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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

Standing with her father in front of Mount Missouri in Colorado, Stefanie Elsperman smiles after hiking 12 miles to the top of the mountain. Elsperman sees the outdoors as inspiration for meditation. “My family loves to go hiking, chilling out and meditating. We’re always out at parks with our dogs,” Elsperman said.

Stefanie Elsperman uses spiritual blog and group to inspire others

Sabrina Bohn, Managing Editor-in-Chief October 27, 2017

Stefanie Elsperman, a junior at Washington University in St. Louis, did not have the typical high school experience. Instead of a standard four year high school program, she graduated a semester early...

Actors Jussie Smollett, from Empire, and Blake Young-Fountain look out at a crowd during the NYC Pride Parade during the film The Skinny.

Blake Young-Fountain commits his life to acting

Chris Narishkin, Staff Writer October 24, 2017

Acting is a lifelong process, and for class of 2000 Parkway West Alumnus Blake Young-Fountain, it has been his entire career, tracing back to his childhood. “When I was young, I remember helping my...

During cross country practice, social studies teacher and assistant coach Brent Wildhaber races against freshman Emma Smout on a unicycle.

Getting to know social studies teacher Brent Wildhaber

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER October 24, 2017

What classes do you teach? “I teach one section of world history and four sections of modern U.S. history.” What got you interested in teaching? “A couple things: I love history. I love...

Junior Principal Corey Sink poses with his wife, Molly and sons, Asher and Ryder.

Getting to know junior Principal Corey Sink

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER October 20, 2017

Pathfinder: What got you interested in your job? Sink: “I have always wanted to be a teacher. Working with kids was certainly a passion of mine, and I enjoy coaching too, so the sports aspect met...

Fighting for equity in criminal justice: alumna Lopacious Simms pursues law and order

Chris Narishkin, Convergent Media Writer October 20, 2017

Growing up, 2015 alumna Lopacious Simms could not get enough of criminal investigation shows. But after watching the Ferguson riots of 2014 unravel, Simms, a native Saint Louisan, knew that she wanted...

Special School District teacher Therese Meres helps senior Nick Waldrop package a hygiene kit. Over 100 shoe boxes were filled by West students. "[Operation Christmas Child] packs 20,500 shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine," Operation Christmas Child of St. Louis’ media coordinator Julie Northrip said.

Special ed students participate in Operation Christmas Child

Sydney Kinzy, PHOTO EDITOR October 19, 2017

It might be only October, but this does not phase the spirit of gift giving for students participating in Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child delivers gifts to 146 million children in...

Harlan is filmed for a documentary made about his life, running and adventures with the indigenous Tarahumara. The documentary is titled El Chivo (The Goat).

Will Harlan roots his life in conservation

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR October 16, 2017

For 19 years, 1993 alumnus Will Harlan followed one woman living in a cabin in the woods to learn all she had to offer about the land around her. His drive to do such a thing started with the teachers...

Junior Moritz Riss adjusts to life as an American teen

Junior Moritz Riss adjusts to life as an American teen

Sophie Gulino, Convergent Media Writer October 13, 2017

Although the vast majority of students live within twenty minutes of school, junior Moritz Riss had to cross an ocean from his home in Southwest Germany to attend Parkway West. Riss is a member of the...

Latin teacher Jodi Wickman poses with her husband and her two children, Edmund and Cosette.

Getting to know Latin teacher Jodi Wickman

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER October 13, 2017

Pathfinder: What got you interested in teaching? Wickman: “After my master’s degree, I wanted to work in a museum and was interning in the education department of Milwaukee Public Museum. I decided...