This year’s road trip to Georgetown marked a historic moment for Southwest High School. For the first time in over 70 years, the varsity soccer team advanced to the state tournament—a monumental achievement that united the student body in excitement and pride. At the center of this celebration was the spirit bus, a charter bus filled with Dragon energy, school pride, and nonstop cheer.

The spirit bus is more than just transportation; it’s an experience students cherish deeply. With music, laughter, and the shared anticipation of a big game, it offers a rare opportunity to bond with classmates outside of the usual classroom environment.

“The spirit bus was like a big community where we were all just very happy to go see all the wins,” said Abigail Roberts. “I recommend this experience to anyone in high school because it’s such a special time to be with your friends and cheer on the school.” For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves lasting memories and stories to tell.

Seniors in particular see the spirit bus as a must-do on their high school bucket list. “It was something new I wanted to try, and especially for my senior year, I’m trying to do more things involving the school,” said Jose Garnica. “All I can say is that I enjoyed seeing my friends there, and it was super fun.” For graduating students, the trip offered a meaningful way to connect with friends and celebrate their final year together.

For others, the ride itself sparked meaningful moments. “I was looking forward to hanging out with my friend because we were able to catch up on life and watch movies,” said Ariana Ortiz. “Something crazy that happened on the way back was an accident on the road that held us up. It was unfortunate to see, but also pretty graphic. I thought it was crazy.”

While the road to Georgetown had its surprises, one thing remained constant: the unwavering school spirit and support for the team. Students proudly showed up to cheer on the Dragons, knowing their energy fuels the athletes more than they realize.

As Southwest High School celebrates this milestone soccer season, the spirit bus stands as a powerful symbol of unity, support, and school pride. It’s a tradition worth carrying forward—and a memory many will never forget.

Sophia Martinez c/o 2026

As graduation approaches, seniors in college preparatory English class work on a special project called the Senior Memory Book. This book consists of ten chapters that chronicle their lives from elementary school through ten years after graduation. The memory book is an important component of the coursework, as it provides a recap of the students' journeys throughout the years. “The memory book is for the seniors to reflect on the last 12 years of their lives. As they prepare to graduate, it’s important to look back at their memories and see how far they've come,” said Coach Doege. The project helps soon-to-be graduates recognize the effort they have put in and how it has paid off.

“The most significant part of the memory book for me is the letter to one’s six-year-old self. This section resonates deeply because it encourages students to reflect on their growth,” Coach Doege explained. Many students appreciate this exercise, as it allows them to get vulnerable and offer their younger selves advice about what lies ahead in life. “I want them to remember that their past does not dictate their future. It’s also a chance to recall the lessons they’ve learned and how to apply them in the real world after graduation,” she added. The project provides students with an opportunity to revisit formative moments in their academic and personal lives. From childhood memories to pivotal high school experiences, each chapter allows for storytelling, self-reflection, and growth.

For senior Bella Gutierrez, the project serves as a reminder of her roots and resilience. “My favorite memories in my memory book are of when I lived in Kingsville, Texas,” she said. “I moved around and grew up in different places, and this really highlights where I come from,” Bella reflected.

“My favorite memory was the Fire and Armor Bowl,” shared senior Madisyn Alaquinez. “During my sophomore year, we played our rival team, and I was on the sidelines as a trainer. There were fireworks, everyone was together, and it was just a fun experience.” This memory is documented in chapter seven, which focuses on the early high school years—often a turning point for many students.

For the students, the memory book becomes much more than just an assignment. It transforms into a personal keepsake filled with nostalgia, growth, and pride. Beyond their individual memories, students look forward to seeing the final product as a testament to their growth and that of their classmates. “What I’m most excited about is being able to see the outcome of it all,” Bella expressed. “It will show the growth I’ve experienced and also how my friends have evolved as individuals.” As the final pages of their high school stories are written, the Senior Memory Book stands not only as a reflection but also as a celebration of perseverance, transformation, and the bright futures that await. For the Class of 2025, it is more than just a book; it’s a legacy.

Antonio Martinez c/o 2026

Being recognized as one of the Top 10 Seniors in school is a significant achievement for many students. Leon shared, “When I heard that I was one of the Top 10 Seniors, it came as a complete surprise! I had no idea I was capable of that, so I was really excited and happy to know that my parents are so proud of me.”

Now ready to take the next big step in life, Leon plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) next year. “I’m not quite sure what I want to major in yet, but it will most likely be something related to business,” she said. Throughout the year, she has consistently put forth her best effort to balance her schoolwork. While this may be a struggle for some students, for Leon, it’s a piece of cake! “At the moment, I do have college classes that give me a preview of what college work will be like. However, I prioritize my assignments and even cancel plans to ensure I turn them in on time,” she explained.

Leon has always been proactive in securing a successful future by choosing beneficial courses. “Since I want to pursue business, I took a virtual business class as well as a global business class. These have given me insights into what it’s like to work in a business environment. I’ve also taken college math classes to prepare me for that field,” she said.

Before diving back into the hustle of schoolwork, everyone deserves a little break, right? To take her mind off school, Leon has been planning a trip with her friends. “This summer, I want to go to Mexico with my family. My cousins and I usually plan a trip together, and this year is no different,” she explained.

Good luck in college Daniela!

Akeela Custer c/o 2025

Starting in May, the Southwest Yearbook Club is launching a brand-new podcast titled Dragon Tales. After months of planning and preparation, the club is excited to share this unique project with the school community. Designed to bring students and staff closer together, Dragon Tales aims to highlight the voices and stories that make up the heart of Southwest, our Dragon Nation.

The response to the announcement of Dragon Tales has been overwhelmingly positive. Students and staff alike have expressed enthusiasm about the podcast’s potential to build a stronger school culture and provide a new platform for sharing experiences, ideas, and perspectives.

Mrs. Estes, the school librarian, shared her excitement about the podcast, noting that she believes Dragon Tales is a perfect name for Southwest’s new venture. “I’m looking forward to hearing about teachers’ hobbies and the interesting things they do outside of school,” she said. “The podcast will give us a glimpse into parts of our community that we don’t often get to see. It’s a great way to enrich the culture here at Southwest.”

Sophia Martinez, a Southwest student, also praised the initiative. While she finds Dragon Tales catchy, she mentioned she would have liked the name Keeping Up with the Dragons. Still, she’s eager to tune in and hopes to hear episodes focused on school life, mental health, and positive thinking. “I think the podcast will help people open up more,” she said. “It’s going to bring us together and help create stronger bonds within the school.”

Another student, Rene Lozano, believes Dragon Tales is a fitting and exciting name for the new podcast. He’s looking forward to episodes that focus on current events on campus, school-wide happenings, and public media. “It’s something to look forward to,” he said. “This podcast is going to get more people involved and informed, which will have a great impact on our school’s culture.”

With its launch just around the corner, Dragon Tales is already sparking anticipation throughout the Southwest campus. By highlighting the stories, challenges, and passions of the people who make up the Dragon community, the Yearbook Club hopes the podcast will leave a lasting impact and continue to bring the school closer together.

Ariana Ortiz c/o 2028

Freshmen at Southwest high school faced an academic milestone on Tuesday, April 8th, as they sat down to take the English I STAAR test! This test shows their progress from the entire school year. The English I STAAR test is composed of 65 questions and an essay, Students have been preparing months in advance for this statewide exam.

Alyne Quiroz said she was confident in her performance. “I think I performed really well because I used all my strategies and tools,” she said. With only three breaks from the test, Alyne maintained a positive mindset throughout. Although she did say that because of how long it was, it was challenging. Still, she claims her success to the support and guidance from her teachers. “I think the test was too long but I got it done on time,” she added. The note-taking before the test was not her favorite part but she knows it contributed to her readiness.

Another freshman, Keiston Bigham, said he struggled to stay awake during the exam’s first half. “Reading all the paragraphs was my least favorite part,” he said, adding that falling asleep during the exam probably affected his performance.Though, he says he only took two breaks during the second half. Keiston acknowledged that the test was important for his overall learning of the curriculum. But Keiston kept a positive point of view, and said the test was a sort of final checkpoint from all the testing throughout the year.

Ty’Shawn Holder says most of the questions were fairly easy, but said that the essay part was a challenge, only completing two paragraphs. “I took a whole bunch of breaks going to the restroom,” Ty’Shawn said. He later said that he thinks the test was ineffective because they already take tests during the year. English, he admitted, was his least favorite part overall.

English I STAAR provided a look into the high school process. As the freshmen get ready to take the next step in high school, the results from this test will help both students and educators as they study for future STAAR tests and strive for improvement.

Maddison Stemley c/o 2028

Students from Southwest High School Dragon Book Club have been nominated by BiblioTech for three Techie Awards at the San Antonio 90 Second Newbery Film Festival to be held May 3rd at the Tobin Center H-E-B Performance Hall. The 90-Second Newberry Film Festival is an annual video contest in which young filmmakers create short movies that tell the entire story of a Newberry winning (or Newberry Honor) book - all in about a minute and a half!

This is the first time the Dragon Book Club has competed in the 90-Second Newberry Film festival and they are nominated for:

Best Sound - MS/HS

Best Cinematography - MS/HS

Best Film - MS/HS

The book club chose to make a short movie of the Newberry honor book, "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds. Members in the video are Senior Sarah Paez, Juniors- Devyn Champagne, Noah Cedillo. Noemi Vargas, Sophomores- Aidan Gutierrez, Angelina Lobert and Daniella Arellano.

First go to the Lifetouch website Ybpay.com. You will be prompted to insert a yearbook ID code, go ahead and enter the numbers "13358725". This is the code for Southwest High School. Once you're in, enter whose information you want to provide. After the name is provided, choose the grade level or staff option and complete the payment process.

If you are interested in paying with cash or check, that is acceptable as well. Students can come to room 251 during lunch or CCR to pay the $70 and we can print you a receipt verifying your purchase.

Once the yearbooks are delivered, the online purchasing option wil stop.

Newsletter Editor: Akeela Custer

TikTok: @yearbookswhs

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