![Striking a pose following their group dance, the 2024 Mr. Longhorn contestants welcome their audience to the show. Throughout the night, the nine competitors participated in an occupational section, skits for the talent portion and a fashion attire show before finalists were interviewed. “It's a fun time getting to hang out with my friends and doing [our] acts. I think I'm most excited for my performance with [seniors Bart Connors, Gavin Hamlin and Colin Hughes]. I like that I get to dance a little bit. I don't think I'm very good, but I'm gonna try my best to put on a show,” contestant and senior Henry Wild said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DSC_9759-1200x798.jpg)
![Kicking off dress rehearsal, Mr. Longhorn contestant and senior Carson Hughes goes over the group routine alongside other competitors. With just two days of practice, all participants learned the entirety of their introductory dance, chose an occupation to embody and crafted skits for the show. “The best part of this [whole thing] was learning the dance and just practicing with the guys. We [have to] try not to laugh the whole time, but we're having a lot of fun,” Hughes said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_5112-1-e1732164157549-1200x812.jpg)
![Blending together a concoction for a science experiment, science teacher Joel Anderson scares his students by bringing excitement and thrill into his classroom for his annual Halloween show. It took about six weeks for Anderson to set up his classroom for the show. “It’s pure terror. I came up with this idea a couple decades ago to do something fun for Halloween. So I pretend to be this mad scientist [that creates] a Frankenstein-like creature [with the class], learning a little bit of science along the way and [then ending] with a laser show. It’s just for fun; entertainment value,” Anderson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0021.JPG_-1200x800.jpg)
![Latin students pose for a group photo in front of historical ruins in Italy. From March 13 to March 23, the Latin department traversed cities in Italy to immerse students in an educational experience of a lifetime. “I enjoyed being able to learn about the different cultures. [The trip] encouraged me to see other people's lifestyle and learn more about different histories,” senior Suraiya Saroar said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PXL_20240318_092633493.jpg)
![From Jan. 22 through Feb. 1, Parkway West High is displaying a wide array of art pieces made by students ranging from elementary to high school. All classes were represented on the displays in both the art wing and the main foyer of the school. “[Art] benefits me because in the middle of a busy day. I can just relax and have some fun doing art and it makes me happy. I think it's important that you show art in the art show so that people can get inspired by it and be inspired to create their own pieces; it’s really impactful,” sophomore Dhiya Prasanna said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image1-1200x800.jpg)
![Voter registration is open for November’s presidential election through Oct. 9. On Oct. 2, students at West High were able to receive assistance with online registration in the library. “When I went into the library to [register to] vote, [librarian] Lauren Reusch made completing my registration very easy and clear. It’s important to learn about voting and it’s important that schools help with voter registration, because it can be confusing for first-time voters,” senior Gianna Lionelli said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-1.53.06 PM-1200x795.png)
![Junior TJ Polack plays his saxophone solo at halftime for the 2024 marching band show, ‘Coloring Book.’ This year, Polack was one of two soloists in the marching band. “[Polack] is very hard on himself. [His saxophone solo] sounds amazing [and] everyone [cheers] for him; [still], somehow, he thinks it’s a bad performance and he's down. What he does is not easy. It takes a lot of confidence as a person [and] a lot of musical skill to be expressive, and he's doing an amazing job,” drum major and senior Dominic Perez said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/462488499_2973926416100522_5057718068659607183_n-1200x925.jpg)
![Sophomore Isaiah Meese smiles after his Eagle Scout Ceremony. Meese has participated in the scouting program since first grade, learning new aspects of life and growing a community of a second family. “I almost didn’t do [boy scouting], but I'm glad I eventually did start doing it. I regret that I wasn't [working towards Eagle Scout during COVID]. It might not always seem like the most rewarding thing, but if you put your time into it, there's a good chance you'll get quite a lot out of it: friends, new activities and hobbies, or just more experience,” Meese said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_1004-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Justin Lutz arranges his collection of basketball sports cards. Lutz started his first hand at entrepreneurship with an online store on eBay, dealing and trading in the sports card market. “I was already collecting sports cards [before], so I knew a lot of these players and I understood the market. I ventured into other sports, but I really stayed with the ones that I knew the most, [like] basketball. It’s really important to focus on what you know because it's so much easier than starting completely from scratch in a market that you don't understand. Find something that you're interested in," Lutz said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Untitled-design-2.png)
![Standing in front of the American Sign Language program’s mural, junior Brooke Hoenecke signs with freshman Darren Young. Hoenecke began cadet teaching for ASL this year alongside working towards earning her seal of biliteracy. “I was in ASL class when I received the email [that I qualified for the seal]. I was jumping up and down with my teacher and the rest of the class. One of the reasons why I took cadet teaching this year was so that I could prepare for the Seal of Biliteracy and be immersed in ASL,” Hoenecke said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hoenecke.jpeg)
![Business and personal finance teacher Evan Stern stands in front of his classroom. After facing hardships growing up, Stern learned how to deal with them with the help of role models like his dad. “We dealt with some trauma when I was in middle school, and my dad had to be responsible for all three of us while he was working full-time. I know he had to sacrifice a lot. I'm sure it was really hard for him, but looking back on it, he did a really good job . I didn't appreciate everything that he did at the time because I was so young. Now, I'm engaged and probably going to have kids of my own in the next couple of years so I [am starting] to look at things differently,” Stern said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-7-1200x900.jpg)
![Holding his two smiling daughters in his arms, Principal John McCabe celebrates earning his doctorate degree. He attended Maryville University for two years and reached his goal of achieving a Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership degree after months upon months of hard work and long nights. “I'm not going to lie, I'm glad I have another night of my life back when I'm not at school till very late,” McCabe said. “I can spend more time with my family and with my friends [who] are here at [West]. I'm really happy about that.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/mccabefeature.png)
![Art teacher Katy Mangrich sits in her classroom, smiling for a picture. During her time in high school, Mangrich learned several lessons that she now passes on to her son. “The biggest life lesson that I learned is honesty. I wouldn't say I was the best teenager, but I learned very quickly in high school to always be forthcoming and honest with my parents because it always ended up serving me better in the long run. [My parents] might have been upset with me [and the mistake I made], but I wasn't going down the rabbit hole of a lie because that was just going to get me into more trouble,” Mangrich said. “I passed [that lesson] along to my nephew. Honesty is always your best approach; just don’t lie. I say that to my son all the time. There's no advantage to lying, [and] that's a huge takeaway [from] how my parents raised me.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-26-10.10.12-AM.png)
![Social studies teacher Aaron Bashirian smiles in front of his classroom. Bashirian didn’t know he wanted to be a teacher from early on, but he found the choice to be a good one. “I started [teaching] because there was an opportunity for me to experiment with it. Fortunately, [teaching] was a good choice. In 2012, I became a teacher at Parkway at the Alternative Discipline Center, which is where they send suspended kids to keep being educated if they choose. I spent six years there and then I got drafted to West, [where] I've been for about six years,” Bashirian said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Untitled-35-1200x800.jpg)
![English teacher Angela Frye stands behind her desk in her classroom. Frye went through a lot of personal struggles to get to where she is today, and with each step in her life, she carries her gratitude for those obstacles. “Everything happens for a reason. I believe in [the concept of] good energy, good karma, [from] being a good person. Those are things I don't take lightly. [Struggles] build character. You really appreciate everything you have when you have to work for everything you have,” Frye said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Untitled-8-1200x800.jpg)
![Despite the numerous health and ethical concerns of energy drinks, popular influencers still flood their social media platforms with numerous posts, and drinks sell out as energy drink companies continue dropping new flavors. The energy drink industry, worth an estimated $99 billion, has maintained a large growth rate, yet is no stranger to controversy. “[The] curiosity of teens needs to be considered. Showing them other alternatives that are safer — like a small cup of coffee — or having them research and discover on their own [would be safer,]" health teacher Jessica Wheeler said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DSC0038-2-1200x800.jpg)
![Senior Sally Peters stands in the history hallway, contemplating her choices in the 2024 United States and Missouri elections on Nov. 5. As a member of Diplomacy Club, Peters has discussed key candidates and issues in contemporary American politics. “[As students], we're starting to become adults. We're realizing how much the policies that are enforced and the laws that make it through the House and Senate are starting to affect us. [Opportunities such as] AP [U.S.Government] and Diplomacy Club [make elections feel] a lot more real,” Diplomacy Club vice president and senior Nidhisha Pejathaya said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Flag-1-1.png)
![Eyes tracing his book, freshman Auggie Prsha works to translate a passage in Latin teacher Tom Herpel's classroom. Prsha decided to take Latin after hearing about the fun classroom activities, but he quickly began to see the effects of learning a foreign language in the world around him too. “Sometimes in English class, I can [recognize] some Latin words, and I notice Latin in other places [as well]. I enjoy the people [and] learning from Herpel,” Prsha said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/prsha.jpg)
![Mounting school pressure can leave many students overworked and overstressed. Schools must give students the necessary resources to help assuage student mental health issues and prevent the development of serious crises. “The biggest thing [schools] can do [to protect student mental health] is offer more time [to do work], like a study hall, or offer more support from teachers so that students don't feel stressed out and can get help in areas that they need,” senior Bhavya Gupta said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-4.jpg)
![Like many students, sophomore Medina Nanic experiences pressure to do well in school. Through continuous success and achievements, West has developed a high academic standard for students. “Because we’re seen as one [of] the better schools, we have higher standards than the [schools] who aren’t ranked as high. There’s a lot of pressure on students to do [well] and live up to those standards,” Nanic said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0029-2-1200x800.jpg)
![In the 1950s, the first recorded spikes in global temperatures were recorded, and ever since, Earth has been in the midst of a disastrous climate crisis, as rising temperatures wreak havoc on susceptible regions and destroy animal habitats worldwide. Junior Nidhi Pejathaya helped found West’s Sustainability Council to create a space where students can educate themselves about climate change and do their part to preserve the environment. “When you're going out of your way to recycle [or] reuse your clothes to save water, you're saving people. You're saving adults, you're saving families, you're saving children. You're saving a whole generation. Just because we don't see it doesn't mean it's not happening,” Pejathaya said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/new-editorial-feature-1200x800.jpg)
![Eyes glued to his sheet music, senior Andrew Gillies accompanies the Jazz Band as the pianist. During the annual Winter Jazz Concert, Gillies was chosen to improvise a solo during the song, “T.J. Boogie.” ¨I love concerts [because of] how the audience reacts, and just the stage lights [shining on me],¨ Gillies said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DSC_3774-1200x801.jpg)
![In perfect shooting form and with eyes on the rim, junior Tyler Kuehl is about to shoot his next basket in the last game of the season against Marquette High School. Kuehl has been playing basketball since he was 5. “Even though I played basketball all my life, the game-winning shots can be pressure, it's confidence. If you're going into that shot and not thinking that you're gonna make it, it's obviously not going in. And if you believe, [it will]. That's the only way you can succeed,” Kuehl said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/unnamed-32-1-1200x1200.png)
![“Winning [the Scholastic Gold Key Regional Award for Writing] feels incredibly rewarding. I dedicated a lot of time to putting my feelings into my work, especially ‘Melanin’, which was about my experience with racism and feeling like an outcast because of my skin color [and] primarily due to living in a white/homogenous area. My memoir reflects upon a time in which I lived in a small town that had close to zero people who looked like me and how that affected my mental health, especially how I felt about how I looked. But then I moved to a larger, more diverse city where there were more people similar to me and I had this moment where I realized that my features are unique and beautiful. I feel like a lot of people of color can relate to the feeling of overcoming internalized racism. It's truly validating to see my efforts recognized by the Scholastic Writing Contest especially because it gives me a platform to share my voice. ” - Farrin Rahman, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KadamO_RahmanF3-Opal-Kadam-1-1200x800.jpg)
![“Hitting that ball hard is just pure satisfaction. I’m on the varsity tennis team, and it’s funny because I actually got pressured into joining, but we actually [had] a really good season. I’ve been playing for three years now. My favorite part is definitely going to other schools and meeting other girls. Tennis is really fun and it's a good stress reliever, but something that [stresses me out] is definitely tests [at school]. When things [start to] stress me out, I just tell myself that [I] can get there because everyone will move on and [will] get there [too].” Alisha Yin, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/alishayin-copy-1200x800.jpg)
!["Becoming a teacher evolved over time. I wanted to be a writer or in theater, [so] I got degrees in English and theater and wrote plays. Every important job involved working with kids. After college, I [worked on] shows with kids, and [everything] I loved came together. That's when I thought [becoming a teacher]. I went back to school [for] a master’s in education. [Being] 5-foot-2, I was a little scared to teach high school, thinking students [might] think I was younger than them, [so] I got a job at the middle [school] and loved [it]. I always wanted to teach high school, and [now I’ve finally done it]. I see [my students’] great writing, and it inspires me. I've written so much myself but haven't sent much out [yet]. I think I'll [focus on that] after I retire. This is my second year at Parkway West and my first [time] teaching high school, and it’s something I've always wanted to do. I love being [here].” – Marcy Rademeyer, English](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KhanY_RademeyerM3-Yusra-Khan.png)
![“I’m the vice president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), the co-president of the Women in Healthcare club, and [am also in] of ABC club, NHS first aid, the diplomacy club, and other volunteering activities [in my community.] My main goal in these clubs is to be actively engaged in the school and give back to the community. [Through these opportunities,] I’ve learned to be a better organizer and planner, especially with my roles in MSA and Women in Healthcare. I think these skills will be valuable towards the career path I choose. I’m particularly interested in the medical field, which is why I co-founded Women in Healthcare. As a freshman, I was the chief financial officer of the Muslim Student Association. This year, I’m the vice president. We’ve worked hard to improve the organization and make the club more fun and interactive for everyone. It’s been great to see the club grow, with a lot of new freshmen joining. Balancing all of these activities with my schoolwork can be challenging at times, but the whole team helps with the workload. A misconception others have about the MSA is that [there is minimum involvement.] One time I went to stamp the MSA flyers to get approved down at the office, and the woman was hesitant about it. She asked how many people actually come to our meetings, so I explained that we usually have 35 to 40 people. Parkway West includes lots of diversity and it [helps strengthen] our community.” – Yusra Khan, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1f5dbf90-8b69-452a-a610-22726c8a6ed9-1200x800.jpg)
![“Sports [can] teach you a lot of things, and playing on the team can teach you leadership. When you're working with a bunch of guys, you’ve got to know what's best for the team, and you've got to do whatever is best for the team. Commitment is a big part of sports. Some days, you don't want to show up to practice, [but] you have to do it because it's what's best for the team. You just [have] to be committed. You [gain] better relationships and you make a lot of friends when you play sports. You're spending at least two hours a day with those people, so you build really strong relationships with your teammates. If you put in the work, you're bound to get better.” - Henry Wild, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/4edc5735-3dad-4150-ac6f-3ee8ba65d2b5-1200x803.jpg)
Definitions:
Gay- a person who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.
Pansexual- a person who is romantically or sexualy attracted to people of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
Bisexual- a person who is romantically or sexually attracted to both men and women.
Transgender- a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s biological sex assigned at birth.
Genderfluid- Genderfluid is a gender identity which refers to a gender which varies over time. A gender fluid person may at any time identify as male, female, neutrois or any other non-binary identity, or some combination of identities. Their gender can also vary at random or vary in response to different circumstances.
Luke Donovan is a sophomore.
Luke Donovan
Pathfinder: What do you identify as?
Donovan: I am gay, and I am genderfluid, which means that I am interested in guys and I may at any time identify as male, female or any other identity, or some combination of identities.
What is your biggest struggle?
I don’t know I’m really afraid of elevators. But with being gay, being in Missouri is hard. There are a lot of conservative people, everywhere. There are a lot more in Missouri, and I think it makes it harder for them to be more accepting. I get it, I grew up that way. However, it’s hard to be expressive when you know you can still get hurt for it.
What’s it like to have to live with society’s expectations?
I struggle with being myself, but I would never try to dress how people expect me to dress. People ask me why I don’t wear athletic shorts and I’m like ‘because I think it’s ugly and I’m not going to wear them because it’s normal.’
What was the hardest part of coming out?
Coming out was hard. The first person I came out to was my mom, and she grew up Catholic and so I was taught that homosexuality was wrong. But I knew I had to tell her, so I told her in seventh grade, which I was really fortunate to – that’s really early. But I was really depressed then so I had to tell her. And when I did, we sat out on our deck and cried for 20 minutes. It was really hard for me to accept it and really say it. I would never choose to be gay because you get so much hate. You go into the world knowing you are going to be hated just based on that.
What is it like to be a member of the LGBTQ+ Community?
I mean it’s hard, people still use the F slur here and they think that it’s okay. It’s hard to hear that. But also, I’m always proud when people come to me for advice, especially when they are unsure about their sexuality. I really enjoy helping people understand what it’s like in my personal opinion to be gay- although it’s different for everyone. I always like giving advice.
Any advice to other members of the LGBTQ+ Community?
I think people should only come out when they know it’s safe for them. It sucks being in the closet, but the best advice is to make sure you’re always safe in your community.
Tony Morse is a freshman.
Tony Morse
Pathfinder: What do you identify as?
Morse: I am pansexual, and female to male transgender guy.
What is your biggest struggle?
For myself it’s probably dysphoria. With other people, misgendering. Especially when people misgender me on purpose, I just ignore it because that’s not my gender. If they say “she” I’ll just ignore it because if I do anything about it, it will just blow up out of proportion.
How do you cope with the expectations of society?
I try to ignore it, but it’s society so the expectations are always there. When the pressure gets bad I just remember that not everyone has to be the same and to be my own person.
What is it like to be a trans teen?
Being a trans teen, people really accept you, like the school has really worked towards making sure I feel safe and that I am accepted and changing my name. If there is an issue they kinda deal with it.
Do you have any advice to members of the LGBTQ+ community?
When you’re in the LGBTQ+ Community, not everyone is going to accept you. When people are mean to you or you hear stuff about you, don’t let it get to you. It’s really cheesy but people always say it’s not going to matter in like a year, and it’s true. In the moment you will probably be really upset, but like it’s going to happen a lot, and eventually it won’t matter.
Ryan O’Conner is a junior.
Ryan O’Conner
Pathfinder: What do you identify as?
O’Conner: I am a gay male.
What is your biggest struggle?
It’s the idea that there are people in the world, there are people in this school, who hate me without even knowing me because of the people I am attracted to. I feel targeted for being myself and that has limited my opportunities and experiences to connect with my peers and make friends because of prejudices against me. Another big struggle is stereotypes. People automatically assume I’m good at one thing and bad at another because I like men. But I’m not very fashionable, and I do enjoy masculine things as well.
What makes coming out difficult?
The hardest part of coming out is all the time before coming out because you’re nervous, and you have no idea what’s going to happen. It’s such an uncertain concept because the people you think will be there for you no matter what, might not and the people you expect to turn against you might end up being your best friend. You never really know what will happen but that doesn’t’ change the fact that it’s worth it 100 percent.
What is it like being a member of the LGBTQ+ Community?
That is quite the experience. I mean, it’s very polar. You’ll have people who love you without knowing you and people who hate you without knowing you. You just gotta learn to go with the flow because it flows, a lot. Some days are great and some days are terrible, and you just have to be ready for anything. When I’m on Instagram and I see people commenting like “no homo” or “that’s so gay” and it associates who I am with their negative sentiment towards that. And that’s pretty bad. Another time that’s pretty rough was when people were like spreading rumors about me that I liked this person when I didn’t. It’s just hard.
How do you deal with social expectations?
I deal with them by ignoring them. People are always going to expect me to be a certain way, but I don’t have to follow that. I can just be myself and society tells me that’s not how I should be… I don’t care. I’m not going to change to fit a standard. I had a lot of trouble actually with societal expectations when I was first coming out because I felt the need to be more gay, to act more feminine to show off that I was gay and proud, because I felt that I wasn’t gay if I didn’t show it in every way, shape and form possible. I feel like I’ve really matured from that and I can really be myself. Your sexuality isn’t who you are, it’s a small part of it.
What is some advice you would like to share with other members of the LGBTQ+ Community?
If you’re not out, don’t come out until you feel ready. Don’t let anyone pressure you, coming out is a thing that you should do on your own when you’re prepared. It’s a big change but do it only when you’re ready.
If you’re thinking about coming out, but you’re afraid. As long as you are in a safe environment and safe to come out, don’t worry about what other people will think about you. It’s just high school and it sucks to have people who hate you for no reason but being yourself outweighs that 100x over. Coming out is the best feeling in the world if you’re ready. Being able to be true to yourself is also amazing.
If you’ve just come out, stereotypes are just that. You don’t have to conform to them or prove to them that you are what you identify as. You don’t have to prove anything. Just be who you are and who you want to be and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It doesn’t matter what other people think. As long as you are happy with you.
And for those who are dealing with the hardships, it gets better. It really does. People are rude, people are nasty, they’re always going to be there. But at the end of the day they aren’t worth getting upset about. It hurts it really does, but it will feel better in the end.
Alex Herrera is junior.
Alex Herrera
What do you identify as?
I am a gay female, or lesbian.
When did you know you were gay?
It was fourth grade. Up until then, I didn’t even know what gay meant. I guess I realized what it was and I was sitting there and I realized I had a huge crush on one of my best friends. I was like omg it all makes sense now, I’m gay! That’s why I don’t have crushes on guys! Everything was perfect after that and I didn’t have to make up guy crushes anymore. It was so relieving.
What’s some advice to other members of the LGBTQ+ community?
You have to come out when you’re ready and when it’s safe. You have to be careful about who you come out to and when you come out and you have to feel safe and know the people you come out it will at least tolerate your sexuality. There are so many people who come out and get kicked out or just have a bad home life. So make sure you’re ready and make sure the people who are supposed to take care of you will be ready to hear it.
What is it like to be an openly gay teen?
I think it’s fun. Everybody thinks you’re different and you’re actually not. Sometimes it makes you cooler or sometimes it’s less cool. And you have to struggle with how people perceive sexuality and therefore how they perceive you and your struggles. It’s fun because I get to be myself. It makes me happy that I can be whoever I want.
