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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
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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
