The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Demonstrating discipline and elegance, junior Ashton Yim warms up before starting his daily wushu practice. Warming up prepared Yim’s body before his real training began. “You have to think about it as a transitioning phase,” Yim said. “Before warming up, our joints, muscles, and mind are cold which can lead to injuries. Warming up helps the athletes to get prepared for big ranged movements. For my sport, this is especially necessary. Warming up would prevent me from dislocating, tearing, or fracturing bones, muscles, and joints. One small mistake and it could cost you your career. No muscle or joint can adjust into a heavily dynamic movement after you’ve sat down for seven hours of schooling.”

Wushu Martial Artist: Meet Ashton Yim

Jaden Espinueva, Staff Writer
November 11, 2024
Junior Ashton Yim explains his experience growing up doing Wushu martial arts.
Standing next to Principal Donna Levy and UNR President Brian Sandoval, psychology and US history teacher Benjamin Lacombe showcases his new award. Lacombe received this award while teaching a class to the excitement of his students. “We were giving him a round of applause,” junior Valentina Escobar said. “I really think he deserves it.”

Transforming Lives Through Teaching: Meet Benjamin Lacombe

Hayden Hunt, Staff Writer
October 21, 2024
Hardworking teacher gets recognition after years of providing quality education
Hitting a high note in the song “Goddess” by Laufey, junior Danna Kim focuses on controlling her vocals. Kim was given the opportunity to perform on stage during last year’s Coyote Coachella. “I was so happy I wasn’t the only one singing,” Kim said. “Everyone was amazing and such great singers/performers and it made me feel heartfelt when singing mine as well.”

Classically Born Soloist: Meet Danna Kim

Zelina Panissidi and Joy Ryan
September 26, 2024
Junior shares her experience as a multilingual opera singer and pianist.
Posing during a band photo shoot, Roxana Huve is ready for the next chapter in her musical journey. “I choose songs that have a nice baseline,” Huve said. “Honestly, when I choose a song, I don't think about the drummer because a drummer can always complicate a drum line, but it's harder to complicate a baseline. The guitar player can add whatever embellishments he wants as a metal guitar player. So I tell him to slow down on the shredding. Other than that, he can play whatever he wants.”

Multi-Talented Musician: Meet Roxana Huve

Venice Jingco and Zelina Panissidi
August 19, 2024
Junior Roxana Huve shares her experience with building a musical career.
Rocking out on stage, THE REDPILLS perform a cover of “Looking Out for You” by Joy Again at Coyote Coachella 2024. The band also performed in 2023 where they experienced playing in front of a crowd for the first time. “Performing at Coyote Coachella was super fun for all of us,” drummer Oliver Rondez said. “Seeing the crowd that we had brought together really made me and my band members super happy. It’s really satisfying to see people enjoying the music that you are making.”

Sweet Sounds: Meet THE REDPILLS

Adrienne Vera-Perez and Joy Ryan
May 1, 2024
THE REDPILLS share their experiences as an up-and-coming band, future plans and releases.
Danica Ruiz posing for a photo in front of a beautiful backdrop, “There are so many (inspirational), amazing, beautiful singers and songwriters out there,” Ruiz said. She has professional looking photos done to post to social media and on resumes.

Singer and Songwriter: Meet Danica Ruiz

Hayden Hunt, Staff writer
March 25, 2024
Sophomore Danica Ruiz has been following her dream of becoming a famous singer/songwriter since she was a kid.
Joining the march, freshman Jaidyn Eddington sets to interact with the cheering crowd alongside her float. After the exhausting preparation of puppet-handling and choreography, the Halloween parade was ready. “I guess it's just a big pile of dopamine,” Eddington said. “Like you're constantly happy, you're loving the work environment, you're loving seeing the smiles on everyone's faces as you go down the streets; everyone's positive, everyone tries their hardest to make everyone smile, and it's just a good experience.” Photo credit: Leslie Robertson

Determined Parade Marcher: Meet Jaidyn Eddington

Venice Jingco, Staff writer
March 5, 2024
Jaidyn Eddington shares her pursuit in parade performances.
Cooking with her stepdad and stepbrother, junior Maria Flor Bordinhon enjoys one of her many hobbies. As a culinary student, she is devoted to the art of cooking. “I really love cooking,” Bordinhon said. “It’s fun for me to cook up new dishes for my family and just experiment with recipes I’ve never tried before.”

Jack of all Trades: Meet Maria Flor Bordinhon

Kylie Dacquel, Staff Writer
February 28, 2024
Bordinhon shares her journey in expanding her knowledge on a variety of skills.
Posing on the ski lift, senior Neah Tablit ascends up Lee Canyon Ski Resort’s mountains. Lee Canyon has served as an outlet for individuals, like Tablit, to learn new skills like snowboarding, as extreme winter sports aren’t prevalent in Las Vegas. “I was able to step out of my comfort zone,” Tablit said. “Snowboarding introduced me to a completely new physical activity that requires balance, coordination, and strength, which was unfamiliar to me and challenging at first. Snowboarding allowed me to overcome my fear of falling and push myself to try new tricks.”

Enthusiastic Snowboarder: Meet Neah Tablit

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Senior Neah Tablit illustrates her snowboarding journey.
Performing at an open mic, senior Alina Adams sings an original song. “I asked the owner when and where it was, and I went down there and I sang three songs,” Alina Adams said. “They asked me to come back and host the next one. I've been hoping to go back and work on more stuff and like bring new songs to help myself get over stage fright.”

Aspiring Music Artist: Meet Alina Adams

Daphney Garcia Hatton and Paizley Swaney
February 7, 2024
Adams’ music career is on the rise.
Standing beside their prized plushies, sophomore Marcrow Farinas has grown their collection bit by bit. “I got my plushies online,” sophomore Marcrow Farinas said. “Sometimes from my parents or birthdays too. My favorite is the Springbonnie plush. I bring it everywhere with me and I clean it at least once a day.”

FNAF Fanatic: Meet Marcrow Farinas

Venice Jingco, Staff writer
January 8, 2024
Sophomore Marcrow Farinas expresses their obsession of eight years; FNAF.
Competing in the Vegas Cubing Fall 2023 competition, sophomore Preston Schwartz rushes to solve the Pyraminx puzzle. Schwartz has competed in various competitions to display his skills. “The Pyraminx [puzzle] is my best event,” Schwartz said. “It’s the one that I focus the most on.”

Rubik’s Cube Champion: Meet Preston Schwartz

Zelina Panissidi, Staff Writer
December 6, 2023
Sophomore trains his skill of solving Rubik’s Cubes.
Next Page »