Balancing brain power: the need to prioritize mental health over AP classes • 47 Views
Let’s talk politics • 41 Views
Blending worlds together • 39 Views
Study Hall: Setting up students for success or stress? • 33 Views
AI in politics • 33 Views
Taylor Swift silenced from “Speaking Now” about her experience with body dysmorphia • 30 Views
The distorted reflection of teens in television • 25 Views
Countdown to Election Day • 23 Views
![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)
![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)
![Moviegoers smile for a picture after watching the Bollywood movie “3 Idiots.” The event ran from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 and was open to students across the Parkway School District. “I decided to come to the movie night because I wanted to introduce my non-Indian friends to the rich culture and entertainment of Bollywood. One of my favorite parts [of the night] was the combination of [the] amazing food and the pure comedic entertainment. [It] was unmatched,” sophomore Aryan Allu said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_5479-e1710180016483-1200x900.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)
![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)
![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)
![English teacher Leslie Lindsey smiles for a photo behind her desk. Growing up, Lindsey participated in many things outdoors, learning life skills that she still uses today. “I loved fishing and was never grossed out by it. I could get my hands dirty and spend time outside; even when it was cold, I didn't care. Fishing takes a lot of patience, and that is [now] a virtue of mine because I have great patience that translates into my classroom,” Lindsey said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_6632-1-e1712758336310-1200x983.jpeg)
![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)
![Senior Griffin Beno waits in the counseling hub. Students were allowed to visit counselors without an appointment on Aug. 15 and 16 to adjust their schedules, resulting in long wait times. “There [were] not as many [people at open hours last year], but I think that was because we didn't get the word out as well,” counselor Jen Wibbenmeyer said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-17-8.20.51-AM.png)
![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)
![Rested against a rainbow of colored pencils, a phone plays singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams’ single “Risk.” Abrams released the song as the lead single to her upcoming album “The Secret of Us.” “We had real, true fun writing this album. There were also the occasional tears. Audrey [Hobert] and I wrote ‘Risk’ on our couch at home,” Abrams wrote on Instagram.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_0009-2-1200x800.jpg)
![2023 was defined by female vocalists such as Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Paramore’s Hayley Williams as their diversity and talent amongst their respective genres topped the musical charts. Williams took to Instagram to show her gratitude for having owned the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 100 chart. “We know enough by now to know success doesn’t equal value. That being said, to experience the [No. 1] on this album, as this version of Paramore, is such a sweet and surreal moment to celebrate together,” Williams wrote.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-A-Musical-Recap-2.0-1.png)
![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)
![“In eighth grade, I took a video production class in which I learned the basics of video recording and photography. I just find it fascinating how, depending on how you look at things, or in a wide-angle position, it will look different to you. I also get inspired from seeing how great things look when you look at them from [different] perspectives. I couldn't help myself from just trying to find angles to make [where] if I were to take a picture, it would look really good. I think that's also how it started. The city can look pretty great if you take a look at it from an artistic view when taking pictures. If you find just the right angle in the city, you can make it look like it's a completely different place.” - Angel Olvera Galan, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BradyC_OlveraGalanA1-Charles-Brady-1200x801.jpg)
![“[My favorite thing about freshman year has been] making friends with the seniors on the swim team. Being around my teammates has made me really excited [about future years on] the team. [One] challenge so far has been the meets because of how fast the competition is compared to club. My friends and teammates help me the most. They pushed me in practice to help me [improve]. [My teammates] like to chant my name or say, ‘This is where your hard pays off, dont let it be for nothing,’ or ‘Don't chase them, let them chase you,’ which helps me. Swimming has shaped me to be [who] I am today, and [pushed me to] work hard and develop my mind. The best part of swimming is [seeing my] improvement and knowing I will get better through my hard work.” - Mason Moellering, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design.jpg)
![“Growing up with foreign parents was challenging, especially in the softball world. They had no idea how softball and recruiting worked, making [the process] difficult. Over time, I've become accustomed to it and [have] developed [my] softball IQ and [knowledge on] how America works. Softball has continued to impact my life today by teaching me how to work as a team and giving me motivation, daily exercise and some great memories. I started playing softball when I was 12 years old and played on a Little League team that went to Little League regionals in Texas. After that, I fell in love with softball and started playing at a higher level. My teammates continue to motivate me to play softball at my very best.” Lily Bell, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC04162-1200x675.jpg)
![“I started [cheering] 10 years [ago and] I would do camps as a kid. I really like cheering at ‘Friday night lights’ [football games] and getting the student section hyped up. Tryouts were really stressful because my sports overlapped each other so I spent a lot of time at home practicing. Learning the material took four days, and then [the] actual tryouts were only maybe an hour [long. My favorite memory] from the season so far is my first Friday night lights game. [Cheer has taught me] that hard work pays off and I'd [tell someone who’s considering trying out] that it's really fun if you put in the work. You need to believe that you can do good and if you put in the work, then [the results] will turn out better than you expect.”- Emily Jordan, 10](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DSC_6874-Payton-Dean-1200x798.jpg)
![“What made me really want to start playing [volleyball] was my sister. She loved it. She played it in high school, and just admired that; [when I] started playing I fell in love with it. I love the players, the coaches, and every experience. My first year experience was awesome. During the high school games, we always go in the locker room, run through the halls and [do] a [chant]. [After that] we all cheer, warm up and do dynamics together. A memorable moment [of mine] was [when I] committed to [the] University of Memphis. [It] was really exciting, because I felt relieved, and I felt like I found a place that I am hoping for; it felt right. In high pressure situations, I go back to the basics of what I know and focus on [practicing.] I [also] really focus on helping my teammates [by] encouraging them. Younger players [should] always take advantage of every moment, and every rep that you get. Know that you are a person and [your sport] doesn't define you. It's just something you enjoy playing. Don't let it overpower who you are. Just always stay true to [yourself].” - Maddy Bach, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/4973371a-f0f0-499c-88cb-720a634132fc-1200x800.jpg)
![“At the beginning of the year, I didn't really know a lot of [the] kids in my class [so] I tried to fit in [get to] know [them better]. Then, I started having a [friend] group I [now] stay with. [Now,] if I need to ask a question to understand the material better, I'll just ask. [Having more friends and being able to connect with people] makes me feel great. It makes me feel like I'm not alone in [my] classes, and if anybody needs help, [we] always have [each other] to turn to. [I’m most proud of] meeting all the people throughout the years, growing and overcoming my injury. I feel like I'm usually more kind to others and prefer their opinion over mine. I [am] always [open] trying what the group wants. When I'm by myself, I [can] do something for [only] so long, but when I'm with other people, I [can] do anything for as long as whoever I'm with wants to. [As] I go through life, I want to make sure that everything I do is fun, [but] sometimes I can't help it because [I] need to have hard [moments in life;] moments being sad, mad or upset. Whatever you [choose to] do, always have fun and make sure it’s what you want.” - Ikhana Hildebolt, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IkhanaHildebolt_9-1200x800.jpg)
![“One thing that motivates me to write is being understood. A lot of my writing is about myself, my experiences, emotions and problems [that] I’ve had to deal with. Writing about it makes it easier for people to understand. [My work] might not [directly] say what the problem is in the story, but I love creating these fears, experiences and weird realities to reflect the issue. [A word I’d use to describe my writing is] probably ‘odd’. My writing style is [definitely] ‘out there’. I write a lot about death and forgetting people. [But] there’s also been a lot about just being alive, and [in the moment]. I struggle a lot with derealization, which is when nothing feels real to me. I write a lot about that, and it helps me feel more [grounded]. [Writing allows me to connect to others so] that people can relate to the characters in a story [which] helps them feel more comfortable with their own emotions. Every writer implements a piece of themselves, one way or another. Just putting [oneself] in a story [allows for both a deeper level of introspection and creativity]. ” – Onyx Coleman, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pasted-image-0-1200x800.png)
![“Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough and that I can never get better. I’m still overcoming this [feeling]. I keep pushing myself everyday [to be a] better [runner] even when I might not be the best at it. I also see how hard the upperclassmen work and that motivates me to do better. A varsity cross country runner once told me that even when you feel pain, you can run through it. Because of that, I push myself, [and] see myself improve. After a meet, I feel accomplished and [as though] I’ve worked hard. I feel like I can do better at running if I keep practicing. [How I run] depends on how I think. If I think I can't run — I can't run. I [motivate] and tell myself that I'm a fast runner and everyone's going to [surpass their personal record]. My biggest accomplishment so far was improving by 10 minutes on my 5K run. [It’s when I finally realized that] I am better than I thought I was.” Mahiya Pallipat, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC8837-copy-2-1200x800.jpg)
![“The first memory that comes to my head is when everyone starts doing the longhorn rumble when we call [out to the audience], they stomp and clap with us along to the beat of the cheer. I [started to appreciate cheer] when I got to high school. [At first], I did it for fun in middle school just to say that I [had a hobby]. When [I got to] high school my coach appreciated me and [listened to] my opinions. It really made me fall in love with the sport again. My favorite thing about cheer is the friendships that I get from it. [I] get to see the people I’m with all the time because [we] have practice [together often]. Especially during football season [is when I get to] hang out with [my teammates] every day. The people I met through cheer and got close with this year make me [want] to continue cheer. [I also got closer with] the people on [the] varsity team and [was able to gain friendships] through that. I am happy [that I get to] cheer with [everyone] next year. It [urges me to] keep going. The cheer community is fun because everyone just understands each other. We're all very similar [and connected] in ways and it's like a tight knit family.” Alyssa Gessner, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0063-1200x800.jpg)
![“I'm passionate about volleyball. I've been playing for six years. I play it because I like the way that, [even though,] it's a team sport, it's also focused on [a person] individually; especially in my position since I'm the back row defense where the ball can hit me. It's [up to] me, I can’t blame anybody else. I like how it's very focused on [the] performance and how well [I] react to how the other team plays. The way I play really matters to me because it’s a team sport and I don't want to let my teammates down.” Emma Barton, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image1-1200x800.jpg)
![“I'm very passionate about debating, [which is why] I am [a member of the] speech and debate team. I like how it offers opportunities to speak [from] viewpoints on different opinions with people outside of our group from other schools around our communities. I usually participate in public forum debates [and] the topic [we speak about] changes every month. One debate that I was most invested in [took place in] February; which was [about whether or not] the US federal government should ban all single use plastics. I feel like I spent the most time working on this case [than any other discussion], and I was determined to make it into finals. I hold competition very dear to me. I have only gone to two tournaments so far, but I've already made it into the finals. [Finals are important because], I think it really shows how much growth and [effort you’ve put in through the battle].” - Bethany Liao, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bethany-L-1200x800.jpg)
![“My goal for soccer this season is not only to improve in skill, but also to improve my way of communication. [To] not always put the blame on myself since a team [improves together]. So my goal [coming into the team] was to not be so harsh on myself and to know that not the whole team depends on [me]. We all work as a team, and everyone [plays] a different [role]. The most exciting game this season was the first game, even though we lost it was like an exciting experience because it was the first game and it was nice seeing all my friends playing on the field together. I really improved my communication [skills]. My goal is to continue to strengthen my [ability of] communication [with the team] and to also improve my skill [at playing soccer].” - Ali Abdulsattar, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/pasted-image-0-1200x800.png)
![“I’ve been playing baseball since I was four. The MLB inspired me to play, [but] my dad is my biggest inspiration. He's very respectful and very hardworking. He taught me to stick close to your friends who will help you achieve your goals and not get in the way of them. Baseball has made me grow with the way I start friendships. It's helped me grow [more with] athletic performances and how I accomplish things throughout life. Friendships play a big part in baseball, [especially] when you’ve been playing on the same team since you were a kid. It was really nice playing with the same people because I really got an understanding of who they are and how they play the game. You also get to see how they grow athletically and mentally over time. I formed friendships with those people I spent most of my time with and it was hard to leave that team, it’s like I left a family. [My goal for this season] is to lead my team and to have a really good record. I’ve already built relationships with my teammates through classes and just hanging outside of school.” - Isaac Sinak, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_0119-1200x800.jpg)
![“I started [the First Generation Club] because it was really hard to find people who were [a] part of the immigrant community. I didn't share a lot of similar experiences or have a similar background to my non-first-generation peers. Sometimes I'd feel distanced or like I didn't belong because of that. I wanted to meet more first-generation students and be with people who connected with my experiences. My parents encouraged me to stay dedicated to my education, and that's one of the main focuses of the club. I wanted to create a space for everyone to come together [at] West, stay dedicated to our studies and have an opportunity to volunteer with friends. One of the challenges we faced in getting this club started was finding opportunities for us to organize school and volunteer[ing] events. Reaching out to people and getting help can really set things up for you. I've learned a lot about communication through starting this club; the First Generation Club has made me a more vocal person. Having a space to talk to people [with] similar experiences [as] mine is a rewarding aspect [of being a co-founder]. [My main goals] for [the school is to create] a better environment and a space where everyone can come together, study together, advance themselves and enjoy.” - Giuliana Ghiretti, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Giuliana-Ghiretti-9-1200x800.jpg)
![“Me and a fellow freshman, Jaswitha Tummala, have both been really interested in [starting] Science Olympiad [this year]. [I] did science bowl for all three years in middle school, and last year I led my team to Nationals [as] the captain. I know that all the other schools have enough interest in this subject to host full Science Olympiad teams [with around] 15 people. I didn't think [students at] West had [a lot of] interest, [but] we have almost 30 people ready to form two teams. We’re going to dip our toes in this year and see how things [will] run, and how many people are committed. Next year, after we [have] figured out those logistics, I was thinking about [hosting] a science bowl [which is when] a team with four people plus one alternate person, gets seven seconds to answer a toss-up question related to either Physics, Biology, Math, Chemistry or Energy. If [they] get it right, [the] whole team answers a bonus question. The team with the most points at the end wins the round. It's head-to-head, and there are a lot of heated rounds where two teams have to fight out their buzzes within milliseconds. I'm super excited to start [a club] that can make a lasting impact on student lives, especially those who have a passion for [science], like I do.” - Alisha Yin, 9](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC0013-1200x800.jpg)
![Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, Parkway discontinued study halls throughout the district. Concerned over the consequences it may have on their academic success, several students and teachers have spoken out against the elimination of a necessary tool. “Kids aren't abusing study halls to sit there on their phones or something. They might need [more support]. Just because you're not taking this amount of AP classes doesn't mean you're not being challenged, and just because you're not having ‘X’ amount of hours every night doesn't mean you have enough time to get homework done,” chemistry teacher Chloe Gallaher said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image1-300x200.jpg)
![Although society is reaching an all-time high for mental health awareness, celebrities are still facing heavy scrutiny about what they depict in their art, particularly surrounding mental health. Musical artist Taylor Swift received backlash for her display of body dysmorphia in her “Anti-Hero” music video. “There’s a difference between saying being fat is bad and saying you have [an] eating disorder that you’re constantly battling,” Swift fan @expiredthrills said on Twitter.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Taylor-Swift-Body-Dysmorphia--300x200.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-300x199.png)
