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
Evie Barnard

Evie Barnard, co-editor-in-chief

This is senior Evie Barnard’s third year on the Shield’s staff, and as a result, she has been able to rise to the position of being one of the two chief editors on the newspaper, giving her oversight over nearly every aspect of its production. She’s coming off of a productive Summer, where she balanced multiple jobs and journalistic duties. She only held onto a gig at a roller skating rink, opening up her schedule for more academic activities. Her favorite book is Jon Krakower’s Into Thin Air, where a journalist recounts the terrors he and his friends underwent on a trek up Mount Everest.


All content by Evie Barnard
Ary Sanchez homecoming queen

[Photo] Sanchez finds home plate

March 12, 2023
Austins Net Zero plan seeks to create renewable energy solutions and eliminate carbon emissions through new infrastructure, but in reality these policies push for more urbanization and grant developers tax breaks.

Hidden in plain sight

Evie Barnard, co-editor-in-chief
February 19, 2023
Oil Money graphic

[Photo]

The third major “Pinocchio” adaptation of 2022, Guillermo Del Toro’s movie adaptation of “Pinocchio” was released in select theaters on Nov. 9 and added to Netflix on Dec. 9.

[Photo] ‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio’: A beautiful adaptation

February 7, 2023
As the effects of climate change set in and politicians and corporations continue to ignore scientists warnings, it can seem like fighting for our planet is a losing battle. With the power of optimism and personal action, however, its possible to envision and make strides towards a positive and sustainable future.

[Photo] All hope is not lost

January 29, 2023
Untitled presentation (2)

[Photo] Opioid death rate still increasing

December 22, 2022
Najai Mckenzie Robinson of Crockett High School falls to her knees on the steps of the Capitol, screaming Dont shoot to protest school shootings and discontent with gun-control legislation. Photo by Madison Olsen.

Fighting for our future

Evie Barnard, co-editor in chief
December 17, 2022
Electronic cigarettes, E-cigarettes or vapes have become increasingly popular over the past decade with a rise seen especially in adolescents. While there are many reasons that could be attributed to this trend, one specific reason is the way these products are advertised — often with target audiences being minors.

[Photo] Nicotine advertising targets teens

December 12, 2022
Richter and Uehara are among the many teachers working second jobs in order to make ends meet in a city where the cost of living is always increasing and in a career that in notorious for having low pay.

[Photo] Overworked from overtime

December 5, 2022
As the time between mass school shootings have passed and as the shootings become more and more part of our everyday reality, we have become desensitized to the fact that 20 children under the age of 8 were gunned down and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut almost 10 years ago. How have we not done more?

[Photo] A Band-Aid for a bullet wound

November 30, 2022
NSPA Digital Story of the Year winner Staff, photo slideshow, first place STANDING UP, WALKING OUT After marching around the perimeter of the school, students at yesterday’s walkout regrouped by the baseball fields to share their stories of assault. Genevieve Henley was one of the students who decided to share. “It was my first time really sharing my story with anyone but close friends,” Henley said, “It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.” Afterwards, her friend Bri Wilson comforted her. “I was just really emotional,” Henley said.

[Photo] A gallery of MacJ’s national award winners

November 22, 2022
Texas Senate Bill 797 requires places of education to display the national motto “In God We Trust” on a poster or in a picture frame in every building on every campus in the state.

[Photo] Posters or propaganda?

October 15, 2022
FUN WITH FRIENDS: Sophomores Hazel Trominski, Julia Rasp and Zalie Mann pose for the camera during Pink Week’s lunch festivities. Students in the science courtyard throughout the week enjoyed the activities while spending time with friends and sporting their best pink wear. Rasp went all-out during Pink Week, pink being her favorite color. “I think it’s awesome that they’re raising money for breast cancer awareness and doing fun stuff and that a lot of it is student-organized,” Rasp said. Caption by Camilla Vandegrift.

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
With only 28 seconds left on the clock, quarterback David Houston found receiver Alexander Jourdan on the one yard line which he then proceeded to muscle his way into the end zone for a score before halftime.

[Photo] Houston’s seven touchdowns help tame the Cougars after Knights yield 28 points in first quarter

September 23, 2022
Keeping up with his strong start to the season, Mitchell Butler ran in two more touchdowns against the Cougars helping lead the comeback.

[Photo] Levy kick says good Knight to Cougars as time expires

September 15, 2022
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE: For senior Jack Stites, walking across the field as one of four captains during Thursdays game couldnt be more rewarding. “It feels like a lot of hard work paid off,” Stites said. “Ive spent a lot of time over the past three years preparing for this.” Before every football game, the chosen team captains for that game participate in the coin toss. The toss determines who kicks off and which side of the field the Knights will take first. Despite Thursdays loss,  Stites says there is nothing to do but learn from it. “We’re a young team,” Stites said. “We knew we would have to take this as a learning experience.”

Taco Shack 2022 offers a full range of emotions

Evie Barnard, JoJo Barnard , Isley Cameron , Naomi Di-Capua , Julia Husted, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Sofia Thatcher, Francie Wilhelm , and Dave Winter
August 30, 2022
Senior staff leaders Alysa Spiro (co-EIC), Lucy Marco (co-online EIC) and Madelynn NIles (co-EIC) proudly display the recently arrived fourth issue o 2021-2022 prior to heading out into the hallways to distribute it.

On Wednesdays we go to print

Evie Barnard, Sophie Leung-Lieu, and Alice Scott
July 6, 2022
A cornucopia of Senior Carnival images

A cornucopia of Senior Carnival images

Evie Barnard, Leah Gordon, and Dave Winter
May 28, 2022
ONLINE SPORTS ACTION PHOTO: The varsity girls basketball team went on the road on Tuesday to play its second game against the LASA Raptors. The Knights were on top of their game, securing a season sweep against the Raptors with a 51-32 victory. Playing before only a few spectators on an unfamiliar court, the team played stifling defense, preventing the Raptors from getting into their offensive rhythm. Several JV players moved up to bolster the varsity bench that has been decimated by injuries and illness. According to sophomore guard Esme Barraz who returned to the lineup herself on Tuesday, having more roster depth made a big difference after Friday’s tough home loss to Crockett, which left the Knights with three eligible players at game’s end. “I think our intensity needs to go up for the rest of the games and playoffs,” Barraz said. “We need to learn to play without some of our key players.” The varsity and the JV-A teams play against Anderson Friday at home. The JV game tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7:30. Caption by Francie Wilhelm. Reporting by Grace Nugent.

This is literally a SUPERIOR photo and art gallery

Evie Barnard, Amaya Collier, Meredith Grotevant, Sophie Kessler, Kai Kirkham Macias, Anna McClellan, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Lexi Ramos, Kennedy Weatherby, and Nate Williams
April 12, 2022
League of Women Voters volunteer Stephanie Land waits to assist Class of 2021 senior Jonah Brown as he registers to vote. Brown said that he planned to vote because he felt a sense of urgency about the 2020 election. I think it is always important to vote because this is a presidential election and no matter what comes out of the election, it is important to exercise your right to vote and not just sit back thinking someone else will do it for you, Brown said.

Current seniors eager to vote in gubernatorial race

Evie Barnard and Amaya Collier
February 28, 2022
DEFENSIVE DELIGHT. Coach Grant and Coach Houston bond over the team’s shared victory at the 2021 Taco Shack Bowl. As the only two paid defense coaches on staff during the game, both Grant, Houston, and the team were under great stress. Yet despite this setback, the team managed to pull through and secure the win for McCallum. “I think that was just a lot of pure emotion and joy coming to a head because it was a tough week,” Grant said about the moment. “Defensive on a two-coach staff is incredibly difficult. And I think it was not disbelief, but it was the first time we could take aside to be proud of what the kids just accomplished.” Reporting by Evie Bernard. Photo by Evie Bernard.

Evie Barnard — ILPC photo portfolio

Evie Barnard, news editor
February 27, 2022
THEY ARE THE OVERALL GRAND CHAMPIONS: The Blue Brigade officers celebrate after winning the Overall Grand Champion Award as the top officer group at the Crowd Pleasers Dance Hill Country MS/HS Showcase on Feb. 19. For junior lieutenant Sophia Kramer, the teams success was more than just a good competition day; it was a redemption story. After a disappointing awards showing at Westwood High the week before, the haul of awards at Seguin was a rejuvenating relief. “There was a huge difference between both contests, and I feel like the whole team being there improved the energy of the dances overall,” Kramer said. “We were really cracking down on time and the day of the contest everyone stepped it up and played their part.” The Blue Brigade won a team Grand Champion Award in the large school category after all of their team dances placed first and earned platinum ratings. The three Blue Brigade duets swept first, second and third places with Kramer and senior caption Charli Cevallos bringing home first place for their duet Because of you. While Kramer is excited about her personal success, she found more joy in the teams result. “We were all so excited! she said. It felt so good having all of our hard work pay off, especially having to choreograph team dances and not necessarily having much time on our own.” Caption by Grace Nugent.

Not throwing away their shot at redemption

Evie Barnard, Julia Husted, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Cassidy Levin, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Samantha Powers, Alice Scott, and Dave Winter
February 25, 2022
Aggie Will, Longhorn Bella and Sooner Bridget donned their college colors to pose for their senior photos. After Will and Bella chose their colleges, Bridget finished the rivalry triangle by choosing Norman as her college destination. “Triplets are already really rare,” Bridget said. “The possibility of us going to rival schools, added incentive to going to OU because I thought the rivalry was the coolest thing ever.”

Triplets take on a triple rivalry

Evie Barnard, news editor
December 9, 2021
Hundreds of students walked out of their third-period classes on Monday Nov. 15 in a show of support for students who have been victims of sexual abuse or sexual assault. The group met in the band parking lot and then marched around the perimeter of the school, stopping often to hear personal stories of assault and survival. Each story elicited embraces and statements of support from members of the crowd.

Standing up and walking out

Evie Barnard, Amaya Collier, Naomi Di-Capua, Emma Hagood, Julia Husted, Eliza Jensen, Cassidy Levin, Lucy Marco, Helen Martin, Kaela Martin, Lexi Ramos, Elisha Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Alysa Spiro, Francie Wilhelm, Nate Williams, and Bo Witzel
December 8, 2021

Coffeehouse enjoys triumphant return to Mac campus

Evie Barnard, Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Amaya Collier, Carter Eason, Evelyn Griffin, Cassidy Levin, Madelynn Niles, Caroline Owen, Samantha Powers, Sofia Ramon, Alice Scott, and Grace Vitale
November 10, 2021

When setting a Pink Week fundraising record is secondary

Evie Barnard, Anna Bausman, Sophi Beardslee, Lukas Bednar, Smith Bohls, Naomi Di-Capua, Cassidy Levin, Chloe Lewcock, Lucy Marco, Helen Martin, Kaela Martin, Gaby Maydozian, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Charlie Partheymuller, Samantha Powers, Sofia Ramon, Elly Schottman, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Alysa Spiro, Francie Wilhelm, Nate Williams, and Dave Winter
October 17, 2021
The portable air-conditions that had been cooling classrooms without functioning AC sit in the main hallway on the morning of Sept. 29. The short-term rental contract had expired at the units were picked up in the afternoon.

Portable AC units removed, but AC problems persist

Evie Barnard, news editor
October 5, 2021
DAY ONE DOWN: McCallum students exit campus after the school bell rang at 4:35 on Tuesday Aug. 17, marking the end of the first day of entirely on-campus school since the beginning of the pandemic. For some, the transition from virtual school was difficult because it posed different challenges for students. “The first day of school was exhausting because I havent been around that many people in so long,” Sophomore Naomi Pearson said. “I think I hit my limit of people at the beginning of second period. I think it will take a lot of adjusting.” Photo and reporting by Alice Scott.

Despite standing to lose $34.76 million in state funding, district offers virtual learning to K-6 students

Evie Barnard, news editor
September 4, 2021
DEFENSE WINS TACO SHACKS. After a McCallum offsides call on a missed field goal forced the Trojans into going for it on fourth and two, the McCallum defense made the game-saving stop at the goal line. After senior lineman Johan Holmes made the initial hit, senior safety Ez Guenther and senior linebacker Tino Rodriguez made sure the play would go no farther than the line of scrimmage. “I could see that they were in wildcat formation, and their best player was going to get the ball, and it was all going to come down to who wanted it more,” Guenther said. The play thwarted the Trojans chance at a game-winning score. The Knights then proceeded to trudge 70 yards towards the Anderson end zone and run out the clock. “This photo just shows we wanted the Taco Shack Bowl more,” Guenther said.

Taco Shack Bowl returns to normal, Taco Shack trophy returns to Mac

Evie Barnard, Amaya Collier, Lucy Marco, Helen Martin, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Charlie Partheymuller, Samantha Powers, Alysa Spiro, Kennedy Weatherby, and Dave Winter
August 31, 2021
Heather Ramsay sits in her mostly empty office at the beginning of the fall semester 2016 when she started her tenure as fine arts coordinator. Due to AISD budget shortfalls, Ramsay will no longer be working at McCallum for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. While she called McCallum family, she also said she was looking forward to future opportunities. “I feel that the universe opened a door for me that I wasnt sure whether I needed to open,” Ramsay said. “For someone whos in my position and just the way Ive always worked, I constantly have my own personal and professional goals--Im always looking into the future. So losing this position is not a stop in my life. Its just now that this particular door is closed. Ive been thinking about all these other things in my life that I have the capabilities of doing and places I want to go and live, and maybe this is the universe providing a doorway so that I can go and do that.”

Q: Why is Fine Arts Academy coordinator job being cut? A: You better sit down for the answer. It’s complicated.

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
April 14, 2021
In her first parent meeting without the interim tag, Principal Nicole Griffith unveiled a restructuring plan to streamline the administration of the Fine Arts Academy in the face of budget cuts that will eliminate the fine arts coordinator position held by Heather Ramsay since 2016.

Griffith unveils new plan for Fine Arts Academy administration at virtual town hall tonight

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
March 29, 2021
Borden painted this portrait of Oluwatoyin Salu, a model and Black LIves Matter activist. She was murdered for speaking out against her sexual assault, Borden said. I found that moving, and I wanted to create something to remember her.”

For Borden, art provides expression and purpose

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
March 24, 2021
Among artists featured in Kidds book is singer, rapper and songwriter Bryson Tiller.

Kidd draws, documents his favorite music artists in his book of profiles, ‘Rap Artists of the 2010s’

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
March 22, 2021
Martinez says that he enjoys makings films as as student because he can make films that appeal to him, for arts sake and not to make a profit.

Martinez: key to making memorable films is to stay in the moment so you can capture it forever

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
March 18, 2021
The Nostalgic, by senior Raleigh Margulies was one of 14 pieces by Mac artists chosen to advance to state VASE. “The piece of my sister holding a chicken is basically a happier depiction of our actual life,” Margulies said. “It’s reminiscent of life before the pandemic, yet taking care of the chickens is one of the things that hasn’t changed much.” Unlike most aspects of life, Margulies feels like this year’s VASE competition was actually improved by a virtual format. “Normal VASE is usually an all-day event and involves a lot of waiting around, so it can be kind of boring. The interviews are a bit nerve-racking,” Margulies said. “I actually liked VASE this year. It felt more relaxed for the students.”

A virtual VASE gallery of MAC state finalists

Evie Barnard, Kate Boyle, Josie Bradsby, Olivia Capochiano, Ellen Fox, Evelyn Griffin, Lucy Marco, Anna McClellan, Samantha Powers, Sofia Ramon, Lydia Reedy, Bella Russo, and Alice Scott
March 10, 2021
English teacher Nikki Northcutt tapes a flyer to the AISD Southfield building at a teacher rally on Sep. 26, 2020. Caravans of AISD staff organized by Education Austin drove to the district headquarters to protest campus re-openings and raise questions and concerns for the district.

Teachers union writes TEA asking for local autonomy

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
March 5, 2021
Wearing surgical gloves and using metal tongs, new facilities manager Camille Nix asks math teacher Scott Pass if he wants a glazed doughnut, a chocolate glazed doughnut or both. The sweet Friday treats came courtesy of the Mac administration.

Running McCallum, then and now

Evie Barnard and Sofia Ramon
January 3, 2021
The Clubhouse (left) hosts a night of live music and an impromptu viewing party of President-elect Joe Bidens acceptance speech on Nov 7.

A clubhouse without walls

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
December 17, 2020
After 14 years of teaching, 12 in Austin ISD and less than two at Mac, Cassandra Troy is leaving Mac and Texas to move to Colorado, citing health concerns over COVID and the districts response to it.

Ms. Troy leaves McCallum over safety concerns

Evie Barnard and Kate Boyle
November 6, 2020
McCallum parent and Allandale resident Nancy Mohn Barnard scans the Top Notch menu.“We ordered online and then me and my family went to the car hop and pressed the call button,” Barnard says. ”We told them we were there and they brought out our order. It all felt very safe and the food was great.”

To fend off COVID impact, restaurant owners rely on their ingenuity, employee loyalty and local customer support

Evie Barnard, staff reporter
October 15, 2020
A CROSSING BETWEEN WORK AND PLAY: My father works while my sister, Sonya, plays Animal Crossing. My mother has been using the game as bribery to get my sister to do schoolwork. So far it has been working. Photo by Evie Barnard.

Balancing work and family in COVID-19 times

May 5, 2020
PLAY FIGHTING: My grandpa and my brother are a lot a like, so they get along really well. Sometimes though, they like to start play fighting for no reason. Photo by Lily Brode.

Stay-home order creates chances to bond

Ava Medina, Charlie Partheymuller, Jolie Gabriel, Megan McHorse, Noah Lawrence, Anna Nagle, Evie Barnard, Anna Garcia, Dave Winter, Lily Prather, Josie Bradsby, Lily Wilson, Lily Brode, Dylan Neal, Maggie Provost, Theo Roe, Reagan Dias, and Camille Wilson
April 21, 2020
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