The Shield (McCallumHS) Volume 68, Number 2

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McCallum High School / 5600 Sunshine / Austin, TX 78756 / Dec. 11, 2020 Volume 68 / Issue 2

INSIDE THE ISSUE DANCE, THEATRE PARENTS WORK TO BRING OUTDOOR STAGE TO MAC IN 2021 page 6 TWINS (AND TRIPLETS) RUN THIS PLACE pages 12, 13, 14, 22, 23 WHEN DART BOWL CLOSED, THE MAC BOWLING TEAM LOST ITS HOME ALLEY AND WITH IT, ITS SEASON page 21

HOME FOR THE (COVID-19) HOLIDAYS Students, faculty re-imagine their family traditions so they can celebrate the season despite the pandemic

PAGE 17 Cover photo by Ellen Fox.

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news Austin passed Prop A, which commits $7.1 billion to public transit and will connect Mac to proposed Blue, Orange lines.

Parents work with Principal Griffith to beat the pandemic by building an outdoor stage for Fine Arts Academy events.

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The Violet Crown Clubhouse, Austin's all-in-one event space, has stayed essential by hosting outdoor gatherings.

Two students have found live-streaming is an excellent way to connect with like-minded people during quarantine.

This year's Trail of Lights experience is comforting and COVID-safe because you drive through it instead of walking.

feature With COVID-19 still lingering this holiday season, Mac families find ways to safely maintain their holiday traditions.

Take a break for preparing for finals and test your knowledge of this quarantine semester with a crossword.

sports

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When Dart Bowl shut down so did the Mac bowling team.

Players reminisce on what team meant to them.

A life-long swimmer, senior Madi Baylor has gained life skills, success, friendships an appreciation from her time in the pool.

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Two Mac juniors express their compassion, apologies for teachers' current situation, encourage AISD to do the same.

Traveling for winter holidays could mean a serious rise in COVID cases for 2021, it's not worth it.

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Junior twins Grant and Mason Shackelford, pictured here with sophomore sister Kate, are one of many sets of McCallum multiples featured on page 14. "My brothers are actually twins, but I am often told that I look a lot like Grant, so people think we are the twins instead of him and Mason," Kate said. "As for our relationship, we are pretty close and support each other in our various pursuits. I am the lucky one and get to ask questions about school along with pretty much anything else due to them being a year older." To read about how Mason made his own violin starting with a block of wood, see page 13. Photo courtesy of the Shackelford family.

page 12 Andrea and Valentina Paredes share a passion for visual arts, as well as Blue Brigade as senior co-lieutenants. Andrea's piece above, titled "Quilted Memories," expresses the memories and lasting effect of her time living in Mexico City. Her artist's statement reads: "My memories and dreams wrap around me like quilts with a sense of comfort and warmth. "To read more about the Paredes twins, their unique strengthsand from whom they draw inspiration, please see page 12.

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11 Girls Soccer at Weiss, 5:30 p.m. (JV @ 7 p.m.)

11 Football vs. Georgetown Eastview Patriots @ House Park, 7 p.m.

11 Boys Basketball vs. St. Andrew's @ Mac, 8 p.m.

12 Swim meet @ Burnet, 10 a.m.

14 C-day: Students attend all classes ` 14 Girls Soccer at Pflugerville, 5:30 p.m. (JV @ 5:30 p.m.)

15 Final Exam: Fifth Period @ 9 a.m., Sixth Period @ 11:10 a.m.

16 Final Exam:First Period @ 9 a.m., Second Period @ 11:10 17 Final Exam: Seventh Period @ 9 a.m., Eighth Period @ 11:10 a.m.

18 Final Exam: Third Period @ 9 a.m., Fourth Period @ 11:10 a.m.

18 AISD Winter Break begins 18 Girls Soccer vs. Austin High @ House Park, 5:30 p.m. (JV @ 4 p.m.)

18 Boys Basketball vs. LBJ @ Mac, 8 p.m.

22 Boys Basketball vs. Navarro @ Mac, 3 p.m.

29 Boys Basketball vs. Tivy @ Mac, 2 p.m.

30 Girls Basketball vs. Anderson @ Mac, 12 p.m.

01 Girls Basketball vs. Northeast @ Mac, 1:30 p.m.

02 Girls Soccer @ Connally, Time TBD 05 AISD students return from holiday 05 Girls Soccer @ Stony Point, 7 p.m. (JV @ 5 p.m.)

05 Boys Soccer @ Lehman, 7:15 p.m. (JV @ 5:30 p.m.)

05 Boys Basketball vs. Lockhart @ Mac, 8 p.m.

08 Girls Basketball vs. Travis @ Mac, 6 p.m.

08 Boys Basketball @ Travis, 8 p.m.

15 -17 Drive-In Dance Show @ Mac, TBA

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Project Connect moves forward Austin voters pass "Prop A," setting extensive new transit plan on track OLIVIA CAPOCHIANO staff reporter Austin?s Highway- 183 becomes the Trail of Lights at rush hour, as car headlights and traffic cones create rows of twinkling decoration. Unlike its Zilker Park counterpart, however, the city?s traffic-induced luminaria is not enjoyed by most.

In 2019, Austin was ranked the 78th most congested city in the world by analytics company INRIX, just under Berlin (which is 370% larger than Austin). The company also found that there was a low feasibility of taking public transportation over driving in Austin.

On Nov. 3, Austin voters passed Proposition A, which will secure funding for Project Connect. Project Connect is Austin?s new transit plan, which aims to reduce traffic congestion and create a more accessible city. The major features of Project Connect are a new rail system and Park & Rides, and expanded bus services.

Project Connect will expand bus and train service in East Austin in an attempt to bridge the city?s racial divides, particularly across I-35. At a city council meeting in May, District 1 City Council Member Natasha Harper- Madison said that Project Connect will directly affect equity, helping to remedy what was referred to as an East Austin "transit desert." ?East side Metro Rapid routes that connect to East Austin and light rail lines have to inherently improve access to schools and hospitals and jobs and services,?Harper-Madison said.

Orange, Blue, Green and Gold are the shades taking Austin streets as Project Connect?s new light rail lines. The Orange line will run along Lamar and Guadalupe to connect North and South Austin. The Blue line will connect AustinBergstrom International Airport to downtown, and then will continue to run until the intersection of Lamar and Highway- 183. Both the Orange and Blue lines will have a stop at the intersection of Koenig and Lamar next to McCallum.

The Gold line will begin as a bus line but will ultimately become a light rail line.

To prevent further traffic congestion, an underground transit tunnel will also be built downtown, running along Fourth Street, turning west towards the Capitol, and then moving South to the MexicanAmerican cultural center. The Downtown Station between Trinity and Red River will connect all five rail lines. Underground transit stations will provide connections between the rail lines and bus services, as well as host live music, restaurants and free Wi-Fi. Commuters will also have the opportunity to take the Green Line from downtown Austin to Elgin on existing freight tracks.

Under Project Connect, the current commuter line MetroRail Red will be expanded, with two new stations in Northwest Austin.

One of the future destinations will be the Austin FC soccer stadium.

In an attempt to keep cars off the road, travelers can park their cars and take public transportation at a Park & Ride. The stations will function as a starting point for Austin travelers, where they can access multiple public transit options. Project Connect plans

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to create 24 new Park & Rides, adding up to a grand total of 41 facilities in the greater Austin area.

Adding transit to an area makes it more desirable, which will lead to higher property values and gentrification. To combat this, the investment has also allocated $300 million dollars into ?AntiDisplacement Measures,? which will include affordable housing along Project Connect routes.

Separate from Project Connect, the city plans to invest $460 million into bonds for transportation infrastructure like sidewalks and streets. The funding for the municipal bonds was secured by another proposition on the ballot, Proposition B. The cit y of Aust in will fund Project Connect by raising propert y t ax by 0.0875%.

Project Connect ?s est imat ed cost is 7.1 billion, and federal funding will provide 45% of t he money.

According to the City of Austin's website,

A sign near Crestview station on North Lamar and Airport Boulevard warns pedestrians and drivers of the MetroRail crossing. The Red line that runs from Crestview will soon be connected by the Orange and Blue lines through Project Connect. Photo by Bella Russo.

the current property tax is 0.0216%, so Prop.

A will raise the rate to 0.0225%. Project Connect makes up only a small portion of property tax beneficiaries, while AISD uses about half of the funding.

According to Zillow, the average home value in the McCallum zip code is $614,526, which means that Prop. A will cost those homeowners about $540 annually.

McCallum senior Isobel Buffum- Robbins voted for Prop. A because she wanted to make accessible and reliable Austin transit a reality. ?Public transportation is really important," Buffum-Robbins said. "In theory, our bus system is pretty expansive, but it hasn?t been enough to justify voting against Prop. A.?

Senior Rubi Kizer agrees that improving transit is worth the cost. ?Austin has such great potential to have better public transportation!

It?s tough because I want people to be able to afford it, but I also feel that it would be better for the city to have more options.?

Our Mobility, Our Future, an opponent group to Prop A., feels that Project Connect costs too much to do too little. They are most concerned about the rail lines, calling them a ?museum grade mobility antique.? The group worries that the routes cannot be easily changed like buses, and the rail lines will further congest the roads.

According to a statement on the group's

The Red Line, Austin's first commuter rail, runs 32 miles from Leander to Downtown. Through Project Connect, the downtown station will eventually connect all five light rails, as well as multiple bus routes. Photo accessed on Cherry Bream Flickr account, republished under a Creative Commons license. website, ?this transit scheme would take decades to fulfill, degrade affordability and create more community disruption than any major decision on Austin?s history. Project Connect is a marketing plan, not a transportation plan.?

This isn?t Austin?s first try at funding a major transit network. In 2000, and again in 2014, propositions for a light rail line failed. The earlier versions of Project Connect were both under $2 billion and did not include three new light rail lines.

This year, Project Connect passed with a 17% lead, despite the significantly higher cost.

Project Connect expects the new infrastructure to take 13 years to complete. The three new rail lines will spend a year in ?preliminary engineering," while the Red line and Metrobus expansion will begin final designs and construction immediately. The Green line service to Elgin will not begin construction for another ten years. The first rail lines to be completed will be the expanded Red Line and the Gold Line.

Both the Orange (connecting north and south Austin) and Blue (airport to downtown to Highway 183) lines will have a stop at the intersection of Koenig and Lamar next to McCallum.

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shield TOP LEFT:As part of a demonstration that began at Woolridge Square and continued to the Texas Capitol, a hundred protesters gathered to insist that every ballot be counted in the 2020 election after the president argued that elections officials should stop counting ballots after Election Day. Photo by Kate Boyle. BELOW: Seniors Jackson Carpenter and Olivia Navarro and Austin High senior Izzy Williams were among the first-time voters who cast ballots in November. Photo courtesy of Navarro.

Runoff election slated for four local races Biden named president-elect; Cornyn reelected U.S. senator ANNA MCCLELLAN design editor November 2020 brought the election, and the national races are pretty much done. Joe Biden has been declared the president-elect and has been given permission to begin the transition into the White House that many have long anticipated.

Locally, Air Force veteran and Democrat MJ Hegar lost the Senate race to former Texas Supreme Court judge and incumbent Republican John Cornyn. This will be Cornyn?s 18th year and fourth consecutive term serving as a senator for Texas, which he has done since 2002.

There were some big races for school board and city council, as well. The school board race for At-Large Position 8 will head into a runoff on Dec. 15 between state public policy worker Noelita Lugo and Leticia Moreno Caballero, a public policy advocate and Vice Chair of the Austin Ed Fund.

AISD is also having a runoff for the District 5 position, which covers parts of central and southwest Austin, where voters will decide between president of Austin PTAs (Parent-Teacher Associations) Lynn Boswell and lawyer Jennifer Littlefield.

Runoffs for City Council include those in District 6, which includes much of Northwest Austin.

Incumbent Jimmy Flannigan, a small business owner, is challenged by health and fitness coach Mackenzie Kelly. There is also a runoff in West Austin between incumbent and entrepreneur Alison Alter and Jennifer Virden, an independent real estate broker.

Senior Sarah Reyes is somewhat content with the election results, but still believes the nation still have a long way to go.

"In my opinion, there was no good

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option, but that's unfortunately more often than not the reality of the two-party system," Reyes said. "And I can only be grateful that we can now have a coherent and decent person in office who is trying to unify the American people instead of divide them."

Mail-in ballots were one of the key factors of the 2020 election, with 94 million being cast during early voting, according to CNBC. Along with record mail-in ballots, there were also record voter turnouts on election day, too.

Current President Donald Trump has called for recounts in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, but was unsuccessful in gaining enough votes to flip the results.

Runoffs will take place Dec. 15 with early voting taking place Dec. 3 through Dec. 11.

Graphic by Anna McClellan

AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL RUNOFF ELECTIONS DI STRICT 10: Alison Alt er (incumbent): Alter's top issues are public safety, sexual assault and gun violence. She is also deeply involved in environmental work, and founded the Austin Water Oversight committee in 2019. Councilwoman Alter has been on the Austin City Council since 2017. During her time on the ACC, Alter has also served as the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, a member of the Mobility Committee and a board member of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). More information can be found on her website, alisonalter.com.

Jennifer Vir den: Virden has been outspoken on the topics of public safety--particularly supporting core municipal groups like the Austin Police Department--as well as the reinstatement of the homeless-oriented camping ban. Virden is a born-and-raised Austinite who believes that we should focus on improving existing infrastructure instead of implementing new policies that may not benefit everyone. More information can be found on her website, jenniferforaustin.com.

DI STRICT 6: Jimmy Flannigan (incumbent): Flannigan's top issues, according to his website (jimmyf lannigan.com), are traffic and mobility, fiscal responsibility and safety and health.

Flannagin is dedicated to the expansion of community health paramedic programs and tele-health options.

Councilman Flannigan is the former president of the Austin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and now holds a position on the board of the Hate Crimes Task Force and is the Chair of the Council's Judicial Committee. Flannigin believes that his strong leadership style and commitment to results over ideology resonates with voters.

Mackenzie Kelly: Kelly believes strongly in hiring more police officers to "keep the city safe", have city and federal leaders to work together to create work programs for those who are unemployed and push for regulations that allow businesses to keep at-risk workers at home in order to potentially mitigate COVID hospitalizations. More information can be found on her website mackenzieforaustin.com

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Class of '21 applies to college in COVID era Changes in admissions, on-campus life make process much harder to navigate, less rewarding MARLEY ANGLE staff reporter The struggle of discovering, applying to and finally selecting a college is a daunting challenge in a normal year, but when you add a global pandemic into the mix, things get even more complicated. Due to COVID-19, many aspects of college have changed drastically. While these changes have been necessary for safety, they have also created unique challenges for the Class of 2021.

COVID-19 has affected every part of the process, beginning with the application process.

Many colleges have made SAT?s optional in their applications. College admissions offices have made the change in their criteria in order to ensure equity and safety. Many students who planned to take their SATs later in 2020 ended up having their tests canceled, but that reality didn't stop many seniors from wishing they had scores to report.

SAT scores can help improve your application and make it stand out against others. Since colleges aren't requiring SATs, but are still open to considering them, many students say it feels like there is something missing from their application if they apply without standardized test scores. ?COVID ruined my SAT?s," said Kyle Davis, a senior and woodwind soloist. "I did badly on the one taken at McCallum, so I set up another one for August, which got canceled because of corona. All of my colleges, thankfully, are making SAT scores optional. It just sucks because I wanted that on my application!?

College essays are also a huge part of the application process and allow admission officers insight into the lives and experiences of prospective students. When it comes to essays in 2020, many colleges have added a prompt to address how COVID has affected their lives.

Many admissions counselors recommend adding detail about how living through a pandemic shows strength and personal growth, playing into the positives as well as explaining the negatives. This gives the board insight into the challenges students have faced this year, and also the opportunity to explain struggles that may not be represented in the rest of their applications.

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overcome is the lack of physical connection.

Many campuses have limited tours and opportunities for interested applicants to explore their options in person.

"In the past, I have encouraged students to visit the college campus prior to agreeing to attend. That's not so easy this year," college counselor Nancy Nitardy said. "Colleges have worked very hard to set up virtual tours, and hopefully, in the spring more college campuses will offer in-person tours; some already have limited ones. [Touring] allows you to get a solid foundation for the layout, history and overall atmosphere of the campus."

This valuable insight from counselors is also another component of a normal school year that hasn't translated onto online school as seamlessly. Students say they miss the in-person support and resources available to them during the school day in a normal school year. ?All of the previous seniors were able to have a physical interaction with counselors and teachers about applying to college," Davis said. "This year we have to do it ALL by ourselves.?

While the process of getting into college has become harder, the experience of students on college campuses has gotten much less rewarding and satisfying. Students find themselves in college. They explore, make lifelong friendships and become fully independent, learning skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, a traditional college experience is a thing of the past (and hopefully the near future).

A key component of the college experience is sitting in class, meeting your professors and having that in-person connection. The learning experience is no doubt different due to the reliance on distance learning, but whether it is as enriching as before is up for debate.

In the current college landscape, students must consider if the high costs and higher risks are worth the rewards of attending a university in person, especially when most classes remain online even though students are physically on campus.

Some students are confident that pandemic-altered learning is worth the price of tuition, while other students believe their college education will not be of the same quality when if they are paying four-year university prices for mostly online or hybrid learning. ?I do not think I will have the same college education, because virtual learning does not provide as much hands-on learning, and it makes labs more difficult to do," said Megan Shieh, a senior and varsity softball player.

Students majoring in certain subjects, such as medicine or music, might struggle in the

Senior Kyle Davis poses for a senior portrait. Davis said that SAT cancellationsand the isolation of online school has made it harder to apply to colleges. Photo courtesy of Kyle Davis. absence of an in-person learning environment. But online classes will also force students how to be f lexible. ?I do believe that having to learn virtually will teach people how to learn in new settings and adapt to different circumstances, which will help with future careers," Shieh said. "Not everything goes as planned, and learning how to adjust is an important life skill.?

One concern that has remained consistent with any other application cycle is the cost of attending college. Many students, however, fear that the ever-rising costs are going to be even harder to pay than usual, but with so many Americans struggling through financial hardship and unemployment due to shutdowns, the number of students in financial need is sure to grow, along with competition for scholarships and grants.

Applying and attending college is going to be a struggle for the foreseeable future.

Students are going to have to learn effective communication skills, study habits and of course, find ways to live out the "best years of their lives," during unprecedented circumstances.

While health and safety is always a top factor, ensuring how best to get a higher education is going to take a lot of planning and soul-searching.

Regardless of this year's unique struggles and the uncertainty surrounding them, Nitardy still encourages that "seniors should apply and plan as if everything goes back to normal, whatever that is, next fall."

Megan Shieh, senior and varsity softball player, wears a UT jersey, the school she hopes to attend as a business major. Photo courtesy of Megan Shieh. BELOW: Rice University, like many schools, does not require SAT scores for freshman applicants. They are also not offering on-campus tours this fall. Photo accessed on Irfan Flickr account, republished under a Creative Commons license.

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Fine arts aims to stage outdoor comeback Administrators, parents, students work to implement new pandemic-friendly creative space MOLLIE KING AND ALYSA SPIRO guest reporter, opinion editor Audience members sit on the grassy hill near the portables adjacent to Sunshine Drive. Six feet apart, masks on, they enjoy the outdoors and the performances that are unfolding in front of them. Atop a sturdy platform, dancers glide across a stage, actors perform their ballads and artists display their masterpieces.

Right now, this tableau is just a figment of the collective imagination, but with the possible introduction of McCallum?s new outdoor stage it may all become a reality. After months of halted Fine Arts Academy per f or man ces because of the COVID-19 qu ar an t i n e, Academ y parents, teachers and principal Nicole Griffith have launched an initiative where the Academy can once again take center stage ... outdoors. ?I think that kids changing the environment, taking the learning outside ? the four walls of the classroom is very positive,?

Griffith said. ?I fully support endeavors that are allowing kids to continue to learn during this time and feel safe learning.?

Griffith believes that part of h er j ob as a leader-educator is to give students the resources they need to explore their own artistry, especially at a fine arts magnet like McCallum. ?It falls into our priorities as a school to continue to have creativity outlets for kids, and to continue to have that really awesome instruction,? Ms. Griffith said. ?I don't know how long this is going to last, so getting to have that opportunity for our kids this school year, especially our seniors, is so important because we can give them a bit of the year with the passions that they have in their interests.?

Distance learning has proved to be a challenge for teachers, administrators and students. In October, Griffith hosted a parent and faculty Zoom meeting to discuss the future of schooling and the possibilities of safer methods to teach that can still incorporate aspects of typical in-person school. Working together, Griffith and the parents envisioned an outdoor stage as a pandemic-friendly way to safely resume fine arts activities. ?We put parents into groups,?

Griffith said. ?Some of the parents were brainstorming how to get stuff: how to get chairs, how to get wagons, etc. Other folks were brainstorming connectivity issues. We had a group that was brainstorming for the fine arts, the outdoor stage. That group just took off, there?s a great group of parents working on it.?

Nicole Wayman, mother of two girls, one of whom is a sophomore dance major in the Fine Arts Academy, was one of the parents to jump on this opportunity. ?Init ially, we t alked about having a temporar y, makeshift st age t hat t hey could use as we are invit ing more kids back to campus.? Wayman said. ?The challenge wit h t hat idea was finding a f lat level space.?

The task of finding a possible space, given to the administrators, proved to be easier than expected.

Ms. Griffith identified an promising plot of land for the stage. Located off of Sunshine Drive, the outdoor stage would be on the slice of land in between the portables and the horseshoe parking lot. ?The idea of where to put it came about just from people walking around,? Ms. Griffith said. ?It?s this real gradual hill that makes it a natural stage.?

The discussions that began in October have picked up as more parents and faculty have gotten onboard with the prospect of a new outdoor stage.

But for the stage to be built, there is

"I am really excited to give these hardworking students another outlet to really appreciate and fine tune their craft." parent Nicole Wayman

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one big hurdle to jump: fundraising. Without the necessary funds, the outdoor stage will remain a figment of the imagination. ?We need to raise a lot of money,? said Natalie Uehara, a dance teacher and a director of the McCallum Youth Dance Company. ?Once we have the money, it won?t take long to build: approximately three weeks. But right now, it?s the funds that are holding us back.?

Uehara believes the fundraising is well worth the effort because the usefulness of the stage will extend far past the times of COVID-19. ?We are very interested in using [the outdoor stage] for concerts, even after COVID is under control,? Uehara said. ?I think that site-specific work and work outdoors is something that is very contemporary. It will be really exciting to give our students more opportunities for creativity, especially for student-directed types of things.?

With no performances or productions since March of 2020, many students and teachers are already vying to use this space as a way to connect with audiences once again. Because of the many different types of fine arts majors and the wide range of events hosted each year, there was competition over who got access to the current indoor stages in the MAC and the Fine Arts Building Theatre. ?Getting the space [for performances] has al ways been somet hi n g t hat 's been

challenging,? Uehara said. ?If the MAC is really hard to get or the Fine Arts Theatre is really hard to get, [the outdoor stage] is going to open up a lot of possibilities for more performances.?

Junior theatre major Grace Hickey is among the students who devoted time to help with fundraising efforts. Like Uehara, she believes the hard work of raising the money needed is well worth the reward. ?I?m really excited because I think [the outdoor stage] opens the door for a lot of new opportunities that maybe we didn't see in our close future until recently,? Hickey said. ?In my mind, I thought it would just be Zoom shows for the next year, but with the possibility of an outdoor stage, we might have the opportunity to do some real, in-person performing, which would be great for all of our spirits.?

Despite the hard work it would entail, teachers, students and parents say they want to make the outdoor stage a reality. ?As a parent, I am really inspired to give these hardworking students another outlet to really appreciate and fine-tune their craft,?Wayman said. ?It all started from the energy Ms. Griffith lit.?

As a performer,Hickey sees the outdoor stage as just one moreopportunityto try somethingnew. ?I?m excited to have the opportunit y to feel the wind, feel the elements,? Hickey said. ?I?ve never experienced performing outdoors with a real audience before. It ?s going to be crazy.?

BELOW: This rendering of the outdoor stage shows its possible use as a venue for dance or theatre shows. Other renderings show the space as a venue for visual art exhibitions, for regular class meeting and for guest speakers. Junior theatre major Grace Hickey is excited for the opportunities the space would bring. "With ... this [the outdoor stage], we might have the opportunityto do some real, in-person performing,"Hickey said. Renderingsby Symbiotech Design.

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MOVIES

"We're proud to be able to give people a slice of normal life in the middle of all of this.?? Louise Ho

take a back seat to safety

script around limited actors.?

Senior Erik Jensen also faced a similar struggle. ?It was really frustrating because every time I thought of a story and wrote it out, I realized it wasn?t feasible in a pandemic.?Jensen said.

One of the biggest challenges these students face is the lack of interaction and communication with others who would normally be involved in the production and are instrumental to the process.

"Our community does a lot of collaboration during normal times,? Rowan said. ?It?s definitely harder to get the ball rolling on projects when you can?t just gather your buddies to develop an idea.?

From student filmmakers to the big screen, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the film industry with production delays and new viewing restrictions.

ALICE SCOTT staff reporter The film opens on a deserted landscape, N-95 masks and latex gloves littered on the city streets. It sounds like the beginning of a classic dystopian tale, but instead, it has become the reality of life in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic forced its changes upon an unsuspecting world.

From how we shop for groceries to when we leave the house, almost everything about life is different. The movie industry is no exception, where behind the scenes actors and crew members face large project delays that trickle down all the way to the movie theater business.

"The film industry has taken a huge hit ,? said Erik Jensen, a senior cinematic arts major. ?Almost all films that were set to release this year have been delayed. I honestly couldn?t name the last new film that came out in theaters.?

These delays have primarily impacted larger movie houses and production companies.

Some smaller businesses in the industry, however, have been lucky enough to see positive growth. ?We got a lot of attention at the beginning of the pandemic, actually,? said Louise Ho, an employee of the independently owned Blue Starlite Drive-In Theater. ?We are one of the few success stories. Before, we weren?t getting as many customers, but now, we're selling out almost every night. We've gotten really popular for regular public movies, and also for private events. People just really want a socially distanced way to do stuff. We're proud to be able to give people a slice of normal life in the middle of all of this.?

The success of the drive-in theater venue is due in part to their COVID-safe, socially distant viewing opportunities, but also because of their regular film line-up. Unlike traditional theaters, the Blue Starlite does not rely on new releases, and instead showcases classic film favorites that appeal to their audience on an emotional level.

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?We are really more about the experience,?

Ho said. ?Because you're outside and it's on your car radio, we show a lot of quirky nostalgia films, so it's about more than just the movie. And people are still interested in the kind of quirky or smaller movies that we've always specialized in.?

Drive in theaters also offer an opportunity for indie filmmakers who lack the budget of the Hollywood blockbuster industry to display their work, something they might not normally be able to do. ?It's so fun, because a lot of the time when people submit their indie movies, it's literally the director, writer or creator reaching out to you as a person.? Ho said. ?And it's very special, because it's literally people presenting you with their movie that they work so hard on. And there's just a lot of art behind it.?

The extra income from theaters like Blue Starlite Drive-In have been very important to independent artists, especially during the pandemic, when many regulations on production sizes have been put in place to ensure safety. ?People have a harder time collaborating, and have a hard time getting together to film these movies,? another Blue Starlite employee, Tori Anne, said. ?They have to make sure everyone stays safe. So that also means a smaller cast and a smaller or distanced

"It was really frustrating because every time I thought of a story and wrote it out, I realized it wasn?t feasible in a pandemic.?

? Erik Jensen production team.

Producing movies during the pandemic has been a struggle for the entire industry, even down to aspiring filmmakers in the McCallum cinematic arts program. Seniors have faced several setbacks during the production of a 15-20 minute short film, their capstone projects for the year. ?We have a lot more restrictions on how many people can be on set and how the actors can interact with or without masks to keep everyone safe,? senior cinematic arts major Meg Rowan said. ?I can have my cousins act together without masks because they live together, but I had to work the rest of my

Although delays and safety precautions have led to more difficulty in film production, the end result is still the same? movies bring people together. ?Whenever a movie is playing, it creates an audience for an hour and a half,? Louise Ho said, ?and the audience is a group of people that has something in common, which I think can be so powerful." ?You have all these people into the movie and you see everybody reacting to these things.? Tori Anne said. ?You hear everybody laughing and screaming all at once. It really provides a church-like experience.?

Photo accessed on Adobe Stock. Published here under usage license.

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Shield staff earns2021 Crown Awardnomination The Shield was named a finalist in the High School Hyrbrid News category of the Crown Awards, which are organized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The finalists were announced on Dec. 3 via the CSPA Twitter feed.

A total of 849 publications were eligible for judging in the competition, and a total of 43 publications, including the Shield, were named as finalists in the Hybrid News category, which encompasses both the print issues and the website of a publication. Entries were judged from Sept. 15 through Oct. 28, and every Crown Award finalist will receive either a Gold or Silver Crown in March 2021. ? Samantha Powers

Homecoming king and queen Terrel Hall and Addie Seckar-Martinez were crowned at the Mac football game against Northeast last Friday. Photo by Dave Winter.

Teachersdenied accommodations As the spring semester approaches, many Austin ISD teachers were denied health accommodations to teach remotely. According to KXAN, over 1,500 teachers applied for accommodations last summer and about half were approved for the fall semester. According to The Austin American-Statesman, 940 teachers and staff were denied accommodations, 49 were approved and 167 applications are pending as of Dec. 8 for the spring semester.

AISD constructed a committee to review applications using new CDC health information.

According to a statement on the AISD website, "The committee consulted with local health authorities regarding the CDC?s list of health conditions that could put employees at higher risk of infection, and learned that the risk posed was greatly reduced by the health and safety protocols in place at our campuses. It was determined that only those at the highest risk who could best fulfill their duties remotely would be eligible for remote work, in order to best support teaching and learning for students." ? Samantha Powers

Homecoming court honored at game while Spirit Week goes virtual During the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, students and teachers celebrated Homecoming Week with virtual spirit days. On Monday, the Knights added new meaning to "Knight Time" by wearing pajamas to school and saddled up for Western Day on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they took a time machine to Decades Day, set out into the wilderness for Safari Day on Thursday and busted out their true blue gear for Mac spirit day on Friday.

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against Northeast. The winners: freshman baron and baroness Matthew Wilson and Beatrix McDaniel, sophomore duke and duchess Luke Stojanik and Maddie Hello, junior prince and princess Silvio Guzman and Leilah Ramos and senior king and queen Terrel Hall and Addie Seckar-Martinez. Senior nominees included Olivia Navarro, Andrea Paredes, Phoenix Bozeman and Reed Johnson. ? Samantha Powersand David Winter

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Vargasreaps conventionrewards Senior Matthew Vargas won big at the Tremaine Dance convention in Austin last weekend. He was awarded a one-time full tuition scholarship, a $20,000 AMDA Scholarship, and he was named a Hip Hop freestyle Top Five finalist. Vargas was thankful for the opportunity to continue doing what he loves in the safest possible way.

"The convention was amazing," Vargas said.

"Tremaine is in its 40th year as a convention, and they have added a ton of extra precautions like 6 feet apart dance boxes and pods with your dance studio, so I felt really safe. It?s my first convention of the year, and it?s always so inspiring and stimulating to learn from big names and dance and be surrounded by amazing dancers."

Vargas was unsure when the pandemic began what his future would hold with dance.

He is glad to be able to continue his craft during this uncertain time.

"When COVID started, I had no idea how my senior year dancing would go," Vargas said. "I cried over it many times, laid in bed upset that competitions and conventions were canceled.

Now more than ever I am grateful to be

By a unanimous 3-0 decision the spirit week judiciary committee of principal Nicole Griffith and teachers Andrew Cooke and Audrea Moyers voted senior Lindsey Plotkin the winner of Friday's Mac Spirit Day photo contest. With the victory, the seniors edged ahead of the juniors, sophomores and freshmen to win the virtual homecoming spirit stick by a score of 2-1-1-1.

The Homecoming court was honored on Friday at the homecoming football game

Senior Matthew Vargas performs a solo at the the 40th anniversary Tremaine Dance convention in Austin. Photo accessed with permission from a video posted to Vargas' Instagram account. dancing on the stage, and I take the stage each time feeling fulfilled. This year has brought me tons of blessings even though things seem to fall apart sometimes."

Vargas feels thankful that his hard work in dance is being rewarded scholarships, especially now that it's his senior year.

"I feel so honored," Vargas said. "It lets me know that all my hours each day at the dance studio pay off and are recognized by everyone. Especially this close to college, getting scholarships is such a blessing." ? Samantha Powers

Senior Luke Lozano earned seventh chair in the TMEA All-State band piano category, making him the first student in McCallum history to receive All-State piano recognition twice.

"This is the first time in McCallum history that we have had a back-to-back All-State pianist," piano teacher Sarah Wiley said. "The last pianist before Luke to make the All-State orchestra was in the mid-90s. Since only seven students from the entire state are chosen, it's a huge deal."

Lozano prepared pieces ranging in genres and requiring technical and musical mastery, and had his recorded submission ranked against competitors from all over Texas. ?To be honest, I didn?t expect to make it this year because I was focused much more on preparing my college auditions music,? Lozano said. ?I was really happy ? it was a really nice surprise to find out I made all state again.?

Senior Jacob Martinez earned second chair in the tenor trombone category, placing him in the TMEA Jazz Ensemble 1. Junior Calder Carey earned 20th chair in the string bass category, placing him in the Philharmonic Orchestra. ? Madelynn Niles

Senior Luke Lozano plays piano at the Fine Arts Academy Convocation in 2019. Photo by Dave Winter.

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A clubhouse without walls When pandemic precluded indoor gatherings, Violet Crown Clubhouse owners took the party outside EVIE BARNARD staff reporter The Violet Crown Clubhouse never had one specific purpose. That was its purpose. Located in the center of Austin's Crestview n ei gh bor h ood, t h e i ce cr eam st or e/ co f f eesh o p / ar cad e/ b ar / p ar t y r o o m / concessions stand was built to be whatever the people wanted it to be.

"The Violet Crown Clubhouse was always meant to evolve," said Mike Levigne, co-owner and local Crestview resident. "It was meant to become whatever the community expressed a need for. I wanted it to be a place where we could say 'yes' whenever someone came to us with something they wanted to do."

Since its grand opening in June of 2018, the Clubhouse has said 'yes,' to a wide assortment of wildly different events. They hosted Oktoberfest , a communit y event raising money for Brentwood Park through the celebration of beer, sausages and pretzels. Then came a funeral for John Becker, longtime employee of the neighboring IGA grocery store. Later that year, the Clubhouse became a pop-up antiques and handmade Christmas market with an on-site Santa and a line of delighted children. And they hosted, as Levigne said, ¨lots and lots of birthday parties.¨ But that was before a global pandemic.

COVID-19 made these indoor gatherings no longer possible. In response, the Clubhouse owners brought them outside. Positive feedback from the neighborhood made it obvious that this new approach was going to be a success.

"We get a great crowd every time," says manager Sheran Clarke. "It's just enough people to feel like an event , but not too many to feel unsafe. I think the neighborhood is really grateful to have a place like this right now. Folks are seeing that it is a space where families can come and hang out together and give a sense of normalcy while still remaining socially distant."

Thanks to the safe environment provided by the Clubhouse, families and neighbors have been able to stay connected during quarantine.

"As humans, we're supposed to congregate and be able to have group experiences," Levigne said. "Not having that opportunity is hard. So my hope is to bring that here to the Clubhouse. It's not about the events, but about creating the shared experience."

HALLOWEEN NI GHT It's 4 p.m. on Halloween afternoon, and the Clubhouse has already begun celebrating. The focus of the evening is not only costumes and candy, but luau-themed festivities in honor of Salty Cargo, the new Hawaiian restaurant on Palmer Lane. "'Salty Cargo had just opened up and they were really trying to get the word out to the neighborhood,? Clarke said. ?We did a little pop-up restaurant with them. We had food all day for people to come and eat.?

The restaurant set up a grill, instantly attracting a line of customers. Plates containing glazed chicken and charred vegetables were passed around. Parents sat and ate and chatted while children played in the

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On the morning of Nov 14, the Violet Crown Clubhouse hosted their first ever "Drag Queen Storytime" (right). Local Queen Lady Hughes came and read aloud the book Red: a Crayon's Story. "I had never seen a real drag queen before," said Sonya Barnard, a third-grader at Gullett Elementary School. "It was very exciting. I hope the Clubhouse does more of these." Photo courtesy of the Violet Crown Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse (left) hosts a night of live music and an impromptu viewing party of President-elect Joe Biden's acceptance speech on Nov 7. Photo courtesy of the Violet Crown Clubhouse.

Employees of Salty Cargo, a Hawaiian restaurant on Palmer Lane (right), set up their booth on Halloween. Their pop up restaurant served grilled Hawaiian food while the Clubhouse hosted a luau-themed party. Photo courtesy of the Violet Crown Clubhouse. background. Everyone kept their distance of course, which means, no touching or hugs, but smiles blanketed the space, even if they were hidden underneath masks. ?Everyone was conscious of each other,? co-owner Kelly Chappell said. "There were no issues of people not wearing masks or overcrowding. It's really helpful to be part of a neighborhood that's so aware of keeping everyone safe.?

By six o?clock, the sun had set. A band called Darren Murphy and the Great Pumpkins performed for the outdoor party-goers, playing a library of loud classic rock songs that only people 35 and older seemed to know the words to.

A constant f low of children came and went , busy trick or treating. They returned with bags of candy and ruff led costumes, candy wrappers left lying on the ground and soon-to-be chocolate stained mouths covered by masks.

ELECTI ON CELEBRATI ON In mid-November, neighbors gathered at the Clubhouse to watch Joe Biden and Kamala Harris accept their positions as the future president and vice president of the United States. ?It was very very impromptu,? manager Sheran Clarke said. ?We had already planned to have a band play that night , but when we found out Biden was giving a speech, we decided to project it. We announced it

through just a few Nextdoor messages and Twitter but ended up getting a great crowd.?

The speech was projected onto a brick wall. Families came to watch.

Some stood safely distanced while others sat in their vehicles drive-in-movie style. Children and adults alike were transfixed by the bright screen, watching the future of the nation unfold. ?It was like a scene in a movie,?

Levigne said. ?People were happy and dancing and families were holding each other, crying. There was just a giant sense of relief throughout the crowd.?

After the speech, the celebration continued. Clubhouse employees handed out popcorn and ice cream while people stood and talked. Sparklers and bottle rocket fireworks left over from the Fourth of July added to the festivities of the night. In the background, a band played, and even after they had left , booming music could be heard through loudspeakers. ?The whole night was very emotionally moving,? Clarke said. ?I think a lot of people there felt like a weight had been lifted, and being able to feel that among the community-it was very impactful.?

THE FUTURE OF THE CLUBHOUSE Like the pandemic, the future of the Clubhouse is unknown. Since the beginning of the pandemic, their business model has changed drastically. Chappell predicts that it ?will continue to change.? ?It may be that in two months the Clubhouse will be an entirely different place,?

Chappelle said. ?But that's good. Being nimble in business often equals success, and I think that's why we're still here.?

He believes any adaptations will only make the business stronger. ?Looking back a year from now, we will be grateful for the pandemic,? Chappell said. ?It allowed the neighborhood to utilize all the amenities nearby, and brought attention to the Clubhouse. The fact that we can function as a community center in the middle of a pandemic means we can certainly do it when things are back to normal.?

Though no one can be sure what normal will look like, the Clubhouse owners have plans for when it arrives. Mike wants to host bigger, better shows and lots more birthday parties.

Kelly wants to have a full calendar and be open for more hours.

Ultimately, it will be up to the neighborhood to determine if the Clubhouse is still around when things go back to normal.

Winter is coming up, and the owners of the Violet Crown Clubhouse are scared about what that may entail for business. ?We won't be able to be outside anymore,?

Levigne said. ?And heaters can be expensive; it's scary: we don't know what's gonna happen.?

They hope that their customers will continue to support them, even if things get tough, in order for the Clubhouse to keep its (out)doors open to the community. ?People have been super supportive, and are really trying to help,? Levigne said. ?But I don't want to burn them out. I want to be a service, not in a constant state of needing charity. The Clubhouse is something I'm happy to host , but ultimately it's going to be up to the communities to decide if we will stay open.?

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In quarantine times, interactive gaming a stream come true Platforms Twitch, Mixer offer like-minded people chance to connect, build community based on shared interests JAVIER VELA staff reporter Live streaming is no longer the niche medium it once was. With platforms like Twitch, Mixer and YouTube allowing anyone to share themselves in an interactive way that other social platforms just can?t match, more and more people have ventured into the world of streaming.

So why stream? In a digital world so saturated with content and different platforms, what makes streaming so attractive?

Two McCallum juniors have an answer.

Marios Petropolous and Grace Van Gorder find that the appeal lies in the strong sense of community streaming provides. Both primarily stream live video game play-throughs, featuring their own commentary, and adjacent chats where viewers can interact. Twitch, the leading streaming platform the two use, also allows creators to stream their screen as they game, along with live reactions from a separate camera aimed at themselves, which adds a more personal touch.

Van Gorder, who began streaming just a few months ago, finds it appealing because it allows her to connect with other gamers at McCallum.

In a year defined by isolation, Van Gorder values the community she has discovered and curated in such a short amount of time. ?Streaming has allowed me to meet and reconnect with a lot of people," Van Gorder said.

"The gaming community at Mac is super accepting and nice. I also find that people are very supportive of each other and their content.

It's really awesome, and as someone who wasn?t into gaming a year ago, it was almost like I found a little hidden community.?

Even though Van Gorder only recently picked up streaming, she took to it like a duck to water. ?A while back, I made a Twitch account and got it all set up,? Van Gorder said. ?But I kind of forgot about it until one random Sunday when I went on the website to watch a friend and I thought ?Hey, maybe I should stream a little bit today.?I ended up streaming for like five hours just on that first day, and I ended up with a good amount of viewers. I think I hit 15 followers just from that one stream.?

Van Gorder?s experience with streaming has led her to look at video games in a new light . Different genres of games give viewers the chance to gravitate towards whatever scratches that entertainment itch. For streamers like Van Gorder who play a variety of games, new and fun avenues have presented themselves. ?I got into games pretty recently, so I would say that the amount of games I play has grown since I started streaming because I?m more interested now in playing them for fun and for content,? Van Gorder said. ?I never thought I would like shooting games, but those are the games that I find most fun to learn and to stream with friends.?

For many McCallum students, streaming has given them a creative outlet to explore what

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may not have been available to them in the past. Petropoulos began streaming during the COVID-19 quarantine, but explains that streaming was something he?d always wanted to try. Quarantine was just the final push he needed. ?I got into it because it always seemed fun to me,? Petropolous said. ?I made some friends who streamed as well, not knowing in October I?d be starting it.?

For Petropoulos, gaming has always been something he?s enjoyed doing, even before he began going live with his gameplays. The platform of streaming just gave him an additional social outlet.

Petropolous said he has streamed several games, including Valorant , Overwatch, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends, Phasmophobia, Among us, Dead by Daylight and Rocket League. ?I started streaming these games because I just happened to be playing these games already, so I thought to myself, ?Why not stream them???

Petropolous said.

The scope of streaming extends beyond video games. Whether it?s live footage of discussions, social topics, art or music, McCallum streamers say there?s always going to someone who loves that same thing. ?The first time I streamed I met someone from the U.K., which was crazy,? Van Gorder said. ?You can meet all these different people and chat with them. It?s different from Instagram or Snapchat because you already have this common interest.?

Streaming can satisfy the social needs of all types of people. For those who maybe don?t have the confidence to reach out, prefer to be alone, or simply prefer anonymous communication, streaming allows for an personal connection from viewer to streamer.

The ease of access allows for people with a computer and a p assi o n f o r i n t er act i v e entertainment to connect with a community of millions that share their passion.

As many of us are spending the foreseeable future in our homes, starting to watch and interact with streamers and the streaming communit y could be a new way to enjoy the time people have.

For those who may want to start streaming, Petropoulos and Van Gorder were asked to give a word of advice. ?I would say never give up,? Petropolous said. ?It does take lots of effort, but just keep working with it.?

Van Gorder emphasizes the importance of communicating with the viewers. ?I would say that if you're having fun then your viewers will have fun too,? Van Gorder said. ?Talk to your chat and make sure that you?re commenting. But what matters most is that you?re having a good time.?

TOP: Junior Marios Petropouloslive streams on Twitch.

Photo courtesy of Petropoulos. MIDDLE: Junior Grace Van Gorder shares her vibrant streaming setup, complete with matching pink chair, keyboard, mouse, headphonesand background. "I chose pink because it's my favorite color and it's one of the easier looks to find equipment for," Van Gorder said. "I just loved the idea of having a pretty setup."

BOTTOM: Van Gorder before she starts a live stream. Photos courtesy of Van Gorder.

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The rebirth of Minecraft In search of nostalgia, I find myself going back to the video game of my childhood

When the world feels like it may fall apart any minute, escaping into a virtual world of flower-picking , house-building and exploring can feel like free therapy. Graphic by Bella Russo.

ALYSA SPIRO opinion editor During my quarantine, Sophocles has been replaced with Japanese manga. Money formerly spent at Urban Outfitters is now being channeled into excessive stuffed animal purchases. Paul Thomas Anderson films have stepped aside for countless Studio Ghibli rewatches. And I absolutely love it.

So why? Why am I seeking to surround myself with media that at first glance may appear ?childish?? Here?s what I think: the boundless time we have on our hands has led me, among others, to seek the most comforting feeling in the world--nostalgia.

I think my favorite example of the nostalgia-seeking that characterizes my quarantine has been my journey back into the world of Minecraft.

Let me preface by saying the following: this is not my first Minecraft rodeo. When I was in sixth grade, I was absolutely obsessed. I?d play for hours and then watch other people play for hours. I was even going to be a moderator on my favorite server (one of the youngest ever because of my exceptional behavior in-game). Things eventually fell off between us, and I left the world of Minecraft behind in favor of more ?mature? forms of media. Hours previously spent building elaborate houses on Minecraft were converted into hours mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. Those years and memories of Minecraft-filled weekends are, however,

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anything but forgotten.

Fast forward to COVID-19.

I?m going to assume that not all my readers are as well-versed in the current state as Minecraft as I am. And that ?s OK. There?s one person, however, a group of people actually, that ?s essential to this story: the Dream team. Is the name original? Maybe not. But their story is.

Basically, this group consists of Dream, this guy who?s crazy good at Minecraft , and his two friends George and Sapnap, who are also really good at Minecraft. And that ?s pretty much it: three guys making videos of themselves being smart-asses and chasing each other around in Minecraft.

Maybe you non-Minecrafters are wondering to yourself: what ?s the appeal of this? Who would even watch those videos?

Forty million people. That ?s the view count on a single Dream team video.

The widespread popularity of these Dream team videos has led me and many others to go back down the Minecraft rabbit hole.

Either way, the sense of nostalgia I get from both watching and playing Minecraft is pretty unparalleled. I can?t really tell if sixth-grade me is proud or disgusted that I haven?t really changed at all in the last five years. There is and always will be something comforting about the fact that some things never do change.

But why Minecraft? Why not some other game?

The real answer is this: I actually don't know how to play anything else. I'm a gamer

"The sense of nostalgia I get from both watching and playing Minecraft is unparalleled. I can't tell if sixth-grade me is proud or disgusted that I haven't really changed at all." in spirit but not in reality. With that being said, Minecraft does have its own merits and reasons why it deserves the attention it's been getting recently.

During these weird and sometimes lonely times, I know a lot of people are seeking a way to escape. And guess what? There's really no better way to do that then to transport yourself into a world of virtual blocks. It really never gets old--running around sporadically, picking up f lowers or adopting a family of wolves. Sometimes it's good to just put down your SAT review book or stop working on your newest set of AP multiple-choice problems. Not always, but sometimes. Let yourself breathe.

Another thing I know a lot of people are seeking in quarantine is human interaction.

Minecraft , and really, gaming as a whole, is really a great way to fix the lonely bug.

Over the summer, I hopped onto a voice call with two of my friends I hadn't talked to in years. The chaos that ensued that night ended up being the highlight of my week.

I leave you with one final message: indulge. Explore your interests freely and don?t be ashamed. Seek emotions without a care in the world. And don?t let societal notions of what is ?mature? and ?childish? lead you astray; I can guarantee you half the anime?s I?ve watched are better than multiple Oscar-nominated movies.

So, my friends, let's get mining.

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These twins have twice the talent (1) Senior Andrea Paredes performs at the Austin Dance Classic alongside her Blue Brigade teammates in February 2020. (2) Senior Valentina Paredes performs a hip hop routine with the Blue Brigade at the Austin Dance Classic in February 2020.

Valentina says that between the two sisters, Andrea has an eye for contemporary dance and Valentina is stronger at hip-hop routines like the one she is performing. ?Andrea has done a great job choreographing more contemporary routines,?Valentina said. "And then I could say I?m good at choreographing hip-hop routines and jazz. So we do different styles in dance.? Photos by David Winter.

(4) "What's Next"

by Andrea Paredes

Andrea and Valentina Paredes excel together in art, dance and more SAMANTHA POWERS

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co-news editor, co-copy editor When identical twins Andrea and Valentina Paredes arrived in Austin from Mexico 12 years ago, they never could have imagined that they would go from the shy girls at school who taught themselves English to the Blue Brigade senior co-lieutenants and award-winning visual artists they are now.

They have been through a lot together, but it?s their staunch motivation to push against the status quo that keeps them excelling in dance, art and leadership.

Blue Brigade director and health teacher Nancy Honeycutt-Searle instructs the twins on the field and in the classroom. She admires their drive to succeed in everything they do. ?They?re just such hard workers,?

Honeycutt-Searle said. ?They both have really good grades, and I know they work really hard for that- it?s not something that just comes easily to them. They don?t take that for granted.

[Them] being hard workers is one of the biggest things I see, not just in dance but in the classroom.?

On the field, Andrea does her best to be a strong leader for her teammates. ?I?ve been in Blue Brigade since my freshman year, and it?s been a lot of work trying to improve my skills to get to the point of being an officer, but I think it?s been a really great experience,? Andrea said. ?I never expected that to happen, so I think it really helped me grow as a person and my leadership grew a lot with it as well. I love the family of being in Blue Brigade.?

Valentina always tries to keep spirits high in practices and make the experience fun for the dancers, especially during the pandemic. ?[I am] just really trying to make practice fun every morning, because that?s pretty hard, especially this year when we have to do it outside,?Valentina said.

Although they work well together, Valentina says that they each have their individual strengths when it comes to dance. ?Andrea has done a great job choreographing more contemporary routines,? Valentina said. ?And we both edit the songs, and that?s something we do together for most of the dances we do on Blue Brigade. And then I could say I?m good at choreographing hip-hop routines and jazz. So we do different styles in dance.?

Although Andrea enjoys choreographing dances and hopes to continue that in the future, her dream career is to become a branding designer. She says that her main inspiration are her parents, who own the local Austin business Tamale Addiction. ?I want to study visual communications, which involves everything like art and graphic design and business, because I?ve been around businesses my whole life,? Andrea said. ?My parents own a tamale business, so I?ve seen them grow from the start to what they are now.

I think that?s a perfect thing. I?d love to own a design company.?

Her parents are not just the inspiration for Andrea's career, but also role models for both girls. When Valentina and Andrea were 6, they watched their parents move the family from Mexico to Austin and start a business from the ground up, all while raising their young daughters. Valentina said that the experience was just as hard for her and her twin sister as it was for their parents, but some benefits did come out of it. ?[My parents] started a couple businesses

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4 that didn?t really work out, they were all in the food industry, and then they finally came to do tamales and that started,? Valentina said. ?But for me and Andrea, they just enrolled us in a normal school, it was Doss Elementary, and they didn?t have a Spanish program where we could be helped out. So we were just kind of thrown with the rest of the kids that didn?t speak any Spanish or anything. We were kind of forced to deal with it and just learn English on our own. It was hard, but I think that was probably the easiest way we could just learn and get involved with everyone.?

Andrea is now starting her own small business. She will be hosting art workshops for children ages 6-15 years old in multiple mediums, from painting to printmaking to clay. ?I wanted to start doing something as a job that would also help kids,? Andrea said. ?I was like, ?What can I do that would incorporate my art skills and entrepreneur skills, and do something fun here my community?? So I thought that would be the perfect way to incorporate everything and also help kids improve their art skills.?

Valentina is also staying artistically active during quarantine. She says that the time to herself has allowed her to find more creativity as an artist. ?During school, we?re kind of all forced to start new projects and finish them quickly, but having my own time to come up with my own concepts and really do what I think is important has been really inspiring to me,?

Valentina said. ?I actually did a piece over the Black Lives Matter protests. I did that over quarantine, and I think it really inspired me to just work on what I want to do and not really have a set deadline to meet or anything, it?s just up to me to finish it.?

Valentina said she feels a sense of duty to use her passion for art to make a difference. ?I felt like, since I?m an artist, it would be very important to use my voice and something I like doing the most,? Valentina said. ?I couldn?t really go out and protest, so I think that was a motivator for me to use what I love to do to bring awareness to the cause.?

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(3) "Perception"by2

by Valentina Paredes Although t he t wi n s have honed different skills and int erest s w i t h i n t h ei r shared ar t f or ms of vi sual ar t an d dance, one thing they do have in common is t h ei r d r i v e t o p u sh themselves to their limits.

Val en t i n a n ever wan t s t o st op improving. ?My own motivation to become better each time I do something [inspires me],? Valentina said. ?I never want to just stop once I finish something, I want to keep doing more and more. So I guess that is what inspires me to keep experimenting with art and stuff.?

Andrea sometimes struggles with boxing herself in, but her greatest motivator is pushing against those self-made boundaries. ?I feel like? I limit myself because I?m such a perfectionist in a lot of ways,? Andrea said. ?So I think what drives me is to break apart my own limits that I put [on] myself and not be scared of doing anything, because that?s limited me in the past before. I don?t want to do that anymore.?

Andrea say s t h a t although the si m i l ar i t i es between her and h er si st er ar e somewhat unintentional, it

works in their favor. ?Val and I have always kind of liked the same things, and it?s not something we really try to do, but it?s definitely been a good thing," Andrea said. "It?s hard, always having the same things as her, but we definitely push each other. It?s a motivator more than an impediment, I?d say.?

Valentina agrees that their similar interests push them to be better and help them to find their own individuality. ?I feel like sometimes it might seem like, ?Oh, my sister?s doing the same thing,? like there?s no difference between us,? Valentina said. ?But it honestly makes us just find different skills in everything we do. We work together on everything we do, so it ?s not like a competition or anything, we just help each other out .?

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Junior strings together his passions Precision, planning, patience proved instrumental in Mason Shackelford's homemade violin MADELYNN NILES A& E editor After working on it for a summer, Mason Shackelford could feel the end of his project getting close. Just a few more weeks, he thought to himself, until his hand-crafted, working violin would be complete.

A few more weeks passed. Then months. Then a year. ?It was one of things where time just disappears,? he said. ?If I had realized I was a whole year and hours and hours away, I don?t think I would have finished it,? he added with a laugh.

The idea started when Shackelford, now a junior, was in sixth grade. Simply put, he just wanted to play more violin music. ?Some of my friends were like ?Oh, you can just borrow my violin,? but then, at that point, it was more that I actually wanted to make something,? he said. ?For art class, I made a cardboard viola, and ever since then I kind of wanted to combine my love for art and love for music and make something to play on.?

As a double major at McCallum in both orchestra and visual arts, Shackelford is used to working with his hands.

Making an instrument from scratch, however, didn?t prove to be simple. ?I found a website that had so much information ? it would take a few days to read through all of it,? Shackelford said. ?It had the sides, the front and the back, and then each of those had 10 different steps, and each step had a few pages of instructions.?

According to Shackelford, the process begins with a base mold.

Wood is cut and carved to form the exterior, with each movement of the knife allowing the right frequency of sound to resonate in the material. ?That?s what makes the difference between a really good violin and a really cheap one,?he said.

Next up is carving the neck and scroll. ?At the time I thought, great, those are the hard parts, but then you have it to put it all together,? he said. ?And that takes a whole bunch of angles and precision.?

The pieces are carefully placed together, and the instrument starts to take shape. Strings are put in place, and the ending seems to be just around the corner.

But with each step closer to the finish line, the race seems to come to a ritardando. ?That?s kind of the frustrating part,?

Shackelford said. ?I finished all the carving, and then I strung it up to make sure it played, but then I had to set it down for about a month, to varnish it. And that took a longtime.?

Many summer nights and a coat of varnish later, the instrument was complete.

11 dec. 2020

If you think the story behind Shackelford's violin is good, you should hear how it sounds. To hear Shackelford's rendition of "Ave Maria"by Franz Schubert on his final product, visit macshieldonline.com.

?I actually startedwith blocks of wood, and I went from there."

? Mason Shackelford ?It was weird when it was finally finished,? he said. ?It was very satisfying, but it was also something I had, towards the end, been looking at every single day, working on for about six hours, so it was very normal to just be looking at . So I don?t even think it seems like something I made; it feels like somebody else made it .?

As for making music with his own work, Shackelford can only describe the feeling as just really cool. ?My family thought it was cool, too, but often I get the

feeling that people don?t believe it,? he said. ?If you look it up online, there is basically a pre-made violin with most of the parts already made, so I think a lot of people think ?Oh, he just got that and worked a month on it.?But then I have to show them that I actually started with, you know, blocks of wood, and I went from there.?

And although his brother teases him that a homemade cello is somewhere in his future, Shackelford feels that a break from carving and crafting is much-needed. ?In the beginning, I really did think I would do it multiple times,?he said. ?I thought, ?I?ll do it once, and then next time it?ll take half the amount of time or a quarter the amount of time!?But as I was doing it, I realized that it was only gonna shave off maybe 50 hours. Most of the process is very unique to the violin, and you can?t rush through it. Every single little part counts.? ?I have a lot of respect for violin-makers,? he added with a laugh.

Shackelford's finished product stands polished and proud after what totaled to be years of planning and perfecting. ?It was weird when it was finally finished,? Shackelford said. ?It was very satisfying, but it was also something I had been looking at every single day. I don?t even think it seems like something I made it; it feels like somebody else made it.?Photo courtesy of Shackelford.

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Meet t he m ult iple m ult iples of McCallum Sets of twins, triplets create different blends of shared traits, individuality similar styles, while others completely contrast each other. ?The Russos are all three very different in their staff reporter writing style. Madi and Nick Baylor, also very Out of the 7.7 billion people on Earth, only different," Smith said. "The Paredes twins, not so about 28 million are twins and triplets, and much; they are both real wordy, their style is very sometimes it feels like all of them go to Mac. This similar. I haven't seen a huge difference in the year, there are multiple sets of multiples enrolled, Odland twins either.?

Some twins feel like they've grown up with the with sets of identical and fraternal twins and even triplets seeming to take over the (virtual and expectation that they're going to be the exact same as their other half. Although they've grow up hybrid) halls.

Living with a built-in best friend can be great, together and attend the same schools, seniors but sometimes the constant comparison is tough, River and Raven Rutledge don't think that especially in high school, where individuality is on expectation fits their personalities. ?We are so different in so many ways,? River everyone's minds as students grow into adults. said. ?I feel like it?s a Having someone who common misconception looks just like you can feel that twins are exactly like a constant pressure to Mac twin and triplets, alike; some are similar either be the exact same There are so many of you at Mac, and some are completely or polar opposites.

"When we were we simply could not get you all in different. We like to do different things. I like to younger, we struggled to be as close as we are now this print edition.We are working write songs, and Raven to make visual art, due to our desire to not on an expanded version of this likes but we?re both super be seen as the same feature profile for our website. artistic, and we have a lot person," senior Sarah of the same friends.?

Weisbrodt said of her If you want to be in it, DM us Some of the ways they relationship with her @macjournalismon Insta. set themselves apart are twin sister Cate. "Now, with clothing, personality our friendship is much and interests. stronger, and I wouldn?t ?We have different styles,? Raven said. ?My have it any other way. I love her to death.?

Senior twins Charlotte and Molly Odland, who sister likes more bright colors while I tend to like happen to have been born on the same day and in softer things.?

Their fine arts focuses set them apart too: the same hospital as the Weisbrodts, have found that their differences are mostly from the Raven is an art major while River is choir major. ?I love being able to be creative and express different extracurriculars they chose, but when they're in the same classes they tend to process myself through my art classes,? Raven said. ?I love learning new skills and forms of art that help me information similarly.

"I would say Molly and I have similar strengths grow as an artist.?

Most McCallum twins or triplets agreed that and weaknesses academically where we both are terrible at math but tend to like English," their relationship with each other is much Charlotte said. "But Molly and I also do very different than that of regular siblings. For one different extracurriculars, which I think gives us thing, it can make school life less stressful; Molly and Cate Holder have always gone to the different skills that we are strong at."

English teacher Amy Smith has been able to same school and appreciated being able to help examine these differences and similarities first each other. ?I?ve noticed that having a twin with you during hand. She happens to have an usually high number of multiples in her AP Lit classes: five sets school makes things a lot easier,? sophomore Molly Holder said. ?Not only does it help with of twins and one set of triplets. ?It's kind of an interesting story," Smith said. "I confidence to make more friends, but it?s someone figure, because I have all seniors, that's why I have already available to help you with either so many, since usually everybody else has two homework or class work.?

All that time spent in school together, however, different grade levels.?

Getting to know these sets of siblings up close is not without its struggles. ?Although it can be great, at times, getting used and personal has been fascinating for Smith.

Through reading their college essays and to having a built-in buddy can also cause problems homework assignments, she's noticed their later,? Molly said. ?Cate and I may do something particular styles of writing. Smith finds it separately and not know how to act, or get socially interesting that some of the twins and triplets had anxious because we don?t have a person we can

LILY PRATHER

Seniors Cate and Sarah Weisbrodt's dynamic has become very "classic twin" over the years, and the pair says keeping a strong, supportive relationship is important to them. ?Cate and I are very close,? Sarah said. ?She is truly my best friend. She has always been extremely supportive of me, and I feel like the luckiest girl alive to have been given a built-in bestie." Then photo courtesy of the Weisbrodt family. Now photo by Lily Prather.

Senior Fine Arts Academy twins Raven (left) and River Rutledge (right) know each other like the backs of their hands. ?River has great style," Raven said. "She's just a very genuine and down-to-earth person.? River feels the same way about Raven. ?Raven is the most loving, compassionate person you will ever meet," River said. "Though she seems shy at first, she?s really a big ball of sunshine and is always able to put a smile on your face.?

Photos courtesy of the Rutledge family.

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automatically talk to or ask for help.?

In most situations though, Cate and Molly like to stick together, and instead explore their individual interests within the same activity. ?We both take in interest in fashion,? Cate said. ?Molly tends to wear pastels and sweaters while I am oriented more towards black or more contrasted colors and large T-shirts or collared tops."

They were also both interested in the same fine arts focus.

"Our similarities can be seen in our talents," Cate said. "Molly and I both took up dance in sixth grade, and we are currently dance majors in the Fine Arts Academy.?

Being a twin or a triplet comes with shared friendships, birthdays, material objects and privacy, and each set navigates their shared identities differently.

Exploring the things that make a set of twins individuals is part of what makes the twin experience is what it is? and at campus where diversity is encouraged and there are tons of different opportunities to explore fine arts, academics, sports and more, maybe it's not a coincidence that it feels like twins are especially attracted to Mac.

Sophomores Molly and Cate Holder (left to right) were both raised to be determined, passionate and individual. ?Molly is a strong-spirited person with a large heart," Cate said. "She is dedicated, yet light hearted. She's selfless and nurturing towards those around her. Molly prioritizes the well being of people she has come to respect." Molly had kind words for Cate too. "Cate is a person who doesn?t give up," Molly said of her twin. "I know that sounds cliche, but with anything she tries or says she sees it through till the end. She has a competitive and passionate spirit that refuses to be swayed, even if it?s in a beneficial direction. She knows how to help and support her friends and family.?

Photos courtesy of the Holder family.

DOUBLE(ANDTRIPLE)BLASTSFROM THEPAST

Seniors Nick and Madi Baylor have always embraced being twins. It's given them a strong bond, and with college just around the corner the pair is enjoying the time they have together. "Having a twin is like having a best friend that's family," Nick said. "I can trust Madi with anything." Madi feels the same. "I rely on Nick more than I'd like to admit," Madi said. "I can always confide in him, and he makes me laugh like no one else can." Photos courtesy of the Baylor family.

Seniors Charlotte and Molly Odland make the most of their similarities, and are especially grateful to have each other by their sides at school and in life. "My favorite part about going to school with my twin is being able to talk to her when I need to and sometimes even having a class with her. It?s always nice to see her at least once throughout the school day," Charlotte said. "Growing up with someone the same age

Seniors Zakiya and Amara Robertson are split between schools: Zakiya at McCallum, Amara currently attending Garza. For the pair, there are both upsides and downsides to the separation. "I liked it because I got to be my own person...and learn more about myself," Zakiya said. "But on the other hand I disliked it...because we couldn't see each other and mess around in school like we used too." For the Robertson sisters, being the same age helps strengthen their bond.

"What I like most about having a twin [is having] someone who can literally read my mind. Twin telepathy isn't real, but I low key think it is," Zakiya said. "The best part of growing up with someone my same age is living with someone who has the exact same sense of humor as me. It's very fun."

Bella, Will and Bridget Russo (left to right) on their first day of school in kindergarten, and later, senior year. Ambition runs in the family; each Russo is involved in a number of different things, and together they have a vast array of interests. Bella one of the Shield's very own editors-in-chief, a visual arts ambassador, PAL and writing center tutor; Bridget is a varsity volleyball captain and visual arts major; Will is in band, Boy Scouts and the LBJ Fire Academy. "We are all pretty close," Bridget said. "I?m glad we?re the same age because we can relate to each other.

We're all close with each other in different ways." Photos courtesy of the Russo family.

WANT MORE TWINS? YOU'RE IN LUCK. CHECK OUT THESE OTHER TWIN FEATURES:

page 12 Paredes twins excel together in art, dance and more page 13 Mason Shackelford constructs homemade violin page 22 Dive deep into Madi Baylor's high school swim career page 23 The Wadesreflect on lifetime of basketball,brotherhood

is nice because they are going through the same things that you are whether it be school work, discovering interests or dislikes, and just learning what getting older is like."

Then: A young Charlotte (left) and Molly (right) at the beach, and Now: Molly (left) and Charlotte (right) as seniors. Photos courtesy of the Odland family.

11 dec. 2020

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Meet t he m ult iple m ult iples of McCallum Sets of twins, triplets create different blends of shared traits, individuality similar styles, while others completely contrast each other. ?The Russos are all three very different in their staff reporter writing style. Madi and Nick Baylor, also very Out of the 7.7 billion people on Earth, only different," Smith said. "The Paredes twins, not so about 28 million are twins and triplets, and much; they are both real wordy, their style is very sometimes it feels like all of them go to Mac. This similar. I haven't seen a huge difference in the year, there are multiple sets of multiples enrolled, Odland twins either.?

Some twins feel like they've grown up with the with sets of identical and fraternal twins and even triplets seeming to take over the (virtual and expectation that they're going to be the exact same as their other half. Although they've grow up hybrid) halls.

Living with a built-in best friend can be great, together and attend the same schools, seniors but sometimes the constant comparison is tough, River and Raven Rutledge don't think that especially in high school, where individuality is on expectation fits their personalities. ?We are so different in so many ways,? River everyone's minds as students grow into adults. said. ?I feel like it?s a Having someone who common misconception looks just like you can feel that twins are exactly like a constant pressure to Mac twin and triplets, alike; some are similar either be the exact same There are so many of you at Mac, and some are completely or polar opposites.

"When we were we simply could not get you all in different. We like to do different things. I like to younger, we struggled to be as close as we are now this print edition.We are working write songs, and Raven to make visual art, due to our desire to not on an expanded version of this likes but we?re both super be seen as the same feature profile for our website. artistic, and we have a lot person," senior Sarah of the same friends.?

Weisbrodt said of her If you want to be in it, DM us Some of the ways they relationship with her @macjournalismon Insta. set themselves apart are twin sister Cate. "Now, with clothing, personality our friendship is much and interests. stronger, and I wouldn?t ?We have different styles,? Raven said. ?My have it any other way. I love her to death.?

Senior twins Charlotte and Molly Odland, who sister likes more bright colors while I tend to like happen to have been born on the same day and in softer things.?

Their fine arts focuses set them apart too: the same hospital as the Weisbrodts, have found that their differences are mostly from the Raven is an art major while River is choir major. ?I love being able to be creative and express different extracurriculars they chose, but when they're in the same classes they tend to process myself through my art classes,? Raven said. ?I love learning new skills and forms of art that help me information similarly.

"I would say Molly and I have similar strengths grow as an artist.?

Most McCallum twins or triplets agreed that and weaknesses academically where we both are terrible at math but tend to like English," their relationship with each other is much Charlotte said. "But Molly and I also do very different than that of regular siblings. For one different extracurriculars, which I think gives us thing, it can make school life less stressful; Molly and Cate Holder have always gone to the different skills that we are strong at."

English teacher Amy Smith has been able to same school and appreciated being able to help examine these differences and similarities first each other. ?I?ve noticed that having a twin with you during hand. She happens to have an usually high number of multiples in her AP Lit classes: five sets school makes things a lot easier,? sophomore Molly Holder said. ?Not only does it help with of twins and one set of triplets. ?It's kind of an interesting story," Smith said. "I confidence to make more friends, but it?s someone figure, because I have all seniors, that's why I have already available to help you with either so many, since usually everybody else has two homework or class work.?

All that time spent in school together, however, different grade levels.?

Getting to know these sets of siblings up close is not without its struggles. ?Although it can be great, at times, getting used and personal has been fascinating for Smith.

Through reading their college essays and to having a built-in buddy can also cause problems homework assignments, she's noticed their later,? Molly said. ?Cate and I may do something particular styles of writing. Smith finds it separately and not know how to act, or get socially interesting that some of the twins and triplets had anxious because we don?t have a person we can

LILY PRATHER

Seniors Cate and Sarah Weisbrodt's dynamic has become very "classic twin" over the years, and the pair says keeping a strong, supportive relationship is important to them. ?Cate and I are very close,? Sarah said. ?She is truly my best friend. She has always been extremely supportive of me, and I feel like the luckiest girl alive to have been given a built-in bestie." Then photo courtesy of the Weisbrodt family. Now photo by Lily Prather.

Senior Fine Arts Academy twins Raven (left) and River Rutledge (right) know each other like the backs of their hands. ?River has great style," Raven said. "She's just a very genuine and down-to-earth person.? River feels the same way about Raven. ?Raven is the most loving, compassionate person you will ever meet," River said. "Though she seems shy at first, she?s really a big ball of sunshine and is always able to put a smile on your face.?

Photos courtesy of the Rutledge family.

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automatically talk to or ask for help.?

In most situations though, Cate and Molly like to stick together, and instead explore their individual interests within the same activity. ?We both take in interest in fashion,? Cate said. ?Molly tends to wear pastels and sweaters while I am oriented more towards black or more contrasted colors and large T-shirts or collared tops."

They were also both interested in the same fine arts focus.

"Our similarities can be seen in our talents," Cate said. "Molly and I both took up dance in sixth grade, and we are currently dance majors in the Fine Arts Academy.?

Being a twin or a triplet comes with shared friendships, birthdays, material objects and privacy, and each set navigates their shared identities differently.

Exploring the things that make a set of twins individuals is part of what makes the twin experience is what it is? and at campus where diversity is encouraged and there are tons of different opportunities to explore fine arts, academics, sports and more, maybe it's not a coincidence that it feels like twins are especially attracted to Mac.

Sophomores Molly and Cate Holder (left to right) were both raised to be determined, passionate and individual. ?Molly is a strong-spirited person with a large heart," Cate said. "She is dedicated, yet light hearted. She's selfless and nurturing towards those around her. Molly prioritizes the well being of people she has come to respect." Molly had kind words for Cate too. "Cate is a person who doesn?t give up," Molly said of her twin. "I know that sounds cliche, but with anything she tries or says she sees it through till the end. She has a competitive and passionate spirit that refuses to be swayed, even if it?s in a beneficial direction. She knows how to help and support her friends and family.?

Photos courtesy of the Holder family.

DOUBLE(ANDTRIPLE)BLASTSFROM THEPAST

Seniors Nick and Madi Baylor have always embraced being twins. It's given them a strong bond, and with college just around the corner the pair is enjoying the time they have together. "Having a twin is like having a best friend that's family," Nick said. "I can trust Madi with anything." Madi feels the same. "I rely on Nick more than I'd like to admit," Madi said. "I can always confide in him, and he makes me laugh like no one else can." Photos courtesy of the Baylor family.

Seniors Charlotte and Molly Odland make the most of their similarities, and are especially grateful to have each other by their sides at school and in life. "My favorite part about going to school with my twin is being able to talk to her when I need to and sometimes even having a class with her. It?s always nice to see her at least once throughout the school day," Charlotte said. "Growing up with someone the same age

Seniors Zakiya and Amara Robertson are split between schools: Zakiya at McCallum, Amara currently attending Garza. For the pair, there are both upsides and downsides to the separation. "I liked it because I got to be my own person...and learn more about myself," Zakiya said. "But on the other hand I disliked it...because we couldn't see each other and mess around in school like we used too." For the Robertson sisters, being the same age helps strengthen their bond.

"What I like most about having a twin [is having] someone who can literally read my mind. Twin telepathy isn't real, but I low key think it is," Zakiya said. "The best part of growing up with someone my same age is living with someone who has the exact same sense of humor as me. It's very fun."

Bella, Will and Bridget Russo (left to right) on their first day of school in kindergarten, and later, senior year. Ambition runs in the family; each Russo is involved in a number of different things, and together they have a vast array of interests. Bella one of the Shield's very own editors-in-chief, a visual arts ambassador, PAL and writing center tutor; Bridget is a varsity volleyball captain and visual arts major; Will is in band, Boy Scouts and the LBJ Fire Academy. "We are all pretty close," Bridget said. "I?m glad we?re the same age because we can relate to each other.

We're all close with each other in different ways." Photos courtesy of the Russo family.

WANT MORE TWINS? YOU'RE IN LUCK. CHECK OUT THESE OTHER TWIN FEATURES:

page 12 Paredes twins excel together in art, dance and more page 13 Mason Shackelford constructs homemade violin page 22 Dive deep into Madi Baylor's high school swim career page 23 The Wadesreflect on lifetime of basketball,brotherhood

is nice because they are going through the same things that you are whether it be school work, discovering interests or dislikes, and just learning what getting older is like."

Then: A young Charlotte (left) and Molly (right) at the beach, and Now: Molly (left) and Charlotte (right) as seniors. Photos courtesy of the Odland family.

11 dec. 2020

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Driving in a winter wonderland

Zilker Park's drive-through event sheds light on this unique holiday season Lights of blues, greens and reds illuminate the path for the final attraction of Zilker's Drive-Thru Trail of Lights: the tunnel exiting the park. These tunnels transport visitors into a world of illuminated holiday magic, a world with color in every corner. There are several tunnels, as well as over a dozen other light attractions, throughout the half-hour ride.

Photo by Madelynn Niles.

MADELYNN NILES a& e editor Oh what fun it is to ride through Zilker?s Drive-Thru Trail of Lights.

Running from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3, this COVID-safe holiday light show gives Austin the chance to continue a cherished tradition while remaining safe and socially distanced. Just reserve your tickets online, arrive at the park and watch as the downtown scene is transformed into a world of twinkling magic.

With over two million lights on display, the drive-through experience has attractions ranging in all sorts and sizes? from Charlie Brown to choo-choo trains, Homer Simpson to Hanukkah dreidels? all set against the backdrop of downtown Austin?s glittering skyline.

Each attraction contributes a different detail to the winter wonderland, and as visitors peer through windows at each new sight, the synched radio station spills sweet holiday tunes into their cars (including, among other classics, a Miss Piggy rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"), ensuring that the drive-through experience is a not-so-silent night.

Upon arrival, visitors check in with their tickets and are guided to a brief line before entry.

Here, a drive-in-movie-style screen features readings of children?s books, holiday music and festive animations, all against the lit skyline of the city. When tuned into the correlated radio station, visitors even get to hear narration of the stories as they wait for entry to the park. This feature, along with other screens showcasing

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Don't have plans to drive through the Trail of Lights this year? We've got you covered. Scan this QR code to check out a full photo gallery of the ride at macshieldonline.com. To get more information or reserve tickets, visit austintrailoflights.org. Photo by Madelynn Niles. holiday films throughout the trail, makes even the downtime part of the magic and ensure that no seconds are spent bah humbug-ing.

The trail itself begins with an archway covered completely in golden lights, and after tuning into the trail's radio station, visitors' journeys begin.

In a winter flurry including a visit to Candy Land, Santa's workshop and a visit from the Claus family themselves, it concludes with an illuminated tunnel to exit.

The event also takes many precautions in ensuring a safe and traditional experience despite this not-so-traditional holiday season.

Though the typical Trail of Lights experience

includes a walk-through of the displays, the show this year is exclusively a drive-through experience. Masks are required upon arrival for both visitors and volunteers, and windows of cars must remain up and closed at all times.

Visitors must also remain completely in their car for the duration of the show. These requirements allow for a more personal experience while driving through the event as well as limiting risks related to the coronavirus.

The visitors certainly aren't the only ones acknowledging the virus. Several displays within the trail sport medical masks and display signs throughout the attractions thanking healthcare

workers, teachers and essential service employees.

To further limit interactions, passes can be purchased prior to arrival online at the Austin Trail of Lights website, with the option of either general admission($25 - $35 per vehicle) or dash passes($60 per vehicle), which begins at an earlier time slot and includesa handful of holiday treats.

Regardless of pass type, the experienceis one of enchantment: a half-hour in a different world from our own? a world that is serene and sparkling, a world that is both merry and bright.

Perhaps the most magical of Zilker?s holiday experience, visitors drive through several sparkling tunnels throughout the trail, covered entirely by lights of all colors. For just a few minutes, they are surrounded by light on all sides, their whole world engulfed by the colors.

There is something particularly special about these moments.

As familiar melodiesfloat through the air and the entire world is immersed in the twinkling glow of the Christmaslights, there comesa senseof familiar comfort. We are reminded that despite this strange holiday season, there isn?t just light at the end of the tunnel: there is light all throughout it, too.

11 dec. 2020

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Pandemic forces families to adapt their holiday traditions so they can be together while

...celebrating at a safe distance.

Above graphics licensed by Adobe Stock.

ALICE SCOTT staff reporter Surviving the holiday season just got harder.

As people struggle to navigate their way through the COVID holiday landscape, they are faced with one main challenge: preserving tradition and safely coming together as a family.

It?s why this year, when so many are apart from their loved ones, the thought of celebration feels bittersweet. ?I?m disappointed,? freshman choral studies major Naomi Di-Capua said. ?[The holidays] can be stressful, but it?s also super comforting and beautiful at the same time. The time you get with family is really nice, but I don?t think it?s going to be much of a break because we?re all at home anyway.?

Whether these holidays have religious or cultural significance, the comfort of being surrounded by family embodies the spirit of the holiday season. ?I have a huge family,? Di-Capua said. ?It?s really hard to get everyone together all throughout the holidays, so we have this huge omelet party with all of my cousins and aunts and uncles and it?s the funnest thing. It?s just everyone coming together and seeing each other. It?s a really nice sense of community.?

Traditions have been built on these familial bonds, which are the source of some of the most important holiday practices. ?My family is Jewish, but a lot of my extended family is not,? senior Lindsey Plotkin said. ?So one year we were trying to think of fun things to do, and as a joke I said that we should do a Jewish Christmas; we order Chinese food and watch a movie, and it stuck.?

But this year, many people have had to change their usual holiday plans due to the health risks caused by COVID-19. ?We celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas,?

Di-Capua said. ?Normally we would go up to Utah to hang out with my grandma and my big family there, which I highly doubt we?ll be doing this year. My grandma got COVID back in the summer. She?s fine, but you know COVID has complications after you heal from it. She was borderline diabetic for a while and almost had a couple strokes. So because the family on that side is so big, it?s really hard to keep a group controlled, so we thought it would just be safer if we didn?t [go].?

The choice to see or not to see family did not come without deep contemplation. But for some, the need to see family outweighed the added risk factors. ?The holidays are really important in my family.? freshman tech theatre major Naomi Pearson said. ?That ?s the thing you do, you go and see your family. I think it ?s important because in a time like this, where we haven?t gotten to meet up with people or see people, it feels more important to try and make those connections.?

Many families have taken unique approaches to ensure safety for all those involved in their holiday celebrations. From FaceTiming with family to outdoor socially distant gatherings, f lexibility has been key to holiday planning in the pandemic. ?We?re going to my grandpa?s land so that we can still see people, but it ?s not like an

11 dec. 2020

Naomi Di- Capua follows her family's traditional Christmas-tree decorating strategies, despite not being able to celebrate with extended relatives. Her family opted out of group celebration this year due to the pandemic Photo courtesy of Naomi Di-Capua.

Prepping Thanksgiving dinner, Mark Pearson checks on his food cooking on coals before an outdoor celebration on his parents' land. The Pearsons chose a wide open space to spend Thanksgiving so that it would be easier to practice recommended COVID-19 safety precautions. Photo courtesy of Naomi Pearson

?We figured out ways to do [Thanksgiving] in as safe a way as possible and in a way that feels safe to us."

? Kristen Pearson enclosed tiny kitchen where everybody?s shoving each other around and up in their faces,? Naomi Pearson said. ?We figured out ways to do it in as safe a way as possible and a way that feels safe to us,?

Naomi?s mother Kristen Pearson agreed. ?It?s hard, because there are so many different views about what is safe or not. Having a place to do Thanksgiving outside really helps, because we could ask for that.?

Although plans this year may be different, the challenge provides the chance for creative problem-solving and an opportunity to make new memories and create new traditions. ?I?m actually really excited about being outside and trying to pull Thanksgiving

together with a grill and fire,? Kristen Pearson said. ?Time outside has been a really healthy thing, and I am looking forward to more time out there.?

Changing holiday celebration plans to meet the needs of their families is becoming the new normal.

The Pearsons, like many others, have been working to be extra cautious of their social interactions due to serious health issues surrounding Kristen?s mother. ?With my family, my mom has some health things going on, which makes her much higher risk but also [makes her] feel more urgent about time together,?Naomi Pearson said.

As parents and grandparents age, and in some instances, their health declines, families weigh the importance of spending time with family in spite of the potential risks involved. ?I thought about canceling twice,? math teacher Courtney Long said. ?Then my grandma?s like ?just take your test and come on. I?ll wear my mask in the house.? I?m definitely more anxious about it. And I?m just wondering, is it worth it??

But what would make it worth it? ?Seeing family, not being alone for

Thanksgiving and just connecting with a human being that?s just going to love you unconditionally no matter what,?Long said. "But the disease would make it not worth it, getting them sick, obviously.?

Although some traditions have been lost or modified, some things will stay the same, because no matter what, tradition is the backbone of family holiday celebrations regardless of where or how they happen. ?We?re still going to do the Christmas tree.?

Naomi Di-Capua said. ?My mom does it in a particular way, and it's something her mom taught her. Basically, she likes to do it with golden ornaments so it looks like the tree is glowing and then under the Christmas tree, we make up a little village. There?s an ice-skating rink and all of these cute little houses covered in snow and all of these trees.

That ?s a tradition that ?s really close to all of our hearts.?

This holiday season may feel different. And while some families can take comfort in familiar traditions, others will find creative ways to adapt and celebrate together ? even if apart ? as they create new memories during this unprecedented time.

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Running McCallum, then and now Camille Nix, Class of 1996, returns to alma mater as new building manager EVIE BARNARD AND SOFIA RAMON staff reporters Decades after her high school experience, former Knight Camille Nix has returned to McCallum, this time as part of the faculty. Even though she is returning to the campus as the new Building Manager, Nix doesn?t feel as if much has changed. ?It?s a bit surreal. On the first day I was walking down the hall and noticed a painting hanging that is [by] a friend of mine,? Nix said. ?We?re 20 plus years removed from high school and his painting still hangs. I took a picture of it and sent it to him saying ?your thumbprint is here forever.??

While Nix feels that Mac has stayed relatively the same over the years, she does notice that Austin as a whole has grown considerably. Nix has conflicting feelings about this. ?Some old Austin institutions have really struggled to make it,? she said. ?That really makes me sad because I grew up with a lot of those things. They make up a part of Austin that I really love. But I also think that the development has made our culture grow and brought neat food and art and music venues that weren't around before.?

Nix has always harbored a passion for language arts, and her English teachers at McCallum motivated her to become a teacher in the subject. ?I had teachers at McCallum who really inspired me,? she said. ?What made me want to become a teacher were the great teachers that instilled in me a love for reading and writing.?

After graduating from McCallum in 1996, Nix went on to study at UT, and then held a variety of positions at Austin High over the course of 20 years. There, she taught English, AVID, and coached volleyball. However, these positions still weren?t quite right for her. ?When I was in the classroom, what I enjoyed most was the relationship with the kids? not necessarily the content,? Nix said. ?I figured that out while I was coaching. I really enjoyed connecting with the students one on one.?

Nix found other aspects of teaching, such as grading, to be overwhelming, so she decided to become a counselor. ?I was looking for a way to still be in the school and work with students,? she said, ?but I didn't want to go home with hours and hours more to do after I had worked all day.?

After a few years working as a counselor, she decided to find a job closer to home, both physically and emotionally. ?I live about five minutes from McCallum,?

Nix said. ?Working at Austin High, the commute was a solid half an hour.?

Her special connection to Mac also helped her make the decision to come back and make a career change. ?I always wanted to end up at McCallum,? she said. ?I graduated from McCallum, and I think it's a really special place. I had been looking for an opportunity to get [a job] there for a while.

COVID gave me the push I needed.?

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Now, Nix has joined the Mac faculty this year as Building Manager. Although her job now has a few critical differences compared to counseling and teaching, the most fulfilling parts remain a constant. ?I oversee facilities, work with staff, and make sure the building is running as it should,?

Nix said. ?I also manage any events on campus and assist the principal. It's a very different job, but it still helps people, and that's really what I enjoy.?

The welcoming environment provided by the school and its faculty has made her transition relatively smooth. ?The people here are so friendly. From the custodial staff, to clerical staff, to teachers, to APs, to all the students,? she said. ?I've been really impressed and appreciative of how kind and helpful everybody is.?

Nix has never had issues meeting new people. She has a compassionate nature. ?I think that I am able to feel empathy for people [easily]. I love to meet people, especially in new places.?

Through travel, Nix has had the opportunity to do just that. ?Costa Rica and Italy were some of my favorites,?she said. ?In New York City we loved to see the shows and the energy of the town.

And in Maine I love to go whale watching. It?s like they?re putting on a show for you, and it

Camille Nix, McCallum'snew BuildingManager, passesout doughnutstofaculty on Nov. 20.

Photoby David Winter. just feels magical.?

Of all the places she?s visited, the most significant in her memory is in Spain, where she studied abroad. ?That was such a special time in my life,? she said. ?It was something just for me, in a place that I got to choose.?

Along with being a world traveler, Nix is also an avid reader, constantly working her way through stacks of books about whatever she?s currently interested in. ?I?m a constant, lifelong learner,? she said. ?I love to read and I love to learn and I love to ask questions about things, and also about people. Part of how you form relationships is getting to a place where you understand what makes each individual person different.?

Even under these unique circumstances, Nix is happy to be at McCallum,. She is grateful that the school?s COVID-19 safety precautions have allowed her to feel safe in her new environment. ?I think McCallum has done a fantastic job of making boundaries and rules very clear,? she said. "I'd be lying if I said that [working during a pandemic] hasn't come with some anxiety, but it helps that people are masked, and the kids have been really good about

"I always wanted to end up at McCallum. I graduated from McCallum,and I think it's a really special place."

? Camille Nix

McCallum classof 1996 graduate Camille Nix (then Camille Cox), was an integral part of the Mac community as a student. Her list of extracurriculars and accolades, as featured in the yearbook "Who's Who" section pictured above, illustrates her involvement in every corner of the school as Cheerleading Co-Captain, Volleyball Co-Captain, National Honors Society, Spanish Club President, FCA, Student Council, Homecoming Queen, Football Sweetheart, Multicultural Foreign Language Honors Society, and celebrated as a TrusteesScholar. Photofrom the 1996 Knight. following protocol.?

Working as building manager has enabled her to continue to connect with both students and staff, her favorite part of her job. ?I thrive on being around people, So COVID has really been hard, but everyone here is so friendly? even though it's weird to have met people and not know what their mouth looks like.?

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Inspired in 2005 to help parents succeed, Moore wrote guide to interracial adoption Before she became an essential member of the Fine Arts Academy faculty team, Tonya Moore helped families learn to immerse children in their heritage, teach them how to handle racism ELLEN FOX co-editor-in-chief Tonya Moore's book begins with a question: ?Are Caucasian parents able to raise African-American children who are equipped to handle the challenges they will face in today's society??

And then an answer. ?Yes? if they receive support and education from the African-American community.?

Mac students may know Mrs. Moore if they are members of the Fine Arts Academy. Her role in recruiting, managing and looking out for magnet members is crucial to the smooth sailing of the Academy. Many years before her time at McCallum, however, Moore was living in Nebraska with her husband Bezell looking to adopt children. They joined a support group, where they found themselves in the minority as Black parents in a group of couples looking to adopt Black children. As the group progressed through the adoption process, many white parents looked to Moore and her husband for advice on raising a Black child. ?They just swarmed us with questions,?

Moore said. ?I felt like [answering them] was something that God put on my heart to do.?

And so she did. In 2005, Moore published her real-life parenting guide, Black Children, White Parents: Putting the Pieces Together. During her three years writing the book, she was working at the Nebraska Children?s Home, where her experiences and job dutieswould inf luence aspects of the book. ?Part of my role there was coaching any families that were adopting or doing foster care for

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children outside of their race. Any culture,?

Moore said. ?Whether you were Caucasian and adopting an Asian child, African-American and adopting a Hispanic child, any child that was going to a parent that was not of their race, my role was making sure that those parents were aware that you still need to keep the kids connected to their culture, and make sure that they learn about their culture and their self-identity and that they are aware of everything around them.?

That idea is emphasized throughout the book. In chapter 2, ?How to Deal with Racism,?

Moore covers ways that parents need to step out of their comfort zones to give their children healthy relationships with their heritage. From experiences talking to Black adults that were raised by white parents, Moore heard that the biggest mistake most parents made was isolating their children from African-American communities or only showing their children poor African-American neighborhoods. ?Black children will begin to believe the negative stereotypes about their race if they are not exposed to positive messages,? Moore writes. ?Be supportive when your child wants to explore his or her ethnicity. You must keep in mind that as white parents, you are not experiencing some of these issues personally, and what seems to you like something small that has nothing to do with race can be something big to your child that has everything to do with race.?

Immersing the child in their culture is a great start, but showing positive examples isn?t the only thing a parent must do. Moore writes that preparing the child to deal with problems they?re bound to encounter is another essential step in their development. She?s talking about racism. Being called the N-word, discrimination, and experiencing society?s biased perception against people of color (and more) are all things that white parents need to prepare their children for so that when it happens, it?s not as much of a shock. ?It's a lesson you don't want to have to teach, but

"You teach your kid how to cross the street when a car is coming, and you have to teach them about racism, because it's going to happen.?

? Tonya Moore

Moore for the Fine Arts Academy staff page.

Used with permission from Tonya Moore. you have to,? Moore said. ?I mean, as a parent, it was something that I had already taught my children about. So in the book, I tell parents that they should tell their children about it before it happens, because it will happen and they need to be prepared for it.?

Since white parents haven?t experienced racism, sometimes they forget to teach these crucial lessons to their children. ?I think sometimes with the Caucasian parents raising the Black kids, the kids are not always ready for it,? Moore said. ?You have to give them that information. You teach your kid how to cross the street when a car is coming, and you have to teach them about racism, because it's going to happen, and they have to know what to do. You tell them, don't let it affect you. Don't let it hurt you. You just keep moving.?

Acknowledging t he dif ferences wit hin a f amily is also impor t ant t o building a healt hy, strong relationship bet ween par en t s an d child. ?They love each other

just like everybody else, regardless of what color they are. They love each other, and they care for each other, but you have to make sure that you still feel comfortable with who you are,?Moore said. ?When you're living in a family like that, you still need to be you. It should be OK for a child to go to their mom and dad who is white or Black and tell them that something happened to them. They're not afraid to come and tell you because the person who did that to them looks just like you.?

Even though the process of writing a book can be long and challenging, Moore explains that she stayed excited the entire time.

"I just had the will and drive to do it," she said.

"Any chance I got to write or talk to families or do research or call and speak to someone about it sparked more interest. I had a lot of encouragement along the way. It was just a matter of timing. And I didn't want to rush it. So I took my time."

Now in 2020, there's even more to write about. ?With everything that's going on right now, I think people are more aware of race than they've ever been,?Moore said. ?I?d like to be able to bring [race] up in a world that is more conscious than I think it was 10, 15 years ago, although we all still experience things, especially as Black people.?

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Just say the word.

Cross the first semester off the list and test your Mac knowledge with this word puzzle MADELYNN NILES A& E editor 8

Chromebooks flicker on and schedules are marked into planners. The fall semester begins.

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DOWN 1. SEPT. 8: With four weeks of remote learning ahead of them, McCallum faculty and students Zoom into their first day of __________school.

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2. While students virtually file into their classes, new interim principal Nicole __________ begins her first school day working at Mac.

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3. OCT. 1: Several weeks later, the varsity __________ team jumps into its fall season with a game against Crockett, serving as a start for several fall sports seasons at Mac. 4. Meanwhile, the Blue Brigade seniors give the senior parking lot a school spirit makeover for the kickoff of the football season that upcoming Friday ? the (COVID-)19th Annual __________ Shack Bowl against the Anderson Trojans.

1 7 14

5 6 16

5. OCT. 5: In a morning of masks at Mac, staff and some students return to campus for in-__________ learning, held in socially distant learning groups.

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6. That same morning, __________ Brigade drill team members dance in delight on the baseball fields? their first practice together in person since the previous school year.

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7. OCT .14: In a virtual concert, Mr. Ehlers introduces, drum roll please, the Mac __________ program at the SoloIdol contest, attended on Zoom by parents, students and alumni.

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8. OCT. 19: With a celebratory song in their hearts, Mac musicians rejoice in the results released for the TMEA choir, jazz ensemble and __________ competitions, with 50 students earning regional recognition.

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ACROSS 9. OCT. 25: Balloons and streamers adorn the campus as the tickled-pink __________ program kicks off Mac?s pep-filled Pink Week by decorating the school.

10. OCT. 30: Later that week, senior student council members sporting Mac gear distribute the class of 2021 __________ jerseys ? a tradition kept despite COVID circumstances.

11. OCT. 31: Ms. Ghostly Griffith, Mr. ?Afterlife? Anderson and the other Mac Spooktacular ____________contest judges begin collecting photos in a Halloween treat for students and staff.

15. DEC. 4: After returning from Thanksgiving break, the football team faces Northeast at Nelson Field for the 2020__________ game.

16. DEC. 21: With finals finished and classes concluded, students and staff can at last close their computers and begin their __________ break.

Check your answers:

12. NOV. 3: With the __________ season fast approaching, drive-through voter registration is held at Mac for seniors who will be 18 on Election Day.

14. NOV. 10: Spirits (and serves) soar high as the Mac ___________team beats their undefeated foes for their last home game of the season.

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1: online 2: Griffith 3: tennis 4: Taco 5: person 6: Blue 7: percussion 8: orchestra 9: PALS 10: senior 11: costume 12: election 13: cross 14: volleyball 15: homecoming 16: holiday

13. NOV. 9: A week later, three runners from McCallum?s __________ country team get ready, get set and go at the UIL regional meet.

BONUS PUZZLE! You see one knight jump over another knight. What are you watching? __ __ __ __ __ Unscramble the letters in the boxes shaded blue to solve and DM your answer to @macjournalism on Instagram ? first

winner will receive a free MacJournalism mask.

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Friendship is right up their alley McCallum bowling team reflects on takeaways from teamwork as pandemic puts season on hold SAMANTHA POWERS co-news editor, co-copy editor When Bruno Cioci convinced his reluctant freshman classmate John Pratt to join the bowling team, what he didn?t account for was that one day Pratt would become the better bowler. He also didn?t account for the fact that he and Pratt would soon become best friends as they bowled alongside each other at Dart Bowl, home of the McCallum bowling team. ?Me and John became really good friends because of the bowling team,? now senior Bruno Cioci said. ?I think we had one class together and I convinced him when I was a freshman to join the team, and now he?s better than me. I would definitely say that me and John?s friendship was definitely strengthened by the bowling team.

Everyone on the team is good friends.?

Cioci, who found a safe haven in bowling, was disheartened when he realized that the pandemic would put his team's home alley out of business, thus canceling his final year on the bowling team before it even started. He is comforted, however, by the fact that his hiatus from bowling won?t last forever. ?It definitely does bum me out,? Cioci said. ?It was sort of my niche, and a bunch of other kids really enjoyed it. But also, there?s really nothing you can do about it. I would say I?m definitely disappointed that I couldn?t live out my last year on the bowling team, but it?s not like I?m never going to bowl again.?

Cioci may bowl again, but he?ll have to find a new location. Dart Bowl, home of the bowling team, closed on July 17 after 62 years of bowling, brotherhood, and the best enchiladas in town. ?I was sad, it?s sort of like the end of an era,?

Cioci said. ?It was just so convenient having Dart Bowl right [across from] the school. That was perfect because we could just go, if you got a break in class, or after school, even if there wasn?t practice, we would just go and hang out there, and it was like my school outside of school, almost.?

Junior Keegan Langley was also saddened that the bowling alley that had been a part of his life for so long closed. He also wonders what the future holds for the team. ?I was very sad because I have been going there since I was 9, so it's like all the memories faded,? Langley said. ?I feel like in the future we will have to go through a lot more trouble trying to practice since it's not right near us anymore.?

After last year?s bowling season ended but before the quarantine hit , Cioci would often get a group of friends together to return to Dart Bowl?s hallowed 32 lanes. ?After the season ended last year? we had a group chat,? Cioci said. ?And we would just meet up and do something, meet up and go bowling.?

Bruno Cioci bowls at a Dart Bowl match on Feb. 14. Photo

by Frances Arellano.

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Junior Frances Arellano has an idea for a future home alley for McCallum bowling: Highland Lanes, a couple dozen blocks north of McCallum. ?Now that Dart Bowl is closed we don?t know where our new location is,? Arellano said. ?I was thinking about Highland Lanes, but ? we don?t have anything set in stone for the bowling season this year.?

Although the location is uncertain, Cioci is optimistic about the future of the team.

"If, when COVID ends and there?s a great bowler at McCallum someday and they have the same great idea that someone did four years ago, then yeah," Cioci said. "I think it?s totally possible to get another team going."

Cioci said that once he found the bowling team, it was like finding his family. Cioci would still have bowled with his friends even if it wasn?t for the school team.

In fact, he bowled for fun and friendship just as often as did competitively. ?I think it was just like [a] finding my niche kind of thing,? Cioci said. ?Every Friday after school you go and bowl, and it was like a routine. All the matches were so much fun. It was great to have this

commun i t y that?s part of your school, but it?s also something you?d do even if it wasn?t having to do with school. It was just a lot of fun.?

Langley felt immediately welcomed by the older members of the team. ?I joined the bowling team because I really like to play bowling for fun with friends or just by myself,? Langley said. ?Being on this team got me to meet a lot of new people, and they were all very nice even though they were upperclassmen.?

Arellano joined the team after she developed an interest in the sport during the individual sports gym class. Bowling was one of the units in the class, and after a bit of coaxing from some friends who were anxious to start an all-girls?team, she joined the after -school team. ?Every Friday, Coach Amaro took us to Dart Bowl to learn how to bowl and as I slowly got the hang of it, I started to enjoy it, and I saw it as a great stress reliever,? Arellano said. ?One day Coach Amaro asked the class to join the bowling team and at first I was skeptical. A couple of days later my friends in the class had asked me to join the team so we could have an all-girls team at McCallum and that's when I decided to join the bowling team.?

Arellano, like her fellow teammates, appreciates the community of the team. ?Going to practice was one of the things I was looking forward to after school, and I just love the bowling community,? Arellano said. ?Bowling is one of many things that has helped me when I?m stressed with school.?

As the Dart Bowl era comes to a close, the teammates reflected on some of their favorite Dart Bowl memories.

Cioci?s favorite memory comes from a game that didn?t exactly ? count . McCallum played in a league with only three teams, so each week one team played a game without an opponent . Cioci liked that the low-pressure environment , which allowed the team to goof off and have fun.

"There was one game where I think we

Seniors Miles Lee and Bruno Cioci, Coach Dave Stanton, junior Keegan Langley and senior John Pratt share a fist bump at a Dart Bowl match in January. Photo by Frances Arellano.

were just doing stupid stuff,? Cioci said. ?And we would roll up our sleeves and our pant legs or something, and throw it behind the back shot or something like that. We weren?t playing against anyone, so we would automatically win. On those kinds of days, when it was an official game and we were all in uniform but at the same time we were just goofing off, that?s definitely a highlight.?

Arellano?s favorite memory is similar. To her, it's not the glory of a high score, or the glee of winning a match, or even the satisfaction after a long day of practice. Rather, her favorite memory is when she rolled a gutter ball. ?Since it was my first bowling competition ever, I was super worried,? Arellano said. ?Once the competition started, it was all fun and games until I made a gutter ball. I was so disappointed in myself, but as I walked back to my seat my teammates were sitting there cheering me on for making a gutter ball. I couldn?t believe it.?

Cioci said that the bowling team was more than an after-school sport for him: it was something to be a part of, somewhere where he belonged. Cioci?s advice for other high school students is to find something that will be for them what the team was for him. ?I think the value of being a part of something is so important,? Cioci said. ?Even if you think you don?t need to be a part of something, you probably already are a part of something, whether it?s just a casual friend group to kick it back with or the No. 1 football team in the region.?

That?s the theme that seems to emanate from people?s experiences on the bowling team: friendship and camaraderie. For these McCallum bowlers, it?s not about who wins or loses, it?s about the friendships they made along the way.

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Diving deep with Madi Baylor Dedicated senior swimmer sees the positive in everything, even the pandemic LUCY MARCO online co-editor in chief Madi Baylor has been a swimmer for practically her whole life. It's no wonder then how much she has been shaped by the sport.

Competitive swimming has taught her time management, a strong work ethic and just how much she can achieve when she puts in the effort. Baylor?s dedication towards swimming, even in the face of COVID, has fueled her success and the significant progress that she?s made as an athlete and as a person.

A senior, Baylor has been a club swimmer for seven years (she swims for Longhorn Aquatics) and for the past four on the Mac swim team.

Her swimming career all started at her neighborhood summer league team. ?Growing up, my parents always said that I loved the water,? Baylor said. ?Me and my brothers took swim lessons at a pretty young age, and the instructor told my parents about competitive swimming because she thought it would be a good fit. I just kind of took that leap of faith and decided to try out for the summer league team closest to my house, and I guess the rest is history!?

One of Baylor?s proudest achievements was competing in the state meet her junior year at the Lee and Joe Jamail UT Swim Center. ?Only the top two [swimmers] at regionals in any given event automatically advance to state, and I got sixth in the 100 fly so there was a lot of researching, crunching numbers and looking at different regions to see if I was going to get a call up spot,? Baylor said. ?After a couple days, the official list came out, and it was such a good feeling to know that I earned a call-up spot and was going to swim at state for the first time.?

Qualifying for state that year was a dividend for Baylor's many hours of practice and years of hard work . ?I think that it made me the most proud because it felt really validating, like all of my work and time put in was worth it," she said.

Baylor said that the group of Mac swimmers that qualified for state was amazing. She and then-sophomore Zoe Lynch were the only girls to qualify. ?It was so awesome to have a friend [also qualify]," Baylor said, "and someone who had been through the whole meet before, because it?s a crazy meet.?

Although the meet was bittersweet, since it would be her last time swimming with some of her graduating teammates, Baylor's pride in her team overshadowed the other emotions. ?It was so awesome to see all of my teammates, whether it was also their first time at state or their last, come together and perform at such a big and exciting meet," Baylor said. "It was a super proud moment for me and for the team. All credit goes to my teammates for

Madison Baylor warms up at the first swim meet of her junior year, the Springs Family YMCA on Sept. 14. Baylor swam in five events, placing first in the 100-meter freestyle. Now a senior, Baylor hopes to continue in the sport for a long time. ?My future goals for swimming are to swim in college, and I want the team to come together and support each other,?Baylor said. Photo by Daniela Morrow. TOP RIGHT: Madi Baylor swims the butterfly during the 2019 district meet at the Texas Swim Center. Baylor would make it all the way to the state meet in the 100-meter butterfly earning a call-back after finishing sixth at the regional meet in College Station. Photo by Juliee Beyt. CENTER RIGHT: The girls 200-yard individual medley relay team of Zoe Lynch, Claire Greenberg, Ellen Fox and Madi Baylor placed third and set a new school record time of 1:43:71 at the District 20-5A meet. Photo by Juliee Beyt.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Baylor gets in position for the freestyle event at the Tomball meet last December. Photo by Daniela Morrow. making that meet so much fun and exciting, they?re all awesome people and swimmers.?

Anyone who thinks competitive swimming is fun and laid-back is misinformed. Not only is it physically vigorous, but Baylor said it?s also a big commitment to undertake. ?Thehardest part [of swimming] is probablythe time commitment.Whether it?s in the water or on dry land or just waking up super early, we spend so much time focused on thesport as a whole.?

Though this commitment may be difficult at times, Baylor stays grounded and optimistic through frustrating situations. ?For anything, where I notice that there are f laws and something could change, I try and focus on everything good that is coming out of the situation at the moment, rather than dwelling on everything that I wish I could change," Baylor said.

COVID has completely transformed Baylor?s time as a swimmer this year. Though it took a while to get back into the groove of using the pool again, Longhorn Aquatics, or TXLA, is open again, now with temperature checks before entering, required wearing of masks until the very last moment out of the pool,

"I?ve definitelylearned how to be more appreciative and empathetic,especially for others?safety, because of COVID."

? Madi Baylor

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social distancing on deck and a limited amount of swimmers per lane. ?With TXLA, we normally swim through the summer, and this year we did not swim during the summer at all, which was super different and odd," Baylor said. "Because of this, I sought out other places to train, with different coaches, different pools and different training types so in that way it was kind of fun to switch it up and see what worked for me and what didn?t, while staying safe.?

Having no one in the stands watching her and her team compete this year has also been a big adjustment. ?Club meets would normally have hundreds of kids, and the stands would be full," Baylor said.

"Now when we have a meet it?s just intrasquad and only volunteersare allowed, no spectators.?

The McCallum swim team?s COVID restrictions are about the same her club's. ?Both programs are being super safe and taking all the right precautions in my opinion,?

Baylor said. ?Meets are a whole other story, it?s so odd to wear masks right until your race and when talking to coaches.?

Although the pandemic has somewhat impeded opportunities for swimmers to grow as a team, Baylor feels that she has learned and grown a lot in spite of and because of it. ?One thing about COVID in relation to swim as a whole, is that I?ve become so much more appreciative for what was once such a small concept like getting to use the pool and swim, or using locker rooms," Baylor said. "So in that way, I?ve definitely learned how to be

more appreciative and empathetic, especially for others?safety because of COVID.?

Besides being a committed and successful athletic swimmer, Baylor likes to make time to hang out with her family and friends, as well as napping, listening to music and baking. ?I love to spend time with my friends," Baylor said. "I know everyone says it, but I seriously have the best friends ever, so I try and spend any free time with them. I also happen to have the best family ever, so whenever I can just chill with my parents and brothers, I?d say that?s a pretty good day!?

As far as college goes, for the moment, Baylor isn?t sure where she?ll end up. She does know, however, that she will continue to compete and grow as a swimmer wherever she attends college in the fall. ?I know wherever I end up, it?ll be for the right reasons and where I feel most comfortable,? she said. ?I?m very excited to commit and know where I?m going to train and study for the next four years of my life.?

As for the previous four years, she would not have missed them for the world. Baylor advises freshmen considering joining a swim team to steel up and go for it. ?I would say that although it definitely seems scary--I?ve been there before, trust me. It?s really scary at first.--making that choice is one of the best decisions you can make. In anything new, taking the leap of faith to try something new can be super scary and different but swimming is one of those choices that has such a big pay off and will change your life for the better.?

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Twins on the three-point line John and Rob Wade reflect on a lifetime of basketball and brotherhood KENNEDY WEATHERBY staff reporter The stakes were high for the freshman boys basketball team. Their opponents for the night: district rival, Austin High. After the Knights' devastating two-point loss at the buzzer to the Maroons earlier that season, the district championship was on the line. If the Knights could win the game, not only would they redeem themselves, but they would also secure a position as district champions. Luckily for the basketball team, the Wade twins stepped up to the line that night. As co-captains, Rob and John Wade led their team to a hard earned victory, and the freshman Knightsclaimed the co-district title.

Three years and 64 basketball games later, the Wadetwins, Rob and John, have begun their fourth and final season as McCallum Knights, but their story with basketballstartsmuch earlier than that.

Both Rob and John have been playing basketball for as long as they can remember.It started in their driveway, playing with their older brother. From there, the twins played for basketball associationsin Austin, such as YMCA, WAYA and AAU, wherevalues of sportsmanshipand integrity are taught from an early age. They then went on to play at Lamar Middle School and then, of course,at McCallum. ?[Basketball] has taught me a lot of leadership and I?m grateful for that,? John said. ?I'd say that my AAU days have really helped me grow in the leadership department.?

After winning district their freshman year, the twins started their sophomore year on different teams, with John on the JV team and Rob on varsity. They both credit that year for teaching them valuable lessons that helped shape them into the high level varsity playersthey are today. ?When I was on JV under Coach Shaw, I learned a lot about leadership, and I had to step into a role that I had never really experienced before,? John said. ?We were 0-5 to start that season, and Coach Shaw pulled me aside and said he was looking to me to pull us out of the slump, which I?m glad he did because I stepped up, and that?s shaped my basketball experience.?

Under the leadership of Coach Shaw and Coach Fuentes, who both work closely with the JV and the varsity team, the twins have developed and learned from many different perspectives. ?[Fuentes and Shaw] both have really good basketball IQs, so they are always trying to figure out ways that I can get better--just play better and help us win,? Rob said. ?I learned that you?re not always going to be the most skilled or the best player on the floor, so you have to do all the little things right.?

The twins were reunited on the varsity team their junior year, and it has, in their opinion, only made each of them better. ?[Playing with Rob] makes it a lot easier for me because I always know I can count on him," John said. "He just makes the team better, and that makes everybody on the floor better.?

And they make him better. The dynamic duo also credits their coaches and teammates who have helped them develop into the players they are today. The Wade twins also credit their parents. ?Well, my dad is a super big basketball-head, so he?s always encouragingme and trying to help me,?

Rob said. ?And my mom is always a shoulder to

The Wade twins play ball in their driveway with their older brother .

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Senior John Wade drives past a Marble Falls defender and surveys the court during an away game on Dec. 4. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

A young John Wade (left) and Rob Wade (right) pose with Christmas gifts: brand new basketballs. Photo by Stuart Wade.

Senior Rob Wade attempts a shot during a varsity basketball game against Austin High on Nov. 20. McCallum ended up losing the game 62-52. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby. lean on. If I have a bad loss or if I?m mad about something, she?s always there.?

Rob and John?s dad, Stuart Wade, has also been a part of their basketball experience at McCallum. Along with being the former basketball booster club president, he has coached the twins and their teammates in the fall league that the Knights have participated in the past two years. ?It?s been really rewarding to watch them develop, they never fail to impress me with their leadership and maturity," Stuart said.

"It?s been a real pleasure to be with that core group of seniors who have worked hard together since Lamar.?

Now, the twins have made it to the most memorable season of their high school career:

The Wade twins pose with their their WAYA basketball team in 2017. They were 14 years old at the time.

senior year. After all the hard work they have put in over these last three years, all the early morning practices, pre- and post-season games, and off-season training, the two are looking forward to this upcomingyear. ?I don?t really have any expectations [for this season], but the goals are to win district and make a run in the playoffs,?Rob said.

The Wades know that putting in hard work in practices and games can make this goal achievable. ?We believethat we can win district this year.

If we put in the work in practice and play as hard as we can in games, we know that we can make a good playoff run in the postseason.?

John said. ?I got to be along for the ride when we went to the playoffs my sophomore year. I wasn?t really a part of the team, so I?m excited to play at that stage.?

No matter what happens when district play starts up at the end of December, Rob and John feel good about the work they and their

The Wade twins celebrate after winning a game their freshman year. Photo by Pam Olsen.

teammates have put in to get to this point, and are prepared to bring their best. ?I?m most excited about the journey,? Rob said. ?Whatever the result is, I?m just going to be satisfied with the group of guys that we have been playing and practicingwith all year.?

As the twins round the corner to the end of their high school basketball career, they look back on how playing at McCallum has shaped their high school experience. From keeping them in check in the classroom to helping them meet some great people, John and Rob are grateful for the past three years in McCallum basketball.

Like many other seniors, college is already on the twin's minds. Rob is leaning toward continuing his basketball career in college.

Although receiving several roster spot offers from a few different schools, Rob remains undecided.

John, on the other hand, doesn?t plan on playing basketball in college, but is looking to major in finance. After spending 18 years playing on various teams together, they realize that this will probably be the last time for a while that they will play together on the same team. That makes this season even more special, and they are not taking anythingfor granted. ?I?ll miss the basketball team the most, because that?s something that?s just everyday,? John said. ?Sometimes you're just tired of coming in for basketball but I know that once the final buzzer is over and I can?t come in for practice anymore, I?m gonna miss it.?

The Wade twins play defense together their junior year.

Photo by Annabel Winter.

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Kn igh t spor t s r ou n d-u p Boys avenge '19 loss to Burnet in blowout After last season's 56-43 loss to the Burnet Bulldogs, the varsity boys basketball team came prepared for home-cooked revenge on Dec. 8. The Knights pounced early, finishing the first quarter up 30-7. The second quarter added to the deluge as the Knight defense fueled a 53-14 halftime advantage.

The second half was more of the same as the Knights prevailed by an 88-32 final score.

Senior Hudson Spradling led all Knight scorers with 23 points while seniors Albert Garza and Rob Wade scored 22 and 15 respectively. ?Our defense was great," Garza said. "I feel like we are coming together and understanding how the team dynamic works.

Guys were rotating to the right spots when one guy would beat our defender. We really played great as a team last night. Nobody was being selfish we were all looking to make the extra pass even though we were up.? ? Kennedy Weatherby

Junior Noah Arnold goes for a layup against the Burnet Bulldogs on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

Balanced effort leads to repeat defeat of Eastside Junior Fayth Schumann scored 18 points, and senior Makayla Mason chipped in 12, as the two veterans scored 57 percent of the team?s points in a 53-29 road victory at Eastside Memorial on Dec. 4.

It was the second match-up between the two teams to start the year, and the Knights won both games in the home-and-home series decisively.

Freshman Esme Barraz had a second strong game with 10 points, five steals and four rebounds. Senior Abby Robison, a co-captain with Mason, led the team in rebounds and steals with seven of each.

Barraz and Robison also led the team in def lections with seven and five respectively.

Def lections is a stat that Coach Lorie Campbell likes to keep because it?s an indicator of defensive intensity and how well a player is disrupting their opponent?s offense.

The Knights controlled the game from tip-off to final buzzer, scoring in double-digits and keeping their opponent in single digits for all four quarters.

In the team's first meeting on Nov. 17 the Knights recorded 27 steals and held the Panthers to a mere six points in the second half. Mason led the Knights with 14 points.

The Knights are next in action on Dec. 11 when they play at LASA. They will be facing the Raptors for the first time since LASA and LBJ separated into two different teams. ? Dave Winter

Freshman Esme Barraz drives to the basket during Mac's 53-29 road victory against Eastside. The Knights face the LASA Raptors on Dec. 11. Photoby MackenzieMason.

Senior running back Andres Rodriguez and the rest of the varsity football team celebrates the 20-0 victory over the district rival Northeast Raiders. "A win is a win," quarterback Jaxon Rosales said. "The score should have been much higher on our side, and we just have to keep grinding in preparation for next week." The Knights will play the Georgetown East View Patriots at 7 p.m. at House Park on Friday, Dec. 11. Photo by Lindsey Plotkin.

Knights to play East View in playoffs With a 20-0 shutout of the Northeast Raiders, the varsity football team clinched the No. 2 playoff seed in District 14-5A-2 and home-field advantage for the first round of state playoffs. While the win was decisive, it wasn't perfect. The Knights gave the Raiders 160 yards in penalties. ?We need to focus on ourselves and how we play the game but at the end of the day this game are behind us,? junior safety Ez Guenther said. ?We have to stop being sloppy and look ahead.?

Junior safety Jake Hissey echoed those sentiments praising the pass protection but bringing attention to the penalties and communication errors that will cost the Knights against a playoff opponent.

Hissey opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. After a scoreless second quarter, the Knights put the game away in the third quarter on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Rosales to junior Brock Fanning and a Rosales QB keeper.

Senior running back Andres Rodriguez led the Knights in rushing with 118 yards.

Rosales and Fanning rushed for 90 and 36 yards respectively. ?We didn?t have any turnovers, which is a step in the right direction, and we ran the ball well,? Rosales said. ?We are going to have to analyze film and step up everything about our game to prepare for next week."

Rosales had 94 passing yards, the bulk of them going to junior wide receiver Nate Davidson who had 83 receiving yards. The Knight defense held the Raiders to 32 total yards of offense. ?We did well in stopping the passing game except for the screens,? Hissey said. ?We kept all of our hats on the run game, which helped."

The win extended the team's win streak to four after wins over Navarro, Marble Falls and Crockett.

A decisive 58-0 victory against Navarro let the starters rest for most of the second half. The 14-0 win over Marble Falls was a signature win that turned the team's season in the right direction after losses to Anderson and Liberty Hill to start the season.

The Knights corralled the Mustang offense and created two critical fumbles.

One of the fumbles, forced by Caleb Green, resulted in a McCallum touchdown after Hissey scooped it up scored.

The other trip to the end zone came on a nine-yard pass from Rosales to Davidson.

The Crockett game was a little bit rougher with a sloppy first half and two offensive turnovers. Despite these troubles, the Knights conquered the Cougars, 38-14.

The Knights will face the third-place team from District 13-5A-2, Georgetown East View, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at House Park.

- Grace Nugent

Riley returnsto UIL state cross-countrymeet, sets personal record on tough course

Riley kicks towards the finish line at State. Photo by Ginny Riley.

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It takes a lot of hard work and natural talent to be able to compete at a state cross country meet.

The top runners from those meets go on to run at big D1 schools like Oregon and Texas. To be able to run at that level not once but twice is a significant accomplishment. Junior Chris Riley did exactly that, returning to the state meet after making it a year ago.

As a sophomore in 2019, Riley ran a season-best 16:31 for the 5K. But it was clear he could do even better with time. The time came this season, in which he ran a personal best 16:14, even unofficially running a sub 16-minute race for the first time.

Those fast times earned him a spot in the regional meet, where he was able to also qualify for the state meet. Last year, due to injury, Riley had a mediocre race at the state meet. But this year, fully healthy and faster than ever, he looked to have a great race. On Monday, Nov. 23, he had that chance and he seized it.

The state meet, as always, was held at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, a course at which Riley had already earned a win at in his sophomore year. Riley went out very fast, finishing his first mile at 4:50, and reaching a personal goal to run a sub 5-minute split. As the race went on, splits got slower and

people started to die out, but he was able to push himself and keep a steady pace throughout.

He came through the finish line in 55th place in a personal best 16:14.71. ?I?m happy with how I did,? Riley said. ?It was one of my best times of the year, and I think I did really well. It was a good way to end the season.?

Riley has many reasons to be proud of his performance at this meet, and so does his coach. ?Riley is by far the fastest and strongest runner McCallum has had in the last 15 years since I have been coaching,?Coach Ashton said. ? ThomasMelina Raab

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Telvi Altamirano-Cancino teaches her Spanish class to her Zoomers and her Roomers from her classroom on Nov. 16.

Photo by David Winter.

Dear teachers, thank you and we're sorry.

You deserve better than blank Zoom boxes, current options Dear Teachers, An ugly truth has come to me recently: I?ve been taking you for granted. How pathetic. It took me a global pandemic and the uprooting of a typical school year for me to realize the unsung heroes standing before me. As I read this back, I can?t help but cringe. Y?all deserve an apology.

I am sorry for not turning on my video some mornings. I like to think I am beyond caring what other people think, but the truth is, some mornings, the idea of other people seeing my messy hair and sleepy eyes freaks me out. I think it takes a lot of bravery to do what y?all do: to stand and teach amid a virtual classroom of eyes looking your way (even if they are all black boxes and don't look like eyes at all).

I am sorry for sometimes not doing my homework until the last minute. I am a procrastinator. Your patience is astounding.

Thanks for pointing out how I switched my negative and positive signs for the 15th time that day (I appreciate it, Ms. Seckar-Martinez).

And for explaining how an aggregate-demand aggregate-supply graph works (they still confuse me, Ms. Wachsmann, but that?s not for lack of good teaching on your end). And being considerably tolerant of the fact that after four years of French, I still can?t form a coherent sentence (Ms. Favrin, it?s not your fault).

I?m also sorry for ever saying the cliched ?I

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hate school.?I take it back, really.

A lot of grit, sweat and love goes into your job.

I can?t imagine the exhaustion you must feel; dedicating your whole lives to a livelihood dedicated to other people.

But I know that your exhaustion has gotten worse, because after giving everything you have to your students, AISD seeks to take what little you have left.

There's a fundamental issue with how AISD is treating its teachers right now. Teachers who want nothing more than to teach are being used as pawns in AISD?s big chess game. How many pawns will be sacrificed while the queen hides, unmoving? It?s just sad. Who would have thought me saying ?teachers deserve the right to feel safe? could be construed into a political statement?

I think the saddest part is this: AISD?s intentions are good. There are kids who need to be at school right now. The purpose of AISD to provide them with a safe space is admirable and necessary. But as teachers and staff have expressed time and time again, this is not the way to go about it.

Let teachers teach. That?s what they seek.

AISD, don?t taint their passion with politics. Let?s focus on bettering the online school experience.

Let?s focus on giving teachers outlets to improve their online lessons.

So once again, I express my deepest apologies.

Sorry for taking y?all for granted. I think some of it has to do with my age (my mom says all teenagers are self-obsessed), but still, I want to let you know I appreciateyou. A lot.

Sincerely, Alysa Spiro

When we're in charge, we won't forget what you've done for us Dear Teachers, Your job is complicated.

During this pandemic, there is so much give and take between wanting to protect your health and wanting to keep your jobs. You shouldn?t have to make that decision.

Child care is such a complicated decision to make, because either way it?s a sacrifice. If you choose to send your children to day care, that?s a health risk factor. In addition, child care is often too expensive on a teacher?s salary. On the flip side, you could opt out of expensive and somewhat risky child care and choose to have a family member watch your child, but that exposes that family member to the school environment that teachers are forced to subject themselves to every day.

One of my teachers recently had to make the tough decision between her family?s health and her own responsibilities.She has a young child at home who needs constant care, but both she and her husband work. Her mother, whose age put her in the high-risk bracket for COVID-19, came to stay with the family and help care for her child, while she and her husband worked. She did not receive accommodations, so her choice was this: return to campus and expose her high-risk mother to everyone at school by proxy, or take a leave of absence without pay. In the end, she chose her mom?s health. But because of this choice she was forced to make, my classmatesand

I have now gone for months without our teacher.

The community I used to feel from that class is gone, washed away in the wake of so much apathy from our district towardsprotectingour teachers.

Dear AISD, Don?t you see? Don?t you understand just how much you are taking your teachers for granted?

They aren?t disposable;they won?t be kicked around.

They are human beings just like you and me, and they are braver than anyone I know for doing what they do. They makethe ultimatesacrifice. Every day they risk their lives for their jobs becausedoing this is what they love, plain and simple. They don't do this for the money, believe me. They do this for the kids. And AISD, you needto realizethat you owe the greatest debt to your teachers. They are riskingtheir lives to educatethe next generation.

It doesn?t have to be this way. Our teachers? civil service will one day create the next generation of leaders. When it?s our job to look out for teachers, I know we won?t turn a blind eye.

As we become the next generation of policymakers, lobbyists and school board officials, we will look back on our teachers?dedicationto us, and we will dedicate ourselves to repaying them.

This generation of students has seen the immense sacrifices made by staff during the pandemic, and it won?t be forgotten.

But we don?t have to wait. Our teachers and staff need us now, and it?s up to us to advocate for them when they do so much for all of us. We can pay them more, we can grant accommodationsfor those who need them, we can let them teach remotely. Their health and wellness is essential to all of us. AISD, I implore you to open your eyes and ears to the present reality. Teachers, I?m sorry.

And I thank you.

Sincerely, SamanthaPowers

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You can't beat home sweet home We urge you to stay home this holiday season to help slow the spread of COVID-19 SHIELD STAFF With Hanukkah and Christmas fast approaching, families are faced with the decision to travel to be with loved ones or stay home to help limit the spread of the corona virus. While precautions can be taken to minimize risk during travel, we've come to a conclusion: stay home. This year, it's best to do your fellow Americans a service and stay put.

We are already witnessing the negative effects of Thanksgiving travel. Cases, hospitalization and death rates have all risen on a national scale. As of Dec. 9, the New York Times has reported that the U.S. has broken the record for most deaths in a week and is quickly approaching the 300,000 deceased threshold.

The simple truth is this: staying home will decrease the chances of another surge of Covid-19 cases: something we can't risk right now. If we act irresponsibly now, people?s lives will be in even more danger than they already are.

In an interview on NBC?s Meet the Press, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, strongly discouraged holiday travel. ?What we expect, unfortunately, as we go for the next couple of weeks into December, is that we might see a surge superimposed on the surge we are already in,? he said. ?I don?t want to frighten people, except to say it is not too late to do something about this.?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans not to travel, especially to Mexico, a popular winter tourist destination with alarmingly lax coronavirus restrictions. If you still plan on doing so, please adhere to the CDC travel guidelines, as well as the ones they are encouraging specifically for the holidays that go beyond wearing a mask, staying distant, regularly washing your hands and delaying trips if exposed to COVID-19 (see graphic). Stay at home and embrace holiday cheer rather than holiday fear. It is simply not worth the risk.

There is no telling how rapidly this virus could spread if we don?t take it seriously and stay as isolated as possible. Even if you do not

think you or your family would have severe cases, you do not know that for sure, and this is not just about your family. If we want things to go back to normal in the near future, we must think of every American citizen. There is a light at the end of this long, depressing tunnel. Distribution of a vaccine is in the foreseeable future. Stay vigilant.

Every one of us wants to put this pandemic behind us as soon as possible, so we urge you to do your part. It is the logical and moral thing to do.

We know this isn?t an easy decision. A lot of us miss our families and loved ones right now.

But it is better to skip one holiday season with them, than go the rest of your life without them. Besides, getting through the holiday season without 12-hour road trips and political arguments sounds pretty nice to us. This year, opt for a zoom get-together or Secret Santa by mail. Take advantage of this opportunity we all have to relax and reset before 2021, which, by the way, we would rather not ring in from a hospital bed in the ICU. One thing we?ve learned from 2020 is that you never know what the new year might throw at you.

Infographics by Evelyn Griffin.

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

editors-in-chief ELLEN FOX AND BELLA RUSSO assistant editors advisers ALYSA BIJL-SPIRO, EVELYN GRIFFIN, LUCY MARCO, ANNA MCCLELLAN, GRACE NUGENT, MADELYNN NILES, SAMANTHAPOWERS,THEOROE, ELISHA SCOTT JENA WEBER DAVE WINTER reporters MARLEY ANGLE, EVIE BARNARD, KATE BOYLE, JOSIE BRADSBY, OLIVIA CAPOCHIANO, THOMAS MELINA-RAAB, CALEB MELVILLE, ESME MORENO, JESSICA MONTOYA-MORENO, CARRIE ANNE MURFIN, LILY PRATHER, SOFIA RAMON, LYDIA REEDY, ALICE SCOTT, JAVIER VELA, LOKI WILSON, TALULLAH WILSON The Shield is published by journalism students in the newspaper production class.

Although students work under the guidance of a professionalfaculty member, the student staff ultimatelydeterminesthe 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 debate is not included in this definition.

26 editorial

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 identificationmay be required when a letter is submitted. Letters may be edited.

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Letters that contain malicious attacks on individual reporters, the adviser or the principalwill be rejected.

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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.

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