McCallum High School Shield: Volume 72, Issue 4, April 18, 2025

the shield

save the date April

news people center sports opinion

April 22

April 26

May 5

May 5

May 5-16

May 13

May 16

May 30

Algebra I EOC Exam

Senior Prom, 8:00-11:00 p.m.

CAC Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

PTSA Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

AP Testing weeks

Trustee Awards Night

Fine Arts Academy Convocation

Graduation @ Burger Center

Rising urban density in Austin fuels light pollution, obscures stars in the night sky, boosts carbon emissions and disrupts local wildlife

Brazilian percussion ensemble expands after Hamlet, Davis welcome newcomers by turning musical group into an official school club

Fashion show senior director simultaneously designs for final year, models under star-studded sky for celestial-themed show

First-year geography teacher Lia Ferrante awarded Teacher of Promise, celebrated for interactive teaching style, enthusiasm

A former distance runner at the University of Arizona, Coach Thea Ramsey brings expertise, experience to track and field team.

Scientists are using modern technology to revive extinct species, which also might restore ecosystems and increase biodiversity

AGRADECIDA POR LA OPORTUNIDAD: Sophomore Alexis Jimenez prepares for a photo with fellow quinceañeras on Saturday, April 12. Jimenez was attending McCallum’s annual quinceañera, a traditional celebration to honor students without the high costs that typically comes with it. See more in our recent photo essay published online. Photo by Lilah Lavigne.

FIRST SEASON COMPLETE: Freshman Vera Foster smiles after the Knights beat Bastrop 5-0 on March 13. Foster was one four freshman welcomed to the girl’s soccer team this season. “I honestly don’t feel like being a freshman affects any of the actual connections I have with the team,” Foster said. “They are just like an extended family.” Photo by Dave Winter.

A sky without stars

Light

pollution grows in Austin, rendering

Elizabeth

Nation staff reporter

“The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.”

Most McCallum students and people in Texas are familiar with this song, which is performed before UT football games by the band, sung at countless elementary school talent shows, and played during the seventh inning stretch of baseball games. But many students aren’t familiar with the actual stars mentioned in “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” A study published in Science Advances estimated that 80% of Americans will never see the Milky Way in their entire lifetimes. And that number will only increase as light pollution grows globally by 10 percent each year.

“

certifies different towns, national parks and remote areas where it’s possible to see beautiful stars as International Dark Sky Communities, Parks, and Sanctuaries. McCallum sophomore Dede Reagins got the chance to go to one of these locations, the Grand Canyon, in eighth grade on a school trip. For Reagins, the experience was eye-opening.

“It was really my first time being able to see the stars on such a greater scale,” Reagins said. “It helped pique my interest in light pollution because I really noticed a difference. It’s a very rare experience that I had, and it makes me a little bit upset because it’s such an interesting topic.”

I think that we should all study light pollution more and as a community find ways to make it better for everyone.

Austin is not excluded from that statistic. As a matter of fact, light pollution may have increased faster in Austin than in other cities as its population has grown tremendously from 251,808 residents in 1970 to 984,567 residents in 2024. Joyce Lynch, vice president of the Austin Astronomical Society, has lived in Austin for 50 years. In that time, Lynch’s society has been forced to relocate star parties and astronomy nights due to poor visibility in Austin.

“We used to have a place out on Bee Caves Road where we would go for observing,” Lynch said. “We haven’t done that for a long time because we can’t see that much there. We keep having to go farther and farther out

—sophomore Dede Reagins ”

As Reagins acknowledged, many students don’t get the chance to see stars. The closest Dark Sky Preserve to McCallum is the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Preserve, which covers 15,000 square miles of the Coahilun Desert and extends from West Texas into Northern Mexico.

It is at least a six-hour drive from Austin to Marathon, a town at the edge of the preserve, and other areas near the preserve’s core are even more distant.

“People don’t necessarily want to have to travel a long distance,” Lynch said. “They want to be able to see what’s going on in the sky without traveling too far.”

Even for those who have had the chance to travel to dark sky locations, students can’t see the stars on a daily basis.

“When people don’t see the stars or the

it almost impossible to see stars at night

Llight pollution, however, doesn’t only hurt visual astronomy. It also impacts the environment, according to DarkSky International, which estimates that 1 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions are produced by unnecessary light pollution. That means that light pollution emits about the same amount of greenhouse gases annually as driving 49 million cars for a year.

Light pollution also has a very local impact. Annually, two billion birds migrate through Texas, one third of migrating birds in the spring and one fourth of migrating birds in the fall. These birds are often attracted and disoriented by the lights of skyscrapers, causing them to crash into these buildings and die. A study published in the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics found that almost a billion birds die because of hitting lit-up buildings at night nationally.

Jennifer Lueckemeyer is an environmental scientist and ornithologist who studies and protects golden-cheeked warblers, an endangered species only found in Central Texas. While the golden-cheeked warbler is at less of a risk from hitting buildings than migratory birds, Lueckemeyer has noticed and feels for the loss of migrating birds due to city lights.

“Light pollution can be very harmful to migratory species,” Lueckemeyer said. “It’s terribly sad to know that birds are having these strikes with glass. They die a horrible death when they strike glass.”

To combat light pollution-induced deaths, the Houston Audubon Society founded the Lights Out Texas program, which encourages homes and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights at night.

“I think that people don’t often realize what they have control over: their own house and their own backyard and frontyard yard,” Lueckemeyer said. “Turning off the lights there can make a huge difference in bird

Place by

for three years in between fifth and eighth grade, and enjoyed being able to see the stars anywhere in the city.

“If you just look up, no matter where you

can because it’s a dark sky city, so the stars are

Scan this QR code to read the unabridged version of this story or visit macshieldonline.com.

Sky

DarkSky International in 2001. Sophomore Lucy McTeague lived in Flagstaff

From downtown Austin, it is impossible to see anything but the brightest stars in the

The stars as seen from Big Bend National Park, which is part of one of the largest sky preserves in the world. Photo by Sophia

Trump’s second turn

New president ushers in new executive orders, cabinet and controversy

Beatrix Lozach staff reporter

The first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term have attracted considerable controversy over the signature of 45 executive orders and political appointments that critics perceive as regressive and outmoded. Trump signed 26 executive orders on his first day in office, Jan. 20. Such orders include a motion to end birthright citizenship, with planned ICE raids in New York, Miami and Chicago, restoring the death penalty and condemning surgical transition for transgender people, calling it “mutilation.” A Reaganappointed federal judge, John Coughenour, blocked the ending of birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”

Other moves included the planned demolition of the Department of Education, a longtime campaign promise of Trump’s, and the appointment of Pete Marocco, a suspected former Jan. 6 rioter, as director of the United States Agency for International Development by secretary of state Marco Rubio. Rubio, who currently serves as the department’s interim director, instigated mass layoffs within the organization. Elon Musk, the current head of the Department of Government Efficiency (which despite being called a department is not a part of the Cabinet but rather the White House) described USAID as “a criminal organization.”

Furthermore, the United States left the World Health Organization, drawing the ire of medical professionals. AP Environmental Science teacher Elaine Bohls-Graham fears the ecological and epidemiological ramifications of Trump’s executive orders, including his lifting of the requirement to be vaccinated for COVID as a government official.

“My main concern is the CDC was told today not to cooperate with the World Health Organization, which could be a longterm environmental problem,” BohlsGraham said.

“It’s going to be interesting to see if he tries to shut down the U.N.” Trump has called on the Environmental Protection Agency to review policies pertaining to the social cost of carbon and a 2009 endangerment finding regarding the presence of global greenhouse gas emissions.

destroying that habitat,” Bohls-Graham said. Unfortunately for Bohls-Graham and other Texas environmentalists, only 4% of Texas respondents to a March 27 Texas Public Opinion Research poll chose climate control as their top priority in the state. It was ranked No. 12 overall.

“ It is so important right now to know that you too have rights, undocumented or not.

” —sophomore Elizabeth Peables

“The treaty states that the border will always be in the center of the river, but over time, the river’s oxbows have changed pathways and formed cenotes, changing the border per the treaty,” Bohls-Graham said. “What happens if Trump becomes aware of this and decides to claim the land gained from weathering and erosion of the river?”

In the same poll, 24 percent named immigration and border security as their top priority (No. 3 overall).

“If he’s drilling in the Arctic, he’ll be destroying the permafrost and the tundra,

Bohls-Graham expressed concern over that issue as well, fearing a possible border conflict due to ongoing shifts in the geographic landscape along the Rio Grande. Following the Mexican-American War, the United States negotiated a treaty with Mexico delineating the border between Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Tamaulipas.

According to the Texas Public Opinion Research poll, only 2% wanted lawmakers to focus on cultural issues. The Trump administration’s attempts to eliminate DEI programs is of paramount concern to Tonya Moore, Fine Arts Academy assistant and sponsor of the Students of Color Alliance. In three separate executive orders, Trump deemed DEI initiatives to be  “radical and wasteful” initiatives and said his actions would restore “merit” to government service and to higher education. Moore defended DEI policies as essential and said they affect how she’s perceived as a Black woman in the workforce, and consequently, inform her behavior.

“Even when I first came to McCallum, I looked to see if they had diversity on staff because that’s important,” Moore said. “Your place of employment should be comfortable. Without affirmative action, this reduces that

comfortability. Some people might refuse to hire any people of color. It puts a disadvantage for people of color applying.”

Moore also stated that diversity at her workplace impacts her expression, both culturally and as an individual.

“When I’m applying for a job, I think about how I’m going to wear my hair,” Moore said. “Some hairstyles are perceived as threatening. I need to know if I can wear an Afro or if I need to wear my hair straight. I wouldn’t go to an interview [now] in a Kente skirt.”

Reflecting on her own experiences with representation, Moore fears that rolling back DEI programs will create barriers to entry for younger generations. To Moore, systemic racism has severe ripple effects, decades after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal.

“I like seeing people of color in high positions of power,” Moore said. “I don’t see it often enough. But even as a grown person, it makes me feel like I can strive for that. If you don’t see it, you can’t do it. When I was growing up, I don’t think I ever had a Black teacher. I think it would’ve made a difference in my life and my spirit.“

Sophomore Elizabeth Peables agrees with Moore. Peables, who is Hispanic and multiracial, believes that Trump’s second term has already emboldened white supremacists, leading to a rise in racial profiling. Peables had a conversation with her mother about what to do if she was racially profiled by ICE officers, despite her status as a citizen.

“As someone who is Hispanic, I think it is so important right now to know that you too have rights, undocumented or not,” Peables said. “Trump has taken the voices of a racist, homophobic and misogynistic people, and handed them a megaphone to use to their own advantage. With this in particular ICE has been able to raid Austin, a blue dot in a sea of red.“

However, Peables has also witnessed organized resistance to ICE—and she’s not alone. Austin ISD released official guidelines in late January detailing protocol for what to do if ICE comes, generally involving noncompliance.

“I believe Austin is a strong community, however, when faced up against with the challenges, there’s not a lot anyone can do in the situation,” Peables said.

Peables also stressed that Hispanic people are vital to Austin’s culture, economy and community.

“Austin does have a pretty big Hispanic population. We make up around 33% of the total population,” Peables said. “As a result of having less people around, we will make less money as a city, get fewer things done and lose key heritage connections that Austin once had.”

Trump’s appointments and executive actions have changed the rules of the game. Graphic by Beatrix Lozach.

RIGHT: Two protesters hold signs at rally for Planned Parenthood in New York City in 2011. BELOW: A protester holds a sign at a Protest the Pill anti-contraception rally in Washington DC in 2009. Photos accessed on the American Life League Flickr account and republished here with permission under a Creative Commons License.

Birth control restrictions...

Eva Sanchez staff reporter

Birth control, a contraceptive, is used for various reasons such as preventing pregnancy and hormone therapy, which can ease hormonal symptoms women experience such as cramps, mental disorders, acne, treatment for cancers and overall benefit to women’s health. Recently, the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, which ultimately sent a women’s right to an abortion back to each state to determine the availability of birth control. In total, eight states have enforced restrictions in contraceptives including birth control. Most require parental consent for teens to be able to purchase and use birth control. Many states, such as Oklahoma, plan on pushing birth control more and more out of reach. Recently, however, parental consent has been the only form of restriction.

OBGYNs and medical professionals can prescribe birth control to control

...by new administration sparks protests, leads to debate

hormone imbalances and safely prevent the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Two Texas licensed OBGYNs, who have asked to remain anonymous, due to the political climate around the subject matter, explained the uses of birth control and to whom they would typically prescribe it.

“Talking to and counseling patients based on their needs and use of birth control is so important,” the OBGYN said. “This means finding what patients want from birth control in terms of their lifestyles and routines, health benefits, and most commonly prevention from pregnancy.”

Based on her experience with her patients, the OBGYN said that she feels that the new restrictions are unnecessary and disregard women’s autonomy.

“My patients come in with many concerns regarding their physical and mental health, and most treatments used are a form of birth control,” the OBGYN said. “I truly believe that women have every right to receive and use prescribed contraceptives from pharmacies especially when some women have it

harder to get easy access to birth control.”

The OBGYN explains that if states mandate stricter restrictions on birth control there will have to be other options for women needing birth control as a hormone balancer.

“Honestly, this is a difficult time for women’s reproductive rights and autonomy,” the OBGYN said. “There are ways to balance hormones including eating nutritious meals that can positively impact mood changes, taking antidepressants for mental disorders, supplements like vitamins, visiting a dermatologist for other forms of acne treatments, sleep, exercise and finding stressreducing routines.”

The restrictions on birth control affects a majority of minors. Many teenagers use birth control for reasons other than preventing pregnancy. Whether it’s a sudden spike in acne, chronic headaches and cramps because of menstrual cycles, hair benefits, helping ease muscle cramps, or painful and irregular periods, birth control can treat a variety of health issues that improve the everyday lives and the well being of teenagers that use it.

to remain anonymous to protect their privacy.

One common response and connections was the use of birth control to treat acne and prevent hormonal breakouts on the skin.

“I started birth control because my dermatologist suggested it due to my hormonal acne,” one McCallum student said. “It’s a low dose, but it still helps with any sudden breakouts, and I have seen a huge improvement in my skin and no longer have to worry about the inflammation.”

“ I truly believe that women have every right to receive and use prescribed contraceptives from pharmacies.

—anonymous OBGYN ”

While many teenagers’ acne improved and cleared, some students had different results and actually regretted starting hormone therapy.

“I honestly think that the first months of taking it made my skin worse and caused breakouts I’ve never had before,” another student said. “I also have a friend who felt she gained weight after taking it, so she had to slowly come off the pill.”

While birth control has its benefits there can be negative side effects depending on each individual’s genetics, hormones, and overall menstrual cycle.

Several McCallum students who used birth control daily for a variety of different reasons were willing to share their perspectives; however, they wanted

Students said that they use birth control to treat mental disorders, acne, pain surrounding periods and helping maintain a balanced cycle.

A first for speech Debate team competes well in Harvard National Debate Tournament debut

Shayla Allen staff reporter

For the first time in McCallum High School history, the debate team took its talents to the national stage at the prestigious Harvard National Debate Tournament. Traveling from Austin, the team competed against some of the best debaters in the country, marking a significant milestone for the debate program.

With two policy debate teams—Jude Singh and Violet Gill, and Martha Pruitt and Grace Valdez—along with two LincolnDouglas debaters, Jack Formby and Shayla Allen, McCallum was ready to take on the challenge. Unfortunately, Pruitt and Valdez fell ill before the tournament and were unable to compete, but their teammates pressed on, determined to represent McCallum with pride and resilience.

Despite the competition, Singh and Gill advanced to the octofinals, winning four out of seven rounds, while Allen placed in the top 20% of Lincoln-Douglas competitors, securing four wins in her six rounds.

STEPPING ONTO THE NATIONAL STAGE

Competing at Harvard was not just about the wins and losses—it was a transformational learning experience for McCallum’s debaters. Facing competitors from across the country, the team had to quickly adapt to new styles of debate, arguments and cases they had never encountered before.

For Singh, a 10th-grade policy debater, the tournament was a chance to prove that McCallum belonged on the national circuit.

“I think obviously I wanted to do well, and we did make it to octos,” Singh said. “I feel that we represented the school well. This is the first time that McCallum has gone on the national circuit for debate.”

But the road to success wasn’t easy. With limited preparation time, Singh and his partner Gill had to strategize quickly and adjust on the fly to keep up with their high-level competition.

“We rose to some unprecedented challenges,” he explained. “Preparatorywise, we did not have as much

time as we had hoped, but I feel like how we developed and worked together really helped us succeed.”

For Singh, the experience was about more than just competition. It was about finding a community of like-minded individuals who share his passion for debate.

“In debate, I’ve found a community with mutual interests that’s encouraged me to push myself further,” he said. “I think I’ve found a team that is as committed as I am to try to push themselves, compete at tournaments, do well and prep like hell. And I want to continue that going into next year.”

AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE FOR MCCALLUM DEBATERS

entirely new debate styles, unfamiliar cases and unpredictable strategies.

“Normally, when we compete, we’re only local and run into the same schools,” Gill said. “This time, we saw teams from everywhere, and we ran into cases we had never encountered before.”

Despite the challenges, she and Singh had an incredible run, going undefeated with a 4-0 streak on Saturday. The perfect day gave them a strong standing going into powermatched rounds on Sunday, where they faced even tougher competition.

“On Saturday, we went 4-0 with a clean sweep, which was amazing. Sunday’s rounds were power-matched, so the competition got much tougher, but we still won most of our

For Jack Formby, a 10th-grade LincolnDouglas debater, the tournament was a lesson in preparation and self-confidence. Going up against some of the top individual debaters in the country was no easy task, and Formby had to quickly adjust his approach.

“Preparing was very stressful because I felt like I didn’t have enough rebuttals,” he admitted. “But I just realized I didn’t know my case well enough, and when I changed direction and started focusing on researching my topic, it was a lot easier for me. I felt much more confident in my debate skills, especially in my last few rounds.”

That confidence paid off—Jack held his own against tough competitors and walked away feeling proud of his performance.

“The tournament went well,” he said. “I tried my best, and I participated, and I am proud of myself for competing.”

But more than just competition, debate has given Jack a sense of belonging and

“Debate has impacted me greatly,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of friends on the debate team, and it makes me feel like I belong

A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

McCallum’s first-ever appearance at Harvard’s national tournament was a major milestone, and while the team faced setbacks, they proved they could compete on the

This experience has set the foundation for the future of McCallum debate, inspiring the team to push itself even further. Competing at Harvard showed them that with dedication and perseverance, they can hold their own against the best debaters in the country.

As Jude Singh summed up:

“I’ve found a team as committed as I am. We push ourselves, compete, and prep like hell. I want to continue that going into next year.”

With this historic first now behind them, McCallum’s debaters are more determined than ever to keep growing, competing, and making their mark on the national debate scene.

McCallum debate sponsor Vaughn Stockton and his team visit the John Harvard statue before the tournament begins. Photo courtesy of Stockton.

news briefs

Educators rally for increase in per student basic allotment

A crowd in excess of 3,000 people, according to the event organizers, attended the Save Our Schools Rally on Saturday April 5, at the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. Rally attendees joined together to support issues including increasing school funding, stopping the voucher bill and raising the basic allotment.

The morning began with rally attendees marching around the Capitol building chanting “Whose schools? Our schools!”

McCallum English teacher Amy Smith was one of the many educators who participated in the rally. After seeing the crowd of people and some familiar faces, Smith was reminded why the work she does every day—and what she was doing

at the Capitol—is so important.

“I was very overwhelmed at first,” she said. “I show up to teach every day because I care about this. I show up because I really like what I do, and I really believe in what I do. I was so emotional about the rally because I believe so strongly in public education.”

A mariachi band from Dobie Middle School and a drum performance by Eastside Early College High School featured prominently in the event’s programming.

In addition, Austin and Travis Countybased Democratic legislators argued against vouchers.

—Beatrix Lozach & Lillian Gray

Student journalists speak to legislative aides to promote New Voices bill, student press freedom

During Spring Break, New Voices activists Faye Zayed, Charlotte Schwarte, Erick Garcia, Ava Weaver and Elizabeth Yowell talked to legislative aides about supporting House Bill 4821, a bill that would establish student press freedoms not allowed under the current Hazelwood standard established by the 1988 Supreme Court decision in Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier.

The Hazelwood standard enables a principal to review student publications before they are published and censor student journalists if the principal deems that their expression raises “legitimate pedagogical concerns.”

Under the provisions of HB 4821, principals in Texas would not be able to censor school newspapers and would afford student journalists the same First Amendment protections to free speech enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The limits on student journalists’ free speech would mirror the limits put on professional journalists’ free speech.

Students visited with Republicans and Democrats.

april 22

Algebra EOC test

april 25-26

UIL Region 3-5A Academic Meet, @College Station

Bowie High School students Elizabeth Yowell and Ava Weaver spoke with an aide for Rep. Andy Hopper, R-Denton and Wise counties northwest of Fort Worth.

“His meeting was very interesting,” Weaver said. “We talked to one of his legislative aides, and even though he was Republican, he sat down with us for 20 minutes, which was surprising. ... He had questions I didn’t even think about, and I had to adjust my perspective. He focused on the perspective of the principals, and as a student I’m more focused on the student perspective, so I was able to change my argument to apply to principals and apply to a more Republican point of view.”

Currently, 18 states have New Voices laws on the books to protect students journalists in their state. Minnesota was the most recent on May 17, 2024. In addition to Texas, New Voices bills have been introduced in seven other states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania and New York.

- Beatrix Lozach

Around 200 officers from APD, DPS and AISD Police, along with K9 units, swept the McCallum campus in response to a bomb threat received via an anonymous voice-altered call around 2:36 p.m. on March 12. The caller, still on the phone, claimed to be near campus with explosives and said devices were planted on school grounds. A secure was initiated at 2:38, then escalated to a hold at 2:46, keeping students in classrooms while police secured the perimeter.

At 2:48, DPS was asked to send bomb detection dogs. The first two arrived at 3:36, with a third joining later. The campus was declared safe at 4:16, the hold lifted at 4:21, and the community notified at 4:29. Several officers stayed to assist with dismissal.

Police determined the threat was not credible. Austin Independent School District Police Chief Wayne Sneed and Principal Andy Baxa emphasized the importance of swift action and praised teachers for helping to secure the campus in under five minutes. Sneed said in a press conference after the incident that the caller, if identified, could face charges for false alarm and terroristic threat.

JoJo

Mac wins UIL academic meet

For the third year in a row, McCallum won the District 24-5A Academic Meet, and 29 students qualified for the UIL Region 3-5A Meet April 26 in College Station. At the district competition held on Saturday March 29, McCallum students scored a total of 728 points to win the district title in decisive fashion ahead of second-place LASA (280) and third-place Bastrop (182). As part of the event, the speech and debate team defended its district title, easily outscoring second-place Bastrop and third-place LASA. The journalism team earned its fifth straight district title dating back to the pandemic, finishing ahead of second-place Bastrop and third-place Crockett. —Dave

Barnard and Julia Copas

Winter

Michael Reeves, Ava Weaver, Erick Garcia, Faye Zayed, Charlotte Schwarte, Elizabeth Yowell and David Doerr represented New Voices Texas on March 17, lobbying legislative offices for passage of HB 4821. Photo by Beatrix Lozach.

A Save Our Schools Rally attendee chants towards the podium. Photo by Lillian Gray.

Sophomore Mia Foster and junior Lidia Meaux pose with the overall Grand Champion team trophy and the team trophies for McCallum’s district titles in speech and debate, current events and journalism.

a&e

Expanding Samba Knights

Hamlet, Davis work to make Brazilian percussion ensemble an official school club

Maya Tackett people editor

Samba Knights, a Brazilian percussion group, was founded in 2015 by the former percussion director, Matt Ehlers, and has existed as a volunteer ensemble extending from the percussion program since then. This year, however, junior Sara Hamlet and senior Max Davis decided to turn it into an official club that anybody who wanted to join could.

“I started talking to Mr. Pride about [starting the club] at the beginning of the school year,” Hamlet said. “So I knew that I just needed to go to the office and get a form. I asked some of my friends who I knew were good leaders and good representatives of the band and just like good people, if they could help me out by being my vice president or social media manager. Then, I just signed some documents and turned them in to the office and there you go.”

Ryan Pride, the percussion director, has been working with the group over the past few years since he started at McCallum. This year, he is the director, arranger and sponsor of the club.

“Sara Hamlet and Max Davis both determined it would be better for the group to have an official capacity on campus and hopefully create more opportunities for students to lead the ensemble,” Pride said.

“The move to form it into a club that is, eventually, self-sufficient and studentrun was a natural progression, and the end goal is that future samba groups will only need a director as guidance.”

been playing and studying this specific style since 2017,” he said.”

Samba is a type of Brazilian music and dance style that is performed during Carnaval, which is a huge celebration centered in Rio De Janeiro and São Paulo in late February. Performing groups have a core group of musicians called the Batería which consists of instruments similar to those found in American marching bands: surdos as bass drums and caixas and repeniques as snare drums. Tamborims, pandeiro, Agogo bells and Chocalhos are also found in the McCallum Samba band. All these instruments have individualized techniques and patterns that create a groove called a ride. Batería are combined to form an escola de samba, a samba school.

“That, essentially, is what Samba Knights is: our very own ‘escola de samba’ where any student, regardless of musical background, can join and learn about the music and culture of Brazil while fostering relationships, creating positive experiences and performing for others,” Pride said.

One thing that Hamlet wanted to make known when reinstating the Samba Knights was people don’t have to have any musical experience if they want to join. In the past, many of the members have been a part of band; however, that has now changed.

“ I love Samba Knights because of the community it makes and how it gives me opportunities.

junior Sara Hamlet

”

Upon hearing that Hamlet and Davis wanted to create an official club for Samba Knights, Pride was very excited and thrilled about it because of his love for it.

“I love Brazilian Samba and have

“It was a majority band majors and specifically like percussion kids and now by opening it up, we now have some theater kids as well as dance kids and people who are just interested in learning more or different instruments,” Hamlet said. “You don’t need to know how to read music. You don’t even need to know how to play an instrument. All you need to do is have a basic sense of rhythm and a willingness to learn.”

Opening up the group to anyone who wants to join has contributed to the group growing to over 40

people, the largest the group has ever been. In addition to all the new members, there are also many returning members.

“The group has a large number of returning members, so learning our first patterns took only one rehearsal, where in the past it usually took several,” Pride said. “We’ve been able to learn more breaks than at this point in previous years, and students generally seem to be looking forward to our practices and performances.”

One challenge that the group has faced with all the new members is a shortage of instruments, a problem made worse because the instruments that they do have are breaking down.

“Since the group’s inception in 2015, the instruments have seen considerable wear and tear through travel and use,” Pride said. “Some are approaching a point that they will not be usable for much longer. I’ve been fortunate to be able to replace a few of the smaller ones in the past few years and have considerable experience in instrument repair, which has extended the life of several; however, at some point, either through the use or expansion of the group, more instruments will be needed, and since the group doesn’t have a dedicated budget it’s up to us

to raise money for these needs.”

Hamlet noted that while a lack of instruments is an ongoing issue, the group was able to invest in two new drums as well as a new drum head for each of them, which should last for some time into the future.

Another challenge that has been brought to light by the sheer amount of people in the group has been the different levels of musical ability according to vice president, junior CC Coleman.

“I feel like for performances sometimes some of the people in percussion have sort of an ego,” Coleman said. “Everyone’s learning, and I feel like there could be more understanding in that area.”

Coleman also noticed how the group meshes together really well both while they are playing and when they aren’t.

“I think everyone’s pretty excited,” she said. “Everyone goes and has a good time and enjoys playing their instrument, and we make a lot of jokes and just have a good time.”

One memory that Coleman has was watching her friend, Class of 2024 graduate William Viner, who played third Surdo, just like her, have the biggest smile on his face.

“Every time I would watch him, he

would just get really into it and just love it, and you could see the smile on his face,” Coleman said. “I just think of that every time we play.”

Samba Knights has also allowed Pride a space to forget about everything else he has going on and just focus on the kids in front of him,

“As the percussion director at McCallum, I also oversee the steel drum bands, percussion ensembles and help with the concert bands and full orchestras,” Pride said. “It’s quite a lot of material and logistics to be juggling, but every day we have Samba Knights, I get to put those things aside and play music with a wonderful group of people who are there for the same reasons I am: Make some noise and have fun doing it. So, I guess I can say I look forward to every samba event.”

Samba Knights have performed during halftime for the varsity girls basketball game against Anderson on Jan 23. Their next performances include a boys soccer game, the color guard showcase, and then a night of percussion, which is percussions big concert of the year.

“I love Samba Knights because of the community it makes and how it gives me opportunities for new experiences,” Hamlet said.

The Samba Knights perform at the girls varsity basketball game against Anderson on Jan 24. Photo by Delaney Lavelle.

Howard’s final note at Mac

Thanks to talent, work ethic, and love of music, senior enjoys rare choral success

Riley Pita staff reporter

Senior Nathan Howard began his choral writing journey during his freshman year at McCallum during COVID. Through the hardships of COVID and director turnover, Howard was still able to further his musicianship and choral composition skill through music competitions such as TMEA and music composition camps at universities in Boston. Among his many musical accomplishments, Howard placed first twice in the All-State choir competition and he wrote his own piece that premiered at McCallum. According to his teachers and his friends, Howard has been humble about these achievements, curious with his music composition and kind to everyone throughout his high school career.

At first, when Howard started using notation software to play around with music arrangements, the songs sounded very similar to songs in the musical community already. But, Howard developed a unique sound by continuing to write more and more songs and asking his teachers for guidance.

“As the years went on I spent more and more time developing what I was writing, holding myself to a higher standard,” Howard said.“ I started bringing my compositions around and asking, almost begging, directors I have worked with to listen and give me feedback.”

Fast forward to the TMEA convention in February 2024 where Howard was inspired before rehearsals for All-State choir. Howard had already found a poem that spoke to him and started to think up a melody to go along with it.

“I used my ear to sketch out the notes and rhythms on a single staff in my notebook,” Howard said. “That’s where I left it. When I got home from the convention I started on building a work around that tune that McCallum could pull off.”

When Howard returned to school at the end of February, he showed the piece to McCallum choir director Nathan Thompson. The piece that was introduced was titled “Vigil” and was adapted from “His Vigil” by James Whitcomb Riley.

“What really struck me about the piece was the level of intention that he had in setting the text, and the level of care that he was taking in his writing,” Thompson said. ”It’s something that I haven’t really seen a lot of high school-aged composers do particularly well, but he navigates it well in this piece.”

According to AP Music Theory teacher Jeff Rudy, Howard applies the same attention to detail in Rudy’s classroom. Howard’s accuracy of pitch and rhythms aids in his musicianship and general understanding of music.

“He is able to look at a piece of music, and I’m assuming even with the stuff he’s probably not as familiar with,” Rudy said. “He’s able to figure out leaps and things like that when he’s looking at it, and kind of process all that stuff in his head, so that when he does it the first time, it’s pretty accurate.”

While Rudy and Thompson both believe that Howard possesses a high level of musicianship, Howard admitted that when he started writing it was tough. He especially struggled to find his musical “voice.” Howard said the key to overcoming these early obstacles was to trust himself.

“The practical step there that’s so difficult is learning to trust that ‘voice,’” Howard said. “If it feels right to scrap what you have and start

again, you can’t keep going. There’s a kind of symbiotic relationship that has to exist between your gut and your brain.”

Howard’s attention to detail in musical text has also helped him be successful, especially at TMEA auditions, according to Thompson, who has blindly judged Howard at TMEA auditions. Thompson believes that Howard cares deeply about every piece of music he gets to analyze, and that emotional investment transfers into his auditions.

“He’s very intentional about his dynamics, his use of consonants, and everything that he does is always in service of how best to express the music,” Thompson said. “That level of care and intention has just served him really, really well.”

While Rudy agrees with Thompson about his level of musicality, Rudy also credited Howard’s exceptional talent and his work ethic, qualities that Rudy says will serve Howard well as he studies music in college.

“He’s very talented, and he works hard,” Rudy said. “The fact that he was the first last year coming back, that’s harder to do. Usually that’s a pretty good indicator of what’s going to happen in the future; and he reads really, really well.”

Howard believes that he has made first chair in the choir two years in a row because he sets high standards for himself. In his view, practicing every day and paying attention to all the little details in a piece have enabled his success.

“Success in the process comes from a heartfelt connection to the music,” Howard said. “There are moments when the hardest thing is reminding myself why I’m singing in the first place: because I love it.”

Senior Helena Loomis has worked with Howard throughout his whole high school

career in different choirs and through the TMEA process. Loomis first met Howard when they were sophomores and the only two students in a vocal studies class.

“He’s at just a level that’s so beyond other high schoolers, but he’s never made me feel like that,” Loomis said. “My sophomore year, I didn’t know how to sight read because of all the choir director drama, but Nathan would sit there and help me sight read.”

Howard is also a member of PALS. Teacher Richard Cowles, who sponsors PALS at McCallum and taught Howard AP Stats last year, feels that his supportiveness translates over into the PALS community.

“[He] gets along great with his PAL-lies, the kids that he mentors,” Cowles said. “Clever is a good descriptor as well. I think a lot of that comes from his musical background; music kind of adds a different perspective from the typical student.”

According to his colleagues, Howard’s wisdom has also been an asset to his academic and extracurricular pursuits. Thompson and Loomis both shared Howard’s humility has served him greatly throughout his high school career in both academics and fine arts. Howard will be able to achieve great things in the music as a performer or as a future educator, Rudy said, as long as his drive remains the same.

Howard will be majoring in music education at St. Olaf University in Northfield, Minn. One of the reasons why Howard decided to pursue music education was his TMEA experience.

“I met and was inspired by so many different directors,” Howard said. “There’s something special about a director who can ‘unlock’ something in the music for you; I want to become that person.”

Infographic of Nathan Howard’s musical journey this school year by Riley Pita with photos courtesy of Howard.

18, 2025

Cookie contest

Ranking eight of the most popular flavors of Girl Scout Cookies

Harper Maxwell staff reporter

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience program averages around $800 million in cookie sales annually. With their cookies being back in season, I began to wonder if these boxes were really worth their recent increase in price from $5 to $6 in the past two years. So, in order to find the best cookie your money can buy, I decided to try eight different flavors of Girl Scout cookies and give you my personal favorites. For almost half of these cookies, I haven’t given them a try until this season, and I can tell you with certainty that there is a wide range of flavors from savory to sweet and from simple to busy. For my ranking, I have included Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Trefoils, Caramel DeLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Thin Mints, Lemonades, Toast-Yays! and Adventurefuls and have ranked them from my personal worst to best.

At the bottom of my list are Girl Scout’s most basic cookies, the Trefoils. Trefoils are their iconic shortbread cookie inspired by the original Girl Scout recipe. It was buttery and crunchy, but other than that, it didn’t have much else going on. I think like most shortbread cookies, the Trefoils would taste great paired with something else; however, they are just too plain by themselves. If you like simple sweets, this cookie is definitely for you. For me, however, I will not be repurchasing the Trefoils. They receive a 4/10.

counted as a cookie. They are exactly what you expect them to be, crunchy oatmeal sandwich cookies with peanut butter filling. The peanut butter was very thick, and this cookie was definitely made for peanut butter lovers as a savory snack. Even so, I prefer peanut butter sandwiches from different brands. They receive a 5/10 from me.

Girl Scout cookie season since I was a kid. Formerly known as Samoas, these chewy cookies are made with caramel, coconut, and chocolate stripes. My favorite thing about them has to be their texture due to it mainly being made out of coconut flakes. Although this cookie is good, I still think there are better ones; the Caramel DeLites receive an 8/10.

“ Theres definitely a cookie for everyone in Girl Scout Cookies.

”

Another cookie I ranked pretty low were

Next on my list is one of the two cookies that will be retired for the 2026 season, Toast-Yays! This is a much bigger cookie shaped like toast and inspired by a French toast flavor. I enjoyed my first few bites of this, but I couldn’t even finish the whole cookie before putting it down. It was very cinnamon-y and thin, reminding me a lot of Cinnamon Toast Crunch breakfast cereal. It had great flavor, but I got sick of it too fast. They receive a 6/10. The other cookie being retired is the Girl Scout S’mores, which has graham cracker sandwich cookies with a chocolate and marshmallow filling. Although I didn’t get the chance to try this, I would still recommend giving the S’mores a try before they are gone. For the Toast-Yay! however, I think you can pass. In the middle of my ranking are the Lemonades. These are also bigger cookies, similar to ToastYays!, but they are much simpler. With a shortbread cookie on top and tangy lemon icing on the bottom, my point that the Trefoils would be much better paired with something else is proven correct. The Lemonades are very crumbly with savory lemon aftertaste. They are very light cookies, which makes it easy to eat lots of them. Overall, the Lemonades are a 7/10.

Moving to the better half of the eight are the Caramel DeLites. For me, these are the cookies that have been in our pantry every

In third place for my favorite Girl Scout Cookies are Thin Mints. A classic and well-known cookie, Thin Mints are crisp, chocolate cookies dipped in a mint chocolate coating. I think they have a great balance between chocolate and mint, while also smelling a lot mintier than they actually taste. They are super simple and obviously a fan favorite, Thin Mints also receive an 8/10. In second place are the Adventurefuls. Debuting in 2022, these cookies are one of the newest flavors added to the lineup. They are brownie-inspired cookies with caramel in the center and although they seem like they have a lot going on, the components all go really well together. My only critique about this cookie is that I wish they were softer and had more of a brownie texture. Other than that, these cookies are delectable and therefore receive a 9/10.

At the very top of my list and receiving a 10/10, are the Peanut Butter Patties. These are thin crispy cookies with a peanut butter topping all dipped in chocolate. In my opinion, these cookies aren’t too chocolaty while still being perfect for chocolate lovers. They are much softer than the rest of the cookies, and they leave a peanut butter aftertaste. I will continue to repurchase these throughout the season. The next time you wonder what Girl Scout cookies are truly worth the $6, just think again about how savory, simple, chocolaty, or crunchy you’d like your cookies. There’s definitely a cookie for everyone in Girl Scout Cookies.

Photos accessed on the steevithak, slgkcgc, and Brain Legate Flickr accounts.. Republished here with permission under a

fine arts briefs calendar

Battle of the Band winners take center stage at Hole in the Wall

The grand prize of the Battle of the Bands competition put on by the guitar program in February was to have the opportunity to perform at local live music institution Hole in the Wall. On Sunday, the overall winner Malaysia Brunei got to perform. The band Nonsense, the fan-favorite, opened for Malaysia Brunei, and a performance by the classical guitar program kicked off the night’s festivities.

Despite their relative inexperience, Nonsense held their own and then some. The band consists of all freshmen, one playing the bass, another the drums, and the third on the electric guitar. Lead singer and bassist Preston Cobb explained that the band formed for the competition but their love for performance goes farther back.

“I mean really, we started the band just out of a love for music,” Cobb said. “I loved listening to music. I love playing music, so a couple of friends of mine got together and formed a band. We played a battle of bands, happened to win, and now we’re here.”

With a similar punk rock genre, Malaysia Brunei took the stage after Nonsense concluded their set. The lead singer Kingsley Taylor was able to mesmerize the small audience in attendance with an expressive stage presence and strong vocals. Taylor jumped off the stage multiple times to mosh with the crowd, and bassist Wyatt Philpott hopped off to play down below as well.

—Arwen Pelletier

Piano classes perform chosen pieces at spring show

The piano classes put on their second set of recitals this school year in the MAC, with performers ranging from Piano 1 non-major players to skilled major players and everything in between. The students performed on three different dates, March 3, 5 and 13, each with around 20-50 players. Unlike last semester’s recitals, the students were able to choose their own solo pieces, which resulted in a variety of music from different genres. Though some of the more experienced pianists played elaborate classical pieces, other students played fun pop pieces from artists like Taylor Swift or Adele.

Like all the pianists, sophomore Alice Roquemore, a guitar major in music theory/Piano 1, picked her own piece to perform at the March 5 recital.

“I went between a couple of options, but I eventually landed on the one I am playing now, which is ‘Michelle’ by the Beatles,” Roquemore said.

Being able to choose their own pieces encouraged students to better prepare for this recital.

“Choosing a song I enjoy playing has definitely motivated me to actually learn and practice,” Roquemore said.

A lot of students, especially those who are not majors and only started learning piano this year, find it difficult to make time to practice this new instrument.

“It’s been challenging,” Roquemore said. “being too busy after school to really focus or being too tired to actually take time out of my day to practice has been hard, but since the last recital I have learned to space out my time and give myself time to learn my piece.”

Even with the challenges, Roquemore enjoys the recitals and hearing all the pieces everyone has worked so hard on.

“Honestly, I do really like the concerts, because listening to the people who are piano majors or just better than me is super encouraging,” she said. “It makes me want to play harder pieces and makes me want to work harder.”

—Daniela Di-Capua

april 24

‘The Art of Being’ MYDC @ MAC—7 p.m.

april 27

Austin Chamber Music Center Spring Concert

april 28-may 2 april 29

Drums Spring Show

may 1 MAC Band Spring Concert @ MAC—7 p.m.

Freaky Friday closes two-week run on epic Sunday

“Freaky Friday” closed on Sunday March 2 after enjoying a two-week run, with eight shows total. Freshman Astrid Ramirez played the role of Ms. Meyers, the notorious gym teacher.

She starred in the song “Watch Your Back,” and described how it was performing. “That moment seconds before I go on,” Ramirez said, “The feeling of butterflies and the excitement of it all is euphoric for me.”

“Freaky Friday” is a story about family and connection, and Ramirez took a lot away from that. “It helps remind me that there’s things to be grateful about even at my lowest,” she said. “I think about the friends and family that you do have and the fact you have people behind you always.”

There were many impressive numbers in the show, but the one that stood out to her most was “Oh, Biology.” It features Ellie and her struggles with dealing with teenage hormones as she’s trapped in her daughter’s body. “It’s so catchy and the choreography is amazing,” Ramirez said.

Not only was the choreography impressive in this show, but the vocals as well. It’s a vocally challenging show not

just for the leads, but for the ensemble as well.

“I loved musical rehearsal so much, especially when the full cast was called,” Ramirez said, “Even though it was very cramped I think it brought us together!”

After working hard in the rehearsal process, the production has finally come to a close. To celebrate their hard work, some cast and crew members met up after the final show.

“Spending time with the whole cast and crew and getting to dance at Central Market to the band, playing tag on the playground, it all gave me a reminder that I have a community of people that share the same passion and love for theatre as I do,” Ramirez said.

—Tegan Hahn

Bassist Preston Cobb of Nonsense plays at Hole in the Wall on Saturday. Nonsense performed a couple original songs during their set, but mostly the band performed covers. Photo by Arwen Pelletier.

Senior Robin Kulhanek performs a cover of “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks at the second piano recital of the year.. Photo by Daniela Di-Capua.

Playing the role of gym teacher Ms. Meyers, freshman Astrid Ramirez performs in Freak Friday. Photo by Dave Winter.

Making every word count

Photojournalism students wrote 300-word stories that emulated the feature profiles written by Brady Dennis for the St. Petersburg Times in the mid-2000s. The Shield now has a growing collection of wonderful short profiles—including the ones on this page—that are well-crafted, powerful and straight from the heart.

The story behind the curtain

Tech theatre teacher Kristin Vandenberg has always had a knack for bringing plays to life

Sylvia Hurtado

The audience is hushed, waiting for the actor’s first line.

As the spotlight shines and the music starts, Kristin Vandenberg admires from above. Everything is adding to the magic of the theatre.

Ms. V observes the fit of the costume, carefully altered to just the right size. She looks at the blending of the paint colors, making new textures and shapes. She admires the furniture, carefully built by her own students, to form a life-like scene.

Many people might not think about what goes on behind the curtain, and that’s where Ms. V’s story starts.

Her story begins with a passion for theatre, which leads her to Florida State University to major in Theatre Lighting Design.

Her story leads to a national theatre tour, and then back to Florida when she manages all the crews of the massive and infamous

Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee.

Her story changes quickly as Ms. V and her family pack up and move to Texas, where she opens the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University.

Her story takes us to McCallum Fine Arts Academy, where Ms. V has found her calling as the head technical theatre teacher.

“I do it for the kids,” Ms. V says. “Without them, none of this is worth it.”

Even though she feels the Fine Arts Academy can be isolated from the rest of the campus, she loves the role she brings to McCallum.

Day by day, Ms. Vandenberg teaches beginners how (and how not) to use power tools, the different illusions you can create with paint, and even tying knots that can be used in daily life. In her other classes, Ms. V works to help kids put on productions, inspiring them to fulfill their own dreams, just as she has.

Photo by Sylvia Hurtado.

Love and loss

She always understood that death is part of life, but never knew how devastating a loss can be. Until now.

Scan the QR code to read more 300-word profiles and hear them read aloud.

Vera Petrowsky

She sits alone at the dark brown wooden table, head deep in her work.

She is holding herself up, acting like she’s fine, but underneath there’s a hole of emotion.

172 days.

172 days since her father passed away.

172 days since Rodger lost his battle to cancer.

172 days since her heart broke.

Aug. 9 is a day to remember. She deems it the worst day of her life. Everything seemed unreal. A dream turned into a nightmare. The impossible goodbye was here too soon.

She is aware that death is a part of life. But she says she never understood the gravity of how devastating a loss can be.

She misses the calls where they would debrief their days. She misses that she can’t get in her car and drive to see him. She

misses him with every single part of her. She hates that her mom hurts so much. She hates that she can’t talk to him.

“Oh, I hate cancer,” she says.

She wishes she could have told him “I’m sorry,” and “I love you.” She wishes that she could have told him to take more treatment. She wishes she could have done more, and told him “Thank you for being my father.”

Despite the feeling that the pain and hurt will never end, she has developed ways to cope.

On her drive home from work, she talks with him, even though he is in Heaven. She takes the things he taught her and applies them to her life. For instance, she knows to put Jesus first, and family second. She knows to let the people she loves know that she loves them.

And so Bridget Petrowsky sits down at her desk, her head filled with thoughts of love, loss, and grief, and begins her work.

Photo courtesy of Bridget Petrowsky.

18, 2025

Teaching through laughter

Art teacher Garcia uses outgoing personality to reach students, create art

The Proust Questionnaire, named after French writer Marcel Proust, is a series of 35 questions designed to gauge the personality and values of the answerer. For our latest PQ, Shield coeditor-in-chief Nate Williams sat down with art teacher Jessica Garcia.

The Shield: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Garcia: There are so many ways to take this. Perfect happiness would be being financially stable and not having to worry about things. I’d enjoy it, too, if everyone else was financially stable. So I guess perfect happiness would be when other people are happy.

TS: What is your greatest fear?

Garcia: I get embarrassed sometimes, and I don’t want to do something bad because I have this fear that if I were to ever do something bad, it would immediately get around, and everyone would know that I did something bad. Like ending up on Austin Mugshots would be terrifying. I feel like as a role model, everyone having proof like that would make me so embarrassed.

TS: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Garcia: I have really big impostor syndrome all the time. Sometimes I can fake it, but most of the time I’m like, “What am I doing?” or “I’m doing this wrong.”

TS: What is the trait you most deplore in others? Garcia: Litterbugs. I hate people who litter so much because why would you not just hold on to a piece of garbage until the next trash can? Also, it annoys me when I catch students doing something they should not be doing, and I call them out, and instead of apologizing and moving on, they just try to gaslight me or lie. I feel like it’s something freshmen have not learned.

TS: Which living person do you most admire?

“

Garcia: I admire Ms. Massey. Ms. Massey is one of the other art teachers, and that woman is so organized and so good at teaching and getting things done and running the galleries, dealing with students, parents. I would just love to have an ounce of whatever she has inside of her to make her so organized and motivated.

TS: What is your greatest extravagance?

on my plate, but right now, I’m feeling really good, and we are on the right path. I’m also sad because my seniors are leaving.

TS: What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Garcia: I don’t think people have to be courageous all of the time, even though I think it’s a great virtue. Modesty is also very overrated. I think expressing yourself is super important.

TS: On what occasion do you lie?

Garcia: There are so many times when I come to school having a terrible day, but I’ll put on a face and try to be in a good mood. Sometimes, I’ll snap at people and then feel really bad, but I try really hard not to show that I’m having a bad day.

TS: What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Garcia: I’m in my 40s now, so my body is different from a few years ago, and I see the effects of aging on myself.

TS: Which living person do you most despise?

Garcia: It would have to be somebody in a leadership role right now, and I hate that we are so divided right now. I hate how mean people get.

TS: What is the quality you most like in a man?

Garcia: Every guy I’ve dated in the past has been really funny.

TS: What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Garcia: I really love funny woman, too. And I like confident, chatty people. People who are always happy and positive are my vibe.

TS: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Garcia: I say “Denay” a lot and will add it to the end of people’s names. “I’m overstimulated” is something I say a lot in class, along with “Why are you late?”

TS: What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Garcia: My firstborn nephew was the biggest thing in my life for a long time. He’s 23 now, but we still text all the time, and he sends me videos. He was my first nephew, so I love him so much.

My dog is the most beautiful, wonderful, cutest thing that has ever roamed this Earth.

art teacher

Jessica Garcia ”

Garcia: Probably traveling. I do a lot of solo traveling.

TS: What is your current state of mind?

Garcia: I am good right now. We are towards the end of school, so everything is getting a little easier. If you asked me a few weeks ago, I’d tell you I’m stressed, and there’s too much

TS: When and where were you happiest?

Garcia: When I was in my early 30s, living in South Korea. It was a huge change from living in West Texas, so I became super independent and saw lots of different cultures and got to know people from all over the world.

TS: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Garcia: I am constantly scatterbrained, and I wish I could just focus on one thing at a time.

TS: What do you consider your greatest

achievement?

Garcia: I think I am the world’s greatest aunt.

TS: If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Garcia: I don’t know if I’d wanna be a person because I don’t think I’d want to live my whole life again. I would say to be born as a beautiful, tropical bird and live in Brazil. I could fly and eat raw bugs.

TS: Where would you most like to live?

Garcia: Outside of the U.S. and somewhere with free universal healthcare.

TS: What is your most treasured possession?

Garcia: My dog is the most beautiful, wonderful, cutest thing that has ever roamed this Earth.

TS: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Garcia: Stuck giving a STAAR test that never ends.

TS: What is your favorite occupation?

Garcia: When I was in college, I wanted to be an art therapist. I was too scared to go out of state out of high school to study it. It’s fun to work with kids and make art. Public school teaching is also getting difficult right now.

TS: What is your most marked characteristic?

Garcia: I am very outgoing and quick at learning people and greeting them every time I see them.

TS: What do you most value in your friends?

Garcia: My friends have been my friends since we were in high school and junior high.

What I look for in friends are people who are funny and positive, and outgoing. I want to be with people who are excited and want to go out and do stuff.

TS: Who are your favorite writers?

Garcia: I don’t read many books anymore.

TS: Who is your hero of fiction?

Garcia: I love Carmen Sandiego because she’s always going around the world, and I’d love to catch her.

TS: Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Garcia: I wish I could be more like Dolores Huerta and Frida Kahlo. I don’t see enough representation in history, I guess, to identify with someone.

TS: What is your greatest regret?

Garcia: My greatest regret is that when I was younger, I was more focused on dating than on myself. The whole time I was in Korea, I had a college sweetheart I was more focused on back home. Now that I’m older, I see that dating is not as important as we were told when we were younger.

—interview by Nate Williams

To read the full Proust Questionnaire, scan the QR code or visit macshieldonline.com

Garcia works on an aluminum foil project with her Art 1 students. Photo by Nate Williams.

An art admirer

Hagerty wins fashion show, looks back on lifetime of looks

Chloe Lewcock co-editor-in-chief

Fashion was always embedded into senior Rita Hagerty’s life. While it wasn’t until high school that Hagerty began the designer and creator process, the act of picking her daily outfits, and admiring the art of fashion in the daily world allowed her to develop her love for the craft at an early age.

“There is not a time in my life where I don’t remember loving fashion,” Hagerty said. “I have always enjoyed fashion from a viewer’s standpoint, whether it was watching runway shows or choosing my outfits every day, but picking up skills to make it an artistic outlet has been really rewarding.”

For Hagerty, fashion goes far beyond the external perception of a piece. The act of designing, creating and incorporating her models into each piece creates a deeper connection to fashion and being a designer.

“I think that fashion as an art is so important to keep alive,” Hagerty said. “I am especially passionate about sustainable fashion and buying secondhand clothing. I plan to continue my sustainable fashion journey in college, and hopefully, one day, I will make my way to the real runway.”

It wasn’t until her freshman-year fashion show that Hagerty had the hands-on opportunity to create pieces to show off to a live audience. The annual show gives McCallum students of all grades the chance to work with a theme while at the same time expressing themselves through each individual piece they create. Each designer is encouraged to produce 3-4 works to then display on the runway for the two-night show. Hagerty’s four years with the program allowed her to develop as a designer and become comfortable with the world of fashion.

While the designers are required to loosely follow the designated theme of the year, they are allowed to create their own interpretation of it and can use any medium they wish. This year Hagerty decided to knit all of her pieces, something she described as a challenge and exciting endeavor.

“I’ve definitely picked up much better sewing and knitting and crochet techniques,” Hagerty said. “And doing that has made me able to create the things that I’ve always thought up, and learning better sewing techniques has allowed me to actually make what I want.”

This year’s theme for the fashion show was Celestial Wilderness: Beyond the Horizon, and Hagerty connected all her pieces to fibonacci spirals, an idea she felt went closely with the theme.

“I’ve always been really inspired by the spirals throughout my life,” Hagerty said, “so it was really fun to incorporate them into my line this year.”

Each designer gets to select their models out of a group, and Hagerty ended up picking some of her closest friends, something she said allowed her to connect with her line even deeper. One of her models, senior Lily Greendyk, explained how she has watched Hagerty grow over the years and develop as a designer just through wearing her pieces.

“It was just really special because it was my second year doing it, but I went all the other years, so it just has been, like a constant thing throughout,” Hagerty said. “So it being the last year was just kind of special because the end of it was really sad to see. But I’ve watched her grow as a designer, and she’s always been really impressive.”

After a lifelong admiration for the world of fashion, Hagerty was awarded the first-place title at this year’s fashion show, after more than four years of honing her craft as a designer.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting first,” Hagerty said. “I was secretly hoping to place, but I was definitely not expecting first. It felt really good. It felt really rewarding after four years of doing the show and like finally getting recognized.”

With winning the fashion show, Hagerty additionally was awarded a $1,000 award to be spent however she sees fit. According to fashion show director Larsen Krell, watching Hagerty earn the win was a long time coming.

“She’s definitely put in the work,” Krell said. “She designs every year, and I’ve been a part of her line. I’ve been a viewer of her lines, and it’s so clear that this year is just a passion project for her.”

While in the past, Krell has been directly involved in Hagerty’s line, be it as a model, a helping hand, or a first viewer, this year, she had the opportunity to overview the whole show while also watching Hagerty succeed from afar.

“She had the most look,s and

it wasn’t just the quantity [that made her win],” Krell said. “It was quality as well. She worked so hard.”

While Krell and the other fashion show directors weren’t involved in the voting process or choosing the winners, she described how incredible it was to be so hands-on with designs and see some of those works win.

“I was just so lucky to be able to be next to her doing all that,” Krell said. “It was emotional for all of us. It was so obvious after she won; we just all hugged her and were sobbing. She’s one of the best people I know. And to see her get rewarded in an area that she is passionate about is so satisfying, and I can’t even imagine how satisfying it is for her.”

Hagerty described the win as monumental. After years of testing the limits of her fashion abilities, taking summer internships with fashion companies and

For a closer look at this year’s benefit fashion show, please turn the page.

Profile on Reyn Linder Tallulah McAullife

JoJo Barnard

Delaney Lavelle

Sienna Martens

Sophia Manos

Maggie Mass

Elizabeth Nation

Callen Romell

Maya Tackett

Priya Thoppil

Isa Truan

Camilla Vandegrift

Nate Williams

Harriet Zettner

Hagerty accepts her award during the second showing of the fashion show.

Photo by Sofia Saucedo.

Fashion Show Photo Essay

Senior Reyn Linder produces fashion-forward looks for annual fashion show A visionary designer

Tallulah

staff reporter

Senior Reyn Linder began sewing at the age of 8 after her grandma bought her a sewing machine for her birthday, her very first project being a My Little Pony nightgown. Ever since then, Linder has had a passion for sewing, although it wasn’t until her high school years that she realized how passionate she was about designing. Despite not even knowing about the fashion show freshman year, when she first saw a Blend announcement announcing its presence, her interest immediately piqued.

During sophomore year, Linder became an intern as well as a designer and began to learn what it takes to organize a fashion show.

McCallum’s fashion show has been going on for more than a decade, previously run by Mr. Rogers. Linder has missed his presence and expertise in running the show; this year, however, Linder has enjoyed having more control over running the show with her fellow senior directors.

This year Sondra Primeaux, a frequent volunteer at Austin Creative Reuse, has stepped up as a mentor to the senior designers.

Austin Creative

with a workspace, which Primeaux has made available to the designers to use for workshops.

Primeaux has been a fashion designer, maker and educator for over 20 years and has put on three different fashion shows associated with

Austin Creative Reuse.

“I got involved with the fashion show as a volunteer this year when Reyn reached out to me to see if there was any way I could help support the show this year,” Primeaux said. “I love the fashion industry and teaching, so I jumped at the chance.”

Primeaux has taught Reyn since she was little, watching her progress as she has developed her artistic skills.

“I taught Reyn how to sew when she was around 10, so you can imagine that I’m beyond proud of her and the work she’s done throughout her four years participating in the show,” Primeaux said.

Being a fashion designer is not easy and Linder’s dedication and determination has impressed Primeaux over the years.

“What I’ve loved about Reyn is her dedication to creating a body of work and how she is unafraid to keep taking risks while putting in the time,” Primeaux said.

Primeaux recognizes the effort Linder has put into translating her ideas into something beautiful and wearable.

intuition when it comes to how things are going to fit,” Primeaux said.

Making a garment from an idea requires several steps and skills. A designer has to sketch, to choose materials, to drape and make patterns and then to fit the garment on a model.

Navigating the process takes perseverance and a ton of effort.

“It takes a lot of practice to get there,” Primeaux said, “and I think Reyn’s biggest strength is that she’s willing to put in the work.”

This year the designers had a clear vision for what they wanted the show to look and feel like. Linder has maintained her focus and energy to realize this vision.

well as the surrealism of earth and space.”

The purpose of this broad and somewhat obscure theme was to create something the designers could interpret in multiple ways. In the past, some designers have struggled with a straight-on theme. Some of these themes were “Dreamland,” “Shadows” and “Reflections,” “Album Covers” and “Scrapbooking.” Each year the goal is to inspire new creative ideas. This year the organizers prioritized choosing a theme from which everyone could take inspiration.

“Beyond her designs, I think Reyn has been a very impressive leader in designing and executing this entire fashion show,” Primeaux said.

Each annual fashion show has been built around a creative theme, which guides the designers and creates a unifying idea for the entire show. The theme for the 2025 show was “Celestial Wilderness Beyond the Horizon.”

“We really wanted to do something space-like, but then also Earth at the same time, which is why the theme is ‘Celestial Wilderness Beyond

“I designed every year,” Linder said.

“My sophomore year I interned, and they don’t let you model as an intern because you’re backstage, but I have designed each year since then.”

Linder emphasizes the quality of her designs, spending as much time as she needs to make her ideas come to life.

“The first year, I took a lot of time on just two looks, and really spent time on making my own patterns and doing a lot of little details,” Linder said. “I love just throwing something on things and just like working with it.”

The most fulfilling part of the fashion show for Linder is seeing everything come together

To read our complete profile, scan the QR code or visit macshieldonline.com.

Photos by Daniela Di-Capua.

McAullife

Linder’s designs for her models.

PHOTO ESSAY

Braving the wilderness

Designers, models form a star-studded sky for celestialthemed show

BELOW: Freshman Zenobia Sims strikes a pose during the fashion show in a flowy white dress designed by junior Lidia Meaux. Though Sims said she knew vaguely of Meaux through her sister’s friend prior to the show, she was assigned to model Meaux’s design randomly. Despite the unfamiliarity, the model and the designer turned out to be the perfect fit.

“[Meaux] makes really great dresses, and I was very proud to be one of her models for the fashion show,” Sims said. “So I thought, ‘Hey, why not show it off for everyone?’” Sims said that unfortunately, Meaux’s designs did not place in the top four spots this year. “But in the end, it was still really good, and I liked how [the dress] was made,” Sims said. “It felt really comfortable, and I really appreciated how it looked.” As a first-time participant in the fashion show, Sims said she decided to be a model to expand her horizons. Photo by Isa Truan.

LEFT: Junior Jane McKenna models junior Isla Poole’s design, which features layers of satin and draped pearls, along with McKenna’s favorite part of the look: the wings. “The look itself was so striking,” McKenna said. “The huge wings were incredible and really well done, but the smaller details like the hair and makeup just really bought it all together.” Photo by Elizabeth Nation.

ABOVE: Sophomore intern and first-year designer Zora Adams dances alongside her models: sophomore Carlo Hinsdale, junior Mikaylah Sephus and senior Riley McGarity. She enjoys sewing and crocheting and loved the fashion show experience. She made three looks for the “Celestial Wilderness” theme and says that the fashion show made her a better designer.

Photo by Daniela Di-Capua.

Senior Logan Daves dances alongside her fellow models, sophomore Maggie Peterson, senior Kaitlyn Gerrie, senior Gabie Rodriguez and junior designer Ronan Henson. Daves has been a model at every fashion show since her freshman year, and is sad to leave it behind, as she’s looked forward to it every year. Photo by Elizabeth Nation.

To see our full photo essay about this year’s fashion show, scan the QR code or visit macshieldonline.com.

BELOW:

Lia Ferrante wins Teacher of Promise Award, feels connection with fellow first-years ‘Walking in her purpose’

Evelyn Jenkins a&e editor, co-business manager

First-year teacher Lia Ferrante was awarded the Teacher of Promise Award on Jan. 16. According to Austin ISD, the Teacher of Promise Award is given to teachers in their first year who improve the campus environment, are enthusiastic about teaching and are student-centered. Ferrante was surprised in her classroom and celebrated by students and staff during sixth period. Prior to becoming a world geography teacher, Ferrante did political organizing work in Philadelphia and worked as a grant writer for a non-profit in New Jersey. Ferrante believes that teaching has been a great way for her to use her community-service skills to help students and do what she loves.

“I feel like I’m walking in my purpose with teaching, that it’s aligned with both what I love in this world, what’s important to me in this world and my skill set,” Ferrante said.

Ferrante is currently a world geography teacher and although she would be happy teaching other classes, she believes that the subject is very important in today’s changing world.

“There are many subjects I would love to teach,” Ferrante said. “I would love to do English, I would love to do philosophy, I wouldn’t even mind doing science. But I think that with all the societal and political pressures in the world right now, that being able to act as a conduit for students to know themselves and the world around them and be confident navigating the world and understand both the beauty and suffering across from every inch of America to every inch of the world is something that’s very important for me.”

Edie Davidson, a freshman in Ferrante’s third-period class shared her appreciation for Ferrante’s teaching style. She said that Ferrante makes world geography fun and interactive for her and other students.

“Ms. Ferrante has this creative way of teaching us by making it fun and interactive but also educational,” Davidson said. “ She is very humorous, which makes learning more fun and interactive, and in my specific class, we are always laughing about something. She is such an amazing teacher and she certainly deserved the award and truly shows promise as a teacher.”

“

Freshman Darryn Sorrells agrees that Ferrante’s teaching style is inspirational and engaging for students.

“She is very entertaining,” Sorrells said. “Whenever she is teaching I want to be engaged. She is also very smart and cares deeply about her students and their education.”

adore her.”

Ferrante agrees that the experiences she has shared with her freshman students allow her to form a special bond with them.

“It’s this really transitional time working with freshmen because they’re no longer middle schoolers, but they’re not quite high schoolers, but I think that’s a lot of fun, even if it’s sort of a lot to grapple with,” Ferrante said. “But working with first years as a first year, I think was absolutely perfect for me that we got to experience our first year at McCallum together. And so I think particularly this first year will be one of the absolute most memorable years of teaching, even if I have 30 years under my belt.”

Ms. Ferrante has this creative way of teaching us by making it fun and interactive. —freshman Edie Davidson

Sorrells, a member of the girls basketball team, invited Ferrante to the team’s Teacher Appreciation Night. Sorrells believes that because they both are in the first year at McCallum, she and Ferrante have a shared connection.

“I invited her to teacher night because it’s her first year and it’s my first year, so I wanted us to have that experience together,” Sorrells said. “Also, she’s a great teacher and I really

”

Ferrante believes that watching her students grow and having the opportunity to encourage that process makes teaching incredibly special.

through their struggles and successes.

“Teachers help us learn things in many different ways and perspectives,” Davidson said. “They all have different teaching methods, but I think the best teachers are the ones that have a lot of patience and focus individually on each student. That way, they could help a student who is struggling because they would know what they need help with.”

“Ferrante will be honored at the AISD Salute Awards in May, along with the other Teacher of Promise winners from other schools.

I

think this first year will be one of the absolute most memorable years of teaching, even if I have 30 years under my belt.

“The [students] mean everything to me,” Ferrante said. “I mean, that’s what this is all about, right? Yeah, seeing them grow academically, intellectually, socially, emotionally, behaviorally, literally, as they get taller and tower over me, it just means the world to me that I have had any sort of impact or influence on them in any sort of small way. It’s my hope and my prayer that they leave my classroom feeling more confident, loving learning, loving, living and hopefully building some empathy for the world.”

Davidson believes that teachers play an important role in our society as they shape their students and support them

—history teacher

Lia Ferrante

”

“I’m very honored and I want to continue to work, to have earned it,” Ferrante said. “It was validating for all the work and care I have put into this job over the past year. But that being said, it could have gone to any of the other first-year teachers. They’re all brilliant, and I hear good things about all of them.”

Ferrante poses with her sixth-period students and Mr. Featherstone after receiving the Teacher of Promise award. Photo by Dylan Hopper.

Hedlund takes on history

Students praise AP World History teacher for making class approachable, interesting

Carson Duncan staff reporter

McCallum added a new AP World History teacher to the staff this year, Tara Hedlund. Hedlund has been teaching history for the past 10 years and has taught a variety of subjects and levels. She teaches three different periods of AP World History and three periods of on-level U.S. History. AP World History requires the students to learn from 1200 to the present. Covering such a vast amount of time in 10 months of school is a challenge. From empires rising and falling to revolutions, there are many topics to cover before the test. Sophomore AP World History student Lauren Brewer said that Hedlund has made learning such daunting lessons easier for her.

“The topics we have covered in this class

have a better understanding of not only U.S. history but the whole world.”

For most students in the class, AP World History is the first AP class they have taken. This means they have to learn how to adapt to the timed sections and different parts of the test such as the DBQ, document-based question, and LEQ, long essay question.

“I am so glad that I got Mrs. Hedlund for my first AP class I have had to take,” Brewer said. “She has taught me how to approach the different kinds of questions on the test and answer them thoroughly. She has a strong understanding of the topics, which helps us learn better.”

Sophomore Maya Garwood is also in Hedlund’s AP World History class and says the class is a good way to start her day.

“She makes me excited to come to school,” Garwood said. “She’s a great teacher to have for my first-period class in

understand something, she works really hard to explain it.”

From Hedlund, Garwood and her fellow students have learned how to take the AP test while also learning the content that will be on it.

“I’ve learned about the world and all of its history,” Garwood said. “I have also learned a lot of test-taking strategies that I did [not know] before.”

Hedlund was drawn to McCallum as soon as the job opened up for a history teacher because she had heard of the sense of community on the McCallum campus.

could spend more time with them.”

Since Hedlund has been teaching, she has taught many different subjects and levels of history. From on-level to AP she has covered all different time periods and countries.

So far, Hedlund has enjoyed her time at McCallum and teaching her students history.

“ I was just remembering certain teachers that really were impactful for me and I would like to be a bright spot for my students.

“I’ve heard about how connected and kind the students and staff are,” Hedlund when I left after my interview I crossed my fingers because I was really hoping for

Since she has been at the school she has grown to love it and all of the people who are here.

“It has been wonderful because I love the students and community here,” Hedlund said. “I love the staff, and I wish I

—history teacher Tara Hedlund

“I love getting to know students and hopefully being a positive point in their day,” Hedlund said. “I feel like that’s why when I first thought about teaching, I was just remembering certain teachers that really were impactful for me and I would like to be a bright spot for my students.”

”

Hedlund helps sophomore Olive Glenn with her project in AP World History Class and grades papers during her planning period. Photo by Carson Duncan.

sports

New coach Thea

Adele Seeboth staff reporter

The track and field team has brought in a new coach for the 2025 season. Coming from running D1 cross-country and track and field at University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, science teacher Thea Ramsey is ready for a new challenge

Ramsey began running her freshman year of high school as part of a crosscountry team and always loved the community and the mental game of distance running.

“It kind of forces you to figure out how tough you can be and at a certain point it’s mostly just you in your head,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey began thinking seriously about running in college during her junior year of high school after originally starting running just for fun. In high school, Ramsey ran the 1600-meter relay, the 800-meter, the 1600-meter and the 3200-meter while dabbling in hurdles as well. Once transitioning to college, however, Ramsey ran the 1500-meter through 5k (3.1 miles), plus steeplechase, which is similar to hurdles.

Ramsey graduated college in 2020, majoring in neuroscience. She then began her teaching career for the Dallas Independent School District for two years before transferring to Austin ISD to teach at McCallum.

As a firstyear teacher at McCallum, Ramsey is excited to use her coaching position as a way to meet new people.

“I feel like it’s a chance to get to know everybody better and build relationships,” Ramsey said.

D1 to the one

Ramsey imparts expertise, enthusiasm to girls track team

Before becoming a teacher and track coach, Thea Ramsey ran Division 1 track at The University of Arizona where she ran longdistance events and steeplechase. Photos courtesy of Ramsey.

motivate the athletes. Coming off of coaching middle school students, Ramsey has prepared to coach tougher athletes.

“ It kind of forces you to figure out how tough you can be and at a certain point it’s mostly just you in your head.

—science teacher Thea Ramsey ”

Ramsey is also ready to use her new role to

“It’s cool to watch people become more confident in themselves and learn how to believe in themselves and their teammates,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey is filling head basketball coach Daniel Fuentes spot on the track and field coaching staff.

Joshua Amy, the head coach of the girls track team, believes adding Ramsey to the team of coaches will be a benefit and that it’s fortunate that the team had an open spot for her.

bring to the table.”

The track athletes are also looking forward to Ramsey joining the coaching team this year.

Senior Avi Zeifman intends on running the 100-meter hurdles and doing both long and triple jump in the field events, so she will get to do some work with Ramsey, and she has always depended on her track coaches.

“I definitely wouldn’t have stayed in track from sophomore year up until now if Coach Amy weren’t as good of a coach as he is,” Zeifman said.

will be helpful to have another female coach to help the girls team along with coaches Jennifer Warren and Nicollette Muller.

When Amy first met Ramsey in November, he could tell she was excited and passionate about filling this role, and he’s looking forward to seeing how that enthusiasm comes out through her coaching.

Zeifman agrees with Amy that adding another female coach to the team will benefit the girls by being a positive role model.

“It means a lot to the girls to have a female coach and see her capabilities,” Zeifman

Since Zeifman is a hurdle runner, she’s also excited to have someone with expertise in that field, since there’s never really been anyone in her previous years.

“She’s been helping us with drills and things like that, so it’s nice to have somebody who can kind of take over that department of track,” Zeifman said.

“ She brings a new energy. She’s got a fresh set of eyes and knowledge to bring to the table.

—head girls track coach

Joshua

Amy ”

Ramsey is looking forward to a strong season and is excited for the community she’ll find.

“It should be really fun,” Ramsey said. “In a way that’s different from just being in the classroom together.”

The track season runs from early January through early May,

“She just brings a new energy,” Amy said. “She’s got a fresh set of eyes and knowledge to

if there are qualifiers for the UIL State Championship meet.

At regionals in Joshua on March

Kleiman does heavy lifting

After resurrecting powerlifting team, senior qualifies for state meet

Hudson Hensley staff reporter

Senior Ozan Kleiman had already enjoyed a historic season for a McCallum athlete. He had formed the school’s first powerlifting team in two decades, he placed first in his weight class at a powerlifting competition and he had qualified for the state powerlifting championships in the 220-pound weight class on March 22 in Abilene.

“This will be the biggest competition I’ve ever done,” Kleiman said as he looked ahead to the state meet. “I have a real chance at placing in the top three, which would be pretty sweet. I’m pushing myself harder than ever in these final weeks leading up to state.” His intense preparation led to a bittersweet moment.

a cost.

“Squatting 660 pounds was … a special moment because it was the biggest lift I’ve ever hit, but it was also the lift I got injured on, which led me to dropping out of state. … I had to drop out of it because I injured my lower back. Nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening, just one of those injuries that are completely random and inevitable. Unfortunate luck and bad timing. [It is] very disappointing it ended like that, and I couldn’t compete, but it is what it is.”

While Kleiman’s season did not end the way he hoped it would, that doesn’t diminish his successes throughout the semester.

The first victory for Kleiman was forming a McCallum powerlifting team in the first place.

“We haven’t had a powerlifting team in 20 years,” Kleiman said, but he brought the team back after recruiting two friends, sophomores Jack Johnson and Henry Hood, to join him on the team.

To form the team, Kleiman also had to find a faculty sponsor, a role that Coach Tony Osorio took on.

“I have to thank [Coach Osorio] for his support and making it possible for there to even be a team at McCallum,” Kleiman said. “He came with me to both of the meets to help out.”

“Traveling all the way out to regionals and qualifying for state was pretty cool: to have the opportunity to represent our school at a massive competition and have a really good chance at doing well,” Kleiman said.

Kleiman placed fourth in Joshua. He achieved a total weight of 1530 pounds after squatting 605, bench-pressing 405 and deadlifting 520. He said he could have placed higher than fourth, but he opted to bank his first squat and deadlift result and not attempt a second or third lift.

Osorio, who witnessed Kleiman’s statequalifying effort firsthand, said he was impressed.

“He overcame some injuries to make it, so I’m very proud,” Osorio said.

Kleiman’s subsequent training injury may have derailed his state appearance, but he puts his faith in his teammates to lead the program next season.

“Hopefully next year, they can take over the team and [qualify for regionals and state],” Kleiman said.

Johnson credits Kleiman for being a leader and a mentor, not just the founder of the team.

I was very impressed with [Ozan’s] work ethic and just his ‘want to.’ No one was pushing him to do this; he just wanted to prove himself.

During his preparation between region and state, Kleiman had already benched 460 pounds and deadlifted 585, both personal bests, and then he tried to achieve the heaviest lift he had ever accomplished: squatting 660 pounds. He executed the lift, but the success came at

—Coach Tony Osorio ” “

Osorio said that all the credit of the team and its success this season belongs to Kleiman.

“I think he did amazing, all on his own,” Osorio said. “I was just a sponsor but was very impressed with his work ethic and just ‘want to.’ No one was pushing him to do this; he just wanted to prove himself.”

And he did prove himself right out of the gate at the team’s first Texas High School

Powerlifting Association competition, the Johnson Jaguar Invitational in Buda on Jan. 18. Competing in the 220-pound weight class, Kleiman not only placed first in his school class, but he posted the top score in the weight class overall, totalling 1555 pounds after squatting 585 pounds, bench pressing 415 pounds and deadlifting 555 pounds. Hood and Johnson also competed at the meet, with Johnson placing fourth in 165-pound weight class, helping McCallum to a seventh-place team finish in the meet. For Kleiman, placing first in Buda was significant for another reason: the result qualified him for the regional meet in Joshua, Texas, on March 8. Accompanying Kleiman on the trip were Osorio and Kleiman’s personal lifting coach, Joshua Trammell, and one of Trammell’s friends from Louisiana.

“Ozan has been a huge help to everyone in the weightlifting club,” Johnson said. “He doesn’t just tell people what to do—he actually pushes them to be better. He really pushes me in training, making sure I get all my lifts done, tracking my food and sticking to my workout plan. He really cares about helping people get stronger.”

Hood agrees. He thanked Kleiman for pushing him to be the best version of himself.

“He made me a workout plan, he made me a diet, and he made sure I was on the right track the whole time,” Hood said.

Hood said he accepts the mantle that Kleiman will leave behind when he graduates.

“We’re passing that torch down,” Hood said.

Kleiman remains hopeful that Osorio, Johnson and Hood can continue to grow the team and build on the accomplishments of this year’s team.

“Powerlifting is a small sport, but I’d love to see more people get involved,” he said. “Maybe I can come back and support the next generation of lifter.”

—with additional reporting by Dave Winter

8, Kleiman squatted 605 pounds (left), benched 405 pounds and deadlifted 520 pounds (right). His cleared his second bench press attempt at 450 pound (center) but a judge disallowed it, ruling that Kleiman’s butt came off the bench. He did not try a second or third squat or deadlift because his first weight was enough to qualify for state. Photos courtesy of Kleiman

Kleiman (center) was joined at the regional meet in Jasper by Victoria Aragon (left), a friend of his personal coach Joshua Trammell and his school coach, Anthony Osorio (right). Photo courtesty of Kleiman.

From pitching to painting

Junior utility player Talullah “Lu” McColgin balances softball with art, music

When junior Talullah “Lu” McColgin’s parents signed her up to play softball on her neighborhood rec team six years ago, she decided to give the sport a try. What started as a hobby has become her passion, and now, McColgin is a returning starter on the varsity softball team and on Premier, a select softball club. Since then, McColgin has seen her growth on and off the field.

“I think I’ve improved in every way I could have improved,” McColgin said. “I’ve improved on my offense, on my defense, on my pitching, on my catching. I’ve improved my mindset to have a better, more growthoriented mindset, and to being more open to learning and changing.”

As much as McColgin has grown as a player since the first day she picked up a softball, it was on her rec team, Greater East Austin Youth Association, or G.E.A.Y.A, where McColgin first learned how to become a utility player, or someone who plays every position.

“For my rec team, we just needed people to play everywhere,” McColgin said. “I liked playing everywhere, and it was fun to constantly try new positions. It was really

“Being a utility player has taught me how to see the bigger picture and how the entire team works together,” McColgin said. “I think that’s very applicable to life.”

Most utility players play every position except for pitching or catching. McColgin, however, plays both positions, although she didn’t intend to become a pitcher. As a matter of fact, McColgin threw her first game at age 12 only when her team’s other two pitchers were out sick.

After that game, McColgin didn’t expect to ever pitch again, until freshman year, when her team at G.E.A.Y.A. needed her to step up and take the mound. Then, she began to pitch more consistently and now, McColgin pitches games at a varsity level.

“I love pitching so much,” McColgin said. “It’s so much fun. You’re involved in every play of the game. There’s a lot of pressure, but it keeps you focused.”

The key to handling that pressure, according to McColgin, is developing mental strength.

catcher who has been playing softball with McColgin since they were both freshmen.

“She has great energy,” Cacci said. “She’s always super positive and uplifting. I haven’t heard a single negative thing come out of her mouth. She’s always cheering on her teammates, and it really creates a good vibe for the team.”

McColgin carries this positivity to Premier, a select softball club that she joined this fall as a chance to play more competitive softball, get spotted by college scouts and travel around the state for tournaments.

“It’s definitely broadened my knowledge of what high-level softball is and what coaches expect at that level,” McColgin said. “It’s definitely been a little bit of a culture shock, but it’s also really fun, a good experience, and the kids are all really nice.”

“ She has great energy. She’s always super positive and uplifting. I haven’t heard a single negative thing come out of her mouth.

physically,” McColgin said. “If you’re in your own head, you’re going to be really tight on the mound and not be able to get enough whip, and you’re going to be missing your spots. You have to remember to be tough mentally and loose physically, so that you stay focused but stay relaxed.”

Assistant softball coach Vaughn Stockton, who has coached McColgin since her freshman year, has noticed this fortitude develop along

“It’s easy to get downcast, and if you’re a player who lets those things get to you, it can really ruin the rest of the game,” Stockton said. “But Lu just keeps her head up and keeps working hard each and every play and that helps bring our team up. It helps us come back if we get down, but it also helps us stay focused if we get up a lot.”

One of those teammates who feels McColgin’s positivity is Zara Cacci, a varsity

-junior Zara Cacci

”Playing for Premier, however, is a large time commitment. Premier’s practice fields are in Leander, which is a 30-to45-minute drive from McCallum. In addition to the long commute, McColgin has two practices a week plus overnight tournaments around the state in the fall select season. On average, McColgin estimates that she plays 15 to 20 hours of softball a week for Premier. Despite the grind, she enjoys every minute of it.

“Honestly, if I could play softball every minute of every day, I would be a very happy person,” McColgin said, “but also, I’d probably burn my arm out, so it’s probably a good thing I don’t do that.”

Since McColgin can’t “play softball every minute of every day” she finds other ways to find happiness. One of these ways is through visual art, which she has explored on and off since she was a little kid. McColgin’s interest in art surged during the COVID-19 pandemic when she had a lot of time on her hands to learn the basics of proportions and color theory. Throughout middle school, McColgin kept creating art in her free time. In eighth grade, she decided to pursue art at a higher level and applied to the visual arts program at McCallum.

“Whenever I do art, I feel happy, and I wanted to go to McCallum because a lot of my friends were going to McCallum to be honest,” McColgin said. “And at McCallum, you could take three art classes at a time, and that sounded really nice to me because I love art.”

“Already the Vultures are Circling,” McColgin’s Gold Key-winning print was also nominated for the American’s Vision Award. Print by McColgin.

Since she was accepted freshman year, McColgin has enjoyed being in the visual arts program at McCallum, which she feels is unique for its high concentration of talented artists.

“I like being surrounded by wonderfully talented artists,” McColgin said. “It inspires me so much. And whenever I’m in art I’ll just walk around the room and admire everybody’s paintings and be awed by their beauty. It’s like I’m literally in the Blanton but better.”

During her time as a visual arts major at McCallum, McColgin has explored a variety of forms of art, including printmaking, painting, drawing, and ceramics. Recently, McColgin won a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art and Writing competition for her print titled “Already the Vultures are Circling.” Besides winning a gold key, “Already the Vultures are Circling” was one of the five nominees for the American Visions Award in all of central Texas.

Scan to read the full story or visit macshieldonline.com.

McColgin catches in a scrimmage against Aldine Davis on Jan. 31

Photo by Elizabeth Nation.

Elizabeth Nation staff reporter

For the love of the game

Strong, smart and a good teammate, McIntyre is turning heads in two sports

Fletcher Vandegrift staff reporter

Since he was 4 years old, sophomore Tommy McIntyre has been very fond of the world of sports. His passion developed throughout his childhood as he was often involved in club leagues and select baseball.

While AISD doesn’t have middle school baseball, he pursued his love of football during his middle school years and after his three-year hiatus from school baseball, McIntyre picked it back up with full force once he came to McCallum. While he continued to play club baseball while in middle school, in high school he was able to pursue play both sports on campus.

McIntyre said being able to play both baseball and football is a blessing.

“It’s a great experience being wanted to be in football and baseball,” he said.

“You meet a lot of new people, you know a lot of coaches and there’s a lot of things that go well with football and baseball.

“I really want to play college baseball,” he said. “Lots of opportunities have been given to me, so I’ve stuck with baseball for a long time. I’ll be playing four years of varsity baseball, and hopefully I’ll get a chance to do something special during and after high school.”

McIntyre’s love for baseball doesn’t put his passion for football completely aside.

“Of course, I love football,” McIntyre said. “My favorite memories of being at McCallum come from football. Taco Shack against Anderson in front of thousands of people and playing at Liberty Hill in front of thousands of people. Playing football in high school has been a great experience. McIntyre’s coaches have been impressed with him from day one. Head baseball coach Trey Honeycutt said McIntyre was ahead of his age group.

“ He always struck me as a bright, smart young man and he knew the game of baseball really well.

—head baseball coach Trey Honeycutt

Spending my Friday nights in the fall on the football field with my teammates and weekdays in the spring on the baseball field with my teammates is always a good time and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

McIntyre credits his love for baseball to his family’s history with the sport and his passion for football to luck.

“My dad played baseball in college,” he said. “Both my uncles also played, so I grew up in a baseball family. Football was something I started in seventh grade and was more of a social thing I decided to be a part of. I stuck with football throughout middle school and decided to keep playing in high school. I’m glad I did because I love what I do, and it’s incredible to be able to play both sports.”

Despite the two sports being in different seasons, McIntyre said the hard work necessary to succeed in baseball and in football is the same.

“Football’s the ‘easy’ season,” he said. “During football season, I get all of my work in during practice before and after school. It’s baseball where you spend a lot of time on your own getting better. I’d say I spend 10-12 hours a week outside of school working on my baseball skills.”

McIntyre said he wants to play baseball at the next level.

“He always struck me as a bright, smart young man,” Honeycutt said. “He knew the game of baseball really well. I knew that he had a lot of baseball knowledge, more so than the average incoming freshman. I knew him beforehand because of the camps he came to in years prior, and he showcased a lot of good skills that were far ahead of his time.”

Honeycutt knew well before McIntyre started ninth grade he needed him on the baseball team.

“I just knew he was a baseball guy,” he said.

“He showed interest in baseball and through the camps and everything. And when you see somebody his size, you definitely want to at least have a conversation with them to see if they’re interested. He was interested, and we’re very fortunate to have someone of his caliber helping us out.”

Making the baseball team was one thing, but being on varsity was another.

“His freshman year, he had a great chance [at making varsity],” he said. “Our catcher before him had graduated so we knew that he was going to have a good shot of making a run at varsity. We wanted to see him mix in with the other guys on the team and compare, but the skills we saw from him even before coming to the team told us that he was going to have a great shot at being a freshman on varsity.”

McIntyre’s best characteristic is his coachability, according to Honeycutt.

“You’re always a student of the game,” he said. “Tommy is a great example of that. He’s humble, he stays true to himself, but he’s still a big competitor. His knowledge and maturity for a 15-year-old young man way exceeds other players I’ve coached. He’s aware of the situations and the moments, and he’s able to adjust and make a play. Baseball is a game of failure but he’s able to execute in the moment.”

Honeycutt said that he can see baseball is more than a game to McIntyre.

“A lot of coaches judge players based on skill level,” he said, “but Tommy, he really has a good heart deep down. Not just for the game, but you see him trying to be a great teammate, which is crucial at any sport at any level. He’s a great guy, a good friend and someone you want to be around. If I was that age, I’d want someone like Tommy to be my friend and teammate. He’s a good guy all around and as a coach, it’s not always about baseball. It’s about the person, and he’s got heart.”

On the other side of Sunshine Drive is athletic director and head football coach Tom Gammerdinger, who couldn’t be more pleased with how McIntyre has played football.

“The thing about Tommy is, he can do anything,” he said. “ He plugs a lot of holes for us. He can play running back, fullback,

he’s doing. He’s a real competitor. The other thing that stands out is his physicality. He’s not just a big body, he is physical. He uses the tools that he has really well, and they’ve made him an emerging leader for the team.”

Gammerdinger said McIntyre is a player who has the skills, the mindset and the routine to become a great

“He needs to keep doing exactly what he’s doing,” he said. “He works hard, his leadership is starting to develop, he’s smart and he’s a good football player. He understands the game and doesn’t run away from hard work. He doesn’t need to do anything different. He’s going to be a really, really good football player for us if he just keeps doing his thing.”

Photo by Carlye Levine

Photo by Julia Copas.

Kicking off ninth grade

Incoming freshmen make immediate impact on varsity team

Sienna Martens staff reporter

The varsity girls soccer team welcomed four freshmen to its opening game roster this season: Ashtyn Gunning, Vera Foster, Kaylee Breecker and Shiloh Hendrickse. Breecker has already contributed a goal to the team, while the others bring their sportsmanship, energy and impact on the field.

Breecker, who previously attended Lamar Middle School, scored her first varsity goal off a header assisted by Gunning, during their game against Crockett on Friday, Jan. 1. Breecker said it was a bizarre feeling to finally see the

the older players and said she has felt so supported and comfortable through her McCallum soccer experience so far.

Breecker feels through the mentorship of head coach Jason Rich and the varsity captains, she has already learned a lot about herself.

“I already feel like this program has helped me improve so much,” Breecker said, “It’s a weird feeling of achieving a dream that I have aspired to accomplish for so long, and the team has been so welcoming and kind.”

Gunning said being the youngest has challenged her, and fostered new relationships. Having a sister on the team, junior Sienna

above me,” she said, “I like the challenge it gives me, and it allows me to have something to work harder for since I have to prove myself more being a freshman.”

Foster previously attended Kealing Middle School and plays outside back.

Foster says she has felt more than welcomed to the program by her fellow teammates and captains and has enjoyed getting to meet lots of new people in the soccer program.

“crosses.” Foster said. “I really love when we have team dinners because it’s so fun to hangout with the team!”

I honestly don’t feel like being a freshman affects any of the actual connections I have with the team. They are just like an extended family.

“The team is so supportive and friendly, and if I ever have an issue with something, I feel so welcomed to talk to the captains about it,” Foster said. “I honestly don’t feel like being a freshman affects any of the actual connections I have with the team; they are just like an extended family.”

Foster thinks that the team meshed really well this season and that the team bonding that occurred off the field helped them to suceed on it. Foster said that team meals have really helped build these relationships and bring the team chemistry to the next level on and off the field.

“Our passing is really solid right now, and we’re doing a great job with midfield, long balls, corners and

The fourth freshman, Hendrickse, attended the Girls School of Austin for her middle school experience. Hendrickse said her experience so far has been nothing but the best. She feels so inspired by the upperclassmen on the team, and has felt as though he upperclassmen have taken her under their wings.

- freshman Vera Foster

”“I can truthfully say I feel inspired by everyone on this team, ” Hendrickse said, “This season I’m playing a new position in the midfield, and that transition couldn’t have been easier with people like Maya Tackett and Maya Garwood!”

Hendrickse said she feels grateful that she has the opportunity to learn from older players and Coach Rich, who make her a better player constantly. As her career progresses, she hopes to grow her confidence when attacking.

While the team did not achieve Hendrickse’s goal of a victory over rival Anderson, the team did check her second bax, a long run in the 5A D2 playoffs in which the team advanced to the Sweet 16 after winning two playoff games.

Freshman Ashtyn Gunning kicks the ball against Ann Richards during the Knights’ 2-0 victory over the Stars on Feb. 10 at. Photo by Maggie Mass.

When freshmen Olivia HernandezEeds (left), Shola Houston and Astrid Huerta were called up to varsity midseason, they joined Kaylee Breecker (right) and the other freshmen already on the varsity roster.

Photo by Dave Winter.

sports briefs

Captain Callen Romell, girls team roll on to UIL regionals

Senior golfer Callen Romell secured her third straight regional qualification with a second-place individual finish at the district tournament March 25-26. Originally set to advance on her own, Romell will now have her teammates alongside her after a forfeit by the second-place team allowed the entire McCallum girls varsity golf team to finish second and take their qualifying spot.

Romell said the new district alignment added an element of uncertainty heading into the tournament.

“Having a new district, we didn’t really know who we were up against,” she said. “I didn’t exactly know how good the girls in our district were, and after the first day, I was in a pretty good spot. The girls that were in front of me were on the two teams that were already going to qualify.”

Her second-place finish secured her an individual spot at regionals, marking the third time she has advanced past district.

“I went to regionals the last two years, so it would be a bummer if I missed it,” she said. “Now that the whole team is going, it’s gonna be a lot more fun.”

The season hasn’t been without

obstacles. Romell has dealt with a hip injury since her sophomore year, which she said worsened midway through the season.

“I had to take some time off mid-season because it flared up a lot,” she said. “I had to do PT and rehab, and I didn’t know if I was gonna be OK leading up to district. But I’m happy I made it despite not being 100%.”

Looking ahead to regionals, Romell has been focusing on fine-tuning her game.

“I’ve definitely been going to the range more and have been more intentional with my practices,” she said.

With regionals approaching, Romell said she plans to give her best effort.

“We’re going to regionals knowing we aren’t going to qualify for state, so it’s nice that it’s a low-stakes tournament,” she said. “I just want to go out and not leave anything on the table.”

The Knights varsity girls golf team will look to find their “paradise” and swing into success at regionals on April 15-16 at the Margaritaville Lake Resort Golf Course in Conroe outside Houston.

Thanks to an airtight defensive effort and two goals from sophomore Ellie Wiseman, the varsity girls soccer team defeated Victoria West 2-0 in the area playoffs on [date] to make the UIL Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.

“It felt great to score both goals and it’s always exciting to celebrate with everyone, especially in such an important game,” Wiseman said. “In that moment though, I was thinking about making sure we finish out the game and don’t get comfortable in our lead.”

The Knights’ first goal was a team effort that began when freshman Ashtyn Gunning crossed the ball to Wiseman, who capitalized on the scoring opportunity in the middle of the field. While the goal was impressive, Rich said he believed it was the team’s second goal that showed how skilled and technical the team can be in important moments.

—V Overstreet

The girls varsity soccer team celebrates its 2-0 victory over Victoria West in round 2 of the state playoffs. Photo by Sofia Saucedo.

In the regional semifinal on [date], the Knights faced the Barbers Hill Eagles in College Station. The Eagles scored the only goal of the first half while the Knights struggled to find its offense. The Knights conceded a second goal halfway through the second half.

Despite the loss, sophomore midfielder Maya Garwood said the team executed well.

“Our strategy going into the game was to stay connected and play our game, but also to focus more on ourselves than the other team,” Garwood said. “We’re a very close group of girls, and it’s helped us succeed all season, so while we didn’t win we fought hard, which is a small success in itself.”

Garwood says that even though their season has ended, she is grateful to have worked with this team, and is excited for the years to come.

—Sofia Saucedo

april 18-19

regional track meet @ Turner Stadium—all day

april 22, 25

baseball vs. Bastrop, 7 p.m. Tuesday away, Friday home

state track meet @ Myers Stadium—all day

may 9

spring football game @Mac may 1-3

Medalist Stovall advances to regionals

The boys golf team competed in its annual district tournament March 31 and April 1. Each school sent teams of five, and the top four scores of each team were combined to calculate a team score. After scores were tallied, the top two teams qualified for the upcoming regional tournament, as well as the top two scoring individuals who were not on a qualifying team. While the McCallum boys’ team did not make it to regionals, team captain Link Stovall secured a spot based on his individual score: 83-79.

“I’m sad I’m going alone,” Stovall said. “But I’m excited that I will still be able to represent the McCallum team at regionals.”

Stovall will compete in the regional tournament next Thursday and Friday, April 17-18. As the only qualifier, he feels the stakes are high.

“I always get nervous going into tournaments,” Stovall said. “And this particular tournament has a lot of pressure, especially because I don’t want to let the team down.” Additionally, as a senior, the end to Stovall’s high school golf career is approaching. If he does well in the upcoming tournament, he will move on to the next round: state. However, if Stovall does not qualify for state, he will be done with high school golf.

“It feel’s bittersweet to be nearing the end of high school golf,” Stovall said. “But I hope to do well in regionals so that I can qualify for state because I want to keep playing.”

-Jojo Barnard

The girls varsity poses after placing in the district golf meet at Morris Williams.

Photo by Coach Cliff Stanchos.

The boys golf team poses ahead of day two of district at Star Ranch. The two Anderson golf teams qualified for regionals as did Knight captain Link Stovall. Photo by Coach Cliff

Is de-extinction worth it?

How and why de-extinction can be a useful tool for life on earth

Kyan Adams staff reporter

A unique idea was made a reality during the 20th century when two German brothers decided to do something most might deem impossible, to bring back the extinct. Unknown to them is that they had achieved the first instance of what is now called deextinction, the process in which an extinct or resembling organism is created. This once unfathomable idea can be brought to life via three main methods: back-breeding, genome editing and cloning.

Starting in the 1920s was a project orchestrated by the two previously mentioned German brothers, Heinz and Lutz Heck. Their project focused on bringing back the extinct wild cattle aurochs through a process known as back-breeding, a de-extinction method in which domestic (and in some cases non-domestic) animals are selectively bred to create a breed with a phenotype resembling a wild ancestor. By breeding European dairy breeds and southern European cattle the Heck brothers ended up with what is known as Heck cattle, a very rough analog of what the aurochs looked like in life. Nonetheless, the brothers made the first step in this increasingly growing field of biological science. Note that while backbreeding allows for the refinement of animals to fit into the mold of their extinct ancestor, the process also takes multiple years to perfect the phenotype so that it can perform like the animal being imaged.

With help from the CRISPR/Cas9 system, genome editing has now become a viable method for de-extinction. By editing the germ cells of a closely related species to an extinct species, the eggs and sperm produced by the living parent will produce a hybrid of the extinct species and extant species. Major deextinction projects, like Colossal Bioscience and Revive & Restore, have adopted this method because it allows for more species to be revived, as the process does not require a fully preserved cell like cloning does. This makes it a much more flexible and modifiable system, letting scientists refine by meticulously removing or adding traits to the germ cell.

Cloning is the most widely known method, but it’s the most difficult out of the three. The process works by extracting the nucleus from a preserved cell of an extinct species and swapping it into an egg of a living organism that can then produce an exact copy of the extinct individual. Unlike the other two methods, this is the only one that can fully return the original organism. But because it depends on the low chance of a fully preserved cell, cloning is best used for recently extinct species, and not animals like the wooly

3 WAYS TO RESURRECT AN EXTINCT ORGANISM

BACK BREEDING

DEFINITON: selective breeding of animals in an attempt to achieve an animal breed that resembles an extinct ancestor.

PROS:

• creates a whole population, rather than just an individual animal

CONS:

• takes a long time

CRISPR/Cas9

DEFINITON: DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism

PROS:

• allows for more species to be revived

• process does not require a fully preserved cell

CONS:

• can impair/alter other genes within organism

CLONING

DEFINITON: Creating a genetically identical copy of an cell, tissue or organism

PROS:

• only method that can fully return original organism

CONS:

• most difficult method of the three

• doesn’t work well for long-extinct species

Sources: British Ecological Society Journal, Food and Drug Administration, Time Magazine, Wikipedia

mammoth which have been extinct for thousands of years because as most know, over time biological material like DNA declines in condition becoming harder to use or acquire. There are ups and downs within all of the methods. De-extinction is no walk in the park: it is a difficult process that takes a vast amount of time and resources, so why are people doing it? Because its worth is greater than anything you can think of. The true purpose of de-extinction is to save the human race, we as a species, like every other organism on this planet depend on the positive health of our environments, climate, ecosystems and biodiversity. But we have ignored this shoulder that humanity leans on for far too long, and now we have begun to slip. The rate of extinction is 100 to 1,000 times higher than the background rate, glaciers and ice sheets around the world are melting, wildfires rage uncontrollably, coral reefs worldwide are experiencing bleaching, and insect populations are on a global decline. These are a few examples of the consequences we face due to our actions, an direct indicators of our situation. Earth has entered its sixth extinction induced singlehandedly by one species, us. Through our reign of earth, we have caused irreparable damage. Some things will never be the same and only continue to worsen. But that doesn’t mean we cannot recover and fix our mistakes. Humans hold a power unlike any other; the earth’s fate sits entirely within our hands. And to the most basic degree, as living organisms, we must continue to live. But that continuation of life is jeopardized by nothing but ourselves. So we must look back, as the key to a better future hides in the past.

Some say that the human race has an ethical obligation to revive species taken by our hands, and I feel that this is supremely correct. We had no right to eradicate thousands just

because of ignorance. Not knowing isn’t an excuse for genocide. Humans are on another level mentally; we have developed ethics and morality, so following through on that morality is what needs to be done.

The ecological roles of the recently extinct remain empty, leaving a gap that creates an imbalance or weak point in that ecosystem. A majority of these species were incredibly influential to their ecosystems, and their deaths have caused major ramifications for the world. By returning the lost species, however, the ecosystem will regain its strength through biodiversity and be more resistant to negative changes. On the other hand, species that have been out of the game for thousands of years will be exposed to environments that are alien to them, with their niche long since filled or removed. Yet they can reshape and revert the earth into a healthier and more primal state. As an example, large animals can physically change their surroundings just by engagement and movement with the landscape.

Bengal tiger is a perfect example. Scientists can apply the same technology used for de-extinction to modern conservation efforts. By cloning dead individuals of endangered species, like in 2010 when Elizabeth Ann the black-footed ferret was cloned from the female ferret Willa who died in the 1980s. It allows for lost DNA to reenter the species creating more diversity, and boosts the numbers of the organism. With positives, there are negatives. The first and possibly most important downside is that all the extensive research and vast amount of resources being put into de-extinction could instead be used to protect living species threatened with extinction. So while time and money are focused on one extinct species, multiple living species could be left behind—the second most important negative lies within projects focused on much older species. The world has changed drastically since some animals last roamed, meaning that the introduction of something like a wooly mammoth could be disastrous for both modern life and the extinct animal. Diseases that they aren’t immune to, animals that are now present but weren’t when they lived could create conflict between extinct and extant, and changing climates that endanger the extinct are a few of the problems that might arise during the reintroduction of long extinct species.

“

Humans hold a power unlike any other; the earth’s fate sits entirely within our hands. And to the most basic degree, as living organisms, we must continue to live. But that continuation of life is jeopardized by nothing but ourselves.

“

The thought of resurrecting an extinct organism creates great public traction, which can be used as a tool for generating enthusiasm and funds to further the conservation of not just a single animal or plant but whole ecosystems. Organisms like this are known as “flagship species,” and a

To date, there are around seven major de-extinction projects in play and two major successes. The first fully successful and complete deextinction and the first de-extinct plant is the Judean date palm. The initial male specimen titled “Methuselah” was revived in 2005, and following a few years later, two females also sprouted. In 2015 Methuselah produced pollen that was used to pollinate the female date palms, and finally in June 2021 one of the palms grew dates which are being studied for their nutritional values and properties. The revival of the Pyrenean ibex in 2003 was the first and only time an extinct animal was brought back, and the only animal to go extinct twice. Unfortunately, she lived for about seven minutes before succumbing to suffocation because of a lung defect. Nonetheless, those few minutes of life bring the possibility of giving hundreds of species a second chance.

CANDIDATES FOR DE-EXTINCTION

Image of dire wolves created by Lindell Dillon using the artificial intelligence app Grok3. Reposted here with permission under a creative commons license.

Scientists use gray wolf DNA to bring back dire wolves from extinction

Credits: Quagga/ Jon Mountjoy on Flickr. Auroch/ Philippe Rouzet on Flickr. Boar-pig hybrid/Miguel Tremblay on Wikimedia Commons. Dodo/ Russ Seidel on Flickr. Wooly Mammoth/Mark Mathosian on Flickr. Thylacine/cenz on Flickr. Southern Gastric-Brooding Frog/ Benjamin Healley on Wikimedia Commons. Northern White Rhino/Jean Ogden Just Chaos Photography on Flickr. Burcado/KKPCW on Wikimedia Commons. All images accessed on either Flickr or Wikimedia Commons as indicated. Reposted here with persmission under a creative commons licence.

if after every minute, every breath taken, a species was unconsciously chosen for revival: seven minutes, seven species.

The scientific team behind Colossal Biosciences has tasked themselves with the deextinction of three famous extinct animals, the wooly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), and dodo bird (Raphus cucullatus). Each species holds an important mission; the mammoth is to revive an almost extinct biome known as the mammoth steppe, and in turn combat climate change through the physical extension of grassland, which reduces carbon emission by absorbing it directly. The thylacine’s role as the apex predator in Australia will be reclaimed, allowing for this once-prosperous and preeminent predator to revive Australian ecosystems facing trophic downgrading. Finally, the once lush and diverse island

of Mauritius, ravaged by human greed and ignorance, will be reborn through the revival of the dodo bird, accompanied by conservation efforts towards its cousin the Mauritius pink pigeon.

The wonderful organization, Revive & Restore, currently has two avian de-extinction projects. The resurrection of the once billion-strong passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and the Eastern coasts’ heath hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido), both tasked with healing open wounds left in North American ecology. From five billion to zero, the passenger pigeon’s extinction is one of the greatest tragedies ever. With its revival this migratory bird can restore forests across North America, aiding thousands of other species in the process, and the heath hens revived role as a flagship and indicator species will determine the future success of sandplain grasslands and heathlands in New England.

Along with these five genome editing projects, two back-breeding ones also exist. The Tauros Program plans to back-breed cattle into their ancient ancestor, the aurochs (Bos primigenius), to reimplement humanity’s most important domestication and one of Europe’s finest grazers. This gigantic cattle will provide for many others as it’s a keystone species, meaning the effect (that is, grazing land and keeping forests at bay) it has on an ecosystem is large. The quagga project aims to restore a unique plains zebra subspecies, the quagga (Equus quagga quagga), and plans to return this also important grazing mammal back to South Africa.

Now, how does this affect or correlate to Texas? Well besides these species or organizations and companies having the ability to change the course of the world and, in turn, our future, some have much bigger and more direct ties to Texas and specifically

In 2021, a group of scientists from Colossal Biosciences obtained some DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull from dire wolf fossils. In the past week, according to the New York Times, these scientists were able to edit 20 genes of gray wolves to resemble the DNA of Dire wolves. Colossal decided to use the genes from gray wolves because dire wolves are found to be at least 99 percent genetically identical to gray wolves, Julie Meachen, a Des Moines University paleontologist, told the Times. However, there are a few distinct differences including larger teeth and skulls found on the larger Dire wolf’s body. Dire wolves were determined to be extinct 10,000 years ago, but they were never forgotten thanks largely to the depiction of them in “The Game of Thrones” series. So when three wolf cubs, Romulus, Remus and Khalessi, were born in the past six months due to embryos planted in similar female dogs, the world embraced their arrival. A fourth cub was also born but died 10 days after it was born due to a ruptured intestine found not related to any mutation.

Austin. The previously mentioned Colossal Biosciences is based in Dallas, which means our state is on the frontier of de-extinction and well on its way to being a catalyst for positive change. Now let’s say hypothetically, in a good few years, de-extinction has been perfected. Imagine you are on your daily commute, whether to work or school, and as your car, bike, or body is bathed in the golden morning light of Austin, You hear a cacophony of deafening coos and what sounds like the wind itself speaking. You stop to look in the direction of this ever-increasing sound, and your gaze meets an almost alien mass of black, wavering in the sky, seeming to be thousands, no, billions of birds, so many that they block the sun. If the funding and public support continue, de-extinction projects can bring not just Mauritius or Russia, but the entire world a wilder future, one with wonders past and present. By preserving the life we live with and have lost, our legacy as Earth’s most successful and frankly, most amazing species can continue.

Auroch

Quagga

Dodo

Wooly Mammoth

Thylacine

—Maya Tackett

Burcado

Birth control ills

Reproductive health conditions will worsen should the government decide to restrict access to contraceptives

Riley Pita staff reporter

Many teens and adults use different forms of contraceptives for various reasons. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some use them to prevent unwanted pregnancies, while others use some forms, such as birth control, to regulate certain health conditions. Although there is no explicit law in Project 2025 that would institute a total national ban on all contraceptives, there are still statewide trigger laws that will go into effect if the Supreme Court chooses to overrule landmark cases for reproductive rights like Griswold v. Connecticut. The government should not be allowed to limit access to contraceptives because doing so denies citizens of their rights, deprives people with health conditions of the medical care they need and will cause an increase in the infant and maternal mortality rate.

“ The government should not be allowed to limit access to contraceptives because it is the right of citizens.

taken birth control in the past 12 months. By sheer numbers alone, a government ban would deny more than three quarters of American woman access to necessary medication. In his concurring opinion to the court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Thomas wrote that having a law protecting reproductive rights represents a “legal fiction” that is “particularly dangerous”; however, the real danger is depriving every woman of their constitutional right to treat their bodies the way they want to.

that 14 percent of all birth control users, around 18 million women in the United States, use birth control to treat reproductive conditions and diseases. Restricting access to millions of users from oral contraceptives would be a big mistake, and would worsen the reproductive health of many women. Lawmakers that support that ban say they do so to protect unborn babies, but the ban actually would put them more at risk by making women carry unsafe pregnancies.

According to Oyez, Griswold v. Connecticut was a court case that ruled in 1965 that married couples had the right to purchase and use contraceptives. This decision paved the way for reproductive rights across the nation. According to NBC, Republican Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas is calling for the courts to review this case among many other landmark civil rights cases after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has introduced a bill for the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Because the judicial court has already chosen to overturn Roe v. Wade, it can be expected that they will also approve defunding these vital sexual education programs. Without federal funding for Planned Parenthood, it will be a lot harder for women to access contraceptives, especially in more conservative states, such as Texas. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told NBC, “We saw what the Supreme Court did on abortion, and now there’s a real risk they may do the same thing on contraception.” This defunding would make many states that have a majority of Republicans more likely to ban contraceptives outright, which would endanger those who need reproductive medications.

While the government should be allowed to change and ratify laws in general, this change is shortsighted and injurious. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, more than eight of every 10 women (82%) in the U.S. have

”

Furthermore, depriving anybody of reproductive age to choose whether they would like to have a baby is simply wrong. The age at which someone who is biologically female begins to menstruate continues to drop at a sharp rate. According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, a majority of women now receive their first period at age 12. Just because someone is of “reproductive age” does not mean they are mentally or financially ready to have a baby. Before judges review the Griswold case, they should consider the effect overturning the decision could have on preteens and teens.

Some officials believe that women should not have access to reproductive medicines because they believe many women don’t understand the consequences of engaging in sex. This view ignores the truth that not everyone who uses contraceptives, specifically birth control, is using them in order to prevent pregnancy.

“ Instead of the goal that some lawmakers have to protect unborn babies, they’re actually putting them more at risk.

”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, birth control can be used to treat medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis and can lower the risk of different cancers.

Denying access to these medicines therefore could have fatal consequences to individual mothers and to the population as a whole. Birth control, moreover, can serve as a great, cheap and reliable solution to countless medical issues. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports

We’ve already seen the death toll go up for mothers, and it will only continue to go up if lawmakers decide to put in place bans on contraceptives. In Texas, for example, one of the states most at risk for a contraception ban, there has been an increase to 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in the maternal mortality rate since the abortion ban, according to a National Center for Health Statistics study conducted by Dr. Donna L. Hoyert. The previous years’ reported a much lower mortality rate: 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 23.8 in 2020. The increase in mortality rate is significant. If contraception gets banned, the death toll will only increase at an even more alarming rate once millions of women are unable to choose contraception. Additionally, the mortality rate for infants has increased drastically since the abortion ban. According to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, there was a “12.9 percent increase in infant deaths in Texas versus a 1.8 percent increase in infant deaths in the rest of the U.S. during the same period.” Instead of saving lives, lawmakers are putting them at risk. If the ban on contraception is put into place, there will be an even more alarming increase in this rate and in the maternal mortality rate. Banning all contraceptives would cause extremely detrimental health effects to all users and the whole general population. With the ban on abortion already having been put into place in Texas, it is vital that there is still access to contraceptives for the safety and quality of life in the U.S. Lawmakers should consider the well-being of everyone in the nation before inserting their opinions into the constitution. Without this consideration, reproductive rights will move backward even more so than they already have and harm all citizens in the country.

Infographic about uses of contraception and the mortality rate of infants since the abortion ban. Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, JAMA Pediatrics. Graphic by Riley Pita.

Unsportsmanlike Congress

Trump’s new term in office reignites fears across the transgender community

Carlo Hinsdale staff reporter

President Trump’s second term has already brought new restrictions and regulations that the U.S. has never seen before. Now more than ever, the government is cracking down on the rights of minorities and lower classes. When passing laws and acts, the government does a good job of putting themselves first. They make decisions about homelessness, poverty and war, all while sitting on their thrones in Congress. Who are they to speak for these groups, as the rich and privileged (mostly) men they are? Regardless of their race, gender or political affiliation, politicians have shown a repeated tendency to state their beliefs during a campaign and then abandon them to fall in lock step with the party line once in office. With Trump in control and Republicans the majority, we can expect little consideration for the other side’s agenda.

Republicans focus on issues that affect the economy, taxes, American tradition, and our “God-given liberties.” They favor the private sector and higher class or gold-collar workers. Although promising freedom and equality for all, they often fail to include minorities or other disadvantaged groups like the homeless or those in foster care. They pride themselves on keeping America as it used to be. This is shown in Trump’s executive order to declare male and female as the only two legal sexes. According to Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order“Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” “Sex” shall refer to an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female. “Sex” is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of “gender identity,” the order continues. According to the order, sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible, irreversible reality.

Trump makes it clear that gender identity is non-applicable in public or private locations, and that bathrooms, jails, shelters, and federal offices. In all of these locations, Americans will access the location that matches their sex at birth. This custom is nothing new, but it has been hard to enforce before now. Transgender people are forced to either A) Use a space that coincides with their gender at birth, and be uncomfortable; B) Use a space that coincides with their chosen gender, and feel potentially threatened or unsafe; or C) Find a non-gendered space that is available and accessible. There will never be a total agreement between Democrat and Republican on this issue because someone will always be upset. The argument of who can use what bathroom will always be a discourse and between Republican rationalism and Democratic humanism, with both sides insisting that their view of bodily

autonomy is correct.

Now that Republicans control all three branches of government, their views on healthcare in general have already made a dramatic shift from that of the Biden/Harris administration. Already, they have removed the right from women to make their own decisions about prenatal care. Trump and his supporters also eagerly throw themselves into issues that are distractions and frankly best left alone. Orders like “restoring names that honor American greatness,” “unleashing American energy” and “celebrating America’s 250th birthday” showcase how Trump shifts his focus and that of his constituents from the more essential issues at hand.

Two weeks into Trump’s second term, he has already made 38 executive orders. Because he has already cracked down on women’s healthcare, he has quickly moved on to attacking LGBTQ+ rights. Since claiming that he stood for American liberty, he has worked diligently to put trans people back in an overwhelming state of fear for their identities and even their lives. Trump is focusing his energy on “the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” which Democrats has renamed the “Child Predator Empowerment Act. The act seeks to ban transgender girls from participating on girls sports team. Congress essentially deems it unfair that these athletes produce more testosterone than biological females, giving them an advantage. They say that they are doing it to protect girl/female

athletes but the bill does not specifically mention how they seek to enforce the law. Critics have wondered how officials would verify the biological sex of young girl athletes. That’s why critics have said the measure should be called the “Child Predator Empowerment Act.” It reinforces the unnecessary interest of Trump and his cabinet in young girls and their lives and bodies. While conspiracy rages on, the New York Times reports that the legislature has said that they would simply check the child’s birth certificate to confirm whether or not they had been born female.

Children and teenagers participate in sports that are played around the world by all sorts of people, at all different skill levels. In middle and high school sports, a majority of athletes play for fun or to be a part of a team. Of course, there are those who commit themselves to their sport and dedicate a lot of their time to participate in and practice their skill. When considering these adept athletes, one would understand that they wouldn’t want any unnecessary changes or adjustments to their team or method of play. But even then, they should be tolerant and understanding if someone less skilled becomes their goalie, or if their new batter can’t throw as hard. People still discriminate against those who are different from them. Transgender people face a lot of adversity, in almost every aspect of their lives. They are not welcome in most bathrooms, workplaces or schools. Being a transgender student-athlete poses extra challenges regarding

the individual’s peers. They might be bullied, excluded or even harmed by those around them. Trump is using this unfortunate reality as a reason to justify his incorrect assumption that trans athletes are manipulating their gender identity solely to gain a competitive advantage. That’s ridiculous. Clearly, many Americans have a strong opinion about the mere existence of transgender people in society. While Republicans take such a strong stance on the issue, they actually have trouble finding examples of instances where trans individuals have impeded sports teams, workplaces, or others’ lives in general.

Democrat Lori Trahan, the only former Division 1 athlete in Congress, expressed concern about transgender women athletes in higher-level sports, but, according to the New York Times, she also questioned the government’s involvement in casual sports at young ages. It is ridiculously unfair to allow powerful cisgender men to decide the outcome for young children who simply want to play sports with their friends.

Although the bill has moved through Congress on a vote of 218 to 206, Democrats hesitated to cross party lines and one even voted “present” in a recent hearing. Clearly, the government can’t decide whether to do the fair thing or the “right” thing. It is agonizing to watch them dedicate themselves to such a frivolous issue instead of concentrating on matters that are endangering our troops, our immigrants and our workforce.

Information sourced from the Movement Advancement Project. Graphic by Nate Williams.

april 18, 2025

Book bans have been rising in recent years due to social debates over sexuality, race and gender.

No books should be banned. While I think certain schools should offer books to students based on the age level of the students, I don’t think any books should be banned. America is very big on freedom of speech, so when governments or school boards or parent advocacy groups try to tell people what they can or can’t read, they are trampling on our individual rights and the freedoms guaranteed to all of us in the Constitution.

There have been recent book bans in Texas intended to “shield” students from “sexually explicit content,” but the bans most often target books with LGBTQ+ materials, according to the Texas State Teachers Association. Many of these books didn’t have anything to do with gender identity, sexual orientation or intimate relationships but were merely set in a home with two mothers.

School classrooms have to follow legislated reading restrictions. All books in the school teachers’ classrooms must still adhere to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission requirements. But more important than these restrictive laws or requirements is the commitment of teachers and librarians to providing their clients with access to diverse and essential perspectives in literature.

Texas legislates literature in schools, libraries, leaving students blank

Most banned books of 2025

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi

Picoult

Contains: events leading up to and after a school shooting.

From the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America (Poets, Essayists, Novelists) found more than 10,000 banned books nationwide. Of these bans, 45% were found in Florida, while 35% occurred in Iowa. The books most often banned covered LGBTQ+ topics, race, sexual references or sexual violence.

While much of the book banning in recent years has come at the local level, there are signs that national book bans could be on the horizon. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, much discussed and analyzed during the 2024 campaign, spells out how conservatives could seek to restrict books across the nation.

“

PEN America writes on its website, “If adopted, Project 2025 would ramp up book banning, impose a greater climate of censorship and selfcensorship on schools and college campuses, and silence educators and students–all on a national level.” In the foreword to Project 2025, Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts accused the Department of Education bureaucrats of injecting “racist, anti-American, ahistorical propaganda into American classrooms.” He further proposed to eliminate

two “noxious tenets” — “Critical Race Theory” and “gender ideology.”

President Trump said during the campaign that he was not going to implement Project 2025, but he has proposed eliminating the Department of Education and he has issued executive orders curtailing DEI programs and support for trans Americans. Just last week, it was reported the U.S. Naval Academy was pulling 381 titles off the shelves of its Nimitz Library, among them Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Banning access to specific books such as “Fahrenheit 451” shows how terrible society can get when putting a restriction on books.

”

PEN American’s 2025 banned book list includes 16,000 books banned across the country since 2021. According to the American Library Association, Texas and Florida ban the most books in the United States. In 2023, there were 49 attempts to ban access to books in schools and 1,470 book censorship attempts (banning the book from the school library). There were many different reasons to ban each book, and some of the reasons enraged me. One very popular book, A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara has been banned for

promoting activism, social change and social justice. How can books be banned for promoting change and justice?

I was also very shocked to find the Harry Potter series on this list for its promotion of “witchcraft.” Many fictional fantasy books use magic. I personally grew up with Harry Potter books, reading them as a kid. As a kid, I thought magic was cool, but of course, reading Harry Potter doesn’t encourage most people to do witchcraft. When you read a book, you become immersed in the world, fictional or not. I loved reading fantasy books as a kid because I liked reading about characters that wouldn’t be possible to exist.

Even books like Charlotte’s Web are commonly banned for having talked animals and “witchcraft.” Children love imagination and playing pretend. Most kids wouldn’t think about switching to a witchcraft religion.

Banning access to specific books such as Fahrenheit 451 shows how terrible society can get when putting restrictions on books.

Banning books is a violation of intellectual freedom. Banning books denies readers valuable insights and suggests that certain topics are too dangerous or controversial to confront. Schools are supposed to be a safe space for students and help our critical thinking skills. It is important to uphold the idea of free expression by rejecting book bans in schools and libraries throughout Texas.

Graphics by Nate Williams. Banned book information from PEN America.

Looking

for Alaska

by John Green

Contains: sexually explicit content, drug use.

The

Perks of Being a Wallflower by

Stephen Chbosky

Contains: LGBTQ+ content, mentions of rape, drugs, profanity.

Challenging Trump 2.0

Despite the persistent attack on shared values, we must regroup not despair

Shield staff

Honestly, most days since Trump 2.0 started have felt like a direct attack on our campus community.

This issue is filled with articles about current executive political initiatives that run counter to the core values of our community. Trump has taken action to make diversity, equity and inclusion seem like bad things—illegal things—to pursue. He has denied that transgender people have a right to exist by trying to regulate and control gender as a matter of public policy. He has made it to where some students on our campus fear every day that they or their parents might be deported. With Trump’s election win, there are fears that abortion rights and access to contraception will continue to become more and more limited.

That doesn’t even take into account his plans to eliminate the Department of Education and what that might do to programs that serve special education students and those afforded accommodations under individualized education programs and 504 plans.

Then, add to that what is happening closer to home. Two different versions of a voucher system are being proposed in both the House and Senate. It’s these programs that would allow tax-paying dollars to go to students’ private school education. At a time when our district is in crippling debt, we might see more resources directed to private schools and away from AISD.

Despite all these troubling trends, now is not the time for despair. Rather it’s a time to reassert our core values as a community.

We believe that diversity should be celebrated and cultivated not dismantled. At McCallum, diversity is not just encouraged, it’s fundamental to our collective identity; that’s why the actions of Trump and state leaders to eradicate DEI programs are hurtful to our community. Every student deserves to be able to express and celebrate their culture and their identity however they wish to without being told that who they are is somehow no longer allowed. Every student deserves the right to go to school without fearing they might be uprooted from their home and family. Every

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student deserves to have their needs met by their school to provide them with a proper education. Every student deserves to be able to attend a public school without the fear that it could lose funding. Every student deserves the right to determine what happens to their own body.

America was built on the ideas of diversity, but it is now the very concept of celebrating difference that is under attack. “Make America Great Again,” they said, but the policies of the last few months seemed to be aimed more at “Making American Monolithic Again.”

The recent rallies at the Capitol have been one example of people finding a collective voice to resist these recent executive actions and initiatives and defend our institutions and our shared values. But we need to do more than march on the Capitol. We have to be loud and proud and present for each other on a daily basis so that no one doubts that we remain together and value who we are as a campus community.

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Across

4. Football and baseball enthusiast

5. Trump’s executive order “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological ______ to the Federal Government,” establishes that it is the policy of the U.S. government to recognize two sexes, male and female.

6. How many executive orders did Trump sign his first day in office?

8. Club founded by Sarah Hamlet and Max Davis

10. Global light pollution increases by ______% each year

1. New track coach Thea Ramsey previously ran D1 at this university.

2. Maxwell’s favorite Girl Scout cookie

3. 2025 Teacher of Promise

7. There is no doubting that this Supreme Court justice is calling for a reassessment of Griswold v. Connecticut, a case that granted access to birth control

9. Garcia considers being this her greatest achievement

Crossword and graphics by JoJo Barnard