The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Jianna Aganon

Jianna Aganon, News // Feature Editor

Hi everyone, my name is Jianna and I serve as the News/Features editor for the Southwest Shadow! I’m looking forward to all the great content we’ll be putting out!

All content by Jianna Aganon
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?
Testing the powdered tea in the Enterprise area, one of the best matchas is determined.

Battle of the Matcha(s)

Jianna Aganon and Yaritzza Montenegro
August 25, 2024
Nine cafés were included in the rankings.
In between sessions, advisers Jennifer Gonzalez and Levi Harbeson stand with their students before entering the award ceremony and learning their students´ scores. After working on their projects all year, their hard work was assessed by panels of judges. ¨I planned to have us practice our presentations, but we did not have the time. I wish I would have done that to help everyone more,” Gonzalez said. “When you are preparing different students for the same event it is hard to know who is going to come out on top, even if you ideally have a feeling.¨

[Photo] FCCLA Members Sweep at State Leadership Conference

Violet Moreno, Staff Writer
April 2, 2024

In between sessions, advisers Jennifer Gonzalez and Levi Harbeson stand with their students before entering the award ceremony and learning their students´ scores. After working on their projects all...

Gathering for their board meeting, the CCSD Board of Trustees discusses the future of the school district’s leadership following Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara’s resignation. Jara has served in CCSD as the superintendent since 2018. “We have four new trustees that were appointed to the board that were non-voting members,” Computer Science teacher Dana Cuni said. “Most trustees are voted in by a public who may not know what's best for education, but these four professionals know the process. They've been in education, they have PhDs, and they know what we need, so I'm hoping they do their work to find the research, to hear what parents want, what students want, what teachers want, and use a hiring process to find a person who's a better fit than Jara was.” Screenshot from CCSD School Board Meeting

Jara’s Legacy: Impact on CCSD

Jianna Aganon and Yaritzza Montenegro
March 4, 2024
Former Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara left a dent in the history of CCSD.
Using the new sign out system, junior Venice Jingco types in her student ID number to indicate that she has left for the restroom. Upon signing out, students have six minutes to use the bathroom and return to class to sign back in. “For now, we're just kind of testing it with about 20 or 30 teachers throughout the school to kind of see how the flow works,” Assistant Principal Cameron Roehm said. “When we eventually implement the system school-wide, we will know how it works, and it will help it [the program] run smoother at our school.”

[Photo] School Implements Classroom Sign Out System

Zelina Panissidi, Staff Writer
February 15, 2024

Using the new sign out system, junior Venice Jingco types in her student ID number to indicate that she has left for the restroom. Upon signing out, students have six minutes to use the bathroom and return...

Displaying the implementation of the new salary on a table, CCSD is working to honor the agreements made in the December 2023 contract. The contract fulfills most of the demands made by CCEA. “We have never seen anything like this. I really think it's thanks to CCEA and all the work they did up in the legislature for education,” Computer Science teacher Dana Cuni said. “The underserved populations in the district are suffering the most so hopefully this is a big enough package to say “Maybe I wasn’t going to be a teacher but maybe I would like to try it.” because the pay will be big enough.”

CCEA, CCSD Reach Historic Contract Agreement

Jianna Aganon
February 7, 2024
The contract will be fully effective within the next two years with an increase of 10 percent this year and an increase of eight percent in 2025.
THIRST FOR URGENCY

THIRST FOR URGENCY

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

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.”

[Photo] CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 26

Calahan Davis, Staff Writer
November 28, 2023

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...

Best of (Teen) Vegas 2023

Best of (Teen) Vegas 2023

Jianna Aganon and Ayma Malik
November 2, 2023
Students and editors are once again letting us know the places they appreciate in Las Vegas. Take a look into this year's "Best of".
Combating student email access lockouts, password retrievals are happening in the library during English or Freshman Studies/Health classes. A week has passed since the initial lockout occurred. “We’re doing that [library retrievals] for two reasons,” Assistant Principal Donna Besser said. “One is to make sure that we are using a different system to log everyone in. Also, to ensure that everybody is getting reset. Right now some students that have been reset are saying that they weren’t reset so that they don’t have to do work in class. This is ensuring that everyone is being reset and no one has any excuse to not be logged in.”

Technology services partially return for student access

Jianna Aganon, Yaritzza Montenegro, and Ayma Malik
October 24, 2023
Campus internet and student account retrieval are being restored after outage and cyberattack.
Sporting CCEA blue, Southwest CTA teachers protest before school hours to comply with NRS 288.230 and in support of the union’s mission to build what they believe is an equitable contract for teacher’s salary increases. CCSD and CCEA continued negotiations this week. “The goal is to show the district that teachers are not happy with the current conditions and pay,” Social Studies teacher Jessica Kelly said. “I just hope that parents and students care enough to support us publicly. For example, contact our region’s School Board Trustee or our superintendent Jesus Jara in support of teachers.”

Teacher salary concerns continue after two more days of negotiations

Jianna Aganon and Yaritzza Montenegro
August 19, 2023
CCEA is negotiating with CCSD about contract changes.
Working diligently, students in Algebra I work on a problem. Teachers were notified about the exam in February. “My major concern is that CCSD made the decision about EOCs well into the school year,” Algebra 1 teacher Kirsten Landau said. “They have given us very little time to adjust our plans and prepare for this assessment.“

‘End of Course Exams’ Return for the Upcoming School Year

Jianna Aganon and Yaritzza Montenegro
April 18, 2023
After years of hiatus, End of Course exams are being reintroduced into the curriculum.
With constant sewer-like smell, B building’s pipe system is being repaired after Spring Break. The district has been coordinating with the school in order to solve the ongoing odor problem at school. “The smell has been here for as long as I can remember,” Freshman Studies teacher Kimberly Caipa said, “It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does happen, it’s not pleasant.”

B Building pipes being fixed after 13 years

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
March 1, 2023
Since campus first opened, the odor in B building has been present.
Outlining his expectations for writing assignments, US Government & Economics teacher Joseph Juliano makes sure that students understand the task at hand. First semester was based on specific political ideas, but seniors have the opportunity to creatively express their beliefs and priorities. “I have known about this contest for a long time, but some years I didn’t introduce it to the full class as an assignment, rather just showed them the opportunity,” Juliano said. “In the past I had a student who won our local Las Vegas contest. She was invited to a luncheon at the district court and awarded a nice check for $1500.”

[Photo] Seniors Create 28th Amendment for Civics Contest

Ashley Harris, News and Features Editor
February 23, 2023

Outlining his expectations for writing assignments, US Government & Economics teacher Joseph Juliano makes sure that students understand the task at hand. First semester was based on specific political...

Carefully looking over state standards and criteria, newly appointed English 10 H and 11 teacher Pier Shoates creates lesson plans. Since the start of the second semester, Shoates has made the move from support staff to teaching. “I have a way better understanding of how students are now,” Shoates said. “I can see it from both the staff perspective and the student perspective.”

New ‘Teacher Pathway’ Program for Future CCSD Employees Hopes to add to pipeline

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
February 21, 2023
Higher education schools and CCSD are now offering paid tuition for CCSD employees to become classroom educators.
Within seconds, people are now able quickly ask artificial intelligence questions relating to any topic of their choice with responses being generated with a click of a button. The chat bot has been thoroughly studied and fine-tuned with learning techniques and language models since its release. “I think the AI is very impressive, but I know it could be a dangerous tool,” junior Gian Carlo Raneses said, “It just depends on who is using it and why they are using it.”

ChatGPT blocked by GoGuardian on all CCSD monitored devices

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
January 31, 2023
New programs already being created for teachers to verify if assignments have been completed by AI
Finding inspiration for a digital moodboard, junior Zoey Ching creates a five-piece collection encompassing personal design aesthetic. The partnership has been taking place over the course of the semester. “I think the duality of having both teachers collaborate makes me more interested in the projects we’re completing,” Ching said.

Graphic Design, Fashion, Interior Design Programs to Collaborate on Upcoming Projects

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
January 10, 2023
Curriculum and standards have been reviewed to assist in finding common content opportunities.
Infographic: How to Get Concert Tickets

Infographic: How to Get Concert Tickets

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
November 28, 2022
Stay updated on how to obtain concert tickets.
Podcast: Driving As A Teen In Las Vegas

Podcast: Driving As A Teen In Las Vegas

Ava Julian, Hannah Paine, and Jianna Aganon
November 21, 2022
Podcast on what student driving is like living in Las Vegas.
Teaching Regional Training Conference cheers, Key Club board members Vassily Tan and Jaydee Punzalan display their spirit. Board members have been preparing cheers since before the school year started in hopes of victory. “These cheers are very special to us, specifically our Vice President of Spirit, because we worked all throughout the summer to make sure we were ready come RTC,” Punzalan said, “The process helped me grow closer with both the board and other members so I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Upcoming Fall Rally South To Be Held At Six Flags

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
November 2, 2022
They recently won the division spirit stick at the Regional Training Conference.
Acclaimed for their taste and artistry, Ramen Zero offers a place for customers to explore genuine Japanese cuisine. Grade: A

Explore original, authentic Japanese cuisine at Ramen Zero

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
October 25, 2022
Hit up Ramen Zero for a taste of Japanese culture.
After finishing the club's icebreaker, Key Club members pose for a photo for the club's historian on September 14.

[Photo] CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 24

Gray Barranco, Staff Writer
October 20, 2022

After finishing the club's icebreaker, Key Club members pose for a photo for the club's historian on September 14.

Fresh Ink: Most Anticipated Book Releases of Autumn 2022

Fresh Ink: Most Anticipated Book Releases of Autumn 2022

Jianna Aganon, Staff Writer
October 18, 2022
In a reading slump and need book recommendations? Here are 10 new books to keep an eye on this fall.
As violent incidents involving school bus drivers shockingly affect our district, bus drivers now work in fear in what has now turned into an aggressive and rowdy environment. Yet, drivers are expected to put up with worsening conditions and continue to perform their duties for adolescents who disrespect their authority.

[Photo] EDITORIAL: BUS DRIVERS NEED TO BE TREATED LIKE PEOPLE TOO

October 5, 2022

As violent incidents involving school bus drivers shockingly affect our district, bus drivers now work in fear in what has now turned into an aggressive and rowdy environment. Yet, drivers are expected...

Where Are They Now: Mikaly Meily

Where Are They Now: Mikaly Meily

Jianna Aganon
September 22, 2022
Take a look into Class of 2014's Mikaly Meily's life.
VIB: This weekend in Las Vegas 9/2/22

VIB: This weekend in Las Vegas 9/2/22

Jianna Aganon
September 2, 2022
Find something fun to do this weekend.