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The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

All content by Cassie Valdez
SATIRE: I miss freshman me

SATIRE: I miss freshman me

Cassie Valdez
May 14, 2018
Someone take me back to freshmen year.
Win by losing

Win by losing

Cassie Valdez
May 8, 2018
Before you waste your time, remember that some battles just aren't worth fighting.
Not to get political but

Not to get political but

Cassie Valdez
April 27, 2018
Don't base potential friendships off of political beliefs.
SATIRE: PRO/CON: Nursery rhymes: the real banger

SATIRE: PRO/CON: Nursery rhymes: the real banger

Cassie Valdez
April 20, 2018
Nursery rhymes are the outright best form of music.
Dance, dance, revelation

Dance, dance, revelation

Cassie Valdez
April 12, 2018
School dances are overrated, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't go to them.
Time's ticking

Time’s ticking

Cassie Valdez
April 3, 2018
There's only a limited amount of time in high school; don't let it go to waste.
'Anything But Normal' yearbook to be distributed next month

‘Anything But Normal’ yearbook to be distributed next month

Cassie Valdez
April 3, 2018
Yearbooks will be distributed on May 7.
Protests are welcome (sometimes)

Protests are welcome (sometimes)

Cassie Valdez
March 9, 2018
Protests are an important right that citizens have, but they aren't effective without a clear purpose.
MSA’s national merit awards program recognizes SWCTA

MSA’s national merit awards program recognizes SWCTA

Jackelyn Romo and Cassie Valdez
March 2, 2018
Due to campus diversity and equal education opportunities, the Magnet Schools of America granted our campus with the Magnet School of Excellence award.
An Hour In ... the Lip Sync Battle

An Hour In … the Lip Sync Battle

Cassie Valdez and Maggie Shepard
February 23, 2018
Numerous clubs participated in the first ever Lip Sync Battle hosted by Journalism.
Mandatory videos outline proper academic relationships

Mandatory videos outline proper academic relationships

Cassie Valdez
February 13, 2018
Yesterday, students watched a video, informing them on appropriate student-teacher relationships.
BREAKING NEWS: Drama Club wins first Lip Sync Battle

BREAKING NEWS: Drama Club wins first Lip Sync Battle

Cassie Valdez
February 9, 2018
10 clubs performed at the Lip Sync Battle.
President Barack Obama delivers a health care address to a joint session of Congress at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., Sept. 9, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
 
This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

In the FBI we (should) trust

Cassie Valdez
February 9, 2018
The Nunes Memo is an attempt by House Republicans to silence the Russian investigation that threatens President Donald Trump's role in office.
The American Dream(ers)

The American Dream(ers)

Cassie Valdez
January 24, 2018
Despite the government shutdown, the fate of DACA has yet to be rescued.
Cheers to a new year

Cheers to a new year

Cassie Valdez
January 6, 2018
Blissful ignorance is great until you realize there's no escaping the consequences.
The people’s branch? Think again

The people’s branch? Think again

Cassie Valdez
December 26, 2017
Congress has been making decisions that do not entirely reflect the views of the masses.
"Because life is amazing, and we can, in the capital of a world learning to <3 better :) "

Washington, DC's Capital TransPride was on May 20, 2017, hosted by The Studio Theatre

Protect through policy

Cassie Valdez
December 8, 2017
At a recent public meeting, negative comments regarding a statewide gender diversity regulation convinced the State Superintendent Steve Canavero to push back on advancing the policy for final approval from the state Legislative Commission.
Falling short

Falling short

Cassie Valdez
November 9, 2017
After evaluating all of the Editors-in-Chief before me, I feel like I'm not good enough to be in this position.
SATIRE: Apple is back at it again

SATIRE: Apple is back at it again

Cassie Valdez
November 1, 2017
The iPhone X comes out this Friday. Buy one to not only to show off, but also to prove how responsible you are with money.
An Hour In ... Senior Seminar

An Hour In … Senior Seminar

Cassie Valdez
October 23, 2017
During the Senior Seminar, seniors experienced a college fair, writing workshop and alumni panel.
It's not that deep

It’s not that deep

Cassie Valdez
October 17, 2017
Don't take high school drama so seriously.
PRO/CON: Land of the brave can't behave

PRO/CON: Land of the brave can’t behave

Cassie Valdez
October 1, 2017
Was kneeling during the National Anthem a good idea?
Beyoncé sand sculpture at the Fiesa 2015 International Sand Sculpture Festival in Pêra, Portugal

Too good to be true

Cassie Valdez
September 25, 2017
Idolizing celebrities too much can be a problem.
Time to dwell on the past

Time to dwell on the past

Cassie Valdez
September 17, 2017
History plays an important role in our present; that's why we must always remember.
Awfully funny

Awfully funny

Cassie Valdez
September 10, 2017
What better way to deal with serious situations than to joke about it?
SATIRE: UF(Oh no)

SATIRE: UF(Oh no)

Cassie Valdez
September 2, 2017
Attention all humans: an alien takeover will soon begin.
Forgive or regret

Forgive or regret

Cassie Valdez
August 28, 2017
When you let grudges last for longer than necessary, you end up missing out on opportunities to make quality memories. Don't let anger justify the reason why you're ignoring loved ones. You'll never be able to make up for the lost time.
Are you still watching?

Are you still watching?

Cassie Valdez
June 8, 2017
CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings, has a new strategy to increase their show cancellation rate.
SATIRE: Water we going to dew?

SATIRE: Water we going to dew?

Cassie Valdez
May 24, 2017
H2(Oh) my gosh, here are the answers to all of America’s water system woes.
Libraries? Never heard of them

Libraries? Never heard of them

Cassie Valdez
May 12, 2017
Libraries and museums across the country are at risk with President Trump's first-draft budget proposal.
Caution: beware of self-destruction

Caution: beware of self-destruction

Cassie Valdez
April 20, 2017
Opening up to people? Never heard of it.
SATIRE: A heartfelt letter from YouTube

SATIRE: A heartfelt letter from YouTube

Cassie Valdez
March 24, 2017
YouTube has been under a lot of heat recently because of their "Restricted Mode" feature. But if you ask me, their apology definitely makes up for it.
Click here for instant gratification

Click here for instant gratification

Cassie Valdez
March 22, 2017
Expecting immediate results won't get you anywhere.
Disregard: a modern proverb

Disregard: a modern proverb

Cassie Valdez
March 3, 2017
Hate crimes have become the new norm.
PRO/CON: Make room for the Raiders

PRO/CON: Make room for the Raiders

Cassie Valdez
February 17, 2017
Not only would the Las Vegas Raiders bring in millions of dollars for the community, it would also invoke a sense of pride within the locals.
Press play, not fast forward

Press play, not fast forward

Cassie Valdez
February 13, 2017
College level courses are a waste of adolescence. There are countless opportunities students are missing out on because they're too busy with school work.
The Instagram paradox

The Instagram paradox

Cassie Valdez
February 3, 2017
The “finsta” trend has revealed many insecurities within people’s social media usage.
An Hour In ... Algebra II

An Hour In … Algebra II

Cassie Valdez
January 31, 2017
After taking notes on rational functions, Algebra II students race to multiply fractional expressions.
Peace in the streets

Peace in the streets

Cassie Valdez
January 26, 2017
Last Saturday, people all around the world participated in the Women's March to advocate human rights. Fortunately, I was able to attend the local march.
Mauna Kea vs. the universe

Mauna Kea vs. the universe

Cassie Valdez
January 5, 2017
A dormant volcano engraved in generations' worth of ancient history is the spotlight of a controversy over a $1.4 billion telescope.
PRO/CON: Education through a new lens

PRO/CON: Education through a new lens

Cassie Valdez
December 13, 2016
Cameras in classrooms don't equate to a "Big Brother"-esque experience but rather an opportunity to revolutionize education even further.
If I was privileged...

If I was privileged…

Cassie Valdez
December 2, 2016
Throughout my 16 years of living, I have noticed the impact of skin color in both my perception of the world and the world's perception of me.
Living off impulse

Living off impulse

Cassie Valdez
November 6, 2016
Thinking before doing is often forgotten when making decisions.
Life on rainbow road

Life on rainbow road

Cassie Valdez
October 19, 2016
Inaccurate portrayals of the LGBTQ community lead individuals to a doomsday that will either end in a victory or a loss.
If I were a toy

If I were a toy

Cassie Valdez
October 7, 2016
Imagine how it would be like if food was segregated by gender. See how ridiculous that would be? Now, why do we the same thing with toys?
Monday night rumble

Monday night rumble

Cassie Valdez
October 3, 2016
The presidential debate has been a controversial topic for many.
A fading identity

A fading identity

Cassie Valdez
September 23, 2016
The bond between American immigrant generations and their culture get lost in the process of growing up.