Dana Zafarani, Photo of the Week Editor
Pronouns: she/her
Grade: 12
Years on staff: 3
What is your favorite piece of literature? My favorite piece of literature is poetry. I love how poetry opens the door for me to be as creative as I want with words.
Who is your hero? My family and the group of supporters that surround me.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would most likely be a traditional persian food. I just can’t get enough of it!
![Arms flying above water, sophomore Max Moore dribbles the ball away from his defender at the junior varsity water polo game against Parkway Central on April 22. Moore relied on his speed to move away from his defenders in the pool but focused on mindset and communication while leading his team. “My typical mindset during a difficult game is to try to stay calm to set an example for everyone so they don’t panic. [I also] think of ways to get us back in the game. I usually think about things that keep me happy if a game gets tough. It keeps me calm and [I can] play better,“ Moore said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240420-Q4209299-1200x800.jpg)
![Center stage, junior Nidhi Pejathaya participates in the Winter Guard performance in the Mar. 8 Pep Assembly. Winter Guard held the student body’s attention with flags, dancing and a story throughout the performance. “This is my first year in guard. At tryouts, I preferred dance because I personally didn’t think I could do a flag, but Nicole, the [Parkway] South guard coach, noticed my work at practices and told our coach that I should be in the front. That was the biggest part for me in the show,” Pejathaya said. “I absolutely adore the team. I’ve played multiple sports and I don’t think a single one has compared to the guard team. Traditionally, we do compliment circles, you cross your right hand over your left, and say a compliment. I’ve only known these girls for three months [and] these girls are the most genuine and kind people I have ever met. You don’t need to act differently, you don’t even have to like what they like, you just have to be you.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0640-1200x800.jpg)
![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.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Image_20240217_231546_661-1.jpeg)
![Dedicating his full attention, senior Brandon Paul competes his way to become the first place winner of the Ceramics Olympics using mini hands. Every year, the advanced ceramics class holds this competition in place of the final as a fun activity. “This year, [ceramics teacher Ashley] Drissel got two of these mini potters' wheels and decided to make this year's events challenging. We used a mini hand on the mini wheel, which meant you didn’t actually have much of any control over what you're doing,” Paul said. “The best technique would have to be trying to pull back some of the individual rubber fingers to have more control over the clay as you form it into something that it doesn’t want to be. It was a very strange experience, but I won, so I think I pulled through in the end.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DSC_0034-1-1200x801.jpg)
![Senior Dana Zafarani poses in paint reading “Women, Life, Freedom” and “#BarayeAzadi” as a protest against the Iranian government. The experiences of Iranian women inspired Zafarani to assist in any effort to protect women’s rights. “The world should live in peace. Every woman deserves to be equal. Every woman deserves love [and] kindness,” Zafarani said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-10-31-12.54.47-PM.png)
![Freshmen Cole Barton and Preston Priest make origami flowers during free time in their Drawing 1 class. Both gained an affinity for origami through the internet and further practiced this art under the guidance of West High Drawing 1 teacher Kat Briggs. “Their origami pieces are especially intricate. Both use multiple small pieces of paper that fold and interlock, enabling their sculptures to move and also simulate textures. They also use very precise folds, and I appreciate the careful craftsmanship that [goes] into their art,” Briggs said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DSC_0019-2-copy-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Celebrating in Victory Village during Special Olympics, junior Caitlin Brandmill and her buddy Franchesca Chevalie decorate a paper bag to hold her crafts, like necklaces and slime. Brandmill wanted to participate in the Special Olympics because she thought it was an excellent opportunity to make an impact in the Parkway community. “I loved all of it. I had so much fun getting to know Franchesca and all the kids in our group,” Brandmill said. “My favorite part was making slime, but also basketball was fun because a lot of the athletes were getting into [the activity].”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0157-1-900x600.jpg)
![Early graduate Mia Irving moves the tassel on her cap, signifying her next move in life. After graduating, Irving plans to enter the U.S. Army while attending Lindenwood University. “[The military] told me that if I do go into the military, I’m on track to graduate at 30 to 37, so I [plan to be in the military between ages] 30 [and] 35, just so I can have everything planned out for afterward,” Irving said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0160-900x600.jpg)
![Senior Nick Menendez chose to honor Business Teacher Bill Mitchell during Teacher Appreciation night for varsity boys soccer. Players wrote letters to their teachers and gave them to them before the game. “I chose Mr. Mitchell because I enjoy his class. I believe what he's teaching will actually be useful to me later on in life. [I like] solving problems, working out how to best present an idea or a concept and then working through that and delivering on it,” Menendez said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Teacher-Appreciation-900x600.jpg)
![Standing on the sidelines with head coach Jeff Duncan, junior Joseph Federer holds his new Longhorn football helmet. Duncan met Federer over the summer through football camp. “You have to be a good decision-maker. [Federer has] proven to do that. [Federer] stays calm whether things are going well or bad and has a good demeanor about himself. He's able to fit into our offense, be an accurate passer, be a good runner and just a good teammate for us,” Duncan said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_5060-1-629x900.jpg)
