The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Calahan Davis

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer

Heyo, I’m Calahan! I am a third year staff writer for the Southwest Shadow. I like listening to my favorite artist “Horse” and writing game reviews. I look forward to writing great stories this year and being a valuable member of the staff.

All content by Calahan Davis
Participating in an icebreaker activity, TSA members deliver randomly selected objects around the room to board members to score points. Students were divided into teams of four and raced to be the first to bring various items to board members scattered throughout the room. “It was a fun activity that let me meet new people that I wouldn't have otherwise,” senior Armando Aguilar said. “I'm glad that each meeting starts with something physically engaging before we get to actual tech content.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF OCT. 6

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
October 6, 2025
TSA prepares members for state competitions, Amnesty International plans a jeopardy game and Crochet Club will begin to teach members basic skills.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: AYMA MALIK

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: AYMA MALIK

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
September 30, 2025
Here’s a look at 2024 graduate Ayma Malik's life after high school.
Writing heartfelt messages, juniors Angel White and Aurora Parks make teacher appreciation cards. Members of Key Club were granted service hours for participating in the activity. “We were given supplies like markers and pencils to decorate our cards,” White said. “It was a fun way of being creative and working on something to show our support for our teachers.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF SEPT. 29

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
September 29, 2025
Key Club prepares for RTC, NHS plans to debate hypotheticals and Psych Club learns about color therapy.
Six Artists You Should Be Listening To: September 2025

Six Artists You Should Be Listening To: September 2025

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
September 23, 2025
Find brand new artists perfect for your Fall playlist.

GAME INFORMER: REVITALIZING RETRO GAMES

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
April 24, 2025
Join Calahan and Hunter as they discuss the importance and value of retro games. They'll cover different ways that interest in older video games persists into the modern day thanks to official and community contribution.
Tinkering with the engine of an excavator, junior Wyatt Adams takes apart pieces of the machine to take the engine out of the back. During guidance periods, Automotive teacher Bert Potts calls on Adams to assist with projects that are then used for class demonstrations. “I'm helping to swap out the engine on this excavator during my guidance period,” Adams said. “It's a big help to Mr. Potts while giving me something fun to do.”

Reliable Repairman: Meet Wyatt Adams

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
April 23, 2025
Talented automotive student takes advantage of all the career opportunities provided to him
“Donkey Kong Country Returns HD” is the definitive way to experience the amazing platforming of Donkey Kong Country Returns. Rating: A Photo Credit: Nintendo

Swing Through the Jungle in ‘Donkey Kong Returns HD’

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
February 28, 2025
Donkey Kong Country HD is an excellent platformer enhanced by the graphical improvements of the Nintendo Switch
Out on the ice during a college game, video production teacher Ernesto Zita runs up and down the ice ensuring a fair game. Zita served as a ref for a JV match at the City National Rink in Vegas earlier last month. “My favorite part of my job is when the game starts and I’m able to focus on the game; focus on what's happening on the ice,” Zita said. “I like that high tension, I thrive in environments like that.”

Lifelong Hockey Ref: Ernesto Zita

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
January 16, 2025
Dedicated referee and Video Production teacher discusses his fervor for hockey
Game Informer: Microtransactions

Game Informer: Microtransactions

Calahan Davis and Donovan Allan
November 15, 2024
Learn about all of the different kinds of purchases video game developers want you to make.
Game Informer: Game of the Year

Game Informer: Game of the Year

Calahan Davis and Donovan Allan
October 13, 2024
With The Game Awards fast approaching, the pick for "Game of the Year" is up for debate. Join Southwest students as they discuss possible contenders for the award and discuss aspects of mass appeal in the gaming industry.
A decade after the release of the original Five Nights at Freddy’s, Into the Pit marks a new era of the series and puts a unique spin on the typical formula. Rating: A Photo Credit: Steam

Venture Into the Dark Past of Freddy’s in ‘Into The Pit’

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
September 28, 2024
Journey into the horror with this new spin-off of the popular FAF series.
Game Informer: Content Warning and the Resurgence of Survival Multiplayer

Game Informer: Content Warning and the Resurgence of Survival Multiplayer

Calahan Davis and Emmanuel Miranda
August 21, 2024
Game Design students come together to discuss trends in the popularity of survival multiplayer games. What similarities do popular games in the genre share that causes them to garner so much attention relatively quickly? Join Calahan, EJ, Renzo, and Christian as they analyze the design process and broad appeal of survival multiplayer.
Photo Caption: Before the start of class, sophomore Connor Wiggins assists in setting up virtual reality headsets. Students have been engaging in VR-integrated learning. “We are working to integrate projects we’ve made with Unity, which is the game engine that we use,” Wiggins said. “Once it's into virtual reality, you can control every aspect of your 3D world as if it were really there.”

Virtual Reality Integration starts in Digital Game Curriculum

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
April 19, 2024
Digital Game Design students can expect an increase in virtual reality involvement in the classroom.
"Rebel Moon" follows a young woman who must assemble an army to stand against a nefarious space overlord. Rating: DPhoto Credit: Netflix

‘REBEL MOON’ LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
February 12, 2024
"Rebel Moon" impresses with its cinematography yet the story lacks originality.
Testing out colored pencils, sophomores Joy Ryan and Joy Park color in their illustrations. Members of Key Club were tasked with helping create decorations and donate candy for the school’s Trunk or Treat event for the opportunity to gain service hours. “I thought that my decorations turned out really cute and I felt proud knowing that they were going to use something I made during the event,” sophomore Joy Park said, “It was so much fun spending time with friends and coming up with scenarios about our drawings.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 26

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
November 28, 2023
Clubs propose ideas for the BSU Winter Festival, and Key Club plans an event.