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
Dressed and ready to create melodies, junior Andrew Son and senior Nathan Zhou prepare to play at the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association (SLSMEA) All-District Band concert. The concert, held at Kirkwood High School, was a journey that led them to the Missouri All-State Band. “Playing with my peers not only from our school but from other schools in the district amplifies not only the music but also the enjoyment and the passion,” Son said.

Students win honors at the 2023 Missouri All-State Band

Raj Jaladi, Newsletter Editor/Data Analyst • April 21, 2023

The All-State Band is an annual tradition featuring the top musicians at the high school level in the state of Missouri. Over 1,200 students auditioned for the 105-member 2023 All-State Band. A journey...

Parkway West Orchestra Students pose for a group picture outside the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry is an American country music stage that originally opened as a one-hour radio “barn dance” on WSM in 1925, and is the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history. “[Country music] is kind of a hit or miss for me,” junior Chloe Kallaos said, “I don’t like the beer, trucks, girls in tight jeans kind. But the woman destroy man country, I like that kind.”

A Stormy Trip to Nashville

Claire Creely, Staff Writer • April 20, 2023

Students rush out of buses to set up their music outside the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. As they assemble their stands, the wind rushes through, blowing their music all over. As some students attempt...

After being qualified for the VEX robotics world championship, members of the 5430 robotics team remain humble because of their drive to collaborate and express their ideas with each other. For sophomore and Blue Brains member Esther Young (center), being the newest addition of her team has allowed her to meet people that she shares interests with. It has also allowed her to meet some of the nicest people she has ever met. “Being on the team is very energizing. I know for a fact my team definitely wants to take home trophies, but we also wanted to be qualified for world. That basically just means performing super well — maybe an award, but the experience is good too,” Young said.

Beyond the bots

Esta Kamau, Features/Humans of West Editor • April 17, 2023

Gearing up all four robots in preparation for the big day, members of the robotics program boarded a 5 a.m. bus March 5 and set off for Jefferson City, Mo. Each team — the Blue Brains (5430A), END GAM3...

Manning the check-in table with junior and fellow National Honors Society (NHS) member Rachel Livak, senior and President of NHS Nikita Bhaskar, prepare for more incoming blood donors. This was Bhaskar’s first time donating blood. “When I signed up, I was excited to be able to donate blood. But, the day of, I was getting more nervous as my time slot came. But, all the volunteers and my friends were supportive and keeping everyone distracted, so it was really easy [and] painless,” Bhaskar said.

A Blood Drive Not in Vein

Grace Loethen, Staff Writer • April 13, 2023

With Bad Blood by Taylor Swift playing from English teacher Erin Fluchel’s blood playlist, about 63 students and a few adults lined up to donate blood. Students were patient as they awaited their turn...

2023 National Merit Finalists: Starting from top left, Bennett Christofferson, Jacob Rushing, Alan Song, Ethan DeLuca, Nathan Zhou, Joseph Britt, Katherine Evans, Nikita Bhaskar, Rohan Dagubatti, Noah Schell, Owen Arneson, Mitchell Harms, Allie Byergo, Shiv Sharma, Wilson Gao

Meet the 2023 National Merit Finalists

Raj Jaladi, Newsletter Editor/Data Analyst • April 11, 2023

Fifteen of Parkway's 28 seniors named as finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program are from West.  The National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) is an academic competition for recognition...

Seven candidates are running for three spots in Parkway’s Board of Education, which works with the district superintendent to execute and implement district policies. The election will take place on April 4.

2023 Parkway Board Candidate Q&A

Claire Creely, Elizabeth Franklin, and Katie Wallace • April 3, 2023

This Q&A covers frequent questions voters may have before the election. Candidates appear in the order that they will show on the ballot.  Disclaimer: These quotes have been slightly edited for...

After winning their respective boards and collecting their awards, the chess team stands together, holding their trophies. Sophomore Prateek Nemmali (right) captained the team and led them to an overall second-place finish. “In terms of community, I feel [chess] is a nice team spirit-building thing, especially when playing in team tournaments. It’s competitive, but you feel together when you play the game,” Nemmali said.

Checkmate!: Chess team takes second at state

Madi Michajliczenko and Achyuta Ambal • March 30, 2023

Seconds pass as small clocks tick in a silent room while tension mounts. High school students from towns across Mo. gather in the silent playing hall, facing off in a tactical game: chess. Junior Santosh...

Juniors Riya Ashok and Puneeta Ganga give each other a high-five as they celebrate the Indian holiday Holi. Ganga, co-president of Indian Club, put on this event to introduce other students to the holiday and to have fun with friends. “Holi is a really fun celebration, and I believe it should be an experience that everyone can participate in,” Ganga said.

A colorful weekend

Audrey Ghosh and Achyuta Ambal • March 16, 2023

Around the globe, millions throw colored powder at each other in celebration of the Hindu festival, Holi. Although Holi is primarily celebrated in India, the Indian Club brought this vibrant tradition...

Earlier in the year, chamber and concert girls stand in front of the crowd, ready to begin their show at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church. On Oct. 20, sophomore Gianna Lionelli and her fellow choir members gathered for their first concert of the year. “It's cool to perform on stage with other kids who are passionate about music because it's a way to foster creativity,” Lionelli said.

Victorious Vocals

Elle Rotter and Cindy Phung • March 15, 2023

Standing in a group patiently waiting to begin their performance, students from all grades twiddle their thumbs, warm up their voices and fidget with their hair in anticipation of their show. After the...

Culinary teacher Katie Hashley receives two haikus around her door. Student writers chose to highlight the wafting scents and spice concoctions created in the kitchen. “I love that the students chose to write haikus about our class because especially if it’s a former student, it lets me know that they really enjoyed taking the class,” Hashley said. “[The haikus] were completely true. When we bake cookies, the whole school does, in fact, know. In my mind, it’s free advertising for students to take the class. It also made me really happy because when we make cookies, it’s always a really fun day for students.”

Hoards of Haikus

Addie Gleason, Managing Editor-in-Chief • March 15, 2023

White papers appear spontaneously outside classrooms and school locations, each detailing an essential part of school culture. Formatted in the familiar three-line structure of a classic haiku, student...

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