The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
To practice for the English ACT, juniors Veronica Zamudio and Solia Carroll are trying to agree on an answer. “I think I was overthinking a lot of it, so I couldn’t really get a lot of questions right,” Zamudio said. “I was too scared to answer because then I would have gotten them wrong.”

An Hour In … AP English Lang and Comp

Hunter Rhee, Multimedia Editor
February 19, 2025
AP Lang students work on ACT practice.

Visit One of The Many Unique Exhibitions in Area15: Wink World

Yara Ahmed, Shadow Files Reporter
February 17, 2025
Learn more about Area15's exhibitions.
“Living Rhythms” performer Greg Ince leads his fellow drummer Dakarai Ince through the Kuku rhythm. This popular rhythm was played at a fast tempo. “I found the music to be loud and powerful,” junior Ryan Cruz said, “It was really interesting seeing how they displayed their ability to show their culture through dramatic movements and sounds.”

BSU organizes first-ever “Living Rhythms” performance during lunch

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
February 14, 2025
Students experience a taste of traditional African music in the cafeteria.
Students exchange compliments with their peers while giving out yarn from their ‘warm fuzzies.’ This event created moments of kindness that will be remembered after the activity ends. “Warm fuzzies are something people can wear around their neck on Valentine's day,” Senior Class Secretary Alexis Taing said. “You can give out words of affirmation, like saying, ‘Hey! You have a nice outfit today.”

Warm Fuzzies Return for Valentine’s Day

Isabella Sandoval, Staff Writer
February 14, 2025
A StuCo tradition of spreading love around the school and bringing students together as a community is brought back every February to boost students' confidence in themselves and others. 
Valentine's Day Around the World

Valentine’s Day Around the World

Hayden Hunt, Staff Writer
February 14, 2025
Learn more about how other countries and cultures celebrate the day of love
Collecting money for the King or Queen of hearts fundraiser, President of the Book Club Adrienne Vera-Perez kindly asks for donations. She asked students to donate before class to help raise money for the American Heart Association. “I really appreciate getting the opportunity to help raise money for the American Heart Association,” Vera-Perez said. “I think they spread awareness about an important cause and I like that I get to do this for my club too.”

StuCo Begins The Yearly King or Queen of Hearts Fundraiser

Celia Evangelista, Staff Writer
February 13, 2025
The long awaited ‘King or Queen of Hearts’ fundraiser starts up again on February 11th.
Spinning her cup with the string length longer than before, senior CJ Estrellas laughs while trying to keep a hold of the cups rotation. By increasing the string length, the tension is increased as well as the risk of the cup’s water falling out. “We have all these components and it’s really important [to get them right] because it can risk people lives,” Estrellas said. “They can risk your own life. Its like preventing risk factors, and that’s why applying it [physics] to real life is a real eye opener because I really saw what was going to happen if I make a mistake or don’t understand principles and calculations behind it [our project].”

An Hour In… AP Physics Lab

Ava Torres, Features Editor
February 12, 2025
Students in AP Physics Lab apply mathematical and physics related principles to real life
Answering caucus questions, freshman Rhaine Dahill gets interviewed on stage in front of Key Club members. While new board members were elected, their term does not officially begin until the District Convention in April.

Club Preview: A Look Into The Week Of Feb. 10

Kailie Sicolo, News Editor
February 11, 2025
FCCLA prepares for their state competition, Key Club hosts Valentine’s Day themed activities, and BSU celebrates spirit week.
Breaking News: We The People Advance to Nationals

Breaking News: We The People Advance to Nationals

Kailie Sicolo and Achilles Caranto
February 7, 2025
Southwest Tech defeats six teams to go to Washington DC
Working with a friend, junior Joanna Mengistu pies one of her teachers at last year’s Pie-A-Palooza event. All proceeds raised last year went to fund prom. “My experience at last year’s Pie-A-Palooza was amazing,” Mengistu said. “It was such a fun experience and I could clearly see that it brought students, teachers, and staff together in great ways.”

Pie-A-Palooza Fundraiser Makes Annual Return

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 6, 2025
Junior Class of 2026 brings back Pie-A-Palooza event to raise money for prom.
Elijah Cruz drums for the Lohan School of Shaolin. The rest of the team lion danced to match his beat. “It’s cool to see so many lion dancers move when I hit the drum and at the speed I want them to move,” sophomore Elijah Ray Cruz said.

Heart of A Drummer: Meet Elijah Cruz

Rheyland Simon, Writer
February 5, 2025
Ever since he was nine years old, sophomore Elijah Cruz has been beating drums as loud as a lion’s heart.
Leading the meeting, president Tiffany Tan gives necessary information to club members. Drama Club held auditions for their upcoming play projected to be held in April.

Club Preview: A Look Into The Week Of Feb. 3

Kailie Sicolo, News Editor
February 4, 2025
Drama Club prepares for their upcoming play, The Meteorology Association builds terrariums, and Estudiantes Unidos prepares for elections.
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