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

The prospect of getting a job in high school might sound great on paper, but in reality, the process is much more nuanced and complicated than it seems on the surface. Employment is a decision that features many variables and is personalized to each individual that makes it, depending on their availability and schedule. “I rushed into [employment] working 30 hours a week and I was extremely exhausted after my shifts. But after some time, I found a good pace to work at,” junior Gabby Black said. “I recommend working hours that are suitable for you.”
Balancing books and bills
Samir Shaik, Multimedia Editor • November 13, 2023

In high school, amidst the shuffling of feet in the hallway, the resonance of basketballs bouncing on the gym floor and the scribbles of pencils...

Cultural and socioeconomic barriers prevent many Asian Americans from seeking help for mental health issues. Alumna and emeritus Mental Health Awareness Club President Rachel Bhagat, who has worked with many Asian immigrants and refugees, notices clear benefits of mental health care in daily life. “Seeking out mental health care is extremely important for everyone. Regularly seeing someone to talk to about your mental health helps prevent or makes it easier to navigate mentally stressful [or] harmful situations,” Bhagat said.
Silent pandemic
Serena Liu, Editor-in-Chief • November 10, 2023

Be strong. Act perfect. Stay silent.  These are all stereotypes that Asian Americans are commonly held to. While everyone has a unique...

Climate change is a horrible problem, one that will eventually affect almost everyone and destroy the health of the planet. It’s far too nuanced of an issue to put all of the blame on one specific person, but some people are acting irresponsibly and with no regard for the environment. Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is one of these people. “I think a lot of students may not realize the negative impacts that Swift may have on things like the environment. Really, I think its about awareness. People may not be aware of how much fuel it takes to travel for tours like the Eras tour. Or, how many people travel on the tour? Still, I dont know if even being aware of those numbers would change the minds of dedicated Swift fans,” Convergence Journalism teacher Lindsey Katz said.
We can't shake off climate change
Lauren Holcomb, Staff Writer • November 2, 2023

At only 33, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is already a veteran of the music industry, and the awards she’s won for it reflect this. She claims...

Deforestation is a horrible phenomenon, affecting all corners of the world and having extraordinarily negative effects on both humans and animals. It’s impossible to pinpoint deforestation on one specific cause, but much of it can be accredited to palm oil. In the last few years, palm oil has grown to be a big problem for animals and people alike. “Palm oil is a big issue because so much of the rainforest is being converted to palm oil plantations and a huge loss of species matters.” AP Environmental Science teacher Paul Hage said.
Worth its weight in blood: The problem with palm oil
Lauren Holcomb October 24, 2023

Deforestation. The word evokes powerful visuals of thousands of trees being cleared by shockingly industrial, murderous machinery. It’s a scary...

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Since its introduction and subsequent explosion on the world stage, social media has proven to be a detriment to the fight against misinformation and fake news in the media because of its targeted marketed tactics and abuse of unified communities. This being said, taking responsibility over what you consume online and deciding whether or not it’s true is crucial. “It’s important to notice that [the spread of misinformation through social media] is happening, and as a teacher, media literacy is so important to teach,” journalism teacher Lindsey Katz said.
Untangling the web
Pathfinder Editorial Board 6 days ago

From accidentally misprinted dates on invitations to wrongly heard rumors, we are all constantly in a battle searching for the truth. In our...

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, in the United States, 90% of teenagers have used social media. In an increasingly digitized world, it can be difficult to figure out where to draw the line between your personal life and what you post. “The most influential people, your parents or your principal, would they be alright with what you were doing if they [were] sitting right next to you?” physical education and health teacher Jessica Wheeler said.
To post or not to post: Online lives have offline consequences
Pathfinder Editorial Board October 31, 2023

In St. Clair, MO, high school English teacher Brianna Coppage was put on academic leave when her personal OnlyFans account was anonymously leaked...

Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, Parkway discontinued study halls throughout the district. Concerned over the consequences it may have on their academic success, several students and teachers have spoken out against the elimination of a necessary tool. “Kids arent abusing study halls to sit there on their phones or something. They might need [more support]. Just because youre not taking this amount of AP classes doesnt mean youre not being challenged, and just because youre not having ‘X’ amount of hours every night doesnt mean you have enough time to get homework done,” chemistry teacher Chloe Gallaher said.
Study Hall: Setting up students for success or stress?
Pathfinder Editorial Board September 29, 2023

Kicking off the 2023-24 school year, students were forced to say goodbye to study hall as the district removed it as an option for students....

A collage of images from throughout the year, including: editors at our end of the year party, moments from our canned food drive and pictures from working in class.
2023-24 Editorial Board reflects on goals for next year
Pathfinder Editorial Board May 31, 2023

As the 2022-23 school year ends, the Pathfinder Editorial Board begins to reflect on the past and look onto the incoming school year. Together,...

On March 27, five Parkway high schools received phone calls about active shooters in the buildings. After bringing panic to families and friends, these calls were discovered false, another swatting incident in the “trend” sweeping the nation. However, these threats have posed serious questions about keeping our schools safe in the modern age.
Swatting Speculation: how can we protect our schools from threats?
Pathfinder Editorial Board April 28, 2023

They say it will never happen to us. Our fears are silenced; worries reassured. But they have scared us from turning our backs in an open room....

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