbies. Wait, prodigies can have plebeian hobbies besides classical music and STEM programs? Yes, and to understand an intellectual, one must become the intellectual. Heavily stereotypical examples of the high-IQ lifestyle include playing Fortnite, talking about K-pop groups like BTS and Red Velvet and dying over anime memes. It may not be that long before even you, previously an outcast, can assimilate with these Mensa members. Although there may be many “Huh?” moments when having study sessions with your new genius friend as he is creating a 50-year plan for world domination, it shouldn’t be hard to share a few laughs. After all, we are all human. v
audrey wang w ART EDITOR nathan lu w ARTIST
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here have been 41 mass shootings in the U.S. this year. You’ve likely never heard of most of them. After the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we recognize there is more to gun violence than just mass shootings, which require that at least four victims be injured. There are unnamed victims every day. Regardless of where each of us falls on the political spectrum, we must agree that our system is broken. No other country deals with gun violence as much as America. Based on data from the nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive, 15,595 people in the U.S. died in 2017 because of gun-related crimes. For comparison, in another highly-developed country, Germany, gun crimes dropped to 130 in 2015. That means the rate of gun deaths per capita in the U.S. is 30 times as that of Germany. This debate should never have become partisan. It is clear we are doing something wrong. Germany has passed strict laws that determine who has access to firearms. Citizens must pass a reliability check that includes examining criminal records, mental illnesses, addictions and more that seem suspicious to an investigator. Additionally, applicants must pass a “specialized knowledge test” on firearms and be subject to psychiatric tests, while also providing a specific need for purchasing a gun. This is just to obtain a gun permit. Unlike Germany, our issue lies in who we allow to purchase guns. Current gun laws let Nikolas Cruz, a
19-year-old kid who had threatened neighbors and his school, legally own a firearm. If we had the same level of scrutiny over gun ownership that Germany has, Parkland could have been prevented. The reason we have not done more to prevent the gun epidemic in our country is our politicians. There are 535 lawmakers in Congress who have the power to reform gun laws, yet many have been swayed by the influence of lobbyists and donations from select political groups. They keep sending their thoughts and prayers, and yet the status quo remains. They may never take significant action. Of course, the Second Amendment to the Constitution serves a purpose. There are people who need guns to protect themselves. However, that should not allow anyone to resist reforms that can save lives. As a start, we need stricter background checks, a ban on assault weapons and a limit on gun ownership eligibility. We must put aside the partisan aspects of this issue and prioritize safety, or these debates will never end, and more lives will be lost. Despite being teenagers, we still have the power to enact change in our society. While there are those who consider student opinions too insignificant and uninformed, that is no excuse not to act. There are movements across the country that allow us to be heard. It is our responsibility to join the marches and walkouts that make national headlines. We must let our collective voices be heard. Our lives may depend on it. v
Student stances
What is the best course of action to combat gun violence? “I think we need to do something by students, for students ideally. If we could have everyone involved as much as possible, like a school-wide motion, [that] would be great.
“I think the best course of action is to limit access to people with a history of mental illnesss and other problems that would cause them to use it irresponsibly.”
- Senior Stella Horton
- Sophomore Colby Brandt
“Congress should make a law that makes it harder for people to get guns, or outlaw buying guns that aren’t for military uses or police uses.”
- Freshman Chase Thompson
PANORAMA
opinions
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Is reality television worthwhile? Panorama polls “Every reality TV show brings something new” of the people
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ande SIEGEL writer
eality television is an integral part of media and popular culture. The conflama ranges from housewives to singing to cooking, and the industry is massive. For example, “American Idol” has a network profit of $260.7 million. Giant shows like these are successful because they appeal to a broad audience and keep the viewers invested. But to some, reality television is a symbol of American shallowness. For example, shows like “Love & Hip Hop” and “Bad Girls Club” value money, good looks and exploit dramatic and violent outbursts. The more manipulative side of reality TV is also in shows like “Dance Moms” and “Toddlers & Tiaras,” which make light of overly-competitive parents who live through their kids. It is shows like these that make me wince at how low the audience’s demands for content quality are. Despite that, there is something to be said about the communities this industry attracts and the impact these programs have on our society. Ultimately, there is a show for any interest, so there is a community for everybody. Online forums and social media platforms create opportunities for fans of the show to gather and discuss their favorite people and future episodes. This develops many subcultures that enhance the experience of watching the show. The creators in these shows can also become role models and reasons for others to pursue their dreams. For example, Drew Lynch was the runner-up on Season
10 of “America’s Got Talent” in 2015. He developed a speech impediment from a throat injury playing softball and turned it into a hilarious stand-up comedy routine. It is stories like these that have inspired others with speech impediments to not let their disability discourage them from pursuing their dreams. Without “America’s Got Talent” to give Lynch that platform, he would have never been able to inspire thousands of people. Reality television shows can sometimes create entirely new industries. A quintessential example of this is “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Before the show, drag queens were only seen at nightclubs, on glittering stages and on street corners. RuPaul’s pursuit in drag, singing, acting and dancing since the 1980s and ’90s brought him into the mainstream media today. His drag queen competition industrialized the art form of drag; wig companies like Wigs & Grace, dress companies like Sequin Queen and makeup companies like Sugarpill flourish specifically because of drag. Because of Ru, drag queens have their own national platforms to go on tour, release music and sell various merchandise. Every reality television show brings something new to the table. “Project Runway” is a platform for talented fashion designers to challenge themselves, inspire others and contribute to the industry; “MasterChef” is a cooking competition that takes the creative passion of culinary arts to higher places; “The Voice” is a singing competition that chooses talent over appearances. Most of these shows popularize the fine and practical arts. As a result, people who desperately need opportunities to further these careers can audition for reality television competitions in order to gain exposure while providing entertainment to viewers. v
Who will win March Madness? 100 80 60 40 20 0
Colleges Virginia (8.3%)
UNC (14.1%)
Purdue (10.4%)
Other (20.5%)
Duke (34.4%)
Michigan State (12.4%)
“I kind of want Mizzou to win because Michael Porter is coming back from injury, so I think they’ll do real good.” - Freshman Kendell Tucker
Are you going to Mr. Ladue?
“These cringeworthy programs are a tumor”
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hugh CHAN writer
s a self-proclaimed foodie, “MasterChef” used to be one of my favorite television shows. However, as the seasons progressed, I began to notice that the emphasis toward culinary prowess was always secondary to fabricated and badly-scripted drama that had no right to be present in a cooking show. In diminishing the importance of the food quality with each episode, the show contradicts its own goal of finding the best home cooks in America by using cheap drama. The fifth-place contestant of the show’s second season, Ben Starr, later criticized the show’s intentional portrayal of certain contestants as villains and exposed the fact that most food shown had been sitting there cold for hours, relying on special effects to seem appealing onscreen. Reality television has become increasingly aimless. Season after season, reality television networks demonstrate how it negatively affects our society with false drama. Shows such as “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” promote a materialistic view on life. In the sixth season of the show, multimillionaire Kim Kardashian becomes hysterical after losing her diamond earrings. Her mother, Kris Jenner, reminds her that “there are people dying in this world, Kim.” Kris’ words, although somewhat sarcastic, have truth in them: there are people dying in this world. In a society that already struggles with an over-emphasis on materialism, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”
is only worsening these problems by displaying a lavishly hedonistic lifestyle to millions of viewers. Additionally, the show develops unreasonable standards for its viewers. The various narcissistic personas, such as Kim Kardashian, seen throughout the show vainly fretting about their beauty, spend thousands of dollars on plastic surgery. Girls and mothers alike worry about their own bodies as a result of watching these shows, therefore losing confidence in themselves. Even shows such as “MasterChef” create unreasonable standards. The contestants competing within the show are labeled as home chefs, yet the majority of dishes are presented as glistening culinary art pieces that seem to belong on the plates of a Michelin-star kitchen. It’s not that these chefs have the same qualities as world-renowned chefs; rather, these culinary reality television channels incorporate flashy graphic effects in order for the food to appear more appetizing. As a former contestant revealed, these dishes sit for hours by the time the judges taste them, and the reactions garnered from the judges are often heavily scripted. In general, reality television programs are lazy alternatives to traditional, plot-centric, fictional programs. These shows don’t require ingenious writers. Instead, television networks are content with producing meaningless and repetitive scenarios where unrealistic people go through unrealistic actions. These cringeworthy programs are a tumor in the entertainment industry. They embody the lack of effort and character that programs are beginning to show nowadays, representing the absolute worst qualities our society possesses. v
Yes (32.0%)
No (32.3%)
Maybe (32.8%)
“[I’m looking forward] to seeing my friends. It’s my first time going.” - Sophomore Lou Ritter
Which out of the following locations would you like to study abroad?
Italy (35.3%)
Argentina (9.1%)
Japan (17.8%)
Australia (20.3%)
Canada (9.1%)
I don’t want to study abroad (8.3%)
“I would study in Australia because it’s really beautiful there.” - Junior Samantha Kraus Survey results based on 241 voluntary student entries
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features
PANORAMA
Foreign exchange students connect with Ladue students malavika KUMARAN writer
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o Ladue students, the concept of foreign exchange programs isn't unusual. Some Ladue students themselves travel abroad for school. However, many foreign students also spend their time in America at Ladue.
From Spain to America
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ophomore Lucia Martin isn’t the typical exchange student. Rather than coming to study in the U.S. through an official student exchange program and being set up with a host family, Martin is staying in Ladue with relatives. Originally visiting the U.S. for a summer vacation out of her home country of Spain, Martin’s plans soon changed when met with a surprising offer. “I came to St. Louis sometime in July,” Martin said. “I was supposed to come for vacation at first, but I really wanted to stay and get the experience of ‘American life.’ My family asked me if I really wanted to stay here, and I said, ‘Yeah, I’d love to.’ So they did a bunch of paperwork, and here I am.” Martin has been adjusting to America’s social and cultural aspects relatively well. However, she has noticed that people are much more competitive about academics and extracurricular activities here than they are in Spain. “Academics are a lot more competitive here,” Martin said. “It’s not just that certain people care about their grades, it’s that everybody does. There’s that certain air of competitiveness, and I’ve noticed it as well in sports. Even if you get along with someone, there’s still an element of competition. That’s so different.” On the extracurricular side, Martin enjoys playing for the Ladue girls basketball team, continuing a sport she played in Spain as well. Martin also notes the differences
in the roles of time commitment and competition in basketball from both countries. “Basketball is so competitive, even on the B team,” Martin said. “In Spain, there isn’t even a B team. It’s so relaxed; you only go two times a week. Here, we have practice every day of the week from 5 to 7 p.m. It’s such a time commitment, and it helped me a lot with time management. You have to learn how to control that stuff when you’re here.” Overall, her experience at an American high school challenged her expectations in many ways. If there were one thing she wishes she could change about the student body, it would be to open up students’ mindsets. “Many people think that I’m from Mexico when I say that I speak Spanish,” Martin said. “I wish that people would be more aware of countries and nationalities and all the cultures apart from the U.S., even though American culture is really cool. I feel like people should know more about others.” v
FRIENDS FROM HOME // Junior Elena Bochert
(left) stands outside with her friends in Croatia. While Bochert has enjoyed life in the U.S., she also wants to see her friends again. “I really miss my friends,” Bochert said. “Now that some time has passed, it would be nice to see them again. (Photo courtesy of Elena Bochert)
From Germany to America
J SKIING TOGETHER // Sophomore Lucia Alberti Mar-
tin (left) skis with her friends in the Pyreenes. To Martin, transportation was a big difference between Spain and the U.S. “I can’t go anywhere,” Martin said. “I need a car for everything. That drives me crazy because I feel like I am stuck in the house if I don’t get somebody to give me a ride.” (Photo courtesy of Lucia Alberti Martin)
Countries that American students are likely to visit for foreign exchange programs
Least likely to visit
Most likely to visit
(Source: GoAbroad.com)
unior Elena Bochert arrived in the U.S on her flight from Munich, Germany Aug. 10. Bochert came to the U.S. on a foreign exchange program. She became interested in such an experience after her brother studied abroad. Since coming here, Bochert has noted several differences between social aspects of a student’s life. Afterschool activities are especially different, as they take up significantly less time in Germany. “In Germany, you don’t stay in school so long,” Bochert said. “You just stay for classes, and then you go and do your own thing. School in Germany provides you with some sports, but nobody really takes them. Everyone just goes to separate clubs to do their sports there.” One of the students Bochert has gotten close to is sophomore Madalyn Abady. Abady met Bochert through a capella and theater. Although German and American cultures are different, Bochert has stayed true to herself. “Elena says [the student experience] is really different because here, it’s not legal to drink, while in Germany, [the legal drinking age is] 16,” Abady said. “Hanging out with friends is very different because in Germany, the culture is different. But Elena hasn’t really changed since she’s gotten here. She’s still pretty German.” Overall, Bochert says she never expected her experience abroad to be filled with so many new experiences. Though she misses Germany, she will never forget the memories she has made here. “I’m also happy I’ve gained a lot of friendships and a lot of experiences that I’d never thought I would like before,” Bochert said. “I didn’t know it would be so much fun, and it’s a really cool experience altogether.” v
Double takes cartoon editon: Cartoon lookalikes found in Ladue's halls
Sophomore
From “Arthur Christmas”
Sophomore
From “Monsters Inc."
Sophomore
From “The Polar Express
Jacob Sheldon
Arthur Claus
Brynne Bursack
Boo
Jason Pummer
Hero Boy (Chris)
(Photos courtesy of Blogspot, Blogger and Mapping the Edge)
features
PANORAMA
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Putting a spotlight on Marilyn Lercel
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sunny LU writer
rom boadcast technology to media to filmmaking, junior Marilyn Lercel has it all covered. An aspiring filmmaker and content creator, Lercel has taken Ladue’s Broadcast Technology classes for the past two years and has been filmmaking since freshman year. Lercel was recently recognized as a 2018 National Youth Correspondent for the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. “She has excelled at telling stories journalistically as well as creatively,” Broadcast Technology and Film teacher Don Goble said. “Her journalism story about the eclipse this past fall was featured on the professional television show ‘Behind the Minds’ on HEC-TV.” Goble has been Lercel’s personal mentor for the past two years. He began helping her hone her skills. “Mr. Goble saw potential in me,” Lercel said. “He told me he wanted me to keep going, so I started taking independent studies with him. He has really coached me through. I think he really has an understanding of the business and the career I want to go into. He has gotten me to this point where I’m getting recognition.” Having been involved in media production for 30 years, Goble’s passion for broadcast media ensured that he would mentor Lercel as a production-oriented student. Lercel’s passion about her work is evident in Goble’s high praise of her.
“I worked with Marilyn for the past two years,” Goble said. “[She was in] in our Broadcast Technology I class, and now, she has repeated our Broadcast Technology II class, each time advancing and mastering her skill level.” Lercel’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. Her talent has gained recognition from programs, competitions and teachers alike. Video Technology Coordinator Marteana Davidson is impressed by Lercel’s work. “I have observed Marilyn working on her videos,” Davidson said. “She is very deliberate when she produces her videos, which is a great attribute to have when you are a video producer.” As a creator, Lercel is most interested in making an impact on viewers and personal self-expression. Aside from her independent filmmaking, she works in journalistic broadcast technology. “I’m really passionate about social justice,” Lercel said. “Right now, I’m making a documentary on what it’s like to be a black man in America. I’ve made journalistic stuff raising awareness about protests that are going on. Also, at the same time, I make abstract stuff just about my personal experiences.” From her prolific filmmaking and recognition for her work, it’s no surprise that Lercel wants to work in film for a full-time career in the future. Though her exact college choice is currently undecided, Lercel is interested in studying and working in Los Angeles. “I’m planning on majoring in film,” Lercel said. “I want to get my foot in the door. Before they get in Hollywood, most directors and producers start in small
IN THE STUDIO // Junior Marilyn Lercel sits in the
broadcast technology room. She has received offers to summer programs at George Mason University and Northwestern. “I talked to my mentor Mr. Goble about it, and he said that both of them are the two best programs, so either way, you’re going to a great program,” Lercel said. (Photo by Claire Englander)
businesses and work their way up. I think it would be awesome to make a movie in Hollywood eventually.” Lercel’s inspiration for her filmmaking comes from many sources. While specific creators inspire her, it is the everyday people around her in her life who inspire Lercel’s work the most. “I have a love for people,” Lercel said. “I love helping people. I love promoting equity. I pull inspiration from artists and filmmakers themselves, but I think my overall inspiration is just everyday people and differences. I want to celebrate diversity.” v
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PANORAMA
in-depth
911, what’s your A look into Ladue crime
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Crime Reporter Anya Tullman: How were you drawn towards crime? Denise Hollinshed: I was born and raised in one of the worst areas in St. Louis on the North Side. I saw a lot of things that other kids would never see in their lives. I witnessed a man getting fatally shot. I’m from a family of 11, and I’m the first in my family to go to college and get a degree. I ended up with three degrees. I did an internship at the Bellevue News Democrat. That’s when I got the crime beat because I felt at ease going out there and doing crime stories. AT: What is your relationship with law enforcement? DH: I respect what they do, and I appreciate what they do. They pretty much respect what we do, too, because they know that our jobs correlate in a sense. We have to get the details, and we have to get the facts just like they do, too. Sometimes, we can help each other. AT: What kind of crime do you cover? DH: Every episode regarding spot news is different. It is never the same in any event you go to. For instance, today, it would have been a fatal car accident in Florissant. Normally, I cover a lot of shootings. You have to think really fast when you’re out there because you have to grab officers and family members quickly if they arrive on the scene. I was one of the first reporters out there in the situation involving Michael Brown. That was a first for something like that in St. Louis.
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Lieutenant Jerry Schwartz
Q&A with Denise Hollinshed
ot all policemen wear blue uniforms and pass out speeding tickets and parking violations. In his white uniform, Ladue Police Department Lieutenant Jerry Schwartz oversees the sergeants and patrolmen in his district and performs many administrative duties. “My typical day is a lot different than a patrolman’s typical day,” Schwartz said. “Patrol lieutenants stay in the office quite a bit. We do the scheduling, payroll, assign different units to different areas in the city, analyze crime trends and try to figure out how to address those [issues], whether it be moving manpower around or working with the community. I do all the department’s training. Police officers don’t stop with school.” According to Forbes, St. Louis is the second most dangerous city in America. Ladue, however, is a generally safe place for citizens to live and for policemen to work. “We get everything everybody else does: assaults, robberies and the rapes,” Schwartz said. “We even had a homicide last year. We just don’t get it as frequently as you see in the news, down in the city or in other parts of the county. Ladue is, for the most part, property crimes, burglaries, car break-ins and shopliftings. It’s a good place to work. It’s not as dangerous as other places.” Police departments mimic military structures, with patrolmen at the bottom of the hierarchy and a chief of police at the top. Schwartz was a patrolman for eight years, a sergeant for two and has been a lieutenant for a year and a half. “It’s a job where you can do different things,” Schwartz said. “I was a patrolman, but I was also an instructor, assigned to a fugitive unit and a field training officer. I got to do everything. I don’t want to say I get restless and bored, but I get restless and bored if I do something for too long. That’s the number one thing that drew me to it, being able to do different stuff in a career.” There are 737,263 officers in the American police workforce, according to Data USA. In America, 86.2 percent of police are men, and 13.8 percent are women. Schwartz recognizes that because police work changes so often, the youth is the face of the future for law enforcement. He hopes to spend time in schools, recruiting teenagers for various junior academies and internships. “We need young people,” Schwartz said. “Bring on the young folks, and let’s work to continue to change. Police works change a lot. In the last five years, [they’ve] changed nationwide. The only way to continue that [in] a positive way is to encourage young people from all backgrounds and walks of life to be police.” v
Equipment on SRO Rick Ramirez’s police belt Taser (Photo by Anya Tullman)
Flashlight
The voice beh
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11 dispatchers are the unsung hero gencies all day and into the night. was a dispatcher for nine years, an to the role of communications supervisor then, and has been at the police station fo “I basically manage the 911,” Allison covered and that all the policies and proc [also] make sure that all the schedules ar So, I’m a big support of the 911 center.” While there isn’t official training for 9 ficers, dispatchers must constantly be pre
It takes a special person to do what we do because when the moment is happening you have to be strong. You’re thinking about that person you’re helping.
son that entered their home or school, ou would want to see if they had any opport to know where the emergency is, and the Most of the calls made to the Ladue P cidents or burglar alarms. On average, A emergency in a matter of minutes and tak this simple. “When I was fairly new, I had a resident call and say that there’s going to be a shooting,” Allison said. “He said [to] send the ambulance to such and such, there’s going to be a shooting, and then he hung up on me. When I called back, I didn’t get anybody. When the officers got over there, he had committed suicide.” Dispatchers experience high levels of anxiety from one call dispatchers constantly rely on the suppor handle difficult calls. “We have a great support here with ou lison said. “They’re very compassionate, do because when the moment is happeni about that person you’re helping.” v
Radio
PANORAMA
in-depth
r emergency?
oes of law enforcement, responding to emerPat Allison at the Ladue Police Department nd her dedication prompted a promotion r in 2001. She has held this position since or 26 years. n said. “I make sure that all the schedules are cedures are being followed and updated. I re covered and additional help is in there.
911 dispatchers like there is for police ofepared for any type of emergency. According to Allison, the most important thing for a dispatcher to do is to remind those in distress on the other end of the phone to remain calm. Safety is always a priority, no matter the circumstance. “Usually, we talk calmly and a little lighter,” Allison said. “Every situation is different, but it depends on the current place that they’re at. If it were to be a perur first thing would be their safety, and we tunity to get out of that situation. We want en we ask what it is.” Police Department report automobile acAllison dispatches an officer to the site of the kes the next call. However, not all calls are
l to the next. Allison and her staff of five rt system at the Ladue Police Department to
ur officers and our fellow dispatchers,” Al, but it takes a special person to do what we ing, you have to be strong. You’re thinking
Running into the flames
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s the World Trade Center fell Sept. 11, 2001, members of the New York and New Jersey Fire Departments ran into the burning towers towards certain danger. Nationally, firefighters perform acts of bravery like this every day, always putting the lives of others above their own. The firefighters of the Ladue Fire Department, for example, work to ensure the safety of Ladue citizens. “Our guys will work 48 hours straight before they are off,” Assistant Chief Jeff Johnson said. “When they come in, they are responsible for making sure [the equipment] works and is there. Usually, during the day we will do training, building inspections, check fire hydrants and we run calls in between.” On especially busy days, the fire station will receive between 40 and 50 calls. These calls include fires and medical emergencies, as each firefighter is also trained in emergency medical services (EMS). Unfortunately, not every call ends well, which takes a toll on the first responders. “When you have bad calls, they don’t just go away,” Chief Steve Lynn said. “A lot of times they stack up upon each other. We live over here onethird of our lives. This is our firehouse family, and you have your family at home, so splitting that time can be difficult.” When a call comes in, tones ring in the station to alert the staff of an emergency. Whether it be lunchtime or the middle of the night, the firefighters have two minutes to get downstairs, get dressed and get out the door. “We can get anywhere in the city of Ladue within five minutes,” firefighter and paramedic Andrew Lincoln said. “When my last captain retired, we made a dinner for him here. The minute we set the food on the table, we got a call. Everybody is out the door. We are used to eating cold food.” The station was recently renovated to include updated technology, a movie theater and a workout room in the basement. Before the end of each shift, the staff cleans the station so it is ready for those coming to work the for the next two days. “We treat it like our house,” firefighter and paramedic Chris Dill said. “This is where we live for two days. This is where we work out, hang out and sleep.” After spending so much time with them, Johnson has come to call his fellow paramedics family. He has gained a new perspective on life. “Appreciate life. There are too many times where you run a call where there is a tragic outcome, and a person went to work that day or got in their car and just had no idea that their world was going to be upside down,” Johnson said. “Just appreciate things.” v
Firefighter and paramedic Andrew Lincoln
hind the phone
9 hannah SUFFIAN in-depth editor
anya TULLMAN in-depth editor
zach WELLER photo editor
Facts for an emergency 1,984: The number of calls to which the City of Ladue Fire Department responded last year.
65 percent: The increase in homicides in St. Louis county between 2016 and 2017.
4.8 seconds: The average amount of time in which a 911 call is answered.
27 pounds: The weight of a police belt with all equipment.
1,857:
Handcuffs
Baton
Pistol
Magazines
Sources: Jeff Johnson St. Louis Post Dispatch slmpd.org Detective Rick Ramirez
People per 100,000 residents are victims of violent crimes each year in St. Louis.
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A&E
‘Black Panther’ represents Africa in a new way ope FALAKO writer
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hough “Black Panther” includes heavily-edited fight scenes and makes you wait an extra five minutes for the second end-credit scene, it shatters almost every other Marvel troupe to date with its unique cast, production crew and breathtaking imagery. “Black Panther” follows T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, and his ascension to the throne of Wakanda, a fictional nation in Africa. This happens after the death of his father T’Chaka, played by John Kani. Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, played by Michael B. Jordan, is T’Chak’s cousin and a former black-ops soldier who comes to Wakanda to overthrow T’Challa and become king of Wakanda. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and also stars Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. The film was released Feb. 16 and had made $506 in the box office at press time. This places
“Black Panther” in the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time. The cinematography — like any other Marvel movie — relies heavily on CGI, but the intense use of color in the film sets it apart. The casting was phenomenal; each actor was able to craft a distinct character that could still work well with the others. The actors conveyed humor, sadness and intensity with ease. Besides a few exceptions, the accents were impeccable. It was easy to tell everyone was well-practiced. Though the movie only featured three songs from “Black Panther: The Album,” which was produced by Kendrick Lamar and dropped a week before the movie’s release date, these and the other tracks added what was needed to their respective scenes. For example, “Opps” added to the energy of the fight scene and street chase, and “All the Stars” went along with the stunning visuals in the credits. The social implications of this movie are huge: it shows that a movie can no longer be unsuccessful because Hollywood labels it as a “black” movie. It allows black youth to see themselves in a positive light, contrary to the negative images they might see on television. The inclusion of Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, who is in charge of the development of Wakandan technology, shows young black girls they can have a career in the STEM fields. The portrayal of various hairstyles in the
movie shows the future is bright and accepting of all hair textures. The costume design and portrayal of the tribes that make up Wakanda show that Africa is not uniform; Coogler and his team incorporated the different styles and people from all over Africa. Most importantly, “Black Panther” addresses social issues of today. It challenges audiences to think about the implications of Wakanda’s isolationism and the not-so-evil desires of Killmonger. “Black Panther” is showing at many theaters around St. Louis, but tickets should be ordered online ahead of time. Moviegoers should get there at least 45 minutes before showtime to get tickets because they sell out fast. v
Recipes to make over spring break sydney CRUMP writer
Fruit kabobs Almost everyone has enjoyed a refreshing glass of lemonade on a spring or summer day. To make the hibiscus lemonade, brew one cup of hibiscus tea, add a dash of honey (replace with Stevia for a vegan alternative) and let the tea cool to room temperature. Combine the hibiscus tea with about three-fourths cup of lemonade and ice. Hibiscus lemonade is a refreshing drink and is perfect for a beautiful day outside.
Hibiscus lemonade Cupcakes are a fun recipe to make with friends and family over spring break. For this recipe, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir the flour, baking powder and salt together in one bowl. In another bowl, mix two eggs and sugar with an electric whisk for about two or three minutes. While mixing the eggs and sugar, add in the melted butter and vanilla. Next, add half of the flour mixture and milk to the egg and sugar mixture. Continue stirring and add the rest of the flour mixture. Put the cupcake batter in a muffin tin and place it in the oven for about 18 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool, and then add icing.
Vanilla cupcakes
The fruit kabobs are relatively easy to make. I suggest using bamboo skewers, kiwi, berries and watermelon. Fruit kabobs, however, can be easily made with any variation of fruits. Simply cut the fruit and put multiple pieces onto each skewer. This recipe is great to make when having friends over during spring break.
Scan here for cupcake recipe
news
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Students focus on activism after Parkland tragedy Demonstrations allow students to fight for change in their community “I think it’s necessary for students to take action through demonstration, as I feel actions speak much adam RUSH louder than words,” Loynd said. “Now, the conversation news editor needs to turn solely to action. [This] is a problem that adue students walked out of school Feb. faces every one of us, and as students, we need to fight 23 to protest gun violence and to hold 17 for ourselves.” minutes of silence to remember the teachAfter the shooting in Parkland, Ladue administration ers and students who died at the Stoneman chose to make minor security upgrades, including locking Douglas High School shooting. exterior doors and adding more supervisory assistants. According to School Resource Officer Rick Ramirez, sigPrimarily, sophomore Victoria Neal led the walkout; nificant changes to the school’s security measures are still she began organizing the impromptu demonstration that possible, although they would likely have to come from morning. After spreading the word about the walkout, the state government. On the other hand, there are still Neal spoke about the need for inclusiveness and unity in changes Ramirez would like see when it comes to policy. the Ladue community. “What I wouldn’t want to see is a knee-jerk reac“There has been so tion to a terrible situation,” Ramirez said. We can get this figured out. much division and dis“[School shootings] have been going on We need the right people talk- for so long that I think we should have tance in the community,” ing about this. Everybody has excuses, something better than what we currently Neal said. “This [walkout] needed to happen. I but the reality is that it’s happening. It have in place.” hope people understand Though he recognizes that discussions has happened, and one time is too many. that if we let all of these can be complex when it comes to gun issues divide and separate us, nothing will be done. We laws, Ramirez feels that the partisan aspects of the issue need to always acknowledge that the people who lost are not being addressed by the right people. He persontheir lives are people.” ally believes that people in government do not plan to While the walkout did address aspects of the Parkland solve the prevalent problem of mass shootings. shooting, it largely ignored the politics of gun violence. “We can get this figured out,” Ramirez said. “We need Although Neal does plan to be involved in that discusthe right people talking about the right things. Everybody sion, she believed that the walkout was not the right time has excuses, but the reality is that it’s happening. It has to engage in a political debate. happened, and one time is too many.” “I know that every time those [political] conversations Despite being regularly involved in both school and come up, they get extremely heated, and that’s not what I community politics, Loynd was particularly inspired by wanted this to be,” Neal said. “I wanted this to be [about the activism of the Stoneman Douglas students. She was the] community.” moved by the students she saw creating change and makIn addition to participating in the walkout, some Ladue ing an impact on a national level. students plan to be actively involved in the conversation “I think [the Parkland students’] response is more on guns and student safety. Sophomore Elizabeth Loynd powerful than the work of any politician,” Loynd said. is a member of a student committee called Students “There are so many of us who are passionate about the Demand Action STL, an organization that is planning issue of gun violence, [and] no student should ever feel protests and rallies across St. Louis. unsafe when attending school.” v
L
Firearm death rates per 100,000 people by state
FIGHT FOR CHANGE // Sophomore Victoria Neal
speaks in front of hundreds of students Feb. 23 about the Parkland shooting. Neal felt a need to confront the disunity she saw in the community and chose to speak out.“It felt like someone was actually hearing what I was saying,” Neal said. “I knew that people would listen to what other people had to say.” (Photo by Zach Weller)
MOURNING // Freshman Ale Pinon-Dickey hugs a
friend while the victims’ names are read out loud. She attended because she felt Ladue needed to stick together. “[I’m] scared and sad that students like me have had to realize that [shootings] are an everyday thing,” PinonDickey said. (Photo by Zach Weller)
SOLIDARITY // Students join hands during 17 min-
utes of silence in honor of those who died at the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. After the silence, students read out the names of the teachers and students who died in the school. “[The walkout] was a moment of student unity that I think meant a lot to students,” sophomore Elizabeth Loynd said. (Photo by Zach Weller) Source: Violence Policy Center
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news
School Board considers changing district start times
Ladue hopes to have better-rested students by starting school later cindy WANG
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writer
he Ladue Board of Education is proposing to switch start times for schools throughout the district. One idea presented at the meeting was to push back both the middle and high school start times further in the day. After elementary school principal Michelle Schmitt attended the National School Sleep Study Conference, she returned to the Ladue Board of Education with research showing that start times should be moved to later in the day for the high school. She proposed changing the existing start times for the high school, middle school and elementary school to a time that would allow older students more rest before classes began. “We are now discussing [the] high school starting at 8:10 a.m. and [the] middle school starting at 8:50 a.m.,” assistant superintendent Jennifer Allen said. “We have not had a board vote, and we have not made any
definitive changes, but we are looking toward making those adjustments in the coming years.” According to Allen, the administration attempted to make this change in the 2013-14 school year. However, the board felt as if they had not worked out the logistics at the time and chose to return to the idea at a later date. Allen says that attempting to change the schedule is a timeconsuming process that has many moving parts. “We have been working to make sure that no elementary student is picked up in the dark and that the new schedule does not weaken our sports teams,” Allen said. “We looked at how we need to change and how to solve other problems [for adults].” In addition to difficulties with scheduling younger students and sports, Allen worries that there are those who prefer the current schedule. Some students feel that earlier start times allow for part-time jobs, extracurricular activities and sports. “I think the current school times are fine,” sophomore Lena Liang said.
“If we start school later, we get out of school later, which [would] leave me with less time to do my homework.” With the district's current arrangement, older students arrive home first, followed by younger students. AP Microeconomics teacher Jim Goldwasser feels that at times, the current schedule can be inconvenient for his family. “What is a little bit strange is that my son is in fifth grade, and we are outside for a 6:45 a.m. pickup,” Goldwasser said. “That’s a bigger issue, since we are standing outside in the dark for most days.” Several other schools in the region have implemented later high school start times with varying degrees of success. By proposing a change to current start times in the schedule, Allen hopes to improve grades and create a positive ripple effect for the Ladue community. “The only research that says we shouldn’t change school times is that it’s hard,” Allen said. “So if being hard is a reason [not to do it], I’m not okay with [that].” v
Fast facts
on student sleep
15% of teens reported sleeping 8.5 hours a school night
75% of public high schools start before 8:30 a.m.
73% of children as young as 9 are sleep-deprived
How many hours do Ladue students sleep on a school night?
Survey results based on 279 voluntary student entries Source: American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control
New step team performs for first time at the fashion show
The team has been preparing since its founding in December nikol NIKOLOVA
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writer
In the Classrooms
adue's newly founded step team, Stepping With a Purpose, performed March 10 during the fashion show for the first time since its founding. Junior A.J. Sierra created the team by approaching both students and faculty and asking them to consider establishing a step team. After receiving enough support, the team started practicing in December. “I joined not only because my friends started this club but because I thought it was a brilliant idea,” sophomore Amira Robinson said. “I like the diversity and the new interesting routines to practice. [It also] created another safe haven for the black community.”
Ujima, the African American Academic Achievement team at Ladue, will host one of SWAP’s performances later this year. Current members said they joined SWAP because of the diverse and friendly atmosphere it fosters. The team practices every Monday after school to prepare for their upcoming events. They begin with warmup exercises, attempt to polish moves they have already learned and then add more steps to their routines. “When it’s time to step, we get really serious and focus on the sounds we make,” junior Evynne Jackson said. Although the team started out as a small group of students, they continue to welcome new members and hope the group will expand in the future. Sierra believes after students watch the team, more will join. “Members have to get comfortable with people watching,” Sierra said. “They have to learn to stand tall.” v
AP Government Junior Linnea Holy learns about the history of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. AP Government took a trip to the 8th district Court of Appeals Feb. 5 and 7. “The trip was interesting because we got to see how the players balanced justice,” Holy said. (Photo by Zach Weller)
STEP TO THE BEAT // Junior A.J. Sierra practices
a step routine alongside her team after school March 6. When performing or practicing, team members only use their hands and feet to create sound. “I love how diverse the team is and the warm atmosphere,” Sierra said. “It's cool to see people standing and watching us practice and liking the way we sound.” (Photo by Zach Weller)
Low Impact Fitness Junior Jackie Zeng looks through the window of a closed jiu-jitsu studio March 5. The class was taking a trip to the studio because they were studying martial arts. “Low Impact is fun because we explore different areas of physical activity, including martial arts,” Zeng said. (Photo by Audrey Wang)
PANORAMA
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Josh Horwitz Mr. Basketball Zach Weller Mr. Wilderness
Blake Berg Mr. Dance Marathon
Moses Okpala Mr. Smiley
Max Baker Mr. NHS
Mr. Ladue
connie CHEN news editor
zach WELLER photo editor
The show is March 13 at 7 p.m. in the PAC
CC: What do you want to be when you grow up? JT: A nice guy. Apparently, I am a nice guy right now, but I still want to be a nice guy when I grow up. That sounds like a good plan.
CC: What would you do if you won $1 million? WC: I would get an old Volkswagen bus and completely have it all redone so that it’s working perfectly, then go on a road trip, invest and then donate.
CC: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? ML: Wherever I am right now, that’s where I want to be. That’s where the party is at.
Connie Chen: What is your biggest pet peeve? LD: My biggest pet peeve is grease. [It includes] any grease; if people give me something and it’s greasy, I’ll hate them forever.”
Mr. Nice Guy: Josh Thomeczek
Mr. Theater: Will Carr
Mr. Art: Mitch LaMar
Mr. Speech and Debate: Levi Dyson
Mr. STUCO: Charlie Loitman
CC: Who has inspired you in your life and why? CL: My mom has inspired me a lot. She is a very hard worker, and she is very smart and nice. I will emulate [her].
Macey Goldstein Mr. Spanish Honor Society
Mr. Link Crew: Hale Masaki
CC: What do you want to be when you grow up? HM: I want to be a Power Ranger. CC: What is your greatest accomplishment? HM: Graduating middle school.
Jordan Jackson Mr. Football Max Deutsch Mr. Español
Aaron Umen Mr. Tennis (Not all Misters pictured)
In the Clubs
Fashion Club In preparation for the March 10 show, Fashion Club spent months planning the outfits they would show off. “Six local clothing stores have agreed to let us borrow clothing from them [for the show],” senior Karli Williams said. “We hope it [was] a great show.” (Photo courtesy of Karli Williams from 2017)
Theater Troupe Theater troupe is currently gearing up for the senior One-Acts. In the meantime, they visited eighth graders at the middle school who were interested in joining the troupe. “We played charades and theater bonding games [with the students],” junior and treasurer Annie McNutt said. (Photo courtesy of Abigail Yearout)
sports
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Trainers ensure health of athletes
I
anik JAIN writer
n most sports, student athletes often find themselves in need of treatment to ensure their continued success over the course of the season. Kelsey Towey, the head physical trainer for the high school, and Emily Karleskint, the head trainer for West Campus, have worked to ensure that student athletes are always in the best possible condition. “I do everything I can to prevent the athletes from injury,” Karleskint said. “Whether that means tweaking warm-ups or stretching kids out before practice, I just make sure they feel 100 percent before they come out for practice to avoid injury.” The unique aspect of being an athletic trainer is that these individuals see the student-athletes in both their best and worst of times. This undoubtedly creates lasting relationships. “She’s always willing to help out any athlete, and she makes great relationships
with those she works with,” junior and track sprinter Kiara Crawford said. Although Towey and Karleskint hold the meaningful bonds they create with student-athletes in high regard, they face a demanding task of trying to help everyone who requests treatment. Towey and Karleskint are able to utilize their resources to accomplish the task. “Major challenges I run into are supplies, time and the size of my office,” Towey said. “The athletes do a great job at being patient or self-sufficient, and they also help point freshmen in the right direction.” Being the only athletic trainers at each of their locations, Towey and Karleskint often see a wide range of illnesses and injuries that impede Ladue athletes. They are well-equipped to handle whatever comes their way. “Ladue needs a physical trainer because coaches don’t always have the resources to help an injured athlete,” Crawford said. “Having Kelsey is nice because whatever injury you have, she has treatment for it.” v
FIXING FEET //
Physical trainer Kelsey Towey places bandages on senior track runner DeMonn Martin’s foot for an injury. Towey holds her relationship with athletes like Martin to a very high standard. “Working with the student-athletes at Ladue is incredibly fun and always keeps me on my toes,” Towey said. “These athletes not only make for amazing competitions to watch but are genuinely great kids who have bright futures ahead of them. The most rewarding aspect of being the athletic trainer at Ladue is seeing the kids grow and become stronger individuals, both mentally and physically. Injuries can be devastating to an athlete and I love to help them get through them.” (Photo by Zach Weller)
Max’s March Madness must-watches
Max Baker shares his predictions for some of the most electrifying teams in March (Statistics as of March 5)
University of Michigan
D
on’t sleep on the Wolverines. Last year, Michigan stunned the college basketball world and won the Big Ten Tournament as an eight seed. They continued their run into the Sweet Sixteen. This year, the team is 28-7 and has won nine consecutive games. They are led by junior Moritz Wagner, who averages 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Young stars Jordan Poole and Zavier Simpson bring new depth to the Wolverine offense. Look for them to make a run into the Elite Eight.
University of Virginia
University of Arkansas
T
he Razorbacks are getting hot at the right time. Since Feb. 6, the team has only lost two games. This year, they are 4-1 against teams that at the time were ranked in the top 25. In a deep Southeastern Conference, Arkansas is tied for fourth and will enter the NCAA tournament with a lot of momentum. Look for them to upset a powerhouse in the second round of the tournament. Remember, they nearly knocked off the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the second round last year.
I
n a year filled with an abundance of change at the top, Virginia seemed to finally take control of that No. 1 spot. The Cavaliers sit at 28-2 and have the best rating percentage index (RPI) in the country. This is because they have 11 wins against teams who are top 50 in the RPI. They allow the fewest amount of points in the country. Sophomore guard Kyle Guy is a scoring machine. Teams will have a lot of trouble with their strong defense, which will lead them to their third Final Four.
University of Nevada
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hances are, you probably do not know anything about the University of Nevada’s basketball team. Yet, they are definitely a team to watch for in the NCAA tournament. The Wolf Pack is 26-6 and have a top 15 RPI. Their high scoring offense is led by twins Caleb and Cody Martin. They played together at North Carolina State before transferring. The team averages over 80 points per game. Nevada will make a Sweet Sixteen appearance for the second time in history. (Logos courtesy of WikiMedia)
sports
A day dancing with the stars A look into the Laduettes’ schedule at nationals Thursday, March 1 6:30 a.m. - Arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport 11:50 a.m. - Arrive at Hard Rock Hotel and check in
“When you get a bunch of girls together, we think everything anyone says is the most hilarous thing in the world,” sophomore Mirabelle Mockler said. “We were basically hysterically laughing through the entire dinner. That continued from then all the way through when we left to go back to St. Louis.”
5:00 p.m. - Team dinner at NBC Sports Grill & Brew
Friday, March 2
1:41 p.m. - Poms preliminary round
Saturday, March 3 1:00 p.m. - Mandatory nap 6:47 p.m. - Poms finals
Senior Sit Down Each month, Panorama sits down with a senior athlete. This month’s featured athlete is soccer player Sarah Cook.
Jackson Bry: What was your favorite memory playing soccer for Ladue? Sarah Cook: It was on the Quincy out-of-town trip. Kalifa Muhammad ate six plates of pasta because we were at an all-you-can-eat pasta night, and everyone was cheering her on. JB: Do you have any former or present teammates you look up to? SC: Oh, definitely. Hayden Hunt, Lizzy Puyo and Madeline Billeaud were seniors when I was a sophomore, and they were great captains. I really admired them then and now. JB: What has been your favorite daily aspect of playing soccer for Ladue? SC: The whole team really stresses team bonding as well as playing soccer. We’re all a family, and so being with them every single day has been great.
9:00 a.m. - Begin getting ready for competition
6:18 p.m. - Hip-hop preliminary round
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PANORAMA
CAN’T STOP // The Laduettes stop near
the NBC Sports Grill & Brew, where they ate the first night. They all dressed up for the occasion. (Photo courtesy of Ally Harpole)
“All of us were so excited because we worked so hard the entire year and spent so much of our time on poms,” senior Kathryn Long said. “We had to change basically the whole routine after we didn’t do as well at our last competition before nationals, so our goal was to just do better than last year, which we did.”
8:00 p.m. - Poms awards
JB: Do you have any pre-game rituals? SC: The team as a whole does a Chalk Talk, which is where [Coach Dave] Aronberg just tells us about the goals for the game.
Sunday, March 4 9:30 a.m. - Breakfast at pool shack 3:44 p.m. - Hip-hop finals WON’T STOP // After placing second at
5:46 p.m. - Hip-hop awards
Jackson’s hot takes
Jackson Bry’s highly disputed predictions and opinions about pro athletes
nationals in hip-hop, the Laduettes pose for a photo with their trophy. This was their last night in Orlando. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Byer)
Damian Lillard is better than Kyrie Irving
Aaron Judge will have a sophomore slump
Josh Gordon will have a bounce back season
Sure, the Celtics are better than the Trailblazers, but that’s the only place where Kyrie tops Dame Dolla. Kyrie is in a better system and averages fewer points, rebounds and assists. Kyrie does play fewer minutes, but it shouldn’t account for this much of a difference. Furthermore, Kyrie is surrounded by great players and a great coach, while Dame has the opposite.
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is coming off one of the most hyped rookie seasons in MLB history. I couldn’t turn on ESPN during baseball season without seeing something about how amazing Aaron Judge is. However, the analysts completely ignore the second half of the season, when it seemed like he struck out almost every single time he stepped up to the plate.
Although Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon’s career has been riddled with suspensions, at one point he was the most dominant receiver in the NFL. With the Browns expected to actually draft a decent quarterback this year, Josh Gordon will get the throws he deserves and lead the league in receiving yards once again. His speed is unmatched in the NFL.
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PANORAMA
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HOLE IN THE WALL HOTSPOTS
rose HAUSER photo editor
rhiannon RHOADS photo editor
Students reveal tasty, little-known restaurants in St. Louis TACO BUDDHA // (Right) Savoring the flavors of her favorite Cajun shrimp
taco, senior Aris McCurdy prepares for her next bite. Taco Buddha is unique in more ways than one; it maintains a menu that changes every week, and it is also connected to a coffee shop/bike store hybrid. Customers can stay on the bohemian decor side of Taco Buddha, or they can sit next door in the assorted furniture of Cursed Coffee. “My mom told me about [Taco Buddha] because she eats there with her friends, since she works in Clayton,” McCurdy said. “The food tastes so fresh, and the vibe is so cool in there. It feels so happy.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)
CARL’S DRIVE IN //
DONUT DRIVE-IN // (Above) Enjoying her favorite chocolate-vanilla swirl do-
nut, sophomore Katherine Lucier takes a sweet bite. The Donut Drive-In is a quaint donut shop on Chippewa Street, offering a wide variety of donuts but no indoor seating. From cinnamon rolls to smiley-face long johns to classic glazed, donuts of every shape and size fill the cases. “I think it’s such a cute little pace to come, and it reminds me of Los Angeles,” Lucier said. “I prefer this over Krispy Kreme, and that says something.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)
THE STONE SPIRAL // (Below) Glancing around the local art-decorated space,
senior Katie Muchnick takes a sip of her chai tea latte. The Stone Spiral Café sits in the middle of a neighborhood in Maplewood, serving hearty meals and freshly roasted coffee. The interior design is eclectic, with art and fairy lights on every wall. One is especially devoted to shelves of used books for the customers to read as they please. “It’s very homey and usually quiet, so it’s a good place to relax,” Muchnick said. “Plus, it has my favorite chai tea latte. I get it every time.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)
(Left) Leaning over his small paper plate, junior Max Deutsch dives into his bacon cheeseburger. Carl’s Drive-In is an old diner that opened in 1959 on Route 66. It boasts fair prices for its homemade root beer and flavorful burgers. The restaurant is a favorite of Deutsch’s for a posthockey practice meal. “I like the atmosphere and that it’s not a chain,” Deutsch said. “[I also] like the thin patties and the frosted mugs.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)
PHO LONG // (Left)
Cooling down his noodles, sophomore Brock Jones mixes his pho tai chin. Pho Long is a Vietnamese restaurant in University City that specializes in pho, a type of Vietnamese soup. They have a 60-year-old secret family recipe that makes the noodles fresh and authentic. “This is by far the best Vietnamese restaurant I’ve been to,” Jones said. “The P2 has a really nice combo of the brisket and steak that tastes really good.” (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)