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McCallum High School / 5600 Sunshine / Austin, TX 78756 / May 23, 2013 / Issue 7 / Volume 60

Austinites celebrate National Bike Month; city officials promote cycling story on page 16

What’s inside: Crestview neighborhood pushes for new park story on page 3

Students recount trips to Northeast following Boston Marathon bombing story on page 13

Staffers review summer’s hottest blockbuster hits story on page 17

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contents

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table of contents 3

news

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New security officers come to Mac

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Recent AISD bond package failure prompts administrators to take a second look at the benefits

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Junior Violett Beane creates a poster in preparation for the songwriting class end-of-year spring concert on May 3. Photo by Caitlin Henson.

save the date 23

24 27

28 cover

May Choir concert @7 p.m.

5 in the MAC theater 7 String Classes concert @ 10-13 7 p.m.

Memorial day/School 10holiday July 25 15th anniversary Steel Drum concert

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Teachers to leave McCallum at end of year to move on to new opportunities

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sports

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Students weigh in on current NBA playoffs games

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entertainment

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Staffers dish on newest summer blockbuster movies

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opinion

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Staffer shares opinion on downward spiral some celebrities face

June Last day of school McCallum Graduation Mac Volleyball summer skills camp Football summer Strength & Conditioning Camp

Students participate in National Bike Month by riding to school. National Bike Month promotes awareness for the international sport. Photo by Caitlin Falk.

Dance majors perform a piece choreographed by junior FranaZhea’ Ragan at the student-directed benefit dance show May 10-12. Photo by Natalie Murphy.

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Park place

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Crestview Neighborhood Association campaigns for public green space GINGER BICKLEY

“The big thing was to have a dog park so that we can get the dogs out of Brentwood staff reporter The Crestview neighborhood, located park where all the children play and put close to McCallum, is pushing for a new them into a fenced area in a different park,” park. The Crestview Neighborhood Asso- McMillan said. ciation is considering the lot at 6909 Ryan Though the campaign for the new park as the home for the new park. has started only recently, the idea for using Former Crestview Neighborhood As- the lot as a park has been considered for sociation president Deanna McMillan said years. she believes Crestview is in need of a new “This (the idea for a new park) has park. been going on for a long We need a public time, and this particular “Because of all the housing going in over that we’re lookgreen space; and location by the Crestview meting at came up almost 10 ro-rail station, there’s years ago,” McMillan said. we need a dog over a thousand units “The Huntsman Chemical park in this area going in. That’s addCompany sold the proping more than 50 erty to a developer, and at of town. percent to Crestview, the same time Cap Metro and with the density was planning the red line Deanna McMillan of those houses, they and Crestview Station. don’t have many yards,” McMillan said. SO there were a lot of public input meet“Those people need some green space. In ings with Cap Metro and the city on how order to make that work, we need some the area would look. In those meetings, public green space; we need a dog park in we were told that for a successful transitthis area of town. There are just multiple oriented development, there had to be a reasons that this park is needed.” public green space, and this property was Residents of Crestview also feel the identified as a likely location for that public need for a new park, McMillan said, and green space.” a recently conducted neighborhood poll However, it has taken longer than exshowed almost unanimous support. pected to build the park.

“We got what we thing was a tremen“In the plan published seven years ago, dous response because we had around 300 it said within five years the park would be responses, which is good because there’s built,” McMillan said. “It hasn’t been built, only about 2,000 households in Crestview,” so last year the residents at the neighborMcMillan said. “We had about 97 percent hood association meetings started asking positive result for the park. There are a few what happened to the park, so we started people that have concerns about it so we are going to our council members and asking trying to look at their concerns and make what happened to our park. Let’s get this sure we take them into account.” park done.”

In addition to asking whether or not Austin Energy is currently using the lot residents supported a new ark, the poll also at 6909 Ryan, though McMillan said she asked residents what kind of amenities they believes the lot is not essential for the purwould like to see in the park. poses of Austin Energy.

“What we found was that they did not “It’s city property, but as an asset it’s on want it to duplicate what is at Brentwood the Austin Energy books,” McMillan said.

Park,” McMillan said. “Brentwood has ball “They are doing some material sorting and fields and a tennis court and a pool and a lot storage there. They use the property, but of playscapes. They wanted the new park to there’s nothing unique about that property be a more natural area.” for their uses. In other words, their uses The biggest wish of Crestview resi- could move to a different location.” dents, however, was to have an off leash If the Crestview Neighborhood Assoarea for dogs. ciation wishes to have the lot, it will need

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the Austin City Council’s permission.

“We need the city council to designate it as park land. It’s a city council decision,” McMillan said.

If the City Council does give the lot to Crestview to be made into a new park, the process to make the park a reality could be lengthy, but it could also give Crestview valuable time to fundraise.

“It will take quite a while. Austin Energy will probably want up to two years to transition out, and during that time Crestview will do fundraising and look at private grants and private foundations to try and raise money,” McMillan said. “We’re not going to go after city money; the city parks money is already spread too thin. The neighborhood has already stepped up and said we’re willing to do all the legwork to go after federal grants, private foundation grants and those sources of funding in order to transition it. It probably won’t start looking like a park for a couple of years.”

McMillan envisions the park as a host for neighborhood events.

“[We’d like] some place for there to be small festivals, things like the Violet Crown Festival, little things like that,” McMillan said. “Like a pavilion that musicians could play in, or your could have an art show or something.”

The new park could also provide an alternate route for Crestview residents traveling to the train station.

“The real advantage is that the property is adjacent to the train station, so that will make a connection between the neighborhood and the train station, so people can get to the train without having to go out onto Lamar and the traffic associate with that,” McMillan said.

Those wanting to get involved with the park campaign can do their part by contacting the city council.

“The biggest thing is that this is a city council decision,” McMillan said. “Call or email the council members and the mayor and let them know that this is important and this is how you want this property used.”

Proposed design of the new park, published with permission from the Crestview Neighborhood Association

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In case of emergency New officers work with staff, faculty to help keep school safe CAITLIN HENSON staff reporter

In an effort to make sure students know what to do in an emergency, school administrators have held fire, tornado and lockdown drills.

“I know that the drills are helping students,” Garrison said. “The fact that they mess around and talk during drills aside, if there ever is a serious, real attack I feel that the students would definitely be prepared. “ Security staff, administrators and teachers all make sure safety measures are in place and monitor visitors on campus. If anyone looks suspicious, the staff notifies the office, then administrators and security take steps to make sure the visitor checks in and goes through the school’s security check.

“I had to take a family to the office once; they just walked into the school,” security monitor Georgia Pina said. “They were all female with children, but it still was my duty to make sure that all visitors check in.”

Two new officers, Jimmy Gary and Karl Copley are filling the positions of officer Tim Wright and Keith Harris.

The new officers have only been here for a short time, but they have become close to students and facility.

“I love McCallum. McCallum is a great school. It’s a little smaller school than I’m used to working at,” Copley said, “but I like it a lot. The kids are really nice as well as the administration and teachers.”

Recent tragedies like the shootings in Newtown, Conn., make the issue of safety an even bigger concern.

“It was really tragic news,” Gary said. “but if anything happens to McCallum, no matter if it’s a small threat or a big threat, it’s a problem for our faculty and students, so we make sure our safety plan is locked in place.”

Administrators try to keep the drills on a seasonal schedule.

“We haven’t increased the drills or decreased them,” Garrison said. I try to keep them set in place as much as I can.”

Copely said he would like to see more safety measures in place at McCallum.

“I wish there were more cameras,” Copley said, “and it would also help if the students wore IDs so that we could tell that they belong on campus and that they do go to this school.”

Name: Jimmy Gary From there to here: Pierce Middle School, Lanier High School, Anderson High School Special talent: Drawing Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela Words of advice: “Always have a goal.”

Name: Karl Copley From there to here: Worked at Austin High School Words of advice: “Every day counts. If you do what you’re supposed to, you’ll have a successful life.”

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College background: Liberty University Favorite Quote: “Center is a difficult position to play.”

- Kareem Abdul Jabbar

I love McCallum. McCallum is a great school. It’s a little smaller school than I’m used to working at, but I like it a lot. The kids are really nice as well as the administration and teachers.

Karl Copley Officer

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Marching madness New drum majors take the lead in band, prep for 2013-14 season GRACE FRYE editor-in-chief

The Shield: What is the best part about band? Why have you stayed in it?

Aja Dunn: As cheesy as this sounds, and I’m sure everybody says it, but it’s literally the people. The people are so great. And second to that, which is very close, I just love playing music.

Shield: So you tried out for drum major your freshman year, and again your sophomore year, and now as a junior going to be a senior you are co-head. What are your thoughts?

AD: It was a growing experience last year because I was assistant and pretty much watched the head drum majors do their thing and learn from them; and now it’s kind of crazy because now I have to step up to the plate and be the big dog, I guess.

Shield: So what’s that pressure like?

AD: I’m really worried, I mean, nothing big is coming up, well except like after school on Monday was freshman minicamp, so I did stuff there. And it was just like, ‘God, I don’t want to mess up.’

Bond Fire CAITLIN FALK assistant editor

Propositions 2 and 4 of the AISD bond, which would include funding for building new schools to address such issues as overcrowding, improvements in safety and security, and improving facilities for fine arts, special education and physical education and athletics, were voted out by the city of Austin in the May 11 election.

“I am very happy for our students and faculty and staff that two of the bond proposals were passed,” Fine Arts Director Kalyse McElveen said. “But I’m sure you can imagine the disappointment that the Proposition 4 was not passed because that had a potential direct impact to our

Shield: But, you’re still pretty confident, right?

AD: Umm, yeah, I guess. I mean, I shadowed under the three drum majors last year. But there is still so much that I am not quite—that I don’t know about yet.

Shield: So you are co-head drum major, who do you share that with?

AD: I’m co-head drum major with Charlotte Lichtenheld, who’ll be a junior next year. So, it’ll be a learning experience for her as a junior and as a head, as well.

Shield: What are you most excited about?

What are you looking forward to most?

AD: I am so excited. We are kind of going all-out this year. It’s not only our state year, but we’ve entered in this big competition, it’s called BOA, which stands for Bands of America. It’s usually held in San Antonio, and all of these really really great Texas bands go. So, I’m like kind of fangirling hoping that I’m going to see Marcus High or like L.D. Bell because they are like the crème-de-lacrème of high school marching bands. I’m just excited about all that we have coming up; we have Westlake’s Drill Rider, so

we’re shelling out big money here. I’m excited to see how this year turns out. We have great plans, and we want to see them executed well. I feel like past years have been kind of less-than, and we need to go all out this year.

Charlotte Lichtenheld: I am excited to get to lead the entire band, especially because this is a state year. I’m definitely excited about being in a leadership position, to be able to conduct them and teach them the fundamentals of marching and lead this great band. I’m excited to see what I can produce.

Shield: I’ve heard you are thinking of calling next year’s season something new.

Can you tell me about it?

AD: Oh (laughs) do you mean Dunn Dynasty? Yeah, I kind of just thought that up last night. I was talking to last season’s drum majors, and they were just giving me pointers, tips. It was a joke, I won’t be a dictator. The Dunn-Lichtenheld Dynasty.

There we go.

Shield: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

AD: Tone. The tone of your voice makes

such a difference. As well as being assistant drum major last year, I was also the saxophone squad leader, and so, when you get your first little batch of freshmen, it’s so exciting when you’re teaching them how to march. So Brandon Corpus pulled me aside and said that I was kind of just yelling at my freshmen. I didn’t mean to be; I didn’t realize that I was.

After a while of yelling, it’s not very fun.

Tone changes everything.

Shield: How often do juniors get drum major?

CL: In the past, I think juniors normally get assistant drum major. It’s pretty exciting to be drum major for two years.

Shield: What does summer look like for the marching band?

AD: Summer is busy for band. It’s all morning, small breaks for eating. I mean, we don’t want to pass out on the field… bad experience (laughs). But yeah, I’m just looking forward to what’s going to unravel this year. We have a lot on our plates, and I think that McCallum band is up to the challenge. I think we are going to kick butt.

Fine Arts Director Kalyse McElveen weighs in on results of recent election day-to-day work here at the fine arts academy.”

McElveen said the stand-alone dance facility for McCallum, which had been on Proposition 4, was one of the items voted out.

“We’ll have to stick with our plan B now, which is having dance share spaces with folks in the field house and then also using the black box theatre, which does add to everyone’s discomfort,” she said.

“But you know, we do with what we have.

I feel really positive that the dance instructors are going to continue to provide the highest level of education to our kids. It’s not about that; it’s just, having a dedicated space would have definitely eased some of the pressure.”

McCallum is in one of the districts with

the highest vote count, and McElveen said it is parents who can be thanked for the turnout.

“We had at McCallum, that I know of, a core group of small but very, very active and passionate group of not only current parents but also former parents that phone banked and sent emails, and again I believe some of them were also responsible for some of the television ads or at least were participating in those groups,” McElveen said. “So, they really tried to get the word out. Their efforts did make a difference, and our parents should really be commended for the work they did.”

McElveen said the bond might change the focus for the program.

“I think the kids who aren’t a part of the

fine arts academy benefit because they’re getting these incredible educators and these really passionate artists to sit next to in the classroom and really participate in the creative process,” she said. “I don’t think any of that’s going to change [because of the bond]. The bummer for me always is, we have so many kids express interest in this program and, depending, the acceptance rate can be as low as 25 percent because we literally do not have room to accommodate all the kids who want to be here. For now, instead of increasing capacity, we’re going to have to focus on increasing quality and continuing that effort. And that’s going to have to take the number one priority because right now, expansion isn’t really possible. So, we’ll do what we can.”

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Starting down new paths Staples to leave AISD, teach abroad SEREN VILLWOCK ad manager

On his first day at McCallum 23 years ago, history teacher William Staples was handed a huge wad of keys.

“I remember my first day very well,” Staples said. “You couldn’t even put [the keys] in your pocket. I had to get a little loop so I could hang them on my belt loop. I just remember looking at those keys and not knowing what any of them went to, and I just thought, ‘If only it were five years from now.’ And then, of course, five years later, I knew what all the keys went to, and time had kind of corrected everything I didn’t know.”

Though originally starting as a theater teacher, Staples now teaches World History to sophomores, a switch he said was an odd story.

“By that point, I had done theater for 15 years, including at other schools before McCallum,” he said. “So I had done 15 years of rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal and 14 or 15-hour days, and I was pretty

Gore moving on after 29 years of teaching WES JOHNS staff reporter

After 19 years at McCallum and 30 years of teaching, math teacher Diana Gore is retiring from being a full-time teacher. She’s taught everything from Fundamentals of Math to Pre-AP PreCalculus.

“Pre-Calculus is probably my favorite class to teach,” Gore said. “It combines a lot of different mathematical ideas. It combines Geometry, Algebra II, and it introduces kids to new ways of thinking

burned. I knew I wanted to move into another subject area. I thought I would be pretty good at history and I liked history a lot, but I thought I was going to have to leave and go to a different school, and I hated the thought of that because I really liked McCallum. Then it just so happened that the teacher who was then in [my current] position was leaving, just out of the blue.”

The switch to this subject was one place he found his passion: teaching history as part of the combined English II/ World History class.

“For me, my favorite thing about history is just to be able to look back along the timeline to see how we have a species have progressed and see the mistakes we’ve made,” he said. “ There’s so much human nature involved, and that was always really interesting to me. We’ll get better, and then we’ll make mistakes again, and then get better. You can see when human beings are at their worst, they are also at their best.”

Today, Staples is preparing for his retirement at the end of the year.

“Twenty-three years, just like that,” he said. “Gone.”

For Staples, teaching has been a lifeabout math that they haven’t really thought about before.”

Coming from a family of teachers, Gore didn’t have to think too hard about becoming one herself. Her decision to teach math was influenced by her high school math teacher.

“I always liked math, and I had a really good math teacher in high school that got me excited about mathematics,” Gore said.

“In a math problem you usually have closure at the end. There is something you get to, and I like that.”

Gore arrived at McCallum in 1994 after teaching at Anderson, Covington and Lockhart. She got her Masters degree in 1984 and quickly received a job at Anderson after a teacher left mid-year.

“At McCallum you have a very, very

Retiring social studies teachers Bill Staples and Patrick Youngblood dress as each other on Halloween. Photo provided by McCallum yearbook staff. long career. Though he first realized he wanted to be a teacher during college when he was getting his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and studying speech and English, he plans to continue by teaching abroad after he retires.

“As I was coming up to last summer, I started thinking about how everything coming up is going to be the last,” he said.

“But then I started changing what I’m going to do after retirement, and now I’m actually looking about teaching abroad in one of the international schools. So it may

broad spectrum of the world,” Gore said.

“You have lots of different kinds of kids that all seem to get along reasonably well, and I don’t think you find that at a lot of other high schools.”

Despite this being her last year as a fulltime teacher, Gore said she still feels good about her choice to retire.

“I feel really good about it, but it’s a little sad because this is all I’ve ever done, this is all I know how to do,” Gore said.

“But I am looking forward to not grading papers and not having so much structure to my day. I know I’m going to miss the people I work with most after I leave.”

Gore started at McCallum the same day her sons, Charlie and Sam, started kindergarten. Both of them ended up graduating from McCallum, and Charlie

was a substitute at the school.

Next year Gore plans to substitute as well as tutor, so she won’t be totally out of teaching. However, her post-retirement plans go past sticking around school.

“I’m going to do some things around my house that need to get done, and I’ll do some traveling,” Gore said. “I’ll finally be able to read a book or two. I haven’t been able to do that in a while.”

Out of all the students Gore has taught over the years, she said her favorite ones were “all the kids that could genuinely make me laugh with their quirky sense of humor.”

“I like to laugh, and I like to joke and have fun,” Gore said. “It’s all about the kids and the people I’ve worked with.”

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not be the last time for all of this, but it is the last time I will teach it here. McCallum has been really good to me for 23 years.

The faculty is a close family, and they’ve just been such good company. It’s hard to leave them, and, of course, it’s hard to leave the students, too. McCallum has just a great group of students, and we really don’t have all those conflicting groups. It’s going to be hard to leave.”

Though he will be in a new country, Staples’ experience teaching abroad will not be an entirely new one to him.

He taught abroad about 15 years ago in the Czech Republic at the International School of Prague, and he also taught in Switzerland a summer ago.

“That’s where I first met all these Americans who were teaching abroad and living in Prague. It was a beautiful school

and the students were great, and then a few years ago over the summer I went to teach in Switzerland. Then last summer I was working on the curriculum, and one of the teachers was going to teach in Germany this year. We were talking, and I said, ‘If I had known about the International schools at the beginning of my teaching career, I probably would have done that.’

Then she said, ‘Well, you’re retiring, but

you still need a job, so why don’t you just do it now?’ And I said, ‘That is a great idea.

I am going to do that.’”

Even though Staples’ journey will take him far away, he said he will always miss McCallum.

“The students here are so eclectic, and they mix so well,” he said. “I’m really going to miss the students the most. The time has gone very fast. Very fast.”

Youngblood to work at non-profit center

Third Coast Activist Resource Center since May 2010. They were able to purchase and renovate the building by putting down over a third of the price.

“I will definitely be spending a lot of time at his community center these next few years.” Youngblood said.

Senior Sarah Greenwood said students next year will miss out on the experience of having the social studies teacher.

“He is a good teacher and he cares about his students,” Greenwood said. “He actually wants people to learn stuff. I like Mr. Youngblood; he is a lot of fun to learn from. It is really easy to ask him stuff, and he’ll explain everything in many different ways in case you didn’t get it the first time.”

Youngblood said he loves McCallum.

“My favorite thing has been when I had ninth and 12th graders,” Youngblood said.

“So I would have students when they first started here when they were 14, and then I would also have them when they are graduating. Definitely the hardest thing was my first year here and I didn’t have a room, so I floated from room to room. I also had to coach tennis, so I was brand new and it was very hard.”

Greenwood said she once fell asleep in Youngblood’s class.

“He told everyone to look at me until I woke up,” Greenwood said. “I was really tired after marching band, so I leaned back and fell asleep. It was a few minutes before the bell rings. I wake up and everyone is staring at me.

“I’m happy that I got the classes I did with him,” Greenwood added. “I enjoyed it every day. It was a little difficult because economics is not my strongest subject.

He teaches hard classes, but you learn a lot from him. He is a very down-to-earth teacher. I know a lot more about the world thanks to him.”

Youngblood said he hopes to stay in touch with his fellow co-workers once he leaves for 5604 Manor .

“I have made some great friends here,” Youngblood said. “And that’s another thing I love about McCallum, the teachers that I have met.”

People can volunteer or become a donor to the 5604 Capital Campaign and help complete the vision for the community center by going to the 5604 Capital website.

“I like the liveliness of McCallum,” Youngblood said. “I like standing in the hall and watching all of these different people go by. I’ll miss that.”

most I will miss about him is his playful way to make fun of us and kind of push us to be better musicians.”

Nelson said there are too many good memories to pick the best one, and he can’t remember any bad ones.

“I guess that the continued growth and abilities that are shown each year in the choirs is one thing that will always be remembered,” Nelson said. “The Cabaret has grown so much and become so professional that everyone looks forward to the performances every year. The choirs have always worked hard and once again this year received Sweepstakes Awards at UIL. We have five choirs participate, the most of any central Texas high school. Really excited about that.”

Alexander’s favorite memory is when she auditioned, also the first time she met Nelson.

“I was singing a song called ‘Amani,’ and my name is Amani,” Alexander said.

“He thought it was adorable. I did a little sight reading exercise, and he asked me if I went to Fulmore and competed at TMEA, which I did. He told me he was very impressed and then smiled at me. I got me very confident for my audition.”

Assistant Choir Director Helen Miers will take over Nelson’s job next year.

“I am very happy that she will be taking over,” Nelson said. “She and I have been friends for many years and have worked together in the past when she was the head choir director at Akins High School. I was actually her assistant there. So the roles were reversed this year.”

Nelson said he liked McCallum when he first started working here.

“I knew that it would be a great place to work because I knew other teachers here and they really liked the school,” Nelson said. “I will miss the family atmosphere of the choirs, and the support of the students, parents, faculty and administration.”

Choir Director Malcolm Nelson is leaving after 7 years to start his own production company. Photo provided by McCallum yearbook staff.

BELLA TEMPLE

staff reporter Social studies teacher Pat Youngblood will leave McCallum High School after six years of teaching to go to a community center created by an organization he is a part of.

“I am going to work at a community center that I helped start called 5604 Manor, which is also its address,” Youngblood said. “I’m part of an organization called Third Coast Activist, and I’m going to make this community center happen.”

5604 Manor, the community center Youngblood helped make, has been with

Nelson starts own production company BELLA TEMPLE staff reporter

Malcolm Nelson will leave after seven years teaching at McCallum. He and a friend are going to start a production company, Take A Bow Productions.

“She and I will have summer camps featuring musical theater workshops and producing and directing shows by contract throughout central Texas,” Nelson said. “Should keep me off the streets.”

Sophomore Amani Alexander said she likes Nelson’s upbeat personality when they rehearse.

“I like Mr. Nelson,” Alexander said.

“I will miss him, but he is coming back to help us out with Cabaret in the fall, so we will get to see and work with him. The

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Cannel, Sarach Camille – Maryland Institute College of Art Caple, Michala Creighton – ACC Carl, Eleanor Lillian- University of North Texas Carter-Mnroe, Keondre Trevon – Tyler Junior College Cassorla, Jessica – Arizona State Castelo, Miriam – ACC Cerrito, Maximiliano- ACC Chandler, Meredith – Auburn University Chapman, Brooke – Texas A&M University Chavez, Estefani – ACC Childs, Andrew – TX State, San Marcos Chisolm, Benjamin – Angelo State University Christie, Sarah Elise – Texas State, San Marcos Christodoulides, Zachary – UT Clark, Frances – San Antonio College Clayton, Andre – Prairie View Coates, Stavros – ACC Cogdell, Peggy – ACC Cole, Caridad – Bard College Contreras, Joseph – ACC Copper, Dakota Mitchell – ACC Corpus, Brandon _ UNT Counts, Eric – Work Crockett, Shiwala – ACC Culpepper, Rar’king Rashad – ACC De La Garza, Eliana Guanqing – Webster University Diaz, Ivan Alexander – ACC Dodgen, Owen – UT Dolan-Henderson, Liam Adriel – UT Dorsch, Cali Sierra – Humboldt State University Doty, Anna Mikail – Concordia University Dukes, Ashlegih – ACC Easley, Douglas Wayne – Airforce Edwards, Alexandria Layne – ACC Eidenschink, Rachel – University Mary Hardin-Baylor English, Hannah – Texas Tech Farmer, Savacia – Louisiana State University

Senior De

Femat, Aden – ACC Flemmings, Chazpin – ACC Flores, Julian – ACC Flores, Matthew Ryan – Texas State University, San Marcos Freeman, Tierany Ja’Nae – Texas Southern University Freitag, Damon – UT Freis, Casey – Undecided Garcia, Arletta – ACC Garcia, Egla Janeth – Schreiner University Garza, Logan – St. Edward’s University Geier, Mollie – University of Arkansas Gengenbach, Jessica – UNT Germain, Christopher – Kettering University Gersterhabe, Albert Jason – Texas A&M University Gloor, Forest – UT Gonzales, Jade – Texas State University, San Marcos Gonzales-Ramos, Maria – ACC Gonzales, Selina – ACC Gonzales, Zachary – ACC and Fire Academy Gordon, Adam Charles – UNT Goyco, Riley Victoria – ACC Graham, Zoe – MICA Greene, Nora – UT Greenwood, Sarah – Texas A&M University Guerrero, Leanne – Blinn Junior College Gutierrez-Chavex, Hector – ACC Haggerty, Jacob – Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Hagood, Sam – ACC Hansen, Bailey – University of Alabama Harney, Molly – University of Texas, Dallas Harper, Jack Hardy – Texas A&M University Harrington, Emily – Texas Lutheran University Harris, Terrick – ACC Hasselman, Kaitlyn Louise – University of Kansas Haynes, Daquaysha – Howard University

Heinrich, Baron – St. Edward’s University Hentrich, Angelia – ACC Hernandez, Baldomar – ACC Hernandez, Gabriela – ACC and Texas State Herrera, John – ACC Hirschman-Molina, Ireland – University of Houston Hodge, D’onna – South Georgia College Hollingsworth, Aria – Texas State University, San Marcos Holt, Sydney – Stephen F. Austin State University Householder, Henry – Trinity University Hrometz, Myira – ACC Hyde, Reese – Tufts University Jackson, Sunni D’anne – ACC Jackson-Harris, Jarvaz Trasean – Full Sail University James, De’Jaunique Latreal – ACC James, Luna – ACC January, Rieshjar – Cisco Junior College Johnson, Joshua – Work Johnson, Samantha – UT Jonson-Lewis, Dominique – Temple Jonston, Nohra – ACC Jones, Lyndsey – University of Kansas Jones, Markel – ACC Jones, Samuel – Hendrix College Kahle, Kenneth – Tulane University Kennedy, Camila – Rice University Kervella, Denali – Texas State, San Marcos Kirk, Zachary – ACC Kjellerup, Emilie – International Baccalaureate, Denmark Knight, Justin – ACC Knippa, Brian – Kettering University Kotecki, Isak – Berklee College of Music Krys, Maxwell – Boston College Lane, Nia – Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Le, Khuong - ACC Leach, Brooke – ACC Lee, Sylvia – UT Leman, Katherine – UNT Lenox, Elizabeth – University of Texas,

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estinations San Antonio Levy, Sophie – University of Georgia Lewin, Oscar – New York University Lewis, Amanda – University of Georgia Lopez, Aleida – ACC Lopez, Daniel – Drexel University Lopez, Kristy – ACC Lott, Seth – Monmouth College Lupercio, Elena – University of the Incarnate Word Mackey, Sharanicia – ACC Maddox, Hunter – ACC Maldonado, John – ACC Malek, Arron – ACC Malone, Catherine – ACC Markovich , Seth – ACC Marquez, Geneva – ACC Martinez, Ariana – ACC Martinez, Ariana – ACC Martinez, Sandy – University of Texas, San Antonio Martinez-Arndt, Stephanie – UT Mattei, Jessica – Aveda Institute Matus, Tessa –UT Mayagoitia Xixtos, Aline – University of Michigan McCharen, Legend – Marlboro College McClendon, Raven – ACC McClure, Grace – University of Mississippi McNaughton, Brittany – ACC Mehta, Sneha – UT Meinbresse, Griffin – Manhattan School of Music Mejia, German – ACC Milam, Grace – ACC, Fort Lewis College Milan, April – Texas Tech Miranda Acosta, Heydi – ACC Monroe, Mar’jai – Blinn Junior College Monroe, Spencer – ACC Mote-Yale, Aliza – ACC Murphy, Josephine – ACC Murray, Chloe – Texas State Nguyen, Quang – UTSA Nguyen, Thao-Vy – ACC Nicholson, Rachel – ACC Nixon, Symphoni – ACC

Nuckols, Avery – Texas State, San Marcos Nunn, Zavonne – ACC O’Sullivan, Melissa – UT Ollington, Rees – ACC Orndorff, Kathryn – ACC Palairna, Emmett – Berklee College of Music Peckham, Carolyn – Grinnell College Pelaez, Nohely – ACC Perales, Andrea – ACC, Texas State Perez Suares, Jairo – Texas State, San Marcos Plesant, Terrell – ACC Poole, Ariana – Hendrix Poole, Gabriela – Macalester College Price, Mary – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Prieto, Dania – Texas State Racanelli, Micaela – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Ramirez, Neil – Texas A&M, Corpus Christi Rashid, Jelal – ACC Raymond-Kolker, Louis – Texas A&M, Commerce Reed, Clinton – UT Reyes, Whitney – ACC, Texas State Reynolds, Heather – Concordia University Richards, Maeve – Stanford Rivas, Jose – UTSA Rivera, Jose – UTSA Rivero-Cepeda, Louis- ACC Rivers, Adrienne – Hendrix Roberts, Rozlyn – Southern Methodist University Rodriguez, Dominique – ACC Rogel, Leovardo – Lindenwood University Roseman, Brett- ACC Russell, Phillip – Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Ruth, Danielle – Texas State University, San Marcos Ruwwe, Michael – Texas Christian University Ryan, Christopher – ACC

Salazar Astran, Maegan – ACC Salgado, Tania – ACC Salinas, Jasper – ACC Salmaron, Norma – ACC Samuria, Christopher – ACC Schechter, Zachary – ACC Schubb, Diego Ruiz – Tulane University Scott, Tiffany – Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Seigel, Mireyagrace – Creighton University Skinner, Monica – Texas State University, San Marcos Smith, Chloe – UTSA Smith, William – Texas Tech Smith, Zachary – Texas State Smyser, Cameron – Work Sorto, Ana – ACC Soto-Garza, Eddson Geovani – ACC Souza, Josue – ACC Stancliff, Chandler – University of Mississippi Steward, Geoffrey – Military School Straight, Katherine – UNT Strickland, Isac – ACC Strong-Galuette, Steven – Undecided Stuesser, Griffin – Texas Tech Suarez, Elena – Concordia University Swening, Dustin – ACC Tate, Tiara – TX Southern University Taylor-Adair, Evan – UT Teseny, Christi – Texas State University, San Marcos Thomas, Juanita – Texas State University, San Marcos Toth, Iris – Drexel University Travis, Jaylia – Texas State University, San Marcos Trevino, Eva – Texas A&M University Valdivieso-Sinyakov, Nicholai – Defer and Santa Fe University of Art and Design Van Dyke, Aidan – San Diego State University Van Dyke, Luke – Sam Houston University Vanhook, Tyler – University of Houston Vara, Crystal – Texas A&M University,

the shield

09

Kingsville Varela-Gamez, Guillermo – ACC Velasquez, Alyzsa Ann Marie – ACC Vetters, Benjamin – Texas A&M University Villwock, Trever – University of Colorado, Boulder Vimegas, Paula – St. Mary’s University, San Antonio Vonan, Gobi – UT Walls, Julia – ACC Wangrin, Makala – UTSA Ward, Madison – Cirque Atlantic Halifax, Canada Warner-Gourd, Ellen – University of Tampa Waters, Charlotte – ACC Wayman, Samuel Richard – Undecided Wear, Molly – University of Michigan Webberman, Avram – University of Rochester Weems, Fontaine – University of Colorado, Boulder Welch, Riley – UT Westphal, Joseph – UT Wethington, Maxwell – TX State, San Marcos White, Dion – ACC Whitefield, Jacob – UT Whitworth, Zoe – Southwestern University Williams, Savannah – ACC Willis-Newton, Leila – Apprenticeship as a tattoo artist Woiten, Claire – ACC Won, William – UT Wright, Christopher – ACC Yang, Qian – UTSA Young, Aaron – Blinn Junior College Young, Khia Janay – ACC Ziegler, Owen – St. Edward’s University Zycha, Naom Kaylynn – ACC

10

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may 23, 2013

Senior Playlist

Playlists

Senior Playlist

Seniors talk about p

Where are the

9:00 AM

MAC

Oh, all the pla

Now Playing

1. Boys of Fall Kenny Chesney

2. We Are Young Fun.

3. Madness Muse

4. Stayin’ Alive Bee Gees

5. Living on a Prayer Bon Jovi

6. Started from the Bottom Drake

What are you looking forward to after high school?

34% of students said freedom 11% of students said new friends and experiences

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the shield 11

aces you’ll go

Profiles

ost-high-school plans

seniors going?

“

Senior Maddie Ward is going to Cirque Atlantic Halifax in Canada

I’m looking forward to managing myself as a performer and to find new ways to increase my physical abilities.

Maddie Ward

”

Check out Ward’s story online at Macshieldonline.com

“

Senior Nicolai Valdivieso-Sinyakov is going to New Zealand next year

I need to take a year off to work a little bit and do some service, you know, give back to the community.

Nicolai Valdivieso-Sinyakov

”

Check out Valdivieso-Sinyakov’s story online at Macshieldonline.com

Favorite Teacher Crawford Watterson Seckar & Ferguson

Honorable Mentions: Reck, Susman, Mota, Bjerke, Staples

12

ads

may 23, 2013

Corrections: In the article “Taking the director’s chair” in the April 26 issue, we mistakenly reported about junior Jasmine Bell’s play “12 Angry Jurors,” which was about jurors, not Jews. We regret this mistake.

the shield

PRIMEAUGUITAR.COM

feature

the shield

may 23, 2013

13

Ghost town on a hill Students share their first-hand experience with Boston on lockdown NATALIE MURPHY staff reporter

When Rose Banks followed Google Maps directions to her college visit at Tufts University on April 19, she discovered an unexpected surprise.

“I was in my aunt’s house in Newton, Mass., in the neighborhood right next to Watertown where it all happened,” Banks said. “I was supposed to stay indoors, but I was also supposed to go visit a college, so I kind ignored the rule. We didn’t know it was going on, so to get from Newton to the college we had to drive through the command post [in Watertown].”

The command post was a perimeter ensuring the capture of 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings that occurred earlier that week. That Thursday Tsarnaev and his older brother Tamerlan were believed to have committed a series of violent crimes throughout the city of Boston.

After Tamerlan was killed in a police shootout, Dzhokhar hid in the Boston suburb Watertown, neighboring the town of Newton where Banks was staying with her family.

“It was really kind of freaky to see that many cops,” Banks said. “We drove past hundreds of cop cars and tanks and SWAT and National Guard and K9 units and Hostage Rescue all in this one place.

It was just really scary to see soldiers with giant guns marching around Boston.”

Banks visited Tufts University on Friday, the school she plans to attend next year.

“It was kind of sucky because I went to visit Tufts on the day everything was locked down, so I didn’t really get a good feel for it, but it worked out okay because

I pretty much got a private tour,” Banks said.

A few miles away, in downtown Boston, senior Max Krys experienced a similar situation.

“I was at Faneuil Hall, which is this historic market where there are usually thousands of people walking around,” Krys said, “but there were only two other people that we saw there. Plus about four armed policemen just patrolling. And they’re paroling with what I think was AR 15s or something, but they’re just walking around. It was nice because you knew you were safe because there were only cops on the streets, but it was bizarre.”

Krys knew he was entering a dangerous situation from the moment he left home.

“I was on a plane leaving Austin, and the pilot came on and said, ‘OK, we’ve got a little bit of a situation on the ground,’” Krys said. “The plane was able to land, but when we got to the airport, you couldn’t get a taxi and there was no public transportation, so I was stuck in the airport for three hours until my mom showed up to rent a car.”

A safe distance from the action, Krys took the rare opportunity of exploring the abandoned city.

“Our hotel was on one of the furthest east points in Boston,” Krys said, “so we were about four miles from where everything was going on. We decided to just go out and walk around downtown Boston because there wasn’t going to be any trouble over there, we thought. The entire city was abandoned. It was really scary. You could hear the wind through the huge buildings. If you’ve ever been to New York or any other major city where there’s usual thousands of people and cars, but there was nothing. “

The memorial on Boylston Street marks the finish line of the Boston Marathon where the bombs went off, killing three. Photo by Max Krys.

Krys took the chance to visit some famous Boston landmarks.

“It was a great day to visit downtown because you got to see everything,” Krys said. “We decided to go on the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a trail of all the older, historic buildings in Boston. Even though we couldn’t get in the buildings, we got to go see all the buildings and there were a couple bookstores open that we were able to go to. The oldest restaurant in America was open. They weren’t going to let a bomb threat close them down, so we got to go there. It ended up being a great day to visit the city because we didn’t have to deal with tourists and lots of people.”

Krys’s sister, freshman MacKenzie Krys, said her family’s trip scared her.

“It was kind of crazy,” MacKenzie said.

“We knew the bombs went off before they went, so I begged them not to go, but they went anyway. I thought they were going to die because everyone else was dying.

They didn’t stay on lockdown, they walked around downtown Boston, and it made me nervous. I tried to stay updated on the story throughout the day.”

Krys said a lot of people at home were scared about his trip.

“Everyone [in Austin] was asking me, ‘Why the hell are you in Boston?’” Krys said.

Krys said he wasn’t worried about the situation.

“The only thing we were worried about is that we were not going to be able to get to Boston College from where we were without having to get on [Interstate] 93, which cuts through Watertown,” Krys said. “But it ended up ending that night, so the rest of the trip was fine.”

Krys said the lockdown ended quickly.

“They lifted the lockdown at 7 or 8 that evening when they knew that he was in the area, but they lifted it before they got him,” Krys said. “They assumed either he was gone or in the area fairly contained, so they lifted it, which was nice, but downtown didn’t fill up again.

“The next day, though, I’ve never seen downtown Boston so crazy because everyone had been locked up so they all wanted to be out,” Krys added. “I’ve never seen so many people. It was awful to get anywhere. Anytime there was an emergency call, it wasn’t like one cop car would show up. It would be like 15 cop cars and like 15 policemen for the smallest thing. There was a false fire alarm at Faneuil Hall the next day, and we saw five or seven full fire units show up for not even a fire. It was like now they’re just showing off. It was nonstop sirens for the rest of the weekend.”

14

sports

may 23, 2013

TS: What is your favorite position? Why? Hannah Smith: My favorite position is catcher, and I like it because I get to protect the plate and keep people from scoring. The hardest part for me is making sure to stop a crazy pitch so runners won’t advance.

TS: What was it like being a freshman on varsity? How did that change your experience on the team?

HS: As a freshman I definitely have looked up to everyone on the team for how I can improve. It allowed me to see what it was like to be younger and mentored by the older girls.

TS: How was the team’s bond over the season? How did that help your team in the season?

HS: In the beginning of the season, I think there were more groups on the team and not a solid team. It was more separated by who knew who from previous seasons, school, and who was friends with who. But once we played in a few tournaments and went to San Antonio, we all got along with each other and depended on each other.

TS: What was your fondest memory from the season?

HS: My fondest memory was going to San Antonio for our tournament. We hung out at the hotel and bonded a lot while we were there.

TS: What was your biggest accomplishment this season?

HS: My biggest individual accomplishment was getting a girl out at home in our Crockett game. It was probably one of our most important games, and I kept them from scoring more than they would have.

TS: What was the team’s biggest accomplishment this season?

HS: Our biggest accomplishment as a team was playing Crockett in our second game against them and not letting them get us down even though we were losing. It’s hard to stay focused when you’re behind.

TS: What do you hope to build on for next season?

HS: I hope to get more experienced in other positions on the field other than catcher so that I can be an all around better player for next season.

TS: Who was the team’s biggest competition in district?

HS: Our biggest competition in district was probably LBJ because we had both lost to Crockett and we were both fighting for the second in district spot.

TS: What was the toughest game you played this season?

HS: The toughest game was our second game against Crockett. We needed badly to do well against them. Although we didn’t win, we got more confidence in ourselves as a team.

MARY STITES photo editor

The Shield: When is the ultimate frisbee season? How long does it last?

Diego Schubb: There really is not a set start to the season. The season basically starts whenever students get determined enough to go out, and it ends about five weeks after spring break. “States” are on May 12, but we did not attend this year because I broke my foot, and the two other capitals couldn’t go.

TS: What schools do you play?

DS: Over the course of the season, we play LASA, Anderson, KIPP and Bowie.

Diego Schubb

the shield

TS: How does being a club sport affect the team?

DS: Well, for starters, we have a volunteer coach, Gary Beaux. Me and Michael Ruwwe had to plan as well as recruit kids for every practice on our own because it isn’t as well known because it is a club sport. We also have zero funding, so we have no jerseys, money or fields that are provided by school and we don’t get any money from the school to help pay for the expenses.

TS: What is your favorite part of ultimate?

DS: The relaxed nature of the game and playing the sport in general is probably my favorite part of playing ultimate frisbee. There are no referees, so fouls and violations are called by players, which gives it a relaxed feel. Plus, in general, frisbee has almost always been a club or league sport, which makes it more independent.

TS: What was the hardest game you played this season?

DS: The hardest game we played was probably against

Hannah Smith

Anderson because of how closely we were matched. Unfortunately, this was my last game because I broke my foot.

TS: What was the most memorable moment of the season? Why? DS: The most memorable moment was probably our first game because we had nearly 30 people show up when we weren’t even expecting to have 10 players come to the game. It was pretty awesome to have such a big turnout.

Having the numbers definitely made things easier during the game.

TS: What was your biggest individual accomplishment?

DS: During out first game against Anderson, I had 16 Ds, which was awesome. A D is what they call an interception in ultimate frisbee.

TS: What was the biggest team accomplishment?

DS: Having a team this year would probably be the biggest accomplishment because the team is usually so small.

It was awesome to have such a large turnout. It was very unexpected.

TS: What have you leaned from being on the ultimate team at McCallum?

DS: I have definitely learned how hard it is to encourage people to join an extracurricular like ultimate frisbee because it isn’t very popular and we don’t have any funding from the school, so it’s hard to get people to want to join so that we can have a team. It would be awesome if we could get any sort of funding from AISD so that we would have the basic needs for the team.

sports

the shield

may 23, 2013

15

Championship season Students watch favorite teams, players in professional basketball playoffs JAMAICA WONODI staff reporter

With the NBA finals coming up June 6, students are hoping their favorite teams can make it to the next round of playoffs.

Freshman Cedric Sanders said his favorite team in the NBA playoffs was the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Kevin Durant can score, and he can still play well without Russell Westbrook,” Sanders said. “He can do more without Westbrook because he was a ball hog. You don’t have to take it down court and take every shot.”

Sanders said the Miami Heat would

make it to the finals.

“The Heat because they have LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

Bosh can shoot, has a great post game, also can get rebound,” Sanders said.

Sanders said the surprise teams in the playoffs were the Houston Rockets, the Memphis Grizzles and the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I want to go to the NBA,” Sanders said.” I’ve wanted to play ever since I was a little kid. Been my dream since I was 5.”

Sophomore Tamaj Jones picked the Heat to win the championship because they have a star line up and a bench to back

Conference Finals

Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat Game 2: Tomorrow San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies Game 3: Saturday them up.

“The Heat is a powerful team,” Jones said. “OKC was my favorite team in the playoffs.”

Jones said his favorite player is Kevin

Durant.

“The San Antonio Spurs [are the best in their conference] because of their leadership and chemistry, “Jones said” The Heat [is the best team overall] because of the

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16

sports

may 23,2013

the shield

Bike Month spins into action Cyclists celebrate getting around on 2 wheels instead of 4 CAITLIN FALK

assistant editor May is National Bike Month. But ever since he sold his car, for English teacher Tom Watterson, every day is Bike to Work Day. “It wasn’t too difficult for me [to sell my car and start commuting by bicycle],” Watterson said. “When it rains, it doesn’t rain very much around here, so the inconvenience factor hasn’t really been as great as I thought it would be.”

The Program Consultant with the City of Austin Public Works Department, Annick Beaudet, said Bike Month is an important national initiative.

“Bike Month is a major effort locally and nationally to encourage bicycle transportation,” Beaudet said.

Bike Austin is a local non-profit organization that advocates for safer and better bikeways. This year, it celebrated Bike Month with a number of new events.

“This year for Bike Month, we launched our new website, which improves our presentation of our work, and introduces our bicycling education materials,” Executive Director of Bike Austin Tom Wald said.

“We also hosted two breakfast stations and one evening commute station for Bike to Work Day.” Senior James Palaima said he rides to school every day for the environment, exercise and the cost efficiency.

“It’s neat to promote cycling,” Palaima said. “I think a lot of people don’t really see it as an option. They think cars are the only

Left: Senior James Palaima said he commutes to school by bicycle. Right: Executive director of Bike Austin, Tom Wald, promotes cycling at an event May 19.

Photos by Caitlin Falk.

way to go.”

Watterson agreed Bike Month is a good time to highlight the advantages of cycling.

“To me the biggest benefit is probably psychological,” Watterson said. “When I get to work, I’ve already upped my heart rate. I’m in a better mood; I feel sort of energized. When I get home, all my frustrations are gone because I’ve worked them out on the ride home. I’m not polluting.

I’m not taking up a parking space. It’s cheap. I’ve saved so much money since I sold my car. I can’t think of anything about it that isn’t a benefit, really.”

Wald said because cycling has numerous benefits, it is important to have initiatives such as the ones Beaudet discussed.

“Cycling is less expensive for our cities, communities and individuals to meet transportation needs through bicycling and walking than through private motor vehicles,” Wald said. “Bicycling also keeps more spending in the local community than car driving, thus increasing the so-called ‘dollar multiplier effect’ -- more money is re-spent in the local community to support more local jobs. Socially, bicycling helps ensure stronger connections between the traveler and their environs.

It increases faces and eyes on the street, which have been shown to reduce crime.”

Bike Austin helps people to overcome barriers to bicycling.

“The students are told it’s dangerous, and sometimes it actually is,” Wald said.

“Our city needs better bikeways so that

students can comfortably bike to school.

Sometimes, school principals put up barriers to their students such as rules against biking to school, no bike racks (or poorly placed / not secure). When a school principal wants more students to bike to school, the city helps out.”

Austin is ranked number 13 among America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities.

According to Wald, about 2 percent of Austin commuters do so by bike, and that number was at 1 percent about a decade ago.

“I haven’t been everywhere in the country, but I know there are some small towns that are really known for their cycling friendliness, but we’re up there, and for Texas I think it’s remarkable,” Watterson said. “I’d definitely say Austin is the Bicycle Capitol of Texas for sure. It has nothing to do with Lance Armstrong, just the number of people riding.”

Though there are things the city can improve on, Watterson said he believes officials have done a tremendous job thus far.

“The city implemented the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, they’ve passed the law that cars have to give you three feet of space and increased the number of bike lanes,” Watterson said. “I would love for them to make every bike lane bikes-only because cars park in bike lanes, which force people to go in the traffic to go around the car, which for most of us isn’t a problem.

But for kids and people who aren’t that experienced, that becomes sort of an issue to have to get out of the bike lane and then

back into the bike lane. That would be for me, my first priority, but I think the City of Austin deserves a lot of praise for what they’ve done to encourage cycling.”

Beaudet said there are programs in place to encourage students to cycle, but the city would like to further meet the needs of high school students in the area of safety on the roads.

“The City has a Child Safety Program, also within the Public Works Department, that focuses on safe bicycle and walking education of elementary school students and which provides crossing guards on routes to elementary schools,” Beaudet said. “Building on this momentum, the City Bicycle and Urban Trails Program would like to expand education to middle school and high school students. In fact, we won a federal grant to do so and are in the process of using the grant monies to do focus grouping to develop a safe bicycling and walking message that will resonate with middle and high school students. We hope to roll out that campaign in 2014. We are very serious and excited about promoting more bicycling for transportation for middle and high school students.”

Watterson said he would encourage even more students to cycle to school.

“I think McCallum is the perfect place; where we’re located and the infrastructure around here is good for bicycling,” he said.

“I love seeing kids out on their bikes and getting to school and not being in the car habit. I don’t have anything against cars, except when it becomes the only option.”

entertainment

the shield

may 23, 2013

17

Time for summer blockbusters Marvel releases ‘Iron Man’ 3-quel

GRACE FRYE editor-in-chief

As has become tradition, Marvel kicked off the first weekend of May (and the summer blockbuster season) with a fast-paced, witty and all-out hit. After the success of “Iron Man” (2008), the world of franchises initiated a new series, but with the almost half-baked 2010 sequel (aptly named “Iron Man 2”), I was hoping for something special this time around. And Marvel delivered exactly what it needed to escape the post-Avengers slump.

After “The Avengers” set the bar so high, fans were left waiting for a year asking the simple question “What next?” “Iron Man 3” is the answer. With just the right amount of flash, threats against all of humanity and sass, Shane Black’s second go-around with Robert Downey, Jr. has proved a winner.

As much as fans fell into a post-Avengers slump, so did Tony Stark/Iron Man, who is battling a rough case of PTSD brought on by the alien invasion in “The Avengers” that everyone just refers to as New York. This mixed with a few of Stark’s self-made demons sets the stage for the explosive, yet introspective three-quel.

Stark has a problem: he can’t sleep.

Plagued by a battery of “what-ifs” and dwindling popularity as fans seem to be enthralled by the Avengers rather than Iron Man, Tony is caught in the middle of the battle between new terrorist The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and the U.S. When Tony’s friend Happy (Jon Favreau) is seriously injured after an explosion, he pulls a teenage move and announces unrestricted

war, in the name of “good ol’ fashion revenge” on the Mandarin.

Now, remember those self-made demons? They’re back. In the form of used-tobe nerdy, less than scientist Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce)—who makes a fantastic bad guy—that Stark blew off sometime in the late 1990s. Killian shows his limitless evil as the bad guy behind the other bad guy and the true mastermind. I won’t go into too much detail. You’ll have to go see it for yourself.

What really characterized this installment in the Marvel world is the lack of Iron Man and the abundance of Tony Stark. After crash-landing in the Tennessee backwoods, Stark is forced to prove to us all that he is the genius he claims to be and use his intellect and ingenuity to problem solve. Think of him as a garage mechanic who can really fix everything.

He quickly pairs up with a spunky kid, Harley (Ty Simpkins), and the two have great chemistry. Their quick back-andforth commentary keeps the film moving through the not-so-slow slow parts.

With some twists and turns (including a 180 degree about-face I didn’t see coming at all), Black is great at switching the movie from funny to serious to heart-warming and back to funny, keeping the audience engaged and entertained. Downey’s witty one-liners are quick, to the point and fun.

While “Iron Man 3” is completely unrealistic, I left the theater excited and wishing it were true. I can’t say it was the best movie I’ve ever seen, but it was a thrill-ride to start the summer season off right.

Newest ‘Star Trek’ fun to see, doesn’t live up to hype J.J. Abrams’s 2009 relaunch of the iconic “Star Trek” franchise was met with praise and excitement from many fans and critics alike, so there was a lot of pressure to overcome in his second installment, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” which was released May 16. And while I really like this movie (lots of fun), I felt it fell a little short on some key components.

The “Star Trek” franchise has spanned many decades and generations and has had many storylines that vary from the pretty improbable to the definitely impossible.

“Into Darkness” started with so much potential, so many different twists and turns that it could have taken, but I was a little disappointed when it seemed to retell a story we’ve already heard (albeit some key switcheroos along the way).

Chris Pine’s Capt. James T. Kirk and Zachary Quinto’s Mr. Spock are great together.Their characters’ constant headbutting personalities are only highlighted by the constant witty back and forth quips that make for an entertaining time. I must

say, I was never bored watching this movie (especially in 3D). It was fast-paced, flashy and even had me tearing up at some points.

The supporting cast is solid, too. They create a full, well-rounded and dynamic ship crew. And then you can’t forget the bad guy, played by the British heart-throb Benedict Cumberbatch. Without giving anything away, let’s just say his John Harrison is quite familiar in the Trek world.

I liked the special effects and the nature of the film, but I was a little confused on what the “darkness” that the title mentioned truly was. It’s not a good sign when a viewer doesn”t get the memo. Filled with cheesy moments that worked sometimes and sometimes not, this flick centers on a seemingly revenge-fueled mission that takes our beloved characters to their breaking points, some even past them.

This one didn’t quite live up to the hype surrounding it, but I would still recommend it to Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike. It’s not the best movie of the year, but it is certainly one of the most fun.

Luhrmann’s recreation of literary legend overdoes flash of the 1920s BELLA TEMPLE staff reporter

When I saw the new, hyperactive version of Baz Luhrmann’s (“Strictly Ballroom,” “Moulin Rouge!”) “The Great Gatsby”, a major motion picture based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, I was immediately hit with overstatement of the noise used in the film, both audibly and visually.

The movie actually is quite faithful to the book, but the overuse of voice-over narration and Luhrmann’s trademark razzle-dazzle becomes tiresome after the first 45 minutes of the movie and drowns the whole production. Instead of tapping into the significance of the book, this film seems to prefer the glitz and glamour of the jazz age. Luhrmann turns

Gatsby’s parties into a twisting bundle of people, dropped-waist dresses, feathers, pearls, cloche hats, fireworks and breaking glass, and it becomes difficult to see much of anything except for the dancing and ecstatic bodies.

The leading actors play their roles spot-on. Leonardo DiCaprio, I thought, captured Fitzgerald’s description of Jay Gatsby’s charm extremely well, the same going for the other actors of the film: Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway and Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan.

The production is not quite a disaster, and the worst I can say has to do with the bright visual aspects of the movie. I would recommend seeing “The Great Gatsby.” You may not be moved but will be entertained.

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may 23, 2013

opinion

the shield

The danger of celebrity With recent scandals in Hollywood, staffer expresses concern over unhealthy obsessions with entertainers, politicians NATALIE MURPHY

Imagine that, a world without paparazzi and a larger gap between celebrities and the rest of us. That gap is already dangerously wide, turning entertainers into figures of perfection and immortality.

As our methods of acquiring information advance and grow, our need to stay connected to these public idols becomes unhealthy, and in some cases, deadly.

For example, look at Justin Bieber.

The Biebs, if you will.

Child phenomenon, world famous performer, 19 years old and the most influential person in the world. With over 38 million Twitter followers and 43 million Facebook fans, Bieber is one of the most publicized people on Earth, and his recent scandals are earning him a title as one of the most criticized people in the world. From the discovery of marijuana on his The cover of Bieber’s third album, “Believe,” which debuted in June of tour bus to a pub2012. Album image provided by Google.com. lic and ugly fight with a paparazzo, fully this tragedy will finally inspire mean- Justin has quickly gone from one of the ingful legislation and whatever other nec- world’s favorite role models to a scandalessary steps to protect the lives and safety ous figure of teenage rebellion. of celebrities, police officers, innocent The reality of Bieber’s unbelievable public bystanders and the photographers fame became most apparent when stories themselves.” unfolded of teenage girls self-harming staff reporter On New Year’s Day, when a paparazzo was killed in an attempt to get a photo of singer Justin Bieber’s car, the pop star made a public comment stating, “Hope-

and posting pictures of it to Twitter saying “cut for Bieber” after it was rumored the pop star had smoked marijuana at a party.

Maybe we shouldn’t care what he does, but when one man has the power to send hundreds of girls to self-harm and threats of suicide simply by allegedly No one should be doing something illegal, it concerns given enough power everyone.

This level of ceto influence an entire lebrity isn’t natural, generation of people in it isn’t something a human can manwhat they do or who age. This is the same reason no they are. No one can one is surprised to hear about the handle that kind of numerous Lindsay Lohan scandals, pressure. or even the multiple reports of disgraceful behaviors among politicians.

No one should be given enough power to influence an entire generation of people in what they do or who they are. No one can handle that kind of pressure.

How then do we come up with the “necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders and the photographers themselves,” as Bieber called for? The destructive cycle of celebrity has already grown so interweaved into our culture and daily lives that it may be impossible for us to stop now.

The problems can stop when the public lets go of its demand for perfect role models. It ends when we decide we can’t hold our entertainers to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. But in a world where we demand to be well-entertained, someone will always be waiting to claim our approval, whatever the cost.

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editorial

the shield

may 23, 2013

19

Every vote counts Austin voters should have passed Propositions 2, 4 to relieve overcrowding, support extracurricular education Bond advocates, who had worked tirelessly for weeks trying to promote the school bond, watched anxiously in the anticipation of election results May 11. But as the end of the night neared, the disappointing results arrived. Proposition 1, which totaled $141 million for health, environment, equipment and technology, and Proposition 3, valued at $349 million for urgent repairs both passed. However, Propositions 2 and 4, which would provide $400 million for new schools, arts and athletics programs, failed to pass.

This is the first time in nearly 25 years a bond proposal did not pass. It is frankly unacceptable and unfitting for one of America’s top 10 fittest cities to vote down a bond which would give equal opportunities for students in the district to gain artistic and athletic enrichment.

It certainly cannot be argued that an extracurricular education is not needed. Proposition 4 would have provided for facility improvements for “career and technical education, fine arts, special education and physical education and athletics, and facility renovations.” There are numerous reasons to explain why this proposition was not passed. One thing that is definite, however, is that the majority of voters were unaware that students involved in fine arts or athletics have a 16.5 to 20 percent higher graduation rate, a 5 percent higher attendance rate, and between 4 to 12 percent higher academic performance in all academic areas than those who are not.

Numerous scientific studies have all produced the same results: an extracurricular education is vital to the betterment

editor-in-chief Grace Frye

assistant editor Caitlin Falk

online editor SEREN VILLWOCK

public relations editor NATALIE MURPHY

photo editor Mary Stites

advertising manager HALEY HEGEFELD

adviser Rhonda Moore

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 will

Overcrowding severely affects each individual student’s education. When classrooms are too full, students are unable to receive the attention they need to attain a suitable education. Many students fall victim to the system when there is overcrowding, neglected by teachers who have difficulty meeting every student’s needs.

Perhaps in the future, better communication is needed so that voters are fully aware of the advantages of each bond proposal. Had all parents known how close the election was, more of them might have been seen at the election polls. Just because the election has passed does not mean this is the end. Faculty and parents will continue to work every day for the improvement of their students, but the bonds act as a resounding reminder to us all that every vote counts.

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

the

shield staff

of students. Fine arts and athletic courses are too often the target when budget cuts are being made in the state. But, extracurricular education is not something that can be compromised in the face of difficult economic times. In fact, it is this type of education that will help the economy recover by better preparing this generation’s students for the workforce they will soon be a part of.

The results of the bond election also meant that Proposition 2, which would have primarily included the construction of new schools to tackle the issue of overcrowding, would not take effect. This is highly detrimental to the district. AISD officials said their enrollment has grown to about 1,000 students per year. This means the district is increasing its population two to three times quicker than the state average.

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.

reporters VIOLET ACEVEDO, BARON HEINRICH, GINGER BICKLEY, JENNIFER CASTRO, CAITLIN HENSEN, WES JOHNS, JAcOB STRAIGHT, JAMAICA WONODI

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 prin-

cipal will be rejected.

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may 23, 2013

photo essay

the shield

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Ballet Folklorico dancers celebrate Cinco de Mayo with annual festivities 1. Seniors Flor Alonso and Crystal Vara and junior Gabby Desporte perform a group dance during the annual Cinco de Mayo Ballet Folklorico show in the MAC May 3.

2. McCallum graduate Michelle Monter performs a solo to a classic Mariache song. Monter made a guest appearance with the ballet folklorico group after becoming a professional ballet folklorico dancer.

3. Junior Valeria Elizondo and senior Ivan Diaz perform together.

4. Vara sings her Cinco de Mayo solo, which brought the crowd to its feet.

5. Desporte poses after her dance with Vara.

Photos by Mary Stites