![Abruptly pulled out of Honors English I for a surprise fire drill, freshman Samir Shaik kills time on the football field by having a thumb war with freshman Mya Jenkins. Shaik’s class was working on a research project before they were interrupted by the fire drill and took the moment to just relax and have fun. “Mya and I were goofing off, not really doing anything in particular. I was just having a lot of fun, and I’m glad [this moment] was captured,” Shaik said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_8706-900x675.jpg)
Abruptly pulled out of Honors English I for a surprise fire drill, freshman Samir Shaik kills time on the football field by having a thumb war with freshman Mya Jenkins. Shaik’s class was working on a research project before they were interrupted by the fire drill and took the moment to just relax and have fun. “Mya and I were goofing off, not really doing anything in particular. I was just having a lot of fun, and I’m glad [this moment] was captured,” Shaik said.
Photo of the Week- Oct. 22
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Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - October 3 -
![Supported by juniors Aiden Faber and Patrick May, junior Bryce Sanders lifts 315 pounds on a hex bar during strength and conditioning training for the upcoming basketball season. Sanders trained throughout the offseason alongside Faber and May to build their team bond before the winter season. “I lift four times a week to get ready for basketball season. I [need to] get my legs ready to jump high all the time. Plus, I’m an upperclassman now, so I’m [excited for] the season this year,” Sanders said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_0140-Enhanced-NR-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - Sept. 26 -
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - Sept. 19 -
![Hugging senior Ella Wheeler, senior Jamaya Love beams after scoring a touchdown at the Powderpuff football game on Sept. 11, putting the seniors on the scoreboard with a score of 6-2 above the juniors. The seniors went on to capture the victory with a final score of 12-2. “I was actually gassed [at this moment]. I was so tired. But, everyone on the sideline, all my teammates and everybody in the stands were cheering,” Love said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC1735-Enhanced-NR-2-1200x799.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - September 12 -
![Grinning at the lab results, junior Devyn Baichly records the temperature of a liquid after mixing it with aluminum foil. With a passion for forensic science, Baichly enjoyed the copper sulfide lab and looked forward to the hands-on experiments in Honors Chemistry. “Since I was a kid, I’ve seen my dad [working] in labs. He’s one of my biggest supporters, and some of my fondest [childhood] memories are of him bringing home dry ice from work to experiment with me. A part of me is at ease when it comes to doing science labs — I tend to be more relaxed and focused on the moment,” Baichly said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_1421-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - September 5 -
![Hands kneading clay, junior principal Nancy Smith crafted a heart-shaped trinket dish while following instructions from sophomore Johnya Farrow. Ceramics “Teach a Teacher Day” took place Aug. 29, allowing students to bring in a faculty member and guide them through the class. “I did [Teach a Teacher Day] last year with some students, and it was fun participating with the kids. [Johnya] was so helpful and patient in teaching me. It made me see another side of a student who is very talented in her craft, and for her to show me how [to create ceramics] was awesome,” Smith said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_0772-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - August 29 -
![Raising her hands in the air, freshman Jillian Sternhagen follows Mr. Mooney’s lead during an activity Aug. 15 at freshman orientation. Surrounded by other freshmen, Sternhagen learned an “A O E day” chant to help remember their new weekly high school schedule. Students participated in several activities to get to know each other, the school and the upperclassmen. “We got to tour the school and learn where everything in our schedule is. The energy [at orientation] was fun; the leaders were peppy and got us excited,” Sternhagen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_0145-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - August 22 -
![Covering second base, junior Ethan Brookshire attempts to tag out the runner on May 7 against Rockwood Summit. Following a successful doubleheader on April 18, Brookshire said he felt a spark throughout the team that kept them motivated. “It’s a very competitive schedule and team. We all work well together and push [each other] to become the best versions of ourselves we can be. It’s [a] really fast [game], so cooperation is important.” Brookshire said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_1170-2-1200x800.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - May 9 -
![Rising with his trombone in hand, sophomore Andrew Phung gets recognized at the end-of-year spring band concert. Phung achieved a rating of two on a scale of one to five–with one being the highest–based on his performance at the District Solo and Ensemble Festival on March 1. “It’s humbling to show up for everybody around you and be part of something bigger. [The achievement] shows [my] commitment and growth as we get better throughout the years. I felt accomplished,” Phung said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0081-1200x800.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - May 2 -
![Post-game, senior Winston Gao attempts to run away from junior Agi Kukudala. On April 24, the varsity boys tennis team won their final game of the season against Oakville with a score 9-0. “[Kukudala] is a great teammate on varsity this year. [This team] is the best shot we have to go to state this year, so we're excited for that,” Gao said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/DSC3287-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - April 25 -
![Leaning on the podium, superintendent Melissa Schneider speaks to Parkway journalism students during a press conference. Schneider joined Parkway in July after working in the Thompson School District in Colorado. “My plan [to bond with students] is to get things on my calendar as much as possible. For example, being in [classes] is very special to me. I am trying to be opportunistic [meeting] kids [and] being in [the school] buildings. I have all the sports schedules and the fine arts schedules on my calendar, so that when I'm available, I can get to them,” Schneider said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_5425-1200x943.jpeg)
ShowcaseThe welfare of the people: does Missouri’s cell phone policy value the state’s motto? -
![Gazing across the stage, sophomore Alexis Monteleone performs in the school theater. The Monteleone family’s band “Monte and the Machine” has been releasing music since 2012, but Alexis started her own solo career in 2024 with the release of her first single, Crying Skies. “My whole family is very musical, [and I especially] love writing [songs with them],” Monteleone said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC7463-1200x798.jpg)
ShowcaseHarmonies, hurdles and high school -
ShowcasePowder Puff, Powder Play -
![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)
ShowcaseBoys soccer season starts strong -
ShowcaseConnecting for change: Making West High a better place -
![Junior Fiona Dye lifts weights in Strength and Conditioning. Now that the Trump administration has instituted policies such as AI deregulation, tariffs and university funding freezes, women may have to work twice as hard to get half as far. "[Trump] wants America to be more divided; he wants to inspire hatred in people,” feminist club member and junior Clara Lazarini said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Flag.png)
ShowcaseIs the future female? -
![As the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, it scapegoats many immigrants for the United States’ plights, precipitating a possible genocide. Sophomore Annabella Whiteley moved from the United Kingdom when she was eight. “It’s pretty scary because I’m on a visa. When my visa expires next year, I’m not sure what’s going to happen, especially with [immigration] policies up in the air, so it is a concern for my family,” Whiteley said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0077-7copy.jpg)
ShowcaseE pluribus unum? -
![Shifting global trade, President Donald Trump’s tariffs are raising concerns about economic stability for the U.S. and other countries alike. “[The tariffs are] going to pose a distinct challenge to the U.S. economy and a challenge to the global economy on the whole because it's going to greatly upset who trades with who and where resources and products are going to come from,” social studies teacher Melvin Trotier said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MDB_3456-1200x800.jpg)
ShowcaseThe cost of ‘America First’ -
ShowcaseCrowned: A look at your 2025 Prom King and Queen -
![Pitching the ball on Apr. 14, senior Henry Wild and his team play against Belleville East. Wild was named scholar athlete of the year by St. Louis Post-Dispatch after maintaining a high cumulative GPA and staying involved with athletics for all of high school. “It’s an amazing honor. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to represent my school [and] what [it] stands for,” Wild said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/unnamed-6-1200x714.jpg)
ShowcaseDriven to excel
About the Contributor
Tanvi Kulkarni, Features Editor
Pronouns: she/her
I am a senior, and this is my second year on staff. The Pathfinder has helped me become more involved with the school community and push myself as a writer and student. My favorite quality about myself is that I’m curious and an attentive listener, which helps me to learn different facets of the story I’m writing. Outside of the Pathfinder, I take music and art classes and am involved in several clubs at school. This year, I hope to finalize my plans for college and maybe pick up a new hobby.