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
Julia Copas

Julia Copas, photo editor

Julia Copas is a junior and this is her second year on staff. This year she is the photo editor and is proud to say she is on the 2024 ATPI Imagemaker Team and an UIL All-State Journalist for the second year in a row. As a returning staffer, she is excited to grow her skills in writing and photography. When she is not busy with MacJ, she enjoys watching basketball and researching her family’s ancestry. Outside of The Shield, Copas is a member of Link Crew. In the future, she hopes to be a team photographer for the NBA.

All content by Julia Copas
Senior Ben Polega poses with parents Jeff and Victoria Polega and their dog Friday for the football team's Senior Knight.

[Photo] Stepping up to the plate

Beatrix Lozach, staff writer
May 1, 2025

Freshman phenom makes most of her opportunity

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
April 30, 2025
McIntyre, No. 22, wraps up a Liberty Hill ball carrier during the Knights' epic battle with eventual district champion Liberty Hill.

[Photo] For the love of the game

Fletcher Vandegrift, staff reporter
April 28, 2025
We have covered a lot of Mac moments here. To celebrate post No. 10,000, we take a look back at some of the moments that made a significant impact in our collective life at Mac.

10,000 posts and counting

Shayla Allen, Evie Barnard, Elin Campana Wadman, Ian Clennan, Amaya Collier, Julia Copas, Kylie Elkow, Gaby Esquivel, Morgan Eye, Lillian Gray, Gregory James, Sophie Kessler, Delaney Lavelle, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Emerson Merritt, Olin Michalovic, Esme Moreno, Grace Nugent, Mads Olsen, Charlie Partheymuller, Adrian Peña, Lexi Ramos, Bella Russo, Sofia Saucedo, Alice Scott, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Stella Shenkman, Bela Tapperson, Isabela Tellez, Camilla Vandegrift, Lucas Walker, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, Dave Winter, and many more
April 22, 2025
Several of the AISD police officers who remained on campus to aid with dismissal after it was deemed safe to lift the secure hold on the campus attended the faculty briefing that took place in the cafeteria immediately after school.

AISD police chief reveals details of threat on McCallum campus, police response to it

JoJo Barnard and Julia Copas
March 14, 2025

Brode, Kahlor on friendship, being labeled underdogs, and how to overcome as a team

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
February 21, 2025

Chen talks team culture, stepping up as a leader

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
February 20, 2025
Senior Captain Catherine Haikola performs the team's "pom" contest dance to a Pitbull remix at halftime during the boys' varsity basketball game on Jan. 28 in the large gym. Caption by Josie Mullan. Photo by Julia Copas.

[Photo] Return to the floor

Josie Mullan, co-web managing editor
February 28, 2025
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

[Photo] Senior Knights get royal sendoff

Shila Gill, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Arwen Pelletier, Maya Tackett, Callen Romell, Fletcher Vandegrift, Nate Williams, and Josie Mullan
February 19, 2025
THE POM ENSEMBLE: The Blue Brigade took the stage at the gym last Wednesday to host its annual pre-contest showcase. The team performed all of its dances for a small audience, to help them prepare for the upcoming competition season. Sophomore Lauren Brewer, a member of the pom ensemble, said the show-off helped the team grasp what competition would be like. “The show-off helped a lot with preparing for the contest because it gave us a chance to perform our dances in front of an audience and practice on a gym floor before the contest,” Brewer said. To be in the pom ensemble, dancers must survive tryouts. “Our pom ensemble is a super fun dance because it is upbeat, and I really like the choreography and songs in the mix,” Brewer said. “It's also a fun experience to get to be in the dance as it is a selective group of dancers.” Caption by Sienna Martens. Photo by Julia Copas.

[Photo] Twirl, leap and spin into contest season

Daniela Di-Capua, Evelyn Jenkins, Josie Linton, Sienna Martens, Harper Maxwell, Katie Martin, Piper Norfolk, Elizabeth Nation, and Mira Patel
February 4, 2025
Senior George McCoy celebrates after scoring his 1,000th career point on Jan. 24 at Anderson. The varsity boys basketball team completed a season sweep with a 60-40 victory against the Trojans that also allowed them to keep the Taco Shack Shields Collide trophy that they have brought home all three times the new rivalry trophy has been at stake. About four and a half minutes into the third quarter, McCoy was just one point away from 1,000. After an Anderson 3-pointer that cut McCallum's lead to six, senior Tommy Ammerman took back possession of the ball and passed to McCoy. McCoy then dribbled the ball downcourt, avoiding two Anderson defenders before pausing to take a 2-point shot from the paint. As the ball floated through the air towards the basket, the gym was nearly silent for a moment. When the ball swished through the hoop, however, the Anderson gym returned to its typical noise level as McCallum students, parents, coaches and basketball players erupted in celebration. Caption and photo by Julia Copas.

[Photo] Photos of the week

November 11, 2014
Traditional matcha whisk (Chasen) and matcha powder.

[Photo] From jitters to zen

Mira Patel, design editor
January 22, 2025
Cheer Co-captain Lilia Williams performs front and center at a basketball halftime show, put on by the cheerleaders in January of 2024

[Photo] From the football field to the UIL stage

Magnolia Mass, staff reporter
January 17, 2025
Junior Lark Thompson performs with color guard during halftime at Bastrop on Sept. 17.

[Photo] Concentrating on color guard

Josie Mullan, co-web managing editor
February 16, 2025
Kai Talebi is introduced the crowd before the varsity volleyball team's senior night game versus Bastrop in the large gym.

[Photo] What’s next for senior athletes?

Piper Adair, Mac photojournalism
January 7, 2025
HISTORIC OFFENSIVE OUTPUT: Senior quarterback Luke Dunham looks downfield after evading the initial defenders for a positive gain in the fourth quarter of the Knights' 78-57 loss at eventual district champion Liberty Hill on Oct. 25. While the game did not end in the victory for the Knights, the moral victory of putting up 57 points on a team of Liberty Hill's caliber and the offensive statistics achieved during the game make it a historic day for McCallum football despite the loss. Dunham must have achieved the best statistical day ever for a McCallum quarterback. He threw for 501 yards and five touchdowns and also rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Those gaudy numbers increased his passing yards per game average to an impressive 316.6 passing yards per game at that point in the season. Senior wide receive Mark Sanchez had a similarly stellar game statistically on both sides of the ball. On offense, he hauled in 14 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he made 14 tackles. Heisman winner Travis Hunter would love to have had a two-way game with those stats.

[Photo] From Friday Knights to future heights

Dylan Hopper, Mac photojournalism
January 3, 2025
EXCLAIMING FOR THE ECLIPSE: Freshmen Jack Wood, Arwen Pelletier and Cole Truong watch the eclipse from the softball field with their digital media class. Pelletier said she was glad she chose to experience the eclipse with friends at school. “So many kids were exclaiming whenever the clouds broke and you could actually see it,” Pelletier said. “I live really close, and my mom was at home and she was outside. She said that she could hear everyone yelling.” For Pelletier, the highlight of the eclipse was the few seconds when the clouds parted and the eclipse was visible in totality. “I'll always be able to remember what it looks like in my mind,” Pelletier said. “Some things I think about, but I can't remember what they looked like. But this was memorable enough and incredible enough that I'll be able to picture it forever.” Caption by Ingrid Smith.

2024: A year in review in photos

Julia Copas, Morgan Eye, Lillian Gray, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Sophia Manos, Katie Martin, Emerson Merritt, Josie Mullan, Elizabeth Nation, Callen Romell, Eva Sanchez, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Adele Seeboth, Ingrid Smith, Priya Thoppil, Camilla Vandegrift, Wren Vanderford, Nate Williams, and Dave Winter
December 31, 2024

[Video] Kite looks back on overall success as a golfer

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
December 20, 2024

[Video] After four years on varsity, more than 1,200 kills, senior eyes next chapter of her volleyball career

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
November 28, 2024
A sign sits outside of Richard Lord's Boxing Gym, which has been a staple of the Austin boxing community for decades.

[Photo] One punch at a time

Evelyn Jenkins, a&e editor
February 10, 2025
Senior Sonya Petersen boards the bus during the girls basketball playoffs send off on Feb. 13 last year.

[Photo] Bouncing back into basketball

Maya Tackett, people editor
December 12, 2024
Senior captain Greta Carlson celebrates point with her team after scoring a kill against the LASA Raptors on Oct. 11.

[Photo] Raptors down, Knights up

Sofia Saucedo, social media specialist
November 14, 2024
Junior Aanyia Thornton passes the ball during the Knights varsity playoff game against Hendrickson.

[Photo] Leader and libero

December 29, 2024

[Video] Lentz reflects on successful season, looks forward

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
November 8, 2024
Lockers in the senior hallway decorated for homecoming spirit week.

[Photo] Once roaring, now boring

Adele Seeboth, staff reporter
January 8, 2025
ONE LAST BATTLE CRY: Seniors Joe Colaleo and Theo Northcutt dressed as Mario and Waluigi cheer hard as they win their last senior battle cry. “I was very excited and happy because we had just won,” Colaleo said. “Now that I look back on it, it feels a little sad knowing I can’t go to another one.” Colaleo said although the moment was bittersweet, it’s also nice to know other things in life are coming up. Colaleo and his two friends said they dressed as Mario characters because it was a simple and fun costume idea. “I decided on the costume because it’s so iconic and recognizable,” Colaleo said. Caption by Josie Linton.

Students, faculty convene campus costume party

Julia Copas, Josie Linton, Sienna Martens, Katie Martin, Harper Maxwell, Elizabeth Nation, Mira Patel, Eva Sanchez, and Wren Vanderford
November 6, 2024
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]."

[Photo] From spirit days to dance nights, homecoming brings high spirits

Shila Gill, August Gleason, Hudson Hensley, Chloe Lewcock, V Overstreet, Arwen Pelletier, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, Nate Williams, Zev Zent, and Callen Romell
October 29, 2024
Fabian Fleischer is from Hamburg, Germany but is doing an exchange year in the US in Austin, TX for the 2024-25 school year. Fleischer noted that the academic experience in the US is very different than Germany. “The teachers are more friendly and the classes are also different, you chose them here,” Fleischer said. “We work with Chromebooks, we don’t have that in Germany, we work more with books and paper. Also, the agenda of the classes is different, you do more in Germany just on your own, and here you do more with groups and with the teacher together.”

[Photo] From Germany to game day

Josie Mullan, co-web managing editor
October 29, 2024
A PINK WEEK FACIAL: Basketball coach Carlin Shaw had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide as his basketball players who are also in PALS are numerous, and, as this photo attests, very accurate shooters. Math teacher Kelly Wroblewski was also one of the teachers who was selected by students to get pied. "Two of my students are PALS and they asked if they could pie me in the face," Wroblewski said. "They were like please, please, please, so I was finally like OK." Wroblewski said she was also able to get her son involved in the pieing alongside her. "I went home and told him, and he immediately said he wanted to get pied in the face as well," Wroblewski. Caption by Josie Mullan.

[Photo] PALS work to fight breast cancer, bring campus together

JoJo Barnard, Daniela Di-Capua, Carson Duncan, Josie Mullan, Elizabeth Nation, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Adele Seeboth, and Fletcher Vandegrift
October 15, 2024
Adidas, New Balances, Tigers, Reebok, Pumas. Which one will come out on top?

[Photo] Some of these shoes knock our socks off

Sofia Saucedo and Sophia Manos
January 2, 2025

Robinson talks about his past, present, future

Julia Copas and Callen Romell
October 4, 2024
Starting right tackle senior John Scott Mabry hydrates while the McCallum Knights run an offensive play during their game against Dallas Pinkston on Sept 13.

[Photo] Heat causes changes in athletics

Maya Tackett, people editor
October 10, 2024
SO CLOSE: Sophomore Tre Tre Lewis goes to shake Principal Andy Baxa’s hand before they play the pom pom game at Friday’s pep rally. “I got pretty close to winning,” Lewis said. “I’m not mad about the loss though, I had fun.” Even after falling short, Lewis said that he still  enjoyed the pep rally. “The pep rally was so cool,” Lewis said. “Seeing all those people with all their spirit really gave me a sense of McCallum pride.” Caption by V Overstreet.

[Photo] Teacher feels the love thrice on Friday

Noah Braun, August Gleason, Hudson Hensley, Carlo Hinsdale, Evelyn Jenkins, Maggie Mass, Piper Norfolk, V Overstreet, Arwen Pelletier, Priya Thoppil, and Zev Zent
September 24, 2024
The Knights take the field ahead of their shutout win over Navarro last season. This win was part of a five-game win streak to end their regular season play and help them advance into the playoffs.

[Photo] Hope springs eternal as 2024 season begins

Callen Romell, sports editor
August 29, 2024
Class of 2024 graduate Jude Masoni links pinkies with his fellow M's during as the graduates sing the class song at the end of the commencement ceremony on May 30.

[Photo] The pursuit of Liberty

Shila Gill, staff reporter
July 10, 2024
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[Photo] Senior sports stars sign off

Priya Thoppil, staff reporter
June 29, 2024
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson took part in this year’s parade. It wasn’t his first time and likely won’t be his last. Watson shared on June 19 in his newsletter, The Watson Wire, that the event has always been something he enjoys and looks forward to.  “The Austin Juneteenth Parade…continues to be one of my favorite community events,” he said. “There’s tons of fun energy and friends and neighbors and little kids who love their candy. And there’s history–of resilience, freedom and hope.” Being the mayor of a large city like Austin is no small task, but Watson feels that experiences like these help make it all worthwhile.  “Celebrating community events such as Juneteenth is a fun part of the job.” he said. “People enjoy each other, hug each other, yell out greetings to each other and to me, and people laugh. … You feel the love in our community and its people.” Caption by Lillian Gray.

[Photo] Juneteenth parade brings community together

Lillian Gray, staff reporter
June 25, 2024
The McCallum 7-on-7 team poses for a photo after going 4-0 at the Lake Travis State Qualifying Tournament.

McCallum boldly enters era of modern football with 7-on-7 conquest at Lake Travis tournament

Julia Copas, photo editor
May 31, 2024
Government teacher Erin Summervile and dance teacher and boys basketball coach Terrance Carson smile as they race back on defense as the teachers' team bench erupts in unison after Summerville's 3-pointer padded the faculty team's first-quarter advantage over the girls varsity. The teachers led by five after one, eight at half and ended up winning the game by nine.

[Photo] Taking out the trash talk

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
May 19, 2024
A floor plan layout of the new McCallum High School, displaying all four projected renovation phases. Photo courtesy of AISD.

Bond renovation plans take shape

Julia Copas, staff reporter
April 4, 2024
A TICKET TO PLAYOFFS: After beating Ann Richards 2-1 in their regular district season, the McCallum Girls’ Varsity Knights secured their move in the playoffs. The win marked their official win in district, and would allow them to continue their fight in the next rounds. For senior Ellie Knoll, the game was not only about winning, but celebrating the work it took the team to get to the point they did. “It was so special for all of us,” Knoll said. “Losing to LASA flipped a switch in us and made us more hungry to win.” The loss to LASA proved to be motivation for the Knights to improve as a team and continue their feats in the district season with hopes of making it to playoffs. “Still feels good to win, especially since it puts us above LASA,” Knoll said. “I really felt like it solidified who we are as a team and what we’re capable of. LASA won a lot of awards for the district which we felt we deserved, so it proved that we are the stronger, better team.” Knoll notes the district win was a group effort from her teammates and coach. She notes getting to celebrate with Girls Varsity Soccer coach Thomas Gamerdinger’s daughter added an extra note of specialness to the win. “It was just a super sweet moment,” Knoll said. “She always shows up with the coach and brings such a good attitude.” Knoll and the team celebrated the win, reflecting upon what went well in the game, as well as what to work on for the upcoming challenges they were faced with. “I think we did a great job finding the balance between defense and offense,” Knoll said. “It was one of my first times playing defense so it was definitely something different, but I feel the back line really shined that game.” Caption by Chloe Lewcock.

[Photo] Girls soccer makes historic 5A playoff run

JoJo Barnard, Shila Gill, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Lewcock, Maggie Mass, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Francie Wilhelm
April 2, 2024
ROLES REVERSED: Late in the second half of a 61-34 home win over Crockett on Jan. 2, the Knight bench and coaching staff cheers with abandon because reserve player Carter Chick converted an offensive rebound into a layup for his first points of the season. For starter Henry Mayes, No.10, cheering for Chick was a reversal of roles that he relished. “Carter is, in the best way, the loudest player on the bench and starts team chants every single time,” Mayes said. “He is without a doubt the best team player and genuinely always happy to be with the rest of the guys. His energy is very contagious on the court. I always feel a lot more confident when I can hear my teammates cheering for me, but Carter’s is definitely the voice you’ll hear screaming from the bench.” Mayes was quick to credit the coaching staff for creating a culture where the team plays with high energy and consistent effort. “The Knights have a great mentality to play until the final buzzer no matter what the scoreboard reads,” Mayes said. The scoreboard has been a pretty good read for McCallum this season. The Knights remain undefeated in district play at 13-0 and need only to secure a win against 3-8 Northeast next Tuesday to complete a perfect district season and claim their first district title in 13 years.

[Photo] A spring break shout out for our SIPA winners

Shield staff
March 12, 2024
Coda slips past the LBJ defense and elevates for a shot attempt during the JV Knights road loss to the Jags in December. While Becker admits that there are a lot of differences between his two B sports, basketball and bowling, two similarities reman: he loves playing both sports, and they both require precision for a player to be successful.

[Photo] Bowling, balling, Becker

JoJo Barnard, online managing editor
March 11, 2024
STRUTTING BACK IN TIME: Senior Kylie Reeves poses in a 1970s-inspired look created by sophomores Milane Boudou, Maggie Mass and Sophia Manos. While this was her first fashion show, Reeves felt that the runway walk came easily with consistency, coaching and confidence. “We practiced with music and got critiqued on our walking and pose timing,” Reeves said. This look’s trio of designers didn’t hesitate to include Reeves in the creative process, allowing her to incorporate her own jewelry and boots into the finished product. “The designers were super sweet and easy to work with,” Reeves said. “Collaborating with others and keeping an open mind helps a project blossom into its highest potential.” Caption by Caroline Owen.

[Photo] Mac fashion show brings ‘Dreamland’ to reality

JoJo Barnard, Chloe Lewcock, Callen Romell, Ingrid Smith, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Francie Wilhelm
February 21, 2024
Senior King Perez-Cude playing drums at Battle at the Bands. Perez-Cude shared that the band performed well overall and that the audience’s reaction was the best payoff. “My most memorable moment from that night was seeing everyone jumping off the stage and moshing,” he said. “It is always awesome seeing people enjoy our music in that way.” Caption by Gaby Esquivel.

[Photo] Energetic audience participation takes 2024 Battle of the Bands to the next level

Mira Patel, staff reporter
February 25, 2024

ILPC Print Photo Portfolio

Julia Copas, staff reporter
February 16, 2024

ILPC Photo Portfolio

Julia Copas, staff reporter
February 16, 2024
MORAL SUPPORT: The best way to spread coffee house cheer; Seniors Jaella Brush, Sophia Garza and Clara McFadden sit closest to the front to applaud the coffee house performers. Brush believes that as a senior it is important to attend school events such as Coffeehouse as her high-school career comes to a close this semester. “We went to coffeehouse for many reasons,” Brush said. “First off it’s our senior year so we all want to be involved as much as we can in school activities especially now in the second semester.” Brush also attributes her desire to be at coffeehouse to the performers on the lineup. “We know a few of the people involved in the coffeehouse process so we wanted to support them all,” Brush said. “We had to come see the senior bands like Nest and OOGWEI as well as Robin Kulhanek.” Brush believes that each performance stood out in their own way. “I may be biased but I think Jackson playing the flugelhorn in Nest was pretty cool,” Brush said. “It wasn’t like anything else I’ve seen or heard especially from a MAC band and it rocked.” Amidst her rounds of cheering, there was a point where Brush found herself cheering the loudest she would all night. “We cheered the loudest for robin just cause not only are they a friend to all of us but they’re so talented,” Brush said. “Robin's song was so good. A lot of the performances were good of course but their song felt so well written and emotional I recorded the whole thing.” Caption by Morgan Eye.

[Photo] Annual coffeehouse incorporates Dracula theme

Morgan Eye, Chloe Lewcock, Sophia Manos, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, Maya Tackett, and Priya Thoppil
February 14, 2024
AN EVEN MATCH: Senior Caroline passes the ball down the field during the game against LASA last Wednesday. Earlier in the game, Owen scored McCallum’s sole goal by heading in a corner kick taken by senior Kat Klein. The game concluded with a 1-1 tie. Owen knew that her competition would be fierce before the game even started. “LASA is at a higher level than most of the teams we play,” Owen said. “This game was harder mentally because we’re not used to playing such close games.” Even though her team didn’t necessarily win, Owen is glad to not have had to walk home with a loss.  “I’m glad we got the first round against them out of the way without a loss because next time we’ll know what to expect,” she said.  Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] Win, lose or draw (actually all three)

JoJo Barnard, Morgan Eye, August Gleason, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Sofia Saucedo, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Camilla Vandegrift
January 31, 2024
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