![Wednesday and Thursday seniors gathered in the cafeteria to create the hand wall for 2023. Senior Joseph Britt removes his hand from the wall, leaving his mark amongst the other handprints of peers. “There’s that knowledge that we are passing down with our legacy. The hand wall is a visual representation of [our legacy] to show that we were here,” Britt said. “I remember voting [for the design] a while back and I liked the Monopoly board a lot. Seeing some of the other hand walls that are up there I like ours [the most].”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/unnamed.jpeg)
Wednesday and Thursday seniors gathered in the cafeteria to create the hand wall for 2023. Senior Joseph Britt removes his hand from the wall, leaving his mark amongst the other handprints of peers. “There’s that knowledge that we are passing down with our legacy. The hand wall is a visual representation of [our legacy] to show that we were here,” Britt said. “I remember voting [for the design] a while back and I liked the Monopoly board a lot. Seeing some of the other hand walls that are up there I like ours [the most].”
Photo of the Week – April 6
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![Focusing on the pattern of her bracelet, Bracelet Club leader and senior Lily Maley creates a design during a monthly meeting. Club members use bead packs to create whatever they would like in the moment. "I decided to create this club with my friend because we started making bracelets [in the library] and everybody kind of joined in. I have pride because I created a club that other people get to go to. I think Bracelet Club matters because it brings people together, and it's just a fun time,” Maley said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/unnamed-1200x800.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - November 7 -
![Between lights, smoke and a captive audience of students, science teacher Joel Anderson conducts his annual Halloween show in class on Oct. 31. Anderson has performed the Halloween show every year for 27 years, since he started teaching in 1999. “[My favorite part about the show] is getting students excited about it and seeing their level of anticipation. After the students see it, they realize that [I] put a lot of time and effort into it,” Anderson said. “They also end up learning because I sneak some chemistry into the [show] as well. So, it’s a whole bunch wrapped up in a 15 or 20-minute package. It’s really scary.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC_9047-Enhanced-NR-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - October 31 -
![Mid-air, junior Donovan Qualls leaps for the soccer ball during the varsity game against Ladue on Oct. 21. As the goalie, Qualls focused on keeping the ball away from the box and the back of the net. “[Being a goalie] is pretty tough. You have to be the commander of the team in your box, step up for your team, be loud, and have a lot of communication. Once you do it for a while, it gets fun. I really enjoy being the backbone of my team,” Qualls said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC7136-Enhanced-NR-1200x798.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - October 24 -
![Wind blowing through the tennis court, sophomore Maddie Mills serves, tying the score against Marquette at 5-5 on Oct. 8. Playing with a new partner, junior Bree Lang, the duo kept their game strong despite the harsh wind. “We [worked] well together; [Bree] is good at the net, and I’m good at my groundstrokes,” Mills said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-DSC08335-1200x800.jpg)
Photo of the WeekPhoto of the Week - October 10 -
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 -
ShowcaseRoad to glory -
![Sophomore Shree Sikkal Kumar serves the ball across the court in a match against Lindbergh. Sikkal Kumar has been a varsity member of the varsity girls’ tennis team for two years, helping her earn the number two rank in Class 2 District 2.“When matches are close, it’s easy to get nervous, but I [ground] myself by[staying] confident and ready to play,” Sikkal Kumar said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC2801-1200x798.jpg)
ShowcaseA recap of the 2025 girls tennis season through photos -
![Dressed up as the varsity girls’ tennis coach Katelyn Arenos, senior Kate Johnson and junior Mireya David hand out candy at West High’s annual trunk or treat event. This year, the trunk or treat was moved inside as a result of adverse weather. “As a senior, I care less about Halloween now. Teachers will bring their kids and families [to West’s Trunk or Treat], but there were fewer [this year] because they just thought it was canceled [due to the] rain. [With] Halloween, I think you care less the older you get,” Johnson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC00892-1-1200x800.jpg)
ShowcasePorches, parking lots, pumpkins and parties -
![Focused on providing exceptional service, sophomore Darsh Mahapatra carefully cleans the door of a customer’s car. Mahapatra has always believed his customers deserve nothing less than the best. “[If] they’re trusting us with their car and our service, then I am convinced that they deserve our 100 percent effort and beyond,” Mahapatra said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0018-1200x800.jpg)
ShowcaseDriven to succeed -
![Sophomore Aleix Pi de Cabanyes Navarro (left) finishes up a soccer game while junior Ava Muench (right) warms up for cross country practice. The two came to Parkway West High School as exchange students for the 2025-2026 school year. “The goal for the [exchange] program is to provide opportunities for both Parkway students and our international exchange students to learn about other cultures, build connections and become confident, capable, curious and caring — Parkway’s Four C’s — in the process,” Exchange Program Lead Lauren Farrelly said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Feature-Photo-1200x800.png)
ShowcaseWorlds apart -
![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
About the Contributor
Elle Rotter, Deputy Conceptual Editor-in-Chief
Pronouns: she/her
Grade: 12
Years on staff: 4
What was your favorite childhood TV show? My favorite childhood TV show was Liv and Maddie!
What is your favorite book? Currently… my favorite book is ‘A Good Girls Guide to Murder,’ however, my all time favorite book is probably ‘Tell Me Three Things’
What motivates you? I am motivated by a lot of things: my family and friends, music, and literature.