Frances Ruiz
Staff Writer

Bursting at the seams with contagious smiles, uncontrollable laughter and interesting conversation, the Cowboy Café proved to be a source of social interaction amongst the students of CHS.

An opportunity unlike any other, the Cowboy Café enabled new friendships to form, existing friendships to be rekindled and a wide variety of social skills to be refined, all over the span of a 30 minute lunch. Designed to support and encourage the students of CHS who struggle with developing certain social skills involving interaction and communication amongst others, the café allowed for special needs students to further develop these skills and showcase the incredible abilities they have already established.

 Mary Mills, a speech and language pathologist employed by CISD, felt strongly about the Cowboy Café and its overall meaning.

“It’s really great that CHS has programs such as these and places such great importance on them,” Mills said. “Cowboy Café is a meaningful way for students to interact socially and learn appropriate skills.”

Having started two years ago, the distinct concept and unique objective behind the Cowboy Café was originally implemented and ultimately made a reality at the suggestion of speech therapists throughout CISD.  Placing great emphasis and top priority on the need for school programs which would provide support and encouragement for special needs students on a greater level, the Cowboy Café commenced a new tradition of learning, growth, and fun amongst a variety of students within the district.

Terri Menotti, a specialist who works with individuals at CHS, New Tech and CMS West, felt that the Cowboy Café had something very unique and beneficial to offer.

“Students who undergo the experience seem to be positively affected,” Menotti said. “The students involved in the program are very good models and mentors.”

The café’s “cowboys” were not only treated to pizza, soft drinks and other tasty snacks, but were given the opportunity to escape the loud and overwhelming lunchroom in exchange for the welcoming and cheerful environment exclusively set up in the Varsity Men’s choir room. Through the Cowboy Café experience, participants could not only share a delicious lunch with several of their friends, but were also given the chance to interact and communicate with students they had not yet met before.

Freshman Kailyn Chillag, a member selected to encourage and support participants with special needs who are developing and furthering their social skills, has been a part of Cowboy Café since its very start and expresses a positive outlook on the program.

“Through Cowboy Café I can interact with other kids and get to know them individually,” Chillag said. “This program really helps to bring out their personality and is great to be a part of.”  

Although the Café may have begun just a short while ago, it already seems to be providing a certain number of Coppell “cowboys” with unforgettable learning experiences and budding friendships.