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
Posing outside Missouri State University, students take a group photo following the MSHSAA Speech and Debate State Tournament. The competition spanned two days, adding up to nearly 60 rounds between the team. “This was all of our first times at States, and that made this experience unique 一 no one knew what to expect. Getting one last tournament with this specific team and our seniors was sentimental, but I’m excited to get going again next season,” sophomore Aagi Gudipati said.

Voices of the herd

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • May 13, 2025

From April 24-26, 15 students traveled to Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., to compete in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Speech and Debate State Tournament....

Prior to their State final round, A Team ran into Mo the mascot, smiling for a picture. With half of A Team graduating this year, senior Owen Arneson hopes that their State title will attract more people to the program. “No matter what you show up there to do, as long as you have a positive attitude and have a good time, [you’ll] be fine because you can compete as seriously or casually as you want,” Arneson said.

The road to victory: Scholar Bowl clinches their first-ever state title one buzz at a time

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • June 2, 2023

On May 6, seven West students traveled to the University of Missouri to compete in the MSHSAA Scholar Bowl State Championship. Ranging from freshmen to seniors, these members of the A-Team placed first...

Making final adjustments during practice, junior Fatema Rehmani prepares for the Randy Pierce Winter Classic at Pattonville High School Dec. 7, 2018. Rehmani competed in Program Oral Interpretation, an event in which students incorporate various selections of literature into a 10 minute performance. “This year, I explored some different events in speech and debate, and I’m so grateful for all of the various experiences I’ve gained,” Rehmani said. “But I have noticed there are definitely expectations for certain events or debate in regards to whether it’s for guys or for girls, which is sometimes limiting and frustrating.”

Sexism in speech and debate: competitive speakers’ fight for their voice

Tyler Kinzy, Managing Editor-in-Chief • September 11, 2019

It is the conversation that speech and debate coach Cara Borgsmiller is forced to have several times each season. “I talk openly about it, especially the first time they get a ballot that says something...

Sophomore Emma Carter and freshman Paige Wehrmeister pose together after the Mehlville Women’s Invitational Dec. 21. The tournament was the first girls tournament that either one had been to; Carter took third place in the 167 pound weight class, and Wehrmeister took fifth in the 121 pound weight class.

#WrestleLikeAGirl: breaking boundaries and winning medals

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • February 1, 2019

This wrestling season, #WrestleLikeAGirl has trended across Missouri. Girls have turned out in record numbers for the sport, more than doubling the number that the Missouri State High School Activities...

Preparing to engage an opponent, Carter looks for an opportunity to shoot. Carter was named varsity wrestler of the week and boasts a 6-2 record. “When you get out on that mat and you’re really in that fight or flight moment, you know you have to win,” Carter said.

Sophomore Emma Carter pins down success

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • February 1, 2019

“Being a girl in this boy's sport, there [are] so many things you have to do. People are constantly watching what you’re doing to try and protect themselves; people in this sport are so sexist, it’s...

Hand raised after her first pin of a male opponent, Wehrmeister grins at her triumph. “I feel like I am in control of them [when I’m on top], and if I wanted to I could control everything that was happening in that moment,” Wehrmeister said. “They can’t get up if I don’t let go.”

Freshman Paige Wehrmeister finds her strength in wrestling

Nell Jaskowiak, OPINIONS AND ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • February 1, 2019

Freshman Paige Wehrmeister had not always seen herself as a strong person—then she started wrestling. Joining sophomore Emma Carter as one of two female wrestlers in Parkway, Wehrmeister has already...

Practicing for her poetry event at the Jefferson City Invitational, held Jan. 28 through 29, junior Khushali Sarnot recites her piece to sophomores Kristina Humphrey and Nina Maitra.

Debate team prepares for Districts

Anjali Shah, Staff Writer • February 14, 2017

With the post-season approaching, the Speech and Debate team has been preparing for the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) and Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) districts,...