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
Students line up to put their phones in the hanging phone organizer before art class starts to ensure no distractions. This routine is often used in classes to encourage discipline. “Most of my classes make me put my phone up right before class starts, and some of my teachers even take attendance by looking at whose phone is in which box. I think it is kind of useless, but my teachers think otherwise,” sophomore Natalie Cochran said.

More harm than help

Niharika Vaidya, Staff Writer • January 21, 2025

In the modern day, phones are useful for many things –– communication, navigation, educational aids, and unfortunately, distraction. Debate over phone policies being enforced in school has been ongoing....

Making up a large portion of the film industry, many popular movie remakes and sequels have been released recently. Similar to film remakes, theater teacher Amie Gosset often uses play adaptations of famous movies for theater productions. “It’s challenging because people have an idea of what the film is, whether it’s an iconic film or one they really liked. [Consumers] come in with a preconceived notion of how the [film] should be. Then, [they] are either surprised because they like the new version or disappointed because it’s not what they’re used to.”

Rewind and replay

Yein Ahn, Editor-In-Chief • December 20, 2024

From Mean Girls to Wicked, Moana 2 to Gladiator 2, Hollywood has recently been thriving off of movie remakes and sequels. In fact, of 49 movies scheduled for release in 2024, more than half of the films...

Sophomore Niharikha Vaidya works on her computer in the counseling department while trying to de-stress from a difficult day at school. Students go to counseling whenever they feel a high amount of pressure or stress. “Whenever I have all my classes, it feels overwhelming because so much is happening around me. Going to counseling helps me re-group before going back to class,” Vaidya said.

Pain Without End: The struggles of chronic illness in school

Aminah Hilaly, Staff Writer • December 13, 2024

Having a chronic illness feels like a rollercoaster. One minute everything is stable, and the next you are rapidly going downhill. Your body feels numb, and everything is throbbing and aching with every...

Complex global supply chains supply the goods for everyday luxuries, such as the coffee at West High’s Blue Brew. Low tariffs enabled much of the prosperity of modern history. “Higher tariffs lead to higher costs. A tariff is a tax on an imported good, and someone has to pay for that tax, and typically that [will] end up impacting consumers,” economics teacher Rachel Money said.

Spread the wealth

Will Gonsior, Opinions/A&E Editor • December 5, 2024

The threat to trade A “giant sucking sound” was Henry Ross Perot’s famous description of alleged job losses due to free trade policies, and many Americans now seem to be hearing one. Most now believe...

Despite the numerous health and ethical concerns of energy drinks, popular influencers still flood their social media platforms with numerous posts, and drinks sell out as energy drink companies continue dropping new flavors. The energy drink industry, worth an estimated $99 billion, has maintained a large growth rate, yet is no stranger to controversy. “[The] curiosity of teens needs to be considered. Showing them other alternatives that are safer — like a small cup of coffee — or having them research and discover on their own [would be safer,]" health teacher Jessica Wheeler said.

Problematic partnerships: popular promotions of energy drinks

Payton Dean, Opinions Editor • November 7, 2024

The shrill sound of the first bell rings out through the halls, announcing to students that they have five minutes until classes begin. Along with the usual groans of students, typical noises of feet shuffling...

Checking out a customer, senior Shirah Ramaji works behind the counter at CVS Pharmacy. Ramaji believes in the passing of Proposition A during the 2024 election to help uplift minimum wage workers. “I’m going to college next year, and it’s going to be very expensive. It’s infeasible to work long hours to get just a little bit of money,” Ramaji said.

Shifting the baseline

Samir Shaik and Ruthvi Tadakamalla • November 4, 2024

On Nov. 5, Americans everywhere will head to the polls to cast their votes in the 2024 general election. This is a monumental day for the country as candidates are switched out, policies are altered, and...

Senior Sally Peters stands in the history hallway, contemplating her choices in the 2024 United States and Missouri elections on Nov. 5. As a member of Diplomacy Club, Peters has discussed key candidates and issues in contemporary American politics. “[As students], we're starting to become adults. We're realizing how much the policies that are enforced and the laws that make it through the House and Senate are starting to affect us. [Opportunities such as] AP [U.S.Government] and Diplomacy Club [make elections feel] a lot more real,” Diplomacy Club vice president and senior Nidhisha Pejathaya said.

Activity across ages: Generational differences in political engagement

Pathfinder Editorial Board • October 31, 2024

A range of cultural icons stretching from Tupac Shakur to Greta Thunberg have commented on how younger generations are, in their eyes, more activist, more open to change and more willing to work to make...

Whether it’s in class, at home or online, students are exposed to politics wherever they go. The ability to speak out on topics has been discouraged for years which has led to ramifications on individuals, communities and the workings of democracy throughout the government. “We should be able to talk about our views, we should be having conversations that can move society forward. Walking on eggshells is making us complacent, and it’s becoming a big problem,” senior Jamie Tiemeier said.

Let’s talk politics

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • October 11, 2024

Kamala or Trump. Democratic or Republican. Pro-choice or Pro-life. As campaigning for the 2024 presidential election reaches its end, society is left more polarized than ever before. With over 81% of citizens...

Mounting school pressure can leave many students overworked and overstressed. Schools must give students the necessary resources to help assuage student mental health issues and prevent the development of serious crises. “The biggest thing [schools] can do [to protect student mental health] is offer more time [to do work], like a study hall, or offer more support from teachers so that students don't feel stressed out and can get help in areas that they need,” senior Bhavya Gupta said.

Stressed without support

Pathfinder Editorial Board • September 30, 2024

It’s no secret that high school is a stressful time. Between balancing classwork, clubs, sports and a social life, it’s easy for students to feel overwhelmed, and managing mental health amidst these...

Eyes tracing his book, freshman Auggie Prsha works to translate a passage in Latin teacher Tom Herpel's classroom. Prsha decided to take Latin after hearing about the fun classroom activities, but he quickly began to see the effects of learning a foreign language in the world around him too. “Sometimes in English class, I can [recognize] some Latin words, and I notice Latin in other places [as well]. I enjoy the people [and] learning from Herpel,” Prsha said.

The melting pot: English dominance and its effects on society

Sage Kelly, Features/News Editor • September 27, 2024

The spread of English has its roots in 17th-century British colonialism and imperialism. As the language of the British Empire, history’s largest group of states, colonies and territories under one power,...

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