Volume 25 Issue 3

VOLUME 25

ISSUE 3

DECEMBER 2013

WWW.COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM

ONE STEP AT A TIME

GIRLS ON THE RUN OFFERS YOUNG GIRLS UNIQUE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP

ELIZABETH SIMS enterprise edi t o r

Despite sub-freezing temperatures and rain just beginning to fall, Galatyn Park in Richardson is packed with people ready to participate in the eighth annual Gobble Hobble 5K on Nov. 23.

In the middle of the pack, a group of elementary and middle school-aged girls, wearing bright orange shirts and an assortment of tutus, funny hats and warm gloves, giggle and chat excitedly.

They dart back and forth between their friends and groups of women, wearing the same bright orange shirts, as they wait for the event to start.

This group of young girls makes up the Dallas-Fort Worth branch of Girls on the Run. Pioneered in 1996 by Molly Barker in Charlotte, N.C., this organization was founded to provide elementary and middle school-aged girls with the skills they would need to navigate their experiences throughout their lives while giving them a physical outlet.

Over the course of 10 weeks in the fall or spring, these girls are taught these skills while simultaneously training for a 5K at the end of “season�. By combining running with a curriculum focusing on life skills, Girls on the Run has worked to empower girls in the United States and Canada over the past 17 years.

In 2005, the DFW branch of Girls on the Run was founded to continue the mission of the original organization with the same

see Girls on pg. 10

Photo by Elizabeth Sims

Austin Elementary teacher wins big on “Jeopardy!”

Pictured with host Alex Trebek, John Pearson celebrates after winning $100,000. Photo courtesy John Pearson.

A N N I E W E N staff writer

A fourth grade boy dressed in a tutu is always an interesting sight to see. For the class of 4C at Austin Elementary, it is exciting for a unique reason.

The boy in the tutu promised his teacher he would wear the pink tulle ensemble if he won on “Jeopardy!”. On Nov. 22, Austin Elementary teacher John Pearson was crowned the most recent champion of the “Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament.”

Not only did the championship earn Pearson’s class the opportunity to see the fourth grader to fulfill his promise. but it also allowed Pearson to win $100,000 and the title of “Jeopardy!” champion.

“A lot of my really close friends didn’t want to know [that I had won “Jeopardy!”], so they could be surprised” Pearson said.

“That’s what killed me the most; I really wanted to call and tell

them. After it all aired they asked me ‘How could you have kept this a secret?’”

With the filming of the show occurring on Oct. 22-23, Pearson had to keep his win a secret from his students, colleagues and friends for some time. The tournament aired Nov. 11-22.

“Normally, there is a much greater lag time between taping and airing, but thankfully, we only had to wait for about two weeks,” Pearson said.

For someone who had pictured being on the “Jeopardy!” stage for so long, the opportunity was both exciting and nerve-wracking. However, the years spent watching the show religiously had paid off as he found himself in front of the cameras shaking host Alex Trebek’s hand. “[When I won] it felt amazing, like I had achieved a life-long dream,” Pearson said. “Not only did I go on my favorite game show, but I won in tremendous fashion. I was super excited, hap-

After being crowned champion on “Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament,” Pearson returned to his 4C classroom at Austin Elementary. Photos by Sandy Iyer.

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py, thankful, relieved and proud all at the same time.”

Pearson and the team of fourth grade teachers watched the episodes together as the season unfolded. Fellow teacher Lindsay Harris even watched it from her hospital bed as she was scheduled to have surgery right as the tournament began.

“The whole experience has been very exciting for the school, and even more exciting for his students,” Harris said. “It’s been a great lesson about accomplishing a goal, working hard for something you want and not backing down in the face of something that could potentially be scary.”

Before teaching, Pearson’s original field of work was engineering. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Duke University in 1995, Pearson went on to obtain a Master’s in Material Science from Texas A&M University in 1997.

Upon graduation, Pearson began work as an thermal and electrical engineer. After almost four years in the field, Pearson was laid off.

“For about a year, I kind of just bounced around,” Pearson said. “And then I finally decided ‘OK, I’m going to be a teacher.’”

Pearson received his teaching certificate from SMU and began his teaching career in Dallas ISD at Hotchkiss Elementary in January of 2003. After 10 years, he made the switch to Coppell and is currently a fourth grade math teacher at Austin Elementary.

A longtime fan of the show, Pearson had always wanted to be on Jeopardy.

“The number one factor [for auditioning for the show] is that I’ve always loved the show and I would do well on it when I was sitting at home,” Pearson said.

“And there’s the opportunity to make a whole lot of money.”

To qualify for the show, prospective contestants had to pass a 50-question online test. Pearson took this in January of 2013.

Select candidates would then receive a call notifying them that they had been picked for the next round. The next phase took place over spring break in San Antonio where Pearson took part in an in-person audition which consisted of another 50-question quiz, a mock game and interview.

“When I told the people running the audition I was a teacher they said ‘Oh you double qualify, you could be on the regular show or you could be on the Teachers Tournament’ and I knew they had me pegged for the Teachers Tournament,” Pearson said. “When they called me up I was actually in my classroom, it was the week before school started.”

To prepare for the show,

Pearson used reference books, of the money is going to go into specifically ones with a lot of facts Drew’s tuition fund and sit in our on different aspects of the world, bank and be a cushion.” such as geography, presidents, Pearson’s wife and son were world capitals, world history, art not able to attend the taping of the and composers. show but they supported Pearson “From watching the show his entire run on the show. long enough I know which cate“I didn’t go with him, so gories they’re heavy on,” Pearson that first day of filming I was very said. “Those are the ones I really nervous, especially when it got tried to study pretty hard.” to be late in the afternoon and I Pearson would eventually hadn’t heard anything from him,” excel through the entire tourna- Tamara Pearson said. “On the ment and be crowned the winner. second day he filmed, Drew and With a 19-month-old son, Drew, I were at my parents’ home when and wife Tamara, the money has John called and asked me how I been a great benefit to the fami- felt about $100,000 being deposly, but Pearson says the best thing ited into our account.” about winning Jeopardy has been After the win, Pearson is the experience. back in the 4C classroom teach“I wouldn’t change anything ing multiplication and decimals, for the world,” Pearson said. “The a subject much different than the 14 other teachers are just awe- topics that appeared on “Jeoparsome people with great sports- dy!”. Pearson is currently preparmanship. We’ve stayed friends, ing for the Tournament of Chamwe even have our own Facebook pions but has no plans to leave group.” teaching.

Pearson became known for “I’m not pursuthe last answer he put up in the ing anything that’s show. Instead of answering the going to take me final question Pearson wagered away from teachnothing and chose to write “I love ing at least for a you Drew” as his answer, in honor while,” Pearson of his son. said. “It’s very re“I wasn’t really watching warding.” the scoreboard throughout the game,” Pearson said. “I kind of had a sense. I went on a run at the end of the game; I just knew I was getting a lot of questions right. It wasn’t until the end that I really looked at the scores.

I added up all of my scores and I realized I had 800 more than the other contestant could possibly get. It wasn’t until [“Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek] actually put the score up on the board that showed that I was ahead was when I could finally relax.”

With a nice amount of money in his pocket, Pearson has made plans accordingly on how to spend and save his winnings.

“I’m going to buy a new car,” Pearson said.

“I need a new one. My dad, brother and I are going to go to the Final Four this Pearson’s winning answer on “Jeopardy!” was year.

Other than that a lot “I love you, Drew”. Graphic by Nicole Messer.

Deinhammer recieves crown for Teacher of the Year A L E X N I C O L L staff writer

With her kids running towards her door, her husband boasting a wide grin, a bouquet of flowers and a drum ensemble serenading her, anatomy and physiology teacher Jodie Deinhammer had quite an unusual reaction to learning that she was this year’s Coppell High School Teacher of the Year.

“I was legitimately scared,” Deinhammer said. “I was trying to hide in the trash can, I think, and hoping they were going to keep walking by. I do not do well with much attention.”

Her students were more emphatic and expecting of her triumph.

“We heard the drums and were like ‘It is coming for [Mrs. Deinhammer]’,” senior Alex Wilhelm said. “We already knew.”

Cheers roared all around her classroom as CHS principal Mike Jasso presented the shocked Deinhammer with her bouquet and last year’s winner, former AP human geography teacher and current New Tech High @ Coppell counselor, Kelly Young, presented her with the crown.

“I have not really processed it yet [that I won],” Deinhammer said. “They just gave me my homework that I have to study and that is it.”

That homework is crucial for her in order for the Teacher of the Year to have a chance to win District Teacher of the Year.

From there, Deinhammer has the potential to compete at the regional and state level competition.

Being named Teacher of the Year for a campus like CHS is an honor in itself, especially when you consider the fact there are 182 teachers at the school alone.

The process begins with teachers nominating other deserving teachers. Then the administration takes those nominations and forms a committee.

The committee then uses a rubric to grade the teachers and whoever has the highest score at the end is crowned the campus teacher of the year.

Once a candidate is selected, the administration organizes a meeting to announce the nominees and then later that day the winner is announced. This year there were eleven nominations in total. John Harris, Karie Kosh, Linda Moore, Bill Parker, Sunny

Richardson, Melanie Ringman, John Robinson, Brandon Slovak, Cindy Wolfe and Michelle Zugaro were the other candidates.

“We try to build up the suspense for everybody since they are all deserving,” Jasso said.

Deinhammer exemplifies the direction the school is turning in as a 21st century district.

More than that however, she is considered by peers and students as a “great teacher”.

“Number one: Mrs. Deinhammer is great with students,” Jasso said. “Kids are drawn to her class and then she does a great job with instruction. She has always been a great teacher.

I have had the pleasure to work with her ever since she started working here in the early-2000s.

She is really a model for what we want to do here at this school and in the district.”

Both Jasso and Wilhelm are complimentary of Deinhammer’s teaching style and class.

“I enjoy it a lot,” Wilhelm said. “It is very open-ended and Mrs. Deinhammer teaches us a lot about anatomy and stuff about the human body. She lays stuff out very well for you and is easy to understand.”

Spending all of her years since 1997 at Coppell as a sci-

ence teacher, Deinhammer has settled nicely into her current class: anatomy and physiology.

“I was going to go to med school, but I decided I was not ready for that,” Deinhammer said. “So I was going to take a couple of years off and go teach and when I started I knew there was no turning back. [Teaching] was just too much fun.”

Her husband, Chris Deinhammer, an administrator in Dallas ISD, adds that her “love for her students” is another rea-

son that Jodie did not go back to med school.

Not only did Coppell provide her an opportunity to teach; it also led to a love story that has survived since 2001 between Deinhammer and her husband.

“Oddly enough we started dating the last year I was here in the spring,” Chris said.

“She came out to a few baseball games, and the rest is history.

We started dating for awhile, got married and had two awesome kids.”

Anatomy and Physiology teacher Jodie Deinhammer, pictured with her husband and son, was named 2013-2014 Coppell High School Teacher of the Year on Dec. 11 during

Health Without Borders goes global through iTunes U STEPHANIE GROSS staff writer

With a current ranking of 19 on the iTunes U chart and 22,000 subscribers, anatomy and physiology teacher Jodie Deinhammer has her hands full with emails pouring in from all over the world about her newly created iTunes U course, Health Without Borders.

Health Without Borders is an iTunes U course that was created by anatomy and physiology teacher Jodie Deinhammer. It is a course created for students to learn about anatomy in different creative ways. The course is managed by Deinhammer’s students who create content for the page every six weeks.

“We were introduced to Health Without Borders in the

first six weeks of school. It has helped because it makes you able to apply anatomy to everyday life and how it can be used,” senior Savannah Armes said. “As students, we do a project or research a topic and then we can teach it to little kids across the world through iTunes U.” Deinhammer created the page for her students to build content for and so far, it has been

Students from science teacher Jodie Deinhammer’s anatomy and physiology classes created children’s books that were posted on the Health Without Borders course. Photos courtesy Emma Eells and Maddie Trout.

a success. Making projects for the iTunes U course counts as a grade for the students.

“Health Without Borders is one big class and every project that we do, I choose the best of what is submitted and then publish it on the iTunes U course. They have the potential of being published in an online course throughout the year,” Deinhammer said.

It is a new way for students to enjoy learning while they are teaching the material themselves. Health Without Borders is a new way for students to learn that certainly innovates technology.

Not only does the course help students across the globe learn basic anatomy facts, but it is also a new tool for teachers to use in their classrooms.

“The kids really seem to like learning digitally from the iTunes U course because Mrs. Deinhammer and her students offer such a wide variety of things to do and ways for them to interact and appeals to them in a lot of ways,” Cottonwood Creek Elementary first grade teacher Kimberly Spence said.

The elementary school students used to take a field trip

to Coppell High School to learn from Deinhammer’s anatomy students but now that Health Without Borders has been created, the classroom is digitally brought to Cottonwood Creek Elementary instead.

“The challenges created are very appropriate for the elementary age level and they really get the kids thinking,” Cottonwood Creek Elementary kindergarten teacher Torrin Garrison said. “My class watched her students’ videos and one of her students had two different blenders and put healthy food in one and junk food in another and my students got to see what the foods looked like and learned to differentiate between healthy and junk food and they thought that was really cool.”

Health Without Borders has created a new way for students to learn anywhere in the world. As for next year, Deinhammer has big plans to continue using iTunes U as a learning tool in her classroom.

“I want to keep using it for sure,” Deinhammer said. “I am going to finish Health Without Borders this year, it is going to be my students grades for the rest of the year and I am planning on doing something similar next year.”

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New Kiva club will finance loans to underprivileged H E N R I I K K A N I E M I staff writer

The holiday season is the time for giving; with the Kiva club fundraiser, you can purchase accessories for your iPad while helping others around the world.

The club at Coppell High School has an account with the global Kiva organization to loan money to entrepreneurs in lesser developed countries who may not have access to the funds or banking services necessary to start their business. This year, they have chosen to sell iPad styluses for $3 and keyboards for $20.

“These people have a business plan, and they want to improve their life and the lives of their families, but unlike people in the United States, they don’t have access to banks,” club sponsor and IB economics teacher Donnette Alexander said.

“Through Kiva and the people in developed countries like the U.S.,

Canada or places in Europe, they can get loans and pay them back through their profits. This gives them a chance to develop their business and improve their lives.”

After all the money is raised, the club members split into groups and search through the list of entrepreneurs on Kiva’s website to pick who they want to donate to based on categories such as education or health care. They typically give $20 to each person so that they can help as many individuals as possible.

“When choosing an entrepreneur, we look at what exactly it is they’re doing, whether it’s for humanitarian causes or for personal gain, where they’re from, and what their payback rate is,” senior Gilman Suriya said.

Kiva is different than the typical charity; the money is not a donation or a handout, but rather a loan that will be paid back in full. Placing the money directly in the hands of the people, all of

whom are tested beforehand, prevents exploitation from governments of corrupt countries. It has been successfully implemented in countries as far apart as Peru, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Kenya.

“The people you’re loaning to have these skills that they use to go and make a difference in the world, you’re just supplying them with the resources they need,” said CHS Kiva club president, senior Laura Gao. “You’re empowering them, not just giving them money. Because they are coming to you for a loan, they already have a goal in mind, you’re just helping them get there.”

Beyond the fundraisers, Gao also seeks speakers from local microfinancing organizations to speak to the club. They have already listened to a speaker from Videre and have one coming from Opportunity International.

CHS IB economics classes have also raised money for Kiva in past years, collecting around

Seniors Katie Holloway and Gilman Suriya sell iPad accessories at lunch for the Kiva club. Photo by Sandy Iyer. $1,300 and loaning out around just disappear, it keeps doing good over and over again.” $3,900 to over 40 people.

The Kiva club was started “As the money is paid back, we loan it to more and more just this year, and the members people, so this will be an ongo- have yet to pick the entrepreneurs ing project for years,” Alexander they will donate to, but it will consaid. “The money is paid back at tinue to help impoverished people about a rate of 97 percent, so as all over the world for many years you raise the money, it doesn’t to come.

Community rallies support for Jacob’s LifeVision Home A L L I E A R N O L D staff writer

Jacob Logan, a Coppell football player and loved one by many, passed away last year from a cliff jumping incident. Since the tragedy, the Logan family as well as many members of the community have worked together to keep Jacob’s legacy alive and help those who need it the most.

Through the Jacob Logan Run being held on Dec. 21, Coppell is honoring Jacob, who was a senior last year, as well as raising money to help build “Jacob’s

LifeVision Home” in Zambia for a group of teenage boys who come from the most difficult conditions and backgrounds.

“Jacob was a voice for the voiceless; a silent leader,” Jacob’s mother Mona Logan said. “We hope to honor him and the way he lived by being a voice for these people in Zambia who need our help.”

Many of the boys who will be living in the home are struggling with AIDS, have been running a household since the age of ten or have been abused. With the gift of a home and the guidance of

a full-time, live-in Zambian mentor these young men will have the opportunity to separate from younger kids, become self-reliant and educated in order to become successful members of society.

“Where these boys have come from, they have no example of someone who has gone on to achieve great things and make a good life for themselves, so by living in this home, they will be able to do whatever is necessary in order to ensure they are successful in whatever they decide to do,” said junior Jordan Logan, Jacob’s sister.

After visiting Zambia this past summer and interacting with many of the kids there through the Family Legacy Organization, Jordan has a completely new perspective on her life as well as a desire to help those who need it the most.

“After visiting Zambia, I find myself often thinking ‘Do I really need that?’ or ‘Is this really that important?’” Jordan said. “After witnessing how little these people in Zambia have, it changes the way you see everything in your own life.”

Word has already spread

Information courtesy jacobloganrun.com Graphic by Julia Bordonaro

Junior Jordan Logan and senior Nick Hruby visit orphans in Lusaka, Zambia. Photo courtesy Nick Hruby.

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immensely concerning the event.

Sponsors from as big as American Airlines to small local businesses like Coppell’s Ole’s Tex-Mex restaurant are contributing to the cause. One popular fundraising theme is offering 21 percent of sales as a donation. Twenty-one was Jacob’s number in football.

Many Papa John’s pizza restaurants across the metroplex offered 21 percent off of prices in addition to a 21 percent donation to Jacob’s LifeVision Home. So many residents called in to Papa John’s that many waited over two hours for pizza delivery. The community’s support for the project has been overwhelming.

Family and friends of Jacob hope to receive the same support for the Jacob Logan Run. “We are really trying to get as many people as possible to come and participate in the run,” Jacob’s father Howard Logan said.

“Raising the money to build this house is a great way to honor Jacob as well as help these boys who are in desperate need of a good home.”

The run will be held at 9 a.m. on Dec. 21 at Andy Brown East Park in Coppell. The desired amount to be raised for the building of this home is $210,000.

The Logan’s as well as many other loved ones of Jacob hope that this run will make a big contribution to achieving this goal.

For more information visit jacobloganrun.com

Kellen resigns, Brown steps in as associate principal SHANNON WILKINSON s t a ff w r i t e r

Associate principal Michelle Kellen will be leaving Coppell High School at the end of the semester after three and a half years on campus.

“I will be going up to the Albany, N.Y. area for my next job,” Kellen said. “I am really excited about going up there because I love the north and I miss having all the different seasons.”

Kellen previously worked at Colleyville Heritage as a basketball head coach, teacher and later in administration. This experience prepared her for working at CHS. Kayla Brown, who is currently an assistant principal, will step up as interim associate principal. Principal Mike Jasso hopes Brown can continue the work that Kellen has laid out.

“Ms. Brown has experience from previous schools which gives me the confidence that she can take over for the semester and do the best that she can,” Jasso said.

Kellen has made many different memories from her time here at CHS. Her co-workers believe her to be a very determined person who can not only make quick decisions when needed, but can also work well under

at has very traditional teaching pressure.

“Anyone stepping into this styles and they are quite behind role has big shoes to fill. Ms. in the technology department,” Kellen will be leaving commend- Kellen said. “The skills I have able structures in place at CHS,” learned here such as flipped Brown said via email. “I am not classrooms, project based learnsure I could do justice to honor ing and the iPads will be effective the contribution she has made to there.”

Kellen is not the only one this campus.”

Brown has much experi- who is saddened by her leaving.

Her team can hardly put into ence in being an associate words how hard it will be principal. She previto see her go. ously was asso“I am very ciate principal sad to see Ms. at Gainesville High “Anyone stepping Kellen leave, but I know she School, into this role has big will do great but came shoes to fill. Ms. Kellen things where to Copwill be leaving comever she goes,” pell bemendable structures in place at CHS” Jasso said. cause she “She was so wanted to - Kayla Brown, productive and be in a forAssistant Principal helpful in everyward-thinkthing she did for ing district. us, I do not doubt that “I have now she will do the same somebeen in CISD for one and a half years and have come where else.”

The administration staff to realize that this district is not only an environment situated wishes Kellen the best as she to reach your full potential as a leaves CHS and embarks on her leader, but even more CISD is new journey in education.

“Without a doubt I am gothe flagship for redefining public education,” Brown said via email. ing to miss the people here so Although CHS is a very much,” Kellen said. “The kids technology efficient school, the are great learners, really respectarea that Kellen is moving to, is ful and I am really going to miss everything about this school so nowhere near that.

“The area that I am looking much.”

Coppell High School associate principal Michelle Kellen talks to staff writer Shannon Wilkinson about what she is going to miss about Coppell High School. Photos by Nicole Messer.

Kellen talks to Principal Mike Jasso during B lunch about upcoming events. Kellen is leaving Coppell High School at the semester.

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E D I T O R I A L

Required curriculum changes will trouble Texas students Texas’s recent decision to remove Algebra II from the list of required high school math courses is based on logic that simply does not add up.

Heavily debated and highly controversial, the Texas Legislature’s decision to drop this required upper-level math course took one step too far, skewing the delicate equation for collegiate and occupational success.

Moving the finish line of graduation closer to struggling students does not improve the system, it weakens it.

Part of an extensive package to reform Texas education, the mandate to drop Algebra II as a required course sparked heated debates. On one hand, proponents of higher education claimed that Algebra II is imperative for students to be able to succeed in college-level math courses. Trade groups respond with the shaky logic that plenty of high paying jobs are available that do not require high levels of math.

Will self-motivated and future minded students still take Algebra II? Probably. In fact, these students will likely continue taking upper-level math courses like statistics and calculus. True, we probably need not waste time worrying about them. But it is the students who would choose to opt out of Algebra II that may need it the most.

Regardless of whether or not a student ends up working in a STEM field, the lessons presented through Algebra II extend beyond the curriculum of matrices and systems of equations. For some high school students, Algebra II is the first math course that proves to be legitimately challenging. The foundation for collegiate level math

courses like pre-calculus and college algebra, Algebra II has been required for decades for a reason.

Math should be done for more than the sake of math.

Math teaches problem solving, logic, patience, applications, patterns and time management.

Without possessing these skills, graduates will be less marketable to employers, less innovative in nature and possessive of a smaller potential to climb career ladders. Who knows if the student who never took Algebra II will ever be able to advance in their career?

Algebra II is such a fundamental part of high school education. For one, Algebra II is one of the dominant courses that are represented in standardized tests that are crucial in the college acceptance process. How will this new mandate affect the average scores of on such tests?

By allowing students to “opt-out” when math becomes tough, the State Board of Education is sending the worst possible message to the students who will be thrilled to never have to take Algebra II. Students learn they do not need to challenge themselves in math or in studying for standardized tests, or in life for that matter.

What happens in 10 years, when Algebra II is long gone and Geometry is the most difficult math struggling students are required to take? Will we drop Geometry and then eventually cut Algebra I? Then what: Literature? World History?

The answer to the Texas education system’s desire to reform is not making high school easier. Dropping difficult classes from graduation requirements is a short cut, not a solution.

L e t t e r s

6 opinions

Christina Burke Managing Editor Elizabeth Sims Enterprise Editor

E d i t o r

by Kara Hallam I agree with Hallam’s opinion on how iPads have become a means of distraction, though I would have to disagree with her on some points. Although the iPads may cause delay on some projects, I feel that iPads are great for school purposes. Last year when I was in class, I was limited to taking notes because my hands would

get sore and I was unable to catch up with the teachers lectures, but now that we have iPads, I am able to type fast enough to type down all my notes. I enjoy being able to stay neat and organized with all my important notes and homework on an iPad instead of having to dig through my bag with tons of messy papers.

J E N N I F E R L E E FRESHMAN

Caught in the act: students should should refrain from lying to parents

by Kara Hallam I completely agree with Hallam.

Lying to your parent is an awful idea. Your parents are there to help, love and care for you.

They also have your best interest and decisions in mind. Lying to them only makes things worse with your relationship with them, the trust you’ll have with them, and many more events in

life. Lying also has nothing good going for you, you’ll eventually get caught and have to stack lies upon eachother to cover up the previous lie. It won’t work out in the end at some point. All in all don’t lie to your parents about anything if they won’t let you do something it’s for the betterment of you.

M A C Y W I S E FRESHMAN

Students overwhelmed with academia, lack of basic skills

by Amy Roh I agree that students are not educated enough in life skills. I have the luxury of extremely hard working parents at work and school. Throughout a lot of my years in school I have asked my teachers why we need to know certain subjects, but only received a response that included a very specific job that I had no inter-

est in pursuing. I think we have started to push towards this with teen leadership which some of my classmates and I have gotten a lot out of. It is a first step, but I think more needs to be done in the future. We need to have classes about life and social skills like post high school and college steps and time-management skills.

C o r r e c t i o n s

a n d

COOPER MCADEN FRESHMAN

C l a r i f i c a t i o n s

In the November issue of The Sidekick, the photo caption for the story “Girl Scout reaches high, attains top service award” story was incorrect. The members of Friends of Coppell Nature Park received a $1,000 check from the Town Center Elementary Green Team, which consists of a group of third and fifth grade students. Also, senior Lilly Balsamo serves on the Coppell Community Garden Board.

The Sidekick regrets the error.

Stephanie Gross Henriikka Niemi Shannon Morgan Alex Irizarry Amy Roh Tuulia Koponen Shannon Wilkinson Shruthika Ponchampally Gabby Sahm Allison Arnold Sydney Williams Editorial Leadership Annie Wen Alex Dalton Alex Nicoll Caroline Carter Tolu Salako Aisha Espinosa Kara Hallam News Editor Editorial Page Editor Jena Seidemann Stephanie Alexander Summer Crawford George Fairchild Pranathi Chitta Student Life Editor Entertainment Editor Sloane Samberson Sophie Nauyokas Jordan Bickham Mark Slette Design Editor Design Editor Graphic Designers Regan Sullivan Shivani Burra Julia Bordonaro Rachel Buigas-Lopez Photography Editor Media Manager Josh Martin John Loop Sports Editor Business/PR Staff Mabry Culp Braden Creel Photographers Business Manager Business Manager Sandy Iyer Nicole Messer Jay Carroll Alyssa Frost Business Staff Chase Wofford Adviser Kristen Shepard Editor-in-Chief

t h e

New iPads overwhelm campus

2013-2014 SIDEKICK STAFF Staff Writers Executive Leadership

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

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

The editorials and columns presented in this paper reflect the views of its 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 a letter to be considered for publication.

Contact The Sidekick: 214-496-6239 cwofford@coppellisd.com

Average Barbie provides young girls better influence Although my five-year-old self did not have much sense of self worth at the time of my Barbie-playing days, I knew two things: Barbie was pretty, and I wanted to be pretty like Barbie when I grew up.

What I failed to realize was that looking like Barbie is physically impossible.

A study done by Adweek magazine shows the abnormal proportions that make up a Barbie doll compared to the average American woman. If Barbie were a real woman, her 16 inch waist would be a dramatic 18 inches smaller than the average American woman’s. She would also have to crawl on all fours to maneuver herself from place to place because her six inch ankles and child-sized feet would not be able to support the weight of her body.

There is no denying that girls are held to specific, and even harsh, standards of beauty, and growing up with icons such as Barbie dolls does not make the struggle with self-confidence any easier. What girls fail to realize is that it is perfectly OK not to have a “Barbie body”.

Research artist Nickolay Lamm of MyDeals.com chose to defend this statement through one of his recent projects.

Lamm constructed a new 3D

model of which is referred to as “Average Barbie” using measurements of the average American woman from the Center for Disease Control.

At first glance, I was almost shocked that the someone proposed an idea such as a realistically proportioned doll.

The longer I gazed at “Average Barbie”, the more I began to appreciate the refreshing look of this new model. With a shorter stature and thicker physique, Lamm’s “Average Barbie” is without a doubt a better representation of a real woman. And she is still beautiful.

The purpose of Lamm’s project was to show his audience that average is beautiful.

A point he proved successfully through his model. Compared side-by-side, Lamm’s doll makes the features on Mattel’s Barbie look ridiculously abnormal to where I cannot even believe I ever wanted to look like that.

Kudos to Lamm for creating such an example of why girls should not worry about the way they look compared to what they think is beautiful.

“Average Barbie” is a lesson to all of us that there is beauty in every size and shape, and that women should not be held to unrealistic expectations.

For the sake of girls’ self esteem, I hope that Lamm pursues putting the doll on the market. It would be nice to see a future built on the realistic expectations of “Average Barbie”.

Neck Circumference: 9 inches

Neck Circumference: 13 inches Bust: 32 inches

Waist: 16 inches

Hips: 29 inches

Bust: 36 inches

Ankles: 6 inches For more information on Nickolay Lamm and his “Average Barbie”, scan the QR code above.

CHRISTINA BURKE managing editor

Waist: 34 inches

Hips: 38 inches Ankles: 9 inches

Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas.

Information courtesy Adweek magazine.

What you had to say about Average Barbie...

“Average Barbie will make young girls realize that you don’t need a tiny waist to be beautiful.”

-Mary Baldwin, Senior

“I think the new Barbie is a more realistic idea of what girls should model themselves after.”

-Matthew Bowden, English Teacher

“I never had a problem with my self-image because of Barbie, but Average Barbie is necessary for girls.”

-Sarah Gibbons, Senior

opinions 7

MERRY CHRISTMAS? GEORGE FAIRCHILD staff writer

A look into the debate over proper usage of holiday greetings

In middle school my favorite part and not just Christmas the students at Copof the week leading up to the break was pell would learn significantly more about talking about Christmas and listening to the world and open their minds to customs my Jewish friends explain Hanukkah to of others. me. It was fascinating to hear about how Texas governor Rick Perry has the my friends celebrated different holidays same idea as he recently signed a new bill and they enjoyed listening to me talk about dubbed the “Merry Christmas” bill. The Christmas. bill emphasizes the importance between In elementary school and middle the freedom of religion and the freedom school coloring packets and Christmas from religion. It removes legal risks of decorations are often passed out and dis- saying merry Christmas in school and played. Students who do not celebrate allows for religious symbols to be repreChristmas will most likely feel left out and sented such as a nativity scene or a menoexcluded when other students celebrate rah. The new law requires at least two their holidays. The best answer is to pass religions to be represented and a secout coloring books that highlights other re- ular image. ligions winter holidays and to decorate the This holiday break; do school with other religious symbols and not wish people a Merry secular decorations for the students that Christmas. Instead wish are not religious. them a Happy Hanukkah, Leaving schools to only celebrate a Happy Junkanoo or a Happy Christmas or not to celebrate any religious holiday, just leaving students to enjoy winter break, will not broaden the minds of young students.

Over the last couple of years, schools have become increasingly aware of other religions and have started to censor Christmas to try and make the holidays more enjoyable for every student. The Christmas break is now called “Winter break” or “Holiday break” and teachers will often be heard wishing their students a “Happy Holiday”, instead of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah.”

The holidays are a huge part of American culture and the spirit of Christmas and all other holidays during the month of December makes America a diverse and wonderful nation. These religious celebrations have bought joy and hope to so many around the world and it is something that many people are proud of.

While Christmas is the holiday most recognized by schools, censoring Christmas is not the best way to ensure that the holidays are enjoyable and fair for everyone though. Almost every major religion has a holiday that coincides with Christmas.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Dōngzhì Festival, Bodhi day, Eid-Al-Adha, Junkanoo and Hogmanay are all holidays celebrated in winter.

Many people only understand the holiday that coincides with their religion meaning that many students at Coppell understand that Christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ, but are ignorant to the origins of other holidays around the world. Part of Coppell ISD’s mission statement is to Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas prepare students for an ever-changing global world but its students cannot succeed without an understanding of religions around the world.

Hogmanay. Do not When it comes to Christmas, the best focus on Christmas. Focus on the other reoption is not to eliminate it out of school ligions that are ignored and make everyone but instead to embrace everything else. If feel important. everyone talked about different religions

8 opinions

I remember in elementary school when the holidays came around we always got Christmas coloring packets. I would eagerly color in Santa’s hat and and ornaments on Christmas trees while singing along to the Christmas music my teacher had put on.

As much fun as I had coloring those packets when I was younger, I now look back on the time with an air of uncertainty.

I wonder how it must have felt for those kids who did not celebrate Christmas and the ones who celebrated Hanukkah as well. I w on d e r if

they ever thought it was weird that they had to color unfamiliar traditions and why not the others their families also eagerly celebrated.

90 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas according to a Gallup poll in 2010. And, the Christian celebration serves as the spotlight of the holiday season. In the excitement of the season we often forget that there are still 31 million people in America who do not celebrate Christmas, some of which feel an air of awkward exclusion from school celebrations and holiday greetings. Even people who celebrate Christmas along with other winter holidays can feel uneasy by Christ-

K A R A H A L L A M staff writer

mas’s overshadowing presence.

The ignorant assumption that the person you are wishing merry Christmas celebrates Christmas is an awkward mistake to make. Instead wish people a happy holiday because Christmas is not the only reason for the season.

The holiday season encompasses Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, culturally specific Christian holidays (such as Las Posadas,Yule and Advent), winter solstice festivals and Ramadan depending on how the lunar calendar falls that given year. Several of these holidays share the same religious base and for the most part families celebrate more than just one of these holidays.

Often times the phrase “Happy Holidays” is considered a direct attack against Christmas and Christianity, taking away from Christmas spirit by removing it from our vocabulary in order to be politically correct.

The phrase “Happy Holidays” is not an attack on Christmas. I find this claim selfish as if the accusers think Christmas is superior to other holidays. Christmas is one of the holidays included in the phrase “Happy Holidays” I do not see how it is excluded at all. All “Happy Holidays” does is include more holidays and cultures with Christmas.

In relation to Coppell Schools, Coppell Independent School District’s Title IX Compliance states that public schools cannot discriminate or exclude students based off religion or national origin by any program sponsored by the school. Christmas parties and other non-educational religiously themed activities violate this rule. Public schools are open to people of all religions and I would at least hope I could trust the administration to protect everyone’s rights by only sponsoring all religion encompassing or secular activities, rather than championing only one religion.

By all means go ahead sing your favorites Christmas songs, talk about your plans for Hanukkah, and get in the spirit of the holidays. You have the absolute right to express your joy about Christmas. Just remember that when it comes to other people they might not celebrate Christmas or celebrate other holidays along with Christmas.

The decisions and actions we make represent the attitude we have about people who are different than us. You have to decide if you want to get all riled up over a matter of simple changes to include everyone or get in the true spirit of the holiday spirit by respecting and showing compassion to all kinds of people.

On that note, I wish you Happy Holidays.

Modernization endangers small community values MODERNIZATION OF

COPPELL CISD bought

3,100 iPads

at a total cost of

$1,782,500

Coppell has newly built communities and is currently building more

4

2

Picture this: it is a bright Sunday afternoon and people are flooding out of the local church.

The smell of barbecue and apple pie fills the air everywhere you look, people sit in lawn chairs, talking, laughing and having a great time. A young boy rides past you on his 10-speed bike, tossing the morning paper onto cleanly cut lawns as he whizzes past them.

There are no walled communities, no malls, no shopping complexes, no greasy fast food chains; this is the American small town.

In today’s America this seems like a fantasy, the delusional creation of someone who has seen just a bit too many Twilight Zone episodes. It is just too foreign a concept for this generation to understand, people have grown to used to their fancy homes, materialistic items and the seclusion social media allows them. Small towns are no fantasy, but given the rate the world continues to push modernization, they are getting closer to fairy tale with every turn of the clock.

Take Coppell for instance, our town would seem much like the ideal small town of old, but there are a few setbacks. It is a town where I could leave my doors unlocked and not be afraid

that I will come back to an empty parking space or a newly empty space on my wall where the TV used to be. We have the community, but most of our events only make a vague attempt at being social. We have many homegrown businesses, but we are also overrun by fast food businesses on almost every block. And every five seconds, it seems we are are building something new.

There has not been a week gone by in the past eight months that there has not been construction going on in some part of town. Cypress Waters, the new complex with Smashburger and Einstein Bros, road improvements and constant updating of restaurants and buildings. The problem with Coppell is that we focus too much on being the next best thing.

A small town can never be the next best thing because the idea of a small town is one from our past. The people in those towns did not care about the latest trends or having the newest phone. They did not care about popularity, and that set them free.

They did not need fancy townhomes or shiny new McDonald’s lining the streets. People could be who they were and not be afraid

of how they will be treated by their peers. You do not hear about mass killings or crime sprees or rapists there, because the community is so close that no one would think of doing so. The community becomes family because they do not focus on the materialistic world. They never lose sight of the most important part of our lives, and one of the only parts that truly matter, relationships.

Contrary to the popular belief, Facebook is not nor will it ever be a replacement to real people. Text messages are not a proper substitute to real conversation and school events do not constitute as being social. But in today’s America, that is how things work.

We do not trust our neighbors, we are suspicious of things we do not know, we do not allow for freedom because we live in fear. All we are ever told is what we cannot do, what we should not do and it gets to the point where everything seems safer inside a giant plastic ball.

Fifty years ago, children could not wait to get away from their homes. They would go to drive in movies, hang with friends at the local drug stores or go out for a day at the beach. They went out of their way to be with people

instead doing everything in their power to avoid them. That simply does not happen anymore, we are encouraged to hide ourselves from the world and forget the old.

We are told we need to have the newest thing, that we need to be better than we were, that everything new is better and that the past will only hinder us. But in reality, it is the other way around, the more and more we move away from our past the more we will lose what makes us human.

The small towns, the little people, are the ones with the right idea. Without this simple idea, our whole social order could collapse. So go outside, sit by a fire and just be without the glare of a cell phone creeping into the picture.

A L E X I R R I Z A Y staff writer

Women’s priorities misplaced, pursue men before degree “I just want to go to college to find a guy”.

My head made a 180 degree quick turn as I tried to find who exactly uttered those stupid words. “Go to college just to find a guy? Haven’t feminists around the world for years wanted girls not be so dependent on men?”

No, this is not a feminist rant, and I for one do not consider myself to be a very passionate feminist, but spoken phrases like these kind of make me just a tad bit disgusted.

Ever since I was young, my parents pushed me to try my hardest in life. They taught me the importance of having an independent character and to strive for the best. The sky is the limit in essence, and I certainly did not need a man to provide the ladder to reach them.

But then I hear girls my age talk about how after all their hard work they have been through at Coppell High School and the rigorous curriculum they underwent, they still want to be 100 percent dependent on men and major in something that is relatively useless.

Is it just pure laziness? I am still to this day not sure, but then I heard another spoken phrase that made me squirm in my seat.

I do not know if the female

species is just getting more dependent or if it is just the people that I always seem to associate myself with are getting lazier, but as my senior year progresses, I s t i l l seem to find such girls that want to be so dependent on men later in life.

I listen to girls whine about how they do not want to have a challenging college experience and joke about how they will sit outside the life science building to find a potential boyfriend pursuing a medical career.

Why can these girls not strive to be obtain a higher goal?

Why can girls not be on their own for X number of months without feeling insecure?

It surely is not the majority of females, but there is a significant portion that for some reason have this urge to always have to lean on guys. They want to have an easy college experience and

hope men the harder degrees so they can swoop into

will pursue

their lives and feed off the fruit of their labor for the rest of their lives.

A part of me wants to assume that many girls are still struggling with an inferiority complex. Do girls still feel like they cannot amount to anything in life? Do they still believe that society looks down on them if a boy is not permanently by their side?

Whose fault is it?

It is not the guys, that is for sure.

“Girl power” has been enforced throughout society for years so girls should not feel obligated to conform to a man’s behavGraphic by Sophie Nauyokas ior. We cannot

blame society for girls having this mindset that pursuing an MRS degree is fulfilling, it is their fault.

Some girls are getting lazy, and guys have merely become the scapegoats.

After spending thousands of dollars every year to pursue a degree in college, it is quite ridiculous that young women would be willing to waste four years of college and student loan money on pursuing a useless major for the sole purpose of finding a potential husband.

These young women need to rethink their priorities and be aware that men are not the only reason to attend a university. They need to aspire to achieve greater and more challenging majors and to understand that they can still have a fulfilling life regardless if there is a wedding ring on their finger by the time they receive a diploma.

T O L U S A L A K O editorial page editor

opinions 9

Girls on the Run gives positive outlet to young girls Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas continued from pg. 1 bright orange shirts, as they wait for the event to start.

This group of young girls makes up the Dallas-Fort Worth branch of Girls on the Run. Pioneered in 1996 by Molly Barker in Charlotte, N.C., this organization was founded to provide elementary and middle school-aged girls with the skills they would need to navigate their experiences throughout their lives while giving them a physical outlet.

Over the course of 10 weeks in the fall or spring, these girls are taught these skills while simultaneously training for a 5K at the end of “season”. By combining running with a curriculum focusing on life skills, Girls on the Run has worked to empower girls in the United States and Canada over the past 17 years.

In 2005, the DFW branch of Girls on the Run was founded to continue the mission of the original organization with the same standard curriculum. Dallas resident Laurie Mitchell, the executive director for the DFW branch, started out as a coach in 2008 and fell in love with the program.

“I’ve been a lifelong runner, and that is how I initially became involved with the program,” Mitchell said. “When I saw that it was about so much more and about the girls, I just fell in love with it. After I coached my first season and saw how much the girls changed and learned, it made me want to be involved that much more.”

The DFW branch encompasses Dallas, Tarrant, Rockwall, Denton, Collin and Grayson counties, with small groups in the cities throughout these locations.

The Coppell group functions through the Coppell YMCA. Coppell resident Valerie Watson has served as the coach for this group for the past two seasons and uses games to help the girls learn the lessons while training. “[The girls] think we’re playing games, and that’s the best part of it all. They think they are running a lap and answering a question to win the game that we’re playing, but really what they are learning are these different lessons that we are teaching them,” Watson said. “It teaches them to have a healthy mind and healthy body.”

These games have been a favorite among the girls in the group.

10 student life

“My favorite part was that we got to do our fun games after we warmed up in a circle and before we exercised,” fourth grader Abby Hendricks said.

In addition to learning their lessons and running, the girls also performed community projects to teach them to importance of giving back. One of the most memorable times was visiting the Coppell Fire Department to give the firefighters baked goods.

“Everybody had to bring cupcakes, cookies or muffins and we went to deliver them to the firemen as something to help because they save our lives sometimes and they loved them,” fifth grader Carly Duperrior said.

To complete their season, the girls participated in the Gobble Hobble 5K. This drew families together from across the country to celebrate their accomplishment.

“I was really excited because I got to run with my best friends and grandma from California came in and she sat on the sidelines and cheered for me when I got to the finish line,” Duperrior said.

This also gave the girls the opportunity to show their parents how far they had come. For Hendricks, this was her third time to run the race with her mother.

“This was my third time to run this race and my mom usually runs with me and I go little bit faster than her,” Hendricks said. “I was happy because my dad could wait for me at the finish line and then I could wait for my mom and cheer for her.”

The 5K at the end of each season is one of the cornerstones of this organization and serves as a way to drive home the ultimate message of the program.

“When you push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could, it’s just a huge self-esteem booster,” Mitchell said.

“Even if they never run again after this, they can apply all the lessons they have learned to run the 5K and other aspects of their life, whatever their passion may be.

That’s the bottom line of what we are trying to do: build self-esteem and healthy attitudes.”

Not only are the girls changed by their participation in this program, their leaders are equally touched by the opportunity to get to know the girls and work with them. Juniors Jessie Cranmer and Emily Dunn served as junior coaches this season af-

ter being recommended by their former cross country teammates 2013 Coppell High School graduates Katie Sandfort and Ali Ische.

“This was not just something for my college application. I really wanted to have a leadership role during high school because I’ve never really considered myself a leader or someone to look up to,” Dunn said. “I just got to love on the girls and step up and lead them. The girls really look up to you and they freak out if you miss a week because they missed you.”

For Cranmer, this was an opportunity to give back to the

organization that she was involved with in elementary school.

“It’s kind of funny actually because I did Girls on the Run in third grade. They didn’t have junior coaches when I was in it, and I thought it would be cool for the girls to get a different perspective than just from the adults and to connect with more,” Cranmer said. “It was a little awkward getting to know them at first but now I am babysitting two of the girls.”

Seeing the girls complete the 5K left a lasting impression on Cranmer as she continues to run on the cross country team.

“I run a 5K every weekend for competition in cross country

and I don’t really talk to the other girls, I just race them,” Cranmer said. “But to see these young girls running together made me realize there is so much more to running than just a competition in high school.”

The participants and their mentors cross the finish line together and celebrate their accomplishments with high-fives and warm embraces. After 10 weeks together, these young girls and their mentors have come long distances not only in terms of their running abilities, but in their confidence and friendships.

Girls from the DFW branch of Girls on the Run gather to be recognized before the Gobble Hobble 5K on Nov. 23.

Seven members of Coppell’s Girls on the Run team pose for a picture together before heading to the start line. Photos by Elizabeth Sims.

Mickey makes dreams come true for generations J E N A S E I D E M A N N student life editor

For 85 years, one of the most recognizable faces in the world, Mickey Mouse, has brought joy to families all around the world and continues to do so within the community of Coppell.

Like many others, the mouse has been an integral part of Coppell High School junior Taylor Bryson’s childhood. Having gone to Disney World over 20 times, he has been a fanatic since he was 3-years-old.

“Growing up, my parents loved Disney, and they went to Disney World a lot and watched all the movies; they introduced me by taking me to Disney World, “ Bryson said.

Bryson has watched nearly all of the Disney films. In addition, when his family visits the park each year, they have a few of their own traditions.

“Mickey Mouse and Disney has been a part of my childhood; Every time go to Disney world, I have to get a photo with Mickey,” Bryson said. “It never gets old and I have been there so many times.”

As a KCBY member, Bryson accredits his love for film to the creator of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney. One of his future aspirations is to work for the Disney Company in either the film department or work at Disney World for a few years.

In the present time, Bryson appreciates the consistency Mickey lends to his life and the stress relief it brings.

“With Disney World and Disney in general, it has been a stress relief for me because I watch Disney movies all the time, and every time I go to Disney World, no matter how [bad] my life has been or how hard school is or how hard family life is, it is just a way for me to forget what is happening right then and take everything in,” Bryson said.

With his D102 walls plastered with Mickey Mouse posters and other decorations, IB history teacher Kyle Dutton was introduced to Mickey at the age of 5, but did not become a big fan until high school.

As a fan of cartoons, he began watching the reruns of the Mickey Mouse club. At the age of 17, he went on two trips to Disney World for his high school and church choir trips.

Since then, he has gone an additional three times, including his honeymoon and a very special trip for his mother.

His family recently visited Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

This was one of his mother’s first vacation ever, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Dutton’s mother grew up in central Texas picking cotton and lived an impoverished life.

When her family went to the local fairs or carnivals, she was too poor to buy anything including food.

Fast-forwarding a couple of decades to the trip, Dutton’s mother was able to get the vacation of her dreams in the land where dreams come true.

“There we were, it was at Christmas time, standing under the Osborne lights, which is the largest Christmas display of lights in the entire world,” Dutton said. “For that country girl to be enthralled with the tiny twinkling lights and come from a little two bit country town in Texas and for her to stand under that, it was priceless; she loved every moment of it.”

Almost instantly after the trip, Dutton’s mother asked to go back, and the family hopes to visit again next Christmas.

In his teaching, Dutton aspires to use Mickey as his alter ego and portray the same happy and cheerful characteristics the mouse processes. Each day, he wears one of his 1969 Mickey Mouse neck ties to school.

On the holidays, he also wears Mickey themed ties.

Other parts of his collection include ink pens, socks, stuffed animals, watches and a waffle maker.

In one scenario, instead of buying a letterman jacket during high school, he and his mother ventured to Fort Worth to buy a Mickey Mouse Letter Jacket. To this day, he still owns it.

After a childhood without Disney, Coppell resident Donna Eberhardt visited with her husband, then fiancé, Disney World before she was married. Going full circle, for their honeymoon, they visited the park again. Since her first encounters with Mickey Mouse and Disney, Eberhardt has incorporated Disney and Mickey into her family life.

This year alone, Eberhardt and her husband have been to Disney World for the Halloween, Fourth of July and Christmas festivities. Her love for Disney spans into her wardrobe from sweaters to the shoes on her feet including three pairs of crocs, two pairs of tennis shoes, two pairs of flip flops and a pair of rain boots all Mickey Mouse themed.

The cheerful mouse was even part of her children’s lives. When they were younger, her three daughters would

be dressed in matching Mickey sweaters. During the Christmas time, she also dons the outside of her house with Disney theme decorations.

However, one of her most fond memories of Mickey does not lie within her children’s childhood but in her future grandchildren’s.

“My most current treasured memory with Mickey Mouse is when my daughter found out she was pregnant and gave me a Mickey Mouse to give to my future grandchild,” Eberhardt said.

From the start, Mickey Mouse has donned the same outfit of yellow shoes, red pants and white gloves. In the same way, as his wardrobe stayed constant, so is his wholesome, happy and good attitude that has been bringing joy to families around the world for 85 years and will continue to do so for coming generations.

Five facts about Mickey Mouse #1

#2 #3 #4 #5

“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse.”

Walt Disney

Graphic Jordan Bickham

student life 11

Seidemanns provide inspiration by living life to its fullest despite challenges

RILEY CHRON

the

Overcoming Odds

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

Story by Alex Dalton, Staff Writer

The Seidemann family came to Coppell with two disabled parents and were just expecting a great school system; but were greeted with a warm community of neighbors and friends as well. Surrounded by some amazing people and great opportunities, they have finally found a place that helps them overcome their daily struggles while celebrating the unforgettable life they’ve felt they had the good fortune of stumbling upon.

Photo by Jena Seidemann

Sam Seidemann can still recall the day that he broke his back in the 11th thoracic vertebrae; the injury forced upon him on May 17, 1980 that made him paralyzed from the waist down.

On an off day in the Navy, where he had been an enlistee for six years, Seidemann was riding dirt bikes with old friend Jim Elliot in San Ysidro, California.

Riding fast, Seidemann’s bike flipped over a stump, causing

him to go along with it and land on his back on another near by stump.

“To put it cleanly I knew something had gone terribly wrong.

When I was laying on the ground I tried to look up and saw my legs down there just flopping all over the place,” Seidemann said. “The guy I was riding with didn’t see me wipe out but he came back looking for me. He couldn’t find me but I heard him yelling for me so I had to take my helmet off and throw it up several times until he found me.”

At the ER Seidemann experienced a surgery without anesthesia, searching for internal bleeding.

Getting cut open on his abdomen, Seidemann could feel every touch of the knife. But after his excruciating visit to the ER, Seidemann says his first couple of weeks of learning how to do things were the hardest of the whole experience, only soothed by the support of his fellow Navy men.

“In the beginning everything was a struggle. It was transferring into a wheelchair, learning how to drive again with the stick that you move up and down instead of your feet,” Seidemann said. “The way my body changed, having skinnier legs because of little use, and stronger arms because of my dependence on them.”

Sam Seidemanns’ mother, Mary Ruth Seidemann, described her son before the accident as an energetic boy who loved to play football and waterski. She was always proud of her son, but says her

Going back in time with the Seidemanns

Photos courtesy the Seidemanns

2003

1974

proudest moments were during his transition.

“He was very courageous throughout his transition. We were in the Naval hospital and some of the boys were not doing well in therapy but my son worked very hard. My husband and I were amazed at the way he was working,” Mary Ruth said. “He accepted his situation. The other boys couldn’t accept that they were wounded but he knew that being paralyzed wouldn’t stop him.”

Seidemann’s greatest fear is that he would not be able to make it to the age he is at now, so, for a few years, he lived a fast paced life, carefree and filled with partying.

Luckily for Seidemann, he found resurgence in physical activities.

“I first started biking in 1987 in Copeville (southeast Texas) after I was married. One of my fellow basketball players had a used hand cycle that he wanted to sell, so I bought it,” Seidemann said. “There were a lot of country roads out there and you get to see things you normally wouldn’t see in a car. It is a much different perspective and, it’s just a lot of fun.”

Although physical activity is a great coping mechanism, Seidemann feels that his wife Lynn Seidemann, 50, is his rock and one of his biggest supporters.

After meeting at the Dallas Wheelchair Tennis Club just seven years after his accident, Seidemann claims she was the reason for his ability to look positively about his

disability.

Dating for three months before marriage, Sam and Lynn Seidemann said ‘I do’ at a justice of the peace on March 18, 1987. After their initial marriage, they married another time for celebrations and once so their first child Nick could be baptized in the Catholic Church.

Both being debilitated, it has left both of them to talk about anything.

An openness like that has made for the best adventures including including scuba diving in Grand Caman.

His wife of 26 years, Lynn had a similar sporting accident while skiing at the young age of 21. While skiing on spring break in Colorado with some of her college soccer teammates, Lynn fell and hit a tree breaking t11 in her back.

“When the doctor from Colorado called to tell me the news I was shocked, in complete disbelief,” Lynn’s mother, Joyce Ellis, said.

Ellis described Lynn before her accident as sports-minded, outgoing and someone who always just wanted to have fun. Ellis does not believe that changed, with her accident, but it was put on hold for a while after her accident.

“I’m sure it was very difficult for her because she was in rehab for quite a while; she missed one semester of school. I’m sure that that there were many times that she was depressed about things. That’s really common among people who are disabled because of an accident of some kind,” Ellis said. “Most of

the time she was pretty up beat, but she admitted later that she had had thoughts of suicide. Fortunetely she did not follow through on that. It was a drastic thing for to go through, there were all kinds of downs but she would think that she’d get to walk eventually. Eventually she came to the realization that probably wasn’t the case.”

Wheelchair bound as well as her husband, Lynn also found resolve in physical activities.

“After all this time, [being in a wheelchair] is more comfortable.

You learn how to do things by being around other people with disabilities and just living,” Lynn said.

“Being around other people who were very active and successful with living with their disabilities made a difference on me adjusting. Sports like tennis and horseback riding have been some of the things that I’ve found the most fun.”

Although Lynn was able to find her way to a great life with her disability, she still had to go through the first struggles.

“My biggest struggles were figuring out how to do things. It’s how do you fit through the door in a wheelchair? How do you go to the grocery store?” Lynn Seidemann said.

But those things did not hold Lynn back from going to the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic games for tennis and then Sydney, Athens and Beijing games for dressage. In her paralympic career, she has won two silver medals, one in tennis and

another in dressage and became the 2003 World Champion in Belgium for dressage.

While Lynn is a world champion, her number one accomplisment is her children. Sam and Lynn wanted to have a family like everybody else. Their first child, 2011 CHS graduate and Texas A&M University junior Nick Seidemann, was born via artificial insemination.

Their second child Jena was adopted from China and is now a junior.

“We wanted a second child, a daughter, so we decided to adopt overseas. The first adoption agency did not even want to deal with two people in wheelchairs adopting. So we found somebody else who would be able to work with us,” Sam said.

After successfully adopting, Lynn and Sam say that they solved simple issues by things such as putting the kid in overalls so they could pick them up from the floor. The only difference Sam says there was was a large amount of lap riding.

Lynn agrees that her ‘couldhave-been’ life might be lackluster when compared to the one she has now. Without her accident she wouldn not have met her husband, had her son or thought to adopt overseas. She says that her positive energy that sprouted from her accident is the reason for her appreciation.

“You can look at life two ways; feel sorry for yourself or enjoy that you have a life and that you have opportunities to do things,” Lynn said.

“I choose to enjoy life to the fullest.”

Learning about the Paralympics What are the Paralympics?

The Paralympics Games is an major international, multisport event similar to the Olympics, the only difference

What is the history behind them?

-

What are some sports that are represented?

1987 Sam Seidemann was a

12 centerspread

Junior Riley Chron was only 7 years old when his mother took a the doctor’s, they found Chron had Coats’ disease, a rare condi-

What are some positive aspects that have resulted from your disability?

“I was afraid that it would spread to both eyes and they would put me in special classes where someone would have to help me walk around everywhere and I don’t want that. I think the glass eye has helped me push myself more so that I would be like everybody else so that I could do what I wanted to do and hang out with my friends and be a regular person.”

How does your disability impact your relationship with others?

“Some lying because ent.

Little on me with wasn’t like and then annoyed with should see

things that I dealt with early on was bulkids didn’t understand why I was differkids don’t understand and they picked names like cyclops and freak because I them. I had names for having one eye, names for wearing glasses, too. I was people at school and my mom thought I a counselor but I didn’t want that. I remember being mad a lot because I was different.”

MACI NICHOLS Senior Maci Nichols is another Coppell student who is hindered

When and how did you realize your disability?

“At the hospital [as a child], I passed all of the hearing tests and they didn’t think anything was wrong, but weird things would happen. In the car my mom would be on my left side and I wouldn’t even hear her or register that she was talking to me. When my grandparents would call I would automatically put the phone on the right side even though my mom would put it up to my left ear.”

How has your disability impacted your relationships with others?

Lynn Seidemann has won two silver medals in her Paralympics

“I’ve always grown up with the same group of kids, and most of my friends knew about it but when I would meet someone new it would always be kind of awkward.

I’m a very quiet person most of the time and being the center of attention wasn’t something I was always comfortable with. It wasn’t something that I would hide but it was never something I wanted everyone to know.

It’s not really a big deal to me now, but in middle school it was something that I struggled with.”

centerspread 13

CANCER

combat successes inspire positive outlooks CHRISTINA BURKE managing editor

Twenty-four year-old Courtney Crosby, a 2007 Coppell High School graduate, was on a mission trip in Israel last February when she got the call from her mother. The lump in her throat was diagnosed as type 2A Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

It all started with a cold Crosby had conjured up last January, but peculiarly, her lymph nodes remained swollen long after she had defeated the illness. Confused and concerned, Crosby decided to

have her doctor check it out.

Little did she know she would be meeting with an oncologist two months later to discuss options for cancer treatment.

“It was definitely not anything I was prepared for, or anything I thought could happen especially because of my lifestyle choices,” Crosby said. “I didn’t think people this young could get something this serious.”

The diagnosis hit Crosby and her family with complete and utter disbelief, especially her sister, CHS senior Maggie Crosby, who did not want to assume the worst.

“It was so difficult because she’s my best friend and it was really hard. I couldn’t lose her,” Maggie said. “We took every day as a gift, and I am so thankful everyday that we still have her.”

Courtney endured 12 treatments of chemotherapy every other Friday for about six months starting at the end of March. Although the treatments took a lot out of her, she found that surrounding herself with positive people helped her keep her head up through the hard times.

“The biggest thing was just attitude,” Courtney said. “It was so easy to feel bad and sit in that

14 student life

dark place. It is really easy to be negative. I had friends that would mail me letters or visit me. Those were the weeks I didn’t feel as sick. It wasn’t a one person fight.”

Courtney’s family played a big part in her battle against the lymphoma. The Crosbys grew closer together in the months they spent praying for a miracle.

“My sister makes me reconsider things such as being more positive and never giving up,” Maggie said. “Just seeing her be so strong and never quit, it made our friendship grow even stronger.”

Courtney teaches science at Williams H i g h

School, and her students played a big part in her fight with lymphoma. They wrote her letters, drew her pictures and even presented her with a pair of fuzzy socks she wore to every single treatment. In return, she showed them how to stay positive when dealing with cancer.

“I teach biology and chemistry, and I was able to bring it up in class to make it more real to them,” Courtney said. “It was a good conversation because unfortunately a lot of people do get cancer at some time. Now they have a positive story to share.”

Courtney is now in remission, and serves as a headstrong example of positivity for cancer patients. Like Courtney, Coppell resident Candy Sheehan was completely taken aback by her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007, but she did not let it get in the way of her ambitions.

“I had just signed up for an Ironman, and at some point I decided ‘I can’t have cancer rule my life, and it’s not going to determine what or who I am’. I was determined to fight it and win,” Sheehan said.

To the dismay of her doctor, Sheehan claimed that a little bit of cancer was not going to stop her from running the Ironman

in November. However, her close friend and triathlon training partner CHS teacher Ginger Smith was not at all surprised by this decision.

“The ironman was on her plan before she found out she had cancer,” Smith said. “Cancer only served as an obstacle. There was no way it was going to stop her.

When Candy decides on something, she does not falter.”

Smith trained alongside Sheehan for several months before the triathlon. Sheehan’s exercise schedule worked around two surgeries in May and several rounds of chemotherapy in the months that followed. She trained intently- two weeks on, one week off- leading up to the event to ensure that she was

strong enough to fight to the finish.

“Candy is a fighter. She is a positive person. She never dwells on the negative. You will never hear her complain about her life situations. It is what it is,” Smith said. “Candy will find a way to overcome whatever is handed to her. She always makes the best of every situation.”

Sheehan’s positive attitude and hard work paid off when she accomplished the seemingly impossible: crossed the finish line.

“I was a lot slower at everything I did, but I thought, ‘This is what I had to do to kind of keep going.’ It was something to focus on and a goal to be reaching for,” Sheehan said. “I crossed the finish line just as bald as I could be, and I couldn’t have been prouder or happier in my life.”

Two months after the Ironman, in January 2008, Sheehan was pronounced cleared of her cancer, and has remained cancer free for the last five years. She partook in a second Ironman in 2012, this time proudly chemical free.

The public’s response to Sheehan’s fierce cancer combat earned her a nomination for Coppell’s Hometown Hero in 2011 and left those close to her significantly impacted.

“Candy is an inspiration

Graphics by Josh Martin

with or without cancer,” Smith said. “She has become an example as to how to deal with huge obstacles. Candy is a survivor because of her positive attitude, because of her love of life, and her stubborn will. Candy is my hero, and she is an example for us all.”

Sheehan fought her way to survival with spirit and dedication, and she still seizes the opportunity to share her tale of positivity even today so that people know it is possible to make it through the hard times.

“It is a story that can inspire people,” Sheehan said. “You don’t have to have cancer to have something negative in your life, and you don’t need an Ironman to get you out of that, but you just need to focus on something positive.”“I crossed the finish line just as bald as I could be, and I couldn’t have been prouder or happier in my life.”

Two months after the Ironman, in January 2008, Sheehan was pronounced cleared of her cancer, and has remained cancer free for the last five years. She partook in a second Ironman in

2012, this time proudly chemical free.

The public’s response to Sheehan’s fierce cancer combat earned her a nomination for Coppell’s Hometown Hero in 2011 and left those close to her significantly impacted.

“Candy is an inspiration with or without cancer,” Smith said. “She has become an example as to how to deal with huge obstacles. Candy is a survivor because of her positive attitude, because of her love of life, and her stubborn will. Candy is my hero, and she is an example for us all.”

Sheehan fought her way to survival with spirit and dedication, and she still seizes the opportunity to share her tale of positivity even today so that people know it is possible to make it through the hard times.

“It is a story that can inspire people,” Sheehan said. “You don’t have to have cancer to have something negative in your life, and you don’t need an Ironman to get you out of that, but you just need to focus on something positive.”

SLOANE SAMBERSON staff writer

It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house and magic is in the air. The family is all together for a night filled with dancing, Christmas traditions and the exchanging of special presents.

Two talented dancers will embody the lead role of Clara in The Ballet Academy of Texas’ annual production of “The Nutcracker”.

Kristen Wright, 15, and Alise Newman, 13, are the dynamic duo that will be the face of the Clara. Both Wright and Newman have been dancing nearly their whole life and after years of hard work, they get to dance one of the greatest roles in the world of ballet.

Wright and Newman were in complete awe when they found out they were chosen to play such a renowned role. This meant that all their effort had finally paid off.

To reduce stress on the lead dancer, both Wright and Newman each perform in two of the productions. It also gives more girls the chance to fulfil the dream of performing as Clara from year to year.

“Our teacher, Ms. Lisa Slagle, had a few girls go into the studio and learn Clara’s solo, a part in the party scene. She gave us a

G A B B Y S A H M staff writer

Cars are usually the most reliable way of getting around, next to walking. From driving across states to just cruising down the street, cars of different makes and models can be seen along every roadway.

However, one student is taking a special interest in another mode of transportation and hopes to make a career of it.

Coppell High School sophomore Bruno Turati is part of Dallas Fort Worth Ambassador Volunteers, which allows young adults to assist people in finding their way around the DFW Airport. He has been involved ever since his friend, CHS senior Laura Gao, who was already involved in the program, told him about it 14 months ago.

“I have always had a passion for aviation, airports and planes,” Turati said. “So I thought it was a great opportunity to experience that.”

Once he talked to his parents about it, which really did not take too much convincing, Turati was standing in a small office, waiting to hear which section of the air-

few corrections but it was pretty quick,” Newman said. “Then she had do it in groups of two in front of her and Mr. Allan Kinzie, our other teacher. After that, she wanted to see if we could do the acting portion of the role, so she taught us the little part where Clara is fighting with her brother Fritz over the nutcracker. After that we were done and she told us later that day,” Newman said.

To take part in “The Nut-

cracker”, you not only have to be able to dance but also act.

“I really like it because Clara’s character is so lighthearted and happy that is makes it really fun. It is a lot of acting in the role so it never gets boring,” Newman said. “It is really exciting to play a big role and also I think that practicing and working on the choreography has helped Kristen and I improve,” Newman said.

Along with the long prac-

tices, all regular classes are still in place. These girls can be at the studio for up to 30 hours a week.

Practices last from 7:00-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday’s and from 12:30-6:00 p.m. on Saturday’s.

“The Saturday practices are really long, but all the work pays off because we improve each day.

We’ve been practicing since September, so I think we’ve practiced around 100 hours if we practice eight hours a week,” Wright said.

Each year the production of “The Nutcracker” uses the same timeless dance moves along with some flair to add a personal aspect to each new cast of dancers.

“Getting to be backstage is so much fun. We have a room filled with snacks and drinks in between shows and when we warm up before the show we are allowed to wear footy-pajamas,” Wright said.

Slagle is director of “The Nutcracker” along with the help of Kinzie. Slagle has been head of of The Nutcracker since 1999 when she opened The Ballet Academy of Texas. Kinzie just recently joined the staff but has been teaching ballet for 26 years.

Together the production of the 2013 Nutcracker is bound to exceed all limits.

“It seems kind of crazy at the studio during Nutcracker because there are a lot of people there. I

actually like the really big rehearsals because sometimes it is fun to learn how to work in a rehearsal with so many people,” Newman said.

Each year hundreds of people come out to see their beloved ballerina’s perform in “The Nutcracker.” People love to watch the classic production, it is a great Christmas tradition for those who love dancing and the story of “The Nutcracker.”

“I really just can’t wait to get on stage and do what I love! It’s so cool to share a part with Alise because she is a remarkable dancer. I love working with her even though we won’t be performing together,” Wright said.

You can really tell the girls and boys love what they do by their onstage presence. It is such a sight to see all their smiling faces and perfected dance moves.

The passion of dance fills the air during the performance of “The Nutcracker”, let alone any production created by the staff of The Ballet Academy of Texas.

“I am really looking forward to performing in front of the audience because that is my favorite part of dancing and that is the whole reason we rehearse so much, and it feels like the hard work really pays off while you are performing,” Newman said.

Bruno hopes to turn this no’s father and mother, are both very proud of the work that their unpaid, volunteer job, into a fullson is achieving. When he first fledged career as a pilot. He hopes came to them about joining the that starting at the bottom will program, they were ecstatic and eventually get him into the could not wait for him to start.

“I think the program is great clouds.

“Interfor him,” Mrs. Turati said. “He can acting with experience something he reso many ally loves doing.” people evMr. Turati sees many ery time I potential benefits from volunteer the program, and always can open encouraging his son to doors to think about the future and m a n y what it could hold.

“The program is great for him because it gives him an idea on what the demands of an actual job m i g ht be like,” Mr. Turati said.

“It also is a great learning experience that he can grow from.”

Photo courtesy Bruno Turati

job opportunities,” Turati said. “I hope that one day someone will help get me to where I want to go.”

Kristen Wright and Alise Newman both portray the character Clara in the Ballet Academy of Texas’ annual production of “The Nutcracker”. There were two preformances on Dec. 7-8. Photo courtesy Cathy Vanover.

port he would be working in.

“I check in at a certain time in the office and get assigned a position throughout anywhere in the entire airport,” Turati said.

For four hours, Turati walks around his section and offers help to anyone who might need it.

Sometimes people will not know where their gate happens to be, where they go for baggage claim or even just asking for advice on the best place to get a quick bite before their plane departs.

“Sometimes you run into interesting people to say the least,” Turati said. “One time a lady just came up to me, hit my arm, then walked away. I did not know whether to laugh or be concerned.”

Mehdi Mostowfi, Turati’s shift supervisor, has been looking after him since day one. From helping him when he first started off, Mostowfi sees tremendous changes in Turati each day.

“Bruno is one of our navigators that has been assisting our guests from all around the world,” Mostowfi said. “He has been a great role model for our upcoming Navigators who want to be just like him.”

Al and Marina Turati, Bru-

Graphic by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

student life 15

Recipes to sweeten your holidays Student Life Editor Jena Seidemann gives guide to perfect holiday recipes

Fudge Balls Around sixth grade, I began dabbling with baking. After finding an elementary school holiday recipe books, I flipped to the dessert section and found the perfect recipe: Chocolate Fudge-Peanut Butter Balls.

Ingredients t 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or any other chocolate you would want) t ¼ cup of half and half (substitute milk if you want a healthier recipe) t 1/3 cup peanut butter t 1/3 cup chopped peanuts unsalted t Melt the chocolate in saucepan with the half and half (I would recommend heating the dairy a little before adding the chocolate). t Once that is melted, drop the peanut butter in and mix (use a whisk, the flexible-non metal ones work best). t Let it cool to where it has firmed up a little, but not too much. t Line a pan with wax paper and pour. You can stir in the chopped nuts in the cooling mixture and then cut the fudge later and roll into balls or just wait and then roll the balls in the peanuts.

Easy Cake COOKIES Chewy, delicious and easy, these cookies will become a hit at a party.There are so many times I forgot to bake for a gathering and resorted to these life savers.

The best part about them is that the pieces within the cookie can be almost anything, so it it very versatile.

I would like to extend a warm thank you to my dear friend Chandler Webb for sharing these easy and delicious cookies with me. My stomach has never forgotten and neither has my pant size. Thank you. t 1 box cake (any flavor) t ½ cup Vegetable oil t ½ cup candy or chocolate (choice of mixture item) t 2 eggs t Preheat oven to 350 degrees t Mix all ingredients together and break up clumps t Spoon out in tablespoon portions onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper t Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges start to brown

Tomato soup spice Apple Cake Muffins CAKE During the Great Depression, my great grandmother had to support 11 children alone after her husband died when my grandmother was 5. She became a pro at making delicious, easy and economical recipes. This was one of her favorites.

Instead of feeling guilty while eating this cake, remember that it has nuts, eggs, flour and vegetables or four of the five recommended food groups for a healthy and balanced diet. t 1 box of carrot or spice cake t 1 can tomato soup t ½ cup water t 2 eggs t 1 cup chopped pecans Follow the direction on the box for cooking except substitute the water and soup for the liquid (oil and water). t Add eggs t Stir in the pecans t Bake as directed from the cake box recipe t Serve alone or with frosting of choice.

Apple crisp is becoming increasingly popular and is a favorite among people today. Before the boom, my great-grandmother Linnie Bell Burns would make these muffins for her children and other family gatherings when they played dominos outside because cards would be blown away.

Apples t 2 peeled apples chopped and cored t 1 tsp cinnamon t 2 tbsp sugar t 2 tbsp lemon or lime juice Vanilla Cake Recipe t 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour t 2 cups sugar t 1 cup milk t 3/4 cup vegetable oil t 4 eggs t 2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder t 1 teaspoon vanilla t ½ cup of applesauce or 1 applesauce singles cup Make Vanilla cupcakes t Chop apple and mix with cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice t Bake for as long as needed at 350 degrees and serve (20-25 minutes roughly).

Photos and story by Student Life Editor, Jena Seidemann

Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas

16 entertainment

Student Life Editor Jena Seidemann displays her favorite holiday goods.

While some were passed down through the family, others she put together through mere curiosity and her passion for baking.

Graphic by Julia Bordanaro

ALTERNATIVE

Entertainment editor Stephanie Alexander and design editor Jordan Bickham are alternative music enthusiasts with The Sidekick.

An Awesome Wave

IF YOU WAIT If Florence + the Machine and The xx had a musical baby, it would be London Grammar. The first thing that attracted me to the band was the name as I am completely in love with England so I thought “oh la la, London. Let’s check this out”. I was not disappointed. Strong defined female vocals intertwined with atmospheric, lingering music.

This is a great album for a long drive, or if you want a mellow environment to study in or when you are stressed out. “Flickers”, “Strong” and “Stay Awake” are just a few of my favorites. For a new upcoming group, If You Wait is a very solid debut album and I cannot wait to see London Grammar at the Granada Theater in March.

“A wave, an awesome wave”. The first Alt- J song I ever heard was “Bloodflood”.

It is so different from others songs and artists I have heard. With extremely unique and gritty vocals, inaudible lyrics featuring various and numerous instruments in the background, this British quartet is like no other band on my iPod. I was genuinely crushed when I did not see them at the House of Blues this past September.

An Awesome Wave is an album that never fails to put me in a good mood.

Each song takes you through a different story. You need to listen to the whole album, from “Intro” all the way through “Hand-Made”, and it will take you on such a musical journey.

YOUNG THE GIANT

THE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE WHALER

YOUNG THE GIANT

THIS IS AN ADVENTURE

Listening to Young the Giant’s self-titled album, it is no surprise to find that the band itself was created in California. With beachy instruments such as the ukulele, catchy rhythms and smooth vocals, Young the Giant captures the beauty of the ocean. Songs such as “Strings” paint a picture of the Golden State simply through music.

The album’s music is deeper than that, with songs that are not only catchy, but also showcase a band full of talent such as in “Islands,” which exhibits lead singer, Sameer Gadhia’s incredible vocals. Not only is the studio recorded album amazing, but the band’s songs performed acoustically outside through In the Open Sessions proves that Young the Giant has true talent. Whenever you want to be transported to the California beaches, know that Young the Giant’s music will take you there.

When I first heard the single, “Pioneers,” that was released preceding this album, I knew that The Lighthouse and the Whaler was going to create a masterpiece. And, when This is an Adventure, was eventually released, I was definitely impressed.

While the single suggests a more positive, upbeat sound, the band proves to be versatile. Yes, it does have a number of fun, optimistic songs such as “Venice,” but it also shows the band’s deeper side through tracks such as “Little Vessels” and “We’ve Got the Most” that brings a darker, more intense side. Overall, This is an Adventure is a brilliant sophomore album for The Lighthouse and the Whaler.

U P C O M I N G A LT E R N AT I V E C O N C E R T S South Side Ballroom: Feb 14 Young the Giant (with Cayucas and Vance Joy) Feb 28 Pixies (with Best Coast) Mar 25 Ellie Goulding American Airlines Center: Feb 21 Imagine Dragons (with The Naked and Famous and Nico Vega)

House of Blues: Jan 28 Jake Bugg April 24 HAIM May 29 The 1975 Granada Theater: Mar 18 London Grammar

entertainment 17

Nix brings professional dance experience to DSOC A N N I E W E N staff writer

Red and white fringe turned into blue, white and stars.

Blue, white and stars turned into petticoats and a big hat. Finally, petticoats and a big hat turned into black, pink and sequins.

Coppell High School 2000 graduate Jennifer Nix has found her way back to the place where she put on her first pair of white boots and danced at a halftime show. An instructor at the newest dance studio in Coppell, Dana’s Studio of Dance, she is creating a new drill company for girls who wish to become a future Lariette or dance on a college dance team.

Nix has had plenty of experience in the dance and performing arts industry. A 20002002 Rangerette, she later tried out for and became a Dallas Mavericks dancer, dancing with them from 2003-2005. After leaving the Mavericks she joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from 2006-2008.

“I met Jenn back in 2006 while we were both auditioning for DCC,” former teammate and friend Melissa Rycroft said. “We

were two of the oldest candidates trying out as Rookies for the team. She is truly one of the most talented, driven and independent people I’ve ever met.”

Nix accomplished a lifelong dream after her stint with the Mavericks, flying to Florida and becoming a performer at Walt Disney World. She worked with Disney from 2009-2011 as a character performer and a dancer in the Festival of the Lion King and Disney Channel Rocks.

“That’s when I decided that I really wanted to teach full-time,” Nix said. “The whole thing about working at Disney World is you’re making magic happen every single day. That’s what Disney taught me that I brought back home: every single thing that I do has an impression on somebody else’s life.”

After spending 29 years dancing, Nix wanted to turn her focus onto teaching. The Coppell location of DSOD opened last September and this is the first year that a drill company is available in Coppell for younger dancers to get a head start.

“We go from ages 4-18,” Nix said. “We teach kids what it’s

18 entertainment

like to be on your high school drill team or college dance team. I thought Coppell would be a great location for that because I know how important the Lariettes are to the community.”

Nix serves as drill company director of DSOD. The drill company not only goes out and performs but also competes on the same circuit as teams such as the Lariettes.

“We thought we would build the drill team up at the Southlake location,” Nix said.

“It was such a success over there that we decided to start one in Coppell now so hopefully in a year or two that will be a big success as well.”

Dana Bailey, owner of DSOD, works closely with Nix and believes that she is the perfect person to lead the drill company.

“I am so thrilled to have Jennifer Nix back at Dana’s Studio Of Dance,” Bailey said. “She took from me when she was around 11 years old and I remember teaching her with such great memories. It is always so exciting when students I have trained go on to do big things with their dance career. It is

Jennifer Nix teaches her elementary class their new hip hop routine at Dana’s Studio of Dance. Photo

by Shannon Morgan. even more exciting when they come back to share their talents and life dance experiences with the new DSOD students.

“Jenn brings not only the talent but also the passion and love for working with children in preparing them either just to have passion for the art of dance, be on their high school drill team or become a professional dancer.”

Nix hopes that DSOD

will grow within the next few years and become a place where young dancers can tap into their passion of dance.

“Our hip hop company and drill company are the babies of the studio,” Nix said. “Hopefully with them as the foundation of what builds this studio up we can help these kids find their niche and the way that they love dance the most.”

Restaurant review

Sfizio Italian dining experience brings mixed results HENRIIKKA NIEMI staff writer

With a black and white Katharine Hepburn film projected on one wall and a football game on another, Sfizio provides a completely unique dining experience for Coppell residents.

Sfizio, located in Coppell near Sprout’s and Pink Frosting on Denton Tap, has combined authentic style Italian food with a modern concept. The restaurant is split into a choir room on the left side with a projected movie playing silently on the wall and ornate decorations hanging around the room and a sports bar on the right. When I sat down to eat, there was an NFL game playing in the sports bar, although it was not too loud so that it would be disruptive.

The menu features everything from flatbreads, pizza and pasta to risotto and seafood dishes. Most of the dishes were intricate with many ingredients, but there was also traditional spaghetti and meatballs and a make your own pizza option for more

picky eaters.

The classic bruschetta with tomato, mozzarella and olive oil could be substituted for or combined with mushroom or roasted bell pepper bruschetta. The bread was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside with a generous amount of toppings.

For a relatively slow Monday night, service was a little slow to start, but once appetizers came out, the entrees quickly followed.

The first smoked salmon flatbread came out slightly burnt and the next had a shrunken portion size. What I assumed to be the owner of the restaurant offered to replace the flatbread with a different meal, but we opted to remove it completely from the check to save time. The spaghetti and meatballs dish was better, with a portion size that was perfect for an entree.

Although the server was not very talkative, our drinks were always full and our needs were attended to.

Sfizio is closed on Sundays and has a split schedule from

Monday through Friday, open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. Only dinner is offered on Saturday.

Walk ins are welcome any day of the week.

Overall, Sfizio strays from the traditional sit down Italian

restaurant but offers diverse experiences for customers through their choir room, sports bar and menu choices.

Gaylord Texan’s ICE! creates winter wonderland SHANNON WILKINSON s t a ff w r i t e r

Nothing screams “Happy Holidays” like a nine-degree room and huge, elaborate ice sculptures. The Gaylord Texan Resort hosted its 10th annual ICE! show, with this year’s theme being The Nutcracker.

The sculptures seen at ICE! are all carved by 40 master ice artisans from China. These sculptors spend 45 days in Grapevine carving the beautiful sculptures thousands of people come to see.

“It was my first time going to see ICE!,” senior Grace Naran-

jo said. “It was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced because of how detailed each sculpture is and the amount of time the artists had to put into it.”

The tour starts with an informative video about how the show is put together and ends with “snow” falling from the sky. Attendees are then ushered through a door where they are given large, blue parkas and head into the below freezing exhibit hall.

“The sculptures were ginormous and super interesting to look at because of all the detail, but the room was so cold, I could

not feel my hands,” Naranjo said.

“Even though it was so cold, it was fun because everyone was all bundled up walking close to each other.”

This year, the ICE! show added a bonus interactive area.

Participants got the chance to walk through the streets of New York City made entirely out of ice. All the major tourist attractions of New York City were highlighted.

Besides the two million pounds of ice used for the show, there are also 1.5 million lights used in the creation and colored ice to bring the display to life.

“The ice is really impressive, but the fact that they could put lights inside the ice to bring it to life was even better,” CMS North seventh grader Michael Tierney said. “I also liked sliding down the ice slides inside the attraction, my butt was freezing.”

After strolling through the below freezing ice room, attendants have the chance to take a picture with Santa, decorate gingerbread houses with Gingy from Shrek, experience a 5D interactive movie and sled down the slopes of Po Mountain.

“I have never seen anything like this before,” Kiran Harpavat

of Lewisville said. “It is incredible how real they make all the sculptures look and just everything they offer is breathtaking.”

The Gaylord Texan hopes to bring the classic ballet to life this holiday season for thousands of families to enjoy. ICE! is going on now through Jan. 4.

Grab your coats and look forward to a freezing room of fun.

“I highly recommend this event to anyone, young or old,” Harpavat said. “Once you get over how cold it is, you really do enjoy the beauty of the sculptures.”

Graphic by Julia Bordonaro

entertainment 19

20 sports

Concussions hit home for athletes, grow more prevalent S H I V A N I B U R R A emerging media manager

“I do not remember anything from the initial collision. I blacked out and all I remember is getting up, spinning and laying back down on the ground until a trainer came.”

Junior defensive back Jacob Murray suffered a severe concussion earlier this year during football practice. Murray is one of many Coppell High School athletes that has suffered a head injury from being involved in a contact sport, and is part of an even larger group of football players around the country who have incurred concussions.

The injury numbers have been ticking rapidly upward, at a pace that has coaches, parents and especially players worried.

Defensive backs, like Murray, take the weight of these injuries, accounting for the 34.6 percent of the recorded injuries, according to a report published by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1984.

“Football is a violent game whenever there is contact. We try to teach ways to lead with your face mask and your chest so you can reduce head injuries,” Coppell outside linebacker football coach Clint Rushing said. “Guys are trying to go at full speed to try and make plays, which ends up with them leading with their head which causes incidental collisions.”

Murray’s injury affected more than his sport, as his concussion took a serious toll on his daily life. He now does things a

little different to avoid further injury.

“I took the impact test and I bombed it. The doctor said I had a really bad concussion. I missed school for two weeks and when I came back I still couldn’t do work because it would hurt my head,” Murray said. “There are helmets that are out now that help a lot against concussions, but it is still a rough sport though, you have to be careful.”

Concussions not only occur in the head-to-head contact of football but also in sports activities such as cheerleading. Junior Brittany Ellinger has suffered three concussions in her years of high school cheer.

According to research published by Journal of Pediatrics 2010, cheerleading causes the largest number of catastrophic injuries among girls and young women. Not soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics, basketball or even football account for as many injuries.

Ellinger’s first two concussions happened while cheering when her flyers hit her in the head with their hands during a stunt.

Her third concussion happened while Ellinger was tumbling, fell and landed on her head.

After going through the experience of three concussions Ellinger had to quit cheerleading, but she chose to continue on the athletics path. Sacrificing cheerleading was no easy feat decision, but Ellinger knew she had to follow the advice of her doctor and parents.

Ellinger still wanted to continue in an athletic environment but choose a less dangerous sport.

“I chose to continue doing a sport because I still wanted to be apart of a team and still have some sort of athletic involved to stay in shape," Ellinger said. "All my friends were in tennis so I had decided to do tennis.”

In stunting, flyers are instructed to keep their arms close to their body so they do not hit the people beneath them. Even if a cheerleader feels he or she will not land the stunt, coaches believe there are better options. Because it is more dangerous to bail on a tumble than to over rotate and land on their back, cheerleaders are told to avoid landing on their heads at all costs.

“Cheerleaders are supposed to follow the precautions, but a lot of times people get lazy and do not follow the rules. And they do not do what the coaches tell them and that is how people end up getting hit in the head or falling on their head,” Ellinger said.

With the increase of head injuries in all sports, a new state law regarding UIL activities was passed that if a player is injured during a practice, game or some kind of related event and shows signs of incurring a possible concussion they can not come back until having seen a doctor.

“Athletes have to go through our concussion return protocol in order to be cleared," CHS athletic trainer Barry Jones said. "That could take about five days or longer, it just depends on the severity of their [believed] concussion."

Though concussions happen more often in sports that involve body to body contact, they can happen at any time.

The number of emergency

Varsity cheerleaders face a risk of injuries including concussions when performing stunts. Photo by Regan Sullivan. department visits for sports-re- stands and immediately rushed lated brain injuries has risen over down to help me. I could barely the past ten 10 years. With com- see them, everything around me petitive and fierce style of play in was blurry and I was very dizzy,” all sports high school students Cauley said.

“For whatever reason the athletes sustain an estimated 136,000 to 300,000 concussions poles were on the inside of the per year, according to momsteam. tennis fence, when they are usucom. Reducing the ally on the outside; Julianne went incidence of concus- back for a ball, jumped high to get sion in sports has be- it with her back to the fence and come a public health hit the pole and came down to the ground,” head tennis coach Rich priority.

CHS 2013 Foster said.

Concussions are a serigraduate Julianne Cauley suffered from ous and common injury in high a concussion from school sports, and their growing chasing down a lob prevalence leaves participants during the fall tennis worried for their safety. One regional tournament thing almost all individuals inand had to forfeit volved in youth sports agree on the rest of the match is that concussions must not be because she showed underestimated or ignored. The warning signs of a recovery period for a concussion is long and painful, and repeated concussion.

“After I hit concussions can lead to permathe ball, I wanted nent head trauma. Contact your to continue playing coach or doctor if you believe you my match but my may have incurred a concussion parents were in the or head injury.

Info from momsteam.com. Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas.

sports 21

WHEY TOO MUCH:

IS SUPPLEMENT USAGE DANGEROUS? A L E X N I C O L L staff writer

Facts from Vanderbilt Education Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas

Why do you workout? Is your season on the line?You have a big race coming up? You want to push your mind and body to test the outer limits of human determination? Or are you just trying to squeeze a little more cardio into your work week? It doesn’t matter. We all need strength. And drinking Muscle Milk after your workout helps build strength.

This is the message greeting the thirsty eyes of athletes everywhere when they pick up an 11 ounce carton of Muscle Milk, in the chocolate flavor of course.

Athletes are pressured with the idea that these supplements will take their talents to the next level. That magical protein powders and miracle energy shots will cut seconds off their 400-meter times, add inches to their verticals and pounds to their deadlift.

“There are supposed to synthesize your muscles and I work out a lot so I need it,” Coppell High School junior baseball player David Rodriguez said.

Their craving is not satisfied by the thirst-quenching liquid but rather by the idea that these athletes know this supplement will give them a boost over

22 sports

their competition.

This begs the question: what are athletes putting in their bodies?

“There are a lot of benefits to it if you take the right steps towards it,” CHS assistant baseball coach Clint Rushing said. “To build muscle you have to have the right amount of protein and the right amount of carbs and all that kind of stuff. If you are not getting it in your regular diet you can supplement to get those extra things.”

America’s most reputable protein supplement corporations like Advocare and Muscle Milk do provide athletes with an extra protein or nutrients. However the supplement business has grown to the point where the FDA does not even know every remedy out there on the market.

“You have to make sure the supplements you use are NCAA approved, that is the biggest thing,” CHS assistant football coach Stu Johnson said. “They check for everything.”

The NCAA does not ban supplements by name but warns that many contain banned substances that are unapproved by the organization. Some banned substances include amphetamine and testosterone.

Coaches at Coppell are wary of the possible destructive side effects that these supplement nutrition could cause, especially from certain businesses.

“There are a lot of companies that are not required by the government to list every single product that is in what they are selling,” Rushing said. “This is why you have to make sure it is NCAA approved.

In an ab-

On Thursday Dec. 12, the varsity football players went on the track for sprints after lift-

On Dec. 12, the varsity football players went on the track for sprints after lifting and stract from an article published by the Department of Exercise Science at the University of Massachusetts, the credibility of multiple nutritional supplements are called into question stating that there is little to no data to support the claims that they provide an increase in muscle mass.

Dr. Tony Swaldi, a Coppell physician with years of medical experience, warns young athletes against the dangers of these miracle powders or bars.

“Soy protein can cause breast development in males and excessive casein protein has been linked to tumor growth,” Swaldi said.

While this calls for alarm to athletes everywhere another problem that cannot be overlooked is if popular proteins such as whey, soy or casein are beneficial at all at purporting weight gain and muscle growth.

The New York University’s Langone Medical Center published an article that i n vestigate d t h e therapeutic uses for whey protein and found that there is no more than minimal that it helps accelerate muscle growth and even

less evidence that whey protein had better results than other forms of protein such as casein.

These medical centers along with Swaldi and Johnson all argue that the protein gained from these supplements can be replaced for the much healthier alternative of adding more heavy-protein laden food such as chicken, fish, nuts and beef to an athlete’s diet.

“Food based proteins, appropriate training and adequate rest and recovery are paramount for healthy weight gain. An elite sports nutritionist told me she advises a glass of chocolate milk with every meal for her athletes looking to gain extra weight. I prefer peanut butter,” Swaldi said.

Reasons for why high school athletes choose to take whey or soy compared to just eating more range from the supplements tasting better and just the convenience of them.

“It is just quicker to shove protein down your throat,” Rodriguez said.

The allure of taking protein in this form is heightened by its access and portability. Many gyms offer juice bars where patrons can buy protein shakes after working out and being able to just take a bar or a bottle full of powder to a practice or weight-lifting session makes it easier for athletes to take the supplements in the recommended time of one hour after the workout.

And with the results that they promise, there is no way you could blame an athlete for falling

for the idea of bulging muscles, 30 pounds of solid weight and getting the “athlete’s body” “You don’t really see it immediately but once you start to take a lot of it, you start gaining a lot of weight,” Rodriguez said.

There is an argument out there that says the reason there has been a huge spike in protein supplements and weight gainers is because of the change in the caliber of athletes. “The value society places on athletic performance seems to be increasing - we pay athletes more and more to entertain us- so there is a high demand for that type of skill,” Swaldi said. “This will continue to drive competition for the foreseeable future.”

The role of an athlete, once confined to the season of their sport had transformed into a year round job. Everything they do is under the microscope of their parents, coaches, competitors and scouts everywhere.

With managing their diet, continually exerting energy to keep in performance shape and always looking for that next big thing that will give them an edge, athletes are pressured to do anything in their power to be the best even at the cost of their own health.

“Pressure will always be there,” Johnson said. “It is a matter of the athletes doing the research and being willing to talk to the right people to get good advice and not just say ‘oh this person is taking this’ and what they are using might not be helpful for them.”

The big Real ignment

UIL DRAWS NEW DISTRICT CLASSIFICATIONS, COPPELL TO QUALIFY AS A 6A SCHOOL Photos by Regan Sullivan and Sandy Iyer

J O H N L O O P sports editor

Coppell High School has moved from Class 5A to the new Class 6A after the University Interscholastic League released the conference cutoff numbers for the 2014-2016 reclassification and realignment on Dec. 2. With current enrollment at 3057 students and counting, CHS will join the biggest schools in the state in the new conference.

Enrollment numbers for next year’s alignment were reported to the UIL by athletic directors across the state on the Oct. 25 “Snapshot Day”. The announcement of the student population cutoffs for the five (now six) conferences came early. This information has typically been released in the spring. “[The UIL] can’t comment on how all other states classify and align schools, but Texas does reclassification and realignment every two years in part because Texas is a growing state,” UIL Media Coordinator Kate Hector said. “Each year, new schools are added and existing schools grow, so reevaluating every two years is important.”

The increase in student body size has prompted a 45-year climb in classification for Coppell athletics after they began in Class 1A in 1968.

In corresponding with head baseball coach Kendall Clark,

head football coach Joe McBride and wrestling coach Chip Lowery, it was confirmed that this process, which happens every two years, is nothing more than a name change.

However, Coppell resident Kim Dicken was surprised by the reclassification. As parent of volleyball senior Kate and football/ basketball freshman Zach Dicken is heavily involved i n

“I am definitely worried about the driving,” Dicken said.

“Just thinking that even though Kate is graduating this year, we still have to go through three more years of this with Zach.”

While the jump in classification may not have an impact on the competition level the Cowboys and Cowgirls will face in season, this type of move is a big

6A 2100+

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE CONSIDERED A CLASS 6A SCHOOL AS OF THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR.

the athletic scene a t CHS. “I didn’t even know it was still going to happen,” Dicken said.

The most pertinent impact the change has on Dicken and many other Coppell parents is driving distance. The possible trek to game locations in the Allen and Plano areas will increase travel time for CHS fans to athletic events.

deal for other area schools.

The McKinney schools will have the most weight lifted off their shoulders. The McKinney High School Lions currently boast one of the state’s smallest 5A enrollments (2,076 students).

Now, in the new Class 5A, which is technically the old Class 4A, the

Lions will play teams with student enrollment between 1,060 to 2,099, instead of twice or three times that size.

“Honestly, I would be glad about it if that was me,” sophomore wide receiver Josh Fink said. “Take Denton Ryan [for example]. They dominated 4A for years and then come to 5A and struggle. It makes a big difference.”

Highland Park High School in Dallas was previously classified as a 4A school, but with 2,106 students will now be a 6A. The move also questions the hierarchy of prestige in each of the conferences and how colleges will handle recruiting with the new cutoffs. Some coaches, however, have already taken their stances.

“It does not affect recruiting,” McBride said.

“Recruiters recruit talent.

They don’t care what “A” [a] kid plays in.”

In terms of the athletes, the in-game routine will be the same.

The reclassification will have some effect on who they face at game time, but not on much else.

The only change will be the district alignment,” CISD athletic coordinator John Crawford said.

“But we will still be with schools

that were 5A this year.”

Certain sports are also affected more than others in this system, as one might expect. Because finding brighter lights on a football field in Texas is near impossible, there are larger stakes for the schools in the higher conferences. Current 5A teams such as Allen, DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Coppell all fit into this category where there is added motivation to succeed on the football field.

Though the stakes are higher, the new system does not alter the path to earning a state title in the slightest.

“The addition of a conference does not change the postseason in any way,” Hector said. “The UIL will not be crowning any additional state champions with the addition of Conference 6A, because music, volleyball, softball and baseball will still compete in five conferences.”

Overall, the clustering of schools based on their enrollment has fostered an increase in competitive interests. With this new reclassification, fans should expect an unprecedented rise in on-field rivalries.This perspective alludes to the possible existence of super-conferences in the UIL Class system, comparable to the SEC or the Big 12 in college sports.

“I mean, Texas football is the SEC of college football,” Fink said. “6A will just be the top of the top.”

2 0 14 -2 0 16 s c hool UIL DISTRICTS

BY SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS

1A

104.9-

2A 105-219

3A 220-464

4A 465-1059

5A 1060-2099

The Sidekick Staff is proud to recognize Zach Sherman as the December teacher of the issue. Sherman teaches AP/GT English III, which students can take their junior year. Sherman is a favorite teacher amongst his students, and as a former Journalism major, brings current events and news into his classroom on a regular basis. Sherman’s passion for the course and his knowledge of the subject is contagious and energizes his students. Sherman his twitter @EngTeachProbs to remind his students about assignments and to offer tips. “We do work that is meaningful and not just busy work,” junior Bryce VonZurmuehlen said. said. “Sherman makes class enjoyable and is a good guy.” Thank you for all that you do.

24 the sidekick