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
Anna Claywell

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer

Pronouns: she/her

Grade: 11

Years on staff: 3

What was your favorite childhood TV show? Jessie

What is your favorite book? Little Women

What motivates you? Feeling accomplished!

All content by Anna Claywell
Junior Neil Dhiman strikes a pose by shifting his weight to his right leg and looking down at his left heel. The words "Longhorn Lookbook" are displayed against a blue background.

[Photo] Longhorn Lookbook: Neil Dhiman

Serena Liu, Editor-in-Chief
May 29, 2023
Juniors Sarah Reifschneider and Jojo Shank crouch down on a patch of soil in the Peace Garden. Shank uses her hands to dig into the soil and prepares to plant.

Native plants and student enthusiasm bring life back to the Peace Garden

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
May 11, 2023
Hands with rings on each ring finger in the shape of a heart.

“Love is Blind,” but we aren’t

Anna Claywell and Elizabeth Franklin
April 26, 2023
For years, the tradition of painting a senior mural on one of the walls in the cafeteria has continued. Senior Darcie Morgan’s mural for the class of 2023, titled “Westopoly,” was selected by the senior class vote.

Exploring the possibilities

Anna Claywell and Lia Emry
April 18, 2023
With five languages under her belt, junior Suraiya Saroar's plan to become fluent in several languages is underway. Although she is also fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu and Arabic, Saroar's first language, Bangla, is the most important to her to speak fluently. "It is especially important to me to be able to speak my native language, so I can speak to all my relatives properly and not have to worry about them not understanding me," Saroar said.

Proud to be a polyglot

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
March 10, 2023
In an intense game between Argentina and France, the entire world tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup. But behind this tantalizing game remained questionable decisions FIFA got away with. “I love soccer so much, but I hate that it has to become a political thing,” varsity soccer player and junior Ava Relihan said. “Coming from the United States, where we do have so many rights, I don’t like [that] we’re hosting a global [event] in a place where so many rights are restricted.”

A red card for FIFA

Audrey Ghosh, Anna Claywell, and Serena Liu
December 22, 2022
Junior Leah Leifer sits in her house with Hunter, the first service dog she trained. Leifer is passionate about the respect service dogs deserve. “Don't pet a dog you just see in a store. If it's marked as a service dog, don't ask to pet it,” Leifer said.

Coaching canines: Junior Leah Leifer trains service dogs

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
December 12, 2022
Including 13 new songs and seven surprise bonus tracks, musical artist Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” album engages fans across the globe. Swift released her 10th studio album on Oct. 21. In an Instagram post, Swift covered the backstory of her song inspirations. “Midnights, the stories of 13 sleepless nights, will be released Oct. 21. Meet me at midnight."

Taylor Swift’s new album leaves us in her lavender haze

Elle Rotter, Emily Early, Serena Liu, Addie Gleason, Audrey Ghosh, and Anna Claywell
October 24, 2022
Rosie the Riveter style, junior Kashifa Farooq poses, eager to vote. “I’m excited to see how voting trends are going to be when Gen Z is allowed to vote. I think a new generation brings new insight and perspective. So when my generation can vote, I feel our government will reflect us more,” Farooq said.

Student suffrage: How to register to vote

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
October 7, 2022
Junior Kristen Skordos sings for her band Okay Violet’s third performance at Ballwin Sno-Cone. Skordos believed being in a band helped her develop as a person and deal with non-music related problems. “Later in life, if I’m ever facing a challenge, it will be different than learning a song, but I’ll put myself in those shoes. In the moment, things can be so stressful, but once you’ve done it, you’ll [see how] amazing it is,” Skordos said.

Journey to Okay Violet: Junior Kristen Skordos sings for the new St. Louis band

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
September 23, 2022
People gather to see the exhibit at “Beyond Van Gogh: The immersive experience.”

Beyond Van Gogh review: An exhibit worth ‘Gogh-ing’ to

Emily Early and Anna Claywell
January 13, 2022
Ready for action, the Parkway School Eats food truck prepares to serve students and staff. The food truck made its debut at Fern Ridge High School. “My biggest hope for the truck is that it serves as not [only] an inspirational tool for the district but also an educational one. If we can inspire students to learn more about small businesses, food service, hospitality, catering, or finances and educate them on the process, it will be a win-win for the district,” District Executive Chef Robert Grotha said.

Parkway cooks up a new street eats option with the introduction of food trucks

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
January 12, 2022
Posing in her last pageant dress, sophomore Romy Taylor reminisces on her past competitions. Taylor has participated in pageants for seven years.“[The most rewarding thing about pageants] are the relationships you make. Because whether or not you win, you're always going to make friends,” Taylor said.

Sophomore Romy Taylor jumps back into the pageant world

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
January 10, 2022

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) [Taylor’s Version] [From the Vault]” By Taylor Swift

Emily Early and Anna Claywell
January 5, 2022

The deathly downfall of movie theaters

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
November 11, 2021
A photo illustration depicting the constant reminders of the social lives on our phones.

Feuding fandoms and hostile hate-comments: the attack of internet culture

Anna Claywell and Emily Early
October 4, 2021
On a trip to the mall, freshman Natalie Lashly views the track list to Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album “Reputation.” In its first week, the album sold over 1 million physical copies, the only one to do so in 2017. “When the re-recordings are out and I walk into a store and see the CDs or Vinyls of them, it’ll be rewarding to know people are buying music that’s permanently hers,” Lashly said.

Taylor Swift is re-recording her music and students and staff are “…Ready For It”

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
April 6, 2021
On a trip to Hurghada, Egypt, freshman Alia Hammad and her cousin Omar parachute over the Red Sea. This adventure took place in July 2019, about four months before her big move. "I loved it. I saw the purple jellyfish and coral [because] the water was so clear.” Hammad said.

From the Pyramids to the Arch: freshman Alia Hammad’s move to St. Louis

Anna Claywell, Staff Writer
March 4, 2021
Freshman Tristen Banks pitches a ball at softball practice

[Photo] A bus to nowhere: eliminating the VICC Program

Elizabeth Franklin, Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2021
Walking across the field, junior Callie DiCarlo attends softball practice on Sept. 16. The players wore masks during non-strenuous activities and distanced in the dugout. "It’s been hard especially because I feel for the seniors that their season isn’t normal, so I’ve been getting closer with girls on the team and it’s been lots of fun," DiCarlo said. "Our practices are definitely different right now due to health precautions."

[Photo] Photo of the week - Sept. 14

September 18, 2020