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The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Displaying a QR code for students to scan, the flyer allows students to sign up and learn about their desired colleges as they visit throughout the school year. Many schools have had additional presentations for students to learn more about what they offer. “For me, I’m interested in criminal justice,” junior Zion Jefferson said. “I know that UNLV and Nevada State University have this major. But, [the college fair] is going to be beneficial, so I can see what other schools offer as well.”

More Than Fifteen Colleges Set to Visit Campus

Johnny Tao, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
October 20, 2025
Students will have a chance to learn about what each school has to offer.
Working in the Student Success Office, Attendance Secretary Lordis Depiazza inputs a student’s absence excuse note. Students are required to bring an excuse note to the attendance office within three days of any absence. “Reminding students that being in school is important because it reflects towards your grades and being able to do any activities with the school,” Depiazza said. “[It] seems to get the students' attention about wanting to be in school.”

Student Success Office Working To Decrease Chronic Absenteeism Rate

Janica Zamora, Staff Writer
October 17, 2025
Administration is pushing for less absences as part of the school’s improvement plan.
Arranging the fabric on the floor for a new project, senior Sapphyre-Ann Leung plans out her attire for the next deadline. With the recent closures, students now had limited resources and less margin for error with the fabric and materials they had in stock while trying to reach strict deadlines. “Joann’s had a lot of high-end fabric for our fashion competitions,” Leung said. “We couldn’t just buy ten yards of fabric from Hobby Lobby or Walmart. Since [Joann Fabrics] is no longer open, we have to buy items online, which is way more expensive.”

Local Fabric Shop Closures Strain Fashion Department Resources

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
October 15, 2025
Major fabric shop discontinuations are leaving the fashion department with higher costs, fewer options and new challenges for student projects.
Prizes include boba, an achievement medal with a luncheon and a special-edition cap and gown. Previously, there were no incentives given for ACT testing. “We know our students can achieve better ACT scores,” Community Partnership Coordinator Ryan Zaro said. “Their classes academically show us that they should be performing higher than what the ACT is telling us our students are performing at.”

ACT Incentives Aim to Increase Student Composite Scores

Zelina Panissidi, News Editor
October 13, 2025
Juniors taking the ACT will have the opportunity to win prizes if their composite score is 21 or above.
To celebrate the Week of Respect, Student Council member Aldrich Razon hangs up a note card on a teacher’s door to recognize the staff member. Earlier in the week, students submitted more than 100 messages through a school-wide form. “By writing letters of appreciation, we hope teachers feel more connected to their students, and students feel the same way about their teachers,” Razon said. “It’s a simple way to build a stronger school community.”

StuCo Delivers Teacher Appreciation Notes

Kobe Delos Reyes, Staff Writer
October 13, 2025
As part of a new initiative for the Week of Respect, the Student Council collected over 100 appreciation messages from students and turned them into handwritten notes posted on teachers’ doors, aiming to strengthen community and lift spirits during a stressful season.
Practicing the basic skills of nursing, sophomore Natalia Yancey gets her heartbeat checked with a stethoscope. Sophomore nursing students reviewed skills from freshman year. “I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field; it’s been my dream forever,” Yancey said. “Doing [practice skills] so early on is not only an amazing opportunity, but it helps me to prepare for my future.”

Teaching Positions in Two CTE Programs, Special Education Remain Vacant

DJ Madamba, Staff Writer
October 8, 2025
Programs Culinary and Nursing, as well as special education, face openings
Participating in an icebreaker activity, TSA members deliver randomly selected objects around the room to board members to score points. Students were divided into teams of four and raced to be the first to bring various items to board members scattered throughout the room. “It was a fun activity that let me meet new people that I wouldn't have otherwise,” senior Armando Aguilar said. “I'm glad that each meeting starts with something physically engaging before we get to actual tech content.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF OCT. 6

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
October 6, 2025
TSA prepares members for state competitions, Amnesty International plans a jeopardy game and Crochet Club will begin to teach members basic skills.
Students attending last year's ‘Homecoming Wrapped’ dance to current trending music. The 2026 theme is “Venetian Nights.”  “We want to create new experiences,” Student Body Vice President Ava Kamman said. “We have a really fun backdrop idea that I'm excited for people to do. It's interactive and it just lets people get creative. Hopefully by the end of the night, it'll create one kind of big art piece that people can take pictures with. I think it's going to be really, really cool.” Photo Credit: Oliver Rondez

Student Council to Host ‘Venetian Nights’ Homecoming

Celia Evangelista, Co-Activities Director
October 5, 2025
Tickets will be available from Sept. 29 through Oct. 10, or until they sell out.
Writing heartfelt messages, juniors Angel White and Aurora Parks make teacher appreciation cards. Members of Key Club were granted service hours for participating in the activity. “We were given supplies like markers and pencils to decorate our cards,” White said. “It was a fun way of being creative and working on something to show our support for our teachers.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF SEPT. 29

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
September 29, 2025
Key Club prepares for RTC, NHS plans to debate hypotheticals and Psych Club learns about color therapy.
Displaying information about colleges and future planning, the NextGrad digital board in the Upper C building draws students' attention. Junior Khyle Colloma previously used the display to explore college options and plan his next steps. “It’s nice to have everything right here to help me figure out what my next step should be,” Colloma said. “I really like having the materials and resources to be able to decide.”

NextGrad’s digital display brings college resources to campus

Kobe Delos Reyes, Staff Writer
September 29, 2025
A new digital screen in Upper C is part of a district-wide partnership with NextGrad to support college and career readiness.
Ready to start class, Music 121 teacher Michael Woxland reviews the course’s daily agenda. Woxland believes his degree in music history has made him a perfect candidate for teaching this class. “It marries my two favorite things: Music and History,” Woxland said. “I was excited to find out that NSU offered a Dual Enrollment option for this particular subject. I was happy to bring another elective to campus that could help students get college credit.”

Course Catalog Expands for 2026

John Pinili, Staff Writer
September 26, 2025
Dual enrollment Music 121 and several enterprise courses now offered.
Serving as a news anchor for the morning announcements, sophomore Avalon Triplett reads the script for the day’s episode. Video Production students recorded the announcements which were shown during third and fourth periods. “I feel proud of myself as everyone can see my work,” Triplett said. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment as it allows me to utilize my creative side that benefits the school.”

New Bell Schedule Implemented to Allow for Morning Announcements

DJ Madamba, Staff Writer
September 25, 2025
Administration added extra minutes to periods three and four to give teachers more time to show the morning announcements.