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
Susie Seidel

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor

Grade: 12

Years on Staff: 3

What’s your coffee order? Grande cafe misto with almond milk and two pumps of vanilla.

What song describes you best? Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max.

What is the one thing you cannot live without? Sweet potatoes.

All content by Susie Seidel
Due to quarantine, efforts to stay busy and active are heightened. Although, most workouts require less equipment than what would be found at a gym.

Path-stay on that grind-er at home workout

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
May 12, 2020
Teachers Chris Johnson, Kim Hanan-West and Tommie Rowe share their senior photos with other faculty members.

Guess the teacher by their senior picture

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
May 4, 2020
Finding a new routine during social distancing can mitigate mental health barriers.

Speak to Silence: Quarantine and loss of routine

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
April 13, 2020
In a culture where only certain body types are accepted, many girls today feel inadequate and constantly compare themselves to others.

Speak to Silence: Junior Zoe Deyoung combats comparison

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
March 12, 2020
Speak to Silence tackles eating disorders and opening up tough conversations in its first chapter.

Speak to Silence: the causes of eating disorders and my story

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
February 27, 2020
The Pathfinder's most eligible bachelors pose, waiting for their dream date.

3. The Pathfinder: Bachelor Edition

Kathryn McAuliffe, Carly Anderson, and Susie Seidel
February 13, 2020
Examining capsules to observe if their DNA was synthesized, sophomores Jameson Mullaney and Alex Spangler react to their results. Honors biology students combined their saliva with dish soap in order to extract their DNA. “We kind of messed up our experiment; we accidentally put too much soap, so it didn’t really work,” Spangler said. “We were kind of upset with ourselves, but were able to laugh it off. It was a really fun experiment.”

Photo of the week – Jan. 31

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
January 31, 2020
Motivational sayings on the walls of Rowhouse’s studio boost you through your workout.

Which workout class should you try?

Brinda Ambal and Susie Seidel
January 31, 2020
Speak to Silence tackles eating disorders and oening up tough conversations in its first chapter.

Speak to Silence: Introduction

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
January 21, 2020
Counselors ensure students remember the importance of taking January registration seriously.

How to best secure your schedule for the 2020-21 school year

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
January 15, 2020
Photo illustration of athletes who find strength in vegan and vegetarian diets.

Plant-powered athletes: Students share their experiences in sports with modified diets

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
January 13, 2020
In her office on a school day, care counselor Rebecca Morris works with students on a personal level to help them be successful in school. Morris said it is needed to have a resource who is not a teacher or guidance counselor to focus on personal relationships. “Teachers have so much on their plates. They have to be your teacher, they have to be your counselor and they want to care about you as a person, but they have a lot of other things going on,” Morris said. “I’m trying to make sure I have contact with teachers and staff, [so] there’s somebody here to focus on a personal relationship.”

Meet the new care counselor Rebecca Morris

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
November 7, 2019
Hustling on the field, sophomore Ja’Marion Wayne breaks records at the Mayor’s Cup football game Oct. 17. Wayne broke two school records for rushing yards and all purpose yardage. “That record stood for 52 years, and he hit it as a sophomore. I think his ceiling is very high,” assistant football coach Zaven Nalbandian said.

“The sky’s the limit”: Sophomore Ja’Marion Wayne breaks 52-year-old school yardage record

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
October 25, 2019
Dressed in pajamas, seniors Teya Everts, Cate McBride and Nathan Clem walk into school at 7:15 a.m.. Everts believes that a required school start time at 8:30 a.m. implemented in California would benefit students. “I think kids would get more sleep which would help academics,” Everts said. “Even if [we] got home later, we would wake up later.”

Students and staff stand behind new California legislation that pushes back school start times

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
October 15, 2019
Bell schedules differ at each Parkway high school, West being the only schedule that does not incorporate an Academic Lab.

The future of bell schedules

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
October 4, 2019
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.”

Photo of the week – Sept. 23

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
September 27, 2019
Fresh off their first performance at Red and Blue Night, freshman Kelsea Wilson hugs her sister, senior Kristin Wilson, excited that they completed their first routine together. Both tried out for poms and were excited to make varsity, it being the only year they will both be on the team. “My favorite part is the games, getting ready with her beforehand and having our parents get to watch us both perform,” Kristin said.

Senior Kristin Wilson and freshman Kelsea Wilson take advantage of the chance to dance as teammates

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
September 11, 2019
Students line up outside the counseling office during the second week of school, anxious for just a quick meeting to adjust their schedule.

We’ve got a situation…scheduling. It’s time to talk about solutions.

Susie Seidel and Kathryn McAuliffe
August 30, 2019
Making her way into the splits on silks, junior Callie Hummel begins to pose for the circus class. Circus Harmony at the City Museum offers classes between practices and performances. “We tried a hoop first that was hanging down from the ceiling, and then we did silks,” Hummel said. “It was something different and really fun.”

Juniors Callie Hummel and Natalie Larsen choose hoops over high heels

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
May 17, 2019

Teachers read RateMyTeachers reviews part 2

Nayeon Ryu and Susie Seidel
May 7, 2019
A photograph of custodian Sean Smith and his wife is displayed on the GoFundMe page started by a student to help support them as they face medical setbacks. Smith wants to be remembered by students for his smile and positivity. “You’ve all been good to us, and I want to be good right back,” Smith said. “If you need me, I got you, and no matter what you’ll always see me smiling.”

Community comes together to give back to custodian Sean Smith

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
April 22, 2019
Gliding on the ice, senior Tarek Baig demonstrates sportsmanship and drive as a team captain. As a captain, Baig attempts to create a hardworking environment to promote success for his team. “Making the right plays on the ice and working as hard as possible sets a good example of what success costs day in and day out. I tell people ‘nice play’ or lines like that so they know people are watching and are happy with how they're playing,” Baig said.

Redefining himself, senior Tarek Baig overcomes racism on the ice

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
March 26, 2019
Post surgery, junior Weston McGuire prepares for practicing patience rather than baseball the next few weeks as he recovers from facial surgery. Doctors went through his eye to place a metal plate to aid in the regrowth of his orbital bone that was shattered when he was struck in the face by a baseball. “It didn’t hurt very much by the time surgery came a week later, I was just very uncomfortable and I just wanted to get it over with. I want to miss out on as little baseball as possible,” McGuire said.

Junior Weston McGuire sets his sights on recovery

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
February 28, 2019
Followed by thousands of other marchers, junior Emily Weaver and sophomore Molly Reinecke smile with their youth group as they participate in March for Life 2019. The march followed speakers and activists from across the country all expressing support for the cause. “There was definitely a lot adrenaline throughout the march because everybody there was so passionate,” Reinecke said.

Sophomore Molly Reinecke and junior Emily Weaver march for their futures

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
February 25, 2019
Gathering clips for their first assignment, seniors MJ Stricker, Matthew Showers and Carson Lolley film in the theatre. Students were tasked with creating a 30 second film inspired by the techniques filmmaker Lev Kuleshov. “I like having a simple task so I can be more creative in the filmmaking process,” Lolley said. “I’m excited to keep working on bigger and better projects throughout the semester.”

Cinematography and Screenwriting class debuts this semester

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
January 24, 2019

[Video] Student photographers try ugly location photoshoot challenge

Nayeon Ryu and Susie Seidel
January 11, 2019
Smiling through a sudden snow fall, juniors Caroline Briscoe, Reagin Ward, Jenna Mercer and Madison Foelsch put their hoods up as they navigate through the streets of New York. Marketing students arrived in the city Wednesday to attend seminars, shop and explore. “I was already so excited for a day with my best friends, but when it started snowing is when I really felt like I was in a movie,” Mercer said.

Photo of the week – Nov. 12

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
November 16, 2018
After the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh Saturday morning, Jewish Student Union member seniors Lexie Bratton and Derek Isle discuss their emotions with Rabbi Yitzchak Staum. Students shared their disbelief for the fact that antisemitism still exists in 2018. “We can respond with kindness to the hate by educating others,” Bratton said. “The majority of hate stems from lack of knowledge, and through JSU and other programs we hope to educate our peers to stop the hate.”

Jewish Student Union strives to create a welcoming community

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
November 1, 2018
Kitty Strong poses with Mario Pupillo on Cardinals Day. The two have worked each other for four years. “Kitty and I have a very close relationship and I know she will bring great success to her new position,” Pupillo said.

Kitty Strong takes new position as Building Manager

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
September 21, 2018
Juniors Nolan Barbre and Landon Dupont stand with volunteers at the Little Patriots Embraced (LPE) Golf Shootout. “Volunteering at events is an easy way for members of the community to get involved,” Dupont said.

Junior Landon Dupont supports other military families through fundraising

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
July 5, 2018

Teachers Read RateMyTeachers Reviews

Nayeon Ryu and Susie Seidel
May 17, 2018

People of West: Lauren Ottensmeyer

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
May 14, 2018
Explaining history while describing his own culture, Dennis Nasufovic speaks to social studies teacher Jim Hermann’s class. Nasufovic immigrated to St. Louis with his family in the 1990s where there is a current large Bosnian population. “If you have a neighbor who is very loud watching the soccer game with a broken TV set outside, you know its a Bosnian whose team lost,” Nasufovic said.

Denis Nasufovic brings textbook pages to life

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
May 9, 2018
Posing with a port on her arm, seniors Stephanie Ingberg and Lauren Lashly have fun taking Prom pictures. Despite Ingberg’s ongoing health obstacles following her illness, she and Lashly wanted to make Prom night special. “I knew that Prom was really important to Stephanie. It helped motivate her and gave positivity during her recovery process,” Lashly said.

Senior Stephanie Ingberg attends Prom after E. coli battle

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
May 4, 2018

Teachers respond to President Trump’s suggestion of arming school faculty

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
April 20, 2018
baileystory

People of West: Bailey Goughenour

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
April 19, 2018

Spring break staycations

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
March 23, 2018
Over the holidays, sophomore Maddi Foelsch and senior Alex Foelsch pose for a family photo with their dad. “I’m so happy it all worked out because I don’t know what I would do without him,” Maddi said.

The Foelsch sisters support their father through stage four cancer recovery

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
March 21, 2018

Video: Special Olympics 2018

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
February 13, 2018
The Ballman family poses for a photo. "We lost a wonderful person that tragic day ten years ago, but his positive influence will be felt for a long time to come," Claymont Elementary school principal Aaron Wills said. Tom Ballman is survived by his son Josh, daughter Rachel, and wife Cindy.

8. In memory of Officer Thomas Ballman

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
February 7, 2018
Holding signs stating, '#MeToo', students express support for the movement encompassing the media.

Parkway responds to the issue of sexual assault

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
February 1, 2018
Smiling for the camera, sophomores Emily Weaver, Charlotte Zera, Olivia Meara, Emily Lofgren, Kristen Boyd and Susie Seidel pose for homecoming pictures. Five of the six girls purchased dresses online for the event. "I like buying dresses online because there is a better selection and it is easier than going to the store and trying on millions," Zera said.

The top four online stores for King of Hearts dresses

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
January 23, 2018
Sophomore Principal Mario Pupillo presents sophomore Brynn Haun with her diploma as she joins the graduating class of 2017.

Community celebrates sophomore Brynn Haun

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
December 22, 2017
During the home football game against Ladue, the student section, which includes parents, is sparse.

Students address inadequate fan sections

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
December 1, 2017
Senior Katy Ward verbally committed to the University of Michigan, a NCAA Division 1 school. She also received offers from Duke and Princeton. “Katy's very driven and determined to do her best in rowing. I think Michigan will be very happy to have her," St. Louis Rowing Club coach Tim Franck said.

On the boat to success: senior Katy Ward to row at the University of Michigan next fall

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor
October 27, 2017