Today marked the first day of school for all McCallum students, veteran seniors and incoming freshmen alike; however, starting this year, principal Andy Baxa created a freshman orientation meeting to help connect new students to each other and to upperclassmen, and provide helpful information about McCallum. Freshman Shiloh Hendrickse said it was nice to realize she had a community to support her beginning her high school career. 

“It was helpful to hear how they know middle school is very different and people will help us adjust,” Hendrickse said. 

Hendrickse said her first day at McCallum was a perfect mix of both nervousness and excitement. 

“I’m feeling pretty excited, maybe a little overwhelmed but excited,” Hendrickse said. 

Enthusiasm was high today at McCallum, starting at the freshman orientation with performances from the band, Blue Brigade and cheer team and throughout the school as well, with seniors rocking their new jerseys and students meeting back up with old friends and making new ones and caching up with favorite teachers. 

We are pleased to present a collection of images from today’s first day festivities in this week’s Tuesday Top 10.

CHEERING ON THE NEW FRESHMAN: Junior cheerleader Heidi Wilhelm socializes with her fellow cheerleaders after welcoming the Class of 2028 this morning. Today marked the first day of school for McCallum students, and to make the transition between middle and high school easier, principal Andy Baxa decided to have a freshman assembly. Blue Brigade, Link Crew leaders, and cheerleaders all participated in the assembly to spread excitement for the upcoming year.

Wilhelm said the assembly was important to create a sense of community for incoming freshmen.

“We want to be welcoming faces that can help direct them but also show them that school can be fun,” Wilhelm said.

Despite the assembly being early in the morning, Wilhelm said the event was festive.

“The energy was high and fun,” Wilhelm said. “I think that they might have felt a little nervous, awkward, or maybe overwhelmed, but hopefully they liked being able to experience the positive atmosphere that McCallum has.”

Being a freshman just two years ago and remembering how she felt, Wilhelm knows how important it is to feel welcome.

“Hopefully being comfortable will help them be confident enough to reach out to each other and make more friends,” Wilhelm said. “Freshman will know that they’re all in the same boat.”

Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo by Shila Gill.

EDUCATING FRESHMEN: Principal Andy Baxa gives a speech at freshman orientation in the MAC this morning to welcome the Class of ‘28. Baxa came up with the idea for a freshman orientation last year after discovering that some freshmen didn’t understand the nuances of McCallum’s  culture.

“Freshman orientation accomplished what I wanted it to accomplish: introduce the kids to McCallum’s culture and ease them into the transition to high school. We wanted to show them that this is a safe place and that this is a place that celebrates your individuality,” Baxa said.

Caption by Beatrix Lozach. Photo by Shila Gill.

SAVORING SENIOR YEAR: Senior Gaby Alvarado displays her optimism coming into this school year.

“I am so excited going into my senior year,” Alvarado said. “It was great coming back from summer and seeing all my friends that I hadn’t seen for months.”

While Alvarado was nervous to start this new chapter in her high school experience, it faded once she got on campus.

“Of course, there are always first-day jitters with making sure I remember everything I need, remembering where teachers’ classes were and finding a good parking spot in the dance lot,” Alvarado said. “But it faded pretty quickly once I stepped into my first class of the day. I’m so excited for all the activities this year such as pep rallies, football games and so much more.”

Alvarado wants to make the best of this year, knowing that it will be the last with all her friends together.

“I feel like my goal for this year specifically is to just try my best to enjoy it,” Alvarado said. “Thinking about it, this is the last year where all my friends and I will be in one place and then we will go our separate ways onto whatever we feel is best for us. I think it is really important to just soak up all the time I have left with the people I love before it’s over because it will be over before we know it.”

While Alvarado does want to savor the year with her friends, she also knows that balancing her schoolwork and college applications is crucial.

“Last year was super stressful with making sure I’m prepared for this year and all the things surrounding college, but I feel like this year I will more than definitely try to center my year around having a good time and easing up on myself,” Alvarado said. “Of course with that being said I also want to make sure I’m still setting myself up for success as the college process rolls around. It’s so easy to fall victim to senioritis as I’ve seen most of my senior friends from previous years experience so I want to make sure I don’t fall behind academically and keep a steady path.”

Alvarado’s advice to the freshman is to be involved in school activities, which can help them gain a strong group of friends.

“Try and be involved with something at the school,” Alvarado said. “Being a part of a club or sports is such a great way to make new friends and find people who share similar interests with you. I’ve loved all my time in the various extracurriculars I’ve been a part of these past few years and have met some of my best friends because of them.”

Alvarado also thinks school spirit is an important factor of the MAC community and something good for the freshman to embrace.

“Another piece of advice I would give is to give in to school spirit,” Alvarado said. “It’s so much fun especially when everyone tries their hardest to participate. Whether it’s cheering at pep rallies, dressing up for spirit days, or going to support sports, it really makes a difference when everyone gets really into it, and it’s so much fun to see. I know personally that you may feel silly every once in a while but that’s the joy in it.”

Caption by Shila Gill. Photo by Beatrix Lozach.

WELCOME TUNNEL: Members of Link Crew stood outside of the MAC, creating a human tunnel to usher in the incoming freshmen. Link Crew is a group of students who volunteer throughout the year, starting by welcoming the new freshman class. Throughout the year, Link Crew will continue to support underclassmen in many different ways including taking part in their advisory classes. Link Crew member senior Gabriele Rodriguez said she helped create a sense of belonging in today’s morning assembly.

“I think this is important because these are kids from all different middle schools coming from all different backgrounds and they don’t know pretty much anyone besides the people that they knew in middle school,” Rodriguez said. “This is just a way to really help them and guide them into the McCallum lifestyle. It’s pretty fun, and I feel like this is definitely something they can hold onto and just kind of count on us to help them throughout their McCallum journey.”

According to Rodriguez, the energy that Link Crew brought to this morning’s assembly, exhibited the group’s values and commitment.

“It’s been amazing,” Rodriguez said. “I love it here. “The vibes are amazing, everyone’s happy, there’s not a bad moment and even when there is you have people there to help you whenever and wherever.”

Caption by Lillian Gray. Photo by Sophia Manos.

FOND OF FRIENDSHIP: Junior Adrina Scott  greets the freshmen who are headed into the MAC theater for their freshman assembly. Scott said she is very enthusiastic to see her classmates and teachers again.

“I was really excited,” Scott said. “I love the first day of school and seeing everyone I didn’t get to see during summer. I love meeting my new teachers and getting to see old ones again.”

Scott’s goals for this year are to do well in her classes and make more friends, but she also intends to stay spirited this year.

“I’m looking forward to football season and cheering at games,” Scott said.

Cheerleading has become a big part of Scott’s life, allowing her to be authentic and find a supportive community.

“I wanted to be a cheerleader because I did it in middle school, and I always loved it so much [because] I feel like I could really be myself,” Scott said. “Cheer is so important to me because I feel like I have met some of my closest friends through cheer, and it’s nice to have a group of girls that will always love and support you.”

Scott’s advice to incoming freshmen is to make as many friends as possible.

“Making friends is what makes high school memorable and more fun. and having a good group of friends you can go to and help you navigate through all the good and bad times can make you feel so much more connected,” Scott said.

Caption by Shila Gill. Photo by Sophia Manos.

WELCOMING SENIOR YEAR WITH OPEN ARMS: Posing for their last first-day-of-school picture seniors Riley McGarity and Robin Kulhanek stand with junior Milo Slimi taking in all the sights of senior year around them.

For Kulhanek, senior year is an opportunity to get closer with friends he already has, and gives him the chance to make new ones.

“It was nice to kind of feel the senior class come together today,” Kulhanek said. “I was able to talk to people from my class that I haven’t even met until today.”

Looking at the freshmen swarming the halls, Kulhanek additionally thinks back to four years prior, to his start of high school.

“It was nice to be able to guide some of the freshmen to their classes and just be nice to them,” Kulhanek said.

For his posing partner, Riley McGarity, senior year held a similar sentimental value. The last first day also marked new opportunities and freedoms that seniors are granted, McGarity said.

“I’m looking forward to more freedoms in senior year like off periods and less academic pressure,” McGarity said.

Both seniors share the excitement for what the year will bring and how senior year will be special to their high school careers.

“[I’m looking forward to] being able to graduate with my close friends and start a new chapter of my life,” McGarity said.

Caption by Chloe Lewcock. Photo by Beatrix Lozach.

A CHERISHED TRADITION: Seniors Mary Mae Forsyth and Avi Zeifman pose in their senior jerseys, marking the start to a year of senior traditions and spirit. For Forsyth, the jersey represents more than just an outfit to wear on the first day of school.

“It made our last first day of school special,” Forsyth said. “Everyone wearing the jerseys made it feel like we’re all in this crazy college application process together.”

The jerseys are among the first senior year activities, the previous classes leaving their mark through the passed down traditions.

“Traditions are essential to senior year because of the build up excitement from being an underclassman and watching the past graduating classes experience the opportunities,” Forsyth said.

Along with car decorating and last-first day of school pictures, Forsyth said the jerseys are a catalyst to bringing the class together.

“It gives us opportunities to bond and meet new people from our class that we haven’t had a chance to get to know.” Forsyth said. “The best part of my [first] day was getting to see all the other seniors and being able to wear our senior jerseys just felt very sentimental after so many past seniors [wore them].”

Caption by Chloe Lewcock. Photo by Lillian Gray.

DRUMROLL, PLEASE: The McCallum drumline, including Junior Dash Glessner, played a central role in welcoming Freshmen as they made their way into their first day of school assembly this morning. Glessner has been in the Mac band for the past three years and shared that he has noticed the positive impact the band’s presence has at these kinds of events.

“It was a lot of fun being able to play with my friends and give [Freshmen] a nice welcome to their first day at McCallum,” Glessner said. “Since we’re always playing whenever we get the chance, I feel as though it creates a welcoming space for the Freshmen.”

Unlike the new students who are just beginning their journey at McCallum, Glessner has goals for this upcoming school year based on his experiences in his past few years at Mac.

“I’m looking forward to playing our new show at upcoming competitions,” Glessner said. “Playing in band can be a huge pressure at times, but it always pays off when it comes down to seeing improvement.”

Caption and photo by Lillian Gray.

FRESH START: On their first day of high school, freshmen filed into the MAC for an assembly, where they were greeted by the band, cheerleaders and Link Crew, creating a “tunnel” welcoming freshmen into the auditorium. Among those coming through the tunnel was freshman Juan Galvan.

“Today I’m looking forward to meeting my teachers, getting to know my classes and meeting new people,” Galvan said.

Principal Baxa led the assembly, which consisted of welcoming students to McCallum and explaining the school’s policies and expectations. He also stressed that these expectations will come with more freedom, along with more responsibility, a change that freshmen like Galvan must learn to handle.

“I’ve heard that it’s a lot to carry because there are a lot of classes and extracurriculars so I’ll have to balance all of that,” Galvan said.

Luckily, the first day wasn’t too much of a stressor for Galvan, in part because he has already been introduced to the high school experience through his participation in marching band.

“I marched last year as an eighth-grader, so I already got to know some people in the band,” Galvan said. “It’s helped me get ready for today a lot.”

Caption and photo by Lillian Gray.

SPEED DATING TO START THE YEAR: Junior Chloe Seckar-Martinez participates in a “speed dating” activity for her newspaper class as an icebreaker to introduce new members of the staff. As a returning member of the Shield, Seckar-Martinez was able to get to know the first-year staff members better and learn about them.

“I was excited to meet all the new staffers and felt excited that I was able to get to know them all a little bit better especially since this was the first time I met some of them,” Seckar-Martinez said.

Overall, she is excited to go into her newspaper class with less stress since she has a foundation for writing stories and taking photos after being on staff last year.

“I am looking forward to seeing all that we achieve this year as a staff,” Seckar-Martinez said.

Aside from meeting new staffers in newspaper, Seckar-Martinez said she loved getting to welcome incoming freshmen at the orientation.

“I also loved being able to cheer on the new freshman before their assembly,” Seckar-Martinez said.

Caption by Callen Romell. Photo by Dave Winter.

ROYAL BLUES: Freshmen Danielle Rodriguez, Owen Fronk and Reese Clinchard pose together by the lockers during lunch on the first day of school. The three girls bonded through the rigorous Blue Brigade audition process last March, where they had to complete two days of training, a mock tryout day and their actual tryout the following day.

The team participated in line camp during June where all the freshmen learned their dances for the year.

After a brief sabbatical, July practices begin, in which the new recruits are introduced to Blue Brigade’s traditions, such as group lunches.

Another beloved tradition is sister pairs, in which an older member is paired with a younger one. The role of Blue Brigade’s “big sisters” is to mentor their “little sisters” in the illustrious art of school spirit and prepare them for the exhaustive schedule Blue Brigade members deftly manage.

Photo and caption by Beatrix Lozach.

FIRST DAY, GAME DAY: Freshman Piper Adair of the varsity volleyball team strikes a kill after junior Lexi Rosenblatt sets up the perfect play. After a long first day of high school, Adair said she was excited to step out onto the court and feel the pressure and atmosphere.

“All day I was just waiting until the second I could play because I just love being on the court and playing with my team,” Adair said.

Unfortunately, the game came to an abrupt end after assistant principal Dr. Parrott was informed that McCallum’s water was shut off across the campus and that, for the safety of players and staff, the game had to come to an end.

“There was a scheduled water shut off to the MAC that was communicated from the city at the end of the school day, but it was supposed to be isolated and not affect the main building,” Parrott said. “The shut off ended up affecting the whole campus. We spoke with executive directors and Mr. Baxa, who all agreed that for the safety of the athletes and crowd, the game had to be called off.”

A very excited Piper Adair was devastated by the news when Coach Amy Brodbeck announced that the game would be ending rather abruptly.

“I was so excited for the game all day, and it was just so sad when we didn’t get to finish it,” Adair said.

Photo and caption by Sofia Saucedo.