Lia Emry, Staff Writer
Pronouns: she/her
Grade: 12
Years on staff: 3
What is your favorite piece of literature? I’m not sure, but I love cats.
Who is your hero? My mom.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sushi.
![Walking onto the field, freshman Erastus Adewusi wears a pink jersey in remembrance of cancer awareness month. With the number seven on his jersey, Adewusi reflects on his life in Nigeria before moving to America. “I [used to wake up] at 5:30 a.m. and school would end at 5 p.m. [versus] now,” Adewusi said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0029-1200x800.jpg)
![With the click of a button, senior Abbi VanValkenburgh snaps a shot of her twin sister, senior Alli VanValkenburgh. Abbi found her passion for photography during her freshman year, allowing her to expand her class knowledge into her current photography business. “Photography has taught me how to be patient with myself. I learned that sometimes I'll fail, and that's okay. I know that not every image will be perfect, but the ones that [are] keep me going,” Abbi said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_5197-copy-2-1200x940.jpg)
![Performing a dance, athletes wave their pompoms in the air as special education teacher Wendy Zieleskiewicz stands behind them. Zielesckiewicz, who has been teaching for 25 years, didn’t know what she wanted to pursue until she remembered her love for children. She now sees her students benefiting from Special Olympics. “It's really fun to see [athletes] grow. [Special Olympics is] incredible — It's high energy, it's a lot of fun. It's cool to see the kids all working together and having a good time. They make connections with other students, [and] it's amazing to see how much fun they have. I hope that they can make and maintain relationships with people that are not in this classroom. I always encourage [my students] to participate [in Special Olympics] because it is a lot of fun and even if they don't make a best friend, you still have an opportunity to grow,” Zieleskiewicz said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-5-1200x798.jpg)
![On Friday, a night full of celebration kicked off in a flood of green in honor of former 2023 graduate Jaydon Woodall. Athletics director Jeff Taggart took the night as a moment to reflect on Woodall and the impact he made. “The fact that we have that option to bring more awareness to [organ donation] and how we can save somebody else's life down the road, to the idea of being an organ donor like [Woodall] is worth everything. Coming together as a community says a lot about how much he means to us,” Taggart said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image1-1200x800.png)
![Posing in front of The Magic Kingdom with her family, junior Karry Nickel enjoys her 20th time at Disney World. As Disney passholders, the Nickels have embraced the tradition of going to Disney every Fourth of July. “There are no words [to describe] going to bed and knowing that the next morning, you're getting on a 5 a.m. flight to Orlando to go to Disney. It’s one of the most exciting feelings ever, and I'll never forget the memories,” Nickel said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/8c92fea5-e084-4f05-acb7-d5a0e28f8340-1200x799.jpg)
![Seniors Grace Fotheringham, Kelsea Wilson, Luisa DAquino Lazarini and Ibrahim Hacking pose together after attending Parkway’s Educators’ Signing Night. Students were encouraged to invite family, friends and teachers to watch. “Signing days are cute, and I never committed to a sport, so I never really thought I would have the opportunity. I’m excited that I [got] to be a part of a signing day for education. On signing night, it was wholesome to see everyone’s future plans and invite my family and teachers. It made me realize how important teaching is and how we need more teachers,” Wilson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image1-2-900x600.jpg)
![“All four of my grandparents were really impactful on me growing up, I'm lucky enough that they all live really close by. Growing up, it was really nice to be able to see them a lot and to visit and just be able to have a close connection with them because not everyone is close with their grandparents, and most people only get to see them every so often. It was different when growing up, especially when I was in pre-K kindergarten, I would see my grandparents on both sides, multiple times a week. It’s really nice to have that connection with them. I kind of have like three homes like both of my grandparent's houses are on my own. It really had a positive impact on me growing up. I'm looking forward to senior year and college. I'm honestly not nervous [for college]. Right now, I'm trying to take in my time at home but also I think I'm going to really enjoy the independence of college. I'm excited to mainly just be around new people like people from all over because I hopefully will go to an out-of-state college so I just am really excited to be in a new area around new people who like different things,” Deluca said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSC_0005-900x600.jpg)
![“Everyone here at Parkway West High School keeps telling me I am famous [from a TikTok that went viral]. They [students and staff] stop me in the hallways asking for my autograph. That takes a lot to get accustomed to, but I enjoy the noticed honor. My major at the University of Texas – Austin was a clear path. I married while in College and relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas with my husband; and later, to St. Louis, Missouri. I finished my undergraduate degree at Harris Stowe University here in St. Louis and began my first Mathematics Teacher assignment at Hanley Junior High School in the University City Public Schools. My mother, Mrs. Bernice Barbara Nash Jackson, Deceased was the greatest inspiration to become a teacher. My aunt, Dr. Myrtle Elliott Hightower, and Dr. Todd Elliott, Deceased shared in that distinction. My uncle, Dr. Elliott was a Mathematics Teacher. His love of Mathematics inspired me to show an interest in the subject. I do regret not pursuing being a High School Band Director. I love playing different instruments. I began in the Band at South Oak Cliff High School, Dallas, Texas. I have pleasant thoughts of being Majorette Captain of my High School Marching Band,” - Mrs.McNeal, math](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0025-900x600.jpg)
![“I worked very hard in high school academically, athletically, and in extracurriculars. Having all of that come together and getting into my "reach" college was a pretty proud moment. All of that said, I am probably most proud of something much more simple: being nice to people. I learned compassion and empathy from my mom at a young age and the importance and power of just being nice always resonated. I had many teachers along the way [that got me into teaching]. I am thankful that I became an educator. I get to learn and grow through my job on a daily basis. I get to work with students, teachers, and parents to find ways to best support the students that are the future of our community. In those ways, my job is very fulfilling and rewarding,” - Mario Pupillo, Assistant Principal](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0061-900x600.jpg)
![“I'm very proud of my field hockey career and how far I've come in only three and a half years. I think that a lot of people have been doing a sport for years and years and they don't go anywhere with it. I feel like by talking to colleges and [field hockey] practices and managing, school, seven clubs, and field hockey four times a week, I think my time management has really grown in the past three years," - Mj Surtain, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0051-900x598.jpg)
![Fully running through “Pippin” for the first time, sophomore Jack Mullen performs the opening number alongside his castmates to kick off tech week. Having been diagnosed with COVID-19 one week before the show, theater teacher and Director Amie Gossett relied on her students to step up to help the show run smoothly in her absence. “As a whole, this has been a very collaborative experience for all the kids. They’ve learned to take responsibility [while] pushing themselves to keep the show going. [They learned] to believe themselves in stepping outside of their comfort zone and to push for what they want,” Gossett said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0036-900x600.jpg)
![“My fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Hartman impacted me growing up. She was the only person that actually believed in me, and she gave me the courage to do what I do now. I believed in myself [because of her], I felt like I never believed in myself or I wasn't capable of doing anything, but she made me feel like I could do anything in the world. With what I've been through and how I think about things, a lot of people didn’t understand me as a person. But I feel like she understood where I was coming from and the things that I was going through. My mom has gone through the struggle, and I look up to all the things that she went through growing up. People always ask me what my goals are, but I don’t believe in goals, because that's one way of failing. What if I could do more than just achieve that one goal that I set out to do? I’m gonna set objectives. What I say is what I'm gonna do, and I'm not going halfway in life,” - Trenton Livingston, 11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSC_0001-900x600.jpg)
![“My parents were really involved with school for me, they would always ask about my grades and stress the importance of school. I think that contributed to my desire to do well in school and take hard classes and I think it’s going to be very helpful for me in the future. I was really looking for a city vibe in college, and I recently just committed to Loyola so it’s gonna be really nice to have Chicago so close to me. The campus is beautiful and really close to the lake. I didn’t want a huge school in a college so Loyola is perfect. I regret not sticking with some of the sports [I played growing up]. I did gymnastics until junior year and I feel like I could have done a lot more. I feel like there's unfinished business there. Someone that impacted me growing up was my older sister Abby, she was always there for me when I needed her and always encouraged me to aim high and pursue my passions. I’m looking forward to college because I’m gonna be in a new city and I’ll get to make new friends. I’m super excited to be on my own and start my future,” - Tristan Caudill, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSC_0005-copy-900x680.jpg)
![“I'm really overwhelmed about getting a good score [on my ACT test] because my parents put a lot of pressure on me to get a good score, since they have a lot of expectations [for me] as well as having an older brother who really set the bar high by getting good grades and a good score on the ACT, that puts a lot of pressure on me to do just as well. It stresses me out a lot and it kind of scares me but I know that my parents are wanting the best for me. Although I know they're not just putting the stress on me for nothing because they want me to work hard and achieve everything I want. I know they put the stress on me for a good reason, they do it to make sure I won't have any regrets when I'm older. My parents are really supportive. I told them I needed a math tutor because I'm struggling with math and my parents just took the initiative, my mom spent days just trying to find the best possible math tutor she could find for me that will also fit my schedule. They care definitely a lot about my needs and they won't be afraid to just jump into action to get me what I need. I'm extremely grateful for my parents. They focus so much of their time focused on me, since I am like the only child right now basically with my brother at college. This could be a good and bad thing since all of their attention is on me now, which puts a lot of stress on me, but it also makes me relieved that I have parents who actually care about my success and achievements. I'm really excited to go to college. It's just stressful to think about the process of having to get into college, but I know that no matter where I go, or whatever I end up doing I'll be happy with whatever it is. I'm really excited to get out of Missouri and meet new people and make new friends. Whatever is outside of Missouri I want to explore. I want to explore different areas of our country and go out of state for college. I really want to go somewhere urban and populated with more things around me, for example, more activities I could be doing on the weekends. I want to meet new people in different areas. I definitely am looking for diversity on campus because I really want to go to a college with a large variety of diversity, as a student of color. I want to make sure that [the college I go to will] have a good business and marketing program which is really important, and like a large population of like their student body is involved in like the business or marketing area. Otherwise, I feel like it'd be a waste to go to a college that doesn't focus on the area I want to study.” - Angie Ren,11](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DSC_0027-900x600.jpg)
![“My first two years of high school I don’t even consider to count. Freshman year I honestly don't even remember [what we learned] and it was cut short. I was virtual my entire sophomore year and took the time to focus on academics, dance and myself. The pandemic definitely caused me to lose motivation during my sophomore year. It took a lot of effort during my junior year to jump back into staying focused and taking school seriously. Junior year, I met a freshman on poms named Poppi Wright, she's meant so much to me ever since. We're very similar, it's weird. We clicked instantly and I just absolutely adore her. Throughout high school, one unforgettable moment for me was joining the yearbook staff. I absolutely adore [journalism teacher Debra] Klevens and taking her class was the best decision I made. I found a true passion in designing and making yearbook spreads. I got really into it and by my senior year, I was made an editor. I love going to Klevens room after other classes I don't enjoy as much. I’m a student aide for her so I have her every day and I love it. I honestly feel like I had two true years of high school, my junior and senior year. I'm most proud that I just survived the journey. I can say I was in high school during a pandemic and still managed to get into college, continued dancing and formed new relationships.” - Kelsea Wilson, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_7240-copy-900x646.jpg)
![Journalism Adviser Debra Klevens sits at her desk and reviews feedback from the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention. Klevens looked for ways to share the feedback so her students could continue to grow journalistically. “Learning from industry experts isn’t something every student has the opportunity to see. My job is to make [resources] available for everyone and to deliver to the different levels of students in a way they can understand at the time,” Klevens said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0001-900x600.jpg)
![During a Crime and Law mock trial, senior Nadir Gheith acts as the defendant, Jack Percy who is on trial for the first-degree murder of Butch Burly. Officer Matthew Paubel removed Gheith's handcuffs at the start of the trial after escorting him to the pretend courtroom. “[The most challenging part of the mock trial] was seeing me lose because I hardly lose, and I needed to bounce back from that. [I lost] because the jury hates me. I don’t know what I did wrong, but they just didn’t like me,” Gheith said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_7588-900x600.jpg)
![Clutching the ball on a quarterback run, junior Joseph Federer hustles on the field, attempting to score a touchdown. As a child, Federer grew up watching football. “An NFL player who inspires me is [quarterback] Kyler Murray. He is a very accurate quarterback and can also make tremendous plays with his feet,” Federer said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/DSC_0358-1-900x600.jpg)
![Sophomore Jade Senseney poses with her brother, sophomore Kayden Senseney and her mother, before attending the Missouri Botanical Gardens Japanese festival. Senseney’s mother wears a Yukata [a traditional summer kimono] as Senseney and her brother wear their Japanese school shirts. “One thing that brings me joy about my heritage and culture is going back to Japan and taking in how others’ lives are, how my grandparents live and understanding their way of life and what’s important to them,” Senseney said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/new.jpg)
![“I think the best part about being a teacher is seeing how many different lives you impact. Sometimes it takes years. You see a student you haven't had in 10 years and they come up to you and they have a conversation; that impact that we have on many [ students] lives can help shape the world. Obviously that's the main goal for what I would hope a lot of people in teaching, but I feel like that it is hard to see when you're in the moment, but you can find that if you teach long enough. I come to different insights. [I] focus in on what I find to be important, and what we need as a society and culture. Right now, we need more interactions with each other. And unfortunately, we're dealing with a situation where there's a lot of impersonal contact that we have. Part of it stems from our technology; we can also lay some blame on our current situation with COVID. I worry about those aspects and students' abilities to socialize and work together." – Brian Welch, librarian](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DSC_0020-900x600.jpg)
![“I think the best part about being a teacher is seeing how many different lives you impact. Sometimes it takes years. You see a student you haven't had in 10 years and they come up to you and they have a conversation; that impact that we have on many [ students] lives can help shape the world. Obviously that's the main goal for what I would hope a lot of people in teaching, but I feel like that it is hard to see when you're in the moment, but you can find that if you teach long enough. I come to different insights. [I] focus in on what I find to be important, and what we need as a society and culture. Right now, we need more interactions with each other. And unfortunately, we're dealing with a situation where there's a lot of impersonal contact that we have. Part of it stems from our technology; we can also lay some blame on our current situation with COVID. I worry about those aspects and students' abilities to socialize and work together." –Brian Welch, librarian](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/kwelch-1-900x600.jpeg)