The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
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Dating has encountered many changes, where traditional standards have become outdated due to cultural shifts.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
In recent weeks, President Donald J Trump has broken records for executive issues ordered. So far, he has broken the record for most orders issued within the first day and week in office, previously held by former President Joe Biden. “I think Trump is doing as much as he plans to do,” sophomore Christian Reyes said. “I think America has always been a country with flaws, and whether or not the executive order addresses them is another discussion, but sometimes more isn’t better. You really need quality legislation passed through channels that will really take effect for years and years, which would be Congress, and not just executive orders which might go away after four years with the new president.”

Significant Signatures: President Trump’s Executive Orders

Ava Torres, Feature Editor
March 26, 2025
A look at President Donald Trump’s eventful return to office and changes enacted within the first months of his second term.
Ramirez grins as she poses with a completed project. She often works for several hours everyday on her projects since getting into the hobby by accident. “I’ve been crocheting for about two years.” Junior Kasandra Ramirez said, “My little sister wanted to get into crocheting, but I ended up doing it instead.”

Crochet enthusiast and upcoming entrepreneur: Meet Kasandra Ramirez

Hayden Hunt, Staff Writer
March 26, 2025
Kasandra Ramirez continues her crocheting journey with dreams of entrepreneurship
Scissors in hand, junior Ghiada Ferraer cuts out her design traced on the fabric. After creating a basic sketch, students were allowed to start building their project. “At first I wanted to do Scruff, but she said that we weren’t allowed to do Ugly Doll characters that have already been made, so I decided to do Scruff but turn it into me.” Ferraer said. “The biggest challenge I think everyone has faced is finding fabrics that match what you want to do, and then finding enough of that fabric, so a lot of people had to change their ideas.”

An Hour In…Design Crafts

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
March 24, 2025
Find out how students in Design Crafts create their Ugly Doll projects.
Once lost in the nervous buzz of competition, now a calm and focused presence on stage. “Do it for fun, even if you're not going to win,” sophomore October Rosales said. “Some kids go to these competitions constantly, just be there, play, and enjoy the game.”

Competitive Gamer: Meet October Rosales

Isabella Sandoval, Staff Writer
March 11, 2025

From Local Tournaments To Regional Showdowns, Ronzeles Brings Their A-Game. What started as endless races on virtual tracks became a journey of unexpected opportunities and competitive thrills, from...

Hitting his drums, junior Oliver Rondez matches the beat of the song “Creep” by Radiohead. Jam Club members hosted a rehearsal for the upcoming BSU basketball tournament. “We’ve been thinking about doing a little halftime show,” Rondez said. "Jam Club was thinking of working as a pep band because most schools have them to liven up the mood.”

An Hour In … Jam Club

Zelina Panissidi, Social Media Editor
March 10, 2025
Find out what Jam Club members are planning for the BSU basketball tournament.
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