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 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
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, and Chloe Seckar-Martinez
April 29, 2025
We have covered a lot of Mac moments here. To celebrate post No. 10,000, we take a look back at some of the moments that made a significant impact in our collective life at Mac.

10,000 posts and counting

Shayla Allen, Evie Barnard, Elin Campana Wadman, Ian Clennan, Amaya Collier, Julia Copas, Kylie Elkow, Gaby Esquivel, Morgan Eye, Lillian Gray, Gregory James, Sophie Kessler, Delaney Lavelle, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Emerson Merritt, Olin Michalovic, Esme Moreno, Grace Nugent, Mads Olsen, Charlie Partheymuller, Adrian Peña, Lexi Ramos, Bella Russo, Sofia Saucedo, Alice Scott, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Stella Shenkman, Bela Tapperson, Isabela Tellez, Camilla Vandegrift, Lucas Walker, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, Dave Winter, and many more
April 22, 2025
SOMEONE IN THE CROWD: The McCallum Blue Brigade performs their opening dance to the song ‘Someone in the Crowd’ choreographed by Junior Lieutenant Paige Mitchell and First Lieutenant Gaby Alvarado. Senior Greta Waymay hits her final end pose completing her last opening dance as a member of the Blue Brigade. Wayman has been watching the Blue Brigade perform their opening dance since her sister performed as a member. Wayman was a 4 year member on the team and said this opening dance was her favorite. “I loved this year's opener because I loved the song,” Wayman said. “I also loved how energetic the dance was.” For Wayman, however, performing this opener was a bittersweet moment as her last performance on Blue Brigade. “It didn’t really hit me during the opener that it was my last spring show,” Wayman said. “Although it did hit later in the show.” Wayman said her favorite part about performing with Blue Brigade over the years has always been being able to do it with some of her best friends. “I love being able to perform with all my friends,” Wayman said. “Growing with a tight knit community that Blue Brigade creates is my favorite part.” Aside from performing the dances, Wayman said the show was an important moment to watch her fellow seniors say their goodbyes. “I loved getting to see all of the senior solos and cheer on my friends from backstage,” Wayman said. Caption by Chloe Seckar-Martinez. Photo by Daniela Di-Capua.

Embracing their final dance

Carson Duncan, August Gleason, JoJo Barnard, Harper Maxwell, Sienna Martens, Josie Linton, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, V Overstreet, Priya Thoppil, Zev Zent, and Camilla Vandegrift
April 15, 2025
Quinceañeras Alexis Jimenez, Yami Salas, Sofia Arredondo, Valeria Barrientos, Sadie Mason and Evelyn Martinez Mercado pose for a photo outside the school. The image captures their grand entrance to their collective quinceañera. This Saturday, McCallum held the quinceañera in the cafeteria allowing students to partake in the traditional Hispanic coming of age celebration without the expenses associated. Señora Altamirano-Cancino and the Ballet Folklorico Club came together to organize the event and with help from the local community were able to cover all aspects of the celebration from the lowrider cars for the students to arrive in to the DJ and dresses and suits that students were able to rent out or have donated. Caption by Josie Mullan.

Agradecida por la oportunidad

Shila Gill, Lillian Gray, Evelyn Jenkins, Beatrix Lozach, Sophia Manos, Maggie Mass, Josie Mullan, Adele Seeboth, and Fletcher Vandegrift
April 9, 2025
SHAPING MEDIA, STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY: NEW YORK CITY—the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, celebrating its centennial, began its convention on the Wednesday of spring break on the Columbia University campus. The opening keynote, titled “The Evolution of Media & Democracy: How We Got Here, How We Might Move Forward,” featured Richard Gingras, strategic adviser and former global vice president of Google News. Gingras addressed the challenges of fragmented media on democracy, the importance of rebuilding trust in journalism, and the role of media in strengthening communities.

Knights spring about

Beatrix Lozach, Katie Martin, Josie Mullan, Elizabeth Nation, Mira Patel, Eva Sanchez, Sofia Saucedo, and Maya Tackett
April 1, 2025
"WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD" — The University of Texas geology department has always felt like a second home to me. Growing up surrounded by passionate discussions about earth sciences, with both my parents working there, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication that drives the department's mission to explore and understand our planet. From attending department events to overhearing exciting research stories at the dinner table, I feel a deep connection to its community and work. This longstanding relationship has shaped my love for the school and instilled a sense of pride in being part of such a prestigious institution. The department isn’t just a place of learning; it is a core part of who I am. I share this compassion with my mom, who attended the university and has a strong connection with it. “For me, the University of Texas is a full circle,” Jaime Barnes said. “I was educated here and now I am the educator here.”

Beneath the surface

Kaylee Breecker, Mac photojournalism
March 25, 2025
LOVELY RITA: Senior designer Rita Hagerty was the lucky winner of the 2025 show. Hagerty participated in the show for her second year. “Rita has incredible dedication and her eye for detail is incredible," one of Hagerty's designer peers said. "I'm glad her hard work paid off.” Each designer put countless hours into the show, sacrificing sleep and free time for the opportunity to share their work with the community. For some of these young designers it may have been their first time participating, some say that the hardest part was finding the time to dedicate to the competition. “Of course, designing the clothes was challenging, but that's what I was expecting," first-year sophomore designer Tallulah McAuliffe said. "It was really hard to find the time to put it all together though. Between school, homework and friends. The show was always following me.” Caption by Isa Truan.

Braving the ‘Wilderness’ together

JoJo Barnard, Delaney Lavelle, Sienna Martens, Sophia Manos, Maggie Mass, Elizabeth Nation, Callen Romell, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, Isa Truan, Camilla Vandegrift, Nate Williams, and Harriet Zettner
March 18, 2025
Sophomore Paityn Jones sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing" for the Black History Month assembly on Feb. 10. Written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was originally a poem but became the official song of the NAACP in 1919 and became even more prominent during the Civil Rights Movement. In the wake of George Floyd's murder in 2020, the NFL made the song a fixture at its championship game. Caption by Wren Vanderford. Photo by Jasmine Aung.

Acknowledging and celebrating Black history, culture and expression

Daniela Di-Capua, Tegan Hahn, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, Piper Norfolk, Riley Pita, Callen Romell, Maya Tackett, Wren Vanderford, Fletcher Vandegrift, and Nate Williams
March 11, 2025
LOOMING LARGE: Sutton Hall, five stories of aged brick, stands for the University of Texas at Austin’s architecture students. It is the powerhouse of their creativity, drive, passion, and dedication. It’s a space senior student Emily Kahn has gotten to know very well over the past four years. “The first year, we were all in the attic together,” Emily said. “We hated being in the attic; we were like, ‘Why do they have us up here? Why don’t we rebel?’ but looking back, it was probably one of my favorite times. It was like, we’re all in the same space; we’re going to become friends, you know?” Four years of drawings, models, site visits and final reviews later, Emily said goodbye to Sutton Hall.

Pieces of a journey

Hannah Kahn, Mac photojournalism
March 4, 2025
Among the attendees at the PTA rally on Monday there were lots of proud parents, advocating for their students' schools and giving their children a voice. Two parents and PTA members, Jenny Rasco and Ashley Baker, were fighting for Timbercreek Elementary in Lewisville ISD.  “We wanted to advocate for our kids because they deserve better,” Rasco said. “We’re pushing for raising the basic allotment for students, and to make sure that Gov. Abbott knows that we don’t want the vouchers.”  Lots of parents view the vouchers to be harmful, not just within their inner circles but across the state.  “For me personally I don’t think my kids will be affected directly; however, vouchers don’t work for all the kids in Texas,” Rasco said. “Not every parent can come out here and advocate for that, and someone should, which is why we’re here. This shouldn’t be a political issue, it should be about the kids. It shouldn't be a right side or left side issue, just wanting the best for the future of our Texas kids.”  Baker and Rasco were both proud of how many people showed up to spread the word, just like them, and seeing government officials alongside them.  “The speakers were great, especially here in front of the Capitol,” Rasco said. “I’m happily relieved that all of the government isn’t supporting these vouchers we’re fighting against. It’s very comforting to know that there are people fighting with us. There’s a lot of people here, and it was a great turnout.”  Caption by Wren Vanderford. Reporting by Mira Patel and Sofia Saucedo.

Public school advocates descend on Capitol demanding more funding and assailing proposed vouchers

Lillian Gray and Wren Vanderford
February 28, 2025
THE FINAL SHOT: For senior Jaiden Booe Senior Knight was the single best moment of the entire district season. After nearly finishing undefeated the win against LASA, and the secured spot in the first round of UIL playoffs summed up Booe’s love for basketball all in one game. “[My favorite thing about playing] is making memories with the team because we are all about to graduate,” Booe said. “Just playing, having fun with the guys knowing it's the last home game at McCallum.” For Booe the pre-game ritual to the teams' basketball games was another highlight during his years on the team. “My favorite thing about playing is the pre-game shooting with my teammates in the back gym,” Booe said. “We practiced hard and made sure to have fun.” For Booe basketball ends in high school, however he plans on continuing his athletic endeavors at Kilgore College for football. Caption by Chloe Lewcock. Photo by Julia Copas

Senior Knights get royal sendoff

Shila Gill, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Arwen Pelletier, Maya Tackett, Callen Romell, Fletcher Vandegrift, Nate Williams, and Josie Mullan
February 19, 2025
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