Volume 27 Issue 3

c o p p e l l s t u d e n t m e d i a . c o m Volume 27 | Issue 3 | December 2015

Find out how El Ni単o is projected to impact Coppell this snowy season Page 12-13

INSIDE Teacher of the Year

The Dramacast

The Nutcracker

Kirk Richardson is announced as the 2015-2016 CHS Teacher of the Year PAGE 5

CHS students show their love for theater through podcasts on all things drama related PAGE 10

Visions of sugar plums become reality for sixth grader Lauren Chamberlin PAGE 14

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

Teacher of the Issue

Watkins ignites a passion for math by taking a look from a different perspective

written by Tanya Raghu Staff Writer @tanya_raghu

Even after following his calling to pursue a liberal arts degree, Mr. John Watkins found himself in the field of mathematics, along with teaching passion to help affix math into his students for the rest of their lives.

After graduating from Baylor University, Watkins immediately started a career in teaching literature, history, theology and logic with his Philosophy degree but after school, he would tutor students in math and realized that it was the highlight of his day.

“Math has always been my favorite subject,” Watkins said. “I started out in college in engineering and math but I got really bored so I decided to something different.”

Dedicating his time to allow students to question everything, Watkins strives to make every student understand the challenging aspects of high school math.

“He is able to connect with the students on a more personal level and make math photo by Alexandra Dalton less boring,” Coppell High School sophomore Sarah Powell said.

Coppell High School geometry teacher John Watkins Known for his charm to set a laidback reviews right triangles with practice work on Dec. tone in his classroom, his students rarely 9. Watkins started his career teaching literature, feel disinterested in the tedious world of history, theology and logic with his philosophy degree math. from Baylor University but soon learned he enjoyed “I try to set a lighthearted and humorteaching his favorite subject more. ous environment if and when possible but

still structured,” Watkins said. “You can ask my kids I try to tell a lot of jokes, even if they are not good jokes. I just try to light it up because you know math can be a little dry.”

Preaching the importance of collaboration, Watkins is supportive of discussion between peers when solving class work materials in order to foster individual thinking and problem solving skills, crucial for the real world.

Having a teacher who puts themselves in the students’ shoes is the most effective and understanding to high school students.

In the classroom, Watkins is not only portrayed as a teacher but a friend as well.

“It is laid back but he also has strict rules,” Powell said. “If we respect him then he will respect us back.”

By interpersonally relating to students, the trust and respect abundant in Watkins’ classroom fosters an environment where students are assured that mistakes are allowed and questions are encouraged.

Watkins was drawn to Coppell because his wife graduated from CHS in 2004. It is his second year at CHS and seventh year in the field of education. Outside of school, he enjoys the community events and you can often find him at Andy Brown park.

“I had some amazing professors and teachers in high school that taught me how to think and get that lightbulb moment that changed my life,” Watkins said. “I wanted to help people see what my teachers helped me see.”

KCBY wins Pacemaker; highest honor in high school journalism written by Tanya Raghu Student Life Editor @tanya_raghu Nearing the conclusion of a lengthy awards ceremony in the ballroom at the Dolphin Hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort, KCBY-TV adviser Irma Kennedy heard words she will not likely forget.

“You kind of hope that they see what you saw and when they did, I remember shaking,” Kennedy said.

Often referred to as the “Pulitzer Prize” of high school journalism, the National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker award is the most prestigious honor in the field of high school media.

“Everyone was jumping up and down and running to get the award, there were tears, it was a very emotional experience,” Wecker said.

Shows edited, produced, filmed and planned solely by students have to meet the marks of a team of professional judges who evaluate shows on production value, coverage, storytelling, editing and leadership.

On Nov. 15 during the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Orlando, Fla., Coppell High School’s very own student broadcasting station, KCBY-TV won a Broadcast Pacemaker, the first in the program’s history.

KCBY-TV is one of three programs nationwide to win a Pacemaker in the weekly broadcast division.

KCBY was nominated along with six others in the nation, being the only school

in Texas this year, and a first time honor for the program, nothing could make the award more sweet.

Kennedy remembers thinking that winning a Pacemaker would be a great goal to have but only submitted a show two years ago, bringing prompt results.

“I’m really proud of what the kids were able to do, it was a solid show and it’s nice to have that confirmation from somebody else,” Kennedy said.

KCBY senior program director Nick Wilson felt as if winning the award was a feasible goal after scouting the competition.

“I was a little bit nervous about if we would actually get first place and win the Pacemaker but it was really cool when we did,” Wilson said.

Stories featured during the show included: horse therapy for a special needs child, “Lion King” play adaptation at Coppell Middle School West (CMSW), Cowgirls soccer winning the state championship and a feature on Cam McDaniels, a CHS alumnus and Dallas Cowboys rookie camp participant.

The show topped off with a inspirational clip highlighting CHS students embracing their passions and encouraged other students to do the same. “...for [CHS] its just another feather in our hat but the bigger picture is that [KCBY] will get the recognition that they deserve,” said Melissa Arnold, CHS assistant principal “This shows everything we have always known.”

Senior program director Kiley Wecker

photo courtesy Barbara

Wilson Coppell High School KCBY TV wins a NSPA Broadcast Pacemaker on Nov. 14 at the National Scholastic Press Association conference. A pacemaker is the highest honor in high school journalism. thinks the award is not only earned from the dedication of the students.

“We are so lucky to have a teacher who has put so much in to the program to make it great,” Wecker said.

Changes to the KCBY program were made about three years ago to make the program nationally recognized.

“Our production value is excellent; we are very fortunate that the school supports us tremendously,” Kennedy said. “We have begun a shift that the story has be as good as the production value if not better.”

Wilson agrees that the technical craft of professionalism has been perfected but the program has learned to master the art of reporting and finding the personal stories.

Along with the Pacemaker award, Wil-

son and 2015 graduate Hailey Hess were nominated for their work on “Spirit Horse” for the NSPA Best Broadcast Feature Wilson holds himself up to high expectations as his piece was awarded fourth place.

Winning the Pacemaker is one of the most momentous events in KCBY’s program history and highlights of KCBY staffers high school careers.

Scan to watch KCBY’s winning segment.

THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

District moves forward with bond plans

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Coppell Middle School West faces possible renovation into ninth grade center written by Aisha Espinosa Staff Writer @aishaespinosa1 Currently, Coppell High School has roughly 3,200 students, resulting in crowded hallways and some classes with upwards of 40 students. By the 2018-19 school year, enrollment is expected to rise to 3,600 students, and in the 202021 school year, enrollment is projected to reach 3,900 students.

While accommodating close to 4,000 students at the CHS campus may be possible, there is a strong recommendation against it by various district officials because of parking and overcrowding issues. To deal with the growing population of students, the Coppell Independent School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting in October. They unanimously approved six recommendations given by the district staff, and have started to plan for a possible bond election in May 2016.

However, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Services Sid Grant, nothing is definite at this point.

“The Board will have to make that final decision and will have to hold the bond election to pay for the cost of making renovations, should they choose to make [CMSW] into a ninth grade center,” Grant said.

An architectural firm, Stantec, Inc. has been approved as the lead architecture and engineering firm for any bond projects that will need an architecture design.

“We have our architects working with a committee of teachers that will decide what that kind of needs to look like,” Grant said. “The fine arts-- like band, choir and drama area-- would likely be

renovated, and probably increased in size.

Overall, the CMSW building would require more space, including an increased number of classrooms, science labs and an increase in the size of the cafeteria.

“We’ve had four bond tours c o m e

graphic by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

through the school to look at the facilities and assess what the campus would possibly need,” CMSW Principal Emily Froese said. “Some of the possible modifications include updates to the science labs, since the campus is not equipped for high school science courses.”

Other recommendations p r e - sented to the Board: to build new

CMSW in Cypress Waters, to add on t o CMSE to deal with population growth, to authorize dollars in the bond election for a solution to growth in elementary schools and to allow a community bond committee to analyze and recommend all other renovation, technology and Student Support Services Solutions.

The first recommendation stems from the original plan to consider New Tech High@Coppell as a site for a ninth grade center. However, the existing campus of CMSW was ultimately con-

sidered as a much better site, as NTH@C would require more parking spots and renovations.

The CMSW campus was also considered ideal because it has a good existing space for drama, band, choir and athletics programs. With renovations to the current space, the new ninth grade center would be able to accommodate 1,200 students.

CHS Principal Mike Jasso also hopes that if a ninth grade center were constructed, it would help to alleviate some of the traffic problems that have recently arisen.

“One of the reasons that West was considered a viable option is because there’s no alternative to build another exit or entry onto the [CHS] campus as it is,” Jasso said. “So the fact that we’re already overcrowded and we anticipate getting more and more students would only make that problem worse.”

Jasso also stated that a ninth grade center could help middle schoolers with the transition to high school. According to the statistics Jasso has considered, a better freshman year has led to a better overall high school experience, which Jasso is hoping to help his students achieve.

“In a lot of districts, like Lewisville, they have used the ninth grade center concept to give an additional step of support to ninth graders,” Jasso said. “If we can get you [students] to be successful freshman year, your chances for graduating successfully from high school are a lot stronger than if you struggle your freshman year.”

photo by

Amanda Hair

The plans for Coppell Middle School West’s closing could result in a possible addition to CMS East to account for future school growth. Renovations would be made to Coppell Middle School East to accommodate for hundreds of new students.

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

New perspective after house fire Egan and four roommates face reconstruction after posessions, memories burn written by Kathyrn Rudd Staff Writer @rudd_kathryn Everyday we walk into our homes and see the little things that have become a part of an insignificant background in our lives. The sculpture you made in your third grade art class sitting on a shelf fades, you look past picture frames and the sock peeking out from under the couch is forgotten. We are so accustomed to what we see in our homes, sometimes we forget that in an instant it can all be taken away.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 357,000 house fires a year. The realities of this were experienced by one of Coppell High School’s own Spanish and French teachers, Michael Egan. On Saturday Nov. 21, Egan was at a friend’s house when a phone call turned his world upside down.

“I got a call from my roommate at around 5:45 a.m. and she was very emotional but [I could understand] enough to the point where she said the house was on fire,” Egan said. “I rushed over and by the time I got to my house the entire house was engulfed in flames. It destroyed everything.”

Soon after, 604 W. Sycamore St. in Denton was not much of a house anymore. The fire department believes it was a gas leak that led to the fire because of the old infrastructures in the Denton communities.

“It was a very surreal feeling. Just watching all your things [burn]-- there are memories in those certain things in the home where you live,” Egan said. “So just watching that crumble in front of you is a little breathtaking and it takes you back and puts a lot of things in perspective. All of us were in shock.”

Egan lives with four roommates, all of whom are finishing school. Portfolios, homework, computers and notes were all ruined in the fire. Five lives were greatly affected and although the unexpected tragedy certainly shook them up, the amount of support from the Coppell and Denton communities reminds them that they have people to fall back on.

“I’ve never experienced a life tragedy such as this,” Egan said. “So to see that type of support is very overwhelming and very humbling. I have a lot of friends who have taken me into their homes. It’s very humbling to see that.”

Egan is not the only one in the Coppell

community that has been affected by such an unexpected incident like this one. Eight months ago, algebra teacher Jennifer Flores also experienced a house fire.

“Things still haven’t truly gotten back to normal,” Flores said. “It took about two months for things to start to feel a little more normal and for us to get back into a smooth daily routine. The stress of the fire is still present daily, especially because repairs have not been completed and we don’t feel at home in our current residence.”

But despite the past couple of months, Flores’ family also relieved support from the school as well.

“The support from Coppell High School was truly unbelievable. Everyone was so supportive and really helped my family get back on our feet,” Flores said.

Egan and his roommates have set up a GoFundMe and in just 14 days they have raised over $4,500 with a goal of $10k.

They still have a long way to go but Egan is determined to keep them together once they know their next step.

“The plan is still we definitely want to live together,” Egan said. “To us it’s not like ‘oh you’re my roommate’. We’re a very special group of friends who have really turned into a little family,” said Egan.

Egan has not hid what has happened to him from the Coppell community and the support from within the school is just as astounding.

“There has been a major outpouring of support for Mr. Egan and that’s been really cool to see,” sophomore Jennifer Nachazel said. “I think we’re also glad that no one got hurt.”

Although the support from Denton and Coppell has made it easier to find peace for the future, the effects of the incident have not quite settled.

“It’s still very fresh, so I don’t know the extent of what I’ve lost quite yet, so I’m afraid as I go out I’m going to want to use something but then I’ll remember ‘oh right it burned’,” Egan said. “So it’s still very raw.”

Anyone who has ever talked with or seen Egan teach knows he is a upbeat, passionate man and he is keeping those qualities close to him as time goes on.

“I’ve always subscribed to this belief: positivity is power,” Egan said. “Oddly enough there is some good that is going to come out of this. I’ve seen some already, but just the good in knowing that the support is there for me when I need it. It’s sad that it took this for me to know it but now I have that it there.”

photos courtesy Michael

Egan

On Nov. 21 Spanish and French teacher Michael Egan’s house at 604 Sycamore St. in Denton was engulfed in flames likely in result to a gas leak. Everything within the house was destroyed.

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december 2015

Richardson named Coppell High School’s Teacher of the Year

photos by Mallorie

Munoz

written by Pranathi Chitta Staff Writer @ prannydacheetah Cheers and Coppell High School drumline were heard through the halls for the Teacher of the Year this morning. AP Calculus teacher Kirk Richardson has been awarded Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016.

“I’m feeling so happy,” Richardson said. “I’m thankful for the great administration we have here and the teachers are awesome here.”

Richardson has taught calculus at CHS for 17 years and this is the first time he has been awarded the accolade.

“You get excited and hopeful, but there are some good teachers who were nominated and you look at that and you don’t want to get your hopes up because there’s so many good teachers on that list,” said Richardson’s wife Sunny Richardson, digital curator at Coppell Middle School West and former CHS teacher. “He just loves his kids. It’s been very exciting.”

According to many students, Richardson is the reason they look forward to the class and his manner of teaching only motivates them more. ““He’s very genuine cause he actually wants you to learn so it’s not for the grade, so you’ll actually feel motivated to learn,” senior Aisha Khan said. “Whenever you go up to him to ask him a question he’s always willing and motivated to answer it.”

Even for Richardson, teaching has not been considered a job, but rather something he enjoys doing everyday.

“I come here for the students,” Richardson said. “Work for me is something I enjoy coming to: bonding with students and connecting with them is something I enjoy.”

Even other administrators have noticed how much Richardson’s students enjoy his teaching style and the reason why they love him so much.

“We are very excited that Mr. Richardson was able to win this award,” Assistant Principal Sean Bagley said. “He’s a very deserving man and he does an outstanding job in the classroom. And the way he can bring calculus alive to his students is just amazing.”

Although administrators and family had to keep the secret of the news, Richardson knew nothing of it and was thoroughly surprised.

“He cares for his students,” senior Veena Suthendran said. “He’s one of the few teachers here I feel that truly cares about us.”

above: Calculus teacher and coach Kirk Richardson is the 2015-16 Coppell High School Teacher of the Year. His family came to congratulate him on the award.“I come here for the students. It’s not even a job. It’s something I enjoy coming here for.

Work, for me, is something I enjoy coming to” Richardson said. left: Coppell High School calculus teacher and coach Kirk Richardson is announced the CHS Teacher of the Year on Friday during second period.

Richardson was awarded a plaque and a reserved parking space in the parking lot.

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

EDITORIAL

PEACE of mind

In the past year and a half, many protests in the name of racial justice have occurred throughout cities in America, some peaceful and some violent.

In Chicago, peaceful protests took place after the release of a video in which a police officer, Jason Van Dyke, unnecessarily shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times throughout his body. The backlash from the city has been primarily nonviolent, with reports of protesters walking and even chatting with policemen, despite the fact it was a police officer who murdered Mcdonald.

In contrast, the riots in Baltimore have exponents that cite the same cause: respect for black-American lives and an end to police brutality, but have chosen a different route.

In Baltimore, businesses and vehicles have been damaged and drugstores looted by protesters all in the name of justice.

How change can genuinely be implemented is vital to today’s climate, and we find ourselves seeing two options: violence or peace. The answer is not clear for all.

Why do protesters resort to riots?

The answer to us was simple; violence attracts attention. When considering the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, it was not until protests became violent that it hit national news. Protesters began gathering following the death of Mike Brown, who was shot and killed by a police officer in August 2014.

When riots erupted following a ruling that no trial will be held for the policeman at fault, the whole nation heard about it.

As a result of the overwhelming civil unrest, a trial was eventually held. The trial’s outcome was not the one hoped for, but the protesters got their trial. Rioting, in a sense, was successful.

Even Martin Luther King Jr., a protestor associated with peace, can admit that “A riot is the language of the unheard.” It is important to remember why protests escalate to violence, and the context of the situation.

On the other hand, there have been many peaceful protests that brought success as well.

Protests such as Mohandas Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s were all eventually successful in accomplishing their desired goals. What makes these two movements similar? Peaceful protests.

The civil rights movement led a series of peaceful marches, the most famous one being the March on Washington, and boycotts. The civil rights movement did not come to a close until the Civil Rights Act of 1968 was signed, 13 years after the movement began. As we can now see, we have come a long way since the 1960s with the help of the noble protests of citizens who demanded equality. Additionally, the movement that Gandhi started was impossible without peace, given Gandhi’s support of pacifism. Peaceful protests and boycotts

by Indian citizens eventually, 40 years later, gained them freedom.

These two movements provide great evidence in protesting through peace, rather than violence.

Pacifism vs. aggression: deciding which is correct

In places like Chicago and Baltimore, where police brutality is protested, those who demand change should look back and see how effective they can truly be.

Violence might not always achieve the intended effect. And peaceful protests in history have proven to have their demands met after long periods of time. It is arguable both forms of protests are lacking in areas. Violent protest is destructive, and potentially dangerous to bystanders, and as seen in Ferguson, does not always reap the full desired outcome. As for peaceful protests, the demands of the protests seem to take far longer to be met. Both protests have pros and cons. It is difficult to definitely say one form of protest is better than the other.

For many of us on staff, we implore anyone who desires change within our society to find a way to do so peacefully. However cliche “peace, not violence,” may sound, it is important to understand why such a phrase exists.

Others believe that rioting is justified when racial justice is at stake.

For many, it seems like violence may be the only option, but violence tends to always be a form of retribution. So, we ask that anyone who considers violence to be circumspect, and understand that break-

ing the law is a serious offense and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Peace is always the better option, but when violence is used, many should understand why.

The Sidekick is the student newspaper for Coppell High School and is published six times per school year.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Adviser

Communications Manager

Chase Wofford Editor-in-Chief

Rachel Buigas-Lopez Managing Editor

Mallorie Munoz Managing Editor

Joseph Krum Managing Editor

Sloane Samberson

EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP News Editor

Sakshi Venkatraman Editorial Page Editor

Emma Cummins Student Life Editor

Amy Roh

Webmaster and Graphics Editor

Manu Garikipati Sports Editor

Marcus Krum

Shannon Morgan

STAFF WRITERS

T.J. Andres Gracie Blackwell Victor Carrasco Eric Cashimere Pranathi Chitta Avery Davis Favor Emenyi Aisha Espinosa Valeria Gil de Leyva Elena Gillis Nicolas Henderson Meara Isenberg Jesse Jun Jamie Kimbrell Wren Lee

Lili Lomas Farah Merchant Lina Pyon Tanya Raghu Thomas Rousseau Kathryn Rudd Gabby Sahm Alex Smith Grant Spicer Meha Srivastav Jasmine Sun Briana Thomas Chisom Ukoha Reid Valentine Kathryn Wiener

PHOTOGRAPHERS Chelsea Banks Sruthi Boppuri Ale Ceniceros Alexandra Dalton Riley Galloway Amanda Hair Dani Ianni Ayoung Jo Kelly Monaghan Aubrie Sisk Jennifer Su Maggie Theel Megan Winkle

DESIGNERS

Austin Banzon

The newspaper is a member of National Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The editorials and columns presented in this paper reflect the views of their student writers and not Coppell High Schoool or Coppell Independent School District.

Adverstisements are sold as full, 1/2 page, 1/4 page and 1/8 page sizes in black and white or color.

The Sidekick welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters can be emailed to cwofford@coppellisd.com or delivered to the D115 newsroom at Coppell High School. A current email address and first and last name for the writer must be included for the letter to be considered for publication.

Contact The Sidekick: 214-496-6239 cwofford@coppellisd.com 185 W. Parkway Coppell, TX 75019

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

You’re gonna go far, kid

Math and science are not the only indication of Intelligence

written by Emma Cummins Editorial Page Editor At Coppell High School, we are recognized for our academic rigor. While CHS may offer students an excellent education, this however, does not mean that the areas of emphasis within the school are balanced.

The maths and sciences are especially emphasized, one could even say that they overshadow the importance of the humanities. For a student who enjoys English and history, and has a distaste for mathematics and science, I can say with certainty that as a CHS student, excelling in history and English is not a highly valued skill.

It feels that sometimes, unless you are advanced in math or science, then your intelligence is not on par with others, regardless of your other talents.

English and history seem to have taken a backseat in the classroom. The value of reading a book, or learning about an important event in the vast seems to have depreciated over the years. Instead, taking the hardest math class, or the most challenging science, is the ideal for every student.

Sometimes, the school seems to impose a one size fits all for students, which is both unrealistic and damaging to a student.

Being a junior at CHS has given me the opportunity to experience the program from a student’s point of view. However, my first two years at CHS are quite different from this year.

As a sophomore, all I had seen was other students in my grade get a free ride in English and history, while advancing in math and science classes that were partic-

ularly difficult. Being someone who enjoys English and history, I felt that I was not being challenged at all.

However, after joining the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, it was a completely different experience. Although everyone is required to take the same classes in IB, talents in English and history feel valued.

Although there is still the pressure to be good at a science or math, IB is slowly teaching students to cultivate themselves beyond the classroom. English and history are now as challenging as the other IB classes, which feels much more balanced than what I have been accustomed to.

IB demonstrates the value of understanding that there are multiple ways in which a person can be intelligent.

One that is often forgotten is emotional intelligence. You can go through high school with a high GPA, A’s in your classes, but be unable to succeed in the real world.

Why? Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is often considered to be more valuable than a person’s Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

Studies show that 90 percent of top performers have a high EQ, 58 percent of a person’s EQ is responsible for his or her job performance and people with a high EQ make $29,000 more annually than their low EQ counterpart.

These statistics only show that having a high EQ can be vastly more important than one’s raw IQ. School may only value a student’s intelligence when it comes to grades, but it is important to take into account the value of being able to handle people well.

You can drain yourself, getting the highest GPA in the school, but in the process forget to cultivate social skills and emotional intelligence, which is a valuable counterpart to success. So this is a reminder to everyone at CHS: even if you may have talents that do not involve a math

or science, or any class that counts toward your GPA, this does not make your intelligence any less valuable than a more traditional student.

While there is a lot to be recognized when it comes to intelligence in math and science, and people who excel in those fields are extremely valuable to society and CHS. But, this should not overshadow the importance of students who excel in other subjects, whether it be English, history or an extracurricular. Students who can handle other students diplomatically may have an equal chance, or even more, when it comes to succeeding in the real world.

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

Knowledge of presidential candidates is essential Name recognition not enough to cast an educated vote

written by Nicolas Henderson Staff Writer @happenstance98 As seniors are preparing to end their high school careers and move on into the real world, the end of their school days come at an important time in American history, as a historic presidential race is currently unfolding.

For most seniors, next year’s November election will be a student’s first presidential election to be able to vote in. It is a pretty good one to start with. In this current election cycle we have two women running, a businessman/reality T.V. host (I bet you can’t guess who this is), a socialist (democratic socialist, if we are getting technical), as well as some familiar faces and names from the political field.

Growing up my whole life in Coppell, I know the local political climate pretty well. I also know that in the past, fellow students lack of knowledge of politics and current events can be startling, to say the least. To their credit, there was not an urgent need for them to know that type of information. But now that we are representing our country’s voice and actions, it is time that we start paying attention to politics. We need to decide for ourselves who we think will help improve ourselves and our country for years to come.

With that said, I decided to ask some of my peers the names of the candidates they know are running from either party. In some senses, the results were exactly what I was expecting. In other cases though, the results tell an interesting tale of the candidate’s electability amongst an often overlooked age group by the media.

In the now very small Democratic field, the results

were about what I expected. The party’s current frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, was a familiar name to all 24 Coppell High School seniors that were polled. Bernie Sanders, the socialist underdog came in a close second, with 21 out of 24 students recognizing his name. Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland, was the least recognized name of the three democratic candidates, with only seven knowing his name.

Much like the party itself, the Republican candidates name recognition was a lot more divided, and in some cases surprising.

Businessman Donald Trump was a name known to all 24 students polled, not surprisingly. What did surprise me though was who came in second. It was not Trump’s closest opponent Ben Carson, but rather Jeb Bush, with 19 out of 24 students knowing him, despite the fact that he is only polling at 4% nationally and is struggling to win over the younger population.

Ben Carson tied for third with Marco Rubio, arguably the Sanders of the Republican party with his younger support base, with 15 students knowing their names. Senator Ted Cruz came in fourth right behind Carson with 14 students knowing his name. The rest of the party told a story of candidates struggling to connect with young adult voters, with even former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina not making double digits in my poll.

I think the media will be surprised by the impact that current high school seniors will have on this election, which is why everyone needs to vote, no matter who you are voting for. Along with voting, it is also important to educate yourself on the candidates and vote for who you truly think will help the people of America. The fact that every single person I polled knows Trump and Clinton worries me that these two will earn votes just for being Trump and Clinton, which is almost certainly the case already. Vote for Trump and Clinton because you agree with their ideas for America, not because of their name.

Whoever you vote for, educate yourself. Just because you hear their name a lot does not necessarily mean they will embody your personal views as president.

graphic by Rachel

Buigas-Lopez

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

High school survivial 101 How to stay calm under extenuating circumstances

written by Sakshi Venkatraman News Editor @oompapa1 With winter break on the horizon, it seems as if our minds are too occupied with visions of sugarplums to comprehend any type of workload that is thrust upon us.

For me and a lot of others, this time of year comes with the least amount of motivation of any other.

High school, in general, can take quite a toll on the human psyche from beginning to end. Many who set their goals on success lose their personalities and humanity to their academic performance. Losing yourself to the harsh environment can be all too easy, especially when it seems to be the popular trajectory.

Here are a few measures you can take to make sure you stay successful while staying true to your ideals: Keep your friends close and do not be backhanded for grades. Do not lose your social life by blowing people off for homework or studying a hundred percent of the time. Staying at home to focus on homework is a smart choice a lot of the time but giving up the people who care about you for your grades is not worth it. It is a fact that cheating will be a temptation. At some point during your high school career, you will be offered answers to something you have been studying for. You will naturally want to take the individualistic path of accepting those answers without question. After all, this one test is the be-all, end-all of your life, right? When you are faced with that decision, think about the people you will be hurting if you accept.

Understand that there will be tough times and you will fail‌. a lot. This is arguably the most important point to emphasize.

At certain points in each six weeks, you will feel like

graphic by

Austin Ba

nzon

your grades are falling apart. This situation can be solved through hard work and studying, which is a pretty simple concept in itself. The hardest part to overcome is the anxiety of seeing yourself struggling and the spiral of giving up that you are so tempted to descend into. It can be all consuming, but it can be overcome with organization, studying and focus.

When you are stressed, make lists.

Call it OCD or call it organization, writing down all my tasks is almost cathartic to me. If you have a lot to do, make a list and apportion your time. That way, you will have a guideline to use your time on. It will reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Use fear of failure to your advantage. There is no time when I am more frantic than when I have an unfavorable grade in the portal. Take the energy and emotion you feel and channel it into studying. Never focus on any one grade. Do some calculations if it makes you feel better, determine the minimum score you have to make on the next test to keep your grade up in the class.

Throughout school, do something career oriented that you are passionate about. Trust me, it will keep you loving life. The temptation to stack up on as many Advanced Placement courses as possible is tempting but being career driven can serve your mental stability and your college application process.

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december 2015

FOR

PASSION PODCASTING

photo by Mallorie

Munoz

Coppell High School Seniors Reyaan Shah And Preston Straus write the content of their next podcast show on Nov. 12 in the CHS Library. “The Dramacast” is a student created podcast featuring members of the CHS Drama Club.

Shah, Straus explore lives of drama students through “The Dramacast” written by Jasmine Staff Writer @Imagipsych

Sun

Everyone called sophomore Ardi Saunders by the name “Ally” until she changed it in sixth grade. Recent graduate Michael Sheffield once rapped a song from Frozen.

Sophomore Isabelle Candler has a love for sushi.

These are some of the details revealed about members of the Coppell High School Theatre Department in “The Dramacast”, a free iTunes podcast created by seniors Reyaan Shah and Preston Straus.

Shah and Straus listened to many podcasts and thought that creating one could be a fun project. The podcast, according to Straus, is good preparation for a career in acting because it has a professional setting and requires good communication abilities.

“The purpose of ‘The Dramacast’ is to entertain, to tell people about the events that are happening in the theater department, and to get a better understanding of the people in the department,” Straus said.

“The first half of the podcast is a general discussion about

different topics, and the second half is us posing questions to the star of the month.”

The “Star of the Month” is a drama student chosen to feature in the episode. The students discuss and reply to questions about their current theater events, day-today lives, drama experiences and personal characteristics.

“The ‘Star of the Month’ has been a tradition in the Drama Club for longer than either of us have been a part of it,” Shah said. “But [Straus and I] thought it could be even neater to push it to the next level, give each star a chance to really shine in the form of a fun conversation anyone could listen to.” “[Shah and Strauss] do a great job o n the

podcast and the kids in the department get really excited to hear each program,” CHS Theatre director Lisa Tabor said.

Although none of the staff members in the theatre department are involved in the

e

y Rach

graphic b

production of “The Dramacast”, Shah and Straus are informed of upcoming events by the drama teachers and discuss these events in the podcast.

“The Dramacast” also offers an advice column for listeners. In each episode, Shah and Straus give tips for any problems submitted through a Google form.

They chose to include an advice column because in Shah’s earlier theater years, he found himself confused about the process of moving up in presence and influence.

Straus learned several pointers from his experiences that people can use to get to his level of success, so they hope to help people that have similar problems.

“The Dramacast” started in January and new episodes are uploaded once per month. There are currently four episodes.

Shah and Straus released their latest episode, “Geico”, on Nov. 11, featuring CHS junior Erin Jordan and sophomore Maddie Purser as the stars of the month, differing from previous episodes that only featured one drama student.

Purser and Jordan discussed the process of producing the most recent musical “Big Fish”, and the impact it had on them. They also discussed funny moments that happened on headset and possible future participation in stage management. “[I love] that I got to reflect on the musical in a very direct manner,” Purser said. “Instead of just focusing on miniscule details that don’t matter anymore, it let me focus on specific, important things I really enjoyed.”

Lopez l Buigas-

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015 photo by Chelsea

Banks

New

brings flying exp r e h c a er tis e t s c e, ta i le phys

written by Emma Cummins Editorial Page Editor He drives a Corvette, teaches physics, was a navigator for the Air Force and even tried owning his own business. All these characteristics are rarely connected, which is why Karl Gscheidle brings so much to the table at his first year at Coppell High School, teaching conceptual physics.

After graduating from the University of Illinois with a major in civil engineering, Gscheidle was recruited to the Air Force through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program.

“Around your age [16] I started having a dream to fly,” Gscheidle said.

“Honestly, it was a financial dream.

Commercial airline pilots do pretty well.”

This kind of blunt honesty would prove to be useful to Gscheidle, since his job as a navigator required concentration and communication. Gscheidle’s duties while on the plane were not to fly, but to direct the pilot, manage the weapons system, navigation system and defensive systems.

“We jokingly called the pilots the monkeys,” Gscheidle said. “We gave them the next piece of the banana and told them where to go.”

Gscheidle spent nine years at the Air Force but was never in direct combat.

“I never dropped a bomb in anger,” Gscheidle said while chuckling. “That was the old joke.”

However, he does have “war” stories to tell, to some extent. Gscheidle was part of operation Southern Watch, which was between Gulf War One and the Iraq War. Stationed in Kuwait, when Saddam Hussein was still in charge of Iraq, Gscheidle played a role in distributing airspace to coalition fighters in the

Kuwaiti airspace.

Gscheidle was only 27.

After his time in the Air Force, Gscheidle left after being medically disqualified to fly.

However, this would not stop Gscheidle from working a variety of jobs, from doing commercial real estate, to owning his own business.

But after the economic downturn in 2008, Gscheidle decided to try his skills at teaching.

“It was something he had talked about for a long time and other careers that he was going down the doors just kind of shut on those and opened up teaching,” Gscheidle’s wife, Anna Gscheidle said. “Since I had been a teacher, I encouraged him to consider it and he did.”

Gscheidle had also acquired a love for teaching in his Air Force days.

“When I gained experience in the [B-1 bomber], when I was one of the experienced people on the plane, I realized that I like teaching,” Gscheidle said.

Mrs. Gscheidle believes that her husband

nt s

has the necessary requirements to be a good teacher.

“What he teaches fits well with his personality,” Mrs. Gscheidle said. “He likes to understand the why’s behind problems and he likes to explain all of those things to other people.”

Gscheidle’s students also find him to be perfectly suited to teach in the classroom.

CHS junior Hannah Meehan finds that his real life experience manifests itself in the classroom.

“Whenever he shows us video of how physics applies to the real world, it really engages the class,” Meehan said.

Gscheidle’s patriotism is also evident in his teaching style.

“He always talks about how patriotic he is,” Meehan said. “He thinks that personally, he would put his kids in AP (Advanced Placement) rather than IB (International Baccalaureate), because he wants his kids to grow up in the American system.”

Gscheidle’s laid back, goofy and wise personality may not seem compatible, however his teaching endeavors and past careers seem to have set the path for such opposing characteristics to make sense together.

“I thought ‘hey this [teaching] would be a good retirement career when I made my millions,’ although I gave up on that dream shortly thereafter,” Gscheidle said with a good natured laugh. “It just kind of fell into place and I just thought ‘Hey, let’s do this now’.”

Scan here to watch Gscheidle in action

12

by Mallorie Munoz, Managing Editor, @munoz_mallorie

E d l i e c m N r o t i p r s ñ f s o u c n k l o De oole etter seas r, w

It is the most wonderful time of the year, once again.

Living in North Texas, there is nothing like the surprise waking up to snow sprinkled on the lawn.

Perhaps for students of all ages the only thing more exciting than waking up to a white Christmas is waking up to snow on a school day.

After taking the sight in, Coppell students will immediately rush to see if school has been cancelled on the Coppell ISD website, the local weather channel and most of all, Twitter.

Twitter has become an increasingly popular news source for all ages. Reporters have utilized the platform and for many, it has increased their readership and popularity. For WFAA chief meteorologist Pete Delkus, snow days have become just as thrilling for him as it is for students due to his presence on Twitter.

After a few snarky replies to a high school student on Twitter begging the weatherman to cancel school, Delkus has become a sort of Twitter icon for students in Coppell and surrounding areas, famous for his clever comebacks and tweets officially declaring school districts closed for the day.

Whenever there is inclement

weather, Delkus can be seen on social media interacting with hundreds of high school students, dishing sassy comments and creative memes.

Delkus plays along with the notion that he is the omnipotent man behind the weather.

“Oh I think it’s fun. I like doing that [tweet with students]” Delkus said.

When snow fell last March, Delkus was sure to notify students.

The tweet received over 300 retweets, 600 favorites, and plenty of replies from students in the metroplex. D e l k u s proceeded to announce every district closing following this.

Instead of turning to Delkus and begging for snow, this winter student’s pleas for snow can be answered by El Niño.

El Niño is the warming of the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean, and happens anywhere from every two to seven years. When water warms in the Pacific, it shifts the normal global weather patterns.

For Texas, this means wet and cold conditions.

This year is an El Niño year, and studies show it is the strongest one in 18 years.

“No two El Niños are exactly alike,” Delkus said.

“You should expect a cooler than normal season and wetter than normal...Will it be snowier than normal?

Yes, there’s a chance.”

Stronger El Niños tend to bring around 2.5 inches of snow, in comparison to a moderate El Niño that generally draws four inches. Although it cannot be certainly predicted, there is reason to believe that this winter will bring snow. When snowflakes begin to fall, students can count on Delkus to be present on Twitter and ready to create a few wintery memes.

“I’ll be shocked if we don’t have several snow events due to El Niño,” Delkus said.

Twitter Poll How many snow days do you think we will have this school year?

40%

Less than 2 days

44%

3-4 days

7%

5-6 days

9%

7 days

out of 45 people

13

photo by Kara

Hallam

Snow days in CISD through the years Two weather days are built into each calendar year for Coppell Independent School District. If there are two or less weather days the district does not need to apply to the state for a waiver.

This data is based on days in which CISD applied for a waiver.

2011

Feb. 3, 4 and 9 Received waiver from TEA for one day

Do you like missing school for weather days?

“[On weather days] I like not coming to school, because I like to sleep and play video games. You don’t have any work or stress.”

Brady McBride sophomore

Where do you go for your weather information?

“I like to miss school for weather days because I get to stay home and watch Netflix and just chill.”

Sophie Stancil senior

“I usually go to the app on my phone [to get weather information], and look at the weather from there.”

Rebecca Cole senior

Dec. 6, 9, and March 3 Received waiver from TEA for one day

“I like missing school for weather days because i get to play in the snow, and not come to school and have to do any work.”

Deepa Ravindra sophomore

“I use Twitter for looking up weather because it’s fast.”

David Trakhtengerts freshman

2014

2015

Feb. 23, 24, and March 5 Received waiver from TEA for one day

Waldrip on weather days Snow might mean fun for students, but for teachers and administration, it means waking up much earlier than students will to observe the weather and determine if the roads are safe for driving.

Despite students’ looking to the weather men and women like WFAA meteorologist Pete Delkus for school cancellations, it is really the Coppell ISD superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip that makes the call.

Students may not be aware of what goes on behind the scenes on a snowy school day.

“We get out and actually drive the roads and see if they’re slick,” Waldrip said.

“We’re out in the early morn-

ing hours, maybe three or four in the morning.”

Waldrip, along with any other CISD faculty involved, can be found before dawn alone on Denton Tap testing the roads for students and parents. ““It’s really not about an amount [of snow] it’s really about the condition of the roads. If the roads are slick and it is difficult to maneuver, that is when we will cancel school” Waldrip said.

As this winter rolls in, students should keep in mind their superintendent and all other CISD staff actively involved on snowy mornings and, perhaps, send them a “thank you” as well for their role in campus closings.

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december 2015

Sixth grader accomplishes dreams through performance opportunity written by Valeria Staff Writer @valeriasgil

Gil

When looking into the world of any sixth grader, you would find dresses for the school dance, pictures of Justin Bieber, and the latest collection from Justice. When looking into the world of Coppell Middle School North sixth grader Lauren Chamberlain, you would find ballet slippers, black leotards and stage lights.

Not everyone gets to accomplish a lifelong dream as an 11-year-old, but for Chamberlain, that is not the case.

“I took her to see the Moscow version of ‘The Nutcracker’ when she was four, and every year since then she’d say ‘I wanna be one of those kids on stage, I wanna be up there,” Chamberlain’s mother Michelle Chamberlain said. “So since she was four, she’s been wanting to be up on the stage with these dancers.”

For Chamberlain this dream came true when she got the part of a party child in the Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker.”

C h a m b e r-

lain signed up to audition for the Moscow Ballet last spring. She first auditioned with a group of about 40 kids, which was whittled down to 20 kids by the second cut.

Chamberlain has been preparing to achieve her goal for 10 years and was put into dance classes when she was two. She has been a part of Top Hat Dance since she was three. Ever since then, she has had no desire to do anything else.

“It was just a matter of timing and you never know when you put a kid into a sport if it’s gonna stick or if it isn’t,” Mrs. Chamberlain said. “And for her it stuck, she never wanted to do anything else.”

Chamberlain finds dancing as a way to express herself, it’s something that she has been doing since she was a little girl, and throughout the years has grown into a passion. “[I haven’t stopped dancing] mainly [because] I love it I really love being on stage and I’m not really good at singing or anything else that you’re on the stage for.

So I like that in dance you’re on stage and you don’t have to sing or anything because I’m not really good at that,” Chamberlain said.

Along the years, Chamberlain has received support from her mother, dance teachers and dance friends.

“We train them to [audition], we are hoping that they will do that,” Top Hat Dance owner Sha-

photos by Dani Ianni Coppell Middle School North sixth grader Lauren Chamberlain dances in ballet class on Nov. 17 at Top Hat Dance Centre, where she has danced since she was 3. Chamberlain practices six days a week and is also on the Top Hat Dance competition team.

ron Todd Burris said. “But you know whatever they choose to do, we support that.”

Apart from being a dancer and being at the studio six days a week, Chamberlain is an exemplary student, keeping her education a main priority in her life.

Overall, the audition and getting the part has been a huge accomplishment for Chamberlain, and something that not only her family, but everyone around her is proud of.

“You know as a parent there’s not a lot better than seeing your child set a goal and reaching something that they’ve really wanted, like I said, literally for years for her,” Mrs. Chamberlain said. “So it’s really joyful to see her reaching a goal but you also have to keep that balance and making sure she knows what the priorities are, but it’s great. I’m proud that she set a goal and she reached it.”

Chamberlain is unsure if she wants to be a professional dancer in the future, seeing as she hopes to be an engineer, but dancing will always be a passion of hers. She performed with the Moscow Ballet Nov. 20. and Nov. 22. at the SMU McFarlin Auditorium.

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december 2015

Coppell police officer Turner battles life-threatening disease written by Jessica Jun Staff Writer @jesse_jun16 In 2003, a call sent Coppell police officer Jim “JT” Turner searching for, chasing after and arresting a suspect. Hours after the incident, a pounding headache led Officer Turner to receive a check up where he was told that his blood pressure was unusually high. Alarmed, the doctors ran a few tests and diagnosed him with glomerulonephritis.

“Glomerulonephritis is basically when the vessels in your kidneys are not functioning the way

photo by Amanda Hair Officer Jim Turner, a member of the Coppell Police Dept., fights the condition, Glomerulonephritis and is in need of a kidney transplant. His wife started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for his treatment.

To donate to Turner’s cause, visit his GoFundMe page here.

they need to in order to clear out the toxins out of your body,” Turner said. “But my kidneys are producing too many antibodies, and it’s scarring and causing kidney failure.”

With no physical pain and about 50 percent kidney function, Turner was able to overlook this sudden disease and continue back with his normal life.

However, in 2013, his kidney function plummeted to about 20 percent and doctors immediately placed Turner onto a donor wait list.

“That’s when it really started hitting home: when [the doctor] said it was time to put me on a donor list,” Turner said. “It started affecting my performance. I was really tired all the time, and sometimes I would feel nauseous.”

On Christmas Eve 2014, not long after his last visit to the doctor’s office, Turner received a call from the doctors and was told that if he did not need to get to the hospital as soon as possible, they were afraid he was not going to live much longer.

“I could’ve died that day,” Turner said.

“That’s how bad it had gotten and at that point, I was kind of in shock. I just kind of sat there and called work to tell them what was going on. I went to the hospital and started dialysis that week.”

As he awaits a kidney match, Turner is on dialysis three times a week.

“I’m at stage four kidney failure, which is the last stage,” Turner said. “[Both of] my kidneys basically don’t work at all. The dialysis does what your kidneys are supposed to do: it takes your blood, cleans it and puts it back into your body. Basically, my body is being poisoned and it is really bad.”

Even with his kidneys worsening, Turner remained optimistic and his story was not going unheard. Turner gained a “saving angel.”

Coppell citizen Tresha Glowacki heard about his situation and immediately got involved. Recently, Glowacki started a fundraising campaign in effort to raise money and awareness.

“We didn’t know each other well, but I just wanted to help,” Glowacki said. “Being a living kidney donor myself, I know that it costs a whole lot of money for the entire process. But I also wanted to raise awareness about becoming an organ donor.”

With enough awareness raised, a large fundraising event was held at Core Physical Medicine center on Oct. 31. The event

revealed the underlying importance of the fellowship of Coppell.

“The fact that people are willing to give so much for a person in need is so special,” Turner said. “I love this community because I’ve been serving for 15 years and right when I needed help, these people turned around and helped me. I didn’t ask, but they just wanted to do something for me and that’s great.”

Despite being scared for his best friend’s life, Coppell Police Officer Byron Mitchell has high hopes for Turner’s future.

“I [am] scared for him,” Mitchell said.

“But one thing I know is that he’s a tough guy. In this line of work, we see things like this all the time, but his nature is that he never gives up. I know that he is going to give this disease a challenge.”

Not only police officers, but numerous citizens of Coppell also noticed his optimistic personality and inspiring perseverance. As his story began to spread, more and more people were willing to donate and lend a helping hand to Turner and his family.

“It’s a gift to see such a special community get together where people are always behind you and have your back,” Glowacki said. “Getting involved in things like this, especially when it is a life or death situation, just restores your faith in mankind. To me, in giving, I think you receive so much more.”

Many recognized the community’s willingness to support Turner, as well as his gratitude toward the Coppell community.

“It’s just amazing how much people care,” Mitchell said. “You read about these things happening to other people, but when it happens to you, it’s like ‘wow.’ But I know it’s going to work out for him. He’s so thankful and grateful that people are stepping up to help him. He almost didn’t know what to say. You ask me to talk about him, and that’s easy. In all honestly, he’s just a really good friend.”

With a serving mind and grateful heart, Turner has never been more appreciative of the community than now.

“You work this job and know that you may have to give your life one day and you never know,” Turner said. “But never has that been more calling than now because, basically, I need a kidney and can’t live without it, and people are willing to give their parts to help me out and that’s awesome. It makes me want to be a better person. I’m just really grateful.”

To donate and support Turner or check the updates on the fundraiser, scan the QR code to visit his GoFundMe campaign.

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december 2015

Five things to do over the holidays Relieve winter break boredom around the Metroplex with festive activities galore written by Sloane Samberson Managing Editor @SloaneSamberson

Winter Break; two weeks of freedom, relaxation and celebration - and for most, it could not have come any sooner. Though many of you have holiday activities that have been planned out months in advance, two weeks is a long time…you may experience boredom. If stumped as to what to do to stop this boredom, look no further, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is filled with ample amounts of festive activities.

Here are five things you could do to make the most of your Winter Break.

Pleasures Past Carriages

Scan here to see sleigh ride rates or book your reservations.

Take a time machine back to the 15th century with Pleasures Past Carriages: Christmas Light Tours in Old Town Coppell. Pleasures Past Carriages has been conducting sleigh rides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 25 years. Famous for having a 20 passenger sleigh, the largest sleigh in the world, Pleasures Past Carriages offers a variety of sleighs depending on your party’s size. Their seasoned carriage drivers will take you through some of Coppell’s most festive neighborhoods, giving you candy for the eye and an experience that will last you a lifetime. Pleasures Past Carriages is located at 448 W Bethel Rd, Coppell.

Holiday Movies for Everyone!

Holiday movies have evolved greatly since the release of classics “Home Alone” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” - some for the better, some for the worse. If you are tired of watching the classics, visit your local movie theater and see one of the following holiday themed movies.

Krampus (PG-13) - “Krampus” is not your typical holiday movie. Director Michael Dougherty puts a dark spin on the generally happy season through this horror film. Coming from a broken family who clashes over the holidays, main character Max loses hope in Christmas. Not aware of the repercussions of his disbelief, Max accidentally summons Krampus, an ancient demonic monster that punishes those who do not believe in the holiday. In this 98 minute thriller, Max and his family have to put their differences aside and work together to stay alive and out of Krampus’ death grip.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (PG) “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip,” is not Christmas themed like the first movie in the series, but is still an appropriate movie to see during the holidays. In “The Road Chip,” Alvin, Simon and Theodore develop false beliefs that their beloved owner, Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend and then abandon them. Over a period of three days, the trio races through Miami to try and stop the proposal, saving themselves from abandonment.

The Night Before (R) - “The Night Before” is the perfect mix of comedy and Christmastime. With all star cast, Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie, your stomach will be sore from laughing after seeing this movie. Childhood best friends Issac (played by Rogen), Ethan (played by Gordon-Levitt) and Chris (played by Mackie) have had a tradition of reuniting on Christmas Eve for the past 10 years for a night of dissipation and merriment. Now that they are entering adulthood, the tradition is beginning to fade, so the trio tries to make the night as memorable as possible, with aims of finding the “Nutcracka Ball,” the greatest Christmas party of all time. graphics by Manu Garikipati

ICE! at the Gaylord Texan

Scan here to see ticket pricing and/or purchase your tickets.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the Gaylord Texan Resort sure lives up to that standard. Every year the resort decks out their 14,000-square-foot exhibit hall with hand-carved, holiday themed ice sculptures, sculpted by more than 40 ice sculptors. This years theme is Christmas Around the World.

More than two million pounds of ice will be carved into holiday scenes and children from around the world, in celebration of the different cultural traditions that make our world so diverse. To keep the sculptures from melting the exhibit hall is kept at a brisk 9 degrees, so be sure to dress warm. A heavy parka will be provided, but you will need to bring your own gloves. ICE! at Gaylord Texan Resort is located at 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine.

Trains at NorthPark Center The Trains at NorthPark Center is a great activity for the little ones, the young at heart or anyone who loves trains. The exhibit includes 4,000 plus square feet of holiday themed train environments. This will be the 17th year The Trains have been exhibited at NorthPark Center.

All of the money raised from the exhibit is donated to children and families helped by the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

The Trains at NorthPark is located at 8687 N Central Expy, Dallas.

Scan here to see ticket pricing.

Ice Skating at Galleria Dallas

graphic by Wren Lee

Scan here for more information.

Ice skating at Galleria Dallas during the holidays is like Texas’ equivalent to ice skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York during the holidays. Though open year round, ice skating at Galleria Dallas during the holidays is special because you get to skate around the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree (95 feet tall to be exact).

Whether a family outing or a cute date, ice skating is a great activity to put you into the holiday spirit. But just a fair warning, it gets crowded quickly, and stays crowded consistently.

Admission tickets can be bought at the rink for $10.

You can save some money and bring your own ice skates, or rent a pair for $3. All ice skaters renting skates are required to wear socks. Galleria Dallas is located at 13350 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas.

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december 2015

CORTISOL COLLAPSE

Tips on how to get a better night’s sleep

1

Not everyone is an insomniac, but you do not need to be one to feel the effects of stress on your ability to have a good night’s sleep. Remaining homework hanging over It can definitely be difficult to try to go to bed at the same written by Kathryn Rudd your head, restless thoughts about the week ahead, time every night, but getting into a routine will help put Staff Writer struggles with your relationships at school; there are your mind at ease because you are no longer thinking about @rudd_kathryn many possibilities of why you are not getting the the sleep you are not getting. sleep you need.

Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone”, It might sound silly to keep a journal, but writing down what is keepso if your brain goes blank thinking about the ing you up at night is proven to let you fall asleep faster. Think how last time you woke up feeling refreshed, then once it is on paper, it is not in your mind. maybe these changes can help.

3

Find a good sleep schedule and stick to it

Write it down

Read

2

If you see the minutes continue to tick by 30 minutes after you have gone to bed, try reading. This is a perfect opportunity to get some required reading done, along with letting your mind drift off a little easier as well. Most teenagers will keep their phone or computer right by their bed, if you switch to reading it is taking away the distracting, bright screen and letting you fall asleep faster.

Stop procrastinating

As students, there are always going to be opportunities for us to put off doing our work, but do not give in. If you stick to a homework schedule, you can go to sleep without remaining homework hanging over your head. Avoiding procrastination will help you stay on top of a busy schedule if you have multiple extracurriculars.

5

4

Hydrate

Already, odds are you are not getting enough water throughout your day. With additional stress, your body can wear out without proper fuel. Continue to drink water throughout the day and finish a glass before you go to bed. Your body will recognize the extra boost, and so will your sleep.

Do what you have to do

In all honesty, some days the stress will not go away. Understand that you can only do your best so occasionally it is OK to stay awake until your eyes just will not stay open. With that being said, know your limits. If stress is controlling your day and affecting your sleep, you will only be able to fake it for so long. Start making some proactive lifestyle changes and your body will thank you for it.

7

graphic by Manu

8

Medicate

6

It is going to be OK

You do not have to be an insomniac or have anxiety for stress to take over, but that does not mean it will not get better. For some, your current stresses are all you can think about, and it is putting your worries on a constant loop. So next time you are staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., know tomorrow is a new day and there is so much more to live for besides your life at school, you just have to give it a chance to work itself out.

Garikipati

If all else fails, take a dose of Melatonin an hour before you want to fall asleep. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone in your brain, and by adding to it with a supplement, your sleep cycles could become more regulated, helping you fall asleep faster. Be weary though, side effects can include daytime drowsiness and headaches, so only take what your body can handle. Start with taking a minimal dosage of three mgs. If this does not help, progressively take three more mgs until you find your body’s suitable dosage. Do not exceed 10 mgs. Taking more than 10 mgs could cause a dependency on the medication, further damaging your body’s sleep-wake cycles.

However, before taking Melatonin, be sure to talk to your parents and ask your doctor if you have questions or think something else would be effective.

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december 2015

The struggle for survival continues in Fallout 4 written by Austin Banzon Graphic Designer

As you wander through the wasteland of a post apocalyptic Boston in “Fallout 4,” you will meet both terrifying beasts and friendly settlers. Will you help rebuild civilization, or will you subject The Boston Commonwealth wastes to a second Armageddon?

On Nov. 10, video game company Bethesda launched “Fallout 4” on the PC Gamer, PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One platforms. Since the release, about 12 million copies were sent to retailers, sales reaching about $750 million. It has been five years since the release of the previous game in the series, “Fallout: New Vegas.” Fans worldwide have been eagerly waiting for the fifth game in the series to be released.

“Fallout 4” is a single player, role playing game. Players who are familiar with the previous games in the “Fallout” series will feel nostalgia when they wander the Boston Commonwealth and encounter enemies like giant irradiated rats, flies, humans and deathclaws, which are massive mutated reptiles.

The story is set in The Boston Commonwealth, 200 years after a World War III scenario between America and China in which a nuclear holocaust took place over

the dwindling supplies of oil. The player, known as The Sole Survivor, remains in one of many vaults used to help civilization rebuild after such a war, Vault 111.

However, many vaults were more experimental labs than sanctuaries.

Vault 111 experimente d on

its inhabitants by freezing them in cryostasis chambers. Your character survives for 200 years and escapes.

The game starts with a bang as your first task is to don a mechanical suit of armor, rip a minigun off of a crashed helicopter, and

graphic by Thomas

graphic by Austin Banzon protect settlers from a horde of roving bandits. Doing this gives anyone who loves the “Fallout” series the feeling of being “a kid in a candy shop.”

Instead of awkward interactions with characters in the previous games, “Fallout 4” includes cutscenes that give the player a cinematic experience. Dialogue options could use some work because it is limited to only four replies when you are actively in a conversation.

Personalization is now possible with the sky as the limit, literally. The new building bases interface is one of the greatest aspects of “Fallout 4.” Create a house, decorate it with fancy lights, install turrets around it, you name it. The possibilities seem endless which makes the game enjoyable to a variety of gamers.

The new system of attaching armor pieces can turn your regular vault jumpsuit into a bulky, heavily armored bulwark. Weapons can also be modified from a rusty old pistol, to a polished, high calibrated automatic gun.

These new features improve the combat experience and gives you choices on how you want to play the game.

This game offers a lot of opportunities for veteran players or newcomers to the “Fallout” universe. All it takes is a new generation console or a decent PC Gamer, and the will to take on challenges in the wasteland.

Rousseau

AINM

THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

written by Gracie Blackwell Staff Writer @graciebwell

Every holiday season my aunt makes delicious Pumpkin Rolls and the recipe has become a favorite family tradition. Although Pumpkin Rolls are a traditional dessert, my aunt has her own twist on them

that will leave you wanting more after the roll is devoured.

These easy-to-make, mouthwatering Pumpkin Rolls will finish off the fall season and get you ready for winter. With holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Years approaching, this is the perfect dessert to eat while celebrating.

Every year after a delicious holiday feast, many people have lots of leftover turkey or ham that they do not know what to do with. This simple recipe for Tortas (a Mexican version of a sandwich) has been the solution for generations in Mexican families, as it not only finds a place for the excess meat from

the night before, but it also revives it, giving it new flavor with minimal effort.

Though in Mexico, one would use Mexican “pan blanco” or white bread, fresh from a bakery, my family has found a substitution bread from our local grocery store that does the trick.

Eat these Tortas for breakfast, lunch or dinner (in my house it is all three), and they are perfect for sharing.

3 eggs

2:3 cup pumpkin

1 teaspoon salt

3:4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1:2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 slices of avocado

2:3 slices of jalapeno

1 cup sugar

A daash of nutmeg

Mustard

Mayonnaise

1. Preheat oven to 375° F and grease cookie sheet (13x9): and line with wax paper. photo by

written by Lili Lomas Staff Writer

Gracie Blackwell

2. Combine and mix pumpkin cake portion ingredients above into large bowl.

La Brea Torta Sandwich Roll Handful of leftover turkey or ham:shredded 3 slices of tomato 3 slices of onion

1. Slice the Torta Roll in half long ways. Toast on medium setting.

2. Spread mustard and mayonnaise on opposite sides of the bread to your liking 3. Layer onto one slice of the bread shredded holiday meat and sliced vegetables. You can leave out or add more of any of the ingredients listed.

3. Pour and spread dough on cookie sheet.

4. Bake for 15 minutes.

5. Sprinkle kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

6. When cake is done invert cooked dough on towel.

Remove wax paper from cake.:Caution very hot.

7. Roll up cake in towel and cool in refrigerator for one hour or in freezer for 15 minutes.

8. After removing from refrigerator or freezer

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4. Top off with the other slice of bread and enjoy!

unroll cake.

9. Beat:mix ingredients for filling and spread onto unrolled cake.

10. Re-roll cake. Wrap in wax paper and:or aluminum foil and refrigerate for an hour.

photo by

Lili Lomas

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

MAKING A VOCATION A VACATION

NBC 5’s Doney finds passion in sportscasting written by Reid Valentine Staff Writer @reidv9

Saturday night is not very busy in the NBC 5 newsroom, yet one sports anchor’s day is in full swing.

Pat Doney is the weekend sports broadcaster on local NBC affiliate KXAS, and each Saturday at 10:20 p.m. he gets in front of the camera and informs the fourth biggest sports market in the country about the day’s events in the sports world.

For Doney, this is not a job, it is a dream.

“When I was young, I knew that I wanted to be in sports somehow or another,” Doney said.

He began his journey in sports journalism as a high schooler during a call in to a post game radio show after a California (now Los Angeles) Angels baseball game. He asked the show host how he could become a sportscaster, the host told him to leave his number with the producer, and six months passed until he ever heard anything.

Then, after a long wait, he was offered an opportunity to come watch the broadcast in the booth at an Angels game in Anaheim, Calif., and he fell in love right away.

Doney went on to intern at the ABC7 KABC in Los Angeles, where he discovered his passion for storytelling, a trait that serves him well on camera.

“I love sports,” Doney said. “I love being around the athletes, I love being around the games.”

Doney has many talents, yet none that he treasures more than his one of a kind ability for storytelling, an essential skill in his career. His past coworker John Lewis, who worked with him in Louisville, Ky. talked about Doney’s special talent.

“Pat’s storytelling ability is unique,” Lewis said, “It is the most important aspect of the job. If you are unable to connect with the viewer, and unable to convey the sense of story,

it’s a loss.”

Anyone can report on a game and describe what happened, yet the stories that transcend over real life are the ones he thrives on. Doney really believes that you do not have to be the biggest sports fan to really appreciate the amazing stories that lie within the games and athletes.

He begins his Saturday by watching every big sports event being broadcasted. While the average American at home has one, maybe two screens in their beloved man caves, Doney has three computer screens and countless TVs he can see and use all

photos by Mallorie

NBC 5 sports anchor Pat Doney broadcasts his report on the TCU game on Dec. 22 at NBC 5 studios.

Doney has worked at NBC for three years. including the interview, he started t o receive texts that the man he interviewed was in fact not the country music star he claimed to be. Doney had no idea that who he talked to was a Tim McGraw impersonator.

Sometimes during the line of work he is in, you can mess up, yet he stressed that if your love for what you are doing is more than the fear of messing up, then in the end it will be okay.

“My dad didn’t really have a job that he liked very much,” Doney said. “So he always pushed me to find a job that I really loved. All the stuff about ‘If your vocation is something you enjoy, then your vocation becomes a vacation’ is really true.”

As 10:20 rolls around on Saturday night, Doney works on his script for his three and a half minutes he gets on air, practicing reading aloud and creating a rhythm for his segment. He works closely with his producer Chris James to make their brief piece of the show as loaded with content as possible.

“We try to put a show together that people at home can get all the information , they need about is w John Le what happened r sports reporte that day in sports,” Doney said. “One of the things we focus on is to make the show not only a highlight, that there is also some information in there too.”

From his command center of screens at his desk, he heads into the makeup room before heading into the live studio. Once he gets in place for his shot, he reads over his script a few more times before the time comes for his segment.

“My intention is to be very conversational [and] make it feel like when you’re talking to the camera, that you’re having a 1-on-1 conversation, as if we were sitting in the living room together talking about the day in sports,” Doney said.

Without even breaking a sweat, he goes through his script calmly while on camera and voicing over clips of certain games that his segment features. After the show has concluded, Doney, along with the entire team that made up the show meets in the production room for a recap, and to look for areas to improve.

For a man who has gotten so far in less than 10 years in his sportscasting career like Doney has, one wonders what his goals may be, and he is in the same boat.

“Honestly, I don’t know what the goal is, at first the goal was for me to get to a place where I would want to be for a long time,” Doney said. “But the industry is changing so much, my best friend in Louisville who worked at the ABC affiliate is now the main sports anchor at Bleacher Report. What he’s doing right there wasn’t even a real job six years ago, and now he’s living in New York City doing that, and he loves it.”

Doney has moved all around the country starting as a photographer for a news station in Virginia, just hoping for the chance to work on sports, having no idea than in a few short years he would be anchoring the weekend news show on NBC 5 in DFW. So he will fill the time in while he waits for his next opportunity, the same way he started his journey, watching sports.

Pat’s storytelling ability is unique.

If you are unable to connect with the viewer, and unable to convey the sense of story, it’s a loss.

from his office desk. These screens are filled with an assortment of contests from college football, NBA games and even pay-per-view MMA and boxing matches.

He watches every comeback, heartbreak and championship, all while interacting with his nearly 10,000 Twitter followers. In the new age of journalism, Twitter is an essential part of any reporters repertoire, and @PatDoneyNBC5 is as active and interactive as one can be.

Doney is no stranger to Coppell, as he has covered multiple games when the Cowboys football team is playing the feature NBC 5’s Big Game Friday. He connected with the Coppell FCA group via Twitter and came and spoke at one of their weekly Friday meetings before school.

During his time at the meeting with FCA, he shared about his then recent trip to Super Bowl XLIX, a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, but he did not focus in on the game. He instead told the group a story about how during his time in Arizona (where the game was held), he recorded an interview with the famous country artist Tim McGraw, or so he thought.

After the nightly news had played the clip he had sent in that day,

Munoz

THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

Youth soccer attempts to lower head injury rate added rule

written by Jamie Kimbrell Staff Writer @jaynicole2015

When watching or playing any game of soccer, you see athletes playing hard, using every part of their body to make themselves better, from head to foot.

However, as a result of lawsuits and the increasing number of concussions among youth soccer players, the United States Soccer Federation passed a rule that states players under 11 years old can no longer head the ball, and players 11-13 years old can only head the ball in game.

The “header” rule, debated in California courts, is an attempt to lower the

injury rates and keep kids in the game.

A parent group fought for this change after accusing soccer associations of disregarding head injuries, leading to the creation of the rule. U.S. Soccer designed the rule to keep youth soccer players safe in their crucial developmental years, due to skyrocketing numbers of head injuries in the game.

In 2010, more than 50,000 high school soccer players sustained concussions with 61 percent of all injuries in the sport of soccer occurring in the 11-20 year old age range.

Implementing the rule initially was a good idea for the safety of players. However, the rule has also brought up concerns from parents and coaches who are wary of the benefits of U.S. Soccer’s rule.

Heading the ball is a large part in directing the field and having the ability to protect yourself while making plays. For example, if a player was jumping to head the ball and another player was doing the same, having previous training for heading the ball might help protect players from the impact of the collision.

“Heading the ball is as much of a soccer game as being able to volley a ball or cross a ball,” Sting Soccer Club coach Melissa Garrett said.

Without developing players learning how to correctly head the ball, it may pose other threats to their health and

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safety in the game.

“I think temporarily it will limit concussions in youth players but will increase concussions in older players as they won’t be practiced in the trade,” Garrett said. “I think this will impact the game and our younger players because we are creating a fear in completing an element of their game. They should feel confident in every aspect because they have been trained properly.”

As a soccer player who as sustained a concussion myself, learning the correct techniques to head the ball helps prevent ball to head injuries. From what I have observed, most head injuries in soccer come not from heading the ball, but from head to head collisions during games such as scoring off of a cross in the box.

I have played soccer and have been practicing headers since I was in grade school, without an injury until my later years of playing when the aerial competition increased. While I think the new rule is a good concussion prevention tactic for younger players, it may prove to damage the development of athletes as they develop and grow in the sport.

While the header rule may not seem as the most productive response to the rising number of concussions in youth soccer, U.S. Soccer has formed a solution to the problem hopeful to keep the future of American soccer safe.

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

Off to a H

T start written by Joseph Krum Managing Editor @joseph_krum

So far, led by new coach Kristen Davis, the Cowgirls won three of their first four games including a dominating 69-31 win against Sam Houston High School.

“We are off to a great start,” coach Kristen Davis said via email on Dec. 5. “Our overall record is currently 9-4, we’ve brought home a second place tournament trophy already, and are in the winner’s bracket today. Each week we get better and we play hard; it all bodes well for upcoming district play.”

The second place trophy was in the Grand Prairie tournament where the Cowgirls defeated Sam Houston, Grand Prairie and Life Oak Cliff. During the tournament, the Cowgirls averaged 51 points per game while only giving up an average of 35.

Last season, the Cowgirls averaged 41 points per game and ended the season on a 10 game losing streak.

Junior center Chidera Nwaiwu thinks this season is completely different than last and not just because of their record.

“As a whole, it’s been way better than the past two seasons just because of the new coaches, new environment and everyone is involved,” Nwaiwu said.

“We might not have the best talent, but team-wise we have great team chemistry.”

Team chemistry has proven to be a wonderful weapon. This year, Davis remembers a specific game this year where the team had a connection like no other.

“In the Kennedale Tournament on Thursday night, our game against El Paso Chapin (a 55-38 win in the first round of the tournament) stands out as our

Cowgirls eclipse last season’s win total

best game this season,” Davis said via email. “We played consistently for all four quarters: phenomenal team defense and team offense. There was an undeniable chemistry throughout the entire game, and a pure demonstration of what this team is truly capable of.”

Nwaiwu also remembers a game so far that has defined how the season has gone so far for the Cowgirls.

“In the Grand Prairie Tournament, the game against Life Oak Cliff was a big win,” Nwaiwu said. “It was in the semifinals, and we were down pretty much the whole game. And then all of a sudden we started to pick it up and came back.

Everyone got involved from the crowd to the bench and it was my favorite game so far.”

This season, the scoring has mostly been led by senior guard Kaeli Stayer. Stayer averages 12 point per game and has been in the top three scorers in all nine of the recorded games

by The Dallas Morning News.

Even with the exceptional play of some individuals, Davis does not like to give one person credit.

“We stress being a team each and every day, and each girl knows that she has a role to play,” Davis said via email. “One game that role may be scoring 20 points, and the next day it’s four points but fantastic defense. Every kid has stepped up, improved, and is giving 100 percent every day for team success.”

After a quick start to a season, one can only look forward into the future ahead and wonder what could be of the rest of the season. As for Davis and the team, the goal is simple.

“The team has set the standard for the year: the girls decided they would accept nothing less than an above .500 overall record and a playoff spot,” Davis said in an email. “We are on the right track to making both of those goals a reality.”

This season for the Cowgirls has already been a huge step up from last year. The team has won more games than all of last season. But in the eyes of Nwaiwu, the goals of the team aren’t just to win.

“Our first goal is simply to make the playoffs,” Nwaiwu said.

“After playoffs, we want to create a basketball program that people strive to be in and want to play in.”

photos by Aubrie

Sisk

Coppell High School senior shooting guard Kaeli Stayer guards an opposing Keller player, trying to get the ball back under Cowgirl control on Nov. 17 at Coppell High School (left). Coppell High School junior point guard Rachel Crutchfield waits for a teammate to get open while opposing Keller players block her (right). The Cowgirls overall record this season is 9-4.

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THE SIDEKICK

december 2015

Old faces, new success

Season full of hot shooting, solid defense shows promise for guard-heavy team written by Marcus Krum Sports Editor @marcuskrum With only two players listed at over 6 feet 2 inches tall, this year’s Coppell Cowboys basketball team looked to be facing some big obstacles in their lack of height. However, after a 3-1 start and a third place in the South San tournament, there is a bright future in this

young season for this guard-heavy team.

In the first four regular season games of the year, the Cowboys shot a scalding 48% from behind the three point line, contributing in large part to their early-season success for the team, who is averaging over 52 points per game.

“We need to execute games within the games,” Coach Kit Pehl said.

“For us, that’s the offensive rebounding war, giving up and what we accomplish ourselves. It’s transition points. It’s free throws. If we don’t have a concentrated effort on those three things, our lack of size can really hurt us. That’s our real focus as a guard-heavy basketball team.”

One of the unexpected producers thus far for this team has been junior guard Christian Plummer, a transfer from DeSoto. In the first four games, Plummer averaged over eight points, leading the team in scoring in two of the games.

“Christian is a really versatile piece on

photos by Alejandra

our team,” junior guard Robin Kim said.

“He has really good length and size that we can use on offense but especially on defense his length affects the other team greatly.”

For a team without big defensive size inside, the on ball defense is a huge key in being a successful basketball team. Thus far, the Cowboys have held their opponents to 46 points per game, including nine quarters in which they have held opposing teams to single digit scoring.

In the South San Tournament, where their only loss was to high-scoring O’Connor, the strengths of this team were on display in the third place finish.

“If we impose our will on other teams, we’re tough to beat,” Pehl said. “When we get away from what we’re good at, we’re beatable. Over the course of this [tournament], that was really evident.”

Senior guard Josh Fink and forward Drew Smith returned to the court after being worked back into practice in the second week of the season. Coming from football, the adjustment may not be smooth initially, but the leadership that they provide is still there.

“They are experienced seniors that we have all played with for years” Kim said.

“They know everything about the program and it’s great to have the extra bodies”

Ceniceros

Coppell High School junior small forward Sam Marshall shoots against Marcus High School.

Marcus defeated the Cowboys on Dec. 1 at Marcus High School, 54-40.

After losing some height and senior leadership in graduating Collin Wallace and Alex Nicoll in the offseason, the road ahead looked uncertain. However, with the start that the Cowboys have had, there is no reason to believe there is anything but success ahead.

“We’ve had some early success in really competitive games,” Pehl said. “Early on, it’s good to be tested. We’ve done some good things, and we’ve shown some things we need to work on. To be competitive in almost every game we’ve played is a good sign.”

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THE SIDEKICK november 2015