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
Haley Puglisi

Haley Puglisi

Malia McLellan, A&E Editor • October 3, 2025

"[American Sign Language] has always interested me, so [starting the course] was one of my plans for freshman year. My mom [had] deaf friends in elementary school and learned how to sign just through watching...

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.

Fluent in silence

Samir Shaik, Multimedia Editor-in-Chief • May 29, 2024

On May 15 at the 56th annual Honors Ceremony, junior Brooke Hoenecke walked across the stage after marking a landmark achievement for the school: becoming West’s first student to earn the Seal of Biliteracy...

Freshmen Elle Rotter and Sami Eveland have a conversation during ASL club’s Friendsgiving meeting. The club had pizza and soda while chatting and playing games. “I enjoy visiting ASL club and talking to my friends,” Eveland said. “I’ve met some cool new people who are interested in ASL just like me.”

Behind the scenes: ASL Club

Brooke Moss, Convergent Media Writer • February 21, 2020

As you enter room 3314 on Thursday morning at 7:05 a.m., you could hear a pin drop in the silent room. It is an American Sign Language (ASL) Club meeting where hand gestures are the mode of communication,...

Taking advantage of ASL Club time after school in ASL Club Sponsor Jessie Menchak’s room, freshman and ASL Club member Bella Neisius cuts out hand-shaped Valentines. Club members gathered together to cut out cards and make tissue paper flowers for Valentines. “I like learning new things about the Deaf community at West and [meeting] all the Deaf kids within [our school] and connecting with them,” Neisius said.

The Deaf community spells out “I LOVE YOU” for Valentine’s Day

Elle Rotter, Deputy Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • February 10, 2020

Gathered as a small group in American Sign Language (ASL) Club sponsor Jessie Menchak’s room Jan. 30, both Deaf and hearing students spent time making valentines for classmates to be sold the week of...

American Sign Language (ASL) teacher Jessie Menchak helps freshman Jaquenette Wheatley with her project on a famous deaf person in 6th hour ASL II class. The presentation will be given throughout the week in class to show famous figures in the deaf community. “I try to impact students by letting them know they're in a safe space [and] that they can be comfortable here with the knowledge I'm on their team,” Menchak said.

Meet Jessie Menchak, a new American Sign Language teacher

Sophia Frobish, Staff Writer • January 15, 2020

On the third floor at the end of the language hallway, American Sign Language (ASL) teacher Jessie Menchak greets her students as they walk into class, giving them a handshake and a welcoming smile before...

ASL teacher Tiffani Symons signs to one of her students in her American Sign Language II class. Symons has been teaching for 17 years. "Students are only learning visually. I admire students who are up for this challenge, and my job as a teacher is to promote their learning and success," Symons said.

Getting to know American Sign Language teacher Tiffani Symons

Gabby Leon, STAFF WRITER • February 23, 2018

Pathfinder: What got you interested in teaching? Symons: “I wanted to be a teacher since I was in high school. I realized I wanted to teach deaf and hard of hearing students, so I became a teacher...

Junior Rachel Ebner signs with her interpreter, Kathy LaBoo before history class.

POW: Rachel Ebner, 11

Betsy Wait, MANAGING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • April 15, 2015

“If you could give one piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?” “I would just say: be the best person that you can be. If you see somebody who is sitting by themselves, try...

POW: Brett Crews, 9

POW: Brett Crews, 9

Debra Klevens, Convergent Media Writers • September 4, 2014
“Is it hard to communicate with people when there is no interpreter?”