Teacher Appreciation Week is held annually during the first week of May. It is a week to acknowledge the dedication and hard work that teachers put in throughout the year. It’s a great opportunity for students to honor and show gratitude for their teachers who have had an impact on their lives. Teachers are given gifts, treats, or supplies as appreciation for the time and effort they invest in their students. This year, the staff has been surprised with breakfast and lunch.
Teacher Appreciation Week began in 1953 as a push to start a day to honor teachers, led by Mattie Woodridge. Mattie would write letters to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and it caught her attention. She took these letters to Congress to persuade them to make it a holiday. It would take another 27 years until the National Education Association recognized March 7th as the official Teacher Appreciation Day. Teacher Appreciation Day remained on March 7th until 1984, when it was moved to the month of May and extended to a week. It is now known as Teacher Appreciation Week.
“What I think Teacher Appreciation Week means is that there’s a time at the end of the year, when all the teachers take a week to celebrate a year’s work of helping students and making them successful. I think it’s good that it’s at the end of the year, because it serves as a way to reflect on the job that we’ve done,” said Mr. Harris, Jr. English Teacher.
We’re grateful for our teachers not just this week, but every day. The impact they have on our school and community goes beyond the classroom. They cheer on the students, guide them through their challenges, celebrate with them, and help shape who they become. So for Teacher Appreciation Week, share a memory or take a moment to say thank you to your teachers because behind every successful student, there is a teacher who believes in them.
Antonio Martinez c/o 2026
Southwest Students Celebrate the Women Who Raised Them!
Every year on the second Sunday of May, families across the United States pause to honor the love, sacrifice, and strength of mothers. But few students may know that this national tradition began with a woman named Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century. Following her work founding “Mothers’ Work Clubs” during the Civil War to combat public health crises in West Virginia, Jarvis dedicated her life to establishing a holiday that would formally recognize mothers for their tireless efforts. Her advocacy paid off, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday.
More than a century later, the spirit of Anna Jarvis lives on even in the busy hallways of Southwest High School. As the school year winds down and summer break looms ahead, students still make time to honor the important women in their lives. “For Mother’s Day, I’m going to be at a volleyball tournament in Houston, so my family and I are going to be in a bit of a time crunch,” said junior Amaya Garcia. “But right after my game, we’re going to eat at Olive Garden to spend some quality time together. I know I’m going to be tired, but it’s worth it because it’ll make my mom happy. It is her day, after all.”
For some students, the holiday is not just about spending time with their moms—it’s about creating memories and celebrating extended family as well. “Mother’s Day means a lot because we get to celebrate my mom and my grandma and do the stuff they like,” said senior Emily Martinez. “We go to church and then take them out to eat. I also want to get them gifts—whether it’s flowers or jewelry—just something to show I care.”
While some students plan elaborate outings, others choose a more personal approach. Junior Miranda Garcia shared how she chose to express her appreciation through her creativity and heartfelt words. “For Mother’s Day, I made my mom a pop-up card from scratch and wrote her a letter expressing my appreciation,” she said. “My mom means everything to me. She’s always encouraged me through tough times and showed me the power of a mother’s love. She’s never judged me and has always guided me to be the best version of myself. Whether physically or emotionally, she’s always cared for me and my brothers.”
For the students of Southwest, Mother’s Day is more than a calendar event, it’s a heartfelt reminder of all that mothers do. Whether through gifts, thoughtful cards, or simply spending time together, Dragons are taking the time to express gratitude and love for the women who’ve shaped their lives.
As the school year comes to a close, and the rush of exams and end-of-year activities takes over, it’s refreshing to see students slow down, even just for a day to say "thank you" to their biggest supporters. After all, behind every great Dragon is a great mom cheering them on.
Sophia Martinez c/o 2026
Chords, Chords, Chords!
As the seniors’ year is coming to a bittersweet end, they are being recognized and awarded for their hard work and the successes that have accompanied them for the past four years. Many of these awards are cords that signify certifications, academic achievements, community services, arts, membership and participation, and their career pathway. They first started out in the 12th century for religious status but now are used for academic status, achievements, and extracurricular distinctions in both college and high school graduations.
It is a golden opportunity for teachers to see their students' hard work and success pay off, but for Julie Krueger, it is much more as she says a bittersweet goodbye to her son and his high school years that they were able to experience together. “As a senior parent, I feel very proud to see my son get his cord because it’s a recognition symbol for all his accomplishments through the years. As far as graduation, I’m not ready to see him go but I know that he is ready to move on and I’m just very proud of everything he has done,” she stated.
On Wednesday May 7th, the class of 2025 finally received their cords they have been waiting for. “It was an amazing feeling receiving my cords because of all the hard work I put into them whether it was doing community hours, studying to pass my certifications, or working hard to pass my college classes. Receiving all my cords made me realize I accomplished a lot more than I thought I would in high school,” said Emily Martinez.
As for Jefferson Johnson-he has been in charge of all graduation events including distribution of cords for several years. Here are his thoughts:” It’s awesome because it’s mostly the top kids that have put in 4 years of work in academic areas. It really is special to see them because of those accomplishments and to see how proud they are of themselves.”
Cords are a highschool ending award but a symbol to a beginning chapter. As students go out into the world, let them be reminded by these cords that hard work will pay off and that they have already succeeded. These students at Southwest High School are destined to be great out in the world. Good luck to all!
Olivia Bernal c/o 2026
Extra! Extra! Yearbooks Are In!!
Yearbooks are finally here! With that being said, online purchasing will NO longer be available. Students who pre-ordered their yearbooks can pick them up in room 251B! You can also purchase your yearbook for $70 with cash, or check. Stop by room 251 before school, during lunch and after school.
What Students Think About The Yearbooks Theme
As the school year comes to an end, the talk of the town is the highly anticipated yearbook. From design and theme to the contents in it, students from all grade levels share their thoughts on what makes this year's edition stand out, or not.
Senior Haziel Salcido expresses a positive opinion about the theme, describing it as “pretty nice” and something he has not seen during his previous years in high school. He appreciated that the theme isn’t tied to a specific gender, which is why he feels it’s inclusive for all students. Haziel’s favorite section is the senior baby pictures, which he’s featured in. All students have shown their liking to the ‘Guess That Baby Photo' game. Salcido was so excited about the yearbook in the beginning of the year, so he pre-ordered it during the first week of sales.
Junior Dashae Wolford also supported the yearbooks theme, calling it unique and appealing to look at. “I like the way the pink and the black go together,” she noted, regarding the color schemes. Dashae agreed that the book feels inclusive and not overly gendered. Her favorite section is the Teacher of the Year page, especially because it features her fourth period teacher, Ms. Moncivais. While she hasn’t purchased her yearbook yet, she will definitely look towards it now!
Sophomore Carter Stuart had a more set opinion about the yearbook's theme. Although he hasn’t seen much of the yearbook, he admitted he wasn’t a big fan of the theme, saying it is “a bit feminine” for his taste. Still, he confessed about hearing positive feedback from others. Stuart has admitted that his favorite page would have to be the one he appears on. Despite him not buying a yearbook, even in previous years, he states he might consider it in the future.
Freshman Jaelyn Carmona had a positive review of the yearbook. She appreciated the attention to detail and described it as “really nice and cute”. From sports to student spotlights, Carmona felt the book was high quality and definitely worth the price. She points out the inclusiveness of the book, especially since it covers various clubs and student interests. “Some of the clubs I didn’t even know existed,” she said. “You can really see how everyone has their own interest.” Her favorite section was where it focused on student activities, and she made sure to preorder her copy early.
Across all grade levels, students shared a wide range of thoughts, from excitement to criticism, but one thing is clear. The 2024-2025 yearbook made an impact. Whether it’s through design, representation, or personal touches, the book aims to capture the spirit of the school year for everyone.
-Chris Rodriguez c/o 2025
Yearbook
Newsletter Editor: Frida Delgado
Instagram: @yearbookswhsTikTok: @yearbookswhs
Email: speterson@swisd.net
Location: 11914 Dragon Lane, San Antonio, TX, USA