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
The 2020 election posed unique challenges to poll workers, who deserve the respect and recognition of the public for their work to uphold democracy during a global pandemic.

The “poll” shebang: working the 2020 election

Paige Matthys-Pearce, Staff Writer • November 16, 2020
Working as a safety coordinator for the election was hard work, but so enjoyable. I felt empowered to keep up with my job because I knew that I was helping the democratic process run smoother. I have gained a much greater appreciation for poll workers after having been one myself.
Spark! mentor Xanthe Meyer, Bilal Danish, and competitors senior Emma Lee Francois, Parkway South senior Subah Shovik and winner junior Sri Jaladi pose for a photo after the Parkway Spark! Thomas Phelps Pitch Competition Feb. 6. Jaladi’s business, Nano Lending, aims to empower impoverished and homeless entrepreneurs by providing them with foundational products to help them start their own businesses. “It feels really good [running Nano Lending] because it's not necessarily just for money,” Jaladi said. “I think it's great to do something where this is not meant for profit and any money that's repaid back just goes back into the program.”

Junior Sri Jaladi Wins $500 in Spark! Pitch Competition

Paige Matthys-Pearce, Staff Writer • May 19, 2020

In the midst of anticipation and excitement at the Spark! Incubator, with $500 on the line, stands junior Sri Jaladi as he is announced as the winner of the 2020 Thomas Phelps Business Pitch Competition...

Sitting in her bedroom, junior Zoe DeYoung writes in her notebook while in quarantine. DeYoung won first place in the Senior Poetry Division of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s “Express the Music” writing competition. “The poem was so different from everything I’d ever written before,” DeYoung said. “It made me proud of taking that leap and writing something like that.”

Junior Zoe DeYoung wins St. Louis Symphony Orchestra “Express the Music” Senior Poetry Division

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor • May 11, 2020

Out of 2000 participants, 476 submissions and 47 finalists, junior Zoe DeYoung won first place in the Senior Poetry Division of “Express the Music.” Express the Music is an annual writing competition...

Jumping up in the air, junior Matt Cosgrove winds his arm back to serve the ball. Cosgrove turned down four other offers to commit to Pennsylvania State University to continue his volleyball career. “[Playing club] is a lot more competitive and challenging than playing for your school because you play kids all around the country, and it forces you to raise your level of play,” Cosgrove said.

Junior Matt Cosgrove’s journey to becoming a Division I athlete

Tre Bell, Staff Writer • April 14, 2020

After playing volleyball for three years, junior Matt Cosgrove committed to Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) to continue his volleyball career.  “Penn State came to watch me play with my...

Adjusting the different pieces of her outfit, sophomore Emily O’Connor displays her style. O’Connor often finds her clothes at thrift stores, such as Avalon Exchange. “[When I find something while thrifting] I get so excited. It’s really fun and I always try to think of what would look good with other pieces when I’m [thrifting],” O’Connor said. “[Thrifting] definitely expands your life and your wardrobe.”

Students and staff express themselves through fashion

Mira Nalbandian and Leah Schroeder • February 28, 2020

Using their clothes to express their feelings and personality, students and staff describe what goes into their fashion choices and the impact it has on their daily life.

With an effort to raise money for their Thirst Project fundraiser, juniors Salma Ahmed and Sarenna Wood sold their bracelets during lunch Jan. 31. They plan to reach a total of $6,000 dollars by the end of the school year, all of which will be donated to the national Thirst Project. “Being able to sell our bracelets and raise money for people in need makes me feel great, and it is such a great opportunity to help others,” Wood said. “Watching people [that] live in poor countries faces light up when they see that people are donating money to give water is very emotional, and I think that the world needs more of these people.”

Thirst Project Club raises more than $2,000 during the first week of fundraising

Jacob Stanton, Staff Writer • February 19, 2020

With a passion for helping others, students in the Thirst Project Club, including junior and Club President Salma Ahmed, junior Sarenna Wood and sophomore Connor Gusky, have already raised more than $2,000...

Perfecting the right way to handcuff someone, junior Jake Braymiller learns how to be a police officer. This is Braymiller’s first year attending the program, but he plans to continue next year. “This program really helps you get career ready for whatever it is that you want to pursue, and it’s really cool how they train you and get you ready for what’s coming after you graduate,” Braymiller said.

Students seek new opportunities through South Tech

Tre Bell, Staff Writer • February 5, 2020

Walking into South Tech High School, you see a variety of different programs that help guide students on a route alternative to traditional academics.   “I didn’t know if I was making the right...

Junior Arden Dickson acts out applying makeup onstage. Dickson believes that acting teaches you how to tell a story, which is also important for singing. This led her to create her blog where she shares her experiences with friends and family. “I have heard people [respond with] ‘thank you for sharing’ or ‘I have been in a similar situation myself,’ so it's good to hear that other people are also facing similar situations and that my work is helping others.”

Creating the blog “Good Song, Good Soul,” junior Arden Dickson shares lessons

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • February 4, 2020

Publishing her first post in December 2019, junior Arden Dickson writes her blog “Good Song, Good Soul” about her passion for music and acting to remind herself of her writing roots and share experiences...

Stories with Ava features junior Jenna Balmer and her experience performing in her first sensory-friendly musical.

Stories with Ava: Junior Jenna Balmer performs in sensory-friendly musical

Ava Kayser, Convergent Media Writer • January 14, 2020

  Junior Jenna Balmer along with many other students are experienced actors in plays and musicals.  Balmer took her acting a step further by performing in a sensory-friendly musical. Key aspects...

While making s'mores during her Balancing Chemical Equations lab, junior Kyra DeBauch roasts a marshmallow. Chemistry students learned how to balance chemical equations through a visual experiment of making s'mores. “Being able to [make s'mores] piece by piece really helped me understand the curriculum,” DeBauch said. “I really think all of the kids in the class liked it because we were able to see what we were learning.”

Photo of the week- Dec. 10

Jacob Stanton, Staff Writer • December 13, 2019

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