Volume 28 Issue 6 by The Sidekick

c o p p e l l s t u d e n t m e d i a . c o m Volume 28 | Issue 6 | May 2017

Special Senior Section Pages 7-18

INSIDE Courses Reinstated

Majorly Musical

Sports Awards

District brings back art classes PAGE 3

Kim pursues career in singing after high school PAGE 14

Sidekick presents awards to star athletes of 2017 PAGE 22-23

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

AUGUST 26

SEPTEMBER 11

LARIETTES SPAGHETTI DINNER

COPPELL CAR SHOW IN OLD TOWN

COPPELL HONORS MILITARY DURING APPRECIATION NIGHT

Wofford leads award-winning Sidekick newspaper with experience, dedication “I put the pressure on myself that you written by Meara Isenberg Editor-in-Chief @mearaannee

It is midnight at the Arlington Morning News. Reporters run around the newsroom and pass around pages for editing; some call coaches to collect football scores. What many would see as chaos, to Coppell High School Sidekick newspaper adviser Chase Wofford, was just another Friday night. “I loved coming back after I’d cover a game, coming back to the newsroom and have everybody in there,” Wofford said. “That energy and buzz in the newsroom is something that gets in your blood.” Wofford wrote for the University of Alabama’s newspaper The Crimson White in college, until returning to his hometown of Arlington to cover sports for AMN. After writing for other publications in Collin County, he applied for a job in journalism unlike any he’d had before. Twelve years ago, Wofford became the adviser of The Sidekick, a position he filled with all the experience and passion that his former newsrooms gave him.

have these kids that are very talented, they are passionate about this subject just as you are, you’ve got to make sure that things are maximized, don’t lower your expectations for anything,” Wofford said. Many students go through Wofford’s program for four years, including Sidekick executive sports editor Marcus Krum, who plans to major in Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. “He’s just been the best leader you could ask for, because he’s hands-off, letting us do our thing but at the same time he’s also been really helpful," Krum said. When KCBY Director Irma Kennedy came to CHS in 2006, Wofford was her teacher-mentor. Since then, not only have KCBY and The Sidekick converged together, but Kennedy has come to know Wofford as a “true friend”. “Mr. Wofford is a wonderful educator and a wonderful friend,” Kennedy said. “We are so much alike in that we are crazy about news and so we are always talking about a news story. I always say our relationship is very similar to how iron sharpens iron, of how we make each other stronger.”

Under Wofford’s leadership, The Sidekick has created more than 70 unique issues, produced journalists working across the country and received the NSPA Online Pacemaker award - the highest national award in high school journalism. “To me the craziness of deadlines, the

craziness of reporting a story that’s developing in the moment, I love that,” Wofford said. “[Krum] asked me last week if I ever missed working for a newspaper, would I ever go back and I said ‘yeah, I would’.” Congratulations to the May Teacher of the Issue, Chase Wofford.

Amanda Hair Coppell High School The Sidekick adviser Chase Wofford edits editor-in-chief Meara Isenberg’s story on May 10. Wofford has been the adviser of The Sidekick for 12 years at CHS. photo by

Hulme, Caviness win election for Coppell ISD Board of Trustees positions written by Meara Isenberg Editor-in-Chief @mearaannee Despite a night of close vote numbers and even a problem with voting machine tapes, the results for the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees and Coppell City Council still came in on Election Day, May 6. In Place 4 on the CISD Board of Trustees, Thom Hulme won re-election against Ron Hansen with 1,778 votes (52 percent of votes). Hulme says he is “reinvigorated to try harder” by this election, and has specific issues he wants to focus on when he gets back into the boardroom. “I will be working towards some solid things as far as when we do Board workshops, I am going to try and get those more visible to the public,” Hulme said. “I’m really going to go back to [Board President Anthony Hill] and talk to him about some of these concerns. I have a meeting agenda already put together. That’s going to be on the agenda as far as things that need to be done.” Hulme views student’s education as a moving target, where there is always more that can be done. He plans to listen to the

Thom Hulme holds a sign while he campaigns for re-election to Place 4 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees on May 6. concerns from the entire community, including those who may not have voted for him His opponent, Ron Hansen, received 1,609 votes (48 percent of votes). This was his second time running for school Board. Hansen initially ran with a goal to uphold financial responsibilities, then shifted his focus to a transgender bathroom issue. “Honestly, when I heard this impassioned plea from a parent about this issue, my whole attitude came that this whole

election, if it came down to making the difference in one child’s life, it was well worth it,” Hansen said. CISD Director of Communications and Public Relations Mandy McCune said Coppell ISD does not have a bathroom policy and will not change unless it is required to by state law. Coppell ISD only creates a policy if there a law to back up that policy, and at the time there is no such law. In Place 5 on the CISD Board of Trustees, David Caviness won against Vara Kuppam with 2,277 votes (66 percent of the votes). “Overall it was a great win, the support I was shown was overwhelming,” Caviness said. “We were with friends and the first thing I did was a big sigh of relief, just knowing the results, talked to my wife and hugged everybody else we were around.” Although he is a newcomer to the Board, Caviness is not new to being involved in the community. He currently serves as co-chair of the CISD Bond Oversight Committee. “The fiscal responsibilities are important to me with my work currently on the Bond Oversight Committee, just making sure that we continue to stay on the path we’re on,” Caviness said. “We’re under budget, and our administration has done a

photos by Meara Isenberg David Caviness campaigns for Place 5 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees on May 6. He will be present at the May 22 Board meeting.

great job being responsible with the funds.” His opponent, Vara Kuppam, received 1,150 votes (34 percent of votes). Kuppam plans to share his thoughts on “a major concern among parents and students” in a presentation to the Board during the May 22 Board meeting. “It’s just the beginning,” Kuppam said. “These are kind of baby steps to me right now. There’s a lot for me to do for the people who trusted me, who voted for me, now I have to work for that.”

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

SEPTEMBER 13

SEPTEMBER 15

SEPTEMBER 28

CHS ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE

CHS COLLEGE NIGHT

CHS REMEMBERS SCOTT MASON

Bringing the art back Contract for additional teacher approved, district renews higher-level classes written by Joseph Krum Executive Enterprise Editor @joseph_krum Coppell ISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip and the district human resources team has approved a contract for a fourth art teacher at Coppell High School, which will allow the campus to add four art classes back to the 2017-18 course guide. The cutting of the classes, which includes Art II Painting, Art II Sculpture, Art III Sculpture and AP 3D design, was primarily due to lack of students who signed up to take these courses. “Enrollment played a huge role in the cutting of the classes,” CHS associate principal Jon Eric Ziaer said. “Each of the past two years in art, we have had to close some of the classes since we only have three educators and a multitude of classes for them to teach.” The changes in the enrollment were not only due to a drop in the number of students who registered for the courses but also due to the new block scheduling for the 2017-18 school year. With four periods on one day and four on the other, it becomes harder to schedule the already small number of kids into one period because individual schedules can vary. Because the block schedule also requires eight courses for freshman, many are choosing to take art as their additional elective. This large demand for lower level art classes necessitates the three current art teachers to take on less periods of higher level classes, such as the ones that were originally cut.

However, by the district approving the contract of the new teacher, the campus is able to add the four classes back. CHS art teacher Cameron Tiede thinks these higher level art courses are beneficial to those wishing to continue in the field. “For the students that want to pursue art after high school, these [upper level courses] are very important,” Tiede said. “We have so many talented students here and a lot of them want to go to big art schools, so having that experience and having that portfolio just puts them that much further ahead. Any classes that they can take past Art I to get them that hands on experience is super important.” While having these higher-level courses are beneficial to a lot of students, according to Tiede, so is having a variety of the classes. “If you think of it like science, there’s a huge difference between classes like chemistry and biology,” Tiede said. “There’s also a big difference between 3D Sculpture and painting or designing on the computer to create digital art. A kind of student that does 3D Sculpture is wired very differently than a student that likes to work on the computer and make digital imagery.” A group of freshmen recognized the importance of the diversity of the classes and decided to take action. Freshman Shreya Agrawal created an online petition asking administration to keep the advances art classes. “When I found out that they were cutting the art classes, I was super upset,” Agrawal said. “I didn’t think it was right to take away something that was already underfunded in the school and something

that means so much to so many people at the school. I knew I couldn’t wait for something to happen, I had to take action so I made the petition.” After Agrawal made the petition, the support came flying in. The petition on change.org ended up receiving more than 800 electronic signatures from students and teachers alike. “Right after I made the petition, I just asked a few of my friends to spread the word,” Agrawal said. “When I saw how many people were signing it each day, which was almost 100 people per day, I was really surprised. That’s when I realized that

photo by

it could actually work.” While the process was already started by Ziaer and his team to apply for another art teacher spot, CHS Principal Mike Jasso thinks the petition could have raised notice for Waldrip and the team that made the decision to approve the contract. “In my opinion, [the petition] definitely had an influence,” Jasso said. “This is one of those times where going through the right processes of making your feelings known through the petition reached the campus administration and the district administration caused some changes in decisions of personnel.”

Amanda Hair

Coppell High School senior Eunice Choe works on a 3D sculpture during Cameron Tiede’s fourth period AP 3D Design class on May 12. AP 3D Design was one of the classes that was going to be cut for next year, but was added back after another art teacher’s contract was approved by the district.

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

SEPTEMBER 28

SEPTEMBER 30

HUMANS OF NEW YORK COMES TO UNT

CHS HOMECOMING GAME

OCTOBER 4

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN COPPELL

Brown moving on from CHS choir program after five years of choral leadership written by Sakshi Venkatraman Executive News Editor @OomPaPa1 During his time as choir director, Joshua Brown has seen one of Coppell High School’s most esteemed programs through two standing ovations at national conventions, a near tripling of solo contestants in all-region competition and a performance at the White House. On May 15, Brown turned in his letter of resignation from CHS, effective the end of the 2016-2017 school year. After five years on campus, Brown is ready to move on with his career. He plans to obtain a doctorate degree in music from the University of North Texas and begin a parttime job at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Hurst. While working in a church music ministry was his ultimate goal, the impact he made on the CHS choir program is traceable

The Sidekick File Photo Choir director Josh Brown plays the piano at an after-school a cappella rehearsal at the starof the 2012-2013 school year. Since then, Brown has lead the choir program to numerous awards and national competitions. in the students he worked with during his time here. “I’m pretty distraught because he’s been my teacher and my mentor for four years now,” senior and fourth year choir member Daniel Kim said. “Mr. Brown never gave up on me, he constantly pushed me. He never let me settle at a cer-

tain point, he always pushed me past it to better myself.” Earlier this year, the a cappella choir took a trip to San Antonio to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention, a high honor for Texas choir programs. The convention hosts around 15,000 to

20,000 music educators each year, giving the CHS choir program a large amount of exposure. “[Brown leaving is] a huge loss for us for sure,” assistant choir director Adam Gilliland said. “He has taken the program to a really high standard and made us a premiere program in Texas in a lot of way just because of the conferences they have been able to sing at and the successes they have had in all different facets of the music world.” Although traveling and competing are a large part of his job description, Brown says his favorite part about the program are his students, many of whom have grown close to him over his years as director. “[Working under Brown’s direction] has been a lot of work,” said Soundarya Daliparthy, who has also been in choir for four years. “It’s been stressful at times but we have seen a lot of success in the past two years, so it feels

like it was worth it in the end.” For the underclassmen students in the choir program, the hope is that whoever fills Brown’s shoes holds the program to the same standard that his predecessor did. “I hope the next choir director is very flexible with people but I still hope he works as hard as Mr. Brown and pushes us to where we can get better while having fun.” Although Brown leaves behind large shoes to fill, he is confident that whoever the district selects has his replacement will be “great”. “Overall, the program is healthier than it was five years ago and that’s all you want to do is leave a place better than you found it,” Brown said. “I hope the [choir program] continues to get better and helps kids find expressive and creative outlets that they might otherwise not have had. I hope it encourages people to love music and the arts and one another.”

Rakestraw ending tenure at Coppell; heading to coach at Flower Mound Marcus written by Marcus Krum Executive Sports Editor @MarcusKrum After six seasons that saw five district championships, three championship game appearances and two state championships, Coppell boys soccer coach Chad Rakestraw will not be returning to coach the Cowboys next year. Instead, Rakestraw accepted the head coaching job at Flower Mound Marcus High School. Due to his family’s proximity to Marcus, Rakestraw cited this opportunity as one that will greatly benefit the amount of time he will spend with his family. “What led me to [my decision], through a lot of prayer and conversations and time, was the proximity to my family,” Rakestraw said. “I live about five minutes from [Marcus High School]. It’s a place where my daughters go to school, in that district.” This comes after Rakestraw added two state championships to the trophy case, winning in 2013

and 2016. Even more so, however, was his impact on the culture of the program. “He was really into helping us become a better person and getting the most out of us not just as a player, but preparing us for the world outside of soccer,” junior defender George Ackling said. “That is something we all liked and respected about him as a coach, just wanting to better us as people, not just as players.” Rakestraw’s ability to get the most out of his athletes transcended just success on the pitch. His ability to call upon players to play and act their best will be missed by many. “He’s had a huge impact on me,” junior forward and Southern Methodist University commit Wyatt Priest said. “Coming into my freshman year, I wasn’t a standout… First of all, he got my character in check. I was getting in trouble, and he really set me on the right path. He also helped me with college. He helped me find the right fit, which was huge for

me.” In creating the proper culture, Rakestraw built a program that went through one of the most successful five-year stretches in Coppell sports history. His presence as a coach and a friend to the athletes allowed for a bond that carried the Cowboys to their status as a perennial championship contender. “The best thing [Rakestraw] did was he created created a great culture and buy-in from those kids who also play club [soccer],” Coppell athletic director Joe McBride said. “Those kids still play club, but he got them to buy into their high school program too. He had great leadership skills in that way.” However, success aside, Rakestraw’s fondest memories were away from the pitch. “You look back, and you would think that you’d think about all the state championships and district championships, but that’s not what you think about,” Rakestraw said. “You reflect on the people

you meet… It’s just the relationships built that you have to leave and hope that at some point you cross paths again. “It’s the hardest professional decision I’ve ever had to make.

It’s hard for anybody from the outside looking in to understand it. But the one thing I’ll never regret is getting more time with my family, my daughters as they grow up.”

The Sidekick File Photo Coppell soccer coach Chad Rakestraw is embraced by junior forward Wyatt Priest after the UIL Class 6A state championship in 2016. Rakestraw will leave the Coppell program to coach at Flower Mound Marcus in the 2017-2018 school year.

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 21 7

SEPTEMBER 15 21 OCTOBER

NOT FINAL DENTON TAP SONIC RE-OPENS

BAND TIES FOR SECOND NOT FINAL AT PLANO EAST INVITATIONAL

NOT FINALTWO KCBY WINS LONE STAR AWARDS

Leadership era may be ending for Jasso but love for CHS, relationships lives on written by Mike Jasso Principal @CoppellHigh It is hard to believe that my time here in Cowboy Nation will soon come to an end. Eleven total years, six as principal have passed in the blink of an eye. As my thoughts wander to those many wonderful experiences that have occurred during that time, a wave of emotion and a great sense of pride envelops me. Coppell High remains a very special place. My time at CHS began in the fall of 2000 as a new assistant principal. My love for the campus was immediately sparked for many different reasons. Most importantly, the people were quite remarkable in their commitment to a high-quality educa-

tion. At that time, CHS had just become a 5A school and there was great concern about how we would be operating such a big school with approximately 2,500 students. As we know, the growth in enrollment did not end there and now we are home to approximately 3,400 students. The quality of students, the support of our parents and community and the high caliber of teachers and staff has remained the same, however. During my tenure as principal, we earned many great achievements that added to our school’s rich legacy of excellence: record number of National Merit Scholars, record number of AP scholars, all time high IB diploma rate, Pacemaker Awards for our Coppell Student Media, TMEA Hon-

or Choir, five team state championships in athletics, named an Apple Distinguished Campus, and the list goes on and on! The key word is “we”. The total commitment by everyone to not only challenge themselves, but to do so at levels not seen before is definitely a pride point for me. My departure is bittersweet in that it is quite sad to leave “home”, but it is exciting to begin my new adventure in Richardson ISD. Thank you to each and every one of you through the years for your love, friendship and support. Those relationships and memories are what have made CHS special for me. Coppell High will always hold a place in my heart… #IAmCHS!

photo courtesy Cole

Calabro

Coppell High School Principal Mike Jasso hugs junior Corey Balfour on May 19 during first period. Jasso is leaving CHS for a position at Richardson ISD.

Senior journalist appreciates decision to be part of high school newspaper

written by Meha Srivastav Co-Social Media Manager @theofficialmeha When reporting your first news story for a high school newspaper, it is probably best to start small. Maybe a student club meeting or a dissection being performed by an anatomy class, but definitely not interviewing a United States representative and vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee. Unfortunately, that is exactly what I did, as a first year staff writer for The Sidekick newspaper. I had an assignment to cover a fundraising dinner held by an charity organization, featuring special guest Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who was famous, intimidating and obviously a perfect candidate for my first interview. In my understandable nervousness, I called Gabbard’s 2014 trip to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi a ‘quest for Hinduism’ during the interview, committing a journalist’s worst crime - getting my facts wrong. Fortunately, 1) things got a little better from there, journalism wise, 2) she probably does not remember my embarrassing blunder and I, (hopefully), and 3) the experience made for an interesting premise of a

photo by Ale Ceniceros After being on The Sidekick newspaper for two years, Srivastav reflects on her journey and personal transformation as a writer. The soon-to-be graduate is grateful for the choice she made to become a high school journalist. future story’s lede. looking down at high school journalism Evidently, I was not a born journalist. that first year. Maybe it was the time I sat Before the school year began, in fact, I down with a boy from my precalculus class had stood at the equivocal part of life poet in a hallway for a story on Asian LGBT Robert Frost once described as where “two communities, and he told me about how roads diverged in a yellow wood”. See, I had he would rather die than come out to his the choice of filling my last open class with grandparents as bisexual. either ‘Creative Writing I’ or ‘Newspaper I’, Or maybe it was late night one Tuesday, and being a born creative writer, it was easy after a city council meeting, when the mayfor me to go with the former. But alas - I or complimented me for being ‘eloquent’ took Frost’s words to heart and signed up after I interviewed her. (That sure was a for the uncharted journalism class. I chose boost after the whole stuttering fiasco with the road not taken. Gabbard.) Perhaps it was the time I spent In the beginning, this particular road lunch in the janitor’s room and one of the and I had some friction between us. I was custodians told me about her life - in Spana creative writer, and I would have noth- ish, so the head janitor had to translate for ing to do with the mundane occurrences me. I don’t really know. of everyday school life the newspaper was But I do know that, somewhere, somecompelled to report. I wanted color, burst- how, (plus the rest of the five W’s of jouring, effusive color, not black and white and nalism) I began to almost love it. shades of gray. I wanted things to be imagAll my life, I have been shy, never one ined and dreamt, not recorded and tran- to initiate conversations with strangers scribed in plain, unembellished words. I or even spend my free time with people I refused to meddle with the small. know. Yet here I was, immersing myself in I am not sure when exactly I stopped lives all over the community, mustering the

courage to say ‘excuse me’ and ask for interviews from people I would not even have made eye contact with otherwise. And I loved it. I was still a little afraid - even now I am, occasionally - but there is nothing more worth the fear than having someone open up to me. Having them spill a part of their life and become vulnerable to share their story. That is what I fell in love with. Sometimes, I do not know what to say to people after hearing their story; to the photojournalist who told me about the time he travelled to Iraq in 2002, and its enduring trauma, to the African girl who shared her memory of the first time she was called a racial slur in America. But I guess it is OK, because that is not the job of a journalist, to have a response; the job of a journalist is to listen. And there is such joy in being given the privilege to just listen. I have finally learned to appreciate the beauty in unembellished words and in real stories without a tinge of fiction. Those are some of the most powerful stories. As a journalist these past two years, I am so grateful to have been able to share those stories, the small and the big. This coming year, I will not be studying journalism in college. I will be taking some creative writing courses. But I also plan to be on the newspaper. I guess it is a good compromise, fanciful metaphors and succinct headlines. The best of both worlds of words. Around two years ago, two roads diverged in a wood. I took the one less traveled by. And - as dear Frost said - that has made all the difference.

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

OCTOBER 24-28

OCTOBER 29

RED RIBBON WEEK STARTS

CROSS COUNTRY ADVANCES TO STATE

THEATER PERFORMS 42ND STREET

EDITORIAL

Finding balance in careers to achieve fulfillment As seniors head off to college, the perpetual question ‘what is my purpose?’ comes front and center. Choosing college majors, surrounding ourselves with new friends and exploring our passions are all parts of what make up the college experience. But before we head off, The Sidekick staff has found that in order to fully enjoy all of those parts one should keep in mind an idea. That idea is to choose a career that combines three things: passion, talent and marketability. Why did we choose this combination? Well, it is important to point out that people usually achieve one or two of these things. But we see that an excess in one or two of these parts of life can often lead to unhappiness or the feeling that something is missing in your life. If one only makes money with their talent but has no passion for that career, they will eventually lose interest in that job and be lost as to what to do next. If one only

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Adviser

Chase Wofford Editor-in-Chief

Meara Isenberg Executive Sports Editor

Marcus Krum

Executive News Editor

Sakshi Venkatraman Executive Editorial Page Editor

Emma Cummins

Executive Enterprise Editor

Joseph Krum

EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP Student Life Editor

Lili Lomas Entertainment Editor

Kathryn Rudd General Photography Editor

Kelly Monaghan Sports Photography Editor

Amanda Hair

follows their passion, they risk jeopardizing a financially stable future (and arguably, a happier one). By finding the point at which all three intersect, a person will find happiness in all aspects of their career and to a greater extent, their life. We can compare this journey to the one that each of us took in high school. Overwhelmed with decisions, we (hopefully) spent our time discovering what we were good at, what we loved doing and how that translated into tangible success. We have all seen what inequity in these three

Design Editor

aspects can do. If one focuses on only their GPA and ignores cultivating a meaningful social life or finding a passion, they risk losing part of what life is meant to be. If one completely ignores their GPA, college options lessen. As we transition into college, this is our chance to reinvent ourselves if we have lacked in any

of these three areas. Not to worry, if you have not found your passion or found how to turn your passion into something financially stable, there is still time. Four years worth! If this combination is not clear to you, then the best course of action is to spend college exploring these three areas as much as you possibly can. You may find that what you plan to pursue now is not your only talent or passion. Don’t limit yourself; learn something new. If you are not going to college next year because you have chosen a gap year or to go straight to work, looking for this combination will only take a different form. Do not be afraid to take risks in order to find this combination. Many people do not pursue all three when choosing what to do with their lives. But if happiness and success are what you desire, these three combine what all of us seek in life: purpose. If you find that, you have made it.

The Sidekick is the student newspaper for Coppell High School and is published six times per school year.

Rutuja Joshi PHOTOGRAPHERS The newspaper is a member of National Scholastic Jessica Jun Ale Ceniceros Press Association, Journalism Education Association, Staff Cartoonist Tara Kamalpour-Ansari Bren Flechtner Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Thomas Rousseau Interscholastic League Press Conference. Fiona Koshy Chloe Navarro Hannah Tucker BUSINESS LEADERSHIP Farah Merchant The editorials and columns presented in this paper reAkila Muthukumar Communications Manager Megan Winkle flect the views of their student writers and not Coppell Tanya Raghu Aubrie Sisk High School or Coppell Independent School photo by District. First Last Business Manager Grant Spicer DESIGNERS Adverstisements are sold as full, 1/2 page, 1/4 page Chelsea Banks Briana Thomas Elena Gillis and 1/8 page sizes in black and white or color. This cutline should be great and should be edited. Ask Amanda / Kelly M or the photographer for Co-Social Media Manager Amelia Vanyo Wren Lee this if you don’t have it. This cutline should great and should bealledited. Amanda Kelly M Lina Pyon Thebe Sidekick welcomes lettersAsk to the editor./ Letters Kathryn Wiener Kelly Wei for this if you don’t have or the photographer it. emailed to cwofford@coppellisd.com or delivCo-Social Media Manager can be Reid Valentine ered to the D115 newsroom at Coppell High School. A Meha Srivastav Austin Banzon

STAFF WRITERS Gracie Blackwell Sruthi Boppuri Rachel Choi Riley Galloway Sofia Guerrero Saira Haque

Visit coppellstudentmedia.com 2017 NSPA Online Pacemaker

current email address and first and last name for the writer must be included for the letter to be considered for publication. Sidekick Online @CHSCampusNews Contact The Sidekick: @sidekicksports 214-496-6239 @thesidekickcoppell cwofford@coppellisd.com @sidekick_sports 185 W. Parkway @sidekicknews Coppell, TX 75019

NOVEMBER 6

NOVEMBER 8

BAND GOES TO STATE FINALS

TASTE OF COPPELL

ELECTION VOTING IN COPPELL

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

NOVEMBER 16

NOVEMBER 19

HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO

COPPELL FOOTBALL DEFEATS ROCKWALL TO ADVANCE TO REGIONAL SEMIFINAL

WILLIAM T. COZBY LIBRARY REOPENS

Sidekick seniors set pace for future journalists, leave legacy in D115 Aubrie Sisk

Austin Banzon

“

Heading into my first year in Sidekick, I was only planning on doing it for a year to see how it goes, I never really thought of a possible future. When I actually started thinking of the future and what I wanted to do for life, possibly going into graphic design never really hit me until the November issue of my senior year. After I made that centerspread, I realized that this is so awesome and I want to do this. Not only did I really enjoy working at my computer, but the reactions that people have when they look at that centerspread and front page just made me feel really happy. I want to do that. I just want to keep doing that. -Austin Banzon, graphics editor

photo by

Sakshi Venkatraman

Lili Lomas

Meara Isenberg

I’ve been in Mr. Wofford’s class since freshman year. I’ve been on on staff since sophomore year. I just like getting together and doing export days. At the end of the day, everybody is all together and we’ve completed all of our work from the six weeks. Everything is done, it’s exported and it feels so good. When the papers come in, the whole process of mailing them out just feels really rewarding. We get to see all of our hard work in print and it just looks really good.” -Aubrie Sisk, communications manager

Emma Cummins

Breaking News! Breaking News!

“ “ “ graphic by

Wren Lee

The Sidekick really helped me narrow my focus for what I wanted to do. I was looking for something that would give me a more stable job in the future, and I found journalism and I fell in love with it. It became not just a job that I could do to make a steady amount of money, but something that I am really passionate about. The editorial leadership this year has really made Sidekick and student journalism personal to me. The seniors have been really close and it’s great to have experienced the success that we did this year with such an amazing group of people. -Sakshi Venkatraman, executive news editor

I love the way that I feel when I’m in the moment, interviewing someone and they give me some quote, or just say something to me really, like a conversation, that makes me feel something because in my head I know that I’m going to be able to write that in a way where other people are going to be able to feel it too. That’s really powerful to me, that’s why I have a passion for this. I will be majoring in Journalism at UT Austin in the fall, and I made that decision because I know this is what I want to do in college and in life because that experience of hearing something and feeling it, it is really unmatched in any other career. -Meara Isenberg, editor-in-chief

I really love how everyone can find their own niche. You can really hone in on and cultivate specific talents you have. Looking back, joining the Sidekick was one of the best decisions I made. Throughout high school I have found that the Sidekick has taught me responsibility and other things like staying true to your principles. Mr. Wofford really sets a high standard for all of us and as a team we have really come a long way since we were freshmen. Although I may not continue a career in journalism, the skills I have learned here will apply anywhere else in my life. -Emma Cummins, executive editorial page editor

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

NOVEMBER 28

DECEMBER 5

DECEMBER 9-10

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING

HOLLY ANDERSON WINS CHS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

ANNUAL MADRIGAL FEAST

Memories coming alive: Round-Up shares own stories of yearbook creation

“

My favorite part about being on yearbook staff has been that I’ve been able to find my group of [friends] and really bond with a close knit [community]. I’m majoring in business marketing so I think that some of the things that I’ve learned in yearbook like about creativity and just how to design things will help because I want to go into advertising. A big thing is managing time and talking to people in yearbook. Obviously there’s lots of deadlines so you really have to learn how to manage your time and get things done on time. Also, interviewing people, you really learn how to communicate with all sorts of people. - McKenzie Hosier senior section editor

“

photo by

Sruthi Boppuri

“

I love being able to capture the memories that have happened over the years and just being able to tell the story of the school in different ways. This year I was Co Editor-in-Chief with my friend Erin and so we were the head of the staff so we had a lot more responsibility than we had before as section editors so the book was basically ours. We created the theme, we created the design, we took it the direction we wanted to and we were in charge of the whole staff. It was an interesting experience not only managing people like we have done in past years but also having all the responsibilities and choices go to us. - Catherine Carter co-editor-in-chief

“ “

Best of Show: KCBY celebrates 20 years of excellence in broadcast journalism KCBY has just made it really easy for me to tell a story and so I think it has really prepared me for the future and taught me a lot of skills and things that I’ll carry on. KCBY to me has been my everything for the past 3 years. These people are amazing and the class is amazing and the life lessons you learn are things that you wouldn’t’ learn anywhere else. I’ve gone to Atlanta, Anaheim and Wichita and random places that I probably wouldn’t have gone before. It’s just really opened my eyes to a lot of things in the world that I had no idea were a thing before so it’s just really cool to have all of these experiences that I never would have had without KCBY. - Autumn Jones program director

I am planning on going into film and media studies in college so this will really help me to further my career in film. Also. it will help me to know how to work with others and how to be a leader in groups in college. - Emily Edens staff member

photo by

Lili Lomas

We formed a tight, close group in KCBY and it’s kind of a place where you are able to make really close friends and spend three years with somebody and get to really know them. I think making segments with our strong group of friends has been really fun because we get to be creative and think of our own ideas and goof around with each other, which is awesome. - Reece Hagan staff member

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

JANUARY 4-6

BLOCK SCHEDULE PILOTED

JANUARY 6

SNOW FALLS AT CHS

JANUARY 10

TOWN HALL MEETING ON FRESHMAN CENTER

1 2 FINISHING ON

TOP

Ranjan sprints his way to valedictorian spot

Although they were both exempt, Ranjan wanted to take the exam so he could boost his senior GPA just a little bit higher, an example of the drive that solidified his place as valedictorian of the Coppell High School Class of 2017. written by Meara Isenberg “I didn’t really care that much about getting my GPA up Editor-in-Chief to a certain level, but he wanted to get the extra boost, so @mearaannee we worked super hard on the spanish midterm,” Whiting said. “I was like ‘Revant, if we get 100 on this, you have to It was because of his friend, Cop- give me a shoutout in your valedictorian speech’.” pell High School senior Revant According to his mother Himani Ranjan, Revant’s path Ranjan, that CHS senior to the top spot in the senior class was a result of “grit, deKyle Whiting found termination, and persistence”. himself preparing for That drive continued when he got to high school, where a Spanish midterm Ranjan instantly found himself balancing AP and IB classhe did not think es with Boy Scouts, clubs and cross country. he would “Focus is what I believe his mantra was,” Mrs. Ranjan have to said. “You have to do it, so just get it done. You’ve got to run take. 10 miles, run 10 miles and then you’ve got to focus from period one to period seven.” His method for managing friends, academics and running? Compartmentalization. “Looking back on how far I’ve come, it’s like I don’t written by Sakshi Venkatraman know how I got here, but at the same time I got here, Executive News Editor so in some way it had to have happened,” Ranjan @OomPaPa1 Censaid. “I would just say that breaking things down t e r into bite-sized pieces is something that really In her 12 years of education, Coppell High School class E l e helped me pull through the past four of 2017 salutatorian Rachel Kass has not only pushed hermentary] years.” self, but has pushed the people around her. and [CopAccording to Mrs. Ranjan, “She makes me want to be a better teacher,” said CHS pell Middle School the choice to take higher level Geometry and Algebra II teacher Jessica Caviness, who was North] and into high classes and pursue business Kass’s guest at the 2017 Academic Recognition Banquet. school she has been a was Revant’s own. “She motivates me. Whatever I did, somehow I reached good student,” Mrs. Kass “Do what you want her, so I want to try and keep reaching my students.” said. “She has applied herself to do, ” Mrs. RanWith a tie for the highest GPA in the senior class (tied and been diligent; I’m so proud jan said. “If you with valedictorian Revant Ranjan), it is easy to assume that of her, I’m thrilled.” want to be Kass’s life is consumed by solely academics. According to As Kass’s favorite teacher, Caviness an engiKass, however, that assumption could not be further from recognized her special qualities in freshthe truth. man Geometry and sophomore Algebra II. “Quite frankly, [being named salutatorian] is a great “She’s not boastful, she doesn’t answer every accomplishment but it ceases to matter in a month,” Kass question,” Caviness said. “She just kind of sits back and said. “After that, [my rank] is kind of irrelevant to me and participates when appropriate. She works hard, but I don’t my life.” think grades are her whole life, which I think is so importNo matter the recognition, Kass’s dedication to ant.” schoolwork and outside commitments has always Those who know her speak to Kass’s social life been strong. According to her family and teachand dry sense of humor, both things she mainers, this is what sets her apart from other stutained while under immense academic presdents. sure. “Working to get good grades can be chal“I was really serious and school oriented lenging sometimes,” Kass said. “A lot of it is just my freshman year and [academics] is pretty building a work ethic. I think my most importmuch how I spent all my time,” Kass said. “If ant takeaway from high school is that I’ll go I could go back, I would change that. Over into college with a good work ethic and I the past couple of years, I have obviously know how to study because I’ve been gotten more social and loud and I’m a doing it for so long.” little less focused in class. It’s been a Her mother Glenda Kass has lot healthier of a balance.” seen that work ethic first-hand In the fall, Kass will be attendsince her daughter was in kindering the University of Michigan garten. in hopes of becoming a civil enRachel Kass “All the way back to [Town

Kass earns salutatorian with balance of schoolwork, social life

photo illustration by Kelly

Wei

Senior Revant Ranjan is the Valedictorian of the class of 2017. After years of juggling cross country, art, boy scouts and academics, he will attend Dartmouth College in the fall.

neer, be an engineer, if you want to be a musician, be a musician, or a runner, be a runner - just do it with your full heart. Don’t just do it for the sake of doing it. When we said ‘do it with your full heart’ he took it as just ‘excel in everything’.” As a hobby, Ranjan enjoys drawing and was even voted “Most Likely to be in an Art Museum” as a senior superlative. It’s no surprise that his approach to art draws similarities to other aspects of his life. “Even if he draws a line, the line will not be wiggily, the line will be straight, straight to the point that you won’t know whether he did it using a ruler,” Mrs. Ranjan said. “He’s such a perfectionist that wherever he goes, he will continue trying to focus on achieving excellence there as well.” With an 100 on his Spanish exam and his friend now valedictorian, Whiting just might be getting that shoutout after all. “I’m super happy for him, and being there and being in so many groups with him, and being his friend through the whole thing is just, it’s pretty cool that I’m really close with the valedictorian,” Whiting said. “It’s a pretty cool feeling.” Revant will be majoring in Economics at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. in the fall, and offers some advice to whoever dreams of being in his running shoes four years from now. “I would just say challenge yourself, once you gidecide to do it, don’t regret that decision,” Ranjan said. “When I came in, there would be days neer. that I’d think to myself, ‘why did you do this, A s why did you get involved in scouting or her time in whatever’ when there was a lot of things high school on my plate. The good part about trycomes to a ing to do as much as I could in close, Kass hopes high school was that if you pull the classes that come through and do everything, after her maintain the looking back on it all and same balance that she did. having achieved that is “Don’t necessarily focus going to be worth on getting good grades, foit.” cus on building good habits to get there,” she said. “It’s about how you can work to set yourself up for success.”

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

JANUARY 12

JANUARY 14

RICHARDSON GIFTED COWBOYS TICKETS

BPA COMPETES AT REGIONALS

JANUARY 21

WOMEN’S MARCH IN AUSTIN

Vicas honored for years of hard work Senior named McDermott Scholar, U.S. Presidential Scholarship semifinalist written by Farah Merchant Staff Writer @farahmerchant_ Coppell High School senior and third in her class Nikitha Vicas was shocked when she received the McDermott scholarship and became a semi-finalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program. The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program was created in 2000 when Margaret McDermott endowed 32 million dollars to UTD to honor her late husband. Her donation sponsored an elite scholarship program, which accepts less than the top one percent of applicants. The scholar program provides a full scholarship plus a stipend along with access to leadership, internships and research opportunities around the world. “I actually had a friend who had made it to McDermott,” Vicas said. “Going to all their open sessions and explanations, I just saw that I could get everything I wanted: a quality education and a hands on experience through the program. I won’t have to

worry about any debt at all because they’re paying you, basically, to go. I was really interested in that.” The applicants first go through a process of filling out paperwork before being selected for finalist weekend, which is when a select group of students are selected to participate in three days of extensive interviews. This year, only 60 applicants were selected to attend the finalist weekend. Thehe McDermott Scholars Program selected 23 students for the class of 2021, Vicas being one of them. The scholars were announced after May 1. “That was amazing because that was my first choice for college,” Vicas said. “I was excited when I got into Rice University and University of Pennsylvania but this was just my first choice so I was super excited.” Vicas’s mom, Resmi Vicas, thinks the McDermott Program will help Vicas grow as an individual and a professional. “McDermott is a great opportunity for her,” Mrs.Vicas said. “It is going to open new doors. It’s going to give her lots of opportunities to do research and other leadership opportunities that is going to, hope-

photo by Amanda Hair Coppell High School senior Nikitha Vicas was recognized earlier this year as a scholar in the prestigious McDermott Program at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she plans on attending next year. She is also ranked third in her class and is a semifinalist for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program.

fully, prepare her for her interest in the medical field for her future.” Along with the McDermott Scholars Program, Vicas also applied to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Students from all over the nation can apply to this program only if they have received a perfect SAT or ACT score. Like the McDermott Scholars Program, the Presidential Scholars Program has a very extensive application process. “For the [Presidential Scholarship Program], [CHS] had semifinalist Pooja Marella,” Vicas said. “I didn’t personally know her but there was a story written about her. I saw a lot of similarities. I respected and admired her. I thought it would be something really cool if I applied too.” Vicas has passed the semi-finalist round which was announced mid-April. Finalists will be announced in June 18-20 at the National Recognition Program and will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. on an all-expense paid trip. “I was really surprised because out of five thousand candidates alone, they only choose around six hundred semi-finalists

and all those people are incredible people,” Vicas said. “They all have perfect scores. I was really happily surprised.” CHS counselor Debbie Fruithandler encouraged Vicas to apply for the McDermott Scholars Program after she learned about it a few years back. Fruithandler became closer to Vicas when she was invited to an Indian classical dance performance produced by Vicas. At this event, Fruithandler was able to get better acquainted with Vicas’s character and personality. “I get it,” Fruithandler said. “Students, they’re busy. They need things. They’re asking adults in this school to do things for them whether it’s letters of recommendations, filling out forms to help these learners get to where they want to go. It’s kind-of disheartening at times as a counselor for these people to be asking, asking and asking but not being gracious and thanking you for the hard work you put in before or after school. “When you have a student that’s gracious, thankful, articulate, smart, they stand out.”

I pace in circles and talk out loud.

What character would you be? The Flash, because not only was he kind of smart - he was a chemist or something - but he was also really fast, so running cross country, that would be the coolest thing ever.

What character would you be? I grew up watching Mary Poppins every day after church. I just have a fondness for the character.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I would say New York, Wall Street, maybe Japan. Doing something in a big city.

TOP 10 Academic stars share defining qualities

What character would you be? Legolas from Lord of the Rings. He was very cool. He was an elf and the prince.

What character would you be? Dumbledore from Harry Potter. I really respect him as character and the movies were great.

What is number one on your bucket list? Hiking the Appalachian Trail.

What is your favorite memory from CHS? Every Friday, me and my friend we always go out to eat fries.

What is your most interesting study habit? I pace in circles and talk out loud.

Who do you look up to? Zixiao Li, He was [ranked] No. 10 [class of 2015], he had a good work ethic.

What is one of the top things on your bucket list? Go to Japan. That’d be fun. Who do you look up to? My piano teacher.

#1 #2 What character would you be? Iron Man. He made his own powers. Everyone else got lucky or had some supernatural event but he turned his own ideas into his superhero.

What character would you be? I’ve read the Lord of the Rings books like four times. I’m really into Tolkien. Galadriel is the eldest elf on Middle Earth. She’s very powerful.

Do you have any weird phobias? The idea of going to space. Movies like Gravity, just no.

What is your craziest study habit? My sister and I play study pingpong. The loser asks the winner a question or we will recite our Spanish oral while playing pingpong.

What character would you be? Leonard from the “Big Bang Theory.” He loves the sciences and is very academically inclined but also has more of a sassy snarky personality and I feel like the side comes out of me a lot of times. Who do you look up to the most? My sister because when I see her doing stuff I’m like ‘oh shoot, that means I should be doing stuff too.’

What character would you be and why? Starfire from Teen Titans. She’s kind of foolish in some situations but [also] kind of smart. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Staying up until 2:30 morning eating mac and cheese with [former art teacher Tamera Westervelt] to make art.

What character would you be? Superman. He was my favorite character as a child.

What character would you be? Darth Vader, because he’s cool and everyone looks up to him.

Where is your second home? California. I really like the culture and people there.

What change do you want to make in the world? I want to make the world a better place. Wanting to be a computer scientist means I want to help people who don’t have access to things they should have.

Who is your favorite teacher? Calculus teacher Kirk Richardson.

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

JANUARY 28

JANUARY 29

FEBRUARY

LIFE SAFETY PARK OPENS

IMMIGRATION PROTESTS AT DFW AIRPORT

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FOLLOWING THE RIGHT NOTES

Tuppurainen to continue musical career after graduation written by Tara Ansari Staff Writer @_taraansari Flute, piccolo, guitar and the piano are only some of the instruments Coppell High School senior Vili Tuppurainen can play. Tuppurainen’s love for music kept him dedicated in band all four years of high school. “I enjoyed being around people that loved the same thing I did everyday,” Tuppurainen said. “Band provided me with a second family.” After he graduates from CHS in June, Tuppurainen will be attending the University of North Texas to study music education to pursue his dream of becoming a high school band director. “I want to continue teaching next generations the magic of music and to teach them further lessons that one learns from being in band,” Tuppurainen said. “The most important thing I personally learned

from being in band is the importance of diversity as well as music being an important way of expression.” His love for music sparked when he lived in Finland, before moving to Coppell the summer before his freshman year. “I started playing flute back in third grade which led to me growing older and learning how to play other instruments such as the piano and guitar,” Tuppurainen said. “I have recently started learning how to play the trumpet this year.” Tuppurainen was CHS band’s squad leader both his junior and senior year. This position showed him how much he loves being able to have an impact on others. “I want to help and guide others in the directions they want to take, it is something I enjoy very much and would like to do in the future,” Tuppurainen said. Tuppurainen’s close friends notice his appreciation for music everyday. “If anyone could be successful in the competitive music world it would be Vili

because of how dedicated he is,” CHS junior Camille Brinegar said. “I admire how much he loves what he does because it makes everyone around him want to be as motivated as he is.” CHS junior Allison Diaz describes Tuppurainen’s talents to be one of the most amazing

parts of who he is. “It is very exciting to see how music has shaped him into the person he is today” Diaz said. “I have been in band with him for a long time now and he is always shining with passion and that passion reflects his great abilities to play his instruments.”

Tara Ansari Coppell High School senior Vili Tuppurainen is a flute player for the school’s band team. He will continue his passion for music after he graduates in hopes of becoming a high school band director. photo by

HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR TO COLLEGE MUSICIAN Kim to major in music in worship at Baylor University to strengthen faith in God written by Amelia Vanyo Staff Writer @ameliavanyo For some people, choosing a college major can seem impossible. For others, it can be painfully obvious. This was how it was for senior Daniel Kim, who knew what he planned to do with his life from the time he was in sixth grade. “I really hope to enroll into a mega church, but my long term goal is to join a christian music band.” When his mother forced him to join choir in the sixth grade, he thought nothing of it at first. But when he began to excel at and enjoy singing, Kim realized he had found his purpose. “My mom forced me to sign up for choir and it just happened to go really well,” Kim said. “My sophomore year I signed up for my church’s worship leading program, when I went to the stage for the first time I knew this was where I needed to be in life.” Going into music is not only considered one of the most difficult paths a student can take, it is also extremely uncertain and

can be very unrewarding financially. But according to his friends, Kim not only has what it takes to make it, he has a passion that perseveres through all the problems he may face. “Arts is never an easy thing to major in because you invest all your time and energy in something very risky,” Kim’s friend, senior Esther Cha said. “But at the same time it’s also his passion.” Knowing what he wanted to do, Kim auditioned at two schools, UNT and Baylor. “[Auditioning was] pretty intimidating, because everyone there is just as good as you,” Kim said. “When I was applying someone told me Baylor was becoming more competitive and harder to get into, so I was kind of freaking out.” The audition process can be a long and difficult journey, but Kim’s practice and persistence payed off. “Daniel just makes everything look so much easier than it is,” Cha said. “Daniel is a very fun guy, he’s very chill. But when he’s singing he becomes very serious, he becomes someone you look up to. He’s just a very serious, talented and skilled artist.”

After receiving an offer from both schools, Daniel chose Baylor because of its religious side, following in the footsteps of the CHS choir director, Joshua Brown. “Daniel is a great fit for Baylor,” Brown said. “He and I have been talking about him going there for years. I have done everything I could to introduce him to professors at conferences and write great letters of recommendation.”

Kim attributes much of his success to Brown, who pushed him when he couldn’t push himself and supported him when Kim pushed too hard. “He really pushed me into becoming the best I could,” Kim said. “I can sometimes be not motivated, so having him there constantly looking over me really helped.” While he still has a ways to go, Kim knows where he’s going.

Gracie Blackwell Coppell High School senior Daniel Kim sings during Vivace! on May 12. Kim plans to continue his music career in college, where he will major in music in worship at Baylor University. photo by

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

FEBRUARY 3

FEBRUARY 11

FEBRUARY 23

BROADWAY BOUND THEATER CLASS PREFORMS “30 PLAYS IN 60 MINUTES”

COPPELL LIBRARY HOLDS OPEN MIC NIGHT

DECA GOES TO STATE

Senior takes curtain call

Purches to minor in theater to continue his love for the stage, grow as performer written by Fiona Koshy Staff Writer @fionakoshy10 High school. A time of stress, busyness and new experiences for everyone. These four years, although difficult at times, are met with just as many highlights. Whether it was joining the robotics team or playing soccer, everyone fills up these years in his or her own unique ways, providing them unique memories to look back on in the years to come. For senior Sam Purches, performing is a part of his everyday life. As a student in his last year of theatre at Coppell High School, he will have much to look back on. Instead of closing this chapter in his life; however, Purches has decided to turn to the next page. His passion for theatre will not dissipate due to his decision to major in psychology with a minor in theater at the University of Minnesota this fall. As the years progressed, so did Purches’s commitment to the program because of the tight knit community he became a part of. “[Theater has] been a place where I can

be comfortable being me,” Purches said. “I’m gay, and if I had not had this kind of group that I could lean on for support and told me to be who I am, I would not have been as confident in myself as I am today.” Purches’s decision to minor in theater was not difficult, as his love for acting naturally led him in that direction. “I have to do something, even if I don’t major [in theater] I have to at least minor, and if I don’t minor, then I have to do community theater, and if I can’t do that I will take community classes because it has been such a big part of my life,” Purches said. “All of it is such a great emotional release.” Even though the road ahead of him is a bit blurry, Purches is sound in his decision to continue theater and knows everything will work out. “I’ve seen Sam grow in confidence for sure, and [theater has] helped him to not be as shy,” Purches’s mother Kathleen Purches said. “Once he gained a little bit of confidence, I think he challenged himself.”. “He is good at giving you very real moments [as an actor],” theater teacher Lisa Tabor said. “I found that out last

year, with a little monologue his character had when he was able to sit down and create a moment for the audience.” Purches’s decision to continue pursuing theater in college is ultimately his own.

“I just want to take my own path,” Purches said. “That’s kind of how theater works: you can’t be like everyone else so you have to create your own character through how you act.”

Amanda Hair Coppell High School senior Sam Purches performs as Freddy Mercury for his one man show on May 5 in the CHS auditorium. Purches has pursued theatre throughout his high school career and will continue his passion for theatre as he transitions to the University of Minnesota.

The Sidekick Strip

photo by

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

FEBRUARY 23

FEBRUARY 25

FLU SEASON HITS COPPELL

LINDSEY MCINTOSH PLACES THIRD IN THE STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

MARCH 3

CHS HERITAGE NIGHT

Breaking down boundaries Senior sticks with cricket, plays for USA U19 team written by Meara Isenberg Editor-in-Chief @mearaannee Coppell High School senior Karthik Gattepalli stands in front of a batsman, then, in one quick motion, bowls the ball towards him. To many, the sport he is playing is unfamiliar, but to Gattepalli, cricket is something he has come to love. Gattepalli grew up in Australia, a place he describes as “a cricket nation”. He was 8 when he first picked up a bat. “First it was for fun, then as things went on, I was more passionate for the game,” Gattepalli said. “When I came here, I didn’t expect to see the game here, but I was lucky enough to see people play and also play on a very competitive level.” When he moved to Irving three years later, he had already established himself as a high level cricket player, joining a team of more experienced cricketers at the Dallas County Cricket Club. “When he first came here we didn’t really know much about him and we were

just kind of learning how to play with him, things like that,” DCCC teammate Aditya Guin said. “Even though he was younger than all of us he kind of established himself as a leader on our team.” From there Gattepalli was invited to play on the USA Under 19 team, made up of members from across the country. The team flies to the cricket capitals of the United States such as California and New York to play together in tournaments. Dhandapani Devarasan, founder and head coach of Cricketmind at English Indoor Cricket Academy has viewed Gattepalli as a quick learner who “is always eager to learn to improve his cricket”. “[He’s a] cool headed person actually, that is the biggest thing,” Devarasan said. “Cricket is a game like chess, the mind has to be very strong. He adapts to the situation really fast and pays really well.” While Gattepalli has a passion for the sport, he recognizes it is widely unknown by people in the United States. A reason classic cricket is not often a spectator sport is the longevity of it, with

most games occurring over several days. However, a new format called Twenty20 cricket should solve that problem. “Here people don’t have that much time, they don’t want to play all day,” Devarasan said. “They prefer to play a shorter version of the game. Now the trend is Twenty20. Twenty20 is like a soccer game, it’s over in three hours.” Although Gattepalli will soon move on from CHS to study at UTD’s Naveen Jindal School of Management, he won’t be leaving cricket behind any time soon. “As a person it has shaped me very differently than most people because it’s a new sport, people don’t know it,” Gattepalli said. “You have to be very strong with yourself because I could change course whenever I wanted, I could be like ‘well no one knows this sport, I might as well change this sport’, but I need to be really strong in my core beliefs. I’m glad that I didn’t change.”

written by Marcus Krum Executive Sports Editor @marcuskrum

sity team. In her senior season as a Cowgirl, Thomas hit .492 with 29 RBIs as a leader of the first Coppell softball team to make the second round of playoffs in seven years. “Sami was an all-around athlete,” Coppell coach Mike Dyson said. “She could play pretty much anywhere. She could’ve played in the infield, but we needed her in the outfield so we put her there. “[She is] just a super overall young lady that has a balance of school and work and personality.” Playing on the varsity squad for a total of four years, Thomas had an invaluable impact on the team. “She’s really encouraging,” senior teammate Mia Hermans said. “She gets everyone hyped and happy, and she makes sure we’re all into the game together and that we’re all doing what we should do.” Thomas and Hermans have played together since the two were 7 years old. Over the last 10 years, Hermans has watched her grow as an athlete and as a leader. “We’ve grown up together playing together, but especially since freshman year until now, I can tell that she’s grown more

Meara Isenberg Coppell High School senior Karthik Gattepalli plays cricket for the USA Under 19 team, made up of members from across the country. He plays an all-rounder, which means he bats, bowls (pitches) and fields (catches) every game. photo by

Thomas returning to Hawaii to begin collegiate softball career

photo by

Ale Ceniceros

In a matter of a few months, Sami Thomas will hop on a plane to begin college in a state across the ocean. Yet, while the senior softball player will be nearly 4000 miles from Coppell, she will be right at home. Thomas was born in Honolulu to James and Maria. She spent the first three years of her life on the island, when the Thomas family then moved to Texas. At only 5 years old, Thomas began her first season of softball with her father as her coach. Little did she know, more than 13 years of the sport would follow. “My parents played slow pitch with their coworkers, so I was always around it and I just wanted to play,” Thomas said. As she progressed as an athlete, Thomas began to show exceptional skills at the plate and in the field. Season after season, she continued to improve until her freshman year, when she made the Coppell var-

Coppell High School senior Sami Thomas commits to University of Hawaii to continue her softball career. Thomas was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and will be returning this upcoming school year to pursue her dreams.

comfortable,” Hermans said. “She’s more vocal now, and she helps lead us and direct us the right way. “I’m really excited for her. I can tell that she’s been wanting to [play in Hawaii]. I’m just really proud of her” Now returning to live in Hawaii for the first time since she was 3 years old, Thomas will still have plenty of family there to rely upon when needed, something that came into play when making her college decision. “She still has family there,” her mother Maria said. “Her grandma, my sister and our friends that knew her when she was a baby, they’re all out there. They finally get to see her play. She’ll get to have a lot of support.” Next year, Thomas will take her talents to Honolulu, where she will be a member of the Rainbow Wahine softball team. Yet more than that, she will return to her roots in her home state. “It’s so awesome,” Thomas said. “We have a lot of family friends that saw me when I was little and were there for me growing up. To be able to go back and play in front of them is really cool. I’m so excited.”

MARCH 21

MARCH 28

SCHOOL WIDE POWER OUTAGE

BUS SWITCH TO DSS ANNOUNCED

MARCH 28

KOONTZ ANNOUNCED AS CHS9 PRINCIPAL

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

APRIL 8

APRIL 12

APRIL 13

COPPELL STUDENT MEDIA WINS PACEMAKER

ROUND-UP SENIORS PLACE IN 2017 NATIONAL JOSTENS PHOTO CONTEST

SHATTERED DREAMS

Travel opens veterinary experience

Collins to take international gap year to gain experience working with animals along in her family house in Munich. There she plans on going to language camp to improve her German and spend time walking dogs in a Munich animal shelter. In September, she will go to Northern Germany and Lower Saxony and work on a camel farm taking care of camels, alpacas, llamas, zebras, kangaroos and emus for four months. Then in December, she will return home for Christmas before going to Sweden in Jan uary to work with sled dogs. Collins still has to work out the some of the details of her voyage but is very excited to spend the year with animals. “A gap year is a great idea but it’s not for everybody,” Collins said. “Just know exactly what you want to do. I haven’t experienced it yet; I think if you don’t plan things out then it can be very difficult and frustrating when you go on it because maybe something doesn’t work out. I’m prepared for that. If a host family and I don’t get along so I have to go somewhere else, then I have a backup plan. I think planning is the most important thing and that you feel comfortable with what you’re doing and happy.” Collins plans to study Captive Wildlife Care and Education at Unity College in Maine after her gap year and thinks having this experience will benefit her future. “Having this as my career, you need a lot of experience,” Collins said. “Just doing well in class is not going to get you the best

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job. I thought that doing this gap year, I’m going to have so much experience with different animals and doing it now is actually easier than doing it after my four years in college.” Collins’ interest in traveling throughout Europe and Australia stemmed from her parents’ adventurous spirits. In college, both her parents studied abroad and told

I think planning is the most important thing and that you feel comfortable with what you’re doing and happy. Lara Collins, senior

Collins about the benefits. “Both my parents have been pretty inspirational in this,” Collins said. “They’re big world travelers and they’ve always encouraged it in and we do a lot of great family vacations in the summer time. I’ve just grown up with a love to travel. CHS senior Kaylee Minton has known Collins for four years and sees her parents’ adventurous side reflected in her. “I think it’s a really good plan,” Minton said. “I know a lot of kids don’t want to go straight into college; it’s stressful. I know she’s been super adventurous. She and her dad backpacked across Iceland. She’s always new adventure and I think it mirrors her personality.” Collins was born in Germany but moved to China and then to the United States in elementary school. At first, she

photos by Hannah Tucker Coppell High School senior Lara Collins holds her two leopard geckos, Willow and Delilah, and her bearded dragon, Dartan, on May 1. Her passion for animals inspired her to take a gap year to travel through Europe and Australia to gain experience with animals.

lived in Florida but moved to Coppell in middle school and attend Coppell Middle School East . “This opportunity is super beneficial,” Minton said. “I think it’s going to help her further her career and social skills. She’s going to learn a lot from the people she’s meeting. I think just overall it’s going to make her a well-rounded person.” Minton’s excitement for Collins taking on a different path is also seen with Collin’s dad, Richard Collins. “Of course we talked about it quite a bit over a number of months,” Mr. Collins said. “It wasn’t a quick decision. Me and my wife are completely behind her in doing this. We’re really supportive. I think it’s going to be good. We’re really optimis tic about it.” He thinks taking a gap year is the perfect year for discovering who Collins in and get to interact with people who are as passionate about animals as she is. “Like any gap year, your decision is to decide what to study in college,” Mr. Collins said. “There’s no question, she’s going to go to college in the future. She’s quite committed with animals so I don’t see any doubt. But this is a perfect time, we really want her to work with animals and talk to people in the fields, those who have completed their studies. A part of me is completely convinced that this is what she wants to do.” Collins’s path of taking a gap year instead of immediately going to college might stand out amongst her classmates, but she is very excited about her path. “It’s definitely different for taking a gap year but I think that I’ve made the right decision,” Collins said. “I think it’s cool because I’m going a different route than everyone. “I do understand a lot of people don’t like the idea or wouldn’t choose it for themselves because they say, ‘oh, you take a gap year off and maybe you decide you don’t want to go back to school and you only have a high school diploma.’ I really don’t think that’s going to happen. I’m going to be more encouraged to go into school and get my college degree so I can finally go into working for animals.” Transitioning from attending school in Coppell to traveling around Europe and Australia is a drastic change but she feels well prepared due to her involvement in the IB program.

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written by Farah Merchant Staff Writer @farahmerchant_ When the rest of the senior class was filling out college applications and stressing over their GPA, SAT scores and extracurricular activities, Coppell High School senior Lara Collins was planning her gap year in Europe and Australia to gain experience with animals. Collins began to plan her gap year in December with a program called “Work Away,” a program providing people the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world and volunteer. The program has a website where host families can post requesting help from anyone around the world. When Collins found a post she was interested in, she would contact the family and together they would work out the best month for Collins to come and volunteer. To Collins, this is a change in pace from her normal environment. “I decided to take a gap year,” Collins said. “For all of my life, I’ve been doing the same thing every day, having the same routine with little variation. Before furthering my education, I decided that I needed a break just to relax from all the school work that I’ve been in. I’ve been in [International Baccalaureate] and [Advanced Placement] classes, which has been really challenging in the past few years. I thought that doing something that takes my mind off things would be good.” As of now, her plan is to spend June and July vacationing to Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland with her family and Minton before living

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

APRIL 18

APRIL 22

MR. JASSO ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE

ROBBERY IN CHS PARKING LOT

CHS PROM

Defeating college hunger pains with starter recipes

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go-to ramen

grilled cheese & turkey, bacon

overnight oatmeal

This is my own take on the go-to college meal. If you like, you can add your own twists such as bacon (if you are feeling like you need to treat yourself) to spice up the recipe. One tip: this meal does not keep, so only make what you will eat the same night.

Whenever I go to work after school, my coworker would always make this for me. I added a twist of my own, to add a little more protein. This recipe is great for anyone who needs a quick meal with protein.

Lastly, my mom’s version of overnight oatmeal is a protein-filled, healthy option for students who may not want the normal carb-filled breakfasts served in cafeterias.

Ingredients: 1 pack of ramen, 8 oz bottle of soy sauce, 3 eggs, 2-3 strips of bacon (optional).

written by Emma Cummins Executive Editorial Page Editor @Emma_Cummins_ As seniors head off to college, one of the most bothersome changes may be the lack of meals made by our parents. In order to make this transition smoother, I have included a few starter recipes to make if you are feeling the hunger pains late at night.

Instructions: 1. Cook ramen according to the instructions on the packet. 2. Drain the ramen in a colander (if you do not have a colander a plastic bag with a few holes poked in on the side may do the trick) . 3. Cook scrambled eggs. 4. Cook bacon to desired crispiness. 5. Combine bacon, eggs and ramen into bowl. Add 4 or 5 dashes of soy sauce. If you want your meal to be extra rich, add more soy sauce.

Ingredients: 2 pieces of white bread, 2 slices of mozzarella, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded turkey, 2-3 pieces of bacon (optional), butter. Instructions: 1. Slice white bread into 2 triangles. 2. Spread butter over the triangle sides that will be put on the grill. 3. Place mozzarella slices on bread. 4. Put shredded turkey on one side of the bread and add cheddar cheese. 5. Cook and add bacon to the sandwich. Place sandwich on a greased skittle. Cook both sides for about 2-3 minutes until crispy brown. 6. Share with friends!

Ingredients: Chia seeds, steel cut oatmeal, raspberries, dried cranberries, almond milk (as needed), 1 mason jar. Instructions: 1. Cover the bottom of the mason jar with ¼ cup of steel cut oats. 2. Put about a handful of chia seeds on second layer. For the third layer, a handful of dried cranberries. 3. Add another layer of steel cut oats. 4. Repeat process until the mason jar is almost full. Mix ingredients. 5. Fill with almond milk until mixture is almost covered. Refridgerate. 6. In the morning, add honey, cinnamon or raspberries for a little sweetness!

Dorm room hacks to battle freshman move-in day written by Rutuja Joshi Staff Writer @rutuja_joshi Coppell High School graduates deliver their two cents on how to make the most out of their space.

essentials Anna Sim, a senior at the Texas Academy of Math and Science at the University of North Texas (better known as TAMS), dealt with the change of a room to a dorm a bit earlier than typical students. “If your room doesn’t come with a mini fridge and microwave, make sure you get one,” Sim said. “Food is essential. You don’t want your leftovers to go to waste.” Natalie Lopez, a freshman at Brigham Young University and 2016 CHS graduate, said people end up needing things that they

do not think about while packing. “Don’t forget to bring laundry stain remover, cleaning supplies, plastic utensils and dishes,” Lopez said. “Don’t overpack. You’ll be surprised by how many clothes you don’t end up wearing. You’ll be receiving a bunch of free T-shirts as a freshman, so don’t overload on those.”

space saving tips “It helps to get under the bed organizers, a shoe rack and desk organizers,” Lopez said. “You don’t realize how many small extra things you will need to store. Having a clean, organized room helps you stay focused and stress free.” Maha Haque, a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin and 2016 CHS graduate, said “wonder hangers” help tremendously with utilizing space in the tight dorm room closets.

“Dorm closets are small,” Haque said. “These hangers really help create space for all your clothes.”

miscellaneous In terms of maintaining a healthy lifestyle where dining room food and ramen noodles constitute a regular college student’s diet, Sim said keeping healthy snacks in your dorm helps to avoid that gain of weight that commonly happens to incoming college students. “Keep some fresh fruit and granola bars, so that you can avoid constantly binging on junk food,” Sim said. Many want to create an aesthetic environment to come home to after class. “It’s important to have a blend of functional and personal style,” Lopez said. “It’s a small living space, but you want to make it feel comfy and close to home.”

graphic by

Austin Banzon

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

APRIL 22

APRIL 29

MAY 4

MARCH FOR SCIENCE IN DALLAS

COPPELL SOFTBALL DEFEATS NAAMAN FOREST 18-1 FOR PLAYOFF WIN

JOHN KODROS PITCHES PLAYOFF NO-HITTER

Designing the right fit

Hirpara choosing to study fashion, product development at California school written by Rutuja Joshi Staff Writer @rutuja_joshi Typical STEM, business and liberal arts majors did not pique Coppell High School senior Rakhi Hirpara’s interest when she chose her major. Instead, the world of apparel pulled her towards a unique and artistic future. Hirpara will be attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles with a major in Merchandise Product Development. This major combines fashion design and business, allowing Hirpara to study how apparel and products develop from design to finish. Interestingly, a trip to India in 2015 inspired Hirpara to go down this path and continues to drive her love for fashion. “When I was in the sari bazaar, I saw that all the clothes were very pretty,” Hirpara said. “It made me so happy. It’s a really simple way to put it, but that’s what it is. Nothing else makes me happier than seeing beautiful clothes. Our [Indian] fashion is so ornate. There’s a lot of glitter and b r i g ht colors. I definitely plan on incorporating my Indian culture into my clothes.” T h a t sensation of joy is what makes fashion unique to Hirpara. Hir p ara’s peers had no shortage of

praise for her and her choice to pursue this field. “I’ve [had] Rakhi for one year in Psychology and two years in Economics,” CHS International Baccalaureate (IB) Economics teacher Jared Stansel said. “I think very highly of Rakhi. She stays true to herself and her beliefs, which I admire a lot in people. Hirpara’s friends have no doubts either. CHS senior Sarah Sachek has a schedule in the IB program aligning with Hirpara’s. She has seen her grow suit to the demands of this major. “Rakhi is extremely creative,” Sachek said. “I’ve seen her make sketches, designs and actually make dresses. She really has it in her to make really nice designs and clothes that will appeal to a lot of people of different

Rakhi Hirpara

cultures.” After deciding her major, Hirpara looked into colleges. FIDM is where she landed. “I chose

FIDM because it’s in the heart of LA,” Hirpara said. “Los Angeles is right by the Pacific coast, so there is easy access to Asia, where many materials are imported from. That made it a great location to connect with that side of the industry. Also, of course, FIDM is right by Hollywood, which is where so many designers are located.” Los Angeles marks a huge transition for Hirpara. After living in Dallas her entire life, the unknown city ignites excitement for something new. “There’s so much going on every day, all the time in LA,” Hirpara said. “Of course, I’m excited for the beach and Hollywood, but I’m mainly excited to be independent and meet other people who have the same interests as me.” Undeniably, though, paths centered around the arts are risky. She acknowledges that it takes true dedication and more to be successful in these careers.

“Really ask yourself if you are willing to dedicate your entire life to the arts,” Hirpara said. “It has to be something you love. You have to be excited to wake up in the morning. If you don’t have that passion, then you won’t want to work as hard. This isn’t a degree that you can graduate with knowing that a job with a high salary will be waiting for you. A lot of this is based is off of risk and luck.” This is the issue many people have when deciding if pursuing an arts major is right for them. However, Hirpara states that the risk is worth it if it is what you love. “But if this is what you love, go for it. Don’t settle. Don’t settle for something because you are worried you won’t make enough money nor because of what your parents or friends think. None of that will matter because in the end, it will just be you, and you need to be content with the choices you make,” Hirpara said.

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

MAY 6

MAY 11

MAY 12-13

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

THE SIDEKICK AWARDS DINNER

VIVACE! SHOW PERFORMANCE

Sidekick recognizes outstanding athl Dewitt leads Cowboys on deepest playoff run in years, improves team culture written by Joseph Krum Executive Enterprise Editor @joseph_krum After consecutive seasons with a 6-5 record, it was time for a change in the Coppell football program. Heading into the 2016 season, many had pinned Coppell to finish third or fourth in District 9-6A behind Dallas Jesuit and Dallas Skyline, and then fall to a team such as Desoto in the first round of playoffs (the Cowboys had done that for three years in a row). Yet this season was different. After finishing second in the district, the Cowboys defeated Rowlett and Rockwall in the bi-district and area round of playoffs, reaching the regional semifinals for the first time since the 2010 playoff run win which Trinity ousted Coppell 41-40 in the Class 5A Division I quarterfinals. “The difference from this year was our

senior leadership,” DeWitt said. “We were super young, we started seven sophomores. But to still perform how we did and come together as a team like we did is a big testament to the senior class.” After spending six years as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, DeWitt was named head coach of the Cowboys in January 2014 when former head coach Joe McBride left for Dripping Springs ISD. Since, he has made an impact on the kids he has coached and the community around him. “He is very hard working,” senior cornerback Austin Weathers said. “He cares a lot about his players and he’s very involved in not only what we do on the field but how we grow as men.” While many of the players can take a lot out of DeWitt’s coaching, DeWitt gets just as much out of it himself. “Just being able to interact with the kids and this staff is my favorite part,” DeWitt said. “I love the community environment, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

Sophomore shines in expanded role written by Amelia Vanyo Staff Writer @ameliavanyo With two years of varsity football under his belt, sophomore Jonathan McGill has been named Sidekick Sports’ Male Athlete of the year. Though he only plays one sport, McGill plays both ways and is about as versatile as it gets. “For us in football he is in a play for every position,” Coach Jay Jones said. “He’s able to move around to all these different places.” McGill has stood out throughout his time with Coppell Football, but took leaps forward in his performance this year. “I did pretty well on the football field,” McGill said. “I feel like our team did a lot better

than we did last year.” Though it is undoubtedly difficult to balance sports with academics, McGill took the challenge with a dose of grace and pushed through his sophomore year. “Staying on top of sports and being in the classroom was probably the hardest part of this season,” McGill said. This year, as a returning varsity player, McGill learned how to lead his new teammates. “He is very competitive and he wants to do everything right,” Jones said. “He’s also extremely smart so he’s able to handle all that, because that’s the hard part.” At the end of the football season, McGill finished with 248 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Congratulations to Jonathan McGill on being named The Sidekick’s Male Athlete of the Year.

Amanda Hair Coppell High School head football coach Mike Dewitt congratulates the varsity football team after the Coppell Cowboys’ 29-25 win over Rockwall on Nov. 19. DeWitt led the team to a 10-3 record this past season and had the longest playoff run since the 2010 season. photo by

Gunter makes impact with hard work written by Marcus Krum Executive Sports Editor @MarcusKrum A year ago, Coppell junior pitcher Rye Gunter was on the junior varsity team. Featuring a mid-to-high 80s fastball, he was searching for a way to make an impact on the varsity team and his baseball career. Knowing he had not yet reached his full potential, Gunter put in hours upon hours of work over the summer, adding 5-plus miles per hour to his fastball and earning a college scholarship and a spot in the stellar Coppell pitching rotation this season. “This offseason I probably put on 20 or 30 pounds, and I grew a couple inches,” Gunter said. “That really helped me add a couple miles per hour on my fastball, curveball and changeup.”

JONATHAN MCGILL HAS BEEN NAMED SIDEKICK SPORTS MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

However, Gunter’s work was not simply about bulking up. His work on the mound last summer allowed him to add weight while retaining his accuracy. “He’s a very hard worker, very conscientious of the the form,” Coppell coach Kendall Clark said. “That’s where you get better. He’s very good with the technique, and he’s always working. He has ambition to get better and you can tell.” As one of the Cowboys’ top three pitchers, Gunter played a key role both in relief and as a starter this year. In a game on April 7, he recorded the only perfect game for Coppell this year in a masterful performance against W.T. White. From junior varsity to a afuture Division I college athlete, Rye Gunter’s leaps and bounds from a year ago have come from a devotion to his craft, one that has pushed him to peak performance.

GUNTER NAMED SIDEKICK’S MOST IMPROVED ATHLETE

THE SIDEKICK may 2017

MAY 13

MAY 18-22

JUNE 1

NIGHT FOR NEPAL

THEATRE DEPT. SPRING PLAY PERFORMANCE

GRADUATION AT UNT

letes, coaches in end-of-year awards A leader by example: Rodriguez dazzles in second varsity season as starter written by Tanya Raghu Staff Writer @tanya_raghu

Hannah Tucker Coppell sophomore Nora Rodriguez is the primary pitcher for the Cowgirls softball team. Her leadership and initiative led to her being named the 2017 Sidekick’s Female Athlete of the year. photo by

Two-sport freshman Kellett holds own written by Reid Valentine Staff Writer @reidv9 Lauren Kellett is 15 years old. She is also a major contributor on Class 6A varsity sports teams (soccer and track) which entails competing with legal adults that are 18 years of age or older; and she really doesn’t care. “I was ready to compete,” Kellett said. “I am used to playing with and against older girls during soccer, and getting the feel of it for track was pretty easy.” Kellett was part of the Cowgirls soccer team that went two rounds deep into the playoffs and went to the regional round for two individual events in track being triple jump and long jump. “From a young

age, she was always involved in multiple sports like soccer, basketball, softball and gymnastics,” Lauren’s senior sister Tori Kellett said. “But it was obvious that she always excelled in soccer as a goalie.” Her freshman year was not her first taste of success, as she won district in both the triple and long jump her eighth grade year at Coppell Middle School East, and in soccer she has been part of U.S. National teams along with other top players in the country. “I have always had this drive to be great,” Kellett said. “I want to go harder and go faster each time I step out on the track or the soccer field to prove the people wrong about me. That, I think, is what really gave me an edge.” Kellett also had a special bond with track coach Devin Lemons, who through a funny, sarcastic relationship pushed her to become better each and every day.

KELLETT WINS FRESHMAN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR HONORS

Despite only being part of the team for two years, Nora Rodriguez has already proved herself as a key part of the Coppell softball team. Her contributions as the ace of the pitching staff and initiative to take leadership led to her being named the 2017 Sidekick’s Female Athlete of the Year. “Receiving this award is really humbling and pushes me to be even better.” Rodriguez said. “I love softball because it’s kind of like nothing matters on the field. It’s just you and the game and it’s just an escape from everything,” Rodriguez faced adversity due to the transition from middle to high school but she did not give up, leading her to become the primary starting pitcher for the Cowgirls. “To be a pitcher on a [Class 6A] team, you have to be pretty darn good and last

year as a rookie, it was struggle because we played some good teams and she hung in there a lot, we just went back and forth and she just kept trying and kept trying,” Coppell Softball head coach Mike Dyson said. Over the summer, Rodriguez worked on her pitching skills, strength and speed with a specialized coach and travelled all over the country with her select team to get exposure from college coaches. The fruit of her labor paid off during the year as the Cowgirls continue to advance in the playoffs, under her leadership. To be a be a pitcher, you are a leader whether you want to be or not. As she is often the focal point on the field, Rodriguez has proven her ability to stay calm and collected during big games, even as an underclassman. “From last year to this year, I see a young lady that has grown a lot, I’ve seen her mature and what I’m looking forward to a lot is to see what happens in the next two years after this,” Dyson said.

Dyson finds success with playoff berth written by Kathryn Rudd Entertainment Editor @rudd_kathryn Coming from under the radar for many Coppell Athletics followers, the addition of Mike Dyson as the head coach for the Cowgirls softball team in 2015 exceeded expectations for the Coppell High School Cowgirls and community alike. Dyson’s third season with the Cowgirls finishing 12-0 for District 7-6A was a turning point as the Cowgirls advanced to bi-district playoffs for the first time in two years. Although the team did n o t move onto the area playoffs after a bi-district loss, the feat of making it to playoffs with a still-developing group transformed the

attitude of team. “A lot of people said our district was really easy,” Dyson said. “But what I like about these girls is they played really good ball. A lot of people don’t see it but they worked hard everyday.” Dyson has been a coach since 1987, moving around districts and levels of competition. During his first year of coaching in Class 6A in 2016, he knew he needed to bring something different to the table. “You have to work and put time into things to be a successful team,” Dyson said. Adjusting to a new coach, playing schedule and practice routines, the Cowgirls picked up new skills and a sense of character along the way. “He made us believe and imagine how good we could be and we worked for a goal everyday,” junior second baseman Claire George said.

DYSON TAKES HOME GIRLS’ COACH OF THE YEAR

THE SIDEKICK may 2017