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
News
Incentive forms allow students to exempt a final of their choosing with a no-harm grade
Administration reverses plan to pause final exam incentives
Sofia Saucedo, social media specialist • December 6, 2024
This tree was ripped out of the front yard of a residential home in Asheville, N.C.
Twin hurricanes wreak havoc on East Coast
November 25, 2024
Ridgetop Elementary School first-grader Sebastian Celio sits outside the George Washington Carver branch of the Austin Public Library where his mother cast her early vote in the 2024 Travis County election.
Voters approve Austin ISD’s Prop A
November 18, 2024
For Margaret Dismukes Massad, the owner of Peter Pan Mini Golf and a McCallum graduate, the importance of Peter Pan Mini Golf goes beyond saving the business. As a child, some of her happiest memories are of observing her father, Glenn Dismukes, create the sculptures that still stand today at Peter Pan Mini-Golf in her backyard. “My favorite memories are just of my dad carving the figures,” Massad said. “We were the only kids with a dinosaur in the backyard.”
Keep Austin putting!
November 13, 2024
Opinion
Emergency personnel load body bags into an ambulance in western North Carolina following late September's Hurricane Helene. Photo courtesy of Dave Vandegrift.
Hurricane’s eye sees world looking elsewhere
Camilla Vandegrift, social media managing editor • December 9, 2024

Hurricane Helene made landfall over Florida as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 26, and left a 500-mile trail of destruction over the southeastern United States for three days...

The state of Florida initiated the wave of cellphone bans in schools across the country with bill HB-379 which was sponsored by Republican Brad Yeager and received bipartisan support from the Florida House and Senate. The bill took effect last summer, July 1. 2023. Graphic by Mira Patel.
Ban the bans
November 22, 2024
Students wait in long lines during lunch on Oct. 18. Photos by Carlo Hinsdale.
A recipe for student stress
November 15, 2024
High school students deserve to be encouraged to vote no matter the year and have the support to easily register to vote.
Become a change maker
November 14, 2024
Graphic of a declined voter registration card. The card symbolizes the challenges new Texas voters face when trying to reach the polls.
Texas’ dubious distinction
November 4, 2024
People gather outside of the Dayton Street Day Labor Center in Aurora, Colorado, to get food and necessities. This center is vital to many newcomers, helping them find work and support.
The human toll of political lies
October 30, 2024
Sports
Senior Sonya Petersen boards the bus during the girls basketball playoffs send off on Feb. 13 last year.
Bouncing back into basketball
Maya Tackett, people editor • December 11, 2024

Turning around to rebound the ball after missing a shot in a game of Knockout with her teammates before their spring league practice, senior Sonya Petersen, at that time a...

After executing a textbook 10-foot-line overpass kill to make the score 20-17 in the fourth and final set of the Knights’ 3-1 win over host Cedar Creek in the bi-district round of the 5A state playoffs on Oct. 20, 2023, then junior hitter Greta Carlson unleashes a scream as her teammates around her leap to the rafters in celebration.
After four years on varsity, more than 1,200 kills, senior eyes next chapter of her volleyball career
November 28, 2024
Lynn Bucknall holds her medal, standing on 26.2 sculpture after finishing the Portland Marathon
Bucknall runs her 45th marathon in Portland, Ore.
November 26, 2024
Redshirt freshman defensive back Warren Roberson runs out on to the field at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium prior the the Longhorns' 35-13 SEC victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sept. 28.
As Texas joins the Southeastern Conference, fans expect Longhorns to adapt, persevere
November 21, 2024
Senior Avi Zeifman flies during Taco Shack pep rally on Aug. 29.
Final year of cheer
November 20, 2024
Throwback Thursday
Roy Clark on Austin City Limits.
PBS’s ACL showcasing Austin music
David Brock, staff reporter • December 5, 2024

KLRU has long been known for shows such as "The Body Human" and "Masterpiece Theatre." Until 1975, that is, when "Austin City Limits" began its first season. "Austin City...

In modern telecommunications, the use of satellites to bounce signals to receiving dishes all over the world is an inexpensive way to send sion signals over a great distance.
What’s a satellite?
November 14, 2024
Safe to say, we're still at least a few years away from this...
20 seconds into the future
November 7, 2024
Knight and Shield editors, Karen Behrens and Cathy Croft prepare to guard the victory bell.
Spirit high for homecoming
October 24, 2024
Photo of CDs from the late 1980's.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: COMPACT DISKS
September 26, 2024
People
Zuniga holds a copy of the Handmaid's Tale, donated to the Banned Book Club by Black Pearl Books, on Nov. 13.
A new chapter
Elizabeth Nation, staff reporter • December 12, 2024

Although librarian Mathew Zuniga may be new to McCallum, he is certainly not new to libraries. Ever since Zuniga fell in love with reading at a young age, he knew that he...

Martina Lorenzo-Serrano (right) and Gray Gaddis (left) pose for the camera during the Liberty Hill football game.
Spanish foreign-exchange student finds home, new friends in marching band
November 27, 2024
Jeffrey Rudy plays at fall choir concert, “Of Earth and Sky,” in October 2023. Photo and caption by Riley Pita.
‘He just wants what’s best for us’ 
November 17, 2024
First-year math teacher Jada Stewart dances at the Teacher Pep Rally on Sept. 20.
From student teacher to teacher of students
November 14, 2024
Piano teacher Kate Wiley checks on the progress of junior Harper Wade during seventh-period piano class on Oct. 24 in the piano portable.
Chords, crawfish and kickball
October 30, 2024
ATX Sweet Serendipity was started and created by senior America Franken. Graphic courtesy of Franken.
Starting ATX Sweet Serendipity
October 16, 2024
Entertainment
Kacey Musgraves performed at the Moody Center on Nov. 26 and 27, selling out both nights. Her concert was very visually appealing, with a variety of colorful lights and eye-catching backdrops.
Musgraves aids Austin in finding ‘Deeper Well’
JoJo Barnard, print managing editor • December 3, 2024

Two years ago at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, I saw a concert that changed my life. At that point, I had been listening to Kacey Musgraves for a while, but the...

The Treehugger bagel from Nervous Charlie's, which is made of a poppy seed bagel filled with veggie cream cheese, avocado, sprouts, tomato, cucumber and spinach.
Flavor Profiles: Nervous Charlie’s
December 3, 2024
Rauw Alejandro performing La Old Skul at Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires on Feb. 18, 2022. Photo accessed on the photographer's Flickr account. Reposted here under a Creative Commons license.
Alejandro embraces ’70s aesthetic, sound to bring out ‘full grown Raúl’
November 29, 2024
Director Nathan Thompson conducts the McCallum choir program at last year’s Masterworks concert. The masterworks concert this year on Dec. 12 will feature Kreek’s Requiem in C minor performed by the chamber orchestra, whole choir program, and brass band. Thompson recalls that last year, his favorite part was bringing all the elements together. “Last year, that standing ovation that everyone got after afterwards, and the silence that we were able to hold in the concert hall was a really, really cool moment, and it was one of the highlights of the year for me."
Making old traditions new
November 19, 2024
Sixth-period guitar class practices in its new studio in the Black Box Theater on Oct. 10.
New spaces, new sound
November 11, 2024
Photo Galleries
WISHFUL WINDOW SHOPPING: Senior Mia Plemons observes the displays in the MAC during the 5x7 gallery night. Although not a member herself, Plemons feels a connection to the program through her friends and peers. “I have a lot of friends in art,” Plemons said. “And I’ve seen a lot of their work and it’s all really nice and beautiful, and I really enjoy seeing some of the nice pieces people have made.” Plemons didn’t manage to secure a piece of her own, but left impressed by all the ones she saw. “I didn’t [have a favorite], every piece of art I saw was just absolutely breathtaking,” Plemons said. “I think they should definitely do more things like this in the future. I think it’s definitely great for people in the art program to get their art out there and getting experience with making things that people buy.” Caption by Noah Braun. Photo by Lilah Lavigne.
Limited size, unlimited possibilities
Noah Braun, Shila Gill, Carlo Hinsdale, Evelyn Jenkins, Lilah Lavigne, Sophia Manos, Tallulah McAuliffe, Mira Patel, Priya Thoppil, Camilla Vandegrift, and Wren Vanderford • December 10, 2024

Last Thursday, the Visual Arts Program held its annual 5x7 Show, a fundraiser that celebrates the creativity and talent of McCallum’s visual arts students. This event features...

SPENDING THANKSGIVING IN NATURE: Junior Elizabeth Falkin feeds deer who wander around her grandfather’s lakehouse on Lake Buchanan during Thanksgiving break. Falkin travels to her lakehouse during long breaks and spent six days there during this break. One thing that makes Falkin’s lakehouse special for her is the ability to feed the deer. “There are a ton of deer up there, and we always keep tins of deer food so that we can feed them and see them more up close,” Falkin said. This trip also allowed Falkin the opportunity to see her cousins, who showed up to her family’s lakehouse on Thanksgiving without her knowing they were coming beforehand. “I never get to see my baby cousins, so I loved going to the beach with them and sitting by the fire at night,” Falkin said. “I love the fire because I feel like I don’t have to worry about anything else like school for just a little while.” Falkin has been going to the house for as long as she can remember and always enjoys the sense of serenity it brings. “It is an amazing, isolated place that allows me to calm down and spend time with the people I care about as well as with nature,” Falkin said. Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Falkin.
All over for autumn
December 3, 2024
VERTICAL VIRTUOSOS: The McCallum Orchestra performed at its Fall Vertical Team Concert on Wednesday afternoon. The concert featured performances from all ensembles, and the Lamar Middle School orchestra. The program began with a performance by the Lamar Middle School’s philharmonic orchestra and symphony orchestra, followed by Mac’s ninth-grade orchestra, Mac’s concert orchestra, Mac’s chamber orchestra, and ended with all the musicians coming on stage for a few final songs. A new member of the orchestra family, freshman violinist Sophia Davis, shared how the freshman orchestra has been preparing for this concert. “I’ve been practicing a lot, both outside of school and in class during third period,” she said. “It’s been an up-and-down roller coaster some days, but I feel that today’s performance went pretty well.” The orchestra will continue to work hard in preparation for future concerts and the upcoming UIL season. Caption by Wren Vanderford.
Photoj classes capture essence of McCallum
November 26, 2024
AN ABUNDANCE OF OPPORTUNITIES: Senior Harper Freach, a cello player in the chamber orchestra, plays the first movement of “Triptyque” by Yasushi Akutagawa, which they began practicing in August. Freach said she was nervous going into the concert, having recently focused on other pieces. “I was feeling pretty nervous because we hadn't played it for a while because we had been focused on pieces for another concert, so everyone was a little rusty,” Freach said. After the performances, the fine arts majors separated into smaller groups so that the audience could interact with whatever fine arts they were most interested in learning about. Freach’s younger sister is interested in the dance department, so they went into that group. “We went to the dance building and got to watch a bunch of different types of solos of all different dance types to show what you could audition with for your audition and got to talk to the dance teachers,” Freach said. Freach said she had a very different experience with orchestra before high school. “I went to a private school, and we had a very different way of playing, we would have to audition for actual seatings and chairs,” Freach said. “It's different because now you walk into orchestra, and you don't know what to expect. Pringle will either have you play for the class or play with a different section; it's just a very broad range, and you never know what you're going to get. I like it because it tests my abilities and tells me what I need to work on and sometimes shows that I can pick up on things faster than I thought I would be able to.” Freach’s advice for any new Knights is to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. “Any opportunity that you are presented with you should take it,” Freach said. “I couldn't do that my freshman year because we were still pretty shut down due to COVID. I was scared to try other things besides orchestra, but I regret not involving myself in other areas at McCallum where I could have possibly found my passion.” Caption by Shila Gill.
Inspiring aspiring artists
November 19, 2024
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The debate over gun control

The debate over gun control • 7897 Views

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While parents and teachers formed a marching line with rainbow umbrellas to insulate students from the hateful messaging coming from the sidewalk, students wrote supportive messages with sidewalk chalk to express support for the same groups that the agitators were villifying.

Community responds to agitators' return with show of support • 536 Views

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Defending the rights of gun owners at the McCallum walkout in support of stronger gun control legislation on April 20, 2018, three McCallum seniors (two of them pictured here) sit silently counter-protesting at the rally in the parking lot. “I believe in the Second Amendment since it was instituted in the beginning of this country," one of them said. "I obviously don’t believe in fully automatic weapons. They aren’t legal anyways. I’m pro-rifle, pro-gun and I’m pro Constitution.” One of the students asked to remain anonymous to protect future opportunities. Photo by Kien Johnson.

Banning guns is not the way to go • 472 Views

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Like all things, the year of Orwell's dystopian tale of the future came to pass, prompting social and cultural introspection. Credit to unknown artist on theoriginalunderground.com.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: 'Big Brother is watching you' • 305 Views

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Stereotypical Barbie played by actress Margot Robbie looks at herself in a toy "mirror". The fact that there was no reflection is one of the ways director Greta Gerwig used the aspects of the toys in the film. Warner Bros. image reposted here under the doctrine of fair use.

Barbie movie exceeds its high expectations • 258 Views

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UT booklets on display during college showcase at McCallum last spring. In the wake of the Supreme Court decision effectively ending affirmative action and a state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus, the University has pledged to make its campus welcome to all, but it has also made changes to comply with the new, more restrictive laws.

Class of 2024 adjusts college applications in wake of Supreme Court ruling eliminating affirmative action • 257 Views

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Actor and activist Matthew McConaughey was among the speakers at the #MarchForOurLives in downtown Austin on March 24, 2018, which attracted more than 10,000 to the Capitol today. “This is an American issue," McConaughey said of gun control. "It’s a Texan issue. It’s a legal and law-abiding gun owner issue. It’s a mother issue. It’s a father issue. And, quite literally, this is our children’s issue." McConaughey also said that consensus leading to action should be above politics. “My hope here is that we can find a common ground on what I see as a very much a common-sense issue. This is an issue anchored in purpose for all of us. It’s not anchored in politics." Photo by Madison Olsen.

Banning guns is not a panacea • 201 Views

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People gather outside of the Dayton Street Day Labor Center in Aurora, Colorado, to get food and necessities. This center is vital to many newcomers, helping them find work and support.

The human toll of political lies • 199 Views

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Este mapa de banderas de América Latina que representa a cada nación por su bandera revela la diversidad de culturas presentes en la región. Ilustración de Presjuri. Consultado en Wikimedia Commons. Publicado nuevamente aquí bajo una licencia creative commons.

Latino no siempre significa Mexicano • 174 Views

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True Foods Kitchen- Butternut Squash Pizza

True Foods Kitchen- Butternut Squash Pizza • 166 Views

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At the Texas Tribune Festival this September, three Deans of journalism schools in universities around the U.S. sat down to discuss how their schools are addressing current issues in journalism, and how they are training future journalists. Rachel Davis Mersey serves as Interim Provost at the University of Texas at Austin and Chair of the School of Journalism and Media and is an expert on the influence of digital media on community-building and understanding the information needs of different audiences. Graciela Mochkofsky is Dean of the City University of New York’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a contributing writer for The New Yorker, authoring seven nonfiction books. Jelani Cobb is Dean of the Columbia Journalism School, a staff writer at The New Yorker and received a Peabody Award for his 2020 PBS “Frontline” film “Whose Vote Counts?” In their discussion, Mersey, Mochkofsky and Cobb focused on three salient issues in journalism: the safety of student journalists, the role of social media in journalism and the relevance of journalism in today’s society. Video by Mira Patel.
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