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
Eight seniors were named 2025 National Merit Finalists in February. The finalists in the top row starting from the left: Stephen McAllister, Saachi Kandula, Felicity Jackson, Sid Kaparthi. In the bottom row starting from the left: Mino Wang, Prateek Nemmali, Will Gonsior, Sasha Tripathi.

Eight seniors recognized as 2025 National Merit Finalists

Risa Cidoni, Editor-in-Chief • April 21, 2025

This year, West High upheld its history of success within the National Merit program as eight seniors advanced to the status of 2025 National Merit Finalists. Since 1955, the National Merit Scholarship...

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.

Plan period alignment: Productive or disruptive?

Will Gonsior, Opinions/A&E Editor • September 20, 2024

Background Students traversing the hallways of West High — with a hall pass, of course — are liable to see a new sight this school year. One of our school’s many subject wings will be packed with...

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.

Study Hall: Setting up students for success or stress?

Pathfinder Editorial Board • September 29, 2023

Kicking off the 2023-24 school year, students were forced to say goodbye to study hall as the district removed it as an option for students. The decision wasn’t well received by students, parents, teachers...

Bell schedules differ at each Parkway high school, West being the only schedule that does not incorporate an Academic Lab.

The future of bell schedules

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor • October 4, 2019

Students stay after school hoping their teacher hasn’t left before their question is answered, teachers working at multiple schools fly into the parking lot to make the bell and members of off-campus...