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
Gazing up from the stage, junior Joseph McCurdy who played Peter Pan in the school play, Lost Girl, sits next to senior Juliana Rogers, who plays Wendy Darling, during a theater rehearsal. McCurdy’s passion for theater began when he observed a West High production in middle school. “I've been in the high school theater program since I was a freshman. I've always loved theater, but [what prompted me to join] was [when] I went to see [a performance here] when I was in middle school, and it was super cool,” McCurdy said.

In the spotlight

Payton Dean, Opinions Editor • 21 hours ago

Nov. 7 to Nov. 9, Parkway West’s theater department traveled through the life of Wendy Darling, in their newest production. “Lost Girl,” chosen for the department's annual fall play. A reimagining...

On Nov. 12, the northern lights took over the skies of St. Louis. Typically, this event only occurs towards the poles of the northern and southern hemispheres; however, a round of severe solar storms caused them to appear much farther south than usual. “It's usually very rare. I think it's my parents’ first time seeing them as well,” sophomore Tyler Wilson said.

Northern lights illuminate skies over St. Louis

Ryder Williams and Max Chung • 5 days ago

As the November nights grow longer, an unexpected light show appeared in the sky above St. Louis. The northern lights, typically seen only farther north, shone brightly above Missouri and many other southern...

Standing tall, stacked in a precise formation, the cheer team strikes a signature pose during halftime on Sept. 12 at the varsity football game. Nearly a month after this performance, the cheer team performed at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) regional competition on Oct. 4, 2025. “We've all come [to] work together a lot more,” sophomore Elyssa Philippi said. “We're a lot closer than we were [earlier in the season] and going to state has made us closer [in] trying to work with each other, learn [new] skills and make our team better.”

Hands linked, hearts soaring

Zaina Hasan and Jude Taher • November 10, 2025

With hearts racing, the Parkway West Varsity cheer team stepped onto the mat at the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) State Championship on Nov. 1 at the Mizzou Hearnes Center in Columbia,...

Handing out candy to excited trunk-or-treaters, President of the United Nations Children’s Fund club and junior Sara Ashok represents that group. Ashok was eager to participate in this event for multiple reasons. “I really wanted to be a part of the event because I get to help create memories for kids and spend time with my friends, spreading the things [I'm passionate about],” Ashok said.

A night of sweet fun

Rishi Pidikiti, Sports Editor • November 5, 2025

On Oct. 29, Parkway West High hosted the fourth annual trunk or treat, which started three years ago in 2022 to involve more elementary school kids and give back to the Parkway West community. Initiated...

Experimenting with vials and test tubes on Oct. 1, Beta Chi Pi president and senior Nicole Paquette supports her passion for science in the classroom. After former Beta Chi Pi sponsor and science teacher Chloe Gallaher’s retirement, Paquette worked with science teacher Elegan Kramer during the summer to bring the science club back to West. “It’s a good way to keep you connected with science, and it’s a motivation to do science activities. Overall, it’s just a good group of people that are interested in science,” Paquette said.

Beta Chi Pi returns: Reviving a science community at West

Zaina Hasan and Jude Taher • October 13, 2025

Experimenting with vials and test tubes on Oct. 1, Beta Chi Pi president and senior Nicole Paquette supports her passion for science in the classroom. After former Beta Chi Pi sponsor and science teacher...

Smiling in a sea of Longhorns, Fox 2 reporter Ty Hawkins joins junior Darren Young during the morning Oct. 3 pep rally. The last time West was featured in this segment was 2011. “[I hope people see this and think] if you come to [Parkway] West, you will have the time of your life because there are so many fun activities to do that make it feel like you belong here. I was surprised so many people attended, but it was a lot of fun,” Young said.

Rise and shine

Payton Dean, Opinions Editor • October 3, 2025

At a time when many students would still be sleeping, Parkway West students joined together to build school spirit prior to varsity football’s home game against Lindbergh. The event took place on the...

West High seniors and families listen as a representative of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, Teresa Steinkamp, leads a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop. This session, held in the library, provided guidance on financial aid, scholarships and student loan options. “This event is very beneficial for any seniors who are applying to or considering applying to colleges after high school [because] the cost of college is on the rise for seniors and parents,” college and career counselor Chris Lorenz said.

From questions to clarity: Seniors and parents attend FAFSA session

Zainab Al-Jaff, Staff Writer • September 26, 2025

On Sept. 16, seniors and their families gathered in the library for an informative workshop on the college financial aid process. The event was hosted by The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and designed...

Senior Kamori Berry walks across the field during halftime at the Homecoming football game on Sept. 12. During the pep assembly earlier that day, she was pronounced Homecoming Queen. “I thought it was nice that the crowd [started] cheering right away. I know [my friends] were really excited for me, and my family was happy because typically non-white people don't win,” Berry said.

Golden traditions

Ayah Zayed, Staff Writer • September 17, 2025

This year, West High celebrated its 2025 Homecoming Court nominees. Students share many experiences leading up to Homecoming, such as spirit week, Powderpuff and the traditional Homecoming football game...

Football clutched in her hand, senior Maggie Leahy leaps past the end line and into the end zone as her fellow teammates rush to celebrate the touchdown. The juniors had been leading the scoreboard, but Leahy’s touchdown had turned the tide. “It was a really fun atmosphere to be in. Everybody was happy to be there because it was homecoming. We had a little rough start, but we figured it out in the end,” Leahy said.

Powder Puff, Powder Play

Pathfinder Staff • September 12, 2025

On Sept. 11, 2025, the junior women challenged the senior women to the annual friendly, but competitive, game of flag football called Powderpuff. This is a West High tradition that occurs every year during...

Posing outside Missouri State University, students take a group photo following the MSHSAA Speech and Debate State Tournament. The competition spanned two days, adding up to nearly 60 rounds between the team. “This was all of our first times at States, and that made this experience unique 一 no one knew what to expect. Getting one last tournament with this specific team and our seniors was sentimental, but I’m excited to get going again next season,” sophomore Aagi Gudipati said.

Voices of the herd

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • May 13, 2025

From April 24-26, 15 students traveled to Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., to compete in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Speech and Debate State Tournament....

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