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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

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...

Performing at the Fabulous Fox for the 16th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, junior Alisha Yin delivers her Program Oral Interpretation titled “Ways to Find Your Voice.” Yin centered her piece around Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and First Amendment rights. “[Yin] has worked really hard to get here. She is persistent. She doesn’t give up. Even if something seems out of reach, she does a lot better than other people at always trying to [reach her goals]. She always advocates for what she believes, [so it] has always reflected her ideas or priorities,” junior Lillian Chen said.

Speaking for the silenced

Sage Kelly, Features/News Editor February 22, 2026

Thousands of eyes train on thick, blue curtains. People shift in their seats while emcee Ben Nordstrom transitions between acts. Finally, he announces, “Please welcome to the stage 16-year-old Alisha...

Throughout the year, the Pathfinder has welcomed an excellent addition of new stories to our site. Certain stories have especially caught viewers’ and writers’ eyes: take a look at this year’s extraordinary articles in the 2023-2024 Pathfinder Wrapped.

2023-2024 Pathfinder Wrapped

Pathfinder Editorial Board May 30, 2024

All good things must eventually come to an end, and as the 2023-2024 school year finally draws its curtains closed, students reflect on all the memories that they forged this year. Likewise, it’s time...

Marching in front of Forest Park Avenue, protesters gather in support of the pro-choice organization Planned Parenthood after the controversial overturning of the Supreme Court case Roe V. Wade. Parkway West alumna Luisa Larinizi, former co-president of the Feminist Club, attended the protest in 2022 to share her voice on the matter. “I went because it’s an issue I care about deeply and I felt this was a way I could help and actively be involved. It is very important to stand up for what we believe in, and peaceful protesting is always a great way to achieve that,” Lazarini said. “It was incredible to see how many people came. Many gave speeches on their personal experiences with reproductive rights, [giving] me new insight on how many people are actually affected by the issue.”

The ‘active’ in activism

Risa Cidoni, Editor-in-Chief January 9, 2024

#MeToo. #BLM. #FridaysForFuture. #BeTheChange.  These hashtags have floated across millions of screens in momentous hours, traveling across the world with nothing but three simple clicks. Televisions...

In recent years, the topic of lowering the national voting age has sparked debates across the United States. Young people have been at the forefront of the discussion, sharing their unique perspectives and opinions on voting ages. “[I want to vote because] I should be able to make decisions about myself, about my education, and about my rights,” sophomore Yein Ahn said.

Youth voices on the rise

Ruthvi Tadakamalla and Serena Liu October 17, 2023

Pro: Turning sixteen can be one of the biggest milestones for a teen. By their 16th birthday, a teen can drive a car, pay taxes, work without restrictions, become emancipated and drop out of high school....