Panorama December 2019

PANO RAMA

Read more about the end of the decade on pages 14–17.

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12.18.19, Vol. 68, Issue 4, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, 1201 S. Warson Rd. Ladue, MO 63124

STAFF Editors-in-Chief

Jackson Bry Katie Shaw Bradford Siwak

Head Design Editors

Cassie Beisheim Anna Liner

Managing Editor

Sydney Crump

Head Copy Editor

Alexander Fu

Print Photo Editor Managing Photo Editor

Nicole Kalishman Burke Howe

News Editor

Rhea Patney

Features Editors

Katie Holland Erin Turkieltaub

In-Depth Editor

Grace Hu

Opinions Editor

Ethan Willick

-Katie Shaw, Jackson Bry and Bradford Siwak

Arts & Entertainment Editors

Hugh Chan Caroline Tyrrell

Sports Editors

Domenic Fenoglio Jacob Korn

Social Media Editor News Staff

Jill Goldwasser Grace Hensley

Clayton Coughlin

In-Depth Staff

Sophia Liu Marissa Mathieson

Opinions Staff

Caroline Edgar Tariq Lashley Charlotte Woodhill

didn’t have in the 2000s, making this a defining decade in their lives.

From international news to pop culture, we chose to cover what we believed to be the most important events for our readers. Without a doubt, the 2010s will be a decade we will remember for the rest of our lives, so we decieded to make it the main focus of this month’s issue.

Thomas Margulis Lucy Lochmoeller

Business Managers

Jason Pummer Jake Tackes

Staff Writers

Daniel Chayet Sean Ferguson Annie Pan Cindy Wang

Staff Artist

While deliberating different ideas for this month’s in-depth, we decided that a recap of our first full decade would be the most profound topic for this month. Because we are a high school newspaper, most of our readers grew up during this decade. They had their first final exams, devolped their identities and gained a level of freedom they

Rhea Kaw Jamie Korenblat

Features Staff

Sports Staff

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Sunny Lu

Sports Photo Editor

Art Editor

EDITORS’ NOTE

Danielle Zhang

Staff Photographer

Ginger Schulte

Adviser

Sarah Kirksey

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SPREAD DESIGN BY J. BRY, K.SHAW & B. SIWAK

NEWS 5. Ladue students present about their religions at faculty meetings.

6–7. A look into the St. Louis Veiled Prophet Ball.

8. Ladue aims to install HALO detectors in bathrooms.

9. Student Leadership Panel helps influence administrators’ decisions.

OPINIONS 10. Pano Perspective: The surveillance epidemic in our authority figures.

11. Why consumerism based on the holidays is detrimental.

12. The origins and truth of the infamous “Ok, Boomer.” meme.

13. We need a serious change in our attendance policies.

FEATURES 18–19. Jessica Bitting shares stories from before she began working at Ladue.

IN-DEPTH 14–17. A review of some of the noteworthy events that have occurred during this decade.

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A&E 21. The best Netflix competitors.

22–23. The best albums from this decade for the most popular music genres.

STAFF & CONTENTS

SPORTS 24–25. How Coach Gray continues to impact the Ladue community even after his passing.

26–27. Cheer team returns for winter season after disbanding last year.

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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 students.

It aims to reflect the diversity of the population it serves and to observe the journalistic principle of doing no harm.

Panorama welcomes letters to the editors. Please bring signed letters to room 1311. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions as long as original intent remains unaltered.

Panorama is produced 9 times per school year by the newspaper class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School at 1201 S. Warson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124. The publication lab is located in room 1311, (314)-993-

6447 ext. 5844. Read more stories online at laduepublications.com.

Follow @laduepublications on Instagram and @laduepanorama on Twitter. Cover, staff page, table of contents and policy by Jackson Bry, Katie Shaw and Bradford Siwak.

Editor-in-chief photo by Sunny Lu. Corrections from November: Cecilia Waterson works 30 hours a week, is not a waitress and was washing oysters in a photo.

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SPREAD DESIGN BY J. BRY, K. SHAW & B. SIWAK; R. KAW

Senior Victoria Neal presents about Protestantism to a group of staff members Dec. 9. The presentations are given to inform staff about various religions practiced by Ladue students. “I feel like it’s important for every student’s voice to be heard, so people don’t feel like they are being undermined or not represented,” Neal said. (Photo by Nicole Kalishman)

STUDENTS PRESENT ABOUT DIVERSITY

At monthly staff meetings, students share information about their religions to faculty RHEA KAW news staff

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ANNIE PAN staff writer

ccording to Niche, Ladue Horton Watkins High School is the eighth most diverse public school in St. Louis County.

Home to numerous cultural practices and religions, Ladue has teachers and students who are looking for ways to ensure that everyone in the community is represented. In order to create a more inclusive atmosphere, Ladue students have started to present their religions to staff at monthly faculty meetings.

“I think for most teachers, the feedback was really good to hear from students,” English teacher and presentation director Shruti Upadhyay said. “I had students come and talk about things they wish their teachers knew about their culture, practices and beliefs. The teachers’ takeaway was that [the meetings] were really helpful to be more mindful about different ethnicities and practices.”

To prepare for these presentations, students use personal experiences and research about their religions. As the opportunity arises, students of various religions want to offer information that could help others understand important religious details and practices that affect students’ daily lives.

“I was kind of scared but also excited because I always wanted to do something like [the diversity meetings] in middle school since no one really knew about [Sikhism],” senior Simerjeet Singh said. “I wanted to allow people to understand more about my religion through these meetings.”

Staff members are able to gain an in-depth understanding about the different religions at Ladue from their own students that they may not have known before. Furthermore, teachers now have the ability to learn about problems that potentially affect students during school and rethink their approach to their class structures.

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“I think in general, the majority of [teachers] have a Christian background,” chemistry teacher and program creator Alyson Levine said.

“Learning about different religions — what the religion is about, what are some of their holidays, pillars of beliefs and how they affect [students] at school — helps us to offer help if there are any problems.”

As a result of these meetings, teachers are gaining new outlooks on the religions at Ladue. This vast range of religions not only contributes to Ladue’s diversity, but also teaches the community to embrace their differences.

“One thing that stuck out to me was how every religion has the same basic tenets,” Upadhyay said.

“It seemed like whether you are [of] Jewish faith, Hindu faith or Islamic faith, there was an element of fasting that I think a lot of teachers were not aware of. Our district is probably one of the most diverse public school districts in the state, and I think [that’s] fantastic.”

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UNVEILING THE VEILED PROPHET A look into the history and evolution of the Veiled Prophet Ball SYDNEY CRUMP managing editor

JAMIE KORENBLAT news staff

photo illustration by SUNNY LU

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12.18.19

SPREAD DESIGN BY J. KORENBLAT, R. PATNEY & B. SIWAK

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n the past, the Veiled Prophet Organization has been at the center of controversy. The organization, which was founded in 1878, hosts a parade in the summer and a debutante ball every winter, in which young women are presented to society and a covered man known as the Veiled Prophet. Before 1979, people of color were not allowed to become members, and for a time, people of Jewish descent were not initiated. Although the VPO no longer holds racist ties, its history is enough for some to feel uncomfortable. The ball was started by Charles Slayback, a Confederate cavalryman, as an event for the white elite of St. Louis.

Additionally, due to the prophet’s original resemblance, some speculate the dance once had ties to the Ku Klux Klan. However, no such evidence has come to light. To be an official member of the VPO, one has to be a male with connections to other members of the organization.

Then, the board votes to decide on membership status.

The VPO has changed tremendously since their founding, and their mission is focused on volunteer work.

The VPO is a source of pride for some Ladue students and a topic of controversy for others. For women to attend, they must be guests of a male member. Some argue that only allowing men to become members does not keep up with today’s changing society.

“I think the rule that to be an official member, you have to be a man, shows how normalized sexist behaviors are because we look at them as a ‘traditions’ and use that as an excuse to continue these oppressive behaviors,” Social Justice League Vice President and junior Lauryn Donovan said.

Every year at the VP Ball, women, typically in their sophomore year of college, are presented to society.

Girls who are being presented are not allowed to walk with their dads; they walk with a different man in order to make new connections. After the presentation, one of the women is selected and crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty, holding the title for one year.

“You walk down a stage with another member, [and] it is just a fun experience,” senior and ball attendee Ellie Weber said. “For me, when I was a kid, I loved getting to watch them and their big fancy gowns.”

Junior Vivienne Reed attended her first VP Ball in elementary school. Reed’s father played a large role in getting Reed involved. In order for girls to be presented into the society, their father must be active within the organization. Reed enjoys attending the events because of the sense of community that comes from being a part of it.

“I think you make connections when you’re walking,” Reed said. “And you meet new people in that class.”

Community service projects are heavily encouraged throughout the year. Members participate in what the organization calls their community service initiative. “[My dad] got involved when he was in college, and he always loved putting on the parades and everything,” Weber said. “Then I started volunteering with him when I was really young.”

Aside from the VP ball, a parade is held every July.

On Saturdays during the summer, volunteers work on the parade floats and help prepare for the event.

“They have all of the floats on the main ground floor of this warehouse, and then upstairs, ladies [make] all the costumes,” senior and ball attendee Lauren Cedergreen said.

Although the VPO mostly focuses on its few events, it provides other opportunities for members and attendees. Guests like Cedergreen feel that these opportunities help bring family members together.

“It’s a great way to meet people [and] form connections,” Cedergreen said. “It’s good for business connections as well, and I love getting to do the volunteer work with my dad.”

Although the background of the VPO is not favored by many, some believe that if they evolve from a mostly white organization, then more people of color will have the opportunity to attend the ball. This requires that the organization changes some of their century old rules to reflect the diverse population of St. Louis.

“I think they can evolve and move on from their racist past with a genuine intent of being more inclusive and treating others as equals ­— not just because they don’t want to be seen as racist or are tired from the backlash they get,” Donovan said.

The white Veiled Prophet gloves are modeled by a ball attendee. These above-the-elbow gloves are a staple part of the outfit worn by all girls attending the ball, in addition to a long, ankle-length dress.

(Photo illustration by Sunny Lu)

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NEWS

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HALO COMES TO LADUE

Detectors shine a new light on vaping problem at school “If [HALO] senses the quality of the air changing with those particular chemicals, it will send an alert news staff news editor to an app on an administrator’s phone,” instructional technology coordinator Adam Stirrat said. “[HALO can] ithin the school year, the high school detect the contents of marijuana, vaping cartridges, aims to install HALO IOT Smart Senjuuling cartridges and cigarette smoke.” sors, an air quality monitoring system The HALO detectors were brought to Ladue’s atthat detects vapor and other substances in bathtention by a private vendor who rooms throughout the school. contacted Rob Highfill, Ladue’s As one of the first districts in the director of technology. Highfill St. Louis area to install the HALO introduced the idea to Principal detectors, Ladue hopes to see a Brad Griffith, and a trial was run decline in vaping at school. The My hope is to make [vaping] less by the technology department overall goal of the detectors is to of an option or not an option for with the detectors, focusing on encourage students to make better choices and create a safer environstudents. [The detectors] aren’t functionality and cost.

“Putting detectors in the first ment in the building. HALO can going to solve the issue, but they floor bathrooms [comes in at] detect sound, motion and smoke could deter it, and that is the around $20,000,” Griffith said. as well as its contents, such as THC “This does not include the locker and nicotine. overall goal.” rooms. It just includes the academic side of the building.”

-Brad Griffith, Principal This new detection system does not come without imperfections. If the detector goes off in a bathroom, it is likely that supervisory assistants will have to take all students in the bathroom to be questioned and searched, even if they weren’t doing anything wrong. This possibility causes concern for some Ladue students.

“I don’t want to have talk to administrators about something someone else did just because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” sophomore Anika Speicher said. “I also don’t want to miss class.”

Griffith and Stirrat acknowledge that while these detectors may make the high school safer, they will not fully solve the vaping epidemic.

HALO is meant to serve as a deterrent, so students will not attempt to vape.

“There is nobody here that is under the impression that this is going to address the issue,” Griffith said. “You address the issue with education, communication and ongoing efforts. If there is something that can deter an unhealthy and deadly behavior, we need to do everything in our power to address it.”

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PAGE DESIGNS BY R. KAW & R. PATNEY; C. COUGHLIN

Brad Griffith discusses integral components of Ladue life to Alexis Powell and the rest of the Student Leadership Panel Sep. 7, 2018. “Our teachers and administrators only know so much,” junior Jameson Falconer said.

“The Student Leadership Panel allows students to voice their opinions and have dialogue with teachers and administrators about their needs.” (File photo)

Leadership Panel contributes to school decision making Student Leadership Panel gives its perspective and input on administrators’ decisions CINDY WANG staff writer

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he Student Leadership Panel is a group of sophomores, juniors and seniors from various clubs and activities who come together to represent students and offer input on school decisions.

Three years ago, the high school administration established the Student Leadership Panel in order to create a conduit through which they could communicate with students about proposed major school policy changes.

“We created the Student Leadership Panel to connect a group that was more reflective of the diversity of our student body to establish more student voices in Ladue,” Principal Brad Griffith said.

Rather than having students provide feedback through surveys, the Student Leadership Panel allows students to meet face to face with administrators every month.

“It’s a great responsibility to stand up for students on issues which administrators and other student leaders may disagree on,” senior Giuseppe DiCera said. “The debate that we have as a panel is crucial to strengthening our problem-solving, which ultimately benefits the student body.”

Not only does the panel offer the opportunity for students to share opinions, but the members also get to hear the administrators’ perspectives on contentious issues. These issues could either be technology usage, ram days or responsive scheduling.

Panel Cyon Sailor, 12

“I think the best way to represent the most amount of people is to be empathetic to everyone’s experiences, so I actively think about what others go through.”

“Sometimes, the school implements changes with intentions that come across as overbearing,” senior Shelei Pan said. “It is nice to have a platform through which I can hear and take the administration’s logic into consideration when forming an educated opinion.”

By voicing their different perspectives, the students on the Student Leadership Panel are meant to act as a bridge between the student body’s needs and administrators’ decisions.

“Some current goals we have are making sure that our high school is a safe environment for students, regardless of their beliefs, culture and upbringings,” Falconer said.

“We strive for diversity and equal opportunities for each and every individual.”

Perspective Christian Davis, 10

“I feel that since we have a student standpoint, it’s really helpful for the administrators to change their policies because not everything goes as planned.”

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NEWS

Lena Liang, 12

“I learned that it’s not easy to make decisions because we have to take into consideration what’s best regarding safety, efficiency and overall happiness.”

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PANO PERSPECTIVE Parents shouldn’t micromanage their children

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ne of the most iconic lines in George Orwell’s book “1984” is the chilling slogan of the book’s authoritarian leader: “Big Brother is watching you.”

Although our lives in Ladue are far removed from Orwell’s dystopian world, some teenagers may feel as if an appropriate slogan for their lives could be, “Your parents are watching you.”

While Big Brother may have relied on complicated security equipment to keep track of its constituents, modern technology has transformed the art of surveillance.

Today, all that is required to track teenagers are apps like Life360 or Find my Friends.

Life360 is one of the most popular location-tracking apps, boasting 18 million users as of the end of 2018. The premise of Life360 is simple: to connect family members by providing tracking services and allowing members of certain circles to see each others’ locations. The app can provide a layer of security for parents and children alike, ensuring that loved ones are safe. However, the problem with Life360 and similar tracking apps arises when added features such as tracking battery percentage, speed and time spent in a certain location transform these apps into a tool used to manipulate and control children.

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The misuse of tracking apps creates helicopter parents, people who are over-invested and overprotective of their children. These tracking apps give parents another tool to monitor their kids. The rise of this style of parenting should be concerning to everyone for two main reasons: the development of life skills and the relationship between parents and their children.

As teenagers and high school students, we are learning the crucial skills necessary to succeed later on in life, one of which is independence. Helicopter parents cut off our ability to develop how to be independent by micromanaging most aspects of our lives.

With apps like Life360, helicopter parents are able to get real-time notifications of their child’s every move. Oftentimes, these features are used to control where their teenagers are allowed to go.

As a result, children are not exposed to different cultures, people, places and situations. Thus, when they are provided with freedom later on in life, many adolescents are not equipped with the skills to properly manage their lives alone.

The misuse of tracking apps sets up teenagers for failure.

Additionally, tracking apps amplify the worst parts of a child’s relationship with their parents.

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Monitoring apps exacerbate paranoia, anxiety and mistrust among parents and children. We may not understand the level of worry parents possess for their children, but using technology as a tool of control only breeds secrecy and incentivizes teens to lie and find loopholes in these apps. For example, many teenagers may leave their phones at home or a friend’s house in order to evade being monitored.

This puts them in danger because they can’t call 911 or their parents.

As teenagers, we value our privacy, and such stark violations of it cause us to become shifty and mistrusting of parental authority rather than respectful and well-behaved.

To address frustrations on both sides, children and parents must begin a conversation about the use of technology in parenting. It must be made clear that the misuse of this monitoring technology fosters mistrust on both sides. At the end of the day, some peace of mind is not worth the worry, control and manipulation of their kids.

SPREAD DESIGN BY E. WILLICK

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There is no price on family

The problems with the over-commercialization of the holidays ETHAN WILLICK opinions editor

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hen I was younger, I remember turning on the TV the week before Christmas and watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Now, I look at the TV leading up to the holidays and all I see are commercials that prominently feature Christmas trees, stockings and the colors red and green. I constantly see sales leading up to Christmas commanding people to buy gifts for their kids and significant others. I also see the public conscious filling with scenes of Santa and his elves making toys. From a Jewish perspective, similar things occur with stores using menorahs, dreidels and the colors blue and white in a corporate attempt to gain Jewish shoppers. The fact that consumerism is taking a level of importance over family is concerning.

Companies and individuals need to stop focusing on the commercial aspect of the holidays and instead focus on giving and being together with friends and family.

It is time we refocus the meaning of the holidays.

Hanukkah has never been about presents; it is about a miracle that occurred, and it should be celebrated by giving to those in need and spending time with loved ones. Christmas was never about Santa. In fact, Santa was first conceived in a 1863 drawing by Thomas Nast, whereas Christmas was first celebrated in 336 C.E. during the reign of Byzantine emperor Constantine.

Entire days of the year are dedicated to purchasing expensive presents. According to the National Retail Federation, approximately $720 billion was spent during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. For reference, that amount of money is enough to buy 175 billion meals for those in need.

Oftentimes, companies encourage this commercialization in order to gain profit, pushing the holidays’ relevance far before their time. Christmas car commercials began in early November. Winter Spiced Cranberry Sprite was released in late October. While kids were trick-or-treating in the St. Louis Galleria mall, Christmas decorations were already up. These are all commercial grabs from businesses attempting to profit off of the holidays. It is unacceptable for companies to make money off of the time for giving and family.

Enlightenment thinker Adam Smith once used a metaphor of an invisible hand guiding the economy to explain why corporations will act in their own self-interests. Since corporations’ top priority is money, consumers have full control of companies actions by choosing what, when or if they want to buy something.

The power lent to the people in this manner needs to be utilized and can be done so by refusing to give money to companies who make these cash grabs. People especially need to stop purchasing these goods obscenely early because they take away from the main reasons for the holidays. It is also important to remember that gifts don’t need to be purchased in the first place.

Now is your part. Don’t buy Christmas themed products, especially far before the holiday. Spend time with friends or family. People oftentimes come from far and wide to be with their family; a memory is worth much more than a gift. Everyone who is able to should donate to people in need. U.S. Postal Service Operation Santa allows anyone to “adopt a letter” from a kid in need to fulfill their wish list. You could also volunteer at a food pantry or help the world in any way you know how.

Ultimately, we need less focus on buying gifts and more focus on giving love.

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OPINIONS

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OK, BOOMER.

The phrase “Ok Boomer” isn’t harmful and never has been TARIQ LASHLEY opinions staff

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n the early 1960s, sociologist Karl Mannheim was fascinated by the political and social differences between the Silent Generation, those who grew up in the shadows of World War I, and the up-and-coming baby boomers. Mannheim was the first to proclaim a name to the phenomenon, dubbing it “The Generational Gap.” The term referenced the divide between the young and the old.

Though Mannheim’s work did not achieve his goal of solving the issue of intergenerational conflict, identifying the problem itself was the first step in generational consciousness. Today, the gap rears its ugly head between the heralds of the new millennium — Generation Z — and those associated with the post World War II economic boom — baby boomers.

Growing up during a time of economic growth, consumerism and privilege, baby boomers, or simply boomers, are a far cry from the children of The Information Age. From opinions on global warming to consumerism and unemployment, the political divide between the two generations is the largest it has been in decades. Honestly, there is no wonder as to why the Internet conceived of the apparent perfect response to the boomer mindset: Ok, Boomer.

The meme itself arose on forums in late 2015, though its popularity really began this January it then surged to international fame in November. The phrase itself is decisive and dismis-

sive, and it mocks the stereotypically condescending and outdated nature of the boomer generation.

At first, the meme was more or less a success. It provided humor and was the defensive phrase it was created to be. The title of a boomer was now being given to more than the actual generation, becoming synonymous with anyone with a “boomer mindset.” The mindset was designated as one full of climate change denial and judgmental attitudes toward newer ideas.

It is common to overhear the moniker being used against a marginalization of new ideals. From a simple retort, the phrase became the calling sign and identifier of new generational ideas combating against the boomer mindset.

In November, the meme gained its own controversy, as many baby boomers claimed offense to the so-called ageist phrase. Some people, most notably radio host Bob Lonsberry, even claimed it was the N-word of ageism.

News flash — it isn’t even close to a slur. The meme is about the rampant resistance to change and a quick response to the common ignorance of elders that’s passed off as normal. Ignoring the true message of the meme and interpreting it as an ageist attack only proves the point of the meme.

Our generation is not attacking the elderly, nor is it attacking baby boomers. As an Internet friend of mine once told me, that you can be a baby boomer without being a boomer. This truly proves that the phrase in question doesn’t target old individuals but instead targets old ideas.

A Timeline of Generations Silent Generation

The Baby Generation X MillenBoom

Generation Z

Generation Alpha

1925–1945 1946–1964 1965–1985 1986–1994 1995–2012 2013–2025

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SPREAD DESIGN BY C. EDGAR

Every day shouldn’t be a skip day

Our school needs to pay more attention to the attendance of its students SEAN FERGUSON staff writer

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he Ladue student handbook states that “Missouri statutes mandate school attendance.”

One would be surprised to see that rule enforced at our school. While school officials are compelled to “monitor compliance,” Ladue has no real truancy system. There seems to be an alarming disregard for student attendance; this attitude pervades the administration, parents and the students themselves.

Attendance as a cultural item certainly plays a big part in its nonobservance. Everybody wants to have their own Ferris Bueller story — a day off, a day unrestrained by rules.

While most people already aren’t very keen to show up five days a week, popular media has convinced us that skipping school is fun and a part of our adolescence. It gets worse as we become upperclassmen. At this point, a month’s worth of senior skip days are expected each year. Surely, teachers must be insulted in some shape or form when their class is almost half empty. Students communicate quickly with each other, and parents are more than willing to sponsor

their kid’s day off. At Ladue, there seems to be no end to the rebellious appeal of waking up late, leaving school early or even just taking a week-long staycation.

Clearly, no one is really in favor of daily, uninterrupted attendance.

Nevertheless, there are two main elements causing the problem. Expectedly, wealth plays a significant role in student attendance. Ladue is one of the richest communities in Missouri, and this is reflected in our fractured attendance. Is it not an accurate observation that a portion of the most affluent students miss the most class time? Parents who have more time and money are often willing to call their kids out for the most basic of reasons, not to mention the swath of opportunities to be away from school that come from vacations and special events.

But the largest issue of nonattendance is Ladue’s administration failing to enforce its own rules.

The handbook states that if a “last minute need arises for an early dismissal, the parent or guardian must come into the attendance office” to sign out the student. Yet students leave class on a whim, called out by their parents with no such approval at the

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OPINIONS

front office. The parking monitors are exceedingly relaxed, with no real verification system. As a senior with a free period, I have noticed at times the monitors are absent from the lot.

One of the most telling aspects of the administration’s neglect of student attendance is its policy on truancy. Truancy can be defined as the illegal and purposeful absence from school by any student. The word truancy is mentioned in the student handbook only once. Unexcused absences are only assigned “more formal penalties” if the absence itself is due to the student being truant.

Still, there is no clear procedure to inhibit truancy or prevent it in the future. There is no consequence for students missing school because the administration seems unwilling to take accountability for the issue.

Students who take their education seriously have no problem with the attendance policies, but for those “stereotypical teenagers,” there is nothing in place to prevent them from missing out on a valuable education. It is fun to skip school, and when you live in Ladue, it is easy. It is the administration’s duty to reform our attendance policies, because if they don’t, no one will.

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THROUGH April 3, 2010: The iPad combines the convenience of a phone and the usefulness of a laptop.

SOPHIA LIU in-depth staff

MARISSA MATHIESON in-depth staff

art by CASSIE BEISHEIM art by GRACE HU

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010 to 2019. 10 years. 3562 days.

87,600 hours. During this decade, humankind witnessed some of its greatest triumphs and tragedies.

Worldwide, we saw a surge in gun violence, natural disasters and historical political events. However, this decade also brought massive technological developments that transformed daily life, strides for equal rights and iconic albums people still sing at the top of their lungs.

St. Louis was a city under national scrutiny and protests following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, but it rebuilt and grew. Of course, it also showed its St. Louis pride as the Cardinals won the World Series, and the St. Louis Blues team won its first Stanley Cup. Locally, Ladue saw a series of changes in staff and campuses as the student population grew. The high school became a state-of-the-art education facility due to Prop R, and Ladue showed school pride as numerous academic and athletic teams achieved historic success.

As 2019 comes to a close and the new decade begins, it is imperative to look backward and reflect on events that occurred in the past decade. Only then can society move forward. Let us take a trip through the decade.

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12.18.19

Dec. 3, 2010 230,000 people are killed in the Haitian earthquakes.

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in-depth editor

the Decade 20

GRACE HU

April 2 The roya of Princ Wind Catherine attracts view

The boyband One Direction is formed on British talent show X-Factor.

July 23, 2010

March 2010: Budget cuts for schools ­— Missouri lawmakers cut funding for schools to catch up with budget deficits, resulting in teacher layoffs.

Obama signs the Affordable Care Act into law, reforming American health care.

SPREAD DESIGN BY G. HU & M. MATHIESON

March 23, 2010

July 2011: Snap an app whe users exchan disappearing v and pictures released.

29, 2011: al wedding ce William dsor and e Middleton 24 million wers.

The Curiosity Rover lands on Mars to explore the Gale crater.

May 2, 2011

Nov 6, 2012: Obama is reelected after defeating Utah Senator Mitt Romney.

Sept. 12, 2011

Following a referendum,South Sudan gains independence from the Republic of Sudan.

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Edward Snowden claims to have stolen tens of thousands of NSA files.

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The new Ladue Early Childhood Center opens on the lot of the former West Junior High.

June 21, 2013

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Osama Bin Laden, leader of Al-Qaeda, is killed by U.S. forces.

pchat, ere nge videos s, is .

Jan. 24: 2013: Vine, a short video sharing app, is released

by Twitter and promptly goes viral.

Aug. 6, 2012

The Mayan calendar came to an end, leading some to believe the world was going to end.

2012

July 9, 2011

3 people are killed and 264 people are injured in the Boston Marathon bombing.

April 28, 2012: July 15, 2012: The Brutal hail and song “Gangam Style� severe storms in goes viral, setting the St. Louis cause stage for the rise of massive damage Korean pop music in to cars and the U.S. at the end of buildings. the decade.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

April 15, 2013

IN-DEPTH

Aug. 14, 2013: The Fifth Grade Center opens to ease overcrowding in the four Ladue elementary schools.

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Jan. 20, 2015: The June 26, 2015: Aug. 9, 2014: Ferguviral sensation The U.S. Supreme son erupts in proHamilton changed Court requires tests after Michael musicals by introducing all states to Brown, an unarmed the notion that history grant same-sex black man, is fatally plays can be engaging. marriages on a 5-4 shot by a police offidecision. cer. His death caused 2014: The ALS ice the Black Lives Matter bucket challenge movement to be put in promotes awareness a national spotlight. of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease.

2016 After significant asylum policy changes, 2016 was the deadliest year recorded for Syrian refugees.

Oct. 29, 2015

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China removes its One Child Policy after 36 years. Most couples are still restricted to two children.

The NFL Rams relocate from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

Jan. 4, 2016 2014: The deadly The Flint Water Crisis Ebola virus killed causes the water in over 11,000 people in 2014 alone.

Flint, Mich. to become contaminated with lead, killing 12 people.

April 5, 2016: The Ladue Board of April 2014 Education votes for Prop R to renovate the high school. art by CASSIE BEISHEIM art by GRACE HU

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12.18.19

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, kneels July 6, 2016: during the National Pokemon Go, a Anthem in protest of virtual reality game systematic racism and in which users can police brutality. catch Pokemon characters, 2016 becomes a global phenomenon.

SPREAD DESIGN BY G. HU & S. LIU

Aug. 21, 2017: Ladue staff and students witness a total solar eclipse.

Jan. 3, 2019: The most racially and ethnically diverse group in Congress is sworn in.

Oct. 8, 2018: The Intragovernmental Panel on Climate Change releases a report on global warming, predicting rapid change in all aspects of society.

March 24, 2018 200,000 students particpate in the March for Our Lives after the Parkland shooting.

Aug. 29, 2017 2018

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Wildfires ravage California in its most destructive fire season ever.

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North Korea carries out nuclear tests of missiles that have the capability to strike any U.S. city.

Journalist Jamal Khashoggi is killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Oct. 2, 2018 2017: The #metoo movement is created, following allegations of Jan. 20, 2017: Feb. 16, 2018: “Black sexual assult Donald Trump is Panther” breaks sworn in as the 45th against movie barriers by being president, fueling the director Harvey the first mainstream Weinstein. first of many global American movie to have Women’s Marches. a superhero of African descent.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

Ladue alum Becky Sauerbrunn helps the U.S. Womens Soccer team win the FIFA World Cup. July 7, 2019

IN-DEPTH

2019: Social media app TikTok, where users share short videos, grows in popularity and hits 500 million users.

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BOLD BITTING

Assistant Principal to the freshman class Jessica Bitting brings drive from past work life to Ladue KATIE HOLLAND features editor

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(Photo by Nicole Kalishman)

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n the cold, dark climate of the winter semester in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, then Bucknell University sophomore Jessica Bitting would wake up before 7 a.m. and make a nearly 30-minute commute to her student-teaching facility. Bitting does not describe herself as a morning person, but learning how to be an educator was something that she was willing to trade sleep for —and was even excited about.

However, teaching was not the only thing Bitting had a burning passion for. During her sophomore year at Bucknell University, Bitting knew she had to decide whether she wanted to continue pursuing a degree in medicine or education.

“I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do, but I realized at that point that I loved what I was doing and that education was the right choice,” Bitting said.

Her passion for medicine began when her high school hosted night classes that trained community members in becoming emergency medical technicians.

Bitting recalls being one of two teenagers in the room filled with adults.

“I became an EMT when I was 16,” Bitting said. “At that time, it was all volunteer work. So you’d work all day and when your pager went off, you left whatever you were doing and you went where they needed you.”

Bitting loved the involvement with helping people and picked Bucknell University in part because of the fact that she could continue her volunteer work there.

The university had a volunteer fire department and ambulance squad, as well as an emergency medical service for students on campus, all of which Bitting joined and would soon lead.

“I submitted my application for the fire department on the day that I got my college acceptance letter. I knew I wanted to do it,” Bitting said. “I realized one day that we basically were 911, which was a really interesting feeling.”

Bitting looks back at her time working as a first responder fondly, grateful to have had what it takes to work on a fire squad. These experiences have shaped Bitting into the person she is today.

“It was pretty empowering to have been able to do those things,” Bitting said. “Just to be standing in simulated burning buildings and having the instructor say,

12.18.19 SPREAD DESIGN BY K. HOLLAND & E. TURKIELTAUB

‘Okay, she’s going to take you out the window.’ They just give you this look. Like, ‘You can do that right?’ And you take them out like they’re a conscious victim.”

Not only did Bitting’s days as a firefighter teach her practical skills, they also taught her new and different ways of thinking.

“Saving someone’s life is a pretty awesome feeling,” Bitting said. “I think what it taught me was a whole other level of independence, leadership and self-reliance.”

Another lifelong passion of Bitting’s is swimming.

She participated in the sport in her childhood, in high school and up to the point when she had children, though she struggled to find time to continue the sport.

“It’s a lot harder when you have kids, and you have to actually get to a gym or to a pool,” Bitting said. “So when I had my first child nine years ago, I started running afterwards to get back in shape.”

Since having her first kid, Bitting started to run in various 5k’s and half-marathons. About six years ago, she decided that she wanted to attempt a triathlon and combine two of the sports she loves with a third.

“I thought, ‘If I can bike, and I can run and I can swim, maybe I could put them all together,’” Bitting said. “I did my first sprint triathlon at Creve Coeur Lake. I tried it, and I loved it.”

Bitting typically does three triathlons a year and hopes to continue to challenge herself and improve on her times.

“Someday I hope to have done an Ironman,” Bitting said. “But I promised my husband I’d finish my Ph.D. first.”

Head Principal Brad Griffith notices Bitting’s enthusiasm about sports and her work as a firefighter translating into her work with students and colleagues.

“She’s driven; she’s motivated; she’s intelligent,” Griffith said. “She brings that kind of passion [for volunteering and athletics] and commitment to her work life as well.”

From the outside, some might perceive Bitting’s job to be relatively lax. However, her field takes a lot of persistence and patience to work.

“Not a lot of people recognize this, but a lot of times when people come into these offices, they’re not necessarily spreading sunshine,” Griffith said. “There can be some problematic pieces taking place in the family that [administrators are] tasked with addressing and dealing with.”

Along with Griffith, English teacher Kim Gutchewsky also sees the amount of work Bitting puts into the school. Gutchewsky is grateful for Bitting’s open door policy and how much she cares for students.

“I’m amazed at how she’s been able to be the assistant principal for the two largest departments, organize graduation and act as the ninth grade principal,” Gutchewsky said. “On top of it all, she’s a mom working on her Ph.D. That’s a woman who can do it all.”

TOP: Bitting and her fellow members of the Lewisburg Fire Squad pose in front of a simulated burning building while learning how to sucessfully remove victims from fires. Bitting worked with the department during the entirety of her time at Bucknell University. “We would wear pagers and wake up in the middle of the night, pick up students who made poor decisions on campus and respond to the fires in the surrounding community,” Bitting said. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Bitting) BOTTOM: Bitting and one of her sons, Tommy, hike on a family trip to Colorado. Bitting has been skiing since she was 5 years old and continues to travel there to hike and ski with her family. “I love to ski,” Bitting said.

“Hopefully when I retire, I will live in the mountains and ski every day — it’s my happy place.” (Photo courtesy of Jessica Bitting)

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FEATURES

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PAGE DESIGNS BY K. SHAW; H. CHAN

THE BEST STREAMING SERVICES BESIDES NETFLIX DANIEL CHAYET staff writer

With so many streaming services competing with Netflix, the original service, it can be hard to know what the best options are. These are the best alternatives.

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APPLE TV+

In the vast landscape of streaming services, one stands out as the best value for its price: Apple TV+, which offers a good selection of high-budget shows at a lower price than its competitors. The tech giant’s first swing at original content came in 2017 with shows such as “Carpool Karaoke,” but it failed to captivate the public, with critics panning its programs. Their new slate of shows, however, includes solid programs like “The Morning Show,” a drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Even though only original programming is offered as of now, the shows’ high quality, available at only $4.99 per month, makes this deal hard to beat.

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DISNEY+

Last month, Disney rolled out its own streaming service, Disney+.

The launch was successful, with millions of users signing up on the first day alone, and it is clear why. Because of the number of brands and franchises that fall under the colossal Disney tent (Marvel, Lucasfilms, ABC, ESPN, etc.), the platform has an extensive library of titles. Additionally, new series from many of the brands under the Disney name, like “The Mandalorian,” set in the Star Wars universe, serve as continuations of classic shows that offer new twists that appeal to any Disney fan. For a pricier $6.99 per month, Disney+ has lots of classics and new thrills to offer.

art by

ANNA LINER

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HULU

Established in 2007, Hulu is the oldest of the three services reviewed. Its offerings are the largest out of the three, including the current seasons of popular shows like “The Simpsons,” “The Good Place” and “This Is Us.” The site follows the recent trend of creating original content, with acclaimed series like the adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and New York Times co-production “The Weekly.” It is also strong on the side of movies, with classic flicks like “District 9,” “Rain Man” and “Rocky,” but all of this comes at a hefty price: for a no-ad experience like its competitors, one must pony up $11.99 per month, with an ad-supported tier valued at $5.99.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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A LOOK INTO THE BEST CAROLINE TYRRELL a&e editor

ALT: “Melophobia” by Cage the Elephant When it comes to the alternative genre, the 2013 album “Melophobia” by Cage The Elephant comes out on top. The album has 10 songs that contain a consistent ambience throughout the whole tracklist. With acoustics parts to high alt-rock flashes, “Melophobia” produces a unique and signature sound. This album is most known for containing one of Cage The Elephant’s most popular songs: “Cigarette Daydreams.”

R&B: “Blond” by Frank Ocean In his long-awaited 2016 album, “Blond,” Frank Ocean created a unique tracklist with abstract and complex sounds, which can be found throughout the whole album. With 17 songs, Frank Ocean welcomes a variety of high-profile artists for guest vocals, such as Beyoncé, André 3000 and Yung Lean. With the creation of “Blond,” Frank Ocean earned his first number one spot on Billboard’s

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Top 200 Album Chart.

“Blond” recieved various outstanding reviews from many, making it Frank Ocean’s most critically acclaimed album.

Additionally, Pitchfork named “Blond” the best album of the 2010s in their review of the album. With all of the reviews and successes of Frank Ocean’s album “Blond,” it is clear to see why it ultimately deserves the number one R&B spot.

12.18.19

SPREAD DESIGN BY C. TYRRELL

This song consists of soft and slow rhythms that emit calming energy for the audience to enjoy. It goes hand-in-hand with the rest of the tracklist, as all of the songs are similar in tempo and rhythm. When all of these different aspects and factors are taken into consideration, it is clear to see why “Melophobia” deserves the title of best alternative album of the decade. When looking for a good alt-rock album, “Melophobia” is the one to go with.

ALBUMS OF THE DECADE RAP: “DAMN.” by Kendrick Lamar Out of what is arguably the most popular genre in the U.S., Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.” comes out on top. The album was released in 2017, and despite all of the various hip-hop albums that came from this decade, “DAMN.” has strongly held its place at the top. The album is made up of 14 songs, all of which feature Lamar’s well-known original and unusual storytelling. Most peo-

ple know this album because of “HUMBLE.” its best-selling song, which sold 110,00 copies in just the first week of being released.With each track varying in style, this album provides a multitude of sounds favorable to all types of fans. In spite of the many great albums and artists the hiphop genre consists of, “DAMN.” by Kendrick Lamar earns the number one spot.

POP: “1989” by Taylor Swift Along with her American Music Awards “Artist of the Decade” title, Taylor Swift brings in the best pop album of the decade with her album “1989.” This album, released in 2014, finalized Swift’s major shift from country to pop. “1989” was one of the best-selling albums worldwide in 2014 and 2015, as 10.1 million copies were sold around the world. The album contains 13 well-known songs, including “Blank

Space,” “Bad Blood” and “Wildest Dreams.” However, her most famous song from this album is easily the worldwide hit, “Shake It Off,” which sold 5.4 million copies in the U.S. alone. Despite its major success, this song just missed the number one spot on the Official Singles Chart. When it comes to the widely loved pop genre, Taylor Swift’s “1989” deserves the greatest acclaim. art by CASSIE BEISHEIM art by ANNA LINER

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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PLAYING FOR GRAY Girls basketball team looks to honor legacy of fallen coach HUGH CHAN a&e editor

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s senior captain Katie Minkler releases her shot during a warmup, the bright gymnasium lights cast a gleam upon the left sleeve of her shooting shirt, highlighting the text printed on the fabric: #PLAYFORGRAY. The hashtag serves not only as a team motto, but as a testimonial to a recent tragedy within the Ladue basketball program.

Girls basketball Head Coach Rich Gray passed away April 21 at the age of 65 due to complications following a cancer-related surgery. Gray, who was involved with various high-level youth basketball teams during his coaching career, was the coach of the Ladue girls basketball team for two years. Gray’s passing came as a surprise to those who knew him.

“I knew he was scheduled for surgery,” Joi Lathion, former assistant coach and newly appointed head coach, said. “I was under the assumption that it wasn’t a major surgery he was going into.”

Following his passing, Gray left the basketball program with the weight of his loss on their shoulders. The team struggled to fully process the tragedy, but senior captain Mia Collins has expressed hope in the face of grief.

“It’s been pretty hard, and we’re at the stage where nobody’s really able to talk about it,” Collins said.

“We have #PLAYFORGRAY, our slogan, so I think we’re just going to try to live by that. I think we’ll get through it eventually.”

Gray’s coaching abilities were exemplified through the time he spent at the elite levels of sports, such as when he led the U.S. basketball youth team to various international

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gold medals. His experience in bassporting and personal level conketball translated directly into his tinues to affect the program. Dawn work with the Ladue girls team.

Butler, Gray’s daughter and a cancer “He was really inspiring, and he surivor herself, expects that the raised everybody up,” Minkler said. players will continue to recognize “And he knew how to coach difher father’s lasting influence. ferent players differently. He knew “I hope his impact is felt with the what they needed in order to reach team,” Butler, who was also a former their potential.” coach of the team, said. “Not just in Off the court, Gray was more an athletic sense, but [in] how they than just a coach to his players carry themselves throughout their and staff; he was a friend. He was lives. His ability to be a mentor will regarded as a congenial, compaslast with the individuals he helped.” sionate and fun-loving soul with a This season, the basketball team passion for music and dancing. intends to honor Gray through dif“His favorite song was ‘My Girl.’ ferent planned events. In addition Every time we’d bring the speaker, to the “#PLAYFORGRAY” printed he’d tell us to on the sleeves play the song of the shootand just start ing shirts, the dancing,” Colteam plans to lins said. commemorate You’d just know that he was in him during the Of course, the room every time he walked in, annual CoachGray lent his expertise in and even if you didn’t know him, es vs. Cancer basketball to game Dec. 20. he’d show love towards you. He the players he “I think the was the best coach I’ve ever had. game will be coached, but his advice was You could tell how much he cared much more not limited to emotional this from the way he coached.” basketball. He year than in -Mia Collins, 12 forged personprevious years al connections because it’ll with his players and wanted to hit home for the girls,” Lathion said. help them with any difficulties they “We’ll have to come up with somewere facing outside the game. Even thing special this year.” after his passing, the lessons Gray The girls team hopes to come toimparted upon his players still seem gether amidst their mutual tragedy. to have a remarkable impact.

Ultimately, the team will pay tribute “I was going through a lot of stuff to Gray’s legacy through working and didn’t know if I wanted to play their hardest and focusing on the basketball in college,” Collins said. season ahead of them.

“He told me to just do things for “We always talked about my myself and not try to please anyone senior year because this is the year else because at the end of the day, he thought we could really go far,” it’s going to be me and no one else.” Collins said. “So we’re just going to Although Gray’s tenure with try to make it as far as we can beLadue ended prematurely, his abilcause I know that’s what he would ity to connect to players on both a have wanted.”

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SPREAD DESIGN BY H. CHAN

TOP: Coach Gray fires up his players before a game during the 2017-18 season. A St. Louis basketball legend, Gray made his time at Ladue impactful despite his unexpected passing. “He brought us together,” senior captain Mia Collins said. “And he had a dream of having a freshman, JV and varsity team, which he accomplished.” (File photo) BOTTOM LEFT: Coach Gray gives a speech at halftime during the 2018-19 season.

As a coach, Gray pushed his players to achieve their full potential. “He had very high expectations for everyone on the team, whether it was a new player or an older player,” new Head Coach Joi Lathion said. “He set the bar high for the team so that they’d reach up and always progress.” (File photo) BOTTOM RIGHT: The girls team’s 2019-2020 season motto is printed on the left sleeves of their pregame shooting shirts. New Head Coach Joi Lathion was directly involved with designing the shirt. “Our shooting shirts have ‘#PLAYFORGRAY’ on [them],” Lathion said. “I chose to put it on our left arm because that’s the arm that’s closest to your heart.” (Photo

by Nicole Kalishman)

What Coach Gray meant to the captains

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Senior Captain Mia Collins

Senior Captain Khamil Douglas

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Coach Gray was more than a basketball coach. He was a mentor on and off the court. He played a vital role in my basketball career, and this year, it feels like something is missing from the team without him there.

Coach Gray meant everything to me. He was always there for my teammates and I whenever we needed it. He taught me so much about basketball but also life in general.

I knew I could always count on him.

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Senior Captain Katie Minkler

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He was a person that I’d do anything for. He was more than just my coach; he was there when I was going through mental issues outside of basketball.

He helped me through it, and for that I would give him the world.

When Coach Gray walked into the gym, the whole mood would change. It made everyone happy. He was a true example of leadership and a teacher both on and off the court – full of wisdom, life and joy.

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Senior Captain Jordan Peete

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CHEER TUMBLES BACK Cheer team returns after small break with new coach and larger squad LUCY LOCHMOELLER sports staff

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he emphatic chants from the cheer squad were heard once again in the Nielson Gym during the first girls basketball game of the season Nov. 26. The team took a hiatus this sports season but has recently resumed practicing and cheering at games. The squad kept its iconic blue and white uniforms, several team members and similar cheers. However, a larger, more spirited team stood before the crowd as the new cheer team made their debut.

The team took a leave of absence due to a conflict with coaching in previous seasons. Junior captain Caroline Powell has been a cheerleader since she was a freshman and witnessed all of its turbulence.

“I liked doing the performances a lot when I first started, but the team and I didn’t like some of the rules and the way practices were run,” Powell said. “It was very unorganized. We tried to get new coaches last year because the team wasn’t enjoying cheer anymore, but no one tried out to be the new coach. So [the team] ended for a while.”

The opportunity to apply for the Ladue cheer coaching spot opened up again this fall. Merri Cross, a former Ladue cheerleader, gladly sent an application in. Until this year she had never coached cheer before, but Cross was captain of her team for all four years of high school and even continued to participate in cheer in college.

“I am a member of the Ladue community, so I have followed multiple Ladue sports and activities over the years,” Cross said. “Because I am a former cheerleader,

ABOVE: Freshman Paris Jackson works with her stunt group while the team practices Dec. 4. The team had 16 new cheerleaders try out. “I wanted a sport to do after school and to be a part of a team,” Avery Anderson, freshman cheerleader, said. “I’ve always been a dancer, so cheer was something different to try.”(Photo by Ginger Schulte) RIGHT: Coach Merri Cross and senior Rebecca Knopf discuss stunt formations during practice Dec. 4.

The team practiced on the balcony of the Nielson Gym for their performance on the court at the boys basbasketball game later that night.

“This is an awesome group,” Cross said. “I love their enthusiasm and willingness to try new things. We are working hard and having fun. They make me proud with the progress they are making.”

(Photo by Ginger Schulte)

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SPREAD DESIGN BY D. FENOGLIO & L. LOCHMOELLER

I have always been drawn to the sideline and watching the chants and stunting. Cheer is one of my favorite aspects of high school sports, as it can lead the energy in the stands. When I heard there would be an opportunity to restart the program, I was happy to apply.”

Cross, along with co-coach Danielle Albright, has taken this task as an opportunity to recreate the Ladue cheer program. A lot of work had to be done in order for this goal to be met. As many students were eager to try out, restarting the cheer team has been a success.

“Our team can and should expect a pair of coaches devoted to making sure their experience is fun, energetic and memorable, with positive instruction and a focus on building a strong and dynamic team,” Cross said. “Cheerleading is fun, and we intend to create a culture that promotes fun and unity on our team.”

Team members have already seen results from the changes made, and they have felt the difference in the atmosphere. The cheer team has had to work extra hard to be ready for the fast-approaching winter season.

Freshman Avery Anderson is among the large group of new cheerleaders who have worked to help bring spirit.

“There are a lot of new girls, so there is plenty of new potential, along with a great new coach,” Anderson said. “There has been a lot of pressure on us because we’ve quickly learned 20 chants, cheers and stunts. But as we progress further into the season, we continue to get better and better. Next year, we’re hoping to peak more interest in students to try out for cheer.”

For returning members like Powell, the cheer team restarting has been a relief. Seeing the team that they have been a part of finally starting to come together and improve has been a very uplifting experience.

“I was so happy that cheer was starting again,” Powell said. “Cross is nice and such a great coach, along with our other coach, coach Albright. The coaches know what they’re doing, and the team has already been looking really good. The squad is a lot closer than it used to be because we’re all enjoying cheer a lot more, and it’s overall a lot more fun.”

Cross came into the cheer program eager to rebuild and improve the cheer team, and even after their first live performance, she remains determined to make the squad the best it can be. Through hard work, it is evident that the team has been successful so far in its journey and is stronger than ever.

“My hope for Ladue cheer is that we rebuild a program that is known for enthusiastically supporting our fellow Ladue Rams, but more importantly, is a team that thrives on positivity, hard work and connectivity,” Cross said. “I plan to lead the cheer program for many years to come, and that will require growth and input from each Ladue cheerleader, so we can continue to evolve into the dynamic program we all want. I am confident we can get there.”

Captains’ Corner Football captains reflect on their season

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Henry McIntosh, 12 It was special to see all the fans out there supporting the team.

It really shows what the teams in the past have done to create a supportive culture.”

Sept. 13: First home game

Callen Morley, 12

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Our goal wasn’t to go undefeated, but the loss really helped us humble ourselves in order to move forward.”

Oct. 25: Loss to Kirkwood

Brock Jones, 12 Nov. 15, The Rams claimed their fourth straight district title. They beat the Rockwood Summit Falcons by a score of 35-14. Jones won a district championship every year at Ladue.

Gideon Boaten, 12 The Ram’s season came to an end in a state semifinal game against Webb City Nov. 30. Boaten finished his senior year with eight rushing touchdowns and 438 rushing yards.

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