A first day filled with firsts JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Naomi Di-Capua, Gaby Esquivel, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, and Francie Wilhelm August 15, 2023
‘Cows’ a graze show with mooving performances JoJo Barnard, Kate Boyle, Julia Copas, Lanie Sepehri, Alice Scott, Elena Ulack, Lucas Walker, and Francie Wilhelm May 2, 2023
Banned Book Club fights censorship, fosters community, conversation … one book at a time Ingrid Smith and Elena Ulack April 12, 2023
Fashion show ‘reflects’ artistic identities JoJo Barnard, Morgan Eye, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter February 22, 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 25, 2023
First alumni ‘game’ since 2019 morphs into ‘everything, everywhere, all at once’ scrimmages JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Morgan Eye, Chloe Lewcock, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, Francie Wilhelm, and David Winter January 11, 2023
Pink Week 2022 sets standard for fun, fundraising Evie Barnard, JoJo Bernard, Isley Cameron, Jolie Gabriel, Chloe Lewcock, Gergo Major, Helen Martin, Emerson Merritt, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Rio Sotelo, Sofia Thatcher, Elena Ulack, Camilla Vandegrift, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter October 4, 2022
Band shines bright at Cap City JoJo Barnard, Gaby Esquivel, Morgan Eye, Helen Martin, Devin Neal, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, and Francie Wilhelm September 27, 2022
New school year brings mix of young, veteran teachers Sophie Leung-Lieu, Kate Boyle, Alice Scott, Chloe Lewcock, Elena Ulack, Naomi Di-Capua, Sofia Thatcher, and JoJo Barnard September 20, 2022
‘Starry Knights’ return to their proper alignment Zahraa Alogaili, Naomi Di-Capua, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Helen Martin, Madelynn Niles, Charlie Partheymuller, Alice Scott, Elena Ulack, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter May 3, 2022
Knights tame Panthers to repeat as bi-district champs Meliah Arias, Oliver Boyd, Chris Ferina, Cassidy Levin, Grace Vitale, Elena Ulack, and Kennedy Weatherby March 29, 2022
Mac music programs ring in the the holiday season with return of December concert series Evelyn Griffin, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Julian Magee, Lucy Marco, Caroline Owen, Samantha Powers, Elena Ulack, and Francie Wilhelm December 15, 2021
Band named Cap City grand champions Terra Balentine, Noah Braun, Naomi Di-Capua, Morgan Eye, Patrice Jones, Cassidy Levin, Julian Magee, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Maya Thompson, Elena Ulack, Grace Vitale, and Francie Wilhelm September 28, 2021
![MAKING MOO-VES IN THE ENSEMBLE: Sophomores Zoe Maxwell and Robin Kulhanek, senior Atticus Adair, juniors Addie Knight and Henry Mayes and sophomore Zalie Mann perform "Notice Me" on the opening night of Cows: the Moosical.
Maxwell, who was a member of the three-person ensemble, found dancing on Cows to be an especially intimate experience compared to their past experiences with MacTheater.
“I had worked with everyone in the cast before, and it was really refreshing to have fun with something that was so homemade,” Maxwell said.
Not only was Cows a smaller-scale production but also a faster-paced one. According to Maxwell, rehearsals were hectic but still fun.
“There were probably only a few rehearsals where everybody in the cast was there,” Maxwell said. “[Mann] and I spent the week before and of the show running back and forth between Cows rehearsal and Mac Dance rehearsals. It was very much ‘down to the last minute’ kind of rehearsal, but once the adrenaline kicked in, everything came together.”
During this frenzied pre-show period, Maxwell worked closely with director, choreographer and writer senior Anderson Zoll to perfect her performances of the many dance numbers throughout the show.
“I had some prior experience working with Anderson as the choreographer for both Pippin and Descendants, but it was really incredible seeing him work not just for choreo, but writing, staging and managing all together,” Maxwell said. “I think he’s a great choreographer, and he’s super open to suggestions and collaboration.”
Once the lights were on and the stage was set, Maxwell saw the fruits of their, and the rest of cast and crew’s, labor reflected in the audience’s reactions.
“[I loved] watching the cast from the sides and hearing the crowd laugh at all the parts I love in the show,” Maxwell said. “I think also getting to perform in the FABT for the first time was a great experience.”
Caption by Francie Wilhelm.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/09_MAKING-MOO-VES-IN-THE-ENSEMBLE-e1683085502678-900x618.jpg)
![BACK TOGETHER AGAIN: Former McCallum soccer players pose for a group photo at the annual varsity vs. alumni match. The teams of graduated Knights consisted of students as recent as the Class of ‘22 all the way back to 2003. After two years of COVID delays, coach Nick Martin was finally able to hold the match on Dec. 28.
“[The alumni game] provides like a continuity for the program. It doesn’t matter what year you are,” Martin said.
While some organizational changes were made to the event this year, with matches being held tournament style rather than a free-for-all, Martin maintained the spirit of community that the match holds for his past and current players.
“Getting the chance to come back and see each other whilst also playing some soccer is something me and my friends have a hard time turning down,” class of 2021 alumn Aiden Golliher said. “I’d predict and hope that as the years continue, the close-knit community the boys varsity had will continue [and] that will allow this program to grow.”
Caption by Francie Wilhelm. Photo by Morgan Eye.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dsc_2412_52601882073_o-900x600.jpg)
![NSPA Photo of the Year winner
Elena Ulack, news photo, honorable mention
"PARENTS OF TRANS YOUTH PROTEST AT CAPITOL"
Trans youth parent Susan Mack attended the Trans Youth Rally at the Capitol on March 1. “My trans kid is beautiful,” Mack said. “From the time that they came out, they've really helped me change and grow my perspective and be more empathetic to everyone who is trans.” Mack gave a powerful speech about when she first became aware of the legislation and how she wanted to hide her head in the sand like an “ostrich.” She didn't want to accept the reality for her child. After doing some reflection, Mack realized that the only way to protect her child and other trans children is to fight for them and try to vote out of office the people currently attacking them. “What I found is that kids need help, not just my kid, but all trans kids, because trans kids are kids,” Mack said. “Hopefully [people showing up today] will help them know that there are a lot of Texans who do actually support them.”](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/NSPA-News-1-Shield-Elena-Ulack-900x507.jpg)
![NSPA Photo of the Year winner
Elena Ulack, news photo, honorable mention
"PARENTS OF TRANS YOUTH PROTEST AT CAPITOL"
Trans youth parent Susan Mack attended the Trans Youth Rally at the Capitol on March 1. “My trans kid is beautiful,” Mack said. “From the time that they came out, they've really helped me change and grow my perspective and be more empathetic to everyone who is trans.” Mack gave a powerful speech about when she first became aware of the legislation and how she wanted to hide her head in the sand like an “ostrich.” She didn't want to accept the reality for her child. After doing some reflection, Mack realized that the only way to protect her child and other trans children is to fight for them and try to vote out of office the people currently attacking them. “What I found is that kids need help, not just my kid, but all trans kids, because trans kids are kids,” Mack said. “Hopefully [people showing up today] will help them know that there are a lot of Texans who do actually support them.”](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elena-Ulack_Documentary_A_1-900x507.jpg)
![ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES: Seniors Mira Wagner and Tyler Mankinen duke it out during the first moments of the final round at the Cap City Marching Competition. The 2022 marching show “Seeing Stars” gets its name from its boxing theme, and according to Wagner, who represents the woodwinds section, the early fight scene “definitely sets the tone.”
“Right off the bat you see two people fighting so you know that this show is full of energy,” Wagner said.” “Even throughout the show the woodwinds and brass are ‘competing’ against each other which goes with the boxing theme.”
Mankinen, who represents the brass section, believes the fight scene is a crucial element in the marching show.
“[The fight scene] usually gets the crowd pumped up and draws the attention of the audience into the show,” Mankinen said. “The show is super unique and seeing the crowd react to an unconventional element of a marching show is really exciting.”
Caption and photo by Morgan Eye.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/img_5736_52385662511_o-900x600.jpg)
![FIVE-STAR CAPTAIN: In "One Night Only," the opening number of the spring show on Saturday night, Blue Brigade captain Charli Cevallos is front and center setting the mood and tempo for the number and entire show. Cevallos said the opening number of the spring show is always upbeat and fun and this year’s edition was no exception. Cevallos said she remembers the moment as one of pure adrenaline. “Since opener is the first dance, the excitement is running high and it’s such a great feeling to be performing our hard work for an audience.” As the photo suggests, the team was able to perform the number in sync even though it was a new dance choreographed exclusively for the spring show by first lieutenant Annabel Winter (left) and senior lieutenant Emily Garza. “Opener was our first spring show dance we learned,” Cevallos said, “and it came together super well. … [It was] definitely a team favorite.” Cevallos said her favorite part of the number was the very beginning when Winter (left) woke her up stage left from a deep sleep to start the show. “It’s so fun,” she said, “and the audience loved it.” For the first time in three years, that audience was in the MAC and at full capacity without pandemic restrictions.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dsc04748_52025488192_o-900x600.jpg)
![SINGING FOR SCROOGE: To preface the choir concert, a group of choir members sang Christmas carols in a “Dickens-esque” fashion. Senior chamber choralist, Evelyn Griffin (second from the left), told Macjournalsim that the group stuck to classic Christmas songs. “[We sang] 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas,' some Latin thing, 'Silent Night,' that kind of thing,” Griffin said. “My wardrobe situation was a bit stressful, but I enjoy singing with tenors and basses.” Caption by Lucy Marco.](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/dsc00040_51737185954_o-900x600.jpg)
![Sophomore Gabi Alfarache (left) mid-bout. Having a good coach is important to success, and Alfrache has just that. Coming from Yale University to central Texas, Michael Kim became another father figure for Alfarache, “My ultimate role model is my coach [Kim]. He came from Korea to the United States when he was a teenager, and didn’t start fencing until college. He’s coached world champions, olympians, and even left his coaching position at Yale University to come coach in Texas. I really do think of him as my second father.”](https://macshieldonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/586587E8-F4BE-4135-9BAA-0FD8F0205275-1-e1638232353826-900x550.jpeg)
