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 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 event's goal is simply to show off what the band has been working on and to give the community an early peek at what's 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 month's work of heat and hard work.”  But given that he’s a senior, it also means that this was Viner's 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
Junior Freja Ljungqvist and Austin High freshman Jameson Webster stand atop a rock at the end of the Grapevine Hills Trail.

Bend and snap

Alice Scott, co-editor-in-chief
April 29, 2023
FOCUSED: A lot of my mom's work consists of her working from home, and that means meetings. While some are on the phone and some are on Zoom, they still require intense focus. As I watch her in this meeting, I can see how she is really paying attention to whatever is going on, and I know that once she's done, the light will go off, and we can hopefully hang out.

Love, labor and the little moments

Chloe Lewcock, Noah Braun, Margot Evelyn, Sofia Thatcher, Grace Valdez, Brooklin Fisher, Wilson Corbitt, Tallulah Bingham, Smith Bohls, Terra Balentine, Millicent Ramsey, and Kiki Baker
September 6, 2022
The Class of '22 bids adieu to high school

The Class of ’22 bids adieu to high school

MacJournalism graduation coverage team
June 3, 2022
GRATITUDE AND FAREWELL: Ms. Northcutt decided earlier this year that it was time to say goodbye to McCallum, and possibly teaching in general, once and for all. “I am a teacher to my core. Northcutt said in a email to students and family. “I love McCallum and planned to be here until I retired; however, these last few years have revealed to me disheartening truths that I can’t unsee. I am no longer willing to work at an unsustainable pace at the expense of my mental heath and the health of my family and I can’t figure out how to do this job at any other pace without sacrificing my integrity.” A lot of other teachers at McCallum have also expressed their annoyance with the work circumstances provided by Austin ISD.

A tribute to Ms. Northcutt on her last day of class

Addison Wagoner, Mac photojournalism
May 31, 2022
FIVE-STAR CAPTAIN: In "One Night Only," the opening number of the spring show on Saturday night, Blue Brigade captain Charli Cevallos is front and center setting the mood and tempo for the number and entire show. Cevallos said the opening number of the spring show is always upbeat and fun and this year’s edition was no exception. Cevallos said she remembers the moment as one of pure adrenaline. “Since opener is the first dance, the excitement is running high and it’s such a great feeling to be performing our hard work for an audience.” As the photo suggests, the team was able to perform the number in sync even though it was a new dance choreographed exclusively for the spring show by first lieutenant Annabel Winter (left) and senior lieutenant Emily Garza. “Opener was our first spring show dance we learned,” Cevallos said, “and it came together super well. … [It was] definitely a team favorite.” Cevallos said her favorite part of the number was the very beginning when Winter (left) woke her up stage left from a deep sleep to start the show. “It’s so fun,” she said, “and the audience loved it.” For the first time in three years, that audience was in the MAC and at full capacity without pandemic restrictions.

‘Starry Knights’ return to their proper alignment

Zahraa Alogaili, Naomi Di-Capua, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Helen Martin, Madelynn Niles, Charlie Partheymuller, Alice Scott, Elena Ulack, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
May 3, 2022
DEFENSIVE DELIGHT. Coach Grant and Coach Houston bond over the team’s shared victory at the 2021 Taco Shack Bowl. As the only two paid defense coaches on staff during the game, both Grant, Houston, and the team were under great stress. Yet despite this setback, the team managed to pull through and secure the win for McCallum. “I think that was just a lot of pure emotion and joy coming to a head because it was a tough week,” Grant said about the moment. “Defensive on a two-coach staff is incredibly difficult. And I think it was not disbelief, but it was the first time we could take aside to be proud of what the kids just accomplished.” Reporting by Evie Bernard. Photo by Evie Bernard.

Evie Barnard — ILPC photo portfolio

Evie Barnard, news editor
February 27, 2022
GOLDEN GRINS: While celebrating their win, senior Tino Rodriguez proudly holds the historical Taco Shack Bowl trophy with senior Wyatt Cunningham beaming by his side. Cunningham said there was a rush of emotions following their win. “At first, I felt extremely happy, then relieved after all the obstacles our team had to go through coming into this game,” he said. “I’m very proud of the team and coaching staff’s preparation for this game.” During his final year of high school, he’s thankful that they brought the trophy home. “It’s good to know after the last two years, the Taco Shack trophy is back at McCallum.” Photo by Grace Nugent. Reporting by Lucy Marco.

Grace Nugent — ILPC photo portfolio

Grace Nugent, co-editor in chief
February 27, 2022
Dancers in the Pre-Professional dance class perform the piece "SHEEN," choreographed by Mac and Texas Christian University dance alumnus Terrance L. Carson, Jr., during the winter dance concert on Friday at the AISD Performing Arts Center. The McCallum dance  directors brought in professional dancers to teach the choreography to the majors and the result was a beautifully crafted performance. “The show went amazingly well, especially because of the challenges of the current COVID situation,” said McCallum’s dance director Natalie Uehara. “The dancers overcame many obstacles and together with the technical staff of the AISD PAC, put on a beautiful performance.” Caption by Grace Vitale.

This time the ‘Breaking’ news is good news

Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Naomi Di-Capua, Julia Husted, Cassidy Levin, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Lucy Marco, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Samantha Powers, Alice Scott, and Grace Vitale
January 11, 2022
Hundreds of students walked out of their third-period classes on Monday Nov. 15 in a show of support for students who have been victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault. The group met in the band parking lot and then marched around the perimeter of the school, stopping often to hear personal stories of assault and survival. Each story elicited embraces and statements of support from members of the crowd.

The year in review in photos

Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Morgan Eye, Evelyn Griffin, Meredith Grotevant, Anna McClellan, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Lindsey Plotkin, Lexi Ramos, Bella Russo, Elisha Scott, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
December 28, 2021
CHEERFUL CROWD: Two kids share a fun time together, as they wait in line for Santa near the large Christmas tree.

A seasonal sojourn at the Jingle Bell Jamboree

Augustina Weber, Mac photojournalism
December 21, 2021
FULL CIRCLE: For seniors like co-captain Addie Seckar-Martinez, shown here performing in the large ensemble contemporary dance for which the team won a Best in Class award, the site of the Central Texas Dance Festival at Georgetown’s East View High School offered an opportunity to come full circle.  East View was the site of the first competition the seniors entered as freshman four years ago. “We have had a lot of events get canceled this year due to COVID and weather inconveniences, but being able to be out there dancing to an audience with my Blue Brigade family meant so much to me,” Seckar-Martinez said. “I always tell the team to go out there and just have fun and that’s exactly what we did.” Reporting by Zazie Bryant.

Blue Brigade competes, wins both in person, virtually

Zazie Bryant, Harper Cummings, Mia Gomez, Carly Johnson, Anna McClellan, Madelynn Niles, Liliana Rodriguez, and Anna Schlett
March 23, 2021
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