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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

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.”

Flashback Friday: Art teacher Katy Mangrich

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer January 26, 2024

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...

Teachers recount where exactly they were during the 9/11 attacks, 22 years later.

Where were you during 9/11?

Sakenah Lajkem, Staff Writer September 11, 2023

On Sept. 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked and sent to crash into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the White House. While the White House was spared from the attack, the other two targets were hit,...

Art teacher Katy Mangrich and journalism adviser Debra Klevens analyze the “Survivor” competitors together. Mangrich won the competition a couple times in the past by picking the correct contestant that she believed would win. “[Winning] was exciting. I’ve picked a couple people for Klevens when she was not available for pick day, and she’s won on my picks too. I’d say I’m pretty good at making picks, whether it’s luck or whether I have good intuition,” Mangrich said.

Forming work tribes through “Survivor”

Addie Gleason, Managing Editor-in-Chief December 9, 2022

English, art and special education staff await anxiously every Wednesday night, eyes glowing from the TV screen light, ears listening as names are read. This night’s elimination announcement would determine...

A graphic containing pictures of members of the West Community with the influential women in their lives.

The influential women of our lives

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief April 7, 2022

March was Women’s History Month, recognizing the innovative, trailblazing and inspiring women. What started as a local holiday in Santa Rosa, Calif. transformed into a global, month-long celebration,...

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....

Art teacher Katy Mangrich sits at her desk working on the virtual art show for others to see students' artwork. Every year, Mangrich has prepared the art displays to be available to students and parents to see in the hallways. “I actually enjoy doing things like that. It's part of creating a visually pleasing piece of work,” Mangrich said.

Regional art show upgrades with technology

Bri Davis, Staff Writer March 16, 2021

Trading the ice rink at Queeny Park for a virtual platform, the art department got creative in the production of their annual art show. By making the show virtual, there was room for experimentation in...

While in AP 2D Design and Photography, senior Sarah Lashly cuts out pictures of artist examples for her most recent project. This AP course went through major curriculum changes this year and now requires students to do more writing along with their photography projects. “I love the class because I get to be creative and express what I feel, but it is also very stressful for me since the curriculum is so new and different,” Lashly said.

AP teachers speak out about College Board changes

Grace Kaempfe, Convergence Journalism Writer December 12, 2019

AP teachers are adjusting to the changes College Board made over the summer while also trying to maximize student exam and portfolio performances. The College Board is a national organization that provides...