The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Ethan Bull

Ethan Bull, A&E // Opinion Editor

Hello everyone! I am Ethan, the Opinion/A&E section editor for this year. I am excited to have a leadership position in SWCTA’s journalism program, and I love helping new writers achieve their goals. In my free time I enjoy playing guitar and competing in Speech and Debate.

All content by Ethan Bull
NEVADA: TRULY THE WORST STATE FOR EDUCATION?

NEVADA: TRULY THE WORST STATE FOR EDUCATION?

Jianna Aganon, Philipos Alebachew, Ethan Bull, Kylie Dacquel, Venice Jingco, Ayma Malik, Yaritzza Montenegro, Kalista Palarca, Kathryn Peterson, Kailie Sicolo, Shayna Migalang, Adrienne Vera-Perez, and Travis McGinnis
September 17, 2024
Is Nevada really the worst state for education?
Campaign Financing

Campaign Financing

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
May 31, 2024
Charging forward with yet another business venture, former President Donald Trump has publicly launched Trump Media & Technology Group under the stock ticker DJT.
While some claim that America is being turned into a “gerontocracy,” or rule by the old, fewer can explain why this is an inherently negative development for our country.

Yes, Ageism is Still Discrimination

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
April 24, 2024
Though the country is slated to have the two oldest presidential candidates in history running for office, our political contempt does not justify generalizations about the elderly.
Saudi Arabia has recently spent billions of dollars investing in a wide variety of sports.

Do Saudi Arabia’s Sports Investments Have Substance?

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
March 21, 2024
Though Saudi Arabia’s massive athletic investments may seem strange, they are actually a well-reasoned addition to the national economy.
Over 40 million tons of plastic waste is generated by the United States each year, with more than three-quarters of the trash winding up in landfills. After their short lifespan has concluded, low-quality goods from Temu are likely to be quickly forgotten.

Stop Temu: Don’t Be Consumed by Consumerism

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
February 23, 2024
The low prices on Temu come with a catch that few are aware of; where the platform succeeds in pricing, it also forces users to pay a human cost.
Many Americans no longer view our politicians as experienced statesmen, leaders and policymakers. Now, presidential candidates have become mockable caricatures.

Bring Back the Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
January 19, 2024
As political showmanship has increasingly dominated American politics, perhaps one answer to the issue of unsatisfactory presidential candidates can be found by abandoning our short-form media.
THIRST FOR URGENCY

THIRST FOR URGENCY

Ayma Malik, Ethan Bull, Jianna Aganon, Kalista Palarca, Kathryn Peterson, Travis McGinnis, and Yaritzza Montenegro
December 11, 2023

In public and school libraries across the country, states are beginning to implement legislation that bans youth audiences from reading specific books. While these are examples of historically banned books in schools, the target of new-age censorship seems to be shifting.

[Photo] EDITORIAL: Keep Politics off the Shelves

Southwest Shadow, Editorial Board
November 15, 2023

In public and school libraries across the country, states are beginning to implement legislation that bans youth audiences from reading specific books. While these are examples of historically banned books...

For many teenagers, high school graduation is one of the most crucial life milestones. Arguably even more important than graduating is the college admissions process that follows- a process that many ambitious high school students tend to flunk.

We Should Reconsider our College Applications

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
September 25, 2023
For the last few years, ambitious high school students have been taking a flawed approach to their college decisions. Increasingly competitive high schoolers need to shift their perspectives if they want to achieve fulfillment in their post-graduation lives.
Diligently working, juniors Adyen Ionescu and Rayan Awad collaborate to improve their writing. Students use this class to develop their speech and debate skills. “I’m a novice and everything is still new and intimidating to me,” Ionescu said. “So far I like how I have this sort of creative freedom. I’ve had classmates that have noted that I’m really good with speech, but only being restricted to a handful of topics just for an assignment isn’t enough for me. I’m participating in the October tournament, and I’m both excited and nervous about it as well. I can’t wait to see if that freedom pays off in the end and truly see my speaking capabilities.”

[Photo] SPEECH, DEBATE CLUB EXPANDS INTO COURSE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
September 26, 2023

Diligently working, juniors Adyen Ionescu and Rayan Awad collaborate to improve their writing. Students use this class to develop their speech and debate skills. “I’m a novice and everything is still...

“I was planning to go to my friend’s house to rehearse a song," junior Amerie Ignacio said. "Right now, we’re working on 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana. We play guitar, drums, and sometimes bass.”

Q&A: What Are You Doing This Weekend?

Paizley Swaney and Ethan Bull
September 8, 2023
Find out what students are doing this weekend.
Before school hours, teachers have been demonstrating in support of the terms for CCEA’s contract proposal, including an increased salary and improved employer benefits.

[Photo] EDITORIAL: CCSD Must Respect The Right to a Living Wage

Southwest Shadow, Editorial Board
August 28, 2023

Before school hours, teachers have been demonstrating in support of the terms for CCEA’s contract proposal, including an increased salary and improved employer benefits.

Bracket of the PlayVS Championship, showing the team’s progression from quarter finals to finals.

Southwest Squids Win Splatoon National Championship

Ethan Bull, Opinion Editor
June 3, 2023
Final series ended in a 3-0 victory against the ATC Mammalians.
Facing public backlash and bankruptcy, Twitter’s new management may have gone too far to keep their vision of the platform alive.

Elon’s Twitter Acquisition Is Not What We Were Promised

Ethan Bull, Staff Writer
January 27, 2023
From layoffs of half the workforce to complete department axings, Elon Musks’ purchase and privatization of Twitter has been a rocky road that remains far from the platform that was promised, despite some noteworthy improvements.
School Choice is Not Our Panacea

School Choice is Not Our Panacea

Ethan Bull, Staff Writer
January 3, 2023
While school choice may be a tempting solution for parents and students, distributing public education fund vouchers undermines both taxpayers and the general school system.
Under a school voucher or savings account system, parents would be siphoning money directly from public education funding to their own pockets.

On the Scale: Is School Choice a Cool Choice?

Ethan Bull and Rhamil Taguba
January 3, 2023
The argument for school choice continues with the results of the midterm elections.
While some students are proud to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during the morning announcements, an increasing number of students are choosing to sit out of the patriotic demonstration for personal reasons.

RECONSIDER YOUR STANCE ON THE PLEDGE

Ethan Bull
November 29, 2022
In recent times, an increasing number of students and citizens have refused to stand during patriotic demonstrations such as the Pledge of Allegiance. Despite this, there are compelling reasons to show your support for the country.
Podcast: Just the headline

Podcast: Just the headline

Kalista Palarca, Ethan Bull, and Kathryn Peterson
November 7, 2022
For many, it is a foreign idea to verify the information they are reading. This is a problem.
Junior Alvin Claro lifts the rim of a tire. The Auto-Tech program teaches students how to apply useful skills to fix up cars.

[Photo] EDITORIAL: SCHOOLS SHOULD REQUIRE LIFE SKILLS COURSES TO GRADUATE

Southwest Shadow Editorial Board
January 12, 2023

Junior Alvin Claro lifts the rim of a tire. The Auto-Tech program teaches students how to apply useful skills to fix up cars.

Anticipating a homecoming proposal, junior Danika Marie Molina exits the campus amongst a crowd of her peers as they cheer her on. The proposal, which had been planned for several weeks, attracted a crowd that numbered more than 50 spectators offering gifts and support.

What We Should Learn from HOCO This Year

Ethan Bull, Staff Writer
October 18, 2022
Students felt the pressure of finding a homecoming date, but the actual proposals were washed out by the fanfare of long-time couples and preapproved dates.
Struggling against the clock, sophomore Keysha Putri attempts to repair her pasta tower during a team building exercise at a Speech and Debate club meeting, as Vice President Angeline Roldan approaches to measure its height. The preliminary meeting prepared students for upcoming tournament events with fun team building exercises, including the Shadow-Angel tournament, where three novice debaters competed for their first times at NWCTA. “It was fun watching everyone work together with people they didn't know,” Roldan said. “Games like these really build the team spirit that we’re trying to create.”

DEBATE NOVICES WIN NEW IN TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Ethan Bull, Staff Writer
October 13, 2022
Debaters compete are first tournament of the season.