The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Solving practice questions for her ACT prep, junior Lizeth Ontiveros starts early preparation for testing. Since the way the ACT is administered will change, the junior class may be split into three groups, each testing on a different day. “If all goes well next month then hopefully SWCTA’s schedule will run smoothly,” Ontiveros says. “However, if cases rise again and it’s unsafe to proceed with the exam this year, then I hope juniors will be able to reschedule for our senior year or later this year.”

ACT testing plans underway, despite distance learning

Juliana Borruso and Aila Pasic
January 20, 2021
Expected to test from Feb. 23-25, juniors are going to take the ACT in person.
Starting after winter break, adding new teachers has allowed for smaller class sizes for core classes. After a large intake of freshmen, many classes were larger than normal. “I love it at Southwest,” Whitney Lopez said. “Coming into the distance format, the biggest challenge was how do I adjust all these things that I know we used to hit on, but also, do I need to make adjustments so that I can kind of lighten the load a little bit, so that it’s not so overwhelming all the time.”

New faculty joins Southwest for second semester

Juliana Borruso and Hanae Furugaki
January 14, 2021
The addition of two new English and a science teacher have aided in reducing course sizes.
Although it can be hard to leave a job, assistant principal Trish Taylor is taking her memories and amazing experiences at Southwest to start fresh and build a community of hardworking and diligent students as the principal of East a career and Technical Academy. Taylor spent seven hard years here, even being the subject of an award-winning photo in 2015. “The students have always been fantastic and so much fun to be around,” Taylor said. “The incredible group of professionals at Southwest I will miss terribly.” Photo Credit: Jorge Carrera

Assistant principal Trish Taylor promoted to principal of East Career and Technical Academy

Juliana Borruso
December 7, 2020
Ms. Taylor takes the next step in her career, transferring schools and causing shifts in the administration's office.
In order to ensure students know about circular motion, AP Physics I teacher Patrick Waddington had students choose groups and calculate circular motion on any planet. Circular motion is part of the third unit in AP Physics I. “I hope that students will use the project as a chance to study for their upcoming Circular Motion Test, talk through their misconceptions with group members, and be able to have an interesting bit of trivia info about something that not many are familiar with,” Waddington said. Photo Credit: Juliana Borruso

Students calculate circular motions on different planets

Juliana Borruso
November 23, 2020
Studying circular motion, students in AP Physics I create presentations and calculate forces on a different planet.
DRAW MY SHADOW: Franchesca Ramirez

DRAW MY SHADOW: Franchesca Ramirez

Juliana Borruso
November 6, 2020
Although she hasn't been able to go audition for things as often due to the COVID-19 pandemic, junior Franchesca Ramirez still pursues her dream of being famous one day.
Q&A: What's your favorite kind of Asian BBQ?

Q&A: What’s your favorite kind of Asian BBQ?

Juliana Borruso
October 11, 2020
Students share their opinion on which Asian BBQ is best.
Preparing for future careers, nursing students write pro/con essays on different ethical issues. In the medical field, when evaluating patients, professionals have to take into account multiple things to make the best decision they possibly can. “We have to realize that our opinion isn’t the only one that matters,” junior Marivee Cadiz said. “Sometimes, what we as medical professionals] think is best isn’t what we do.” Art Credit: Juliana Borruso

Nursing students examine ethical dilemmas

Juliana Borruso
September 26, 2020
Working to see different sides of the same story, Nursing III students write essays focusing on different ethical issues.
PODCAST: The one where they go to high school

PODCAST: The one where they go to high school

Gurleen Swaich, Juliana Borruso, and Kamryn Baldenebro
September 17, 2020
Transitioning from middle school to high school is already difficult, but having the added dynamic of trying to keep relationships with your previous friends can be one of the hardest aspects.
DRAW MY SHADOW: Nathan Robles

DRAW MY SHADOW: Nathan Robles

Juliana Borruso
September 16, 2020
When sophomore Nathan Robles heard that one of his favorite YouTube channels, Jubilee, was having a casting call for their latest video, he jumped at the chance.
Practicing her speech on female harassment, junior Lizeth Ontiveros makes sure to include hand gestures at chest level. Students needed to include hand gestures, use an expressive voice, and keep a consistent pace, to earn a good grade. “Being in COM 101 while online is a little bit conflicting because we can’t physically be there to express ourselves for our speeches,” Ontiveros said. “However, I am excited to get into speeches and especially the first one because I am passionate about my topic on [female] harassment and I am looking forward to delivering it.”Photo Credit: Lizeth Ontiveros

Speeches for COM 101 conducted virtually

Gurleen Swaich and Juliana Borruso
September 16, 2020
Taking a different turn this year, teacher Henry Castillo works around internet issues and adjusts guidelines for delivering speeches at home.
The yearbook staff works on their spreads through Jostens Yearbook Avenue. They do this in groups, having three people and an editor to a spread so it’s easier to get it done. “Now that school is out, permanently, all of our photos will be taken from social media,” editor-in-chief Alan Ong said. “Interviewing students will be done over text, social media, email, or through a digital meet.” Photo Credit: Alan Ong

Yearbook production continues despite distance learning

Juliana Borruso and Naila Yazdani
September 9, 2020
With everything being digital, the yearbook staff faces changes while working on this year’s yearbook.
NHS uses Google Classroom to collaborate and share announcements with students. For their first meeting, they are trying to reconnect with members after summer. “We hope to find different ways to connect virtually, do small group activities, and provide community service opportunities that don't involve face to face interactions,” NHS adviser Laura Penrod said. Photo Credit: Screenshot of Google Classroom

Distance learning poses challenges for clubs

Juliana Borruso
August 31, 2020
Figuring out how to make clubs work in a virtual environment, advisers and board members find new ways to have members participate in their club through an online medium.
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