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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

Graphic depicting the duality of female pop stardom, ranging from countercultural subversion to conservatism.
Modern female pop stardom necessitates conformity
Beatrix Lozach, staff writer • April 11, 2025

I was about 4 or 5 when I heard “Love, Angel, Music, Baby” for the first time. My family had just moved to Austin from New York, where I was born, and amid that time of...

The vast majority of women in the U.S. have used contraception in the last year and 18 million use birth control to treat medical conditions. The infant mortality rate has increased significantly in Texas since the abortion ban went into effect. Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, JAMA Pediatrics.
Birth control ills
April 4, 2025
Graphic depicting a common slogan of the Free Palestine movement, "existence is resistance".
An ephemeral ceasefire
March 20, 2025
Kleiman (center) was joined at the regional meet in Jasper by Victoria Aragon (left), a friend of his personal coach Joshua Trammell and his school coach, Anthony Osorio (right). Photo courtesty of Kleiman.
Kleiman does heavy lifting for upstart team
Hudson Hensley, staff reporter • April 6, 2025

Senior Ozan Kleiman had already enjoyed a historic season for a McCallum athlete. He had formed the school’s first powerlifting team in two decades, he placed first in his...

Varsity girls soccer team carries sophomore Ellie Wiseman, who scored both Knight goals, as they celebrate their 2-0 win over Victoria West, securing spot in Regional Playoffs
How Sweet 16 it is!
March 27, 2025
When the school schedule made it impossible for to Morton to make gymnastic practice, she shifted her focus to being a high-flying cheerleader. Photo courtesy of Bell Morton.
The floor to the air
March 7, 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
Tegan Hahn, Katie Martin, Avital Cuevas, Eva Sanchez, Sienna Martens, Anais Long, Piper Norfolk, Adele Seeboth, Harper Maxwell, Etta Fannin, and Sunday Cardinal April 17, 2025

With two other MacTheatre productions making huge news this week, it might seem odd that we are publishing a Freaky Friday photo essay, but we have been meaning to share this...

Art teacher Jessica Garcia, demonstrates an aluminum foil art project to Vivian Garris and Vera Petrowsky, freshmen in her Art 1 class.
Teaching through laughter
Nate Williams, co-editor-in-chief • April 9, 2025

The Proust Questionnaire, named after French writer Marcel Proust, is a series of 35 questions designed to gauge the personality and values of the answerer.  For our latest...

Mary may be the gatekeeper at Nelson Field but she has a much more important job making enchiladas for her 31 grandchildren.
Her name is Mary
March 21, 2025
The Weeknd performs in Oslo in 2015. Photo accessed on the Flickr account of NRK P3. Reposted here with permission under the terms of a creative commons license.
The Weeknd’s new album is better on vinyl
Will Bowman, guest writer • April 13, 2025

Hurry Up Tomorrow is the final project by the global phenomenon The Weeknd. On Jan. 31, The Weeknd released the long-awaited Hurry Up Tomorrow. The original release date...

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

With two other MacTheatre productions making huge news this week, it might seem odd that we are publishing a Freaky Friday photo essay, but we have been meaning to share this...

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
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
March 25, 2025
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SPECIAL EDUCATOR: In an off-the-court victory for boys basketball, Coach Carlin Shaw was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year today. Shaw is a Social Behavior Skills teacher and a special education case manager, and he is the head JV boys basketball coach and an assistant coach for varsity boys basketball. Assistant principal Gabriel Adame presented Shaw with a gift basket in the large gym, announcing his win. Shaw had tears in his eyes as he expressed his gratitude for the community that motivates him. Video by Dave Winter.
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