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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

St. Louis’ history of racial discrimination and segregation has widely contributed to current inequities. Most of the issues that plague St. Louis-area schools are intricately interwoven into each other and the system. “History has helped us to get to where we are and there are certain things that have happened and beliefs that people have that continue to perpetuate things that are occurring. When I say systemic, it's not just about the one problem. All of our problems, in my opinion, are rooted in things that are occurring throughout our organization, our policies and our procedures,” Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Cartelia Lucas said.

The price of unequal education

Elizabeth Franklin, Editor-in-Chief February 9, 2024

Almost 70 years ago, on May 17, 1954, the landmark case of Brown v. The Board of Education was decided by the United States Supreme Court, deeming Plessy v. Ferguson’s “separate but equal” notion...

For the past three years, Parkway has administered high school finals after winter break, a practice that proves to be detrimental to the success as well as the mental health of students. With finals after break appearing to do more harm than good, the question of what changes can be made arises time and time again. “The pressure for finals is difficult, and to have that [pressure for] a few weeks because you're on [a] break can make you generally sad. It's a bummer in general. I wish [finals] were before break, so we [could] have a break to sleep, celebrate and not study. Everyone I've talked to about it is like 'yeah, finals sucks,' and I wish that wasn't a thing,” junior Meadow Kostial said.

Post-break panic

The problem Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, a new schedule — pushing back the academic year and shifting finals to after winter break — was adopted district-wide. From students to teachers,...

Vivian’s Pledge was created in 2002 after a series of events that occurred throughout the 2001, 2002 and 2003 school years. After over 20 years, many teachers still have a poster of the pledge in their room, but almost no students know what it is.

Vivian’s Pledge: the hidden message no one sees

Ashlyn Gillespie, Deputy Managing Editor in Chief May 1, 2023

 

Physically, Yemen and Ukraine are only four countries apart, yet reporters call wars in Yemen “uncivilized,” not doing the same in Ukraine. Moreover, Russia has committed many war crimes in Ukraine by purposely targeting civilians, behavior not deemed “uncivilized” by news outlets.

A crisis in our news: the media is failing people of color

Audrey Ghosh, Awards Coordinator June 2, 2022

Uncivilized. The singular word echoes through the heads of countless Middle Easterners, used yet again by the West against people of color. But, surprisingly, this time, it is not the obnoxiously loud...

A picture of the Arch in downtown St. Louis. Officially opened in 1965, the Gateway Arch is St. Louis’s most well-known landmark and described as the “Gateway to the West.”

Beyond the statistics

Elizabeth Franklin, Opinions Editor May 24, 2022

I grew up in the city of St. Louis until I was 11. I lived in the Old North neighborhood, a neighborhood particularly known for its community gardens and the famous Crown Candy kitchen. I would ride my...

Ukrainian refugees on the Poland-Ukraine border.

Close to home: how the Ukrainian-Russian War impacts us

Serena Liu, Staff Writer April 1, 2022

The sky is gray. A few cars are parked on the edge of a dusty road on the Polish-Ukrainian border. Carefully cradling a child swathed in blankets, a small family of Ukrainian refugees prepares to board...

Yard signs Pierremont parents have used to voice their opinions peacefully.

Keep Pierremont at West Nov. 17

Michael Lolley, Staff Writer November 5, 2021

Nov. 17 is a day that could change the futures of many young students’ lives. On this day, the school board is voting on a plan that was proposed last spring. Starting next fall, Pierremont Elementary...

Free press in our community

Tanvi Kulkarni, Staff Writer September 17, 2021

The Challenges to Democracy class taught by social studies teacher Kristen Collins explored the personal sacrifices of journalists in censored nations and commemorated 24 journalists that were killed on...

President Joe Biden takes the oath of office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as his wife, first lady Jill Biden, stands next to him during the 59th presidential inauguration.

Teachers reflect on the importance of inaugurations

Thomas Bruns, Staff Writer January 21, 2021

Many teachers paused their classes Jan. 20 and turned their attention to the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Students were masked and socially distanced as they watched Biden place his hand on the...

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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High
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