The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Joy Ryan

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer

Hi, my name is Joy, and I’m excited to be in journalism again this year. I love listening to music and drawing in my free time and hope to put out amazing stories.
All content by Joy Ryan
Today, collecting designer figurines such as Labubu’s, Sonny Angels, and Smiskis have become popular collectable items, with hundreds of people trying to get their hands on one. These collectibles have gained immense popularity, changing the scope of collectibles from occasional purchases to overconsumption. “I store my figurines by hanging shelves and storing them there,” senior Donavan Leung said. “Honestly, what makes me excited when collecting figurines is when I get to open them and hang them up. It’s fun to open the figurines, especially since most of them are blind bags. I don’t buy them often, but when I see something I really like or want, I get it.”

FROM BLIND BOXES TO MYSTERY SURPRISES: HOW FIGURINE COLLECTING BECAME WORLDWIDE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
April 17, 2025
Today, collectible figurines have become a worldwide phenomenon for people of all ages.
Dating has encountered many changes, where traditional standards have become outdated due to cultural shifts. In the past, dating meant finding your romantic partner and developing deeper connections, but now dating has experienced changes in everything from gender roles, stages and communication, growing more complex. “We can go back all the way to early human civilization, the European model approach where we see that dating was superfluous, extra [and] unnecessary,” COM 101/102 teacher Henry Evans said. ”Weddings were more seen as a business transaction governed by families. Now we have Valentine’s Day and so many ways to wine and dine and lure people in for romantic interests.”

A NEW TRANSITION: A LOOK INTO THE CHANGES OF DATING CULTURE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
April 4, 2025
Today’s dating culture is almost unrecognizable compared to the past.
Scissors in hand, junior Ghiada Ferraer cuts out her design traced on the fabric. After creating a basic sketch, students were allowed to start building their project. “At first I wanted to do Scruff, but she said that we weren’t allowed to do Ugly Doll characters that have already been made, so I decided to do Scruff but turn it into me.” Ferraer said. “The biggest challenge I think everyone has faced is finding fabrics that match what you want to do, and then finding enough of that fabric, so a lot of people had to change their ideas.”

An Hour In…Design Crafts

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
March 24, 2025
Find out how students in Design Crafts create their Ugly Doll projects.
INFOGRAPHIC: HOW TO GET A VALENTINE

INFOGRAPHIC: HOW TO GET A VALENTINE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
February 11, 2025
Learn the different ways to ask someone to be your Valentine.
Posing with a Chiikawa stand, a popular Japanese cartoon character, junior Chloe Rivera enjoys her time in Japan. She snapped a picture with the Chiikawa and Tokyo Banana collaboration poster to commemorate the moment. “I think they [Chiikawa] were really cute and during the time I was thinking about how Tokyo Banana and Chiikawa collab and that I should take a picture before their collab ended,” Rivera said. “Sometimes I wish I got the collab package, but I’m also glad I didn’t even though the packaging is different.” “Photo Credit: Chloe Rivera”

DEVOTED TRAVELER: MEET CHLOE RIVERA

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
January 29, 2025
Junior shares her experience of traveling frequently to different parts of the world.
INFOGRAPHIC: HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

INFOGRAPHIC: HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
December 13, 2024
Learn about how to choose the best gift for your loved ones.
FIVE TIPS TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

FIVE TIPS TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
November 25, 2024
Learn about the different ways you can make learning a language easier.
The genre of K-pop has spread across the globe, but Western and K-pop musicians are held to much different standards. K-pop idols are subject to harsh expectations like having pale skin, no acne and perfect bodies, while western artists typically have more freedom in terms of the clothes they wish to wear or the persona they project. “K-pop artists have it somewhat harder than Western artists,” sophomore Jaidelyn Wiseman said. “They both share similar experiences, but K-pop idols don’t really have the freedom of dating, their schedules, or how much they work and overall I just think that K-pop idols face a lot of harsher beauty standards and expectations than western artists.”

THE COST OF FAME: A LOOK INTO WESTERN MUSIC INDUSTRY VS. KOREAN POP

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
October 23, 2024
K-pop and Western music artists face double standards.
Hitting a high note in the song “Goddess” by Laufey, junior Danna Kim focuses on controlling her vocals. Kim was given the opportunity to perform on stage during last year’s Coyote Coachella. “I was so happy I wasn’t the only one singing,” Kim said. “Everyone was amazing and such great singers/performers and it made me feel heartfelt when singing mine as well.”

Classically Born Soloist: Meet Danna Kim

Zelina Panissidi and Joy Ryan
September 26, 2024
Junior shares her experience as a multilingual opera singer and pianist.
Handing out certificates to Key Club members, President Ella Abliar congratulates each member that successfully fulfilled their service hour requirement. In order to become an inducted member of the club, members have to complete the service activities to earn their required 50 hours. “I was honored to pass out these awards to all these members who are exceptionally hard-working students that truly showcased the embodiment of Key Club,” Abliar said. “I was happy to see people having fun and showing off the hard work they put in, and my board also did amazing; they helped out a lot, and it made me extremely happy to see that they were just as passionate as everyone else.”

CLUB PREVIEW : A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF SEP. 23

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
September 23, 2024
TSA starts mock competitions, HOSA hosts guest speakers, Key Club continues service activities and RTC preparation.
An Hour In ... English 9 H

An Hour In … English 9 H

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
September 20, 2024
English 9 H students learn about the Elizabethan era and create posters.
Participating in a Splatoon competition, sophomore Jian Arceo strategically makes his way to the opposing team. Competitive Gaming Club members are able to work in teams and communicate the best strategies to win different competitions. “I felt confident that we were going to win,” Arceo said. “Being able to communicate with teammates was a positive, and I felt we were pretty well coordinated throughout the entire game.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF SEP. 17

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
September 17, 2024
NHS members get to know one another, CGC continues to compete, FBLA shares more about their competitions.
Rocking out on stage, THE REDPILLS perform a cover of “Looking Out for You” by Joy Again at Coyote Coachella 2024. The band also performed in 2023 where they experienced playing in front of a crowd for the first time. “Performing at Coyote Coachella was super fun for all of us,” drummer Oliver Rondez said. “Seeing the crowd that we had brought together really made me and my band members super happy. It’s really satisfying to see people enjoying the music that you are making.”

Sweet Sounds: Meet THE REDPILLS

Adrienne Vera-Perez and Joy Ryan
May 1, 2024
THE REDPILLS share their experiences as an up-and-coming band, future plans and releases.
INFOGRAPHIC: POSING & POSTING

INFOGRAPHIC: POSING & POSTING

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
April 17, 2024
Read about how to pose for your photos and make your post unique.
FIVE TIPS TO BE THE BEST YOU

FIVE TIPS TO BE THE BEST YOU

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
March 6, 2024
Discover five tips to become the best version of yourself.
Preparing for King and Queen of Hearts, the Student Council (StuCo) invites different clubs and encourages them all to participate. The King and Queen of Hearts fundraiser held in February is an annual fundraiser to raise money for the American Heart Association. “It’s for a good cause and since it’s like a competition type thing, I think it raises spirits and gets people more active in school and to participate more,” Vice President of Design Academy Emilio Garcia said. “Some of the challenges were figuring out the logistics and getting smaller clubs to participate and once we get to week two and three getting donations gets challenging.”

STUCO TO HOST ‘KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS’ FUNDRAISER

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
February 5, 2024

Preparing for King and Queen of Hearts, the Student Council (StuCo) invites different clubs and encourages them all to participate. The King and Queen of Hearts fundraiser held in February is an annual...

While walking across campus on the new sidewalks, students make their way to class. For several years, students walked along the dirt and stones, causing them to violate an institutional rule. “[The] rule is for everyone to use the sidewalks because they are level and provide better footing when compared to the stones,” Assistant Principal Cameron Roehm. “The rule is there for safety reasons and I would hope students would want to keep their shoes cleaner by not tracking through the stones.”

NEW CROSSWALKS ON CAMPUS

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
January 19, 2024
Students are greeted with new crosswalks when entering campus.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JACKY MAC

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: JACKY MAC

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
January 9, 2024
Here’s a look at 2017 graduate Jacky Mac’s life after high school.
After everyone is finished scooping, sophomore Don Balmaceda starts cleaning up their area and materials. Cleaning the area makes sure that everything is well placed and sanitized. “I like doing dishes because here I have classmates to help me out,” Balmaceda said. “I don’t have that at home so everything feels organized here.”

AN HOUR IN…FOODS I

Joy Ryan and Amelia Castellanos
January 8, 2024
Making use of the kitchen, students scoop cookie dough for SkillsUSA fundraiser.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: ANTHONY KIM

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: ANTHONY KIM

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
December 8, 2023
Here’s a look at 2017 graduate Anthony Kim’s life after high school
As Hospitality III students work on their “Managing Stress” project, a short presentation on the benefits of stress relieving techniques, substitute teacher Collin Dodos works on grading assignments. Dodos is the third substitute brought on to teach the hospitality class this semester. “I wouldn’t say that I took this course because I was interested in hospitality as a topic, but because it was a job that was offered to me,” Dodos said. “I do get how it could be hard on the students, but there’s not much that can be done in this situation. I’m trying to make the best out of it and to be positive in the classroom.”

[Photo] Lack of Hospitality Teacher Creates Gap in Staffing

Adrienne Vera-Perez, Staff Writer
January 8, 2024

As Hospitality III students work on their “Managing Stress” project, a short presentation on the benefits of stress relieving techniques, substitute teacher Collin Dodos works on grading assignments....

During both lunches, BSU historian Rediate Hunde sells tickets to students to watch the upcoming volleyball tournament. The tournament will take place after school in the gym where students can watch the competition and cheer on their friends. “I might be a referee or I might just be a spectator, but for the most part I’m going to be watching and helping around,” Hunde said. “I’m excited to see school spirit and involvement, people actually having fun, people having something to look forward to after school and bringing that sport element to our school.”

BSU HOSTS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
November 13, 2023
The volleyball tournament will be held Nov. 14 and 15 after school at 2:00 p.m.
In the process of making the announcements, sophomore Samantha Mangalonzo puts her best effort into making the information she is sharing sound interesting. Every day, Video Production students record new episodes. “I don’t really mind it,” Mangalonzo said. “It's definitely an experience and a bit nerve wracking. In the end when it’s all finished and good I’m proud of myself.”

REINTRODUCTION TO ANCHORED MORNING SHOW

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
October 12, 2023
Ernesto Zita is the new Video Production teacher, starting the announcements with on-air talent again.
Sophomore Jadyss Tim concentrates on his chromebook as his World History teacher, Trey Takahashi-Brummer goes over a lesson. Class work has become increasingly digital since the introduction of electronic devices to 90 percent of middle school and high schoolers in 2021. “I’d rather take my test online,” Tim said. “I think it’s good for the environment since we’re using devices we wouldn’t have to waste paper.”

Digital PSAT To Be Administered Nationwide

Ava Torres and Joy Ryan
October 10, 2023
PSAT will be taken on Chromebooks for grades 8/9, 10, and 11.
Presenting to a group of students in English teacher Laura Penrod’s class, Counselor Maysie Mendiola shares information about the senior seminars. Every senior is required to attend the various sessions with different activities while the remaining grades participate in testing. “Having the senior event will prepare students to be both college and career ready and just learn practical skills to help them survive out in the real world,” Mendiola said. “This is a really good time for them to get to attend different sessions that they are interested in, since they have done their share of testing as a underclassmen, I think it's a privilege for them to do something fun.”

Presenting to a group of students in English teacher Laura Penrod’s class, Counselor Maysie Mendiola shares information about the senior seminars. Every senior is required to attend the various sessions...

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.”

SPEECH, DEBATE CLUB EXPANDS INTO COURSE

Joy Ryan, Staff Writer
September 26, 2023
This year Speech and Debate is not only a club, but an elective.