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
Doing his pregame lineup handshake, senior Martin Franciscus (left) pretends to shoot an arrow in the student section with junior Brady Kuehl. Franciscus got his first career varsity basketball start against Fort Zumwalt East for senior night. “My basketball skills have improved thanks to being a part of [our school’s basketball] program,” Franciscus said. “I am a better defender, shooter and ball handler than I otherwise would have been.”

Four years in the making: senior Martin Franciscus leaves his mark on the boy’s basketball program

Drew Boone and Tre Bell • April 8, 2022

Sitting on the edge of his seat, a tunnel of his teammates and cheerleaders pave the way to the massive student section waiting to hear Martin Fraciscus’ name to be announced as a starter. As the announcer...

Why do we still need Black History Month?

Ulaa Kuziez and Bri Davis, Staff Writer • March 3, 2020

Black History Month is celebrated every February as an homage to the contributions of African Americans who have shaped American history. This celebration was started in 1915 by historian Carter G. Woodson...

Junior Tiye’ Hyler, senior TJ Fleming, guidance counselor Jen Skalski and freshman Brian Campbell sit and listen to students talk during a restorative circle. In the library, African American students discuss with teachers and others about what it is like to be a black student at a predominantly white school. “It can be tricky because you don’t want to offend anyone, you want everyone to understand that you come with a good heart and your goal is to help them succeed,” Perez said.

ASAP shares their voice

Bri Davis, Staff Writer • January 16, 2020

Inside the library, African American students sit, chatting amongst each other. Soon, they are told by the student officers of the African American Student Achievement Program (ASAP) that they will be...

Hustling on the field, sophomore Ja’Marion Wayne breaks records at the Mayor’s Cup football game Oct. 17. Wayne broke two school records for rushing yards and all purpose yardage. “That record stood for 52 years, and he hit it as a sophomore. I think his ceiling is very high,” assistant football coach Zaven Nalbandian said.

“The sky’s the limit”: Sophomore Ja’Marion Wayne breaks 52-year-old school yardage record

Susie Seidel, Convergence Media Editor • October 25, 2019

Under Thursday night lights at the Mayor’s Cup football game Oct. 17, sophomore Ja’Marion Wayne carried the ball 463 yards, breaking a record set in 1968, the school’s first year. The first record...

Leading the running backs, coach Melvin Bethany uses his own experience playing football to help Varsity football against Ladue High school. Bethany has been the running back coach for the last 11 years. “He does a great job teaching the game,” sophomore Tyree Simms said. “He really wants to help players get better and meet their goals.”

Practice makes perfect: Varsity football coach Melvin Bethany trains football players for the field and the classroom

Michael Lolley, Staff Writer • October 16, 2019

NFL Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott, Super Bowl champion Carey Davis and sophomore Tyree Simms. These athletes all have one thing in common: coach Melvin Bethany. Bethany not only coaches varsity football,...

As students raise their hands, president Kyra Clerk leads a meeting to discuss the positives and negatives of attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Predominantly White Institutions (PWI). Students were called out of class during school hours to attend the meetings. “ASAP empowers me to do better in school but I like to think that I was already doing well,” Clerk said. “I feel like it kind of gave me a push to continue being a role model for my underclassmen; I’m the president so when they look at me, I want them to be able to say, ‘My president is studious. She’s there for me and she’s also very helpful.’”

African-American students strive to embody qualities of leadership

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor • February 27, 2019

Pairs of eyes peer into sponsor Carly Roach’s gaze as she explains why all African-American students in the school are in this room. Why have they been singled out? “The very first meeting we had,...