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
“I'm very passionate about debating, [which is why] I am [a member of the] speech and debate team. I like how it offers opportunities to speak [from] viewpoints on different opinions with people outside of our group from other schools around our communities. I usually participate in public forum debates [and] the topic [we speak about] changes every month. One debate that I was most invested in [took place in] February; which was [about whether or not] the US federal government should ban all single use plastics. I feel like I spent the most time working on this case [than any other discussion], and I was determined to make it into finals. I hold competition very dear to me. I have only gone to two tournaments so far, but I've already made it into the finals. [Finals are important because], I think it really shows how much growth and [effort you’ve put in through the battle].” - Bethany Liao, 9

Bethany Liao

Emma Barton, CJ1 Writer • April 11, 2024

“My goal for soccer this season is not only to improve in skill, but also to improve my way of communication. [To] not always put the blame on myself since a team [improves together]. So my goal [coming into the team] was to not be so harsh on myself and to know that not the whole team depends on [me]. We all work as a team, and everyone [plays] a different [role]. The most exciting game this season was the first game, even though we lost it was like an exciting experience because it was the first game and it was nice seeing all my friends playing on the field together. I really improved my communication [skills]. My goal is to continue to strengthen my [ability of] communication [with the team] and to also improve my skill [at playing soccer].” - Ali Abdulsattar, 9

Ali Abdulsattar

Quinton Wallace, CJ1 Writer • March 14, 2024

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was four. The MLB inspired me to play, [but] my dad is my biggest inspiration. He's very respectful and very hardworking. He taught me to stick close to your friends who will help you achieve your goals and not get in the way of them. Baseball has made me grow with the way I start friendships. It's helped me grow [more with] athletic performances and how I accomplish things throughout life. Friendships play a big part in baseball, [especially] when you’ve been playing on the same team since you were a kid. It was really nice playing with the same people because I really got an understanding of who they are and how they play the game. You also get to see how they grow athletically and mentally over time. I formed friendships with those people I spent most of my time with and it was hard to leave that team, it’s like I left a family. [My goal for this season] is to lead my team and to have a really good record. I’ve already built relationships with my teammates through classes and just hanging outside of school.” - Isaac Sinak, 9

Isaac Sinak

Alyssa Gessner, Staff Writer • March 12, 2024

“I started [the First Generation Club] because it was really hard to find people who were [a] part of the immigrant community. I didn't share a lot of similar experiences or have a similar background to my non-first-generation peers. Sometimes I'd feel distanced or like I didn't belong because of that. I wanted to meet more first-generation students and be with people who connected with my experiences. My parents encouraged me to stay dedicated to my education, and that's one of the main focuses of the club. I wanted to create a space for everyone to come together [at] West, stay dedicated to our studies and have an opportunity to volunteer with friends. One of the challenges we faced in getting this club started was finding opportunities for us to organize school and volunteer[ing] events. Reaching out to people and getting help can really set things up for you. I've learned a lot about communication through starting this club; the First Generation Club has made me a more vocal person. Having a space to talk to people [with] similar experiences [as] mine is a rewarding aspect [of being a co-founder]. [My main goals] for [the school is to create] a better environment and a space where everyone can come together, study together, advance themselves and enjoy.” - Giuliana Ghiretti, 9

Giuliana Ghiretti

Yusra Khan, Staff Writer • March 11, 2024

“[With teaching,] It's very hard to know what you need until you start teaching. But I would say [that] just knowing students are typically doing their best [is the most important factor]. Many of the behaviors you might [recognize] are indications of not understanding [the lesson], or feeling that they're not confident in the class. Knowing that, I think [this mindset] would’ve helped me from the beginning instead of this adversarial type of situation that a lot of teachers might feel going [into teaching]. [It's important to know] that things get easier as you teach because you add more tools to your toolbox as you go. And the more tools you have, the more engaging your classes [will be] and the better feedback you can give [to your] students.” - Sonya McGowin, Spanish

Sonya McGowin, Spanish

Srisha Gujjula, CJ1 Writer • February 23, 2024

“I was the girl that always played teacher when I [was] growing up. I [would set] my dolls up and stuffed animals up and they’d be my students [that I] would play school with. When I graduated high school, I went to Mizzou to become a broadcast journalist. I talked to a couple of people in the field and they all said to go wherever the jobs are. I knew I wasn't the type of person [whose] career was going to drive them around the world, and I knew I was in the wrong place, so I talked to my parents, and they [said] that I’ve always loved teaching. I went to Missouri State University, [then got a job] in a small town called Buffalo just north of Springfield and I worked there for two years. After that, I decided to get my graduate degree in math, and I had an opportunity to get a grad assistantship where I could go to school and teach. We ended up moving here to St. Louis and I taught for 10 years in the Fort Zumwalt district, and then seven years here at Parkway West. The one piece of advice I always give students is that they will spend more waking hours of their adult life in their job than anything else they do; so find something that you're passionate about and something that you love. Oftentimes as an adult, I feel like I'm saying one thing and doing another thing, but that [advice] I feel like I'm truly living.” – Andrea Horn, Math

Andrea Horn, Math

Isaiah Meese, Yearbook Contributor • February 21, 2024

“Me and a fellow freshman, Jaswitha Tummala, have both been really interested in [starting] Science Olympiad [this year]. [I] did science bowl for all three years in middle school, and last year I led my team to Nationals [as] the captain. I know that all the other schools have enough interest in this subject to host full Science Olympiad teams [with around] 15 people. I didn't think [students at] West had [a lot of] interest, [but] we have almost 30 people ready to form two teams. We’re going to dip our toes in this year and see how things [will] run, and how many people are committed. Next year, after we [have] figured out those logistics, I was thinking about [hosting] a science bowl [which is when] a team with four people plus one alternate person, gets seven seconds to answer a toss-up question related to either Physics, Biology, Math, Chemistry or Energy. If [they] get it right, [the] whole team answers a bonus question. The team with the most points at the end wins the round. It's head-to-head, and there are a lot of heated rounds where two teams have to fight out their buzzes within milliseconds. I'm super excited to start [a club] that can make a lasting impact on student lives, especially those who have a passion for [science], like I do.” - Alisha Yin, 9

Alisha Yin

Sravya Reddy Guda, Staff Writer • February 12, 2024

“I started boxing two years ago [and it] positively impacted my life by getting me in better shape and getting me healthier. [It] changed my lifestyle because back then, I didn't have much to do, [but] now my life is more busy and whenever I'm bored I can just go to boxing. [My favorite part of being at the gym] is sparring, because I like to [fight] people. [While training for a match] we do a bunch of sparring, cardio work, running and sprinting. [Becoming a professional boxer] is an option but I don't think it's my major goal. But If I ever decide I want to, then I guess I'll work way harder and make sure that when the time comes, I'll have enough skill to become a professional boxer. Before I step into the ring for a fight, I get nervous and think about what everyone who’s watching is going to think and if the outcome isn’t what I want it to be. During [my first fight] I won the Golden Gloves Championship of St. Louis, and it was the best moment of my life. If you lose, move on and work harder, it’s nothing to be ashamed of [because] everyone will sometimes lose.” - Musab Safi, 10

Musab Safi

Esta Kamau, Features/Humans of West Editor • February 9, 2024

“I like that I'm able to socialize with all my friends at sports practices. I would say one of my biggest setbacks has been the summer between seventh and eighth grade when I injured my foot and I was unable to play with my soccer team [during] state cup for two games. My soccer team. That [experience] was definitely [a bad time for me] and it really did not make me feel good. [During this period of my life], A piece of advice [was given to me by] one of my soccer coaches who told me to ‘have the memory of a goldfish’. So the idea of this is that it's good to learn from your mistakes, but you can learn from them too much [and not value the life lessons in the midst]. That's really changed how I go about school sports, friendships, all that sort of stuff because you can't live in the past [and will have to move on to the future]. I think that getting past mistakes and moving on from them can really benefit you in the long run.” -Cal Kampelman, 9

Cal Kampelman

Dono Qualls, CJ1 Writer • February 7, 2024

“I’m a captain [of the Varsity Cheerleading team]. I think it's fun and I like leading. In practice, we stretch [with] everyone and then we make up quarter and timeout [routines] for the games. It's kind of sad [that it is my last year here], but at the same time I'm excited for [what comes after high school]. I like the pep rallies. [One piece of advice is that] you should always be kind because you never know what someone's going through. You don't want to look back at your high school years and be like, ‘Why did I do that?’ So make sure you think everything through. I want to go to college. I'm looking [forward to either going to] Arizona [for college], but also Mizzou. I want to do something [in the] medical [field], but I want to do something with kids as well. I’m kind of scared, [but I would] probably do pre-med, [and become] a [pediatrician]. I've always liked helping [others] and being around little kids. I feel like it would be really rewarding to help little kids, especially if they're hurt and to make them feel better.” - Marissa Thomasson, 12

Marissa Thomasson

Andrea Restrepo, CJ1 Writer • February 5, 2024

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