The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Helping a client with their design, senior Jhonathen Romo is figuring out the best graphic styles for their product. He now customizes personal items for his client to purchase with the help of software. "It is satisfying running my own business," Romo said. "Being able to work on my own time and balance it easier than a clock in type job. And it is cool seeing the build up of something you own." Photo Credit: Jhonathen Romo

Driven Innovative Designer: Meet Jhonathen Romo

Ava Julian
December 14, 2021
Romo is displaying his skills by creating custom graphic designs for clients.
Showing off her extensions and nail swatches, junior Adriana Bonilla is ecstatic for her next client to visit her at-home nail salon. This passion has taught Bonilla many new skills, artistically, socially and professionally. “It's so exciting when friends and family will trust me with such big events,” Bonilla said. “When people have details that they need me for, it's nice that I can add something small to their special days.” Photo Credit: Paola Bonilla

Dedicated Nail Artist: Meet Adriana Bonilla

Ashley Harris
December 7, 2021
Junior shares her journey starting an at-home nail salon.
While playing in one of her tournaments, math teacher Tawanna Ervin prepares herself to hit the cue ball to make a shot. “I think I'm more logical than some people and definitely see the angles on the table, even though I always can't get the ball to go in that direction,” Ervin said. Photo Credit: Tawanna Ervin

Ambitious Pool Player: Meet Tawanna Ervin

Gray Barranco
November 16, 2021
After a rigorous day of teaching quadratic formulas and factoring, Tawanna Ervin spends her afternoon playing competitive pool.
Skillful Acrobat: Meet Davis Leavitt

Skillful Acrobat: Meet Davis Leavitt

Lucas Grubb
November 9, 2021
Meet Junior Davis Leavitt who has been flipping since he was 6. It all started when he got a trampoline for Christmas.
Looking at his finished look, junior Karim Abd-Elmalek poses for his next Instagram post. Through drag, Abd-Elmalek has tested what he is truly capable of, breaking boundaries and becoming more confident. “It's nice to let people out there in the world know what I’m doing,” Abd-Emlalek said. “I am a person doing this type of thing, and there's not a lot of people who are my age that do this." Photo Credit: Ashley Harris

Teenage Drag Queen: Meet Karim Abd-Elmalek

Ashley Harris
October 29, 2021
Junior Karim Abd-Elmalek hopes to inspire others through his journey with drag.
Fierce Jiu Jitsu Trainee: Meet Michael Ennis

Fierce Jiu Jitsu Trainee: Meet Michael Ennis

Gurleen Swaich
October 8, 2021
Jiu jitsu fighter Michael Ennis, works with the Vinny Magalhaes Jiu Jitsu team to perfect his weaknesses and be the best martial arts player he can be.
During her Groove season competition in 2020, senior Genelynn De Dios had mixed feelings about getting on stage but knew once she did, she would do an amazing routine. “I loved letting go on stage, but as excited as I was I had more anxiety,” De Dios said. “The only time I had no anxiety was the three minutes I performed on stage and although it was extremely hot and I was dripping sweat it was an amazing and unforgettable experience.” Photo Credit: Genelynn De Dios

Competitive dancer: Meet Genelynn De Dios

Naila Yazdani
September 9, 2021
Advanced dancer Genelynn De Dios shares her journey as a competitive, ambitious performer.
Checking for more business opportunities, sophomore Amir Rostamzadeh shares his enthusiasm and passion towards the world of business. He showcases his business skills through the sales of computer part lists and wants people to realize how interesting PC building really is. “Computers are so built into our lives that it surrounds us everyday,” Rostamzadeh said “I like building them, so why not make a business out of it?” Photo Credit: Amir Rostamzadeh

PC list maker: Meet Amir Rostamzadeh

Truong Phan
May 3, 2021
Having a passion for building PC’s since he was younger, Amir Rostamzadeh has been selling computer parts lists to capitalize on his skills.
After her audition with Nickelodeon, junior Franchesca Ramirez hopes to remember this moment in her life. Ramirez has done multiple auditions with Nickelodeon and other shows in hopes of pursuing acting. “that audition opened up a lot of doors for me as it was my first time auditioning for Nickelodeon,” Ramirez said. “In the span of a year, I have auditioned around 20 times for them now!” Photo Credit: Franchesca Ramirez

Enthusiastic, flourishing actress: Meet Franchesca Ramirez

Naila Yazdani
April 21, 2021
Devoted to acting, junior Franchesca Ramirez hopes to one day fulfill her dream of becoming a famous actress.
Through social media posts, sophomore Van Anh Nguyen shares her enthusiasm and appreciation towards the world of makeup. She showcases her cosmetology skills through her posts and wants people to realize how amazing the medium of makeup really is. “I love doing sharp and striking looks,” Nguyen said. “As Nicki Minaj has once stated, ‘Who wants to look simple, when you can look stunning?’” Photo Credit: Van Anh Nguyen

Makeup Enthusiast: Meet Van Anh Nguyen

Aila Pasic
April 20, 2021
Having a passion for makeup for several years now, Van Anh Nguyen has been posting makeup looks to showcase her skill in the medium.
With her new blog, KEIWIZ, junior Keisha Farrales hopes to spread love and help for other teenagers through hard times. Her blog reflects the current mindset of teenagers and in order to connect with people, Farrales collaborates with her peers to make KEIWIZ an inspirational site. “The main goal of my blog is to make others feel content and inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and to love themselves,” Farrales said. “I feel like most teenagers nowadays don't feel as worthy or they feel like they're not enough.” Photo credit: Keisha Farrales.

Rising blogger: Meet Keisha Farrales

Lily Gurdison
March 2, 2021
Junior Keisha Farrales Inspires others through her new health, beauty blog, KEIWIZ
After junior Gabrielle Bagtas cold brews Butterfly Pea Flower tea, she pours it into a plastic cup. She focuses on adding the right amount of flavors to enhance the taste of the tea. “I really love changing up traditional and herbal teas into drinks that are more modern,” Bagtas said. “I think out of all the tea experiments I have done, I love making the color-changing tea.” Photo Credit: Gabrielle Bagtas

Making Life Beau-tea-ful: Meet Gabrielle Bagtas

Kayla Thomas
February 25, 2021
Experimenting with different flavors to create the perfect mix, junior Gabrielle Bagtas further expands her knowledge on the artistry of making tea.
« Previous Page — Next Page »