Best of SNO

How COVID testing works in a free-standing ER

THE PROCESS OF COVID TESTING: The routine process of testing for COVID is a technique that the ER technician has perfected. “After scanning in the patient’s information into the Sofia, you get reagent tubes and use a bit of solution inside and mix it with your swab,

If you don't know the difference beween a Sofia and a PCR test or what a Winex filter or an I-stat machine is for, read on. We got you covered.

January 22, 2021

In this week's Tuesday Top 10, we explore precisely how COVID testing is done at a free-standing emergency room in Austin, thanks to the photography and reporting of freshman digital media student Sophie...

Pandemic survival: Austin businesses adapt

Shopping safely: Kinokuniya is a Japanese book and gift store that has been taking many COVID precautions these last few months, including a mandatory shopper temperature check at the entrance to ensure the safety of their customers. Pictured here, a Kinokuniya worker checks the temperature of customer Jenny, who said, “I feel safer knowing that the store is being so careful.” A sign at the door lists all of the store’s COVID precautions and rules, stating that “during holiday season, there is a 20-minute shopping time limit in order to avoid a long wait outside.”

COVID-19 has challenged the city's retail and service institutions to innovate in order to remain open.

January 13, 2021

In this week's #TuesdayTop10, photojournalism student Ingrid Smith documents the many ways the Austin businesses and cultural institutions have adapted their practices to stay open and serve the citizens...

2020: A Year in Review in Photos

MAY -- PROTESTORS ADVOCATE JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD, MIKE RAMOS: A woman is forced over a wall as state troopers force protesters off of the Capitol grounds. Hundreds of protesters met at the Austin Police Department headquarters downtown on the afternoon of May 30 to demand justice for African-American victims of police brutality. The protests filled the streets surrounding the Police Department headquarters and at times blocked traffic on I-35, and eventually protests spread to Austin City Hall and the Texas Capitol. Some protesters were met with pepper spray and rubber bullets as APD officers tried to control the crowd and clear the highway. This protest comes as part of a national spread of protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a police officer. Austin protesters are also calling for justice for Mike Ramos, an Austinite who reportedly was unarmed and shot by the police in late April.

The news was often bad this year, but there were also moments of strength, power, resilience and community.

December 30, 2020

On the last Tuesday of 2020, we are pleased to make our last Tuesday Top 10 of the year to a review of some of our best photos depicting some of the most memorable, significant and poignant moments of...

Times like these

STRIKE A CHORD: Oliver Bennett works on his music theory book pages to learn what the new chords they are playing look like. He wrote C, F and G7 chords in the empty boxes above the chords. Bennett takes extra precautions to make sure online learning goes smoothly. “'Hi, my name is Oliver Bennett. I’m in second period first piano' that’s what I say every time I start recording to avoid any confusion if I turn it in wrong,

Students adapt and grow as virtual learning continues

December 4, 2020

As we near the end of the first semester, students share their experiences of what it's been like to learn online. BUST A MOVE: Sophomore Sofia Ramon works on smoothing the face of her latest clay...

Weekend fire drill

Students from the LBJ Fire Academy work their way towards a propane fire, using fire hoses to control the blaze. The purpose of the drill wasn’t to put out the fire, but to use the spray to get close enough to the propane tank to turn off its fuel source.

Five McCallum seniors, John Hughes, Thomas Lucy, Tex Mitchell, Molly Odland and Will Russo, participated in the live fire skill day, where they put into practice what they’ve learned during the two year student-sharing program at LBJ High School.

“Being in the live fire gave me really intense adrenaline,” senior Molly Odland said. “I was the head of my group, meaning I was in charge of directing the hose line at the fire while my group supported me from behind.”

Senior Will Russo, who also had the chance to lead the group, said that the drill felt like being in a hot car.

“It wasn’t all that scary since you were with a bunch of people, but it was kind of intimidating because there was nothing in between you and the fire but water,” Russo said.

Students at the LBJ Fire Academy put year of training to use in combating propane, car and building fires

November 24, 2020

On a chilly October evening, onlookers watched as a group of firefighters inched closer and closer to a column of fire that shot into the sky. Using their hoses to push back the flames, they advanced towards...

Students Make a Statement: Taking the Anti-Trump Narrative to the Streets

Jacob Aragon ‘21 protests against President Trump outside the post office Sept. 18. After a pro-Trump rally the day before, Aragon and Amanda Brauchler ‘21 were inspired to launch a counter-protest. “Throughout this entire year, there’s been a lot of people giving out their voice when it comes to issues they’re passionate about and the other day we saw people who support our current president, so we got their voice, so we wanted to gather some people and speak in opposition to that and exercise our rights,

Bold, vibrant signs amplify the passionate voices of anti-Trump student protestors who line the intersection between University and Quebec outside the post office Sept. 18 in response to the Trump Rally that occurred in in the same location a day earlier.

October 19, 2020

This story was originally published on The Rock Newspaper on October 19, 2020.

Pandemic brings people closer to their pets

EXPLORING AROUND: Me, my sister, an my dog have become a trio since quarantine started. We have been exploring all around the neighborhood, including the drainage tunnels. Photo by Ella Rosenblatt.

COVID-19 has exacted an awful toll on our lives, but it's also given us more quality time with our animals

September 14, 2020

McCallum photojournalists created 113 award-winning images in the 2020 Working Assumption WRKXFMLY Project. Many of them touched on how people in our community are living day to day during a pandemic,...

The last #dayinthelifeatmac for a while

Susan Ashton and her son walk the hallway to her math classroom late this morning. Ashton brought her son with her in order help her bring home school supplies so she can work from home to conduct online classes. Ashton said she brought home an office chair, a printer and a document camera. While she was on campus, school officials received word of the city of Austin's stay at home order which prevent citizens from leaving their homes for non-essential activities beginning at midnight tonight. Prior to the order, teachers were able to come to campus today, five at a time if they had signed up for a 30-minute time slot the day before.

Teachers, staff had limited access to campus on Tuesday, but after today's countywide stay-at-home order, the campus will be closed at least until April 13

March 27, 2020

Richard Salazar and Elise Baughman practice an appropriate more than six feet of social distancing as they await their appointment time of 11 a.m. to come into the campus today. Prior to the city's...

It’s better than walking

Pilot John Blossom-Boyd fuels for the first half of his journey. Altogether, the fuel comes out to around 00, but Blossom-Boyd doesn’t mind. “Flying is important to me because it embodies freedom in its purest form,” he said. “Not even gravity can hold you.” Photo by Anna Nagle.

Since pilot John Blossom-Boyd first flew a Cessna 152 in 1978, the sky has always been his second home

March 12, 2020

In this week's #TuesdayTop10, we take a virtual flight to Brenham's Southern Flying Diner with pilot John Blossom-Boyd on a quest to find the famous Hundred-Dollar Burger. Along the way, we'll learned...

A Happy Ending to a Tragic Story

Ensemble member Marvel Moniaga makes the most of his moment in the spotlight at last weekend's spring musical,

Spoiler Alert: She Sinks

March 10, 2020

The Titanic set sail on her maiden voyage 108 years ago. 1,517 passengers boarded the ship, not knowing their tragic fate. From March 4-8, the Titanic sunk in NASH's own auditorium, and 5,800 people were...

Students and Staff Shed Hair in Support of Those In Need

Outside the performing arts wing, Kelsey Buffington ‘22 gasps while she donates her hair for the Dare To Share Your Hair event Feb. 27. Behind the barricades, Buffington’s friends watched on and shouted supportive compliments to her.

A crisp snip echoes through the hall and jaws drop as students and staff donate their hair for Wish Week.

March 5, 2020

This story was originally published on The Rock Newspaper on February 27, 2020.

Making It All Work

Were it not for NASH head custodian Dwayne Nasiadka, the building would hardly be able to function properly.

The everyday life of NASH's head custodian involves much more than meets the eye.

February 28, 2020

Every large organization depends daily on staff who perform their work far from the spotlight. Schools, of course, could not exist without teachers and administrators, but a closer look at how NASH runs...

Checking out the Grand Hotel

SHOUT L'CHAIM: Junior Corin Vandenburg and senior Toshaan Arora hit their final poses in the number “Raise A Glass.” This song is a celebration of friendship between Vandenburg and Arora’s characters.

Directors, performers, technicians of spring musical work hard to create a whimsical world for the audience

February 28, 2020

It’s 7:30 on a Thursday evening. The fluorescent lights of the McCallum Arts Center Theater dim into a foggy combination of reds and purples. A sudden hush falls over the crowd: whispers replaced with...

Black History Month at McCallum

JUST SMART: Seniors Danielle Atwood, Lia Jones, Brooke Miller and Kyla Gibson, and junior Vivian Odoms volunteer to go on stage during Dr. Leonard Moore’s fourth-period talk. Gibson said that being a person of color has impacted her experiences at school “In AP classes the teachers are always like, ‘Oh my God we love you, you’re so smart.’ But there’s always that stereotype of “you’re smart for a black person,” Gibson explained. “I just want to be smart for being smart.” Photo by Regan Sims.

UT professor, Students of Color Alliance speakers reveal challenges that African Americans face every day

February 18, 2020

UT professor Leonard Moore speaks on history of race in United States For the sixth straight year, Dr. Leonard Moore, a U.S. history professor at the University of Texas, spoke at the Black History Month...

Behind the front desk at the ‘Grand Hotel’

WORK IN PROGRESS: After hanging the Grand Hotel sign, the crew works on assembling the 12 columns that weave throughout the stage. Photo and caption by Ella Rosenblatt.

From wigs to sound, from lights to scullery worker cages, tech crew has been working tirelessly to get the spring musical ready for Thursday's opening night

January 30, 2020

With the final dress rehearsal set for tomorrow and opening night for Thursday, it seems to us a perfect time to use our #TuesdayTop10 to take you behind the scenes of Grand Hotel for a sneak peak of...

A Slam Dunk for SSN Programs: The First Annual Unified Basketball Game Recap

David O’Keefe ‘23 bursts through the “Go Jags!” banner in the gym during his team’s introduction at the First Annual Unified Basketball Game Jan. 22. In the past, the Unified Basketball team’s basketball hoops were trash cans, but their equipment was upgraded with adapted basketball hoops for optimum accessibility for all students. “We’re trying to change the culture of Unified Basketball. Every day, it’s a challenge for them to be heard, to be respected and to compete in sports, but they push themselves every day past all those challenges,” Unified Basketball Coach Jerome Price said.

A collective “OOOOOH” rises from the student section in anticipation of a basket. The ball swishes through the hoop, met with roarous cheering and the Unified Basketball player stands victorious on the court.

January 27, 2020

Middle schooler Leah Bishop celebrates the start of the Unified Basketball Game by giving a smile and a wave to the Junior class section in the gym Jan. 22. The teams ran back and forth across the...

So Close and Yet So Far: A Trip to Cuba

To fly from Florida to Cuba takes a little over an hour, but most Americans have been prohibited from traveling to the exotic and history-rich island.

A photo essay of a rare vacation to a nearby destination that is little known to most Americans

January 17, 2020

Over winter break, my family and I took a week-long trip to a destination few other Americans have visited: Cuba. We left early on December 29th and began our day-long journey to the country's capital,...

Manual RedEye: A year in photos

At the 2019 Male, Manual game, a helmet sits alone as Male dominates Manual's offense and defense following a back-to-back matchup.

December 20, 2019

As we celebrate the end of the year, Manual RedEye is taking a trip down memory lane with some of our favorite photos from 2019. Mandala Gupta VerWiebe (11, J+C) holds out a cupcake during a photoshoot...

A whole lot of holiday music

LET IT SNOW! In the Band Holiday Concert the band played an array of Christmas, Hanukkah and jazz music. The set list ranged from Georgia on my Mind written by Hoagy Carmichael to Let it Snow written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. The variety of music included classics and lesser known songs, leading to a range of favourite songs within the band. Junior trombone player Nicholas Reedy said “ I really liked A Christmas Festival, it was fun to play and learn.” Photo by Lydia Reedy.

Who needs Alexa to play festive tunes when you have the Fine Arts Academy music groups hosting a live music concert every night this week?

December 20, 2019

JINGLE BELL JAZZ: As finals and winter break rapidly approach, band celebrated the festive season with its annual holiday concert on the of Monday Dec. 9. Many band members even dressed up in red and...

The same, but different: Birthday twins

April 2nd: Seniors Catherine and Marina have different passions despite sharing a birthday. Catherine enjoys expressing herself through painting while Marina likes anything to do with english class. In the future Marina plans on being a nurse or biologist, while Catherine hopes to be doing something in the arts category.

December 19, 2019

This story was originally published on Blueprint on December 18, 2019.

New to the Stage

Evan Wilson, 8th grade, was the star of the third annual middle school musical,

The story of Buddy the elf lifted audiences to their feet in the 3rd annual middle school musical.

December 18, 2019

On December 13, 14, and 15, 7th and 8th graders from all three middle schools came together to put on Elf the Musical Jr. NASH tech students and teachers helped to make this performance great. Two years...

They can be heroes … or villains

THEIR OWN TWIST: Performing a featured duet, Sophomore Abigail Lehman and Senior Zion Flores sing with a dramatic glance down, a reference to the lyrics in their song. The two joined forces with to create their own choreography and twist on the piece. “I really loved the collaboration of this song,” Lehman stated. “Getting to work with Zion is so much fun, and to get the song and make it our own was a great experience.” Photo and caption by Madelynn Niles.

November 20, 2019

The McCallum choir performed its most widely anticipated concert of the year: Cabaret, in the MAC, Thursday through Sunday. This year’s theme was “Heroes and Villains of Broadway.” The choir performed...

Killer Comedy

This year's fall play, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, opens this Thursday.

Up Close at the NASH fall play, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

November 13, 2019

Occasionally, we all wish we could be someone else. For a lucky 15 students at NASH, that wish has come true, at least temporarily, as they step into the shoes of a mansion owner, a maid, a comedian,...

A trial by fire

SATURDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT FOR FIRE FIGHTING: MAC seniors Ena Nolan and Zach King joined the rest of their LBJ Fire Academy crew in a live propane fire exercise on Saturday Oct. 12 at the Austin Fire Academy. The goal of the practice was for the group of seniors to control the fire enough for a member to get close enough to turn off the tank's gas valve, which would extinguish the flame. Earlier in the day, the juniors in the program, including MAC students Molly Odland, John Hughes, Thomas Lucey, Tex Mitchell and Will Russo, underwent an obstacle course in full gear while trying to conserve air, and stuck around afterwards to watch the seniors and to help replace their air tanks in between rotations. “I don’t even know how to describe it,” Nolan said, who is in her second year in the program. “Watching it [last year] was an ethereal experience, and doing it myself was absolutely amazing, definitely one of the most epic things I’m gonna do in the next couple of years.” Photo by Bella Russo.

MAC seniors in LBJ's Fire Academy program undergo live propane fire exercise

November 13, 2019

MAC seniors Ena Nolan and Zach King joined the rest of their LBJ Fire Academy crew in a live propane fire exercise on Saturday Oct. 12 at the Austin Fire Academy. The goal of the practice was for...

Blue Jamboree comes to town October 5

Presidential candidate Kamala Harris hugs Fight for 5 marcher Taiwan Milligan.

November 12, 2019

With over 3,000 attendees, the Blue Jamboree held at The Bend in North Charleston on Oct. 5 housed union strikes and protests, marching bands and speeches from 2020 presidential candidates. The event,...

In the Spirit

Will Cinker, one of the Student Section Leaders, kicks off the first pep rallies in years at NASH.

An uncommon site, Friday's pep rally was the first that many at NASH can recall.

November 8, 2019

High schools around the country hold weekly pep rallies, but until today no student at NASH had yet to experience one of their own. Even NASH Principal Dr. Kreider had not enjoyed such an event since...

Photo essay: We got booed at a Trump rally… again

The press arrived hours before the rally began, setting up all their equipment.

November 8, 2019

At this age, Friday nights are known to be spent at football games, at parties or for some, at home in your bed to finally catch up on all the sleep you lost that week. But, for over 10,000 people, myself...

We Will…We Will…Block You: Homecoming Game Recap

Kade Ramsey '20 and Sean Hicks '20 burst through the homecoming banner and sprint on to the field at Echo Park for the Homecoming Game Sept 19. This game against Arapahoe High School ended with a score of 24-12. “We're losing the game so far, but our school spirit is strong,” Shwetha Suresh ‘22 said.

School spirit illuminated Echo Park during the Homecoming football game as footballs soared through the air, students were crowned royalty, and the manpoms flipped out.

November 6, 2019

Gianni Bonnici '20 reaches for the hail during the third quarter of the homecoming game at Echo Park Sept. 19. Bonnici is one of the four football captains for the Fall season. “The game kept...

Setting the stage for Day of the Dead, Halloween

A WORLD OF COLOR: Sophomore Kiera Boehle focuses on the Day of the Dead altar that she was setting up as a part of Art Society volunteer work in the main hall on Thursday, Oct. 24. The altar displayed photographs, trinkets, flowers and other decorations honoring people that have died. “We made it all nice,” Boehle said. “That’s one of the reasons I like Art Society, it contributes to the art community and allows you to experience the world even when you’re in such a small space like a high school.” Photo by Lily Wilson.

Art Society comes together to honor the dead, celebrate Mexican heritage and put people in holiday spirit

November 6, 2019

Art Society members hang streamers, inspect them then take them down and try again. Art teacher and National Art Society sponsor Jeff Seckar-Martinez moves between the main hallway and the cafeteria critiquing...

Up Close: Trick or Trot 2019

Over 500 runners competed in the either the 5k or 1-mile 2019 Trick or Trot race last weekend.

Catch a glimpse of how NA began the Halloween season

November 1, 2019

The annual North Allegheny Foundation Trick or Trot Race took place last Saturday. An event that was originally designed to raise money for the foundation, which awards student scholarships and staff...

Photo essay: 13 birds for the 3 billion lost

A male Blue Grosbeak sings for his mate on a fencepost in Boulder County, Colorado. Over 25% of all migratory birds like this one were lost since 1970, according to a new study.

What are some of the bird families discussed in the new Cornell Lab of Ornithology study?

October 21, 2019

A startling report recently published by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology states that North America has lost about 2.9 billion individual birds of many different species since 1970; that’s just over one...

The new generation: How teens use fashion to express themselves

October 21, 2019

Sophomore Olivia Seery: I make most of my own jewelry. I make my bracelets most of the time, and I make my own earrings. Most of the earrings I wear are made by me. I like wearing silly T-shirts with...

Final Countdown: Friday Night

3:00 Snare captain Malia Wilson practices various cadences before the Friday night performance.

A photo timeline of the antics and the events before and after a Friday night with the Marching Band

October 9, 2019

Each Friday night during the fall, thousands of spectators witness the Marching Band's performance. Significantly fewer, however, see what the group does before and after the big night. The timeline...

Calling out for change

HEAR OUR CRY: Standing before the capitol, McCallum students Ruby Henson, Abby Green, Louisa Najar and Sabri Armani participate in the rally cries at the Austin Climate Strike. “This is our climate; we are the change,” Najar said, who added that she believes that our planet and the climate crisis is a cause that unifies people all over the world. “Global climate change is universal. It affects all people. [It affects them] at different levels, but it affects everyone, no matter what.” Photo and reporting by Samantha Powers.

McCallum joins schools worldwide in climate strike

October 1, 2019

A CRY FROM THE YOUTH: The morning of Friday, Sept. 20, over 300 students and adults alike gathered at the steps of the Texas State Capitol to protest climate change. The strike, which was organized...

Photo essay: Surveying South Congress

BUILDING UP AND OUT- South Congress leads right up to the Capitol, and whether you are renting scooters and bikes, driving, or walking, you are bound to get a great view of the ever-growing Austin Skyline. One of the tallest and most well known is Frost Bank tower, and the tallest building is The Independent, reaching up to around 690 feet.

Spend a day at SoCo for the food, music and art

April 19, 2019

South Congress, also known as SoCo to local Austinites, is home to Amy’s Ice Creams, Homeslice Pizza, and many other local hotspots. Whether you walk, drive, bike or scooter, SoCo is definitely worth...

Improving improv skills under the bright lights

TRUE NIGHTS FOR THE BLUE KNIGHTS: Phoenix Bozeman, Dan Thomas, Jacob Martinez and Joe Rodey soak up the spotlight in the final tune of the night. These four musicians, along with pianist Luke Tiessen, were featured at the performance as the “Blue Knights” combo. “I enjoyed playing for such a big crowd of people who truly enjoy jazz,” Martinez said.“Gaining experience on what it’s like to be a professional jazz player is something I’ll never forget.”

'Best jazz band Mac has seen in years' brings down the house, takes home $1,000 at Parker Jazz Club gig

March 7, 2019

Members of the jazz band had the opportunity to play Sunday night at the packed Parker Jazz Club on Fourth Street, a prestigious club known for its incredible music. Along with raising more than a $1,000...

24 hours across West High

11:56 a.m.
Conversing with classmates, sophomores Fatima Shabab and Josh Rushing participate in a speed dating activity during their AP World History class. Teacher Kristen Collins (not pictured) assigned each student a historical figure to research and portray. “Suleiman the Magnificent was mine. My favorite part of the assignment was being able to dress up like the figure,” Rushing said. “[Creative projects] are a lot more enjoyable, because you have more control over how you tackle it.”

February 14, 2019

A photo essay by the Parkway West Pathfinder staff.

Photo essay: A broken family. A broken home. A broken heart.

SHANE'S SHACK: Shane has been homeless for 6½ years. He has been living in this place for one month now. He has decorated his place with graffiti and things he has found for free rather than typical home furnishings. When Shane got out of jail, he learned that his dog had been given up for adoption, his truck had been impounded, and his trailer was stolen along with all of his belongings inside. When I asked Shane why he is homeless, he said, “I learned my own lessons, I caused my own problems; my life is my fault; my life is my success, and you can’t enjoy the sweet without the sour; right now, I’m at the end of a sour kick.”

Shane is homeless but not helpless. He fights every day to escape "the sour kick" that life has dealt him

February 5, 2019

Shane (not his real name) has been homeless for 6½ years. He has been living in this place for one month now. He has decorated his place with graffiti and things he has found for free rather than typical...

Gallery: Watertown shocks Lynnfield

The shocking nature of Watertown's miraculous 38-34 comeback victory over Lynnfield for the Division 5 North championship sets in on the sideline on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.

QB Nick McDermott delivers two TDs in game's final 1:15 to keep magical season alive

November 13, 2017

There was something special in the air on Friday night in Lynnfield -- and it wasn’t the 12-degree wind chill. Down by 10 points with less than three minutes remaining, the sixth-seeded Watertown...

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