February 2021

pano rama

LOOK INSIDE:

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READ ABOUT SEX EDUCATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON STUDENTS

Ladue Horton Watkins High School 1201 S. Warson Rd. Ladue, MO 63124 02.22.21 Vol. 69 Issue 7

THE FEBRUARY ISSUE

EDITORS’ NOTE

Throughout February, the chaotic shifts in schedule that characterized earlier months seem to have mellowed.

This month, with a sense of routine returning, our issue highlights the constants of everyday life at Ladue — families within the high school, the excitement of winter sports — while also focusing on the aspects of our education and mindset that ought to be changed.

Our in-depth this month looks at the current sexual education received in public schools. With many believing

Hugh Chan

Editors in Chief Hugh Chan Grace Hu Ethan Willick Associate Editors Domenic Fenoglio Rhea Patney Art Editor Danielle Zhang Photo Editor Grace Hensley News Editor Caroline Tyrrell

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the abstinence-focused education to be inadequate for real-life experiences in sex and sexuality, we speak with members of the Ladue community as well as representatives from other schools in the surrounding area to discuss the issues with the current sexual education and what improvements can be made.

As February is Black History Month, we cover how the Black Joy Movement, an international campaign aimed to celebrate the beauties of being Black, is pushing for equality.

Grace Hu

However we also recognize how much effort is still needed to ensure equality, and we hope that our feature on media recommendations from teachers and students will help the public in honoring and learning Black history.

In addition to our mission to influence positive change, we feature events within the Ladue community that merit pride. Some senior athletes, for instance, recently took part in the annual signing ceremony to commit their athletic and academic futures to various colleges.

Ethan Willick

PANORAMA STAFF

Health & Sports Editors In-Depth Editors Katie Holland Marissa Mathieson Erin Turkieltaub Web Editor Sophia Liu Opinions Editors Annie Pan News Staff Caroline Edgar Mika Kipnis Carly Woodhill Zeru Marut Arts & Features Staff Entertainment Abbey Carrico Editors Lucy Lochmoeller Ryan Tung Oviya Srihari Features Editor Clayton Coughlin

STAFF & CONTENTS

In-Depth Staff Joanne Sung Opinions Staff Kanishk Shanmugam Nico Skapof Arts & Entertainment Staff Emily Walker Tariq Lashley

Health & Sports Staff Kiran Varadachari Tommy Margulis Staff Writers Max Eastman Artists Nicole Gorrell Olivia Hu Erica Shi Max Yang

Photographers Maggie Lawton Lauren Pesce Ginger Schulte Business Managers Jacob Korn Sarah Suffian Adviser Sarah Kirksey

SPREAD DESIGN BY GRACE HU

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

NEWS

5. Spring musical adapts to COVID-19 6. Dr. Wipke answers commonly asked questions 7. Ladue celebrates Black Joy 8. Ladue students participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials

OPINIONS

20. Pano Perspective: schools need comprehensive Sex education 21. Monopoly is a boring board game 22-23. The pros and cons of Astrology and zodiac signs

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

FEATURES

9. Spanish teacher Maritza Sloan helps Ladue’s Spanish program

IN-DEPTH

13-19. Exploring the importance and current status of sex-ed in Missouri

10. A look at Ladue staff member’s families 11-12. Senior Ethan Sandhu’s mental health journey

A&E

24-25. Panorama looks back at early lockdown trends 26-27. Panorama reviews local coffee shops 28. Ladue community recommendations of educational sources for Black History Month

HEALTH & SPORTS

29. Heart health facts and tips for American Heart month 30. Freshman Alyssa Lewis excels at basketball 31. Seniors commit to collegiate athletics at signing ceremony

02.22.21

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PANORAMA 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.

All surveys are completely anonymous and the results cannot be used against respondents.

Panorama is produced 10 times per school year by the newspaper class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School at

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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.

Editor in chief photo by Marissa Mathieson. Front cover photo illustration by Marissa Mathieson and Joanne Sung. Front cover design by Grace Hu. Back cover art by Grace Hu. Back cover design by Sophia Liu. Corrections from the January Issue: Ginger Schulte and Erik Tkachenko’s names were spelled wrong.

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SPONSORS, POLICY & NEWS

SPREAD DESIGN BY RHEA PATNEY | ANNIE PAN

THEATER CHANGES WITH COVID-19

Theater staff adjust spring musical to limit physical contact for COVID-19 safety ANNIE PAN web editor

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ith COVID-19 safety guidelines being implemented, artistic director Stephen Howard has taken a new approach to the creation of “Working,” this year’s musical.

“The show itself is a change because it’s set up so that there’s only a few people on the stage at a time,” junior Juana Derdoy said. “Also, we all wear masks and have to stay distanced, which makes it kind of weird for dance rehearsals. But it’s mainly just weird because nothing’s the same anymore. It’s just kind of difficult and totally new.”

The musical has no areas where actors physically interact, placing each student in their own bubble while on stage. Besides the need for social distancing, Howard faced another problem: dealing with students who became quarantined.

“There was a day where like five people in my cast were quarantined,” Howard said. “But we were luckily able to Zoom them in through my iPad. It was kind of wild — like those

quarantined performers were on the projector screen being Zoomed in, and then my iPad was giving them a view of this stage so they could still see where they were. It’s a new experience for everyone, but we’re trying our best.”

Based on the best-selling book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, “Working” centers around monologues from people working different types of jobs in order to make a living. Actors like Derdoy took on multiple characters, such as a cleaning woman, for songs while also maintaining a main role.

“I think this year’s [musical will] be interesting,” Derdoy said. “Because of the way that it’s structured, how many different types of jobs there are in the musical and the way that they talk about them, I think [this year] should be fun. It’s a fun cast.”

Rehearsals were in person in the main theater, but only two to three actors were allowed on stage at a time.

After performing their piece, students usually spent the next 20 minutes off stage socially distanced.

“It’s different because it’s a little bit harder to connect and find that

sense of camaraderie when you have to stay apart from each other,” senior Leopoldo Bochicchio said. “And when you’re staying apart, you don’t want to be so loud. So people are kind of off doing their own thing more since we can’t stay together. We’re putting more trust into each other that everyone will practice and have their lines and dancing memorized since we just don’t have the amount of time for practice we had last year.”

Because a full house wasn’t allowed, Howard delivered the musical in two different ways. One way incorporated editing together a video package which was available to audiences on the day of the performance, while the other was a live performance in which everyone in the cast could only bring two people per night.

“It seems like it would be very hard to put on a show during the pandemic [because of] the need to social distance,” Bochicchio said. “But you’d be surprised at how well everything has come together and how much everyone has worked to try to ensure the level of quality that we’ve had in years past.” p

RDOY, GRACE HENSLEY & A ation by | JUANA DE NNIE PA photo illustr N

THEATER STUDENT OPINIONS

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Compared to prior shows, it’s been more difficult because of all the restrictions.

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LEOPOLDO BOCHICCHIO | senior

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

It would’ve been nicer if we had a large crowd, but we’re working with it.

JUANA DERDOY | junior

02.22.21

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BURNING QUESTIONS WITH DR. WIPKE

Superintendent Dr. Wipke answers students’ most pressing questions CAROLINE TYRRELL news editor

illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG

Q A

: What are snow days going to look like in the

Q A

: Is there a certain number of cases in which

future now that virtual days are an option?

: “We have five built-in snow days, so our plan

is that if we have a snow day to go ahead and let you guys have that day off. If we go over our five days we plan on doing what we call an AMI, alternate method of instruction, which in this case is online learning.”

the school will have to shut down?

: “If a school was at more than five percent of

students and staff testing positive in the building, then we would have to have some serious conversations with St. Louis County Health Department about if we have to shut down or not.”

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NEWS

Q A

: Will there be a vaccination requirement for

Q A

: What long-term effects do you think the

students or teachers in the future?

: “We can’t require a COVID-19 vaccination.

My hope is that as many people as possible will get it. What I’m more worried about right now is why it is taking so long for our teachers to get it. We can’t require a vaccination, but we strongly encourage it.”

pandemic will have on schools?

: “I think you are going to have more opportu-

nities because think about this: we don’t offer Mandarin, but let’s say Clayton does. We can do online classes together so that we can have Ladue kids learning Mandarin with Clayton kids.”

SPREAD DESIGN BY CAROLINE TYRRELL | MIKA KIPNIS

Scan these codes to support, submit and search Black Joy

QR CODES

illustration by | MIKA KIPNIS

SHARING BLACK JOY

Black Joy Project inspires people to ask “How do I find Black joy in my life?”

MIKA KIPNIS news staff

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he Black Joy Project, which focuses on embracing the beauty of the Black community, has created an outlet for members to exude pride and strength as the trauma from civil unrest and injustice continues to affect members within the Black community.

An article written by Kleaver Cruz, key founder of the Black Joy Project, describes why the Black Joy movement is so powerful. Cruz states that one must rely on inspiration and positivity in order to counteract the negative impacts traumatic news can have within an individual.

“We have to find a way to balance that trauma, and what better way to do that than with Black joy?” assistant principal Annette Hayes said.

“It’s about being able to define our Blackness today, which is always so unique.”

Unlike some mainstream ways of celebrating Black History Month, the Black Joy Project focuses on self reflection, pride and dignity. Because of its unique way of celebrating Black history and the immense impact it has left nationally, it has continued to expand, becoming a revolutionary LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

movement of joy and even gaining international influence.

“That is the big difference,” video technology coordinator Marteana Davidson said. “It’s going from just presenting information to a reflection of ‘how do I feel Black joy in my life?’ and then sharing that out.”

By both honoring the historical trailblazers within Black communities and celebrating current Black joy, the movement has changed what Black History Month includes. Incorporating this movement into the Ladue community has led to more involvement by Ladue students to acknowledge and celebrate Black history in revolutionized ways.

“I love how it makes me feel, as far as being who you are unapologetically,” Davidson said. “[The Black Joy Project] is more of a reflective piece. We want to branch out to more individuals, and the Black Joy Project brings such a different perspective on Black lives.”

The movement allows for both allies and members of the Black community to share Black joy. Submissions for Ladue students to capture how Black joy is evident in their life can be sent through various media forms — videos, pictures, quotes, selfies, artwork and poems — and will

be open until the end of February.

A video to showcase how Black joy impacts lives in the Ladue community will be shown during seminar towards the end of February.

“To me, Black joy is a privilege given to the Black to do whatever makes us happy,” senior Nmesoma Ugochukwu said. “I feel that it’s a good movement because [Black allies] really care about what makes us happy.

They care about what our joy, pride, dignity and culture is.”

Even as February comes to a close, the value in being able to see Black joy in any aspect of life throughout the year is why creators of this movement believe this unique movement has radiated pride, hope and joy globally. According to both allies and members of the Black community, this movement has become notably one of the most inspiring Black movements, as it connects and captures the greatness of Black people through a powerful way — joy.

“This celebration of Black joy is for everyone,” Hayes said. “We all have Black people in our lives to which we would like to celebrate and capture their greatness. Those pieces of Black joy is something that everyone should be proud to highlight.” edited March 2 02.22.21

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GOT VACCINATED?

Ladue students participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials ZERU MARUT news staff

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hroughout the country, COVID-19 vaccines have been gradually rolled out since December, and in Ladue, some students have been participating in youth COVID-19 vaccine trials.

“My mom heard about it and next thing I knew, I had an appointment.” sophomore Macy Blucher said.

Blucher has been participating since Dec. 23, and the trial lasts about two years. In Blucher’s trial, both the participants and researchers giving shots don’t know whether the shot is a vaccine or a placebo.

“Once a week you have to fill out this form saying if you’ve had COVID-19 symptoms, and you have to check in with them every once in a while on an app,” Blucher said.

Blucher was signed up for the trial by her parents. While the trial seemed intimidating at first, Blucher found it easy to adapt.

“I’m not the biggest fan of needles, so I was definitely nervous,” Blucher said. “It wasn’t too bad though; they were really nice ... it was definitely a calming environment.”

With the help of the researchers, Blucher received her shots safely.

However, she experienced some side effects with the vaccine.

“For the first shot, I just had a cold,” Blucher said. “The day after, I took Motrin for some soreness in my muscles and I was just fine. The second shot, I definitely felt worse ... and I woke up in the middle of the night with chills.”

Blucher had a similar experience to freshman Noah Belau, who also took part in a Pfizer trial. However, Belau took a more optimistic approach in regards to being a participant in the vaccine trial.

“I was kinda excited,” Belau said.

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NEWS | FEATURES

“They’re paying us a lot of money, at least in a ninth-grader’s terms. I’m not worried about it; I kinda just see it as something passive that I don’t have to attend to much.”

Freshman Ovya Diwakaran is taking part in a trial similar to the ones Blucher and Belau entered. Her parents had heard about the trial, and Diwakaran signed up.

“The first time I went in they had a two-hour orientation where they went over what we’d have to do and what we’d be getting,” Diwakaran said.

“Then I had to sign a bunch of forms saying that I’ll do all the work that’s needed or anything they ask me to do, and that I can drop out whenever I want to.”

Diwakaran took a COVID-19 test, had her blood drawn and later was given the shot. She joined the trial at the beginning of January.

“I don’t actually know if I got the vaccine or the placebo, and I won’t know for three months,” Diwakaran said. “But they basically gave me a shot and I had to log my symptoms for the next seven days.”

Diwakaran received two doses as part of the trial. Like Blucher, she felt apprehensive the first time, but was more excited than anything else.

“It was kind of scary because there were a lot of doctors and a lot of needles — a lot of stuff happening,” Diwakaran said. “But I was mainly excited, because if I did get the vaccine, then that [would be] really cool.”

Regardless of her initial fears, Diwakaran wasn’t worried, since her parents have already received the vaccine. Diwakaran took the vaccine to be a part of something greater.

“I wanted to do it because it felt like being part of a COVID vaccine trial is a really big part of history,” Diwakaran said. “I really wanted to be part of something that would be kind of revolutionary.” p

ABOVE: Freshman Ovya Diwakaran stands at the entrance to the COVID-19 vaccine trial room early January. In the trial she entered, half of the participants got placebos and the other half got the vaccine, although she doesn’t know for sure which she got. “After the second shot, I had almost all the symptoms, so I think that I got [the vaccine],” Diwakaran said. (Photo courtesy of Ovya Diwakaran)

SHOT TO SYMPTOMS

Steps participants had to follow during their COVID-19 vaccine trials

1 2

Participants receive first of two shots Participants either receive COVID-19 vaccine or placebo shot

3

Participants may experience side effects such as muscle weakness, chills, fatigue or headache

4 5

Participants have to log their symptoms (time varies based on specific trial) Participants receive second of two shots

illustration by | SOPHIA LIU

SPREAD DESIGN BY MIKA KIPNIS | ABBEY CARRICO

SLOAN CONNECTS CULTURES

ABOVE: Sloan explains a new assignment to her students. She aims to make her classes engaging for students so they can expand their Spanish understanding. “When you learn a language you are also learning about the culture of that language.” Sloan said. (Photo by Grace Hensley)

Teacher Maritza Sloan bridges Spanish and English languages ABBEY CARRICO features staff

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n the Payne County Youth Center in Stillwater, Okla. residents play games, do chores and await relocation to stable homes. This is the facility that sparked Maritza Sloan’s Spanish teaching journey.

After arriving in the U.S., Sloan worked at the youth center, ensuring a safe enviornment for the children while teaching them about Spanish language and culture. Sloan decided to pursue Spanish education as a teacher and broaden her scope of impact between cultures.

“In education and globally, [language] is very important,” Sloan said. “One of the bridges that really connects language and learning [is] when you learn about why people do what they do.”

Sloan is the only member of her family who lives in the U.S., with the rest of her relatives residing in her home country, Costa Rica. To stay close to her roots while activley influencing students, Sloan incorporates mentions of her family in her classroom.

“I tell my students, ‘When you speak Spanish, think of my mother in the class listening to you,’” Sloan said. “A lot of the time [my mother] is an important member of my classroom because I always make reference to my family.”

Besides connecting her students to Spanish culture through personal references, Sloan works to create a specific learning environment. Her classroom is actively engaging and works to incorporate and bridge her student’s understanding.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

“You’re not going to get out of class without saying something, and I think she likes it that way,” senior Anna Reis said. “She pushes her students to do their best.”

Through Spanish National Honor Society, Sloan focuses on communication between cultures with her students.

She works with the members, including senior President John Yeldham, to coordinate meetings and oversee events.

“As president, I enjoy working with Señora Sloan because she has goals for the society,” Yeldham said.

“She’s very motivated and wants the society to be impressive in the Ladue community and also in the National Spanish Honor Society community.”

Through helping members of the society, Sloan is able to guide them to a deeper understanding of Spanish.

However, members of the society aren’t the only people expanding their cultural knowledge; Sloan is actively pursuing a doctorate of education in social justice to incorporate its values into her classroom.

“Incorporating social justice in our classes is something that we all have to do and should be doing in our lesson plans,” Sloan said. “I feel like it’s very important, not only in the foreign language field but in many other subjects. ” Sloan aims to connect her passion for Spanish culture with her students and the school. She recognizes the importance of other cultures and learning values from different types of people.

“One country, many voices,” Sloan said. “[Once] you learn how to speak another language and communicate with people from those countries, the impact of your conversation is so much bigger.” p 02.22.21

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SANDHU SURVIVES Senior Ethan Sandhu overcomes mental health challenges photo illustration by | GRACE HENSLEY & RHEA PATNEY

RHEA PATNEY associate editor

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oft, fluffy, silky and brown.

Senior Ethan Sandhu focuses on the clothes in his hands, concentrating on the textures and colors. He brings his attention to the physical sensation of the fabric touching his skin in an attempt to ground himself. His heart rate begins dropping to standard levels, his body temperature comes back to normal and his arms no longer tingle. His thoughts begin to slow down and he feels less overwhelmed with irrational ideas. He is no longer trapped in his own mind. Sandhu has made it through a panic attack.

Sandhu started to struggle with his mental health at an early age. He began to experience depression when he was 7 years old, and he became suicidal when he was 9. Sandhu has attempted suicide around seven times throughout his life.

“I didn’t commit suicide because of fear I was making the wrong choice,” Sandhu said. “It was pretty obvious I was, so I’m kind of glad I had that. I kind of just put it off in a way; when I was younger, that’s how I dealt with it.”

Sandhu was not officially diagnosed with depression, anxiety and panic disorder until his sophomore year. His depression usually comes in waves, starting off as anxiety and then building into lack of motivation and feelings of hopelessness. Sandhu also experiences panic attacks.

“There are steps to a panic attack,” Sandhu said. “It starts with regular alertness and stress, but you then start to feel your heartbeat and your

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Senior Ethan Sandhu has faced mental health challenges for the majority of his life. His mental health has improved over time, but he still has struggles. After transferring to Ladue, he has become more open to sharing about his mental health. In the future, he hopes to continue to spread mental health awareness.

FEATURES

SPREAD DESIGN BY RHEA PATNEY

face gets hot. I have tingling in my very hard decision to make.” hands and my arms, and it becomes Ethan’s hospitalization was his first hard to catch your breath. It differs experience with mental health treatfrom person to person, but for me, ment. After undergoing a suicide risk I’ll feel a very heavy pressure on my evaluation and a general psychiatric forehead and I’ll need to press my evaluation, he was deemed at risk for forehead against something. I’ll feel suicide and remained in the adoleslike my brain is really rushing and feel cent psychiatric ward of the hospital really irrational. The panic is mainly for three days. thoughts.”

“I didn’t have a plan [to commit Currently, Sandhu receives treatsuicide], but apparently it doesn’t ment in the forms of medication and matter if you have a plan,” Ethan said. professional counseling. He takes “Some people need a plan, but some Cymbalta, a serotonin norepinephrine people can do without one, and they reuptake inhibitor, and also sees a deemed that I wouldn’t necessarily psychiatrist. In the past, he has also need one. When I was hospitalized, I participated in remember feeling talk therapy very trapped, with a psycholfeeling like the ogist. When world was going Mental health is treatable; trying to combat to keep going it’s definitely possible to his panic atand I was going be helped. There’s always tacks, he utilizes to end up besomeone willing to help you. a common hind just from strategy called missing three ETHAN SANDHU | senior grounding. days. I remem“If I’m starting to feel panic, I’ll ber being irrationally afraid of what feel something with my hands and was going on outside while I was in focus on the texture,” Sandhu said. the hospital.”

“Or I’ll look at myself in the mirror After Ethan’s hospitalization, he and understand the reflection that’s and his family decided that transferhappening. I separate myself from my ring to a new school would be best for ideas for a second and kind of look at Ethan’s mental health. After evalumy ideas as if another person is havating many options, they chose the ing them. I just try to ground myself Ladue School District because of its in the real world for a second, and high level of academics, band prothen I normally calm down.” gram, diversity, Quiz Bowl team and During Sandhu’s sophomore year, overall welcoming atmosphere. he was hospitalized due to high risk “He can’t pick that back up; the of suicide. Attending Eureka High friendships from kindergarten, being School in the Rockwood School known, all those things he gained District at the time, this hospitalizafrom having been at the same school tion occurred after a series of events his whole life — that’s of course that took a toll on his mental health. gone,” Ethan’s father Gopi Sandhu He eventually told his mother, Mary said. “But at the same time, I couldn’t Sandhu, that there was a possibility of imagine landing in a better environhim killing himself. ment under these circumstances. We “When he said ‘I am going to kill don’t know if he would still be with us myself,’ I decided to take him to the had we stayed [at Eureka]. It sounds hospital and have him assessed,’” dramatic, but it truly was for us a life Mary Sandhu said. “We went to the or death decision.”

ER and they brought a doctor to evalSince transferring to Ladue, Ethan uate him. The doctor said ‘I feel like has gotten involved with the Student he is very impulsive and very high risk Action for a Greener Earth Club. for suicide so I would suggest that he This club, along with his teachers, stay for further evaluation.’ However, friends and other extracurriculars, has [bringing him to the hospital] was a allowed Ethan to feel a sense of be-

“

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

longing. This community has helped Ethan feel more open to sharing about his mental health.

“I think there’s a lot to say about change of scene and what it can do for you,” Ethan said. “If your surroundings make you feel unhappy, you’re going to be unhappy. Specifically moving to Ladue has been beneficial because Ladue doesn’t really have as much stigma around mental health as Eureka did. I’ve felt more comfortable talking about it; I didn’t feel like an outsider.”

At Ladue, Ethan consistently works with guidance counselor Susan Ashby to ensure his health and safety at school. During the shift to online school last semester, Ethan felt overwhelmed by the change in learning style. Ashby helped him stay organized in the virtual school environment and showed him how to utilize the distance learning hub. “[Mental health] is a personal journey that you have to reach through trial and error because no one is the same,” Ashby said. “We all have our own lens and our own way of reacting to things. There is no magic solution for anxiety or depression, it is a combination of finding what works for you and not being afraid to try something different if it doesn’t work.”

Ethan feels that in society, the mental health stigma is beginning to lessen. He believes that if people continue to spread love, be more reassuring to their friends and family and encourage others to remain hopeful, society will continue to move forward in terms of mental health acceptance and care. In his personal future, he hopes to eventually be able to treat his own mental health with little to no medication and to continue to understand his feelings.

“It’s not so much that my mental health itself has improved, it’s that I’ve gotten better at dealing with it,” Ethan said. “I know when to think what, when to stop a thought versus keep thinking about it, stuff like that. It’s obviously a learning process — I’m still figuring it out. It’s more about learning who you are and how your feelings work.” p 02.22.21

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FAMILY CONNECTIONS

Teachers discuss what it’s like to have family members in the high school RYAN TUNG features staff

Panorama: Who are you related to in the high school?

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Q: Do you ever run into your kids in school?

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Shruti Upadhyay: My kids are Akash, who is a senior, and Meera, who is a sophomore.

A: Occasionally, [but] they usually try to steer clear of me in the hallways. They’ll purposely go to another hallway to avoid my room because they know where I am.

But, when they need snacks or money, they find my room pretty well.

Q: Do you think they enjoy going to school with you?

THE UPADHYAYS

A: I think they’d prefer to not be at school with me. It’s more embarrassing for Akash than it is for Meera, but I think they’ve gotten used to it. When they were younger they thought it was cool that I was teaching, but now not so much.

Q: Do you ever try to embarrass your kids?

A: I absolutely try to embarrass them. Last year, I taught freshmen and juniors when Meera was a freshman and Akash was a junior. All of their friends were in my classes and I would talk about them. When I came home, [my kids] were like, “Mom did you really say that in class?” I absolutely did. It’s fun to embarrass them.

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Panorama: Who Panorama: Who THE BARTON-GUTCHEWSKYS are you related THE WATERSONS are you related to in the high school? to in the high school?

Kimberly Gutchewsky: Science teacher Sarah Barton is my cousin. My stepmom is sisters with her mother.

Q: How did you both find a job at the high school?

A: Mrs. Barton’s dad used to work at Ladue and so did her mother. Mrs. Barton actually went to Ladue, so she knew about the school, but I started working here first. Ladue just has a great reputation, [so] I applied here after I had been teaching somewhere else for a while.

Q: Do you see each other often?

A: Sadly, we don’t see each other in school at all and I only see her about once a year.

Q: How has having family in school affected your life?

A: Family in the school doesn’t really affect me.

My husband is actually the principal of Clayton, so I have a lot more conversations about education at home and with family because he’s in the field. But, Mrs. Barton and I never meet to specifically talk about work or school.

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FEATURES | IN-DEPTH

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Theodore Waterson: My daughter, Cecilia Waterson, goes to the high school.

Q: Do you ever run into her during the day?

A: When she was a sophomore, we came to school together, but last year she drove herself.

She comes into my room to eat lunch and works here during seminar. Its always great to see her, but this semester she’s staying virtual.

Q: Do you enjoy going to school with each other?

A: Yes. It was tough at first, but I think we both matured, especially now where it’s close to the end [of high school] for her. There have been struggles and stress — I might almost miss that, but I’m glad she’s moving on.

Q: What’s the best part about going to school with your child?

A: The best thing is being there and being able to see her, know her teachers and know her schedule. She feels comfortable asking me for help, which means a lot to me.

SPREAD DESIGN BY RYAN TUNG | JOANNE SUNG

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ARI WILLICK freshman

C+

abstinence shouldn’t be the focus

“In our society — ­ specifically in the Ladue School District — our sex education is a C+ at best. The most important thing is that people are taught to have safe sex. However, our school primarily teaches abstinence, which I think is required at a state level, which it shouldn’t be. We are also taught all of the negatives of sex, trying to deter us from sex ... it should not be the primary thing we are taught.”

ROBERT MABBS sophomore

C

more could be taught

“I’d say Ladue’s sex ed curriculum is around a C. There is definitely more that could be taught to students.

I feel like the most important part of sex education in schools is that everybody feels comfortable and included — that way, honest discussions can be had with students. I feel that the teachers I’ve had did a good job of this.”

SEB HWANG junior

B-

lacks inclusivity and messages about consent

“The school does a pretty good job of explaining and destigmatizing STDs and STIs. They also talk about abstinence in terms of avoiding STDs instead of pregnancy, which I think is great since most people associate abstinence as the girl’s job. However, the school’s lack of LTBTQ+ inclusiveness brings the grade down, along with the very little emphasis on consent.”

LADUE SEX EDUCATION REPORT CARD Ladue students and parents grade Ladue School District’s sex education curriculum and share an important aspect of sex education class illustration by | JOANNE SUNG REESE SCHULER senior

D

fails to teach proper safety and etiquette

“Ladue’s sex education is a D because they teach basic anatomy and STIs but fail to teach proper safety when it comes to sex and sex etiquette: for example, teaching about consent after drinking and the dangers of date rape drugs. I did not learn about this at all in my sex ed class which is worrying because it leads to teens being uneducated and at risk for being sexually assaulted.”

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IN-DEPTH

DAN BERGLUND parent

C

needs more about emotional maturity

“[I would give Ladue’s sex education] a C because if it was really good we would have heard that it was really good. I think the most important things that should get across to young people is that your body will be ready for sex way before you are, especially emotionally. In other words, your body physically matures to the point where you’re old enough to have sex but your emotional psyche doesn’t mature as quickly.”

KAREN WELLER parent

D-

abstinence focus is unrealistic

“I think the biggest thing that kids need to be taught is protection and how to prevent pregnancy; kids need to be safe, which means teaching about birth control and two forms of protection, as well as respecting choices and respecting other people — no means no. I think abstinence-focused teaching is unrealistic and it’s putting peoples’ morals on others, so the grade I give Ladue’s sex education is a D-.”

SPREAD DESIGN BY MARISSA MATHIESON & JOANNE SUNG

SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

A look into sex education on a local, statewide and national scale

SEX VS GENDER Comparing two terms often used interchangeably

SEX Refers to the biological differences between males and females, such as the genitalia and genetic differences GENDER Refers to the socially constructed characteristics of women and men, such as norms, roles and relationships. It may vary between different societies

HORMONES biological women have higher levels of ESTROGEN biological men have higher levels of TESTOSTERONE

CHROMOSOMES

XX XY

BIOLOGICAL WOMEN BIOLOGICAL MEN

XXY INTERSEX BORN WITH COMBINATION OF MALE XXY AND FEMALE TRAITS

Gender is one’s own expression of where they lie on the spectrum of male to female Those who feel their gender does not match the one they were assigned at birth are transgender Others may feel that their gender is fluid on the spectrum of male to female

LGBT+ DICTIONARY Non-Binary: Individuals whose gender is not male nor female; those who don’t neatly fit into the categories of “female” or “male” Queer: A term that was originally a slur but has become known as a term that includes everyone and all identities with Gender-fluid: People who identify as a mix of both genders — being fluid in motion between two or more genders Sources: World Health Organization, Medical News Today LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

DOMINIC FENOGLIO associate editor

MARISSA MATHIESON in-depth editor

S

ex.

Despite how often teenagers think about it, sex is a touchy subject and has long held the impression of a topic that can only be thought about in private. According to Psychology Today, teenagers think about sex at the same rate as they think about food or sleep, yet at school, these thoughts are frowned upon.

Teaching a sensitive subject amidst criticism from those who feel that students are not aptly prepared for the real-world, can feel difficult.

“The most difficult part is having so many different opinions, values and comfortableness of the topic as well as the changing nature of teenagers and sexuality,” Kirkwood newspaper adviser Mitch Eden said.

Ladue Horton Watkins High School Principal Brad Griffith sees the challenges faced when teaching sex education, and realizes that there is no perfect solution.

He feels, however, that there are effective strategies to best help students.

“I don’t know if there’s any blueprint, in terms of how you don’t offend everybody,” Griffith said. “But the best [thing] would be [being] open, direct and honest. That has to be the place [to] start.

And, is it going to be perfect?

No. But is this important?

And does it have real life connections? Absolutely.”

MISSOURI As sex education has evolved, lawmakers have pushed for a change in curriculum requirements. Recently, in January 2018, Missouri Senate Bill 788 proposed public schools to include information about consent, sexual harassment and sexual violence in their sex education, which would reform Missouri state statute 170.015. Missouri statute 170.015 currently includes points about parents having the right to opt their child out of sexual health education and can ask their child’s school for the topics being taught. While some public schools in the St. Louis area have updated their policies as a result, many still lag behind. This creates an imbalance in the quality and content of classes.

“For sex ed, you could have one school district dealing with it one way, and you could just go to the next school less than 10 miles away, and they’re completely dealing with it differently,” Eden said.

“And I think that’s scary.”

At Ladue, sex education is included in the health curriculum that all freshman are required to take. Health teacher Kevin Clawson, who has taught sex education at both the middle school and high school levels, has seen the curriculum change and evolve over time.

“We are limited to what we can teach due to Missouri standards,” Clawson said. “It’s changed a little, [so] we’ve changed our talks to make sure that everyone’s sexual orientation is getting addressed and covered.”

02.22.21

15

Meanwhile, on a closer scale, schools in the Ladue area — namely Clayton and Kirkwood — have adopted similar teaching points and have focused on comprehensive sex education long before the legislative changes were made. At all three schools, this curriculum is constantly adapting to accommodate for their students’ needs.

“We make updates to our entire health curriculum all the time,” Sarah GietschierHartman, Clayton High School health teacher, said.

“This is necessary in order to make sure our lessons and activities are accurate, relevant and meaningful for our students. New research, new books, new teaching strategies and current events allow us to stretch our creativity and improve what we do each day.”

While schools have the discretion to create their curriculum, they still must abide by state guidelines. For example, a guideline put in place by Missouri requires public schools to present abstinence as the only way to prevent the “emotional trauma” of adolescent sexual activity, including being at a higher risk of dropping out of high school. But for many high school students, abstinence is not celebrated or practical in the real world.

“My teacher brought up abstinence as the only way to be sure you won’t get a STD or anything,” freshman Luke Lochmoeller said. “I think most of the kids in my class thought that was stupid because none of them really wanted to listen to that. I feel like telling high schoolers that isn’t going to do anything.”

16

IN-DEPTH

In addition to considering Missouri guidelines, schools also have to take into account the effects social media and popular culture have on students’ perception of sex.

In this sense, schools are responsible for ensuring that their students get information that is beneficial and factual.

“All of these stereotypes get framed, and I’m speaking as you know, as a father here in this lens, but all of it gets framed so early in our children’s minds,” Griffith said. “The only way to address the negative connotations that are associated with whatever you’re seeing in the media is to a educate your children and talk to them openly and honestly. Schools play such a critical and important role in not only shaping that, but also correcting any misinformation that may be out there.”

However, Griffith has not had to field any complaints from parents. In addition, few students choose to opt out of the sex education portion of health, an allowance mandated by Missouri.

“I have not received one concern as it relates to anything that we do, one way or the other,” Griffith said.

“Which is, if you know our community, pretty rare.”

Sex education will continue to change and adapt throughout the St. Louis area and the country as a whole. Eden feels that learning proper sex education is integral to a student’s development, and that it should receive proper attention in school.

“I think it should be on par with every other subject,” Eden said. “I don’t think [sex education] needs to be a priority over math, science, social studies or English,

TODAY’S AGE

A comparison of sex educat

STATE GUIDELINES:

Missouri: Prevents sex education from being offered, sponsored or furnished by an abortion service provider Allows parents to have the right to opt their child out of sexual health education with no questions asked

Emphasizes abstinence as the only way to prevent the “emotional trauma” of adolescent sexual activity, including being at a higher risk of dropping out of high school

LEAST TAUGHT SUBJECTS

The percentage of how many St. Louis pub “nothing” in three subjects

sexting

50.9% Students

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LOCAL

47.7

Stude

According to a 2019 Teen Pregnan of 81 St. Lou

Sources: California Education Code 51934, Mi SPREAD DESIGN BY MARISSA MATHIESON

ENDA: SEX ED

tion in Missouri and California

Allows instruction to be provided by outside consultants or guest speakers Requires guardians to request in writing that their child not participate in the sex ed. If the guardian doesn’t request in writing that the child be withheld, the child will attend the instruction Includes information about the effectiveness and safety of all FDAapproved contraceptive methods in preventing pregnancy, including but not limited to emergency contraception

S:

illustration by | GRACE HU, JOANNE SUNG & MARISSA MATHIESON

California:

blic school students reported being taught

7%

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issouri Statute 170. 015, Teenpregnancy.org LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

but I don’t think it should take a backseat to it either. I think every subject that is taught in school needs to be prioritized on the same level.”

A recent change at Ladue includes incorporating new speakers. These speakers and professionals are able to help inform students about healthy relationships and consent.

“I think that bringing in the people to talk about positive relationships has been really, really important,” Clawson said. “Giving consent and having consent, if you’re not in a healthy relationship, that usually ends up being a not very good relationship in the long run. And I think the fact that we’ve brought that in, that’s one of the things I’m really happy we did. I still do kind of believe we need to broaden a little bit, or Missouri needs to broaden a little bit about what we really can all bring in and show and talk to now.”

CULTURAL One thing curriculum cannot account for is the stigma that often surrounds the topic of sex. The subject still remains taboo in our culture and our schools.

This may lead to important adult figures failing to discuss topics around sex at appropriate stages of a child’s life, and students afraid to ask important questions.

“The more adults don’t talk about it, the more we deem it as a taboo subject,” Eden said. “Why wouldn’t kids feel the same? If we ignore it, it’s not going to go away. If we talk about it, we gain a better understanding and maybe become more educated about it. And then maybe it’s less taboo. And then

maybe kids are less scared to go to adults for help or to talk about it.”

This open line of communication fosters a learning environment more conducive to conversations and understanding.

Removing the awkwardness from conversations about intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases or sexuality helps students feel like these topics are normal things and gives them a trustworthy adult who can give them accurate information. For example, Clawson has a basket in his classroom where students can leave questions anonymously.

“I think it’s hard to talk about sex with adults, especially in school,” Lochmoeller said. “But if it didn’t feel so weird, I feel like we would learn more.

Sometimes when a teacher talks about a subject like sex it’s easier to just not ask questions to get it over with.”

As morals, beliefs, upbringings and societal expectations become interwoven in the teaching of sex, many schools face the challenge of meeting what parents and students feel to be an adequate education.

Nonetheless, teachers still provide a useful resource for students to go to when they need more information.

“First of all, don’t take online PE. And the reason why I say that is, the relationships that you develop with your teachers are very important, and they have lasting implications,” Griffith said. “Make sure that if you ever have any questions, go reach out to your counselor, your grade level administrator, [or] any of your teachers that can point you in the right direction.” p 02.22.21

17

YOUR BODY:

THE OWNER’S GUIDE Facts and resources about sex and sexually transmitted infections

SIX ABOUT SEX

Juliana Verticchio, M.D. Obstretrician-gynecologist 3023 North Ballad Road, Suite 440D (314)-432-8181 julianaverticchio@gmail.com

Dr. Juliana Verticchio’s top tips for safe and healthy sexual relationships

1 2 3

Body awareness: know what’s normal and what’s not, and don’t be afraid to ask questions Establish consent; it must be a clear yes; anything but a clear yes is a no Condoms, condoms, condoms — protection is a must for both pregnancy and STI’s

4 5 6

Establish a relationship with a healthcare provider you trust and can confide in

Avoid vulnerable situations such as being alone or under the influence of strangers Talk to parents; Its important to ask questions in order to get clarification and learn

UNDERSTANDING STI’S

The state of sexually transmitted infections in the United States and ways to combat it

UNTREATED STDS CAN LEAD TO: Increased risk of giving or getting HIV

Long-term pelvic or abdominal pain

Inability to get pregnant or complications

3 STEPS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD: Talk to your sexual partner and get tested for STI’s

Get the HPV vaccine, helps prevents the most common STD’s

If infected, start treatment immediately to avoid re-infection Source: CDC

18

IN-DEPTH

HIGHEST RISK COMMUNITIES FOR STI’S Anyone who has sex

Young people aged 18-24 Gay and bisexual men Pregnant women

Source: CDC

SPREAD DESIGN BY SOPHIA LIU & MARISSA MATHIESON

CONTRACEPTIVE CORNER

A list of contraceptives, how they are used, what they do and their efficacy

IUD

Inserted into uterus by doctor Hormonal and non-hormonal options Lasts up to 12 years 99% effective

PILL

Prescribed oral medication Hormones like estrogen Taken once a day 91% effective

Source: CDC, Planned Parenthood

SPERMICIDE

Gel that is applied in the vagina Slows sperm down after ejaculation Apply before sex, one time usage

71-86% effective

CONDOMS

Rolled onto the penis Prevents direct genital contact One time usage 85% effective

PATCH

Thin patch placed on skin Absorbs hormones through patches Lasts for 1 week 91-94% effective

RING

Small and flexible ring Inserted into vagina by doctor Lasts for a month 91% effective

illustration by | OLIVIA HU & SOPHIA LIU

RECAPPING THE RESOURCES

A list of places to go to help guide the sexual health of students FREE CONTRACEPTIVES

STD TESTING

GENERAL SERVICES

SUPPORT SERVICES

C3

The SPOT

Planned Parenthood

Safe Connections

4901 Forest Park Ave., Floor 7 314-747-0800

4169 Laclede Ave. 314-535-0413

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

4251 Forest Park Ave. 314-531-7526

2165 Hampton Ave. 314-646-7500

02.22.21

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illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG

PANO PERSPECTIVE Sexual education curriculum should become more comprehensive

29 out of 30 Panorama staff members agree

W

hile nearly all high schoolers take a sexual education unit during health class, most walk away with almost no understanding of how the human body and sex work both biologically and socially.

Despite kids’ constant exposure to sexual symbolism, Missouri state laws fail to require adequate education on sex and sexuality and must be altered.

One of the biggest problems with today’s sex education is that teenagers don’t learn about acceptable options to protect themselves during sex due to abstinence-only curriculum. Missouri Statute 170.015 states that schools should “present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relation to all sexual activity for unmarried pupils because it is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.” The statute does require schools to present medically factual information on contraceptives, consent and sexual harassment but these must also be taught in a manner consistent with abstinence-only teachings.

Our state giving students access to abstinence-only education harms students. Teens are often misinformed on many issues regarding their bodies, and often turn to inaccurate forms of education such as pornography,

movies, music and friends. Using these sources warps the perception of actual sex and sets unrealistic expectations.

Additionally, our public schools only teaching abstinence can create shame for victims of sexual assault.

By harshly labeling premarital sex as immoral, it incites future slut-shaming and judgment, specifically towards girls. In fact, the Association of American Universities finds that 23.1% of female and 5.4% of male undergraduate students had experienced sexual assault through physical force. Adding sex education to inform students about rape culture, different prevention methods and different sexualities can both help define these matters and help prevent them altogether.

Missouri state laws must be changed in order to give students the comprehensive sex education that they deserve. Students should be taught about contraception, safe sex practices, relationships, consent, body image, gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual violence prevention in ways that do not revolve around abstinence. We need to start educating students about sex and sexuality in a practical manner so that we can end sexual misinformation and present information that students will need in the real world. p

Editorial Note: Each editorial, Panorama selects an issue that the staff thinks is important to address and expresses a view that belongs to the majority of the staff. Panorama welcomes the opinions of its readers, and encourages letters to the editors. Please bring signed letters to room 1311 or email Panorama at publications01@ladueschools.net. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions for length as long as original intent remains unaltered.

20

OPINIONS

SPREAD DESIGN BY RHEA PATNEY | NICO SKAPOF

MONOTONOUS MONOPOLY

Hasbro’s Monopoly is a boring and outdated game KANISHK SHANMUGAM

opinions staff

T

here are many things I despise in life, but almost nothing will ever come close to my hate for Hasbro’s Monopoly. It’s boring and generally objectiveless.

If you’re lucky enough to not know what Monopoly is, allow me to explain: Monopoly is a real estate simulator board game where players are given a set amount of money at the beginning of the game and then roll dice to move around the board, with squares that can send the player to jail, allow the player to pick up special cards that can make or lose you money, let you out of jail, order you to pay taxes or just land you on properties which they can buy. However, purchased properties allow the owner to charge anyone that moves onto the tile. As you buy more properties, the fine other players have to pay increases. The game ends when everyone is

bankrupt and only one player remains.

Rest assured, my explanation makes the game sound more fun than it is. The actual game subsists of repetitively moving pieces to the next tile, and the next, until no one can take it anymore. Waiting for everyone in the game to legitimately finish proves a dull and near-impossible experience, as the game’s mundane mechanics fuel a drowsiness that couldn’t be replicated by a Nickelback concert. Phones are pulled out within minutes of setting up the board and players’ enthusiasm rapidly deteriorates. Their reaction is completely appropriate, Monopoly takes ages to finish, and even after all property tiles are bought, the game can still proceed for a lengthy amount of time with features like the GO square which automatically grants players 200 dollars, which is often ample for staying alive.

This tedium is also furthered by diverse house rules that people insist on playing with. Some common ones

include having all money owed to the bank set on the free parking square and allowing anyone who lands on it to keep the cash and not auctioning off properties after a player lands on one they don’t want to purchase.

Some avid Monopoly fans may argue that these unique rules make Monopoly a distinct classic in every household, but really, they just make a long board game stretch longer.

My final irk is that this “classic” has long lost its purpose. This once-interesting board game was originally created by Elizabeth Magie to show the evils of monopolies.

Ironically, the games is now owned

by Hasbro, a gargantuan multimedia company with its hands in all facets of entertainment. With its original purpose struck out, Monopoly has no fascinating aspect to it. What remains is one of the most unexciting and drab games in entertainment history.

So let’s stop pretending and drop Monopoly once and for all. p

BETTER BOARD GAMES Recommendations for board games more fun than Monopoly illustration by | ERICA SHI & NICO SKAPOF

SORRY

CATAN

CHESS

While it’s largely luck dependent like Monopoly, Sorry’s short length and choatic gameplay makes it great for casual play.

This perfect party game, can be played with up to four players at a time

Catan is lengthy, with games lasting hours.

However, its game play is engaging, while still being simple enough to entertain any group of players willing to give it a try. You can play with up to four players

Although it’s not that great for parties, chess is a classic strategy game that’s complex and deep.

It’s perfect for anyone willing to take the time to learn the game. Only two people can play chess at a time.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

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TRUTH IN THE STARS

While astrology may be debunked as a science, it still can be useful to some

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odern astrology is often said to be nothing more than daily horoscopes that anyone can relate to and blaming events on Mercury being in retrograde. The premise of Western astrology is that celestial bodies have spiritual influence over events on Earth. Astrology was born in the Babylonian empire and was used to predict seasons by observing celestial patterns. Astrology was also adopted by Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Now that zodiac signs and horoscopes are back in trend, they’re explored and researched more than ever. Even if it’s debunkable, it doesn’t change the fact that millions of people use astrology, and there are professionals who have dedicated their lives to astrology. It can offer other-worldly explanations for chaotic occurrences and explain the unexplainable. With the sense that something else is in control comes relaxation for stressors in life.

Despite being not being considered a science, there are nearly 70 million Americans who read horoscopes daily, according to Scientific American. Astrologers remind doubters that while it is seen by many to be substantial, astrology isn’t a religion or system of beliefs — you don’t have to believe in celestial bodies for astrology to exist. Astrology has also been undervalued due to the fact that it’s seen as a pseudoscience, but despite once being regarded as one, astrology isn’t a science and doesn’t need to fit into scientific methodology to be valued. Some may deem astrology a hoax because we have a heightened awareness of scientific findings, unlike ancient civilizations that practiced astrology before us, but it’s something undefined by science — as are many things that still exist

despite having no scientific backing.

Information presented in apps like Co-Star and posts linking scenarios like coffee orders to a sign isn’t information that should be taken literally.

The issue many people have with astrology is the fact that they’ve dumbed it down without doing research or giving it a chance. If you take it for nothing more than how it’s presented in media, the information is clearly going to depend on your perceptions. The only way to understand is to study natal charts and research how placements manifest themselves in physical life. This requires patience, willingness and excitement to learn, traits the casual astrologer usually lacks.

Astrology also catches criticism for use of zodiac signs, and is often over generalized by the traits of these signs in pop culture. Many find the zodiac to be hard to trust due to the vagueness and general explanation of traits that could apply to nearly everyone. Again, to understand zodiacs, one must look to their chart and analyze each house to determine the effect of celestial placements on personality.

Even if astrology is debunkable, it’s valuable. By looking into the stars for answers, you distance yourself from the present and elements of life that may be causing stress. The idea that everything is under control and can be calming and uniting in dark times, and remind us that this too shall pass and is under control. If all of astrology was proven fake and its only good quality was unity and connection that comes from astrological research, I still would believe it worthy of people’s time. p

GEM

health & sports editor

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SCIENCE IN THE STARS Astrology is an ancient pseudoscience and usage of it is harmful to our lives

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hen the original 12 zodiac signs were created around 5000 years ago, they were created to explain the unexplainable, to give them a structure they could rely on based off of something they could trust — the stars. That’s what astrology is and has always been across the planet: people looking to the stars for answers. Now that we have science, though, we’re able to determine things about our world with accuracy, and we’ve proven our usage of astrology is nothing more than a pseudoscience.

Thus, astrology shouldn’t be referenced as often as it is, because it in no way is a reliable source.

Chances are, you’ve seen the same posts that I have online, that tell the reader all about how they’re a French vanilla scented candle because they happened to be born on March 3rd, or something else of the same insignificant nature, with the idea that your date of birth could somehow affect your personality and your future. While most people don’t genuinely believe in astrology, with the rise in its popularity, there is a rise in the amount of people who truly believe it holds weight in the formation of a person’s personality.

These kinds of people end up making blatantly untrue assumptions about other people based on their birthdays, which not only is incredibly rude and can make people uncomfortable to have assumptions made before even talking to them, but cuts them off from potential friends and even

romantic partners if they are one of those people who say they “could never date a Gemini” or any other sign for that matter.

A common argument for the believability of zodiac signs is the idea that they’ve been around for so long, and several countries and cultures have their own zodiac based on the stars that dictate your personality, so it must be right. The issue with this is that, for example, the Chinese zodiac isn’t based on the same time frames as the Western zodiac. The Chinese zodiac is based on approximately year-long windows, which means that everybody born in the same year would fall under one zodiac, which conflicts with the Western idea of the zodiacs changing about every month or so. The only similarity between these belief systems is that the stars would affect our lives, but at the end of the day, the stars are giant flaming masses of gases in outer space, light-years away, and the only effects they could have on our life are purely physical, like stargazing, or, getting a sun tan.

In a way, the argument that believing that signs affect your personality is incredibly similar to the idea that being blonde would make a person less intelligent, or wearing glasses makes a person smarter. There’s no scientific evidence of this being true, and is nothing but a stereotype that makes life difficult for everyone involved. If stereotypes like blondes being dumb and wearing glasses makes you smart are considered universally untrue and childish ideas, why isn’t the same applied to systems such as astrology? We don’t make posts and share false information about things we can’t control affecting our personalities, so we should stop making posts and assumptions about the zodiac signs and people based off of their birthdays, of all things. p 02.22.21

23

A WALK THROUGH

A look back at activities that kept us busy during lockdown MAXWELL EASTMAN staff writer

illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG

BANANA BREAD The difficult art of baking sourdough was also a quarantine activity. However, banana bread was an easier recipe that appealed to all levels of kitchen skill. People began baking this sweet bread due to its popularity on the app TikTok, which offered a variety of versions. Banana bread has always been a simple and delicious recipe, but it is now a staple in this generation’s cookbook.

“TIGER KING” Many folks tuned into Netflix’s hit docuseries “Tiger King.” The show detailed the unbelievable life of Joe Exotic and his many odd friends.

Released at the start of the pandemic, the show helped combat boredom.

This completely absurd tale of black market cats, animal attacks and possibly murder will remain a fond yet strange memory of quarantine.

24

A&E

WHIPPED COFFEE A refreshing treat that became a worldwide phenomenon, Dalgona coffee, or whipped coffee, took the internet by storm. This drink has an extremely simple recipe, and started in South Korea but was picked up in the U.S. during quarantine. The drink uses equal parts instant coffee, sugar and water and is whipped until fluffy. This foamy drink became a pandemic staple.

PUZZLES Another classic activity that made a comeback during the pandemic was solving puzzles. Puzzles have stood the test of time and have always been popular with older generations, but during quarantine, younger generations were forced to fill time and looked for anything entertaining. The tedious task of solving puzzles will remain a classic pastime.

SPREAD DESIGN BY LUCY LOCHMOELLER

QUARANTINE LANE TIE-DYEING

The old pastime of tie-dyeing resurfaced amidst the boredom of lockdown. The technique of dyeing rolled-up shirts to create a fun pattern started in the 1940s and has become trendy many times throughout history, namely the 1960s and 1970s. With tie-dyeing being a cheap, fun family activity, it’s no wonder it became popular again during the inital quarantine.

CLEANING

“OUTER BANKS” “Outer Banks” became a cultural sensation for teenagers in the U.S. this summer.

Released mid-April, the show caught traction as the weather warmed up, playing on everyone’s desire to get outside. The show follows a group of teens in Outer Banks, N.C. throughout their mysterious and exciting hunt for gold.

With a second season on the way, this quarantine sensation is here to stay.

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Being forced to stay home, many people found it difficult to feel comfortable in a cluttered and dirty space. With nothing but time on their hands, Americans went under their sinks, grabbing cleaning supplies and deep-cleaning every nook and cranny in their houses and apartments. Many were able to organize and clean places they’d been avoiding for years.

“AMONG US” This small multiplayer iOS turned PC videogame, “Among Us”, quickly became one of the most popular video games in the world once popular Youtubers and streamers starting playing it. In “Among Us”, players complete tasks in a spaceship while trying to find the assassinator imposter among their team. “Among Us” offered an way to connect with friends in quarantine.

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CAFFEINE FIEND

Panorama reviews five St. Louis coffee shops LUCY LOCHMOELLER a&e editor

illustration by | NICOLE GORRELL & GRACE HU photos by | GINGER SCHULTE

C. Oliver Coffee + Flower Bar is the sort of place that brings immediate joy to anyone who walks in. Located in Maplewood, this cafe is surrounded by many other popular and unique restaurants. Despite having to battle these competitors, C. Oliver is able to hold its own and catch the eye of any passing person. Through its enormous windows, a gorgeous red and pink flower wall dominates the room. The cafe itself is simple with mostly white furnishing, however, the stunning flower wall and other floral accents bring in warmth and energy. The service is amazing; the latte is brought out in two minutes, but the speed of service doesn’t compromise the quality of the perfect coffee. The espresso flavor radiates richness and a deep bitterness.

The foam and milk don’t take away from and dilute this flavor — they only add to the quality of the latte.

C. Oliver Coffee knows its way around the coffee bean and the garden.

C. OLIVER COFFEE + FLOWER BAR

THE CLOVER AND THE BEE

The Clover and the Bee is possibly one of the most delightful cafes in St. Louis. Located in the heart of Webster, the vibrant and clean design of this cafe fits right into its charming environment. The cafe has bar seating for people to sit and watch the baristas, as well as an abundance of booths and tables. The walls are painted with colorful designs that feature a lot of gold accents. The workers are kind and offer overall good service, making sure everyone inside follows COVID-19 safety rules. As for the coffee, it is amazing. Their latte is the perfect ratio of espresso to milk and has beautiful, deep flavor. The espresso is perfectly pulled, and the steamed milk has the right amount of foam with no large bubbles. The menu has many fun and unique food options, making it similar to a restaurant. However, the cafe still pulls off a cozy coffee shop atmosphere. The Clover and the Bee is everything a coffee shop should be.

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A&E

SPREAD DESIGN BY LUCY LOCHMOELLER

DEER CREEK COFFEE

La Cosecha is the perfect place to stop and grab a quick cup of good coffee. The coffee company shares a store with Great Harvest Bakery, which makes a visit even more enjoyable. The store permanently smells of freshly baked bread, pastries and brewing coffee, and the background noise is filled with a humming kitchen. La Cosecha uses their own coffee brand, which gets made by a highly skilled barista. Their coffee was strong and flavorful, and topped with perfectly made foam. The amazing quality of the coffee bean was made obvious in the flavor. However, very little seating and space makes it difficult to enjoy the wonderful store. The coffee also took a bit of time to make, but that may be due to the careful skill of the barista. La Cosecha is a great cafe for a quality to-go cup of coffee, but would be even better if there was more space and seating available for people to enjoy the wonderful environment La Cosecha offers.

WEBSTER GROVES COFFEE GARDEN

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Deer Creek Coffee is exactly what people picture when they think of a cafe: cozy seating, a warm aroma, good coffee and a chill space to relax. Their chalkboard menu, poster wall, worn-in furniture, fireplace and friendly staff complement one another in creating a welcoming space. While other cafes are sometimes high energy with people rushing in and out, anyone who walks into Deer Creek will feel instantly relaxed and at home, wanting to stay as long as they can.

However, its coffee isn’t anything memorable. It’s not that the taste is bad, but rather that the coffee lacks strength and flavor. The espresso is sub-par, but the latte itself is still well made. Deer Creek compensates for the average-tasting coffee with a well-rounded menu, offering classic pastries, fun drinks and several different breakfast and lunch options. Overall, Deer Creek Coffee checks off most of the boxes, but falls a bit short on coffee flavor.

LA COSECHA

The Webster Groves Coffee Garden currently has indoor dining closed, so it’s hard to say what exactly the Coffee Garden experience is. However a garden cafe is a wonderful idea. There is a grass area behind the cafe that offers the perfect secluded spot for a picnic, as well as an abundance of chairs and picnic tables in the front. Even in the heart of winter, the fire pits still draw people in to enjoy a cup of coffee and relax while watching the street in front of them. Despite this unique dining experience, the service is a bit slow and the coffee is not good. The latte is milky to the point where any sign of espresso is lost. The milk should complement the espresso, not the other way around. Despite this, the faint taste of espresso that is there still seems decently flavorful. As a whole, the Webster Groves Coffee Garden is a wonderful place that offers a untraditional cafe experience, however the less than average coffee lowers its quality.

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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Here are recommended sources on learning and understanding Black history images courtesy of nytimes, imdb, Goodreads and Discogs

BRANDON MURRAY AND ASHLEY LOCK’S RECOMMENDATIONS BLACK STUDIES TEACHERS

LITERATURE

- “Homegoing”

by Yaa Gyasi - “The Souls of Black Folk”

by W.E.B Du Bois - “Southern Horrors”

by Ida B. Wells-Barnett - “The Fire Next Time”

by James Baldwin - “Such a Fun Age”

by Kiley Reid

MEDIA

- “Slavery by Another Name”(available on PBS) - “Many Rivers to Cross” (available on PBS) - “Mudbound” (available on Netflix) - “Dear White People” (Available on Netflix) - “The 1619 Project” (New York Times podcast)

“With help from these texts, we examine the definitions of racism and anti-racism to project students from learning about Black History to becoming Black activists and allies. With each new perspective gained, we hope that our students find identity and humanity in these resources.”

ASHLEY LOCK | black studies teacher

LAURYN DONOVAN’S RECOMMENDATIONS R.I.S.E LEADER

LITERATURE

- “The New Jim Crow”

by Michelle Alexander - “The Hate U Give”

by Angie Thomas - “Jubilee”

by Margaret Walker - ”Dear Martin”

by Nic Stone - “White Fragility”

by Robin DiAngelo

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A & E | HEALTH & SPORTS

MEDIA - “The Racial Wealth Gap” (available on Netflix) - “The Kalief Browder Story” (available on Netflix) - “When They See Us” (available on Netflix) - “Who Killed Malcolm X” (available on Netflix) - “I Am Not Your Negro” (available on Netflix)

“These sources go into great depth about the Black experience through the eyes of Black people. Some of these people experienced the history they speak about in real time, while others have studied it.

These sources share a lot of history that we’ve never gotten to learn, despite their importance.”

LAURYN DONOVAN | senior

SPREAD DESIGN BY LUCY LOCHMOELLER | KATIE HOLLAND

illustration by | MAX YANG

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Facts on heart disease and how to maintain heart health in honor of American Heart Month

TYPES OF SOURCE: CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL

A

health & sports editor

HEART DISEASE:

1

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

2

WHAT IS HEART DISEASE? ccording to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The phrase "heart disease" acts as an umbrella term for an array of conditions regarding the cardiovascular system. There are many types of heart disease, with the most common in the U.S. being coronary artery disease. Signs and symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath and pain in the neck, jaw or throat. Heart disease can be caused by numerous things, including diseased heart tissue, abnormal heart rhythm and general heart defects.

KATIE HOLLAND

Damage to the heart's major blood vessels: the pulmonary artery, the pulmonary vein, the aorta and the superior and inferior vena cava veins

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE Chronic condition in which the heart's muscles are unable to pump blood as efficiently as they should due to fluid build up in the heart

3 4

ARRHYTHMIA

Abnormalities in the rhythm of the heartbeat and the heart's contractions; can be both too fast or too slow

HEART VALVE DISEASE Condition in which one or more of the heart's four valves operates abnormally or has been damaged

TIPS TO PROMOTE HEART HEALTH: SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC

Be sure to get at least an hour of cardiovascular exercise each day and maintain a healthy diet.

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Avoid risky behaviors like smoking and drinking that heighten the risk of getting heart disease.

Monitor blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Seek medical attention if any abnormalities are present.

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FRESHMAN EXCELS ON THE COURT

Freshman Alyssa Lewis leads varsity team to success ABOVE: Alyssa Lewis dribbles the ball during a home game against Nerinx Hall. She has been playing basketball since first grade. “It’s not really important to me whether or not I’m a freshman because on the court, we’re all basketball players,” Lewis said. (Photo by Grace Hensley)

TOMMY MARGULIS health & sports staff

W

hen Ladue girls basketball coach Joi Lathion first saw freshman Alyssa Lewis on the basketball court, she knew she found a good one.

While she heard of a highly skilled freshman coming to the the team, she could not have imagined a freshman would play with the confidence and fluidity of a senior.

AVERAGE OF 14.5 POINTS PER GAME The Ladue girls basketball team’s record of 10 wins and eight losses can be much attributed to the skill of the underclassmen. Among these underclassmen, standout AVERAGE OF 5.8 REBOUNDS PER GAME freshman shooting guard Alyssa Lewis has used her Ameteur Athletic Union basketball experience to propel the illustration by | GRACE HU young team to success. illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG “Communication is one of the biggest parts,” Lewis said.

“It’s about keeping your composure in tough situaAVERAGE OF 2.2 ASSISTS PER GAME tions. I try to positively impact my teammates on the court and make them better players at all points of games, and so far, we have all done a great job on the court.”

The 2020-21 team features multiple new faces following Lewis’s tips for success the graduation of prolific players from the prior season.

Consequently, Lewis and her fellow newcomers have worked to make up for the lost talent.

“I have to continue to “I always try to get time “The Class of 2020 is a big void to fill, but the scoring work and push myself in with one of my trainers power and advanced skills that Alyssa possesses are helpdaily. I’m nowhere near a couple times a week.” ing us tremendously,” Lathion said. to where I want to be.”

Without seniors on the team, the underclassmen have been forced to grow at a rapid pace on and off the court.

As a result of this, Lewis has taken on a large leadership role in order to aid her teammates.

“It is definitely different without any seniors because people like Alyssa and Mya [Mann] have had to step into larger leadership roles,” freshman Emma Margraf said.

“They have done a great job this year, and we’re lucky to have them.”

While still early in her high school career, Lewis has aspirations for herself beyond the bounds of Ladue. As her basketball career progresses, she hopes to reach future generations of basketball players around the world.

“Before a game I like “I typically always “I want to go all the way to the WNBA,” Lewis said. “It to listen to music take a nap before behas always been a dream of mine to extend my game overbecause music helps cause I like to make seas and influence people across the world to be the best me relax and get into sure I am well rested my element.” for the game.” basketball players they can be.” p

BY THE NUMBERS

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

DETERMINATION

RELAXATION

30

HEALTH & SPORTS

TRAINING

MUSIC

SPREAD DESIGN BY ERIN TURKIELTAUB

SENIORS SIGN Student athletes commit to playing sports at the collegiate level photos by | GINGER SCHULTE

GRACE CHRISTIE Soccer University of Southern Indiana

GRACE HENSLEY Lacrosse Butler University

CONNOR BOLDT Baseball Drury University

LINDSEY BYER Golf Denison University

NOT PICTURED:

JAKE MANN WRESTLING PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

JACK KIRBY Soccer DePauw University

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

ADDIE BITTING Lacrosse University of Indianapolis

GRAHAM FREDMAN Swimming Babson College

GRACE CLANEY GOLF ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY

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BREAKING THE SILENCE

Facts about sexual violence that are often neglected from sex education curriculum

1 IN 3 WOMEN

1 IN 4 MEN

EXPERIENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME

EXPERIENCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME

1 IN 5 WOMEN

1 IN 38 MEN

HAVE EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED OR COMPLETED RAPE

HAVE EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED OR COMPLETED RAPE

THE LIFETIME COST OF RAPE IS

MORE THAN 90% OF SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES DON’T REPORT IT

$122,461 PER VICTIM

63.3% OF MEN AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY WHO SELF REPORTED ATTEMPTED RAPE ON OTHERS ADMITTED TO REPEAT OFFENSES

94% OF WOMEN WHO EXPERENCED RAPE SHOW SYMPTOMS OF PTSD

Sources: NSVRC, CDC, RAINN, PubMed

WAYS TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS CRISIS CENTERS

YWCA Metro St. Louis Women’s Resource Center 3820 West Pine Blvd.

314-531-7273 Sexual assault response team No cost crisis services Bridgeway Behavioral Health 1570 South Main Street 636-757-2300 24-hour shelters

HOTLINES

St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Hotline 314-531-7273 National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-4673 Domestic Violence and Rape Hotline 800-392-0210 National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 888-331-9474

THERAPY TREATMENTS Care and Counseling 12141 Ladue Road 314-878-4340 Sliding scale counseling services Crime Victims Advocacy Center 539 N. Grand Blvd. #400 314-652-3623 24-hour, free counseling Provides information on victim rights