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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.

By Olivia Allen, Thea Cahoon, Sophia Dawson, Olive Embry, Anna Nagle, Charlie Partheymuller, Lauren Potts, Lydia Reedy, Liliana Rodriguez, Ella Rosenblatt, Amelie Ruggero, Jonah Scott, Angus Sewell McCann, Regan Sims, Camille Wilson, and Annabel Winter

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, and while many of these images are serious, at times heroic even, there emerged in the collection a...

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.

By Dave Winter, McCallum High School

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 decision to issue a stay at home order for all citizens effective at midnight, teachers could gain acce...

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.

By Anna Nagle, McCallum High School

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 how Blossom-Boyd discovered flying and why he's more comfortable in the air than anywhere on the earth....

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,

By Meg Rees, North Allegheny Senior High School

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 there to witness it. Around 170 students boarded the Titanic as cast members, pit orchestra, and stage crew...

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.

By Kira Zizzo and Emily Wilson

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.

By Meg Rees, North Allegheny Senior High School

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 reveals that it would be quite impossible to get anything done here were it not for certain district...

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.

By Alysa Spiro, McCallum High School

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 silent yet static anticipation. Suddenly, a limping, elderly doctor stumbles on stage. Music flares...

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.

By Josie Bradsby, Sydney Denmon, Alex Gold, Daniela Morrow, Lydia Reedy, Bella Russo, Regan Sims, and Sarah Slaten

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 presentation to teach students about the history of race in America. Dr. Moore was invited by assistant...

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.

By Lily Brode and Ella Rosenblatt

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 how the hotel is being readied to open its doors on Thursday. HAIR STRAIGHTENERS: Only two weeks befo...

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.

By Emily Wilson and Kira Zizzo

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 gym, for the duration of seminar and the start of access, supported by fellow students dressed in black t...

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.

By Sophia Caruso, North Allegheny Senior High School

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, Havana. The flight from Florida to Cuba takes a little over an hour, but while it may seem a s...

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.

By Cesca Campisano and Kate Benton

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 for Manual Y-Club. The cupcake and others were sold at Y-Club’s Cupcake Wars, a fundraising event for the Y. This was the sixth annual Cupcak...

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.

By Scarlet Frese, Evelyn Griffin, Samantha Powers, Lydia Reedy, Elisha Scott, Regan Sims, Bela Tapperson, Kristen Tibbetts, and Grace Van Gorder

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 green to add to the holiday spirit. The evening started off with a selection of songs from jazz ...

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.

By Lauren Wilmore and Isabella Johnsen

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,

By Meg Rees, North Allegheny Senior High School

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 ago, Mr. Tozier, the Chair of the Music Department, decided to give middle schoolers the chance t...

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.

By Anna Bausman, Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Madelynn Niles, and Kennedy Weatherby

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 songs from a variety of Broadway musicals featuring battles between good and evil. There were...

Killer Comedy

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

By Meg Rees, North Allegheny Senior High School

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, and other roles -- including a murderer. They are the cast of this year’s fall play, The Musical...

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.

By Bella Russo, McCallum High School

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 the group of seniors to control the fire enough for a member to get close enough to turn off the tank's...

Blue Jamboree comes to town October 5

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

By Hunter Musi, Wando High School

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, held annually since 2010, features live entertainment jazz bands, food trucks and jump castles, attracting...

In the Spirit

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

By Reese Marsalis, North Allegheny Senior High School

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 his arrival in 2015. On most Fridays as the day winds down, students anticipate the 2:15 dismissal bell, b...

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

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

By Gina Nguyen, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

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 included, last Friday night was spent with the President. That's right, the President of the United...

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.

By Kira Zizzo, Rock Canyon

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 getting more exciting and the crowd was going wild. We cheered a lot when we scored the first touchdown,” Tanvi Rami ...

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.

By Zada Cook, Scarlet Craig, Alex Dowd, Anna Nagle, Lily Prather, Camille Wilson, and Lily Wilson

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 the work of his Art Society students as they decorate the main hallway for Dias de Los Muertos...

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.

By Alexis Franczyk, North Allegheny Senior High School

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 grants, Trick or Trot has quickly become a tradition that involves exercise, entertainment, and no...

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.

By Cedrik von Briel, Woodside High School

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 in four individual birds lost. The populations of many different bird species have shown steep declines...

The new generation: How teens use fashion to express themselves

The new generation: How teens use fashion to express themselves

By Isabella Johnsen, Downers Grove South High School

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 goth stuff. I want to look funny. I don’t want to look like fashion. I want people to say ‘wo...

Final Countdown: Friday Night

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

By Meg Rees, North Allegheny Senior High School

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 below shows how, from the moment the school day ends until nearly midnight, a typical fall Friday...

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.

By Samantha Powers, Stella Shenkman, Alysa Spiro, Risa Darlington-Horta, and Elisha Scott

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 by the Austin Climate Coalition, had students all over Austin walking out of their first-period cla...

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.

By Anna McClellan, McCallum High School

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 a visit. BUILDING UP AND OUT- South Congress leads right up to the Capitol. This means that whether you are renting scooters and b...

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.”

By Madelynn Niles, McCallum High School

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 for the jazz band program, the members also got the chance to play with the owner of the club, Kris...

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.”

By Pathfinder Staff, Parkway West High School

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.”

By Maeve Walsh, McCallum High School

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 home furnishings. When Shane got out of jail, he learned that his dog had been given up for adoption,...

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.

By Elizabeth Allen, Watertown High School

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 Raiders came away with a stunning upset victory against the top-seeded Lynnfield Pioneers, 38-34, to...