Alumna Mondonna Ghasedi pursues her dream career as an associate circuit judge
Sarah Lashly, Copy Coach
September 20, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
Alumna Mondonna Ghasedi has fulfilled her dream of becoming a judge after getting her law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Ghasedi was appointed associate circuit judge for the 21st Circuit, which covers St. Louis County, in October 2016 by Gov. Jeremiah W. Nixon. ...
Alumnus James Bosanquet saves lives through critical care medicine
Sarah Lashly, Copy Coach
September 11, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
Since graduating in 2001, alumnus James Bosanquet has pursued a career as a Critical Care Physician at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, and has been practicing critical care medicine since July 2015. “I am an intensivist. I round in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on my group of eight to 15 patients. I discuss the plan with the nurses and ancillary staff a...
Alumna Kaitlyn Yang aspires for change in the entertainment industry through Alpha Studios
Sarah Lashly, Copy Coach
August 30, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
After graduating in 2007, alumna Kaitlyn Yang founded Alpha Studios in 2013. Alpha Studios is a post-production company Yang created in Los Angeles, CA. “We do visual effects, motion graphics, titles, color correction and consulting. We also do on-set supervision to make sure you are filming thi...
Alumna Shannon Anderson follows her passions in biology and social justice
Sabrina Bohn, Deputy Managing EIC
August 15, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories, features
Between planning walkouts, doing an ecology internship and studying abroad in Australia, 2016 alumna Shannon Anderson keeps herself busy while going into her third year at Emory University, studying biology with a minor in environmental science. “I chose my major freshman year of high school, and I’ve never reall...
Alumnus David Peterka provides support to oppressed girls in Malawi
Sarah Lashly, Staff Writer
May 21, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories, showcase
Since graduating in 2006, alumnus David Peterka has developed a passion for advocating for equality through the awakening of his faith in God. Dedicating his life to this mission, Peterka created a safe house in Malawi for sexually abused girls. “Shortly after graduating, some people from another faith aske...
Working with big names in the Big Apple
Sarah Lashly, Staff Writer
May 10, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
Working with Coachella, Beyoncé, Museum of Ice Cream, Kendrick Lamar and Drake through her career as the Director of Brand Partnerships and Experience at American Express is part of alumna Erin Maxwell’s daily life in New York City, since graduating in 2002. “My best friend and mentor in New York...
Alumna Yvette Lu tours with the cast of Hamilton
Beatrice Antonenko, Staff Writer
May 8, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
A graduate of the class of 2013, alumna Yvette Lu is currently touring across the United States as a member of the ensemble in the popular musical “Hamilton.” “I love that we're constantly moving. We tend to spend an average of four weeks in each city–just enough time to start to get sett...
Alumnus Scott Schaefer survives and thrives after taking on the popular family business
Sarah Lashly, Staff Writer
March 22, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
After graduating in 1998, alumnus Scott Schaefer expressed interest in managing Schaefer AutoBody, founded by his father Steve Schaefer in 1985, and began the process of taking over the business in 2010. “Since grade school, I was always around the body shop. My brother and I worked in the shop...
Former Principal Bill Byrd reflects on West’s 50th anniversary
Gabe Davis, Staff Writer
March 15, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
Pathfinder: How did you become a principal at Parkway West? Byrd: I was teaching social studies at Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo. In 1969, when I interviewed for an assistant principal's position at West Senior, I was hired. For the next 15 years I held that position until appointed principal ...
Derrick Richardson gives back to the community as Fire Captain
Sarah Lashly, Staff Writer
February 27, 2018
Filed under Alumni Stories
Serving his community as a firefighter after graduating in 1990, alumnus Derrick Richardson was promoted to Fire Captain in Alton, Ill. He has been a firefighter since 1997 and was promoted after only nine years of being on the force. “Fire captain is a tested position. I tested and got promoted to en...
