• Thank you for a great year. We will return with regularly scheduled postings on September 1. Have a safe and fun summer Coyotes!
The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Kailie Sicolo

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer

Hey, I’m Kailie. I’m a staff member for the Southwest Shadow and I’m looking forward to showing just how interesting this school really is.

All content by Kailie Sicolo
Placing her cellphone into the holder, sophomore Alize Quiroz abides to the new restrictions put in place after a series of fake social media accounts were created with the school’s name. This rule was put into place to limit cyberbullying, mainly through the action of taking pictures or videos of students during school hours. “We were never really allowed to use our phones in class anyways,” Quiroz said. “Implementing this new rule really just enforces the current one. I don’t necessarily think this is the correct solution, because there’s lots of other things that could prevent cyberbullying a lot better because it’s going to happen no matter what. However, I see how admin may think it’s fair.”

Surplus of Fake Instagram Accounts for School Clubs, Organizations Cause Problems

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
April 20, 2023
Measures are being taken to put a halt to the harassment and cyberbullying that's been created.
Announcing the plans for the Coyote Olympic event, sophomore class president Brianna Scherschel speaks to the team captains at their meeting on March 22. The meeting went over fees, procedures, and overall information to help prepare students for their upcoming games. “This gives them the necessary information needed for the event and what we expect to see from them,” Schershel said. “This helps our event run much smoother as we know for a fact that the teams are given the information.”

Athletes Prepare to Compete in Annual Coyote Olympic Events

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
March 28, 2023
Eleven teams will compete in volleyball, badminton, and basketball sporting events.
Speaking to Jessica Kelly’s AP Human Geography class, Carolyn Link shares her experience in the environmental chemistry field. Having strong opinions on the topic of women in agriculture, sophomore Jasmine Chanhthavong enjoyed hearing her perspective. “It broadened my perspective of a woman being in the workforce,” Chanhthavong said. “Her experiences and perspectives helped me be informed of policies and programs that promote both sustainable agricultural development and gender equality in one. Not only that, but it has motivated me to learn how to be involved with agriculture for my community and lifestyle. “

Environmental Chemist Guest Speaks for AP Human Geography Students

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
March 8, 2023
Jessica Kelly invites Carolyn Link, one of the 32% of women who work in the male-dominant agriculture industry, to talk to her social studies class.
I would argue that hes not the greatest of all time, but hes the best in the league, freshman Crispin Njunia said. The greatest is either MJ or Kobe.

Q&A: Is LeBron James the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time?

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
February 17, 2023
Students let us know if they think LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time.
Researching legislative bills, seniors Yusra Shafique, Vassily Tan, and Jacob Gallardo expand their knowledge on the government and how it’s run. This research acted as the first step of making Laura Penrod’s students more politically aware. “I’m teaching them adult skills that they need to know how to do,” Penrod said. “Some of my students want to own businesses or go off and have these lives and careers that won’t be possible if legislation passes that doesn’t go in their favor.”

English 102 Students Research Legislative Officials For First Project

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
February 14, 2023
Laura Penrod integrates politics into her NSC Dual Credit English 102 class.
With the continued rise of social media, more and more teenagers are logging onto apps like Instagram, Tiktok and Twitter. Despite dealing with all of the problems concerning student social media use, assistant principal Cameron Rohem still has faith in the students. “I think most teenagers are definitely responsible enough,” Roehm said. “There are still exceptions, but I think for the most part that high schoolers or even middle schoolers are at an age where they can be responsible for their actions.”

Irresponsible Social Media usage continues to scuff teen digital footprints

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
January 26, 2023
Concern continues to rise regarding Gen Z digital behavior.
To raise money for Key Club, junior Jonathan Lin gets pied in the face. Continuing with the pie-oriented event trend, sophomore president Brianna Scherschel, along with the rest of Student Council, is planning a similar pie-themed event. “We got the idea and started planning before Key Club,” Scherschel said. “We had a good laugh when we found out we both were doing a pie event.”

[Photo] Upcoming ‘Pie-a-Teacher-Palooza’ to be held in the gym

January 13, 2023

To raise money for Key Club, junior Jonathan Lin gets pied in the face. Continuing with the pie-oriented event trend, sophomore president Brianna Scherschel, along with the rest of Student Council, is...

Competing in the Esports Mountain Region league playoffs, the Southwest Squids celebrate their hard-earned win. Practicing since September, their hard work pays off. “What sets us apart from the other school teams is that we have a lot more power and a lot more strength as players,” junior Carl Reiner said. “I’m noticing that whenever we play the best teams the region has to offer, I’m just kind of disappointed. I felt like we would have a much bigger competition but it turns out we’re beating them with no more than eighty percent of our power.”

First place, undefeated: Meet the Southwest Squids

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
December 12, 2022
Team will play for the championship on Tuesday.
Meeting the requirements for qualification, the Blue Bird Vision school bus is one of the models that could be introduced to the district. Due to the environmental impact of diesel engines, Automotive Technology teacher Betrand Potts gave his support in the switch to electric vehicles. “The internal combustion engine is a dirty, dirty thing,” Potts said. “Oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel all contribute to pollution, smog, and global warming. Any electric vehicle, I’m a big proponent for.” Photo Credit: Bluebird-Vision-Electric © UniversityRailroad, CC BY-SA 4.0

New Electric Buses Join CCSDs Current Fleet

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
November 18, 2022
CCSD received a grant of $9.875 million to purchase 25 electric school buses.
Where Are They Now: Xena Miranda

Where Are They Now: Xena Miranda

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
November 10, 2022
Take a look into Class of 2017 graduate Xena Miranda's life.
Where Are They Now: Janessa Montenegro

Where Are They Now: Janessa Montenegro

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
November 4, 2022
Take a look into Class of 2017 graduate Janessa Montenegro's life.
An Hour In ... Graphic Design I

An Hour In … Graphic Design I

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
November 4, 2022
Using Adobe Photoshop, students in Jennifer Gonzalez's Graphic Design l class create infographics based on their favorite movies/TV shows.
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.”

[Photo] Upcoming Fall Rally South To Be Held At Six Flags

November 2, 2022

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...

VIB: This weekend in Vegas 10/28/22

VIB: This weekend in Vegas 10/28/22

Kailie Sicolo
October 28, 2022
Find something fun to do this weekend.
VIB: This weekend in Las Vegas 10/21/22

VIB: This weekend in Las Vegas 10/21/22

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
October 21, 2022
Find something fun to do this weekend.
The new teachers of the school help their students with their class assignments. Even with a national teacher shortage, new teachers started on campus this past August. “I started teaching because I want to at least have a small impact on students and help them achieve what they want,” English 11/12 teacher Jacob Hill said. “I think without education its possible, but it’s challenging to achieve your goals.”

Newly-Hired Teachers Help Resolve Teacher Shortage

Kailie Sicolo, Staff Writer
October 5, 2022
Teachers hired from inside and outside the district to fill open positions.