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
Categories:

That 70th Show (and Tell)

While the Knight Times have been a changing over seven decades on Sunshine, they’ve also stayed much the same
Julia Copas, staff reporter • September 12, 2023
Alice Scott
On Sept. 8, 1953, McCallum High School opened its doors for the first time. The school, which was built to help relieve overflow from Austin High, enlisted its incoming students to develop the school’s identity and strengthen student pride. “We were all at Baker Junior High School,” class of ‘57 alum Maggie Slocum said. “We are the ones who got to open a new school. So we were very powerful. No. 1, we just had to figure out who are we going to be, and we decided we were going to be some Knights. Because the word McCallum, it’s an old name from over in the English part of the world where the Knights were originally.” The school’s doors opened with a freshly selected mascot but was still physically unfinished, lacking several wings and a gymnasium. According to Carl Shepherd, one of the builders who helped work on the school’s construction, additions continued to be made for years after its initial opening. “They just kept adding and adding and adding,” Shepherd said. “They opened it in phases, and I was still working out there. I worked out there for a couple years and we just gradually kept building.” Even today, the school continues to expand to meet the needs of its growing population. Most recently, this has been seen by the construction of a new dance building, funded by the 2017 Bond. “I’m excited about having a really beautiful space to promote creativity in our students,” dance director Natalie Uehara said. “And also, we have a great reputation as McCallum dance but just having a good facility will also attract more students to our school.” The Fine Arts Academy, founded in 1994, has become one of the unique offerings that McCallum is known for. Even before the academy though, school curriculum and activities centered around the arts. “We really had a great drama group,” Slocum said. “And, if we beat or didn’t beat any other schools, we didn’t care because we were cutting all kinds of new roads over here.” Although the school building has undergone changes in its 70 years, the heart of it is still the same. “I’m astounded that it’s all more than recognizable, it’s actually preserved,” Slocum said. “You all have been kind to us, and let us have our school because it’s in our dreams and in our stories.”

A. N. McCallum High School, named after AISD’s third superintendent, opened its doors on Sept. 8, 1953, to the 1,336 students enrolled. They weren’t Knights yet because they hadn’t yet picked the mascot. The students would arrive at that decision during the school year.

Plans for a new high school were proposed in 1947, and were made official during a school board meeting on May 9, 1949. At the time, there was only one white high school in Austin, Austin High, which had been open since 1882 and was close to reaching 3,000 students, so the original purpose for McCallum (and also Travis to the South) was to help relieve overcrowding at Austin High. In the 70 years since McCallum opened its doors, its purpose has changed. It has shifted from an overflow center to a school that is a cornerstone of the North Austin community and home to a bustling Fine Arts Academy. To celebrate Mac’s birthday, we are proud to share how McCallum has evolved throughout the years for this week’s Tuesday Top 10.

Spaces

FRONT OF SCHOOL (1953, 2023): When the school first opened in 1953, there was no circle drive, as cars were less common. Over the year, trees, columns and a more prominent sign were added in an effort to make the front  entrance of McCallum more inviting. Then photo from 1954 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

BACK OF SCHOOL (1953, 2023): If you were to stand exactly where the 1953 photographer took the previous picture, chances are you’d get hit by a baseball. Long gone are the open fields surrounding McCallum; in its place are fields with more specific uses including baseball, softball, soccer and football. Then photo from 1954 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

SOUTH VIEW OF GYM (1953, 2023): Now one of the most popular lunch spots, the courtyard has gone through its fair share of changes, too. Concrete steps make the space more accessible for lunch-goers, and of course the outdoor stage attached to the choir room is one thing of many that makes McCallum, McCallum. Then photo from 1954 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

CAFETERIA (1953, 2023): While the original 1953 photo features a cafeteria full of students, the modern 2023 photo shows the changes over time: windows and a mural of Austin’s skyline. Then photo from 1954 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

HALLWAY (1963, 2023): Despite the vast changes that have occurred across campus, the hallways remain exactly the same structurally. Only now, they are in worse shape with water damage stains on the ceiling tiles and leaks that occur when it rains. Then photo from 1963 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

Spirit

SPIRIT DAYS (1953, 2023): Still ever present in McCallum culture are spirit days before every football game, during homecoming week and throughout the year. On Feb. 26, 1953, McCallum celebrated its first Western Day. The two best-dressed students received tickets to the local rodeo. Although we might not go as far as riding a horse to school anymore, it’s safe to say Mac’s students still show up to spirit days in style. Then photo from 1953 yearbook. Now photo by Lola Guerrero Starling.

BATTLE OF THE BELL (1953, 2022): In 1953, the McCallum and Travis journalism departments purchased a locomotive bell for the two varsity football teams to fight over annually in the “Battle of the Bell.” For the past 12 years, McCallum has kept the bell and will compete to keep it again this year during the game against the Travis Rebels on Oct. 26.  Then photo from the 1963 yearbook. 2022 photo by Dave Winter.

SENIOR CAR DECORATING (1963, 2023): The cars might look a little different, but the tradition of senior car decorating has lived on. The 1963 photo depicts Blue Brigade members decorating a car before a football game against Austin High, whom the Knights no longer play in football. Car decorating these days is less for football games and more for senior pride. Then photo from the 1963 yearbook. Now photo by Sophie Leung-Lieu.

HALLWAY DECORATING (1983, 2023): Of course, decorating the halls for various occasions has stayed. What would high school be without walking through halls with streamers hanging from the ceiling and balloons, decorating every nook and cranny? Then photo from the 1983 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

HOMECOMING MUMS (2000, 2022): Homecoming mums might seem strange to non-Texans, but at McCallum and throughout Texas, they are a tradition that spans the decades. What’s the point of the whole football game and anticipation for who will be on the court without the ribbons and ruffles? Texans may never find out. Then photo from the 2000 yearbook. Now photo by Naomi Di-Capua.

TACO SHACK BOWL (2013, 2023): Although McCallum’s rivalry with Anderson runs deep into the ’70s, the Taco Shack sponsorship of the annual game began in 2001. The last two rivalry games have proved to be less successful for McCallum than in years past, but the spirit that’s brought each year has remained constant. Then photo from the 2013 yearbook. Now photo by Julia Copas.

Student life

SECURITY GUARDS (1973, 2022): In the ’70s, our security guards patrolled the school by horse. These days they don’t ride horses, but they do come in police uniform. Then photo from the 1973 yearbook. Now photo by Sophie Leung-Lieu.

SHIELD ISSUES (1993, 2023): If you’ve read any of our Throwback Thursday articles pulled from our ’90s issues, you’ll know that the style and substance of Shield journalism has evolved quite a bit, but throughout the years, as these companion photos show, have been eager to read the latest issue. Then photo from the 1993 yearbook. Now photo by Dave Winter.

FASHION SHOW (2013, 2023): McCallum’s collective creativity has been expressed through the annual fashion show for many years. The biggest change? The styles. Then photo from the 2013 yearbook. Now photo by Morgan Eye.

 

View Story Comments
Print this Story
More to Discover
More in Photo Galleries
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
AS EASY AS PB&J: At the blindfold sandwich-making station, senior Zane Wiggins and Kai Talebi attempt to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The activity allowed students to experience the mundane task without sight. Wiggins found that the simple activity turned into a challenge in almost every aspect of the process. "It was pretty rough," he said. "My bread wasn’t put together properly, and I put my jelly right next to my plate and not on the plate, it was really difficult. I was expecting it to be easier than it was cause I'd made sandwiches all my life, and I thought 'I can do this from muscle memory,' but it was a lot harder than I thought, and it makes you not take your sight for granted. Access to your sight makes things so much easier." Since students participating are used to having full sight, it was difficult to adapt to the sudden loss of a sense. "I had to kind of guess where things were and the plate was moving a lot," he said. "Every time I would reach for the plate it would be in a different location, so I kind of had to feel around for everything." Along with that, Wiggins had to work together with Talebi to communicate to communicate which ingredient he needed next. "I had to share the peanut butter and the jelly with Kai, so we had to coordinate with each other on who gets what first," he said. "I knew Kai was right next to me, but it was hard to know where her hands were. We had to find each other's arm and make our way up to pass the ingredients." Caption by Lillian Gray.
Learning to see without sight
ONE LAST BATTLE CRY: Seniors Joe Colaleo and Theo Northcutt dressed as Mario and Waluigi cheer hard as they win their last senior battle cry. “I was very excited and happy because we had just won,” Colaleo said. “Now that I look back on it, it feels a little sad knowing I can’t go to another one.” Colaleo said although the moment was bittersweet, it’s also nice to know other things in life are coming up. Colaleo and his two friends said they dressed as Mario characters because it was a simple and fun costume idea. “I decided on the costume because it’s so iconic and recognizable,” Colaleo said. Caption by Josie Linton.
Students, faculty convene campus costume party
HIGH KICKS, HIGH SPIRITS: On Friday, Oct. 18, McCallum culminated a festive spirit week with the homecoming pep rally. During the pep rally, the class winner of the hallway decorating contest was announced as well as the usual spirit stick award. Sophomore and Blue Brigade member, Peyton Robenhorst noted how festive the student section was. "It felt good to perform for the homecoming game," Robenhorst said. "I knew a lot of people were going to [cheer for us]."
From spirit days to dance nights, homecoming brings high spirits
A CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE: Ballet Folklórico dancers Valeria Alcauter Robles (red), Carley Castro-Seiler (turquoise), Abi Peacock (black), Shirel Behar (green) and Mailyn Gil (periwinkle) perform this past weekend at the AISD Performing Arts Center, competing in AISD’s Fiesta for Hispanic Heritage Month. Gil has been a part of the club since her freshman year. Upon joining the group she had no idea what it was, but was inclined to join due to influences of her grandfather. “I joined because my grandfather loved the traditional dances and that it showcased all regions,” Gil said. “I wanted to honor him in a way, as well as learn more about my culture.” Competing in a small group ensemble during the Fiesta, Gil felt that the members as well as herself were very composed and performed their routine smoothly. “We were very comfortable in our pieces, enough to just get on stage and do what we did, and have fun,” Gil said. “The only difference between this performance and the past was that we had judges this time, so it was a little nerve wrecking since it was a competition.” Groups from different schools competed in a variety of categories, some being soloists, music groups, and bands. The groups each performed their pieces, and then the judges took 15 minutes at the end to go over scoring before they announced the winners. Gil said that even though the club did not win, they felt proud of their performance. “We were very positive and respectful, and even though we didn’t win we felt proud of our accomplishments,” Gil said. “I was proud of our newcomers because they learned everything so quickly and got the hang of it.” Caption by Priya Thoppil.
From the 15th to the 15th, nothing but food, festivities, fun, family, fellowship
Setting a new Pink Week precedent, puppies were introduced into the Pink Week festivities this year. Two 6-week-old puppies-Mae and Millie were brought from Austin Pets Alive, and students, including Mariana Silva shown here, were able to pay to cuddle and play with the puppies. The event turned out to be extremely popular at McCallum with a huge line twisting around the courtyard, and the PALS program reported that just on Tuesday alone, the group raised $700 dollars for the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas. Not only did the puppies help to raise money for the BCRC, but the event also served as an adoption event for Austin Pets Alive, as students and their families were given the puppies' information about how to adopt puppies in the future. Caption by Josie Mullan.
PALS work to fight breast cancer, bring campus together
More in Tuesday Top 10
Ballet Folklórico troupe members Jose Miguel Yemez Montaner and Valeria Elizondo dance the traditional Jarabe Tapatío during the 11 a.m. showcase at the Day of Dance last Saturday at the Austin ISD PAC. The troupe close the showcase with three routines, and this dance was the middle one.
Day of Dance debuts at Austin ISD PAC
FRIENDS, FUN AND TUCK: For junior Zane Shieh (second from the left), being a part of Tuck Everlasting has not only brought him closer to his castmates and crew, but has also brought up some mixed emotions seeing that this was the last performance together for many senior classmates.  “I did have to do Tuck because of my major, but I also knew lots of friends that were auditioning and I wanted to work with the seniors that will not be here for long,” Shieh said.  Because it's the last performance for a lot of seniors, Shieh says it is a bittersweet feeling when experiencing someone's last show at McCallum.  “I feel very sad because all the seniors are so cool, and kind and funny and I think I'm gonna miss them,” Shieh said. Caption by Sofia Saucedo.
'You don’t need to live forever; you need to just live'
APPRECIATING TRADITION: For senior Kai Talebi’s last teacher appreciation volleyball game on Friday night, she stuck with tradition, and chose to ask English teacher Amy Smith to walk the court with her before the game. “I took her last year too, so it’s kind of like tradition,” Talebi said. “Now I was like, ‘Of course I have to take her.’” Talebi is happy to have had Smith twice in the past four years, first for her sophomore year and again this year. Noting that Smith was an integral part of her high school experience, Talebi said the English teacher had a very positive impact on her. “Senior year, it’s been really fun to have her as a teacher again because I already know her super well, and we have a good relationship,” Talebi said. Having a teacher twice is not very common, but for Talebi, it was a blessing in disguise. “Sophomore year she definitely helped me get out of my shell a lot, and encouraged me a lot throughout the year,” Talebi said. The pair have been close ever since the first class Talebi had with Smith, Advanced English 2. Talebi is also a tutor in the Writing Center, so they see each other very often. “She [Smith] is the sweetest,” Talebi said. “And we have definitely grown closer because of me being her student multiple times.” Caption by Priya Thoppil
Teacher feel the love thrice on Friday
THE ROBINHOOD ISSUE: Texas state Rep. Ken King, a Republican, addresses his audience on Sept. 6 at the Texas Tribune Festival about funding public education in Texas. King stated that to have Texas citizens pay less taxes to support public education, the state needs to reach 51% funding. “When I served on the committee that instated House Bill 3, it seemed to me that we were at 36 percent state funding,” King said. “After we instated House Bill 3, we were at 46 percent. The goal was to get to 51 percent by the 21st session, but we went backward. The state needs to put a huge amount of money into that system in order to meet that constitutional obligation.” Another issue King spoke to was the Robin Hood Plan, also known as recapture. The plan was enacted around 1993 as a way to provide equity in school financing. After the plan was enforced, many citizens were upset because the state took a huge percentage of their property taxes and redirected them to less property tax rich districts. King agrees that it should be overturned. “It’s been said that we need to get rid of Robin Hood, and as a representative who has watched my community pay so much in Robin Hood, I agree,” King said. “Problem is, the Supreme Court has ruled Robin Hood to be a part of equity three different times, and I think it’s gonna stay.” Caption by Sofia Saucedo.
Debates over education persist as legislators, districts consider budgets, vouchers
COLALEO IN THE YELLOW SUIT: Senior Joe Colaleo rehearses ferociously confronts the Tuck family about the water that turns people immortal as the cast of McCallum Theater’s fall production Tuck Everlasting blocks a scene. The rehearsal is for the actors to know where to be placed and stand throughout the show. “I am feeling great about the process and creation of the show as a whole,” Colaleo said. “We are working really fast, we are super prepared. Everyone is working really hard, and we are just finishing up learning set traffic, cleaning and perfecting the show.” In the show, Colaleo plays The Man in the Yellow Suit, a character he was hoping to get when auditioning. The character is greedy and selfish and his goal is to become wealthy by selling water from the spring in the woods. “I want the water to sell for money and they are stopping me,” Colaleo said. For Colaleo, Tuck Everlasting represents the start of his senior year and the final season with McCallum Theater. “Playing this role as a senior is very fulfilling and fun,” Colaleo said. “Everyone looks up to you and you get a sense of accomplishment and pride when you see others doing well.” Looking back on his four years in theater production, Colaleo said he wants to do everything he can this year to support the underclassmen and have fun in the rest of the shows this year. “I really appreciate the process a lot more this year, knowing it will be one of the last times I’m doing something like this at McCallum and I won’t see a lot of these people for a long time,” Colaleo said. Caption by Nate Williams.
'Everlasting' rehearsal process nears its end
READY FOR THE CHALLENGE: Junior defensive end Nehemiah Trejo listens intently to head coach Thomas Gammerdinger's instructions for the team's next offensive possession against Anderson. Trejo praised the coaching staff for its work leading up to game. “Our coaches did an excellent job preparing us for this game,” Trejo said. “They spent a lot of time game planning and reviewing our strategies. We saw many of the things we expected, and we came into the game focused and ready to give it our all.” Trejo praised Coach Gammerdinger for his role in adapting during the game. “Coach G was great at addressing what was working for us, correcting mistakes and improving communication,” Trejo said. “He reminded us that our defense had the capability to hold them back and make crucial stops.” As for the game’s outcome, Trejo noted it was an intense fight but did not come as a surprise. “It went exactly as we anticipated,” Trejo said. “Anderson came out with a strong offense, and it turned into a shootout between who could score more and who could get the most stops. We showed in the third quarter that we weren’t giving up and fought hard throughout [the game].” Caption by Tristen Diaz.
Old rivalry creates crowd fun at 2024 Taco Shack