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.
![Kicking off dress rehearsal, Mr. Longhorn contestant and senior Carson Hughes goes over the group routine alongside other competitors. With just two days of practice, all participants learned the entirety of their introductory dance, chose an occupation to embody and crafted skits for the show. “The best part of this [whole thing] was learning the dance and just practicing with the guys. We [have to] try not to laugh the whole time, but we're having a lot of fun,” Hughes said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_5112-1-e1732164157549-1200x812.jpg)
![Blending together a concoction for a science experiment, science teacher Joel Anderson scares his students by bringing excitement and thrill into his classroom for his annual Halloween show. It took about six weeks for Anderson to set up his classroom for the show. “It’s pure terror. I came up with this idea a couple decades ago to do something fun for Halloween. So I pretend to be this mad scientist [that creates] a Frankenstein-like creature [with the class], learning a little bit of science along the way and [then ending] with a laser show. It’s just for fun; entertainment value,” Anderson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0021.JPG_-1200x800.jpg)
![Standing with girls cross country team mascot Pump the pumpkin, senior Sydney Etchason laughs with her teammates. Before the team’s senior night, Etchason undertook an odyssey to recover the pumpkin, which had been stolen by boys cross country. “We went through practice, and then a little birdie told me that it was in [senior] Emmett [Vernon's] car. I [offered Vernon] $50 to give us our pumpkin back, and we got Pump back,” Etchason said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0002-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Latin students pose for a group photo in front of historical ruins in Italy. From March 13 to March 23, the Latin department traversed cities in Italy to immerse students in an educational experience of a lifetime. “I enjoyed being able to learn about the different cultures. [The trip] encouraged me to see other people's lifestyle and learn more about different histories,” senior Suraiya Saroar said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PXL_20240318_092633493.jpg)
![From Jan. 22 through Feb. 1, Parkway West High is displaying a wide array of art pieces made by students ranging from elementary to high school. All classes were represented on the displays in both the art wing and the main foyer of the school. “[Art] benefits me because in the middle of a busy day. I can just relax and have some fun doing art and it makes me happy. I think it's important that you show art in the art show so that people can get inspired by it and be inspired to create their own pieces; it’s really impactful,” sophomore Dhiya Prasanna said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image1-1200x800.jpg)
![Voter registration is open for November’s presidential election through Oct. 9. On Oct. 2, students at West High were able to receive assistance with online registration in the library. “When I went into the library to [register to] vote, [librarian] Lauren Reusch made completing my registration very easy and clear. It’s important to learn about voting and it’s important that schools help with voter registration, because it can be confusing for first-time voters,” senior Gianna Lionelli said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-1.53.06 PM-1200x795.png)
![Junior TJ Polack plays his saxophone solo at halftime for the 2024 marching band show, ‘Coloring Book.’ This year, Polack was one of two soloists in the marching band. “[Polack] is very hard on himself. [His saxophone solo] sounds amazing [and] everyone [cheers] for him; [still], somehow, he thinks it’s a bad performance and he's down. What he does is not easy. It takes a lot of confidence as a person [and] a lot of musical skill to be expressive, and he's doing an amazing job,” drum major and senior Dominic Perez said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/462488499_2973926416100522_5057718068659607183_n-1200x925.jpg)
![Sophomore Isaiah Meese smiles after his Eagle Scout Ceremony. Meese has participated in the scouting program since first grade, learning new aspects of life and growing a community of a second family. “I almost didn’t do [boy scouting], but I'm glad I eventually did start doing it. I regret that I wasn't [working towards Eagle Scout during COVID]. It might not always seem like the most rewarding thing, but if you put your time into it, there's a good chance you'll get quite a lot out of it: friends, new activities and hobbies, or just more experience,” Meese said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_1004-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Justin Lutz arranges his collection of basketball sports cards. Lutz started his first hand at entrepreneurship with an online store on eBay, dealing and trading in the sports card market. “I was already collecting sports cards [before], so I knew a lot of these players and I understood the market. I ventured into other sports, but I really stayed with the ones that I knew the most, [like] basketball. It’s really important to focus on what you know because it's so much easier than starting completely from scratch in a market that you don't understand. Find something that you're interested in," Lutz said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Untitled-design-2.png)
![Standing in front of the American Sign Language program’s mural, junior Brooke Hoenecke signs with freshman Darren Young. Hoenecke began cadet teaching for ASL this year alongside working towards earning her seal of biliteracy. “I was in ASL class when I received the email [that I qualified for the seal]. I was jumping up and down with my teacher and the rest of the class. One of the reasons why I took cadet teaching this year was so that I could prepare for the Seal of Biliteracy and be immersed in ASL,” Hoenecke said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hoenecke.jpeg)
![Business and personal finance teacher Evan Stern stands in front of his classroom. After facing hardships growing up, Stern learned how to deal with them with the help of role models like his dad. “We dealt with some trauma when I was in middle school, and my dad had to be responsible for all three of us while he was working full-time. I know he had to sacrifice a lot. I'm sure it was really hard for him, but looking back on it, he did a really good job . I didn't appreciate everything that he did at the time because I was so young. Now, I'm engaged and probably going to have kids of my own in the next couple of years so I [am starting] to look at things differently,” Stern said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-7-1200x900.jpg)
![Holding his two smiling daughters in his arms, Principal John McCabe celebrates earning his doctorate degree. He attended Maryville University for two years and reached his goal of achieving a Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership degree after months upon months of hard work and long nights. “I'm not going to lie, I'm glad I have another night of my life back when I'm not at school till very late,” McCabe said. “I can spend more time with my family and with my friends [who] are here at [West]. I'm really happy about that.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/mccabefeature.png)
![Art teacher Katy Mangrich sits in her classroom, smiling for a picture. During her time in high school, Mangrich learned several lessons that she now passes on to her son. “The biggest life lesson that I learned is honesty. I wouldn't say I was the best teenager, but I learned very quickly in high school to always be forthcoming and honest with my parents because it always ended up serving me better in the long run. [My parents] might have been upset with me [and the mistake I made], but I wasn't going down the rabbit hole of a lie because that was just going to get me into more trouble,” Mangrich said. “I passed [that lesson] along to my nephew. Honesty is always your best approach; just don’t lie. I say that to my son all the time. There's no advantage to lying, [and] that's a huge takeaway [from] how my parents raised me.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-26-10.10.12-AM.png)
![Social studies teacher Aaron Bashirian smiles in front of his classroom. Bashirian didn’t know he wanted to be a teacher from early on, but he found the choice to be a good one. “I started [teaching] because there was an opportunity for me to experiment with it. Fortunately, [teaching] was a good choice. In 2012, I became a teacher at Parkway at the Alternative Discipline Center, which is where they send suspended kids to keep being educated if they choose. I spent six years there and then I got drafted to West, [where] I've been for about six years,” Bashirian said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Untitled-35-1200x800.jpg)
![English teacher Angela Frye stands behind her desk in her classroom. Frye went through a lot of personal struggles to get to where she is today, and with each step in her life, she carries her gratitude for those obstacles. “Everything happens for a reason. I believe in [the concept of] good energy, good karma, [from] being a good person. Those are things I don't take lightly. [Struggles] build character. You really appreciate everything you have when you have to work for everything you have,” Frye said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Untitled-8-1200x800.jpg)
![Despite the numerous health and ethical concerns of energy drinks, popular influencers still flood their social media platforms with numerous posts, and drinks sell out as energy drink companies continue dropping new flavors. The energy drink industry, worth an estimated $99 billion, has maintained a large growth rate, yet is no stranger to controversy. “[The] curiosity of teens needs to be considered. Showing them other alternatives that are safer — like a small cup of coffee — or having them research and discover on their own [would be safer,]" health teacher Jessica Wheeler said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DSC0038-2-1200x800.jpg)
![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.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Flag-1-1.png)
![Eyes tracing his book, freshman Auggie Prsha works to translate a passage in Latin teacher Tom Herpel's classroom. Prsha decided to take Latin after hearing about the fun classroom activities, but he quickly began to see the effects of learning a foreign language in the world around him too. “Sometimes in English class, I can [recognize] some Latin words, and I notice Latin in other places [as well]. I enjoy the people [and] learning from Herpel,” Prsha said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/prsha.jpg)
![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.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-4.jpg)
![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.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0029-2-1200x800.jpg)
![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.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/new-editorial-feature-1200x800.jpg)
![In perfect shooting form and with eyes on the rim, junior Tyler Kuehl is about to shoot his next basket in the last game of the season against Marquette High School. Kuehl has been playing basketball since he was 5. “Even though I played basketball all my life, the game-winning shots can be pressure, it's confidence. If you're going into that shot and not thinking that you're gonna make it, it's obviously not going in. And if you believe, [it will]. That's the only way you can succeed,” Kuehl said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/unnamed-32-1-1200x1200.png)
![“Winning [the Scholastic Gold Key Regional Award for Writing] feels incredibly rewarding. I dedicated a lot of time to putting my feelings into my work, especially ‘Melanin’, which was about my experience with racism and feeling like an outcast because of my skin color [and] primarily due to living in a white/homogenous area. My memoir reflects upon a time in which I lived in a small town that had close to zero people who looked like me and how that affected my mental health, especially how I felt about how I looked. But then I moved to a larger, more diverse city where there were more people similar to me and I had this moment where I realized that my features are unique and beautiful. I feel like a lot of people of color can relate to the feeling of overcoming internalized racism. It's truly validating to see my efforts recognized by the Scholastic Writing Contest especially because it gives me a platform to share my voice. ” - Farrin Rahman, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KadamO_RahmanF3-Opal-Kadam-1-1200x800.jpg)
![“Hitting that ball hard is just pure satisfaction. I’m on the varsity tennis team, and it’s funny because I actually got pressured into joining, but we actually [had] a really good season. I’ve been playing for three years now. My favorite part is definitely going to other schools and meeting other girls. Tennis is really fun and it's a good stress reliever, but something that [stresses me out] is definitely tests [at school]. When things [start to] stress me out, I just tell myself that [I] can get there because everyone will move on and [will] get there [too].” Alisha Yin, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/alishayin-copy-1200x800.jpg)
!["Becoming a teacher evolved over time. I wanted to be a writer or in theater, [so] I got degrees in English and theater and wrote plays. Every important job involved working with kids. After college, I [worked on] shows with kids, and [everything] I loved came together. That's when I thought [becoming a teacher]. I went back to school [for] a master’s in education. [Being] 5-foot-2, I was a little scared to teach high school, thinking students [might] think I was younger than them, [so] I got a job at the middle [school] and loved [it]. I always wanted to teach high school, and [now I’ve finally done it]. I see [my students’] great writing, and it inspires me. I've written so much myself but haven't sent much out [yet]. I think I'll [focus on that] after I retire. This is my second year at Parkway West and my first [time] teaching high school, and it’s something I've always wanted to do. I love being [here].” – Marcy Rademeyer, English](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/KhanY_RademeyerM3-Yusra-Khan.png)
![“I’m the vice president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), the co-president of the Women in Healthcare club, and [am also in] of ABC club, NHS first aid, the diplomacy club, and other volunteering activities [in my community.] My main goal in these clubs is to be actively engaged in the school and give back to the community. [Through these opportunities,] I’ve learned to be a better organizer and planner, especially with my roles in MSA and Women in Healthcare. I think these skills will be valuable towards the career path I choose. I’m particularly interested in the medical field, which is why I co-founded Women in Healthcare. As a freshman, I was the chief financial officer of the Muslim Student Association. This year, I’m the vice president. We’ve worked hard to improve the organization and make the club more fun and interactive for everyone. It’s been great to see the club grow, with a lot of new freshmen joining. Balancing all of these activities with my schoolwork can be challenging at times, but the whole team helps with the workload. A misconception others have about the MSA is that [there is minimum involvement.] One time I went to stamp the MSA flyers to get approved down at the office, and the woman was hesitant about it. She asked how many people actually come to our meetings, so I explained that we usually have 35 to 40 people. Parkway West includes lots of diversity and it [helps strengthen] our community.” – Yusra Khan, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1f5dbf90-8b69-452a-a610-22726c8a6ed9-1200x800.jpg)
![“Sports [can] teach you a lot of things, and playing on the team can teach you leadership. When you're working with a bunch of guys, you’ve got to know what's best for the team, and you've got to do whatever is best for the team. Commitment is a big part of sports. Some days, you don't want to show up to practice, [but] you have to do it because it's what's best for the team. You just [have] to be committed. You [gain] better relationships and you make a lot of friends when you play sports. You're spending at least two hours a day with those people, so you build really strong relationships with your teammates. If you put in the work, you're bound to get better.” - Henry Wild, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/4edc5735-3dad-4150-ac6f-3ee8ba65d2b5-1200x803.jpg)
![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)
