Volume 25 Issue 4

VOLUME 25

ISSUE 4

WWW.COPPELLSTUDENTMEDIA.COM

FEBRUARY 2014

WANTED: ONE TRUE RIVAL

With changes in realignment and no inner city foe, Coppell searches for a consistent rivalry

A L E X N I C O L L staff writer

The game’s date is circled on everyone’s calendars. There is nothing in the world that will stop people from attending the game. The schools and fans alike have been anticipating this matchup all season.

That is right; it is time for the fateful cross-town rivalry game that will end with

one team walking away with a victory and year of bragging rights. It is the matchup where one team is left with a painful defeat and an insatiable thirst for revenge that can only be fulfilled at next year’s rematch.

Yet while some schools enjoy the company of their long-term rival, Coppell seems to have a new one each

year.

Recently in football, Allen has been considered Coppell’s rival, but two years ago the Eagles were not even on Coppell’s radar as a possible competitor. So who is Coppell’s true rival?

These intense rivalries mean more than just a win and loss on a record. Schools, even whole communities, feel

the pressure of these rivalries and grow up with a desire to dominate their rival in everything, from football, to band, to debate.

For many winning these competitions validate a season. No matter how a team does or how far apart the teams are in the rankings, they can always look forward to that

see Rivalry on pg. 21

Photo by Regan Sullivan

SELF DEFENSE TEACHES SENIOR GIRLS SURVIVAL SKILLS SHRUTHIKA POCHAMPALLY staff writer

If you go to the Coppell Middle School East on a Tuesday night, chances are you will find high school girls karate-chopping and kickboxing throughout the gym.

Coppell High School started offering a self defense course in 2004 for senior female students and has offered it every year since.

The Coppell Police Department first started a self defense class for women, and soon decided to start a separate program for senior girls, which is now a class offered by CHS and New Tech High@Coppell offered outside of school hours.

The course’s popularity has grown throughout the years.

The class description states that self defense not only keeps girls safe in dangerous situations, but also makes them more confident. It is designed to give young women “a sense of awareness” and prepare them for the outside world, as they often leave high school for places far away from home.

It is meant to give young about women being assaulted. women the mental strength “After hearing all these stothey need to fight back if con- ries, I learned that the world isn’t fronted. Officer Peter Dirks, as safe as I thought it was. I wantone of the instructors of the ed to prepare myself for the worst self-defense class, loves teach- by taking this class,” Paturu said. ing this class to his students.

Students in the class have “I want to teach this class to had no regrets. Not only is the help these young ladies protect class beneficial, but their inthemselves as they go out into the world for college or work,” Dirks said. “I feel it is important that they have the skills to recognize danger and escape the threat or fight it. I like helping them learn new things and get their - Nikita Paturu, senior minds thinking about what could happen, so hopefully it never does.” structors are also very informaThose that take the class tive and helpful. Self defense is said it is not only a good class, a PE elective, and students who but also one which will benefit have already completed their them in the long run. CHS se- PE requirement for graduanior Nikita Paturu said she was tion are eligible to take the class. first interested in taking this class “A good thing about this when she heard various stories class is that our instructor teach-

Senior Francesca Graham practices finding pressure points on fellow senior Ali Martinez.

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“

es us not just physical ways to defend ourselves but verbal ways as well,” Paturu said.

Dirks said that one of the goals of the program is to empower the student to be a survivor and not a victim. However, the most important goal for the class is not to teach the girls self-defense tips, but to give them the confidence to defend themselves when needed.

“The one skill I hope the students get from this class is how to recognize real threats to their personal safety. What is taught in the class is not foolproof or appropriate for every situation, but it does give the students confidence to know they may have an option; a tool they can use if needed,” Dirks said.

As for recommending this class to future senior girls, most students give the program five stars.

“Everything about this class is great, because I learn something new everyday. I would definite-

After hearing all these stories, I learned that the world isn’t as safe as I thought it was

Senior Allie Zill practices a straight punch on the police officer. Photos by Sandy Iyer.

ly recommend this class to every senior girl because its always good to be prepared, especially when it gets time to go to college on their own,” Paturu said. “It’s never a bad idea to be prepared for the worst.”

Mental imaging and scenario-based drills are both methods presented to students in order to prepare them to better defend themselves if necessary. The course consists of six classes, five of which are spent learning self-defense tips and instructional, while the sixth is a jovial face-off between the students and instructors.

“My favorite part of the class is the sixth and final class,” Dirks said. “This is where the girls display what they have learned with incredible courage and fighting spirit. Traditionally, the last night of the course is the padded suit sparring drill. Each girl takes a turn at the officer in a padded suit to demonstrate all that they learned throughout the course. The officers involved are always proud of the girls for their effort and enthusiasm.”

Rosemary Brinegar practices pressure points on senior Olivia Brooks.

3D printer simplifies projects for engineering students ELIZABETH SIMS enterprise editor

Centimeter by centimeter, the printer produces the small black gear to match the model glowing on a nearby computer screen. However, this is not a simple picture of the model. This is a very real, fully usable gear coming out of the printer.

While this may seem like the substance of science fiction, it is a reality for Coppell High School’s engineering department. Near the end of last year, it acquired a MakerBot Replicator 1 three-dimensional printer from their booster club and spent that time working out all the bugs and learning Solid Works, a 3D modeling program, so it would be fully functional.

“It works a lot like an inkjet printer where it will print a layer out on the table and move the table down a little bit and put the other layer on top of that, That’s how it makes it three dimensional,” STEM Academy lead Mike Yakubovsky said.

Now, the printer is used for nearly every project and prototype the students create and generates the product in a fraction of the time.

“We teach the students how to do prototyping, and now they are learning how to print their designs rather than making it out of cardboard or Styrofoam,” Yakubovsky said. “Making it out of foam might take three to four days working five or six hours a day, in this case we can print in about four hours and if there is a mistake I can just print it again.”

The engineering clubs also utilize this technology to prepare and run tests for competitions.

“For solar car, people have been printing parts to test out, and if any changes need to be made they just print them again.

The competitive robotics team is actually printing a lot of the robot,” junior Aaron Maynard said.

The students are able to take risks with this equipment as it has provided them more creative freedom.

“This 3D printing tech-

nology is pretty amazing because you can design anything you want and just send it to the printer,” Maynard said. “We are more risky with our designs now because we can actually test them out. “ Senior Gunnar Schmidt has even used the printer to realize his goal of creating a mechanical turtle that can walk.

“Last year, I designed a 3D model of a mechanical turtle with moving legs that let it walk.

Now I have been printing parts to start building it. I have found a few errors and I can just go back and plug new numbers into the computer and print it again,” Schmidt said. “It’s really helpful to have the 3D printer because if I make mistakes I can go back and fix them.”

This single piece of technology has opened a world of opportunity for the engineering students as they push the limits of their creativity. Now, they are working to raise more funds to buy more printers to increase their productivity.

Senior Gunnar Schmidt works with a gear he printed for a project. Photos by Sandy Iyer.

The engineering department received this MakerBot Replicator 1 3D printer from its booster club last year.

Academic Decathlon team prepares for state competition HENRIIKKA NIEMI staff writer

Senior Cejay Zhu, like many of the students on the Coppell High School Academic Decathlon team, juggles 15 hours of work, his leadership position at Teen Court and homework for several AP classes all while mastering material over 10 different subjects.

Academic Decathlon is a competition between various

high schools over 10 subjects ranging from math, art, literature, science, social science, economics and music to interview, speech and essay writing. Each school has separate divisions that reflect the grades students make; A students compete in the Honors division, B students in the Scholastic division, and C students in the Varsity division. Only three students can compete in each division, and scores for each school are taken from the top two indi-

vidual competitors.

On Jan. 24-25, the CHS Academic Decathlon team competed in the Regional-State meet held at Lewisville High School, securing second place and a spot at the state competition beginning on Feb. 21 in San Antonio.

The team is currently ranked ninth, an eight spot improvement over their finish at last year’s state meet.

“Holding the team together is important, because at our

Senior Blake Simon diligently studies for the upcoming State ACDEC competition on Februrary 21-23. Photo by Sandy Iyer.

school kids are very GPA aware and anytime they spend a lot of time on something like AcDec, they have to weigh how much time they will study,” Academic Decathlon coach Tim Dixon said.

“We’ve had teams that are highly talented but the competition wasn’t there, and then we’ve had teams that didn’t have as much talent but were very competitive.

This year we have a nice balance of both.”

The Regional-State meet lasted almost the entire weekend, with interviews, speeches and essays on Jan. 24 and the last seven objective tests on Jan. 25. Each test is 50 questions with the exception of math, which has 35.

For many contestants, the exciting part of the competition takes place on Saturday afternoon, when each member of the team answers six questions as part of a relay in front of an audience.

“AP classes are challenging but AcDec is a whole different type of challenge,” senior Blake Simon said. “I like it because it’s introduced me to subjects that I haven’t been exposed to before.

We study music, art and literature, stuff that I haven’t ever had an interest in.”

Notable competitors from Coppell at the regional meet were seniors Blake Simon, Zhu and George Tang, who finished first, second and third in the Honors division respectively.

“If you don’t put in the effort

to learn each section’s material, you won’t get very far no matter how smart you are,” Zhu said.

“You can’t just know the information, so it’s a combination of your effort, intelligence, your dedication to AcDec and your studying techniques.”

While hard work and intelligence certainly go a long way, an organized studying structure is an equally important component of the process. Simon prefers to make his own flashcards and flip through them before the competitions, while other AcDec students utilize the Resource Guide and take tests during class.

Background knowledge in music theory, art history, literary devices and math is useful, as these are all difficult subjects to teach in AcDec. For math specifically, students are at different levels depending on their grade; a senior might have completed all levels of math available while a sophomore is still in Algebra II. “It’s like preparing for an AP test, but for seven different subjects,” Tang said. “AcDec is really the epitome of academic excellence.”

Other successful students at the regional competition were junior Michael Hall, who placed fifth in the Scholastic Division, and sophomore Sashwath Murthy, who placed fifth in the varsity division.

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Coppell 2030 plan to revamp public library interior E L I Z A B E T H S I M S enterprise editor

As students grab a drink from the coffee bar, they head to the green screen in a sound proof video room to get to work on a class project.

Soon, these amenities will be available to students at the William T. Cozby Public Library.

When the Coppell 2030 plan was first drafted on Sept. 23, 2010, it established a vision to propel the city forward and ensure a quality standard of living for the future based on five key elements: Sense of Community, Special Place to Live, Commu-

nity Wellness and Enrichment, Business Prosperity and Sustainable City Government.

Over the past few years, several goals of this plan have already been realized including the growth of Old Town Coppell to the current construction on Sandy Lake.

Recently, the William T. Cozby Public Library became the next project to be completed.

“One of the main objectives of this plan is gathering spaces for the community to support a lifelong learning process for all ages,” assistant library director Jane Darling said. “This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

On Jan. 30, lead architects Tony Blass and Bill Hidell take notes as the teen focus meeting attendents voiced their likes and dislikes about the current library at the William T. Cozby Public Library.

The community has been a driving force for the project’s lead architects Tony Blaas and Bill Hidell from Hidell and Associates Architects. The two hosted focus group meetings to gather the opinions and ideas of community members.

“We’ve found that the best projects are those that people can take ownership of,” Hidell said. “For us to come in and tell them what they need is not the right thing to do. They tell us what they want and we put it into architectural form.”

To start the process, teens were invited to give their opinions of the library and design their own teen area using a basic layout of the library and magnets with a variety of elements, from green screens to a sound proof study room printed on them.

“I’m actually on the library board as a student adviser so I thought it would be important for me to attend and give my input,” freshman Nicole Crumpler said. “It was surprisingly energetic and entertaining. It was interesting to hear ideas from other teens and design our own space.”

Though they are in the early stages of this redesign, Blaas and Hidell are excited for the final result and what it could add to the community.

Coppell teens take a look at possible redesign options for the William T. Cozby Public Library at the teen focus group on Jan. 30. Photos by Nicole Messer.

“We don’t know what our direction will be yet. We will meet the library board, the building community and the general public. From there we are going to compile all the information and create a plan or multiple schemes and see how it lines up with budgets,” Blaas said.

The city also has high hopes for this redesign to achieve its goal of providing additional space with a variety of uses to the community.

“A primary 2030 goal is support of the top quality schools’,” community information officer Sharon Logan said.

“Expanding library space to provide a business center, computer lab and inviting gathering spaces will allow the library to enhance programs and services in support of this goal.”

Though the library development is still in its beginning stages, great things lie ahead for the community and library goers “It has all been very exciting. Libraries are changing and we have the opportunity to make it relevant and current and flexible. It has been a long time coming,” library director Vicki Chiavetta said.

AP fine arts exam scores reach new level of excellence K A R A H A L L A M staff writer

Students put your paintbrushes and pastels down. It is time to give a round of applause to Coppell High School’s Advanced Placement Fine Arts department which recently ranked within the top 10 in the state for the number of passes on AP exams in 2013.

The AP Fine Arts department has always ranked in the top 10 since the department started tracking its progress eight years ago, but this year has been a new record since it was the highest the whole department had ranked together as a school.

“The teachers and students in the Fine Arts Department have always won awards. They have always done well but we were not satisfied just with that, and this is their way of taking the next step and getting the progress they have wanted,” CHS Principal Mike Jasso said.

Jasso represented CHS at the Coppell Independent School District’s board meeting where the department was congratulated for its scores at the end of November.

All the AP CHS teachers met and reviewed the school’s success in a

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Powerpoint presentation.

The Fine Arts Department is determined to do better and put in an incredible amount of effort with their students. Students raved about teacher Monica Winters who puts in extra time once a week after school to prepare her AP Art History students for the exam.

“In AP Art History, there are 500 pieces of artwork to cover, and Mrs. Winters covered it well. You could tell she

was putting in a lot of effort to make sure we scored well on the AP exam,” junior Lindsey Maeshima said.

Maeshima took the AP exam last year and was one of the

many passes that put CHS’s AP Art History classes in the third best number of passes in the state.

CHS’s other AP Art History teacher Ann Clark claims it also has a lot to do with the type of students in AP Art History.

“It’s not so much what Mrs. Winters and I do - it’s what the students do. We’re fortunate to attract hardworking young people who are curious and have a desire to learn,” Clark said.

Students

who take AP Art History are the ones who do not waiver from the number of works to study and know this before going into the course.

“Students who choose the art history journey are usually willing to handle the rigors involved in the course,” Clark said.

Fine Arts department chair and visual lead Tamera Westervelt looks towards the future for the department’s students.

“Our goal is to have at least five percent more students take the exams and pass.

A l l A P Fine Arts courses have the enrollment to make this happen.

T h e goal is

Graphic by Julia Bordonaro

passing scores, as these are truly college level classes covering college level material,” Westervelt said.

Westervelt also teaches Studio Art, a class which has had a 100 percent passing rate since they started keeping track of their progress. She attributes the department’s success to the high expectations placed on the students in the Fine Arts courses.

“My advice to our Fine Arts teachers is to continue to encourage student to take the exams. They prepare them well and students should feel confident they will pass the exam if they take it,” Westervelt said.

Teachers, students and administration agree that it is the effort given by teachers which is why students do so well on AP Exams.

“We really, really care about our students. We expect a lot from them - more than they think they can deliver.

But when success comes for them, it’s a joy for us as educators to see their happiness,” Clark said.

APES students assist in district wide sustainability audit does not include all the recyclable materials that are discarded at sporting events throughout the year.”

When the school bell rings Reynolds believes more eduafter each of the three lunches cation is a key element in remedyends, students hurry to throw ing the excess waste. away their leftovers in the nearest “The biggest lesson learned trashcan. Whether is be a nearly is how much room there is for full bottle of water or a half eaten improvement,” Reynolds said. “I sandwich, almost everything ends think with some education and up in a trashcan. awareness we can tremendously During the last week in Jandecrease the amount of recyclauary, students in all AP Environble materials that are being dismental Sciences classes assisted carded, thus saving all that glass, with a district wide sustainability plastic and aluminum from being audit. The focus at Coppell High trapped in the landfill. The next School was waste. step after that is to “We wanted to increase the use of see how much food materials is going to waste,” se“Twenty three pounds of recyclable reusable and materials made nior Patrick Valenski said. “Just within the cans and bottles were reclaimed from from post consumer beginning of A lunch, classes and halls and 20 pounds of cans waste.” the it was obvious that and bottles were reclaimed from the districtThough will continthere is a lot of good ue to evaluate the food going to waste. trash” Liquids are being -Beth Reynolds, Sustainability Auditor results of the waste audit, students in wasted more than solthe waste audit at lunch. Reynolds Anderson’s class have already beid foods.”

Valenski and other AP Envi- also assisted during the collections gun to analyze the audit.

“It is going to continue to ronmental Sciences students were at lunch.

“We just want to do some take some time for us to truly see stationed throughout the CHS cafeteria and commons to moni- observations about what students how much CHS wastes since we tor student’s waste disposal habits. are doing with their waste,” Reyn- may need another day of tallying Students were instructed to sepa- olds said. “Hopefully down the the waste,” senior Sydney Owens rate food waste, trash and liquids road, we are able to create some said. “We could tell that there is a awareness about proper ways to lot of waste, but now we are seeing in the coordinating bins. how there is a lot of uneaten food “After the lunches end, we dispose of trash.”

In total, 23 pounds of re- going into the trash cans. Overall, weighed each of the different bins so we could better understand cyclable cans and bottles were it was a very informative experihow much we are actually wast- reclaimed from classes and halls ence for me.”

The waste audit on Jan. ing,” Valenski said. “We kept track and 20 pounds of cans and bottles of how many recyclables are being were reclaimed from the trash. 23 was part of an overall audit thrown away when they could These numbers indicate that in looking at sustainable practices one day, 43 lbs of cans and bottles throughout the district includhave been disposed of properly.”

During the audit, a common that could have been recycled had ing waste management, green space, air quality and energy usdiscovery amongst all students been thrown away “Each year that is over 8,000 age. Results from the district auwas that CHS students are wasting pounds being sent to the landfill,” dit will be evaluated throughout far too much.

“CHS is very wasteful and Reynolds said. “Of course, that the year.

CAROLINE CARTER news editor

“

careless when it comes to eating and recycling,” senior Holly Swaldi said. “Hopefully after the audit, we can correct our actions. I have noticed that students show no interest in recycling even though there are many blue recycling bins spread out throughout the cafeteria.”

Beth Reynolds, who has been hired as an independent contractor to conduct a sustainability audit for the district, took part in the audit by by weighing and sorting all of the classroom and hallway trash that the custodians have collected the night before

Seniors Patrick Valenski and Ben Han volunteered at the trash audit showing kids how to properly dispose their trash so that the calculations could be performed. Photos by Regan Sullivan.

A glimpse at CHS's

TRASH AUDIT

Seniors Trevor Stiff and Mallory Willet dispose of their trash at lunch. In total, 20 pounds of cans and bottles were reclaimed from the trash at the end of the audit.

Bags of garbage were placed in the storage room during the audit. AP and IB Environmental Sciences students helped gather the trash.

Seniors organize trash as students dispose of their waste. Ocassionaly, students would put food in the water bucket.

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L e t t e r s

E D I T O R I A L

t o

t h e

E d i t o r

Average Barbie provides young girls better undependable source regarding news influence: By Christina Burke

Social media becoming an

We live in the technological era, where anything and everything said or done can be put on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with just a click of a button.

Many students have played the game “telephone” where people line up to form a whispering train.

The first person whispers something into the person’s ear next to him/her, then that person whispers what he/she heard into the next person’s ear until the whispering stops at the last person on the train.

The person at the end will usually blurt out something completely different than what was said at the beginning of the train. Whether someone changed the original phrase with malicious intent or accidentally misheard the person next to them, messages change the more they are repeated.

The same rules apply to gossip. Rumors are passed on so many times that the story changes, giving people the wrong idea of what actually happened.

The bottom line is that it can be hard to trust what you see on social media, especially if it is coming from a source that does not seem credible, so why make a big deal of the latest story on your timeline?

Odds are, it is far from the truth.

Last week, a few staff members walked into The Sidekick newsroom after seeing on Twitter that Coppell’s Ole’s Mexican restaurant was soon to be closed. Someone discussed the matter with some fellow staffers and spent a good five minutes debating whether it was true or not until they figured the only way to know for sure was to call the restaurant themselves.

An employee was kind enough to answer the call, listen to the staff member’s panicked question and assure them all that Ole’s was not going to close.

As they hung up the phone, a surge of both relief and confusion swept over them. Of course,

Issue 3 Page 7

being just like any normal Coppell resident, it was great to hear Ole’s was still in business, but why would someone announce the closing in the first place? Who told them this information? What made them think this?

They decided it did not matter. The point is, they believed that their beloved Mexican restaurant was closing. It was pointless for them to overreact about the news, let alone believe it. They did not see this piece of information from a credible source so why did they take it so seriously when they saw it?

A similar situation took place on Jan. 22, when social media blew up with reports of a shooter on University of Oklahoma’s campus. Tweets were sent out that said #prayforOU and many even said shots were fired.

At lunch that day, a few staff members sat next to a girl whose sister attends the university. Reading all of the false reports on Twitter made her concerned for her sister’s safety, considering the fact that most of the tweets were exaggerating the situation.

After the police got everything under control, it was officially reported that there were not any shots fired and it was simply a misunderstanding. Someone thought they heard gunshots, reported it and pretty soon friends and parents all over the country were panicked and concerned for their loved one’s safety.

There have been multiple similar situations that have taken place due to social media. Why overreact about an unverified story after seeing it on social media?

Twitter and Facebook are not CNN or The Dallas Morning News. Social media is a place where people can go and say whatever they want, so what makes anyone think they can put their trust in anything they read?

I thought this article was very interesting because I really didn’t have that much insight on how different Barbies are compared to the more realistic ones.

It’s a shame to hear that the original Barbies were made at such unrealistic terms when they have so much influence the on little girls who constantly play with them. I think Nikolay Lamm should defi-

Christina Burke Managing Editor Elizabeth Sims Enterprise Editor

Caroline Carter News Editor Jena Seidemann Student Life Editor Sophie Nauyokas Design Editor Regan Sullivan Photography Editor John Loop Sports Editor

Tolu Salako Editorial Page Editor Stephanie Alexander Entertainment Editor Jordan Bickham Design Editor Graphic Shivani Burra Emerging Media Manager Julia Bordonaro Josh Martin

Sandy Iyer Alyssa Frost

Nicole Messer Shannon Wilkinson

Editorial Leadership

Photographers

The year was 1951, and all the women were in the kitchen just like they should be. Now that I caught your attention and hate mail, this is an example of how the mass media and modern feminism loves to straw-man the social conservative view point.

Women do not belong in the kitchen but are meant to seek their own individual vocation.

The Mrs. Degree proposes a false dichotomy and demonizes wom-

6 opinions

en who drop out of the work force to pursue family life. Not all women are meant to be business women just like how some men are forced to specialize in “waste management.” Criticizing women who go to college only to settle down with a man distracts from the important issues facing modern women, such as sexual harassment, and discrimination in the work place. I stand with women.

N I C K

S H E LT O N junior

Affirmative Action promotes diversity, not discrimination: By Tolu Salako coppellstudentmedia.com Feb. 2 As a senior, I am also going through this college process and I hear lots of rumors about colleges and the college admissions process. One topic that I often heard of was the fact that blacks were being admitted simply because they were not quite as well off and tend to create more diversity for the school.

Henriikka Niemi Shannon Morgan Amy Roh Shruthika Ponchampally Gabby Sahm Mark Slette Alex Dalton Aisha Espinosa George Fairchild

Designers

Rachel Buigas-Lopez

Business/PR Staff

Mabry Culp Business Manager Jay Carroll Business Staff

P I C K E T T

junior

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Stephanie Gross Alex Irizarry Tuulia Koponen Pranathi Chitta Allison Arnold Annie Wen Alex Nicoll Kara Hallam Summer Crawford Sloane Samberson

Chase Wofford Adviser Kristen Shepard Editor-in-Chief

S Y D N E Y

Women priorities misplaced, pursue men before degree: By Tolu Salako

2013-2014 SIDEKICK STAFF Staff Writers Executive Leadership

nitely pusue the idea of having a realistic interpretation of the average woman because it would bring realization to a lot of little girls who are striving to look like their favorite toy. Having an average size Barbie would only benefit the generations to come and give them a better insight of what a healthy, beautiful woman should look like.

Braden Creel Business Manager

I completely agree with Tolu when she says that the purpose of affirmative action is to simply “enforce diversity among the student body”. However, I think colleges shouldn’t even use one’s race when determining they’re acceptance.

Colleges learn to play this game to make themselves sound more diverse or more selective.

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 its student writers and not Coppell High Schoool or Coppell Independent School District.

JACK PARKER senior

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 a letter to be considered for publication.

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

Childhoods become overridden with technology

Walking into my living room, I find myself in the background of a major production.

My 11-year-old sister and her little friends are in the middle of filming a video of their original dance moves.

Despite originally getting together to work on homework, the idea of videotaping their homemade choreography was too tempting. And, just like every other night, my sister’s school work goes untouched.

As the oldest child in my household, I have the opportunity to observe my younger brother and sister. Being five years older than my brother and seven years older than my sister, we are all in different points of adolescence with my sister in elementary school, my brother in middle school and myself in high school.

In the rapidly advancing age of technology, both of my siblings have been forced to utilize technology in the most menial tasks, making it the standard for any and every assignment. All I hear about is video assignments, PowerPoint presentations and new apps to use. And, while I understand technology is critical for the future, overusing technology in the classroom (and outside) can have a very negative impact.

While in elementary school,

Technology Generation by the

Numbers

Average young person spends up to

10,000 by the age of 21

hours playing video and online games

to 5 year olds 58% ofcan2 play a computer game

43% can ride a bike

only

Average young people ages 8 to 18 spend more than

7.5

hours a day involved with

non-school-related technology

Information courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

the extent of my knowledge of technology came through our weekly computer lab days. Once a week, we would learn how to use basic computer programs such as Microsoft Word as well as how to type efficiently. Even though it was not as extensive as my broth-

Graphic by Jordan Bickham

er and sister’s knowledge, it gave me a solid foundation for when middle school and high school had me utilize technology in a more appropriate manner for the future. This one hour a week was something we looked forward to and saw as a privilege.

In contrast, both my brother and sister use technology on a daily basis whether it is for school or simply for fun. And while it is great to understand technology, being completely immersed in it has its cons.

To begin, while my brother always has homework on the computer, he still cannot type efficiently. Rather than focusing on the basics in elementary school, they quickly began using programs without ever learning simple tasks such as how to place your hands on the keyboard.

My sister’s iPad has become her way of communicating with her friends. Rather than hanging out in person, her and her friends facetime and send videos back and forth, thinking it to be the equivalent of hanging out. But, as I know first hand, using technology as a means of connecting with someone is not nearly the same experience. Face-to-face interaction is not only critical to develop relationships with others, but it is also crucial for one’s social development.

This technology has created a schism in learning development and the role of the teacher in the classroom. Being a traditional learner, I thrive in a classroom that is focused on taking notes and taking tests, something I have

been familiar with for years. With the introduction of technology, neither my brother nor sister have many tests, or even much homework for that matter. Rather than the traditional worksheet that walks you through the learning process, they have meaningless projects that simply take up time.

Maybe I am simply too traditional, but I believe that technology could never replace the teacher’s role in the classroom, the communication between friends or real life experiences.

As technology advances, it becomes more interwoven in our daily lives and while this can be helpful, it can also be an issue. As I see with my brother and especially my sister, introducing technology at too young of an age can be detrimental socially and within education. While technology can be helpful in some circumstances, the overuse of tech- nology by children can be a major mistake.

J O R D A N B I C K H A M design editor

opinions 7

Affirmative Action

pro T

O L U S A L A K O editorial page editor

I plan on going to SMU to major in biology and journalism, but the only thing that is in the way of this dream I hope to obtain comes down to one thing: money.

We all need and hope to receive acceptance from our top colleges and grad schools, but there are times when the selection process is often skewed, usually by racial circumstances.

Though I am Nigerian by blood and have not underwent the financial circumstances as severely as the norm of the African-American population, I do not see why others are so against this system. People may say that Affirmat ive Action is causing reverse discrimination, or making it easier for those with a darker shade of skin to get into college, but not only is this mindset close-minded, it is also quite offensive.

It is as if the students who happen to not have “favorable” racial circumstances automatically assume that students, such as I, do not have to work as hard. Meaning that I can get lower SAT scores, not take as many AP classes and still have agood shot at getting into top schools.

This is not the point of the system or accurate.

The point of the system is to promote diversity in schools and programs.

It is to help those from other races that are more likely to have a lower income than the standard Caucasian students applying to receive an education.

People tend to automatically assume that any African-American or Hispanic student can get accepted into any school of their choice or receive full rides, which is definitely not the case.

I am not saying that there are white families that do not need financial help, but on a national scale, the African-American and Hispanic race are

Editor-in-Chief Kristen Shepard and Editorial Page Editor Tolu Salako examine both sides of the infamous Affirmative Action debate.

usually at the financial disadvantage.

According to U.S. Census Bureau, the average African-American family income was $38,409 in 2009, while the average Caucasian family income was $44,512.

It is obvious to see why such a system would favor other races that tend to have lower incomes. However, finances are not the only reason why one should be for Affirmative Action, but it also enformces diversity among the student body.

People need to stop thinking that those who have some ethnic background have some major advantage to get i n t o col-

It is a typical day in a Coppell Calculus class.

“I think I will get into Harvard, because my SAT score is great,” senior A said.

“I think I will because I have great leadership experience,” senior B said.

“I think I will because I have a stellar GPA,” senior C said.

“But guys, I am 1/8th Hispanic,” senior D said.

Seniors A, B and C cringe. It is the classic Affirmative Action debate, and this time it has a new twist.

It is hard to argue

SCHOLARSHIP

leges.

I still will not and cannot get into Harvard just because I am black, just as I will not get into Yale for the same reason.

People need to stop blaming other races and using us as scapegoats when it comes to the “skewed” college selection process.

against the goals of Affirmative Action. Diversity is important, and so is fairness. If college applicants with equal qualifications are denied acceptance on the basis of their race: this is obviously and inherently wrong. If African Americans and Hispanics cannot get into college despite their

con

K R I S T E N S H E P A R D editor-in-chief

lifelong struggles and extenuating circumstances, they deserve a boost.

The students who are sidestepping the system have never undergone these difficult circumstances that would warrant an advantage in college admissions. These students never were forced to sit in the back of the bus or moved onto reservations or raised in abject poverty.

Racial discrimination still exists, but our legal system and society has greatly progressed. it is time for Affirmative Action to progress as well. When a student who is Native American in ethnicity has the same economic background and opportunity as their Caucasian classmate, Affirmative Action should not make it easier for the Native American student get into a college or scholarship program. Assuming colleges are not blatantly discriminatory, their credentials should be placed side by side on equal footing.

I am not arguing against helping those at a disadvantage, but against those who manipulate the system to make their chances of getting into better. Should we not be drawing the financial aid lines by income and not race? Or by geographic location?

Logging into Naviance, our school’s scholarship information headquarters, there are a myriad of scholarships for African Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Hispanics. Even having a hint of a foreign ethnicity can potentially bring in thousands of scholarship dollars, and sometimes, “a hint” means a Grandma or Grandpa who is half Native American.

The Affirmative Action system needs to be reformed so that the advantages apply to people who need them, not people who are playing off of a quality that has never really defined them.

Coppell’s thoughts on Affirmative Action “America is all about including and I believe if someone from a certain race is qualifed for a certain position or scholarship, than that person should be rewarded for it.”

-Ali Martinez, senior Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas

8 opinions

“Someone shouldn’t be at a disadvantage or advantage because of his or her race. Everyone should be on the same playing field when it comes to things like college admissions and scholarships.”

-Suyash Adhikari, senior

“I have heard how even if affirmative action gets the students into college, it doesn’t always lead to success. Some affirmative action students do not perform well in college.”

-Nicole Francis, junior

Parental involvement grants children with undeserved opportunity

A L L I E A R N O L D s t a ff w r i t e r

A doctor’s daughter is given the amazing opportunity to work as an intern in the same hospital.

The high school football coach’s son gets the starting position on his select football team. It is seen every day, and yet no one is fully aware of what goes on behind the scenes of these “coincidences.”

We have all seen a child or teenager doing something that they do not exactly seem qualified for, usually in sports. It is not to say that they are not a good players, but maybe they are starting ahead of someone else who seems to play the position a little better.

So why does that child get the privilege of being in the spotlight? The answer is simple. Most likely, the parents got involved in some way, whether it be bribing with money, threats of some kind, or saying the word and fully expecting their wish to be fulfilled just because they hold some position of power. Whatever it is, it is done, simply because their child

is to be the best and have the best.

There are some cases in which the coach is not phased by the powerful position of a parent. However, if the parents have any say in the matter (which they usually do) that coach will not last very long, because in the parent’s eyes, any coach keeping their son or daughter out of the spotlight is to be fired.

Former Southlake Carroll volleyball coach, Arthur Stanfield, was recently fired after a 48-2 season, 960 career victories and 36 years of being a head coach. According to an interview he had with The Dallas Morning News, he claimed to have “angered the wrong parent or parents” after doing something they didn’t agree with. Stanfield explained that they were not going to be satisfied until he was gone, so gone he was.

A man who is capable of coaching a team to have a season as incredible as Southlake Carroll is not going to get fired because the athletic director thinks he can find someone better. Anyone who hears 48-2 would be crazy to think Stanfield was not fit to coach a successful team.

The parents did not agree with the decisions he was making, more than likely regarding playing time for certain players.

And because he was not satisfying the parent’s needs, he was not a good enough coach.

Those parents obviously thought that their daughters deserved better, and I am not by any means saying they did not. But as my dad has told me all my life, “a coach is not there to be your friend.” A coach’s job is to make a winning team, and he did.

My parents drilled into my head since as long as I can remember that I get what I earn. If I do not study for a test, I will fail it. If I go to every volleyball practice to improve, then I get playing time. They do not believe in giving me an opportunity I do not deserve because that opportunity was obviously not earned.

A parent cannot expect

their child to grow and mature as a person if they are still holding their hand at 16 years old. If the child does not work hard for what they want because they have a parent to do it for them, they will spend the rest of their life expecting that same special treatment, and mommy and daddy are not always going to have the means of persuasion they do now.

Moving cross country brings life lessons, unparalleled experiences

A L E X N I C O L L s t a ff w r i t e r

As I looked around my barren room with just the last few boxes gracing the floor, I started to reflect on my memories of my time living in Guntersville, Ala. I remembered the time my friends Thomas, Andy and I attempted to try out for track in seventh grade. I lasted the whole season but was not the fastest by any stretch of the imagination.

Andy lasted all of three weeks and Thomas quit after two days.

I remembered the outfit my first homecoming date wore.

She wore black jeans with a blue blouse (not what we are accustomed to in Coppell, I know, but it was middle school, so cut us some slack). I have to tell you she looked good that night.

While I reminisced about my fondest times like ones just mentioned, the bad ones crept into my mind.

I remembered how the first

week of fifth grade, I just wanted to run all the way back to Montgomery because I could not seem to make a friend. I remembered how my best friend cried when I told him I was leaving and how there was nothing I could do to console him. There was no “haha gotcha” moment: just an unspoken sadness shared by all affected by this move.

The thing is, this had almost (and has now) become a routine for me. Six moves later, I have be-

Graphics by Josh Martin

come an expert on moving homes at the young age of 17.

In fact, I am pretty sure I was one of the only kids that knew how to assemble a cardboard box the proper way. The trick with that is to use three strips of tape not two on the bottom. I promise you that I can pack up a car faster and more efficiently than anybody here.

My dad was the reason we moved so many times. If you excel at what you do in retail the bosses

notice and when the bosses notice they relocate you so that you can replicate that same success in another franchise in another city or even state.

Each time you move, there will always be those feelings of sadness associated with leaving.

You are leaving your home of “insert number here” years. It is only natural and healthy to feel that way.

People only see the negative sides of moves. You know the Hollywood style moves where a family pulls up to their new house with their teenage kid in the backseat with his arm propped up on the window sill and a glare in his eye.

While this is a valid point, society does not take into account

the good that can come out of changing locations. You learn to appreciate little things about your former life and you anticipate the fun times ahead. It got to the point where I actually liked to move; we would be in our fourth year in a place and I would be, “alright so where to next?”

Each place offers its own unique adventures. I went from living in the suburbs, to living in the backwood country and then to living in a city, and as you could probably guess they were not the same at all.

Moving has made me more accepting of different people, it has opened my mind up to new cultures, it has forced me to grow up and now I am a better person for it.

I have an advantage over most kids my age. When I go off to college, I will be ready for the changes ahead. Having to make friends, learning to be on your own and assimilating to the new culture will all be easy for me. It should be for others too.

Moving is a great experience and leaving home is a necessary journey. Embrace change; do not try to fight it or it will make your life miserable. I know I am better off because of it.

opinions 9

T O L U S A L A K O editorial page editor

From defeating templars during the Italian Renaissance in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood to jumping off buildings with outstanding parkour skills in Mirror’s Edge, senior Ben Zill has done it all.

Starting in the summer 2013, Zill decided to take his love for video games to the next level when he started purchasing his favorite games. Game after game, console after console, his love for gaming “exploded” and ended up being one of his favorite pasttimes.

“I have 12 consoles and over 250 games, but I only play for about five hours a week, which isn’t too much if you really think about it,” Zill said.

There is no doubt that Zill is a gamer; however, it is commonplace to have this mental picture of how a gamer behaves and his/ her character, all of which are the exact opposite when it comes to Zill.

“I don’t think it is fair that

10 student life

people have this mindset of what a ‘gamer’ is,” Zill said. “Gamers are relatively kind people and it is nice to be in a community of people who want to have fun and play games that they enjoy. I don’t consider a gamer as someone who curses out someone when playing Call of Duty all day long.”

With over 250 games packed neatly, by console of course, in his bedroom, one may assume that Zill invested hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars of dollars to pursue this collection; however that was not the case. Though his collection in its entirety is worth over $3,700, Zill did not spend close to that amount on his thorough collection.

“I get most of my games at pawn shops or I go to garage sales with friends and there are times that I have gotten 20 games for only $20 which is a pretty good price,” Zill said. “I have to make sure they are in good condition so I usually clean the cases and the games when I add it to my collection.”

Zill acquired his love for collecting video games from

sophomore Angel Roman who has been collecting for also quite a long time.

“Ben’s collection is actually really impressive,” Roman said.

“He really hasn’t been collecting for very long and he’s already collected probably far over 200 games, while I have barely over 100 and have been collecting longer than he has.”

When one hears the last name “Zill”, most know he is a triplet with two other sisters, New Tech@Coppell senior Madi and CHS senior Allie Zill, neither of which are as remotely interested in gaming as Ben. “I’m not interested in video games at all, I’m just not a fan,” Allie said. “I think what Ben does is very impressive and his collection seems to never stop growing, but it is still pretty cool.”

After he graduates, Ben will be attending the University of Arkansas to major in Business.

“Since I am going to college next year, I am probably not going to game as often as I do,” Ben said.

“But I am not going to stop completely anytime soon.”

Senior Ben Zill sits with his vast collection of video games that is worth over $3,500. Photo by Sandy Iyer.

Senior Ben Zill browses through the game section at Movie Trading Co. in Lewisville. Photo by Tolu Salako.

student life 11

Photo by Regan Sullivan

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE “It is the smell and taste that makes real cigarettes gross. I think they’re OK for anybody to use.”

“EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT PUTTING SMOKE IN YOUR LUNGS, IT IS RIDICULOUS HOW YOU WOULD JUST WILLINGLY LET YOURselF HAVE AN ADDICTION FOR NO REASON.” HAILEY WOLF, JUNIOR

UP IN VAPOR?

THE NEWFOUND TREND of e-cigs CATCHES ON WITH LOCAL TEENS STEPHANIE ALEXANDER entertainment editor

“It’s not even bad.”

“It’s not like I’m actually smoking or anything” “Oh, I’m vaping, It’s vapor, not smoke!”

“Does it smell like a cigarette? No you see, it’s pineapple flavored!”

Increasingly popular and ingeniously marketed, electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, are making their way into high school students’ pockets easily and frequently. Intended to be a tool for adults to wane away from their smoking addictions, e-cigs have become a hot commodity among teenagers, who see them as a safe and harmless way to smoke.

Easy to obtain at a local mall kiosk, or inside Vista Ridge Mall’s store Dragonfly, the only requirement to buy e-cigarettes is being 18 years old. Many students seek out older siblings or upperclassmen acquaintances to get their hands on an e-cig.

Jake* is a student and has an e-cigarette. He says they give him a different buzz than real cigarettes.

“Some kids have fake IDs, but mostly people just give money to 18-year-olds and they buy the stuff for them,” Jake* said. “I remember people getting them last year like they were an accessory or something.”

E-cigarettes are a tool for adults who have been long time

JORDAN MARR, SENIOR

smokers, as that is the intended even.” are safe,” Dr. Cox said. “In people purpose of them, but now they Irving family physician Dr. with asthma and COPD, the use of seem to have turned into a trend Ralph F. Cox, Jr. discourages teens a vapor could trigger an attack just for teens to carry around as casually from thinking e-cigarettes are not due to the irritant effect of the vaas one would their wallet and puff dangerous to their health. por.” away.

“Teenagers should not be usThe regular habit of “vapCoppell resident Sheridan ing the e-cigarettes. Many of them ing” (which is the commonly used Haynie has been using e-cigs for are nicotine based and therefore coined term) an e-cigarette has the four years now after smoking ciga- addictive,” Dr. Cox said. “Many ultimate potential to become psyrettes off and on as an adult. teenagers consider them safer than chologically addictive. It may stop “I’m not using them to get tobacco based products and are the smoking of tobacco, but it does away from nicotine right now, I’m experimenting with them. This ex- not stop the habit. using it as a healthier alternative,” perimentation often leads to depen“They have nicotine at various Haynie said. “I don’t feel levels, you don’t have to like I’m hurting myself as get any at all. I know a much anymore, but mainlady that bought e-cigs ly not hurting the people with no nicotine and she around me either emowould vape her cravings tionally by them smelling like chocolate and she like smoke when they get just did it to get the cravout of my car and feeling ing out of her system, embarrassed or physically not for the nicotine,” by them getting second Haynie said. “Nicotine hand smoke. I think that is - Sheridan Haynie, Coppell Resident isn’t really the problem the main thing.” with smoking, there are Since the e-cig is a product dency.” over 4,000 toxins in one cigarette that is still developing, there are It is a common misconception so that is what you are getting away always new products and flavors to believe e-cigs are a smoking alter- from when you start vaping.” coming out. E-cigs run anywhere native because they are completely Haynie’s daughter, Brianna, from $20 to hundreds of dollars, harmless, but the FDA currently sees e-cigs become more promiand that is not even considering the does not regulate e-cigs. Some e- nent with people who have never cost of juice(s) and cartridges. cigarettes have been found to con- smoked cigarettes.

“You will eventually break tain deadly chemicals and shocking “There is definitely positive even, but when you first get started ingredients that turn this seemingly aspects to the e-cigarettes, but there you have to get all the stuff to start nontoxic product into a possible are those teens who have never off with and they range from small life-threatening scam. smoked a cigarette in their life and and basic to very extravagant set “There have been reports of are just doing it for the ‘edgy’ image ups,” Haynie said. “For the pack carcinogens in the vapor. Until [the that goes with smoking and puffing a day smoker, savings will come proper] studies have been complet- smoke,” Brianna said. faster, but you do eventually break ed, we do not know if e-cigarettes Many cities, such as New York

“

I’m not using them to get away from nicotine right now, I’m using it as a healthier alternative

and Chicago, are banning e-cigs.

On school campuses, they are just beginning to grab students’ attention.

Back in the 1960s up until the late 1980s, schools had designated smoking areas and it was completely normal for kids to have a drag after math class. Even though CHS does not have that set up, e-cigs in Coppell are more common than most would suspect.

“We don’t allow any tobacco based products on campus, and I would consider an electronic cigarette to be under that category,” CHS student resource officer Ricky Jimenez said. “You can put anything in there and smoke it.”

At January’s Golden Globe Awards, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actor Leonardo DiCaprio and other attendees were caught using e-cigs, which got quite the negative feedback. Even though Louis-Dreyfus was using the e-cig as a prop for hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s skit, viewers saw it as Hollywood glamorizing smoking.

“I don’t want anyone who hasn’t ever picked up a cigarette to just one day buy an e-cig with nicotine in it because if you haven’t started the habit, why would you want to?” Haynie said. “Is this a better alternative to smoking cigarettes? Absolutely. But is this better than not doing anything at all?

No.” *Anonymous source

INSIDE AN E-CIG Graphic by Sophie Nauyokas

12 centerspread

centerspread 13

Education in Coppell High School got an upgrade this year through the iPads, and the nutrition department is looking to take it a step further by remodeling the kitchens, lunch lines and menus.

“Next year we are going to be totally tearing the cafeteria out and remodeling it,” Coppell ISD child nutrition culinary trainer Helen Duran said. “It was suppose to start next January, but I am not entirely sure.”

The remodeling is from the bond package that was passed last year. Coppell Independent School District’s child nutrition director Jean Mosely is set to present the design to the school board on Feb. 17. Before then, the exact details and budget have not been disclosed.

However, to combat the long lines and to promote healthier eating, a salad bar and additional lunch line are projected to be put into CHS. “You can put out all the fresh food in the world, but if the kids will not take it and eat it, all you are doing is throwing away food,” Duran said. “Part of our mission is not to just have the food available, it is also to make a paradigm shift in the students to actually buy and eat the food.”

In the past few years, the school district has been enacting programs to promote healthier lifestyles. Duran’s job requires her to plan low fat menus filled with fresh produce and go around elementary schools to encourage children.

Within the elementary schools, there are already salad bars. The program has also reached out to the middle school level. The difference between the elementary and middle school lunchrooms versus the high school is that they are under government regulations through the federal program. The subsidized meals and funds are all paid by the district for the high schools.

“The kids we started with

14 student life

three years ago are sophomores and freshmen now,” Duran said. “[The] elementary kids are eighth graders now, so what we are trying to do is grow healthy eaters if you will.”

Around the CHS lunchroom, many students eat from the pizza lines instead of the salads, deli sandwiches o r other

lunch lines.

Because of the lengthy lines of normal meals, students gravitate towards the pizza lines.

“My grade does not eat healthy at all,” junior Inna Hwang said. “[My friends] only eat pizza because they think it is the only [good] thing to eat.”

Hwang hopes that with the new renovations there will be more options. She would like to see possibly a Chipotle station or more realistically a salad bar.

However, there could still be problems that arise from that. “[The lines] would have to be monitored. Getting bugs or hair in that would be so gross and sadly, that is common in food types,” Hwang said.

The more nutritious options and fresher foods would encourage students to eat healthier and build a solid foundation for when they leave CHS. JV basketball player and junior Chris Green would also see benefits from the new salad bar.

As an athlete, nutrition is very important in performance, and it could put him another step ahead of the competition.

“The salad bar would affect me positively because I’d be eating healthy on a daily basis,” Green said. “Not only that, but I would be able to pick up more healthy and good eating habits to use when I am out of school and out on my own.”

In terms of another lunch line, Hwang believes it will greatly impact the student body and be more efficient.

“Only positives can come from adding another lunch line,”

Graphics by Josh Martin

J E N A S E I D E M A N N student life editor

Hwang said. “We have [hundreds] of students during a lunch and getting another line would disperse the crowd especially if [the lines] were good ones. So many of my friends wait in line and it takes away one-third of their eating time. It may be a little more crowded depending on where it they decide to set up, but I am all for it.”

Even though many students are eating chips and pizza, there has been a growth in salad and sandwich consumption over the past 10 years.

CHS’s cafeteria manager Lillian Cruz has seen nutrition in the Los Angeles area as a cafeteria manager for seven years before coming to Coppell for nine, two of which have been at the high school.

Under Cruz, the cafeteria manager, the work is divided up amongst 16 co-workers who are each assigned a certain job to complete within the two hours leading up to lunch. In the different areas of food preparation, Hattie Bradley, the salad maker, is responsible for all of the daily salads for both CHS and New Tech@ Coppell.

“I was at the high school eight years ago. I was working as the assistant manager and Hattie only used to make 10 to 15 salads a day,” Cruz said. “It is a big increase on the kids who eat health-

ier today.”

Fast forward to today and the high school requires roughly 125 salads each day. Adding New Tech@Coppell’s count and it is nearly 200 salads.

Amongst the changes over the years, Cruz also have high hopes for the future. She hopes the lines will move faster and that the student body will have more participation when it comes to the more nutritional foods.

In the kitchens, there is a 50/50 ratio of fresh versus frozen food. The reasons: sanitation purposes and that it is not economically or time efficient to make everything from scratch in two

hours.

Cruz enjoys the interacting with the students, as her job is one of the most important in the school.

“I really enjoy working the the kids even though I am not a teacher, but I feel I really do contribute a lot with what I do in here and we do play a big role in the kids life because I know a lot of kids who this is their only hot meal of the day,” Cruz said. “We are here to provide good services for them, and I know, just like adults that not everyone appreciates you. But if you like what you do, it is worth it.

Coppell High School cafeteria manager Lillian Cruz prepares 1400 meatballs for Wednesday’s spaghetti lunch before school on Jan. 22 in the kitchen. Photos by Nicole

Coppell High School cafeteria manager Lillian Cruz and assistant cafeteria manager Tarja Kuvaja prepare the spaghetti lunch on Jan. 22 in the kitchen. There are 16 total kitchen staff members at Coppell High School.

student life 15

ALL STATE 2014

Stubblefield trumps another year of competition H E N R I I K K A N I E M I s t a ff w r i t e r

As a sophomore, Christopher Stubblefield has achieved more than some musicians do in their entire careers.

For the past four years, Stubblefield has participated in the National Trumpet Competition. At the last competition he attended in eighth grade, Stubblefield competed against 16 students from all over the United States and placed second overall. This year he is one of 30 musicians in the high school division travelling to Mechanicsburg, Pa. in March to perform at Messiah College.

Stubblefield also made AllState this year for the first time after devoting countless hours to music.

“Students that do well [at All-State] practice hard, have practiced hard for years and

years, and then go and do their best at the auditions,” CHS band director Scott Mason said.

“Some students have quite a bit of work to do and others not so much. It really depends upon their talent level, how difficult their music is, and whether the music shows off their strengths and weaknesses.”

Stubblefield aspires to have a future in music, although he is undecided on which route to take.

“There are two main music professions; some people say to go for music education to have something to fall back on, but I’m thinking about music performance,” Stubblefield said.

For the moment, Stubblefield is concentrating on the National Trumpet Competition, which takes place the first week after spring break, and keeping up his skills to make All-State Band again next year.

Coppell High School sophomore trumpet player Christopher Stubblefield practices All State music after school in the band hall. Stubblefield made All State band after making it to the area competition for the second year. Photos by Nicole Messer.

Knippa written into junior percussionist history H E N R I I K K A N I E M I s t a ff w r i t e r

Coppell High School junior percussionist Brady Knippa practices All State music after school in the band hall.

Knippa was the first junior to make the All State band from the percussion section from Coppell High School.

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Junior Brady Knippa joined the ranks of very few Coppell percussionists this year by becoming a member of the 5A Texas AllState Band, competing in arguably the most selective section, earning himself first chair and the accomplishment of the first junior percussionist to ever advance to All-State from Coppell.

“Coppell percussion is known for being really tough,” Knippa said. “Only two people [2008 graduate Austin Ferguson 2010 graduate Aaron Fisher] have made it before. I know one of them and he’s really, really good, so I just hoped for the best but I didn’t expect anything to happen.

I poured a lot into it and I’m really happy with the outcome.”

Only four students in percussion make the All-State Band, which is a smaller percentage than most other sections. Coppell is zoned in an area of Texas with many high schools that have well-established percussion programs and teachers, paving the way for aggressive competition.

Knippa has played the drums since he was three and joined the Coppell percussion program in the sixth grade. After making area auditions last year as a sophomore and placing eighth, Knippa refocused his efforts and

2014 All State began to practice two hours a day after marching season ended in Qualifiers November.

Sophomore Annabelle Kim, Flute “Practice is the biggest part of it,” Knippa said. “Consistent Sophomore Ludia Hong, Flute practice on your own is what’s really important because it gives Junior Hannah Thorp, Clarinet you that time by yourself to work out everything that needs to be Senior Madi Zill, Alto Clarinet fixed.”

Head percussion director Junior Lauren LaChapelle, Bassoon Zack Scheer began working with Knippa two years ago after comSenior Paige Solano, French Horn ing to Coppell and has watched him steadily progress.

Sophomore Christopher Stubblefield, “It was pretty clear to me Trumpet that he knew that he could make it and that he really wanted to,” Senior Brandy Sun, Flute Scheer said. “From that point on, he’s really worked hard to Senior Daniel Gray, Euphonium improve. He practiced more this year, practiced better, and he was Senior Joey Pye, Trumpet more serious and determined about the process overall.”

Senior Jason Fang, Bassoon Knippa hopes to make AllState Band his final year of high Junior Brady Knippa, Percussion school and has set his sights on a potential degree or career in Senior Benson Huang, Clarinet music.

“There are a lot of students Senior Terrence Yi, Percussion that are talented, that play well, but in order to make All-State Junior Gregory Blazek, Euphonium Band, you have to start practicing the music early, you have to Junior Nicholas Jang, Alto practice it more than everyone Saxophone else and hold yourself to a higher standard,” Scheer said. “These Junior Rohan Panaparambil, E-flat students are very mature and Clarinet self-disciplined.”

A countdown of the most romantic

Love Stories in Film

Editor-in-chief Kristen Shepard and news editor Caroline Carter took a look at some of the most romantic movies.

Graphics by Sophie Nauyokas and Jordan Bickham

#3. Lady and the Tramp

#2. A Walk to Remember

With perhaps the biggest plot twist in Hollywood history, A Walk to Remember is the story of a bad boy whose life is changed by sweetheart Jamie Sullivan. When Landon Carter get in trouble, yet again, he is forced to complete community service and connects with Jamie.

While Landon refuses to acknowledge Jamie outside of their private conversations, he falls for her and feels deep guilt for his actions.

The most touching aspect of the movie is watching Landon change, as he transforms into a large-hearted, caring individual. When Jamie’s biggest secret is shared and the power couple can no longer be together, Landon is a completely new person. A Walk to Remember is more than a sappy, teenage love story, it is a movie about acceptance, patience and life change.

#4. The Princess Bride

Unlike many romantic dramas, The Princess Bride is a beloved film by both genders. The movie, which at its surface depicts a princess being rescued by her knight in shining armor, has been a favorite among viewers of all ages. Not only is it a love story, but the film is particularly humours.

The 1987 film shows stable boy Wesley’s quest to save Princess Buttercup from the sinister Prince Humperdink.

With the help of Magic Max, Inigo Montoya and Fezzik, Wesley is able to reunite with his true love after conquering a few setbacks. With dozens of memorable scenes including Wesley tumbling down a hill yelling “As you wish” to the Inigo Montoya’s infamous sword battle, The Princess Bride continues to captivate audiences each time they watch it.

#1. Titanic

Though the movie’s title gives away its ending, Titanic is filled with melodrama, suspense, historical value and passion and is perhaps the best romantic film of all time.

Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) lower class upbringing and Rose DeWitt Bukateruickly than they ever could have anticipated.

With a budget of over $200 million, the sets and acting are the best of the best. Rose and Jack look optimistically towards their future together, and when the ship inevitably begins to sink, so does the viewer’s heart. Their love however, is eternal, as Celine Dion cries out in “My Heart Will Go On”.

The precious cocker spaniel, Lady, lives a posh and spoiled life, which changes drastically when two evil Siamese cats move in to her home. Lady feels lost, alone and a stranger in her own home. When Tramp, a homeless mutt, comes into the picture, Lady’s story brightens up. The plot mixes Romeo and Juliet with a damsel in distress, all through characters that we all adore: dogs.

Everyone know’s the famous spaghetti scene, where Lady and Tramp bashfully bump into each other as they indulge over a heaping plate of spaghetti. This G-rated and innocent movie is the perfect flick for a lighthearted date or family movie.

#5. Say Anything

At first, Say Anything seems like a typical teen romantic comedy flick, but this 1980s film proves to be a favorite among audiences since its release. A high school loser, Lloyd Dobler, falls for the pretty, popular and smart girl-next-door, Diane Court. Despite their love, Diane’s father does not approve.

Released in 1989, Say Anything follows the high school lovers as they journey through their summer before college. The iconic scene with Lloyd holding a boombox outside of Diane’s window has become one of the most romantic declarations of love in movie history. Your heart can’t help but melt once Lloyd and Diane finally end up together.

Worst Movie:

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the Taco Bell equivalent of romantic movies: you leave unsatisfied and know it could have been better. In fact, Valentine’s Day very well may be the best example of how filling a movie with star actors and actresses does not automatically make the movie good. The movie had tons of potential, but was ultimately lackluster.

With less than stellar acting performances from Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner, the viewer is left hoping the film will end soon. And, with nearly half a dozen plots occurring simultaneously, it is almost impossible to keep track of what is going on. There is no depth to the movie whatsoever, and it’s not particularly funny either.

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Fisher takes Grammys red carpet by storm with fierce makeover C H R I S T I N A B U R K E m a n a g i n g e d i t o r

Passers by did a double take as Miley Cyrus walked around Los Angeles prior to last month’s Grammys but at second glance, they might have unknowingly seen Coppell High School senior Jill Fisher.

Through some interesting connections, Fisher and The Sidekick’s photo editor, senior Regan Sullivan, flew to Los Angeles on the weekend of the Grammys for a once in a lifetime experience. Fisher got the unique opportunity of a “Miley makeover” by offering to participate in the “Good Girls Gone Bad” segment of E!’s Countdown to the Grammys show as Miley Cyrus.

America saw Fisher go from a girl next door to an edgy Miley Cyrus look alike in the time span of about an hour. From bold leggings to long nails that spelled out “M-il-e-y”, she got to display her new look on the red carpet of the Grammys with E! hosts.

“I’m usually a really ner-

vous person, but for this, I was so excited that I didn’t even let it phase me,” Fisher said. “Being on the red carpet was totally different than I imagined. I didn’t freak out, I didn’t get overexcited, I was just chill.”

This opportunity began with a Facebook comment from Jill’s sister, Los Angeles resident and CHS 2003 graduate Megan Fisher. Megan is well aware of Jill’s ambition to someday cut her hair when she saw a status from a friend who works at E! seeking a volunteer to cut their hair for the segment.

“I playfully let my friend Cat, who works for E!, know about Jill and she immediately took it seriously,” Megan said. “I don’t think she could have found anyone that would be willing to chop their hair off. Jill has always wanted short hair, so she was the first person I thought of. I told [Jill] if she really wanted to go through with the transformation, then all she has to do is show up.”

Photo courtesy Kristin Shultz

Excited, Jill willingly agreed to make use of this opportunity and asked her good friend, Sullivan, to come along for moral support. The two CHS student journalists took note of how the camera crew worked to produce this segment.

“It was cool to see how it all happened and to be in LA during the Grammys,” Sullivan

Senior Jill Fisher poses after getting a Miley Cyrus makeover on January 26.

Fisher went to Los Angeles to be on E!’s countdown show to the Grammys on Sunday afternoon. Photos by Regan Sullivan.

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said. “For the E! experience, it was interesting to see how they were trying to make everything look frantic when they actually had plenty of time.”

Despite the alleged time crunch, everything that the E! team did to Jill made for a ravishing transformation. From outward appearance to attitude, whatever she was displaying had

people enthralled, and she took advantage of it.

“The most memorable part of the experience was everyone gushing over how great Jill looked. Even on the red carpet and around all the stylists, people couldn’t stop staring and complimenting her,” Megan said. “She immediately got an edge about her that I only saw glimpses of before. She carried herself so well and wasn’t scared to transform her look so quickly. I wanted to take her to Hollywood Blvd. to see how many autographs she could sign while dressed like Miley.

I think it was the best day of Jill’s life.”

Even weeks later, Jill is completely content with her transformation and is thankful for a weekend she will never forget.

“It was really cool that they actually made me look like Miley, it was kind of scary,” Jill said. “But after I took off all the make-up and I got to style [my hair] on my own, I felt really happy that it happened and I didn’t regret anything. I’ve always wanted my hair like this, and it was just a crazy blessed opportunity to cut it.”

On January 26, senior Jill Fisher gets a Miley Cyrus makeover. Fisher went to Los Angeles to be on E!’s countdown show to the Grammys on Sunday afternoon.

Time to spring into the season’s newest fashion As the season of rejuvenation approaches, so does a whole new line of spring clothing. You will see a bountiful amount of denim, floral print SLOANE SAMBERSON and floor length skirts on display at your favorite clothing stores this spring. Urban Outfitters, my shop of choice, is always a trendsetter when it staff writer

comes to the latest season’s clothing. The only problem is that their clothes can become outrageously priced. When I was there on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I ended up blowing $200 on five articles of clothing. The quality of the clothes at Urban Outfitters is very high which explains why an average article of clothing costs at least $50. If you are not looking to blow your budget, check out H&M or Forever 21. They have equally as cute clothes, for a much more reasonable price.Whether you decide to buy more costly clothing or clothes that are more reasonably priced, you will look ravishing in what ever suits your spring fancy.

DENIM

Multi-colored shoes

If you are looking for a casual yet cute outfit, look no further than denim jeans, skirts and shorts. You can never go wrong with denim. It is a timeless look that can be worn year round, but to make it work you have to have the appropriate shoes and shirt.

Pair your destroyed denim jeans with a plain white blouse, floral print shirt or a crocheted tank top. You can even add to the wow factor by wearing a bandana in your hair. Shoe wise, stick with an ankle boot or gladiator sandal.

For guys, multi-colored shoes will be huge this spring. Your shoes can make or break your outfit, being that they have to match what you are wearing. I recommend buying a pair of neutral colored Vans that have a touch of a pattern, such as tribal print or something retro.

Graphics by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

Country- chic Country-chic will be a big trend this season, and to pull that off you will need floral printed clothing, and a lot of it. Of course you should never go overboard on any printed clothing article, but by having various options of floral prints you will be set for the spring season.

I recommend investing in a long floral skirt. You will look incredibly classy but not too formal.

Wear your long floral skirt with a cropped top that corresponds with one of the colors in the skirt.

Do not wear a two toned shirt or your outfit will look far too busy. If you are long legged wear your floral skirt with sandals, but if you have short legs, pair your outfit with booties that have a low heel.

SUEDE SHORTS

As I am browsing through stores, I see oodles of suede shorts. Black, brown, blue, even red. I prefer my shorts with a highwaist because of the versatility that comes with them. You can wear cropped shirts or even tuck in a loose blouse for a more modern look. Either way, you will stop traffic in a pair of suede shorts and wedges.

Patterned

Shirts

A common trend for guys this spring will be patterned button down shirts. I have caught a glimpse of many guys wearing button down flannels, but some wore abstractly patterned shirts. If you are going to wear a busy shirt wear long neutral or denim pants with Vans or Converse.

&

Dresses Rompers Dresses and rompers will finally be appropriate to wear as the weather warms up. You will find many dresses and rompers in floral prints, but if you are wanting something less busy stick with soft pastel colors. If you are informed that the temperature is lowering, throw on a jean jacket and you will be set to go.

For these fashion items, visit the following locations:

7205 Bishop Rd Plano www.urbanoutfitters.com (972) 398-0470

3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy Grapevine www.hm.com/us (972) 355-8729

3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy #234, Grapevine www.forever21.com (972) 956-0667

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DeWitt era underway for Coppell football program GEORGE FAIRCHILD s t a ff w r i t e r

Less than 24 hours after the resignation of football coach Joe McBride, Coppell ISD Athletics Director John Crawford announced defensive coordinator Mike DeWitt had been promoted to head coach on Feb. 4. “[Coach DeWitt] is a hard working, dedicated coach and he’s a great person to lead Coppell football next year,” junior tight end Connor Williams said.

DeWitt has worked under McBride in the past, spending time at a middle school that fed to He-

bron where McBride was the defensive coordinator and then as the defensive coordinator at Frisco Liberty where McBride assumed the role of head coach.

In 2009, when McBride moved to Coppell, he brought DeWitt with him to serve as defensive coordinator.

“Coach McBride has been my mentor for the last 12 years,” DeWitt said. “A lot of the things will be the same. We will still have the same philosophy of playing great defense and offensively we will still run the football.”

The Cowboys have stuck to

Recently promoted head football coach Mike DeWitt instructs football players in the turf room, giving them drill instructions during practice. Photo by Sandy Iyer.

the same philosophy of being a very physical minded team that plays great defense since Mike Fuller, who is now the head coach at Colleyville Heritage, left in 2006.

When speculation over the departure of McBride arose, Crawford began his process of hiring a new coach and realized the best man for the job was already on staff.

“We wanted a person with a tremendous amount of character and integrity about them,” Crawford said. “We wanted a head coach that was going to be committed to playing great defense, that would have a physical presence about them offensively, be very committed to developing our athletes strength and conditioning wise and also very committed to playing great special teams as well. All the phases that you have to have a winning football team and we realized that we already had that person on our staff and that was Coach DeWitt.”

The Cowboys are losing a large number of seniors next year, including defensive end Solomon Thomas (Stanford), defensive back Chris Adkins (Southern Illinois) and offensive lineman Bill Weber (Toledo), but the players returning next year are excited to work under their new head coach.

“He’s a great man,” junior

Recently promoted head football coach Mike DeWitt explains a play to senior linebacker Jared Calvert during the football game against McKinney Boyd on Sept. 6. Photo by Regan Sullivan. running back Charles West said.

“He’s a man of God, he carries himself well, he supports everyone around him and I’m excited to work with him next year.”

Despite the recent promotion and hype surrounding him, DeWitt has remained humble about his successes.

“I try not to think of ‘I’ and instead I think of ‘we’ as a staff because I really think that if that staff wasn’t a great staff then I probably would not

have gotten the opportunity,” DeWitt said. “The fact that there are really good men working with me is a big part of it and this is a team deal.”

DeWitt said he felt honored when offered the job and is determined to improve every aspect of the football team next year.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” DeWitt said. “It’s a good opportunity, we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing. We’re going to work hard and really get after it.”

Fencing keeps childhood fascination alive for Weix E L I Z A B E T H S I M S e n t e r p r i s e e d i t o r

Most little boys have pretended they are a brave knight riding into battle with a gleaming sword drawn at one point in their lives.

Typically, those daydreams fade with time and these boys grow up to exchange their imaginary swords for footballs or hockey sticks.

However, junior Derek Weix has found a way to keep his childhood fascination with swords alive through the unusual sport of fencing.

“When he was little, he always had a pretend sword. He would make his toys into a sword, and no matter where we went, his souvenir was always a sword,” mother Marian Weix said. “He played soccer from the time that he was 4 to about 10 and we decided it was time for a change so he and his dad started looking at clubs.”

At just 9 years old, Derek began fencing foils at the Fencing Institute of Texas in Farmers Branch. After a few years, Derek wanted to switch to another style

of fencing called saber so his family began searching for a more saber-focused fencing club.

“I wanted to switch to saber because it is so quick that a lot of it is just reactions,” Derek said.

The family found the Dallas Fencers Club, which has recently changed its name to Husar Fencing School, and Derek began training under lifelong fencer Waldek Czaja.

“I have been Derek’s coach for about four years. When he first came to me, he was a foil fencer with a saber in his hand,”

Junior Derek Weix (left) lunges toward a classmate during a Monday night practice match at the Husar Fencing School in Addison. Photo by Elizabeth Sims.

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Czaja said. “He is one of the top cadets and on his way to being a top junior and has potential to be one of the top fencers in Dallas.”

At Husar Fencing School, students not only learn the skills and techniques necessary to excel in the sport, but they are taught life lessons.

“We emphasize four things: first is God, second is family, third is school and fourth is up to you.

I want them to learn how to have strong relationships and learn these things through fencing,” Czaja said. “It’s all about building that strong foundation and teaching them honesty and hard work are the best ways to succeed.”

As his coach, Czaja has seen many of these qualities present in Derek.

“Derek is very intelligent and uses his brain to serve others.

He has really become one of the leaders in my class,” Czaja said.

His mother has also seen several changes in her son, both physically and mentally, that have shaped his personality.

“Physically, he has always been fairly athletic but now he is in incredible shape. Mentally, he is more focused and he has become more of a leader,” Marian said. “He has always been mature for his age, but now he helps the younger

fencers and has been asked to be captain of the team at competitions. He is very passionate about the sport but can be grounded and keep his emotions in check.”

Derek employs this maturity and mental toughness when preparing for competitions and refocusing himself.

“It’s called physical chess for a reason. A lot of the preparation goes into practices. Often times before competitions I will meditate,” Derek said.

Through this sport, the Weix family has found they have become closer as they travel the country from competition to competition and support Derek.

“I think letting him become who he wants to become has been huge for him,” Marian said. “We have traveled all over the country for competitions and provide him emotional support when things don’t go so well and celebrate when he wins. It has given us a lot of one-on-one time with him.”

As far as continuing beyond high school, Derek has found a passion in the sport that he plans to pursue for a lifetime.

“This is something I plan to do, hopefully, for my entire life,” Derek said. “It is excellent exercise and I find it fun and it’s just cool to fight people with swords.”

Coppell’s True Rival

Due to realignment changes, does CHS lack an ultimate, universal rival? continued from pg. 1 one game.

“Rivalries make every season more fun,” history teacher Kevin Casey said. “Rivalries make it possible to have something to look forward to no matter what the context of the season is and I think one reason we do not have that type of rivalry is because we have not been in the same district as Southlake in awhile.”

Here in the DFW area and in Texas, high school rivalries are a way of life. From Duncanville vs. DeSoto to Odessa Permian vs. Midland Lee (forever remembered by the popular book and movie adaptation Friday Night Lights), these teams are reminders of how deep rivalries run.

To answer this question it is important to consider the following two reasons that Coppell does not necessarily play or for the matter have a true rival. The first is the fact the UIL’s redistricting policy goes in effect every two years.

The second is that Coppell is a one school district.

Coincidentally these actually go hand-in-hand.

Because Coppell only has

one high school offering sports, they act as fillers for other districts that have multiple schools.

It is considered flexible and expendable for the UIL to use at its disposal. “[The UIL] can put us anywhere,” head basketball coach Kit Pehl said.

However there are people who welcome new opponents each year.

“Redistricting affects some rivalries but sometimes you need a break from a team,” sophomore football player Drew Smith said.

“You get to know a team so well you know what they are going to do.”

There are some that actually favor being a one-team district as it creates city-to-city rivalries that bring whole communities together.

“I grew up in Grand Prairie and they have those two schools which really divide the town,” Casey said. “The most fun are cityto-city rivalries.”

Casey is one of the longest-tenured teachers at Coppell and has been an eyewitness to over 15 years of Coppell sports.

One of the most heated ri-

Cowboy Carl and Southlake Carroll’s Dragon represent the difference in opinions when it comes to the Coppell and Southlake rivalry. Photo by Regan Sullivan.

valries is Hurst L.D. Bell vs. Euless Trinity. Bell has played Trinity every year from 1970, but are losing the all-time record 27-14-2 to the Trojans.

Until 1998, the series was a heated competition with the Blue Raiders only claiming a one game lead. Then Trinity went on a 14 year dominance streak.

This raises another question.

If one team is the reigning champ year after year, does it still constitute as a rivalry?

“Both sides have to win [for it to be a true rivalry],” Casey said.

“It has to hurt sometimes to feel really good about a win.”

The days of a true school rival could be gone. At Coppell, it appears rivalries only exist within each sport. Basketball has different rivals than soccer, soccer has different rivals than football, football has different from volleyball and so it goes that each team has its own personal vendetta against a team.

“Marcus is our rival but that has only been since district started last year,” junior forward Alejandro Gonzalez said. “However Hebron would be a bigger rival because the two previous years before we were in their district they knocked us out of the playoffs in the first round both times, but then we beat them in district and playoffs last year.”

The Cowgirls volleyball team has developed its own rivalries in recent years with state championships in 2011 and 2012.

“Colleyville Heritage is our biggest rival,” junior volleyball player Kylie Pickrell said. “They are an all-around good team and we always have faced them in playoffs at some point.”

One of the most memorable Coppell football games in recent years was the Cowboys’ 5753 double-overtime victory over the Southlake Carroll Dragons.

“Different sports have different teams that they match up with,” Crawford said. “They tend to be more of a rival than any other [program].”

Band even has its own separate competition with the Flower Mound Marcus and the LD Bell.

Even though each team claims a different opponent the popular response to the question who is Coppell’s rival has been the Southlake Carroll Dragons in spite of the fact they have not faced each other in two years.

“When I moved to Coppell people told me we had one rival,

Varying Opinions soccer “Marcus is our rival but that has only been since district started last year. However Hebron would be a bigger rival because the two previous years before we were in their district they knocked us out of the playoffs in the first round both times, but then we beat them in district and playoffs last year.”

-junior Alejandro Gonzalez

volleyball

“Colleyville Heritage is our biggest rival.

They are an all-around good team and we always have faced them in playoffs at some point.”

-junior Kylie Pickerell

basketball “In my first time around at CHS in ‘99, 2000, and 2001, Southlake and Heritage were just our natural rivals. With Coppell and Southlake being what we coaches call ‘one-horse towns’ it lends more to the competitiveness of the rivalry.”

- boys coach Kit Piehl

which was Southlake,” Casey said. “I have lived here 20 years and that has not changed. We may not play them on the field all the time, but that is who our rival is.”

However Southlake has been apart of Coppell since 1966, whether it be in district or non-district games. The overall record as it stands now is 38-7 in the Dragon’s favor.

“It was very passionate but it was never where one team goes on and one team stays home,” Casey said. “The best rivalries are the ones where the winner takes all. You need high stakes.

“I remember a game here a couple of years ago where Southlake and us where both 9-0 and the winner would win district and the loser would be second place. We lost to them and then our season was just

over.”

With the recent redistricting changes, Coppell seems on the verge of rekindling rivalries with Southlake, Colleyville Heritage, and LD Bell after a decade off for some.

“In my first time around at CHS in ‘99, 2000, and 2001, Southlake and Heritage were just our natural rivals,” Pehl said. “With Coppell and Southlake being what we coaches call ‘one-horse towns’ it lends more to the competitiveness of the rivalry.”

While the opinion of who is CHS’ rival varies from activity to activity, Crawford still believes that Southlake Carroll is Coppell’s ultimate rival.

“Different sports have different teams that they match up with,” Crawford said. “They tend to be more of a rival than any other [program].”

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Michaelis works his way to varsity through passion M A R K S L E T T E staff writer

When you cannot find junior forward Austin Michaelis on the soccer field, more often than not, he will be dominating his teammates while playing Super Smash Brothers Melee at home.

Oddly enough, Michaelis’s playing style strongly resembles the form of his favorite video games.

“It’s a certain feeling that I get when I’m out there playing,” Michaelis said. “I love being on the field with my teammates. I want to have the ball, to score and win. Playing with them, together, is just so exciting.”

However, high school and club soccer, as well as his spot as a midfielder on the Coppell Cowboy lacrosse team, dominates his daily schedule.

“Austin is a two-sport varsity letterman, as he has played lacrosse and soccer since his

freshman year,” boys soccer coach Chad Rakestraw said. “He has ton on his plate, takes several AP classes. He’s a wonderful kid with good character. He’s so busy with things. For him to stay focused, to stay committed and be able to do all of it is quite impressive.”

Michaelis, a captain for this year’s defending Class 5A state champions, is a natural leader on and off the field. Even the veterans on the team are in awe of how he plays.

“He’s definitely a motivator on the field,” senior forward Chris Madden said. “He knows when he needs to take charge and rally up the team, especially the underclassmen. [Alot of his teammates] look up to him.”

Michaelis’s journey began when he was 5. His father, Randy Michaelis, first signed him up for the sport.

Having high hopes in his son, Randy began showing Austin the basics and fundamentals of playing soccer. He then took

on the task of becoming Austin’s coach. Starting in a recreational league, he coached his son from kindergarten to seventh grade.

Over that time, he saw Austin grow quickly as a player.

Not only did Austin learn and pick up the game quickly, according to his dad and teammates, but with his natural competitiveness, always wanting to be the best in anything he does, he excelled in playing soccer.

Austin is now in his third year of play for the Andromeda Football Club, a competitive select club soccer team in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that competes around the country. Similarly to the high school team, Austin also plays center attacking midfielder.

Many of his teammates also play high school and club soccer.

Junior midfielder Colton Clark sees Austin’s role as a leader carrying over onto the club team.

“He has the same attitude pretty much,” Clark said. “Most

of it is leading by example. He has vocal skills, too. He’s a very hard worker, and just like I said earlier, when you see someone working hard, you follow them and do what they do.”

Working hard and polishing his skills on the club team, he drastically improved as a player and earned a spot on the varsity team his freshman year.

“It’s always fun to see him run by people because he’s so fast,” Clark said. “A couple games ago against Jefferson, he had a 60 yard sprint, where he ran just about the whole field, past all the defenders and scored a goal.”

The Coppell soccer program has left an imprint on Austin as he has become a leader on and off the field. “[Austin]’s an athlete,” Madden said. “He’s slowly learning and becoming a true leader for us and for the team. He’s definitely a motivator on the field and in the locker room. He’s a great teammate.”

Junior Austin Michaelis

Photo by Sandy Iyer

On Feb. 5, senior football and cross country athletes signed to the colleges they will be attending next year. Photos by Regan Sullivan.

Adam Centers, Wake Forest

Bryan Berens, Grand View

Carson Vickroy, Kansas

Kevin Gray, Southeastern Oklahoma John Herubin, Yale

Blake Mahon, Baylor Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Collins Okotcha, Sam Houston

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Bill Weber, Toledo

Chris Adkins, Southern Illinois

O N T H E R A D A R PL AYERS TO WATCH FOR SPRING SPORTS Softball

Boys Soccer

Shannon Wilkinson, staff writer One half of the tandem twins, Drew Brinda is having a successful first year on the Coppell Cowboys varsity soccer team.

Junior midfielder Brinda looks for ways to make his mark this season. With the team losing 14 seniors to graduation last season, the newcomers have been looked at to help carry the team.

“Drew is a really good player and can really handle the ball, senior midfielder Nick Price said. “He is able to get the ball to the goal and away from the other team.”

Brinda has been practicing hard during fourth period as well as in after school practice to help lead the Cowboys to victory.

“This season, I am hoping to help lead the team to another state championship,” Brinda said.

Girls Soccer

Kristen Shepard, editor-in-chief After winning the Class 5A state championship in 2009, Coppell High School girl’s soccer has been working hard to go deep into playoffs each year.

With only five seniors of the 23 players, this year’s varsity team is relatively young. However, the team’s youth has not prevented them from having strong leadership.

Freshman Sarah Houchin will be bringing talent and energy to this year’s team, which makes her an excellent player to watch.

Houchin looks up to the older players on her team for leadership and instruction.

“Some of the really good teams in our district are Plano West, Marcus and Hebron,” Houchin said. “As a team, we have been preparing by playing at full speed even in our pre-season games.”

Houchin is the only freshman to be playing on the 2014 varsity team.

“Sarah is a goalkeeper’s dream,” junior goalkeeper Laura Hogan said. “She is a very smooth defender and you would never guess she is a freshman.”

Boys Lacrosse John Loop, sports editor Senior defenseman JP Goyne has protected the crease for the Coppell Cowboys varsity lacrosse team since his freshman year.

However, as a captain of this year’s team, Goyne hopes to help the Coppell program back onto its feet after falling short of a state championship in the last two years.

That all started this summer for Goyne, as he prepared for the season.

“I played in tournaments up north on teams with kids from all around Dallas in the summer,” Goyne said.

“In the fall, the Coppell team had practices and played in a couple of local tournaments.”

The level of talent that the North Region of Texas high school Division I lacrosse (powerhouses like Jesuit, Highland Park and the Episcopal School of Dallas) fields many of the nation’s top prospects, but Goyne knows that a Coppell practice prepares the backline for the cream of the crop just as well.

“Luckily we have some of the best attackmen in the area, so it really helps to go against them in practice every day,” Goyne said.

Photo courtesy Ali Gentry

Photo by Sandy Iyer

Photo courtesy Charles King

Photo courtesy Melanie Houchin

Alex Dalton, staff writer Returning to the varsity team for her sophomore year, oufielder Ali Gentry is no stranger to being the youngest team member. During the 2013-2014 season things will be different as Gentry is past adjusting to the high level play.

Her teammates are enthusiastic for her second year on the varsity roster.

Senior teammate Erika Velasquez-Zimmer says that Gentry’s return makes her a leader who can help direct freshmen as well as a good candidate for captain next year. “[Ali] is an amazing softball player with a great mixture of speed and power at the plate. She also has a great glove in the outfield,” Velasquez-Zimmer said. “[Gentry] always has a contagious, positive attitude that helps the team stay up. She’ll help out with whatever you ask of her and she is just a hard worker.”

Baseball

Alex Nicoll, staff writer Standing at six feet four inches and 175 pounds, sophomore right-hander Charles King is a formidable force on the mound already, and his impact is already being felt by his coaches even though he has not played a full season yet at the varsity level.

“He has good velocity, good command and good second and third pitch,” head coach Kendall Clark said. “He has a live arm and he is very difficult to hit. He does a lot of things a good pitcher is supposed to do.”

King has made great progress during the off-season where he went through Crossfit training during the summer and took part of a long-toss program has helped him improve his velocity. Now he wants to focus on other aspects of his pitching game.

“I want to keep my ERA down,” King said. “Last year it was pretty high because the two games I came into I gave up two home runs. I want to keep hitters on their toes and force a lot of ground balls and strikeouts.”

Whatever he is used for in the program, it never hurts to have the 54th nationally ranked player in the class of 2016 on your team.

Girls Lacrosse Annie Wen, staff writer

Photo by Regan Sullivan

Photo by Alyssa Frost

Off the field she always has a camera in hand, fulfilling her duties as a Round-Up yearbook editor, capturing everybody else’s moments. But on the field with her lacrosse stick in hand she is the focus of the lens.

Senior attacker Lauren Cullison was first introduced to lacrosse after quitting gymnastics.

“I stuck with [lacrosse] because it was so vastly different than any sport I ever played and I really loved my teammates,” Cullison said.

Molly Ford has been Cullison’s coach for the past two years and has gotten to witness her improvements in herself and as a player.

“If players are not pulling their weight she is the first one to tell them,” Ford said. “As a player she is never satisfied and is always looking to improve her own game.”

For her final year of high school lacrosse, Cullison wants to leave behind a lasting impact on many different levels.

“I personally want to make the most of this season since it will be the last with my Coppell team by reaching my peak abilities and also enjoying every moment of this experience,” Cullison said.

sports 23

The Sidekick staff is proud to recognize Anthony Poullard as the February teacher of the issue. Poullard teaches Academy Spanish III, Pre-AP Spanish III and Academy Spanish II. Students of Poullard praise him for his energy, knowledge and excitement towards the Spanish language. Poullard is a die hard Texas Longhorns fan. As an instructor, Poullard works hard to make technology a useful aspect of the learning environment. “We use apps like Croak It to record our responses to his questions and play review games on Quizlet,” sophomore Victoria Kennedy said. “ He encourages us to not be afraid to make mistakes, because that is how we learn.”

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