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
Dressed and ready to create melodies, junior Andrew Son and senior Nathan Zhou prepare to play at the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association (SLSMEA) All-District Band concert. The concert, held at Kirkwood High School, was a journey that led them to the Missouri All-State Band. “Playing with my peers not only from our school but from other schools in the district amplifies not only the music but also the enjoyment and the passion,” Son said.

Students win honors at the 2023 Missouri All-State Band

Raj Jaladi, Newsletter Editor/Data Analyst • April 21, 2023

The All-State Band is an annual tradition featuring the top musicians at the high school level in the state of Missouri. Over 1,200 students auditioned for the 105-member 2023 All-State Band. A journey...

“I grew up in Oslo, Norway, where I lived until I was 8. My family and I moved to St. Louis since my parents thought Norway was too cold year-round. When we moved here, it was pretty hard because I didn’t know how to speak English, and everything about my surroundings was different. I had to pick up English quickly, which changed my personality in some ways because it was hard to talk to people. Not knowing how to speak English made me a little more independent and less social, and I started to seclude myself from others because I couldn’t talk to them. Right now, I still can be slightly anti-social, but I have become more comfortable because of how long it’s been. My family and I still visit Norway almost every year, and I love to ski there because there are really big mountains and it snows a lot. Even though my family and I moved to a different country, we still carry out our old Norwegian traditions. I speak Norwegian to my family at home, and we always watch Norwegian movies together.” - Max Brophy, 11

Max Brophy

Angie Ren, Staff Writer • April 17, 2023

“All four of my grandparents were really impactful on me growing up, I'm lucky enough that they all live really close by. Growing up, it was really nice to be able to see them a lot and to visit and just be able to have a close connection with them because not everyone is close with their grandparents, and most people only get to see them every so often. It was different when growing up, especially when I was in pre-K kindergarten, I would see my grandparents on both sides, multiple times a week. It’s really nice to have that connection with them. I kind of have like three homes like both of my grandparent's houses are on my own. It really had a positive impact on me growing up. I'm looking forward to senior year and college. I'm honestly not nervous [for college]. Right now, I'm trying to take in my time at home but also I think I'm going to really enjoy the independence of college. I'm excited to mainly just be around new people like people from all over because I hopefully will go to an out-of-state college so I just am really excited to be in a new area around new people who like different things,” Deluca said.

Alexandra DeLuca

Lia Emry, Staff Writer • April 14, 2023

In Fashion Merchandising on Tuesday, students worked on designing unique dresses for Barbie. After taking the Fashion and Apparel class, junior Alia Hammad found herself deeply interested in learning more about fashion and wanted to continue expanding her knowledge and practice. “It is a huge hobby for me,” Hammad said. “I designed this dress in pink because it was for a Barbie, and Barbie’s are always pink for me. [I wanted to make] a fancy design, so I added a bit of sparkle and made it off the shoulder.”

Photo of the Week – April 14

Elle Rotter, Deputy Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • April 14, 2023

Performing at the Spring Pep Assembly, junior and co-captain of the Parkway South-West Winter Guard Cora Tiemeier takes center stage alongside fellow members on the rifle line. With this season being her sixth, Tiemeier played the lead in their routine, “Pity Party.” “I will remember this team; they have my whole heart. I love each one of them and the connections we made so dearly. It's really sad when the season ends because you don't see your teammates every day at school,” Tiemeier said.

Spin it

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • April 12, 2023

On Saturday, April 1, the Parkway South-West Winter Guard competed at the Mid Continent Color Guard Association (MCCGA) Championships against five other teams at Willard High School. The guard, made up...

“A struggle for me in the past and currently is being too hard on myself and perfectionism. It has impacted my life in different ways but ultimately taught me how to take better care of myself and just let things happen. I feel like people misunderstand my personality. Some people might say I look “mean” or if they talk to me I’m “quiet” but if you get to know me, I feel like I’m very different than those assumptions. My mom impacted my outlook on life. She taught me how to truly live and be grateful for things especially if something doesn’t go the way I imagine. I look forward to making connections with new people and taking on opportunities to meet new people.” - Audrey Amato, 11

Audrey Amato

Lia Emry, Staff Writer • April 4, 2023

Celebrating in Victory Village during Special Olympics, junior Caitlin Brandmill and her buddy Franchesca Chevalie decorate a paper bag to hold her crafts, like necklaces and slime. Brandmill wanted to participate in the Special Olympics because she thought it was an excellent opportunity to make an impact in the Parkway community. “I loved all of it. I had so much fun getting to know Franchesca and all the kids in our group,” Brandmill said. “My favorite part was making slime, but also basketball was fun because a lot of the athletes were getting into [the activity].”

Photo of the Week – March 10

Elle Rotter, Deputy Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • March 10, 2023

“I’ve always struggled in school. I’ve never been a straight-A student and always got the ‘you’re not stupid, you just need to work harder than others’ speech. I have an IEP and it impacts my life because being someone who has to leave the class for tests or always gets a little more time on assignments definitely is a challenge in my life. It’s hard because you always feel judged no matter what you are doing. It makes people think of you as less than you are, but in the past years, I’ve gotten used to the way my school life works. I’ve realized that it doesn’t matter and everyone has their own struggles in life. I have a great support system and even though sometimes school is a huge struggle for me it feels great to accomplish the challenges that I’ve faced,” - Audrey Leahy, 11

Audrey Leahy

Lia Emry, Staff Writer • March 7, 2023

“I'm very proud of my field hockey career and how far I've come in only three and a half years. I think that a lot of people have been doing a sport for years and years and they don't go anywhere with it. I feel like by talking to colleges and [field hockey] practices and managing, school, seven clubs, and field hockey four times a week, I think my time management has really grown in the past three years," - Mj Surtain, 11

MJ Surtin

Lia Emry, Staff Writer • March 6, 2023

“[The happiest moment of my life] was the first time I went to Six Flags with my cousin, Riley. We went on almost every ride that wasn't going upside down, and [what made] it memorable was that I was with my cousin, who's the exact same age as me, and it was something we did together. We were eight, and our [favorite ride] was the Screaming Eagle. I've gone with her other times, but it's special because it was the first time we ever went there.” - Alex Dodd, 11

Alex Dodd

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • February 8, 2023

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