The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
All content by Monserrat Mendieta
Students in Jennifer Conder’s Chemistry class were tasked with creating a device that could keep water warm. Sophomores tested their creations in three trials and recorded data. “In project based learning there is always a guiding question,” Conder said. “Our guiding question is to design a device that can prevent the release of energy, an endothermic reaction, using water.” Photo Credit: Anika Aller

Chemistry students build hydro-flask like devices

May 17, 2021
Students researched conduction, convection, and radiation to make a homemade device that keeps water warm.
Sleep better by applying five simple tips. Photo Credit: congerdesign

SPARK: FIVE TIPS TO SLEEP BETTER

April 30, 2021
Improve your sleep quality by taking showers before bed, exercising, and more.
As exams approach, AP Human Geography teacher Jessica Kelly is holding Google Meets on Saturdays to provide extra guidance and information for students. During these sessions, students listen to lectures, videos, and even play Quizlet games. “I am appreciative of Mrs. Kelly and all that she is doing to prepare us for the AP test,” sophomore Manmeet Kaur said. “Her dedication to teaching has really improved my knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in class. She goes above and beyond making sure that her students do well and I am grateful for that.” Photo Credit: GeoJango Maps

Advanced placement students work together during weekends to prepare for upcoming exam

April 21, 2021
AP Human Geography students attend meetings on weekends including, participating in lectures, discussions, to better understand test concepts.
‘Super Mario 3D World’ has been ported from the Wii U and is now on Switch alongside an entertaining additional storyline called “Bowser’s Fury.” Veterans and new players alike can both indulge in a well-loved game with some new tweaks. Rating: B-

Stomp on enemies in ‘Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury’

March 30, 2021
Play as loved characters from the Mario franchise, engage in online-play, view new story content while completing a multitude of unique levels.
Being guided inside the school bright and early, a new set of ninth and twelfth graders enter campus for hybrid learning. They will be receiving in-person instruction for the first half of the day. “I am happy to see students return for Cohort B,” Assistant Principal Kendra Kelley said. “I was happy to see Cohort A students on Monday and Tuesday as well. The SWCTA campus was very lonely without students. Im glad to see those who chose to return in-person and that they are well and ready to learn.” Photo Credit: Matthew LaPorte

Cohort B returns to in-person learning

March 25, 2021
Cohort B starts in-person instruction and teachers see new group of students.
Freshman Natalya Cintron works on an assignment in her Health class. Several students have returned to the classroom following the reopening of schools. I do have worries regarding COVID-19, but the school is taking safety measures and not many people are actually in the classes, so I feel pretty comfortable being here, Cintron said. Photo Credit: Matthew LaPorte

Cohort A starts first day of in-person learning

March 22, 2021

After more than a year of remote learning, some students are returning to the classroom. Organized into different groups, today Cohort A, which is made up of 163 students, attended their 5th and 7th-period...

The Scholastic Crown Awards are known as some of the most prestigious honors for student journalism groups. Photo Credit: Columbia Scholastic Press Association

BREAKING: Southwest Shadow wins 2021 Scholastic Gold Crown Award

March 19, 2021
Despite the difficulties of the ongoing pandemic, the Southwest Shadow persevered and won the renowned Gold Crown award.
Students in Jessica Kelly’s AP Human Geography class engaged in a discussion based on the knowledge they acquired in their agriculture unit on Mar. 2nd. In a socratic seminar like format, students talked about crops, types of farming, animal domestication and more. “We’ve been doing agriculture for a month now so we’ll be discussing any aspect of it, it’s fully student driven. I don’t say anything, they just talk. Its to show your knowledge and to see what your deficiencies are so you can ask your classmates questions,” Kelly said. Art Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

AP Human Geography students discuss the ins and outs of agriculture

March 16, 2021
Students in AP Human Geography delved into the intricacies of crops, farming practices, and more in their new unit on agriculture.
After nearly spending the whole year online, students are finally transitioning to a learning model that will allow certain students to be back on campus. Students were sent an email the previous week specifying which cohort they were placed in and a follow up link if students would like to change. “The other schedule put me in a consistent routine by now, so I’m kind of upset that we changed it so abruptly and just for the last quarter, ” junior Isabell Min said. “However, I’m excited for the fourth quarter and hopefully things will be normal by the beginning of my senior year.” Art Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

New schedule put into place for first day of new in-person learning plan

March 15, 2021
To accommodate in-person learning there is a new school start time, revised schedule, and more.
Over the course of four years, drastic changes occur. Whether it may be one’s style, personality, or even physical characteristics because of a growth spurt, this affects how we present ourselves and our confidence behind it all. Art Credit: Dean

The reality of the golden years

March 8, 2021
Truths behind freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year.
Video games have changed a lot in the past years. Here are some characters that have stood out. Photo Credit: olichel

SPARK: FIVE ICONIC VIDEO GAME CHARACTERS

March 1, 2021
The stories and history behind loved characters such as Mario, Pikachu and more.
Maintaining optimal health by obtaining ample sleep, moderating caffeine, keeping a positive attitude and more is a crucial part of living a healthy life. Yet, the media has put an emphasis on bad habits that can have detrimental effects on one’s well being. What started off as simple self-deprecation jokes has now led to destructive behaviors becoming the new trend. Art Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

Not taking care of yourself isn’t ‘quirky’

February 22, 2021
Not sleeping, caffeine addictions and more should not be romanticized on the internet.
After only being available on PS Vita and regarded as a distant relic of the “Persona” series for years, “Persona 4 Golden” has made a comeback on Steam. Popular characters, a thrilling storyline, and upgraded graphics are returning in this fan-favorite. Rating: B

Venture into the TV world in ‘Persona 4 Golden’

February 13, 2021
Engage in turn-based combat, dynamic characters, suspenseful plot and more in ‘Persona 4 Golden’.
Sophomores are broadening their horizons by reading iconic works by Shakespeare and Marjane Satrapi, in hopes of developing literary knowledge and perspectives. “One of the benefits of literature is that it helps us to come to terms with some of these difficult topics with humanity, and shows us that there is a way forward. English 10 teacher Virginie Guillemette said. Becoming self-actualized means taking control of yourself and your destiny, and you cant do that if you are sheltered from reality,” “It also helps students to develop and exercise their sense of compassion at a crucial point in their development, before their worldviews become fixed and static.” Graphics Credit: Hannah Paine

Sophomores in English 10 Honors begin reading influential literature

February 3, 2021
Students learn the importance of unique literature as they start reading Hamlet and other plays written by Shakespeare as well as ‘Persepolis’.
For anyone interested in the “Legend of Zelda” series, “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity,” is a great game to discover more about well-loved characters and explore a combat system that is unique compared to other entries in the series. Rating: A Photo Credit: Nintendo

Save the world from destruction in ‘Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’

February 1, 2021
Explore the combat system, characters, plot and more in ‘Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’.
CCSD will be transitioning Pre-K to 3rd grade students to a hybrid style of learning. Photo Credit: CCSD

BREAKING: Hybrid model set to be implemented for Pre-K to grade 3 students

January 27, 2021
CCSD plans to allow Pre-K to 3rd grade students to return to in-person education.
There are many life hacks out there that can help you take care of your pooch. Photo Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

LIFEHACKS: DOG OWNER EDITION

January 19, 2021
How to make a homemade tug toy, dog bed and tasty pill pocket.
School board members met last night to discuss several topics, including whether or not CCSD schools should reopen in any capacity. Ultimately, they decided to let principals choose groups of students that require guidance and have them physically visit their schools and receive extra help. ”Our recommendation is to allow our principals, they know their communities, to invite small groups of students to their campuses on a voluntary basis,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell said. “We know that we have students that need social-emotional wellness interventions and academic screenings that need to be done.”Photo Credit: Screenshot of Board Meeting

CCSD School Board votes to allow struggling groups of students to volunteer for in-person assistance

January 15, 2021
Board members touch on immunizing staff, inequities for first steps to reopening schools, and academic information in new plan.
Tomorrow at 5 p.m. the CCSD School Board will be continuing their discussion on the possible reopening of schools. Photo Credit: Clark County School District

School board meeting tomorrow to discuss possibility of inviting small groups of students to school campuses

January 13, 2021
COVID-19 mitigation strategies, new recommendation, and elected trustees.
For 2021, the Student Council is putting more emphasis on making the online environment less bleak by finding different ways to host events for everyone. “Our goals for this semester is to focus on school spirit, teacher appreciation, and student recognition while also coming up with fun virtual alternatives for our usual traditions,” Student Council President Michayla Sumabat said, “Each committee and commission are working on something different for our community and all I can say is that it is going to be great.”Art Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

Student Council makes small changes for the beginning of the semester

January 12, 2021
New events incoming, applications opening up and switching board positions.
On January 6th, the U.S Capitol was invaded by an angry mass of Trump supporters while Congress was verifying Biden’s victory. Photo Credit: Samuel Schroth

Breaking: Trump incites insurrection at Capitol

January 8, 2021
Capitol Hill invaded, fatalities confirmed, call for removal and more.
LIFEHACKS: BREAKFAST EDITION

LIFEHACKS: BREAKFAST EDITION

December 8, 2020
How to separate egg yolks and whites using a water bottle, baking an egg inside an avocado, and baking hard-boiled eggs.
Most gamers can recall the peace of mind they feel when they play their favorite video game. It can be nice to escape the pressures of modern life if only for a moment. Photo Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

It’s not just a game

November 23, 2020
How nostalgia, deep storytelling and more alleviates the minds of gamers
PODCAST: Girls’ Safety: The Dangers of Las Vegas

PODCAST: Girls’ Safety: The Dangers of Las Vegas

November 20, 2020
Listen to firsthand experiences, escape tactics, how violent counters happen, common ploys criminals use and ways to be aware of the environment in this episode.
This iconic open-world RPG (role-playing game) introduces a conflict between machine and man that the player gets to unravel. Rating: A Photo Credit: Monolith Games

Fight and level up in ‘Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition’

November 3, 2020
Game has been upgraded with more content, better graphics, organized visuals and more.
As she types her ideas on the keyboard, sophomore Bella Gomez reviews the rough draft of her reflective essay. For this particular assignment, she and other students must go into detail on how a profound experience has impacted their life. “I liked working on this assignment because it allowed me to write about this life-changing event and how it really affected me.” Photo Credit: Bella Gomez

Sophomores begin writing reflective essays in English 10 classes

October 29, 2020
Learning the basics from writing a reflective essay to how it differs from regular essays, students in Virginie Guillemette’s English 10 class share what they have learned.
PODCAST: Staying fit this school year

PODCAST: Staying fit this school year

October 9, 2020
In this episode, find out about different types of exercises, ways to manage your fitness and school, and more.
The dark side of glo-ups

The dark side of glo-ups

October 7, 2020
The harmful effects of fad diets, fitness challenges, and more.
With a modern menu and green-thumb (plant) like aesthetic, Neighbors Cafe is the place to go to eat in tranquility. Rating: B Photo Credit: Monserrat Mendieta

Start your day off at ‘Neighbors Cafe’

October 7, 2020
Enjoy breakfast and brunch, from burritos to acai bowls, in an easygoing atmosphere.
With all her attention focused on the illuminated mannequin in front of her, senior Athena Jean Nardo practices her lashing techniques with the utmost precision as she carefully picks at a newly placed false eyelash with her trusty tweezer to ensure it is symmetrically lined up with the other lashes. Only being a lash technician for a few months, Nardo is determined to improve and become a better businesswoman. “I was so used to doing my own eyelashes that I wanted to start learning how to do it on others and it created a way to make people like how they look,” Nardo said.

Aspiring Entrepreneur: Meet Athena Jean Nardo

October 1, 2020
An ambitious self-starter, Athena Jean Nardo is honing her entrepreneurial spirit through her at-home lash business.
INFOGRAPHIC: Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month

INFOGRAPHIC: Commemorate ‘Hispanic Heritage Month’

September 23, 2020
Hispanics are beginning to receive better educations, housing, and much more.
Junior President-Elect Mariel Batara sits at her desk with a pencil in hand, concentrating on finding the right words to convey her message. This year, writing a letter to a patient in need of hope is one of the ways she will receive volunteer credit for her CTSO. “I’m glad that I’m still able to help out the community as best as I can. Volunteering virtually won’t change the way I feel about helping people,” Batara said. Photo Credit: Mariel Batara

HOSA undergoing major changes

September 16, 2020
HOSA undergoes changes ranging from switching to virtual volunteering, gaining new advisors, and more.
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