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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

Making final adjustments during practice, junior Fatema Rehmani prepares for the Randy Pierce Winter Classic at Pattonville High School Dec. 7, 2018. Rehmani competed in Program Oral Interpretation, an event in which students incorporate various selections of literature into a 10 minute performance. “This year, I explored some different events in speech and debate, and I’m so grateful for all of the various experiences I’ve gained,” Rehmani said. “But I have noticed there are definitely expectations for certain events or debate in regards to whether it’s for guys or for girls, which is sometimes limiting and frustrating.”

Sexism in speech and debate: competitive speakers’ fight for their voice

Tyler Kinzy, Managing Editor-in-Chief September 11, 2019

It is the conversation that speech and debate coach Cara Borgsmiller is forced to have several times each season. “I talk openly about it, especially the first time they get a ballot that says something...

Now graduated senior Will Schuchardt cheers as he emcees the 2018 Homecoming pep rally.

The official freshman guide to a Homecoming week

Zoe Deyoung, Staff Writer September 6, 2019

Nerves and excitement build as Homecoming week quickly approaches. We all know what it feels like to be a freshman, unsure of what is going on, especially when it comes to upholding the traditions the...

Worn at Powderpuff, football games, spirit days and other school events, senior jerseys are a long standing tradition.

The class of 2020 breaks traditions with new senior jerseys

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor September 3, 2019

From the senior campout to Mr. Longhorn, many traditions define senior year. Worn at Powderpuff, football games, spirit days and other school events, senior jerseys are another long standing tradition....

Sophomore Tenley Bertz sits in front of the digging site in eastern Montana, munching on a sandwich before she begins her search for dinosaur bones. Bertz is one of the very few people that got the opportunity to participate in the dig. “I feel really lucky to have this opportunity to participate in this program,” Bertz said. “I like it a lot, and I know it is definitely not a common thing for someone to do, so I like to stand out.”

Sophomore Tenley Bertz prepares to ‘dig’ into summer

Jacob Stanton, Staff Writer May 17, 2019

As the temperature rises over the rocky desert terrain, sophomore Tenley Bertz brushes off a newly found dinosaur fossil, fresh out of the dirt. She participates in dinosaur digs every summer and is hoping...

Admiring their work, students take a photo after decorating the sidewalks leading into the school Sunday, March 28. Longhorn Council wrote positive phrases and messages in bathrooms throughout the school and on sidewalks to prepare for Pay it Forward Week. “I had a fun time decorating mirrors and sidewalks on Sunday,” junior Quinn Berry said. “It’s so rewarding to spread positivity and make someones day in unexpected ways.”

Longhorn Council pays it forward to the environment

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor May 7, 2019

Positive phrases written in colorful lettering adorn the mirrors of the bathrooms and sidewalks outside of school in honor of the annual Pay it Forward Week. The week, planned by Longhorn Council, promotes...

During a meeting for Every Mind Matters, junior Katie Solodar leads the group in introductions and advice. Solodar co-founded the club and works to destigmatize mental illness. “The overall goal is for this club to be a place where people can come and learn about mental illness,” Solodar said. “We tried to give good advice on how to take care of yourself, even more than just ‘drink a lot of water.’”

From high school to government: Katie Solodar hopes to take the lead

Kaleiya Andrews, Convergent Media Writer May 1, 2019

After being recommended by history teachers and principals, junior Katie Solodar got accepted into Missouri Girls State (MGS), a camp for upcoming senior girls who are passionate about the government. “First,...

Working on his novella before the approaching publishing date, senior Hayden Riehl hopes to grow both his understanding of the world around him and the world’s understanding of him. “I find writing for storytelling to be incredibly therapeutic, just from some of the stories that people have written in class that I've [seen],” Riehl said. “It was them literally working through a trauma that they've had in the past or something that they're trying to get their own heads wrapped around. Stories can do that. They can help you navigate a sea of your own thoughts.”

From students to published authors: Creative Writing 2 will host E-book release launch party at the Wolf Cafe

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief April 30, 2019

In a frenzy to finish before their deadline, the Creative Writing 2 class logs hours that will result in a published E-book on the Amazon Kindle Store. Amazon’s self-publishing program, Kindle Direct...

Standing in front of the Missouri capitol building, sophomore Ulaa Kuziez shows her support for Syrian refugees. Kuziez visited Jefferson City with the Council of American and Islamic Relations (CAIR). “There are definitely some negative aspects to standing out, being a Muslim immigrant in a majority white high school,” Kuziez said. “At times it can get a little uncomfortable or a little awkward, but I choose to be unapologetic about my identity and about being a Muslim, Syrian-American woman.”

Sophomore Ulaa Kuziez draws from Syrian heritage to fight for social justice

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor April 23, 2019

With a new language, culture and lifestyle awaiting her in the United States, sophomore Ulaa Kuziez and her family immigrated from Damascus, Syria to Missouri when Kuziez was nine years old. “I...

Junior Caroline Judd attempts to follow an online weightlifting video. In the summer of 2020 Parkway is introducing a new online physical education course available to all students.

Parkway introduces online physical education course

Lydia Roseman, News and Sports Editor April 17, 2019

Students scale rock walls, dance to cultural music, toss frisbees, lift heavyweights and earn scuba certifications within the large assortment of physical education courses that Parkway offers. Adding...

Reviewing for an AP Calculus exam, junior Nayeon Ryu graphs equations on her calculator. Ryu believes that "tiger parenting" forces students to put scores before mental health. "Most nights I'm getting a maximum of four hours of sleep, even less if I have multiple tests the next day," Ryu said. "My parents are really pushing me to get into a good college, and sometimes that means prioritizing my grades instead of my health or sleep."

The issue with tiger parenting

Andrew Li, STAFF WRITER April 11, 2019

Everyone loves Chinese food right? Orange chicken, Mongolian beef and sesame chicken are all great. These delicious foods demonstrate the pinnacle of culture mixing—yet not everything Asian mixes well...