The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow
Achilles Caranto

Achilles Caranto, Standards and Practices Editor

Hi, my name is Achilles and this is my third year with the Shadow. I’m thrilled to come back this year and I’m excited to have a lot of fun.

All content by Achilles Caranto
Where Are They Now: Hans Stephen Burgos

Where Are They Now: Hans Stephen Burgos

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
May 6, 2025
Here’s a look at 2019 graduate Hans Stephen Burgos’ life after high school.
Designing cards, junior Katrina Siphonexay works hard on drawing. “We were making cards for the elderly,” Siphonexay said. “That’s why I chose nostalgic characters, like Teletubbies and Care Bears. We also wrote positive messages, so we could uplift their spirits.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF APR. 21

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
April 22, 2025
HOSA collaborates with an awareness group, Jam Club prepares for their next performance, and Key Club makes Teacher Appreciation cards.
Introducing the meeting with a game, senior Haris Gibirila hosts a pop culture icebreaker to Amnesty Club attendees before discussing future projects. This week, the club will focus their meeting on forms of freedom and expression.

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF FEB. 24

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 26, 2025
K-Pop Club prepares for next performance, L.I.F.T/Bible Club watches a Christ-centered film, and Amnesty Club talks about freedom and expression.
Breaking News: We The People Advance to Nationals

Breaking News: We The People Advance to Nationals

Kailie Sicolo and Achilles Caranto
February 7, 2025
Southwest Tech defeats six teams to go to Washington DC
Working with a friend, junior Joanna Mengistu pies one of her teachers at last year’s Pie-A-Palooza event. All proceeds raised last year went to fund prom. “My experience at last year’s Pie-A-Palooza was amazing,” Mengistu said. “It was such a fun experience and I could clearly see that it brought students, teachers, and staff together in great ways.”

Pie-A-Palooza Fundraiser Makes Annual Return

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 6, 2025
Junior Class of 2026 brings back Pie-A-Palooza event to raise money for prom.
Where Are They Now: Daniella Sayson

Where Are They Now: Daniella Sayson

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 3, 2025
Here’s a look at 2022 graduate Daniella Sayson’s life after high school.
The Harmful Effects of a Modern Lifestyle

The Harmful Effects of a Modern Lifestyle

Philipos Alebachew, Adrienne Vera-Perez, Ava Torres, Kylie Dacquel, Achilles Caranto, Venice Jingco, Zelina Panissidi, Shayna Migalang, Kailie Sicolo, Travis McGinnis, and Hunter Rhee
January 16, 2025

“I hung out with my family and loved ones, eating really, really good food," junior Mia Musemici said. "I had the best mac and cheese ever. I had brisket and pulled pork, turkey, loaded mashed potatoes and some good pie for dessert. Me and my family stayed in, but I also went to my boyfriend's house for his family's Thanksgiving. It was amazing. We played some family games, doing some holiday traditions.”

Q&A: DID YOU ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING BREAK?

Achilles Caranto, Activities Director
December 6, 2024
Hear how Southwest students and staff spent their Thanksgiving
The coastal café offers a variety of fresh meals for breakfast, lunch, and everything in between.

Relax and Refresh with ‘Little Avalon’

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
November 28, 2024
Let the coastal theme and organic menu of this new café hit you with a wave of tranquility.
"All my students are telling me that it's worth listening to and I'm a stan of Tyler so I am ready," English teacher Maritza De La Fuente said. "I have pretty high expectations especially because it's been a while since his last album."

Q&A: Have you listened to Tyler, the Creator’s new album?

Kailie Sicolo, Kylie Dacquel, and Achilles Caranto
November 1, 2024
Find out who has listened to "CHROMAKOPIA."
In this Filipino Club meeting, freshman Aibreen Tulio-Quiambao is guessing the word on top of his head. This was part of a game to learn words from a Filipino dialect. “You are given a word in English and you have to try to say it in Tagalog, which is Filipino dialect,” Tulio-Quiambao said. “It was fun and Filipino Club has been really nice. It feels good to have a club where I can share my culture.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF OCT. 14

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
October 14, 2024
Filipino Club makes leis, Polynesian Club practices their performance, and both clubs, as well as FBLA, are working on their Trunk or Treat designs.
“We have a lot of different concepts for our meetings,” Meteorology Association president Brian Price said. “We have much more experience and use more experiments now, so it’s really interactive. We have a lot we’re looking forward to.”

CLUB PREVIEW: A LOOK INTO THE WEEK OF OCT. 7

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
October 9, 2024
FCCLA begins Star Events, K-Pop Clubs rehearses performance, Volleyball Club resumes games, Meteorology plans experiments.
Where Are They Now: Daniela Garcia-Montiel

Where Are They Now: Daniela Garcia-Montiel

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
September 30, 2024
Here’s a look at 2022 graduate Daniela Garcia-Montiel’s life after high school.
Horse Jumper of Love releases their fourth album. Rating: A

Brace Yourself for a Somber Listen with ‘Disaster Trick’

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
September 14, 2024
The intense album impressively mixes gentler songs with heavier ones.
To end the ceremony, the wedding has a bouquet toss, with junior Ava Torres being the one to catch it. “Honestly, I am a very competitive person,” junior Ava Torres said. “My biggest regret last year was probably not catching the bouquet, so I knew that this year failure was not an option. I’m pretty sure I pushed some people aside, but it was worth it. “

An Hour In … Newspaper

Achilles Caranto, Activities Director
September 11, 2024
Southwest Shadow members pledge their commitment to the publication in a mock wedding.
With his friends there to help him get ready, senior Travis McGinnis prepares to be married to Journalism. “It was really thrilling,” McGinnis said. “I was really anxious because they put a veil over me and I couldn't see anything. When they walked me down the aisle, they kept tripping on the chairs, so I was tripping on the chairs.

With his friends there to help him get ready, senior Travis McGinnis prepares to be married to Journalism. “It was really thrilling,” McGinnis said. “I was really anxious because they put a veil...

Posing for the crowd, senior Kyla Rodriguez models another students’ garment during the Fashion Forward event. “It was pretty stressful, especially with the time that we were given,” Rodriguez said. “With everything going on, we've had so many projects. My mind was going to so many different places, but I mainly put my focus on this, just preparing for it. I had to put 100% into it.”

Fashion Students Sweep ‘Fashion Forward’ Event

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
April 19, 2024
Students from the Fashion Design program have finished competing in the Fashion Forward event, with several placing highly as a finalist.

LIFEHACKS: DETENTION EDITION

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
March 18, 2024
With detention becoming more common among students, here are some ways to avoid an after-school sentence.

Draw My Shadow: Josh Burgos

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 15, 2024
Guitarist Josh Burgos Explores Life as a Musician
Lots of students have major tunnel vision about life after high school, but there are a lot of options other than college or the workforce. While many seniors have set plans after high school, others who are undecided look to college to help them figure things out. “College is the next step,” senior Alyssa Hong said. “For me, I feel like I need to go to college because there's going to be more opportunities for me in college, although not everyone has to go to college to succeed.”

Maybe College Isn’t the Next Step

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
February 2, 2024
Plans for after graduation are very college-centered, despite worthwhile alternatives.
AN HOUR IN … CULINARY III

AN HOUR IN … CULINARY III

Achilles Caranto and Hunter Rhee
December 18, 2023
To prepare for the SkillUSA fundraiser, the Culinary III students work together to make cookie dough.
Monitoring the cafeteria and senior checkouts, newly appointed assistant principal Adonai John-Shiman is completing lunch duty on her third day. “I'm excited to be here,” Shiman said. “I know new is sometimes uncomfortable for people, so having a new administrator can be uncomfortable, but I would like everyone, students and faculty, to know that I am here with an open door to embrace whatever has already been the culture at Southwest and just add a little bit of myself to that.”

Assistant Principal Adonai John-Shiman Joins Faculty

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
December 11, 2023
New Assistant Principal Adonai John-Shiman has a passion for education.
LIFEHACKS: PSYCHOLOGY EDITION

LIFEHACKS: PSYCHOLOGY EDITION

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
December 7, 2023
Have you ever had trouble dealing with people? These psychological hacks might make people easier to navigate.
Senior Jayson DeGuzman works with his group to plan out his class’ Rube Goldberg machine. “The Rube Goldberg machine project was fun and different from what we’ve done in Engineering,” DeGuzman said. “Personally, I’ve liked to build things ever since I was a kid and being able to build something big like that with all my friends was pretty cool.”

Senior, Junior Engineers Compete To Construct Best Project

Achilles Caranto, Staff Writer
November 9, 2023
After months of preparation, seniors and juniors are competing against each other to design the better project.