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The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Kevin Zhao

Kevin Zhao, Staff Writer

Hi! I’m Kevin, its my fourth year at this school and my second year in journalism, and I love anything culinary related.

All content by Kevin Zhao
Pouring paint on a brush, SkillsUSA Vice President Michael Haley begins a project for SkillsUSA. Members of SkillsUSA has started preparing for their State Leadership & Skills Conference competitions. “We wanted to give everyone a real chance to grow, prepare and step into the competition with confidence,” SkillsUSA president Joyce Harveston said. “I think focusing on individual skills through activities is really important instead of just giving members a few practice runs before an event.”

[Photo] Club Preview: A look into the week of Nov. 3

Bryce Voluntad, Staff Writer
November 3, 2025

Pouring paint on a brush, SkillsUSA Vice President Michael Haley begins a project for SkillsUSA. Members of SkillsUSA has started preparing for their State Leadership & Skills Conference competitions....

Fast food has not stayed the same principle of “sit down, order, and get food,” but has turned into a process with multiple layers and complexity. This is largely due to the integration of automation in every aspect of dining. “I'm not that knowledgeable on it, but I've seen videos on TikTok, I'm not really concerned—it doesn’t seem that smart,” senior Dallas Evertt said. “When [some people are just ordering] 18,000 water cups, it sounds really dumb. There was no way [the AI] was gonna put down 18,000 water cups—and that just shows how it’s not going to take anybody’s job soon.”

BEEP BOOP: WELCOME TO THE AI DRIVE-THRU

Kevin Zhao, Staff Writer
October 20, 2025
Your next drive-thru order might be taken by a robot, not a cashier.
“ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist” beautifully captures the sound's essence; creating rhythms from head-bangers to a contradicting drowning sadness.
Rating: A- 
Photo Credit: Mili

58 SONGS FOR EACH MOMENT: “ENDER MAGNOLIA: BLOOM IN THE MIST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK.”

Kevin Zhao, Staff Writer
April 2, 2025

Project Mili’s newest soundtrack debuted on February 26, following the release of Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist on January 22. Composed by Yamato Kasai, this album is mainly instrumental, with different...

Writing calculus equations on the board, junior Michael Haley easily swifts by the questions with ease. “At the beginning of this year, I was doubting if I could do it,” Haley said. “It was mainly because of this physics class I was taking, I felt like I wasn’t understanding it, and then I wasn’t doing too well on some of the tests. But then I quickly picked it back up and started having momentum again.”

The Number One: Meet Michael Haley

Kevin Zhao, Staff Writer
February 11, 2025

3650 days, 10 years—Most would have quit or have been burnt out by now, but not junior Michael Haley. In the face of doubt, thousands of sleepless nights, and stress, he rises again and again to face...

Holding his freshly made Ebelskiver, junior Romeo Flores waits to eat it. He watched as his instructor made delicious sweets before making it himself. “I’ve applied the skills I’ve learned in this program.” Romeo flores said. “My family always like to eat and enjoy what I made, and always excited for what I cook.”

AN HOUR IN … CULINARY III

Kevin Zhao, Staff Writer
February 6, 2025

Mili masterfully constructs an 8-song album, with different astoundingly deep themes and messages between each track.
Rating: A- 
Photo Credit: Mili

DWELL INTO A DYSTOPIAN CITY WITH “TO KILL A LIVING BOOK -FOR LIBRARY OF RUINA-”

Kevin Zhao, Staff Writer
December 3, 2024

Herds of regret, love and suffering, fuel of steel, a chaining path, a blind obsession; Mili, or otherwise known as Project Mili is an international indie band whose members speak multiple languages, and...

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.”

[Photo] Sophomore Automotive Students Practice Brake Jobs

Jon Escala, Staff Writer
November 7, 2024

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....

Outlining her shoebox project, sophomore Jaylene Motes leads her group, showing them how to cut out their future classroom. “It’s teaching me ways to make my future students feel safe around me and in my classroom. I like that our class is engaging, that everyone is friends with each other, and that I can talk to my teacher, and that's how I want my class to feel,” Motes said.

Teaching and Training Students Create Miniature Classrooms

Andrew Baier and Kevin Zhao
October 3, 2024
Freshmen, sophomores begin to design their dream classrooms.