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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

Raising his arm for a high five, freshman Abram Brazier plays with Early Childhood Center students during his first visit of the semester. Brazier joined his assigned class during their designated outdoor time. “[Child Development] gives me experience with how to talk [to] kids. We read them a book so knowing how to talk to them [was helpful]. Most of the [preschoolers] just came right up to us [and] played around,” Brazier said.

From one classroom to another: A look inside Child Development’s curriculum

Payton Dean, Staff Writer January 13, 2025

Laughter and screams echo as students thunder across the playground in a game of tag. Despite the large age gap between high schoolers and preschoolers, they play together seamlessly. The Child Development...

Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. "[The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jeff] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.

Competition for a cause: Social studies department marks success in Holiday Food Drive efforts

Risa Cidoni, Editor-in-Chief December 19, 2024

When holiday spirit meets fierce competition, West High’s social studies department turns giving into a game. This year’s season of giving brought West High’s 12th year of decking the halls with...

Principal John McCabe announces that Jeffrey Chazen has won Teacher of the Year. Chazen was discussing freedom of speech with his AP Government class when the door opened and administrators rushed in. “[I was] extremely happy and humbled, but mostly shock[ed]. I've been here longer than any other teacher, so I know most of the people on the list of Teachers of the Year, and they are amazing teachers themselves,” Chazen said. “It's just nice to be on the list with them, including [social studies teacher Kristen] Collins, who is the only other social studies teacher who has won Teacher of the Year. It was nice to bring something back to the social studies department.”

Social studies teacher Jeffrey Chazen wins 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year

With administrators funneling into the classroom, confusion and surprise swept over the face of Jeffrey Chazen and those of his AP Government students. On Wednesday, during the 6th hour, Principal John...

Going up to a customer, junior and FBLA member Grace Garetson sells Waterway coupons. Garetson has been a part of FBLA for one year and enjoyed participating in FBLA’s fundraiser and competition. “The competition reminded me of when I was a Girl Scout and I sold Girl Scout cookies, except this was a lot more important because I had to sell coupons to earn money for our competitions,” Garetson said.

Believing in Business: FBLA hosts Waterway fundraiser competition

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor December 2, 2024

From Oct.1 to Nov. 12, the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) hosted a Waterway Carwash fundraiser by selling coupons. Members of FBLA participated in the fundraiser to practice their sales skills...

Following his victory, Mr. Longhorn and senior Henry Wild gets lifted up by fellow senior contestants in a moment of celebration. After making it into the top three of nine competitors, Wild responded to an interview question posed by senior class principal Beth Aromando to cinch the victory. “Being up there with all the boys when they're picking me up and throwing me around was a fun time. I didn't participate to win; I just did it to have fun with them,” Wild said.

And the winner is…

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief November 22, 2024

After weeks of planning, preparation and practice, on Thursday, Nov. 21, senior Henry Wild was crowned Mr. Longhorn. Initially stepping on stage as a salsa dancer during the occupation portion of the night,...

Striking a pose following their group dance, the 2024 Mr. Longhorn contestants welcome their audience to the show. Throughout the night, the nine competitors participated in an occupational section, skits for the talent portion and a fashion attire show before finalists were interviewed. “It's a fun time getting to hang out with my friends and doing [our] acts. I think I'm most excited for my performance with [seniors Bart Connors, Gavin Hamlin and Colin Hughes]. I like that I get to dance a little bit. I don't think I'm very good, but I'm gonna try my best to put on a show,” contestant and senior Henry Wild said.

Meet the competition

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief November 21, 2024

The anticipation is over — Mr. Longhorn is finally here. As nine senior boys compete in the annual pageant, they showcase their hard work to audiences and judges alike. But beyond the brief moments they...

Kicking off dress rehearsal, Mr. Longhorn contestant and senior Carson Hughes goes over the group routine alongside other competitors. With just two days of practice, all participants learned the entirety of their introductory dance, chose an occupation to embody and crafted skits for the show. “The best part of this [whole thing] was learning the dance and just practicing with the guys. We [have to] try not to laugh the whole time, but we're having a lot of fun,” Hughes said.

A tradition almost lost

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief November 20, 2024

On Thursday Nov. 21, nine senior boys will go head to head, competing for the coveted title of Mr. Longhorn. One of the most prominent events integrated into student life, the pageant is organized by Longhorn...

Blending together a concoction for a science experiment, science teacher Joel Anderson scares his students by bringing excitement and thrill into his classroom for his annual Halloween show.  It took about six weeks for Anderson to set up his classroom for the show. “It’s pure terror. I came up with this idea a couple decades ago to do something fun for Halloween. So I pretend to be this mad scientist [that creates] a Frankenstein-like creature [with the class], learning a little bit of science along the way and [then ending] with a laser show. It’s just for fun; entertainment value,” Anderson said.

Haunting highlights

Yein Ahn and Esta Kamau November 1, 2024

Senior Sadie Burgess squeezes a stress ball as she gets her blood drawn. Burgess was the first student donor of the day for Impact Life’s blood drive. “I'm not good with needles or shots, so giving blood made me a little nervous, but I think I did okay,” Burgess said. “I saved three lives today and I feel like Halloween is a good day to give blood. It's very festive with the vampires and the costumes.”

A scary good cause: West High hosts a schoolwide blood drive on Halloween

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor November 1, 2024

This Halloween, Oct. 31, the National Honor Society (NHS), Red Cross Club and Key Club came together to organize a schoolwide blood drive. With more than 30 students and staff giving blood, this year’s...

Standing with girls cross country team mascot Pump the pumpkin, senior Sydney Etchason laughs with her teammates. Before the team’s senior night, Etchason undertook an odyssey to recover the pumpkin, which had been stolen by boys cross country. “We went through practice, and then a little birdie told me that it was in [senior] Emmett [Vernon's] car. I [offered Vernon] $50 to give us our pumpkin back, and we got Pump back,” Etchason said.

Running shoulder to shoulder

Will Gonsior, Opinions/A&E Editor October 31, 2024

After their daily practice on Oct. 23, the girls cross country team descended to the track to inaugurate a new tradition. Parents, coaches and teammates gathered to celebrate senior members of the team....