The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

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 dont feel as worthy or they feel like theyre 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.
 While many students have turned to baking and singing during lockdown, sophomore Annie Lin began writing poetry to express her thoughts and emotions. “These past two weeks have been quite a journey and being able to see that people are sharing my poems and messaging me about how they relate warms my heart,” Lin said.  Photo Credit: Annie Lin

INSPIRING POET: ANNIE LIN

Kamryn Baldenebro
February 23, 2021
Sophomore Annie Lin has turned to poetry and writing to help herself grow.
Posing for her picture in the lake, freshman Danika Molina holds her stance. Molina has been a dancer since she was two years old and has ever since competed. “ I love my sport because it allows me to express myself when I can’t find the right words.” 
Photo credits: Evolve Dance Center

Skillful Dancer: Meet Danika Molina

Lily Gurdison
February 18, 2021
Competitively dancing for almost nine years, freshman Danika Molina has been to many high-level competitions along the western United States.
While many of us are locked down in our homes, sophomore Genevy Machuca has found a way to utilize the time by making homemade cookies to sell online with her close friend Alyssa Yozamp. The new business offers cookies in a variety of flavors, such as red velvet and peanut butter. Credit: Genevy Machuca

Online cookie business owner: Meet Genevy Machuca

Hanae Furugaki
February 11, 2021
Sophomore Genevy Machuca shares her story of being an online cookie store owner
Displaying all of the awards she has earned through the years, sophomore Marivee Cadiz poses with her black belt. “It gives me a sense of life and purpose when I step on the taekwondo mat,” Cadiz said. “It gives me a reason to keep going and learn from my mistakes and improve them. Even though the sport isn’t easy, it gave me a reason to work harder, but also smarter. It gives me lessons that I could use in reality, not only self-defense, but also improves my mental health.”

Fearless Taekwondo athlete: Meet Marivee Cadiz

Gurleen Swaich
February 4, 2021
Hoping to professionally teach taekwondo one day, sophomore Marivee Cadiz is dedicated to becoming the best.
Rhythmically moving her body to the sound of hip hop, senior Sandra Amores practices in her garage late at night. For years, Amores has been practicing in her garage as a way for her to manifest her emotions physically. “I can express myself however I want without saying anything,” Amores said.

Moving to the Groove: Meet Sandra Amores

Rhamil Taguba
January 19, 2021
Professional dancer, senior Sandra Amores looks forward to her career as a dancer or dance teacher.
Holding the “envelope” of the balloon up, sophomore Landon Sims and his brother assemble their own hot-air balloon at sunrise. Initially fascinated by the process it took to assemble the hot air balloon, Sims began to learn how to fly in one. “I got really attracted to it when I got to experience helping out, then getting to fly in it as the reward later on.” (Photo Credit: Landon Sims)

Exploring from the Skies: Meet Landon Sims

Rhamil Taguba
December 10, 2020
Aspiring ballooner takes to the skies after meeting with an experienced pilot.

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