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
Sylvia Hurtado

Sylvia Hurtado, staff reporter

Sophomore Sylvia Hurtado is very excited to start her first year as a staff member of The Shield.  She loves to write and looks forward to writing articles for different sections of the newspaper. Hurtado also hopes to learn more about photography by having a role on the Instagram page. Outside of The Shield, she plays soccer and runs cross country. Hurtado loves reading, her dog, the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. 

All content by Sylvia Hurtado
SPIRIT OF THE FOX: Last Friday, freshman Sabine English brought a piece of Japanese mythology to the halloween contest, dressing up as a kitsune – a legendary fox spirit known for its multiple tails and mischievous behavior. “I made the mask and everything,” English said. “Kitsune are Japanese folkloric creatures with multiple tails and they even go as far as eating people.” English’s costume came together with the help of her family, her creativity and resourcefulness. She borrowed pieces from her aunt, who had previously worn the kimono for a Renaissance fair, and reimagined them for her Halloween costume. However, the mask she wore was entirely her own work. “I painted it and added all the decorations and everything. I love the way it turned out,” English said. “It took me about three days to make it, it was definitely a long process, but it was worth it.” Her inspiration for the look came from a mix of stories she had heard and nostalgia. In her childhood she had gone to the library and remembered reading Japanese folklore books and thought Halloween would be the perfect opportunity to bring these characters to life. “We used to read folklore books when I was younger from the library,” English said. “But mostly, I just thought I have the stuff for it - why don’t I just do this for Halloween. ” During the contest, English expressed that she enjoyed being able to see everyone else's costumes and celebrate Halloween along with her peers. “I wasn't nervous going up,” said English. “I was honestly having a lot of fun, and I loved seeing everyone's costumes and how creative everyone was.” Caption by Isa Truan. Photo by Harriet Zettner.

Creative costumes take center stage

Arwen Pelletier, Carlo Hinsdale, Isadora Truan, Magnolia Smith, Riley Pita, Sylvia Hurtado, and Zanna Allen
November 6, 2025

  On Friday, Oct. 31, McCallum hosted its annual Halloween costume contest in front of the dance and arts building during lunch. Students presented their costumes to a panel of teacher judges,...

Knight moves and school grooves

Knight moves and school grooves

Adele Seeboth, Beatrix Lozach, Carson Duncan, Hannah Kahn, Maya Tackett, Riley Pita, Sam Nash, Sienna Martens, Sophia Manos, and Sylvia Hurtado
October 30, 2025

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Homecoming dance took place downtown, centering on a “Rio” theme. In the week leading up to the dance, the McCallum student council organized spirit days, including the...

WARM WELCOME: Freshman Juliana Lotz performed her long prepared monologue on October 6th during the Freshman Theatre Showcase. During this year's showcase, Lotz highlighted that the amount of people cheering in the crowd was special to her and made her feel comfortable in her ability on stage. "I wasn't really that nervous after all,” Lotz said. “It was a very supportive space considering the turnout of the older theatre majors.” In the past week, Lotz and other freshman theatre students were given one week of time to practice their monologues in class previous to the showcase. In her monologue, “Between the Lines,” Lotz mentioned she was very excited to perform in the play because it was challenging herself to exaggerate her act and fully pursue herself to the audience. “I’ve always imagined myself wanting to go on and do acting at McCallum,” Lotz said. “My major takeaway is getting my timing down but I think that's honestly it.” Caption by Ethan Roberts. Photo by Isadora Truan.

Debut acts, big impact

Arwen Pelletier, Ethan Roberts, Evelyn Jenkins, Harper Maxwell, Isadora Truan, JoJo Barnard, Piper Adair, Sophia Manos, Sylvia Hurtado, and V Overstreet
October 16, 2025

Last week, the freshman theater classes performed monologues after two weeks of preparation. The monologues ranged from excerpts from the popular TV show Bojack Horseman to Anne Frank’s writing....

Front-desk receptionist Sara Zettner takes a phone call, while working in the temporary main office for McCallum. Within the book shelves and art work, Zettner works to fulfill her daily tasks, while awaiting for the original office's completion.

Changing construction deadline disrupts community

Sylvia Hurtado, staff reporter
October 13, 2025

Before the 2025-2026 school year, McCallum High School began renovations on the front office to comply with new state regulations regarding safer entrances. This was originally promised to be completed...

BACK FOR MORE: For new special education teacher Justin Marlin, being at McCallum is nothing new. After becoming the JV-B girls soccer coach last year, Marlin is excited to teach here full time. “I’ve been trying to get to McCallum for a long time,” Marlin said. After teaching resource, inclusion and special education for kinder-fifth grade at Doss Elementary, Marlin was ready for the next step at McCallum. While he taught math and reading at Doss, now he focuses on social studies. He leads resource (small groups) for world geography, world history, U.S. history and government. Marlin is also an inclusion teacher for Coach Tucker’s world geography classes. Marlin also teaches outside of the classroom on the soccer field. “The girls in the soccer program are all so amazing and dedicated,” Marlin said. “They are such a great group of people to work with.” The community was a big reason for why Marlin believes McCallum is a great fit for him. “This is such an inclusive and accepting group of kids, and I feel like this is a place where you wouldn’t see lots of bullying.” Marlin said. After experiencing different schools, Marlin knows what he wants to bring to McCallum and the role he wants to play in the community. “This is a place where you can do your own thing, and be your own person, and I think that is very special.” Caption by Sylvia Hurtado.

A fresh start for mac-ulty

Daniela Di-Capua, Delaney Lavelle, Eva Sanchez, Isadora Truan, Riley Pita, Sylvia Hurtado, and Zanna Allen
September 11, 2025

BACK FOR MORE: For new special education teacher Justin Marlin, being at McCallum is nothing new. After becoming the JV-B girls soccer coach last year, Marlin is excited to teach here full time. “I’ve...

CALLING THE PITCHES AND THE SHOTS: Senior Grace Yemington catches pitches behind the plate during the softball team’s fall ball practices. For Yemington, softball has been a part of her life for 12 years and catching’s a family tradition. “My older sister was a catcher, so I decided to follow in her footsteps,” she said. Consistently serving as a reliable player for the team, Yemington now thrives in the leadership side of the position. “I like being able to sort of conduct the infield; help call pitches, remind infielders of the play, and play an important role on the field,” she explained. Looking ahead, Yemington is primed and ready to close out her senior year strong. “I’m looking forward to this season and excited to continue playing fall ball with the team this year,” she said. Caption by V Overstreet. Photo by Magnolia Smith.

Softball’s soft launch

Adele Seeboth, Evelyn Jenkins, Hannah Kahn, Josie Linton, Julia Copas, Katie Martin, Maggie Mass, Priya Thoppil, Reese Clinchard, Sylvia Hurtado, and V Overstreet
September 18, 2025

With limited playing time due to the high heat index and a challenging field, the softball team has scrambled to secure enough playing time to prepare for the first non-district games of the year....

DRESS TO IMPRESS: Junior Sofia Arredondo-Nunez is introduced at the quinceañera, accompanied by sophomore José Yemez.  Arredondo-Nunez said she choose to be part of the event in order to embrace her culture. “I decided to participate in the quinceañera because I wanted to build community and show Hispanic culture,” Arredondo-Nunez said. “Having a quinceañera is a special moment of entering womanhood. I loved the experience and thanked everyone for being there.” Arredondo-Nunez said that she had a great time at the event, and that she is interested in being a part of the quinceañera again next year. “I enjoyed all of us performing our dance and coming together as a friend group,” Arredondo-Nunez said. “I also enjoyed spending time with family. I am going to be joining next year's quince again. I loved getting to meet new people.” Nunez said along with the quinceañera she is also interested in joining Ballet Folklórico. “Getting to wear the clothes, makeup, and hairstyle seems fun,” Arredondo-Nunez said, “and it's a great way to embrace Hispanic culture. Caption by Evelyn Jenkins.

[Photo] Agradecida por la oportunidad

Shila Gill, Lillian Gray, Evelyn Jenkins, Beatrix Lozach, Sophia Manos, Maggie Mass, Josie Mullan, Adele Seeboth, and Fletcher Vandegrift
April 8, 2025

DRESS TO IMPRESS: Junior Sofia Arredondo-Nunez is introduced at the quinceañera, accompanied by sophomore José Yemez.  Arredondo-Nunez said she choose to be part of the event in order to embrace her...

[Video] The story behind the curtain

Sylvia Hurtado, Mac photojournalism
March 1, 2025

The audience is hushed, waiting for the actor's first line. As the spotlight shines and music starts, Kristin Vandenberg admires from above. Everything is adding to the magic of the theatre. Ms....

Preparing to march in the Dia de los Muertos parade, Harlow Mallison twirls through the streets of downtown Austin. Mallison is a sophomore in the Spanish 2 class at McCallum and was invited to join the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration with Ballet Folklorico, which walked through Fifth and Sixth streets. " I had a lot of fun and it was nice meeting new people," Mallison said. "I loved how everyone came together and were so supportive of each other."

Señora A, McCallum’s cultural ambassador

Sylvia Hurtado, Mac photojournalism
January 4, 2025

On the bustling Sixth Street downtown, Señora A—aka Spanish teacher Telvi Altamirano Cancino—stands amidst the music and sparkling colors, preparing to lead her school into the crowd. The smells of...

Isabel Sauer balances the heavy barbell on her back, preparing to do squats, during the McCallum JV Girls soccer weight room time. Sauer is in ninth grade, and loves the weight room for many reasons. “ I love getting ripped,” Sauer said. “But I also love the strength we’re building as a team. It’s such a fun time for us to all be together.” The weightroom is a great way for the team to prepare themselves athletically for the game, but other players also agree that it is an even better time to bond. “I think the weight room is a great way for us to learn how to communicate as a team,” ninth grader Kaylee Breeker said. “And getting both the teams in on Fridays is just super fun and really prepares us for the season.”

[Photo] Kicking off change

Sienna Martens, staff reporter
December 22, 2024

Isabel Sauer balances the heavy barbell on her back, preparing to do squats, during the McCallum JV Girls soccer weight room time. Sauer is in ninth grade, and loves the weight room for many reasons. “...

VERTICAL VIRTUOSOS: The McCallum Orchestra performed at its Fall Vertical Team Concert on Wednesday afternoon. The concert featured performances from all ensembles, and the Lamar Middle School orchestra. The program began with a performance by the Lamar Middle School’s philharmonic orchestra and symphony orchestra, followed by Mac’s ninth-grade orchestra, Mac’s concert orchestra, Mac’s chamber orchestra, and ended with all the musicians coming on stage for a few final songs. A new member of the orchestra family, freshman violinist Sophia Davis, shared how the freshman orchestra has been preparing for this concert. “I’ve been practicing a lot, both outside of school and in class during third period,” she said. “It’s been an up-and-down roller coaster some days, but I feel that today’s performance went pretty well.” The orchestra will continue to work hard in preparation for future concerts and the upcoming UIL season. Caption by Wren Vanderford.

Photoj classes capture essence of McCallum

Zanna Allen, Carson Bray Nunez, Kaylee Breecker, John Robert Crouch, Edie Davidson, Saskia Dhont, Luella Finch McConnell, Olive Glenn, Eli Gold, Sylvia Hurtado, Hannah Kahn, Lilah Lavigne, Ryan Latsha, Will Swan, Wren Vanderford, and Jasper Williams
November 26, 2024

It is the 10th year that the photojournalism class have been charged with the photo challenge to capture the essence of McCallum in photographs. The assignment requires that students take at least one...

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Sylvia Hurtado