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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

Reflecting on previous years, junior Bethany Liao looks at plaques in the Speech and Debate room. With her partner, senior Yein Ahn, Liao earned first place in Public Forum debate at the MSHAA Speech and Debate District Tournament on March 6 and 7. “I really want us to do good, and, even if we don't, I want it to be a memorable experience for [Ahn] because this is our last debate together,” Liao said.

Arguments and adventures

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Editor-In-Chief April 23, 2026

Sounds of binders clicking, gavels banging and pages flipping fill English teacher and Speech and Debate coach Cara Borgsmiller’s room. As April 24 approaches, speakers and debaters are continuing to...

Junior Bethany Liao and senior Yein Ahn are recognized at the spring pep rally for achieving first place in the MSHAA Speech and Debate District Tournament. Juniors Lillian Chen and Giuli Ghiretti, seniors Sravya Reddy Guda and Ryan Shabani and sophomore Samuel Huang were also recognized at the event for their achievements. “I feel like debate isn’t something that gets recognized a lot, and some of my peers don’t know how much work I put in. So it was exciting to be recognized in front of the whole school, and it also motivated me for the state competition,” Ahn said.

Making their case

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Editor-In-Chief April 18, 2026

On March 6 and 7, the Parkway West Speech and Debate Team competed in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHAA) District Tournament at Clayton High School. Competitors earned the ability...

Female tennis players thrive regardless of their limitations. While there are many issues within the sport — unequal pay, no maternal care for athlete-mothers, unequal opportunities for different races and more — many activists have been advocating for change within the industry. “I hope there are a lot more milestones set along the way and a lot more improvements in [tennis],” freshman and JV tennis player Sara Ashok said.

Game, set, equality

Ruthvi Tadakamalla, Editor-In-Chief October 27, 2023

The United States Open Tennis Tournament, commonly known as the U.S. Open, was transformational for women's equality nationwide. Competitor Coco Gauff won the women’s singles division and earned a $3...