Panorama April 2018

PANORAMA LADUE HORTON WATKINS HIGH SCHOOL // 1201 S. WARSON RD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63124 // VOLUME 66, ISSUE 8 // 4.25.2018

COEXISTENCE

2 Panorama Staff

TABLE OF CONTENTS Opinions: Why not knowing what the future holds is okay Opinions: Staff Editorial: Marches are not enough to spur change

3 4

Features: Piece dedicated to band teacher for her retirement

7

In-Depth: An overview of the immigration process in St. Louis

8

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

Sports Editor Jackson Bry Photo Editors Rose Hauser Rhiannon Rhoads Zach Weller Art Editors Aleesha Shi Audrey Wang

Opinions Editor Alex Fu Features/A&E Editors Katie Shaw Bradford Siwak

Designer Burke Howe Adviser Sarah Kirksey

In-Depth Editors Hannah Suffian Anya Tullman News Editors Connie Chen Adam Rush

Arts and Entertainment: Chin-to-forehead coverage of this year’s prom makeup

10

News: Drs. Jahnke and Allen will retire after the 2018-19 school year

11

Panorama welcomes and encourages letters to the editors.

Please bring signed letters to West Balcony 3. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions as long as original intent remains unaltered. Cover design by Lily Hauptman. Photo by Zach Weller.

13

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

News: Theatre gears up for senior-directed One-Acts Sports: Unstoppable Ladue tennis duo raises state title hopes

14

Photo: Students take to the outdoors as spring finally arrives

16

Writers Hieran Andeberhan Cassie Beisheim Hugh Chan Daniel Chayet Sydney Crump Ope Falako Felix Hu Anik Jain Jacob Korn Malavika Kumaran Davina Lettau Anna Liner Albert Liu Sunny Lu Will Minifie Nikol Nikolova Aman Rahman Autumn Ryan Hope Shimony Ande Siegel Cindy Wang

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

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

Panorama is produced nine times per school year by the journalism class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School at 1201 S. Warson Rd., St. Louis, Missouri 63124. The publication lab is located in West Balcony 3, (314)-993-6447 ext. 5844.

opinions

PANORAMA

Advice from a wannabe chef After four years of sampling a variety of mostly basic classes, how are we supposed to blather on about our life lily HAUPTMAN plans? After one year of taking a class about the governeditor-in-chief ment, high school students believe they are qualified hen my older sister Miriam and I were young- enough to say with conviction that they take prerequisite er, we had a grand plan to open a bakery. I courses for law school at a university, attain a high score imagined creating key lime pies, complete on the Law School Administration Test, spend three years with perfect dollops of whipped cream. I imagined the at law school and then finally pass the Bar Examination. two of us wearing matching aprons, smiling for a photoIn reality, when these students take their first political graph for a local magazine. I imagined yellow awnings, science course in college, they might find themselves clouds of flour and sugary confections as far as the eye thoroughly bored. It follows, then, that when a could see. person prematurely proclaims his desire Since then, our aspirations have predictably to pursue a specific field but later changed. Luckily for everyone who enjoys realizes his disinterest, anxiety not getting food poisoning, Miriam may arise because of external and abandoned dreams of sugar and butinternal questions. ter and set her sights on German Approximately 80 percent of and cognitive science (she still U.S. students change their majors fails to give an explanation of at least once, according to the Nahow they will connect). While I tional Center for Education Statistics. lily hauptman w EDITOR-IN-CHIEF understand that my pastry chef As students, we can’t change adults asking dreams may be more-than-slightly unrealistic, I now us incessant questions, but we can change our attitude find myself at a loss for words when adults ask me the toward them; if you’re anything like me, and the future inevitable question: “What do you want to do when you looks like a giant question mark, take a deep breath and grow up?” confidently, respond,“Well I wanted to be a pastry chef The moment I received my college acceptance, 12 years ago...”

I breathed a sigh of relief; when everyone from my Even though I might have been more self-assured grandmother to the nice lady from down the street to the as a 5-year-old aspiring pastry chef, I can take comfort cashier at Schnucks asked me about my plans for next in the fact that throughout the next four years, I will year, I had an answer. I didn’t anticipate, however, that finally — maybe — have a more concrete answer. And someone would pose a question about my very distant who knows? You might just see a “Lily’s Bakery” along life. My answer? “I don’t know.” And that’s okay.

Ladue Road in a few years. v

3 Letter from the Editors

W

In a transition state St. Louis seems rather homogeneous, at first glance. We all envy John Hamm, live via the Cardinals and, until 2016, died via the Rams.

Upon further inspection, though, one discovers a dearth of diversity in the St. Louis area. There’s the Italian community on the Hill, the Bosnian community in south St. Louis and countless other ethnic communities around town. Indeed, St. Louis has become a hub for immigrants.

But the leap to the Lou is neither quick nor easy. In seeking a better life in the States and in St. Louis, one requires a lot of luck, patience and assistance. Sometimes, those aren’t even enough to guarantee the title of “United States citizen.”

Trace the long and occasionally painful transition to life in America, St. Louis and Ladue on pages 8-9.

Bites of the Month: The last month’s greatest gab “You know, I’m not really big into decorating.”

— Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson after an office redecorating project that included a $31,000 cutlery set April 16.

“Cardi B is right ... We need to strengthen Social Security.”

— Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders in a tweet April 18.

“Apparently, they have a pet raccoon that got into their meth.” ­—Indianapolis Metro Police, Southwest Division April 18.

Quotes courtesy of CNN and the Washington Post aleesha shi w ART EDITOR

4

PANORAMA

opinions

Staff Editorial

Representation matters

Symbols are nice, but only further action can ensure change

sunny LU

G

writer

rowing up, I never really saw an East Asian girl on screen with attributes that I could identify. When East Asian females were present, they played either minor or secondary roles, like in “Gilmore Girls,” or their main identifiers and cultural settings were ones completely unfamiliar to me, like in “Mulan” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

This left a lifelong impression that, as an Asian girl, I would never be expected, allowed or invited into the spotlight. Seeing pretty little white girls as the main character of every major movie and TV show my peers and I watched was disheartening beyond belief. It ingrained a sense of self-worthlessness in my younger self; if not even the movies I watched featured girls like me, who in real life would see me beyond the preconceived notions that came with my skin color and ethnicity?

Recent movie releases of “Black Panther” and “Love, Simon” have sparked praise regarding representation in Hollywood that minorities have been encouraging for years. From the viral #OscarsSoWhite hashtag to criticisms of whitewashing and casting decisions, these recent major successes for diversity in Hollywood illustrate the power of media representation and its importance in everyone’s lives.

In American television and cinema, the standard for main characters and plots typically revolve around recognizable characters: white, thin, straight, cisgender and abled. When we do see films and shows with characters differentiating from this established norm, other factors often get in the way of true representations. This translates into a few tropes that we see frequently as stereotyping and inaccurate portrayal.

Beyond media stereotypes, the caricatured versions of all characters straying from the standard perpetuate a culture of stigma and assumption. For example, the portrayal of minorities as criminals feeds into the cycle of oppression our country is deeply beset in, as people are more likely to act in ways they have seen others act.

The complete lack of media representation for minority groups in media negatively affects people’s pride in their background. It can even result in disdain for one’s own culture and ethnicity.

Popular culture reflects the values of its era while shifting said values over time with its widespread influence. In a society increasingly saturated by media and pop culture, it has become extremely important for our screens to represent the variety of identities present in the U.S. v

I

audrey wang w ART EDITOR

t’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring. What was once a familiar lyric in a children’s nursery rhyme is now, unfortunately, a valid description of America’s current state of affairs. The yearly April showers have swept the nation once again, in addition to the many preventable deaths resulting from gun violence.

Meanwhile, a 71-year-old TV-persona-turned-politician sits in the Oval Office, focusing on just about anything besides gun control in the U.S. Case in point: during the March 24 student-led national protest for stricter gun reform, March for Our Lives, President Donald Trump tweeted exactly once — to express solidarity for the French authorities in the wake of a domestic terrorist attack in Trèbes. Why isn’t there any acknowledgement of this country’s unique problem of frequent mass shootings and the 800,000 people who marched against gun violence?

Despite a mediocre response from lawmakers, events like March for Our Lives highlight the concern of the American people­— particularly the youth — ­ and their eagerness to take action. That’s a beautiful thing. But there’s only so much attending a protest can actually do.

The process of planning and implementing change involves several steps. March for Our Lives accomplished the first step: garnering attention and public support so politicians understand that their constituents both want and expect change. Without pressure from the people and

media coverage, those in political power may not address issues like gun regulations.

The next step is to personally contact state and local representatives. This combats the bystander effect, a phenomenon where people in a stressful situation assume someone else will resolve an issue, and therefore do nothing themselves to help. By calling, emailing or writing to individual politicians, lawmakers will be more likely to take it upon themselves to create change.

Recently, Ladue students hosted a Day of Dialogue to discuss topics relating to mental health, civil rights advocacy and mass shootings. There were group discussions, informational presentations and sessions focused on writing letters to state representatives. In particular, the direct contact of government officials was a step in the right direction.

Furthermore, the collaboration of clubs like Rams Against Gun Violence and Social Justice League exemplifies Ladue students’ willingness to spur change. The momentum for political change is already here, and now it must be further guided.

Today, information spreads like wildfire; single opinions can quickly blossom into full-fledged movements.

The protesters in previous generations did not have online communication media. If they pioneered historical movements now documented in our textbooks with their limited means, then we can do all that and more. v

Student stances

Do you think peaceful protest can achieve political reform?

“I don’t think so.

It’s supposed to put people in an uncomfortable position so something changes, not people [being] like, ‘Hey, policeman!

We’re going to walk over here and do

- Senior Vinicius Fernandes

“Absolutely, I do.

Martin Luther King Jr. proved that [change] could happen when he staged peaceful protests throughout the South and North. It was enough to pass the Voting Rights Act.”

- Sophomore Eli Goldstein

“To a certain extent. While walkouts are very helpful and don’t cause damage to the nearby community, there still should be campaigning and actually talking to the people.”

- Freshman Kaitlyn Thornton

PANORAMA

opinions

5

Should all classes require finals? Panorama polls

of the people

“Finals are tough love to the slackers out there”

H

alex FU opinions editor

as anyone ever seen videos with titles along the lines of “Americans are stupid and they’re proud of it?” Chances are, the answer is yes. These videos essentially consist of interviewers giving mini-tests to people on the street.

Most of the questions require a basic understanding of math, history, spelling and logic.

I admit, it was a guilty pleasure at one point in time, especially when people say things like “13-50=47.” Ah, what a legendary clip. But these videos, even though they are for comedic purposes, show just how much some people don’t understand their world or forgot elementary-level concepts after they stopped taking tests.

Let’s be honest, no one wants finals or tests in general. But does that mean that tests are bad? Not necessarily.

At this point in time, when all the information and knowledge the online world has to offer fit in a jean pocket, it doesn’t seem that many people utilize the vast databases to learn anything. That’s because, for many, there isn’t a need for extra knowledge to function in everyday life, and that is not wrong. Most people do not need to know about vectors; they do not need to know classical literature by Shakespeare, Mary Shelley or George Orwell; they do not need to know what a blood cell is; they do not even need to know how many continents there are on Earth.

Needless to say, this is just an exaggeration, but on a smaller scale, students in their second semester fre-

quently forget what they learned from just a few months ago, and as such, when finals roll around, they complain and question why they need to re-study material they do not need to know. The reason students should know? To know for their own self-improvement and to prevent the ignorance that leads to poorly informed future decisions and the American stereotype.

Finals, by definition, serve to wrap up all the material students have learned for the whole semester or year. The curriculum is set up in a way that previously learned concepts may not be touched upon again. Thus, in response, finals allow — no, force — students to get off their lazy butts and review what they need to know so that they might retain that information.

If students find the time before finals hard, then that means they never truly understood the material enough that they could simply plan out light reviews. Finals are tough love to the slackers out there.

In addition, the idea of finals — something daunting, unwanted and looming — prepares students for similar situations in their adult lives, regardless if they pursue higher education or not. The process of revising for exams cultivates students’ self-discipline and work ethic.

Although they aren’t exactly fun events, finals serve a secondary purpose of preparing students to do work, even when they don’t want to.

Whatever one’s circumstances may be, finals do help.

They remind students to not simply have information go through one ear and out the other. The next time you come upon a situation that requires dredging up memories of an old history lesson or a mathematical formula, thank the finals. In the long run, it doesn’t hurt to be a little smarter than others. v

“Ladue needs to wake up and remove finals” cassie BEISHEIM

F

writer

inals are the one time in the year where it’s not abnormal to see at least two emotional breakdowns and one person napping during a single six-minute passing period.

At Ladue, finals account for between 10 and 20 percent of one’s overall grade. For many students, this one exam can determine their grade for that semester. This unfortunate reality is what keeps students up late at night, as well as cramming every free second they get between classes just to try and achieve whatever grade rogerhub.com tells them they need to keep an overall A. Ladue needs to wake up and get rid of finals for good.

According to health professional Dr. Cynthia Ackrill, M.D., the stress that finals give students in college is comparable to binge drinking. Due to the caffeine addiction, lack of sleep and hazy mindset students get into, this comparison isn’t too far-fetched. This argument can also be applied to high school finals, as they are meant to be a similar format to prepare for college. There is simply no reason that teenagers should be put under this unreasonable amount of stress.

There are several alternatives to semester finals, and I’ve experienced one of them firsthand. Second semester last year, I attended a different school that decided to eliminate finals for good. Instead of finals, they had

Regular Quarterly Assessments. These assessments could be essays, tests or other projects. They consisted of an overview of the basic material covered that quarter and often counted for a small grade in the class. Students never stressed out about RQAs because their teachers prepared them well, and there was only a quarter’s worth of material.

At the same time, students were still able to retain information over the course of the year, as the RQAs acted as review. Grades weren’t shattered, and stress levels didn’t skyrocket. Students’ grades were represented by their work ethics. All a final represents is a student’s capability to take a test on less than four hours of sleep.

This leads to another point: finals are just as bad at representing all forms of learning as standardized tests. In an era where society is finally beginning to appreciate that intelligence isn’t only measured by test-taking endurance, schools must take a step toward progress-based assessments, and thus lose finals. Alternative test-taking forms can represent more students’ intellect, as well as relieve stress all around.

The argument made here may be difficult for some people to hear. While most students share a hatred of finals, the idea of exiling them can seem frightening. The riddance of finals may seem like a drastic change to the school system, but the benefits of changing Ladue’s ways far outweigh the comfort of abiding by them.

It’s time that Ladue realizes that its ways of semester testing are outdated. In a high school where most students’ stress load is far beyond capacity, ending finals for good would be an unquestionably beneficial move. v

In which country were you born?

China

19%

Other

2%

Ukraine

1%

Germany 1%

United States

77%

Top 5 Spoken Languages that are not English 40 30 20 10 0 Chinese (41.3)

Spanish (40.2%)

French (6.2%)

German (8.2%)

Hebrew (4.1%)

How many languages do you speak?

1 (62.7%)

2 (27.8%)

4 (0.8%)

3 (5.9%)

5 (2.8%)

“The first language I learned is English. My second language I know semi-fluently is Russian, so I can speak and understand it, but I can’t read or write it.”

- Sophomore Daniel Volobuev Survey results based on 252 voluntary student entries

6

PANORAMA

features

Calling potential recruits:

Ladue seniors discuss their decisions to join the ROTC

C

daniel CHAYET writer

ollege generally consists of classes, sleep deprivation and last-minute studying. However, seniors Matt Allen and Carter Lambie plan on joining the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in addition to their normal college activities. “[The ROTC is] a program where you can go to a regular college and train to be an officer at the same time,” Allen said. “You graduate [from college] as an officer.”

In addition to offering tuition assistance, the ROTC provides specialized classes for its members. A normal week for students in the Corps is quite different from a week for regular college students.

“You wake up three to four times per week to do physical training, you take around two [ROTC] classes per week and you [have] maybe three [field] training sessions per week,” Allen said. “The classes are about military history, leadership courses and other stuff to help you become an officer.”

The classes give Corps members a smooth transition into the military when they graduate. While Lambie is still not completely sure what he’ll study in college, he knows what he would like his military career to look like.

“I want to go into an infantry branch,” Lambie said.

“From there, I want to go to ranger school and get recruited by some form of special forces.”

Allen also plans on joining the Army, but he plans to study engineering in order to become an Army engineer.

If he didn’t join the Corps, Allen would seek out a regular job as an engineer, but he doesn’t think he would enjoy it as much.

“I don’t like sitting around,” Allen said. “I don’t want to sit behind a desk for 30 years. I’d rather get out and do something exciting.”

Neither Lambie nor Allen joined the Corps just because they think that it will be fun. Allen says that he feels an obligation to serve his country.

Lambie had wanted to join the military for a long time. He became interested in the ROTC as an alternative to enlistment once his brother became a part of the Air Force ROTC at the University of Missouri.

“I think it’s important to get an education,” Lambie said. “A family friend of mine didn’t go to college before he joined; when he retires, he doesn’t have a lot of job options because he doesn’t have a college degree.”

As for anyone who is considering joining the ROTC, the future members of the Corps echo each other's thoughts and suggest thinking hard about the decision.

According to Allen, it can be hard for one to get out

INCOMING MEMBERS // Matt Allen (left) and

Carter Lambie (right) wear Army and ROTC apparel. Both seniors plan to join the ROTC at their respective univerisities in their freshman year of college. “If you join the ROTC, you go to college while also preparing for a career in the military,” Lambie said. “After you graduate, you go into the Army as an officer.” (Photo by Zach Weller)

of the program even after just one year. Lambie shares similar views.

“If you join the program, it’s eight years of your life given to the military,” Lambie said. v

Freshman makes new milestone in her chess career

Katie Eisenman performs well at national chess tournament

F

malavika KUMARAN writer

reshman Katie Eisenman has won chess awards since fifth grade. Eisenman competed at the national tournament April 6 and 7, placing 25th out of the 162 competitors in the under-1250 rating division.

Before nationals, Eisenman tied for first place playing Board 3 at the state tournament in Columbia, Missouri.

“My dad taught me when I was 5, but I didn’t start going to tournaments until fifth grade,” Eisenman said.

“This was my fourth year at nationals, and I’ve been to state every year since sixth grade.”

At official tournaments, competitors go through procedures to keep the competition fair. Competitors also play against opponents at the same skill level.

“There are a set number of rounds,” Eisenman said.

“We have an allotted amount of time to make all of our

moves. You and your opponent have to sign a sheet saying that you both agree with the result.”

Eisenman’s competitive nature has aided her during tournaments. When she discovered how her personality could help during a game, she used that to her advantage.

“Katie has always been pretty competitive,” senior and Eisenman’s sister, Sarah Eisenman said. “I think the reason why she’s gotten so good at chess is because she’s incredibly self-motivated. She really pushes herself to work hard and focus so she can beat her opponents.”

Katie Eisenman also competes in school tournaments as a member of the chess club. Math teacher Garrett White, the club’s sponsor, has gotten to know Katie Eisenman through chess club. “[Katie] is amazing about [chess],” White said. “She really enjoys it, and she’s really positive and encouraging. She looks out for all the other girls that we have, and there aren’t that many. It’s pretty cool to see her foster that.” v

CHECKMATE // Freshman Katie Eisenman makes her next chess move​.

Eisenman has been playing at chess tournaments since fifth grade. “I remember last year, when I won my first trophy at state,” Eisenman said. “I realized I could really do well if I put my heart into it. Ever since then, I've been practicing as much as I can to try and get better.” (Photo by Zach Weller)

Double takes: Celebrity lookalikes found in Ladue's halls

Sophomore

Actress

Student Teacher

Actor

Senior

Actor

Cosi Fundoukos

Millie Bobby Brown

Zachary Forsythe

Kenneth Branagh

Josh Weisbard

Chris Klein

(Photos courtesy of seriesonday, WordPress and Wikimedia Commons)

PANORAMA

features

7

A musical legacy of learning:

A

bradford SIWAK features editor

t the top of a new band piece titled “A Ladue Legacy” lays text stating that the work is dedicated to middle school band teacher Betsy Cytron, “in celebration of her retirement and many years of dedicated service to her Ladue band students.” Cytron will conduct the piece at the middle school band concert April 25.

Cytron, who has worked for Ladue Schools for two decades, had no knowledge of the commissioned piece until after winter break. The band department told her the idea over lunch Jan. 5, her birthday.

“It was just special because they thought enough of me to do something like that,” Cytron said. “I never thought about [a piece being dedicated to me]. It was a complete surprise.”

The piece is also composed by someone familiar. William Owens, the composer, has written many other works that Cytron’s students have performed.

“I like [Owens’] music a lot,” Cytron said. “We always play something by him

Band dedicates musical piece to retiring teacher

every year, either [with] the fifth-[graders] or the sixth[graders].”

Owens even came to St. Louis and worked with the band. This was thanks to a Ladue Education Foundation grant that Katie Solomon, Cytron’s closest colleague and co-teacher, wrote. Solomon reached out to Owens via email and phone in regards to “A Ladue Legacy.” “[Owens] has a rate that he charges depending on the level of the piece he is composing,” Solomon said.

“He learned some [facts] about Mrs. Cytron and our Ladue band program and then got to work.

Months later, he sent a draft, and then, eventually, a final version.”

Following Cytron’s first look at “A Ladue Legacy,” she was apprehensive about the work’s difficulty for sixth-grade students. Now, however, she knows that they are all capable of playing the piece proficiently. “[My students are] very excited about it,” Cytron said. “It is a challenging piece for sixth grade, but they have worked really hard and are doing a great job. We have a really great group of sixth-graders, and they’ve risen to the challenge.”

Cytron mostly teaches fifth grade students.

Nevertheless, her teaching is the foundation of musical artistry for Ladue High School students.

“[Cytron] started most of the band students when they were in fifth grade,” band director Aaron Lehde said. “Everything they have achieved started with her.”

Cytron’s lasting impact on her students makes it fitting to have her conduct Ladue’s highest-level band class. This connects Cytron’s old students to the celebration of her retirement. “[‘A Ladue Legacy’] was written for the sixth grade band, but [my colleagues] wanted me to have the opportunity to conduct it with the high school also,” Cytron said. “So, the sixth grade band is performing it [at] the middle school concert, and then, the next night, the high school will perform it on their concert.”

The gesture of a former teacher conducting does not go unnoticed by the high school students. They understand that their current and future achievements stem from the basics in their musical educations.

“Mrs. Cytron has been an integral part of Ladue’s band program,” sophomore and trombonist Daniel Jung said. “She guided students through the early struggles of playing instruments.”

Cytron will leave Ladue with many fond memories and positive experiences. She taught her students music, and her students taught her about life. “[I loved working at Ladue for the] great students, great support from the administration and wonderful colleagues to work with,” Cytron said. “[My students have] taught me how to be patient [and I have learned] how to accommodate different students.” v

A look back in 'Due Time We explored old editions of Panorama in search of today’s relevant topics. Check out what we found.

Columbine tragedy sparks fresh debate “Violence has always existed in every society since the beginning of time.

Proponents of increased security do not recognize that people who are angry and willing to hurt others is not a new phenomenon. The only difference is that now these people have handguns and bombs. The way to stop violence is to stop the means of causing violence. Limit students’ access to guns, but do not limit their rights.” — Gwen Carroll, April 30, 1999

Speech at Day of Dialogue “The recent tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida has opened eyes all over the country. It has opened eyes to a brutal reality: the reality of danger in the place we hold most dear to us. Here at Ladue, although we don’t anticipate tragedy, it is our duty to take every necessary precaution to be ready when tragedy strikes. No one is immune to such danger ... It is a demand that we as students must make for peace and peace of mind ... We look around this room and we see more than peers, classmates and friends. We see family, and we will never let any of our family become the victims of gun violence.” — Seniors Akiva Groener, Malone Hanis and Tripp Lochmoeller, April 20, 2018

after-graD Party Clayton Plaza Hotel Tuesday, May 22, 2018 10:30 pm-1:30 am Don’t miss out on the fun!

DJ - Dancing - Casino Games – Raffle – Prizes - Photo Booth

Tickets are $40 – for Ladue Seniors only Purchase online at laduehighpa.com/after-grad-celebration or during lunch periods April 26-May 2

Questions? Call or text Lisa Sheldon at 314-308-1203.

Artwork by Cameron O’Keefe ‘18

8

PANORAMA

in-depth

ULT CUL

A look at how the St. Louis community h S Analyzing immigratio t. Louis is a cultural melting pot; in 2015, ac“I feel like with our political climate being a little cording to census data, it was home to 129,559 negative toward foreign-born individuals, we’ve seen immigrants. With numbers like these, St. Louis the outpouring support of community members who was the nation’s fastest-growing area for immigrants want to be positive,” Moore said. “We have a lot of that year. There are many organizations situated partners who do a lot of good work.” throughout St. Louis that assist new Americans in According to Moore, the institute has seen a their transition to an unfamiliar culture and life. dramatic decrease in immigration in the St. Louis Sophomore Anna Liner won the Green Card Lotarea since the election of President Donald Trump. In tery at the age of 3 and moved from Israel to San January 2017, 102 people immigrated to St. Louis, Francisco. The Green Card Lottery, formally known compared to only 13 in January this year. as the Diversity Visa Program, was introduced by the “Refugee resettlement goes up and down,” Moore U.S. State Department and randomly grants 55,000 said. “Even if we don’t have a lot of refugees here, visas each year. Her parents eventually achieved we want to be able to provide services and welcomcitizenship, but when preparing to get her driver’s ing support to the refugees.” permit, Liner realized that the citizenship had not The International Institute receives both federal passed onto her. and state grants, and it staffs between 60 and 80 “We had to go to the Immigration and Customs people whose jobs range from case specialists to Enforcement and give them documents that show that educators. Members of the staff dedicate their work both of my parents are naturalized and have been citi- to the livelihood of new Americans. zens,” Liner said. “We had to pay a ton of expensive “We have a pretty comprehensive plan of what fees. It took about six months. has to happen with new refugees,” I feel like with After they called me in, I had to Moore said. “Our housing team having our political has to find an apartment before take an oath and sign a bunch climate being a of things. [Then,] I got my they arrive, and we have to set up certificate of citizenship.” the apartment. Our next step is little negative toward foreign Liner has been an American picking them up at the airport. For born individuals, we’ve seen citizen for four months. She and the outpouring support of that first week of arrival, we try to her family feel lucky to have community members who want offer a pickup service and bring moved to St. Louis, where they them to the institute, and that’s to be positive. have been given the opportunity when we get them going.” to pursue the American dream.

History teacher Mike Hill has been taking his “I know a lot of people say that [the American International Relations classes to the International dream is] not real, but in Israel, the education is not Institute for the last decade. Although he was unable as good as in America, and the opportunity for jobs to take a class this year, he recognizes the institute as for a greater standard of living was something availan essential community resource in St. Louis. able if we came,” Liner said. “For my family, this “There was a woman who worked for the institute meant a chance to restart or to get another chance at who was a former Bosnian refugee, and she was very success. It attracts people all the time.” forthcoming about what her experience entailed and The International Institute of St. Louis is St. Louis’ what it meant to be a Muslim from the Balkans and welcome center for both refugees and immigrants. be persecuted,” Hill said. “What really stuns the kids According to the institute’s website, its mission is to is that these people are not uneducated, poor people, “help immigrants and their families become producbut these are people who, in many cases, are profestive Americans and champion ethnic diversity as a sionals who were uprooted for a variety of reasons.” cultural and economic strength.”

According to Hill, the geographical distance “We have our pillars of service divided into makes it easier to tune out the refugee crisis and three sections: immersion, investment and incluimmigration issues. By learning about organizations sion,” Kelly Moore, the institute’s external relations such as the International Institute, Ladue students can manager, said. “Immersion happens to be our largest better comprehend the life-and-death situations that pillar of service where we serve people to help them so many endure around the world. become citizens in the United States, particularly in “You are like, ‘Oh my gosh, I have such Ladue St. Louis.” problems,’” Hill said. “I think we feel helpless here Moore’s main job is to provide resources to and in the United States, and it’s because the things hapnetwork with community members on how they can pening out there are so far away that [don’t] touch interact and engage with the International Institute’s my life or impact me in any shape or form, but you work. Moore works with various schools, religious realize there are things people can do here. I thought groups and other immigration-related organizations that was one way to take Ladue kids, to take them in the St. Louis area, such as the St. Louis Mosaic downtown, to expose them to something that they Project and Oasis International. probably didn’t know even existed.” v

More than

70,000

88

Bosnians call St. Louis home. It is the largest Bosnian population outside Bosnia.

2020

Int r

The year ethnic minorities are expected to become the majority of the nation’s children.

More than 50% of Missouri’s immigrants are U.S. citizens

32

imm

How to apply for an immgrant visa

1

someone m “sponsor” y

4

go in for a interview

PANORAMA

in-depth

LTU

9

LS

has opened its doors to immigrants

on through fast facts and statistics

8%

the amount of the U.S. population made up by immigrants through 2065

ternational Institute St. Louis refugee resettlement 2018

Sources: IISTL, worldpopulationreview, acbih.org, NPR

In 2015, St. Louis was the fastestgrowing city for US immigration

hannah SUFFIAN in-depth editor

anya TULLMAN in-depth editor

Sample questions from the

U S Citizenship Test

1. What do we call the first ten

amendments to the Constitution?

a) the Declaration of Independence b) the inalienable rights c) the Bill of Rights

d) the Articles of Confederation

The foreign-born population of St. Louis grew

8.9 percent

from 2014 to 2015.

Congo 19.43%

Somalia 16.77%

Other 37.31%

26,294,398

migrants live in the US

must you

an w

2

apply for a green card

5

receive a decision

does the Senate have? a) 50 members

b) 100 members

c) 200 members d) 435 members

3. Who is the commander in chief of the military?

a) the President b) the Vice President c) the Secretary of Defense d) the Attorney General

76 percent of immigrants in the country are here legally.

3

get a medical examination

6

take the oath of allegiance

4. Who is the “Father of Our Country?�

a) Abraham Lincoln c) Thomas Jefferson b) Patrick Henry

d) George Washington

5. Who is currently the Speaker of the House of Representatives? a) Hillary Clinton

b) Robert Byrd Source: CNN

c) Paul Ryan

d) Nancy Pelosi Answers: 1. C 2. B 3. A 4. D 5. C

Afghanistan 26.49%

2. How many voting members

10

PANORAMA

A&E

Queen Ope's prom makeup predictions and results ope FALAKO writer

Students flock to the Internet, mall and tailor to get themselves ready for prom. Every part of a prom outfit is important, but a put-together makeup look is key because it adds an air of self-expression and ties the entire ensemble together.

Eyes T

he eyes and eyebrows demand the most attention in any makeup look; they are the first thing people notice about your face. Since prom occurs in the evening, I predicted that individuals will go for a natural smokey eye. Combining any color eyeshadow with a dark brown or black not only provides great contrast, but can make the look more appealing, too. I thought gold and glitter would almost certainly make an appearance, especially with the release of Fenty Beauty’s Body Lava and with the theme of the dance, Glitz and Gold. False lashes always bring drama to any look, and the addition of black eyeliner eases the transition between the lashes and the eyeshadow. Depending on one’s preference and outfit, eyebrow styles can range from natural to prominent.

Lips N

ext, we arrive at the lips. In order to complete our natural look, I expected neutral or nude lips topped with gloss. As for the individuals who didn’t want to keep reapplying the gloss, I thought they would go for a matte or satin lip.

The Results:

I

n recent years, foundation makeup has moved away from full coverage to medium and light coverage. I predicted the foundation style would appear more natural and skin-like. However, I expected the use of matte finish foundations in order to combat the inevitable sweating that comes with getting down on the dance floor.

To elevate the base makeup, I believed many individuals would use light contour and blush to maintain the natural look, but apply immense amounts of highlight to achieve a glow. Anastasia Beverly Hill’s “Amrezy” and Fenty Beauty’s “Trophy Wife” are highly pigmented highlighters and can help create a “glow from within.”

Skin

Though most of my predictions were correct, a few of my expectations were dashed. There were many neutral eyes, but glitter-filled lids and multi-colored cut creases made more appearances. I expected a greater number of matte lips, however, more people decided on a glossy or neutral lip to balance out the boldness of the eyes.

An Asian fusion food review

O

ffering a variety of Mexican-Korean cuisine, this eccentric restaurant with an awesome original name surprised me, and I would definitely go back for more than just the atmosphere. Seoul Taco is a fun little restaurant located at 6665 Delmar Blvd. in the Delmar Loop.

When I ate at Seoul Taco, the retro warmth of the restaurant quickly made me forget about the rain outside. The bright colors on their posters and signs and funky, upbeat music speak a great deal about the nature of the restaurant. With their trademark “Seoul Sauce” (optional, but recommended) on all their dishes, Seoul Taco creates a unique taste which combines a fiery, piquant Mexican flavor with an equally present sweet and sour Asian aroma. However, they also combine aspects from both food cultures in smaller ways. One example would be the inclusion of sesame seeds on their tacos.

I bought three tacos ($8 total) with a side of pot stickers ($3). On each one of the tacos, I had a different meat (bulgogi steak, chicken and spicy pork), but they also offer tofu as a vegetarian alternative. Though each individual taco provided its own unique taste with the different meat selections, they all were equally great, yet untraditional with some of the flavors. The pot stickers were just like others I’ve eaten from classic Asian restaurants.

While they do offer delivery, I definitely plan on returning to Seoul Taco in person for their exclusive tastes, low costs and lively environment. v

T

will MINIFIE writer

hough more costly than Seoul Taco, Sub Zero is still a relatively inexpensive restaurant that would probably be great for high school students trying to impress their dates.

Located on 308 N. Euclid, a street that I personally find quite similar to the Delmar Loop because of its bustling shops, restaurants and foot and street traffic, Sub Zero offers a less unique type of Asian fusion.

Sub Zero wasn't very busy when I ate there one Sunday afternoon, and the spacious environment was significantly less congested than Seoul Taco’s. Sub Zero's sleek atmosphere complements its luxury food, whether it is the Japanese sushi and tempura or the American burgers and sliders.

I had the Bacon Bourbon BBQ Burger ($14) with a side of onion rings.

Though the Sub Zero Angus beef was all-American, the spicy tempura-battered poblano pepper represented the heavy Japanese influence on the food. This unique blend was like nothing else I have eaten before. When I return, I know I will be inclined to get the same order, or, at the very least, more sushi. The onion rings were also exceptional.

Overall, the food tasted great, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was chill and nice. Sub Zero is certainly a restaurant I plan on returning to with friends or family. v

PANORAMA

news

11

District superintendent and assistant plan to retire

nikol NIKOLOVA writer

31.5% of teachers have 0-5 years experience 18.8% of teachers have 6-10 years experience 18% of teachers have 21 years or more of experience All statistics from 2016-17

Jahnke retires from district after 27 years

D

istrict Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke has announced plans to retire at the end of the 2018-19 school year.

“I am so proud to be the superintendent of the Ladue School District,” Jahnke said. “I love the people in our school system who make [Ladue] such an exemplary place to learn: students, teachers, administrators, support staff, board members, parents and our community. There is simply no better place for teaching and learning.”

Jahnke started working at Ladue as a teacher in 1991, and, after 18 years at Ladue, she was unanimously voted superintendent of the district. The search for a new superintendent will begin this summer.

“I wanted to retire at a time when the district was between large projects, and with clear financial, educational and facility plans in place,” Jahnke said. “With the high school complete by the spring of 2019, [it] is the right time for someone else to come into the district.”

Jahnke takes pride in working at Ladue and plans to continue supporting students by attending football, basketball and soccer games. During her time in the district, she has also been an avid supporter of the arts. “[Jahnke] has been a great friend to the arts and theatre especially,” theatre teacher Mike Pecka said. “I really

Source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

appreciate that she comes to our shows and often stays after to talk to the students.”

As superintendent, Jahnke is in charge of making sure every student in the district receives a quality education.

Her responsibilities include advocating for the school in front of the state legislature, operating the school’s budget and working with the Board of Education. These are just a few of her day-to-day responsibilities.

“This is what makes the job of a superintendent so interesting and exciting,” Jahnke said. “We want our students to be well-rounded individuals who are strong academically and are adept in other areas. We need to ensure we are providing outstanding educational programming.”

After she retires, Jahnke plans to teach at a university or be involved with service work, which she hasn’t had time for in recent years because of her busy schedule.

More than anything else, she says she will miss the people that make up the Ladue community.

“I am grateful for my years in the Ladue Schools and the many opportunities I have been afforded,” Jahnke said. “I have always been so proud to say I work in Ladue, and [I] am better for having had the opportunity to teach, lead and learn in our Ladue Schools.” v

Allen retires from district after three years

L

adue School District’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Jennifer Allen, will be retiring at the end of this school year. She previously worked at Wentzville, Patonville and Columbia Public Schools before coming to Ladue. One of her favorite aspects of working in the district was her ability to implement change on a larger scale. “[I like working at Ladue because] it’s so much more diverse than people think,” Allen said. “It’s just small enough that you can make decisions to make change.”

As a district administrator, Allen’s job includes anything involving student instruction. Some of her responsibilities involve overseeing district assessments, professional development and the Ladue gifted program.

At the beginning of the school year, Allen first met junior Courvaun Hill when she approached him about getting involved in the district’s diversity committee. Hill describes Allen as always respectful, working to foster a relaxed environment. “[She] works to make the student representatives feel comfortable and make everyone feel heard,” Hill said.

“She’s about full community participation and growth. I am definitely going to miss working so closely with [her] as she retires.” v

Seniors go to Cardinals game for end-of-year tradition

Students gather for their final celebration before graduation connie CHEN news editor

S

hieran ANDEBERHAN writer

enior students took a field trip to Busch Stadium to watch the St. Louis Cardinals play the Milwaukee Brewers April 11. Although the Cardinals ended up losing 3-2, most students said they enjoyed their experiences at the game.

Seniors first met in the cafeteria prior to the field trip. During that time, they wrote letters to teachers in the district to express their gratitude. For senior Grace Crockett, the field trip was like a

final celebration of finishing high game. One-hundred-ninety-eightstudents attended the game, school, and she enjoyed with the crowd at Busch being able to thank her Stadium totaling 35,814. The former teachers with trip to a Cardinals game is letters. traditional to Ladue, with se“It was really niors getting the chance to gratifying to be able attend nearly every year. to thank the teachers “I think [the field who have supported trip] is to reward us to get to where the seniors for we are today,” Crockfour years of ett said. hard work,” It was an senior unusually Fatima cold day, Sheriff with the said. temperature at a record low­ aleesha shi w ART EDITOR to start the

“[We] just [got] to have some fun with our remaining time at Ladue and at the school.”

They left for the game at 11:30 a.m. and could return to school at two possible times.

There were early buses that left the game in time for students to be back for the end of the school day. Most athletes took the early buses so they could be back in time for practice and games.

The late buses returned once the game was complete. They arrived at school at 4:30 p.m.

“I had a great time just watching the game and chatting with the seniors,” P.E. teacher Mary Christine Kubik said.

Most of the supervisors

enjoyed the relaxing and fun day the field trip provided. Social studies teacher Molly Beck helped to facilitate the annual field trip and believed that it was a great experience for both the students and faculty who attended the game. She said she is happy to be with them as their time at school comes to a close.

“My favorite part of the trip is getting to celebrate the senior class and make sure they get to enjoy one of our great traditions,” Beck said. “I always enjoy getting to watch the seniors spend time with their friends have fun. [This] day is all about [them].” v

PANORAMA

12

news

Symbolic mural in the works for Ladue Fire Department

Painting II class works on sections that will be assembled into mural

A

davina LETTAU writer

fter discussions with the Ladue Fire Department, painting teacher Daniel Raedeke announced that his students would create a mural in the Ladue Fire Station that will symbolize a variety of themes the firefighters prize, including respect, bravery and honor. The students plan to finish the mural by the end of April.

While the mural will center around different themes, it will also represent experiences that influenced the students. They worked on the design of the mural so that it reflects traditional colors associated with firefighters, such as the classic fireman red or emergency medical service colors.

“The mural is based around the themes of tradition, honor, respect, duty, loyalty, integrity, trust, selfless service and

personal courage,” Raedeke said.

“It will consist of a variety of panels with different scenes and objects on them representing the fire house.”

Each student was assigned to a section of the mural to work on. Junior Lilly Ohlsen dedicated her section to the remembrance of 9/11 and the bravery of the firefighters. Ohlsen was inspired to work on the mural because of the firefighters' wish to increase involvement in the community.

“Each person has their own board with a painting on it, and then we’re going to paint each background in a similar way so it blends together,” Ohlsen said.

Although Ohlsen based her mural off of an event, junior Sophie Isaacs wanted to depict the idea of teamwork and collaboration. Isaac’s section of the mural will show two firemen working as a team in order to put out a blazing fire.

“I am painting two firefighters [putting] out a fire with a hose,”

PAINT PANELS //

Junior Ni-ne Rengsomboon paints one of the 12 panels that will be in the mural for Ladue’s fire station.

Painting teacher Daniel Raedeke’s Painting II class of 18 students has been collaborating to create the mural by the end of April. The students walked to the fire station before spring break and took many photos for inspiration. “This is certainly a first as far as creating artwork for a large public building,” Raedeke said. (Photo by Zach Weller)

Isaacs said. “I wanted to work on the mural because I enjoy painting and making things that have a meaning.”

Ohlsen was encouraged by the idea that the firemen would be looking at her art every day and using it for motivation. The class spoke with firefighters to understand their day-to-day lives, and they toured the fire station.

“The mural is in the firehouse near the trucks,” Ohlsen said. “They wanted community involvement and artwork for their space since they are at the firehouse often, [and] it’s like a second home for them.”

Although painting is a fun activity for most students, Isaacs has enjoyed making the mural for more than the superficial

reasons. Isaac believes that the mural is important because it recognizes firefighters and their everyday heroic actions.

“The mural is a nice way of showing our appreciation for the Ladue Fire Department,” Isaacs said. “I think the firefighters will really like the mural because of all the hard work we put into [creating the mural].” v

What does your favorite color reveal about your personality?

RED lovers live life to the fullest. They also are tenacious and determined in nearly all of their ambitions.

Those who love YELLOW enjoy learning and sharing their knowledge with other people.

People who love BLUE love harmony, are reliable, sensitive and make an effort to think of others.

People who love ORANGE are very joyful. They have a lot of enthusiasm for most of their future endeavors.

Those who love the color GREEN are often affectionate, loyal and aware of the people around them.

People who love PURPLE are artistic and unique.

They have great respect for others.

In the Classrooms

Source: Psychology Today

Day of Dialogue Science teacher Ted Waterson explains the fundamentals of first aid and how to treat gunshot wounds in an emergency situation during the Day of Dialogue April 20.

"I needed some more time to prepare and to give the presentation, but overall, it was great," Waterson said.

(Photo by Connie Chen)

Housing and Design Sophomore Eileen Duncan examines her floor plan that she made in Housing and Design April 20. In the class, students learn about different house styles and designs. "My favorite part of the class is creating floor plans and designing functional houses," Duncan said. (Photo by Connie Chen)

PANORAMA

news

Seniors prepare for one-act plays Directors started planning their plays in November writer

fter months of rehearsing, analyzing scripts and planning sets, Ladue theatre students are set to take the stage for the senior One-Acts April 27 and 28 in the PAC. This year, seniors Annie Heartney, Katie Bohnert and Joe Shiffrin will direct the One-Acts. Heartney will direct “The Other Room,” which was written by playwright Ariadne Blayde. “‘The Other Room’ centers around this brilliant teenage astronomer named Austin who happens to have autism,” Heartney said. “He meets Lily, his sweet classmate, and they talk, and their friendship blooms.”

Heartney has designed her set to depict encounters from Austin’s daily life. In order to represent the inner workings of Austin’s mind, she divided the set into a classroom and a cage with four actors trapped inside.

This is meant to give audiences the ability to view life through the perspective of an autistic person. “[The set is] disorganized, and it's really representative of how intelligent Austin is, but it also represents how hard it is for him to communicate with other people effectively,” Heartney said.

This year more than others, the event features shows that are rooted in complex topics. Sponsor and theatre teacher Mike Pecka is particularly looking forward to the diversity these plays have to offer.

“One play addresses the issue of special needs, one of them is kind of a Shakespearean spoof and the other is very political,” Pecka said. “I am excited to see how the audience reacts to three very different [productions].”

Bohnert will attempt to represent the current political climate with the One-Act “2016: Her Story, Her Vote.” It was written by Ladue alumna Lily Kennedy, who interviewed multiple women about their experiences during the 2016 presidential election. The play is about these women’s stories, political views and hopes for the future.

“I knew I wanted a really unique story for my OneAct, something that would have an impact on the audience,” Bohnert said. “We work on their characters and make the women in the story come to life. I really want to make sure we represent all the women accurately.”

Bohnert feels one of the driving forces of her One-Act is the distinct and differing messages that each woman presents. While the play’s primary focus is politics, it also examines the themes of intolerance, feminism and openmindedness in a polarized country.

Lily Kennedy: After the election, for a lot of people, there was so much pain and tension within families and friends. Creating this project was an attempt to figure out what was going on with our country.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT //

Juniors A.J. Sierra and Courvaun Hill and senior Wyatt Arnold rehearse their parts for “The Other Room,” which is directed by senior Annie Heartney. After first seeing the play at Missouri State Thespian Conference, Heartney knew she wanted to one day be involved in its production. “I get to educate people, as well as [be] a director for this project,” Heartney said. “I am very happy.” (Photo by Zach Weller)

AR: Why did you decide to interview and write about actual women during the 2016 presidential election?

LK: I wanted to understand how others were feeling and the decision-making process behind their vote. I did not have an inherit understanding of these other points of view, so I had to seek them through other women who are different from me.

I Anything I made up wouldn’t come close to the magnitude of truth they revealed to me.

AR: Since you didn't write this play specifically for the One-Acts, how did Katie Bohnert come to direct it?

HER STORY // The cast of “2016: Her Story, Her

Vote” practices as senior and director Katie Bohnert, who started planning months ago, watches. “I made floor plans and did [a] detailed analysis of my show,” Bohnert said. “In rehearsals, we work on character analysis, blocking and lines.” (Photo by Zach Weller)

LK: Katie Bohnert was looking for something to direct, and she asked me if I had anything for her. I suggested “2016: Her Story, Her Vote” because of its relevance and malleability. This piece has a unique structure, which allowed it to be cut down to a one-act length. I think [Katie] will bring a sweetness and sensitivity to the piece.

“All these women are really strong and inspiring,” Bohnert said. “The whole experience has made me a lot more accepting of different views.”

The directors feel that the annual tradition of senior One-Acts allows everyone to be able to participate in many forms of art. For Heartney, contributing to the One-Acts and theatre is a way for students to find a community within school.

“I feel like people in theatre have this fire and passion to create something and tell a story, Heartney said.” v

STUCO In the Clubs

One-Acts Q&A with alumna Lily Kennedy Adam Rush: What was the inspiration for your One- Act “2016: Her Story, Her Vote?”

aman RAHMAN

A

13

Rams Against Gun Violence Junior Davina Lettau campaigns for this year's student council election.

After being president of the junior class, she won Vice President of STUCO April 19.

“I'm excited because I get an opportunity to create a more inclusive school and promote school spirit,” Lettau said. (Photo by Adam Rush)

Juniors Anna Mumford and Carolyn Duncan draw posters during the Day of Dialogue event thatwas planned by Rams Against Gun Violence. The club helped plan the event for the last few weeks. “We may not be able to vote, but [we can] make a difference,” senior Malone Hannis said.

(Photo by Kathryn Xu)

sports

PANORAMA

14

Oh cap-twin, my cap-twin Natalia and Carolina Ritter bring sisterly bond to the field The twins’ friendly, honest characters have allowed them to connect with each girl on the team. This honesty hope SHIMONY allows the twins to recognize issues and suggest improvewriter ments in a kind, constructive way.

“We both have the same mindset and we are [both] ell done Ritters!” head coach David Aronberg pretty outgoing.” Carolina Ritter said. “[We] aren’t shy shouts across the field, as the girls soccer about leading the team or speaking out about what needs team runs back to the Ladue side of the field. to improve.”

Twins and senior captains Natalia and Carolina Ritter, The sisters’ relationship also allows them to criticize had just developed a goal-scoring play from the center of each other’s play. This advice helps improve the other’s the field. play, and how they work together.

Natalia and Carolina have been on varsity together for “We learn from each other and can [correct each other] four years and have played towithout be offended,” Natalia Ritter I always know what gether in the midfield their whole said. “Being able to yell at her is the she’s going to do lives. After years of playing with best.” each other, the twins have develAlthough they are best friends, the when she has the ball, oped a complete understanding of twins enjoy teasing each other. The since I’ve been playing with each other’s playstyles, strengths Ritters mock each other’s mistakes or her for so many years and weaknesses, allowing them to awkward interactions like any sibling be a successful as a midfield unit. would, but these jokes are out of love.

“I always know what she’s going to do when she has “They like to get on each other’s nerves and act like the ball, since I’ve been playing with her for so many they don’t like each other sometimes,” Aronberg said. years,” Carolina Ritter said. “[This allows me to] always “But I know it’s nothing but love between them.” be in the right spot when she passes it.”

The relationship twins have is a unique one. Spending Not only does their close relationship benefit the team an extensive amount of time with each other allows them on the field, but their bond allows the Ritters to lead and to fully understand how each other thinks and acts. collaborate effectively with the coaching staff. Natalia “My relationship with my sister is different, and [I feel and Carolina’s outgoing personalities have pushed the like] only other twins will really understand doing everyteam to become closer as a family and helped create a thing with another person 24/7,” Carolina Ritter said. support system within the team.

The Ritters’ soccer career has only strengthen their “They have done a lot off the field in terms of their friendship. Throughout their many years of competing, leadership that has helped make this team much closer the twins’ appreciation and respect for each other have this year,” Aronberg said. “They can easily collaborate grown significantly. with one another, since they live together. It’s been really “[I am] extremely proud [of her],” Natalia Ritter said. easy to bounce ideas off of them, getting quick feed“She’s my best friend and is [constantly] teaching me back.” new things.” v

W

TWINZIES // Seniors Natalia and Carolina Ritter stand together on the soccer field where they spend numerous hours together. The sisters are both captains of the varsity soccer team and have been playing with each other for a long time. (Photo by Rhiannon Rhoads)

You only live once, but you can serve twice

Aaron Umen and Jeremy Ouyang excel on the court anik JAIN writer

T

he Ladue varsity tennis team has seen its fair share of outstanding players over the past few years, but few have reached the level that senior Aaron Umen and sophomore Jeremy Ouyang have reached.

Last year, Umen and Ouyang finished third at state in doubles play. As nationally ranked players, they have helped to increase the prestige of the Ladue tennis program under the supervision of Coach Margaret Junker.

“I have enjoyed watching [Umen] grow as a player and a person these past four years,” Junker said. “When he goes out on the court, I can usually expect him to come back with a win.”

Through his consistent practice and motivation to reach his fullest potential, Umen has been able to perfect his craft during his four years at Ladue.

What sets Umen apart, however, is his unique ability to become a leader and mentor for the younger players on the team. “[Aaron] has helped me grow as a player because he offers a different perspective on the game of tennis,” Ouyang said.

Umen’s success at Ladue has not gone unnoticed. Umen comitted to play tennis at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland starting next fall.

“I was so excited when I found out I was going to be playing tennis at the collegiate level,” Umen said. “I can’t thank Coach Junker enough for being such a

strong role model for me all these years.”

Umen’s strong relationship with Junker has undoubtedly proved fruitful for him, as he has been able to reach new heights, including becoming the third-best singles player for his age in the state. As Umen continues to train, the skills he learned from Coach Junker will provide him with a platform from which to grow.

“I was so proud when I found out Aaron was going to play in college,” Junker said. “As a former college player myself, I could relate to the excitement of the opportunity and seeing what the future has in store.”

While Umen enjoys his last few matches for the Rams, Ouyang continues to impress his coaches. For Coach Junker, Ouyang’s raw talent and depth of

experience puts him in an extraordinary position to become an even better player.

“Even though Jeremy is a fairly young player, he brings a lot of experience to the court,” Junker said. “He’s a great team player, and his game just keeps getting better and better. His teammates look up to him, not only because of his tennis ability, but because of his attitude and enthusiasm he brings to the team.”

Umen and Ouyang will once again take their talents to the state championship this May. And if the past is anything to go by, a place atop the podium doesn’t seem out of reach for the pair. v

sports

15

PANORAMA

Where we droppin, boys?

‘Fortnite’ has taken the esports world by storm jackson BRY sports editor

A

fter completing the biggest upset in March Madness history, in which the sixteen seed University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers beat the number one seed University of Virginia Cavaliers, reporters asked the players how they felt about the win. Nolan Gerrity shocked the reporter, along with most of the media, by saying that it was like getting his first Fortnite win.

Throughout the past six months, Fortnite: Battle Royale has changed the esports world by making it extremely mainstream. It has been the most downloaded video game on both PlayStation and Xbox One since October 2017. The game, which can be played alone or with friends, pits players against 99 other people in a survival-based combat setting, much like the Hunger

42%

of Ladue students have played Fortnite.

Two months:

the amount of time it took for Fortnite to become the most downloaded game on Xbox and PlayStation.

$0: the cost of Fortnite.

Jackson’s hot takes

Jackson Bry’s highly disputed predictions and opinions about pro sports

Games. It starts in a repurposed school bus that flies over an island, and players can choose where they jump out or “drop” by skydiving. After that, players must find weapons and use them to eliminate each other until there is only one left standing. There are three different modes of Fortnite: solos, duos and squads. Duos and squads allow people to be teammates with friends or random people across the world.

“When there’s nothing else to do with friends and you’re all bored, you can just hop on a game,” junior Matthew Mrazek said. “It’s a really good way to socialize if we’re not together, and we usually work pretty well together.”

Part of the reason Fortnite is so popular is because of the sheer accessibility of it. The game is free to download and play on the iPhone, as well as on Xbox, Playstation and PC. “It’s crazy how popular it’s gotten,” sophomore Adam Present said. “But it makes sense. It’s free — and on almost every platform — so why wouldn’t it be popular?”

Not only is Fortnite accessible by the masses, but it has been getting a lot of media attention lately. Most notably is when the most popular Fortnite livestreamer, Tyler Blevins, also known as Ninja, went live with rapper Drake and NFL player Juju Smith-Schuster. The stream broke all kinds of records, garnering 635,000 viewers on twitch.com, a popular streaming website that allows people to donate to the people they’re watching, as well as subscribe for another sum of money.

“Putting a huge name out there like Drake with some random kid who plays video games for a living, that introduces a whole new crowd,” Mrazek said. “People think, ‘Oh, Drake plays, so might as well join it.’”

Not only did the game gain popularity from Ninja’s stream, but Ninja himself also gained momentum with the help of Drake. He now makes up to $500,000 per month from sponsorships, subscriptions and donations.

He has been most recently sponsored by Bud Light.

Critics say that he never really earned his money and people should stop donating to him and watching him.

However, he remains in the Fortnite spotlight.

“I think if you make money, you make money,” sophomore Carlos Puyo said. “If people are going to donate to watch [Ninja] play, then, yeah, him making that much money is okay with me. Pretty much everyone who plays has heard of him, so it’s logical that he’d make that much money.” v

Senior Sit Down Each month, Panorama sits down with a senior athlete. This month’s featured athlete is water polo player Alex Benduski.

Jackson Bry: What was your favorite memory playing water polo for Ladue?

Alex Benduski: The JV state tournament, where we won the championship, and I got to [win] with the same guys I got to work with all season. It was definitely the most fun I ever had in a tournament.

JB: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

AB: I just listen to really loud music to get myself in the zone, but, other than that, I don’t really have anything special that I do.

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

AB: I definitely have looked up to a few senior guys, especially when I was on the JV team. Zach Helmkampf was a really big influence for me. He was a very cool guy.

JB: What was your favorite daily aspect of playing water polo for Ladue?

AB: It’s a sport where you can really improve every single day. Every time you’re in the water, there’s always something you can work on.

The New York Knicks will have a 50-win season next year

Kirk Cousins will live up to the expectations in Minnesota

Bryce Harper won’t resign with the Washington Nationals

Kristaps Porzingis was having a career year before tearing his ACL in early February. Look for him to make a comeback and perform at his full capability.

Plus, a more developed Frank Ntilikina and possibly Wendell Carter Jr. from the ninth pick in the draft would make the Knicks an offensive powerhouse.

Added depth from Enes Kanter, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Michael Beasley will make them unstoppable.

The former Washington Redskins quarterback is finally free from the constraints of the franchise tag and has signed with the Minnesota Vikings. After three straight seasons of 4,000+ yards, 25+ touchdowns and nearly a 70 percent completion rate, Cousins is undoubtedly one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

He will be worth his seemingly insane $84,000,000 guaranteed contract.

After multiple MVP-caliber seasons, Bryce Harper still has nothing to show for it. Analysts believe that after his contract is up at the end of this season, he will be the highest-paid player in MLB history. In his tenure with the Nationals, he has never once even made it to the National League Championship Series.

If the Nats don’t make the Fall Classic, Harper will leave in pursuit of a ring.

photo

PANORAMA

16

Go Outside and Enjoy the Fresh Air

rhiannon RHOADS photo editor

Spring brings warm weather, inspiring students to spend time outdoors TAKING A HIKE // (Right) Hiking along the path, senior Alexia Thomas gazes around Castlewood State Park. “Looking out on the view is super cool,” Thomas said. “Also, I hike with my family when we go up to the Northeast.”

(All photos

by Rhiannon Rhoads)

LIKE RIDING A BIKE // (Left)

Gliding over a bridge in Des Peres Park, freshman Claire Long rides her bike. Bike riding became a family tradition for the Long family when Claire was in kindergarten.

“My dad wanted to do something [together,] and so we would just ride bikes to the park or just around,” Long said. “Those days were fun because I got to spend time with my family.”

HAPPY CAMPER // (Left)

Sliding the support poles through the slots, senior Jonah Levy sets up a tent. Levy attended Camp Eagle Ridge every summer since he was 11 years old, and this summer he will be a counselor at the camp.

“It’s nice because it’s a break from the rest of the world, and you get to disconnect,” Levy said. “It’s a cleansing experience, in a way.”

GONE FISHIN’ //

OUT FOR A WALK // (Above) Taking a stroll with her three

cocker spaniels, senior Maggie Tyrrell enjoys Tilles Park. The Tyrrell family adopted their cocker spaniel mixes, Penny, Khaki and Cheerio, from Stray Rescue. “They love the outdoors, so when I take them outside, it makes them happy, which makes me happy,” Tyrrell said.

(Left) Waiting for a fish to bite, senior Andrew Lucier patiently fishes at Des Peres Park. Fishing is one of Lucier’s favorite activities, and whether he is in St. Louis or Florida, he fishes just about anywhere. “My favorite place to fish is in Florida, either on a boat or in golf course lakes,” Lucier said. “It’s the best feeling to get a bite and feel the fish fighting on the line.”