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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

Freshmen Surya Jaladi and Caleb Levy brainstorm ways to increase their membership. "Not only did I have fun while I competed, but it also helped me learn more about the technology that we use everyday–like our laptops–so it helps me in the real-world too" Dean Petev.

Cyber Security Club competes in the National Youth Cyber Education program

Anna Pavlisin, STAFF WRITER March 1, 2018

In response to recent online security issues, freshman Surya Jaladi organized a cybersecurity club open to all students with the intent of increasing general knowledge of cybersecurity. The goal is to...

Senior Scott Hardy makes adjustments to his robot. Prior to their confrontation at state, the team was meeting up after school everyday. “It’s a tad disappointing that we didn’t get first,” Hardy said. “But considering the degree to what that we worked with and considering we went as far in the first place, I’m actually proud of myself [and] the team, especially some people on there and really how much work we put into it.”

Robotics team competes at state

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor February 25, 2018

After winning first place at the first Annual Cross Keys Tournament on Feb. 3rd, the Mechanical Bulls and the Full-metal Matadors headed to Rolla, Mo. on Feb. 17 to compete for the Missouri State VEX Championship,...

Video: fitness center awaits long overdue renovations

Peyton Gaskill, STAFF WRITER February 21, 2018
With cardio equipment well over a decade old and deteriorating weight equipment, the health and physical education department looks at a potential for $50,000 to $65,000 in renovations.
Seniors Jessica Schlueter, Sam Walkoff and Maggie Newberry dance and enjoy the glow dance that was held last year. “I think glow dance is more fun because it’s not a formal,” Newberry said. “Around this time in the year I don’t want to go to another formal because we already have so many, especially with prom for the upperclassmen, and it’s a great opportunity to let loose.”

King Of Hearts dance greeted with discourse from upperclassmen

Anna Pavlisin, STAFF WRITER February 17, 2018

King of Hearts (KOH), the upcoming winter dance, caused a commotion with the upperclassmen after being formally picked Monday, Jan. 22. The dance was chosen by the student body, via a Google Form sent...

Junior Stephen Zhao performs the Lion Dance with his team as many people at the event gather to watch.  “Performing gives me a rush like no other,” Zhao said. “There are so many variables and so many new things that we do each year for the Lion Dance. We work our best to make it a great performance so that people will remember the Chinese culture.”

Students celebrate Chinese New Year

Andrew Li, STAFF WRITER February 15, 2018

Unlike the American New Year which is celebrated on the first day of January, the Chinese community will celebrate their New Year Feb. 16. That day will mark the beginning of a fresh year, represented...

Students practicing evading an armed intruder by building a barricade in their classroom.

Faculty responds to spike in mass shootings across United States

Irene Yannakakis, STAFF WRITER February 15, 2018

Just 46 days into the 2018 calendar year, the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. yesterday marks the 29th mass shooting in the United States. English Teacher Kim Hanan-West fears that at some point,...

Juniors Mitchell Norman and Natan Shrpingman sell livergrams during second lunch. The paper livers are sold for $1, and feature Latin phrases related to the holiday. “In ancient Rome they thought love came from the liver, and so we’re playing off that instead of a traditional heart,” Shrpingman said.

District-wide food policy dampens Valentine’s tradition

Dani Fischer, MANAGING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF February 14, 2018

Besides the traditional chocolates, cards and flowers, another tradition west students associate with Valentine's day is receiving liver-shaped candy grams with chocolate attached. “I inherited this...

New internet trend encourages teens to eat laundry pods

Derek Isele, STAFF WRITER February 7, 2018

From crowds of people going wild for flipping a water bottle, to people being rushed to the hospital after downing a spoonful of cinnamon, the internet has spawned many strange and dangerous trends. The...

Twelve tiles currently line Herpel’s ceiling, and six more are in progress. Herpel provides resources for students to carry out the detailed research in depicting the deity of their choosing. “I’ve always liked the myth surrounding Proserpina. Also, knowing that it would take an obscene amount of time for me, a serial procrastinator, to complete, I figured that Proserpina wasn’t one that a lot of other people would ask to do,” junior Natan Shpringman said.

Students blend art and Latin

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR February 6, 2018

Along with a mural of the Roman forum on the wall, student-painted ceiling tiles join the collage of decorations hanging from Latin teacher Tom Herpel’s walls. The tiles that depict ancient Roman deities...

Administrators clear up common misconceptions about snow days

Administrators clear up common misconceptions about snow days

Claire Smout, AWARDS COORDINATOR February 5, 2018

As soon as that little snowflake symbol shows up on the weather forecast, the possibility of a snow day is on every student’s mind. Students frantically start looking up radar, wind chill predictions,...