The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
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.
At a young age freshman, Narek Tonoyan was inspired by his teacher, Mr. Thomas, to start coding. Through this creative inspiration, he discovered a new passion that he would be able to continue by attending SWCTA. “My coding teacher was a man named Mr. Thomas and he worked at my fifth grade elementary school, Lomie G. Heard Academy (previously Marzano Academy),” Tonoyan said. “He was a very nice and kind man, always trying his best to solve any issues we had, and if it hadn't been for him, I probably would not have taken the Digital Game Development as my career choice.” Photo Credit: Narek Tonoyan

Youngest Freshman: Meet Narek Tonoyan

Tishie Nyitray
December 8, 2020
Youngest freshman Narek Tonoyan shares his unique school experience before and during highschool.
Holding her favorite animal, a sloth, Caipa enjoys the natural aspects of the Amazon Rainforest while posing for a picture. Caipa has had many wonderful Amazon experiences volunteering, but the unique animals make her trip even better. “I happen to love sloths and I’ve been able to hold baby sloths and get to see them in the wild,” Caipa said. “We go out in the morning and look for them in the trees. I’ve seen a lot of interesting birds and held huge pythons. We get to go into the canopy walkway, which is 126 feet off the rainforest floor, it’s absolutely amazing.” Photo Credit: Kimberly Caipa

Generous Volunteer: Meet Kimberly Caipa

Hannah Paine
November 5, 2020
New Freshman Studies teacher has found a love for volunteering and helping students in the Amazon.
Running an engine inspection on an old Mac truck, the new automotive instructor, Bertrand Potts started in the automotive trade right out of high school and quickly progressed in the field. “I was the North American Feild Team Leader, testing out oil formulations in trucks, busses, boats, you name it.  I was in charge of testing different oils in field-applications” Potts said. Photo Credit: Bertrand Potts

New Automotive Teacher: Meet Bertrand Potts

Lily Gurdison
October 27, 2020

From experimenting with motor oil to working on navy submarines, the new automotive instructor, Bertrand Potts has a long history of schooling and career work in his field. “I have been in the automotive...

In a synchronized pose, junior Carson Amen and his dance mates precisely hit every beat in their demanding choreography at the 2018 Battle of the Year performance in France. He has been breakdancing for six years and is aiming to compete in the 2024 Olympics. "Dancing has definitely taught me the value of hard work and how important it is to find something you're passionate about," Amen said. "It's also allowed me to meet a lot of new people. It's been a huge part of my life and something I can't imagine not doing." Photo Credit: Carson Amen

Dancing Fanatic: Meet Carson Amen

Hanae Furugaki
October 22, 2020
Dancing machine, Carson Amen takes his breakdancing to the next level with his fixed mindset towards achieving his goals.
Sitting on the examination table inside the doctor’s office, Bianca Kingham gets an x-ray done on both her legs. The diaphysis of the shin bone on her left leg broke off from the epiphysis of the bone, leaving the remainder of the part connected to the Femur jagged. “I constantly had to switch a [medical] boot between both legs,” Kingham said.

Pivoting Paths: Meet Bianca Kingham

Kayla Thomas
October 15, 2020
After talented basketball athlete, Bianca Kingham had been badly injured, she changed her career focus to the medical field and began volunteering.
Adding a few more finishing touches to her digital creation that took her hours to complete, Junior Fashion student Ana Gonzalez She has been creating her own art since a young age, improving little by little. “It’s a great way to express myself and very therapeutic. I know I can always turn to my art to calm me down after a hectic and stressful day,” Gonzalez said.* Photo Credit: Ana Gonzalez

An Emotional Artist: Meet Ana Gonzalez

Madison Land
October 8, 2020
Ana Gonzalez shares how she got into art and how it helps express herself.
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