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.
A recap of the 2025 girls tennis season through photos
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ShowcaseRoad to glory -
![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 -
![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’ -
SportsAll out at state -
![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
About the Contributors
Owen Ulmer, Staff Writer
Pronouns: he/him
Grade: 12
Years on staff: 4
What is your favorite candy? Airheads Bites.
Who is your favorite musician? Morgan Wallen.
What is your dream job? NFL backup punter.
Patrick May, Staff Writer
Pronouns: he/him
Grade: 11
Years on staff: 3
What is your favorite candy? Airheads Xtremes Bites.
Who is your favorite musician? Zach Bryan.
What is your dream job? Baseball coach or business owner.
Sam Mouser, Staff Writer
Pronouns: he/him
Grade: 11
Years on staff: 2
What is your favorite candy? Skittles.
Who is your favorite musician? Jon Pardi.
What is your dream job? Start a business.
Maura Lottes, Social Media Manager
Pronouns: she/her
Grade: 12
Years on staff: 2
What is your favorite candy? Gummy bears.
Who is your favorite musician? Frank Ocean.
What is your dream job? Sports photographer.