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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

Posing in a picture with her family, senior Megan VanValkenburghsigns her National Letter of Intent to be a part of the swim and dive team at Butler University next fall. VanValkenburg committed and signed in December, but signing day at school occurred on February eighth. “All of the support from everyone on signing day made [committing] feel very real now. I feel like every little step I have taken in this process has led to that moment,” Vanvalkenburg said. “I have always loved the campus and location of the school, but [the girls on the women's swim and dive team at Butler] made me feel a part of their team on my visit, that’s when I knew I wanted to spend my next four years there.”

Photo of the Week- Feb. 11

Tre Bell, Staff Writer February 11, 2022

Senior Emily O'Connor poses in her navy and gold cheer uniform at the ICE All-Stars competition. For years, O'Connor looked up to the ICE athletes. "I feel lucky to be able to take the mat with ICE across my chest. The owner has built such a well-oiled machine, and the coaches at ICE have helped me become a better person by their life lessons and examples."

Senior Emily O’Connor cheers on a new generation

Emily Kate Beach, CJ1 Writer February 7, 2022

Fixing her high tight ponytail and wiping the sweat from her face, senior Emily O'Connor lightens the mood at practice with a cheesy joke as her team, ICE All-Stars Aftershock, perfects their routine before...

After surgery, senior Zina Alshekhlee comes home to flowers and presents arranged by friends and family. She left the hospital in a wheelchair and attended school for four months. "Before the surgery, I wasn't too nervous or anything; I was like, 'okay, I'm just going to show up and get this over with just kind of where I was at that day.' I expected to be okay soon," Alshekhlee said.

Road to recovery: senior Zina Alshekhlee’s journey with scoliosis

Triya Gudipati, Editor-in-Chief January 28, 2022

After receiving a diagnosis in the eighth grade, senior Zina Alshekhlee works to recover from major surgery to help better her scoliosis. At first, it had little impact on Alshekhlee's life; however,...

Back on the court, senior Abbie Zensen warms up to play in the first game of the Summit Holiday Hoops tournament. Zensen was injured in May, leaving her unable to participate in sports. “I was a little worried at first because I wasn't sure what it was going to be like cutting on my knee. I hadn't done stuff like that,” Zensen said. “The first basketball game was really exciting. When I first went down with my knee injury, I didn’t see myself coming back.”

A season-ending injury to a new school record

Danica Gatchel, CJ1 Writer January 27, 2022

During one of the soccer team’s last games before the quarter-finals, senior Abbie Zensen was involved with a contact-on-contact collision, resulting in a dislocated kneecap and torn knee ligaments leaving...

Digging their sandy toes into the ground, seniors Areeb Hasan and Uzair Mohsin prepare to block senior Nathan Meek’s spike, set up by seniors Manoah Inje and Gordon Yu. The boys took time to hype each other up after plays. “There's a lot of boosting each other up. As you play, you have like five people telling you how great you are and that feels great. When we get off [the pit], people always comment like 'Oh, so-and-so has gotten so good at this.’ I love that we’re learning and having a good time,” Meek said.

A net gain: senior boys spend quality time in the sand volleyball pits

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief January 13, 2022

In an age where students have become increasingly focused on grades, extracurriculars and college applications, a group of boys have taken to playing amateur sand volleyball at Edgar M. Queeny County Park...

Senior Kayvon Rezaei poses with his Volvo after handwashing it. He initially thought washing cars was a daunting task but soon found enjoyment in the activity.  “I’ve never hand-washed my car before so this was a new experience,” Rezaei said, “I never thought about cleaning things such as the exhaust pipes or the wheels.”

School, sports and Swedish sedans

Joseph Denklau, Guest Writer October 25, 2021

The car glides down the road; the engine purrs quietly. The speaker system is blasting a song. The driver, senior Kayvon Rezaei, drifts into the parking lot, never hesitating, the car's smooth movements...

Our school showed a lot of longhorn pride at homecoming week. Here are some of the highlights.

Life of a longhorn

Achyuta Ambal, Staff Writer September 27, 2021

As senior Rick Biswas reads a packet, junior and Scholar Bowl Executive Captain Owen Arneson keeps track of senior Kevin Zheng's and the rest of his teammates' points. Doing this at each of the Scholar Bowl team's practices three times a week allowed Arneson to figure out categories he and his teammates have improved in. Senior and Strategic Captain Anna Csiki-Fejer (not pictured) then helps players find resources to improve in categories the team doesn't cover as well. "I'm excited to go to tournaments, see some new people and competition," Arneson said. ​"We were at a really good spot dedication-wise at the end of last season, but how much more dedication I'm already seeing this year looks like a really good sign to me. I love seeing my teammates play well, show good teamwork and have a good time; it makes me really excited to see just how well we can do this year.​"

Photo of the Week – Sept. 17

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief September 17, 2021

After scoring the winning point, senior Matt Cosgrove holds the State Champions plaque above his teammates. Seconds later the crowds stormed the court in celebration. “It was just unreal. I was speechless to finally win after talking about it for more than a year.  Unreal feeling,” Cosgrove said. (Photo courtesy of Matt Cosgrove)

A team above all, above all a team

Makinsey Drake, Staff Writer June 4, 2021

Bringing home the first boys varsity State Champions title since 2003, the boys conquered Webster this past weekend 3 to 0. Reaching a goal set in the 2020 season taken away from the team due to COVID-19,...

Team Blue Brains (5430A: Seniors Kunal Addagarla, Jack Wild and Levi Ladd, juniors Rick Biswas and David Meisinger, sophomores Joseph Britt, Anushka Dharmasanam and Isaac Porter) display their newly built automaton.

Worlds VEX Robotics Competition: Robotics team assembles a successful weekend

Makinsey Drake, Staff Writer June 4, 2021

Robotics Teams Blue Brains and Memory Leak advanced to the 2021 VEX Robotics Competition at the end of this May. In a successful four days team Blue Brains, led by senior Levi Ladd, reached the World...