• 12/3-12/6 - STAAR Exam Retakes
  • 11/25-11/29 Thanksgiving Break
  • 11/22 Diversity Club Blood Drive
The student news site of McNeil High School

The Trailblazer
The student news site of McNeil High School

The Trailblazer
The student news site of McNeil High School

The Trailblazer
Nikolas Russell

Nikolas Russell, Editor-in-Chief

I am Nikolas Russell and this is my third year on the Trailblazer staff. I work as a reporter and Editor-In-Chief for the 2024-2025 school year. I have attended UIL for feature writing twice and made regional once. When I’m outside of school, I am either working my job at Whataburger or working out at the YMCA. I’m looking forward to a new and improved Trailblazer this year!

All content by Nikolas Russell
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

2024 Live Election Coverage

Cooper Seaver and Nikolas Russell
November 5, 2024
Simple Diwali Presentation in Purple and Blue Colourful Style (1500 x 1000 px)

[Photo] Student Holiday Reserved for Celebration of Diwali

Daniela Corral, Reporter
October 30, 2024
Historia de Instagram Votacion Argentina Votos Minimalista Blanco (1500 x 1000 px)

[Photo] Why it is Important to Vote in the Upcoming 2024 Presidential Election

Sarah Carlile, Reporter
October 11, 2024
Senior Maxine Olson pays attention in her AP art class. Maxine said filling in the gaps of what she didn't hear and working in a group is the most difficult part of learning without an interpreter. "It's kind of frustrating when you're in a group full of kids and you're trying to hear what they say, there's other students talking in their groups and it's just so many people talking at once," Maxine said. "Our technology, hearing aids and the Cochlear implant can only do so much."

The Sound of Silence

Nikolas Russell, Editor-in-Chief
October 11, 2024
World Deaf Day (1)

[Photo] World Deaf Day to Celebrate Deaf Culture in Austin

Harper Poore, Sports Editor
September 26, 2024
Services of the ASL 3 and 4 classes have been metaphorically "cut." The classes have previously worked within the deaf ed program, including last year's deaf ed Halloween party.

[Photo] Overabundance of Students Causes ASL Three and Four to be cut

Amanda Beeler, Reporter
September 26, 2024
Varsity Football Throttles Rival Westwood Warriors in District Opener

Varsity Football Throttles Rival Westwood Warriors in District Opener

Nikolas Russell, Editor-in-Chief
September 19, 2024
Swim and Dive Take Home Win at Lake Travis/Rouse Tri-Meet with 83 Personal Records

Swim and Dive Take Home Win at Lake Travis/Rouse Tri-Meet with 83 Personal Records

Nikolas Russell, Editor-in-Chief
September 19, 2024
On Sept. 5 at the varsity game against Lake Belton High School, junior Jarrell Gary celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the 4th quarter. Gary says that he sees that his team is excited and knows that he made a good play but still needs to keep up the good work. “ After the play, I talked to my offensive coordinator and we ended up getting a flag because of my celebration but the game still had to go on.”

Varsity Football Loses in Second Overtime Thriller of the Season

Nikolas Russell, Editor in Chief
September 11, 2024
Junior Jacorian Hubbard, and Senior Nwadike Nwosu stand in passing from coming off the field. Hubbard said coming off the field was pretty overwhelming since he was trying to focus on what to do on and off the field, fitting alignments listening to the coaches, and being able to adapt to everything going on around him.

Varsity Football Look to Make Comeback Close Loss to Weiss

Joey Shanks and Nikolas Russell
September 4, 2024
MavTheatre Welcomes New Head of Technical Theatre and Associate Director

MavTheatre Welcomes New Head of Technical Theatre and Associate Director

Aariz Anas, Cooper Seaver, Karl Reddick, Nikolas Russell, and Joey Shanks
August 29, 2024
Edwards first came to the C-Wing hallways to help clean up a puddle, and stayed as the issue continued.

Circuit Issue Leaves Classes Without Power, AC

Nikolas Russell, Editor-in-Chief
August 15, 2024
IB informational meeting flyer

IB Diploma Programme To Hold Information Meeting

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
April 25, 2024
Black Country, New Road Delights at First Headline Performance in Austin

Black Country, New Road Delights at First Headline Performance in Austin

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
April 21, 2024
Photos courtesy of the Blanton website.

Ten Indoor Prom Photography Opportunities

Hannah Bland, Cooper Seaver, Nikolas Russell, Harper Poore, Haley Wolsieffer, Scout Bradley, Daniela Corral, and Olivia West
April 19, 2024
MavTheatre Hosts First ‘Miscast’ Show

MavTheatre Hosts First ‘Miscast’ Show

Cooper Seaver and Nikolas Russell
February 15, 2024
Girls Soccer Loses 0-3 Against Round Rock

Girls Soccer Loses 0-3 Against Round Rock

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
February 8, 2024
“We played a different zone this time,” Greene said. “We took care of the ball better, we gave up 80 points the first time we played Manor and only 60 [this time]. If you play better defense, you give yourself more of a chance to win.”

McNeil Suffers Close Loss to Manor, 62-64

Alyssa Perera and Nikolas Russell
January 29, 2024

Philosophy Teaches Moral Messages Through Simple Medium

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
November 27, 2023
"We have it on this table and we look at it every time we walk out," sophomore Jarrell Gary said. "It just gives us motivation to keep working harder because we want to we definitely want to get another gold trophy."

Varsity Football Makes Playoffs for First Time in 19 Years

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
November 17, 2023
@mcneilpublications on Instagram.

Picture Retakes Oct. 20 During All Lunches

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
October 20, 2023
McNeil Publications pose with awards won at TAJE

McNeil Publications Attends TAJE Fall Fiesta

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
October 16, 2023
Image from @mcneilpublications Instagram.

C-Day This Friday

Nikolas Russell and Sarah Carlile
October 11, 2023
Junior Madilyn Albarado crosses the final stretch of a race with her still healing left foot.

Junior Speeds Through With One Shoe

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
October 6, 2023
Coach Greene palms a basketball for only 5 seconds. He broke his pinky in his senior year of college. "I don't have the same strength in my hand," Greene said. "I used to be able to palm a ball, I can barely palm a ball now because I can't extend my fingers the way I used to."

A Basketball Guy

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
September 21, 2023
Photo courtesy to Jason Dimiceli.

Juiceland Introduces the MAV Mode

Nikolas Russell, Life & Arts Editor
September 15, 2023
Faculty's Favorite Films

Faculty’s Favorite Films

Nikolas Russell, Reporter
April 10, 2023
Her Name is Brianna Ghey

Her Name is Brianna Ghey

Nikolas Russell, Reporter
March 1, 2023
Harrison, Emily and Robbie "Bee" Lofton pose together in the snow.

The Loftons Discover a New Hope

Nikolas Russell, Reporter
February 17, 2023
“Something Rotten” becomes a McNeil Musical to Remember

“Something Rotten” becomes a McNeil Musical to Remember

Nikolas Russell, Reporter
January 23, 2023
College Football Playoff Outlook

College Football Playoff Outlook

Nikolas Russell, Reporter
December 2, 2022

PAC Parking Problems

Nikolas Russell, Reporter
October 11, 2022
Load More Stories
Donate to The Trailblazer
$420
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal