The McCallum HS Shield, Volume 70, Issue 5 (May 31, 2023)

news

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Leaning against a tree and holding a sign, junior Zephan Mayeda participates in the walkout to protest against the lack of gun protection in the United States and to draw attention to the statewide protest. While he felt the walkout could have been more substantive, he said he appreciated the symbolic message that the walkout conveyed.

Sophomore Eden Acosta lies with friends during the walkout.

Acosta thinks one action that needs to be taken in terms of gun control is to take away assault rifles. ?That thing, assault rifles, it?s not a bullet,?Acosta said. ?It destroys whatever it?s hitting. That?s meant for killing. Why do you need that in your house? What are you hunting with that? There?s no reason to have it.?Photos by Gerg? Major.

At least 100 students participate in campus walkout for gun control Last-minute protest met with mixed reaction, calls for more substantive action KATE BOYLE co-news editor & co-print managing editor At noon on May 11 at least 100 students walked out as part of a statewide walkout organized by Students Demand Action. The McCallum-specific walkout was organized by junior Teddy Ibsen. ?It was kind of last-minute,?Ibsen told the Shield the day the walkout took place. ?I had only decided to do this yesterday, and this morning I put up flyers.?

Ibsen said the purpose of the walkout was to demand action and show solidarity. ?We?re in the state capital,?Ibsen said. ?We can't just let this opportunity to help and demand action slip away. It was to show solidarity in the fight for gun control and regulation. It was important to Teddy Ibsen displays their protest sign at the May 11 walkout. Photo

by Gerg? Major.

may. 31, 2023

demand action from our state representative, especially because of the House Bill 2744, which [would raise] the age of buying a semiautomatic weapon.?

Advocates for HB 2744 were elated when it advanced out of committee thanks to two Republican votes in its favor, but hope for it passing ended when the bill was not added to the agenda in time for it to be considered by the House.

Sophomore Eden Acosta remembers Ibsen saying, ?we could be next.? ?Not that long ago I was in class and I got a random wave of anxiety,?Acosta said. ?I thought someone could come right now. I was freaking out. Then I was like, ?Oh, let's calm down. It's fine.?I was sitting there and I was thinking about how, I think I was like the 23rd day of 2023. There were already like, 40 mass shootings?

Twice the number of days. That's insane.?

Many students felt called to participate after seeing posters around the school. ?I didn't know how many peoplewere going in and how many peopleweregoing to takeit seriously,?Acostasaid. ?I had just comefrom a school wherethey were not on that side. I wasin art class. The girl next to mewaslike?Areyou going to walk out??and I waslike ?Yeah.??

Freshman Nayeli Azul joined the walkout after seeing a poster. This was Azul?s first walkout. ?I wanted to support student organizers,especially becausethiswas a Texas-widewalkout and in general peopleacrossTexasdon?t alwaysagree politically,?Azul said. ?It wasimportant to support in order to makechange.?

Although some students saw the posters,

many didn?t and so they weren?t able to participate. ?I don't think it was effective at all,?sophomore Scarlet Logue said. ?I think there were many flaws in the planning mainly because it was last-minute. So many people who would've participated couldn't because of the AP testing so it wasn't nearly as impactful as it could've been. Not many people knew about it, so it?ll be swept beneath the rug.?

Students pushed the walkout to be silent due to AP testing, but despite its lack of volume, many found it powerful. Azul said that one of the most impactful moments during the walkout occurred when everyone was asked to lie down in memory of everyone lost to school shootings. ?I felt empowered, like we as youth can make actual change in our community,?Ibsen said. ?That our voices matter, even with the semi quiet protesting we did.?

Although some students felt empowered, junior Zephan Mayeda felt underwhelmed. ?I would haveloved to see marching,chants, speeches, listsof phonenumbersto call senators, namespicturesand birthdaysof the victims, flyerspromotingthe protest daysweeksor monthseven in advance, massabsences, an actual walkout for thosewho can?t not go to school that isn?t just 20 minutesof sitting,?Mayedasaid.

Despite these reservations, Mayeda said he still felt drawn to participate to protest the lack of gun protection in the country and the state. ?Children are dying due to the government's apathy and corporate lobbying against any action of any kind,?Mayeda said.

To continue their activism, Ibsen wants to start a club that focuses on current issues and civil disobedience. They saw the walkout as a call to action for many. ?I would like to say that youth voices can be heard,?Ibsen said. ?You can look up what state district you?re in, and email or call your official and urge them to vote the way you want. You can also join protests at the capital, demanding action. No voice is too small to be heard.?

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A contracted pest control company employee apprehended and released a raccoon on the morning of May 16 during fifth period after the raccoon was caught in a trap in the ceiling in front of the library overnight. Photo by Dave Winter.

Raccoon saga cont inues Sealing entry points proves ineffective; two raccoon incidents occur week before finals Animal Control searched for the raccoon later that day but did not find one. He told the staff reporter animal control expert that a custodian reported seeing the raccoon Tuesday evening and it was not a trapped raccoon, but rather a Despite efforts by the district to prevent the mother caring for her babies. ongoing rodent incidents at McCallum, the The library hasconsistently been a raccoon infestation continues. Two raccoons high-activity area for raccoon-related incidents, were reported on campus during the last week of leading to varioustraps being placed in the classes before finals. ceiling and elsewhere. Thispreventative Following a three-day streak of raccoon measurehas seen successin the captureson sightings and captures from April 26 to 28, AISD April 27 and May 16, but additional measures contracted with a pest control company to seal are still being taken to prevent further up entry points to the school. These efforts incidents. proved effective for ?[The raccoons] are partly around two and a half why we?re really strict about weeks until a raccoon food and drink,?Orr said. ?I caught in a trap in the started thinking, ?There?s a ceiling above the library reason why the cafeteria doors on Tuesday, May 16 doesn?t have carpet.?That put an end to that streak. would be a bad idea. So, no ?[The raccoons] were food in the library, because getting in through on top we?re trying to keep them of the building, or what we out of this part of the call penthouses, which has building.? a lot of our mechanical Orr supported her theory units,?associate principal ? head custodian of food being the primary Andy Baxa said. ?One of Daniel Sena attractor of these animals those doors was not being when remembering how after leaving out a secured properly, and they were able to get in food-ridden garbage bag in front of the library through there and any number of the holes one night before leaving for work, she around our perimeter.? returned the next morning to see a hole in the Suspected noises from a raccoon were heard ceiling directly above it, complemented by from the wall of room 106 on the morning of claw marks and urine stains on a nearby wall.

May 17 and continued the morning of May 18.

Sena has been working at AISD schools for According to head custodian Daniel Sena, AISD

NOAH BRAUN

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AISD has hired an outside company and they tried different things?but these raccoons don?t get scared.

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almost three decades and has had innumerable experiences with pest infiltrations and other animal situations, mainly raccoons. Through his experience, he?s grown to view the creatures as an issue that can?t be permanently solved. ?They?revery smart animals,?Sena said. ?They usually don?t get caught in traps. Now, AISD has hired an outsidecompany, and they tried different things, ? but theseraccoonsdon?t get scared.?

After recalling the incident on March 27 in which a the smell of a dead raccoon, trapped and left to rot after injury, filled about half the school, Sena expressed great concern regarding raccoon safety. ?The one thing [outside companies] don?t know about raccoons is that they tend to come back to where they were born,?Sena said. ?We had a family here, so we believe that some of them have come back. Just this morning, I saw two raccoons running

from across the street and they went into the storm drain.?

Despite all the raccoons do, though, Sena still does not feel threatened by their presence. ?I?ve never felt like I?m in danger becauseof the raccoons,?Sena said. ?They?rereal smart and they get more scared of me than I am of them. Most of the times, they tend to go back up? they feel safe there.?

Whilethe raccoonsmight not seem threateningto humans, the raccoonsand the humansboth might agree that the samecan't be said for thepossum caught in a raccoon trap that reportedly led to a flea infestation and subsequent fumigation of theEnglish hall after two English teacherson that hallway reported fleas in their classroomsthe week of final exams.

The end of the 2022-2023 school year has not brought an end to the ongoing saga of campus encounterswith rodents. Perhapsit will be a different story thissummer.

When three raccoons infiltrated campus on April 26, Officer Mike Reilly used these trashcans to trap and remove one of the invasive critters.

Photo by Morgan Eye.

may 31, 2023

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arts & entertainment

'Cow s:' a graze show w it h mooving performances Led by creator Anderson Zoll, Mac?s finest artists make most of chance to be scene, herd BELOW: Junior Ellie Loudermilk (pig) poses with her ?herd,?senior Emma Johnston (sheep) and senior Kathryn Dooley (calf) In the musical, the trio fought to save their farm friend: Betsy-May.?Being in the trio was so much fun,?Loudermilk said. ?In some parts, [Anderson Zoll] would give us a random beat, and we would riff off of each other.

We?d even make up har- monies.?She said Cows: the Moosical was special because it was the first student-led play she has been in. ?The best part was that we were all super excited,?Loudermilk said. "We put the show together with no supervision.?Caption by JoJo Barnard.

Photo by Lanie Sepehri.

Scan the QR code to view our full Cows: the Moosical Tuesday Top 10 photo essay at macshieldonline.com LEFT: Junior Addie Knight (Betsy-May) performs ?Beefing with my Destiny?during the opening-night performance of Cows: the Moosical. The opening night was the first full run of the play, as it was discovered that the programming of the stage lights had been deleted, forcing lighting designer junior Lilli Gonzales to reprogram them only hours before the performance.

This unforeseen challenge prevented the ensemble from rehearsing on stage the day of the premiere, making Knight nervous. Despite this disruption, Knight remained optimistic. ?Personally, I know I couldn?t have wished for a better opening night, especially considering the circumstances.?Caption by Lucas Walker. Photo by Lanie Sepehri.

ABOVE: Junior Olive Greene made her acting debut in Cows the Moosical. ?I usually do technical theater, but I have a lot of respect for Anderson [Zoll] as an artist, and it was clear that this is a project that he really cared about,?Greene said.

Greene found this production more approachable than a typical McCallum production. Although she enjoyed the experience, she is planning on returning behind the scenes. ?I don?t know if I?ll do it again,?

Greene said. ?I think I?m better suited for hands-on stuff and just kind of prefer that kind of work. I think we all brought a lot of energy and were able to actually commit and make it happen.?Caption by Kate Boyle. Photo by Lucas Walker.

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ABOVE: Senior Anderson Zoll hugs freshman Maggie Brown after the closing night of Cows: The Moosical. The real storyteller though was Zoll, who transformed Cows from an idea to a full-scale production.

The show was made possible only through hard work and effort not only from Zoll but also from the many students who helped him bring his vision to fruition.?Some of my favorite moments were the late nights I spent in practice rooms with my friends building harmonies, accompaniment and lyrics.?Zoll said. ?I had so much fun during the writing process of this show, and I am really happy with how it turned out.?Caption and photo by Julia Copas.

ABOVE: Senior Atticus Adair (Samuel) stands next to junior Henry Mayes (Cowboy Clyde) as he decides between his duty and his desire to help Betsy-May. In addition to playing a lead role in the show, Adair also helped write the music for the show.

"We had such a big task to pull everybody [together] for a full musical, a full two acts, songs, orchestration, whatever,"Adair said. "It was stressful, especially the last week leading up to it because we were kind of scrambling to make sure everything was ready."

Caption by Lanie Sepehri. Photo by Julia Copas.

may 31, 2023

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Sa g e Ed w a r d s Edwards to enter Ivy League as 'architect of her education'

Photo of Edwards and college couneslor Camille Nix courtesy of Edwards. .

The open curriculum, and chance to explore her education is what first drew Sage Edwards to Brown. After being deferred in the fall semester, Edwards pushed Brown off to the side. She carried on with her other applications, picked schools to apply to that she thought suited her and didn?t think about Brown too seriously because of the previous deferral. ?Because I got deferred, I put the idea of actually getting in to the side.? Edwards said. ?I thought I had gotten as far as I could and was proud to just not be rejected in the first round.?

Then not expecting much of it, Edwards opened the decision letter, which much to her surprise contained the acceptance for which she had been hoping. ?I opened the final decision letter with my mom outside of where I work and when we saw the ?Welcome to Brown!? banner we both started screaming and fell to the ground,?

Edwards said. ?I was definitely in shock when I got accepted regular decision.?

This acceptance marked the beginning of Edwards' path for the next four years. ?Brown was always my top choice because you can be the architect of your own education,? Edwards said. ?The environment is very collaborative and there is just such a big culture.?

Throughout high school, Edwards?two focuses were art and math, two things which she hopes to take with her to Brown.

She is going with an undecided major like all students who attend Brown do their first two years. Brown also offers its new

students a two and a half week shopping period to discover what classes they want to pursue. ?For two and a half weeks, you can wander on campus and sit in on any classes no matter what they are,?Edwards said. ?And then after that, you can decide what courses to take, which I'm very excited for because I'm sure there's a lot of fields that I'm not even aware of.?

Not only did Brown appeal to ? Sage Edw ards Edwards with the freedom of the curriculum, but she also fell in love with the campus. ?I went on East Coast, and West Coast college tours last summer, and Brown was so beautiful.?Edwards said. ?I really wanted to go to school with a pretty campus, and they just have really beautiful old academic architecture.?

While she is excited for the new chapter of her life, Edwards is also sad to leave her community of friends and family in school and out. ?I'm really excited to meet all the really, really interesting and multifaceted people.?Edwards said. ?I'm sure everybody can do a lot of different things.? ?ChloeLewcock

When we saw the 'Welcome to Brown!' banner, we both started screaming and fell to the ground.

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Ty le r M a n k in e n Multifaceted senior pursues entertainment management Senior Tyler Mankinen plans to attend Oklahoma City University to major in entertainment management and minor in theater production design.

Since his freshman year, Mankinen has wanted to pursue a career in performance. He has discovered that production management is the perfect balance of his passions. ?In my junior year, I tried stage managing for the first time, and I loved it because it was the perfect blend of being able to feel like part of the cast, with much more responsibility of making sure everything is running smoothly,?

Mankinen said. ?I discovered that?s what I liked to do and it?s what I want to do for the rest of my life.?

From the size of the school to the and ? Tyler Mankinen programs opportunities, Oklahoma City University checks all of Mankinen's boxes. Mankinen is looking forward to continuing his journey as a fine arts student. ?It?s a really good environment for me in performing arts and really any aspect,?Mankinen said. ?It?s a nice campus that is really small, some of my major-specific classes can be up to three people, which is crazy, but you get to really know your professors which is super valuable.?

As a dance major of three years, theatre student of four years,

I loved [stage managing].It was the perfect blend of being able to feel like part of the cast, with much more responsibility.

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may 31, 2023

and a french horn and mellophone player in marching band for four years, Mankinen has learned valuable lessons from each of his extracurriculars.

Theatre has allowed Mankinen to perform, to build relationships and to find his calling. ?Being in theater has definitely changed me,?Mankinen said. ?It was a chance to try new things, and it really helped me discover what I want to specialize in.?

Dance has also afforded Mankinen the chance to perform and to work behind the scenes. ?Mac Dance has taught me a lot of life skills like cooperation and communication,?Mankinen said. ?Getting to work with different choreographers and getting to direct our own show has really given me the opportunity to take a leadership role and test out what I want to do.?

Mankinen?s experiences in marching band have also been vital. ?I?ve always known that I don?t want to go into music, but being in band has helped me with life skills like time management and being able to persevere and to be prepared,?Mankinen said.

When reflecting on his time at McCallum, Mankinen appreciated the opportunity to participate in so many different activities. ?Being in theatre, band and dance have all helped me improve in everything,?Mankinen said. ?That?s what I?m going to miss the most: how I can pursue a variety of unique opportunities in depth.? ?SophieLeung-Lieu

Photo courtesy of Mankinen.

senior issue 13

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t o t h e g r a d u a t io n s t a g e a n d b e y o n d NEW MEXICO The OFFICIAL guide to the Class of 2023's post-high school plans St . John's College Jude Brandimarte Jackson Feger

NEW YORK ALABAMA Auburn Universit y Sasha Pittman

ARIZONA Arizona St ate Universit y Atticus Adair Universit y of Arizona Hana Diamond

ARKANSAS Universit y of Arkansas Kate Bachmann Luke Gordon

CALIFORNIA California Polytechnic St ate Universit y Maia Ernst Sophia Gonzales Parker Mitchell Nia Wayman Sacramento St ate Universit y Oscar Friend Universit y of California - Sant a Cruz Scarlet Bowman Aspen Holder Molly Holder Ethan Kuhlken Universit y of California - Berkeley Eric Thatcher Universit y of California - Los Angelos Kate Shackelford Universit y of San Fransisco Kate Boyle Jette Morris

COLORADO Colorado College Nico Martinez Colorado School of Mines Patrick McVey Colarado St ate Universit y Leo Finley Nicolas Johnston Jasper Kurtz Anwen Ternay Universit y of Denver Margaret Hearne Zoe Tanner

CONNETICUT Universit y of Hart ford Kathryn Dooley

FLORIDA Universit y of Florida Ethan Hunteman Nora Kadas

GEORGIA Columbus St ate Universit y Anthony Clements Emory Universit y Malia Walewski Savannah College of Art and Design Owen McGuire Ian Tice Cassidy Segrest Sahara Cumberbatch

14 senior issue

Universit y of Georgia Paige Massengale

ILLINOIS DePaul Universit y Nick Boehle Ava LaWare Loyola Universit y - Chicago Elijah Betton Roosevelt College Mariela Denson School of t he Art Inst it ute of Chicago Ava Dapper Ellary Jones

INDIANA Indiana Universit y - Bloomington Thea Krische Rose-Hulman Inst it ute of Technology Rowan Sammon Universit y of Not re Dame Brigid Haikola

IOWA Universit y of Iow a Anna Fox Jack Owens

KANSAS Universit y of Kansas Huck Langford Alyssa Sparks

LOUISIANA Louisiana St ate Universit y Elle Dieterich Violet Levack

MAINE

Bard College & Conservatory Lauren Ryan-Holt Colgate Universit y Camille Wilson LIM College Clarissa Villarreal Manhat t an School of Music Peter Wiseman New York Universit y Darlene Marsh Prat t Inst it ute Eisele Mosby Rochester Inst it ute of Technology Zoe Kerns SUNY Purchase College Josie Bradsby Syracuse Universit y Ethan Garnes Pace Universit y Rhett Shields

NORTH CAROLINA Elon Universit y Megan McHorse

OHIO Kenyon College Marielle Musick Miami Universit y, Oxford Emmi Anderson Ohio Wesleyan Universit y Layn Mayfield Ot terbein Universit y Maya Cidale The Oberlin Conservatory of Music Z Campbell

OKLAHOMA

Maine School of Art & Design Emanuel Lozano

Oklahoma Cit y Universit y Emma Johnston Tyler Mankinen

MASSACHUSETTS

OREGON

Boston College Thea Cahoon Hampshire College Renee Tilson Mount Holyoke College Sofia Ramon Nort heastern Universit y Daniel Valentine Universit y of Massachuset t s - Amherst Harrison Allard Alex Gold Max Yehaskel

Lew is & Clark College Ami Rosenblatt Topher Wynn Reed College Maggie Provost Universit y of Oregon Ellie Collard Catalina Flores

MICHIGAN Universit y of Michigan Noah Dainton Anderson Zoll

MISSISSIPPI Rust College Saraih Taylor Universit y of Mississippi Luke Stojanik

MONTANA Universit y of Mont ana William Wheeler

PENNSLYVANIA Penn St ate Universit y Teagan Boyd

RHODE ISLAND Brow n Universit y Sage Edwards Rhode Island School of Design Joaquin Godines

TENNESSEE Belmont Universit y Charlotte Blackmon Olivia Falcon Rhodes College Jolie Gabriel Universit y of Tennessee - Knoxville Ella Stovall

TEXAS Angelo St ate Universit y Cara Fong Sidni Taylor Aust in College Margo Evelyn Aust in Communit y College Zane Alexander Anaise Antinelli Brynn Ard Eli Benitez Linnea Bieri Patrick Blakely Samantha Bogle Nathan Brookshire Avery Bryant Beck Burger Zoe Burns Adella Carcione Ruby Cloke Crayton Davis Imani Davis Ximena De La Garza Elissa Delgado Morrison Sherlyn De Paz-Perez Ania Deraet Reagan Dias Hunter Dickson ElizaBess Estrada Grey Ferrell Emmanuel Flores Elizabeth Ford Elias Frank Arwen Frederiksen Jacob French William Hall Major Henson Julia Husted Ethan Hutcheson Julissa Jaimes Ruiz Octavio Jones Ava Kane Hank Kirby Nolan Lamb Hannah Laxton Karma Lewis Erik Lopez Skye Ludlam Avalon Margulies Daschel Maroney Spencer McNelis Alwynne Metze Isabella Miller Grace Miller Adah Morris Alex Morse Georgiana Murray Jacob O'Brian Taylor Peterkin Stella Pitts Adrian Reinhardt Lillianna Reynolds Jonas Richardson Genesis Ritcherson Labraya Rivera Oliver Roderick Adrianna Rodriguez Estrada Allie Rosholt Gia Ruedas Somaya Safi Stephanie Sanchez Matilda Scatton

Adam Snobl Cal Soisson Maya Soto-Ferate Samuel Squires Sage Swenson Catherine Thomason Ava Tom Mateo Wells Kayden Williams-Ellard Gibson Wilson Aasja Wren Omidullah Zadran Victor Zamora Erik Zeinner Concordia Universit y Colby Summers Paul Quinn College Teasia Cooks Sout hwestern Universit y Caytie Brown Scarlett Stevens St . Edw ard's Universit y Cecilia Castro Leonor Jacob Hazen Ariana Mendez Endymion Smith Temple College Alona Herring Deion McClarin-Martinez Texas A&M Universit y Sabine Collins Garrett Roeder Canyon Hilgemann Kendall Shenoda Vivian Trominski Texas Christ ian Universit y Charlotte Wunz Texas St ate Universit y Steven Anzures Jude Brown Siena Butlin Aaron Degante Haven Finn Greyson Hamlin Ramiro Hinojosa Kayla Homedes Morlanes Alexander Jourdan Gillian Lucente Gwendolyn Mueller William Muenchinger Prine Patterson Udoy Saha Aryanna Sanchez Malakhi Washington John Wood Kei Yarbrough Arthur Zimmerman Ava Medina Texas Tech Universit y Ruby Davidson Stella Davidson Olivia Escalante Anthony Hernandez Martinez John Jordan Azra Kleiman Pablo Lopez Miles McCollum Lauren Potts Pedro Sanchez Jack Stites Sydney Suarez Wallace Leon Szaniszlo

may 31, 2023

Angel Vazquez Granados Ronald Wolleben Jack Pitts Ella White Trinit y Universit y Sophia Dawson Claire De Silva-Yost Julia Schaubert Mattie Zettner Universit y of Houston Waleed Malkawi Vicbajew Reese Christopher Shieh Jayden Mason Eliana Drucker-Falk Universit y of Nort h Texas Carter Eason Maxwell Lund Lila Markey Adeline Merritt Jamie Miller Kaya Stone Universit y of Texas at Arlington Robert Hudson Qingni Jiang Maya Kini Universit y of Texas at Aust in Mabry Adair Aidan Alcala Ali Atkinson Evie Barnard Truman Castore Camille Correa Amaya Collier Sofia Dorsett Olive Embry Leah Gordon Sabina Guardado Oliver Harrington Sophia Kramer Daniela Morrow William Myren Gretchen Myrick Rachel Nabhan Charles Partheymuller Jonathan Randle Phinnaeus Smith Tallulah Wilson Stephanie Gallegos Noah Lawrence Esme Moreno-Bernacki Yamini Shekhar Callan Spence Vaughn Vandegrift Grace Vitale Charlie Weatherby Mirabai Weatherford Sidney Weaver Universit y of Texas at Dallas Amethyst Skwarek Universit y of Texas at San Antonio Ivan Moreno-Broden Regan Sims Abraham Torres Marin Universit y of t he Incarnate Word Samuel Hoke Webster Universit y Alyssa Sanchez Texas Lut heran Universit y Lily DaMommio

Natalia Cisneros Wise Evelyn Cox Universit y of Vermont Nathan Dart Lily Brode Tomas Diago Leon Reva Gill Breon Green Lydia Reedy Makahla Griffin Finn Sewell McCann Gillian Hay Alec Sugars Shamar Hose Max Wilson Savannah Johnson Aiden Klein VIRGINIA Christos Kovlakas George Mason Universit y David Leblanc Chloe Anderson Andre Lindsay WASHINGTON Isaias Lopez Ayala Universit y of Washington Robert Loranc Jaden Mann Rowan Lott Liliana Rodriguez Isaac Maciel Franco Maldonado W ISCONSIN Mia Manzano Law rence Universit y Makenzie Mason Griffin Haltom Ilina Mehta Universit y of W isconsin - Madison Mason Michulka Evan Henderson Universit y of W isconsin - Milw aukee Valerie Mukire Dylan Neal Ben Johnson Nowak DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Beckett Kailey Pantoja American Universit y Damien Perales Sam Kanewske Mercedalia Perez Rogel Sam Price ABROAD Benjamin Pruitt Universit y of Glasgow Luke Rashid Julia Wallace Jacob Rea Verto Educat ion - Sevilla, Spain Jonathan Reyna Helena Finos Annabelle Robinson TRADE SCHOOL Weston Robinson-French Beaut y School Alexandra Salinas Janessa Castillo Antonio Sanchez Culinary Inst it ute of America Gabriel Sanders Rory Evers Raleigh Savage Paul Mitchell Beaut y School Matthew Silva Olivia Ballard Elijah Stark Baldw in Beaut y School Jackson Strub Maddie Hello Elliot Tollemache Isaiah Martinez Hazel Tounsand RoLand Travis WORKFORCE Jaelle Vaughan Meliah Arias Mira Wagner Miles Becht Mason Walker Corgan Berger Zoe Westbrook Lubbock Burton Jackson Whipple Haydon Coppernoll Andrew Wilson Angel Corona- Aguilar Noah Wyrtzen Ismael Cuevas Onyx Hoke Rowan Ireland - Travel and world Brynn Love - Tat too art ist Kalab Manor Vivian Martinez Nas Martinez-Glenn Dashiell Keep - Moving to Seat t le Michelle Torres Sanchez Jasmine Valle-Soliz - Medical assist ant David Wainscott

VERMONT

GAP YEAR Ryder Pagnini-Graham - Travel Georgia Zaninovich - It aly

UNKNOW N Adelyn Acevedo Connor Alvey Corbin Campbell Nicholas Carew Savannah Chavarria

senior issue 15

the

shield

t o t h e g r a d u a t io n s t a g e a n d b e y o n d NEW MEXICO The OFFICIAL guide to the Class of 2023's post-high school plans St . John's College Jude Brandimarte Jackson Feger

NEW YORK ALABAMA Auburn Universit y Sasha Pittman

ARIZONA Arizona St ate Universit y Atticus Adair Universit y of Arizona Hana Diamond

ARKANSAS Universit y of Arkansas Kate Bachmann Luke Gordon

CALIFORNIA California Polytechnic St ate Universit y Maia Ernst Sophia Gonzales Parker Mitchell Nia Wayman Sacramento St ate Universit y Oscar Friend Universit y of California - Sant a Cruz Scarlet Bowman Aspen Holder Molly Holder Ethan Kuhlken Universit y of California - Berkeley Eric Thatcher Universit y of California - Los Angelos Kate Shackelford Universit y of San Fransisco Kate Boyle Jette Morris

COLORADO Colorado College Nico Martinez Colorado School of Mines Patrick McVey Colarado St ate Universit y Leo Finley Nicolas Johnston Jasper Kurtz Anwen Ternay Universit y of Denver Margaret Hearne Zoe Tanner

CONNETICUT Universit y of Hart ford Kathryn Dooley

FLORIDA Universit y of Florida Ethan Hunteman Nora Kadas

GEORGIA Columbus St ate Universit y Anthony Clements Emory Universit y Malia Walewski Savannah College of Art and Design Owen McGuire Ian Tice Cassidy Segrest Sahara Cumberbatch

14 senior issue

Universit y of Georgia Paige Massengale

ILLINOIS DePaul Universit y Nick Boehle Ava LaWare Loyola Universit y - Chicago Elijah Betton Roosevelt College Mariela Denson School of t he Art Inst it ute of Chicago Ava Dapper Ellary Jones

INDIANA Indiana Universit y - Bloomington Thea Krische Rose-Hulman Inst it ute of Technology Rowan Sammon Universit y of Not re Dame Brigid Haikola

IOWA Universit y of Iow a Anna Fox Jack Owens

KANSAS Universit y of Kansas Huck Langford Alyssa Sparks

LOUISIANA Louisiana St ate Universit y Elle Dieterich Violet Levack

MAINE

Bard College & Conservatory Lauren Ryan-Holt Colgate Universit y Camille Wilson LIM College Clarissa Villarreal Manhat t an School of Music Peter Wiseman New York Universit y Darlene Marsh Prat t Inst it ute Eisele Mosby Rochester Inst it ute of Technology Zoe Kerns SUNY Purchase College Josie Bradsby Syracuse Universit y Ethan Garnes Pace Universit y Rhett Shields

NORTH CAROLINA Elon Universit y Megan McHorse

OHIO Kenyon College Marielle Musick Miami Universit y, Oxford Emmi Anderson Ohio Wesleyan Universit y Layn Mayfield Ot terbein Universit y Maya Cidale The Oberlin Conservatory of Music Z Campbell

OKLAHOMA

Maine School of Art & Design Emanuel Lozano

Oklahoma Cit y Universit y Emma Johnston Tyler Mankinen

MASSACHUSETTS

OREGON

Boston College Thea Cahoon Hampshire College Renee Tilson Mount Holyoke College Sofia Ramon Nort heastern Universit y Daniel Valentine Universit y of Massachuset t s - Amherst Harrison Allard Alex Gold Max Yehaskel

Lew is & Clark College Ami Rosenblatt Topher Wynn Reed College Maggie Provost Universit y of Oregon Ellie Collard Catalina Flores

MICHIGAN Universit y of Michigan Noah Dainton Anderson Zoll

MISSISSIPPI Rust College Saraih Taylor Universit y of Mississippi Luke Stojanik

MONTANA Universit y of Mont ana William Wheeler

PENNSLYVANIA Penn St ate Universit y Teagan Boyd

RHODE ISLAND Brow n Universit y Sage Edwards Rhode Island School of Design Joaquin Godines

TENNESSEE Belmont Universit y Charlotte Blackmon Olivia Falcon Rhodes College Jolie Gabriel Universit y of Tennessee - Knoxville Ella Stovall

TEXAS Angelo St ate Universit y Cara Fong Sidni Taylor Aust in College Margo Evelyn Aust in Communit y College Zane Alexander Anaise Antinelli Brynn Ard Eli Benitez Linnea Bieri Patrick Blakely Samantha Bogle Nathan Brookshire Avery Bryant Beck Burger Zoe Burns Adella Carcione Ruby Cloke Crayton Davis Imani Davis Ximena De La Garza Elissa Delgado Morrison Sherlyn De Paz-Perez Ania Deraet Reagan Dias Hunter Dickson ElizaBess Estrada Grey Ferrell Emmanuel Flores Elizabeth Ford Elias Frank Arwen Frederiksen Jacob French William Hall Major Henson Julia Husted Ethan Hutcheson Julissa Jaimes Ruiz Octavio Jones Ava Kane Hank Kirby Nolan Lamb Hannah Laxton Karma Lewis Erik Lopez Skye Ludlam Avalon Margulies Daschel Maroney Spencer McNelis Alwynne Metze Isabella Miller Grace Miller Adah Morris Alex Morse Georgiana Murray Jacob O'Brian Taylor Peterkin Stella Pitts Adrian Reinhardt Lillianna Reynolds Jonas Richardson Genesis Ritcherson Labraya Rivera Oliver Roderick Adrianna Rodriguez Estrada Allie Rosholt Gia Ruedas Somaya Safi Stephanie Sanchez Matilda Scatton

Adam Snobl Cal Soisson Maya Soto-Ferate Samuel Squires Sage Swenson Catherine Thomason Ava Tom Mateo Wells Kayden Williams-Ellard Gibson Wilson Aasja Wren Omidullah Zadran Victor Zamora Erik Zeinner Concordia Universit y Colby Summers Paul Quinn College Teasia Cooks Sout hwestern Universit y Caytie Brown Scarlett Stevens St . Edw ard's Universit y Cecilia Castro Leonor Jacob Hazen Ariana Mendez Endymion Smith Temple College Alona Herring Deion McClarin-Martinez Texas A&M Universit y Sabine Collins Garrett Roeder Canyon Hilgemann Kendall Shenoda Vivian Trominski Texas Christ ian Universit y Charlotte Wunz Texas St ate Universit y Steven Anzures Jude Brown Siena Butlin Aaron Degante Haven Finn Greyson Hamlin Ramiro Hinojosa Kayla Homedes Morlanes Alexander Jourdan Gillian Lucente Gwendolyn Mueller William Muenchinger Prine Patterson Udoy Saha Aryanna Sanchez Malakhi Washington John Wood Kei Yarbrough Arthur Zimmerman Ava Medina Texas Tech Universit y Ruby Davidson Stella Davidson Olivia Escalante Anthony Hernandez Martinez John Jordan Azra Kleiman Pablo Lopez Miles McCollum Lauren Potts Pedro Sanchez Jack Stites Sydney Suarez Wallace Leon Szaniszlo

may 31, 2023

Angel Vazquez Granados Ronald Wolleben Jack Pitts Ella White Trinit y Universit y Sophia Dawson Claire De Silva-Yost Julia Schaubert Mattie Zettner Universit y of Houston Waleed Malkawi Vicbajew Reese Christopher Shieh Jayden Mason Eliana Drucker-Falk Universit y of Nort h Texas Carter Eason Maxwell Lund Lila Markey Adeline Merritt Jamie Miller Kaya Stone Universit y of Texas at Arlington Robert Hudson Qingni Jiang Maya Kini Universit y of Texas at Aust in Mabry Adair Aidan Alcala Ali Atkinson Evie Barnard Truman Castore Camille Correa Amaya Collier Sofia Dorsett Olive Embry Leah Gordon Sabina Guardado Oliver Harrington Sophia Kramer Daniela Morrow William Myren Gretchen Myrick Rachel Nabhan Charles Partheymuller Jonathan Randle Phinnaeus Smith Tallulah Wilson Stephanie Gallegos Noah Lawrence Esme Moreno-Bernacki Yamini Shekhar Callan Spence Vaughn Vandegrift Grace Vitale Charlie Weatherby Mirabai Weatherford Sidney Weaver Universit y of Texas at Dallas Amethyst Skwarek Universit y of Texas at San Antonio Ivan Moreno-Broden Regan Sims Abraham Torres Marin Universit y of t he Incarnate Word Samuel Hoke Webster Universit y Alyssa Sanchez Texas Lut heran Universit y Lily DaMommio

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VERMONT

GAP YEAR Ryder Pagnini-Graham - Travel Georgia Zaninovich - It aly

UNKNOW N Adelyn Acevedo Connor Alvey Corbin Campbell Nicholas Carew Savannah Chavarria

senior issue 15

z Ca m p b e ll Senior violist inspires, breaks barriers head, a rockstar ritual to symbolize new beginnings. They dyed it every color they couldn?t before: neon green, bright red, electric blue. They pierced their nose, pierced their eyebrow, pierced their lip. Campbell adopted Everyone in orchestra knows: if you?re lost they/them pronouns and the name ?Z.? during a concert, just watch senior Z Campbell. ?Being able to look the way I want to look According to orchestra director Ricky Pringle, and not care about what other people think Campbell is one of the best musicians to ever has definitely transferred into my playing and come through McCallum. From sixth grade to just being more confident in general, being senior year, Campbell was viola section leader able to get up on stage and feel good in what for All-Region Orchestra. They made the top I'm wearing and who I am,?Campbell said. ?It All-State Orchestra?a feat accomplished by only has definitely made me more expressive, more two violists in McCallum history?all four years. connected to my emotions and my experiences This summer, Campbell in a way that's helped me will join the National channel that into my Youth Orchestra as a So many different music.? touring performer. people can enjoy the To senior violinist ?I think some kids can Thea Krische, Campbell is look at a Z and say, 'I want same music an inspiration. to do that, I want to be like Throughout their four regardless of their that or I want to work to years in a quartet have this,??Pringle said. differences. together, Krische has ?Probably the other violas watched Campbell play would not be where they ? senior Z Campbell with passion. Campbell are, or as good as they are, stomps all over had Z not been here.? stereotypes and uplifts every ensemble in For Campbell, high school has been all about which they play. discovering their identity, both as a person and ?Seeing Z come out, it just really shows you, as a musician. Even as a 6-year-old experiencing ?

Hey, there is a space for people like the classical music world for the first time, us in the classical world,??Krische Campbell found it hard to breathe. They said. ?We don't have to fit one watched the Austin Symphony surrounded by mold. I think a lot of people old white men as far as the eye could see. In have this idea of orchestra that middle school, Campbell realized orchestras we're some stuffy group of were dictated by centuries-old traditions. And people who only ever play when it came to concert black, there was no gray Mozart, and I think Z really area. Girls wore long dresses and boys wore suits. defies those norms. They'll show Dyed hair was unacceptable. That?s just how it up with a cropped head of bright always was, but Campbell?s mind screamed it red hair, and they'll play a tango, didn?t have to be. they'll play some Texas fiddle. ?Another big piece of my musical journey They?re a rock star.? that's important to me going ?Keep Austin Weird? forward is that we make rings true [classical music] at accessible, and

INGRID SMITH

co-online managing editor & co-news editor

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part of that is being accepting of all different types of people,?

Campbell said. ?Who they are really doesn't matter. So many different people can enjoy the same music regardless of their differences.?

When COVID hit and viola went virtual, Campbell felt freed from the clutches of classical music conformity. So they began experimenting with their appearance. First, they shaved their

16 senior issue

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the

shield McCallum, with its vast array of fashion every performancewith Campbell is already choices and open-minded culture, making it monumental. One section leader to another, hard to pinpoint the "norm." But on stage, Campbell has taught her to be dedicated to her art.

Campbell knows they stick out. Two years ago, ?Z is one of the people who's really inspired Campbell heard they were likely the first me to be more passionate about my music,? nonbinary person to earn a top-five viola Krische said. ?Being in a quartet with them, chair in the top All-State they're always bringing the orchestra. group up, and I don't want ?I walk into a room, Wherever they go after to be the one to bring the and I definitely don't fit down. Wherever this, they'll succeed; group in,?Campbell said. ?It they go after this, they'll can be a little succeed; I know they will I know they will intimidating, and I feel because I don't think Z is like I really try not to let because I don't think stoppable. It's an it get to me. But it is unstoppable force versus Z is stoppable. weird to be that person, immovable object type of especially when deal. And they're both.? interacting with older According to junior ? senior Thea Krische people and adults that violist Harrison Knight, are in the classical music playing with Campbell is world. There's not a lot of space for somebody like playing with a professional musician. who is just wildly self-expressive.? ?They're someone to look up to because Campbell spent last summer at the Green they're doing things correctly," Knight said.

Mountain Chamber Music Festival in "They're also an inspiration, on an individual Vermont, mastering quartet repertoire under level. They're encouraging verbally, like they'll the guidance of world-class instructors. help you do things and explain processes that Surrounded by other passionate string players, are important.? including a few nonbinary graduate students, Knight says that Campbell?s presence is a huge Campbell felt truly seen for the first time. part of what makes orchestra special. As Knight Emotions traveled through strings, and prepares to move into a leadership role within musical stories passed from one queer the viola section, he is grateful to have watched musician to another.

Campbell lead by example. ?Just getting to see them on the stage, ?I'm kind of terrified because I?m going to performing at such a high level, it was like, have to take over what they're doing, and it's ?Wow, you can do it, even if you're different, very big shoes to fill,?Knight said. even if people have their opinions about you, The day before Campbell?s 18th you can get up there and blow birthday, they were accepted to The everyone away,??Campbell said. ?It Juilliard School, the most prestigious was really emotional to have that conservatory in the world. moment of watching somebody up ?I remember in middle school and even there who I can relate to in their elementary school being like, ?Wow, it would experience with gender and be so cool to get into Juilliard; that would really not fitting in, just being able mean you've made it,??Campbell said. to perform exactly how I But when Campbell opened their acceptance hope to in the future.? letter from Oberlin Conservatory, their heart But for Krische, grew a few sizes. Ever since their audition, they knew Oberlin was a place where they could grow alongside like-minded students. ?I hope that wherever I am is exactly where I need to be,?Campbell said. ?I hope I'll grow so much and just become 20 million times better than I am now in all aspects of my life.?

As Campbell moves on to Oberlin and beyond, they hope to spread more than just beautiful music wherever their viola takes them.

They hope to tour the world in a quartet of other queer musicians, fulfilling their dream of making classical music accessible to all. ?Whether you know it or not, somebody out there is going to see you succeeding and being who you are. And it's going to have an impact on Photo courtesy of Campbell. them,?Campbell said. ?It's so important for anyone, transgender, nonconforming or gay to just really stick with music no matter what anyone says, because we are creative, and we are unique. And that's what music needs.?

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may 31, 2023

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o liv ia f a lc o n

Blue Brigade 1st Lieutenant to continue academics at Belmont, dance at Vanderbilt

wanted to just keep going up. ?She always pushed herself. Being an officer staff reporter wasn?t enough, she always wanted be the best she could,?Searle said. ?It wasn't ?I?m an As the first Blue Brigade member to join a officer, I?m here, I?m just going to hang.?She college dance team in three years, Olivia Falcon would always push herself to still improve, still knew she had to exceed expectations. Falcon was do better.? unsure of her plans until the end of her junior A strong leader but also a talented dancer year, when she was first introduced to the and a reliable friend, Falcon is a social prospect of continuing her dance career chameleon, able to fit in with anyone. Since following graduation by joining sixth grade, she and Washington have been college-sponsored dance teams. inseparable, partly due to what Washington ?I didn't know that there was an opportunity describes as ?cords tied between us.?Ms. Searle after high school to do something that wasn?t agrees, noting that Falcon easily made friends drill team,?Falcon said. After four years of Blue with whomever she was around.

Brigade and previous ?She always made it a training at various dance point to reach out to studios and Fulmore those that she didn't Middle School, Falcon was hang out with,?Searle ready for a change. Unsure said. ?I feel like with of where to look first, she some kids you can enlisted the help of former picture exactly who they Blue Brigade co-captain hang out with, but Olivia Matthew Vargas. isn't like that. She has ?When I started going to close friends but she clinics hosted by various makes friends with college dance teams, I talked to him because I ? senior Olivia Falcon whoever?s around.?

Despite her confidence knew that was something he in dance at McCallum, was interested in,?she said.

Falcon was nervous about being able to find a ?I started going to his classes over the summer college dance team that was a good fit. To find and started pushing myself and told him ?Hey, her new home, she took extra steps to secure don't let me go easy.?? her spot in different coaches' minds, ready to be This dedication was inspiring to best friend the first on their list no matter what. and teammate Malakhi Washington. ?Meeting coaches is really important," ?She?s an amazing person, one of the most Falcons said. "You never know if you'd like it talented dancers I know,?Washington said. ?She until you're in their shoes, in their facilities, is an inspiration.? seeing how they run,?she said. ?Put yourself Much like Washington, Blue Brigade director out there because you're not going to get Nancy Searle applauds Falcon?s ability to work exposure if you don?t.? no matter her circumstances. Searle cites this as Between more the reason Falcon was able to become performance-based schools like an officer, and how she UT and competition-heavy ones like Western Kentucky, along with many others over the country, including her future home at Belmont and Vanderbilt, Falcon had big decisions to make. The final choice rested on location. She knew she wanted to be in a city she loved, and while Austin and

HELEN MARTIN

When I found Belmont I loved the school, I loved the area, I loved everything having to do with it.

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Milwaukee provided good schools, Falcon place where she?ll be able to find her footing knew she belonged in Nashville. and then forge a path of her own. ?When I found Belmont, I loved the school; I ?I can easily see her fitting in and not acting loved the area, I loved everything having to do like a new member," Searle said, ?It?s exciting with it,?she said. ?It was overall a lot more to see where she?ll go with that.? compelling to me to go The transition from there, even if I can?t dance Texas to Tennessee will whileI?m here, hey I?m in be a difficult one, Nashville. I?m somewhere though, even if she?s whereI?m happy.? ready for the change.

Falcon?s situation is After growing up in unique, however. She is Austin, leaving behind heading to Belmont the same things she?s University, planning to seen for the past 18 years study journalism to is proving to be a ? senior Khi Washington struggle. pursue a career in broadcasting and ?I?m just going to joining the Vanderbilt miss the familiarity,? dance team.

Falcon said. ?It?s really hard to know that ?I knew that I wanted to go to school in next year I?m going to be somewhere Tennessee, but I wasn?t sure I would find a completely different.? place that would work,?Falcon said.

Falcon will be leaving her friends, family, ?Whenever I visited Belmont, I talked to some and everything she recognizes for an entirely girls in the bookstore and found out they had new life. Despite this drastic change, a partnership with Vanderbilt.?

Washington believes she?ll thrive.

Through a collaboration between the ?[She?s] going to do amazing things, and I universities,shewill study at Belmont while can?t wait to see [her] continue and get better,? simultaneously dancingwith fellow Bruins he said. along with Vanderbilt and Lipscomb students.

Not only was Falcon the first Blue Brigade member to pursue collegiate dance after high school since Sophia Salo joined the Texas State Strutters in 2019, but she was the first Blue Brigade dancer to host a signing day ceremony.

Falcon, accompanied by Blue Brigade members and close friends, hosted her signing day on May 15 in the library. There, her father Robert Falcon also announced that the Falcon family will be establishing a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a Blue Brigade senior every year.

The ceremony was orchestrated by Searle who thinks Belmont is the right place for Falcon too.

Searle says Belmont is a

She's an amazing person, one of the most talented dancers I know. She is an inspiration.

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Falcon on May 15th, where she signed for the Vanderbilt Dance Team.

Photo by Dave Winter.

may 31, 2023

senior issue 17