The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Outlining his expectations for writing assignments, US Government & Economics teacher Joseph Juliano makes sure that students understand the task at hand. First semester was based on specific political ideas, but seniors have the opportunity to creatively express their beliefs and priorities. “I have known about this contest for a long time, but some years I didn’t introduce it to the full class as an assignment, rather just showed them the opportunity,” Juliano said. “In the past I had a student who won our local Las Vegas contest. She was invited to a luncheon at the district court and awarded a nice check for $1500.”

Seniors Create 28th Amendment for Civics Contest

Ashley Harris, News and Features Editor
February 23, 2023
Students of Joseph Juliano’s Government class participate in the Ninth Circuit Civics Contest.
Carefully looking over state standards and criteria, newly appointed English 10 H and 11 teacher Pier Shoates creates lesson plans. Since the start of the second semester, Shoates has made the move from support staff to teaching. “I have a way better understanding of how students are now,” Shoates said. “I can see it from both the staff perspective and the student perspective.”

New ‘Teacher Pathway’ Program for Future CCSD Employees Hopes to add to pipeline

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
February 21, 2023
Higher education schools and CCSD are now offering paid tuition for CCSD employees to become classroom educators.
Researching legislative bills, seniors Yusra Shafique, Vassily Tan, and Jacob Gallardo expand their knowledge on the government and how it’s run. This research acted as the first step of making Laura Penrod’s students more politically aware. “I’m teaching them adult skills that they need to know how to do,” Penrod said. “Some of my students want to own businesses or go off and have these lives and careers that won’t be possible if legislation passes that doesn’t go in their favor.”

English 102 Students Research Legislative Officials For First Project

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
February 14, 2023
Laura Penrod integrates politics into her NSC Dual Credit English 102 class.
Touching up highlights on a skirt, senior Karim Abd-Elmalek finishes the first design in his collection. The runway show will be held in mid-April. “I definitely have to not procrastinate on this,” Abd-Elmalek said. “I think we will get it done, I just have to manage my time well so I am able to get all of the elements I want in my finished garment.”

Pattern Drafting Seniors Begin Designing Capstone

Tishie Nyitray, Editor in Chief
February 10, 2023
Seniors in Pattern Drafting are illustrating their capstone collections.
Deliberating with his fellow BSU members, sophomore Demetrios West confirms the outline for the poster before continuing to write. Since mid-January, BSU members have been working on posters that were hung in all the hallways. “It was fun, but it was stressful because we were limited on time,” sophomore Rediate Hunde said.

BSU Hosts ‘Princess and the Frog’ Movie Night in the Gym

Philipos Alebachew, Staff Writer
February 8, 2023
This event was chosen to be held in February to coincide with Black History Month.
Giving the opportunity for students to contribute to the community, Creative Writing Club hosts a used book drive. They anticipate that the event will bring more attention to the club. “I really hope that people will see it as something serious,” Creative Writing Club President Ava Torres said. I know it's a student run organization, but I want it to be seen that we’re doing things. We have a lot of plans and this is the first stop, but we have a long way to go.”

Creative Writing Club requesting Used Books for Underprivileged Communities

Ashley Harris, News and Features Editor
February 8, 2023
Staff and students can donate books for underprivileged communities.
Meeting with students, counselors help them select courses for next year. In CCSD, counselors will now use past test scores to assist with course placement. “I am trying to figure out what classes I will need to take next year, while still having to focus on finishing this year,” junior Dani Hernandez said. “I feel like this whole system will help in some ways but always put more pressure on students.”

New Course Recommendation System in CCSD implemented this month

Tishie Nyitray, Editor in Chief
February 6, 2023
Pushing students to take advanced classes.
Within seconds, people are now able quickly ask artificial intelligence questions relating to any topic of their choice with responses being generated with a click of a button. The chat bot has been thoroughly studied and fine-tuned with learning techniques and language models since its release. “I think the AI is very impressive, but I know it could be a dangerous tool,” junior Gian Carlo Raneses said, “It just depends on who is using it and why they are using it.”

ChatGPT blocked by GoGuardian on all CCSD monitored devices

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
January 31, 2023
New programs already being created for teachers to verify if assignments have been completed by AI
Starting off the second semester as student success coordinator, Chrystal Howard settles into her new role. She earned her administrative license two years ago and decided it was time for a change. “I was ready to progress in my career, especially after spending about 20 years in the classroom as a teacher,” Howard said.

English Teacher Chrystal Howard Transitions from Classroom to Administration

Kylie Dacquel, Staff Writer
January 27, 2023
Her goals include reducing tardies and increasing daily attendance.
To raise money for Key Club, junior Jonathan Lin gets pied in the face. Continuing with the pie-oriented event trend, sophomore president Brianna Scherschel, along with the rest of Student Council, is planning a similar pie-themed event. “We got the idea and started planning before Key Club,” Scherschel said. “We had a good laugh when we found out we both were doing a pie event.”

Upcoming ‘Pie-a-Teacher-Palooza’ to be held in the gym

Philipos Alebachew, Staff Writer
January 13, 2023
Students bid to pie teachers in the face
Year-Round Horror Experience from Universal Set to Open in AREA15

Year-Round Horror Experience from Universal Set to Open in AREA15

Ashley Harris, News and Features Editor
January 12, 2023
Attraction was announced in conjunction with a new kid centered theme park in Frisco, Texas.
As seniors’ last semester begins, information regarding Grad Nite is being shared with students. The spots will be released on a first-come, first-serve basis. “I feel like every senior looks forward to Grad Nite,” senior Sierra Prescia said. “It is one of the only times we get to go out of state on a trip with our friends from school. It is also nice that it is all preplanned and arranged, it seems a lot less stressful.” Photo Credit: Tyler Nix

Grad Nite Meeting Tomorrow; New STUCO Adviser’s First Time Planning

Tishie Nyitray, Editor in Chief
January 11, 2023
Meeting in the gym will give an overview on upcoming the Grad Nite.
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