The Shield

he l pf u

c ar

i ng

kin

d

l

I AM...

McCallum’s Gay-Straight Alliance speaks about the transgender community, involves students with ‘I am’ project. page 9

f un

Students give opinions on proposed project to develop the Grand Canyon page 7

ny

WHAT’S INSIDE

Musician Jonathan Scales plays with Knights of Steel page 8

the

shield

McCallum High School / 5600 Sunshine / Austin, TX 78756 / Feb. 6, 2015 / Issue 3 / Volume 62

smart

04 05 16 18

inside

news

the issue

A new law bans drivers from using devices while behind the wheel, could cause heavy fines Math, PALS teacher Richard Cowles wins contest for school’s Teacher of the Year

feature

12 senior boys participated in the pageant ‘Mr. McCallum’ to raise money for prom English teacher Nikki Northcutt wins teacher pageant ‘Teachers and Tiaras’ for second time

sports

21 22

Seniors Jake Holmes, Meghan Mitchell featured in sports profiles after committing to colleges

fe b .

save

the date

Varsity soccer coach Nicholas Martin raises the level of ‘no pass, no play’ policy for the team

9

Boys soccer against LBJ at House Park: JV @ 5:30 p.m., varsity @ 7:15 p.m.

10

Orchestra Pre-UIL Concert in FAT @ 7 p.m.

Girls soccer against LBJ @ Nelson: JV @ 5:30, Varsity @ 7:15

13

Boys basketball at Crockett: Fresh @ 5:30, JV @ 6:30, Varsity @ 8

19-22 26

Mar. 7

‘Ghost the Musical’ opening weekend in MAC @ 7 p.m.

Late start

Annual benefit Fashion Show, ‘Avant Garde,’ location TBD @ 7 p.m.

Above: Junior Benjamin Hernandez plays in the varsity boys soccer game against Crockett Jan. 28.

Right: Junior Lilli Niester, senior Charlotte McKinley and junior Marley Chilton look on while anatomy teacher Richard Whisennand performs a dissection on a rat.

Cover: Members of Spectrum, sophomore Robert Martindale, freshman Lydia Jones, freshman Isabel Lerman, sophomore Bronwyn Kermani, junior June Bendich, Isabelle Habegger, Emma Baumgardner, meet every Wednesday to discuss diversity and equality at the school.

visit

macshieldonline.com

the

shield

Change in leadership Paul Cruz named new AISD superintendent MARA VANDEGRIFT news editor

Interim superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz has been named the new superintendent of Austin ISD. He replaced Dr. Meria Carstarphen after she left for Atlanta public schools on April 16.

The Austin school district hosted a forum for students Jan. 14 to ask Cruz questions and give him feedback on what they wanted to see happen in the district.

“I’ve always had the superintendent’s round table, and that’s specifically with students,” Cruz said at the start of the evening. “It’s so important for me that I always hear directly from students on what’s happening [and] what are the issues. I thought, ‘Why don’t we just have an opportunity for y’all just to ask questions?’ So that’s what we wanted to do today.”

During the forum, Cruz wanted feedback on the typical experience for both middle schools and high schools. He said it is important to hear the questions and comments of the students in the district and see how the board can improve.

“What I typically do at the superintendent’s round table is really talk about middle school and high school experience because high school is so different from middle school,” Cruz said. “What I’ve found in working with high school and middle school students is sometimes we don’t get to ask these questions. Sometimes we don’t have a sibling or maybe a cousin who’s already in high school. We don’t know who to ask.”

Cruz discussed how the district identifies every school’s needs, including teachers and resources.

“We do have formulas for every single school that’s different for the different grade levels,” Cruz said.

“It’s 22 students at elementary schools for one teacher.

That’s how we actually provide and assign teachers for schools as far as what we call full-time equivalent positions.”

While the number of students decides how many teachers to assign to a school, different factors are used for deciding on other resources.

“As far as additional resources, we look at student performance,” Cruz said. “We look to see what are some of the programs that school wants to offer and how much will it take to offer that program and that support.”

Cruz highlighted several points of interest for the school board in the upcoming months and years, including improving graduation rates, new programs and technology being offered, and dealing with the budget. Graduation rates are improving. They are currently at 84.1 percent compared to being at 74.3 percent

06 feb. 2015

in 2008.

“The biggest challenge is improving graduation rates,” Cruz said. “What we need to do in high schools is offer multiple pathways for students. There are some students that need different opportunities, more online courses, and so it’s always a matter of how are we preparing all our students but also how are we differentiating so the students get the structure that they need and really in a way that’s most effective for that individual student.”

To improve these rates, schools must have expectations but also help those who need it, Cruz said.

“It’s about rigor,” Cruz said. “It’s about high expectations for all students. It’s about looking at the course work that we’re setting up for all students in our graduation plans and making sure students are meeting those expectations.”

When discussing technology, Cruz said the problem is how to deal with it changing so quickly and how to apply it.

“I would say there are differences on how we can use technology on the high school level, middle school level and elementary school level,” Cruz said. “We do have a group that’s studying what are the expectations and how can we use technology in a better way, and we should be bringing that forward in the next few months.”

A task force is currently looking into programs at the high school level and working on developing new ones, according to Cruz.

“Where it is right now is we’re continuing in those discussions to look at, ‘Do we want to expand some of the current offerings that we have? Or do we want to open some offerings?’ So it is true, that’s something we’re looking at. I do not have something to show you and say, ‘This is the final product. Give me your advice and opinion.’ We are working through that process to see if this is something we actually want to do and move forward. A lot of it will be based on student interest. The main thing is, will students enroll? Is there really that strong need?”

Austin ISD is a Chapter 41 district, or recapture district, which means some of the money that goes to the district will actually go back to the state due to the property values. This causes problems for the district, Cruz said. During his State of the District address in October, Cruz acknowledged enrollment is down by nearly 2,000 students due to the spike in property values. The average market value rose in Austin 10 percent from 2013 to 2014, according to Impact News.

“Over the past 10 years, we have given to the state $1.4 billion that actually is money that comes into Aus-

Dr. Paul Cruz facts:

• Worked in education for 28 years • Has worked as a teacher, campus administrator and central office administrator in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and south Texas • Acted as superintendent at Laredo ISD • Worked as deputy commission- er for dropout prevention at the Texas Education Agency • Has a Bachelor of Science in education (with a specialization in English) • Has a Master of Science in edu cation administration • Received his Ph. D. in education at age 29 *Information according to Austin ISD website tin but goes into the state under the recapture system because we are a recapture district,” Cruz said. “We are the district in Texas that is the highest payer into recapture. Because of property values increasing so quickly in Austin, over the next five years, we’re gonna give to the state another $1 billion. Our board and our administration actually just talked about this at a principals’ meeting, and we talked about how we can work with our legislative representatives perhaps to get some relief for Austin ISD so that that money will stay here and we can use it for supports in either programming or even facilities; $175 million is what we’re actually giving to recapture this year. Every year it’s gonna be more and more. By 2018, it’ll be $301 million in one year, so that’s significant when you consider a $1 billion budget. That’s a lot of money that’s going from Austin that we pay in recapture payments.”

3 news

the

shield

Five seconds is the average time a person’s eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field.

Ten percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.

Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times.

Photo illustration by Ben Brown.

Make the right call Austin implements law to help fight the use of hand-held devices while driving BEN BROWN staff reporter

The City of Austin implemented a new ordinance which took affect Jan. 1, that would not allow any driver to use his or her cell phone in any way while driving.

The ordinance is there to help officers who previously had to discern the difference between texting and dialing.

Talking on the phone had previously been legal while texting had not. Now the punishment could include a $500 fine and a ticket.

Junior James Sullivan said the law would really affect him.

“I like to talk on the phone while I drive, and I am actually pretty good at

04 news

it,” Sullivan said. “Now I’ll have to pull over before I accept or make a call because I really don’t want the big fine.”

The law does state drivers can use their electronic devises if they’re stopped at a stoplight, stop sign or in stand-still traffic.

“I like that they still let you text or talk at stop lights,” Sullivan said. “I think the lawmakers understand that some people may have to send an important text or make an important call.”

Every year close to 5,000 people are killed on the road because they are using their phones, and even hundreds of thousands more are involved in accidents that injure them.

Statistics show that phones contribute to 23 percent of all accidents, and

that 52 percent of American teens admit to talking or texting while driving. Only 10 states in the United States prohibit cell phone use while driving. While the number of wrecks caused by drunk or impaired driving accounts for roughly 30 percent of all accidents in America, in all of the states it is illegal to drive while impaired.

Junior Alexia Heinrich said the only reason she uses her phone while driving is for GPS. “I use my GPS a lot to get to places I need to go,” Heinrich said. “I think it’s unfair that some people who have built in GPSs have the ability to use them, but since I use the one on my phone, I can get in trouble for it.”

Heinrich also said she thinks other

distractions that aren’t illegal that would affect drivers as much as a phone.

“I feel like changing stations on the radio or passengers affect you as much as cellphones do,” Heinrich said.

AISD Police Dispatch Officer Christine Hearn said even the new law won’t solve the problem.

“There was a problem and there will continue to be a problem,” Hearn said.

“The law won’t stop people from using their phones.”

Hearn also said at the moment, nothing has changed.

“Really, we aren’t doing anything differently,” Hearn said, “but citations will start being issued in February.”

*All statistics come from Distraction.gov

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

A positive outcome Math teacher Richard Cowles named Teacher of the Year MARA VANDEGRIFT news editor

Math teacher Richard Cowles was named 2015 Teacher of the Year Jan. 26.

“It was very flattering, of course,” Cowles said. “All the other candidates were certainly very worthy. It’s nice to receive recognition from your peers. I spend a lot of time and effort teaching and all that kind of thing, so it’s a nice recognition of one’s efforts.”

This is Cowles’ 18th year teaching at McCallum. Previously, he spent three years teaching in Chad, Africa, for the Peace Corp.

“I went to Guanajuato, Mexico, and spent six weeks studying Spanish and had an amazing time,” Cowles said. “I loved learning a new language, loved learning a new culture. People were so receptive and so interested in me learning Spanish that it just rocked my world.

That’s when I realized that if I could get that experience and get teaching experience at the same time, that’s what I wanted to do. I did a little research, and by far the Peace Corp was the best opportunity to do that. It was my time in Guanajuato and then through student teaching, I knew I wanted to teach through all that sort of stuff, so that led me to Peace Corp.”

When in Africa, Cowles said he realized how important education is and how some Americans take advantage of it.

“It certainly solidified my dedication to education,” Cowles said. “In the United States, if you don’t get your education, there are opportunities to bypass that. There are more opportunities to be self-made. Over in Chad, without an education, you are a subsistence farmer.

You grow what you eat and that is your entire life, your entire income and therefore you are at the mercy of your crops and the rains and all that sort of stuff.

The only way to escape that was through education. It’s even more essential over there, so it renewed my dedication that education is the most important thing that we do, and we’ve got to have good teachers.”

06 feb. 2015

Cowles said being named Teacher of the Year is a reassuring sign that he’s doing something right.

“I’m the only stats teacher.

I work with other geometry teachers as well, so I’m a little isolated sometimes,” Cowles said. “It’s nice to get any appreciation, especially from your colleagues.”

Not only is it nice to get appreciation from colleagues, it’s also nice to get appreciation from students, both past and present, Cowles said.

“It’s also wonderful when students come back and are like, ‘Oh thanks. You taught me stats and it was great when I did this or when I did that,’” Cowles said. “It’s great when students come back and tell me, ‘Stats was great when I took ecology class, or when I was in business, or when I was in psychology’ or different things like that, so that’s kind of one of the big perks of education; it kind of reassures you, ‘cause obviously I don’t do it for the money. I do it to be helpful and to be supportive and all that sort of stuff. It’s great to get that feedback, and so I’m lucky students come back and I get that.”

Cowles said his recognition may have come from a number of factors including his friendliness, association with the PALs program and his test scores.

“I’m constantly talking to people about, ‘Hey send your nominations in’ and that kind of thing,” Cowles said. “I’ve also been here a while.

I founded the statistics program here at McCallum [and] I’m the most senior math teacher, so as a result at some point in time I think everyone’s kind of met me. Also through the blood drive, I had to talk to some of the Fine Arts folks and some of the athletic folks. I think longevity, that I’m friendly with everyone and you know, we often talk about AP scores and my AP scores are good, so I think that’s also recognized.”

His kindness to others helps him both at McCallum and outside of school, he said. He contributes “kind acts” to opening a lot of doors for him. This past summer, he wrote Statistics curriculum for the Dana Center at the University of Texas.

“I had no connections over there, but it turns out someone got hired over there that was a first year stats teacher about five years ago over at Travis, and she goes, ‘I remember how nice you were to me and you gave me all your stuff and all that sort of stuff and so I looked you up,’” Cowles said.

Cowles said he makes an effort with his students and tries to be accessible. He said he is for them and will treat them with respect.

“I think that a lot of adults underestimate teenagers,” Cowles said. “I think teenagers are very intuitive and they can quickly sense if a teacher is for them or not. I think my students pick up that I’m for them [and] I’m there to help. If they drop something on the ground, I’m gonna pick it up. I’m gonna say, ‘Yes sir, yes ma’am.’ I go out of my way when you come back. ‘Oh, you know, when-

ever you want to come back. I’m flexible.’

I think all that creates a bond with those around me that people tend to appreciate, and it works well, I guess.”

Cowles said McCallum is unique due to the diverse population and creativity in the school.

“I think some people don’t recognize how special a place McCallum is and how well-rounded an education we provide,” Cowles said. “I think there’s some schools that do some things well, but I think especially with the Fine Arts, it fosters creativity and because of our smaller, diverse campus, it creates understanding that a lot of places miss out.

One of the things I point out to people is, other schools may produce people that do very well on tests and stuff like that, but I think we produce students that do well in a lot of things.”

McCallum’s inclusiveness and creativity leads to students being wellrounded and successful, Cowles said.

“I also think McCallum does an awesome job of offering so many different opportunities, especially for creativity,” Cowles said. “I really think that the Fine Arts program supplements well the academics and the athletics. I think McCallum students are the most well-rounded educationally of anywhere in the district because of the opportunities we offer.

There is no barrier. It’s also very inclusive. There is more to education that just within the walls. My favorite quote is Helen Keller: ‘The highest result of education is tolerance.’ I think that it something a lot of us get out of McCallum that may be missed in other schools.”

Cowles accepts his Teacher of the Year award on Jan. 26. “There are a bunch of teachers that pour their heart and soul into this school because students appreciate it and want to be here, and it’s very cohesive,” he said. “We create very wellrounded people.” Photo by Haley Hegefeld.

05 news

the

shield

A dip in the Pool

New council member for District 7 plans to preserve neighborhoods, water, lower property taxes

JULIA ROBERTSON staff reporter

With a vote in city council several months ago to approve the single districts in Austin that have one candidate representing each district, McCallum is now in what is District 7, represented by Leslie Pool.

According to the Austin American Statesmen, the most politically active places in Austin are Hyde Park, Old West Austin, Tarrytown and the areas around the University of Texas. Many of these places are very near or in District 7.

“I have lived in Austin for nearly 35 years and have developed a network of associations and colleagues over more than three decades living and working, raising a family in Austin,” Pool said. “My years of involvement were essential in garnering support and endorsements.”

o

Capital Metr

Pool said she wants to improve the neighborhood so it is better for the people who live in District 7.

“We are going to conduct business in different ways from previous councils, in part because we now have 11 districts where past councils were seven,” Pool said, “but also because the Austin community has indicated support for a new way forward. Next we will work with area residents on closing gaps in existing parks and greenways, and expanding access to parks, pools and libraries.”

Pool also said she would like to make pools open before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, and have libraries open every day. They are closed on Sundays right now. Another goal Pool has is to learn as much as she can about the needs in other parts of town so she can support her colleagues in programs and services that they need.

B us Pool hopes to invest in multiple modes of transportation, improve bus routes and schedules, and increase avalibility of stops around neighborhoods.

No

rthwest P o

ol

Frisco, B

u

et R rn

Th e

d

06 news

As key components of the economy, Pool values the revenue that local businesses generate.

Pool hopes to preserve each neighborhood by improving community assets such as pools, libraries and parks.

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

A grand mistake

Students say iconic National Park should be kept in its natural state

On the far eastern side of the Grand Canyon, the light blue of the Little Colorado converges with the dark green of the Colorado River, sandwiched between the burned orange of the canyon walls. Arizona developers have teamed up with the Navajo Nation to make this remote, isolated confluence (where the Big and Little Colorado meet) a place to be accessible by all with just a short gondola ride.

The Grand Canyon Escalade, a multi-billion-dollar project, proposed by the Confluence Partners LLC, would include a gondola that takes tourists from the East Rim a mile down to the river, stadium-style seating along the river, gift shops, restaurants along the river, as well as lease sites for hotels and resorts.

Developer R. Lamar Whitmer told National Geographic magazine the idea of the Grand Canyon Escalade was sparked by similar attractions in the Swiss Alps and Napa Valley. He said hopes he can make the confluence accessible to all. However, a dispute over who owns the land, whether it is the National Park Service of the Navajo nation, could debunk the proposal. If approved, the Confluence Partners LLC hope to have shops and hotels on the East rim by 2018.

“It makes me pretty angry that they would try and commercialize the Grand Canyon,” senior Adam Freng said. “It doesn’t need any of that stuff. It would lose it’s significance because it would be so artificial. It isn’t a theme park; it is a national park.”

While over 4.3 million visitors see the canyon a year, less than 1 percent get to experience it from the Colorado River due to the National Park Service regulating how many visitors can run the river a year.

“My favorite part was feeling like you were part of something so much bigger,” freshman Jack Switzer said.

“You also get to experience one of the wonders of nature. There is really nothing else like it in the world, and it is incredible to think about how it even got there. When you’re in the river, you just look up and feel so small.”

After rafting the Colorado with Grand Canyon Youth, a nonprofit based out of Flagstaff, Arizona, Freng said the overwhelming care the river community had for the canyon allowed him to experience everything it offered.

“Everything is so isolated,” Freng said. “You can just live in the moment without worrying about anything because you have everything that you need right there. Every night I would sit and look at the stars and realize that I was in a place that is beyond incredible and so awe-inspiring. I want people to understand how awesome and special the place is, but it is something I can’t even begin to describe. You just have to witness it first-hand.”

Freng said the effect of the Grand Canyon Escalade would be detrimental to the delicate ecosystem and would take away from the experience that the untouched land has to offer.

“I feel like if you ride down in a gondola, you won’t have the same respect for the place,” Freng said.

“We should keep out as much as possible.

Obviously we need ranger stations, but resorts and gift shops are unnecessary. Leave the national parks natural.”

MARY STITES

co-editor in chief

06 feb. 2015

07 news

the

shield

co-assistant editor

“

Professional musician Jonathan Scales performs with Knights of Steel

“

HALEY HEGEFELD

Scaling up

“For me, it starts with the concept. It doesn’t really start with notes or chords or anything like that. It starts with what kind of vibe I want to put across.”

- Jonathan Scales

During class, the day of the Knights of Steel concert, bassist Cody Wright and drummer Chaisaray “Chais” a student went up to professional steel pan player and Schenck. They released their self-titled debut jazz album guest performer Jonain 2013 and followed than Scales and told this with their second, him that on a bad day, “Mixtape Symphony,” they listen to his mua year later. Junior sic and it makes them Lauren Molloy played feel better. This small alongside him at the act showed Scales the concert. kind of difference he “He [played] was making. with us on four of “My favorite part of his songs, which our playing with students teacher [arranged] for is seeing that I actuour steel pan group,” ally have some kind of Molloy said. “We [reimpact to inspire them hearsed] with him the because with what day before, and then I do, I’m so focused he [played] a little bit on running the ship,” with just his band by Scales said. “The band himself.” is like a ship, and I’m Scales has been so focused on running coming to McCallum the ship that I don’t reevery year for the past ally get to see how the 4 or 5 years to give a music affects people, performance for the so it’s really interestseventh period, Moling to see a first-hand loy said. Thus, he has encounter of how the been able to see the music really affects program progress. people.”

This is the first time he Scales performed ever performed with with his band, the them, though.

“Jonathan Scales Jonathan Scales Fourchestra plays a set at the “[Playing with the Fourchestra,” along- Knights of Steel concert Jan. 16. “It’s really cool Knights of Steel] was side the Knights of to come here and have kids who know my songs just something that Steel on Jan. 16. The kind of happened,” band includes Scales by name because there are no words,” Scales Scales said. “I never on the steel drum, said. “It’s all instrumental.” really planned on it,

8 news

which is the magic part of it. I knew Mr. Ehlers from when we were young, and he brought me to Austin maybe about five years ago, and that’s kind of when the whole thing started out. It kind of just stumbled into place like that.”

The Knights of Steel began practicing his first song in August and gradually added more throughout the year. “[The hardest part is] getting all of the fast parts down,” Molloy said. “They’re weird because they’re really simple songs, but they just randomly have really fast sections. They also don’t sound a lot like the music you usually listen to, so they’re kind of hard to hear at first. So you just have to practice them a lot and get what they sound like in your head.”

Scales said he would describe his music as jazz, but many other people wouldn’t. It’s not a traditional sound, and it takes its influence from many sources.

“He does a lot of improvised stuff and kind of weird harmonies,” Molloy said. “All three of their members are really, really talented, so they all kind of have their own little solos.”

Scales has been playing music the majority of his life, but he originally started out with the saxophone.

However, when he played the steel drum, Scales said it felt natural and he instantly liked it better than the saxophone. He continued to play the saxophone through college, but once he graduated, he stopped.

“In high school, it was really important for me to be part of the drum line and get to do a little travelling like that, just that pretty much shaped my whole future,” Scales said. “So if I wasn’t in high school marching band and drum line and wind ensemble, then I don’t know what I would be doing now, which is crazy because I’m seeing how I’m impacting all of these other young people now. You never know. These people at McCallum are going to go out and inspire lots of other people, and so on and so forth. I think it’s very important to keep that going.”

06 feb. 2014

the

shield

Encompassing Equality Protestors crowd the state capitol at the Black Lives Matter march on Jan. 17. Freshman Lydia Jones attends a Spectrum meeting. Photos by Meena Anderson.

Spectrum works to promote LGBTQ alliances at school MEENA ANDERSON staff reporter

Ohio teen Leelah Alcorn committed suicide on Dec. 24, which sparked national interest and shone a spotlight on the transgender part of the LGBTQ community.

“Transgender means, to me, not feeling comfortable with your given gender and not identifying as that,” freshman Franki Alvarez said, “like feeling as if you are the opposite gender or non-binary.”

After Alcorn’s suicide note spread across tumblr and other social media sites, the hashtag #LeelahAlcorn was trending on twitter, and many people are using it to show their support for transgender people across

the globe. Some are using it to send hateful messages to Alcorn’s parents, who Leelah blamed for making her feel that she had to kill herself.

“As I read her note, I could physically feel how lonely she truly was and how misunderstood she felt,” Alvarez said. “After reading, I felt sick and uneasy.”

Supporters and activists of the LGBTQ community have mourned Leelah’s death around the world, showing their support on social media and wearing buttons and T-shirts.

“I think it’s great that she’s being held up as an example, but I’ve heard of maybe two or three other trans people that have been killed since then that aren’t getting as much attention,” digital media teacher Tim Bjerke said. “It happens almost every day.”

Students attend Unity Peace, Black Lives Matter marches A Black Lives Matter march started at the University of Texas and ended inside of the Capitol building on Jan. 17. Sophomore Jadyn Ballard attended the march. Ballard said the protest was the best way to gain the attention the issue needed without causing a disturbance.

For the first two hours, people made speeches about the black lives that have been lost to police brutality in the past few years.

“I think that black women are some of the most powerful people on earth. Their sons are getting harassed by the police and their daughters are ignored in the media,” Ballard said. “Now that a lot of protests are happening, more people are becoming aware of cases like Aiyana Jones.”

At the march, many people of different races came out to show their support for black people in America.

The protests have been taking place all over the world, including London, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.

“There’s a lot of people at marches that are angry, and when you bring a bunch of people who are all angry about the same thing together, crazy things can

07 feb. 2015

happen,” Ballard said. “It feels so empowering to be with people who feel the same way you do, to be able to block off a whole road for a cause people care about.

It’s such a great environment to be in.”

Sophomore Lauren Hunteman attended the Global March for Peace and Unity march, on Sept. 21, the international day of peace. The march included a session for meditation and prayer, and a timed Global Moment of Silence on the lawn of the Capitol building.

“McCallum students and staff should care about Black Lives Matter because when our generation starts to care about major issues like this, I think that things are more likely to change. When you have teachers advocating for equality, it really surrounds us students with a positive influence,” Hunteman said. “And honestly, it’s an unfortunate reminder that equality is not totally here, and we as young people who will soon have the right to vote need to do something and begin to make proactive changes. Black Lives Matter reminds us of what the reality of the world is and that things are not perfect.”

The suicide rate in America is 4.6 percent. At 41 percent, the adult transgender suicide rate in the U.S. is almost 10 times that.

“I personally don’t see discrimination against transgender people at Mac, but I’m pretty sure it happens a lot at other schools and all over the country,” Alvarez said.

“It’s so upsetting knowing that trans people are still being discriminated against.”

Leelah wrote in her note that her parents sent her to multiple conservative Christian therapists who “were all very biased” and told her that she “was being very selfish, and needed to look to God for help.” The World Health Organization wrote that conversion therapy “is a serious threat to the health and well-being” of people with a non-heterosexual orientation, or transgender people. There have been many stories from people saying this therapy causes serious mental harm, including feelings of depression and guilt.

“I know that it’s one of the most effective ways to get someone to kill themselves, to try and get them to change into something they’re not,” Bjerke said.“Everybody needs to be aware of what being transgender means. We need to keep telling them we support them. We need to support them like we do with lesbian and gay students, and keep repeating it until they do feel accepted in school.”

Petitions are being sent to the White House about changing laws about conversion therapy, to make transgender people feel more accepted.

“Trans people are listened to very little in society,” Bjerke said. “The LGB and Q part are all supported, but the T is cast aside. The biggest thing for anybody, regardless of their appearance, what they represent, is to listen to them. We need to drop the idea in our heads that gender is binary. We need to get people to make discussion.”

More than four out of five transgender youth (82 percent) report feeling unsafe in school because of their identity.

“We need to build a society based off of love and acceptance for everyone around us.” Alvarez said. “We should all strive for equality.”

09 news

the

shield

news in brief MARA VANDEGRIFT news editor

Sophomore of the Year awarded Emily Goulet was named Sophomore of the Year by the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Club; all sophomores were eligible to apply. A ceremony in her honor will be held at the end of February at the Senior Activity Center.

“It is a scholarship competition,” Goulet said. “To enter, I had to write four essays talking about my involvement in school, the importance of service work, importance of learning and my leadership abilities.”

Sophomores who entereed received extra credit from English teacher Flor Mota. Goulet said she thinks she won due to her writing, resume and service history.

“I was really honored when I got the call that I had been selected,” Goulet said. “I guess I have always seen myself as someone who works hard in school and is involved, but I wouldn’t have really put a ‘sophomore of the year’ label on myself.”

Goulet said any future sophomores who want to apply should “give it a shot.”

“I would say that you should definitely apply,” Goulet said. “If you don’t think that you are sophomore-of-theyear material, it’s often that you cannot see something in yourself that other people can see in you. So, at least just give it a shot.”

Vision + Voice entries due March 15 The 2015 Vision + Voice poetry competition is going on through March 15; anyone can enter his or her writing.

“It’s a project that’s sponsored by AISD,” English teacher Flor Mota said.

“It’s a competition for writers, so poetry, short story, anything like that. They have different categories and different

10 news

grade levels.”

Two McCallum students won last year. Marison Sobek won honorable mention and Elizabeth Fierro won overall. They were honored at the ACC Highland campus and were featured on a PBS KLRU program.

“It’s just a great opportunity to get published,” Mota said. “We have a great school with so many writers that I think write for themselves, but they never think maybe ‘I can also write and share this with other people.’”

As a winner, Fierro has her work printed on posters hanging around the school.

“It was really cool because Lizzie, who won [last year], got posters made and they’re all around the school now,” Mota said. “It’s just a really big honor, and she beat out everybody in the district, so that’s kind of cool.”

To enter, just Google ‘Vision + Voice AISD.’ Students will need an English teacher to sponsor them.

Band, orchestra, choir students make all-state

The state is made up of seven areas. Out of those areas, each one sends four to state.

“It’s not very easy to make state,” Pauwels said. “There are generally a lot of people in area that are very, very talented. In the state, if you add the seven areas, you’re competing against about 1,500 or something like that.”

The state auditions are different than the previous auditions because instead of playing etudes, the students play different selections of music.

“At the state auditions, they take away the etudes and they give you the music that the state band is gonna play,” Pauwels. “They don’t just give it to you, they give you certain parts of it that are

really hard. They have you work it up, and they have you play those.”

Being in All-State band is a lot of work, Pauwels said. Students have a lot of preparation to do in a short amount of time.

“In All-State, after we have our auditions, we have our first rehearsal early the next morning,” Pauwels said. “We have a one-and-a-half hour sectional to start the day, and then that’s the only sectional we have. Then we have 16 hours of rehearsals, and we have a concert on Saturday. We have three days to prepare all this music. It’s pretty fun; you get put up in this nice hotel and you get explore the city of San Antonio, which is a great city.”

11110 Tom Adams Drive Austin, TX 78753

Seven band members made UIL AllState band, as well as six from orchestra and one from choir. The students started by auditioning for region band. “[First,] we get our music in July and we have to begin preparing it,” junior Hugh Pauwels said. “We get three etudes. An etude is basically a study for your instrument that helps you get much better. You work those up [then] there’s a specific date when you have each audition.”

Region band is where the road for state starts, Pauwels said. From there, students who make the cut can go on to area band. “[At region band] they tell you to play a certain cut from [the etudes], and if you do well enough, you go to area,” Pauwels said. “They asked us for the same thing at area and if you do well enough, you go to state.”

The district is made up four regions.

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

1

Strumming at stubb’s

2

3

4

5

Student bands perform at local venue after winning Battle of the Bands 1. Senior Thomas Magnuson plays guitar with The Mr. Clark Experience, winner of Battle of the Bands. The band formed to participate in last year’s Battle of the Bands, Magnuson said.

2. Senior Alex Lew plays guitar with The Mr. Clark Experience at the Stubb’s performance, which was an opportunity offered as a prize to the winning bands.

3. Junior Drew Thorton plays guitar with Moxxy.

4. Senior Sam Ahmadi plays drums with Moxxy.

5. Senior Justice Phillips plays guitar with McCallum’s classical guitar chamber group.

Photos by Aiden Foster.

06 feb. 2015

11 photo essay

the

shield

After meeting a Westlake High School senior on Tinder, an “appearance-based” matchmaking app that uses location, senior Meghan Mitchell entered Guerro’s Taco Bar for her first date with the fellow user.

“He is a really nice guy and we had a lot of common interests,” Mitchell said. “I was a little big nervous. We both recognized that it was an awkward date. I definitely think the best way to get to know someone is in person, but for using the app for the first time, [the date] was better than I expected it to be.”

Tinder uses people’s Facebook likes to find matches based on common interests. Mitchell said the app seemed safer than

Launched in 2013, Yik Yak is an anonymous social media app used by high school students and college students across the country. The app allows people to write and view “Yaks” (anonymous posts) within a 10-mile radius. The app has provided students with a medium to post degrading comments about other students while having their identity protected.

Last year, after a student was a victim of cyber-bullying on Yik Yak, the Anderson High administration implemented a no phone policy that is still in effect. Anderson senior Bailey Tribble said the policy was inconvenient for students who were using phones for educational purposes and to contact their parents.

“I don’t like the no-phones policy, which is still enacted school-wide,” Tribble said. “I don’t think that people that had no association with the app should be punished. And since I wasn’t associated, I had no input on how the problem should be addressed, which is not fair because it is affecting me.”

Tribble said Yik Yak provides the perfect ground for cyber-bullying because students were not worried about getting caught for their posts.

“The app was a problem because students began reporting it to administration because it was getting out of hand,” Tribble said. “Administration began to talk about the app.

I’m sure other schools have had similar problems, especially with cyber bullying in general.”

12 feature

other dating websites because the information is taken from your Facebook page, so there are less opportunities to lie about your identity.

“You can only share the information you want to share,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t display your address or even your last name, but you make your own danger.”

After using the app for over four months, Mitchell said she prefers to meet someone in person.

“Maybe if I like meet somebody if we have great chemistry, I’ll go on another date with them,” Mitchell said. “But I don’t think I’ll go on any more [app] dates.”

Swipe

Yik Yak

Tinder

Danger? There’s an app for that

RONALD DOTSON

staff reporter Graphics by Mary Stites

After receiving multiple text invitations, senior Jessie Woolley-MacMath decided to finally download the new iPhone app “Swipe.” Swipe, released in September 2014, allows users to anonymously post photos.

“I think people just use it to post random pictures that don’t really serve any purpose,” WoolleyMacMath said. “It’s nice that you can post dumb or funny pictures and get likes from your followers, but bullying could definitely occur because it is anonymous, but I’ve never seen anyone use it for that.”

However, Woolley-MacMath said users should be cautious of who they invite. When inviting new people, users Swipe right and left to decide who to invite. Woolley-MacMath said she knows people who have accidentally invited parents and other adults to the app.

Woolley-MacMath said if students begin to use Swipe to cyber-bully, administration should ban the use of the app on campus.

“I know that anonymous social media apps tend to lead the way to bullying,” Woolley-MacMath said, “especially considering what happened at Anderson with Yik Yak. There were a lot of issues at McCallum with cyber-bullying when ask.fm came out. If people can anonymously post things, kids will be tempted to say mean things.”

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

Catching the perfect Zzz’s With activities piling up, students challenged to get the right amount of sleep JULIA ROBERTSON staff reporter

Senior Allie Faulkner and French teacher Melinda Von Rosenberg are both examples of the many people in high school not getting enough sleep at night.

“I never have enough time to sleep much during the school year,” Von Rosenberg said, “because I have too many things to do during my waking hours.”

Many students these days are weighed down with extra curricular activities and homework, making getting enough sleep just another challenge to have to fight, Von Rosenberg said. Faulker has many activities that make it hard to catch enough sleep at night, resulting in her falling asleep in class.

“I fall asleep in class all the time,” Faulkner said.

“My teachers don’t typically say anything. Some teachers will move me up to the front, but I still fall asleep.”

Although Faulkner tries not to fall asleep in class, she can’t help herself.

“It’s kind of awkward when I fall asleep in class because my friends will take pictures of me, and I feel bad because it is so disrespectful to the teacher,” Faulkner said. “I can’t really help it. I’m just so tired.”

Von Rosenberg relates to Faulkner, saying that it was also difficult for her to stay awake in class.

“I, too, had a bit of trouble saying awake in one of my chemistry classes. I used to try so hard to stop myself from falling asleep,” Von Rosenberg said. “I still made an A in that class, but my teacher made a few comments about me in front of the class.”

Stressed students as well have a hard time getting enough hours. Faulkner is the captain of the Blue Brigade, as well as in dance outside of school, making it extremely hard for her to be able to balance school and activities. She finds herself often having to do her homework during lunch.

“During the week I typically get five to six hours of

sleep, and during the weekend I would get as much as 10 hours or as little as three,” Faulkner said. “The latest time I have ever stayed up doing homework was either sophomore or junior year, and it was like 2:30-ish or possibly 3 in the morning.”

Faulkner is involved in so many things outside of school that she finds herself staying up later and later, making it harder to stay awake in class.

With 7 a.m. practices for Blue Brigade and studio dance until 9:30 or 10 at night, not to mention a homework load to get through after that, Faulkner doesn’t have a lot of time for snoozing. However, Faulkner said waking up early isn’t all bad.

“You feel like you get a good start to the day. I love dancing in the morning because I feel like it wakes me up, so it fixes itself,” Faulkner said. “I always get to see the sun rise and I get a great parking spot.

It’s really hard to get out of bed, though. I have five alarms set and still sleep past the last one.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep varies mostly from age group to age group, but it also can be impacted by one’s individual lifestyle and health. It really depends on one’s own amount of desired sleep.

People who don’t get a lot of exercise can most likely function on just seven hours of sleep. But a very active person who eats a very nutritional diet is most likely to function better with nine hours of sleep every night, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

It is not just the things people

do in their everyday lives that can affect their sleep.

Often, specific foods can help or harm the amount of sleep a person gets.

Always beware of the hidden caffeine; it is not a

continued on page 17

Fall Asleep Faster...

Keep it Cool

Set your thermostat for 65 degrees or lower

Make it Hot Take a hot shower or drink a hot drink, such as chamomile tea

Relax

Starting with your toes, tense your muscles for seven seconds and relax.

Work your way up to your neck.

Photo illustration by Mary Stites.

06 feb. 2015

13 feature

the

shie

2003

Mota begins working at McCallum Ms. Morgan trains Mota for the joint English and World History program

Off to college

Mota sponsors Student Council Mota attends her first McCallum prom 2005

Film Analysis classes begins Mota gets her first classroom in portable 5 Mota begins collecting funny quotes from students to display on the wall

2008

“Knight Vision” movie club begins under Mota’s sponsorship

2010

Mota moves to room 101 The Writing Center opens with a small grant from Mota’s masters program Mota sponsors class of 2010 Mota sponsors Gaming Club

2011

Mota sponsors Bad Movie and Tea Club

2012

Mota is recognized district Teacher of the Year semi-finalist

2013

English teacher Mrs. Bell is transferred; Mota takes on all sophomore pre-AP English classes Mota sponsors Garden Club Mota sponsors class of 2013 Joint English and World History program dissolved

2014

Mota completes her Master’s degree over the summer

2015

Mota accepts new job at Austin Community College

14 feature

06 feb

ield Pre-AP English teacher prepares to leave at end of month to take position at ACC SEREN VILLWOCK

this quickly, but that was the plan. It just feels like a natural progression from high school for me.”

When pre-AP English teacher Flor At ACC, she will manage the Learning Mota tells her students that she went to Lab, a position she said is similar to the school over the summer, they look at her work she has been doing in managing the quizzically and ask her, ‘Why would you Writing Center at school. do that to yourself?’ They knew her as “I’ve had a lot of interest in helping the teacher behind the Writing Center, students more one-to-one, and this would the notorious sophomore research paper, be a good chance for me to do that,” she the film analysis classes, the creative and said. “It’s a tutoring center for not just creepy Dante’s “Inferno” projects in the English. It does all four core subjects, so it hallways, and the sometimes-open snack seemed like kind of a natural progression drawer. Yet, Mota has also been a student to what I am doing here, which just seems over the past several summers super-cool. I got to see the facility and to complete her Master’s degree meet some of the people there, and it program. seemed like a good, natural step to take “It’s a good thing to pass on from what I’ve been doing.” to them that education is very Since the Learning Lab program at important and should never ACC has had an interim manager since stop,” Mota said. “I hope they September, they need Mota to step into a know it’s a long-term goal.” permanent position before the school year Now, Mota is putting one of ends. She is also under review at ACC for her own long-term educational a full English professor position. goals into action. After getting After contemplating what she said her Master’s degree this summer, was not an easy decision, Mota broke the she will take a new job at the news that she would be leaving to her Austin Community College students last Wednesday.

(ACC) Cedar Park campus “I couldn’t sleep the night before,” she starting at the end of the six said. “I kept getting anxiety as to what weeks. their reactions were going to be. I cried “In a lot of ways, this is when I first told them, but it got better as something that I’ve always the day progressed. News got out pretty hoped for and planned for: to quickly. The worst part of it is that I have move on to higher education,” to leave my students because I love them she said. “It was always my so much, but overall they understand thinking that if I advanced why I’m doing it. I was telling them, ‘I’m my education, I was going finally graduating after 12 years.’” to advance my career. I Sophomore Alex Madera said her didn’t know it was class was tense when Mota began telling going to happen the students last week.

“We didn’t really know what was going on yet, and she was crying,” she said.

Mota hugs senior Charlotte Lichten“We all felt for her. I didn’t held. “The worst part of it was that really know what to say, I had to leave my students because I and then everyone was just going around her and love them so much, but overall they unhugging her. I’m sad she’s derstand why I’m doing it,” Mota said. leaving.”

Madera and her “I was telling them, ‘I’m finally graduatclassmates in Mota’s preing after 12 years.’”

AP English classes are in

co-editor in chief

b. 2015

the middle of the sophomore research project, a major assignment for the year that will still be in progress during Mota’s transition. Madera said she doesn’t know what to expect after Mota leaves.

Mota has also recommended her former student teacher Lindsey Holmes for the long-term substitute position until the search process for a permanent replacement begins. [English teacher Nikki] Northcutt will take over the management of the Writing Center, and [English teacher Eric] Wydeven will take over the film analysis classes. Mota will also help to grade the finished research papers, even after she has started her new job.

“I don’t want to leave anybody in the lurch, so I think this is the best thing to do, given the continuity for the students,” she said. “I feel pretty good about it. Ms. Holmes is a very capable teacher. I taught her through her certification program, and then she student-taught under me, so I’m very comfortable with leaving the students with her.”

Over these past 12 years, Mota has seen a lot of changes. Approaching her last weeks, she remembers her first day at McCallum.

“I was terrified,” she said. “I had no classroom. I was a floating teacher, it was an eight-period day and I had five different classrooms to go to. I cried. It was pretty torturous, and I took the next day off because I was just so miserable, but then I just came back on Wednesday, and I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to do this.’ And here I am, 12-and-a-half years later.”

Over the next years, she got her first classroom in portable five, saw the change from the TAAS test to the TAKS test to the STAAR test, moved to room 101, and worked on developing the pre-AP English and film analysis curriculum. She pushed for adding more diversity and variety in the curriculum.

“The first time I ever read [“Crime and Punishment”] was when I taught it here,” she said. “I was reading it a chapter ahead of the students, so it was an interesting challenge because I was learning alongside them, and I was observing

[former English teacher Margaret] Morgan in order to teach it then to the students. It was a very intense process.”

As the curriculum has grown, Mota said she has grown as a teacher as well.

“I think I’ve gotten more patient,” she said. “That’s not to say that I don’t lose my patience, but I think that I understand where students are coming from more than I used to. I felt like when I was a young teacher, I needed to be really tough, but I now I’m just kind of like everybody’s mom. I feel like that’s been my greatest growth, that I’ve created a balance of nurturing and strict. It’s just been a natural thing. I’m the one who has snacks and drinks, and you can come and talk to me about boyfriend issues or girlfriend issues or guitar solos and band concerts.”

Mota’s students have learned a lot from her too, Madera said.

“She really fueled a lot of discussion and kept it on track,” she said. “I think it has challenged me, which is good. I think it’s definitely more rigorous. She sees through superficiality in your papers, and she really wants you to go in-depth. I’ve learned to not take books at face value, but to analyze and interpret for myself instead.”

Senior Sarah Christensen said she feels lucky she has had Mota as a teacher.

“I feel like she taught me a lot about life,” Christensen said, “Sometimes we would talk to each other about family stuff, and she would give me advice on how to deal with things because she’s been through similar situations. She was a really good teacher, and she was kind of like the mom of McCallum. I’m just happy that she has this opportunity.”

Though making the decision to move jobs was difficult, Mota said she thinks it’s the right choice.

“I feel like change is scary, but it’s also really good,” Mota said. “I feel like we get a little too comfortable sometimes where we are. I just hope that I keep growing as a teacher as a person, and I hope the students continue working through their high school education and, I know it sounds cheesy, but follow their dreams, just like I am.”

15 feature

the

shield

The dapper dozen Mr. McCallum candidates share their experiences from this year’s show

Mr. McSmil

es

Looking out onto the stage before his first appearance in Mr. McCallum was very nerve-racking, senior Jake Janssen said. However, he added, the guys joking around and having fun backstage helped everyone’s nerves and it made them more excited to go on stage and get it started.

Senior Rosevelt Mathews said once on stage, he could feel the energy from the crowd, making it a lot easier to show off a side of his personality that outshines the lights of House Park.

“It was enjoyable [hearing the audience cheering],” Mathews said. “I was like, ‘Alright, so I know I can do more than just lay somebody out on the field. I can also do stuff on stage and get the same reaction from the crowd.’ It was very rewarding.”

Senior Harrison Brown was crowned this year’s Mr. McCallum. He said the interview was the scariest part for him because it was the

“When they were about to announce Mr. McCallum, I was like, ‘I hope it’s me. I hope it’s me.’ See, I wanted to do all three: win homecoming king, win Mr. McCallum, and try to win prom king. So when they said the winner, I was like, ‘Oh crap.’ But at least I had fun.” - Rosevelt Mathews (Mr.McSmiles)

16 feature

“Mr. McCallum was the start of my rapping career; follow my rap career @hashbrown_tv.” - Harrison Brown (Mr. McCallum)

nior Adam Freng said he was very excited to share his secret talent with everyone that night, and he felt that all of his hard work paid off in the end.

“I was really happy [when I heard people laughing at my poems], “Freng said.

“Everyone I told about my talent would be like, ‘Oh that’s gonna be funny,’ and then looked away. No one really thought I could do it. After I got a lot of compliments and all of the people that thought that I wasn’t gonna be funny were like, ‘Oh that was really hilarious, Adam,’ and I was like, ‘I know it was because I am awesome.’”

Contestants agreed the dance was the hardest part. Senior John Garcia said the dance was a very fun part of the show, but a lot of the dance moves were made up on the spot or improvised to keep the dance going.

“I kind of prepared myself [for performing in front of a lot of people] because I had piano recitals, and it was kind of the same deal except it was all friends,” Garcia said. “This time, however, it was all friends and all of their parents. At first it was really scary, but I kind of just calmed of myself and was like, ‘I’m just making fun of myself here. There is nothing to be nervous about.’”

After the show was over it was a huge

relief, Garcia said. He had been waiting since freshman year to be in Mr. McCallum and said he was super-happy he did it, but he was also so glad it was over.

“I am so glad [I participated] because I’ve been telling myself I was gonna do it since freshman year,” Garcia said. “Now that it’s finally over, I’m super-relieved, super-relieved. I was so nervous going into it. I was ready to get it over with, and I was so relieved when it was over. But it was so fun.”

At the end of the day, senior Kyle Teseny said that it wasn’t a big deal that he didn’t win. He was glad for the guy who did win and was just happy he had a fun experience doing it. After raising almost $3,000 for the senior prom, the guys looked past the titles and realized that winning isn’t what Mr. McCallum is all about. “[When Mr. McCallum was about to be announced] I realized how little I cared about winning,” Freng said. “I was so happy about doing it and I was so proud of what I did, so even if I had gotten the least amount of votes, I would’ve been like, ‘Okay I had a blast.’ Going into it I wasn’t too worried about winning or not winning. I just wanted to have fun.”

Mr. McFratdaddy

staff reporter

first time he had ever been on stage, and he didn’t know how he was going to react.

“For my talent I was fine and it felt good and pretty exhilarating,” Brown said, “but for the interview I was supernervous because it was my first time ever being on stage. It was fun, though. I was wearing my sunglasses, so I wasn’t able to see the crowd, so that was helpful.”

Contestants said the talent allowed everyone to truly show off their personalities. Se-

Mr. McCallum

HANNAH ILAN

“I think the biggest [mishap] was during the dance. I knew about 25 percent of the dance, and [luckily] a lot of the dance was just shaking your butt and just doing that.” - Adam Freng (Mr.McFratdaddy)

Mr.McSassy “I think I messed up about every other dance move, but I nailed the stage freeze.” - Miguel Minick (Mr. McFiesty).

Featured with Seniors Jake Janssen and Colin Youngblood.

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

Come Interact

Service club currently collecting jeans for teens in the Austin area

EMMA CUNNINGHAM

but it has a different format of administration.

“The difference between Key Club and Interact staff reporter Club is that really anyone can join,” Stuesser said.

Former student Mariah Garza began Interact “Students don’t have to apply.”

Club, a community service club, and senior Janie Contreras and her officers all decide which projContreras decided to expand the club at McCallum. ects they want to do and think will benefit others “Myself and a few other people went to a sumgreatly. mer leadership camp called RYLA,” Contreras said.

“They talked about Interact Club, so I decided to restart [the club at McCallum].”

Contreras started promoting Interact Club by hanging up signs around the school and talking to students in her classes.

“Sometimes people are like ‘I need hours for NHS,’” Contreras said. “I’m always like, ‘Hey you can come join our club,’ or I’ll bribe them with cookies.”

The Rotary Club, an adult community service club, is the sponsor of the Interact Club at McCallum. The Club has 1.22 million members just from the adult branch of the association. Though Rotary is an adult club, members still talk to high school students about Interact Club.

“Many of our friends were really looking for ways to get involved with community service, and a lot of people had some really good ideas,” junior vice-president Lily Stuesser said. “We just decided that [Interact Club] would be a good group to [continue at McCallum].”

McCallum has another service club, Key Club,

“We’ve volunteered at the Trail of Lights and Blue Santa, wrapping gifts,” Contreras said. “It feels really good [to do community service]. It warms my heart just to help others.”

Interact Club has grown from six members last year to about 30 members this year. “I hope the club itself expands more,” Contreras said, “that it just gets bigger and bigger each year.”

The ultimate goal for the club is to promote community service and build leaders in the community as the years go on.

“Rotaract is for college [students], so I’m going to be a part of that,” Contreras said, “then Rotary [when I’m an adult].”

Contreras is the president of the club. Stuesser is the vice-president, senior Yesenia Ubaldo is the secretary and senior Jason Garcia is the treasurer.

“I think [Lily Stuesser is] really lively and friendly. It helps our club since it’s like all ages,” Contreras said. “It helps the freshmen not be intimidated by all the seniors in the club.”

Ubaldo keeps track of all the attendance at each meeting. The Interact Club leaders, like the Rotary Club, donate their time and money to this organization. Though the group as been growing in numbers, they are always looking for more people to get involved.

“Anyone can join, even if you’re not in the club,” Stuesser said. “Just come down and help with the project.”

Graphic by Hannah Ilan.

Students, staff struggle to manage school, sports, sleep continued from page 13 secret that caffeine is a stimulant. Even moderate caffeine is a stimulant.

Von Rosenberg said she’s noticed students try to finish work for one class during another class, always playing catch up.

“I wish we could all just have a little more time to do things we need to do and get a little more sleep, but these days it’s worse,” Von Rosenberg said. “I believe it’s taking more time for young people to keep up their daily obligations to social media every day, so they don’t have much time

06 feb. 2015

left over for homework and sleep.”

People are also born with the amount of sleep they need. It is hard for one person to try to go from having just five hours of sleep every night to then trying to go to an eight-hour sleep schedule. They are born with the amount of sleep a person needs is a hard thing to change, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

“There have been times when I stayed up to the wee hours of the night to get caught up, and that has happened quite a bit over the years,” Von Rosenberg said. “I’ve stayed up until 1, 2 or 3 in the morning before. Anyhow, I hope that this year I can get more

sleep because I only get about four to five hours per night most of the time.”

Students often complain about how teachers assign a lot of homework and don’t understand that student’s whole lives are not school. Faulkner said sophomores and juniors are assigned so much homework that they can barely get anything else done.

“Teachers should just understand we are busy,” Faulkner said. “Senior year is a lot better about the homework load, but I know sophomores and juniors have so much homework. Maybe give us longer for homework assignments.”

17 feature

the

shield

Singing to Success Teachers showcase their talents in ‘Teachers and Tiaras’ pageant MAYA COPLIN photo editor

English teacher Nikki Northcutt won over the crowd by singing “All of Me” by John Legend.

“I knew kids would like it,” Northcutt said, “because when I drive my team on the volleyball bus, they all sing along. I was listening to the song. It started to become for me an extended metaphor for my job and my relationship with the students. I started to notice—because I’m dorky and an English teacher— all the literary devices and it was all about paradox. My job is all about paradox; it’s super-draining but it’s also superenergizing.”

Teachers and staff showcased their talents at the Teachers in Tiaras pageant Jan. 28. The show benefited the AV Club and was planned by students in the club. The show included a talent portion, the question and answer portion where teachers answer funny questions written by students in AV, and the evening wear portion where, according to AV Club sponsor Ken Rogers, teachers could interpret this to mean whatever they wanted. Northcutt placed first, special education teacher Jason Hiatt placed sec-

1. Data processer Andrea Rogers, who has played guitar for 20 years, plays a song with her sons as her talent in the show.

2. Special Ed teacher Jason Hiatt plays an original song, “Fishing for Compliments.”

3. English teacher Nikki Northcutt gives a speech after winning first place in the show.

Photos by Maya Coplin.

18 feature

“I was shocked,” Hiatt said. “I was really ond place and data processer Andrea Roger excited and so happy. It was the first year that placed third.

Hiatt played an original song he wrote I had done it. I knew that most of the stucalled “Fishing for Compliments”. Rather dents that might have been there don’t have than trying to become a famous artist, Hiatt classes with me. I thought that nobody really knows who has who I am. I’ll been writjust go out and ing music have fun with since he it.” was in secRogers ond grade, played guitar plans to sell “I love this event. It’s hysterically funny. with her two music he has I get to know teachers on campus that I sons Andrew written. don’t know because we don’t have time and Elliot. Both “I came to talk to each other.” are McCallum up with the graduates who song because -Nikki Northcutt, English Teacher were part of the I had an uncle Fine Arts Acadwho used to take me fishing,” Hiatt said. “I was just think- emy. Rogers has been playing guitar for 20 ing about the life lessons that can come out years. Rogers said she enjoys playing with of something like that and how when you do her sons, and it made her talent more something because you love it, it’s not neces- unique.

“I have terrible, terrible stage sarily the rewards you get from other people but just the reward that comes from doing a fright,” Rogers said. “Having them [her sons] there with me, having peogood job in and of itself.”

Hiatt said he was surprised when he won ple that I know that I saw backstage and on the sides, that really helped second place.

1

2

me and knowing that it was for a really good cause.”

Northcutt, Hiatt and Rogers agreed they enjoyed participating because it meant that they were able to work with teachers they may not have gotten a chance to otherwise.

“My favorite part of the show was when Ms. Georgia was singing.” Rogers said. “She is so charismatic. She has such a fantastic personality. It just shines through. She is just a beautiful person inside and out, and that just blew me away.”

After winning the pageant, Northcutt was given gift cards from the parent association as a prize.

“I love this event. It’s hysterically funny,” Northcutt said. “I really encourage other teachers to participate because I won like really nice prizes. It’s super-fun and I get to know teachers on campus that I don’t know because we don’t have time to talk to each other.”

3 06 feb. 2015

the

shield

It’s time to make the journey Students give their reactions to newest movie-musical adaptation of ‘Into the Woods’ RACHEL WOLLEBEN staff reporter

As a long-time fan of the original Broadway musical, junior Jackson Holtkamp was finally able to see the newest movie-musical adaptation of “Into the Woods” on New Year’s Day. “Before the movie came out, I would watch a recording of the musical that was on Netflix,” Holtkamp said. “It’s one of my favorite musicals, and it’s pretty wellknown in the Broadway world. I remember when the first preview for the movie came out, I was incredibly excited and I remember how each trailer I saw added to my anticipation.”

The original musical “Into the Woods” tells the story of a fairy tale crossover between iconic characters Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack from “Jack and the Beanstalk” and Little Red Riding Hood that revolves around a childless couple who venture into the woods to break a spell placed on them by a vengeful witch.

So far “Into the Woods,” directed by Rob Marshall, has grossed over $120 million worldwide and has received praise for the cast’s work, the overall tone of the film and the visual effects.

“I think the movie as a film was really good,” Holtkamp said. “Because the set of a stage musical is typically much more minimal and representational than that of a movie, one big challenge a film studio faces is creating a more detailed setting where the story takes place. And obviously since they were using film actors for the movie, they might not have had as much vocal training as the original Broadway actors did.

But because they were trained to act in front of a camera, as opposed to onstage, I think they

did a really good job of turning this wellloved Broadway show into a film production.”

The recent movie adaptation for the musical was announced by Walt Disney Pictures in 2012 and stars Meryl Streep as The Witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Johnny Depp as The Wolf, Emily Blunt as the Baker’s Wife, Chris Pine as Prince Charming, and James Corden as the Baker.

“I think James Corden as The Baker did really well,” Holtkamp said. “The Baker is actually one of my dream roles, so I’m kind of obsessed with it, but I think Corden did a good job of conveying it. After seeing the movie, everyone told me, ‘Oh my god, you’d make such a good Baker!’ and I think it was because Corden kind of looks and acts like me. So I thought that was funny.”

Though Holtkamp may represent the many students at McCallum who have seen the movie-musical adaptation and enjoyed it, there are just as many students, like sophomore Solana Oliver, who weren’t as satisfied with the film.

“I thought the film itself was very good and it was a good interpretation, but I just think that the director didn’t consult the composer and lyricist [Stephen] Sondheim enough,” Oliver said. “The director took it upon himself to change the way the film is viewed and the musical is viewed.”

The stage production first debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1996, and it premiered on Broadway Nov. 5, 1987. Over the years, “Into the Woods” has been nominated for several Tony awards in a variety of categories and won three total for Best Score, Best Book and Best Actress in a Musical.

Earlier attempts at put-

ting “Into the Woods” to film occurred in the early ‘90s, and a script reading was even held for the film with potential cast members like Robin Williams as the Baker, Goldie Hawn as the Baker’s Wife, Cher as The Witch, Danny DeVito as the Giant, and Steve Martin as The Wolf.

“I actually saw the original Broadway cast of ‘Into the Woods’ with Bernadette Peters,” Oliver said. “She’s my idol and she was amazing as the witch. So it’s kind of hard to like any other version of the musical except the one with the original cast.

They were just perfect and belonged in those roles. I think they would have done a much better job accenting the correct words enough with the right vocal runs.”

American actress and singer Bernadette Peters’s performance as The Witch and Joanna Gleason’s portrayal of The Baker’s Wife brought widespread acclaim to the show during its original Broadway run.

“What I love about the story is how the first act is filled with struggle and strife, but it’s not as hard as the second part,” Oliver said. “You get into the world that is a fairy tale, but it shifts when you hear Cinderella whisper again, ‘I wish,’ and that’s the beauty of that one line. Everything’s so happy and awesome, but she starts thinking, ‘This isn’t as great as I was hoping’. That’s the big shift in the story.”

It was first reported that Disney decided to make changes for the film to make it more family-friendly, but Sondheim said any changes for the film had to be approved by him.

For the adjustments that were made to the movie adaptation, such as removing the subplot where the two princes have affairs with Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, and ton-

ing down the violent and sexual content of the musical, the film hasn’t seen much criticism.

“I think I would have done something different. I would’ve changed part of the story and emphasized the music just to make sure those life lessons are driven home a little bit more,” Oliver said. “The whole show is about life lessons within kids’ fairy tales. It’s the story of when you finally get your wish but your wish isn’t what you really wanted. For example, Cinderella finally realizes that being rich and powerful isn’t really what she wanted. She wanted true love, and that’s not what the Prince gave her. But because it was a movie, they may not have been able to do what a stage production may be able to do, which I didn’t like.”

It’s unknown how these changes to the musical affected the overall response to the film, but the movie-adaptation of “Into the Woods” is nominated for three Academy awards, including Meryl Streep as Best Supporting Actress for her role as The Witch, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

While the rest of the world waits on what the Academy has in store for “Into the Woods,” students who have not yet seen the film still have the opportunity since it has only been in theatres a few weeks.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have made the movie a different way,” Holtkamp said.

“When I first saw the trailer for the movie, I thought it seemed kind of mysterious and mystical and more dramatic, just because the original musical is superlighthearted and funny, at least at the beginning. So I was worried. But they did a really good job of making it dramatic and mysterious while still keeping the comedy aspect of it.”

Graphic by Rachel Wolleben.

06 feb. 2015

19 entertainment

the

shield

sports in brief Girls soccer team begins district play

Sophomore Nora Windham-Waite passes the ball while playing Crockett. Photo by Nick Robertson.

Lady Knights soccer started off 1-1 in district play with a win over Crockett and a loss to Cedar Creek.

“I think we have started off pretty well,” sophomore Emily Goulet said.

“We had a pretty rocky start, but I think we have come out strong in district.”

According to Goulet, the Knights’ goal is to win district by beating LBJ and make a run into the playoffs.

“Coach has been working with us to try and make us play more like a team,” Goulet said. “We are working on having different passing options and make sure that we have better communication on the field.”

According to Goulet, moving forward, players need to work on finishing games and not letting their opponents come back, but with the addition of new players they have more depth.

The Knights’ next game is tonight against Eastside Memorial.

Basketball team looks to forward to playoff run

Senior Harrison Brown drives through the lane against Crockett.

Photo by Nick Robertson.

20 sports

The Knights are third in district behind Reagan and LBJ as the season winds down.

“We have been playing alright recently,” senior Harrison Brown said. “We have had some really tough losses. We are working to just keep fighting.”

McCallum lost to Reagan last Friday 76-59, marking the team’s fourth loss in district play.

“In our losses we have just been really struggling with execution,” Brown said.

“We have made some key mistakes in big games, and those mistakes have cost us big time.”

According to Brown, the team needs to commit to playing as a unit more.

“If we can stay where we are right now in third,” Brown said, “then that will set us up for a deep playoff run. ” The Knights play Travis tonight.

Sophomore Sam Swafford swims the 200 IM. Photo by Mary Stities.

Swim team competes in regional meet The swim team competed in district competition on Jan. 23, and 18 swimmers advanced to the regional meet.

“The season is going really well,” freshman Bianca Ramirez said. “Everyone has really improved on their times throughout the season, which is good.”

Ramirez said the team’s goal was to make it to regionals and get as many peo-

ple as possible to state.

“Almost everyone made it to regionals,” Ramirez said. “All of the relays made it to regionals as well. We are now hoping to get a couple people to state. Everyone on the team had a really good district meet with a lot of people getting their best time, so if we can build off of that, I think we have a good chance at regionals.”

Soccer team enters district play Varsity boys soccer started 0-2 in district play with losses to Crockett and Cedar Creek.

“At the start of the season we did not play very well,” junior John Carson said.

“We have been getting better, though, as a team and playing together. In our first district game against Crockett we took a little step back. We didn’t play very well as a team.”

Several players on the team did not pass and, therefore, are ineligible to play.

According to Carson, this has had a big effect on the team.

“It has really affected us in practice,” Carson said. “We don’t have that many players to practice against, and we are not able to have full scrimmages in practice.

The players that we lost were also a big part of our team last year, so we have had to try and rebuild without them a little bit.”

The Knights’ next game is tonight against Eastside Memorial.

Junior John Carson dribbles the ball past a Crockett defender. Photo by Aiden Foster.

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

No pass, no play EMMA CUNNINGHAM staff reporter

Boys soccer experiences changes after enacting new team policy

Over the break, coach Nick Martin looked over the boys soccer players who failed.

“We were all tired of having to wait on other players to regain eligibility,” Martin said, “[The coaching staff] decided that, ‘Alright, if you don’t pass, you’re not on the team,’ and we’ve stuck to that, to make sure they know that they need to pass, and lost four [players] on varsity.”

The team lost three of its starters, including two from the defensive line.

Since losing four players to the new policy, varsity players, Kirby Steckel and Sacco Fernandez were both moved from mid-field back to take the two defensive starter positions.

“It’s a pretty big transition [going from midfield to defense],” Fernandez said. “You don’t get to handle the ball as much. You just have to get it out [when playing] defense.”

Steckel said it wasn’t a big transition for him. “[I play defense] on my other team, and we’ve found replacements for the people that we needed,” Steckel said.

Varsity goalie Hayden Price said he was nervous about the season. “[When told that four people had been cut] I was kind of disappointed, but we do need to pass our classes,” Price said. “But [I was] also kind of upset that Coach won’t give them a second chance. [I’m] sort of nervous about the season now because we’re missing a really good defender and other really good players.”

Martin said he wasn’t very happy when he had to make the cuts. “[Cutting team members] is the hardest day,” Martin said, “especially for the older ones who I have a long history with because [I’ve] just bonded and like these boys. [I] love having them on the team.”

Freshman varsity player Sam Stone was not as affected by the cuts as Martin.

“I didn’t have a good relationship with some

of [the players] yet,” Stone said. “I still noticed a difference [when the other players were let go.]”

Although the players don’t necessarily like the results of the policy, they agree school is more important, and the policy is emphasizing that to the whole team.

“I’m just been putting grades before soccer,” Price said. “I’ll be going to tutoring instead of practice some days.”

Since implementing the policy, the team has been more focused in school and during practice.

“I don’t think anyone is going to go pro,” Price said. “I think we should focus more on grades first.”

Martin also has enlisted a long-term ISS teacher who helps him check the player’s grades. “[We have a] rule where we checked grades every class. If you [as a player] were failing, you could not come out and practice,” Martin said. “I told the parents ahead of time, and I told the students every day [about the policy].”

Though everyone on the team knows the situation with the cuts, there’s been some fighting on the team between the new and returning players.

Price said he hopes the team will remember why they’re playing and get it together so they can be a successful team.

“Everyone was kind of upset that they failed because we were all friends,” Price said. “[We’re] like a family, and I would like it if Coach Martin put them back on the team.

Martin said the situation has been difficult.

“I just want the best for [the students],” Martin said.

Head coach Nicholas Martin works to change the game plan after a 2-1 loss in the district opener against Crockett. Photo by Aiden Foster.

06 feb. 2015

21 sports

the

shield Jake Holmes- Baseball

The Shield: How long have you been in gymnastics?

Meghan Mitchell: I started gymnastics when I was about 4 years old. My mom saw that I loved playing on the monkey bars, so she put me in gymnastics classes to practice a few days a week.

TS: What was the hardest to master in gymnastics?

MM: My double back tuck was probably the hardest thing to get the hang of. It’s when a gymnast does two back flips in a row in the air without stopping. In order to do it, you have to give it 100 percent all the time. Otherwise, you’ll under rotate and hurt your ankles when you land.

TS: How often do you practice?

MM: About six days a week. We normally do three events a day. We warm up and then we do bars, beam and floor or bars, beam and vault because they don’t want us doing floor and vault the same day because it is too much pounding on our calves, and then we will do cardio and conditioning. So it’s usually about three to four hours every day.

TS: What is your favorite thing to do in gymnastics?

MM: Floor is my favorite event because it combines both power and grace. It’s my best event and being a power gymnast, I love to tumble.

TS: Have you had any injuries throughout your career?

MM: I’ve had quite a few injuries. Altogether, I’ve broken four toes because of accidents on beam and bars. My eighth grade year, I pinched a nerve in my neck due to a bad landing on vault. My junior year, I broke my foot and injured my hip labrum, which led me to be unable to compete for the season. It’s really disappointing when I get injured,

but it’s just part of the sport.

TS: Why did you move to Austin for Crenshaw’s?

MM: The gymnastic club I was at in San Antonio didn’t have the level that I was at, like I’m a level 10 and none of the other gymnastics clubs in San Antonio had level 10, so we kind of had no option.

TS: Was a hard move for your family and you?

MM: Not really. The coach that I have in Crenshaw’s was the same coach I had in San Antonio. He used to live in San Antonio, so I think gymnastics-wise it wasn’t a hard move, but I moved to McCallum and it was my first public high school, and that was difficult. My mom was all for continuing my gymnastics career, but she kept her job in San Antonio, so she drives from Austin to San Antonio every day. She’s mot too much of a fan of doing that, but she’s excited for me to graduate and then she will probably move back.

I think I wouldn’t have done collegiate gymnastics if I hadn’t have moved to Austin.

TS: What college are you going to?

MM: I’m going to be a nursing major at Gannon

University in Erie, PA. TS: How did you feel when you learned that you had a full ride?

MM: I felt like all the hard work paid off because there are like days and weeks where you feel like you can’t do anything, especially when you’re injured. When I found out, everyone was really thrilled, and it finally felt like it was worth it.

TS: What are you most excited for about doing gymnastics in college?

MM: Each away meet will be out of state, and I’m excited to travel all around the country with my teammates. All of my teammates next year will be coming from different states, so I’m excited to see what they’ve learned and to become close with them.

Meghan Mitchell- Gymnastics 22 sports

The Shield: What first got you into baseball?

Jake Holmes: I’ve being playing since I was 9, playing catch in the backyard with my dad. My dad got me a baseball glove for my birthday. I forgot which birthday it was, but it kind of started the whole thing.

TS: Has your dad always been a supporter of you throughout the years?

JH: Always. He’s helped by keeping me on the right track and always inspiring me to do better because he used to play golf and he didn’t really push or anything. He use to be really good, but he has his regrets and he wants me to like learn from his mistakes and stuff like that.

TS: What was your first year on the varsity team like?

JH: It was interesting because I played freshman, I played JV, and you really don’t realize how big a jump it, is but it’s pretty drastic because some of the kids on JV we r e n ’ t really varsity ready at all, but then you just j u m p right into the fire. It’s pretty difficult at first, but I think I handled it pretty well.

TS: How does the varsity team now compare to the team your first year?

JH: We’re all a whole lot better at baseball, like a lot better. We are a lot more mature, not just physically but in the way we play, how we approach stuff, how we approach practice.

It’s not just fun any-

more. It’s fun, but it’s a lot more serious.

TS: What is your best memory from the McCallum team?

JH: Definitely winning a playoff game last year just like the dramatic ending of Jesse getting trucked (i.e. getting hit very hard) by some Vista Ridge guy and them calling him out. It was just crazy. It was a crazy game.

TS: What have you learned from baseball, and how do you apply it to real life?

JH: Baseball is a game of failure and you learn how to accept defeat, and I feel like that’s what I take from baseball. You’re not always gonna succeed, and you have to learn how to bite your tongue and just deal with it and try to make adjustments so you can succeed.

TS: What college are you going to?

JH: I’m going to Ranger College; it’s the school Jordan Gray went to last year.

TS: How did you decide to go to that school?

JH: I decided because they gave me a full scholarship, and I wanted to get free college because free college is the best college, in my opinion.

TS: How did you feel when you got accepted to play baseball with a full ride?

JH: I felt accomplished because it’s something that I’ve been working for a long time.

TS: How will baseball differ there as opposed to here?

JH: I feel like it will be more intense. It’s more like I’m getting paid to play there, so it’s almost like a job, but it’s something I love, so it’s still baseball. It’s still the same game.

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

10,000 hours 1

2

4

Sports teams take on new competition in 5A district 3

5

1. Senior Harrison Brown shoots a basket at the varsity game against Eastside Memorial. Photo by Aiden Foster.

2. Junior Jesse Levy-Rubinett defends against an LBJ player. Photo

by Ben Brown.

3. Sophomore Matthew Ball looks to pass the ball. Photo by Maya Coplin.

4. Junior Lily Stuesser and sophomore Quinn Bingham chase after ball in game against Anderson.

Photo by Aiden Foster.

5. Sophomore Emily Goulet and senior Mary Stites hug after Stites scored a goal against Anderson.

Photo by Aiden Foster.

06 feb. 2015

23 sports

the

shield

Keep on trucking Staffer approves of food venues entering high school campuses RACHEL WOLLEBEN staff reporter

On Nov. 3, Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville opened a functioning food truck for students to enjoy during lunch periods. The truck, named the Talon Taco Company after the school’s mascot the hawk, offers a menu similar to Chipotle, serving items like stuffed burritos, pork carnitas and fresh salsa.

Pflugerville Independent School District listened to advice from students, the district’s dietician and its food supplier, Aramark, to come up with the idea of opening a taco truck for the school. Today the students there rush to get in line for the food truck, which has simultaneously helped address the issue of overcrowding in their cafeteria.

After looking at the benefits Hendrickson High School has enjoyed from opening a food truck, I think McCallum should try and get one of it’s own. If McCallum got it’s own food truck or had a food chain restaurant open one on campus, students would see significant changes in their school lives. The number of students who get lunch off campus would

d e crease significantly, allowing staff members to feel secure knowing that we’re all getting lunch in a safe, easy-toreach environment. Students can also feel like

24 opinion

they have more of a say in what they eat since they would be able to order different combinations of meals from the truck. The number of students wanting to get food from the truck or trailer would cut down on long cafeteria lines, giving everyone more room to move about in the hallways and more time to enjoy their meals.

While the district would have to approve letting the school open the food truck, it would have to pass federal nutrition guidelines, which all school food providers in the nation have to follow. However, I do not see the issue of finding food outside of the district’s general provider that passes federal guidelines as an issue, given that Eanes ISD is able to serve its students lunch items f r o m foodchain restaurants, like chicken sandwiches from Chick fil A and pizza from Dominos.

Deciding what type of food students want to eat and can eat may be tricky but can be easily solved by consulting students and district officials in charge of school lunches and food services.

McCallum can and should open a food truck or trailer on campus, but we should be reminded that the purpose of this food truck is to please the students and give them a unique food service alternative from their standard school lunches. To find out if McCallum students would even want a food truck here, I surveyed 41 students and asked them questions about what they would want from a food truck or trailer, and whether they wanted one at all. Of the students surveyed, 82.9 percent said they would

Graphic by Rachel Wolleben.

enjoy having a food truck or trailer on campus, and 78 percent said they would actually buy food from the truck or trailer. Fifty-three percent of students agreed they would like being served food from a food-chain restaurant and suggested establishments like P. Terry’s and Chick Fil-A. These students also suggested they would be happy if served American style food, Asian food, tacos or just deli sandwiches.

I suggest that if the school does want a food truck or trailer, we should have one opened by a popular food chain restaurant or business, like Chick fil A or Jimmy John’s, or a popular local business from Austin, like Home Slice Pizza or Hula Hut. With a well-known business opening the food truck at school, you’d attract more students, which brings more profits. As long as the business has some items on its menu that follow federal nutrition guidelines, or the business is open to altering some of its menu items to meet those guidelines, having an outside

business open a food truck on campus shouldn’t be a big issue. However, if the district is really that against serving students food from outside businesses and the food must be served by a district approved vendor, I’d at least make sure the food is different than that in the cafeteria so students have a reason to want food from the truck. To make sure the district and the school will benefit from opening the truck or trailer on campus, I think whatever profit the truck makes should be divided equally.

If the rest of Austin can enjoy being served food from an easy, trendy and affordable business, I see no reason why McCallum students can’t. The success of the Talon Taco Company food truck in Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, as well as Eanes ISD’s ability to serve students food from outside businesses while also following federal nutrition guidelines, proves that having a food truck or trailer at McCallum would be fun and beneficial for students and staff. Having a unique food service alternative to our standard cafeteria lunches could be the very thing students need, and I highly recommend that we make this happen.

06 feb. 2015

the

shield

It’s the little things Staffer comments on what can make or break a day

HALEY HEGEFELD

06 feb. 2014

W h o knew these nifty inn o va t i o n s were invented in 1951 by General Motors employee Robert L. Ballard?

And more importantly, why have most cars only gotten them in the past 10 years? All of that wasted time...

They could have saved many people from the awful few minutes when they first get in the car and have to wait for their cars to defrost while the heat is blowing out ice cold air. You get on the road, where the traffic is going about 5 mph because of the blistery winter weather.

You resign yourself to sitting in the car for the half hour commute you are going to have to make, and your seat is cold.

There’s nothing like having a freezing seat to ruin your w h o l e day. With seat heaters, anything is possible.

Ice days

At any given time on any given day, students can look up at the ceiling of their classroom after hearing the booms and scratches of a small rodent, a rat.

There’s no telling when they will strike. One minute you’re working on a lab, and the next you have a rat to take home as a pet. Between their cute, tiny ears and the constant sniffing of their nose, there is no contest that they win the award for best pet.

If you are fast and dedicated enough, trapping one is no problem. However, we can’t guarantee it will be a purebred.

Even if these aren’t your ideal pets, they can help you on your s u m m e r body-ready diet. Since there are so many classrooms that don’t allow eating because of them, the snacking has to stop.

Seat heaters

Being a barista is a hard job.

There are always people in line whose goal in life is to have their own personalized cup of coffee (“with soy milk, no sugar, add agave nectar, a little bit of caramel,” etc.) on the menu.

Even more stressful, these people have not yet had their morning cup of coffee, and they aren’t quite ready to be a polite customer yet. But how difficult is it for the barista to spell a person’s name?

Everyone has had this happen: you get your coffee cup and your simple, 5-letter name has turned into an 8-letter monstrosity. You take it letter by letter trying to sound it out, but you still have no idea how they got this from w h a t you said w h e n t h e y asked for your name.

As long as the coffee’s hot...

Ceiling rats

Coffee cup misspellings

co-assistant editor

The jackets are out, the boots are on and the ice is freezing. And you all know what that means: no school!

You go to sleep, with homework incomplete in hopes that the next morning your parents will receive the phone call that says you can go back to sleep for another hour. The alarm blares. You get up and the moment of truth arrives. There’s no snow or ice in sight, but you don’t question it.

By 2 in the afternoon, it’s sunny and 50 degrees.

In Texas, that’s called a winter storm. In Wisconsin, that’s called a summer day.

Thank you to the chemical balance of hydrogen and oxygen that strikes fear into the hearts of the public and allows us to watch the next season of Friends in bed.

25 opinion

the

shield

What’s on the web: More Mr. McCallum photos 15 things overheard during rat dissections Listen to Mr. Cowles’s Teacher of the Year acceptance Weekly featured photos News, sports, and more

what’s new on macshieldonline.com share the shield Like: facebook.com/ macshieldonline Follow: @theshieldonline on Twitter

Seniors Damini Patel and Halona Robertson laugh as they work together to open up a rat in Anatomy and Physiology after teacher Richard Wisennand demonstrated the proper technique for the class’s first dissection of the year.

The Confluence Partners LLC, comprised of a group of Navajo nation members and developers from across Arizona, have teamed up to develop the land around where the Little and Big Colorado Rivers meet. The Grand Canyon Escalade Project would supposedly provide a “drive-by” wilderness experience, which is a contradiction in itself.

The attempts to weaken the protection of public lands such as national parks and national monuments, combined with the attempts to develop the Grand Canyon, jeopardize the ability for future generations to witness and appreciate the natural scenes of America. The proposed Grand Canyon Escalade consists of The Escalade, a gondola tramway from the rim to the Colorado River; a Riverwalk, a sightseeing experience at the bottom of the canyon; the Discover Center, a themed cultural and historical recreation area that includes dining and shopping experience; as well as lease sites for hotels and other services.

Allowing outside developers to intrude on the canyon will jeopardize the experience the natural state of the canyon has to offer. Keep the moneycrazed developers out of the remaining untouched lands. Extra restaurants and more gift shops to buy cheesy Grand Canyon socks do not heighten the experience at the rim or at the river. They have not and will not be a necessary attraction for the Grand

the

New low

shield

Grand Canyon Escalade project would spoil experience of national park

Cartoon by Colin Youngblood Canyon.

According to the National Park Service, the Grand Canyon National Park brought in over 4.3 million visitors in 2011, and the visitors spent over $460 million. The 398 National Parks around the country bring in over 282.2 million visitors, and the gift shops and nearby resorts are not what keep the parks relevant. It is the unique and untouched at-

A.N. McCallum High School 5600 Sunshine Dr. Austin, TX 78756 (512) 414-7539 fax (512) 453-2599 contact.macshield@gmail.om

the

shield staff

assistant editors Natalie murphy haley hegefeld

sports editors BEN BROWN Nick robertson

mosphere that can only be found in these public lands. Allowing private hands to gain access to public lands will only taint the natural experience as well as fuel the destruction of the parks in the future.

Polling data regarding the management of public lands collected by Hart Research Associates shows that 90 percent of American surveyed support President Obama’s protection of the public lands, and 73 percent oppose selling of the National Forests and other public lands. The revenue brought in by the Grand Canyon, combined with the overwhelming majority of Americans who wish to keep the national parks untouched, exemplifies the idiocy of the proposed Grand Canyon Escalade.

The protection of America’s public lands ensures that all visitors will have the same opportunity to witness the natural greatness of America’s lands without the influence of human development. The Grand Canyon has been successful in attracting visitors and collecting revenue and does not need the assistance of the Grand Canyon Escalade to remain relevant.

By remaining diligent about keeping the National Parks as they are, we are allowing ourselves to have the ability to witness history and relax in America’s jewels for years to come.

editors-in-chief

mary stites and seren villwock

news editor MARA VANDERGRIFT

photo editor

adviser

MAYA COPLIN

Rhonda Moore

reporters KEAGAN ALEMAN, MEENA ANDERSON, BELLA CUDE, EMMA CUNNINGHAM, RONALD DOTSON, AIDEN FOSTER, HANNAH ILAN, JULIE ROBERTSON, RAMÓN WALKER, RACHEL WOLLEBEN The Shield is published by journalism students in the Newspaper production class.

Although students work under the guidance of a professional faculty member, the student staff ultimitely determines the content.

Students may not publish material that is obscene, libelous, or that which

06 feb. 2015

will cause a “substantial disruption to the educational process.” Content that may stimulate heated debate is not included in this definition.

The Shield operates as an open forum for exchange of ideas. Opinions expressed in editorials are the ideas of the staff. Opinions expressed in the columns are that of the writer’s alone.

Letters to the editor are encouraged and must be signed. Positive identification may be required when a letter is submitted. Letters may be edited. Letters that are critical of the newspaper staff’s coverage of events or that present information that may stimulate heated debate will be published.

Letters that contain malicious attacks

on individual reporters, the adviser, or the principal will be rejected.

Anyone interested in purchasing an ad should contact adviser Rhonda Moore at (512) 414-7539.

The Shield is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, National Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

27 opinion

the

shield

Flipturn ing it

o und ar

2

3

4

1 Girls, boys swimming take 2nd in district, compete in regionals today 1. Sophomore Rachel Wolleben takes her first stroke on her last leg of the 100 backstroke event.

2. Senior Nyla Gershoni works to take the lead against LBJ and sophomore Gillian MacDonald during the 100 breaststroke event.

3. Freshman Bianca Ramirez is awarded for her first place finish in the 500 free. Ramirez was also voted Female Swimmer of the Meet for her district performance. “I was surprised to hear my name, but I was very excited to receive the award,” Ramirez said. “My coaches have worked really hard to improve my swimming, and my teammates are always supportive and help me as well.”

4.Sophomore Lauren Carrol and freshman Ruby Morgan high five after completing their 200 freestyle.

5. Sophomore Samuel Swafford swims towards the finish of the boys 200 free relay to gain the first place title.

Photos by Mary Stites.

28 photo essay

5 06 feb. 2015