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The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Designing her next work of art,  junior Carly Smith uses the sharpness of her pencil to etch defined, accurate lines across the paper’s smooth surface. Smith practiced doodling tattoo designs in her sketchbook. “I try a lot of different mediums when it comes to anything art related,” Smith said. “I am willing to try anything new.”

Photographer: @carlyforniagirls Instagram

The World of Arts & Crafts: Meet Carly Smith

Aanya Miller, Staff Writer
October 1, 2025
Through her passion and dedication to the arts, Carly Smith expresses her love of drawing and painting.
Mikayla Tabada displays this spring theme inspired nail set.

Aspiring Nail Artist: Meet Mikayla Tabada

Michaela Bustamante, Staff Writer
September 26, 2025
Tabada discusses her experiences with nails and starting a business.
Erevis Sosniak, sophomore,  shoots the puck during a hockey match with his team, the Las Vegas Warriors. After a summer of devoted training, Sosniak performed a hat trick, or three goals for a single game, in his first match of the season. “It’s just my love of the sport. I love being out on the ice…I’ve been training myself to get lower and lower every time, it allows me to go faster because it creates a longer stride,” Sosniak said.

A Champion of Hockey: Erevis Sosniak

Carter Hunt, Staff Writer
September 24, 2025
Sosniak has played hockey for the majority of his life and has performed well in a traveling team for the past two years, experiencing highs and lows as he strives to improve himself and the team.
Maintaining a fully extended, stretched-out body, Atalya Carroll continues to swing 360-degree rotations around the bar. She was performing her giant swing, the movement that she had been practicing for hours. “This year I have been super determined to get in the gym and put in 110%, instead of just 50% or 80%,” Carroll said.

The Making of A Gymnast: Meet Atalya Carroll

Karmen Cao, Staff Writer
September 23, 2025
The heartfelt journey of a 12-year gymnast.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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...

Preparing to squat during a competition, sophomore Larry Fulgencio readies to lift a record-breaking squat. He got first place in weight class and age division. “This was one of my most challenging yet rewarding moments I have been lucky enough to accomplish,” Fulgencio said. “It will always be in my memories.”

Unbelievable Powerlifter: Meet Larry Fulgencio

Celia Evangelista, Staff Writer
March 4, 2025
Sophomore Larry Fulgencio shares his journey as a teen powerlifter.