Arwen Pelletier, opinion editor
Junior Arwen Pelletier is an opinion editor, and this is her second year on staff. During her first year, Pelletier was able to grow as a writer and photographer, and this year she hopes to create further awareness within her peers around the political climate in the U.S. Pelletier is also involved in the sports medicine program, the cross country and track teams. She can’t wait to get started and see what the staff can achieve this year.
![THE FINAL SHOT: For senior Jaiden Booe Senior Knight was the single best moment of the entire district season. After nearly finishing undefeated the win against LASA, and the secured spot in the first round of UIL playoffs summed up Booe’s love for basketball all in one game.
“[My favorite thing about playing] is making memories with the team because we are all about to graduate,” Booe said. “Just playing, having fun with the guys knowing it's the last home game at McCallum.”
For Booe the pre-game ritual to the teams' basketball games was another highlight during his years on the team.
“My favorite thing about playing is the pre-game shooting with my teammates in the back gym,” Booe said. “We practiced hard and made sure to have fun.”
For Booe basketball ends in high school, however he plans on continuing his athletic endeavors at Kilgore College for football.
Caption by Chloe Lewcock. Photo by Julia Copas](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/54323212454_26626336b8_o_54325974869_o-1200x675.jpg)
![HIGH KICKS, HIGH SPIRITS: On Friday, Oct. 18, McCallum culminated a festive spirit week with the homecoming pep rally. During the pep rally, the class winner of the hallway decorating contest was announced as well as the usual spirit stick award.
Sophomore and Blue Brigade member, Peyton Robenhorst noted how festive the student section was.
"It felt good to perform for the homecoming game," Robenhorst said. "I knew a lot of people were going to [cheer for us]."](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/homecoming-blue-brigade-pep-rally-1200x675.jpg)
![APPRECIATING TRADITION: For senior Kai Talebi’s last teacher appreciation volleyball game on Friday night, she stuck with tradition, and chose to ask English teacher Amy Smith to walk the court with her before the game.
“I took her last year too, so it’s kind of like tradition,” Talebi said. “Now I was like, ‘Of course I have to take her.’”
Talebi is happy to have had Smith twice in the past four years, first for her sophomore year and again this year. Noting that Smith was an integral part of her high school experience, Talebi said the English teacher had a very positive impact on her.
“Senior year, it’s been really fun to have her as a teacher again because I already know her super well, and we have a good relationship,” Talebi said.
Having a teacher twice is not very common, but for Talebi, it was a blessing in disguise.
“Sophomore year she definitely helped me get out of my shell a lot, and encouraged me a lot throughout the year,” Talebi said.
The pair have been close ever since the first class Talebi had with Smith, Advanced English 2. Talebi is also a tutor in the Writing Center, so they see each other very often.
“She [Smith] is the sweetest,” Talebi said. “And we have definitely grown closer because of me being her student multiple times.”
Caption by Priya Thoppil](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/54014867104_a0b4958cb6_o-1200x733.jpg)
