Varied faces of a valedictorian: Vinayaka navigating vast worlds

Coppell High School senior valedictorian and debater Umang Vinayaka is profoundly self aware. His peers, teachers and friends contend that, in all honesty, it is frightful.

Frightful that someone so young can possess such an intense command of the world around them, or worlds, because Vinayaka flits between them. From trudging through palaces of computational biology to dipping his toes in the waters of public policy and healthcare, his mind and voice know no bounds.

“It has always been extremely interesting to me how Umang is so versatile and has interests in everything,” said senior Suchit Ineni, a fellow World Schools debater.

Ineni and Vinayaka have competed alongside one another for four years, most recently championing the Texas Forensic Association’s State Competition, the highest regard for a debater in Texas.

“Debate is a very unique space, because there are a lot of topics where you initially have a bias towards one side,” Vinayaka said. “But, when you actually start researching, [you] switch to the other side. That’s evident of how education really opens up your mind.”

Vinayaka’s mind runs to mandatory voting as a tried-and-true example of the adage that there truly are two sides to a story, that debate topics are deeper than the surface. As he explains why, his cogent train of thought illuminates the very kind of debater and thinker he is.

“Umang is a very analytical debater insofar as he is able to find arguments, the weaknesses in them and their perfect articulations,” Ineni said.

According to junior World Schools debater Anushree De, be- yond his argumentation, Vinyaka laughs when his teammates—and closest friends—mock his boisterous speaking voice. Vinayaka beams when listening to his teammates speak, consumed by the back-and-forth in front of him.

More importantly, Vinayaka reciprocates the level of attention and energy in his relationships that renders anyone seen and heard.

Vinayaka nurtures relationships in the little things such as asking about your day and if you are OK: little things that have a big impact.

And within the plethora of spaces Vinayaka takes up, whether the classroom or basketball court, his unending connectivity and awareness glows. He is so aware, in fact, that he roots his pride in the potential to affect change in small ways, including meaningful dialogue generated in hour-and-ahalf debate rounds and long-term research in the field of computational biology.

“I really enjoyed research because I think the implications of everything you do and research builds upon each other, which is something that I found really fascinating because it’s not like I did my work in a vacuum,” Vinayaka said. “Rather, it’s something that I own, but everyone’s able to use. The methods that I was able to explore and create are now being used by other researchers and using the experiences that I gained, I can go on to apply them to future research. Being able to go look back and realize that I actually made a potential impact in crucial fields really gives me gratitude.”

Vinayaka’s array of research experience has taken him from facilities at the University of Dallas, where he explored evolutionary variants of COVID-19, to Los Angeles, where he examined cancer with research fellows at the City of Hope National Cancer Institute.

Living in a city 1,433 miles away from the Texas suburb he calls home for 10 weeks, Vinayaka frequented boba runs, bike rides and sightseeing as a grounding mechanism. That is because he is a staunch proponent of balance and time-management.

“I’m really good at figuring out what I want to do and what I need to do, but I think the challenge was formerly prioritization and realizing that I can’t do everything that I want to do because I don’t have that much time,” Vinayaka said. While most struggle with maintaining a detailed and accurate calendar, Vinayaka has slowly developed a propensity for organization, utilizing only a scattered and jaunty approach to the notes app on his iPhone. Perhaps it is because of his genuine curiosity and hunger for education’s many expanses: economics, statistics, life sciences and policy.

Despite his long list of accolades that include being one of 12 students on the National Speech and Debate Association USA Development team and, of course, valedictorian, Vinayaka has always honed in on the essence of learning in every experience he incurs.

“I had a very interesting take on Umang because he was in my virtual class that too was my first year teaching [at CHS], and he let me know on a little ‘getting to know you’ questionnaire that he asks a lot of questions,” CHS AP Biology teacher Dr. Bianca Benitez said. “His willingness to do more than what was required of him and desire to explore the ‘why’ has

Coppell helped me grow as a teacher.” a deeply rooted self awareness of his capacity to shape the world around him through public policy and computational biology. Vinayaka intends to nurture his experiences in debate and research at Harvard University beginning in the fall. Shrayes Gunna potential has always been incredible. As a 10th grader, I saw it. His willingness to come and visit with me these past two years has shown me the immense breadth and depth of what he knows. Taking that and taking it to a place that I know is going to foster it assures me that he will do phenomenally well in all that he chooses to do.”

Vinayaka will study at Harvard University, concentrating in the liminal spaces between computational biology, economics and public policy.

“He has such varied interests, but his ability to connect them in his own way in varied instances is really what is special to see because he is not just singularly faceted, he is absolutely multifaceted,” Dr. Benitez said. “Umang’s

While perceptions of a valedictorian are often one-note, Vinayaka proves yet again to be the exception.

Coppell High School senior President of the National Spanish Honor Society and color guard captain Tia Milton has always had a love for spanish. For over a decade, Milton has dedicated herself to attaining uency in the language, developing said love through the National Spanish Honor Society at CHS.

“It’s an honor to be chosen,” Milton said. “It shows that I have put a lot of hard work into this school and I am really glad that I have been able to positively impact the community around me that has done so much for me.”

But Milton explores communication in many forms as she dances across CHS Arena and Buddy Echols eld— ag and ri e in hand. Milton will further continue her academic interests at Texas A&M University as a Psychology major with a Spanish minor.

The Sidekick’s

Walking into the Dallas Market Center, Coppell High School senior Emily Chang felt a sense of pride wash over her. From choosing the potential themes to coordinating details, Chang poured her heart into planning the perfect prom for the class of 2023 seniors.

Despite an impressive resume that has carried her to major in Health and Human Sciences at the University of Southern California, Chang’s motivations for putting herself out there when running for senior class president were not just to play a key role in the creation of memories for the seniors. Her motivations date back to her childhood.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t see a lot of representation,” Chang said. “‘Duality’ really represents what I stand for. I hope that people see me not just as “successful” or someone who did all these things, but I hope people remember me for what my character is.”

The Sidekick’s 19 Under 19 highlights Coppell High School’s stand-out Cowboys and Cowgirls who have devoted their high school careers to leading the school and the community. The following 19 students have been nominated by peers due to their exceptional in uence and outstanding contributions that have earned them recognition as some of the most promising leaders of CHS.

Stories by Aliza Abidi, Anvita Bondada, Sahasra Chakilam, Yaamini Jois, Saniya Koppikar, Angelina Liu, Manasa Mohan, Nyah Rama and Sameeha Syed

Photos by Sruthi Lingam, Angelina Liu, Nandini Muresh and Nandini Paidesetty

Whether playing the saxophone at Pennington Field in Bedford underneath stadium lights, dusting his hands before deadlifting or serving the Coppell ISD community on the school board bond committee, Coppell High School senior Dilan Patel radiates con dence.

“I have an ability to lead a group of people just because I have con dence within myself,” Patel said. “I also have patience and poise. That's how I like to lead. I like to be more laid back and let people make mistakes rst. I like to make mistakes, that way I'm able to grow. I think that the biggest part of who I am is just guring things out on my own.”

Patel is majoring in business at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and hopes to work in big tech between the intersection of business and technology.

A peach tree growing in Coppell High School senior Amav Khambete’s garden in 2019 led to one of his greatest passions.

His interest in research stemmed from his freshman year after meeting seniors that would balance research at local universities with swim practices. Upon taking all AP science courses, Khambete took on a research project at UT Southwestern to research drug development. His research awarded him the title of Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar. “I started high school looking up to the seniors on my swim team who were balancing multiple things at once,” Khambete said. “But I’d like other students to know it’s not inaccessible to them. Research can be started by anyone in anything they’re interested in.” In the fall, Khambete will pursue Neuroscience and East Asian Studies at Harvard University.

Watching in awe as her babysitter danced amongst the Lariettes, young Coppell High School senior Jules Hunt knew that she wanted to be part of the program. Upon entering high school, Hunt found comfort in the Lariettes.

Hunt used her love for dance and leadership to become senior lieutenant. Hunt has cultivated her passion for leadership as a Red Jacket where she learned essential leadership skills.

When imagining her future career, Hunt reminisces on the people who helped her most. Her former educators and father, Coppell ISD Superintendent Brad Hunt, have played a signi cant role in shaping Hunt into the woman she is today.

“My optimism comes from him,” Hunt said. “He helps me strive to be the best I can be, whether it’s academically or through Lariettes.” Hunt will pursue Elementary Education at Texas A&M University.

Walking into her freshman year, Coppell High School senior Mytri Nair tended to submerge herself into a bubble, avoiding change and sticking to her comfort zone. However, through Science Olympiad, Nair was able to pop that bubble, releasing herself to embrace the world. Beginning Science Olympiad when she was 11 and building her way up to captaining the Alpha team in her senior year, Nair has always felt drawn to the new opportunities and the sense of community provided by the club. Exploring the eld of science taught her that changes are inevitable and is the impetus for growth.

“I like change and I am not hesitant about it,” Nair said. “I hope that I have given the opportunity for members to discover new things and branch out, just as I did, so they can continue carrying on the legacy of Science Olympiad.”

Nair plans to continue exploring computer science in the fall.

Moving from New Tech High @ Coppell to Coppell High School before her sophomore year, senior Rhythm Khandelwal felt lost in the new crowd.

However, eventually became the one who leads the crowd instead.

Joining band as a utist freshman year, Khandelwal was inspired by the drive and in uence of the upperclassmen, because of the relationships they had built around the school. To further expand her platform, Khandelwal became a Red Jacket, so she would be a gure that can present the school through her own lens and guide people through it. She concurs that school should be viewed as a door to opportunities and hopes that students can realize that and let themselves grow through it, just as she did.

“Helping others is what makes you want to help yourself,” Khandelwal said. “You get inspired by people and can inspire them as well.” Khandelwal is attending Texas A&M in the fall for Computer Science.

Playing piano since age 5, Coppell High School senior percussionist Matthew Tindoc has gained a deep understanding of music and created lifelong bonds.

With hopes to make music accessible to everyone, Tindoc, along with fellow senior percussionists created Notelove, a nonpro t organization that helps students experience music without worrying about their nancial situation. As the recruitment director for the organization, Tindoc enrolls new applicants and instructors and pairs them up to conduct lessons.

Going into the medical path at University of Washington, majoring in Biochemistry on the pre-med track, Tindoc thinks music’s details tie into medicine.

“Music is so intricate and has so many details it ties with medicine and its variety of topics,” Tindoc said. “My belief that music can help everyone can transfer over to medicine as they both help people overcome their biggest fears.”

A colorful explosion of culture and language peeks from under the stairs; its fresh paint vibrant against the gray carpet. The new mural, which replaced its quintessential white, black and red predecessor in September, was created over the summer by Coppell High School senior Je rey Wang with the help of art students at CHS.

“I’m known as the art dude, the physics guy, the person who, if the Zoom is silent, is the one talking,” Wang said. “The legacy I want to leave is being familiar, joyful and someone who is ever-present. The mural was how I made that reality.”

Wang’s art career is set to take Carnegie Mellon University by storm in the fall. He will be majoring in Computer Science and Studio Art, which he describes as “a universal visual language and the fabric of our lives.”

Photo courtesy Ryan Murphy

The curtains draw back and the spotlight shines brightly onto the stage as all eyes x on the lone student who steps con dently into the spotlight, almost as if she was born for this moment. With a deep breath and a steady gaze, Coppell High School senior Mihira Kada steps forward ready to deliver the performance of a lifetime.

“I want people to remember me for my dedication, my kindness and my willingness to be someone who anyone can come to and being able to step up for everyone,” Kada said. “Being helpful and being a leader because that’s what my whole senior year has been about: being a leader and leading my peers towards good things.”

Kada is specializing in Supply Chain Management at University of Texas at Dallas in the fall.

Many students are familiar with the various and endless stresses of high school; however, everyone has a di erent way to cope. For Coppell High School senior Varun Ramanathan, that release is laughter.

“High school is a fun time with your friends but a lot of us are also involved in a lot of activities and it can get stressful,” Ramanathan said. “Lightening the mood for everyone and just making sure everyone is having a good time is probably the biggest impact I’ve had on this school.”

What is more is Ramanathan’s uncapped knowledge of sports. From football to cricket, Ramanathan has an answer, but he does not just enjoy sitting in the audience.

Rather, Ramanathan will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Statistics and Data Science with hopes to get into sports analytics.

From the sidelines of sports games and the Coppell Biodiversity Center (CBC), Coppell High School senior Mel Venegas planted her legacy at CHS as a student dedicated to learning more about her community.

Venegas joined Eco Club at the freshman center and continued the activity all years, eventually becoming an o cer in her senior year.

Venegas also joined sports medicine as a freshman, an activity that she followed throughout all four years in high school.

“I felt so lost in my rst year when I saw more experienced sports medicine students working around me,” Venegas said. “But I learned to love it, and I stuck with it. Since then, I’ve gotten to spend hours outside of [CHS] learning everything I was scared of as a freshman.”

Venegas plans to major in Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

Coppell High School senior Tyler Schweitzer chases the same adrenaline rush he felt as a freshman in the ensemble of “Newsies” in each theater production he stars in. Since his rst performance four years ago, Schweitzer has scored the lead role in nearly every production since.

While balancing baseball and theater for the rst two years, Schweitzer made the decision to quit baseball and go all-in on theater, despite not being sure if he wanted to continue theater as a freshman.

Schweitzer hopes he in uences students to give all their e ort into any task they take on. He quotes himself as “doing everything like he’s doing anything.”

Schweitzer was a CHS Red Jacket and a member of the superintendent council. Schweitzer hopes to pursue Environmental Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon, citing his passion for solving contemporary issues surrounding climate change and control.

On and o the court, Coppell senior guard Jules LaMendola prioritizes persistence. As captain of the Coppell girls basketball team, LaMendola helped the Cowgirls advance to the Class 6A state tournament and motivated young athletes to pursue what they are passionate about. “It may be harder for us girls to do some things because of the standards that are set right now,” LaMendola said. “But if we continue to work hard, maybe someday we can change those standards.” LaMendola draws motivation from her love of the process—the journey as opposed to the destination. She focuses on how she is going to achieve her goals rather than stressing about the outcome. Looking to the future, LaMendola plans to have a professional career in sports, whether that be in sports management or sideline reporting. Next year, LaMendola will play basketball at Indiana University.

Do not show Coppell High School senior Ananya Agarwal any blood, she’s squeamish. If you want to discuss it with her, though, she’s all ears.

As president of HOSA, Agarwal de nes her greatest accomplishment as advancing the organization’s competition base. In the 2022-23 school year, 45 kids in HOSA advanced to state––a feat Agarwal says was previously out of reach.

“There’s been a lot of changes in HOSA, new teachers, new advisors, we’ve had a new one each year for the past few years. It’s been hard to get members adjusted,” Agarwal said. “That’s what I want my legacy as an o cer to be: constant, someone they can count on.”

In the fall, Agarwal will be majoring in Business Management at the University of Texas at Austin with future plans to focus in social impact consulting, nance, and diversity and inclusion.

At the start of high school, Coppell High School senior Jessica Mendez-Gil struggled to determine her self worth. However, through volunteering with UNICEF and competitive wrestling, she was able to cut toxicity out and learned to put herself rst.

Mendez-Gil is on the CHS girls wrestling team along with competing in volleyball, MMA, boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Mohler MMA. She hones in her empathy, compassion and sel essness into her volunteer work and medical pursuits.

“For every three ungrateful people that you help, there will always be that one person that makes up for it and will let you know that you made an impact on their life,” Mendez-Gil said. “What I'm doing now is setting the base for how I want to help people in the future.”

Mendez-Gil will further her Medical Studies education at Arizona State University.

Actress, student council member, Red Jacket and KCBY-TV senior producer Lauren Beach is known as the girl involved in everything. In her four years at CHS, Beach made a lasting impact on her peers through her positive attitude and kindness though, not only her unending involvement.

“I wanted to be remembered for being kind to everyone,” Beach said.

“Knowing that my peers at this school that has nearly 4,000 students voted me to be one of the most in uential people has made me star-struck.”

And it is that lasting smile that attracts audiences as a Lariette and invokes another set of pulled cheeks for viewers of any of her many KCBY-TV segments.

Beach will further her broadcasting journey at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Radio, Television and Film. Beach hopes to take her natural charisma and acting skills to Hollywood, where she can act and direct movies.

In a campus of more than 3,000, it can be daunting to voice your opinions without being drowned out. But, Coppell High School senior Shrayes Gunna posits his voice to amplify others’, particularly in the Asian American community through a concert of debate, art and writing.

“I think I have the ability to change the ways that we live and how we interact with people,” Gunna said. “That’s really gratifying and has helped me as a person to pinpoint my work and to recognize what my power and potency comes from.”

Whether on the sidelines for The Sidekick or leading a pep rally as a senior-class and student council o cer, Gunna pursues advocacy and storytelling in varied ways.

Gunna plans to spread his in uence by majoring in Asian Studies on a pre-law track at Cornell University.

Shivering students wrapped in blankets stand on bleachers at Buddy Echols Field as the Coppell football team faces McKinney in the rst round of playo s. Despite the battering wind, Coppell High School senior KCBY-TV producer Mau Sigler darts from endzone to endzone, dutifully carrying a tripod and donning a headset. This is Sigler’s norm. Throughout the football season, the videographer can be spotted at every game, whether that be conducting interviews, directing coverage or providing live clips of the action.

“I’m someone who focuses more on the technical aspect of things,” Sigler said. “For pep rallies, I was always one of the people who would run the video board and audio. I also bring a lot to the table when it comes to innovating our shows with new graphics, editing and things like that. That's the biggest thing I can contribute.”

Sigler will attend the University of Texas at Tyler to eventually attend the University of Texas at Austin through the Coordinated Admissions Program.