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
Whether it’s in class, at home or online, students are exposed to politics wherever they go. The ability to speak out on topics has been discouraged for years which has led to ramifications on individuals, communities and the workings of democracy throughout the government. “We should be able to talk about our views, we should be having conversations that can move society forward. Walking on eggshells is making us complacent, and it’s becoming a big problem,” senior Jamie Tiemeier said.

Let’s talk politics

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief • October 11, 2024

Kamala or Trump. Democratic or Republican. Pro-choice or Pro-life. As campaigning for the 2024 presidential election reaches its end, society is left more polarized than ever before. With over 81% of citizens...

This November, Artificial Intelligence's influence on social media could play a significant role in how voters view candidates. As voters become familiar with issues and candidates, they should also be aware of the potential impact of false information. ¨For me, voting time is very interesting and important because I get to hear what candidates have to say and what they will do to help our country,¨ junior Drake Haun said.

AI in politics

Owen Ulmer, Staff Writer • October 10, 2024

In November, an important decision for our country will occur. Either Republican candidate Donald Trump or Democratic candidate Kamala Harris will be elected to be the President of the United States for...

Across the United States, state Congresses have seen an uptick in bills aiming to further particular political ideologies in the classrooms, which raises concerns about the place of political battles within classrooms. In Dec. 2023, Francis Howell School District’s School Board in St. Charles County voted to pull two elective courses centered around Black history from the curriculum, later stating that the courses could possibly return if they adhered to the board’s definition of “politically neutral.” The case of Francis Howell School District and their rescinding of legitimate classes centered around topics of political interest is just another example of thinly-veiled censorship that has become increasingly popular throughout the country within the past half-decade.

Classrooms should not be political battlefields

Pathfinder Editorial Board • March 31, 2024

Parkway was recently placed in the hot seat when Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a cease and desist accusing the district of religious discrimination. The letter claimed that Parkway prohibited...

As students approach adulthood, it is essential for them to learn about the status quo from all perspectives possible. While in school, students have opportunities to engage in activities, discussions and lessons to enhance their knowledge. “People will be afraid to speak out on their political views if they know that those around them disagree with them, but we definitely talk about political issues around school. We encourage people to share different political views and make sure that no one is excluded,” sophomore Ryan Shabani said.

Drivers of change: Society’s role in the generational influence of politics

Pathfinder Editorial Board • February 29, 2024

Make America Great Again. Finish the Job. Everyone’s Invited. Make America Normal Again. Declare Your Independence.  With the 2024 presidential election less than nine months away, campaigns and...

A utopia for some can be a dystopia for others. Candidates shared their visions of each at the first two GOP debates, in Milwaukee on Aug. 21 and in California on Sept. 25. “Someone who's looking to gain power for themselves, and not to benefit the population in the United States [and around] the globe is a problem,” sophomore Nick Cook said.

Under the big tent

Will Gonsior, Opinions/A&E Editor • October 12, 2023

The major parties in the United States often pride themselves on being “big tent,” or inclusive to many different types of views. However, in the modern, hyper-polarized political climate, there’s...

This photo illustration is inspired by the copious political attack ads plastered over all news and local stations in the St. Louis Metro area. These commercials exploit current event issues by using the biggest concerns to attract attention. "Marijuana is one [concern] in Missouri because they’re having a ballot issue. Illegal immigration and cutting taxes are the ones that Republicans use. The whole ‘[Republicans] being very right-wing and autocratic’ is [an issue ad] that you would see the Democrats doing. They’re all over the place depending on what the hot-button issue is," social studies department chair Jeffrey Chazen said.

They can’t be trusted

Elizabeth Franklin, Editor-in-Chief • November 9, 2022

On televisions across St. Louis, the faces of Democratic Senate candidate Trudy Busch Valentine and Republican Senate candidate Eric Schmitt were familiar ones from August to November. One moment, Valentine...

A leaked initial draft of the Supreme Court of the United States' majority opinion included a call to overturn 1973 landmark case Roe v. Wade. Image used under Creative Commons Licenses.

BREAKING: Student responses to SCOTUS leak on possible Roe v. Wade overturn

Pathfinder Editorial Board • May 4, 2022

CONTENT WARNING: The following article mentions abortion, sex, rape, sexual assault and incest due to the nature of the topic. Monday, May 2, at 8:32 p.m., POLITICO released an initial draft of the...

President Joe Biden and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds fail to address educational issues in the 2022 State of the Union Address and the Republican rebuttal respectively.

The State of our Schools

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief • March 4, 2022

Wednesday night, I happened upon social studies teacher Zaven Nalbandian’s secret surprise extra credit assignment to analyze both the State of the Union address and the Republican Party’s rebuttal....

Freshman Sabrina Urdaneta and her friends pose in front of her house in Cuba. The house was where Urdaneta lived before she left for America, close to the city of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. “All of the walls were rusty and the tiles were falling off. The floor was dirty, but in Cuba - where I lived - my house was considered a really nice house which is crazy to think about, coming to the United States and seeing what a house here looks like,” Urdaneta said.

Año nuevo, vida nueva

Elizabeth Franklin, Editor-in-Chief • January 21, 2022

Most people in America would think a pink toothbrush printed with beaming, blushing Disney princesses on the side is nothing out of the ordinary. Most people wouldn’t think twice about seeing a new electric...

Science teacher Paul Hage points to his Smartboard in the middle of a lecture. Hage feels that topics in the subject that he teaches, specifically in his biology classes, have become increasingly relevant in recent years during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think that science can be really relevant. Different people might have different opinions [about science],” Hage said.

Behind the Biases

Leah Schroeder, Managing Editor-in-Chief • January 5, 2022

American politics have rarely been as contentious as they are today; the mere mention of a political sway can sound alarms for many. However, for some individuals, the restrictions surrounding the discussion...

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