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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

Freezing in their position, the Addams Family cast hits the “rigor mortis” pose after cast member and senior Jack Mullen, in character as Gomez Addams, calls out the stiff death move. For the past four months, the combined company of cast members, orchestra pit, crew and directors all worked to create the familial chemistry of the show. “I’m excited for [the audience] to see the numbers, the music, the scenes, but I also just love all the technical aspects of it. The whole spectacle, the costumes, makeup and the people that put in the work backstage in order to make the show successful on stage. I’m excited for people to see and appreciate that,” Mullen said.

Rigor mortis!

Esta Kamau, Features/Humans of West Editor March 7, 2025

Snapping their fingers underneath the dim stage lights, the Addams family will make their stage debut on March 7 through March 9. “The Addams Family Musical: High School Edition” will tell the story...

This is the first year that the Parkway West Science Olympiad team competed at regionals. Team member and junior Anish Jindal competed in several events including Chem Labs, Experimental Design and Geological Mapping, earning top five placements in several events. “Compared with some of the other academic competitions at West [that can be] difficult to figure out how to get better, [Science Olympiad] is a lot more inclusive, having a broad group of people with different specialties,” Jindal said.

The formula for victory

Yein Ahn, News Editor March 5, 2025

From cracking forensic cases to engineering planes, the Parkway West Science Olympiad team put their science knowledge to the test on March 1 at the team’s first regional competition. The Longhorns didn’t...

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...

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

Sage Kelly, Staff Writer December 13, 2024

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...

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

Voter registration is open for November’s presidential election through Oct. 9. On Oct. 2, students at West High were able to receive assistance with online registration in the library. “When I went into the library to [register to] vote, [librarian] Lauren Reusch made completing my registration very easy and clear. It’s important to learn about voting and it’s important that schools help with voter registration, because it can be confusing for first-time voters,” senior Gianna Lionelli said.

Countdown to Election Day

Risa Cidoni, Editor-in-Chief October 3, 2024

The race to Election Day is hitting its final stages, with both presidential candidates gunning to sprint across the finish line for the most coveted title in U.S. politics. At this point in the game,...

From April 24 to May 3, students in the Parkway West Spanish club sold woven bracelets called ‘Pulseras.’ Pieces were sold outside of the cafeteria by Spanish club members. “It's my way of giving back. It's just a cool project in general for students to be exposed to a nonprofit organization that's not in the U.S. and deals with other cultures and other countries,” Spanish club sponsor Dominique Navarro said.

Pulsera power: Spanish Club’s mission to make a difference

Keira Lang and Zoya Hasan May 13, 2024

From April 24 to May 3, the Parkway West Spanish Club arranged a nonprofit event called The Pulsera Project. In Spanish, Pulsera directly translates to bracelet, and that’s precisely what the club offered...

Laughing with a group of friends, freshman Valarie Vang takes in the spirit of positivity week. Members of the longhorn council volunteered to work at the table, facilitating lots of excited students. ”I wrote a lot of notes because like I just want the people that I love to know that I love them and appreciate them for like being in my life. It was really fun,” Vang said.

Spreading sunshine

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor April 29, 2024

Sometimes a small smile and a few kind words are all it takes to let a friend know they are loved. From Apr. 21- Apr. 25, students across West High have been spreading positivity with kind notes, neon...