Volume 30 Issue 4 by The Sidekick

COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM C O P P E L L H I G H S C H O O L 1 8 5 W. PA R K W AY B LV D . C O P P E L L , T X 7 5 0 1 9

FEBRUARY 2019

PAGES 12-13

Are We Doing It? The changing face of the women’s rights movement

VOLUME 30 • ISSUE 4

Story by Pramika Kadari

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

DISTRICT GROWTH

PG. 5

N E W S Canyon Ranch Elementary to open in the fall of the 2019-20 school year. The campus will help resolve CISD’s overpopulation problem.

BUILDON CLUB

PG. 10

S T U D E N T L I F E Students create a club to help construct schools in developing nations and make education more possible.

MAKE A CHOICE

PG. 22

S P O R T S Is playing school sports or club sports more beneficial for athletes? Both options have their pros and cons.

NEWS FEBRUARY

THE SIDEKICK

C E LEBR ATIN G TEN YEAR S

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Former webmaster helps guide program into digital news era

recently turned 18. Being a legal adult comes with a plethora of exciting privileges: I can now vote, buy fireworks, open a bank account, serve on a jury and get a tattoo, among other things. However, many of these privileges, while shiny and attractive to me by virtue of their newly acquired accessibility, will ultimately only represent a small part of my life. After all, how often could I really have a need for fireworks, or be called upon for jury duty? Even a tattoo, so novel and seductive in its artistry, its declarative permanence fades to banality with time. Instead, the single greatest - and most terrifying - thing about adulthood for many us is simply the way our world expands. We’re leaving for college, making decisions for ourselves and coming to terms with the vastness of our own futures. Yet, I’ve come to discover adulthood not only means taking charge of our own lives, but caring for others’ too. In the face of such vast futures, shouldn’t we make room for those around us? It is undeniable that teenagers are some of the most narcissistic creatures on the face of the planet. Of course, some of the drama can’t be helped. School is stressful, our hormones are running afoul and navigating social relationships is often an awkward, sometimes heartbreaking, trial-and-error process. Still, my teenage experience has been rife with emotional volatility and, occasionally, the self-pitying conviction that every single thing in the universe is working against me. Like many teenagers, I was miserable, fearful, insecure and looking for somewhere to cast all that negativity. Looking back now, I know I was often so wrapped up in my grievances that I failed to notice how those around me might not be living perfect lives, either. My parents come out of every fight with me willing to swallow their pride and make amends when I’m reluctant to, cook me dinner every night while I nap away the day’s exhaustion upstairs, drive me from one side of town to the other for my extracurriculars without complaint and juggle demanding careers on top of parenthood to afford the comfortable lifestyle I know I’ve taken for granted on occasion. Adulthood is as much a lesson in independence as it is in humility and empathy. More than being able to serve on a jury or buy fireworks, the year 18 represents to me a shift away from being taken care of - and instead, learning to return the favor.

In celebration of Coppell Student Media’s 10 year anniversary as an award-winning news website, The Sidekick editor-in-chief Kelly Wei spotlights a past editor of the program in each 2018-2019 issue. The February Issue features 2010-11 and 2011-12 webmaster WREN CULP. Culp is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

KELLY: As webmaster of Coppell Student Media, what were some of your responsibilities? WREN: My main responsibility was to make sure everyone had access to the site and was able to do what they needed to do, whether that was uploading a photo album for sports or writing a blog post. Also, figuring out how to grow. When I was first on staff, Twitter had only just kind of really taken off. I remember [The Sidekick adviser Chase Wofford] emphasizing the importance of everyone having an account and tweeting stories. Really, it was figuring out how all those [tools] worked for the website. KELLY: Have you, by any chance, visited the website lately at all? WREN: Yes, at least within the last year. I like to keep up with it from time to time. I love that banner up top, super clean. Super nice. KELLY: Oh, thank you. WREN: Were you involved in that? KELLY: Yeah, I made it. (Laughs)

WREN: Sure, yeah, especially since Twitter and online reporting was still, even on a professional level, like the Wild West. KELLY: That’s really hard to imagine. WREN: Yeah, it’s weird, because [social media] is so engraved in us now, but I remember when all of my friends’ Twitter icons were like the eggs that you start off with. (Laughs) So the print publication was, what, nine or 10 [*seven issues at the time] a year? You can’t put all the stories into those papers, you have to choose the top stories or what’s relevant. The website really allowed the amount of content we could put out to take off. Any story you write, it can probably get on the website. Production shot through the roof. Students were responsible for more stories each month, more posts. So really, it made a big difference in how much we could do. KELLY: Speaking on the changing landscape of media in general - we put out six issues now, and there’s definitely a heavy focus on the website. How do you think that development is going to impact the website and the industry as a whole? WREN: That’s a great question, one that even professionals nowadays have to ask. Everyone is starting to get over the instantaneousness of it all. Everyone is kind of sick of their social media feeds. It’s less about breaking stories, I feel like. Everyone has seen those photos of people in the White House rushing across the courtyard to get on camera and talk. People are now looking for more in-depth stories that are well-reported on. It’s fascinating how everything is changing.

WREN: That’s awesome. I remember that was always a thing we talked about, like, “What is the presentation of this? Should it be clean or explosive or colorful?” KELLY: Definitely. Presentation is so important in digital media, and it can really set the tone of the entire publication. Speaking ofdigital media, with [Coppell Student Media], since it was pretty new at the time, and the print newspaper had obviously been around for longer, did you notice any differences between how the website was run versus the paper?

S I N C E R E LY,

Photo courtesy WREN CULP

Kelly Wei EDITOR- IN-CHIEF

Former Coppell Student Media webmaster Wren Culp, seen here during his days in the D115 newsroom, helped grow The Sidekick’s digital presentation.

UPC O MIN G E V E NT S FEBRUARY

MARCH

PRESIDENTS DAY Feb. 18 Can you name them all? A national day off and a day in remembrance for those in the highest elected office.

ACT Feb. 20 Juniors, sharpen your pencils and your minds for that 36! It’s test-taking time.

TWITTER @CHSCAMPUSNEWS

STUDIO PREMIERE “#RELATIONSHIPS” Feb. 27 Lights, camera, action! Attend this showcase to raise money for students advancing to a national theater competition.

INSTAGRAM @THESIDEKICKCOPPELL

THE SIDEKICK GARAGE SALE March 2 Our trash, your treasure. Come out with big bucks to support Coppell High School’s pressing matters.

SPRING BREAK March 11-15 Can you dig it? The groundhog didn’t see its shadow, so we’re in for an early spring. Have fun and enjoy your week-long break!

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FEBRUARY NEWS

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL

News CHS9 CUSTODIAN IN FOR A SURPRISE P. 4

“It’s all about making a lasting difference in someone else’s life.” P. 5

GROWING DISTRICT SEES NEW CAMPUS P. 5

TAYLOR’S GIFT: A NEW CHAPTER P. 5

Stroh enters role of principal’s secretary powered by experience of previous positions S A L LY P A R A M P O T T I L CO-STUDENT LIFE EDITOR @sparampottil

fter a series of prior positions at Coppell High School, Amy Stroh has found a new role as administrative assistant to the principal. This promotion came after the former principal’s secretary, Terry Phillips, retired in December. Despite having big shoes to fill, Stroh thinks the support of the rest of the staff will help her until she gets accustomed to the job. “Everyone takes care of each other here,” Stroh said. “Not one job is just that job. Everybody helps, is always there, doing whatever they can do. Coppell really truly is a family. They stand behind you, and I love that.” Stroh began working for Coppell ISD in 2014, where she started as an administrative assistant to the assistant principals. Stroh spent four years as an assistant principal’s secretary, before taking on the job of administrative assistant to the associate principals at the beginning of this year’s first semester. With the news of Phillips retiring, Stroh interviewed for the position. “I applied for [the job] and immediately left for Maui, Hawaii for six days,” Stroh said. “The entire time I was wonder-

Photo by BREN FLECHTNER

S T E P P I N G U P Coppell High School administrative assistant to the principal Amy Stroh (left) talks with CHS administrative assistant to associate principal Lynn Anderson (right). Stroh’s promotion came after the former principal’s secretary, Terry Phillips, retired in December.

ing [about the job]. When I got back that Wednesday, I walked in and they asked if they could talk to me. Then [Principal Dr. Nicole Jund] said, ‘would you like to be my secretary?’, and I was just so excited.” Stroh learned of her position in December but did not start until after Phil-

lips retired. She began on Jan. 7, the first day of the second semester. “Everyone has been so nice,” Stroh said. “They’ll stop by and say ‘hi’ and ‘congratulations’. I’ve been learning a lot, I’ve been training, and so I feel very comfortable. I love it.”

Working in administration requires many skills which, according to her peers, Stroh has demonstrated during her time at CHS. “The biggest thing you need to be an administration worker is you have to be kind,” CHS associate principal Melissa Arnold said. “Every single person who walks through those doors into your office needs something and usually, half the time, they’re in there because of a crisis of some sort. [Stroh] puts kids first and always makes sure that we do the same.” Fellow administrative assistant Anne Ruedi thinks there are even more traits Stroh will carry on to her new position. “A good administrative worker is someone who is proficient in her work and a good listener,” Ruedi said. Without any doubt. I believe Ms. Stroh will carry over all the things that she already is.” Though the job includes new responsibilities and tasks, Stroh has demonstrated an understanding of the system through her five years of prior service. “I’m still learning,” Stroh said. “I will have to continue to teach myself when new stuff comes up, and new stuff comes up every single day. I’m excited for the next several years I’ll be here, and I just appreciate everyone’s support and their friendly faces.” SALLY ‘21 can be reached at scp7918@g.coppellisd.com.

Newly sworn-in police chief taking different approach to public safety Photo by LILLY GORMAN

ANIKA ARUTLA STAFF WRITER @anikaarutla

At 22 years old, Danny Barton, a biochemistry major from the University of North Texas, did not think he would end up being the Police Chief of the Coppell Police Department. In fact, he did not think he would join the police force at all. “I got into it by accident but I fell in love with it immediately,” Barton said. During a three day weekend trip to his cousin’s home in Bryan, TX, Barton spontaneously applied for a job in the police force which had 300 applicants and two

openings – and got the job. Throughout his time on the force, Barton has taken up a variety of occupations. He started as a line officer and later became a patroller, investigator, school resource officer and detective – a line of work Barton became very attached to. Barton took a different route than others to reach his position. Starting his law enforcement career in 1991, Barton was promoted for the first time to a sergeant. Six years later, he made CPD deputy chief. “I have personally seen his leadership when we worked together in Bryan,” wife Jennifer Barton said. “He was well respected by the department, as well as the

citizens, and I don’t know how he does it, but he can get people to open up to him with their deepest secrets.” Two days after being sworn in as deputy chief, former Police Chief Mac Tristan announced his retirement. Being new to the area of expertise, Barton did not think he would get the job but decided to apply anyway. On Dec. 3, Barton was officially sworn into office with support. “[Barton is] a very sociable guy,” CPD deputy chief Jim Cook said. “[He’s] very easy to get along with and you don’t have trouble communicating with him, he’s very affable.” Going forward, Barton has many plans

for the Coppell Police Department, including dealing with the reputation of the police. Instead of dealing with problems using force and resistance, he plans on using compassion and embracing the problem. “In today’s world, a lot of police chiefs think that [social media] is the enemy. [It is] the thing that [is] making us look bad,” Barton said. “I disagree, I believe we are making ourselves look bad. Creating and developing emotionally-mature, highly professional police officers is what our nation’s asking for.” ANIKA ‘20 can be reached at asa7712@g.coppellisd.com.

NEWS FEBRUARY

THE SIDEKICK

THE LATEST FROM CHS9

Long-term custodian receives jersey from students CHRISTINE ZACUAI EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR @chriszacuai

campus, Rodrigues’s lively rapport with students is recognized by even teachers. “[The students] talk about how you need to be a ‘Jose’, which I think they know that he cares, that he engages with him,” Nelson said. “Some of them

a him a high five or fist bump.” Rodrigues’s connection to CISD goes beyond his connection with students, as he has been in the district for nearly 30 years holding the same job. Rodridgues has worked at the Coppell Middle School West, Coppell Middle School East, Coppell High School and now at CHS9. “You can ask me about any school, and I’ll tell you exactly where it is,” Rodrigues said. With the entire process being student-led, teachers and administration are in awe of the kind act unfolding completely at the hands of their own students. “I’m so proud of our kids,” CHS9 principal Cody Koontz said. “We really tried to create a family atmosphere here, so to see our kids take control of that and reach out to do something so selfless to show appreciation for Jose and the role he plays on our campus. Student achievement scores are great, athletic achievements and extracurricular achievements are great, but I’d take something Photo by BAILEY LAI like this any day of the day of week as a principal.”

have secret handshakes with him literally, he’s there every morning to say good morning to [students]. He’ll speak to them in Spanish and respond back to them. I will see very few students who walk past him and not say hello or give

fter being given a class wordle and poster in a gratitude activity by students in CHS9 spanish teacher Christie Nelson’s class, CHS9 custodian Jose Rodrigues didn’t expect his next gift. Presented with a new Ezekiel Elliott jersey from his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys the simple gesture did not fail to move Rodrigues. “They almost made me cry,” Rodrigues said. “This is very nice for everybody to do this.” The spur-of-the-moment idea was pitched by two CHS9 freshmen - Will Raetzman and Peter Clark, who knew exactly what to give their friend. “We talk with [Rodrigues] almost everyday,” Clark said. “He always talks about the Cowboys and how they did that week. He comes to our lunch table and talks to us, tells us jokes, and we just wanted to give him something nice.” S W E E T S U R P R I S E CHS9 Spanish teacher Christie Nelson’s sixth period Spanish II class surprises A popular name among custodian Jose Rodrigues with a Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott jersey. Rodrigues has worked in Coppell many students across the ISD for nearly 30 years.

CHRISTINE ‘19 can be reached at cnz6920@g.coppellisd.com.

Basketball starts small, turns into passion for Agarwal NEHA DESARAJU STAFF WRITER @nehades_

Photo by NEVEAH JONES

B R E A K I N G B O U N D A R I E S Coppell freshman Ryan Agarwal keeps an eye on the ball on Jan. 22 at against Lewisville. Agarwal dreams of playing in the NBA and is making an impact on the varsity team.

TWITTER @CHSCAMPUSNEWS

He is the youngest on the team, but at 6 feet 4 inches, one of the tallest. Coppell High School freshman Ryan Agarwal fits right in with the sophomore, juniors and seniors on the boys basketball varsity team. The older players have allowed him a space to get better as an athlete. “They pretty much all impact me a lot,” Agarwal said. “Every single one of them have an impact on me, big and small.” It is not just the players, though, and Agarwal does not fail to mention his coaches, whom he names as some of his top influences. “[CHS coach Clint Schnell] pushes me hard, he really helps me out,” Agarwal said. “If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today. All my coaches help me out through talking about their years and what they know.” Aside from basketball, Agarwal’s time is mostly occupied by school. From a few hours every morning and every evening, Agarwal’s life revolves around playing basketball. In second grade, his parents put Agarwal in every single YMCA sport. Basketball is just the one that stuck, but it was not until middle school that he really became passionate about the sport. That was when he first started playing for an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball club, a national youth

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sports organization. Now, he finds basketball takes up most of his free hours. “Whenever he needs to relax or wants to do something he’ll go and play basketball,” CHS junior Rashi Agarwal, Agarwal’s cousin, said. It is this passion that drives the determination Agarwal has for the sport, which others says is one of his defining qualities. “He’s shown himself to be a hard worker, passionate about the game of basketball, supportive of his teammates and just has a real job to be successful,” Schnell said. Schnell knew from the moment he saw Agarwal that he was varsity material. “You could just kind of tell when you first met Ryan,” Schnell said. “He has this confidence about himself and assurance of who he is. It spills over the way he plays on the court and how he conducts himself off the court.” Agarwal thinks of himself as more than just a player, though. No Indian has played in an NBA game before (other than Sim Bhullar, who played for Canada and is the only player of Indian origin to play an in NBA game), and Agarwal wants to break the stereotype against Indians playing sports. “A lot of times people think, you know, just because I’m an Indian, I’m not athletic,” Agarwal said. “But I’m a lot more than that.” NEHA ‘21 can be reached at nsd4173@g.coppellisd.com.

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FEBRUARY NEWS

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL

District announces 11th elementary campus to address overpopulation issue S H R AV YA M A H E S H STAFF WRITER @shravyamahesh

ver the past several years, growth, development and change have been a common occurrence at Coppell ISD. The latest addition, Canyon Ranch Elementary School, further proves this. Named on Nov. 26, Canyon Ranch Elementary School came to be through a public poll sent out by CISD where the parents, students and teachers could send in ideas for names. “[The decision] went back to the subcommittee, and they thought all of our schools in Coppell have a Western or Cowboy theme,” CISD Superintendent Brad Hunt said. “So they thought Valley Ranch and Canyon Ranch went well together [be]cause the schools are so close to each other.” Current Richard J. Lee Elementary assistant principal Ashley Minton has been named CRE principal. Minton has also worked as a math coach for CISD and as a second, third and fifth grade

teacher at Town Center Elementary. “I am excited about the opportunity to open a new campus in our district,” Minton said. “I know [CISD] is a really great place for kids, so I’m excited about opening a new building and getting to see that come to fruition after months of planning.” Opening in 2014, Richard J. Lee Elementary was designed flexibly to adapt to overpopulation. However, changes to zoning and migration to the district tested Lee’s limits, resulting in crowded classroom spaces, waitlisted students and, on occasion, overflow to other elementaries in the district. The enrollment issue spurred the decision to create a bond oversight committee to manage funds and oversee the new school’s construction. The committee predicted a population growth over the coming years. The district decided the best solution was to build a new elementary to alleviate high enrollment through a redistribution of students through the district. Naturally, with a new school comes the question of rezoning. Many parents

have expressed concerns on how boundary realignment might affect their children at board meetings and community forums, explaining how extreme changes, distance from the school and other issues could be difficult for kids. The district is currently deliberating how to assuage their worries. A final decision on zoning will be reached at the school board meeting on Feb. 25. Another community concern is traffic patterns. Traffic may spill into the nearby streets, especially during parental school activities such as open house. Parents may park in nearby streets due to full parking spaces during campus events, causing congestion in narrower streets. CISD is working closely with the City of Irving and Irving Police Department to plan the best traffic patterns for both Canyon Ranch parents and nearby residents. Much like sister school Valley Ranch Elementary, Canyon Ranch’s playground will likely be open for community use around school hours. This, along with any soccer fields, basketball

courts or other sporting grounds, offers even non-Canyon Ranch students an extra benefit from the school. “One thing I’m really looking forward to is having a school park [and] hopefully [also] basketball court,” CISD parent and Irving resident Kamakshi Ashokanand said. “That is going to be an awesome facility for this community.” The building will include two playgrounds, learner gardens, an interior courtyard and a learning pavilion, as well as outdoor basketball courts and an indoor gym. “There is initially going to be some resistance,” Ashokanand said. “But if the new school is awesome and has some good facilities, after an initial period of settling time, everyone is still going to like it.” SHRAVYA ‘20 can be reached at smm8670@g.coppellisd.com.

Photo by RISHITHA PENMETSA

A D A P T I N G T O C H A N G E Named on Nov. 26, Canyon Ranch Elementary School came to be through a public poll sent out by Coppell ISD. CISD started construction on the 11th elementary school in the district, and it is projected to be completed in 2019.

Storch outlives herself, new organization helps others do the same AKANSHA SINGH STAFF WRITER @akanshas120

It has been nine years since the founding of Taylor’s Gift - years in which the Storch family’s perseverance and desire to make a change through advocacy for organ donation has captivated the community of Coppell and people nationwide. Now, Taylor’s Gift gets to write a new chapter. Taylor’s Gift began in 2010, soon after the sudden death of Tara and Todd Storch’s daughter Taylor, who was 13 and a student at Coppell Middle School East. She died in a skiing accident in Colorado. The Storch family decided to donate Taylor’s organs - a decision that saved the lives of five people. It was this moment that inspired Mr. and Mrs. Storch to create Taylor’s Gift; they recognized the good that could come out of a tragic situation and sought to change the conversation surrounding organ donation. On Nov. 28, the Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA), one of the largest and most successful nonprofits in terms of amount of organs procured and transplanted, announced Taylor’s Gift would become the Outlive Yourself foundation in partnership with STA. The mission of Outlive Yourself is to

advocate for research and education about organ donation, provide support for donation processes and support the families of donors as well as organ recipients. A partnership with STA would grant Outlive Yourself a bigger platform and thus a greater ability to make an impact. “We can get the word out [about organ donation] quicker, better and to more people,” Coppell High School senior Peyton Storch said. In addition, STA is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Dallas, the first of its kind in the Southwest. In the heart of the facility will be Taylor’s Place, a space in memory of Taylor for organ donor families who need privacy in the midst of a loved one’s passing and organ donation. Mrs. Storch, co-founder of Taylor’s Gift along with her husband, was named president of the new organization. “[Taylor’s Place] is going to be a place where families can get care, compassion and resources,” Mrs. Storch said. “We didn’t have a place like that when we were in Colorado - a place to breathe, cry and ask questions to doctors. It’s such a bittersweet time: it’s awful, but then you know the gifts your loved one is going to give is going to save others. Just to have a place to process all of this is going to be a beautiful gift for organ donor families.”

Photo by BAILEY LAI

A N E W C H A P T E R Coppell residents Tara and Todd Storch, pictured with their children Ryan (Coppell High School 2017 graduate) and Peyton (CHS senior), created the Taylor’s Gift foundation for organ donation following the death of their daughter, Taylor, in a 2010 skiing accident. Last November, Taylor’s Gift became a part of the Outlive Yourself foundation in partnership with the Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA).

Central to the advocacy of the Storch family, a short yet powerful two-word message first spread by Taylor’s Gift was the direct inspiration for the name of the new foundation: Outlive Yourself. AKANSHA ‘20 can be reached at axs8044@g.coppellisd.com.

WANT MORE? Read the rest of the story on Coppell Student Media.

EDITORIAL FEBRUARY

THE SIDEKICK

2018-2019

Staff EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

CHASE WOFFORD Staff Adviser KELLY WEI Editor-in-Chief CHRISTINE ZACUAI Executive News Editor NICHOLAS PRANSKE Executive Sports Editor EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP CLAIRE CLEMENTS Editorial Page Editor ANTHONY CESARIO Entertainment Editor SOFIA GUERRERO Co-Student Life Editor SALLY PARAMPOTTIL Co-Student Life Editor BREN FLECHTNER Photography Editor PRAMIKA KADARI Copy Editor BELLA MORA Graphics Editor NEWSROOM MANAGEMENT NISHANT MEDICHARLA Production Manager DISHA KOHLI Business Manager ANDRÉS BEAR CSM Web Producer

THE SIDEKICK VIEW

WRITERS Akif Abidi Laasya Achanta Anika Arutla Shreya Beldona Neha Desaraju Ryan Dyke Natalie Gilliam Christie Hernandez Karen Lu Shravya Mahesh Emma Meehan

Arman Merchant Nicolas Reyes Sydney Rowe Nolan Sanders Shivi Sharma Akansha Singh Umama Suriya Charlotte Vanyo Camila Villarreal Sarah Woo

PHOTOGRAPHERS Stephanie Alvarez Camila Flores Laura Amador-Toro Lilly Gorman Neveah Jones Gabby Nelson

Anthony Onalaja Rishitha Penmetsa Aubrey Phillips Mari Pletta Rishika Rakwal

DESIGNERS Kaylee Aguilar Carson Allen Gwynevere Bonacci Ryan Kim Bailey Lai

Jacob Nelson Sujeong Oh Olivia Palmer Shriya Vanparia

THE SIDEKICK is the official student newspaper for Coppell High School. Its purpose is to inform, entertain and provide an educational resource for its readers. This newspaper is a public forum for student expression, with staff members (with assistance from their adviser) making content decisions. The editorials and columns in this paper reflect the view of their writers. The Sidekick is a member of Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA). The Sidekick welcomes all letters to the editor, but letters must be signed before consideration for publication. Send letters to cwofford@coppellisd. com or bring them by D115. Advertisements are sold as full, 1/2 page, 1/4 page and 1/8 page sizes in black and white or color. C O N TA C T U S (214) 496 6239 / cwofford@coppellisd.com 185 W. Parkway Blvd. Coppell, TX 75019

TWITTER @CHSCAMPUSNEWS

Seek positive relationships, not purely romantic ones

he exchange of secrets among tight-knit friends, the random nicknames and laughter and quickened heart palpitations. The slow gathering of information and failed attempts at flirtation. That dizzying feeling of having crushes, construct of “wanting someone to care” and “relationship goals” dotting our social media feeds can make high school students chase romantic relationships. Experimenting with half-formed ideas of who we are and who we might be characterize this period in our lives. While realizing what we need in relationships and the people around us is valuable, we should not let society’s perception that it is standard to have a relationship define us. The nature of high school “romances” are mostly fleeting, seeped in a whirlwind of sweat, emotions and awkwardness. It is important to look beyond them at times to fully experience these four years before college and the “real world”. At times we may end up projecting too much of our emotion onto people because of a preconceived notion that we need to have a significant other. Especially in high school, people may find themselves chasing down new relationships instead of valuing or building on the friendships they already have. We are young, and now is the time to learn, but at times it seems as if we lose sight of the support systems we already have. Whether we realize it or not, our brains are picking up on details as we peruse movies and TV. We are subconsciously taking in methods and lessons, our perceptions shifting. Entertainment often perpetuates the idea that it is normal, even necessary, for adolescents to be constantly cycling through significant others. Outside of the romance genre, many movies and books seem to feel as though a romantic subplot was forced in, suggesting that without it a piece geared towards teens would somehow be incomplete. The stages fictional relationships go through are often dramatized for effect and push the boundaries of real-world situations to do exactly what they are made for: to entertain. Human connection is not instantaneous, and fighting and commitment issues

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are more than climaxes of a relationship. The need to showcase romantic relationships derives from the age of social media we find ourselves in certain famous couples are labeled as iconic, their occasional break-ups viewed as catastrophic by millions. While love and human connection is at the core of humanity, these mediums bring romance to the forefront, early in young people’s lives. A cluster of publications and online blogs fulfill their readership quotas by constantly talking about celebrity relationships. Not only do they spread assumptions and unnecessarily make it worse for the people themselves, they misguidedly emphasize that romantic relationships and the complications that often arise with them are worth our attention. From prom and homecoming proposals to mums and garters, many high schools have many traditions accompanying its dances. Though the colorful, pun-filled posters and elaborate proposals are undeniably sweet, it is not justified for us to use them against ourselves. Instead of viewing this as pressure to find a “plus one”, people should create their own traditions with friends. Value positive relationships instead of purely romantic ones. After all, any romantic relationship we desire should be a positive one first. The stories of the lengths we went to or the things we did around certain people are ones we’ll look back on and laugh at, the people we find ourselves surrounded by now the stuff of memories and reunions. The support systems we build now and the memories we make with friends and family are more likely to last, and mold us into independent people. We should not let other people define our lives.

H AV E A N O P I N I O N ? We are always happy to consider tips and guest columns from all community members. Email cwofford@coppellisd.com with your suggestions, feedback, stories or letters to our editors.

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FEBRUARY OPINIONS

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL

“Dance gave me purpose.” P. 9

Opinions PRO/CON: PASSION VS. SKILL P. 8

HOW CLASSICAL DANCE SHAPED ME P. 9

FINDING BEAUTY FROM WITHIN P. 9

Ending “smart Asian” stereotypes Learning to overcome cultural stigmas through self-acceptance JUDGING A BOOK

The Sidekick copy editor Pramika Kadari explains the consequences of stereotyping others, with a focus on the stereotype of all Asian students either being “geniuses” who do not need to work hard, or “study-addicts” who have no interests outside academics.

PRAMIKA KADARI COPY EDITOR @pramika_kadari

am Indian, and I am not enrolled in six AP classes. I am Indian, and I did not score well on the SAT my first try. I am Indian, and I struggle so much in calculus that I study for hours outside class just to understand basic concepts, because I cannot keep pace with the teacher’s lectures. Throughout my life, solely due to my ethnicity, people have often assumed I am extremely academically intelligent. We have all made “smart Asian” jokes before, including myself, but joking aside, the stereotype can do more harm than good and needs to end. During my history class in freshman year, after my classmate found out my grades were imperfect, she was surprised. According to her, I “seemed like the kind of person who would have amazing grades … even more than most Indians.” Her words and the tone she said them stuck with me, punching me with a feeling of disappointment, as if I was not living up to my potential or people’s expectations. “Sometimes if Asians don’t live up to the ‘Asian standard’, they feel bad about themselves,” Coppell High School junior and AP student Aishwarya Kannan

Photo by LAURA AMADOR-TORO

E N D I N G F A L S E P E R C P E T I O N S The Sidekick copy editor Pramika Kadari expresses that many Asian students at Coppell High School and around the nation face academic stereotypes based on their ethnicity. Kadari thinks these false and generalized stereotypes must end.

“Throughout my life, solely due to my ethnicity, people have often assumed I am extremely academically intelligent.”

said. “That’s how I feel sometimes, like I’m disappointing everyone.” For some reason my academic intelligence is one of my biggest insecurities. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m afraid of falling short of people’s assumptions; but I should not have this fear, because people should not be making these assumptions in the first place. There are two versions of the “smart Asian” stereotype: the first describes someone who obsessively studies every minute of every day, while the second describes someone who is naturally a genius and has no need to study. Neither describes me, and both hurt me. I consider myself a passionate person. Much of my time is spent reading, watching films, speaking with friends and writing both creatively and journalistically. I will never apologize for getting sucked into a well-written book instead of spending a few extra hours studying for my AP exam. I do not devote myself to my GPA, and I do not want people to see me that way – as someone who has no interests outside memorizing trigonometry formulas. At the same time, my grades are still important to me, which drives me to work hard in school. When people assume I do not need to study, my effort feels brushed off. Earlier this

year, a peer complained AP U.S. History would be so much harder for her than it was for me when I took it last year because I am “naturally really smart”. But I have never put more work into a class than I did into APUSH. “It’s frustrating that if I get good grades people will be like, ‘oh, it’s because you’re Indian, because you’re smart,’” CHS senior and AP student Arohi Srivastav said. “I could take that as a compliment, but that’s also pretty annoying for someone to brush it aside and just assume you’re so much luckier than them in that way.” Boys are not always messy and loud. Girls are not always obsessed with their appearance. And Asians are not always either lazy geniuses or studyaddicts. We are not clones of each other, we are humans. PRAMIKA ‘20 can be reached at psk7733@g.coppellisd.com

OPINIONS FEBRUARY

CAMILA VILLARREAL STAFF WRITER @fliipthewriter

cientists define happiness as having satisfaction or meaning in your life. Studies show after post-war depressions, an increase in household incomes correlated to growth in happiness, but only for a limited amount of time. Money has long-term effects on a person’s contentment only if it removes them from a place of poverty and threat into a reliable environment. The most common argument against doing what you are passionate about is that it will never make you money. You want success. Everyone wants success. Following your dreams cannot possibly lead you to that. You cannot have both. At first, I believed those words. Now I challenge them. Whenever I ask, people frequently tell me success is making money and having recognition. Do a quick Google search and you will find that success means “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” It does not say anything about how heavy your wallet should be. Being in love with something should not automatically define it as unstable. When you sacrifice your talents and passion for money, they lose value and you lose motivation. You can go into a career that will make you money, but after a while, the dissatisfaction and personal unfulfillment will cause you to burn out. This can lead to depression, which can affect your work and end up backfiring. Professional makeup artist and Addison resident Leslie Hernandez is 37 and runs her own successful business, Backstage Makeup Professionals. She started with her own little beauty studio in Mexico before deciding makeup is her calling. Hernandez’s father convinced her to go to business school instead of makeup school, and she came out with a degree in marketing and her bags packed for the States, never

DOING WHAT YOU KNOW

Not every job in this world is going to be popular, but every job can be fulfilling if one feels their gifts are put to good use. Graphic by BELLA MORA U S I N G P R A C T I C A L I T Y A growing number of students are choosing to do what they want for their careers. The Sidekick staff writer Nicolas Reyes discusses his views on why it may not be the best idea for teenagers to only do what they love.

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once doubting her potential. “I feel I won the makeup career lottery,” Hernandez said. “Every single morning I wake up knowing I have the best job ever. This is what makes me feel alive, and I don’t get tired of doing it because I know all of my efforts are going towards what I love. I was meant to do makeup. I was meant to do it.” When you are doing what you are happy with, you are contributing your talents to the world instead of using them for personal benefit. The world needs more people who are in love with waking up every morning and going to work. It needs more people who do not live with pennies and nickels clanking around in their heads. However, the truth is pursuing your passions for a living is hard. It could be that you need money to go to college for it, your parents do not want you to or it is selfish or exhausting. But as Ronald Reagan said, “The future doesn’t belong to the faint-hearted; it belongs to the brave.” To ignore what the universe gifted you is simply another way of disguising your fear of life for practicality.

DOING WHAT YOU LOVE To ignore what the universe gifted you is simply another way of disguising your fear of life for practicality.

CAMILA ‘21 can be reached at cxv8266@g.coppellisd.com

P R O /CO N YOUR FUTURE Photo by CAMILA VILLAREAL

NICOLAS REYES STAFF WRITER @nico_reyes19

s a kid, I was always clad in Spiderman shirts garnished with hints of mud and paired with scattered marker stains and scraped knees. I wanted to be many things. For one, taller. Maybe an astronaut. Then, one day, I went home and proclaimed I would be a painter. With a smug little grin, I presented my vibrant stick-figure drawing to my dad, waiting for a wave of approval. To avoid any confusion, my dad is a wonderful man and my most prominent supporter in life, but he is also a realist. There I was, probably 5 years old, when I was whipped with: “I don’t think that’s your strength, you won’t make any money like that.” I was in agony – for five minutes – until I decided being a professional soccer player who traveled to the moon would be cooler anyway. Nevertheless, the message stuck: in life, you should do what you are good at, not just what you enjoy. Not every job in this world is going to be popular, but every job can be fulfilling if one feels their gifts are put to good use. Humans cannot cease from comparing themselves to others. Pursuing a passion not backed by talent will lead to failure in comparison to one’s more talented peers. This may raze said passion as it begins to be synonymous to failure and a reminder of work. “You need to be good at your job,” Coppell High School junior Armrin Haque said. “I want to become a fashion designer and I’m making a design portfolio, but if I realize I’m not cut out to be a designer, I’m not going to set myself up for failure.” Having a less enjoyable career, but a career where one will excel in, will lead to the development of pride in one’s work. Not to mention, success in the workplace may lead to more free time outside of it, leaving space for passions to be practiced as hobbies instead of responsibilities. Furthermore, success can be seen as a responsibility not just to one’s self, but for the greater good. One’s future children would benefit from having the means to grow up in a healthy environment and the ability to go to college, which is only possible if one’s talents are put to use in the workplace. Furthermore,

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F I N D I N G J O Y Professional makeup artist Leslie Hernandez (left) concentrates as she does 2018 Miss Texas United States Andrea Fox’s makeup.The Sidekick’s Camila Villarreal encourages readers to pursue their passions and not chase the big bucks.

a co-worker could be inspired by one’s work or the company as a whole could prosper. This could lead to workers benefitting and being able to better care for their families. Professional success could also yield money that could be used for charity. We were all born with gifts and it is our responsibility to use them to make our positive mark on the world, regardless of the size of said impact. “If you do what you are good at, then more people can benefit from your skills, as opposed to doing something you love but aren’t so good at,” CHS junior Teja Tummuru said. Being rational so one may be successful is important to preserve one’s passions outside work, but it is also essential financially. To pursue the Coppell lifestyle of buying $40 Supreme underwear, feeling refined when saying gracias to the waiters at Anamia’s and buying five identical Kendra Scott necklaces you swear look different, you need money. You cannot afford the life many have grown up with in Coppell by swearing your SoundCloud is about to take off. When one is successful in the workplace, financial security is possible. Not needing to work extra jobs liberates leisure time to spend time nurturing that SoundCloud which may or may not take off at any minute. Can someone truly hold on to the passion of their job if financial pressures are constantly breathing down their necks? To those hoping to hold up their marker-drawn stick figures and be applauded, the world does not function that way. For the sake of preserving that passion that will not make you money, do something you are good at. For the sake of your personal pride, do something you are good at. For the sake of helping those around you flourish, do something you are good at. Once you begin to let your inner talents lead, you might just find out that what you are good at can be something you love. NICO ‘20 can be reached at nxr7863@g.coppellisd.com

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FEBRUARY OPINIONS

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL

Unheard, unknown: my dance experiences S H R E YA B E L D O N A STAFF WRITER @CHSCampusNews

ou’re a dancer? What type of dance do you do?” “I’m a classical dancer. I do Kuchipudi.” All of a sudden, their smile fades and with it, their intrigue. “Oh.” For as long as I have done Kuchipudi, this is the same reaction I usually receive when I tell someone I am a dancer. In my culture, I have always known what it means to be a classical Indian dancer. To me, being a classical Indian dancer is to be powerful and confident, yet vulnerable and a storyteller. Each movement, whether it is a mudra (a hand gesture) or a body movement, is intentional and contributes to the grace of each dancer and the story they are trying to tell. When people think dance, they envision ballet, hip-hop or jazz. When people think of Indian dance, they envision Bollywood. All the negativity I receive stems from the perception that the only Indian dance that exists is Bollywood, but there is so much more: Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Odissi are just a few of the many types of classical Indian dance. I have not always been a Kuchipudi dancer. About 10 years ago, I did Bollywood Kathak, a fusion of Bollywood and the classical dance Kathak. It was not long before I lost interest and gave up practicing. I got into Kuchipudi after I saw a Kuchipudi play. I was mesmerized by how

the dancers not only moved so beautifully but how they displayed such real and raw emotions. I knew in that moment wanted to do Kuchipudi. For the last nine years, I have been a Kuchipudi dancer, and it has been an unforgettable journey. When I first started, I was optimistic, young and eccentric. I easily memorized basic steps and improved my technique. However, for the last four to five years, I have struggled. Dance pieces stretched from four minutes to 10. I injured my knee and have had to go to physical therapy for the last three years. Several of my friends in school did not understand why I spent so much time on dance and teased me. I found it incredibly hard to memorize 10 minutes worth of dance to the tune of an Indian language I did not know. Needless to say, I desperately wanted to quit. When I was debating whether or not to quit dance, I performed one piece I was learning all by myself in front of a big mirror and poured my soul into it. I accentuated every movement and reenacted the facial expressions of the character I was depicting. After I finished, I was a sweaty mess but I knew dance was something I could never quit. I have dedicated part of my summers, my weekends and school trips for dance. However, I would say the benefits dance has given me outweigh the criticism and sacrifices I have made. Dance gives me purpose, an outlet for my creativity, confidence and most importantly, strength. While I dance, my legs and arms might be shaking and sweat might pour down my face, yet I still find

the strength and the will to keep on going. I still have yet to experience a feeling that matches the pride I feel every single time I finish a dance piece. I am currently training to get a diploma in traditional Kuchipudi dance before I graduate from my junior year of high school. From the time I started dancing, I knew I wanted to perform my own Rangapravesam. The ultimate goal as a Kuchipudi dancer is to have a Rangapravesam. Rangapravesam means debut – “ranga” means stage and “pravesam” means entry in Sanskrit. A Rangapravesam is traditionally a compilation of uniquely choreographed, challenging and elegant dance pieces with live classical Indian music accompaniment. The purpose of the Rangapravesam is to show friends and family the strength, grace and discipline of the dancPhoto by NEVEAH JONES er. The hardest thing about per- A L L T H E R I G H T M O V E S The Sidekick staff writer forming a Rangapravesam is Shreya Beldona dances to a Kuchipudi classical Indian having enough determination to dance called Brindavana Nilaye. Beldona has been performing classical Indian dance for the past nine years get through it. The dancer often at the Ballet academy in Coppell, Texas. dances for two to three hours with few breaks in between. perseverance; that even though it may not Even though I love dancing, the inbe ballet or tap, classical Indian dance still teraction I have with people who are unrequires the same level of discipline and aware of classical dance or Kuchipudi still practice. disheartens me. That to me, Kuchipudi is far more If I could talk to someone who does than just dance. not what know classical Indian dance is, I would tell them that forms of classical Indian dance date back to the second cenSHREYA‘21 can be reached at tury; that classical Indian dance requires sxb4151@g.coppellisd.com. an extremely high level of strength and

Finding perfection beyond outer beauty

U M A M A S U R I YA STAFF WRITER @umisuriya

ociety. It tells you that a perfect girl needs to be skinny like a twig, have pronounced curves and wear layers of makeup to cover the scars and acne naturally on her face. Who made society this way? Why is the ideal and perfect girl the most beautiful? I am a short, average-weighted girl with glasses who does not wear makeup every day to school. Because of how I look, I used to be categorized as words I do not deserve to be called. Ugly. Worthless. Outsider. Categorizing because of who you are seems to be the mindset of many people nowadays, and I am one of them. A year ago, I had a lot of acne on my forehead and it made me feel self-conscious. It was not as bad as many of my peers, but it lowered my self-esteem because I had many imperfections on my face that I, unfortunately, couldn’t control. I had acne scars on my forehead which I cared about deeply a couple of months ago. Now, however, I have learned to live with it. My mother once told me, when I was in a bad state mentally, that if there were 100 people lined up, she would choose me as one of the top five prettiest.

Of course, my mother is supposed to say that to me, but out of all of the people who have called me pretty, my mother’s words are what matter most to me. That is when I truly started to believe I am beautiful. Now, I seem to find so many of my friends always calling me pretty to make my day. I say, “Oh you’re beautiful as well” or “You’re way more beautiful”, and the recipient instantly denies the fact. I mean it with my heart when I say they are truly beautiful, and the fact people deny it every single time breaks my heart into a million pieces. I wish I could truly make people believe they are beautiful, but I, unfortunately, cannot fix everything. Thirty-six percent said they are made to feel the most important thing about them is their looks, which is influenced by society’s definition of beauty. When I was little, I was bubbly, happy and always super positive. Because of that, many people called me annoying and childish – just for being myself. That caused me to become someone I wasn’t and made me unhappy with who I was. Once I started to actually be myself, I met amazing people who I still know and love today. Those people accepted me for who I was and loved me for me. More people should focus on people’s personalities rather than their appearances. A genuine heart is what counts the most. That’s pure beauty: beauty from within.

Failure to find the inner beauty in No matter what height, weight, gender someone is a problem, and we need to find or ethnicity, we are all beautiful and a way to alter that fixed mindset. perfect just the way we are. Perfection could be different for UMAMA ‘20 can be reached at everyone. Nobody is perfect, and that’s uis2386@g.coppellisd.com. OK: you do not have to wear makeup to look pretty. You look pretty naturally. You do not have to be society’s definition of perfect to fit into society – that is just a misconception. CHS junior Tabitha Tudor has experienced struggles of accepting herself as well, and she has helped many go through the process of accepting themselves. “It doesn’t matter what other people have to say about you,” Tudor said. “The journey is always the most difficult part of anything that you want to achieve – and sometimes you want to give up going through everything but if you really stay positive and get yourself through whatever you’re going through, at the end you’ll Photo by BREN FLECHTNER be a million times happier than you were at the start.” If you are ever feeling self- B E A U T Y F R O M W I T H I N Thirty-six conscious, or like you are not percent said they made to feel the most important thing about them is their looks, beautiful, I want you to look in which is influenced by society’s definition the mirror and genuinely see of beauty. The Sidekick Staff Writer Umama yourself. Notice one thing that Suriya discusses her struggles with insecurities you love about yourself and give and how society has affected women. yourself a compliment.

STUDENT LIFE FEBRUARY

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Student Life ETHNIC APPRECIATION P.11

“Sometimes all people need is to read something that says, ‘I believe in you.’” P. 15

STUDENT PROFILES: AP AND IB P. 14

INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION P. 15

BuildOn club works towards fundraising, advocating for schools in developing nations S A L LY P A R A M P O T T I L CO-STUDENT LIFE EDITOR @sparampottil

ith 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, one ninth grade center and one alternative campus, Coppell ISD has not felt the lack of proper education facilities that developing nations face. These countries, ranging from Senegal in Africa to Nepal in South Asia, deal with limited education stemming from their poverty and a lack of adequately built schools. Two Coppell High School students want that to change. CHS juniors Ananya Pagadala and Anjali Satpathy have started a club which will help developing nations build schools. The club is a branch of the non-profit organization buildOn, which works to promote education in underdeveloped areas, such as Haiti, in hopes of reducing poverty. “We want to tell people how important it is that [people in developing nations] get this education,” Pagadala said. “I don’t think people in Coppell understand how bad the situation is out there. These schools are nothing, these people don’t have any means for education, and if they want to help their country get out of their economically depressed state, they need some education. We are really trying to focus on advocating and fundraising to help raise money to help build a school.” Pagadala started thinking about how to make a difference regarding education in her freshman year. While the club itself had not formed in her mind yet, the intent was there. During her and Satpathy’s sophomore year, they began actually considering the formation of a club. After researching various organizations such as Pencils of Promise and Build Africa, the pair decided their best option was to work with buildOn because it had a more specific goal. Pagadala and Satpathy met with a representative of the organization, gained the sponsorship of CHS AP environmental science teacher Rebecca Wheatley and began working on their club. Now that the club is up and running, they are

Photo by RISHITHA PENMETSA

B U I L D I N G F O R E D U C A T I O N Coppell High School junior Anjali Satpathy discusses with sponsor, Rebecca Wheatley, on how to run the club meeting. The buildOn club was started to raise money for developing nations to build schools.

beginning to draw in members. The club now has 23 members, a number which is expected to grow. “I joined after my friends told me about it,” CHS junior Eva Theel said. “It’s for a good cause. It’s helping less fortunate people build schools, and I really wanted to help out.” The goal is to raise money through a series of fundraisers, including T-shirt sales and bake sales. All money will be donated directly through the organization. Each member is given the goal of raising at least $2,000. This is the minimum for individuals to qualify for “the trek”, which is the opportunity for said individual to travel to the designated country where the money will be sent. There, they will be exposed firsthand to the conditions they are helping to improve and will be able to aid in building the school they raised money for. As the club is just beginning, a specific country has not been decided yet. “If they get to go [on the trek], they’ll actually be able to be physically part of the building of the school,” Wheatley said. “And to think that you’re helping lay those bricks, I think that’s so awesome.” Some of the challenges the girls expect to face include the large task of spreading the word about the need for

promoting education. “We want to educate our members and anyone outside the club on how little access these people really have,” Satpathy said. “Most people just have a general knowledge on how [developing nations] aren’t as privileged as we are, but we really want to show the details of it.” Another challenge is how CHS students often participate in clubs only to boost their resume, which could damage the appearance of the club and taint its legitimacy. “In [others’] minds, they might think we’re just doing this for college applications or for more extracurriculars, but we really do want people to understand the message of lessening poverty, of lessening lack of education and of increasing opportunities for everyone across the globe,” Pagadala said. “Spreading our message to people who will doubt our motivations will likely be one of our biggest challenges.” The two girls have put in work towards their goal to make a change. Not only have they worked on this project for two years in planning and preparation, they continue to dedicate their time to the working project. Every Sunday, they dedicate two hours specifically for working on their club. Currently, the club meets every other Friday at 8:10 a.m. in room E208. It is open for all to join. “CHS as a whole will be able to send out the same message,” Satpathy said. “We’re trying to improve education and access to education in these third world countries.” SALLY ‘21 can be reached at scp7918@g.coppellisd.com

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FEBRUARY STUDENT LIFE

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL

ESL club embraces campus customs U M A M A S U R I YA STAFF WRITER @umisuriya

ith many cultures present in Coppell High School, one student decided to make a club that showcases this diversity. CHS sophomore Lily Lee created Language Beyond Barriers club, where ESL students can communicate with other students their age who speak the same language as them to help them learn English. “For me, I have the ability to speak four languages,” Lee said. “Even though I had a hard time with English in the past, now that I know how to speak English, I want to use what I have to help those around me.” The club does many projects, with every student

having one of four roles: culture ambassador, language ambassador, English tutor and English companion. Currently, the club is working on writing stories for elementary students in ESL, in addition to mini individual projects according to their roles. This club will not only bring together many students but will also be a learning opportunity with the club’s diverse culture. Sophomore Fiona Lopez thinks the club is beneficial for the student body. “[The club] will help integrate anybody who’s struggling with the English language or anyone,” Lopez said. “It’ll integrate the school and all the cultures together, and [it won’t] have anyone divided. [The club will] have a connected community and group of friends.” The club consists of roughly 15 students. “CHS is such a culturally and linguistically diverse school, and the purpose of our club is to make students

feel welcome and included, regardless of the languages that they speak,” CHS ESL teacher and club sponsor Shauna Carter said via email. “Not only do I feel like they can achieve this goal, I also think having such an amazing group of students advocating for and celebrating our diversity will have a positive effect on the school as a whole.” This club puts forth the effort to bring students in CHS together, no matter their cultural differences. “In our club, you feel like you matter – you feel like you’re apart of a change in this school,” Lee said. “You’re going to help so many other people who struggle with language barriers.” The club meets every other Tuesday at 8 a.m. in D209B. UMAMA ‘20 can be reached at uis2386@g.coppellisd.com

Photo by MARI PLETTA

L I N K I N G T H R O U G H L A N G U A G E S Coppell High School sophomore Language Beyond Barriers club president Lily Lee and sophomore Illina Jayal write stories with their group before school on Jan. 23 in CHS ESL teacher and club sponsor Shauna Carter’s classroom. The Language Beyond Barriers Club is working on writing stories as a group project to create a book for elementary ESL students.

FR IEN DS S INC E : M IH IR AN D MUH TASIM F R I E N D S S I N C E M I D D L E S C H O O L Coppell High School sophomores Mihir Khare and Muhtasim Mahfuz have known each other since they attended Valley Ranch Elementary. After becoming close friends due to their participation in the Coppell Middle School East band, they discovered they both had very similar interests - so similar, that their Google News Feed shows almost the exact same stories in the exact same order. One of these interests includes the pricing of individual computer parts. Photo by Laura Amador-Toro

“At one point, we were both into building our own computers and you need to get each individual part for that. It was around eighth grade when I realized, ‘I kind of needed a computer for high school, I might as well build my own.’ When I was getting [my current laptop], I never built my own computer, but when I got this one, he was the person I asked the most about what to do.” MIHIR KHARE SOPHOMORE

“Not many people are interested in this. When you find another person who is interested, it’s like, ‘oh, I also read this same article about this same write-up on why prices are increasing exponentially by day.’ It’s another thing that you can find common in another person, it’s just nice to find that [in Khare].” M U H TA S I M M A H F U Z SOPHOMORE

CENTERSPREAD FEBRUARY

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FEBRUARY CENTERSPREAD

COPPELL HIGH SCHOOL

Feminism as a living entity story by PRAMIKA KADARI

ALLAS — Clutching a sign that featured a photo of Christine Blasey Ford, and beside it the words: “Of course I believe her, the same thing happened to me”, Dallas resident Amy Bennett stomped through the city for the 2019 Dallas Women’s March. “I just want to make sure for myself, for my daughters, and for every woman in America that we have equal rights and that we continue to progress forward,” Bennett said. “It’s wonderful to see we’re not alone. There’s women who will believe us, women who are fighting for us, because we can’t do

it by ourselves. We need other people to stand with us, to believe us, to march with us, to vote with us.” At age 15, Bennett faced attempted rape, but fear of disbelief kept her from speaking up until recently, when the #MeToo movement gave her the courage to finally tell her story. Largely because of the statute of limitations, her attacker was never prosecuted. “I’ve seen so much forward progress [regarding feminism],” Bennet said. “For example, now women are more vocal than we used to be - the #MeToo movement is one example.”

In addition to becoming more vocal, throughout the past few decades the feminist movement has evolved in numerous other aspects, proving itself to be a living entity that will adapt to each generation’s needs. The fight did not end when women were granted the right to vote, the right to initiate a divorce, or the right to run their own bank accounts. “Women have won voting rights, and things like that, so some people think there’s nothing left to advocate for,” Dallas Women’s March attendee Hayley Scoggins said. “But that’s not true. Helping women of color is one thing, there’s other [causes].”

Solidarity

Uniting with fellow equality campaigns

o intersectional feminists, one group’s battle is every group’s battle. From welcoming all sexualties to accepting all ethnicities, intersectional feminists fight for the complete, multi-faceted sphere of equality, rather than picking bits and pieces to support. In recent years, the movement overall has been moving toward this principle. “In the end, equality in general is what we’re all striving for,” Coppell High School sophomore Jordyn Morris said. “It’s very important for the equal rights movements to support each other. We’re all humans, we all deserve the same rights.” The 2019 Dallas Women’s March reflected this ideology by being a melting pot of diversity; after marchers reached their destination, In the end, speakers from a multitude of equality in equality movements took the stage. general is “I want to remind what we’re everyone that Texas locks up more people with mental all striving health conditions than many other states,” speaker for. We’re all Natasha Taylor said. “We humans, we need to make a difference. Many of the people who all deserve are poor and experiencing the same homelessness have a disability.” rights. Advocates marched for the acceptance of all genders, all races, all lifestyles. They marched for attendee Jade Voyles, who was born with a spine-related disability, and participated in the event via wheelchair. “I get a lot of stares and mean looks [because of my disability],” Voyles said. “[I came to the march] because there’s a lot of injustice for women, especially for people like me. I know that I’m not alone, seeing the women around me.” They marched for Muslim attendee Maysa*, who is regularly made uncomfortable because of her religion, and was dressed in bloody white robes at the march to raise awareness for Razan Al Najjar, a Palestinian martyr killed by the Israeli military. “On a day to day basis, I am regularly made

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uncomfortable due to the Pastelian aspect of my identity, or the Muslim one, or both, so this is something that is awesome to be able to fight for,” Maysa said. They marched for attendee Julia Johnson, a transgender woman who came out two years ago. “When I go places, people treat me differently because they notice I’m transgender,” Johnson. “Because I’m on homo therapy and it shows, so they look at me differently like I’m a freak of nature.” After being disappointed in their lack of representation during last year’s march, the American Indian Heritage day in Texas organizers spearheaded this year’s, by physically leading the march and bringing their culture’s dancers to the event. One of the organization’s ambassadors, Jodi Yellowish, grew up in an urban area rather than a reservation, and was the only American Indian at her school, where she was teased for her culture. “[The discrimination American Indians face] is almost like an inherent thing,” Yellowfish said. “It’s just something I feel everyday, all day.” The natives’ opportunity to lead the march provided them a platform from which to raise awareness for their Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), as the murder rate for native women is 10 times the average, and four out of five native women are somehow troubled by violence. “I came to support my sisters, and the missing women and children,” native Jason Ortiz said. “[Seeing my people lead the march] brought a lot of pride to me, it’s good to see that acknowledgment. Many times, our voice is overlooked. When you have a table, and you have all these individuals that sit at the table, we just want to sit at the table to, so people can hear our voice.” Because many equality advocates consider themselves intersectional feminists, they were angered by the revelation that a few of the national Women’s March founders were found to support anti-Semitism and homophobia. Angered enough that some, including Morris, refused to attend the march. “I got really upset [about the founder controversy] because I am part of the LGBTQ community, I have friends who are part of it, and I have Jewish friends,” Morris said. “I decided that was something I didn’t want to support.”

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Percentage of Women in the 116th United States Congress HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PERCENT

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23.7 PERCENT

photos by LAURA AMADOR-TORO

Representation

Pushing for women in government, male dominated industries

hile early feminists were fighting to simply give women the right to vote, current advocates have taken the issue to the next level, pushing for more women to be the ones others vote for. “If you see pictures of any political scene, if you take the men out it’s always a scary picture because there’s only a few women,” CHS senior Arohi Srivastav said. “That’s not okay, because we’re half the world, and our voices need to be heard too.” Last November, the portion of women in Congress hit a record high at 20.6 percent - still well below half - with 23 women in the U.S. Senate and 87 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Likewise, the number of women who even ran also set a record last year, with a total of 256 women qualifying for the November 2018 ballot across both houses. “Even when a women runs, it’s making a statement because that has only started in the past few years,” Morris said. “When they run, it’s them saying, ‘just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t do this. I’m a citizen of the U.S., I can do this.’” During America’s Revolutionary War, one of the colonists’ main complaints was their lack of voice in government, despite the fact British laws still affected them. Because many laws specifically affect women more than men, many feminists feel an increased female voice in government is constitutionally crucial. “In office, when making laws about abortion, yes

men can have a say in it, but for only men to decide what should be done with women’s’ bodies, without women having much say in it, is absolutely not okay,” Srivastav said. According to Srivastav and other intersectional feminists, the same principle applies to people of color, LGBT citizens and other minorities, which is why vast diversity in Congress is one of the movement’s priorities. The world’s first native and muslim Congress women being elected last year was an important victory for feminists and other equality advocates.

When [women] run [for office], it’s them saying, ‘just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t do this. I’m a citizen of the U.S., I can do this.’

Politics is not the only field that feminists are pushing more women to enter. From STEM to film, fighting for females to break into traditionally male-dominated industries is one of modern feminism’s main goals - a major step up from the early feminists’ goal of getting women out of the kitchen and into any job at all. “My friend in engineering is the only girl in her class,” Morris said. “Women have always been pushed away from those industries, so if you see women in those industries, it’s really powerful to see them there.” Women’s march attendee, college student and aspiring choir director Hayley Scoggins first discovered her passion for feminism around age 20, when she realized the discrimination girls in her field of study face. “[My intended field] is a really male dominated industry, and it’s really hard to be taken seriously as a woman who has opinions, musical opinions,” Scoggins said. “In my music school, there was a doctoral student who was always given the lower choirs; whenever she got accepted, she demanded that she wanted to have one of the top choirs, and they didn’t necessarily like that - it was all men who were on the board, by the way. If she was a man, it would be different, he would be seen as really driven and motivated.” From the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, which is considered to mark the beginning of feminism, to the 2019 Women’s March, the movement has evolved and molded itself to address each generation’s needs.

RAISING THEIR VOICES Thousands attended the independent, grassroots and volunteer-driven Dallas Women’s March on Jan. 20 to support women’s rights. Since 2017, the parade has taken place annually in Dallas.

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ST UDEN T P R OF I L E S : D E C I D I N G BETWEEN AP AN D I B “I want to challenge myself when it comes to school. Ever since I was young, I’ve always been in more challenging classes. I want to challenge myself next year and take AP US History and AP English. I talked to my counselor and she said a lot of colleges want to see you take AP classes but not just take the classes, but do good in the classes. Next year, I’m going to really focus on these AP classes.”

OBI ODIMEGWU SOPHOMORE

“I chose to take IB because I wanted to be a part of a different community of learning that was more oriented towards critical thinking and questioning a lot of the things we take for granted every single day. The IB program is probably one of the best decisions I’ve made this junior year. One thing that it really teaches you is to not procrastinate and to manage your time really nicely.”

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“I did a lot of good things for colleges looking at me, like a lot of AP courses I took. I got accepted to Johns Hopkins University, and that’s where I’m going to be attending in the fall, so I think it really helped me get in there and show them that I was academically capable enough to get in that university. It helps out a lot with that, if you can do well enough in those classes.”

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JUNIOR

“I plan on taking college abroad in Germany. I can’t afford college in the U.S. because I haven’t saved up money for that and since I have a German citizenship, it’s cheaper to do it in Germany. To get the IB diploma, the international diploma, would really help me be accepted into more colleges out there. I’ve heard it’s quite stressful, and I am prepared for that because I knew this was coming.”

“I feel like for a lot of people, including me, some high school classes can be slow without extra knowledge [to] learn. I play basketball too so doing both brings about a challenge. If you know what subjects you are going to go into in college, take APs that circle around that subject. There’s no need [to take] more than six; just really invest in those classes so you get the most knowledge out of it.”

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AP “I picked IB because I wanted a different learning environment, as the AP style wasn’t really working out for me my first two years here at CHS. To be open in the real world and also to be able to communicate with everyone and then also to be curious is one thing that I really learned in IB. You have to be open about where you want to go and what you want to find and how you go out to find that.”

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Changing lives with one button: spread of Instagram positivity KAREN LU STAFF WRITER @_karenlu_

oppell High School sophomores Natalie Adams and Jordyn Morris have taken to spreading wisdom and inspiration through their Instagram stories (@natalie.michelle_ and @jordynmorris). With short messages encompassing mental health, the daily quotes not only offer guidance in navigating mental illnesses such as anxiety, they also encourage individuals to never stop looking for happiness. When they first started a year ago, Adams and Morris did not expect much of a response. In fact, they were predicting the opposite. However, the reality turned out to be completely different. “I did a little poll on Instagram asking people what they thought about the things that I post,” Adams said. “The response was overwhelming. People I didn’t even know were saying that it was really important to them, that they looked forward to seeing them every morning.” CHS sophomore Shreya Joshi has been following both Adams and Morris even before they started posting these messages. “Whenever I’m scrolling through Instagram on a rough day, [those messages] just lighten my mood and remind me that I’m not going to feel this way forever and it’s just temporary,” Joshi said. “I think that’s something we can all learn.” Joshi is not the only friend who has let Morris know the impact her Instagram posts have on her life. “A really close friend of mine commented under my post,” Morris said. “She said, ‘I was thinking of committing suicide tonight and I was praying for a sign; I think this is it and I just wanted to thank you.’” The impact of these inspiring messages

has extended beyond just Adams’ and Morris’ close friend group. In fact, one of the most striking examples has come from a complete stranger. For Adams, a boy she had never encountered in real life responded to a message about being able to share something important. That single post had pushed him to start a conversation with his parents about how he was feeling about his mental health, how he was thinking of medication and therapy and how he just really needed help. “It really hit me,” Adams said. “It’s so small for me, just five seconds of sharing a post, but for this person, it literally changed his life, and I didn’t even know him. That was the day I realized I have a lot bigger of a voice than I think I do.” While these quotes now help others overcome both mental and physical obstacles, it did not start that way. These inspiring messages were originally a source of positivity for Adams and Morris themselves. “I started turning to these quotes in a time when I was struggling with my own mental health and my own positivity,” Adams said. “Later, I realized if I was going out of my way to fill my own feed with positivity, then why shouldn’t I take an extra five seconds to post it to my story and share it with other people and not just keep it to myself?” For Morris, the beginning of these posts also came from her own struggles and unhappiness. “I went through a really rough period freshman year where it just felt like everything was crashing and burning,” Morris said. “I didn’t feel like I had anywhere to turn for the longest period of time. It was such a long process of picking up the pieces and rebuilding myself, and I realized that I could channel my pain into something that could help other people.”

What had started as a way to deal with their own pain is now a way for Adams and Morris to connect with their followers, which reaches above a thousand. “Sometimes they’re cheesy, sometimes they’re cliché, but they’re cliché for a

reason,” Adams said. “Sometimes all people need is to read something that says, ‘I believe in you.’” KAREN ‘20 can be reached at kll7800@g.coppellisd.com

Photo by LILLY GORMAN M O T I V A T I N G O T H E R S Coppell High School sophomores Jordyn Morris amd Natalie Adams post inspirational quotes on their Instagram stories to encourage their peers and followers. Every day, the two friends post at least one inspirational quote or visual to their Instagram accounts, @jordynmorris and @natalie.michelle_

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ROOM C211 / ENGLISH NICHOLAS PRANSKE EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR @Nick_Pranske8

Before teaching at Coppell High School, English teacher Stephanie Ball taught at Central Elementary School in Lewisville. The only difference, she says, between high school and elementary school students is she does not have to wipe noses in high school. For Ball, the maturity level is the same, but that is the best part. In elementary school, Ball had a teacher who sparked her love for reading and, soon enough, her desire to teach developed. Years later, she carries on that same legacy by inspiring her students. “As I got older, I got into babysitting and realized I really loved kids, and [teaching] was one career where I could always be

ball

around kids, so that’s what I did,” Ball said. Taking that love for kids, Ball started teaching first grade for four years at Central. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, she taught freshman writing at Texas Woman’s University. “I loved being on campus and seeing the high school seniors develop into college freshman,” Ball said. “But here at Coppell, I now get to see the students I had as freshman grow into seniors. Actually, my first class of freshmen are now seniors so I’m excited to see them graduate.” One thing Ball emphasizes in her class is discussion. Her favorite activity is to have a class discussion of a book the students are reading. However, Ball’s discussion with students often goes deeper than just book talk. It started two years ago with a class of IB junior students.

“This class was complaining a lot and really stressed out, so I thought we needed something positive,” Ball said. “I thought the best way to do it was to sit down and figure out what’s going on in their lives and ask them some questions. They really just took it from there.” Now known as “therapy sessions”, Ball gives high school students the occasional opportunity to relax, have a day off and vent and talk through their recent problems. From sharing adventurous stories to having in-depth book talk to simply connecting through conversations, Ball is an expert at building relationships with her students. NICHOLAS ‘20 can be reached at nep4594@g.coppellisd.com

Photo by CAMILA FLORES MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS Coppell High School English IV, IB English III and Extended Essay teacher Stephanie Ball was selected as the Teacher of the Issue by The Sidekick staff. Ball was chosen because of her love and experience in bonding with students.

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Entertainment NEW ARTS CENTER DIRECTOR P. 17

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“With theater, you are all working as a team.” P. 18 DATE NIGHT RECIPES P. 19

Aguilar finds his passion in filmmaking Danny Aguilar produced the new movie, Lily is Here, which conveys important social issues while exploring the journey of a former heroin addict, Duncan, and his attempts at rebuilding his life.

L A A S YA A C H A N TA STAFF WRITER @chscampusnews

fter initially having an interest in broadcast journalism in high school, more than 20 years later, filmmaker Danny Aguilar returned to his passion and started producing movies. His first narrative feature film, Lily is Here will be released in the spring. Aguilar’s journey to filmmaking is not typical. Instead of attending film school, Aguilar majored in chemical engineering at Saint Louis University as a stepping stone to medical school. As medical school proved to be too expensive, he decided to continue his career in chemical engineering. “I was initially surprised my dad went into filming,” junior Sidekick staffer Kaylee Aguilar said. “I knew he went to film festivals, but I didn’t realize that he would go into producing.” Up until six years ago, Mr. Aguilar focused on settling down and establishing a family and prioritized financial security. Once he became financially secure, he started his journey in cinema by volunteering in the Dallas community and attending Hollywood Film Institute – a two-day film school where students can learn about directing and producing films. Later on, Mr. Aguilar also volunteered for the Sundance Film Festival to further his knowledge in film. After five years of volunteering at various independent film productions, Mr. Aguilar started producing various types of short films, from a narrative to a documentary. Last year, in Madrid, Spain, Mr. Aguilar transitioned from making short films into producing his first full length documentary film. “It was a learning experience,” Mr. Aguilar said. “I thought to myself, ‘wow, this is fun and not really intimidating at all’, and that’s what led me into producing my first narrative feature film.”

Mr. Aguilar’s feature film, Lily is Here started as a short script written by Daniel Wells, a friend who belonged to the same Dallas film crew. Touched by the message of the story, Mr. Aguilar asked Wells to extend the initial length of the script from 15 to 30 pages. “I was on my way from Dallas to Montreal, Canada and I read the script in the plane, and I was crying,” Mr. Aguilar said. “So when I got to my hotel, I called Daniel and said, ‘Hey Daniel, this is a beautiful story. I think we should do a feature film, can you write 75 pages?’ So he ended up writing the film in two weeks.” As a producer, Mr. Aguilar then hired a director, Eve Butterly, who found ways to finance the film and made sure that everything ran smoothly until distribution. “It’s a very involving job because in addition to the creative side, you have to weigh in the business side because you have to handle distribution,” Mr. Aguilar said. Although Mr. Aguilar has loved the process of producing a feature film, he does not see himself producing as his full time career. “It started out as a hobby, and that turned out really well because you’re not pressured to make money,” Mr. Aguilar said. “I realized that many of my friends who went in to [film] are struggling financially and I realized that if you struggle financially, it’s hard to be creative. Now that I’m a professional in what I do for a living, I get to have my own schedule where I can fit in my hobby and that has been working out pretty well.” Lily is Here is a story about struggle, triumph and victory. The protagonist, Duncan, is a recovering heroin addict who tries to make amends with his family, friends and parents to prove anyone can change for the better. The story is relatable to Mr. Aguilar in a sense that it is about overcoming a struggle and becoming victorious at the end. For him, it was this experience that transpired into filmmaking. “People don’t realize that that making a movie is really really hard,” Mr. Aguilar said. “It’s like making a product, you design it, you develop it. People used to not believe I could get a license and I did. I thrive off of challenges – if someone says I can’t do something, I will prove them wrong.” To bring attention to the various instances of success prevailing obstacles, Mr. Aguilar started Carpe Diem Pictures which tackles stories with social relevance. “My main goal is to inspire people. I want to take

MOVIE MANIAC Filmmaker and Coppell resident Danny Aguilar continues to add final touches on his new feature film, Lily is Here, before it is released in the spring this year. Lily is Here is Aguilar’s first feature film and focuses on a heroin addiction and the recovery from there.

Photo by DISHA KOHLI

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social issues and present them in visual format so that people can learn from it,” Mr. Aguilar said. “The reward is uplifting to me when I see people getting positively impacted by my film.” Mr. Aguilar has also inspired his daughter, Kaylee, to become more accepting of herself. “Academically, sometimes I’m disappointed in myself, but my dad lets me know that as long as you work hard, it’s fine,” Kaylee said. “He’s stern but is very encouraging and wants the best for me.” Mr. Aguilar’s dream production is a musical production but as of right now, he is in pre-production for a short film called The Quiet Man – a film about an issue between a father and a son, which he hopes to finish by Father’s Day. LAASYA ‘20 can be reached at lpa7712@g.coppellisd.com.

Photos courtesy DANNY AGUILAR L I LY I S H E R E Various scenes from the film, Lily is Here, starring Cory Kays in the role of Duncan, a heroin addict fighting to recover in order to reunite with his family. Lily is Here is Danny Aguilar’s first feature film, and is set to be released in spring 2019.

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Artistic drive returns Hargis to Coppell CAMILA VILLAREAL STAFF WRITER @fliipthewriter

ife has circled former Coppell resident Alex Hargis back to Coppell as he settled into his new position as the Coppell Arts Center’s managing director on Jan. 2. Hargis lived in Coppell when it was hidden under the shadows of other cities. He was only a few years old, but can recall Old Town being nothing but a big field with a store or two in the middle of it. When a website for venue managers such as himself posted the opening of a new managing position in his old home town, it immediately caught his eye. Hargis describes his return from Plano as a “pseudo-homecoming” and is happy to see Coppell flourishing and dedicating time and money into building a center for the arts.

“All of the arts groups have been incredibly warm and welcoming,” Hargis said. “Everyone is excited about this theater and what might come of it.” As managing director, Hargis has many responsibilities under his umbrella. He must look for sponsorships and book shows, manage operations such as construction and work with the project manager as well as other performing arts organizations, including Theatre Coppell and the Coppell Community Chorale. “[Hargis] is very knowledgeable about all areas of the arts,” Theatre Coppell artistic director Wheelice Wilson Jr. said. “What he is bringing to the table will be a great advantage to us. The arts are always last to be considered, and it was time for Coppell to consider us, too.” In 2009, Hargis contributed to the opening of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas by controlling the venue management aspect of things until another job called for his attention. Before having to re-orient himself to Coppell, Hargis worked as the executive director for the Historic Downtown Plano Association. His job was to organize festivals and events that would pull in visitors. Hargis’ extensive history of managing performing arts facilities behind the scenes made him a perfect candidate to lead Coppell Arts Center forward when it opens in the spring of 2020. “It’s important for any emerging city to embrace this culture,” Hargis said. “The arts can show us what is most beautiful about humanity.” As managing director, Hargis fully

Photo by CAMILA FLORES H A R G I S M A K E S A C O M E B A C K Former executive director for the Historic Downtown Plano Association Alex Hargis was recently hired as managing director of the Coppell Arts Center. Hargis officially started the role on Jan. 2.

intends to provide volunteering opportunities and experience in theater for those who are interested. He is excited about leading a facility made for the arts in a town where most of that is easily overlooked. “[Hargis] is really listening to the Coppell Arts council and contributing his own ideas,” sophomore student liaison for the Coppell Arts council Sophia Greenberg said. “He is making sure the fine arts, visual arts and performing arts are all included in one space.” CAMILA ‘21 can be reached at cxv8266@g.coppellisd.com.

5 Fast Facts about Alex Hargis 1. He once helped Lenny Kravitz navigate his tour bus on black ice to a Super Bowl gig 2. He once had a conversation with Jay Leno about mobsters in a standup club 3. He believes chili should never have beans in it 4. His last meal would be a plate of BBQ 5. He has three children: Grace, Evie and Luke

Finding positivity in entertainment industry S H R AV YA M A H E S H STAFF WRITER @shravyamahesh

s a child, my mother banned me from watching Disney Channel, saying it was “not appropriate for a 7 year old”. She was not to blame – she simply wished to bring me up with as positive of influences as possible, and the dating plotlines and teenage humor of these shows simply did not cut it. Yet a mere 10 years later, the world has changed dramatically. In an age of technology, young people learn about entertainment through school and friends. The knowledge, in itself, poses no problems; it is the celebrities in entertainment who cause an issue. The youth look up to these people, maybe seeing a hopeful future self in them or simply admiring them for their talents. Yet many celebrities act carelessly on these platforms, using vulgar language, acting hatefully and teaching children negative things. When someone is under a spotlight, they should be wary of how they conduct themselves. Their actions and speech influence those around them, whether they like it or not. And of those watching, children are often the most impressionable. This can be simply explained through CanadianAmerican psychologist Albert Bandura’s 1977 Social Learning Theory, which states people copy the behaviors of those they see. Based on reactions to the behavior, the person will either cease or continue the behavior. Similarly, young people copy the actions of those they see on television, social media, online and other forms of entertainment. It becomes an issue when the celebrities do problematic things, especially because a child knows no better than to blindly follow. And if parents do not monitor this, serious issues can arise. “Because [celebrities are] so in the public sphere,

their actions say a lot about their values and that can have a lot of consequences for how people think,” Coppell High School senior Amanda Figueroa said. “They have the power to change how people think so they should take that responsibility carefully.” Of late, YouTube consumption continues to rise, exposing young to both positive and negative content. YouTubers Logan and Jake Paul frequently find themselves under scrutiny for their content, which often promotes racism and prejudice. Such content is rampant on the platform, leaving children susceptible to toxicity. The music industry boasts plenty of its own issues. Much popular music is jammed with profanities, drug references and objectifying lyrics. Many artists claim their music is “empowering” or an “expression of their artistry”, yet they miss the mark completely, trivializing serious issues. However, this is by no means a call to blindly “cancel” an artist, or write them off, almost saying they are hopeless. As humans, we all make mistakes; it is only that celebrities have an extra spotlight on them. The issue of separating art from the artist sparks a different debate, but in general, a person’s actions do not blacken them as a human. “It’s not that black and white,” CHS junior Akshara Ganesh said. “People do negative things sometimes that can have [a] negative impact on the people that follow them, but it’s not like they are always a negative influence.” Instead, we need to not put celebrities up on a pedestal. We can attune ourselves to more positive content, instead switching to more positive celebrities. There is no lack of fantastic artists to look up to. There is BTS, who promote self-love and acceptance through its sincere artistry. “A good role model for me is BTS,” CHS junior Sai Neelanjana said. “Their idea that people should love themselves before spreading love is truly a good message.” There is Emma Watson, who inspires young people

to follow their dreams and advocates for gender equality through her organization He For She. Rather than focusing on the dramatic lives of people who teach us to be insecure or change our appearance to look like them, we should focus on ourselves and be guided by the entertainment icons who encourage us to be the best we can. SHRAVYA ‘20 can be reached at smm8670@g.coppellisd.com.

Graphic by SUJEONG OH C E L E B R I T I E S C O N S E Q U E N C E S Many celebrities on popular entertainment platforms such as YouTube and Twitter have negative influences on youth. The Sidekick staff writer Shravya Mahesh explains the value of looking up to the right people.

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Curtains open: de León puts passion on display

ydney de León is a sophomore at Coppell High School and budding amateur in the world of theater. However, she is only an amateur by definition. Her name has been plastered on Playbills left and right. Once a production wraps up, she quickly finds another to be involved in. It was her family who initially promoted

the idea of theater to de León. Her mom’s intention was to get de León out of the house and do something she was interested in; it just so happens that the young third grader had her eyes set on theater. Thus she was enrolled in a drama class. “My family has always been very supportive,” de León said. “My parents understand this is my passion, and I can go somewhere with this. My mom drives me back and forth to Grapevine every day because I don’t drive yet – I need to get on that.” The support de León has received from friends and family has allowed

Photo by L I L LY G O R M A N A F F I N I T Y F O R A C T I N G Coppell High School sophomore Sydney De León stays true to herself in the green room backstage during Karen Ruth’s third period Broadway Bound class on Jan. 11. De León feels composure due to being in the safe spot prior to any acting activity.

her to continue pursuing her passion. Her mother, Dawn de León Parry, has provided the biggest motivation since the day de León first set foot on stage. “There is a light that shines all the time with her,” Mrs. Parry said. “Even on days she is tired or not in a good mood she is this little ray of sunshine.” The Coppell Middle School East theater program, spearheaded by Amy Yakubovsky, cemented de León’s love for the art. Being under the spotlights of East’s cafetorium helped de León understand the many responsibilities actors carry. After middle school, de León joined the theater program at CHS. De León’s freshman year was a period of adjusting to the CHS theater department. However, her passion would soon reach higher limits as she entered sophomore year. Under the tutelage of CHS theater department director Karen Ruth, de León flexed her artistic muscle harder in 2018. She starred in the CHS production of “All Shook Up” in October and November as an ensemble member. “She always gives one hundred percent whether it is in class, a rehearsal or a show,” Ruth said. “I see the same effort from her across the board. She gives a hundred percent from the beginning.” In high school, de León began to participate in theater productions outside of school. Recently she has performed in theaters such as the Ohlook Performing Arts Center in Grapevine. De León was given the chance by

Ohlook to take part of a masterclass with Jay Armstrong Johnson, a notable American actor, in its audience. To this day, de León has been a part of 10 musicals and seven plays. To this day, de León has only broken one wrist while on stage. “With a football game you are against someone,” de León said. “With theater you are all working as a team to show someone something. Everything rides on each other.” De León’s aspirations reach higher altitudes every time she steps foot on stage. She knows every time she lands a role or hits a perfect note, her ambition will only increase. It is the undying passion for theater present in her which is worthy of a play in and of itself. A N D R É S ‘20 can be reached at cab8902@g.coppellisd.com.

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ANDRÉS BEAR CSM WEB PRODUCER @_andresbear

“The Diary of Anne Frank” CHS Black Box Theater Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Hollywood casting associate visits theater students C H A R L O T T E VA N Y O STAFF WRITER @charlottevanyo

ollywood casting associate Coco Kleppinger visited Coppell High School’s select theater class for juniors and seniors, Studio Premiere. Kleppinger attended graduate school at UCLA alongside CHS theater director Karen Ruth. Her most well known work includes It (2017), Netflix Original To the Bone (2017) and The Disaster Artist (2017). Students from both Broadway Bound, the select theater class for sophomores, and Studio Premiere were given the opportunity to ask Kleppinger any questions they had about casting or TV acting over a pizza lunch.

“I love teaching and I love actors, especially young actors,” Kleppinger said. “It’s always incredible to see young actors developing.” Premiere students were given movie sides (short selections from a script that actors perform in an audition room) to prepare for Kleppinger’s visit. Kleppinger visited the fourth period Studio Premiere class and the students performed their sides and were critiqued by Kleppinger. “Learning to audition is a skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll be,” Kleppinger said. “It is a weird situation to walk into a room, look at people you don’t know, introduce yourself and then show them a piece of your heart. That will never be normal, and it doesn’t have to be, but you can get really good at it, it just takes practice.”

Premiere being a class full of Hollywood hopefuls, every word uttered by Kleppinger was held onto breathlessly. Many rumors about the world of film were discarded and confirmed. “The industry isn’t exactly what I pictured it to be,” CHS junior select theater student Angie Smith said. “When you get to a certain level, they don’t look at your resumes as much and what you do in the [audition] room matters more than most other things would.” With North Texas being not particularly cinematic, there are not many opportunities to work with people who are actually successful in the film industry. This was a once in a lifetime experience for the CHS select theatre students, and Ruth took advantage of it. “It was a great opportunity for them to be able to ask somebody who has been there and done it and seen it about what really happens.” Ruth said. “Her visit also allowed the students

to get one on one feedback from somebody who does this for a living, and that’s pretty invaluable.” C H A R L O T T E ‘20 can be reached at chv8279@g.coppellisd.com.

“It is a weird situation to walk into a room, look at people you don’t know, introduce yourself and then show them a piece of your heart.” COCO KLEPPINGER HOLLYWOOD CASTING ASSOCIATE

Photo by B R E N F L E C H T N E R T H E A T E R T I P S Coppell High School theatre director Karen Ruth and Coco Kleppinger share helpful tips when auditioning for a character with students on Jan. 10. Coco Kelppinger is currently a casting associate and has helped cast feature films such as IT, Burden, and Game Night.

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Separating artists’ personalities from their work PRAMIKA KADARI COPY EDITOR @pramika_kadari

ince I read it five years ago, the science fiction classic Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card has been my favorite book – despite the fact that I detest Card himself, as he is homophobic, which conflicts with my personal values. For years, there has been an ongoing

debate of whether we should judge art based on its creator’s personality. Novels are not written to reflect their writers, but rather humanity as a whole. People should read them with open minds rather than automatically criticizing them based on who their creator is; the same principle applies to other art forms. “There’s probably many artists who aren’t the nicest people, but their art is incredibly beautiful,” Coppell High School librarian Lynn Hevron said. “We can love what they created and not love

REC I PES OF THE I S SUE

Stir conversation with date over quick, delicious recipes

Garlic bread

To set the mood, light some scented candles and break out some designed plates and utensils. Start off the night with garlic bread, then transition to the hearty jumbo pasta shells and finish with juicy chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

and he disgusts me – but he also wrote the book that inspired me to be a writer, a passion that has stuck with me to this day. Art can open your world to a million different ideas, influence you in a million different ways; refusing to read books, watch films or listen to songs because of the artist’s personality only limits your life experiences. TO READ THE FULL STORY, VISIT COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM P R A M I K A ‘20 can be reached at psk7733@g.coppellisd.com.

Broccoli & chicken jumbo pasta shells This unique blend of pasta, cheese and the iconic chicken-broccoli duo will generate conversation. INGREDIENTS

ANIKA ARUTLA STAFF WRITER @anikaarutla

When it comes to impressing your significant other, there is no easier way to the heart than through the stomach. These simple, yet exquisitely delicious, recipes will make for a perfect date night.

who they are as a person.” Even if an artist tries to weave their problematic beliefs into their work, you may still appreciate it. You do not need to interpret the piece how its creator intended you to. “We all come to an artwork with our own biases, whether it’s politics, ethics, [or] race, and that’s why art is so great,” CHS AP art teacher Michelle Hauske said. “Because you should be able to bring your own interpretation to it.” Yes, my favorite author is homophobic

This common appetizer takes only a few minutes to prepare and serves as an icebreaker. INGREDIENTS • • • •

½ cup melted butter 2 minced garlic cloves 1 loaf of Italian bread 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Cut Italian bread into pieces In a bowl, mix butter and garlic Brush mixture over pieces of bread Sprinkle parsley on top of bread Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes

• • • • • •

15 jumbo shells 1 cup broccoli ½ cup cheddar cheese ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese 1 jar alfredo sauce 1 cup diced cooked chicken

DIRECTIONS 1. Boil jumbo shells until cooked 2. In separate pan, cook broccoli and chicken with salt 3. In a bowl, combine alfredo sauce, broccoli, chicken and cheeses 4. Place filling inside of jumbo shells 5. Place in baking dish 6. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes/until heated through

Chocolate covered strawberries Chocolate covered strawberries are romantic and perfectly enhance the end to a well prepared meal. INGREDIENTS • •

Bowl of chocolate chips Box of strawberries

DIRECTIONS 1. Wash strawberries thoroughly 2. Melt chocolate chips 3. Dip strawberries in chocolate, and put them on a plate with parched paper

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Sports LIFELONG ATHLETICISM P. 21

“Your body is like a car; parts wear out.” P. 23

SCHOOL/CLUB SPORTS P. 22

RISK OF INJURY P. 23

Athletes slim down to win meets

For female wrestlers, losing pounds viewed as source of positivity NEHA DESARAJU STAFF WRITER @nehades_

In order to maximize their performance ability, many wrestlers attempt to lose weight before weighing in to decide their weight class for their meet.

Every week, Coppell High School senior Khushi Khandelwal tracks her weight methodically. As a wrestler, she has to maintain a certain weight range, known as a weight class, in order to compete. Many times, this means losing weight. Most of the time, Khandelwal is only losing water, which does not have a permanent effect on her weight; she gains this back mere hours after she eats. Instead, she wants to be at the lowest weight possible during weigh-ins so when she does gain the pounds back, she will most likely be heavier than her opponent, giving her an advantage. “[Wrestlers] might lose a little water weight so they can make weight that one day but it’s nothing that’s going to stick,” CHS athletic trainer Yvette Carson said. To do this, Khandelwal starts the beginning of the week with lots of water and a healthy meal or two, slowly eating less and less until the day of the tournament. She also runs with multiple layers to sweat out water. And this is not uncommon among wrestlers, especially girls. “[For me], it’s not really cutting weight. It’s just maybe not eating as much for dinner that night and it’s just so that you could compete against others that

are your same weight class,” sophomore wrestler Devin Patton said. “I feel stronger if I’m going against girls that are my weight class compared to if I go to a heavier weight class and not eating as healthy as I should be.” Other girls have a similar mindset. “For girls, it is good,” junior wrestler Brooke Massaviol said. “It’s a good goal to set because it keeps them motivated.” The girls also lose weight naturally through lifting or running during practice, so “it’s not always skipping meals,” according to Massaviol. Carson said losing weight is much harder for girls than boys, because a female body reacts differently to weight deficits at different times, sometimes even putting on extra weight as padding. However, both Carson and wrestling coach Chip Lowery agree that in wrestling, there is a difference between cutting weight and losing weight. “Cutting weight is an old term,” Lowery said. “Sometimes girls do have to maintain weight, and sometimes that might be monitoring what they eat, or eat after they weigh in.” Lowery notes cutting weight is much different from losing weight, which happens naturally over the course of the season as body fat converts to lean muscle mass. It is also more permanent than cutting weight, which occurs primarily by losing a large amount of water weight. “Running does that; yes, you’re going to sweat, and yes, you’re losing water at the same time,” Carson said. However, the average person can lose up to 2.5 pounds just from an hour of exercise, and Carson stresses that just because you lose weight in water does not mean you are losing weight. “It’s kind of one of those combos of losing weight and cutting it,” Carson said. “It’s a fine line.”

For some wrestlers, losing weight, either over the course of the week or year is something of both a mental game and a source of pride. “I mean, I hate cutting weight,” Khandelwal said. “But it’s definitely worth it, because then I go up in tournaments and I win.” However, skipping meals may not be the best way to cut weight. “Metabolism is the key to losing weight,” Irving registered dietician Zarana Parekh said. “Your body is very smart. If you keep cutting calories it will first lower your metabolism.” Parekh says to lose weight, she focuses on the quality of calories and food. “The short period of time is what gets most people. It leads people to drastic measures. [Losing weight] is a lifestyle choice,” Parekh said. Despite the widely publicized reports of the dangers of rapidly losing too much weight, for many female Coppell wrestlers, maintaining weight has become more of an attainable goal than before joining wrestling. “We have girls who are really proud of their body image and what they have become,” Lowery said. “They might come in here and say that girl has good muscle tone and that girl is strong. It gives them a goal and an image of, if they work out, who they can start to see in them. It absolutely does help with body image.” In a number of combat sports, losing weight in an abnormally short time is a very real, controversial issue, but the coaches at CHS emphasize they do not require athletes to do things they are uncomfortable with and want to avoid their athletes cutting weight. “We don’t tell them to lose weight,” Lowery said. “We don’t say you have to compete [at a certain weight], we usually follow a decent plan, and that’s where they’re going to be the best at.” N E H A ‘21 can be reached at nsd4173@g.coppellisd.com.

“We have girls who are really proud of their body image and what they have become.” CHIP LOWERY CHS WRESTLING COACH

Graphic by G W Y N E V E R E B O N A C C I

C U T T I N G C A L O R I E S Both at Coppell High School and around the state, wrestlers are divided into different competition classes by their weight. Many of these athletes purposely lose weight to enter a lower weight class.

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Love for sport turns into future for Sherrer ARMAN MERCHANT STAFF WRITER @arman_merch

The feel of dribbling a ball down the court and hearing the swish after hitting a shot for three is known to many, but to some, it is much bigger. This feeling is embedded in Coppell sophomore Emma Sherrer. From at a young age, basketball has been part of her life, whether it is first learning how to dribble or taking the court for the CHS varsity team. “Basketball has been something I have always had,” Sherrer said. “If something is ever going wrong, I always know I can count on basketball to be my safe place.” When she was only 4, her parents introduced her to basketball, and her passion has only grown throughout the years. “Picking up a ball for the first time opened a new chapter in my life,” Sherrer said. “I really do not know what I would be like today if I did not start playing basketball.” Making the move from junior varsity to varsity this season has been a learning experience for Sherrer, but has provided more opportunities to develop as a player on and off the court. “Pushing myself to become a better player and playing at a competitive level is something I really enjoy,” Sherrer said. “Playing with both older and younger players, you get to really learn about the sport and improve each step up the way.” Whether in class or on the court, Sherrer makes sure she is giving everything she can. Her work ethic does not go unnoticed by girls basketball coach Kristen Davis, who has helped her throughout her transition to varsity. “She is one of the hardest-working kids I have seen on the court,” Davis said. “She is a role model for our younger players, and shows what work ethic is and [what] being on varsity takes. Her ability to be coachable and accountable no matter the situation embodies what we want all our Cowgirl basketball players to be.” Her teammates knew from the moment she stepped onto the court that she had the mentality to play on the varsity team. “She makes everyone around her a better player,” junior guard Anika Herron said. “She is always in a positive mood, and her winning mentality really helps connect the rest of the team together. She might be one of the younger players on the team, but she plays like she has been doing this for a while now.” Although she started playing with a group of new teammates, Sherrer thinks it makes the game so much more important. “We all have various personalities and are all quite different,” Sherrer said. “But at the end of the day, we are still a family, and our ability to work so well

together has made us a much better team.” Sherrer has plenty of time to develop as a player, and her coaches could not be any more excited. “Just knowing I have her for another few years is amazing,” Davis said. “That just sets us up for next year to have more success, and she is going to be a big part of it moving forward. Working with athletes like her makes my job so much better.” Every step of the way basketball has been there, and Sherrer has climbed the ladder and will continue to climb. With aspirations to play in college and moving onto the WNBA, Sherrer is excited for the future. “The game is part of me, and it is the greatest feeling,” Sherrer said. “Although I have a ton to accomplish, I will always know I was able to make it this far, and I will continue to push myself towards my goals.” A R M A N ‘20 can be reached at akp4713@g.coppellisd.com.

“Picking up a ball for the first time opened a whole new chapter in my life. I really do not know what I would be like today if I did not start playing basketball.”

Age 4

Age 9

EMMA SHERRER CHS SOPHOMORE GUARD

Age 12

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CLUB S A L LY P A R A M P O T T I L CO-STUDENT LIFE EDITOR @sparampottil

NICHOLAS PRANSKE EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR @nick_pranske

played club sports all my life, often more than one at a time. However, after looking at the amount of money, time and number of sacrifices my parents and I poured endlessly into it, I began to rethink things. Looking back, I never intended to make it further than high school - I simply played for the work ethic, the teamwork, the people skills and a dozen other morals I learned along the way. I realized I could acquire those morals without paying tremendous sums each year and having to miss family weddings for a championship game. Those same lessons could be learned through school sports. School sports often begin in middle school and continue through high school. Middle school sports are important to learning those aforementioned morals, especially for students who have not previously played sports. That is the time when people ignite their love for sports and develop their discipline at every practice. However, the culture shifts once high school hits. It becomes less about learning and more about college, less about fun and more about scholarships. It becomes, as Charlie Brown might say, commercial. Oh, brother. “In high school soccer, you just get to come and play with your friends and just have fun. Obviously you still want to win a state championship, but you focus on more than just soccer,” Coppell senior soccer player Mary Ziperman said. “But in club [soccer], your only goal is to be seen by colleges.” While playing on a club team does increase chances of being scouted, there are bigger lessons that come with playing a sport. To many coaches, sports directly relate to life - being a spouse, son/ daughter and friend. “Life is about a commitment, marriage is about commitment. Sports teach that commitment,” said Marcus boys soccer coach Chad Rakestraw, who coached the Coppell boys soccer team from 2012-17. “But club [sports] just don’t have that same level of commitment. If a player wants to leave a club team, he will. But you can’t leave a school team the same way.” Nonetheless, playing sports through school gets players plenty of collegiate exposure. Scouts are typically drawn to playoff games, in which there are a handful of high-level players on the same field. “We have college coaches come out consistently to high school games,” Coppell girls soccer coach Ryan Dunlevy said. “Overall, club teams do get more exposure though.” But is more exposure truly better? In club sports, there is plenty of elite talent. Thus, colleges try to get to that talent before the others. Because of this, players are being recruited earlier and earlier, taking the fun out of the game and putting in the stress of college. It would seem that getting recruited early on would take the stress out, right? No more worries of being seen by colleges, you have already made it. But in reality, the opposite tends to occur.

W WHICH teAm SHOULD YOU PLAY FOR?

hen it comes to athletics, improvement can be found in different areas - on and off the field, in and out of the pool, on and off the court, it varies from sport to sport. What does not vary, however, is that athletes can improve themselves in those areas more when they participate in club sports rather than sticking to high school teams. People join club teams mainly because they allow for more improvement in the sport itself. With coaches who give more individual attention and a team atmosphere of competition, players can develop their skills to reach their maximum potential. Though the cost of joining may be higher, one gets more out of the program with more direct instruction from coaches, as well as a focus on strategy, individual performance and technique. According to former Coppell High School girls soccer coach Chris Stricker, many high school players say they play for fun. Because people on school teams are generally playing with their friends, the overall team atmosphere could be more relaxed. In contrast, clubs are normally filled with players who specifically want to improve in the sport, producing a team with passion, talent and motivation. Statistically, players who played for clubs during high school make up a higher percentage of college athletes in most sports, according to a 2015 study published by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). By playing for a club, players are exposing themselves to college scouts more, which could eventually earn them scholarships. This could end up paying back the money spent to join the club teams. Apart from the skills specific to sports, clubs offer the improvement of various life skills - for example, the ability to commit. Most club teams have year-round seasons, unlike most high school sports, which means players truly need to commit to the team and the sport. Such commitment is exemplified in players like CHS senior Jeremy Basso, who plays center back for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club. This elite club, a member of U.S. Soccer Development Academy, has the policy that its players cannot play for any other team (apart from the national team). Basso, who played for the CHS soccer team from freshman to junior year, had to decide between his high school team and a club team. “I joined [the Texans] mostly because of the competitive environment it provided,” Basso said. “It’s a team that practices year-round, and the level of play was really what attracted me there.” The appeal of a club team is so large that a person could choose to move away from home to play for a club. CHS senior Joe McGee moved to Coppell from San Antonio after freshman year to play for the elite soccer clubs in the area. He now plays for the Dallas Texans U19, alongside Basso and CHS senior Raul Carrillo, another athlete who moved away from his family to play for the club and now lives with McGee.

TO READ THE FULL STORY, VISIT COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM

NICK ‘20 can be reached at nep4594@g.coppellisd.com.

SALLY ‘21 can be reached at scp7918@g.coppellisd.com.

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Hayakawa punching through challenges, joining Mexican National Taekwondo team Photo by LILLY GORMAN

ANDRÉS BEAR CSM WEB PRODUCER @andresbear

People think it is a sport about power and hurting your opponent – but it’s not. Taekwondo is a discipline sport. J E S S I C A H AYA K A W A SOPHMORE

ovement is present at every step in Coppell High School sophomore Jessica Hayakawa’s life. She punches and kicks opponents with such finesse and aptitude that her talent has brought a major opportunity into her life. Last year, she was admitted into the Mexican National Taekwondo team. Growing up, Hayakawa moved often. She was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, a quaint border town on the outskirts of the Lone Star State across the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Four years later she moved to Portland, Ore. and eventually moved back to Texas when she was in third grade. Such a busy childhood brought along many different sights, discoveries and experiences. For example, sometime after watching the hit animated movie Kung Fu Panda in kindergarten, she became infatuated with martial arts. After three months of strategically begging her parents to enroll her in a martial arts class, she was finally granted her wish. Taekwondo, the sport with roots digging deeper than 2,000 years became her single, biggest passion. As she got older she began to translate that passion into something more competitive. “Taekwondo is a contact sport,”

Hayakawa said. “There are two people in a ring, and you are trying to find the most points to connect. People think it is a sport about power and hurting your opponent – but it’s not. Taekwondo is a discipline sport; you are looking for open spots to score.” Taekwondo tournaments are considered true tests of strength, endurance and precision as they factor in many aspects of the sport. They usually consist of sparring, one on one combat, and form events, sequences of martial techniques. Once the scores are tallied, winners are awarded trophies and/or recognition. Hayakawa competed in and won in the 2016 U.S. Nationals. She was given the ability to be a part of the USA National Cadet Team. Such a big accomplishment gave her the privilege of training in Colorado with the entirety of the cadet team. “She always works so hard,” New Tech High @ Coppell junior Arwyn Sullivan said. “She does not give up and will always want to work until she perfects whatever she is doing.” Two years later, an event of equal caliber would occur. Hayakawa’s double nationality gave her the option to compete in the 2018 Mexican Nationals. It was after her stellar performance that she was given a spot on the National Mexican Taekwondo Team. That is a team that competes on an Olympic level.

Yes, those Olympics. “When I first got the news I didn’t really know what was going on,” Jessica said. “My mom was screaming, my dad was screaming. There was a lot excitement in the house and I thought, ‘Wait what is going on?’ When they told me, I burst into tears.” Hayakawa has competed in tournaments at a local and state level since she was 10. Constant training spanning years of classes and dedication has led to her competing in tournaments such as Texas State, AAU Nationals and World Taekwondo President’s Cup. Speaking of training, Hayakawa currently trains at NTA Taekwondo Center. The facility is located inside Grapevine Mills Mall and offers taekwondo classes and activities to individuals ranging from age 4 to adults. “My husband and I have to move around the city taking the kids to their taekwondo and soccer practice every single day,” Hayakawa’s mother Jessica Negrete-Dominguez said. “Of course, it looks like a chaos, but it is a happy chaos which wouldn’t be possible without Jessica’s support and the example she sets as the big sister she is.” Success does not properly define Hayakawa’s Taekwondo career. It is her ability to stay focused under different conditions which shines as the key component to unlocking her future. ANDRES ‘20 can be reached at cab8902@g.coppellisd.com

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