The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
SPOTLIGHT
RECENT NEWS
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
Implementing new opportunities for students
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
Students and teachers adjust to the time change
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.
As students enter Journalism Foundations in Matthew LaPorte's classroom, they put their phones in the phone caddy. The phone caddy is placed in the front of the classroom on the whiteboard. “I feel like it’s unnecessary to completely ban self phones from school, but I feel like there are better regulations for having them on your person,” junior Jaidyn Eddington said.
School enforces phone ban in classrooms early
The phone ban law was passed by the Nevada Legislature
Gianna Barreras, Staff Writer • September 24, 2025
CCSD will now require schools to follow updated phone regulations beginning in the fall of 2026.
During PSC 101, senior Ava Nave focuses on completing her exam. The exam, previously given at the end of first semester, had now been scheduled for the first week of September. “All my worries were gone as soon as I opened the Google Form and looked at the first question,” Nave said. “The exam was extremely easy. I would even go as far as to say it was common sense.”
Civics Exam Administered to Seniors During New Testing Window
The exam is a graduation requirement for seniors
Janica Zamora, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025
On Sept. 4 and 5, seniors took the civics exam, which is modeled after the U.S. citizenship test, in their Political Science and American Government classes.
During lunch, freshman Austin Nowak buys a snack from the vending machine. Since the re-adoption of the CCSD guidelines, the vending machines have been restocked with healthier food options. “[The guidelines don’t] really affect me but it could affect different people,” Nowak said. “It’s all about opinions.”
Nutrition Guidelines policy changes up food sales
Restrictions will follow CCSD regulations
Leo Amend, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025
These guidelines have limited what clubs are allowed to sell for fundraising, as well as what can be sold in the vending machines and student store.
Leading the meeting for the annual senior trip, Student Council Adviser Michael Woxland goes into depth about the requirements for students to be able to attend. As a part of the Senior Class Board, Woxland has been helping to prepare the trip for seniors, set for early second semester. “Planning the senior trip is always a big undertaking,” Woxland said. “Though, it’s always a lot of fun to celebrate the senior class and their four years of hard work. I'm excited that it’s a little bit earlier this year. We’re doing it differently to hopefully make it as affordable and accessible to everybody in the class.”
Class of 2026 Meets to Discuss Senior Trip
Requirements and reminders for students looking to attend
Achilles Caranto, Standards and Practices Editor • September 22, 2025
An informational meeting was held to discuss the annual senior trip to Disneyland.
Representing the Technology Student Association, club president Makoa Apao presents information about TSA. This is the first time Apao has appeared as part of the club board at Coyote Congress, but he has represented the club before in other school events. “We’re planning on getting started on our competitions and working on different ways we can get funding for those competitions.”
StuCo Kicks Off September With a New Coyote Congress Meeting
Including club updates and highlighting new school events
Rheyland Simon, Staff Writer • September 15, 2025
StuCo hosted Coyote Congress on Sept. 2, where school administrators and club representatives gave club updates and presentations.
Responding to a question on stage, senior Preston Schwartz tells club members why he would make a suitable candidate for a board member. National Honor Society voted on their board members for the 2026 school year.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Sept. 2
CGC, NHS, and Book Club meet this week
Zelina Panissidi, News Editor • September 2, 2025
Competitive Gaming prepares for upcoming tournaments, NHS meets with new inductees, and Book Club chooses their monthly read for September.
Preparing for the upcoming national competition, the Arte Al Mare team continues to refine their restaurant concept after months of collaboration and growth. Through the challenges of the project, senior Quinn Loughton discovered more about himself. “This competition really allowed me to achieve my personal goal of developing my skills I hoped to use in the project,” Loughton said. “From my interior design skills, to my organizational skills, I was able to put these into practice in a scenario that greatly mimicked real-life. This proved invaluable to my future career as I can look back at this competition and see where I started compared to where I hope to be.
ProStart Team Takes First Place in Managerial Category at Competition
Four students prepare for the next step
Jaden Espinueva, Staff Writer • May 5, 2025
The team is now preparing to compete in the ProStart National Management Competition, which will take place in Baltimore, Maryland from May 1-5.
Although significant progress has been made towards facilitating equal pay for both men and women, institutional flaws still perpetuate an economic divide between the two sexes.
Gender Pay Gap Narrows in 2025
New census data presents wider implications for girls about to enter the workforce
Adrienne Vera-Perez, Assistant Editor-in-Chief • May 2, 2025
Women now make an average of 84 cents for every dollar that a man makes, representing a significant increase in women’s wages in the past 20 years.
Inspecting the kart, sophomores Makoa Apao and Christian Reyes make some slight adjustments to the build. The project has been led by senior Connor Wiggins. “I really like the original framework of [the kart],” sophomore Makoa Apao said. “I feel like when they originally designed it, the kart was really well built, and I really appreciate the craftsmanship on it. [Through our work], we've implemented keyhole systems to restrict access to it. We've also implemented LEDs as an underglow.”
Engineering II Students Successfully Repair Electric Kart
Coming together for a common interest
Johnny Tao, Staff Writer • April 30, 2025
Engineering II students teamed up to use the skills they learned in class for passion projects of their own.
Students are preparing to showcase their artwork during the annual spring art show. “I’m a little nervous because I don’t show off my work outside of my close friend group,” senior Grayson Leavitt said. ”However, I think it’s a very great opportunity to present my work, and I hope people like what I have to present, especially considering how proud I am of it.”
Art Department presents ‘Threads, Pixels, and Paint’ Showcase
Event will present work from the year
Jon Escala, Staff Writer • April 23, 2025
The event will be on April 24 from 5-7 p.m. in the ballroom.
Several events have been organized by the freshmen student council class to help integrate freshmen into the school community. This Thursday will be the first new student induction night. “I think freshman events are good for us to have more knowledge about what is actually going on at school,” freshman Kyra Buchheit said. “I think the freshman event will be good for the next group.”
New Student Induction Night Held For Prospective Students
A Welcome For Incoming Freshman
Natalia Klonowski, Staff Writer • April 23, 2025
New student induction night will take place on April 24th to help new students connect, explore campus life, and kick off their high school journey.
Designing cards, junior Katrina Siphonexay works hard on drawing. “We were making cards for the elderly,” Siphonexay said. “That’s why I chose nostalgic characters, like Teletubbies and Care Bears. We also wrote positive messages, so we could uplift their spirits.”
CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF APR. 21
HOSA, Jam Club, and Key Club meet this week
Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer • April 22, 2025
HOSA collaborates with an awareness group, Jam Club prepares for their next performance, and Key Club makes Teacher Appreciation cards.
With his band The Red Pills, sophomore Aldrich Razon performs at last year’s Coyote Coachella. At the time, the band consisted mostly of seniors. “The Red Pills are currently down to three members currently in Southwest,” Razon said. “But we have talked about performing, so it’s highly likely that we’ll be performing. We’re going to be having a meeting tomorrow to discuss what songs we’re going to perform and practice those songs.”
Annual Coyote Coachella To Return
Getting Ready to Rock Out And Jam
Rheyland Simon, Staff Writer • April 9, 2025
Coyote Coachella is coming to our school again on April 10 from 2 to 4 p.m., with students in our school showing their hidden musical talents.
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