![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)
GRC graduate Caleb Crosby has had no shortage of opportunities in the music industry.
Selling out Madison Square Garden with ACDC, his band’s first European Stadium performance in Lisbon, Portugal, his drum solo in Iceland while opening for Guns N’ Roses, playing alongside Chris Cornell at AT&T Stadium, and so much more.
But this Thanksgiving day might be the biggest of all: performing with the one and only Dolly Parton.
Caleb was previously featured playing drums alongside Dolly at the 2023 CMA Awards where she released her single World on Fire. Now, he has the opportunity to play with her again on Thanksgiving to feature her new album, Rockstar.
Caleb agrees that this opportunity ranks at the top among his many adventures as a drummer.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have some incredible experiences over the years,” he says, “but this particular one is without a doubt at the top.”
As they say in Texas, “Go big, or go home!”
You can find Caleb, and Dolly, at the Dallas Cowboys’ halftime performance on CBS with a 4:30 EST kickoff. Caleb said the set includes a “fun mix of classic Dolly and new songs” from Rockstar.
Between the turkey and rolls, it’s also a great day to watch football. As Caleb points out, “Dolly and football means you can’t lose!”
Don’t let all the sparkle affect what you think of Mrs. Parton. Behind the rhinestones, the hair, and the international fame, Dolly is still down to earth, according to Caleb.
“She is exactly how anyone would dream her to be — kind, gracious and extremely hilarious,” explains Caleb. “She instantly lights up the room when she walks in.”
After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly wanted to express her inner rockstar. With a combination of her albums throughout the years, all ages will enjoy the show.
Caleb’s mom and Smoke Signals adviser Shanda Crosby expresses how hard he has worked for his successful music career that is constantly growing.
“I can say a lot of great things about Caleb, but one is that he has always worked hard at perfecting his craft,” said Mrs. Crosby. “When he was younger he would practice the drums literally every day for hours upon hours and it has paid off. He obviously has musical talent, but he also puts in tons of work that has resulted in opportunities most people would never have in their lifetime.”
This story was originally published on Smoke Signals on November 21, 2023.
