News – Southwest Shadow

Freshman Class Historian Angel Samson works on a poster promoting the event. She’s helped design posters for Student Council ever since she started the class last semester. “It’s based on Valentine’s Day,” Samson said. “It has more activities, but it’s still like the previous freshmen Thursdays we’ve done.”

Student Council Creates Freshmen Hearts Festival

Sharing the Love In This New Event

Rheyland Simon, Writer • February 19, 2025

The Student Council (StuCo) has decided to rebrand the traditional freshmen Thursday event into a “Freshmen Hearts Festival” for February...

“Living Rhythms” performer Greg Ince leads his fellow drummer Dakarai Ince through the Kuku rhythm. This popular rhythm was played at a fast tempo. “I found the music to be loud and powerful,” junior Ryan Cruz said, “It was really interesting seeing how they displayed their ability to show their culture through dramatic movements and sounds.”

BSU organizes first-ever “Living Rhythms” performance during lunch

Immersing students with the music and dance of West Africa

Jon Escala, Staff Writer • February 14, 2025

Students experience a taste of traditional African music in the cafeteria.

Students exchange compliments with their peers while giving out yarn from their ‘warm fuzzies.’ This event created moments of kindness that will be remembered after the activity ends. “Warm fuzzies are something people can wear around their neck on Valentine's day,” Senior Class Secretary Alexis Taing said. “You can give out words of affirmation, like saying, ‘Hey! You have a nice outfit today.”

Warm Fuzzies Return for Valentine’s Day

Welcoming Back Warm Fuzzies and The Kindness it Brings

Isabella Sandoval, Staff Writer • February 14, 2025

A StuCo tradition of spreading love around the school and bringing students together as a community is brought back every February to boost students' confidence in themselves and others.

Collecting money for the King or Queen of hearts fundraiser, President of the Book Club Adrienne Vera-Perez kindly asks for donations. She asked students to donate before class to help raise money for the American Heart Association. “I really appreciate getting the opportunity to help raise money for the American Heart Association,” Vera-Perez said. “I think they spread awareness about an important cause and I like that I get to do this for my club too.”

StuCo Begins The Yearly King or Queen of Hearts Fundraiser

All donations go to the American Heart association

Celia Evangelista, Staff Writer • February 13, 2025

The long awaited ‘King or Queen of Hearts’ fundraiser starts up again on February 11th.

Answering caucus questions, freshman Rhaine Dahill gets interviewed on stage in front of Key Club members. While new board members were elected, their term does not officially begin until the District Convention in April.

Club Preview: A Look Into The Week Of Feb. 10

FCCLA, Key Club, and BSU Meet This Week

Kailie Sicolo, News Editor • February 11, 2025

FCCLA prepares for their state competition, Key Club hosts Valentine’s Day themed activities, and BSU celebrates spirit week.

Breaking News: We The People Advance to Nationals

First Southwest Tech National Invitation

Kailie Sicolo and Achilles Caranto • February 7, 2025

Southwest Tech defeats six teams to go to Washington DC

Working with a friend, junior Joanna Mengistu pies one of her teachers at last year’s Pie-A-Palooza event. All proceeds raised last year went to fund prom. “My experience at last year’s Pie-A-Palooza was amazing,” Mengistu said. “It was such a fun experience and I could clearly see that it brought students, teachers, and staff together in great ways.”

Pie-A-Palooza Fundraiser Makes Annual Return

Event will take place in the gym on February 6th, from 2-4 p.m.

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer • February 6, 2025

Junior Class of 2026 brings back Pie-A-Palooza event to raise money for prom.

Leading the meeting, president Tiffany Tan gives necessary information to club members. Drama Club held auditions for their upcoming play projected to be held in April.

Club Preview: A Look Into The Week Of Feb. 3

Drama Club, The Meteorology Association, and Estudiantes Unidos Meet This Week

Kailie Sicolo, News Editor • February 4, 2025

Drama Club prepares for their upcoming play, The Meteorology Association builds terrariums, and Estudiantes Unidos prepares for elections.

After a student lost their lanyard, attendance clerk Sonya Jones reprints a student ID. The $10 fee will be charged to a student’s account and can be paid at the banker. “I feel like the temporary sticker IDs were fine last year, and obviously they were only $1, so that’s a big difference compared to this year,” junior Jenny Nie said. “I do feel like reprinting the lanyards could be beneficial because if a student is always forgetting them then they might need a backup.”

Schoolwide Demand for Lanyards Causes Price Increase

Fee intended to cover the expensive cost of materials needed

Zelina Panissidi, Social Media Editor • January 28, 2025

The cost to pay for replacement lanyards has increased by $4 from the original $6 price.

Preparing to attend their first field trip, AP Art History students express their excitement about the activity. The class will visit a replica of King Tut’s tomb and view various other art pieces. “I’ve never been to the exhibit so it’s going to be a new experience for me,” senior Taylor Palmira said. “It’ll be cool just to go out and actually see artifacts instead of just learning about them through lectures.”

AP Art History Embarks on Field Trip to King Tut’s Tomb

Students connect their lectures to interactive activities

Kylie Dacquel, Standards and Practices Editor • January 24, 2025

The hands-on exhibit is a new experience for students.

To prepare for the Winterfest, the Student Council decorates posters for the different booths they will have. The event will take place on Jan. 24 for all students. “I love Winterfest,” Student Council member Selinalei Hamilton said. “I went last year, and it was such a fun time. I’m just excited to see everybody come together and see all the clubs, and I’m excited for the food.”

BSU, Student Council Plan Annual Winterfest Event

Hosted in collaboration with various clubs

Hunter Rhee, Multimedia Editor • January 22, 2025

The event is to be held on January 24th, with different booths with games, snacks, and more.

Examining a sheet of tasks, junior Bryan Pratt assists a classmate with reviewing for the practical skills test. Senior students in the Nursing program are required to take the Pharmacy course, where they would then be eligible choose if they wanted to go on the trip to the exhibition. “I’m excited to go on that trip next year,” Pratt said. “I want to be a doctor and I like the human body so it would be nice for a guide to explain it more in detail.”

Pharmacy and Dental Students to Return to ‘Bodies: The Exhibition’

This is the fifth year students are taking this trip

Philipos Alebachew, Editor in Chief • January 22, 2025

13 full body specimens and 260 organs are on display for everyone to view during the hour-long experience.

Volunteers help a middle schooler with an LED programming activity. Girls In Tech offers four different specialized areas such as this where students combine creativity and technical knowledge to make a finished project. “I love the light bulb moments,” Girls In Tech Coordinator Dana Cuni said. “Like the first time the kids make a siren turn on in their circuit playground and their eyes brighten up and they get excited and they cheer. It’s why I do this.”

Coordinators Have High Hopes For Girls In Tech 2025

Event hosted Since 2012

Ava Torres, Features Editor • January 21, 2025

7th grade girls experience tech programs to promote female participation in STEAM.

As the 2K Vegas field trip quickly approaches, senior Tavin Secrist focuses on researching the many opportunities that come with visiting a professional game development workplace. “What I'm planning to see in 2k Vegas is probably what games they make, as well as this new game that they're going to show us as well,” Secrist said. “I also expect to see the game development process and how it works, and I also expect to see workplace etiquette as a game developer.”

Digital Game Advanced Studies To Venture on 2K Vegas Trip

Students obligated to keep studio information confidential

Venice Jingco, A&E Editor • January 21, 2025

To delve into the real-world process of game development, Advanced Study Digital Game students will visit 2K Vegas.

Preparing for his competitive event, junior Armando Aguilar presents his project alongside his team members. The Technology Student Association has gone through careful preparations to ensure that they will be successful in the upcoming Nevada TSA State Conference, which will be held in January.

CLUB PREVIEW: A Look Into the Week of Jan. 13

TSA, NHS, Book Club meet this week

Adrienne Vera-Perez, Assistant Editor-in-Chief • January 14, 2025

TSA plans increased campus involvement, NHS hosts panel, and Book Club picks their next read.

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