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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

Senior Mohammed Kuziez leads the assembly right before dismissal. Kuziez co-teaches with senior Ridwan Oyebamiji at Al-Iman Saturday School. “They recite what we assigned them in class, and we give them a grade on that,” Kuziez said. “Based on their grades throughout the semester, we give them a final grade for the semester based on different categories. There’s behavior, classwork, homework and pronunciation.”

Seniors Ridwan Oyebamiji and Mohammed Kuziez teach Qur’an

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor May 13, 2020

After school and on the weekends, seniors Ridwan Oyebamiji and Mohamed Kuziez teach Qur’an in Arabic to students between seven and 12 years old. As an action that their prophet Muhammad did, it is important...

Holding their third place medals from districts, senior Robert McKnight stands alongside his teammate Matt Boyd and tennis coach Katelyn Arenos after a practice during their junior year. They spent most of their season playing doubles matches with each other. “Playing tennis has taught me a lot. Staying committed to my training has taught me discipline. Struggling through back injuries has taught me how to always find the silver lining. Most importantly, my tennis career has taught me a lot about humility and respect,” McKnight said. “Respect is earned in many ways. It’s about correcting your mistakes and putting others first, and improving the lives of those around you, because you [can] personally have an impact.”

A time to remember: Inside senior Robert McKnight’s tennis career

Jacob Stanton, Staff Writer May 12, 2020

After placing third in the district doubles tournament his junior year, team captain and senior Robert McKnight is poised to become a tennis star. Even though his final season has been postponed due to...

Sitting in her bedroom, junior Zoe DeYoung writes in her notebook while in quarantine. DeYoung won first place in the Senior Poetry Division of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s “Express the Music” writing competition. “The poem was so different from everything I’d ever written before,” DeYoung said. “It made me proud of taking that leap and writing something like that.”

Junior Zoe DeYoung wins St. Louis Symphony Orchestra “Express the Music” Senior Poetry Division

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor May 11, 2020

Out of 2000 participants, 476 submissions and 47 finalists, junior Zoe DeYoung won first place in the Senior Poetry Division of “Express the Music.” Express the Music is an annual writing competition...

Putting his arms up to strike the batter out, alumnus Trevor Dannegger makes the call behind home plate. Dannegger started officiating minor league baseball games in 2016, along with being a substitute teacher in his time off. “I try to stand out in both roles,” Dannegger said. “Whether it be asking a teacher to continue their lesson instead of showing a video or going out of my way to help players on the field.”

Substitute teacher and professional umpire: alumnus Trevor Dannegger’s journey from education to officiating baseball games

Drew Boone, Staff Writer May 11, 2020

Spending the long hot summer days calling balls and strikes on the baseball field, and working with students in the classroom during the winter, alumnus Trevor Dannegger works to fulfill his dreams on...

Standing at the top of the hill, alumnus James Forsen smiles for the camera. Forsen has not been treating COVID-19 patients, but it is likely that more health professionals will be needed on the front lines. “I think everybody is stepping up to their roles. I cannot say I have been on the front lines, so this week, I may be and probably will be,” Forsen said. “So far, I haven’t spent time in the emergency room, and I have not spent time in the ICUs. That’ll probably change this week [because] I think everybody realizes there is a risk to it.”

Alumnus Dr. James Forsen prepares to battle COVID-19

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor May 6, 2020

As the magnitude of COVID-19 increases, alumnus Dr. James Forsen prepares, as many other healthcare professionals have, to battle a global pandemic. From a young age, Forsen knew he wanted to be a doctor....

Freshman Annie Zhang researches the representatives they were going to speak with. Zhang researched Senator Jill Schupp and representative Trish Gunby. While her partner in the project Maria Lung researched the bills they would be talking about. “I felt proud to be representing teens our age and knowing that the research would be for a good cause,” Zhang said.

Legislating the future: freshmen students change senior laws

Gabi Badami, Staff Writer April 27, 2020

A CBS report finds that 51% of Americans ages 18-29 say that they can change the world; 38% of that same group say they are already changing the world. Freshmen Maria Lung and Annie Zhang find themselves...

Back at home from college, you can find Samantha
 Walkoff rehearsing a short skit on TikTok done by majority of 
other teens around the world today. According to Sensor Tower in 2020,  
the TikTok app has been downloaded over 1.9 billion times worldwide. 
“ I'll definitely keep making TikTok videos for fun,” Walkoff said. “Now I have 
been using it to pass time.”

Alumna Samantha Walkoff gains fame through TikTok

Tasneem Nasufovic, Staff Writer April 21, 2020

It was a Monday afternoon and 2018 alumna Samantha Walkoff decided to create a TikTok during her break between classes. She went about her day as normal. The next morning, when she awoke, she saw that...

Holding up the transgender pride flag, senior Tony Morse takes a picture in his binder. He got the flag towards the end of middle school. “The flag for me is a symbol of pride,” Morse said. “It reminds myself and others of who I truly am. I am wearing a binder in my photo; I used to be very very self conscious of letting others know I used a binder. Now, I am comfortable enough to post pictures of me in it and wear it out in the open. I feel as if I pass enough. Once I get top surgery, I am so excited to not have to deal with wearing the chest binder. It definitely takes a toll on me having to wear it. It gets physically uncomfortable and I long for the day when I can put on a shirt without having to put it on first, as well as being able to take off my shirt and be proud and comfortable.”

7. The battle to become a man; four years later

Zoe DeYoung, Staff Writer April 16, 2020

As a seventh grader, senior Tony Morse decided that after years of gender dysphoria, he would take the leap to come out as a transgender male. He cut his hair short and kickstarted the long process of...

Dr. Corey Sink poses with Building Manager Kitty Strong, English teacher Cassey Holland, former Building Manager Scott Bollman, Librarian Lauren Reusch and FACS teacher Katie Hashley. Sink and the faculty members judge West’s annual Staff Chili Cook-off. "It's a fun event we all get to do together. I love funny times like those and just getting to be with the great people here," Sink said. "I'm going to miss it."

From Longhorn to Wildcat, we bid our farewell to principal Corey Sink

Makinsey Drake, Staff Writer April 15, 2020

From Longhorn to Wildcat, freshmen class Principal Corey Sink is moving to Eureka High School as their new head principal this July. From assistant principal at South High School, to our very own principal...

Posing with his bike, Special School District teacher assistant Chris Powers gets ready for a bike ride. Powers’ rides to work can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours. “You can discover things that you would never see if you were in a car,” Powers said. “[Riding my bike] has made me more perceptive. You gain wisdom each time you ride your bike.”

Along for the ride: staff explores alternate methods of transportation

Leah Schroeder, Managing Editor-in-Chief April 9, 2020

Whether it’s a way to get energized for the coming day or a form of meditation after school, Special School District teacher assistant Chris Powers and Orchestra teacher Ed Sandheinrich advocate for...