Dragon Newsletter

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. It's difficult to prove the origins of this day as over two dozen towns and cities lay claim to be the birthplace. In May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson stepped in and officially declared Waterloo N.Y. the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Regardless of the location of origins or the exact date, one thing is crystal clear – Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War (which ended in 1865) and a desire to honor our dead.

Congratulations to Za’khia Singleton for holding her spot as number 8 ranking in her graduating class. Za’khia has fortunately succeeded in keeping up her academic record for these continuous 4 years in high school and has had an outstanding mindset all along that has helped her reach her way to the top.

In order to stay consistent and ambitious to earn this spot from the very beginning of high school to now, Za’khia Singleton shares what her strategies were: “During my freshman year I was quarantined at home because of COVID-19. With all my time at home I was able to focus primarily on my goals and grades. My freshman and sophomore year I focused on nothing but my grades so that my junior and senior year I could have a little more leeway.”

Throughout her experience, earning insight on how her spot was accomplished and how she stayed motivated, Za’khia’s advice for students is, “As advice I’d say try to find balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and having fun. When you have a big project, work slowly on it and don’t procrastinate. Eliminate distractions and turn on some music, my parents have always pushed me to be the best version of myself and the friends I surround myself with have reminded me that I can have fun and be a straight A student.

Let’s wish the best of luck for Za’khia Singleton for any upcoming events in her future and any more goals she sets for herself! She has added a great title for herself at our school.

Sophia Martinez

Tips and Tricks for Success:

As the school year draws to a close, high school students across the country gear up for one of the most challenging aspects of their academic journey, final exams. These tests are critical, often accounting for a significant portion of final grades. To help students navigate that stressful period, here are some effective tips and tricks to boost preparation and performance.

Start Early and Plan :

Begin reviewing early: Try not to wait until the last minute to start studying. Try to study several weeks in advance to avoid cramming. This allows for a deeper understanding of the material and reduces stress. As it is finals week is the most stressful time during the entire school year so its better to review as you go and EARLY.

Create a study schedule: Map out a study plan that allows you to have specific times for each subject you have a final on. Break down topics into manageable chunks and set daily goals to cover different areas of study. For example, Breaking everything down and taking your time to study allows you to process and remember the material.

Your Study Environment:

Finding a quiet place: Try to find a distraction free environment to focus on studying. For example, A quiet room, library, or a dedicated study corner. These environments allow you to take the time for yourself with minimal distractions. Try getting rid of the phone as it is one of the biggest distractions while studying the phones allows you to procrastinate to PUT IT UP.

Overall:

Final exams can be a daunting challenge, but with the right strategies students can approach them with confidence and composure. By starting early, creating a structured study plan, and utilizing effective study techniques, students can enhance their understanding and performance.

Noemi Vargas

Once upon a time, on a beautiful and magical May night, we brought every high school teenager's dream to life with our fairytale prom. Everyone in the Dragon Nation dressed to impress. Our chosen King and Queen were Jonathan Ochoa and his girlfriend Evie Rubio, while our dashing Prince was Grant Griffin and our enchanting Princess was Isabel Dietrich. We want to extend a shout out to everyone who participated!

We would also like to express our gratitude to Coach Bell for supporting the event through the sale of water bottles, raising up to $5,500! Additionally, a big thank you to the junior class officers who selected the theme and helped raise the funds for our beautiful night.

Finally, a huge thank you to Ms. Denn for motivating us to make it to prom. "People danced the whole night, the floor was always filled with people. Everyone looked lovely and was on their best behavior. It was my 2nd year helping out. Last year taught me so much, so I made sure things went smoothly," said Ms. Denn.

Cecily Martinez c/o 2024

Our graduating class of 2024 had a tough time due to COVID-19. We had to start our year in a completely different way than we ever expected. Masks, social distancing, quarantine – it was all so strange. When we entered high school, it felt like a ghost town. Face shields, spaced-out lunch tables, and empty classrooms made everything even weirder. It was really tough to adjust. During the pandemic, we lost a lot of our social skills. When we finally returned, anxiety and depression were stronger, and some people had changed a lot. We were all affected in different ways by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Now that we're nearing the end, it's scary. We wonder if something will ruin it for us again. If everything happens for a reason, why didn't we get the pre-graduation we deserved? Despite all this, I hope our class of 2024 realizes how much we've been through to get here. When we walk down that stage, we'll not only make ourselves and our parents proud, but also heal the 14-year-old kid who missed out on a normal start to high school and the special reward for getting through middle school.

Congratulations to our class! Watch us walk down the stage at the Alamodome on June 2nd, at 2 p.m.

Anyway,

LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Summer Hernandez c/o 2024

(AKA Drake's GF)

Throughout the entire year, we have been diligently preparing for our English II STAAR test, and the time has finally come to receive our results. As I eagerly awaited my score, a wave of nervousness washed over me. It's a normal feeling to experience while waiting for the results, but it's crucial to remind ourselves that these tests are just one measure of our progress. Regardless of the outcome, it's important to view the results as a tool for personal growth and learning. As my teacher called us up one by one, I approached with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. To my relief, the majority of my friends had passed, and I was elated to find out that I was among them. Despite my confidence in my performance, a lingering doubt persisted in my mind, fearing that I might not have passed and would need to attend summer school. The test itself feels like a distant memory, and I struggle to recall the specifics of what was asked. If you find yourself with any questions or concerns about your STAAR results, don't hesitate to seek guidance from your teachers or school counselors. Maintaining a positive outlook and acknowledging the effort we put in is what truly matters.

Kloe Ruiz

In this year's powerlifting season, sophomore Sofia Pusateri made and broke school records. She placed first in all area meets, dominated the competition in regionals, and secured a spot at the State level. Sofia's exceptional strength has made a lasting impact at Southwest High School, leaving a legacy that will endure beyond her graduation.

“This powerlifting season was an amazing experience for me. I love attending powerlifting meets because I get to lift, hang out with my friends, and witness their incredible strength. Breaking school records filled me with joy and motivated me to push myself even further. Making history at the school and drawing attention to female powerlifters brought me immense satisfaction. My squat was 400lbs, bench was 210lbs, and deadlift was 320lbs, all of which earned me a spot at State. I broke the squat, bench, and deadlift records in the 198lbs and 220lbs weight class. In the 198lbs category, I set records with a 290lbs squat, 160lbs bench, and 275lbs deadlift. In the 220lbs category, I broke the records with the numbers I achieved at State.

I want to express my gratitude to the coaches and manager for their amazing support, and to all my friends for making the experience even more enjoyable. I'm incredibly excited for the upcoming seasons and hopeful that I can bring home a 1st place medal from State,” said Pusateri.

Liliana Ramirez c/o 2024

The Peterson family is set to make their second appearance on Family Feud today, May 10th at 5:00 pm/5:30 pm. The family consists of Mrs. Peterson, her husband Dwayne Peterson, their daughter-in-law Derricka Peterson, and their sons Dorian and Dimitri Peterson.

The Petersons were first featured on Family Feud in November 2022 and even made it to the Fast Money round, but unfortunately, they did not win the grand prize. However, the producers were impressed with their charisma and invited them to come back in March 2023. Unfortunately, they could not attend as Dorian and Derricka were expecting a child.

The producers contacted Mrs. Peterson again in November 2023 and invited her family to tape the show in January 2024. Mrs. Peterson was thrilled and accepted the offer as it was a free trip to Atlanta, with a hotel stay, and the opportunity to visit family.

It is worth mentioning that Mrs. Peterson is a Reading Specialist and teaches reading, in addition to being the Yearbook Sponsor.

The Dragon football team has been diligently honing their skills in anticipation of the upcoming game on May 24 at the Southwest complex, scheduled to kick off at seven o'clock, where the electrifying clash between the Green and White teams will unfold. The teams were meticulously crafted by the astute white and green coaches, who began by hand-picking the upcoming seniors before proceeding to select the lower classmen, ensuring a balanced roster for each team.

The grueling practice sessions commenced on May 6th at the crack of dawn, with the players initially restricted to wearing helmets before progressing to full-contact drills. The first scrimmage, which took place on May 9, culminated in a riveting 7-7 tie. The green team seized an early lead with a skillfully executed touchdown pass, only to be matched by the white team's dramatic last-minute rushing touchdown. In the subsequent scrimmage, the white team emerged triumphant with a commanding 19-6 victory, courtesy of three awe-inspiring rushing touchdowns, while the green team managed only one. The coaches are brimming with pride at the team's exceptional performance and are eagerly looking forward to the Fall season.

Olaf Martinez Padilla

Graduation Practice Day 2 - May 28, 2024

Students will be numbered for graduation.

Students not attending practice on May 28th will not have a seat on the floor of the dome for graduation.

Students released –after all activities are completed.

Students needing to make up credit or attendance will remain on campus until they have completed their time or credit requirements.

Students that need to wait on the buses will be released after lunch to holding rooms.

Graduation Practice Day 3 & 4 - May 29 - 30, 2024

Students not attending practice on May 29th or May 30th will not have a seat on the floor of the dome for graduation.

Students will practice for graduation in the gym.

Students released –after all activities are completed.

Students needing to make up credit or attendance will remain on campus until they have completed their time or credit requirements.

Students that need to wait on the buses will be released after lunch to holding rooms.

June 2, 2023 – Graduation Day - Southwest High School

Students Arrive at SWHS for food and busses - 10:35

All students planning on attending graduation must take the bus from school to participate.

Students load busses - 11:05-11:20

Students Arrive at the Alamodome - 11:45-12:00

Practice at the Alamodome – 12:00-12:15

Doors open at the dome for guests - 1:00

There is no charge for attending graduation

Parking at the Alamodome is $10.00

Students prepare for graduation backstage - 1:15-1:45

Graduation - 2:00-4:15

Dome cleared by 5:00.

Newsletter Editor: Akeela Custer

PR: Destiny Olivares

Email: speterson@swisd.net
Location: 11914 Dragon Lane, San Antonio, TX, USA
Twitter: @yearbookswhs