Former Principal Bill Byrd reflects on West’s 50th anniversary
![Bill Byrd (center left) stands with current principal Jeremy Mitchell, and former principals Dave McMillan and Beth Plunkett at West’s 50th anniversary football game and celebration. Byrd had continued to stay connected to the West community even after leaving his post as principal in 1987 through his three children’s enrollment and attendance to football and basketball games. “We currently have a granddaughter [sophomore Susie Seidel] at West and enjoy attending her activities and listening to her West stories. I feel very honored and fortunate to have been a part of West High for the past 50 years,” Byrd said.](https://PWestPathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/unnamed-7-e1521135828936-475x317.jpg)
Gabe Davis, Staff Writer
March 15, 2018
Pathfinder: How did you become a principal at Parkway West? Byrd: I was teaching social studies at Hickman High School, Columbia, Mo. In 1969, when I interviewed for an assistant principal's position at West Senior, I was hired. For the next 15 years I held that position until appointed principal ...
Danna Albright offers options for families in crisis
Sabrina Bohn, Features Editor
September 13, 2017
Danna Albright, a 1982 alumna of West High, works with families in need as a Therapeutic Placement Consultant, helping patients navigate the mental health system.
James Czajkowski makes a career of writing
Nell Jaskowiak, Opinions Editor
September 5, 2017
Intensely researching for 90 days straight, then immediately beginning to write for four hours a day, this man works until each book is done, then jumps into the next. Such is the life of best selling author and 1979 graduate James Czajkowski (pen name James Rollins). “[In high school] I was quiet, an introver...
Alumna Mary Matus flies through life
Sabrina Bohn, Features Editor
September 1, 2017
When a neighbor talked to Matus about her job as a flight attendant, she became inspired and began applying to different airlines because of her desire to move out of St. Louis and travel.
![Spark! mentor Xanthe Meyer, Bilal Danish, and competitors senior Emma Lee Francois, Parkway South senior Subah Shovik and winner junior Sri Jaladi pose for a photo after the Parkway Spark! Thomas Phelps Pitch Competition Feb. 6. Jaladi’s business, Nano Lending, aims to empower impoverished and homeless entrepreneurs by providing them with foundational products to help them start their own businesses. “It feels really good [running Nano Lending] because it's not necessarily just for money,” Jaladi said. “I think it's great to do something where this is not meant for profit and any money that's repaid back just goes back into the program.”](https://PWestPathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Screen-Shot-2020-05-17-at-3.32.32-PM-300x194.png)
