An open letter to the Class of 2023
College, career counselor Camille Nix writes senior send-off
On Senior Signing Day, Nix poses for a photo with seniors Rachel Nabhan, William Wheeler, Eric Thatcher and Malia Walewski.
June 7, 2023
Dear Class of ’23,
Words do not do justice to the amazing Class of 2023. Your accomplishments speak for themselves.
You spent three semesters of your high school life at home learning virtually and then many more months living behind masks. Because of this experience, I truly believe I am blessed to have witnessed the way in which you embraced every joy and heartbreak of high school.
Whether it be winning district in multiple sports and advancing to playoffs, earning 1s in band/orchestra/choir UIL competitions, winning many awards in the districtwide academic UIL competition, advancing to Worlds in Vex Robotics, Blue Brigade winning many awards at competition, receiving numerous VASE art awards or earning more journalism awards than can possibly be counted, you all shine and succeed! Did you know you earned over $32 million in scholarships and grants? Unbelievable.
Your class is full of resilience and grit—you spent three semesters of your high school life at home learning virtually and then many more months living behind masks. How weird and isolating was that time of our lives?
Because of this experience, I truly believe I am blessed to have witnessed the way in which you embraced every joy and heartbreak of high school. Sure, I have enjoyed your celebrations as you experience the victory of a college acceptance or a hard-earned award, but I have also watched your stress and tears over the disappointments and letdowns. This is part of life—learning how to manage the highs and the lows.
Your friendships are special, and your memories will certainly last forever. You all appreciate the small things like theme days for pep rallies, and you show up big when it really matters.
Each of you leaves your own mark at McCallum. I will never forget the way Sam Kanewske rallies the troops before AP exams, the gentle way Vaughn Vandegrift tutors her peers (yes, I notice), the strong and creative college essays written by Amaya Collier, Sofia Dorsett and also Molly Holder, the morning hellos and daily hugs from Kayla Homedes, Adrianna Rodriguez and Karma Lewis, the positive energy and friendship that the volleyball seniors showed each other on the court and during college signings, the chest bumps on the football sidelines, the fun visit to Baldwin Beauty School with Olivia Ballard and Isaiah Martinez and witnessing firsthand the way they lit up thinking about learning their trade, the tears of joy with the brilliant Sage Edwards as we celebrated a long-awaited Ivy League decision, lunch chats with my regulars, and of course…the raccoon visit in my classroom. How could we forget the infamous raccoon that went viral? I could list memories of you for days. You all are so special.
What I hope you take into the world is that you are the changemakers. When you leave high school, you leave armed and equipped with tools to take chances, to take charge of your lives and to direct the course of what is next for you. I know it will be great because you all know no other way.
Class of 2023, please know that we are all so proud of you. I am so hopeful that YOU will do wonderful things in this world. I can’t wait to bear witness.
Keep in touch. You know where to find me.
Love you all and will miss you,
Mrs. Nix
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![PINK FOR PROM: Seniors Vaughn Vandegrift, Peter Wiseman, Max Yehaskel and Alex Gold sing and dance their hearts out at Saturday’s “Under the Knight Sky” prom. Yehaskel and Wiseman stood out in the sea of black and navy suits as the pair opted for bright pink with contrasting, yet coordinating, shirts and ties. While the style decision seemed big to onlookers, for Yehaskel it was a simple choice.
“I like pink, it’s a solid color,” he said. “It almost melted when I ironed it actually. It’s 100% polyester, and I got it from Kohl’s.”
Yehaskel enjoyed prom overall, except when it came to the royalty announcement.
“Someone stole prom queen from me,” he joked. “It was very tragic. But other than that, it was fun.”
As prom marks another milestone at the end of senior year, Yehaskel is ready to sit back, relax and enjoy his last few weeks as a Knight.
“My grades don’t matter anymore [and] after AP tests I’m done,” Yehaskel said. “I’m going to go nuts, and I’m going to start cooking more.”
Caption by Francie Wilhelm.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/g_m_0458_52847345379_o-475x317.jpg)
![Meliah Arias [left] said that her goal for the first few days of school was to put her head down and get to work, whether it be on the court for volleyball or in the classroom. “I hope to get all my four years finished, do well in all my classes and graduate,” Arias said, “I wasn’t nervous at all [the first day], I had friends in every single class, so that was good.”
Barret Andrews [middle] moved from Lamar to Kealing Middle School in seventh grade. He said the transition to high school has been positive, creating new learning opportunities. “My middle school experience wasn’t very eventful, I’m hoping in high school I’ll have a lot more things going on. Before it was just go to school then go home, that’s it.”
Freshman Stephanie Sanchez [right] talks about her cheerleading experience so far at McCallum. With football season in full swing, she hasn’t had much free time. “Taco Shack was fun,” Sanchez said, “but it was hot, and we were up at 3 a.m. for the decorating, and we didn’t get home until about 1 a.m., so I was tired.” Photos by Tomas Marrero.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fish-475x200.png)
![PINK FOR PROM: Seniors Vaughn Vandegrift, Peter Wiseman, Max Yehaskel and Alex Gold sing and dance their hearts out at Saturday’s “Under the Knight Sky” prom. Yehaskel and Wiseman stood out in the sea of black and navy suits as the pair opted for bright pink with contrasting, yet coordinating, shirts and ties. While the style decision seemed big to onlookers, for Yehaskel it was a simple choice.
“I like pink, it’s a solid color,” he said. “It almost melted when I ironed it actually. It’s 100% polyester, and I got it from Kohl’s.”
Yehaskel enjoyed prom overall, except when it came to the royalty announcement.
“Someone stole prom queen from me,” he joked. “It was very tragic. But other than that, it was fun.”
As prom marks another milestone at the end of senior year, Yehaskel is ready to sit back, relax and enjoy his last few weeks as a Knight.
“My grades don’t matter anymore [and] after AP tests I’m done,” Yehaskel said. “I’m going to go nuts, and I’m going to start cooking more.”
Caption by Francie Wilhelm.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/g_m_0458_52847345379_o-300x200.jpg)
![Meliah Arias [left] said that her goal for the first few days of school was to put her head down and get to work, whether it be on the court for volleyball or in the classroom. “I hope to get all my four years finished, do well in all my classes and graduate,” Arias said, “I wasn’t nervous at all [the first day], I had friends in every single class, so that was good.”
Barret Andrews [middle] moved from Lamar to Kealing Middle School in seventh grade. He said the transition to high school has been positive, creating new learning opportunities. “My middle school experience wasn’t very eventful, I’m hoping in high school I’ll have a lot more things going on. Before it was just go to school then go home, that’s it.”
Freshman Stephanie Sanchez [right] talks about her cheerleading experience so far at McCallum. With football season in full swing, she hasn’t had much free time. “Taco Shack was fun,” Sanchez said, “but it was hot, and we were up at 3 a.m. for the decorating, and we didn’t get home until about 1 a.m., so I was tired.” Photos by Tomas Marrero.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fish-300x126.png)
