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
Dave Winter

Dave Winter, adviser

All content by Dave Winter
MacJ does Boston

MacJ does Boston

Josie Mullan, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, and Dave Winter
November 14, 2023
HERE COMES THE SUN: History teacher Catherine O’Neal breaks into a smile while judging the annual costume competition that occurred during lunch on Halloween. O’Neal, dressed as the sun from “Teletubbies,” judged the contest alongside librarian Jane Orr and English teacher Amy Smith. “I really enjoyed the energy the contest brought,” O’Neal said. “It’s always fun to just do something other than school.” O’Neal also loved seeing student’s talents showcased in a unique way. “I was really impressed by the students who handmade their costumes,” O’Neal said. “It was really just a testament to how creative students are at McCallum.” To O’Neal, creativity is an important asset, thus she is always ecstatic to see it flaunted. “I love seeing the creativity at McCallum expressed like that. It [the costume contest] was just a really cool avenue to witness it,” O’Neal said. Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] McCallum embraces spooky season traditions

November 7, 2023
STELLA X2: Senior Stella Shepard and sophomore Stella Little pose for a photo before the Battle of the Bell game. To prepare for the game, the cheerleaders had to increase their practice times. “We had our usual class practices, which are an hour-and-a-half, and then we did extra practices that week for like another hour each day,” Little said. Little said the practice has paid off because she has been able to improve her cheerleading skills and gain more experience. “I have been doing cheer for three years and overall I have gotten better at everything like stunting, cheering and dancing,” Little said. She says having a strong bond with her teammates is the key to success. “I think we’re a really good team,” Little said. “We have a close bond. We did a sleepaway camp over the summer for three days that really helped bond us, and I think that our bond really helps us cheer.”  Caption by Shila Gill.

[Photo] Mac wins big against school rivals

October 31, 2023
A GOOD KNIGHT’S SLEEP: Sophomore Jacob Mikesh naps in the hallway during Friday’s pajama day. Wanting to go crazy for the last day of homecoming spirit week, he searched far and wide for pajamas that would impress. “I had the idea on Tuesday and thought it could be really funny,” Mikesh said. “I went through my library of pajama pants and picked the funniest ones and came to school.” Mikesh decided that Friday (and only Friday) was the best day to dress up, not only because of the theme, but also the extravagance normally associated with the last day of spirit week. “It just seemed easier,” Mikesh said. “It seemed like the best time because it was Friday.” Pink bear in hand and air mattress below, the going wasn’t all easy. Mikesh faced setbacks throughout the day, whether that be figuring out how to maneuver an air mattress through the school entrance or hiding his napping from teachers and administrators. Unsure of whether he’d be let in toting a mattress, he brought it deflated, choosing to spend his first period blowing it up. “I put it up in psychology,” Mikesh said, “Ms. O’Neal said I wasn’t allowed to nap though, we were talking about cults.” O’Neal wasn’t the only teacher to put an end to Mikesh’s nap time. “I was actually sleeping near the English hallway and Mr. Baxa walked up to me,” he said, “He told me I couldnt sleep in the hallway anymore.” Mikesh knows there’s not much he can do to make his outfit more impressive next time, but he’s still going to try. “There’s not a lot of ways I can one up it [the outfit]; I dont want to bring an actual mattress here,” Mikesh said. “But maybe I can by bringing an actual pillow and blanket and really sleeping.” Caption by Helen Martin.

[Photo] Mac marks homecoming with old, new traditions

October 24, 2023
On the first day of sales this past the seniors sold out of tickets, with each and every one of the 100 available for each grade getting snatched up. Juniors matched the excitement just two days later with less than 20 remaining after the lunch sales. For McCallum senior student body president Olivia Hexsel, seeing the senior tickets sell out so fast felt rewarding. It was fulfilling and worth the hard work and late nights, Hexsel said. Im so excited people are getting the chance to go to a homecoming that my council and I put so much effort into.

[Photo] A new tradition brought home

October 21, 2023
WHITE SALSA IN THE LEAD: Junior Brianna Miller records votes from the salsa contest on her phone. The contest occurred during lunch on Oct. 6. By the end of the lunch period, the white salsa, made by the Life Skills class, was in the lead--but it didnt stay this way forever. In the end, after people had changed their votes, teacher assistant Lesly Medinas green salsa wound up racking the most votes.

[Photo] Mac celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

October 17, 2023
PEACE OUT PINK WEEK: For Bea Saffers first pink week as a PAL, she didn’t take it lightly. After advertising to her friends that she would be participating in the annual PAL-ery, she got soaked with balloons a record number of times, rounding out to seven in the end. As both a PAL and drum major for Mac Band, Saffer used the opportunity to bring in more donations “I had been advertising pink week activities to the band all week, and my band majors,” Saffer said. “I had received promises of ice buckets from my friends for months before Pink Week, but I didn’t expect half of them to actually show up.” Saffer said her first week met up to the expectations and that despite the never ending water balloons. “It was a bit intimidating,” Saffer said. “But its okay because it was all for a good cause!” Caption by Chloe Lewcock.

[Photo] Pink Week soars to new fund-raising heights

October 10, 2023
ONeal breaks the Freshman B team out during the Knight Freshman Volleyball Tournament on Aug. 27, 2022.

[Photo] Swim caps to soccer balls

October 12, 2023
CARLSON CROSSES: Junior Co-captain Greta Carlson hits a cross during last Friday’s game against Ann Richards. At the game, the Knights won the first set 25-15, but the Stars took the second and third set 25-16, and 25-23. After that, the Stars won the fourth and final set, ultimately winning the game for them. Carlson was disappointed, and felt the team didn’t play to their best ability. “I knew we could play at a higher level and I felt like we didn’t do that in the game,” Carlson said. Although the loss was a bit of a setback for the team, it also served as a factor to push them to do better. ”It kind of lights a fire in your blood when you lose to a team you know you could have beat,” Carlson said. “It makes me want to work on what we need to improve on against Ann Richards, so that when we play them again we’ll win.” Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] A great volleyball night with a sad ending

September 26, 2023
Principal Andy Baxa speaks at a parent meting regarding the Aug. 22 agitators.

[Photo] Baxa’s 100 day report card

October 19, 2023
On August 23, in response to the hate speech, Mac parents gathered on the corners of Sunshine and Houston during fourth period. The group showed their supports for the LGBTQ+ and trans communities by waving pride flags, holding up signs referencing inclusivity, and wearing bright colors.

[Photo] Latines, culture and the LGBTQ+ community

September 15, 2023
El 23 de agosto, en respuesta al discurso de odio, los padres de Mac se reunieron en las esquinas de Sunshine y Houston durante el cuarto período. El grupo mostró su apoyo a las comunidades LGBTQ+ y trans ondeando banderas de pride, levantando carteles que hacen referencia a la inclusión y vestidos con colores brillantes.

[Photo] Latines, cultura, y la comunidad LGBTQ+

September 15, 2023
Consider advertising in The Shield

Consider advertising in The Shield

Sophie Leung-Lieu and Dave Winter
September 12, 2023
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[Photo] Murray moves from Mac to Tacoma

September 13, 2023
Following the hateful protests by the Official Street Preachers, parents come out to show their love for LGBTQIA+ students and values on Wednesday.

[Photo] Live and let go

August 29, 2023
SENIORS GOT SPIRIT: Senior Emmy Penders cheers after being awarded the spirit stick. Penders was given the stick after the senior section had the loudest chant at the pep rally. “I wasn’t shocked that the senior class won the spirit stick, but it was still exciting,” Penders said. “In the past two years I saw the seniors before win, so it was nice to finally win it for our class.” Penders enjoyed the pep rally. “The pep rally created a fun atmosphere that made me excited to attend the game,” Penders said. “My favorite part was chanting our senior battle cry and then popping the confetti, because it’s another fun tradition seniors get to do during senior year.” Although Penders had a great time, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. “It’s bittersweet that this is my last year of pep rallies because I’ll miss the school spirit that happens during it,” Penders said. “But I’m also excited to move on to new experiences.” Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] Some things borrowed, some things new, but all things Taco Shack still McCallum blue

August 29, 2023
Parents gathered at the corner of Houston Street at the end of the day on Wednesday to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and combat the previous days negativity.

[Photo] Mac community takes a stand against hate group agitators

August 27, 2023
FIRST DAY FRIENDSHIPS: Freshman Luca Dainton leaves McCallum after the first day of school. Exploring the campus with friends, Dainton began the day with his eyes glued to a campus map. Coming from Lively Middle School, Dainton said he was shocked by McCallum’s size. The busy hallways made him wonder if it was even possible to get to class on time. “I did not know that there were going to be that many people walking in the hallways,” Dainton said. “It’s actually crazy because in middle school it was really quiet in the halls and there was barely anybody. Here its a bunch of traffic.” Dainton said the best part of the day was getting to know people in his classes. While he came into school with friends from soccer and outside of school, most freshmen were new faces. After one day, Dainton could tell that the people at McCallum are what make the school special. “Most of the people that Ive met are all really nice, they all talk well and theyre funny,” Dainton said. “In my biology class I made a couple of friends who sat really close to me. It was really nice, and they were also freshmen.” For Dainton, the biggest challenge of the day was chatting with upperclassmen in his advanced classes like precalculus. But he quickly made friends. “I like communicating with other people, and I think thats really important to making friends,” Dainton said. ”I love having people around that I can talk to so classes arent boring. I want to have friends in every single one of my classes that I can talk to.” Caption by Ingrid Smith.

[Photo] A first day filled with firsts

August 15, 2023
You would never know it from the results, but senior Otto Strub photographed fireworks for the first time on Tuesday night. I was nervous I wouldnt get very many good pictures because it was my first time photographing fireworks, Strub said, but they turned out pretty great.

The Fourth of July by day and by night

Julia Copas, Otto Strub, Lucas Walker, and Dave Winter
July 7, 2023
Veteran photojournalist Nicole Griffith snaps a candid shot of college and career counselor Camille Nix and senior Sabine Collins during Pink Week activities on Tuesday in the courtyard across the cafeteria.

[Photo] Griffith reflects on her time at Mac, her future at ARS

June 27, 2023
TOUR TIME: KUTs Chase Karacostas takes ILPC summer workshop students on a tour of the KUT offices inside the Dealey Center for New Media on the UT campus last Saturday to show students his companys workspace and the environment of a journalism and media company.

[Photo] Karacostas: It’s essential to build relationships

June 21, 2023
Reedy and fellow senior Julia Husted made sure that their Pink Week investment produced the desired result as they upgraded from water balloons to a full bucket of water that found its intended target.

[Photo] At McCallum, Bradsby learned how to be herself, how to speak out

June 9, 2023
On Senior Signing Day, Nix poses for a photo with seniors Rachel Nabhan, William Wheeler, Eric Thatcher and Malia Walewski.

[Photo] An open letter to the Class of 2023

June 7, 2023
Falcon made history in a couple of ways. She became the first Blue Brigade dancer to join a college dance team since Sophia Salo in 2019, and she became the first Blue Brigade senior to hold a signing day ceremony on campus, according to her director Nancy Searle.

[Photo] This Falcon set to be a Bruin and a Commodore

June 4, 2023
Shield co-editor-in-chief Alice Scott presents to Clifford Stanchoss U.S. History class as part of Student Press Freedom Day.

[Photo] Alice Scott: NSPA Marketer of the Year Portfolio

May 31, 2023
In recognition of recent wildlife sightings on campus, Griffith sported a pair of Mac-coon earrings.

[Photo] Griffith to leave Mac, accepts ‘dream’ job at Ann Richards

May 26, 2023

[Video] Ms. Gun’s heartfelt message to her students

May 23, 2023
TAKING ACTION: Junior Zephan Mayeda leans against a tree during the walkout holding a sign reading “bullets aren’t school supplies.” He participated in the walkout to protest against the lack of gun protection in the US and draw attention to the statewide protest.  “Children are dying due to government’s apathy and corporate lobbying against any action of any kind,” Mayeda said.  Mayeda was disappointed in the lack of organization that came with the protest, but still participated.  “Better something than nothing,” he said.  Mayeda offered what he would love to see at the walkout.   “I would have loved to see marching, chants, speeches, lists of phone numbers to call senators, names pictures and birthdays of the victims, flyers promoting the protest days weeks or months even in advance, mass absences, an actual walkout for those who can’t not go to school that isn’t just 20 mins of sitting,” Mayeda said. Although he was underwhelmed, Mayeda appreciated the symbolism.  “I think it held some importance in regards to symbolic gestures,” Mayeda said.  Reporting by Kate Boyle. Photo by Gergő Major.

At least 100 Knights walk out for gun control

Kate Boyle, JoJo Barnard, Noah Braun, Gergő Major, Lucas Walker, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
May 16, 2023
The first-period Shield class poses for a photo with its Interscholastic League Press Conference Gold Star Awards for print and online newspaper and some of its 15 Tops in Texas individual achievement award medals earned at the 2023 ILPC Spring Convention.

[Photo] By winning two ILPC Gold Stars, Shield enjoys singular success

May 15, 2023
Junior Isa Pirkey performs her duet piece with junior and fellow piano major Isabella Aleman Ward during the Fine Arts Friday piano recital.

[Photo] Fine tuned Fridays

May 10, 2023

Pride of Mexico shines in the MAC

Sofia Arredondo, JoJo Barnard, Kate Boyle, Isley Cameron, Amaya Collier, Chloe Lewcock, Gergő Major, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, Tóth Tamás Vitold, and Dave Winter
May 9, 2023
Shield co-news editor and co-online managing editor Ingrid Smith shares a light moment with illustrator Michaela Goade and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo moments after Smith interviewed them both about their new childrens literature book, Remember, at SXSW EDU in downtown Austin last March. Smith conducted the interview thanks to MacJournalisms partnership with PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs.

[Photo] Shield’s Ingrid Smith featured on award-winning PBS NewsHour Student Report Labs podcast ‘On Our Minds’

May 7, 2023
Dueling signs offer opposite views on the fate of Proposition B on Exposition Boulevard just outside the polling location at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tarrytown.

[Photo] What’s the Austin Police Oversight Act?

May 3, 2023
PINK FOR PROM: Seniors Vaughn Vandegrift, Peter Wiseman, Max Yehaskel and Alex Gold sing and dance their hearts out at Saturday’s “Under the Knight Sky” prom. Yehaskel and Wiseman stood out in the sea of black and navy suits as the pair opted for bright pink with contrasting, yet coordinating, shirts and ties. While the style decision seemed big to onlookers, for Yehaskel it was a simple choice. “I like pink, it’s a solid color,” he said. “It almost melted when I ironed it actually. It’s 100% polyester, and I got it from Kohl’s.” Yehaskel enjoyed prom overall, except when it came to the royalty announcement. “Someone stole prom queen from me,” he joked. “It was very tragic. But other than that, it was fun.” As prom marks another milestone at the end of senior year, Yehaskel is ready to sit back, relax and enjoy his last few weeks as a Knight. “My grades don’t matter anymore [and] after AP tests I’m done,” Yehaskel said. “I’m going to go nuts, and I’m going to start cooking more.” Caption by Francie Wilhelm.

Students shine like stars ‘Under the Knight Sky’

Kate Boyle, Morgan Eye, Meredith Grotevant, Chloe Lewcock, Sophie Kessler, Gergő Major, Helen Martin, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, Grace Vitale, J. Frank Webster, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
April 25, 2023
Science teacher and academic team coach Jace Klein verifies math contest papers during the District 24-5A Academic Meet at LBJ High School on March 25. Klein decided to commit to the McCallum academic team after competing in UIL academics as a high-schooler and believing that Knights had an opportunity to succeed in district. They proved him right by winning the district academic meet by a large margin.

[Photo] UIL academic team members advance to Region

April 20, 2023
‘ONE TWO’ THREE GO: Seniors Nia Wayman, Sophia Kramer and Olivia Falcon lead the team’s formation in hip hop number ‘One Two Step,’ choreographed by Caroline Cullers. Wayman enjoyed conveying the intensity of the number to the audience.  “My favorite part would have to be the headspring whackpack kip-up,” Wayman said. Overall, though, Wayman found this year’s spring show to be bittersweet as she said goodbye to the people and program that had been a part of her life for so many years.  “I was excited throughout but I was also sad that it was the last time I would dancing as part of Blue Brigade,” she said.  Caption by Francie Wilhelm.

A Knight of glitz and ‘glamour’

Kate Boyle, Naomi Di-Capua, Chloe Lewcock, Caroline Owen, Charlie Partheymuller, Ingrid Smith, Priya Thoppil, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
April 18, 2023
LOVE AND JOY: As she dances in her beautiful dress, sophomore Amy Love reflects on the joy it brings to see her father so happy during the McCallum Quinceañera. I think that this event was really beautiful and fun to experience especially for my dad, seeing him so happy and having my family experience this, Love said. My family isn’t big on doing huge celebrations so me and my sister weren’t able to have a quinceañera, but we loved being able to share this day with all the other quinceañeras and their families. Despite the stress of daily meetings and practices leading up to the event, Love found it all worth it for the fun and memories made on the quinceañera day. It was really stressful doing the whole entire meetings and practice because it was every single day, but whenever it was the actual day of it, it was actually really fun, Love said. Overall, Love found the quinceañera event to be a very meaningful experience, which could not have happened without the hard work of Spanish teacher Juana Gun. I want to give a huge thank you to Ms. Gun for making it all possible and being such a sweet person to all of us, Love said. Caption by Gergő Major.

McCallum Quinceañera celebrates comeback

Kate Boyle, Tristen Diaz, Chloe Lewcock, Gergő Major, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Priya Thoppil, Camilla Vandegrift, Grace Vitale, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
April 11, 2023
For a PBS Student Reporting Labs event at SXSW, Scott presents a black arm band that was part of the Student Press Freedom Week campaign she organized.

[Photo] Great Scott! Editor is Broadcast Journalist of the Year

April 3, 2023
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TEA announced they will appoint a conservator to oversee AISD services for special education students. The school board and state representatives soon responded with statements of their own, clarifying what this takeover means for the district.

[Photo] TEA to appoint conservator to oversee special ed services

March 31, 2023
On Wednesday during Pride Week at McCallum, Spectrum members sponsored a Color Your Pronouns activity, where all students could wear a button or color a name badge to help normalize declaring pronouns in support of trans students. According to Equality Texas, Republican lawmakers have filed 140 bills targeting LGBTQ+ Texans during the 88th legislative session. Among those measures is HB 1686, a proposed ban on transition-related care for trans Texans under 18. HB 1507, meanwhile, seeks to prohibit public school districts and charter schools from organizing or hosting programs dedicated to celebrating or providing special instruction regarding a sexual preference. The Pride Week observation that made the Color Your Pronouns activity possible would no longer be allowed if the bill passes.

[Photo] Happy International Trans Day of Visibility

March 31, 2023
YEAR ROUND PRIDE: Principal Nicole Griffith fixes a pride flag to the Knight mural in the main hallway. Though the official PRIDE Month is not until June, AISD has hosted a PRIDE Week during the school year since 2014. “I know that this isn’t when everyone else celebrates PRIDE, but I love that AISD takes a moment in the year to celebrate,”  Griffith said. “We can’t celebrate during the summer because all of our students are here, so taking that extra step so we can have that PRIDE Week where we validate and celebrate and empower students and staff and their families to feel that there is a place for them here is really important.” Griffith compared the current environment favorable to her experience as a student growing up in a less tolerant age where it was much harder to LBBTQ+ students to be visible and free to express themselves. “This whole generation is so much more accepting,” Griffith said. “As an educator, I think back to my own time as a middle and high school student, and there was zero representation and certainly no representation so to be able to see young people embrace diversity is really refreshing because that is not the world I grew up in.”  Caption by Morgan Eye. Photo by Dave Winter.

[Photo] Mac ‘PRIDE’ more than just school spirit

March 28, 2023
Construction crews lift beams to build the framework for the new dance studio on Feb. 17. Since, construction for the studios exterior has progressed, and the dance teachers have begun ordering everything from shelves to paints in preparation for its opening next spring.

[Photo] Mac dance makes a move

March 27, 2023
Senior Sarah Hauck and junior Ellie Knoll are all smiles moments after the final buzzer sealed the Knights redemptive win over Ann Richards to end the district season on a high note. After suffering a decisive road loss to the Stars in February, the Knights overcame an early Stars goal to take the lead 2-1 midway into the second half then answered the Stars game-tying goal with the game winner on penalty kick with three minutes remaining after Ann Richards was called for a hand ball in the box.

[Photo] Knights end regular season with huge redemption win

March 23, 2023
Current PALS Anderson Zoll, Bella Gonzalez, Leah Gordon and Kate Boyle serve snow cones at the Pink Week courtyard fundraiser. Pink Week is without a doubt an iconic school tradition, an event that has always been spearheaded by the PALs.

[Photo] THROWBACK THURSDAY: PAL program starts strong

March 9, 2023
In one memorable portion of his presentation, UT history professor Dr. Leonard Moore likened the economic legacy of this discrimination to a messed up version of Monopoly where he (representing a Black southerner) plays a board game with white neighbors in which he was not allowed to buy anything until after going around the board 20 times.

Dr. Leonard Moore: Studying Black history an excellent way for students to increase their cultural intelligence

Ava Bernitz, Morgan Eye, Ellie Loudermilk, Merrill Price, Dave Winter, and Tristen Wright
February 28, 2023
Junior co-captain Sarah Hauck finds some open space to dribble past two LASA opponents during the second half of the Knights 1-0 district loss to the Raptors at House Park Saturday morning. While the shutout loss was disappointing, Hauck found the Knights overall effort encouraging given what she deemed a lackluster effort in another big rivalry game at Ann Richards earlier in the season. “We are not the team we were last year,” Hauck said. “Our game against Ann Richards has pushed us to be more aggressive. We all have to learn to put in 100%.”

Now entering the rivalry portal … the LASA Raptors

Naomi Di-Capua and Dave Winter
February 26, 2023
In a fierce contest between two skilled and highly motivated teams, the middle of the field was a battle zone, one on which sophomore Harper Bergeron fought fearlessly all game long. Bergeron, one of the teams captains, gained possession for the Knights throughout the game and made entry passes to the forwards nearer the goal. The Knights other JV co-captain, sophomore Satya Russ, scored the Knights only goal in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

JV KNIGHTS 1, RAPTORS 1 — Defenses up to challenge of all-out offensive attack

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
February 26, 2023
After Shield co-editor in chief Evie Barnard presented a guest lecture to the class about student press rights and the New Voices campaign, Mr. Anderson passes out Student Press Freedom Day arm bands to his eighth-period students who asked for them.

[Photo] Friday Feb. 24

February 25, 2023
MacJournalism celebrated the Student Press Law Center’s fifth annual Student Press Freedom Day on Thursday. To show their support for students right to freedom of the press, they wore black armbands and provided them for any students, teachers or administrators who wanted to join them by picking up an armband in the newspaper classroom, room 134. Pictured in the photo: junior Shield staffers Naomi Di-Capua, Francie Wilhelm, Lanie Sepehri, Alice Scott and Ingrid Smith sporting their Student Press Freedom Day armbands.

[Photo] Thursday Feb. 23

February 25, 2023
A display of black armbands, reminiscent of the armbands worn by Mary Beth Tinker and others in 1959, on a table in Room 134 for students to take during Student Press Freedom Week.

[Photo] MacJournalism recognizes Student Press Freedom Week

February 25, 2023
Photo of juniors Lanie Sepehri and Meredith Grotevant preparing for distribution of Issue 2 of the Shield.

[Photo] Wednesday Feb. 23

February 25, 2023
While the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and press under the First Amendment, student journalists are not guaranteed those same rights thanks to the Hazelwood v. Kulhmeier ruling.

[Photo] Monday, Feb. 20

February 23, 2023
The alumni brain trust of Hudson Stancliff (Class of 2009), Colton Collins (Class of 2009), Travis Russell (Class of 2010) and Sam Russell (Class of 2016) survey their varsity opposition as the latest edition of McCallum Baseball takes the Northwest Park Field for the 2023 Alumni Baseball Game.

Before Collins lost the 2023 alumni game, he won it

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
February 22, 2023
LET THEM EAT CAKE: Senior Scarlett Bowmen (left) and junior Edie Birkholz (right) walk down the runway holding two cakes in outfits designed by seniors Jaoquin Godines, Clarrisa Villarreal and Esme Moreno. After directing the fashion show last year, Birkholz decided to get involved in a new way. Modeling was nerve-racking, but with her previous knowledge of the fashion show Birkholz was ready for the challenge.  “I was like third to go on so I was definitely nervous about messing up,” Birkholz said. “But I thought it was fun to be pampered and put on an outfit that I didn’t have to choose. I was initially going to change during half-time and put on a different thing, but I was like I don’t feel like doing that. I felt awesome and beautiful in Joaquin, Clarrisa and Esme’s stuff.” Birkholz enjoyed every part of the show and the outfit she wore, but her favorite part was the hoopskirt.  “I felt like a cake. I felt like I was the cake, and I think everyone should wear hoopskirts to school,” Birkholz said. “ I was like walking around backstage and telling everyone to move because I was taking up so much space. I don’t know, it was just awesome and I felt fancy.” Caption by Eliza Jensen. Photo by Morgan Eye.

Fashion show ‘reflects’ artistic identities

JoJo Barnard, Morgan Eye, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
February 21, 2023
Here is a practice for the quiz you are about to attempt. Do you know where the photographer was when they took this picture? If you guessed, the field house, you were on the money.

[Photo] Test your campus knowledge with our ice storm 2023 quiz

February 7, 2023
A worker for Asplundh Tree Expert Co., a private tree service company that works with Austin Energy, cuts branches away from power lines moments before Austin Energy restored power to about 20 homes in the Northwest Hills neighborhood late Sunday afternoon. The homes had been without power since Wednesday afternoon. A walk around the block on Monday morning revealed that two home were still completely dark, and one of them had a generator running in the driveway, a indicator that some homes in the neighborhood are likely still without power.

[Photo] Ice storm leaves students, teachers in dark

February 5, 2023

Knights vanquish Jaguars in second faceoff to stay unbeaten in district play, crack 5A state Top 25

JoJo Barnard, Isley Cameron, Lillian Gray, Amira Habib Weymouth, Stella Little, Helen Martin, Elena Ulack, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
January 24, 2023
McCallum students navigate through the rain as school dismissed on Aug. 22, 2022. Across campus, sidewalks and courtyards were flooded due to unusually heavy rainfall.

[Photo] Lack of green space causes floods

February 3, 2023
Jace Klein spots a white-winged dove during his bird-watching FIT on March 29 of last school year.

[Photo] Bringing birding to Mac

January 13, 2023
Watson coaching a soccer game in 2021.

[Photo] Where are they now?

January 2, 2023
The Class of 2022 graduated on June 2 during a commencement ceremony at the Burger Activity Center. The ceremony was replete with the traditional moments of a graduation ceremony. Principal Nicole Griffith welcomed those in attendance and introduced the school and district leaders who gathered on the dais. Class president Naya Domingo and student council president Anna McClellan led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. Members of the choir performed the Mac commencement ceremony staple, In My Life. The resilience of students and the pivotal role of teachers were two themes that emerged from Thursdays ceremony. AISD District 4 Trustee Kristin Ashy stressed the latter in an address in which he fought back tears in honoring the memory of Robb Elementary teachers Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia in order to illustrate the selfless heroism of teachers. The selfless and essential role of teachers was an idea that was later amplified in the salutatory address of Samantha Powers and the valedictory address of Alysa Spiro.  In her address to the Class of 2022, outgoing superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde praised graduates for overcoming a litany of unannounced challenges, everything from the pandemic, to the debate over masks, from the winter storm to the boil water notice, joking that she had never heard of such a thing before moving to Austin. Principal Nicole Griffith echoed that theme in her address to the class. “Your high school experience has been different than anyone could have predicted,” Griffith said. “Your sophomore year was cut short as we all went home for what we thought would be a quick little pandemic. You spent your junior year staring at little black boxes on Zoom, sometimes forgetting to mute. Then came senior year. With a mask on your face and a heart full of hope you led the charge to breathe life back into our school. When ninth graders didn’t know what they were supposed to do, you showed them. Thank you for your leadership during this trying time. Through everything you have endured, the McCallum Knights Class of 2022 has risen to the occasion. Being here today tells us all that you made it work. That you are more resilient than you ever thought. Your strength to overcome gives us all hope for the future.” Griffith went on to review the long list of stellar achievements of the Class of 2022, academic, athletic, fine arts and extracurricular. She closed with a poignant shout out to the students who balanced their school work with essential work doing in the service of their family. “During this challenging time, many of our seniors stepped up to help care for younger siblings and family members so their parents could continue to work,” Griffith said. “Others worked jobs to help their family make ends meet while attending school full time. We are proud of you for stepping up for family while you continued to manage your obligations at school.” The addresses were followed by the distribution of diplomas and a final singing of the alma mater.

[Photo] 2022: A year In review in photos

December 27, 2022
Bauld was at the center of the teams identify and chemistry as evidenced by this team photo taken out side the teams home locker room between their season-opening scrimmage wins against Anderson and Pflugerville Connally on Oct. 29.

[Photo] Surrounded by her peers, Bauld goes out a winner

December 27, 2022
AV teacher Ken Rogers gets interviewed by Austins local FOX news station in March 2020.

[Photo] Rogers to retire

December 11, 2022
Junior Sarah Hauck in last seasons bi-district championship game against Pflugerville on Mar. 25.

[Photo] Committed to committing

December 8, 2022
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