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
Riley Pita

Riley Pita, people editor

Riley Pita is a junior choir major in the fine arts program at McCallum. This is her second year on staff with a new addition of the role of people editor. In school, she participates in the TMEA All-State process for choir and MacTheatre musical productions. She likes to sing, swim, bake and read in her spare time. She looks forward to getting to read lots of feature stories this year and capture more event photos. 

All content by Riley Pita
GRAND REVEAL: Sophomore Cruz Gonzales performs alongside the other baritone saxophone players during Bandapalooza on Aug 22. Bandapalooza allowed the band to perform what they’ve been practicing during the summer to an audience full of friends and family. While this wasn’t the band’s first full run through, it was their first in front of an audience. “I feel like we’ve done better in rehearsals, and due to the pressure and other things, it hindered our performance a little bit, but I was still proud,” Gonzales said. One thing that Gonzales pointed out that the band needs to work on in the future is making sure everybody knows exactly where they’re supposed to be and knows the repetition. This performance also allowed the band to introduce their new theme of Gothic Renaissance to their audience. “This year’s costumes are totally different,” Gonzales said. “We have hip capes and shako hats, which is a big change from last year.” Looking towards the future and big pictures, Gonzales wants the band to have a successful season and make state. “Considering how close it was last year, we were pretty bummed,” he said. “So this year, I think everybody is really trying to work harder to get there and make state again.” Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo by Wren Vanderford.

Bandapalooza marches into new year

Beatrix Lozach, Maya Tackett, Wren Vanderford, Priya Thoppil, Riley Pita, Daniela Di-Capua, Sienna Martens, Katie Martin, and Carson Duncan
August 28, 2025
Sophomore Lucinda McCollum performs during a group performance of "Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight" by ABBA on Sunday night's closing performance. Due to some pieces being mixed with other classes within the choir program, McCollum explained it was a challenge to find time to rehearse, but the show still ended up being a success. "We only had a few rehearsals where we learned choreo and practiced with the other choirs, but I feel like we had good energy and did well on stage," McCollum said. McCollum said one of the best parts of the show was the audience's reactions to the pieces. "It was really fun watching the audience’s reactions to some of the small groups and hanging out with my friends backstage," McCollum said. Caption by Carlo Hinsdale. Photo by Josie Mullan.

A throwback Saturday and Sunday

JoJo Barnard, Daniela Di-Capua, Carlo Hinsdale, Tallulah McAuliffe, Josie Mullan, Piper Norfolk, Riley Pita, Arwen Pelletier, Adele Seeboth, and Fletcher Vandegrift
May 6, 2025
ONE LAST TIME: Senior Zalie Mann and junior Ronan Henson dance at prom, the last McCallum dance both of them will ever attend. Despite not being a senior, Henson was able to attend with the invitation from his senior friend Gabrielle Rodriquez. Attending Zach Academy for theater next year, this is Henson’s last year at McCallum, and so in that sense, attending prom for him felt like a senior experience. Henson enjoyed how the night went, and felt that it was a big improvement from the prom he had attended at the same venue a week before. “I went to Bowie prom, and it was really boring,” he said. “This one was much more fun, everyone was dancing, and it had a much better vibe. I think the environment was super nice, like how it was set up with the lights and music, but everyone dancing and having a good time together made it really fun. We definitely utilized the space much better.” One thing Henson won’t forget about prom was getting to enjoy being around his senior friends for one of the last times and making memories with them. “Dancing and getting to reconnect with friends I've been making throughout the past three years in one spot was just amazing,” he said. “It felt like a super good ending to the year, and a nice sign off for sure.” Caption by Priya Thoppil.

Prom provides seniors a moment to savor, celebrate

Josie Linton, Beatrix Lozach, Sophia Manos, Sienna Martens, Josie Mullan, Riley Pita, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Fletcher Vandegrift
May 1, 2025
Senior Nathan Howard and choir director Nathan Thompson pose with a TMEA All-State convention packet after Area E Auditions in January.

Howard’s final note at Mac

Riley Pita, staff reporter
April 7, 2025
The vast majority of women in the U.S. have used contraception in the last year and 18 million use birth control to treat medical conditions. The infant mortality rate has increased significantly in Texas since the abortion ban went into effect. Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, JAMA Pediatrics.

Birth control ills

Riley Pita, staff reporter
April 4, 2025
Senior Austin Pain and Sophomore Delilah Grad pose after "Partner in Crime" during 'Tuck Everlasting' performance in September.

‘Everlasting’ Bonds

Riley Pita, staff reporter
April 1, 2025
Sophomore Paityn Jones sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing" for the Black History Month assembly on Feb. 10. Written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was originally a poem but became the official song of the NAACP in 1919 and became even more prominent during the Civil Rights Movement. In the wake of George Floyd's murder in 2020, the NFL made the song a fixture at its championship game. Caption by Wren Vanderford. Photo by Jasmine Aung.

Acknowledging and celebrating Black history, culture and expression

Daniela Di-Capua, Tegan Hahn, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, Piper Norfolk, Riley Pita, Callen Romell, Maya Tackett, Wren Vanderford, Fletcher Vandegrift, and Nate Williams
March 11, 2025

Riley Pita—Beginning writer portfolio

Riley Pita, staff reporter
February 6, 2025
MacTheatre students stare in awe at award won during the 2024 Texas State Thespian festival in Corpus Christi.

MacTheatre students make Nationals

Riley Pita, staff reporter
January 20, 2025
SPENDING THANKSGIVING IN NATURE: Junior Elizabeth Falkin feeds deer who wander around her grandfather’s lakehouse on Lake Buchanan during Thanksgiving break. Falkin travels to her lakehouse during long breaks and spent six days there during this break. One thing that makes Falkin’s lakehouse special for her is the ability to feed the deer. “There are a ton of deer up there, and we always keep tins of deer food so that we can feed them and see them more up close,” Falkin said. This trip also allowed Falkin the opportunity to see her cousins, who showed up to her family’s lakehouse on Thanksgiving without her knowing they were coming beforehand. “I never get to see my baby cousins, so I loved going to the beach with them and sitting by the fire at night,” Falkin said. “I love the fire because I feel like I don’t have to worry about anything else like school for just a little while.” Falkin has been going to the house for as long as she can remember and always enjoys the sense of serenity it brings. “It is an amazing, isolated place that allows me to calm down and spend time with the people I care about as well as with nature,” Falkin said. Caption by Maya Tackett. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Falkin.

All over for autumn

Noah Braun, Carlo Hinsdale, Delaney Lavelle, Beatrix Lozach, Chloe Lewcock, Riley Pita, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, Nate Williams, and Josie Mullan
December 4, 2024
AN ABUNDANCE OF OPPORTUNITIES: Senior Harper Freach, a cello player in the chamber orchestra, plays the first movement of “Triptyque” by Yasushi Akutagawa, which they began practicing in August. Freach said she was nervous going into the concert, having recently focused on other pieces. “I was feeling pretty nervous because we hadn't played it for a while because we had been focused on pieces for another concert, so everyone was a little rusty,” Freach said. After the performances, the fine arts majors separated into smaller groups so that the audience could interact with whatever fine arts they were most interested in learning about. Freach’s younger sister is interested in the dance department, so they went into that group. “We went to the dance building and got to watch a bunch of different types of solos of all different dance types to show what you could audition with for your audition and got to talk to the dance teachers,” Freach said. Freach said she had a very different experience with orchestra before high school. “I went to a private school, and we had a very different way of playing, we would have to audition for actual seatings and chairs,” Freach said. “It's different because now you walk into orchestra, and you don't know what to expect. Pringle will either have you play for the class or play with a different section; it's just a very broad range, and you never know what you're going to get. I like it because it tests my abilities and tells me what I need to work on and sometimes shows that I can pick up on things faster than I thought I would be able to.” Freach’s advice for any new Knights is to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. “Any opportunity that you are presented with you should take it,” Freach said. “I couldn't do that my freshman year because we were still pretty shut down due to COVID. I was scared to try other things besides orchestra, but I regret not involving myself in other areas at McCallum where I could have possibly found my passion.” Caption by Shila Gill.

Inspiring aspiring artists

JoJo Barnard, Tristen Diaz, Daniela Di-Capua, Carson Duncan, Shila Gill, Delaney Lavelle, Josie Mullan, Riley Pita, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Adele Seeboth, Priya Thoppil, and Fletcher Vandegrift
November 19, 2024
Director Nathan Thompson conducts the McCallum choir program at last year’s Masterworks concert. The masterworks concert this year on Dec. 12 will feature Kreek’s Requiem in C minor performed by the chamber orchestra, whole choir program, and brass band. Thompson recalls that last year, his favorite part was bringing all the elements together. “Last year, that standing ovation that everyone got after afterwards, and the silence that we were able to hold in the concert hall was a really, really cool moment, and it was one of the highlights of the year for me."

Making old traditions new

Riley Pita, staff reporter
November 19, 2024
Jeffrey Rudy plays at fall choir concert, “Of Earth and Sky,” in October 2023. Photo and caption by Riley Pita.

‘He just wants what’s best for us’ 

Riley Pita, staff reporter
November 17, 2024

At Mac, Pew found perfect mix of math, music

Riley Pita, staff reporter
October 16, 2024
COLALEO IN THE YELLOW SUIT: Senior Joe Colaleo rehearses ferociously confronts the Tuck family about the water that turns people immortal as the cast of McCallum Theater’s fall production Tuck Everlasting blocks a scene. The rehearsal is for the actors to know where to be placed and stand throughout the show. “I am feeling great about the process and creation of the show as a whole,” Colaleo said. “We are working really fast, we are super prepared. Everyone is working really hard, and we are just finishing up learning set traffic, cleaning and perfecting the show.” In the show, Colaleo plays The Man in the Yellow Suit, a character he was hoping to get when auditioning. The character is greedy and selfish and his goal is to become wealthy by selling water from the spring in the woods. “I want the water to sell for money and they are stopping me,” Colaleo said. For Colaleo, Tuck Everlasting represents the start of his senior year and the final season with McCallum Theater. “Playing this role as a senior is very fulfilling and fun,” Colaleo said. “Everyone looks up to you and you get a sense of accomplishment and pride when you see others doing well.” Looking back on his four years in theater production, Colaleo said he wants to do everything he can this year to support the underclassmen and have fun in the rest of the shows this year. “I really appreciate the process a lot more this year, knowing it will be one of the last times I’m doing something like this at McCallum and I won’t see a lot of these people for a long time,” Colaleo said. Caption by Nate Williams.

‘Everlasting’ rehearsal process nears its end

JoJo Barnard, Sunday Cardinal, Tegan Hahn, Delaney Lavelle, Lilah Lavigne, Beatrix Lozach, Sophia Manos, Tallulah McAuliffe, Josie Mullan, Riley Pita, Adele Seeboth, Nico Williamson, and Nate Williams
September 10, 2024
AN EARLY HOMECOMING: Newly appointed assistant principal Gabriel Adame returned to McCallum this year after spending a year obtaining his master’s of education with the UT Texas Principals Leadership Academy. During his studies, Adame acted as an assistant principal at a middle school and an elementary school in order to gain more experience. Nevertheless, Adame felt compelled to return to Mac. “There are three main reasons I came back to McCallum,” Adame said. “Besides the students, who have been incredibly kind, supportive and funny, my colleagues and the friendships I developed here have been a huge part of the reason I came back.” Adame also said the community within the faculty was one of the main reasons he chose to return. “I felt so supported as an AP Biology teacher and coach,” Adame said. “And I can never repay them for the help I received, whether it was in the form of an email that made me feel good about what I was doing as a teacher or whether it was a kind remark as we were cheering on a kiddo in the stands.” Moving forward, Adame plans to take his role as an assistant principal seriously. He’s committed to leading by example when it comes to establishing a work ethic and a positive mindset. “The biggest value I want to embody is integrity,” Adame said. “I really hope that by the time I’m done here, people can really see me for the work that I did and the people I helped. Because really, this job is not about me. This job is about how I can get students to the place they want to be and how can I get teachers to be the best versions of themselves.” Fellow assistant principal Larry Featherstone believes that Adame continuously embodies that integrity. “I feel great about him being back here at McCallum,” Featherstone said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job. He’s training teachers, supporting students, and the best part is that he does it all with a smile on his face. He has a great spirit about him.” No matter how beloved he is on campus, however, Adame takes a humble approach to his work. “I’m a servant of the public, and it’s something I take great pride in, helping people accomplish the goals, the aspirations, the endeavors they set out for themselves,” Adame said. “If I can be a guide for them to navigate that, that’s what I want to do. Those are things I really try to live by, integrity and servitude.”

Fresh faces across the faculty

Daniela Di-Capua, Carson Duncan, Nellie Eschberger, Delaney Lavelle, Josie Linton, Beatrix Lozach, Katie Martin, Sophia Manos, Aubrey Macedo, Harper Binfield Maxwell, Tallulah McAuliffe, Elizabeth Nation, Maddie O’Connor, Arwen Pelletier, Riley Pita, Eva Sanchez, Adele Seeboth, Fletcher Vandegrift, and Nico Williamson
August 27, 2024
Photo by Harper Binfield Maxwell.

PhotoJ students spark creativity through emulation

Harper Binfield Maxwell, Carson Duncan, Olivia Dungan, David Herring, Carlo Hinsdale, Elli Grace Hodges, Katie Hyzak, Sophia Lopez, Beatrix Lozach, Aubrey Macedo, Sophia Manos, Katie Martin, Vivian Moore, Riley Pita, Adele Seeboth, and Cash Sims
July 16, 2024

The musician 

Riley Pita, Mac photojournalism
July 2, 2024
FUN AND FRIENDS: Freshman Carley Castro-Seiler dances in Ballet Folklorico’s Cinco de Mayo performance. Castro-Seiler said the club has grown closer together during this year, and have been continuously improving their performance. “The last performance was really fun because we all got closer over the year,” Castro-Seiler. “It was more dancing with friends other than random people.” Even with a slight mess up in their last dance, Seiler said the performance was a great experience. “The last dance that we did, we messed up a little bit,” Seiler said. “But it was fine, it didn’t feel awkward or anything because we were together.” Seiler said she was initially introduced to Ballet Folklorico by her family. “I got involved because my grandmother used to do it when she was little,” Seiler said. “My mom wanted me to do it, so she kind of pushed me, but then it became more for fun, rather than just doing it for my mom.” Overall, Seiler said she had a great time performing for the event. “I had a lot of fun doing it, so that was the most important thing,” Seiler said. Caption by Josie Mullan.

[Photo] Cinco de Mayo show celebrates Mexican culture

Beatrix Lozach, Chloe Lewcock, Josie Mullan, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Francie Wilhelm
May 7, 2024
Matthew Cagle reaches the wall in his 400 yard freestyle relay at a McCallum tri-meet against Ann Richards.

[Photo] Are New Year’s resolutions helpful or harmful?

Maggie Coulbourn, Maverick Palacios, Azul Cepero Cortes, and Julisa Ayala Bonilla
March 9, 2024
SWIFT IN SWIMMING: The swim team competed at the district wide meet at Cedar Ridge High on Saturday, in which junior Liliana Hollinger placed in several of her events, including 1st in the 50 freestyle race and 2nd in the 100 free. Although the LASA team ultimately won the meet, Mac athletes like Hollinger were able to dominate in their individual events. Hollinger and others will be moving onto the regional meet that will take place on Feb. 9 and 10, and top swimmers at that competition will continue to the state race. Hollinger said this meet was definitely her best of the season. “I did really feel like I did my best; I got my best times,” she said. “The team spirit was really good, and I was very confident, and you know, just very happy the whole time.” Hollinger said she has been trying to make state since her freshman year, and this is the year she hopes it will finally happen. Caption by Camilla Vandegrift.

[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
The cast of the choir’s annual “Cabaret” kick into action at choreography rehearsals on Nov. 12 in the McCallum Performing Arts Center. The members rehearse their musical number “A Musical” from the show Something Rotten. The production will open Thursday with evening shows on Friday and Saturday and a matinée finale on Sunday. One of the head choreographers, pictured in the center front row, Jaella Brush, faced challenges choreographing this number but overcame them with the help and flexibility of everyone participating. “It’s hard to know if something will look good in a big group until you do it,” Brush said. “Not every dance move is gonna look good or work with everyone’s vocal/dance abilities when you put it into action, so being able to think quickly and change it up sometimes has been important.”

Thompson puts his stamp on ‘Cabaret’

Riley Pita, Mac photojournalism
November 27, 2023
CREW OF BLUE: Seniors (left to right) Julia Lyon, Jaella Brush, Naomi Di-Capua, Alex Thomason, Roxie Satija, Spirit Smith and (floor) Clara McFadden pose for a photo during choir class to showcase their outfits for Thursday’s spirit day. Thursday was the day of the game, so the spirit day theme was school colors. Each class had a corresponding color: freshmen-white, sophomores-gray, juniors-black and seniors-blue. The annual tradition intrigued Smith. “I was excited to see what grade would show the most spirit this year,” Smith said. Smith views spirit days as a way for the school to come together. “I enjoy spirit days because they give the student body a chance to be involved,” Smith said. “And there aren’t very many opportunities for our school to be involved in things as a whole.” Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] Mac marks homecoming with old, new traditions

JoJo Barnard, Chloe Lewcock, Callen Romell, Lanie Sepehri, Francie Wilhelm, Gaby Esquivel, Olivia Dungan, Aubrey Macedo, Katie Martin, Helen Martin, and Evelyn Jenkins
October 24, 2023
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