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
“Someone that made a big impact on me would have to be my mom. She has always been a great role model and took great care of me growing up. She always taught me to pick the good things to value in life and how to be smart with my choices. One thing she told me to value was the friendships that lasted and had no judgments. In middle school, she gave me great advice especially when I didn’t want to be there and was lonely. She told me to not get anxious, to stay calm and that someone who has a good soul would come without complaints. I used to complain that I didn’t feel great and would ask her to pick me up but, instead she would give me advice on how to feel better and make more friends.” – Sophie Barmak, 11

Sophie Barmak

Laya Krishnakumar, CJ1 Writer • May 26, 2022

“The most stressful thing going on in my life is grades. Teachers put a lot of pressure on me, and they constantly challenge me with homework. I do track currently, and I did cross country during the fall and swimming during the winter. So just all of that can be stressful. There’s a lot of pressure on me from my parents because I feel like they compare everything I do to my [older sister]. Lexi was the first child, [she] was like their norm, and I have a completely different learning strategy than her. She gets things done five months ahead of time. Her room is always tidy and clean, and she's just on top of it all the time. I am the complete opposite. I do things at the last minute, right before it's due. I don't keep [my room] clean until I have to. Like my life is unorganized but organized in my way. I’m happy I have my friends and family to help me with all the stress.” — Sydney Etchason, 9

Sydney Etchason

Olivia Picaud, CJ1 Writer • May 26, 2022

“[This season] my ice hockey team, the Rockets, won our state championship. This was my seventh year playing ice hockey, so it was very exciting to win. I remember there were just a few minutes left [of the game], and we were winning by two. The final score ended with 5-3. It was such a good experience with my teammates to play in the championships. My team and I celebrated our win by going out to eat pizza.”. Someone who inspired me to play ice hockey is my dad. [Growing up], he played roller hockey, a sport [similar to ice hockey] but instead, you are on wheels. Now, he is the coach of my ice hockey team and one of my biggest supporters.” - J.D. Horenkamp, 10

J.D. Horenkamp

Lacey Hubert, CJ1 Writer • May 25, 2022

"In eighth grade, I used to be depressed and in a bad place. I just wasn’t myself. I dyed my hair super dark, and I was absolutely disgusting. People probably did not know that I was so depressed and went to therapy. Every night I would go to bed feeling unfulfilled, lonely and unhappy. I feel like, over COVID, talking about mental health was more normalized because everyone was wondering when COVID would finally end. I would cry every night and have panic attacks often. I finally asked my mom to go to therapy, and I am so happy I did because I wouldn't be where I am right now without it. My biggest achievement is that now I am the best version of myself, and I am so happy. I have straight A’s and played field hockey and now soccer I am just really enjoying it. [I learned] to focus on myself and enjoy all of my time alone. I am proud of myself for getting out of therapy and being so happy now.” — Mia Lauer, 9

Mia Lauer

Ava Prsha, CJ1 Writer • May 25, 2022

“[The most influential person in my life is] Indiana guard Xavier Johnson. One day, he had a really good game. [He] didn't miss a shot [and] hit 30 points. I messaged him after the game [and told him] he did a really good job. He has a bunch of followers, so I didn't expect a response. He responded back to me and gave me some words of encouragement. After that, I started playing basketball a lot more and trying to get better. It inspired me to work harder [in life and in basketball].” — Finn Smith, 9

Finn Smith

Ava Silva, CJ1 Writer • May 24, 2022

“Someone I look up to is my mom. She's a very independent woman. She can do a lot of stuff that people wouldn't even think that she could do and it helps me see I can achieve my goals, just like her. She pushes me and motivates me a lot. She owns her own daycare business with some of my relatives. It's a good day care. They really grew their business. They used just to take care of relatives' kids, but now they have two different buildings. So I want to be just like her when I get older.” – Jaylein Lewis, 11

Jaylein Lewis

Serpil Kucukkaya, CJ1 Writer • May 24, 2022

“I've always planned on being a part of the theater. I had my heart set on being an actor, so I pursued any opportunities I could get. After I got to high school, I didn't make it into “The Drowsy Chaperone” so Improv became my main outlet for theater, and I loved it. I've learned how to adapt to social situations on the fly, how to be okay with rejection and how to avoid drama. Theater is great because it really forces you outside your comfort zone while also providing a great support system you can rely on to have your back. Theater in general has benefited me by giving me a strong support system and introducing me to some very good friends that I am very thankful for. It has given me an outlet for discovering my identity and finding strong supportive people.” – Muse Spillman, 11

Muse Spillman

Kaelin Kerpash, CJ1 Writer • May 23, 2022

“[One moment that changed my life was] when my mom died. My uncle had come to visit, and I was all excited. We were at my grandparent's house, my dad was there, and my grandma got her phone out. We were all sitting in a circle, and she told us she got a call from the hospital, and my mom had died. I realize now why my uncle came to visit, but I didn't know at the time. I didn't see her that much anyway, [but everything] was just different after. [I regret] not spending enough time with the people I care about because you never know when you won't be able to see them again.” — Ava Silva, 9

Ava Silva

Ava Bauman, CJ1 Writer • May 23, 2022

“The most influential person in my life is my sister, Jillian. She's my biggest role model, and I strive to be like her one day. Jill graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and then went to the University of Kansas with a scholarship to major in business and still has a 4.0 GPA throughout her college career. She has taught me how to become a successful person like herself and continue to be the best person I can be. We have our ups and downs, like sometimes we get into arguments, but we always find a way to rekindle our differences. When I was in middle school, I would go through many problems with my friends, but Jillian usually always helped me get to reality figure out what I could do in the situation, and help try to fix it. I don't know what I would do without her guidance helping me to my successes.” - Sophie Crutcher, 9

Sophie Crutcher

Zoey Ware, CJ1 Writer • May 23, 2022

“My biggest struggle in life is school, mainly because I don’t care enough to apply myself. My parents obviously want better for me, and I want to do better for them, but with a lot of the activities I have going on, I can never find the time. My family is super important because my parents work super hard, and they always show how much they care for me. My friends are also super important because they help me throughout life, and I wouldn’t be the same person I am without them. A lot of my friends play soccer with me, and because of that, we travel a lot. Like one time, we went to Arizona and got to explore a lot and see a lot of sights. I remember when my friends and I were messing around, they wrapped me up in a plastic wrap and pushed me over. I got a concussion, but I wouldn’t go back and change that because it was funny. My friends and I do a lot of dumb stuff, and we get in trouble a lot, but you know, you just got to live life.” - Jake Boland, 9

Jake Boland

Olivia Picaud, CJ1 Writer • May 20, 2022

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