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
Dave Winter

Dave Winter, adviser

All content by Dave Winter
Coach Steve Searle high fives senior starting pitcher Sam Stevens moments after Stevens completed a perfect game against the Navarro Vikings on Friday. Searle said that Stevens stands out, not just on this team but on all the ones he’s coached. “Sam is really poised,” he said. “In all my years, he stands out as pretty impressive. … He has a pitcher’s mentality. He’s just a pitcher, truly a pitcher.”

Stevens throws perfect game against Navarro

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
April 14, 2024
Members of the speech and debate team pose proudly with the first place team plaques for speech for spelling and vocabulary. On Saturday, the final day of the academic meet at Eastside, McCallum won both team competitions to finish with 563 points, more than enough for the team to defend the overall academic district title it won a year ago.

[Photo] MACademics team defends District 24-5A title

Shield staff reports
April 10, 2024
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. “Ill always be able to remember what it looks like in my mind,” Pelletier said. “Some things I think about, but I cant remember what they looked like. But this was memorable enough and incredible enough that Ill be able to picture it forever.” Caption by Ingrid Smith.

[Photo] At MAC, the eclipse really was Knight Time

JoJo Barnard, Shila Gill, Eliza Jensen, Chloe Lewcock, Sophia Manos, Josie Mullan, Alice Scott, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Maya Tackett, and Priya Thoppil
April 9, 2024
Junior Johanna Jones views the eclipse during lunchtime on Aug. 21, 2017, using safety glasses that Mr. Stanchos provided to students. “Seeing the eclipse was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Jones said. “I thought if you didn’t take a Snapchat, did it really happen? So I snapped it.” Other students, including those in Ms. Moyers’ engineering class, built pinhole cameras to view the eclipse. It was a total solar eclipse most visible along the path of totality that spanned the entire continental United States from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. Unlike the August 2017 eclipse, todays will likely not be accompanied by sunny weather. Photo originally appeared on page 4 of the 2018 Knight.

[Photo] Despite Travis County state of emergency for today’s eclipse, AISD campuses remain open

Morgan Eye, news editor
April 8, 2024
Knight ace Natalie Myrick pitched a great game in defeat, striking out 11, walking none and allowing zero earned runs and only four hits. Her teammate Lila Brotherton said she had command of all her pitches including an intimidating fastball. Natalie is an amazing pitcher and did a really good job at that game, Brotherton said. I’m not sure who is the faster pitcher [her or LASA starter Rose Harrelson], but it is definitely a close match.

LASA withstands Mac comeback to win, 5-4

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
March 17, 2024
At the Superintendent Forum at Marshall Middle School in January, then lone superintendent finalist Matias Segura addressed the issue of meeting TEA targets for special education and hiring the staff required to do so. In response to a question from Shield staff reporter Emerson Merritt, Segura said that bringing the district into TEA compliance is just one part of the districts comprehensive special education plan. The evaluations and things tied to the order, theyre one aspect of it, he said. A truly inclusive model is the vision. Where are we going to as an organization to where every single student feels like they can be who they are in our classrooms and we are supporting them fully. I tell people all the time that its not that we have a special education issue, we have a general education issue.

[Photo] AISD reaching milestones after TEA supervision

Josie Mullan, staff reporter
March 1, 2024
Freshman Paityn Jones speaks as part of the panel during the Black History Month assembly during fifth period. Jones said that being a member of the Knights Steppers and having Black teachers have given her spaces where she can be herself.

[Photo] Opening doors to appreciating Black history

Shayla Allen, Gaby Esquivel, Lillian Gray, Carlo Hinsdale, Delaney Lavelle, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Francie Wilhelm, and Chloe Lewcock
March 6, 2024
PART OF THE FAM: Junior Julia Rasp smiles alongside her dance “family” at Wednesdays elective fair. Rasp, who has been a part of the fine arts program since Lamar, cherishes the bonds she has made throughout her years in the program. “The Mac Dance community is great,” Rasp said. “I always look forward to that class and the people in it, and as corny as it sounds it’s kind of like a family.” For Rasp, the fair posed as the perfect opportunity to introduce other students to a class she values so highly. “I just wanted to show how much I really love and appreciate mac dance,” she said. “It’s really great, has taught me a lot and honestly has made my high school experience ten times better. Just wanting to share that is what led me to participate in the elective fair.” Caption by JoJo Barnard with reporting from Callen Romell.

[Photo] Fair allows students to share their favorite electives

JoJo Barnard, Olivia Dungan, Gaby Esquivel, David Herring, Carlo Hinsdale, Chloe Lewcock, Callen Romell, Josie Mullan, and Ingrid Smith
February 7, 2024
Emy Chen led a total team effort for the Knights in an easy victory over Northeast on Friday night. Chen scored 19 points and made six steals to contribute on both ends of the court.“ We went into the game with the goal of working on our spacing,” Chen said. “There was an improvement on that from our last game.”

Knights ‘sock’ it to the Raiders

Dave Winter, Shield adviser
January 18, 2024
Previous Academic UIL sponsor Jace Klein assists then junior Hazel Reddy at the 2023 UIL Region 3 Academic Meet in Richmond, just outside Houston. Klein took the sponsor role in order to provide support to his students in as many ways as he can offer, and get more involved with the McCallum community. High schoolers deserve a good education. Klein said. Im such an optimistic person. I wish I could make things better.

[Photo] Klein experiments with new beginnings

January 15, 2024
JULY 28—Blue Brigade wrapped up its annual Kiddie Clinic with a performance in the cafeteria on Friday July 28. Split into age groups from kindergarten to eighth grade, campers performed the choreography they learned from their Blue Brigade counselors throughout the week. According to junior lieutenant and former camper Smith Bohls, Kiddie Clinic allows kids of all ages to learn about drill teams, make new friends and learn fun dances. “Watching all of the kids do the dances they learned all week brings me so much happiness because they are all so excited and nervous,” Bohls said. “Their love for dancing is so energizing, and all of the kids look up to us and tell us how much they want to be like us in the future.” While Bohls said Kiddie Clinic was an exercise of patience, she found it rewarding to watch campers fall in love with dancing and make new friends. “The best part of Kiddie Clinic is watching the kids love the dances and tell you that they practiced at home the night before,” Bohls said. “It makes me happy when kids love to dance so much and are so excited to perform for all their parents.” Blue Brigade finished the Friday show with its first performance of “Blue Gray” as the 2023-2024 team. Watching her campers perform with confidence and smiles, Bohls felt inspired to bring all of her energy into the “Blue Gray” performance. “I look forward to it every year and so do the kids,” Bohls said. “Watching them look up to us gives me the motivation to do better on the team.” Caption by Ingrid Smith.

2023: A year in review in photos

JoJo Barnard, Noah Braun, Amaya Collier, Chloe Lewcock, Gergő Major, Maggie Mass, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
January 10, 2024
Gingerbread houses tops our list of the top 10 Christmas food. Fun to make and fun to eat, gingerbread houses enables creativity, family bonding and provides a tasty holiday treat.

[Photo] Top holiday treats offer array of festive flavors

December 26, 2023
ETHERIAL CONNECTIONS: While performing for middle school dancers last week, the McCallum youth Dance Company connected with younger dancers. Mac dancers opened the showcase with a piece called “Etherial” which was choreographed by Terrance Carson. Dancers leaped at the chance to form bonds with the Lamar dancers, the ones they may share a locker room with in a few years. Sophomore Corinne Hampton believes that talented dancers such as the Lamar Youth Dance Company dancers should have a group like the Mac dancers to look up to. “I think its really great that middle schoolers get excited about the communities they might be a part of.” The opportunity to be a part of the Youth dance company at Mac is something students from Lamar and beyond look forward to throughout middle school. Caption by Maggie Mass.

[Photo] Artistic expression abounds

Gaby Esquivel, Carlo Hinsdale, Chloe Lewcock, Maggie Mass, Mira Patel, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, and Francie Wilhelm
December 12, 2023
MacJ does Boston

MacJ does Boston

Josie Mullan, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, and Dave Winter
November 15, 2023
HERE COMES THE SUN: History teacher Catherine O’Neal breaks into a smile while judging the annual costume competition that occurred during lunch on Halloween. O’Neal, dressed as the sun from “Teletubbies,” judged the contest alongside librarian Jane Orr and English teacher Amy Smith. “I really enjoyed the energy the contest brought,” O’Neal said. “It’s always fun to just do something other than school.” O’Neal also loved seeing student’s talents showcased in a unique way. “I was really impressed by the students who handmade their costumes,” O’Neal said. “It was really just a testament to how creative students are at McCallum.” To O’Neal, creativity is an important asset, thus she is always ecstatic to see it flaunted. “I love seeing the creativity at McCallum expressed like that. It [the costume contest] was just a really cool avenue to witness it,” O’Neal said. Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] McCallum embraces spooky season traditions

JoJo Barnard, Noah Braun, Naomi Di-Capua, Evelyn Jenkins, Eliza Jensen, Chloe Lewcock, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Maya Tackett, and Francie Wilhelm
November 8, 2023
STELLA X2: Senior Stella Shepard and sophomore Stella Little pose for a photo before the Battle of the Bell game. To prepare for the game, the cheerleaders had to increase their practice times. “We had our usual class practices, which are an hour-and-a-half, and then we did extra practices that week for like another hour each day,” Little said. Little said the practice has paid off because she has been able to improve her cheerleading skills and gain more experience. “I have been doing cheer for three years and overall I have gotten better at everything like stunting, cheering and dancing,” Little said. She says having a strong bond with her teammates is the key to success. “I think we’re a really good team,” Little said. “We have a close bond. We did a sleepaway camp over the summer for three days that really helped bond us, and I think that our bond really helps us cheer.”  Caption by Shila Gill.

[Photo] Mac wins big against school rivals

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Shila Gill, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Callen Romell, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Maya Tackett, Priya Thoppil, and Camilla Vandegrift
October 31, 2023
A GOOD KNIGHT’S SLEEP: Sophomore Jacob Mikesh naps in the hallway during Friday’s pajama day. Wanting to go crazy for the last day of homecoming spirit week, he searched far and wide for pajamas that would impress. “I had the idea on Tuesday and thought it could be really funny,” Mikesh said. “I went through my library of pajama pants and picked the funniest ones and came to school.” Mikesh decided that Friday (and only Friday) was the best day to dress up, not only because of the theme, but also the extravagance normally associated with the last day of spirit week. “It just seemed easier,” Mikesh said. “It seemed like the best time because it was Friday.” Pink bear in hand and air mattress below, the going wasn’t all easy. Mikesh faced setbacks throughout the day, whether that be figuring out how to maneuver an air mattress through the school entrance or hiding his napping from teachers and administrators. Unsure of whether he’d be let in toting a mattress, he brought it deflated, choosing to spend his first period blowing it up. “I put it up in psychology,” Mikesh said, “Ms. O’Neal said I wasn’t allowed to nap though, we were talking about cults.” O’Neal wasn’t the only teacher to put an end to Mikesh’s nap time. “I was actually sleeping near the English hallway and Mr. Baxa walked up to me,” he said, “He told me I couldnt sleep in the hallway anymore.” Mikesh knows there’s not much he can do to make his outfit more impressive next time, but he’s still going to try. “There’s not a lot of ways I can one up it [the outfit]; I dont want to bring an actual mattress here,” Mikesh said. “But maybe I can by bringing an actual pillow and blanket and really sleeping.” Caption by Helen Martin.

[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
On the first day of sales this past the seniors sold out of tickets, with each and every one of the 100 available for each grade getting snatched up. Juniors matched the excitement just two days later with less than 20 remaining after the lunch sales. For McCallum senior student body president Olivia Hexsel, seeing the senior tickets sell out so fast felt rewarding. It was fulfilling and worth the hard work and late nights, Hexsel said. Im so excited people are getting the chance to go to a homecoming that my council and I put so much effort into.

[Photo] A new tradition brought home

Chloe Lewcock, people editor
October 21, 2023
WHITE SALSA IN THE LEAD: Junior Brianna Miller records votes from the salsa contest on her phone. The contest occurred during lunch on Oct. 6. By the end of the lunch period, the white salsa, made by the Life Skills class, was in the lead--but it didnt stay this way forever. In the end, after people had changed their votes, teacher assistant Lesly Medinas green salsa wound up racking the most votes.

[Photo] Mac celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

JoJo Barnard, Shila Gill, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, and Alice Scott
October 17, 2023
PEACE OUT PINK WEEK: For Bea Saffers first pink week as a PAL, she didn’t take it lightly. After advertising to her friends that she would be participating in the annual PAL-ery, she got soaked with balloons a record number of times, rounding out to seven in the end. As both a PAL and drum major for Mac Band, Saffer used the opportunity to bring in more donations “I had been advertising pink week activities to the band all week, and my band majors,” Saffer said. “I had received promises of ice buckets from my friends for months before Pink Week, but I didn’t expect half of them to actually show up.” Saffer said her first week met up to the expectations and that despite the never ending water balloons. “It was a bit intimidating,” Saffer said. “But its okay because it was all for a good cause!” Caption by Chloe Lewcock.

[Photo] Pink Week soars to new fund-raising heights

Sutton Banning, JoJo Barnard, Olivia Dungan, Carlo Hinsdale, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Helen Martin, and Olin Michalovic
October 10, 2023
ONeal breaks the Freshman B team out during the Knight Freshman Volleyball Tournament on Aug. 27, 2022.

[Photo] Swim caps to soccer balls

Caroline Owen, print managing editor
October 12, 2023
CARLSON CROSSES: Junior Co-captain Greta Carlson hits a cross during last Friday’s game against Ann Richards. At the game, the Knights won the first set 25-15, but the Stars took the second and third set 25-16, and 25-23. After that, the Stars won the fourth and final set, ultimately winning the game for them. Carlson was disappointed, and felt the team didn’t play to their best ability. “I knew we could play at a higher level and I felt like we didn’t do that in the game,” Carlson said. Although the loss was a bit of a setback for the team, it also served as a factor to push them to do better. ”It kind of lights a fire in your blood when you lose to a team you know you could have beat,” Carlson said. “It makes me want to work on what we need to improve on against Ann Richards, so that when we play them again we’ll win.” Caption by JoJo Barnard.

[Photo] A great volleyball night with a sad ending

JoJo Barnard, Noah Braun, Julia Copas, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Priya Thoppil, Camilla Vandegrift, and Francie Wilhelm
September 26, 2023
Principal Andy Baxa speaks with students on the first day of school.

[Photo] Baxa’s 100 day report card

Alice Scott, co-editor-in-chief
October 19, 2023
On August 23, in response to the hate speech, Mac parents gathered on the corners of Sunshine and Houston during fourth period. The group showed their supports for the LGBTQ+ and trans communities by waving pride flags, holding up signs referencing inclusivity, and wearing bright colors.

[Photo] Latines, culture and the LGBTQ+ community

Luka Alvarez-Scarborough, Marelyn Julissa Ayala Bonilla, Azul Cepero Cortes, Maggie Coulbourn, Ava Deviney, Daniel Fuentes, Ana Mejia, Maverick Palacios, and Sadie Roselle
September 15, 2023
El 23 de agosto, en respuesta al discurso de odio, los padres de Mac se reunieron en las esquinas de Sunshine y Houston durante el cuarto período. El grupo mostró su apoyo a las comunidades LGBTQ+ y trans ondeando banderas de pride, levantando carteles que hacen referencia a la inclusión y vestidos con colores brillantes.

[Photo] Latines, cultura, y la comunidad LGBTQ+

September 15, 2023
Consider advertising in The Shield

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Sophie Leung-Lieu and Dave Winter
September 12, 2023
Murray receives praise from the audience after the 2018 fall MAC dance show Balancing act.

[Photo] Murray moves from Mac to Tacoma

Chloe Lewcock, people editor
September 13, 2023
Following the hateful protests by the Official Street Preachers, parents come out to show their love for LGBTQIA+ students and values on Wednesday.

[Photo] Live and let go

Shield editorial board
August 29, 2023
SENIORS GOT SPIRIT: Senior Emmy Penders cheers after being awarded the spirit stick. Penders was given the stick after the senior section had the loudest chant at the pep rally. “I wasn’t shocked that the senior class won the spirit stick, but it was still exciting,” Penders said. “In the past two years I saw the seniors before win, so it was nice to finally win it for our class.” Penders enjoyed the pep rally. “The pep rally created a fun atmosphere that made me excited to attend the game,” Penders said. “My favorite part was chanting our senior battle cry and then popping the confetti, because it’s another fun tradition seniors get to do during senior year.” Although Penders had a great time, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. “It’s bittersweet that this is my last year of pep rallies because I’ll miss the school spirit that happens during it,” Penders said. “But I’m also excited to move on to new experiences.” Caption by JoJo Barnard.

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

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Naomi Di-Capua, Chloe Lewcock, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, and Maya Tackett
August 29, 2023
After the Official Street Preacher demonstration on Tuesday, Mac parents decided to spread messages of love and support towards the LGBTQ+ community. Former McCallum teacher and current McCallum parent Nikki Northcutt organized the meetup through the parent Facebook page. “Silence is not gonna work,” Northutt said. “We also need to be positive and showing support and that’s literally the only reason I’m here. If one kid in there sees these parents and feels validated then it’s worth it.”

[Photo] Mac community takes a stand against hate group agitators

Francie Wilhelm, co-editor-in-chief
August 27, 2023
YEAR TWO: Sophomores Luciana Ramirez and Sofia Saucedo walk through the busy halls before the start of classes. For Saucedo the start of sophomore year was easy and straightforward. “I was expecting almost the same thing as last year,” Saucedo said. “I am expecting more challenging classes than last year and new people.” According to Saucedo the first day provided many highlights. “Seeing all my friends and seeing what classes I have was fun,” Saucedo said. “And also what the year is going to look like” Saucedo has two main things she is looking forward to. “I am looking forward to soccer and my classes,” Saucedo said. Caption by Naomi Di-Capua.

[Photo] A first day filled with firsts

JoJo Barnard, Julia Copas, Naomi Di-Capua, Gaby Esquivel, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Chloe Lewcock, Helen Martin, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Elena Ulack, and Francie Wilhelm
August 15, 2023
You would never know it from the results, but senior Otto Strub photographed fireworks for the first time on Tuesday night. I was nervous I wouldnt get very many good pictures because it was my first time photographing fireworks, Strub said, but they turned out pretty great.

The Fourth of July by day and by night

Julia Copas, Otto Strub, Lucas Walker, and Dave Winter
July 7, 2023
Veteran photojournalist Nicole Griffith snaps a candid shot of college and career counselor Camille Nix and senior Sabine Collins during Pink Week activities on Tuesday in the courtyard across the cafeteria.

[Photo] Griffith reflects on her time at Mac, her future at ARS

Caroline Owen, host, audio engineer
June 27, 2023
TOUR TIME: KUTs Chase Karacostas takes ILPC summer workshop students on a tour of the KUT offices inside the Dealey Center for New Media on the UT campus last Saturday to show students his companys workspace and the environment of a journalism and media company.

[Photo] Karacostas: It’s essential to build relationships

Sabrina Hernandez, guest reporter
June 21, 2023
Reedy and fellow senior Julia Husted made sure that their Pink Week investment produced the desired result as they upgraded from water balloons to a full bucket of water that found its intended target.

[Photo] At McCallum, Bradsby learned how to be herself, how to speak out

June 9, 2023
On Senior Signing Day, Nix poses for a photo with seniors Rachel Nabhan, William Wheeler, Eric Thatcher and Malia Walewski.

[Photo] An open letter to the Class of 2023

Camille Nix, college and career counselor
June 7, 2023
Falcon made history in a couple of ways. She became the first Blue Brigade dancer to join a college dance team since Sophia Salo in 2019, and she became the first Blue Brigade senior to hold a signing day ceremony on campus, according to her director Nancy Searle.

[Photo] This Falcon set to be a Bruin and a Commodore

Helen Martin, staff reporter
June 4, 2023
Shield co-editor-in-chief Alice Scott presents to Clifford Stanchoss U.S. History class as part of Student Press Freedom Day.

[Photo] Alice Scott: NSPA Marketer of the Year Portfolio

June 1, 2023
After announcing her departure for Ann Richards at the end of June yesterday, principal Nicole Griffith focused today on celebrating the teachers who made valuable contributions this year, those who enjoyed milestones and those who are leaving McCallum at the end of the year.

[Photo] Griffith to leave Mac, accepts ‘dream’ job at Ann Richards

Francie Wilhelm, co-news editor & co-online managing editor
May 26, 2023

[Video] Ms. Gun’s heartfelt message to her students

May 23, 2023
TAKING ACTION: Junior Zephan Mayeda leans against a tree during the walkout holding a sign reading “bullets aren’t school supplies.” He participated in the walkout to protest against the lack of gun protection in the US and draw attention to the statewide protest.  “Children are dying due to government’s apathy and corporate lobbying against any action of any kind,” Mayeda said.  Mayeda was disappointed in the lack of organization that came with the protest, but still participated.  “Better something than nothing,” he said.  Mayeda offered what he would love to see at the walkout.   “I would have loved to see marching, chants, speeches, lists of phone numbers to call senators, names pictures and birthdays of the victims, flyers promoting the protest days weeks or months even in advance, mass absences, an actual walkout for those who can’t not go to school that isn’t just 20 mins of sitting,” Mayeda said. Although he was underwhelmed, Mayeda appreciated the symbolism.  “I think it held some importance in regards to symbolic gestures,” Mayeda said.  Reporting by Kate Boyle. Photo by Gergő Major.

At least 100 Knights walk out for gun control

Kate Boyle, JoJo Barnard, Noah Braun, Gergő Major, Lucas Walker, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
May 16, 2023
The first-period Shield class poses for a photo with its Interscholastic League Press Conference Gold Star Awards for print and online newspaper and some of its 15 Tops in Texas individual achievement award medals earned at the 2023 ILPC Spring Convention.

[Photo] By winning two ILPC Gold Stars, Shield enjoys singular success

Shield staff
May 15, 2023
Junior Isa Pirkey performs her duet piece with junior and fellow piano major Isabella Aleman Ward during the Fine Arts Friday piano recital.

[Photo] Fine tuned Fridays

Alice Scott and Ingrid Smith
May 10, 2023

Pride of Mexico shines in the MAC

Sofia Arredondo, JoJo Barnard, Kate Boyle, Isley Cameron, Amaya Collier, Chloe Lewcock, Gergő Major, Caroline Owen, Alice Scott, Ingrid Smith, Tóth Tamás Vitold, and Dave Winter
May 9, 2023
Shield co-news editor and co-online managing editor Ingrid Smith shares a light moment with illustrator Michaela Goade and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo moments after Smith interviewed them both about their new childrens literature book, Remember, at SXSW EDU in downtown Austin last March. Smith conducted the interview thanks to MacJournalisms partnership with PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs.

[Photo] Shield’s Ingrid Smith featured on award-winning PBS NewsHour Student Report Labs podcast ‘On Our Minds’

PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
May 7, 2023
Dueling signs offer opposite views on the fate of Proposition B on Exposition Boulevard just outside the polling location at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tarrytown.

[Photo] What’s the Austin Police Oversight Act?

Kate Boyle, co-news editor & co-print managing editor
May 3, 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
Science teacher and academic team coach Jace Klein verifies math contest papers during the District 24-5A Academic Meet at LBJ High School on March 25. Klein decided to commit to the McCallum academic team after competing in UIL academics as a high-schooler and believing that Knights had an opportunity to succeed in district. They proved him right by winning the district academic meet by a large margin.

[Photo] UIL academic team members advance to Region

April 20, 2023
‘ONE TWO’ THREE GO: Seniors Nia Wayman, Sophia Kramer and Olivia Falcon lead the team’s formation in hip hop number ‘One Two Step,’ choreographed by Caroline Cullers. Wayman enjoyed conveying the intensity of the number to the audience.  “My favorite part would have to be the headspring whackpack kip-up,” Wayman said. Overall, though, Wayman found this year’s spring show to be bittersweet as she said goodbye to the people and program that had been a part of her life for so many years.  “I was excited throughout but I was also sad that it was the last time I would dancing as part of Blue Brigade,” she said.  Caption by Francie Wilhelm.

A Knight of glitz and ‘glamour’

Kate Boyle, Naomi Di-Capua, Chloe Lewcock, Caroline Owen, Charlie Partheymuller, Ingrid Smith, Priya Thoppil, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
April 18, 2023
LOVE AND JOY: As she dances in her beautiful dress, sophomore Amy Love reflects on the joy it brings to see her father so happy during the McCallum Quinceañera. I think that this event was really beautiful and fun to experience especially for my dad, seeing him so happy and having my family experience this, Love said. My family isn’t big on doing huge celebrations so me and my sister weren’t able to have a quinceañera, but we loved being able to share this day with all the other quinceañeras and their families. Despite the stress of daily meetings and practices leading up to the event, Love found it all worth it for the fun and memories made on the quinceañera day. It was really stressful doing the whole entire meetings and practice because it was every single day, but whenever it was the actual day of it, it was actually really fun, Love said. Overall, Love found the quinceañera event to be a very meaningful experience, which could not have happened without the hard work of Spanish teacher Juana Gun. I want to give a huge thank you to Ms. Gun for making it all possible and being such a sweet person to all of us, Love said. Caption by Gergő Major.

McCallum Quinceañera celebrates comeback

Kate Boyle, Tristen Diaz, Chloe Lewcock, Gergő Major, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Priya Thoppil, Camilla Vandegrift, Grace Vitale, Francie Wilhelm, and Dave Winter
April 11, 2023
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