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
"My online experience has been a big change compared to in-person school. Staying virtual made my schedule pretty flexible which made it easier for me to fit in other extracurricular activities, such as playing the piano. Online school improved my mental health. I have the comfort of being at home while also learning what I need to. I haven’t had any mental health changes, partially because I made some friends in school. It’s harder to stay connected to others when you’re virtual since you can’t really go up and talk to someone, but I made friends from class, which helped with staying sane. I also like to talk to friends who go in-person, and it’s fun to hear about what’s going on." - Bhavya Gupta, 9

Bhavya Gupta

Emily Beach, CJ1 Writer • April 27, 2022

“[The happiest moment of my life was when] my quartet and I qualified for state. It was a very pleasant surprise. Our quartet qualified on March 12; we stood outside the school we had just performed at when we found out. It was the best feeling ever. [Right now, our goal is] to prepare before state on April 30. We are performing two classical pieces, “Climb Up The Mountain” and “Brothers Sing On.” I've always had a love for music, and [I'm glad] we are given a chance to perform more competitively and possibly get the state title. It's exciting, kind of nerve-wracking, but exciting.” - Jack Maniaci, 11

Jack Maniaci

Maddy Bach, Yearbook Contributor • April 25, 2022

"The biggest happiness in my life right now is that I’m going to Mexico with some of my best friends, and their parents. I think we are staying for like 8 days over Thanksgiving. We’re going to be in Cancun, Mexico. I’m excited to go because it’s been a little bit since I traveled and it’ll be nice to have a vacation. We get to relax on the beach and just not think about school. It’s going to be a nice break from everything going on in our lives. Plus getting to spend time together is always fun. We're going to play sand volleyball so I can’t wait for that, and maybe try bodysurfing? I’m not sure. I definitely want to try some new things. We have plans to try a lot of new restaurants so that is something to look forward to. Swimming in the ocean has always been one of my favorite things and to experience that in Cancun with my best friends is going to be really amazing. You see a different part of people when you travel with them and you have to live together. I feel like that’s going to like bring us closer together. I’m excited." – Anna Kilcullen, 9

Anna Kilcullen

Alexandra Hurley, CJ1 Writer • April 22, 2022

“You wouldn’t believe how surprised people are when you say you skipped kindergarten and you're only 15 in 11th grade. I don't even have a driver's license [yet]. That usually surprises people because everyone else is 16 going on 17. I just [always] felt kind of different from everyone. [People think that I’m] not as mature and [don’t have a] strong mental capacity and some think a little less of [me] for being younger. Everyone assumed I was a young, innocent kid. [But] I wouldn't do anything different. I love where I am [and] what I do now. So maybe it would have been a bit easier. But hey, I’m here, and I can't change.” – Clayton Merz, 11

Clayton Merz

Addison Merz, CJ1 Writer • April 22, 2022

"[In my free time, I like to bake] Rice Krispie treats or chocolate chip cookies. [But that's also my job because I work at] Crumbl Cookies. I haven't worked that much yet. The environment isn’t super dull there. There are people talking all the time. [After] you work there for a few hours, you smell like the store, [like the] cookies and supplies. [Most of the time, I] fold boxes and get supplies ready [but, on rare occasions, I get to] ball the dough. The lights are really bright, there's a lot of pink, everyone talks friendly to each other and it's a very calm and peaceful job. [Personally, my favorite cookie there is] caramel popcorn. I have developed a strange addiction to that cookie." - Spencer Rahm, 9

Spencer Rahm

Evan Vaisvil, Staff Writer • April 22, 2022

“[The most influential person in my life] I would say [is] my papa. He has this disease called CADASIL where he is basically shutting down. I don't know how to explain it, but my dad likes to say that it's [similar to] a whole house. You can see the whole house is working, but you don't know that an outlet is not working. And slowly if that outlet doesn't work another outlet doesn't work. And then it's just this effect that is slowly shutting [him] down. Right now he's on hospice, and it's hard seeing and talking to him because I know that he would be there for me if I was struggling. It's hard to see him how he is now. I look up to him because he's one of the greatest people I know. He was always the first person to jump up and [say], ‘I'll help you.’ He did it with happiness, and I have a lot of good memories with him.” – Mackenzie Silva, 9

Mackenzie Silva

Ava Silva, CJ1 Writer • April 22, 2022

“The happiest moment of my life was my freshman year when I won state. My older brother dragged me out of the pool, gave me the biggest hug and shook me. Swimming is my source of confidence and where my whole personality stems from. I don’t know what kind of person I would be if I didn't swim. Everything I’ve learned about life comes back to swimming. [A lesson I've learned from swimming] would be to do your best, [because] you’re not going to win every game. You’re not going to do everything well, [and] you’re not going to get the best score on every test, but you got to keep moving and doing it again.” – Campbell Murawski, 11

Campbell Murawski

Ava Griswold, CJ1 Writer • April 22, 2022

“My happiest memory of this job is being accepted. I was badly burnt out from the other job, [beacause] I had the whole midnight shift. I didn't see much of my wife and family throughout that time. It felt good to have a new prospect. Being on this job for 15 years, day in and day out, [you] appreciate [your] co-workers as well as the staff of the building. It's a humble career. It teaches you how to be patient, how to hold back anger and fear, it teaches you to be human. My biggest struggle is some students not caring for each other. Throw away your own trash. Report your spill. Recognize that if something is not right, let's make it right. If you see something that's wrong, see if we can fix it. I believe this is still one big happy family—if we make it that way.” – Sean Smith, Faculty

Sean Smith

Serena Liu, Editor-in-Chief • April 22, 2022

“My biggest supporter throughout this year has been my dad. Specifically, when I got my first job. He’s helped me with my schedule and adjusting to balancing work, life and school. [For instance,] I remember one time we got back from a trip and I was really stressed because it was going to be my first week of work right after school. I worked until 8 [p.m.]. I was feeling stressed, so my dad sat me down at the dinner table and helped me devise a plan to manage time and keep me motivated. He’s been focused on my future and how I’m going to be successful, like saving money for a car and for college. I know that when my dad was in college he had to pay for his own college tuition. He worked multiple jobs on top of school, which made me realize that I have it so much better with easier conditions. It makes me think I can to do this, and with all his support, I now am more motivated to succeed even with the difficulties.” – Noor Mahmud, 9

Noor Mahmud

Nola Becquette, CJ1 Writer • April 22, 2022

“[The best piece of advice I have received was] to let people do what they want. I think that would be the most impactful piece of advice I've ever been given, [by] my partner at the time. It's something she would say a lot whenever I would get upset. Eighth grade to freshman year was that whole period where I was really judgy and had really strong opinions on things that I shouldn't have. I was too much. I think if I met myself my freshman year, I would punch me in the face, but I think a lot of people would probably say that. I grew up in a household where [if] you’re a girl, you wear this and if you’re a dude, you wear that. And so all my ideas were just copy and pasted of [my family’s] ideas. It was just a preference that was embedded in my preteen years and that I ditched when I realized it was stupid. Look at me now. I'm not at all dressing stereotypically feminine. So I'd say that would be an example of gender roles and clothing being something I used to really be a badger on. Now I’m like whatever. I think [this advice] really helped me build character and become my true self. Because a lot of my judging people for what they were wearing was almost a projection of myself and being upset that I couldn't wear what I wanted to wear because of the way that I was raised. [I] took it out on other people that were able to do what they wanted. Getting this advice to stay in your lane was just good [for me], I took it and now I’m living better.” – Mac Winter, 12

Mac Winter

Cindy Phung, Editor-in-Chief • April 22, 2022

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