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
All content by Meredith Grotevant
A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER: While Taco Shack predominantly leans on the football aspect of the night, for some the premier of the halftime marching band show “Starsurfer” is just as long-awaited. After practicing 3 weeks prior to school starting, and every morning before school starts, the McCallum marching band finally got to show off their hard work and dazzle the crowd.  For Junior Bea Saffer the unique theme of this years show made it more intriguing to learn.  “It’s based on a sci-fi Disney movie from ‘Treasure Planet’ from the early 2000s,” Saffer said. “At Taco Shack we performed the first two movements of the show.” The show consisted of different sections such as a duet in which Saffer played clarinet and her partner Junior Ben Martinez played the flute.  “At the beginning of the show, myself and Ben Martinez played a duet based on the melody of the interstellar Cornfield chase scene,” Saffer said.  In addition to Saffers role in the show, she also is a drum major, meaning she has dual action and has to manage both throughout.  “After we’re done playing, I leave the stage and hop on my podium to conduct the rest of the show,” Saffer said.  While this was the first public performance, many more are to come throughout the year and are to be seen at the football halftime. Caption by Chloe Lewcock.

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

August 29, 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
Junior Josie Blackwell and sophomore Lillian Gray run in the two-mile race at the St. Andrews invitational.

[Photo] Blackwell, Gray top school record in same race

March 7, 2023
Now senior Charlie Partheymuller works on an assignment on the first day of FIT last school year. Last year, the tutoring time had a delayed start due to COVID case numbers. This school year, administration once again encountered a delay, but this time it was due to a lack of funding and the shutdown of the original FIT management Portal.

[Photo] Finding the right FIT

November 13, 2022
ZOLL GETTIN’ THAT GOAL: Senior Anderson Zoll (Jay) performs “Goal” with junior Henry Mayes (Carlos). Fairy Godmother has forced the two evils to try out for Auradon Prep’s Tourney team in hopes of helping them find a place within their new school. For Zoll, the number is a turning point for his character in which his hopes to overthrow Auradon falter.  “Jay begins to see, by playing sports, good can be just as fun as being bad,” Zoll said. The best part of the production for Zoll has been the opportunity to perform for younger viewers. “Most of our audiences have been middle-school and elementary-schoolers who are big fans of the movies,” Zoll said. “It’s such a privilege to get to bring their favorite Disney characters to life. It’s high energy and magical with all the songs from the beloved movies.” Reporting by Alice Scott. Photo by Meredith Grotevant.

[Photo] ‘Descendants’ brings Disney magic to life

September 13, 2022
GETTING IN THE SPIRIT: On Saturday, Aug. 20, the cheer team gathered at the Domain Northside for a cheer-off against the Anderson cheer squad. Freshman Vivian Medina thought the cheer-off helped prepare her for cheering at the Taco Shack football game. “The cheer-off help me feel out what it would be like to cheer in front of a crowd,” she said. “It helped me overcome some of my nerves and got me excited [for] the game.” Despite narrowly losing the Domain cheer-off and the football game, Medina felt that this year’s Taco Shack was still a positive learning experience for the cheer team. “I was a little disappointed but I know there’s always next year. We know now what we can work on and what we can improve.” 

[Photo] Taco Shack 2022 offers a full range of emotions

August 30, 2022
UNDER THE UMBRELLA: Junior Wilson Corbitt heads toward his dad’s car near the portables during Monday afternoon’s rainstorm. Corbitt faired better than some students, having the forethought to bring an umbrella to school. “In that moment I thought ‘I bet you all thought I was crazy for bringing an umbrella on a sunny day,’” Corbitt said. His intuition proved right, but Corbitt connects this occurrence to a larger issue facing Austin and the planet. “Every year the weather in Texas gets more and more unpredictable and severe due to climate change,” Corbitt said. “And that’s coming off the back of one of the hottest summers on record where today was the first day since May under 90 degrees, which is making it progressively difficult to tell what might happen.” Reporting by Alice Scott.

Flash flood strikes Austin as school dismisses Monday

Isley Cameron, Naomi Di-Capua, Meredith Grotevant, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Oliver Harrington, Helen Martin, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
August 23, 2022
ONE LAST HURRAH: Members of the senior dance company hold hands at the end of their piece called Sound and Color, the closing dance of the student directed-dance show. “It’s a very sentimental moment because it’s like the end where we all are holding hands and were all connected,” senior dance company member Wynter Winston said. “The senior dance was wholesome and had us reflecting on all the times and memories we shared together as a senior company.” Caption by Grace Vitale. Photo by Meredith Grotevant.

Finding ‘Solace’ on the stage

Smith Bohls, Meredith Grotevant, Sophie Kessler, Chloe Lewcock, Thomas Melina Raab, Lydia Reedy, Alice Scott, Grace Vitale, Francie Wilhelm, Nate Williams, and Dave Winter
May 14, 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
Sophomore Ellaiden Margrave performs with Fascist Peach Cobbler during a Kick Butt Coffee gig.

[Photo] A taste of Fascist Peach Cobbler

May 21, 2022

MacJ wins big in NSPA ‘Clips & Clicks’

Alice Scott, Evelyn Griffin, Lucy Marco, Alysa Spiro, Amaya Collier, Samantha Powers, Grace Nugent, Logan Davis, Francie Wilhelm, Morgan Eye, Emma Hagood , Sophie Kessler, Lanie Sepehri, Lexi Ramos, Meredith Grotevant , and Mia Gomez
January 28, 2022
After Sam Cowles and Tracy Atoo fouled out of the game, Miranda DiGiovanni, Chris Schumann and Kashawna Henry battled the Cougars three-on-five, creating two good scoring chances to tie or win the game.

[Photo] Down to 3 players, Knights fight Cougars to final buzzer

January 16, 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
Beginner Environmental Portrait Ellie Collard McCallum Fine Arts Academy Austin, Texas Andrew Cooke, instructor

Mac photographers win 9 awards in ATPI photo contest

Sophi Beardslee, Ellie Collard, Risa Darlington-Horta, Mia Gomez, Meredith Grotevant, Silvio Guzman, Emma Hagood, Charlie Partheymuller, and Kennedy Weatherby
December 14, 2021

Juan Itzep wins Javier Niño Memorial Scholarship

Meredith Grotevant, staff reporter
November 24, 2021
A SPOOKTACULAR SPECTACLE: McCallum students and staff gathered around the outdoor stage at lunch for the National Art Honor Society’s annual costume contest. Many students from all grades dressed up today to enter the costume contest in order to win prizes including P Terry’s gift cards and a pack of Oreos. There were five categories: most creative, scariest, best group costume, funniest, and best overall. With an outstanding turnout of 53 participants, the event was very competitive. Ms. Shin (Spooky Shin), Mr. Wydeven (Wicked Wydeven), and Ms. Adamson (Afterlife Adamson) judged the contest.  “I liked the [costumes] that were handmade because you can see their creativity,” Shin said.  The winners for the 2021 Spooktacular are as follows. Most Creative: Joey Miguel as Drag King Loki; Funniest Costume: Marielle Musick as The Plague Doctor on Vacation; Scariest Costume: Theat Krische as The Huntress from Dead by Daylight; Best Group Costume: Miranda DiGiovanni, Lark Adrian, Jolie Garber, and June Fucik as Weezer; and Best Overall: Kianna Leon as a Mushroom. Mr. Seckar‐Martinez asked us to recognize the NAHS committee chairs and officers, Amaya Collier, Mia Manzano, and the costume contest committee. The committee likewise asked to recognize the role of their sponsors, Mr. Seckar-Martinez and Ms. Massey, in helping make todays contest possible. Caption by Julia Husted.

[Photo] Mac reconnects with its love for costumed community

November 2, 2021
A group of abortion rights activists raise their signs as they gather and listen to the speakers at the women’s rally on Saturday at the Texas Capitol. Some cheer to agree with the proclamations made. “I wanted to show my support for organizations [at the rally] who are working to overturn Senate Bill 8,” junior Edith Holmsten said. “It is important for me to go to rallies because it is a way for me, as someone who can not vote yet, to show my support for issues that I care about. I learned about many different organizations that worked on women’s rights who had tables set up at the march.”

Women’s rally delivers an unmistakable message: repeal Senate Bill 8, vote its creators out of office

Katherine Boyle, Amaya Collier, Meredith Grotevant, Bo Witzel, and Josie Bradsby
October 5, 2021
One of many reproductive rights protests going on across the country on Saturday, the Austin event on the steps of the state Capitol attracted thousands and focused on making the case against SB8, which became law on Sept. 1. 

Activists rally at Capitol for reproductive rights

Meredith Grotevant, staff reporter
October 2, 2021
The Blue Brigade performs at halftime of the McCallum-Seguin football game at Matador Stadium on Oct. 18, 2019.

Welcome to our World Photo Day celebration gallery

Anna Bausman, Kate Boyle, Josie Bradsby, Isley Cameron, Meredith Grotevant, Lucy Marco, Grace Nugent, Mia Plemons, Samantha Powers, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Kennedy Weatherby, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
September 7, 2021
Hands down, the best photo essay weve published

Hands down, the best photo essay we’ve published

Jaella Brush, Amaya Collier, Francesca Dietz, ElizaBess Estrada, Meredith Grotevant, Reese Hudson, Eliza Jensen, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Julian Magee, Ariana Mendez, Will Myren, Hadlee Varela, Grace Vitale, Francie Wilhelm, Annabel Winter, and Ben Zacharias
May 25, 2021
First published in 1968, Slouching has been celebrated as an essential text of the new journalism and lauded as a watershed moment in American writing. The number of republished editions that exist more than 50 years after its initial publication gives some indication of its enduring cultural value.

More than a half century later, Didion’s first collection of essays still delivers essential truths

Meredith Grotevant, Mac photojournalism
April 11, 2021
FESTIVE FACETIME- After reciting the Hanukkah prayers and lighting her menorah the first night of Hanukkah, Carolyn Schwarz talks with her parents, John and Rhoda Schwarz over Facetime. Usually the Schwarzes would gather in-person to celebrate Hanukkah, but due to the safety concerns of coronavirus they decided to take part in the festivities virtually this year. “Having older parents and knowing the health risks the virus could have on them made our holiday plans very clear” Carolyn said. “We knew that physically getting together would not be a safe option this year.” Carolyn celebrated the holiday at home with her husband and children while her parents celebrated with their dog, Winston. “So much is different this year,” Rhoda said. “It is a blessing that we can still celebrate with each other in some way.”

Celebrating the season despite COVID-19

Sophi Beardslee, Josie Bradsby, Lissa Castro, Amaya Collier, Maggie Coulbourn, Naomi Di-Capua, Meredith Grotevant, Ari Miller-Fortman, Madelynn Niles, Lanie Sepehri, and Dave Winter
December 22, 2020
Load More Stories

The Shield Online

The Student News Site of McCallum High School
© 2023 • Advertise • FLEX Pro WordPress Theme by SNO • Log in

Comments (0)

All The Shield Online Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest
Menu
Activate Search
Home
Meredith Grotevant