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
READY FOR THE CHALLENGE: Junior defensive end Nehemiah Trejo reflects on the varsity football team’s intense game against Anderson. “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. 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 second quarter that we weren’t giving up and fought hard throughout,” Trejo said. Caption by Tristen Diaz.

Old rivalry creates crowd fun at 2024 Taco Shack

Chloe Lewcock, Fletcher Vandegrift, Tristen Diaz, Carson Duncan, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, Mira Patel, Lillian Gray, Daniela Di-Capua, Camilla Vandegrift, Maya Tackett, and Shila Gill
September 3, 2024
Surrounded by her teammates on the court and serenaded by the cheers of her teammates on the bench, junior setter Lexi Rosenblatt soaks in the moment immediately after senior outside hitter Greta Carlson's kill sealed the deal on Roseblatt's 1,000th assist as a McCallum Knight.

Rosenblatt sets milestone, then stuff blocks for the win

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
August 31, 2024
AN EARLY HOMECOMING: Newly appointed assistant principal Gabriel Adame returned to McCallum this year after spending a year obtaining his master’s of education with the UT Texas Principals Leadership Academy. During his studies, Adame acted as an assistant principal at a middle school and an elementary school in order to gain more experience. Nevertheless, Adame felt compelled to return to Mac. “There are three main reasons I came back to McCallum,” Adame said. “Besides the students, who have been incredibly kind, supportive and funny, my colleagues and the friendships I developed here have been a huge part of the reason I came back.” Adame also said the community within the faculty was one of the main reasons he chose to return. “I felt so supported as an AP Biology teacher and coach,” Adame said. “And I can never repay them for the help I received, whether it was in the form of an email that made me feel good about what I was doing as a teacher or whether it was a kind remark as we were cheering on a kiddo in the stands.” Moving forward, Adame plans to take his role as an assistant principal seriously. He’s committed to leading by example when it comes to establishing a work ethic and a positive mindset. “The biggest value I want to embody is integrity,” Adame said. “I really hope that by the time I’m done here, people can really see me for the work that I did and the people I helped. Because really, this job is not about me. This job is about how I can get students to the place they want to be and how can I get teachers to be the best versions of themselves.” Fellow assistant principal Larry Featherstone believes that Adame continuously embodies that integrity. “I feel great about him being back here at McCallum,” Featherstone said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job. He’s training teachers, supporting students, and the best part is that he does it all with a smile on his face. He has a great spirit about him.” No matter how beloved he is on campus, however, Adame takes a humble approach to his work. “I’m a servant of the public, and it’s something I take great pride in, helping people accomplish the goals, the aspirations, the endeavors they set out for themselves,” Adame said. “If I can be a guide for them to navigate that, that’s what I want to do. Those are things I really try to live by, integrity and servitude.”

Fresh faces across the faculty

Daniela Di-Capua, Carson Duncan, Nellie Eschberger, Josie Linton, Beatrix Lozach, Katie Martin, Sophia Manos, Aubrey Macedo, Harper Binfield Maxwell, Tallulah McAuliffe, Elizabeth Nation, Maddie O'Connor, Arwen Pelletier, Riley Pita, Eva Sanchez, Adele Seeboth, Fletcher Vandegrift, and Nico Williamson
August 27, 2024
Josh Eyler presents at SXSW Education Conference last spring on the harm of the grading system and culture in the US education system.

Josh Eyler gives an F to grades in education

Francie Wilhelm, co-editor in chief
August 27, 2024
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 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.

Mac abuzz with first-day festivities

Shila Gill, Lillian Gray, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Callen Romell, Sofia Saucedo, and Maya Tackett
August 20, 2024
Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School graduate, Travis County Judge Andy Brown led the parade as the Ally Grand Marshal. Surrounding him on the large Cabaret float were the other parade grand marshals, including, Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam, finance director for Texas Young Democrats and a Travis County Democratic Party precinct chair; World Famous *BOB*, performing artist and confidence coach; and Morgan Davis, activist and Austin LGBTQ+ Quality of Life and Human Rights Commissioner. In an Instagram post, Brown said he was thankful for the chance to participate in the event. “Beyond grateful for the opportunity to open the Austin Pride Parade as the Ally Grand Marshal. Celebrating alongside incredible leaders…made it even more special. Happy Pride!”

34th Austin Pride parade attracts more than 200,000

Lillian Gray, staff reporter, photographer
August 14, 2024
Beyond commemorating the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Biden directed much of his speech to looking forward. He spoke about the importance of understanding that past accomplishments are not the stopping point but rather the foundation from which to keep building. “President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 just two days before the Fourth of July,” Biden said. “He said in that bill signing, and I quote, ‘This is a proud triumph. Yet those who founded our country knew that freedom would be secure only if each generation fought to renew and enlarge its meaning.’” Biden called for a constitutional amendment that would prohibit immunity for crimes a former president committed while in office. “I share our founders’ belief that a president must answer to the law and the president is accountable in the exercise of the great power of the presidency,” he said. “We’re a nation of laws, not kings and dictators.” He also focused his attention on flawed aspects of the Supreme Court, which just granted presidential immunity in Trump v. The United States earlier this summer. Biden stated that term limits and a mandatory code of ethics would create a more balanced power over time. He said that these reforms are needed “to restore trust in the courts and preserve the system of checks and balances that are vital to our democracy.” During his remarks Biden talked directly about his decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential election, as President Johnson did in 1968. Following this decision, Biden endorsed Vice President Harris’ campaign for President and spoke on her ability to continue the work. “She has been an incredible partner to me, a champion of civil rights throughout her career, and she’ll continue to be an inspiring leader and project this very idea of America: the very idea that we’re all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives,” he said. “We’ve never fully lived up to that, but we’ve never walked away from it.” Caption by Lillian Gray.

Biden, LBJ Library commemorate 60th anniversary of Civil Rights Act passage

Lillian Gray and Noah Braun
August 4, 2024
Josh Hinsdale poses with his "roommate" and fellow stylish hat enthusiast, Willie Nelson.

On the phone again

Carlo Hinsdale, Mac photojournalism
July 11, 2024
Derrian Brown's present and future revolved around football. How he responded when it was taken away revealed his true character.

The chance of a lifetime

Harper Binfield Maxwell, Mac photojournalism
July 9, 2024
All or nothing

All or nothing

Carson Duncan, Mac photojournalism
July 7, 2024
AIN’T NO SUNSHINE: Gliding through the air, junior Ellie Loudermilk (Fastrada) performs the number “Spread a Little Sunshine,” in which her character’s true motives are revealed. “​​That specific move is to show off all of Fastrata’s assets that allow her to manipulate the king and Pippin,” Loudermilk said. In the song, Fastrada, stepmother to Pippin and wife to King Charles, facilitates events that will allow for her son, Lewis, to become next in line for the throne. “Spread a little sunshine is a number where you get to truly see the mastermind at work,” Loudermilk said. “In the song, she convinces Pippin to kill his father so her darling son can become king. I like the number because I feel like I’m letting the audience into the secret, or rather to the master plan.” For Loudermilk, this number is the pinnacle of Fastrada’s storyline and allows the audience to understand what makes her character tick. “Fastrata is the calculated stepmother that uses her body to get what she wants, mostly from King Charles,” Loudermilk said. “The only people she cares about are her son Lewis and, above all, herself.” Reporting by Alice Scott.

A new queen of ‘The Prom’

Chloe Seckar-Martinez, staff reporter
July 4, 2024
Natalie Seeboth, 5, stands in her Mardi Gras mask and costume, prepared with a plastic bag to hold all the throws that she catches. Photo courtesy of Seeboth.

Home and perfectly complete

Adele Seeboth, Mac photojournalism
July 3, 2024
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