May 2021

pano rama

LOOK INSIDE:

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READ ABOUT BEAUTY STANDARDS AND THEIR EFFECT ON STUDENTS

Ladue Horton Watkins High School 1201 S. Warson Rd. Ladue, MO 63124 05.10.21 Vol. 69 Issue 10

THE MAY ISSUE

EDITORS’ NOTE

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Domenic Fenoglio

Editors in Chief Domenic Fenoglio Rhea Patney Art Editor Danielle Zhang Photo Editor Grace Hensley News Editors Mika Kipnis Ryan Tung

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Rhea Patney

PANORAMA STAFF

Health & Features Editor Marissa Mathieson Sports Editor In-Depth Editors Sophia Liu Web Editor Lucy Lochmoeller Annie Pan Oviya Srihari News Staff Opinions Editor Tommy Margulis Caroline Edgar Features Staff Arts & Kiran Varadachari Entertainment Editors Clayton Coughlin Joanne Sung

STAFF & CONTENTS

In-Depth Staff Abbey Carrico Opinions Staff Tariq Lashley Arts & Entertainment Staff Kanishk Shanmugam

Health & Sports Staff Emily Walker Carly Woodhill Staff Writers Max Eastman Olivia Hu Abigail Jansen Matthew Kweon Bryson Liang Devanshu Pandey Hansika Sakshi

Photographers Ginger Schulte Laura Zoeller Cassie Friess Artist Nicole Gorrell Adviser Sarah Kirksey

SPREAD DESIGN BY RHEA PATNEY

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

NEWS

5. St. Louis Dome opens for vaccines 6-7. Ladue seniors celebrate an alternative prom and graduation 8. Explore Ladue’s Prop L renovations beginning this summer

OPINIONS

18. Pano Perspective: the term “pretty privilege” should not be used 19.

20. A look at a deeper, more insidious part of liberal racism 21. Students should not travel internationally this summer.

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FEATURES

9. Sophomore Kathy Bian organizes protest to combat AAPI violence 10-11. Junior Tyller Arens’s journey with a prosthetic leg 12. A look at the senior art gallery

A&E

22. The best stories read in Ladue language classes 23. Panorama reviews logo redesigns 24-25. Advice on how to create the perfect picnic 26. Panorama ranks common summer activities

IN-DEPTH

13-17. Exploring beauty standards and how they impact society, both as a whole and at Ladue

HEALTH & SPORTS

27. Three freshmen make the girls varsity soccer team 28-29. Sophomore Nathan Chan is number one on varsity tennis team 30-31. water polo team

05.10.21

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SPREAD DESIGN BY RHEA PATNEY | MIKA KIPNIS

DOME MISS THE VACCINE

St. Louis opens Dome for general public to receive vaccines

MATTHEW KWEON staff writer

O

n a Friday morning, nostalgia runs heavy. The cafeteria walls still bear memories of the voices, laughter and clamor of hundreds of hungry students. But today, it is cold, white and sterile. Biology teacher Monica Bowman sits at a table, scribbles her name on a paper covered in small, black text and pulls up her sleeve. There’s a pinch, and it’s over — one step closer to transforming memories back into normalcy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began the third phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, opening vaccinations to all members of the general public 16 years of age and older April 9. Since then, Ladue has administered vachave widespread opportunities to receive their dose.

“I’m grateful that they had clinics [in Ladue] to make vaccines super accessible,” vaccinated teacher Jennifer Hartigan said. “I had already secured a vaccine through an appointment at CVS, but it seems that [Ladue has] been running super smooth and well done.”

In downtown St. Louis, the Dome at America’s center opened in early April promising to vaccinate about 3000 people a day. Though they are

Ladue support total vaccination, there are still those who are hesitant about the unfamiliarity of the process. According to the United Health Foundation, Missouri ranks 48th amongst all states for adolescent vaccinations and 42nd for adults.

“We need to do a better job of educating the community that [the vaccine] is something that the scisupport,” Bowman said. “Data shows the planet, like we did with smallpox, [and] almost did with polio.”

Vaccinating the entire

the Moderna vaccine both share upwards of against COVID-19. However, from person to person, depending on health conditions and age. cist warned me that I would probably have worse symptoms because I had already had COVID previously,” juridden for a day, and I was nauseated.

But if we get the vaccine sooner, we can stop it sooner. There’s no reason to keep [the pandemic] going.”

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step towards returning to life before COVID-19 — a life that included busy lunch lines, vibrant hallways, holistic classrooms and a greater sense of community.

“Schools are the infrastructure of making things work. Having these buildings open and being able to keep them open is super important in order to keep the economy running and keep kids learning,” Hartigan said.

“I [also] think for the vast majority of people, the best way to learn is face to face. I think the more folks we can get back in the building, the better…

So get your vaccines so that we can do that.” p

NI S

illustr ation by | M IKA

KIP

falling short of that goal, the building is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and eligible teenagers and adults can enter through the C entrance on the corner of Broadway and Cole Street.

“Downtown, they’ve announced that they’ve done away with the need to make appointments,” Hartigan said. “You can still make appointments to know what time to be down there but you can also just walk in.

I think that’s super important for people who are living their lives in an unpredictable way. Being able to walk in when they do have time to get that done was a really good step.”

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05.10.21

05

SENIOR-YEAR

Prom

Ladue celebrates the class of 2021 despite challenges with COVID-19 staff writer

dinner and dessert options. Underneath the stadium lights, the blue car-

A

activities create a lively atmosphere made up of Ladue seniors.

“When you see that ten go down and then you see that ace come

ABIGAIL JANSEN s the sun sets over Ladue Horton Watkins High School, students wearing everything from pajamas to prom dresses and formal suits crowd around casino tables manned by Dad’s Club volunteers to play games like Blackjack and pokwaiting for a chance to try their luck at carnival games behind the stadium, while an assortment of food trucks

Spencer Kovacs said. “Especially when you have a bunch of chips on the line. Then, at the end of the night, put them all in for the vacuum and you win? There’s nothing better than The senior celebration, which took place at the high school the senior class of 2021 one last event to gather and cancelled for the second year in a row in March, senior class sponsors Mary Kate Mortland and Shruti Upadhyay felt that something needed to be done for the seniors.

“I think prom is one of those high school right of Upadhyay said. “I felt very strongly that we had to do something special for them, especially in a year where they felt so disconnected from the She felt that the class of 2021, the

illustration by | MIKA KIPNIS

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NEWS

high school in the midst of its major renovation, deserved some sort of they would have to overcome was the event’s approval.

“The superintendent and Mr. abiding by [COVID-19] rules and that we would get approval from the comto] really make sure that it was okay and safe for us to have a celebration and stadium area right outside of the student parking lot. That way, social distancing guidelines could be met and more people could be accommodated. Masks were to be worn at all ing, and additional security measures ensured that only Ladue seniors were permitted into the event. class sponsors began to work with the Parent’s Association (PA) to coordiraised a large sum of money for nearly pods and Apple Watches to TVs and vacuum cleaners. senior Diya Diwakaran said. “So I was more excited about just getting ready friends. But, I was really surprised, p

SPREAD DESIGN BY MIKA KIPNIS

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (Photos by Cassie Friess)

1 Seniors Sarah Vaidyan, Ashna

Seniors Grace Hensley and 5 4 Samantha Fischer pose in front

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Chali, Natalie Ashkar, Kyndall Evans and Claire McMahon pose together at the senior prom. “I really enjoyed getting to see all my friends and classmates at the senior celebration and spending time with them before we graduate,” Chali said.

2 Seniors Stewart Dove, Drake

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Frederic, Tyler Deutsch, Jack Minkler, Ethan Deutsch and Ben Bisig gather for a picture together.

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3

5 Seniors Noah Avigad,

Jahnavi Vishnubhotla and Anjali Bhagat smile as they spend their Saturday night at the senior celebration. “My favorite part was just seeing [and] catching up with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time because of [COVID-19],” Bhagat said.

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Seniors Greyson Watkins and Johnny Martin enjoy their night at the senior celebration.

of the sign at the Ladue senior celebration. “I had a really good time at the senior celebration.

The food was delicious and I had fun playing the games. [I’m] still disappointed I didn’t win anything in the raffle though,” Fischer said.

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6 Seniors Emily Berry and

Mary Kendall Curran participate in a raffle.

7 Senior Elliott Davis plays pool at the senior celebration.

GRADUATION PLANS FOR CLASS OF 2021 Jessica Bitting reviews main things to know for senior graduation

TOMMY MARGULIS news staff MIKA KIPNIS news editor

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with social distancing rules.

the air and time stops for a single moment, there is a pure second of relief and happiness while for the graduating class. Even niors at Ladue did not get to experience that,

students will get to experience a

-

receiving their diploma. Instead,

“I will zoom in on whoever is up so two tickets on -

tures for the composite photo and a p

to watch and support the graduating class can -

In order to accommodate other] one is on a truck close to the LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

05.10.21

07

FUTURE READY SCHOOLS

Ladue School District to undertake sweeping building rennovations RYAN TUNG

respectively. All three will feature

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classrooms to account for larger student enrollment, utility updates to

news editor

t the front of Spoede Elementary School, a door stands guard. Years of pelting sunlight and thousands of curious hands have tanned its surface and weathered its once silver handle.

additions of “safe rooms” for severe weather incidents, compliance with and more.

In addition to enhancing the learning environment, renovations aim to repair infrastructural issues of the rapidly aging facilities. In

glass window and its tired hinges sigh a heavy clunk when closed.

Since 1949, the door has watched generations arrive as children, depart

On April 6, district residents voted to pass Proposition L, a $126 million

of the 2020-21 school year, Prop L will transform these facilities from 20th century classrooms into “Future Ready Schools.”

FACILITY NEEDS 5 additional core classrooms 20% larger classrooms 60% larger cafeteria Student commons space Dedicated SSD classrooms Expanded hallways hope to achieve a higher standard of education overall.

“I did support and vote for Prop

environment. However, to avoid serious disruptions, construction will occur in phases — allowing classes

and operational aspects of the District.”

Ladue Middle School, Spoede

three elementary and middle school safety improvements were important to me in order to support our

the need for expensive temporary classrooms. With these short term

the largest updates, receiving $50, $34 and $28 million renovations

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SPOEDE ELEMENTARY E X T E R I O R

FACILITY NEEDS

NEWS

LADUE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Renovations are set to commence in the summer of 2021 and conclude in the fall of 2023. In the meantime, learning will take yet another large

improvements outlined are needed,” District Director of Facilities Mike Noonan said. “[Prop L] will result in

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A F T E R

power restored.

“When conditions like [the pipe failure] result in a disruption to school, we need to consider solutions

sweeping renovations to the four district elementary schools and Ladue

Source: Future Ready Schools

LIBRARY

Elementary lost power following a drainpipe failure over a main

end of the 2020-21 school year, its

6 additional core classrooms Updated classroom lighting Expanded hallways Additional restrooms Leaking roof replacement

B E F O R E

B E F O R E

Photos by Ginger Schulte

A F T E R

Images courtesy of Susan Downing

SPREAD DESIGN BY RYAN TUNG | KIRAN VARADACHARI

ABOVE: Ladue Horton Watkins High School students hold signs adovcating for the end of violence against AAPI. People of all races and genders attended. “As a society, we need to come together to support people of all kinds,” Bian said. (Photo courtesy of Kathy Bian) LEFT: Kathy Bian yells through a bullhorn at a protest Saturday April 10. Bian organized the movement following the increase in hate and violence against AAPI since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Anti-Asian violence is more apparent now than ever,” Bian said. “I feel I need to be the one to speak out.” (Photo courtesy of Kathy Bian)

BIAN TAKES ACTION Sophomore Kathy Bian advocates to eliminate violence against AAPI MAX EASTMAN staff writer

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s sophomore Kathy Bian walks back and forth in front of the protesters and the colorful display of signs, she coerces a loud symphony of cheers from the cars gathered at the stoplight. The cacophony of support causes the protesters to double down on their chants and Bian to yell, “Honk if you support Asian Americans!”

Bian organized a protest April 10 to combat the recent surge of violence Islanders (AAPI) in the U.S. “In my opinion, the Atlanta shootings were the breaking point,” Bian said. “Elders were getting attacked, people of all other ages in schools were getting discriminated against and it wasn’t really getting reported or talked about...I saw my family through those women [who were killed].”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Asian violence has increased drastically in the U.S. The

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

directed towards Asian Americans while managing Golden House Chop Suey, a Chinese American restaurant.

“One day my mom was serving a customer,” Bian said. “The customer said, ‘Are you happy now that your people spread the virus to America?’”

This instance motivated Bian to support the AAPI community. Although she never organized a protest in her life, she arranged a demonstration that included over 20 people and reached a large audience through social media. Sophomore Allen You was moved by how many people attended.

“There were quite a few people who were willing to devote their time to protest,” You said. “People don’t understand the importance of showing up to things. Just your physical presence can have a huge impact.”

Throughout the demonstration,

said. “She said it was time to pass around the bullhorn...I would yell ‘Honking is free!’ and ‘Honk if you support Asian lives!’”

The protest culminated with a speech from Bian. People around her, lence, were inspired by her words.

“I’ve known Kathy since elementary school, so when she gave her speech, it was very emotional,” sophomore Mate Daus said. “I could never experience the things she has had to go through. It’s something you don’t really realize if you aren’t going through it.”

Overall, the protest demonstrated how a tight knit community can support itself. It showed how people from all walks of life can band together when important issues arise. “[My favorite part was how] all the

with the protesters, including being part of something larger than themselves or getting to lead a chant.

“My favorite moment was when Kathy’s voice was running out while we were holding up our signs,” You

wasn’t just Asian people...there were so it felt like a family. I was glad to have support, so hearing chants from backgrounds made me very happy.”

05.10.21

p

09

Tough

as Nails Junior Tyller Arens overcomes the challenges of having a prosthetic leg

RIGHT: After sitting through a long day of classes, Tyller Arens ends the day by walking out of class with one of her close friends. She moved to Ladue in eighth grade and has been loving the diversity. “Being around people with differences helped me grow more comfortable with myself,” Arens said.

(Photo by Marissa Mathieson)

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FEATURES

SPREAD DESIGN BY MARISSA MATHIESON

KIRAN VARADACHARI features staff

A

n ordinary stroll through the mall is a time of relaxation and serenity for everyone. Or at least, almost everyone. Laughter

my freshman year,” Arens said.

the stresses of everyday life. While

remains alert.

said. “You have to remind yourself that you are strong and have made

Arens lives her life the same as ordi

my leg,” Arens said. “Over the years,

to stare.”

ers do not have.

and she says

thal, another of Arens, said. to say anything

“

Everyone has their

her if they met her, rather than

edge that so

TYLLER ARENS | 11

eryone is the same and has the same environment, Arens endures the LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

p

05.10.21

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SENIOR ART SHOWCASE

Ladue students express their individuality and passion through various art forms OLIVIA HU staff writer

Lauryn Donovan, 12 Sitting in front of her canvas, senior Lauryn Donovan scrolls through photos of shoes, looking for inspiration. Finally grasping a vision, she carefully sketches nine Air Force 1s and squeezes out paint, a color for each shade in the rainbow. Adjusting the details of the piece, Donovan continues to paint for the rest of the day. “[I love] painting shoes because it’s something I’ve done for a long time…[and] there are

colors. Having this ability allows mediums and styles.

“It sounds cliche, but there are no rules to art,” Donovan said.

“It’s freehand [and] freeform...it’s really inclusive in that way.”

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FEATURES | IN-DEPTH

Walking into art teacher Daniel Raedeke’s classroom, senior Elizabeth Ingram settles herself into a chair by her newest painting. Squeezing out purple and white acrylic paint, she strokes her brush across the canvas, creating a woman’s face. Slowly constructing the piece,

“[My art is] mostly emotion based,” Ingram said. “I get inspiration from a song that I resonate with or a show I’m passionate about.”

This year in AP Studio Art, she discovered new and enriching aspects of the artistic process. “[For] my [AP] portfolio...we were able to dive into our theme,” Ingram said. “That was when it clicked to me that art...can be valuable to you, your past and history.”

Ingram plans to continue her studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, hoping to focus on painting and to expand her scope to other mediums.

“In the future I want to have a profession in making art,” Ingram said.

“It’s very hard and usually rare, but I still have hope.”

Gon and Killua Nariah Moorer, 12

Moorer includes lying in bed and rewatch-

villain’s witty remark, she pauses to capture the scene. The characters’ faces stare back at her while she admires the blending of colors and constructs a new image to paint. anime for myself and...other people,” Moorer said. “It [makes] me happier...I don’t have to force myself to paint things I don’t like.”

In addition to anime, people in Moorer’s life inspire her to continue creating new art pieces. Especially during the pandemic, they frequently commissioned Moorer’s paintings, revitalizing her love for art.

“I needed an outlet…so I [realized] painting can be my outlet,” Moorer

Photo by Nariah Moorer

them,” Donovan said. “I also feel like a lot of people connect [when] they’re talking about shoes so, in a way, my art can bring me closer to other people.”

Donovan also experiments with painting portraits and other subjects; her newest piece high-

Elizabeth Ingram, 12

Photo by Laura Zoeller

Photo by Lauryn Donovan

AF1’s

Intimacy

when I’m stressed.”

SPREAD DESIGN BY MARISSA MATHIESON | OVIYA SRIHARI

illus

trat

ion

by |

DA N

IEL

LE

ZH

AN

IN THE EYE OF THE HE OVIYA SRIHARI in-depth editor

I

“

have the experience of going back to India and speaking to relatives, and they say, ‘she’s an American, she should be a lot lighter than she is. I don’t know why she’s that skin color,’” sophomore Pranavi Chintha said.

The notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder is a long-accepted phrase, but what’s considered beautiful is more common than one might think.

“I moved to Michigan, and every single person there was white,” junior Nyeal Biedenstein said. “No joke. Every single person in my class was white. And that’s when I really felt like, ” Until the 1940s, the Miss America pageant only let white women compete, for the sake of appearances and aesthetics.

Even today, the Miss United States of America pageant has banned transgender women from competition to promote “natural beauty.” The cost of keeping up with beauty trends is implicitly exclusionary — makeup, clothes, skincare, salon appointments and in some cases, even cosmetic surgery are styles in the workplace and academic settings for the sake of preserving eurocentric beauty ideals, meaning Black individ-

G

beholder industry colonizer majority

or straightening treatments they may not necessarily want.

Meanwhile, colorism and internalized anguish over darker skin is a cash cow for companies: the skin lightening industry has been valued at well over $8 billion.

What is considered beautiful overwhelmingly coincides with whiteness, high socioeconomic status, heteronormativity and structural racism occurring from a history of discrimination and colonialism.

In other words, beauty is inherently political.

But from title-holders breaking pageant norms, to Ladue students learning to be their authentic selves, our community is beginning to change what exactly “beautiful” means.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

05.10.21

13 3

The 1970s were all about

1970 so

urc e:

1980 them edium.com

50 YEARS CHANGES STANDARDS Taking a look into how society has percieved women’s body types over history.

1990

2000

ABBEY CARRICO in-depth staff

illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG

2010 2020

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IN-DEPTH

SPREAD DESIGN BY ABBEY CARRICO

FITTING THE STANDARD Perception and societal norms of beauty influence a variety of individuals

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OVIYA SRIHARI in-depth editor

M

aybe I should cut this down. I shouldn’t eat that next week. A year ago, junior Sasha Atterberry was

For as long as she can remember, these thoughts concerning beauty and body image have pervaded nearly every

a lot more power in society,” Jillian Shah, researcher at

been crying over something I could never change, that’s

beauty industry makes a vicious cycle: spend money on

you don’t live up to these beauty standards, well, you don’t Put together with the right environment and the right biological predisposition, what do you have? An eating disorder.”

Shah, who works at an eating disorders and psychiatry lab, explains that environmental pressures, paired with biological preSASHA ATTERBERRY | junior dispositions, can trigger an eating disorder. This

“

have always been: ‘you’re supposed to be a double zero,’” Atterberry said. “Those societal standards have really they may not have the biological component necessary unhealthy tendencies that don’t necessarily result in a medical diagnosis. Traumatic environmental stressors like misogyny, racism and homophobia are lesser-known. For live in a predominantly-white space, body-image and posily-white institutions are more likely to have restrictive eating habits,” Shah said. “At predominantly black instisociocultural model, where they’re not as exposed to these

it’s this, and you’re still not where we want you to be. I was still being told that I wasn’t beauthere was still something wrong with me. I mean, I would go to the store and

uinely thought that was it. People thought I was just going I was really just mentally ill.” a patriarchal society and hypermasculine environments, physical violence. took heteronormativity very seriously,” Biedenstein said. have woken up dead.”

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logical racism, misogyny, heteronormativity and numerous p

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

05.10.21

15

STOPPING STANDARDS

I

ABBEY CARRICO in-depth staff

“

Sebastian Hwang said. Back in

p

illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG

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IN-DEPTH

PRETTY

Ladue students and pageant queens shar SPREAD DESIGN BY LUCY LOCHMOELLER

BATTLE OF THE BEAUTY

S

hining lights. Tight dress. High heels. Thick makeup. And a panel of judges marking down

has a long list of beauty standards and expectations; beauty pageants make this competition a reality.

Outstanding Teen, began competing in pageants her sophomore year of high school, making her no stranger to this beauty microscope. look set upon you,” Hebron said. “There is an expectation placed upon you to be a perfect, radiant and beautiful from regular society, because you are now a role model for all these young girls.”

Hebron saw society preach the standard of admitted that beauty pageants heighten these beauty “requirements” for competitors.

“As a girl competing in pageants, you are constantly under the scope of society,” Hebron said.

in-depth editor

frustrating, because even within social media, everyone is getting judged.

person of color in the organization,

bit more.”

American. But, being darker skinned

standard pressure within pageantry. public speaking and advocacy. Her school counselor suggested pageants was pleasantly surprised with the love she soon developed for pageants.

“I made it into a platform where I speak up for others in my community,”

serve my community well.”

Prior to her journey in pageants, thought pageants simply judged held on to the fact that beauty goes

pride in it. I love my culture.” stigma and become a role model to young girls who feel as though category of “beauty”. unique, I think it really depends on thinking, ‘oh my gosh, I represent every Indian American and person overwhelmed and psych yourself out. the national stage. Young girls can look at me and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, if an Indian American who barely knew anything about pageants could win a

standards. Pageants allow them to advocate this. Also, seeing the positive side to beauty pageants helps ease the tension of appearing “perfect”. upsetting trend in pageants: a lack of not only create a place for beauty standards to thrive, but also a stigma that “beauty queens” are of one race.

“It was a very clear divide, I was the only person of color competing,”

JUDGED

re their battles through beauty standards LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

LUCY LOCHMOELLER

pageants and making that sisterhood with other girls has really helped me to alleviate that tension and that stress a little bit because you can bond with these girls over the things that you go through together,” Hebron said. p

05.10.21

17

illustration by | DANIELLE ZHANG

PANO PERSPECTIVE The term ‘pretty privilege’ undermines the struggles of women of color

16 out of 19 Panorama staff members agree

W

ith the rise of social media came the popular-

But pretty isn’t inherent to your being, like race or gender, so what is pretty privilege if not fatphobia, colorism, featurism and most of all, white supremacy? tions with the upper class. That is, until the 18th century, when anti-blackness, colonialism and a new obsession with devoting lives to work brought the idea that the “superior” race is productive, and demonstrates self-discipline through exercise, while the “inferior” race lacks the self-control required for thinness. None of this was true, and doctors even panicked at the dangers of starvation and over-exercise, but medical expertise couldn’t hold a candle to the power of social norms.

Like most beauty standards, our standards for beauty directly stem from racism. Thinness — something not dependent on race — became racialized, and for that reason,

Yet the phrase “pretty privilege” doesn’t encapsulate

tier better, but the issue is who we view as pretty and why.

The issue is how beauty became so integral to one’s being.

stomachs, obsession with lighter skin or the appraisal of features deemed “eurocentric”, our standards for beauty

the struggles of white people with those of people of color.

Ethnic features on a person of color are demonized, but when worn by a white face, it suddenly becomes a trend or called “unconventionally attractive”. Those of color don’t have this luxury; they can’t be unconventionally attractive because their beauty is measured by proximity to whiteness. This means people of color grow up not only thinking that they’re not beautiful, but that beauty is the opposite of how they look. So stop saying pretty privilege.

“Pretty” hides the perpetrator. Unlike white privilege or male privilege, which call out the oppressor in the name, “pretty” doesn’t demand accountability. Now, white people can say they too, can struggle with not having privilege because they can be not pretty as well.

But that’s not true. Under our white supremacy, a white person can never be “not pretty” in the way that a person

created by those in power to deem their features superior, and thereby, themselves superior. In fact, research from Duke University found that with appearance constant, just the suggestion that an African American person is mixed increases their perceived attractiveness.

exclude and oppress. A white person who “isn’t pretty” can still be viewed as a multifaceted individual, but for people of color, “pretty” becomes a prerequisite for humanity.

Stop saying pretty privilege, and start calling it for what it is: white privilege. 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 p as original intent remains unaltered.

18

OPINIONS

SPREAD DESIGN BY CAROLINE EDGAR

FINAL FOCUS

Finals are necessary for a successful school year BRYSON LIANG

required to review a semester’s or

F

short amount of time. And in order

staff writer

THE UNITED STATES’S REPORT CARD The average grades in the U.S.

3.38 GPA

week is dreaded and stressed over. The pressure of taking

time causes students to go into a

necessary because they prepare

SOURCE: INSIDE HIGHER ED

20.7 ACT score SOURCE: ACT

89%

of Missouri high school students graduate SOURCE: NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

1059 SAT score SOURCE: SAT

illustration by | CAROLINE EDGAR LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

have to go through months worth of By putting students under pressure,

over the semester. Throughout the tests, quizzes and do projects to show their understanding of a topic.

These assignments track and assess a student’s progress over the course of the end of the semester is not needed

It goes without saying that cramming of stress on the brain. When the brain are increased. Even though these

hard and persevere through harsh and even unfair conditions. By

student. By studying and reviewing a units and achieve a comprehensive understanding of the subject. And of the subject, the hard work that students put in through the semester is not gone to waste because they’re of the subject area.

Ladue and they’re there for a reason.

p

HERE AT HOME...

How much finals weigh at Ladue

At most, teachers have made their class’s final exam worth

20%

A!

05.10.21

19

TARIQ LASHLEY opinions staff

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IT’S BLACK AND BLACK AND WHITE A closer look at an insidious, often forgotten form of liberal racism

illustration by | SOPHIA LIU

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OPINIONS

SPREAD DESIGN BY TARIQ LASHLEY | ANNIE PAN

SAFETY OVER TRAVELING

Traveling internationally this summer should be prevented for safety concerns ANNIE PAN web editor

W

ithin minutes of scrolling through my Instagram feed, I’m barraged with posts: one student is spending time with his family in Brazil while another is enjoying the relaxing beaches in Spain. As summer approaches, students around the country prepare for traveling, throwing the idea of safety into the back of their minds.

Yet while some may choose to stay in the comfort of their home and away from potential danger, others will face the threat of COVID-19 all for the sake of a little bit of fun.

With the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, such as Moderna and with being locked up inside the returning to our normal lives, where

we could see the full faces of people we talked to instead of simply just masks. Yet, I was wrong.

Despite a few months passing since the release of the COVID-19 vaccines, we still don’t have a single cure that guarantees 100 percent immunity against the disease.

In other words, everyone is still susceptible to being infected. But to make matters worse, COVID-19 has begun to mutate.

Developing ways to both increase its infection rate and resist antibodies, various COVID-19 strains around the world have evolved to cause more chaos. In India, the new COVID-19 variant has caused cases to skyrocket.

Nicknamed the “the double mutant” variant, India has become a hotspot for COVID-19 infections. In Brazil and South Africa, vaccines become less resistant as a mutation, known as the “escape mutation,” helps the disease easily evade our immune system’s defense. Through

WHOSE BEEN FULLY n by | NICOLE G OR tratio VACCINATED? RE illus L

traveling to locations like these, or simply visiting a place with people who potentially have, we will risk bringing these strains back to our community and loved ones.

With our generation becoming more ignorant of others, we need to take a step back to become more selfWe need to ask ourselves if traveling to another country to have fun for a few weeks is really worth the risk of bringing back mutated strains to our community, infecting and killing the people around us.

As a society, we need to take into consideration the elderly and toddlers that would face the consequences of our actions. Is a few hours, days or even months worth of enjoyment really worth the risks? Because at the end of the day, we need to wonder if your life and the lives of many others are really only worth a few pictures to post on Instagram for the sake of bragging — my answer is simple: no. p

5.8% of Russia

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33% of U.S.

0.7% of South Africa

0.3% of Iran

2.3% of India Source: New York Times

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

05.10.21

21

Till Eulenspiegel

The Conference I Did Not Give

The Little Prince

Best German Story

Best Spanish Story

Best French Story

HANSIKA SAKSHI staff writer

German folklore of a towns fool, Till Eulenspiegel, playing immature pranks on people he meets seems like an amusing tale. From exposing his behind to the townspeople while riding a horse to cutting a hole in spew either purely out of mischief or for his personal gain. His last name, Eulenspiegel, most literally translates to “owl mirror” and has means “wise mirror.” We follow his antics from his birth to eventual death when another prank including the progression of the story, we start to realize that as his name suggests, he is truly a mirror of the people, and his pranks represent the grave shortcomings of society. He shows the people who they become when inadequacies without blarney. I thought the book was insightful and causes the reader to reconsider their role in society. This entertaining book approaches serious topics in a lighthearted, enjoyable manner.

JOANNE SUNG

Amongst stories of spaceships, spousal manipulation and fruitbased metaphors, the tale of a professor spending the night in a haunted mansion stands out more than any other. In this quick read, a professor travels to Rhode Island for an educational presentation and stays in a historical mansion — one

Maybe it’s because I’ve never watched

murder. Once night fell, the phantom of Colonel Greene, a man who was killed in that mansion years before, woke the professor from his slumber.

In the morning, the professor wrote

young to understand or enjoy SaintExupéry’s philosophies. Recently, however, as we began tackling Le Petit Prince in French, I reopened the English version expecting the same whimsy and emotion I encountered in class, only to be met with a lukewarm feeling once again. So sure, even in English, you’ll still be able to follow a little prince’s journey through various planets and still catch some of the philosophies regarding love and happiness. But, if you also want to smile at a rose’s witty jokes, marvel at a fox’s eloquence and cry along with a distressed young prince, then grab a copy of this book en français, some snacks and a English to French dictionary (by which I mean your nearest Google Translate).

a&e editor

were missing. Without his dentures, the professor could not give his presentation, hence the title of the story. When I picture the professor up on stage unable to give his presentation, I laugh, but at the same time wonder where his false teeth are.

Is the phantom of Colonel Greene real, or did the professor, spooked by a nightmare, just misplace his false teeth? Personally, I think that Colonel Greene is somewhere roaming the halls of his mansion with a new set of pearly whites.

Colonel Greene

a&e editor

dramedy, maybe it’s because I’ve been blinded by the convenience of Google Translate, but prior to reading this novella in its original form, I had never realized how much could truly be lost in translation. I own an English copy of this book

Little Prince

tration illus E NN OA by | J

Till Eulenspiegel

CLAYTON COUGHLIN

NG SU

LONG STORY SHORT

Reviewing the best stories from three of the language departments at Ladue

22

A&E

SPREAD DESIGN BY CLAYTON COUGHLIN | KANISHK SHANMUGAM

LACKLUSTER LOGOS

An unqualified opinion on recently redesigned minimalistic logos KANISHK SHANMUGAM a&e staff

Imagine the Sistine Chapel’s famous murals painted minimalistically, with thick dark lines instead of the

enjoy the attractiveness of art with lesser detail, and it is very popular among the youth, who tend to have lower attention

complex geometric styles replaced with shapes that

argue that minimalism destroys the creativity of design and points, the age of minimalism still proves distinctly vogue in logo design and has led many companies and organizations

tiful “The Creation of Adam’’ with its colorful, fresco posite sides, single-colored and dot-like eyes express-

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simplistic. However, some of these modern logo redesigns are

TWO SIGNIFICANT REDESIGNS

Firefox gets a 4/5 a clean look with minimal colors, the signature fox’s

where the previously majestic animal doesn’t even have

Personally, I think that this makes the logo appear

2005

2019

2/5

smell of grandma’s homely kitchen. However, the nostalgia is lost in their new logo, which was changed to just the letters,

clown-like look is frankly a little creepy.

1994

2015

photos courtesy of IHOP® and Mozilla Firefox

LADUE’S LOGO CHANGE a 4.5/5 logo like the ram’s fur. Making the ram less realistic gives the logo a straight-

OLD

dent. Plus, it looks like the new one uses less ink to print!

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

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NEW 05.10.21

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HOW TO:

photo by | MARISSA MATHIESON

Must-Haves

PICNIC

hand-sanitizer

basket sunscreen

utensils trash bag

Pick a time & place

bug spray

Check the weather Pack...

- Activities - Food & drinks - Essentials cutting board

Enjoy!

Picnic Pastimes

Prime Picnic Places herman park

stacy park

football

shaw park

books

forest park

frisbee

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A&E

playing cards

tilles park

SPREAD DESIGN BY CLAYTON COUGHLIN & JOANNE SUNG

Bon Appétit SALAD

CHIPS & DIP Chatting with friends is a must at picnics, and chips combine the versatility to both chat and dip. There’s also a dip for everyone, making this universally appetizing.

SANDWICH Every meal needs sustenance, including those in picnics. Enter your main course: a hungry-crushing sandwich that’s easy to pack and easy to eat.

FRUIT Whether eaten as a quick substitute for dessert or munched on as a snack, fruit will forever remain a picnic staple.

DESSERT To satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth, dessert is a must. Easy desserts on the go could consist of cookies — either baked beforehand, or store bought such as Milanos or Thin Mints.

Do not forget a cooler. With great food comes great thirst and drinks must be there to vanquish it.

DRINKS

When spending the day under the sun, nothing will better spark your appetite than a chilled handchopped salad.

The Forecast Factor 90

hope it rains pray for a breeze

80 sit back & relax 60 parka up 40 bring snow shoes 0

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

05.10.21

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ES Note: this I G T I N I E V I K H T CT AN A R list is neither definitive R E E V I M T I M nor exhaustive of every single DEFIN OSSIBLE SU activity that can be done in the summer P L L OF A JOANNE SUNG a&e editor

2. Go camping

1. Visit an outdoor market

3. Watch a movie outside

4. Swim

5. Go on a road trip 6. Catch fireflies/fish

7. Go on a hike illustration by | JOANNE SUN G

26

A&E | HEALTH & SPORTS

SPREAD DESIGN BY JOANNE SUNG | SOPHIA LIU

LEFT: Kingsley Eastman, Rian Cooper and Madeline Gladson stand together on the soccer field.

They are the only freshmen on the girl’s varsity soccer team. “Coach Aronberg puts us wherever he needs someone,” Cooper said. “I’m more of an offensive player whereas Kingsley and Madeline are more defensive players.” (Photo by Grace Hensley)

FRESHMEN ON FIRE Three freshmen shine on girl’s varsity soccer team

CARLY WOODHILL health & sports staff

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hen freshmen Rian Cooper, Kingsley Eastman and Madeline Gladson tried out for the girls varsity soccer team, they shared a unique kinship: they were some of the youngest players present.

“Tryouts was one of the more nervewracking things I’ve done,” Eastman said. “You get there knowing no one and there are all these seniors and you’re like ‘oh my god, this is terrifying.’”

All of the girls agreed on one thing: tryouts was an intimidating experience. However, all of their anxieties with the rest of the team.

Sophomores are close. Juniors are close. Seniors are close. It’s like a family.”

All three girls have played soccer for over ten years, Making varsity as a freshman is a major step in showing work to get to where they are.

“It’s a good feeling to know that I can play at a higher level with other age groups,” Gladson said. “Playing on varsity showed that I’ve improved since I reached a goal that I’ve wanted to reach since middle school.” the reasons why the girls were selected for the team LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

freshmen around to where the team needs a player; this “We had a drill a few days ago and I said ‘just get in groups of three’ and those three freshman got in a group,” were just so [good].”

gral role to the team’s success. In fact, during a game with winning goal.

Aside from their soccer skills, the freshmen also conseason, the girls have developed a fun-loving spirit.

“I’ll come to practice and they’re doing weird dances to the team which is so much fun.”

It might seem like the freshmen have reached the apex none of them intend on slowing down. They have set their sights on future seasons to improve their playing skills and technique.

“I want to say that we won districts and went to state,” Gladson said. “I want to work on my touch and all the

it personally.”

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05.10.21

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SEE YOU ON THE

COURTS

ABOVE: Sophomore Nathan Chan positions himself for a serve. He is the number one seed. “I love tennis because it’s very independent,” Chan said.

(Photo by Sophia Liu)

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HEALTH & SPORTS

SPREAD DESIGN BY SOPHIA LIU

Sophomore Nathan Chan seeded number one on boys varsity tennis EMMI WALKER

Chan has moved into the 16 and under age group, he is ranked in the top 20. He hopes to continue working to improve his ranking. out looking at all the tournaments and seeing what that he was good.”

Chan trains at The Academy in Creve Coeur where he practices with trainers and other players.

On a usual school day, Chan plays two and a half hours of tennis and trains in the gym at least once a day. Furthermore, on weekends, he continues his gym routine and also partakes in practice matches against other players and lessons with his coach.

All of this practice helps Chan prepare for monthly or bi-monthly tournaments. where you actually have a team consisting of players in your area and you play against other areas.

The tournament lasts for about a week with one match a day so you have a lot of time to hang out with your friends.” with fellow sophomore and varsity player Amit

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

his goal for the team is to win a state championship. said. “You have to overcome a lot of adversity and involve a lot of problem solving.” p

HOT SHOT Statistics about Chan’s tennis experience ev

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Chan have developed a camaraderie over the years

mid April, making him unable to practice with his team at the same rigor as before. Although Chan cannot play regularly on the courts and compete against other players and teams, Chan receives support from his teammates.

“The teammates always check up with him on how he is feeling and how his physical therapy is pro-

d

tournament six years ago and now they both train together at the The Academy, practicing together

has been going to physical therapy twice a week.

Chan continues to go to practice, though, where he works on stretches for rehabilitating his hip.

C

along with her.”

While Chan played in the 14 and under age

me to see all the matches that closely; [Nathan] lets me know what is going on.”

C

S

hoes squeaking against the tennis court, the slap of the ball bouncing against the clay court and the whoosh of the racket slicing through air, Nathan Chan is all too familiar with these sounds. Only a sophomore, Chan has already climbed the ranks and is the number one player on the boys varsity tennis team.

“My mom got me started,” Chan said. “She was

Moreover, Chan has developed a close relationship with the other ten boys on the team. Chan helps lead the team by motivating his teammates and supporting them. “[Nathan is] like the extra support to our team out-

Pr

health & sports staff

05.10.21

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ABOVE: Freshman MJ Bezzant embraces a teamate during a water polo game. She has been playing water polo since summer of 2020.

“I love how competitive and exciting the games are,” Bezzant said. (Photo by Ginger Schulte) LEFT: Candice Vorbeck coaches the team during a match against Oakville High School. This is her first season coaching the team. “I like to have a focus for my practices and incorporate it into drills,” Vorbeck said. (Photo by Ginger Schulte)

MAKING WAVES Ladue initiates the first ever all girls water polo team DEVANSHU PANDEY staff writer

T

he referee blows the whistle, calling a foul and turning the ball possession to the opposing team.

Players swim rapidly as a ball is passed across the length of the pool. All of a sudden, a player rises out of the water for a catch and skid-shoots the bright yellow ball straight into the goal. The fast-paced sport of water polo has grown in popularity, especially since the creLouis area, the sport was coed, meaning boys and girls competed against each other for playing time. However, ing to gain recognition at the high school level, making the need for a separate girls team obvious. As a result, Ladue has joined the Marquette, Oakville, Parkway and Lafayette school districts in forming an all girls water polo league.

“We saw the fact that the girls were not being developed in the same way as the boys, because they would start out as junior varsity players, and they’d be very good,” head water polo coach Micheal Clay said. “Then, when [the girls] moved up to varsity, the boys would bench.”

Coaches were right. Not only did the separation of

30

HEALTH & SPORTS

sport and gave way for many new players. The creation of an all girls team has inspired players who were initially intimidated to partake in water polo.

“I probably wouldn’t have done water polo if I was playticed with the junior varsity boys before and they have the to be going up against them.”

In contrast to previous seasons, players on the girls skills in the water. Now, players who were previously overlooked take charge of the games and score goals. Moreover, players who are new to the game don’t stay benched all season.

“People who are less experienced get to play more now,” senior Vivian Marsters said. “I remember with the [coed] junior varsity and varsity, girls weren’t put in very get a ton of exposure and they all get to play equally.”

With the addition of a new girls team, Ladue needed a new coach for the all girls water polo team. Clay spends most of his time with the varsity boys team and coach Jacob Jagodzinski helps the junior varsity boys. According to Clay, it was a stroke of luck that led Candice Vorbeck to coach the all girls water polo team. out and said she’d like to come help out and be around. I immediately just asked, ‘do you want to coach at Ladue?’

When she applied, I realized very quickly how talented SPREAD DESIGN BY SOPHIA LIU

she was. We got very lucky to have her sort of just fall into our school.”

As the head coach of the girls team, Vorbeck runs practice for the girls and is always at the games. Players say that Vorbeck has played an integral role in helping the “During games, coach Vorbeck is there talking to us, letting us know what we need to work on,” Marsters said.

“Sometimes she’ll call [a] timeout and give us tips on what we’re doing and what we need to pick up on. She also videotapes us so we can go through [the gameplay] later.”

Even though there are separated teams, the girls team, junior varsity team and varsity team still practice together.

This has allowed the teams to grow together.

“We usually start practicing with everybody in the pool, junior varsity, varsity and girls, for warm-ups,” Marsters said. “Then we start to split up a little bit more and become individualized. Sometimes it’s junior varsity with girls, varsity with girls or even all three of those are split ing and a lot of drills.”

Furthermore, the coaches still let some girls get a chance to play in coed junior varsity and varsity games.

This helps them build experience and contribute to more of the program.

“We have the ability to say that a girl can play in a full girls game and still play with junior varsity or

varsity without a game or quarter regulation,” Clay said.

“So, playing in a full varsity game and a full girls game is like playing in two leagues at the same time.” has already won several games. According to Vorbeck, the team’s most memorable game by far has been against ter, the girls were losing two to four. However, as the game neared to a close and the pressure heightened, the girls

North, and not just because we won,” Vorbeck said. “Looking back, it was an awesome moment because a lot of the girls could actually implement things that they’ve been learning and see it go into action.” coaches believe that girls water polo will keep growing.

They think more schools in the area will jump on board and help legitimize the girls league.

“I would bet next year we’ll have ten schools,” Clay said.

“And if I look ten years into the future, I think there will be more girls than boys teams. I really think it’s going to expand that much.” p

Women’s ball 21.3 cm

POLO PLAY

Men’s ball 22.6 cm

quarters in a game

2m area

Midline

Offside zone

Head cap Equipped with a headguard to avoid concussions

Support the team on Instagram @laduegirlswopo

minutes per quarter

Sources: athletics.net, USA Waterpolo

photo by | GINGER SCHULTE

Water polo equipment and game structure

4 8

Weight 400-450 grams

Ear protectors Protect the player against ear ruptures Mouth guard Absorb impact if player bites down or gets hit

5m area

Penalty zone

GOAL

Men’s pool length: 30m

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

illustration by | SOPHIA LIU

Women’s pool length: 25m

GOAL

6 outfielders

1 goalie

05.10.21

31

Cashier: Lucy

May 10, 2021 9:55 a.m

pano rama

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