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The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

All content by Summer Thomad
So long, farewell

So long, farewell

Summer Thomad
May 13, 2016
My journey as a columnist has come to an end, and as bittersweet as it is, I could not be more filled with gratitude and contentment.
Photo Credit: Becagraphy

Where You Lead

Summer Thomad
May 6, 2016
It's been a long school year, but along the way, I have been accompanied by the infamous Gilmore Girls.
The Future is Now

The Future is Now

Summer Thomad
March 31, 2016

This week marks the beginning of my final quarter of high school; for seniors like myself, the future has become more prevalent than ever in our thoughts, conversations, plans—nearly everything. However,...

A future to believe in

A future to believe in

Summer Thomad
February 19, 2016
After attending a rally for a presidential candidate, I am inspired to step up and have a more active role in choosing who serves in our nation's government.
Love Yourself(ie)

Love Yourself(ie)

Summer Thomad
February 4, 2016
Millennials have created a space on the web to express their individuality and embrace their self-worth through the social phenomenon of the selfie.
In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory

Summer Thomad
January 15, 2016
After losing my mother, life seems somewhat unrecognizable; I now have to relearn how to lead a normal life after this life altering event.
Christmas(less)

Christmas(less)

Summer Thomad
December 22, 2015
Despite my strange relationship with Christmas as a child, I have recently come to embrace the holiday spirit.
As one of his first orders of business as President, Donald Trump commences construction for the wall placed on the Mexican/U.S. border.

Photo Illustration by Gabi Fernandez

Trump’s America: Day One

Summer Thomad
October 10, 2015
If Donald Trump were elected President of the U.S., the America we know today would be drastically different—starting with his first day in office.
Homemade clock or bomb? The teachers and administrators at MacArthur High School supposedly could not tell the difference in the case of Ahmed Mohamed. Personally, I think they knew better.
Photo Credit: Summer Thomad

Tick Tock goes the—bomb?

Summer Thomad
October 2, 2015
Ever since the 14 year old's homemade clock was mistaken for a bomb, Ahmed Mohamed has received international attention; but was the student's experiment ever truly thought to be a bomb?
Those who idealize see the world through an alternate, romanticized lens, almost as if they have another pair of eyes.
Photo Credit: Summer Thomad

Through my ideal eyes

Summer Thomad
September 10, 2015
The act of idealization contains many ups and downs; It is a complex behavior that is experienced by different people in different ways.
With senior year and the new school year come a multitude of changes; the best way to approach them is to embrace them with open arms and a positive attitude.
Photo Credit: Danijel Zekanovic

Sing the Changes

Summer Thomad
August 31, 2015
Life is rapidly changing in a variety of ways; coping and adjusting to these new experiences can be just as exciting as it is scary.
In the words of famous psychoanalytic psychologist Sigmund Freud, "Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength."
Photo Credit: Nikki Molina

Embracing Vulnerability

Summer Thomad
May 15, 2015
Repressing vulnerable emotions is a common practice in society; however, getting in touch with my vulnerabilities can be beneficial in a variety of ways.
Though the chances of receiving an Oscar are quite unlikely, I would most definitely use my speech to do more than simply thank the Academy.
Photo Credit: Migi Contreas

Speak up, Oscars

Summer Thomad
February 25, 2015
Celebrities and movie stars who use their platform to talk about political issues sway the conversation from the superficiality of the Oscars to more significant societal issues and movements.
While being bombarded with pictures of various events, feelings of FOMO are at their strongest. Photo credit: Summer Thomad

Fighting FOMO

Summer Thomad
February 18, 2015
FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out caused by social media has become a strain on my life as well as others.
To the recent uproar surrounding Charlie Hebdo, I say: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie.
Photo Credit: Summer Thomad

Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie

Summer Thomad
January 22, 2015
After the recent attacks of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, there has been an international outcry of people proclaiming "Je Suis Charlie." However, I do not stand with this statement.
Although being an Eminem fan may seem out of character for someone like myself, I embrace it as a part of who I am instead of passing it off as a guilty pleasure.
Photo Credit: Summer Thomad

Guiltless Pleasures

Summer Thomad
September 24, 2014
Passing off interests as “guilty pleasures,” instead of embracing them as a part of who you are may stand as a barrier to personal growth.