Hands-on pluck dissection teaches body system
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
May 9, 2012
On Friday, May 4th, junior Respiratory Therapy students at Southwest Career and Technical Academy dissected a sheep pluck. A typical pluck consists of a sheep’s trachea down to it’s lungs, but the plucks that were used also included the liver. “As a Respiratory Therapist you need to understand... (more...)
Rubik’s cube competition tomorrow
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
May 4, 2012
On Sat., May 5th, students from Southwest Career and Technical Academy will compete in a rubik’s cube competition at the 2012 Las Vegas Science Festival. “Mr. [Jonathan] O’Brien was the original facilitator of this idea. He was looking to get a team together for the Rubik’s Cube... (more...)
DCON Welcomes Key Clubbers from Cali-Nev-Ha district
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
April 26, 2012
From April 13 to April 15, 2012, six Southwest Career and Technical Academy Key Club officers attended the 66th Annual District Convention. The officers flew to Santa Clara, California in order to participate and represent their school. “For the most part, the district Convention was a pretty... (more...)
Food vendor dismissal eliminates fundraising opportunity, additional lunchtime options
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
March 23, 2012
Numerous vendors at Southwest Career and Technical Academy will not be returning to sell food to the students effective immediately. They were dismissed during a self-assessment by the school, when it was discovered that the suppliers were not on the CCSD approved snacks or beverage list. “Outside... (more...)
Respiratory therapy juniors campaign against smoking
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
February 6, 2012
On Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, Respiratory Therapy juniors at Southwest Career and Technical Academy will gather at Sansone Park Place conducting surveys to fight for a non-smoking campus at all colleges and universities in Las Vegas, Nevada. The campaign is called Right to Breathe and is a part of... (more...)
Southwest Howl yearbook almost sold out
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
December 4, 2011
The initial order of 2011-2012 yearbooks at Southwest Career and Technical Academy is almost sold out. However, the Southwest Howl is only planning to order extra yearbooks if students continue to place their orders for a book. “I’m glad that I ordered my yearbook at the beginning of the... (more...)
Gaming elements enter classroom experience
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
October 31, 2011
Starting the 2011-2012 school year, Freshmen English teacher, Mr. Matthew LaPorte, introduced a new classroom incentive program based on video game principles called “gamification.” This program includes badges and experience points given to motivate his incoming students. Over the summer,... (more...)
National Respiratory Care week welcomes all
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
October 13, 2011
Oct. 23 through Oct. 29 is designated nationally as Respiratory Care Week. At Southwest Career and Technical Academy, Mrs. Vicki Smith and her Respiratory Therapy juniors and seniors will host multiple activities each day during lunch to celebrate the event. Some activities will encourage involvement... (more...)
Spirit week reflects safari theme
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
October 7, 2011
From Oct. 10-14, Southwest Career and Technical Academy will hold its first spirit week of the year. Student council members picked four of the spirit days, and students voted for Monday’s dress up day on the Southwest Shadow website. “We hold spirit week to raise the students’... (more...)
Flag football practice begins
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
October 3, 2011
On Oct. 5, flag football practice will begin for students interested in representing their academy in a school assembly to celebrate the Forthcoming Week. Two games will be played. One game will feature professional girls vs. design girls and the other game will feature professional boys vs.... (more...)
New Community Partnership Coordinator named
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
September 20, 2011
At the start of this school year, the Southwest Career and Technical Academy hired a new Community Partnership Coordinator. Mr. Jeffrey Ball was appointed to the position after the former coordinator, Mrs. Gia Moore, was promoted to the position of dean of students at Veteran’s Tribute High... (more...)
SWCTA medical students attend medical fair
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
April 16, 2011
On April 8th, sophomore Respiratory Therapy, Dental Assisting, and Certified Nursing students at Southwest Career and Technical academy attended an event at the College of Southern Nevada to learn about different careers in the medical field. CSN students, as well as guest medical professionals,... (more...)
Career oriented technologies mimic real-life scenarios
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
April 11, 2011
Computers, smart boards and graphing calculators make up the basic technology that educate students in their core classes at Southwest Career and Technical Academy. The career programs areas at SWCTA, however, involve certain specific pieces of technology that provide real-world practices.... (more...)
Coyotes U-Night event planning begins
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
March 16, 2011
Southwest Career and Technical Academy has begun planning a school and community event called “Coyotes U-Night.” This event will take place on May 20, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM and is free to attend. “Coyotes U-Night is a way to bring together the students and the community for a fun... (more...)
Quick tips for successful projects
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
November 29, 2010
Uncooperative teammates? Unfinished work? Unorganized teachers? Mental breakdowns? All of these can be obstacles when dealing with projects. At a project based learning school, such as the Southwest Career and Technical Academy, stressful situations can be very common for students that are... (more...)
HOSA participates in Walk for the Cure
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
November 15, 2010
On November 6, 2010, students at Southwest Career and Technical Academy participated in a walk to raise money for a cure for diabetes. The walk was held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The schools own Health Occupation Students of America members, led by Mrs. Vicki Smith, attended to... (more...)
Students eligible for driving licenses
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
October 19, 2010
This school year, many students from Southwest Career and Technical Academy are starting to drive to and from school. Most of these students are sophomores that have their permit and juniors that have their license. “I got my permit over the summer, the test was really easy” said sophomore... (more...)
Health Science teaches disaster readiness
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
April 28, 2010
Sophomore and freshman health science students at Southwest Career and Technical Academy presented their public health emergency preparedness projects during the week of April 19, 2010. During class, students presented their knowledge about a specific public health emergency to provide awareness... (more...)
First Slam Poetry Contest Showcases Student Writing
Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
March 1, 2010
Freshman English teacher, Mr. Matthew LaPorte, organized a poetry slam on February 17th and 18th for his students as an opportunity to express their feelings through poetry. “A poetry slam is a great way for students to share original pieces, but also including a competitive element to enhance... (more...)
