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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...

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...

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...