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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

“I started playing [basketball] because I saw that my brothers were playing, and I found it fun; I started playing at age eight and have continued to play ever since. [Something] I enjoy [is] the back-and-forth competitiveness of basketball that I don't get when I play softball, as well as our team bonding activities because I think it helps with the chemistry throughout our group and in the real world. I also enjoy winning and all of the competitive aspects. [Basketball] has brought great memories and people into my life, and I enjoy spending most of my time with them and cherish the memories my team has created. Getting to go out and play with my very best friends every day is just the best gift a girl can get. A big thing that motivates me is how much time and effort my coaches put in. I just want to work hard because they work hard, while also making my parents proud at the same time. Sometimes, it’s not an easy task being able to balance school and athletics, but with the right mindset and focusing on the goals that I have set for myself, it’s achievable.  In high-pressure situations, I just go back to playing my own game [and the basics within the game] rather than focusing on everything around me because I trust my training and my practice. [My advice for upcoming players] is to keep going and continue to practice. Nobody is perfect, there is always going to be something to improve or get better at. There is always going to be someone out there who is doing better than you, and if you want to be the best, you have to keep going and push yourself to be better, but most importantly just have fun in what you’re doing.”  - Siena Snyder, 12

Siena Snyder

Ella McNeal, CJ1 Writer March 27, 2025

“[I think being a teacher comes] from a place of experience, where we all enjoyed high school. It had a meaningful impact on us, which was [the case] for me. I had a lot of good mentors in high school, and seeing the opportunity, the impact that they could make, I think [that was] what inspired me. [It] definitely goes back to one teacher in particular [that] I had in eighth grade, he was a huge role model for me, and somebody who I was so appreciative of what he did for me.  I figured if I could do even a fraction of what he did I feel like I would be very fulfilled [in] myself, and so there's just that aspect of wanting to do something meaningful every day.” - Kaleb Schumer, English

Kaleb Schumer, English

Sam Mouser, Staff Writer December 19, 2024

Senior Michael Emerson exchanges ideas with junior Will Gonsoir in history class. They discussed immigration as the topic of their debate. “I really enjoyed the experience. I think it opened my mind to new ideas, and that’s what matters at the end of day,” Emerson said.

Pathfinder Debates: Immigration

Raj Jaladi, Newsletter Editor/Data Analyst May 9, 2024

  Senior Raj Jaladi: Welcome to another episode of Pathfinder Debates, a series where we gather two different opposing views in a political debate. I'm Raj Jaladi, a senior here at Parkway...

English teacher Leslie Lindsey smiles for a photo behind her desk. Growing up, Lindsey participated in many things outdoors, learning life skills that she still uses today. “I loved fishing and was never grossed out by it. I could get my hands dirty and spend time outside; even when it was cold, I didn't care. Fishing takes a lot of patience, and that is [now] a virtue of mine because I have great patience that translates into my classroom,” Lindsey said.

Flashback Friday: English teacher Leslie Lindsey

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer April 12, 2024

  What school did you go to? [Parkway] Central for middle and high school. For elementary school, [I went to] Highcroft. How was your childhood home life? It was great. I have an older...

English teacher Diana Lurkins smiles in front of her classroom. Growing up, Lurkins endured family hardships, but despite her struggles, she had a positive outlook on life. “My parents divorced when I was 3 years old. They both remarried so I had four parents, which is extra love and extra support. It was great to have that additional love and support from all directions in my life,” Lurkins said.

Flashback Friday: English teacher Diana Lurkins

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer March 8, 2024

What school did you go to? I went to Rose Acres Elementary School and then I switched to Incarnate Word Academy Private School for high school. They're both in the Pattonville district.    How...

Spanish teacher Jessica Verweyest stands in front of her Hispanic-themed classroom, decorated to show her love for the culture. Verweyest fell in love with the Spanish language through her  travels to various Hispanic countries after high school. “I lived in Colombia over one summer, and then I received a scholarship through the Youth Rotary Club to live in Ecuador as a gap year. Those immersive experiences encouraged me to continue to speak Spanish. In Ecuador, I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work. I worked with an underprivileged group of children between the ages of five and 15 to teach them English. That opened my eyes to the difficulties of communication and turned me to wanting to teach Spanish,” Verweyst said.

Flashback Friday: Spanish teacher Jessica Verweyst

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer February 23, 2024

What school did you go to? I went to Edgar Road Elementary School in the Webster Groves School District. Then, I went to Steger Sixth Grade Center, Hixson Middle School and Webster Groves High School.  How...

Under the hoop, senior Chloe Kallaos and the cheer team line up before they begin their cheer routine on Feb. 10. The seniors celebrated by wearing t-shirts that each underclassmen made for them. “My shirt was made by one of my teammates, [sophomore] Elizabeth Knott. It’s a tradition for the underclassmen to make t-shirts for the seniors to wear on their senior night. In my sophomore year, I made one for Madi Nuernberger and Sami Milholland,” Kallaos said. “My favorite part was seeing my fellow seniors fly when some of them don't normally get the chance to fly. It was fun to see my friends try new skills,” Kallaos said.

Photo of the Week – February 16

Dana Zafarani, Photo of the Week Editor February 16, 2024

No matter the form of music —  vinyls, cassettes, CDs and playlists — anti-love songs have been apparent for decades. Whatever the genre or the context of the source material, when artists choose to be open about the realities of their relationships, it leads to vulnerability in their writing, ultimately, making timeless tracks.

Love bites

Mikalah Owens, Staff Writer February 14, 2024

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, classic love songs — and way too many Taylor Swift songs — are plastered everywhere. For people in a relationship, the hallmark holiday is a sentimental...

Holding his two smiling daughters in his arms, Principal John McCabe celebrates earning his doctorate degree. He attended Maryville University for two years and reached his goal of achieving a Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership degree after months upon months of hard work and long nights. “I'm not going to lie, I'm glad I have another night of my life back when I'm not at school till very late,” McCabe said. “I can spend more time with my family and with my friends [who] are here at [West]. I'm really happy about that.”

Principal prodigy: Now Dr. John McCabe

Keira Lang and Zoya Hasan January 30, 2024

Cutting through the loud and excited chatter of the bustling cafeteria, Principal John McCabe’s newly-awarded doctorate certification was announced to students during lunch on Dec. 8. While his degree...

Business teacher Paul Schwent sits at his desk and smiles for a photo. Both Schwent and principal John McCabe came to Parkway West as new staff last year. “I was a teacher at Fern Ridge High School for 22 years,” Schwent said. “I really liked working for McCabe, and when he told me he was coming over, I thought about applying for a position that opened up here. I taught business education at Fern Ridge, but all my students liked the tech courses more than the non-tech courses; it was much easier to keep them engaged.”

Flashback Friday: Business teacher Paul Schwent

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer December 22, 2023

What school did you go to? [I went to elementary school at] St. Joseph's Catholic School in Colorado, Mo. For middle school, I went to the Francis Howell School District. Back then, they [were]...