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
All content by Pathfinder Editorial Board
Within the U.S., the busiest shopping period of the year is Cyber Week, the time from Thanksgiving through Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, shoppers spent $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday, which is a 7.3% year-over-year increase from 2023. “When I was younger, I would always be out with my mom getting Christmas gifts or just shopping in general. Now, as she has gotten older, I've noticed [that almost] every day, I'll open the front door and there's three packages that my mom has ordered. Part of that is she just doesn't always have the time to go to a store for 30 minutes to an hour, but the other part is when she gets bored, she has easy access to [shopping],” junior Grace Garetson said.

Season of giving, season of getting

Pathfinder Editorial Board
16 hours ago
President-elect Donald Trump has big plans to change the American education system, promising to dismantle the Department of Education and to restrict federal funding toward schools teaching about critical race theory or gender identity. In our increasingly polarized nation, we need public schools to create educated citizens with critical thinking skills and uncensored history knowledge.“It's almost disgusting how both Democrats and Republicans have politicized getting an education on different cultures and races' history in America. If the schools have the resources and the teachers to be teaching these classes, then they should be strongly encouraged, if not required to be learning this information in a non-political way,” senior Gianna Lionelli said.

Now what?

Pathfinder Editorial Board
November 30, 2024
Senior Sally Peters stands in the history hallway, contemplating her choices in the 2024 United States and Missouri elections on Nov. 5. As a member of Diplomacy Club, Peters has discussed key candidates and issues in contemporary American politics. “[As students], we're starting to become adults. We're realizing how much the policies that are enforced and the laws that make it through the House and Senate are starting to affect us. [Opportunities such as] AP [U.S.Government] and Diplomacy Club [make elections feel] a lot more real,” Diplomacy Club vice president and senior Nidhisha Pejathaya said.

Activity across ages: Generational differences in political engagement

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 31, 2024
Mounting school pressure can leave many students overworked and overstressed. Schools must give students the necessary resources to help assuage student mental health issues and prevent the development of serious crises. “The biggest thing [schools] can do [to protect student mental health] is offer more time [to do work], like a study hall, or offer more support from teachers so that students don't feel stressed out and can get help in areas that they need,” senior Bhavya Gupta said.

Stressed without support

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 30, 2024
Throughout the year, the Pathfinder has welcomed an excellent addition of new stories to our site. Certain stories have especially caught viewers’ and writers’ eyes: take a look at this year’s extraordinary articles in the 2023-2024 Pathfinder Wrapped.

2023-2024 Pathfinder Wrapped

Pathfinder Editorial Board
May 30, 2024
Like many students, sophomore Medina Nanic experiences pressure to do well in school. Through continuous success and achievements, West has developed a high academic standard for students. “Because we’re seen as one [of] the better schools, we have higher standards than the [schools] who aren’t ranked as high. There’s a lot of pressure on students to do [well] and live up to those standards,” Nanic said.

Under the weight of “obligation”

Pathfinder Editorial Board
May 24, 2024
In the 1950s, the first recorded spikes in global temperatures were recorded, and ever since, Earth has been in the midst of a disastrous climate crisis, as rising temperatures wreak havoc on susceptible regions and destroy animal habitats worldwide. Junior Nidhi Pejathaya helped found West’s Sustainability Council to create a space where students can educate themselves about climate change and do their part to preserve the environment. “When you're going out of your way to recycle [or] reuse your clothes to save water, you're saving people. You're saving adults, you're saving families, you're saving children. You're saving a whole generation. Just because we don't see it doesn't mean it's not happening,” Pejathaya said.

The green generation

Pathfinder Editorial Board
April 22, 2024
Across the United States, state Congresses have seen an uptick in bills aiming to further particular political ideologies in the classrooms, which raises concerns about the place of political battles within classrooms. In Dec. 2023, Francis Howell School District’s School Board in St. Charles County voted to pull two elective courses centered around Black history from the curriculum, later stating that the courses could possibly return if they adhered to the board’s definition of “politically neutral.” The case of Francis Howell School District and their rescinding of legitimate classes centered around topics of political interest is just another example of thinly-veiled censorship that has become increasingly popular throughout the country within the past half-decade.

Classrooms should not be political battlefields

Pathfinder Editorial Board
March 31, 2024
As students approach adulthood, it is essential for them to learn about the status quo from all perspectives possible. While in school, students have opportunities to engage in activities, discussions and lessons to enhance their knowledge. “People will be afraid to speak out on their political views if they know that those around them disagree with them, but we definitely talk about political issues around school. We encourage people to share different political views and make sure that no one is excluded,” sophomore Ryan Shabani said.

Drivers of change: Society’s role in the generational influence of politics

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 29, 2024
Three trophies in the colors pink, gold and blue are centered in the image. A yellow background is covered in text highlighting key moments from Jo Koy's Golden Globes monologue.

And the award goes to… patriarchy, again

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 31, 2024
For the past three years, Parkway has administered high school finals after winter break, a practice that proves to be detrimental to the success as well as the mental health of students. With finals after break appearing to do more harm than good, the question of what changes can be made arises time and time again. “The pressure for finals is difficult, and to have that [pressure for] a few weeks because you're on [a] break can make you generally sad. It's a bummer in general. I wish [finals] were before break, so we [could] have a break to sleep, celebrate and not study. Everyone I've talked to about it is like 'yeah, finals sucks,' and I wish that wasn't a thing,” junior Meadow Kostial said.

Post-break panic

Zoya Hasan, Keira Lang, and Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 5, 2024
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
November 30, 2023
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
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 aren't abusing study halls to sit there on their phones or something. They might need [more support]. Just because you're not taking this amount of AP classes doesn't mean you're not being challenged, and just because you're not having ‘X’ amount of hours every night doesn't 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
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
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
Missouri residents gather to protest the signing of an anti-trans bill proposed by the Republican Senate. The proposed bill would ban transgender girls from participating in youth sports on girls teams. “At least in the past, laws have only tried to prevent transgender [students] from participating in certain activities, which is already scary,” senior Quinn Gilles said. “Transgender minors barely have any rights, [but] when you thought it couldn’t get worse, now laws are preventing us from being ourselves.”

Protect our transgender youth

Pathfinder Editorial Board
March 31, 2023
Diet culture can have catastrophic effects on physical and mental well-being. A person’s life can often become overwhelmed with constant measurements and nutrition tracking. Teens involved in diet culture are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders and unhealthy habits.

Deadly dieting

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 27, 2023
A pile of Advanced Placement (AP) study books sit on a library desk. When taking AP classes, many students sacrifice other areas of their lives to keep their grades up. “It's not the fact that I am taking an AP class. I am spending more time doing the work for school than I would spend time with friends and family,” senior Noah Schell said. “It is a sacrifice I made and realized after signing up for the classes. Over the years, I have devised a system of managing my time, which sometimes means I don’t get all of the work done.”

Balancing brain power: the need to prioritize mental health over AP classes

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 19, 2023
School should be a safe space for all students regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality. However, bullying and exclusion can turn productive learning environments into places of fear and distress. Finding a solution to this discrimination is imperative in ensuring every student has a positive learning environment and equal opportunity to succeed.

Capable, curious, caring, corrupted

Pathfinder Editorial Board
December 31, 2022
As environmentally friendly practices — as well as the ways that companies shortcut them — become more prevalent in many areas of consumerism, student consumers need to inform themselves of these two “sus”-tainable practices to reduce their contribution to the impending effects of climate change.

“Sus”-tainable fashion

Pathfinder Editorial Board
November 28, 2022
The idea of attending university following high school is so ingrained in our high schools, many do not receive a thorough explanation of alternate options.

Postsecondary pressures

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 26, 2022
Recent changes to Title XI of the Missouri Revised Statutes bring back questions about corporal punishment in schools. As a toddler, now-sophomore Sadie Burgess attended Eufaula, a school district with an opt-in corporal punishment system allowing parents to determine if teachers could physically discipline their children. “I don't agree with [corporal punishment]. It's a very harsh way to punish kids; some kids have behavioral issues that not everyone understands. Solving those issues with violence isn't the answer,” Burgess said.

Corporal punishment: What defines necessary?

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 30, 2022
Juniors Ben Livak and Emily McClurg sit on the track after the fire alarm went off. Because class had not yet started, students gathered on the football field in groups with friends. “I had to make sure I grabbed all my stuff because I didn’t know what was gonna happen. Class hadn’t even started [when] we started heading outside,” Livak said. “[The process of being led back] was actually really smooth. I saw a little confusion with people trying to go different directions, but [teachers] got it under control.”

Wake up call

Pathfinder Editorial Board
August 26, 2022
A graphic of the 2021-22 senior staff for the Pathfinder.

Class of 2022 seniors reflect on high school experiences

Pathfinder Editorial Board
May 13, 2022
A leaked initial draft of the Supreme Court of the United States' majority opinion included a call to overturn 1973 landmark case Roe v. Wade. Image used under Creative Commons Licenses.

BREAKING: Student responses to SCOTUS leak on possible Roe v. Wade overturn

Pathfinder Editorial Board
May 4, 2022
Journalists should not be targeted in conflicts; an attack on the freedom of the press is an attack on freedom and natural rights.

An attack on civilian journalists is an attack on free press

Pathfinder Editorial Board
April 29, 2022
The influence of religion on public education discussions has grown: we have to protect the secularism of public education while remaining respectful to all groups.

Drawing the line between religion and state

Pathfinder Editorial Board
March 31, 2022
It is crucial to consider the long-term effects of returning to “normal” on our society.

Should a return to normal really be our goal?

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 25, 2022
Graphic depicting the Pathfinder's drive to support the unhoused population of St. Louis.

The Pathfinder’s spring drive for the unhoused

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 15, 2022
As we transition to the later months of winter, the unhoused population in St. Louis still needs our support.

The holidays are over. Homelessness isn’t.

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 31, 2022
Student schedules constantly change to accommodate the many inconsistencies of Ac Lab.

The Student Body and Its Discontents: Overly structured Academic Lab results in student frustrations

Pathfinder Editorial Board
November 30, 2021
Seeing blue lock after blue lock can be frustrating, and it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. How and why are sites being blocked, how does that affect students and what is the district’s role?

Blocked: Students respond to new Parkway policy

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 30, 2021
The court looks on as seniors Jalia Ward and Hannah Lumpkins are crowned Homecoming Queens. While the coronation is a cherished tradition, changing the titles would be one simple way to include more genders.

It’s time to update homecoming

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 30, 2021
A reflection on various notable events throughout our unusual school year.

2020-2021: A Year in Review

Pathfinder Editorial Board
June 4, 2021
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander month, our editorial explores the implications of the model minority myth, the role the education system has played in perpetuating it and our responsibility to take steps in the right direction.

Unraveling the myth of the model minority

Pathfinder Editorial Board
May 31, 2021
Our social responsibility is to protect our community and get vaccinated.

We have a responsibility to get vaccinated

Pathfinder Editorial Board
April 30, 2021
An inarguable side-effect of the quarter system: no one is sleeping when each of your four Advanced Placement (AP) or honors classes have at least two hours of homework.

Debating the quarter system

Pathfinder Editorial Board
March 31, 2021
Viewing history in a linear way overlooks how past events continue to shape today’s reality.

History is more than a timeline

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 25, 2021
It is time we reexamine where the responsibilities of social services are placed.

It’s not just 2020

Pathfinder Editorial Board
December 28, 2020
One example of performative activism occurred on June 2, when millions of Instagram users posted black squares with the hashtag #blackouttuesday. Performative activism, which consists of low risk actions and increases social capital, does little to help further a cause.

Activism is not a performance. Take real actions.

Pathfinder Editorial Board
November 24, 2020
One example of performative activism occurred on June 2, when millions of Instagram users posted black squares with the hashtag #blackouttuesday. Performative activism, which consists of low risk actions and increases social capital, does little to help further a cause.

This image represents the Parkway Board of Education letting the well being of students, staff and the greater St. Louis community slip through their hands.

Parkway Board of Education: We are disappointed

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 23, 2020
Online learning has been a significant transition for students and staff in the Special School District (SSD).

Adapting to virtual learning in the Special School District

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 30, 2020
Protesters gather for a march in downtown St. Louis in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Black Lives Matter statement

Pathfinder Editorial Board
June 10, 2020
Standing on The Arch grounds, Kim St. Onge covers the St. Louis Blues rally after winning the Stanley Cup. St. Onge wore a headset to hear the anchors in her ear. “The crowd was so loud that day that even with the headset I could barely hear the show. I was on a stage in the middle of tens of thousands of people–pretty surreal. It was so cool to see the whole city come together to support the Blues. I’ll forever think of that day as one of the coolest things I’ve ever done,” St. Onge said.

Top 10 Stories of 2019-2020

Pathfinder Editorial Board
May 27, 2020

An open letter to our teachers: Thank you

Pathfinder Editorial Board
April 30, 2020
Junior and cheerleader Tori Fischer hugs a Special Olympics athlete during the opening ceremony last year. Throughout the basketball tournament, cheerleaders encourage athletes from the side of the court. “Cheering for Special Olympics is honestly one of my favorite things I get to do during the school year,” Fischer said. “At normal games, we have to stay in formations and do planned cheers and people are so used to us that [it] doesn't get people excited. But at Special Olympics a lot of the athletes get excited when they hear us cheering for them and we can cheer them on in a totally relaxed and more personal way.”

Changing our mindset towards Special Olympics

Pathfinder Editorial Board
March 5, 2020
We must incorporate more Black history into our schools.

Reform education for equity now

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 29, 2020
A photo illustration of letters scattered around an 'A' and 'P.'

Stop forcing kids into AP

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 13, 2020
Getting ready to bite into food truck menu options from UKRAFT Eats, junior Claire Middleton and seniors Aaliyah Weston and Reema Alhachami learn about the logistics of owning a food truck from owner and operator Matt Ratz. Marketing I teacher Holly Weber brought in Ratz to guide students as they create their own food trucks for their class projects, and inspire them to set and accomplish goals. "There are so many different options of what you can eat, or what [the truck] can look like and hearing about how it started was so interesting to me,” Middleton said. “[Ratz] said specifically that you should follow your dreams, and you have an idea or a vision of something you really want to do, go for it and go all in. It gave me more of a positive outlook and if I do set my mind to something I can get there and accomplish it.”

2019: A year in pictures

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 6, 2020
Smiling before surgery, junior Tim Nelson holds a teddy bear. Nelson was excited to undergo surgery so that he could begin the long recovery process. “After the pain goes away, I know [the recovery process] will be easy,” Nelson said. “I just need to have patience, and that's kind of something I don't have all the time.”

Top 10 stories of 2019

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 1, 2020
Our school has not been able to recycle properly due to excess trash in the recycling bins.

Editorial: It’s time to clean up

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 31, 2019
A primary outlet for parents to connect, ask questions and provide information for each other is through the Parkway West parent page on Facebook, however, some posts do not emulate effective communication and overall respect. 

6. When parents are the problem

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 30, 2019
The Pathfinder Editorial Board regrets to inform you of the official discontinuation of the Parkway West High School Pathfinder online student newspaper as of March 31.

Broken Compass: The Pathfinder calls it quits

Pathfinder Editorial Board
March 31, 2019
Standing at the building entrance, school resource officer Scott Scoggins works with local police and Parkway officials to keep the school safe. Scoggins worked with the district and administration to be sure that our school was safe today.

Top 10 stories of 2018

Pathfinder Editorial Board
December 29, 2018

OpEd: The Grand Stuffing Dispute

Pathfinder Editorial Board
November 21, 2018
A student sits outside of the counseling office, looking at a poster directed at stressed students. The posters were hung in response to the rising anxiety levels of students. Because of busy schedules, counselors have limited time to deal with the emotional needs of students, and so students are forced to look elsewhere for help.

Editorial: counseling department is understaffed

Pathfinder Editorial Board
April 9, 2018
Advanced Placement tests carry drawbacks amid great benefits

Advanced Placement tests carry drawbacks amid great benefits

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 22, 2018

Advanced Placement classes embezzle education

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 22, 2018

Advanced Placement classes establish excellence

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 22, 2018
Scheduling stunts opportunity

Scheduling stunts opportunity

Pathfinder Editorial Board
January 8, 2018
Click to expand.

St. Louis students invited to participate in poetry contest

Pathfinder Editorial Board
December 19, 2017
Parkway's ALT program began rolling out in elementary schools in the 2016-2017 school year, and middle schools in the 2017-2018 year. "Even if ALT were not becoming a reality in our high schools, we cannot continue what has become an inefficient use of resources particularly when there are more effective products available," Beckner said. According to Parkway, the end of Scantrons® and the expansion of ALT are unrelated.

Parkway drops contract with Scantron® testing

Pathfinder Editorial Board
November 30, 2017
A student drinks coffee during school. Students currently bring coffee to school from places like Starbucks, Panera, and 6 North. "I really hope that there’s good coffee. I’m not a Kaldi’s fan, so I think they should get good tasting coffee. We need people to know how to adequately operate the latte machines," junior Natalie Butler said.

Editorial: Caffeine or Quarantine

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 30, 2017
Running from the juniors, senior Emma Moss tries to prevent her flag from being pulled. Moss tried to score a touchdown during the annual Powder Puff game. "Everyone started to tug at my flag which caused my shoe to fall off! The play stopped because of that," Moss said.

Powder puff turns to turmoil

Pathfinder Editorial Board
October 13, 2017
Freshman Joe Rosenberg, Principal Jeremy Mitchell and junior Zach Poscover attend the 9 a.m. Rosh Hashanah service at United Hebrew on Sept. 21.

Principal Jeremy Mitchell attends Rosh Hashanah service at a local synagogue

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 22, 2017

Feeding into societal division: what happened when West failed to acknowledge Sept. 11

Pathfinder Editorial Board
September 20, 2017
Editorial: School-wide Snapchat warrants Parkway technology policy updates

Editorial: School-wide Snapchat warrants Parkway technology policy updates

Pathfinder Editorial Board
August 28, 2017
Parkway gears up for solar eclipse

Parkway gears up for solar eclipse

Pathfinder Editorial Board
August 21, 2017
Parkway students use Twitter as a vehicle of district harassment: Storify

Parkway students use Twitter as a vehicle of district harassment: Storify

Pathfinder Editorial Board
February 11, 2016