The Sidekick - Issue 2 - November 2012

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VOLUME 24 ISSUE 2 NOVEMBER 2012

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL WWW.COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM

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Old Town makeover

185 W PARKWAY BLVD

I believe that we will win

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COPPELL, TEXAS 75019

Model behavior

Community heals after tragic losses of two seniors

Senior Jacob Logan, pictured above at Relay for Life in April, will be remembered by friends and family for his unmatched sense of humor. Photo courtesy Kiley Bratton.

Senior Jonah Blackwell shows off his infamous smile and his CHS pride as part of the Silver Spurs. Photo by Lauren Ussery.

Logan celebrated as guardian angel Blackwell remembered through smile JULIANNE CAULEY News Editor

On Oct. 14, hundreds of students, parents and faculty gathered in the stands and on the turf of Buddy Echols Field to lift prayers for the Logan family as well as comfort friends mourning the loss of beloved teammate and friend, Jacob Logan.

Earlier that afternoon, Logan had

been at Possum Kingdom Lake celebrating a fellow teammate and friend’s birthday.

After jumping from a cliff without a life jacket, he never resurfaced. After five days of searching, the diving and rescue team found Logan’s body at 9:21 p.m. on Oct. 18.

“It honestly is impossible to describe him in one sitting; that is just how special he was to me,” senior Seth Slover said.

“Two words I continue to go back to are

see Laughter on pg. 3

MICHELLE PITCHER ADDY BUIGAS-LOPEZ As the varsity girls cross country team huddled before their district race on Oct. 27, their chant could be heard from the finish line: “I believe that he is here!”

When 18-year-old Jonah Blackwell was found at McInnish Park in Carrollton after taking his life, Coppell was left to deal

with its second major loss within the span of just a few days. Blackwell, who was a junior varsity cross country and track runner as well as a Silver Spur, certainly left his mark on friends and teachers during his time at CHS. He will be remembered by all for his generosity and infectious positivity.

Blackwell joined the cross country team during his sophomore year. Since then, he became one of the strongest JV

see Senior’s on pg. 4

North Texas Food Bank prepares Thanksgiving dinner CORRINA TAYLOR Staff Writer

Boxes upon boxes of food crowded the 100,000 square foot facility; workers wearing bright orange vests drove lifts to store the food that would soon be in the hands of those who need it the most. This vast facility has several sections of storage including a 25,000 square foot cooling space cold enough for volunteers to see their own breath.

The North Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that has been providing food for the needy for 30 years; they offer many volunteer opportunities for the public. Coppell’s own St. Ann Catholic Parish is home to an avid volunteer group at the food bank. Every second Saturday a group of parishioners, led by the coordinator Jim Halepaska, ventures to Dallas to help.

“In the gospel Matthew, Chapter 25 talks about the separating of the sheep and the goats and the sheep ask why did you

choose me [God answers] when you fed the least of mine and gave them clothing that’s when you fed me,” Halepaska said. “We all have that obligation to give back to the community.”

There are many jobs for the volunteers to complete while at the food bank; there is sorting donations and unsalable items, an assembly line which puts all the food into boxes for distribution and other various jobs.

“We work as a distribution

see Giving on pg. 15

Photo by Lauren Ussery

Thousands of onions are delivered to the North Texas Food Bank. This organization has been providing food for the needy for 30 years.

2 news

NOVEMBER 2012

Old town develops new flair Renovations in Construction of ‘Main Street Coppell’ underway

Photos

KRISTEN SHEPARD Staff Writer A general store, barber shop and some railroad tracks were all that made up the City of Coppell in the early 1900s. Since then, Coppell has sprouted up around what is now referred to as Old Town Coppell.

As new retail developments and residential districts popped up around the city, Old Town slowly became less and less important. In 2011, city officials decided it was time for the area to get a facelift.

Currently, the Old Town Coppell area is marked by orange cones and detour signs as the area undergoes transformation from a faded historical district to a bubbling retail and community metropolis.

The City of Coppell planning department and City Council have approved restaurants, parks, residential and office sites to be built off of Main Street. The center of the plan includes a park area, with a historic-themed playground, open areas for picnics or gatherings and an interactive, run through fountain.

Coppell resident Greg Hulcy is eager for the project to be completed, as it will likely be a central place for his family to spend time.

“The most important aspect of this project is density,” Hulcy said. “From the way the project sounds, we will be able to park and walk from place to place. Maybe grab ice cream, shop around and visit the park all in one visit.”

Surrounding the 1.5 acre park area will be cottage-style office buildings, 44 patio homes designed by Darling Homes and restaurant plots. Residents are already eagerly waiting for the project to take off, as 16 homes have been sold, numerous office spaces and even a restaurant.

“The style of the development is pre-World War II Texas, and will mix modern amenities with the history of the area,” local real estate broker Greg Yancey said. “The area will include the popular Farmer’s Market and is intended to complement the area, not trying to replace the Old Town district.”

Yancey, who lived in Coppell for 17 years, created www. mainstreetcoppell.com for the development. On this site, architectural renderings, progress and photos can all be accessed by anyone interested in the project.

Coppell’s own Local Diner is relocating to the Old Town area, and the popular diner will be only one of the restaurants opening in the new zone. The restaurant may be completed as early as May 2013.

Driving through the area, its hard to picture the 17 acre spread as such a lively community gathering spot, but construction is expected to begin early this November, and officials are enthusiastic about the results.

“This new development will give residents more options to socialize, add and old town feel to an area with a much anticipated update,” city planner Matthew Steer said. “It will be Coppell’s first patio restaurant this close to a park, and will offer a lot to Coppell’s many families.”

The process of approval required many steps, since it was proposed by Coppell Resident Charles Cotton. After hiring an architect, the planning department worked with outside companies to draft and eventually propose their plans to the Planning and Zoning Department and then the City Council, where residents were invited to view the architects’ concept plan.

Such a drastic change to the area would usually spark controversy, especially in a historical area, but Steer said the

project has been met with little resistance.

“Overall, the City Council and Coppell residents have been very supportive of the change,” Steer said.

“Small oppositions have been stated, especially to the neon signed [planned for placement at the entry structure to the area], but nothing major has stopped us yet.”

The project will have many benefits, including creating Coppell’s first community area with such a diverse blend of amenities, ranging from food, to retail, to business, to play.

“The area will be a nucleus for Coppell,” Yancey said. “The area around the zone will hopefully spring from the center.”

Not only this, Main Street Coppell will provide an area with food and other services to the office areas in northwest Coppell. The area will also bring forward tax benefits for the city, alongside what the area brings to Coppell’s social scene.

“We anticipate the area will be a huge success based on the demographics of Coppell,” Yancey said. “Coppell has a huge daytime population and sense of community that will thrive in this area.”

Though construction is expected to begin in early November, and take off in early December, the project is not expected to be completed until 2015 at the earliest.

Should the project be completed in 2015, Hulcy’s twin sixth graders will be in high school.

“The central area would hopefully be a place I would be comfortable dropping them off,” said Hulcy. “I would not be as comfortable with them hanging out at malls and movie theaters as I would be with them spending time with their friends here in Coppell.”

Photos by Mia Ford

Old Town Coppell has gone through major construction over the past few months. Many people are wondering about the new area and the changes they have made so far. The people of Coppell are anticipating “Main Street Coppell” to be a fun and exciting new area.

Rendering courtesy Greg Yancey

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NOVEMBER 2012

Laughter, athleticism remembered in time of loss continued from pg.1 dynamic and influential. He was funny, he was athletic, he was charismatic and he was smart.-Jacob truly valued everybody and it didn’t matter who you were - he would still take interest in you.”

Logan was very humorous and always conscious to include others. If he was there, it was sure to be a good time. He understood the importance of living life to the fullest and stood for what he believed in.

“We as students are not invincible,” senior Chiaka Ogbogu said. “In times of hardship like this our community has really grasped each other and embraced each other with open arms. This community has really become close and more appreciative through all this and that truly is a blessing in this time of loss.”

The familiar black sea of a student section has now turned to blue waters. While the same cheers and flags remain, the football team is led on to the field by a new flag marked with Logan’s number: 21. The anthems of the crowd and the motivation of the players have a new driving force behind them.

A starter since sophomore year, Logan’s experience set him apart from many of his teammates.

“Practice is different, and at first, you know after days go by you just try to become normal,” Coppell coach Joe McBride said.

“There is a huge void though now because he was such a significant guy, worker and leader that is just not there. In the game now because of what has happened there is that same void. The kids and ev-

erybody feel it just because he was such a significant guy.”

Junior defensive end Solomon Thomas played with Logan and looked up to him as a mentor and brother. “[He was] an overall funny person and great leader, and I am not alone as I find him as someone to look up to,” Thomas said.

“Jacob would always try to get me motivated and pumped up during workouts so I would work harder.

I will always remember him messing with me during practice and saying somebody else was better than me.”

From helmet decals to blue socks and wristbands, the football players are keeping Logan in their hearts every moment they are on the field.

Before each game, Jacob’s sister, sophomore Jordan Logan, walks in Jacob’s place as the fourth team captain as she participates in the coin toss with Thomas, senior Tanner Masters and senior Leighton Light.

“It meant a lot to wear Jacob’s jersey during the football game, but it just wasn’t the same,” Jordan said. “He meant so much more to the team than I do, but it is still such an honor to step into that position and try to take up what Jacob had on that team.

He was such a great leader and everything about him is so hard to replace, but I am glad that he is still being honored and represented on the field.”

As such a key component of the Coppell team, Jacob’s absence is still hard to settle.

“It really feels like he should still be out there sometimes,” Slover said. “Fridays will forever have a different and new significance now this year.”

Jacob was well known on the field for his athletic ability, but he was respected for his outstanding humble character.

“I will never forget my best friend’s great athleticism, but I will always admire his humility and ability to lead,” Slover said.

“I specifically remember the Allen game and how Jacob gave all the glory to God immediately after the big win that most athletes would have attributed to themselves.”

Following the game Jacob tweeted: “At the end of the day you have to give the glory to Him. We beat a very good team, but we haven’t accomplished the mission yet. #State.”

“Jacob is not the kind of person to be soft,” Slover said.

“He acted in a loving way; he just never said it to his bros.

After the Allen game when everyone was on the field we made eye contact from nearly 40 yards away and I just pointed to him and started saying ‘My boy! My Boy!’ I ran over to him and I thought he was going to give me a high five or something, but instead he gave me like this huge big hug and I was just so shocked. It was so recent and he just showed so much emotion that I will just never forget that moment.”

Five days after the accident, the Cowboys took the field against the Flower Mound Jaguars.

“Our first Friday night game was just flat out hard,” Thomas said. “Jacob was the guy who I had the best relationship with on the field because I would always talk to him and him to me and he would always pump me up play after play, drive after drive. I don’t have that guy to talk to on the field now, that guy to keep me going or that guy to tell me what to do.”

During the weeks after the accident, McBride stood as a rock for a team struggling to stand strong.

“Without [McBride] all this would have been so much harder,” Thomas said. “He has been telling us what we need to do in order to let this impact us forever, but at the same time move on to normalcy, or the new normal. He really has showed us how he believes Jacob would want all of us to be like. Coach [McBride] has also really emphasized how much he cares for us and loves us. He has shown us abundant sympathy, but has also encouraged us to move on and keep on fighting for our mission, Jacob’s mission, to keep going on and win State.”

Jacob had a great passion for winning. He developed

a great standard and mentorship of how to do things that the players remember well and want to follow and honor him in how they play.

“It is my duty as the head coach to do everything that I can to fulfill that mission that Jacob wanted and these kids also follow him and want the same things that he wanted,” McBride said.

“As the coach, although my heart is broken, I have a job of leading a group of guys to accomplish a task and a goal.”

Jordan spoke to the team and encouraged players to the play their hardest every single moment and really play for Jacob in a way he would be proud.

“It’s hard not seeing him on the field because whenever we needed a big play or player I used to always say and think ‘Just give it to Jacob! Just give it to Jacob!’ because I just knew he was so dependable on the field and would make the play happen,” Jordan said. It’s hard for me not to see him there since he was just such a huge part of it all. I know he is still there with all the guys. He is more powerful n o w

than he has ever been before for this team.”

Photos by Rinu Daniel and Rachel Bush

From left to right. Junior Soloman Thomas shaved ‘J-Lo’ and ‘21’ to the side of his head to remember his fallen friend and teammate. Sophomore Jordan Logan and seniors Stephen Wheatcroft and Tiffany Hagan-Breitenwischer wear blue on the sidelines of the football game against Flower Mound Oct. 19. Senior Jacob Logan dances at his last Homecoming pep rally on Sept. 21.

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news

NOVEMBER 2012

New Lee Elementary to be built on North Lake property NIKKI DABNEY Staff Writer

Former Lee Elementary students collectively shed a tear as their childhood memories of arts and crafts and monkey bars were converted into a modern and technology oriented high school.

The transformation occurred with the promise to create a new Lee Elementary in the future. That time has come.

During the 2004-2005 school year, parents’ concerns of overcrowding at Coppell High School led to the creation of committees with the task of looking for a solution to this developing problem.

At this time, every hallway was overcrowded and several teachers had to travel to teach their classes. Virtual courses and dual credit helped with the overcrowding issues, but a more drastic measure had to be taken. New Tech High @ Coppell was created and it was a success: it relieved 500 students from the population pressure.

Coppell is continuing to grow. The North Lake property

is beginning development and now that the power plants have been imploded, apartment framing has sprouted. There are also new home developments that the committees did not anticipate.

Homes are being built on Heartz in Arbon Manors, Old Town, Hackberry, Magnolia Park, and near The Mansions by the Lake.

More homes have led to high elementary enrollment.

Grades kindergarten through four have a 22:1 student to teacher ratio restriction. Out of all the grade levels in all of the elementary schools, 16 are full. Students are being bused to other campuses and the push for a new elementary has been intensified.

The site for Lee Elementary will be on the North Lake property on the south end of town. It is the property being developed by the Billingsley Company.

There are elementary teachers and assistant principals from across the district serving on the Lee Focus Group Design Team.

This group has visited campuses across the state looking at innovative designs including sustainable schools, schools used as learning tools, technology designs, and in-

novative instructional designs.

“The site visits have served as an inspiration to our focus group to think about how the facility should support the learning process,” Coppell ISD executive director of leading and learning Tabitha Branum said.

A committee is working on getting a bond passed to build the new school and the vote will be in May of this year. They also plan to honor their commitment to the Lee family- the school’s namesake.

“Richard J. Lee (a former Coppell ISD Trustee) and his family have strong roots in Coppell,” CISD assistant superintendent Brad Hunt said. “They have been supportive of the school district through its growth and changes, so we want to make sure to honor them. They are pillars of our community.”

The community has not built a new school building from the ground up since Denton Creek Elementary in 1999. This new project is called Operation Transformation. The new Lee Elementary will be a completely 21 century school, and updates will be implemented on the existing

campuses.

“We don’t even want to call it 21 century,” Hunt said. “We’ve been in the 21st first century for 12 years now. We want to be cutting-edge.”

CISD executive director of technology Chad Branum is evaluating the technology options, such as different tablets and PCs versus Macs.

The environment is also a consideration when designing the new school. The companion to the bond committee is determined to make it a green school,

decreasing the community’s carbon footprint, and saving the district money in the long run.

“This building will be considered a green campus by having systems in place to conserve energy use, potentially recycle water as well has having built in educational tools for data analysis such as solar panels and a wind turbine,” Chad Branum said.

While many memories were made at the original Lee Elementary, the new improvements will create space for even more lasting childhood memories.

Blackwell’s smile was his trademark. Between his constant joke reel and all-around cheerful disposition, he was never seen without it.

“Jonah was always joking around and doing stuff for other people – all the time,” brother Clint Blackwell, a sophomore, said. “Everyone would always say his smile was contagious, and I could definitely see that.”

While many people will remember Jonah as “the guy with the smile,” those who were closest to him will never forget all of the little things that made him so unique.

“His favorite color was orange,” senior Ynno Madlambayan said. “His favorite animal was a fox. His favorite song was ‘Winter Winds’ by his favorite band Mumford and Sons. He was awful at Madden [NFL football game]. He had a weird obsession with Nestle Tollhouse mini chocolate chip cookies and Sonic grilled cheese, with

ketchup. He was just as bad as ping pong as I am. And he was my best friend.”

Jonah was a friend to everyone he came across. He went out of his way to do favors for other people, including doing anything from bringing dozens of glazed donuts to cross country practice to giving people a ride home after school.

“He was always making everybody feel at home,” Farris said.

“You could count on him to be that inspiration. If people weren’t having a good day, he would smile at them or give them a hug.”

Throughout his many close relationships, Jonah developed unforgettable memories with his family and friends.

“My favorite memory of him is the one time he beat me at Madden,” Madlambayan said.

“He was terrible. I was playing as the Eagles and he was playing

as the vastly overrated 49ers. We had tied and went into overtime during a regular season game and I should have won with my field goal in OT. But a glitch in the game led the game to keep going so he got a touchdown after I should have won. I’ve never seen him look so happy or laugh so hard. Best game ever.”

It is the small moments like these that stand out when thinking of Jonah - how excited he got over the “little things,” his habits that always made people laugh and even his obsessions with certain food.

“Every Friday night for the past seven years, our family would go to this little Mexican restaurant, Angelina’s,” Clint said.

“Everyone would order a meal, and he would just get tortillas and queso. That’s all he would eat.”

While some may have laughed at his diet - which consisted primarily of bread and cheese - others

would find immense joy in listening to him attempt to tell one of his infamous jokes.

“He was a really bad joke teller,” Clint said. “He would always start a joke, but he could never remember the punch line.

So he would just stop halfway through and walk away awkwardly. People wouldn’t laugh at the joke, but they would laugh at Jonah.”

As friends and family reminisce about Jonah’s larger-thanlife “There’s no way to explain why bad things happen,” Madlambayan said. “They just happen.

You just have to find a way to keep on keeping on and know they’re in your heart even if things don’t seem like they’ll ever be the same again.”

As Jonah’s friends and teammates try to return a sense of normalcy to their lives, they will never forget “the guy with the smile.”

“He was the best guy I ever knew,” Madlambayan said.

Photo by Julianne Cauley

The original Lee Elementary was updated to fit the needs of the new high school, New Tech High @ Coppell. With the North Lake development, Coppell ISD is building a new Lee Elementary.

Senior’s generous, bright personality remembered continued from pg.1

runners and “the ideal teammate,” according to cross country coach Roxanne Farris.

“He was a great kid and a true asset,” Farris said. “Even though he wasn’t one of our captains, he would stand up for what was right and tell the younger runners – and the older ones, too – what the benefits of being on this team are.”

When the cross country team finishes its workout early, the runners can be found in the small commons waiting for the second-period bell to ring. According to Farris, Blackwell was always at the head of the table, engaging everyone in conversation no matter what their age or skill-level was.

“He always had a smile on his face,” Farris said. “He loved his teammates, and his teammates loved him. You could see it every day.”

Photo courtesy Silver Spurs The silver spurs gather together at the end of a good game. Through this difficult time, the silver spurs have stuck together like a family.

opinions 5

NOVEMBER 2012

Should parents purchase their student’s first car?

CON In a town like Coppell, it is not uncommon to witness a high school student being handed a brand new car just for turning 16. In fact, the student parking lot is overwhelmed with shiny new, or gently used, Jeeps, Mustangs and even higher priced cars like Audis or BMWs. Now, in no way am I attacking the fact that a student should drive a safe, sturdy car over a

PRO Cars fill all the spaces in the school’s parking lot. The cars range from older, used cars to brand new, top-of-the-line vehicles.

Just like the wide variety of car types, the way students obtained their cars also varies quite a bit. Some students had their car handed to them while others worked overtime to attain their car.

With AP classes and extra curricular activities, working a job on top of everything can make life a lot more difficult to manage. Simply having a job to pay for small luxuries can be hard to balance with school. To make the situation more difficult, students working for expensive items have to aim high, resulting in long hours and little extra time.

Even with good time management skills, students working constantly along with school and other activities can easily reach the breaking point when it comes to not having time.

One popular, expensive item many Coppell students work for is a car. Having a quick and easy method of transportation helps students not only get to school, but also to easily go to tutoring sessions and extra curricular activities. A car is one of the most valuable items a student can own.

How the student obtains the car is another s t o r y.

piece of junk, but the problem develops when a student thinks they are entitled to a car just because they turned 16. What exactly did they do to deserve such an expensive luxury?

In the real world, buying a car is a huge undertaking requiring not only the financial means, but a great deal of planning and responsibility. But students will never understand this if their first car shows up parked in front of their house on the morning of their birthday.

It is not rocket science. The more connection and value a person looks at something, the more effort they put into taking care of it. When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be like all the other cool kids in my class who had the, now archaic, first edition iPod Nano. And, like the teenagers who are surprised with a shiny new car, I

was overjoyed when my parents bought me one for Christmas.

Unfortunately, the iPod only lasted me a matter of months before it was essentially worthless from scratches, water damage and even crumbs in the headphone jack.

It was not that I did not enjoy the iPod, I just did not appreciate it like I should have. A year later, when I saved up my birthday money and allowance of $5 a week to pay for my new iPod, I treated that iPod like a newborn baby, never taking it out of its sleeve and cleaning the screen several times a week.

It is, without a doubt, important for the average student to have a car. There comes a point in a high school student’s life when the time for their moms to drop them off at soccer practice and pick them up with dinner ready ends. Cars provide a much needed sense of independence

While working can teach students lessons for the future, with such a large goal, students can find themselves working long hours instead of doing schoolwork or other important activities.

Although getting a car can make a student’s life a whole lot easier, not working to obtain a car can make their life just as easy.

Constantly working to obtain expensive luxuries such as a car can lead to dropping grades, lack of sleep and difficulties in simply getting through the day.

On top of that, simply obtaining a job can be one of the most difficult parts of the process. This year, the percentage of high school students with a part-time job is at the lowest it has been in over 20 years according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The center also found that the number of students holding a part-time job is only at 16 percent in comparison to 32 percent in 1990.

With the economy just pulling out of the recent recession, adults are going back to work and are taking jobs that are typical for high school students.

Students have a more difficult time finding well-paying, parttime jobs when college graduates and more experienced adults are competing with them for the same opportunities.

The lack of open spots for students in the part-time job market results in students working smaller jobs that pay even less. This causes many of them to work longer, more strenuous hours than they normally would with an average high school student, part-time job.

While students can learn valuable life skills such as dedication and the value of hard work by working to buy a car, students should remember to not prioritize gaining a car over more vital things. Even though a car can be helpful, there are many more important things students should be focusing on over working for a car.

and maturity, which, as most students know comes with age.

Though I personally cannot relate to this type of dedication toward saving up for and buying a car, I have a friend who worked long hours at a construction site over the summer to buy a used Jeep. Working long hours in the hot sun for just above minimum wage made paying for the car a huge undertaking, but it was hardly without reward.

While this car is nowhere near the nicest car a friend of mine drives, this friend appreciates the car he can rightfully call his own and goes out of his way to keep it cleaned and well maintained. And because his parents can see how hard he worked to purchase the car, they are more eager than most to pitch in when it comes time to fix the car up and offer gas money.

For some students, with whom I can sympathize deeply, getting a job is not necessarily an option.

In my home, I have always been told that as a teenager, school is my job, and filling my day with volunteer hours, extracurricular activities and studying is more important to my parents and me.

I did not pay for the car I drive. Instead, it is my parents’ car. The title is under their names. When I leave for college, I probably will not be able to take the car with me. Gas and usage are on their terms, and I am expected to keep it up to certain standards of cleanliness. After I graduate, there is a good chance the car will be handed down to my younger sister.

This being said, I support parents who go out of their way to help their teens out when it comes to cars, but I respect my peers who purchased their own car far more, because in their eyes, the car they own is far more impressive than any gift vehicle could ever be.

Kristen Shepard Staff Writer

"My husband and I provided cars for our kids. But the car was on our terms and if their grades slipped, we would take the car away."

Paulan Daily, Math Teacher

Jordan Bickham Page Designer

"I'm glad I bought my own car, I learned responsibility, having a job, saving money and stuff. And I can start using that later in life."

Ryan Williams, senior

"Practically, [my children] needed to have the car in order to get the money to afford the car. So, I see owning a car as an excellent way to promote responsibility."

Susan Creighton, English Teacher "My parents and I agreed that with Varsity Soccer and difficult classes, getting a job and buying a car was out of the question for me."

Cami Studebaker, sophomore

Graphic by Haley Madigan

6 opinions

NOVEMBER 2012

Editorial

Realize reading still relevant, utilize our library

Pay a visit to the Library Learning Commons any given day after school. You will find each and every computer station occupied by a student surfing the Web, eyes transfixed on a screen. What you will not find are students sitting at a table with their eyes transfixed on a book. You will not find students browsing the bookshelves or returning a magazine.

We at The Sidekick are concerned that too few students are aware of the many services the library offers, and that even fewer take advantage of them. High school libraries are no longer boring, dusty rooms filled with old reference materials and required

reading books. Our library has an extensive collection of thousands of books, by almost any author, all meticulously catalogued online.

Head Librarian Lex Anne Seifert and the library staff have been making great strides to expand its selection of young adult novels and other titles of interest to Coppell High School students. Featured on display at the front of the library are seasonal “scary reads” such as Gothic!, Raw Head & Bloody Bones and Vampire Kisses. Rows and rows of young adult novels line the “new books” section.

Do you like fashion? Music?

Sports? An entire wall of popular magazines such as Teen Vogue,

Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated is constantly updated but infrequently used.

For those who are not inclined to pick up a book or a magazine, the library also has a growing variety of audiobooks, graphic novels, comics and e-Books.

Visitors walk by these things every day without a second glance.

Next time you go there to finish your homework or check Facebook on a computer, just take a quick stroll around our underappreciated Library Learning Commons.

You will be surprised how many fantastic materials are available that you never noticed before.

The sad truth of the matter

is that high school libraries around the nation are in decline. Funding for information resources in schools decreased by almost 10 percent from 2009 to 2010. In light of shrinking budgets, most high school libraries have dramatically cut back on spending on new books and features.

Libraries have not been replaced by the internet, nor will they be anytime soon. Reading is still relevant.

Only a miniscule fraction of the world’s printed materials can be found on the internet. School libraries are an essential part of building a literate populace. A survey by Scholastic Inc. shows that approximately

83 percent of books students read recreationally come from a library.

The Sidekick wants CHS to know that our library has done an outstanding job of balancing 21st century technology with appreciation for literature and reading.

As technology and the students that use it continue to evolve in the 21st century, the CHS Library Learning Commons has swiftly adapted. Whether it is magazines, comic books or e-Books, there is something for everyone at the Library Learning Commons. It is time for students to start taking advantage of the efforts the library staff has made to meet their needs and interests.

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Graphic by Lauren Ussery

Teachers lost in technicalities I get chills as Todd Anderson and his classmates climb onto their desks, exclaiming, “Oh Captain, My Captain!” as Mr. Keating bids them farewell. I watch in envy as the rag-tag group of elementary students board their magic school bus, waiting eagerly for their teacher to reveal their next destination. I tear up when Mr. Feeny sends his students into the world with the words, “Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.”

And all the while I wonder why my teachers have never inspired me as much as these fictional teachers do.

It is the fatal flaw of a mandatory education system that there must be rules and standardization. It is this simple fact that is slowly degrading teachers, turning them from mentors to instructors – and, most depressingly, to “facilitators.”

I have had teachers who have seemed so unhappy with their lives that I wonder why they haven’t just quit their jobs and started over. I have had teachers who do the same thing every year, paying no heed to the changing needs of their students.

I have had teachers who put more effort into pleasing the administration than into doing what is in the students’ best interests.

And I wonder if this is where they wanted to be when they began teaching.

I have had teachers with so much pride and fear of the administration that they refused to listen to the needs of their students. The fear of not covering all of the TEKS seems to run deeper than the fear of watching a student fail.

But I want to know what you fear more: getting in trouble with your boss, or neglecting to fulfill the promise you made when you became a teacher. The promise to change lives, to impart wisdom, and to make our learning experience just a little bit better than yours was.

I have had some phenomenal teachers, ones whose brilliance was awe-inspiring, but they have never been allowed to reach their full potential. This is not fair to them, and it is certainly not fair to me. Why should my education and personal growth suffer because teachers are forbidden to deviate from a pre-

scribed list of lessons? Where in this process do I learn about life?

I have come to the point in my column where I have to decide where to point my finger and assign blame. Truth be told, no one is faultless. The state, in its perpetual desperation to effectively measure the potential of the future working class, is stultifying education with its overbearing requirements and testing. But this column will not affect the legislation. It can only affect those teachers who read it and care enough to pay mind to it.

It would be all too easy to teach the TEKS, the whole TEKS and nothing but the TEKS, but that is not what students want, and it is not what students need.

I just ask this of every teacher who reads this column: take a step back and look at your lesson plan. Look at the students’ faces as they’re “learning” and think about how much good you could do them if you added “life” into your syllabus.

Michelle Pitcher Editor-in-Chief

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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.

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opinions 7

NOVEMBER 2012

Christianity becoming too materialistic for students It was sophomore year and I was sitting in my fourth period Psychology class. We were discussing religion. I do not remember which aspects of religion we were discussing that day, but as I was defending Christianity, I remember someone asking me, “But Tolu, aren’t you an Atheist?”

The truth is, no, I am not an Atheist. I was raised in a Christian home for all of my life, but the way that I “lead a Christian life” is quite different than the norm for many Coppell students.

There are many students who wear their religion as an accessory, but I, for one, am not one of these people.

Students are likely to accessorize their religion in multiple ways, and deem those who do not Atheists or non-religious.

It’s fine to wear a cross on your neck - I have nothing against that. It is a subtle gesture that just emphasizes that you love the Lord, but I do not see the point of students writing Bible verses as their Facebook status.

For example, “John 4:6.” Unless you are extremely educated on the Bible and have memorized every single verse (which would be very impressive), you probably would not know

what that verse says or means. Yet, I could write the name of this verse as my Facebook status and get a dozen likes from Christians all over Coppell.

Every time I see one of these statuses, I cannot imagine over a dozen students picking up a Bible, reading and interpreting the verse and then liking the status. Odds are most would just notice that the status is Christian-related, like it, and then continue scrolling down their newsfeed.

Usually, when people find out that I am a Christian, I am disgusted with both the facial and verbal expressions they make.

They usually say something along the lines of, “I wouldn’t have thought you were a Christian - you just don’t look like one.”

I tried to think of ways I could make myself seem “more Christian,” but I did not know what to do. Should I write bible verses on my binder, my TOMS, my hands? I’m not as bubbly or as animated as these perceived “strong Christians” and do not understand why it is my personality that automatically deems me an Atheist.

I thought defending my religion, going to church, praying and trying to lead a life that God would approve of was enough to be a Christian. No, CHS is much different.

Coppell students are too materialistic regarding religion.

Sometimes, I feel that if you are w h a t is perceived as a “strong Chris-

tian,” you are automatically admitted into this little society of Christians that is extremely hard for me to get into. I tried for a while to get in, but gave up. I just was not “Christian enough.”

I understand that it states in the Bible that people should be public about their faith, but there is no need to display their love for Christ and automatically judge others who do not. It never says in the Bible that it is okay to judge others who are not as open about their religion, and it is not a sin to keep your religion more personal compared to others.

I am not trying to say that students take their religion for granted; there are truly strong Christians in Coppell. I am saying CHS students need to take their religion more personally and should not have to constantly display their religious beliefs externally.

These “strong Christians” in Coppell should not automatically classify others as being Atheist just because religion is more personal to them.

WAYS STUDENTS FLAUNT THEIR RELIGION Photo by Addy Buigas-Lopez

Photo by Addy Buigas-Lopez

Photo by Rowan Khazendar

Tolu Salako Staff Writer

8 opinions

NOVEMBER 2012 Graphic by Haley Madigan

Photo courtesy YouTube

Disney Wars Force strong with Star Wars sequels

A decade ago in a press conference far, far away, George Lucas swore that the saga was finished, that there would never be another Star Wars film. It appears that his vision of the future was clouded by the Dark Side. A new sequel trilogy, there will be.

This shocking announcement came alongside news that Star Wars creator George Lucas sold the entirety of Lucasfilm Ltd. to Disney for $4.05 billion.

This deal gives Disney unrestricted rights to the entire Lucasfilm catalogue – from Star Wars to Indiana Jones. Disney has already confirmed its plans to produce at least three more Star Wars movies continuing from where Episode VI: Return of the Jedi left off in 1983.

As soon as Disney unveiled these astonishing revelations, horrible, horrible images flooded my mind. Darth Vader with Mickey Mouse ears. Princess Leia being plastered next to Cinderella and Snow White as an official Disney Princess. Star Wars: The Musical starring Miley Cyrus.

I was outraged. How could Lucas sell his masterpiece to Disney? Disney!

I grew up watching the beloved original trilogy on VHS, and when the prequels were added to the saga, I embraced those as well. All six Star Wars movies are cherished among my all-time favorites. The rich fictional universe crafted by Lucas still captures my imagination to this day.

As nerdy as it sounds, Star Wars means a lot to me. The concept of its legacy being trampled by childish or poorly made sequels scared me.

But after letting the idea sink in for a few hours, it’s starting to grow on me more and more.

Though the Disney name typically conjures up thoughts of lighthearted cartoons and musicals, if there is a studio that can pull off a successful sequel trilogy, it is Disney. To put it simply, they know how to take a franchise and make it thrive. Disney is an extremely powerful studio with access to more opportunities, from technology to funds to theme parks (Hothland, anyone?), than any other. The media giant also runs hugely successful corporations such as ESPN, ABC, Pixar and Marvel, none of which have declined in quality since being acquired by Disney.

What makes you think Star Wars will be any different? Disney’s marketing scheme and perfect execution building up to The Avengers shows that they know how to make a franchise thrive.

One of the main complaints detractors have voiced is that having new actors play Skywalker and company would be a travesty. However, it has been rumored that Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher may return as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia.

This would actually work since the time that will pass between Episodes VI and VII will be similar to the amount of time that has passed in real life: 30 years.

How awesome would it be to see the beloved original cast make a return?

The new trilogy will also stay true to George Lucas’ vision for the Star Wars universe, as Episodes VII, VIII and IX will all be based on storylines already written by Lucas. Though he will not be actively involved in the making of 2015’s sequel, Lucas will still serve as a “creative consultant”. His directing and writing abilities have been harshly criticized since the prequel trilogy, but one cannot deny that the man is extraordinarily creative and visionary.

Letting Lucas stay on as an “idea man” while letting a new, more capable director actually develop his ideas could be a formula for success. Besides, would it be a bad thing to incorporate some new ideas into the series?

After all, George Lucas himself gave us Jar Jar Binks.

Star Wars fans everywhere are already assuming that the new trilogy will be bad and disgrace the originals, lampooning Lucas for selling out his brainchild in return for quite a hefty retirement package.

I don’t see it that way. The future generations deserve to experience Star Wars as I did growing up. By selling to Disney, 70-year-old Lucas is ensuring that his legacy, Star Wars, lives on after his death. It is impossible to overstate the cult following that Star Wars still has. Hundreds of books have catalogued the galaxy’s history from the beginning of the Jedi order to thousands of years after Luke Skywalker. Disney could make hundreds of Star Wars movies for years to come.

To see all of these characters and stories come to life on the big screen would be a dream come true.

Despite my initial skepticism and lingering doubts, I know that Disney will do everything in its power to deliver an Episode 7 worthy of inheriting the storyline of the original trilogy. I will not lose faith in the franchise that has inspired me over the years until Disney gives me a reason to do so.

Until 2015, may the Force be with you.

Graphic by Julianne Cauley

Thomas Hair Opinions Editor

Amanda Todd, 15, shared YouTube videos revealing her story as she battled depression.

Victims not at fault for bullying

Amanda Todd, 15-year-old student in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia was found dead in her home on Oct. 10 after posting her video called “My story: Struggling, bullying, suicide, self harm” on Sept. 7.

The video featured her holding up cue cards that chronicled the cyber-bullying and cruelty she suffered.

In seventh grade she started having web chats to meet and talk to new people, who called her “stunning, beautiful perfect.” A and a year later, she did. She received a message on Facebook from him. He knew her address, school and the names of her relatives, friends and family. He made A few months later there was a knock on her door at 4 a.m.

It was the police. The photo was sent to everyone. Todd was sent into panic attacks, anxiety and depression. She changed schools and experimented with drugs and alcohol.

“I can never get that photo back,” she wrote on a cue card.

“It’s out there forever. Cried every night, lost all my friends and respect.”

She didn’t have any friends and sat alone at lunch. So she moved schools again. A month later, she started talking to an old guy friend. He said he really liked her, but he had a girlfriend. One weekend when his girlfriend was out of town, the boy told her to come over.

“Huge mistake,” Todd wrote. “He just wanted to hook up with me.”

A week later she got a text message telling her to get out of school. The guy, his girlfriend and 15 others came to meet her.

“Look around; nobody likes you,” they said.

A random guy yelled to punch her already and his girlwas alone and left on the ground.

“I felt like a joke in this world,” Todd said. “I thought, nobody deserves this. I lied and said it was my fault and my idea.

I didn’t want him getting hurt and thought he really liked me.”

Todd tried to kill herself by drinking bleach. When she got home, the torment continued on Facebook.

“She deserved it,” a student posted. “Did you wash the mud out of your hair?” “I hope she’s dead.”

Todd moved to another city and didn’t want to press charges

because she wanted to move on.

Six months had gone by. People were tagging her with pictures of bleach, Clorox and ditches.

“She should get different bleach,” a caption read. “I hope she sees this and kills herself.”

Bullying cannot be rationalized.

Why does Todd deserve this? The answer: she doesn’t.

No matter how wrong her actions were, she does not deserve to be bullied. Yes, she messed up, but why follow and harass her after she’s moved away? For your own satisfaction?

Todd did all she could: she took herself out of the situation, didn’t retaliate or seek revenge – or take rightful legal measures – and she started to go to counseling to deal with her problems in a healthier manner.

“I’m stuck,” she said.

Bullies blame everyone else.

People have created Facebook pages in opposition to other pages such as “RIP Amanda Todd”. While some are trying to promote bullying and suicide awareness, others continue to bully her after she’s gone.

“Bullying isn’t a problem,” one boy posts. “It’s that the kids don’t know how to handle bullying. It’s just as much their fault.”

It is never acceptable to mock someone’s death. right and was a whore and because of that she got bullied,” a girl comments. “The only thing I’m seeing here is that she was posing half naked for the world and she got what was coming for her.”

Got what was coming for her? Applying karma to death is taking things a little too far. Yes, suicide was ultimately her decision, but being bullied was not.

That responsibility falls on the bullies’ shoulders. That is what people should be making a fuss about.

When asked if criminal charges could result from the investigation of the man Todd claimed was cyber-bullying her, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Peter Thiessen told ABCNews.com, “That would be dependent on the quality of the evidence we might get.”

Everybody makes mistakes, and Todd’s were not unique. In fact, according to Safe Communications, a corporation dedicated to family safety, 22 percent of teenage girls have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or video of themselves, while 37 percent of

men admit to having affairs.

Does this mean that 22 percent of teenage girls should commit suicide? No. I’m sure several of the girls who posted snide comments about Todd’s behavior are guilty of the same acts. It doesn’t make what Todd did OK, but it proves that she shouldn’t be attacked for it.

And those 37 percent of men who have affairs all have a woman on the other side. There are many females who are “the other woman.” I have one question: why didn’t the girl get mad at her boyfriend for cheating on her instead of punching Todd, who she hardly knew?

Even if bullying may never completely stop, it doesn’t mean we should stop trying.

“Bullying will NEVER stop,” one boy commented on RIP Amanda Todd Facebook page.

“So your attempts are rather pointless.”

Humans have committed murder since the beginning of time and most likely always will, but does that mean we shouldn’t put laws in place to prevent it?

Bullying is no different. Bashing Todd for her mistakes doesn’t make you a better person. Her life still deserves respect. What if that was your friend, sibling or child?

“Get rid of the bullies,” Todd’s father Norm Todd said.

“Let the bully know what it’s like to walk into a school a know nobody and start all over. And deal with all that humiliation. And walk into that school with their tail between the legs rather than the kid that was victimized.”

Todd made her share of mistakes, but even when she tried to right them, no one would give her the chance. Bullying is not the victim’s fault, it is completely the bully’s. People choose how they treat people. In school, we need to create an atmosphere of grace and redemption where people feel accepted and supported and are not driven to destructive solutions.

“My name is Amanda Todd,” read Todd’s last cue card on her video.

Let’s not forget her identity.

Nikki Dabney Staff Writer

features 9

NOVEMBER 2012

TOLU SALAKO Staff Writer

With almost 3,000 students attending Coppell High School, there is bound to be a variety of different parents and different ways they raise their kids. The way students are raised is based on their parents’ parenting styles, which can be categorized as permissive, authoritarian or authoritative.

Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas

Attitudes, ambitions affected by childhood upbringings Permissive

Junior Gaby Rivera walks into her house at 8 a.m. on a Saturday after leaving her house the previous night around 6 p.m. No one asks her where she has been.

No one scolds her for not calling her parents. She just goes up to her room with no questions asked.

Not many students at Coppell High School have parents who are so “chill,” and Rivera loves having very permissive parents.

“I have a lot more freedom than other kids,” Rivera said, “My

parents trust me to finish my homework without constantly reprimanding me and do the right things while hanging out with friends.”

Rivera is in the top five percent of the Class of 2014, and since her parents do not push her to get the high grades that are required for such a high rank, Rivera has had to acquire and intrinsic motivation to do well in her academics and her extracurricular activities.

“The only bad thing about having such permissive parents is that [students] do not have any external drive,” Rivera said. “I

Junior Daniel Cha comes home from school, works on his never-ending International Baccalaureate homework and goes straight to bed; a routine for many students with authoritarian parents.

With strict parents, Cha cannot get away with many things other teenagers can. The privileges that students have such as staying up past curfew, or negotiating with parents, are out of the question in the Cha household.

“A lot of kids can talk back to their parents, but I just cannot do

that,” Cha said.

“It is against the Asian culture to talk back to your parents as if they are equals, and my whole life, I have been taught that that was wrong.”

Unlike being raised by permissive parents, Cha gets punished for “going out of line.” Cha even admits to going behind his parents’ backs just to have a small taste of freedom that is not accustomed to.

“We usually take his keys away and do not let him hang out with friends,” father Sae All Cha said. “This usually happens when he does not obey the rules of the

sometimes feel like I do not have a guiding hand since no one tells me what I can and cannot do.”

With parenting, there is always a fine line between being a friend and being a parent. Rivera believes that her relationship with her parents is more of a friendship relationship. “[My parents and I] see ourselves as equals,” Rivera said.

“They only act like my parents when needed, especially when they talk about colleges or finances; they help me with more life changing things.”

Rivera believes that her parents are permissive because

of her parents’ experiences with their own parents.

Gaby’s mother, Christine Rivera, was raised with authoritarian parents when growing up, which effected how she decided to raise her children.

“My parents were not too strict when I was growing up,” Mrs. Rivera said. “I always wanted to be more independent and learn from my own mistakes, and that is basically how I raised [Gaby]. I believe that this style has worked for her and has helped her become a very responsible young lady because of it.”

Authoritarian house, goes out of line and does not take care of his siblings.”

Though it may seem to terrible to have strict and protective parents, Daniel still sees the advantages of being raised in this style.

“It stinks that I cannot act freely and [am not] always allowed to hang out with friends, but [there are] some good things that have come from [their parenting style] that keep me away from dangerous trouble that I could have gotten myself into,” Daniel said.

Parents have different reasons for why they raise their

children the way that they do.

Sometimes it deals with culture, and other times, it may have something to do with past experiences.

“My parents were overall more lenient than [my husband’s],” mother Sun Kyeong Kim said. “On my husband’s side, however, his parents were very strict and his style of parenting rubbed off on me. I just want the best for my children.”

With such strict parents, Cha tends to have a more inward motivation to do well concerning academics. Currently

Gaby believes that the child’s personality determines whether or not he or she can be successful if they are raised similarly to the way she was raised.

“I think the only reason I am doing so well is because of my intrinsic motivation,” Gaby said. “If I did not have a desire to ‘be something’ when I grew up, I would have never accomplished what I have accomplished. People need a lot of intrinsic motivation if they want to be successful, especially if they have permissive parents.

ranked No. 1 for the Class of 2014, Cha strives to do well in his classes not only to avoid trouble with his parents, but also for himself.

“My parents are great nonetheless, but when I am older I want to be more understanding and open,” Daniel said. “I want to be a little more lenient and have a more authoritative style of parenting.”

“My parents are right in the middle,” senior Angela Chang said. “They can be strict at time, and they can be lenient at times.”

Authoritative

Authoritative parents are known to have a more equal style of parenting and are in between the authoritarian and the permissive style of parenting.

This style of parenting can be seen as the most reasonable style of parenting, where the children can easily differentiate between when the parent is a parent and when the parent can be also be a friend.

“There are times that I have to be a parent, especially when it involves school and morals,” mother Joyce Chang said. “The

rest of the time, I am a friend, but my children know to treat me with respect when I am acting as both a parent and as a friend.”

Though academics are a main concern for parents raising high school teenagers, the Changs care more about health and safety.

“My parents still want [my sister and I to make] A’s [in school], but [my parents] care more about our health,” senior Angela Chang said. “Even though academics are important in our house, health is more of a

concern, which is nice because it shows that they really care more about our well being than the grades we get.”

Another main aspect of authoritative parenting is fairness and trust. Unlike authoritarian parenting, authoritative parents always take their child’s view into consideration and try to avoid the “my way or the highway” mentality that some parents tend to have.

“I think the best thing about my parents would have to be the fact that they always listen to me,” junior Sharon Chang said. “When either my

sister [Angela] or I disagree with our parents, we are allowed to have a discussion about it, but we always have to be respectful and reasonable when talking to them.”

The Changs were not always authoritative parents; in fact, when the Changs lived in Taiwan, they were parenting along authoritarian lines.

“When [my family and I] lived in Taiwan, I was very strict,” father Leo Chang said.

“I used to spank our children when they did something wrong back when they were lit-

tle, but since we have moved to the U.S, I believe I have been a lot less strict, but I still demand respect.”

Angela and Sharon Chang believe that their parents’ style of parenting has had more advantages than disadvantages.

“I am pretty sure that when I have my own kids, I will not be too strict,” Chang said.

“I will probably have a similar style of parenting style as my parents because I believe it has made me a more mature and respectful person.”

10 features

NOVEMBER 2012

Athletes balance classes, extracurriculars, hobbies Cassidy Pickrell SAMMY ROBBEN Sports Editor

Photo by Rachel Bush

Senior Cassidy Pickrell is a varsity volleyball player, the KCBY sports director, a CHS Red Jacket, a member of the National Honor Society, a high jumper for the varsity track team and a member of Superintendent Dr. Jeff Turner’s superintendent student advisory committee.

YouTube channel for his music called Thegbagaria.

Sports Writer “I get a lot of comments on my videos and my subscribSports are the one thing ers right now are around 70, constantly on the minds of so I definitely want more submany high school athletes. scribers,” Bagaria said. “I usualWhen students think of extraly get around 18,000 views per curricular activities, usually video, which is pretty nice to athletic activities come to mind know that people actually like first. For sophomore junior varto watch them.” sity basketball player Gaurav Since having his own Bagaria, he can not only play on YouTube channel, Bagaria has the court, but off the also taught court as well. himself I usually get around Before Bagaria how to play ever picked up a bas18,000 views per the guitar ketball, he spent a lot video [of my music], and not of time practicing his only that, which is pretty nice other passion - music. Since age 4, he to know that people but began singing to has played the piano. actually like to watch his muBagaria played at the them. sic as well.

Coppell Conservatory - Gaurav Bagaria, About two up until age 10. After years ago, he quit music school, sophomore he picked he began to write his up a guitar and, with his preown music. vious knowledge from learning When Bagaria was in the sixth grade, he created his own the piano, began teaching himYouTube channel for all of his self by ear. With learning the music covers and music he guitar, singing was just somewrote. At first Bagaria started thing that came along with that out with only five videos on his for Bagaria.

“I started singing when channel and kept adding more and more as he learned new playing the guitar because it was much easier than trying to sing music.

“The first song that I ever along with piano,” Bagaira said. covered was ‘I Will Follow’ by “With piano you have to play the Chris Tomlin,” Bagaria said. melody and harmony with both “I chose it because it is such a hands which makes singing difgreat song and so inspirational.” ficult, but with guitar you play Toward the end of middle the melody and sing the harmoschool, Bagaria made a second ny, making it easier to sing.”

STEPHANIE GROSS

SAMMY ROBBEN Sports Editor

Most high school seniors cannot wait for their next free moment to take a nap or sit on the couch, but Coppell High School senior and volleyball player Cassidy Pickrell could not imagine a life without numerous extracurricular activities.

Pickrell is known throughout the halls of CHS for her involvement in multiple different activities. Besides being a four-year starter on the varsity volleyball team, Pickrell is the KCBY sports director, a CHS Red Jacket, a member of the National Honor Society and a high jumper on the varsity track team in which she competed at state last year. Pickrell also plays club volleyball and serves on Coppell ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Turner’s superintendent student advisory committee.

Though this busy schedule leaves room for little free time, Pickrell would rather be busy. In middle school, Pickrell quit club soccer to focus on volleyball and for the first time felt what it was like to be bored. She did not like it.

“When I am not doing anything, I am just not happy,” Pickrell said. “There was time where I had to wait about a month for volleyball tryouts, and I did not know what to do with myself. It felt like everyone else had something to do and I didn’t.“ Staying involved throughout high school also allowed Pickrell to be the person she wanted to be without getting involved in common temptations of high school.

After teaching himself how to play the guitar, Bagaria decided to give free lessons to anyone who wants to learn how to play as well. He already has some students who are more than excited to learn from him.

“I thought playing the guitar would be easy, but I quickly learned that is a bit more difficult that I thought,” sophomore Sarah Hymer said. “I have really small hands so I get discouraged easily when I play, but Gaurav is always encouraging me and teaching me new methods for me to get better.”

After performing exclusively on YouTube, Bagaria gave his first live performance in front of a large crowd during the theatre department’s annual fundraiser. He played the guitar and performed a cover of the song, “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.

Bagaria balances his talents on the court and off as well. This is his second year playing for the Coppell High School basketball team. Besides his passion for music, Bagaria also loves being on the court and playing basketball.

Although the competition is getting tougher, Bagaria knows that he always has his music to back him up.

“The more activities that you get involved, the better it is for you in the long run,” CHS basketball coach Kit Pehl

”Staying involved has kept me out of having a desire to do things that most kids want to like drinking and doing drugs,” Pickrell said. “If that’s what they want to do then that is fine but it is not for me, and I really think staying involved has kept me on the right track and in the right state of mind to focus on my future and what I want for myself.”

From these experiences, Pickrell is able to have more than just a packed college resume and a busy schedule. She has met new people and made new friendships.

“I have definitely made a lot of friends and met a lot of people through doing so many things,” Pickrell said. “I’m not just involved in sports, I’m involved in a wide variety of activities so I have friends from a lot of different cliques, and it is just fun to get to meet new people.”

For most of the students here at CHS the multitude of AP classes and possibly one extracurricular is enough to send them into a stressed out frenzy. With the help of supportive parents and organization, Pickrell makes this full schedule look easy. ”My parents help me out a lot just by being there for me if I need anything,” Pickrell said.

“You just have to figure out what is the most important to get done first. I have to get a lot done in class, and I definitely have to stay organized.”

Many students look up to Pickrell as leader of this school and a role model for other students.

“Cassidy is just one of those people who everyone knows and everyone likes because she is a part

of everything,” senior KCBY member Will Seitz said. “She is a good role model for younger students because she works hard at everything she is involved in and is just an overall really good person.”

Pickrell is known first and foremost for her role as a varsity volleyball player and one of the leaders of the team. She is an example to everyone who knows her of a well-rounded student that can excel in many areas, not just one.

“She is well-rounded, and I think being well rounded and involved in a lot of things keeps everything in proper perspective,” volleyball coach Julie Green said.

“Volleyball is not the end all, be all for her, but she wants to be excellent at everything she does.

She is a good model for the rest of our kids and shows that you can be good at one, and two, and three and four things, and you can be completely in it when you’re there but then step away from it and go do something else.”

Green also sees the importance of students being involved in multiple activities throughout high school.

“Our kids think that they have to do one thing, and I think that they miss out on other opportunities,” Green said. “They are talented in a lot of other things that they never realize because they put all her eggs in one basket.

Cassidy is an example of someone who spreads their eggs around and is a great leader because of it.”

For Pickrell, being involved has helped make her the person she wants to be.

“I guess I would say staying involved has just made me a better person,” Pickrell said.

Photo by Mia Ford

Sophomore Gaurav Bagaria is a junior varsity basketball player for CHS. Off the court, Bagaria has developed a love for music that led him to learn how to play piano, guitar and sing.

said. “It is essential to be a well-rounded person and have many outlets that will take you far.”

In the future, Bagaria hopes that his music career will take him far and maybe even

pursue it in college, but for now he plans on making more YouTube covers, teaching others how to play the guitar and most importantly practicing what he loves to do best, on and off the court.

features 11

NOVEMBER 2012

Photos by Jessica Rivera

Senior Hollis Muenster plays wheelchair basketball, among other sports he is involved in, year-round at home. He has grown up adapting to Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency.

Disability increases appreciation for ‘simple things’ KIMBERLY DEL ANGEL Entertainment Editor

Students and parents are driving to school, when they see a student riding his bike alongside the road. Beads of sweat trace his hairline and he looks into the distance, a normal scene for a Monday morning— until they take a closer look and notice the prosthetic legs, working in a mechanical unison to move the wheelchair adaptation of a bike.

Senior Hollis Muenster was born with a condition called Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), a rare non-hereditary birth defect that affects the pelvis, hip bone and proximal femur, resulting in the disproportion or absence of legs.

Muenster has adapted to new methods of mobility to assist his needs and live his life as normally as possible with the help of different prosthetics and mobility aids. He has even developed a technique of sliding down the stairs around campus to speed up the otherwise straining task.

“I have two main prosthetics; the shorter one helps me move a lot more easily, so I can easily jump around, and it

basically just makes me even so I can walk around short distances,” Muenster said. “The long prosthetic is worn at school and adds an extra foot of height, making it easier to take longer strides and walk longer distances; it’s also nice on a social stance level. As for sliding down the stairs, I do it because it is faster. It looks cool, sure. I am pulling myself up and swinging my legs over the top of the stairs.”

Contrary to popular belief, Muenster does not believe he has overcome a grand obstacle in his life and is baffled when strangers approach him to express admiration of his condition.

“People come up to me out of the blue and tell me about how inspiring I am, and I have to sit there and smile and say ‘thanks, I’m so happy you feel this way’, but I’ve never really looked at it as a disability because I’ve lived with it my entire life and I don’t have any other perspective on the matter,” Muenster said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m normal and the rest of you are weird.”

His mother believes in situations where a child is born

with a condition such as this, it is a bigger struggle for parents who slip into a slump when failed expectations come into order.

“Most of the time the parents are always in the middle having that massive life change where you think you’re having one thing, you think your child is going to come out normal with no issues or problems, and everything gets flipped upside down the day your kid is born,” mother Chandra Muenster said.

“So there is the death of your expectations and a sense of mourning and loss, like something was taken away, but you have something else to focus on and think about and there are all sorts of blessings and things that have come from him being the way he is.”

Through Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Hollis gained exposure to disabled sport programs, a particular interest that he had grown to develop. He began with an adventurous glide into mono-skiing, a revolutionized skiing practice that takes a wheelchair adaptation with a ski attached to the bottom and two outriggers (similar to crutches with a ski on the bottom) to help keep balance.

“He was doing the same hills the rest of us were doing and just sitting down,” Mrs. Muenster said. “He was trying to do those jumps that the professional skiers were doing, and from a parent’s

perspective it’s kind of hard to watch because you’re like ‘oh my gosh, he is going to kill himself,’ but then again you can’t keep him back, you have to let him go.”

Off the mountain, Hollis soon found himself with a sport that he could play year-round at home, one that would forever change his perspective on disabilities: wheelchair basketball, an activity he hopes to pursue in college next year.

“My coach on my basketball team has really been a role model for me because he’s pretty much confined to a wheelchair and he’s lived longer, so he has a lot more experience under his belt,” Hollis said. “He’s been on both sides of the ability. He had an injury that rendered him unable to walk, so he has suffered a lot more and learned to live with it and find fulfillment outside of what other people who aren’t disabled can do.”

Along with influences from people such as his basketball coach, Jerry (JT) Terry, faith and family have brought upon contentment to Hollis who admits he has had his darker moments.

“I’ve had points where I’m mad at life, but on a personal level I think there is a religious element to it, like God made me this way, so I’m not just broken,” Hollis said. “On another level, my choices are, sit in the corner and mope to myself or suck it up and learn to live life with a disability.

I guess you could say I chose the second.”

Hollis has indeed taken a high-

er road, one where there are almost no limits to what he is able to accomplish. He rides his bike daily to school, has begun learning how to drive with hand control devices that manage the break and gas and he has even undergone full lifeguard training, passing all the tests required to gain his license, but one: pulling a full sized man up with his spine in an upright position.

“His disability is going to make it seem like he can’t do certain things, because not having most of your legs might hold him back, but Hollis is willing to run around and play football with us and he is willing to go do all this crazy stuff that my other friends and I do,” junior Connor Benecke-Totzke said. “I believe it is a personal strength that doesn’t allow him to hold back.”

This experience has given his family, especially his mother, and many others new insight and appreciation for the simpler things in life.

“I’ve dropped all expectations of life; you never know what is going to happen. Every time you have expectations, whether it is something you think your spouse should do, your kid should do, your mother or your sister, you are going to be disappointed because nobody is going to do what you expect in life,” Mrs. Muenster said.

“I believe God is in control, certainly is in control of this situation, he has a plan and a design for Hollis just the way he is, and I learned he would have a plan for the next kid I have, boy or girl, legs or no legs.”

12 in-depth

HYPERACTIVE

Graphics by Haley Madigan

What are the most common ways to consume caffeine?

70% in the form of coffee

BYCAROLINE CARTER STAFF WRITER

16%

Caffeine consumption among students reaches all-time high “Caffeine was always in my system, and the thought of completely cutting it completely out of my diet used to seem unimaginable,” junior Alex McCracken said who used to consume the equivalent of six cups of coffee from tea.

McCracken is not alone; many teenagers and adults are over dependent on caffeine, which can cause long-term health issues. Whether students resort to using caffeine to manage latenight studying or use the energy boost to wake up after a late night, daily caffeine intake has become a staple in students’ lives.

“I usually have coffee with breakfast, and then when I come home from school I have another cup,” senior Sarah McDowell said. “There have been times when I have stopped drinking coffee before choir competitions because it is generally bad for your voice. Because of this, I get headaches when I go without it since I’m so used to having it every day.”

From Red Bulls to Frappuccinos, everyone has a favorite way of getting a needed energy boost. Melanie Duck, a worker at Biggby Coffee and a 2012 Coppell High School graduate, says at the coffee shop, she tends to see at least one large group of students a night studying while consuming caffeine.

“I see a good number of teenagers here at nighttime, and because [Biggby] is so close to the high school, it is an easy stop to make before school starts,” Duck said. “A couple of the younger kids get coffee drinks, mostly iced ones. Lattes are popular, and then a few people get our tea. I have noticed a lot of regular customers such as this guy who always orders an espresso and water.”

A caffeine kick every now and then is not harmful, but overconsumption of caffeine drinks can lead to a dangerous dependency on the addictive stimulant.

“A moderate intake of coffee can improve concentration levels,” Plano registered dietitian Angela Lemond said. “However, too much caffeine has many uncomfortable side effects including nervousness and insomnia.”

Although caffeine does provide immediate results, the effects of an overdosage of caffeine are more harmful than just feeling tired. Teenagers and children are recommended to consume a maximum of 150 milligrams of caffeine and adults can consume 200 to 300. Lemond, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says that caffeine can also drain needed minerals out of the body and bones - including calcium.

“Calcium is one of the most important minerals at any age, but certainly when children and teenagers are growing,” Lemond said. “[The loss of it] can cause shin splints or even easier bone breaks.”

One of the worst forms of caffeine comes from energy drinks. With three to five times more caffeine than a regular soda, energy drinks have raised concerns due to their high amounts of caffeine. The Food and Drug Association requires that the amount of caffeine in a soda be less than .02 percent, but there is no limit for energy drinks.

Over the past three years, there have been five reports of deaths due to abnormally high heart rate after consuming the popular energy drink Monster Energy. However, after further investigation including autopsy, those who died had previously undetected heart issues.

“Some of these energy drinks contain more than a moderate amount of caffeine,” Lemond said. “The current studies show that caffeine does not cause heart problems at a moderate level, but more studies need to be done for levels higher.

in-depth 13

There is just too much we don't know yet about high caffeine intakes, so I advise to stay below the moderate levels for the entire day.”

Sleeping disorders are also tied to caffeine usage, especially in teenagers and children. Because sleep loss is cumulative, relying on caffeinated drinks to boost energy is not beneficial in the long run.

“I normally don’t drink [caffeine] right before I go to bed, but it can cause me to have trouble falling asleep on some nights,” junior Claire Brown said. “Because I barely get any sleep, I need something to keep my energy going since I normally get four to six hours of sleep every night. Sometimes I’ll have a Dr Pepper and a coffee before school and then when I come home. I know it is unhealthy and bad, but I need to find a way to do my homework.”

Cutting back on caffeine is not as easy as it sounds. Johns Hopkins University reports that in an experiment, 56 percent of the subjects tested were unsuccessful in cutting back their caffeine intake.

As advised by her doctor, McCracken was required to cut out all forms of caffeine when she was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a nervous system disorder.

“I have a sitting heart rate of 92 beats per minute, and the normal is 65-70,” McCracken said. “You can get POTS from having a stomach virus and among other things. Headaches and migraines were already a symptom of POTS, and caffeine makes you more prone to headaches and migraines. Since it was already a symptom, [caffeine] became a trigger for the disorder. I could no longer drink caffeine.”

When she began to cut back on her consumption, McCracken experienced caffeine with-

drawal due to her previously exceptionally high caffeine intake. Because caffeine is technically considered a drug, the process of restricting caffeine usage was similar to that of overcoming a drug addiction.

“I became super tired and fatigued the first week of not drinking caffeine, and I found it very hard to do normal things without it,” McCracken said. “It is hard to do homework late at night or get up early because I can’t have any energy drinks or caffeine at all. I now have to rely on sleep alone.”

McCracken says that the majority of her caffeine she drank came from tea, her favorite drink.

In addition to abstaining from drinks, McCracken was also required to stop eating other foods, including chocolate, which has a small amount of caffeine in it. “[Tea] was a constant thing that I drank.”

McCracken said. “I had tea when I got up in the morning, I had tea at lunch and I had tea when I got home. Tea already has a high amount of natural caffeine in it so I had the equivalent of six cups of coffee a day. I became very dependent on it, and I was always on a caffeine high.”

While McCracken’s case was an extreme one, many teenagers are still consuming more than the recommended amount of caffeine. Though a small amount daily will not harm someone, the caffeine high that many teenagers find themselves on may harm them in the future.

12% 2%

in the form of soda in the form of tea in other forms

Moderate dosages (200 mg-300 mg) improve concentration, memory retention, auditory vigilance, and reaction time and provide an endorphine-like pleasure response and resistance to pain.

"I am very dependent on Diet Coke. I have one to three a day.

I have to have one even if I get nine or 10 hours of sleep."

Nicole Capdevila, junior

High dosages (greater than 400 mg) have been shown to produce negative effects such as anxiety, nausea, jitteriness, and nervousness.

=

=

=

108 mg 330 mg 16 oz.

Starbucks coffee

The United States spends about

$40 BILLION on coffee each year.

8 oz.

Generic brewed coffee

=

76 mg

47 mg

8.5 oz.

Red Bull energy drink

12 oz.

Diet Coke

s drink an avera rican ge o e f Am

3.1 cups

of coffee per day, with an average cup size of 9 oz.

65 mg Excedrin Extra Strength pill

"If I'm tired in the morning, I usually have an energy drink and then before a football game i'll have one just because at the end of the day I am really tired. I like that I feel a lot more energized and awake."

Abby Sprague, junior

"I primarily drink sodas on weekends because I need some sugar in my body.

I don't think that it makes me hyper."

Annie Nguyen, senior

Information and statistics courtesy www.hsph.harvard.edu/multimedia/flash/2010/coffee/facts.html www.ncsf.org/enew/articles/articles-CaffeineConsumptionChildrenAdolescents.aspx

14 features

NOVEMBER 2012

Spirited atmosphere enhances game experience JORDAN BICKHAM Staff Writer

After a spirited chant of “I believe that we will win,” the view of Coppell High School’s student section was masked by an explosion of white smoke. As baby powder floated through the air, the rest of the stadium looked in the direction of Coppell’s student section. Some watched the event in awe, while others looked over in annoyance.

Coppell has recently become known around the area for its passionate student section after the Allen game on Sept. 28. The students have performed a few stunts already this season that have surprised Coppell supporters and other schools alike. To begin, CHS students dressed as hillbillies at the Longview game.

They then dressed up in Garland band uniforms at the Garland game. More recently, blue powder was thrown in the air in honor of Jacob Logan.

The actions of the section were taken to a whole new level when everyone in the student section at the Allen game threw white baby powder up in the air at the end of the “I Believe” chant, with an effect similar to a smoke bomb.

Although some may view the students as crossing the line with their displays of spirit, many, including administration, support the students’ excitement and passion.

“One thing I have to say about the students this year is that participation and school spirit has probably been the best in the stands since I have been here, and I have been here eight years now,” assistant principal Sean Bagley said.

The students supporting their team as a whole was the exact goal student section “leaders,” seniors Coleman Armes, Seth Slover and Austin Gardner, had in mind.

This year, Armes wanted to

tion follow them instead of doing their own thing and being disrespectful.”

The “leaders” also created a Facebook group at the beginning of the year for posting ideas to display spirit. The ideas are comPhoto by Rinu Daniel

Excited Coppell students dress up in Garland band uniforms to intimidate the Allen Eagles on Sept. 28.

get rid of the separation between grade levels and focus on supporting the team.

“I felt like the student section needed improvement and that it could be a really fun thing that could bring the community aspect back to Coppell,” Armes said.

Even though the students seem to be in complete chaos, the “leaders” of the section have gone to great lengths to create organized chaos within the student section.

“There is a guy with a dry erase board who writes everything up there. [The “leaders”] remind me of, if you have ever been to an A&M game, a yell leader that makes it more organized and gives the section leadership,” Bagley said. “The students in the sec-

municated to every one, as well as finalized for future games.

While the displays of support at the games have remained appropriate, the reactions from students of either team on Twitter and other social media sites have not been as friendly.

“You just have to watch what you say.

While it is all fun and games,

In Coppell, there is an active prayer group for almost every school, including New Tech, all three middles schools, most elementary schools and even Primrose Academy preschool, for a total of 12 groups.

Each group has a leader, who is usually a mom herself, and meets periodically to discuss issues within the school and pray for the students in general, the teachers and even administration. Most groups meet during the school day, but there is also an evening group for moms not available during the day.

“There is a very diverse group of women in Moms in Prayer,” Carol Slover, mother of two high school students, said.

“Moms from different denominations all come to the high school prayer meetings. It is really great for all these moms to come together. I do not know some of these women’s children and to be able to pray for their children and for them to pray for mine is a really special thing.”

Finding a group is easy, all a mom needs to do is log onto www.momsintouch.org and select Find Groups. From there, Moms in Prayer International makes it easy to come into contact with a group for the appropriate school, or even to start a new group.

For mothers who are feeling reluctant to join a group, Mrs. Slover believes the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming, even

to different denominations of the faith.

“So many Christians are shy when it comes to praying aloud,” Mrs. Slover said. “They do not need to worry if they are thinking about coming to Moms in Prayer.

We pray in a group, then in smaller groups and even individually.

Everyone is welcome.”

No matter the style, the power of prayer is evident, as the simple act of meeting together to pray for their students effects the lives of both the students and mothers.

Sophomore Sarah Slover supports the mission of Moms in Prayer and is proud that her mother is involved in the meetings.

“Obviously I can not take my mom to school with me, but when I know she and so many other moms are pray- ing for me while I am in school, it is like she came to support me,” Sarah said. “We really can not put limits on how powerful prayer can be, nothing I or my mom can do compares to the effects our God and prayer can have.”

But Moms in Prayer’s mission serves more than just students. The moms who participate grow as Christians, parents and women.

it can be taken too far, like with the kid from Allen saying that he wanted to bomb the student section,” junior Trent Armstrong said. “But we were rude too saying things such as, ‘who cares, you guys lost.’”

Even with social media outlets allowing students to say what they want, the display of spirit at the games has been regulated so that fans can still show their support without getting in trouble.

However, from the viewpoint of an opposing school, Coppell’s students seem to get out of line, sometimes giving Coppell a negative connotation.

“A positive aspect of [the student section] is that a lot of teams are intimidated to play at Coppell and it creates a loud environment,” Armstrong said. “But the whole rude and ‘taking things too far’ reputation is definitely not the goal.”

The student section’s passion can give Coppell a bad reputation, but the purpose of such an intense section was to connect students and re-create the family aspect of CHS.

“I feel like all grades are friendlier to each other this year as opposed to last year. We wanted to welcome all four grades,” Armes said. “I did not want it to be about the grade levels. I wanted it to be about one school cheering for our one team.”

Recently, Coppell has become Armes’ image of one school and one family. After the loss of two beloved students, senior varsity football player Jacob Logan and senior silver spur Jonah Blackwell, the community, especially within the high school, has come together and supported each other like never before.

Although this has been tragic, it has also brought us together as a team and made us realize how close we all really are.

We can all lean on each other and we do not have to be alone in this struggle,” junior silver spur Griffin Smith said.

Photo by Rowan Khazendar

Moms around Coppell keep in touch with prayer KRISTEN SHEPARD Staff Writer

As mothers pack their kids’ lunches and watch them walk off to the bus or car for another year at school, they are oftentimes overwhelmed with worry and sadness. Sending their children off to school, mothers cannot help but worry about what their child will come into contact with.

At school, parents lose control of what their children are exposed to, how they behave and whom they interact with. For moms, there is not much they can do, except pray.

This is exactly what Debra Rountree intended to do through her chapter of Moms in Prayer, which meets weekly to pray for Coppell High School specifically.

Rountree is the mother of two Coppell ISD students, CHS junior Steven, and Coppell Middle School East sixth grader Jonathon.

Moms in Prayer International, formerly Moms in Touch, is a worldwide organization that brings moms who live in the same community together to shower their children in prayer.

Since the organization was founded, in 1987 by Fern Nichols, a mother herself from Canada, devotional booklet has been translated into 49 languages and chapters have been established in 140 countries.

“Parenting is a growth process, you learn as you go,” Rountree said. “By praying for our kids, we stay connected in their lives and become better parents. Moms in Prayer has helped me see better ways to care for my kids and brings me patience.”

When Moms in Prayer meets once a week,

is integral to Moms in Prayer is praying for students and teachers by name. This allows the group to lift up specific individuals and issues that may be going unnoticed at school. From bullying to stress to relationships, these moms sympathize with the issues students face and do everything in their power to ease the burden.

“We pray for almost everything school related,” Rountree said. “If Steven has basketball tryouts, we pray for that. We pray for student-teacher relationships and when our kids are struggling in a class. We even pray for [Coppell High School Principal Mike Jasso] and other administrators and that they will have clarity in their decisions.”

By the simple action of group prayer, Moms in Prayer is able to impact the lives of their children and themselves, making life easier and more faith based.

“As moms, we w a n t to do everything we can for our kids.

There are Graphic by Haley Madigan so many ismeetings last one hour, and sues beyond prayer takes up almost the entire our control that prayer can help meeting length. One idea that solve” Rountree said.

15 features

NOVEMBER 2012

Hospital provides experience Giving food, thanks CAROLINE CARTER Staff Writer

A visit to the doctor’s office has often been a feared event since childhood. For some students at Coppell High School, daily visits to various hospitals in the area provide them more knowledge than just their height and weight.

Students aspiring to be doctors, nurses or pharmacists no longer have to wait until college to begin their training for a healthcare profession. With the Health Science II program, HST, juniors and seniors are given t h e opportunity to see if a career in medicine is right for them. Under the supervision Ray Pool, upperclassmen visit hospitals for two class periods Monday through Thursday and return

“We have found that if students want to apply to a nursing school, colleges already want them to have a CNT before they even apply, ”Pool said. “Some of the nursing schools like the University of Texas or Texas Tech are saying that they want [students to have a CNT] even before they accept them into the program.

And with a pharmacist technician certification, you can work as pharmacist at 18 years of age. It is a good job for people in college.”

From neonatal nursing to anesthesiology, those participating in HST

to the Radiology unit, but I am most excited about the post partum unit and NICU,” Shaffer said.

“It’s cool too because we get to hear stories from other classes about people that got to watch a surgery in the OR. I am looking forward to that also.”

PSA lead Debra Johnson says that the experience gained from HST is invaluable. Before teaching, Johnson served as an ICU nurse at Baylor so she knows first hand what an actual job in healthcare is.

Photo by Rowan Khanzendar

Health Science Tech students have the opportunity to learn at Las Colinas Medical Center.

to class on Friday to discuss what they learned and their overall impression of the specific field.

“This program helps them (the students) have a plan of action,” Pool said. “Coming into this, most just think of a career in health care being a nurse or doctor, but now they see that there are so many more options. They get to shadow a nurse, technician or even a doctor, and follow that person throughout the week. HST serves mainly to introduce them to a variety of medical fields that they may be interested in.”

With rotations in areas of the hospital including the emergency room, intensive care unit, medical records and physical therapy unit, students are able to learn and experience a variety of specialties in just a hospital alone.

The hospitals that most serve at include Las Colinas Medical Center and Baylor Grapevine. During the second semester, students are allowed to observe in a private practice or focus on a specific area in the hospital. Certification programs for a CNT (Certified Nursing Techni- cian), ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) or pharmacist technicians are also available.

are able to observe a wide range of specialties. Junior Jodi Palmer is currently shadowing a pediatric specialty clinic for an ENT doctor. Under the direction of Dr. Paul Bauer and Dr. Alan Murray, Palmer has learned an extensive amount of information about this private practice in just a few short weeks.

“I have learned a lot about interaction with patients,” Palmer said. “I now understand how the doctors, nurses, paperwork staff and office managers all must work together. I originally wanted to participate in the HST program because I knew I wanted I career in the medical field, and it gave me the opportunity to get involved in a medical environment and a chance to meet professionals. It has been really exciting for me.”

Although Palmer and several other juniors are already serving at a private practice due to scheduling conflicts with local hospitals, most are rotating through a variety of services. Junior Reagan Shaffer has the opportunity to go to Baylor Grapevine and has already rotated through a several units.

“I have been

“I wish, looking back, that my high school had programs like CHS with the HST program,” Johnson said. “I knew when I first started to pursue nursing, I was thinking that it was what I wanted to do but I was not really positive until I had the same clinical experiences that our students get while they are in high school. These programs help put them on the path for a career in medicine or they could even see if it really is not a fit.”

By providing real world experience, HST has been able to expose aspiring doctors and nurses to the world of healthcare can really see if a career in health care is right for them.

Though a large paycheck is one perk to being a doctor, these students have found a love for medicine other than just the money aspect.

“Some might think that they want to be a doctor as an opportunity to make money, but any physician will tell you that you can make more money faster if you just go into business,” Pool said. “You have to want to help people and want take care of them.”

Photo by Rowan Khanzendar

Food bank helps during hard time Photo by Lauren Ussery

Food is donated from all around the area to the North Texas Food Bank during this season.

continued from pg.1 center,” volunteer coordinator Erica Pletan said. “The people we feed are called people ‘suffering from hunger insecurity’ go to our member industries (the food pantries, shelters, schools and churches).

We work with 340 organizations across North Texas and spread into 13 different counties.”

Since so many people choose to volunteer, there is a sign up for shifts posted on their website. The hours they are open to volunteer are Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Fridays they only have one shift 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

There are numerous other volunteer organizations that St. Ann and the North Texas Food Bank participate in, a full list of the opportunities can be found on the North Texas Food Bank’s website.

During the holidays many families are not fortunate enough to experience the traditional Thanksgiving meal. This is why St. Ann has come together to help out. Every year the church organizes a Thanksgiving drive that collects canned goods and other imperishable items.

The drive has already started and continues until Nov. 17 when the cans and food will be assembled in boxes, throughout the years the process has been per-

fected and it now only takes an hour for roughly 250 volunteers to assemble 810 baskets.

“We take everybody who wants to help; it’s a community effort,” St. Ann volunteer coordinator Eddie Provencio said. “It takes a lot to assemble the baskets, for people to drive and deliver them we have huge truck but we need drivers for one on one deliveries.”

This year the goal is to deliver 900 but when Provencio looked at the list of families he believes it will be closer to a thousand.It is an eye opening experience for those who choose to deliver the boxes to the houses.

Not only will they get to see the families they are delivering the baskets, too.

“I have seen the conditions before but even if something is terrible it will balance it out,” junior Katie Fink said. “I have heard about friends on mission trips. I have heard the impact it has and the joy it brings just providing something as simple as a water bottle, so a whole thanksgiving dinner just sounds amazing.”

There are a lot of people in North Texas suffering from hunger and look to the churches and the kind hearted people to help them out. This Thanksgiving can be more than just a meal; it can be a chance to make an impact, to help those suffering from hunger insecurities.

16 entertainment

NOVEMBER 2012

Swift debuts new sounds, impresses listeners with Red CHRISTINA BURKE Features Editor

Behind the sparkles, theatric shows and extensive boy troubles, 22-year-old Taylor Swift has proven herself capable of capturing multiple audiences around the world. Swift has come a long way from her country music start in 2006 to create an almost unnamable genre of music that millions of people love to sing and dance to.

After the world tour of her last hit record Speak Now, released in 2010, Swift’s new album was rumored to be in the works.

A year after everything with Speak Now ended, the recently quiet artist stepped back out into the public to announce her next album Red, which hit stores Oct. 22.

During the wait for Red, Swift treated her fans to five singles off the album. The first to come was titled “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

I have to admit, I was a little worried when this song came out as the face of Swift’s new album.

I knew that Swift was gradually moving her music in a different direction, but I was not expecting the full on pop explosion of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

To my surprise, the vast majority of her fans liked the

song just because it had her name slapped under the title. I was just hoping that Swift would deliver in the rest of Red what she had in her previous three albums, and she did.

The track “State of Grace” kicks the album off by starting with the type of catchy drumbeat you just have to tap your foot to. With an almost alternative rhythm, this track proves Swift to be an artist beyond one genre.

The album’s namesake “Red” is the second song. This track is much more typical Swift with a twist, beginning with a slower guitar strum and quickly moving into a faster paced song that fans will go crazy about.

Next, the album takes a shift into its first slow song “Treacherous.” This song has a quiet beat in the background, allowing Swift’s vocals to really take the lead for the first time on Red. “I Knew You Were Trouble” threw out a major twist after the first minute: dub-step. I was not expecting Swift to reach across so many different sounds in one album, but it is actually really catchy.

Slowing the album back down with “All Too Well,” Swift takes the lyrics to a more personal level letting the story of the song overtake the common country rhythm of the song.

Flight takes off CORRINA TAYLOR Staff Writer

The plane slips into a dive as captain Whip Whitaker struggles to gain control of his plane, passengers are yelling out in fear of their lives as the plane continues to descend.

The copilot and flight attendant struggle to keep calm as Whitaker, played by Denzel Washington, inverts the plane in order to slow down the descent.

Once the plane flips right side up again for the descent they brace for impact as they collide against the rough ground of an open field.

Flight does a great job of portraying the crash scene; the horrific events seem lifelike and truly terrifying even for an audience member safely sitting in their seat. Once Washington is taken to the hospital, he is greeted by his drug dealer, played by John Goodman, and meets a beautiful addict, played by Kelly Reilly, recently admitted for an overdose.

Goodman is the “funny guy” in this movie, sometimes even in scenes when humor was not necessary and could have been left out. Flight is rated R and with good reason, seeing as the first scene shows nudity and throughout the film audiences are exposed to profanity, excessive alcoholism and drug usage.

The excessive drug and alcohol consumption continues to destroy Washington’s life and the audience can only watch in horror as he continually refuses to get help. At times, the movie put drugs in a positive light, displaying cocaine as a good way to pick you up after a hangover, which is done in poor taste.

The commercials do not adequately depict the movie.

From watching commercials, one would assume it is about a plane crash and a pilot who was wrongly accused of drinking on the job. It shows the drunkard Washington in a positive light as an innocent man when he is, in fact, an alcoholic and a heavy cocaine user. Washington does a great job of being the bad guy one tries not to like because of his actions and egotistic ways, but cannot help from liking him because of his charming demeanor.

Washington’s performance is first-rate. From the scenes where he is stumbling over drunk and slurring words, to scenes where he is struggling to regain his composure and keep from crying. Overall, the actors chosen for this movie played their parts well and are very believable.

Actors Bruce Greenwood and Don Cheadle played the role of Washington’s respective friend and lawyer and show genuine concern for him as he goes through the trial. They do a good job of balancing the dramatic scenes with light humor.

Towards the end of the movie all the characters struggle to protect Washington, causing the viewer to forget who the good guy is as they manipulate the system in order to get him off scotch free. Overall, this is a good movie to see once; I would not buy it and watch it over and over again, but it is definitely a movie to see at least once.

OVERALL RATING:

The album picks back up with “22,” a song with an auto tuned pop beat that celebrates Swift’s life at age 22, seemingly out of place and unecessary.

“I Almost Do” is a complete pace changer. Swift slows it down by telling another one of her personal stories while an acoustic guitar takes over the rhythm.

The next track is “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” followed by “Stay Stay Stay,” which keeps up the fast pace of the previous song by utilizing the fast strums of a ukulele and building into a variety of fun sounds including claps, symbols and accents of a base guitar.

“The Last Time” begins with a deep piano tune as Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol begins the first verse of a duet. Lightbody’s and Swift’s voices come together nicely to create a different, but captivating sound.

It is not long before the faint guitar strums in “Holy Ground” are overtaken by a fast past drumbeat and the sound of Swift’s voice. The beat created in this track is definitely not Taylor’s typical country.

“Sad Beautiful Tragic” once again slows down the pace of the album with a slow guitar rhythm.

The lyrics Swift conveys in this song share heartbreak.

Beginning with a catchy

drum beat and continuing with Swift’s vocals leading, “The Lucky One” portrays the negative aspects of being famous. In this song, Swift describes the difficulties of the life many think would be so easy.

“Everything Has Changed” begins with an acoustic guitar and Swift’s most simple vocals. At the chorus, singer Ed Sheeran joins her for the melody of the song, and their voices continue to work together in sync for the rest of the song.

With a piano melody in the background, “Starlight” begins fast paced with Swift singing about a magical night. As a

drumbeat carries the song on, the lyrics portray the love story of two teenagers in 1945.

The last track on the album, “Begin Again,” leaves Swift’s fans with a country song about falling in love after heartbreak.

As Swift attempts to take new approaches with her music, her already vast numbers of fans continue to support her; they have already deemed the album a huge success. She has done it again.

Overall Rating:

Restaurant Review

Unique experience tops burger CAROLINE CARTER Staff Writer

When thinking of a place to grab a burger, fast food restaurants chains tend to come to mind.

But how many think of a burger restaurant offering condiments ranging from Cheez Whiz to chili or having an onsite pastry chef preparing ice cream for shakes?

At Twisted Root Burger Company, with seven different locations across Dallas, customers are in for a unique dining experience. When you walk in, you immediately notice that this restaurant’s vibe is one appealing to all ages.

Rows of license plates line the walls along with comical posters saying if you use your cell phone at the table they will “have to release the flying monkeys.” Other pop culture references include giving out fake Hollywood names, such as Britney Spears, Winnie the Pooh or Cinderella, instead of numbers for customers to pick up their order.

The menu consists of noth-

ing but burgers and hot dogs.

Although variety on the menu is lacking, the taste all makes up for it. Burgers range from buffalo burgers to black bean burgers, and the menu offers specials including “The Bacon Bomb” consisting of bacon and blue cheese.

While I waited for my food, I was able to better grasp the uniqueness of Twisted Root. I did not expect to walk into the restroom and rind myself surrounded by fuchsia walls, complete with a disco ball and 80s music blasting through the speakers; it was almost too fun to leave. However, I knew my food was quickly on its way out.

The cheeseburger took about 20 minutes to come out, and the restaurant was semi-crowded for week night. I was quite impressed with the size of the burger. The only offered size is a 1/2 lb. and even then the burger patty was overflowing on the bun. A generous amount of sweet potato fries were also given.

The burger’s scent made it hard to resist taking a bite, but I managed to wait as I added some

condiments at the vegetable bar.

In addition to its many traditional toppings, Twisted Root also offers homemade sauces including chipotle mayo and spicy ketchup.

After making it back to my table, I was ready to dive in.

The food was satisfactory. The homemade ketchup and other sauces were tasty, but the burger itself was much like that of any other burger restaurant.

However, if you are coming for a good burger, Twisted Root does its job.

To end my meal, I had one of their shakes, Chocolate Heath Bar. The shakes come in a tall glass and are made quickly to order. Sweet and creamy, this ice cream shake did not disappoint.

Overall, the highlight of Twisted Root is the unique experience, even though it is still good. The fun atmosphere was highly enjoyable and provided a fun alternative to standard burger restaurants. If you do not mind a bit of a drive, Twisted Root offers the perfect place to grab a meal with friends and family.

Price: $$$ (Burgers can range from $7 to $14) Side dishes

CoppellStudent-Eat-ia

and drinks are an additional cost Service: Efficient and welcoming Ambience: Loud music, busy wall décor, and sports broadcasted on television. Patio seating is also available.

Location: Deep Ellum, SMU campus, Richardson, Roanoke, Fairview, Plano and Arlington Hours: Sunday—Thursday 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; Friday—Saturday 11:00 a.m.- midnight Website: http://twistedrootburgerco.com/wordpress/ Credit cards: All major credit cards Wheelchair accessible: Yes

entertainment 17

NOVEMBER 2012

Major League Gaming tournament powers up Dallas JULIE NAKAMURA Staff Writer

Another new season rushes around the corner accompanied by waves of excitement, but not for any regular sport. It is now fall, and that means Major League Gaming’s e-sport fall championship is here.

E-sports are more commonly known as competitive video and computer gaming, and though it might not be football or baseball, it holds the same importance that would be devoted to any other sport for some Coppell High School students.

The MLG Fall Championship this year was held in Dallas for the eighth time at the Dallas Convention Center, and it is creating a buzz among the gaming community.

“I love competitive gaming,” senior John Yang said. “This is the first time any e-sport I am able to attend has happened in Dallas, so I’m not sure what to expect.”

Yang is one of the many similar-minded voices here in the Dallas area, and in this opinion he is definitely not alone. Promoted as the biggest event in MLG Championship history so far, the

expectations of the to-be-attendees ranged from tentative to wild excitement.

“This is the chance for a fun time with the friends I have, during this last year I have [at CHS],” senior Teemu Koponen said. “This is us getting to do one last thing with everyone together.”

This event includes League of Legends and StarCraft II professional tournaments, the revelation of Halo 4 that will be coming out soon, and several smaller, but no less important, Playstation 3 games (Mortal Kombat, Tekken Tag and All-Stars Battle Royale).

More than 1,200 idolized professional players participated in the event for a grand total prize pool of over $180,000.

“I am looking forward to see the matches happen live,” 2011 CHS graduate James Williams said. “It is like the difference between sitting in front of your TV watching a football game and being at the stadium.”

Pro players around the world participated in the tournament line-ups for this upcoming Fall Championship. For the Starcraft II Group Play, these include professional league players Lee “Flash” Young Ho, Eo “SoO” Yoon Su, Kim “Soulkey” Min Chul, and Shin

“Hyvaa” Dae Kun. The League of Legends teams that lined up the battlefield were Team Curse, Team Dignitas, Team Dynamic, Team Solo Mid and Team Counter Logic Gaming Prime from America. Azubu Blaze, co-team with Azubu Frost that placed second in the world fi-

nals and Najin Sword from South Korea will also be part of the tournament with CLG EU from Europe.

Event attendees and gamer fans get a chance to talk to and take pictures with their favorite pro gamers as well as watch them compete live.

“We find some kind of connections with the professional gamers [we meet and watch],” Koponen said. “Hopefully we will be able to find and talk with some of them. MLG does not come here often. Wouldn’t you want to come to an event that only rolls around every few years?”

Boy bands regain popularity since 90s ‘classics’ TOLU SALAKO Staff Writer

Everyone has heard of *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, and many still cherish these bands, maybe even sing along to their songs once in a while; but there was an almost 10 year break between when they were popular and the reemergence of boy bands.

Now close to the end of 2012, boy bands have awoken from their slumber and have come to play on our radio stations nonstop. Some of these bands include Two Door Cinema Club, Imagine Dragons, The Wanted and One Direction.

Similar to *NSYNC, with their skin-tight and brightly colored jeans, One Direction has been one of the most popular upcoming bands this year. With five members, the members’ mannerisms, choreographed dance moves and music style is quite likable to both teens from the 90s a s

well as teens from 2012. “[*NSYNC and Backstreet Boys] were some of the first boy bands whose music still influences music today, and you can see that in bands like One Direction” junior Gaby Rivera said.

“It’s weird to say that [*NSYNC and Backstreet Boys] are considered as classics, even though they are really well known.”

Many students agree with the fact that the 90s was the era of pop and that these newer “mainstream” bands will not be remembered. Some think otherwise and are really enjoying these newer pop bands.

“I love One Direction,” sophomore Ayushi Chintakayala said. “I really like their sound and their songs just make me feel happy. Even though they are similar to the 90s bands, [One Direction] w i l l

probably last for a really long time because they are so successful and a lot of people like them.”

So the question is, why the sudden return of the boy bands?

Many believed boy bands were to be deceased, and would never reappear again. In order for these bands to become popular once again, many had to revamp the term “boy band” and therefore got rid of the cheesy chore o g r aphe d dance moves that was once popular in the 90s and thus created “Indie bands.”

“There is a difference between Indie boy bands and regular boy bands,” junior Rachel Gruebbel said. “Indie bands have more depth in their lyrics and bands like One Direction and The Wanted are mostly all about partying and having a good time.”

Imagine Dragons is very well known among CHS teenagers.

Its hit single, “It’s Time” is featured in the trailer of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and the song, as well as the band, has gained popularity since then. With its album released in early September, this band from Nevada is quite different from others and has a more of an Indie feel to their songs unlike, the mainstream pop music that is heard more often. “[Imagine Dragons and Two Door Cinema Club] have different themes and their songs are more about their personal experiences,” Gruebbel said. “I d o n’t even c o n sider them

as a boy band sometimes because they are so far from that ‘boy band norm.’ They don’t sing songs that sound like they’re just whining about how their ex-girlfriend won’t take them back.”

Today’s music stems from the 90s, which has caused the emergence of new pop boy bands. Though many find *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys songs quite cheesy now, it was the foundation of some of the music we listen to today.

English teacher, Linda Moore, a 90s fan herself, plays popular music from this time period during her classes.

“Some of the 90s music does influence the pop music we hear today,” Moore said. “Boys bands will always be popular with their teen girl fan base and will always be admired for a very l o n g time.”

18 entertainment

NOVEMBER 2012

Patterson digs deep to uncover inner zombie in film CHRISTINA BURKE Features Editor

In March of 2011, Coppell High School history teacher Andrew Patterson developed the idea of writing and producing a zombie movie. Fast forward to today, and the film is in its post-production stage, nearly ready for the world to see.

“I was driving to work a couple years ago, and it just kind of jumped in [my head] like ‘bam’- zombie film,” Patterson said.

Ever ybody has their crazy ideas, but taking them to the next level and actually accomplishing something unique requires a whole lot of ambition. Patterson has managed to turn his idea of a zombie film into a full on production titled Let There be Zombies, which is set to be released to nationwide film festivals in early 2013.“I’m not hugely into zombies or anything, but they are cool,” Patterson said. “I thought a lot of people would want to get involved, help out and dress up like zombies, so it would be a fun project, but at the same time, we could

utilize everybody and take it to a level that is a serious, low-budget professional film.”

According to Patterson, beginning to write and plan the story line while trying to make it both funny and interesting was one of the most challenging parts of the production. Oddly enough, the story line ended up being drawn from teaching experience at CHS. “The main character is a wimpy teacher who can’t even control her own students in the classroom,” Patterson said.

“We get to know this teacher there; we know that she is wimpy, and then the zombie apocalypse happens, and she needs to learn how to become a leader in the zombie apocalypse.”

With determination, Patterson began reaching out to friends, fellow teachers and students to fill the roles of many different parts in order to accomplish something bigger than the original idea. In

some cases, those who Photos courtesy Robert Rodriquez got involved were benefitted in more ways than just helping his vision.

History teacher Brian Rohloff and Patterson have known each other since their very own days of high school at CHS. Rohloff, who had a previous career as a musician, was asked by Patterson to create the music for the movie.

“I am doing the score for the film; composing all of the ambient soundscapes behind the scenes and any other Students and actors gather on scene during the filming of Let There be Zombies music that is involved this summer. with the movie,” Rohloff said. “I am looking at some of that; that is what I really want to future]; I had so much fun being the scenes and trying to decide get involved with. This has been a part of it.”

For a production that began what music fits where.” an opportunity for me to get my The opportunity to create feet wet and try to learn how to do as a short film, Let There be Zombies has come a long way from the audio tracks for a movie is it, and it has been amazing.” not an opportunity that comes Even some lucky students its original plans, bringing many around very often. Patterson’s were presented the opportunity people together and helping many movie gave Rohloff the chance to to help Patterson accomplish this near accomplish impossible goals further explore his musical tal- production. Junior Scottie Sheri- along the way.

“I’m pretty psyched about a ents in new ways that he has only dan, a former student of Patterdreamed about. son, served by committing to a lot of the different things I have gotten to do in my life, but this “This is something that ever role as a zombie prom queen. since I quit performing music “It was such a great expe- was one of the top for sure,” Patthat I have always wanted to do. I rience, and I met a lot of great terson said. “It became such a big never saw myself getting on stage people and friends through it,” production that it was stressful again, as much fun as it was, and Sheridan said. “Since there were because I wanted to do a good as many awesome experiences as teachers and students from Cop- job. I had never been so stressed I had,” Rohloff said. “I am more pell there, it was really easy to get in my life, but I had never been interested in the behind the comfortable with the group, and having so much fun in my life. It scenes type stuff and doing more we really bonded. I would en- was a life goal, and we shared it composition things with film, TV courage students to be apart of together; it was people reaching and commercials and things like any opportunity like this [in the for something.”

Favreau : From grocery aisle to runway fashion, more KIMBERLY DEL ANGEL

And thus Favreau struck success with Liz Garret, her initial recruiting agent. Soon she found When you run to the grocery herself on way to Las Vegas where store, you typically expect to come she attended her first modeling home with some food, laundry convention featuring hundreds of detergent and a pack of M&M’s at agents from around the world. Unthe most. But Coppell High School fortunately, Favreau was 16 at the 2011 graduate Sierra Favreau came time and most models are signed home with much more in hand, a only when they are 18. career.

However, Clutts of Dallas did “I was running errands with sign Favreau and BMG Models of my mom when this lady came up Miami kept a watchful eye on her to me asked, ‘have you ever thought until she turned 18. about modeling?’ and I said ‘uh, no’, “I was too young at the time, and my mom chipped in and said because in the modeling industry ‘I want her to, but no, she hasn’t,” if I wanted to fly to California or Favreau said. “She then told me, ‘I’d New York, it’s harder to go when like to shoot you one day and see if you’re younger because you have I could sign you on, possibly even to have a parent with you, but if fly you out somewhere else and get you go when you’re 18, or you’re you to model in other states.’” getting older and you don’t have school, you Photos courtesy Sierra Favreau don’t have other priorities,” Favreau said.

Favreau comes from a family in which modeling thrives. Her mother, Rona, was exposed to the fashion industry around the same age as her daughter was (16) and understands the difficulties of being a young woman trying to prosper in front of the camera lens.

“I would Favreau performing in the DIFFA (Design Indusbe worried if tries Foundation Fighting AIDS) runway show, I wasn’t there “Smoking Haute” in March. with her,” Mrs.

Entertainment Editor

Favreau said. “I modeled when I was her age and I had to go on my own and that was in the Los Angeles area, and for a young female to go out there like that—you run into certain situations that it’s kind of hard to get out of and it can be a little frightening.”

With a change in hearty attitude and dedication, Sierra found herself adjusting to fashion industry pretty well. She slowly climbed the ladder of success and the job opportunities kept rolling in. She eventually accumulated an impressive record for one so young: runway shows for Vitamin Water, Red Bull and Dillard’s, bathing suit shows in Las Vegas and Florida, in addition to privately owned jewelry company advertising and makeup shows.

“It definitely takes dedication; you have to love what you’re doing because it’s exhausting. For some people it may come naturally, and there are people that don’t have to do much, because when they are in front of the camera, it just works for them, but you otherwise have to be disciplined,” Sierra said.

“Some people say that it’s cruel, but [the industry] needs you to fit your measurements, and they say ‘oh I don’t want my daughter to be anorexic, I don’t want them to have this’, but you have to have confidence and have a strong personality so that you don’t fall into temptation.”

Sierra has gained composure and learned how to keep her head held high when it comes to dealing with the criticism and health adaptations of the modeling industry, but has had her share of heartbreak.

“I had been trying to gain a client, Neiman Marcus, and they were having auditions, but first thing when I walked in, the guy told me: ‘OK, you’re looking kind of soft. You need to tone up; it looks like you kind of g ai n e d weight a n d y o u r

b u t t is too big,” Sierra said.

“And I was like dang. So I started to cut back on what I ate, tried to eat healthy—didn’t eat all the good food I wanted to eat just so that I could possibly get that job with them.”

The dedication to satisfy clients and perfect aspects of her modeling helps fuel the relationship between Sierra, the camera and the photographer contributing to the blossoming list of contacts.

“When a good photographer and a good model get together, there is this almost dance that we do, moving and taking different shots from different angles, trying to get these feelings, expressions and poses with the model; it is very important to be self aware,”

photographer Sterling Steves said.

These qualities allow [Sierra] to work well with a lot of different photographer. When shooting with her you get high quality images, and she is very passionate—you have to be able to go after what you want to do.”

As an aspiring model, it is important to understand that college is not always a viable option because of time management. However, Sierra has not given up on her studies, for she and her family believe that an education is of the uttermost importance.

“To be a model you can’t just model forever, unless they are specifically casted, but to be flown out to different parts of the world and model for months at a time, to be able to do that you have to be free of any obligations,” Sierra said.

“You have a 14 to 22 age span, so a lot of girls will drop out, they’ll go and make it into a career and model for really popular brands.”

Sierra’s mother has taken notice of her gradual success and believes that with persistence and dedication, qualities Sierra’s embedded into modeling already, that she will not have a difficult time making a career out of modeling.

“She is doing very well, she is making more and more money each year,” Mrs. Favreau said. “For the short amount of time she has been modeling, she’s been able to double her income each year; that’s a step in the right direction.”

19 entertainment

NOVEMBER 2012

Media students utilize talent to create short film Photo by Morgan Adams

NIKKI DABNEY Staff Writer

Six Coppell students have embarked on the adventure of producing their own short film titled The Mammoth Affray.

The film centers on a boy named Dennis who decides to tackle his colossal (mammoth) struggle (affray) with fear of jumping off the local pool’s diving board.

“We wanted to do a title like Quentin Tarantino’s,” Coppell High School senior and director of photography Mason Adams said. “We wanted it to catch people’s attention and be something artistic and deep.”

The Leap of Unknown Fate was the initial title of the film.

Then Adams and director, senior Josh Brunelli, got together and spent one night brewing their creativity into the perfect title.

Artistic words and phrases, such as crimson and tuxedo junction, were bounced around.

The boys broke out the ol’ Webster’s dictionary to page through adjectives and finally coined The Mammoth Affray.

Brunelli’s writing assignment for his English class last year is where the idea originated. The assignment was to, essentially, write a short story; it was only a page long.

“The story was not that great, but the way I read it (to the Seniors (in order from left to right) Mason Adams, Joe Han, Adam Borel, Eric Park and Josh Brunelli class) made it great and I thought came together to create the short film “Mammoth Affray” that is centered on Dennis, a boy who decides this could be made into a film,” to face his fears and jump off the local pool’s diving board.

Brunelli said.

Brunelli pitched the idea to his counterparts and everyone the-scenes edit, and their biggest rented the equipment and had to give him one he does a good job,” seemed to like the idea. He and offer was to Skype with the donor pay out of pocket,” Adams said.

Adams said.

Adams began writing the script while they are on set.

Brunelli and assistant direcRohloff has been a part of a on and off for a couple “That last tor, senior Joe Han, were in charge few of the boys’ previous projects months and then began “I’m proud of what one didn’t hap- of casting. The lead characters as an actor as well as writing the the production stage. we accomplished. pen and I’m comprise New Tech High senior music for the soundtrack. In The Before the boys It should probably actually glad; I Matt Lefkovits as Dennis Meyer, Mammoth Affray, he plays the could even pick up a his friend Chad played by senior be our best project don’t know how James Tabor and CHS U.S. Histo- antagonist—he and Dennis never camera, they had to raise we would have got along and he tries to prevent the funds for the produc- yet. I was proud to pulled that off ry teacher Brian Rohloff as Curtis. him from making the jump off the tion. They created a page work with guys just when we’re so “Matt always told me he diving board. on a website called Indi- as passionate for busy on set,” took acting classes and I wanted “Rohloff is someone we egogo, which is a crowd film as I am.” to see what he could give me,” want to keep using,” Han said.

Brunelli said. funding platform where In total, Brunelli said. “Dennis is a dry “He was flexible and sacrificed a people donate to artistic -Josh Brunelli, the crew raised character and he did good with lot of time for us.” causes. Every donation senior $1,400.

The what was given to him.”

Earlier this summer, the amount was equivalent The crew believes they se- group partook in another short money went to a prize: $5 and they’ll mention toward paying for the rental of lected the perfect actor to portray film produced by CHS teachthe donor’s name on Facebook, equipment and an ambulance Chad. er Andrew Patterson called Let $10 they receive a T-shirt, $25 they needed for one scene.

“Chad is an idiot and he There Be Zombies. The boys agree earns them a DVD of the film and “We were actually exact- played a good one. James is un- that was their largest undertaking $50 is a DVD with the behind- ly one dollar over when we were scripted in real life, but when you and it prepared them for this film.

“We learned to not take anything personally and to respect the director and the filming process,” Adams said. “After handling 100 zombies, dealing with a crack addict and working around buzzards, nothing could have fazed us.”

Although the production did not involve preying animals or hallucinating men, it was not a completely smooth sail.

“The first time we went to go film, the actors didn’t show up,” Adams said.

There was also a few firsts and things the boys had to learn along the way.

“We had to learn how to use a dolly track,” Han said. “I was trying to unscrew it and take it apart and Josh was like, ‘No! We can’t put it back together!’ Also, casting and producing is something I’ve never touched. I learned what to look for in actors and to not cast someone without physically seeing them act.”

The team’s hard work will pay off soon; they are in the post-production stage and plan to enter the film into contests, including the Student Television Network (STN) Convention KCBY will be attending in Los Angeles in March.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished,” Brunelli said. “It should probably be our best project yet. I was proud to work with guys just as passionate for film as I am.”

The adults on set also agree with the filmmakers’ quality of work and performance on set.

“My experience on the set gave me hope in the future of our society,” Rohloff said. “That our youth does still have ambition and is still motivated to contribute to the planet.”` The film will soon we produced by their own company Wicked Cricket Studios and be out for the public to watch. In fact, the crew plans to have the Coppell Film Society screen it in the lecture hall. The film should prove to be just like its producers – comical and keeping you on your toes.

“Let’s just say someone gets hurt,” Brunelli said. “And it might not be who you’d expect. That’s all I’ll say.”

Once more into the fray.

Into the last good fight I’ll ever know.

Photos Courtesy of Andrew Patterson

Senior Mason Adams films for Mammoth Affray at the pool, the main location of the short film.

While the students usually remain focused on set, they still had a lot of fun filming their own short film.

20 sports

NOVEMBER 2012

Journey begins for sports seeking to win state titles ’ s l r i g Cow o t d a o r Photo by Rinu Daniels

e t ta

S

Photo courtesy Mary Marshall

Photo by Shannon Wilkinson

(25-13, 25-9, 25-10)

After a season of constant ups and downs, the Coppell Cowgirls volleyball team has regained its spot as the top volleyball team in the state.

After winning the Class 5A state championship last year, the Cowgirls were seen as the team to beat in the class 5A. “Last year we were just happy to be there,” Green said. “We wanted those things, but we didn’t really know what it would to accomplish those things like win the regional tournament and go to state and win state so now it is different. Also now we have some many kids that have been there that having that experience makes us more confident.”

(25-22, 25-23, 25-22)

A loss to Southlake Carroll and San Antonio Reagan during their preseason changed this for the Cowgirls. The went from being ranked first to switching from third to fourth, and a loss to Hebron in their first district match put them at seventh.

After being knocked down to seventh in the state rankings it seems like the Cowgirls would never recover. They stayed in this rank for the rest of their district season. Going into playoffs the possibility of playing teams like San Antonio Reagan, Southlake Carroll and Colleyville Heritage, ranked first through third respectively, was concerning. But one by one the Cowgirls proved that these teams would not take them down again.

The Cowgirls defeated the Grapevine Lady Mustangs,

known for taking Southlake Carroll out of the 2011 playoffs in an upset, and the Midlothian Lady Panthers in three game matches with ease. They took on Hebron, who served them their first and only district, and struggled to keep a lead. Despite being down most of the second set and half of the third, the Cowgirls still managed to pull out a 3-0 win over the Lady Hawks to qualify for the regional tournament.

At the regional tournament, the Cowgirls continued their streak beating the Arlington Lady Colts in a 3-0 match despite rude cheers about recent losses at CHS. After this, the Cowgirls would play the winner of Southlake Carroll and Colleyville Heritage, both of which were ranked higher than the now number five

o t d a g o r ’ s y o n b w i Co v r r u I th ffs

o y a Pl

Alex Nicoll, Stephanie Gross and John Loop

Longview, 41-8

With the first game of the season, Coppell did its school proud. The team started their season off with a 41-8 win in the 13th annual Tom Landry Classic. Senior quarterback Colby Mahon threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns in his first game as the starter after transferring from Bridgeport High School. Senior receiver Cameron Smith caught his first two touchdowns of the year.

“He [Smith] is a playmaker,” Mahon said. “Plays are called to his side and I trust him.”

Photos by Rinu Daniel, Rachel Bush and Mia Ford

Photo courtesy Tim Martin

Hebron

(25-7, 25-6, 25-9)

Sports Editor

(25-22, 25-12, 25-19)

Photo by Rowan Khazendar

Grapevine SAMMY ROBBEN

Arlington

Midlothian

M

r a ac Bi-district Playoffs

Colleyville Heritage (25-27, 27-25, 27-25)

Cowgirls. Heritage took down the Lady Dragons 3-2 in the regional semifinals. The Cowgirls eliminated Heritage 3-0 in the regional finals. Two of the three sets went into extra points as the Cowgirls fought for the Region I title.

Going into the state tournament this weekend, the Cowgirls have not given up a set yet, beating every team 3-0. Though they still have two matches left, the Cowgirls are well on their way to winning their second state title.

The Cowgirls will play Houston Clear Lake in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. Clear Lake has a season record of 32-9 while the Cowgirls have a season record of 47-3. If the Cowgirls defeat Clear Lake they will go on to play the winner of McKinney Boyd and

New Braunfels.

Last year, the Cowgirls defeated McKinney Boyd in a four game match to win their first ever state Championship, and this year they could have to do it again. Just before the Cowgirls go up against Clear Lake, McKinney Boyd will be playing in its own state semifinals.

Coming out of region two, the Lady Broncos will play New Braunfels to decide who will play in the state finals. The Cowgirls will also have to win their semifinals match to move on to the finals.

“We don’t take anything for granted,” Green said. “Just because we did it last year doesn’t mean we will do it again, but we know the work it takes to get there and we are willing to do that.”

In the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs, the Coppell Cowboys (100) will be taking on the Irving Macarthur Cardinals (7-3).

The game is being played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. The Cowboys will have to stop senior running back Jourdan McNeil of the Cardinals. McNeil has been running rampant on defenses all year scoring 21 times and rushing for 1360 yards.

Coppell’s defense is in the top three in the state in points allowed and it has been successful in stopping the run this season.

The problem might arise from Irving Macarthur’s quarterbacks Tyler Petrillo and Sebastian Taylor. They are dual threat quarterbacks that have combined for 14 passing touchdowns and nine scores on the ground.

Allen, 27-24

Flower Mound, 27-18

Playing in their first game since the tragic loss of senior football standout Jacob Logan, the Cowboys played their hearts out for their fallen teammate against the Flower Mound Jaguars. Although Coppell came out on top, things got tight towards the end of the game, when the Jaguars scored a touchdown to narrow the lead to 20-18.

“Our coaches tell us every week before each game that turnovers and pre-snap penalties will end up hurting you,” senior quarterback Colby Mahon said. “We made turnovers and we had pre-snap penalties and that allowed them to get back in it.”

The most-anticipated game of this season for the With just over two minutes to go, senior wide reCowboys ended with a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory ceiver Henry Busch threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to over the Allen Eagles. The victory pushed the Cowboys to senior running back Luke Jenner to seal the victory for the the No. 2 ranking in the state.

Cowboys.

“I am proud of those kids. We had to go 90 yards and make a two point conversion and I just give so much credit to the kids. They had the momentum and we responded.

Just the way they battled at the end gave us the win,” coach Joe McBride said.

In overtime, the Cowboys stuffed the Eagles at the goal line and Allen was forced to kick a field goal. The score stood at 24-21 Allen.

Senior quarterback Colby Mahon hit senior wideout Cameron Smith on a 23-yard strike in the end zone for the game winner.

sports 21

NOVEMBER 2012

Opposing schools extend support in time of tragedy

“Just because we are playing y’all doesn’t mean we don’t care.”

These words, posted on the Coppell Cowboys Facebook page by a Flower Mound student, rang true as the entire North Texas community gathered around Coppell following the death of two students.

The grief felt throughout CHS the week of Oct. 15 cannot be put into words. On Oct. 14, CHS senior Jacob Logan went missing after cliff jumping into Possum Kingdom Lake with friends. Logan, a CHS football star that played both wide receiver and defensive back, was found by divers five days later.

As Coppell students waited anxiously for news of their beloved classmate, Logan, they were hit with another tragedy. CHS senior cross country runner and Silver Spur Jonah Blackwell took his own life on Oct. 16.

The outpouring of love to one another by Coppell students and faculty during this time was truly a beautiful thing to see, but it was love shared by schools in the surrounding area that took

Coppell by surprise.

Just hours after finding out about Logan’s disappearance and just one week after losing four members of the Ledet family, members of the Southlake Carroll football team drove to Buddy Echols Field where students held a prayer vigil, and on Monday red and black filled the Southlake Carroll halls as they honored Coppell.

It was not long before other area schools came together to support the Coppell community through this difficult time.

Flower Mound, who was Coppell’s first opponent since the accident, didn’t hesitate to help us in any way they could despite the fact that it was their homecoming week It started with tweets that hash-tagged “pray for Coppell”, and later in the week flower mound started a prayer chain for Coppell in all their lunches. They ended this week of support in it what would probably be the most emotional game for the Coppell Cowboys.

Before the game even started Flower Mound surprised Cop-

pell with their out pouring of support. Their cheerleaders made signs for the away side of the stadium that read, “this is for JLO” and “the hybrid, the legend, the guardian angel”. After the national anthem both teams observed a moment of silence in honor of Jacob and Jonah.

Even after the Cowboys beat Flower Mound 27-18, their support continued to flow as both teams met in the middle of the field for a prayer led by juniors Solomon Thomas and Gavin McDaniel. Then Flower Mound students tweeted, “Even though it was a loss, this was truly the most amazing homecoming game ever. #goodgamecoppell #thisisforJLO”.

From the Coppell side, Flower Mound was a class act and their willingness to look past their homecoming and come together for Coppell was amazing.

The overflowing support is even evident on social media, where a Stay Strong Coppell Facebook page was made just days after these tragedies. The page has over 8,000 likes that come from 25

Photo by Rinu Daniel

On Friday, Oct. 19, in the Cowboys first game without senior Jacob Logan Flower Mound students gave this sign to the Coppell student section before the game.

different countries, 175 different cities and 45 different languages.

Colleyville Heritage brought a poster that said, “Coppell you are in our prayers” and was signed by the student body. Two players from the Jesuit football team drove to CHS to hand delivered a letter signed by the Jesuit players to coach Joe McBride. Royce City tweeted that they will be wearing the number 21 on their helmets for the rest of the season, and Flower Mound Marcus wore blue

to their home volleyball game against our own Coppell Cowgirls.

These teams proved that even in a state that is dominated by high school football, love and support in a time of tragedy will a l ways come first.

Sammy Robben Sports Editor

Friends Remember...

Photo courtesy Katie Sandfort

Photo by Rinu Daniel

By Seth Slover

Jacob

As a best friend and a brother, Jacob is someone who I knew as well as anyone else in my life. In the wake of his passing, I hold on to countless memories, from playing sports, arguing, and laughing, to just being together and hanging out.

Life is different now without him here, but I can confidently say that while Jacob was here, he lived life to the very fullest.

Whether playing football while pursuing his imminent college scholarship, singing with friends or discussing his faith, Jacob truly lived.

He lived to the fullest, and his life certainly will have lasting effects on friends and family alike. His faith was extremely important to him, and his faith in God certainly caused him to be without fear of death. In fact, right before jumping off the cliff without the lifejacket (an admittedly scary thing to do), Jacob confidently said to a friend, “If God wants to take me home, he’ll take me home.” Jacob did not live life in fear of death.

I have a hole in my heart as I miss my friend, but I take comfort in understanding his own grasp of the fact that death is indeed a part of life, and is not something to fear. Considering his perspective, it is undeniably apparent what a unique person Coppell lost in Jacob. It has been – and will continue to be – a difficult time for those of us who knew and loved Jacob, but the unity and support in the Coppell community has been greatly encouraging. It takes a dynamic, special individual to have the impact on as many people that Jacob has had.

I once could not imagine losing someone as close to me as Jacob. Now, several weeks after the unimaginable happened, I find peace in knowing where he is today and hope in knowing that I will see him again.

By Coleman Armes

How do you describe a best friend, a brother in 300 words? You can’t, but I will try my best to give you a glimpse of who he was to me.

Jacob was a stud, everything he did he was good at. He also did not care what others thought, yet was well liked and respected by everyone. He was always friendly and would introduce me to people completely different than him that he had met and became friends with. Jacob was confident but humble and someone I was glad to know.

Jacob was also on the other hand mischievous. Not the bad mischievous but the kind that would rile you up. He would make you mad but you couldn’t hate him he was just too lovable. He once annoyed my sister so much that he made her say her first cuss word.

As mad as she was, she was laughing as she said it because Jacob had that way with people, his personality was magnetic and you knew he loved you.

I also will remember all the times we would impersonate celebrities, or sing old R&B songs at the top of our lungs, not caring what others thought. I will remember the times we would just simply laugh and I will remember the deep conversations.

I will miss everything about Jacob, but I can be joyful knowing that Jacob lived a life worthy of admiration and is in a better place. He was not some angel or superhero, but he was a guy who genuinely cared about others, would be there for you and spoke up for what he believed in.

Seth and Coleman were childhood friends of Jacob’s.

Jonah

By Addy Buigas-Lopez

As a journalist, I write about topics that have an impact on me; those are the ones worth reading. Having said that, I will warn you that this is a memorial to a person. I warn you because, if you are anything like the people whose lives he touched, you will find yourself loving him before the story is over. This person was one of the most genuinely wonderful people I have ever met and he was one of my best friends. His name was Jonah Durr Blackwell.

Jonah, 18, was as a Junior Varsity runner in cross country and a Silver Spur, as well as a part-time employee at Great Wolf Lodge. Jonah was also a volunteer for Stand Up for Kids and The B Project.

But Jonah was much more than that. When I first met Jonah, he did not hesitate for a second to shake my hand, look me straight in the eye and tell me that I just seemed like an amazing person, and he could not wait to get to know me. I never got so close to someone so quickly. There was a sparkle in his personality, unmatched by any other.

Over the summer, while I was painting my senior parking spot, he came over and stayed with my sister and me, just talking with us for hours. I walked away for a minute and he stayed to talk to my sister, whom he had just met. I got back in time to hear the end of their conversation.

“Rachel,” he said to her, “if you ever need anything, anything at all, I have your back. Just tell me. Even if someone is just picking on you, tell me and I’ll fix it.”

The fact that he would do that, or even suggest that, for someone he had just met, showed me how caring and thoughtful he really was. It was not just

my sister he did that for; Jonah did that for everyone. He had a heart with room for every person he came across.

His heart was not the only thing that made Jonah so special. His sense of humor could always make us groan or roll our eyes, and yet we always welcomed his corny jokes and weeks-old funny stories.

He was always so excited to tell them, that it made you laugh just from his giddiness.

Not to mention his natural habits that made us laugh – his lack of coordination in most sports, his tendency to drag out names into a whine, the way he made smiley faces with a number three instead of a parenthesis. It is these little details that always come to mind when I think of Jonah.

But the one thing that surpasses any of his other characteristics is his smile.

There was not a single time where I saw him without it. It had the power to brighten a room. As soon as someone saw it, a smile would form on that person’s face to match his. He truly seemed like one of the happiest people I knew.

When we were given the news Oct. 16, I couldn’t believe what I heard. Somehow, through the laughter and smiles, no one saw it coming. To this day, there are still times where I can’t grasp the idea that I will never see my Jonah again.

Waves of people gathered October 19 at Valley Ranch Baptist Church for Jonah’s memorial service. Through the service, we realized how important it is for everyone to be loved and cared for and, most notably, how important it is for them to know it. Countless people loved Jonah, but he was not around to see how many people he actually touched; I only wish he understood how much he meant to all of us.

Rest in peace, Jonah. I love you.

Addy was a good friend of Jonah’s

22 sports

NOVEMBER 2012

Stayer maintains top varsity tennis spot for three years Photo by Rinu Daniel

With age comes experience and after ten years of tennis, senior Tyler Stayer has plenty of experience.

With as long as he has been playing, Stayer has created a keen sense for leadership on the court and under all the pressure situations he has developed a calm demeanor for all situations, pressure or not.

played, and when I realized that I was pretty good at it I wanted to keep playing,” Stayer said.

“This happened probably when I became a Super in seventh grade.”

Becoming a Super means Stayer reached the highest level of tournament competition for junior tennis players and won at that level, making him a Super Champ.

As he made the transition from middle school to high school, Stayer immediately made an impact. As a freshman, he was

A s of Oct. 20, the Coppell varsity tennis team was named district champions. Just a little over a week later, the Cowboys earned the title of regional finalists, making a solid run all the way to the regional tournament finals. Under several senior leaders, Coppell has had massive success this season, going undefeated in district play.

Out of all the matches they played, the team has maintained a record of 14-3, a good number of which are sweeps.

In terms of set wins in district, Coppell has outscored opponents, 79-16.

Although every team member has been a large part of the success this year, senior Tyler Stayer has stood out when it comes to leading the team.

Stayer got his start on the court when he was about 7 and has continued since then due to the influence of fellow tennis players.

“Most of my friends

playing the number four spot on varsity and by his sophomore year had taken over the top spot and a leadership role on the team.

“He has always been a leader on the court and always been a critical part of our lineup,” tennis coach Jane Jackson said. “He was able to represent us at the regional tournament every year.”

Individually and as a team player, Stayer has proven to be invaluable. He started his freshman and sophomore year playing doubles and mixed doubles and as he progressed he began taking over the top spot of the boys singles category.

“Tyler brings a lot of determination and class onto the court,” Stayer’s doubles partner Danny Bush, a junior, said. “He has a calm demeanor and a lot of experience.”

Since becoming the top spot, Stayer has provided lead-

TANNER McCORD Sports Writer

Senior Tyler Stayer has been playing tennis since he was about 7 years old. He has earned the top spot on varisty as a leader on the court.

ership for the team on and off the court, helping the team to four consecutive regional showings, and this fall season assisting the team that will go down as the best team in CHS tennis history.

Stayer and the rest of the varsity tennis team traveled to Abilene on Oct. 25 to begin the regional tournament. While there, the team was seeded for the first time ever in regionals, and advanced all the way to the semifinals where they lost a tough match against one of the top five ranked schools in the state, El Paso Coronado.

On the journey to the regional finals, the team faced a huge challenge in the semifinals. Playing against Lubbock Coronado, the Cowboys were one match away from being eliminated, being down nine matches to three.

However, with the high level of leadership and the yearning to win overtaking the whole tennis team, they were able to rally back and win seven straight matches, and in doing so, advanced.

The 2012 fall season, with the help of Stayer and other standout leaders, has been counted as a great success and focus has already been put on the upcoming 2013 spring season.

“Next season is going to be really individualized but I will also be playing mixed doubles with the girls number one (Abby White),” Stayer said.

“Hopefully we will be able to make it all the way to state.”

‘Mary’thon runner meets measure, adds up miles which is really nice because it gives me a chance to clear my Sports Writer head.”

Even with a family and a Math teacher and instruc- full time job, Kemper has still tional coach Mary Kemper has managed to find time to train a lot more skill than numbers. for the many events she has parRunning is just one of Kemper’s ticipated in such as the Houston many talents that she has been Marathon, the Fort Worth Cow doing for most of her life.

Town Marathon, and The SugarKemper graduated from land Half Marathon.

Midlothian High School where “I usually train on Satshe ran cross country and track. urdays,” Kemper said. “I am a In track, she participated in the morning person so getting up 800 meter, the mile and the mile really early is ideal, and I usurelay. ally won’t come “Sometimes back for hours at my coach would a time.”

“I’d like to give us all timers Kemper run another and told us to be has made great marathon. It is memories and back in an hour and we’d take off runhad fun times so difficult but ning,” Kemper said. running and so rewarding.”

After high training.

One school, Kemper race in particuMary Kemper, went on to college at lar stands out.

Texas A&M where “My favormath teacher she didn’t run comite marathon petitively, only for I’ve ever run was the joy of it like she does today. the Turkey Trot on ThanksgivAfter college, Kemper married ing day,” Kemper said. “The fall and started a family where she weather is great to run in, and didn’t have much time to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal tastes so much free time. much better after a six kilome“Getting up and running ter race.” or running at night was reWhile running has seemed ally my only time to be alone to come very effortless to Kemand just think,” Kemper said. per for most of her life, she has “Sometimes I take my dog or run one full marathon where she push my kid in a stroller, but had to overcome a huge chalmost of the time it is just me lenge.

ALLISON ARNOLD

Photo by Rowan Khazendar

“I had a stress fracture in my left foot all throughout the race,” Kemper said. “My only goal was to finish and make it through with as little pain as possible. I ended the race with a time of 4:37.38.

Kemper has also inspired her older sister to get out and start running.

“I never used to run,” said Kemper’s sister Margaret Regan.

“I hated that my little sister was better than me at something so I decided I would give it a try and since then I’ve been running almost every day. At first it was very difficult but I trained myself to the point where I was able to participate in the Turkey Trot. I owe a lot to sibling rivalry.”

Although Kemper has had many years of running experience, she does not think she is quite done yet.

“I’d like to run another marathon,” Kemper said. “It’s difficult but so rewarding. In the meantime, I’ll probably run a few more half marathons.” Math teacher Mary Kemper holds up a photo of her running a marathon in her office. She ran for cross country in high school and still runs for fun to this day.

sports 23

NOVEMBER 2012

Photo by Rinu Daniel

Athletes’ parents compete for spot in game of life TINA HUANG Staff Writer

The crowd is going wild in the stands, and everything you do incites a reaction. You hear your coach and your parents screaming at you. Everything in that moment seems to drag on. Any mistake you make could mean the whole difference between name recognition and anonymity.

Welcome to the life of top high school athletes in the nation.

The odds are unfavorable for playing college sports. Only three to seven percent of students go on to play their

Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas

sport in college. Even fewer students go on to play in a professional league - only around one percent in each sport. Needless to say, playing top-level sports is a competitive business.

An infinite number of factors go into a successful athlete, but in the life of many athletes, one of the most significant factors are the parents behind them.

Junior defensive end Solomon Thomas is one of the many top tier high school athletes in Coppell. He is ranked as the number three recruiting prospect in the state and twenty-fourth in the nation for football (according Scout.com). He has gotten offers from Division I schools such as University of Oklahoma, Stanford, University of Texas Austin, Notre Dame, and Clemson. And like many athletes, he has two parents who are very involved.

“ We make sure to keep [Solomon] grounded and not involved in all the hoopla,” Thomas’ dad Chris Thomas said. “He needs to go home and be able to not think about college and where he is going to commit, and keep him insulated from all the excitement.”

Another thing parents do aside from support and respite from all of the recruiting craziness is making sure that their son or daughter becomes a respectable person as well.

“We also want to keep him real and humble,” Solomon’s mom Martha Thomas said. “[Solomon] has many great aspects to him; people always want to know about football, but that is only one great aspect of him.”

Senior Sarah Agnew is another competitive athlete who recently placed second in a national sand volleyball tournament and has committed to Georgia State University.

“It is my responsibility to support, encourage [Sarah’s] passion, nurture, and protect Sarah,” Agnew’s mom Dana Agnew said. “It means finding the time to drive her to practices [when she was younger] or go to her tournaments and games, which take a lot of time. It is also to truly love her and make sure that she is healthy.”

In the midst of recruiting and athletics in high school, the parent’s role generally is to support them, make sure they are doing all right, and mostly, be willing and able to devote the time that it takes to go on the competitive, exciting journey with their young athletes.

However, the role of the parent changes throughout the athlete’s life. During early childhood, many parents put their kids into sports for fun and socialization. Most parents do not know if they are about to start the long and arduous journey of a high level athlete.

“It is hard to tell what kids want to do because they are so young,” Joe Foster, coach of Coppell Cowboys Select U9 Baseball team, said. “I rarely hear of kids wanting to play at higher levels at this point. My goal right now is just to help them become better players than they were when they first joined.”

Even so, there is a general trend in the competitive athletes of today. The large majority had parents who had put them into sports at a really young age. It

did not matter what sport, and many times it is not the sport that they end up excelling and pursuing a high level of competition at. But, they were exposed to the athletic world at a young age. This being said, rather than just the support needed at the high school level of play, at younger ages, a push is needed.

After the push, it is then the child’s decision and own motivation to pursue a certain sport- most of the time.

“There are parents who try to live through their kids.

I’ve seen some parents who just get way too competitive, like in daddy ball, where the dads are just on the side being vocal and coaching the team from the bleachers,” Dad, Chris Thomas said.

Some parents who go into the process thinking about making their kids successful athletes are going to push harder and be less alright with their kids decisions to focus on something else.

The Thomas family even recalls a situation where a Dallas soccer team had parents who were angered by the coach for not playing their kids enough.

The parents then took financial control of the team and fired the coach.

This is an extreme view of sports that, unfortunately, does happen. But more often, kids are pushed a healthy amount by their parents.

Parents usually take the major matters into their own hands at the younger ages since kids at such an age will not have as great of a view of and perception of what their actions will cause as the parent will.

For example, if a gifted young swimmer wanted to quit swimming one day because he/ she had a bad day, the parent will probably step in to talk the situation out with their son or daughter and in end, the son or daughter will end up not quitting.

intheiropinion

In addition to taking matters into their own hands, level of play is something parents are able to control as well.

“We were losing dozens of kids to select and club teams.

We had a drastic decrease in kids involved in our baseball association,” Coppell Baseball Association President Kevin Marsh said.

What is interesting about this situation is that these teams that he was talking about consist of young kids who were put into the more competitive teams by their parents. As a solution, the baseball association has created select teams that Foster is one of the coaches for.

“We have two sessions of tryout that are open to anyone.

There is an independent evaluation and a coach’s evaluation; most of these kids have had a lot of experience, a lot of them have been playing since around six years old,” Foster says.

Once again it goes to show how often parents sign their kids up for sports at an early age.

Through it all, the parents are involved. In the beginning, it is a push and the parents’ initiative, but as the journey leads on, the parents start to take footsteps back to be seen as figures to be seen as support and help.

They take their athlete to practices, go to their games, etc.

They sacrifice their own time and desires to help their children succeed.

A couple of strides later, they can be the much needed assistance in the recruiting and career process, searching stats on such a job or just help to provide a respite from all that goes on through the day.

Even though the role of a parent changes throughout the course of time, one thing is certain. The role of a parent is very significant in the trek of practices, games, and camps of a respectable, talented young athlete.

[Parents] push you to go to practice, to do your best always and to want to succeed.

Abby White, senior You really just have to have faith that your kids will enjoy it and even though we have sacrifices, benefits are above the losses. We’ve met so many inspiring parents; we’ve witnessed so many miraculous moments.

Solomon Thomas, junior, with parents Martha and Chris

“Who knows who is going to go pro? Everyone wants to compete at the next level, but you just have to take it one step at a time. [The sacrifices] are completely worth it.”

Sarah Agnew, senior, with mother Dana

24 the sidekick

NOVEMBER 2012

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