March 2023

It’s maybe the only place in this world we call our own, where we sleep soundly, eat our most comforting meals, spend time with our most precious people and keep our most valuable possessions. It’s a place — a space — where our lives develop. It’s where we live. It’s called home.`

In Panorama’s Home Issue, we created new sections to reflect the different spaces that house our most vital experiences. A family room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or outdoor area all encompass distinct experiences in our lives, and we wanted to intimately examine each in this specialty magazine. So much can happen at school, but we rarely take a moment to appreciate what happens in the comfort of our own four walls.

At Panorama, we call Ladue high school home. Our editor photo depicts us at the door of Room 1311, where we convene, create and collaborate on our newsmagazine. The classroom of our

wonderful adviser, Mrs. Kirksey, provides us a place to develop and grow as a staff, and we are eternally grateful to call it our own. Home sometimes might not be the property we own, but a place where we love to be ourselves. Room 1311 is that place for us.

Many have access to the spaces we discuss in other parts of our magazine, or maybe even take it for granted. And indeed, all people deserve a place to live, no matter their circumstance. But for this issue’s in-depth, we wanted to recognize those without a place to call home. It is only through a sheer act of human resilience that people can survive without the basic need of shelter, and we report on a community of these striking individuals who came together to support one another. In other places, we cover home security, meat smoking, feng shui, bathroom habits and an avid bike enthusiast.

We hope you enjoy this issue and a much welcome spring!

panorama staff

EDITORS IN CHIEF

Max Eastman

Olivia Hu

Allen You

MANAGING EDITOR

Emmi Walker

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Mac Huffman

Mimi Zhou

ART EDITORS

Tarek Al Husseini

Erica Shi

PHOTO EDITOR

Sydney Collinger

FAMILY ROOM EDITOR

Riley Coates

KITCHEN EDITOR

Olivia Chen

IN-DEPTH EDITOR

Annie Zhao

BEDROOM EDITOR

Pranavi Chintha

BATHROOM EDITOR

Avery Anderson

OUTDOORS EDITOR

Luke Lochmoeller

FAMILY ROOM STAFF

Katie Myckatyn

Laura Shareshian

KITCHEN STAFF

Joseph Baker

Jay Heintz

IN-DEPTH STAFF

Rory Lustberg

Arti Jain

BEDROOM STAFF

Richie Jiang

Emily Liu

BATHROOM STAFF

Mahith Samarathunga

OUTDOORS STAFF

Lathan Levy

Michael Zegel

WEB EDITOR IN CHIEF

Rory Lustberg

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Vincent Hsiao

ARTISTS

Phoebe Chen

Emilie Tian

ADVISER

Sarah Kirksey

Max Eastman Olivia Hu Allen You

more than a home

he's got the meats

make yourself at home

In-depth: People recover from homelessness and addiction at Stepping Into The Light Ministry

Our Policy

taking care of business

Bathroom: page 26-27

panorama policy

Panorama is a student-led monthly newsmagazine that strives to inform and entertain Ladue 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 on important issues. Panorama aims to reflect the diversity of the population it serves and to observe the journalistic principle of doing no harm. All surveys are anonymous unless otherwise stated and results can't be used against respondents. Panorama will not share the names of anonymous sources. Panorama is created by the newspaper class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School, and students on staff make all content decisions. Panorama operates as a public forum by practice and is not under prior review by administration. All opinions expressed in the Panorama do not necessarily reflect those of the Ladue School District, nor do individual opinion columns necessarily reflect those of the rest of the Panorama staff.

Bedroom: pages 22-23

going the distance

Outdoors: page 29

Scholastic Journalism Associations

Panorama is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll and the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association. Panorama earned a Pacemaker in 2021, was a Pacemaker finalist in 2019 and has been a CSPA crown recipient since 2019.

Credits

Front cover photo illustration and design by Olivia Hu. Back cover illustration and design by Olivia Hu. EIC photo by Sydney Collinger. Correction from the photo issue: Sophie Campos is pictured not Sophie Anton (page 7, Bring the drama). Corrections from the February issue: Shruti Upadhyay and Ovya Diwakaran's names were spelled wrong (page 17, Becoming American - Cuisine). Olivia Goeke's name was spelled wrong (page 30, From friends to foes).

Family room: pages 6-7

Kitchen: Offcer Richard Ramirez shares his experience with smoking and grilling meats

LADUE BLUE

Anonymous

The Caito Family

Jim & Kathy Davis

The Gaither Family

The Gyawali Family

Allison Hawk

Heidi Long Real Estate

June Ogden

Husseini Family

The Patney Family

The Riddle Family

Bill & Rowena Coates

GOLD

Amarakone Family

The Anderson Family

The Chang Family

The Daun Family

Freeman Family

Dennis & Judy Holcomb

The Jain Family

Karen & David

Kurtzman

Southern

Lochmoeller Team

The Logan Family

Myckatyn Family

Olesia & Michael

Myckatyn

The Petersen Family

The Emmi Walker Family

SILVER

Anonymous

The Biernacki Family

The Hawkins Family

The Jansen Family

The Jurgiel Family

The Kirby Family

Marc & Krista Luckett

The Lustberg Family

The Ortliebs

The Tobin Family

FRIENDLY

Anonymous

Anonymous

The Bauer Family

Nancy Beals

The Brennan Family

The Brunnquells

The Caster Family

The Childs-Klein

Family

The Claybaugh Family

Jerry & Pat Coates

Benjamin Collinger

Salon Elysium

Dom Fenoglio

Heather Garrett

Interior Design

The Levy-Kurtzman

Family

The Li Family

The Liu Family

Lynne & Mike

Lippmann

Debbie & Harvey

Lustberg

Chris & Joanne May

The Pearlstone Family

The Ramos Family

Tim, Liz, Allison & Abby Rea

Schonbrun Realtors

The Smith Family

Amit & Brianne Sood

The Walker Family

Tracy Zuckett

heroes of home tech

How home technology has developed throughout the decades and the minds behind it all

1860

1886

commercial dishwasher

The frst commercially used dishwasher was invented by Josephine Cochran. She created the model and applied for a patent in 1886, eventually opening a factory for her own business, The Crescent Dishwashing Company. Her company was acquired by the company that would eventually become KitchenAid.

1913

electric refridgerator

The DOMELRE (Domestic Electric Refridgerator) was invented by Fred Wolf Jr. in 1913. His model was the frst household refridgeration system that could easily be delivered and mounted on top of the ice box.

1969

home security system

Marie Van Brittan Brown and her husband Albert Brown created the frst closed-circuit television (CCTV) system for surveillance of their home in Queens, N.Y. They received a patent in 1969, and their invention stands as a precursor to modern day security and surveillance systems.

1893

modern day ironing board

Invented by Sarah Boone, a black woman born in North Carolina in 1832. She desired a better way to iron the unique designs of women’s clothing. In 1892, she applied for and received a patent that made signifcant improvements to previous ironing boards.

1930

electric television

Philio Farnsworth received a patent for the frst all-electric television in 1930. The invention of the television can be attributed to many different people, however, Farnsworth has over 100 patents for various parts of the original television.

2023

2002

roomba vacuum

The Roomba Vacuum was invented by the company iRobot; it was cofounded by Helen Greiner, Colin Angle and Rodney Brooks in 1990. The Roomba frst hit the market in 2002.

Sources: Amsterdam News, Greenbelt Museum, Lemelson-MIT, Odetta, Smithsonian, TechCrunch and U.S. Patent and Trademark Offce

make yourself at home

How moving residences infuences the way students view the concept of home

by katie myckatyn family room staff

Within a house, the family room is a nexus for interpersonal connection, recreation and a place for strengthening the bonds between people that love each other. The feelings it sparks often take credit for association with the connotation of “home.”

alex abreu

If one were to ask a room full of people what home is to them, they would be met with a wide variety of answers. For Pittsburgh-born senior Alex Abreu, nostalgic and familial memories take the cake. Certain motifs explain his sentiment perfectly.

“No matter where we live, when my mom cooks and I’m eating [her] food, it feels like home,” Abreu said. “It’s like no matter where we’ve been, we’ve been together and retained that familiarity. That’s

TOP LEFT: Senior Alex Abreu wears a Pittsburgh Steelers hat. Even now, he is still a Steelers fan. “Whenever I think about my childhood, it’s running around in my Pittsburgh backyard,” Abreu said. (Photo courtesy of Alex Abreu)

BOTTOM LEFT: Freshman Linnaea Ellis waves a Canadian fag with her brothers. She and her family celebrated Canada Day in Alberta while living in Squamish, British Columbia. “Living in so many different countries has been a really interesting experience,” Ellis said. (Photo courtesy of Linnaea Ellis)

RIGHT: Freshman Linnaea Ellis smiles with her mom and brothers in Hawaii. They lived on two different islands on three different occassions. “[Hawaii] has probably been my favorite place to live,” Ellis said. (Photo courtesy of Linnaea Ellis)

home to me.”

Abreu, born in Pittsburgh, moved to Denver when he was 9 years old before making his way to St. Louis. To him, home equates to sentimental experiences and could potentially be anywhere.

“I feel as though it’s less about the actual house and more about where you feel the most comfortable at a given time,” Abreu said. “I’ve lived in three separate houses and I would consider them all home at different points in my life.”

Abreu places value on memories, and the house ties in as a package deal. The reasoning for his philosophy is likely the many times he has moved.

“I think people who have lived in the same house all their life put a lot of sentimental value on the neighborhood and on the house itself,” Abreu said. “I put a lot of that same sentimental value on the city of Pittsburgh, because most of my childhood memories are from there. When

I think of my childhood, I think of that house; however, the attachment isn’t to the building itself, it’s to the memories.”

In terms of the future, Abreu’s opinions on home remain on trend with familial connections.

“Even when I move out for college, my dorm is just a dorm, my home will still be where my family is,” Abreu said. “I place value on where my parents are, and eventually, they’re gonna retire and move away. Once we’re out of [our current house], if I come back here, I’m not going to have that same attachment. I’m gonna remember all the times that I had here, but it won’t feel like the place is mine anymore because it won’t be.”

dawit muluye

While Abreu has his own moving experience, his is only one perspective. Listening to sophomore Dawit Muluye, one is given a different point of view.

“To me, home is a place where you spend time with your family and friends,” Muluye said. “It’s where you make memories, that gives you serenity and relieves stress. Home is wherever you find it.”

Muluye’s personal definition of home stems from his history. Born in Akaki, Ethiopia, Muluye grew up in a multigenerational household, living with both his mother and grandmother after his father moved to the U.S. to start the process of getting the rest of the family over the Atlantic.

“In the beginning, we were moving around [Ethiopia] just looking for stuff,” Muluye said. “Then, my mom wanted to get a house, so we roamed around looking for a few years. Once we found one, it was only a year until we had to come [to America] to meet my dad. So we came over to the U.S., to Washington and then to St. Louis [because of] the education.”

Muluye’s childhood was most shaped by the people he spent it with. Each time he moved, Muluye would cultivate a new circle of friends, allowing him to feel more comfortable and relaxed in his new home. However, even with the happiness they provided, friendship during these times was a bittersweet experience.

“I had this one friend named Yared, and we were friends for years,” Muluye said. “The day that we moved, I forgot to tell him about it, and we barely got to say goodbye. I’m an only child so I’ve always latched on to my friends like brothers. As soon as I leave them, I just feel lonely again.”

Muluye’s idea of home is brought about by reminiscence, or certain memories feeling more like home than a specific house or apartment ever did. While the constant change in residence played a large part in the way Muluye grew up, the continuous affection of his family provided him with what felt like a normal childhood.

“Sometimes it hits me that [my interpretation] is probably different than the way that a lot of people think of home,” Muluye said. “But I don’t necessarily think that home is the place where you live or leave your stuff. Maybe it’s because of the way I grew up; however for me, it’s the people that I hang around with that really make me feel like I’m home.”

linnaea ellis

While the process of moving played a large role in the lives of both Abreu and Muluye, neither of them experienced it quite the same as freshman Linnaea Ellis.

map of movement

unpacking the stats

“I was born in Kauai, and have lived in Oahu, Squamish, Dubai, Washington and now here,” Ellis said. “My dad works for hotels, so my family moves around a lot to accommodate for that.”

Moving residences has become an expected and integral part of Ellis’ life. Having spent her childhood transitioning from one location to another, the notion of “home” is seen as a funny one to relate to a single house.

“Home is wherever my family is,” Ellis said. “Whenever people ask, I say I’m from Hawaii because it’s where I was born and spent the most time, so I’m most attached to it. However, Hawaii isn’t my home as much as my family is.”

Ellis separates the concepts of home and place of origin. Having gone from residence to residence, Ellis’ family is her rock, unshaking in the face of change. Although her family’s support is greatly beneficial, Ellis feels the most comfortable in a new place when she’s able to successfully integrate into the social landscape.

Sources: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

“I have to adjust and adapt to the place I’m at,” Ellis said. “I’m fine when I fit in with the other kids, but it’s always different wherever you go. So once I kind of figure that out and get settled, then I can accept that this is my new home.”

78.6% of Ladue students have moved houses or apartments 62.5% of Ladue students have lived in 3+ places 13% of Americans move each year

illustration by | KATIE MYCKATYN

Linnaea Ellis Alex Abreu Dawit Muluye

illustration by | KATIE MYCKATYN

A look at where students have lived over the years

nuclear normality

We must eliminate judgments based on family and housing situations

by laura shareshian family room staff

In 2008, the bones and teeth of two parents and their two sons were discovered, some 4,600 years old. Although this structure dates back millennia, what we call the nuclear family — two parents and a few children as the family unit — didn't take cultural dominance in the U.S. until the 20th century, in the years following World War II. This trend largely persists today, but it's time we consider our changing world and the way we address it.

Many psychologists affirm the nuclear family as a perfectly healthy arrangement; they agree that children are best raised with safety and safety-nets.

However, the Pew Research Center's 2014 Parenting in America research revealed that the nuclear family has been on a steady decline since its post-World War II boom. This same research found that, in 2014, only 46% of families still subscribed to the "traditional" structure of two married parents in their first marriage with children.

Although the nuclear family remains culturally and socially dominant, non-conventional families constitute a substantial percentage of our population. Meaning that, if your own household doesn’t fall under the label — you still probably know somebody’s who does.

Furthermore, socioeconomic status draws a clear line; in 2021, the U.S. Census found that 31% of children living in single-parent households were below the poverty line. Moreover, a quarter of young adults lived in multigenerational homes — homes with two or more adult generations. This number is up from 9% in 1971.

Like the varying trends surrounding the home-owning nuclear family, our idea of the standard healthy home shifts. It’s uncommon to see open vitriol for apartment tenants or for a family formed from remarriage. But assumptions and insensitivity lay in wait for everyday conversation.

When we treat having a private garage, backyard or basement as a given, we implicitly exclude those without. Quickly, the alienation can turn into frustration or shame, and

by the numbers

46% of children live in nuclear families

then lead to tangible consequences: friends aren't invited over and the realities of living situations are concealed for the worse. What left the mouth as an offhand comment can quickly become something damaging and hurtful.

There is no one universal standard for where and how to live; the norm for housing varies from area-to-area. This variation can be seen in rates of home ownership, demonstrating what portion of a population owns their own property.

live with a single parent

15%

26% live with two parents in remarriage

7%

Still, avoiding conversations surrounding the home is not a practical approach. These discussions inevitably arise; where and how we live comprises a great deal of who we are.

5%

live with cohabiting parents live without a parent present

In response, we could try to expand the definition of a “normal family,” bolstering inclusivity for the current finite list of irregular homelives. But as time has proven, the family is constantly evolving, leaving new demographics behind. Where or how someone lives is almost never morally charged. Homelives are deeply personal — and often uncontrollable — situations. They are not reflections of character, ability or potential, and treating them as such is unfounded and disregards individuality.

We must address families and living situations with the neutrality they are due; there is no one right way to live.

95.8% Ladue St. Louis City

44.7%

St. Louis County

68.8%

...of homes are owner-occupied

Source: Pew Research Center p

illustration by | LAURA SHARESHIAN

Coffee and tea are globalized

“Chai is a famous tea in Pakistan that everyone drinks. Chat masala is a spice widely used in a lot of dishes, and paratha and roti is kind of like how bread is used in America.”

Fatima Jahangir (11)

Yogurt is a staple item in a wide variety of cultures, especially in western Asia and the Indian subcontient.

“Bangladeshis use many kinds of spices to season our food, and it’s a part of our culture.”

Alveena Rahim (11)

inside the pantry

Students comment on different cultural pantry staples

Sources: Food Network, Travel For Food Hub and The Kitchn

"[Jasmine] rice. that’s all you need to know."

Cindy Yan (11)

“[Lebanese] rice is different. it’s made with oil, pine nuts and vermicelli.”

Sassy Saleeby (12)

Baking ingredients tend to be the same across cultures: four, sugar, chocolate, baking soda and baking powder.

“We put the spice on everything. My mom will have popcorn and put more Valentina in the bag than popcorn.”

Luca Piñon-Dickey (10)

Snacks, like popcorn, vary by culture but are a common staple item in most home pantries.

“My mom puts [star anise] in the pressure cooker a lot when she is making a chicken or beef stew.”

Jasmine Li (12)

“I don’t remember never having Tajín in my house. It’s just a normal part in a Mexican household.”

Alexandra Tsygankov (10)

Illustration by | TAREK AL HUSSEINI

he’s got the meats

Offcer Richard Ramirez shares his experience with smoking and grilling meats

by sydney collinger photo editor

According to the Ramirez family’s tradition, a feast begins around 3 p.m. But for that to even occur, with a prime rib weighing in at 20 pounds to feed approximately 20 family members, those preparing said feast face a daunting time frame. But there is never any hesitation from either of the cooks in the kitchen.

“If it’s a 12-hour cook and everybody wants to eat at 3 p.m., then you start at 3 a.m.,” Ladue school’s resource officer Richard Ramirez said.

Richard and Rey Ramirez, one of his younger brothers and co-cook, begin each of their Christmas days around 3 a.m. in Monterey, Calif. because “a lot of prepping goes into cooking good things,” according to Richard. Surrounded by a large family, a plethora of food proved necessary. However, it was not only a necessity, but a way to bring those gathered closer. Therefore, at the center of Christmas day, and an abundance of other gatherings with the Ramirez family, rests a smoker or a grill.

“I won’t smoke something just for myself because it’s such a long process,” Richard said. “When I smoke things, it’s for gatherings, neighbors, friends, family, all bigger gatherings.”

There are many steps that go into getting a cut of meat ready for a smoker or a grill. In the case of a prime rib, a day or two provides enough time for brine to soak in.

This introduces the initial flavor to the cut. Then, the cook introduces smoke. A smoker’s temperature rests around 245 F (which is low in cooking terms) for a prime rib of this size. As the smoke billows in like convection currents, fats in the cut start to break down in the muscle and distribute into the meat which in turn makes the meat more tender. It’s a unique process and an even more unique connector.

“[My] dad was always grilling something on the weekends,” Richard said. “[And] my mom usually put something on during the week.” Richard would admire the work and effort put into grilling and smoking meats as far back as he can remember and would even want to be involved in the smallest ways.

“As a kid, like all kids, you wanted to start the charcoal because there was fire and that was interesting for kids,” Richard said. “So as long as I can remember, grilling was something fun.”

As Richard has grown, he’s constantly learning to perfect the art of smoking and grilling, a common goal of cooks of his caliber.

“[Smoking meat is] always [about] learning because you don’t know what tastes [good together],” Richard said. “[For example], it took me a long time to come up with my barbecue rub because you know [that] salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder and things like that [go together and] are always gonna go well together. But how is this spice gonna react to this spice? [You’re] trying to figure it out. You’re al-

ways learning.”

To aid the learning process, those who smoke and grill at Ladue find themselves briefly sharing techniques they’ve learned that make their cooking experiences more successful with each other and Richard, including activities coordinator Greg Kendall.

“It’s been fun to learn things,” Kendall said. “Sometimes when things don’t come out exactly right, I’ll tell Officer Ramirez what [my family and I] did and ask what we did wrong. He’s always got good suggestions.”

The process of both sharing recipes and coming together over food are vital to what the practice means to smokers and grillers. Sharing is not only sought after for its ability to bring people closer but helpful due to the large amount of meat that needs consuming.

“For the Super Bowl I made five racks of ribs; three of them were for my Super Bowl party and two [were] for my neighbor who also happened [to throw a Superbowl party],” Richard said. “It’s something to share.”

The lengthy process proves worthy to smokers and grillers alike, because it’s one that people don’t go through unless they have many people to feed. Both Richard and Kendall agree on the reward that comes from smoking and grilling.

“I care more about [the time it takes to grill] than I do [about] how it actually tastes,” Kendall said. “I’ve been amazed that we’ve created some dinners that felt like we’re eating at a restaurant. But the more important thing to me is [that] the family has gotten together and we’ve had a good afternoon and we’ve gotten to talk about what’s [going on].”

"When I smoke things it’s for gatherings, neighbors, friends, family, all bigger gatherings." richard ramirez, officer

THE PROCESS: Offcer Richard Ramirez smokes a large batch of pork steaks March 10 in the Ladue high school parking lot. This process frst consists of heating the smoker, then brining the steaks with his special rub and other ingredients, then routinely spritzing the steaks with apple juice before glazing them in butter and honey and putting them back in the smoker. He receives help from Rick Dent, a custodian at the high school, and Noah Ramirez, his son. “I love the process [of smoking meats],” Richard said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a way to bring people together to have a meal and real contact.” (Photos by Sydney Collinger)

clearing off the plate

Students incorporate kosher and halal diets into religious holidays and daily life

by joseph baker kitchen staff

Judaism is one of the oldest of the monotheistic religions that comes from the Middle East. It follows the teaching of Moses who wrote down the first five books in the Torah. Judaism promotes the idea of peace and compassion towards one another, along with a set of values to live one's life. Senior Liam Oiknine follows a kosher diet that effects his daily life.

“Basically, the way that I describe it to people when they say ‘what does [kosher] mean?’ is that

I essentially can't eat meat [when going out],” Oiknine said. “The meat has to be kosher; that means it's killed and blessed in a certain way. You [also] can’t eat meat and dairy together.”

passover seders

Along with keeping kosher, Oiknine's family celebrates the High Holy Days and hold Shabbats on Friday nights. Oiknine also celebrates Passover. The Jewish holiday is based on a lunar calendar and is celebrated for eight days in April. Passover consists of Seders, religious dinner where families share stories of what Jewish people went through when they left Egypt.

"At my grandma's house, we go through everything that's on the

around the table

Foods eaten during Passover and Ramadan

passover ramadan

Islam, a monotheistic religion, originates from the Middle East and follows the teachings of the prophet Muhammad through the Quran. Islam incorporates the same prophets from Judaism and Christianity into their holy text, the Quran. Islamic beliefs center around values and morals. According to the laws of Islam, people traditionally follow a halal diet, like junior Zahra Khan.

“Halal diet is not eating any pork or any parts of the pig, so that

Dates (Ramadan)

includes gelatin, like in marshmallows,” Khan said. “[It also includes] no alcohol and no smoking. There’s also Zabiha, which means only eating meat that has been killed in the name of God.”

Ramadan, an Islamic holiday, is a part of the five pillars of Islam. It includes no eating or drinking during the daylight hours for a month. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, to reflect back on the month.

“It’s definitely at times difficult watching my friends eat lunch right in front of me, but I’ve been fasting

Seder: religious feasts at the beginning of Passover

Seder plate and we talk about why it's important,” Oiknine said. “We talk about different [Passover] traditions and why [they're] important. It's really just an educational experience.”

On the second night, Oiknine has another Seder with his extended family, which he says is more of a social event. Through traditions like Passover and abiding by the kosher diet, Oiknine keeps in mind important values to live his life.

“What's most important for me is not necessarily particular to Judaism,” Oiknine said. “It's something relatively general across religion: the general idea of morality [and] doing what’s right.”

Shank bone

Roasted egg

Charoset: apple, nuts, spices and wine

Bitter herbs

ramadan routine

March 23 to April 21

Have Suhoor: meal before sunrise

Parsley

Fast during daylight hours

Have Iftar: meal after sunset, starting with dates

Lettuce

Seder plate (Passover) *varies among families

since fifth grade so I’m definitely prepared for it,” Khan said. “You start with half days, and then, you can progress up to full days. I don’t find it too hard honestly; people think it’s crazy, but it’s actually not.”

Celebrating Ramadan and keeping halal signify the importance of Islam. By following both of these practices, one can bring themselves closer to their faith of Islam.

“[Islam] is definitely part of my identity,” Khan said. “It dictates all my values, my morals. I learned it from my parents and it’s a really big part of me and who I am.”

Samosas (Ramadan)

Matzah ball soup (Passover)

April 5 to April 13

illustration by | OLIVIA CHEN

Fruit chaat (Ramadan)

Scan the QR code below to learn more about the foods on a Seder plate

playing with fire

Food fails involving smoke and fre hazards

“I was cooking a tomahawk steak in our brand new kitchen on New Year’s Day. It was so fatty, and the pan was so shallow that the steak was literally on fre.”

“I was making risotto, and with risotto you have to keep stirring it. I was stir ring [it] with one hand and adding the cooking wine with the other. My sister bumped into me, and the cooking wine splashed, fared up and singed my sister’s eyebrows.”

illustration by | OLIVIA CHEN

“My brother burned mac and cheese, and it set off the smoke alarm. There was so much smoke we had to sleep outside.”

“One time I was frying doughnuts, [but] it was late at night so I was really tired. I overheated the oil in between batches, so I went to grab ice to add into the oil to cool it down right when I realized how bad of an idea that was because hot oil explodes in water, especially cold water.”

recipes for disaster

Students share their best cooking fails in the kitchen from ruining cakes to creating fres

a piece of cake

Students recall cake-making catastrophes

“[One time] I was baking a cake, [and] when I took it out the oven to cool, I dropped it on the foor upside down. When I lifted it up, the cake fell apart on the ground.”

“Once I tried to make lava cakes but made it for two instead of the four it was meant for. I forgot to halve the recipe and the lava cakes were almost completely liquid. We did eat them though, and they were still good.”

“[When I was 9], my sister and I were trying to make a cake for our mom. We completely messed up the amount of vegetable oil for the mix and made a more of a lumpy slimy mess than anything edible.”

kitchen shortcake

1 tablespoon

1/2 ounce

3 teaspoons

1/16 cup

1/4 cup

4 tablespoons

2 ounces

chocolate chip

strawberry conversions cookies

This is a pastry dessert that has homemade whipped cream and homemade strawberry puree inside of it. Fruit lovers and pastry lovers alike can enjoy this faky and sweet shortcake. I felt like a real chef kneading the dough and cutting out heart shapes, and I love the result that came out of the oven. It is a delicious option that takes the least amount of time of all of these desserts. With minimal baking, this is a great dish for a last minute dessert.

berry parfait

This is my favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies in any of my recipe books. It uses salt to give them a enjoyable taste that is unique to a few cookbooks. Gooey and soft, these cookies melt in your mouth and are amazing to eat straight out of the oven. Since this recipe had a bigger serving size, it was a good option for me to make for my family or for a bigger group of people to eat with me, but make sure to keep them in an airtight container so that they don't harden or dry out.

Scan to buy the "Bride & Groom: First and Forever Cookbook"

This dessert consists of lemon curd made from fresh lemon juice, candied berries and mint on top. Though very sweet, all of the favors are very tasty and natural. For my frst time having lemon curd, this was a mouth-watering experience. My favorite desserts always have fruit in them, and this did not disappoint. The lemon is not overpowering at all. One of the best desserts I have ever had, this is well worth the time that it takes to make. I will defnitely be making this again.

what's for dessert

A review of three easy homemade desserts from the "Bride & Groom: First and Forever Cookbook"

JAY HEINTZ & MIMI ZHOU by jay heintz kitchen staff

Covenant House

Scan the following codes to sign up to volunteer

defnition:

“Sleeping out[side] to raise awareness [for] youth who are experiencing homelessness.”

Rachel Eliser, community relationship coordinator at Covenant House

step by step

How to engage in a sleep out

1

select a date to sleep out

2 fundraise

4 refect through guided activities

3 sleep out items to carry to help people experiencing homelessness

1. 5-6.

sanitary materials to manage an individual’s menstruation cycle

2.

a prepaid card that contains a specifc amount of money

7.

a cover to keep people warm, especially in the winter

3. 8-10.

towelettes to kill or reduce germs on surfaces and skin

4.

a tool to protect oral hygiene

a product that helps protect the skin against sunburn substances consumed for energy

them showers and food,” Mosely said.

(Photos by Mac Huffman)

TOP LEFT: People line up to get free lunch outside of St. Patrick’s shelter. People do not have to stay at the shelter to get food; it’s open to anyone. “Open Monday to Sunday at 12 p.m.,” John Doe* said. “One person, three meals a day.”

BOTTOM LEFT: Clothes hang up to dry on a fence under the midday sun. It rained the day before.

CENTER: Rob holds a bag of food from St. Patrick’s shelter. He eats there nearly every day. “Every so often [there’s] a food truck randomly in train stations, but I never know when or where,” Rob said.

BELOW: Rob stands in front of St. Patricks shelter. He takes the train to St. Louis with his friend everyday. “[My friend and I,] we eat lunch together,” Rob said. (Photos by Mac Huffman)

finding a way to survive

by mac huffman associate editor

Rob grew up going on camping trips all the time with his family. They stayed in rural northeast Pennsylvania, where he learned how to survive the elements. On his trips, he learned how to find a good spot to sleep and how to pitch a tent. But he never thought he’d use his camping skills to survive losing his house decades later.

“I take the train out to Illinois [and] find wooded areas [to stay for the night in my tent], anywhere near water or trees,” Rob, homeless since September 2022, said. “Nowhere urban — I don’t sleep downtown. [That’s] a good way to get shot.”

While Rob values seclusion over everything else, he's not alone. He

Kevin, 33, has been unhoused for 15 years. He lost his home due to drug addiction and has been in and out of prison ever since.

camps and commutes with a friend, so they’re able to watch each other’s backs, staying safe. However, most people are alone, so they have to rely on other methods in order to stay safe.

“[I stay] in an abandoned building, but I don’t tell no homeless people,” John Doe* said. “I have stuff there, and I don’t want them coming in and robbing me.”

When visiting St. Louis, Doe lost his job in Atlanta, so he decided to stay in St. Louis to find temporary work. He used his phone to search for online job listings and then used his state ID to apply. But most homeless people don’t even have an ID. Therefore, for them, this process of getting an ID is littered with barriers.

“You have to certify that you’re homeless at the shelter, but only certain people can sign for it,” Rob said. “It’s a complicated process.”

It’s easier to get an ID from a shelter you’re staying at, but neither Rob or Doe stay at shelters.

“I don’t like the way it’s 20 people in one room [in shelters],” Doe said. “I’d rather be on the streets.”

In addition to overcrowding, Doe avoids shelters because of the issue with theft.

“Homeless people love to rob [other] homeless people,” Doe said. “[They’re] the biggest crabs there be. [If] one homeless person has $2 and one has $4, they want your $4.”

While living in Atlanta, Doe was robbed. Now, when he has to leave his possessions, he learned to hide them. Despite all his efforts, sometimes Doe has to face the uncontrollable environment of a shelter.

“It’s easier to be homeless when it’s hot than when it’s wintertime,” Doe said. “When it’s wintertime, I [have to] look for a place to sleep, like a shelter.”

People

pano perspective

24 out of 24 Panorama staff members agree

It’s the morning after the party you hosted, and you are exhausted. But the house is still a mess. Crumbs are scattered everywhere, blankets thrown all over the house and dirt is splattered on the floors. Your tiredness doesn’t dissipate after you clean up, instead, it increases by tenfold. Now, you’re grumpy, and even worse, your body aches with fatigue.

The Pew Research Center reports that around 77% teens spend at least one day per week with their friends in person. We love to hang out with our friends at movie theaters, coffee shops or, most often, each other’s houses. But, when we go to each other's houses, we often see that guests don’t know the proper way to act, lacking etiquette and courtesy. Our homes are a safe haven and a place of comfort that we spend with our families. When someone is allowed into that space, they assume the role of a guest. Thus, being a guest comes with certain responsibilities that should be taken into consideration.

For both the guest and the host, a primary objective of the gathering is to feel comfortable, while having fun. A guest should firstly remember that a step into another person's house or apartment is a step into their private home space. This concept

of manners and etiquettes is to promote feelings of understanding. Just as every person is unique, every home is as well. Therefore, every household will have a different environment, and after entering a home, the underlying rule for a guest is to respect the space and boundaries. When the guest understands the house rules, this maintains the space as the host wants it. Secondly, the guest’s mentality should follow the common saying of “leave it better than you found it.” To tidy up one’s mess is to reduce the host’s cleaning workload. Finally, the guest should give thanks in forms of a gift or simple gestures to show that they are grateful to be invited over.

To not respect someone’s space is to illustrate to the host that the guest is ungrateful for the time and effort they spend preparing. As a host, their role is to facilitate and prepare the visitor’s stay. The host spends time making food for the guest, tidying up the house to be presentable and welcoming the guest with open arms. This effort should not be overlooked. Etiquette matters, and it might be the deciding factor for if the individual will be welcomed over again.

Next time, the morning after, the house can be clean.

Community members should be consciously respectful as guests when visiting others' homes

illustration by | ERICA SHI

following a room’s flow

Advice on how to design a bedroom to encourage better sleep and productivity

SLEEP

the principles of room design

When designing a room, utilize functionality along with other design infuences to create a harmonic environment. A popular design philosophy is feng shui, a Chinese practice which utilizes energy forces to bring balance to one’s space.

1

According to feng shui, placing your bed opposite to the door with a full-room view optimizes sleep.

2

4

Include two bedside tables, one on either side of the bed to ensure symmetry.

3

There should be nothing stored under the bed, as sleeping on top of your belongings can radiate negative energy.

5

Display your personal items and photos in the far right corner of your room relative to the door. In feng shui, this is the area that most affects your relationships.

6

The best bedroom colors for sleep are white, blue, yellow, green and silver.

Headboards are a crucial element to quality sleep. Your headboard should be positioned at the center of the main wall, making your bed the focal point of the room.

1

Separate your workstation from your bed. Place your desk opposite to your bed because having them too close could muddle the lines between sleep and work, leading to procrastination.

2

4

Utilize natural light sources, it’s good to place your desk or workspace near a window with plenty of light. You can also use lamplight.

3

Minimize distractions by removing other objects from your desk as well as other devices that are not needed.

5

Incorporating plants into your workspace can create positive energy. The optimal position for a plant is in the far-left corner of your desk from your desk chair, which symbolizes prosperity according to feng shui.

It is better to have offce desks made of wood, since the wood element better nourishes energy and encourages prosperity in feng shui.

6

Minimize space used with storage in order to declutter your workspace and remove any distractions.

PRODUCTIVITY

give me some room

Senior Jack Reeves displays unique souvenoirs and posters within his bedroom

One of Reeves’ favorite items in his room is a digital camera that he got when he was six years old. With it, he’s taken pictures of the beaches and his old house in California. “I’ve always been interested in cameras since then.” Reeves said. “It’s an aspect of my room that I like having propped up.”

Next to his vinyl collection, displayed is a CD signed by rapper Metro Boomin. Not only is the item valuable, it holds a happy memory from when he bought it with his friends. “It’s a cool thing to have,” Reeves said. “It’s kind of personal to me. “

Hung up next to his posters is a more sentimental object. His grandfather’s favorite cap, and one he used to always wear, holds history. “I’ve never met him because he died before I was born,” Reeves said. “I never wear it because it’s very old [and] on the brink of falling apart.”

A seemingly random, but personal, item that can be found in Reeves’ room is his uncle’s vintage lunchbox. This lunchbox has its own unique history,

jack reeves (12)

“I think of myself as a pretty extroverted person, but I need time in my day where I can just go somewhere and be on my own [and] recharge myself. I decorate it with stuff that is important to me or matches my personality. I like walking into my room and being reminded of who I am as a person. [It’s] where I’m the most comfortable.”

illustration by | PRANAVI CHINTHA

poster perfect

A look at posters that decorate the walls of Reeves’ room

BOTTOM RIGHT: Senior Jack Reeves’ posters hang above his bed. Reeves’ bed is a twin-sized bed. “The bed is probably the most utilitarian thing in my room,” Reeves said. “I don’t really like to decorate my bed or anything. It’s mainly just for comfort.”

BELOW: Reeves’ desk resides in the corner of his room. His monitor, a California license plate and books lie on top of and above his desk. “My favorite thing on my desk right now is my little CD collection,” Reeves said. “[It’s] a lot of old albums that I enjoy listening to from time to time.” (Photos courtesy of Jack Reeves)

Souvenir from Yosemite

Reeves’ favorite movie of all time

Reeves’ favorite Tarantino movie

Reeves’ favorite band

MIDDLE:

rating the setup

A look at students' different

self-built gaming PCs and how they use them

by richie jiang bedroom staff debating

With a press of the power button, RGB lights blink on, and fans whirl to life. Senior Raymond Hu puts on his headset and joins a voice call with several friends, including fellow senior Brendan Raskin, ready to test the new additions to his gaming setup.

Both Hu and Raskin saved up to pay for and build their own gaming PCs in their sophomore year, each spending over $1000 in total.

"I decided to get one because many of my friends were also building and buying computers at the time," Raskin said. "It was over quarantine, so I thought that it would be a fun project that I could do, as well as use it as a way to play games with friends and waste some time."

However, building a PC is no easy task. Research must be done on the compatibility of different parts and the proper techniques for

putting them together without causing damage.

"I didn't just buy pieces of the PC and put it together," Raskin said. "It took a lot of research and prep to even start buying things for it. I probably planned what to buy for about two months and then started to buy components."

When deciding on the look of their PCs, Hu and Raskin had to consider factors such as available space, power demands and their budgets. Eventually, both settled on an RGB-heavy look.

"I'm most proud of just the entire setup and how it's super interconnected and everything is vital to each other," Hu said.

Neither Hu nor Raskin have significantly upgraded their PC since building them. However, they have added small additions such as a second monitor, or lighting for a graphics card. Hu, in particular, has made a few "unorthodox" upgrades, including a homemade lag switch, a device used to temporarily cut one's internet connection.

"It's so janky," Hu said. "I soldered wires to the kill switch. It's literally just two wires that come out of an Ethernet cord."

Hu enjoys playing more sandbox games such as "Minecraft", while Raskin plays more competitive games. Despite different preferences, both have emphasized the fun that gaming with friends can bring.

"I would say that the most fun part about gaming is being able to do it with friends," Raskin said. "It's really nice to be able to hop on for a little while with a friend and get a game in. As someone who is really busy, it makes the experience more enjoyable."

Hu and Raskin's new setups allowed them to stay connected with friends during the pandemic. Even more, they were able to form new friendships through gaming.

"I've connected with people, like even at school that I would not normally have," Hu said. "And I've just fostered great friendships with a bunch of people that I normally wouldn't have."

devices

A guide to picking a device to game on

The most expensive, but able to handle the most taxing games

The quintessential option, boasting AAA titles and couch co-op

Fit for casual gaming and even more serious play with new cloud streaming services

shines in RGB mode. Hu emphasized RGB style in his design. "Obviously, you know more RGB equals more FPS," Hu said.

RIGHT: Hu's two monitors sit on his desk, along with his headset and webcam. Hu bought his second monitor a year after building his PC. "There might have been better uses here and there, but it's twice the fun, you know," Hu said. (Photos courtesy of Raymond Hu)

Hu's PC turning on. Hu has a Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airfow ATX Mid Tower Case. "The entire setup is set up this way because it kind of fts the space that I have," Hu said.

gaming pc console S S p

all behind closed doors

by avery anderson bathroom editor

of eating disorders

-anorexia

-binge

-other

-avoidant

*Not

eating disorders in relation to other major disorders

9%

by the numbers

Content warning:

road to recovery

A look into issue of eating disorders and their disparities, as well as ways to help and recover types

the stages of change

1.)

understanding eating disorders

2.)

3.)

50% more likely to have bulimia symptoms than

42% of first through third grade girls want to be thinner

4.)

26% of people with an ED attempt suicide

87% of LGBTQ+ youths are unhappy with their body

links to help

taking care of business

shower statistics

6% of students shower in the afternoon

78% of students shower in the evening

product picks

“It

“It’s

“I use Curlsmith conditioner. It keeps my curls moisturized.”

akhil nadithe (10)

“I’ve been using Dove men’s cucumber deodorant for years. It’s worked for me. I’ve used it since third grade.”

rachel addison (11)

“My favorite perfume is defnitely Jo Malone Poppy and Barley.”

Do

“My favorite shampoo is Joico. It’s good for my hair and I like [using] it.”

safety tips

bathroom belongings

Commonly found items in bathroom cabinets

43% keep bandages in the bathroom

70% have mouthwash in the bathroom

25% keep tongue-scrapers in the bathroom

82% have nail clippers in the bathroom

68% keep cotton swabs in the bathroom of students of students of students of students of students of students

62% have tweezers in the bathroom

adam durham (teacher)

when not in use, unplug small devices don’t overload sockets.

ensure there is a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet installed; GFCIs stop electricity when an appliance falls in the water.

try to use electrical devices away from sinks, bathtubs or showers.

leah jones (counselor)

“I love the Bath and Body works scented lotions. They’re so fun to sample.”

ivana kolev (10)

“I love Cetaphil face wash. [It] has helped maintain my skin’s balance.”

water-saving tips

to lower utility costs and help the planet

“I wash my hands with whatever is there, [but] I like the foamy soap.”

take showers instead of baths or fll the bathtub a few inches less. install a toilet tank displacement device try to use cold water whenever possible. don’t let the water run when scrubbing hands, brushing teeth, washing hair or shaving.

Source: U S water services On

= 3 students

always

Source: Northeastern Rural Electric Membership Cooperation

illustration by | MIMI ZHOU

pedal to the metal

Students share modifcations and experiences of their customized cars

by lathan levy outdoors staff

brody sandler harfeteh singh

While safety is an extremely important feature in cars, style has an equal level of importance for senior Harfeteh Singh. He got into cars a couple of years ago and currently drives a 2021 Toyota GT 86.

“I started watching the 'Fast and Furious' movies with my cousin when I was younger,” Singh said. “I got into the car scene from that, and I eventually got into classic cars, [Japanese domestic cars] and German cars.”

Singh was initially pushed by his parents to get a Jeep Wrangler for the safety features. However, when heading to the dealership, Singh was intrigued by another car.

“While we were walking into the store, I looked to my right and I saw the car that I have now," Singh said. "I ran towards it because I wanted to look at it for fun. My parents told me that I would still be getting the Jeep, but they ended up surprising me a month later with the car I drive now.”

Singh started applying customizations to his car because of the severe lack of horsepower. The base horsepower of the car is around 205, but he pushed that number all the way up to 255.

“Right now I have an Injen evolution intake, a Tomei exhaust and some headers that are on the way," Singh said.

To pay for his customizations, Singh works at a Shell Gas station. He then applies the mods at his grandfather's garage.

"My grandpa is an engineer so he lets me use his tools when I work in his garage," Singh said. "My dad helps me select all of the best things to add [to the car] because he also used to be interested in cars and customizations when he was my age."

Booming sounds emitted from one of the fastest cars on the market excite many people. For some, that excitement is enough to purchase a 2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Sophomore Brody Sandler is one of those people. He developed his passion for cars at a young age, and since he knew he was going to be able to get this car, that passion heightened. Sandler loves all aspects of his car, but one of his favorite things to do is drive under bridges.

“When you go under a bridge, it echoes the noise and gets super loud,” Sandler said. “When [I] accelerate, it has the infamous Hellcat whine. No matter the speed, you can hear it; it's got a massive supercharger on it. It's the biggest stock supercharger you can buy on a car. I plan on adding a mod to the car that makes the whine louder, making it even better.”

Sandler’s car is lightning fast, with a zero-to-60 of 3.4 seconds and 707 horsepower. His family supported the purchase of the car, and the only debate about it was the color.

“All of the cars my mom has had were white, so she wanted me to get a white one,” Sandler said. “But when we found the green, I was really set on it. At first, she didn't like it, but when we saw it in person, she ended up really liking it.”

With a car as fast and powerful as Sandler's, there is some inherent risk involved.

"The only issues I have with my car is that it's rear wheel drive," Sandler said. "That means when the roads are slick and I accelerate, I have an increased chance to spin out. It also sucks through gas. But that's expected."

LEFT: Sophomore Karan Vatwani looks at his bike while resting. He keeps it off the ground to keep it clean. “The carbon is pretty durable, but I try to take care of it,” Vatwani said.

MIDDLE: Vatwani holds his bike up with just one fnger. The water bottles double the weight. “The bike itself weighs 11 pounds,” Vatwani said.

ABOVE: Vatwani rides down a bike path. It was cold, but he persevered. “I can’t wait for it to be warmer so I can ride outside more often,” Vatwani said. (Photos by Mac Huffman)

going the distance

Sophomore Karan Vatwani maintains his bike well and learns life lessons

by luke lochmoeller oudoors editor

From constantly falling down while learning to ride a bike with his father to now biking around 40 miles almost daily, sophomore Karan Vatwani has taken a massive interest in cycling since he learned to ride as a child.

“I learned how to bike when I was around 4 or 5 years old, and my dad and I spent a lot of time biking,” Vatwani said. “He was the one that taught me. I don’t really remember how it went down, as I was really little, but I do remember it consisting of a lot of falling.”

As he grew up, Vatwani fell in love with biking. The sport quickly became a huge part of his life, shifting first from mountain biking to street street biking, then to both.

“Biking is my favorite hobby because I could talk about it forever,” Vatwani said. “I pretty much build my own bike, so I can change whatever I feel like and kind of do

it myself which I enjoy.”

Even though cycling is an individual sport, Vatwani has still made a lot of lifelong friendships and connections. Vatwani bikes for a club through Wheelhouse Bicycle, a bike shop through which he is able to compete in races.

“I’ve made a lot of friends through my bike shop; it’s really easy to make friends with other bikers because we all have the same interests,” Vatwani said. “Riding with them or not, you can talk about anything.”

Vatwani has implemented biking into his everyday schedule. He makes sure to continue training every day, no matter the conditions.

breaking down the bike

carbon fber wheels

ish my day, then during the evening depending how I feel, I will take a short ride.”

For Vatwani, biking has helped him in many ways. Rather than biking just for enjoyment or exercise, it has become a stress reliever and a time where he can sit with his thoughts or free his mind of anything negative.

“If I get mad or annoyed about something, instead of taking it out on someone else by accident, I just go outside and ride my bike,” Vatwani said. “[Biking] makes me feel a lot better really quickly.”

carbon fber handlebars

Biking has become a sense of security for Vatwani. It has helped him through tough times, and it is something that will stay by his side his whole life.

“When it’s colder outside, I have a smart trainer; I can just take the back wheel off and ride my bike inside,” Vatwani said. “When it’s warmer out or during the summer, I will leave early in the morning and usually bike 30 to 40 miles, which takes about two and a half to three hours. Then I will come back, fin- p

Karan’s water almost doubles the weight of the bike

“If anything really ever makes me upset or just stresses me out, biking is my favorite way to just get rid of that,” Vatwani said. “The only thing I think about on my rides is just where I’m going next and clear everything else.”

nurturing nature's wounds

Looking at different ways biodiversity makes itself apparent and how people can help

by avery anderson bathroom editor

Since elementary school, we’ve been taught that the sky is blue and the grass is green. So, when it came time to draw homes for an art project, each child fought over the same shade of green crayon to draw a flat, one-dimensional lawn identical to each of our classmates. However, in reality, nature is not just a single shade of green; grass is not meant to be cut a uniform length and each yard is not meant to look indistinguishable.

The prospect of biodiversity is often one that is overlooked, as we have become so accustomed to seeing the same uninspired lawns in every neighborhood. Kentucky bluegrass, the most common yard grass in America, is an invasive and aggressive form of grass which has taken over parts of Northern Great Plain grasslands it is not native to. Kentucky bluegrass simply does nothing for the environment or physical attributes of your lawn. It creates an artificial cookie cutter effect for lawns across America and promotes overwatering to obtain its contrived hue, limiting the planting of more eco-friendly species.

In addition to overusing the horridly bland Kentucky bluegrass, the overplanting and consumption of corn has become a wildly dangerous and pressing issue in America. Water and soil pollution are a direct result of the amount of pesticides and other fumes used to grow corn, and soil erosion from the crop prohibits the ability to plant anything eco-friendly. A majority of corn is used to make high fructose corn syrup, a sugary and unhealthy substance that only aids in fueling a cycle of unhealthy habits and plas-

tic pollution. Because of the vast amount of pesticides used on corn, it is possible that traces of these chemicals may be found in high fructose corn syrup. This amount may increase over time.

1,000,000

Fortunately, though the issue of a mass loss of biodiversity is a pressing one, not all hope is lost. Since biodiversity can be applied to any ecosystem, neighborhoods are a great place to increase biodiversity, even if it’s just your front yard.

1.9

square km 1 3 <4%

Though it may seem like gardening won’t solve all the world's problems, just increasing the plant, insect and animal population can cause a trickle-down effect of biodiversity in your community.

Missouri, though typically a state not associated with mass quantities of flora and fauna, is, in reality, a state flourishing with rare and native wildlife. One example is the ruby-throated hummingbird, which is native only to Missouri. It is species like this that are integral in the inner workings of the Missouri ecosystem. Planting Columbine, a type of flower, is great for attracting hummingbirds to your backyard. It is a much more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic hummingbird feeders.

backyard may also save your garden from being munched on. Even stacking logs, sticks and stones can provide shelter for chipmunks and even snakes. Not cutting down dead trees (that are not at risk for causing harm to humans or buildings) can serve to protect and house species of owls, woodpeckers and hawks.

Even exchanging your typical green grass for a mixture of creeping thyme or corsican mint and a variety of other plants can make your yard a haven for any type of wildlife and help to diversity your lawn, getting away from the drab and worn out Kentucky bluegrass.

Of course, altering your backyard or yard isn’t the only way you can increase biodiversity. If want to support conservation efforts in Missouri, consider joining the efforts of The Nature Conservancy’s mission to increase biodiversity. TNC workers burn over 3,000 acres of land in Missouri every year in a process called prescribed fires. Started by Indigenous peoples, these fires help to eliminate invasive species and have been a practice used for thousands of years around the globe. They also work to preserve natural areas around Missouri, focusing on areas like the Osage planes in an attempt to conserve what is left.

Nectar plants such as the butterfly weed or bush are also organisms that are successful in attracting pollinators. If hands-on gardening isn’t your jam, building bird and bat houses are an alternative that will garner similar results. Though bats are often associated with disease, they are crucial in the Missouri ecosystem. Bats eat mosquitoes and beetles, both menaces to both people and crops. It is estimated that bats eat enough crop devouring pests to save $1 billion in damage each year, so housing them in your p

The biggest takeaway increasing biodiversity should have is an appreciation of nature. Take the time to admire just how incredible nature is and let it motivate you to help protect it as much as possible. With the little natural and untouched land the world has left, it is important to reflect on the importance of flora and fauna and just how crucial each and every organism is for the health of our planet and environmet.

illustration by | TAREK AL HUSSEINI

aaron jaggers

The pandemic was a difficult time for many, but it also sparked lots of opportunities. Sophomore Aaron Jaggers took the pandemic as an opportunity and decided to start building his own gym.

“Because of the pandemic, no one could ever drive me to the gym, and most of them were closed,” Jaggers said.

Since the start of the pandemic, the gym has expanded.

“I wanted enough equipment to replicate a real gym, even though I couldn’t go to one,” Jaggers said. “Home gyms are just super easy to go downstairs and lift.”

Lifting weights hasn’t only helped his day-to-day habits, but also improved his physical health.

“I was super skinny and lifting

made me want to work on my physical appearance,” Jaggers said.

In addition, lifting weights has altered Jaggers’ diet.

“Since I started lifting weights, I eat more and most of my meals are a protein shake in the mornings,” Jaggers said. “Then, at lunch, I’ll eat some pasta. I’ll eat random food at night and snacks thrown in there. A majority of the recipes for my meals came from Josh Cortis on Youtube and other research.”

Lifting has caused changes, not only in his physical ability but also his mental.

“Lifting has given me more confidence than I ever had, especially in public situations,” Jaggers said.

Jaggers believes lifting is a welcoming sport for all.

“I think lifting as a sport has no barriers and anyone can just start if they really wanted to,” Jaggers said.

working from home

Students Gabe Elzein and Aaron Jaggers display their home gym setups

by michael zegel outdoors staff

gabe elzein

For some, lifting and working out can be just a hobby, a dread or a lifestyle. For junior Gabe Elzein, lifting means so much more.

“I started because I wanted a change,” Elzein said. “I wanted to get stronger. I started lifting in my basement with inspiration from my brother when I was around 13. Seeing him get bigger and stronger made him a role model of mine. And I wanted to be like him.”

Elzein prefers the idea of a home gym over a large public one.

“There are some restrictions in

movements, but it allows you to have a private space where you can explore new workouts and be free of the stereotypes of commercial gyms.”

Elzein’s usual routine was impacted after taking lifting seriously.

“[Lifting] really positively affected my health habits,” Elzein said. “It’s easy to get into a routine when it’s so close to you.”

For many teenagers, mental health is a daily battle that has an affect on our everyday lives. To combat this, Elzein believes the gym helps significantly.

“I think any mental health issues go away in the gym,” Elzein said. “When you’re lifting, your mind goes into a different state. Everything kind of leaves and it allows you to focus on your body and your physical rather than your mental.”

Sophomore Aaron Jaggers unracks the weight to set up for a 225-pound bench press. He added almost a hundred pounds to his bench in a couple months. “Commercial gyms have more equipment and range, but home gyms are just super easy to go downstairs and lift,” Jaggers said. (Photo by Mac Huffman)

Junior Gabe Elzein performs a dumbbell shrug to work his shoulders. He enjoys lifting from home because it is more convenient for him. “Others [should] try and build a gym from at home,” Elzein said. “If they have the resources and the space, I’d say it’s defnitely worth the investment.”

(Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Scan to learn more about HOME STYLES IN THE U.S.

key

architecture

A look at the most popular styles of houses across the United States

craftsman pueblo traditional contemporary houses

cape cod colonial ranch manufactured

REGION

NEW HAMPSHIRE

most popular house being Cape Cod houses

Cape cod houses were frst developed by early settlers from England . Inspired by the simple, thatched cottages common in Britain, the settlers adapted the style to keep out the harsh New England winter

MARYLAND

most popular house being colonial houses

Colonial houses were built after the American revolution. They’re symmetrical, at least two stories tall and have a rectangular facade . They’re typically made of wood, stone or brick and have windows with shutters.

Sources: American Home Shield, Apartment Therapy, HGTV, MyDomaine and Natural History

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

also contains Northwest Regional style houses

These houses contain unpainted wood in both interiors and exteriors. They’re also characterized by a mix of concrete, glass and unpainted wood to make what looks like an extremely modern, fatroofed luxury treehouse

NEW ORLEANS

also contains shotgun houses

Shotgun houses originated in West Africa, and they made their way to New Orleans through Haitian and West African refugees, immigrants and enslaved people . The origin of its name remains unclear. However, some historians believe that it may have originated from a Dahomey Fon area term “to-gun,” which means “place of assembly.” The description may have been misunderstood and reinterpreted as “shotgun.”

ALASKA

most popular house being ranch-style houses

Ranch-style homes are the most popular home in the U.S. Most ranch-style houses are a single-story house, and they have large windows, a low-pitched roof and outdoor space. Ranch-style houses often include a garage as well.