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
News
#ChefsforTexas: WCK distributes meals in Hunt, TX World Central Kitchen has been distributing meals to first responders and families affected by recent floodwaters. Photo accessed on the World Central Kitchen Flickr account, reposted here under the terms of a creative commons license.
Links to Central Texas disaster relief fundraisers
July 11, 2025
An unidentified protester holds an American flag aloft during the No Kings protest.
No Kings protest draws 20,000 in protest of Trump-era policies
June 15, 2025
Junior Beatrix Lozach is all smiles while wearing her gold medal as the 5A state champion in ready writing. She also placed fourth in the 5A classification at State in headline writing.
Lozach wins 5A state ready writing title
June 14, 2025
Unidentified protesters outside the Texas Capitol hold up signs advocating the abolition of ICE at an Austin protest rally against recent ICE actions in Los Angeles.
Austin activists convene downtown to show solidarity with ICE protesters in Los Angeles
June 10, 2025
Opinion
President Trump at CPAC in 2017 during his first term.
Nothing is beautiful about this bill
Arwen Pelletier, staff reporter • July 4, 2025

In a devastating blow to the everyday American, Congress passed President Trump’s extensive domestic policy bill, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), by a razor-thin 218-214...

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
May 21, 2025
Let’s be honest: we use our phones for social media diversions not for learning. They made it harder for us to succeed and to build community in the classroom.
Out of sight, out of mind
May 8, 2025
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
Graphic depicting the duality of female pop stardom, ranging from countercultural subversion to conservatism.
Modern female pop stardom necessitates conformity
April 11, 2025
Sports
Rivalry games are increasing endangered by conference realignments with universities motivated more by big-money television contracts than longstanding traditions.
An unrivaled tradition
V Overstreet, staff reporter • June 4, 2025

The 2024–25 college football season will be remembered for more than its playoff drama and breakout stars. It marked a turning point in the sport’s identity, a year when...

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
May 23, 2025
The athletic training program visited the University of Texas on Jan. 30. During their visit they saw the strength and conditioning weight room, main sports medicine facility and the sports science division. Photo provided by senior Brianna Miller.
The magnificent seven
May 9, 2025
After fielding a ground ball by Trojan center fielder Taylor Coggin, second baseman Tallulah McGolgin ignores Anderson baserunner Genesis Ruiz, opting instead to throw to first baseman Jay Sachez in order to retire Coggin for the final out of the first inning. Pitcher Natalie Myrick had gotten the first two outs of the inning via strikeout. Ruiz singled between the two strikeouts.
Knights defeat Trojans decisively in do-or-die tiebreaker game to earn 5A playoff berth
May 4, 2025
Blessed with superior speed of foot and of mind, Kaylee Breecker has made it hard for first-year Coach Jason Rich to keep her off the field. Photo by Sophia Saucedo. Graphic by Julia Copas.
Freshman phenom makes most of her opportunity
April 30, 2025
Throwback Thursday
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...

DANGEROUS, WILD rocks are becoming less popular to pet rock owners as tame, pedigreed rocks become more available for only $3 to $5.
You’d pay for a rock?
April 24, 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’
April 17, 2025
ONE OF DR. BILL SMOOT'S tasks as new principal is to give the morning announcements over the public address system. Dr. Smoot spends a great deal of his time at his desk, besides doing the announcements, in which a great amount of school paperwork is processed, most of it dealing directly with the AISD administration. He also answers the telephone and talks with parents and faculty alike. However, his main job is to oversee the school and make sure everything runs smoothly.
SMOOT: Same face but new title
April 10, 2025
AFTER RECEIVING the Max Haddick Journalism Teacher of the Year Award, Mrs. Lorene Denney is all smiles. This is her second year as journalism teacher at McCallum.
ILPC names Denney the 1980 Max Haddick Journalism Teacher of the Year
April 3, 2025
People
During a class game, photojournalism teacher David Winter’s students frantically search issues of The Shield to find the layout that Winter asked for. Before the game, he had gone over different types of newspaper layouts, and now the students’ knowledge was being put to the test. For freshman Anais Long, the game was a fun distraction from the stressful environment of the end of the year. “It was so fun running around chasing each other and I got to work with my best friends,” she said. “My team and I all just grabbed a newspaper and were kind of screaming at each other.”
Every direction but also One Direction
Harriet Zettner, Mac photojournalism • June 12, 2025

During a class game, photojournalism teacher Dave Winter’s students frantically searched issues of The Shield to find the right page before anyone else in the room beats...

Wiggins, Swinney, Alvarado and Carlson are four of the 25 2025 Who's Who winners. Click on the name of each Who's Who winner below to see the details of their Mac careers.
25 for the Class of ’25
June 10, 2025
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
May 18, 2025
Seniors: Please apply for 2025 Who’s Who
Seniors: Please apply for 2025 Who’s Who
May 14, 2025
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
Entertainment
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?
Dave Winter, Shield adviser • 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...

Freshman Sofia Moreno sings the national anthem at the Austin FC game on July 29, 2024 against LA Galaxy. Photo provided by Moreno.
Freshman finds her voice
May 17, 2025
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
The moral of this flawed fairy tale? Why remake a classic animated movie if its live action update is just going to pale in comparison to the original?
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the worst movie of them all?
April 23, 2025
Adventurefuls maybe be simple and a little harder than they should be, but they are still delicious, earning the second-highest rating in this review. Photo accessed on the slgckgc Flickr account. Republished here with permission under a creative Commons license.
Putting Girl Scout cookies to the taste test
April 18, 2025
Photo Galleries
GRAND REVEAL: Sophomore Cruz Gonzales performs alongside the other baritone saxophone players during Bandapalooza on Aug 22. Bandapalooza allowed the band to perform what they’ve been practicing during the summer to an audience full of friends and family. While this wasn’t the band’s first full run through, it was their first in front of an audience. “I feel like we’ve done better in rehearsals, and due to the pressure and other things, it hindered our performance a little bit, but I was still proud,” Gonzales said. One thing that Gonzales pointed out that the band needs to work on in the future is making sure everybody knows exactly where they’re supposed to be and knows the repetition. This performance also allowed the band to introduce their new theme of Gothic Renaissance to their audience. “This year’s costumes are totally different,” Gonzales said. “We have hip capes and shako hats, which is a big change from last year.” Looking towards the future and big pictures, Gonzales wants the band to have a successful season and make state. “Considering how close it was last year, we were pretty bummed,” he said. “So this year, I think everybody is really trying to work harder to get there and make state again.” Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo by Wren Vanderford.
Bandapalooza marches into new year
Beatrix Lozach, Maya Tackett, Wren Vanderford, Priya Thoppil, Riley Pita, Daniela Di-Capua, Sienna Martens, Katie Martin, and Carson Duncan • August 28, 2025

  Just as the sun was setting on Friday evening, the McCallum marching band began its annual Bandapalooza performance in the band parking lot. After the last month...

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
May 27, 2025
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
Sophomore Lucinda McCollum performs during a group performance of "Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight" by ABBA on Sunday night's closing performance. Due to some pieces being mixed with other classes within the choir program, McCollum explained it was a challenge to find time to rehearse, but the show still ended up being a success. "We only had a few rehearsals where we learned choreo and practiced with the other choirs, but I feel like we had good energy and did well on stage," McCollum said. McCollum said one of the best parts of the show was the audience's reactions to the pieces. "It was really fun watching the audience’s reactions to some of the small groups and hanging out with my friends backstage," McCollum said. Caption by Carlo Hinsdale. Photo by Josie Mullan.
A throwback Saturday and Sunday
May 6, 2025
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
May 1, 2025
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President Trump at CPAC in 2017 during his first term.

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#ChefsforTexas: WCK distributes meals in Hunt, TX World Central Kitchen has been distributing meals to first responders and families affected by recent floodwaters. Photo accessed on the World Central Kitchen Flickr account, reposted here under the terms of a creative commons license.

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Before he was a U.S. Open champion in 1992, Tom Kite was a UIL 4A state golf champion at McCallum in 1967 and 1968. File photos from 1968 Knight yearbook.

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The iconic band director is all smiles after Austin City Councilman Mike Siegel proclaimed it to be Carol Nelson Day in Austin.

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Junior Beatrix Lozach is all smiles while wearing her gold medal as the 5A state champion in ready writing. She also placed fourth in the 5A classification at State in headline writing.

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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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