The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Ava Julian

Ava Julian, Staff Writer

hi friends! my name is Ava and I’m so excited for my 3rd year in journalism! I cannot wait to make more memories this year and further my writing abilities!

All content by Ava Julian
Where are they now: Caitlin Tipon

Where are they now: Caitlin Tipon

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
April 18, 2024
Here's a look into 2018 graduate Caitlin Tipon's life.
Where are they now: Leon Boyles

Where are they now: Leon Boyles

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
April 11, 2024
Here's a glimpse into 2016 graduate Leon Boyles' life.
As pharmacy seniors engaged in learning through Aztec online, they are almost completed with the program. Completing each unit is essential for finishing their online program by the end of March. “We have been working through Aztec this entire school year,” senior Leyna Nguyen said. “The workload isn’t much, but it's more about managing my time well and staying on-track to complete everything by the end of March before we start testing.”

Pharmacy Students Prepare for Aztec Software Exam

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
March 8, 2024
Pharmacy students study to prepare for the pharmacy Aztec final exam.
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.
The New Year's tradition of making resolutions has prompted people to make unrealistic goals that rarely get accomplished.

New Year, Same Me

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
January 30, 2024
New Year's resolutions fail society year after year.
Podcast: Ins and Outs of 2024

Podcast: Ins and Outs of 2024

Daphney Garcia Hatton, Violet Moreno, and Ava Julian
January 26, 2024
Trends are constantly coming and leaving. In this podcast, we discuss trends that we earnestly wish to avoid seeing in this coming year.
Walking onto campus, students enter through designated student entrances. Administration observes the students walking in to ensure lanyards are being worn, and to ensure who is coming onto the campus. “Having admin or security monitors watching us as we come in definitely makes me feel safe,” senior Gavin Cabrera said. “They make sure people cannot sneak onto campus and that students are wearing their lanyards which overall improves the safety of our campus.”

Enforcing New Campus Safety Procedures

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
January 8, 2024
Learn about the new safety procedures being enforced on campus.
A new gluten free chicken-based restaurant opens in Southwest Las Vegas. Grade: B+

Explore Crispy Chicken Options at ‘3 Little Chicks’

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
December 4, 2023
Enjoy chicken options for the whole family.
Where are they now: Aundriana Gaston

Where are they now: Aundriana Gaston

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
November 30, 2023
Take a look into Class of 2016 graduate Aundriana Gaston's life.
Where are they now: Jaylin DeGuzman

Where are they now: Jaylin DeGuzman

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
November 13, 2023
Here's a look into Class of 2021 graduate Jaylin DeGuzman's life.
Placing coffee filters over their contraption, junior Dominic Jackson is using the filter to eliminate the larger particles in the water. Their goal is to win the class competition of who has the cleanest water. “I feel like my group and I did very well at filtering out our water to make it cleaner,” Jackson said. “The only thing is our water was still oily, but I think the coffee filters helped us to get the larger pieces out of our water. Even though my group did not win I think we still did well.”

An Hour In … Environmental Science

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
November 7, 2023
Spend an hour in Environmental Science 101.
Podcast: Explaining Girl Math

Podcast: Explaining Girl Math

Ava Julian, Paizley Swaney, and Violet Moreno
November 1, 2023
Breaking down examples of "girl math" and how it is shaping girls' financial decisions.
Posing together for a picture in front of their childhood home. The Evarts triplets share a lot more than just their identical features. “Growing up we had to share a lot of stuff,” freshman Emily Evarts said. “and even now I borrow some of my brother’s clothes, and they borrow some of my drawing or art supplies. But that is the nice thing about being a triplet.”

Three Peas in a Pod: Meet the Evarts Triplets

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
September 29, 2023

From their earliest memories of life, triplets Nathan, Luke, and Emily have always been there for each other. They have shared similar feelings when it comes to new experiences. “It’s always been...

"Yes, because Vegas is amazing," junior Kathleen Chloe Coronel said. "I think we need more sports teams."

Q&A: Is it a good idea for the Oakland A’s to move to Las Vegas?

Hannah Paine and Ava Julian
April 30, 2023
Students let us know if they think the Oakland A's should move to Las Vegas.
Looking up to his Pez Candy Dispensers, junior Jaidyn Rogers has been displaying and organizing his collection for the past two years. Rogers has incorporated more rare and limited edition pieces in the past years. “My favorite in my collection is Bugs Bunny wearing a sombrero,” Rogers said. “But I also love my large dispensers as well because they aren’t as common.”

Avid Pez Collector: Meet Jaidyn Rogers

Ava Julian
April 11, 2023
Jaidyn Rogers owns Pez dispensers from an inherited collection.
“No, I am not ready for fourth quarter because I have to think about my future for next year,” senior Tasia Wright said. “Thinking about my future is very worrying because I don’t know what’s in store.”

Q&A: Are you ready for fourth quarter?

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
March 24, 2023
Students let us know if they are ready for fourth quarter.
“Everyone knows about voting and that's the best way to get involved. I remember we started petitioning when there were protests,” senior Heron Yonas said. “For us right now, a lot of classes here are helpful to learn new things. Voting is also a good way to get involved but it is important to know who you are voting for by doing research.”

Q&A: What’s the best way to get politically involved?

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
February 24, 2023
Students tell us the best ways to get politically involved.
Adults are constantly telling us to make choices that they don't make themselves.

[Photo] ADULTS NEED TO GROW UP

Ayma Malik, Opinion, A&E Editor
February 27, 2023

Adults are constantly telling us to make choices that they don't make themselves.

Spark: Five Valentine's Day Activities

Spark: Five Valentine’s Day Activities

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
February 14, 2023
Use these five Valentine’s Day ideas to make sure this year’s is one to remember.
"No, I am not watching it," junior Alina Adams said. "Because I've never heard of it."

Q&A: Are you watching “The Last of Us” on HBO?

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
February 3, 2023
Students let us know if they have been watching "The Last of Us" on HBO.
Podcast: 2023 Trend Predictions

Podcast: 2023 Trend Predictions

Ava Julian and Paizley Swaney
January 30, 2023
Listen to this episode for trend predictions in 2023.
"Chiefs are going to win," junior Aiden Bass said. "They have the best offense, and the team has great experience to win."

Q&A: Which fan favorite team do you think will make it to the super bowl?

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
January 22, 2023
Students tell us which team they think will make it to the Super Bowl.
Podcast: Driving As A Teen In Las Vegas

Podcast: Driving As A Teen In Las Vegas

Ava Julian, Hannah Paine, and Jianna Aganon
November 21, 2022
Podcast on what student driving is like living in Las Vegas.
“Yes, I plan to buy Taylor Swift tickets. I signed up for presale, so I hope I can get them,” senior Hannah Hernandez said. “Even if they are really expensive I feel like I still am going to buy them.”

Q&A: Are you buying Taylor Swift tickets?

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
November 10, 2022
Students let us know if they plan on buying Taylor Swift tickets.
Photo Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko

Finding success in new business ventures

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
October 21, 2022
Students are starting even younger to launch their own companies.
A Guide to: Homecoming

A Guide to: Homecoming

Ava Julian, Staff Writer
October 14, 2022
Learn from these tips to make homecoming a night to remember.
Lifehacks: Kitchen Edition

Lifehacks: Kitchen Edition

Ava Julian
March 24, 2022
The following life hacks will help improve your knowledge of kitchen skills that will overall make your life easier.
DRAW MY SHADOW: Aanja Abilar

DRAW MY SHADOW: Aanja Abilar

Ava Julian
March 7, 2022
Learn how an artist grew from drawing celebrities for fun, to getting their drawings noticed by them.
Where Are They Now: Allysha Melocoton

Where Are They Now: Allysha Melocoton

Ava Julian
February 10, 2022
Former student Allysha Melocoton is pursuing her long-time passion for nursing.
Helping a client with their design, senior Jhonathen Romo is figuring out the best graphic styles for their product. He now customizes personal items for his client to purchase with the help of software. "It is satisfying running my own business," Romo said. "Being able to work on my own time and balance it easier than a clock in type job. And it is cool seeing the build up of something you own." Photo Credit: Jhonathen Romo

Driven Innovative Designer: Meet Jhonathen Romo

Ava Julian
December 14, 2021
Romo is displaying his skills by creating custom graphic designs for clients.
Students are writing fake interviews from the local people in the story. Once students are finished with their projects, they will be presenting their information to the class. “My group is outlining where we are placing each part of our newspaper,” Aganon said. “By deciding where each piece of information should go to make the newspaper seem more realistic.” Photo Credit: Ava Julian

English 10 creates ‘Sleepy Hollow’ newspapers

Ava Julian
November 17, 2021
English 10 students are utilizing ideas from "Sleepy Hollow" to create newspapers to present to the class on December 3.
While vacationing in Florida, sophomore Madison Davis takes a ride with a western horse on the beach. With her experience, Davis has been able to connect with many horses in order to ride. “I was celebrating my birthday by going horseback riding during the middle of a hurricane," Davis said. "The weather was aggressive considering the fact that I was super close to the beach.” Photo Credit: Madison Davis

Compassionate horseback rider: Meet Madison Davis

Ava Julian
October 23, 2021
Davis pursues her passion for horseback riding and practices everyday in order to become the best.
Students are finishing up any assignments that will be entered for the first quarter reading period in their English 10 Honors class. “The quarter went pretty well, and I just have a few more things I have to finish up,” sophomore Jianna Aganon said.

A LOOK INTO FIRST QUARTER

Ava Julian
October 8, 2021
Students are adapting to the changes in-person schooling brought this quarter.
Students work on conducting research for their presentations and sharing similar ideas on the white board. Each individual had to fill out a Google Doc about basic element information to help them create a video. “Working with classmates allows us to share ideas and [it] helps us help each other work on our videos,” sophomore Madison Davis said. Photo Credit: Ava Julian

Chemistry Honors Students Create Video Presentations on Elements

Ava Julian
September 27, 2021
Students are learning through element focused video projects in chemistry.