![IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Junior Zalie Mann performs “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” an ensemble piece from the fall musical Sweet Charity, to prospective students during the Fine Arts Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The showcase is a compilation of performances and demonstrations from each fine arts strand offered at McCallum. This show is put on so that prospective students can see if they are interested in joining an academy or major.
Sweet Charity originally ran the weekends of Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, but made a comeback for the Fine Arts Showcase.
“[Being at the front in the spotlight] is my favorite part of the whole dance, so I was super happy to be on stage performing and smiling at the audience,” Mann said.
Mann performed in both the musical theatre performance and dance excerpt “Ethereal,” a contemporary piece choreographed by the new dance director Terrance Carson, in the showcase. With also being a dance ambassador, Mann got to talk about what MAC dance is, her experience and answer any questions the aspiring arts majors and their parents may have.
Caption by Maya Tackett.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/53321803427_47cd17fe70_o-1-1200x800.jpg)
![SPREADING THE JOY: Sophomore Chim Becker poses with sophomores Cozbi Sims and Lou Davidson while manning a table at the Hispanic Heritage treat day during lunch of Sept 28. Becker is a part of the students of color alliance, who put together the activity to raise money for their club.
“It [the stand] was really fun because McCallum has a lot of latino kids,” Becker said. “And I think it was nice that I could share the stuff that I usually just have at home with people who have never tried it before.”
Becker recognizes the importance of celebrating Hispanic heritage at Mac.
“I think its important to celebrate,” Becker said. “Because our culture is awesome and super cool, and everybody should be able to learn about other cultures of the world.”
Caption by JoJo Barnard.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53221601352_4127a81c41_o-1200x675.jpg)
Sophomore Callen Romell started playing golf at 5 years old, and ever since, all of her free time has been spent on the golf course.
“My dad coached at a program called First Tee, so when I was old enough he signed me up for it,” Romell said. At first, I just played because my dad played, so it was a bonding experience for us. When I saw that I wasn’t terrible, I stuck with it.”
It’s nice to see their smiles once they finally understand something and can see themselves getting better.
— sophomore Callen Rommell on coaching youth golf
Romell herself began coaching at First Tee at the age of 11, and considers the years since her greatest accomplishment as a golfer. Romell coaches classes every Saturday and helps with spring, summer and winter break camps.
“It’s nice to see their smiles once they finally understand something and can see themselves getting better,” Romell said.
Clifford Stanchos, history teacher and second-year golf coach, appreciates Romell’s dedicated approach to the sport.
“Whenever we get to practice, you know you don’t have to tell Callen what to do,” Stanchos said. “She’s determined to improve her game, so she just goes right out to start the drills without any prompting. She’s focused, serious and driven to improve her golf game.”
Being new to coaching, Stanchos welcomes Romell’s experienced and confident presence on the team.
“She’s helped out at the course enough to know that she can step up and really help her fellow players,” Stanchos said.
At the beginning of the school year, Romell struggled to balance her schoolwork and social life with school golf and her avid participation at First Tee. While Romell had to take a step back from golf for the first couple of months of the school year, she has since jumped back in with both golf-cleated feet.
She’s helped out at the course enough to know that she can step up and really help her fellow players
— golf coach Clifford Stanchos
“Once I figured it all out, I was slowly able to start playing more and more,” Romell said. “Now I know what my workloads are, and with the free time I have, I make the choice to go and play. It’s a struggle at times; it’s definitely a bit stressful, but I know it’s because I love it.”
Romell’s love for the sport is largely thanks to the friendships she’s made on the golf course.
“Being a girl in golf, it’s a tighter-knit community,” Romell said. “As you move up, there are fewer people, so you really connect.”
Despite her love for it, Romell is reluctant to play golf in college because of how large of a time commitment it is. While she may not be on her college’s golf team, she’ll still make sure to find the time to play regularly without the pressure of being a collegiate athlete.
“Not playing golf would be so weird because it’s been such a big part of my life since I can remember,” Romell said. “I love it so much, but at the same time, I’m not sure if it’s something I can keep up long term and not get burnt out.”
Charles Neel White is a youth programming manager and golf instructor at First Tee. In the eight months since he took on his position, he has observed Romell’s frankness in her role as a children’s coach.
She tells you how it is, which in the long run will benefit a kid that has the ability to be great.
— First Tee youth programming manager Chris White
“She tells you how it is,” White said, “which in the long run will benefit a kid that has the ability to be great.”
White has observed Romell’s character in addition to her coaching skills. He describes Romell as inclusive, attentive, strong-willed, smart and vulnerable.
“The way she faces difficulties in her personal life translates to the way she performs on the golf course,” White said. “I think she will have success in this game whether competitively or recreationally because of the perseverance she displays.”
This story was originally published on The Shield Online on April 9, 2023.
