Panorama May 2025 by Ladue Publications

Going Overboard

PG. 12-14

Ladue students drown themselves in work to meet external and internal expectations

Editors’ Note

As spring rolled in, you might have noticed a buzz in the halls, a certain anxiety. It’s AP Exam season, finals season, college season, and the weight of the future — the pressure of school — always seems a little heavier this time of year. College applications grow more and more competitive; taking challenging classes, volunteering, taking leadership roles and pursuing extracurriculars to the extremes is becoming more of an expectation than extraordinary.

Come May, conversations about burnout and exhaustion from school are inevitable. That is why we’ve chosen this issue’s in-depth to cover academic culture at Ladue — and dissect how it’s come to suffocate our students, while our editorial tackles the glorification of burnout.

Read on for coverage of changes to the ACT’s format, a feature on a new podcast hosted by our very own AP United States History teachers and tips on how to stay healthy in the incoming heat. Elsewhere, we catch up on clubs and concerts, two staffers ride and dine at Six Flags and our sports section highlights a rising star in volleyball.

With summer on the horizon, it’s our last publication of the year, so on behalf of the Ladue Publications staff — thank you for your support. We hope you enjoy reading.

Panorama Staf

MANAGING EDITOR IN CHIEF

Madeline Awad

DESIGN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Celina Zhou

COPY EDITORS IN CHIEF

Grace Kweon

Josh Devine

ART EDITOR IN CHIEF

Fiona Van Allen

PHOTO EDITOR IN CHIEF

Vincent Hsiao

NEWS STAFF

Marie Demkovitch

Amelie Lock

Jane Schefel

FEATURES STAFF

Annabelle Reagan

Tiya Kaul

Katie Jansen

IN-DEPTH STAFF

Ira Rodrigues

Isaac Zelinske

Loukya Gillella

OPINIONS STAFF

Max Karsh

Nina Ye

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT STAFF

Aaron Lin

Nora Brunnquell

Medha Chode

Adela Gingrich

HEALTH & SPORTS STAFF

Mason Eastman

Vicky Derdoy

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

LIAISON

Ishaan Pandey

COLUMNIST

Frank Chen

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Elena Bollman

Risa Fingerman

ARTISTS

Nina Ye

WEB EDITORS IN CHIEF

Josh Devine

Madeline Awad

WEB STAFF

Madeline Fong

Nathan King

Cindy Liu

Josie Stout

Meg Myckatyn

ID EDITORS IN CHEIF

Sylvia Hanes

Maya Mathew

Ella Braig

ID STAFF

Celina Zhou

Josie Stout

Meg Myckatyn

Emily Pan

ADVISERS

Sarah Kirksey

Abigail Eisenberg

CREDITS: Editor’s photo by Vincent Hsiao. Front cover design by Ira Rodrigues. Front and back cover photo illustrations by Vincent

Corrections: April Issue, page 34. “Fauci University” should be “Fontbonne University.”

Hsiao. Back cover design by Ira Rodrigues.

Josh Devine Madeline Awad Grace Kweon Celina Zhou

Scan to view Ladue Publications’ Editorial Policy

Celina Zhou

News to Know

Ozone Layer Simulation

Environmental Science students study ozone depletion

ABOVE: Audrey Rickard (11), Sabra Fink (11), Joanna Harkonen (11) and Risa Fingerman (11) assemble marshmallows and toothpicks to simulate ozone depletion in the atmosphere. April 21 and April 22 AP Environmental Science participated in a lab which simulated ozone depletion with marshmallows, toothpicks and chalk. The purpose of the activity was to show how certain formations of ozone in the stratosphere can alter the state of the ozone layer. “It was really fun to simulate the oxygen and [chlorofuorocarbons] with marshmallows and sticks,” Rickard said. “It helped us learn about the issues in our stratosphere, [such as] the hole in our ozone layer.”

(Photo by Marie Demkovitch)

LEFT: Treble choir performs the song “Spes”. This was the last of three songs that treble choir sang, leading up to a shared performance between all choir. “I like to perform because it helps people express themselves,” Nialye’ Dunn (9) said. (Photos Courtesy of Marteana Davidson)

Choir Concert

High school and middle school choir perform May 8 for their annual spring concert

By Marie Demkovitch

Staf

The spring choir concert was held May 8 in the Performing Arts Center, consisting of high school and middle school performances.

“It’s everything that we’ve been working on since the beginning of the semester, and a little bit of last semester too, after our fall concert,” Jayden Hayes (11) said. “I like displaying the talents that we’ve gained.”

Rams Around the World

Ladue Student Inclusion Comittee (DEIA) hosts Rams Around the World

April 23

RIGHT: Aston Liang (9) performs a Kung Fu spear form. The DEIA club organized the event for performers and arranged for food to brought by local businesses. “I enjoyed the diverse selection of foods from around the world,” Liang said.

TOP LEFT: Dorian Bunic (11) tends the Croatia booth. Students and parents signed up to prepare booths representing their countries. “I like [getting to know people from school] a bit better and where they’re from,” Bunic said.

BOTTOM LEFT: Seph Zhu (10) displays a fying dragon dance. This was part of the stage performances. “I enjoyed experiencing the authentic cuisines of diverse nations,” Zhu said. (Photos by Elena Bollman)

The middle and high school choirs each sang their own repertoires and ended with a joint performance of Times They Are a-Changin’ and Baba Yetu. The concert started at 7 p.m., and the high school choir was last to perform after the middle school choir.

“Performing is good for just hanging out with everybody, and then the feeling of performing,” Hayes said. “It feels good because we just showed everybody how well we like to perform and how hard we’ve been working.”

Key events in the months of April and May P

Student Visa Revocations

Visa revocations for international students threaten education at all levels

By Amelie Lock

Staf

There are many reasons why students from around the world set their sights on the United States, including the Ivy League dream, the promise of opportunity and the proximity to better opportunities. According to Georgetown University, the United States currently hosts 1.1 million international students, but in the early months of 2025, many of these students have had their dream of attending college jeopardized or stripped away completely. The uptick in visa revocation poses a threat for international students and immigrants with legal status at all levels.

“If [International students] stop attending, the colleges and the country lose out on the value of having a diverse population.”

Chad Sisk College and Career counselor

After thousands of students reported being informed by email that that they must face depor -

tation early this year, the Trump administration backed down in late April, restoring legal status for many international students but warning of withdrawals to come. The idea of the revocation of a visa for legal students can lead to deterrence from college attendance. According the American Immigration Lawyers Association, 4,700 students have been removed from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Visitor Information System, one of many policies that could have a lasting impact on the current education system.

“Fear may mean that [international students] choose not to attend colleges in the US,” Chad Sisk, college and career counselor at Ladue Horton Watkins High School said.

Even for students that reside on a visa and green card in the U.S., the process of deciding which university to attend or whether to attend at all can be altered by the new policies.

“Immigration is inherently a deeply stressful and emotionally taxing process, regardless of the prevailing political climate,” Katerina Barquet Stege, attorney at Barquet Stege Immigration law said. “A visa denial can have

LEGISLATION STATION

devastating consequences forcing families to uproot their lives and return to a country where they may no longer have connections or stability available to them.”

Government officials are taking numerous aims in their attempt to remove students on visas from campus, specifically targeting those who have participated in on-campus protests and sometimes forcibly removing people from their homes. Residents of areas near a university have witnessed such altercations.

March 2025

Uptick in revocations for minor infractions such as trafc violations.

March 6, 2025

AI-driven initiative meant to search student’s social media for anything hateful implemented.

March 7, 2025

The Trump Administration announces the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants for Columbia University over concerns related to on-campus protests.

March 21, 2025

Columbia University agrees to policy changes in order to maintain their federal funding.

April 15, 2025

The Trump Administration freezes Harvard’s federal funding in $2.2 billion in grants after the University’s refusal to comply with his policy changes.

April 25, 2025

After hundreds of lawsuits began to circulate, ICE announced it would restore legal status while devising new methods of revocation.

“Our organization is across from Columbia University, and we witnessed the student demonstrations in the spring of last year and the fall of this year,” Reverend Paul Fleck, Executive Director of Immigration Law & Justice New York said. “I’m concerned about the way Columbia University has behaved [and] I’m very concerned about the way our government has behaved. These students, who have every right to protest, should be afforded due process.”

After the rate of lawsuits against the stripping of legal status for international students began to pile up in court, the U.S. government announced that ICE will be re-evaluating how student government records are terminated. This uncertainty among students on visas over what their educational future may look like leaves students in fear of disrupted education and the collapse of their long-term plans.

“This shift [in revocations] follows a series of legal challenges regarding ICE’s termination of students’ legal statuses, many based on minor infractions or outdated records,” Barquet Stege said. “Visa revocation does not offer the same due process as other legal proceedings. [...] The process lacks the procedural safeguards associated with due process in other areas of law.”

How would you prepare diferently for the new version of the ACT?

“I would take more online tests instead of the regular paper test. I would also practice my timing on the [digital test].”

Riana

Maganty (10)

“I would focus on studying for English becuase I would need to counterbalance the lack of science by getting a higher English score.”

Benjamin Reiser (11)

“Since they’re making the time longer and less questions [I would] prepare for higher difculty questions.”

Hotaru Murashita

Time for Change

ACT shifts to an optional science section and overall fewer questions

By Jane Schefel

Staf

Starting in April the digital version of the ACT will give students fewer questions and make the science section optional. These changes will be implemented on the paper test starting in September.

“[The science portion is] frankly not much about science, it’s about understanding and interpreting data and graphs,” college and career advisor Chad Sisk said. “ACT says they are changing to ‘allow for greater flexibility while maintaining the accuracy and reliability colleges rely on.’”

Brett Kleitz, owner of Kleitz Education Group, a tutoring company that helps students prepare for exams, explains three other reasons for the new changes.

“Number one, it’s more cost effective for them to give digital tests than paper tests,” Kleitz said. “Number two, the test will be an hour shorter, so students appreciate taking a test that’s only two hours instead of three. Number three, they’re going to make

the science section optional because that’s a difference between the SAT and ACT. ACT has science and SAT doesn’t, so they think by making science optional they can better compete with SAT.”

It is not common for the ACT to change. The last change to the ACT was the addition of the writing section, which most colleges do not require.

“The version of the test that exists today is similar to the version of the test I took when I took the test back in 1988,” Kleitz said. “This is the first really big revision of the test in 40 years.”

Colleges have not made many announcements on how their application requirements will change. Around 50 schools have announced they will not require the science section.

“The biggest issue I see with current juniors (Class of 2026) is knowing which schools will require the science portion and which won’t,” Sisk said.

Sisk and the other College and Career Advisor at the high school, Diana Redden, recommend students take the science portion.

“While I’ve been at Ladue, the test hasn’t changed, but in my time as a college admissions professional the biggest change was the addition of the optional writing portion.”

Chad Sisk College and Career Advisor

“From our perspective, Mrs. Redden and I are largely going to encourage students to take the exam with the science portion, at least until we see how it plays out over the next year or so,” Sisk said. “I’ll be curious if there are significant score increases for students who decide not to take the science portion.”

The requirement of the science section is not the only uncertainty that could impact students. It is still unknown if schools will allow for super scoring, the combination of one’s best scores regardless of test date, to continue with the new version of the ACT. Kleitz recommends that students still stick with taking the paper test until there’s more information on the digital changes.

“Historically, every time a test moves to computer based the first year student scores are little lower than you’d expect because there’s not enough materials to practice with and it’s a new, unfamiliar system,” Kleitz said. “It’s just easier to do the reading section and the math section on paper and pencil.”

(10) P

Vacation Vocations

By Tiya Kaul

Staf

Betina Hirsch

At around 8 am on a summer morning, Betina Hirsch (10) arrives at the John Burroughs’ Burr Oak Camp, keen to engage in the various activities with the young and enthusiastic campers.

“[I] get the kids out of the car and get them to their groups, and then [they] just start going to different activities,” Hirsch said. “[The kids can] swim, [they] can do gymnastics, there’s art, sports and so much more.”

As a former Burr Oak alumna, Hirsch aims to provide the campers with the same experience she got at the camp as a child. This is part of the reason she adores her summer job as a counselor.

What are your plans for summer jobs?

Ladue students Betina Hirsch (10) and Miles Grossman (11) manage employment during summer break

“I’ve always been a camper there since I was in first grade, and I just really enjoyed it,” Hirsch said.

Hirsch believes that the talents of camp members are spotlighted during the camp’s planned activities.

“We had a dance class, and then we would perform at the end of the session,” Hirsch said.

Not only this, but Hirsch finds the camp environment and spending time with the campers.

“It’s a nice campus, and there are good facilities,” Hirsch said. “I think it’s fun to meet all these new people and the campers.”

“I’m working as a

“I’m

Miles

Grossman

“Be on the lookout” may just be a common phrase for most, but for Miles Grossman (11), this simple expression is the embodiment of his job. Grossman has always had a passion for aquatic sports, which is why he was drawn to becoming a lifeguard over the summer.

“A lot of people from Ladue work there, and it seemed like a good use of my experience with water polo and swimming,” Grossman said.

Grossman’s daily work routine consists of just a few simple steps.

Grossman loves working in the summer because of the pleasant weather and special perks that his job at the Jewish Community Center provides.

“[My favorite part of working is] getting to spend all day in the sun and get in the pool on breaks,” Grossman said. “Also, we get a discount at the concession stand when it’s open.”

Despite aspects of his jobs that can be tiring, Grossman feels it is helpful for his future endeavors.

“We get to keep people safe while having fun, and we get experience with a job,” Grossman said. P P

“[I sit] on stand for an hour, [I’m] on break for an hour, and [that repeats] for usually four hours,” Grossman said.

“I’m working at a restaurant called Fallon’s.”

“I’m

Ashvik Chilakala (10)

going to be tutoring at Sumplicity at St. Charles.”

Mia Chostner (10)

Eric Johnson (9)

mowing lawns and getting some money.”

Sabra Fink (11)

summer camp counselor for Olivette.”

History Out Loud

History teachers create podcast to engage students and adults outside of the classroom

By Annabelle Reagan

Staf

Hands flutter across the computer keyboard as history teacher Zachary Garrison types vigorously. After all of his ideas and content are condensed into a script, he hits send on an email to fellow history teachers Riley Keltner and Mike Hill. Numerous edits later, the script is ready for production. The trio takes it to the podcast studio where they warm their voices, preparing for a 35 minute episode. They discuss topics in American history through storytelling and comedy. Hill adds comical voices to bring the historical figures alive. Keltner edits the audio post

recording, getting the episode ready to drop, creating an Instagram post to announce its release to their followers. This is how

APUSH For All was born.

“APUSH For All is a podcast that tries to accomplish two things,” Garrison said. “One, develop a podcast that aligns with our content, so that our students can have additional resources and stories that they can pull from. Then second, to get people who really like history but don’t have a chance to learn about it anymore because they’re no longer in school to have an outlet to listen and get involved.”

The APUSH For All podcast started as an idea of Garrison, and has developed into a supplement

MORE TO KNOW

600

Total podcast subscribers Instagram followers

1000

for Advanced Placement United States History students as well as a source of entertainment. The podcast has become a way for history to expand outside the classroom with the addition of Keltner and Hill. The name was inspired by its accessibility and the hope to expan their viewership.

CURIOUS?

Scan here to listen to APUSH for All on Spotify

“The goal is to get people interested in history, to learn from the past and to want to do something in the present about injustices that have happened in the past,” Keltner said. “The hope is that we engage people to wonder about American history and [gain] an appreciation for the past about all the work that so many people have put into making this a better nation as we progress forward.”

You can find new episodes once a week on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music. Each episode uses terms, stories and personal anecdotes from the teachers that follow the class’s curriculum.

“When people receive the information outside of a classroom setting it delivers the material in a way that is more conducive to connecting what happened in the 60s for instance, and why that means something to us today,” Hill said. “It allows us to do that in another way that is a little less constrained by the school atmosphere, and for that reason, we love the fact that it’s not just APUSH students that are listening. It’s adults, it’s other students, it’s people not from the Ladue community. We have people that are starting to follow us and that’s exciting.”

While success in the class and on the Advanced Placement exam is one motivating factor of the podcast, the drive to share their love of history underlies each episode. For Keltner, studying history is more than just facts from the past, it provides a blueprint for future reformation in our country.

“I have loved history since I was a kid,” Keltner said. “I love American history in particular because I am proud to be an American. With that said, I still realize and understand that we are an imperfect nation, and we’re all always seeking how [to] create a more perfect union. I’m looking to the past for lessons of how we got here, and how we can be better moving forward.”

The quest for fame is a long one, but these US history teachers are up for the challenge. Regardless of the amount of work the podcast requires, they find the process from start to finish rewarding and satisfactory.

“One of the most rewarding things is spending time with people who I consider more than

colleagues, Dr. Garrison and Mr. Hill,” Keltner said. “But another rewarding thing is a lot of peo ple who I know in my personal life have shown support. People recognize my passion for what I do, and they have shown me so much support. That has been re ally humbling to see and I’m very grateful to everybody who has been listening and said so many great things about it.”

While many of the podcast’s listeners are students looking to supplement the class curriculum, it has also reached an audience of adults, reigniting their love for learning in a non-traditional way.

“Believe it or not, when people get old and boring, they really end up liking history. This is a chance for [adults] to get back into [history] and learn stuf that they may have missed the frst time around.”

Zachary

Garrison

Social Studies Teacher

As the trio works to expand their audience, they hope people of all ages will consider tuning in weekly. As the podcast name outlines, the content is meant for all, not just current history students.

“American history goes beyond the four walls of a classroom, and I want to make sure people understand that,” Hill said. “When [people] think of history, they think about sitting in a classroom, and it either appeals to you or it doesn’t. But this way, it’s knocked down the four walls, and I could be on a road trip somewhere, or in the car, and the family can [listen]. Then they’ll tune in to the next episode.”

ABOVE: Social studies teachers Mike Hill, Riley Keltner and Zachary Garrison prepare to record an episode. The group records and releases a new episode about once a week. “I hope that the legacy of [the podcast] is fun, engaging and informative. “Garrison said. “I think we are trying to [help people learn].”

LEFT: Podcast hosts Mike Hill, Riley Keltner and Zachary Garrison pose in the sound booth. They use the high school’s recording booth for their podcast. “[APUSH] is always a fun class to teach,” Garrison said. “You constantly make connections to what we’re experiencing now, seeing how events from the past can shape our present, and that really makes for a lively class.” (Photos by Vincent Hsiao)

Ladue students drown themselves in work to meet external and internal expectations

Photos by Vincent Hsiao

By Ira Rodrigues & Isaac Zelinske

Staf

It starts slow, almost in nocently. A bad grade on a test, a late assign ment, a project marked incomplete. Emails from colleges that sit unread; backpacks, weighed down by textbooks and increasingly messy notes. One or two days missed from school.

But it builds and builds and builds, a crushing wave of homework and tests, APs and college plans. Sleepless nights become the norm, the future seems unreachable and each day is harder than the last. There’s no time to breathe –just trying to stay afloat is a challenge. The work is infinite, and the end seems impossibly far away.

For many Ladue students, this is the reality: in an endless sea of academic pressure, it’s easy to drown.

e Pressure Point

For many students, academic pressure isn’t new. Most of them have been dealing with it all their lives. Pressure

can come from a variety of sources, whether it be parents, older siblings, comparison or internal expectations.

“I think, especially in Ladue, we have a lot of students that really prioritize academics,” Felix Zhang (10) said. “Every single time there’s competition, people have to raise their standards, and as a result, face more stress. I see a lot of my friends, as a result, really burnt out, depressed and anxiety-ridden because of work at school.”

Even freshmen like Emery Mao (9) have felt overwhelmed by all the work.

“If I mess up my grades, there’s no coming back. The pressure is on to maintain a good GPA because [in] the years after, it’s only gonna get harder and harder.”

Emery Mao (9)

Mao is not the only student who shares this perspective. As focus increasingly shifts to college, maintaining perfect grades can become a stressor.

a big part of the college application process,” Jo Gyawali (11) said. “[Admissions officers] don’t really get to shake your hand or meet you eye to eye. Those numbers do define you. For a second, you are kind of a number, and that is tied to your grades.”

Both external and internal influences can act as points of pressure, making it hard for students to ignore.

“A good amount of [pressure] is parental,” Zhang said. “My parents definitely want me to succeed. But a lot of this [is] internal. People put themselves up to this big job of having to do a lot. It’s you internally that’s saying I need to do this [and] do well. That can pressure you more than any other person.”

Along with balancing schoolwork, many students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to make themselves stand out. The combinations of these activities have further increased students’ anxiety.

“For people who are trying to build portfolios for college, the extracurriculars do take up time,” Aimee Dalton (10) said. “It’s hard to get used to unpredictable amounts of work from the combination of extracurriculars and school.”

One oth er serious force of stress comes from comparison to others. According to Niche.com, Ladue High School ranks as the top public school district in Missouri and the top sixth public school district nationally; it sets high expectations on its students, which only increases the tension.

“Comparing ourselves to others can be dangerous,” Class of 2027 counselor Lauren Fisher said. “[But] the drive from knowing what other people are doing makes us gauge [ourselves]. Every student is unique, has strengths and weaknesses. If we say [that] this person has strengths in all these areas, but we don’t see their weaknesses, it’s never realistic.”

Fire Under Water

With pressure and expectations crushing down, complete collapse can feel imminent. However, teachers are committed to supporting every student.

“If teachers are seeing something [whether it be] a change in

behavior, change in work habits or attendance habits, they can communi cate that with the fam ily,” Class of 2027 as sistant principal Andy Ross said. “That can open up conversations as a whole.”

Conversations about pressure and stress can differ from student to stu dent. However, each one is approached with the stu dent’s best interests in mind.

“I do a lot of individual stress relieving techniques here,” Fisher said. “We offer study time management and study skills during seminars, and we advise students to find appropriate challenges and balance for their success.”

Due to stress becoming rapidly normalized, many students have been forced to develop their own ways to manage the work.

“What works for me is opening my notes app and just creating a to-do list of every single thing I need to get done, [things] like doing the dishes or walking my

MORE TO KNOW

The statistics around academic stress 83% of teens identifed school as a major stressor, with it being named as the most common source of stress for many 75% of high school students consistantly feel stressed by schoolwork 17.5 hours on average spent on homework per week

Sources: 2017 AP Stress Survey, Transforming Education

dogs,” Dalton said. “Creating a list of tasks and then prioritizing them based on how long they’ll take or how important they are really helps me to create a plan so that I don’t feel as overwhelmed.”

Despite these resources, burnout still remains a prevalent issue for students. A study done by the National Library of Medicine found that burnout among high school students surged from 3.8% to 11.4% between 2012 and 2022.

“Last year, by the time of finals, I couldn’t do it anymore,” Gyawali said. “I didn’t give up, but I didn’t try my best. I probably could have tried harder, but I was so tired.”

Burnout begins slowly but can quickly become overwhelming. One task quickly builds to more.

“When a lot of teachers assign homework at the same time and everything overlaps, especially with my extracurriculars, that becomes overbearing and worrisome,” Zhang said. “It’s really easy to get tired and start questioning, ‘what [is] the point of doing all this?’”

Breaking the Surface “

With all the expectations and talk about college and future plans, it can be easy to feel buried under stress. For math teacher Casie Sambo who has watched multiple students go through the college process, the burnout phenomenon is a reflection of the unhealthy college culture that is perpetuated by in the United States education system.

“That super heavy emphasis on college in our U.S. culture, I would say, has pushed students to think that that is the end all, be all, that they all have to go to college,” Sambo said. “That has created a scenario in which you have so many more students applying for college, and colleges have become [more] selective.”

The college game is familiar to Gyawali, who has two older siblings and watched them both navigate their path from high school to higher education. From their experience, she’s formed her own opinions about how necessary academic pressure really is.

“It’s important to me [to go to a good college],” Gyawali said. “I

really want all of the work I did in high school to be paid off, and feel like I really fulfilled something by putting myself through all this stress. But I don’t think having this life-or-death type of pressure on a student is really necessary in terms of academics, because we are teenagers at the end of the day.”

Today, it’s common for students to fixate on college as the only future path. But students should remember that high school is only a transition step on a longer journey.

“I do think students think they need to have it all figured out right now,” Fisher said. “Ten years from now, everybody’s going to realize that their path is [not linear]. There’s going to be so many exciting things that happen along the way that you could never predict right now, and not having it all figured out is okay.”

Although as a sophomore, Zhang still has a few years before he attempts the college application process, he shares Fisher’s perspective that college has become an unhealthy fixation that has gone too far.

Measure the Depths

I think that we have created a world where we’ve overwhelmed some kids and given them not enough tools to manage that and to recognize they’re overwhelmed.”

Casie Sambo Math Teacher

“To some extent I want to [get into a good college], but I don’t think that defines who you are as a person,” Zhang said. “There’s so much more beyond life, beyond college, it’s just one step along the way.”

Navigating the stress and anxiety of high school can be challenging and overwhelming for students. But it’s important to remember that perfection isn’t required, and grades don’t define one’s future. Ultimately, students should prioritize not sacrificing one’s mental health for perceived prestige instead of needlessly taking on pressure.

“I try to advocate for students to take their time and enjoy being a student because you only get to be a kid for so long. Childhood is really precious, and I often wish students weren’t rushing to give that up so quickly,” Sambo said. “Sometimes we can lose track of what we truly love and we think that we have to be the best of everything. There’s value in pushing and challenging ourselves [and] wanting ourselves to do well at everything.” P

The

Tank’s Take

Don’t let elites dictate your moral values

SBy Frank Chen

Columnist

omewhere within Brooklyn’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center, which holds high-profile prisoners such as Sam Bankman-Fried and Sean “Diddy” Combs, lies inmate 52503-511. Better known as Luigi Mangione, he stands accused of assassinating UnitedHealth Group (UHG) CEO Brian Thompson in broad daylight last December. For months after his capture, the trial proceeded normally, even as Mangione became a rallying point for opponents of the health insurance industry.

April 1, however, everything changed. Dissatisfied that New York prosecutors were only seeking a life sentence for Mangione, the Attorney General of the United States issued a directive through the Department of Justice ordering them to seek the death penalty instead.

While it’s not uncommon for murder suspects to face the death penalty, this feels like something else. The system has special reasons to want Mangione dead, and the fake “morals” it always spouts to justify its actions are looking increasingly hollow.

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s directive describes Thompson’s killing as “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” That may be so, but what assassin could possibly be more cold-blooded than the health insurance industry itself?

Research from the Harvard Medical School suggests that nearly

45,000 Americans die every year due to health insurance issues. As America’s largest healthcare conglomerate, UHG is particularlynotorious for unfairly denying care to its customers, often ignoring their own health professionals to do so.

To be clear, Brian Thompson was not personally responsible for this system. I do not believe that he deserved to die. But if Thompson shouldn’t have died, why should Mangione?

This is bigger than just health insurance — the entire system runs on double standards. A normal person caught selling drugs on the street could be imprisoned for years, and yet the billionaire Sackler family, which knowingly marketed highly addictive opioids for decades, walks free. An accountant who embezzles funds from a corporation can be fined and jailed, but the Pentagon can get away with failing seven audits in a row. A single mom on food stamps is a “welfare queen”, but Fortune 500 companies can expect government bailouts whenever the stock market crashes. This system is not natural, and it wasn’t an accident. It was created, and it can be destroyed.

Bondi’s directive continues, almost as an afterthought, that the murder was “an act of political violence.” Personally, I think the “political” part of the violence is what really bothers her. P

Break It Up

Schools should consider splitting up summer break

As we embark on the upcoming 90 day summer break, excitement, anticipation and sighs of relief fill the air. Summer is a great time to make memories and decompress, but, as most of us can attest to after months of sleeping in late, it can also be counterproductive. There exists a large body of evidence in support of this notion. For example, NWEA found that standardized test scores dropped by 20% returning from break. The average teacher spends one month on material from the previous year, according to Education Week. Though some students keep up with their studies, not everyone has the resources to do so. Instead, the time off could be partitioned into smaller breaks throughout the year, damping the effects of summer slide. These breaks have the potential to enhance productivity by giving students time for rest, but not too much time to forget things. Additionally, they could serve as periods for relieving anxiety, lowering the chances of mid-year burnout. Rather than viewing the redistribution of summer break as a plan against student welfare, we should explore its potential to improve retention of material, save time in the classroom and provide students with a healthier schoollife balance. As we enter this upcoming mega-break, we should consider the benefits of academic engagement, so we don’t go down the summer slide. P

Staf

By Max Karsh

Illustration

by Nina Ye

My Name is Nina Ye

...and this is a semi-comprehensive guide on why you should date me

By Nina Ye

Staf

It’s been 16 years, and my current stats are: alive, single and unoccupied. Hopefully

To start things off, I am quite the healthy individual. I shower every day and I get some amount of sleep every night. But above all else is the fact that I’m an avid calisthenics enjoyer. I do 100 pushups every day and I’ll inspire you to do the same, so you’ll be thanking me when you become the embodiment of a Greek god, like me.

Next, I’m also very smart and talented. I’ve written and still continue to procrastinate on essays the night before they’re due, and somehow manage to save my grade. Combine that with my long laundry list of hobbies and you’ve

you’re reading this while being in some kind of similar predicament, because if so, that means we were made for each other! If this doesn’t convince you that I’d be the perfect partner, then the details below surely will.

got an endless amusement park at your disposal. Supplies are limited, so first come first serve!

Most importantly though, I’m emotionally available. I can cheer you up, be it from dumb jokes or those strangely philosophical therapy sessions at 2 a.m. I have real feelings, and I’m not afraid to talk about them. With words. In full sentences. Scary, I know. But not as scary as dying alone, single. So yeah, while you can’t gauge an entire person from a picture and some words, I’ve got decent biceps, intelligence and emotions. What more could you want? P

NINA’S NUMBERS DRIP

MESSAGE RESPONSE TIME JOKES AND CHEERING UP SKILLS

Please note: this entire piece of work is overly-exaggerated and satirical, created purely for humorous, comedic and lighthearted entertainment purposes only. It is not actually meant to be taken seriously. Unless…

Photo by Vincent Hsiao

When burnout becomes glorifed, it’s time to consider what we’re sacrifcing

Walk through our halls and you’ll hear it before you see it — the chorus of sighs, the grumbled complaints about sleepless nights and the half-joking declarations of “I’m basically running on caffeine.”

At first, these remarks sound like a cry for help. But listen closer, and you’ll notice something else: a quiet competition. Exhaustion, it seems, has become a kind of currency - traded not for sympathy, but for validation.

But burnout isn’t the inevitable byproduct of hard work or a couple of tough weeks. The World Health Organization defines burnout as energy depletion, negative feelings towards one’s job and reduced professional efficiency. In other words, burnout is serious — and not something to brag about.

Still, in today’s pressure-cooker environment, burnout has been rebranded as a sign of dedication. Pulling an all-nighter becomes a rite of passage and bragging about getting threehours of sleep becomes a humble flex. The message is clear: if you’re not exhausted, you’re not trying hard enough.

Across the country, students are feeling the strain. College admissions are more competitive than ever, with acceptance rates from top schools dropping into the single digits. A 4.0 GPA, once the golden standard, is now often just the starting point. In this arms race for the per-

SOMETHING TO ADD?

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

fect resume, students pile on AP classes, leadership positions, varsity sports and part-time jobs all while trying to maintain a social life and some semblance of sanity.

Somewhere along the way, self-sacrifice became the norm. Students join clubs for titles, not passion. They take AP classes not out of interest, but out of fear that anything less will make them look lazy. Even hobbies and downtime are judged through the lens of productivity: What skills are you developing, and how can you spin this for your Common App essay?

But the cost is real — and rising. Anxiety, depression and chronic stress are surging among teenagers. Instead of preparing us for adulthood, this culture of constant competition leaves us drained before we even get there. It teaches us that our worth is measured by how much we can endure, not by how thoughtfully or meaningfully we live.

It’s time to question the system we’ve built — and the values we’ve internalized. Hard work and ambition matter, but not at the expense of our health and humanity. We need an environment where balance is respected, where rest is valued and where passion counts more than perfection. This culture of competition isn’t making us stronger — it’s breaking us. Because, in the end, it won’t be the sleepless nights or the overachieving resume that defines us — it will be the lives we build once we finally step beyond these halls.

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

Panorama Perspective

Illustration by Fiona Van Allen

Thrills and Chills

Medha Chode and Adela Gingrich review the ‘fear factor’ of popular rides at Six Flags

As school winds down and temperatures heat up, teens are beginning to plan their summers. What better way to spend a hot day with friends than at one of the top amusement parks in the country? Six Flags has it all: thrilling rides, plentiful dining options, water slides, shops at every corner, and more. Today, Panorama staf have reviewed the some of the top rides and eateries at Six Flags.

1. Log Flume

For those looking to take a break from all the high-intensity roller coasters, this is the ride for you. Each log cart sits three people, and most of the ride is a relaxing drift down the water channel. But it didn’t remain peaceful for long. The sudden drop at the end of the ride drenched me and had me feeling betrayed.

To those hoping to remain dry, I’d advise not sitting in the front; that mistake left me soaked. However, on a hot summer day, the refreshing splash isn’t half bad.

What is the best Six Flags ride?

# of fags indicate fear factor

2. The Boss

I regretted getting on as soon as the ride started and the sound of clunky machinery flled the air. It started of inching up a hill, before racing down a slope. I was terrifed as it sped down the rails, not just because the whole thing felt ready to collapse, but also because I might have permanent brain damage from the aggressive shaking.

I would really not recommend if you don’t like being violently jolted around. It wasn’t my favorite, but because it was scary, I rate it highly on the fear factor scale.

“It’s

“My top two are Mr. Freeze and SkyScreamer.”

Oluwatamisin Falako (10)

“My favorite is probably the SkyScreamer.”

Soumya Prasad (9)

defnitely Batman or Mr. Freeze.” Anthony Zhao (11)

“I think it’s the Pandemonium ride.”

Netra Saravanabalaji (10)

Illustrations

by FionaVan Allen

3. Batman 4. Mr. Freeze

The Batman is diferent from other roller coasters, with hanging seats. This uniqueness established its popularity, and because of this I knew I would have to wait in line. After strapping in, I felt my anticipation building as it crept up an incline. Suddenly it sped up, racing through a disorienting series of loops and twists. It was near impossible to process, but I was defnitely upside down at least once. Walking felt a bit weird after speeding through constant fips and turns. All in all, the exhilarating feeling of wind rushing past as you hang weightlessly in the air leads me to recommend this ride.

Scoop-de-loop

Three main food spots at Six Flags

Friar Tucks

Known for their massive turkey legs, Friar Tucks is a staple Six Flags food stop. It’s unique and something hard to fnd anywhere else. It tasted and smelled amazing which makes it worthwhile to check out on your next Six Flags trip.

Mr. Freeze is deemed one of the scariest roller coasters at Six Flags — and this ride defnitely lives up to its legacy. Once I was buckled in and the ride operators yelled “clear,” I was immediately shot backwards with such speed that I couldn’t even force out a scream. After it few through a series of twisting loops, it skyrocketed up to the very top, and for a split second I was hanging vertically at a terrifying height. Though the experience lasted no more than thirty seconds, I was sure I lost my voice by the time it was over. For the reckless roller coaster lovers, this was a defnite must-ride.

First Cone

First Cone is known for their huge cones and ice cream portions. It immediately drew me in with its sweet smell. Though the line was long, it just showed its popularity, making me excited. This ice cream shop is perfect to grab a cold treat on a hot day.

Chop Six

Chop Six is a popular trademark at Six Flags. Its setup is similar to a Panda Express, though the food is worse. Plus, the portions were tiny, making me regret paying such a high price. I’d recommend avoiding this restaurant.

Illustrations by Medha Chode

Check It Out

Forest Park

This May, Forest Park has several family-friendly events. From May 28 to June 22, Shakespeare in the Park, one of the world’s largest free and outdoor Shakespeare productions, will perform Hamlet in a vibrant outdoor setting. Directed by Shakespeare expert Michael Sexton, audiences can expect a unique, modern take on the classic drama. Further, May 24 to May 26, the St. Louis African Arts Festival will feature music, food and crafts, celebrating the rich culture of African Diaspora.

Festivals and Concerts

Many exciting music events are happening around the city, including the Whitaker Music Festival, which is bringing free evening concerts to Forest Park starting May 28 in a scenic garden setting, while May 31, the Midwest Dreams Music Festival will host popular EDM artists including Diplo and Dom Dolla. For rock fans, the Sessanta tour with Primus, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle comes to Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre May 29. These diverse events ofer are a perfect way to enjoy the start of summer.

In the Spotlight Color and Community

Upcoming arts & entertainment events

Bringing the diversity of Cherokee Street to a wider audience

By Nora Brunquell

Staf

High school students have a reputation of being swamped over the school year: juggling sports, academics and extracurriculars. But when summer rolls around, many teens find it difficult to find both interesting and affordable recreational activities. Festivals always seem like a good answer, but if it doesn’t match their interests, it might not be accessible to students with a set amount of gas money. That’s where Cherokee Street comes in. The district manages to relate to a wide variety of interests, including food, music and art. The street is located in St. Louis and manages to have annual festivals such as the People’s Parade.

“The People’s Parade is a parade like no other,” Summer Roberts, a frequent visitor of Cherokee Street, said. “It’s people who make their own costumes and design and build their own bicycles, and they work together. There’ll be a giant butterfly or other insect that’s made of many people who are kind of traveling together. So that’s one of

my favorite parades, and that happens to be on Cherokee Street.”

The Cherokee Street Community Improvement District (CID) was established to advance cultural, social and economic interest in the community. In order to achieve this, CID supports the many independent businesses — a blend of artists, entrepreneurs, chefs and performers — that help to bring the street to life.

“I think that is one of the things that makes Cherokee Street very rich in the diversity of the types of businesses and artistic venues that you’ll see,” Roberts said. “I don’t think it’s still there, but for a while there was an ice cream shop, and it was a woman who made ice cream cakes that were gory looking. So it’s supporting all the individual businesses. You really get to see a lot of creativity from the people who have their own very unique business.”

For high schoolers looking for something to do this summer, Cherokee Street offers more than just an acessable way to pass the time, whether you’re into indie music, global cuisines or mural-making, Cherokee Street promises a summer packed with adventure. P

Events in the St. Louis Art Scene during late May

Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden, CC BY 2.0

LEFT: Cherokee Street acts as a pop of color in South City. The mural was created by Robert and Liza Fishbone for STL Style House. “One of the things that makes Cherokee Street very rich is the diversity of the types of businesses and artistic venues,” Summer Roberts said. (Photo by Vincent Hsiao)

Photo courtesy of gobucks2, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Sports in Review

Overview of girls lacrosse, girls soccer and Ladue Sports Network

Postseason Ready

Girls Lacrosse refects and prepares for postseason

By Victoria Derdoy

Staf

Girls lacrosse currently holds the highest ranking its program has seen in years, locking in the #4 seed for the state tournament. Coming off a huge 12-10 win to the #2 MICDS Rams and barely falling short to Eureka High School, the defending State Champions, Ladue Girls Lacrosse remains a contender as a top program. The team was given the opportunity to play a top 10 schedule for this season and continues to prove themselves each game. With new competition came new traditions, as varsity assistant coach Rachel Brewer draws a symbol on the back of each player’s left leg before each game.

“Right before the game [Brewer] explains what it means,” Captain Norah Bullock (12) said. “It’s very motivating and gives us something to focus on right before we go out and play.”

LEFT: Yael Sabin (12) looks to score during a lacrosse game April 23. Sabin has been playing lacrosse for 6 years and leads the team in goals. “My teammates are always there for me and make the sport more enjoyable,” Sabin said. (Photo by Risa Fingerman)

Senior night took place May 6 with a 12-1 win against Clayton High School. Goalie Erika Ackerman (12) played attack in the fourth quarter, a position she hadn’t played since her freshman year. Ackerman began playing goalie as a sophomore and has started every game for the Rams since.

“I never thought I would end up being a goalie, but it became the best decision I have made throughout high school,” Ackerman said. “[Playing goalie] has given me the opportunity to meet so many people and make the best memories.”

Although the team has 10 graduating seniors, with lots of returning talent, the future for the program looks bright.

“I’m excited to show off our skills during playoffs,” Bullock said. “I can’t wait for the bigger celebrations when our season is on the line.”

Ladue Sports Network Q+A

Q: What inspired Ladue Sports Network (LSN)?

A: The inspiration came from seeing how much talent we have in our classes in terms of what students were already creating. I was able to see a lot of what college and pro teams are doing and fgured if we have the talent, let’s go ahead and make our own venture out of this and give students that professional experience that they might get down the road here at Ladue.

Golden Standard

Girls soccer currently has a winning record, with multiple different goal scorers across the board. Ayrissa Robinson (10) currently leads the team in scoring, followed by Amerie Williams (9) and Balkis Prothro (12). The team has earned many impressive wins and very few losses so far this season. Each year the seniors vote on a new hashtag to serve as team inspiration, a tradition that Peyton O’Shaughnessy has looked forward to since her freshman year.

“The seniors pick based on what values we want to focus on,” O’Shaughnessy said. “This year our hashtag is #GangofGoats because we have a lot of individual talent, but being able to play together is something that’s really important for us.”

Multimedia Sports teacher Ross Green speaks on new broadcast network

Q: What does LSN aim to provide for Ladue?

A: Wherever Ladue plays, we want to be getting that coverage. We want to provide the Ladue community with a resource for Ladue sports. Like getting to know our athletes, getting to know how talented our students are and being that place where people can see a fnal score, hear from our all-state athletes or anything they want to know about Ram sports.

warms up before his last regular season game against Westminister, May 6. He is inspired to get better each game and continue winning due to his environment. “This school season is the best year that we’ve had ever,” Reiser said. “Every game that we win has just increased our record exponentially. It’s really cool to see the school team winning. So it’s a really good feeling to be around a winning culture, both in school and around club and going into college.”

Soaring Sky-High

Luke Reiser (11) strives to improve the boys volleyball team and win districts

By Ishaan Pandey

Community Engagement Liasion

As the anticipation builds up inside the gym, Luke Reiser (11) pulls out a bag of Skittles, his go-to pregame snack, and begins crunching on them one by one. The sugar rush fuels him, sharpening his focus for the game ahead. This routine ensures he is ready to perform his best on the volleyball court.

This season Reiser is more than just a player — he’s a leader. Standing at the top, he has the crown for most kills (an attack where the opposing team can’t return the ball back) in a game in all of St. Louis, and is also near the top of the leaderboard in other key statistics, including aces (a serve that can’t be returned by the opponents), serve receives (successful receive of the opposing team’s serve) and digs (successful pass of the opponent’s attack).

It’s not just the numbers that makes Reiser a standout player, his relentless work ethic, competitive spirit and leadership have shaped him into a player his

team looks up to. With his eyes on greater heights, Reiser strives to improve the boys volleyball program at Ladue High School.

“For this season, I want to be district champions,” Reiser said. “I want to win a trophy for my school. I want to leave an impact on the program and the school athletically. I don’t know what can happen academically, but athletically, I want to have my name on a banner, and I want to have my team and my year etched into brass.”

First-year head coach David Owens hasn’t known Reiser for long, but immediately recognized the leadership and energy he brings onto the court.

“Luke is one of the best players I’ve coached in my career,” Owens said. “He’s just a natural born leader. He’s helping us a ton, and obviously we wouldn’t be where we are in the season right now without him, and he’s just gonna continue to get better and better.”

While playing volleyball, Reiser feels something he doesn’t feel anywhere else. It’s a unique feeling for him, inspiring him to play.

MORE TO KNOW

Volleyball Statistics

As of May 6 Luke Reiser has

364 kills

46 service aces

170 digs

“I feel free,” Reiser said. “I get to jump high, hit the ball as hard as I want. It’s freeing to be able to do all that and be able to work around a block and things like that. I get that with basketball, but with volleyball, it’s just different. It’s a different kind of sport. It makes me happy every single time that I jump and hit the ball and also celebrate with teammates after I get a good kill or a good block or a good serve or something like that. There’s nothing better, there’s not a better feeling for me in the world.”

361 serve recieves 15 - 6 - 2

Ladue Varsity Record

CURIOUS?

Scan here to view Luke Reiser’s current season stats

While Reiser finds joy in the freedom of the game, his energy is felt just as deeply by his teammates, especially his setter, Naithan Daniels (10).

“My favorite memory is last Friday, the Timberlands game where Luke got 38 kills and my sets were horrible at least five times, and he made them look so pretty,” Daniels said. “He got a kill after every single one of them, which got our team hyped up. He’s just a great, energetic guy and brings the court to life, making the game fun for everyone.”

RIGHT: Luke Reiser (11)

(Photos by Vincent Hsiao)

Healthy in Heat

How to stay safe while exercising in summer conditions

MORE TO KNOW

How many individuals were impacted from heat associated illness?

What to Wear?

At what time and wearing what attire is best for exercising over the summer?

Answer

While it may seem counter-intuitive, wearing lightweight long sleeves may be the easiest way to remedy the hot summer weather. An article written by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that lightweight, light colored and moisture-wicking clothing is ideal for summer. Having these features in your exercise attire can help reduce direct contact to UV rays, which is widely known to lead to sunburn and skin damage. Additonally, this clothing will absorb sweat and aid in regulating body temperature, which minimizes the risk of heat related illness. In an article written by the American Heart Association, the best time to beat the heat is either early morning or late in the evening. Not only will the heat index be signifcantly lower than midday, but the UV index will also be signifcantly reduced.

In 2021 the CDC reported a total of 1600 deaths related to heat illness. What are the benifts of exercising in the summer?

According to Manhattan Cariology, exercising in the summer can boost endurance, vitamin D and mental health.

CURIOUS? Scan here for more on heat illness

Heat Illness?

What are the signs and treatments of heat related illness?

Answer

While conditions are very diferent and range in severity, they often precede each other and can be the frst signs of heat related sickness. According to the CDC, it is common to experience heat cramps when in extreme heat conditions. Firm pressure and slow replenishment of electrolytes can aid the situation. Heat cramps are some of the frst signs of heat exhaustion, which can present itself as fatigue, clammy skin and vomiting. Heat stroke is the most severe of the heat associated illnesses and can appear as confusion, body temperature above 103°F and loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these indicators, get help and relocate to a safe, cool environment. From there, assess the severity of the situation and determine if contacting medical professionals is required.

Sources: American Heart Association, CDC, United States Environmental Protection Agency and Manhattan Cardiology

“

The pressure is insane. You’re sprinting to the end, but the end is never coming. You don’t have time to breathe.

Ladue student

Panorama May 2025

Going Overboard

Editors’ Note

Panorama Staf

Sponsors

Issue

Gold

Silver

Friendly

News to Know

Ozone Layer Simulation

Choir Concert

Rams Around the World

Student Visa Revocations

Visa revocations for international students threaten education at all levels

LEGISLATION STATION

Time for Change

ACT shifts to an optional science section and overall fewer questions

Vacation Vocations

Betina Hirsch

Miles

Grossman

History Out Loud

History teachers create podcast to engage students and adults outside of the classroom

MORE TO KNOW

Fire Under Water

MORE TO KNOW

Breaking the Surface “

Measure the Depths

The

Tank’s Take

Break It Up

Schools should consider splitting up summer break

My Name is Nina Ye

NINA’S NUMBERS DRIP

MESSAGE RESPONSE TIME JOKES AND CHEERING UP SKILLS

SOMETHING TO ADD?

Panorama Perspective

Thrills and Chills

1. Log Flume

2. The Boss

3. Batman 4. Mr. Freeze

Scoop-de-loop

Friar Tucks

First Cone

Chop Six

Check It Out

Forest Park

Festivals and Concerts

In the Spotlight Color and Community

Upcoming arts & entertainment events

Sports in Review

Overview of girls lacrosse, girls soccer and Ladue Sports Network

Postseason Ready

Ladue Sports Network Q+A

Golden Standard

Soaring Sky-High

Healthy in Heat

How to stay safe while exercising in summer conditions

MORE TO KNOW

What to Wear?

Answer

Heat Illness?

Answer