The varsity football team emerges through their sign prior to their first game of the season against Parkway South on Aug. 18. They went on to win the game 22-12.
Photo Gallery: Football wins big in the last quarter
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MultimediaAthletes of West - Noor Hacking -
![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)
MultimediaWaking up to spirit -
MultimediaPhoning in -
![Blue lights shining brightly, senior Riley Creely beatboxes into the microphone. Creely and the group began the performance in front of the blue lights, sparking interest from the audience. “The pep rally performance was fun. I got to beatbox for the first half of the song, which was hype. I liked to look into the student section [while I performed],” Creely said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_5085-Enhanced-NR-1200x799.jpg)
MultimediaA day of spirit and energy -
MultimediaAthletes of West: Junior Ethan Bain -
![Leaping through the air, senior Tyler Watts celebrates his first goal of the season, which put the Longhorns up 1-0 against the Lafayette Lancers. Watts decided to play soccer for West for his last year of high school and secured a spot on the varsity roster. “[Playing soccer for West] is something I had always dreamed of, but hadn’t really had a good opportunity to do until now. It’s [really] fun being out [on the field], and I’m glad I decided to join the team. It’s just all about having fun with the boys and enjoying what time we have left together,” Watts said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_1951-1200x855.jpg)
MultimediaBoys soccer season starts strong -
![Sophomore Natalie House pitches the ball during an intrasquad scrimmage for Red and Blue Night on Aug. 22. House played catcher for the varsity softball team. “I started [playing] softball when I was five. My brother played baseball, and I wanted to start sports like him. Scrimmaging against our own team is always kind of difficult because we all know each other's [weaknesses],” House said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC7191-1-1-1200x844.jpg)
MultimediaRed and Blue Night: An everlasting tradition -
MultimediaAthletes of West: Junior Kate Hardy -
![Blending harmonies with dynamic control, senior Spencer Rahm takes the stage as part of the jazz choir's spring performance. Jazz Coffee House took place on April 22, marking the culmination of months of preparation by West High’s musicians. “To me, [choir] is an opportunity every day to get to sing with my friends and work on our songs that we have concerts for. [Seeing] the results after working together with people is really rewarding. Jazz Coffee House concert was a reflection and a result of all the hard work we've put in the last three months,” Rahm said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0214-3-1200x800.jpg)
MultimediaBrews and grooves -
MultimediaWhat success looks like -
![All eyes on him, senior Jack Mullen raises the sacred chalice of the Addams Family. Mullen’s father was his inspiration for his role as Gomez Addams, who was Wednesday Addam’s father in the show. “The most impactful part of this experience was getting closure, because this was my last show, [and] it was probably my favorite show I've done here. I wanted to do the best I could, and to reflect on my growth and experience in the program. The thing I learned is that not everything is going to be perfect. I went through a lot vocally, and so I had to protect my health, and I overcame it,” Mullen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC4947-1200x798.jpg)
Photo GalleriesA family like no other -
![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)
Photo GalleriesFrom practice to performance -
Photo GalleriesRallying together: A day of school spirit -
Photo GalleriesSing it loud: West choir shows off their talent at Singer’s Choice -
![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)
Photo GalleriesHoliday Cup: Behind the scenes -
![The senior boys dress in suits and jerseys to cheer on the Powder Puff competitors. Senior Derrien Gatchel initiated the suit trend last Powder Puff season. “The thought process was [to pretend we were dressing for] a business trip. Since we won last year, we had to do it again this year,” Gatchel said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/unnamed-56.jpg)
Photo GalleriesHalfway There! -
![Right foot in and arms wrapping around her teammates, freshman Hayden Oakley mentally prepares to race. Oakley ran in the freshman race in the Stan Nelson Invitational at the Northwest Early Childhood Center, Sept. 10. “Before [the race,] I was a little nervous because it was only the second [meet,] it was bigger, and there were a lot of people there. When we went into the huddle, that helped motivate and calm me down. [Also,] it was nice because it just made me feel more confident about the race,” Oakley said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Hayden-Oakley-900x600.jpg)
Photo GalleriesPhoto Gallery: The essence of girls cross country -
Photo GalleriesA glimpse into clubs during COVID-19 -
Photo GalleriesStudents showcase their ‘draw dropping’ artwork -
Photo GalleriesBidding farewell to the class of 2020: senior parade edition -
![After a thrilling point, senior Katie Byergo and junior Elle Lanferseick high-five each other on Oct. 8. With teamwork and camaraderie, Byergo worked together in the game against Lafayette High School. “[Byergo’s] is really positive with a good spirit,” Lanferseick said. “I set her [the ball] and she hits it [or] gets the kill.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_9349-1-e1761159125735-1200x791.jpg)
SportsSmashing records -
![The varsity boys cross country team poses for a photo at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, Tenn. The Memphis Twilight Classic is the largest event the team attends. “[I enjoyed] hanging out with the team every day at practice,” Patten said. “I wanted to be the best I could for my team; I really wanted to help out.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XC-PHOTO-1200x822.jpg)
SportsA race to remember -
SportsAthletes to watch in the 2025-2026 season -
![Celebrating their landmark victory, the Parkway West Boys Hockey team gathers together on the ice. Over the course of the season, the team grew closer together while pursuing their final goal: winning the coveted Wickenheiser Cup. “[Winning the cup] was awesome. [As] a senior, it was super rewarding to end on a high note. It had to be the most memorable part of my career,” varsity hockey player and senior Hunter Beach said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC3974-Enhanced-NR-1200x799.jpg)
SportsHistory on ice -
SportsA legacy of leadership and excellence in sports -
![Holding the disc, senior Nathan Thompson waits for an opportunity to pass to senior Timmy Fry. Parkway United’s ultimate frisbee team is made up of students from each of the four Parkway schools. “The one thing I really like about ultimate [frisbee] is the community because it’s so different from any other sport I've been a part of. [My] national teammates are people who we play against in the regular season, so we see each other all the time. It's always fun hanging out with [them],” Thompson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/C96A6823-1200x800.jpg)
SportsUltimate spirit -
![Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-1200x675.png)
SportsKicking off -
SportsGolden boots, golden dreams -
SportsKickoff to high school season -
![With her arms held high, junior Jenna Rickelman throws the ball across the pool during a girls water polo practice. With hours of practice after school and over the summer, Rickelman saw many improvements in her water polo skills. “When I look at [my] stats, I'm so much better than I was last year,” Rickelman said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Untitled-design-2-.png)
SportsBehind the net: Junior Jenna Rickelman’s journey on the girls water polo team
About the Contributor
Chris Bass, STAFF WRITER
Grade: 12
Years on staff: 2
Life soundtrack: “3005” by Childish Gambino
Most passionate about: “Anything that’s related to poverty in America.”
Favorite dance move: the Worm