![“My first two years of high school I don’t even consider to count. Freshman year I honestly don't even remember [what we learned] and it was cut short. I was virtual my entire sophomore year and took the time to focus on academics, dance and myself. The pandemic definitely caused me to lose motivation during my sophomore year. It took a lot of effort during my junior year to jump back into staying focused and taking school seriously. Junior year, I met a freshman on poms named Poppi Wright, she's meant so much to me ever since. We're very similar, it's weird. We clicked instantly and I just absolutely adore her. Throughout high school, one unforgettable moment for me was joining the yearbook staff. I absolutely adore [journalism teacher Debra] Klevens and taking her class was the best decision I made. I found a true passion in designing and making yearbook spreads. I got really into it and by my senior year, I was made an editor. I love going to Klevens room after other classes I don't enjoy as much. I’m a student aide for her so I have her every day and I love it. I honestly feel like I had two true years of high school, my junior and senior year. I'm most proud that I just survived the journey. I can say I was in high school during a pandemic and still managed to get into college, continued dancing and formed new relationships.” - Kelsea Wilson, 12](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_7240-copy-900x646.jpg)
![Starting at her grid paper, freshman Nola Becquette tries to recreate a spread from another school’s yearbook using Cheez Its, graham cracker, Airheads, Twizzlers, Hershey kisses and Kit Kats. After watching the Pica King video, students applied the skills they learned before getting on to computers to create their own designs. “I definitely got an understanding because before then I didn’t know how to [create a spread]. But now that I have more experience, I finally feel like I can get the hang of it,” Becquette said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/pow1_27-edit.png)
![Performing as Nibs in “Lost Girl,” junior Avery Hermann inspects a drawing of Neverland made by the show’s main character, Wendy Darling. Hermann not only acted in “Lost Girl”, but he also served as assistant director of the show. “I found ‘Lost Girl’ to be a beautiful and touching story, and I’m really glad I got to be a part of it. My favorite part of the show [was] my work as assistant director. I spent a lot of time working with every [cast member] on character, deliveries and emotional development. It was so amazing to see these brilliant actors come to life on stage in such a colorful way,” Hermann said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC_1258-Enhanced-NR-1-1200x798.jpg)
![Gazing up from the stage, junior Joseph McCurdy who played Peter Pan in the school play, Lost Girl, sits next to senior Juliana Rogers, who plays Wendy Darling, during a theater rehearsal. McCurdy’s passion for theater began when he observed a West High production in middle school. “I've been in the high school theater program since I was a freshman. I've always loved theater, but [what prompted me to join] was [when] I went to see [a performance here] when I was in middle school, and it was super cool,” McCurdy said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_6535-1200x798.jpeg)
Nov. 7 to Nov. 9, Parkway West’s theater department traveled through the life of Wendy Darling, in their newest production. “Lost Girl,”...
From down the hall, bursts of laughter and applause spill out of a classroom unlike a typical history class. Inside, instead of sitting through...