Volume 33 Issue 5

A NEW ERA Fresh faces propelling athletic department into future

Pages 12-13

SAVED BY THE BELL PG. 3

STAR POWER PG. 7

ROBOTICS REDEFINED PG. 14

VIOLIN VETERAN PG. 16

ALL-AMERICANS PG. 22

NEWS: New two-minute warning bells prove effective in decreasing tardies.

OPINIONS: Astrology is a gateway to peace in the mind and soul.

STUDENT LIFE: Junior TSA president sparking change.

ENTERTAINMENT: Local orchestra member broadening musical education.

SPORTS: Radicic, Myers representing football team at national matchup.

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL • 185 W. PARKWAY BLVD, COPPELL, TX 75019

VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 5 • APRIL 2022

APRIL 2022

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Letter from the Editor Iniya Nathan CHS9 Editor @iniya_v

After a day of taking notes, actively listening and participating in group activities, Coppell ISD juniors leave another iLead session with more in depth knowledge on topics such as leadership and communication.

“I applied because service

Anjali Krishna

Executive Editor-in-Chief @anjalikrishna_

Saying thank you in India is one of those odd behaviors that cement you as American in your foreign relatives’ minds, like putting on your seatbelt in the rare car ride. The average response to your thank you is an off-putting look, one that says: “Stop being weird. We’re family, aren’t we? Don’t be so formal.”

I don’t think I even know how to say thank you in Telugu, the language I try to speak with my relatives at home. Still, it’s one of those things instilled in every kid in American elementary schools, saying thank you to just about everything.

One of the things my parents brought over from India is the idea that a thank you is meant for more important things for people you aren’t close to - less a symbol of politeness and gratitude than one of formality. My brother is better able to surpass the cultural gap when we take the occasional visit overseas or at home with my parents, turning off his thanks, but for me, it’s a knee jerk reaction to being handed anything. My parents got over it quickly, or perhaps it quietly irks them and they remain silent about it.

Recently, however, they’ve started to thank me for things as well, or I’ve only just noticed them now, and they were right: it’s awkward - I got their wallet from the counter and they’re thanking me? Isn’t it obvious, isn’t it implicit in the relationship we’ve had for my entire life that I would do one of the very few simple tasks my parents ask of me, in comparison to everything they’ve handed to me with no expectations? Isn’t that gratitude something we know and accept already?

I never know exactly how to

is a really big part of my life,” Coppell High School junior Shraavya Pydisetti said. “I

The Sidekick executive editor-in-chief Anjali Krishna, her brother Abhiram, father Sreekanth Krishnavajjala and her mother Indira Asuri visit Italy in their tour around Europe in 2005. Krishna expresses what the words ‘thank you’ mean to her in relation to her parents. Photo courtesy Anjali Krishna

respond. The correct answer isn’t you’re welcome; that’s far too accepting of the message I feel in that thank you, the pressure that this simple act is one of a few or I am someone distant, needing to be thanked for something, rather than the action of giving living inherently in our relationship. It doesn’t feel like a ‘no problem’ or ‘no worries’ either. The correct answer is maybe ‘of course’ or ‘anytime.’

But even those feel like too much of an acknowledgement, acknowledgement that gratitude is necessary for me to bring a glass of water to the living room. So I often walk away awkwardly, unsure of how to finish the interaction.

Because how inconsequential is this one action, this one action needing thanks, in comparison to everything my parents did for me as a child and now? In comparison to my dad waiting outside my room before I fell asleep because I was afraid of half-headed zombies in

the movie he told me not to watch? In comparison to my mom waking up from the few precious hours of sleep she got to drive me to early to school every day since kindergarten?

To say I love you in Telugu, you say ‘prēmistunnānu’ and to me, love translates directly into gratitude. This splits into ‘prēm,’ the Hindi word for love and ‘istunnānu’ which means to give: literally, it translates to ‘I’m giving you my love.’ I don’t think I’ve ever said the words before. But I hope that with every one of the (few) drying racks I bring inside or (even fewer) trash cans I take out, my own thanks is intertwined in the rare chore I do, for everything you two have done for me.

thought this program would be a good way to really learn more about how I can better those skills and get a chance to connect with people and know how to be a better leader.”

Coppell ISD started the iLead program this year to replace a program called Teen Leadership Coppell (TLC), which was funded by the Coppell Chamber of Commerce. Teen Leadership Coppell was unable to continue due to COVID-19. The iLead program focuses on goals similar to TLC. The iLead program offers Coppell ISD juniors a chance to develop their leadership skills. The program has three facilitators: executive director of communications and community engagement Angela Brown, Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt and CISD Place One trustee Leigh Walker.

“It’s a great program to learn very specific skills about leadership, but also concepts of leadership and most importantly, to determine what are your leadership qualities,” Brown said.

The program has six sessions, with the most recent session on March 10. Each daily session focuses on a different topic, such as leadership, community business leaders and service organizations.

Each session has guest speakers and activities.

Applications were open for juniors at CHS and New Tech @ Coppell, with the district selecting 54 members. “[Guest speakers] teach you about good leadership skills based on their experience and that’s been really useful for me and I met a lot of really good people who have helped me advance,” Pydisetti said. “I’ve learned a lot from them about how to be a good leader.”

While the program’s goal is to develop leadership skills in juniors, there are also other benefits of the program.

“Students feel like they’re developing relationships with students that they don’t always come into contact with,” Brown said. “Because we looked at a wide variety of students, they are developing some pretty extensive relationships with people that maybe aren’t in their classes. That has been a benefit of iLead.”

While students miss school to attend the sessions for iLead, members think the sessions offer perspectives that school may not touch on.

“During school we usually just sit and watch the teacher or hear lectures and take notes,” CHS junior Neha Darimadugu said. “But at iLead we’re able to interact and engage with other students who think alike to us.”

They also are able to immediately apply the skills they learn in iLead in their daily lives.

“I run a nonprofit organization called Project Querencia,” Pydisetti said. “iLead has helped me meet people who have been able to help me and give me advice on how to strategically plan with funding and how to get more people to notice the work we’re doing and how to make a bigger impact.”

Michaels customer marketing tech Sachin Shrey discusses loyalty and engagement with members of the iLead Student program on March 10 at Coppell Middle School West. iLead Student exposes selected Coppell juniors to leadership and volunteering services. Varshitha Korrapolu

New ethnic courses to be offered at Coppell High School Anushree De Staff Writer

@anushree_night

Coppell High School is adding to its history course options in 2022-23 in an effort to provide a more detailed view of history through the lens of minorities.

“One of the things that marks modern history from other eras is that there is a lot of discussion about not just teaching the stereotypical winner’s version of history,” CHS social studies teacher Shawn Hudson said.

“You know that thing everybody always says: that history is written by the victors. But, we do not have to settle for that in the modern world.”

The new courses, commencing in the 2022-23 school year, were implemented to increase inclusion.

“As a district, we felt it was important to offer these courses to our learners as it aligns with our goals of promoting respect and understanding of diverse cultures and expanding opportunities for our students to see themselves in history,” Coppell ISD director of social studies Maria McCoy said in an email.

CHS head counselor Ann

Cinelli was also quick to share her excitement.

“I love it,” said Cinelli, with a chuckle. “Like why have we not done this already, finally.”

Texas’s new Texas Educational Knowledge Standards (TEKS) for the courses helped structure the classes.

“From a behind-the-scenes standpoint, we can’t just create a course out of nothing,” Cinelli said. “The state of Texas has to have TEKS for it. We had to wait for the state to get there too, which was unfortunate.

But we were like, maybe it will be coming. Maybe it will be happening.”

CHS social studies teacher and debate coach SunHee Simon took African-American studies at Stanford University and thinks it was essential in learning the full history of the United States.

“Going into [the class at Stanford], I wanted to make sure that I had an open mind,” Simon said. “Knowledge is power and learning more about how the world works and how different people at different points of history were denied, had access, or created resistance was really interesting for me to learn about.”

The new ethnic courses also

circumvent problems teachers face in other history courses, particularly the limited time frame.

“I can’t teach you all of world history since 1200 in 30 weeks,” Hudson said. “So, getting to be in one of those classes as a student would be really valuable to get a different side of the story that you cannot get from a mainstream survey course.”

According to Hudson, the highlight of being a history teacher is teaching all of history, the good and the bad, and it is those conversations that enable students to analyze current events and controversies.

“The ethnic studies courses are really cool because it allows you to drill into a part of history that is not taught because these are ethnic minorities within the United States,” Hudson said. “This means they are very rarely that top level of what we are teaching. But, the minority experience is deeply interesting to our character because how we have treated those groups contextualizes who we are, not just who we say we are. It gives a fuller picture.”

Cinelli thinks the uncomfortable conversations the course will

enable are necessary for CHS learners to understand race.

“It will totally help kids to see another side of history because they might be like ‘I learned this is United States history, but I didn’t know this side of it,’” Cinelli said. “Like, what actually happened? It uncovers a lot and is a great opportunity to have uncomfortable conversations about how our country has not handled race in the best way.”

Especially in Coppell, where a majority of students are people of color, courses like these reflect the students themselves.

“We are a very diverse population,” Hudson said.

“And while there is no AsianAmerican studies course, I still think you can get a lot out of seeing African-American studies and Mexican-American studies because they are going to share that minority experience.”

Because the classes are Level III Honors, they are intellectually engaging in terms of content. In fact, the course curriculums target various aspects of history such as geography, economics, citizenship, culture and science.

It is currently not confirmed if both courses will be taught, given the lack of enrollment. Although

there are enough students for an African-American studies course, Mexican-American studies still requires more students.

There is hope though.

“We ask that every class has 15 students in order to make the class,” Cinelli informs. “Once we start making those changes for dual credit, we will get to see if enough students move to Mexican-American studies.”

African-American Studies • • •

roots of African-American culture cultural identities through time U.S. Supreme Court cases

Mexican-American Studies • • • •

Mexico’s relationship with the U.S. geographic events civil rights movements pre-colonial settlements

Coppell High School offers new ethnic courses in the 2022-23 school year.

Students will be expected to learn about changes in culture, conflicts, and civil rights of Mexican and African-Americans. Anushree De

Profiling Coppell

City works on 2040 Vision Anjali Krishna

Executive Editor-in-Chief

Minnie Gazawada

@anjalikrishna_

Staff Writer/Designer

Questions, Coppell? is a Sidekick series in which executive editorin-chief Anjali Krishna answers readers’ questions about Coppell.

@mridinigazawada

Before being elected to city council in 2012, Coppell Mayor Wes Mays was president of two homeowner associations; his background exposed him to city politics allowing him to succeed in his position.

What is something you had to consider when moving from council member to mayor?

Being mayor is actually very different [from] being on the city council. The mayor doesn’t have a vote, so the mayor’s job is more of a management job; it’s learning to work with the council to make sure that the council makes a decision. In fact, the [former Mayor Karen Hunt] had told me the hardest thing about being mayor is realizing that your job is no longer to make a decision, but your job is to make sure that a decision is made.

What prior experiences as a professional help you as mayor?

I’m an electrical engineer by training and I’ve been managing groups of people for close to 25

wCoppell Mayor Wes Mays has served on the city council since 2012. Mays was elected as mayor of Coppell last May. Ashley Qian years. The professional side of learning how to handle human dynamics was a big part of [my background]. The government side is very different than being in a company, being industrial, but being exposed to the city government for nine years on the city council [prepared me for] what I was getting into.

What’s your advice for future city council members?

My advice is keep an open mind, ask questions and be prepared to learn. You have to be willing to learn how the city operates and how government accounting works.

w

Coppell aims to foster a learning environment by creating spaces for learning and quickly embracing changes in demographics and values.

Enhance the unique Future oriented approach to ‘community oasis’ experience residential development

While still keeping a small town feel, Coppell plans to celebrate its cultural growth and diversity with programs and events to foster inclusion. Particularly through recreation and food, the city promotes community cohesiveness despite cultural differences.

To create more uniform ‘mini-oases,’ Coppell plans to strengthen the small town feel with gathering spots and no-car areas and by developing unique neighborhood characteristics.

For safety, the city is developing a happiness index and the Police Department is working to connect at a community level.

With 20% of Coppell’s population from age 50 to 59 and looking to downsize, Coppell is exploring sustainable housing options while maintaining a high standard of living. Parallely, the city hopes to keep the integrity of its single family and older homes while incentivizing refurbishment.

Create business and innovation nodes

Implement innovative transportation networks

Apply ‘smart city’ approach to resource management

Infrastructure must be built to meet residents’ high desire for non-car and road transportation. As such, Coppell aims to create pedestrian pathways throughout the city and connect local and regional transportation with the DART. Additionally, there is a focus on accommodating autonomous vehicles.

Coppell plans to implement sustainability in both future and current plans by giving space back to ecological zones such as the water canals. Setting new standards for building, bringing older infrastructure up to code, creating renewable energy and recycling plans, as well as a Smart Operating System will more cleanly manage Coppell’s resources.

In order to place Coppell at the forefront of development, the city is encouraging businesses at the corridor of Denton Tap Road and Sandy Lake Blvd. and Old Town while also exploring the possibility of a second similar site.

Coppell plans to also work with commercial warehouses to gauge future land use.

Graphics courtesy City of Coppell

Warning bells mitigating tardies

Staff Photographer/Writer @aliza_abidi

Coppell City Council Place 2 Brianna Hinojosa-Smith is Mayor Pro Tem and serves on the Coppell ISD Districtwide Educational Improvement Council. Hinojosa-Smith was reelected in 2021. Ashley Qian not alone, we really work very well together with our staff, mayor and our city council. I think that has been key. We’ve been able to maintain a stable tax rate so people can afford to continue living here and in return we get all the amenities and services that people living in Coppell expect. Another accomplishment I’ve had is our arts center, bringing culture and art into our community. I’ve really been a council member that’s tried to focus on health and wellness.

On Jan. 18, Coppell High School implemented a two-minute warning bell during passing periods.

CHS Career Technology Education (CTE) Richard Chamberlain suggested the warning bell to remind students to get to class on time. Rachel Chang

Varshitha Korrapolu Communications Manager @varshitha1128

As Coppell High School associate principal Melissa Arnold noticed an increase in tardiness, she wanted to take action to resolve this problem.

The warning bells are the bells that ring when there are two minutes remaining in passing periods. They serve as a reminder to students, teachers and administrators that classes will start soon.

Prior to the warning bells, music was played on the intercom during passing periods and it would be turned off when there was one minute left to get to class. Beginning on Jan. 18,

two-minute warning bells sound to alert students to make their way to class on time.

“When I’m talking to my friends or when I have a release period, I remember to go to class or leave the building [because of the bells].” CHS senior Risa Asim said. “They’ve made a good change. The hallways clear up during the last two minutes.”

Some students settle into their classes right after the twominute bell rings, which allows instruction to start on time and without less interruption from late arriving students.

“I was talking to some kids about [the warning bells] and they said they love it because it tells them they can hang out,

and play and mess around but then they have to get moving,” CHS honors precalculus and AP calculus teacher Dana DeLoach said. “I noticed that kids are a little more ready to learn right when the bell rings because most of them come to class when they hear the warning bell.”

Furthermore, administrators and teachers stand in the hallways during passing periods so that they can remind students to get to class on time.

“CHS should continue using warning bells since it helps the administrators in shooing kids off to classes,” DeLoach said.

“It helps them know that they could let kids visit for eight minutes, but then there’s only two minutes left and students need to get going to classes.”

APRIL 2022

Brianna Hinojosa-Smith currently serves as Place 2 on Coppell City Council. She was first elected in 2005 and served until 2012 when she stepped down to run for Congress. She was reelected in 2015, 2018 and 2021.

What made you seek this position and what prior professional experiences help in this role?

It has always been instilled in me, especially by my mom, the importance of giving back to your community and leaving things in places better than you found them. When I moved to Coppell in 2002, I knew Coppell was the home where I wanted to have and raise a family. I knew this was a place where I wanted to volunteer and dedicate personal time to give back.

What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as a city council member?

First and foremost, all accomplishments I had were

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Aliza Abidi

Coppell City Council Place 1 Cliff Long was elected to council in May 2014. Long emphasizes Coppell community members’ concerns in his decisions on council.

Nandini Paidesetty

Foster an inclusive community fabric

Perpetuate a learning environment

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Coppell City Council Place 1 Cliff Long is a retired certified financial planner and has a background in accounting before taking up his new position. Long approaches his duty from the lens of a local businessman to determine his decisions.

What is one thing that you value in your position?

I promise to look at the facts that came before me as a council member and make a decision not based on an individual, not based on our organization, but

make a decision based on what I [think is] best for the entire city. That’s my philosophy being a councilperson, [I’ve] stuck to during my eight years now.

What’s your advice for future city council members?

I think they [should] continue to do what I do; follow as closely the rules and regulations that are set down in my situation, be very careful with the money a nd always be looking out for how you can do something less expensive.

What are your legislative priorities?

I like what I see in the 2040 plan; this plan was put together by the citizens. We took what the citizens said they would like to have and we built out under the 2030 plan the facilities of the Life Safety Park, the CORE, Coppell Arts Center.

Now, we’re at the 2040 plan, now we’re getting into talk about how we are going to handle the technologies going forward and what we can do about housing in Coppell to allow the seniors to be able to afford to stay in Coppell and stay in a single family house.

w

For six months in 2018, Coppell hosted brainstorming sessions, w workshops and surveys to decide ‘points of consensus’ about the city’s future vision. Taking advice from a diverse group of participants, a committee commissioned by the city created an actionable plan and list of focuses to match this bold vision of the city and presented the plan in three community meetings before being approved by the city council. The Coppell Vision 2040 plan lays out the next 10 years of self-investment for Coppell and dictates its future projects and priorities.

NEWS THE SIDEKICK

Profiling Coppell is a Sidekick series in which staff writers profile influential members of the Coppell community.

Questions, Coppell?

THE SIDEKICK NEWS

Angelina Liu

Visual Media Editor @angelinaliiu

The District 11 president for the 2022-23 school year is…

Dilan Patel.

Whoops and hollers fill the air as Coppell High School students celebrate the first DECA district president from CHS in seven years.

On Jan. 20, at the Texas DECA Career Development Conference student business competition, Coppell High School junior Dilan Patel was announced as Dallas and Rockwall Counties (District 11) 2022-2023 president. “[Patel] is one of our quieter leaders,” CHS DECA adviser Richard Chamberlain said. “He leads by example. He’s very mature for his age in terms of his professionalism, level of motivation and respect that he shows his authority figures.”

In freshman year, Patel was interested in business, marketing and public speaking. When searching for a club to join, Patel knew DECA was going to be the right fit.

“There weren’t any leaders in [my graduating year],” Patel said “Typically they

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WHAT DOES DILAN PATEL BRING TO A POWERLIFTING MEET?

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Patel powerlifted to president position

were upperclassmen. Those upperclassmen were always role models to me and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

The journey to become a candidate consisted of an essay, interview, speech and test as well as advisor and principal approval.

After passing these steps, Patel was officially a candidate and had to appeal to voting delegates at the competition.

“It felt really good to be elected because I worked hard at it,” Patel said. “I feel like I represented what District 11 needed. When it was announced, I just smiled. I heard Coppell cheering and it was nice to have a moment where people supported [me].”

From an outsider perspective, Patel’s current work ethic models that of a goal-oriented top student.

However, this was not always the case. Throughout Coppell Middle School West, Patel was known as the guy who messed around in class and didn’t take school very seriously.

“I met [Patel] in sixth grade,” said junior Aryan Shah, Patel’s best friend. “He was in my social studies class. I knew he was smart but he never focused on [school]. When he started high school he made studying a priority, but he’s still someone who has fun.

Anjali Vishwanath

Daily News/Assignment Editor @anjuvishwanath

• • • Coppell High School junior Dilan Patel is the new DECA District 11 president. Patel’s passions for DECA, band and powerlifting allow him to see a bright future for himself.

Nandini Paidesetty He took up a lot of leadership opportunities which helped him mature.”

Although this maturation was gradual through his high school years, a pivotal moment occurred in last school year’s virtual learning as Patel felt the pressures of college and the future and realized his ambitions. Patel’s post-graduation goal is to study at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Outside of DECA, Patel is an active member in marching band and played saxophone in the award-winning ‘Carousel’ show that scored the highest score Coppell has ever received.

“We have band camp before the [marching] season starts and we have eighth graders come in and have them get a feel for what marching season is like,” Coppell varsity marching band section leader Haavish Arutla said. “I met [Patel] there [in that year] and he was kind to everybody, but he just wanted to have fun all the time. He’s grown up a lot since then. There’s been a lot of [improvement] that I’ve seen in him. He’s matured and he even had the chance to be section leader his sophomore year for JV. He put in a lot of hard work. His playing ability has improved a lot in the last year which means he definitely put in a lot of time outside of school practicing.”

In February 2021, Patel began working out at the gym in order to gain confidence.

Through this, he found a new passion: competitive weightlifting. Patel competes through USA Powerlifting and recently met the target/ required weight for national competition later this month in Illinois.

“In my friend group, I would always be picked on because I was the smallest,” Patel said.

“I would get wrestled and thrown around. I was tired of it and started working out and building myself up. One day, my friend asked me if I wanted to start powerlifting and I just said ‘yeah.’ We started competing [in September].”

This attitude is evident as Shah has been alongside Patel and watched him meet these milestones in life.

“When it’s time to work he’s one of the hardest workers and smartest people I know,” Shah said. When it comes to school and studying he excels in it, but when it comes to fun, he’s one of the most fun people I know.”

•

The Sidekick Shortcut News between the issues

Full-time district employees for the 2021-22 school year will be awarded $500 on their June paycheck, as approved by the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees at their Feb. 28 meeting.

As of Feb. 28, South Belt Line Road has only two open lanes, one going in each direction, from the stretch between Southwestern Boulevard and Interstate 635.

At its March 10 meeting, the Cozby Library and Community Commons board voted against removing the contested book Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.

CISD hosts Visioning Committee meetings open to the public on April 4 and April 14 in the Vonita White Administration Building and April 7 and April 11 at Coppell Middle School West. These meetings are opportunities for the community to participate in discussions about CISD’s list of possible priority areas, which cover the district’s three core values: great teaching and authentic relationships, great teaching and redefining success, and redefining success and collective engagement.

stronomy students chasing progress, educating on sustainability Saniya Koppikar Staff Writer

@SaniyaKoppikar

Towards the end of the first semester, each year for the past decade, Coppell High School astronomy teacher Angela Barnes has presented her classes with a challenge.

First, she tells them to study the United Nations 17 Goals For A Sustainable Future and find one that speaks to them. Then, she asks them to start the most important part: do something about it.

“Sometimes, we’re stuck in this world where we just want convenience,” Barnes said. “We want what we want when we want it, and we don’t think about the consequences.”

This year’s students’ responses to the challenge will be implemented in a multitude of ways this month as they begin to send what they have learned in the classroom into the community. In the main hallway of CHS, collection boxes and posters have been set up for contribution from the student body.

In December, Barnes’ students selected one of the 17 UN goals and conducted indepth research on the context of the goal and progress made towards its 2030 deadline.

CHS junior Alfred Fairchild and senior Lucas Mears, having taken an interest in the effects of methane gas from cow manure on CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, zeroed in on goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 15 (Life on

Land). Their project plans to promote the Meatless Monday campaign at Starbucks, which is a part of the company’s goal to expand plant-based menu choices in order to to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

Meanwhile, CHS seniors Hafsa Qazzafi and Kylie Fowler found their calling in goal 4 (Quality Education) and 15 (Life on Land). They transformed their inspiration into plans to write and illustrate a children’s book about local wildlife to be read aloud in schools and libraries around Dallas.

“It’s important for kids to be educated on the environment around us, so we’re going to try to make it informative,” Fowler said.

“But also entertaining enough for a first or fourth grader to enjoy.” “[Actionability] is also the hardest part, because they could research and they can tell me what the problems are, and that’s fine,” Barnes said. “But to do something about it - like, how do you make that change?

Something like not going to buy their clothes from GAP anymore because they can just go and get them from the thrift store makes more of a difference than they realize, and I want them to know they have that power to make different choices.”

Sustainability, an unexpected but fitting part of Barnes’s astronomy class, is emphasized not only through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) challenge, but throughout the curriculum. Human pollution’s effect on astronomy and

the forgotten astronomical discoveries of women are some of the topics covered in class that constitute the lens Barnes teaches through.

Her teaching style has not always been met with support.

Under past administrations, Barnes remembers having to strongly advocate for her students’ ability to do the project, facing skepticism for her students studying a topic like gender studies while in an astronomy class.

While Barnes has students receive permission from parents for their topics, she wants their projects to follow their passions.

This year’s students are working in small groups to choose their own line of research.

“I had a kid focusing on the trafficking of young boys, and nobody had ever brought that topic up to me before,” Barnes said. “It blew my mind. I was close to tears, and this kid was so passionate about this topic.

I was not going to tell him he couldn’t focus on it because this is a science class.”

Though the UN Global Goals are supposed to be achieved by 2030, considerable progress – the amount of progress needed to slow, let alone reverse, the deteriorating situations of many of the goals - has not been made.

“I want them to come away from this project with a mindset like, ‘Not only did I learn from my project, but I learned from everyone else’s that there are little things I can do that will make a difference,’” Barnes said.

“And it all starts there.”

Coppell High School astronomy students collect donation supplies to fulfill their United Nations Climate Project goals. Posters of each Global Goal line the hallway with boxes containing various products and foods. Sreehitha Moravaneni

THE BEAT FROM CHS9

Nathan Cheng Staff Writer

@WalterBotell

Immigration can be an arduous and anxiety inducing process, one CHS9 Spanish teacher Reyna Conger knows well. Graduating with a degree in journalism from la Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela, Conger moved to the United States in 2000 and earned a teacher certification in 2014 before moving to Coppell in 2016 to teach in Coppell ISD. What is your professional background?

I am from Venezuela and my first career was in journalism. I moved to the U.S. in 2000 to pursue a master’s degree in communications [at Georgia State University]. In 2002, I got married and moved to Texas. I stayed home and decided to become a certified teacher eight years ago.

How did you pursue journalism in Venezuela?

I graduated as a journalist in 1995. I worked in Venezuela for seven years before I decided to move to the U.S. The school was called Universidad Catolica Andre Bello in Caracas .It is one of the best schools in Venezuela.

Why didn’t you pursue journalism in the United States?

I tried to do an interview with CNN in Spanish because my English wasn’t good. It didn’t go very well and I also needed a sponsor for my work visa because I was still an international student. My school in Venezuela did not provide a sponsor so I wasn’t allowed to work in the U.S. I could have worked for free but I decided to study.

What made you want to be an educator?

When I was in college, I was an assistant teacher for a class called “generos periodisticos” or

journalist styles. It’s when you explain how to do interviews or how to write news articles and things like that. I always liked teaching. Even before I got my alternative certification, I worked part-time at the Spanish Schoolhouse for two or three years and I really enjoyed it. Before I decided to pursue teaching, I stopped for about two years to make sure that it was something I really wanted to do and it was.

When did you get to CISD? It was five years ago. I was at [Coppell Middle School North] for one year before I moved to CHS9 and this is my fourth year here. I taught social studies to dual language kids and then the second semester, I taught Texas history and Spanish I and II. Since I moved here, I’ve taught Spanish II and III, and this is the first year I am teaching AP Spanish IV.

qualifications for a future of leading himself and others.

“A good leader [when] managing a business, you take control of the team in many aspects of the business. So I feel like that would fit my personality,” Yella said.

He was one of the six individuals elected and had an interview with CHS9 DECA advisor Kim Porter prior to securing the position of vice president of administration with his leadership abilities.

“He’s got [an] authoritative voice and he will command the attention of his audience easily and immediately,” Porter said.

Yella’s duties as vice president are maintaining attendance records and merit points. His efficiency is

witnessed by CHS9 DECA vice president of finance Aryan Raj. “Srithan compliments everyone else on the team,” Raj said. “When everybody works together with Srithan, it’s effective and everybody benefits.”

Yella uses his leadership skills by organizing and conducting events, such as the popcorn fundraiser and the Chipotle Social Night. The fundraisers took place to support members’ with DECA state tournament expenses. It raised around $1,400, allowing Yella to listen to members’ suggestions and direct them through the process.

“A leader is someone who goes out of their comfort zone; at the end of that day, that’s my role,” Yella said.

CHS9 Spanish teacher Reyna Conger teaches her fourth period class on Feb. 17. Conger has been teaching at Coppell ISD for five years. Olivia Cooper

NEWS THE SIDEKICK

Conger goes from new sroom to classroom

Yella strengthens leadership through DECA Minnie Gazawada Staff Writer

@mridinigazawada

DECA Competitive Event: Entrepreneurship - Start-up Business Plan Favorite part of Business: Learning the processes of different business aspects and how each one is distinctive Dream Career: Managing a business as a team leader Favorite Shark: Mark Cuban

Maya Palavali Staff Writer

@mvpalovalley

Middle School East and a couple of apps. “[My interest] started in sixth grade when they provided us iPads,” Tian said. “I started

with Paper 53 and graduated to Sketchbook.”

Tian entered the realm of creating fan art. With it being new,

Tian turned to her favorite show at the time to help guide her. Reflecting back on fond memories, Tian realizes how she would like to revisit her previous interests.

One of these interests is anime art.

“I used to really like to draw Jujutsu Kaisen art,” Tian said. “I want to get back to it someday.”

Digital art and sharing pieces virtually have a special place in Tian’s art. Art provides Tian peace in a sea of obligations.

“It’s not stressful if I [make art] for fun and because I like it,” Tian said.

Tian’s personality is reflect-

ed in the beautiful concepts she constructs.

“She is actually quiet and reserved,” Jiao said. “But, once you get to know her, you come to realize her demeanor is very charming and she’s full of funny quips.”

Tian makes sure to keep her art bright and optimistic.

“I try to put my personality into it, so it won’t be all serious or gloomy,” Tian said. “I’m not that type of person.”

She wants to take her love for art and use it to help herself and others. Tian is currently open for commissions to improve her skills and make a profit at the same time. She plans to use her experience in her younger years to help her create a path for the future.

“I want to go down the digital path with 2D animation or have a job and do [art] on the side,” Tian said. “I know for sure that in the future I’ll continue doing art because I don’t want to quit.”

Photos by Anette Varghese/Digital art courtesy Ivy Tian

APRIL 2022

Hand moving deftly from years of practice, a character comes to life on the blue tinged screen. Art is all about skill and experience, both of which CHS9 student Ivy Tian possesses.

Entering freshman year, Tian enrolled in the Art 1 Honors program offered in Coppell ISD. In school, Tian expresses her creativity freely in the ways that she likes best. She has been able to become comfortable in her environment, thanks to CHS9 art teacher Elsa Reynolds.

“Mrs. Reynolds will let you draw what you want,” Tian said.

“She also gives tips that are really nice.”

Her love for art predates her enrollment into the school art program. Starting classes since age 5, Tian has been surrounded by the proper art education to help hone her skills. The steady

foundation she built at a young age has allowed her to branch out as an artist.

“In fourth grade, the [art] teacher made us draw people kicking soccer balls,” Tian said. “I didn’t like that. I wanted to do my own stuff, and so I did.”

Her passion for art grew as she entered middle school.

“I didn’t get into it until I was in sixth grade,” Tian said. “I was drawing my friends and I was like ‘I want to get better’.”

Her love for digital art was found in the walls of Coppell

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Tian pursuing artistic freedom online

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

CHS9 DECA vice president of administration Srithan Yella attends DECA monthly meeting in B hall commons on March 9. Yella plays a game with DECA members to create bonding in the club. Nick Larry

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CHS9 vice president of administration Srithan Yella spent his time watching “Shark Tank”. The innovative products, deliberation of sales and marketing led Yella to his calling: business.

In an effort to dive deeper, Yella attended the first DECA meeting of the school year and presented his officer election speech to lead the CHS9 DECA chapter.

“I wanted to take charge of the club and help the club work efficiently,” Yella said.

With a background of public speaking through Coppell Middle School West Youth & Government, Yella strengthens his

Yella’s Business Plan

W

Provide hygiene products in school bathrooms

hen it comes to biological necessities, it is essential for schools to support students. While Coppell High School offers a plethora of services and resources for its students to thrive, one specific area in which the school is lacking is in providing free and easy access to menstrual products.

Currently, the only place menstrual products can be accessed is in the nurse’s office. Though it is great to have some form of resource, school time is missed by students constantly having to go down to the office, wait for their turn, get the products, utilize them and go to class. Having products in the bathrooms is an easy fix for students to save time and energy better spent learning. Since CHS already has a supply of these products, it is not a major change to move them to bathrooms instead of the nurse’s office.

According to CHS Principal Laura Springer, menstrual products used to be available in the school bathrooms, but were removed due to a number of problems, the majority of which were forms of vandalism.

Products were flushed down the toilets, ruining sewage systems. It is fair for the district to feel as though students cannot be trusted with free access when so many problems have occurred. However, with the right regulations, such as setting limits of products per day, menstruators

should be given one more chance at equitable access to menstrual products in bathrooms.

Many other CISD campuses implement menstrual products in bathrooms for students to use. For example, Coppell Middle School East and CHS9 offer feminine products with a small price. New Tech High School’s club “Go With the Flow” raised funding for sanitary products to be available in all bathrooms. CHS has a bigger population than all these schools, why don’t we have similar systems in place?

This issue stems from the larger existing taboo in our school: talking about menstrual health. The stigma around menstrual health prevents many students from maintaining sanitary habits during their menstrual cycle. Menstruators are uncomfortable asking for products, burying the problem as many will hesitate to advocate for themselves. Under the tampon tax in Texas, menstrual products are not considered necessities, and are therefore taxed.

While it is commendable that the school offers products for menstruators, this service often goes to waste as not many students are aware of the resources available to them. Having products placed in bathrooms is a convenient way for students to take advantage of necessary products and shows that CHS is an inclusive place supporting menstruators during their menstrual cycle. No funds must be reallocated as the only change the school needs to make is moving the menstrual products from the nurse to the bathrooms.

Having menstrual

products in bathrooms will help the menstruator student body by making the school a more accessible environment for their biological needs. Trusting that CHS adolescents will be responsible with their privileges will bridge the gap between students and school staff, allowing for a more connected and comfortable school.

Editorial members’ stance Each fthftymember of the editorial board’s opinionThe oneditorial whether provide or not Coppell board voted on High School should prodwhether or not provide Coppellfeminine High School should provide menstrual products in ucts in school bathro school bathrooms.

For: 16 Against: 0

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK EDITORIAL

Make the school a safe space for menstruators

2021-22 STAFF Executive Leadership

Writers

Chase Wofford Staff Adviser Anjali Krishna Editor-in-Chief P. 17 Trisha Atluri Entertainment Editor P. 16 Sreeja Mudumby Editorial Page Editor P. 9

Nathan Cheng Anushree De P. 2 Shrayes Gunna Yaamini Jois P. 8 Joanne Kim Saniya Koppikar

APRIL 2022

Editorial Leadership Sri Achanta News Editor P. 3 Anjali Vishwanath Daily News/Assignment Editor P. 4 Iniya Nathan CHS9 Editor P. 5 Anette Varghese Student Life Editor P. 10 Torie Peck Sports Editor P. 21

Media Team Leadership Angelina Liu Visual Media Editor P. 7 Nandini Muresh Photo Editor P. 11 Srihari Yechangunja Design Editor P. 1, 12, 13 Ayane Kobayashi Staff Cartoonist P. 15

Communications & Business Team Manasa Mohan Advertising/Circulation Manager P. 23, 24 Aliya Zakir Social Media Manager P. 18 Varshitha Korrapolu Communications Manager

Meer Mahfuz P. 22 Maya Palavali P. 6 Deepti Patil Havish Premkumar Yasemin Ragland Tracy Tran P. 19

Photographers Aliza Abidi Sannidhi Arimanda Olivia Cooper Meghna Kulkarni Nicholas Larry Sruthi Lingam

Sreehitha Moravaneni Nandini Paidesetty P. 20 Ashley Qian Olivia Short Shreya Ravi Aarinn Vittolia

Designers Josh Campbell P. 14 Rachel Chang Jayden Chui Noor Fatima

The Sidekick is the official student newspaper for Coppell High School. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and provide an educational resource for its readers. This newspaper is a public forum for student expression with staff members (with assistance from their adviser) making content decisions. The editorials and columns in this paper reflect the view of their writers.

The Sidekick is a member of Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA).

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

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

CONTACT US Minnie Gazawada Esther Kim Avani Munji

(214) 496-6239 / cwofford@coppellisd.com 185 W. Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX 75019 Correction: Profiling Coppell (Volume Coppell No. 4 pg. 3) In our previous issue, City Council Place 7 Mark Hill was incorrectly identified as Mark Smits. The Sidekick regrets the error.

Let the stars align: astrology is a step into peace

Staff Writer

@shrayesgunna

M

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Graphic by Avani Munji

APRIL 2022

Graphics by Minnie Gazawada

“Astrology is yet another tool to conquer our worst fears.” fears.”

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

y Sun is in Virgo, Moon in Aries and Ascendant in Sagittarius. To many, my credence in a set of what are commonly-perceived as arbitrary constellations condemns me to insanity.

But my mind jumps to hope, “oh, how the stars have aligned,” quite literally.

It is not uncommon nor ludicrous to have faith in the stars, yet with astrology’s insurgence as a belief system, more and more nonbelievers and skeptics dismiss its efforts to reason with the truth.

Support systems appear in metaphysical ways. In desperate times, people often find faith, not in a person but instead a higher power; religious systems create that gateway. Astrology is in a similar sense a higher power, though not guided by a god or collection of gods.

That is not to say that astrology could play the same role as religion in someone’s life, but it could be a fun and fruitful outlet to explore.

Utilizing the orientation of celestial bodies and other planetary ideologies such as tropic lines, astrology acts as a guide often “predicting” what is held in an individual’s future from periods of hope and change to periods of love, and almost everything in between.

With a system of symbols, zodiac signs, houses, degrees and planets, astrology provides insight into why we act as we do and how we may progress.

For many, such a lofty ideology is hard to grasp, but those that do buy into the system are met with an underscored hope and joy. To see into something as arbitrary as the future is a calming thing.

On top of that, astrology is a fun practice that can get people excited. When walking the halls of Coppell High School recently, I hear more talk of people’s signs from common questions of “what’s your sun sign” to audible gasps at the revelations they carry.

Especially with the practice permeating across the internet and social media, we now have easier access to interpreting astrological charts. A chart is a document that captures the orientation of one’s planets in accordance with their houses and signs. Even from a simplified description, the idea is complex. But through sites like Costar, young people are able to have a taste at what their astrology may entail.

However, the connotations that many associate with astrological believers or even students that toy with the idea are often negative and reference them as “delusional,” painting them in a bad light.

Astrology gives reason and structure to the fluid and convoluted concept of the future, easing several anxieties, especially for someone like me who views the future as a daunting thing and for many other young people who seek out a sense of comfort in a fastpaced world.

It keeps open arms and presents an easy pathway into a future filled with tranquility and hope, countering the fears and angst that individuals may have. It is yet another tool to conquer our worst fears and should not be looked down upon.

Our support systems and beliefs do not have to be pragmatic, and astrology proves just that. Whether people delve into it for fun or for more context on their lives, it is as influential as we let it be.

American author and film director Bill Myers said it best, “astrology is like any other superstition: it has no power unless people allow it to direct their lives.”

Let it move you. Read into it.

And feel just about everything that your instincts tell you not to.

Who knows, the stars may align for you too.

OPINIONS THE SIDEKICK

Shrayes Gunna

THE SIDEKICK OPINIONS

The Women

Who Made Us In honor of Women’s History Month, The Sidekick columnists wrote stories about influential female figures in their lives.

Goodall captures hearts of girls with chimpanzees all the cool scientists I had heard about were men in fancy black coats. Using math I did not understand, studying subjects that were interesting, but not what I found interesting.

I am a very visual learner, so the concept of being able to simply observe in an experiment excited me.

Even better, a woman could do it.

Goodall sparked my interest in science. From then on, I wanted to become a biologist. I thought it would allow me to work with animals like Goodall. Looking back, I’m not sure that would’ve been the case.

It is the spirit that counts, though.

Goodall’s conservation efforts also showed me the importance of environmentalism. Her methods of

Noor Fatima Staff Designer

@CHSCampusNews

When I was in second grade, I read a certain book from the classroom bookshelf. It was part of The Magic Treehouse Fact Tracker series. It was called Pandas and Other Endangered Species In this book, there is a section about Jane Goodall and her most well known research, in which Goodall lived alongside a group of chimpanzees, studying their behaviors.

Reading about these chimpanzees that shared human attributes with us was inspiring. I was already a child who was interested in science, but it always felt so disconnected to me as a young girl;

research gave importance to the test subjects and their emotions.

Goodall’s work gave me a clear reason as to why we need to conserve the planet in a way my younger brain understood and connected to.

She is the root of why I don’t mind taking a moment to pick up trash from a beach, or to consider how much plastic is in the packaging I consume.

She inspired the part of me who loves environmental science and learning how things work in the wild.

The Sidekick staff designer Noor Fatima considers Jane Goodall, an English primatologist and anthropologist, as the woman who made her. Fatima thinks Goodall’s research of wild chimpanzees has impacted her outlook on nature since childhood. Ashley Qian

Memories of my mother paralleled in role models

Shrayes Gunna Staff Writer

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

@shrayesgunna

My mother is Hindu but every night before dinner she prays to Jesus Christ. I’ve never fully comprehended this paradoxical aspect of her identity, but I’ve accepted it as one of her fatal flaws. She can never make up her mind: her indecision fuels my constant curiosity.

As I ask her about her past, the stories gushing from her lips and emotions painted in her sad eyes as she reflected redefine my conception of her and let me into a hidden collection of her memories.

My mother was born Vishwa Shanthi Gunta. Now, all her legal documents read Shanthi Gunna, the transfiguration of her name reflecting the multiplicity of her experiences.

She was born in 1975.

At age 5, she was sent to a Catholic boarding school nestled in the sprawling city of Vizag beside her small hometown of Palasa.

At age 22, she married Shankar Gunna, and she relinquished her dream of becoming a doctor, pursuing engineering instead.

At age 24, she made the difficult decision to move to the

aged me to embrace my culture and analyze its intersections with politics and social justice.

When Taylor Swift sang “pack your dolls and a sweater, we’ll move to India forever” in her song “Seven,” my trips to India with my hand clutched in my mother’s come to mind.

When Gemma Chan represented strength and independence in Crazy Rich Asians breaking societal expectations, my mother was making parallel strides for representation The Sidekick staff writer Shrayes Gunna regards his mother as the person who in the STEM field, shaped him. She influenced Gunna’s choice in female role models, who hold embodying the same the qualities that he admires in his mother. Rachel Chang values and drive. were to sneak up on her as she I follow her prayers with an When Princess Diana walked watched movies through the “amen” accepting and loving her barefoot across minefields in night, you’d see her crying at the for all she is.

Africa driven by her heart, cheesy love story fixed across my mother joined institutions the TV. Most people wouldn’t from health clinics to the local really understand my mom nor homeowners’ association to be recognize her valiant efforts and a voice for her expansive net- growth, but I do. work of friends and acquainShe is the woman who made tances. me, by influencing my idols, My mom never wears her encouraging my passions and heart on her sleeve, conditioned adding fuel to my fire as it to keep in her feelings. But if you flickers out. So every night,

Mirroring the woman I want to become Anette Varghese Student Life Editor @AnetteVarghese

APRIL 2022

United States, forcing herself to orient to a foreign landscape.

And at 29, she had me.

She was the antithesis of traditional, never taking leave from work to tend to my needs, instead chasing after her goals alongside cultivating a family.

As soon as I could really process words, my mother would greet me with an outpouring of tales about her work as a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Chase managing 27 men.

My mother has never been submissive to society’s norms.

As an Asian woman working in a field populated primarily by men, she had to be bold, steadfast and ten-times as hardworking as her male counterparts.

And so she is.

She shaped who I am, instilling a fond respect and appreciation of the class, sophistication, power and majesty of femininity. My idols have always been women, all elegant, intelligent and trailblazers in their respected fields.

My idols now are diverse and poignant, each holding the sort of conviction and strength I appreciate in her.

When Selena Gomez crafted “Living Undocumented” to shed light on the stories of illegal immigrants, my mother encour-

I learned to walk along beaches that were brimming with white sand and had crystal clear waves lapping at the shore of the Sunshine State, Florida. I was often chased by a newly immigrated mother of two toddlers, who ushered me to run faster.

My mother, Sali Varghese, is not someone who is fond of change, but she made the choice to move abroad from Kerala, India. Thus began a chain reaction that would end with me sitting in my bedroom writing in fluent English, choosing the right words to perfectly articulate how her effort changed the entire trajectory of my life.

No one has ever known her to be afraid of anything, so it was a shock to her when her youngest daughter was afraid of everything from heights to water. She was so fearless in fact that she annually reminds me of my first grade fill-in-the-blank Mother’s Day card chalk full of lies that so eloquently states her fear of snakes, mice and bugs.

Fears aside, we are quite alike. I developed her love for time management, and occasionally, a sharp tongue. We share similar face shapes, and thankfully, I take after her in the eyebrow department. I also plan to follow her bold steps into the medical field as a nurse.

Something she is fond of is consistency. Throughout our many “permanent” home addresses in America, my mom has been sure to take us to

church, especially on Sundays, which is why I can accurately tell you which church in New Mexico has the best ambiance for a nap. Which is why I have never made plans on a single Sunday morning since age 4, but I also value that consistency in my life.

Both of us choose the silent treatment as our choice method of punishment when upset. Both of us are morning people, and both of us like our coffee black.

While I might be exactly fiveand-a-quarter inches taller than my mom, if she squints extra hard she might see just a sliver of how much she has built me.

March is Women’s History Month, a month dedicated to highlighting the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

As a part of The Woman Who Made Me series, The Sidekick student life editor Anette Varghese describes how she and her mother are alike.

Photo courtesy Anette Varghese

Write for yourself and for the community Executive Editorial Page Editor @sreejamudumby

Nothing can beat the feeling I get seeing the end result of a finished piece of writing. Placing the period on the last sentence, and looking back at the creation you made offers a sense of fulfillment like no other. Writing is an art, confined only to the boundaries of carefully scripted letters to form words, paragraphs and ultimately, stories. Stories that live on for lifetimes.

Journaling as a young girl and this freeing writing class led me to become a student journalist. I no longer write to document my daily life; I write as a method of service to my community, a way to condense all the lightness and darkness of Coppell into stories.

Writing is something that every literate person can do. But to write well takes time and effort. It cannot be done in two seconds, or even two minutes.

Writing requires brain power and creativity in order to craft the perfect combination of text to produce something meaningful.

Many think they cannot write, so they stay away from writing. But everyone should experience the beauty of it by writing for themselves; everyone can.

Designing one’s jumbled thoughts into enjoyable compositions is unique for each individual, as no two people can interpret the world the same way. Everyone can and should write, not for a class or college essay, but truly for themselves.

It is not hard to write. I don’t consider myself a great writer, but I do it because I love

it. What started as me ranting about an annoying classmate became awards won for my stories, things I’ve written, those which can be achieved by anyone.

Try writing. Take a piece of paper, or open a Google Doc, and just write. Write what comes into your mind, what you like, hate and everything in between.

Write about people, places and food.

Writing is nothing short of magic. It is a power that can

change minds and make the world better.

Write for you, and write for the world. You might be surprised by just how beautiful your words can be.

Anjali Vishwanath

Daily News/Assignment Editor @anjuvishwanath

Racism, Antiracism, and You, a resource many people turned to after the fatal arrest of George Floyd in 2020 at the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. These are books, such as Cinderella is Dead, a fantasy novel I checked out and enjoyed as an eBook from the Cozby Library and Community Commons’ catalog.

My hope is that our public schools and libraries will defend our right to read, rather than allow politicians to further their agendas at the expense of our education. My hope is that we took the opportunity provided to us by the March 1 primary election to keep representatives who aim to further muffle marginalized communities off of the ballot.

These are our books they’re coming after. Our education. Our voices.

“The library is a place for you to make a choice of books that you want to read,” CHS librarian Trisha Goins said. “And not every book is going to be for every reader, but we want to allow access. Libraries should be a safe place for everyone and it is a place to come to seek answers.”

Our representatives in Austin and

These are books about stories, communities and people.”

Washington are trying to take these books off our shelves. They claim that these books would offend or harm minority students, or otherwise lead them to believe that American history (and present-day America) is imperfect.

Quite frankly, though, it is impossible to tell the human story without covering the painful parts; to do otherwise would be to turn your backs on the hundreds of thousands of people oppressed by their fellow man for uncontrollable circumstances of their birth, for daring to look or sound or believe differently than those around them. To do otherwise would be to lie, blatantly and knowingly. To do otherwise would be to stagnate history at that level of discrimination, for we cannot advance without first learning what we have done wrong. Telling those marginalized and historically silenced stories is critically important as we try to create a more tolerant America.

And if you don’t want to listen to a 17-year-old student journalist, then take it from writer, philosopher and self-identified American Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás (or as he was more commonly known, George Santayana): “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

APRIL 2022

I can trace book banning back to the Protestant Reformation, when the newly invented printing press was creating controversy as English- and German-translated Bibles swept across Europe.

Just after the invention of the printing press, literacy rates in Europe trended upwards. As their citizens began reading their constitutions and legal charters, leaders rushed to restrict their access to these materials.

A lot can be understood about a person based on what they have read. In the same way, a lot can be understood about a leader based on what they won’t let people read. You can see their fears, their prejudices and principles.

The list of 850 books Texas Representative Matt Krause presented to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) covered many topics. Krause proposed to ban the books on his list from Texas public schools’ libraries, on grounds of causing students to feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race or sex.” It was more than comprehensive; in some cases, it was repetitive: several books, such as Cat Clark’s The Pants Project and Anastasia Higginbotham’s Not My Idea, can be found on the list twice. Also found on the list, oddly, are all five volumes of the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.

Clearly, there were some clerical errors made in what appears to have been

the rather haphazard process of putting together this list. Still, there are some chilling takeaways from the document, between the irregularities.

Danika Ellis, a writer for Bookriot, broke down the list by topic in November.

Her observation that more than half of the books on the list are in some way about the LGBTQ+ community hits differently after Governor Greg Abbott’s recent bill targeting young transgender Texans and reinforced restrictions on instruction of African-American history and the history of slavery in this country.

The reality of the list of contested books is it almost exclusively targets minority communities - among them the LGBTQ+ community, the Black community and the indigenous community. These are novels featuring LGBTQ+ heroes and nonfiction history books and memoirs without redactions over the ugly bits. These are books about real communities, real people and real stories.

These are books our own Coppell High School proudly displays and makes available to its students, such as Stamped:

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

In a tale as old as time, Texas politicians are back to banning books in schools

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Graphic by Noor Fatima

OPINIONS THE SIDEKICK

Sreeja Mudumby

THE SIDEKICK STUDENT LIFE

MAESTRO DE LA EDICIÓN

Mares shows interconnected curriculum drives success suc Anette Varghese Student Life Editor @AnetteVarghese

H

aving a dual cultural identity is something many Coppell High School students and staff can connect with, including CHS Spanish teacher Eligio Mares. As the youngest of four siblings and one of the younger two born on U.S. soil, Mares had trouble finding his Mexican heritage represented in his education growing up in Decatur, TX,which is why he aims to bring his students a more holistic view on both culture and education. Mares was selected by The Sidekick staff as its Teacher of the Issue.

The Sidekick on Mares “Señor Mares teaches with an emphasis on catering to a student’s preferred learning method, whether that be visual, auditory, tactile or writing.”

- Staff photographer Sruthi Lingam “Señor Mares makes his classroom more than a classroom.

It is a learning ground where conversation is encouraged and laughing is pervasive. Señor Mares breaks all norms of a typical classroom, encouraging students to think about what they learn.”

- Staff writer Anushree De

Sidekick Online

“He has a great attitude when working with students.”

- Staff designer Josh Campbell

ffo

EE.t

I

Staff Writer

@CHSCampusNews

@SaniyaKoppikar

@thesidekickcoppell

Why did you choose to teach Spanish?

I wanted to study psychology.

I knew that you had to declare two degrees, a major and then a minor. I was very fortunate that my Midwestern State University advisor, Dr. Cuevas said, “ I think you should do Spanish,” because as she said, my informal casual Spanish was not going to be good enough for the professional world if I were to become a psychologist, or whatever I wanted to become. It was the greatest thing that I had ever done because it allowed me to be connected, not just on the language level, but on my parents’ cultural level.

How do you think being born in the United States affected your perception of your culture?

Technically, my culture would be American because I was born here. How much of Mexican culture I actually want to embrace was a challenge because as a minority, there was an inferiority complex and my culture was viewed as a marginalized culture. Majoring in Spanish at the college level, being a more mature adult with more exposure to the world and knowing how important it is to embrace your roots really helped me again evolve as a person. I felt like I became a better student overall by embracing the Spanish side.

How has teaching changed you?

It gives me just more awareness of all the different areas and cultures and I always tell my students that one of my goals in life was to be well exposed to

the world, be well versed, and well cultured. One of the reasons that I came to Coppell is that I felt like I didn’t have to go to the world, the world came to me because there are so many different ethnicities and backgrounds here. I’m intrigued by that. It helps me evolve as a person, being here as a teacher in high school.

Why did you move to Coppell?

I always heard about how wonderful [fellow teachers] kids’ experience was in high school and how I didn’t realize they had been so diverse and basically a melting pot here. I was deeply intrigued by that. So, when I wanted to move from elementary to secondary, I took the job in the middle of the school year because the position I wanted opened up. I jumped on it when it came open, four years ago, in the month of February.

What is the funniest mistake a student has made?

False cognates, embarazado means for a woman to be pregnant, but they think it means embarrassed. That’s a common mistake. But it’s hard not to chuckle sometimes because of the completely different meaning that it has. It just kind of becomes kind of funny.

What sets you apart from other teachers?

I have had the opportunity to teach such a large range of different learning levels and backgrounds. When I was teaching elementary school students, I was working at Title I schools, which tended to be low-income families now I’m on the opposite

Coppell High School Spanish teacher Eligio Mares assists CHS sophomore Roma Jani during first period on March 9.

Mares has been selected as The Sidekick’s Issue 5 Teacher of the Issue for the 2021-22 school year. Nick Larry end of that spectrum. Sometimes, I’ll do an activity that’s either hands-on or a foldable with a paper, and I had my mentor teacher that first year say, “how do you come up with this kind of stuff?”

How does this school year compare to your first year at Coppell?

I understand the curriculum on a much deeper level. One of the things that I wanted to focus on this year was positive reinforcement. The service industry had taken such a big hit and there was a shortage of people helping with hotels, restaurants and anything in the service industry. I felt like in general people were very short with you just because they were struggling to stay afloat. I put that into per-

Hitting the mark

spective with students and what they’re going through at school.

This year, I feel like in that sense of seeing the best response from students to be more motivated by using positive reinforcement. Early on, being in an AP classroom, I thought that I had to constantly challenge them.

I wanted to meet somewhere in the middle and just use positive reinforcement to make sure students actually love learning Spanish.

How does your background influence your teaching?

Doing a Spanish degree gave me that foundation of where my parents come from, why they had to immigrate to the United States, what it entailed to have to try to assimilate to the majority culture over here. off

I

t.EE

Robotics team leveling sights on victory Saniya Koppikar

APRIL 2022

TEACHER OF THE ISSUE

Behind the red door of a red brick house that shielded them from the burning September heat, 12 teenagers huddled around a computer discussing the mechanics of a shipping hub.

The 12 constitute the Mark X robotics team, started by brothers Aryan and Arnav Damle––one a current freshman at University of North Texas, the other a junior at Coppell High School––and CHS junior Adarsh Goura. That September day, they were studying the prompt presented by the 2021 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC): the future of transportation.

“When FIRST releases the challenge, we have to design a new robot from scratch,” said Arnav, builder and lead computer-aided design (CAD) designer. “We use software to put the parts together virtually and essentially create a set of instructions to build it in real life.”

According to the FIRST website, competing teams in the 2021-22 season

must “re-imagine faster, more reliable, inclusive and sustainable transportation innovations that better connect and grow communities and economies around the world.”

For Mark X, FTC team #16272, the challenge took shape in weekly meetings at their coach Hema Damle’s house, where the team would brainstorm their path forward.

The months-long season ahead would lead Mark X through a series of competitions, each one divided into two events: the robot game and the judging presentation.

The robot game takes place in a span of only two and a half minutes. In the first 30 seconds, the robot performs only with the code the team has written, without any manual interference, and attempts to grab and queue up cubes and spheres in three different levels of containers. In the next minute and a half––the TeleOp period––the robot performs entirely with manual instruction.

In the final 30 seconds––the end-

Computer-aided design...

• • • •

Represents the 3-D object digitally prior to manufacturing Visualizes intricate part relationships Also can be used to design infrastructure and digital spaces Developed basis in the 1960s with the Sketchpad and ADAM programs designed

by Patrick Hanratty and Ivan Sutherland

game period––the driver controls the robot in an attempt to score the most points.

The 15-minute judging presentation concludes the competitions by giving teams a chance to show off what they have accomplished throughout the season, including community outreach displayed through an engineering portfolio, a 16-page document explaining the team’s building and programming journey throughout the season. The team presents for five minutes and answers questions from the judges for their remaining time.

But before the team could advance to competition, the robot had to be built.

Over the next few weeks, they transferred the

The Mark X robotics team stands with its coach Hema Damle, mentor Aryan Damle and past robots on Feb. 13. The Mark X robotics team competed at the North Texas Regional Championship on Feb. 26 and placed 16 out of 40. Shreya Ravi plans into Fusion 360, a CAD software, to virtually plan how the parts of the robot would move together. Then, the parts were ordered and the building process began.

“The team started with only three members,” said Goura, who is lead programmer of Mark X. “Arnav and Aryan were doing fundraising around the neighborhood, going door to door selling cookies, and they ran into me. I’ve always loved STEM, but I wasn’t even in robotics at the time. It sounded super interesting. Now we have this funny saying that they traded a cookie for me.”

With nine more members joining since the team’s inception, including the third Damle sibling, Reyna, the team has been able to expand creatively and bounce ideas off of each other.

Towards the end of 2021, Mark X would begin to compete at league meets where they were ranked out of 20 teams. Each meet, the team had to redesign or present a new robot.

The final league meet took place on Jan. 15, where Mark X

competed against 23 teams and secured their spot in the regional championship taking place on Feb. 26 at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. After a season of hard work and dedication, the team was able to cinch the sixth of eight spots in the meet.

Along with Goura’s hosting of programming classes for Bhutanese refugees in North Texas, Mark X hosted a food drive in support of the refugees after winter storms Yuri and Viola in 2021, as well as one for those unemployed due to the pandemic.

CHS sophomore Vina Banthia, Mark X’s website manager, mentors for FIRST Lego League (FLL), another competition hosted by FIRST. In her second year of competing in FTC after three years of competing in FLL, Banthia is teaching herself and working with her teammates and mentors to learn HTML, CSS and Java.

“A huge goal of ours this year is to encourage other girls to join STEM,” Banthia said. “I’m so glad I joined. I never thought I would love it so much, but robotics has changed my life.”

Shrayes Gunna Staff Writer @shrayesgunna

Coppell High School IB History teacher Kyle Dutton creates a monthly playlist dedicated to each month’s holidays, events and celebrations. The playlist opens the social studies department’s staff meetings and promotes the department to faculty. Ashley Qian & Nandini Muresh ton and his many different talents.”

The playlist is sent out to all CHS staff at the start of each month by de Waal, while Dutton hand picks each song in the collection, even going as far as researching the music’s origins and inspiration. Dutton further crafts the playlist as a mechanism of highlighting a month’s importance from its holidays.

In the month of February, Dutton selected 14 songs that allude to love from various genres such as pop, country and classics. Through entertaining introductions to each song such as a personal description of Dutton’s history with Elvis Presley to introduce 1961’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Dutton embraces the music, bringing the playlist to life.

In addition to introductions,

Dutton enhances the experience of venturing through the assortment of songs with vivid and joyous fonts, images, jokes and trivia.

“At first, I just drew up a list and sent it to her. It was a simple list of about five songs,” Dutton said.

“Slowly, I began to add to what it was because I could see that it was something that she really enjoyed and it brightened things

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Beach taking every opportunity for future preperation Nathan Cheng Staff Writer @WalterBotell

www.coppellstudentmedia.com Coppell High School junior Lauren Beach practices her lines as Caroline Cassidy in the upcoming Cowboy Theatre Company production “By the Bog of Cats’’ during her third period UIL Production class on Feb. 25. Beach juggles many scholastic and extracurricular activities such as KCBY, Lariettes and theater. Olivia Cooper

APRIL 2022

Whereas many high school students use their time to discover their interests, Coppell High School junior Lauren Beach is already deep in her interests at school. Her schedule is full of electives she hopes will set her up for her future and improve herself in the present.

During her time in high school, Beach has participated in school activities as a dancer in the Coppell Lariettes, an actress in the Cowboy Theatre Company, social media manager at KCBY-TV and as a leader in the Coppell Student Council. Driven by her love for digital media and fine arts, she spends every moment she has working to keep up with these activities and her school work.

“I have always been very passionate about the arts,” Beach said. “I’ve been interested in singing and acting since a very young age. I loved being in talent shows and plays because it’s just a passion of mine and I really enjoy it.

It’s also what I want to do as a career. I would like to make films, act and make my own music.”

Beach chooses her electives around what she plans to do in the future. She hopes that all the fine arts she takes during high school will prepare her for a career in the field later by providing her with basic skills she may have to employ on her way through the field.

“In theater and drama club, I want to connect with my peers because we can really see that on stage,” Beach said. “In KCBY, I get used to just being in front of a camera and working a camera, cables and doing interviews. I

just try to learn about the behind the scenes of what I am going to do.

Additionally, some of her roles on campus prepare her for the field by teaching her critical leadership and social skills.

“In student council and [National Honor Society], I try to focus on leadership skills and growing as a student leader, but I also try to put myself in front of the community for volunteer hours,” Beach said.

Despite her full schedule, Beach still is able to show exceptional dedication and focus in each activity. Her attitude has earned her a distinguished reputation among her peers in her activities. She is known to be a great leader and a positive influence on both her younger and older peers. It is clear to her teachers and peers that her every effort is spent for self-betterment.

“She’s always bringing a positive attitude; she’s always high energy, always focused, and she is an amazing leader,” Coppell theater director Karen Ruth said. “She has been able to take on larger roles and manage more things at once. She really works hard to take direction and make herself better.”

Her Lariette officers can also speak to her positive influence.

Despite being a first year dancer, Beach projects confidence to other dancers, even dancers who are older and more experienced.

“Her confidence is what really stands out to me about her,” Lariette junior lieutenant Jules Hunt said. “She’s very outgoing and she’s never afraid to be herself.

She’s definitely taught me more about not worrying about other people’s opinions.”

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

As faculty shuffled into Zoom meetings and the new normal setted in, the Coppell High School social studies deparment sought methods to put its members at ease and produce a positive space for team meetings to ensue.

CHS social studies department head Diane de Waal looked to the talents of her team members to do just that. Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of Zoom meetings, the monthly K-Tunes Playlist, a relatively new tradition for the department, is curated by CHS IB History teacher Kyle Dutton, who plans on retiring after the 2021-22 academic year.

“It grew out of a love that Mr. Dutton has for music, he is such a renaissance man,” de Waal said. “He has taken this idea and turned it into a way of welcoming the month and bringing joy to our meetings, and it is a way to celebrate Mr. Dut-

up a little bit. I began to add video links, trivia points about the singers and the songs. It’s become quite a lot of fun for me to put it together.”

The playlist transcends the classroom and education, highlighting the very way in which social studies is a worldwide exploration. With music relating to Veterans Day, Holocaust remembrance and women’s history according to de Waal, the playlist brings other departments and faculty members in on the grand scale of the department.

“To send [the playlist out], it puts the social studies department on the radar through something fun,” de Waal said. “It really just lifts people’s spirits.”

Bringing the department and school together truly is the goal for the social studies playlist, using music as a universal language to celebrate moments in history.

“It’s certainly something that we are more and more familiar with since we’ve been doing it all year,” Dutton said. “We really expanded it to what it has become now. Mrs. de Waal decided to share it with the whole school.

Some folks have expressed that it is a fun idea. Some folks have commented to her that they love this, and it’s fun.”

STUDENT LIFE THE SIDEKICK

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THE SIDEKICK STUDENT LIFE Sidekick Online @CHSCampusNews @thesidekickcoppell

APRIL 2022

Insecure to bold: Betgar transforms from timid member to vocal leader Varshitha Korrapolu Communications Manager @varshitha1128

A shy, hesitant 5-foot-3 girl enters a room full of guys that are technology enthusiasts. She tenses up and scans the room to see if there is anyone else that looks like her. Then CHS9 freshman Apurva Betgar was the only girl at the very first CHS9 Technology Student Association (TSA) meeting of the 2019-20 school year.

“The first meeting I went to, I was actually really overwhelmed because there were a lot of guys in the club. I was like, ‘this is OK, we can work through it’,” Betgar said. “I was at first overwhelmed and surprised because I had no clue what I was doing. It was very scary and I was insecure.”

Fast forward to the 2021-22 school year, Betgar’s junior year.

She is the president of Coppell High School’s TSA chapter consisting of approximately 180 members, majority of whom are guys. Her voice is heard all the way across the lecture hall as her big personality shines through her small stature. She grasps the attention of her members utilizing a gavel. She has a smile on her face and a heart that welcomes everyone.

“Having a female president is definitely empowering for a lot of sophomores and freshmen as they have that ‘Apurva can do it

and so can I’ type mindset,’” CHS senior TSA robotics rules manager Amita Satish said. “She genuinely is doing such a fantastic job. I’m glad she set a precedent for all the future women presidents that TSA will have.”

Betgar grew out of her introverted personality through her experiences in a one-week Women in Technology Citibank Summer Internship during the summer, in addition to her involvement in TSA. Even though the internship was conducted in a virtual setting, she gained knowledge that significantly shaped her attitude towards technology.

“Duy Nguyen, an engineering engagement manager and vice president at Citibank, would emphasize the importance of networking and being able to speak up,” Betgar said. “He forced us to step out of our comfort zone.

On Zoom it’s especially scary because everyone has their cameras off and nobody is talking.

He made us turn our camera on; we went one by one and talked comfortably. One thing that he said that really stuck with me was, ‘the worst answer you could get is no.’ That was the key thing that helped me talk to people because I was like, ‘what’s there to be scared of, the worst answer I can get is no and that’s OK.’” At the first CHS TSA meeting

Coppell High School Technology Student Association officers sophomore Likith Singam, junior Shivam Kumar, senior Anuj Parikh, junior Apurva Betgar, senior Arnav Patil, senior Adarsh Pulasseri, senior Aarushi Chitagi and senior Ananya Chintalapudi attended the TSA State Leadership conference in Mesquite last November. Coppell High School junior TSA president Apurva Betgar has grown from a shy individual to a strong leader and challenges the stigma around women in STEM. Photo courtesy Apurva Betgar this school year, Betgar noticed that there was awkward silence and separation among the officers, as well as the members. Betgar implemented ice breakers into TSA meetings, as she observed the TSA state officers doing this at the TSA State Conference in Mesquite in November in order to create a better environment.

“In 10th grade, when both of us were officers, everyone saw TSA as a meeting that you had to get through in order to do this one competition at the end of the year,” CHS senior TSA secretary Arnav Patil said. “But now I think TSA is a lot more lively and fun. We’ve done fun things with our members as well as TSA related activities, such as throwing parties and making paper airplanes.”

Betgar has brought back VEX Robotics, which is an event within TSA where members can compete in robotics competitions. CHS STEM teacher Mike Yakubovsky asked Betgar to initiate robotics as several TSA members showed interest in it.

The robotics team has become a significant element of TSA for the seniors, as it was not a part of TSA prior to this school year, because of Betgar’s persona and interest in robotics.

“Apurva was pretty nice at getting us together,” CHS senior TSA treasurer Adarsh Pulasseri said. “She was sort of being a glue for our team so that we can get our stuff done and go to our competition. It’s just all the robotics memories we had like dinner after our competition

and when we all stood out in the freezing cold weather. She was the one trying to get us all to go inside our cars but we didn’t. She was looking out for us. She doesn’t give up. Even if things are going bad, she’s always got a smile on her face.

She’s persevering.”

Betgar strives to exceed the expectations of her position without compromising her own achievements as she qualified for the state-level of the biotechnology design event and the chapter team event this year.

“Apurva offered to let practice sessions be hosted at her house,” Satish said. “She was on top of everything. It was really fun working together to make sure that we reach our common goal of winning a tournament and making the best robot possible.”

The motivation behind Betgar’s accomplishments as president are due to her first-hand encounters within TSA. Betgar started to dive deeper into TSA by taking on leadership roles such as freshman representative,vice president and participating in competitions.

A desire to grow and gain knowledge is present in Betgar and thrives in her as she strays away from hesitancy and becomes a confident leader.

“I remember back when I first met Betgar’s teammates, they were from CHS9 competing in TSA,” Patil said. “They were technically our competitors, but were still willing to share their project with us after my team’s drone crashed and burned. She was still willing to help us. ”

Betgar’s selfless nature and character is highly valued by Yakubovsky, which enhances his and the TSA members’ experience in the organization.

“She actually qualified for state in all of her events, but her first response was about how well the chapter had done,” Yakubovsky said. “She was at the February TSA Regional competition at Flower Mound with signs and cheering other people on. That’s her. She’s always looking out for everybody else even though she might be involved in it. She’s recognizing what others are doing and that’s totally her.”

In the future, Betgar would like to pursue an education in robotics through a degree in electrical and computer engineering. She has undergone a transformation from a timid girl to a dominant figure in one of the biggest organizations at CHS, which is just a stepping stone for eliminating the stigma against women in STEM. “If you look at big, influential people, the people that come to your mind are Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerburg and Elon Musk, a trend is that they are all guys,” Betgar said. “There are no girls that come to your mind that are known in our society. I really want to work towards that, whether that person be me or some other woman.”

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Legacies made, legacies left Anette Varghese Student Life Editor @AnetteVarghese

Coppell High School’s 1965 valedictorian Wheelice “Pete” Wilson died on Feb. 22. Wilson was a CHS teacher for 36 years, a founding member of Theatre Coppell and a proactive member of the Coppell Historical Society.

Photos courtesy Theatre Coppell

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Photos courtesy Theatre Coppell

Wheelice Wilson Sr., Ruby Nell Harlin Wilson and Wheelice “Pete) Wilson Jr. in the early 1950s. Wilson’s family moved to Coppell in 1946, after Wilson Sr. returned from World War II. The Wilson’s resided in old downtown Coppell at 417 W. Bethel Rd. Photo courtesy Coppell Historical Society

APRIL 2022

Theatre Coppell founder Wheelice “Pete” Wilson was a major influence in building the Coppell Arts Center. The Coppell Arts Center’s 30-year history culminates in a facility that connects local arts groups to the broader community.

Sidekick file photo

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

The Coppell community and school district lost a legend on Feb. 22 with the death of Wheelice “Pete” Wilson.

Wilson’s time at Coppell High School produced the Black Box Theatre, fittingly titled the Wheelice Wilson Jr. Theatre.

His time at CHS came to an end after directing 99 productions, but his love for the theater pursued. This began Theatre Coppell a passion project bringing together like minded individuals with an affinity for fine arts.

In the early 1960s, a decision was made to expand Coppell School into a full 12-grade school, and a grade was added per year until 1965. Pinkerton Elementary served as a backdrop for Coppell’s first graduation ceremony in May 1965. CHS graduated its first class of 25 students, previously high school-aged students transferred to Carrollton High School to graduate.

Among the first 25 graduates was Wilson who was the first valedictorian of CHS and the original titleholder of ‘Mr. CHS.’ Wilson was not the only family member to tie themselves to the district, his grandparents, J.J. Harlin and Bulah Harlin, rented the farm across from present Pinkerton Elementary School, his father Wheelice Hart Wilson is the namesake for W.H. Wilson Elementary, Coppell ISD opened in 1992. All of his siblings graduated through CISD. “Pete Wilson was not only my mentor as the head of CISD Theatre, but he got me heavily involved in Theatre Coppell,” CMS North theatre teacher Brittany Reese said. “I learned so much from him being in his shows. His love of theater and teaching was always present whether it was at CHS or at the old Fire Station on Moore Road. He dreamed of a Black Box Theatre at CHS and made it happen. He dreamed of an amazing fine arts complex for the city of Coppell. He made that happen. That was Pete Wilson, the man who made dreams come true.”

Wilson dreamt many dreams that are tangible today, after directing 99 plays as a CHS theater teacher he went on to establish a tight-knit community theater that continues to usher in audiences following in his seasoned footsteps.

CISD Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt shares a unique perspective as someone who worked under the same roof as Wilson as both a teacher and principal.

Hunt recognizes Wilson’s continued influence on Theatre Coppell and fine arts within the community.

“Mr. Pete Wilson was one in a million.

He did so much for education in our community and specifically fine arts,” Dr. Hunt said. “He was a trailblazer who has impacted the lives of so many people. He could take talented kids and make them shine brighter and find the more shy kids and turn them into a star. There are no words to adequately describe the impact he has made to this community. His legacy will live on with the work he has done to showcase the arts in Coppell.”

Later in life, Wilson widened his horizons, moving beyond high school level theater, and founded Theatre Coppell in 1999. In its early years, the group of volunteers utilized an unused fire station as the Coppell Center for the Arts. Wilson held the role as artistic director of Coppell Community Theatre where he selected shows, marshaled volunteers and directed most of the productions.

Wilson also had a love for his city’s history, often uncovering lost information on his own and gathering archived photos. His outlet for his curiosity became thousands of photos and numerous papers documenting Coppell’s history, working under the Coppell Historical Society. He was a catalyst driving many of the city’s major projects, including the creation of Heritage Park.

Heritage Park, spearheaded by Wilson, commemorates downtown Coppell, the location of general stores, a post office, a bank, a drug store, blacksmiths, schools, churches and homes. Today it is a part of the city’s revitalization plan of Old Coppell, now dubbed Old Town Coppell.

CHS Principal Laura Springer remembers Wilson as a theater teacher and a significant contributor to the theater scene both on a high school basis and locally. He represented a future that Springer saw for her students.

“We call him Mr. Pete Wilson,” Springer said. “He is just a kind, hardworking humorous character. I remember his laugh, it was something that you never forget, it was deep hearted true laughter.

He was everything we want our kids to be successful: kind, hardworking, loving and generous. He was all of the things we want CHS graduates to be when they go out and make your mark on the world.”

STUDENT LIFE THE SIDEKICK

Locals grieve passing of iconic community member, former CISD educator

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THE SIDEKICK ENTERTAINMENT

NEW BEGINNINGS

Bailey crafting legacy as musical visionary Trisha Atluri

Executive Entertainment Editor @trish_atluri

One conversation with violin and viola player Jerry Bailey takes the listener in directions they never would have expected.

Bailey, a seasoned classical musician, helped found the Galveston Symphony Orchestra and is a dedicated member of the Coppell Community Orchestra.

Despite his colorful past, Bailey maintains an unassuming and kind demeanor, preferring to discuss the evolution of the violin bow from the baroque period to modern times rather than his lengthy list of accomplishments.

A thoughtful conversationalist with both words and musical notes, Bailey cares about every aspect of music, from the minutiae of instrument parts to accessibility to its education.

“Music is strong, beautiful, mysterious and enigmatic,” Bailey said. “You play it this way, and then you set that piece aside and come back to it six months later, and you have a whole different concept of it. You keep on discovering stuff.”

In 1979, Bailey decided it was time to establish the Galveston Symphony Orchestra. A newspaper ad, several grant applications and six months later, the orchestra was officially operating as a nonprofit organization.

Financially, the group was initial- “Sometimes he will give sugges- but be inspired every time that I ly supported by a $10,000 grant tions to the surrounding mem- see him,” Coppell Community Orfrom the Moody Foundation. bers, and that saves me a lot of chestra President Vanessa Younts “Every community needs a time as the conductor, because if said. “Him and a few other mucommunity orchestra,” Bailey people are working well in their sicians, when they walk in the said. “This pandemic has just section you don’t have to micro- room, I feel calm because I know we’ll be able to play today. When been awful in the arts commu- manage them.” nity throughout Texas. The way Both his music experience he’s around and there’s opportuthat lifestyles are changing, I and business knowledge make nities, he’s always one of the first think community orchestras, him a valuable addition to the string players to volunteer. I love community bands, community orchestra, as his past allowed that about him. He’s so open, and choirs, community everything, him to advise the Coppell or- he’s always willing to participate they’re going to be much more chestra board in its early years. and help others.”

With decades of music and important and actually vital to Now, after five years of active communities. People go crazy participation, orchestra mem- leadership experiworking from home if they don’t bers know Bailey as a dependhave something else to do.” able and helpful face who takes In 2000, Bailey left Galveston time out of every orchestra to support his family in Coppell. practice to educate younger muFor the next 17 years, he traveled sicians in the string section. between the two cities to play “I look at him and I can’t help dress rehearsals and concerts with the symphony orchestra.

Though he prioritizes his family, he found it too difficult to abandon his career legacy.

A few months beDon’t ever turn down an invitafore his last Galveston performance, Bailey tion to play somewhere. Work, applied for the Copwork, work and practice, pracpell Community Ortice, practice and collaborate chestra. One look at with other musicians. The best his resume impressed founder and direcmusicians I know work everytor Cecilia Hamilton so day and don’t take days off. much that she bypassed his audition and invited him on board immediately.

“He has a great deal of musical knowledge,” Hamilton said.

ence under his belt, Bailey’s story inspires many.

“Nothing’s ever easy,” Bailey said. “Starting an orchestra isn’t easy. You have to find people who can help and resourceful people and people who have enthusiasm and people who have the skills and then you have to motivate them to do what you would like as a team to do. You have to compromise and keep hustling and it’ll get done.”

What advice would you give to younger musicians?

Galveston Symphony Orchestra founder Jerry Bailey plays the viola at the Coppell Arts Center on Jan. 19. Bailey’s musical experience has been instrumental in the Coppell Community Orchestra. Nandini Paidesetty

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

APRIL 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Gopinath dually conquering stage fright Yaamini Jois Staff Writer @yjois12

After six years in choir at Coppell Middle School East and Coppell High School, senior Megna Gopinath has spent her last year performing with the Madrigal choir with a speaking role in the 2021 Madrigal feast.

This year, Gopinath was named a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Musician for treble choir along with six other singers. This recognition is the most prestigious honor that a high school performer in Texas can receive. As a thespian, Gopinath has performed at the Texas Thespian Festival and acted in a short film, Terrifying Texas Tales, in her junior year.

How did you get involved in choir and theater?

I started choir in sixth grade when my mom told me I should.

Though I originally wanted to do band, I joined choir and loved it. During this time, I wanted to act as well, but I was scared of joining the theater program because I had stage fright. I had this fright in choir as well, and I was often absolutely terrified of the solos all choir members perform.

I also didn’t have enough space in my schedule for both choir and theater, but

I was able to join theater in my sophomore year.

What are the differences between choir and theater?

Being a part of choir and theater goes hand in hand. Joining theater forced me to become more comfortable on stage, and I learned to be more confident.

Moving on a [stage] is a unique experience, because you have to be fully comfortable with your body and exaggerate your movements to make an impact on the audience. I was shy before I joined theater, but the program changed my life. Because of what I learned from theater, I was able to perform better as the Jester in the Madrigal feast. [The Jester role] has to be over-exaggerated, so I had to be comfortable with moving around and overusing my movements.

The first day I walked into my theater class, I realized that you can truly be as open as you want.

No one judges you for who you are, which helped me become less shy as well. I always wanted to take theater, but I was afraid of acting or even having to perform solos, so it took time for me to become more confident when I performed.

What did the role of Jester in the Madrigal Feast mean to you?

The Jester role leads the song “Masters in the Hall,” which is a traditional piece that the Mad-

rigal choir performs. Performing during rehearsals and performing on stage were different experiences for me. Being in the costume of the Jester helped me feel like I was truly the Jester, so I was more comfortable performing on stage. We performed two nights for the Madrigal Feast, and I was able to take in all of the feedback I received from the first night to make the second night even better.

During rehearsals, I got nervous and doubted myself more, but [choir directors Aaron Coronado and Bona Coogle] let me know I was chosen for a reason, which assured me that people believed in me.

What are some of your takeaways from your years performing?

I’m a perfectionist, so learning to accept that not everything can always go perfectly was hard. In my first semester of this year, I got frustrated anytime I didn’t meet my expectations with my performances, with TMEA and my role as Jester in the Madrigal Feast. However, I’ve learned that your performances and [failures] don’t define you; the results you get from a competition or audition don’t define your talent.

Directors you’ve never met only see you once before they accept

Coppell High School senior Megna Gopinath was named a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Musician for treble choir and wishes to pursue film acting.

Gopinath has been involved in multiple choirs since sixth grade, including the Coppell Middle School East choir, treble choir and Madrigal choir. Sruthi Lingam and Aliya Zakir

or reject you, so they don’t know your skills like a teacher or director at school.

In my freshman year, I was nervous anytime I performed, and I couldn’t focus on anything else.

Now, I’m still nervous, but I have learned to focus on how I can be better. I always ask if there’s anything I can do better on because they are the ones who can give me the most valuable feedback. The basic goal: am I improving or not?

Art students dominate at VASE Sri Achanta News Editor

@sriachanta_

Coppell High School sophomore Tanvi Rudrangi’s piece “Apprehension” qualified her for state in the Texas High School Visual Arts Scholastic High School Event (VASE). VASE is an annual event in which selected art competes in late April. Aliya Zakir Coppell High School junior Michelle Jiang’s piece “ABC” qualified her for state in the Texas High School Visual Arts Scholastic High School Event (VASE). VASE is an annual event in which selected art competes in late April. Aliya Zakir Coppell High School junior Jeffrey Wang touches up his entry “Family” qualified him for state in the Texas High School Visual Arts Scholastic High School Event (VASE). VASE is an annual event in which selected art competes in late April.

Anjali Krishna

Coppell High School junior Ashley Zhang’s pieces “No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk” and “In the Middle” qualified her for state in the Texas High School Visual Arts Scholastic High School Event (VASE). VASE is an annual event in which selected art competes in late April. Aliza Abidi

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

After spending hours painting the background of her piece, Coppell High School junior Emily Chang stopped, ran the canvas under water and picked away the acrylic, spending the next week repainting the entire piece out of frustration, just for it to reach VASE perfection standards.

On Feb. 1, CHS art students submitted their pieces to the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). Of these artists, 49 received one or more regional medals for their division and seven students qualified to compete at state.

The Texas VASE competition will be held on April 29-30 at San Marcos High School.

Typically, regional VASE is held in person, where students display their artwork and are interviewed by judges who rate their pieces on presentation and artistic skill. For the past two years, however, regional VASE has been virtual due to COVID-19.

To submit their pieces, students filled out a form that included a questionnaire regarding each piece, a JPEG of their artwork and a reference PDF that included preliminary sketches and rough drafts. This virtual process lacked an interview, simplifying entry for the competition.

“It was a little easier [without the interview],” said CHS sophomore Scarlett Bilobenes, a VASE state qualifier. “I could rewrite and put the right words in the [questionnaire], and I could make it nice and concise.”

This year was CHS junior Ashley Zhang’s third year qualifying for state, but her first year with two qualifying

pieces. Her artworks “No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk” and “In the Middle” focus on her high school life. “‘No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk’ is about my habit to overthink situations in the past that have already happened,” Zhang said. “What I want to tell myself is I shouldn’t be stuck in the past and I should learn to move on from the event.

The second piece, ‘In the Middle,’ is about how I simultaneously have the desire to change and move out of my comfort zone, but I also have the fear of changing and trying something new. I wanted to capture the feeling of being stuck.”

CHS junior Isabella Lucio’s piece “Topsy Turvy” qualified her for state VASE. Similar to Zhang’s pieces, “Topsy Turvy” represents the nature of the artist’s life.

“My piece is a representation of my high school life, how chaotic it is, ” Lucio said.

“Seeing it all come together in the end in the way I wanted it to was very rewarding.”

Lucio qualified for state for the first time her sophomore year, but this year is the first year she will attend the competition in person.

This year is CHS sophomore Tanvi Rudrangi’s first year to qualify for state VASE. Her artwork, “Apprehension,” depicts how COVID-19 caused her cousin to face separation anxiety from her parents. The process of creating this piece pushed Rudrangi further than she expected.

“It was difficult to get that fabric look,” Rudrangi said. “It took a lot of my time, and it was very stressful. I started losing patience because it was so difficult. I had to finish this in one month, but I usually take at least three to four months to make one artwork. [VASE] definitely taught me how to use my time wisely and just go with what you have instead of spending so much time on one thing.”

Coppell High School junior Isabella Lucio’s piece “Topsy Turvy” qualified her for state in the Texas High School Visual Arts Scholastic High School Event (VASE). VASE is an annual event in which selected art competes in late April. Anjali Krishna

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49 medal at regional, seven qualify for state

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A s u rre al wi n d o w i nto Si ba n d a ' s wo rld videos by artists such as Janelle Monae and how they are utilized Staff Photographer to enhance the listening experi@shrayesgunna ence.

Outside of avenues of music, As her pencil hits paper, she floats in a world of her own with Sibanda also draws inspiration her thoughts, beliefs and emo- from her heroes; her definition of tions fluttering around her like which is more vast than those on the big screen. the subjects she depicts.

“Athletes, politicians and perCoppell High School junior artist and debater Alexis Sibanda sonalities who use their talents toys with the line between the in a way that is heroic also inspire real and fantasy through art, her me,” Sibanda said. “I depict them as heroes communicabecause tive and crethey do ative outlet, things most by depicting people could people and objects in I draw what’s around never do by dedicating less than me and combine themselves real configuto their craft rations such reality with [my] and to their as floating. passion, Sibanda inner thoughts, a which is inconjures finto ished pieces sort of amalgamation spiring me. I hope to full of raw let everyone texture and of both reality and see what I depth with see.” ease remcreativity.”

Her creiniscent of ations are w i z a r d r y.

ALEXIS SIBANDA molded by Her wands?

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR her unique Pencils and style, a perpens that allow her to render surreal depic- sonal glimpse into her world of tions of the world around her and what makes Sibanda, Sibanda.

“Alexis’s art is rugged and has that of her dreams.

“I draw what’s around me and a lot of texture in it,” CHS visual combine reality with [my] inner arts teacher Sarah Williams said. thoughts, a sort of amalgamation “She never leaves [her pieces] of both reality and creativity,” smoothed over but instead exSibanda said. “I do that through posed. She drew a girl with the using realism in conjunction with ocean consuming her. With her elements that would not be found texture, whether brush strokes or pencil markings, her art is a in real life.”

From a year in the Coppell lot more than a pretty piece. They Band as a clarinet and baritone have a deeper meaning.”

The clarity Sibanda maintains saxophone player to being a casual listener of a variety of artists, with her vision and stories she Sibanda’s passion for music has tells through the creative process always driven her creativity. Ac- are fueled by the world around cording to Sibanda, she often re- her. To foster meaningful and flects on the visuals used in music authentic conversations about

Shrayes Gunna

Coppell High School junior Alexis Sibanda creates artworks portraying realistic subjects in surreal circumstances. Sibanda often depicts her friends and family, commenting on her perspective and the world around her. Josh Campbell various topics such as identity as in awe; at the current moment, dow into who I am, and I can use a mechanism of resistance, she she creates self-portraits and her tools like art and music to express pursues debate. Currently, Siban- artworks embody the beauty of a that and what I think.” da and her partner CHS junior Black female and their experiencThe window is one into a surKeerthi Chalamasetty compete in es.” real landscape, in which Sibanda policy debate, reading critical arFor Sibanda, art is more than a conceives magic with paper, penguments such as Afro-pessimism pastime. It is an embrace of her cil, paint and a canvas. and militant preservation. heart, views and being.

According to Chalamasetty, “[Art] is the way in which I am Sibanda's their case is one that challenges able to communicate things that Significant the debate space and logistical are less than conceivable with Figures reasoning to foster systems of words,” Sibanda said. “It’s a wincare that address anti-Blackness - Shirley Ann Jackson in the real world. Debate offers A self-portrait - Lina Iris Viktor Sibanda a space to advocate and created by Coppell delve into her identity, which High School junior - Janelle Monae Alexis Sibanda translates into her perspective as an artist and visionary.

- Angela Davis “In a debate round, Alexis is very analytical and well orga- Eva Noblezada nized, giving passionate speechA piece created

by Coppell High - Ukele Ukegbu es,” Chalamsetty said. “When School junior she creates, her cultivation of Alexis Sibanda - Amanda Gorman creativity and skill is very important. I have seen her work and I’m

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Three generations, one love for dance Hasan preserving family’s legacy in Bollywood dance at Milaana Tracy Tran Staff Writer

@AnhImtracy

Closing her eyes, her body naturally felt the rhythms of the song.

Tiptoeing in small movements, she explored her new happiness in dancing. The 3-year-old Arisha Hasan started dancing as if she was born with talent.

With her grandmother Maya Nehal being a part of the Bangladeshi Expatriate Society of Texas (BEST), an organization for Bengalis for dancing, singing and acting, Hasan went to the practices, watching how other people were dancing.

“Once I turned 5, my mom [Iffat Nehal] put me into dancing for the

dance part of BEST,” Hasan said.

“When I got older, I did ballet, jazz and hip hop on and off. And then when I was around 8 or 9, my mom opened a dance studio for Milaana Dance. She decided to do Bollywood dancing and that’s when I originally started my Bollywood dancing.”

Growing up, Hasan went to BEST practices with her mother and grandmother, seeing many dancers performing in front of her eyes.

The passion grew but she wasn’t allowed to perform dancing until she turned 5.

“She was very observant,” Maya Nehal said. “She would be watching others how they were dancing.

Then shortly after that, she remembered she wasn’t allowed to

CHS9 student Arisha Hasan teaches class at Milaana Dance studio on Jan. 20. Hasan is the youngest instructor at the studio, working alongside her mother. Angelina Liu

perform it until she was 5 and she was upset. What I noticed about her was that even though she wasn’t dancing well at that time, she was really watching others [and] how they were doing it. Then by the time she was 5, she was practicing, rehearsing and on particular performance days, she would go all the way. I don’t even remember if she ever missed one of our dance classes. She is gifted, so we always have been encouraging her to dance.”

From a young age, Hasan experienced the pressure of many dancers: performing in front of the audience. Reflecting on her earlier performances, Hasan has seen a lot of improvement in her dancing and expressions on stage.

“When she was a child, even when she was doing other things, she would always move and dance,” Maya Nehal said. “ Over the years, it’s become such a passion for her and she’s really worked on building her skills, her form and her technique. It’s very exciting for her to see that development.”

With eight years of Bollywood dancing, Hasan became a Milaana dance instructor in April 2021. All three generations of her family, including her grandmother, her mom and herself, have a love for dancing and plan to continue passing down the family traditions.

“We have a lot of jokes,” Iffat Nehal said. “I’m Generation X, Arisha is Generation Z and my mom is a baby boomer. So there are three generations working in this company and we love it. Enjoying music is the most common thing all three of us have.”

The family company holds the special meanings between all three members of Hasan’s family.

“Dance is one product you don’t see right away until fully completed with lessons,” Maya Nehal said. “When it goes on the stage, it is the biggest satisfaction to see your product displayed on a stage.

It’s beautiful to see that, especially when you see your daughter and your granddaughter dancing.”

The biggest support and understanding for Hasan comes from her mother and grandmother, who also inspired her to start dancing.

“My grandmother and my mom both inspired me a lot,” Hasan said.

“Working at the same place with my mom is definitely really interesting and very different. My grandma helped me get into dance. If I ever end up having kids, I would hope one of them would continue my dancing.”

Being a dance instructor as a high school freshman requires Hasan to manage her time for each activity.

“For a while, balancing between teaching and school was really difficult,” Hasan said. “Now I make sure that school is more of a priority than my dancing. The days I have teaching, I make sure those hours are specifically for dance. Besides dancing, I like to run, bake, read and watch TV in my free time.”

Dancing has shaped Hasan’s characteristics and her confidence about being onstage, while letting her experience the ability to dance to different types of music without understanding the actual languages. In the future, she plans to join a

Bollywood dance team when going to college.

“If you’re a new dancer or want to try it out, just go for it,” Hasan said.

“Dancing is one thing that’s definitely changed my life and it keeps me sane. It makes me really happy. And even people around me, they’ve noticed that I’m always in a really good mood after I dance.”

Grandmother Maya Nehal, CHS9 student Arisha Hasan and her mother Iffat Nehal all share a generational love for dancing. From age 3, Hasan has explored her talent for dancing and became Milaana Dance’s youngest dance instructor. Photo courtesy Arisha Hasan

Hasan’s History

- was adopted at age 3 - favorite styles of dance are bollywood and lyrical - would rather eat salad over cake - edits dance cover videos for Milaana Dance

Shrayes Gunna Staff Photographer @shrayesgunna

Pale wooden stools, pure-sounding glass bottles and a hurricane siren were all unprecedented additions to the Coppell Drumline’s annual show “Purely Rhythmic.”

This year’s performance was held in the Coppell High School Auditorium on March 5, the crowd full of family, friends and prospective CHS percussionists.

“Purely Rhythmic” offers CHS percussionists and percussion director Randall Nguyen an opportunity to highlight the growth and efforts of the drumline through a versatile program consisting of 26 songs, some of which were composed by students themselves.

CHS senior Mario Torres composed a piece entitled “Valley,”

which premiered during the second half of the show.

“It was wild, sitting back and having no control over the piece. I’m glad it came together,” Torres said. “I just focus on the notes and enjoy the moment.”

According to Torres, preparation began in January, receiving their pieces only two months ago. And for seniors, those two months lead up to an unforgettable, final showcase of their time and development at CHS. In fact, a video was played prior to intermission created by CHS senior Jay Vanam to highlight the accomplishments and experiences of each and every percussion senior.

“It was so exciting and such a full circle moment, having been here since we were little,” CHS senior percussionist Sarah Matthews said. “‘CAT 5’ was my fa-

vorite piece because it was so versatile; I got to play a marimba and play the percussive elements like a bass drum and a snare. I loved that it was intimate.”

“CAT 5” composed by Andrea Venet capitalized on unique sounding instruments and a hurricane siren to mimic the effects of rain and fear.

The effects of the innovative music performed by percussionists at “Purely Rhythmic” were evident across the audience with pervasive gasps and boisterous applause.

“It’s a ton of work to put on this program, so to actually see it back in the auditorium is a huge accomplishment,” parent Wednesday Foster said. “This is [my] life with two boys in the percussion program, one a senior and one coming up.”

This year’s program also fea-

tured several guest percussionists from the Coppell middle schools as well as Team Islas: Patricia Islas and Doug Bush. Both Islas and Bush have worked with CHS percussionists throughout the concert and marching season, to which this performance connected both worlds. Islas was on the marimba while Bush

was on the drumset surrounded by select CHS percussionists to perform three pieces.

“It sounds very cliche, but it was a dream come true,” Bush said. “They are absolutely wonderful students, this is a wonderful school to teach at, and getting to share the music with them is a once-in-a-life-time thing.”

Photos by Nandini Paidesetty and Meghna Kulkarni

Coppell Middle School beginner percussionists

Coppell High School junior Matthew Tindoc - “Aether”

Coppell High School junior Destiny Wang - “Parallax”

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Coppell High School senior Mario Torres Ramos - Team Islas drummer Doug Bush “Prelude to Paradise” “Call of the Cicadas”

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Coppell High School junior Danish Khan -

“Parallax” Coppell High School senior Bailey Kim - “Andromeda”

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Coppell High School senior Kelly Wei - “CAT 5”

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Purely Rhythmic hosts collaborative performance featuring Team Islas

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Long way down First half hopes crushed by Allen in Cowboy comeback falls short second half surge Torie Peck Sports Editor @torielpeck

M

cKINNEY - The stage was set.

Same place, same stakes, one year later. Last night, the Coppell girls soccer team faced the Allen Eagles in the Class 6A Region I bi-district playoffs at McKinney ISD Stadium in a win-or-gohome matchup.

The Cowgirls stepped up to this challenge, ready to face its opponent.

But it wasn’t enough, the Cowgirls (15-5-2) season ended in the same fashion as last years bi-district match, and fell to the Eagles (18-2-3), 3-1, ending its season. “[Allen’s] forwards are really good so we had to keep them at bay,” Coppell coach Fleur Benatar-Whitten said. “Scoring was hard for us. We had a couple of chances that we should have had but didn’t, [along with] finishing and recovering after our goal.”

The match was scoreless at the half. Knowing that the Eagles would likely switch up its play style, the Cowgirls adjusted.

“We knew they were going to change their system so we had to be ready to change if they changed and we adjusted,” Be-

natar said. “We had to keep people moving in and out. There was an ebb and flow to that [second] half, people were getting tired so we had to watch minutes. There were a lot of things going on.”

Within the first three minutes of the second half, Allen senior forward Taylor Spitzer put the first score on the board. Six minutes later, Coppell senior forward Reneta Vargas tied the game, capitalizing off a kick to the center of the net. “[Vargas] went out right after the goal, that hurt us a bit and we didn’t know if she [was going to come back out],” Benatar said.

“Overall, she’s the one that could make or break things in the final third. It hurt not having her there and disrupted our flow. We had to recover and keep filling gaps until we could figure out when she was going back on and what we were doing.”

The Cowgirls held the 1-1 tie until the 15:31 mark, when Spitzer braced and sent Allen to victory. Shortly thereafter, another Allen goal finished the Cowgirls season.

“We had a great season and next year is going to be good, we have a lot of work to do with other people,” Benatar said. “It’s going to be about how well they can work together and how well I can groom the next group.”

Coppell senior midfielder Pedro Perez-Pareka steals against Allen junior defender Jackson Donato at McKinney ISD Stadium on Friday. Coppell ended its season after losing, 2-0, to Allen in the Class 6A Region 1 bi-district playoffs. Angelina Liu

Anjali Krishna Editor-In-Chief @anjalikrishna_

McKINNEY – Coppell coach James Balcolm, through this momentous season for the Coppell boys soccer team, spoke often about the law of averages: his simple belief that with the number of opportunities the Cowboys were creating, they must eventually start to go in and average out their losing record.

Balcolm was proven correct; the Cowboys, after losing or tying its first eight district matches, at the bottom of District 6-6A standings, would take five consecutive wins to qualify for the Class 6A Region I bi-district playoffs against Allen at McKinney ISD Stadium on Friday.

However, the clock ran out for the Cowboys before the averages could balance themselves out against the Eagles.

Coppell fell to the Eagles, 2-0, ending its season, 7-9-6.

“Loss is always painful but the last one just sucks the most,” Balcolm said. “It shows their resilience and their fight to stage this comeback, and go toe-to-toe with Allen in the first round of playoffs. This group overcame everything and they put themselves in a place to get Coppell freshman defender Tabitha Sine looks for a pass from a chance to beat the best team Coppell senior defender Michelle Pak. The Cowgirls season end- in the state.”

Coppell arrived with momened with a 3-2 loss in the Class 6A Region 1 bi-district playoffs. tum it carried for the past five Nandini Muresh

matches from its kickoff, creating opportunities play by play.

The first of these was junior midfielder Ryder Brock’s shot to the goalpost with 23 remaining minutes in the first half. Though Brock’s shot hit the post without finding the net, the Cowboys were in control.

Yet Allen, District 5-6A champions with a fierce, young team, responded. While Coppell created opportunities, the Eagles created a magnificent play: a free kick from junior midfielder Dylan Berry went precisely to senior midfielder Diego Morales, then perfectly past Coppell senior goalkeeper Arath Valdez.

“Unfortunately, that goal was enough tonight,” Balcolm said.

“We battled hard. I know the boys know that.”

Though the Eagles would keep this lead through the match, the score by no means reflected the continual Coppell fight. Allen’s defense struggled to fight off a set piece off corner kicks, while Allen goalkeeper Alec Setterberg defended against free kicks from Stone, sophomore midfielder Sam Stone and Coppell junior midfielder Preston Taylor.

“That first half was one of the best we ever played,” Taylor said. “We worked so hard down to the last minute.”

Still, the Cowboys’ earlier season plague followed them

throughout the match, as each of the many opportunities went just wide, just over or safe into the arms of Setterberg. Only in the 80th minute was it over for the Cowboys, fighting through the end, as Allen junior midfielder Evan Pustejovsky sank a shot deep to the net. With most of the team on the opposite goal, worn-out by 80 minutes of back and forth, no Cowboys were able to return and defend.

“The ending was ruthless,” Coppell senior midfielder Pedro Peréz-Pareja said. “They were huge; we had nobody over six feet on our team, while they were all physical, their whole starting lineup over six foot.”

Allen advances to play Irving in the Class 6A Region I area playoffs, while the Cowboys end their season.

“All year, it started off that we couldn’t get the win, we couldn’t get the goal,” Balcom said. “We probably created over a 100 scoring opportunities and they’re not going in so eventually, they’ve somehow got to start going in. And a couple finally did. Law of averages started to work out. Same thing goes tonight. We’re hitting the post, all over the goal, and the keeper is making saves. Just didn’t work out with the clock tonight. But we knew we were doing everything right to beat the top team in the state tonight.”

Coach’s Box: Minick joins CHS for first year as head softball coach Yaamini Jois Staff Writer

APRIL 2022

@yjois12

After three years as an assistant coach at Colleyville Heritage, Ashley Minick came to Coppell in 2021 as head softball coach.

How is the season going with your new team?

They are gritty, and they’re coachable, which I love about them. I came in with a lot of different and new ideas, and they adapted to it. I appreciate the way I can help them get better by saying, “Hey, you did a great job doing this, this is how we can make it better,” because they buy into it. At their next game, they do what we’ve discussed. You never have to continue to push through - it’s more like ‘let’s try this’, and they do it.

As a coach, what key area do you focus on?

To be honest, it has nothing to do with skill. At the end of the day, we’ve worked on confidence. A big part of the game is going in there and knowing the mental part of the game.

It’s important to have confidence in yourself, to trust in your skills and just play softball. We’ve been working really hard on saying that we can do it, and focusing on what we can control.

What are your plans for the future with this program?

We will focus on finding consistency in our plays and hits, and continuing to have confidence in ourselves. Each person is gaining more and more conCoppell High School softball coach Ashley Minick joined Coppell after three years as an assistant fidence, and I love that, so we coach at Colleyville Heritage. Minick hopes her presence will allow for consistency and confi- want to continue to build off of dence within the team. Olivia Cooper each other.

Non-sports enthusiast mesmerized by the Olympics Communications Manager @varshitha1128

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

I was born in America and have lived here my entire life. One thing that I have noticed over the years is how much Americans obsess over sports.

Sports are such an integral part of cultures across the world, not just in America. But for some reason they never really clicked with me. I never understood the hype around major sporting events such as the Super Bowl. It just appeared as football geeks, in other words commentators, using terminology that I did not care to learn about.

When people tell me that they support a particular team or an athlete, I would just think that’s good for them. Once again, I did not understand the fangirling nature of these kinds of people.

Why are people so connected to seasoned athletes they see on TV? What is so great about people being good at shooting baskets, swinging a bat or scoring goals? Is it really worth my time to watch these people?

However, in 2014 when my dad turned on the TV, the Sochi Winter Olympics came on. Nine-year-old me The Winter Olympics took place in Beijing from Feb. 4-20. The Sidekick communications manager Varwas instantly captivated. The vivid colors, the music, shitha Korrapolu writes about how much the Winter Olympics has influenced her since she started watchthe presentation of athletes. The meaningful inter- ing them in 2014. Avani Munji views, analysis that is not filled with sports jargon.

The smiles of success, words of encouragement, tears handle challenges has enabled me to not be hard on ter. Even the most talented people experience hiccups myself and keep pushing through. in their fields of expertise. But ultimately, I learned of defeat.

While I was watching the 2018 PyeongChang Winter that it is important to accept your emotions and situaAs someone who was never a fan of idealized, iconic sports like football, soccer or cricket, the Olympics Olympics, I learned that former U.S. Olympic snow- tions and learn from them. boarder Shaun White experienced facial and lung inAthletes that are 17 years old, the same age as me, have a special kind of appeal to me.

People are captivated by emotions since they are juries in October 2017 while training in New Zealand, have shined as some of the youngest competitors in naturally social and empathetic. While watching the resulting in 62 stitches. White was flown to a nearby the Olympics. They serve as a role model to me. They first Olympics, I watched several ice skating perfor- hospital to be treated. Even though this was briefly show me that young people are just as capable of mances from ice skaters around the world such as before Olympic qualifications, which occurred in Jan- making their dreams a reality, just like then 17-yearAmerican figure skater Gracie Gold and Korean figure uary 2018, White did not let this mitigate his perfor- old U.S. Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim won gold in mance and he was eligible for the Olympics. I learned the halfpipe event at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter skater Yuna Kim. Not only was I watching their performances, but I that his love for his sport is what allowed him to go Olympics.

Even though I don’t understand all the sports lingo was learning their stories and noticed their facial ex- with the flow and take a risk.

More recently during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olym- that the journalists and commentators use, the Olympressions before, during and after their performances. I connected to the satisfaction of the skaters after pics, I watched U.S. Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin not pic experience is a good one. Watching the Olympics finishing flawless performances as it resembles the being able to finish the giant slalom and slalom events in person is next on my bucket list. same feeling as completing a taekwondo form with on TV. I saw the frustration in her eyes when she fell on excellent power, snap and pop.

When athletes get injured, the injuries become sig- her side during the giant slalom. I saw even more frusnificant obstacles to their performances. However, tration when Shiffrin was 10 gates through the slalom the way every single athlete faces injuries and over- course and lost balance. Shiffrin sat beside the racing comes them is unique. Learning how other people area and I saw her mom comforting her upset daugh-

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Varshitha Korrapolu

Hill takes charge of boys track program Staff Writer

@SaniyaKoppikar

the student athletes here. I was impressed with the backing the community gave the school. It was always a place that I felt like if I had the opportunity to work at, I would take it. When that opportunity came up in 2018, I took it.

What is your primary mission as a coach at CHS with your athletes?

It’s the primary mission of all the coaches here at CHS, so it’s going to sound cliche, but it’s true. We want to build lifelong relationships with these kids and give them an opportunity to go on, if they want to continue with the sport. The other part of that is to give them the tools that they need to be good people and good young men, and then further on in life good husbands and good fathers. My mission is just to make sure that when they leave this program, they have an opportunity to not only be great people but be successful with whatever they want to do in life.

APRIL 2022

A coach at Coppell High School since 2018, Eric Hill has recently been promoted to interim head boys track coach following coach Karl Pointer’s departure to Judson ISD. Having been a multi-sport athlete in his high school career and coached at numerous high schools in Dallas-Fort Worth, including Carrollton Ranchview, Carrollton R.L. Turner, Grapevine, and Dallas Bishop Lynch, Hill is bringing dedication and experience to the role.

How did you get into track and field?

When I went to high school, basketball, baseball, football and track were our four big sports, so I did all of them. I started coaching at the middle school level, and when I got to working at the high school level I became a head track coach.

What has the transition been like in the track and field department?

It’s been pretty seamless. Former Coppell assistant head football coach and head track coach Pointer and Former Coppell head cross country and girls’ track and field coach Benton, the job that they did with this program prior to when I assumed this role was remarkable. It was a well-oiled machine that pretty much ran itself. My job as head boys track coach is just to not steer it off the road, to keep it going in the direction it had been going. I have my own spin, my own take and my own experiences that I like to bring in as well. We’ve added a little bit of my personality and my coaching style to the mix, but by and large the program itself has transitioned very nicely.

What drew you to CHS? I’ve always had an eye on CHS from a distance.

While working with other districts and competing Coppell High School interim track coach Eric Hill coaches at practice on March 9 at Buddy Echols Field. against this school, I was always impressed with Hill took on the position following Karl Pointer’s departure to Judson ISD. Olivia Cooper

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Saniya Koppikar

Danchak helps softball team become a Cowgirl family Maya Palavali Staff Writer

@mvpalovalley

The methodical weaving of hair strands may seem inconsequential for most, but Coppell junior catcher Medleigh Danchak believes a braid creates a helpful mindset.

Danchak started a tradition throughout her years on the team: braiding hair.

“I always make sure my hair is [in] some kind of braid as I’m very big on the whole look good, play good thought,” Danchak said. “I end up braiding other teammates’ hair, too.”

At a young age, Danchak was involved in a variety of sports.

“In middle school, I tried everything like volleyball and basketball; I did track and even cross country in seventh grade,” Danchak saoid.

Determined to find her calling, Danchak knew where she belonged when she started to look forward to softball practice.

“I didn’t like monotonous tasks until softball,” Danchak said. “That’s how I knew the difference between just liking the other sports.”

The more Danchak played, her excitement for the sport steadily rose.

“I hit my first [home run] in practice the day after I turned 14,” Danchak said.

“When I did it in a game, it showed that all the hard work paid off.”

Entering high school, Danchak put forth her best effort. Resultingly, she was placed on the varsity roster as a freshman.

“The first time we played together was last year,” Coppell senior shortstop ElleBelle Zimmerman said.

Danchak had some familiar faces on the team her freshman year.

“We’ve known each other since elementary school,” Coppell senior pitcher Kat Miller said. “[We started

playing together when] I was a sophomore and she was a freshman.”

She quickly made friends with her teammates and brought the team closer together.

“She’s built a lot of trust within our team,” Miller said. “Everyone knows that we can trust her and what she calls.”

Something special about Danchak is the position she plays.

“Being a catcher, you have to [be] the head of the fields,” Miller said. “You direct everything going on and all the plays.”

Along with being a beacon for her teammates to rely on, runners have a hard time stealing bases with Danchak behind the plate.

“Everybody knows [to be] afraid to run on her,” Coppell coach Ashley Minick said. “They don’t run on her very often, and when they do, it’s really close, making them double think about sending a base runner.”

Her leadership can be seen by everyone around her and helps the team become better.

“She took on a leadership role and she’s running with it,” Minick said. “We win and lose as a team, so she always pushes to pick other people up.”

Danchak hopes to continue softball in college.

“I want to go somewhere where I have a connection to the coaches,” Danchak said. “We’re in the stage before offers, but I know I want to play in the future.”

For the Cowgirls, softball has become a family thanks to Danchak.

“She’s such an energetic girl,” Zimmerman said. “Any moment that you spend with her is a blast.”

The most important aspect of softball for Danchak is the lessons she has learned.

“I learn from each and every one of my teammates,” Danchak said. “We take pieces from each other to make us the best we can.”

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Coppell junior catcher Medleigh Danchak catches against Plano on March 8 at CISD Baseball/Softball Complex.. Danchak has become an integral piece within the softball team. Olivia Short.

Radicic, Myers to play in national game Sreeja Mudumby

Executive Editorial Page Editor @sreejamudumby

One January phone call gave two players the game of their lifetime, an accolade for being one of the best in not just their school, but the entire country.

Coppell junior kicker Nic Radicic immediately shook the hand of his opponents when he got his call. He then went to hug his dad Tom Radicic, his inspiration and role model.

The same call took Coppell junior defensive back Braxton Myers back to his fifth grade self: the one who had just started playing football. The one that would have looked up to who he is today.

Radicic and Myers are competing in the All-American Bowl, composed of the top 100 players in the nation divided into East and West teams. Both Radicic and Myers are playing on the West team on Jan 7, 2023 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

“My heart dropped,” Myers said. “I was with my dad getting Wingstop and they called me and I got so excited. It’s everything I’ve been working for.”

The boys met through their fondness of football this year at CHS, and were selected to play through the Chris Sailer Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping Vegas summer camp.

“It was a m a z i n g ,” Radicic said.

“I got invited [to the camp] about six months before

-

All-American Bowl Quick Facts: Danchak’s Fast Facts:

Who?

The top 100 senior football players from across the country, including Coppell junior kicker Nic Radicic and junior defensive back Braxton Myers

What?

The nation’s premiere high school sporting event for 20 years, broadcast annually on NBC and the most-watched and highestattended high school sporting event

When?

Jan. 7, 2023

Where?

Alamodome in San Antonio

Why?

A year-round celebration of high school excellence both on and off the field

Favorite hobby: painting

Favorite book series: The Hunger Games

APRIL 2022

that and to come compete, I was pretty excited to do that in the first place.”

Each member of the camp got eight kicks and had to qualify with a set amount of points in order to make it to the All-American competition, which was another round of testing for the players.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” Radicic said.

“A lot of people think that us football players go to practice in the morning in the weight room and go to school and go home, but it’s a lot happening outside of school. I went to kick at least three times a week after school. I went was just a lot of things going into competing for one spot.”

Former Coppell football coach Mike DeWitt thinks that both players earned their spots in the game.

“They’re very talented,” DeWitt said.

“Both of them have done a lot of work outside of school, outside of the athletic practices and the combination of their gifts with the hard work outside of workouts here have certainly earned them an opportunity to play with the best.”

Both players continue to push themselves and train outside of practice in order to match the other players.

“I met Radicic right when I came to Coppell,” Myers said. “He does his extra work every week and I do my extra work and it is just correlating together and all grinding. Even celebration wise, if we do something good we celebrate together.”

With continued dedication and support from each other, Myers and Radicic work diligently for the upcoming game.

“Braxton came to Coppell this year and right away, I knew he was a good player,” Radicic said. “I try to surround myself with good people that I can build with and become better. Our relationship built a lot and I find him as one of my better friends. ”

Favorite subject: history

Favorite bookstore: Barnes & Noble

FIELDS OF DIVERSITY:

Breaking the race barrier Sri Achanta News Editor @sriachanta_

Coppell junior defender Malkam Wallace defends senior middie Logan Hazlewood at practice on March 22 at Lesley Field.

Wallace is a dual sport athlete that portrays commitment and savors bonds with his teammates. Olivia Short

Varshitha Korrapolu Communications Manager @varshitha1128

Favorite musicians: Yeat and Drake Other activities: Coppell varsity track and field team (event is relays) Something people don’t know about him: Wallace is a sociable person

Jack Johnson. Jesse Owens.

Jackie Robinson.

All of these athletes worked tremendous amounts to break the same barrier: race. It wasn’t until 1908 that Johnson became the first African-American Heavyweight Champion of the World, even though he defended the colored heavyweight title numerous times. It wasn’t until 1936 in the Berlin Olympics that Jesse Owens was able to win four track and field medals as a Black athlete and it wasn’t until 1947 when Robinson was able to break the “color line” that segregated baseball by race.

Prior to World War II, African Americans were subjected to racial barriers through laws like the Jim Crow Laws that monopolized on racial prejudice. Even though these laws were abolished shortly after World War II, African Americans continued to face racist ideals into the 21st century.

For Black athletes, segregation laws and racial prejudices kept them from being able to play with their white counterparts. The majority of sports stayed segregated until the mid– 20th century, with integration efforts for the National Football League starting in around 1930 and integration of Major League Baseball in around 1950.

Earl Loyd became the first AfINDIA HOWARD rican American player to play SENIOR BASKETBALL PLAYER in an NBA game in 1950 with the Washington Capitols. KenWith the number of Black athny Washington made history letes rising, so is the push for by becoming the first African racial inclusion, but it must be American to sign an NFL conkept in mind that racism and untract with the Cleveland Rams fair punishments are still faced in 1946. Althea Gibson changed by many who are of different the course of tennis and golf by colors. becoming the first Black female athlete to desegregate both sports. As groundbreaking as these achievements were, each athlete faced their own unique set of challenges. When Jack Johnson claimed the title of heavyweight boxing champion, violent riots followed for days.

Over the years, the number of African Americans in the sports industry has increased, while being limited to a few select sports: basketball and football.

In 2020, around 75% of NBA Players were African American and in 2019, around 60% of NFL players were African American.

Source: Gzero Media On the other hand, sports such as baseball, wrestling and golf don’t have nearly as many The increased number of Black athletes in sports has been limBlack athletes, with the number ited to a select few sports: basketball and football. Sri Achanta

Sports are usually gender based; females don’t get enough recognition.”

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WALLACE’S WAY

said. “There is an under-acknowledgement of them. Sports are usually gender based; females don’t get enough recognition – the highest paid WNBA player [makes] less than the lowest paid NBA player. There is a giant margin, [but] at the end of the day, both teams are doing the same job, they’re both ing the same thing; it’s harder to do the same job as someone else, knowing you get paid significantly less, so at that point, [the yearning to play] comes just from within.”

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Dream job: Still searching, but wants to benefit other people through science Favorite college lacrosse teams: Duke, Syracuse and Johns Hopkins Inspirational figure: Jim Brown, NFL legend and former professional lacrosse player

For Black athletes, segregation laws and racial prejudices have kept them from being able to play with white athletes. Today, people of all races can compete with fewer limitations and with more athletes to look back upon for inspiration. Josh Campbell

APRIL 2022

Hustling on the football field during the fall. Defending the Coppell lacrosse team during the spring. As a dual sport athlete, Coppell junior long stick midfielder Malkam Wallace never has a moment to waste.

Wallace’s pivotal moment in lacrosse was during the Texas High School Lacrosse League (THSLL) state championship against Vandergrift at Houston last year. Wallace played in place of an injured senior. Coppell defeated Vandergrift 5-4.

“Winning state was a good feeling, being out there, playing with the seniors, it was their last hurrah,” Wallace said. “In both games that we played, it was a two game trip. In both games, we started down and it was a two game trip. At halftime we were down in both games. We had to come together, dig ourselves out of the hole, and win the game.”

As Wallace’s mother, Sharonda Wallace, watched her son’s performance in the state championship, she saw the result of Malkam’s years of work that he put into lacrosse.

“I felt incredible pride, excitement and nervousness,” Mrs. Wallace said. “It was a nail biter of a game. I was nervous for the team, but at the same time proud of everything that they have endured to get to that point. They were state champions last year. The game was on Mother’s Day of 2021. It was the best Mother’s Day gift ever.”

According to Coppell lacrosse coach Matt Mueller, Malkam’s excellent performance in games is due to his work ethic and mindset during practices.

“Malkam is a very hard working young man, very coachable,” Mueller said. “He’s like a sponge.

I only have to tell him things a couple times and he soaks them up and applies what we tell him.

On top of that, he’s also a phenomenal teammate. He leads by example and does everything the right way on and off the field which spreads.”

As lacrosse is a team sport, Malkam’s familiarity with his teammates as he was friends with them since fourth grade.

“I love the camaraderie,” Malkam said. “I love the fast pace aspect of it. I love being around teammates that like to play as much as I do.”

The close connections that Malkam has established allows him and his teammates to push each other beyond their abilities.

“He’s a guy that never complains, shows up with a great

smile on his face, working hard as hard as he possibly can,” Mueller said. “Doing things to the best of his ability. It’s contagious among his teammates.

They see Malkam working his tail off and his teammates are inclined to do the same.”

Whether Malkam is playing lacrosse or football, volunteering or studying, he does the activity with his whole heart.

“Genuine is the best word to describe Malkam,” Mueller said.

“He’s a very nice young man.

He’s very respectful. A great teammate. He does things for the right reasons. Not only on the field but off the field. He’s very serious with his academics. Across the board, he’s just a very genuine human being in all areas of his life.”

of Black athletes in the MLB reaching a low of around 10%.

Coppell High School senior atlete Simi Socks, who plays football and wrestles highlights how underrepresentation of Black athletes can be seen in his experience as a wrestler at Coppell.

“When I think of athletes, a lot of them aren’t wrestlers,” Socks said. “A lot of Black athletes play football because that’s how the demographic lines up for the sport. When I was growing up, most of the people that looked like me played basketball and football, so I played basketball and football. I didn’t start wrestling until my sophomore year of high school because I didn’t grow up looking at things and thinking ‘oh I want to go be a wrestler.’”

While many Black athletes are commonly seen in the Summer Olympics, there was a low number of Black athletes who participated in the recent Winter Olympics. There was, however, a rising number of female Black athletes at this year’s winter games.

For years, Black female athletes have faced the same setbacks as Black male athletes, due to the belief that females have to meet certain societal expectations. Alongside their male counterparts, they have fought for equality, and have been granted it to certain extents. We see more Black female athletes, such as gymnast Simone Biles and tennis star Serena Williams, participating in sports, pushing for the inclusion of females in male dominated activities.

“Gabby Douglas and Serena Williams are two powerful Black women in sports who are really good at what they do and they fight through a bunch of adversity that comes with it,” Coppell senior forward India Howard

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