The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
News consumption is shifting away from traditional articles and toward short-form digital content. Many young people cited convenience and accessibility as key reasons for this shift.

Journalism’s New Home is the For You Page

Philipos Alebachew, Editor in Chief
May 5, 2025
As journalism adapts to shrinking attention spans, newer generations are turning to influencers and short clips instead of vetted reporting to stay informed.
Corrina Terry is running through beautiful National Parks. In the past, she has flown out to be able to participate in the races, exhibiting her determination. “I was running in the Lake Powell half marathon in Page Arizona—it was beautiful,” Terry said.

Racing around the states: Meet Corrina Terry

Brooke Weyandt, Staff Writer
April 30, 2025
Determined runner and English teacher talks through her cross country journey.
People are conversing through small phrases and acronyms to explain emotions without explaining too much.

Short and Sweet: A Shift in Language in the Digital Age

Angel White, Staff Writer
April 29, 2025
The constant change in social media has influenced others to change the way they communicate
With the economy starting to change, the young generation has decided to prioritize more creative-based paths.

Gen Z: Redefining Milestones

Amelia Castellanos, Staff Writer
April 25, 2025
After many generations, Gen Z is redefining traditional rites of passage.
Tinkering with the engine of an excavator, junior Wyatt Adams takes apart pieces of the machine to take the engine out of the back. During guidance periods, Automotive teacher Bert Potts calls on Adams to assist with projects that are then used for class demonstrations. “I'm helping to swap out the engine on this excavator during my guidance period,” Adams said. “It's a big help to Mr. Potts while giving me something fun to do.”

Reliable Repairman: Meet Wyatt Adams

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
April 23, 2025
Talented automotive student takes advantage of all the career opportunities provided to him
Today, collecting designer figurines such as Labubu’s, Sonny Angels, and Smiskis have become popular collectable items, with hundreds of people trying to get their hands on one. These collectibles have gained immense popularity, changing the scope of collectibles from occasional purchases to overconsumption. “I store my figurines by hanging shelves and storing them there,” senior Donavan Leung said. “Honestly, what makes me excited when collecting figurines is when I get to open them and hang them up. It’s fun to open the figurines, especially since most of them are blind bags. I don’t buy them often, but when I see something I really like or want, I get it.”

FROM BLIND BOXES TO MYSTERY SURPRISES: HOW FIGURINE COLLECTING BECAME WORLDWIDE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
April 17, 2025
Today, collectible figurines have become a worldwide phenomenon for people of all ages.
Sitting in her room, junior Jada DeJesus strums the guitar. DeJesus has learned to play many songs through her guitar. “I plan on learning how to play Velvet Ring by Big Thief,” Dejesus said. “It's a good song so I need to lock in and learn it.”

Adaptable Artist: Meet Jada DeJesus

Amelia Castellanos, Staff Writer
April 16, 2025
Junior comes from a long line of generational talent.
Posing with her Hello Kitty collection, sophomore Joyce Harveston shows off her newest addition. Her collection has grown throughout the past decade and houses well over 300 trinkets. “I just spent a lot of Holiday money on the Care Bear Hello Kitties,” Harveston said. “Care Bears and Hello Kitty did a collaboration, and they are like $200 online.”

Hello Kitty Lover: Meet Joyce Harveston

Natalia Klonowski, Staff Writer
April 9, 2025
Harveston explains her passion for Hello Kitty Collectibles.
Dating has encountered many changes, where traditional standards have become outdated due to cultural shifts. In the past, dating meant finding your romantic partner and developing deeper connections, but now dating has experienced changes in everything from gender roles, stages and communication, growing more complex. “We can go back all the way to early human civilization, the European model approach where we see that dating was superfluous, extra [and] unnecessary,” COM 101/102 teacher Henry Evans said. ”Weddings were more seen as a business transaction governed by families. Now we have Valentine’s Day and so many ways to wine and dine and lure people in for romantic interests.”

A NEW TRANSITION: A LOOK INTO THE CHANGES OF DATING CULTURE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
April 4, 2025
Today’s dating culture is almost unrecognizable compared to the past.
'Favorite Movie' Contest

‘Favorite Movie’ Contest

Zelina Panissidi, Social Media Editor
April 4, 2025
Tell us your favorite movie for a chance to win.
LAST MONTH IN SPORTS: MARCH

LAST MONTH IN SPORTS: MARCH

Nino Galloway, Sports Writer
April 4, 2025
The last month in sports has been action-packed in every sense of the word, so let’s take a look back.
Managing the volleyball team, junior Liam Day takes his time carefully planning out each practice to give his team their best chances for success. Planning out practices ensured that the team was prepared the best they could to ensure optimal performance on the court. “Being able to notice the mistakes the team makes helps me be able to really focus on what they need to work on,” Day said. “If they shank a couple of balls, we’ll focus on passing. Or if they're not calling out during plays, we’ll work on communication. It’s all about figuring out what went wrong and using practice to fix it so we get better each day.”

Behind the Whistle: Meet Liam Day

Jaden Espinueva, Staff Writer
April 2, 2025
Junior Liam Andre Day illustrates what it's like to be a volleyball manager
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