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
Horns up West High!

Best of Homecoming Spirit Week

Sakenah Lajkem and Esta Kamau • October 2, 2023

Reaching new heights, Watts sprints the 300 meter hurdles at the 2023 Northwest Invitational track meet. With her best time at 48.27 seconds, Watts qualified for the 2022 MSHSAA Track and Field State Championships and placed 11th as a junior. “My greatest accomplishment is competing at [the state championships]. I remember breaking two personal records at Conference and medaling in all of my events and feeling on top of the world. I knew at that moment that I had a chance to go to state. My favorite track memory is running the 300 hurdles at sectionals and getting fourth, barely making it to state. I remember finishing the race and running toward my hurdles coach [Kat] Briggs and yelling ‘Did I make it? Did I make it?’ She gave me the biggest smile and hug and said I made it to state,” Watts said.

Senior Cece Watts named St. Louis Post Dispatch Scholar Athlete

Makinsey Drake, Staff Writer • April 27, 2023

Senior Cece Watts was one of 18 students awarded the St. Louis Post Dispatch Scholar Athlete award this past Wednesday. In its 57th year, the program honors one student from every area school, the requirements...

With the sun setting in the background, English ASC Kristen Witt and her husband, Aaron Witt, wear matching team shirts for the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival. In 2021, they ran out of time for matching team shirts and instead wore ‘West is Best’ shirts, while in 2022, they made custom couple shirts. “This year, [Aaron] decided to have them made. On the front, it said ‘Team Witt,’ and on the back, it had ‘24,’ for how many years we have been married, and it [reads], ‘24 years of playing in the sand together,’” Kristen said.

Sand-sational castles

Cindy Phung, Editor-in-Chief • March 2, 2023

Strolling along the beautiful, white sand shores of the top beach in America, Siesta Key, Fla., revisiting their honeymoon destination from 24 years ago, an elaborate sandcastle caught English ASC Kristen...

Nearing the halfway mark, Beveridge pushes through the last 12 miles, maintaining his first place spot. The race consisted of a 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon, hence Beveridge passed runners of all races as he approached the finish line. “I thought someone was on my tail the whole time so I kept my speed. The reality of the win didn’t hit me until the last three miles. I thought to myself I could really win this thing and hoped no one could pass me,” Beveridge said.

A Day of Firsts

Makinsey Drake, Staff Writer • February 21, 2023

Checking running a marathon off his bucket list, senior Luke Beveridge powered through the sixth annual Honoring our Heroes Marathon. Alongside the rolling hills and plains of Rolla, Mo., Beveridge passed...

In an article for The Atlantic on Dec. 6, 2022, just one week after ChatGPT’s release date, Canadian author Stephen Marche proclaimed that “the college essay is dead” and that “no one is prepared for how AI will transform academia.” Since then, the news has seen an enormous influx of different people—everyone from professors and computer scientists to average citizens—giving their input on what artificial intelligence means for academia and for the world.

Is this “the death of academia?”

Samir Shaik, Multimedia Editor-in-Chief • February 7, 2023

As the keyboard clicks and the screen flickers to life, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The hum of the computer and the soft whir of the fans provide a background soundtrack to the task at hand....

Airplanes tend to delay or cancel flights due to freezing temperatures, snow, ice or thunderstorms. A severe snowstorm caused flight shortages on Dec. 21-26, impacting travelers like English ASC teacher Kristen Witt. “It was out of [everyone’s] control how the weather would turn out. They were doing the best they could [do], and the agent at the gate did a great job of keeping everybody informed about what was going on and kept us calm,” Witt said.

Taking on the Storm

Esta Kamau, Features/Humans of West Editor • January 27, 2023

Passengers pull hefty suitcases behind them, rushing to their terminals at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Suddenly, the intercom rings and announces unfortunate news of canceled flights,...

Holding her nose, senior Kennedy Whitaker peeks out of a porta-potty. Porta-potties were created to save time as temporary toilets — perfect for cross country meets. “They are very [beneficial] for my running because they allow me to feel good and not have to go to the bathroom when I run,” Whitaker said.

A cross country porta-potty perspective

Cindy Phung, Editor-in-Chief • November 10, 2022

Disclaimer: "Potty" words are mentioned. Six total toilets: >Parkway Quad >Stan Nelson Invitational >Paul Enke Invitational [Sioux Passage] >Dale Shepherd Invitational  >Patriots/Statesmen...

At the Suburban Conference Green Pool, a track and field competition at Ladue High School, senior Micah Harris starts the first leg in his 4x200 meter relay. Harris, along with seniors Ja’marion Wayne and Tre Bell and junior Brian Cambell, ran a time of 1:30:47 and placed first overall. “In the moment, all I could think about was running my quickest, so we could have a decent lead. It felt good seeing we placed first,” Harris said.

Senior Micah Harris’ journey to Louisiana State University

Samari Sanders, Staff Writer • May 27, 2022

Senior Micah Harris’ feet pound quickly on the track, a gust of wind hitting his face. Time rapidly passes as he approaches his last 50 meters. Finally, with a gush of relief, Harris crosses the finish...

ASC teacher Kristen Witt returned to school after a second week away at Cognitive FX concussion rehabilitation center in Utah. Witt graduated from in-person rehab and is back to work.

ASC teacher Kristen Witt trusted her gut, no bandage necessary

Sapir Zachary, CJ1 Writer • March 4, 2022

On her daily trip home during lunch to consult with construction workers in 2010, ASC teacher Kristen Witt was T-boned by a vehicle going around a trash truck. Witt had been hit twice while turning onto...

Spending their seventh hour in the cafeteria Jan. 6, juniors Matthew Feng, Sangarshan Kumar, Michael Feng, Govind Menon, Om Shinde, Samarth Samal and Bennett Christofferson join a Zoom with their teacher to get help with their assigned work. Their teacher assigned a packet with lecture notes, guided problems and self-check problems and opened a Zoom room during class hours to ensure students were supported. “For some people, school is the only place they feel safe. On the other hand, we’re also in the biggest COVID-19 spike [of cases] right now. Both sides have ups and downs,” Samal said. “I personally am fine with staying in school as long as it doesn't interfere with my learning too much because I'm vaccinated and I wear my mask properly. If I can cover the content by myself with my teacher available on Zoom, I'm flexible with any option.”

Staff scramble to keep school open amid COVID-19 surge

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • January 7, 2022

In the cafeteria during fifth hour Jan. 6, Principal Dr. Mitchell taught three classes simultaneously. Academic Support teachers left their classrooms to deliver lessons, substitutes rushed from class...

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