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
Science teacher Amy Van Matre-Woodward stands in her classroom and smiles at the camera.

From molecules to maritozzi

Allison Rueschhoff, CJ1 Writer • May 26, 2023

With the fresh aroma of sesame seed bagels wafting through the kitchen air, science teacher Amy Van Matre-Woodward wakes up early Saturday morning to bake for her family. Outside of her teaching career,...

Junior Krish Bhagat smiles at the camera as he carefully holds a black crow in his gloved hands. He had earlier saved the bird and taken it to Wild BIrd Rehabilitation.

Wings of hope

Annie Deckelbaum, CJ1 Writer • May 23, 2023

Entrepreneur junior Krish Bhagat created speakUP! to help non-profit organizations promote their brands. In elementary school, junior Krish Bhagat was labeled gifted before moving into Mosaics Academy,...

Junior Nicholas Herman stands in front of a white wall with a colorful mural of a world map painted on it. Herman stands in front of the Eastern Hemisphere.

A Tale of Three Cities

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer • May 17, 2023

From birth until 11 years old, junior Nicholas Herman was used to New York City. He was accustomed to the skyscraper buildings, the English language and the busy city people. “People are very active...

Junior Krish Baghat and seniors Camilla Mantilla, Allie Byergo and Ella Carver took home the prize for their business, Icona Apparel. Byergo placed first in the annual Spark! competition, winning $350. “Pitch competitions have benefited me by forcing me to think critically, take critiques and practice public speaking. These events also encourage our team to stay organized, as we must be able to present our business model to judges effectively,” Byergo said. Photo by Xanthe Meyer

Spark!: an early start on work experience

Makinsey Drake, Staff Writer • May 17, 2023

A spark from an Experiential Learning Task Force in 2014 lit the fire for a new learning opportunity for students. Director of Choice Programs Jennifer Stanfill joined a group of teachers, community members,...

A graphic of the 2022-23 Pathfinder senior staff.

Seniors signing off

Addie Gleason, Ashlyn Gillespie, Elle Rotter, Madi Michajliczenko, and Makinsey Drake • May 12, 2023

Addie Gleason I’ve been a shy person for just about as long as I can remember. While I always completed coursework on time, my teachers often commented that I rarely participated in class. This followed...

For years, the tradition of painting a senior mural on one of the walls in the cafeteria has continued. Senior Darcie Morgan’s mural for the class of 2023, titled “Westopoly,” was selected by the senior class vote.

Exploring the possibilities

Anna Claywell and Lia Emry • April 18, 2023

We encountered six diverse artists who explore various art forms beyond the traditional classroom setting. These individuals bring their unique perspectives and styles to the creative process, using their...

Beaming after winning the regional competition, senior Zoe Skidis stands with English teacher Andria Benmuvhar. Skidis won the school-wide competition for Poetry Out Loud, the regional competition, and went to compete at the state competition. “We went up there, and it went really smoothly. I loved listening to the other poems. It's a little harder to focus on other people's poems because you're nervous for your own, but it was still really cool,” Skidis said.

Speak Up

Grace Loethen, Staff Writer • April 12, 2023

Stage lights shine brightly in senior Zoe Skidis’ eyes. Standing in front of a large crowd, about to give her regional presentation, Skidis can barely see her parents and English teacher Andria Benmuvhar....

Senior Ava Kayser cooks a meal with her nanny Angela Cupajita. Kayser's parents wanted her to learn a different language growing up and hired Cupajita to teach her.

A nanny’s love, a students legacy

Ava McLeod, CJ1 Writer • April 5, 2023

With three kids under seven, doctors Jason Kayser and Sarah Garwood decided to enlist some help on the homefront. After talking to friends about their childcare needs, they decided a nanny would be a great...

Sophomore Sadie Burgess poses with her grandmother's novel "Spirited Sisters." Burgess' grandmother grew up in India and has written 20 novels with her experience.

Discovering diversity

Ava Griswold, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief • March 31, 2023

After spending time with her grandparents twice a year, sophomore Sadie Burgess felt a connection far beyond Ballwin, Mo. Burgess’ grandma was born and raised in India, where she attended...

Freshman Ella Early works to publish and display her artwork and writing, which she has practiced for years. Early learned techniques from her grandmother’s art and found her talent through writing. "I remember my teachers reading my books out loud to the class and being very proud of them. I said, ‘look, guys, I wrote a book,’” Early said.

Inside her story

Esta Kamau, Features/Humans of West Editor • March 13, 2023

When freshman Ella Early was in elementary school, she was often caught doodling and writing on her class notes; now, her teachers praise her for her drawings and stories. Early’s passion for drawing...

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