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The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
Lindsey Plotkin

Lindsey Plotkin

All content by Lindsey Plotkin
ITS FOOTBALL BABY: Holding his daughter Camilla, head football coach Thomas Gammerdinger runs the football teams at the Manor scrimmage in 2019. At this particular game, Gammerdinger had to bring his daughter in spite of the summer heat because she hadnt hadnt been feeling well. Luckily, he had plenty of help from his assistant coaches. Camillas personal favorite being Coach Steve Searle. Anytime Camilla is up here, theyll all jump in and help take care of her, Gammerdinger said.Though Camilla was a fun addition to the team on Thursday, she is seldom on the sidelines at games. Gammerdinger says his schedule with football limits his time with his daughter: Its hard not being with her all the time, he said. I usually wake up and leave before she even wakes up, then I come home to her fast asleep. Although it is never a good thing for a baby to be sick, parents and players at McCallum were sure glad that they got to see her at the scrimmage.

[Photo] Coach G values empathy, improvement, community

Anna McClellan, design editor
February 20, 2022
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.

The year in review in photos

Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Morgan Eye, Evelyn Griffin, Meredith Grotevant, Anna McClellan, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Lindsey Plotkin, Lexi Ramos, Bella Russo, Elisha Scott, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
December 28, 2021
Lindsey Plotkin: NSPA Designer of the Year portfolio

Lindsey Plotkin: NSPA Designer of the Year portfolio

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight co-editor in chief
June 25, 2021
STICKING WITH TRADITION: The McCallum Blue Brigade sticks the final pose during Last Dance to conclude their first Spring Show of 2021 on Friday April 16. “My favorite dance is ‘Last Dance’ because its such a classic!” junior member Natalie Dean said. I think it’s so fun, happy and a great way to end spring show every year,” The routine is full of memories for members past and present as it has been performed at the end of every spring show since 1991. Speaking of traditions, Dean helped to keep another spring show tradition alive when she made a slide show that included photos from the season as well as a tribute to seniors that included current and baby pictures of each graduating dancer.  Reporting by Grace Nugent.

Blue Brigade ends tough year with triumphant show

Marley Angle, Carly Johnson, Lucy Marco, Anna McClellan, Caleb Melville, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Samantha Powers, Lindsey Plotkin, Lydia Reedy, Anna Schlett, Alice Scott, Alysa Spiro, Javier Vela, and Kennedy Weatherby
April 27, 2021
Hopeful that his shot will find the goal, senior forward Luis Auyero watches as it find the bottom corner before turning to celebrate with his team. The game was a tale of two Auyero goals. He accidentally scored the games first goal on an own goal off a LASA free kick, but he made up for it by finishing his game-winning shot off a cross from junior Michael Alverson.

After 2020 meltdown, Knights prove mettle by mounting 2021 comeback, clinching playoff berth

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight co-editor in chief
March 14, 2021
Health students during sixth period on Thursday participated in a drunk driving simulation that taught them a lot but in a fun way. The activity is a staple of the class during normal times, but the pandemic started the next day, and the simulation and most of the students havent been back to campus since.

[Photo] A COVID-19 year in the life at Mac

Alice Scott, staff reporter
March 13, 2021
Social studies teacher Greg Anderson and his fourth-period georgraphy student freshman Lucy Minton watch the PBS News Hour coverage of the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6.

[Photo] Knights react to a week in Washington that began with insurrection, ended with Trump’s second impeachment

Ellen Fox and Grace Nugent
January 14, 2021
Senior Luke Lozano follows the news in Washington during Amy Smiths fourth-period AP Literature class on Wednesday. There were 40 students on the Mac campus on Friday. The campus was closed today because of inclement weather. Austin ISD had all teachers and student attend classes virtually. This afternoon Superintendent Elizalde urged families to select online learning in response to a rise in COVID hospitalizatons.

[Photo] As COVID-19 hospitalizations surge in Travis County, Austin ISD superintendent urges district families to keep students home this week

Samantha Powers, co-news editor, co-copy editor
January 11, 2021
MAY -- PROTESTORS ADVOCATE JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD, MIKE RAMOS: A woman is forced over a wall as state troopers force protesters off of the Capitol grounds. Hundreds of protesters met at the Austin Police Department headquarters downtown on the afternoon of May 30 to demand justice for African-American victims of police brutality. The protests filled the streets surrounding the Police Department headquarters and at times blocked traffic on I-35, and eventually protests spread to Austin City Hall and the Texas Capitol. Some protesters were met with pepper spray and rubber bullets as APD officers tried to control the crowd and clear the highway. This protest comes as part of a national spread of protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a police officer. Austin protesters are also calling for justice for Mike Ramos, an Austinite who reportedly was unarmed and shot by the police in late April.

2020: A Year in Review in Photos

Kate Boyle, Risa Darlington-Horta, Anna Garcia, Madelynn Niles, Lindsey Plotkin, Samantha Powers, Bella Russo, Hannah South, Bela Tapperson, and Dave Winter
December 29, 2020
A PAWS TO CELEBRATE BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS: At this mornings Zoom faculty meeting, teachers discovered a little used feature on Zoom. If you have an adorable puppy on your screen, your image immediately goes to the center of the first screen and your feed is outlined in yellow so everyone knows to look at the puppy. It worked for Coach Grant too just before this image of Ms. Wiley was captured.

[Photo] Photos of the week

November 11, 2014
After the Knights squandered their first red zone trip with an end zone interception, Crockett inexplicably tried a fake punt deep in its own territory. When that desperate effort failed, senior running back Andres Rodriguez took full advantage, rushing two yards for into the end zone for the games first score.

Mistake-prone Mac cruises past Crockett anyway

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight co-editor in chief
November 14, 2020
Junior safety Jake Hissey upends a Mustang ball carrier in the first half of Thursdays game. Defense was the deciding factor in the game. Not only did the Knights shut out the Mustangs, but they also scored a touchdown on defense and created three turnovers.

[Photo] Suffocating Knight defense wills Mac to signature win over new District 14-5A-2 rival, Marble Falls

Caleb Melville, staff reporter
November 10, 2020
It took Kenta Asazu more than three months just to get the permits to sell onigiri. After peaking at 100 orders per week, Asazu now has a stable base of 50 orders per week. He plans to continue his business during the school year. Photo courtesy of Asazu.

Asazu launches an appetizing business

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight co-editor in chief
September 6, 2020
On the morning of the 2019 Taco Shack Bowl, Blue Brigade Coach Nancy Honeycutt-Searle observes as the McCallum Blue Brigade and Band rehearses its kick routine to “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channell, that they will be performing at the halftime show. Photo by Caleb Melville.

‘I could not have asked for a better second mom’

Lindsey Plotkin, staff reporter
May 10, 2020
Sophomore Annabel Winters kitchen counter is a sign of the COVID-19 spring break times. With two additional weeks of school-free time on her hands, Winter decided to try and make beignets. While her ingredients take up most of the counter space, the ever-present cylinder of sanitary wipes awaits the completion of her pastry-making experiment. Photo by Dave Winter.

Extended spring break is a time of knead

Lindsey Plotkin, staff reporter
April 2, 2020
Kobe Bryant with his wife Vanessa and his daughters Gianna and Natalia at the public announcement that Aug. 24, 2016, would be Kobe Bryant Day in the city of Los Angeles. Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among the nine passengers killed in a tragic helicopter crash in southern California on Sunday. Photo by Christopher K.Nelson was accessed on the Flickr account of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Under the Creative Commons Public License, we are reprinting it here with permission.

Inspired by Bryant’s legacy, Knights mourn his death

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight co-sports editor
January 27, 2020
The varsity defies the wet weather by firing up before taking the pitch at Cedar Creek High School. Photo by Caleb Melville.

Soaring past the Eagles

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight staff reporter
January 19, 2020
The science department, including former science teachers Robert Lehman and Richard Whisennand, pose for a group photo at the annual department holiday party on Wednesday, Dec. 18, in Mr. Elys room. Photo by Lindsey Plotkin.

Oh ChemisTree, Oh ChemisTree! How lovely are thy branches

Lindsey Plotkin, Knight staff reporter
December 30, 2019
Head coach Amy Brodbeck instructs her team during a break in the action against arch-rival Anderson. The Knights played the Trojans tough, but lost in two tightly contested sets, 25-23, 25-23.

Mac learns tough lessons at Landers Invitational

Lindsey Plotkin and Kristen Tibbetts
August 9, 2019
Coach Grant congratulates Honea after the Knights retired the side during their opening-round playoff loss to Harlandale at Dripping Springs Tiger Stadium. The Knights lost, but Honea avenged the demons of his earlier trip to the stadium by driving in four runs in the game.

[Photo] A fresh starter

June 5, 2019
Senior Norman Boyd faces a defender during his final game as a Knight. The Knights season ended on Tuesday after they lost in the opening round of the playoffs to Wagner.

Boys basketball season ends with loss to Wagner

Lindsey Plotkin, guest reporter
February 20, 2019
SACK ATTACK: Senior defensive Elijah Griffin sacks Hutto quarterback Chase Griffin during the Hippos 58-7 victory over McCallum in the first round of the 5A-D1 state playoffs at Hutto Memorial Stadium on Nov. 15.

[Photo] A blessing in disguise

Gregory James, photo editor
December 5, 2018
Junior wide receiver Darius Lewis leaps into the end zone to complete a 6-yard first-quarter touchdown that put the Knights on the scoreboard after the Grizzlies had jumped to a 14-point lead. Photo by Lindsey Plotkin.

[Photo] The Glenn Glitch

September 17, 2018
Sophomore Connor Boggs, shown here running back his first-quarter interception, made a huge impact on the game. In the first half alone, he intercepted a pass, knocked down a pass and recovered Glenns onside kick attempt. Photo by Lindsey Plotkin.

[Photo] The Glenn Glitch

Gregory James, photo editor
September 17, 2018
Freshman Matthew Vargas, freshman Georgia Dover, and sophomore Tosh Arora perform “Love,” choreographed by Olivia Chacon. Each year the emerging ensemble work with Chacon to learn Flamenco. “It was a completely different dance for me,” Dover said. “The dance was really emotional so I got to show a lot of how I was feeling.” Photo by Dave Winter.

Vargas makes history and major impact

Lindsey Plotkin, Mac Photojournalism
June 17, 2018
Gillespie had a stellar season capping a sensational career. She joined the 40-40 club and earned district most valuable player honors. Photo by Bella Russo.

Gillespie caps off career as District MVP

Lindsey Plotkin, Mac Photojournalism
April 20, 2018
Ms. Watson oversees the homecoming sales table at lunch today in the main hallway. Photo by Abby Robison.

Versatile Watson juggles many roles as teacher, adviser, coach, leader

Lindsey Plotkin
November 8, 2017
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