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
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

Adele Seeboth, Arwen Pelletier, Beatrix Lozach, Carson Duncan, Harper Maxwell, Maya Tackett, Reese Clinchard, Sienna Martens, and Sophia Manos
September 4, 2025
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

Beatrix Lozach, Maya Tackett, Wren Vanderford, Priya Thoppil, Riley Pita, Daniela Di-Capua, Sienna Martens, Katie Martin, and Carson Duncan
August 28, 2025

What makes Carol Nelson an icon?

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
May 27, 2025

District, campus officials, CTE students meet to celebrate start of campus modernization

Priya Thoppil, news editor
May 26, 2025
Some students and teachers support the new no pass/no play rule while others think it is unfair and inflexible. Regardless of campus opinion, Texas schools are stuck with the law for at least a year and half.

The grade debate PASS/FAIL

Judy Tomjack, staff reporter
May 22, 2025
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

Piper Adair, Kaylee Breecker, Daniela Di-Capua, Ashtyn Gunning, Dylan Hopper, Hannah Kahn, Anais Long, and Vera Petrowsky
May 20, 2025
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

Josie Linton, Beatrix Lozach, Sophia Manos, Sienna Martens, Josie Mullan, Riley Pita, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Fletcher Vandegrift
May 1, 2025

Stepping up to the plate

Beatrix Lozach, staff writer
May 1, 2025
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

Harper Maxwell, Sienna Martens, Elizabeth Nation, Piper Norfolk, Adele Seeboth, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Camilla Vandegrift, Carson Duncan, Priya Thoppil, and Callen Romell
April 29, 2025

Shaw honored as 2025 teacher of year

Beatrix Lozach, staff reporter
April 26, 2025
DANGEROUS, WILD rocks are becoming less popular to pet rock owners as tame, pedigreed rocks become more available for only $3 to $5.

You’d pay for a rock?

Sharon Bradshaw, editor-in-chief
April 24, 2025
TODAY AND EV’RY DAY: The cast and crew held its first performance of Freaky Friday in the MAC on Feb. 20. The musical stars Ellie and Katherine Blake, a mother-daughter duo who swap bodies in this story of self-determination and acceptance. Although the musical is a comedy, it offers a deeper message for audiences according to sophomore Elora Clarke. “I think Freaky Friday is about accepting yourself and everyone around you for who they are, flaws and all, Clarke said. “More than anything it’s about love and positivity and how you should put kindness and acceptance into the world.” Clarke (far right) plays the role of Lois, a sassy wedding photographer helping Katherine with her upcoming wedding. “I’m the photographer that works for weddings magazine to photograph Katherine’s wedding,” Clarke said. “I think my favorite moment in the show is the song ‘What You Got’ with me, Danielle, Torrey and Katherine.” Clarke said that opening night went well despite a few technical errors. “There were a few mistakes and technical errors, but overall I think the energy was good, the audience was good, and everyone gave a great performance.” Caption by Katie Martin.

A Throwback Thursday to ‘Freaky Friday’

Sunday Cardinal, Avital Cuevas, Etta Fannin, Tegan Hahn, Anais Long, Sienna Martens, Katie Martin, Harper Maxwell, Piper Norfolk, Eva Sanchez, and Adele Seeboth
April 17, 2025
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