Skip to Main Content
The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online

The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online

The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online

Front-desk receptionist Sara Zettner takes a phone call, while working in the temporary main office for McCallum.  Within the book shelves and art work, Zettner works to fulfill her daily tasks, while awaiting for the original office's completion.
Changing construction deadline disrupts community
Sylvia Hurtado, staff reporter • October 13, 2025
Principal Andy Baxa, secretary of counselors Tonya Moore and fine arts ambassadors in a meeting featured in shields in the graphic. Despite administration changes, including with Moore's role at the school, the traditions and programs in the fine arts academy will continue on.
Changing of the guard
October 13, 2025
Graphic by Carlo Hinsdale
Classrooms to courtrooms
October 6, 2025
Head librarian Mathew Zuniga helps freshman Ezra Melendez with her malfunctioning Chromebook on Sep. 17. Ever since library clerk Lauren Alindogen's position was cut, Zuniga has been forced to take over the job of fixing and distributing Chromebooks for almost two thousand students, taking his time away from other library duties.
Books on a budget
October 6, 2025
A modern version of Shakespeare with a nose ring, earring and cool glasses.
Why Shakespeare still gets us
Magnolia Smith, staff reporter • October 10, 2025

History likes to repeat itself, and William Shakespeare’s dramatic plays are no exception. Shakespeare’s plays are very much relevant to American society, even 400 years...

A diagram explaining the meaning behind Austin's new logo. Image courtesy of austintexas.gov
Where’s the weird?
October 3, 2025
The Friday crowd as the sunsets at ACL 2024 with the Austin skyline in the back.
Just for the experience
October 3, 2025
Freshmen Annika Ellwanger (left) and Audrey Moss (right) pose for a picture before the LASA rivalry game.
Fresh faces on the court
Josie Linton, news editor • October 16, 2025

This year, two freshmen made the girls varsity volleyball team: Annika Ellwanger and Audrey Moss. Ellwanger has been playing volleyball for four years, and Moss for five....

Assistant cheer coach, Jada Stewart in her classroom.
New faces, same spirit
October 9, 2025
Senior Aaniya Thornton celebrates 1,000 digs with her family after the varsity volleyball game against the LASA Raptors on Friday, Sept. 12.
1,000 digs, one dream
October 9, 2025
Burns-Trahanovsky dives off a 10 meter platform, doing a front 1 1/2 pike about to hit the water, at USADiving Junior Nationals 2023 in Mission Viejo, CA
Diving to Dartmouth
October 2, 2025
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Cafeteria receives makeover: new tables, new murals’  and ‘With a new year, comes a new look’
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Cafeteria receives makeover: new tables, new murals’ and ‘With a new year, comes a new look’
Kevin Turi and Drew Fitzgerald September 25, 2025

Cafeteria receives a makeover: new tables, new murals Students looking for a bite at the cafeteria this year found a few new changes that go beyond the color of the Jell-o...

Amy Brodbeck, head volleyball coach, head of the english department and student Council, poses for picture.
Brodbeck does it all
Makenzie Brin, staff reporter • October 15, 2025

Most teachers at McCallum stick to one main role on campus, but Amy Brodbeck is different. Brodbeck is the head volleyball coach, the head of the English department and also...

BIM teacher Ms. Primeaux in her classroom.
Business in fashion
October 8, 2025
Seniors Zara Cacci, Jada Silk and Iris Guzman talk to the class of 2029 during Big Mac Day on Aug. 8.
Linked since day one
October 1, 2025
Graphic by Elizabeth Nation
‘Man’s Best Friend’ lacks emotional depth
Katie Martin, staff reporter • October 14, 2025

Having grown up with Sabrina Carpenter during her Disney Channel days on “Girl Meets World,” I was intrigued to see her evolution with her most recent album, "Man’s...

Graphic by Mira Patel
Battle of the balms
October 3, 2025
The movie poster for Chicuarotes, a movie by Gael Garcia Bernal that tries to show familial violence.
Film review: Chicuarotes
October 2, 2025
HONORING HER HERITAGE: Last Tuesday, McCallum’s Ballet Folklorico put on a showcase in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Senior Abigail Peacock says it was nice for Folklorico to showcase their traditional Hispanic folk dance during Hispanic Heritage month, due to the fact that they are no longer able to perform for Cinco de Mayo. Because of the new Texas laws that prevent certain cultural groups from performing, Peacock says they will take what they can get, and Hispanic Heritage Month was the perfect opportunity to celebrate dance. 

“To me, it's important that Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated at McCallum because it's an integral part of our school's culture,” Peacock said. “Additionally, it's especially important that we are able to dance for Hispanic Heritage Month because we may not be able to put on a Cinco de Mayo this year. Our club works hard, and I think there should be a way to showcase our hard work to the school.”

Peacock says the Folklorico dance is an important part of Hispanic culture, and can represent various Hispanic cultures and backgrounds through music and art. 

“Folklorico is representative of the different cultural influences that come together to create Hispanic culture,” Peacock said. “Folklorico originated as a combination of indigenous and Spanish-style dances, and can represent different regions of Mexico that have unique dance attire and steps that show even more specific influences and history of the individual regions.” 

For Peacock, the community that surrounds Folklorico is what makes the club such a welcoming and fun environment where students can spread Hispanic culture. 

“My favorite part about being in Folklorico has been learning about and being able to experience Hispanic culture. It is what makes Texas so special, and I have loved becoming more involved in the community that surrounds me,” Peacock said. “I've also loved meeting everyone involved in Folklorico, from teachers to club members and people involved in our events. It really has been such a wonderful experience.” 

Caption by Sofia Saucedo.
Homage to heritage
Arwen Pelletier, Ethan Roberts, Eva Sanchez, JoJo Barnard, Kaylee Breecker, Lucas Walker, Mira Patel, Piper Adair, Sofia Saucedo, and Sam Nash October 9, 2025

From a salsa contest to an agua fresca sale, the Students of Color Alliance hosted a variety of events over the past few weeks to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic...

BEATING BOWIE: Senior Will Bowman swims towards the ball, attempting to gain possession, in the first district tournament for water polo on Sep. 13. The Knights faced Austin High, Anderson, Bowie, and LASA, but Bowman’s favorite game was their victory over Bowie. 

“It was great,” Bowman said. “We knew going into the game we had a good shot, and we were able to deliver.”

Although Bowman wishes the Knights had beaten Bowie by a greater number of points, he enjoyed the consistency of the Knights’ performance.

“We didn’t crush them hard,” Bowman said. “But it’s fun when you’re actually playing and shooting goals and doing good.”

Bowman primarily plays point, covering the middle of the court and making long passes. He occasionally fills in at set. He acknowledges that while the position still feels difficult, he has greatly improved at it since freshman year, when he began playing water polo for the first time.

“When I was a freshman, I was a skinny little kid,” Bowman said. “I still am, but I know what I am doing, and it’s pretty satisfying.”

After playing water polo all four years in high school, Bowman will miss the sport when he goes to college next year.

“It’s a little unfortunate this is my last time playing because I don’t think I’m going to play in college,” Bowman said. “At least I’ll have memories of these four years.”

Bowman has one more opportunity to form more memories with the water polo team this Saturday, Sep. 27, at the second district tournament. If the team wins one game, they will advance to bi-districts which will take place on Oct. 6. Bowman hopes not only to make bi-districts but to make a run in the playoffs and believes that the team can as long as it plays consistently.

“As long as we’re making goals and hitting well, we should do good,” Bowman said.

Caption by Elizabeth Nation.
Treading toward success
September 25, 2025
CALLING THE PITCHES AND THE SHOTS: Senior Grace Yemington catches pitches behind the plate during the softball team’s fall ball practices. 
For Yemington, softball has been a part of her life for 12 years and catching’s a family tradition.

 “My older sister was a catcher, so I decided to follow in her footsteps,” she said.

Consistently serving as a reliable player for the team, Yemington now thrives in the leadership side of the position. 

“I like being able to sort of conduct the infield; help call pitches, remind infielders of the play, and play an important role on the field,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Yemington is primed and ready to close out her senior year strong.

 “I’m looking forward to this season and excited to continue playing fall ball with the team this year,” she said.

Caption by V Overstreet. Photo by Magnolia Smith.
Softball’s soft launch
September 18, 2025
FROM PLAYGROUNDS TO PLAYWRIGHTS: In room 103, one can find a bustling classroom of students lively chatting and working. The new English teacher, Abigail Pfeiffer, said she feels quite at home here. 

“I love the students here,” Pfeiffer said. “It’s been such a pleasure to teach them.”

This is Pfeiffer’s second year of teaching. Her previous teaching experience was for a fourth grade classroom. Some might say fourth grade to 10th is a huge jump, but Pfeifer has been facing it with great enthusiasm. She majored in English in college and finds that a high school setting gives her more room to explore her passion. 

“There’s much more freedom when teaching high schoolers,” Pfeifer said. “I really get to put my skills to work.”

Pfeiffer was drawn to McCallum because of its commitment to Fine Arts and its welcoming community. So far, her experience at Mac has not let her down. 

“It’s clear how passionate students are, and it’s very inspiring to see,” Pfeiffer said.

Ultimately, Pfeiffer’s hope for this year is for her students to feel accomplished and for her to feel as if she taught them something worthwhile. 

Caption by Zanna Allen.
A fresh start for mac-ulty
September 11, 2025
Print edition
Donate to The Shield
$50
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of McCallum High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

Who was your favorite artist at ACL this year?

Loading...

Sorry, there was an error loading this poll.

SPECIAL EDUCATOR: In an off-the-court victory for boys basketball, Coach Carlin Shaw was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year today. Shaw is a Social Behavior Skills teacher and a special education case manager, and he is the head JV boys basketball coach and an assistant coach for varsity boys basketball. Assistant principal Gabriel Adame presented Shaw with a gift basket in the large gym, announcing his win. Shaw had tears in his eyes as he expressed his gratitude for the community that motivates him. Video by Dave Winter.
Donate to The Shield Online
$50
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Activate Search
The Student News Site of McCallum High School