The Sidekick: November 2011

theSidekick Coppell High School

185 Parkway Blvd. Coppell, TX 75019

Sidekick reviews Ent. pg. 18

Volleyball commitments

In-Depth pg. 12-13 Sports pg. 23 www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Vol. 23 No. 2

November 2011

Springer Long battle leads to acceptance, alliance a hero for students Mary Whitfill

Features Editor

Everyone knows someone who has made an impact on the world around them. From motivational stories to heart warming work in the community, those who strive to make a difference in Coppell are now being recognized. The Coppell High School Public Service Academy (PSA) is wrapping up the second year of the Hometown Hero project, devoted to giving recognition to residents who have had a positive effect on the community.

This year’s Hero, Coppell Middle School East Principal Laura Springer, was announced at the Coppell game against Justin Northwest on Oct. 21. PSA announced Hometown Hero nominees three weeks ago, and voting was open to students, parents and other communities until the previous Thursday.

Springer was chosen for her inspirational life story and says that she makes it a personal goal to reach out to students who are going through situations similar to the one she experienced growing up.

see Hometown on pg. 11

To see more go to Coppellstudentmedia.com

Seniors Melanie Duck and Daniel Markbreiter are the co-presidents of the Gay-Straight Alliance club.

Kimberly Del Angel Staff Writer

For the first time in campus history, the Gay-Straight Alliance club has been officially recognized at Coppell High School and held its first meeting on Oct. 25.

“Getting this club accepted means that I have succeeded in

something that will continue to operate and benefit CHS after I leave,” president of GSA senior Daniel Markbreiter said. “It’s sort of like leaving a present to all future kids who will attend CHS, a legacy almost.”

After originally rejecting the GSA’s application for club sta-

tus, lead assistant principal Sean Bagley informed Markbrieter and senior Melanie Duck, co-president of the club, on Oct. 14 that GSA would be accepted. History teacher Brian Rohloff will serve as GSA’s sponsor.

“What changed my mind on this, was going back and looking

Photo by Brian Hwu

at this again at the group’s passion and their beliefs for trying to get this club started,” Bagley said.

“And I’m going to be real honest, Mark’s email probably opened my eyes a little bit and I need to make sure we’re doing what’s right for everyone. So, if I give one group

see GSA on pg. 3

Maynard has tricks up his sleeve Starting players honor Nixon on, off the field Kristen Shephard Staff Writer

Though he carries no wand and may or may not have a rabbit in his hat, freshman Aaron Maynard believes not only in magic, but in the power it has to change lives, especially his own.

To Maynard, magic is more than just a hobby, as he uses it to bring joy to the hundreds he has performed for. The magic began in Maynard’s life when he was 4 and was attending a magic performance with his mother. He had the desire to understand how the magician’s amazing illusions worked and eventually wanted to be able to recreate them himself.

“I remember the acts very clearly and being fascinated by everything the magician did,” Maynard said. “After the show I got a small magic kit and then it all began, I was hooked.”

At only 14, May-

Seth Slover Staff Writer

Photo by Rowan Khazendar

CHS freshman Aaron Maynard is well respected among the magic community.

nard has 10 years of experience with magic under his belt. His growth and improvement is an apparent result of the effort he puts into his work. Over the years, he has impressed hundreds with his magic tricks, including the Coppell mayor and city council. Awestruck

by Maynard’s performance, Coppell Mayor Doug Stover, along with the council, declared the last week of October annually as “Magic Week” in Coppell.

“As a mom, I was very proud to watch Aaron perform, but at one

instance, I thought he messed up [the trick], and I felt horrible for him,” JoAnn Maynard, Aaron’s mother said. “In the end, he surprised the council by pulling out a giant version of the right card from the trick. He’s always looking for new tricks and surprises.

It keeps me on my toes.”

More than the city is taking notice of Aaron’s talents. Because of his leadership, he received recognition from the Society of American Magicians.

Each week, Maynard spends up to 10 hours practicing with magic. As you can imagine, the numerous events Aaron attends can be hard to balance as a student. From Dallas Magician’s Club meetings to performances at restaurants and social events, Aaron works hard to improve and prepare for performances.

see Amazing on pg. 4

Tragedy often has the greatest influence on those who were immediately impacted.

For Coppell football players Luke Jenner and Jason Lister, the tragic death of good friend Jha’Kyric Nixon has become their inspiration and motivation on the football field.

Coppell resident Jha’Kyric Nixon, 17, died July 29 in a drowning accident at Lewisville Lake. Unfortunately, over 50 people were present as attendees of a birthday party. Nixon was planning to transfer to CHS from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District.

Photo by Jodie Woodward

Everyone who knew Nixon was positively impacted by his vivacious personality, clever jokes and loving spirit.

Coppell juniors, running back Luke Jenner and wide receiver Jason Lister, considered Nixon a best friend. Needless to say, the reverberations of Nixon’s passing were felt greatly by the Coppell community.

As for playing football, Nixon serves as an inspiration, causing a great will to win and will to succeed for their friend.

Nixon was hoping to play basketball for CHS and eventually at Oregon State.

see Nixon on pg. 22

Juniors Luke Jenner and Jason Lister remember their friend Jha’Kyric on and off the field.

news iGeneration mourns loss of Steve Jobs, creative visionary page 2

november 2011

Jordan Bickham Staff Writer

Everyone has heard of Apple, one of the biggest companies in technology today. With Macs, iPhone, iPods, and even iPads rampant amongst people of all ages, one does not have to go far to see how Apple has impacted our lives.

But Apple did not begin as one would think, with the first Apple computer being created in a basement by co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in the late 1970s, Apple did not start off as a big business. While it did not begin grandly, the company has grown into a 21st century icon for technological advances.

When Steve Jobs died Oct. 5 from pancreatic cancer, the world was stunned. Many have taken time to reflect on some of the greatest inventions from the company he helped build, starting with the most recent addition, the iPhone 4S. “The [iPhone 4S] has a new camera and also a new shape since it is a different model of the iPhone. And because of the new A5 dual chip, it is a whole lot faster and there are like no lags at all, which is pretty awesome,” sophomore J.P. Goyne who recently received his pre-ordered iPhone 4S said.

Another unique aspect of the new model iPhone is a voice command application called Siri.

“Siri is awesome, you can talk to your iPhone, and it does basically everything you tell it to do, like call someone, look something up or answer a question you have,” Goyne said.

As Apple advertised “your wish is its command,” making Siri groundbreaking in technological advancements.

Other Apple products are popular at CHS such as varying models of Mac computers, iPods and the new iPad. Take it from conceptual physics and aero science teacher Bill Montana who owns an Apple computer, an iPhone and an iPod. “One of the cool things is that Apple products are all interconnected through a service called

MobileMe. And so my contacts, my calendar, my appointments, emails, everything is on every device I have. Set an appointment on your mac and you can get it on your phone and vice versa,” Montana said.

Montana has been using Apple products since he graduated from high school and still uses them in his everyday life.

“I started using Apple computers probably in 1980-81 after I graduated from high school. The first computer I worked with was an Apple. Back then, it was the only computer. Now technically that’s not true, there were a couple of others, but it was the easiest to use and the cheapest. It was groundbreaking technology of that time,” Montana said.

Apple began primarily creating just computers, beginning in 1976 and has been innovated to being one of the biggest names in computer companies. “ I ’v e had my home Mac since fifth grade, and for a long time, my favorite feature was Photobooth. My friends and I could entertain ourselves for hours by making videos and taking pictures. But I also really like iPhoto because I can keep all my pictures organized there, edit them and use them however I want,” sophomore Ali Martinez said.

While the Mac is fun to use for entertainment and great for organization, it is also useful for school work with its variety of different applications and helpful software.

1955, Feb 24: Steve Jobs is born

“Macs are really easy to use, I use it a lot for homework, such as making a movie on iMovie. The software is always being updated and each update is easy to figure out and always helps, I really like it,” Martinez said.

Most recently Apple’s popularity has continued with the Macbook Pro line of Macintosh portable computers that was introduced in January 2006. Along with new computer models came improved Apple software such as Mac OS. “It makes more sense [Mac OS],

Doug Griswold illustration of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Bay Area News Group 2011/MCT Campus

it’s easier to use and it doesn’t require you to think like a leftbrained programmer. At one point [Apple] said that it’s the computer for the rest of us and it does not force you to think sequentially. Whereas the Windows operating system, definitely made

1984: Macintosh is launched

1973: Jobs attends Reed College and drops out

you think a certain way,” Montana said. “You had to go through certain steps through a certain order to get stuff done, but with Mac OS, you can do it that way if you want to, but you can do it other ways too. Its very flexible.”

Along with Macs came the new idea of the iPod and easily downloadable music on iTunes that was launched in 2003 that included 200,000 songs for 99 cents each. iTunes was a great success with one million songs being sold within the store’s first week.

“The consumers don’t know what they want until you tell them what they want, is Steve Jobs’ philosophy. And nobody knew they wanted an iPod until we had iPods and it was like ‘of course, this makes perfect sense.’ Nobody knew they wanted to buy their music online until we had iTunes,” Montana said. iTunes is one of Apple’s greatest creations and contains music from the most popular music of the time to small indie bands. iTunes is also easily accessible from almost any mobile device, making it simpler than ever to download music.

“My favorite feature on my iPod is probably being able to get to the iTunes store on it. I usually have my iPod with me, and if I like a song I hear, I can go look it up easily and get it right then,” Martinez said.

Chemistry teacher Sally Urquhart agrees with how amazing the idea of easily accessible music and small iPods with lots of space were.

“He [Steve Jobs] streamlined the process of music downloads. He paid royalties. The iPod was so different from what I had been using, which was a Sony Walkman,” Urqhart said. “It’s so much smaller and I can pack so much more on it. I have days worth of music on it, and it still has

lots and lots of memory left.”

Not only did he create inventions that changed everything, but he also reinvented ideas to make them easier to use and simpler to understand.

“One of the things Steve Jobs did was took existing ideas and reworked them and made them overall more user friendly,” Urquhart said.

Many people believe Jobs made complex inventions simpler, so everyone could use them to go about their life, making the products appeal to a large audience.

“Apple is unique because they care about making products compatible and helpful with people’s everyday lives, which I think Steve Jobs was a huge part of,” Martinez said.

While Jobs was the cofounder of Apple, it was not the only company he played a huge part in. In 1986, Jobs bought the animation company, Pixar, sparking the creation of some of the best films of the late 20th century, beginning with Toy Story trilogy in 1995, ending with the third one in 2011 that is the highestgrossing animated film of all time worldwide.

“I cannot pick a favorite, but they have impacted me since I have grown up with them. I watched a lot of them this past summer and they still always touch your heart since they are so sweet and meaningful,” Martinez said.

Steve Jobs was an incredible inventor and was the backbone of two world-impacting company. Jobs influenced people all over the world with his unique, groundbreaking products that changed how people go about their daily lives and gave us a glimpse into future technological advances in the near future.

“Apple has redefined or reinvented every category that they are in, or actually have created new categories,” Montana said. “I admired how he [Jobs] could think outside the box, and I really, really admire his salesmanship. There have been very few, if any, that could sale us something we did not even know we needed.”

2003: Jobs is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

1995: Jobs becomes president and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios

2011, Oct 5:

Steve Jobs dies

Coppell gears up for Relay for Life with kickoff rally Seth Slover Staff Writer

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life has become a staple in the Coppell community over the years. Relay for Life has fought, increased awareness and fundraised for cancer for nine years.

With the anticipation of this year’s rally in April, a Relay for Life kick off rally will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the New The High@Coppell Café, located at 113 Samuel Blvd.

The kickoff rally is extremely important in preparing for Relay for Life in the spring.

Although the actual 2012 Relay for Life of Coppell (taking place

at Wagon Wheel Park) is not until April 28, it is not too early to begin the preparation for a very relevant cause.

Event Chair Debbie Russell-Chillag reiterated the significance.

“As we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, what better way is there to celebrate the ‘season of giving’ than by participating in Coppell’s Relay for Life 10th Anniversary Kickoff?” Chillag said.

The benefits of attending are extensive.

“There will be free food, door prizes, and a plenty of great gifts,” Donna Ramsey, a member of the publicity committee, said.

In addition, attendees of the kickoff meeting will be able

to sign up and start their own team at this kickoff meeting with the added benefit of not having to pay any team registration fee.

Since beginning in 2003, Relay for Life continues to take place year after year largely in order to honor cancer survivors and revere those who lost their lives to cancer. With nine years of Coppell Relay for Life completed, this year’s goal is to reach a grand total of $1 million.

“During the past nine years, we have raised almost $905,000 through the help of more than 5,000 Coppell residents that participate,” RussellChillag said. “We’ve also recognized and supported almost 500 local cancer survivors. For our 10th Relay in 2012, we aim to

raise $100,000 and surpass the $1 million mark.”

Countless Coppell High School students have taken part in Relay for life in past years.

“I helped start a team last year for Relay for Life, and it was definitely a great experience,” junior Kiley Bratton said.

“I’m really looking forward to going again this year.”

E v eryone is encour-

aged to participate in a fight against a disease that has such harmful effects.

The first step in this year’s fight against cancer is attending the Nov. 15 rally at New Tech.

Photo courtesy of Donna Ramsey

november 2011

news

page 3

C o n t r o ve r s y e n d s i n a l l i a n c e Photo by Brian Hwu

The Gay-Straight Alliance club held its first meeting on Oct. 25. Over 30 students and teachers attended.

continued from pg. 1 an opportunity I need to give all groups an opportunity.”

The Gay-Straight Alliance is a national organization striving to enhance tolerance between gay and straight teens. Established in 1998, GSA continuously works to expand into high schools across the nation to help and encourage teenage gays and lesbians to stand up for themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin and, in turn, to help their heterosexual counterparts understand where they are coming from.

Markbreiter and Duck started working on approval of the club in September. They were initially rejected due to fears the

club would exclude students by focusing on a group of students’ beliefs.

This was not the first time for the club to be denied. In previous years, CHS denied the GSA from being recognized as an official club for reasons unknown to Bagley. This is Bagley’s first year to face a decision regarding GSA. With the initial rejection came an invitation to speak with Bagley himself and discuss its standing. Markbreiter and Duck looked to their Facebook supporters of the Coppell GSA club and turned to informational websites in efforts to factually convince the school of the necessity of the club.

“I sent Mr. Bagley an e-mail

and he was supposed to go look [at] schools around us; we listed schools in Texas near us that have GSAs,” Duck said. “He said he would look into that. In it, I thoroughly explained it’s not a ‘gay club’; it’s something we want to help build tolerance. I gave him links for websites, like the GSA Network website, three different links he could look into.”

Markbreiter and Duck also created an online petition and the issue became a hot topic on Facebook among CHS students.

Nevertheless, the students did not give up hope that the GSA would eventually be approved and their persistence paid off.

“The process was frustrating because I knew it was the

right thing to do but at the same time I knew that there would be opposition,” Markbreiter said.

“It wasn’t the denial from Mr. Bagley that surprised me or even enraged me, but rather it was the kids who went on the club’s [Facebook] wall and posted blatant homophobic comments. Those kids hurt me personally.”

Aside from current CHS students, the club’s denial sparked tensions between the school administration and alums that sympathized with the group.

“When I moved from California and came to Coppell, I was astounded by how different it was; it seems like anything that is different from the norm was never accepted by the majority,”

2010 graduate Cristina Alvarado said. “The world is always changing around us. We all need to be open to new things and learn to accept everyone and everything that comes our way.”

With the lengthy approval process behind it, the GSA has its sights set on its future.

“We’ll be discussing many events that we will be participating in this year, some of the upcoming holidays and events include LGBT history and awareness month, No Hate Week and The Day of Silence,” Markbreiter said. “Next year we are planning to send a group to the Gay Pride Parade in Dallas as well as participate in September’s No H8, and Coming Out Day 2012.”

Excess enrollment causes overcrowding overload Madison Ford Entertainment Editor

Students push and shove their way through the hallways, they maneuver themselves around desks and they have to fight simply to be heard in class.

These consequences of overcrowding are becoming more apparent at Coppell High School as the school continues to house a larger number of students each year.

Teachers, students and administrators are all coming to grips with the overcrowding and attempting to solve some of the problems it creates.

Perhaps the most apparent limitation of overcrowding is the larger class sizes, primarily at the middle school and high school levels.

“As we are receiving less money from the state to operate our schools, basically our enrollment has grown [but] we haven’t really hired many additional teachers. So naturally some of our class sizes have grown,” Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Services Sid Grant said.

“Whereas we might have had a few classes with over 30 kids in them three years ago, we obviously have quite a few now. So the actual class sizes have increased over the past three years.”

These large class sizes can sometimes lead to frustration amongst both students and teachers for it can sometimes inhibit the learning process.

“If you have a really motivated class it is not as bad. But I would say the classroom atmosphere can very easily become hectic,” English teacher Zach Sherman said. “You have little side pockets of whispers and con-

versations. And actually, just a few of those elements, throughout any classroom, can really detract from the vibe. And so you end up wasting more class time putting out those little fires.”

“If it takes a class 10 minutes to get focused as opposed to two or three and that happens every day, that is a lot of time each week you spend just being a policeman.”

A crowded classroom can even lead to a loss of connection between student and teacher.

“A teacher cannot spend as much time individually with every kid because they have so many people to keep track of that they cannot teach as long,” sophomore Mallory Moore said.

However, while these larger class sizes can be challenging, some feel that they are only a minor roadblock in the learning process.

“I enjoy [my classes] just as much,” English teacher Vicki Pierce said. “They are a lot of fun and I do not see that as a huge issue, really. Discipline wise they are just as good. I do not see that as a big problem at all.”

Classrooms are not the only aspect of the school day that is being affected by overcrowding.

Simply walking from class to class can be a challenge with such a large quantity of students to maneuver around in the hallways.

“You cannot walk through the halls here, it is crazy,” senior Conner Lawyer said. “It is like a little sardine can that we are all just trying to work our way around. It is hard to get from place to place and you do not have much time.

It is just too many people for such a small square footage area, even though it is so massive.”

Lack of funding, with ap-

Crowded classrooms continue to cause constant hassle for students throughout the day.

proximately $24 million a year in tax payer money going to the state for programs such as Robin Hood, has left the district with limited avenues to consider. The total enrollment in CISD has increased significantly since the 2010-11 school year. Rising by 434 students district-wide to a total of 10,602 students, this number far exceeded the district’s expected enrollment of 9,904 for the 201112 school year. The high school population increased by 4.9 percent with 153 more students.

There could be numerous reasons for this unexpected growth, and the district is considering all of them.

“I think we have had unanticipated growth in our enrollment as a factor of the economy,” Grant said. “Since the economy has gone down, kids have come

out of private school. Parents that have lost a job or they are not making as much as they used to or they are afraid of the economy so they pull their kids out of private school and put them back in public school. So we have a lot of that happening. We have had more families living with other families.

Maybe they lose their job in Ohio, and so they move here and live with a brother, and they put their kids in school here. So there are a variety of reasons why.”

With the freshman and sophomore classes being among the largest to pass through the high school in recent years, with class sizes of 715 for the class of 2014 and 735 for the class of 2015.

Class sizes are 843 and 867, respectively, including New Tech High students.

Class sizes continue to in-

Photo by Jack Ficklen

crease with upcoming classes, so Coppell High School’s struggle with overcrowding has unfortunately just begun. In order to combat the issues that accompany overcrowding, the district does not believe that simply hiring a few teachers will fix the problem since the overcrowding is so widespread. Instead, the district is looking into offering additional teaching sections to current staff in key subject areas at the middle school and high school levels, as well as considering long-term facility visioning.

“We are looking at solutions,” Grant said. “In fact the board is having some community meetings later this month and talking about enrollment issues to get some community feedback to know what they would like to see.”

page 4

continued from pg. 1 “I try and do what I can to fit as many practice hours into my week,” Maynard said. “I really have to manage my time to get everything done, but I love magic so it’s worth it.”

Maynard knows that to master a trick, it can take dozens of times to be able to perform even the simplest trick. His favorite trick is levitation, but he practices dozens of others from card tricks to disappearing acts.

Even though he has mastered many of his tricks, Aaron seeks to develop and improve his skills. He is involved in the CHS Improv Club and even helped the drama department by performing at its annual

news

dinner and auction night.

Beyond Aaron, there is an entire community of magicians in the nation and the local area. With societies like the Dallas Magicians Club and the Society of American Magicians, the magic community is bustling with activity. A magician as young as Aaron is rare; he is the youngest member in the Dallas Magician’s Club by nearly 30 years. Regardless of his young age, Aaron is already climbing up the ladder of experience.

Aaron, founder and vice president of the Young Magicians of Dallas Club, is encouraging its membership and growth and never ceases from taking on opportunities for leadership roles, regardless of his age.

Magic is certainly not the average extra-curricular activity, but the lack of magicians in the Coppell area has not stopped Aaron from pursuing his love. Instead of letting this get him down, Aaron sees his peers’ lack of magic knowledge as an opportunity to

shock his friends with his magical abilities.

Magic has undoubtedly given Maynard abilities as a leader portrayed in other aspects of his life.

A member of Boy Scout Troop 842 in Coppell, Aaron benefits greatly from the techniques and values taught in scouting.

“My goal someday is to be an Eagle Scout and I’m on my way,” Maynard said. “Someday I might even hope to use magic to complete my Eagle Scout project, you never know.”

Passionate about combining his loves, Aaron is currently campaigning for a magic merit badge to be added to the list of badges issued by the Boys Scouts of America. Few proposals are given official merit badges, and though his request was originally denied, Aaron has no intention of giving up. If there is one thing magic has taught Aaron, it is that you have to keep getting up after life pushes you down.

“Even though we didn’t get the badge added, it’s teach-

november 2011

ing Aaron not to give up and to fight for his passions,” JoAnn Maynard said.

“That’s a lesson you’ll use for the rest of your life.”

As a magician, a scout, and a high school student, Maynard encourages people his age to follow their interests, and to share their talents with the world. Above all, he reminds teenagers not to become discouraged.

“Practice does not make perfect – it makes you better. You are going to make mistakes,” Maynard said. “I think that magic has given me the ability to speak and perform. It’s allowed me to bring joy to people and I love that.”

On Oct. 15, Aaron brought joy to hundreds, as young magicians boarded a train sponsored by the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Over 160 terminally ill children attended for excitement and entertainment. Spread out in five cars, the Make-A-Wish children and their friends and families shared a magical bonding opportunity that will impact them forever.

“It takes a special person to be able to work with

both healthy children and sick children,” JoAnn Maynard said. “Doing picnics and things are fun, but these are the things that impact people for a lifetime. You have to hold a happy face and Aaron always has that.”

These are the events that make Aaron’s practice hours worthwhile.

Volunteering is his way of using his hobbies to make a difference in the world. One of the MOSAIC program organizers, Michelle Bauer noticed Aaron’s passion and proficiency in his work.

“When I first interviewed Aaron, I could tell he had great skills,” Bauer said. “He was very knowledgeable and worked well with the elementary age children at one of our picnics. He taught juggling and the kids were extremely fascinated. Aaron is on his way to success, he works hard and will continue to bring joy to people.”

november 2011

. . opinions

page 5

: N O C / O R P Should the be taught in public schools?

This is America, a country that was formed on the basis of Christianity; on the basis of the Bible.

It was our Founding Fathers who believed in God and the morality derived from biblical scripture; Shakespeare alludes to it at an estimated 1,300 times within his work; Martin Luther King Jr. used the words of the prophet Amos during his “I Have a Dream” speech. We would have a better understanding of human history if we could just fill in the missing pieces. We make it so controversial just to ask the simplest question.

It is OK to have students dive into history and ask “why,” open a Bible, and reflect on the reference a historical figure made when they acted in the way that they did. Schools would not be asking students to convert by teaching the Bible in school, they would ask them to better explain

Constitution

an event and better understand the power underneath a conflict or resolution of today or yesterday.

We would be discussing context, not meditating on them.

A teacher, legally, will not print out the Psalms as a homework assignment. They would not be scheduling prayer time before or after class. Schools would continue on with their curriculum, and the Bible, and its influence would fit in accordingly, but it would not be the basis of every lesson.

We could look at it this way: the Bible did not create; it was used. It inspired and it moved, but within a school curriculum we should be moved by the way it moved, and not have it move us unless we set out to do so. But with proper training, teachers could learn how to teach it objectively.

The sole purpose of teaching the Bible in public schoolswould be for the facts and the effects, and

The Bible itself is not history.

This is America, land of the free. Freedom to receive a public education, freedom to choose any of the numerous religions in the United States - if any - to practice or learn from and the freedom to know any other belief or scripture will not be forced in education.

So why take away from that freedom and require teaching of the Bible in public schooling?

The topic associates itself with controversy in all parts of the nation; it raises questions of constitutionality across the board; it challenges teachers to decide if they would have the capability of teaching objectively; it assumes students are mature enough to handle such controversy. It is the question of whether or not to teach the Bible in public schools.

Texas especially, with its strong Christian presence, faces an ongoing battle of whether to ignore the constitutional requirement of keeping a separation of church and state or that the Bible be taught in public schooling.

the facts and effects alone.

Of course teaching the context of the Bible could bring tension among students and teachers if not treated carefully. Someone could get hurt, or someone could learn something new. It is one student’s choice to believe in a scripture, and another’s to not.

But this is not a situation of right or wrong in a school curriculum; it is a matter of opinion. Discussing the Bible would bring out opinions, but it would eventually help students approach controversial topics with maturity and respect. But once again, a teacher will not hold a discussion on the scripture used, just the simple fact that it was used, and what it said.

Sophomore year, my English teacher passed out Genesis. In fact she made us take it home and memorize it word for word and quizzed us on

it. But it was not because she felt like it. It was almost essential for reading John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” one of the most famous epic poems.

An epic poem, a speech, a lot of war, a lot of Martyrs, and maybe an entire country: I would give this book a lot of credit, believe in it or not. By far the Bible is one of the most, if not the most influential book in history. That alone makes me curious. But the main question is, do we have the right teachers for it or students who are mature enough?

That should be for the schools to decide.

Staff Writer

Schools should uphold the separation of Church and State. not be just as informative?

The Bible itself refers to a doctrine, imago Dei, stemming from Genesis 1:27, describing that humans should have the option to deny or repress their likeness to God and the Bible because they have the capacity of free decisionmaking. If the argument about this influential book is to teach it, shouldn’t those very people learn from what it says first?

From the very beginning, our country was established with a wall between religion and government-funded establishments as the first colonists came to America escaping religious persecution. The colonists who were tired of religion running their monarchial government and being exposed to religious ideas they might not agree with sought stricter religion or a more lax form of it. For that very reason, the separation of church and state was written into the framework our country was built upon: the Constitution.

What do you think?

“Yes, everyone needs to know the religion that stands for the United States.

The Pledge of Allegiance states ‘one state under God.’ People would have a better understanding of the Word and there would be better people in the world.”

- Hannah Eibert, Junior

“No, they should not teach the Bible in school because the bible relates to religion and religion is a personal choice.”

-Katy Baldwin, junior

Schools can teach the Bible objectively.

Erica Rhode

Teaching the Bible would FDXVH FRQÁLFWV

I have read parts of the Bible objectively and do not have a personal connection to the Bible, nor am I ignorant of the issue of whether or not to teach the Bible in public schools. Yet I still believe that teaching the Bible should be strictly separated from public education.

In America, people practice over 1,500 different faiths – that is, if they are not one of the 20 million people who practice no faith at all – and every single one of these religions has shaped the country we live in today. To devote specific attention to the Bible without regards to other religious texts is to say that the Bible is the most important of them all, when in reality schools should be preparing students for the diversity they are to face as they begin their lives outside of the classroom.

Learning from the Bible should be a voluntary decision.

With all the diversity apparent in modern day society, what is to say that other religious texts could

Our nation was founded on Christian principles.

Schools should give students a choice of what classes they can take.

Public Schools

Certainly, the Bible has played a major role in the foundation of our country, seeing as how the founding colonists came mostly from a Christian background and allusions to the Bible are very prevalent in Literature and speeches, like those by Shakespeare and Martin Luther King Jr. However, the Bible itself is not history.

As much as people claim it to be true, there is no denying that the Bible is a series of stories passed down generations, from people who have claimed to have heard God himself, until it reached a generation that wrote it down. Think about a game of “telephone.” How much does one thing get twisted up even when only a few people pass it around?

Of course, there is also the argument that the Bible is worth teaching because of the morals exhibited that could hypothetically be learned from. I again find

this misleading. When I read the Bible, the morals I was supposed to “learn” were ethics I was already living by. And by the same token, the immoral aspects of the Bible are overlooked, as people would be “learning” that stoning is an appropriate form of punishment and that sacrificing animals is ethical.

The Bible does not belong in schools in the same way that psalms do not take the place of poems and verses do not take the place of essays. It brings up too many areas of sensitivity and controversy. If people are looking to learn or specifically take something from the Bible, there are Sunday schools specially devoted to that; they have no place in public schooling.

“No, I believe the Bible should not be taught in school. I believe that would be a matter relegated to the idea of separation of Church and State. However, parts or quotes of the Bible can certainly be taught in English.”

- Michael Cooke, Librarian

Addy Buigas-Lopez Business Manager

. . opinions

page 6

november 2011

Editorial

Students urged to cast vote in upcoming election The United States of America is in the midst of precarious times. Unemployment is rampant and the economy is little more than a shriveled remnant of what it once was. The wealthy are getting wealthier, and the poor are getting poorer.

It is in times such as these that the nation is truly in need of a strong leader to take command, to assuage the uneasy populace.

Without bold and decisive individuals fronting America’s government, the future of the nation is an uncertain one.

America needs Presidents who are painstaking in representing the wishes of the majority. However, it is the responsibility of American voters to select such a worthy candidate,

someone we can rely on to ensure the people’s representation in the government.

This responsibility is not spared from teen voters. By the time Election Day rolls around next year, there will be a whole new generation of eligible voters, including many current juniors and seniors here at Coppell High School.

The 2012 Presidential Election will be the first in which Coppell’s current junior and senior classes will be of age to vote.

It is imperative that the young voters across the country, the future of this nation, take the time out of their day to submit a vote.

America has always been a progressive nation, a pioneer of democracy and a bastion of po-

litical rights. As a whole, the new generation of voters is abounding with revolutionary ideas that will help America continue to evolve in the future.

If teen voters, like upperclassmen at CHS, continue the trend of apathy by not voting, America risks falling behind nations with more eager, forwardthinking young voters.

Over the past several decades, voter turnout at Presidential Elections has been steadily declining. In the 2008 election, only 63 percent of Americans filled out a ballot. This percentage is one of the lowest among established democracies.

If barely more than half of Americans are voting, does it absolutely reflect what the majority Graphic by Lauren Ussery

No pricetag for true aptitude

I arrived home one afternoon this summer to find a stack of college-prep books at least three feet high sitting on my bed.

I can take a hint, parents.

The Official SAT Study Guide (3.6 pounds), the Book of Majors (5.8 pounds), the College Handbook (5.8 pounds) and The College Application Essay (one pound) – all sent to my doorstep

by CollegeBoard, paid for by my well-intentioned mother and moved immediately to my bookshelf, where they would remain until the day before I took the PSAT. With this in mind, one can make at least a vague assumption about my feelings for the SAT and PSAT, but this notion would most likely be wrong. I am not opposed to these types of standardized tests; in fact, I commend them for attempting to measure “aptitude,” or a student’s innate ability to learn and understand, rather than a student’s ability to regurgitate facts. After all, you cannot be taught aptitude.

Despite the impracticality of studying for a test like this, infamous SAT prep courses, the ones

who pledge “to help each of our students expand and improve his or her choices for admissions, scholarships, and honors programs through improved test scores and in doing so, better equip them with a fundamental understanding of how to successfully prepare for any major life-impacting event,” still gain cult-like followings every fall as students try to prepare for these tests.

The mission statements of these test-prep centers are quite lofty, seeing as they do little other than teach test-taking strategies.

Rather than internalizing facts and regurgitating them, students are learning formulas and tricks to deceive college admissions officers into thinking they are more prepared for college than they actually are.

I hate to break it to SAT prep czar Karen Dillard, but life is not multiple-choice.

I don’t doubt many of the students attending these courses see an improvement in their test scores; the fault is not that these institutions fail to live up to their promise of

2011-2012 Staff Editor-in-Chief

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Addy Buigas-Lopez Kara Adkins Ben Cowlishaw Thomas Hair

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raising scores. The fault is they are teaching students the wrong things.

If an organization claims to be a “College Preparatory School,” shouldn’t they be focused on all aspects of being a wellrounded student? Shouldn’t they provide leadership opportunities and specialized tutoring, as well as test-prep?

By claiming SAT scores make or break your chances of getting into college, these courses create the illusion of preparedness. But I know plenty of people who have gotten 2100s on their SATs yet have little else on their resume.

If a student wants to do well on the SAT or PSAT or ACT, they will. It is all about the drive and determination of the student to prove their intelligence, and this can be achieved without the help of an overpriced tutor.

needs? The blunt truth is that no, it does not.

A reversal of this trend could only be made possible by an enthusiastic group of teen voters. The future of America is in the hands of the current youth, and another generation of indifferent drones does not bode well for America.

If only certain groups of Americans are voting, only these certain groups will benefit. It would be highly beneficial if public schools would encourage students to vote and spend class time to educate students on any upcoming election.

November is already upon us, and only one year remains before the 2012 Presidential Election.

The average senior at CHS probably knows very little about the leading Presidential candidates, like Republicans Mitt Romney or Herman Cain, and even less about key issues.

Remember, CHS upperclassmen, you do have a voice.

Take advantage of the freedoms you are so privileged to have and starting paying attention to the election campaigns. America will be whatever the voters make it, so vote in 2012.

Comments

from the web School system is settling for just OK “I personally prefer a balance between a structured education system and some room for students to get creative in their choice of classes. Learning a variety of topics can develop a growth of interest in learning.”

-Susan

Gay-Straight Alliance put on hold

Club shouldn’t just be résumé boosters (as they have become at CHS), they should be used to unite students with common interests and struggles; a GSA would be invaluable to a school like CHS. -Ashleigh Heaton

Northwest turns Coppell at home “Dealing with and overcoming adversity, the Cowboys still have a chance to make it to the playoffs - if they win their last two games. From there it is about the team that is playing their best, with the belief that they can win....”

-Eric

Michelle Pitcher Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Police Chase Porter Chris Reagan Erica Rohde Tolu Salako Kristen Shepard Seth Slover Corrina Taylor Jordan Thompson Annie Wen Dyer Whitt

Photographers and Graphic Designers Rachel Bush Jack Ficklen Ivy Hess Rowan Khazendar Haley Madigan Trevor Stiff Jodie Woodward

Advisor

Chase Wofford

The Sidekick is the official student newspaper for Coppell High School. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and provide an educational resource for its readers. This newspaper is a public forum for student expression and thus student editors make all content decisions.

The Sidekick is a member of ILPC, NSPA and JEA. The Sidekick was the NSPA Pacemaker Finalist in 2002, The Dallas Morning News best newspaper honorable metion in 2006, Best Newspaper and Best Website in 2011 and received the Award of Distinguished Merit in 2003 and 2008 and is Broze Star recipent for 2009 from ILPC. The editorials and columns presented in this

paper reflect the view of their writers.

Advertisements are sold as full, 1/2 page, 1/4 page and 1.8 page sizes in black and white or color.

For more information you may reach the adviser in his classroom (D115) or by phone at (214) 496-6239.

To read more stories by The Sidkick staff members, and also to find videos and photos, you can visit coppellstudentmedia.com.

The Sidekick welcomes all letters to the editor, but letters must be signed before consideration for publication. Send letters to cwofford@coppellisd. com. or bring them by D115.

november 2011

. . opinions

page 7

MTV portrays teens as celebrities rather than parents It’s 8 p.m. and Maci trips over a toy car in the middle of the living room carpet. Her 2-yearold son Bentley begins taunting her, screaming, “Mommy, you ain’t tough enough. Cry!” Maci’s boyfriend, Kyle, has just been released from the hospital because of a surgery and is therefore unable to watch their son.

Maci, a teen mom, is left to tend to her ill boyfriend, raise a child, cook and clean, all while needing to submit her untouched college paper due at 10 p.m. that night.

This is the typical setting of MTV’s popular reality show “Teen Mom.” This series portrays the lives of four teenagers as they cope with their first few years of parenthood.

“Teen Mom” attempts to focus on the challenges and struggles of teenage parenthood and changing relationships, but does it live up to its intentions?

Plots vary from the inevitable relationship instability, financial woes and the characters’ inability to fin-

ish their education. However, the show fails to portray the “reality” of the struggles of teenage pregnancies. Reality television was created to provide audiences with unscripted, real and dramatic situations.

If this is the case, “Teen Mom” falls short of being an authentic and respected reality production.

Pregnancy is glorified in this show; the real struggles are not always evident and are

almost lightened. Hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky of “Loveline” and “Celebrity Rehab” fame, “Teen

They tape lives of mothers who seem careless when handling their children, who unveil their child’s eyes to household abuse.

Mom” reveals the effect this show has on its audience. MTV has created a culture, which consists of other teenage girls who are now romanticizing the teen pregnancies, “oohing” and “aahing” over babies and crying over proposals.

This does not sound very preventative to me.

While the life of a child is beautiful and a blessing to the world, these television s h o w s - meant to serve as public service announcements - should portray the reality of the situation. Keep in mind that the stars are paid to take part in this show. They are being rewarded for their mis-

takes. What is “real” about that?

To add to the turmoil, MTV stands on the sidelines as they tape some unforgivable actions taking place in the show. They tape lives of mothers who seem careless in handling their children, who unveil their child’s eyes to household abuse, and MTV stands by as parents do not promote healthy habits of raising a child.

Adding camera crews and the entertainment industry to the lives of the parents and children during a time when they are barely managing to get by is not what these teen moms, now stars, need.

What is MTV is doing by glorifying these girls? It is arguable “Teen Mom” shows the hardships of being a teen parent, but the actions of parenthood seen on the show are not good examples.

Facts about Teen Pregnancy: 1.

The U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world 2.

About 750,000 Teens get pregnant in the U.S. each year 3.

About 1 in 3 women become pregnant at least once before they are 20.

4.

Only a third of teen mothers earn their high school diploma 5.

Girls born to teen mothers are more likely to become teen mothers themselves

Julianne Cauley News Editor

Graphic by Brian Hwu

Graphic by Brian Hwu

Alexander looks past the fear Generation Y does not ask “Why?”

Graphic by Arden Radford

Have you ever noticed how often people find themselves standing on the sidelines of life?

They watch other people doing the things they have always wanted to do. For example, it has become a national pastime to watch others try out for American Idol.

I suspect this is why bucket lists have become so popular. We are hoping that if we have a list of what we really want to do, maybe eventually we’ll do something exciting.

Yet for most people I do not think lack of planning is the only problem. Too many people are simply afraid to do the things they would really enjoy. They think; what will people think, what if I fail?

I’ve struggled with this like everyone else, even though some of the best times of my life have occurred when I just went ahead and took a chance.

As a junior in high school, I learned that I had the chance to take a college course that required a 3 week tour of Europe. I said yes. I cannot even remember

wondering if I could handle college level work, but I do remember that was the point when I developed my life-long philosophy; “have passport, will travel”. I not only received college credit for Art History, Music Appreciation, and European History, I have fantastic memories from that time.

In college I suddenly decided I wanted to explore working on plays and spent four years building sets and doing one act plays. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I had. And a few years after I started working in Houston when a friend said “oh look, they’re offering Belly Dancing lessons”, I said “I’m in”. I think you can see a pattern developing.

However, in spite of admitting to a belly dancing class, I am not fearless and when a friend suggested a pottery class, I hesitated because I have no artistic ability. None. But I love art and had always wanted to try pottery.

It was fantastic. I loved it even though I was every bit as bad at making pottery as I thought I would

be! My pottery was lopsided and generally ugly but I had a great time and have taken two other classes since then because isn’t that the point? Enjoying your life and doing the things you love?

I am so glad when I do not let my fears hold me back.When you think that way you take wonderful risks that result in great memories and amazing life lessons. Those are the things that help us grow into the people we want to become.

Some of the greatest opportunities in life and unexpected sources of fun come from unexpected opportunities that you have to take advantage of when t h e y come your way. So watch out for your chances, do not be held back by your fear and seize the day!

Donnette Alexander Social Studies Teacher

I am an old soul. I write letters on stationary, I only understand the most basic of technological functions, I use only a pen and paper to conduct interviews and I own more close-and-play record players than I care to admit.

It is indisputable that I was supposed to be born in 1950, enjoying the presidency of John F. Kennedy and the music of John Lennon in the 60s, following Stevie Ray Vaughn around the country in the 70s, refusing to grow up in the 80s and crying when Bill Clinton was elected in the 90s.

I have realized maybe I don’t have so much a respect for my elders as disrespect for my own time. I find myself idolizing writers, artists, politicians, protestors and musicians of the past and hating those of my own generation.

I recently sat down to read 1960s pop-culture analysis book, “There’s a Riot Going On,” and before I’d even begun, the novel’s tribute caught my attention. It read: “and to Georgia & Tom Ansell, in the hope that their generation finds the will to question authority and the vision to change the world.”

I found this request compelling. Here, someone who has not only watched, but dissected the rise and fall of a completely revolutionary generation, is wishing the same thing upon us, a people of a completely different time. On an otherwise blank

page, a complete stranger is asking me and my peers to have the passion to mold the world.

Now, the few people I have talked to about the subject look at me with undeniable apathy, saying, “I wouldn’t even know what to change.” This frightens me.

Here we sit in a world full of poverty, declining economies, corrupt governments and thriving intellects, and the people of my generation are threatening to sit idly by and do nothing.

Sure, we may not face the same problems of the 60s. We aren’t fighting for the liberation of minorities or toppling global capitalism, but the problems we face are no less real and no less threatening. So why are we determined to make our generation less impactful?

During the time of these raging revolutionaries, even a 15-year-old schoolboy with the most limited grasp of world events could easily determine which side he was on, but now, I guarantee 80 percent of the CHS senior class couldn’t name three GOP candidates or five countries the U.S. occupies.

I refuse to be part of this apathetic generation. I want my peers to reflect the revolution of a new time; I want to leave a mark on America.

Mary Whitfill

Features Editor

..

opinions

page 8

november 2011

Learning how to care Free expression pierces hallways Is there anyone on Facebook whose statuses regularly appear on your feed? Is there someone notorious for posting depressing statuses continuously? Considering most kids at Coppell High School have close to 1,000 friends, I don’t doubt it.

Facebook is a part of our culture; it is habitual to log in when the opportunity presents itself. The rolling tide of updates washes up all sorts of thoughts into our newsfeed, including cries for help. It is ironic how the leeching anxiety within a teenager, that impulsive fear that persuades them to ‘submit’ themselves to the Internet, is scarcely deserving of sympathy from an impatient and annoyed observer.

Most teens with depression will suffer from more than one episode. According to Teenhelp.com, 20 to 40 percent will have more than one episode within two years, and 70 percent will have more than one episode before adulthood. Episodes of teen depression generally last about eight months.

What happens in those eight months is virtually undeterminable, but the possibilities are well worth preventing. Before you fervently nod in agreement consider your thoughts when scrolling through the newsfeed. If someone posts statuses like “I want to kill myself” but never does, do you assume that they never will?

It is easy to surmise a person’s character as over-dramatic and negligent if they never follow through with their promises, but if logical thinking is what we are talking about, then we should not go on assuming the seriousness of a person’s depression if we are not sincerely knowledgeable about the disease itself. Selfish is the kid who arrogantly dismisses suicidal statuses as “irritating” because they think the person who made them is just craving attention.

So what?

There is revelry, a plan ‘A’ that lingers in every heart jaded by depression. Death is plan ‘B’; suicide is plan ‘C’. In other words, someone may truly want to be dead, but doesn’t want to actually kill themselves.

Suicide is not easy for anyone no matter how depressed they are.

The power of human instinct makes the road to death difficult. Every step to death hits the ground to the beat of a reluctant countdown; “three, t-two, two and a half…”

Every depressing status you see, no matter how often, is another reluctant step. I am sure you have heard it said that only we can control our happiness, and that is true. If life were a fairytale, everybody would persevere through their problems and realize they can make themselves happy.

Reality’s clock doesn’t stop ticking for anyone. Not all children grow up-some just give up instead.

Maybe you are right about someone who posts dramatic statuses on Facebook, and they never will actually kill themselves. At least not while you know them.

And maybe I am wrong about you. Maybe you have tried to comfort someone after seeing their sad or angry statuses but they never listened to what you have to say.

And maybe, you tried to help someone but the seriousness of their depression led them to take their life anyway.

I encourage the annoyed, ignored, and just plain unlucky to all remember one word: compassion.

Repetitive statuses may seem irritating, but it is your fault if you lack patience. Just because your Facebook messages didn’t make a difference doesn’t mean they caused more pain, and I doubt they were a real hassle for you.

Compassion is not like money; there is no need to conserve it or save it, just use it, better yet please, abuse it. There is nothing wrong with trying to simply make someone’s life better and giving them more strength to stick around long enough to realize they can make it. In fact, there is something beautiful and brave about that.

Jordan Thompson Staff Writer

Graphic by Brian Hwu

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In a high school filled with almost 3,000 students, it is difficult to “stand out” or be original.

There are so many different fashion fads going around that I don’t personally care about; however, facial piercings and tattoos are another story.

Occasionally when walking through the halls I will see a student with a facial piercing, either on their lip or their nose. According to the dress code, piercings are allowed at the principle’s discretion. More often it is a double piercing in the ears or gauges, which are usually more acceptable than other piercings.

T h e re are very few students who actually have the fa- cial piercings, but I respect the ones who do. They are the ones who are not afraid of judgment from anyone else and are expressing themselves in a way for everyone to see.

I feel whatever we the students do to alter our appearance is done simply to make a point, or because we enjoy how something looks. A lip ring is harmless, and to me it is just another feature on someone’s face. I like piercings on certain people, and if a student can pull off the piercing then good for them.

Everyone should have the choice to change whatever he or she wants about themselves if it makes them truly happy and not be judged by others. There are always going to be people who live to put down people brave enough to show their personality, but at the end of the day, who cares if one person doesn’t like your lip ring?

The same goes for tattoos and hair color; I think that the school dress code is too strict when it comes to hair color (even though they allow piercings and some tattoos). Saying that it would be a distraction to other students is an overstatement. Just because a girl in my class has pink hair does not mean I am going to stare at it to the point that I do not do my own work.

Since tattoos are a permanent feature, unlike dyed hair or John Loop Lance McCaskey II Tanner McCord Sarah Police Chris Reagan Tolu Salako Kristen Shepard Seth Slover Jordan Thompson Annie Wen Dyer Whitt

Photographers and Graphic Designers Jack Ficklen Rowan Khazendar Haley Bush Ivy Hess Haley Madigan Jodie Woodward Trevor Stiff

Advisor

piercings, I am less approving of them. Still, if someone wants to go and pay to be permanently inked then they should have the right to do so in our school. Because we are still in high school, I would advise against it because it is permanent, and it would be difficult to get a professional job when people judge you based on your tattoos.

I am all for people expressing their personality and showing how they feel by piercing their lip or nose; it is inevitable that soon the student will outgrow it, but for the time being I think it is acceptable. Being a teenager is a time for teens to go and do something extreme (within the law) like getting a piercing just because they want to or to go out and do something stupid, so they can learn from their mistakes.

Piercings are just another way to vamp up your personality, just like a new haircut or double piercing your ears. Students have the right to do what they want to if they truly believe it will make them look better or The Sidekick is the official student newspaper for Coppell High School. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and provide an educational resource for its readers. This newspaper is a public forum for student expression and thus student editors make all content decisions.

The Sidekick is a member of ILPC, NSPA and JEA. The Sidekick was the NSPA Pacemaker Finalist in 2002, The Dallas Morning News best newspaper honorable metion in 2006, Best Newspaper and Best Website in 2011 and received the Award of Distinguished Merit in 2003 and 2008 and is Broze Star recipent for 2009 from ILPC. The editorials and columns presented in this

Graphic by Haley Madigan

if they are just trying to make it a point. I know how it feels to have the needle go through your lip and I remember the looks I got when I had a lip ring.

If other people want to pierce themselves, I do not see why it should be a problem or why other people should care whether or not they have a piercing. You are entitled to your own opinion, but you should not try to change other people just because you do not like it.

Corrina Taylor Staff Writer

paper reflect the view of their writers.

Advertisements are sold as full, 1/2 page, 1/4 page and 1.8 page sizes in black and white or color.

For more information you may reach the adviser in his classroom (D115) or by phone at (214) 496-6239.

The Sidekick welcomes all letters to the editor, but letters must be signed before consideration for publication. Send letters to cwofford@coppellisd. com. or bring them by D115.

november 2011

features

page 9

Activities cost students, parents more than just time Michelle Pitcher Editor-in-Chief

The number of checks from parents’ checkbooks made payable to Coppell High School has been steadily increasing in the past few years. With the multitude of activities provided at CHS, there are many hidden fees involved when students go to pursue their passions.

For the award-winning CHS Marching Band, the professional quality of their shows does not come free. At the beginning of each school year, band members must pay a fee of around $485. In addition to this standard payment and the $150 Pay-to-Play fee, each band member must intently care for their instrument, some of which cost thousands of dollars to purchase.

“You have to keep up with your instrument, so if anything breaks you’re responsible for it most of the time,” junior Caro-

line Kersen said. “Some people have to buy their instruments, which can cost a couple thousand dollars. A lot of people have multiple instruments for marching and competition season, so that’s twice as much.”

Not only is the equipment pricey, but the uniforms and upkeep of appearance also account for a large sum of these families’ expenditures.

“We also have to rent our uniforms and have them drycleaned every week or so,” junior Natasha Shams said. “That costs about $50 to 100. We have to have two pairs of shoes also.”

However, a large portion of the overall cost of band comes from the trips that are offered.

Because some trips are mandatory due to competition requirements, the band directors do their best to choose destinations that are affordable for all members.

“Some trips are mandatory, like BOA, but that’s not too ex-

pensive – it’s only around $150,” Kerson said. “The Chicago trip was about a thousand dollars.

But when we go in state, it’s only about $500.”

The Lariette Drill Team is another one of CHS’ proud titleholders, but the costs involved in joining the team make the barriers to entry rather high.

“The biggest fee that comes out of their pocket is their uniforms and their practice clothes,” Lariette director Julie Stralow said.

“That adds up to about $800, but the uniform fee is one time only.

Also, they reuse their practice clothes every year, so the second and third years on the team are typically much more affordable.”

However, to alleviate the stress of these costs, the Lariette Booster Club funds all the things that benefit the whole team, such as choreographers, costumes and competition fees. The only other likely expense comes from their yearly

trip, but, like band, the Lariette directors do their best to vary the price from year-toyear to make things more affordable.

“You see dollar signs and freak out, but then you realize that everything these girls pay for goes directly back to them,” Stralow said.

Additional competitions are offered to the girls in which they can perform solo dances.

These contests are optional, and the girls are in charge of getting their own choreographers, music and costumes.

“Choreographers charge anywhere from $60-90 an hour, and entrance fees are $60-90 at every competition,” junior Madeline Nauyokas said. “Costumes cost as much as you want them to.”

Although the school district spends large sums annually on athletic equipment, the cost for students playing the sports is relatively low.

“We ask the students to purchase their own shoes regardless of what sport it is,” athletic director John Crawford said. “And then if there is additional equipment required beyond the norm, we would ask students to purchase that.”

Perhaps the largest expense that comes from the athletes’ pockets is what they invest in personal training.

“There is a great variance among players as to how much they pay for private training,” Crawford said. “Some may pay little to none, while others may pay large sums for companies like Velocity.”

With every activity here at CHS, there is some sort of cost involved, the level of which vary greatly from group to group.

While the costs can be high, the large amounts of students participating in these extra curricular activities show that students have decided the experience is worth the cost.

Photos by Brian Hwu

page 10

features

november 2011

LaPrade plays guinea pig to benefit UT Southwestern Jordan Thompson Staff Writer

There is one in every crowd.

Coppell High School junior Bethany LaPrade is one of the thousands of students trying to stay afloat in its swarming hallways.

At CHS, she is another straw in the haystack, but to Texas hospitals, she is the needle they have been looking for.

Exactly one year after LaPrade’s recovery from a severe brain injury, she received a call from the Center for Brain Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center last March.

“Usually when I got calls about my memory loss issues, it wasn’t something me or my mom wanted to hear. I was afraid it wasn’t over and there was more bad news,” LaPrade said.

Subsequently, the call was not in any way unfortunate. Not only was LaPrade’s injury unique, but also her recovery was so remarkable, professors at UT desired to make her case their new project.

“It is so weird knowing Bethany, and then also knowing how important she is to those doctors. I might even be thankful to her one day if I get in a car accident or something,” junior Colton Cunov said.

On her way to San Antonio for her freshmen choir trip in 2010, LaPrade lost balance on a moving bus and fell, hitting her head on a metal door. Throughout that weekend she suffered severe headaches, especially after a day at Six Flags. She experianced a final blow to the head after fall-

Photo Courtesy Elizabeth LaPrade

Laprade’s memory loss has provided UT Southwestern with a unique research opportunity, and she has since been interviewed by local television stations such as WFAA.

so weak now that the tests were exhausting,” LaPrade said.

The tests consisted of simple tasks like reading numbers and reciting them or summarizing a short story. While they seemed austere, they were important enough for the doctors to come down to Coppell to conduct them.

“The ‘baseline assessments’ as the doctors called them, were almost like PSATs. They were organized to target different parts of Bethany’s brain in a therapeutic way,” Bethany’s mother Elizabeth Laprade said.

Because LaPrade’s injury had not been seen in over 30 years, the UT publicity department eagerly sought contact with Elizabeth in hopes of publishing an article on the events that took place. Elizabeth LaPrade is also planning to serve on the board for the Center of brain health at UT. High prospects do not end there; the baseline assessments pioneered by UT Southwestern are to be used in the future for other patients. Personalized and perfected, they will continue to serve in other hospitals and facilities.

“I still have memory issuesI will for the rest of my life,” Bethany said. “But I know I have improved in every way I could, and if these tests helped me then I want them to help other people too.”

The baseline assessments helped the LaPrade family reach the light at the end of the tunnel, only to be followed by others in the near future.

ing off her bed, inducing extreme memory loss. The lack of knowledge her doctors had on the situation as a whole led them to have virtually no solid prediction of the outcome. The rebound of her memory was the aftermath everyone anxiously crossed fingers for.

But the LaPrade family knew they weren’t quite in the clear just yet. LaPrade’s memory could slip away just as abruptly as it was recompensed. Curiosity lingered throughout the LaPrade household.

“It wasn’t hard to agree to letting them do tests on my brain because it would give me answers too. Brains all heal differently and some don’t even heal. If we did the tests we would know more about how much my brain healed,” LaPrade said.

LaPrade’s injury was one of the most unique cases UT’s brain institute had seen in 30 years. The more answers they could attain through tests, the more they could understand general head trauma, ranging from a small concussion

to permanent damages.

When LaPrade hung up the phone that day, the world’s hues appeared a little brighter. An injury that sucker-punched her three years back in time became a vital puzzle piece to progress.

Starting then, her calendar would include a brain test each week for 12 weeks to three months as ‘the guinea pig.’

“The testing process was like running a mile. If you’re not good at running, a single mile requires so much energy. My memory is

STEM have all combined into one academy on the website, each academy still has its own individual events, such as PSA’s Hometown Hero project and STEM’s MATE team. Throughout the year each academy hosts events to promote the academy.

The website is a good way of letting people know when these events are.

“We put on the website the big projects for each [individual] academy,” sophomore Shannon Wilkinson said. “It’s a good way of reaching out to people and letting them know what events are coming up.”

This website is similar to the Coppell Student Media website. Both are student-managed publications and report on Coppell related news. However, the Academy website is specialized towards news happening in the Academy and does not include the radio network that the CSM website does. The CSM website also has different categories for different types of stories, such as sports, features, reviews, opinions as well as blogs that are updated every day. The Academy website has one tab where all news is published and a separate tab for pictures.

The website went through various stages of development before it was published.

“I went on [English teacher Clara] Caussey’s website, and she had a list of free website creators,” sophomore Sydney Williams said. “I saw Weebly as one

of the options. It was something new I had never tried before, so I decided to work with it.”

The writers of the website have put in a lot of time and effort to fill the site up with stories.

“It takes about three days to write a story,” Williams said. “I first brainstorm and I write everything down on a piece of paper. If I don’t have any ideas, I’ll just ask around.”

The writers for the site are also photographers, and are responsible for the slideshows on the website as well.

“Each story has to have a picture, so we’re responsible for taking the picture,” sophomore Regan Sullivan said. “We also just take pictures throughout the day and post them on the website.”

The new website not only serves as a good place to learn about the Academy and what its students are doing, but it is also a good outlet for the writers.

“I really like writing for the website,” Williams said. “It’s requires creativity to come up with good stories and thinking in a bigger way.”

Through working on the website together, the writers have also gotten to know each other better.

“It’s fun to work on,” Wilkinson said. “You meet a lot of new people through writing the stories.”

The EMAC website can be found at www.coppellacademynews.weebly.com.

Photo by Regan Sullivan (Top) EMAC sophomore Shannon Wilkinson interviews sophomore Jack Hobbs for an online story about the CHS upcoming theater production Beauty and the Beast. (Bottom) Sydney Williams, EMAC sophomore, interviews PSA sophomore Vivit Chetry for a halloween story to be posted on the Weebly website.

EMAC sophomores developing as advanced reporters Annie Wen Staff Writer

With a deadline approaching, sophomore Sydney Williams knows she must get her interviews done and her story posted online. Williams is not a member of The Sidekick or KCBY but a student in EMAC’s Advanced Reporting elective course.

The Advanced Reporting class provides EMAC sophomores with hands-on experience as they serve as true reporters of Academy news.

“There’s always something to write about,” Williams said.

“After I have an idea of what to write I do my interviews and I make a draft. Then the other writers and [teacher Chase Wofford] edit the story and once the story has been edited it gets posted on the website.”

Students in the EMAC academy are able to choose electives every semester. This year reporting teacher Chase Wofford took his class in a different direction and created the website where the sophomore students can publish their work.

“The website was my idea,” Wofford said. “It isn’t as much about the site as it is about developing the writers. I want them to be actual reporters, working on the job.”

The content on the website is news that happens in the Academy, but the writers are able to be creative with their stories.

While PSA, EMAC and

features Hometown Hero an inspiration for change, renewal

november 2011 continued from pg. 1 “I was one of those teenagers who thought the world was against them,” Springer told PSA students. “I realized that I don’t have to fight for my life and that people are there to help me, and hopefully I’m going to be that kind of adult for students as well.”

After falling into drugs at a young age, Springer was on a downward spiral. At times, she felt that there was no hope, but she was able to overcome her tribulations thanks to strong adult figures in her life, and she hopes to embody that spirit for her own students.

“We are very relationship oriented here,” Springer said. “We are all about getting to know our students and caring about them as people, not just students. We are about forming a relationship that will hopefully be there all the way through. We will be there cheering for them as they walk that stage at graduation and for the rest of their life.”

Students feel Springer has been a great influence on their lives and appreciate all she has done for them.

“She’s just so loving towards everybody, she doesn’t judge you or anything,” sophomore Amber Bouressa said. “She just takes everybody in and loves them equally.”

In addition to Springer, PSA also gave recognition to four other Coppell community members who have shown selflessness, dedication and loyalty.

Nominee Donna Cranston, coordinator of “Welcome Home a Hero” and founder of “Defenders of Freedom” arranges a crew of hundreds of civilian and veteran volunteers to greet troops with cheers and hugs at DFW Airport.

After greeting soldiers, Cranston helps returning troops find their families, make connecting flights or contact loved ones.

“Welcome Home a Hero” is a volunteer initiative that started in 2004 to make sure people were at the airport to say welcome

page 11

home to troops and thank them for serving,” Cranston said. “Defenders of Freedom came from me already being at the airport every day and I figured that I would start a non profit to branch out and help even more.”

Defenders of Freedom (DOF) puts together care packages for troops on request, and provides emergency medical funding to those who have been affected by brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many troops do not begin to receive veteran benefits or salaries until months after they come home, so DOF helps to cover medical costs until they are back on their feet.

Cranston is honored to be nominated, but feels that it is the accomplishments of the organizations that should be recognized.

“I think what means the most to me is that the nomination is about what our mission is,” Cranston said. “So many people want to be a part of it and want to be appreciative of what we do. I don’t think it’s about me as much as it is about our goals and intentions.”

Also nominated was CHS special education teacher Eileen Higgins who serves as a role model and resource for students. Higgins approaches teaching with the mantra “put the child before the disability,” and serves as a coordinator of both Special Olympics and Circle of Friends.

“I didn’t really start out thinking that [teaching special education] was what I would be doing, but once I got my Masters I was hooked,” Higgins said. “I hope that I change their lives for the better. Make them stronger, make them more capable when they leave Coppell High School.

Make them happy and willing to take risks and say ‘I can do that.’”

In addition to her special needs classes, Higgins has been able to extend her influence to other students at CHS. “I’ve been in Circle of Friends for a few years now, and I’ve honestly never seen anyone as loving an accepting as Ms. Hig-

gins,” senior Kelly Sigmund said.

“She is so great with everyone, I’ve never once seen her lose her temper and she connects with her students better than any teacher I’ve ever seen.”

Brad Hunt, CISD Assistant Superintendent for Administration and former CHS principal, was being recognized for his outstanding leadership and programs that inspire both management and service. Hunt is responsible for organizing several programs that focus on the observation of student achievement and is described by family, friends and students as funny, outgoing, humble and kind.

“It’s very easy to see why Mr. Hunt was nominated,” senior Tara Henry said. “He has always been so supportive of our class and the rest of the school. Even when he comes back to visit, he still knows our names and he has kept up with all of our accomplishments.”

The final nominee was the first female mayor of Coppell, Candy Sheehan. A breast cancer survivor and Iron Man competitor, Sheehan has shown perseverance and over come life-altering odds.

“I guess I try to always look at the good,” Sheehan said. “I’m a breast cancer survivor so I think that during my fight I always tried to have a positive attitude and I

think that my focus, determination, attitude and discipline help me get through different journeys in life.”

PSA chose to honor Sheehan because of her inspiring message and role model persona.

“I’ve had a lot of experiences, some good, some not so good, but it’s the way you approach the experience that helps put you in a good place,” Sheehan said.

“My big motto is ‘quit worrying about what’s wrong with everybody and see what’s right in people and care about them.’ Our world could be a much better place.”

“I love CISD. I love the people I work with, and I feel like it’s a student-centered place and we care about you guys. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, so it’s a great work environment.”

-Laura Springer

“What I miss the most is the just daily interaction with students.

We have the best students at Coppell High School, they’re so polite and involved and special.

I’m just amazed at what they can do and it’s just makes feel good about being in education.”

-Brad Hunt

“I just feel like every day I make a difference in my student’s lives. They’re confident that I’m there for them, and they’re comfortable knowing everything I’ve done for them.”

-Eileen Higgins

“I’ve had a lot of challenges in life and I could have just crumbled and hidden in my house but I think you should walk out that front door and make a difference. So my motto is ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’.”

-Candy Sheehan

“I just get a lot of joy out of helping troops. We get a lot of feedback; they are overwhelmed and very grateful.

They are very appreciative of it.”

-Donna Cranston

Photos by Rowan Khazendar

in-depth

page 12

Local students aim to change lives with

Buy one backpack and Jatalo will donate a year’s worth of textbooks to a child in India.

It was not enough for these individuals to be driven by their dedication to the cause; they had to go through a long and arduous process in order to establish a solid foundation on which to operate their business.

“It was several months, the majority of a year, before we were able to actually launch our business,” Suresh said.

“There was a lot involved in the process, and we had to figure out our business model- how much the backpacks would cost, how much the shipping would cost, how much textbooks would cost, figuring out how to produce the backpacks.”

After developing their model,

page 13

they addressed the task of designing their product.

“We designed them on our own using software like Adobe Photoshop and then we got in touch with a manufacturer in China,” Suresh said. “We sent them the design, and they manufactured it. They sent us prototypes, and simply put, that was how we got started.”

In keeping with their original concept, for every backpack sold, Jatalo donates a year’s worth of textbooks to a child in India who cannot afford it on their own, and for every bracelet sold, Jatalo donates a single textbook to a child in need. The children who re-

ceive these supplies have been chosen from a pool of applicants or have been nominated by their teachers or community members.

“I feel like social entrepreneurship is kind of a growing trend, and it’s really catching on,” Suresh said. “I think when people hear about our donation model, they’re going to think of TOMS, where every pair of shoes you buy goes to buying shoes for a child in Africa, and we were kind of inspired by that kind of mode: someone being able to, not only buy a product, but also invest in a cause at the same time.”

Learn more at www.Jatalo.com Ikat Classic Backpack

Jatalo: a unique type of tree which, in Indian culture, stands for trade, enlightenment and education.

A group of children in tattered clothing gather around the schoolhouse, trying to peer into the windows to get a glimpse of the lesson. These children are not from an entirely different social class from the children sitting inside the schoolhouse, but they have one crucial differentiating factor: they lack the means by which to purchase textbooks.

This scene is precisely what Hebron High School senior Aditya Viswanathan witnessed when he visited a small village in India in December 2010, and this is precisely what inspired him to found Jatalo.

When Viswanathan returned from his trip, he immediately enlisted the help of 2010 Coppell High School graduate Krish Suresh in finding a way to assist the children of povertystricken areas, mainly to help them obtain an education. Together, they came up with a business plan modeled largely after that of TOMS. They would create and distribute backpacks to people across the world with the guarantee that for every backpack sold, they would donate a year’s worth

of textbooks to a child in India who could not afford to buy their own.

“We came up with the backpacks because we wanted something cheap enough that people could afford, but also something that would be able to pay for the textbooks,” Suresh said.

“The textbooks are cheaper than they are in America, but they’re not cheap.

So we needed a margin that was wide enough to cover the costs of textbooks.”

The price of textbooks, they found, is directly related to the amount of children who are unable to attend school or are forced to drop out to lighten their family’s financial worries. While many government or charitable organizations are willing to subsidize the cost of tuition, they do not provide the necessary tools for education.

W h e n Viswanathan talked to teachers and administrators in India,

he learned that many of them had been funding some of the children’s educations out of their own pocket for quite some time. Those lucky students who received the teachers’ generosity went on to college or to pursue worthy professional careers. Viswanathan was taken by this craving for knowledge and the fact that when these underprivileged children were given the chance, they could rise to great heights.

“I actually visited a rural village in India where my grandfather is from, and I talked to a lot of parents,” Suresh said. “They told me that they realize the value of education, and they wish their kids could kind of skip the poverty cycle and rise up the economic ladder.”

“It’s like wearing a part of the world on your back,” Viswanathan said.

Hebron High School senior Aditya Viswanathan got the idea to create Jatalo after taking a trip with his family to a small village in India.

Suresh and Viswanathan knew they would have to find a market close to their cause, so they felt backpacks would not only be useful, but they would remind the buyer of the purpose of Jatalo’s efforts.

“We knew we wanted to do something that was inspired by the artistic cultures of the area we were trying to help, and we felt like the backpack industry wasn’t very saturated yet, so we could kind of make an impact there,” Suresh said.

Suresh and Viswanathan decided to take the idea a step further and incorporate the cultures of the areas into their products. As of now, these patterns come from the bright, vibrant cultures of South Asia.

“These patterns do have significance,” Viswanathan said. “One thing we’re trying to do is bring the artistic styles from around the world to students and kids here, because I know there are a lot of people out there who have an interest in global cultures and artistic styles from around the world but haven’t been exposed to them.”

However, as people usually only need one backpack per year, Jatalo could not operate under the concept of universal need as TOMS does. Realizing this, Viswanathan and Suresh came up with an idea to add bracelets to their list of products.

“The bracelets were an additional idea we came up with later, just as a way people could help out with our mission who didn’t want to spend money on a backpack or didn’t need one,” Suresh said.

Jalato as it gains momentum, hopes to continue to expand its products offered. It does not matter so much to them what they are selling as long as the cause continues to be recognized.

“We absolutely want to branch out our products,” Suresh said. “I’ve actually been talking with contacts in Africa and Thailand.

After doing some research on the subject of education, we realized that it’s not exclusive to India, so we’re definitely looking at expanding.”

As the charity is still in its building stages, they have a limited number of designs available for order. However, the ideas for several others are in the works.

“We only have two designs out right now, but we’re definitely rolling out more,” Suresh said. “We’re hoping to get three more within the next month, month and a half. And to go along with other cultures, we’re getting patterns inspired by other cultures. There’s one with Mexican art, and there’s another in an African tribal style of art, then there’s just a solid one.”

CHS students and buyers from around the world particularly seem to appreciate both the product and the concept.

“I really do like the backpacks,” junior Madeline Nauyokas said. “I love how you can do good by buying things you already need.”

Textured Classic Backpack

This program allows students to set up Jatalo chapters in their high schools to spread awareness. Being an ambassador means that you get to keep a measure of the profits you make by selling Jatalo’s products on your school’s campus. If you are interested, you are encouraged to contact the company via email or telephone. All contact information can be found at www.Jatalo. com.

“With the ambassador program, we haven’t really figured it all out yet, but we’re hoping that students who want to get involved by more than just buying a backpack or bracelet can help out by spreading the word,” Suresh said.

As awareness for their cause grows, they are working to make it more personal than ever.

“If you go the website there’s actually a really cool feature where you can go on there and see profiles of students who are getting funding,” Viswanathan said.

Jatalo hopes that by focusing on these affiliate regions, they can slowly but effectively decrease the dropout rate and overall illiteracy rate in the areas. In India, their current focus, the illiteracy rate for the entire country is nearly 30 percent, and one out of every three students drop out before fifth grade.

“Our company was inspired by the plight of children, specifically in India, who couldn’t afford textbooks,” Suresh said. “So, ultimately, our goal is to make it to where no child is unable to afford an education due to their not being able to afford textbooks.”

Despite how recently the company entered the market, they have en-

countered enormous success, having sold over 100 units within the first three weeks of business.

“So far we’ve gotten really positive reception from all over the place, from across the nation,” Viswanathan said.

Not only have they made an impact in the United States, but people from around the world have been donating to their cause.

“It’s been amazing how the word has spread,” Suresh said. “We don’t know how, but we’ve been getting orders from Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand.”

page 14

features Students learn value of thrifting

november 2011

with the most sporadic of shoppers.

That is, if they know where to go.

“Some stores just have more clothing. Like Thrift City probably has the most clothing and the Goodwill, and the CCA don’t have that much. Once you go, you’ll figure that out. [For instance] if you want a board game, definitely [go to] CCA. Some [stores] will have big items, like DVD players and stuff, where some will have mostly little things,” Bizzell said.

Even on the search for clothes, different shops specialize in different items. Seasoned thrift store shoppers have come to know which stores in the area will yield the best results for finding certain pieces.

“If I’m just looking for Tshirts or sweaters or something I’ll go to Thrift World, but if I’m looking for, let’s say my homecoming dress, I went to a place in Dallas called Clothes Horse Anonymous, and that’s probably my favorite place to get dresses,” Deloach said.

“And jeans and shirts and stuff, it would probably be Buffalo Exchange. It depends on what I’m looking for.”

One of thrift stores’ large selling points are their lower price tags.

This can entice even those who prefer mainline shopping to frequent these resale shops.

“I probably prefer shopping at chain stores, but if I’m low on money, then I’ll obviously go to a thrift store,” senior Liz Meyer said.

The financial upside of thrift stores is twofold in some instances.

These stores provide many who are in tight financial situations a more affordable option for obtaining clothing. Some resale shops, such as CCA, Goodwill and the Salvation Army, even use their revenue give back to the needy.

Senior Carolyn Mason not only sees the charitable paybacks of thrift store shopping, but the creative opportunities it offers as well.

“I’ve gotten stuff for art projects and engineering projects, once made my mom a paper towel roll,” Mason said. “It was wooden and I

sanded it down and wood burned it. I guess it’s inspiring. They’ve got a wide variety of stuff and it’s cheap so you can do a lot of fun crafty experimental things. And it benefits the needy.”

Mason even found a way to bring thrift store shopping into a CHS tradition.

“I got my senior overalls for $2.50 [at a thrift store],” Mason said.

Another plus of this uncommon way of shopping is the unique “finds” one can take away from it.

“Sometimes I buy gifts for friends because they have a lot of weird stuff that people don’t want,” senior Christina Wagner said. “And they have funny shirts, because people don’t want them, so they’ll say funny things. I got a shirt that says bar mitzvah on it. So now I have somebody’s bar mitzvah shirt.”

A visit to one of these establishments may provide the buyer with a bargain rare of superstores and high-end boutiques. Deloach had such an experience when searching for a homecoming dress.

“I got a brand new Betsey Johnson dress at my thrift store for 100 bucks [at Clothes Horse Anonymous], which is cheap,” Deloach said. “And it was brand new really. I am so obsessed with my dress, it was black and puffy and so just my kind of dress.”

The bond students have made while thrift store shopping are reminisced on fondly. A simple trip has left many with lasting memories with friends.

“There is a hat that my friends and I all bought. We all got matching hats that say ‘Pack 59’ or something,” Wagner said. “It’s for some boy scout troop in like Georgia, and I guess they had a whole bunch of hat so they donated them. So we all have matching pack hats.”

To those wary of taking the plunge into the thrifting world, one CHS shopper urges them to consider this.

“Instead of a shopping trip, it’s a shopping experience,” Bizzell said.

their parents have become more in- with the off-roaders themselves volved in the situation. and their behavior when they are “I have been a farmer in the caught on private property. When Coppell area since 1994, and [off- the trespassers are not cooperative roading] has been an ongoing is- is when he gets the law involved. sue for as long as I can remember,” “It is the ones who are arthe farmer said. “Kids have always gumentative that I don’t want to decided to go off roading, and be- deal with,” the landowner said. cause property owners never did “At that point, I’ll call in law ensay anything to anybody, it wasn’t a forcement, take their IDs to give big deal for a long time.” to the officers, and they could end The issue, according to the up with a ticket - I call it kids havfarmer, has grown after the parent of ing fun, the police department one driver who got injured while off- calls it criminal trespassing.” roading sued the property owner.

“In the last five or six years, it has grown into a bit of a controversy. A kid went off-roading, got hurt, and the land owner got sued by the kid’s parents,” the farmer said. “Since then, most property owners have tried to stop everyone from being on their property, and have asked the [police department] to start enforcing to stop offroading.”

The probGraphic by Brian Hwu lem also lays

A common misconception is that the off-roaders aren’t guilty of trespassing if there are no posted signs warning people to stay off of a property. At the 121/Coppell Road location, there have been multiple attempts to put up signs, but they are often immediately removed.

The ultimate goal is to stop offroading, but that may never come to fruition. He says land owners and farmers don’t feel like it is their responsibility to pay to keep people off of their property “In the areas where enforcement has gone up with the police department patrols, it has really helped to slow down the off-roading,” the landowner said. “It will never be stopped unless landowners put up fences, and most don’t have the money or don’t want to pay for fences to be put in place.”

He says that they don’t want those caught to get into trouble, just to be cooperative and to put a stop to the trespassing.

“We don’t want you in trouble. Be polite and courteous and we’ll help you out; tell your friends, just please stay off.”

Madison Ford

Entertainment Editor

Photo by Jodie Woodward

Many students at CHS choose to shop at thrift and resale stores because of the affordable prices and unique items.

Photo by Jodie Woodward

Senior Lexus DeLoach proudly shows off her resale purchases.

Sometimes, shopping takes a leap of faith. However, for some Coppell High School students, this journey outside the typical consumer comfort zone reaps numerous rewards. This desire for a unique shopping experience is what lands them in thrift stores and they boast that they come away from it with memories, original purchases and significantly more change in their pockets.

Coppell is surrounded by thrift store shopping options. No matter which direction you go, you are more than likely to stumble upon a vintage or resale shop boasting great buys and cheap prices.

Some students are taking advantage of these shopping opportunities and in the process, falling in love with the thrift shop experience.

“I can buy more clothes for less money [at thrift stores] and get more unique stuff, no one else is going to have whatever you are wearing,” senior Michelle Bizzell said.

“You can imagine those used to be somebody’s. Why did they buy that?

Did they like it in the 80s or the 90s?

Was this in? Did they know it was ugly? Was it a gift? [The experience is] so much more interesting.”

To senior and frequent thrift store shopper Lexus Deloach, these shops can serve as a time machine to experiences gone by.

“It’s so cool because every single clothing item has a story behind it,” Deloach said. “It once belonged to someone else. I am recycling and reusing clothing, which is kind of cool. It is like I’m just writing my own chapter into the clothes.”

The items available for purchase in thrift stores, while often the triggers of reflection, include such a range of categories that a wide variety of shoppers with differing purchasing objectives can find an item that fits their needs. From furniture to retro-wear, casual clothing to board games, as well as a seemingly inexhaustible supply of accessories or trinkets, thrift stores can comply

Land owners ready to mess with local off-road drivers Ben Cowlishaw Online Copy Editor

A look around the student parking lot reveals many students sport Jeeps, trucks and other heavyduty vehicles. While many seldom use their car for anything other than day-to-day driving, there are some who enjoy taking them offroading to push their vehicle to the limit.

Most are unaware that, especially in one of the more popular locations for off-roading in Coppell, the practice is not only dangerous – it is illegal.

At the u-turn bridge under State Highway 121 near N. Coppell Road, one can often see a Jeep bouncing around the terrain. However, the location is private property and anyone caught on the property, both the driver and passengers, can be charged with criminal trespassing.

Coppell Police Department (CPD) Assistant Chief of Police Gary Nix said the practice itself is not unlawful, but it becomes a problem when one does it on private property.

“Just like riding go-karts or dirt biking, you have to have permission from the property owner before you can go off-roading,” Nix

said. “Off-roading itself isn’t illegal; the problem comes when people think its OK to start driving on private property. This is being enforced by patrols, as well as responses to calls we have about people driving on private property.”

According to the Texas penal code, a criminal trespass charge is a Class B misdemeanor, which can be punishable with up to a $2,000 fine and/or 180 days in jail.

A student at Coppell High School, who asked to be left anonymous, regularly took his Jeep to the 121 location until the police were called.

“We didn’t realize it was private property or that we were illegally trespassing. I didn’t see any signs, or at least didn’t remember seeing any,” the student said.

He considers himself lucky he got off easy, and has not since gone off-roading anywhere besides his own property.

“Thankfully, I only received a warning, but it could have gone much worse. The only times I ever go off-roading now are on my ranch,” the student said.

An area farmer from the Future Farmers of America (FFA), who asked his name be left out, says the issue hasn’t been a real problem until recently when off-roaders and

november 2011

features Working students

page 15

juggle jobs, school Ben Cowlishaw Online Copy Editor

Graphic by Haley Madigan

TV stereotypes transition to CHS Sammy Robben Sports Editor

Whether you are a jock, nerd, overachiever or band geek, everyone is defined and labeled by a stereotype.

The students at Coppell High School are no exception.

Stereotypes can be seen everywhere and affect everyone. They are in TV shows such as “Glee” and “Secret Life of the American Teenager” and movies including Mean Girls and even Harry Potter.

“Glee” centers around a show choir of misfit teens, and the show prides itself on being accepting of all stereotypes.

Though the show brings up good points about approval, many CHS students think the exaggeration of the segregation of different stereotypes is not realistic when compared to Coppell.

“At CHS we stereotype people who are fat, and we think they aren’t athletic; people who are in all regular classes are dumb; people who play a certain sport like lacrosse or cheerleading are really stuck up but we just leave it at that,” junior Lexie Davidson said.

“In TV shows like ‘Glee’ it’s a lot more extreme. The characters act on their stereotypes by making fun of them, or throwing slushees in their face.”

At Coppell High School there is not a battle between the Glee club and the football team, and the cheerleaders may not rule the school, but

stereotypes are still present.

Many students agree the stereotypes they give others, or may have themselves, come from their actions, who they hang out with and what they are involved in.

“Someone shouldn’t be judged by being involved in an activity they love,” junior Jen Olson said. “We base stereotypes off of what we have heard about a person, not what we really know about them.”

Though there are some major differences between CHS and these shows, one stereotype present in almost every show and is evident at CHS is racial profiling. In a school where there is extreme competition to get the highest grades and to be number one, racial profiling is inevitable.

In “Glee”, the show references the “Asian bookworm stereotype” that many CHS students can relate to. Many students assume their Asian or Indian classmates are the stereotypical “nerd,” with immeasurable amounts of pressure placed on them by their parents.

“People often assume that because I am Asian all I ever do is sit in my room and study, but in reality I’m on the golf team and I hang out with my friends all the time, junior Albert Lo said.”

These stereotypes tend to be seen only as harmless categorizations but in reality they can be hurtful and in some cases can harm a person’s reputation.

“Stereotypes are hurtful because they are not a realistic representation of the values of people in a particular group,” Olson said. “CHS is very dynamic and every activity includes a variety of people with different beliefs and personalities and it is not fair to clump them together with a single stereotype.”

Labeling, categorizing, stereotyping: you can call it whatever you want, but changing the name will not change the reality that stereotypes have gone beyond the TV screen into the halls of CHS.

As students get older, numerous rights and responsibilities are bestowed upon them. They are given more freedom than they have ever known, while at the same time are more responsible for their own actions than they may be prepared for.

Many students acquire an afternoon or weekend job for any number of reasons. Some need to save for a car or college, while others just want the extra cash.

For some, however, they learn having a job with school, sleep and a social life can be more of a balancing act than they originally applied for.

Junior Natalie Lamb, who works at Fat Daddy’s, thinks at times having a job has affected her school performance.

“School should come first, especially since I just work for the extra money, but sometimes I’ve had to work really late, and I haven’t been able to finish all of my homework,” Lamb said.

“When you have a job, it becomes a commitment, and everything is on you. If you’re late, it doesn’t go to your parents, you have to take responsibility, and that’s why I think sometimes work inadvertently becomes a higher priority than school.”

Having a job with late hours on school nights affects school performance directly and indirectly. An hour at work could be an hour spent studying. Being at work for hours after school can drain a student’s energy, so they must choose between homework and sleep.

“I try to limit the number of days during the school week that I work, because on the nights that I do [work], I know I won’t be able to finish all of my work before falling asleep,” Lamb said.

For many, having a job is just an exploration of what it is like to join the work force and to get experience under their belt.

For others, however, a job may be unavoidable.

Junior Trevor Berryman, an employee at Las Colinas Country Club, bought his own car and needs the job to pay for gas and insurance.

“I really had a choice to make: either get a car or don’t

have a job,” Berryman said. “Being in high school, having a car is pretty necessary, so [getting a job] wasn’t a difficult choice. A lot of nights, I get home and am too tired to start on my homework, so I end up having to find a way to get it done the next day.

School should come first, and it usually does, but I think having a job is another important part in learning responsibility and becoming independent.”

Senior English teacher Matt Bowden has seen firsthand the affects having a job has on students’ academic performance.

“Working too many hours can be taxing, leaving the student exhausted and unfocused during the day,” Bowden said.

“I can remember several times when the student seemed to place their work schedule and responsibilities above their academics, which is obviously a problem.”

On the other hand, Bowden also noted the many ways in which students may benefit from obtaining a job.

“Working after school and on the weekends teaches young people responsibility, work ethic and independence, and it is nice to see kids earning a paycheck rather than depending on mom and dad for everything,” Bowden said.

Bowden believes it up to the student’s internal drive and motivation to determine if they can be successful in school while maintaining a job.

“The issue boils down the individual and their ability to manage time and prioritize properly,” Bowden said. “Strong students who truly care about learning and doing well in school will always do so, even with a job on the side.”

Students and teachers alike feel that having a job can be detrimental to a performance in school. Students learn a great deal of responsibility, and begin to gather experience they can take with them to college and beyond.

Whether or not the benefits outweigh the negative effects is up to the students to discover for themselves as they learn the ways of becoming an adult in the “real world.”

Photo by Ivy Hess

Junior Julianne Kodros happily helps excited children stuff their teddy bears while working her shift at Great Wolf Lodge.

page 16

entertainment november 2011

British culture invades American TV, radio Tolu Salako Staff Writer

British culture is the American teen’s guilty pleasure. Their accents, music and TV shows all contribute to the American teenagers’ obsession with Britain.

During the summer of 2011, a swarm of British artists came into America releasing new singles and albums from various music artists including Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Adele, Ellie Goulding etc.

Thanks to VEVO, a website used

to watch music videos and discover new artists, many British artists have been introduced to America. Jessie J, a British pop artist, was the first to host the series VEVO Lift, a webshow about a new artist’s life and what to expect on their upcoming album. Since then, other European and British artists such as Tinie Tempah and Oh Land have been the host of Lift and have recently been successful in America.

By simply taking a glance at the iTunes top ten artists, there is handful of them that are from British or of European descent. Adele’s album has been in the top ten for many months and has been blowing up the radio.

American artists such as Britney Spears and Ke$ha used be in the same position, which has recently been taken by the Brits.

“I really think that people like British stars because they have more raw voices and of course everybody wants to hear someone with a different accent,” sophomore Mary Claire Phillips said.

Chris Ware illustration of English singer-songwriter Adele. MCT 2011

About two years ago, the only British stars and artists that American teens were familiar with were the cast of Harry Potter and maybe the members of Coldplay. Since that time, British media has increasingly emerged into American culture at a very fast pace.

Recently, a remake of the British show, “Skins”, premiered on MTV on Jan. 17, 2011. The show was about teenagers in New York City and their lives about their dysfunctional families, mental illnesses, substance abuse and death. However this show did not connect with the American audience in the same way the original Skins, based in Bristol, England, did back in 2007. “[Skins US] didn’t have the same characters and the actors were very one dimensional,” junior Tatiana Gantt said, “The British ‘Skins’ show had a lot more depth.”

In addition to the debut of new British TV shows in America, the show “Misfits” premiered in the UK on Nov. 2009 and recently Hulu started

to post new episodes every Monday of this hit show so it can be available to Americans.

The British culture seems to appeal to the younger generations due to their different slang, accents and music style.

The situation and scenarios are different to what American teens would face, such as the unchanging weather, the school systems and the way that British students are educated. The British culture is completely different yet American teens can relate to it because of the same language.

MTV is one of the most famous TV channels in America while E4, a UK channel with the same concept as MTV, is one of the most watched channels by teens in the UK. Many UK stars started out their careers on E4, including stars from “Skins”, “The Inbetweeners”, “Misfits”, “Doctor Who” and “Nearly Famous.”

There is no doubt that the British are stepping into America creating a large base of entertainment for all teenagers to enjoy.

British television daily schedule

CHANNEL: BBC AMERICA Doctor Who . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weekdays at 5pm Top Gear . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesdays at 6 & 7pm Law & Order: UK . . . .Wednesdays at 8 & 10pm The Inbetweeners . . . . . . . Saturdays at 10pm Skins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Netflix Sherlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Netflix

Cut loose and see Footloose Jordan Bickham Staff Writer

Footloose is a classic 1980s movie combining the story of bigcity kid in a small town with the common idea of teenage rebellion. While the idea was basic, the movie was a hit, and is considered another classic 80’s film, along with films like Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.

Because of its great success, director Craig Brewer decided to take the film’s storyline and make it his own with a 2011 remake of the film that came to theaters Oct. 14.

Most everyone knows the idea of the movie; big city kid, Ren MacCormack moves from the hustle and bustle city of Chicago to a small Western town. Although he tries to fit in, he can’t get a grip on the brutality of the town’s council who has banned music, drinking and, shockingly, dancing. In an effort to have fun and win the girl of his dreams, MacCormack faces the council in an effort to get the senior class their own prom.

Kevin Bacon plays MacCormack in the 1984 original, with Kenny Wormald in the lead role in the remake.

With leg warmers, big hair, and synthesized background beats in every song, the 1984 Footloose original has all the qualities of a typical 80’s film. Watching it now, it is obvious the movie is so outdated it is almost un-enjoyable. While

the story line is fun, and the actors are passionate about their roles, some major scenes are ruined by 80s music thumping in the background and the laughable dancing.

With a lot of the details dating back 30 years; the film is distracting due to its age.

Although most of the original film is silly due to the music choices and fashions (especially the long awaited prom scene, which was probably the cheesiest part of the movie), the actors make the movie a lot better than it would have been. With standout actor Bacon as the lead role, the acting is impressive and believable. Not only was his acting great, but his dancing is phenomenal. As proven in his solo dance scene, Bacon can dance, and he can dance well.

Even though the original was a good movie, Brewer decides to change it up to fit the trends of today. While keeping the script almost exactly the same and the scenes in the movie close to identical, there are few major differences in the remake. Besides the opening scene being more depressing than the toe-tapping original and the mom being deceased in this remake, most of the film sticks to the original storyline.

The only real changes are the music, which is reworked to be more modern, the fashions, which were definitely different from the 1984 original, and the dancing.

Another noticeable difference was the actors in the film. Kenny Wormald, who has a lot to live up to, falls just a bit short. While he is just as charming as Bacon, his acting and dancing were not as phenomenal as in the original. On the other hand, sidekick, Willard, played by Miles Teller, is a hit. With hilarious jokes and sarcastic comments, Teller really adds comedy to the film.

Another addition dancer and country singer, Julianne Hough, gives a standout performance as a debut actress. Although personally, I did not expect much from her, Hough’s acting is passionate and believable, and, of course, her dancing was incredible.

Overall, while both movies are great for their own time, the new Footloose of 2011 appeals to more audiences with improved music, fresh dancing and strong actors. Brewer’s Footloose is a modern spin on an 80s classic tale of teenage rebellion that is the same, no matter what age you grew up in.

Kenny Wormald plays Ren and Julianne Hough plays Ariel in “Footloose”.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment. (MCT)

november 2011

entertainment

page 17

Theater reveals hidden actors behind curtain

Photos by Trevor Stiff and Brian Hwu

Bill Ballard (left), Lisa Tabor (center) and Bruce Hermans (right) departed from their professional careers in the theatre in order to impart their wisdom onto CHS students.

Corrina Taylor Staff Writer

On stage all the attention from the audience is focused on the actors, as they become an entirely new person. The audience members “ooh” and “ahh” at the intricate set designs and smooth light transitions throughout the performance.

No one gives a second thought to the people behind the sets and lights, the people who worked tirelessly for this performance to be perfection.

The Coppell Theatre Department has three teachers who have dedicated themselves to the students in order to help create the best productions possible.

These three teachers may not always get the credit they deserve, and are not as acknowledged as they should be. Not many people even know what led them to be a part of Coppell.

CHS theatre department head Lisa Tabor has been a part of the Coppell theatre for 12 years.

However, before her time in Coppell she was involved in theatre as an actress herself.

Before Tabor even considered teaching, she found her love

for choir and drama during her sophomore year of high school and decided it was something she wanted to pursue.

Upon graduating from Baylor, Tabor had an agent in the Dallas area and was acting in commercials and industrial work, which is training videos for different companies. However, Tabor soon found it was not exactly what she had been expecting.

“It was when I got into a Church’s Chicken commercial where I had to eat an imaginary piece of chicken when I decided my Baylor degree wasn’t doing so well,” Tabor said.

Figuring commercial acting was not her path, Tabor spent five years as the drama and floor director at her church until she realized she was doing most of the “after work” such as what happens behind the curtains and decided to pursue teaching.

She went back to college and got her teaching certification and started her life in Coppell. Because of her background, Tabor proved to be a worthy teacher.

“Having experience as an actress helped me tremendously,” Tabor said. “I know what the directors are going to be looking for

and what the colleges are looking for. I also understand the nervousness my students get.”

Tabor is now a permanent fixture in the hearts of her theatre students. Through her accomplishments she has come to a realization.

“I am doing something with my life I truly enjoy doing; it’s something I love,” Tabor said.

Throughout her journey Tabor has come to settle into Coppell and has grown accustomed to her staff members, including Bill Ballard.

Ballard teaches the technical theatre classes alongside Bruce Hermans and has spent his life wandering. That is, until he found refuge within the walls of Coppell High School.

When Ballard started off doing stage makeup, he became more and more involved in the theatre.

After graduating, Ballard found that a job was hard to come by, so he decided to go back to college at University of Arkansas to obtain his Master’s degree.

While in Arkansas, he was a technical director, building sets for the Ouachita Baptist University; however, this visit was short lived.

“I wanted to do more than just build sets. I was working all the time, and I was never home,” Ballard said. “I came to realize that I liked high school kids and I liked working with them so I decided that I was going to teach high school.”

And that he did. His love for acting is obvious to those around him, which is why he teaches another important class called Broadway Bound that is an advanced theatre class. And he has never been happier.

“I try to think of something else I would have spent 32 years on besides painting in a loft, and I can’t think of anything,” Ballard said. “I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been a good career and I’ve only got three more years left to teach.”

Bruce Hermans, the third theater teacher, has an equally colorful background involving theater. Before he became the teacher students have come to depend on, he was involved in all areas of theater.

He acted in commercials and industrial work like Tabor, and he also was in film as well. He was in two episodes of “Walker Texas Ranger” and in a movie with Chuck Norris called “Cadil-

lac Jack”.

He had the opportunity to be in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” at his church. It was there his professional friends saw him and offered him shows to direct.

“I have come to find that I really enjoy directing,” Hermans said. “I pulled not only from my acting background but also my designing background and it really comes together when directing.”

In total Hermans has been a part of 120 productions as an actor, director, tech worker or design artist. Because he can visualize the scenes in his head as a director he also takes part in majority of the set work.

Hermans always had a plan that by the time he was 40 he would go back to school to become a teacher, and when the time came he came out of school eager to teach and ended up at CHS. And while the audience is clapping for the performers on stage, these theatre teachers will be the ones who know in their heart the hard work that was done to make their theater dream a reality.

entertainment november 2011 The Sidekick A B+ C

page 18

Ratings:

REVIEWS Coldplay hits the mark

“Mylo Xyloto”

Staff Writer

One of students’ favorite bands, Coldplay, released a new album on Oct. 24, entitled Mylo Xyloto.

Coldplay has really made a name for itself through many popular songs in the past like “Lights and Sounds”, “Clocks” and “Viva la Vida”.

Its new album has its ups and downs, though it has great songs that you can tell are going to become hits and climb pretty high up on some of the music charts like “Billboard Top 100”.

The release is receiving a lot of attention because it has been three years since its last album release of Viva la Vida or Death and All his Friends. That album has songs that climbed to No. 1 in both the United States and United Kingdom.

Coldplay hopes the new album will get the same outcome. The album is not perfect, however. “Princess of China” does not really sound like music, it sounds like a bunch of instruments mashed together, and it does not sound good at all. While “Us Against the World” is not that bad, it is a little slower than the Coldplay everyone is used to, which makes it interesting and it makes the album a little bit better, because there is more variety.

“Charlie Brown” is a great song; it is a mixture of slow and upbeat. “U.F.O” has very nice acoustics and has a good feel to it, andit has a nice blend between the background music like the guitar and the lead vocals which makes it unique to the album, unlike “Princess of China”.

“Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” has a techno feel to it, but it works for the song and the band makes it work. The variety to the album is amazing, as there is a little bit of everything: techno, slow songs, fast songs. It’s a huge variety of songs and almost all of them sound good.

It doesn’t matter what people think about it, the album will be a hit and many, many people will buy “Mylo Xyloto”. Coldplay fans everywhere will be anxiously waiting for Oct. 24 to roll around so they can go pick-up the new album. The album will most likely be a topseller, one because it’s Coldplay and people always buy their albums.

Two, because with the exception of two songs it’s one of its best albums and might even be one of the best the group has ever made.

Dream House more like a nightmare Thomas Hair Staff Writer

The beloved summer months of big-budget blockbusters are behind us, and film fans must once again set their sights upon the stream of unfamiliar titles that keep the industry alive until the next holiday.

The latest flick released in this vein is Dream House, which hit theaters nationwide at the start of October. Dream House tells the story of a family that moves to a picturesque house in the country where several grotesque murders were committed years ago – only to find themselves the next target.

With a sophisticated storyline that makes one think, and several familiar names in the cast (Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts) Dream House immediately piqued my interest

when I first heard about it. Unfortunately for Universal Pictures, the stories surrounding the movie off the screen turned out to be just as intriguing as the story on the screen.

Directed by Jim Sheridan (In America, My Left Foot), Dream House is a disjointed film that never finds any sort of flow, or even its own identity.

Universal Pictures marketed Dream House as a horror film, when clearly it was far from being one. Horror fans that flocked to theaters Friday night for the debut of Dream House must have been sorely disappointed, as the movie never came close to obtaining the dark atmosphere advertised in the trailer.

But as I walked out of the theatre, I couldn’t help but feel the movie could have been so much more. Somewhere amidst

concert

and often played guitar. Swift was very friendly throughout the concert. When she sang “Dear John” she honestly looked like she was still upset as she was singing about what she went through.

Swift definitely came dressed to impress, and had a number of dress changes ranging from casual dresses to fancy ball gowns. She changed wardrobes every couple of songs. Among the outfit changes were her traditional sparkle dresses for songs like “Better than Revenge,” “Our Song” and “Mean.”

During slower songs such as “Back to December” and “Enchanted” Swift wore a floor length gowns that looked like they had just been purchased from Vera Wang. During the encore, Swift even showed her support for the Dallas Cowboys by wearing a personalized

Taylor Swift performs in front of thousands of excited fans at Cowboys Stadium early in October.

jersey that said “Swift” on the back.

Her voice projected throughout the stadium. Swift sang her more popular songs like “You Belong With Me” and “Mine.” But she also pleased fans by singing the lesser known songs like “Long Live”. What really got to me was how she was so casual and friendly with the fans. I genuinely felt like I had been her childhood friend and we were just having a conversation. It was really exciting that there was an interesting anecdote that foreshadowed each upcoming song.

There was not a boring moment throughout the night. Swift also kept it interesting by adding fun twists in the concert like surprising the audience with R&B artist B.O.B. As they belted out a duet to his song “Airplanes”, Swift and B.O.B made fans go wild. Not only did Swift collaborate with B.O.B, she also sang Don Henley’s song, “The Boys of Summer” while playing the guitar. Swift attracted fans by singing a mix of her songs “Back to December,” “You’re Not Sorry” and “Apologize” by One Republic.

For the grand finale, Swift sang her hit “Love Story.” She wore a full-length crème, sparkly ball gown. This song had the biggest (and coolest) effects; Swift actually got onto a platform that rose up in the air and moved her around the stadium. She had many backup dancers and fireworks going off in the background.

Swift’s concert was definitely the best one I’ve been too in a long time. For anyone who gets the opportunity, I highly recommend going to see Taylor Swift in concert.

She gave a phenomenal performance and I give her a solid A.

its choppiness and script failures were moments of shining brilliance. I couldn’t help but feel if the studio’s big wigs had stuck with director Jim Sheridan’s vision for the film, Dream House would have turned out so much better.

That’s right. Morgan Creek Productions was dissatisfied by Sheridan’s work and fired him before filming was complete. The studio had to throw the movie together by itself, with Sheridan’s intention for the storyline lost in the chaos.

Craig and Weisz, loyal to Sheridan’s vision for Dream House, were fuming after the studio’s unexpected move and were uncooperative for the rest of production. The film’s superstars even went as far as to refuse to make press rounds for the film, as they felt Morgan Creek butchered what would’ve been a great movie.

The result of this catastrophe is a slapdash film that is despairingly unorganized. Many scenes don’t connect smoothly and the viewer ends up disoriented at many points because of

ried afterwards.

The other big-name star, Naomi Watts, was not given much to work with, but she delivers a solid performance as neighbor Ann Patterson. Even Taylor and Claire Geare, playing the little girls Trish and Dee Dee Atenton, serve their purpose by being exceedingly adorable and innocent.

Thanks to crisp visual effects and excellent acting, Dream House is not a total bust. In fact, in my 92 minutes in the theater I never felt the urge to check the time. Despite its many flaws, the plot is complex and makes one think.

Given the catastrophes that Dream House went through during production, it really isn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Although there are some brilliant moments (almost entirely in the first hour of the movie), most of Dream House is mediocre at best.

If you are just looking for a little bit of suspense, this could be for you. But if you care about the subtleties of a movie, skip Dream House or wait for Netflix.

Rating: C

Staff Writer

Photo courtesy Coldplay.com

“Sparks Fly”

Sparks fly in Swift’s concert Sarah Police

Jay Carroll

Dream House

Coldplay’s

There were 20 songs, eight wardrobe changes and 50,000 people present on a Saturday night.

These numbers do not even begin to explain what went on in Cowboys Stadium on Oct. 8.

With thousands of people screaming in a pitch-black stadium, Taylor Swift appeared on a platform that rose from the ground onto the stage. Amongst thousands of cameras flashing, white smoke billowed from the platform and she walked out wearing a gold, sparkly, fringe dress, singing “Sparks Fly.” Unlike at other concerts I have been to, Swift was actively moving throughout the night. She danced, whipped her hair around, Photo by Rachel Bush

constantly shifting mood.

Numerous issues with David Loucka’s script didn’t help either. The writing is average and at times reminiscent of a corny made-for-TV movie. Loucka (Eddie) is an inexperienced writer, and it shows.

In the end, Dream House is nothing more than a cliché mystery flick with a few halfhearted attempts at macabre fright thrown in for good measure. Furthermore, the plot twist is eerily similar to that of Liam Neeson’s Unknown (2011).

What saves Dream House, at least in part, is the convincing performances of all the actors involved. Main-man Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) is brilliant as the tormented Will Atenton, dynamically portraying Atenton’s passion and confusion.

Craig is complimented wonderfully by Rachel Weisz (The Mummy), who plays Will’s wife Libby Atenton. Craig and Weisz have impressive chemistry together, one of highlights throughout the entire film. They even fell in love on set and discreetly mar-

november 2011

entertainment

Local band plays to a different beat Corrina Taylor Staff Writer

What makes a band famous is not flashy clothes or a “toughguy” attitude; it is talent and will to succeed. A local Coppell band is known for its dedication to their instruments and themselves.

As self-taught musicians, the members have spent their high school career practicing and working hard to establish their band. Together, 2011 CHS graduate Jeff McQuitty, senior Jett Raines, Cistercian students Stuart Leach and Matthew Lancaster make up Seastroke.

Seastroke is an up and coming band introducing a new type of sound. The use of a violin in its songs adds a nice touch to the overall quality of the songs; some may even say it forms a new genre.

“We would call ourselves melancholy pop because the music is sad and happy, sad lyrics with a pumped up sound,” Leach said.

It is with this new sound that Seastroke is reach-

ing so many fans eager to hear its music. With over 900 likes on Facebook it is easy to it is starting to get noticed by people ev-

“Our band is in a cocoon; we haven’t quite flourished with our new album yet but with time it will grow.”

- Matthew Lancaster, bassist erywhere.

Seastroke is receiving recognition from its many live performances at over four different venues, such as The Lounge, and the release of their songs on iTunes. It released its first EP “Outside Into Eyes” in March of 2010 on iTunes along with a single from its new album “Stupid.”

“The coopera-

tion on the song Stupid was really sound,” Raines said.

Fans who have heard Seastroke’s music are hungry for more and are eagerly awaiting the release of the new album, which is to be released sometime in December. Fans share their enthusiasm and their suspense for the new album on their iTunes reviews. Such comments include one from Samantha Navarro, a sophomore in Animation at the Kansas City Art Institute and John Paul II High School alumn. “ I really h op e they go

places so I can keep listening, if they’re playing near you I encourage you to go,” Navarro

said.

With the new album to be released, Seastroke is hoping to begin playing live concerts again once its violinist, McQuitty, comes home from college at the University of Texas at Austin. Still fans are not giving up hope.

“My friends and I patiently await their next show; hopefully their work will only be made better by their time away in college, and we will get to hear more from them soon,” Navarro said.

It seems as if nothing can stop this band from reaching its goals, even if they are sure to go through difficult times next summer when they graduate, there is still hope for Seastroke.

The members are continuing to work on their album and have hopes to finish it by December.

“Our band is in a cocoon; we haven’t quite flourished with our new album yet but with time it will grow,” Lancaster said.

All information for future shows, a detailed background of the band, and merchandise can be found at Seastroke.com.

page 19

Be sure to check out Seastroke’s EP, Outside into Eyes!

Featuring: Sailing April Cathedral and Between Glass Photo courtesy www.Seastroke.com

(Left to right) Matthew Lancaster, Jett Raines and Stuart Leach formed the band Seastroke in early 2009 and released their first EP Outside into Eyes in 2010.

Photo by Corrina Taylor

Graphics by Lauren Ussery

sports

page 20

november 2011

Concussions making impact on rules and coaching made a pass to my feet. I put my head down to find the puck.

The next thing I remember was During a typical hitting looking up at the ceiling flat on my drill, freshman football player back,” Skaggs said. “The trainer Chris Goldman immediately examined me, and diagnosed me knew something was wrong. with a concussion.”

“I went to hit this guy, he After diagnosis, Skaggs went got lower than me, and his helmet to a doctor, who told him it was a hit my face mask,” said Goldman. minor concussion, and that once “My head snapped back, and he passed the IMPACT test he my own guy hit my head from was released to play.

Within two the back. My brain bounced weeks, Skaggs was back on the ice. around my skull, giving me the “It was unfortunate that I concussion.” missed a game the next week, but In the world of contact it taught me to keep my head up, sports, many fans come for the and play with caution,” Skaggs thrill of the big hit, crushing said. “Hopefully I won’t ever have blow or hard collision. With hits to go through something like this come injuries, and most of these again.”

Head injuries such as Skaggs are unfortunately a common occurrence in hockey. Players and coaches are taking notice and want to find a way to limit these life changing injuries.

“Hockey is a tough sport.

Players get hurt. Over time, players accumulate injuries, and they can seriously impact their lives down the road,” Aaron Gaunt, Coppell Cowboys JV hockey coach said.

“The worst injury you get is a concussion in hockey. There are so many collisions that second impact is a serious concern.”

Photo by Ivy Hess High school hockey rules now limit head contact, with suspensions that can last up to a season. Equipment is also taking strides forward in an effort to protect the players. Helmets have moved from soft, nonabsorbent foam, to a contact absorbing gel.

Shin pads and elbow pads have also switched from a soft foam into hard plastic and gel.

“We have to make sure the players know what they’re doing.

We emphasize the fundamentals, Making sure they keep their heads up, and are aware of the dangers of the game,” Gaunt said.

Photo by Rowan Khazendar Photo by Ivy Hess “We also teach them how to hit properly so they don’t endanger any other players or themselves In order to avoid sustaining long term injurues in high contact sports such as football, Texas UIL has passed new laws requiring injured athleltes when making a play.” to complete mandated rehabilitation programs before they can return to the sport.

Lance McCaskey Staff Writer

injuries are head injuries.

Goldman went to the trainer to see what was wrong and take the IMPACT (immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing) test.

“I actually blacked out for a second. When I came to, I was really dizzy, and knew something was wrong,” Goldman said. “I went to the trainer, and took the IMPACT. The result came back positive, and I knew I had a concussion.”

Goldman is still feeling the effects of the concussion, and has not got back to his normal routine.

“Even today I still get really

drowsy,” Goldman said. “I get an occasional headache, especially when I do my schoolwork. [Yvette Carson] the head trainer sent out an e-mail to all my teachers, just letting them know what I’m dealing with. They all understand that it is harder for me to do the work because of the pain.”

Because of recent discoveries in health and science, governing bodies at every level in contact sports, such as football and hockey, are instituting new rules to protect players from concussions.

“We emphasize how to do it correctly,” offensive line coach Clint Schnell said. “The fundamentals, not ducking your head, things like that. Teaching them the proper technique to protect them.”

The offensive and defensive lines are the areas where the most head to head contact takes place.

This means this is a place at a high risk for head injuries.

The National Football League (NFL) blazed the trail with systems such as the IMPACT test with rules that are similar. If a player gets concussion symptoms, they must sit out until a trainer clears them to return. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) took it to the next level by

including the IMPACT into the system.

Another major movement that the NFL has started is scientific research into how concussions can affect players long term.

“One of the things they found, is that players who sustain multiple concussions actually have a shorter life expectancy,” Health Science teacher Ray Pool said. “The average life span of an NFL player is around 63-65.

Compared to general public that is quite low.”

This movement has also made its way to the high school level. The IMPACT test is a requirement for every team in Texas, and doubles the required time to sit out for concussions after the first one.

Hockey has also changed drastically due to the recent scientific research that will help make the sport safer for players a.

While not as popular as football, the collisions can be just as large and tolling on the body.

Jack Skaggs, member of the CHS hockey team and sophomore at Cistercian Prep Academy, suffered a concussion this past season against Frisco.

“I was cutting across the middle, and the defense man

Cowboys’ playoff hopes come down to final week When the 2011 football season rolled around, the Coppell Cowboys were ready to answer their critics and prove that they were as good as last year’s team.

But as their season started to unfold it became clear that this season would be nothing like the last.

It has been said over and over again; last season was historic for Coppell High School with an undefeated district season and a successful playoff run that ended in a devastating one-point loss to the Euless Trinity Trojans in the regional finals. Last year the question on everyone’s mind was, are we going to be state champions or not? This year, people are asking themselves, will we even be going to playoffs?

For the Cowboys first four games of the season, they were unstoppable beating everyone with ease, but Denton Guyer was the first of many teams to cause the Cowboys successful season to come to a screeching halt. During the fourth quarter of the game, the Cowboys senior quarterback Jake Larson, injured his knee it what seemed to be a season ending blow.

The loss of their senior star

meant big changes for the Cowboys. With junior Tyler Zabojnik and sophomore Connor Wilson taking over for Larson as quarterback, the coaches decided to change their offense to feature their skills.

In response to the changes in the Cowboys offense, there were also changes made to the Cow-

people sitting in the stands.

At Coppell High School success is expected, and winning is the only option, but when the Cowboys started losing players, coaches and games, they

of this so called “bad” season. But maybe the problem has more to do with the Coppell’s perception of bad, and less to do with actual team.

We assume that because we are number four or five in district, or because of the fact that we aren’t a for sure playoff contender, we are a bad team. But what we never thing about is the

boys coaching staff as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Mike Dormandy was replaced by assistant head coach and inside receiver coach Jay Jones.

Though all these changes have had a big role in shaping the season, the biggest difference between this season and last season has nothing to do with who is playing quarterback or the coach who is calling the plays, it is the

started losing fans as well.

Last year support for the Cowboys was unquestionable, just like their playoff eligibility. This year with the Cowboys playoff future on the rocks, their fans have started to lose support for the Cowboys and all because

sixth, seventh and eighth ranked teams and I bet they would tell you that it could be worse.

Though the stats might show the Cowboys as a team with limited success, behind the numbers there is a team that has pushed through numerous obstacles and challenges.

The lack of support became evident when the

Cowboys had a major game on the same night as the World Series game 7. Just a week before, the Cowboys lost what had been expected to be an easy win over Justin Northwest and even though the Cowboys game against the Keller High School Indians could have defined their playoff future, many Coppell High School fans chose the Rangers over the Cowboys.

Even with a small amount of support, the Cowboys defeated the Indians easily, continuing their journey to the post season playoffs.

The Cowboys have survived a season very different from the one they intended and hoped to have. It was a season filled with injuries, changes and unexpected losses that have no doubt pushed the Cowboys to their limits.

Even through all their obstacles, the Cowboys have made it clear that Cowboys fight never dies.

Sammy Robben Sports Editor

november 2011

sports

page 21

Fall sports winding down successful season

Photo by Brian Hwu

Head football coach Joe McBride coaches his players from the sidelines at the game vs. Justin Northwest on Oct. 21

Athletes pushed to their limits Kristen Shepard Staff Writer

In a town where Friday night lights shine bright and trophies fill the halls of the high school, student-athletes feel the pressures to succeed and perform at extreme levels.

State Championships, college scholarships and school records are expensive, not neccesarily in terms of money, but because of the pressures young athletes face to perform. Playing sports in Coppell is not something taken lightly, as practice hours can be overwhelming and workouts exhausting. By the time youth enter high school, the sports can sometimes even mimic college or professional level intensity.

To many players, the pressures to succeed start with simply getting on the roster. With hundreds of students in each graduating class, tryouts are oftentimes packed with eager athletes competing for a spot on the team.

Even though often leads to Coppell teams being “the cream of the crop”, it isn’t always fair for players who don’t obsess on improving their game to not even have a shot.

“In a place like Coppell, if you don’t play a club sport or are on a select team, you really don’t have a shot at making the [school] team let alone actual playing time” said sophomore Seth Margolis. “Sometimes its like, if you haven’t played this sport since you were eight, you don’t have the talent to be on the team and that’s just not fair.”

A football player himself, Margolis also puts pressure on himself to play well on the field.

Other than not wanting to let down his team mates, players like Seth have an undermined fear of having a “rough game”. In a place where sports are so important to the community, players feel as if they are expected to shine at every possible moment.

“Even without the pressure of the coach and fans, I don’t want to disappoint the team”, said Margolis. “Being on top of your game is how you win, and thats our main goal on game day”.

One can’t help but wonder, what about the love of the game? When players become narrow minded with the goal set only on winning, the love of the game is often overlooked. Instead of focusing on nurturing the competitive spirit and enjoying the sport, games become vicious with one word in mind: win.

Coaches in Coppell and similar schools are certainly not immune to the pressures either.

Just ask Coach Stricker, the head coach of the girls soccer team at Coppell High School.

With a state championship and dozens of district wins under his belt, Stricker knows what it’s like to have high aspirations.

However, he believes that the investments of time and money on athletic programs should not be the sole reason for kids to feel obligated to excel.

“Most of the players have the finacial means to play club sports or get specialized fitness or speed training. When the par-

ents and the kids are investing so much time in their sport results are expected. When winning is expected pressure increases.”

Stricker remarked.

Another source of pressure Stricker sees is that placed because of college scholarships.

With numerous players being offered scholarships to prestigious schools each year, it’s easy for athletes to feel anxious and pressured to get one themselves.

“Student athletes that are playing for just a scholarship rarely make it and if they do they usually quit playing after their first year of college”, Stricker noted. “The players that play for the love of the game and the players who train because they want to be the best player they can are usually the players that play at the next level.

More and more nowadays, students who originally joined a team as a fun extracurricular activity are being thrown into an intense training program where weakness isn’t tolerated. In the long run, these pressures can take a serious toll on athletes’ character.

Successful coaches have to remind themselves on a daily basis that we are here to manage kids to maximize their ability on the field and help teach them life lessons along the way to help them succeed at the next level of life» Stricker said. «As soon as we lose focus [on enjoying the game] just get focused on winning, the pressure mounts at an exponential rate on ourselves and that transcends to the kids.

very special place to play soccer. “(Rakestraw) came to us very highly recommended (from Northwest). He runs a disciplined program,” Crawford said. “The atmosphere and culture created by Rakestraw is attractive for participation.”

To date, Rakestraw describes his first few weeks at CHS “awesome.”

“It feels comfortable and welcome,” Rakestraw said. “Everyone makes you feel like you’ve been here for a while.”

With a good group of kids overall, Rakestraw has seen a lot of leaders step out in these first couple of weeks and is excited for the turnout. He emphasizes changes to the program will come as he continues to work with the boys.

“(Rakestraw) expects the soccer players to be good examples for our peers, so grades and attitude are really important. He works us hard so that we can become better players,” sophomore Corey Oesch said. “He is a very respectable and reasonable person to work with, and he loves the game and holds mutual respect with players.”

Rakestraw’s first season with the Cowboys begins in January.

“Every coach has their different way of doing things,” Rakestraw said. “My philosophy is to shape and mold our players into better young men in the classroom and on the field.”

Rakestraw sets new goals for soccer Christina Burke Staff Writer

New boys soccer coach Chad Rakestraw comes to Coppell looking to carry the program’s winning tradition.

“I love the competition that is required, the skill that it required and the team atmosphere,” Rakestraw said.

Rakestraw is entering his sixth year of coaching. He previously worked at Denton Guyer for three years and Justin Northwest two years. Rakestraw knew the boys soccer program at Coppell has a great tradition and provides an opportunity to compete for the state championship.

Coppell ISD Athletics Director John Crawford believes Rakestraw will make Coppell a

Chad Rakestraw

Photo by Rachel Bush

Photo by Rachel Bush

Both the CHS junior varsity and varsity swim teams continue to dominate in the water as the season progresses. Both squads clocked in at first overall in the both the Temple meet as well as the annual Belton Invitational on September 15th. The squads will continue to compete in smaller meets until the big District meet on the 28th of January.

Photo by Brian Hwu

Sixteen times, the CHS tennis team has progressed to the regional tournament, but never have they progressed to the state tournament. This weekend, the team will travel down to the Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene to try and win the Class 5A Region I tournament. By defeating Southlake Carroll, Plano West and many others and winning the regional tournament the tennis team will guarantee a spot in their first state tournament.

Photo by Jodie Woodward

After a strong regular season, the cross-country teams looked to continue their success in the post-season at the District Championships.

The varsity girls took second place, and earned their spot at the Regional Championships in Lubbock on November 5th. The varsity boys took 5th, the j.v. girls took 2nd, and the j.v. guys also took 2nd.

page 22

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november 2011

Football starters inspired by loss of friend Nixon continued from pg. 1

Jenner and Lister are both making great strides on the football field. Jenner, a first year starter, has rushed for 500 yards and six touchdowns through the first five games of the season. It is clear that Jenner’s explosive play in his first season is rooted in motivation that stems from something deeper than just football.

“Jha’Kyric was an athlete.

He constantly worked so hard.”

Jenner said. “He took full advantage of the time he had to progress as the athlete he wanted to be. Now, since he isn’t here, I feel called to work twice as hard as before.”

Lister, a starter since his sophomore season, grabbed his first touchdown of the year against the Saginaw Roughriders. He too has a new approach to both football and life in general.

“One thing I realized through Jha’Kyric’s passing was that you never know if today will be your last day,” Lister said. “I want to live every day – and play every game – as if it were my last.”

Other players have similar views on the situation.

“This has really opened a lot of people’s eyes about how fragile life is,” junior Alex Kulig said.

Jenner and Lister each considered Nixon as not just a friend, but a brother. Both players agree

Photo courtesy of Susie Shahsavari

Although Jha’Kyric Nixon’s death was a devastating loss, his memory lives on as he continues to positively influence the choices of his friends.

that there is a strengthened brotherhood within the Coppell football team. Jenner and Lister, close friends themselves, are forced to rely on others.

With difficult games, including Keller Central, on the upcoming schedule for the Cowboys, the team will have to play inspired football in order

to come away victorious. Now more than ever, players are able to effortlessly find a source of inspiration through their close friend who no longer is in the stands rooting them on.

“I do it for him. I play for him,” Lister said. “He always told me he would be here watching me. Before every game I picture

him up in the stands cheering me on. It’s an even better feeling to know he has a better seat for watching the game now than anyone in the stands does.”

Jenner approaches his games in his own way.

“I pray before every game. I pray that I’ll make God proud, and in addition that I’ll make Jha’Kyric

proud. I miss my friend – and I always will – but I work hard and keep pressing on,” Jenner said.

It is this sense of diligence, commitment and inspiration – resulting from a love for a friend no longer here – that Jenner, Lister and the Cowboys are using to hopefully make this a season to remember.

Athletic trainers ensure healthy players on the field

Because of the many tasks they are required to do, the trainers often spend more time While the athletes at Copat the game than any player, pell High School train during coach or fan. the day and compete at night, “Any athletic game we are one group of students is always there doing our job, freshman, with them. The CHS athletic JV and varsity,” Carson said. “A trainers put countless hours of 12 hour day is a short day for work in to ensure that the stuus.” dent athletes stay hydrated, safe Though it can be tiring, and healthy. the trainers sincerely love what Under the direction of they do. The group of about ten Yvette Carson and Barry Jones, students comes in day after day a small group of students work to serve the athletes of CHS. from sun up to sun New Tech sophomore Erin Gildown to provide len takes pride in her role as an help and support athletic trainer as it gives her a to the freshman, chance to see what a possible junior varsity and career in the field might look varsity student athlike. letes.

“I really en“[The trainjoy what I do with ers] do first aid and the athletic trainhelp us handle iners,” Gillen said. “I juries,” Jones said. like being around “They are basically everyone and getour right hand and ting to know the are capable of doplayers and coaching just about anyes. This will rething that we need ally help me out them to do.” in college because Jones, a gradthis is something uate of Texas Christhat I want to petian University and ruse. Everything the University of that I do now (as Arkansas, was also a student trainer) an athletic trainer is stuff that I could when he attended do in college.”

Longview High The trainSchool and does ers of CHS work not regret his decito make sure evsion to become one. eryone remains “I wasn’t good healthy and safe. enough in sports Though their work in high school, and Photo by Rowan Khazendar may go unnoticed the thought of still to some, the athbeing able to be CHS athletic trainers junior Zoe Cacheria, junior Chandler Bateman, and junior Austin Pang prepare water bottles and equipment letes appreciate all around sports and before the Coppell vs. Arlington game. that they do.

Caroline Carter Staff Writer

being in medicine was very appealing to me,” Jones said. “I haven’t looked back since.”

With their prior knowledge of what it is like to be a sports trainer, Jones and Carson help many of the student trainers learn the ropes of athletic training and how to react to a situation.

“They have been taught all these skills, so if someone is hurting they have been taught the proper protocol we use to help work on that problem to get that player back in the game

as soon as possible,” Carson said.

“They are responsible for hydration but there is a lot more to it than that.”

Sophomore Connor Lasater is in her second year of being a student trainer. A fan of sports with a heart for helping others, Lasater enjoys her time as a student trainer and hopes to possibly pursue a career in sports medicine.

“I decided to become a trainer because I love helping others and love watching sports, so being a trainer I get to do both,” Lasater said. “Something that a lot of people don’t know about trainers is that we show up before the players and are always the last to leave.”

Before the players arrive to the game, the athletic trainers are responsible for preparing all first aid kits, setting up water stations and assembling some of the equipment used by the players. After the game is over, the trainers must pack up their equipment and make sure all the players are safe.

november 2011

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page 23

Volleyball Committments

Varsity girls prepare to compete at next level Chris Reagan Staff Writer

The Coppell Cowgirls volleyball team has done an outstanding job this year and has had 3 three verbal commitments to universities, two of which are top 25 schools in NCAA rankings.

Junior Chiaka Ogbogu has decided to take her talents to the University of California-Berkeley. California is currently a top five school in the nation despite having a young team.

“I decided on them because they’re not just a good volleyball school, they also have good academics,” Ogbogu said “ I wanted to go where I could win a championship and get educated.”

Ogbogu has been on varsity since her sophomore year and is known to her teammates as a gifted player.

“She has so much natural ability and knows the game well,” junior Cassidy Pickrell said, “She’s really supportive and stays positive on the court.”

Her attitude on and off the court is sure to get her far with the California-Berkley Golden Bears when she arrives in 2013.

After passing up on the opportunity to graduate last year, Senior Bear Bass will be attending St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, arriving as a junior in college.

“I liked St. Mary’s because it fits in with my plan academically since I won’t have to transfer for graduate school and I really liked the coach,” Bass said.

Bass started out on Junior Varsity her freshman year before being moved up during the season to varsity.

Senior Kierra Holst has committed to Oklahoma University to play volleyball next year, a school that wasn’t initially on her radar.

“I wasn’t considering them at first and then they offered and I took a visit there,” Holst said, “They have a great campus and a great volleyball team.”

Oklahoma is currently one of the top 25 teams in the nation and finished last year breaking the top 20 in the polls.

Underclassmen Cassidy Pickrell, Erica Bohannon and Megan Kennedy are also considering offers from colleges before they enter their senior year.

Photo by Jodie Woodward

Junior Chiaka Ogbogu (right) keeps her eye on the ball as teammate Sarah Arnold moves forward to hit it. Ogbogu will join the University of California-Berkely team in 2013.

Senior duo sets each other up for success Photos by Brian Hwu and Jodie Woodward

Chase Porter Staff Writer

Seniors Sarah Arnold and Kristin Dickers on have been friends and teammates since the fifth grade, and now they are

Sarah Arnold

leaders of the varsity squad, propelling the Cowgirls’ six game winning streak.

Dickerson started her volleyball career in the fifth grade playing on a club team.

From then on she continued to play on the Coppell Middle School East team and other nonschool related club teams. Arnold had a similar start, joining Dickerson’s club team in the sixth grade and also playing with her while she was on the CMSE volleyball team.

Both girls agree that being teammates since sixth grade and getting the chance to play alongside each other during seventh and eighth grade has made them even closer as teammates and friends.

“Being teammates with Kristin has not changed my relationship with

her one bit,” Arnold said. “Volleyball is something we have in common and that we share. I know that because of volleyball Kristin will always know me better than most people.”

Dickerson is currently serving as the Cowgirls defensive specialist or libero. In this position she is responsible for making sure the other team doesn’t score initially, but she must then pass the ball to her offensive teammates.

As a leader Arnold says Dickerson is a great leader for the team.

“I would consider Kristin’s leadership unique,” Arnold said.

“While she doesn’t scream at everyone, she remains very intense and focused. She always has positive things to say to the girls and leads the team by example.”

Arnold is the communicator of the team because she is the starting setter for the Cowgirls.

As setter, her job is to direct the team on the court and set up the offense. Dickerson says the team really looks to Arnold when leadership is needed.

“Sarah is a determined leader,” Dickerson said. “When she sets a goal for herself she works hard to accomplish it. The team really looks up to her. She’s very strong willed and is willing to do whatever needs to be done to achieve our goals.”

Earlier in the season Arnold suffered a low ankle sprain during practice, resulting in her not being able to play some of the team’s district games. To make up for Sarah’s injury, the team had to buckle down to try to make up for the loss of the setter.

“Because Sarah was hurt we all had to pick up our intensity in practice in order to make up for her being hurt,” Dickerson said. “We had to stay focused and keep working hard so that when she was better we could pick right back up.”

Now that Sarah has recovered from her injury, she and Dickerson are trying to keep the team on track to take on the last part of the regular season and upcoming playoffs. Both girls have confidence in the rest of the team because of the hard work and dedication they display on the court.

“I think that the team has had a major breakthrough,” Arnold said. “Around mid-season we had a hard time getting in a rhythm and playing together as a team, however, we all are learning to trust each other more. This will only help us perform to our abilities the rest of the season.”

For both of these girls volleyball is a

part of their lives, but now as college applications are being completed they have decided not to play volleyball in college and pursue a more normal college experience.

“Having Kristin [Dickerson] and Sarah [Arnold] on the team is really great for team morale,” junior volleyball player Jordan Jones said. “Since they are such good friends and they joke around in practice it keeps everyone in a good mood while at the same time keeping everyone focused on our goal as a team.”

Kristen Dickerson

page 24

. . the sidekick

november 2011

October 12

A volunteer from the Mitchell Environmental group comes every week to water the plants on the side of the stairway. Many CHS students and teachers assume these plants are fake but in fact they are real. Photo by Rowan Khazendar.

October 31

It’s Halloween and librarian Jamey Dubbs is dressed up to show some spirit for this festive holiday.

Photo by Rachel Bush.

October 6 October 14

The cafeteria staff held a special luncheon to celebrate long time cafeteria worker Barbara Strill’s retirement. Photo

by Jack Ficklen.

Junior Valentina Vesga is happy to volunteer to give blood at the annual CHS blood donation thursday morning. Photo

by Rachel Bush.

Boggle your brain Crossword

Look at the clues and fill in the blanks with the best word.

Sudoku Fill up the grid with the numbers 1-9. Numbers can only be used once in a row, column, and box.

Across 1. Type of fruit made into a sauce commonly served with turkey 3. Term given to the day after Thanksgiving, known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year 4. Team who defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the snow on Thanksgiving in 1993 and also this year’s Thanksgiving opponent 5. In addition to the Dallas Cowboys, this NFL team plays every Thanksgiving 6. Corporate sponsor of annual Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City 8. Where the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving 10. Issued annually by the President to the National Thanksgiving Turkey

Down 2. Annual event the week of Thanksgiving in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square to begin the Christmas season 7. Annual 5k and 8 mile run in hosted by the YMCA in Dallas and nationwide on Thanksgiving 9. President who proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on the fourth Thursday of November

Find the answers on coppellstudentmedia.com