Volume 25 Issue 2

VOLUME 25

ISSUE 2

WWW.COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM

NOVEMBER 2013

Photo by Regan Sullivan

“Dallas was devastated” Coppell Residents re-open painful memories of JFk AssasSination

CAROLINE CARTER news edi t o r

The rainy morning of Nov. 22, 1963 began like any other. Paul Lorrain was driving to work, Judy Conger was sitting in her homeroom class and Cathy Rohloff was walking around

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Cottonwood gives back

the streets of downtown Dallas.

What appeared to be seemingly ordinary day soon turned into one nobody would ever forget.

At 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, President John F. Kennedy was shot, as his motorcade traveled down Elm Street on a visit to Dallas.

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On that unforgettable afternoon, the world watched as America’s history would forever be changed. While the assassination occurred 50 years ago, memories of Kennedy’s death still haunt America today.

During the fall of 1963, Kennedy was preparing for the

Paramore rocks Verizon Theatre

next presidential election. Kennedy knew the importance of winning Texas, the home state of Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Along with his wife Jacqueline, Kennedy made the trip to Dallas.

To this day, Lorrain, now a

see Kennedy on pg. 12

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Cross Country season comes to close

Cottonwood Creek students turn passions to projects K R I S T E N S H E PA R D e d i t o r i n c h i e f

With crafts, dancing and art projects strewn throughout the school, Cottonwood Creek Elementary looked like a miniature zoo on Friday. However, the perceived chaos that is Cottonwood Creek’s Genius Hour proved to be, in actuality, an innovative system for students to take their education to new levels by par-

ticipating in activities that are catered to their individual interests and passions.

“In a Genius Hour, students are allowed the freedom to work on a project that interests them,” Cottonwood Creek Principal Dr. Andra Penny said. “The things students are doing will simply amaze you. Just walk up to a group of students, and ask ‘What are you working on?’ and they will be happy to tell you.”

graders lessons regarding the human body in her Anatomy classes at the high school on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Photo by Sandy Iyer.

The hallways were bustling with all sorts of activity from guitar practice to bike riding to cheerleading. Each activity has a deeper importance to both students and the community. One fifth grade student was working on developing an app for the app store. Another fifth grade student was teaching a special needs student a dance routine. Even students as young as six made friendship bracelets on a Rainbow Loom to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of North Texas. Not a single student let the hour go to waste.

“We have almost no tardies on Fridays with Genius Hours,” Penny said. “Students simply do not want to miss them. We also have not had any disciplinary issues. Students know that if they misbehave, they might lose the privilege of participating.”

Students were eager to share with visitors about their passions.

During the 60 minute workshop, teachers not only monitored students, but also helped students turn their own ideas into actions.

Serving as mentors, teachers and Cottonwood Creek staff helped

students research their respective topics and learn ways to improve their ideas.

Students polish their skills and expand their minds every time a Genius Hour takes place.

Last year, when the hour existed under a different name, a student with a passion for guitar started playing his guitar in his niche between B and C halls. When another student saw this boy playing music, he wanted to take part in the performances. The boys worked together to learn to play guitar, and by the end of the year, the students were eager to participate in the annual Cottonwood Talent show.

“The crowd at the Talent Show was blown away by these boys,” Penny said. “At the beginning of the year, one boy barely knew how to hold a guitar, but through their time together, they made incredible improvements and shocked their classmates and their parents.”

Though this is the first year for Cottonwood Creek to offer a Genius Hour, the idea for a Genius Hour was not a recent development. The idea has been

evolving and shaping for over five years, since it began as “Colt College”. During Colt College, students are given a “course guide” of different seminars to attend, each taught by a different teacher.

From cooking to choir to crafting, students were allowed to sign up for a course that interested them.

“We found out that our approach to the idea was backwards,” Penny said. “Teachers were teaching their hobbies, and [the teachers and administration] really did not know what the students were interested in doing. This became a hassle to the teachers who had to come up with a new mini-lesson every week. Now, the students come to teachers with the ideas.”

After reading “The Passion Driven Classroom” by Angela Maiers, Dr. Penny and the Cottonwood Creek staff reformed their original system to better allow students to participate in activities they are passionate about.

Whether it is music, service, teaching or football, passions come alive through Cottonwood Creek’s Genius Hour, and an eager and supportive staff is energetic about the project’s future.

Graphics by Josh Martin and Julia Bordonaro

H E N R I I K K A N I E M I s t a ff w r i t e r

Hallmarks of the holiday season, the smell of gingerbread and holly, sounds of bells, wrapping paper and carols and people bustling about shopping for their loved ones can all be experienced early this year at the Holiday House.

The event took place on Nov. 10 at Coppell High School from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“I love to volunteer at the Holiday House because I enjoy feeling like part of the community and getting in the holiday mood,” senior Carina Zhao said.

Vendors at the event sell everything from jewelry to handcrafted Christmas ornaments, house decorations and gifts. Wellknown brands represented in recent years include Vera Bradley, Stella & Dot and Southern Tide, the latter of which was so popular that merchandise quickly sold out. There are also fair style foods

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available, such as kettle corn and a raffle for which vendors can donate items.

Most vendors return from year to year because of the success they experience at the Holiday House, so customers can look forward to their favorite vendors from last year making an appearance. Booths cost $90-$110, depending on size and location.

Many local Coppell businesses also set up shop at the event. Coppell residents Laura Swaldi and Becky Carver typically sell their popular spirit wear, including T-shirts, pullovers, jackets and trailer hitches.

Another local business, DK Jewels, was started by Dana Kearney in October 2001 after she received inspiration from a class in which she learned how to make bracelets with her kids’ names on them.

From there, she branched out to all kinds of jewelry.

“I was staying home with my kids and looking at different

types of businesses to get involved with, like Creative Memories,” Kearney said. “I was just looking to have a little extra income coming in and I’ve always been artsy-craftsy.”

While Kearney has sold her jewelry at office buildings, boutiques, craft fairs, monthly at the Coppell YMCA and from her home, she has also participated in Holiday House for many years.

“Even before my daughters were in high school, I thought it was a great venue, it’s organized and professionally run,” Kearney said. “It’s fun to be a part of the community and see all these people get out and shop. It’s always been a successful day for me.”

Kearney has two daughters, CHS sophomore Tori Kearney and 2012 CHS graduate Lexi Kearney, a freshman at Oklahoma University. A huge factor in her decision to take her business to the Holiday House is that the money raised will benefit Project Graduation, which hosts the after prom party at Main Event.

“The after party provides a smoke free, alcohol free, and drug

free environment,” Holiday House coordinator Shannon Samberson said. “We have a high percentage of the seniors come to it and look forward to it each year.”

Preparation for the Holiday House is a month long affair, with organization beginning in the summer. Samberson communicates back and forth with returning vendors, who have to submit what merchandise they will bring

along with a picture. For Samberson, the weeks of hard work pay off in the end.

“If this party we’re able to provide saves one life, then it’s worth all my time and effort,” Samberson said.

The Holiday House is the perfect place to find a unique, handcrafted gift for friends and family or fair style food for an early taste of the holiday season.

National Honor Society junior Hannah Thorp volunteered at the Holiday House at Coppell High School on Sunday and handed out waters to booth workers such as Beverly Carothers, who was with the Ivy Cottage. Photo by Nicole Messer.

Service in Iraq shapes SRO’s perspective ELIZABETH SIMS enterprise editor

Protect and serve. These two words are often put together, but very few truly know what it means to live these out daily. For student resource officer Ricky Jimenez, these words are the foundation of his job, protecting students and faculty at Coppell High School and serving them to the best of his ability.

Though most see these actions on a day-to-day basis in the hallways, Jimenez was performing these duties long before he even set foot through the doors of CHS. Prior to joining the Coppell Police Department, Jimenez enlisted in the Army Reserves to fulfill a dream of serving in the military while pursuing an interest in becoming a police officer.

“It was something I had al-

ways wanted to do and had the opportunity to do in a way that I didn’t have to commit full time, so that’s why I joined the reserves instead of going into active duty,” Jimenez said. “It was a great opportunity to do something I had always wanted to do but still give me the chance to do police work.

I wanted to have a little bit of both worlds.”

After six months of basic training, Jimenez officially joined the 607 Military Police Battalion in Grand Prairie, Texas. During this time, he also attended the police academy, but those plans were put on hold when his unit was mobilized and deployed in 2003 for Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq before the war officially began. Once the war started, his unit became a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jimenez served as first sergeant for his team of fuel

Ricky Jimenez poses for a photo with journalist Geraldo Rivera

specialists.

“Our job was very crucial because nothing moves without fuel and we supplied the fuel for everything,” Jimenez said. “It was a very dangerous job because we had to haul fuel everywhere we went for all of the missions. Driving a fuel truck, you are a big target.”

Despite the dangers that came with his job, Jimenez wanted to take it on to challenge himself.

“It’s a very challenging job in the military, but in my mind I would always think, ‘Well if I don’t like this I can just do something else’ because you can always change your own ways, but I never did change it because I really enjoyed it,” Jimenez said.

Once his tour was complete, Jimenez went back to the police academy to start over on his training to become an officer. At this time, he switched units and joined the Baker Company 90th Aviation Support Battalion at a joint reserve base in Fort Worth, Texas. Looking back on his experience, fear is the number one thing that stands out in Jimenez’s mind.

“I experienced fear like I never experienced before. It was challenging because as a sergeant I had to hide my fears and help my soldiers carry out their missions and the tasks assigned to us,” Jimenez said. “It’s challenging to function and make decisions when you’re exhausted and far from home and miss your family. It was challenging to keep the morale up, but we pitched in and joked around and made the best of it.”

When Jimenez completed his education at the police academy, he started working on the patrol unit doing the night shift. He did this for several years before he heard about a job opening as a student resource officer in 2008.

Tired of working nights, Jimenez decided to apply for the job.

“I just thought I would give it a shot, and it turned out that I was the only one that applied,” Jimenez said.

He started out at CHS before being moved to Coppell Middle School West for six months.

Jimenez then returned to CHS only to be moved to New Tech in 2010. Finally, he came back

to CHS to stay, where he served as the sole student resource officer until officer Rachel Freeman joined him last year. Working in the same office space, the officers became fast friends, and Freeman could see evidence of his military experience come out in the way he did his job.

“There are very few people who are actually trained to respond to an active shooter situation. Even in law enforcement, although you train for it, if the situation were to present itself, reacting is difficult,” Freeman said.

“There are only two officers in our department that have seen active combat and Officer Jimenez is one of them. When I think about it, if a situation like [Newtown, Conn.] were to occur at Coppell High School, there is not a single other officer that I would want with me because of his experience in a warlike environment.

“Though it may just seem like another day on the job for him, Jimenez has earned the respect of many that work with him, especially principal Mike Jasso.

“I feel that his experience prepared him to be a fine police officer.

He demonstrates a really strong work ethic and he demonstrates a huge amount of dedication to making sure he does his job well,” Jasso said. “I couldn’t be prouder to have him as one of our SROs.” Through their time working t o g e t h e r, Jasso and Jimenez h a v e h a d numerous c onve rs a tions about his experiences, and most r e cently, a huge turning point in his military career.

“I like to consider Officer Jimenez a friend, and there would be times where we

would have personal conversation, just asking about our kids and such. In the context of those conversations, every once in awhile he would say something like, ‘My kids are great but I am not going to see them this weekend because I have reserve duty’,” Jasso said. “Over the course of the two and a half years I’ve been back, I have learned that not only was he in the reserves, but he would mention that his last reserve weekend was coming up. I could not be more proud of him; he is a veteran of war and then he continued to serve our country through the reserves just makes him a great man and a great role model.”

After 12 years of service in the Army Reserves, Jimenez decided to not renew his contract and leave the military. With his last official day being Oct. 17, he looks forward to more time with his family, which he describes as his greatest priority.

“My priorities have changed now. I have a family and two kids and I want to have my weekends free so I can enjoy it with my family,” Jimenez said.

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KRISTEN SHEPARD editor-in-chief

When Crossfit is mentioned, the image that first comes to mind is one of intensity, bodybuilding, commitment and competition.

Through its newest location in Coppell, Crossfit hopes to bring a new level of fitness to Coppell through an energetic staff who believes the new fitness company can help anyone achieve their fitness goals.

At the corner of Moore and Sandy Lake, Crossfit Coppell Central was born on Oct. 1, from the efforts of Coppell resident Todd Szalkowski.

Crossfit Coppell Central is not the only center of its type in the area. Crossfit North Lewisville and Crossfit BOLT Coppell both call the area their home. Despite their close neighbors, the Crossfit Coppell Central staff believes it has a unique audience, and hopes that mothers, especially in Coppell, will be interested in the scheduled, hands on course that Crossfit programs offer.

“Crossfit, as many people know, is very different from gyms like [Texas Family Fitness] and [the Coppell YMCA],” Szalkowski said.

“There are really no machines here, no elliptical, no treadmills and no stationary bikes.

Other than that, three main things set Crossfit apart: our trainers, the community that forms within classes and the training program.”

Szalkowski is an interesting man himself, and carries three business cards in his pocket. As the owner of TGS photography, Szalkowski transformed his hobby of taking photos into a business and in-home studio, where he has served as the professional photographer for the Coppell Theatre and Choir department for numerous years. Secondly, Szalkowski is a Christian missionary, who spreads the story of salvation and the word of God near the Mexico border and in South Sudan. As of most recently however, Szalkowski is proud to boast the title of head trainer and owner of Crossfit Coppell Central.

A family man and father of two, CHS senior Wesley Szalkowski and 2010 graduate Avery Szalkowski, Todd is

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committed to keeping Crossfit Coppell Central an open and encouraging atmosphere.

Szalkowski was introduced to Crossfit in August 2012 by his daughter Avery’s boyfriend Jared Leal, who was involved in the program. Just over a year later, Leal and Avery are engaged, and Leal and Szalkowski are co-trainers.

All the trainers at Crossfit are passionate about achieving results; through commitment and dedication, Crossfit’s trainers have seen more results than many other fitness programs.

Instead of the freedom a standard gym offers, a trainer, who corrects bad form, helps clients maximize their workouts and minimizes their risks of being injured leads all workouts at Crossfit. Because most Crossfit participants attend the same class time, a community forms between members. The typical Crossfit membership is unlimited gym access for a monthly fee. Training programs suggest a minimum of four or five days a week, but this suggestion is modifiable based on participant goals. Morning classes are offered during all days except Sunday at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. For those who prefer to work out later in the day, Crossfit Coppell Central offers classes at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Saturday, the 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. classes are not available.

“We know that Crossfit is different, we call our workouts WODS, or workout of the days,” Szalkowski said. “We are also not in a gym right now.

We are in a what we call a box, there are no machines because every member is their own machine.”

Crossfit classes last one hour. The workouts themselves last anywhere from 20 minutes to as short as two minutes, and each workout is named after a female.

With locations across the nation, Crossfit boasts a reputation of extremity and competition. 160,000 competitors met at the Crossfit games in 2004. Each participant is given a ranking in their age group.

This builds a competitive atmosphere and gives each individual a quantifiable level of fitness. This makes goal setting a part of day-to-day fitness.

Szalkowski is being temporarily assisted by friend

and fellow missionary Keith West. Though West is from North Carolina, he is passionate about the impact Crossfit can have on individuals, and jumped at the opportunity to assist Szalkowski in getting Crossfit Coppell Central up and running. An Ironman marathon finisher and ardent triathlete, West believed Crossfit would be a walk in the park, until he himself tried a class.

“When I showed up at my first Crossfit workout, I thought ‘I can totally do this’,” West said. “[The class] kicked my butt. I was not prepared for the edge Crossfit gave me. I have become such a better athlete and runner from Crossfit.

My mile times have improved, and I have a lot more strength.”

The idea that everyone can benefit from Crossfit is a cornerstone idea for Crossfit as a business.

“Crossfit really is for everyone. My 68 year old mother and a college athlete can be in the same class at one time,” West said. “You probably want to ask, how is that possible?

Every activity is modifiable to age and ability, and a trainer is there at all times to guide you.”

West claims that his mother started Crossfit just recently, and was overjoyed to be able to do a single situp. Even at 68, she is quickly becoming fit. Students at Coppell High School have already taken an interest in the newest Crossfit location. Junior Natalie Arwine joined Crossfit with her mother, and, as a former gymnast, is challenged by the workouts.

“My mother and I usually go to the 6 a.m. class,” said Arwine. “It gives us lots of mother and daughter time. It is a great way for us to spend time together and stay fit. I am looking forward to being in the same shape I was in as a gymnast.”

The Crossfit staff also includes trainers Leal and Paula Vas. Both Vas and Leal have grown through Crossfit to reach their optimum fitness levels. With a reputation for success, a dedicated staff and a location in an already tight-knit community, Crossfit Coppell Central eagerly awaits what the next few months of business will bring.

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Faith

Graphics by Sophie Nauyokas Photos by Regan Sullivan and Alyssa Frost

Students open up about their religious practices CHRISTINA BURKE managing editor

Covered modestly from head to toe, sophomore Nesma Hassan attends JV basketball practice every morning, her custom uniform embracing her Islamic traditions.

In the Muslim community, once a woman has reached puberty, she must wear a hijab as a symbol of modesty. The hijab is accompanied by long pants and long sleeved shirts. Last summer, Hassan was ready to begin wearing her hijab and had to make appropriate adjustments to the way she lived and, particularly, played basketball.

After reaching this new phase of life, Hassan’s greatest fear was having to sacrifice her love of basketball for her Muslim lifestyle.

“I had a 10 percent chance in mind that I might have to quit, but I really didn’t want to because it was something I really loved,” Hassan said. “I was determined to try to find a way to play without being aided at the same time.”

After intently researching, Hassan proposed an idea that her coach fully supported.

“I wanted to keep playing basketball, but I was sort of scared about how I was going to dress,” Hassan said. “They wear shorts and cut shirts, and I wore that last year, but it’s different for me now. I did some research and I got soccer training pants, nike shirts to go under my uniform, and a cotton hijab that would keep me cool during practice and games. It’s worked out really well.”

Hassan’s mother, Sohier Mohsen, saw

the passion her daughter felt for basketball, and was completely behind her decision to play in her modified uniform. Though radiantly proud, Mohsen was initially concerned about how people would react to Nesma’s decision to wear the hijab.

“I thought [Nesma] was going to be worried about being ‘accepted’ on the team, but I was so surprised to see that this did not even cross her mind,” Mohsen said. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.

There are so many stereotypes about the hijab that have arose over the years as the result of people being unknowledgeable of the religion and the significance of the head cover. I was beyond happy to see her team and coaches being so supportive of her decision to start wearing the hijab.”

However, Hassan has received nothing short of respect in sporting her hijab, and wears it with pride, knowing that she is setting an example of respect and dignity.

“When I put [the hijab] on, I noticed a big change,” Hassan said. “People were respecting me more because they knew it was part of my religion. It’s a good feeling to know that a lot of people look up to me. I’ve gotten a few words that people know me around the school because of how I dress modestly, and other hijabies look up to me on how to dress stylish and respectively. It’s a really good feeling.”

Although Islam is not a prominently publicized religion within CHS, Hassan has aspirations to change that in the near future.

“My sister went to CHS,

Taylor Abramson junior

Judaism

Jewish scripture is called the TORAH and is written in HEBREW Some major Jewish holidays are HANUKKAH, PASSOVER ROSH HASHANAH, and YOM KIPPUR Jewish sabbath day is Saturday

and she was always telling me about the idea that we should have a MSA (Muslim Students Association),” Hassan said.

“This is an organization where Muslims could gather together and just talk about their day, problems and stuff like that. In the next year or so, I am hoping to execute that.”

Senior Steven Leach is another student who lives as a religious minority within CHS. Leach practices Mormonism, a branch of Christianity that can be subject to misconception.

“A lot of people get the FLDS (Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) mixed up with the regular LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) because they’re known on reality TV,” Leach said. “Everyone kind of assumes that I have four moms, but we don’t practice polygamy.”

Besides just simply explaining their beliefs, Mormon students live a life dedicated to growing in and sharing their faith. Leach and a handful of other Mormon students at CHS attend seminary every morning before school, and are held to certain standards.

“Mormons are kind of known for having different standards than other people,” Leach said. “For example, modesty is a big standard for girls. Trying not to swear, and to be polite to everyone are just things we strive to do.”

Leach is very open about his religion, and is comfortable with getting questioned about his beliefs.

“There are a lot of times I have to explain myself, but I don’t really mind,”

Leach said. “I like it when people ask me about Mormonism. I would rather people ask me than look up answers from a place on the Internet that’s not actually correct. I love to answer questions about my faith.”

Junior Taylor Abramson knows how it feels to be looked upon differently because of her religion. Abramson practices Judaism, and often finds herself having to explain what she believes.

“If you go back a long way in history, other religions didn’t get along at all, so I feel like sometimes people will give me a look because they are a different religion,” Abramson said.

“When people in my classes find out [that I’m Jewish], they ask me questions. It’s a lot of explaining, but I don’t mind. There has never been an instance that was unbearable.”

As a member of the Lariette Drill Team, Abramson has had instances where religious holidays have conflicted with performances, but her coach and teammates have been very understanding. This year, the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur happened to fall the on the same night as the annual Lariette Spaghetti Dinner.

“Being a Lariette, all of my team members know that I am Jewish,” Abramson said. “Sometimes I get questions about that because every year, I have to miss school for certain holidays that fall on school days. [This year,] I wasn’t at the spaghetti dinner, and I couldn’t perform at the game because I was praying in religious services. It was a big deal, and it’s not something I could have missed.”

Abramson is not at

Steven Leach senior

Mormonism

Mormonism is a branch of CHRISTIANITY was begun by JOSEPH SMITH Their scripture is called THE BOOK OF MORMON They worship at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

all resentful that her fellow Lariettes do not share her beliefs, but instead her teammates respect her on a completely different level.

“Missing practice for religious holidays is something very honorable to do,” junior Lariette head of chaplin Caitlin Nutt said. “She is so true to it, and I think it’s great that she is so into it and can follow through with it because there’s a lot of people that don’t have that ambition. Taylor is one of my good friends, and I like to ask her about her religion, but do it in a respectful way.”

Although there are only a handful of Jewish students at CHS, Abramson stands with anyone who freely expresses their beliefs.

“I know that most the students at this school are Christians,” Abramson said. “Christianity shows in different sporting events, but stuff like that doesn’t really bother me. I’d rather there be people who are voicing their religion than no religion at all because religion is a way that guides your life. If you don’t believe in anything, what morals do you have?”

Faith is a common bond for even the most diverse of students. It is encouraging to know that those who do not share the same beliefs can come together in a mutual respect for one another. That is the beauty of religious freedom.

“It is very important for students and friends to respect all religions and beliefs,” Mohsen said. “Our country is such a beautiful melting pot of different religions and beliefs, and in order for us to maintain this sense of diversity, we have to be able to be acceptive of each others’ beliefs.”

Nesma Hassan sophomore

Islam

Their Holy Book is called the QUR’AN The Islamic prophet is MUHAMMAD They celebrate a holy month of fasting called RAMADAN Girls wear modest clothing and head covers called HIJABS

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E D I T O R I A L

School spirit creates positive environment for sports, community If it is a Friday night, you can bet that you will find most of Coppell in one of two places: at the football game or at the volleyball match.

No matter what season, the Coppell community is always ready to support its fellow Cowboys and bring a positive atmosphere to the games. CHS does not shy away from school spirit and has made the student population tight-knit.

In recent years, students

have found new and creative ways to support the school athletic teams. The Coppell Student Section is known as one of the best in the state; opponents are well aware of the sheer power in the student section to cheer their team to victory. Armed with huge cutouts of the players’ heads, horns, drums and organized chants, the students take this job seriously.

Another way students are supporting the athletes is

through the organized spirit groups, such as the Football Flirts and Courtside Cuties. The designated fan makes the athlete baked goods, wear their designated spirit shirts and attends all the events to support the athlete.

There is alwasys a sense of community among the student body and strong bonds are created when the community comes together to support athletics. It is these sporting events that bring out our pride in our

student athletes and the town they represent. It takes many people to pull off a successful season and in a small town such as this one, everyone plays an important role.

Growing up in a spirited town allows students to appreciate family values and support everything that our small community has to offer. From childhood to senior year, Coppell students are exposed to a high level of pride. Kroger and Wal-

greens sell a variety of school shirt and restaurants in town display posters and calendars of the various high school teams and their schedules. The various sports teams are even featured on local television shows such as Channel 8.

The majority of the Coppell population rallies around the Cowboys and Cowgirls and gives this town the special quality that separates it from other communities.

Salako finds identity as both Nigerian, first generation American “You are a Nigerian Tolu.

Never forget that.”

That phrase has been repeated countless times since I ever stepped foot in the Lone Star State in third grade. I did not understand why I could not attend sleepovers, why I could not participate in the activities like my friends or why I always

seemed like I had the overbearing and strict parents.

It was not until my sophomore year of high school that I fully understood why my parents were so adamant about drilling that phrase into my head.

At one point I was embarrassed of being Nigerian. I

Father Gabriel Salako and Mother Deedee Salako holds CHS 2010 graduate Dami Salako in home in Evesham, England. They had moved from Nigeria to England two years prior. Photo courtesy Deedee Salako.

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called myself a full American because I wanted to fit in and be like my friends. Being American was “cool” compared to being Nigerian and I was scared of being deemed that “weird, foreign kid” in a third grade American classroom.

With the crumbling British-adopted educational system in Nigeria in the 1970s and the years it took my parents to receive a Visa to come to America, my parents never took any opportunity for granted. With an outstanding educational system and unparalleled freedom, the possibilities are endless in America; however, that was not the case for my parents.

“Living in America is a privilege,” they said. “After all the suffering we have been through, you can’t go off behaving like you do not know where you come from.”

In essence, I was part of the “first generation.” I am the first generation of my family to go to school in America and to get my citizenship. I am the first generation to apply and hopefully attend an American university. I am the first generation to live the American dream that my parents had always hoped

for when they were younger.

My parents lived in a city called Kaduna where my mother had to take a boat to university and my father was sent to a boarding school 250 miles away from his home at age 11. Their schools did not offer luxuries and did not motivate students to think “outside of the box.” It was strictly academic. If you struggled in school, you would most likely struggle for the rest of your life. Teachers were never lenient and kicked you out of class if you failed a test. They lived in a country where they were taught how to cook and clean by age six and their only free time was playing soccer in the sand with no shoes.

Fortunately enough, I was not born in Nigeria in the 1960s, but my parents’ stories motivate me to do something more with my life. Being the first generation to receive American citizenship and schooling in America, it gives me even more motivation to strive to do my best. It is unheard of for a student in Nigeria to be on an amazing newspaper staff and a competitive figure skater, but my parents worked so hard for me to live the American lifestyle while having

the same Nigerian values. After everything they have been through, I cannot imagine living my life not honoring Nigerian values, regadless of how long I have lived in the states.

Looking back, I remember how stupid I was for wanting to be an American so badly. No matter how I tried, or do try, I will always be a Nigerian and will never 100 percent fit into the American society and culture. I am not saying that I deem the Nigerian culture as better than the American. I am saying that I should not be ashamed of being a minority in a country of opportunities. However I am no longer jealous of those who were fortunate enough to have a long line of relatives schooling in America: I am the first generation. I am a Nigerian. And I will never forget that.

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

Honest truth: Girls deserve more respect from guys “Guys are oblivious.”

When one of my female friends was venting to me about how a guy she had a crush on never noticed the “signs” she gave, I took offense to it. I thought to myself, “Not all guys are that incompetent. We are smarter than girls give us credit for.” I told her this, and all I got back was a sarcastic smirk that seemed to say, “Oh you poor, ignorant boy.”

Then I realized she was right.

Guys are truly unaware of how they affect girls.

What they do, or more importantly, what they do not do, has a much greater impact on girls than most boys realize.

Graphic by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

Growing up with an older sister, I was exposed to the female feelings, insights and incidents that most boys are not privileged, or sometimes cursed, to see. I have seen first-hand how the things guys say impact girls. There were nights that I would hold my sist e r as she cried into my shoulder about the guy who just broke up with her or the guy who led her on and then gave her the cold shoulder.

We guys are misleading, we are confusing, we are oblivious and we need to learn what we are doing that makes girls

feel insignificant or unworthy.

Now I am not saying all girls feel like this. I know many girls personally that are very independent and do not rely on anyone or anything to determine their self-worth. In fact, a majority of girls that go through these tough trials come out stronger and self-reliant.

Not all girls are as strong as this however.

It is difficult to actually know how the things we say and do affect girls. I get it. Boys have more influence on girls than we realize.

I always presumed that girls control guys since they are the ones that refuse dates, break a guy’s s e l f - c on f i dence and reject any advances at all.

Howe ve r, while

those a r e s ou n d a n d true, we have an even more significant impact than we realize.

Girls can only reject guys if we ask them out. Girls can only hurt us if we put ourselves out there. Girls can only refuse us if we show interest in them.

Girls usually have to wait for us to instigate any type of interaction.

Realizing this, I hope, will change how some of you boys treat girls.

Now for a few common mistakes that can alter a girl’s self-worth: These suggestions cover only a small fraction of what guys can do to help raise a female’s self worth (or at least not crush it). But this is a two-way

street.

There are many times that we, as males, honestly do not do anything wrong and the “foul” or misunderstanding is completely the girl’s doing. So girls, please do not confuse flirting with being nice. High school guys are usually cast as the callous, unemotional villain in relationships, with good reason, but we are capable of sincerity.

Also, please do not over analyze everything we say. Not everything should be taken to heart and picked apart word by word.

A guy’s actions can harden girls, make them guarded, make them angry at the world and make them feel less than what they really are. It is horrible what we do.

I have neglected to see that how I have acted has upset girls.

It is one part of my personality that I want to change. I still have a difficult time understanding why so many girls let this keep happening to them and I hope one day I will learn.

Meanwhile, girls face so many pressures from media and other girls that our input is not necessary and can be easily avoided, so why should we add onto their burden?

Being aware of how girls act around you can be a chance to boost their self-esteem. If a girl acts differently around you than she does other guys, there is a strong chance she is attracted to you. Do not say, “Oh, I thought she acted that way with every boy!” If she talks to you constantly, she probably is interested in you. If she tries to sit next to you on the bus or join your group for projects, yep you guessed it, she more than likely has feelings for you.

This is a call to action. Be the guy that girls can rely on to be honest and be conscious of what you do and how girls treat you.

Personally, I would just like to apologize for my actions and for the actions of every guy that has ever hurt a girl. Girls are not perfect, but most of the time they deserve better than what we give.

Guys, this is the honest truth.

Nicoll's top four

DO'S AND DON'TS

1

for guys

Be careful of what you say

Any comment you make can be and is usually analyzed by girls. Even the simplest thing as just commenting on what clothes you like on a girl can change how girls dress. If a girl likes you, they will usually want to be with you and if you say something that makes them think you will view them as more attractive to you, most will change guy.

2

Do not lead girls on

3

Always be honest to girls

4

Do not be immature

A L E X N I C O L L staff writer

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COMMUNITY SERVICE should students get incentives for work?

pro

Without fail, when I am signing in to volunteer at Christian Community Action the first words I hear are, “Have you signed your name in the court mandated service log?”

The first time I heard it I was surprised that they assumed I was doing community service as a punishment, but I have since learned to expect and even understand where it comes from. I do not blame the CCA staff for inferring I was forced to be there because that is often the case for teens, who need incentives such as court exemption or extra credit to inspire them to help their community.

Incentives take away from the selfless aspect of community service, but this does not make a difference when the end result is the same. The homeless are still benefitting regardless of what motivation brought a student to the shelter in the first place.

National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and other organizations’ purposes are to bring students together to make an impact on their local community.

Though some participants only join such organizations to add to their resume, it still accomplishes this goal.

Students are active at their church, animal shelters, the North Texas Food Bank and countless other volunteer organizations. They may not want to be there, they may be counting down the seconds until it is over, but they are still helping someone in need.

In addition, at Coppell High School these organizations are a stepping stone for students to inspire them to take action in their community.

Once students are exposed to the experience, they may be influenced to go even further on their own time.

The use of incentives is a necessary evil; without them, we would see drops in the number of students who complete community service. Take NHS for example. There are over 300 students in the organization at Coppell High School alone, each of whom completes 16 to 20 hours of service each school year depending on their grade level. If we did not have NHS, a good majority of these students would not have either the opportunity or the motivation to volunteer.

Obviously, not everyone needs

Graphics by Sophie Nauyokas

Senior Michael Struffolino mows grass at one of nine community service sites during Valley Ranch Baptist Church’s annual mission trip. Photo courtsey of Candice Clark. incentives. Many people find enjoyment in volunteering and some pursue issues that are close to their heart.

However, there is never a time when a person does not receive anything in return for their service. Is it not the case that someone gets “rewarded” for their service when it boosts their self-esteem, self-worth or makes them happy?

We are all awarded with something from completing community service, tangible or not. Incentives are simply a material way to achieve the same objective that all community service organizations have.

Some schools around the country have even made community service a requirement for graduation.

While this may be a bit extreme, organizations like NHS are the happy medium. It is still voluntary to join and students know what they are signing up for.

In the end, the point is that we are spending our time uplifting or helping someone else, in spite of what persuaded us to do so in the first place.

My small black knit gloves refuse to let the blood flow through my fingers since I refuse to buy new ones for the five days that Texas has remotely cold weather.

I check my phone: 42 degrees. I wanted so desperately to go home.

It was the day before Thanksgiving and I remember how annoyed I was that I had to wake up at 6 a.m. during a school break.

“I’m not even getting any sort of credit for this. I want to go home,” I said to my dad.

I remember the stern look my father gave me: the “you-better-shutyour-mouth-and-help-the-homelessand-stop-being-a-little-brat” look.

There is a line of people waiting outside the door of the shelter, all hoping to be fed that November morning.

We open the doors and hundreds of

National Honor Society junior Hannah Thorp volunteered at the Holiday House at Coppell High School on Sunday and handed out waters to booth workers such as Beverly Carothers, who was with the Ivy Cottage. Photo by Nicole Messer. people soon fill all the seats in the cafeteria. Young and old, families and individuals, they could all smell the mashed potatoes, chicken and crackers that my church

con

group had prepared.

As I gave the plates to each person in line, I saw their smiles widen. I heard hundreds of “thank you’s” and “God bless you’s” from these strangers, and as the people began to flow in, I forgot about my numb fingers and the desperation of wanting to go home.

I had made these people’s morning and I soon realized that bringing joy to these people’s morning was more rewarding than getting frivolous NHS hours or any sort of credit for that matter.

I was sacrificing my time in order for these hundreds of people to have some sort of sustenance for the day, and I could not see why I would want anything in return.

Coppell kids are notorious for taking their everyday lives for granted. These kids automatically believe that anything they do that may put them in any slight inconvenience should automatically be given some sort of reward because of it. But this should never be the case.

Community service is not about how many hours one can turn in for NHS or towards exemptions.

Community service is about selfless giving in hopes of touching people’s lives. Students should learn to feel inclined to help the less fortunate and not automatically assume that they must get some sort of benefit from it.

Coppell students are already given so many opportunities and they should be moved to help the less fortunate regardless of any sort of incentive.

Coppell students should participate in community service without incentive because life is not all about doing things for the reward, but for participating in such activities to foster a more altruistic character.

Even if it is 42 degrees outside and the tiny gloves that you bought five years ago are cutting the circulation from your fingers, those minor inconveniences should not make students believe that they have a right to be recognized for helping others. Promoting incentives is not helping students foster a character of giving and students essentially need to realize, as cliché as it may sound, that giving is always better than receiving.

Info from Youth Service America and About.com.

HENRIIKKA NIEMI staff writer

8 opinions

T O L U S A L A K O editorial page edi t o r

New freshman center key to alleviating overcrowding All of a sudden you find yourself in a vast and unfamiliar hallway. The looming walls are closing in and fear is filling your mind. As a bell rings, waves of hundreds of students come rolling in like an unstoppable tide, all you can think about is how you want to be anywhere but here.

What is this? It is high school.

Unfortunately for some freshmen, high school can be a frightening and dreadful experience. I was a freshman once too, and my experience, although not too unpleasant, did not go the way I imagined.

The main reason why some freshmen at Coppell High School have such a tough time adjusting and finding their place is because of how the school system is set up. Coppell ISD only made plans for three middle schools and two high schools, CHS and New Tech High@Coppell. No one could have anticipated the overflow of students wanting to attend CHS. One of the main issues at CHS is overcrowding, with all four grade levels having a magnitude of 650 plus students. With students arriving in Coppell from in-state and out-of-state, the cur-

Graphic by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

Information courtesy Coppellisd.com

rent ninth grade population and future freshman classes are suffering the consequences. Additions of new neighborhoods, such as the Cypress Waters development and other neighborhoods like the ones on the north side of Sandy Lake Road, add to the influx of students in the ninth grade class.

There are only so many spots available for students in the education system in CISD, and it makes me sad to think that some freshmen do not get enough personal attention and do not adjust well to the high school life. So, I propose we make a change.

The best way to accomplish this goal of solving overcrowding and other educational problems is to split up the grade levels. Instead of having the traditional four grade levels making up the high school, we should have sophomores, juniors and seniors in one building, and freshmen in their own building. Having a freshman center in Coppell would offer a plethora of benefits to both the students and the administration.

Instead of being moved from eighth grade straight into a large high school full of 3,000 students, eighth graders should be transferred directly to the

freshman center. Here, they can learn without the distractions of the busy-bee high school, and they get a chance to form tighter bonds with their fellow students and teachers. Freshman students will get more specialized attention since their teachers will only have classes of ninth graders.

Another benefit of a ninth grade center would be the adjustment process. Eighth grade students would not have such an abrupt change by going straight to the high school the way it is set up currently. Students would not just be dropped off at the high school on their very first day with a brown sack lunch, butterflies in their stomach and a “Good luck!” from their mom or dad.

Having a cousin who lives in New Jersey and went to a personalized freshman center, I have seen firsthand the undeniable positive outcomes of having this type of school system. He was able to make friends and get to know his teachers on a personal level, instead of just being placed into a big pond of unfamiliar faces.

Neighboring school districts such as Carroll ISD and Lewisville ISD have established freshman centers, or combined ninth and 10th

grade centers. If other districts have successful centers for their ninth grade classes, why should we not give it a shot?

Some people might argue that this freshman center will cost too much money or that it is “isolating” the students, but this could make students’ lives less complicated and confusing.

A ninth grade center may be the best decision for Coppell. If parents in Coppell are willing to put in the investment, their children could very likely receive desirable outcomes.

Every parent wants the best for his or her child, especially when it comes to education. So why not take a leap of faith and decide to create a center for ninth graders? With change comes unease about the outcome, but how will we know what could have been, if we never try?

SUMMER CRAWFORD staff writer

Less followers, more perspective one year later One year ago if you asked me what my priorities were, I would answer with a blank stare and an obvious tone “Twitter followers and my hair care products”. A year ago if you asked me who the most important person in my life was, I would answer Damon Salvatore from the show “Vampire Diaries”. A year ago, my father unexpectedly passed away after his long battle with drug addiction, and my priorities forever changed.

Oct. 21, 2012 I came downstairs prepared for a normal Sunday morning. “Desperate Housewives”, a little Twitter scrolling and the looming pressure of homework were all that consumed my mind. Everything in my realm was normal. As my mother broke the news, she held my hand and told me that life was about to change. Her voice trembled, and through the tears she delivered the story of his death.

But I did not cry. I simply sat, and began to feel as if I was suffocating as the silent suffering began.

Dad and I never had a normal relationship by any standard.

My father struggled with drug addiction for the majority of my 17 years of life. I could never quite grasp the concept of a man picking drugs over his daughter, let alone his family. Bitterness bred in my heart after all the missed recitals and father/daughter

dances, and all of my important questions about dating and life were answered with an empty seat marked “Dad”.

In place of my father was a consuming monster of disappointment. He ignored me, so as I got older I ignored him right back.

Subconsciously I built a wall, and turned away from the important things in life because quite frankly it was just easier to worry more about the status of my hair than it was to wonder about whether my father loved me.

I figured I would always have the opportunity to make up with him. The way I saw it, I would turn 25, we would have a pow-wow and all our problems would be solved. After this opportunity was yanked from me, I stared in the face of guilt and wallowed in the heavy “what if s” that come along with grief. I have never experienced greater pain than I did in those few months, but the pain I went through turned in to the most rewarding wisdom.

As I poured over the last memories I was able to collect with my Dad, I was able to really examine the condition of my heart. It was so easy for me to live immersed in minute activities, using them as sound mufflers to the noises of life. But this situation ripped off my muffs and exposed the world for what it was, and I could no longer even pretend that

Senior Mabry Culp is pictured at ages 16 and 6 embracing her dad, Bruce Culp, at her home in Coppell. Her father died unexpectedly a year ago. Photo courtesy of Mabry Culp. the little tasks were relevant. fying tune of love. Each Tuesday me up in a wonderful place. The Suddenly the bigger ques- of a new month you can find me way I see it, my father left this tion at hand was not how frizzy at a booth in Steak N’ Shake hav- world with a challenge to me: do my hair looked, but did my little ing fries with my little brother not live wrapped up in the conbrother know I loved him? Did talking about life. Things like this dition of your hair, but the conheart. my friends know how much they are what makes life worth living dition of your meant to me? Did my mother to me. Grades are important, and know how highly I thought of her? every day tasks have their place, The answer was enough to send but nothing is more important to sharp chills of reality through me. me than showing those around The cliché that love is the only me just how incredible they are. thing standing at the end of the I suffered through a huge day could not ring truer and now disconnect with my father. I never I know why it is a cliché. showed him love, and now I am The beat of my drum is no left in his wake wondering what M A B R Y C U L P longer representative of shallow could have been. Though this business manager distractions, but the deep satis- truth is cold and hard, it has set

opinions 9

Sidekick members experience life as band students Student Life Editor Jena Seidemann and Staff Writer/Photographer Mark Slette joined the Coppell High School Marching Band as they journeyed to Marcus to support the football team.

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5 1. On Oct. 25, the Coppell Band practices its show entitled Fury: The Music of Dimitri Shostakovich.

2. Senior Zach Welke marches at the front of the line during the band’s performance.

3. Senior Sydney Owens performs with the band during their competition performance.

4. On Oct. 25, sophomore Amy Reed, plays the trombone during the football game against Marcus.

5. Junior Jeremy Goad plays the gong in full band practice before their major competition.

10 student life

J E N A S E I D E M A N N student life editor

The Friday 3:50 p.m. bell signals the end of the school week for many, but for the band, it starts a timer to race off to the band hall. At 4 p.m. sharp, rehearsal starts.

A never-ending line of 350 band students quickly grabs their instruments, water jugs and other paraphernalia to the football field. Rows and rows of empty instrument cases lay next to the stadium fence as rehearsal takes place.

Over and over again, for an hour, the sound of the metronome constantly ticks as band director Scott Mason directs from atop the bleachers, microphone and all. Precise movements and footwork define the rehearsal along with the word hustle, which is bellowed out before every new sequence so that bad members get to their spot. If someone is not fast enough, they are wasting precious time and that cannot be afforded.

At 5:04 p.m., the band ends rehearsal with the fight song and hustles to the band hall to get what they need for the game. Instruments are loaded upon the 18-wheeler, and at its best, logistics, the parent volunteer instrument loaders, can pack all 300 some odd instruments in around 30 minutes.

Inside the band hall, uniforms are hung neatly upon a plethora of racks with charts telling which uniform belongs to which person. After everyone has donned their jumpsuit and have pick up their coats and pants, each section lines up in an arc and stays in the same attention position until Mason is done with his speech. He stresses how “every single person matters” and calls for synchronicity. Discipline could be an accurate description of this situation.

No wonder this band won fifth in state last year.

“If everyone marches perfectly but one person marches out of step, it makes everyone look wrong,” junior clarinet Chandler Webb said. “It makes you realize how many people depend on you, so band is independent and teamwork at the same time.”

After being dismissed, sections load the nine buses, and when 5:45 p.m. rolls around, the beginning to a long night will have begun.

Once they reach Marauder (Goldsmith) stadium, everyone is orderly lined up and they file

into the stands. It is game time.

At away games, the band is in a different environment. This game, the band across the field is state champions, Flower Mound Marcus.

“This is going to be like a battle of the bands,” senior drum major Kristen West said. “[However] the hardest part [of being at an away game] is that you are on the other side. Sometimes the other students spit on us.”

With each kickoff, all instruments are raised and then simultaneously brought down after the kick. While everyone else in the stands will be glued to the main attraction, the football game, the band will provide the background music.

From afar, the music sounds as one synchronized piece as it should, but by sitting with the band, one can hear instrument that plays in the certain piece like the flutes in the left ear and the clarinets in the right.

Supporting the football team since the beginning, the CHS band enthusiastically cheers on their team in rain, shine, win, loss. During breaks, drumline plays a beat while the rest of the band shakes the stands with dance moves like the sprinkler or the lawn mower. The atmosphere is of unity and lightheartedness, something that is refreshing in an ultra-competitive and tense atmosphere sports can create.

Roughly 10 minutes before halftime, the band makes its way down to the field. Everything they have been practicing for the last week is about to be shown to both Coppell and Marcus.

Ready, set, go.

From atop of the stands, band could look like a bunch of ants making nice patterns, but from field level, every move is in sync and precise. Looking at their feet, each step is done in unison thanks to the drum major’s directing and the drum line’s tempo. At field level, watching the band feels as if you are part of the performance; it is magical, captivating and awe-inspiring.

For the next half, songs are still played and the atmosphere is even lighter now that the important part of the night is done with.

During this time, band carries out some unknown and fun traditions. For example, after leaders of each band meet and learn new things about each other and exchange gifts. After they meet, leaders from Coppell introduce the other band members. In response to their name, their instrument, dating status and other facts, in unison, the CHS band

replies with phrases such as “hey Steve, that’s unfortunate,” and boos and hoorays depending on if the person is single or not.

Along with its tradition of excellence and discipline, band also has big and little sisters similar to Lariettes. If you look at the back pocket of their pants, you will see decorations done by the little or big sister just like senior overalls.

“When my first kid went through band, it was nice having the upperclassmen look out for the underclassmen,” Coppell resident and band parent Mary Hill said.

These traditions, amongst others unite the 350-person group into a tight knit family. After the game is finished, the band loads back up and heads home.

Webb, who was not in band freshman year, is very happy with her choice to join the program.

“It is really time consuming and hard work, but compared to freshmen year, I am a lot happier because the people are so cool,” Webb said.

Once everything is returned and put away, band members make their way to another tradition, queso.

It is just around midnight and band members are showing up to junior band member Alley Mason’s house for their weekly queso and social hour. Five or six crock pots of queso and bags of chips awaited the hungry crew.

Pods of students sit together talking, playing cards and munching on the queso. They also watch Kim Possible because it is a way to “relive” their childhood. It is almost an expectation to have more than one helping of queso.

Just before 2 a.m., band members start filling out the door. After a hard weeks work and performance, they must go home to rest for the weekend and be prepared to do the same next week.

Scan to see the rest of the story and video that goes with it on coppellstudentmedia.com.

Swaldi, Carver “round up” T-shirt sale sales SUMMER CRAWFORD staff writer

Ever wonder where both students and parents are getting their one-of-a-kind spirit apparel that they wear to various Coppell High School sporting events?

Well, now you can put the name with a face: Spirit Round-Up is run by Coppell residents Laura Swaldi and Becky Carver.

When Swaldi moved to Coppell from Southlake in 2004, one of the first things she noticed was there was not any spirit wear. Back in Southlake everyone donned green, and Swaldi jumped at the opportunity to bring that same spirit to Coppell with the help of a long time friend.

“I called Becky Carver, who I went to college with, and asked her if she would like to start up a business with me,” Swaldi said. “I knew that Becky would be a good business partner because Becky likes to dress up and wear all the fun stuff, whereas I tend to be interested in the business aspects like paperwork, designs and ordering.”

Swaldi wanted to amp up the sense of spirit and community in Coppell by supplying people with creative spirit wear. Whether it is coming up with a new style of shirt or distributing her current shirts to the residents of Coppell, Swaldi is always on the move, looking to take spirit to another level. Her inspiration comes from online research on popular shirt designs, talking to high

school kids, looking for ideas at sporting events or just creating her own designs.

“Coming up with new designs every year is the hardest thing for me because I have to think about what people want to wear, not only what the parents want to wear, but also what the kids want to

wear,” Swaldi said. “It is stressful, but at the same time it is fun. My degree is in biochemistry, and this was letting me be really creative.”

Setting up a Facebook page and a Twitter account was the first step towards communicating with customers and promoting her products. Both social media websites help to reach a larger target audience and make the Coppell community aware of Spirit Round-Up. However, many customers have started using their cell phones to place an order, and after a couple of weeks they come

by Swaldi’s house with a check to pick up their spirit wear.

Junior Caroline Rogers purchased her own Swaldi shirt after hearing about the company in middle school through Facebook.

Rogers went to Swaldi’s house to show her the shirt she was interested in buying. About two weeks later, Rogers had her shirt and a smile on her face.

“I like all the shirt options available because they are so cute and are unique and dif ferent from any other type of shirts.

I like h o w there a r e many

designs to choose from and how there are tank tops, short-sleeve shirts, long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts,” Rogers said. “It is neat how people just show up at her house. She sets dates for people to come to her house, or you can just walk in. Her door is always open.”

With Coppell being a fairly small community full of tightly knit residents, it is easy for Swaldi to utilize her home as a storage place for her products and a pickup location for buyers. If you pass by the Swaldi house, chances are you will see all sorts of customers going in and out of the front door.

“It doesn’t bother me at all when people come to my house. I am kind of an open book,” Swaldi said. “What you see is what you get. If it doesn’t work out for me at a specific time, I will tell whoever it is to come by at another time. I like to have control of that.”

From orders flooding the Swaldi house to long nights spent scrambling and setting up for upcoming sales or events, Spirit Round-Up deals with all types of situations, and balancing the role of a mother and the leader of a demanding company is not an easy feat for Swaldi. She always sets time aside for her three children, one of whom is senior Holly Swaldi, and makes sure her number one priority in life is not her company, as important as it may be.

“My kids always come first, and anything that they do comes before my company. I try to arrange my schedule with the comp a n y around m y

family’s schedule. I never am not available or can’t participate in whatever activities my kids are involved in,” Swaldi said.

Holly plays a major role in the company, helping out as much as possible and even gives input on the designs her mother is working on. She helps with the commu

This month, Swaldi and Carver’s merchandise was sold at Holiday House. The most popular T-shirts are their spirit jerseys and neon shirts. Photo by Nicole Messer. nication aspect of the company by posting on the social media pages when there are new sales or new designs. Holly aids in the ordering process since the main customers are high school and middle school students.

“She will show me her designs, tell me all her ideas and ask for advice. It is nice because I can help suggest things because I know what kids like since I am a high school kid. Sometimes whenever she is starting her sales, people will text me and will come to me, so it becomes work for me too because I have to help her sell shirts,” Holly said.

The long journey from 2004 to 2013 for Spirit Round-Up has been a winding road full of joy and positivity. In addition to wanting to bring more spirit to Coppell, Swaldi and Carver help out the community by donating percentages of their sales to booster clubs and organizations, even donating some of their apparel to charity organizations.

To be able to see how Spirit Round-Up has impacted Coppell is truly an astonishing accomplishment for Swaldi. Working side by side with her close friend Carver is a lot of fun for Swaldi.

One of their favorite things to do that shows their goofy side is driving through the CHS parking lot after athletic games and seeing hundreds of people decked out in their multi-colored or neon shirts.

“It is great working with Becky because we are like sisters and have a lot of fun running the company. It was not about becoming a business, it was more

about being a part of Coppell,” Swaldi said. “Our company brings more spirit to Coppell.

When you show up at a game and there are 500 kids in neon tees, it is amazing. It encourages high school students to come together as a community and to show spirit for our team.”

With the sole purpose of having fun and improving Coppell as a whole, Swaldi and Carver have left their mark.

There is always something new to look forward to from these two passionate women.

“We will continue the same process until we are not having fun. When it becomes too much work and not enough fun, that is when we will stop.

Neither of us do this for the money. It has never been about the money,” Swaldi said. “It has been about having fun with each other and having fun with the community. We know the people that come over, we know their kids, and it is about having a good time.”

With sales and popularity of new designs rising to an all new level, Swaldi’s and Carver’s shirts have transformed the amount of spirit in Coppell from virtually non-existent to a crazed hype. Swaldi has made her wish of creating spirit in Coppell come true. Through hard work and determination, Spirit Round-Up has proven to be a source of positive growth.

With plans to make a website, Swaldi and Carver are anxious to get started on their next line of shirts.

student life 11

Photos by Regan Sullivan

50 YEARS LATER

Experiencing Kennedy’s fateful trip to Dallas still resonates in Coppell continued from pg. 1 Dallas were allowed to miss school to witness his arrival. The rainy morning of Nov. 22, 1963 began like any other. Paul Lorrain was driving to work, Judy Conger was sitting in her homeroom class and Cathy Rohloff was walking around the streets of downtown

Dallas. What appeared to be an ordinary day soon turned into one nobody would ever forget.

At 12:30 p.m., President John F. Kennedy was shot as his motorcade traveled down Elm Street on a visit to Dallas.

On that unforgettable afternoon, the world watched as America’s history would be for-

ever changed. Though the assassination occurred 50 years ago, memories of Kennedy’s death still haunt America today.

During the fall of 1963, Kennedy was preparing for the next presidential election. Kennedy knew the importance of winning Texas, the home state of Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Along with his wife Jacqueline, Kennedy flew to Dallas.

To this day, Lorrain, now a Coppell resident, still has vivid memories of the Kennedys’ visit to Dallas.

“I was working at 6000 Lemon Ave, which is basically next door to Love Field, the airport where they landed,” Lorrain said.

“It was about lunch time, so as the limos drove down Lemon we all went out on the sidewalk to see them. They waved of course.

Hard to believe but I distinctly remember the pill box [hat Jackie was wearing]. Mrs. Kennedy was thought to be the epitome of class.”

Clad in her iconic pink Chanel suit, first lady Jackie Kennedy

brother was concerned. As soon as we got back to the car and turned on the radio, we heard the news, ‘The president has been shot’.”

Chaos erupted in Dallas and quickly spread across America.

No one knew who could be the cause of such a tragedy.

“After the assassination, some people, or at least me, thought the [Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles] might be on the way,” Lorrain said. “I left work and went to the school to get my children thinking by golly we were going out together. I was glued to the radio for the rest of the day. I didn’t know what to think.”

Adults were not the only ones shocked by the assassination, the youth of America was

shocked as well.

“The news came when I was a senior high school at a school in Indiana, and I heard of the assassination when the principal came over the loudspeaker,” Conger said. “The whole room went to total silence, and many of us were crying quietly. School was closed Nov. 25, 1963 so that everyone could see a TV. This was several years before there was a TV in every classroom.”

Like Conger, Pete Wilson Jr., who was a sophomore at CHS during 1963, recalls hearing the news over the intercom.

“All I remember was being in the school building when the principal put the radio on the intercom and we listened,” Wilson said. “I sort of remember seeing the newscasts and funeral on TV,

but even that is foggy. I know people were taking note, but like myself, people sort of went on with their daily lives.”

Following the shots, Kennedy was rushed to Parkland Hospital, just 10 minutes away from Dealey Plaza. After he was given his last rites, Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m.

“Then we went to a little deli, and the radio was on,” Rohloff said. “The entire deli was silent, and then the announcement came. The president is dead. It was totally unbelievable.

Everyone was glued to their TVs and radio following the assassination just waiting for new news to come out.”

Following Kennedy’s death, a whirlwind of events ensued.

Hours later, Johnson was inaugu-

had a number of incidents. I don’t think Kennedy or any Democrat was viewed all that favorably. Someone is reputed to have remarked to Kennedy during the motorcade that now he couldn’t say Texas didn’t love him after viewing of all the crowds.”

In sharp contrast with the glitz and glamour implied by Jack-

ie’s suit, America was torn apart by several controversial and deep rooted issues, and Kennedy was left in the middle.

“This notion of Camelot is kind of like the roaring twenties and the Gilded Age,” Coppell High School AP United States History teacher Kevin Casey said. “Everything looked good on

the surface, but as time has gone along, we have learned there were a lot of things below the surface like the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement that was becoming more and more violent. Kennedy was in a tough spot, especially in Texas. He had just won the election of 1960 by a very close margin. From that standpoint,

Kennedy was facing a pretty split nation.”

Despite the opposition, Kennedy was still greeted by large crowds in Dallas. After the arrival at the airport, the first lady was handed a large bouquet of red roses and families shook hands with the president.

Assassination brings back memories, questions

Dallas responds as horror erupts in Dealey Plaza Beginning at Love Field, Kennedy began his route throughout Dallas. As his driver turned onto Elm Street, it was only a matter of minutes until the unthinkable would happen.

Rohloff, longtime Coppell resident and mother of Coppell High School world history teacher Brian Rohloff, decided to take a trip to downtown Dallas with her siblings to see the president.

“We were standing on Akard Street. It wasn’t on the grassy knoll, but the president drove right by us,” Rohloff said. “The thing that really sticks out more to me was Jackie’s suit. I can still picture its bright pink color. After they went by, we started to walk back to our car. We then hear all of these sirens, and I initially didn’t think anything of it. My

and the president were accompanied in an open convertible by Texas Gov. John Connally and his wife, Nellie. With the Vietnam War looming and his recent decision to send troops overseas under scrutiny, Kennedy was facing a divided nation.

“I recall an atmosphere of tenseness,” Lorrain said. “America

rated on Air Force One, alongside Jackie Kennedy, still wearing her pink suit.

“I still think about the blood stains on Jackie’s skirt,” Rohloff said. “To have all this horror going on and we still had to swear in a new president. Unfortunately, it had to be done. It was all so crazy and surreal.”

Hours after the attack, news of who the assassin was became known. Former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald had fired three bullets from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository killing the president and injuring the governor. Oswald was arrested at the Texas Theatre on W. Jefferson Blvd. around 1:50 p.m.

“Dallas was devastated after the attack,” Casey said. “At the time, Dallas was a part of the New South which included cities like New Orleans and Atlanta. Dallas came away as a despised city. By the 70s, people knew Dallas as the city was Kennedy was shot and the city that had the [Dallas] Cowboys.

For years and years it was terrible.

Other cities that had assassinations occur such as Dr. King in Memphis and Bobby Kennedy in Los Angeles did not undergo such a ‘PR nightmare’ that Dallas experienced.

Part of the fact, I think, has to do with Lyndon Johnson being vice president.”

For residents of Dallas, just living in the city where the attack occurred was something to be greatly ashamed of.

“For the longest time, if you were travelling, you would not tell anyone you were from Dallas,”

Rohloff said. “Just the fact you were from Dallas you were treated terrible as if the city was the one who pulled the gun. It kind of made me angry because people were bad mouthing Dallas. [Lee Harvey Oswald] wasn’t even from Dallas and had only moved here in the early 1960s. Then the policeman was shot. Then [Jack Ruby] shooting Oswald was totally unexpected. That really frustrated me since I had wanted Oswald to pay his dues.”

Though the Warren Commission ruled that Oswald had acted alone in the assassination, much of America still thinks differently.

“I am a big conspiracy theorist,” Casey said. “I have read a ton about different conspiracies, and the Kennedy assassination was what got me started. There is more to the story than what America was

presented. I’m not sure if I fully understand it or have it figured out all the way. I would be very shocked to find out Lee Harvey Oswald did

way too much about the assassination. You’ll get to talking with them and you’ll start to get nervous.”

Despite various conspiracies, the anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination has been a time of reflection for Coppell, Dallas and America.

“Things you have seen after are still shocking,” Rohloff said. “The images of Jackie climbing over the back and the secret service men coming after her are all horrify- Cathy Rohloff, Longtime ing. When his son Coppell Resident saluted at the funeral in his little suit just broke my heart. It was such it by himself. Having read about it an unreal time. I won’t ever and studied it, I would be shocked be able to forget that time in if he was alone. There are tons of my life.” people around Dallas who know

“

Just the fact you were from Dallas you were treated terrible, as if the city was the one who pulled the gun.

Photo by Sandy Iyer

On November 22, 1963...

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY’S

trip to DALLAS

JFK QUICK FACTS 11:30 A.M.

Born: May 29, 1917 First Lady: Jacqueline L. Bouvier Elected: Jan. 20, 1961 Major Events While In Office: 1961 Bay of Pigs 1961 23rd Ammendment 1962 Cuban Missle Crisis

JFK arrives at LOVE FIELD

12:30 P.M.

JFK is SHOT and taken to PARKLAND HOSPITAL in DALLAS

1:00 P.M.

JFK is PRONOUNCED

DEAD Graphic by Josh Martin

12 centerspread

Rick Tuma portrait of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a U.S. president.

Chicago Tribune 2013 (MCT Campus)

centerspread 13

Girl Scout reaches high, attains top service award JENA SEIDEMANN student life editor

Starting as a Daisy, National Honor Society president and Coppell High School senior Lilly Balsamo is going full circle by completing the highest award in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award.

Beginning her project of January this year, she plans to complete her project at the end of November. Balsamo’s “Adopt a plot” project built a garden plot for Town Center Elementary, where her brother attends.

After taking AP Environmental Science and being on the Coppell Garden board, she was inspired to promote sustainability throughout the community.

In attempts to make a sustainable project, she also wanted to make something that would leave a lasting impact on Coppell.

According to Balsamo, the hardest part of the project was the planning aspect. After gaining permission to build the plots at the elementary school, she went to Home Depot and received roughly $400 of donations. Bal-

Senior Girl Scout Lilly Balsamo poses with Principal Jasso at the newly built Town Center Garden. Photos by Jena Seidemann.

14 student life

samo, then, built the plots herself and also made a website to help the teachers work the garden into their curriculum.

On Oct. 25, the final part of the project took place at Town Center. Each grade has half a plot to plant whatever is in season.

After the produce is harvested, it will be put into the cafeteria’s salad bar.

“I have two hopes: one that the students really participate because I didn’t just build it for teachers to go out and water everyday, and I want other scouts to

add to the garden for projects., “ Balsamo said. “I just set the foundation for it.”

To see the rest of the scouts,

visit coppellstudentmedia.com

Members of Friends of Coppell Nature Park and Lilly Balsamo accept a $1,000 check from Our Bank Coppell on Oct. 25.

Polk, Hess raise funds to travel, change lives in Zambia STEPHANIE GROSS staff wr i te r

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When most think of Zambia, they probably think of vast lands with wild animals running free, not a country with the highest orphan rate per capita in the world.

Thanks to Family Legacy Missions International, Americans are given the unique opportunity to go visit these orphans that live in t h e outskirts of the capital city Lusaka.

F o r Coppell H i g h School juniors Hailey Hess and Kennedy Polk, this is a trip of a lifetime. As soon as they heard about their friend’s experience this past summer, they knew they wanted to go.

“Last year my good friend [junior] Jordan Logan went to Africa through the organization, which is a lot like the summer camp Pine Cove but for orphans in Zambia,” Hess said. “When Jordan came back she was so excited, so Kennedy and I decided that we would try and raise money to go this summer.”

As far as their fundraising goes, Polk and Hess have different ways that they are planning

to raise money for the trip.

“We are planning on raising money by making shirts, we are trying to sell those and you get people to sponsor you so we are sending out letters to friends and family so they will hopefully donate,” Hess said.

“We are also thinking about having a bake sale and babysitting a lot. For Christmas we are going to ask for money instead of presents.”

Throughout the process of raising money, applicants must turn in different amounts of money at different times.

“A f t e r receiving the application, you must have $500

by January, a little closer to the trip you have to have $1,500, and then by the trip you have to have $5,000,” Hess said. “The trip goes all throughout the summer and there are different weeks that you can choose from to go.”

So far, selling the shirts has been a huge success in putting the girls closer to their goal.

“Everyone loves T-shirts so that is why we decided to

Juniors Kennedy Polk and Hailey Hess organize the shirts they designed to fund their trip to Zambia. They put “chimwemwe” on the back of the shirts, which means joy and happiness in the local Zambian dialect.

Photo courtesy Hailey Hess.

make them,” Polk said. “We thought of cute designs and we got in touch with someone and they designed them for us and we tried our best to get the word out. Every shirt has helped so much and we have sold around 125 shirts and we will order some more and keep selling.”

While at the camp, counselors have the opportunity to bond with the Zambian kids and learn a little bit about their lives.

“You get to love on the kids a lot,” Polk said. “They are all orphaned so the point of being a counselor is to show them love that they potentially might not have received before.”

Throughout the course of a week, counselors would teach the kids the faith of Christianity and the ways of God. “Some of the kids had heard about Jesus but some of them had no idea who he was so we would disciple to them,” Logan said.

Along with teaching the kids about Christ, the counselors also do many enjoyable activities with the kids.

“We would usually do things like play soccer, jump rope and one time one of my girls painted my nails and they looked absolutely flawless,” Logan said.

The kids that go to the camp really do love it and want to be there everyday.

“The kids take a bus to the camp for the day,” former Family Legacy Missions International counselor Kylie Bratton said.

“There was a little boy who had

Juniors Kennedy Polk and Hailey Hess have been good friends for many years and are currently in the works of raising money and planning a trip to Zambia, Africa together next summer. Photo by Regan Sullivan. missed the bus one day and so he decided to walk all the way to camp. It is about a day’s worth of walking, he started at nine in the morning and got there at three in the afternoon; that just shows how much they love camp.”

The kids at this camp want nothing more than to be there with the counselors.

“I have always had a passion for Africa and wanted to go,” Polk said. “I have cousins that are adopted from there and even before that there is something about Africa that always intrigued me since I was a little kid. I have always wanted to go there and then when Jordan went last year it changed her life and everyone else’s who went.”

It is a completely different living situation for those kids in Zambia opposed to Coppell.

“I feel that I need to see other parts of the world. I am just as much consumed in Coppell and clothes and people and school and what not,” Hess said.

“Like Kennedy, seeing Jordan go and come back and the joy in her eyes and the things that she had to say about it made me want to go and experience that too and I think that everyone needs to go and see that sometime in their life.”

Other than trying to raise money for this trip, it is a true calling for the applicants who wish to go.

“I wanted to love on orphans and it is a whole different experience because they end up really loving on you and it gives you so much joy,” Logan said.

“It is an awesome experience that opens your eyes to how different things are in Coppell.”

Graphics courtesy Kennedy Polk

student life 15

M ag n o l i a R e c o r d i n g St u d i o

Seniors Seth Endelman, Endre Wagner, D’Anthony Rosado and juniors Trevor Williamson and Bryce Krafft have come together to run their own recording studio in an effort to pursue their dreams of making music.

A N N I E W E N s t a ff w r i t e r

Four guys sit in a dark room lit by different colored lamps and computer screens.

They move their heads back and forth to the beat pouring out of the speakers. One of them begins to freestyle over it and passes it on smoothly to the next.

This is the scene every week when the guys of Magnolia Studios in Coppell get together to make music. Seniors Endre Wagner, Seth Endelman and D’Anthony Rosado and juniors Trevor Williamson and Bryce Krafft make up the five man team that run the studio. Originally two separate music groups the five combined equipment and skills to build a professional booth. Music is the connection between these five individuals, bringing them together to a place where they have become not only partners but also best friends with the same purpose.

“Ever since I was a child I’ve grown up with music,” Endelman said. “Without music I would have probably dropped out of high school and be trying to make it as a chef. Music is the only thing I know about.”

Endelman, Wagner and Rosado began working together in their ninth grade year. The three created a group together called Chilldren and began collaborating on songs together.

“Chilldren isn’t a group, it’s a movement,” Wagner said. “All three of us are individual artists

under the same movement.”

Krafft and Williamson met the summer before their freshman year.

“I met him through a mutual friend,” Krafft said. “We both enjoy music and we were just starting to create our own work. Since then he’s been like a brother to me now.”

Krafft works as a sound engineer at Magnolia Studios but he is also an artist who makes his own music.

“I’m a hip-hop artist,” Krafft said. “I’ve been passionate about it since elementary school. Music is everything.

Music is a way to relieve stress and create something that really represents who I am. It’s like my megaphone, it lets me get out my message.”

With their own personal studio to work in, the guys are able to escape to their own musical paradise and be able to call it work. The studio is located off of Denton Tap next to Bistro M. “The studio for us means heaven,” Rosado said. “It is the ultimate place of creation and happiness. As an artist I have everything I need here to be able to record, produce, write, anything and the mood makes it feel good too. It’s just a happy place all around.”

Mixing business with friendship is not always the best idea but in this scenario it only enhances the relationship between the five guys.

“It’s good because we’re all equally passionate about music,”

Rosado said. “It doesn’t have to be the same genre of music, we’re all trying to go to the same place and be successful.”

While most high school students are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives these guys have already found what they were meant to be.

“High school is obviously still important but the thing is, I really invest myself a lot more within the studio,” Wagner said.

“Being in IB and being in high school at the same time while trying to pursue these endeavors is hard. It’s sleepless nights but it’s so worth it because it goes to show high school kids can really apply themselves and get things done creatively even with school and work.”

Endelman, Wagner, Rosado and Krafft are all at work on their own individual EPs and with the creation of Magnolia Studios they are able to work with clientele and explore different paths within music, such as sound engineering, songwriting and producing. For these five guys music is not just a passion and a love, it is their past, present and future.

“We got a studio at 17,” Rosado said. “This is the beginning. Years from now things are only going to double and grow from what we’ve created for ourselves.”

Inside look at Recording process

Senior Seth Endelman produces a song by artist Rachel Mulumba in the studio on Wednesday Nov. 6. Photos by Alyssa Frost.

For inquiries, you can contact any members of the recording studio group.

Senior Seth Endelman lays down tracks for artist Rachel Mulumba in the studio on Wednesday Nov. 6. Once Magnolia Studio completes a track for an artist, they export the mp3 and let the artist decide if they want it on iTunes, Spotify or whatever they prefer.

Two music groups made up of Seniors Seth Endelman (pictured above), Endre Wagner and D’Anthony Rosado and juniors Trevor Williamson and Bryce Kraft have joined forces to create Magnolia Recording Studios.

16 entertainment

On Wednesday Nov. 6, senior Seth Endelman mixes and produces tracks by local artist Rachel Mulumba, after spending the week before recording her in their own booth.

entertainment 17

SHANNON WILKINSON s t a ff w r i t e r

The family aspect of any sport or art is important, especially in Coppell. Coming together as a team improves it as a whole. The 2013-2014 color guard team is trying extra hard to do that this year.

“I was in the band last year and this year I am in both band and color guard,” New Tech High@Coppell sophomore Anna Garza said. “We have all gotten really close and the upperclassman are always making us laugh which makes me feel more comfortable.”

The team this year consists of 30 girls who all have a great talent and love the friendships that come with joining this team.

Every football game they leave the game early to practice twirling their flags to make their performance the best that it can be.

“I love performing the same time as the band b e c a u s e we really stand out a m o n g that large group a n d we add something to the show,” Garza said. “We all feel like a big family.”

Some may think t h e band and color guard just go out onto the field and hope for the best, but in reality, hours and hours go into preparing a 15-minute show.

“During practices we go through the show and

make sure everything is perfected,” sophomore Sidney Weikel said. “At the end of practice we do a final run through of our show so we really have to work together to make it look amazing.”

Being able to throw objects into the air, catch them, dance to choreography and remember their positions on the field is quite impressive.

“I want to be the best I can be,” Garza said. “I want to be able to say that I have been in band and color guard and that I was good at it. Help from the older members is always appreciated.”

Seeing these talented girls do what they do is incredible.

They give everything they have just so their Coppell audience is not only entertained, but impressed as well. With their colorful costumes and spinning flags, this team can be spotted miles away.

“As a team, we are always trying to improve everyday,” Weikel said. “We hope to make top three at Bands of America (BOA) this year.”

Team bonding is important in every sport, but lucky for this year’s color guard team, it was quite easy to be good friends with every girl on the team.

“We have all become really close as a group,” Garza said. “During the bus rides, practices or even just getting ready for the show, it feels like a party.”

C o l o r guard practices every Monday,

5

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4-6 p.m., running its routines over and over again to get them perfect.

“In my opinion, color guard is a sport, we are not only dancing, but running as well so, you must be fit to do this,” Weikel said.

Being on color guard no dance training is required, but they do perform numerous dance moves. Anything from leaps or piques can be seen in their Friday night routines. Garza is now enrolled at Top Hat Dance Center in Lewisville to improve her dance skills and be the best she can be, on and off the field.

“I can always count on someone on the team because we really connect with each other the first few weeks together at band camp,” Weikel said.

Overall, this year is expected to be a good one, including some girls attending Winner Guard, a competition for solo or ensemble performances.

“Before we go onto the field, we huddle up and talk about things we need to worry about during the show,” Garza said. “I personally sing Royals by Lorde to calm my nerves.”

With outstanding new rout i n e s , this 2013-2014 color guard team is sure to impress you.

“It has already been a rea l ly fun year a n d I can’t wait to see what the rest has in s t o r e ,” Garza said.

1

2

6

1. The Coppell Colorguard performs with the band at half time in their competition show entitled “Fury: The Music of Dimitri Shostakovich.” 2. The colorguard dons intricate, black masks as part of their costume for their newest marching competition show. 3. New Tech freshman Kori Burrows poses with

Getting to know Tessa

Corley

Corley, a sophomore and member of Colorguard, answered a few of our questions about the activity.

What is your favorite aspect of Colorguard?

“Winter Guard is my favorite part of the year because it is more dance than it is during marching season.”

18 entertainment

What made you want to join Colorguard?

“I joined because my cousin was on Color Guard at her school and she always made it seem really fun.”

3

4

Paramore rocks Verizon Theatre with self titled tour SLOANE SAMBERSON staff writer

Packed to nearly full capacity, the Verizon Theatre hosted three of the most hip artists of our time, Paramore, Metric and Hellogoodbye, making Oct. 26 a night to remember.

From the start, fans were psyched to get through the large glass doors of the Verizon Theatre. The line extended roughly 1,000 feet around the side of the building, consisting of some intense die-hard Paramore fans.

People began arriving earlier than 3 p.m., as doors opened at 7:30 p.m., in hopes of having a better chance of being at the front of the pit section. The majority of fans bought seats, re-

lieving the stress of possibly not having a good view, but missed out on the experience of the wild pit.

Opening up was small Californian band, Hellogoodbye. It is classified as indie-pop, but has progressed to be more techno throughout its 12 years of being together. Some of its more common songs include “Here in Your Arms” and “Oh, It Is Love”.

Its lead singer, Forrest Kline, was so quirky and free spirited. He kept the crowd laughing and clapping to the beat of their songs in the short 30 minutes they were on stage.

Metric, a Canadian based band, came on very quickly after Hellogoodbye’s performance concluded. All of its music is

Paramore performs at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie on Oct. 26. Photo by Sloane Samberson.

very synthpop, meaning that it uses a synthesizer (an electronic keyboard that can produce a wide variety of sounds) and a lot of mic alterations. The good thing is it can actually rock its sound without it sounding materialistic.

Metric opened with “Black Sheep” which was featured in the movie “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”. Other hit songs include, “Help I’m Alive”, “Breathing Underwater” and “Synthetica”.

Once Metric left the stage, the pit crowd started to become restless. There was a lot of pushing and foul language, causing many people to move towards the back of the pit. It was all very unnecessary because any spot in the Verizon Theatre is a good spot.

All the shenanigans quickly concluded as soon as the lights fell and the bass began to pick up. Paramore was making its way on stage and as soon as the curtain fell, the crowd went wild. It opened up with “Grow Up”, a song about leaving a guy because he was only holding you back.

Paramore played some of its older songs such as “crushcrushcrush”, “The Only Exception” and “Ain’t it Fun”. But the song that got the most reaction was “Misery Business”.

During “Misery Business”, lead singer Hayley Williams invited one lucky fan to come on stage and sing a few stanzas with her.

Williams was so down to Earth. After concluding a song

she would just look back at the crowd and smile. You could tell how in awe she was of her fans by the look on her face. It was nice to see how much she appreciated them.

It closed with “Still Into You” which was a great way to end the show. Balloons fell from the ceiling and the lights were magnificent. It was such a beautiful sound hearing the whole theater sing in unison with Williams.

Aside from the pushy crowd, the night was overall amazing. Williams and her band really knew how to put on a show, and considering the fact they have been together for nine years, there is a good chance they will be together for nine more years to come.

Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams reaches out to the crowd during its concert.

Photo by Sloane Samberson.

“Ender’s Game” hits theaters with high anticipation SHANNON MORGAN staff writer

Sci-fi lovers, “Ender’s Game” is the movie for you.

Orson Scott Card, the author of “Ender’s Game”, is the ultimate science fiction writer.“Ender’s Game” has been a classic. The movie will have plenty of action, adventure, and plenty of futuristic space age weapons to satisfy your needs. “Ender’s Game” hit theatres on Nov. 1.

“Ender’s Game” (the first in the Ender saga) follows the first few years of Ender Wiggin’s life as he trains at Battle School to learn how to fight against the aliens, or “Buggers”.

For those who have not read the book, “Ender’s Game” is set in a futuristic world that has been battling the Buggers for 70 years. High up in space, young boys go to Battle School to train and learn how to fight and defend against the Buggers.

Ender Wiggin is one of the boys that has been selected.

He leaves behind his strange brother and his beloved sister

on earth. He rises quickly to the top of his class, then to the top of his school. Behind the scenes, Colonel Graff has bigger and better plans for Ender.

Graff wants Ender to lead Earth to victory, and defeat the Buggers.

He makes a few friends during his time at the Battle School, including one of the only girls there, Petra Arkanian. She helps him when no one else will, and is an outsider like him. Also a young boy they call Bean ends up being his only ally and friend.

Although the book has been out 28 years, this is the first time a film adaption of the book has been created.

The top billed cast for the movie includes Asa Butterfield as Ender Wiggin. Butterfield has been in other popular movies such as “Hugo” and “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”. He is acting along side Hailee Steinfeld, who plays Petra Arkanian. The actor portraying Colonel Graff is Harrison Ford.

The director for the film

is Gavin Hood, who is widely known for directing “X- Men” Origins: Wolverine in 2009. Hood is an actor as well as a director, so hopefully he will truly get the message of Ender’s Game across to the aud

ience.

“I really like the book, and I have high expectations for the movie,” sophomore Ajay Verma said. “I watched the trailer for the movie, and I thought that the characters for the movie

were very thought out. I hope that they don’t take shortcuts in the movie like they did in Harry Potter and other movies.”

entertainment 19

Cowgirls lose to Panthers in third round of playoffs A L L I E A R N O L D staff writer

It was a disappointing night for the Coppell volleyball team as they lost in the third round of playoffs to Colleyville Heritage.

Two competitive and and determined teams went head to head tonight, making for a hard fought game as well as a tough loss. Both teams, relatively equal in ability and skill played scrappy defense and aggressive offense.

During the first game, both teams remained neck and neck, going back and forth in earning points. Coppell’s senior middle blocker Mary Kate Marshall was a stand out the first game, killing almost every ball that was set to her. However, Heritage had their fair share of good kills as well.

Defense was where Coppell lacked in the first game.

While there were some great plays made by all defensive specialists, good tip coverage was difficult for the Cowgirls to maintain, causing them to give away a few points.

As both teams neared the 25th point, Coppell gained their lead, making the final

score of the first game 25-20.

The second game was the Cowgirl’s defense’s shining moment. Senior Libero Alex Silver dove for multiple balls, keeping the play alive more often than not. Junior DS Natalie Gilbert also stood out for her relentless hustle for every ball that came her way.

Heritage defense also stood out on their side of the court. Agressive plays were made by both offenses, but were easily returned by both defenses. Keeping close in score for the majority of the game, Heritage was able to pull through in the second set with a score of 25-23.

The third set happened much like the others. Both teams remained consistent, both making smart plays and hitting multiple kills. However, Heritage was not able to come out with a win. Coppell’s offense became too aggressive as well as smart about their placement of the hit.

The fourth set was a downfall for the Cowgirls as heritage gained a big lead early on in the game. At this point it was a game of smarts, and Heritage was brilliant at placing the ball on the court everywhere Coppell wasn’t. While

still maintaining aggressive defense, the Cowgirls could not seem to keep many plays alive, making the score 25-14 with a win for Heritage.

The fifth game is always a sprint to the finish, seeing that it is a game of 15 points. The fifth game happened much like the fourth. Heritage had aggressive and smart ball placement while Coppell could not seem to make many kills. The lead for Heritage grew as the game progressed until they scored the 15th point and claimed the victory as well as a spot in the next round of playoffs.

The Cowgirls took a hard loss but remained optimistic and grateful for the successful season they’ve had. After harnessing two consecutive 5A state championships in a row, the Cowgirls were obviously hoping to remain in the playoffs until the finals. However, following their loss to Heritage, the Cowgirls are thankful for the season they had and the memories they will share forever.

“I’m so thankful for the incredible friendships and memories made in my last year of Coppell Volleyball,” senior DS Lindsay Stivers said. “Couldn’t have asked for a better year.”

The Cowgirls celebrate after winning a point in their match against Grapevine. Coppell was looking to defend their two consecutive state titles. Photos by Nicole Messer.

Cowgirls varsity coach Julie Green instructs junior Cathryn Cheek before Coppell’s bi-district match. Up until their game against Heritage, the Cowgirls were top state contenders.

Bonneau, McBride hope to build off 2012 playoff run A L E X N I C O L L staff writer

“If we stay healthy, I feel good about it,” football coach Joe McBride said. “I think this team is a good group and has good leaders. When it comes time, I think they will represent Coppell well.”

McBride’s confidence of his Cowboys will be tested as they take the field against the Irving Tigers on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30.

The game will be played at Irving Schools Stadium.

One of the stark improvements over this season has been the progression of junior quarterback Skyler Bonneau. Coming into the season, the hopes were not high for Coppell’s passing game. The team went from an experienced senior quarterback in 2013 CHS graduate Colby Mahon to a young signal caller who never started a Class 5A game.

The offensive play reflected this early on in the season, as most of the calls went towards the dual-threat senior running back Gavin McDaniel and junior running back Charles West, but game after game, Bonneau stepped up taking the reins of the

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offense.

This was seen in his last regular season game where he threw three touchdowns and carried his team to 49-6 victory over the Lewisville Fighting Farmers.

“From a passing standpoint, I think we have confidence and when we have opportunities we can take them,” McBride said.

“We have been practicing them quite a bit, so that when we are in games when we really need it, we will execute it well.”

Coppell’s run game is even better than it was last year. The emergences of West and sophomore running back Brandon Rice, along with McDaniel, has created problems for defenses.

Sophomore wide receivers Josh Fink and Obi Obialo have been reliable receivers down the stretch and senior tight end Blake Mahon is a security blanket for any quarterback. Mahon’s 6-foot-6 frame is always a beautiful sight in the red zone.

Youth, usually a curse for postseason teams, will not be a roadblock for Coppell. There are enough veterans on the offense, like McDaniel, Mahon and offensive tackle Bill Weber to mentor this electrifying unit.

Losing two-thirds of the defensive line from last year’s team has been a challenge all season especially with the replacements being converted senior linebacker John Herubin and converted junior offensive guard Chris Biggurs. Replacing other key parts of the defense has also been a struggle, but the Coppell defense has been a strong factor in every game this season. Though they have given up more points per game this season, Coppell has balanced it with their high-scoring offense. However, Coppell cannot rely on its offense to win every game in the playoffs.

This year’s squad will have remnants of last year’s team but do not make the mistake to assume they are not as good. A young, new team may be just what McBride needs to make it all the way.

“I am looking forward to the great atmosphere and making a good run this year,” Bonneau said. “It got cut short last year a little bit earlier than we wanted to last year, but I am looking to go deeper into the playoffs and bring Coppell a state championship.”

Senior defensive end Solomon Thomas blocks Denton Ryan defensive back Ronnie Coleman out of the play on Senior Night. Photo by Regan Sullivan.

Senior safety Chris Adkins and senior linebacker Kilian Bresnahan deliver a hit on Ryan running back Tyrone Williams in Coppell’s 28-3 win. Photo by Regan Sullivan.

Cowboys seeking accountability, hustle on hardwood M A R K S L E T T E and J O H N L O O P

“There’s no substitution for hard work. There is only a miracle.” These 11 words out of Coppell head basketball coach Kit Pehl’s mouth started the second practice of the year, but will hold a greater meaning as the Cowboys’ basketball season gets set to tip off.

After Coppell lost against the DeSoto Eagles in the 2013 playoffs, this heavily senior-laden team has come back with fire and passion.

“Leadership and work ethic, that is what these seniors will bring” Pehl said.

With one year under his belt, Pehl is comfortable with the Coppell program. Being able to spend a full offseason with the team has been a real asset in fostering chemistry in the locker room.

Pehl’s second year at CHS will not be easy. Coppell begins its season with games against Richardson Berkner, South Grand Prairie and Plano West: three tough opponents.

“They all do something different,” Pehl said. “Our schedule is loaded and tough, but that’s what you want. You want to play against the best and challenge yourself.”

This is not to say that the Cowboys will not have the talent to match these teams.

Coppell returns senior point guard and floor general Landon Goesling, who led the team in scoring (12.9 points per game) and assists (4.7 assists per game), and senior post presence Simi Socks. Socks is rated the No. 51 overall state recruit according to TexasHoops.com and has obtained interest from schools such as Brown, Cornell, Princeton, Harvard and others.

Senior forward Josh Feitl and sophomore guard Josh Fink should continue to be steady players in the rotation and should be receiving a lot of playing time on the court.

Like last year with Fink, the Cowboys may have another young star in the making. Freshman guard Sam Marshall has practiced and scrimmaged with the varsity squad. Pehl likes what he has observed from Marshall so far. “[Sam] is very solid all around and strong fundamentally,” Pehl said.

Goesling and senior defensive stalwart Cody Carver will boost the team’s defensive troubles they have had late in games.

The team, in essence, has to strive for perfection. They cannot have

turnovers, unnecessary fouls or any boneheaded plays, especially in one of the most difficult districts in the area.

The Hebron Hawks lost a large group of strong seniors, the most significant being current Cal-Poly freshman guard Ridge Shipley. In both games against the Cowboys last season, Shipley was the leading scorer for the Hawks’ offense. The loss of Shipley should allow the Cowboys to gain some ground in district play. However, the Hawks return junior post Tyler Williams, senior post Connor McClenaghan and senior guards Jeremy Hicks and Austin Enloe back on the court should keep Hebron in the hunt all season long.

The Flower Mound Jaguars, head coach Jason Fossett managing the team for the second year in a row, surprised the District 5-5A last season, finishing second while setting a school record for with 26 wins in a season. Fossett’s implementation of a perimeter-based offense has tremendously helped the team pull out wins. Though a majority of the Jaguars strongest shooters were lost to graduation last year, there is no doubt that the Flower Mound coaches have prepared kids on the JV level that can step onto the court and be effective right away.

On Oct. 24, Coppell boys basketball coach Kit Pehl talks with players during practice as they prepare to tip off the 2013-14 season. Photo by Mark Slette.

The cross town rival, the Flower Mound Marcus Marauders, have gone through a rebuilding stage after new hiring Clay Cody. Marcus finished fifth last season and looks to improve this year. The team received a transfer from Alvarado High School in senior shooting guard Xavier Adams. According to ESPN, Rivals and ScoutHoops.com, he has already verbally committed to the University of New Mexico and will only add to the Marauders’ chances this upcoming season.

The Fighting Farmers from Lewisville will look to gain ground despite losing their starting forwards and centers this offseason.

The Farmers are the youngest team in district, being lead by ju-

nior forward Anthony Davis, the team should make things interesting in district. In Pehl’s eyes, they are the most athletic of the bunch.

Denton Ryan is the wild card in this district. Despite finishing last in district this past year, the Raiders are ready to compete this year. Denton Ryan could surprise everyone in the district. Pehl is craving for the season to kick off.

“Our district has some really good coaches and good teams.”

Pehl said. “We’ll be battle tested with some of the teams we face, but anytime you dig down deep you are able to know yourself better. I’m definitely excited for our year, we have a lot of potential. We are definitely capable of contending for a district championship.”

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Cross Country wraps exciting season with regional meet E L I Z A B E T H S I M S enterprise editor

Wake up to get to school for 6 a.m. practice. Run six to eight miles. Get up even earlier for a meet on Saturday. Run three more miles as fast as you can against 20 other teams.

Repeat for 10 weeks out of the school year. This is the life of the runners for the Coppell Cowboys Cross Country team, and that is just for the season.

As their practices officially began on Aug. 5, the team started preparing for this season well before school came back into session. With new captains, seniors Stephanie

ers such as Katie Sandfort, Shane Murray, Brantley Young and Alyssa Shelton at the end of last year.

To kick off the season, a Run-A-Thon was held to raise money for the team. Runners would get friends and family to sponsor them and donate money for each lap they made around the Andy Brown West Park track.

After running anywhere from eight to 11 miles, a breakfast and parent meeting was held at J. Macklin’s Grill.

Just two days before school started, countless teams convened at Norbuck Park in Dallas to compete in the 29th

The JV boys push to get ahead of the crowd at the start line at the Birdville Flying Hawks Invitational on Oct. 12. varsity boys. Photos by Elizabeth Sims.

Bilka, Alyssa Moino, Dabney Burch, Cassidy Packer, George Fairchild, Carson Vickroy and Chandler Moake and juniors Jessie Cranmer, Braden Young and Noah Freedman motivating them and coaches Roxanne Farris, Don Kemp, Chip Lowery and Clint Schnell pushing them back into condition, this group of 110 runners showed they still had the chops to compete after losing key lead-

annual Greenhill School and Luke’s Locker Six Mile Relay.

The runners split into teams of four based on their mile and a half time trial results.

The Elite boys team, consisting of senior Carson Vickroy, juniors Josh Thomas and Leo Fan and freshman Alan Huo, finished sixth overall. The JV I boys team of freshman Nathan Sims, sophomore Jay Harrison, junior Shane Rigdon and

The varsity girls stretch to warm up before their race at the Flower Mound Invitational on Sept. 14. Each team

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senior Matt McCurry finished fourth in their division. The JV I girls team of freshman Taylor Dubey, seniors Stephanie Bilka and Dabney Burch and junior Laura Taylor also showed their talent and placed seventh in their division. Each relay group placed within the top 65 out of 100 teams present.

Next came the Marcus I Invitational, where the runners faced rivals such as Flower Mound, Marcus and Southlake Carroll. The varsity boys and girls each placed 11th overall. The JV boys took an eighth place finish, mere fractions of a second behind Flower Mound. The JV girls ran hard to earn a third place finish, beating Flower Mound and finishing seconds behind Marcus and Southlake Carroll.

The next week was the Prosper Invitational, which proved to be a difficult course that tested the limits of even the most skilled runners. With several uphill climbs and a long sprint to the end, Coppell pulled a top four finish from every team.

Even with Vickroy out of commission for this meet, the varsity boys, now led by Thomas, still achieved a second place finish overall. The JV boys also had a great performance with senior Justin Armenta leading the race by 15 seconds throughout the course, ultimately winning the team a first place spot.

Coppell continued their success at the Flower Mound Invitational with each team placing in the top five. With Vickroy back and Armenta now on varsity, the boys achieved second place overall along with the JV girls. The JV boys, once again, pulled off a first place finish overall with junior Anand Pant leading the charge.

This meet was capped with a well-deserved week off to rest and prepare for the rest of the season.

After their break, Coppell returned to compete in The Colony Cougar Classic. With a narrower course, cooler temperatures and rain on the horizon, each team still managed to place in the top six. The JV girls led the team with a second place finish overall.

With the times from the Cougar Classic deciding the top seven varsity runners who would compete in the Nike South Invitational in The Woodlands, Texas, some underclassmen on the team had the opportunity to step up and

The varsity boys crouch and prepare to start their watches at The Colony Cougar Invitational on Sept. 28. Each team placed in the top six overall. lead at the Jesuit Invitational in Dallas.

Though the top seven faced tough competition at Nike South and found themselves near the back of the pack in the overall standings, the varsity boys, varsity girls and JV boys at Jesuit pulled to the middle of the pack, and the JV girls soared with a fourth place finish.

In an effort to redeem themselves from the previous meet, Coppell pulled together to move up in the rankings at the Flying Hawks Invitational in Birdville, Texas. Despite the larger crowd, the varsity boys, JV boys and JV girls all placed fifth overall. Missing a couple of their usual runners, the varsity girls still landed in 10th place out of 25 teams.

After their pre-district workout on Oct. 19, Coppell was ready to take on the District 5-5A Meet at North Lakes Park in Denton, Texas on Oct. 26. The varsity boys and girls both grabbed a fourth place finish, the JV girls finished second place overall and the

JV boys attained a third place finish after a tiebreaker with Flower Mound.

Finishing eighth place overall for the varsity boys at the district meet, Vickroy qualified to be the sole Coppell representative at the Region I Varsity 5A Championship meet at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock, Texas on Nov. 2.

The team made T-shirts with “Vickroy to Victory” printed on the front and a picture of him on the back. The shirts were presented to him at a pasta dinner the Wednesday before he left for Lubbock, and the team wore them on Friday, Nov. 1 to support Vickroy in his final race.

Determined to finish his last high school meet strong, Vickroy ran hard to place 19th out of 180 runners with a season best 5K (three miles) time of 15:43.

With the season officially over, the team can look forward to a little more rest and more free time during the weekend in the off-season. That is, until track season rolls around.

The JV girls are given a pep talk by cross country coach Chip Lowery before they run in the District 5-5A meet on

Sports trainers get experience on, off playing field SYDNEY WILLIAMS s t a ff w r i t e r

Coming to school at the crack of dawn, and leaving at the brink of night. Coppell High School’s student athletic trainers show as much dedication to Coppell sports as the players do themselves. The trainers hold the responsibility of continually keeping athletes hydrated, safe and healthy at every practice and game during their 12-13 hour work days.

At 5:45 in the morning, most of Coppell High School’s students

are still asleep under their sheets, except for a select few – the sports trainers.

“We set up [the] gyms, the practice fields with water and fill the whirlpools,” licensed athletic trainer Yvette Carson said.

An average work day for the student trainers at CHS consists of being at school before the athletes and coaches arrive and leaving the campus much later, setting up the water coolers for practice in the morning and afternoons and giving treatments and rehabilitation to those who are injured. “[We have student trainers

Junior Hannah Stroh sets out water cups for football players during the game against Flower Mound Marcus.

Photo by Sandy Iyer.

for] basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, wrestling-basically all the school’s UIL sports,” senior student trainer Connor Lasater said.

Once one sport season is over, another one starts; you can imagine how busy a student sport’s trainer schedule is.

Some people may not know the importance of Coppell Sports Medicine at Coppell High School, and their student sports trainers affiliated with them and why they are vital to the athletes and coaches here at CHS. “Student trainers are our student assistants. [Coppell as a whole] has a total of 1,500 high school student athletes. [They are] our second set of eyes and hears,” Carson said.

The student trainers are the ones who walk the halls with the athletes, and who are apart of the student body, not the teachers.

When the student trainers are able to the let the trainers, Carson and Barry Jones, know if a student athlete was feeling ill after or during practice, if limping on the way to class or if something occurred during the school day that injured them, Jones and Carson are greatly appreciative because it lets them know, as licensed train-

ers, how to help the athlete’s injury. “[Student trainers] help us with set up with practices and the execution of games. Football is so hard and so incredibly intensive.

Student trainers are indispensable with helping us keeping everyone hydrated,” Carson said.

During football practice, the student trainers especially help the football players.

“During practice there always ready to give us water, and fix our scratches. [They] help you work through and play through the season with things that they provide [for] the athletes,” junior defensive back Drew McAdams said.

No matter what sport an athlete plays, there’s always a chance of injury.

“The possibility of injury lies in each sport. So being prepared to respond to all types of problems and injuries is necessary regardless of the sport,” Carson said.

Some would think that when helping people and supplying for athletes needs everyday, they would want to work in the health field once they became of age, but Lasater is different.

“I really enjoy [caring for

people and their injuries, and helping people out, but] I want to be a lawyer,” Lasater said.

However, not everyone is the same.

“I want to be a physical therapist and being in sports medicine helps me with the anatomy and rehabilitation side of it,” sophomore student trainer Nathan Ballard said.

Being a student trainer in Sports Medicine at CHS also teaches their students life skills that they will always cherish and remember.

“I’ve learned communication skills and I’ve made [new] friendships. I’m a shy person, so I [don’t] think I would have the friends I have now if it [wasn’t for this],” Lasater said.

Student trainers are not only important to the athletes and coaches, but to Carson and Jones as well. They are important to everyone. The trainers at Coppell High School would not trade what they do for anything-the school needs them.

“One of our sayings is, ’we’re first to the party and last to leave’.

We’re the first ones here in the morning and the last to leave. But you know, we do what we love,” Carson said.

On Nov. 1, the senior football players, cheerleaders, Lariettes and band members were celebrated at the football game. The Cowboys played Denton Ryan High School, and won 28-3. Photos by Regan Sulivan and Alyssa Frost.

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The Sidekick Staff is proud to recognize Melanie Ringman as the teacher of this issue. Ringman, who is an GT/PAP English 1 teacher, has achieved so much in her first year at CHS. Ringman came to CHS from Coppell Middle School North teaching Humanities and won the ‘Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award’. “She is a fantastic teacher,” sophomore Jordan Brown said, who had Ringman during her time at North. “She spends a lot of single time with students; you get really close to her.” Ringman takes teaching to a new level.

“She just doesn’t just teach, she cares and makes sure her students prepared,” Brown said. Welcome to CHS Ms. Ringman and congratulations on being the second Teacher of the Issue!

Thank you for all that you do.

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