The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Jon Escala

Jon Escala, Staff Writer

Hi, I’m Jon Victor but I go by JV and this is my first year as a member of the Southwest Shadow. Writing news stories are pretty cool, and in my free time I play volleyball.

All content by Jon Escala
“Living Rhythms” performer Greg Ince leads his fellow drummer Dakarai Ince through the Kuku rhythm. This popular rhythm was played at a fast tempo. “I found the music to be loud and powerful,” junior Ryan Cruz said, “It was really interesting seeing how they displayed their ability to show their culture through dramatic movements and sounds.”

BSU organizes first-ever “Living Rhythms” performance during lunch

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
February 14, 2025
Students experience a taste of traditional African music in the cafeteria.
On the day of his performance, junior Ryan Cruz prepares himself and tries to calm his nerves for the event. For Cruz, lion dancing is an expressive outlet that brings emotion to any spectators that check out his performances. “It’s really fun for me, honestly,” Cruz said. “I like jumping around, or running around. I really like [pretending to] bite people as the lion. It means a lot to me that I’m able to make people smile, whether it is making them think that I brought them good fortune, or doing those random things to kids to cheer them up because they’re really scared.”

Head of the Lion: Meet Ryan Cruz

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
January 30, 2025

Most who have experienced the tradition of lion dancing might be content staying a spectator for fear of feeling embarrassed to wear a huge costume while dancing. But for junior Ryan Cruz, he remains fearless...

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JULIANNA BORRUSO

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JULIANNA BORRUSO

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
December 17, 2024
Here's a look at 2022 graduate Julianna Borruso's life after high school.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JAIRYL LOPEZ

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JAIRYL LOPEZ

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
December 16, 2024
Here's a look at 2017 graduate Jairyl Lopez's life after highschool.
Inspecting the car’s underside, junior Drake Malcolm tries to pry out a brake component. While collaborating with another student, Malcolm attempted to direct his classmate to where the component is. “It’s pretty simple,” Malcolm said. “Of course, taking the rotor off is pretty simple. If it’s a drum brake system, it’s a little bit more complicated; you have to take apart a bunch of hydraulic systems, and other stuff, but overall brake jobs are relatively easy.”

Sophomore Automotive Students Practice Brake Jobs

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
November 7, 2024
To promote safety, students are exposed to the maintenance of brake components to keep them functional.
During last year’s club feud, BSU President Philipos Alebachew hosts the game show. With the game on the line, Alebachew waited for the competitor to answer. “I really enjoyed it,” senior Sydney Hester said, “I feel like it was a great way to bring all the clubs together in a competition. There were a variety of questions that a lot of people could answer, and different point-of-views were tossed around to see if they were the correct answer [shown] on the board.”

BSU Hosts Club Feud

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
October 15, 2024
Pitting clubs against each other in a game show style.
Scanning into her AP Human Geography class, sophomore Hareyna Tecle holds her ID up to the scanner. The scanners have been introduced in most classes since last Friday. “I feel like it’s productive,” sophomore Hareyna Tecle said. “It’s a really great idea; it’ll be a nice way for us to check in and for teachers to do attendance, more easily and more accurately.”

Administration Implements Attendance Scanners In Classrooms

Jon Escala and Rheyland Simon
October 9, 2024
Teachers are now using new attendance scanners, replacing the traditional way of taking attendance.