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Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Completing an assignment for NSC Dual Enrollment Math 126, senior Artur Barsan uses the knowledge and skills he learned to work with his peers. Assignments in dual enrollment classes provide students with a challenge and test their understanding. “The hardest part of dual enrollment classes is the work itself,” Barsan said. “You get points off if you turn in work late and you have to put in a lot of time into the class. If you don’t spend enough time doing the work and understanding the material, you won’t be able to do well and pass.”

Under Pressure: The Challenges of Dual Enrollment

Kylie Dacquel, Staff Writer
March 18, 2024
Dual credits provide advantages and benefits to those who decide to complete the course, but many are on the fence about taking these classes.
Using a ruler for measuring, junior Skye Parker works with her partner to place roof tiles on their dollhouse. Correct measurement was an important part of building the dollhouse, as it ensured everything was oriented correctly and evenly. “I never knew math would be so involved with interior design,” Parker said.”It was involved in measuring the shingles so we could cut them, spacing out the wooden poles evenly, and many other parts of the building process.”

Hour In … Interior Design

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
March 7, 2024
Interior Design students construct dollhouses to study scale models, interior furnishings, exterior architecture.
Joining the march, freshman Jaidyn Eddington sets to interact with the cheering crowd alongside her float. After the exhausting preparation of puppet-handling and choreography, the Halloween parade was ready. “I guess its just a big pile of dopamine,” Eddington said. “Like youre constantly happy, youre loving the work environment, youre loving seeing the smiles on everyones faces as you go down the streets; everyones positive, everyone tries their hardest to make everyone smile, and its just a good experience.” Photo credit: Leslie Robertson

Determined Parade Marcher: Meet Jaidyn Eddington

Venice Jingco, Staff writer
March 5, 2024
Jaidyn Eddington shares her pursuit in parade performances.
Writing her answer on a whiteboard, junior Tiffany Tan works with her team to decide on an answer. Students worked to earn the most points for a chance to win a prize while practicing for the ACT. It was really fun and engaging, Tan said. This whole month Ms. De La Fuente has challenged us with fun and innovative ways to get us engaged.

AN HOUR IN … AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

Ayma Malik and Kathryn Peterson
March 1, 2024
Find out what students are doing in AP Language and Composition to practice for the ACT.
Cooking with her stepdad and stepbrother, junior Maria Flor Bordinhon enjoys one of her many hobbies. As a culinary student, she is devoted to the art of cooking. “I really love cooking,” Bordinhon said. “It’s fun for me to cook up new dishes for my family and just experiment with recipes I’ve never tried before.”

Jack of all Trades: Meet Maria Flor Bordinhon

Kylie Dacquel, Staff Writer
February 28, 2024
Bordinhon shares her journey in expanding her knowledge on a variety of skills.
Posing on the ski lift, senior Neah Tablit ascends up Lee Canyon Ski Resort’s mountains. Lee Canyon has served as an outlet for individuals, like Tablit, to learn new skills like snowboarding, as extreme winter sports aren’t prevalent in Las Vegas. “I was able to step out of my comfort zone,” Tablit said. “Snowboarding introduced me to a completely new physical activity that requires balance, coordination, and strength, which was unfamiliar to me and challenging at first. Snowboarding allowed me to overcome my fear of falling and push myself to try new tricks.”

Enthusiastic Snowboarder: Meet Neah Tablit

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Senior Neah Tablit illustrates her snowboarding journey.
Gazing down at a phone, sophomores Achilles Andre Caranto and Amelia Castellanos are two of the many teens in America gazing down at their phones right this minute. According to statistics from GuardChild, 85% of teenagers have social media, and 90% of children ages 8-16 have witnessed explicit content online. “When there is such a powerful force in our society, like social media right now, the government should be stepping in trying to control it and protect vulnerable groups, or vulnerable people like children,” Social Studies teacher Joseph Juliano said.

‘Kids Online Safety Act’ revisions to place restrictive setting on social media for minors

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Recent proposed KOSA bill raises human rights concerns.
As seniors enter adulthood, the opportunity to vote and to be involved in a democracy becomes available to them. Young voters in the United States (U.S.) are encouraged to act upon their civil responsibility to vote and prepare before November by registering to vote. “There isn’t much I can do at 18 to make a difference,” senior Aleena Khalid said. “However voting as well as volunteering is an option, so I intend on exercising that privilege in the 2024 election.”

Eligible Seniors Prepare to Vote

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
February 20, 2024
Eligible seniors are encouraged to take action and vote in local and state elections.
With the growing availability of the internet, exposure to social media to younger generations is at an all-time high. Younger generations have begun to mature at a quicker rate. “With a phone, you have a lot more freedom on the internet,” Junior Eloisa Valeo said. “When we’re younger, we’re more easily influenced and susceptible to inappropriate or dangerous things online. Exposure to these things when they’re younger can really harm how children grow up.”

Generation Alpha Chasing Maturity

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
February 13, 2024
In the digital age, children are easily exposed to trends catered for adults.
Performing at an open mic, senior Alina Adams sings an original song.
“I asked the owner when and where it was, and I went down there and I sang three songs,” Alina Adams said. “They asked me to come back and host the next one. Ive been hoping to go back and work on more stuff and like bring new songs to help myself get over stage fright.”

Aspiring Music Artist: Meet Alina Adams

Daphney Garcia Hatton and Paizley Swaney
February 7, 2024
Adams’ music career is on the rise.
Having a constant sleep schedule is a struggle for many students who have to spend hours on homework every night. Caffeine is often used by teens who feel the need to stay up past their natural sleep time. “My sleep schedule is kind of sporadic,” senior Josh Burgos said. “There are days where I get eight hours of sleep and there are others where I have to stay up until 3 a.m. just to finish all my homework.”

Sleepless Students: The fight for eight hours

Philipos Alebachew, Staff Writer
February 5, 2024
There are many detrimental, long-term effects, of sleep deprivation that most teens don’t realize.
 Lots of students have major tunnel vision about life after high school, but there are a lot of options other than college or the workforce. While many seniors have set plans after high school, others who are undecided look to college to help them figure things out. “College is the next step,” senior Alyssa Hong said. “For me, I feel like I need to go to college because theres going to be more opportunities for me in college, although not everyone has to go to college to succeed.”

Maybe College Isn’t the Next Step

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 2, 2024
Plans for after graduation are very college-centered, despite worthwhile alternatives.

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