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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

After completing a discussion, members of the Global Cohort Competency group pose for a photo. Teachers and staff members were allowed to come throughout the day to listen to the students. “I’m just very appreciative to the students who gave their time to speak,” science teacher Amy Cohen said. “I know it’s not always easy to have personal and honest conversations, particularly with staff members that they might not know personally. I got so much out of being in those conversations and facilitating the discussions, so I hope that the students got value out of it.”

Global Competency Cohort strives to give minority students a platform

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor May 13, 2019

After listening and engaging in a student panel discussion April 24 to increase cultural and religious awareness, science teacher Amy Cohen, assistant principal Beth Middendorf and journalism teacher Debra...

Ken Susman stands in front of the board of education in the foyer of Central Middle school. He is wearing a red shirt and speaking into the microphone at the podium, empassioned.

Parkway teachers take a stand for increased inclusion

Dani Fischer, MANAGING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF May 9, 2019

“Tolerance for racism is racism” and “no room in this room for racism”: both of these are phrases that are hung in teachers’ classrooms across Parkway. Below the white text is a hashtag—#EndRacismInParkway. These...

Beginning his victory lap around the gym, 2019 Teacher of the Year awardee Emanuel Young pumps his fists to energize the crowd at the Spring Pep Rally, March 29. This is Young’s fourth year teaching business at West High.. “I was in a state of disbelief,” Young said. “My heart was racing; it was one of those things you felt like you should have known but didn’t.”

Teacher of the Year takes on new challenges after 10 years in the classroom

Drew Boone and Joey Grove May 9, 2019

Excitement buzzes in room 2312 as Principal Jeremy Mitchell enters with a basket of gifts and a certificate for business teacher Emmanuel Young, the 2019 Parkway West Teacher of the Year. Young has...

Admiring their work, students take a photo after decorating the sidewalks leading into the school Sunday, March 28. Longhorn Council wrote positive phrases and messages in bathrooms throughout the school and on sidewalks to prepare for Pay it Forward Week. “I had a fun time decorating mirrors and sidewalks on Sunday,” junior Quinn Berry said. “It’s so rewarding to spread positivity and make someones day in unexpected ways.”

Longhorn Council pays it forward to the environment

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor May 7, 2019

Positive phrases written in colorful lettering adorn the mirrors of the bathrooms and sidewalks outside of school in honor of the annual Pay it Forward Week. The week, planned by Longhorn Council, promotes...

Selling an “I STAND WITH REFUGEES” wrist band to junior Jon Ma during second lunch, junior Sabrina Bohn and sophomore Ulaa Kuziez raise awareness for the Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Program. The feminist club voted earlier in the year to provide money to that group in order to expand their impact on the global community. “Last semester we had a group vote between three different charities. We had one that was a women's shelter that helped women who experienced domestic abuse, the Immigrant and Refugee Women’s program and another women's shelter with a different focus. The group members voted and decided on the Immigrant and Refugee program to bring awareness, not just in our community and school, but to a bigger world,” Bohn said. Photo by Kathryn McAuliffe

Raising hope: Feminist club fundraises for Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Program

Kathryn McAuliffe, Managing Editor-in-Chief May 2, 2019

A desire to take progressive action on the global issue of immigration and a refusal to remain complacent inspired Feminist club to hold their second fundraiser of the year to once again benefit the Immigrant...

Accepting the prize, Mike Keehnast receives the Light of Parkway Award in 2019 from the head of the mailroom, Diane Barnes. Keehnast had just finished his last route of the day when he was astonished by the honor. “I was not surprised that he won the award. Mike has done an excellent job for Parkway for many years and I was glad that his hard work was finally recognized,” Barnes said.

Mail Driver Mike Keehnast receives the Light of Parkway Award for his work

Samantha Kranzusch, Convergent Media Writer May 1, 2019

Driving from school to school picking up and delivering mail is Parkway employee Mike Keehnast's daily job. After completing his noon deliveries March 12, Keehnast was surprised to receive the Light of...

Working on his novella before the approaching publishing date, senior Hayden Riehl hopes to grow both his understanding of the world around him and the world’s understanding of him. “I find writing for storytelling to be incredibly therapeutic, just from some of the stories that people have written in class that I've [seen],” Riehl said. “It was them literally working through a trauma that they've had in the past or something that they're trying to get their own heads wrapped around. Stories can do that. They can help you navigate a sea of your own thoughts.”

From students to published authors: Creative Writing 2 will host E-book release launch party at the Wolf Cafe

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief April 30, 2019

In a frenzy to finish before their deadline, the Creative Writing 2 class logs hours that will result in a published E-book on the Amazon Kindle Store. Amazon’s self-publishing program, Kindle Direct...

With her right hand hovering over the buzzer, senior Lindsay Perrett answers questions in the science bowl. The team answered questions that concerned all branches of math and science. “It was an exciting event for me to be a part of, and it benefitted me academically too,” Perrett said.

Scientists compete head-to-head in regional science bowl

Grace Fassler, Convergent Media Writer April 26, 2019

Standing on platforms awaiting their final question, sophomore Caleb Levy and senior Lindsay Perrett compete in the Missouri Regional High School Science Bowl. “You always have to be a little on...

Adding the final touches to the senior mural, senior Bailey Goughenour finishes painting the second design that her and senior Natalie Butler created. After the first design fell through, the artists came together to come up with the ‘Dream Big’ design. “It was just a lot of stress, and it was just really disappointing because we had been cleared. For him to come back and say it’s not anymore was just really sad and hurtful,” Goughenour said. “But after we were turned down, me and Natalie got together, and we were like, ‘what can we do to make this be good?’ We just started brainstorming, and we came up with a new design.”

Students redesign hand wall after controversy

Mary Hardy, Convergent Media Writer April 23, 2019

When seniors Natalie Butler and Bailey Goughenour found out that their design for the senior hand wall in the cafeteria had won over the hearts of 75% of the senior class, they were excited because they...

Junior Caroline Judd attempts to follow an online weightlifting video. In the summer of 2020 Parkway is introducing a new online physical education course available to all students.

Parkway introduces online physical education course

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor April 17, 2019

Students scale rock walls, dance to cultural music, toss frisbees, lift heavyweights and earn scuba certifications within the large assortment of physical education courses that Parkway offers. Adding...