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Ladue Panorama
senior edition
Table of contents
3: Senior awards 4: Polls 5: Teacher advice 6-8: Senior superlatives 9: Senior favorites 10-11: Memories 12-13: Senior plans 14-15: Outstanding athletes 16: Retiring teachers 17: flashback 18-21: Senior columns 22: Year in photos 23: Congratulations Table of contents
Panorama staff Editors-in-chief Art editors Website editor-in-chief
Lily Hauptman Sophia Li Glen Morgenstern Aleesha Shi Audrey Wang Max Baker
Opinions editors
Cassie Beisheim Alex Fu
Features Editors
Katie Shaw Bradford Siwak
In-depth editors
Hannah Suffian Anya Tullman
News editors
Connie Chen Adam Rush
Sports editor
Jackson Bry
Photography editors
Rose Hauser Rhiannon Rhoads Zach Weller
Writers
Felix Hu Autumn Ryan Cindy Wang
Adviser
Sarah Kirksey
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.
awards Senior A+ Graduates: Jon-David Gunther Karli Williams Bailee Koons
Bill Brackman Distinguished Service Band Award: Sarah Eisenman Charles Jeffers Glik Scholarship: Elizabeth Johnson Carrington Reed Charles M. Shepherd Foundation Scholarship: Kalifa Muhammad Hana Sadoff Connie Strobach Outstanding Female Athlete Award: Olivia Schroeder Dads Club Recognition and George Washington Carver Award: Keeferly Antao Megan Bernstein Katherine Bohnert Abhay Cashikar Justin Chen Alexander Cobin Sarah Eisenman Opeoluwa Falako Maya Farmer Alessandra Francone Avery Fredman Celia Goldberg Macey Goldstein Allison Harpole Lily Hauptman Sophia Li Leda Liang Albert Liu Annie Liu Charles Loitman
Ryan Miller Glen Morgenstern Megan Present Leah Snidman Alexander Sterling Audrey Wang Julia Wang Edward Wu Kexin Xu Eric Yang Xiwen Zhang
DECA Scholarship: Dravin Kennedy Kaycee Little Dr. Robert L. Bannister Award: Maya Farmer Frances H. Ginsberg Memorial Vocal Music Scholarship: Anne Heartney
James R. Waechter Band Award: Audrey Wang James Robertson Memorial Scholarship: Andrew Lucier Jeff Lieberman Scholarship: Albert Liu
Joseph Adams Senior Scholarship: Leah Snidman Kurt H. Knoedelseder Theatre Scholarship Award: Katherine Bohnert
Hank Kauffman Math Award: Audrey Wang
Ladue Horton Watkins High School Scholarship: Max Baker Katherine Bohnert Kordero Conversi Simone Daley Lani Michaela Daniels Cullen Durbin Anjel Gordon Kelsey Gratz DeMonn Martin Deeuatrail Nichols
Iris Markman Fine Arts Award: Joel Hsieh
Ladue Strolling Strings Award: Leah Snidman
James A. Wagner Alumni Association Scholarship: Lily Hauptman
Lois Percival Orchestra Award: Annie Liu
George M. Turmail Band Award: Evyn Levy Goessl Book Award: Glen Morgenstern
James A. Wagner/ St. Louis Post Dispatch Scholar Athlete Award: Alexander Cobin
Lyndon B. Johnson Excellence in Government Studies Scholarship: Sahana Raju
Paganini Award: Grace Crockett Pat Sanders Scholarship: Deeuatrail Nichols
Michael A. Ramming Dads Club Scholarship: Megan Present Michael Murray Ramming Memorial Scholarship: Patrick Hensley MSHSAA Sportsmanship Award: Carter Lambie Riley Deutsch
Premio de Honor: Sociedad Honoraria Hispรกnica: Macey Goldstein Sneider-Kaskowitz Expository Writing Award: Glen Morgenstern Speech and Debate Student of the Year: Levi Dyson The Visual Arts Award: Emily Lesorogol Tony Kardis Senior Science Award: Charles Loitman
National Achievement Scholarship: Opeoluwa Falako
William Heyde Great American Debater Award: Edward Wu
National Hispanic Recognition Program: Ian Pallares National Merit Finalist: Abhay Cashikar Justin Chen Levi Dyson Macey Goldstein Lily Hauptman Evyn Levy Sophia Li Albert Liu Annie Liu Charles Loitman Ryan Miller Glen Morgenstern Aleesha Shi Aaron Umen Audrey Wang Julia Wang Edward Wu Eric Yang Xiwen Zhang
William Raisch Dads Club Scholarship: Fatima Sheriff Dads Club Scholarship: Opeoluwa Falako
Faculty, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service Award: Sarah Eisenman
National Merit Semifinalist: Joel Hsieh Anthony Schuster
senior awards
Seniors reveal their preferences what time do you usually go to bed?
instagram or snapchat?
34.8% 59.3%
go to sleep between 11-12 p.m.
chose Snapchat
apple or android?
white, blue or ram days?
85.8%
67.1%
chose Blue days
chose Apple
have you had your first kiss?
insomnia or hot box cookies?
82.9% 56.7% have had their first kiss
Polls
chose Hot Box Cookies
Staff
Advice
Ronald ebbitt N “As you travel through life and time always remember to keep your eye on the prize and strive to achieve all your heart’s desire. To achieve is to do; to fail is not trying.”
Robe
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“Register to vote, and then vote. You have the power to change the world, so use it.”
Mary DeLia “Study abroad if you have the opportunity. The lessons you will learn, the people you will meet and the experiences you will have will teach you more than you can ever learn from a textbook.”
Beth Rapoff “Don’t be afraid to change your mind. It’s okay to deviate from your original plan.”
Micheal Farrell “Three things: 1. Do your laundry — first impressions last forever. 2. Learn how to cook — this impresses everyone. 3. Take a class that has absolutely nothing to do with your chosen course of study — explore the unknown!”
Advice
Senior superlatives ly ike Most L
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Senior Superlatives
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Senior Superlatives
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Senior Superlatives
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Write
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Senior favorites
Favorite TV Show
“The Office”
Favorite Musician Migos
Favorite Song
“God’s Plan”
Favorite Movie “Ladybird”
Favorite
Celebrity
Emma Watson Chris Pratt
Favorite Restaurant St. Louis Bread Company
Favorite Class ced n a v Ad nt e cem y a l P log o h c Psy
Senior Favorites
memories Senior 1 K 3 2 4 5 “My mom had to come pick me up from school multiple times because my teacher couldn’t wake me up after nap time.” -Nicole Shapiro
“[I remember] getting caught looking at Katie [Muchnick’s] paper because I didn’t know English.” -Natalia Ritter
“My second-grade class had to give some of our hatched chicks to another class because their chicks’ intestines fell out.” -Brooke Waller
“I wasn’t feeling good one day, but my mom still made me go to school. I walked in and immediately threw up in front of my whole class.” -Kexin Xu
“While playing dodgeball in the Spoede gym, Kelechi Achilefu accidentally threw the ball at the fire alarm, sending everyone outside. He received a stern talking-to.” -Glen Morgenstern
“In fifth grade, we got water balloons thrown at us at the Spoede Picnic. I got hit really hard square in the face. I thought it was boys from the other class... it was my mom.” -Gretchen Goebel
Memories
6 8 10 12
“Mrs. Casey passed out Jolly Ranchers to people who did well on the SRI test. I didn’t get any.” -Max Baker
“[I remember] tripping and falling in front of the eighth grade class during graduation rehersal.” -Olivia Schroder
“Isaac [Eastlund] and I went to Dr. Hahn’s house to see his beehives. We got all dressed up in bee keeper suits and [saw] one of the key ingredients of the ‘elixir.’” -Charles Loitman
7 9 11
“Jake Gerardi passed out during the birth video in science class.” -Aris McCurdy
“I was late to U.S. Studies every day, and Mr. Saxton would make me sing in front of the class.” -Erin Lohr
“I went with APUSH to D.C. for the inauguration trip. We got to go to the Women’s March, which was absolutely amazing, despite us temporarily misplacing Sam Korn.” -Pardes Lyons-Warren
“I remember the first time we brought an oven to a football game. We had to drive it over separately because it wouldn’t fit into the bus and carry it to the stands. And then, when we played it, people were mostly confused. Then, they started to like it.” -Macey Goldstein
Memories
Missouri
Columbia College Tyler Logan Drury University Walter Rowe Tatyana Turley Fontbonne University Jamaia Jones Namaste Norris Kansas City Art Institute Jack Glon Lindenwood University Kelsey Gratz Brandon Murdock Maryville University Carrington Smith Missouri State University Lauryn Bommer Elizabeth Johnson Madison Ward Missouri University of Science and Technology Ryan Cox Sithija Gunasinghe Adam Soldwish-Zoole Northwest Missouri State University Mitchell LaMar Mason Perkins Southeast Missouri State University Shaun Calhoun Lindsey Haynes Jaliil Swope St. Louis Community College—Forest Park Hadley McNeill St. Louis Community College—Meramec Ariel Brown Toney Bushue Jon-David Gunther Benjamin Herkert Berke Kacar Bailee Koons Saint Louis University James Beirne John Beirne Darina Dravina Oliver Feldenberg Maayan Gazit Mona Kafaie Michael Luan Alexandra Marx Anisha Ravi Carolina Ritter Natalia Ritter Matthew Shenouda Sanya Vatwani Eric Zhu Truman State University Adam Fields Kaycee Little Riley Majzun University of Central Missouri Kyle Schilling Kristofer Spann Alexander Zoellner
University of Missouri Armon Adams Max Baker Aston Brading Janelle Brown Shaun Carr Kordero Conversi Sarah Cook Ethan Dahm Jon Gerardi Kathryn Long Anqi Lu Kathryn Muchnick Michael Raskin Rhiannon Rhoads Garrett Rogers Emma Ross Josephine Shifrin Olivia Smith Sophia Toledano Katelyn Wallace Veronica Zapiain-Luna University of Missouri—Kansas City Eun Lee Paige Perkins Julian Peng University of Missouri—St. Louis Keeferly Antao Helen Dubale Olivia Herman Dametrius Wesley Washington University in St. Louis Kelechi Achilefu Alexander Cobin Arsema Esayas Avery Fredman Julia Gomes Joshua Horwitz Joel Hsieh Jordan Jackson Leda Liang Ryan Miller Mark Seidel Meghan Sheldon Kalkidan Tadesse Joshua Weisbard Kexin Xu Anna Zheng Webster University Madeline Howard John Schultz Nicole Shapiro
Alabama
Oakwood University Lani Michaela Daniels University of Alabama Benjamin Cedergreen Levi Dyson Isaac Eastlund Ryan Hearst Aidan Morley
Hendrix College Elise Ormonde University of Arkansas Matthew Balcer Carter Lambie
California
Santa Clara University Maxwell Kitsis University of California, Santa Cruz Azucena Molina University of San Francisco Louis Carroll William Gorski Karli Williams University of Southern California Julia Wang Eric Yang
Colorado
Colorado College Jenna Kalishman Pardes Lyons-Warren Colorado State University Arianna Baker Jenevieve Trau University of Colorado Boulder Marni Oberman Matthew Tonn University of Denver Aris McCurdy Ori Miller
Connecticut Yale University Charles Loitman Trinity College India Rhodes
Florida
Eckerd College Derya Dolan Reid Rogers Florida Gulf Coast University Gabriel Deck University of Miami Allison Harpole Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Mekesa Smith
Georgia
Berry College Katherine Mabbs Emory University Albert Liu Arizona Georgia Institute of Arizona State University Technology Zoya Badihi Abhay Cashikar Kaylon Buckner Fatima Sheriff Rebecca Friedman Brooke Waller Anne Heartney Savannah College of University of Arizona Art and Design Jacob Orsay Cameron O’Keefe
SENIOR DESTINATIONS
The class of 2018
Arkansas
Idaho
Brigham Young University—Idaho Kela Munnerlyn
Illinois
DePaul University Simone Daley Benjamin Fister Paige Overton Eastern Illinois University Sarah Crews Illinois State University Cullen Durbin Delaney Durbin Lindenwood University— Belleville BJ Buchannon DeMonn Martin Loyola University Chicago Erin McKenzie Millikin University Carrington Reed Northwestern University Matthew Allen Sarah Eisenman Macey Goldstein Alexander Sterling The University of Chicago Sophia Li University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign Daniel Song Western Illinois University Anjel Gordon Natalie Malone
Indiana
DePauw University Laura Nix Indiana University Bloomington Alexander Benduski Zachary Bernstein Shrey Dharnidharka Samuel Korn Yan Rybak Douglas Scheibel Derrick Stiebler Thomas Xiong Purdue University Dixon Bezzant Ayush Kaw Jessica Mueller Karthik Subramanian Margaret Tyrrell
Iowa
Drake University Maya Farmer Grinnell College Benjamin Phung Aleesha Shi Grace Wallace Iowa State University Kiyan Haider Javier Payne Iowa Wesleyan University Kristine Moore
Kansas
The University of Kansas Brooke Jackson Grace Levens Carly Rich Lindsay Rich Violet Shelley-Pettinelli Lydia Solomon Jackson Taylor Wichita State University Jacob Gould
Kentucky
Centre College Kalifa Muhammad Murray State University Mekkah Grant Jasmine Neal University of Kentucky Andrew Lucier Ryan McFadden Lauren Murphy
Louisian
Tulane Univ Alex Kempp Elliot Loren Sophia Sac Xavier Univ of Louisian Deeuatrail N
Marylan
Johns Hop University Xiwen Zhan United Sta Naval Acad Olivia Schro
8’s destinations
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versity painen nz chs versity na Nichols
nd
pkins
ng ates demy oder
Texas
Southern Methodist University Phillip Cherrick Charlotte Fox Alexia Thomas Texas Christian University Katherine Prablek Trinity University Patrick Hensley Eric Prager Noor Rahman
Utah North Carolina
Duke University Glen Morgenstern High Point University Grace Crockett North Carolina State University Malone Hanis Harrison Wright Wake Forest University Laura Ewald
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University Ian Pallares Aaron Umen Kent State University Katherine Bohnert Miami University Daniel Karasick Oberlin College Evyn Levy Ohio Wesleyan University Rachel Forrest
Oklahoma
Minnesota Massachusetts
Bentley University Emma Warticovschi Harvard University Opeoluwa Falako Massachusetts Institute of Technology Audrey Wang Tufts University Benjamin Avigad University of Massachusetts Amherst Kyler Schulz
Michigan
Michigan State University Sasha Lustman University of Michigan Celia Goldberg Jeri Rhodes
Minneapolis College of Arts and Design Emily Park St. Olaf College John Haselhorst University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Ryan Carpenter-Roberts Justin Lam Carleton College Leah Snidman
Nebraska
University of Nebraska—Lincoln Kathryn Reiff Emma Zoellner
Mississippi University of Mississippi Ava Koon
New York
Columbia University Justin Chen New York University Stephanie Farn State University of New York at Purchase Sara Eastlund Skidmore College Hana Sadoff Vassar College Emily Lesorogol
Oklahoma State University— Stillwater Camille Conroy University of Tulsa Gretchen Goebel
Pennsylvania
Drexel University Louis Taxman Franklin & Marshall College Juliana Stoll Haverford College Megan Bernstein University of Pennsylvania Annie Liu University of Pittsburgh Amechi Oruwari
Tennessee Vanderbilt University Lily Hauptman
Brigham Young University Andrew Olson
Vermont
University of Vermont Lane Dibler Saint Michael’s College Gabriella Skapof
Virginia
College of William and Mary Elizabeth Minifie Hampden—Sydney College Maxwell Hampton University of Virginia Kathryne King
Washington
University of Puget Sound Claire Raichle University of Washington Vinicius Fernandes
Washington D.C.
American University Stella Horton Georgetown University Edward Wu Howard University John Merritt The George Washington University Mahima Gunapooti Sahana Raju
West Virginia West Virginia University Megan Present
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin—Madison Riley Deutsch Dravin Kennedy Jonah Levy Erin Lohr Sydney Stern
International
University of Edinburgh Alessandra Francone University of York Peter Murphy
Other
Lily Crockett Caitlin Cunningham Akiva Groener Shelby Horne Zachary Levy John McGauley Alexander McGregor Sophia Mumford
Unknown
Mary Anthon Graham Arnold Andrew Baumstark Afomya Bezabhe Joshua Carr Jamie Clay Joshua Clayton Daryn Cross Ceriana Davis Natara Davis Jesse Deal Raymond Deffry Linden Faulkner Isaiah Ford Jada Gipson Jennifer Gusov Naomi Halasey Niesha Ireland Clayton Kellerman Je Beom Ko Eden Kresko Adam Laird Kalen Lang Daniel Lee Jason Lee Elijah Martin Nina McKinley Cameron Meeks Mary Naunheim Solomon Owolabi Joseph Rater Trenton Ratlif-Baker Jiachen Ren Jakhi Riley Rebecca Rios Jomaria Robinson Katherine Schoenecker Anthony Schuster Jared Seele Ashton Seitz Melvin Smith Natalie Solem Jaylen Sykes Jon Townsend Gabriel Vazquez Christian Wells Karen Williams Morgan Wilson Jordan Wolf Olivia Wright Samuel Zoellner
SENIOR DESTINATIONS
OUTSta
Track: Kelechi Achilefu “Kelechi represents the qualities of the track program as a young man who lives with integrity and works hard to accomplish his goals. He has improved as an athlete and a leader. Kelechi’s approach to academics and athletics is one that serves as a model for others.” -Nicholas Buckvar
Water polo: Dixon Bezzant “Dixon has been the varsity goalie for the past three seasons. In this time, he has become one of the top goalies in the state of Missouri. Nominated as a first team All-Conference member, Dixon leads by example with hard work and sportsmanship.” -Michael Clay
Lacrosse: Kaylon Buckner “Kaylon has been one of the greatest girls lacrosse players to ever play in the state of Missouri. Kaylon is very talented, but that comes from all of the work that she puts into her craft. She is one of the first people to practice and is one of the last to leave.” -Tyler Smith
Laduettes: Celia Goldberg “Celia showed great leadership her senior year on the team. Her leadership and dedication to the team helped make our year a success. We will miss having Celia as a part of our team, but the impact she left as a leader will be carried on for years.” -Alexandra Guenther
Football: Jordan Jackson “Jordan was a two-time AllState player and a tremendous leader who always displayed an incredible competition level. His confidence and poise allowed him to make others around him better. His talent and personality will be truly missed.” -Mike Tarpey
Field hockey: Kathryne King “Kathryne has served as a leader both on and off the field. She constantly pushes her fellow other athletes to do better and shows passion. Other coaches go out of their way to express their compliments about her vocal skills and athletic abilities.” -Danielle Bernholt
Cross country: Jonah Levy “Although Jonah was on our team for just two years, his enthusiasm for running [was] a welcome addition. We appreciate the hard work and leadership Jonah provided our team.” -Richard Witt
Hockey: Zachary Levy “I have coached Zach for the last three years, and he has shown a tremendous amount of growth as a player and leader. His passion for hockey is undeniable. He loves to compete and he always leaves it all on the ice. No one works harder than him out there.” -David Brosseau
Wrestling: Jacob Orsay “Jacob only lost three matches in his final three years here at Ladue and placed third in the state as a junior and a senior. He was a captain his senior year and was a big help with the underclassmen. His will to succeed will take him far in life.” -Kevin Clawson
Swimming: Reid Rodgers “Reid holds two of 12 school records, is ranked ‘Ladue All-Time Top 16 Best Times’ in five other events and earned the NISCA Academic All-American honor for his excellence. Our team’s rise in success at the state level is in large part due to his athletic success.” -Hap Gentry
Track: Olivia Schroder “Olivia is a student of the sport — she knows the technique for each of her events. With this knowledge, she is always helping others, passing on the knowledge of the throws to the other athletes. Olivia has always been a great leader throughout her four years.” -Nicholas Buckvar
Cheer: Meghan Sheldon “Meghan is a four-year cheerleader and is an excellent role model for our team. She is always happy, pleasant and willing to help her teammates. When I need someone to volunteer to help our younger cheerleaders, Meghan is one of the first to jump in.” -Jackie Visnovske
Golf: Daniel Song “Daniel Song has been a member of the varsity golf team for four years. His commitment, dedication and passion for the sport is a true reflection as to the reason he has been a top five golfer at LHWHS. Daniel is a perfect example of a quality student-athlete.” -Todd Basler
Athletes
Athl
anding
letes
Soccer: Alexander Cobin “Alex was an All-State, All-Academic team member, All-Regional team player and was first team All-Conference. Alex was one of our team captains and did a great job leading our team. He was our best defender on a team that had a great defense.” -David Aronberg
Soccer: Sarah Cook “Sarah has been a team captain for the past two years and has been a steady defender for four years on the varsity team. Sarah was a first team All-Conference member last year, as well as an All-Regional player and a third team All-State performer.” -David Aronberg
Swimming: Riley Deutsch “Riley is one of the most versatile swimmers to represent Ladue. In dual meet competitions, she represented a win in most any event she was asked to swim, a testament to her superior versatility and willingness to unselfishly ‘do whatever it takes’ for the team.” -Hap Gentry
Soccer: Elliot Lorenz “Elliot Lorenz was an AllState, All-Academic team member, first team All-State player, All-Regional Goalkeeper of the Year and was also a first team All-Conference player. Elliot was one of our team captains this year and did a great job at leading our team.” -David Aronberg
Volleyball: Aris McCurdy “Aris is one of the top volleyball players in St. Louis and has been a huge part of Ladue volleyball for the past four years. She was named first team Suburban Central as a sophomore, junior and senior. Her dedication, leadership and personality will be missed.” -Roberta McCaffrey
Golf: Elizabeth Minifie “Regardless of her busy schedule or the weather, Elizabeth always came to the golf course with a smile on her face and a desire to improve. Elizabeth was even more impressive in her senior season while playing with a broken ankle.” -Jessica Kennedy
Wrestling: Aidan Morley “Aidan has one of the best work ethics I have seen and led by example on and off the mat. That work ethic led to him being a multiple time state qualifier, just missing the podium. Aidan’s leadership and hard work will serve him well in his future endeavors.” -Kevin Clawson
Basketball: Kalifa Muhammad “Kalifa received the leadership award from her teammates. She lead[s] by example, leading the team with double doubles all year and stepping up even bigger in the big games.” -Rob Gray
Basketball: Derrick Stiebler “Trent was a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team. He was also one of our captains this year and earned first team All-Conference as a senior and averaged 16 PPG. He also earned All-Academic, All-State this year, which is quite an accomplishment.” -Chad Anderson
Softball: Alexia Thomas “Alexia Thomas was an outstanding player for the Ladue softball team. Joining the team her sophomore year, Alexia stepped into a starting role as our pitcher. She provided leadership on and off the field and helped grow the softball program.” -Christopher Saxton
Tennis: Aaron Umen “Aaron has grown as both a player and a person over years. He is one of the top players in the area, has hit the podium at state twice as an individual and was a part of the team that placed third at state. He will be going for the individual state title in doubles.” -Margaret Junker
Tennis: Emma Warticovschi “Emma was both a leader and a top player on my team several years. She was team captain her senior year and did such a great job as a role model for the rest of the team. Emma had some great wins over the years and played a role in the team’s success.” -Margaret Junker
Cross country: Anna Zheng “Anna ran cross country for the very first time this season, and she made an immediate impact as a top-seven varsity runner, helping lead the team to a fifth-place finish at sectionals. She is a leader, and her teammates know they can always count on her.” -Matt Strayhorn
Athletes
Adieu,Ladue: Three staff members retire M
Mary
Kennedy
Caro
ary Kennedy, a Ladue staff member for the past 17 years, has announced that she will retire at the end of this school year. Throughout her time in the district, she has worked in the district’s technology department . Prior to working at Ladue, Kennedy worked in Warson Woods as both a county and court clerk. After leaving Warson Woods, she made the decision to pursue a new field and eventually ended up working for Ladue. While Kennedy’s retirement was not planned, she decided to leave this year because she wanted to slow down her life and explore other interests. With her new free time, she hopes to expand her interests and find a new adventure for the next phase of her life. “[Once I retire,] I will have more time for my myself, my family and friends,” Kennedy said. “I don’t have a [specific] plan. I’m going to sleep in, read books and do whatever comes my way for a while.”
l Sue Allen
A
fter teaching students both Spanish and English for 26 years, English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher Carol Sue Allen is retiring this summer. “[Ladue] is such a fine place to work because of the relationships I have built over the years with my students and colleagues,” Allen said. After first working as a substitute teacher, Allen discovered her love of teaching and chose to stay in the field. Despite retiring, she plans to stay involved in education. “I’d like to go to [learn] on my terms now,” Allen said. “I want to [learn] for fun, not because I have to.” Allen’s favorite part of teaching has been getting to watch her students find success with their careers and mature into adults. Even after her students graduate, Allen tries to stay in contact with her students so she can see how much they have accomplished in their lives. “My proudest moments have been after graduation,” Allen said. “Knowing that I had something to do with their success is very rewarding.”
RETIRING TEACHERS
Ken Fox
W
ith 35 years in education and 16 years at Ladue, College and Career counselor Ken Fox will retire after assisting thousands of Ladue students in their educational and occupational pursuits. “Ladue is always changing, and that is good,” Fox said. “It is when we stop changing that Ladue needs to worry.” Fox initially worked at a private school but chose to switch to the Ladue School District in 2002 because of his family and belief in public education. While he has loved his time at Ladue, he feels now is the right time to go. “It is a gift knowing when [it] is the right time to leave,” Fox said. “After 35 years in education, it is time [for me to retire].” Fox’s retirement will leave a vacant position on the high school’s college counseling team. In place of Fox, Chad Sisk will join the College and Career Office starting August of the 2018-19 academic school year. “I think Chad will build on the strong foundation that is in place,” Fox said. “There are always new things to learn and new challenges to face, and I think he will be great in his role.”
ladue Seniors share their college essays Noor Rahman
Joshua Horwitz
Trinity university
Washington university in st. Louis
“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity.” (Yahuda Berg) Being trilingual, fluent in English, Urdu and Spanish, I have always appreciated and leveraged the power that words have offered me. From conversing with my grandparents in Urdu to competing in speech and debate tournaments, words have been my most faithful allies. The gift of a voice and the privilege of being able to use it was something I had never considered until, in a moment of violence, it was yanked from me. When the theoretical trauma of sexual assault became my own reality at the hands of a trusted friend, I was left with a shattered sense of confidence in what I once believed to be true: that fortitude could shield me from life’s misfortunes. When powerful words like “stop” and “no” became void of definition, I realized how naive I had been. Until the moment my “no” failed to be a shield against exploitation, I always believed my words, simply by virtue of the fact that I had spoken them, had value.
A
flashback
A total solar eclipse passes over the U.S. The next “Great American Eclipse” won’t occur until 2024.
It is Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. We sit around my dining room table enjoying leftovers and my mom’s legendary carrot soufflé, also known as “carrot yum.” Nothing fancy about this meal; my family sits down with paper plates piled high. And every year, everyone at the table who knew Jennifer shares something they loved about her. My grandma speaks first. “I loved the way Jennifer took small nibbles of her food, taking her time to let it digest.” My brothers and I laugh as we know this is partially about Jennifer, but mostly a dig at how fast we eat. My uncle then shares, “She was always nice to the nerds. The nerds loved her.” My mom follows with, “I always told her she was adopted because she had perfect, straight blonde hair, and the rest of us had dark, coarse, frizzy hair.” My younger brothers rest their cheeks in the palms of their hands, bored, eyes gazing down at the table. I, however, feel like I need to listen. After all, I am the one who was named after her.
of this year’s significant news and events “Black Panther” premieres in the U.S., grossing $202 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend.
Aug. 21, 2017
After 65 years of conflict, North and South Korea stun the world by pledging to formally end the Korean War.
Jan. 29, 2018
April 27, 2018
Oct. 5, 2017
Feb. 4, 2018
After allegations of sexual assault were published against Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement spreads, taking down powerful figures in high-profile industries.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeat the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII; it is the Eagles’ first championship since the team’s founding in 1933.
flashback and college essays
PANORAMA SENIOR
Columns
As the school year comes to a close, the senior editors of the Panorama staff send one last message to students. Through four years of school dances, classes, tests, extracurriculars, late nights and mental breakdowns, with their last burst of energy before senioritis completely takes over, these senior Panorama editors poured their experiences into these columns. Each of them depict their life thus far and plans going forward in various ways.
Senior Columns
Some thank-you’s max BAKER
A
web editor-in chief
lthough these last four years have been filled with homework, stress and finals, I’ve decided to create a list of what I’m thankful for at Ladue.
1. Ram Days. No, I do not like schlepping my backpack from trailer 3B to room 3344 and then back to the 280s all in one morning. No, I do not enjoy preparing for seven classes. However, I am the type of person who wants to have a conversation with everybody. I enjoy making people smile and laugh. Ram days gave me more opportunities to yell across the halls for a highfive or say hello to someone I hadn’t seen in a while. 2. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to use my voice. When planning this year’s Day of Dialogue, I realized how willing the staff and administration are in bringing more student voice to the school. I’ve seen shy students speak up and transform into young leaders at walkouts. 3. The teachers. Thank you for being there to answer all of my questions, help me improve my academic skills, and talk to me about my life. One teacher asked me if he could write my recommendation letter before I asked him. Another approached me after a funeral and asked if I was doing okay. We have such kind and caring teachers at this school. I promise to come back and visit, and I will never forget the positive impact that each teacher has had on me. 4. Panorama. Where do I even begin? Our memorable late nights and daily classes have created amazing friendships that are unlike any that I have. 5. The students. Thank you for making school interesting. It is the students who make this school special. 6. The 280s hallway, for making my life miserable, but for also increasing my appreciation for windows.
Magic
On finding my voice
sophia LI
L
lily HAUPTMAN
editor-in-chief
ike bottles of silvery molten memories from the wizarding world of Harry Potter, certain words hold special memories for me. Stinker. I’m not exactly sure if this one’s in the dictionary, but the moniker brings back childhood memories of my father, raven-haired and wrinkle-free, laughing in the neighborhood park with me. The wind sends my pigtails flying in joyous chaos. My dad pushes me on the swing set, chases me around the park, tickles me. The word evokes the sensation of summer days and utter bliss. Conquering. That’s what the name Vincent means. Suddenly I’m 11 again and my mom is pregnant with my brother, who will be 12 years my junior. In an act of peace (as an only child, of course, I hadn’t wanted a sibling to steal my throne), my parents let me pick my brother’s name. Initially, I had been tempted to suggest the name “Peasant,” but hostility eventually turned to hospitality. I’d welcome him into this world with a beautiful name. Hibiscus. Memories arise of a 13-year-old me standing on the auditorium stage, nervous under the scrutiny of the students before me. I spell out the word in a daze, wondering how I got here. The judge smiles and declares the end of the school spelling bee. “Congratulations,” he says. Relief floods me. Barbecue. The mere mention of the word sends my best friend and me headfirst into a discourse on food, particularly Korean cuisine. Erica and I have tried many new dishes together, and, of course, the best part about our shared meals is the conversations we have. To understand and to be understood is a beautiful experience. All of these seemingly ordinary words hold such secret, precious meanings to me. They are constant reminders that it’s possible to make magic from the seemingly mundane.
I
editor-in-chief
n my first report card, my kindergarten teacher wrote, “Lily prefers to work alone.” As a child, I was well acquainted with silence. Though I wasn’t antisocial, I struggled to muster up the courage to talk to classmates who were outside of my inner circle. Soon after first grade, I received my first journal, which I decided to decorate with glittery stickers. I wrote in it voraciously, especially because it was a way through which I could channel my anxiety and excitement after my parents abruptly decided to move my family to Sweden for six months for my dad’s sabbatical. Whether I was sitting on a plane, lying on the bottom bunk of my bed in our tiny European apartment or at the dinner table, my journal was nearby. Finally, I had found my voice. English and I became fast friends. Upon my return to America, I eagerly wrote stories about my experiences abroad, stapled loose leaf papers together to create journals on-the-go and slaved over composing such literary feats as “My Amazing Cup of Pudding” and “The Ear.” Throughout middle school, I looked forward to Comm. Arts class (though I’m not sure if giving eighth graders “Animal Farm” was the move), and finally, in high school, I joined the Panorama staff to further my love of language. As my passion for crafting childish stories dwindled, my stack of newspaper articles grew; I had rediscovered my voice. I know that as I enter college and life beyond Ladue, I will encounter situations which will require me to change and use my voice, and I’m grateful for my time on the staff of Panorama for helping me understand the importance of doing so. So here’s to all of my shy friends: your voice is in you, waiting for you to coax it out. Buy a journal. Approach someone new. Join a club. Move to Sweden. I think you’ll like the results.
Senior Columns
Ask a Glen
A Journey Just Begun
glen MORGENSTERN
audrey WANG
editor-in-chief
art editor
As a service to the naive incoming Ladue class of 2022, Panorama editor-in-chief Glen Morgenstern is taking this final opportunity to correct misapprehensions about Ladue High School they may have acquired from Link Crew, older siblings or other untrustworthy sources. Naive Freshman: I hear that you endured construction hell so that we could go to a better high school. Glen: The metal chairs in Physics were remarkably good transmitters of jackhammer vibrations, but I came to think of it as therapeutic pelvic massage. NF: So next year, I’ll be able to go to a school with a rooftop greenhouse? G: Yeah, but it took the budget for the basement casino. NF: Why is there no grass in the courtyard? G: Because the mascot ate all of it. NF: Isn’t terrazzo flooring a little bit extravagant for a high school? G: Trust me — it looks nice, but tastes terrible. NF: Any cafeteria recommendations? G: Let’s stay away from personal questions, if we can, but the taco salad has some culinary staying power. NF: Are there really skeletons in the lockers? G: I can’t say. No one has ever looked inside one. NF: What else can I look forward to at Ladue? G: You can expect top-notch instruction from your teachers, as well as a menagerie of clubs to suit any and all interests. Then there are the exceptional athletic programs, stellar school dances and the adrenalineinducing “Due Time” chants at pep rallies. That’s not even mentioning the arts — the orchestra, band and theater productions — spirit weeks, the student leadership ... hold on, gotta run to graduation. NF: Wait, you forgot the punchline!
Senior columns
adadad
rhiannon RHOADS
aleesha SHI
photo editor
art editor
Senior columns
photos A Year in
August:
The Solar Eclipse
October: (Photo by Jordan Ganzer)
(Photo by Abigail Yearout)
November: April:
Outdoor Pep Rally
State Football Gun Control rally (Photo submitted)
February:
Dance Marathon (Photo by Carolina Alisio)
March: Mr. Ladue (Photo by Carolina Alisio)
Year in photographs
(Photo by Zach Weller)
Congratulations, panorama seniors “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh
Max Baker Web Editor-in-Chief
Lily Hauptman Editor-in-Chief
Sophia Li Editor-in-Chief
Glen Morgenstern Editor-in-Chief
Opeoluwa Falako Writer
Albert Liu Writer
Rhiannon Rhoads Photo Editor
Aleesha Shi Art Editor
Audrey Wang Art Editor
Madison Ward Photographer
congratulations, seniors