Volume 26 Issue 6

Coppell High School 185 W Parkway Blvd Coppell TX 75019 VOLUME 26

ISSUE 6

IN ISSUE

Families, friends feel impact of earthquake Nepalese community in Coppell and surrounding areas respond to the devasting disaster that struck the Asian country.

NEWS Page 3

The Sidekick seniors share regrets, memories of high school Staff seniors give advice to underclassmen and soonto-be seniors on everything from what classes to take to life in general.

OPINIONS Page 5

Colleagues rally around Flores in time of need When math teacher Jennifer Flores’ house almost burned down, she did not know where to turn for help, but her fellow teachers did.

STUDENT LIFE Page 6

Sophomore takes first (dub)step towards dream While Jackson Culp makes music, what he uses is not the typical instruments to say the least.

ENTERTAINMENT Page 20

A new type of therapy found through riding Living with Down syndrome, Coppell second grader Reagan Robinette finds comfort and enjoyment riding horses, much to her parent’s pleasure.

SPORTS Page 23

May 2015

Pg 9

Pg 11

Pg 22

From sixth to first: the Adenwalla story

Arwine goes overseas for college

Do you even lift?

Mayes does

www.coppellstudentmedia.com

news

2

Kim Pearce

Teacher of the Issue: English teacher’s long career never gets old; each day brings new excitement, joys SAI SESHADRI Staff Writer @Saisailu97 When most people think of the Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition classes offered at Coppell High School, the first person that comes to mind is Kim Pearce.

Having been at CHS for over 30 years, teaching both journalism and English, as well as being the AP coordinator, Pearce is one of the best known teachers in the building.

“I was out one day in Irving when a little boy came up to me and told me that I used to have his mom as a student, and when I got up to see who it was, I knew exactly who she was and where she sat in my class,” Pearce said. “It’s those kinds of intangible rewards that you get when you are a teacher.”

Now an AP senior English teacher, Pearce says that she is grateful to get the opportunity to help seniors transition into college.

“I love my job, it is so rewarding,” Pearce said. “Every day is different, even though I come to the same place for work every day, it is still different.”

Pearce makes it a point to encourage her students as much as she can, even going to see their football games, drama events, band performances and so on, just so she can get a glimpse at what her students love to do outside of the classroom.

Though she has been at the high school for several years now, Pearce has no intention of leaving anytime soon, and is already getting ready to once again meet her incoming students next year.

“I have been here so long that until they name a hallway or bathroom after me, I’ll be here,” Pearce said.

The Sidekick // Aubrie Sisk

Teacher alignment being modified for the 2015-16 school year SAKSHI VENKATRAMAN Staff Writer @oompapa1

A

lthough it seems like summer is approaching extremely fast, teachers and administrators have already begun the laborious process of planning for yet another school year.

With the 2015-16 school year fast approaching, decisions are being made to make things run more efficiently in the future. One such change being made deals with the amount of courses (preps) taught by a teacher at one time.“In the skill-based curriculums like the

English and math classes, where the courses build upon each other, we are moving towards the teachers teaching only one prep,” Coppell High School associate principal Kayla Brown said. “So an Algebra I teacher would only be teaching Algebra I instead of Geometry and Algebra.”

The purpose of this change in the coming school year is to make planning with Professional Learning Communities (PLC) more efficient for each teacher.

“The issue that we ran into this year is that those teachers who taught the two preps weren’t able to plan with both teams because they

only got one period off [for planning],” Brown said.

This transition has the largest effect on the math department, where many teachers this year taught more than one prep at a time.

“What I tried to do when planning out the master schedule [for the 2014-15 school year] was to give teachers two courses that were sequential,” CHS math department chair Ian VanderSchee said. “One teacher would teach Algebra II and Pre-Calculus, so they would know which elements of one course would be assumed knowledge for the next course.”

While they can still teach different levels of the same course (such as AP, pre-AP and regular), math teachers have for the most part been assigned one course to instruct for the coming year. Although the incoming system is designed to make it easier and more efficient for the teachers, there have been mixed opinions about its implementation.

“Some teachers really enjoy teaching two because they feel like teaching one subject would be monotonous,” VanderSchee said.

“Other teachers really see the benefits, like I do, in that they will have a group that attends every [PLC].

They can focus on one particular subject and making it as meaningful as possible for the students in the room.”

Although CHS administration is largely trying to meet that goal for next, further changing is still tentative and depends highly on registration numbers.

“In practice, teachers having to spread their time and effort between two different courses is straining on them. I understand that and appreciate them for it,” sophomore Meryl Xiong said. “But I also think it’s good for a teacher to know what the next course entails and to prepare their own course.”

news

3

Coppell and Irving’s Nepalese populations hold a prayer service in memory of lost loved ones by lighting candles and spelling out “For Nepal.”

Relief teams rush to the aid of the injured and dead trapped in the rubble of Nepal’s fallen buildings.

Nepal’s terraced farms and farmhouses are devastated by the earthquake of 7.8 magnitude on April 25. Several buildings have collapsed and lay

in ruins.

Photos Courtesy // Bidusi Dhakal

Thousands killed in natural disaster, Coppell students scramble for support

THOMAS ROUSSEAU Staff Writer

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epalis in Coppell were shocked on April 25 by the news of what had happened to their relatives on the other side of the world. Coppell High School senior Shreya Dahal was one of those most affected.

Finding out that her father’s short vacation left him in the middle of the disaster, Dahal rushed to raise support and promote aid for the victims of the earthquake that shook her home country.

A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake left much of Nepal in ruins. The death toll is rising at 5,000 and showing few signs of stopping. Aftershocks from the tragedy have reached Coppell and shaken the hearts of its Nepalese population.

Dahal grew up in Lalitpur, which is a satellite city to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, and one of the places hardest hit by the earthquake. When she was 8-years-old she moved to Wis-

consin. Dahal’s father, Beda Dahal, was serving as a humanitarian in Nepal on a short vacation.

She lost all contact with him after the first earthquake, and was unable to reach him until Tuesday evening due to the aftershocks and power outages.

“I remember him telling me that he was OK from the first quake and he updated us, writing about how many people had died, what places were affected, but after that for the second earthquake we haven’t really heard much from him,” Dahal said.

The government is inundated by the masses of injured and those in need of help, as well as by internal corruption. Many organizations are struggling to provide aid for the millions victimized within Nepal. Other neighboring countries have volunteered help, and the initiative does not stop there. People all around the world are taking up the momentous task of raising funds and awareness for those in need.

People were forced from their homes and found shelter outside, many were left open to the elements, however, and the night after the quake was filled with rain and hail which battered the already shaken victims. Officials expect water, food, sanitation and diseases to become a problem in the coming days as peo-

ple are out of home and out of options.

Nepal’s architecture is especially susceptible to earthquakes. The buildings are mostly concrete, brick and rebar, which does not allow the same flexibility or strength as steel or wood.

This is not helped by the average height of Nepal’s houses. It is not common for houses to reach four or five stories.

Families with loved ones in the parts of Nepal currently without electricity are left in a state of uncertainty on the wellbeing of their loved ones.

Verizon and AT&T are providing free calls to Nepal, but for the thousands without power or transportation, it only helps so much. Up until Tuesday Dahal had very little knowledge about the safety of her father, Beda Dahal. She was able to contact him and talk for a short while before losing connection again.

“It’s better to know whether he’s alive or dead than to be in this unknown state. Anyone would want some closure if something did happen, and especially with him being in a different country, it’s so scary,” Dahal said.

Sophomore Yujeena Khadka moved to Texas from Nepal when she was 9-years-old. She lived in Kathmandu, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes. Khadka was planning a

trip over the summer to see family, but she will no longer be going due to the harsh conditions and travel restrictions.

“I talked to my cousin the other day and she said they don’t have any food, so people in Nepal are distributing ramen noodles, that’s all they’ve been eating,” Khadka said. “Our old house, it’s been there for over 50 years. It’s rubble right now.”

The structural integrity of buildings is often damaged beyond repair during the earthquakes without them immediately collapsing. Knowing that another tremor could spell disaster for homes, residents are forced to live outside their homes until further notice.

“I feel like Nepal went a couple years back because of the earthquake, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to take a long time to get everything together,” Khadka said.

Sophomore Bidusi Dhakal moved to Illinois from Nepal when she was 7-years-old. She lived in Chitwan, a more rural area of Nepal less affected by the earthquake, but now more affected by the lack of supplies.

“My family is OK, but they’re camping outside, and my cousin’s daughter and son are too scared to go inside because they’re afraid an earthquake’s going to come,” Dhakal said.

Not all of Nepal’s people are

so lucky. Several thousand were caught under the piles of rubble, or in the landslides that ensued.

Many of those who survived are stranded in areas difficult to reach by vehicle. Cranes cannot pass through Kathmandu’s narrow streets to clear debris.

“I have had a few friends and family who have died, who are missing, who are isolated from their loved ones,” Dahal said.

Among all those fleeing the disaster, Dahal is looking for a way into Nepal to help alongside the volunteers.

“I wanted to leave the next day,” Dahal said. “I decided maybe I’ll leave after a few weeks when things actually start settling down.”

Dahal asked the CHS administration about receiving her finals early in order to lend aid to Nepal, but her options are limited. She has been given the alternative to complete her courses at Turning Point, but with that comes an unknown duration of course material and the invalidation of her Advanced Placement (AP) credits.

“It’s not what I want to do, [but] it’s what I need to do. I feel at this point emotionally, I have to be there, I need to be there for my dad’s sake,” Dahal said.

The total goal is at least $2,000. Other donations such as medicine or food are highly encouraged, more than money.

opinions

4

editorial

Do not belittle someone’s college of choice

“A

monkey could get into [the University of] Arkansas.”

Yes, someone said this out loud, around people who went to this college.

However shocking this might sound, these sentiments and behavior are not uncommon at Coppell High School. In a district that prides itself on academic excellence and pursuing passions for extracurriculars, there are stigmas and standards about what colleges are “acceptable” to attend and ones that are not.

Each standard is depended on the senior’s accomplishments. If an straight A student that scored a 30 above on the ACT decides to go to the University of Oklahoma, his decision is immediately challenged and he is ridiculed for his choice.

This should not be the case.

Getting into a university is an achievement itself and should be celebrated not belittled. Just because someone does not go where you think is an “ideal” spot for him does not give you the right to trivialize it.

There are many factors that

Executive Editors

Adviser Chase Wofford Editor-In-Chief Alex Nicoll

Managing Editor Jena Seidemann Enterprise Editor Kara Hallam

News Editor Summer Crawford Student Life Editor Allie Arnold Entertainment Editor Stephanie Alexander

Design Editor Rachel Buigas-Lopez Graphics Editor Josh Martin Photography Editor Nicole Messer

Editorial Editors

Photographers

Chelsea Banks Amanda Hair Mallorie Munoz

Kelly Monaghan Aubrie Sisk Sarah VanderPol

Graphic Designers

Taylor Bond Manu Garikipati

Christianna Haas Nicholas Brigis

contribute to deciding where one plans on attending college. Costs of tuition, location and availability of majors are some to just name a few. You do not necessarily know the reasons behind a choice, so a condescending opinion is unwarranted. We are not so important that we have the right to make the decision for what fits best for others.

Besides, our world is evolving and people are pursuing degrees through multiple different avenues. People might go to community college and transfer to a larger four year university. Peo-

ple might just attend a two year college to get their associate’s degree. People might even take a gap year and take online courses while they pursue other interests.

The bottomline is that all these people have one thing in common-they are trying to better themselves and their lives by getting a degree. Shouldn’t that be honorable not ridiculed?

Some of the most influential people in our society like Disney creator, Walt Disney, attended Metropolitan Junior College in Missouri, while billionaire Ross Perot attended Texarkana Junior

College.

Both these men exemplify that where one attends college is not everything. People will make the most of their life if they choose too.

Yes, college does offer connections that can greatly help someone get a job, but hard work beats prestige when it comes down to it.

Don’t belittle someone’s college. It might not be the ideal spot for you but it was for them.

It’s not your place or anyone else’s to determine where a person should go to school.

2014-2015 Sidekick Staff Staff Writers

Shivani Burra Pranathi Chitta Emma Cummins Alexandra Dalton Dominic DeCello Priya Desai Aisha Espinosa Nicolas Henderson Alex Irizarry Meara Isenberg Joseph Krum Marcus Krum

Chloe Moino Shannon Morgan Shruthika Pochampally Amy Roh Thomas Rousseau Gabby Sahm Sloane Samberson Sai Seshadri Hailey Siegrist Chisom Ukoha Sakshi Venkatraman

Business Staff

Business/Public Relations Manager Tuulia Koponen Business Staff Chris Sheldon

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

The newspaper is a member of National Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The editorials and columns presented in this paper reflect the views of their student writers and not Coppell High Schoool or Coppell Independent School District.

Adverstisements are sold as full, 1/2 page, 1/4 page and 1/8 page sizes in black and white or color.

The Sidekick welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters can be emailed to cwofford@coppellisd. com or delivered to the D115 newsroom at Coppell High School. A current email address and first and last name for the writer must be included for the letter to be considered for publication.

Contact The Sidekick: 214-496-6239 cwofford@coppellisd.com

opinions

5 I don’t believe in time tables - having to accomplish things at such and such time. Whatever is best for me, I am going to pursue. My one regret in high school was not doing a study abroad proJena gram. So many people have this Seidemann misconception that high school is about perfection, but really it is about experimentation and finding yourself. D115 became my home where I grew into a confident individual.

Your main objective in these four years should be to find where you will excel, where you will learn your strength and weaknesses because if you understand who you are,

You have more choice than you think to be happy and do the things you love. You need to start making yourself more of a priority.

What do you actually love to do? Start doing more of that. It Kara really is time we do more things Hallam that make us happy and say no to the things that don’t. Sure you’re going to have to work hard in life, but don’t be miserable or stuck in a rut- simple as that. It’s OK to quit sometimes. Don’t take things too seriously. P.S. be nice, be positive and don’t be judgemental

I was the kid that got held back in Kindergarten, that didn’t know a word of English, that struggled to do math problems and would write down random numbers because I didn’t unTuulia derstand when my teacher tried Koponen to tell me how to do it. Now, I’m the kid that talks too loudly and passionately to my parents late at night when something provokes me greatly, that’s over-bubbly or terribly quiet, someone that likes to be weird, likes to explore, proud of her Finnish heritage and someone that will always strive to be the hero of her own story.

You don’t have to do what everyone expects of you. Don’t let the opinions of others or the fear of putting yourself out there discourage you from what doing what you really want. If you want Christianna to try something new, do it. If Haas you’re getting too stressed out, slow down. Take a break. You don’t have to be the kid with the perfect GPA, or every single medal, or in four different extracurriculars.

Stop to make sure you have enough time for the one thing that really matters: you.

Everyone says it, “don’t blink”. These past four years have flown by and looking back, all I can say is that I’m blessed. The friends I have, the memories I’ve made, and the lessons I’ve learned made Sarah these years all that much more VanderPol special. Surround yourself with people who will love you, challenge you, and stick by you no matter what. People and things are going to tempt you, but don’t conform

Looking back at these past four years, I realize I’ve made many many mistakes. Like a whole lot, some of them small, some of them not so much, but you know what? I never let it bring Alex me down, and that’s the biggest Irizarry piece of advice I can leave behind. You will falter, and you will have days where you feel like a failure, and every now and then you’ll fall. And it hurts, I know. But the most important thing is that you get right back up, and keep pushing forward. Embrace your life for what it is, but always strive to be better, and never ever give up.

You are your worst critic, don’t be too hard on yourself, let loose and enjoy what you have in these moments of your life.

And if anyone ever tells you that you cannot do something Christianna or be who you want to be, prove Haas them wrong. You can do whatever you set your mind to, you just have to work hard to get there. It pays off in the end and it is worth it.

You have a choice of living a life with your own splashes of color, or as one of 7 billion lost in a bland sea, so don’t be afraid to be different. If there’s one thing I have learned, it’s that hope Sarah and optimism can go a long VanderPol way. I believe that whatever the mind is looking for, it will find, so chose from the start to search for your own happiness. Always stand up for what you believe in, because in the end it’s all you. Learn to love the little things, from waking up in a comfortable bed to the privilege of getting an education to being part of a family.

The time and place is now. High school is a time of discovery and it should not be wasted on meaningless things. You have an opportunity to do everything you want in order to find what you Josh love. A passion will not find Martin you, so you have to go out and get it yourself. So my advice is this: g e t out of your comfort zone, find a dream, and make it a goal. Put your stamp on life and be an individual. Dreams are not meant for the best, they are meant for those striving to be the best.

One thing I’ve taken from my high school experience is that it’s OK to not have all the answers. It’s OK to stand there awkwardly when your relatives ask you what your plans are for the fuChristianna ture. It’s OK to try new things Haas just because you feel like it or to quit doing something because it n o longer makes you happy or serves a purpose. All that matters is that you know how amazing you are and that you’re capable of doing something spectacular. Strive to find that ‘something.’ Work for it, even if you don’t know what it is yet.

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,/ Somewhere along the way we’ve finished this tumultuous passage / The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, / A bittersweet end to a semi sweet stoSarah ry / O Captain! my Captain! rise up VanderPol and hear the bells; / An odd paradox to face, to be at the end, but truly the very beginning / For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; / From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; / The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, / For a moment, brief respite / However my ship sets sail / Ever so.. / Soon

Follow your passions no matter what people think of it. Life is too short to let others decide your life for you. High school is a chance for self-discovery, it’s a time where you get to find Alex out what works for you and Nicoll what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to offend someone because of your opinion, it’s good to be different. Don’t be afraid to take risks but in anything you do make sure to follow through; always keep your commitments. You enter this world with one thing and leave it with one thing: your word.

Work hard for what you want. There will be people that seem as though it comes easy to them. Ignore these people. They are few and in the end what you put into getting to your goal will be so much more Priya than what they get from their luck.

Desai You have a journey rather than just a destination. It will be hard and you will want it to end, but it will be worth it. One of my favorite quotes is “there is no substitute for hard work” from Thomas Edison. Use the struggles and triumphs that can only come from your journey to your advantage. That’s what makes you strong. That’s what makes you, you.

If there is any one thing that I learned throughout high school, it’s that despite every other identity you take on, always remember to be kind. Too many people believe being kind to others shows weakSai ness, but I think being able to show Seshadri compassion for others is one of the most important personality traits that a person can have. People might forget most other things about you ten years down the line, but the one thing that always sticks with you is the way you treat other people, so always try your best to show the people you are surrounded by that you truly care about them.

I think my life changed when I started to become friends with different types of people. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to go beyond what you’re used to. Become friends with different types Chloe of people. Learn and experience Moino their culture. Learn different religions, customs and habits. Visit different types of restaurants and try different types of food. Fall in love with the world, photography and travelling. There is so much more to life than what you experience at your home. Don’t be closed minded; you can really find who you are through the experiences of other people.

We are all relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe and everything that lies beyond it.

I think that as humans, we give ourselves far too much credit.

In reality we are just as worthy Shruthika as the turtles and fish and butPochampally terflies. The mere fact that our prototype calls for a more developed thought process does not change the fact that we, just like any other organism on the planet, will cease to exist eventually. A quote from the Bhagavad Gita, comes to mind: “You must learn to endure fleeting things they come and go!” Bhagavad Gita 2:14

At this point in my life I am thinking about how overrated high school is and how ready I am for this stage of my life to be over and be on my way to college. But as I take a minute to think, I think about Shivani how much I will truly miss these Burra people I have been around for the last four years. If I had any advice for m y underclassmen friends or it would be to not let silly high school drama run your life. Pretty soon, it will seem petty and stupid. Make every moment count.

Soon, you will blink and it will all be over. You have no idea how fast time will fly by.

The Sidekick seniors

share last bit

of advice

Nicole Messer

Something that I wish someone would’ve told me a long time ago is that often times, the things that you think matter don’t. We’re in a city where everyone is striving for perfection, and sometimes we don’t even realize how we are damaging ourselves in the process. Don’t overcommit - you can’t be everything to everyone. Pick something that means a lot to you and run with it, give it your all. That is so much better than giving 10% to 10 different things. If something is causing you a lot of stress, don’t do it. Just focus on you and what you need in order to become who you’re going to be. These four years are about testing these things, so don’t be afraid to try new things.

Don’t get caught up in the crowd, listen to yourself and keep your morals. You’ll end up exactly where you need to be as long as you do the work to get there. Truly enjoy every moment with these people, and all the games and school events, these four years will go by faster than you think.

Stephanie Alexander

student life

6

I

A single spark ignites disaster SLOANE SAMBERSON Staff Writer @SloaneSamberson

n the blink of an eye, everything can change.

For Coppell High School advance quantitative reasoning and Algebra II teacher Jennifer Flores and her husband, Jason Flores, lives were changed on April 18.

“We pulled up to our block and saw three or four firetrucks,” Flores said. “At first we were like, ‘what’s going on?’ and ‘where is it happening?’ Jason was like, ‘no, it’s not our house,’ but then we saw firefighters pulling up one of the water hoses to our driveway. That’s when we realized our house had caught fire.”

Firefighters have not confirmed what caused the fire to ignite at their Arlington home, but presume Flores’ house was struck by lightning.

“What initiated the fire was the air conditioning unit inside the house,” Flores said. “That somehow started the fire, then the smoke spread through the AC vents and all of the deckwork in the attic.”

Luckily, the Flores family, which includes their 1-yearold son Lucas, were not in their home when the fire ignited.

“I called my mom because she was actually bringing my son back home,” Flores said.

“Thankfully, she had kept him overnight. Our main concern at the time were the dogs, but the

firemen had rescued them.”

Everything in the house was affected by the smoke. All furniture, electronics and Flores’ son’s toys will have to be replaced due to the intensity of the fire and smoke. There is a strong possibility that all of their clothes will have to be replaced as well.

“We couldn’t go in at first,” Jason said. “It looked pretty severe from standing outside the front doorway. I anticipated worse news than we actually received.”

According to Flores, nothing was truly lost.

“Some of our pictures that were in frames were damaged,” Flores said. “As far as personal items that were damaged, the smoke was in every room in the house so all of our things smell like smoke.”

The fire department estimates at least $20,000 worth of damage. The insurance company hasn’t completed their investigation, so the Flores’ do not know the amount of coverage they are estimating.

As soon as faculty and staff heard about Flores’ loss, they began brainstorming how they could help.

“I thought to myself, ‘What can I do to help? What can my family do to help? What can [Flores’] school family do to help?’” International Baccalaureate teacher and head of the math department Ian VanderSchee said. “By the time I came to that realization, Wendy Levell, who is a math teacher at

CHS, had already started a fund to raise money for Flores within the math department, as well as the Sunshine Committee.”

The Sunshine Committee is a benevolent type of organization that is a part of the CHS staff and faculty community. The Sunshine Committee collects donations from staff members to help fund anything from gifts and flowers, to money and giftcards when a teacher is in need.

“So far the math department has raised over $300 for that, and the Sunshine Committee,

headed by ‘Ready, Set, Teach!’ teacher Shelly Redding, has raised over $800 from the entire campus,” VanderSchee said.

“I know that [Flores’] students are getting together and doing something as well.”

Just as staff and faculty are concerned for how the Flores will recover, her students are too.

“I was very shocked,” CHS senior Abby Green said. “It made me really sad to hear about one of my teachers who works so hard and is so sweet, had some-

thing awful happen to her. I immediately wanted to help.”

When tragedy strikes or someone is in need, Coppell’s “family” environment really comes in to play.

“I like the fact that everybody sees the need, and kind of stops what they are doing with their personal lives,” VanderSchee said. “They say, ‘let me sacrifice what I can to help someone that I may not know very well, but somebody that obviously needs help.’ That is what Coppell is all about.”

Photos Courtesy // Jennifer Flores The destructiveness of the fire blackened closet walls, causing insulation to pour out. The state of the closet is nearly irreparable.

HOSA members take first place at state, advance to nationals PRANATHI CHITTA Staff Writer @prannydacheetah

A

lthough Dallas may seem too close to home for a competition, the city did not disappoint when the Coppell High School Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA) club took part in the state competition on April 9-11.

With over 3,000 students competing, advancing to the national competition was not an easy achievement for the Coppell competitors.

“Honestly, we weren’t expecting first place at state,” CHS junior Asutosh Dhakal said.

“We were already so proud of ourselves for making the state competition. Nationals is truly [a] dream come true.”

Dhakal and his team’s event was Public Service Announcement, where his team had to make a 30 second video about the topic, Concussions: Recognition, Prevention and Treatment.

“Our preparation mainly consisted of the presentation portion of our event,” Dhakal said. “After showing the video to the judges, we receive four minutes to explain our creative process. For state, we only changed the content of our presentation, making it more specific and detailed.”

At regionals, Dhakal’s team placed second out of 40 teams and competed against 21 teams during state.

“State competition was much more fun [than the re-

Photo Courtesy // Asutosh Dhakal Juniors Asutosh Dhakal, Eugene Han, Dheeraj Nuthakki, Vinayak Sahal and Haris Rafiq win first place at the HOSA state competition in Dallas. Following the win, HOSA will compete in Anaheim, Calif. for the national competition. gional competition],” CHS junior Eugene Han said. “It was not only for a longer period of time, but also away from home.

We were given much more freedom to appreciate the time at state.”

Han and Dhakal found the state competition to be very enjoyable.

“It was a great bonding moment for us as a team; we let go of the real world for a while and enjoyed life,” Dhakal said. “We knew at that moment, regardless of the result the next day, we’d always be a team.”

The teams that advance to nationals consist of Public Service Announcement and Community Awareness, which adds to a total of 10 students.

“I am so proud of CHS HOSA’s success this year,” HOSA Sponsor Debra Johnson said.

Johnson said that she is excited for the HOSA officer team of Sheetal Hariharakumar, Hriju Adhikari, Vinootna Kantety, Nikita Nasta, Sanjuktha Pendyala Sravika Kayithi, Meghna Suresh and Ari Randell advancing to National and representing the members in competing

for Outstanding HOSA Chapter.

“I really did not know how far I would get, because I moved here from Alabama,” CHS junior Vinootha Kanety said. “When I was in Alabama, my team advanced to nationals two years in a row. However, Texas is different because it is a much bigger state.”

Kanety decided to participate in the Outstanding HOSA Chapter, when the team is asked to make a scrapbook before competition to represent Coppell’s chapter.

“All we had to do for the event was drop off the scrapbook for judging and then pick it up before the awards ceremony,” Kanety said.

Nationals will be held on June 23-28 in Anaheim, Calif. where students will not only compete, but also enjoy visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios.

“For state, our presentation was spot-on,” Dhakal said. “We don’t plan to change anything for Nationals. All we can do now is practice, practice, practice.”

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The Sidekick // Josh Martin

senior issue

senior issue

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media

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Experiences in Coppell media follow student leaders to college MALLORIE MUNOZ Staff Photographer @munoz_mallorie

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lease list, in priority order, the organizations, activities, jobs and internships that indicate your special contributions, talents, honors and abilities in the areas of extracurricular activities, service and work.”

When filling out an online application for the University of Texas, or any school, seniors will see this question. Some may skip this section, but for those who were active in extracurricular activities in high school, their likelihood of getting accepted is much higher than leaving the section blank.

Not only does extracurricular experience benefit students when applying for college, but it could potentially benefit students post-graduation when applying for jobs.

Coppell High School senior and KCBY-TV program director Hailey Hess plans to major in radio

television film (RTF) at the University of Texas after graduating. “[Hess] inspires everyone with that high quality, high caliber level of work that she produces week in and week out,” KCBY adviser Irma Kennedy said.

Hess hopes to be a videographer for a non-profit organization, and her passion and work-ethic will benefit her in this career.

CHS senior Bethany Tallon, also a KCBY program director, is taking what she has learned in KCBY into her business/marketing major.

“The thing I love the most about Bethany is her calm spirit. Nothing shakes her,” Kennedy said. “I’d love to say that she learned that here, but I think that’s just how she is.”

Tallon will take her calm demeanor with her to the University of Arkansas.

KCBY program director and senior Michael Butzer knew he wanted to be in broadcast journalism as early as freshman year, after joining the Emerging Media and Communications (EMAC) Acade-

my, a program that introduces and prepares learners for careers in media. EMAC is no longer available to students at CHS, yet Butzer’s interest in journalism remains.

Attending the University of Texas in the fall, he plans to major in journalism and go into the field of broadcasting. Butzer leaves Coppell with a foundation of journalism skills he gained through KCBY. “KCBY strives for professional ethics, that you must always tell the truth no matter what circumstance you are under,” Butzer said.

The Sidekick newspaper editor-in-chief and senior Alex Nicoll, is leaving Coppell with a strong set of skills under his belt.

Last summer, Nicoll had the opportunity to intern for The Dallas Morning News.

“This year being the editor-in-chief I learned the responsibilities of working for a paper, making sure everything runs smoothly,” Nicoll said.

He takes his internship along with three years of experience

writing for The Sidekick with him to the University of Arkansas, where he plans to dual major in news editorial and marketing.

The Sidekick enterprise editor, senior Kara Hallam, may not be furthering her interest in journalism after graduation, but has gained valuable skills that will accompany her to Southern Methodist University. Following in her family’s footsteps and going into accounting, she takes her learned leadership qualities with her.

“I never worry about if something’s going to get done if Kara’s leading the effort,” The Sidekick adviser Chase Wofford said.

Similar to Hallam, The Sidekick managing editor, senior Jena Seidemann, is branching away from journalism and moving into an international business field at Texas A&M University. Seidemann has overseen the editorial section of the paper this year and is also a student voices volunteer columnist for the Dallas Morning News.

“Sophomore year, I said to myself ‘I’m going to do everything!’

And I did and I almost died,” Seidemann said. “The important thing is knowing my limits and when to say no.”

Wofford is thankful Seidemann continued to pursue newspaper.

“Few people are more passionate about The Sidekick and what she does than Jena,” Wofford said.

Also taking her extra-curricular interests with her, CHS senior and editor-in-chief of the RoundUp yearbook Caroline Boyton will attend Texas A&M University. This is Boyton’s second year holding a leadership position for the yearbook, after she served as the clubs and academics editor the previous year.

“She was the obvious choice for editor-in-chief this year,” RoundUp yearbook advisor Caroline Harris said. “She took the yearbook to a whole new level of excellence.”

No matter what the final product looks like, students gain valuable skills from their time spent in CHS media classrooms that will benefit them post-high school in any major and career.

The Sidekick Kara Hallam - Enterprise Editor

The Sidekick Jena Seidemann - Managing Editor

The Sidekick Alex Nicoll - Editor-in-Chief

KCBY Hailey Hess - Program Director

KCBY Bethany Tallon - Program Director

KCBY Michael Butzer - Program Director

Round-Up Caroline Boynton - Editor-in-Chief

9 academics Valedictorian proves his self-motivation, moves from six to one nervous.”

Since his rank was not finalized, Adenwalla still had to work hard his first semester of senior econd semester of sopho- year. more year tends be the big “When I first found out my stress source for many Cop- rank, I didn’t know I was that pell High School students. With high,” Adenwalla said. “Coming ranks coming out, students are into freshman year, I knew I was pressured to push themselves to above average, but I didn’t really the limit. think I was that smart; I was still However, with senior Ammar in the process of finding myself.”

Adenwalla, it was moti- vat ion When he found out he was that got him to the number six sophomore year, Adtop. enwalla’s confidence boosted and “I found out he knew he had a chance to move [ I was number to the top. To reach his goal, Adone] the end enwalla not only motivated himof my junior self, but found his favorite teacher year,” said Adas his motivator. enwalla, the Adenwalla had Advanced Class of 2015 Placement (AP) Psychology and v a l e d i c t or i a n .

AP European History teach“I was defier Jared Stansel in his nitely second semester of World Geography in his freshman year “Mr. Stansel really motivated me,” Ad e nw a l l a said. “He really helped me to go above and beyond in the class and I carried that mentality throughout high The Sidekick // Sarah VanderPol

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PRANATHI CHITTA Staff Writer @prannydacheetah

school.”

Stansel finds Adenwalla not only a rare student since he always takes care of his things, but also a very active learner.

“Ammar was one of the first students I’ve ever had,” Stansel said. “Not only was his maturity higher than that of other students, but he also took initiative for his own learning. I never had to hold his hand.”

World Geography was the first class Stansel taught at CHS, which he found a challenge to teach.

“When I took over that class, the freshmen thought they could get away with things, and so trying to get their attention and maintain their focus of the class was an objective that I had to accomplish everyday,” Stansel said.

“But I never had to worry about that with Ammar. Ammar has that natural desire to learn.”

Stansel had not only taught Adenwalla his first year of high school, but also taught him AP European History senior year, a class where Adenwalla began a tradition of his own.

“This year, Ammar started taking pictures of classmates sleeping in the hall and emailing them to me and I’ll put that on my desktop background and I’ll display it on my projector,” Stansel said.

“I love that. He has a very clever sense of humor and it’s [kind of] cool how he incorporates that with the technology initiative that we have at Coppell.”

Adenwalla has not only

proven to his teachers that he is a great student, but he has also proved it to his peers and friends.

“When I found out he was [number] one, I knew he deserved it,” senior Rohan Panaparambil said. “The thing with Ammar is that on the outside he’s such a normal person; when you talk to him, it’s a normal conversation. So in that way, he doesn’t seem like your typical valedictorian.”

Panaparambil and Adenwalla first met through their freshman biology class, and later they developed a friendship through their hobby of video games.

“He’s a really fun person to be around out of school,” Panaparambil said. “He’s really serious about grades and all that but not to the point where he wants to hurt other people; he still wants to collaborate and help everyone else to learn. He’s motivated to do well in school and fun to be around for other hobbies.”

During his junior year, a time when many students

struggle, Adenwalla finds this year to be his strongest year, not only because of his classes, but also because of his determination.

“I think I had a really strong junior year because I took a lot of AP classes and I was really motivated at that point; I wanted to move up,” Adenwalla said.

Not only did Adenwalla have to cut down on sleep to handle the course load, but also be really efficient while working and cutting down on distractions. “[To underclassmen], I say ‘always work hard and don’t get too focused on the grades; if you work hard enough, the grades will come to you,’” Adenwalla said.

Adenwalla will attend University of Texas in Dallas where he will major in Biology with hopes to become a doctor.

“I’m convinced that whatever Ammar puts his mind to he’ll be able to accomplish,” Stansel said.

“He’s a self motivated guy, which will help him so much in the future.”

University of Texas at Dallas

Salutatorian balances heavy IB workload with varsity basketball PRANATHI CHITTA Staff Writer @prannydacheetah

W

hen it comes to academics, many students tend to only focus on studying and not on any other activities. However, Coppell High School senior Allen Lu has defied this assumption by not only being number two in his class, but also taking up basketball as an extracurricular activity.

“I didn’t really expect myself to be up this high, it just happened,” said Lu, the Class of 2015 salutatorian. “The hardest thing was juggling basketball with all of this because it takes out a lot of time.”

From doing his homework on the bus to games to even coming home at 8 p.m., Lu finds the

key to his success to be managing time.

“Going into it, I knew it would be hard to do both,” Lu said. “But I never felt the need to give up either the academics or basketball.”

In addition to basketball, Lu chose to take the International Baccalaureate (IB) route for his last two years of high school, a moment he considers pivotal in his high school career.

“It was probably one of the best decisions I made in my high school career and so many of those people are going to stay with me for a long time,” Lu said.

“Just the effect we had on each other in the community is something great.”

Senior Shreya Chandrasekar is not only impressed by the amount of activities Lu takes up, but also his motive to

challenge himself further.

“Our teacher had just warned us that math was the hardest topic and advised us to choose topics wisely,” Chandrasekar said.

“Most people joked about choosing math or made faces of disgust, but Allen brazenly decided to write his 4,000 word research paper about math. If there’s anything Allen has an appetite for, it’s either Italian food or a true challenge.”

However, Lu’s math journey was not very easy, especially in his first year of IB. In addition to pushing Lu even further, IB math teacher Karie Kosh also found it a challenge to teach Lu. “Junior year math class was probably the most challenging class I’ve ever [taken],” Lu said.

“And I love math so I definitely thrived in that environment and Mrs. Kosh being my teacher, I think I was really encouraged to just excel at math even more so than usual.”

Further, Kosh finds Lu a well balanced student with his extra curricular activities as well as his determination to do well in school.

“I really enjoyed trying to challenge Allen,” Kosh said. “He kept me on my toes. I

knew I had written a good test the University of Texas at Austin, when there was a problem or hoping to major in business and two that slowed him down. I was go into a career of consulting. pleased that Allen genuinely en“I expect great things from joyed a challenge.”

Allen,” Kosh said. “There’s always Throughout his high school, an adjustment going from high Lu has never felt the need to drop school to college, but I think Alhis extracurricular activities. len has the characHowever, when he found out he ter and skills to was number two, Lu felt a greater be successburden on his back. ful. I look “I was definitely pressured for ward from my family,” Lu said. “When to seeing [ranks] first came out, I was like how his ‘Oh I have to stay like that for life plays more than two years.’ Also for out.” myself, I wanted to stay within the top two. It put a lot of pressure on me to get good grades in classes, but it paid off.”

Although he will be leaving high school, Lu will still have his friends from IB with him after graduation.

“I agree that IB has provided us with friends for life,” Chandrasekar said.

“Even if we all part and go off to different schools, we’re all conjoined by the unbreakable IB bond.”

The Sidekick // Sarah VanderPol Lu will attend

University of Texas at Austin

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SENIORS PREPARE TO JOIN FORCES

SAI SESHADRI Staff Writer @saisailu97

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ome of the most important and well-respected jobs in the nation are the ones associated with the military academies.

Going into one of the academies requires courage and extreme dedication.

Weeks away from graduating, six seniors from Coppell High School prepare to each get their post-secondary education from one of the six academies, while simultaneously training to serve their country.

For seniors Parker Wilson, Bryce VonZurmuelhen and Drew McAdams, this opportunity means not only going to an exemplary institution such as the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, but also playing the sport they love most - football.

“At the end of junior year, I realized I still wanted to play football in college, so I talked to [Coppell football coach Mike Dewitt] who introduced me to the coaches over at the Air Force Academy,” McAdams said. “I went to their football camp, and when they contacted me after to commit. I knew it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.”

Beginning on June 23, they will go through six weeks of basic cadet training during which they are only allowed to carry minimal personal items with them.

“During basic training, you do not have much contact with anybody except for the people that are going through training with you,” Wilson said. “You can write letters

“ M y older brother goes there and two years ago, when I got The Sidekick // Manu Garikipati to visit, I just really loved it from the start.” back home, but other than that you Jones said. “I got an offer are not allowed to have cell phones from the Naval Academy as well, or other electronics.” but after being in touch with the In addition to these restrictions, Air Force coaches and visiting the they will also have to go through base, I decided that the Air Force rigorous physical activities and ex- was the right place for me.” aminations, with an hourly schedWhile they will take general ule laid out for the duration of the courses for the first two years, the training. During the first year, they future cadets will sign a letter of will also have to get their hair cut intent at the beginning of their juaccording to Academy standards, nior year which will state that they wear only military uniforms, and will be serving for five years after take an oath which confirms their graduating. willingness to be a part of the “At first we will take entrance Armed Forces. exams and different courses to see DeWitt has seen what they are what we want to do while we are like as both athletes and students, up there, and then once we decide and thinks the Air Force will be a on which field we might want to great place for them to get an ed- go into, whether its engineering, ucation. working with drones, astronomy “All three of them are great or something else,” VonZurmuelyoung men, with high characters hen said. and great work ethic,” Dewitt said.

With these four seniors, CHS “I’m excited that they have been student Andrea Abel will also be given such a great opportunity, attending USAFA. Having visited and I am proud of them for getting the Air Force Academy, and reready to serve their nation.” alizing that it is the institution With four years of practices and fit for her, Abel applied to games, learning about team-work and later on committed to and setting goals, VonZurmuelhen the academy to study there believes that playing high school for four years and then serve football is what has prepared him her country. for going into the Air Force.

“Deciding to apply was “The tough and disciplined kind of a random choice, schedule I have become accus- but I had been looking tomed to will set me up for success into flying lessons at the as I take on the challenge and re- same time, which is one sponsibility of becoming a cadet,” of the main reasons why I VonZurmuelhen said. “I have ex- applied to the Air Force rathperience working hard and doing er than any of the other acadmy job, whether that be for me or emies,” Abel said. “I am also my team, to accomplish a com- planning to run track there, mon goal.” while going into aviation and/ Alongside Wilson, VonZur- or engineering.” muelhen and McAdams, senior Although the number of feDaniel Jones will also be going to males is generally very low in the the Air Force Academy for base- military academies, Abel does ball. not believe that will be too much

of an issue.

“The Air Force Academy has more females than the other academies such as the Army, and it is still like a normal four-year institution except for the fact that there is also military training embedded into the curriculum,” Abel said.

“When I applied, all my friends and family were like ‘Andrea, the Air Force is exactly the place for you!’”

Aside from the Air Force, CHS also has a graduating senior, Matthew Galea, who will be attending the United States Military Academy. Located in West Point, N.Y., the Army is one of the most difficult institutions to get accepted into, with only a nine percent acceptance rate.

“Initially when I was looking at colleges, I applied to several engineering colleges and what not but I have several role models who attended West Point which really sparked my interest in it,” Galea said.

While some parts of the application process were similar to that of any other institution, there were also extra steps in the process for Galea and Abel.

“While I had to send in standardized testing scores and also write essays

about why I want to go there, similar to other colleges, I also had to get a fitness test and get medically qualified by the doctor assigned to this area,” Galea said.

Along with that, both Air Force and West Point applications must secure a nomination. There are several types of nominations, such as a Congressional nomination, which can be from a U.S senator, representative, vice president or a service-connected nomination, which is for the children of either military personnel or veterans.

For Galea, West Point is attractive not only for its academic excellence, but also for its outstanding taekwondo team. Having trained in the martial arts for several years, he hopes to keep it a part of his college career.

“I am a little anxious about basic training, which is talked up to be one of the biggest challenges as you have to adjust from civilian to military life,” Galea said.

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Mio Yamada Heading back to her roots, senior International Baccalaureate student, Mio Yamada, will spend the next four years at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. “‘I’m actually really excited about this because this a chance for me to experience my own culture, and because I was born and raised in America I never really got to live over in Japan,” Yamada said. “This will really be a chance for me to go and experience everything about living in Japan from the culture, to the social aspect to anything else you can think of.”

Since Yamada has lived in America her whole life, she has never been fully immersed into the Japanese culture. She is hoping that by going to college in Tokyo she can reconnect with her heritage.

Currently she is undecided in her major, but she believes that she will probably be going into International Business. Yamada also plans on attending grad school in America after four years in Japan.

Despite the cultural differences and general fears that anyone would feel when moving far away from home, Yamada has very few worries because she will be surrounded by family and friends and is fluent in Japanese.

“Luckily I am going in to the international faculty of it, so I’ll my classes will be in English and I’ll be surrounded by a lot of other kids from European countries,” Yamada said. “So I think it’s going to be a good experience for not to just learn about by own heritage and culture of Japan, but also to meet other people from around the world.”

STUDENTS

WHO WILL STUDY

ABROAD Four students take their studies overseas

by Shannon Morgan and Chisom Ukoha

Natalie Arwine

Michael Sheffield Senior Michael Sheffield once found half a carriage on an old Native American campsite during an archeological dig on his grandparents land in North Carolina.

Since then, his passion for digging and exploring has only grown.

Sheffield is planning on studying ancient history and archeology at the University of Saint Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland. He first learned about the program in eighth grade.

“I actually had a teacher in eighth grade who mentioned the program to me,” Sheffield said. “I did some research on my own, which resulted in me finally deciding I was going to apply and then they eventually accepted the offer to go there.”

He would like to get his doctorate in ancient history and archeology, and then move into teaching or work for a museum. Sheffield chose the ancient history and archeology program at University at Saint Andrews because it is one of the best in the world in its field.

“I have met with some of the professors and talked with them and I have actually read some of the books they have written,”Sheffield said. “I just love what they’re doing there and I love internships they give you with certain digs.”

While most students plan to study abroad at some point in their college career, Coppell High School senior Natalie Arwine has decided to spend her first semester of her freshmen year at Franklin University, studying political science in Lugano, Switzerland.

Originally, she applied to Southern Methodist University (SMU) and was told that she could attend the school if she participated in a study abroad semester.

“I’m going to Franklin University in Switzerland, but it’s a program part of SMU,” Arwine said. “I got a letter from SMU and it said ‘we’re not accepting you for the fall, but if you participate in this program in Switzerland called SMU-In-Switzerland, then we will accept you in the spring of 2016. [This] is definitely not where I thought I was going, but SMU has been the goal and this is a crazy sidetrack that I’m excited about.”

In addition to the new experience of college, this will be her first time in Europe. During her free time, she will make the most of soaking in all the continent has to offer in surrounding countries of Austria, Italy, Germany, France, etc.

“I am really excited because [Switzerland] it’s so close to Italy, and we’re going to be in one of the most beautiful parts of Switzerland,” Arwine said.

“Their program also has two weeks of academic travel. So in October, I’ve already been sent to Switzerland, but then I’ll get to travel around Europe, going to places based on my major.”

Information from studyabroad.ucmerced.edu

Emily Friis-Hansen

Ever since Emily Friis-Hansen was young, her dad took her along with him around the world as a pilot. These early experiences first spurred her interest in living in Europe in an English speaking country. She plans on attending the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia but also participating in a study abroad program where she would attend the University at Edinburgh in Scotland for her sophomore and junior year.

“If I [went] to University at Edinburgh, I [would] just be majoring in international relations.” Friis-Hansen said.

While she plans to attend an American college next year, Friis-Hansen wants to have the opportunity to experience university in Europe for multiple reasons including the fact that a lot of her family already lives there.

“I would like to become an ambassador, but to be an ambassador you have to be selected and go through special training by the government of America,” Friis-Hansen said. “And it is only like a two percent acceptance rate to get accepted into the diplomatic corps. It would be really cool. I would like to become a diplomat, but if that doesn’t work out, I think that I will have a lot of other job offerings.”

The Sidekick // Rachel Buigas-Lopez

TOP 10 CLASS OF 2015

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DISTINGUISHED STUDENTS SHARE ADVICE, EXPERIENCES AT COPPELL

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BY AMY ROH, STAFF WRITER

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1 2

#5

#6

#1

#2

#8

#3

#9

AMMAR ADENWALLA UT DALLAS

Favorite moment at CHS? Either going to nationals sophomore year for BPA or when me and my partner won a thousand dollars for a video we made for environmental science.

If you had an unlimited source of money, how would you spend it?

Probably donate it to charities in developing countries, and then buy a big house to help out my friends How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who changed the world so down the line, people will be able to remember me as someone significant.

ALLEN LU UT AUSTIN

What extracurriculars have you been involved in?

Varsity Basketball, Co-Vice President of NHS, IB program, NSSHS If your life was a song what it would be called?

Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran Advice for the next top ten?

Don’t be limited to academics. Have fun with your friends as well. Do what you want to do. If you want to play a sport, do it. It’s nice to be able to have multiple things in life.

3

GREGORY BLAZEK DUKE UNIVERSITY

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NEIL MASCARENHAS UT DALLAS

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#10

What is a strange habit that you have?

Whenever I’m thinking, my eyes will shift upwards toward the top of my head so people think I’m ignoring them but I’m actually just thinking.

Was high school what you expected it to be?

The last two years when I took IB was a lot better than I thought it would be, just because I made a lot more friendships than I thought I would.

Biggest fear?

Going about life knowing that I could have made someone happier. And not being the best I could be as a Christian, or in my job.

Favorite Teacher: Mr. Vergien If your life was a song, what would it be?

Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas Favorite Quote: “And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep” from “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost.

[In the quote] he has a task he has to do and I feel like I have a task for meeting the goals I want to do in life and the career I want to pursue, so I can’t stop swimming.

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RUTVIK CHOUDHARY UT AUSTIN

Describe your perfect day: My perfect day would have to be a day when there’s no school, of course, the weather is just gorgeous, so that IB Sand Volleyball can occur, and I have nothing on my plate except watching the latest shows on Netflix, reading a good book, playing guitar, or even just sleeping.

What’s something you can’t live without?

The C++ programming language.It’s been my favorite hobby since the beginning of high school and I still love learning new things about it.

Oh and also chocolate. God help a world that has no chocolate in it.

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MUSTAFA NEEMUCHWALA UT AUSTIN

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ROHAN PANAPARAMBIL JOHNS HOPKINS

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What extracurriculars were you involved in?

Varsity Policy Debate, Boy Scouts of America, C3, worked at Gideon Math & Reading, and organized food drives for my mosque One question you’re tired of hearing?

“Oh, so your name is like that of Simba’s father in the Lion King?”

What is your guilty pleasure?

Driving on empty freeways at night, with the sunroof open, windows down, and some Coldplay

Strangest habit?

When I’m about to go to sleep, I check my door five or six times to see if it’s unlocked, because I always think my mom won’t be able to come in to wake me up to go school.

Pet Peeve? Shopping carts that always move slightly to the side.

Most embarrassing moment?

When I just fell out of my chair in freshman year during band, because I was trying to dodge this kid next to me who moved a lot when he played his instrument.

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NICHOLAS JANG UT AUSTIN Something that reminds you of childhood?

Lucky Charms The best decision you’ve ever made?

Staying in marching band Somewhere you’d like to visit?

Istanbul,Turkey Weirdest dream you’ve ever had?

Waking up inside of a video game

ANAND PANT UT AUSTIN

What extracurriculars have you been involved in?

Cross country, Track, and founding a computer development club What is one thing you would tell your past self?

Invest all of my money into shorting the Ruble, and then collect on the 50%+ returns.

Last book you really loved? A Clockwork Orange Something that reminds you of childhood?

Sliding on hardwood floors in socks.

ZIXIAO LI CALIF. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY What extracurriculars have you been involved in?

Vice president of the STIR club, Academic Decathlon Team, Varsity Tennis If your life was a song, what would it be called?

“Asian Persuasion” Favorite Quote: “The walls of hospitals hear more prayers than the walls of any church.”

Superpower you wish you had?

I wish I could bring to life anything that I drew.

fine arts

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AIR Crew breaks it down in 2015 SAKSHI VENKATRAMAN Staff Writer @oompapa1

D

uring the 2011-12 school year, a group of friends with a passion for dance started a club called the Motion Crew. Originally, the students involved gathered together on weekends and after school to practice dance. The club was started when they decided their passion should be spread and expanded.

This endeavor was led by only four students- 2012 Coppell High School Patton, Donald Kim and Danny Park – and, at the time, it was called the Motion Crew.

Organized and led by Park and sponsored by Silver Stars coach Hayley Mitchell, the Motion Crew was a relatively small organization, based on just a few friends who enjoyed practicing dance together.

However, as the year continued, the club expanded and reached members of all grade levels. It also subsequently changed its name to Art In Rhythm (AIR) Crew.

It is a regularity for AIR Crew to perform at Heritage Night every year, and on Friday, March 20 was no exception. With flips, jumps and headspins, AIR Crew brought the crowd to their feet during their time on stage. Photo Courtesy AIR Crew.

“I joined AIR Crew during my freshman year mainly because my friends had begun participating in it and my parents were pressuring me to join a club at school,” CHS senior and AIR Crew president Andrew Schwenn said. “At the time I had no experience or interest in dance, and due to the fact that I wasn’t outgoing at all, it was far outside my comfort zone.”

Out of all the clubs at CHS, AIR Crew is perhaps one of the most independent and self-reliant groups. All their dance moves and routines are self-taught and choreographed, with help from online sources and on rare occasions, from their sponsor Mitchell.

“AIR Crew has two sessions a week where they practice their specific style or the dance

they are working on to perform,” Mitchell said. “All of the choreography is done by one or two members of AIR Crew. If it is not a choreographed dance that they are doing then it is most likely freestyle. I [only] go to their sessions if they need advice on choreography.”

Although the club is designed to be mostly a “just for fun” learning experience, many of the members participate in local competitions where they dance styles similar to their performances in AIR Crew.

“There seems to be a lack of opportunities for dance styles like bboying and popping as well as opportunities for male dancers at CHS, so we try to fill that void with our club,” Schwenn said.

Although many of the club’s performers display high skill when performing in events such as Heritage Night or fall assemblies, there is no audition process to participate.

“I joined AIR Crew last year, second semester of my sophomore year. Originally, there were three of us girls who decided to join so we could exer-

cise and have fun together,” junior Janice Kao said. “As a girl, I always had to adjust to some of the moves. Having a lack of muscles has not really hindered me from learning much. Most of AIR Crew is pretty welcoming to me, mainly the seniors.”

AIR Crew welcomes members of all grade levels, even those with little to no experience in dance and mainly focuses on maintaining a fun, welcoming environment, as well as one with enriching dance styles.

“Being a part of AIR Crew has obviously taught me how to dance and perform and be more creative, but it has taught me a lot more than just that,” Schwenn said. “It has helped me be more outgoing in a variety of situations and has helped me be more open-minded when considering new activities that may be out of my comfort zone. I’ve learned about the technique, history and culture of the dance, as well as the culture of hip-hop in general, and it has given me an appreciation I never would have had otherwise.”

Although AIR Crew has been

going strong for three years now, the current senior class will be the last class of original club members and the group will get significantly smaller after they graduate.

“In the long term, we’re looking to recruit more members, as the group will become significantly smaller once the current seniors graduate, and train our juniors and sophomores to take over the crew next year,” Schwenn said. “We will not have quite as many members as we have had in past years, but I am confident in the talents of our underclassmen and optimistic about recruiting new dancers.”

In the coming months, the AIR Crew plans for a few more shows, such as the New Tech High@Coppell talent show and a performance at a Coppell Independent School District middle school pep rally.

They meet for sessions every Monday after school in the CHS cafeteria.

For more information on the AIR Crew, you can follow them on social media at facebook.com/ ArtInRhythm or youtube.com/ AirCrewTV.

AIR crew members junior Janice Kao, seniors Andrew Schwenn, Nick Sriperumbudur, Luca Hoffman, junior Prakyath Chaladawada and senior Allan Tian (left to right) perform during the blackout pep rally in the large gym on Oct. 3 2014. With many seniors graduating, AIR crew is looking to recruit new members for the 2015-2016 school year.

The Sidekick // Mallorie Munoz

College stage set for drama kids

Theatre seniors pursue acting in college, embark on new journeys ALEXANDRA DALTON Staff Writer @alex_dalton04

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igh school can be hard for anyone and facing rejection is a part of that. Theatre students are no different as they face rejection at their most vulnerable times-- on a stage in front of all of their peers.

“In the beginning I would be singing and I would be completely shaking and I got to that point where I was like ‘I will beat these nerves,’” senior Jazzy Alvarez said.

“And you reach your goals and you try again and you still get rejected.

Still, I’ll get nervous but I am able to handle it better.”

Alvarez will be attending Gonzaga University next fall in Washington with a major of theatre and minor of pre-med. Senior Sheridan Miller, a Oklahoma University student majoring in theatre with an emphasis on acting as of next fall, the change from middle school to the end of high school has been radical in her ability to take rejection.

“In middle school everyone gets in the play, it just depends on how many lines you have. High school has really prepared us for the real world because you learn how to face rejection,” Miller said. “I remember my first time facing that was not fun because it was the first time I really got my hopes up and it’s kind of disappointing. After four

years of it you realize if you don’t get a role its not the end of the world.”

Theatre director, Lisa Tabor has taught drama students that if students cannot handle the rejection, theatre is not the right path for them. A test that for some like senior Jackie Malish, who will be attending Southern Methodist University for classical music of voice and opera next fall has decided her college path.

“It has been a confidence booster to have the support group here, even going through the audition process; we all went through it in some sort of fashion. Just having a group that was always here all of the while is nice going forward,” Malish said. “Being here and being in the musicals and working with all of the directors, being in an ensemble, the theatre has taught me most how to be in a cohesive group that is capable of producing a great performance.”

Having a group that was put through the same things and forced to stick together, Miller says that it helped her learned to deal with people.

“Drama is a family. Even people you are barely associated with. Everyone has something in common; we’re all weird but we accept each other for that,” Miller said. “I’ve made some of my best friends in theatre. I found a home in theatre and that’s something I’ll always like.”

According to Alvarez, musicals

Photo Courtesy //Jackie Malish Four drama seniors will pursue fine arts in college next year. Of the group many have participated since freshman year. are the most strenuous in time spent with a cast.

“When you spend a certain number of hours with people, you learn to remove yourself. You learn to appreciate each other; good, bad, all of it. You learn to accept everybody. It’s taught me to be a more patient and open minded person. ” Despite their love for the theatre, they will all leave high school with a smile on their face, says Miller.

As much as drama has given them they could not be more excited for the next level.

“Part of leaving will be tough but honestly I’m ready for a new step.

After four years of high school, I’m

excited for the next step in life and I am ready to take that step,” Miller said. “I know it’s cliche, but the plan was to eventually try Broadway. I’ve always loved acting so it’s just something I want to go further with.”

Alvarez’s unique plan for college benefits the dreams she has had since she was a child with a sister with special needs and a deep passion for theatre she could not let go of.

“If I do want to try acting I have the opportunity, if acting doesn’t work out I have the pre-med to fall back on,” Alvarez said. “I love the idea of drama therapy where you therapeutically helps kids using

drama by acting and making them happier. Also if a child has autism or somthing like that you could use drama to bring them out of their shell.”

As for Malish, as content as she for the future she is still not sure what is in store for her.

“I don’t know what I want to do with my major. I want to be in operas and am not as interested in the teaching aspect of it,” Malish said.

“All my options are open at this point, so anything could change.”

With aspirations for the stage these students are sure to find success in the search for drama themed careers.

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Seniors playing on a new stage Band students continue to pursue passion for music in college

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MEARA ISENBERG Staff Writer @mearaannee

even years ago, four 6th graders walked into their middle school band class for the first time. Little did they know that what they learned in that class would someday be the focus of their education and careers.

Now seniors, these talented, dedicated Coppell High School band students are living up to their reputation by pursuing music in college.

One such senior is clarinetist and senior assistant drum major Hannah Thorp, who never would have picked up the wind instrument if it were not for her mom.

“My mom played it,” Thorp said. “Before the audition for trying out instruments came along, she [said] ‘here’s a clarinet,’ she just bought one. I played on it for a while, took some lessons, and I took to it immediately.”

Just playing at home and at school was not enough for Thorp, who over the period of middle school and high school played for her church orchestra and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra.

Thorp will attend Baylor University, where she hopes to obtain a degree in music education.

“It will be very different but I think it will be a good experience for me,” Thorp said. “I want to come back, but I want to get my graduate degree outside of Texas just to feel what it’s like. Music in Texas is much different than elsewhere.”

Also pursuing a career in music is french horn senior Lesley Wray, whose passion for her instrument can be seen in the songs she plays and the movies she watches.

“It’s just a really cool instrument,” Wray said. “I like listening to movie scores because they use it a lot.”

At the University of Dayton in Ohio, Wray plans on getting her degree in music therapy, which will allow her to use music to help people with illnesses and disabilities.

“There’s a lot of ways music can help with different conditions,” Wray said. “With Alzheimer’s, it’s becoming a really good treatment for that because people who might not remember their kid’s name will still remember the lyrics to a song from when they were a teenager. So you can play those songs and sing along, that helps them to regain some of their memory.”

Though there are many applications to her degree, Wray has an idea about how she can benefit people through her music.

“I would like to use it to help people with mental illnesses, so that would be at like a state hospital or a facility for people dealing with that,” Wray said.

Senior bassoonist Lauren LaChapelle is another senior band member who is planning on going into music performance at the University of North Texas.

LaChapelle started playing in sixth grade, and hasn’t stopped since. However, she was not sure what her skill would result in until halfway through high school.

Realizing what she wanted to do in college pushed LaChapelle to work harder, securing spots in the Texas All-State band both her junior and senior year.

“After being at those conventions in San Antonio for the five day trip, it just made me realize that I really wanted to do that,” LaChapelle said.

The Sidekick // Nicole Messer Coppell High School band students Lesley Wray, Lauren LaChapelle, Brady Knippa and Hannah Thorp are all going to continue their passion for music in college. Wray will be attending the University of Dayton, LaChapelle will be attending the University of North Texas, Knippa will be attending the University of Texas and Thorp will be attending Baylor University.

LaChapelle plans on getting be as a member of his band The ductors there, and they were all a performance degree so she can Merge or CHS band. talking about it,” Knippa said. teach private lessons and freeKnippa will attend the Univer- “That’s what really got me to delance. She also hopes to apply for sity of Texas at Austin, where he cide that I wanted to do music symphonies, but knows the chal- plans on getting a major in music in college, and through that I’ve lenge that comes with it. and a minor or double major in found a really small side of music.

“They’re [symphonies] really finance so he can work in music It’s the industry side.” hard to get into because if you industry.

With friends by his side and get into it, you pretty much have “I think what I really want to go drumsticks in hand, Knippa is a job until you don’t want to be for is venue management, work- ready to play his next venue- Austhere anymore,” LaChapelle said. ing with people like [American tin.

“I’m really excited, it’ll be in- Airlines Center, Gexa Energy Pa“I’m really excited about it,” teresting because I know that I vilion}, and working with artists Knippa said. “What I wanted to don’t have to take as many core there,” Knippa said. “It’s more like do in college, it shifted around classes as other people. All of promotion or ticket sales, book- over the years. I’ve wanted to do mine is really music based, its ing the venues and working with many, many things and I was like just a few semesters of other the artists to get shows going.” ‘ah, I’m never going to find out things or none at all. That’s nice The idea of pursuing music what I really want to do.’ But then too.” didn’t strike Knippa until he made through the allstate convention Full time student and part time Texas All-State band his junior and through Dax and Coleman in rock star senior Brady Knippa is year. my band outside of school, I think always by his drumset, whether it “I talked to a bunch of con- I found what I really like doing.”

Haynie, Thomas, Lewis take their talents to the next octave

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s they turn the page and start a new chapter in their lives, Coppell High School choir seniors Brianna Haynie, Matthew Thomas and Ali Lewis have big plans to implement their passion for singing, music and skills learned in choir into a college degree.

In this exclusive interview, the trio reminisces on their experience in the CHS choir and how choir has made them who they are today and ruminates on future endeavors once graduating from college as a musician.

What has your experience in the CHS choir Voice Type: Soprano Voice Type: Alto been like?

Interesting Fact: Despite Interesting Fact: When she was My experience in choir has been being in choir, Lewis has 13, Haynie sang with band Boys wonderful. I joined choir last year. I major stage fright.

Like Girls and won a $16,000 wasn’t scared joining because I felt like I College: Oklahoma State scholarship for music. had a pretty good musical background, but University College: Santa Fe University of I was apprehensive not knowing anybody.

Art and Design I ended up making good friends really What are your quickly. The music that we have sung hopes for your future as a In the future, has been really inspiring, and it has vocalist? what do you want to do made me grow attached to choir.

The plan is to get my doctorate in as a vocalist?

Why Music Education so I can go on to teach Voice Type: Bass I’m not exactly sure what I am did you join choir? a college or high school choir. As a vocalist Interesting Fact: Besides going to do. I know that I want to perThe main reason I I would like to develop my voice more than singing, Thomas can play form. I am really excited to play around When joined choir was to broaden my it already has, to have a “Big Voice” as people the piano, marimba, guitar, with composition and start writing did you start musical spectrum. At that point, I in the choir world would say. I just want to xylophone and drums. music for people and recording music singing? had already had a passion for writing teach a choir, that is my main goal. I just College: University of myself. I’m thinking about opening I’ve been singing since I music so I wanted to be well versed in a want to teach others so that they can Texas at Austin my own recording studio, and recould talk. My whole family is suvariety of musical platforms. I did band develop the same love that I cording my own music as well per musical; there was never a time for six years, I played solo piano for a When have for choir. as other people’s too. where I wasn’t positive what I was golong time, and now I have choir too. did you start What ing to do for the rest of my life. I always I love the sound that a choir makes, singing?

How are your hopes knew singing would be my career so I have fallen in love with that When I was about six, I has choir shaped Explain for your future in choice, it is the one thing I really which has lead me to write did a church talent show, and I you as a person? your experience music? loved, was good at and could songs for choir. won.

I always sang little nursery Choir itself gave me mobeing in the CHS choir.

My main interest is going rhymes and memorized comtivation to keep my grades up. I always do.

It is so cool to see how much into film scoring - that has always mercial jingles. My whole struggled with that sophomore year. I we have grown as a choir and how been my dream. Most of the time life I’ve always loved stopped caring about my grades a little much I have grown personally.

It film scorers come from a classisinging. bit and my choir teacher pulled me aside was hard at times, but we’ve all gotten cally trained background, so and was like, “Brianna, I want you acthrough it. In the end it’s been one of the I feel well prepared. tive in this program and you can’t best experiences; I wouldn’t take it back do that unless you make good for anything. This year was my favorgrades.” Choir has made me ite year of choir since I am a senior. a harder worker.

I felt like a role model for the younger students.

SLOANE SAMBERSON Staff Writer @SloaneSamberson

Ali Lewis

Brianna Haynie

Matthew Thomas

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a ll the nuts and bolts ; STEM seniors West, Clark to speed into engineering majors

The Sidekick // Aubrie Sisk Seniors Andrea Clark and Olivia West add the finishing nuts and bolts to the solar powered car that the STEM team built. This was Andrea’s second year on the Solar Car team and Olivia’s fourth year.

GABBY SAHM Staff Writer @gabbysahm

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or six years now, the Science, Technology, Engineering (STEM) Academy has been offered at Coppell High School.

With the academy consisting mostly of males, along with the engineering field, it can be hard for females to make their mark.

That, however, has not stopped the two graduating STEM officers, seniors and STEM president Olivia West and STEM secretary Andrea Clark, from leaving behind great legacies for their predecessors.

STEM coordinator Mike Yakubovsky understands the struggles that both West and Clark can face and gave his advice for both as they are set to move into engineering majors at college in the fall.

“It is tough going into engineering as a female,” Yakubovsky said. “Do not give up, keep at it and keep doing what you are doing.”

Rewind sometime to the start of it all. West decided to join STEM at the beginning of her

freshman year. She comes from a family of engineers, so you can say that engineering was in her blood.

“I have always been really interested with engineering,” West said. “I decided STEM would be the best opportunity for me to get some hands-on experience to determine if this is what I wanted to do.”

However, things started off very different for Clark. She moved from California to Coppell at the start of her junior year.

Not knowing where to turn, she decided to give STEM a try, and discovered it was the right fit.

“It was a really great decision because I did not know what I was getting into,” Clark said. “Then, when I came to class on the first day of school, I discovered it was mostly guys. I was a little put off at first but it still ended up being fun.”

She decided to join the Solar Car team during her junior year as well, and is now the marketing lead for the team. She was apprehensive at first, but that all changed after the first race.

“We had so many whacky memories while going to the race,” Clark said. “From being

delirious in the heat, dancing and singing and just going to the competition and having that sense of community was really fun.”

West is also apart of the solar car team and it has been one of her favorite part about STEM. “The solar car race is probably my favorite memory [from STEM] because the car was not working and then we got it completely up and running. It was just incredible,” West said.

STEM has been a real eye opener for both West and Clark.

It has introduced both to different fields of study, and has given them hands on experience for what the real world of engineering will be like.

“One of the best things I have learned in STEM is the exposure to all the different things within the engineering world,” Clark said. “I did not know anything about programing, and I have been able to learn a lot about it, which is super important.”

Through the year, West and Clark have left their marks on many STEM students and Yakubovsky. Their personalities have been fun, and have helped make class and after school activities more enjoyable.

“They both have happy and uplifting personalities,” Yakubovsky said. “They make things fun even when we are going through tough stuff.”

As West heads to the Colorado School of Mines to major in chemical engineering and Clark heads to Southern Methodist University to major in mechanical engineering, they have had time to reflect on the lessons they have learned through STEM. They are looking forward to using the skills and tools they have learned in college to help get a leg up in classes and competitions.

“It’s great to have an edge on a lot of the components of engineering which are not really introduced at such a young age for most high schoolers,” Clark said.

Both West and Clark have come to love the community feel that STEM offers. They say no one will judge for any ideas you have on projects or inventions and everyone is accepted with open arms.

“It is a beautiful thing to be able to come to school and feel comfortable in your classes, because often times your classes are boring,” Clark said. “STEM is such a relaxing class because we

get to do what we love everyday.”

The last pieces of advice that West gave was to next year’s STEM president junior Nino Teruya, and how he should handle his new position of power.

“Take it one step at a time, because it can be a little daunting,” West said. “Just get to know as many people as you can. Being president is not really about the workload, it is about getting to know the people and really helping them out.”

Clark also has some advice for next year’s STEM secretary junior Ryan Kinder.

“Have fun,” Clark said. “Enjoy your senior year and really try to cultivate good relationships with your classmates.”

In all, both seniors will be greatly missed by the STEM community. Though they will be gone, neither will forget the times they have had during their years at STEM. “It has just been so amazing to lead everybody and to give back to a community which is so good at giving you a place to call home at school and a place to come a learn without being judged,” Clark said.

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The Sidekick // Sarah VanderPol

The Sidekick // Sarah VanderPol

The Sidekick // Mallorie Munoz

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entertainment

Alexander closing curtain on high school career

STEPHANIE ALEXANDER Entertainment Editor @stephanierose2u y mindset going into freshman year was to find something to get involved in for the next four years. I wanted to find a niche, to do something with these years that I can leave my name on proudly when I graduate.

I initially wanted to be in KCBY-TV and then eventually become the female version of Ryan Seacrest, so I joined the Emerging Media And Communication (EMAC) academy my freshman year in hopes of paving the road to that goal. Whenever it was time to sign up for next year’s classes, I remember hearing about The Sidekick on the announcements, and my gut just told me to go for it.

When it was time for the interview, I was very nervous because I had only been in Mr. Wofford’s Intro to Media class for literally one day. I purposely got a schedule change into his class because something in me knew I had to be in it. I applied as a photographer with my portfolio proudly in my hand ready to show Mr. Wofford my artsy skills.

When I handed him my

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portfolio he looked at maybe three pictures and put it to the side.

“Obviously you are a very talented photographer. But what about writing?” I was a shocked.

I hated writing; I did not think it was one of my strong suits. I do not even remember what my response was but we somehow got on the topic of Tom Petty and Van Halen and how I could bring my love for entertainment and music to journalism, and that was the interview.

I remember constantly praying my second semester, “I don’t care if Mr. Wofford wants me on

staff. I only want to be on staff if that’s part of God’s plan; if I’m meant to be on it and it will benefit my future then please let me get on it.” God and Mr. Wofford were both completely silent during that time, as Mr. Wofford did not tell me that I was on staff until the week before school got out.

I remember cheerfully going up to him and telling him how excited I was to take pictures and he laughed and just said, “Ha, no you’re going to be an entertainment writer.” I was stunned by this information. I never wrote unless I absolutely had to.

Photo Courtesy // Stephanie Alexander Seniors Stephanie Gross, Shivani Burra, Stephanie Alexander and Alex Nicoll at Riverchase Country Club in 2013 for The Sidekick banquet. This was their first year as staff writers.

Here I am almost exactly three years later; as a third year staffer and two year entertainment editor, and this year, I got to get back into my photography, as well as exploring my designing skills. None of it would have been possible without Mr. Wofford and how much he believed in my writing.

I have gotten to go movie screenings and red carpet events, meet people from broadcaster Robin Roberts to actor Aaron Paul, as well as tell the stories of those around me and have a voice within a school of 3000+ kids.

I’ll be attending Dallas Baptist University in the fall and I could not be more ecstatic to see what

God has in store for the next chapter of my life. And for my writing career, we shall see what comes of this amazing expereince I am so fortuante to have had.

So Mr. Wofford, this is a thank you. Thank you for giving me a niche within the many halls of Coppell High School. Thank you for believing in me to lead this amazing staff and paper. Thank you for letting me be in a program like this where I can leave my name happily when I go off to college and my career, whatever that may be. I don’t think I would have wanted to spend my four years here at CHS any other way. *walks out with a hair flip*

Photo Courtesy // Stephanie Alexander Senior Stephanie Alexander and junior staff writer Sloane Samberseron at the Hotel Del Coronado on April 10, 2014.

The Sidekick staff went to San Diego for the JEA/NSPA Spring convention.

Culp’s passion for electronic music turns into feasible dream SLOANE SAMBERSON Staff Writer @SloaneSamberson

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rowing up with a love for classic rock, Coppell High School sophomore Jackson Culp’s taste in music graduated into a large passion for electronic music after hearing band Flux Pavillion. This newfound passion for electronic music, quickly evolved into making electronic music of his own.

Culp realized he had a passion for music in fourth grade while he was playing Xbox.

“I started thinking, ‘Man [Xbox] is really boring,’ so I went into my brother’s room, grabbed his guitar, and just started playing,” Culp said.

“It sounded awful and I had no clue what I was doing, but I kept trying.”

Despite not really knowing how to play guitar, Culp signed up to perform in his fourth grade talent show.

“I played what I thought were chords to ‘Dream On’ by Aerosmith. Everyone was cheering for me, giving me applause when I was done. It was such a cool feeling, playing music and getting to share that with others.”

It was not until seventh grade when Culp began to make his own music.

“I saved up my money and bought an MPC (Music Production Center) 1000 from a guy who was having a music garage sale for $200,” Culp said. “I made beats and recorded on it. The first beats I made were very embarassing, but my passion grew as I got more into it.”

In 2010, Culp met his current manager, Mike Gilliam, who is an audio engineer at Irving Bible Church.

“Jackson was a part of my small group at church,” Gilliam said. “We just had a good connection, and have been really good friends since then.”

As Culp’s manager, Gilliam has a lot of duties to fulfil.

“I coordinate his DJ gigs,” Gilliam said. “I also work with him on his music production as far as bringing in new skills, working with him on developing his process and really just mentoring him through that.”

What drew Gilliam and Culp together was their common interest in electronic/dance music.

“It’s been a passion of mine for many years and Jackson got involved in that, and really wanted to focus his efforts in that way,” Gilliam said. “It made it that much more special for us to work together.”

Gilliam see’s great potential in Culp’s future career.

“Jackson is always learning, growing and evolving,” Gilliam said. “His music has really developed over the past five years. He is gifted in a lot of different ways that allows him to refine his skills. He has a drive to succeed at whatever he does.”

Culp has yet to do a public concert, but has experience disc jockeying at Camp Sweeney, a camp for children with diabetes in Gainesville, Texas.

“This summer, I got to come up to three of the camp dances and play for an hour and a half,” Culp

said. “It was awesome because it was the first time I had done anything like that. I learned to DJ in eighth grade, off of a $20 mixer that I got at Walmart. At first it was nothing to me, but two years later I was on stage with $3,000 worth of equipment, playing in front of over 300 people.”

The whole experience was very surreal for Culp.

“I’ve always considered working in the music field, but in that

moment I was thinking ‘I do have a shot at this.’ If I continue to work hard enough and get my name out there, just get better and learn as much as I can about music, then this is something I do have a shot at.”

Culp’s mother, Phoebe Culp, is very supportive of her son’s passion.

“I hope that he will never give up, even when he’s discouraged,” Ms. Culp said. “No matter how he

ends up, I know that music will be a part of his life.”

One day Jackson hopes to turn this passion of music into a full fleged career.

“Just being able to make music day in and day out, and enough money off of my music to support a family, is my ultimate goal,” Culp said.

You can listen to Jackson’s music at: www.soundcloud.com/jackson-culp

The Sidekick // Kelly Monaghan Sophomore Jackson Culp sits at his desk and edits his music to prepare for future gigs. Culp has his DJ equipment at his desk and some instruments also in his room making it easy for him to work.

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Lifting his way to the Olympics Mayes leaves popular sport behind to pursue passion for weights

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JOSEPH KRUM Staff Writer @joseph_krum

oppell High School junior Jake Mayes looks down and sees the gray metal bar sitting on the ground underneath him.

This is it, he thinks.

He takes a deep breath and squats down to pick up the bar.

Then, with every fiber of muscle in his body, he picks it up and pushes it upwards.

That kind of workout is not only acceptable for Mayes, but it is the norm. Being into Olympic lifting is a big deal, and energy-draining workouts come with the training. Yet the love for these workouts is exactly what got Mayes into this specific kind of lifting.

“This year I decided to not play football for the high school, but I wanted to still work out so I looked into CrossFit,” Mayes said. “I went to CrossFit Bolt in Coppell, and that’s where I met the owner and head coach [Matt McCraney]. I started getting involved with just the CrossFit part but then some days I would stay after and work with [McCraney] and he would teach me some of the lifts and from then I just fell in love with it.”

McCraney got Mayes into lifting through his passion for the sport, and he ran with it.

“One of the things that sets Jake apart is his passion for the sport of weightlifting,” McCraney said. “You can see it outside the gym as well. He’s watching video and learning as much as he can.

I can see his love for it. His hard

Photo Courtesy // KCBY Junior Jake Mayes attempts the clean and jerk lift at the Bolt Crossfit gym in Coppell.

Mayes trains at 5:30 a.m. before school most days and after school as well. work is also huge, and it goes hand-in-hand with his passion.

He hates to miss days, and coming in and lifting is the highlight of his day. He has a goal in mind every day and comes in with a chip on his shoulder to get better.”

As for what exactly Mayes has fallen in love with is simple. Olympic lifting consists of two lifts, the “snatch” and the “clean and jerk”.

The snatch is, in the simplest terms, pulling the bar from the ground to over your head in one fluid motion. The clean and jerk is similar, yet it consists of pulling or “cleaning” the bar up to your shoulders, standing up and then pressing it over your head.

The competition side, which is

in the Olympics, is calculated by adding the weights of both lifts from the competitor, and whichever athlete has the highest score wins.

It is both of these lifts that Mayes pushes to improve on and enjoys doing it along the way.

“It’s my passion,” Mayes said. “I love it, everything about it. I even tore my meniscus a few months ago, and I haven’t done anything about it just because I can’t stop doing it. And I see other kids around the nation, like Dylan Cooper (Olympic lifter), who are in my weight class and can lift more than me. It inspires me to work harder and go to Junior Nationals and beat him.”

It is this passion for lifting that has been seen from both his mom, Susie Mayes, and his sister, 2014 Coppell High School graduate Michelle Mayes.

“I noticed that even early on, like in middle school, he started to spend more time in the weight room,” Mrs. Mayes said. “He was lifting more and more and started and also started talking about getting a personal trainer by then.

It became really clear that this was his passion, the gym was just where he wanted to be. He’s made it completely clear this last year, and I can’t believe the strides he’s made this year. It’s really been impressive to watch.”

Olympic weightlifting, unlike

many sports, tests the human ballistics limits or explosive strength.

It has the athletes lift with speed, mobility and range of motion.

These unique lifts call for intense workouts, which can leave the person sore and tired. While Jake’s mom can’t help him lift the weights, she does do all that she can to support her son.

“I am always trying to help Jake with his lifting,” Mrs. Mayes.

“He likes to say you have to eat big to get big, and so I’m always running errands to get more protein, or pre-workout, anything. We always have to keep frozen peas in the house because he always gets sore.”

With the extreme workouts, careful diets and early mornings, Mayes trains his hardest with one goal in mind.

“I do Olympic lifting to one day hopefully make the Olympics and represent the United States of America,” Mayes said.

For more information on Mayes and his goals

23 sports Gentle spirit: Horse therapy provides countless benefits for 2nd grader MALLORIE MUNOZ Staff Writer @munoz_mallorie

“I

feel happy,” Reagan Robinette said.

Reagan has no trouble communicating how she feels about Spirit Horse Therapeutic center, as if the huge grin on her face is not enough.

Reagan is a second grader at Cottonwood Creek Elementary.

She plays Coppell Youth soccer and softball. She talks, laughs, and loves attention just like any 9-year-old does.

The only difference between Reagan and her peers is that she lives with Down syndrome.

However, this does not stop her from experiencing life like everyone else.

“We want to try and expose her to as much as we possibly can,” Reagan’s father, Randy Robinette said.

Part of this exposure is taking lessons at Spirit Horse in Corinth. Founded by Charles Fletcher, Spirit Horse is a non-profit organization that welcomes children with special needs and provides a unique way to develop healthy habits and skills. Fletcher used his own funds to start the organization, and now lives on the Spirit Horse property, where his home is open to staff and volunteers.

Equine therapy is used to promote emotional, physical and mental development through caring for and riding a horse or pony with the help of a trainer.

For Reagan, benefits include muscle toning and strengthening, balance, confidence boosts and feeling comfortable around large animals that many children might be frightened of.

Part of the therapy is learning to care for the horses. Riders are able to brush the horses, which

The Sidekick // Mallorie Munoz Lewisville family Randy, Reagan and Sara Robinette are thankful for Spirit Horse Therapeutic Center. Reagan has taken lessons for four years.

teaches them to be gentle and loving. They also assist in putting on the horse’s equipment.

The equiptment is arranged by horse, with photos and instructions, which helps riders develope memory skills.

Riders are then helped onto a horse and are led by a trainer that works one-on-one with them. Reagan’s trainer, Jamie Barnhart, has worked with her for two months now, and watched Reagan grow.

“You can see the joy in her face when she gets here and when she gets to see her pony,” Barnhart said.

Another part of the therapeutic experience is forming a bond with the horses. This relationship between the horse and rider teaches trust, compassion, empathy and gentleness.

“Pebbles makes me the happiest because I like to trot. Trotting is my favorite,” Reagan said about her favorite pony.

One of the most exciting experiences for the riders at Spirit Horse is reaching a level where they can trot with the horse by themselves, with their trainer standing nearby. Not only does this promote confidence and independence, but also works the core muscles and encourages balance.

“She’s definitely more confident,” Mrs. Robinette said.

“She’s not afraid to approach any animals. She understands now how to act around them and treat them.”

There are many clear benefits of equine therapy. Although many children do not get to experience this relationship with a horse and trainer like Reagan does, her parents only see it as another way their daughter proves she is like everybody else.

“To see her riding a horse is

Photo Courtesy // Jan Bourg The five members of the girls varsity team pose with its second place state title at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin. It is the first title in the golf program at CHS.

Girls golf places second at state

F

ALEX NICOLL Editor-in-Chief @NicollMac

or the first time ever in the history of the girls and boys golf programs at Coppell High School, a team brought home a trophy from the state tournament after the girls won second at the Class 6A state golf tournament.

However even with that impressive feat, the team still was not satisfied.

“We were thrilled with second but just a little disappointed that we [eight strokes] behind first, which was our goal the whole year,” assistant golf coach Jan Bourg said.

After placing fourth the past two years, the girls team made it a goal to finish first and place. While the team placed, it fell eight strokes short of first, which was taken by Lake Travis. Coppell shot 310 on the first day and a 298 on the

second day for an overall score of 608.

Coppell is one of three teams that shot better the second day, despite the worse weather conditions.

“We were able to comeback on day two, and we usually shoot better on day two than day one and most teams can’t do that. We always knew no matter where we were after day one, we could come back,” Bourg said.

Two of these girls, sophomore Grace Do and senior Sol Lee, placed in the top 10 in individual results. Do finished fifth after shooting 72-74-146 and Lee finished ninth after shooting 76-73-149.

Do attributes the team's success to the camaraderie that was built over the past few years “Last year we just got to know each other and this year we were just friends and were comfortable around each other,” Do said.

The Sidekick // Mallorie Munoz Spirit Horse Therapeutic Center, located in Corinth, Texas, provides equine therapy to 400 families a week at no cost.

Founder Charles Fletcher established the ranch in 2002. just another thing that’s on her checklist of things that she is capable of doing,” Mr. Robinette said.

Reagan’s parents have no trouble introducing their daughter to new things.

“Why can’t she try like everybody else?” Mrs. Robinette added.

Spirit Horse is unique, for therapy is provided at no cost to the families who are involved.

That being said, many of these families had to be put on a waiting list before taking lessons.

Taking into consideration the cost of caring for horses, running a facility as large as

Spirit Horse, and assisting as many as 400 families a week, free services sound impossible.

However With the help of outside donations and the owner’s personal contributions, Spirit Horse is able to provide therapy at no cost.

Unfortunately, there are still many families waiting to take lessons.

“Parents can only donate so much,” Mr. Robinette said.

Thanks to Spirit Horse, Reagan has gained confidence and trust with the help of her trainer and her pony. To learn more or donate, see their website: http://spirithorsenews.com.

The Sidekick // Allie Arnold The 1995 state championship winning baseball team reunites at Cowboy Field (CISD Baseball/Softball Complex) on May 1 to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of their accomplishment.

The boys are back in red, black

T

JOSEPH KRUM Staff Writer @joseph_krum

he heat was steaming off of the Astroturf at Disch-Falk Field in Austin, getting up to almost 110 degrees. Josh Teare was on the mound for the Coppell baseball team, pitching for the final out and a Class 4A state championship.

As Teare went into his windup, he delivered a strike, closing out what was the first state championship that any Coppell sport.

Now, after all the confetti is long gone and the trophies are collecting dust on their shelves, former Cowboys baseball player and current assistant baseball/basketball coach Sean Smith looks back and realizes he not only won a championship, but memories that will last a lifetime.

“My favorite moment of the champi-

onship year was just the moment that we won it all,” Smith said. “The culmination of lots of hard work and camaraderie, and just all of guys working together made it special. All that coming together and then achieving the highest point possible made it the biggest part of the season.

But now looking back and being able to maintain the relationships that I’ve had with my teammates and seeing how those guys have succeeded is great.”

Smith, now an English teacher for Coppell, is in awe for having the opportunity to teach at his alma mater.

“It’s surreal,” Smith said. “Even just teaching here is a very cool experience.”

The state-champion team was honored before a Coppell 11-1 run-rule win against Haltom on Friday. After each player was announced with their former position, they all congratulated each other, reminiscing on the past and the memories they shared.

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