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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

There is so much more thought and painstaking detail that goes into playing records: operating the needle with a gentle touch so as not to accidentally damage record or player, carefully cleaning the grooves of a record before playing it so it doesn’t skip and placing the vinyl slowly back into its sleeve. Photo accessed on the Lena Flickr account. Reposted here with permission under a creative commons license.
Losing its musical magic
Camilla Vandegrift, social media managing editor • May 21, 2025

These days, the only time most people will hear a record scratch is through a pair of headphones. The only singing voices most people are used to are auto-tuned and clear...

In less than 100 days in office, Trump has shredded a federal support for values that are near and dear to the McCallum community.
Challenging Trump 2.0
April 25, 2025
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
Senior Ella Brotman, the captain of the Texas Rowing Center varsity women's team rows in bow seat for race during national championship. Photo courtesy of Brotman.
Making waves
Josie Mullan, co-web managing editor • May 23, 2025

Although rowing is not a sport at McCallum, for these Knights, rowing can be their most important commitment, with many practicing up to six times a week and racing all across...

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

At one time or another, all students at McCallum have felt the pressure from the no pass/no play rule. This rule became part of the curriculum in the spring of the 1985-86...

Senior Editors 2025, Co-editors in chief Nate Williams (top middle)  and Chloe Lewcock (top left ), Co-Web managers Josie Mullan ( bottom right ) and Noah Braun ( top right ), sports editor Callen Romell ( bottom left ), Social media managing editor Camilla Vandegrift ( bottom left middle), and Opinion editor Shila Gill ( bottom right middle).
Seven graduating Shield editors reflect on their newspaper experience
JoJo Barnard, print managing editor • May 18, 2025

As graduation approaches, the Shield staff will soon say farewell to seven senior editors: co-editor-in chiefs Chloe Lewcock and Nate Williams, co-web managing editors Noah...

Flanked by staff reporter Beatrix Lozach and co-editor in chief Nate Williams, each holding one the Shield's 2025 ILPC Gold Star Awards, Shield adviser Dave Winter poses with his 2025 Max Haddick Texas Journalism Teacher of the Year Award on April 13 at the LBJ Auditorium.
In Winter’s Words
May 12, 2025
The iconic band director is all smiles after Austin City Councilman Mike Siegel proclaimed it to be Carol Nelson Day in Austin.
What makes Carol Nelson an icon?
Julia Copas, Shila Gill, Lillian Gray, Carlo Hinsdale, Sophia Manos, Maggie Mass, Emerson Merritt, Josie Mulllan, and Wren Vanderford May 27, 2025

The past few weeks have been good to Carol Nelson, the band director at McCallum since 1981. She enjoyed two wonderful surprises, surprises that confirmed exactly how much...

The outdoor seating at Tyson's offers lots of plants, inviting lighting and jazz music if you time your visit right.
Taco Mondays
May 3, 2025
Softball standout Lila Brotherton evades a Crockett defender in the Knights' victory over the Cougars in their quarterfinal matchup. The Knights would defeat Travis in the semifinal game to reach the championship where they lost to Bowie.
Flag football unfurled at district tournament
Julia Copas, Josie Linton, Sienna Martens, Katie Martin, and Sofia Saucedo May 27, 2025

They weren't used to playing with each other, and they weren't experts on the rules, but with varsity head football coach Thomas Gammerdinger guiding them, an eclectic group...

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
May 20, 2025
PAINTING POINTS: Junior Joseph Blackwood performs painting skit for Mr. McCallum pageant on Saturday night. Blackwood came in third for the entire competition after several wins throughout the week's challenges including his second place win for raising the most money in the ice bucket challenge.

As a fellow actor, sophomore Hallie Cooper was assigned to be Blackwood's guide througout the week, orienting him where to go and what to do for the various challenges.

At the end of the week, Blackwood was awarded third place after all his hard work earning points throughout the week from supporters and sponsors through all the various challenges as well as his final culminating performance on Saturday. 

Caption by Josie Mullan. Photo by Lillian Gray.
From knight to king
May 13, 2025
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What is the coolest lesser known summer holiday?

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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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