![It was definitely out of my comfort zone to get [the dress] and decide I loved it enough not to wait and risk not having something that memorable.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Precious_20180902_JRS_00008_ed1.jpg)
![Sophomore Sahasra Mandalapu practices bharatanatyam choreography in class. These new dances will be performed in an annual show in February. Mandalapu found that practicing in class helped her overcome stage fright during her performances. “When [I] get on stage, Im nervous Im going to forget, even though Ive done it for so long,” Mandalapu said. “Theres still that little bit of stage fright [when] I second-guess myself that I dont know it enough, but I do because Ive been practicing for a whole year.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sahasra-6-Large-1200x844.jpeg)
![In their full runway outfits, (from left) Audrey Lee 25, Olivia Lucy Teets, 25, Fashion Design teacher Ms. Judy Chance, and Xueying Lili Yang pose for a photo. All three girls made it to Austin Fashion Week by getting in the top 10 in a previous runway show held by Shop LC.
[I like my students] creativity and how they can look at a fabric and make it their own, Ms. Chance said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9686-e1714088765730-1129x1200.jpeg)
![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)
If you attended school Nov. 8, you might have noticed the surprising amount of students with headphones on, and phones out; all playing the same song. Conversations and compliments erupted throughout the day over DGN Senior Sarah Lampsa’s, “You Don’t Deserve my Love”.
Lampsa made her debut as a songwriter and singer at midnight Nov. 8, when she released her song onto all streaming platforms.
“You Don’t Deserve My Love” was a six month process, originally written in April. Lampsa started working with producer Derek Berg in June. Berg is prominent in the community for his work with young local artists, including 2019 DGN graduate Ellie Banke.
The song inspiration came after a difficult time for Lampsa, writing lyrics and music was a way for her to cope.
“I’ve always used songwriting as a way to express my emotions and in this moment it really helped me bring clarity to my decision making process,” Lampsa said.
Lampsa has been an avid member of the DGN music program, being a four-year choir member and joining multiple honors ensembles. In addition to her singing she plays the guitar, violin, and piano.
“It’s her orchestra participation. It’s her choir participation. It’s her taking AP music theory last year. She’s taken advantage of the opportunity here and there that prepares her to take further opportunities now outside of school and beyond school,” choir director Frank Piekarz said.
Her music style could be compared to artists such as Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, and Tate Mcrae, however Lampsa doesn’t have a distinct inspiration, and prefers to create her own unique sound.
“The cool thing about Sarah is that her voice is really versatile. She has matured over the past four years, her voice has grown a lot warmer. That is due, in part, to the various opportunities that she’s taken,” choir director Beth O’Riordan said.
Lampsa plans to pursue music in college and as a full time career. Her top schools are University of Southern California and Berklee School of Music, where she would major in songwriting and music business.
“Creating a song that people have already heard isn’t gonna make an impact. But making something that sounds different and new will create something people are interested in,” Lampsa said.
This story was originally published on DGN Omega on November 20, 2023.
