Volume 34 Issue 2

APPROVED

BY THE SIDEKICK CODE

AUTHORITY

VOLUME 34 - # 2 - NOVEMBER 2022

NEWS

OPINIONS

Student life

Entertainment

Sports

Local team takes on texas P. 2

is technology convenient or consuming?

P. 7

Quantum mechanics made easy P. 10

Modern retelling of a classic tale P. 16

FROM military to midcourt P. 23

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK NEWS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Unpredictability is motivation

The epitome of beauty can be described as Michelle Pfieffer, specifically her character Elvira Hancock in the 1983 film Scarface. Her perfectly shaped eyes, slender cheekbones and sharp jawline immediately catches the attention of gangster Tony Montana, who naturally must have her.

After watching the film for the third time, I got my hair cut by Gina at Hair Story, a Korean hairdresser located inside H Mart with vibrant shoes and the same name as my mother.

I showed her the reference picture of Hancock.

I couldn’t quite read her facial expressions while she analyzed the image, but she assured me that she could do it. I sat patiently as she tied my long, dark brown hair into a ponytail before lopping it off and whisking it away. I sat silently in the chair as I waited for the damage to be completed. I tried to convince myself in a million ways that the cut was chic; that I didn’t look like a mixture of a stereotypical “Karen” and my grandmother.

After coming home with my new style, my parents were both incredibly confused as to why I chose the haircut. It clearly did not suit my round, dark features, almost the polar opposite of the glamorous, sharp face Pfieffer possessed.

In another instance, I settle down on the plush sofa and clutch my blanket tightly. My legs are curled tightly to my chest, my heart beating rapidly as my eyes stay glued to the screen. The scene is quiet, the young girl playing in the room of Annabelle. All of a sudden, the instrumental flares and I start screaming.

For the next week, I lived my life in fear. I struggle to sleep at night, sweating buckets but refusing to remove the thick blanket that smothers me. I think about all the ways a demonic entity could possess me, how a burglar may be hiding in my home or any other gruesome ways to die.

Despite this extreme fear and paranoia I experience after watching a great horror movie, I still continue to look forward to the next blockbuster horror film.

Just like how I know that drinking coffee will make me anxious and jittery for the rest of the day, or that I’ll regret waking up early to do an assignment or that Whataburger will not give me the honey butter chicken biscuit sandwich before 11 p.m., I still drink the coffee, go to sleep without completing the assignment and ask for the sandwich, hoping for a different outcome.

These are questions that I ask that I know the answer to. However, there are instances where I have been pleasantly surprised.

After recently watching the movie Smile, I fully expected to live in fear for the next week.

Although being initially jumpscared in the theater several times, the movie surprisingly did not have any lasting impact on my psyche.

On a recent trip to Whataburger after the Blackpink concert, it was 10:46 p.m. and I decided to ask for the honey butter chicken sandwich. Although I fully expected them to turn me away, they gave me the sandwich before 11.

My mom and I enjoy getting coffee together, our recent obsession Dutch Bros. After consuming an Irish Kicker with soft top and caramel drizzle, I felt energized and was able to fall asleep easily.

I find enjoyment in this aspect of unpredictability. Although some may see this as setting myself up for failure, I find motivation in the fact that the answer might be different than what I originally expected. Although the Pfieffer haircut did not suit me, if I hadn’t gotten it, I would’ve always wondered what if?

The Sidekick executive editor-in-chief Angelina Liu watches The Conjuring, constantly on the edge of her seat in her media room on Oct. 26. Liu says she often partakes in various acts that seem exciting in the moment despite the long-term implications. Shrayes Gunna

Debaters qualify for Team Nrithya Mahesh Staff Writer

@CHSCampusNews

After countless hours of writing essays, recording application videos and attending interviews, three Coppell High School students found out they did not make the prestigious Team USA. However, they had a second chance waiting for them.

Team Texas was added into World Schools Debating Championships due to an exceptional amount of talent in the state that couldn’t be fully represented in Team USA. Debate students from around the Lone Star State are selected to join the team, where they will compete in international tournaments.

CHS seniors Umang Vinayaka, Sahith Mocharla and junior Anushree De were accepted into Team Texas, where they will be representing the state in the international World Schools debate competition.

Before joining World Schools, each CHS Team Texas member competed in separate forms of debate, such as team policy or Lincoln-Douglas. In such events, debaters prepare most of their content ahead of time and present it in a mainly formulaic manner. These debate styles are frequently patronized by debate students, but for De, Mocharla and Vinayaka, something didn’t feel right.

“I felt like debate wasn’t actually debating because everything was prepared,” De said.

“You had nothing where you actually had to respond to people, and I felt like the beauty of debate was getting lost.”

Compared to other conventional competitions, World Schools offers a more conversational-based approach to debates.

“I really enjoy World Schools’ debate, because I find it more applicable to the real world,” Vinayaka said. “Debating in a conversational manner [is] the kind of debate you would have with your friends or family.”

Vinayaka was previously part of the USA Development Team, earning him a perspective and experience his teammates do not have. Unfortunately, he did not make the cut for the national team this year.

In his four years of debate, the CHS senior has grown into a proficient speaker.

“When I was a freshman, I was not a good debater at all,” Vinayaka said. “Over the [past] four years, I have been able to develop

arguments and my own style of speech and I have become one of the strongest debaters in the state of Texas.”

For De, debate was a catalyst for personal growth. Starting with a Zenith Speech and Debate Academy camp in the summer before seventh grade, De has grown from a timid girl in the background to a bold young-adult she once dreamed to be.

“I wouldn’t talk to anyone, my teachers would laugh at me and be like ‘Oh, Anushree?

Who is that?’ Half of them didn’t know I existed and I was too afraid to speak up,” De said.

“I think being in debate changed me in so many ways. I found myself asking questions and talking to people. In this process, I have changed in so many ways and I thank debate every day for it.”

The journey to Team Texas was slightly different for Mocharla, who was originally not part of the lineup.

A week later, his name was added as a surprise addition to Team Texas.

Texas

“I think this is another step along the journey,” Mocharla said “Even if I didn’t make Team Texas, I’m still the same debater.

It’s the skills I have developed along the way that I think are really important, and Team Texas is a manifestation of that.”

Vinayaka, Mocharla and De look forward to competing throughout the school year with other talented debaters from around the world. As travel restrictions relax, they look forward to in-person tournaments, possibly occurring in the second semester.

De is the advertising/circulation manager and Mocharla is a staff writer for The Sidekick newspaper.

“I’m so excited to meet the other Texas debaters, learn more about them, create connections with people across Te x a s , compete w i t h them and show that Texas is the best state in World Schools,” Vinayaka said.

Coppell High School senior Sahith Mocharla, junior Anushree De and senior Umang Vinayaka have been chosen to be part of the Texas State Team this fall to compete internationally. The Texas State Team is part of the Texas Forensic Association (TFA) and has 15 members from high schools throughout Texas. Aliza Abidi

Fisher widens horizons, runs for SBOE Aliza Abidi Staff Writer @aliza_abidi

After 10 and a half years under the title of Place 7 and more than 20 years of leadership roles in Coppell, Tracy Fisher now has her sights on the Texas State Board of Education District 14 seat.

Ever since she and her husband, Andy Fisher, moved to Coppell 35 years ago, the community has been Fisher’s hometown and source of pride. After volunteering for 25 years and being involved in multiple community-based associations, Fisher knew that Coppell is not just a town: it is family.

“Coppell has changed a lot, I love the richness and diversity of our community,” Fisher said. “I have never lived anywhere longer than this; I had my kids and grandkids here and eventually I decided to stop working professionally and volunteer for the community. I went through Leadership Coppell to see where I would fit in best and after multiple academies and trying different things, I ran for school board.”

After serving on the school board for six years and watching her children Aaron and Sam graduate from Coppell ISD in 2011 and 2012, respectively, Fisher knew that her curious voice could help advance the education of all kids, not just her own.

Meeting children, parents and teachers, she knew that diversity was one of Coppell’s gems, and she would not let underrepresented voices go unheard.

“I did not run with an ax to grind; my children had already graduated when I ran because I did not want it to be about my kids but for all kids, and I felt like as a parent I needed to use my perspective without a bias,” Fisher said.

After running for Board of Trustees and losing to Amy Duncan in 2011 by 100 votes, Fisher was elected in 2012 and held Place 7 until this October. During this period, Coppell as a community and city developed and so did Fishers’ views.

Throughout the years, Fisher has grown proud of the teachers and students in Coppell; she has helped add more neighborhood schools and has made advancements to CISD’s curriculum. But most of all, she worked to create the learning experience deserved by every child: one that will aid them in being better people rather than just capable students.

“Through experiences and activities, children can hone their skills and learn,” Fisher said. “All subjects are important but students don’t need to learn everything in school, they need to learn how to learn, unlearn and relearn and that’s what sets students up for success in everything else.”

Learning to love one’s career rather than to meet expectations is the change Fisher wishes to see in every student’s perspective. She knows that change is absolute and aims to help people see education in a new light.

“I was always curious and wanted to pursue the strategy and the why of things, so I went after that,” Fisher said. “I have learned so many things about people and the world and I used this to make sure that every great teacher does great things for all her students through my experience in education.”

Through Place 7, Fisher was able to take this mindset and work together with the board to make new buildings at the “right time at the right place” and help allow every student to fulfill their education in a supportive community with quality guidance.

“Nothing is perfect yet, everything is a work in progress and I am glad I had the opportunity to be part of this change,” Fisher said. “I am proud of the people I have met and what I could do to add value and make public education better to make sure that our students are ready for life after 12th grade.”

Along with the support from the community and the determination to bring change to a larger scale, Fisher is now running for the Texas Board of Education.

“On the Texas Board of Education I want to make sure we are not adding standards but removing standards and look at developing the curriculum,” Fisher said. “I want to make sure teachers and students support each other and [are] able to reach an approachable standard.”

Aiming to increase teacher retention, the bettering of education for teachers, standards of education and additional local charter schools, Fisher pursues a new, larger audience under the same curious voice - questioning standards to establish change.

To run for State Board of Education, Fisher resigned from her position as a Trustee on Oct. 17. Place 7 is now an open spot.

The Board expressed its gratitude for Fisher’s service at CISD in response to her resignation.

Former Coppell ISD School Board Place 7 trustee Tracy Fisher resigned from her position on the board Oct. 17. Fisher has served as a trustee for more than 11 years and is running for the Texas State Board of Education District 14. Sidekick file photo “You shared with people [that] student voice is so important and many times we talked about student voice throughout this journey,” Board vice president Anthony Hill said. “This journey is not over with. Students have rallied around you and built their confidence to do things beyond just [the] ordinary and you’ve encouraged people to do extraordinary things.

That’s really that legacy that you’ve shared with so many. I know this is not the end of a journey, but the opening of a new chapter, and we wish you all the best.”

Currently, there is not an official announcement on the election on the next Place 7. According to Fisher, there is likely to be a vote amongst citizens or an appointment from the board directly. She hopes a new perspective can help develop Coppell ISD further and represent education for the community to agree and depend on.

“I hope that the next Place 7 will be serious about change and be trustable, the definition of a trustee,” Fisher said.

As a final piece of advice to CISD, Fisher requests all citizens to vote for who they know will make their children’s success reachable and ensure high-level education.

“Vote whether it’s in November or May,” Fisher said. “Instead of a party vote for a person, vote for people who are going to do the best for you and your community.”

nominated for NATAS Student Production Awards Staff Photographer @sahasrachak24

Meet Mary Kemper:

New director of instructional leadership Nyah Rama Staff Writer

@CHSCampusNews

Money Matters students learn from personal finance expert Iniya Nathan Student Life Editor @iniya_v

Want to know how to get through college debt free? Personal finance expert David Wilson talked about exactly that to Money Matters students throughout the day on Friday. With more than 45 million in holding student loans, Wilson made through college debt free.

Wilson was featured in a documentary on the student loan crisis called Borrowed Future, which Money Matters students are finished watching in class. Borrowed Future describes how Wilson bought and resold lawn mowers to make money. Wilson explained how he did more than just reselling lawn mowers to make it debt free.

Borrowed Future has been part of Money Matters curriculum for many years.

Money Matters teacher Ram Rodriguez connected with Wilson on Linkedin after he noticed that Wilson had talked about his experience at other high schools.

“He did it through intentionality,” Rodriguez said. “When you go to college you have to be intentional about it. You have to understand you have to start more work, even before you get to college.”

Wilson explains the advantages of being debt free after college and how student loan debt can affect life after college.

“Most college students are leaving their four years with much more than just memories and degrees,” Wilson said.

“They’re also leaving with some extra, unwanted baggage. That baggage is stu-

dent loans. That debt, the baggage, that causes them to look back at those four years, not fondly, but in some cases with anger and resentment over the decisions that they made. That debt, it now holds them back from starting a family, keeps them from going and getting their dream job in their dream city.”

Wilson presented the steps he took to go through college debt free, including exploring college alternatives such as trade school, going to the affordable school not the dream school, and how to make more money at jobs.

He attended Wisconsin Lutheran College because it was the most affordable option. He worked minimum wage at the call center in his college before moving to an off-campus better paying job. On Friday, he presented steps that he did not take, but had seen work for others.

The presentation concluded with the disadvantages of graduating with debt once again, after answering questions from Money Matters students, such as whether or not his methods work if they are going to college for more than four years. Wilson encourages students to think about their future financial situation now instead of later.

“That really resonates with the students who are prepared to go to college, who are at least considering going to college,” Rodriguez said. “They’re thinking ‘How am I going to pay $35,000 a year?’

That really stood out with students here at Coppell. Now they’re thinking ‘It’s going to cost money and I’m going to need to start preparing right now.’”

Personal finance expert David Wilson talks to Money Matters students on how to go through college debt free in the Coppell High School Lecture Hall during first period on Oct. 21. Wilson was featured in Borrowed Future, a documentary on the student loan crisis which Money Matters students are watching in class.

Iniya Nathan

NOVEMBER 2022

Mary Kemper was named as the new director of instructional leadership for Coppell ISD. Prior to her current position, Kemper served as the CISD director of math as well as a math teacher at Coppell High School. Photo Courtesy Coppell ISD

More information regarding the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards can be found through the QR code.

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

There is a new director of instructional leadership in Coppell ISD. However, it is a familiar name and face.

Over the past summer, Mary Kemper was hired as the new director of instructional leadership for Coppell ISD. The main job of the director of instructional leadership is to oversee teachers and help them grow in the classroom. Previously, Kemper has served as the CISD director of math as well as a math teacher at Coppell High School. She is also an Apple Certified Educator.

One of the main things that attracted Kemper to the position is the relationships she’s built in the 10 years in CISD. “I have relationships with so many educators and administrators in Coppell,” Kemper said. “I wanted to make a bigger difference and a bigger impact on teaching and learning.”

Kemper has some glowing qualities that compelled assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction Dr. Angie Brooks to determine she was the right candidate for the job.

“She really is one of those individuals that has taken a lot

of initiative.” Dr. Brooks said. “Whenever something is presented to her whether it’s an opportunity for training, or an opportunity to really step out there and work with others, or to showcase different types of learning as well as partnering with people across the district, [she shows a lot of initiative].”

Kemper has goals she hopes to see through in her time as director.

“I hope I can help teachers and administrators be successful so that we can help all of our kids continue to learn and grow,” Kemper said.

Kemper is focusing on growing teachers in the classroom and helping mitigate the impact COVID-19 has made on CISD students and staff.

“Kemper has been a part of our work which focuses on reading and mathematics which [tries to help] anyone that has suffered learning loss due to COVID,” CISD Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt said.

Kemper is not just in education for the job titles; rather she is hoping to make a lasting impact on the system and humanitize it.

“I hope my impact is that we continue to focus on kids and their learning and that we make good sound choices based on the human impact of education so that people can continue to thrive,” Kemper said.

KCBY-TV senior executive producer Betsy Krenek edits a segment in the production room on Oct. 20. KCBY was nominated in six categories for the Lone Star Emmy state chapter of NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences). Angelina Liu

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

The Lone Star Emmy state chapter of NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) recently announced its annual Student Production Award nominations from the 2021-22 school year, with members of Coppell High School’s television station, KCBY-TV, among the nominees.

NATAS is a national service organization dedicated to achieving excellence within the television industry and has various chapters across the country, including the Lone Star chapter. The Student Production Awards is one of the many honors distributed across the state of Texas and is given to high school and college students that have participated in the making of exceptional pieces of media.

KCBY members were nominated in six different categories.

CHS 2022 graduates Hally Leonard (program director), Conner Escobar (program director), Jada D’Silva (program director) and Thea Massi (program director) were nominated for the High School - Newscast category in weekly broadcast.

“North Texas Real Estate Boom” was nominated under the High School - News: General Assignment - Serious News category with the contributions of Massi (reporter/producer/camera) and current juniors Chloe Kryzak (camera) and Parker Jones (camera).

“It’s really cool I got nominated, because last year was my first year in KCBY,” Kryzak said. “My overall motivation was that I wanted to contribute to this project

to prove that I am serious about KCBY, and I wanted to make my teacher proud because she cares a lot about this organization.”

Both “Homecoming FB Vs. Plano” and “Mental Game of Basketball” were nominated under the High School - Sports category. Contributors of “Homecoming FB Vs. Plano” were Massi (reporter) and current senior Mau Sigler (videographer). “Mental Game of Basketball” was created by Massi (reporter/producer), Sigler (camera), CHS 2022 graduate Will Manchester (camera), and senior Cooper Leffingwell (camera).

Under the High School - Fiction category, “Dazed” was selected, made by Leonard (director/producer/writer) and Escobar (director/producer/editor).

Seniors Sidd Sivakumar (producer/ editor/camera), Brian Bjorksten (producer/camera) and CHS 2022 graduate Kevin Sangerhausen were nominated for their production “Shop Local” in the High School - Commercial category.

Massi was nominated for her work as a reporter in “Thea Massi Talent Reel​” for the High School - Talent category.

“The nomination that made me the most excited was the talent reel,” Massi said. “It has highlights of my sideline reporting for football. Sideline reporting was something I really cared about and worked hard for, so it was nice to see I was recognized for that.”

Winners will be announced on Nov. 12 by the Lone Star Emmy state chapter.

“Any time your work is recognized by a professional organization, it sets you apart from your peers,” KCBY adviser Irma Lazos‑Kennedy said. “For the students that win, they will qualify to be nominated at the national level.”

NEWS THE SIDEKICK

Sahasra Chakilam

THE SIDEKICK NEWS

CHS introducing Honors Computer Science III course

Anvita Anumala Staff Designer

@CHSCampusNews

Starting this year, Coppell High School has added a new computer science course: Honors Computer Science III. The class was added to expand students’ knowledge of the programming language JavaScript to prepare them for college level computer science courses.

After many years of vouching for a higher leveled course, CHS Computer Science teacher Michael Finnegan established Honors Computer Science III this school year.

The curriculum teaches students how to create their own data structures and build solutions to problem solve.

In previous years, CHS offered only Computer Science I, Computer Science II, AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A. “I’m pretty happy about the class because otherwise we would have exhausted the computer science classes that they offer at the high school,” senior Tavishka Arora said.

The course acts as a gateway between high school and college computer science courses. Now, students can refresh

their knowledge of JavaScript and build their problem solving skills before college begins.

The class, however, would not be the same without Finnegan as the teacher.

“He really cares about his students’ path with computer science and their learning experience more than he cares about grades, which is a good quality for a teacher to have,” senior Sanjith Tamballa said. Honors Computer Science III is a new addition to the As Computer Science CHS course selection, being offered for the first time in II or AP Computer Sci- the 2022-23 school year. Sahasra Chakilam a language, whereas Honors Computer ence A are required prerequisites to take this class, students are Science III teaches students to apply prilikely to have Finnegan for multiple years. or Java knowledge to solve problem sets.

Finnegan recommends tak“I’m very glad that Mr. Finnegan is the teacher for this class because ing AP Computer Science A raththan Computer Science III. by taking it you, are guaranteed an- er “Computer Science III is an honother year with him,” Arora said. “He is very knowledgeable in the field ors-level class and Computer Sciand knows exactly what he’s doing.” ence II is not so,” Finnegan said.

AP Computer Science A or Comput- “Going from AP to Honors is easier beer Science II focus on teaching Java as cause the content is more advanced.”

Sidekick Online

CORNERS OF COPPELL:

Shah helping the community through the medium of art Sukirtha Muthiah Staff Writer

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

@CHSCampusNews

What began as a solution 19 years ago to stay at home with her newborn is now one of the most successful art studios in the area. Coppell resident Nisha Shah’s passion for art has been with her since the young age of 6, when she started to take art classes as a hobby.

To this day, she strives to use art as a way to educate and help the people around her through Falak Art Studio and her nonprofit, Paint a Hope.

What prompted you to start Falak Art Studio?

Back [in Mumbai], I used to teach fashion design in colleges. When I came here, I had a baby who was just 1-yearold. To make sure that I can be with her, I thought of something I could do from home, and started [Falak Arts].

Falak Art Studio owner Nisha Shah works with a committed team of instructors who teach art to people of different ages, ranging from children to adults. Falak Art Studio is a curriculum-based art studio in Coppell that teaches basic to advanced drawing and painting techniques in various artistic mediums.

Kayla Nguyen What is unique about Falak Arts? want to make sure that we can help the We are the only curriculum-based community through the medium of art. art studio in DFW. We encourage a lot of our students to do contests, so Do you offer volunteer options for your they are always winning awards. That students? gives [our students] confidence and That’s the reason that Paint A Hope was also builds their resume for colleges. started. My daughter helped me start that because she was really passionate about How has your passion for art created doing something for the community. What such a successful business? we do is we have students go to hospitals When I am teaching here, this is not or senior homes and do workshops there. a business or a job. This is something In summer, we had a thing where we where I am trying to build a future for had special needs kids come here and these kids. If you are a teacher and they had one-on-one instruction from us. you are looking at the commercial part of it, you should not be in this What is the main message that you field; it should be about wanting to want your students to take away from grow the students. Art has definite- their time at the studio? ly helped me be financially indepenWhat I feel is that when you are young, dent but I never feel like I am at work you don’t really know what you are doing. when I am here and that is something You start [pursuing] a hobby. Then your that almost no career can give you. hobby can convert into your passion and your passion can become your whole caWhat are your hopes for Falak Art Stu- reer. When your passion becomes your cadio in the future? reer, you will never fail. Many people are My goal is to help as many kids and worried since art is not mainstream; they adults as possible, because art also feel as if there are not enough opportunihelps with mental health. I want to ties or they feel as though [artists] are not help the underprivileged kids who can- paid well enough. But if you are passionnot afford art education; we want to ate about anything and you take it up as a give them the education for free. We career, trust me, there is no looking back.

Sri Achanta

Executive News Editor @sriachanta_

The Side-ticker is a series in which executive news editor Sri Achanta updates readers on local news that has happened between the issues.

Coppell ISD has introduced a new Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) dashboard supporting the district’s pillars.

Coppell ISD is on track to improve enrollment rates and student retention.

City ordinances were approved for amending monthly sewer rates, a settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee (ACSC) and Atmos Energy and other corporate agreements with Coppell.

THE BEAT FROM CHS9

Sahasra Chakilam Staff Writer

@sahasrachak24

Favorite AP course: AP Government

FUN FACTS

Favorite AP HUG unit: Population unit

Was a defender for the Mercer University soccer team

Sometimes all you need is a bit of confidence Nyah Rama Staff Writer

@nyah_rama

CHS9 varsity wrestler Ishitha Mallidi trains in a wrestling session with Coppell girls wrestling coach Maxine Lisot at the CHS Fieldhouse. Mallidi has been wrestling for three years and started wrestling at Coppell Middle School West. Yaamini Jois

NOVEMBER 2022

Pin her! Pin her!

That is what CHS9 varsity wrestler Ishitha Mallidi hears day in and day out.

Mallidi started her wrestling career two years ago at Coppell Middle School West under coach Rebekkah Grissom.

Mallidi also won the Coppell All-City tournament and went undefeated in eighth grade under coach Jamika Jones.

While Mallidi’s original reason for joining the sport was to get more exercise in, she had no idea she would be taking the first steps toward her future passion. Mallidi’s personal journey has shown that even in the face of adversity, sometimes all you need is a little confidence.

How has wrestling boosted your self-confidence?

I used to be the shyest kid, I didn’t want to talk to anybody, I didn’t want to touch anybody.

I remember the first couple weeks of practice I was scared to be touching people and moving people around but it came

naturally. It was an eventual process and it made me confident, now I can go up to anybody and start a conversation and keep it going.

Even after all of this, why did you choose to continue wrestling?

In other places, there’s always someone who’s against you, always someone who looks down upon your choices.

I never really felt like I belong [in school], but in this sport I feel like I belong. It’s the one thing that makes me special.

It’s something I feel proud of.

I definitely want to be a pro wrestler.

Was there any opposition when you decided to join wrestling?

Several of my coaches in middle school did not believe I’d be able to participate in the sport with only two years of experience. I want [people to be able to] take away my confidence as a woman. I feel extremely strong physically and mentally. It doesn’t matter who it is - I lost the shyness I felt.

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Hobbies: - Painting - Drawing - Reading

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

“Bey-beys” and “Mon-eyyyy” are eccentric and comedic phrases used in lectures on an ordinary basis in Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus AP Human Geography teacher Haley McDuffee’s class.

They are used as fun alternatives for the boring, old words, “babies” and “money,” that are usually a topic of discussion during AP Human Geography.

Oddly enough, those unconventional remarks are one of the many things shat linger in her students’ minds, and end up helping them.

McDuffee grew up in Plano and attended Mercer University in Georgia, where she majored in primary and special education. After graduating in 2018, she taught third grade at Robertson Elementary in Frisco ISD. In the 2021-22 school year, she came to Coppell ISD. She is currently in her fourth year of teaching.

Although teaching history-related subjects wasn’t always in mind for McDuffee, it turned into something she grew fond of post-graduation. She is driven to teach the subject to others. “[History] became more of a passion in my adulthood after I graduated from college. I started to understand my surroundings, and the world around me,” McDuffee said. “Last year I worked hard to make sure that I knew the content, so that I can be the best teacher for my students. Every year, I try to find ways to make it more engaging and make sure I understand every possible aspect of AP HUG.” Leaving the youth and light-heartedness of third grade and entering the more mature

give students buzzers to answer with other tasks to do.” and collected nature of ninth “She includes them. [She’s] not McDuffee presents essential grade is quite the adjustment, just talking to them, but having [vocabulary] questions and play study skills and beneficial regames like Jeopardy to have a but McDuffee has assimilated a conversation with them.” sources that guide her students fun review before tests.” naturally into this change.

In addition to her cheerful McDuffee herself was once an to get the highest score possible She is able to relate to her persona are the little whims for their AP exam in May. AP student in high school, makstudents on a deeper level by and activities she sprinkles in “She created in-depth creating presentations for each a more topic which helped me sincere when I started studyconnection ing for the [AP] exam,” with her CHS sophomore Keeya classes.

Rathod said. “She This bond taught various ways to translates take notes which came into a comin handy when making fortable a study plan for the environexam. ment where McDuffee’s classroom students is designed to feel like are still able home for her students to stay prothrough the various ductive. installments in her “I loved room. She provides a third grade, comforting place of but it didn’t learning and knowlfit my edge. personality “Ms. McDuffee has as well,” LED lights around McDuffee her screen, bean-bag said. “Ninth CHS9 AP Human Geography teacher Haley McDuffee talks to CHS9 students Srivas Kumara, chairs in front of the graders are more Aryas Raut and Jack Behr about what they learned in class on Wednesday. McDuffee creates a class, decorations, and paintings all around indepen- fun classroom environment for students. Iniya Nathan the classroom,” CHS9 dent and freshman Aryahi Ravi self-sufficient. They are able during her classroom sessions ing her well-versed in the rigor- said. “It all feels homey and to have a good time, but they that make her teaching style ous workload in these advanced cozy.” know when it’s time to be seridistinct from other teachers.

McDuffee’s target she aims classes. With this in mind, her ous and get on-task.”

As the first AP in CHS9 for is that her students remain priority is for students to be Due to the stigma that AP student’s high school course mesmerized in what they learn, learning the information in a courses are hard, boring and no load, AP Human Geography coordinated and timely manner not only in her class, but in fun, McDuffee ensures that in can be overwhelming due to its everything. She takes charge in her class, students are attentive, content and word heavy nature. to where the concepts are easformulating successful futures listening and ready to learn.

However, McDuffee’s whims and ier to grasp and they can have opportunities to make good use for her kids, and firmly believes She seeks out for her students games make it all simpler to that teachers shouldn’t appear of their time. to embrace themselves in the comprehend. as mundane to students, but “Her class is well put togethcourse and have an immersive “I am all about having fun someone students to look up to. er. She has a systematic aplearning experience. while working hard. I say odd, “When teaching, it’s as if you proach of running through her “She engages with her stuquirky things to help kids are putting on a performance,” class where we never lose time dents well. When she is teachremember different things. I McDuffee said. “You are there to and we always get time to start ing, she asks a lot of questions am very welcoming of joking entertain. Of course, [teachers] working on what we need to [to the class], she brings in stuaround so it’s a more relaxing, are supposed to be teaching, do,” freshman Anjana Bopanna dents’ experiences and talks to comfortable [classroom],” Mcbut our job is to entertainingly them,” CHS9 AP Human Geogra- Duffee said. “I include activities said. “She taught me how to be teach the kids.” on top of [my class work], even phy teacher Shanna Chang said. such as Speed Vocab where I

NEWS THE SIDEKICK

McDuffee culminates lively yet efficient classroom atmosphere

wre yea

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK EDITORIAL PAGE

STAFF EDITORIAL:

What is "political,” really?

In October 2018, Taylor Swift broke her silence in regards to the world of politics to encourage fans in her home state of Tennessee to register to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. 24 hours after her first Instagram post, more than 65,000 people registered to vote; Vote. org saw 155,940 unique visitors to its website.

Although her efforts to bring attention to the elections deserve praise, it does bring an important concern to the forefront of everyone’s attention: an exorbitant amount of potential voters only registering after being encouraged to do so by an influential personality.

In a world where partisan hostilities continue to grow and political orientations play a significant role in students’ lives, it is understandable why young adults tend to shy away from the polarizing idea of being “political”: they do not want to bear the responsibility and burden associated with it.

But, when it comes to student and youth politics, a spectrum immediately comes to mind.

On one end, there are people always posting about the political developments of their hometown, state or even country.

They are blatantly “political.”

Then there is the other end of the spectrum. People who actively choose to shy away from the, at times vast and overwhelming, realm of politics.

The issue stems from those who choose to not pay attention to or care about politics and therefore do not actively participate

in elections, no matter their importance.

Some people express their political views and have the chance to potentially change someone else’s mind about a topic. Others want to keep that part of their lives private and do not feel the need to declare their stance or what candidate they vote for on platforms where posts can be traced back to them in their future.

What is difficult to digest are the people who do not want to let their lives be overtaken by politics, and subsequently decide it is best t o stay out of it. That sort of thinking leads to them remaining oblivious to k e y events in politics, their representatives and current events that directly affect them. Rather than taking a silent, yet powerful stance, they choose to let their voice go unheard, a step that takes years to correct.

It is high time we find a middle ground between the two extremes.

Instead of forcing students to awkwardly try to find a happy medium, taking a step to redefine the definition of being “politically active” is what is

2022-23 STAFF Executive Leadership

NOVEMBER 2022

needed. Being political should only “require” someone to have a stance on a key issue and enact it through their participation in local, statewide and national elections.

By doing so, students have the opportunity to express their political views and take a firm stance on an issue. It eliminates the burden of wondering if they should be doing more to be active or if they need to post on a social media platform to be what society has now deemed “politically aware.”

It does not matter how outspoken you are. As long as you use your resources, take the time to educate yourself, discover what you believe in and who you wish to vote for apart from the views of people around you, that is all we ask of you. The key is to be active in politics, when your vote is your duty to those who matter to you.

Let us take the time and effort to encourage young voters, who are likely voting for the first time, to register to vote in upcoming elections. If they choose to post their beliefs elsewhere, that is their prerogative. All the more power to them for voicing their views more openly.

It is only appropriate that we establish and ingrain responsible political habits in young minds before they become completely ignorant to the political sphere.

Chase Wofford Staff Adviser Angelina Liu Editor-in-Chief* Srihari Yechangunja Interactive/Design Editor* Sri Achanta News Editor* Manasa Mohan Editorial Page Editor*

Editorial Leadership

Iniya Nathan Student Life Editor Saniya Koppikar Entertainment Editor Yaamini Jois CHS9 Editor

Media Team Leadership Nandini Paidesetty Visual Media Editor Nandini Muresh Photo Editor Josh Campbell Page Design Editor* Aliya Zakir Convergence Editor* Maya Palavali Staff Cartoonist* Olivia Short Sports Visual Media Editor Sruthi Lingam CHS9 Visual Media Editor

Communications & Business Team Anu De Advertising/Circulation Manager Meghna Kulkarni Social Media Manager Sannidhi Arimanda Communications Manager* * Indicates Vol. 34 No. 2 page designer

Writers

Ainsley Dwyer Aliza Abidi Anvita Bondada Araceli Reynoso Bhavna Balaji Deepali Kanchanavally Divya Sivalenka Ishana Sharma

Photographers Ava Johnson Kole Lokhande Kayla Nguyen Manasa Borra Namir Awan Paarth Dutta Rhea Choudhary

Designers

Aarya Pardeshi Anvita Anumala Avani Munji Caroline Moxley Douglas Zambrano

Copy Editor Torie Peck

Minori Kunte Nashad Mohamed Nimat Randhawa Nyah Rama Sahith Mocharla Shrayes Gunna* Sreehitha Moravaneni Sukirtha Muthiah Rhea Chowdhary Sahasra Chakilam Sameeha Syed Shreya Ravi Trey Boudreaux TJ Jindal Vibha Viswanath Jayden Chui Meghan Chiang Noor Fatima Nrithya Mahesh Wendy Le

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 (214) 496-6239 / cwofford@coppellisd.com 185 W. Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX 75019

The duality of modern technology Technology is taking over

Manasa Mohan

Saniya Koppikar

Executive Editorial Page Editor @Manasa_Mohan_7

Entertainment Editor @SaniyaKoppikar

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

In front of you, blazing yellows and oranges paint the sky. The Earth is scorched, the dried surface of a wide grassland stretching for miles to see. A lion’s roar stretches through the air.

Behind you, a safe, sterile house, competent enough to brush your teeth, raise your children and cook the food. The HappyLife Home, complete with everything you could ever want.

Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt” paints this picture: a murderous African safari conjured by the minds of the Hadley children, who have been exposed to the advanced technology of the HappyLife Home and Veldt itself for all their lives.

In Bradbury’s typical fashion, the scifi short story leaves its dreary ending–– Spoilers! The Veldt causes the demise of the Hadleys’ parents––mostly up to interpretation. Still, the chill it leaves its reader with is unmistakable.

It is hard not to wonder what could tempt an innocent mind towards murder.

Was it the abs e n t parents?

The unlimited capability? The lack of authority?

At the risk of sounding older than my age, I feel that the influence of the technology itself cannot be den i e d .

Whether it was w h a t corrupted Peter and Wendy Hadley or not, the pervasiveness of technology in our reality is concerning. And it’s only growing.

Everything seems to be smart nowadays, doesn’t it? Smart technology spans from phones to watches, from watches to appliances and from appliances to homes. There’s AI technology that can translate a sentence to a video in a matter of seconds.

In April, artificial intelligence research group OpenAI announced a new version of DALL-E, a text-to-image generation program, called DALL-E 2. The new program improves upon the original, which was named after the robot WALL-E and artist Salvador Dalí, and produces pictures depicting user-input. Recently, tech research company Runway announced a similar text-to-video program.

In case the significance of this kind of program isn’t getting to you, let me state it in a different way.

A program exists, currently, in which one can type in “generate a lush garden,” and a corresponding scene will be called up. Then, one can type in “fade in over time,” and the video will zoom in slowly. Type something else. Click an arrow and a new scene under the criteria will appear. Click again. Again. Again.

In a further attempt to regulate the use of the program, the program is not currently accessible to the public; however, OpenAI hopes to eventually make the program available in third-party apps.

This kind of program is not a bad thing.

Actually, it’s quite incredible, and could be used to increase efficiency and bring new innovation to the art world.

The realist in me just wonders what could be made obsolete as a result of this technology becoming commonplace. The substitution feels familiar, reminding me of a similar occurrence closer to home.

In the last few years, Coppell High School has seemed to rely more on technology than ever before, swapping paper handouts and poster projects for online assignments.

Lessons recorded as extra content and activities created to work without much student-teacher interaction have admittedly come in handy with absences, lessening the isolation of students who are not in the classroom. More often than not, though, digitalization has been a problem rather than a benefit. When WiFi becomes spotty, devices glitch or websites crash, the classroom is fundamentally disrupted. Students sit impatiently; teachers desperately try to troubleshoot.

The trip to the copy machine to print out a quick new assignment feels like admitting defeat.

RAD Data Communications chief technology officer Yaakov J. Stein puts it best: “The problem with AI and machine learning is not the sci-fi scenario of AI taking over the world and not needing inferior humans. The problem is that we are becoming more and more dependent on machines and hence more susceptible to bugs and system failures.”

Technology as it exists in our lives is benign as long as it is completely functional. When mistakes––invasions of privacy, crashes, blackouts and censorship––begin to occur, that’s when the problem is clear.

How are we to stop it then, after it has already taken over?

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

NOVEMBER 2022

“You couldn’t survive a day without your phone.”

“Your generation is too reliant on technology.”

“You spend all of your time on your phone. Don’t you have anything else to do?”

Such complaints are often heard by teenagers from disgruntled adults about teens’ usage of devices, notably their phones.

It is hardly fair to point a finger at Generation Z, claiming that we are too reliant on technology or are too “addicted” to our devices and gadgets. Regardless of the generation you belong to, it is difficult in today’s day and age to find anyone who isn’t frequently checking their phone for new messages, looking at their social media feed, rapidly texting or simply on their phone for extended periods of time.

Even though most people engage in similar uses of technology, Generation Z is often on the receiving end of complaints that we are too glued to our technology, mainly from older generations who argue that we can’t live a day without our phones.

Now, not all of this is untrue: a study from CGK found that 55% of Gen Z spends 5 or more hours on their phones per day.

This should not be classified as an addiction, but rather as the way our lives have always been and will continue to be. Look at the recent developments in tech: The laptop was created in 1981. The internet in 1983. The first smartphone in 1992. Social media in 1997.

To understand why Gen Z spends so much time on their devices, it is imperative to consider that Gen Z is the first generation to have generally unlimited access to the internet, devices and social media since our birth. As we grew up, we became accustomed to how these devices work and the comforts that the technology provides us, regardless of how late in life we were introduced to these devices.

MaryLeigh Bliss, chief content officer at Ypulse, sums it up: “Millennials and boomers are addicted to their phones.

Generation Z simply hasn’t known a time without the device.”

I am not trying to argue that technology is completely flawless. In fact, I am the first to admit that technology has its downsides; however, it is time to start considering it has always been a part of Gen Z’s lives and has been making our lives more convenient and comfortable for years. Why would we not use technology to our advantage?

Technology serves different purposes in entertainment and educational settings. When looking at it from an entertainment perspective, technology and social media can be an issue. Teenagers are known to spend a lot of time on media platforms for noneducational purposes. Technology may not be perfect for social interactions, but it is ideal for educational purposes.

Even at Coppell High School, students and teachers saw a transition from a paper-based curriculum to one that integrates technology. Yes, that presents its

own difficulties, but in 2020 when students were moved to a completely virtual classroom environment, technology was there to help facilitate that difficult transition. CHS had minimal struggles with preparing every student for the mandatory virtual period as all students were equipped with iPads that enabled them to complete their daily schoolwork. After the pandemic, teachers continued to intertwine the use of technology into their classrooms through whatever methods they found most appropriate for their class.

It is time we face the truth: technology isn’t going anywhere and will always be an important part of our lives, making savviness an important skill. More technology use in classroom settings bridges the gap between students who are technologically proficient and students who are not.

Current teenagers have grown up in a world filled with technology and as a result, we’ve become quite savvy with our use of it.

I understand that social media may provide too large of a distraction with notif ications, but we are still capable of taking steps to curb the amount of distractions when necessary.

We know when we need to draw the line with our use of technology and we have the ability to do so.

C o n trary to popular belief, Gen Z is not addicted to our phones or to social media.

We have just grown used to t h e m .

We’re comfortable with them. We are used to the way our life functions with them. Is it so unreasonable to want to keep that same technology in our lives?

OPINIONS THE SIDEKICK

We aren’t addicted, just comfortable

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK OPINIONS

ART IS MORE THAN WHAT MEETS THE EYE Shrayes Gunna Staff Writer

@shrayesgunna

In spending hours upon hours at the Dallas Museum of Art and walking through its many galleries, I bounce between worlds more rich than the summer breeze or sounds of the city outside. Dipping my toes into French waters through Monet’s “Poplars, Pink Effect” or coming face-to-face with Dallas’s racial history through Bowling’s “Winter Evening,” my perspective is unbound.

And I think that’s substantial: art’s very ability to take the viewer on brief excursions outside of time and space is noteworthy. At the DMA, my view isn’t confined by geographic boundaries, for I may peruse Parisian streets for the sheer pleasure of it or I can examine ancient Chinese brushstrokes to garner a deeper understanding of East Asian history and culture.

Oftentimes, art is dismissed as just a pretty thing to look at, but that discounts the subversive and evocative nature of the medium in the first place. Historically, artists have utilized visual art(painting, drawing, etc.)as a means to record events, offering historians a retrospective look into humanity. Think hieroglyphics.

Not only were these cave drawings, often carved on stone as a linguistic mechanism, but they also capture the religious and historical undergirdings of Ancient Egyptian society. Another instance of art being utilized as a historical measure of

recording events is apparent in almost every Texas history textbook, The Surrender of Santa Anna by William Henry Huddle.

Most of us have seen the revered image of Antonio López de Santa Anna perched beneath a tree with a broken leg, but we see the piece as more than a detailed work of art. Students and teachers treat it as a historical artifact—a look into the past— through which they can learn and grasp a new understanding of the Battle of the Alamo. This same methodology ought to be extended to all works of art by looking at them with a meticulous, analytical eye. That’s not to say every work of art is retrospective or a gateway into the past; some are just insight into the emotions, religion or political/social views of the artist, which are just as significant.

These pieces of art, created for the emotional release of it all, are not solely pretty things to decorate your room or intone a museum either. Take Vincent Van Gogh. Each self portrait, still life and landscape he painted transports the viewer to southern France while introducing them to the stylistic norms of the era.

While taking a long, absorbent look at “Starry Night” doesn’t reveal some underlying epic about France, it does substantiate the impressionist style that many artists maintained and expose a view of the French countryside inaccessible to many, whether geographically or financially.

Viewers witness culture, cuisine and tradition through the sense of sight; though it’s not as exciting as tasting a baguette

Art is often overlooked for its immersive educational and emotional aspects. The Sidekick staff writer Shrayes Gunna details his experience at the Dallas Art Museum to demonstrate how he uses art as a mechanism to flit between worlds and experience new ideas. Nandini Muresh in a quaint bakery or smelling French buttercream pervading busy streets, it’s sometimes the only look people can get of foreign destinations. A look all too unappreciated.

These trips to new worlds, cultures and ideas are everywhere, stored within the artwork hung on walls that people glance over and caper pass.

It is not limited to museums.

Every scroll on social media, glimmer of a billboard in the car and minute watching/reading the news pertains to a bounty of art in many forms. From pho-

tographs to videos detailing the creative process, these stories and flickers of cultures worlds away are present. It just takes a willingness to dive into the position of the creator and take up their perspective, realize their views and empathize with their emotions.

In looking for craftsmanship and storytelling within blankets of paint layered like snow or crisp compositions in a photograph, there’s a trip to take and a welcome invitation. Whether it be aweing at the roof of the Sistine Chapel or smiling at a

print of Murakami’s flowers, look deeper than the surface because art isn’t just a pretty thing to look at: it’s reflective of foreign worlds ready to be experienced.

And perhaps, you’ll learn to appreciate art just as much as I did roaming the vast halls of the DMA.

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

SCREENAGERS BRINGING BACK RETRO Sreehitha Moravaneni Staff Writer @sreeMorav

You might have taken a stroll on a social media platform and stumbled upon a post that was taken with film, identifiable by grainy yet distinct lines and the tiny orange date in the lower right corner.

But why is it that we still opt for the innovations of the past, despite having access to new technology at our fingertips?

The term “screenager” refers to how teens as a generation have grown up with access to the internet and smartphones. This phenomenon has often been used in a negative light, but I view it as a form of empowerment due to how advanced we have had the op-

portunity to become at such an early age.

This idea of “growing too attached or addicted to technology” has been challenged with how being exposed to older innovation is a form of privilege rather than a demeaning remark used to throw jabs at the technological savviness of teens.

Using film, however, juxtaposes what a “screenager” would do, as it’s an innovation that was made back in time as opposed to current technology, yet today’s teenagers still revert back to this old innovation quite frequently.

Oftentimes, teens bring a disposable camera or two on an excursion while leaving their phone to straggle behind in the car. It allows them to grasp a sense of escape in a society defined by media and technology.

Film rolls include a certain amount of exposures, meaning that the amount of actual shots you can take is limited to the exposure count. For example, most film rolls generally range from 12​​to 36 exposures, preventing you from getting carried away. The limited capabilities of these film cameras allow teens to be present in the moment and keep their attention on the event at hand.

Phone cameras often serve as a distraction to activities that would typically be more eventful when living in the moment.

Using a film camera allows us to separate ourselves from the provisions of what makes us want to pick up our distracting devices and snap away - helping us capture memories that are irreplaceable.

Teens say that they want to capture the moment at hand without being distracted by the other platforms on their phone.

Older generations, however, will stress the redundancy of using film by saying that it has become too expensive and is a waste of time when taking photos is so much more accessible on your phone.

Using a film camera just expands on that idea, as we gear our attention towards what would be “vintage.” Teenagers are drawn to the vintage aspect of things because of the comfort it brings us. Things that are “old” and “outdated” almost give us a sense of nostalgia, despite not even being alive to experience the vintage item at its peak.

Similarly, record players fall into the same situation.

We often get used to listening to music on digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. However, current music is now being produced into vinyls for people to listen to their favorite artists on the record player, once again tuning into their newfound nostalgia.

Although new technology gives us glimpses of innovation for not only our future but also the next, we can still stay connected with innovation beyond our age. The turn to older devices will allow us to listen, see and exist in coincidence with our experiences.

Technology has made simple actions, such as listening to music and taking photos, easier over time. The Sidekick staff writer Sreehitha Moravaneni explores how teenagers use film cameras nowadays despite having the convenience of taking photos on their phone. Nandini Paidesetty

The exponential rise of short form media Staff Writer

@anvita_bondada

reels and YouTube Shorts, people have been looking away from their books and instead to their phones.

A study by Microsoft shows our attention spans have dropped from 12 seconds to eight seconds, a 25 percent decrease. This means a shorter attention span than that of a goldfish. We can clearly see the drop in attention spans of current teenagers.

One way this can present itself is through procrastination and many students feeling their work ethic becoming weaker and their productivity levels decreasing.

“I often find myself not being able to concentrate while studying and I usually end up taking long breaks to scroll through social media,” Coppell High School sophomore Rudhmila Hoque said.

You might be asking how the at-

traction to short form media and decreasing attention spans correlate to each other. Decreasing attention spans can cause difficulty in reading a longer book or an hour long movie. Social media has taken the world by storm with its quick, straightforward nature

and people don’t have to pay rapt attention and can just aimlessly scroll. Its rapid nature has captured the minds of teenagers and it has gradually taken our focus away with it.

Not only does the short and quick style of many social media platforms appeal to people, they also get easily addicted to it.

“Platforms such as TikTok are designed to keep your attention by giving you instant gratification when you are on it,” AP Psychology and Sociology teacher Kristia Leyendecker said.

This causes you to spend hours on it. The danger in platforms like these is that students quickly get used to short pieces of information being handed to them, rather than receiving the full context of something. This causes them to lose focus quickly as they aren’t accustomed to longer pieces of information anymore.

Booktok should not glorify authors Nimat Randhawa Staff Writer

@CHSCampusNews

several books associated with her name: November 9, Ugly Love, Verity or It Ends With Us. These books deal with heavy topics such as abuse, sexual assault, miscarriage and infidelity. Yet Booktok presents these books as romance, which is technically true, except most of them aren’t love stories at all.

When users make videos saying how great the romance in It Ends With Us is, it erases the message of the book and misleads new readers into thinking it’s a sweet romantic story, when it is not. The book is about ending a cycle of do-

mestic abuse that has been in Lily, the heroine’s life. So when the summary on TikTok completely focuses on the romance in the book, it defeats the purpose of what the book was about: raising awareness to domestic abuse.

This is nothing new for Booktok as they have a track record for romanticizing toxic characters and relationships. Many readers excuse the toxicity because the character has dark hair, colored eyes and a traumatic past that seems to justify all their actions.

With that being said, Hoover is also at fault for also roman-

ticizing toxicity within her books. November 9, a “love” story that follows Fallon O’Neill and Ben Kessler. Through which it’s revealed that Kessler is responsible for her burn scars as he thought that her father was the reason that his mother had died, the logical thing to do: set fire to the father’s car that leads to the house with Fallon in it catching on fire as well.

If you ask, do they still end up together? The answer is yes, because it’s discovered the entire thing was caused by a misunderstanding, so there’s a happy ending to O’Neill and

NOVEMBER 2022

In the age of social media, platforms such as TikTok provide people all over the world with an outlet to share their opinions and interests. w staff writer Nimat Randhawa believes some of the trending books on the app shouldn’t have gained the popularity they received. Aarya Pardeshi

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

There have been mentions of book clubs throughout history, with Anne Hutchinson’s weekly sermon discussion group on the Mayflower, Hannah Adams joining a reading circle in her hometown and even online book clubs starting in the late 1990s. In 2022, many book clubs still exist where members still meet up weekly face to face, however online book clubs seem to be a more popular choice for many readers.

The most well known out of all them is: Booktok.

A community that emerged in late 2020 where many TikTok users share book recommendations, reviews and their love for reading. More recently it has gone from a community that simply shared their interest for certain books to a community that can make or break the success of an author and their works.

Xiran Jay Zhao has more than 200,000 followers on TikTok which lead to their debut book Iron Widow, a retelling of the story of Wu Zetian set in a dystopian universe, having more than 30 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. On the other hand author of the Atlas Six, Olivie Blake, had been self-publishing her books but thanks to Booktok she signed a publishing contract with Tor and had studios bid over television rights for her book.

However, not all press by Booktok is good press.

You may have heard of the name Colleen Hoover and the

Kessler’s story.

Despite this, many of her works still have very real life issues incorporated into them, some of which many readers may have faced. However, she does use them as shock value in her books to interest her readers, without any trigger warnings in the books. This can trigger many readers who have faced these issues and don’t know what’s to come in the novel.

Not to mention that this is an online community, there are readers of many ages within it. Many that can be younger readers who haven’t had any exposure or experience with romantic relationships. When users present these books as a sweet romance or when authors glorify toxicity in their books, it can end up with that reader having the wrong idea about what love is supposed to look like.

Nonetheless, Hoover will still be the “Queen of Booktok.”

Anyone can speak out about the author’s actions, but it won’t truly do anything to affect them. Due to their fan bases that will continue to feed into these actions generating more and more popularity for the writers’ books, until they’re placed on this untoppable pedestal, oblivious to harm that they have caused.

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

A student is trying to finish their homework as their phone buzzes with various notifications.

They try to divert their focus away from the sound, but to no avail. They decide to take a break and scroll on their TikTok For you page for about 15 minutes. As they scroll, they check the time at the top of their screen.

6:00. 6:15. 6:30. 6:45. 7:00. They tell themself that they’ll start working in another 15 minutes.

The next day in class, they roll their eyes when their teacher instructs them to put their phone away.

They can’t bring themselves to pay attention in class so they sneak their phone out and watch even more TikTok under the desk, therefore missing the entire lesson.

They realize that they didn’t complete any work in class and decide to do it at home, just to get distracted and procrastinate again.

The cycle continues.

Sound familiar?

Short form media has taken over mine and many others’ lives, destroying our attention spans.

According to Hurrdat Marketing, short form media can be defined as content that is under 10 minutes or under 1000 words.

Some examples of short form media could be TikToks or Instagram posts, whereas long term media requires more of your time and attention, through TV shows, Short form media is often the culprit of distractions, especially when it comes to school work. movies and books. With the rise of The Sidekick staff writer Anvita Bondada thinks that our learning habits have changed due to the platforms like TikTok, Instagram everyday consumption of shorter media. Avani Munji

Students’ attention spans decreasing can also affect their performance in school. It has become increasingly difficult for students to sit through lectures and teachers have been adjusting to new teaching styles to accommodate this.

“I find that students can focus better when I provide interactive activities and ask them questions about the content,” Leyendecker said. “It helps stimulate them and they can grasp the material better.”

Short form media is not only affecting school work. Students in fine arts programs find themselves not being able to focus on their disciplines as well.

Fine arts such as band, choir and dance require large amounts of focus and attention to detail.

Getting distracted during practicing is very detrimental to their skill.

“I can’t focus on choir as well as I used to in middle school,” Kantorei choir sophomore Monica Tupurani said. “I get annoyed when I have to sing something more than once and I find myself paying less attention to detail.”

Teenagers’ focus levels are going down at rates higher than ever before and they won’t stop decreasing as long as we consume short form media.

But how do we stop a problem if short form media has already overtaken our lives?

OPINIONS THE SIDEKICK

Anvita Bondada

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK STUDENT LIFE

Hawkins forging understanding in physics Student publishes textbook to make difficult topics accessible to all Angelina Liu

Executive Editor-in-Chief @Angelinaliiu

Quantum mechanics is a field in physics that details the behavior and study of particles, everything molecular and submolecular. Used as a plot point for the fantasy science fiction film Avengers: Endgame to justify time travel, the concept itself is dense and difficult to comprehend.

looked in the past and explore new phenomena.”

I pick up the book and flip through it. A yearbook photo accompanies a personal statement on the smooth back cover.

I indicate that I am thoroughly impressed, both by his verbiage and the book itself.

“First and foremost, you’re going to be able to understand the origins of a lot of topics in quantum mechanics. It tells you

Coppell High School senior Blake Hawkins writes quantum mechanics formulas in the CHS Library classroom. Hawkins published a textbook on quantum mechanics in July. Meghna Kulkarni

Coppell senior Blake Hawkins pulls a self-written, glossy, five by seven, one and a half inch thick book titled “Quantum Mechanics: Nature of the Infinitesimal” out of his faded black backpack.

“The concepts of quantum mechanics are marvelous,” Hawkins said. “When I learned quantum mechanics, I had to teach myself a lot of subcategories of that. I had to teach myself harmonics, linear algebra [and] multivariable calculus. I don’t think you should hide such a beautiful subject like quantum mechanics behind years and years of prerequisites. That’s why I wrote my book, because I want[ed] to put everything in one place, self-contained.”

Like how most teenagers wear their favorite bands or sports teams on faded T-shirts, Hawkins displays Maxwell’s equations plainly printed on a black crewneck. He owns several, each a different concept and theory.

Hawkins raises his eyebrows as his blue eyes dance with excitement, ready to launch into a detailed explanation of string theory or lagrangian mechanics.

Like how some may get lost in hours of practicing the piano or perfecting a portrait, Hawkins surrounds himself with clothbound textbooks and the work of past physicists.

“I read a book by Stephen Hawking called The Grand Design,” Hawkins said. “I was intrigued. I didn’t understand everything that was in it. But there’s an explanation that I remember in particular, on why straws look like they bend in water. That showed that anything can be explained if you were observant enough.

I started looking and finding more ways that I could explain things that I may have over-

the history, the understanding of the atom, why we even have quantum mechanics in the first place, which I won’t spoil,” Hawkins said. “I introduce what’s called Dirac notation, which is a fancy version of linear algebra that is used for quantum mechanics because it works amazingly well. I don’t really get into relativity there. But in my next one, I will.”

I continue to flip through the book, a look of confusion rippling across my face as difficult math equations appear in later chapters. Hawkins reassures me, and begins to use his hands to mimic the concepts.

“The beautiful thing about physics is that a lot of situations are really just the same thing,” Hawkins said. “Like oscillations in a circuit. You can use complex numbers to model a spring oscillating. At its most fundamental level, everything can be described the same. I think the best example of that is what’s called the Langrarian, which is basically conservation of energy.”

Hawkins first found an interest in physics in sixth grade. What many overlooked, Hawkins seeks to explain. After learning why airplanes had the capability to fly, Hawkins wanted to calculate lift force in relation to the difference in density of the fluid the airplane is traveling through.

I interject and ask if he’s ever watched Interstellar.

While most would remember the major plot points of the movie starring Matthew McConaughey or Jessica Chastain, Hawkins recalls the physics behind space travel.

“Time dilation stuff?” Hawkins said. “That’s a real thing. It happens. I have another book I wrote about relativity. It’s short.

It’s like 30 pages, because it’s a derivation of what are called the ensign paper equations.”

According to AP Physics teacher Stephanie Sloane, Hawkins was always striving to learn and understand more of the subject. He was known as someone who you could go to if you had questions, and he would always patiently explain the concept.

“At the end of the year, I had him teach [relativity]” Sloane said. “I knew it was something that he was interested in, and that he’d give a different perspective from what I was doing. And so I was like, ‘Hey, you want to teach this subject?’ He did a great job. He had some practice built into the lesson.

He did a really good job on that topic, so I’d have him back as a guest speaker.”

Hawkins founded the Physics Olympiad Club at CHS and is currently training his peers for F equals MA, which is a qualifying exam to compete in the national competition of American Association of Physics teachers.

“He’s really patient,” senior Physics Olympiad member Andrew Yin said. “He understands the ideas so he’s able to explain it in a way that’s friendly to people who don’t understand Physics. That makes him a really good teacher.”

Hawkins stands up multiple times to explain the different topics of study. He uses his hands to explain momentum and force, visualizing the concepts to me before moving on to explain the next.

“If you understand physics, you hold the key to understanding everything,” Hawkins says “By just pursuing this you can, to some degree, comprehend the entire universe, and all of its glory. Or even more than one universe. You get in string theory, you can look at initial conditions and define an entirely new universe that has different laws of physics. But there’s still central physics of the multiverse that governs that.”

Coppell High School senior Blake Hawkins utilizes creation and annihilation operators to prove the conservation of energy in particle interactions. Hawkins published a textbook on quantum mechanics in July.

Meghna Kulkarni

ins

About Hawk

a Goal isPtroizwein Nobel meet like to Would an em in F d ar Rich

Ho Partpeicslto write a e Physi bout cs

Coppell High School senior Blake Hawkins holds various physics books that he is currently reading as well as his own. Hawkins published a textbook on quantum mechanics in July. Meghna Kulkarni

TEACHER OF THE ISSUE Iniya Nathan Student Life Editor @Iniya_V

Coppell High School English teacher Richard Orlopp grew up wanting to be a superhero.

His plan was to work out and get into peak physical condition like Batman before going out and solving crimes as a vigilante.

Later, he wanted to become a rapper under the name “The Def Child.” His mother wanted him to get into computer science.

Instead, he grew up to become an English teacher.

“I had a couple of teachers in high school who had really inspired me,” Orlopp said. “And I had always loved reading and writing, so I wanted to be a teacher.”

From Willingboro, N.J., Orlopp attended Rutgers University, originally trying to please his mom and get a degree in computer science before switching tracks and double majoring in English and journalism.

After graduating from college, Orlopp took time doing other things before he started teaching. He worked as reporter for The Windsor-Hights Herald, worked at the Grand Hyatt hotel in New York City and wrote poetry before coming down to Texas and getting certified in teaching at the University of North Texas.

Orlopp started teaching at Flower Mound High School, with

Good shoes have a narrative: I like the stories behind them.

Orlopp compares picking a favorite shoe to picking a favorite out of his dogs, impossible. The hobby started during COVID-19.

He started reselling and buying more shoes with the money he received. He now finds many interesting shoes on “sneaker Twitter.”

Typical of an English teacher, Orlopp also loves to read in his free time and prefers fiction over nonfiction, and likes to read international books, but tries to read books he normally would not. He’s currently reading Boom Town by Sam Anderson, which is a nonfiction book.

He compares picking a favorite book is like picking a favorite shoe.

“One of things that drew me to English is that I like narratives. I like stories,” Orlopp said.

During student teaching, Orlopp decided he preferred to teach older students because of the students and subject matter.

“Especially teaching IB, it’s basically a college course so the literature you can read, the amount of depth you can bring to it,” Orlopp said. “I can’t imagine doing that in middle school.”

His favorite part of teaching is getting to know the students throughout the school year.

“I enjoy the day to day interactions,” Orlopp said. “Right around the spring, I’ve really gotten to know my students. I know what they’re into, their ins and outs, who’s funny and who’s serious. It’s a reward at the end of the year, to have been a small part of all these really amazing kids’ lives.”

While Orlopp has not made his childhood dream of becoming a superhero come true, he’s helped more students as an English teacher than he could have as a superhero.

Read His Recs 1. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

2. Boom Town

by Sam Anderson

3. On the Road

by Jack Kerouac

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

15 of his 22 years of teaching ex- he managed to find a way where perience at Flower Mound. He I was still able to feel comforthas since been teaching at Cop- able and start breaking out of that shell.” pell for seven years.

Orlopp’s current students CHS English teacher Alexander Holmes had Orlopp as an En- agree that his teaching style has glish teacher when he was a soph- not changed since Holmes was a student. omore at FMHSl, 16 years ago.

“He’s a very fun individual. He “[Orlopp] is exactly the same as he was 16 years ago,” Holmes tries to make our learning somesaid. “The way that he delivers thing we can get involved in and experience,” his lessons, CHS senior the way that Swara Akihe presents nepalli said. his humor, “He gives us that’s how a lot more it’s been ever freedom since the first th a n m o s t day. He’s the teachers do same guy he’s on a daily always been, basis. It reif anything ally helps he’s become because it more confiallows me to dent. He’s a understand great guy to the content work with.”

RICHARD ORLOPP better and Holmes IB ENGLISH IV TEACHER enjoy the was inspired learning.” to become a Outside of teaching, Orlopp teacher after his experiences in high school with good English has one major hobby: collecting shoes. A self proclaimed “sneakteachers, including Orlopp.

“The general nature of his erhead,” Orlopp has a small shoe teaching style was that he was collection in his classroom and a aloof [and] less hands on than bigger one at home.

“I like shoe collecting because other teachers,” Holmes said.

“Other teachers would be very really good shoes have a narrastrict, very regimented, but he tive to them,” Orlopp said. “I like let us make the mistakes we the stories. That really sells me needed to make in his class. He on the shoes. Sometimes they was trying to let us as teenagers just look cool, but if there’s a grow into ourselves. I was a very story behind them, that makes introverted and shy person and them even more interesting.”

STUDENT LIFE THE SIDEKICK

Orlopp hops through jobs before finding calling

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

NOVEMBER 2022

Coppell High School IB English IV teacher Richard Orlopp directs students to complete 15 minutes of reading during third period on Oct. 26. Orlopp was selected as The Sidekick’s Volume 34 Issue 2 Teacher of the Issue. Aliya Zakir

MEET THE HEROES ON YOUR BALLOT LT. GOVERNOR

MIKE COLLIER

Texas midterm elections are Nov. 8, as early voting started Oct. 24. The Sidekick executive news editor Sri Achanta researched the candidate’s positions on various issues based on public statements, social media postings and their campaign websites. These issues include reproductive rights, power grid, LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, school systems, voting rights and marijuana legalization. Visit CoppellStudentMedia.com for the full report on these seven offices on the ballot.

Reproductive Rights: Pro-Choice, “Mike will fight to ensure that women and their doctors—not politicians—make decisions about their own healthcare. As Lt. Governor, he will work to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into state law and repeal the current laws that leave no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.”

Gun Control: “As I said on deadline: White House, since the shooting at Santa Fe, the only thing Dan Patrick has done is cancel the only real gun safety law we had on the books here in Texas. We need a special session. We need action.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL

ROCHELLE GARZA Reproductive Rights: Pro-Choice, “As Attorney General, I will refuse to defend laws that infringe on Texans’ reproductive rights and constitutional right to access abortion care.”

Gun Control: “Every child in Uvalde who we lost today should still be here with us now.

As Attorney General, I will work tirelessly to combat this growing threat of gun violence and do what it takes to keep Texans safe.”

TEXAS SENATE DISTRICT 12

FRANCINE LY

Education: “I believe everyone should have the ability to obtain a quality education through our public schools and that teachers should be compensated properly and fairly.

We should be competing for the best teachers by offering incentives and wages to match.”

Gun Control: “As a child refugee coming from a war torn country [Cambodia], I know we got second amendment rights, but we don’t need weapons of war on our street.”

U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 24

JAN MCDOWELL Gun Control: “Recent passage is a step in the right direction, but more must be done.

Hardening our schools, places of worship, restaurants, libraries or other public gathering places in NOT the answer. We need to stop the NRA from continuing to distort the true meaning of the 2nd Amendment and what an “armed militia” actually meant to our founders.”

Abortion: Pro-Choice, “A woman should have the right to make her own personal healthcare choices, and not be bound by decisions made primarily by men.”

Gun Control : “When I’m governor, we will repeal permitless carry.”

“We can protect the Second Amendment while also protecting our friends, family members and neighbors from gun violence. Our lives depend on it.”

Reproductive Rights: Pro-Choice, “In addition to using every tool available to repeal Abbott’s dangerous abortion ban, I will veto any future legislation that seeks to further control women, including Republican proposals to limit access to contraception, prevent Texans from crossing state lines to seek reproductive care and prosecute businesses that pay for employees to seek care in other states.”

Power Grid: “The corruption ends when I’m governor. We’re going to redesign the power grid to prioritize Texas families, not wealthy energy corporations.

We’re going to prevent energy corporations from price gouging Texans in the future and dramatically reduce Texans’ energy bills going forward.”

LGBTQ+ Rights: “We’ll use our power to pass this state’s first comprehensive nondiscrimination law, protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all and make sure LGBTQ+ Texans know that they’re not only welcome here, but that they belong here.”

School Systems: “As governor, I will fully fund public schools and fully support teachers, students and parents.”

Voting Rights: “As governor, I will ensure every eligible voter can access the ballot box and have a say in the future of our state.”

“We will pass online and same-day voter registration, expand eligible forms of voter ID, reduce obstacles to voting by mail, expand access to polling sites and establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions.”

Marijuana Legalization: “We shouldn’t be locking Texans up for a substance that is legal in much of the rest of the country.”

TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 14

Gun Control: “Greg Abbott believes the right to keep and bear arms was settled in 1791 when the 2nd Amendment was adopted to the U.S. Constitution.”

Reproductive Rights: Pro-Life, “More must be done to defend the culture of life in Texas. Greg Abbott wants to prevent cities and counties from using your tax dollars to fund abortions.”

Power Grid: “The State of Texas continues to monitor the reliability of our electric grid, and I thank ERCOT and PUC for their hard work to implement bipartisan reforms we passed last year and for their proactive leadership to ensure our grid is stronger than ever before” LGBTQ+ Rights: “The Office of Attorney General (OAG) has now confirmed in the enclosed opinion that a number of so-called “sex change” procedures constitute child abuse under existing Texas law.

“Texas law also imposes a duty on DFPS to investigate the parents of a child who is subjected to these abusive gender-transitioning procedures, and on other state agencies to investigate licensed facilities where such procedures may occur.”

School Systems: “Governor Abbott knows that when it comes to education, not all kids are the same. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. That’s why we need to empower parents to choose the school that’s best for their child.”

Voting Rights: “Senate Bill 1 ensures trust and confidence in our elections system — and most importantly, it makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat” “Safe and secure elections are critical to the foundation of our state.”

Marijuana Legalization: According to KERA, “Gov. Greg Abbott has previously supported lowering penalties for marijuana possession but has rejected legalizing it outright,” The Dallas Morning News reported in May.

LT. GOVERNOR

DAN PATRICK Reproductive Rights: Pro-Life,“The Supreme Court’s ruling is an acknowledgement of the truth: when an abortion is performed, a human life is ended. This watershed victory is not just a victory for innocent life, but a victory for all of humanity.”

Gun Control: According to The Texas Tribune, “Texans are fed up with violent crime and skyrocketing murder rates,” Patrick [said]. “To stop it, I will pass legislation next session to add a 10-year mandatory jail sentence to anyone convicted of using a gun while committing a crime.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL

KEN PAXTON

Reproductive Rights: “I co-authored and passed House Bill 15 in the 78th Legislature (2003) which prohibits an abortion except by the voluntary and informed consent of the mother.”

Gun Control: “I “ had a solid voting record in support of our Second Amendment rights, The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents the government from infringing upon our right to personally keep and bear arms.”

TEXAS SENATE DISTRICT 12

TAN PARKER

Education: “In this new age of digital education, it was paramount to me that we always protect the safety of our children and the rights of parents. HB 3489 includes recommended practices for software to block access to inappropriate content so parents can feel more confident that their children are being protected.”

Gun Control: “Law-abiding Texans should never fear their Second Amendment rights will be trampled. I will always defend our freedom to keep and bear arms and fight against any intrusions that violate our state and U.S. constitutions.

U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 24

BETH VAN DUYNE Abortion: Pro-life, “Each and every life is precious and worth defending, and I’ll never back down in my mission to advocate for the unborn.”

Gun Control: “Nothing in H.R. 1446 or H.R. 8 would prevent those seeking to harm others from acquiring firearms. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and side with law abiding Americans and side with those of us who want to focus on taking guns out of the hands of known, violent criminals.”

TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 14

TRACY FISHER

EVELYN BROOKS

Charter Schools and School Vouchers: “With vouchers, SCHOOLS - not parents - choose.

“Texas’ rural lawmakers have long opposed voucher programs.” Listen to candidates. Code words: “school choice” and “vouchers” being shared? It’s a NO vote!”

Critical Race Theory: “We don’t have CRT in our schools. Our standards, our TEKS, they don’t have CRT.”

Charter Schools and School Vouchers: “I believe that parents should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child. High-performing public charter schools can help close the learning gap that so many economically disadvantaged students suffer from.”

Critical Race Theory: “As your next state of board education representative my promise to you is to uphold the Texas education code which rejects all critical race theory and comprehensive sexual education instructional materials from being adopted in the state of Texas.”

TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 115

JULIE JOHNSON

TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 115

MELISA DENIS

Education: “Your education shouldn’t be determined by where you’re born in our state or how much your parents’ property is worth if they have any property at all. Our state enjoys a healthy sales tax surplus and billions of dollars in surplus revenue. These revenues, along with the Rainy Day fund, should be considered for funding in the short term.”

Abortion: Pro-Choice, Unlike our opponent, who wants to defund clinics like Planned Parenthood, which provide lifesaving cancer screenings and general healthcare, Julie will make sure every woman in Texas can have a healthy life and plan for healthy families.”

Education: “We need to stand by public education, value strong parental involvement, and help schools evolve what they offer our students by embracing the new opportunities we have in Texas.”

Abortion: Pro-Life,“I believe life begins at conception and every life is a gift from God. Protecting unborn Texans is a moral obligation in which we must not fail. I also believe we need to update adoption laws to make them less cumbersome on the thousands of deserving, loving parents who are ready to start the next Texas family.”

Source: Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin and Ballotpedia

Academic Decathlon THE SIDEKICK STUDENT LIFE

providing students intellectual growth Divya Sivalenka Staff Writer

@DivyaSivalenka

Sidekick Online

Project Cherish is establishing a chapter at Coppell High School, aiming to educate more people about childhood cancer. The Sidekick staff writer Deepali Kanchanavally explains what the new club is about and what people can do to help with childhood cancer. Avani Munji

Project Cherish Raising money, awareness

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

for childhood cancer Deepali Kanchanavally Staff Writer

@deepali0914

Even though we might not notice it, tens of thousands of children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year. Although we cannot physically help them fight, we can give them hope and remind them that they are not alone, which is exactly what Project Cherish aims to do.

Project Cherish is a nonprofit organization with a goal to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Established in the Metroplex in 2020, the organization is now part of several school districts, including Frisco ISD, Keller ISD, Irving ISD and now Coppell ISD. CHS sophomore and Project Cherish @ Coppell president Varshini Byreddy co-founded the organization. Last year, she created a Coppell chapter at Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus and has now expanded the club to CHS. Byreddy was inspired to start a Coppell chapter of Project Cherish after being diagnosed with cancer herself. Reflecting on her time in the hospital, she notes that although cancer affects people of all ages, not enough medical funding and research is spent on curing childhood cancer. She wanted to help solve the problem and make the childrens’ experiences a little more hopeful.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer, I saw so many kids much younger than me who had their childhoods taken away by cancer,” Byreddy said. “I just really wanted to see them with smiles on their faces, and that would only be possible if I do my part. The solution was Project Cherish.”

Byreddy notes that awareness is the first step to solving any problem, which is her aim with Project Cherish.

CHS sophomore and Project Cherish @ Coppell external and

internal affairs officer Ashia Agarwal notes that many people are uninformed of cancer’s consequences and emotional toll.

She joined the club wanting to give the children opportunities that they might not otherwise get.

“If you can make somebody’s day better, who is battling to live life while we have so many privileges, why not?” Agarwal said. “It’s always been something I have been passionate about, and I have been trying to help out cancer organizations for a really long time. So, I’m really excited that we are starting a chapter [at CHS] to continue the advocacy and activism.”

Last year, the club created and distributed care packages, held blood drives and made cards for children with cancer. The care packages contained essentials like socks, rubber bands, and hats along with fun items such as fidget toys and Play-Doh. They were distributed to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Plano and Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Inspiration for the care packages came from Varshini’s experiences with them.

“When I was in the hospital doing my treatment, I would get care packages, and they just made me feel really happy,” Byreddy said. “It felt nice to know that some people were thinking about us and that someone was working to help us.”

Byreddy started organizing service events by herself before recruiting fellow students to assist her in her efforts. She started doing care packages and arranging blood drives in the Coppell chapter as a way of doing her part in paying it forward and making someone else’s day better.

Newly established CHS club Project Cherish is a great way to help people fight cancer with the right attitude. It is reassuring to know that there are people working to make them more comfortable in their difficult journey.

It’s quiz day. You look down at the first question with sweat dripping down the back of your neck. What was the age of George Washinton when he was first sent to the Ohio River Valley to confront the French forces in 1753?

What is this course you ask? It is Academic Decathlon.

Academic Decathlon is a multidisciplinary competition that thousands of high school students compete in every year. The competition ranges over various subjects such as history, literature, art, science, mathematics, economics, and music. These topics center around an annual theme, this year being the American Revolution. Students work all year long to thoroughly prepare themselves for the competition that takes place during the spring.

“The thing that intrigues me is not that it’s like a class, it’s that you are competing against other schools,” Coppell High School Academic Decathlon teacher Tim Dixon said. “All [the topics] work together with the history.

Most people don’t make those connections, but AcDec brings so many things together.”

The competitiveness and student-led aspect of AcDec lays a firm foundation for students in their future. The academic rigor of the course and the memorization of various different topics prepares the stud ents for college and beyond. The class also puts emphasis on studying and reading.

The textbooks the class uses are provided by the official Academic Decathlon organization, so every question on the competition will come from those textbooks.

Academic Decathlon Historian, sophomore Nishka Vartikar, describes the challenges she faces when studying for the course.

“The class is hard because it is so heavily memorization based, and it tests the tiny details. When I

first started, I studied for hours and hours each day,” Varikar said.

Coppell High School sophomore Sai Kasiraman decided to take AcDec to fill a spot on her electives’s list. Hesitant about the class at first, Kasiraman explained how the environment of AcDec felt welcoming with teamwork and a healthy amount of competitiveness.

“There is a lot of stuff you do, but that has made me more organized and a more regimented person,” Kasiraman said. “If you want to show your well-roundedness to colleges, AcDec would be a way to do that.”

Although the students are essentially competing against each other for the nine combined spots on the A, B, and C teams, collaboration between each other is huge for success within the class.

The students’ commitment to the team is displayed by their frequent study sessions after school hours and even on the weekends.

“We all have roles to coordinate studying sessions that aren’t during school hours,” sophomore AcDec treasurer Kaelyn Liu said. “I definitely think it brings the team together. It’s getting to work with other people and recognizing that certain people in the classroom have different strengths and abilities. We bond really well as a team, and we try to improve each other. We share knowledge to make our school’s team better as a whole.”

Vartikar thinks teamwork fosters connections between students and is beneficial to them in the long run.

“Teamwork plays a big role in AcDec,” Vartikar said. “Having connections with classmates is important. We get to work with upperclassmen, which I was intimidated by at first. [It] is useful because they’re more experienced with AcDec and provide useful advice.”

AcDec helped Vartikar step out of her comfort zone.

“AcDec has made me a lot more comfortable doing things like speeches or presentations, and it

also helped me find study methods that work for me,” Vartikar said.

AcDec challenges students into better versions of themselves.

Dixon explains how one of his students, who was going through a tough time with the death of a family member, benefited greatly from joining AcDec. “All of a sudden, she ended up getting into the McCombs School of Business [at the University of Texas],” Dixon said. “That’s [one of ] the hardest schools to get into in the nation. It started with AcDec. [AcDec] brought her out, and it helped her talk about it, and she started engaging in school. AcDec is the perfect environment for students who may have struggled for whatever reasons.

“All of a sudden, I realized that [it] was really cool to work with those kids and watch them grow, and I have seen amazing turnaround stories. There’s kids who struggle with things and all of a sudden a light goes off.”

“AcDec has made me a lot more comfortable doing things like speeches or presentations.”

NISHKA VARTIKAR ACADEMIC DECATHALON HISTORIAN

Coppell High School Academic Decathlon senior Caleb Gonzalez studies a music resource guide on Nov. 1.

Academic Decathlon is a multidisciplinary competition that thousands of high school students compete in every year with a variety of topics. Shreya Ravi

Graduating from CHS, returning as a teacher Araceli Reynoso Staff Writer

@aracelireynoso_

English classes, she is aided by Inclass-support teacher Esther Gomez Splawn. This school year is also Splawn’s first year teaching at CHS. “She loves her subject, she’s very passionate about it,” Splawn said.

“She is really into making sure that her students actually like reading and literature, and to pursue their own connections with it. What I really appreciate about her is that she puts literature and reading up front. She’s not under pressure to push a certain type of curriculum.

She makes stuff her own, so that way students detect an authenticity for her in terms of how she teaches, what she cares about, and just making their own connections to the material and owning it themselves.”

Rasca also had her own inspirations that made her want to teach English at Coppell, notably her English GT teacher, Monica Winters, from her junior and senior years.

“She had this really calm personality and this way of getting you to think without it being scary,” Rasca said. “She was one of the influences. I’ve had lots of good teachers that made a difference.”

With her passion for literature, Rasca wants to make her classes enjoyable, and to really have students wanting to learn about it and be excited for both her juniors and seniors that she teaches. It is not always easy for students to be into literature and want to read or write. But Rasca finds ways to make it so that it’s not overwhelming, but welcoming.

“I love how open it is, and how engaging she makes the class,” Coppell senior Fiona Dabiri said.

“I also like how she does trivia questions at the beginning of class.

It isn’t as awkward or as much tension in the class before she actually gets to the lesson. It’s kind of like work hard, play hard.”

Coppell High School English IV teacher Lauren Rasca teaches her third period class. Rasca has returned to teach for the 2022-2023 school year. Sreehitha Moravaneni

Coppell High School English IV teacher Lauren Rasca teaches her third period class. Rasca graduated from CHS in 2002 and has returned to teach for the 2022-2023 school year. Sreehitha Moravaneni

Sri Achanta

Executive News Editor @sriachanta_

Favorite band section is the flutes.

Favorite musical piece is the Hamburga Sonata.

Favorite post-game meal is Cava.

NOVEMBER 2022

Balaji’s beat

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

Coppell junior Ananya Balaji directs the band at the Coppell vs. Flower Mound Marcus football game at Buddy Echols Field on Oct. 7. Balaji has been in band for six years and was named a drum major for the 2022-2023 school year. Angelina Liu

With her arms swinging to and fro, she holds a steady tempo as the melodic tunes pass through each instrument to form the music that floats through the stands.

Coppell High School junior Ananya Balaji can be spotted standing tall on the pedestal, directing her fellow band members. Now in her sixth year of band, having started her musical journey in sixth grade, Balaji has taken on the role as the new drum major for the 2022-23 school year.

What has driven you to continue your band career?

I really like the environment in band. You’re all working towards the same goal. It’s really amazing. It is so much time and effort, but it has always paid off.

Why did you apply to become a drum major?

I wanted to feel the band from a different perspective because I’ve been marching for two years.

I wanted to give it a shot. It really appealed to me that you could represent something as big as our band organization.

Who inspired you to become a drum major?

Last year our head drum major was Wes Booker, and he really inspired me because even though there were hard rehearsals where we didn’t get as much done because of complications, he always had a smile on his face and he was always happy. Even if something went wrong, he told the band “it’s OK, we have to move on.”

The one person that really helped me through the audition process to become a drum major was [senior drum major] Troy Angulo. He helped me understand how to read music from the director’s point of view and how to conduct it. He taught me the leadership aspects of it, like how to look at it from a different perspective because everyone has a side.

What are some of the biggest challenges as a drum major?

Having to stay after rehearsal for such a long time because everyone gets out earlier. We have to make sure that everything runs properly and it’s really stressful because whatever happens to the band, it all depends on you because you have to be in time. If you’re not in time, the whole band isn’t going to be on time.

You also have to work really well with other drum majors. It’s the four of us working together for the band. If you’re not working well with them, it’s a big issue. It’s cooperation, teamwork, and it’s stressful at times because something is always going to go wrong.

You can’t have everything perfect for competitions, rehearsals, and it’s a lot of pressure on you. But even if it’s a lot of pressure, you have to take it lightly and understand that if you pressurize yourself and stress yourself out, you’re just going to do worse.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned as a drum major?

It’s really about perspective. No matter what happens, you just have to accept that you did your best. Even if it’s a high pressure situation, you can’t let the pressure get to you. You just have to stay relaxed the whole time, and do what you’re doing.

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

After graduating from Coppell High School English IV teacher Lauren Rasca has returned to teach. Returning to CHS in 2022 aftering graduating in 2002, Rasca is determined to make this a great year.

Rasca loves that Coppell has so many options to offer students.

“I loved the theater department.

It was a lot of fun, I felt like that was really a spot where I could find my groove, and kind of almost be a different side of myself that I didn’t normally show in my other classes,” Rasca said. “I was in the GT English classes, those were amazing.”

Rasca originally had her mind set on becoming a nurse. She looked into schools that only had nursing programs.

“I ended up getting into nursing school [UT-Arlington], I got accepted, I passed the test, did the interview, and then I flunked out of the nursing program,” Rasca said.

“It was kind of one of those ‘what do I do now?’ moments, because I had never failed [at] anything before.”

Rasca knew that she needed to come up with something to do next.

“I thought about maybe transferring and trying to get into nursing somewhere else, but I didn’t like the idea of starting over, which tells me the classes weren’t interesting enough for me to really want to do them,” Rasca said.

Remembering her passion in English and love for the classwork, Rasca decided to major in English at UTA. “I thought, ‘what if I major in that?’ And then what do you do with an English degree? You teach,” Rasca said. “I found that I really genuinely enjoy teaching. That is something where I don’t feel like I

have to force myself to go to work.

I really genuinely enjoy the teaching part of it.”

Once Rasca had found her passion for teaching English, she soon moved on to teaching at many different high schools.

“I got married, moved to Oregon where my husband [Joe Rasca] is from, and started teaching up there,” Rasca said. “I worked for the second largest district in the state [Salem-Keizer School District].

There’s a lot of different high schools, I got to experience a couple different high schools there. It was good for a while, until it wasn’t anymore.”

There was a specific school year where teaching in Oregon really took its toll on her.

“Last year was a really hard teaching year for me at a totally different school district up in Oregon, and that was the first year where it was ‘I don’t know if I can do this anymore,” Rasca said. “But underneath it all I still wanted to teach, just maybe not here.”

Rasca knew that she still wanted to teach, but not where she currently was. It was then where she saw an opening at Coppell and took it. Things then started to look good for her, and the passion for teaching she had before had returned.

For Rasca, Coppell has had an impact on her life in large ways.

Because of her experience as a student and what she got to be a part of, CHS will always be home for her.

“There’s something about being home that just feels really good,” Rasca said. “There was something about coming back to teach at Coppell that just feels a little bit like home. There’s always something new to find out about the school.”

Rasca has already started having an impact on her students and teachers. During a few of Rasca’s

STUDENT LIFE THE SIDEKICK

Rasca finds way home through educational path

Archetype places fourth in BOA regional championship Angelina Liu

Executive Editor-in-Chief @angelinaliiu

BEDFORD – The stadium lights tower overhead, reflecting glitter and shiny brass instruments.

Bright, flowy textured fabrics contrast heavily with the dark green turf of Pennington Field.

The audience sits in anticipation.

Suddenly, a melodic harmony accompanied with a low thrum of tenor, snares and bass drums pushes through the thick silence and the whoops and hollers of the audience travel through the cool air.

On Oct. 8, Coppell Band placed fourth with “Archetype,” its 2022 University Interscholastic League contest marching show at the Bands of America Dallas/ Fort Worth Championships with a score of 84.325, the highest in Coppell’s history at this competition. The score saw a 4.025 point improvement from the previous week’s HEB marching contest.

Prior to finals competition, Coppell performed in a preliminary round that saw 24 bands from across the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. From these, 12 bands advanced.

“I thought they gave a much better performance today than last week,” CHS band director Kim Shuttlesworth said. “Progress was definitely made. They were focused and tuned into the achievement of what they wanted as individuals, but also as a group. I was really proud of

them. Seeing the kids’ faces at the end of their performance, you can see that they’re really proud of what they did. I think the results paid off in that way.”

One week prior to Bands of America, CHS Band competed at the HEB marching contest, placing third with a score of 80.3.

“This past week was a rough week of rehearsal,” senior drum major Trey Bass said. “There were some timing issues that we had been dealing with, and just how we were doing things wasn’t like us. That was reflected last Saturday at HEB. But this morning, we walked in and it was great. It allowed us to give a really good performance.”

The show featured four archetypes: the artist, the explorer, the communicator and the hero.

Various symbols were used to convey archetypes such as “Beethoven’s Seventh,” and Coppell color guard sophomore Madison Tindoc being lifted into a yellow plastic canoe hoisted on shoulders and carried across the field, all while mimicking rowing.

During the first pause of music in Coppell’s performance, a resounding “Let’s go Coppell!” could be heard from Shuttlesworth.

“The very first statement that we give is supposed to be the identity of who we are,” Shuttlesworth said. “I never want them to forget who we are. I like to yell it right there, just so they remember to show the audience who we are.”

Coppell High School sophomore Madison Tindoc leaps during the finals performance of the Coppell marching show “Archetype” at Pennington Field in Bedford on Oct. 8. Coppell Band placed fourth at the Music for All Bands of America Dallas/Fort Worth Championships with a score of 84.325. Shrayes Gunna

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK ENTERTAINMENT

“Let’s go Coppell!”

Spirit of Waxahachie Indian Color Guard performer dances during finals of the band’s marching show “Building Paris” on Oct. 8 at Pennington Field in Bedford. Music For All’s Bands of America Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Championships hosted 24 bands, with Coppell placing fourth. Shrayes Gunna

180 degree turns of tone in “Eurydice” engaged audiences Minori Kunte Staff Writer

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

As the sky turned dark many eager Coppell residents filled the seats of the Black Box Theatre.

Friends, family and excited audience members were introduced to the inviting aura of the play with mystical lighting and old, greek-like architecture placed in front of them.

On Oct. 28, the Cowboy Theatre Company debuted its awaited fall play “Eurydice.” It is depicted as the Greek tale of Orpheus through the perspective of Eurydice, who is Orpheus’s wife. The play describes a story of young love and family relationships.

“The show is exhilarating to watch and has authentic and genuine father and daughter relationships,” sophomore build crew and sound op Harika

Uppuluri said. “The show will impress the audience with its incredible set designs and captivating performance.”

The young heroine has to rediscover her past and learn to navigate through the underworld.

The overall ambiance of the production truly set the tone for “Eurydice” and invited the audience to the play. The lighting work played a key role in setting the scene in “Eurydice”

Coppell High School senior Jude Taylor and New Tech High @ Coppell freshman Piper Baranowski portray Orpheus and Eurydice respectively in the CHS Black Box Theatre on Sunday. CHS Theater put on its fall production “Eurydice” for the community on Oct. 28 – 30. Shrayes Gunna

as changes in lighting represented a change in location. In contrast to the usual interpretation, the underworld had a brighter lighting than the real world.

“How the underworld was more alive than the real world was really unique because most of the time people would think the real world was the characters’ sense of comfort but in this play the underworld is their sense of comfort,” sophomore ensemble cast member Tvisha Jindal said.

Along with lighting, sound was essential to creating the mood of the play. And the rainy Coppell High School senior Jude Taylor October evening was as Orpheus calls Eurydice at the gates of the perfect date to presthe underworld in the CHS Black Box Theent “Eurydice” as waater on Sunday. CHS Theatre put on its fall ter dropping was a key production “Eurydice” for the community sound in the producon Oct. 28 – Oct. 30. Shrayes Gunna tion. The water droplet noise represented a time change different directions we could have gone with this play,” Jindal or to indicate a flashback scene.

“Eurydice” stood out to the au- said. “This idea of a love story dience as it had a shocking and where she doesn’t pick the love jarring ending. The final act of the interest, really draws people in. play left the audience in awe and Even with the version we preprovided room for interpretation. sented, you [the audience] got “This play was a bit vague in to pick what you are getting a sense that there were a lot of from the story.”

An addict to plastic

Josh Campbell Page Design Editor @JoshDC004

preciation for music in itself. As well as acting as a timestamp of a memorable event, when shirts are sold on tour these pieces are of limited availability. It is a vivid experience, standing in line, hoping to get your hands on your piece of the moment. Not just so you can show off your favorite band, but to show you were there, you were a part of that moment in time.

That’s why I hold such an appreciation for artists’ physical merchandise: tickets, guitar picks, setlists, posters. All are unique individual mementos for not just pieces of music, but experiences.

When so much of our life has become digital, it is imperative we keep physical aspects of music in the spotlight. Their lifespan, truthfully, is short.

Cassettes are most definitely on their way out, and it’s only a matter of time before the trend of vinyl fades as well.

So enjoy the physical sides while you can. Collect and hoard to your heart’s content. It is just plastic, after all.

Pinocchio 2o22: a classic broug ght to life also acts as Pinocchio’s moral guide. Although Jiminy is loyal to Pinocchio and puts his best efforts into trying to keep him in line, the messages Jiminy tried to convey throughout the film were hit or miss. Jiminy would always get to Pinocchio at the last moment, and the lesson that he would try to teach Pinocchio didn’t feel meaningful.

When you are watching a movie based on a tale that was written in 1883, the last thing that you would expect to hear is a joke about Chris Pine, and that is exactly what happened. Not only that, but there were an array of jokes that didn’t feel suited to the original. It feels cheesy and quite lazy to mention and make modern retorts in the movie.

The most consistent error was the pacing of the movie, which was poorly done and rendered the viewing experience mediocre at best. The last scene is the most engaging part of the movie, and even that was moderate.

It is always disheartening to see something that was a remnant of your childhood diminish once you grow up, and that’s precisely what occurred when I watched Pinocchio. It fails to carry the same comfort or nostalgia the original envelops you with, instead sending you off thoroughly disenchanted.

NOVEMBER 2022

ad of fun activities and entertainment kids are exposed to when they arrive on the island. There are bright fireworks bursting in the air, colorful lights with vim and vigor paving the way for the children and the most impressive thing that comes out of this scene is the floating boat ride.

Pinocchio hops onto a boat and is taken up to the sky where he is given a panoramic view of the island. Every crevice is blinded with lights, laughter, and utter chaos as Pinocchio is taken down for a ride into a huge pool of sweets and treats.

The animation of it all is both lively and terrifying. Everything seems oversaturated to the point where the island felt overwhelming rather than enjoyable and the fact the scene was able to capture that through the CGI is admirable.

Pinocchio (2022) checks off most boxes when it comes to technical criteria, but fails to emotionally fulfill its viewers.

Already having high expectations due to the famed actors playing the well-known characters, this adaptation did not meet my expectations. Tom Hanks, who plays Gepetto, does not stand out to the degree his expertise might suggest. He has problems being consistent with his accent, and his acting as a whole does not portray the importance of his character. It is truly disappointing since Gepetto is one of the main characters in the original tale.

Other actors in the film face similar problems; however, the disappointing character portrayals are not solely caused by underwhelming acting, but also by the lack of depth in the writing itself.

Jiminy Cricket (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) is the narrator, who

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

of the puzzle that was my childhood, played once again in the story where it all started.

The elation quickly fell flat.

An hour and 45 minutes later, the last scene ends and the credits start to roll.

I didn’t seem to have that sensation you get after watching a good movie, the feeling of content, the longing of wanting to watch the movie for the first time again. Rather, I felt underwhelmed.

Pinocchio (2022) is directed

by Robert Zemeckis, who has also directed iconic films such as Back to the Future and Forrest Gump. You would expect Zemeckis to do a noteworthy job creating the live version of Pinocchio on the big screen, but at the end, the movie falls short of what it’s supposed to be.

Although the film is substandard, there is one aspect for Staff Writer which I can applaud it: the ar@sahasrachak24 tistic flair.

Please read this with discreThe movie is seasoned with tion as it will include spoilers. visually pleasing scenes. I I swiftly click on Disney+ on particularly enjoyed when my TV, sitting on my couch in Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan the comfort and luxury of my Ainsworth) was transformed living room, ready to watch into a talking puppet by the a new rendition of one of the Fairy With Turquoise Hair many tales I indulged in as a (Cynthia Erivo), as well as the child, Pinocchio (2022).

Pleasure Island scene.

I’ve grown fond of the openThe transformation scene has ing credits with the esteemed quality use of lighting; the igcastle and song “When You Wish nition of bright blue lights that Upon a Star” that Disney uses appeared as the Fairy with Turfamously for its movies. When I quoise Hair casted her spell was heard that same tune this time, truly ravishing. The color, the I felt a rush of reminiscence radiance and the softness of the and happiness flow through my illumination was touching to the body. My arms formed slight heart. It feels mystical, and worgoosebumps. It was satisfying thy of the iconic moment. to hear the song, a little piece The Pleasure Island scene is a memorable scene in the original Pinocchio, and the recent remake does a good job in making the scene flourish with detailed CGI effects and animation.

Pleasure Island is a place in the world of Pinocchio that is said to be “the biggest joy joint in the world” and a place of no parents and no rules. In reality, the place is used to lure kids who have been disobedient towards their parents, and is a center of punishment.

The CGI pulls through to illusPinocchio was released on Disney+ on Sept. 8. Staff photographer Sahasra trate the intricate Chakilam reviews the live action adaptation of Pinocchio. Sreehitha Moravaneni details of the myri-

Sahasra Chakilam

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Music, in essence, has no physicalities.

We consume music only through the stimulation of our senses. Every person has their own individual tastes — genres, artists, songs. So much distinction is woven just through soundwaves.

There are generations of sound filling up the airwaves that now find a home in our devices. Streaming allows the selection of practically any song of your choice, all at the control of your fingertips. But beyond sound, how can we form a tangible connection through music?

As music has evolved, the facets of music which we can experience in the flesh have begun to fade away.

But that is not to say they are gone completely, the most common: how we listen to music.

Even in the age of streaming, analog methods of music consumption still exist. Vinyl, CD and cassette are formats which still have their own dedicated communities. I, for one, prefer the vinyl format for a plethora of reasons.

For one, the process. Streaming has made listening to music easier than ever before. It only takes a small monthly fee to have access to practically any song of your choice. Lost in the

advancement, though, is the excitement of peeling off the plastic wrap of a brand new record and opening the gatefold to see a wonderful design laid out in your hands.

The various colors of PVC are gently placed on the turntable, the speakers and the turntable are turned on, the slight static of the needle reads the grooves.

Watching your favorite album go round and round right in front of you, it’s like your own personal stake in the band. As the vinyl is displayed on your shelf, the physical representation of paper and plastic is poignant. Digital music can’t replicate its presence.

In fact, many audiophiles actually consider the vinyl format’s quality of sound to be better than any digital format. Due to the compression of files, as well the lack of audio depth the digital format provides, the material grooves of a record provide the listener with a listening experience on another level.

The dichotomy of digital versus physical reaches beyond the quality or format of the music.

Merchandise plays an important role in the representation of music. As someone who listens to hours of music daily, what better way is there to represent my tastes than displaying my favorite bands across my chest?

Band tees go beyond the name pressed into the fabric; they are a depiction of the ap-

ENTERTAINMENT THE SIDEKICK

Significance of physical side of music

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK ENTERTAINMENT

Kaleidoscope festival

shines light on local hearts Maya Palavali Staff Cartoonist @mvpalovalley

Music and laughter floated around as people from all parts of the world joined together to celebrate through art. For one day, Andrew Brown Park East transformed into a colorful wonderland for all to enjoy.

The festival on Oct. 8 started with live performances surrounded by a unique crowd enjoying the festival.

“We have a lively audience that is willing to participate,” Bandan Koro: African Drum & Dance Ensemble member Timothy Patterson said. “A lot of what we [were] doing [was] call and response, so when

LMK.tw

@CHSCampusNews @thesidekickcoppell

“I have been a stay at home mom for almost nine years,” said Lubina’s Collection owner Lubina Siddiqui, who sells jewelry. “I started this recently.It gives me confidence and is a healthy way of socializing.”

The marketplace also included various organizations in the Coppell community interested in educating people about inclusivity.

“It is a place where we can all get together and share our culture,” Allies in Community member Tasnim Benhalim said.

“Sharing is part of the educational process.”

The performances and vendors all had a unique perspective and reason for being at the Kaleidoscope celebration. Many have history in the city, linking them to the festivities.

“Three of us have a Coppell connection and one of us lives here still,” The Selkie Girls lead singer Jaycie Skidmore said. “So we are familiar with the area and it is fun to do something in your hometown.”

The festival is a way for many to learn from the members of their community.

“The heart of what Kaleidoscope does is it lets people see someone may be different from themselves with a deep appreciation,” Benhalim said.

LMLK.tw MK.tw

w t .

K M L w t .

K LM LMK.tw

LMK.tw LMK.tw

w t .

K LM

Bandan Koro African Drum & Dance Ensemble performer Kweku Codrington plays the drums during the Kaleidoscope festival at Andy Brown Park East on Oct. 8. Coppell’s annual Kaleidoscope festival highlights the diversity of the community through a display of art, culture and music. Shreya Ravi

LMK.tw “A Kaleidoscope of Colors” chalk art contest winners: Ages 5-10: Cora Ages 11-17: Max Ages 18+: Rajyalakshmi Family: The Kantamneni family

EfE

EfE EfE

Coppell Community Orchestra violinist Masahiko Ikeshita shows how to hold a violin during the Kaleidoscope festival at Andy Brown Park East on Oct. 8. Coppell’s annual Kaleidoscope festival highlights the diversity of the community EfE a display of art, culture and music. Shreya Ravi through

Gazillion Bubble Show blows audience away EfE

EfE

Yang continues the legacy of what the white smoke was, his father, Fan Yang, creator ofEfE that is actually a water-based CHS9 Visual Media Editor the Gazillion Bubble Show who oil and it is non-toxic, which is @sruthi_lingam also holds multiple Guinness why I can eat it,” Yang said.

Children and families pack World Records.

Coppell resident Doug the seats in the Main Hall of the Deni Yang started EfE performing Verkuil discovered the GazilCoppell Arts Center on Sun- at shows with his family when lion Bubble Show through a EfE day, awaiting a magical perfor- he was 4 and continues the tra- mailer from the Coppell Arts mance immersed in the world dition, holding shows all over Center several months leading of bubbles. the globe. up to the event.

Bubble artist Deni Yang Yang created a variety of “When I looked at the proopened the show with a myriad shapes with bubbles, such as gram, I wanted to see the bubof bubbles blown towards the planets orbiting each other in- ble show. I looked on YouTube audience. side of a bubble, a cube inside and there were previews, so it Yang is the recipient of two of a sphere and mini bubbles seemed like an exciting show,” Guinness World Records: the within one large bubble.

Verkuil said. most number of people inside To the surprise of the audiRecreating a smaller scale of a soap bubble and one of the ence, Yang performs a trick version of his world record, longest bubbles ever blown, where he eats “smoke” bubbles. Yang enclosed four children inwith a length of 170 feet.

“In case you’re wondering side of one life-size bubble for a few seconds.

Pepe Gammarra, the parent of a young participant for the bubble trick, was amazed to see his son inside of a bubble.

“The bubbles, laser show and the atmosphere were just really cool,” Gammarra said.

Towards the end of the show, bubbles flew in all directions throughout the hall, representing the bubbles and pockets of air under the ocean, a key theme of the Gazillion Bubble Show.

The show finale featured a man in the center stage manipulating red, green and blue lasers in coordination Bubble artist Deni Yang performs a bubble trick at Oct. 2 perforwith the release of bubmance of The Gazillion Bubble Show at the Coppell Arts Center. bles from bubble-making Yang comes from a family of bubble artists including his father, six- machines on the left and time Guinness Book of World Record holder Fan Yang. Aliya Zakir right sides of the stage.

Sruthi Lingam

NOVEMBER 2022

there is an energy exchange, it feels good.”

Along with smaller artistic activities, the Coppell Parks and Recreation department held its annual chalk art contest. The theme for this year was “A Kaleidoscope of Colors.”

The event featured a variety of small businesses lined up on one side of the park, separated into food and marketplace vendor categories.

Award-winning food trucks, new and old, such as Cousins Maine Lobster came to the event to provide on-site refreshments.

“We have a lot of regulars that come here often and it always has a good turnout,” Cousins Maine Lobster line chef Deja Chester said.

The marketplace welcomed businesses from all cultures, highlighting the importance of diversity through its lively atmosphere. Each stall had the freedom to advertise their own creations.

“Our market [stall] is for people who own pets and want to get treats,” R&B Dog Bakery employee Jasmine Flores said. “The person right next to me is more [for] people who like to grill.”

The market meant more to each vendor than what was on the surface; it gave opportunities to express and grow as individuals.

EfE

Issue Two Crossword Issue

Two Crossword The Sidekick Crossword 1

2

1

3

2

3

4

Scan to see answers to all the games!

4

5

6

7

5

Across 4. An essential fall spice derived from the Myristica fragrans tree 5. A famously mad doctor 6. The original Celtic festival that Halloween comes from 7. A tree symbolizing adaptability and flexibility

6

Down 1. Lightning bugs 2. Kesha's contribution to the campfire 3. The pigment that colors leaves

7

Sudoku Down

4. An essential fall spice derived from the Myristica fragrans tree 5. A famously mad doctor 6. The original Celtic festival that Halloween comes from 7. A tree symbolizing adaptability and flexibility

1. Lightning bugs 2. Kesha's contribution to the campfire 3. The pigment that colors leaves

Ready4Skool: morning routine

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

COMICS

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Word Search Across

ENTERTAINMENT THE SIDEKICK

GAMES

NOVEMBER 2022

THE SIDEKICK SPORTS Sidekick Online @CHSCampusNews @thesidekickcoppell

NOVEMBER 2022

Annual tailgate brings community together Araceli Reynoso Staff Writer

@aracelireynoso

As the smell of barbecue fills the air and children run about to play games and eat, the community of Coppell comes together to celebrate the Coppell football team with a tailgate.

While the Coppell ISD Annual Community Tailgate itself is something that Coppell has been doing for many years, it has always been something special.

It started off as something that was small and has grown into a large community event.

“We’ve had this for several years, but it’s really blown up into something pretty cool and special,” CISD Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt said. “To have so many people come back and so many alumni, it’s just great.”

The Tailgate celebrates more than just the game of football. It allows for the recognition of former students and sponsors, and for elementary schools, to come out and show their spirit.

And while doing all of this, it still brings Coppell together in a meaningful way.

“It’s a real opportunity to bring the community of Coppell together,” Hunt said. “It’s one of those things where it makes Coppell seem like a small town even though it’s not, and I think everyone loves a good tailgate.”

While playing games and having fun is a good part of tailgating, something that is essential to have is food. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit catered the event.

“We’re fortunate to have Dickey’s barbecue as one of our sponsors,” Hunt said. “They provide various options. We have the brisket, the turkey, and

also a vegetarian option which is good, it’s something that appeals to everyone. A lot of little kids, but also middle and high school kids.”

The tailgate is also an opportunity for other sponsors, such as Bailey Orthodontics, in Coppell to come down and show their businesses, and connect with the community.

“We get lots of exposure, having friendly conversations with the people here,” Bailey Orthodontics dental assistant Nicole Alonzo said. “They get a feel for how we run our business. Our patients first, and that’s all that matters. We’re here to serve our community, and that’s what we like to do.”

Not only is Bailey Orthodontics connecting with Coppell, but is also connecting with its patients at the tailgate.

“We love seeing old and former patients, making previous connections that we’ve already had,” Bailey Orthodontics dental Assistant Clarita Martinez said.

The audience at the tailgate were kids from CISD elementary schools, as well as parents.

There are many games to play and the recent addition of a bounce house obstacle course.

This included a cheer performance and a marimba performance from Austin Elementary.

The bright energy and enthusiasm brings even more excitement into the tailgate.

“It’s great coming together as a community, and supporting our kids,” parent Krystina Britt said. “We came for my daughter‘s performance, and figured the tailgate would be a great opportunity to sit down, eat and have fun with family and friends.”

Formula 1 draws record crowds to Austin

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix was held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Oct. 21 - 23. An apparent record 440,000 race fans were in attendance throughout the weekend. Race day brought another victory for Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen.

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team driver George Russell flies by turn six at the Circuit of the Americas during the qualifying session on Saturday. Russell finished in fifth place at The United States Grand Prix held at COTA in Austin, Oct. 21 – Oct. 23. Josh Campbell

Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi burns rubber after losing traction in turn six at the Circuit of the Americas on Oct. 23. Latifi finished 17th at the United States Grand Prix held at COTA in Austin on Oct. 21 - 23. Josh Campbell

Coppell High School administrators and their families enjoy Dickey’s barbecue on Oct. 21 in the CHS Field House at the an- Red Bull Racing team driver Max Verstappen leads the grid weaving through the esses at the nual Coppell ISD Annual Community Tailgate. The tailgate was Circuit of the Americas on Oct. 23. Verstappen took victory at COTA in Austin and clinched the prior to Coppell’s 43-35 victory over Hebron at Buddy Echols World Constructors Championship for Red Bull. Josh Campbell Field. Sahasra Chakilam

Coppell elementary cheerleaders give a fun performance to the attendees at the Coppell ISD Annual Community Tailgate on Oct. 21. The tailgate in the CHS Field House was prior to Coppell’s 4335 victory over Hebron at Buddy Echols Field. Sahasra Chakilam

Williams Racing Driver Alex Albon leads ahead of Alpine Racing driver Fernando Alonso, tailed by an Alfa Romeo F1 Racing Team driver on Oct. 23. Albon finished in 12th position, followed by Alonso who finished in 15th position after facing a 30-second time penalty post race at The United States Grand Prix held at COTA in Austin. Josh Campbell

FALL/WI NTE R SPORTS SCH E DULE

NOV. 5

NOV. 8

DEC. 28

JAN. 3

NOV. 11

NOV. 11

NOV. 17

JAN. 6 JAN. 10

JAN. 17

NOV. 5

DEC. 10

NOV. 12

DEC. 13

NOV. 15

DEC. 16

NOV. 17

DEC. 27-29

NOV. 17

NOV. 18

NOV. 18

JAN. 3

JAN. 6

JAN. 10

NOV. 22

NOV. 19

JAN. 20

NOV. 21

JAN. 17

NOV. 23

JAN. 24

NOV. 22

JAN. 17

NOV. 29

DEC. 1

JAN. 27

JAN. 31

DEC. 10

DEC. 16

FE B. 3 FE B. 7

NOV. 29

DEc. 6

DEC. 8

DEC. 8

DEC. 9

DEC. 9

JAN. 13

JAN. 20

JAN. 24

JAN. 27

JAN. 31

FE B. 3

FE B. 7

FE B. 10

FE B. 14

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

DEC. 7

SPORTS THE SIDEKICK

VARSITY BASKETBALL

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

DEC. 9

DEC. 9

DEC. 13

DEC. 13

DEC. 30

DEC. 16

NOVEMBER 2022

VARSITY SOCCE R

NOVEMBER 2022

@thesidekickcoppell

@CHSCampusNews

Sidekick Online

THE SIDEKICK SPORTS

cowboys commemorate Veterans coppell football team honors soldiers on Heroes Night The football program celebrated Heroes Night to honor Coppell’s veterans as well as to donate to a good cause. The team partnered with Young Men Service League’s in a join iniative by giving the attendees the opportunity to donate a coat to the foundation for people in need. Photos by Olivia Short.

Coppell sophomore safety Weston Polk walks with an American flag after the pregame cere- Coppell senior wide reciever Zack Darkoch evades the Hebron demony to honors veterans at Buddy Echols Field on Oct. 21. Coppell held Heroes Night to honor fense at Buddy Echols Field on Oct. 21. Coppell defeated Hebron, veterans before the game against Hebron.

43-35.

Coppell senior corner back Braxton Myers prepares to face Herbon after halftime at Buddy Echols The Lariettes perform during halftime at Buddy Echols Field on Oct. 21. at the game against Hebron.

Field on Oct. 21.

New coach returns to alma mater Angelina Liu

Executive Editor-in-Chief @angelinaliiu

and that I am right there beside them. I did not leave my military background in the past and it has definitely come with me through all my coaching.”

During her time at NSA, Ross led her team of 13 girls on onemile runs for 13 days to honor the 13 fallen military members in the Afghanistan suicide bombings.

This has translated to the Coppell team as, instead of being on the sidelines, Ross can be seen completing workouts during practice alongside the team.

“This has been my favorite year of playing volleyball in high school,” Coppell senior middle blocker Allie Stricker said. “I think Coach Ross is a big reason why.”

According to Springer, Ross can put in a workout like nobody’s business.

“We had an assistant coach here last year,” Springer said.

“She’s a young girl. She worked out with her one day. She came out like somebody had killed her and said, “I can’t keep up with her”. And hardly anybody can keep up with her.”

Ross has been coaching for 14 years and continues to look forward to her job every single day.

“The reason that I have stayed a coach and been involved with high school aged athletes is seeing the impact of all of the discipline that goes into being a good athlete, and how that pays off for them later in life,” Ross said.

“Watching them grow into good humans and go out into the world using the things that they’ve learned through sports is what keeps me coming back. Winning and losing isn’t necessarily the stamp of success. I didn’t become a better person or coach and neither did my girls just because they won state tournaments. The whole process is what made the difference.”

- Ross’ Rigor - - Ross’ Rigor - - Ross’ Rigor - - Ross’ Rigor -

- Loves a good homemade hamburger - Dream concert is Bowling for Soup - Favorite athlete is Larry Bird - Played middle blocker in high school and transitioned to outside and right side hitter in college - Ross’ Rigor - - Ross’ Rigor - - Ross’ Rigor - - Ross’ Rigor -

YouTube: Coppell Student Media

Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

In the darkness of a silent Coppell High School Arena, Coppell volleyball coach Robyn Ross sits on the center of the court with her team in front of her. The girls lay flat on their backs, eyes closed, evenly spaced out from one another.

Ross’s voice echoes through the quiet. She begins to intricately describe moments of victory in a match, painting a detailed image in each player’s mind.

“There’s a huge portion of being great at a sport that is mental,” Ross said. “We train both mentally and physically. The girls will visualize themselves in high-pressure situations successfully over and over again. It helps that come to fruition when they’re actually physically doing it.”

As 2000s pop-punk blares on a big speaker in the arena, Ross blows her whistle, leading warmups.

“The first year has been awesome,” Ross said. “I don’t think they knew the greatness that was inside of them until this season.

It’s been a gift for me to get to watch that side of them come out and see them play like this.”

Ross grew up in Coppell and started playing volleyball in sixth grade at Coppell Middle School.

She continued to play throughout high school, where she first met CHS Principal Laura Springer, who at the time was her basketball and softball coach.

“She is truly one of my best athletes I’ve ever coached,” Springer said. “This woman is one of the most strong, beautiful souls I have ever met. She has some of the highest integrity of anybody I know. She would

never try to win without doing it the right way. Even if she was in trouble, she would take the heat because she’s not going to lie.

She has amazing ethics. She believes in doing what’s right. She believes in living a life that she wants her kids to live and showing and being that role model.

“I love her like a daughter.”

Ross attended college at the Air Force Academy where she continued to play volleyball. After graduating, she served as an assistant coach for a year at the Academy before fulfilling her six year military commitment as a logistics officer deployed in Iraq.

“The logisitis piece was a lot of moving, not just the air force but all the services from stateside to wherever they were deploying,” Ross said. “I loved my job at the Air Force. Because I deployed a lot, once I started a family it was more important to me to be around to raise my kids than to be in Iraq.”

After getting out of the military, Ross was stationed in Virginia where she coached at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy for 13 years. Ross was the most successful coach in NSA’s history with an overall record of 272-79.

She led the team to 10 consecutive appearances in the state semifinals, six appearances in the state championship match and three state championship titles.

Currently, “I would say that a lot of my leadership styles were enhanced by serving in the military,” Ross said. “The outside person looking into our training would see a lot of parallels between how I run a practice and how we train. My leadership style is to lead by example because I want to experience what I’m asking them to do. I think it’s important that they know that I’m willing to do everything with them

SPORTS THE SIDEKICK

Ross looking to utilize skills from military background

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

NOVEMBER 2022

Coppell volleyball coach Robyn Ross leads a team huddle at CHS Arena against Plano West on Oct. 14. Ross was named Cowgirls volleyball coach this year after coaching for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in Virginia for 13 years. Sannidhi Arimanda

NOVEMBER 2022

THE SIDEKICK ADVERTISING