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
Sophomore Trent Young and junior Jamaya Love rise to the stage and welcome the audience after superintendent Keith Marty introduces them. Principals John McCabe and Kate Piffel selected them to be emcees for the 2025 Spirit of Excellence ceremony. “It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you this evening. Each one of the recipients tonight has exceeded all academic expectations and should be celebrated,” Love said.

Living the dream

Sage Kelly, Staff Writer • March 6, 2025

On the floor of the stadium, a bubbling current floods into rows upon rows of chairs. Teachers and administrators lead their students to their designated seats to await the start of the ceremony. Each...

As students raise their hands, president Kyra Clerk leads a meeting to discuss the positives and negatives of attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Predominantly White Institutions (PWI). Students were called out of class during school hours to attend the meetings. “ASAP empowers me to do better in school but I like to think that I was already doing well,” Clerk said. “I feel like it kind of gave me a push to continue being a role model for my underclassmen; I’m the president so when they look at me, I want them to be able to say, ‘My president is studious. She’s there for me and she’s also very helpful.’”

African-American students strive to embody qualities of leadership

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor • February 27, 2019

Pairs of eyes peer into sponsor Carly Roach’s gaze as she explains why all African-American students in the school are in this room. Why have they been singled out? “The very first meeting we had,...

For the March ASAP meeting, guest speaker Sylvester Chisom shares personal stories and entrepreneurial strategies in hopes of inspiring members of ASAP. “I met a room full of great leaders that day,” Chisom said. “It is my hope that they all take full advantage of everything this world has to offer. I hope they will use their success and influence to help others in their community the same way I tried to do when I met with them.”

Black History Prospers Throughout School History

Ridwan Oyebamiji, Features Section Editor • March 11, 2018

For over almost 100 years, Black History Month has been celebrated throughout the month of February in the United States and in order to localize the national observance, librarian Brian Welch promoted...

Spirit of Excellence Awards honor high-achieving students

Allison Wills, Staff Writer • March 11, 2015

Four hundred African American Parkway students, grades three through 12, will be honored at the annual Spirit of Excellence ceremony, March 10 at UMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center. “[The Spirit...