Sophomore Liza Tarakanova, new to playing chess, carefully strategizes her next move while playing one of her first games as part of chess club. When Tarakanova started playing chess last semester, she found the strategizing and thinking aspect of it to be most challenging part of it. “Chess helped me expand my mental capacity because it challenged me to think about the actions I took, and playing against kids at this school who have been playing chess for years really forced me to think extra carefully during matches,” Tarakanova said.
Challenges of chess
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![Standing in front of the camera and next to Fox 2 News' Ty Hawkins, senior and varsity football player JaMont Brooks represents the varsity football team. As captain and outside linebacker, Brooks was one of four students selected to be interviewed live for the broadcast. “Overall, it was just a crazy experience being on the news. Even when I get older, I’ll tell my kids or grandkids I was on the news. My mom sent me a picture of me on the news [saying] ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my son.’ The Parkway West community felt amazing this morning. Everybody showed up at 6 [a.m.] and [will] show up 6 [p.m.] tonight too. Any time I go into a game, I go up there with the mentality that we’re going to try our best, and even the times we struggle, [I’ll] keep my head up,” Brooks said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC8122-Enhanced-NR-1200x799.jpg)
PhotosWaking up to spirit -
![Passing out candy to her friends, sophomore Fiona Corell smiles in her spirit wear. Corell showed up to school in her Rudolph onesie so she could not only spread joy and spirit but also stay comfortable. “It was a lot of fun dressing up and spreading school spirit [because] it gives our school a chance to gain unity. It was a comfy outfit. It kept me warm all day, and it channeled the energy of Rudolph,” Corell said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image6-1200x785.jpg)
PhotosHoliday Cup: Behind the scenes -
PhotosOpen a door for a walk into the past -
PhotosSenior boys compete for the 2020 Mr. Longhorn crown -
![11:56 a.m.
Conversing with classmates, sophomores Fatima Shabab and Josh Rushing participate in a speed dating activity during their AP World History class. Teacher Kristen Collins (not pictured) assigned each student a historical figure to research and portray. “Suleiman the Magnificent was mine. My favorite part of the assignment was being able to dress up like the figure,” Rushing said. “[Creative projects] are a lot more enjoyable, because you have more control over how you tackle it.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DSC_0010-900x600.jpg)
Photos24 hours across West High -
PhotosRomeo and Juliet Performances photo gallery -
![Dropping into the splits, senior Clayton Jensen completes the final pose of their Mr. Longhorn dance. The pep rally was the first time Jensen showcased his splits during the dance. “[The pep rally] was definitely more special. It was a feeling that I won’t be able to experience ever again,” Jensen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_0329-900x600.jpg)
PhotosSpring Pep Rally Photo Gallery -
PhotosPhoto gallery: veteran players drive golf to fun and improvement -
PhotosASAP students learn more on trust through field trip to Parkway North
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PhotosSoftball closes out successful season -
SnapshotTired and thirsty
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SnapshotDrawing without looking -
SnapshotKitchen mater -
SnapshotCooling off -
SnapshotReady for takeoff -
SnapshotBaking with trash -
SnapshotPainting her future -
SnapshotTaking one for the team -
SnapshotVolley for victory
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Snapshot14 Seniors presented with "Glory of Missouri Award"
About the Contributor
Sarah Burnham, Staff Writer
Grade: 11
Extracurriculars: rowing
What do you like about The Pathfinder? I like how the newspaper is actually successful among the student body. Many school newspapers are pretty much disregarded by the students, but since this one is online, accessible, and has interesting stories, it is really intriguing and relevant to the students.
How would you describe yourself? Hardworking and driven. I like the satisfaction of winning and feeling successful, I am very competitive, and I like taking on a challenge and honing my abilities.
Favorite Quote: “Paper burns at 451 degrees, water boils at 212 degrees– not 450, not 211. Those exact numbers have to be met for the paper to burn and the water to boil, just like how you have to take that one extra step to be successful”–some dude on tumblr (paraphrased and condensed)
Where do you want to go to college? I’m not totally sure, but my top choices are University of Wisconsin-Madison, Clemson University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and The University of Alabama with Cornell University as my “reach school”.
Extracurriculars: rowing
What do you like about The Pathfinder? I like how the newspaper is actually successful among the student body. Many school newspapers are pretty much disregarded by the students, but since this one is online, accessible, and has interesting stories, it is really intriguing and relevant to the students.
How would you describe yourself? Hardworking and driven. I like the satisfaction of winning and feeling successful, I am very competitive, and I like taking on a challenge and honing my abilities.
Favorite Quote: “Paper burns at 451 degrees, water boils at 212 degrees– not 450, not 211. Those exact numbers have to be met for the paper to burn and the water to boil, just like how you have to take that one extra step to be successful”–some dude on tumblr (paraphrased and condensed)
Where do you want to go to college? I’m not totally sure, but my top choices are University of Wisconsin-Madison, Clemson University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and The University of Alabama with Cornell University as my “reach school”.