PCH TOP SONGS (EVENTS)

1.PCH Travels away from Chesterfield

During 2024 many PCH students took class trips that enriched topics they learned about in school. One of these trips was for Latin students that involved going to Rome and Southern Italy during 2024’s spring break. Senior AP Latin student Andrew Kang appreciated the historical elements of the trip.

“It was really cool seeing both the historical buildings, like the pantheon, and some of the famous painting of mythological/ historical events in the Capitoline and Vatican museums, like the paintings of Romulus and Remus with the she wolf,” Kang said. Although Kang was enriched by his experience he also enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the trip.

“While in Rome the teachers basically let us loose in the city,” Kang said. Overall, traveling to a different country will have different cultural norms.

“We saw this massive stuffed seven-headed dragon with 10 horns and a crown on each horn, an exact replica of the description of Satan in the Book of Revelations. When we first saw it we were so confused on how a toy shop could put Satan on display,” Kang said. Other trips from PCH students included New York, Switzerland, and the Cahokia Mounds.

2.Boys swim three-peat

The boys swim team has a questionable pool, yet they have been the most dominant swim team in Missouri over the 2020’s. Despite losing Purdue commit Will Jost, who certainly added to the colts roster, underclassman Brody Blatt and Connor Muran stepped up. The team also had a strong Senior duo in Cole Smith and Zeidan Reza. This marks Andrew Schonhoff’s fourth state championship as the head coach of water polo and swim/dive. The Colts once again blew the competition out of the water, beating second place Glendale by 94 points.

3.Dance Marathon

Dance Marathon completed a successful 5th year raising $34,299.05 for Children’s Miracle Network around 4000 more then the 2022-2023 year. New teacher sponsors Nicole Hewitt and Kristin Ream took charge of Dance Marathon. Overall, it needed two organized people.

“Last year, I wanted to take on the role of DM sponsor for a few reasons. One, I would not take on the role without Mrs. Hewitt, she is amazing to work with and something like Dance Marathon that takes a lot of time with plenty of moving pieces I couldn’t do it without her,” Ream said. Dance Marathon was hard but it ultimately led to a new experience, something Ream felt fulfilled by.

“Taking on this role pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I wanted a new challenge at Central. This new challenge allowed me to work with a new group of students and colleagues,” Ream said.

4. New Administration Joins

Two new principles joined the PCH administrative staff. Overall, both Casey Holland and Patrick Ward have found the new role an adjustment.

“I just see one side of the students or the building, and so it’s really eye opening to see all of the parts kind of moving together,” Holland said. The intricacies of the building aren’t the only thing that the new administration has to adjust to.

“When you go up to kids, they automatically assume,they’re in trouble, so it’s a lot different. So you got to work harder to form those relationships with kids as an administrator,” Ward said.

5. Cross Country gets 4th and 3rd at state

Parkway Central has emerged as a fierce, competitive program. The boys placed 4th in state, after getting knocked out in a disappointing district race last year. The team was led by one-two punch Brendan Alfonso and Alexander Moresi. Beckett Friedman and Lucas Amador had very impressive seasons and brought a low score to the team. The team was rounded out by senior captain Sohji Matsuda, Junior Lucas Padratzik, and sophomore Noam Buch. The girls also had an impressive season, placing 3rd in state. The team was led by sophomores Gabrielle Moresi and Penelope Hinkle. The team had a strong junior core: Madeline Qian, Dani Burk, and Armani Harris. The team was rounded out by senior Mira Rengachary and freshman Alice Liebetrau

PCH TOP ARTISTS (PEOPLE)

1.Custodial+Lunch Staff

For the second year in a row, my number one spot to the most important people at PCH this year go to the Custodial and Lunch Staff. Easily some of the most under-appreciated members of the Parkway Central staff, they are responsible for much of what the student body doesn’t see. The Lunch staff is charged with preparing and serving food for 1265 students. The Custodial staff, who are currently in a shortage are responsible for cleaning 100+ rooms including bathrooms,locker rooms, and gymnasiums.

2. Kristin Ream

Eight year teacher Kristin Ream won teacher of the year in 2024. The most rewarding part about her job is building relationships with her students.

“My favorite part about teaching is building meaningful connections with my students and watching them grow, both academically and personally,” Ream said. Ream also helps support athletes as for girls soccer and girls golf. Her favorite part of coaching is similar to her favorite part of teaching. 

“My favorite part of coaching is witnessing the growth and transformation in athletes—whether it’s mastering a new skill, achieving a personal best, or learning to overcome adversity as a team. Those moments of triumph, big or small, are what make coaching so special. Overall Ream feels grateful for winning teacher of the year and acknowledges her impact on students.

“Being named Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor and truly humbling. It means so much to know that my efforts to inspire, support, and educate my students are recognized and valued by my peers, students, and the community,” Ream said. Ream contributes to the PCH community in several other ways alongside teaching like being the sponsor for Dance Marathon.

3. Casey Holland and Patrick Ward

Casey Holland and Patrick Ward had no prior experience in administrative positions joining as the 9th and 11th grade principle respectively. Despite this, they have found a place in community.

“I immediately felt like I was accepted. That meant a lot to me. Teachers, the veteran teachers, like, they’re all here for the right reasons. They care about students, like everyone wants each other, like a pulling for each other to be successful,” Ward said. Although Holland and Ward are new they’re still making memories at PCH in their new roles.

“One memory that  sticks out to me is probably Day of Service. Just seeing everybody coming together and doing great things for our community, It was special. When other people from around the community were coming up to us saying just how great our students were, that was a highlight for me,” Holland said.

4. Brody Blatt and Connor Muran

Sophomore Connor Muran had an incredibly impressive season, after a successful freshman campaign. Muran qualified for state in the 200 IM and 100 Breastroke. At state Muran continued his success placing 3rd in the 200 IM with a time of 1:51:81 and 3rd in the 100 Breastroke with a time of 56.40. Muran also was apart of the colts winning 200 Medly-Relay. Junior Brody Blatt also continued his contributions to the team. Blatt qualified for the 500 and 200 freestyle while also being apart of both of the colts winning free style relays. Blatt posted impressive results getting 2nd in both his individual events with times of 4:34.47 in the 500 and 1:40.09 in the 200. Most importantly, Blatt won St. Louis Post-Dispatch Swimmer of the Year, the 2nd in a row for a PCH swimmer.

5.The Moresi Siblings

Parkway Central’s success on the course relied on a set of siblings. The Moresi Siblings, (Alex and Gabbie) played a crucial role in Parkway Central’s 3rd and 4th podium finishes. Alex finished as 2nd all-time in Parkway Central’s all time 5k list behind his teammate Brendan Alfonso. He also was an All-Metro honorable Mention, the second time he’s made the list. Gabbie also had a very successful season placing 2nd in state and made the All Metro 2nd team. She also set a course record in the Cape Girardeau meet.