The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

“I’m proud of being a captain of the varsity football team. Ive always wanted to be a really good football player, especially after we win a football game. I dont know what makes football so special to me, but I’ve played it my whole life. Theres just something [special] about being on a football team. Its just not like any other sport. Everyone has to do their part [in being a part of the team]. Theres no one that can be a standout player and just carry a team to victory. Everybody has to be one team. My dad is really important. He knows a lot about football and helps me. He also just keeps me in-check and so I work hard for him. There is a golf tournament fundraiser coming up for him to raise more money.  He has ALS so he is in a wheelchair and its basically just trying to make up money to help [him with his condition]. My friends are also a big part of my life. Theyre just always there for me when I need them. I feel like it [applies] for me too. Whenever I tore my ACL they were so kind to me. It helped me feel better. Last years second game of football season was when I tore my ACL, and now Im totally good. I mean, it definitely had setbacks, but I feel like I came back strong.” - Carson Rakers, 12

Carson Rakers

Juliet Fotheringham, CJ1 Writer December 8, 2023

“Try your hardest and don’t give up. My parents and friends inspire me the most. My friends keep me happy when I’m at school, and outside of school. My parents give me courage to work through problems and they teach me passion [along] with confidence in my life. Theres definitely times when I need them, [but] there are also times when I need one more than the other. A time where I needed them [the] most was when my grandpa died. I needed my friends and family for different moments during that point in my life. I’d say it helped a lot [because] they showed me that they loved and cared for me. I’d like to think [that] I show my friends and family that I [also] care about them. I’m always there if they need to talk to me, and I try to never leave their side [because] you never know what someone is going through. You just have to be patient and [be] positive with people.” - Dylan Davies, 12

Dylan Davies

Alyssa Gessner, CJ1 Writer November 29, 2023

My favorite part of being on the softball team is definitely just having fun with all the girls. It’s so fun talking to them about everything and especially school-wise, because they’re older. So they can kind of help and answer questions because most of them have been in the same position. I would say I look up to all of them. I feel like they [are all] role models for the freshman. I think the hardest thing about playing softball is definitely the mental side of it. Its really hard not to [bring yourself down], but I think you just have to be confident and that will help a lot. When I have a slump, its really difficult to get out of it. The upperclassmen, coaches, and my parents have helped a lot with my [struggles] . I feel like you just have to surround yourself with the right people that will help you. - Kennedy Shea, 9

Kennedy Shea

Rylee Fahs, CJ1 Writer October 20, 2023

“It’s really important for me to be involved in high school, meet new people and try new things. Trying new things is always really hard, and I dont like doing it, but I know that it builds character, and makes trying [new things] later much easier. I knew that I wanted to have a foundation here [at school], get involved, try new things and make friends with people. After COVID, I was still signed up to try out for Color Guard, and I thought, ‘I might as well just go.’ No one goes into [the team] knowing how to do it, so its like a challenge. You have to figure it out and adapt to what youre being asked. I love the team so much, and I love every single person. Id go up to [all of them] at school and Id hang out with any of them.” – Cora Tiemeier, 12

Cora Tiemeier

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer August 24, 2023

“My biggest joys are my family and friends, especially my brother, Miles. [Miles] brings me joy because he is my little brother, and he is a light in my life. [He] is my motivation for a lot of things. I love being around my friends; they make me happy. After school, we hang out or get something to eat and we sit and talk. Thats my favorite thing to do, talk to my friends and be around them. We all support one another with everything that were interested in. Being around my friends brings up my mood whenever Im sad. The people around me are my passion in life.” - Mya Rangel, 11

Mya Rangel

Kate Roland, Staff Writer August 23, 2023

“My favorite place to be is my lake house because I grew up spending my summers there. I go there every summer with my friends and family. Ive made a lot of friends that also have summer [lake] houses there. I have strong relationships with some of the friends I made there. I consider them my family. My favorite memories are going wakeboarding with all my friends there and spending the whole day on the lake,” - Casey Bowman, 10

Casey Bowman

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Staff Writer August 21, 2023

“Dance is a big part of my life, and it has been since I was three years old. It’s not only really fun, but my closest friends dance with me at my studio, so It’s great getting to see them every day. A specific time I was really proud of myself in dance was when I completed my first solo in sixth grade. I felt proud that I was able to perform in front of such a big crowd, and I actually ended up doing pretty well for my first time competing. A challenging part about dance is when I can’t get a skill, and I don’t know the reason why I can’t. It can be really frustrating since all you want to do is be able to improve in the sport you do. I overcome this by just moving on to a different skill for a while to take a break, and eventually, I’ll come back to the previous skill and work on it for a while again. I love dancing, however, I don’t see myself pursuing it in the future just because it is so time-consuming, and dancing in college can be a big commitment.” - Paige Schnarr, 11

Paige Schnarr

Angie Ren, Staff Writer May 24, 2023

“Fishing is my favorite hobby to do outside of school. My friend, Andrew Leonard, invited me to go fishing [during] the summer of 2020, and that’s when I started to realize how much I liked to fish since before, I never really thought much of it. During the summer, I would go multiple times a week with my friend, Max Brophy, and we still sometimes do now, but since it’s cold out, the fish usually don’t take the bait as often. I love fishing because I don’t have to talk to people, and I can just listen to music for hours while no one bothers me. It’s peaceful. I have also grown a lot closer to Max since it gives us a lot of alone time to talk and spend time together. I’m looking forward to this summer so I can go fishing with my friends and have a good time overall.” - David Hawiger, 11

David Hawiger

Angie Ren, Staff Writer May 8, 2023

With school hitting us full speed ahead and significantly reducing free time, here are 10 local activities you can do to make the most of it.

Top 10 local activities to try throughout the school year

Triya Gudipati, Staff Writer September 16, 2022

As the school year kicks off, vacations and camps shut down for the year. I often do not know what to do when I have some free time. How do I take advantage of the glamorized high school experience without...

Students answer “Who do you love?”

Addie Gleason, Staff Writer November 19, 2021

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