Panorama January Issue by Ladue Publications

Photo by Vincent Hsiao

Editors’ Note

Breakfast on-the-go, cafeteria lines and after-school snacks. Food informs every aspect of students’ lives, affecting energy and nutrition. But everyone doesn’t consume the same way, particularly due to financial and dietary restrictions.

In this month’s in-depth, we explore student’s relationship with food. Then, in health and sports, we further this knowledge with an infographic that details fad diets and how to spot them.

Elsewhere, we look at February’s most beloved holiday: Valentine’s Day. With date night and Galentine’s ideas, we aim to provide Feb. 14 ideas.

In features, we explore students taking advantage of South Tech programs and Ladue Middle School tutoring, as well as a 10th-grader using her artistic talents to connect with her heritage.

Opinions highlights other relationships in our society, especially between women and body hair, as well as relationships between government and corporation spending.

Thank you for reading; we hope you enjoy our first issue of 2025. Have a good second semester!

CREDITS:

Scan to view Ladue Publications’ Editorial Policy

Panorama Staf

EXECUTIVE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Arti Jain

MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lathan Levy

DESIGN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Emily Liu

COPY EDITORS IN CHIEF

Katie Myckatyn

Will Kodner

ART EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kelly Zhang

PHOTO EDITOR IN CHIEF

Vincent Hsiao

NEWS EDITORS

Marie Demkovitch

Cindy Liu

FEATURES EDITORS

Grace Huewe

Ira Rodrigues

IN-DEPTH EDITORS

Alzhraa Mahmoud

Celina Zhou

OPINIONS EDITORS

Ella Bender

Grace Kweon

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

EDITORS

Sara Rohatgi

Aaron Lin

HEALTH & SPORTS EDITORS

Mason Eastman

Ryan Snyder

STAFF MANAGER

Nyla Weathersby

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

LIAISON

Ishaan Pandey

COLUMNIST

Frank Chen

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Michael Zegel

Jay Heintz

NEWS STAFF

Max Karsh

Tiya Kaul

FEATURES STAFF

Loukya Gillella

Josie Stout

IN-DEPTH STAFF

Isaac Zelinske

Nathan King

OPINIONS STAFF

Emily Pan

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

STAFF

Fiona Van Allen

Nina Ye

HEALTH & SPORTS STAFF

Meg Myckatyn

Vicky Derdoy

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Isak Taylor

Ivana Todorova

Kayla Chan

Lilly Jacks

Mariana Copeland

Margaret McCrady

Risa Fingerman

ARTISTS

Chloe Lang

WEB EDITORS IN CHIEF

Josh Devine

Madeline Awad

WEB STAFF

Adela Gingrich

Amelie Lock

Kaichen Chou

Katie Jansen

Madeline Fong

ID EDITORS IN CHIEF

Sylvia Hanes

Maya Mathew

Ella Braig

ID STAFF

Medha Chode

Jane Schefel

ADVISERS

Sarah Kirksey

Abigail Eisenberg

Editor’s photo by Vincent Hsiao. Front cover design by Kelly Zhang. Back cover design by Nina Ye.

Emily Liu Arti Jain Lathan Levy Will Kodner Katie Myckatyn

Arti Jain

News to Know

Local Events

Events to visit in February

“Lift Every Voice” Concert

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will host the “Lift Every Voice” concert Feb. 28 in celebration of Black History Month at the Stifel Theatre. The concert features an assortment of music from African and African-American cultures. Tickets are available on the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra website and can vary from $27 to $67 depending on seating.

Light Cycles

Brookdale Farms debuted its “Light Cycles” immersive event January and will run until March. Visitors can stroll through a mile-long nighttime walk through nature with several light and sound installations. The event allows visitors of all ages to experience nature in a vivid way. Tickets can vary from $30 for ages 13 and up, and $23 for children 12 and under.

Board Update

Ladue Board of Education discusses potential impacts of state and national initiatives

By Arti Jain

Executive Editor in Chief

The school board discussed the potential impact of policies set forth by President Donald Trump and Governor Mike Kehoe at its Jan. 29 open meeting.

Superintendent Jim Wipke clarified the effect school choice and voucher programs, as mentioned in Kehoe’s State of the State address, could have on the Ladue School District. These programs allow families to redeem the tax money they send to public schools, as their children attend private schools.

“There will be a push for open enrollment in public schools,” Wipke said. “While this is a policy that’s often framed as increasing student choice, it also has the potential to destabilize school districts by creating competition for top students and weakening the fabric of local communities.”

Ladue High School Principal Brad Griffith also presented the school’s

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priorities, including the Seal of Biliteracy and Rams Around the World event. Griffith said that Trump’s Jan. 22 executive order ending federal DEI programs would not immediately affect the building.

“Our district is one of the most diverse school districts in the state of Missouri,” Griffith said in an interview after the meeting. “I think it is upon us to recognize and to celebrate that diversity as a part of what makes us, us.”

Additionally, treasurer Kisha Lee presented the Ladue Education Foundation’s donation in grant money, funding a Piano Lab and “Kids on Wheels,” among other programs. The Student Advisory Committee introduced “Flip the Script,” an initiative to curb drug usage. The group will advertise on social media, Ladue High School televisions and a dedicated discussion lunch table.

“There is a problem with drugs in our society,” member Alexandra Tsygankov (12) said. “Whether you see it or not, it needs to be addressed.”

Key events in the months of November and December P

Photo courtesy of Moment Factory

RIGHT: Social studies teachers Mike Hill and Riley Keltner, Principal Brad Grifth, Logan Elick (12) and Reese Elick (12) traveled to see the Lincoln Memorial. “I didn’t get to see the inauguration, but I learned a lot of history about our country,” Reese said. (Photos courtesy of Mike Hill)

Inauguration Field Trip

Social studies teachers Mike Hill and Riley Keltner and Principal Brad Grifth lead students to Washington D.C.

News Editor By Cindy Liu

To see the inauguration of President Donald Trump, social studies teachers Mike Hill and Riley Keltner, as well as Principal Brad Griffith, took two AP Government & Politics students, Logan and Reese Elick (12), to Washington D.C. Jan. 18-21.

“The most important thing for us [was] seeing the peaceful transfer of power firsthand,” Keltner said. “Everything we talk about in history class or government class is about the history of the process and the continuation of that process. Presidents are temporary, but the process is not.”

The trip was originally an opportunity to watch the inauguration from the National Mall near the United States Capitol. Due to severe weather conditions, the ceremony was moved to the Capitol Rotunda and was inaccessible to the group. Nevertheless, the group visited other locations in the city such as the Natural History Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, the Spy Museum, the Supreme Court building and many more.

“[I mostly felt excitement,]” Hill said. “I’m in the epicenter of our democracy, and you can’t get closer to it than actually being in Washington D.C., and also knowing that you’re sharing an experience with other people in the moment is special.”

DECA Districts

DECA competes at district-wide competition Feb. 6

LEFT: DECA held an optional business panel Jan. 20 to prepare members before competing at districts Feb. 6. Competition events are either solo or with a partner and consist of written tests, business presentations and on-the-spot interviews. “[My favorite part] is when frst-year DECA members are successful,” Jessica Kennedy, club advisor, said. “It’s like they found their spark in the world of business. The look on their face is priceless.” (Photos courtesy of Jessica Kennedy)

Club Coverage

Club events in January and February

Science Olympiad

Members of the Science Olympiad team traveled to Chicago Jan. 17 to compete at the University of Chicago Science Olympiad invitational tournament. Students participated in diferent test-based, lab-based and project-based events, which assessed their knowledge in various scientifc disciplines. The team placed fourth out of around 30 teams, and many members won medals in their individual events. “My favorite part was hanging out with the team after the events were done,” Aiden Qian (11), who won frst place for his event, said. “We all got lunch together and had fun talking to people about how their events were.”

Robotics Tournament

The VEX Robotics team traveled to Troy Buchanan High School Jan. 26 for the Troy Winter Classic tournament consisting of 48 teams across Missouri high schools. Schools can send up to six teams to compete. Three out of four of the VEX Robotics teams competed in this event, and Team “Gheese,” led by Rex Zhu (11) and Ben Reiser (11), placed third and qualifed for the state tournament. “I’m very excited,” team leader Reiser said. “This year’s game has a huge hang structure in the center that not really anyone has gone for. Almost all the matches are 40 or 50 points higher because of how the scoring works diferently.”

VEX

Photo courtesy of Chris Reiser

“I’m

Funds for Hope

FemCo hosts annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser to support local nonproft

By Marie Demkovitch

News Editor

Feminist Coalition (FemCo) holds their annual Valentine’s Day Fundraiser Feb. 13-16 to raise funds for and sponsor the organization Community Health Improvement Collaborative (CHIC).

“The Valentine’s Day fundraiser is one of our biggest fundraisers,” FemCo Vice President Queena Xu (11) said. “It gives us the most amount of money to give to whichever organization we are sponsoring.”

During the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, members of FemCo host the fundraiser in the multipurpose room throughout lunch. They sell roses, candy grams, chocolates and raffle tickets to students.

“This year, we’re fundraising to raise money for women in need of period care products and hygiene products,” FemCo social media manager Mina Farrow-Prater (11) said. “In years past, we’ve donated to other organizations.”

CHIC is a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 by Dr. Fanaye Dadi that emphasizes health and education awareness for women and girls. The menstrual health and hygiene initiative of CHIC is called Esetoch, which focuses on improving access to menstrual health management sources.

“We are aiming to target 500 women and girls to provide the menstrual hygiene products to them,” Ruth Abraha, Secretary of CHIC and 2013 Ladue alumni, said. “The hygiene products are in a package lasting from nine months to a year, which is amazing in terms of sustainability.”

Fundraising is a key step in order for CHIC to provide hygiene products for the Esetoch program. FemCo provides the means for the organization to do so.

“We first figure out what we want to sell,” Xu said. “We figure out what sold well the previous years, and if we want to do it again. We also talk to other clubs like Student Council because typically most of the sponsoring money is donated [by Student Council].”

“I think [that high school students] have so many ideas and so many ways to connect with others, not just locally, but also internationally.”

Ruth Abraha Secretary of CHIC and Ladue alumni

CURIOUS?

Scan here for information on CHIC:

Girls’ education in Ethiopia is also benefited by the Esetoch program, as students are able to use more convenient products.

“In women’s and girls’ health, [we make sure] that women have the proper products and resources that they need to be able to take care of themselves and to be able to fully participate in society,” Abraha said. “That includes going to school and not dropping out because you started your period or because you don’t have anything that you could use for a pad or any sort of hygiene product, which is a real issue abroad.”

By participating in the fundraiser, students are able to make a difference in CHIC’s work.

“My favorite part about being in FemCo is that I’m making an impact, and I feel like I get to support what I believe in,” Farrow-Prater said. “Even though we might not be raising millions of dollars, I know that what we’re doing is making a change, and we’re also shooting to inspire other people to want to make change too.”

Claire Yates (9) and Serenity Xu (9) decorate posters for the Valentine’s Day fundraiser. FemCo held a meeting with members Jan. 23 to create decorations.

looking forward to being a part of a club that’s doing a fundraiser,” Yates said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Band to Perform

Chamber, Jazz Band to perform concerts Feb. 25 and 27

By Tiya Kaul

Staf

The chamber ensemble will perform in a concert Feb. 25 in the orchestra room and the jazz bands will hold their concert in the Performing Arts Center Feb. 27 to spotlight students’ musical talents.

“The concert is to celebrate our achievements as students and to really show off what we’re capable of as high school students,” principal clarinetist Felix Zhang (10) said. “I think a lot of people underestimate how skilled we are, but it’s a craft that you learn throughout many years, and we’re proud to show it.”

The preparation for both concerts is divided, allowing the chamber and the jazz ensembles to have enough practice for both of the performances.

“When we split up, the chamber just practice our pieces, the jazz practices their pieces,” Zhang said. “It’s pretty simple.”

HISTORY JAM

The modern trumpet was made in the 1800s with European origins. It has three valves to control the pitch.

The clarinet was created in the 1600s by Johann Denner. The word, “clarinet” originated from “little trumpet.”

Chamber and jazz are two types of ensembles, where each include different styles of instruments. They are separated because chamber is focused on classical music, while jazz is dedicated to modern compositions.

“Chamber is for classical orchestra instruments such as clarinet, flutes [and] bassoons,” Zhang said. “Then jazz goes into trumpets, saxophones and more brassy types of instruments.”

At their concert, Zhang’s chamber ensemble will play a renowned musical composition entitled, “The Carmen Suite.”

“[‘The Carmen Suite’ is] transposed for woodwind instruments,” Zhang said. “It’s fiery, passionate, dramatic and a really famous opera piece.”

Meanwhile, symphonic jazz band is playing “Birdland,” a piece performed each year. This year, the band will also be performing a new song called, “Tall and Lanky.” Along with the music, the jazz concert appeals to a crowd who

has an affinity for the lively music.

“Jazz band is fun because it’s upbeat,” fourth chair trumpet Isabella Huang (12) said. “One of my friends even starts dancing when we’re not playing.”

The jazz concert’s preparation is complex and collaborative.

“[Jazz band members] get the music, and then we rehearse in our jazz group and during class,” Huang said.

The chamber concert is simpler, but still has several groups of various instruments performing. This exhibits the talents of the players in each group. The concertists also seek to motivate the audience to play an instrument.

“We’ll want people to enjoy,” Zhang said. “Music is for enjoyment, but also, we want to inspire people to play music in the future. It’s a great activity, and to spark curiosity or to ignite a passion within people is what we’re ultimately looking forward to, and that’s why we love playing music so much.”

Symphonic Band performs their fall concert Nov. 21 in the Performing Arts Center. Band members played a variety of unique music. “We played ‘Sea Songs,’ ‘Cajun Folk Songs’ and ‘Holst’s First Suite in Eb,’ Zhang said.

(Photo by Sydney Proper)

Illustration by Tiya Kaul

Full Throttle

Arlo Ziolkowski (10), Gavin Brantmeier Prabhakar (10) fnd friendship through car culture

By Vincent Hsiao

Photo Editor in Chief

For Arlo Ziolkowski (10) and Gavin Brantmeier Prabhakar (10), cars are more than just for getting from point A to point B. It’s a lifestyle that fuels their friendship while immersing them into a vibrant community of fellow enthusiasts, where they attend meets and express their creativity through content creation and photography.

The two became friends in eighth grade after Brantmeier Prabhakar heard about Ziolkowski’s interest in cars. Prior to their encounter, both found enthusiasm for cars from video games. Ziolkowski received his first gaming console in elementary school, which included the racing game Forza Horizon 3.

“I had a similar story,” Brantmeier Prabhakar said. “When I got my Xbox, it came with Forza Motorsport 5, and so that’s where I gained my interest from mostly.”

After getting their permits last school year, they shifted gears to the real thing. Brantmeier Prabhakar has a BMW 328Ci, purchased in seventh grade after earning enough money from mowing lawns, cleaning cars and reselling shoes online. Ziolkowski recently got a Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

“I was always looking for more of a sporty car, just to kind of show my enthusiasm for cars through what I drive,” Ziolkowski said. “And this GLI popped up, my dad saw it, and we took it out for a test drive. [I] really liked it, and we just ended up getting it.”

Both visit car meets regularly and go spotting for exotic cars.

“Having a lot of people get together and showcase what they like is just always a good experience.”

Arlo Ziolkowski (10)

Ziolkowski has refined his car photography skills and has recently dabbled into creating video edits — something that Brantmeier Prabhakar has seen viral success in. His car spotting page on TikTok has amassed over 17,000 followers, 1.4 million likes and 2.8 million views on his most popular clip.

“When I see cars that I like, I will usually take videos and photos and I’ll edit them, and then I’ll post them online,” Brantmeier Prabhakar said. “This year, it’s started to gain a lot of traction.”

From gaming to events to content creation, there’s a variety of ways to engage with the hobby.

“So many people think being into cars is about speeding or racing or being loud and obnoxious,” Brantmeier Prabhakar said. “But it’s really a way of bonding with people.”

Gavin Brantmeier Prabhakar (10) and Arlo Ziolkowski (10) drive around downtown Clayton Jan. 25. Working on his car several days a week, Brantmeier Prabhakar’s 2000 BMW 328Ci manual coupe has modifcations including custom headlights, a cold air intake, wheels, headers and tuning. He visits the Slammedenuf car show in Chicago every year, where cars with lowered suspensions are showcased. Ziolkowski’s 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition is only one of 3,500 units produced. “I defnitely know a good amount of people through cars,” Ziolkowski said. “Just by looking at diferent accounts of people posting stuf in St. Louis about cars, and also meeting people through meets, talking to a lot of diferent owners.”

SCAN FOR Gavin Brantmeier Prabhakar’s car TikTok

South Tech on Deck

South Tech High School provides opportunities for students to explore their future career interests

By Josie Stout

Anastasia

Amromina (11)

Arms, legs and other body parts rest on tables, waiting to be sewn together. Fully constructed mannequins lay on pristine beds as

pretend patients for students to tend to. Medical posters line the walls, displaying important medical information Anastasia Amromina (11) might need before she constructs a life-like body as a test of her anatomy knowledge. This is only a small glimpse of Amromina’s educational experience at South Tech High School.

Either in the mornings or afternoons, students commute to South Tech to take classes on their respective interests. For Amromina, that means taking lessons on anatomy and nursing necessities.

“For the first hour and 50 minutes, we go and do [Applicant Tracking System], which is the basics of nursing,” Amromina said. “We go by a textbook, we fill it out and we go over it in class.”

“South Tech gives a great opportunity for us to experience the beginning steps of the health feld, but also gives us enough room to choose exactly what we want to do.”

Anastasia Amromina (11) Plan it Out A day in Anastasia Amromina’s

The second half of her time at South Tech is allotted to a mandatory college-level class focused on human body systems.

“During the last 50 minutes of class, we do AP Anatomy and Physiology,” Amromina said. “It’s a really challenging class, but it’s definitely worth it.”

Amromina’s rigorous schedule ensures that she stays occupied with hours of assignments, giving her a taste of the challenges medical school has to offer.

“It’s definitely a lot of work, and you can’t just do homework to get it out of the way,” Amromina said. “You actually have to understand [the material]. We start from the basics and build it up.”

Despite the challenges that this class presents, Amromina focuses on helping people in need.

“I just always found it fascinating to help people, being able to actually be the deciding factor of what is wrong with a person, like solving a puzzle, but medically,” Amromina said.

For Amromina, the most rewarding part of the program is not just the practical skills she can apply to her career, but the camaraderie she shares with classmates.

“The class is smaller, we only have 14 people,” Amromina said. “But it’s a close family, which is something that I really enjoy. The teachers are really open, and getting help is a lot easier.”

Illustrations by Loukya Gillella

Staf

Everyday Moments

A day in Penelope Cross’s life

At South Tech High School:

7:30 to 9:55 - Working in shop on projects like fridge and motorcycle parts

Penelope Cross (11)

The bright light of a weld, the hum of power tools and the clang of hammers fill the ears of students working to learn the fine art of molding metal. Some people work on repairing damaged cars, while others bring in their own vehicles to meticulously detail. Some students even work on building smaller projects such as toolboxes.

Penelope Cross (11) is one of the 15 students studying auto collision repair at South Tech High School. Her mornings are spent in an on-campus car shop working with metal to restore shine and shape to damaged vehicles.

“It’s the outsides [of the vehicles] and working with metal,” Cross said. “It’s a lot different from just working on the engine and engine troubles.”

Hands-on learning makes up the majority of Cross’ education. Instead of reading books, students learn useful skills through projects. The metal parts they work on come from multiple sources. Various vehicles get sanded, shaped and welded to perfection.

“Right now I’m working on motorcycle parts,” Cross said. “I’ve been working on a fridge too, and you just sand it down and straighten the metal so it looks nice, and then you can repaint it.”

Students have a lot of freedom in class, to the point where no two students work on the same project. However, they have to study for performance tests on new skills or techniques, as well as prepare for certifications to set them up for an automotive career.

“[The grade is] mostly if we finish our work,” Cross said. “We have to get checks for the end of the year. We have a final, and we have to show our skills then.”

Cross had an unconventional start in South Tech. She wasn’t a fan of traditional school, but she never intended to work with cars or even had much interest in them. In a strange turn of events, she found herself working on vehicle repairs in a shop.

“I signed up [for South Tech] with a friend, then he ended up not going and I stuck with it,” Cross said. “I was like, ‘Oh, I guess

At Ladue High School:

10:45 - Physics

Lunch

12:55 - Heroes: Biblical and Mythological Homework

COMMON TOOLS

I’ll do what he picked out,’ and I ended up liking it.”

Even though Cross had no prior aspirations to be a vehicle technician, she’s thankful that South Tech has opened a door to a potential job in the future.

Hammer: used to shape metal

Scraper: used to scrape paint

“The most useful thing is not really the skills,” Cross said. “I work in an environment that matches what it would be like to really work in a shop, and I get treated like an actual worker.”

Working with cars is without a doubt a male-dominated field. Cross is one of only two women in the class of 15, and being in the gender minority has posed some challenges for her.

“I think that’s the hardest part,” Cross said. “I feel like they treat me a little bit different than they would if I was a guy.”

Dollies: used to transport heavy items

CURIOUS? Scan here for more about the South Tech program

Sander: used to smooth edges P

Even though Cross sometimes feels out of place, over time, she was able to start to find joy in her time in the shop and learned the importance of forming meaningful connections with students who shared her passions.

“After I realized that I liked working on cars, I found that it was nice to go to school with other people who had similar interests with me,” Cross said. “I could talk to them about stuff that I wouldn’t normally be able to talk with my friends about. I had people to relate to.”

On Canvas

Suri Johnson creates art as a way to connect with her Persian culture and family

By Grace Huewe

Features Editor

Art is seen as an escape — a chance to leave reality and channel one’s focus into a canvas or piece of paper. For Suri Johnson (10), however, art serves as a portal, allowing her to connect her talents to her culture and identity, offering a space to reflect on life’s beauty and challenges.

Johnson began drawing at age 10 and painting just one year ago. Inspired by the absence of art in Islam, Johnson became curious about the role of art in other aspects of her life.

“I was never super religious growing up, [art] is just something I noticed,” Johnson said. “I kept going to mosque and I never saw paintings like how usually a church would have, and I just thought it was strange and significant. I don’t think art should be limited.”

Although her religion is not a prominent part of her life, Johnson is deeply committed to her cultural identity. Raised in a Persian household, her work is largely influenced by her heritage.

“I grew up looking at Persian art, which isn’t super common because in

RIGHT: Suri Johnson (10) works on one of her pieces in painting class. She has been creating art for most of her life and fnds joy in the hobby.“It’s very ingrained in young artists that they have to make something that’s a beautiful masterpiece, but art can just be whatever you think works,” Johnson said. (Photos by Lilly Jacks)

Islam you’re not supposed to draw people,” Johnson said. “I really loved ancient Persian depictions and I thought it was so beautiful, so I use it to inspire [my art].”

Johnson’s devotion to her culture stems from more than just a passion to understand her identity; it’s an attempt to connect to a side of her that she’s grown up without.

“My mom was the Persian one, but she passed away when I was 7, so my way of being close to her was through learning about my culture.”

Suri Johnson (10)

Growing up without her mom, Johnson had to find nontraditional ways of connecting with her.

“I use art as a tribute to her,” Johnson said. “I’ve done a painting of her face, and my other paintings oftentimes end up looking like my mom because people

subconsciously paint themselves a little bit, and we look so much alike.”

Ceramics teacher Jonathan Robbins admires Johnson’s artistic abilities in the classroom and beyond.

“When a student is enthusiastic about art, it also often creates a ripple effect among their peers and even the teacher,” Robbins said.

Johnson’s experience painting and drawing things that bring her joy have led her to develop strong opinions on the freedoms and limitations of art.

“You don’t have to have your art look like anything in particular,” Johnson said. “It can just be things that you think are beautiful because art is supposed to be a display of human emotion. That’s the meaning of art.”

Although Johnson is unsure of where her future will take her, she knows art will be a central part of her life. With this in mind, she gives credit to the artists who take a chance with this career.

“People need to realize that art is something you do when you have the time, and that it takes a lot of courage to just branch off and do it as your job,” Johnson said. “A lot of artists deserve respect for that.”

A Bond in Learning

Sabra

Fink teaches middle schoolers through the Catalyst program

By Ira Rodrigues

Features Editor

The buzz and chatter of raised voices echo around the brightly lit gym as sixth and seventh graders stretch and jog in unison. At the center of the gym, Sabra Fink (11), only a few years older than the students, leads the Unified physical education class, which is evenly split to include children with disabilities.

This is routine for Fink; a schedule she’s followed since she was accepted into the education track of the Catalyst program and began teaching Unified physical education and eighth-grade reading. Every day at exactly 1:15 P.M., Fink transforms from high school student to assistant teacher, trading homework and club activities for organizing group projects, cheering on her students during assignments and most of all, making them feel welcome.

“I’ve always liked to work with kids,” Fink said. “I thought this would help me get involved in a classroom and hopefully pursue that as a career.”

Working at the middle school has helped Fink discover what she enjoys about education.

“I’m still learning how everything works, but I think it’s fun,” Fink said. “I personally don’t want to be in an office, working all day. I’d rather be more involved.”

Fink is mentored by Ladue Middle School essential skills teacher Linda Deposki, who she assists in teaching reading to kids.

“I have found [Catalyst] to be very well put together,” Deposki said. “Sabra is getting a chance to see if this kind of work actually feels right to her.”

Catalyst has helped Fink’s teaching skills improve as well.

“Sabra has become far more open,” Deposki said. “The kids are more comfortable with her too. They will go to her to ask a question, [and] I see her glow when they do. You can tell she loves it when they trust her to help them.”

As an assistant teacher, Fink focuses on supporting and encouraging her students.

“Watching [Sabra] in the classroom is a joy. She is always smiling [and] that smile speaks volumes. It shows that she loves what she is doing. Her kindness radiates.”

Linda Deposki

“I try to help them feel like they’re understood,” Fink said. “Sometimes they may [feel] brushed off. You definitely need to have patience.”

This policy of inclusion and acceptance is something Deposki emphasizes in teaching.

“Inclusion is big for everyone, not just the students with disabilities [or] on the spectrum,” Deposki said. “When you take the time to understand someone and include them, you make them feel both wanted and needed. A good teacher does this. ”

Fink’s efforts to make the learning environment an enjoyable one have not gone unnoticed. According to Deposki, the kids Fink helps appreciate her passion.

“They love her,” Deposki said. “One student literally stood up and cheered when she heard that Ms. Sabra was coming back to our class for a second semester. The only thing I wish is that Sabra could be with us every day. My students love seeing her.” P

Ladue Middle School essential skills teacher

Sabra Fink (11) plays hot foot in Unifed physical education. She was able to become an assistant teacher through the Catalyst program, which she was accepted into last year. “I admire her commitment,” Ladue Middle School essential skills teacher Linda Deposki, who Fink works closely with, said.

“Sabra devotes extra time to be with us.”

(Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Too Many Cooks

The overload of information and external infuences shape diet and food choices

In-Depth Editor

By Celina Zhou Staf

HUNGER BY NUMBERS

By Nathan King

Every person, no matter how old or young, how rich or poor, how fit or unhealthy, has one thing in common: we all have to eat.

Food is constant. Food is everywhere. It’s an evolutionary need. It’s a source of joy and community. It’s a means to an end. Hedonists and health nuts and everyone in between have developed unique relationships to food, from centuries-long culinary histories to modern fad diets, gym-culture cutting and bulking to social media mukbangs. Food is an enduring, complex presence in our lives that has evolved far beyond our biological need to eat to survive.

Class

One of the biggest driving factors that shapes approaches to food is economic circumstance, which can often force people’s hands when it comes to both time and funds. Diana Parra Perez, Ph.D, conducts research at Washington University in St. Louis that focuses on food sovereignty and health equity through nutrition for underserved and economically marginalized groups, particularly Latinx immigrant communities.

“The way in which agriculture has been incentivized, at least in the [United States], has not yielded the best practices for eating healthy,” Parra Perez said. “It’s leaving most

“Access

to healthy food [is a big problem]. There’s food deserts, which means there’s no stores that sell any food available. Food swamps are where the only food that’s available is either from fast food, or a kiosk, and we really suffer from that in St. Louis.”

Anthony Breitbach Director of Interprofessional Education

Economic circumstances can also further exacerbate this issue by restricting the time and effort people are able to put into preparing food.

23 million live in food deserts.

329

54 million Americans are food insecure and Over thousand residents in the St. Louis region live in food desert census tracts meaning that

12% of all residents are food insecure.

17% of Black residents live in one of these areas

Sources: The Malcom Weiner center for social policy and OneSTL

STILL HUNGRY? Scan here to listen to the full story

“In most cases, people have to put convenience and time-saving first when they are battling issues such as having multiple jobs, long commutes or long work hours, as well as having to feed large families,” Parra Perez said.

Additionally, less time spent preparing food and more time working often means low-income individuals resort to high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods in order to get energy throughout the day.

“I remember being in college and having no money at all,” family and consumer science teacher April Dalton said. “The things that I chose were more [of] a ‘How do I sustain myself all day long?’ kind of choice. I would just go to school, work, sleep and do that all over again.”

Ultimately, socioeconomic disparities mean that lower-income, marginalized communities are isolated by access, time and convenience into sustaining themselves mostly on ultra-processed, ready-to-eat fast food, exacerbating health issues and nutritional deficiencies.

“When you don’t have good access to transportation and you don’t have an incredible amount of funds, you’re going to go to the place where you can get the most calories for the least amount of money,” Breitbach said. “Franchises, convenience stores, gas stations [and] even liquor stores sell food items. Those are where people end up spending their money because they’re convenient and their price point is low, but they’re not very nutritious food.”

Food Relationships

Whether it be a fond memory of smelling dinner on the stove or baking a favorite dessert with grandparents, experiences with food surpass individual events and causes.

“Your culture, your religion, your customs, the people that you hang out with all of that can impact what you eat. At the end of the day, if you’re a sovereign adult, you have a lot of choice.”

Stephanie Bellville

Social studies teacher

Food shapes cultural identity through collective experiences, offering a lens into a shared history. It influences not just individual, but communal well-being, reinforcing cultural pride and continuity.

“There is a saying that goes, ‘We are what we eat,’” Parra Perez said. “This makes a reference to the profound effect that food has not only on our physical health but also on our mental, emotion al, social and, some would even say, spiritual health. Different foods and nutrients, or lack there of, can influence our moods, the way in which we learn and inter act. For many Latin communi ties, food is at the center of their identity, and they take pride in it. This pride carries on with immi grant populations that move to the U.S. — in many cases, trying to find the ingredients that are only found in their countries of origin. Communities are centered mealtimes together, generating a sense of social connection.”

‘Let

Them Eat Cake!’

How class shaped what we eat and how we see it

By Alzhraa Mahmoud

In-Depth Editor

tions, regulating what people could eat. In 1443, for example, the Scottish parliament passed a law restricting pies to those of baron rank or higher. Pies were luxurious? Turns out our perceptions of food luxury have changed dramatically with time. Lobsters, seen as “sea cockroaches,” were so plentiful they were fed to servants and prisoners. This changed when restaurants began to cook them to retain fresh flavor.

Food makes up an essential tenet of Parra Perez’s culture. Parra Perez’s experiences with

The concept of the restaurant itself emerged from elitist societal norms. The word “restaurant” comes from the French verb restaurer, meaning “to restore oneself.” These early establishments served bouillon, a simple broth, and it quickly became a symbol of refinement. It reflected Enlightenment thinking, where food was seen as a way to demonstrate sensitivity to the world, distinguishing the refined by avoiding “coarse” foods.

Fast-forward to today, and the dynamic between food and class has remained. Take Erewhon, a luxury grocery store where a 32 ounce jar of broth will cost you $50. Ultimately, history shows us that what we eat and what we consider luxurious is always in flux. Yesterday’s peasant food is today’s delicacy. But there is a constant: food continues to be a mirror to our social divides, a measure of what we value and who we leave behind.

DIETS IN DIGITS

9% or 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.

4 in 10 Americans follow some kind of nutrition rule(s) with low or no carb intake being the most popular.

individual choices – making it a potential source of judgement.

“The way someone eats doesn’t change my view of them,” Gray said. “Food is a super personal thing, and there’s often so much more to why someone eats the way they do that you don’t know. I think the way someone eats shouldn’t be the first thing someone judges, especially since you don’t know the why.”

Diet

The role of food is also often shaped by how we restrict it of our own volition, whether for health, moral or social purposes.

“When we feel pressure to do well, to fit in, the thing that we can control is food,” class of 2027 counselor Lauren Fisher said.

alternative diets. However, just as many people turn away from alternatives due to social stigma spawned by stereotypes.

“A big misconception about vegetarianism and veganism is that every one of them is always in your face about their food choices and always trying to act better than you,” Ashley Gray (12) said.

“While there definitely are plenty of people who are like that, most of them aren’t. I’m usually hesitant to share that I’m vegetarian because I really don’t want people to assume that I’ll try to force my lifestyle on them, especially since I switched for ethical reasons. Most of us are really just trying to

liefs of the individuals rather than an overarching singular factor.

“I think it’s really more about personal belief than morality,” Gray said. “Lots of people come from all different backgrounds, religions, cultures and ways of life that may influence what someone believes about food. There’s also so many other factors that influence what someone may eat, so because of that I wouldn’t really say there’s a most moral diet, more just what allows someone to

Food is universal. Eating is a habitual function that, while ordinary, mirrors the contents of someone’s identity and spotlights

From 20202022, the percentage of Americans who reported eating more red meat increased from

Sources: NEDA, Virginia Tech and Statista global consumer survey 13% to 19%

“That comes from a sense of control, of wanting to say, ‘I have control over this, even if I don’t have control in other areas of my life.’”

In addition, niche online communities like workout and gym culture can exacerbate and glamorize both restriction and overeating via trends, especially among younger and more emotionally vulnerable people.

“There is definitely an epidemic of extremism on social media, which also ties into the usage of anabolics,” Vincent Lim (12) said. “That’s what may rush impressionable teenagers to want to get results as fast as possible. Then, we might go on restrictive diets,

Illustration by Fiona Van Allen

extreme bulks, maybe even use performance enhancing drugs.”

Restriction of food in and of itself is sometimes harmful, even when implemented with good intentions — too much focus on constructing an ideal diet through restriction means that the importance of food can be blown out of proportion in comparison to mental health.

“The key is to not do these fad diets that restrict, because that ultimately can cause some disordered thoughts on eating,” Fisher said. “It makes you think about food a lot. As long as you’re taking things like balance [into account], hitting all the food groups in a balanced way, making sure you get enough calories. Your brains are growing, your bodies are growing,

and I think that’s super important to fuel it.”

Constructing truly healthy relationships with diet often requires a more comprehensive approach to the food itself and overall well-being, one that allows people to make choices for their own goals and bodies.

“Building a relationship with actual ingredients and understanding how to work with them, how to cook with them and how to actually make them taste really great, is a healthy way of really building a strong relationship with food,” Dalton said. “Plus, knowing what’s in them so you have an independent choice of what you would like to put in your body is probably the first step. Knowing what’s in [food] and

MODDING METHODS

Selective breeding: Choosing or ganisms with desirable traits and slowly breed ing them over generations, limiting traits to the species.

gral to life as a whole, something that is enriching.

Genetic Modifcation: Using genetic engineering to directly modify DNA for faster results, sometimes using DNA from unrelated species.

The GMO’ You Know

“[Nutrients] are all I think about these days — what’s in them, how they can support you,” Dalton said. “With my own health my goals are to have low cholesterol [and] low sodium, to protect my heart. I don’t really care if I’m slightly overweight or if I’m very fit, but I want food that will help me think clearly, move my body and do the things that I love.”

Pink pineapples are GMOs developed by the Del Monte fruit company, engineered to retain lycopene — the antioxidant pigment found in watermelon — giving them their rosy hue. Sweeter and juicier than traditional pineapples, these handharvested fruits have become a social media sensation.

The Carolina Reaper was created by American pepper breeder Ed Currie through selective breeding, crossing a Pakistani Naga pepper with a Red Habanero. By breeding the spiciest plants, he developed one of the world’s hottest peppers, reaching over 2.2 million scoville units.

3. Salmon

2.

Commonly known “genetically modifed organisms” and how they were created

AquaAdvantage Salmon grows to market size in about 18 months, much faster than regular farmed Atlantic salmon, which takes around 30 months. This is due to its rDNA modifcation, which includes a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon.

Once pale and spindly, wild carrots were selectively bred to have larger roots,eventually becoming today’s vibrant vegetable. Their bright orange hue comes from β-Carotene, a color popularized in 16th-century Netherlands as a symbol of Dutch independence and resilience.

HabaneroPepper

1. The Carolina Reaper

Pink Pineapple

From Fire to Fine Dining

The history of food explained through its highlights and milestones

Early History

4000BC-500

Egyptians were the frst to use honey as a sweetener. Beekeepers would collect it to use for cakes and biscuits. The frst cookbook, titled, “De Re Coquinaria,” was also compiled during this era.

by Fiona Van Allen

500-1400

Middle Ages

The Middle Ages were the frst time food became heavily tied with class. Kings would have extravagant feasts and peasants could barely aford to eat oatmeal. Royal diets of red meat and wine caused horrible cases of gout which

Age of Exploration

1418-1620

The Columbian trade may be the single most important event in food history. The sharing of crops and livestock between Europe and Africa and America and South Amer allowed for many beloved dishes to be created.

1760-1945

Industrial Revolution

Most likely any packaged food you pick up at the grocery store would not have been possible without the industrial revolution. From canned foods to TV dinner, the majority of modern food products were popularized during this time.

Modern Era 1945-Present

Food is in a golden age of innovation. We have burgers grown from cells, food infuencers dominate social media, you can have any food de livered to you from anywhere and Gordon Ramsay is alive. The rise of social media has created weird food trends like fairy bread and butter candles.

Illustration

Panorama Perspective

Due to mental and physical health concerns, students should value friendships as much as they do romantic relationships

Humans are naturally social creatures. Relationships, platonic or romantic, are the backbone of a fulfilling life. Yet, platonic relationships are often overshadowed by society’s infatuation with romance. For example, Panorama surveyed 131 students Jan. 23 and found that 78% of students feel like others value romantic relationships over friendships. While romantic relationships should be celebrated, friendships deserve just as much recognition and appreciation.

The imbalance of how relationships are valued has far-reaching effects. Loneliness and social isolation are rampant problems. Harvard University found that 61% of adults ages 18-25 feel “serious loneliness.” Friendships play a role in combating this issue: friends provide a safe space to share feelings, fears and successes without judgment; they establish a sense of belonging, decrease stress and boost life expectancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. By recognizing the value of friends, students can begin to address the loneliness affecting many today.

The absence of friendships leads to loneliness that is felt differently by each gender. Men, in particular, are experiencing loneliness at a higher rate than their female counterparts. According to the Cleveland Clinic, friendships require a level of emotional vulnerability that men are typically not accustomed to displaying. In contrast, women are more likely to recognize and respond to others’ emotions than

men. According to Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, this allows women to form deeper, more emotionally intimate relationships. The U.S. Surgeon General cites loneliness as a silent killer — as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In the context of friendship, this epidemic highlights the vital role that companionship plays in wellness.

In a world of that promotes heterosexuality as the social norm, movies and television shows often perpetuate the idea that different genders can’t “just be friends,” framing platonic relationships as temporary phases inevitably leading to romance. This can create an air of awkwardness in friendships, particularly when the dynamics don’t fit traditional norms. Unlike same-gender friendships, friendships with differing genders are frequently scrutinized through a romantic context, making it harder for these bonds to thrive. Breaking these barriers requires society to embrace the idea that friendship can transcend one’s pronouns, accepting friendship in all forms and not as secondary to romance, but essential to well-being.

Ultimately, all friendships are crucial for mental and physical health. To foster a healthier, more inclusive community, students must actively prioritize and nurture their friendships. Start by reaching out to friends regularly to let them know they matter. Challenge societal assumptions by cherishing all friendships. Most importantly, balance time and energy to ensure friends feel valued alongside romantic relationships. By taking these steps, people can build a culture that uplifts all types of relationships.

Editorial Note: Each editorial, Panorama selects an issue that the staf thinks is important to address and expresses a view that belongs to the majority of the staf. Panorama welcomes the opinions of its readers and encourages letters to the editors. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions for length as long as original intent remains unaltered.

SOMETHING TO ADD?

Scan here for more on letters to the editor, guest essays, submitting corrections and the full editorial policy

Kelly Zhang

Model Minority

Asian stereotypes should be better addressed

By Emily Pan

Agroup of students get their test scores back from a recent math test they took. An Asian student got a near perfect score and a nonAsian student said, “Wow you’re so smart; it must be because you’re Asian.” I have unfortunately been told a similar phrase. A person told me, “Of course people that look like you do that extracurricular.” I was very confused and embarrassed about being Asian at that moment but there was nothing I could have changed about myself or my identity. Why do people associate certain ethnic groups with certain academics or extracurriculars? Why are all Asians expected by current norms to be the same?

In today’s society, Asian Americans are often perceived as the “model minority.” A model minority is a group of people that are categorized based on ethnicity

or religion who are thought of as more successful socioeconomically compared to the average population’s status. Asian Americans tend to be perceived as more successful compared to other ethnic groups however, with any stereotype, not everyone fits into those categories. These expectations can be offensive because they diminish someone’s achievements by saying that they are only successful because of their race. This may seem like a compliment, but this forces high expectations in terms of performing well academically, especially in fields like science and math. Therefore, the model minority myth is not beneficial because it is making Asians feel as though they are not meeting the “Asian standard” or not “good enough.” Although saying someone is smart because they’re Asian sounds like a compliment, it is still a stereotype.

MORE TO KNOW

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021

anti-Asian hate crimes increased by

assume they are good at math and science. of Asian Americans have had a stranger

Sources: NBC News, Pew Research Center P

Another issue is the repeated cycle of ignoring racial phrases directed towards Asian Americans. Although it is easy to ignore these issues, people should stop thinking stereotypes are okay, no matter what racial group is being targeted. According to NBC news, one in four Asian Americans have experienced racist bullying, which is most likely only a smallpercentage of reported anti-Asian bullying going on in schools in the United States. Why are the cries of help from Asian Americans being ignored by today’s society? Instead of making a comment about someone’s intelligence because of their race, just say “good job” and move on. Stereotyping shapes people’s perceptions and judgements about individuals and groups. Even a positive stereotype is harmful. This applies to everyone, no matter their ethnicity or religon.

Kelly Zhang

Staf

Illustration by Kelly Zhang

Body Hair, Don’t Care

Women’s body hair should be normalized

SBy Ella Bender

Opinions Editor

ince the advent of shaving millennia ago in ancient Egypt, the presence of body hair removal has waxed and waned. The current societal standards regarding body hair emerged in the early 1900’s. At this time, men shaved their faces and women rarely shaved at all. However in 1915, Gillette launched the First Great Anti-Hair Movement with the introduction of the Milady Décolletée, a razor designed specifically for women. According to Gillette’s advertisement, the Milady Décolletée “solves an embarrassing personal problem,” but body hair is not a problem and should not be embarrassing.

According to The Razor Company, women began shaving their armpits when sleeveless tops rose in popularity. As dresses became shorter, women expanded to shaving their legs as well. Razor companies fueled these practices by pushing the idea that hairless women are beautiful and feminine, while body hair on women is gross and unhygienic. In reality, body hair is not dirty. It simply needs to be washed like hair on the head. To this day, these norms have stuck around despite the evidence against them and the double standards that they enforce.

Humans do not grow body hair without reason. According to the Cleveland Clinic, body hair

regulates body temperature by standing up to trap warm air near the body when the air temperature drops. Body hair also protects against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and keeps germs outside of the body. Shaving, on the other hand, opens up the skin to infections and can result in painful razor burn, ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

Even though body hair is natural and beneficial, women are judged if they opt not to remove theirs. However, body hair on men is seen as normal, even though they grow the same hair as women. Many men shave their facial hair, but any length, from a clean shave to a long beard, is seen as an acceptable form of self-expression. Why isn’t women’s body hair treated the same way?

No one, regardless of their sex or gender, should be pressured to keep their body hair or remove it. They should not be criticized based on their personal decisions, whether they choose to follow societal norms or rebel against them.

Regulation Altruism

Federal regulation of corporations is necessary to protect consumer security

CBy Grace Kweon

Opinions Editor

orporations and governments are separate entities. Corporations pursue monetary profit, whereas the government represents the people. As 13 billionaires and the world’s richest man have been inaugurated into office by our billionaire president, it’s less likely that regulations on the system that made these elite politicians rich will actually be enforced. But if corporate activity is not regulated, the protection of consumers’ personal data, market security and safety becomes endangered.

For instance, despite laws requiring companies to protect users’ personal data, corporations can still sell that data or leave it vulnerable to leaks. In 2016, when the personal data of 57 million users and drivers of Uber was breached, the company bribed the hackers responsible to be quiet. Yet despite intentionally keeping the breach under wraps for a year, the company did not have to face any immediate financial consequences. It was only until a year later that the FTC (Federal Trade

Commission) made them pay a $148 million settlement with state attorney generals.

“We must free ordinary Americans from the constant surveillance and manipulation of the tech giants.”

Josh Hawley

Missouri Senator and author of “The Tyranny of Big Tech”

Similarly, around that time, news broke out about an event known as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where it was revealed that Facebook allowed third-party apps to harvest personal data from millions of non-consenting users. Again, it wasn’t until the following year when the FTC had them pay $5 billion, but only for broader privacy concerns — not the initial data sharing issue. Instances like these exemplify the issue of companies neglecting the security of consumer data and only taking financial responsibility for any resulting damage when federal regulatory committees force them to pay up. Companies

MORE TO KNOW

74% of students think corporations have too much political infuence.

53% of students think user data security is a prevalent issue in society.

42% of students are not concerned for the security of their user data.

CURIOUS?

Find sources and read the extended version here

who have been involved in these leaks have in some instances changed their security regulations after the incident, been subject to long investigation periods or could have not been aware of the data breach at all. But the point is that there wouldn’t be justice for the consumers impacted by data breaches and mismanagement if not for federal regulators.

Further, these regulators have investigated corporate monopolies, surveillance pricing and price dynamism, all of which could disrupt fair market security for consumers. For instance, the merging of one of the largest supermarket companies, blocked by the FTC, would allegedly eliminate business and employee competition, lead to higher grocery prices for consumers and lower product quality and wages for workers. Last year, regulators launched an investigation of eight companies suspected of surveillance pricing, a business practice using consumer data like purchasing behavior, location and browsing history to set personalized pricing for their goods and services.

Comparatively, companies like Uber utilize dynamic pricing algorithms to set their prices higher for consumers and drivers under

Panorama surveyed 131 students Jan. 23.

Illustration by Chloe Lang

circumstantial conditions, even when potentially unsafe or unpredictable. The algorithm also affects their drivers, who face low and inconsistent pay meant to maximize profit for the company. This goes to show the impact the FTC has had on regulating corporate action on behalf of consumers, not profit and how much more there is to be done to ensure a fair market for all.

“If

we want to prevent

the concentration of all wealth and power in the hands of a small elite, the key is to regulate the ownership of data.”

Yuval Noah Harari

Author of “21 lessons from the 21st Century”

Even more, federal regulation on corporations can protect consumer rights to safety. To illustrate, Boeing had for several years allegedly neglected quality and safety concerns during manufacturing, avoiding pilot retraining and upgrading training manuals to maximize short-term earnings. This prompted whistleblowers like the former employee John Barnett to file lawsuits, in which he could not continue due to his alleged suicide. His suits weren’t unfounded either — in 2018 and 2019, two 737 Max 8 plane crashes killed 346 people, prompting a federal investigation into the company. In the end, Boeing plead guilty to felony fraud charges. They had mislead regulators and the public about the aircraft’s safety, taking lives in the process.

When a few elite companies are trusted responsible for thefunctionality and maintenance of society, the people’s interests are

neglected. Because their systems are designed for profit, not the well-being of consumers.

For example, the Industrial Revolution’s Gilded Age marked the growth of the economy, technological innovation and urbanization, but also the inequalities of wealthy businessmen profiting at the expense of the people. Under a non-regulated market, factory workers, including women and children, faced overcrowding, pollution, public health crises and often worked long hours with little pay in unsafe conditions. It wasn’t until the government interfered with the economy that worker’s lives improved. After all, corporations started facing regulatory policies, labour movements began to be taken seriously and social safety nets were provided for the first time.

These movements, whistleblowers and modern day strikes were, and still are, cries for help by the public facing immoral corporate practices. It’s why government interference in the market is so important for the well-being of citizens.

So in order to secure consumer data, safety and fairness of the market, corporations must be regulated through the following actions: First, Citizens United needs to be overturned to limit the amount of influence they have on the federal government. Second, voters must be cognizant of who they elect, knowing that who they choose would determine welfare budgets, regulation policies and the extent of corporate political power. Third, a comprehensive national privacy law must be established to strengthen their accountability in safeguarding user data. Every American should have the right to opt out of their data being sold. After all, the government’s duty is to represent the people — not businesses. P

Tank’s Take

TikTok’s legal drama sets foreboding precendents

JThe Columnist

By Frank Chen

an. 17, the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). Created to ban TikTok, PAFACA allows the government to shutter any app it determines to be controlled by a “foreign adversary” after giving it 270 days to divest to an American company. As I argued in a column last April, this ban is unjustifiable. No matter what you think about TikTok, giving the government the power to ban apps sets dangerous precedents moving forwards. While the law targets “foreign adversary controlled applications,” it could easily be expanded to any app or website that poses a “national security concern” or just anything politicians don’t like.

However, when TikTok flickered back to life Jan. 19, an even more disturbing precedent was set. President Donald Trump, who hadn’t even been inaugurated, offered to give TikTok more time to find a settlement, even though the law had already taken effect. He then proposed his own alternate solution, where ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, would only have to sell half of its shares. In other words, the Executive Branch is refusing to enforce a law passed by Congress, approved by a previous president and supported by the Supreme Court.

I mean, I’m not complaining now, but...yikes. P

In the Spotlight

Check It Out

The

St. Louis Arts Scene

Dancing with the Stars: Live!

The Emmy award-winning show is stepping out of the studio and onto the stage, bringing fans a night promising incredible performances and unforgettable moments. The tour will feature some of the most popular contestants from past seasons, showcasing fan-favorite dances alongside brand-new routines created exclusively for the live show. With dazzling costumes, stunning choreography and a soundtrack of hit songs, it’s a show worth seeing. The event takes place Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Stifel Theatre.

Upcoming arts & entertainment events

Aleksander

Illustrations by Sara Rohatgi

Upcoming Albums

Feb. 14

“Automatic” by The Lumineers

“Amortage” by Jisoo

Feb. 21

“So Close To What” by Tate McRae

“The Navy Album” by Roddy Ricch

Feb. 28

“Alter Ego” by LISA

process is to] frst make the layout of the house, and I’m building the walls right now.”

(Photo by Sara Rohatgi)

Sculpting Success

Ceramics class encourages resilience through hands-on learning

By Sara Rohatgi

Arts

I& Entertainment Editor

n a corner of the school that often goes unnoticed, magic is taking shape — quite literally. The ceramics studio, with its whirring pottery wheels, stacks of clay blocks and shelves brimming with student creations, is a hub of creativity. This isn’t just an art class; for many students, it’s the highlight of their day.

Ceramics, as an art form, offers a tactile experience like no other. In this digital age, there’s something grounding about sinking your hands into a mound of clay. The class is led by Jonathan Robbins, whose passion for pottery is infectious.

“I started working with clay when I was six years old,” Robbins said. “ In high school, I spent all of my youth in the ceramics room.”

Robbins hopes his students gain more than just technical skills from his class.

“The thing we need to do is turn out not only art makers but art consumers as well,” Robbins said. “The hope is people have an interest in things that are handmade and a respect for them. That’s what civilization and culture are all about.”

The ceramics class also provides a unique perspective on patience and persistence. It’s a lesson in delayed gratification, but the final product, a glossy, hand-crafted work of art, makes it all worthwhile.

“Art is creative problem solving,” Robbins said. “It’s not knowing the answer and having to figure out how to come up with it. That’s a very important skill in life.”

He highlights how the class helps students deal with failure.

“Some students, especially high-achieving ones, don’t deal with a lot of failure in their day-to-day lives.” Robbins said. “In ceramics, you fail all the time, and that’s when you learn.”

Leo Denman (12), who has taken five ceramics classes, describes the experience as “controlled failure.”

“You’re trying to maintain control as you’re completely spiraling,” Denman said. “It’s a pretty free class; it allows me to use my brain in the way I want to.”

Denman ranks the class among his top three and recommends it to others.

“Taking an art class or something that’s out of their comfort zone makes [students] fail,” Robbins said. “In ceramics, you learn when you screw something up.”

LEFT:

Rueckert (10), RJ Spencer (10), Lawrence Alomatsi (11) and Dilan Garcia (10) work on their ceramic house projects Jan. 30. This is their frst project of the semster. “I like this class,” Garcia said. “[My

Art Essentials

Fiona Van Allen’s comprehensive guide to navigating art supplies

Love is in the Air

Valentine’s Day ideas to help plan this year’s day of love

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Aaron Lin recommends four favorite gift ideas

Flowers

Flowers are perhaps one of the easiest gifts to delight your partner. The usual Valentine’s Day bouquet consists of red, pink or white roses. However, you can also incorporate a variety of other fowers, each with their own meaning. Some common fowers include carnations and lilies, which represent pride and elegance, respectively. They’re also very quick to acquire, ranging from $25 to $75 at common locations like Schnucks and Costco. Flowers are always an easy and consistent fx to your last-minute gift problems.

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Scan here to purchase local foral favors

LEGO Sets

LEGOs are a classic and playful Valentine’s Day gift. Rather than common gifts such as roses and chocolates, you can enjoy the process of building them with your partner! LEGO has many sets specifcally tailored for Valentine’s Day, ranging from LEGO bouquets to decorated hearts. Prices range from $10 for small gifts to $50 or more for more complicated and detailed builds. They’re easily accessible at many stores, and can also be found online at Lego.com and Amazon. LEGOs are perfect and quick for those last minute gifts!

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Scan here to purchase a creative and constructive gift

Books

Choosing a good book for a Valentine’s Day perfectly tells your partner how well you know them. Ranging from romance to thriller to sci-f, books are incredibly diverse and can be great for meaningful conversations. Some interesting lovethemed books include “Letters of Note: Love” and the classic “Pride and Prejudice.” Books are fairly cheap, ranging from $10 to $30 depending on the quality, and are always easy to acquire at local bookstores or retailers such as Barnes & Noble.

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Scan here to purchase a personalized blind book date

Chocolates

Chocolates are one of, if not the most, classic Valentine’s Day gifts. Popular options include bonbons, chocolate hearts, trufes and caramels. If you have the time for it, you can even tailor it with custom-made chocolates or a heartfelt note. Prices range from $5 to $50 depending on the size and quality, and you can often fnd them anywhere at grocery stores such as Schnucks or specialized chocolate stores. A well-selected collection of chocolates always adds a sweet touch to your Valentine’s Day celebration!

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Date Night

St. Louis’ best romantic rendezvous

1. Ice Rink

Whether you’re a seasoned skater or gripping the wall for dear life, ice rinks are a perfect spot for a fun, cozy Valentine’s Day. Many ice rinks decorate for the holiday, creating a perfect environment with cute lights and romantic songs. Bedsides all of that, it can also be the perfect opportunity to hold hands — maybe for support.

2. That Painting Spot

3. The Zoo

That Painting Spot is a local DIY painting and pottery art studio that ofers a great, relaxed environment for couples on Valentine’s Day. You can choose to handcraft a personal gift, or enjoy the experience with others. It is moderately cheap and uniquely fun, plus you both get to take home an artistic and decorative memory that you can keep for years to come.

The Zoo is a classic for many searching for a fun Valentine’s Day spot. Surrounded by fascinating animals, you can choose to board the train or feed a girafe. You can even donate $60 to the Zoo and receive a Valentine’s Day adoption package with a California sea lion plush.

4. Stargazing

Unlike most Valentine’s Day activities, spending the end of your day under the night sky is an easy and simple romantic activity. You could bring a star map and attentively look for constellations, or, just be creative and name them yourself.

Agenda of Amor

Students share their Valentine’s Day plans

“On Valentine’s Day, my plans are to watch the new Nosferatu movie with my boyfriend and bake a strawberry shortcake.”

“I’m going on a date to see the new Captain America movie that comes out on Valentine’s day with my boyfriend.”

“I am going to Starbucks with my girlfriend for Valentine’s Day.”

Top5Pick-upLines RomanceyourcrushthisValentine’sDay1.amIt’sagoodthingIhavemylibrarycard,becauseI totallycheckingyouout. 2.FINEAreyouaparkingticket?Becauseyou’vegot writtenalloveryou.

3.aboutDoyoulikeraisins?Howdoyoufeel a date?

I’mnotevenplayingcardsbutI somehowpulledaqueen.

Photo and Illustration by Jay Heintz

Alla Hocking (10)

Miran Sheley (12)

Health & Sports in Review

Overview of winter sports and committed athletes

By Mason Eastman Staf

By Annabelle Reagan

Health

& Sports Editor

TOP: The hockey team huddles together preparing for the next play of the game. The team has had their best season in the team’s history.

“Playing hockey for the frst time has helped me make so many new friends that have become my family,” Miles Settler (11) said.

(Photo by Mariana Copeland)

BOTTOM: Chip Calvert (11) dribbles to escape Burroughs defender. The basketball team has played in 17 regular season games. “We have found a nice balance of pushing each other to get better and helping,” Brennan said. (Photo by Risa Fingerman)

Boys Hockey

The boys hockey team persevered through their regular season and emerged triumphant with a record of 18-2. The team consists of 23 players, showcasing a dynamic blend of talent and teamwork. The boys will soon begin their postseason, however it looks slightly diferent than other sports. Because hockey is a club sport, they do not compete in traditional districts and then state. The team competes in the Mid States Club Hockey league. Due to their historic record they have been moved up and the team will compete in the Challenge Cup for the frst time in program history.

#8 ranked in The Challenge Cup

Girls Basketball

Nearly halfway through their season, the girls are looking at a 4-9 game record this year. So far, the team is averaging about 41 points per game. Upcoming games include matches against Webster Groves High School Feb. 13, Parkway Central High School Feb. 20 and Eureka High School Feb. 25. The girls fnal game of the regular season will be against rival Clayton High School Feb. 28 at 5:30. Not only are they trying to win in the regular season, but they are also using these games to prepare for districts, which will begin in the frst week of March. The girls are going into districts with lots of positivity, hoping for a good district run.

Class of 2025 Committed Athletes

as of Jan. 31

Girls Swim

Hot of of a successful trip to the City of Roses Invitational, the girls swim team continues to set personal record after personal record. At the City of Roses Invitational in Cape Girardeau, the team took silver overall and frst in Class One teams. Not only did multiple girls set personal bests in individual races, but also numerous relays. The team is beginning their preparation for the Class One State Tournament, which will begin Feb. 21.

LEFT: Annabelle Lang (12) executes her dive during their meet at the beginning of December. Both the swimmers and divers have set personal records throughout the season. “I really enjoyed going to the Cape invite with all of my teammates,” Brielle DeRuisseau (11) said.

BELOW: Kaedyn Miller (9) performs the butterfy stroke in swim competition. The team has emphasized dedication and teamwork during this season. “A goal I have for the team is to stay motivated and there for each other throughout every single race,” Ackerman said. (Photos by Ivana Todorova)

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team is looking to grow their record. Jack Edgerton (12) currently leads the team in points, averaging 18.4 per game. The Rams have 436 rebounds overall, showcasing their lock-down defense and an aggressive ofense. With only fve games remaining in the regular season, the team is preparing for the road to state, beginning with the district tournament. They will play their rival, Clayton High School, at home in the last regular season game Feb. 28.

LEFT: The team huddles during their game against Hazelwood West High School. They hope to go farther than last year’s second place at the district championship. “Our goal for the rest of the season is to play to the best of our abilities,” Sol Meyer (12) said. (Photo by Kayla Chan)

12-4 as of Jan. 31

Karina Grifn

Nationals Bound

Laduettes gear up for Nationals after six months of training and preparation

By Victoria Derdoy

Staf

Concentration and the steady beat of feet hitting the floor fills the dance studio as the Laduettes rehearse their routine. Every day after school, the team pushes their minds and bodies to the limit. Their practices are packed with cardio, strength and cleaning up dances, all in preparation for the ultimate test: the National Dance Alliance National Championship.

The Laduettes have been preparing for Nationals for nearly six months and will take three routines to the big stage Feb. 14 in Orlando, Fla. Competing in three dance categories, Pom, Game Day and Hip Hop, the team is determined to showcase their dedication and passion.

“It’s so different competing in a gym to competing at Nationals on stage in front of a massive audience and all these judges,” Maya Varadachari (11) said. “It’s so important that we don’t let it phase us, and we can really lock in and remember the little things.”

In response to the pressure, the Laduettes rely on each other to stay motivated. For Mya Tenzer (10), keeping up the positive energy is crucial for the team’s overall success.

“We always scream each other’s names, like, ‘You got this,’” Tenzer said. “You can talk [while watching a performance], so we all hype each other up.”

When it’s almost time to finally step on stage, the team comes together to focus and gather themselves. With cap-

tains Ava Leidenfrost (12), Emma Lackey (12) and Avery Berg (12) leading the way, the team works to calm their nerves and sharpen their focus.

“Before a performance, we normally circle up as a team and do our ‘Can’t stop, won’t stop’ chant,” Leidenfrost said. “Normally the captains will hype everyone up, then after that we take three big deep breaths in. That gets us in the right mindset when we’re about to dance.”

For many of the Laduettes, Nationals isn’t only a competition; it’s about the bonds they’ve formed all season. Whether they’re performing or cheering from the audience, the sense of camaraderie and team spirit is undeniable.

“I remember watching Pom last year [and] getting chills. [Laduettes] really is like a sisterhood, and Nationals really brings that out for everybody.”

Maya

Varadachari (11)

After all their hard work is complete, the team celebrates their efforts with one final tradition. When they’re not dancing on stage, they’re dancing on the tables at Taverna Opa Orlando.

“We usually go on the last day for dinner,” Leidenfrost said. “It’s become such a fun tradition because you can get up and dance on tables, and it’s one of the things I’m looking forward to most.”

The team is filled with a great sense of anticipation and confidence as they prepare for the final stretch before Nationals, knowing they’ve given their all. After months of dedication, they’re ready to make their mark, with hopes of improving on last year’s efforts and bringing home their first national championship since 2016.

“Hopefully this year we’ll have a national champions jacket too,” Varadachari said. P

TOP: Mia Gourtzelis (11) cheers during a football game. Gourtzelis has been on the team since her freshman year. “I am so excited to debut the dances we have been working on for several months,” Gourtzelis said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

MIDDLE: The Laduettes perform during football halftime. The team performed at every home game. “The most rewarding part [of being on the team] is making so many close friendships,” Ava Leidenfrost (12) said. (Photo by Margaret McCrady)

BOTTOM: Mal Bonds (10) dances on the sideline of a football game. Bonds has been dancing for 11 years. “I’m looking forward to winning Nationals,” Bonds said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Cheetah Season

Cheetahs compete as only all-female basketball team in JCC League History

By Ryan Snyder

Health & Sports Editor

Whether for their alarming speed, unique markings or vicious hunting skills, Cheetahs stand out from the other animals in Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 5,000 miles away from their natural habitat, another pack of Cheetahs stands out for a different reason. In a historically male league, these Cheetahs differ from the rest as the sole girls team in league history.

The Jewish Community Center (JCC) High School Basketball League, despite not requiring a gender, hadn’t had an all-female team until the Cheetahs took action last winter. Despite how groundbreaking an all-girls team was, Zoe Tenenbaum (12) didn’t read into it all that much.

“The idea wasn’t based around us being girls,” Tenenbaum said.

“We saw something we wanted to do, and didn’t think our gender should play much of a role in it.”

While this was a necessary first step, it requires more than an idea put together a team. To assemble a roster, the Cheetahs tapped into a basketball community dating back to their middle school days.

“The roster started as our Ladue Middle School basketball team,” Tenenbaum said. “We all really enjoyed playing together in middle school, so those of us who didn’t play high school basketball agreed to join the [JCC] League.”

While the Cheetahs consist mostly of players from the same Middle School basketball team, there are notable exceptions. One of these exceptions, Bella Jones (12), has found unique value in the Cheetahs after transferring from Orchard Farm High School to Ladue High School her junior year.

“Before I started I didn’t know many players,” Jones said. “The

“

The team ofered me the opportunity to get close with people outside my social circle, which I’m really grateful for.”

Josie Patterson (12)

Cheetahs helped me make a new group of friends and allowed me to integrate into Ladue.”

While for some the Cheetahs mainly facilitate friendship, others like Miran Sheley (12) acknowledge that the Cheetah’s performance extends well beyond just basketball.

“We may not win every game, but giving our best [until] the end of the game shows that both us and women in general aren’t just gonna roll over,” Sheley said.

While last year’s Cheetahs didn’t win every game, they did become the first all-female team to claim victory. As they look for more wins this year, the Cheetahs won’t get discouraged.

“In today’s society, it’s become an expectation that you have to be the best,” Sheley said. “Acknowledging that we aren’t the best but still going out and trying to work around that has been a really good experience for all of us.”

FAR LEFT: The Cheetahs put their hands together as they break from a huddle in a game against the Oblockerz. The Cheetahs fell short by a score of 64-43. “My brother played in the J League and him and his team always seemed to have a great time playing,” Zoe Tenenbaum (12) said. “So when I heard my friends were making a team, I jumped at the chance to join.”

LEFT: Norah Bullock (12) dribbles up the court in a JCC basketball game. Bullock played basketball for Ladue High School through her junior year, but has found the Cheetahs to be more in line with what she hopes to get out of basketball.. “I’ve really enjoyed playing for the Cheetahs since it’s very low stakes and stressfree basketball,” Bullock said. (Photos by Vincent Hsiao) P

Fad, Fake and Frenzy

A closer look at the fad diet and processed food industries

Spotting a Fake

Overview of the fad diet industry and ways to identify them

Four methods to spot a fad diet:

Guarantees rapid weight loss

Omits entire groups of food

Doesn’t require physical exercise

Lacks sufcient scientifc evidence

Know your food

Americans’ misconceptions about processed foods

* The fad diet industry is worth $71 billion in

By Meg Myckatyn

Negative mental and physical efects of fad diets

Mental efects of fad diets can include anxiety, guilt and feelings of failure. Fad diets

What percent of your diet do you believe is processed? Consumption of ultraprocessed foods in the U.S.

of calories consumed by Americans are ultraprocessed. * 54% of the food that young people, ages 10-19, eat is ultraprocessed. *

A Cheeto’s Journey

Step-by-step process of how Crunchy Cheetos are made

Corn is ground into cornmeal, made into a batter and sent to a secret machine.

Top secret extruder pops the Cheetos into their uncooked form, called

* Ultraprocessed foods are foods that’s ingredients are other processed foods, and they tend to have 20 or more ingredients.

Cheetos are fried in hot oil to give them a satisfying crunch.

Cost of Production

The consequences of food processing on the Earth

of all the world’s greenhouse gas emissions is due to food processing

Processing foods makes them lose essential nutrients like vitamins, fber and more

Sources: BBC News, CleanHub, CNBC, European Food Information Counsel, Future Market Insight, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, National Library of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Our World In Data

of our freshwater supply goes to wasted food of the world’s methane gas is from food waste

In just 2019, the global food industry used around 12.5 million tons of plastic

amplify their taste.

The carbon emissions per year of a supermarket is equal to that of 300 cars.

$161 billion x 300 = of American food rots, wasting $161 billion

Bags are flled with nitrogen to keep the

fresh and

Four million bags are made and distributed per day.

Cheesy seasoning covers the naked Cheetos to

Illustration by Meg Myckatyn & Nora Brunnquell

Cheetos

crispy.

Panorama January Issue

Editors’ Note

Panorama Staf

Sponsors

Issue

Gold

Silver

Friendly

News to Know

Local Events

Events to visit in February

“Lift Every Voice” Concert

Light Cycles

Board Update

Ladue Board of Education discusses potential impacts of state and national initiatives

Inauguration Field Trip

DECA Districts

DECA competes at district-wide competition Feb. 6

Club Coverage

Science Olympiad

Funds for Hope

Band to Perform

Chamber, Jazz Band to perform concerts Feb. 25 and 27

HISTORY JAM

Full Throttle

South Tech on Deck

Everyday Moments

A day in Penelope Cross’s life

Penelope Cross (11)

COMMON TOOLS

On Canvas

Suri Johnson creates art as a way to connect with her Persian culture and family

A Bond in Learning

Fink teaches middle schoolers through the Catalyst program

Too Many Cooks

The overload of information and external infuences shape diet and food choices

HUNGER BY NUMBERS

Class

Food Relationships

Them Eat Cake!’

DIETS IN DIGITS

Diet

MODDING METHODS

The GMO’ You Know

3. Salmon

2.

From Fire to Fine Dining

Early History

Middle Ages

Age of Exploration

Industrial Revolution

Panorama Perspective

SOMETHING TO ADD?

Model Minority

MORE TO KNOW

Body Hair, Don’t Care

Women’s body hair should be normalized

Regulation Altruism

MORE TO KNOW

Tank’s Take

TikTok’s legal drama sets foreboding precendents

In the Spotlight

Check It Out

The

Dancing with the Stars: Live!

Upcoming arts & entertainment events

Upcoming Albums

Sculpting Success

Ceramics class encourages resilience through hands-on learning

Arts

Art Essentials

Love is in the Air

Valentine’s Day ideas to help plan this year’s day of love

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Aaron Lin recommends four favorite gift ideas

Flowers

LEGO Sets

Books

Chocolates

Date Night