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
Evelyn Griffin

Evelyn Griffin, copy editor

(she/her)

Senior Evelyn Griffin is proud to be The Shield’s copy editor. She joined the staff her sophomore year because she loves news writing and was eager to be a part of such a talented group of people who love newspaper, doughnuts and terrible puns just as much as she does. This year, she looks forward to making more memories with her fellow staffers and using her tremendous editing power to boss people around! When she is not writing or struggling with page design, Griffin plays tennis, reads, sings in choir, talks to her plants, listens to music, watches movies and spends time in nature.

All content by Evelyn Griffin
In part 2 of our Feeback Loop conversation, Red River Trucking Company prime movers Joaquin Frazier and King Perez Cude talk about the benefits of adding a bass player, of having divergent musical tastes and of performing without a complicated agenda.

Frazier: ‘He brings the energy. I bring the countriness.’

Evelyn Griffin, Julian Magee, and Theo Roe
July 20, 2022
There were seven students in Carly Kehn’s advisory class on Monday, April 18, and that is more than usual. They were tasked with SEL-related arts and crafts. It came as no surprise to Kehn that they all just worked on their computers instead. Like many teachers, Kehn admits to skipping over slides that seem redundant. "I don’t ignore the lessons, I just skip over parts,” she said. “I try to go through it so students get the idea but we don’t do every single slide. It’s also hard to ‘think, pair share’ when there are only five people.”

[Photo] Revise advisory, extend lunch.

Madelynn Niles, co-editor in chief
May 17, 2022
BALLADS AND BLUES: Sophomores King Perez-Cude and Joaquín Frazier, from the student band Red River Trucking Company, play a set of country-rock tunes, including traditional bluegrass tunes, Chris Stapleton’s “Midnight Train to Memphis” and an original song called “Ballad of an Outlaw Fugitive” at the Mr. Myers send-off concert. “We’re a rock band usually, but we have a lot of old school country and blues elements, so we decided to go acoustic,” Frazier said. He describes their style as complicated. “We’re kind of all over the place, but I would say blues or southern rock with some serious country and psychedelic influences,” Frazier said. Although he never met Mr. Myers, Frazier wanted to perform in honor of him. “[I] never got to know Mr. Myers, but I’ve heard great things he had done for our friends, and we wanted to play in honor of him,” he said. “We put together a short set together the night before and decided to go for it.” Reporting by Lucy Marco.

You name it. Red River Trucking Co. plays it.

Julian Magee and Evelyn Griffin
May 15, 2022
Lucas shares that they find it more difficult to be on stage as a musician as opposed to a thespian because they are sharing their own story. The worst fear of all, Lucas admits, is being fake in any way in their music.

Jessie Lucas stays true to themself through their lyrics

Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Evelyn Griffin, Theo Roe, and Francie Wilhelm
April 4, 2022
GEOMETRIC GLAM: Sophomore Lucy Praxmarer-Holloway poses on the fashion show runway in an outfit of her own design. Inspired by the techno beat of 17 Going Under by Sam Fender, the album that played as she and sophomore model Chloe Marco showed off the designs, first-time designer Praxmarer-Holloway’s collection explores geometric shapes and the feelings they evoke. “I felt pretty nervous at first, but when I was on stage I felt confident and proud of what I had accomplished,” Praxmarer-Holloway said. “When my model walked in my design it was amazing to see the idea in my head come together.” According to Praxmarer-Holloway, the design modeled by Marco used triangles, the strongest shape, to convey power. The design Praxmarer-Holloway chose to model herself incorporated cardboard panels to allow rectangular pieces to shoot out from the skirt, her favorite detail from the collection. “I would love to do it again because I got to meet a bunch of amazing people and also just see different styles of fashion which was very inspiring,” Praxmarer-Holloway said. Caption by Ingrid Smith.

Lines from a favorite song

Kiki Baker, Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Evelyn Griffin, Lucy Marco, Madelynn Niles, Charlie Partheymuller, Samantha Powers, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, and Ingrid Smith
March 8, 2022
Lucas has to admit they're getting better all the time

Lucas has to admit they’re getting better all the time

Francie Wilhelm, Theo Roe, Alysa Bijl-Spiro, and Evelyn Griffin
March 5, 2022
Senior Ashley Nicely and Fine Arts Academy clerk Tonya Moore pose in the Black Girl Magic contest T-shirts in front of the Black Girl Magic poster in the main hallway. The poster featured artwork created by students about what the Black Girl Magic movement means to them. On Feb. 17, junior Regan Sims and sophomore Jendayi Innocent were named the winner and the runner up in the contest. "Black girl magic is so important because we have to teach our kids that they're beautiful no matter what skin tone they are," Moore said.

Black History Month revisited and remembered

Terra Balentine, Kate Boyle, Noah Braun, Amaya Collier, Gaby Esquivel, Evelyn Griffin, Emma Hagood, Cassidy Levin, Helen Martin, Madelynn Niles, Samantha Powers, Ingrid Smith, and Francie Wilhelm
March 1, 2022
New and Nic smile for a photo as she brushes him down. "I wish he knew how talented he is and how hard he works and how proud of him I am," New said. "Neigh," Nic commented.

Like a rhinestone cowgirl

Evelyn Griffin, copy editor
February 20, 2022
Robin Kulhanek's most recent release, “Siren,” was inspired by a toxic friendship: “The only way they could get me to stay friends with them was by talking and talking and making me believe.”

For Kulhanek, music a way to cope and to connect

Cassidy Levin, Theo Roe, Evelyn Griffin, and Alysa Bijl-Spiro
February 4, 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 27, 2022
The Nabhan sisters. senior Sydney and junior. Rachel pose while on a hike in Colorado wih the rest of their family. Both sisters cite activities off the court as their best bonding-experiences.

Serving up sisterhood

Anna McClellan and Evelyn Griffin
January 9, 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
SINGING FOR SCROOGE: To preface the choir concert, a group of choir members sang Christmas carols in a “Dickens-esque” fashion. Senior chamber choralist, Evelyn Griffin (second from the left), told Macjournalsim that the group stuck to classic Christmas songs. “[We sang] 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas,' some Latin thing, 'Silent Night,' that kind of thing,” Griffin said. “My wardrobe situation was a bit stressful, but I enjoy singing with tenors and basses.” Caption by Lucy Marco.

Mac music programs ring in the the holiday season with return of December concert series

Evelyn Griffin, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Julian Magee, Lucy Marco, Caroline Owen, Samantha Powers, Elena Ulack, and Francie Wilhelm
December 14, 2021
The “pick me” girl trend extends a centuries-old practice of men turning women against each other, a costly diversion that halts progress, preserves a fruitless and prejudicial quest for validation.

The ‘pick me’ girl persists

Evelyn Griffin, copy editor
December 4, 2021

Coffeehouse enjoys triumphant return to Mac campus

Evie Barnard, Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Amaya Collier, Carter Eason, Evelyn Griffin, Cassidy Levin, Madelynn Niles, Caroline Owen, Samantha Powers, Sofia Ramon, Alice Scott, and Grace Vitale
November 9, 2021
ONE DAY MORE: Seniors Jessie Lucas and Amethyst Mellberg-Smith make a final stand to save Bikini Bottom in the Act I finale, “Tomorrow Is.” Lucas, who played the titular role of SpongeBob, was touched by the song, which takes place with only one day left to save the town from an imminent volcano apocalypse. “It kind of reminded me of how I interacted with friends at the beginning of the pandemic,” Lucas said, “before we really knew what was going on. Having that experience myself really helps me play that scene as honestly as I can.” Caption by Lanie Sepehri.

MacTheatre dives deep into ‘The SpongeBob Musical’

Sophi Beardslee, Francesca Dietz, Evelyn Griffin, Eliza Jensen, Sophie Kessler, Sophie Leung-Lieu, Lucy Marco, Devin Neal, Madelynn Niles, Caroline Owen, Samantha Powers, Alice Scott, Lanie Sepehri, Ingrid Smith, Alysa Spiro, and Kennedy Weatherby
September 14, 2021
Ms. Rodriguez conducts her first-period choir class on Aug. 23. A 30-year veteran who has taught in Corpus Christi, Bastrop, Pflugerville and most recently at Akins High School, Rodriguez says she was drawn to the Fine Arts Academy because of the caliber of students it attracts.

Rodriguez charts new course for Mac choir

Evelyn Griffin and Julian Magee
September 13, 2021
Over their two pandemic albums, Baxter Low, the self-proclaimed “musician/occultist/aspiring artist,” has seen their sound improve and evolve into what they call “cosmic folk pop.”

A songwriter first, Baxter Low views their lyrics as a dialogue with the subconscious mind

Theo Roe, Alysa Spiro, and Evelyn Griffin
September 5, 2021
LIVING LIKE A KING: Senior Amelie Chaouat smiles as she shares a dance with Kyle Davis, who was voted as one of this year’s Mac prom royalty. For Davis, the royal victory came as a complete surprise. “I thought it was cute and all that I made it to the second round of voting,” he said, “but I had no idea that I would win. I was beyond excited, and I’m so thankful to have been chosen.” As for the rest of the night, Kyle spent his time dancing with friends and reconnecting with classmates he hadn’t seen due to COVID. “I was honestly very worried that prom was just going to be awkward for so many people because so many of us haven’t had actual social interactions in big groups, but it was definitely the opposite,” Davis said. “It was full of interaction and everyone was very talkative.” Most of all, Davis is grateful that he and his peers had the opportunity to celebrate the end of senior year. “It was actually super reassuring,” he said. “Being able to even have a prom in general was amazing, and the fact that we got to have at least one event for the class of 2021 was just lovely.” Reporting by Madelynn Niles.

Seniors make most of muddy mask-querade

Marley Angle, Alysa Spiro, Ellen Fox, Evelyn Griffin, Lucy Marco, Anna McClellan, Madelynn Niles, Grace Nugent, Lydia Reedy, Alice Scott, and Kennedy Weatherby
May 4, 2021
Ms. Crane and Mr. Pass assist a student establish a WiFi connection prior to starting the ninth-grade English STAAR test on Tuesday morning.

Server issues disrupt STAAR exams across Texas

Evelyn Griffin, co-news editor
April 6, 2021
Students, parents, and teachers march at the 2017 Save Texas Schools rally, fighting for the distribution of more resources to public schooling, including the end of the STAAR test. “The legislature must provide more funding to our schools and must reform the system so that school funding reflects the true costs of educating our children," state Sen. Kirk Watson said.

TEA requires in-person STAAR

Evelyn Griffin, co-news editor
March 31, 2021
"The Nostalgic," by senior Raleigh Margulies was one of 14 pieces by Mac artists chosen to advance to state VASE. “The piece of my sister holding a chicken is basically a happier depiction of our actual life,” Margulies said. “It’s reminiscent of life before the pandemic, yet taking care of the chickens is one of the things that hasn’t changed much.” Unlike most aspects of life, Margulies feels like this year’s VASE competition was actually improved by a virtual format. “Normal VASE is usually an all-day event and involves a lot of waiting around, so it can be kind of boring. The interviews are a bit nerve-racking,” Margulies said. “I actually liked VASE this year. It felt more relaxed for the students.”

A virtual VASE gallery of MAC state finalists

Evie Barnard, Kate Boyle, Josie Bradsby, Olivia Capochiano, Ellen Fox, Evelyn Griffin, Lucy Marco, Anna McClellan, Samantha Powers, Sofia Ramon, Lydia Reedy, Bella Russo, and Alice Scott
March 9, 2021
The simple truth is this: staying home will decrease the chances of another surge of Covid-19 cases: something we can’t risk right now.

[Photo] You can’t beat home sweet home

Shield editorial board
December 12, 2020
Former student Lauren Ryan-Holt and juniors Charlotte Bearse and Abigail Leman pose at the 2019-2020 TMEA Area choir contest. This year, the Area choir competition format will be modified to operate virtually through audio submission.

[Photo] Perseverance is key for Mac musicians

Samantha Powers, co-news editor, co-copy editor
October 23, 2020
During his in-depth interview on the Feedback Loop, senior Jay Mathis discusses the influences that together helped him create a new sound for his first EP Vampire. Photo by Brooke Ellisor. Graphic by Theo Roe.

Mathias’ new sound all about experimenting, having fun

Evelyn Griffin, Theo Roe, and Alysa Spiro
October 18, 2020
Bird Bird co-owner Brian Batch displays one of the restaurant’s many delicious biscuit sandwiches. Originally a Thunderbird Coffee barista, he and Thunderbird owner Ryan McElroy became close friends and decided to go into business together. I for one am very grateful for that decision. photo reposted from Bird Bird website with permission of McElroy

I give you permission to love Bird Bird Biscuits because you will

Evelyn Griffin, news editor
October 11, 2020
Anderson's Spotify metal playlist is 34 hours long, and his chart showing different metal genres and their relationship to each other looks like a constellation of stars.

Turns out you can judge a band by its album cover

Evelyn Griffin, Anna McClellan, Grace Nugent, and Theo Roe
September 28, 2020
Senior Marlee Foster, AKA Merlin, released "Black Boy, White House," a new single, to streaming platforms on Aug 14. Merlin's smooth vocals, lyrics, and melody in "Black Boy White House" illustrate some of their experiences as a young person of color. This song is their third release, following "Boy's Club" and "Red Eyes, Pt. 2." Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta. Graphic by Theo Roe.

Merlin pairs powerful lyrics with upbeat, laid-back style

Theo Roe, Evelyn Griffin, and Alysa Spiro
August 28, 2020
McCallum senior Molly Gardner attends the class of 2020 drive-by graduation parade on May 28. The parade has been one of the few on-campus events that have taken place since COVID-19 prompted the closure of the campus on March 13. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

[Photo] Virtual education is best bad option

Samantha Powers and Grace Nugent
August 16, 2020
Thunderbird on Koenig served its last cup of coffee today until 2021. It is the end of an era, and it will be missed. The location, however, has a bright, biscuity future ahead. I just wish the gallon of cold brew coffee sitting in my fridge would last as long as the fond memories I have. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

Thunderbird Coffee bids adieu to Brentwood (for now)

Evelyn Griffin, news editor
July 26, 2020
It may take some creativity to stay in touch with those we love but cannot see face to face during this pandemic, but it can be done. You just have to think outside the box you are quarantined in. Illustration by Evelyn Griffin.

Staying connected (from a distance)

Evelyn Griffin, Staff reporter
May 13, 2020
Since March 25, the College Board has been using YouTube Live to stream free, educational videos for AP students everywhere. Every course has YouTube videos and is being taught by a veteran AP teacher. In a press release on March 20, the College Board said that “these solutions are meant to be as simple and lightweight as possible for both students and teachers — without creating additional burdens for school leaders during this time.” Although they are not mandatory, students are encouraged to watch the videos and take notes. Not all teachers will be going over new material when online school begins, so those who wish to learn the material that is no longer needed for the test can watch new lessons every day. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

College Board pares down AP test format for 2020

Evelyn Griffin, staff reporter
March 29, 2020
A "GRAND" ENTRANCE: The hallways were dark on Monday morning, Dec. 30. The classrooms were silent. For the cast and crew of Grand Hotel assembled in the McCallum Arts Center, however, it was business as usual as they prepared for opening night at the end of January. MacTheatre did take off New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but on Jan. 3, the tech crew was back at work building the set and today after more than three weeks of rehearsal, the cast of MacTheatre’s spring musical, Grand Hotel began its first run-through. “This run-through is going to be pretty rough,” sophomore dance ensemble member Lucy Nichols said before it got underway this afternoon, “but I know we’ll get it together. We’re moving at a good pace.” Sophomore Mollie King agreed.”At first, I was a little worried that we were going to be too slow, but we actually seem to know what’s going on.” King plays a telephone operator in the show. “I get to have a lot of fun with my part and make it my own,” she said. “The set is minimal, so the ensemble brings the hotel to life.” Director Joshua Denning said he looks forward to the next stages MacTheatre will take to bring the production to life and before a live audience. “We worked a lot of things out. I know that it can get better than it was today and that it will,” he said. Performances begin on Jan. 30 and end on Feb. 9. These pictures are from rehearsal on Dec. 30. (1) The Grand Hotel staff blocks a scene. (2) Telephone operators sophomore Sydney Lowe, junior Amelie Chaouat, sophomore Mollie King and sophomore Lila Plummer. (3) Denning gives notes to freshman Rhett Shields. (4) The full cast receives notes. Photos and caption by Evelyn Griffin

[Photo] Photos of the week

November 11, 2014
At this Starbucks near McCallum, the chairs give a clear indication that the managers are following the mayor's order to prohibit dine-in service at their restaurant. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

[Photo] Austin restaurants brace for COVID-19 economy

Samantha Powers, staff reporter
March 17, 2020
According to an American Association of University Women survey conducted in 2002, 83 percent of women and 76 percent of men experience sexual harassment at least once between eighth and eleventh grade. Sources: American Association of University Women, National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Graphic by Evelyn Griffin.

Sexual harassment exacts heavy toll

Evelyn Griffin, staff reporter
March 5, 2020
Junior London Hudnall (above) defeated Myah Alvear from Glenn High School, 6-2, at the district meet at Delco Event Center on Feb. 7. Photo by Elisha Scott.

Hudnall hopes for state

Evelyn Griffin and Elisha Scott
February 21, 2020
Junior Thomas Lucey competes in a wrestling match against Weiss on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Austin High. He got fourth in his weight class overall and third at his next tournament the following weekend. “It was kind of a struggle but I think it taught me a good lesson of never giving up, and the match was successful in the end.” Photo by Tallulah Wilson.

Wrestlers rededicated to making state

Evelyn Griffin, staff reporter
December 29, 2019
LET IT SNOW! In the Band Holiday Concert the band played an array of Christmas, Hanukkah and jazz music. The set list ranged from Georgia on my Mind written by Hoagy Carmichael to Let it Snow written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. The variety of music included classics and lesser known songs, leading to a range of favourite songs within the band. Junior trombone player Nicholas Reedy said “ I really liked A Christmas Festival, it was fun to play and learn.” Photo by Lydia Reedy.

A whole lot of holiday music

Scarlet Frese, Evelyn Griffin, Samantha Powers, Lydia Reedy, Elisha Scott, Regan Sims, Bela Tapperson, Kristen Tibbetts, and Grace Van Gorder
December 17, 2019
The MacJ DC crew poses with NBC political director Mark Murray on the NBC Washington DC studio set where "Meet the Press" is filmed. Photo by Dave Winter.

Writing off more than you can chew

Evelyn Griffin and Elisha Scott
November 23, 2019
Several times during his keynote session, NBC broadcast journalist Chuck Todd challenged young journalists not to cover the presidential election but rather to cover city council and school board meetings because local matters have a more immediate and profound impact on people's lives.

Meet the student press

Evelyn Griffin, staff reporter
November 22, 2019
Those who vape at Mac have reacted to the CDC report in different ways. To some, the CDC findings are a big deal; to others, the report hasn’t changed their habits at all.

CDC links vaping to 33 deaths in U.S.

Anna McClellan and Evelyn Griffin
October 31, 2019
Because teachers are only legally obligated to allow students to have accommodations if they have a 504 plan, those who do not apply for a plan have no way of ensuring that they receive the classroom accommodations they may need.

There has to be a simpler way

Evelyn Griffin, Staff reporter
October 17, 2019
Freshman Peyton Casey hits the ball to her opponents during her and Williams’ match against Dripping Springs.

Serving up a gallery

Elisha Scott, Evelyn Griffin, and Isabella Dietz
April 30, 2019
A digital rendering of the new Pearl apartments, which are slated to be complete by 2020.

From Honda store to Pearl next door

Evelyn Griffin, guest reporter
December 21, 2018
FROM BACKFIRE TO CAR FIRE: The inside of Rice’s car was seriously burned. Along with a broken windshield and severely damaged dashboard, the seat coverings burned off. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

Firefighters respond to car fire in Dart Bowl parking lot

Evelyn Griffin, guest reporter
December 14, 2018
Wigging Out Sophomore Ava Grace Light-Whipple plays a banshee in Starmites, the McCallum Fall musical. She and the other banshees all wear large, colorful wigs that take a lot of time to perfect. “I have to braid my hair, and then pin it, and then pin on my wig cap, and then I ask the...costume crew to help me secure my wig and pin back the bangs and make sure it’s all ready to go.” It may take a while, but the results look great. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

Marlee Foster is an ensemble member and the understudy of Eleanor/Bizarbara and Mother/Diva in the McCallum Fall musical, Starmites. She does very bright, elaborate eye makeup for every performance. When I asked why, she said, “I took so long to do my eye makeup because when it comes to stage makeup, especially if you’re standing in the back, you want something about you to pop.” Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

Starmites is Hair-larious “This hair gives me power!” For his character, S’up S’up Sensaboi in Mac Theatre’s production of Starmites, an 80’s sci-fi musical, Sam Richter gets his hair curled for every performance. He really loves it, and for good reason. It looks totally righteous. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

Prepping for a performance of Starmites, The McCallum Fall musical, Ava Grace Light-Whipple does her makeup with vibrant colors to match her crazy banshee costume, feathered hat, and hot pink wig. Photo by Evelyn Griffin.

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