Project tells war stories
Michael Kaegi, staff writer
November 25, 2019
The Veterans Heritage Project, since its foundation in 2004, has helped to tell the stories and bring a new perspective for students about the lives of veterans who served the country. The program was founded by Barbara Hatch, a former teacher who looked to bring information to students about veterans...
Visiting French students learn about American culture
Paul Wernes, staff writer
November 25, 2019
Students from France arrived on campus at the beginning of November, just in time for French week. They spent a week in the United States to learn about American schools and culture, and share information about the French culture. “It is a great partnership between our sister school. Students practice...
Chinese club students learn about another culture
Max Hancock, staff writer
November 25, 2019
Chinese Club has been meeting in teacher Sun Lao Shi’s classroom. The club provides hands-on activities and offers further knowledge of the subject to students. “Chinese Club is different from other clubs because it’s interesting to me,” said Rose Depetro, a member of the club. Chinese lub...
UBU project encourages positive change
Colin Mesenbrink, staff writer
November 25, 2019
With the help of David Simmons, president and creative director of the UBU project, students in Film and TV are creating music videos. “The goal was to help students at Cactus Shadows create four original songs and an original script as part of the school’s substance abuse prevention program,”...
Schools weigh pros and cons of clear backpacks
Hayley Smith, staff writer
November 25, 2019
Douglas High School, about 120 miles south of Tucson, has recently banned their students from carrying backpacks on campus. Instead, students are allowed to carry a small clear tote with their belongings visible inside. The Douglas County School District’s new policy went into effect on October 21....
Students take advantage of early college
Cal Schwartz, staff writer
November 25, 2019
The early college program at Paradise Valley Community College aids students in getting ahead in their college careers. “It is extremely helpful because by the time you get done with high school you have a year of college done with,” said Cassidy Gross, a junior. The Early College program can...
Administration seeks a solution for student lateness
Cait Bunkers, online staff writer
November 14, 2019
Administration has recently started acting more on the increasing lateness. Habitual lateness can prevent fluid learning and distract other students, which may cause some to miss out on important information. “Absolutely [lateness prevents fluid learning],” said Andrea Daly, an english teacher. ...
Superintendent’s student cadre meets to discuss issues at the school
Kaitlyn Cross, online staff writer
November 13, 2019
Every month after school, the Superintendent’s Student Cadre meets in the teacher’s lounge to discuss different topics and come up with many solutions to solve certain problems that go on in the school. Students submit problems anonymously and at every monthly meeting the advisors cross out the pr...
Littering issues leave security unhappy
Kaitlyn Cross, online staff writer
November 8, 2019
An issue that has been occurring on campus is littering. Students specifically during lunch have been throwing trash on school grounds, even though there are multiple trash cans spread around for students to drop trash. Others in the school have been upset with this ongoing problem. Jackie Kelleh...
Consuming energy drinks may have negative effects on health
Sarah Love, online staff writer
November 6, 2019
Energy drinks are the second biggest dietary supplement consumed predominantly by American teens and young adults next to multivitamins. They are promoted by many companies as a product that can enhance mental alertness, physical performance, and increase energy. “I drink energy drinks because they give m...
EVIT superintendent involved in scandal
Zachery Valentine, staff writer
October 28, 2019
The superintendent of East Valley Technical Institute (EVIT), Chad Wilson, who was indicted in September by a grand jury for allegedly mishandling public money while serving as Apache Junction’s superintendent, has been reinstated by the Governing Board. Many Cactus Shadows students are currently...
NEHS offers new opportunities
Ryan Bartholomew, spotlight editor
October 28, 2019
National English Honors Society (NEHS) is one of the many honor societies that have a chapter established on campus. The society is intended for those with higher performance in a certain area of their academics. In America, the oldest academic society was Phi Beta Kappa, which was founded as a social...