The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Ava Torres

Ava Torres, Features Editor

Hey, my name is Ava and I'm the Southwest Shadow Features editor. I'm an active member of the Technology Student Association and in my free time I like to write or work on engineering projects.
All content by Ava Torres
In a world of varying cultures and lifestyles, America shines as a melting pot of ideas and viewpoints, but divides begin when viewpoints differ so much that individuals can’t see the other side’s argument. According to a 2024 Ipsos survey, “81% of Americans say America is more divided than united.” “I think when you consider urban areas where you’re a lot closer to people and surrounded by so many people, everyone is constantly changing their values,” senior Chris Nikolic said. “But if you’re living in a very confined area, you don’t really see that many people so you’re staying in the same bubble rather than like [Las Vegas] where a lot of people come and visit, so you always experience new lifestyles. ”

Urban vs Rural: Breaching the Gap

Ava Torres, Feature's Editor
September 18, 2024
A close examination of the divides between rural and urban areas
It’s easy to fall in love with the album’s distinct tracks and amazing instrumentation, but the lyrics buried beneath the massive reverb make it hard to fully appreciate certain tracks. Rating: A- Photo Credit: Wichita Recordings

Find Yourself Dizzy, Dazed After Listening to ‘Interplay’

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
April 22, 2024
Shoegaze pioneers Ride release their newest addition to the Alternative/Indie community.
Strict age policies put forth by large companies make gaining work experience difficult for those under 18.

Businesses Should Be More Willing To Accommodate Teen Workers

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
April 19, 2024
Working as a teen provides necessary life skills
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in America and took place in Las Vegas for the first time in the newly built Allegiant Stadium. It became the most-watched Super Bowl in history with approximately 123 million people tuned in across multiple platforms. “With F1 and all of that, I actually think that that was probably the worst time to have the Super Bowl just considering that if you’ve seen what F1 has done,” senior and Allegiant Stadium Worker Kylee Parker said. “It has destroyed the Strip and construction is so bad, and considering that the stadium is pretty Strip adjacent, it definitely was bad timing.”

Las Vegas Wasn’t Prepared for the Super Bowl

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
March 19, 2024
Critics are pleased with the Superbowl in Las Vegas, but plenty of locals were not.
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.
Squinting in the sun, sophomore Hunter Rhee shields his eyes from the bright UV rays. July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded in Las Vegas. “The summer is the time when people travel, and if the heat’s here they’re not going to enjoy their time,” sophomore Leonardo Chavez said. “It’s been getting really bad to the point where you get scared to sit down on leather.”

Las Vegas’ Extreme Weather Raises Economic Concerns

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
February 9, 2024
The economic future of Las Vegas is uncertain.
Holding up the neck of the bottle, junior Monica Sarkisian watches as her partner cuts the base of their project. Students cut two liter bottles with scissors, learning about planting as well as reusable sustainability. “[Mrs. Horner] drew it on the board and then we just cut it and kind of replicated it and everyone did their own thing at the end, which I thought was kind of interesting to see,” Sarkisian said. “I feel like cutting the bottle was kind of hard because it was really sturdy.

An Hour In … Environmental Science

Violet Moreno and Ava Torres
January 23, 2024
A hands-on project teaching simple & sustainable watering practices.
West Texas Chophouse’s sophisticated decor helps create an elevated atmosphere. The atmosphere, combined with the delicious comfort food, makes for an outstanding dining experience. Grade: B

Savor Elevated Fixins at West Texas Chophouse

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
January 3, 2024
Satisfy your appetite with rich Texas-style steaks and burgers.
Janitor Darryl Bryant poses beside his rare 1964 TR4 in 1984. It was the first car he ever owned and considered a classic car at the time, and even more so now. “I’ve always been with cars,” Byrant said. “Back in my day when you were fifteen you had a drivers license. My parents bought me a 1964 TR4, it was broken, it didn’t have an engine, and I rebuilt it myself, that’s how I got into it. I’ve always loved cars, engines, things that go fast, in a straight line, 400 mph in about 2 seconds.”

Mechanic, Navy Sailor, Motorcyclist: Meet Darryl Bryant

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
November 15, 2023
Janitor Darryl Bryant shares his varied life career paths.
Infographic: Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Infographic: Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
November 14, 2023
Bringing awareness to Southern Nevada's homeless and hungry
Co-Founder Lezli Magana-Contreras smiles down at her Bible as members finish reading and discussing Luke 9:50. L.I.F.T/Bible Club creates meeting plans and then discusses how the assigned passage affects them as people, trying to analyze the reading. “It just brings many people together regardless of whether some people might not believe, some people might believe,” Magana-Contreras said. “I would say personally that it’s nice to have a community that shares the same values as you. It also gives them a feeling of belonging.”

L.I.F.T/Bible Club Begins As Newest Religious Based Student Organization On Campus

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
October 16, 2023
Student-led organization creates community for those interested in learning God’s word.
Sophomore Jadyss Tim concentrates on his chromebook as his World History teacher, Trey Takahashi-Brummer goes over a lesson. Class work has become increasingly digital since the introduction of electronic devices to 90 percent of middle school and high schoolers in 2021. “I’d rather take my test online,” Tim said. “I think it’s good for the environment since we’re using devices we wouldn’t have to waste paper.”

Digital PSAT To Be Administered Nationwide

Ava Torres and Joy Ryan
October 10, 2023
PSAT will be taken on Chromebooks for grades 8/9, 10, and 11.
Placing another spoonful of pineapple on her plate, sophomore Sophia Vizcarra grabs lunch from the school’s salad bar. CCSD has been working hard to provide healthier food while still trying to appeal to students. “Honestly, [school lunch] is really good,” senior Angelina Diaz-Munoz said. “I like when they have the salad bar, I eat it every single time, and I really like the ranch that they serve.”

CCSD School Cafeterias Switch From Papa John’s to Domino’s Pizza

Ava Torres, Staff Writer
September 15, 2023

Placing another spoonful of pineapple on her plate, sophomore Sophia Vizcarra grabs lunch from the school’s salad bar. CCSD has been working hard to provide healthier food while still trying to appeal...

Placing another spoonful of pineapple on her plate, sophomore Sophia Vizcarra grabs lunch from the school’s salad bar. CCSD has been working hard to provide healthier food while still trying to appeal to students. “Honestly, [school lunch] is really good,” senior Angelina Diaz-Munoz said. “I like when they have the salad bar, I eat it every single time, and I really like the ranch that they serve.”

Placing another spoonful of pineapple on her plate, sophomore Sophia Vizcarra grabs lunch from the school’s salad bar. CCSD has been working hard to provide healthier food while still trying to appeal...