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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

Friends, family and teachers shared that Chris’ smile was one of their favorite things about him. “He had the best smile in the world,” 2017 senior class principal Beth Middendorf said. “I actually told his mom that the other day, that his smile is what I’m going to miss most about him. He definitely brightened my day with his smile.”

Remembering alumnus Chris Hanson

Sabrina Bohn, Managing Editor-in-Chief October 5, 2018

Described by his friends, family and teachers as kindhearted and optimistic, alumnus Chris Hanson passed away Sept. 28 in a car crash. A graduate of the class of 2017, Chris planned to attend technical...

Using the latte machine, Blue Brew crew member and junior Pierce Burns prepares an order for a customer. The crew members and Marketing II students are learning from and adapting to the wants of the students. “Some people may have noticed our new straws. We wanted to get away from Community [Coffee’s] straws and use paper ones, which was a request, because it is more environmentally friendly,” Burns said.

Blue Brew off to a strong start

Claire Smout, AWARDS COORDINATOR October 3, 2018

After surveying student opinions, executing a week-long soft opening in the spring and working on improvements, Blue Brew officially launched Aug. 20. Located in the main lobby and open from 6:40 to...

Juniors Rithvik Karthikeyan and Connor Olliff arrange trophies in the debate classroom after school Sept. 24. Olliff hopes that by replacing trophies with random objects, the team can best honor alumni Haran Kumar. "We’ve had to think about how we can better remember one of our graduates, and we want to hold [the tournament] in his honor," Olliff said. "We’re trying a lot harder to make it perfect this year so it’s in perfect remembrance of him."

Speech and debate team honors Haran Kumar through tournament

Kathryn McAuliffe, Managing Editor-in-Chief October 2, 2018

Alumni Haran Kumar’s legacy will be integrated into the first speech and debate Eastern Missouri invitational tournament, hosted at Parkway West Oct. 12 and 13. “We want to live the things that...

Seniors Maryam Oyebamiji, Kinza Awais and junior Mariam Mirza introduce themselves to members at the first Muslim Student Association meeting. Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. “I felt like their needed to be a safe haven for a lot muslims because their facing a lot of backlash especially in this day and age,” Awais said. “A lot of schools have it, and I felt like West needed to have one because we have a big Muslim student population.”

Muslim students unite to form Muslim Student Association

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor October 1, 2018

Due to the demand for a Muslim Student Association (MSA) from Muslim members of the student body, seniors Areeba Naseer, Sara Imdad and Farhan Hassan appealed to their needs by creating the club. Naseer...

Secretary Susan Lowenstein works on her computer to update the school schedule for September. Lowenstein works with Principal Jeremy Mitchell on the overall workings of the school rather than with a specific grade level. “Secretaries want people to be comfortable around them,” Lowenstein said. “They almost act a counselor sometimes.”

The increasing responsibility of the modern secretary

Maria Newton, FEATURES EDITOR September 28, 2018

Secretaries are a critical part of school communities. However, there is some dispute on the functions of their office, especially after the retirement of front desk receptionist Vickie Hankammer. The...

Scaling a fence while handcuffed, sophomore Arden Dickson and senior Hayden Riehl perform a scene from "The 39 Steps." Among the characters Riehl portrays is Richard Hannay, a British man attempting to hide from law enforcement after being accused of murder. “[Hannay is] this really high energy, ‘stick-in-the-mud’ type character,” Riehl said. “He is super exhausting to play because of all the running I do, but he’s just got a really fun properness to him that completely contradicts all the wildness around him.”

Cast and crew look ahead to premiere of The 39 Steps

Tyler Kinzy, Managing Editor-in-Chief September 20, 2018

This week marks the culmination of a four-month production process dating back to last May as the fall play, "The 39 Steps," is slated for a Sept. 21 debut, followed by two showings the next day. “It’s...

Hanging a flier on a locker, junior Sabrina Bohn raises awareness for the upcoming voter registration event Sept. 18. The campaign seeks to increase youth voter turnout ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. "It may not seem like one vote can change the way things are, but it really can," Bohn said. "Some candidates win by one vote in a precinct, so your vote really does matter and that’s why it’s so important for high schoolers to start registering."

Student activists to host voter registration event

Tyler Kinzy, Managing Editor-in-Chief September 14, 2018

Students who are at least 17 1/2 years old will receive the opportunity to become more politically active Tuesday, Sept 18. when Parkway West is scheduled to hold a voter registration drive. As the...

Freshman Caleb Upchurch plays the french horn in concert band. “I think band has been fun so far, and the level of music is about average,” Upchurch said. Currently in the process of selecting what to play in their October concert, the students are playing a wide variety of pieces from Robert Sheldon to Caesar Giovannini.

Musicians flourish with auditioned bands

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR September 7, 2018

Walk down the music hallway at any given time of day and there is probably a band student working in a practice room. Come back during third, fifth or sixth hour and find a full band rehearsing their pieces,...

Dressed in dark blue scrubs, juniors Mckenna Bendle and Kristin Wilson get ready for a day of work at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Bendle worked in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) while Wilson volunteered in the Outpatient Surgery Unit. “The most rewarding part is actually seeing the how the nurses and surgeons are able to take a patient, perform surgery on them, and help them in a way that they couldn't do themselves,” Wilson said. “Seeing the way patients are so happy when they find out the surgery went just as planned and that they are on their way to a successful recovery is so outstanding.”

Juniors Mckenna Bendle and Kristin Wilson dedicate their summer to the Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Carly Anderson, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief August 31, 2018

While some students spent their summer vacation relaxing on a tropical beach somewhere or saving money with a part-time job, juniors McKenna Bendle and Kristin Wilson decided to improve their medical skills...

Amy Cole Buehler posing for her profile picture for her Linkedin account.

Parkway Alumni Association welcomes new executive director

Sarah Lashly, COPY COACH August 28, 2018

Alumna Amy Cole Buehler assumed the role as executive director of the Parkway Alumni Association after former executive director Leah McCoy. Her first day as executive director began on July 30. “I...