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
WATER BALLOONS AND SMILES: Senior Peer Assistance and Leadership program member Jude Masoni holds up his fellow PAL, senior David Herring, as a human shield to protect himself from the path of an incoming water balloon. Students paid $1 to throw a balloon at the PALS on Tuesday as part of the shooting PAL-ery, one of the Pink Week fundraisers intended to raise money for the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Central Texas, an Austin-based non-profit that provides personalized support to those affected by breast cancer.  Year after year the PALS put on Pink Week in order to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The PALS put on a variety of different events the whole week at lunch in hopes of both bringing in profits and bringing an exciting week of fun to the McCallum community.    Herring was made a target of the water balloon by his cross country teammates. “I enjoyed seeing my teammates coming out to donate as I was telling them about it the week prior,” Herring said. “I was also just having fun on that nice day with my fellow PALS. Some of them that did the pallery that day, like Jude, I’ve known since elementary school.” Caption by Chloe Lewcock with reporting by JoJo Barnard.

Pink Week soars to new fund-raising heights

Sutton Banning, JoJo Barnard, Olivia Dungan, Carlo Hinsdale, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Helen Martin, and Olin Michalovic
October 10, 2023
VICTORIOUS VITTORIO: Senior Henry Mayes (Vittorio) carries senior Sydney Safarik (Charity) home from dinner, marking the beginning of their apartment scene. According to Mayes, this is a turning point in the characters relationships. “The scene prior, Charity pretends to faint in order to get into Vittorio’s arms, hence why I am carrying her in this photo,” Mayes said. “This photo marks the beginning of when Vittorio and Charity begin to learn more about who each other is as individuals.” Mayes particularly enjoyed developing Vittorio as a character because of his complex background. “Creating Vittorio has been a lot of fun,” Mayes said. “He’s a famous Italian actor who grapples with his attachment to his girlfriend, Ursula, when he becomes interested in Charity. Vittorio is highly egotistical and constantly seeks the spotlight.” Caption by Alice Scott.

‘Sweet Charity’ comes to life on stage

JoJo Barnard, Eliza Jensen, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Callen Romell, Alice Scott, and Priya Thoppil
October 3, 2023
GAME GETS INTENSE: The crowd watches intently as junior co-captain Greta Carlson rears up for a spike during the third set of an intense varsity matchup with Ann Richards last Friday evening. Despite displaying an impressive level of prowess befitting of her position, Carlson and her comrades ultimately took home the first district loss for the varsity girls volleyball team since 2021, Despite the defeat, she is confident that with better coordination, future success is all but assured. “I think we’re fully capable of beating Ann Richards,” Carlson said. “I think that Friday was just an off night for everybody.” Caption by Noah Braun.

A great volleyball night with a sad ending

JoJo Barnard, Noah Braun, Julia Copas, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Priya Thoppil, Camilla Vandegrift, and Francie Wilhelm
September 26, 2023
SCOTTS FREE: At the Fourth Annual McCallum Quinceañera on Saturday in the cafeteria, freshman Adrina Scott dances with her family and friends. “At quinceañeras they have a dance for you with your dad, and then a dance for you and your mom,” Scott said. With two daughters participating, Scott’s parents had to figure out how to split their time between their daughters. “My friend’s parents also have two girls,” Scott said. “Obviously you can’t dance with your dad at the same time as your sister. So, we all kind of just got together and all danced together.” For Scott, the quinceañera was a result of lots of preparation at hard work. “There was a lot of practice that we had to do during lunches and during fit,” Scott said. “Sometimes that would get a little stressful because you know, it’s lunch. You kind of want to hand with friends, but I think it all worked out really well.” Part of the preparations that Scott loved was getting to try on the dresses. “Basically all the dresses that we had were rentals,” Scott said. “We had to go try on the dresses, and it was fun to have that experience to go get the dress and try it on. You just felt so special.” The McCallum Quinceañera is an important memory of Scott’s life. “I think it’s just such a fun tradition in the Hispanic culture,” Scott said. “I got to dance with my family which was special.” Caption by Kate Boyle.

Shield staff nominated for 20 NSPA awards

Evie Barnard, JoJo Barnard, Gergő Major, Caroline Owen, Charlie Partheymuller, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, and Nate Williams
September 19, 2023
That 70th Show (and Tell)

That 70th Show (and Tell)

Julia Copas, staff reporter
September 12, 2023
IT ALL ADDS UP FOR FRIEDMAN: Ever since she was a little girl, Jami Friedman knew she wanted to be a teacher. Growing up, she always had teachers who inspired her and made her love math. Her first year teaching, she taught at Manor but realized it wasn’t the right place for her, so when the math department chair reached out to speak about a job available at McCallum, Friedman sensed it was the perfect opportunity. “I love McCallum so far, and the students are amazing,” Friedman said. “They are really kind to each other, really accepting, and really respectful to themselves and me.” As well as teaching the subject that she loves, Friedman is also the newest Blue Brigade assistant coach, which she says is the perfect fit for her, considering she started dancing when she was 5, danced competitively all throughout high school, was captain of her drill team and danced for Kilgore College Rangerettes in college. “I’m also so excited because I’ve always wanted to be a drill team director,” Friedman said. “The girls are really great dancers and also just great students in general, so I love being a part of the team. I’m really looking forward to football season, contest season in the spring and then the spring show.” Looking back at her teachers and dance directors, Friedman knows exactly what it’s like to have people motivate and guide their students to become better people, which is exactly what she wants to bring to the students at McCallum. “I’m just excited to get closer to the students and build the relationships that will help people grow in math, dance and life in general,” Friedman said. Caption by Maya Tackett.

Even the faculty has a freshman class

JoJo Barnard, Violeta Dimova, Zane Joly, Josie Mullan, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Maya Tackett, Chloe Lewcock, and Mira Patel
September 5, 2023
CHEERS AND CHESTS: Freshmen cheer on the Knights with “McCallum” written across their chests in blue paint. Freshman Hugo Smith said the shirtless display of spirit was a spur-of-the-moment decision. “Everyone in our row that we were sitting with participated,” Smith said. “We just told everyone ‘Take your shirt off. Write your letter.’” Smith said he knew the Knights needed some spirit to get through the game. “It says that I care about my team,” Smith said. Caption by Julia Copas with reporting by Ingrid Smith.

Some things borrowed, some things new, but all things Taco Shack still McCallum blue

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Naomi Di-Capua, Chloe Lewcock, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, and Maya Tackett
August 29, 2023
ONE FINAL HURRAH BEFORE THE TORCH IS PASSED DOWN: With the upcoming football season nearing a fast approach, the marching band is preparing its halftime segment for the games. While the first game isn’t until Thursday, the band took the opportunity to put on its annual Bandapalooza for family and friends. The events goal is simply to show off what the band has been working on and to give the community an early peek at whats to come. For senior Frank Montesinos, Bandapalooza is not only a fun experience but also a beneficial one.  “The showcase gives a perspective of how our rehearsals are run,” Montesinos said.  While the show itself is a whole marching band production, Montesinos is part of a saxophone quartet with a feature in the second movement of the show along with William Viner, Elliot Taylor and Aubrey Mitchell.  “It’s nice being able to show off our individual talent in such an exposed section,” Montesinos said.   One of Montesinos fellow quartet members, senior William Viner said it was worth all the hours of work he and his bandmates put in. “Bandapalooza is always the first performance we do for people,” Viner said. “It’s satisfying to finally get to put together a months work of heat and hard work.”  But given that he’s a senior, it also means that this was Viners last Bandapalooza.  “I thought I would be very sad in my last year,” Viner said, “but it’s honestly more sweet than bitter. I feel much stronger and more confident as a senior and a leader. It’s fun to pass the band torch down to new underclassmen.”  Viner said he is excited to pass the tradition on to younger high schoolers just as early band members passed it on to him. Caption by Chloe Lewcock.

MacBand reaches for the stars

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Naomi Di-Capua, Chloe Lewcock, Maggie Mass, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Lucas Walker, and Francie Wilhelm
August 22, 2023
YEAR TWO: Sophomores Luciana Ramirez and Sofia Saucedo walk through the busy halls before the start of classes. For Saucedo the start of sophomore year was easy and straightforward. “I was expecting almost the same thing as last year,” Saucedo said. “I am expecting more challenging classes than last year and new people.” According to Saucedo the first day provided many highlights. “Seeing all my friends and seeing what classes I have was fun,” Saucedo said. “And also what the year is going to look like” Saucedo has two main things she is looking forward to. “I am looking forward to soccer and my classes,” Saucedo said. Caption by Naomi Di-Capua.

A first day filled with firsts

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Naomi Di-Capua, Gaby Esquivel, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, and Francie Wilhelm
August 15, 2023
You would never know it from the results, but senior Otto Strub photographed fireworks for the first time on Tuesday night. I was nervous I wouldnt get very many good pictures because it was my first time photographing fireworks, Strub said, but they turned out pretty great.

The Fourth of July by day and by night

Julia Copas, Otto Strub, Lucas Walker, and Dave Winter
July 7, 2023
SETTING THE STAGE: Before the opening night of Urinetown: the Musical and with fine arts parents and outdoor stage organizers Nicole Wayman and Shaneye Ferrell looking on in approval, principal Nicole Griffith cuts a ribbon to mark the grand opening of the recently completed outdoor stage. Griffith also took the time to reflect on the process it took to create the stage and recognize the group of community members that worked to make their dream of a safe performance space a reality. District 4 trustee Kristin Ashy also gave a short speech on the drive and commitment of the McCallum community. The outdoor stage, a product of a Lowe’s grant and crowdfunding, is very literally a product of the community working together. A group of over 60 parents, teachers, and student volunteers worked to finish the stage in early February, and the stage will continue to serve as a space for performances, events, and club meetings. Reporting by Bella Russo.

Griffith reflects on her time at Mac, her future at ARS

Caroline Owen, host, audio engineer
June 27, 2023
HOT WHEELS: Blowing a bubble while riding a motorized skateboard, Austin firefighter Cameron Anguiano takes center stage while turning Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard into his own private skate park during Saturday’s Juneteenth parade. When he wasn’t advancing down MLK on his ride, he sprayed bystanders in the crowd with water to extinguish the oppressive heat at least for a moment anyway.

Commemorating Juneteenth the old Austin way

Naomi Di-Capua and Lillian Gray
June 20, 2023
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