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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

Sitting at his desk, Principal Jeremy Mitchell takes a call from a parent. During the summer, administrators got together to discuss changes that needed to be made. “There is still discipline enacted because you are still breaking a school expectation,” Mitchell said. “It’s just that the type of discipline will be one that will not only be disciplinary action but disciplinary action with a purpose.”

Administrators revamp vaping policy in hope of change

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor September 10, 2019

In response to the widespread vaping trend that continues to affect the school, administrators are taking a new approach to the issue by establishing a policy they hope will better prevent vaping on school...

With increased enrollment, 380 students were allowed to pay $85 for a parking permit. There are currently no more spots being sold. “Based on however many junior and senior parking permits we give out at the beginning of the year, will usually determine how many more spots we have to sell for the rest of the year," Sophomore class Principal Kate Piffel said.

Increased enrollment leads to new parking policies

Drew Boone, Staff Writer September 3, 2019

It’s a right of passage many seniors, juniors and a handful of sophomores enjoy, purchasing an $85 space to ensure they can drive to school. However, due to increased enrollment, the plan has been revised. “All...

Worn at Powderpuff, football games, spirit days and other school events, senior jerseys are a long standing tradition.

The class of 2020 breaks traditions with new senior jerseys

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor September 3, 2019

From the senior campout to Mr. Longhorn, many traditions define senior year. Worn at Powderpuff, football games, spirit days and other school events, senior jerseys are another long standing tradition....

Reviewing statistics, freshman Connor Gusky prepares for the next meeting of Sports Analytics Club. Gusky used his love for math and athletics to create a club that predicts the outcome of sporting events. "As a club, we come up with what we want to know and predict which team will win which game because of X, Y and Z," Gusky said. "I try to make it fun and not over complicated."

Freshman Connor Gusky merges sports and math to create Sports Analytics Club

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor May 20, 2019

Whether it’s making brackets, dressing in team jerseys, placing bets or attending games and matches, sports fans support their teams in a variety of ways. For some, the love of the sport goes beyond...

Planting seedlings in a garden at school, freshman Maura Collins, along with Environment Club, plans to donate the produce to Parkway Food Pantry once it is grown. The club began this year with the help of English teacher Casey Holland and wants to spread awareness about the environment through gardening projects and information about being environmentally friendly. “I’m passionate about the environment because my mom always loved gardening, so I spent a lot of my childhood outside,” Collins said. “I want to specialize in sustainable urban planning, so I thought some exposure from the club might be good.”

The Environmental Club plants seeds for change

Lilly Rahm, Convergent Media Writer May 17, 2019

In an attempt to promote green living and a healthy lifestyle, the Environmental Club began planting vegetables to donate to the Parkway Schools Food Pantry. “After being at this school for two years,...

Directed by Ed Sandheinrich (not pictured), juniors Ronik Bhaskar, Dennis McMorrow and Daniel Yu play their instruments in Symphonic Orchestra. All levels of orchestra participate in the reflection by playing songs that they are able too that the seniors choose. “It’s different every day, a new adventure every day, and it keeps things fresh,” Sandheinrich said.

Seniors reflect on the time spent with their instruments during high school

Ross Harter, Staff Writer May 17, 2019

The Orchestra program is putting on one last ‘hurrah’ for the seniors by allowing them to pick the music for the Senior Reflection ceremony. “I think that the songs we are playing at Senior Reflection...

Lined up outside of the theatre on the first Friday of Ramadan, junior Mohammed Kuziez and freshmen Waleed Abdulla and Areeb Hasan get together to pray “Jummah” (Friday prayers). Muslims are also obligated to pray five times a day, as “salah” (prayer) is one of the five pillars of Islam. “I like to think that I hold my religion very close to me; it's something that I was brought up on for the past 17 years,” Kuziez said. “It's one of the things that our religion holds the closest, and [prayer is] a basic [element] of it.”

The journey of fasting through finals

Ridwan Oyebamiji and Fatema Rehmani May 16, 2019

As the time of sunset, “Maghrib,” grows closer, senior Farhan Hassan’s stomach growls at the thought of food; he looks forward to eating the dates and drinking the water in front of him. During...

Anthony Piccinni poses in his classroom with his class pet Kaa. Piccinni has been Kaa’s owner for 22 years and he has become a big part of Piccinni’s identity. “[Kaa] and I have done birthday parties, visited preschool classrooms and taught lessons in elementary schools,” Piccinni said. “Giving him away is hard, not because of a deep, emotional connection, but because he is a part of a significant aspect of my life that is coming to a close. I will miss being a classroom teacher, and he has been a part of the classroom and the experience.”

Anthony Piccinni basks in the idea of retirement

Sarah Lashly, COPY COACH May 16, 2019

Smiling in the science hallway, greeting students during passing periods and caring for his snake, science teacher Anthony Piccinni has decided to retire after this year since joining the staff in 2011. “[This...

Discussing ideas for lessons, junior Sabrina Bohn, sophomore Ulaa Kuziez and junior Kaitlyn Faber plan for upcoming Common Ground meetings. The trio plan to design the Common Ground curriculum for the 2019-2020 school year. “I hope, overall, that Common Ground more effectively reaches students and allows for a more comfortable place where we can discuss the issues that the school is facing,” Bohn said.

Common Ground undergoes second revamp

Zaven Nalbandian, STAFF WRITER May 14, 2019

Common Ground will be undergoing an overhaul starting in August, where multiple students from the  Superintendent’s Social Justice Leadership Advisory Council (SSJLAC) are planning to form a new club...

Seniors Gokul Venkatachalam, Kristina Humphrey and Luke Donovan pose with their plaques from the district tournament. Venkatachalam will go to nationals in the “Policy Debate” event and Humphrey and Donovan will compete in the “Duo Interpretation” event. “I’ve never been to the national tournament before,” Humphrey said. “I know it’s very competitive because you’re competing against a bunch of national qualifiers. I hope we can do well, and I doubt we’ll make the final stage, but we’re going to try as hard as we can.”

Debate team has emotional return to nationals

Peyton Gaskill, STAFF WRITER May 14, 2019

After a successful districts tournament, the speech and debate team will send six students to compete in three different events at the national tournament in Dallas this June. The events of last year have...