The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO
Californian graphics editor Gina Germano attended the State Finals with Cal's mock trial team. She drew a scene from a trial as part of the courtroom artist competition.
Acalanes student tries to frame mock trial team
May 7, 2025
District budget cuts expected to have major effects
District budget cuts expected to have major effects
May 7, 2025
COMMUNITY RESISTANCE: Every Tuesday evening, protesters gather outside the CDC to cheer on workers as they leave and speak up against the firings and budget cuts.
Federal officials slash CDC jobs, fire hundreds of Atlanta workers
May 7, 2025
Dominion Energy’s electrical substation in Brambleton is one of the many substations located in Loudoun County to power transmission lines. Residents feel threatened by the proximity of the proposed power lines. “Many students and I attend school for eight to ten hours, so it's scary that a big corporation will have the power to put dangerous power lines so close to our school,” Leana Paradkar said.
High Voltage, Higher Stakes: Residents Protest Dominion Energy’s Power Expansion
May 2, 2025
By Birth or By Blood
By Birth or By Blood
May 2, 2025
Junior Rachel Chen explains her solution to what she considers one of the most fun AIME problems. The problem asks for the number of rectangles that can be formed inside a fixed regular dodecagon, where each side of the rectangle lies on either a side or a diagonal of the dodecagon.
Solving for X
May 7, 2025
Although period products, medication and education have come a long way, there are still current issues and stigma.
Breaking the cycle
May 7, 2025
Lainey Hampton (12) poses in the hallway during the school day on April 17. Hampton recently moved to Michigan from Florida.
One in a million
May 7, 2025
A person with tritanopia, also known as blue-yellow color deficiency, sees the world in mostly red, pink, grey, and turquoise. However, not every person with this deficiency sees the same thing. “It's not that people with the same deficiency are all the same. Some of them are almost color blind, and some of them have such a small change in color sensitivity that you'd have to do deep diagnostic tests to find it. It's a whole spectrum,” said Michael Marmor, M.D., a professor of Ophthalmology and Human Biology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Seeing in shifted shades
May 7, 2025
Theater teacher Marinee Payne sits on the set of "Lend Me a Tenor," the final TP Players production she will direct before retiring. Throughout her 32 and a half years at the school, Payne not only taught a wide range of theater classes but also developed curriculum, directed productions and created a supportive community for generations of students.
End of an era: Marinee Payne retires after 32 years
May 7, 2025
Senior Coy Busick poses with his parents Angie and Mike Busick and his high school coach, Heather Nichols.
College Dream Gets a Big Lift
May 7, 2025
Freshman overcomes brain cancer to skate
Freshman overcomes brain cancer to skate
May 2, 2025
Senior Krish Khanna, a varsity tennis co-captain, leads his team with passion and sportsmanship. His love for tennis started at age 6 and continues to shape his high school experience.
Senior Krish Khanna finds purpose through tennis, leadership
May 2, 2025
If the new policy is implemented, many no cut sports, such as track and field, may see an increase in athletes who only want to get out of a PE class.
Prioritizing the ‘athlete’ in student athlete
May 2, 2025
Senior Carter Stover pitches ball during a game against Liberty April 8 at home.
Carter Stover’s 12-Year Road Through a Stellar Baseball Career
May 2, 2025
Coppell High School senior Pavithra Vijaykumar serves as the president of Coppell Band. Vijaykumar has been a member of Coppell Band for four years, leading through determination and dedication.
Crescendoing to the coda
May 7, 2025
Finishing her night out after attending a local concert, senior Grace Sauers smiles at the camera. She recently started a business, PrettySick, that takes photos as well as sells merch at local concert venues. Next year, she will attend Columbia Chicago College majoring in Graphic Design. “There's such a good communal scene because there [are] great venues in Austin,” Sauers said. “I'm gonna miss it in Austin, but I do know Chicago is good, it's not like I'm going to the middle of nowhere. I just have to find my footing again.” Photo Courtesy of Grace Sauers.
Moments Between The Music
May 7, 2025
Sophomore Brianna Belanger shows sophomore Linq Kaelin how to start a chain during their weekly crochet club, hosted every Tuesday in the library.
Making impact one stitch at a time, crochet club hooks community together
May 7, 2025
Painting a Difference: Student’s nonprofit recognized at Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, continues to raise awareness for disabilities
Painting a Difference: Student’s nonprofit recognized at Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, continues to raise awareness for disabilities
May 7, 2025
A documentary about Tyler Slippy by Tyrone alum Jeremy Byers will premiere on YouTube on Monday, April 5.
Giving Tyler a Voice: Tyrone Alum Produces Film Honoring Teacher’s Son
May 7, 2025
Theogony's independence is under threat. We need your help.
ACPS is set to initiate a new policy of censorship. We need your help.
May 7, 2025
Close up photo of a bowl of ice that people have been dumping over their heads for the Ice Bucket Challenge.
“Ice Bucket Challenge” makes a comeback
May 7, 2025
The Speak Your Mind Challenge involves participants dumping a bucket of ice water over their head, then posting the act to Instagram with links for donations and mental health resources.
Missing the Point
May 2, 2025
Driven by the false belief that ADHD medication guarantees academic success, pressured students resort to using drugs in pursuit of social recognition.
Teens fake symptoms for drug prescriptions that lead to an illusion of success
May 2, 2025
Board members debated several issues during the Monday meeting, including the availability of documents to parents.
Why Our Leaders Are Failing Us
May 2, 2025
Center Stage ended the year with their spring performance on Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 15. The show included solos by seniors who sang, danced and played instruments.
Spring Center Stage Show Expands to Include Senior Solos
May 7, 2025
LOVELY RITA: Senior designer Rita Hagerty was the lucky winner of the 2025 show. Hagerty participated in the show for her second year. “Rita has incredible dedication and her eye for detail is incredible," one of Hagerty's designer peers said. "I'm glad her hard work paid off.” Each designer put countless hours into the show, sacrificing sleep and free time for the opportunity to share their work with the community. For some of these young designers it may have been their first time participating, some say that the hardest part was finding the time to dedicate to the competition. “Of course, designing the clothes was challenging, but that's what I was expecting," first-year sophomore designer Tallulah McAuliffe said. "It was really hard to find the time to put it all together though. Between school, homework and friends. The show was always following me.” Caption by Isa Truan.
Braving the ‘Wilderness’ together
May 7, 2025
Sophomore Clare Colburn draws a henna design on a child's hand. Henna designing was one of the activities for guests, and art students were able to sign up for different activities they could do during the art show. “One of my favorite activities was Henna because it's a really cool craft and art form that is interesting,” Colburn said. 
Pyramid art show expresses creativity of students
May 2, 2025
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
May 2, 2025
If you could do high school all over again what would you do differently? Why? How? In this episode senior journalists and podcasters Kate Saussele and Mia Kirsch share 5 pieces of advice.
Episode 19 – 5 things we wish we knew before starting high school
April 30, 2025
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
Student journalists in the age of the Trump Administration
May 2, 2025
If you could do high school all over again what would you do differently? Why? How? In this episode senior journalists and podcasters Kate Saussele and Mia Kirsch share 5 pieces of advice.
Episode 19 – 5 things we wish we knew before starting high school
April 30, 2025
Junior Dakoda Dement competes in the shot put at the Caney Creek meet. He screamed toward his teammates when he realized he had thrown a personal record.
Dakoda Dement sets new record, chases bigger goals
April 15, 2025
PODCAST Luca Akin cogitates on long-term finance internship
PODCAST Luca Akin cogitates on long-term finance internship
April 2, 2025
Shepherd Perkins: A Peek Into a Budding Artist’s Album
March 27, 2025
LOVELY RITA: Senior designer Rita Hagerty was the lucky winner of the 2025 show. Hagerty participated in the show for her second year. “Rita has incredible dedication and her eye for detail is incredible," one of Hagerty's designer peers said. "I'm glad her hard work paid off.” Each designer put countless hours into the show, sacrificing sleep and free time for the opportunity to share their work with the community. For some of these young designers it may have been their first time participating, some say that the hardest part was finding the time to dedicate to the competition. “Of course, designing the clothes was challenging, but that's what I was expecting," first-year sophomore designer Tallulah McAuliffe said. "It was really hard to find the time to put it all together though. Between school, homework and friends. The show was always following me.” Caption by Isa Truan.
Braving the ‘Wilderness’ together
May 7, 2025
Sophomore Clare Colburn draws a henna design on a child's hand. Henna designing was one of the activities for guests, and art students were able to sign up for different activities they could do during the art show. “One of my favorite activities was Henna because it's a really cool craft and art form that is interesting,” Colburn said. 
Pyramid art show expresses creativity of students
May 2, 2025
REACHING FOR THE STARS: Junior Zane Shieh sings an original song while playing the guitar with his band, Spiral Maze, at the Battle of the Bands last Thursday. He sings the long note of his band’s original song entitled “Reach,” a part of a new album coming soon. “This is my second year doing Battle of the Bands and with Spiral Maze,” Shieh said. “We had a pretty tight set, but I think it went really well, and the crowd liked us a good bit.” Shieh said his excitement toward playing at the Battle of the Bands this year was being able to showcase his band’s new music. “My favorite part was performing our new song, and playing for a bunch of my friends was super sick,” Shieh said. “It was stressful at first—like a little nervous—but it all cleared up right after the first song, and the atmosphere was very chill.” While it was not his band’s first time performing in front of a crowd, Shieh said he loves playing music at his own school and performing original music. “We’ve played at the Austin Rodeo two times and a few restaurants like Tamale House and Freddo’s ATX,” Shieh said. Shieh and his band will be back performing at school at the upcoming first annual McCallum Art Party fundraiser on Feb. 22. Caption by Nate Williams.
Battle of the Bands brings Mac musicians together
April 10, 2025
Junior Paige Mitchell leaps during group performance for Blue Brigade's annual show-off held last Wednesday commencing the contest season.
Twirl, leap and spin into contest season
April 4, 2025
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: Senior Sasha Grapko is highlighted on stage by a spotlight during the McCallum Youth Dance Company show this past Thursday and Friday at the AISD PAC. The company put in tireless efforts to make the show a reality with late rehearsals and all-day preparations at the PAC in the days leading up to the show. The show was unique with multiple ensembles performing throughout the night. Since the company consists of students ranging from their freshmen to senior years, the dances vary in complexity which created a balance throughout the program over the two days. Overall, the efforts of the dancers and choreographers paid off, and the show was a success. As Grapko is shining above, every McCallum dancer was able to highlight their commitment to the program with their performances. Caption by Arwen Petellier. Photo by Adele Seeboth
McCallum Youth Dance Company delivers ‘moving’ showcase
March 27, 2025
Center Stage ended the year with their spring performance on Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 15. The show included solos by seniors who sang, danced and played instruments.
Spring Center Stage Show Expands to Include Senior Solos
May 7, 2025
SF's Cherry Blossom Festival
SF’s Cherry Blossom Festival
April 29, 2025
Anti-Elon Musk protestors continue their push to raise awareness about their opinions and beliefs.
Local Tesla Protests
April 29, 2025
Spring Break Trip to Belize
April 22, 2025
Scrambling for eggs? Not here: A looking inside the Masters Dining Hall
April 17, 2025
The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO
The best stories being published on the SNO Sites network

Best of SNO
All content by Beatrix Lozach
Michael Reeves, Ava Weaver, Erick Garcia, Faye Zayed, Charlotte Schwarte, Elizabeth Yowell and David Doerr represented New Voices Texas at the Capitol on March 17, lobbying with state legislative offices for passage of HB 4821.

Austin-area student journalists seek legislative support for student press freedom

By Beatrix Lozach, McCallum High School
April 10, 2025
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: Senior Sasha Grapko is highlighted on stage by a spotlight during the McCallum Youth Dance Company show this past Thursday and Friday at the AISD PAC. The company put in tireless efforts to make the show a reality with late rehearsals and all-day preparations at the PAC in the days leading up to the show. The show was unique with multiple ensembles performing throughout the night. Since the company consists of students ranging from their freshmen to senior years, the dances vary in complexity which created a balance throughout the program over the two days. Overall, the efforts of the dancers and choreographers paid off, and the show was a success. As Grapko is shining above, every McCallum dancer was able to highlight their commitment to the program with their performances. Caption by Arwen Petellier. Photo by Adele Seeboth

McCallum Youth Dance Company delivers ‘moving’ showcase

By Daniela Di-Capua, Carson Duncan, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, Piper Norfolk, Arwen Pelletier, Callen Romell, Chloe Seckar-Martinez, Maya Tackett, Fletcher Vandegrift, and Nate Williams
March 27, 2025
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 it's 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.

Mac celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

By JoJo Barnard, Shila Gill, Evelyn Jenkins, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Josie Mullan, and Alice Scott
January 12, 2024
WATER BALLOONS AND SMILES: Senior Peer Assistance and Leadership program member Jude Masoni holds up his fellow PAL, senior David Herring, as a human shield to protect himself from the path of an incoming water balloon. Students paid to throw a balloon at the PALS on Tuesday as part of the shooting PAL-ery, one of the Pink Week fundraisers intended to raise money for the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Central Texas, an Austin-based non-profit that provides personalized support to those affected by breast cancer.  Year after year the PALS put on Pink Week in order to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The PALS put on a variety of different events the whole week at lunch in hopes of both bringing in profits and bringing an exciting week of fun to the McCallum community.    Herring was made a target of the water balloon by his cross country teammates. “I enjoyed seeing my teammates coming out to donate as I was telling them about it the week prior,” Herring said. “I was also just having fun on that nice day with my fellow PALS. Some of them that did the pallery that day, like Jude, I’ve known since elementary school.” Caption by Chloe Lewcock with reporting by JoJo Barnard.

Pink Week soars to new fund-raising heights

By Sutton Banning, JoJo Barnard, Olivia Dungan, Carlo Hinsdale, Chloe Lewcock, Beatrix Lozach, Helen Martin, and Olin Michalovic
October 31, 2023
Load More Stories