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The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
The Student News Site of McCallum High School

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The free art of ATX

In this week’s #TuesdayTop10, our intrepid adventurer goes on a quest to find the city’s best street art
Olivia Watts, staff reporter
September 25, 2018
Olivia Watts
This 23rd Street Artist’s Market mural features everything Austin, from the Capitol to the Ritz, from Willie Nelson to Stephen F. Austin and armadillos. Photo by Olivia Watts

Everyone loves art, especially when it’s free, which is the great thing about street art. You may have noticed some driving or walking past. The great thing about Austin is the art, especially of the street variety, which is even more unique, funny, creative, and weird than anywhere else. We are pleased to take you along with Olivia Watts on her adventure to find the best Austin street art in this week’s #TuesdayTop10.

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VOLLEYBALL BUDDIES: Junior Mia Davis and Senior Kafia Jackson-Woods join hands after a play against Ann Richards Varsity at Ann Richards on September 26. Both student sections were energized. Moments prior, the girls had scored and brought the points up. Davis, one of two setters, felt grateful to have Jackson-Woods by her side. “I’ve played with Kafia since my freshman year because we were both on JV,” Davis said. “I really like her competitive spirit, and that she isn't afraid to tell me what I need to fix so that we can connect better. I just really like her energy and her personality.” Playing with her friends gives Davis more confidence and assuredness. She knows how the girls will play and how her teammates feel. However, because the gym was smaller, the crowd was louder. Davis believed that affected the team’s play. “I think we let the crowd get to us a little bit because when we were on the side with our student section, we kept them 12 and under,” Davis said. “When we were on the other side they beat us in one set and we went over 25.” Caption by Carlo Hinsdale.
Setting the stage for success
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
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
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
ONE LAST BATTLE CRY: Senior Valeria Villafuerte-Perez celebrates with her friends after the senior class won the spirit competition. At each pep rally, a different game is played with volunteers from the crowd. Villafuerte-Perez was nominated by her friends to play a game in which the goal was to snatch a pom-pom from an opponent. “Before school started, my friends and I had talked about going all out for senior year, so I told them to nominate me for a game since it was our last [Shoal Creek Showdown] pep rally,” Villafuerte-Perez said. “I wasn’t really scared to go down to the floor in front of the whole school, all I was focused on was getting the crowd hyped for the game.” Villafuerte-Perez entered the game determined to win. After several rounds, as there were just two people left, she managed to snatch the last pom just in time, in order to secure a victory for the senior class. “I was really happy I won the game for the class of 2026,” Villafuerte-Perez said. “Honestly, I just wanted to win because seniors rule.” As this was her first pep rally as a senior, the event carried extra meaning to Villafuerte-Perez. “Being in the stands as a senior feels very surreal,” Villafuerte-Perez said. “I still remember my first  pep rally, and now I’m a senior having my last pep rally, I think in that moment it really set in that I’m a senior, and that I’m going to graduate soon.” Caption by Sophia Manos. Photo by Julia Copas.
Shoal Creek Showdown shows out
GRAND REVEAL: Sophomore Cruz Gonzales performs alongside the other baritone saxophone players during Bandapalooza on Aug 22. Bandapalooza allowed the band to perform what they’ve been practicing during the summer to an audience full of friends and family. While this wasn’t the band’s first full run through, it was their first in front of an audience. “I feel like we’ve done better in rehearsals, and due to the pressure and other things, it hindered our performance a little bit, but I was still proud,” Gonzales said. One thing that Gonzales pointed out that the band needs to work on in the future is making sure everybody knows exactly where they’re supposed to be and knows the repetition. This performance also allowed the band to introduce their new theme of Gothic Renaissance to their audience. “This year’s costumes are totally different,” Gonzales said. “We have hip capes and shako hats, which is a big change from last year.” Looking towards the future and big pictures, Gonzales wants the band to have a successful season and make state. “Considering how close it was last year, we were pretty bummed,” he said. “So this year, I think everybody is really trying to work harder to get there and make state again.” Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo by Wren Vanderford.
Bandapalooza marches into new year
More in Thursday Top 10
Softball standout Lila Brotherton evades a Crockett defender in the Knights' victory over the Cougars in their quarterfinal matchup. The Knights would defeat Travis in the semifinal game to reach the championship where they lost to Bowie.
Flag football unfurled at district tournament
Senior John Scott Mabry jumps up to block ball from senior Devon Robinson for the match of the Senior Boys's A Team against the Senior Boys' B team during the Bro-Ball tournament held on Wednesday. The Senior A Team ended up taking home the championship title at the end of the rounds. The tournament which is annual serves as a fundraiser for the volleyball program at McCallum. The volleyball team is responsible organizing the event and coaching the players beforehand.
Battle of the bros
PAINTING POINTS: Junior Joseph Blackwood performs painting skit for Mr. McCallum pageant on Saturday night. Blackwood came in third for the entire competition after several wins throughout the week's challenges including his second place win for raising the most money in the ice bucket challenge. As a fellow actor, sophomore Hallie Cooper was assigned to be Blackwood's guide througout the week, orienting him where to go and what to do for the various challenges. At the end of the week, Blackwood was awarded third place after all his hard work earning points throughout the week from supporters and sponsors through all the various challenges as well as his final culminating performance on Saturday.  Caption by Josie Mullan. Photo by Lillian Gray.
From knight to king
Sophomore Lucinda McCollum performs during a group performance of "Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight" by ABBA on Sunday night's closing performance. Due to some pieces being mixed with other classes within the choir program, McCollum explained it was a challenge to find time to rehearse, but the show still ended up being a success. "We only had a few rehearsals where we learned choreo and practiced with the other choirs, but I feel like we had good energy and did well on stage," McCollum said. McCollum said one of the best parts of the show was the audience's reactions to the pieces. "It was really fun watching the audience’s reactions to some of the small groups and hanging out with my friends backstage," McCollum said. Caption by Carlo Hinsdale. Photo by Josie Mullan.
A throwback Saturday and Sunday
ONE LAST TIME: Senior Zalie Mann and junior Ronan Henson dance at prom, the last McCallum dance both of them will ever attend. Despite not being a senior, Henson was able to attend with the invitation from his senior friend Gabrielle Rodriquez. Attending Zach Academy for theater next year, this is Henson’s last year at McCallum, and so in that sense, attending prom for him felt like a senior experience. Henson enjoyed how the night went, and felt that it was a big improvement from the prom he had attended at the same venue a week before. “I went to Bowie prom, and it was really boring,” he said. “This one was much more fun, everyone was dancing, and it had a much better vibe. I think the environment was super nice, like how it was set up with the lights and music, but everyone dancing and having a good time together made it really fun. We definitely utilized the space much better.” One thing Henson won’t forget about prom was getting to enjoy being around his senior friends for one of the last times and making memories with them. “Dancing and getting to reconnect with friends I've been making throughout the past three years in one spot was just amazing,” he said. “It felt like a super good ending to the year, and a nice sign off for sure.” Caption by Priya Thoppil.
Prom provides seniors a moment to savor, celebrate
WORKING TOGETHER: McCallum Dance Company performs the student-choreographed “Dancing with Death” during last Tuesday’s dress rehearsal before the spring dance show. Sophomore Pia Sosa performed in five different numbers during the show and thought that everything went well even despite a few challenges. “I was getting a little worried closer to the end because there were still a lot of changes happening and people getting shuffled around into places,” Sosa said. “But by the tech week and by the shows, it really felt like we all worked together and came together.” Sosa’s favorite part was performing “Come Play,” which was choreographed by junior Maya Tien. Sosa loved being able to work with Tien because of her level of preparation and being able to perform hip hop, since the dance company does not perform that style as much. “It’s the first number I do in the show, and I always just felt like it gave me so much energy,” Sosa said. “It felt really good because we rarely do hip hop, so it just felt like such a great opportunity to do something that I don’t get to do all the time.” Sosa explained that there were some challenges due to sudden changes in several pieces, however Sosa said she was proud of how the company responded as a whole. “Everybody put their best foot forward and pushed through any challenges that they were having,” Sosa said. “I’m really proud of how the company handled it all.” Overall, Sosa said she is grateful for all the work put in by the dance directors and the student choreographers for producing the show. “We couldn’t have put the show together without [them],” Sosa said. “Mac dance is amazing and I can’t wait to choreograph next year.” Caption by Riley Pita. Photo by Harper Maxwell.
Stage blooms for spring show
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The free art of ATX