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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

Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.

Kicking off

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Sports/Newsletter Editor October 31, 2024

Friday night lights sparkling bright, senior Josie Grunzinger lined up with the field goal. Her foot swung into the ball, sending it spiraling through the air and flying through the goal. Grunzinger had...

Dressed in West High’s signature red and Carolina blue jerseys, the eighth grade (left) and varsity (right) football teams take the field for their respective home openers. Varsity played on Aug. 30, and the eighth graders on Sept. 7. “Each year brings new excitement and a new challenge. Bringing everyone together to work to achieve one common goal is something that is exciting each and every year,” physical education teacher and varsity football head coach Jeff Duncan said. (Payton Dean and Nikhita Cherukuri)

Kickoff to high school season

Payton Dean, Staff Writer September 26, 2024

Feet stomping. Hands clapping. Arms rolling. “Everybody rumble!” The fan favorite cheer, dubbed the ‘Longhorn Rumble,’ echoes through the air during a fall football weekend where the Longhorns...

“I have been playing football for a long time and have enjoyed it. This year especially, I had so much fun. I was very happy when I made varsity because freshmen don't usually make the team [their first year of high school.] I love being around the guys [on the team] and I am going to miss the senior [mentors] next year. I will never forget the impact the seniors and Coach Duncan had on me. It was not only a team, it was a family. I felt like I belonged.” - Ethan Bain, 9

Ethan Baine

Noor Hacking, Staff Writer May 21, 2024

Triumphantly celebrating, senior Cameron Hickert is hefted into the air by fellow Mr. Longhorn contestants. Out of 15 contestants, Hickert took the first-place prize. “At the end of the day, I’m just glad I’m having fun with my friends,” Hickert said.

The finale: senior Cameron Hickert wins Mr. Longhorn 2023

Serena Liu and Elizabeth Franklin November 24, 2023

On Friday, Nov. 17, Mr. Longhorn tested 15 senior contestants across the categories of occupation, talent and formal wear, and senior Cameron Hickert came out on top.  In an effort to curry favor with...

Jogging on a treadmill, sophomore Emily Kate Beach works out at Planet Fitness. Beach plans to continue her fitness journey before basketball season. “I felt more productive and confident after going to the gym. Even a little workout was better than no workout,” Beach said.

Judgment-free, stress-free and fee-free

Cindy Phung, Editor-in-Chief May 26, 2023

Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month — occurring every May — acknowledges millions of Americans affected by mental illness. In 2021, the Center for Disease Control’s “Youth Risk Behavior Survey”...

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.

Drive to play

Lia Emry, Staff Writer September 27, 2022

According to junior Joseph Federer, leadership and fast thinking are two of the many traits of a successful quarterback. Since transferring from Marquette High School, the 5-foot-11 junior has thrown over...

The stories of student cadet teachers assisting in classrooms.

Cadet teachers reporting for duty

Madi Michajliczenko, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief May 27, 2021

Able to complete administrative tasks like collecting materials, grading papers and passing out books, student cadet teachers gain experience teaching first-hand without the responsibility of teaching....

Practicing different plays with his team, senior tight end Josh Gansen works to improve his footwork and concentration while on the field. With the team set to play their first game Oct. 3, the players continue working to make sure they are prepared. “The whole team has been working really hard on and off the field for the first game,” Gansen said. “We are all ready to go out and do what we do against an actual team now opposed to just practice.”

Football season set to begin outside of St. Louis County

Drew Boone, Staff Writer October 3, 2020

After weeks of anticipation on whether there would be a football season or not, Parkway has made the decision to allow teams to participate in games outside of county lines following County Executive Sam...

Matt Berning worked as the athletic trainer for more than four years, but is now leaving high-school specific work behind. Berning has taken a position at the Mercy Sports Clinic with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Julienne Lippe. "The best thing is working with athletes young athletes and helping them overcome their injuries and times that are hard for them because they're in pain or their hurt and they can't play the sport they love," Berning said.

Farewell to ‘Trainer Matt’

Cooper Walkoff, Convergence Journalism Writer December 19, 2019

After teaching classes, supporting athletes and training college students to be athletic trainers, Trainer Matt Berning is leaving to work at the Mercy Sports Clinic with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Julienne...

Smiling before surgery, junior Tim Nelson holds a teddy bear. Nelson was excited to undergo surgery so that he could begin the long recovery process. “After the pain goes away, I know [the  recovery process] will be easy,” Nelson said. “I just need to have patience, and that's kind of something I don't have all the time.”

A season-ending injury to a speedy recovery

Victoria Neeser, Convergence Journalism Writer December 11, 2019

During the second play of the varsity football game against Oakville, junior Tim Nelson began running to the left to get off the block. As he carried the ball to make a cut to the right, his foot got stuck...