The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

All content by Grinesa Bajrami
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 5/4

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 5/4

Grinesa Bajrami
May 4, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/30

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/30

Grinesa Bajrami
April 30, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/28

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/28

Grinesa Bajrami
April 28, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/24

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/24

Grinesa Bajrami
April 24, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/23

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/23

Grinesa Bajrami
April 23, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/22

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/22

Grinesa Bajrami
April 22, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/21

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/21

Grinesa Bajrami
April 21, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/14

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/14

Grinesa Bajrami
April 14, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
The city that never sleeps goes silent

The city that never sleeps goes silent

It's been almost a month being stuck at home. This is the new world we are living in.
PODCAST: Life in quarantine

PODCAST: Life in quarantine

Students stuck at home as a result of COVID-19 are trying to find ways to fight off boredom and manage online schoolwork.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/3

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/3

Grinesa Bajrami
April 3, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/2

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 4/2

Grinesa Bajrami
April 2, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
Newspaper, yearbook both awarded CSPA crowns

Newspaper, yearbook both awarded CSPA crowns

Grinesa Bajrami
March 28, 2020
After being named crown finalists for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Howl yearbook earned silver and the Southwest Shadow earned gold.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/26

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/26

Grinesa Bajrami
March 26, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/25

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/25

Grinesa Bajrami
March 25, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/24

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/24

Grinesa Bajrami
March 24, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/23

SPARK: COVID-19 Update for 3/23

Grinesa Bajrami
March 23, 2020
Today's worldwide and local COVID-19 update.
ACT rescheduled for June 13

ACT rescheduled for June 13

Grinesa Bajrami
March 18, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the April 4 ACT test has been moved to June 13, with free rescheduling options offered for those who registered for the April test.
Virtual classes beginning tomorrow

Virtual classes beginning tomorrow

Grinesa Bajrami
March 17, 2020
Starting as early as tomorrow, March 18, teachers will instruct virtually through different Learning Management Systems.
Screenshot Credit: Ahmed Ahmed

BREAKING: Governor Steve Sisolak cancels school for all CCSD students

Grinesa Bajrami and Ahmed Ahmed
March 15, 2020
As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Steve Sisolak has closed all schools in the state.
CCSD continues to provide COVID-19 updates

CCSD continues to provide COVID-19 updates

Grinesa Bajrami
March 11, 2020
As the COVID-19 outbreak impacts more and more communities, CCSD is sending out more alerts and updates to families and faculty.
Mexico wins Coyote Olympics

Mexico wins Coyote Olympics

Grinesa Bajrami
March 10, 2020
At the fourth annual Coyote Olympics, Mexico was named the winners.
CCSD cancels all out-of-state, international student travel

CCSD cancels all out-of-state, international student travel

Grinesa Bajrami
March 5, 2020
Due to the fear of the corona virus, CCSD announced they are cancelling out-of-state and international trips for student travel with a phone call to all parents.
Free breakfast offered to all CCSD students starting today

Free breakfast offered to all CCSD students starting today

Grinesa Bajrami
March 2, 2020
After continued research proved students need to eat breakfast, CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara implemented a free breakfast policy.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Feb. 24

Club Preview: A look into the week of Feb. 24

Grinesa Bajrami and Juliana Borruso
February 21, 2020
FCCLA and FBLA members prepare for state, while BSU creates their presentation.
BREAKING NEWS: Senior song officially chosen

BREAKING NEWS: Senior song officially chosen

Grinesa Bajrami
February 20, 2020
The Class of 2020 decided on ‘See You Again’ by Tyler the Creator.
Academic WorldQuest teams take fourth, fifth, sixth at state competition

Academic WorldQuest teams take fourth, fifth, sixth at state competition

Grinesa Bajrami
February 12, 2020
Academic WorldQuest members competed at state with one less month to prepare compared to last year.
PODCAST: Pros, cons of cancel culture

PODCAST: Pros, cons of cancel culture

Cancel culture has become a large part of our society with social media taking over our phones. Everyone can be canceled over anything.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Feb. 10

Club Preview: A look into the week of Feb. 10

Grinesa Bajrami
February 4, 2020
Robotics prepares their robot, DECA attends their state competition and Dance Club finishes their routines.
Seniors hack a fake criminal

Seniors hack a fake criminal

Grinesa Bajrami
January 27, 2020
Cybersecurity I students hack a fake criminal using three different networks.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Jan. 27

Club Preview: A look into the week of Jan. 27

Grinesa Bajrami
January 23, 2020
FBLA members pick their competitions, FCCLA begins constructing their garments and SkillsUSA reviews their tests.
PODCAST: New year, new unrealistic expectations

PODCAST: New year, new unrealistic expectations

With 2020 rolling in, we breakdown our predictions for the new year.
Club Preview: A Look into Jan. 13

Club Preview: A Look into Jan. 13

Grinesa Bajrami
January 6, 2020
DECA start mock-interviews, FIDM Fashion Club finish their collections and Academic WorldQuest members study specific topics, all in preparation for their State competitions.
Fire alarm malfunctions during first period

Fire alarm malfunctions during first period

Grinesa Bajrami
December 13, 2019
The fire alarm malfunctioned during first period causing a drill.
Administration position open after dean receives promotion

Administration position open after dean receives promotion

Grinesa Bajrami
December 6, 2019
Dean Matthew Spurk receives a promotion to be Assistant Principal at Greenspun Junior High School.
Newspaper, yearbook finalists for crown award

Newspaper, yearbook finalists for crown award

Grinesa Bajrami
December 2, 2019
Both the Southwest Shadow and the Howl were awarded Gold Crown Awards by the CSPA.
HOSA hosts annual toy drive

HOSA hosts annual toy drive

Grinesa Bajrami
November 19, 2019
HOSA hosts their annual toy drive to donate for the holiday season.
FBLA readies for local conference with basketball fundraiser

FBLA readies for local conference with basketball fundraiser

Grinesa Bajrami
November 15, 2019
The annual FBLA basketball game will be held on Nov. 19 to help pay for state.
We the People prepare for December tournament

‘We the People’ prepare for December tournament

Grinesa Bajrami
November 13, 2019
We the People members prepare for the State Competition at UNLV on Dec. 14.
New dean fills administration position

New dean fills administration position

Grinesa Bajrami
November 8, 2019
Dean Matthew Spurk fills the previously empty position on the administration team, as of Nov. 4.
PODCAST: Falling into fall

PODCAST: Falling into fall

Grinesa Bajrami and Gurleen Swaich
November 4, 2019
Fall is the best season out of the four because of the cold weather, food, holidays and outfits to wear.
Club Preview: A look into Nov. 4

Club Preview: A look into Nov. 4

Grinesa Bajrami
October 31, 2019
BSU prepares for their festival, DECA begin taking practice tests and FIDM critique fashion designs.
COM 101 students debate various topics

COM 101 students debate various topics

Grinesa Bajrami and Jackson Bogan
October 30, 2019
Communications 101 and Freshman Studies students debate about different topics, such as guns, abortion and dress code.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Oct. 28

Club Preview: A look into the week of Oct. 28

Grinesa Bajrami
October 24, 2019
SkillsUSA begins fundraising for their State competition, Robotics begins cleaning the shop properly, and K-POP celebrates after their performance.
Seniors open periods impact club membership

Seniors open periods impact club membership

Grinesa Bajrami
October 17, 2019
Due to open periods at the end of the day, many clubs have lost a lot of senior members. Although seniors can return for clubs, they have been refusing to come.
BREAKING NEWS: Professional Academy wins annual football game

BREAKING NEWS: Professional Academy wins annual football game

Grinesa Bajrami
October 11, 2019
PA won the annual homecoming football game. However, due to issues with the paint job on the field, all students had to sit on one side of the field.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Oct. 14

Club Preview: A look into the week of Oct. 14

Grinesa Bajrami
October 10, 2019
FCCLA and DECA both prepare for their tournaments, while Poly Club choreographs a new routine.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Oct. 7

Club Preview: A look into the week of Oct. 7

Grinesa Bajrami
October 3, 2019
K-POP Club prepares for Homecoming Game performances, the Speech and Debate team works on their skills for tournaments and NHS members gave back to the community.
Club Preview: A look into the week of Sept. 30

Club Preview: A look into the week of Sept. 30

Grinesa Bajrami
September 26, 2019
Key Club, Robotics, Dance Club members planning for competitions, team building and Homecoming.
Southwest remains a five star school

Southwest remains a five star school

Alyx Beeten and Grinesa Bajrami
September 23, 2019
Teachers will begin reviewing subgroups to identify strategies to ensure forward progress
Seniors build computers from scratch to create networks

Seniors build computers from scratch to create networks

Grinesa Bajrami
September 16, 2019
Sensors in Cybersecurity III build computers from scratch.
Brewer challenges students to improve class

Brewer challenges students to improve class

Grinesa Bajrami
September 11, 2019
Seniors in English 12 Honors created proposals on how the classroom could be improved.
Club preview: A look into the week of Sept. 9

Club preview: A look into the week of Sept. 9

Grinesa Bajrami
September 6, 2019
DECA, FBLA and Cyberpatriot each have their second meeting of the year and begin teaching their important skills.
Engineering seniors test bridges from last year

Engineering seniors test bridges from last year

Grinesa Bajrami
August 23, 2019
Engineering seniors test bridges they created junior year in a competition.
Journalism program takes home nine awards at JEA/NSPA Spring Convention

Journalism program takes home nine awards at JEA/NSPA Spring Convention

The Journalism II staff competed in the Spring JEA/NSPA convention and came home with nine awards.
Activate your career interests through Future Farmers of America

Activate your career interests through Future Farmers of America

Although FFA does not have a chapter on campus, students have other options on learning agricultural skills they’ll need in the future.
Number of morning tardies decreases, ID policy next focus area

Number of morning tardies decreases, ID policy next focus area

Grinesa Bajrami
April 24, 2019
Starting April 22, students will be dress coded for forgetting their IDs to prepare for district policy.
Social justice movements focus of next project in history classes

Social justice movements focus of next project in history classes

Grinesa Bajrami
April 9, 2019
Juniors in US History learn about different Civil Rights Movements and will present during a gallery walk.
PODCAST: Two-faced friends

PODCAST: Two-faced friends

Grinesa Bajrami and Jasmine Bobbins
April 4, 2019
Fake friends–we've all been there before.
Academic World Quest teams place second, fourth at state

Academic World Quest teams place second, fourth at state

Grinesa Bajrami
April 1, 2019
The Academic World Quests teams placed second and fourth at the state competition on Saturday, March 30.
Spider-Man leaps into movie night

Spider-Man leaps into movie night

Grinesa Bajrami
March 26, 2019
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the chosen movie for the annual movie night on April 4 at 2 p.m.
Auditions for annual Coyote Coachella start next Monday

Auditions for annual Coyote Coachella start next Monday

Grinesa Bajrami
March 19, 2019
Auditions for Coyote Coachella planned to be held next week on Monday, March 25 and Tuesday, March 26.
Sadies Dance officially cancelled due to scheduling

Sadie’s Dance officially cancelled due to scheduling

Grinesa Bajrami
March 5, 2019
Spring event was supposed to return after hiatus.
Speech and Debate team compete to become state champions

Speech and Debate team compete to become state champions

Grinesa Bajrami
February 28, 2019
The Speech and Debate team heads to state next weekend, from Thursday Mar. 7 to Saturday Mar. 9.
Robot fights conducted in Engineering Manufacturing

Robot fights conducted in Engineering Manufacturing

Grinesa Bajrami
February 11, 2019
Juniors in Engineering Manufacturing created robots to compete against each other.
Sadies to follow King, Queen of hearts fundraiser

Sadies to follow King, Queen of hearts fundraiser

Grinesa Bajrami
February 4, 2019
Following the annual King and Queen of Hearts, Sadies will be hosted by StuCo and Key Club.
SkillsUSA collaborates with FBLA to host Annual Game Night

SkillsUSA collaborates with FBLA to host Annual Game Night

Shareen Basyari and Grinesa Bajrami
January 17, 2019
The annual game night, hosted by FBLA and SkillsUSA, will be held Friday from 3 to 6
Construction finishes, portable classrooms open

Construction finishes, portable classrooms open

Grinesa Bajrami
January 9, 2019
Portables have been approved and opened to the POST students as of Jan. 7.
Juniors in US History roleplay as historical figures

Juniors in US History roleplay as historical figures

Grinesa Bajrami
December 13, 2018
Juniors in US History roleplayed as important people in the late 18th and early 19th century to discuss topics of the time period.
IT Essentials II students create networks with personal wires

IT Essentials II students create networks with personal wires

Grinesa Bajrami
December 4, 2018
Juniors and seniors create wires and their own network between themselves.
Speech and Debate members prepare for final tournament

Speech and Debate members prepare for final tournament

Grinesa Bajrami
November 26, 2018
The final novice Speech and Debate tournament will be held at Rancho High School on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.
Student-led Girls in Tech readies for event

Student-led ‘Girls in Tech’ readies for event

Grinesa Bajrami and Madison White
November 13, 2018
On Dec. 7, middle school girls will come to our school to learn about the STEM programs here.
Junior Dental classes create parodies to learn vocabulary words

Junior Dental classes create parodies to learn vocabulary words

Alyx Beeten and Grinesa Bajrami
November 7, 2018
Students are creating parodies about their vocabulary words.
Midterm Election day to occur on Nov. 6

Midterm Election day to occur on Nov. 6

Although many students cannot vote, they can remain politically active and impact the communities ideas.
Love in the time of social media

Love in the time of social media

From mutual internet friends to their wedding days, meeting online has become a social norm for many students and teachers alike.
Screenshot by: Grinesa Bajrami

Random backpack searches authorized by CCSD beginning soon

Grinesa Bajrami
October 24, 2018
A new rule implemented by CCSD will allow administrators to conduct random backpacks searches on students.
Sophomores engage in year-long project on continents

Sophomores engage in year-long project on continents

Charli Gisi, Grinesa Bajrami, and Madison White
October 16, 2018
Sophomores in Thur’s World History classes are doing projects where each class is assigned a specific continent to research throughout the year.
BREAKING NEWS: Professional Academy Wins PA vs. DA Flag Football Game

BREAKING NEWS: Professional Academy Wins PA vs. DA Flag Football Game

Charli Gisi and Grinesa Bajrami
October 12, 2018
This year's annual PA vs DA homecoming game ended with Professional Academy winning.
Creating personal enzyme labs in AP Biology

Creating personal enzyme labs in AP Biology

Cosette Zielinski and Grinesa Bajrami
October 5, 2018
Juniors and seniors in AP Biology made their own enzyme labs.
‘The Greatest Showman’ chosen for annual movie night

‘The Greatest Showman’ chosen for annual movie night

Charli Gisi and Grinesa Bajrami
September 27, 2018
‘The Greatest Showman’ chosen for the annual fall movie night on Friday.
Singer Ray Goren performs live in the Coyote Ballroom

Singer Ray Goren performs live in the Coyote Ballroom

Grinesa Bajrami
September 24, 2018
Ray Goren, an up and coming singer-songwriter, performed for students in the ballroom during 7th period.
Web design juniors redesign teacher websites

Web design juniors redesign teacher websites

Grinesa Bajrami
September 20, 2018
Web Design juniors redesign websites for teachers of their choice to prepare for next year's senior capstone.
American literature authors lives being used to practice MLA style

American literature authors lives being used to practice MLA style

Grinesa Bajrami
September 14, 2018
Students create essays and projects about American literature authors to learn MLA style.
Juniors learn about history through anatomy

Juniors learn about history through anatomy

Grinesa Bajrami
September 6, 2018
Juniors in Ms. Kelly's US History class are relating the American Revolution to body parts.
Engineering presentation covers history of inventions

Engineering presentation covers history of inventions

Grinesa Bajrami
August 28, 2018
Engineering freshmen and juniors present the history of inventions.
Previous Fashion Design teacher takes over Interior Design program

Previous Fashion Design teacher takes over Interior Design program

Charli Gisi and Grinesa Bajrami
August 24, 2018
Shannon Sheldon switches from teaching Fashion to teaching Interior Design.
‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ selected for Movie Night

‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ selected for Movie Night

Grinesa Bajrami
April 17, 2018
Event will take place indoors to avoid problematic weather.
3D models created to solve daily problems

3D models created to solve daily problems

Grinesa Bajrami
April 11, 2018
Cookie cutters, playgrounds and weather vanes were built by sophomore Engineering students.
An Hour In … Speech and Debate

An Hour In … Speech and Debate

Grinesa Bajrami
April 9, 2018
Speech and Debate members have an after school potluck.
Juniors collaborate with sophomores to solve riddles for breakout box

Juniors collaborate with sophomores to solve riddles for breakout box

Grinesa Bajrami
March 23, 2018
Students in US History and English 10 work together to find the solution to stopping the next World War.
StuCo celebrates Pi Day by selling pies

StuCo celebrates Pi Day by selling pies

Grinesa Bajrami
March 15, 2018
Student Council sold pies on Pi Day for the eighth year in a row.
An Hour In … English 11

An Hour In … English 11

Grinesa Bajrami
March 12, 2018
Students in English 11 present their favorite speeches with their own personal twist.
User satisfaction focus for Web Design project

User satisfaction focus for Web Design project

Grinesa Bajrami
March 6, 2018
Web Design I project allows sophomores to recreate well known websites to learn computer development skills.
An Hour In ... Principles of Engineering

An Hour In … Principles of Engineering

Grinesa Bajrami
February 22, 2018
Engineering students finished their robots and began presenting their machines.
Enrollment for Annual Badminton Tournament is still open

Enrollment for Annual Badminton Tournament is still open

Grinesa Bajrami
February 18, 2018
Any teams of two to three can sign up by turning in health forms to one of the four PE coaches.
Speech, debate prepares for school wide showcase

Speech, debate prepares for school wide showcase

Grinesa Bajrami
February 1, 2018
Speech and Debate members prepare for upcoming fall competition season.
A world addicted to technology

A world addicted to technology

Grinesa Bajrami
October 30, 2017
Electronic device usage is the new future for the youth.
Slideshow: Homecoming Lunch Games

Slideshow: Homecoming Lunch Games

Grinesa Bajrami
October 13, 2017
Lunch games were held all week in order to excite students for homecoming.