The Shield, Volume 66, Issue 6 (May 17, 2019) by The Shield

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McCallum High School / 5600 Sunshine / Austin, TX 78756 / May 17, 2019 / Issue 6 / Volume 66

SENIOR ISSUE The experts reveal how to get most out of 12th-grade classes. page 09 Class of 2019 members share their favorite Mac memories, postsecondary plans. pages 11-14 Drum major Jonathan Forbes talks music, musical theatre and his plans in music education. page 16

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Meet senior Beatrix Jackson: one of the first women to work towards completing her Scouts BSA Eagle Project.

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In 1981, Carol Nelson became band director at Mac. Almost 40 years later, she’s still getting in done and then some.

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Want to beat the stress of finals (into a pulp)? Try boxing. Not that energetic? Dairy-free ice cream will do the trick.

From Harvard to social media fame, it’s time to say goodbye to the teachers leaving for “bigger and better” things.

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DANCING FOR A DREAM: Sophomore Marlee Foster dances as Hermia in McCallum’s production of “A CONDUCTION JUNCTION: SeniorbyJonathan Forbes conducts an outdoor concert on the Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Photo Marley Angle. first day of Academy Week: April 1. “What sets him apart from his peers is his passion for music,” said Jeff Rudy, Forbes’ music theory teacher. Next year, Forbes will attend the University of Houston and study music education. He said he derived his inspiration to direct from his own musical directors: Rudy, Matt Ehlers and Carol Nelson. Photo by Gabby Sherwood.

Ready to relive the best Knight of your life? We’re pleased to share our best images from the soiree of the century.

a&e For the multi-talented Jonathan Forbes, music is more than just a passion, it’s in his blood. And it’s also in his future.

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Rowing has been a ticket to ride for senior Raiya Myren. After stops in Boston and San Diego, her next stop is Rice University.

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U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s plan to make college tuition free may not be perfect, but it’s a needed step in the right direction.

We gave the assignment of investigating what makes senior tennis star Steven Tibbetts tick to an inside source: his sister.

opinion People muttered some choice words when they found out Mr. Garrison was going to retire. We offer two more: thank you.

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COVER: HEADLINE: Mac students cheer at the 2018 Taco Shack Bowl, which the Knights won, 21-20, in an instant classic that gave Mac an 9-8 lead over Anderson in the annual grudge match. Photo by Dave Winter.

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the date MAC football spring game @ 6 p.m. Fifth and sixth period exams First and second period exams Seventh and eighth period exams Fine Arts Academy Convocation, 7 p.m., MAC Third and fourth period exams Baccalaureate, 2 p.m. Covenant Presbyterian Church Day 1 of Transition Camp in the MAC, 9 a.m. Mac graduation ceremony, 7 p.m., Erwin Center

CUTTING CLASS: Teacher Richard Whisennand leads his anatomy students during a rat dissection. “If [your students] know you care for them, they don’t mind working for you,” Whisennand said. To read more about Mr. Whiz and other departing teachers, visit pages 4-5. Photo by Bridget Cole.

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The story of a scout

Senior Beatrix Jackman attempts to become one of the first women to complete an Eagle Project ALEX DOWD staff reporter

“On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” If the Scout Oath expresses the guidelines for being an ideal Scout, it also seems a good place to start to describe the character of one Scout: senior Beatrix Jackman. She’s strong, both physically and emotionally; resilient and committed to paving the way for those who might come after her. Despite her interest and commitment to scouting, until recently, she was forbidden from earning the highest rank in the scouting program, the Eagle Scout rank, due to her gender identity as a transgender woman. As a woman, Jackman was not eligible to continue as a Boy scout until Feb. 1 of this year when the organization formerly known at Boys Scouts of America changed its name and allowed girls to join the Boy Scouts. Allowing girls ages 11 to 17 to join BSA completed a transition for the organization that was first announced in 2017. Girl members have been able to join Cub Scouts since 2018. According to an Feb. 1 article published in The Hill, more than 77,000 girls have joined the Cub Scouts since girls were eligible to join. For Jackman, the new gender admissions policy solved what had been, to that point, an unsolvable dilemma: to be true to herself and remain a Scout, she could either hide her gender identity or practice lone scouting. Neither solution was acceptable to her. “I stopped for a while,” Jackman said. “I wasn’t going to hide who I was anymore, and [doing it alone] isn’t what [scouting] is about.” Jackman became involved with the Boy Scout program in elementary school, joining the troop stationed at her school, Highland Park Elementary. She joined because she wanted to make a difference in her community and heard that Boy Scouts was the best place to do so. As she got older, and began to realize who she was, Jackman’s participation in Boy Scouts was compromised. She left the organization for many years, only becoming affiliated this year after the change to Scouts BSA. “[I came back] to partially lead the way for other girls like me, but also because I was almost done, and I want this closure,” she said. The new inclusive policy of the Boy Scouts of America, now Scouts BSA, came as a surprise to the public. The Boy Scouts have been iconic in American culture for more than 108 years. Boys ages 11 to 17 join in order to learn lifelong skills of leadership, wilderness survival and adaptability. The highest achievement for the committed scout is becoming an Eagle Scout. To earn Eagle status, the scout must earn 21 badges and complete a unique, personalized Eagle Project that positively affects a community and involves at least two scout-chosen and scout-led volunteers. Though the Boys Scouts of America has been recognized for the skills learned by its participants and the lifelong friendships that are made between

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX? The donation box, located to the right of the front office doors, is accepting donations for PFLAG to benefit Jackman’s Eagle project. The preferred items are new, unopened and unexpired. Ideas for donations are listed on the donation box. Photo by Ellen Fox. ONE OF A KIND: Senior Beatrix Jackman will be one of the first girls to attempt, and soon, complete an Eagle Project under Scouts BSA. Photo by Bella Russo. scouts, the organization, like most its age, has faced controversy in the past for restricting its membership. The organization allowed troops to be segregated until 1974, despite public school segregation being declared unconstitutional in 1954. Until 2014, the organization banned all atheists and those not willing to subscribe to their Declaration of Religious Principles. In 2012, the Boy Scouts of America were under fire for upholding a 1980 policy that echoed the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, excluding openly gay scouts but allowing those who were closeted about their sexuality. At the time, the organization claimed that homosexuality went against it code of conduct. On May 23, 2013, the organization’s national governing body voted to allow boy members regardless of their sexual orientation. While change is always difficult, the change to admit girls into the Boy Scouts has been particularly contested both inside and outside the organization. The Girl Scouts of America has criticized the move, extolling the merits of singlegender environments for girls. The Girls Scouts even sued the Boys Scouts when the organization changed its name. The external debate was mirrored by an internal one within the organization. A former Eagle Scout, who wishes to remain anonymous to preserve current relationships, described his initial opposition to allowing girls into the organization: “When I first heard the name change, it was in the news. My mom and I were really against it. We aren’t really happy because I had worked through this and earned my Eagle Scout under the name Boy Scouts of America. I really wanted to represent that.” Another former Eagle Scout, who also asked to remain anonymous, echoed these concerns. “I was a little skeptical at first because it’s called Boy Scouts. And there’s also The Girl Scouts. I agree that there are flaws, and I think it should teach the same things as the Boy Scouts teach, but the whole point of Boy Scouts was centered around

being led by boys.” Both Eagle Scouts specifically mentioned the Girls Scouts as an already existing alternative scouting option for girls and said that their objection was held by many Boy Scouts. Despite these objections, however, the national leadership of Scouts BSA pressed ahead with the policy change. “I could not be more excited for what this means for the next generation of leaders in our nation,” said Michael B. Surbaugh, the chief scout executive of Scouts BSA said in a Feb. 1 press release. “Through Scouts BSA, more young people than ever before—young women and men—will get to experience the benefits of camaraderie, confidence, resilience, trustworthiness, courage and kindness through a time-tested program that has been proven to build character and leadership.” In 2018, the newly named Scouts BSA agreed to let all genders in their organization starting in February. On Jan. 31, an 18-year-old Jackman received an extension to complete her Eagle Project. Scouts age out of the organization when they turn 18, but an extension allows the scout six extra months in the program. “It let me work on my stuff for six more months,” she said. “It started in February, and it is officially April. The clock is ticking.” Since Eagle Projects require so much time, coordination and effort, many scouts choose a cause that impacts them personally. For her project, Jackman is doing the same, making what she calls “self soothing kits” for struggling LGBTQ youth. She is choosing to work with an organization called PFLAG or Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, an organization with more than 400 chapters that supports families and friends of the LGBTQ community through counseling, education and policy change. She chose to work with them because of their large reach and resulting impact. Jackman’s inspiration for her self-soothing kits comes from personal experience. “I have depression,” she

said candidly. “I have been in the mental hospital four times. After I got out each time, I went to DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), where self soothing kits were taught.” Knowing firsthand the struggles of a transgender kid, Jackman aims to use her project to give struggling people, who were in a place where she’d previously been, the support she found helpful. Jackman’s biggest obstacle currently is a lack of donations, which she relies on to create the kits. She asks that students bring donations to help her complete her project and benefit a marginalized population in Austin at the same time. Jackman would like items for self-soothing kits to put in a donation box located in front of the main office. Jackman suggests, “bath bombs. Soothing stuff. Self-soothing not necessarily self care. Self-soothing is like chocolate.” Jackman is thankful for the Scouts BSA name and policy change, as it gave her a chance to get the closure she needs. She supports the inclusive stance of the new Scouts, saying that being a part of a close-knit troop is the most important benefit of scouting. For Jackman, the strong group connection comes with good and bad. “I think that the group mentality is important, but it also causes change to be slower because the people in charge don’t see what’s happening unless someone says something,” she said. “There’s a pressure, I feel, in large groups to not say that something’s bothering you because of social pressures.” She added that there are smaller indicators that the group’s change is still a work in progress. “They haven’t updated everything,” Jackman said. “Their calls systems and a lot of stuff still say the Boy Scouts of America.” Jackman remains hopeful that Scouts BSA keep moving toward full integration for all troops under the Scouts BSA umbrella. While she’s optimistic for the group’s long-term future, she also acknowledged “it’s a process.”

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McCallum to say farewell to these...

Dana Olson discusses Crime and Punishment with her sophomore English class. Photo By Janssen Transier.

Olson is afraid that no other school will compare to McCallum The Shield: Could you talk a little bit about what’s in the future for you? Dana Olson: Well, I’m getting married, and right after I get married, the Army is sending my husband to Missouri for a year, and I’m going with him. Once I get to Missouri, I don’t know what I’m doing for a job. I have some ideas though. I’ve thought about trying to become a social media influencer or maybe bodybuilding. I’m not really into either of those things, but I’m planning on sort of diving in once I get to Missouri. I would love to keep teaching, but it just doesn’t really make sense for me to go and get my teaching certificate in Missouri if I’ll only be there [for] a year. After Missouri, my husband will be out of the Army, and the whole world is there waiting for us. I would really like to teach internationally at some point in my life, because I went to an international school for high school, and I still have a lot of those connections with my old teachers, so they could help me get a job at a school abroad somewhere. I feel like that would be a really good contrast to living in the middle of nowhere for a year. At the same time, we love Austin, so I might be back. TS: Now that your time at Mac is over, are there any moments that stand out as particularly memorable? DO: I have always felt like I had a lot to brag about here, and that’s awesome, but I also feel like I might have gotten a little too lucky when I got to work here as my first job teaching, because this is the school everyone in Austin wants to teach at, and I don’t know if any other school will compare. —interview by Janssen Transier

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Animation teacher Stephen Burnette helps Isabella Perez edit her AV project in Burnette’s Principles of Arts and AV class. “In this class they learn some more advanced techniques, working with a lot of special effects and different softwares,’ Burnette said. Photo by Janssen Transier.

Burnette taking his talents downtown to help teachers teach better The Shield: How long have you been teaching and how many of those years were at Mac? Stephen Burnette: I’ve been here since 2015, but I taught at Anderson for six years before that. TS: What are your plans for the future? SB: I’m still going to be in education, but I’m moving to the downtown office for AISD, working for the CTE division, which stands for Career Technology Education. Essentially I’ll be overseeing a few high school’s CTE programs, doing program evaluations, evaluating their equipment, hardware [and] budgeting. It’ll be a really exciting change

from working in a classroom to in an office. I love teaching, and I’ve gotten to learn a lot from my students as well as develop awesome relationships with some of them, but it’s time for a change. TS: What’s something that you’ll miss about teaching? SB: Specifically about McCallum, I’ll really miss the atmosphere of this place. We have the Fine Arts program, which provides this really interesting mix of art and academia. This is an amazing place to work, I’ve had some great relationships with both the students, and the teachers, and some of the teachers are my good friends.

TS: What’s one thing you won’t miss about teaching? SB: As teachers, we get a lot of extra stuff delegated to us, but we don’t always have enough time or support to get everything done. So one thing I definitely won’t miss is having all this extra work without compensation or support. So for that reason, I am looking forward to having more of a leadership role and being able to effect positive change. I’ve always said that my mission going into education leadership was to help teachers be better teachers, so hopefully that’s what I’ll do. —interview by Janssen Transier

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Griswold to head to Harvard for grad school

Lucy Griswold poses in her classroom, where she teaches ethnic studies and world geography. Photo by Bella Russo.

The Shield: What are your future plans? Lucy Griswold: I am going to the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I’m doing two things: I’m doing a master’s in school leadership, and part of that program is applied master’s programs, so I’ll be working in a school and I’ll be getting leadership experience working at a campus, working at a nonprofit, even working for a school district. It just depends on a person’s interests, and I’m still kind of unclear on what type of institution I want to work at. I feel like this gets to the core of why I want to leave the classroom, I just feel like there are so many limitations to working within a traditional public school. I’m committed to staying within the public school system, but I feel like in order for me to thrive and in order for my students to thrive in their learning, that the conditions where learning takes place need to be drastically different. I see that our current system of education was build for basically one type of learner: someone who can sit through a lecture ... and I don’t see that that is the predominant student in the public school system.

TS: What are you going to miss about McCallum? LG: I’m going to miss walking down the halls during passing periods. I love it. I think for some adults that’s probably like their trauma scenario: walking down a hallway of rowdy teenagers who are shouting profane language. But it’s so wonderful. It’s kids greeting you, kids greeting each other, kids singing and dancing. It’s so joyful and active. I love the daily ritual of walking in the hall. I’m going to miss that feeling of “Wow. That was an amazing class,” when you really see students engaged, when you see students’ minds change. I’m gonna miss collaborating with McCallum faculty. I’m going to miss the students, but I’m also sure that our relationships are going to maintain. Being able to see them every day, I’ll miss that. TS: Do you have any parting words? LG: This is not the end! I do feel like we’re all in this together, and the community I’ve built at McCallum is going to follow me in the work that I do. A part of me feels like I’m taking my experiences here and the students I’ve had with me in my next journey. —interview by Bella Russo

Although ready to retire, veteran teacher will miss his ‘McCallum family’ The Shield: How long have you been teaching at McCallum? Richard Whisennand: This is year 33 at McCallum, but I’ve been teaching for 49 years. I moved around a lot, teaching public and private schools before I came here. TS: What made you stay at McCallum? RW: This is one the neatest schools I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching at. What makes it so special is this that you always hear people talk about when they describe McCallum: this “McCallum Family.” And it really is a like a family; we all support each other, not only the kids, but also the teachers. One thing that I think is really interesting about McCallum is how diverse it is. I’ve always said that it’s like a cross section of Austin. And that sort of plays into the absence of cliques at McCallum. It doesn’t matter if you come from a wealthy family, or if you’re living in extreme poverty, there’s no separation, and your paths will still cross. No one is treated differently from other people, and that’s really unique from other high schools. TS: What are your plans for retirement? RW: I really don’t have any. [My wife and I] don’t have any concrete plans in the works,

Richard Whisennand poses with his model skeleton, Lucy. Photo by Bella Russo. but I bet we’ll probably go on some cruises, we both really like to do that. I’m fortunate enough to have traveled a lot and lived a full life while also pursuing a career, so I don’t have any intense desire to go out and travel. TS: Why do you love teaching? RW: I just really like the kids. People ask me “between the wealthy kids you taught and the not-so-wealthy kids you taught, which ones were better students?” and I just say that they’re all just kids. Kids are kids. Some might have more money than others, but they’re all teenagers, and they’re all going through the same things. TS: Any parting words?

RW: This has been a really good place for me, I’ve been department head for 10 or 12 years and it’s been amazing. You guys really won’t know how special this place is until you’re gone. It’s a little bit beat-up, but it has some of the finest educators I’ve ever seen. Teachers who don’t look at students as a grade point average, but as a person, and that’s rare. —interview by Janssen Transier To read Lucy Marco’s complete profile of Mr. Whisennand, please visit macshieldonline.com and click on the “MACulty at Work” tab under Features.

At Saturday’s orchestra banquet, Shockley poses with juniors Kaya Fagerstrom and Parker Staveley. Photo courtesy of Staveley.

Shockley appreciates orchestra trips and teaching violinists The Shield: What are your plans for the future? Georgeann Shockley: I’m still in the Austin Symphony and the Austin Opera, so I’m still doing those. [My students] come to concerts, so they’ll be there. TS: What are some highlights of your time at McCallum? GS: I think our trips have been my highlights to be honest. To be able to play in Carnegie Hall, we did that twice, Lincoln Center once, National Cathedral once. This years’ trip was really great, doing it in Carnegie Hall again so, that’s about it. Getting sweepstakes with the orchestra, that was great. TS: What will you miss the most? GS: The students. I really love them all. That’s what I’ll miss the most. Here at McCallum I feel like I’ve been able to use my expertise: being a violinist myself and being able to transfer it over to the students, being able to help with bowings and all sorts of things that go with it because that’s what I do. I’ll miss that, but the students, that’s what I like most. The administration here has been very nice. Mr. Garrison is really great. I appreciate the fact that they kind of let us do what we know we can do. That makes us a better faculty. —interview by Laszlo King -Hovis

...faculty members at end of year.

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Shield repeats as Online Pacemaker winner On Sunday, April 28 at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Anaheim, Calif., The Shield was awarded a 2019 Online Pacemaker Award. The Shield is one of only 18 staffs in the nation to receive this award, which is widely considered to be the highest honor for all high school publications. Publications are judged based on “coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership, design, photography and graphics,” according to the NSPA website. “[Winning] means a lot,” senior sports editor and online co-editor Steven Tibbetts said. “It’s nice to know that all the work that me and Mr. Winter and everyone else that helped getting the website to where it is today paid off, and it shows that we are doing a good job.” Tibbetts said consistently posting new content is major part of what leads the Shield to recognition on a national level. “Mainly I try to post something every day,” Tibbetts said, “and make sure the posts are formatted correctly. I also keep up with the sports schedules and scores that we have on the website.” This is the second Online Pacemaker Award that the Shield’s website has received. The first was given to the publication in April of 2018. Adviser Dave Winter said he was honored to see his staff recognized among other very talented programs in the nation. “I really respect the talent of the other winners, and to be in that group feels great,” Winter said. “It’s hard to put into words; you want

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Senate votes to protect Confederate statues The 2019 NSPA Online Pacemaker Award is the Shield’s second straight Online Pacemaker and the school’s fourth overall. Graphic courtesy of NSPA. to feel like what you’re doing matters to people and that what you’re doing is at a high level. To have the people that are setting the standard look at your work and decide that you’re at the top level with all of these great schools in the country; it’s just incredibly gratifying to know that all of the work you’re doing is producing what you are hoping it will produce.” This month, The Shield Online was one of two websites to win an Interscholastic League Press Conference Gold Star Award, the state’s top journalism award. It was the first Gold Star for the website and only the second Gold Star for MacJournalism in school history. —Jazzabelle Davishines

Recently, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would require a super majority (twothirds approval) for a city council to “remove, relocate or alter—including altering to maintain historical accuracy —a monument at least 25 years old on state property or the campus of a public university or college.” The bill was headed by Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Republican, who says he introduced the bill in order to preserve Texas history. “I don’t believe Texas should be a place where we remove, destroy or eradicate the ugly of our past,” Creighton told the Austin American-Statesman. “We need to teach from our past, educate from our past.” The bill’s main opposition came from senators Royce West, and Borris Miles, who attempted to persuade Creighton to take down the bill, but with no success. “I think that you do a disservice to Texas with this particular bill,” West said. —Janssen Transier

Confederate monuments like the one at the Capitol would be more protected from city council discretion if a recently passed Texas senate bill becomes a law. Photo by Ellen Fox.

Moms in Prayer Meet at Covenant Presbyterian Church Library

(Fellowship Education Building, 1st floor) October 11 February 14 & 28 November 8 March 14 & 28 December 13 April 11 & 25 January 10 & 24 May 9 Krista Sherwood 512-636-5854 ksherwood7604@gmail.com 06 news

Generic medications for less 512-465-9292 medsaverspharmacy@gmail.com 1800 W 35th St 17 may 2019

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shield A DAY FOR INDEPENDENCE (inset picture): On the Fourth of July 2017, Townes Hobratschk and Carol Nelson celebrate Townes’ last day of chemotherapy outside the hospital—a day of independence for both America and Townes. “She truly is one of the best band directors,” Townes said. “She always wants the best for and from the band students.” Photo courtesy of Nelson. MORE THAN A TEACHER (larger picture): The dynamic duo of band director Carol Nelson and senior Townes Hobratschk smile together in the band hall. The two have been through a lot over his four years at McCallum, and as Townes finishes his senior year, it is evident that they have shaped each other’s lives in many ways. When Townes was diagnosed with brain cancer. Nelson brought a tuba to the hospital so he could stay connected with the band, and despite his diagnosis, she encouraged Townes to make the band’s trip that summer to Carnegie Hall. “She believed in me, and because of that, I had one of the best experiences of my life,” Townes said. “I owe it all to her.” Photo by Madelynn Niles.

Band hall second home for Nelson

Approaching 40th year at Mac, longtime leader says of directing: ‘It’s just what I do — it’s my life.’ MADELYNN NILES

““Honestly, I think if I threw a family reunion, I would invite her, because she is pretty much family at this point.” —senior Townes Hobratschk on band director Carol Nelson

guest reporter

Just as I’m approaching the door to the band hall, it swings open in front of me. “Follow me,” Ms. Nelson says and, without hesitation, continues at a rapid pace in the direction of the main building. I glance down at my phone, scramble to turn on my voice memo recorder, and ask my first question of the big, spectacular, 40th year interview. “Where are we going?” Substituting for color guard, of course, she explains to me on the way to the cafeteria. After arriving at school at to teach 7 a.m. morning sectionals, teaching two band classes back to back, and preparing for the musical rehearsal later that evening, Nelson was headed to the cafeteria during her off period to supervise the winter guard’s practice because of a teacher’s absence. Juggling a lot of activities at once certainly isn’t something new for her; in her high school years at Seguin High School, she was president of the band, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, vice president of Future Teachers of America, on the track team, and in the church choir. On top of this, she was an all-state trumpet player three years in a row and was salutatorian of her class. “People ask me all the time, ‘How do you do it all? You just do so much!’” She told me. “And the truth is, I don’t even think about it. I just do it.” After only one year of teaching at McCallum, she was promoted to head band director in 1981, where she has remained ever since. During her tenure, she has experienced many different aspects of the school — and being a multitasker at heart, she has tackled everything presented

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At the spring band concert on May 8, band director Carol Nelson recognizes saxophone player, French foreign-exchange student and freshman, Nelson Vilbert. Photo by Scarlett Houser. to her. She was even the Blue Brigade director for one year. “It was… different,” she laughed. “Different than band, that’s for sure. They needed a drill team director, and I guess they looked at my résumé and saw the tap dancing experience and thought, ‘Well, OK, she can do it.’ So I did it.” Despite the many activities that flood her daily life, Nelson still finds time to connect with her students. “She truly is one of the best band directors,” senior tuba player Townes Hobratschk said.

“She always wants the best for and from the band students.” In his freshman year at McCallum, Hobratschk was diagnosed with brain cancer. It also happened to be the year that the band was taking its quadrennial trip to perform at Carnegie Hall. “Even though she was really busy with band stuff, getting everyone ready for the trip to New York and Carnegie, she still made time for me, and showed up at the hospital. Where some teachers would abandon their students right there, she even brought a tuba up to the

hospital. It still amazes me today.” He went on to perform with the band that year in New York. “It was all because of Ms. Nelson,” he explained. “She believed in me, and because of that, I had one of the best experiences of my life. I owe it all to her.” Hobratschk said that Nelson is more like a favorite aunt than this teacher. “Honestly, I think if I threw a family reunion, I would invite her, because she is pretty much family at this point.” After so many years at the school, McCallum has become a second home for Nelson. “It doesn’t feel like a job to me,” Nelson said. “Most people get up in the morning and say, ‘Oh, I’m going to go to work now,’ but for me it’s not like that. It’s just what I do—it’s my life.” From bright and early in the morning to the late hours after school, her teaching inspires and encourages students to try everything, to keep going, and to not think about it—to just do it. As the interview with her comes to a close, I lean in and asked the big question. “So, are you going for 50?” She raises her eyebrows and her lips curl into a smile as she lets out a little laugh. “We’ll see.”

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Proust Questionnaire: Mr. Mangum

Affable substitute teacher is so positive even his greatest disappointment has a happy ending The Shield: What’s your idea of perfect happiness? Charles Mangum: When I was growing up in the ’40s and ’50s, I had a really great family life, so my current relationship with my family makes me really happy. Also, when I was growing up, we always went to church, and that always made me feel really secure, so that was really important to me, and [it] still is. Lastly, I really love being able to witness students come into their own and mature through high school, and of course, being able to give back to my community through substitute teaching, even in my retirement. That’s what really makes me happy. TS: What is your greatest fear? CM: I don’t think I really have any phobias, at least that I’ve discovered. I think that everyone is scared of failure at least a little bit. I’ve had plenty of failures in my life, and I understand why people are afraid of it, but once you start to view failure as a tool for improvement and motivation, you can overcome that fear. TS: What is the most overrated virtue? CM: I would have to say vanity. I am definitely guilty of thinking too highly of myself sometimes, but I think that can just be a natural human instinct. It can be good to have a positive image of yourself, but you just have to find a balance between feeling good about yourself and coming off as vain. TS: What is your current state of mind? CM: Right now, I am really positive. I am 78 years old, which can be depressing to some people, but luckily for me, with that age, I still have good health. I have a couple aches and pains, but really nothing major, and I really feel lucky for that. Also, I feel like this job helps me a lot. I feel relevant, like I’m making a difference, and just contributing to society. I think if you have the opportunities that I was graced with then it’s pretty easy to have a good state of mind. Another thing that I always tell students is that life has its ups, and it has its downs, but it’s important to just remain steady throughout everything life throws at you, good or bad. TS: On what occasion do you lie? CM: I don’t think I’m a purposeful liar, but like all of us, I probably embellish things from time to time. I try to avoid it whenever I can. I won’t act like I never do, but I think if it gets to the point where it becomes a pattern, that’s when it’s something to worry about. TS: What person do you most despise? CM: I grew up when the USSR was still prominent, and I never liked how communism was branded as this thing that was great for everyone, but in reality it’s just a few people who benefit from it. So, I would probably have a hard time getting along with someone like Stalin. Really, any dictator throughout history. TS: What quality do you most admire in another person? CM: In students, I really like it when students

Charles Mangum takes attendance while substitute teaching for Mr. Anderson’s history class. “I really love being able to witness students come into their own and mature through high school, and of course, being able to give back to my community through subbing.” Photo by Janssen Transier are aware of their abilities and talents, as well as their potential for greatness. I love it when students are able to set goals, and put in the work to achieve them. TS: Are there any words or phrases that you overuse? CM: There are probably are, and I don’t even know it. I know I go off on tangents about leadership or responsibility a lot, so I would have to say that. TS: If you were to die and come back any thing or animal, what would it be? CM: I’d probably want to be a human being again, honestly. I’m lucky enough to have had a really great experience as a human, so I wouldn’t want it any other way. Some people are super creative, and could imagine themselves being something other than human, but that’s just not me, so I think I’d just want to be a human. TS: If you could have one talent what would it be?

“I feel relevant, like I’m making a difference, and just contributing to society.” —substitute teacher Charles Mangum

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CM: Well, to be honest, I’ve never really been the type to think, “Oh, I wish I could do this, or I wish I could do that.” I’ve always been pretty happy with the skills I had. I don’t want to use the word “satisfied” because that makes it seem like I can stop working and stop trying to improve myself, but I am pretty happy with what I’ve already got. TS: Where would you most like to live? CM: I’ve lived in Texas my entire life, and I love it. I grew up here, going to Austin for UT football games and eating barbecue with my Boy Scout troop as a young man. I went to college at Texas State, and met my wife of 55 years there. [She and I] have traveled to some amazing places, but I like the idea of being a Texan. There’s a certain spirit and attitude that comes with being a Texan that I think is really special. TS: Where and when were you most happy? CM: I have to say, I’ve been happy most everywhere. Of course I’ve had some ups and downs, some disappointments, just like everyone else, but for the most part I’ve been happy. I don’t dwell on the failures and life, I just always look at the positive side, because almost always there’s more good than bad.

TS: What is your most treasured possession? CM: When my wife and I were younger, and we were looking for things for our home, we got into antiques, and around that same time we were traveling around the world, so we collected a lot of really interesting pieces of art that are still really important to me. I’m also really interested in clocks, and I bought some really amazing clocks in England when I was overseas there back in the ’60s, which I still have and take care of. TS: What is your greatest achievement? CM: The biggest thing for me is when I signed a professional baseball contract. In 1961, when I was a junior in college, I signed a contract to go to Houston for spring training and try out for the team, and they paid me a considerable amount of money to do so. Unfortunately, one of the biggest achievements of my life also turned out to be one my greatest disappointments also because just before I was about to go to California and play in the minors for a year, I was cut from the team. It was really disheartening, but in the end it turned out for the better because it forced me to go back to school, which is where I met my wife. —interview by Janssen Transier

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Seniors cut to the core of the matter Each academic option offers its own set of benefits, challenges JANSSEN TRANSIER staff reporter

THE CASE FOR AP CLASSES One person who has seen the advantages of taking AP course is senior Skel Gracie, who feels that AP classes have opened doors for her in the future. “I took mostly APs in high school,” Gracie said. “I’m glad I did because I think it will make college a lot easier financially. I’ll also be able to take more interesting classes, instead of something like U.S. history. I honestly wish I had taken more college-credit classes, because taking all of those classes in college gets really expensive.” AP classes can be difficult because many students are also involved in some sort of extracurricular, either on campus or off. For Gracie, it’s technical theatre. “For me, tech theatre has taken up a lot of time,” Gracie said. “But that’s just because I do every single show. Tech theatre is good, because you don’t have that many in-school requirements. You only have to take Art l, Theatre l, and Tech Theatre all four years.” While students may place a higher priority on extracurriculars, colleges will pay attention to what sort of classes you take in high school. “For me, it was really helpful to be able to say that I had taken lots of college-level courses,” Gracie said, “especially in things like interviews for scholarships; it was good to have some added clout.” Gracie feels high school is all about finding where your priorities lay. “I would suggest to any underclassmen that they try at least one AP class and see how they like it,” Gracie said. “But pay attention to your stress levels and figure out what you personally prioritize. For me being in a bunch of extracurriculars wasn’t super important to me, but being in high level classes was.”

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High school can be a confusing time. You have to decide what extracurriculars you want to participate in, if you want to play any sports and worry about your grades all at the same time. The biggest choice of all, however, comes when you fill out your first choice sheet, deciding what classes you will take during the upcoming school year. Deciding between Advanced Placement courses or regular, on-level courses can be very stressful. Most people will tell you that AP classes are the right move, because they are more challenging and will better prepare you well for

THE CASE FOR ON-RAMPS When it comes to college credit in high school, ACC isn’t the only option. Last year, the University of Texas rolled out a new program at McCallum called OnRamps. It currently is limited to only a few classes, but some students have already found some success within the program. In addition to her AP classes, senior Skel Gracie took OnRamps English her junior year. “I was also looking for a break from the conventional AP-style way of approaching books” Gracie said. “I always felt like our interpretation of the book, or whatever we were reading, was kind of forced on us, and didn’t leave much room for other interpretation. I feel like with OnRamps you have a little bit more freedom to write about what you find interesting” The core of the OnRamps class offered at McCallum is writing, and, as Gracie explains, that can really come in handy later. “It definitely made me a much better writer, and that has helped a lot with things like college essays, or the writing portion of the SAT,” Gracie said. While there are some benefits to taking an OnRamps class at McCallum, it is not without its challenges. “One thing that I really struggled with was reading stuff online, because so much of the class is on the computer. Honestly, if you don’t thrive in online classes, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“With OnRamps you have a little bit more freedom to write about what you find interesting.” —senior Skel Gracie

college, along with allowing you to leave the class at the end of the year with a potential college credit. On the other hand, some people feel that taking all AP courses when you already know that you want to go into a field like art, film or music, doesn’t make very much sense, and can be a source of unnecessary stress. For many years at Mac and elsewhere, the choice of course level was binary: AP or regular, but with the introduction of dual credit classes from ACC and UT, the choice has become a lot more complicated.

THE CASE FOR ACC DUAL CREDIT ACC dual-credit classes allow McCallum students to take a class at ACC, or with an ACC professor, and get college credit for the course, while also getting credit for the class at McCallum. For example, someone could take United States history at ACC, get college credit for the class, and also get high school credit. ACC classes are ideal for people like Liv Arden, who have a busy schedule and need their classes to be flexible. “A lot of my ACC classes were online,” Arden said. “It was honestly pretty laidback; there was a test once a week, and you were just expected to complete the notes on your own. I really liked it because if I was traveling I could just log onto my computer and do my classwork, even though I’m out of the country.” One thing that appeals to many students about taking ACC classes during the school year or over the summer is the possibility of an off period your senior year. “I was friends with a lot of seniors when I was a junior, and it was really nice for them to be able to sleep in or leave a period early,” Arden said. Of course, ACC courses come with their own set of challenges. “It can be difficult to stay focused,” Arden said, “especially if it’s over the summer, just because it’s kind of unstructured, and you have to really motivate yourself to do well. If you are someone who needs the school setting to really focus, then it might be a challenge.”

“There was a test once a week, and you were just expected to complete the notes on your own. —senior Liv Arden

THE CASE FOR REGS Of course, taking all AP classes isn’t the only route you can take. For example, senior Liv Arden decided that instead of plunging headfirst into AP classes, she would take a mix of both APs and regs. “I think it’s really important to have your own time in high school,” Arden said. “I think people get way too wrapped up in schoolwork when they take all APs. Generally, I think it’s a good idea to take at least one regs class to give yourself a break.” Arden, however, is in a situation that necessitates less homework. “I work two jobs, so I don’t really have time after school to get my homework done after school,so regs is a better choice for me,” Arden said. Arden recognizes, however, that there are some drawbacks to this approach. For a long time I thought that colleges caring about what sort of classes you took in high school was a myth, but now I know that it definitely isn’t. I got rejected from Santa Clara University, and they said it was because I didn’t take enough AP classes, and even though I had good grades, it didn’t seem like I was challenging myself, so that’s definitely something I regret.” Arden also regretted not being as involved beyond the classroom. “Another one of my big regrets in high school is not getting really involved in an extracurricular,” Arden said. “I feel like, in high school, it’s important to do some things just because you like them, not because of the grade, and colleges really like to see that too. Exploring your interests in high school is really the only chance you get, because by the time you get to college, everyone has already settled into their hobby or sport, and has been doing it for a few years, so you’ll be behind.”

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2019 prom was a senior ‘soirée’

Knights dressed to the one-nines for a Gatsby-themed throwdown at the Sterling Events Center CLOUSE FRIENDS: Seniors Coco Clouse and Kimberly Cochrane share a dance together at the prom held last Saturday at the Sterling Events Center “We were each other’s date, and we both enjoyed ourselves and had a great night,” Clouse said. “It was really special going with my best friend instead of someone I wasn’t familiar with.” Reporting by Gregory James. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta.

QUICK PAUSE AND PIC: Raymya Hardeman, Alexandria Wilford, Zamoria Reeves, Madison Parks, Sarah Herrera, Kaylan Evans and Jon’ta Wingwood pause from their regular prom activities to smile for the camera. Wingwood recalled spotting the camera and exclaiming, “Guys! Group picture!” He said he and his friends had a blast at the prom. “We were just living it up,” he said. “We saw the flash and wanted to make memories.” He said prom was memorable because he saw people in suits and dresses that he normally sees dressed casually. Reporting by Kelsey Tasch. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta. A ROSY MOMENT FOR ROYALTY: Right after they were announced as the prom queen and king, newly crowned Ardis Warrenfells and Reid Ronsonette share a slow dance. “It felt really cool to win the award with someone I love, and it was really exciting and super sweet,” Warrenfells said. “It was a perfect way to end the night.” Reporting by Ellen Fox. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta.

THE GOLDEN HOURS: Seniors Christian Rogers and Signi Johnson share a moment away from the dance floor at the 2019 McCallum Prom. “Prom was really fun,” Johnson said. “Everyone looked really nice all dressed up.” Reporting by Diamante Diaz. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta.

THE DEAN OF THE DANCE FLOOR: Senior Kiana Dean joins a group of prom-goers on the dance floor. Although she didn’t know the other girls beforehand, that didn’t stop them from having a great time together. “I had a really good time [at prom],” Dean said. “It’s my first year at McCallum, but it was a really good experience partying and rocking out with them and stuff. It was so quick; time goes by fast when you’re having fun.” Reporting by Bella Russo. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta.

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DANCE THE KNIGHT AWAY: Senior Ian Shaw and junior Joe Roddy slow dance during prom at the Sterling Events Center on Saturday. Shaw was surprised by how much fun he had at prom. “My favorite part about prom was getting to see all of my friends that I’ve spent the last four years with all having a blast together in one place at the same time,” he said. Reporting by Steven Tibbetts. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta.

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SEN19RS

what was happening freshman, senior year

2015

Images downloaded from Flickr Creative Commons. Reposted with permission.

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Heather Adams—University of North Texas Jane Addison—San Diego State University Jonathan Aguero—Unknown Josephine Aldredge—ACC then transfer to Texas A&M University Quin Aldredge—ACC then transfer to University of Texas at Austin Alyssa Aleman—ACC/Workin Robert Alexander—ACC Brianna Alonzo—ACC then transfer Andrew Alvarez—Blinn Junior College Sierra Alvarez—University of Texas San Antonio Herbert Alvarez III—Unknown Sydney Amell—Unknown Lauriel Anderson—University of North Texas Naiya Antar—Louisiana State University Liv Arden—Clark University Brisa Arriaga—Oregon State University Jovanni Arriaga—Unknown Allison Arteaga—Texas State University Niku Asgari—Unknown Hannah Ashcraft—Pratt Institute Jeremiah R Ashton-Thomas—Unknown Kennedy L Austin—University of North Texas Camilo Auyero—Clark University Gisselle Avellaneda Regino—Unknown Anya Baker—Texas State University Sutton Ballard—University of Puget Sound Emilio Barillas—ACC Lloyd Barriere—Unknown Anthony Bataille—Concordia University Montreal Lexi Battle—Colorado State University Robert Bauer IV—ACC Sophie Beilinson—Garden/Nursery Shawn Belcher—Working Damaris Benitez—University of Texas at Austin Alejandra Berrelleza—Texas Tech University Maggie Bishop—University of Houston Eleanor Blankenship—University of New Mexico Ethan Blanton—ACC then transfer to Texas State University Olivia Boggs—Concordia University Gordon Bolton—Texas A&M University Ryan Bonesteel—Undecided Javier Bosquez—Southwestern University Anthony Bourda—Unknown Clayton Boyd—Baylor University Norman Boyd—University of Arkansas Sydney Bridges—Louisiana State University Ben Bryant—Texas State University Wesley Bryant—Gap semester then ACC with transfer to University of Texas at Austin Sydney Bunce—University of North Texas Beatriz Calderon—Unknown

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Jade Caldwell—Texas A&M University Mckenna Carpenter—University of Texas at Austin Delaney Carter—University of Alabama Ricardo Castaneda—Unknown Guadalupe Castelan—Unknown Yatziri Castillo de Leon—Unknown Cynthia Castro—Texas A&M University Kingsville Claire Caudill—University of Arkansas Lyle Caudill—ACC Javier Cavazos Weems—University of North Texas Erin Caylor—Barnard College Maddie Cevallos—Texas Tech University Noah Choiniere—Texas State University Max Cioci—University of North Texas Kaliah Clark—Unknown Josephine Clarke—DePaul University Coco Clouse—Texas State University Josey Clouse—ACC Kimberly Cochrane—Texas State University Staria Cole—ACC then transfer to University of California Santa Cruz Noah Cooley—Louisiana State University Jane Cooper—University of Redlands Finn Corbett—ACC Eamon Crawford—University of Missouri William Critendon—Texas A&M University Julia Crofut—Texas Lutheran University Cori Crowe—Unknown Bryan Crowley—ACC then transfer to Texas State University Isaias Cruz Rodriguez—Unknown Melina Curiel—Bernardini—ACC Gabe Dancy—Gap year then Colorado State University Max Darlington—University of Toronto Amurri Davis—ACC Jazzabelle Davishines—Pace University NYC Kiana Dean—Texas Women’s University Ivan Del Rio—ACC then transfer Tino Depaz—United States Army Diamante Diaz—University of Texas at Austin John Dickinson II—Unknown Abraham Dietz—Play junior college baseball Adrian Dorsey—University of North Texas Mikayla Dozier—Project Search Samuel Drosche—Unknown Laura Duke—Texas State University Amber Dunning—Gap year Ryan Edgar—University of Texas at San Antonio Noah Edgerly—School of Visual Arts-NYC Maya Edwards—ACC Catrin Efken—Columbia College Chicago Jadyn Elmore—Unknown Sebastian Emami—Undecided Liz Epperson—Texas State University Sidney Erskine-Vaughn—Unknown Cruz Escobar—ACC then transfer to Texas State University

Kaylan Evans—Unknown Sydney Fejes—Unknown Angel Felan—Unknown Christopher Fernandez—Colorado State or ACC Sam Finley—University of Texas at Austin Mary Flores—Unknown Jonathan Forbes—University of Houston Emily Freeman—Aved Institute and Cinema Arts Cosmetology School Deron Gage—Texas State University Henry Gardner—Unknown Graceyn Garza—ACC Jackson Gattis—Rochester Institute of Technology Camille Gay—ACC then transfer Meghana Goli—Fordham University Diane Gomez—Unknown Diego Gonzales—Angelo State University Elizabeth Gonzalez—Air Force Ting Goodfriend—Willamette University Allison Gordon—St. Edwards University Robert Gossard—Texas Tech University Skel Gracie—North Carolina State University Chance Green—Oberlin College Joilynn Green—University of North Carolina School of the Arts Elijah Griffin—United States Army Emma Guenther—University of Oklahoma Dillon Guerrero—Undecided Aaron Hagler—Gap year Raymond Hagler—South Plains Community College to Texas Tech University Magnolia Hammer—ACC Ray-Mya Hardeman—University of Houston Aubrey Harlan—Trinity University Persephone Harris—Pace University NYC Frankie Harris—Gap year Gibson Hartsock—Unknown Autumn Haws-Shaddock—University of Texas Kameron Hazelrigg—ACC Nicholas Heinen—Gap year then Rhodes College Alyssa Hernandez—University of Texas at Austin Griselda Hernandez—ACC Isabella Hernandez—University of Texas at Austin Matthew Hernandez—Montclair University Hector Hernandez Alvarado—ACC then UT Magaly Hernandez Montes—Work/community college Sarah Herrera-Geronimo—Unknown Dylan Hinkle—Unknown Townes Hobratschk—Texas A&M Galveston Zoe Hocker—Pace University NYC Brynach Hogan—Ecuador Internship Julia Holden—Unknown Gregory Hoopes—Unknown Edraveion Hopes Lee—Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Emily Horan—Texas State University

Tulsa Howard—ACC Grady Huffaker—Texas Tech University Trent Huffaker—Texas State University Hannah Hufford—University of Arizona Lewis Hughes—University of Montana Faith Hunter—Texas A&M Kingsville Gavin Hurtado—United States Air Force Miranda Hynes—University of Texas at Austin Ashanti Igwe—Unknown Beatrix Jackman—University of Texas at Austin Bonnie Jackson—Texas State University Chanyn James—University of Oregon Gregory James—Colorado State University Ian Stripling Jensen—Vanderbilt University Christina Jerrells—Unknown Reily Jobe—Unknown Jenna Johnson—ACC Nathan Johnson—Working Signi Johnson—Texas A&M—Corpus Christi Stephon Johnson—The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences Johanna Jones—Unknown Rylie Jones—University of Texas at Austin Zoey Kenyon—ACC Muhammad Khan—Unknown Matilda Krell—Trinity University Florian Krentzel—Stevens Institute of Technology Samantha Kuvlesky—Unknown Jacob Lackey—ACC James Lamb—Unknown Amanda Lambert—Unknown Xiaoman Lancaster—University of Texas at San Antonio Ella Jane Larrimer—University of Florida Brooklyn Latouf—ACC Vontreal Lauderdale—Unknown Tobias Leal—ACC part—time work part time Gavin Lee—ACC then University of Texas at Austin Ada Lemour—Working Velen Leonor—Unknown Sarah Lightfoot—ACC then transfer to Stephen F. Austin Chloe Linscomb—Savannah College of Art and Design Matthew Loessin—ACC Isaac Lopez Garcia—Unknown Jessie Lopez Jr—Unknown Alejandro Lopez Loza—Texas A&M Kingsville Marcel Lopez Reed—University of California Santa Cruz Amarissa Lozano Castillo—ACC Keshawn Malett—ACC Gabe Manzanares—New Mexico State University Anna Marceau—Fashion Institute of Technology Rosalinda Marchione Jones—Whittier College Jakob Margulies—Unknown Melissa Marquez Urquiza—Texas A&M University—Kingsville

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Henry Martin—Work in Yellowstone National Park Eli Martinez—University of Texas at Arlington Luis Martinez Castro—Unknown Josh Martinez—ACC then University of North Texas Tatum Mason—Marbella Design Academy— Malaga Spain Izabella Matheson—Unknown Emily Matkin—Texas A&M University Molly McCabe—Unknown Robyn McCray— Huston—Tillotson University or Texas State Samantha McGaughy—Unknown Jacqueline Mclellan—University of Wisconsin— Madison Henna McRae—University of Texas at Austin Jeremy Mock—University of Denver Richard Moncivais—Unknown Celeste Montes De Oca—Angelo State University Felix Montoya—Central Oregon Community College Xochitl Montoya Martinez—ACC Baxter Moore—Texas State University Zora Moore—Thoms—Western Colorado University Anthony Morris Jr—ACC then transfer to Texas State Sophia Mullican—University of Central Oklahoma Faith Munoz—Unknown Michael Munoz—Unknown Avery Murchison—ACC Lily Myers—Unknown Raiya Myren—Rice University Sydney Nadeau—Peace Corp Halli Neff—University of Texas at Austin Sammi Neff—University of Texas at Austin Eva Nobles—Texas State University Katie O’Quinn—Texas State Angel Olivo—Undecided Emma Ollier—ACC Olivia Olson—Unknown William Olufsen—Unknown Anthony Peredes—ACC Madison Parks—Unknown Ava Pattie—ACC Ricardo Pecina—Texas State Technical College Adam Peterson—Unknown Sophie Petrosky—Texas State University Natalia Ponce Dominguez—Unknown Cody Poole—Unknown Noah Powell—ACC/working Paul Raper—University of Tulsa Gillian Rashid—University of Vermont Colin Reed—Unknown Melany Reese—Concordia University Zamoria Reeves—Texas Southern University Mackenzie Remaley—Unknown

Iris Reyes O’Brien—ACC then transfer to University of Texas San Antonio Cristina Ricci— University of New Mexico Carlos Rivas—Unknown Emma Robb—Texas State University Elsa Roberts—Undecided Julie Rocha—Texas State University Liliette Rodriguez Aguero—Texas State University Jack Rodriguez—University of Texas at San Antonio Andrew Rodriguez Lopez—Unknown Christian Rogers—Unknown Xochilth Roman—Cosmetology school Reid Ronsonette—University of Houston Duce Rosales—Texas State University Julian Rosales—Undecided Lorna Rosales—ACC Ashley Rosas—ACC Claire Rudy—University of Texas at Austin Sophie Ryland—University of Texas at Austin Joy Saha—Texas State University Selen Sakaoglu—ACC then transfer to University of Texas San Antonio Abigail Salazar Machuca—Working and then transferring to Texas A&M Corpus Christi Richard Salinas Jr.—ACC Sophia Salo—Texas State University Helena Sandberg—Study Video Game Design and intern at a company Sofia Sandrea—American University Audrey Sayer—San Diego State University Amelia Schwarz—Austin College Christopher Scott—ACC then transfer to Texas A&M University Jules Sease—ACC then School of the Art Institute of Chicago Lillian Sease—Undecided Ben Segal—Unknown Camille Selis—San Diego State University Alejandro Serna—University of Texas San Antonio Ramona Sever—Monterey Peninsula College Sophia Shampton—ACC then School of the Art Institute of Chicago Ian Shaw—Tulane University Chloe Shields—School of the Art Institute of Chicago Adonijah Short—University of North Texas Carolyn Silva—Unknown Till Simon—Acting in LA Carter Smith—The Savannah College of Art and Design Griffin Smith—Clark University Isabel Solismilam—University of Hawaii— Manoa Eric Stanfield—Service year in California Henry Stanford—Texas A&M University Emily Staples—University of Arkansas Sylvia Stefani—Colorado State University Elijah Stephens—Working

Maddy Stine—Abilene Christian University Ellie Stites—University of Kansas Adrian Stone—University of North Texas Crystal Suarez Vasquez—Unknown Diane Sung—Unknown Jalen Sutton—Blinn College Emmett Sweeney—Texas State University Carsten Tasch—University of Arkansas Rally Telano—Southern Oregon University Luke Thiessen—University of Texas at Austin Dan Thomas—University of Texas at Austin Rory Thomas—City Year Chicago Steven Tibbetts—Southwestern University Karel Tinkler—Boston University Joseph Tinney—ACC Zoe Tormollen—Colorado State University Makayla Tovar—Texas State University Sam Trickey—University of Texas San Antonio Matei Tuca—University of Houston Patrick Tyler—Unknown William Tyree—ACC Lauren Upchurch—Unknown Garrett Vanden Bout—Gap year/working Marianna Vanden Bout—University of Texas at Austin Francisco Vazquez Rico—Unknown Erik Vega—ACC Matt Velasquez—Unknown Myles Vinson—Texas State University Dilynn Von Thies—Unknown Alexandra Wald—Unknown Sadie Ward—Unknown Alyksandr Waring—ACC and working Ardis Warrenfells—University of North Texas Araveea Washington—Working Lael Weatherby—Austin College Sarah White—Unknown Piper Wiest—Smith College Lindsey Wiley—Texas A&M Prairie View Conor Williams—ACC then transfer to UMass Amherst Gabriela Williams—ACC Gabe Williams—University of Houston Vivian Williams—Southwestern University Jon’ta Wingwood—ACC then transfer to Texas State Ulee Wintle—Tufts University Alaina Wood —Texas Woman’s University Emma Wood—University of New Haven Miranda Woodall—ACC Alec Worden—Angelina College Zariah Yanguas—Miller—Unknown Max Yongue—Service year in California Michael Yost—New Mexico State University Xavier Zamarron—Texas State University Elesia Zarzoza—Texas A&M University— Kingsville

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Data based on survey of 42 McCallum seniors.

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This month: May

TO EAT

From the stress of finals to the freedom of summer, The Shield has you covered

TO SHOP Illuminidol Candles DAMNED DECOR: Looking for a fun and funky decorative candle that’s long-lasting and pays homage to your favorite actor, singer or politician? Illuminidol’s celebrity prayer candles are the perfect solution. Illuminidol takes the traditional design of Christianity’s prayer candles, and puts a spin on it by presenting beloved or infamous faces in heavenly light as the focus of the design. Currently, there are about 1,000 featured celebrities, and, almost every month, @ illuminidolcandles gives their customers the chance to suggest possible new designs. If you still can’t find the candle you’re looking for (because they’re so indie and underground), or you want a candle with your own face on it, the website offers the option of a customized candle. So whomever you choose to worship, there’s a candle for that. If candles aren’t your cup of tea, Illuminidol also offers koozies and air fresheners of similar designs. Though the products are described as blasphemous and distasteful

Photos by Bella Russo.

Photo supplied by Illuminidol Candles. from online reviews, they’re fun and a definite conversation starter. Based in Austin, Illuminidol is at many local trade fairs and pop-up shops and has found permanent residence at boutiques around Austin and on its website, www. illuminidol.com.

TO CREATE

Photo by Alex Dowd. East Austin Succulents FORGET PETS, GET A PLANT: With college on the horizon, many McCallum graduates face the coming horrors of college dorm life: no microwaves, no parents and, worst of all, no pets (except for small fish). To fill the cat, dog or rodent-shaped hole left by the absence of a pet, buy another living thing: a plant! A local Austin plant nursery called East Austin Succulents has what can only be described as “a succulent buffet.” As a customer, you’re presented with two options: to buy an already prepared succulent arrangement or create your own from scratch. Before entering a long canopied hall full of rows upon rows of different “low care required” plants, East Austin Succulents provides a variety of different mugs, vintage

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cans, hollowed out statues and other objects, both classic and uncommon, as pots for the base of your creation. If you have an item at home, you’re welcome to bring that too. The next step is walking down the aisles and choosing the plant or plants for your pot. Once you have your plants and pot, you can get East Austin Succulents to help with the potting process. They add colorful rocks, small figures and other accessories to your arrangement to create something truly one of a kind. These unique succulent arrangements, made personally for you, will be the perfect touch of home no matter how many miles you travel. And for those of you not moving away next year or anytime soon, East Austin Succulents is still highly recommended to give as a gift or to give character to any room.

Nadamoo DOWN WITH DAIRY: If opposites attract, ice cream and Texas summers are a match made in heaven. Dairy free, gluten free, vegan and healthconscious Austinites won’t be left out this year because Nadamoo is here to save the summer! Nadamoo is a made up word that means “no dairy.” The company was created by an Austin local, and for the first few years was family-owned and operating before being taken over by the current CEO in 2008. The company makes ice cream that fits the paleo diet and is free of gluten, dairy, cholesterol and unnatural sugars. The frozen desserts are made with coconut milk and sweetened with agave syrup to replicate the taste and textures of dairy

Knockout KICK BACK FOR A STUDY BREAK: Finals week is stressful. That’s no secret to high school students. It’s also no secret that adolescents have relatively large amounts of pent-up rage. How about killing two birds with one stone and learning a new, valuable skill at the same time? Knockout in Austin has the perfect solution: kickboxing. Unlike traditional boxing gyms, Knockout is a boutique fitness organization, trading the hardcore, threatening environment for a black-lit room full of people in matching white Knockout gloves and pumping EDM music. It feels more like a party than a workout, making it easier to get excited about willingly participating in a high intensity activity that leaves you sore for the following few days. The Knockout instructors are fit and very well-trained. They make sure to prioritize form for a safe workout that can benefit you longer than just the 45-minute class. Yes, the class is only 45 minutes, but not a second of that time is wasted. From the moment you enter the workout room to the moment your workout ends, your heart rate is accelerated to simulate the feeling of being in a full-length boxing or MMA match. The class isn’t only cardio-based; each class has a section in the middle for abs, but full body strengthening is built into the class’s curriculum. You don’t have to have your own equipment to participate. For your first class, Knockout offers $6 wraps that can be reused for each class and provides glove

filled ice creams without sacrificing health and dietary restrictions. Nadamoo has been available in classic Austin grocery and department stores, but only in specific flavors at certain locations before expanding to different cities and even states. Recently, the company came back to pay homage to its Austin roots by opening up its first official Scoop Shop on South Lamar Boulevard. The shop has a casual and fun atmosphere and feels like a part of Candy Land due to its immersive ice cream experience of pastel colored furniture and natural ingredients displayed in glass cases. The menu offers many in-shop exclusive flavors and special recipes such as shakes, floats, and espresso. Visit the shop to learn more.

TO DO

Photo by Bella Russo. rentals for each participant. Other than that, just arrive dressed in comfortable athletic wear and tennis shoes complete with plenty of energy. Knockout welcomes visitors of all ages and genders, and doesn’t expect anyone to already be an expert. So, there’s no harm in taking a 45-minute break from your busy finals study schedule to relieve stress and emotions and learn a new skill all while getting a good full body workout. There really is no downside. —all stories by Alex Dowd

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PIANO MAN: While playing the role of Oscar, the pianist in MacTheatre’s spring production of 42nd Street, Forbes had the chance to perform on stage in the ensemble while playing piano live at the same time. Photo by Bella Russo..

BAND BUDDIES: Senior Jonathan Forbes and junior Dexter Canning pose at the annual Battle of the Bell football game, in which McCallum defeated Travis, 72-0, at Burger Stadium on Oct. 26. The pair has been playing in marching band together since their time attending Fulmore Middle School. “Jon is more dedicated to music than anyone I know, whether it be random facts, or just how to be better.” Canning said. Photo by Gregory James.

STANDING TALL: Jon Forbes smiles while conducting during the Knights’ Oct. 26 game against Travis. Forbes began conducting during his sophomore year and hopes to conduct professionally. Photo by Anna McClennan.

Artistically speaking: Jon Forbes

From piano to marching band, from musical theatre to music theory, senior is a true music man STELLA SHENKMAN staff reporter

Music has surrounded Jonathan Forbes since his earliest years. Forbes’ father played the piano and horn for recreation, and his mother played violin and guitar and sang in the Duke University choir. “They are big into music, and even had me and my sisters all pick an instrument to learn,” Forbes said. “My older sister and I both chose piano, while my younger sister chose the violin. My sisters both ended up moving on and doing dance instead, but I kept with the piano.” During his time attending Fulmore Middle School, Forbes discovered the marching band. “It was a fine arts requirement, which you had to have during middle school.” Forbes said. “I was actually started out playing the oboe, and then my dad was like, ‘Ah, that’s not really you; let’s pick something brassy’ and chose the trombone for me, which I’ve loved ever since. This is where I got really into classical music.” Forbes came to McCallum first as a piano major and later changed to a double major when he added band during his junior year. Forbes experienced something of a shock to his system when he joined McCallum’s band. “Band was kind of crazy at the beginning,” he said. “I mean, even before school starts you jump in and hit the ground running. You’re at school eight hours a day, five days a week in the hot sun working all the time to get the fundamentals cracked out. It got kind of hectic at the beginning of my time being a young person as one of five in band from my middle school, so it was kind of scary; however, it ended up being really, really fun to get to have a little family.” Junior Dexter Canning has been playing alongside Forbes in marching band since Canning’s seventh-grade year at Fulmore. “We’ve gotten a lot closer as friends during band.” Canning said. “When I came to McCallum,

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he helped me get used to the environment. The last season of the marching band was a huge bonding experience for us.” Within the band program, Forbes has built a reputation for being able to inspire his peers. “He inspires me to want to be a better conductor,” Canning said. “He always helps when you need help and kindly points out things that could help make the performance better.” Forbes began conducting the McCallum band his sophomore year. “My favorite part is being able to bring forth the power the players wield and instruct the force through the passion in my hands and arms,” Forbes said. “It’s a great feeling when the waving in your arms brings the power of music you imagine in your head.” Although Forbes is known for being a funloving person most of the time, his demeanor shifts when conducting, according to Canning. “Jon as a conductor was super fun to watch.” Canning said. “He was always super serious while conducting. He was so invested.” Forbes said that his time at McCallum convinced him that music was an essential part of who he is as a person. “High school band is a pivotal moment for a lot of people, because when you hit high school, especially for me, you’re still in that prime developmental stage as a person.” Forbes said. “It’s a time where you’re still trying as many things as you can to finally find the things that you love, and that’s the moment when you can say, ‘Stop looking at classical music this way. Look at it this way,’ and it opens this whole new world of showing people what classical music is.” Forbes draws musical inspiration from composers such as Beethoven and Bach. “I have a big connection with Beethoven,” Forbes said. “I love his music. I actually have one or two original manuscripts of his. He’s one of the greatest guys I have ever seen. He revolutionized music.”

Forbes takes great interest in the construction of classical music, especially theory. As the AP Music Theory teacher, Jeff Rudy has gotten the chance to work closely with Forbes and observe his leadership. “He’s very talented,” Rudy said. “I think he comes by that naturally. He works hard; he has a real passion for it. I think that passion is what drives him to want to do well, and so he is successful because he has that in him. It’s kind of a unique thing.” Rudy praises the growth in seriousness in which Forbes approaches his passions. “The level of understanding he has about certain things, that has certainly changed from his freshman year.” Rudy said. “He’s just more mature about the process.” Despite this maturity, or perhaps because of it, Forbes takes an untraditional approach before he plays the trombone. “I don’t ever warm up, I just go,” Forbes said. “I found that that works for me because I get really bummed out when I warm up. Going straight to playing, that’s what keeps me in it. You know, it does still take five to 10 minutes to get into the music fully. But once your mouth gets all gooey and soft, you’re good to play.” Besides participating in marching band and piano, Forbes has also participated in two MacTheatre musicals during his time at McCallum. He was the musical director of 2018’s West Side Story, and he played the role of Oscar in the 2019 spring musical, 42nd Street, in which Forbes accompanied the show as a pianist while simultaneously acting on stage. West Side Story went on to win “Best Orchestra” at the 2018 Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards ceremony, where Forbes accepted the award on stage. “I actually got to teach most of the songs and got to really be in every aspect, like being in the pit and on stage.” Forbes said. “We ended up getting best orchestra and ensemble, and that

was really cool.” Forbes was surprised to play a scripted role in 42nd Street. “I still wanted to music direct, but out of nowhere I got thrown on stage.” Forbes said. “It was before I actually even got to audition as the pianist. [The role] ended up being kind of cool, because then I got to be onstage, and do my favorite thing which is play music, onstage, which people danced to it, for sold out audiences.” Forbes alternated from being in the pit to playing live on stage during the show. “It was just a mind-blowing experience for me just to go, wow, I’m collaborating with people in a way people don’t normally see with a show.” Forbes said. “I still got to act, people would talk to me and gesture to me, and I got to still kind of do the whole acting thing just without saying words. It ended up being one of my favorite things to do.” Forbes’ directors praised his drive. “What sets him apart from his peers is his passion for music,” Mr. Rudy said. “He has that at a high level.” Rudy added that Forbes earned the respect of his band peers despite becoming a band major late in his high school career. “I think that the students respect him a lot, because he is talented. He’s sincere about what he does,” Rudy said. “He treats everyone fairly, and doesn’t necessarily play favorites or anything like that. I think that has helped him become such an effective leader. People trust him.” Next year, Forbes will attend the University of Houston for music education. He said he derived his inspiration to direct from his own musical directors: Matt Ehlers, Nelson and Rudy. “Ms. Nelson was one of the people that opened my eyes to the world of music.” Forbes said. “It changed my life. I want to be able to do that for others who don’t understand music and help them see the power of music. I want to open the love that people have for music that they might have not experienced yet.”

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Mac falls to Harlandale in extra innings After winning their ninth straight division title, the varsity baseball team traveled to Dripping Springs on the morning of Saturday, May 4, to take on the Harlandale Indians in the first round of the 2019 5A baseball playoffs Because of rain the previous Friday night, the Knights had to give up their home field advantage in the one-game playoff and move the reschedule game from Northwest Park to Dripping Springs. After allowing one run in the first inning, starter Ace Dietz and the Knights held the Indians scoreless from the second through the sixth inning. Freshman Andy Honea drove in four runs with a single in the second inning and a bases-loaded double in the third to stake the Knights to a 5-1 lead. In the sixth inning, Harlandale rallied back to score four runs and later send the game to extra innings. The Knights allowed eight runs in the top of the eighth inning, and then rallied for three in the bottom half of the extra inning, but it was not enough. Marc Juarez and Jacob Masters hit run-scoring doubles, but the Knights ultimately fell, 13-8.

DIETZ DELIVERS: Ace Dietz stares down the competition as he delivers a pitch against Harlandale in the opening round of the 5A state playoffs. Photo by Lindsey Plotkin. Although the season was over, good news was still on the way for Mac baseball. Last week, Trinidad De La Garza and Easton Salinas were selected to the Sophomore Sunbelt All-Star Team and soon afterward, Ace Dietz and Alec Worden were selected for the AABCA Senior All-Star Game. —Lindsey Plotkin and Kristen Tibbetts

Seniors edge juniors, 2-1, for Bro-Ball title On Monday night, April 29, the volleyball program hosted its annual Bro-Ball tournament and fund-raiser in the gym. The first round match-ups included the freshman against the juniors in the small gym, with the sophomores facing off against the seniors in the big gym. Both the sophomores and the freshman were eliminated early, falling to their older opponents, 2-0. The seniors went on to beat the juniors after rallying to win two sets in a row after a rough defeat in the first set, with the victory coming with a score of 15-13 in the final nail biter set, giving the seniors the Bro-Ball championship title and their names immortalized on the Bro-Ball trophy. The seniors then ended the night with a friendly post-tournament match against the girls volleyball team and Officer Yoder. “It’s our last year, so we had to take the

BRO BALLERS: The senior Bro-Ball team storms the court to celebrate the game winning point of their match against the juniors. Photo by Bella Russo. win,” senior Andrew Alvarez said. “Beating the juniors, that felt pretty good. It means we’re the best; we rule the school!” —Ellen Fox, Lindsey Plotkin and Bella Russo

Gomez, Smith named to All-Centex team On Thursday and Friday May 2 and 3, two Knight soccer players were named to the Stateman’s All-Central Texas soccer teams. Senior Griffin Smith was one of three defenders to be named on the boys team, and freshman Mia Gomez was named the Newcomer of the Year on the girls team. As a standout varsity striker, Gomez scored 32 goals and dished out 11 assists. Twenty of her goals came in district play, making her the Golden Boot Award winner as the most prolific scorer in the district. Her goal scoring, however, is not what impressed her coach the most. “I knew she was talented from the get go, but what surprised me is how much of a leader she would become for our team,” head coach Stephanie Watson said. “Mia practices every day like it’s game day, and she encourages her teammates to do the same, all while having a fun, energetic attitude on and off the field.” Her teammate, sophomore Avery Miller agreed with her coach. “She works really, really hard,” Miller said. “I think she really deserved [the award] because she was always giving 100 percent in every single game and she did a lot for the team.” Prior to being named All-Centex Newcomer of the Year, Gomez was named District 25-5A Newcomer of the Year. “You’d think with all of these accolades that Mia would have a big head, but she doesn’t,” Watson said. “She is a team player in every way, always working hard for the good of her team.” For Smith, this postseason award is also one of several he has garnered. He has anchored the Knight’s defense and provided an occasional offensive punch as part of an area champion team that has advanced farther than any varsity boys soccer team since 2006. Smith was also voted District 25-5A Defender of the Year by the district’s coaches. Smith’s teammate Reed Johnson agrees with the coaches, saying Smith was the best defender on either side all season long. “His presence on the field is noticeable,” Johnson said. “It’s easier to focus, knowing he’s there to back you up.”

DEFENDING THE GOAL: Senior Griffin Smith rushes to the ball before a Travis could get to it. The boys varsity team ended up tied with the Rebels, 2-2, on Feb. 9, at House Park. Photo by Anna McClellan.

STRIKER: Freshman Mia Gomez scored a hat trick during the varsity girls’ pre-playoff game against Bowie on March 27, at House Park. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta. Coach Nick Martin agreed that Smith gave his teammates’ confidence and always had their backs. “Griffin has always been an intense competitor, making those around him raise their game to meet his standards,” Martin said. “He’s also simply a nice guy [and] I know the players feel the same way.” —Tobin Wine and Kristen Tibbetts

Shaw hurdles obstacles to reach regional meet, finishes high school career with personal bests READY SET RUN: Senior Ian Shaw lines up alongside other hurdlers, many of whom were the fastest in the state. Photo courtesy of Joshua Amy.

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Ian Shaw represented Mac track in the 110-meter hurdles at the Regional Track Meet on Friday, April 26. His road to regionals certainly was not conventional. He finished fifth at district, not originally qualifying for the area meet. He was notified three days before area that a runner who finished ahead of him was not able to compete, so Shaw took his place. Despite entering the area meet with slowest seed time of any runner, he qualified for regionals by out leaning his opponent at the finish line to place fourth with what was at that time his faster ever time of 16.24. At regionals, he lined up with seven of the fastest hurdlers in the state. In competition with the 16 hurdlers fast enough to make regionals, he finished in 13th place overall. More impressively, he ran his personal best in the 110-meter hurdles: 15.87 seconds.

“As a student who has so many activities going on in his life between track and his fine arts commitments, it is truly a testament of his character,” Amy said. “He has worked hard all year, and left it all on the track.” Shaw’s performance at regionals brought the boys track season to a close. Amy views the season as one of emergence for a program on the rise. “The students who competed did everything they could to represent McCallum positively,” Amy said. “I am truly proud of every single one of the athletes who competed. We had 41 boys participate throughout the season. There were Texas Relay Qualifiers, three district champions, three relays qualified for area and a regional qualifier. We, as a staff and team, look to put McCallum Track on the map in the years to come.” —Dave Winter

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A true single lady: The Shield: How long have you been rowing? Raiya Myren: I learned how to row the summer before sixth grade, 2014 I think, but I didn’t start rowing competitively until my sophomore year of high school. TS: What’s your favorite part about rowing? RM: I love how much it pushed me, both physically and socially. It’s one of those sports that teaches you that what you think you’re capable of, and what you’re actually capable of are more different that you realize, in a good way. It also helped me learn how to be a good teammate, which always seemed daunting as an introvert. TS: What is your favorite boat? RM: My favorite type of boat to be in is a quad, which has four people sculling, so everybody has two oars, but my favorite physical, actual boat is a single named the Kahout! I rowed it almost exclusively in the fall, as I was training for the Head of the Charles and the Head of the Hooch. TS: What has been your favorite memory? RM: My favorite fall memory is getting to go to the Head of the Charles. When my coach told me I was going to row a single at Charles I panicked. I had never raced one before, and I thought I was going to fail dramatically. To my surprise, I never flipped or hit anything, and I managed not to lose any races. My favorite spring memory was going to the San Diego Crew Classic in my varsity quad. We had two-a-day practices all during spring break, so this trip felt like the beach vacation we missed out on. Plus,

Raiya Myren’s senior year has literally been a real trip; next stop: rowing at Rice University

Myren begins to rig her single at Head of the Charles last October. On May 14, Myren and other rowing seniors were recognized. Photos by Sarah Slaten. I got to wet launch for the first time, when you launch your boats from the water not from the dock, and that was pretty exciting. We also got to race against teams I had never seen before, and walk around in beautiful California. TS: What are you going to miss most about rowing for the Texas Rowing Center? RM: I’m going to miss my teammates and beautiful Lady Bird Lake! This year especially I have gotten really close with my team, and it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye. Luckily Rice Crew races in Austin a few times a year so I’ll get to see everyone in a rowing setting again. TS: So you’re going to Rice, and you’re going to be rowing? What do you expect that to be like? RM: It’s probably going to be a big transition

because it is a small program, and most people have never rowed before, but it will allow me to continue the sport I love without eating up all my free time. I’m excited to get coaching from different perspectives and become a leader for new rowers. TS: Do you have advice for rising seniors? RM: My one piece of advice to rising seniors is that senior year, especially in the fall, is really hectic with college applications and scholarships, etc., so you need to be kind to yourself and your friends. Everyone is going through the same thing and are doing the best they can, so don’t take it too personally if relationships shift. And finally, everything tends to work itself out in the end. Just because your future didn’t turn out the way you expected, doesn’t mean you failed or will be

any worse off. I never expected to become a varsity athlete, since I was an asthmatic nerd, but I am so happy I did. TS: Overall, how did your rowing year go? RM: It was unexpectedly challenging and rewarding. In the fall I was forced to overcome my biggest rowing fear: racing a single. The weather this year was pretty extreme, with all the flooding and wind. Multiple regattas were canceled or shortened due to inclement weather, but it taught us resilience and helped us get in shape with all the land training. I re-found my love of sculling and raced in the varsity quad all spring. I think even with all the ups and downs, this was my favorite year of rowing, and I can’t wait for many more.

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Tibbetts tandem talks tennis together

A source close to Mac’s No. 1 singles player gets the inside scoop in this no-holds-barred interview Kristen Tibbetts: Is it OK if I record this interview? ST: No. Ah, you’re recording! That’s illegal. KT: Steven, please. ST: Yes. You really didn’t have to ask me that. KT: OK. Where do you play tennis? ST: I play tennis at McCallum High School, and I play tennis at MAC 360 Tennis Academy. KT: Where else have you played throughout your tennis career? ST: I played at Westwood Country Club. KT: Why did you start playing tennis? ST: I was a very competitive kid, and my dad is a tennis coach. Your dad is a tennis coach. So that helped me get started with it, and I just liked it. I like playing an individual sport because I get to play all the time. KT: What do you remember from when you first started playing tennis? ST: When I first started? I just remember playing with Mom in our cul-de-sac. We just hit a tennis ball around [in the street]. KT: How do you think having your dad as a coach has helped, or possibly hurt you? ST: It helped me because it’s probably the only way I would have gotten into tennis or even known about tennis really. It didn’t really hurt at all because he just wanted to be a dad and not my tennis coach. I also just wanted him to be Dad and not Coach, so that worked out pretty well. KT: What are the differences between playing for McCallum and playing for MAC 360? ST: I practice a lot more at MAC 360. There really isn’t that much difference. At McCallum, the fall season is team-based, so I don’t get to count that for USTA [United States Tennis Association] or anything. I play a lot more tournaments in USTA than I play high school tournaments. There’s a ranking for USTA. KT: What rank are you? ST: I’m in the top 50, but I’m not sure exactly. I’m somewhere in the 40s in Texas. KT: Can you walk me through your schedule on an average week? ST: In an average week I practice 18 hours. Twelve of those are at MAC 360, and that goes Monday through Thursday. I practice the other six hours over the weekends. From Friday to Sunday, I play two of the days and usually take one off. KT: What are some of your memories from freshman year tennis at McCallum? ST: I remember playing line two when I should have been line one, but [by the end of the year] I got to play line one. That was pretty cool. I remember that year at districts I beat Connor Teseny, who was the second-best guy on the team. He was a senior. Then, I lost two other matches to LBJ players, so I got third in districts, and I was one away from making it to regionals. I remember that in the fall [of that year], we got third place behind LBJ and Bastrop. We got killed by LBJ, but we barely lost to Bastrop for second place and ended up getting third. Then, we got clapped in the playoffs. I remember we didn’t win a single match. Aaron [Baldauf] and I were pretty close to winning our doubles, but we barely lost. I didn’t get to play my singles, though. If I had gotten to play my singles, we

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ABOVE: An 11-year-old Steven Tibbetts smiles with his sister after winning a Zonal Advancement Tournament in May of 2012. The victory allowed him to move up to the “Champ” level in the 12-and-under division. Currently, Tibbetts is at the “Super Champ” level in the 18-and-under division. Photo by Anne Tibbetts. LEFT: Tibbetts won first place in the boys singles tournament at Bastrop on Jan. 26, 2018. Photo by Kristen Tibbetts. would have won a match. KT: Why didn’t you get to play? ST: Because it was already over. We got clapped so bad. Honestly, though, it was probably the best year that we had as a team. KT: And then the next year your stupid little sister joined. ST: And she kind of ruined it. No, actually I think last year was the best year. KT: The team placed third in districts last year, right? ST: We got third every year, except for fourth this year because they changed our district. They added Dripping Springs and Lockhart, and we lost to both of them. That’s the other different thing [between club tennis and high school tennis]. In high school, I know beforehand if the team will lose or win, and most of the time I know if I will lose or win as an individual. In club tennis, USTA, it’s more up in the air. KT: Do you prepare differently for club tennis and high school tennis? ST: Nope. I feel a little bit more pressure for high school tennis, I guess. KT: You recently went to the Capital Area Tennis Association (CATA) banquet and received an award. Can you tell me a little bit about that? ST: I won the Capital Area Professionals Tennis Association [CAPTA] scholarship for $500, and I got the McCallum High School male MVP award. [Senior Vivian Williams won the female MVP award]. KT: How did you apply for the scholarship? ST: I submitted a resume, an essay, and Coach Purkiss and Coach Barber wrote a recommendation letter for me. I also submitted my transcript. KT: How did you know that you wanted to play tennis in college? ST: It was always a goal of mine to play in

college, ever since I started playing really. KT: What schools were you looking for? ST: Preferably a school where I would make the team, obviously. I would preferably barely make the starting lineup in my first year and work my way up. But, even in my senior year, I probably still wouldn’t want to be the best player on the team. That was my goal, and I think I found that at Southwestern. KT: What line do you think you will play next year at Southwestern? ST: It won’t be easy to be starting my first year, but I think I can do it. There are six lines in singles, so I could see myself being five or six. We’ll see. Then, in doubles, I could be line three, which is the last line in the starting lineup. KT: How is Southwestern ranked? ST: They are about 30th in Division III in the nation and second best in the conference. KT: Who’s first? ST: Trinity. KT: Is that a big rivalry? ST: No, not really, because Trinity always beats them. Southwestern beat them once last year, though. KT: I know you were also considering going to Trinity. What made you chose Southwestern? ST: Southwestern was a lot cheaper because they offered me a much bigger scholarship. Also, I think at Southwestern I will be able to play my first year. At Trinity, that would be unlikely for my first few years. KT: Do you think that you’ll be able to beat Trinity in the next few years? ST: I don’t think we have a great shot next year, but maybe in three years. Southwestern got a bunch of really good freshman last year, so by the time they are seniors, Trinity will lose a lot of their best players. KT: How would your life be different if you

didn’t play tennis? ST: I would have a lot more time, but I would be bored a lot if I didn’t play tennis. I would definitely play another sport, though. KT: What would be your second choice? ST: Soccer, even though I’ve always felt that baseball would be my best sport. Unfortunately, it’s the most boring sport in the world. KT: Do you want that on the record? ST: Yes. KT: Why did you choose tennis over the other sports? ST: I thought it was the sport I would be best at, and I like how you can directly tell how good you are because it is individual. It’s not like “Is my team carrying me?” or “Am I carrying the team?” because I can tell exactly how good I am. I can say “I am a top 30 senior in Texas,” and it’s kind of indisputable. KT: That’s all based on your record, right? ST: Yeah. KT: Do you ever feel the pressure of changing your record when you’re playing tournaments? ST: Not while I’m playing. I mostly think about if I’m going to damage my self esteem or if I’ll be sad or happy. KT: What has been your happiest moment? ST: There was one USTA tournament where I won singles and doubles. It was a long time ago, but it was probably my happiest moment. KT: When was that? ST: It was when I was 14, I think. KT: That was around the time your sister started playing tennis with you. What was that like? ST: Awful because she’s really bad. You need to put that in there. KT: I will. —interview by Kristen Tibbetts

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Warren’s controversial Free College Plan is a step toward fairness, economic growth SARAH SLATEN

Free our College

staff reporter

As we near the end of the school year, college is foremost in everybody’s mind. Seniors are graduating, mere months away from attending college, and juniors and sophomores are beginning to stress about their impending college applications. But even after you’ve applied and been accepted to your choice school, there’s something else to stress about: student debts. Paying off student loans is a shadow that often follows graduates throughout their adult lives, sometimes even 20 years after they left college. If you want to go to a good college, even sometimes an in-state one, you will most likely have to apply for a student loan. And this vicious cycle often repeats itself, passing debt from generation to generation. Throughout its history, America has been relatively unforgiving and critical of student debt. Students, voicing their grievances, have been met with responses varying from “Maybe you should’ve gone to a cheaper college,” to “Just get a job,” or even the occasional, “Stop complaining.” But the students already have jobs, and all they’re asking for is a good college education. Why should they be the generation that has to give up on its dreams? On April 22, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a 2020 presidential candidate, premiered a plan for reducing student debt. Though this plan has been met with vehement criticism and praise, it is one of the most liberal and progressive plans proposed in recent years, and it solves a major issue that has been hitherto unaddressed. Warren’s plan, though controversial, would drastically reduce student debts and make all higher education free for all citizens. Warren’s plan would cancel $50,000 of student debt per family involved in higher education, and, even more controversially, would make all higher public education free for all. According to Business Insider, this plan would eliminate at least some debt for at least 95 percent of the 45 million Americans affected by debt. This plan has been praised by progressives, who agree with the idea of education for all, but it has also been met with opposition from conservatives, including some Democrats, who believe that this solution is too expensive, and ultimately won’t be effective enough. Warren’s proposal is based on her belief that education (even through college) is necessary and key to a successful life in the modern world. She believes that because it is essential, public

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Top: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks at the 2019 National Forum on Wages and Working People in Las Vegas. Recently, she proposed a controversial plan to make a college education more affordable for the majority of Americans. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons. Left: Infograph by Sarah Slaten.

education shouldn’t be a cost students have to pay, that it should be the responsibility of the federal government to pay for students’ public education, even at the college level. But conservatives believe that this plan would cost too much money, and especially oppose it because it would be paid for by a wealth tax on America’s 75,000 most wealthy families, totalling a reported $1.25 trillion, according to Business Insider. Though some critics claim that this plan could lead to poor taxpayers funding wealthy kids college education, this plan would instead drastically decrease college costs, so taxpayers wouldn’t be paying near as much money as they pay now. This

would also work to level the playing field, as children from economically disadvantaged families would have more of an equal opportunity to attend and pay for college, which could end the cycle of debt and level the playing field. Even if less advantaged families had to pay more, it would be with the knowledge that their children would be getting part of their money, and that their children would be getting the same opportunity as more affluent students. Maybe it would hurt at first, but it would ultimately help in the long run. And it could turn America into the country of opportunity that it has always aspired to be. Everyone I know has always been stressed about paying off college debts. My senior friends have been scrambling around, trying to get as many scholarships and as much money as they can, trying to afford their dream schools. Even my parents have made a point of not retiring until I leave college because they know how expensive it is going to be. I feel bad about it, and sometimes I wonder if I should just go to a less expensive college, but I don’t think that’s fair. Why should the cost of schools limit my education opportunity? Though not all countries offer free college, CNN reports that a majority of the major European countries offer reduced tuition at a fragment of the cost of traditional U.S. tuition.

A girl I know, who was planning on attending Columbia, is going to go to London for college, which is just as or less expensive than Columbia would’ve been. An international school is cheaper to go to than an American school. Education isn’t a normality in many countries, but it is in America. For hundreds of years, America has emphasized college and university as the ultimate opportunity to succeed. But, realistically, this ideal is getting harder and harder to achieve. As college prices go up, students continue to attend, but these students, who are just trying to get an education, are plunged into debt. If college wasn’t as normalized and accepted all throughout America, student debt wouldn’t be as much of a problem. But it is. For most students, college is the expectation, the final hoop they have to jump through before they begin their college lives. But now, this expectation is following them around, in the form of student debt. It trails students around for years and has the potential for ruining their lives. Though Warren’s plan is admittedly very liberal and has the potential to harm poorer tax payers, ultimately, it has its roots in good intentions. This is a major problem for the American youth, and free college would make an extreme difference in their lives. Realistically, this plan probably won’t make it very far, even if Warren gets elected. There are too many flaws, too many issues for both Democrats and Republicans. But we should continue trying to do something about it, to save both the future of America and our bank accounts.

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Fad diets are bad diets

Dietitians say the risks of extreme eating habits vastly outweigh, outlast the benefits they offer they are unhealthy options for the average person. The paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, staff reporter is centered around eating like our ancestors. It cuts Fad diets. We have all heard of them. Ranging in out all processed foods and focuses on vegetables, extremity from diets we may think are good for us, fruits and lean meats. It limits many carbohydrates like the paleo diet (where you eat no processed foods) like bread, sugar, grain, beans and potatoes. The or the keto diet (an extreme, 90 percent fat diet) to ketogenic diet is based on eating a high-fat diet, appetite suppressants popularized by companies almost 90 percent, and also cuts out carbohydrates. like Flat Tummy Co., to downright destructive “Carbohydrates should make up 50-60 percent of fads like swallowing tapeworms or eating cotton our diet, so that’s a huge portion of nutrition we need balls. These diets can be harmful to any person who that is being cut out on both of these diets,” Halbert decides to go on them, but they can be especially said. “When we don’t eat carbohydrates, weight loss damaging to teens because of the mental, social and can occur, but it’s only temporary as a diet without developmental ties that come with them. carbs is not sustainable long term. Research also Let’s talk about the psychological effects of dieting shows that fasting from carbohydrates results in as a teenager. At a time in life where hormones are increased craving and binging on carbohydrates still regulating and everything seems like a crisis, later on,” Halbert said. “Our bodies rely on carbs as a lot of teens are looking for a way to alleviate the our main source of energy; in fact, our brain only stress of insecurity. Social media repeatedly shows uses glucose (sugar) for energy, so without enough us the perfect body, whether it be a broad, chiseled carbs we can have reduced memory and fatigue. A man or a flat ab-ed, fat bottomed woman. The level high fat/low carb diet can also increase our risk of of exposure we have to these images make it is easy heart disease long term.” for many teens to draw the conclusion that losing Limiting carbohydrates on its own can cause weight to achieve these “slim thick” bodies is the unwanted, unexpected changes in dieter’s bodies. These path to their happiness. Companies use this image diets have proven to be harmful and not worth the to their advantage. They advertise their programs hunger, frustration and non-permanent weight loss as ways for people to lose pounds fast to sell their that they create. The keto diet was first developed as an programs, appetite suppressants or operations. The alternative medical treatment. problem with trying to lose weight quickly is that it’s “The keto diet was originally used for children with frustrating when you can’t achieve the most often- epilepsy to stop seizures temporarily,” Halbert said, “it times unrealistic results, which puts dieters at risk was never meant to be used by the average person.” of developing incredibly dangerous eating disorders The high-fat diet was later popularized as a pill on in order to get results faster. To learn a more about the show Shark Tank, which has since been exposed this, I talked to registered dietitian Zoe Halbert. as a scam and designed to take advantage of people “There are many risks involved when we choose to looking to lose weight. Taking into account that this go on diets.” Halbert said. diet was not even meant “Research has shown us healthy adults in the “Eating healthy is not just about for that 25 percent of people first place, the reasons who go on diets develop what foods we eat; it’s being in start to stack up to stop eating disorders, and dieting just because media touch with what our bodies are only 5 percent of diets says that it works. are actually successful telling us and having a healthy The next fad trend that in terms of weight loss I personally have been mentality around food. A healthy seeing a lot of is appetite over more than 2-5 years. Dieting also has diet overall is flexible, varied and suppressants. Highly been shown to lead to influential celebrities, weight cycling (gaining balanced, and it will not look the notably the Kardashian/ and losing significant same between two people because Jenner sisters, have amounts of weight), promoted the company which can lead to poor we all have unique needs.” Flat Tummy Co. On its cardiac health and puts a —dietitian Zoe Halbert website, the company lot of stress on the body,” says that its mission Halbert also is to “create a range of confirmed that teens are more at risk than adults products that were super easy, super healthy and for developing eating disorders. designed to help our babes get back on track, and “Other outcomes of diets include a slowed stay on track. We’re all about helping women look metabolism, disconnection from body signals such and feel like the best versions of themselves.” as hunger/fullness, [and] binge eating,” Halbert While a respectable and understandable cause, said. “On a societal scale, diets also perpetuate “appetite suppressant lollipops” that come in fun weight stigma and fat phobia, which is harmful flavors marketed to generally younger women is to everyone. Teens going on diets are often at just not the right way to go about it. higher risk of developing disordered eating and an “Appetite suppressants are anything or unhealthy relationship with food.” any substance that interferes with our bodies On the physical side of things, extreme dieting natural hunger signals. Some examples would be can also be dangerous to your health. As a full- drinking water to try a suppress appetite, coffee fledged adult but especially as a developing teen, or medications/supplements. Its very acceptable it is necessary that our bodies be given the proper in our culture to try and suppress our bodies’ nutrients and the correct amounts of them. I’ll go natural hunger signals, but I was always ask my through my five dieting examples and explain why clients, ‘Would you ever try and suppress any

ELLEN FOX

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Graphic by Ellen Fox Inked by Bella Russo. other of your other body’s signals such as thirst or needing to use the restroom?’ The answer is usually no,” Halbert said. “The purpose of hunger is to tell us when we need more energy from food; ignoring hunger can actually lead to binging and the potential for our hunger signals to become dysregulated. Its recommended to eat constant meals and snacks throughout the day when we feel hunger to support our health.” The final two diets I will discuss are what I group as “foreign object diets.” Swallowing cotton balls is one of these extreme diets. Dieters will soak a cotton ball in something sweet, such as a juice, and swallow it whole with the idea that they are filling but virtually zero calories. This diet has some obvious consequences on what we have already covered in the malnutrition zone, but introduces a new danger of having foreign objects in your system. The other “foreign object” diet is the tapeworm diet. This involves swallowing live tapeworms in hopes that they will, in a sense, eat your food for you. After you have lost the amount you want, you just go get a pill that kills the worms and over time you rid yourself of them through stool. This extreme diet can also be extremely dangerous. Tapeworms are parasites, and people can die from having them in their bodies. It is not a good idea to put them in your body on purpose just in the hopes of losing weight. Both of these “foreign object diets” can have some pretty steep consequences. “Our bodies can’t break down foreign objects as they aren’t composed of basic macronutrients (carbs, protein, or fat,) minerals or vitamins. So when we ingest foreign objects they can block our intestinal pathway or even cause tears in our intestinal walls resulting in impaction and/ or infection that could require surgery. They can also cause a great deal of abdominal pain and discomfort,” Halbert said. Ingesting foreign objects can not only be extremely harmful but also expensive to remove. Stomach pumps, which are sometimes required, can be anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, not including the cost of possible hospital stays. It’s important to remember, especially as a teen, that dieting can get extreme. If you are someone looking to diet, Halbert recommends talking to a

dietitian to meet your specific. “Health is not just based on diet. Other factors include our social connections, sleep, socioeconomic status, mental health, movement, genetics, community, access to health care, etc.,” Halbert said. “Eating healthy is not just about what foods we eat; it’s being in touch with what our bodies are telling us and having a healthy mentality around food. A healthy diet overall is flexible, varied and balanced, and it will not look the same between two people because we all have unique needs.” She also recommends using intuitive eating, a practice which you probably already use. It’s essentially listening to your body and your hunger levels, and eating when your body tells you that you need to eat. “Our bodies actually give us a lot of guidance on what and how to eat: we just have listen and be in touch, which can take a little practice if we are not used to doing so,” she said. If you are looking to diet, and are interested in seeing an expert, Halbert also cautions seeing people who market themselves as “nutritionists.” “If anyone does have nutrition concerns or wants to develop a healthy relationship with food, I recommend visiting a dietitian. Be cautious with anyone titled as a nutritionist, as that is not a protected term, so anyone can be a nutritionist regardless of their knowledge or experience. Nutrition information that is available online or in popular diet books is often very conflicting and convoluted, so making sure you speak to a healthcare professional who is well-versed in scientific literature and well trained in their profession is important.” Overall, a healthy relationship with food is all most people need. There is no necessity for creative and extreme diets, and it is more simple than that. Just listening to your body, and taking to heart a greater meaning of health- concerning all aspects, like mental health, social relationships and stress levels/emotional health. Health really means finding the balance between all of the different aspects we all experience as humans, and extreme dieting can throw that balance off.

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Thank you, Mr. Garrison, for everything We are grateful for your leadership, your vigilance and your constant presence in our campus life On April 11, when Mr. Garrison announced his plan to retire after this semester, it took the school by surprise. The Macjournalism post that broke the news to students received 861 likes and 101 comments (both alltime records for our account), and the story of his retirement quickly made its way to into the top of the Shield Online trending list. The announcement reached students, parents and alums alike, all of whom were eager to express their surprise, sadness and admiration. Logically, we all knew that our beloved principal would retire one day, but many of us never considered that we would be there when it happened. Though the news is still sad for current seniors, they will still be able to walk across the stage at graduation, receive their diplomas, and shake Mr. Garrison’s hand on their way out. As for the freshmen, many of them did not have enough time to really get to know the McCallum principal before his departure. For everyone stuck in the middle, however, it is hard to imagine a McCallum without him. It is difficult to realize that when next year’s students pull into the parking lot on Aug. 20 and make their way through the front doors, it will not be Mr. Garrison’s smile greeting them or his voice asking about their summer adventures. Even though he is moving into retirement, the impact Mr. Garrison has had on the McCallum community will not fade any time soon. Throughout his 16 years at McCallum, he has worked hard to ensure that we have been able to learn in a safe,

MAN OF THE PEOPLE: Whether it was Pink Week, National Honor Society inductions, or the studentdirected dance show, it wasn’t hard to find the ubiquitous Mike Garrison this year or in any of his 16 years. He was a fixture at McCallum academic, athletic and fine arts events. Photos by Gregory James and Dave Winter..

open community without restricting our freedoms and opinions, and he has done a very good job of making McCallum a second home for the students and the teachers he supports. His legacy continues with us, in the positive school experiences that he has helped provide for us and for our teachers. The phrase “the principal’s

office” oftentimes has negative connotations, but Mr. Garrison’s doors have always been open not just for those who got in trouble, but for those seeking help, advice or even just casual conversation. Even though he always makes time to help any student who asks for it, his job has certainly not been easy. The job description includes (but is

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certainly not limited to) overseeing all day-to-day procedures, regulating the budget, hiring faculty, monitoring student accomplishments, helping direct safety procedures in the case of crisis and dealing with parent questions and concerns. While these tasks are significant, Mr. Garrison made as much if not more of impact outside the school

day. He has attended thousands of school functions from McCallum football games, to concerts, to shows. Over the past 16 years, Garrison has shown up to support his students. Even though his last official days at McCallum are drawing nearer, he confirmed that he will still be with the McCallum community: “From afar, I’ll still be in.” While we do not know exactly what this will mean, we can certainly hope we have not seen the last of Mr. Garrison. Will he still be at the Battle of the Bell game against Travis to push the bell onto the field? Will he make another appearance at a Pink Week pep rally for pie time? Can he be a guest of honor at next year’s graduation? The year after? Even for those of us who are not seniors, the last week of school this year will be sentimental. It will be the last week of school at the same McCallum we have known for the past one, two, three or four years. We challenge everyone next week to share their appreciation for Mr. Garrison. The next time you stop by the office or see him in the hallways during passing periods, tell him what he has done to make your time at McCallum better. Share one of your favorite stories, talk about his impact on the McCallum community or share why you will miss him. Even though we are sorry he is leaving, let’s make his last few days at McCallum the best they can be. He’s done it for us for a long time. Now it’s our turn.

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GRAYSON CRUISE, JAZZABELLE DAVISHINES, DIAMANTE DIAZ, ALEX DOWD, ELLEN FOX, TOWNES HOBRATSCHK, LASZLO KING-HOVIS, BELLA RUSSO, ABIGAIL SALAZAR, ELISHA SCOTT, STELLA SHENKMAN, SARAH SLATEN, MIA TERMINELLA, KRISTEN TIBBETTS, JANSSEN TRANSIER, OLIVIA WATTS 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 ultimately determines the content. Students may not publish material that is obscene, libelous or that which will cause a “substantial disruption to the educational process.” Content that may stimulate heated

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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 Dave Winter at (512) 414-7539. Ads published in The Shield do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff. The Shield is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association.

17 may 2019

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Principal Mike Garrison talks past, present and future with the Shield podcast crew. Photo by Elisha Scott

Photo by David Winter

#TuesdayTop10 captures boys lacrosse Senior Game in images

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WARMING UP THE FLOOR: Sophomores Olivia Capochiano and Nadine Del Gallo were the first to hit the dance floor to the mariachi music of Mac alum Juan Diaz. “I think most people were too shy [to dance first],” Capochiano said. “I wanted to break the tension.” QUEEN OF CHOREOGRAPHY: Junior Mahali Domingo dances with friends. Domingo helped senior Melissa Marquez choreograph the waltz that was performed by the quinceañeras and chambelans at the start of the party. Photos by Bella Russo.

Quince minutos de fama

FAMILY FUN: Julian Soliz dances with his little sister. The quinceañera took a lot of time and effort to put on, but was made possible through help from all over the McCallum community. Ballet Folklorico kids and Spanish students worked shifts at the Erwin Center to help raise funds, dresses were donated or rented for the occasion and food was donated by local restaurants and businesses. In the end, all of the hard work paid off as family and friends came together to celebrate. Photo by Selena De Jesus.

Community rallies together to make annual Ballet Folklorico quinceañera a success HAPPY TOGETHER: Sophomores Valentina Peredes and Reid Johnson dance to the waltz, a traditional part of every quinceañera modernized by Ed Sheeran’s ‘“Perfect.” Photo by Bella Russo.

FACULTY FIESTA: Spanish teacher Telvi Altimirano is twirled by head quinceañera coordinator Juana Gun. First instituted as a chance to make sure every girl could celebrate her 15th birthday regardless of her financial situation, the 2019 edition of the Ballet Folklorico quinceañera took place on Saturday May 4 at the Faith Lutheran Church. This was Gun’s fourth year putting on the community coming-of-age celebration, but this year’s party

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took help from members from all over McCallum and beyond for the tradition-rich celebration to be realized. “I had spent a whole week in hospice care with my mom, and in the end I lost my mom, but what brought me up this past weekend was walking in and seeing that all my teachers had taken over all the different parts and made sure the quinceañera went on whether I was there or not.” Gun said. “That got me all teary eyed.” Photo by Bella Russo.

WALTZING AWAY: Freshmen Edwin Galindo and Andrea Vazquez spin during the waltz. Although some of the girls who donned dresses were much older than 15 and some were motivated by a Spanish extra credit incentive, for five out of the 15-something girls, their quince años celebration was real. “When I spent time talking to each of the families, they were very very moved by it. It was something they couldn’t do on their own, but the community did it,” Gun said. “Their child had to share it with other people, but in the end, [they] where the princess for the day.” Photo by Bella Russo.

17 May 2019