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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

Smiling at the Missouri Envirothon state competition, the Parkway West and Parkway South Envirothon team holds their award plaque. The team placed second in the state level after completing a written test and a presentation for the competition, which covered the subject of forestry. “I'm proud of the team for placing second at state. It's not an easy competition, and everyone has worked so hard this year,” sophomore Malia McLellan said.
Seeds of sustainability
Risa Cidoni, Editor-in-Chief • May 6, 2025

In 1979, after growing concerns about resource depletion, pollution and lack of environmental awareness, the Pennsylvania Soil and Water Conservation...

Senior Adam Zerega stands with senior Dexter Brooks by farm equipment. Zerega often worked with friends and family on his farm. “I've been able to go to my family's farm since I was born. I [spend] at least three weekends a month [on the farm], so I'm there all the time,” Zerega said.
Down to Earth: Senior Adam Zerega’s farming journey
Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor • April 28, 2025

Following a rise in the unhealthy consumption of unleaded gas, inefficient automobiles and air pollution, activist Rachel Carson authored “Silent...

 Using a micrometer, senior Nathan Thompson measures a keyguard made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a type of durable and elastic plastic. Thompson was able to turn a 3D model for his independent studies class into a tangible object by using a 3D printer. “It’s a slow but rewarding process. Without a 3D printer, it would have been very difficult to complete this project,” Thompson said.
Engineering for accessibility
Opal Kadam, Staff Writer • April 28, 2025

As problem-solvers, engineers often design solutions to help improve people’s quality of life; in fact, the device you are using right now...

Phage grown by senior Rio Naghibi Harat sit in petri dishes. Through Webster University, Naghibi Harat was given the opportunity to develop phage as a potential remedy for tuberculosis. “Phage are everywhere. I got mine from a soil sample. I'm not kidding; I picked [it] up from dirt. They're harmless, unless you code them to do something, and they can evolve. Virus antibiotics can't. They're one solid molecule. A strain of this bacteria [can evolve] that is resistant to [a] particular drug, [but] phage will evolve with the bacteria. They can see the changes, and they can be the change,” Naghibi Harat said.
Fighting for our future
Will Gonsior, Opinions/A&E Editor • April 11, 2025

A coming crisis Humanity’s age-old fight against bacterial disease has come with successes and setbacks. The advent of antibiotics, starting...

With her hands by her side and her posture straight, freshman Sophia Stricker gets into position for her Irish tap dance routine. Stricker has been Irish dancing since she was a child, following her family’s Irish heritage. “Irish dancing originated from Irish folk dancing and over the years has become very competitive. Now it’s seen not just at parades during St. Patrick's Day but there's a whole competitive side to it, where dancers compete at qualifiers to get to the World Championship,” Stricker said.
Shamrock shuffle
Yein Ahn, News Editor • March 14, 2025

Originating in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture, history and heritage, widely known as a day of green costumes,...

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Standing in a circle, students share their love by holding out heart shapes for the festive season. From handwritten notes to helping hands, the West High community shows their affection in unique ways this Valentine’s season — celebrating friendship, kindness and connection beyond just romance. Sophomore Trent Young expresses his take on the meaning behind showing affection. “Love isn’t just buying roses and taking someone to dinner, it’s being able to have an emotional connection with someone no matter who they are,” Young said.
Love that comes in every form
Esta Kamau and Ayah Zayed February 18, 2025

When you first hear the words “love” or “Valentine’s Day,” you probably think about relationships, about the affection you give to...

Business and personal finance teacher Evan Stern stands in front of  his classroom. After facing hardships growing up, Stern learned how to deal with them with the help of role models like  his dad. “We dealt with some trauma when I was in middle school, and my dad had to be responsible for all three of us while he was working full-time. I know he had to sacrifice a lot. I'm sure it was really hard for him, but looking back on it, he did a really good job . I didn't appreciate everything that he did at the time because I was so young. Now, I'm engaged and probably going to have kids of my own in the next couple of years so I [am starting] to look at things differently,” Stern said.
Flashback Friday: Business and personal finance teacher Evan Stern
Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer • February 9, 2024

What school did you go to? I grew up in Parkway school district. I went to Green Trails [Elementary for] elementary school, [and] then I went...

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...

Art teacher Katy Mangrich sits in her classroom, smiling for a picture. During her time in high school, Mangrich learned several lessons that she now passes on to her son. “The biggest life lesson that I learned is honesty. I wouldn't say I was the best teenager, but I learned very quickly in high school to always be forthcoming and honest with my parents because it always ended up serving me better in the long run. [My parents] might have been upset with me [and the mistake I made], but I wasn't going down the rabbit hole of a lie because that was just going to get me into more trouble,” Mangrich said. “I passed [that lesson] along to my nephew. Honesty is always your best approach; just don’t lie. I say that to my son all the time. There's no advantage to lying, [and] that's a huge takeaway [from] how my parents raised me.”
Flashback Friday: Art teacher Katy Mangrich
Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer • January 26, 2024

Art teacher Katy Mangrich sits in her classroom, smiling for a picture. During her time in high school, Mangrich learned several lessons that...

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