![Juniors Ben Livak and Emily McClurg sit on the track after the fire alarm went off. Because class had not yet started, students gathered on the football field in groups with friends. “I had to make sure I grabbed all my stuff because I didn’t know what was gonna happen. Class hadn’t even started [when] we started heading outside,” Livak said. “[The process of being led back] was actually really smooth. I saw a little confusion with people trying to go different directions, but [teachers] got it under control.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image1-900x675.jpg)
![During the 54th annual graduation commencement ceremony at St. Charles Family Arena, principal Jeremy Mitchell applauds cum laude students' academic achievement. Mitchell has been the principal at West High for the past 12 years and plans to retire after the 21-22 school year ends. “Kids are good. I get irritated by news reports and friends [who say,] ‘Oh, I couldn’t do it, how do you put up with those high schoolers?’ Are you kidding me? I mean, you guys are great. Anytime I doubt that something happens, and boom. So I think that's the lesson that has been verified and reinforced year after year,” Mitchell said. “It's fun because I have my own children, and when I'm with those kids, it's kind of the same thing. I just think the teenage years are really interesting. That's why I work here. I’ve been going to school since 1978, and it's just so fun to see the growth in students. So I think my life lesson is learned from that enjoyment.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/powmay27-900x600.jpg)
![Wearing a bright smile, custodian Sean Smith sits on a bench greeting students in the morning. Smith believed that if the first thing students see when they enter the school is someone saying good morning, it will make their day that much better. “Now, if you're walking up that walkway with an attitude, I want [you] to see a cheery face that says ‘hey, I'm glad to see you,’” Smith said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG_1186-900x675.jpg)
“I've liked writing ever since I knew how to. I'm taking a creative writing class, so we write most of the time in that class, almost every...
![Focused on providing exceptional service, sophomore Darsh Mahapatra carefully cleans the door of a customer’s car. Mahapatra has always believed his customers deserve nothing less than the best. “[If] they’re trusting us with their car and our service, then I am convinced that they deserve our 100 percent effort and beyond,” Mahapatra said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0018-1200x800.jpg)
Students in high school often feel overwhelmed by schoolwork, extracurricular activities and sports — especially those who strive to excel...
“I have made some of my best friends playing softball, and I love playing with [my] teammates. Whenever I'm feeling sad or when I’m not playing...