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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

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....

This November, Artificial Intelligence's influence on social media could play a significant role in how voters view candidates.  As voters become familiar with issues and candidates, they should also be aware of the potential impact of false information. ¨For me, voting time is very interesting and important because I get to hear what candidates have to say and what they will do to help our country,¨ junior Drake Haun said.

AI in politics

Owen Ulmer, Staff Writer October 10, 2024

In November, an important decision for our country will occur. Either Republican candidate Donald Trump or Democratic candidate Kamala Harris will be elected to be the President of the United States for...

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 the very first Homecoming in 1941 up to today, over 75 years later, earning the title of Homecoming royalty has been a popular dream for nearly every high school student participating in the festivities. At Parkway West, 10 students were nominated for this honor, with the four seniors serving as the finalists for the sought-after title of Homecoming Queen. "It's so much fun to be able to dress up, get cute photos with your friends and just be able to feel the love from the West Community," senior Gabbie Catlett said.

Meet the court

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief September 28, 2024

  As Parkway West finds itself amidst Homecoming week chaos, the return of annual traditions has brought on spirit, competition and an infamous sense of unity that reverberates through the halls....

Dressed in West High’s signature red and Carolina blue jerseys, the eighth grade (left) and varsity (right) football teams take the field for their respective home openers. Varsity played on Aug. 30, and the eighth graders on Sept. 7. “Each year brings new excitement and a new challenge. Bringing everyone together to work to achieve one common goal is something that is exciting each and every year,” physical education teacher and varsity football head coach Jeff Duncan said. (Payton Dean and Nikhita Cherukuri)

Kickoff to high school season

Payton Dean, Staff Writer September 26, 2024

Feet stomping. Hands clapping. Arms rolling. “Everybody rumble!” The fan favorite cheer, dubbed the ‘Longhorn Rumble,’ echoes through the air during a fall football weekend where the Longhorns...

Assistant varsity softball coach John Sloop and head coach Andrew Jett discuss plans for their first home game of the 2024-2025 season. After realizing that their tryout turnout was significantly lower than usual, Sloop pondered the reasons why they couldn’t create a JV team. “We lost seven players from last year, and we only had three new players come out this year. It goes through cycles in terms of new players refreshing,” Sloop said.

Play by play: Navigating challenges and opportunities in school sports

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor September 20, 2024

Students at West High take pride in their extracurriculars, often showcasing their spirit on and off campus. However, this fall season, news of the recent discontinuation of junior varsity, freshmen or...