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

Translating a story from their textbook, freshmen and Latin II students Mary Hardy and Claire Folkins work together. The practice translations in the textbooks follow a story of the same characters throughout the four books. “I chose latin because both of my sisters took it and they both really enjoyed it. Also because they both said Herpel was the best teacher,” freshman and Latin I student Claire Folkins said. “Our class is really close and we all get along really well. We can joke around with each other but also get work done when it needs to get done.”

Latin program faces potential cuts

Claire Smout, Awards Coordinator March 13, 2019

Due to an enrollment drop in Latin in recent years, the future of the program is being threatened. If more students do not start taking Latin I and II, the number of sections of the class will only continue...

The annual buzzbook will not be available for purchase this year due to scheduling and printing errors. In the future, the buzzbook will be distributed digitally and Digital Design students will still compete to be the cover artist as sophomore Ariej Rafiq (left design) and freshman Jack Andrews (right design) did. “This was a new experience for me. I was quite impressed and surprised by all the [software] had to offer,” Rafiq said. “I feel like I picked it up quickly.”

What’s the buzz? Everything you need to know about this year’s buzzbook

Maria Newton, Features Editor March 7, 2019

Due to complications in the printing and formatting of this year’s buzzbook, an official booklet will not be distributed to the student body. However, freshman Jack Andrews and sophomore Ariej Rafiq...

Senior Farhan Hassan entertains children while volunteering at the Gateway 180 shelter for day of service. Last year students got to read books, played with the kids and sorted out the donation closet. “Volunteering at Gateway 180 allowed students to not only see the other side of St. Louis, but also it helped those impoverished families to the best of our ability,” Hassan said. “Even if it was only one day out of the year, I’m sure we made a huge impact on some of the people staying there.”

Students and staff prepare for second annual Day of Service

Claire Smout, Awards Coordinator March 6, 2019

Organizations set, permission slips signed, students put into groups, supplies gathered. It must be about time for Day of Service. March 7, every student will be either volunteering with Special Olympics...

Best- selling author Nic Stone discusses the focus and messages of her novel “Dear Martin” with the members of SSJLAC.  Her book was published Oct. 17, 2017. “I was actually studying Psychology and planning to go into neuropsych, but Id started a novel the year before and managed to finish it and secure an agent before graduation. That novel didnt go anywhere, but the switchover changed the trajectory of my entire life,” Stone said.

SSJLAC attends book discussion with best selling author Nic Stone

Irene Yannakakis, Staff Writer March 5, 2019

Sitting in the University City High School library, sophomore Tiye’ Hyler had a realization—no matter what you expect, plans and life can always change. Hyler came to this realization after hearing...

Listening to her peers at the African American Read-In, senior Kyra Clerk wears red in support of the event. Clerk worked to spread the word verbally about the event. “The only time we really hear about [African American] stuff is in history class, and mainly its about slavery. We hardly ever hear about accomplishments of African Americans and what we’ve done for the country,” Clerk said.

Improving our celebrations of Black History Month

Fatema Rehmani, Staff Writer March 4, 2019

Throughout the hallways, classroom doors are uniquely decorated with tokens of African-American history. Starting early mornings, students listened to their classmates' recitation of African-American poetry...

Focusing in on a new strategy to beat future opponents in an upcoming tournament, chess team captain and senior Matt Boyd draws on his self-made improvements to strategically think through his moves. Earlier in his career, Boyd made moves quicker than he does now; however, he has improved as a player and realized the importance of working through the scenarios. “We have had multiple matches where I spent all of my two hours, and Im the last one there,” Boyd said. “Im just so involved [in the game]. I dont think theres any one thing that makes me concentrate more than other people, but I guess its just that Im so invested in it.”

Chess team savors last year with four senior players as state championship nears

Brinda Ambal, Staff Writer March 4, 2019

Surrounded by silence, five chess players duke it out against their rival, Ladue High School, in an intense battle on the boards. Four of the five players are seniors Matt Boyd, Jason Wan, Paul Gipkhin...

Students in Jessica Bowman’s class first hour class help to package, count and organize baby care supplies, courtesy of students and staff. “Instead of just one Day of Service, it should be more of a theme for us,” Testing Coordinator and community outreach liaison Stephanie Hornsby said.

Day of Service inspires First Annual Month of Love

Leah Schroeder, Staff Writer February 28, 2019

Students walk into the main entrance toting plastic bags filled with donation items, everything from school supplies to pacifiers. Boxes filled with donations line the walls outside of counseling, a result...

As students raise their hands, president Kyra Clerk leads a meeting to discuss the positives and negatives of attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Predominantly White Institutions (PWI). Students were called out of class during school hours to attend the meetings. “ASAP empowers me to do better in school but I like to think that I was already doing well,” Clerk said. “I feel like it kind of gave me a push to continue being a role model for my underclassmen;  I’m the president so when they look at me, I want them to be able to say, ‘My president is studious. She’s there for me and she’s also very helpful.’”

African-American students strive to embody qualities of leadership

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Staff Writer February 27, 2019

Pairs of eyes peer into sponsor Carly Roach’s gaze as she explains why all African-American students in the school are in this room. Why have they been singled out? “The very first meeting we had,...

In a hands-on activity, freshmen Claire LeDuc and Claire Folkins write curse tablets in Latin 2 . After learning about how Romans used wax tablets to write curses on gravestones of people who wronged them, the class tried to replicate them. “It taught me more in depth about how people used to live back in Rome,” LeDuc said.

Students bring a dead language to life

Fatema Rehmani, Staff Writer February 26, 2019

Reading the works of classical authors like Cicero and translating, Latin students focus on bringing back Roman history. Labeled as “dead” and thought of as ancient or a language of the past, Latin...

Sponsor and Junior Principal, Mario Pupillo poses with five students at a Gateway to Change conference. Over 80 students from across the Metropolitan area attend each conference and six of those 80 were chosen from West. “I like knowing what’s going on in our community and knowing how everybody is in contrast to each other and how we’re alike and different. It’s something I’ve never really seen before. [The conferences] opened my eyes,” freshman Connor Gusky said.

Gateway to Change teaches students about social, economic and community issues

Leah Schroeder, Staff Writer February 19, 2019

I can go shopping without someone assuming that I am shoplifting, or that I am dangerous in the store, or without being followed reads English teacher Kim Hanan-West to a room full of 80 students from...

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